Hed slowed his run, taken it down to a jog, coming to a walk when his feet hit the concrete deck.
Devin took her time joining him, feeling a rush of relief when her lungs slowed back to normal. Her legs were still rubbery, but it was much easier to hide that weakness.
As she approached Lucas, he tossed her a chilled water bottle. She caught it in midair. Obviously someone had set them out while they were away running. What a life the man led.
Devin cracked the seal and took a long, satisfying drink. Her heart rate was getting back to normal, but she knew shed have some very sore muscles in the morning. Shed give her eyeteeth for a miracle where Amelia slept until seven.
Lucas flopped down on a lounger, gesturing to a low table between it and another identical chair. Care for some fruit?
Devin realized she was famished, and the fruit platter looked delicious. The temptation to rest her weary legs was too much to resist. She took the other lounger and stretched out.
Lucas popped a grape into his mouth and munched. You have everything you need in the nursery?
Devin selected a slice of pineapple. Its a dream nursery.
It was.
From the custom-made crib to the designer sheets, to a rocking chair she could practically live in, to a state-of-the-art baby monitor, paintings, mobiles, curtains and the thickest white carpet shed ever stepped on, Amelia might as well have been a princess.
Devin nibbled the edge of the pineapple. You must have been pretty confident youd need it.
I was. He turned his head to watch her. I am. He paused. You should really give up now.
Sure. She shrugged. Why not. Who needs the grief, anyway? All those lawyers, a court date, fighting you-and youre clearly a superior human being. I might as well just call it quits. She popped the rest of the pineapple into her mouth.
He grinned, and plunked his head back on the lounger, closing his eyes. Ah, Devin. Youre entertaining. Ill give you that much.
She sucked the pineapple juice from her fingertips and tried to stay angry with Lucas. It seemed like too much of an effort. Okay if we use the pool tomorrow?
Living on a lakeshore, Devin had already decided to get Amelia accustomed to the water as early as possible. She might as well make the best of being a prisoner at the Demarcos.
Do anything you want, Lucas answered without opening his eyes. Ill make sure the staff all know who you are. The cooks will help you with breakfast, or you can feel free to make whatever you want. Give them a list of foods for Amelia, or yourself for that matter. Try out the horses, take out a boat, swim, play tennis-
Amelias a little young for tennis.
I meant you. Theres an army of people here who can babysit.
Teresa is listening to the baby monitor right now, Devin said.
It felt supremely self-indulgent to take advantage of the Demarco staff, but without Lexi next door, Devin knew shed need at least occasional help. Hopefully, the times would be few and far between. Shed needed to tire herself out before bed tonight, but she certainly wouldnt be abandoning Amelia to take tennis lessons.
Id like to spend some time with Amelia, said Lucas.
His statement caught Devins attention. Why?
Lucas opened his eyes and turned. Shes my niece.
Youre afraid of her.
I am not, he denied. Okay, Im a little afraid of the slimy bits.
Devin fought a smirk. The slimy bits are what make her a baby.
I prefer clean, dry babies.
Those are called adults.
Lucas frowned. I want her to get to know me.
I know. So I wont have an advantage over you in court. She shook her head and gave a dry chuckle. Shes not a puppy, Lucas. Were not going to put her down between us and see who she runs to.
Lucass eyes hardened, but he didnt answer.
She helped herself to a slice of kiwi. But how very Machiavellian of you to think that way.
Shes Konrads daughter. All traces of humor and friendliness were gone from his voice.
And a ten-percent shareholder of Pacific Robotics. I understand completely.
His jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked next to his eye. You havent a clue.
Oh, but she did.
While he might occasionally appear to let his guard down, Lucas was single-minded in his objective. And that objective was Amelia. And Devin was the only protection the little girl had.
Three
Amelia kicked her tiny feet and gurgled happily in the Demarcos pool the following afternoon. She looked darling in a red-and-white striped bathing suit, and shed taken immediately to splashing and ducking.
I may have a solution, said Lexi on a happy sigh from where she was bobbing around in the deep end on a yellow air mattress. She wore a turquoise one-piece that accented her healthy body. Lexi wasnt one to exercise, but she was on the go so much that she stayed in great shape. A pair of big sunglasses covered her eyes.
Whats your solution? Devin asked, smiling as she blew a puff of air into Amelias face. The baby sucked in a breath and scrunched her eyes shut, then Devin gently ducked her underwater.
Lucas can adopt me instead.
What a great idea, Devin singsonged as she lifted Amelia back out of the water.
The baby squealed and kicked in delight, nearly wiggling out of Devins grasp.
A win for you, said Lexi. A win for me.
Not so much for me, Lucas said in a dry voice.
Lexi popped her sunglasses up onto her head to squint at Lucas where he stood on the deck, while Devin turned in the pool so that she faced him. He should have looked out of place in his business suit, feet braced apart, tie neatly knotted at his throat. But for some reason, the outfit made Devin self-conscious of her aqua-colored bikini instead.
Lexi didnt miss a beat. I dont see why not. I dont throw temper tantrums, and Im fully potty-trained.
I can vouch for that, said Devin.
Lucas shook his head, apparently unamused. Ill be out for an hour or so. Do you need anything?
Were fine, said Devin, keeping her attention on Amelia, wishing she didnt find Lucas so attractive. She had absolutely no business thinking about him as anything other than an enemy.
She could feel Lucass gaze on her for a long moment. Then she heard him turn away, and she dared to look up as he took the staircase to the concrete pathway, walked past the garden, below the sprawling oak tree, and disappeared into the mansion.
Hes even better looking than Konrad. Lexi sighed.
You think? asked Devin, taking Amelias chubby hands in hers and drawing the baby forward in a front float.
You think? asked Devin, taking Amelias chubby hands in hers and drawing the baby forward in a front float.
Dont pretend you didnt notice, Lexi admonished, lying back and stroking a hand through the water, recentering herself in the deep end of the pool.
I didnt notice, Devin lied. I was too busy fighting him in court.
Doesnt mean you cant look.
It means theres absolutely nothing about the man that I like.
I liked his ass, teased Lexi.
Then you are a cougar.
And I am sorely disappointed to hear that, came a drawling voice, a clear thread of amusement running through it.
Devin glanced up to see Byron, arms crossed over his chest, feet planted firmly apart, staring openly at Lexi while she sunbathed. He wore faded blue jeans, a denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of brown cowboy boots.
Eyes front, old man, said Lexi with a waggle of her finger. Im not here for your visual entertainment.
Byron didnt look away.
Devin lifted Amelia from the water and cradled her cool body against her chest. Byron, this is my friend Lexi. Lexi, Byron is Lucasswhat do I call you? Widowed stepfather?
Id say we can go with friend, Byron responded, still staring openly at Lexi where she lay on the air mattress.
Lexi pushed her sunglasses back up to the top of her head and propped herself on one elbow. Do you have a reason for being here?
Devin coughed out a laugh at Lexis blunt manner.
I believe I do. He turned his attention to Devin. I was hoping to have a little talk with you, young lady.
Devin hesitated, not really anxious to be grilled by Byron. About? she asked.
Come on up here, and Ill tell you all about it.
Devin stayed put.
Im not gonna bite you, he assured her with a grin.
She glanced down at Amelia and saw that the tiny girl was worn out. They were going to have to get out of the water soon anyway. And she had a feeling Byron would wait.
Why not? she muttered. The man clearly had something to say. She might as well get this over with. She made her way toward the wide staircase at the end of the pool.
She took a butter-yellow towel from the rack at the edge of the pool deck and wrapped it around Amelia to keep her from getting chilled.
Byron watched her approach. Then he gestured to a lounge chair. Devin accepted his offer, stretching out her legs, draping the ends of the big towel across her bare stomach and thighs.
The sun was warm on her wet limbs and her rapidly drying hair.
As Byron sat down in the lounger on the other side of a small square table, his glance flicked critically to Lexi. Devin didnt offer to ask Lexi to leave. Whatever the man had to say, he could say in front of her friend.
Byron seemed to accept the situation. I hear tell youve met Steve Foster.
I have. She focused her attention on adjusting the towel, making sure Amelias pale, delicate skin was protected from the sun.
After a moment, she looked back up into the silence to see Byron regarding her with penetrating hazel eyes and a grim line of a mouth.
You know theres been some trouble between those boys.
Devin gave a small shrug. Steves helping me out. Lucas is fighting against me. Is that the trouble youre talking about?
Water sloshed in the pool as Lexi came off the air mattress.
More to it than that, Byron corrected.
Devin steadfastly met his gaze. Anything else is none of my business.
Id be willin to bet that it is.
She shook her head in denial as Lexi made her way through the shallow end and out of the pool.
Youre the latest pawn in a feud that goes back a considerable long time.
Im not going to be anybodys pawn. Devin couldnt care less about the emotional and financial entanglements of the Demarco family. She was fighting for Amelia, and that was the end of it.