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watching him better,” Neeva said, her tone sharp.
     
    Nicholas’s eyes widened. ‘Neeva, accidents happen.”
     
    “Not when it comes to a child,” Neeva snapped. “You need to be careful. Hold onto him at all times!”
     
    “I was! The crowd was thick, and he wanted a cone and . . . and . . .” The young mother’s tears began again.
     
    “You don’t need to explain. We understand.” Nicholas consoled her. He cast his gaze to Neeva whose face was like stone. “Don’t we? We’re just happy we found him.”
     
    “Thank you again!” The mother hugged her child close to her and walked into the crowd. Nicholas could look in her face and knew her night of fun was over. She would go home and hold her son all the tighter.
     
    “I want to go home.” Neeva was tense.
     
    He turned his attention to Neeva, who was rigid. “What was that about? Why did you tear into her like that? It wasn’t her fault.”
     
    “She’s lucky I didn’t call child welfare on her,” Neeva glared at him. “She gets to walk away. I’m ready to go.”
     
    Nicholas felt his patience snap. “You don’t order me, and I don’t follow like your puppy. What the hell is the matter with you, Neeva? This isn’t you?”
     
    She whirled to face him. “How would you know? You’ve known me for two days, so don’t blame your perceptions on me. You don’t know me!”
     
    Nicholas summed up for her. “Yes, I do. I know you’re warm and sweet, and when you let your guard down, your smile can outshine the sun. I also know you’ve been hurt and hurt bad. So why did that lost child and his mother set you off, Neeva? Tell me what hurt you!”
     
    “Because I lost my child!” Neeva choked, and tears began to run down her cheeks. “Instead of Santa bringing me gifts on the holiday, I got my baby, my son, taken from me!” Neeva thumped her chest. “Why does she get to lose hers and find him again! My baby, my Christopher, was five months old, and I woke up Christmas morning to give him his gifts, and he lay cold in his crib! So you’re Santa Claus, right? You tell me why. Why did I have to lose my heart like that? Why didn’t I die instead of him?”
     
    Her revelation shocked him and broke his heart all at once. He pulled her close, even though she struggled, and held her tight. “I don’t know, my darling Neeva. I can’t answer for life or death, but I do know this. I love you. I love you so much that in those two days, it has been like a life time, and if you let me, I’ll love you until I can heal your wounds and make you happy. Just say yes.”
     
    Neeva looked up at him with eyes that were filled with hurt and sadness. “Yes, Nicholas. Please make me forget. Just make me forget even if it’s only for a little while.”
     
    Her simple statement was all he needed. He picked her up in her arms and strode with a brisk pace to the car. She still believed he would leave, and Nicholas knew he would prove her wrong.
     

Chapter Five
     
    His suite was amazing. Neeva stood and looked around when he placed her on the plush carpet. He had insisted on carrying her through the hotel, much to her embarrassment and the hotel clerk’s delight. Now she was nervous as he put on the light next to the bed and opened the window so the sea air could blow in and cool the stuffy room. He was so nice. Neeva didn’t want to let herself feel anything for him. He’d be gone soon, and she’d be alone again. This time, she would be fighting two broken hearts if she let him in.
     
    “I won’t leave you,” he said, his voice low and sensual as he crossed the room to stand in front of her. She could feel the heat from his body tempting her closer.
     
    Neeva tried to smile. “You plan to live on the island now?”
     
    “Maybe. You never know, but you can’t throw up a barrier when we can work something out.” Nicholas caressed her face.
     
    “I’m not expecting anything from you past tonight, Nicholas. Whatever time you have on