Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk Read Free Book Online Page A

library,” Lou pointed to the wall painted with
bookshelves and leather-bound books.
    Her gaze riveted on the young
people necking around them and she forgot to answer. An aura of sensuality
hovered in the dimness. Lou observed her.
    Her flushed cheeks gave her away.
Ill at ease, she lowered her eyes to her plate and played with her food.
    Lou repressed a grin. “They are
young, enjoying life.”
    Well she was a bit old-fashioned
and holding onto her moral values. “I’m so glad I never allowed my daughters to
spend time in France during their college years.”
    “If you’re finished with your
dinner, we can go,” he suggested, although he hated to see their evening end too
early.
    “Yes, let’s go.”
    The night was cold and the rain
pelted their raincoats. Lou hailed a taxi.
    At the door of her room, he
gathered her against him and she touched her lips to his cheek. Lou didn’t kiss
her back. Yet his body throbbed with the need to hold her.
    “Stay with me tonight,” he begged.
    Like a scared dove, she shivered
in his arms, and then spun and opened her door. “Please, Lou, be reasonable.
Stop that game.”
    “Game?” He groaned. He’d thought
he’d manage to seduce her with patience and persistence. And here she used her
soft, sensual voice to ask him to be reasonable when he was on fire. “Barbara,
my darling, you’re very special to me.” He grabbed her arms and peered into the
turquoise eyes that were becoming his universe.
    “You too, Lou, but I don’t want
to be treated like your many girlfriends.” Her warm breath fanned his face and
fueled his ardor.
    “Never, Barbara. Believe me, I
have the utmost respect, and friendship, and regard for you, but I want you,
more than I’ve ever wanted any woman.” Damn it, he’d never had to beg before. Women
usually raced him to his bed.
    “Don’t push, Lou.” She dropped
her forehead on his shoulder and he kept her pressed against him.
    Afraid to lose her with his
insistence, he released her and sighed. “I’m sorry, my darling. Have sweet
dreams.”
    She cupped his cheeks and caught
his gaze. “I want you too, Lou. But I may hate you after. I’m not ready for
that yet.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and closed the door in his
face.
    Dumbstruck, he smacked his
forehead. All he’d wanted when he invited Barbara to Paris was a good friend
who could share with him the nice family atmosphere he’d never known, make him
forget about the heartache Monica had sown into his life.
    Why had he suddenly decided he
wanted Barbara in his arms? He knew all along that she’d been a faithful wife,
a widow loyal to her husband’s memory, and a dedicated mother who lived and
breathed for her children. Why had he let her get under his skin?
    ****
    Eyes closed, Barbara leaned
against the door of her room and wrapped her arms around herself. How long
would she be able to resist the onslaught of his charm? Her body tingled all
over. Would it be so bad to taste his kisses and lay in his arms?
    Oh David, why did you leave
me? More than seven years had gone since the last time they made love.
She’d never missed him as much as tonight. But he would never come back.
    She thought she’d have some
innocent fun visiting Paris with Lou who’d really become her best buddy. They
trusted each other. They chatted together, really talked and listened. They
knew everything about each other. True, he never revealed details of his social
life, but she’d heard a lot of gossip from her daughter. When he invited her, he’d
only insisted he wished to share her family joys.
    She couldn’t label him a selfish
womanizer. Never. With her, he’d been anything but...
    He still had to reveal the
reasons for his prolonged bachelorhood. Had a woman badly hurt him in the past?
Probably. Lou was too much of a decent guy.
    Her head ached and she pressed
her palms to her temples.
    If she ever wanted to remarry,
she would choose Lou without hesitation. But he’d never mentioned