Free Just Curious by Jude Devereaux

while she put on the earrings.
    â€œDo I look okay?” she asked in earnest.
    â€œNo one will look at the bride.”
    It was a cliché, but the way he said it made her feel beautiful.
    The wedding was enchanting. For all the chaos beforehand, everything went smoothly, and the reception was filled with laughter and champagne. Mac disappeared with a group of men he hadn’t seen in years, and for a few moments Karen was alone at a table.
    â€œDo you know how to dance?”
    Karen looked up at Mac. “Wasn’t that in your report about me? Or did your spies forget such unimportant things as dancing?”
    With a laugh, he pulled her out of her chair and led her onto the dance floor. To say they danced splendidly together was an understatement.
    Steve sailed by, his lovely bride, Catherine, in his arms, and told Mac he should keep “this one.”
    Mac smiled. “You know that no woman wants me for long.”
    After Steve had laughed and moved away, Karen frowned up at Mac. “Why don’t you tell them the truth? Everyone blames you for all the breakups.”
    Mac pulled her closer into his arms. “Be careful, Mrs. Lawrence, it almost sounds as though you’re beginning to like me.”
    â€œHa! All I want from you is—”
    â€œA child,” he said softly. “You want to have my child.”
    â€œOnly because you’re—”
    â€œWhat am I? Intelligent? A prince among men?”
    â€œYou’re a reverse prince. When a woman kisses you, you turn into a frog.”
    â€œI didn’t with the first kiss. Want to try again?”
    For a minute he looked down at her and she thought hewas going to kiss her again. But he didn’t and she knew that her disappointment showed on her face.
    Hours later she once again found herself alone in a room with Mac. When she returned from the bathroom wearing her chaste white nightgown, he was standing by the window, his back to her, looking out into the night.
    â€œThe bathroom is yours,” she said.
    â€œI’m going out,” he said firmly.
    To her horror, Karen said, “Why?” then put her hand to her mouth. What he did was none of her business. Stiffening her body, she forced a smile. “Of course.” She gave a great yawn. “See you in the morning.”
    Mac grabbed her shoulders. “Karen, it’s not what you think.”
    â€œI have no right to think anything at all. You’re free to do what you like.”
    Quickly, he pulled her to him, and held her tightly. “If I stay in this room tonight, I’ll make love to you. I know I will. I won’t be able to stop myself.” Without giving her a chance to reply, he left her alone in the room.
    â€œRight,” Karen said to the closed door. “And next week it would be business as usual, the little fling with your typist forgotten. Better not to do anything that could get you sued.”
    She went to bed and only went to sleep after she had vented her frustration on the thick pillow separating the two halves of the bed.
    Hours later she was sleeping so soundly she didn’t hear him return, slip into bed beside her or feel him press a soft kiss on her forehead before he himself tried to sleep.

Four
    K AREN AWOKE C HRISTMAS MORNING TO SCREAMS. T HINKING the house was on fire, she flung back the covers and started to leave the bed—but Mac’s strong hand stopped her.
    â€œKids,” he muttered, head buried in the pillow.
    As the screaming increased, Karen pulled away from him, but his hand crept up her arm and pulled her down into the bed beside him. During the night the bolster pillow that separated them had slipped down (or been pushed) until it was nearer their knees.
    Mac’s hand crept upward into Karen’s hair. He still had his face buried, still wasn’t looking at her, but she could see his black glossy hair, could feel his warmth. The room was dim and the noise outside their