She couldn’t help laughing at the wry tone when he’d described her backbone. “Ah, you’re just used to being surrounded by yes men and yes women. The great Rafe Medici has spoken, so that’s the way it goes.”

“Ah, you think I’m great,” he said and his lips lifted in a sensual smile that sent ripples all the way down her body.

“I’m sure you can find crowds of people who will tell you how great you are. You don’t need another one,” she said, wishing she could pull back, but his fingers on her hair kept her captive. Or was it the way he looked at her that prevented her from moving away.

“Sometimes one is more compelling than a crowd,” he said and gently tugged her hair, drawing her closer to him.

“I’ve been curious about that mouth of yours since the first time I saw it, since the first time you blew me off. I’m betting you’re a little curious about me. I think it’s time we took care of our curiosity,” he said in a such a low voice that she couldn’t turn away.

He lowered his head and she should have backed away, should have at least turned her cheek or dipped her head, but she didn’t. Although she would die before she confessed it, she was curious about Rafe Medici. Too curious.

It was just a kiss. Just one, she thought. Then never again. His mouth pressed against hers and she immediately felt dizzy. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the scent of his cologne, the promise of strength from his chest just inches from hers. The sensation of his mouth was both firm and sensually soft as he rubbed against her lips as if he was determined to savor her.

She instinctively parted her lips and he gave a low groan of sexy encouragement. Nicole felt a ripple of awareness in her most sensitive places. Yet, he only touched her lips.

Her heart rate picked up and a burgeoning need swelled inside her. More. She wanted to slide her breasts against him. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She wanted…

She could sense that he wanted more, too. He slid his tongue over the seam of her lips and she opened for him, giving in to her curiosity, in to the delicious, decadent sensations he generated in her.

He plunged his tongue deeper, as if tasting weren’t enough. He wanted to devour. Her mind began to spin and she reached for his shoulders, trying to stabilize herself, but he slid his arms around her and drew her flush against the front of his hard body.

She felt his arousal and the craving inside her tightened like an overstretched rubber band. Breathless, but loath to pull away from him, she returned his kiss with a passion that surprised her.

Seconds later, he pulled back slightly, lifting his head. His eyes glittered with potent arousal. His nostrils flared slightly as he caught his own breath.

“I don’t think one kiss is going to take care of our curiosity.”

Rational thought returned slowly. Nicole felt a hard smack of regret. Shaking her head, she backed away. “Oh, no. I can’t believe-”

He put his hands on his hips and looked skyward. “Oh, tell me you’re not going to play the innocent virgin who was taken advantage of by the bad, bad man.”

She blinked at his description. “Well, I’d like to, but I’m not that innocent and it’s not like you forced me.” She bit her lip, trying to pull herself together. “Combination of wine and a long day,” she said, turning toward the house. “I like that explanation much better.”

“Explanation or excuse?” he asked as he walked beside her, one stride of his for every two of hers.

“Either is fine with me. I’m sorry for giving you the wrong impression.”

He stepped in front of her just before she reached the door. “The word is teasing,” he said. “Must run in the family.”

“I said I’m sorry.” She swallowed. “We shouldn’t be doing this. I need to keep a clear head about Joel. He’s my first priority.”

“We have Joel in common,” he said. “You and I are already entangled.”

How could she possibly maintain the cautious perspective she needed if they became lovers? What about the warnings Tabitha had made? “There’s also your history with my sister.”

“And that’s been over for more than four years.”

Frustration and apprehension skittered through her like jabbing needles. “Why me?” she demanded. “You could have any woman you want. You probably do have any woman you want.”

“I’m not sure if that was an insult or not,” he said. “But have you ever considered that I’m intrigued by your combination of class and determination? You’re naturally beautiful, but you don’t flaunt it. Under the right conditions, I suspect you’re a sweetheart. And now I know there’s fire underneath. You know it, too. We both got hot when I kissed you. Do you really think you’re going to be able to dismiss that?” He gave a short chuckle. “When you wake up in the morning, do you really think you’re not going to feel that burn anymore?”

Deep down, she knew he was right. She also knew that being with him would be so wrong.

The only reason Nicole slept well that night was because she was exhausted. When she awakened in the morning, Joel was already back in the playroom. She hugged him tightly and learned he’d already eaten breakfast, but he was eager to play with all those new toys. The doorbell rang and the housekeeper, Carol, announced the arrival of the first mother’s helper candidate.

Hours later, after intermittent breaks to check on Joel, Nicole had interviewed all three candidates. She still felt reluctant to choose one of the three applicants. It seemed to underscore her departure as Joel’s primary caregiver.

Maddie called to ask what her decision was and Nicole told her she wanted to sleep on it. Maddie also informed her that Rafe probably wouldn’t be home tonight. Yay, thought Nicole. By dinnertime, Joel was exhausted and needed to settle down. Nicole read two books to him and he fell asleep during the second book. She almost nodded off herself.

Giving a silent whisper of thanks that Rafe hadn’t come home, she gave in to the temptation to take a dip in the Jacuzzi next to the pool. For just a few moments, she told herself. Then she would go to bed and sleep like a baby.

She pushed the button to turn on the jets and slid into the steamy, bubbling water with a sigh of appreciation. Since she’d stepped into the role of mothering, she’d pushed aside any kind of sensual pleasure so that she could care for Joel. He was more important than visits to the spa, more important than massages or facials, or even a long bath. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed a good soak, how rejuvenating it could be.

Rafe arrived to a quiet house. As he entered the foyer, he heard only the ticking of the grandfather clock he’d requested that Maddie purchase. The sound reminded him of a similar clock in the house his parents had rented in Philly.

A yawning edginess scraped across his nerves. He grabbed a bottle of water. He climbed the stairs to the second floor, checked on Joel as the boy slept peacefully. Rafe had missed the kid today. He walked into his master bedroom and prowled the large suite, glancing outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Spotting Nicole in the lit Jacuzzi next to the pool, he stared. Leaning her arms against the first step of the whirlpool, she rested her head backward against the side of the concrete perimeter.

From his window, he saw her slick, shiny breasts encased in a black bathing-suit top. He wondered what she wore below, wishing she were completely naked. What he would give to take off that black little scrap of material and caress her with his hands and mouth. What he would give to slide bikini bottoms down her long, lithe legs and learn all her secrets.

Feeling the drumbeat of arousal in his blood, he stripped off his clothes and put on a swimsuit. His first instinct was to go nude, but he didn’t want to frighten her away. Grabbing a towel, he headed downstairs and made his way to the hot tub.