Page 28 of Flynn

She was a magnet when it came to picking weak men, ones who invariably turned out to be selfish and shallow. Her first relationship had been in law school; Mark had been so sweet, appeared so sincere, and was a hopeless geek who had charmed her with his innocent look and glasses forever sliding down his nose.

But he had attached to her because he wanted a study buddy, and her reputation for getting straight As appealed to him. He had wanted to pick her brain and had ended up using and discarding her as soon as he got what he wanted. The second relationship had been when she had just started at the DA’s office.

Fresh out of law school and intent on making a difference, she had concentrated fiercely on learning everything there was to know about the workings of the law, and then David had come along with his smooth talks and his love of the law, something that had appealed to her greatly.

The relationship did not last long, however, she recalled bitterly. He had shown his true colors when she discovered he was with two other women.

When she confronted him about it, he stared at her in surprise and asked if she was so naïve to believe that any man would be satisfied with sticking with one woman. He laughed and said that she was young and idealistic and that would soon vanish. “Welcome to the real world, darling.”

She had stayed away from men for several years after that, and then Glen Ritchie came along and convinced her that he was different. He was different, all right, she thought grimly. Drawing up her knees, she plopped her chin on her folded arms and gazed into space.

Last night was unexpected. A shiver touched her body as she recalled the feeling of him on top of her. The lovemaking had shattered her, and she could not stop thinking about it. About him. Flynn Zimmermann was sexy and masculine, entirely so.

She could still feel the muscles bunching in his broad shoulders and arms. She had allowed him to spend the night, and that was something she could not let happen again.

His proposal was ludicrous, of course. She would never agree to anything like that. It was preposterous, unthinkable, and yet the thought of making love with him again was getting her hot, her heart picking up the pace. And for the first time since the betrayal, she had not thought of Glen. Shaking her head, she got back on track.

It would not work. She was not interested in any sort of relationship, and she was going to tell him that. Besides, a man like him would have his pick of women.

Firming her lips, she slid out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Her nipples and between her thighs felt wonderfully sore, but it did not matter; she was not going to see him again.

*****

Flynn was thinking the exact opposite. He had pondered the wisdom of leaving without waking her but decided that she needed to sleep. In his enthusiasm and his yearning for her, he had gone overboard, belatedly remembering that she was pregnant and she had not been feeling her best.

He had not intended to touch her, but the minute he did, he was not able to control what happened next.

He felt lighthearted, as light and fluffy as a feather, as if the weight he had been carrying had been magically lifted from his shoulders. He felt like whistling and only just managed to resist the impulse, especially since his mother was met by him as soon as he cleared the front door.

"Mother." He thought about sidling past her and bounding up the stairs, but she put herself firmly in front of him. He could have gone around her; the hallways were undoubtedly wide enough, but he knew from experience that she would just follow him up to his room. And he was running late for an appointment.

"Is there something I can help you with?" He removed his jacket and handed it to the maid, who silently approached them.

"Darling-" Linking her hand through his arm, she forced him to fall into step with him. "I don't mean to sound like a concerned mother-"

"I am thirty-five." he pointed out swiftly. She was dressed for going out, and the powder blue wool skirt suit was a perfect foil for her creamy complexion and neat black hair. She had stayed into an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck.

"You are still my child." She rebuked him softly as they ascended the curving staircase together. "You look happy."

"I am in a good mood."

"I see." She looked at him curiously as they made their way past the sweeping hallway leading to the suite of rooms until they came to the double doors leading to his suite.

"I have an appointment-" It was a subtle hint - his way of telling her he did not have time for a conversation.

"Will you be home for supper?"

"I will let you know."

"I am pleased you are getting back out there."

Turning around, he sent her an amused look. "Getting back out there?"

She shrugged her slender shoulders, a faint blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. "Whatever you young people call it," she waved a hand. I am going to call Ryleigh later today."

"Why?" he asked sharply, enough to have her staring at him curiously. "Is something wrong?"

“No, of course not. But I want to check on her in the same way. Darling, she is carrying my grandchild.” She clapped her hands in delight, amber eyes glowing. “Do you know what that means to me?”