Chapter 9

He wanted to spend the day with her on Saturday, but he had a significant commitment to his family, including spending the entire day and night with his niece and nephews. It was almost time for them to return to school, and their parents had planned a cookout with their friends and parents.

The invitation had gotten entirely out of hand, and instead of the small, intimate affair with just a few people, they were expecting almost a hundred people. They would make an entire day of it, culminating with a bonfire by the pool.

"You could always show up.' he said lightly as he sat on the edge of bed, staring at her. After her confession last night, he had spent the time worshipping her body as if trying to take away her pain. She had spent the night wrapped around him.

"I must go in today anyway. We are working on this pro bono case, and I volunteered to do some research."

"Thinking of becoming a lawyer?" he asked, tugging at a fat curl.

"No. But it doesn't mean I cannot be of help.

"I want you there with me."

"Not possible," Pushing away his hand, she wrapped the sheet around her before sliding off the bed. He watched as she dropped the sheet and put on her robe. They had left their clothes downstairs, and he had retrieved him, only to realize that the buttons on his shirt were ruined.

She waited until she walked past him before tugging her wrist and pulling her onto his lap.

"What are you doing?"

"I am going to be without you all day and night." He murmured.

"You are not coming over tonight?" She shook her head. "Of course, you can't."

"You could come over tonight."

"I can't."

"You don't want to." He corrected.

"Okay, fine. I don't want to. Now let go."

"I am not going to wait forever, April." He told her somberly.

"If you want to go, then go."

"Do you mean that?"

"What do you think?" she asked impatiently. "I am not holding you, am I? I certainly do not have any claims where you are concerned."

"Are you trying to hurt me?" he asked her quietly, making her feel like a real bitch.

"I am sorry." Bowing her forehead to his, she closed her eyes. "I don't know what to do, Antwan. I keep saying the wrong things and cannot help myself."

Tilting her chin up, he took her lips in a kiss that had her clinging to him.

She wanted everything he offered her, and how much she enjoyed it scared her. Her instinct told her that he was the real deal. His family was essential and visible, and he made significant contributions to society. She had told him the depressing story about her parents, but try as she might, she had not been able to open up about her daughter.

His phone vibrated and broke the spell and the kiss.

"That's probably mother. I promised to babysit while everything is happening." Lifting his mouth from hers, he brushed the hairs from her cheek. "My parents have a standing golf date with Judge Barley and one they have never missed. I will call you sometime today."

"You don't have to."

"I want to." He brushed his lips against hers. "Don't work too hard."

She nodded. "I disengaged the alarm."

Plucking her off his lap, he wrapped his arms around her. "I miss you already." He told her.

"You are being sappy."

He chuckled at that, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I am entitled."

She watched him leave the room, his long strides shortening the distance to the door. Sinking on the edge of the bed, she dragged her fingers through her hair. Watching him walk away was becoming more difficult each time he did.

*****

"Darling- "

"I know I am late. Give me several minutes to shower and change. I promise to be a minute."

"We are also running late. The boys had to rush out to deal with a client, and both Chandra and Andrea were by the pool instructing the tent people where to set up. They need help with the children. Their nannies are away for the weekend- "

"I know all that, Mother, and I promise, I am here."

Angeline eyed him thoughtfully. "You should invite the young lady- "

"She is not ready. Dad." He greeted his father as he descended the stairs.

Before he could respond, Antwan was already up the stairs and heading towards his suite.

"He spent the night out again," Anthony commented as he walked down the stairs with his wife.

"I am worried about him.," She admitted.

"Is there a reason for that?"

"He is falling deeper, and this girl seems to be stringing him along."

Anthony frowned at her, nodding to the butler as he took the golf clubs from the cupboard. "Why would you say that?"

"Just a feeling." She responded, forcing a smile. "Now darling, let's go; we are already running late."

*****

"Uncle Antwan!" Marissa screamed as she rushed into his arms the minute he cleared the rose bushes and came in sight.

Various activities were going on around the vast grounds. A pool boy was cleaning out the debris from the pool, gardeners were trimming the hedges and pruning the flowers, and several people were placing tables under his sister-in-law's direction.

"Hey, princess." Scooping her into his arms, he kissed her on the forehead as she wrapped her hands around his neck. His nephews came tumbling towards him, and bending to their height, he scooped both with one hand, much to their delight. Immediately, they started chattering like magpies, which sounded like music to his ears.

"You are finally here." Andrea teased as she lifted her cheek for his kiss.

"Don't start. I already received a lecture from my mother. Hey darling." He greeted Chandra with a kiss on the lips before gesturing to the activities going on. "What am I needed for?"

"To take over. We are going to the pool house to drink lemonade and call Armand from a distance to let him know that we expect a hundred and fifty people."

"He is not going to shout at you or Andrea; he is smitten." Antwan teased. "He would jump through hoops for you."

"Well, we are not taking that chance," Andrea said firmly. "Now, can we safely leave our children with you and be assured you are not about to pack them full of sweets?"

"I want to get ice cream," Marissa pouted, looking at her uncle.

"Absolutely not," Chandra told her firmly, giving her brother-in-law a look and saying he would pay if he gave in.

"Ice cream!" Antonion piped up, followed by Alec.

"I am outnumbered." He sent the women an engaging smile. "How about snow cones and a walk through the park?"

"Yay!" they shouted.

Shaking their heads, both women left them alone.

*****

"It's so beautiful out here." Chandra stretched her legs out and took in a deep breath. "And best of all, we are children free."

"Amen to that, sister." Andrea handed her a frosted glass of lemonade and sat on one of the pretty cane chairs.

She had been as sick as a dog this morning, which had started an argument with her husband, who had wanted to blow off the meeting he was supposed to go to with his brother so that he could stay with her. "It's just morning sickness, and as soon as I get a cup of tea, I will be fine."

He had protested some more, but she had managed to get him out of the house.

"Okay, honey, we are alone right now, and I am so mad at you that I cannot stand it. I thought we were best friends."

"We are." Andrea put her glass on the table between them and stared at her. "You know that."

"Then why haven't you told me you are expecting?"

Leaning her head back, Andrea blew out a breath. "I wanted to wait a little bit. How did you know?"

"Honey, in case you forget, I have two children and can see the signs. Like when you practically ran out when we were having dinner the other day. And your boobs are huge."

"You are exaggerating." Andrea protested, staring down at her bosom. "But Alex seems to be paying more attention to them late."

"Men.' Chandra snorted.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you, Chan; it's just that Alex is not yet used to the idea. He wanted to wait. He thinks it's too soon."

"Alec is almost three."

"That's what I keep telling him." Smiling at the other woman, she reached out a hand for hers. "I am happy you know now."

"When are you going to tell the rest?"

"As soon as possible."

"I am happy for you."

"I am a little apprehensive. I was so sick when I was carrying Alec, and it's turning out to be the same with this little guy." She patted her stomach.

"You think it's another boy?" Chandra asked her curiously.

"Chan, please. Testosterones surround us; of course, it's going to be a boy."

"You are right," Chandra murmured with a grin.

"Want to tell me what's going on with Antwan?"

Picking up her drink, Chandra took a sip, admiring the butterflies flitting around the snapdragons.

"Is it that obvious that something is going on?"

"Of course it is. He hardly sleeps at the manor, and just now, even though he is laughing and having fun with the kids, there is something sad about him. Why hasn't he brought her over to meet the family?"

Chandra glanced at her friend. "Do you recall when Alex suggested that to you? What was your reaction?"

"I told him a pointblank no." Andrea admitted ruefully. "I was terrified. Here was this gorgeously handsome man who was somehow interested in me. I had my mother, who was- "She shook her head. "Well, you have met her."

"I have."

"And he was a Collins, the king of lawyers and a multi-billionaire. I told myself there was no way he could be interested in me. And I was sure as hell not going to meet his family."

Chandra laughed at her memories. "I had a child from a man I practically had a one-night stand with. I was a single parent with a dad who was suffering from dementia and a recovering addict for a brother. Not to mention the first time I met Andrew; he was destroying me in court."

They both laughed and lapsed into silence as memories swamped them.

"I still cannot believe he loves me," Chandra murmured.

"Same here." Andrea concurred. "Now we have to think about the woman Antwan is seeing. If patterns hold, she is probably black- "

"And he thinks she is a single parent."

Andrea looked at her in surprise. "He said that?"

"Yes. And there are no signs of that in her place."

"That's very strange. There are so many photos of Alec around the house, in several albums that we are running out of room. My husband uses his phone to document everything his son does."

"Andrew is the same way. If you recall, he commissioned Herb McKenley to do a portrait of all three of them. And he insists on seeing pictures each time he goes out and returns. The man is a pain in the behind."

Andrea laughed, the sound echoing around the vast space. "What do you think she is hiding?"

Chandra shrugged. "All I know is that being a single mom is hard, especially if the dad is not around."

"You think that's the case."

"It might be. I am hoping that this woman is not setting out to hurt Antwan. And I am afraid he is already hooked."

*****

"You have been avoiding me." The sleek brunette accused as she linked her hand through his arm. "I have been back for two weeks and have been waiting for you to pick up the phone and say hi."

Antwan glanced at the woman with a fond smile.

"The phone works both ways, you know."

"I am an old-fashioned woman who thinks the man should initiate the first contact."

Plucking a glass of champagne from the passing waiter, he handed her the flute with a shake of his head. "You are bossy and intimidating and bold as hell." He led her through the throng of people and found them a couple of chairs away from the crowd. "And you always make the first move."

She laughed softly, sipping bubbly and gazing at him over the rim. "You know me so well. Want to come over after this shindig is over?"

He shook his head. "We parted as friends, remember?"

"How not sporting of you to remember that." She said mildly. "We are both at loose ends- "

"I am not."

"Oh?" Her blue eyes brightened curiously. "Who is the lucky woman? Anyone I know?"

"No, and she is not here. She had to work."

"A pity. I would love to meet the woman who has accomplished what I and several others never managed." She drawled.

"What's that?"

"Getting you to fall in love." She sighed. "I thought that when I returned from my sojourns, we would pick up where we left off."

"You did not think that."

"Perhaps not. But I was hoping." Sherry said with a grin.

"How was the time away?"

"Illuminating. It makes being a doctor so rewarding. The children were engaging and smiling even though their living conditions left much to be desired. It felt as if we were accomplishing something."

"You enjoyed it."

A smile touched her lips. "I had fun. In between saving lives and giving hope to those children, I felt fulfilled." Her eyes touched on his brothers. "They look so damned happy. I never dreamed Andrew and Alex would be so much in love."

"And goofy about it." A whimsical smile touched his lips.

She was about to comment when his niece came rushing towards them.

"I am afraid our privacy is about to be invaded."

"And interrupted," Antwan added with a grin as he put his glass down and opened his arms to receive the little girl.

"Uncle Antwan, we want you to swim with us."

"Sweetie, you remember Dr. Sherry Patterson, don't you?"

"Yes. You are the pediatrician."

"What a remarkable memory."

"Daddy said you went to the Caribbean to treat children. What were they like?"

Antwan grinned at Sherry. "She will bombard you with questions you won't see coming." He warned.

"Mommy said I have an inquisitive mind." Marissa piped up.

"That you do, and I will be thrilled to answer those questions as long as I get to taste that delicious-smelling hamburger."

*****

He called her late that night and was grateful when she answered.

"Why are you not sleeping?" He was exhausted. The children had run rings around him, not only persuading him to do several laps in the pool, but he had also participated in several rounds of tennis and a game of basketball with his brothers and several of the men.

The party had dwindled down at eleven, and by the time everyone had left and they got the children settled, he was surprised to see that it was almost one in the morning.

"I could ask you the same thing. How was the party?"

"Hectic. I am plain tuckered out. Seriously, why are you not asleep?"

"Could it be because I am talking to you?"

He grinned. He had been feeling down and had managed to perk himself up while he was with the children, but now, hearing her lovely voice made him feel much better.

"It's late."

"Or early, depending on how you look at it."

"Could it be that you were waiting to hear from me?"

"Or it could be that I came home late and decided to take care of the laundry, something I have been neglecting."

"I could get you a maid, or better yet, you could come and live with me and never have to do laundry again."

"As much as I hate folding, I find doing the deed somewhat relaxing."

"We could get to have regular sex. Every night and twice in the morning." Settling back against the pillows, he made himself comfortable.

"We have regular sex because you are insatiable. If it becomes more regular, we are going to keel over."

"I wish I was with you. What are you wearing?"

"We are not doing that again."

"Humor me, please," he said huskily. "I want the image of you stamped – "

"Antwan? What is it?"

"Give me a minute." Reaching over, he switched on his lamp. "Mar, what is it, darling? What are you doing up?"

The little girl came further inside the bedroom, one hand rubbing her tummy. "I think I am sick," she said.

"Or you overate. Come here. Am I going to have to lock my doors? Why didn't you go and get your parents?"

"I wanted you."

Shaking his head, he lifted her and placed her next to him.

"All those candied apples and sodas. You know better." He admonished.

"Could you make me some tea? It always helps."

Putting the phone back to his ear, he regretted telling April he had to go. "Duty calls, I am afraid. I will talk tomorrow,"

"Goodnight."

Putting away the phone, he scooped her into his arms. "Now, young lady, we will have a serious conversation."

"Okay, uncle." She murmured, snuggling against him as he carried her out of the room.

*****

Settling back against the pillows, she closed her eyes wearily before opening them again to stare at the stark white ceiling. He was a wonderful uncle and would undoubtedly make an equally wonderful dad.

She had heard the pride in his deep voice when he spoke about his niece and nephews, and just now, she realized how patient he had been with the little girl, even though she had invaded his room. He had not ordered her out and insisted she go to her parents.

Their phone call had been interrupted, and instead of spending the time talking to her, his first instinct had been to see to the needs of his niece.

It showed that he was a good man, and she found herself wondering if circumstances were different and if he had been the one to impregnate her, how much easier her life would have been! She had told him about her parents, something she had never done.

Not even Marcus had gotten her to open up, and after asking her once, he had not done so again, which, in hindsight, made her realize he had not cared. He often spoke about himself, saying he wanted to be a managing partner.

He had been a selfish jerk; only she had been dazzled by his looks and taken in by his smooth talk. He was older, and she had been a young, na?ve girl looking for love to replace the one she had lost.

Her disillusionment over her father had scarred her for years, and she was still doing so. Marcus had seemed like a suitable substitute for her to get over it. But how wrong she had been! She thought in anguish.

But whatever road had brought her to this point, she would never regret the beautiful little girl they had made. Even if he did not want anything to do with Chloe, she would love her daughter for both of them.

She was so tempted to tell Antwan that it had almost popped out of her mouth several times during their conversations. There was another worry. She was not using protection, and he had also stopped using it.

She new he would stand up and do the right thing but did not want to do it this way. She had not set out to trap Marcus, but he had more or less accused her of doing so.

When she had pointed out that he should have been the one to ensure that it did not happen because of how much older he was, he had snapped at her, accusing her of being a scheming bitch.

Lifting her hands, she rubbed them over her face. She would have to tell Antwan the whole truth at some point.