Rebecca's Little Secret by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online

went on and on. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t pull away. She’d been longing for him to touch her for five years.
    When he finally released her, she stared at him in shock.
    “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.” He backed away from her, his hands in the air in surrender. “You’re just so damned tempting!”
    “So this is my fault, too?”
    He gave her a rueful grin. “No, honey, it’s my fault because I have no resistance. I never did have when it came to you. That’s why we have a son upstairs.” He took another step back. “I’m going now. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”
    He left at once, as if he was afraid someone would chase him away. Rebecca leaned against the closeddoor, savoring the kiss she’d dreamed of so many times. She smiled—reality was even better.
     
    I T WAS IRONIC , J EFF THOUGHT . Chelsea tried to threaten him with a kiss, and he’d taken that thought and made his own mistake. And it had been a mistake. Now, every time he saw Rebecca, he would remember that kiss and yearn for more.
    He finally had to face the fact that his feelings for Chelsea were nothing compared to what he had felt for Rebecca years ago and still felt for her now.
    But he had committed himself to Chelsea.
    If he were a drinking man, tonight would be the perfect time to drink himself senseless. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. He would have to deal with the situation in another way.
    And the first thing he had to do was call Chelsea and apologize.
     
    R EBECCA TRIED TO TELL Jeff she and Joey would meet them at the zoo Saturday morning. Jeff wouldn’t agree to that. “No, we’ll pick you up at nine o’clock. Well, actually about ten after. I’m picking Chelsea up at nine.”
    “All right. Did she forgive you for last night?”
    “Yes, sort of. And I thanked Bill for entertaining her.”
    “Did I hear my name mentioned?” Bill Wallace asked as he came to the door of his office.
    “I was just telling Rebecca that I thanked you for taking Chelsea to dinner last night.”
    “But I told you you didn’t have to thank me. Chelsea was a lot of fun.”
    “And you like French food?” Jeff asked.
    “Oh, we didn’t go to that restaurant. I took her to a good steak place.”
    “Chelsea refuses to eat at a steak house,” Jeff said, frowning.
    “Well, I really didn’t give her a choice. I had no intention of eating strange food while some snooty maître d’ stared down his nose at me. It would give me heartburn.”
    “I’m glad you enjoyed your meal,” Jeff said, still frowning.
    Rebecca turned back to her work. She didn’t want to know if Chelsea threw a temper tantrum.
    Jeff stood there, his hands on his hips.
    “She didn’t complain?” he asked Bill.
    “Sure she did. But I teased her out of her bad mood.”
    “I guess I never tried that.” Jeff shrugged his shoulders.
    “No, because it’s easier to give in. You’ve got to think about how things will be after you marry Chelsea, Jeff. Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”
    Jeff ran his fingers through his dark hair. “Bill, I can’t discuss my marriage with you.”
    “Okay. Well, you don’t owe me thanks for last night. I enjoyed myself.”
     
    J EFF PICKED C HELSEA UP at nine o’clock, as promised. Or, at least, he arrived at that time. She wasn’tquite ready, and he was invited in to have a cup of coffee with Chelsea’s father.
    “You know, Jeff, I’m so glad to have Chelsea’s future settled. She’s not one of these career types. She’s like her mother. She’ll run your life for you, which will do wonders for your career.”
    Jeff suppressed the urge to tell Mr. Wexham that he didn’t want Chelsea running his life. Just then, Chelsea bounced into the room, a huge smile on her face. “Sorry I’m late, Jeff.”
    She looked about sixteen, dressed in overall shorts and a T-shirt. In fact, Jeff had never seen her look so casual. Or so happy.
    Once they were in the car, he observed, “I should take you to