She nodded. “I think I gave you the wrong impression,” she began.

“Not likely,” he said, hearing the edge of cynicism in his own voice. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

Sliding into his vintage Corvette, Rafe put the top down and headed for the pier. The wind blew over his face, assuaging just a tinge of his restlessness. Nicole’s lack of trust in him drove him to a level of frustration he hadn’t experienced in years, if ever.

He knew she wanted him, but she kept pulling back. She got under his skin even more than Tabitha had. He shook his head at the thought. No, he’d allowed himself to fall ass over teakettle for Tabitha. Rafe had more self-control these days. Lust was just another word for love.

It shouldn’t bother him that she shared the same attitude about his lack of so-called class that Tabitha had, but it did.

A bitter taste filled his mouth. He could have dismissed any other woman, but this was Joel’s mother. Whether he liked it or not, he would have to bring her around to his way of thinking.

Nicole had never felt so conflicted in her life. Although she knew she was completely justified in making sure that Rafe would be a good parent to Joel, she hated the idea of causing Rafe pain. Given his history with her sister, her feelings were pure insanity.

Why did she care about hurting him? Was it because Rafe was Joel’s father? Nicole suspected it was more than that. Something about Rafe made her feel longings she’d dismissed. She should forget those same longings now.

Five days later, a social-services specialist called the house to schedule a visit. Nicole reluctantly called Rafe.

“What does she want?” he asked.

“She wants to observe Joel and you to see how he is adjusting,” Nicole said, pacing as she talked to him. The two of them had barely exchanged a word since he’d taken off that night after her confrontation.

“What did you tell her?” he demanded.

“I told her that you and Joel had a wonderful time on your yacht,” she said. “But you haven’t given me any new material since then.”

“You told her that?” he said, fury in his voice.

Nicole shook her head in exasperation. “Just the first part. But it would have been the truth. You don’t seem to grasp the concept that fathering is an everyday commitment, not just an every-now-and-then exercise.”

“I’m still catching up from my time in Atlanta,” he said in a clipped voice, then swore. “When is she coming?”

“I wanted to ask you first so you could be prepared,” she said.

Silence hung between them. “Thank you,” he said. “How about Saturday?”

“I don’t think they like to work weekends,” she said.

“Okay,” he said and paused. “Tuesday,” he said. “Tuesday afternoon. We’ll spend some time in the pool. Joel likes that. We’ll go out on the yacht again on Friday.”

Nicole packed for Joel and herself and met Rafe again at the dock. Something raw and unspoken passed between them. Rafe extended his hand to Joel and her son hesitantly took it.

Rafe shot her a look of inquiry.

“A day is a week to a three-year-old,” she said.

“Good point.”

Rafe worked at charming his son and by evening, Joel allowed him to read his bedtime stories. Nicole paced the deck, full of conflicting emotions. She wished the wind whipping through her would bring clarity with it.

“What have you told him about me?” Rafe asked from behind her.

She closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “That you’re busy working. You have a very important job and a lot of people depend on you.”

“It doesn’t wash, does it?” he said more than asked, moving beside her.

“It will for a little bit, then not so much,” she said and met his gaze. “Fatherhood is a huge time commitment. I’m not sure you’re ready for it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Is that what you told the social-services specialist?”

“Absolutely not,” she said.

“Why not, if it’s what you believe?”

She looked away and shrugged. “You’re new at this, so you’re bound to screw up.”

Silence followed. “Excuse me?”

She met his gaze. “Think about it. How much training have you had to be a father?”

“None, but-”

“Exactly, and like most people, you probably think it should come naturally. But it doesn’t. It takes work.”

The wind whipped through his hair. “If I were in your position, I might be tempted to sabotage me.”

“It has occurred to me,” she said without blinking.

His eyes widened. “Then why haven’t you?”

She sighed. “Several reasons. It ultimately wouldn’t be best for Joel. And you seem to be sabotaging yourself. You don’t need my help.”

His mouth lifted in a half grimace. “This is where you are nothing like your sister.”

“Is that a compliment or insult?” she asked. “I’m not always sure.”

“Compliment,” he said. “Your honesty is one of your most seductive qualities.”

Nicole held her breath, unable to summon a pithy retort. Damn it if she hadn’t missed him, too. It made no sense.

“We need to work together on this,” he said, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips.

Her heart jumped. “Working together implies two people, not just one.”

He lifted a dark eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m a slacker?”

She bit her lip to keep from smiling at his charm. “I haven’t been MIA for five days.”

“You noticed,” he said. “And you counted the days.”

“For Joel’s sake,” she said.

He gave a slow nod. “Point taken.”

The next day Rafe and Joel fished. Rafe even cajoled Nicole into trying her hand at it. He couldn’t help laughing at her squeal of victory when she caught a fish.

As they headed to the dock, he spotted Maddie waiting. “Damn,” he muttered. “Haven’t been gone twenty-four hours.”

“What’s wrong?” Nicole asked, coming from behind him.

“Maddie,” he said. “That usually means there’s something that needs my attention. Immediately,” he added, surprised at his disappointment. He’d been planning a quiet evening with Joel and Nicole.

“She doesn’t really look dressed for work,” Nicole said.

Rafe noticed his assistant’s black dress and shrugged. “Maybe she has a party.”

Maddie waved as the pilot parked the boat. A member of the staff lowered the gang plank steps and she immediately boarded the yacht. “Welcome back. I thought I should wait until you returned to tell you that the Crawford deal is in jeopardy. He’s in Fort Lauderdale this weekend for that charity event you helped sponsor, so you’ll be able to take a quick trip up there and smooth the waters. I can drive you if you like.”

He shook his head, mentally planning how to shorten the trip. “Nah, that’s okay. I’ll either drive myself or get Dan to take me. Is that the event for veterans?”

“Yes, it is,” she said, appearing disappointed. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you? It’s no problem.”

“No,” he said. “Veterans,” he repeated and glanced at Nicole. “Any chance you want to go?”

Nicole blinked in surprise. “What kind of event is it?”

“It’s an event put on by a yacht club in Fort Lauderdale to raise money for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. You know who’s speaking?” he asked Maddie.

She paused, then sighed. “Gerard something,” she said.

“Gerard Thomas,” Nicole said, smiling. “I’ve worked with him before. He’s a terrific speaker.”

“Then join me,” he said, meeting her gaze.

Nicole glanced in Maddie’s direction then back at him. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“What about Joel?” Maddie asked. “I mean, do you think he’ll be uncomfortable being left at home without Nicole?”

“I think that one’s headed for an early bedtime, and this occasion is one of the reasons we have a mother’s helper.” He brushed his hands together. “Decision made. Nicole’s coming with me.”