Can't Say No Read online

  As he walked out, Ralph couldn’t believe how stupid one very intelligent man could be. Pushing the elevator button marked down, he scowled. He wasn’t looking forward to advising Vanessa to have the twins tested for HIV.

  Vanessa could tell that something was going on with Ralph. He called her at work, highly unusual, then asked if she could meet him at his place. They needed to talk. She could tell by his tone that it was serious, and he wouldn’t tell her more. He reminded her to drive safely before he hung up.

  She was curious rather than alarmed when she left work early. The front door was answered by a beautiful young woman who introduced herself as Madelyn Holmes, Mr. Prescott’s secretary. She was everything Vanessa was not, slim, lovely, and unencumbered by children. Vanessa caught herself. She was losing it, jealous of one of his employees. He didn’t need her help finding females. He was so attractive, they were naturally drawn to him.

  “Ms. Grant?”

  “Yes.” Vanessa managed to cover her surprise with a smile. She offered her hand and introduced herself, then followed her past the foyer and into her office. The small room was comfortable, decorated in blues and cream, very different than the deep bronze tones in Ralph’s office. “Have a seat, Ms. Grant. Mr. Prescott is on the telephone.” She motioned to one of the floral chairs in front of a maple desk. The matching sofa with a coffee table were placed against the wall, providing additional seating.

  “Thank you. Please call me Vanessa,” she said as she made herself comfortable.

  “And I’m Madelyn. May I get you something to drink? Coffee, ice tea?”

  “No, but thanks.” Vanessa crossed her legs, wishing she’d gone home and changed into something pretty rather than the plain, long, denim skirt and white blouse she’d worn to work. She only took time to brush on blush and applied a fresh coat of lipstick. Pitiful! She imagined Laura and Brynne scolding her.

  Smiling, the other woman took her place behind the cluttered desk. “I understand you work for Gavin. Do you like working out of a home office as much as I do? I don’t miss the big office routine one bit.”

  Vanessa laughed. “I do enjoy it. It’s a huge difference having flexible hours and comfortable surroundings. Gavin trusts me to do my work without him leaning over my shoulders all day. I generally find that I work more hours because I don’t want to take advantage of his trust.”

  “That’s how I feel.” Madeline laughed. “Most days, Ralph is out of the office, and I’m here on my own. I don’t mind. He’s a great boss.”

  Vanessa laughed. “It beats being chased around the desk. How long have you worked for Ralph?”

  “Two years. How about…”

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” Smiling, Ralph seemed unconcerned by the endearment he let slip. Taking her hand, he pulled her out into the hall, pausing long enough to tell his secretary, “Madelyn, we’re done for the day. See you in the morning.” He ushered her down the central hallway.

  “What’s going on?” Vanessa asked, but he didn’t stop until they reached the den.

  Ralph gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, urging her inside. “Anything wrong with wanting to keep you to myself for a few hours?”

  “Not a thing.” Vanessa smiled as she sat down on the deep-cushioned sectional sofa, crossing long, shapely legs.

  He ran a finger along her soft cheek. “Give me a second to get us something to drink. What would you like? Mrs. Green left a pitcher of ice tea and one of cranberry punch. And there are always soft drinks and juice. What would you like?”

  “Cranberry punch sounds good.” She smiled, curious if it was only her imagination or if he seemed uneasy.

  “Be right back.”

  Vanessa went to gaze out the French doors. She could see the paved basketball and tennis courts from that angle. Ralph had created a wonderful oasis for himself. There were putting greens and a bathhouse beside the outdoor pool. The soft hum of the ceiling fans throughout kept the large house pleasantly cool.

  “Here we go,” he said, carrying in a tray. Besides the tall, frosted glasses of punch, he included a platter of corn chips covered with melted cheese, chives, peppers, and tomatoes.

  “Thought you might need something to hold you until dinner. You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you.”

  Vanessa laughed. “Maybe.” She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Leaning against him, she released a soft sigh. “I had no idea what you had in mind when you called. It really doesn’t matter. I’m just glad that we’ve found some time to be together.” Her plan was quite simple, to enjoy what time she had with him and not let anything intrude. With a smile, she decided he looked especially good in a crisp white shirt, teamed with a pair of well-worn jeans.

  “Me too.” He rested his cheek against hers. “Mmm, you smell good.”

  “Thank you.” She tilted her head back so she could study his dark features. “So tell me, Mr. Prescott. Exactly what do you have in mind? And don’t leave out any details.”

  “Not even one,” he teased.

  Delighted, she laughed softly, then placed a series of kisses at the base of his throat and collarbone. Opening the top three buttons lining his white shirtfront, her lips moved over the dark skin.

  When she raised her head, he dropped his in order to cover her mouth with his own. Ralph took hot, lingering kisses…one after the other. Releasing a husky moan, he sighed, the sound deep and needy.

  “Oh, yes,” she said in a small, breathless whisper. Just as she pressed the aching tips of her breasts into his chest, he groaned as he took a step back. Lifting heavy lids, she protested, “Honey…” She stopped suddenly. Forgetting her thoughts. Forgetting everything but the way he made her feel and the unmistakable proof of his desire for her.

  Resting his forehead against hers, he said hoarsely, “I’m sorry, I lost it for a moment there. We have to talk.”

  Vanessa didn’t want to talk; she wanted him to make love to her. She shook her head, but he held her away.

  “I want…”

  “I need to tell you what happened when I went to Greg Cummingham’s office today.”

  Hearing the man’s name was like a face full of ice water. Startled, she quizzed, “What? What about Cummingham?”

  “I received the private investigator’s report. I was determined to confront him and took the report to his office.”

  “That’s why you asked me to come here?” Even as she asked the question, she knew she had no business feeling so disappointed. It wasn’t the end of the world. Yet she couldn’t help being upset. She thought he was as fed up as she was with the way things were going. They were both guilty of letting their busy schedules and lack of privacy keep them apart. She’d been thrilled that he’d wanted to spend the afternoon together, hopefully in his king-size bed.

  It hurt knowing just how very wrong she’d been. He didn’t want to be alone with her, didn’t want to make love. What he wanted was to talk about her custody case.

  With her spine stiff, she went over to the sofa, sat down, and crossed her legs and arms. Intent on hiding her hurt feelings, she asked calmly, “What did he say?”

  Although she was aware of Ralph’s going over to the desk near the windows and opening the top drawer, Vanessa concentrated on maintaining her composure. Bursting into tears of frustration, while it might make her feel better for a few moments, was definitely not an option. She did have some pride.

  She murmured thank you as he handed her a thick envelope. Ignoring the way her hands shook as she pulled out the report, she quickly read the document. Her heart rate picked up as she lifted hopeful eyes to meet his brooding gaze. She wasn’t conscious of dropping the pages onto the patterned carpet when she asked, “Is he going to drop the custody suit? Surely he doesn’t want this made public.”

  Ralph said with a frown, “He’s not giving up. He’s more concerned with his wife’s reaction than this report being made public.”

  Exasperated, she practically shouted,
“Ralph! It’s all in here…sex, unwanted children all over the place. I can’t believe it. Besides his marriage, his reputation is on the line. Nobody is going to hire a lowlife dog to defend them, even if he’s the best. How has he managed to keep these women quiet?”

  “Simple. He paid them off. If they want the money to keep coming, they have to maintain their silence.”

  Vanessa stared at him in stunned dismay. Her heart sank as she realized she wouldn’t find help from any of the women, not with Cummingham paying them off. “How can he get away with this? He really is hateful, isn’t he?” she ended in an exasperated hiss.

  “Without doubt.” He squatted until his eyes were level with hers. “He did waver a bit. He said he can’t drop the lawsuit without raising his wife’s suspicions, but he did offer to let you see the twins as often as you like.”

  Vanessa was so angry, she let go with, “That’s supposed to make up for what? I’m not the one who did anything wrong. I don’t have kids all over the country because I can’t keep my pants zipped. What’s up with that? Hasn’t that jerk ever heard of HIV? Why didn’t he use a condom?”

  “Makes no sense to me,” Ralph echoed. “He may be brilliant in the courtroom, but he does not have a bit of common sense. He has needlessly exposed not only his backward behind but his wife to all kinds of diseases.” Then he looked pointedly at her. “Speaking of HIV, have you considered…”

  “Yes. The twins were tested before they left the hospital. My mother insisted on it. Thanks for asking.”

  “I should have known you were on it.” Taking her hands in his, he said, “I wanted to bring you good news. I’m sorry it didn’t work out that way.”

  “I still don’t get it. Why my twins and why now? It took six years for him to decide to play Daddy.”

  “It’s in the last page of the report.” Ralph picked up the pages, then shuffled through them until he found what he wanted. As he sat down next to her, he said, “His wife has been unable to conceive, but she wants a baby.”

  “So he’s willing to take the twins away from Lana and me to make her happy? Why can’t they see, the twins are happy where they are, as a part of our family. We’ve loved and cared for them since the day they were born.”

  “Good question. I honestly don’t believe Cummingham cares about any of his children. Apparently, he has been so caught up in getting his own pleasure, he refused to use protection.” Ralph paused, then said, “I don’t know for sure, but my guess is he went after Courtney and Curtis because they’re right here in Detroit.”

  “Lucky for us,” she huffed, folding her arms beneath her breasts.

  “You’re angry.” He stated it as a matter of fact. “Because of the twins’ father? Or is there something else?”

  Vanessa didn’t realize she was pouting until Ralph ran a caressing thumb over her bottom lip. She sucked it in, holding it with her small white teeth.

  “Come on, beautiful. Tell me.”

  “I’m not angry, just a little upset, about all this. That’s all. Look, I should be going. I’m in a lousy mood, and the kids will be expecting me,” she said, needing to put some distance between them…needing to sort out her feelings, to find out why she felt so vulnerable one minute, so hungry for him the next.

  “Why? It’s barely four. I thought you were staying.”

  She quirked a brow. “You don’t want me to stay, not in this crazy mood. You’re right! I am mad, at everyone and everything.”

  “Oh, I want you all right,” he growled impatiently. “Stay. Let me hold you.”

  She let out a surprised little squeal when he scooped her up into his lap as if she weighed next to nothing. “What are you doing?”

  “Making you comfortable. We’re in this together, no matter what. I’ve missed you…missed this.” Ralph didn’t wait for an answer. He kissed his way up the side of her throat, pausing to suckle her earlobe.

  Vanessa, while trying to ignore the heated shivers, managed to say, “That’s not why I’m here.” Yet she couldn’t control the desire that traveled along her nerve endings and settled in her feminine center.

  “I’m not in a playful mood, love. I hurt with need for you. It has been too long since we last made love. If your answer is no, then come out with it, before this goes any further.”

  She bit her lip, wanting to feel him deep within but too proud to admit how much she needed him. Her body and mind were at war. Staring into his eyes only seemed to increase the yearning.

  Evidently tired of waiting, he said through tightly clenched white teeth, “Say something.”

  “It was yes, until you told me your ‘only’ reason for inviting me here was to talk about the case.”

  Nestling her neck, he inhaled her scent. “Only? Come on, beautiful.” He caressed her hips. “Not wanting you is definitely not our problem. It has been so long since we’ve been together.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.” Before she could say more, he rose to his feet, taking her with him.

  “What? You think I’m going to let you fall?” He put her on her feet, then used both hands to circle her waist.

  “I don’t…” was all she got out. The next thing she knew he’d tossed her over his shoulder. She landed with her stomach against his shoulder. He’d hooked a supporting arm over the back of her legs. Vanessa let out a squeal, grabbing the back of his shirt to steady herself. “Ralph! Stop! This is not funny!”

  He snapped, “Believe me, I am not laughing.” Using long, quick strides, he walked into the hall, heading toward the carpeted staircase.

  “Put me down! Ralph!”

  “Did you say something?” He kept going as if he hadn’t heard what she’d said.

  “You heard what I said! Put me down right this minute!” Vanessa let out a frustrated screech when he increased his pace, jogging up the stairs with her bouncing against him.

  “Ouch! You’re hurting my stomach.” She wiggled, trying to get away.

  “Be still before you make me drop you.”

  She would have punched him if she had not been afraid to let go of his shirt. She settled on mumbling beneath her breath, but she kept her eyes closed and held on as best she could. Her eyes flew open when he tossed her and she landed on her back in the center of his oversize bed.

  After she caught her breath, she stared up at him. She looked into dark eyes, smoldering with desire. She could tell by the slight curve of his wide mouth that he thought he’d won that round. He was mistaken.

  “No!” Satisfied that she’d finally gotten his undivided attention, she scooted to the edge of the bed.

  He finished unbuttoning his shirt and tossed it in the general direction of the long, padded bench at the foot of the bed. Certain he’d heard her, she watched as he unsnapped faded jeans, then slowly eased the zipper down past the considerable bulge. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart rate increased. Annoyed by what she considered being taken for granted, she hissed, “I said, no.”

  “I heard you.”

  He rested his hand on a hip, his legs braced. His eyes were on her parted lips as she struggled to calm her breathing. She didn’t dare lift her eyes to that broad, beautifully sculpted chest. She had to curl her hands not to reach out and stroke his dark skin. She had no idea why she was clinging to this senseless need to win the game of words they were playing. If she didn’t get him, she didn’t win.

  Stubbornly, she persisted, “Good. I thought I might have to call the paramedics to check your doggone ears.”

  “You want to fight first? Then make love, beautiful?”

  His dark eyes moved from the thick cloud of her dark curls surrounding her shoulders, down to her throat, overripe breasts and small waist, to her womanly hips and shapely legs. When he looked at her with such sizzling heat, she could read the need and knew he meant every word.

  It still surprised her when he called her beautiful. She knew that was how he meant it, and that was how he genuinely saw her. She wanted him…needed him, now. She didn’t even kn
ow why they were fighting. It made no sense. Why was she wasting what they never seemed to have enough of…time alone?

  Suddenly, all the fear, confusion, and fight drained out of her. She dropped her lids, whispering, “I want you to make love to me…but sometimes you, Ralph Prescott, are the most exasperating man.”

  Vanessa got up and went to him. She smoothed her hand over the broad planes of his heavily muscled chest, wrapping an arm around his neck and lifting her face to lick his neck before she bit the taut skin.

  “You weren’t in danger. I had you, baby. I won’t ever let you fall.” He released a deep groan.

  Raining kisses over his dark skin, she confessed, “I was afraid you’d hurt yourself.”

  “Carrying you? Never. You were made for me. Have you forgotten how perfectly we fit together?”

  Twenty-three

  Vanessa kissed his chest, lingering on a flat male nipple. He released a husky groan the instant she licked his tight peak. Pleased by his response, she repeatedly tongued the nipple, wanting to give him the utmost pleasure. With his eyes closed and nostrils flared, he kept his hands at his sides. As if unable to bear more of this exquisite torment, Ralph caught her shoulders, holding her away from him.

  He shook his head. “You don’t need to arouse me.” He moved her hand over his rock-hard erection. “I don’t think I can get harder.”

  She shivered, pleased to feel the strength of his need. It matched her own. She whispered, “Please…hurry.”

  His kiss was urgent, demanding, nothing else mattered but the two of them. Ralph unbuttoned, unzipped, and unsnapped. Finally, Vanessa was bare to his hungry, hot eyes.

  “Oh, baby. You’re so beautiful…so perfect for me,” Ralph whispered in her ear. After stripping back the velvet quilt and silk sheets, he picked her up and placed her in the center of the bed.

  His voice was gruff with desire when he said, “Tell me, Vanessa. Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

  “Yes…oh yes,” she could barely get the words out. Engrossed in watching him, she couldn’t look away as he shoved both jeans and briefs down. But he wasn’t moving fast enough for her, so she held her arms out, insisting, “Hurry…sweet man.”