Page 27 of Conail (Members From Money Season 2, #150)

Sunlight poured into the room and had him opening his eyes, his head groggy and his mind muddled. He had been drinking last night. Right after he entered his apartment, he had gone straight for the bottle of scotch and imbibed half of it before tumbling into bed.

His night had not been restful but had been chased with dreams -- erotic ones that left him throbbing and uncomfortable.

Prying his eyes open, he rose up against the pillows and tried to get a grip on reality and his sanity.

Dragging restless fingers through his already disheveled hair, he started to rationalize and reason. He wanted her. Last night at her place had proven his desperate need for her.

It was unexpected. He had never experienced that kind of mindless passion that had taken over his entire senses before. Her passion had rivaled his and even now, he could still taste her, still feel her wrapped tight around him.

So, what does it all mean? he mused. He had fallen in love once and it had ended in disaster.

This was even more potent, more of everything.

He could not explain any of it. She was not his type.

Not that he had anything against the color black, he had simply never dated one before.

And his women were always petite. She wasn't.

Clamping his hands on his throbbing head, he closed his eyes as his thoughts spun crazily. What the hell was he going to do?

First things first -- a gallon of coffee. It was Sunday and he usually slept in and did some work. The shipment had arrived from China. He had some contracts to look over.

Swinging his legs off the bed, he grabbed a robe to cover his naked body and headed downstairs. The coffee pot was already set up; all he had to do was touch the button.

Very soon the heavenly scent filled the room. Taking a cup from the cupboard, he stood there waiting impatiently for it to finish dripping.

Filling the cup, he took it with him to sit around the malachite counter. A few sips had his headache dimming to low grade.

He should stay away from her. What good would it do to form a relationship?

It was a mistake. Best to leave things as they were.

He was not in the market for a relationship anyway.

And they had already entered into an arrangement.

Changing the status quo would have Errol going out of his very tidy mind.

There were legal entanglements to think of.

She was a surrogate, that's it. He should leave it that way.

Wasn't it too late already? the treacherous voice whispered in his head.

Didn't you already change things by sleeping with her?

Just the one time, he argued back.

Once is enough, the voice argued back.

"Shut the hell up!" he ordered. "Just shut up."

Draining the cup, he rose to leave the kitchen, determined to get some work done and get her off his mind.

*****

"I'm so happy for you!" Yasmine exclaimed as she stared at the couple. "And a Valentine's Day wedding. How romantic."

"It's going to be small." Maddy was all smiles as she leaned against Colin who was seated on the arm of her chair.

He had approached her dad and her aunt to ask for their blessings.

The fact that he had done that had left a lasting impression on them and they could not stop singing his praises.

He had decided that he was going to build a house on the rather extensive land, something to call their own.

They would live at the farmhouse for a bit until it was finished, but he had every intention of making quick work of it. He had warned her that it would not be anything fancy at first and she had laughed and told him she did not care.

Yasmine could not help the pang of envy she felt as she looked at the couple who were so obviously in love.

Last night had been a bad one for her. Everywhere she turned on the bed, the scent of his expensive cologne had clung.

She had ended up using the pillows his head had rested on to hug against her chest.

And wondered when she had become so pathetic.

"We're going to have to start planning now."

"I already contacted the pastor for the banns to be read." Maeve was all smiles as she handed out glasses of champagne and fruit juice for Yasmine. "It's a wonderful day indeed."

"I suppose you're going to want me to wear a suit." Clive grumbled, causing them to laugh.

"Not if you don't want to." Maddy assured him kindly.

He was about to give a sigh of relief when his wife dashed his hopes. "He will wear a suit. Your son is getting married; it should be no hardship for you to dress up for a few hours."

"Damn nagging woman."

"No swearing." Crossing to him, she kissed the top of his head. She was about to head into the kitchen to check on the roast when she heard the sound of a vehicle crunching on the driveway.

"We have company," she called out in delight.

"Who--" Colin looked out the window and identified the fancy black BMW. A thoughtful expression touched his face as he glanced at his sister.

"He's back."

She rose slowly and left the living room to go and join her mother at the door, her heart pounding.

Maeve opened the door to let him in along with a blast of chilly air before closing it behind him.

"I hope I'm not intruding." Conail's eyes drifted to the woman standing a little to the left.

"Not at all. Come in. We're celebrating." Shaking her head as her daughter went ahead of him, she ushered him into the room where a fire was burning in the hearth and the remnants of drinks were on the table.

A man he had never met before rose a little unsteadily, staring at him with suspicious eyes. He should not have come, he thought in panic. What the hell was he thinking?

"Conail, this is my husband Clive." She gestured to the suspicious man, giving him a look of reproach, before turning to Madeline. "And this is my son's fiancée. We were just celebrating the good news. They're getting married February fourteenth."

His brows lifted at that and he wondered if people still put stock in the day.

"Congratulations," he murmured to the striking looking woman cuddled next to the man who had not risen since he came into the room. "I wondered if you would like to take a ride with me?" He turned to ask Yasmine.

Before she could answer, Maeve was ushering her out of the room to go and change into something warm.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No," he shook his head.

"You might as well sit." Clive told him grudgingly.

The man looked like he was about to bolt.

For someone so rich, he did not look at all comfortable.

Or maybe it was their very plain farmhouse that was making him so antsy.

He wanted to demand some answers from him but was afraid Maeve, who seemed to be all smiles, would hush him up.

"Thank you."

"At least have some of the champagne." Maeve urged.

"It's not your usual style, but I'm sure you can endure a sip or two." Clive drawled and earned a poke in the ribs from Maddy and a look of reproach from his mother.

Christ! As long as a guy has a somewhat halfway decent look, women tend to make fools of themselves, he thought in disgust.

"It's a rather decent brand." Conail sent him a challenging look as he sipped champagne, wishing with all his heart that he had stayed home or gone golfing with the friends who had called.

He was just finishing the drink when Yasmine came back into the room and everyone else faded from his mind.

She had changed into a soft blue clingy wool that molded her bulge. And she was wearing knee-high boots.

He could not wait to get her alone.

Unaware that the occupants in the room had seen his reaction, he crossed to her and helped her on with her jacket.

"Thanks for the champagne," he offered politely as he took her hand and led her from the room.

"My God," Maddy whispered into the silence.

"What?" Colin turned to stare at her with a frown.

"He's in love with her."

"He's not."

"I am happy I was not the only one to notice it." Maeve had a smile curving her lips.

"Why do you think he is?" Colin demanded.

"Men." Shaking her head, Maddy slid from the chair. "Maeve, why don't I help you out in the kitchen and discuss what kind of cake you'll be making?"

"Excellent idea." She beamed at the girl and led the way.

*****

Her scent assailed his nostrils and filled the vehicle.

They made the journey in silence, and he was happy she had not asked where they were going.

It was an impulse drive. One minute he was sitting at his desk, wading through legal documents with nothing registering and the next, he was getting dressed and heading out.

Until he found himself heading in the direction of the farmhouse.

He kept glancing at her, taking in the way she had her hands covering her belly as if trying to protect the babe from danger. A jolt went through his system and left him weak.

Yasmine had her eyes closed, but she was not sleeping. Her thoughts were riotous as she found herself wondering what this meant. He had come after her again. She did not dare to put a name to it. He might just want sex. And if that's all, what was she supposed to do about it?

Her eyes flickered open when the vehicle came to a stop in front of a very modern brick and glass standalone apartment with a curving driveway and snow glinting off palm trees.

"It's my home."

"I see."

He killed the engine and waited for her to make some sort of objection about him bringing her here.