Then reality hit him like a rockslide. Hed steered clear of relationships for a reason. They never worked. Divorce happened and kids were abandoned and grew up in broken homes or foster homes. Like him.
He couldnt do that to any kid of his, couldnt bring a child into the world knowing he might not be in his life to give him the love and support hed need. Knowing that most marriages were doomed to failure.
Okay, then, Im taking you home. You dont need to be working when youre sick.
Really, Im fine. She reached out and laid her hand on his arm.
An electric shock ran from where she touched all the way through him, making his heartbeat increase, pumping blood like an overworked piston through his bloodstream. His gaze dropped to where her slender fingers curled around his sleeve.
As quickly as shed placed it there, she withdrew her hand and clasped it in her lap, pleating the fabric of her linen skirt, clearly nervous in his company.
What a mess hed made of his relationship with the only woman hed ever trusted. Hed destroyed her trust.
I dont want to go home, she insisted. We need to work quickly to get this matter resolved.
A heavy lump settled in his gut and his jaw tightened. So you can resign? He took a turn a little faster than hed intended, tires skidding on the still-hot pavement.
Madre de Dios, Jackson! Could you slow it down? Im not partial to getting car sick and I dont relish being involved in a wreck.
Sorry. He slowed, taking the turns at a reasonable speed, recognizing the physical effort it took him to keep his foot from ramming the accelerator through the floorboard. Once hed eased onto Interstate 45 heading into downtown Houston, he willed his fingers to loosen their grip.
In answer to your previous question She sighed. Yes. Partly. I want to have this situation resolved before I leave the corporation. More than that I want to stop whoever is using Champion Shipping to smuggle deadly and illegal substances. Her hands balled into fists. We need to nail the bastard.
A smile pushed Jacksons lips up on the edges. That was his Ysabel. She had been the most loyal employee on his payroll, doing everything in her power to ensure the success of Champion Shipping.
Thanks. He shot a glance her way. I guess thats all I can expect.
Her shoulders rose and fell on a deep breath. Jackson, we need to talk.
The lead weight in his gut flipped. We need to talk always meant she needed to say something and he wasnt going to like it. He risked another glance her way, trying to read the expression in her profile and failing miserably. Out of the far corner of his eye, he caught a flash of headlights glaring off his side mirror. Before he could turn and look, a dark sedan raced up beside the compact car and slammed into the drivers side.
Having relaxed his grip on the wheel, Jackson wasnt prepared for the impact. The car jolted and skidded to the side, bounced against the concrete guard rail and swerved across three lanes of traffic. The dark sedan slammed into the back panel, setting the car into a spin.
Holy Jesus! Ysabel cried out, bracing her hands against the dash.
Jackson fought to regain control of the car, bringing it to a hair-raising stop on the far shoulder against a concrete barricade, facing oncoming traffic.
The smell of burned rubber and exhaust fumes filled the interior of the small car.
Ysabel scrambled for the door handle, frantically trying to unlock it.
Stay in the car, Izzy. He grabbed her hand, stopping her crazed attempt to get out. We dont know if that guy will come back and hit us again.
I dont care. I have to get out. She flung the door open and it crashed into the concrete. Then she dived out onto the ground.
Jackson jumped out and rounded the car.
Ysabel crouched on her hands and knees heaving, her entire body shaking with the effort. But nothing came up. The sound of her tortured gasps tore at Jacksons heart.
He dropped to the ground and gathered her against him. Izzy, sweetheart, breathe. He sat back on the pavement, settling her in his lap. Breathe, baby.
Her pale face glowed in the moonlight, her cheeks shining with tears. Im sorry.
What have you got to be sorry about? I should have been paying attention.
Im not usually sick.
I know, and that has me worried. Im taking you to the hospital.
She stiffened. No.
I wont take no for an answer. He climbed to his feet, carrying Ysabel with him. Were going to the hospital. This isnt right.
No. Ill refuse treatment. Just take me home.
Okay, so no hospital. But youre going home and Im calling in my physician. End of subject.
She stared at him, her face close enough to kiss, her eyes rounded, with dark smudges beneath them.
The need to take her lips was more than an urge, it was an obsession. If he didnt think shed slap his face, hed have followed his desire. But Ysabel had had more than enough excitement for one day. He set her in the car and strapped on her seat belt, adjusting her seat back so that she lay fully reclined. Dont worry about a thing. Ill take care of you.
AN hour later, Jackson had reported the hit and run to the police and managed to get the corporate physician to pay a house call at Ysabels apartment. With Jackson pacing the floor of her compact living room, Ysabel lay on her bed behind her closed bedroom door, a cold stethoscope pressed to her chest, willing the doctor to declare her fit and get the hell out.
Dr. Adams folded his stethoscope and shoved it into his bag. How long have you known?
Known what?Ysabel asked, her gaze darting to the closed door of her bedroom. Could Jackson hear their words through the wooden panels? She couldnt afford for him to find out now. She had to think, make plans and get the hell out of Houston.
It doesnt take a brain surgeon to figure this out. Jacksons corporate physician smiled as if making a joke. Youve missed a period and youre throwing up, otherwise youre perfectly healthy.
She buttoned her shirt and climbed off the bed, putting distance between them. I dont know what youre talking about.
Ive done the math. Question is, have you? He waited, unmoving.
She teetered on the edge of lying again, but shed had enough lying. How accurate are home pregnancy tests? Ysabel asked, her voice a soft whisper.
Theyve been pretty accurate as long as youve gone past a period. I take it youve tested positive for pregnancy?
Ysabel spun, a finger to her lips. Shhh! I dont want anyone to know.
You mean you dont want Jackson to know?
Thats not what I said, she argued, her words guarded, her brows drawing together. The doctor had guessed about her pregnancy, would he also guess the father of the child to be Jackson Champion?
Dr. Adams laid a hand on her shoulder. You dont have to worry. I respect doctorpatient confidentiality. Your secret is safe with me.
Thanks. Ysabel swallowed the vile taste of guilt and nodded. What are you going to tell Mr. Champion?
Ill tell him it might have been a mild case of food poisoning and that youll be fine. Not the truth but not exactly a lie. He squeezed her shoulders in a reassuring grip. Ysabel, I hope you have the good sense to let the father in on your secret. A man has a right to know hes got a child on the way.