Impatience flashed through Maddie’s eyes and her lips tightened. “You’re right. Without Tabitha, there would be no Joel,” she said, her tone laced with irritation. “Now tomorrow, I’ll be sending over three na-” She broke off and corrected herself. “Three candidates to assist you with Joel. Choose which one you like best and then perhaps you can visit the preschool in the afternoon. I would have sent the assistants today, but Rafe insisted you and Joel needed a chance to relax.” Maddie led the way down the stairs then pressed her card into Nicole’s hand. “I know you’re only staying here temporarily, but Rafe and I want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. In his position he can get terribly busy, so if you need anything at all, please feel free to call me.”

The proprietary tone in Maddie’s voice rose again. It grated on Nicole, although she couldn’t say why. “Thank you. Hopefully Joel and I will be able to manage on our own.”

“Okay. I’ll just have a word with Rafe before I leave. Good-bye now,” Maddie said and turned away.

Nicole walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and surveyed the contents of the refrigerator. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to find Rafe looking at her.

“Hungry?” he asked. “We have a housekeeper and chef. I’m sure they can whip up whatever you like.”

“I was just looking to see what I could fix for Joel tonight.”

He shook his head and closed the refrigerator door. “You’re not preparing meals. You’re supposed to help Joel adjust.”

“That’s part of making him adjust,” she said. “I always cook at home.”

“Tell the chef the time you want dinner and what you want. Would you like to take a shower, spend some time in the Jacuzzi?”

“I might have time for that. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to pry Joel out of the playroom. He’s fascinated by all the new toys. You need to be careful about spoiling him.”

“I know, but I’ve got four years to make up for. Plus, I want him to be comfortable here.”

“But will you be?” she asked. “Won’t you miss living on the sea?”

“I’ll be there every day.” He shrugged. “Maybe I can take the three of us out for a weekend if I ever get caught up. Maddie gave you the rundown on the applicants for the nanny position, right?”

“Yes, and I told her that since I’ll be here, Joel won’t need a nanny.”

He shook his head. “You’ve had to do this by yourself for a long time. You may not want to admit it, but I’m sure there have been times when being a single parent has been overwhelming. I want you to have all the help you need.”

“Thank you,” she said, still a little irked by the idea. “About Maddie,” she said.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she? Most efficient woman I’ve ever met,” he said.

She opened her mouth to ask the question that burned inside her, then thought better of it. “Very efficient.”

“Take some time to relax.” He nodded and put his hand on her arm. “You and I can talk more after dinner.”

After Nicole finally got Joel settled in for the night, she wandered downstairs to join Rafe on the patio. He stood, staring into the distance, appearing lost in thought. She didn’t know what to make of him. His strength appealed to her at the same time that it frightened her. Was he the kind of man to use his strength against those weaker than him?

She hesitated joining him, but he must have sensed her presence because he turned around. “Hi. Have a seat. I bet you’re tired.”

“Not too much,” she said and sat down.

He pointed to the two glasses of wine on the table. “Have some wine.”

“Thank you. It’s been a long day.”

He sat beside her. “Tomorrow will be easier.”

Taking a sip of the red wine, she was not at all sure she agreed with him. “This is just the first day in a whole new world.”

“It will be much easier for both you and Joel now. You won’t have to worry about financial matters. You’ll have assistance whenever you need it. I have to tell you I’m still surprised that you and Joel didn’t live with your father.”

Her stomach clenched. “My father can be controlling. With him it’s his way or the highway. I’ve found it’s better for me to go my own way.”

“What about Tabitha?” he asked.

“Tabitha had a different relationship with our father. She was able to walk a fine line of charm with him and most of the time, it worked.”

“When it didn’t?” he asked.

“It wasn’t pleasant,” she said.

“Are you saying-”

“I’d rather not discuss my father, if you don’t mind,” she said and fought against that trapped feeling she so strongly associated with her father. She didn’t have to discuss him, she reminded herself and rose.

“Let’s walk,” he said, superseding her desire to leave. He stood and took a sip of red wine, then led the way into the landscaped backyard, lit with soft floodlights and trees wrapped in minilights.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, the sound of crickets calming her.

“Nice,” he agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m used to the sound of the water lapping against the boat, the gentle movement of the yacht, the smell of salt air.”

She glanced at him. “You sound like you’re homesick.”

“Maybe a little,” he said. “The sea is cleansing. The rhythm of the waves is soothing. Even though I conduct business on my yacht, I can turn it all off if I want and just enjoy the ocean. No crowds, no rush. Instant getaway from it all.”

Nicole couldn’t help thinking how Tabitha had always wanted to be in the middle of the party. “How in the world did you ever get involved with my sister?” she couldn’t help asking.

He chuckled again. “You have to admit she was a head snapper, seductive when she found something she wanted, charming.”

She nodded reluctantly. “She was charming. But you seem deeper, smarter. How could you have fallen for her?”

“I was younger. She was everything I wasn’t. Privileged. Pedigreed. Classy. I was a foster kid from the poor part of Philadelphia. She was a dream come true.”

“And she was beautiful, wild and sexy,” Nicole said.

“She was beautiful and alluring. Wild at times. Sexy, but not really sexual.”

“Really?” Nicole said, unable to contain her curiosity, even though she knew this was a taboo topic. “I always got the impression she was a man-eater.”

“Not in a sexual way,” he said. “She was actually perfunctory about sex. Hot before, but not so much during.”

Nicole gaped at him. She’d always thought that Tabitha made men crazy with her sexuality.

“You seem surprised,” he said, his expression amused.

“I never knew-” She broke off. “I just heard what she said about herself and what other people said about her.”

Meeting her gaze, he nodded. “I’ve learned that some women are hotter when they’re teasing than when they deliver.” He looked at her as if he wanted to find out if she fit into the first or second category.

Surprised at the rush of heat that suffused her, she took a quick, calming breath. “Tabitha talked about being a master of the tease.”

“She was,” he said. “That seemed to be all she wanted out of it. There’s more to pleasure than teasing.”

His dark gaze felt as if he penetrated all the way to her soul. She was acutely aware of the contrast between his masculinity and her femininity. The night seemed to close around them and curiosity trickled through her. It had been a long time since she’d felt curious about a man, since she’d felt desire. Why now? Why with him?

She should back away. Right this second, she told herself, but her feet may as well have been lead weights. She held her breath as he stepped closer and lifted his hand, rubbing his fingers over a strand of her hair. “Soft,” he said. “You could be a crazy-making contradiction.”

Her heart hammering in her chest, she swallowed. “What do you mean?”

“Soft hair, soft skin, a voice that reminds me of good brandy. All that softness and a titanium backbone.”