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“I did until ...” She hesitated.
He smiled, expecting her to confess she’d fallen in love with him. He would reciprocate in the blink of an eye with words of love and scorching caresses. Frankly, he couldn’t imagine livingwithout Madison in his life.
“Until I met your sons.”
“My sons?” Taken aback, he frowned. “What have they got to do with our relationship?”
“Rick Lambert, you’re an absolute jerk.”
“Huh?” Damn it, what was going on with this woman? She was more complicated and more difficult to understand than the dozens he’d entertained in previous years.
“Your boys are adorable, so easy to love and care for, but you’re a despicable man. You’ve deprived them of a mother’s love and still managed to convince them that you couldn’t live without a woman.” She shook her head, her face a mask of disgust.
He choked on his drink and coughed, unable to believe his ears, and then he poured himself a second glassful.
Who was this shrew pointing an accusing finger at his chest? What had happened to his sweet Madison?
“I’ve gotten attached to your boys and would never abandon them. They need maternal love. I’ll take care of them and lavish them with it.”
“Ah. Okay.” There was still hope to keep Madison by his side.
“I’ll do my best to be a mom to them.”
“Good, good.” Thank God, he’d misunderstood her. A sigh of relief escaped him. “I’m ready for anything you suggest.”
“I’ll be with them anytime they want me.” Her face radiated maternal love.
“Madison, I knew you were a wonderful, unique woman. You can move in any time.”
“What? You expect me to move in with you?” she shrieked. “You have absolutely no shame.”
She raised her hand but stopped midway.
Damn it, was she about to slap him?
“No, no, no.” He tried to retract his blunder. “Nothing of thesort. I mean if you’re thinking about marriage, I don’t mind it at all.”
“Marriage? Rick Lambert, go to hell. We only met two months ago. Besides, after everything that I’m learning about you, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth,” she spat. “I’ll take care of Mark and Michael, and I’ll rush to help them anytime they need me. But I don’t want to be with you ever, ever, ever again.” Her tone escalated with every word.
“For heaven’s sake, why? What did I do to you, Madison? My dating days stopped when I met you. From that moment, I haven’t even glanced at another woman.” He captured her eyes, trying to convince her of his sincerity. “What’s bothering you?”
She averted her gaze and huffed. “Today, I realized I don’t know you, Rick. I told you about my past, my broken engagement. You’ve never said a word aboutyourpast. I thought you were a dedicated loving father and son, a widower still grieving for his late wife. But I’m discovering a stranger I’m not sure I like.”
His mood sobered at the mention of the past. He studied her silently.
“Who are you, Rick Lambert? Are you the charming man I met on the plane? The hard-working businessman who lives in a mansion, buys a yacht without hesitation, and travels the world? Or are you an unscrupulous womanizer who uses women for his pleasure? You’ve abandoned your family and stayed away for years. Why?”
His jaw clenched and his breathing grew rapid as the night from hell surfaced in his memory—Chloe curled up in her mother’s arms, on the couch crying, his classmates, Anthony, Jeff, and Ben drinking, running, shouting curses and accusations, and Joseph Powell threatening him.
“I’m all of these and more. I’m the college grad who ran away when falsely accused of a hideous crime. The revolted youthwho slept with anyone and everyone looking for consolation and support. The irresponsible, selfish man who got a woman pregnant. Yes, I’m a lot of nasty things, Madison,” he growled. “For you, I wanted to be a man you could love. I’m sorry if I misled you and failed.”
Regret filled his soul. The past would always catch up and destroy his present.
He swallowed the rest of his drink and stood.
“Goodbye, Madison.”
“No, please. We can’t part like this.” Her anger had melted, and her eyes shone with tears. “What is gnawing at your heart, Rick? Can’t you trust me enough to share?”
