would only open them. “Do I have to carry you to bed?”
He hadn’t realized how suggestive his words were until heat flooded his body. And her cheeks.
Her eyes flew open. “You do, and you’ll be taking care of your baby by yourself.”
“Hey, no fair,” Josh protested. “You know I need you to stay.”
“So I’m staying. Go away and let me sleep.” She closed her eyes again.
He stared at her serene face, her dark lashes long against her delicate cheeks. Maggie was so different from any other woman he’d ever known.
Unable to stop himself, he reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. Her skin was petal soft, and he felt a tightness in his groin.
She jerked, her eyes widening in shock. “What...what are you doing?”
“Trying to convince you to get a good night’s sleep,” he whispered, working hard to keep his hands off her. Her velvety skin drew him.
“I’ll get a good night’s sleep if you’ll go to bed and leave me alone.” She closed her eyes again.
“We could share.” Maggie wasn’t like the women he dated. She wasn’t overtly sexy. She didn’t flirt. He knew she’d be shocked by his words. But he found the thought of taking her to his bed a pleasurable one.
She didn’t even open her eyes. “Go away, Josh, or I’m leaving.”
He stood. This time she had the upper hand.
It wouldn’t last.
Chapter Four
W hen Maggie awoke the next morning, the apartment was quiet. She hurriedly dressed in jeans and a shirt she’d brought from her apartment.
Today was Friday. She’d take today off from work as a vacation day, and she’d promise to be in early Monday morning. Her employers wouldn’t like it, but they had no choice. She had a lot of vacation days saved.
As she waited for the coffee to perk, she heard Ginny talking. Hurrying down the hall, she quietly opened the door to the second bedroom.
Ginny saw her at once and beamed. With an answering smile on her face, Maggie crossed to the crib. “Good morning, Ginny. Do you like your new bed?”
“Ma-ma,” Ginny cooed, reaching her arms up for Maggie.
“Oh, sweetheart, no! My name:is Maggie.” She repeated her name several times, but the baby kept saying “Mama.”
After changing Ginny’s diaper and dressing her in a playsuit, Maggie took her to the kitchen. Carefully following the instructions about Ginny’s schedule on the pages she’d found in the suitcase last night, Maggie fed the child her cereal and juice.
After breakfast Maggie carried Ginny to the playpen set up in the living room and set her down in it with several toys. “Time for me to clean up your mess, little one.”
When she’d finished tidying up, Maggie wondered what she was supposed to do with herself now. Realizing that she needed to do whatever she could to resolve the situation she was in—before she broke her heart—she picked up the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory.
Half an hour later she had a comprehensive list of agencies that provided child care workers. But since she didn’t know Josh’s financial situation, she couldn’t select one in his price range. He’d certainly spent money freely last night, but that didn’t mean he could afford a pricey nanny.
Checking her watch, she realized it was eightthirty. With a determination belied by her trembling fingers, she pushed up from the sofa and headed for the master bedroom.
Knocking on the door, she waited for an answer. Nothing. Finally she turned the knob and opened the door. “Josh?”
His back was to the door as he lay sprawled on the bed, and he didn’t move.
“Josh?” When he didn’t respond, she approached the bed and shook his bare shoulder.
He sprang into action, grabbing hold of her wrist and pulling. Maggie screamed as she hit the bed.
Josh hadn’t slept so soundly in a long time. Nor had he awakened so swiftly. Suddenly he was in the middle of his king-size bed with Maggie sprawled on top of him, a frightened look on her face.
“Maggie? Are you