Free Sarah's Child by Linda Howard

her in return. Maxs lean, intelligent face swam into her view, and she caught her breath. Max?
    She wouldnt use him. He deserved better than that. But the fact remained that shed been more attracted to Max than shed ever been to any man other than Rome. If he asked her out again, shed accept. After all, she would be leaving the company, so there wouldnt be the dangers inherent in a boss-secretary relationship.
    She could even grow to love him. Perhaps shed never love him with the depth or fierceness that she loved Rome, but there were different types of love in the world, all of them precious. Shed no longer reject any of them.
    Her brave new plans were never given a chance to work. The strident sound of the doorbell jerked her awake before seven oclock the next morning, and she stumbled out of bed, then had to find a robe to drag on before answering the door.
    Leaning against the door tiredly, stretching muscles that ached, she called cautiously, Who is it?
    Rome.
    Sarah stiffened against the door, suddenly alarmed. How could she get over him if he kept coming back into her life? She didnt want to be hurt any more. She hadnt let herself think about the way hed taken her because she couldnt handle that yet, couldnt begin to accept that hed had her, then walked away. Diane had come between them, and she always would be between them.
    Sarah, he commanded in a low voice when she didnt open the door. We have to talk. Let me in.
    Biting her lip, knowing that there had to be a postmortem, she unlocked the door and opened it, stepping away as he entered the apartment. Quickly she looked at him, then averted her eyes. Coffee?
    Yes, and plenty of it. I havent slept.
    He looked it. Hed changed clothes, into jeans and a red polo shirt that looked fantastic with his olive complexion, but the lines on his face were harsher than ever, and dark circles lay under his eyes. He was somber, even grim. He followed her into the kitchen and while she put on the coffee he leaned his hip against the tall kitchen stool, one booted foot hooked on the bottom rail of the stool, the other leg stretched out before him. He watched her closely, wondering how she could look so unruffled even though it was plain hed gotten her out of bed. Except for the thick pale tangle of her hair, she was as remote as an alabaster statue, cool and lovely to look at but not inviting to the touch.
    I want you, he said suddenly, startling her, and her eyes widened.
    Id planned to have you, he continued, gauging every nuance of her expression, noting her reactions. Last night didnt get out of hand; Id intended to have you from the moment I hustled you out of that party. I was going to take you, then forget about you. But it didnt work that way, he said softly.
    Sarah stared at the coffee maker as if the slow drip of the coffee into the glass pot fascinated her. Id say that everything went according to plan, she forced herself to say lightly. I dont have anything to compare it to, but it seems to me now that as far as seductions go it was highly successful. I didnt even think of saying no.
    Thats when things started to go wrong. You were a virgin, and I couldnt forget about you. I jeopardized you by my lack of control
    Sarahs head jerked up, as the thought of pregnancy occurred to her for the first time. She stared at him for a long moment, counting in her head, then relaxed against the cabinet. I should be safe from that, she muttered. Its the wrong time.
    Thank God, he sighed, closing his eyes. I couldnt have stood that. I have enough on my conscience as it is.
    Im an adult, she pointed out briskly, thrusting alarm away from her. You dont have to feel responsible for me.
    I know I dont have to, but I do. Diane loved you, he said, staring at her intently. Shed have done away with anyone who hurt you, and now Ive done my best to hurt you. Shed wantshed want me to take care of you, He drew in a deep shuddering breath, his eyes glittering, his entire body taut with stress.
    Sarah,