Cinderella and the Playboy (11 page)

Never had she been so wrong.

Midafternoon found Chance pushing open the door to the diner and striding inside, pausing to swiftly scan the long room. He didn’t see Jennifer and a wave of disappointment washed over him.

Damn.
He scanned the room again, slower this time, but still didn’t see Jennifer’s blond hair.

Enthusiasm dampened, he took a step toward his usual booth but paused abruptly, his gaze sharpening. A little girl sat in the back booth where he’d often seen Jennifer studying on her breaks. The child’s head was bent over a book lying open atop the table, long red-gold curls falling forward over her shoulder as she focused intently on the crayon she moved over the page.

She looked up, her gaze unerringly finding his as if she’d felt his stare. Chance went still—he knew those deep blue eyes. They were duplicates of Jennifer’s—same color, same shape beneath the arch of delicate brows. He had an instant mental image of a small curl of red hair tucked into the silver locket he’d found in his sheets after the unforgettable night Jennifer had spent in his bed. This child’s hair had the same sheen of glossy, burnished red-gold. And the pixie face framed by that mane of curls was the same as in the locket’s tiny photo.

Intrigued, he immediately changed direction.

“Hi, there,” he said when he reached the back booth.

The little girl studied him gravely, her blue eyes inspecting him with curiosity. “Hi.” Her childish voice was a clear treble. “Who are you?”

“I’m Chance. Who are you?”

“Annie.”

“Nice to meet you, Annie. You have blue eyes just like my friend Jennifer. Do you know Jennifer?”

“That’s my mom!” A smile lit her face and she beamed up at him. “I’m waiting for her till she gets off work.”

“I see.” Despite his suspicions, Chance was stunned when the little girl cheerfully confirmed his guess. Jennifer had a child and she’d never told him. In fact, she’d never even mentioned being a mother. Why not? Was she keeping the child a secret? He glanced at the papers and books spread out over the tabletop. “What are you doing?”

“Coloring.”

He tilted his head to better view the page under her hand. “Nice,” he commented. The ballgown on the drawing of a gold-crowned princess matched the magenta crayon in her hand. “Who is she?”

“She’s a princess and her name is Cinderella,”
Annie told him with a reproving stare. “Don’t you know a princess when you see one?”

“Uh, well…” Amused and charmed, he shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I thought I did, but maybe not.”

She pointed a small, imperious finger at the seat opposite her. “I know all about princesses. If you sit down, I’ll tell you. Princesses are important.”

Intrigued and entertained, Chance slid onto the bench seat and propped his elbows on the table.

“I’m guessing you’re a princess, right?” he asked.

“Sometimes.” She nodded.

“And what about your mom—is she a princess, too?”

“No,” she said promptly. “She’s a queen.”

“Yes,” Chance agreed. He had a quick mental image of blond hair, long legs, graceful carriage and wise eyes. “She certainly is,” he added softly.

J
ennifer left the restroom and returned to the diner’s main room just in time to see Chance standing next to the booth where she’d left Annie. Stunned, she froze for a moment, staring with disbelief as Chance leaned slightly forward to look at Annie’s coloring book, the two exchanging words. Then Annie pointed at the seat opposite and Chance slid onto the bench to join her.

Oh, no,
Jennifer nearly groaned aloud. Once again, Chance was sweeping aside an iron-clad rule she’d established for her life. He was like a force of nature and, apparently, virtually unstoppable.

Jennifer started toward the two, determined to send him on his way, out of her daughter’s booth and firmly outside Annie’s small sphere of male influences. Unfortunately, her progress was stopped by customers. Filling four different requests for coffee delayed her and it was ten minutes later before she reached Annie’s booth.

“Hi, Mommy.” A smile lit Annie’s pixie face and she beamed up at Jennifer. Dressed in a navy-blue school jumper with a white blouse and pink sweater, the little girl’s legs and small feet in black Mary Jane shoes were tucked beneath her as she knelt on the red vinyl seat. The crayons lay scattered now, clearly forgotten as she’d chatted with the big man seated opposite her. “Chance likes dogs, too.”

“Call him Dr. Demetrios, Annie.” Jennifer’s gaze met Chance’s, momentarily distracted by Annie’s unexpected comment.

His dark eyes sparked with amusement. “I suggested a rottweiler like Butch or a Great Pyrenees but Annie seems to be leaning toward something bigger.”

“Bigger?” Jennifer felt her eyes widen. “What could possibly be bigger?”

“A Newfie,” Annie told her with conviction. “I really like Newfoundlands, Mommy. They have the
sweetest faces and kind eyes. I saw a picture of one in a book.” She switched her gaze to Chance. “I go to school and my teacher takes us to the library,” she said confidingly.

“Pretty cool teacher,” he agreed with a grin. “Especially if the library has dog books with pictures.”

“Oh, yes,” she assured him. “It has lots of dog books—I counted four.” She looked back at Jennifer. “I think we should get a black Newfoundland and name her Sadie.”

“Sadie’s a very nice name,” Jennifer conceded. “And Newfoundlands are known for being even-tempered and sweet-natured dogs but, honey—” she paused, mentally picturing a very, very large dog “—I think they weigh over a hundred pounds. I’m not sure she would fit, even if we had a house with a yard. Maybe you should consider a smaller breed, like a miniature dachshund or a Chihuahua.”

“I don’t think so, Mommy,” Annie replied, her expression serious as she leaned forward to peer up at her mother. “I think we need a big watchdog. ’Cause we don’t have a daddy that lives with us to keep us safe from burglars and things.”

Startled speechless, Jennifer could only stare as she tried to think of a reasoned reply. But she drew a blank. “I didn’t know you worried about burglars, Annie.”

“I don’t so much,” Annie said blithely. “But until we find us a daddy, we should have a dog.”

Jennifer felt her eyes go round. She glanced at Chance and found him watching her. His mouth wasn’t curved upward but laughter danced in his dark eyes. She frowned at him and he grinned, lifting his hands as if to disclaim any responsibility for Annie’s comments.

“When did you decide this?” she asked Annie, turning away from Chance so she couldn’t see his amusement at what must have been obvious astonishment on her face. She wasn’t going to admit that Annie had taken her completely by surprise. Not that it would have done her any good to deny it since she was sure her expression must have been clear enough.

“Today at school. Melinda said she’d share her daddy but I think we should get one of our own.” A small, worried frown creased her brow. “Do you think it will be hard to find one that likes Newfoundland dogs?” She turned to Chance, leaning on her elbows to get closer. “What do you think, Chance?”

“I think any man worth his salt would like to have a Newfoundland dog named Sadie.” He bent forward to lean his forearms on the tabletop and the move narrowed the distance between them across the table
to barely a foot. “And if the package included a little red-haired girl named Annie, it would be a deal too good to turn down.”

Annie beamed at him with approval before turning to Jennifer. “See, Mommy? We’re a good deal.”

“You and Sadie certainly would be,” Jennifer agreed. She glanced at her wristwatch. “My shift is finished and it’s time for us to head home. Why don’t you put your things away in your backpack while I go get my purse and jacket.”

“Okay.”

Jennifer switched her attention to Chance and opened her mouth to say goodbye but he spoke first.

“I’ve got my car outside. I’ll give you a lift home.”

“That’s a lovely offer, Chance, but Annie can’t ride in a car without a child’s safety seat and I’m sure you don’t…”

“You can borrow the one out of my car,” Linda interrupted eagerly, slowing on her way past them with a tray of dishes. She paused, balancing the tray on one hip while she fished a key ring from her pocket. “Here you are, Chance. It’s the blue sedan parked directly across the street.”

“But…” Jennifer protested. Linda merely winked at her.

“Thanks, Linda.” Chance took the key and stood.
“I’ll be right back, you two.” He leveled his index finger at Jennifer. “Wait for me.”

“Well, I…”

Annie tugged at her arm. “Please, Mommy,” she whispered loudly. “I don’t want to ride the bus today. I want to go with Chance.”

“Dr. Demetrios,” Jennifer corrected absentmindedly, giving in to the plea in Annie’s blue eyes. “All right.” She glanced at Chance. “We’ll be here.”

Chance didn’t wait for Jennifer to say anything more. He left the diner and jogged across the street to Linda’s sedan. It only took a few moments to remove the safety seat from the rear of Linda’s vehicle but it took a bit longer to install it in the back of his Jaguar. As he adjusted the seat belt, he thought about the little girl. Damned if he didn’t like the kid, he thought with a rueful grin. She’d chattered nonstop, her conversation about her love of all things Disney Princess–connected and her desire for a large dog interspersed with questions. He’d been downright charmed by her and had given her answers to blunt questions that he would have adroitly avoided had she been twenty years older.

Annie seemed to have the same effect on him as her mother, he reflected as he jogged back across the street. None of the usual rules applied to them.

He found the little red-haired girl enchanting. And she seemed equally pleased with him.

And how crazy is that?
he thought as he pushed open the door and reentered the diner. He didn’t dislike kids, exactly, but he’d never had a particular interest in them, either. Until Annie.

“Do you ladies have plans for dinner?” he asked as they drove away from the diner. “I’ve been craving pizza all day—not just any pizza, but my favorite pizza at Giovanni’s.”

“I love pizza!” Annie exclaimed from the backseat.

“That makes two of us who vote for pizza. How about you, Jennifer?” Chance inquired when she remained silent. “Do you love pizza?”

She glanced sideways at him, her expression closed, her eyes wary. “I like pizza,” she confirmed. “But I have a casserole in the fridge for dinner tonight, and I have to be at class at six-thirty so I’m afraid we can’t—”

“Please, Mommy,” Annie pleaded. “I really, really want to have pizza. We can have the casserole tomorrow night.”

“I’m not sure we have time to go out for dinner, Annie. I have to take you home, then go to class…”

“I’ll drive you,” Chance put in. “It would be my pleasure.”

She gave him an uncertain look.

“But if you truly can’t make it tonight, then I’ll take you home and wait while you settle Annie before driving you to the campus,” he told her. “We can go out for pizza another time.”

“Well, I…” Her fingers worried the strap of her purse in her lap.

Chance felt like a heel. She clearly was torn and though he didn’t know why, her concern was obviously focused on his invitation to dinner. “I didn’t mean to pressure you, Jennifer,” he murmured. He covered her hands with his for one brief squeeze of reassurance. “Don’t worry about it. Just tell me what you want to do.”

He braked for a red light and looked at her to find her gaze on him, intent. Stiffly held shoulders slowly relaxed and she nodded with decision.

“Pizza sounds good—and Annie’s right, the casserole will keep until tomorrow night.”

“Great.” He grinned at her and Annie’s whoop of delight in the backseat had Jennifer smiling back. “Giovanni’s restaurant is only a couple of blocks from here.”

The light turned green and he switched his attention to the street, weaving expertly through traffic before he slotted the sleek Jaguar into a parking spot.

The moment they exited the car a short half block
from the restaurant, the wonderful smell of yeasty bread and Italian sauce reached them. And when Chance held the door wide and ushered Jennifer and Annie into the restaurant, the aroma surrounded them.

“It smells yummy in here,” Annie whispered loudly as they took seats.

“I think that’s one of the reasons I like coming here,” Chance told her.

“I love it,” Annie proclaimed with a definitive nod.

“Well, I guess that’s the seal of approval,” Chance indicated to Jennifer.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Annie’s nothing if not decisive. I suspect she’ll grow up to be the first female president of the United States. Or maybe CEO of Häagen-Dazs since she loves the ice cream and she’d get free samples.”

Chance laughed out loud, drawing indulgent smiles from surrounding tables.

The spontaneous late-afternoon meal went by too quickly. After dropping Annie off at home in the care of Margaret, Chance drove Jennifer to the campus and all too soon, it was time to say goodbye.

“Thanks for coming to dinner with me,” he told her. “Your daughter is terrific. I enjoyed getting to know her.”

A tiny frown drew the feathery arches of Jen
nifer’s brows into a vee. “About Annie, Chance…” She paused, seeming to search for words.

“What about Annie?” he prompted. Without thinking, he smoothed his thumb over the little worry lines between her brows, his fingers trailing down the line of her cheek and jaw in a lingering caress. Her skin was silky soft beneath his hand and a rush of fierce emotion shook him. He could deal with lust—he expected it. But this feeling of protective affection, this was something else.

“I haven’t dated, mostly, because I didn’t want Annie getting attached to men who were just casual friends,” she explained. “I didn’t want her to get hurt.”

“So I’m the first guy she’s seen with you since the divorce.”

“You’re the first man she’s seen with me, period. Her father and I were divorced before she was born and he’s never met her.”

Chance bit off a curse. “You mean to tell me that little girl’s daddy isn’t part of her life?” He was incredulous.

“Patrick was furious when I told him I was pregnant. He’d never wanted children. He moved out that night and filed for divorce within a week.”

He tried to assimilate the blunt words. “What an ass,” he said finally.

“Yes, he was.” Her mouth quirked and she smiled at him, eyes sparkling.

“Jennifer…” He cupped her chin in his palm, his gaze holding hers. “Some men are just brainless. But I’m not—and I’d never harm Annie or you. I’m not sure what this is between us but I’d cut off my arm before I’d see either one of you hurt.”

Her blue eyes misted. “You’re a good man, Chance Demetrios,” she said softly.

“Hell, no, I’m not.” He kissed her, savoring the sweetness of her mouth as her lips softened beneath his and she kissed him back.

When at last he lifted his head, her hands clutched his shirt and they were both breathing hard.

“Can I wait and give you a ride home?” he asked.

“No, thanks,” she murmured. “This is the night our class lets out early and one of my study group members gives me a ride home. She says she doesn’t mind dropping me, even though it’s out of her way, because it gives us a little longer to study.”

Reluctantly, Chance let her go. She turned at the doorway to wave, then disappeared inside the lecture hall.

She hadn’t been completely convinced that both she and Annie’s hearts were safe with him, he thought as he drove away.

I could have told her I think I’m falling in love with her,
he thought somberly.
That might have reassured her.

But he wasn’t sure he was ready to admit he’d finally met the one woman who could turn him inside out and stand his world on end. Even to himself.

“Put your pajamas on, sweetie,” Jennifer called as she blotted water from the bathroom floor the following evening. She made a mental note to toss a couple of towels on the tile tomorrow night before Annie took her bath. The child splashed water as if she were a dolphin in a pool.

She wondered if Chance was still in his office at the institute. He’d called earlier in the day to say he had to work late that night but wanted to invite her and Annie on a picnic the following Saturday. She’d been surprised by the depth of disappointment she’d felt that she wouldn’t be seeing him sooner but decided it was probably a perfectly normal reaction. She hadn’t dated anyone in so long she could hardly remember what constituted “normal.”

She dropped the damp towels in the hamper and folded Annie’s crumpled jeans and T-shirt, laying them on the counter next to the sink.

“Annie,” she yelled in an attempt to hurry her
daughter. “As soon as you’re dressed, we’ll pop over to Margaret’s apartment to see how she’s feeling.”

“Okay.” Annie appeared in the doorway, her voice muffled as she pulled the top to a pair of pink princess pajamas over her head. Her mop of soft curls was damp, curling wildly around her face. “Margaret coughed a lot this afternoon, Mommy.”

“Did she?” Jennifer hung the wet towel over a bar, cast a quick glance around the neat bathroom, and joined Annie. “That’s why we’re going to go check on her.”