The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance Page 6

  “If you don’t believe me, I’ll leave.” She took a step back. Her wide eyes were frightened, and her bow mouth pursed. Her chin poked out, wanting a fight. “Forget I started this conversation.”

  “Forget?” Fury crashed into him and he slammed the door shut, wanting to hit something.

  She jumped. Her eyes circled—large as the baskets at the end of ski poles. The expression was probably just as plastic. Phony.

  He didn’t care if she was scared or faking. “How can I forget when you accuse me of being your daughter’s father?” He dropped a heavy fist onto the top of the dresser. “You were engaged. To someone else. Dammit.”

  She twisted her hands together in front of her and backed toward the door. “I thought you should know about Brianna. End of story. I don’t want anything from you.”

  Dani had thrown a snowball made of ice and was now oh, forget I hit you. He’d felt the slice of her words. The punch of the truth.

  He rushed toward her and grabbed her shoulders. “Oh, no. You can’t come in here, drop this bomb, and expect me to go on as if nothing’s changed. If she’s my kid, why didn’t you contact me thirteen years ago?”

  Dani’s face paled. Her body wavered as if she might faint. Then, she pulled herself together and stood tall. “What would’ve been the point? Would you have come back?” Her voice rose in torment, and possibly curiosity.

  She’d been a scared, pregnant, sixteen-year-old girl. Sympathy for her cooled his ire. Which made him angrier. She didn’t deserve his sympathy. Not with her lies and betrayal and punishing good looks. His blood pulsed. Why did she act like the injured party? He’d come back for her and she’d left with someone else.

  He dropped her shoulders and raked his fingers through his hair. “If what you say is true, you didn’t give me the chance to make a choice.”

  His heart ached. That was what hurt the most. He hadn’t been given the decision to make. She hadn’t trusted him with a child. The honest realization was a blow to the gut. She hadn’t trust him with their child.

  “It would’ve ruined your ski career. You would’ve hated and resented me and Brianna.” Dani mushed her lips together. She’d obviously given this a lot of thought.

  About thirteen years’ worth of thought.

  Thirteen years he’d missed.

  The pulsing in his veins grew louder, stronger. He found it hard to contain himself from yelling. But yelling would do neither of them any good.

  “You had it all figured out in your sixteen-year-old brain.” He didn’t know what to do with his hands because they wanted to smash something. “What if I don’t believe she’s mine?”

  Dani’s lower lip quivered. Her eyes pooled with unshed tears. “Don’t believe. It won’t change anything. I don’t want anything from you.”

  Except she’d gotten something from him. His seed.

  Brianna had the same color eyes as him. Her reddish-brown hair combined both of her supposed-parents. She showed a fierce determination to succeed and natural skiing ability. She’d used the same snarky humor in the locker room. Was humor a hereditary trait?

  “Did you realize you were pregnant before or after you became engaged to Williamson?” Was that why they never married? Williamson didn’t want to claim a child that wasn’t his?

  Putting her hand on the doorknob, Dani glanced away. “It doesn’t matter. Like I said, this doesn’t change anything.”

  “It changes a hell of a lot.” Luke’s heartbeat spiked. “Does Brianna know?”

  Dani bit her lip and a blush stole across her cheeks. “Of course not. I told her her father was a one-night stand.”

  “What?” Dumbstruck, thoughts and images swirled in his head and spiraled out of control. Spiraled and built into fury and anger and rage. Again. This woman made him so mad. How dare she compare him to a one-night stand?

  “Brianna doesn’t know.” Dani took another step back.

  Was she afraid of him? He’d never done anything to make her afraid. What was going on in her pretty head? He marched forward, toward her. His expression probably menacing. Good. Let her be afraid now. She couldn’t toy with his emotions.

  “We were more than a one-night stand.” Huskiness deepened his voice. Lust pounded at his loins. The urge to pull her close and make her remember how good they’d been together tugged. His conscience pulled him back.

  She was an ice princess spouting her lies and weaving a spell over him. An ice princess he wanted to melt.

  “I don’t want Brianna to know you’re her father.” Dani’s eyes pleaded, as if keeping this secret from his daughter was no big deal. “You have to promise me you won’t say anything to her or anyone.”

  It was a big deal. A monumental deal. He stepped closer, ready to impress on her how big of a deal this was. He got in her personal space. “Am I not good enough? Or is it because Williamson is in the picture again?”

  “Parker? He’s my boss. That’s it.” She sounded truthful.

  Why had Williamson warned Luke off? He’d never liked the guy. The way he hung around Dani all the time. Pretended the two of them had secrets. Tried to make Luke jealous. They weren’t in high school anymore.

  “Why can’t we tell Brianna I’m her father?” Taking a deep breath, he took in Dani’s lavender scent. The familiar smell made him high. High on her. “You’ve had her to yourself for thirteen years. It’s my turn.”

  Dani paled. Her blue, blue eyes widened similar to the sky. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “I could sue for custody.” The anger must be warping his personality. He’d never be so cruel.

  She fell back against the closed hotel room door as if she no longer had the strength to stand. Fear flashed across her face. “Brianna recently lost her grandfather. She’s vulnerable.” Dani’s open, truthful expression hardened. So did her tone. “And you’ll be leaving town soon.”

  True. When his knee healed he’d be back on tour. Traveling around the world, skiing and fulfilling his sponsorship contracts. A different hotel room every night.

  Maybe he wasn’t father material.

  Maybe she’d made the right decision thirteen years ago. He’d been a kid. A kid on track to great success. A kid who’d always dreamed of going big. A selfish kid. What would he have done if she’d showed up with a baby?

  He perused Dani’s soft skin and intelligent eyes. He’d missed her. Missed this, even the arguing. An urge tugged. “I want to get to know Brianna.”

  “No.”

  The denial slammed the soft feelings to dust. Icicles formed in his veins. She didn’t have the right to tell him no. Brianna was his daughter, too.

  He gripped Dani’s chin to make his point and immediately relaxed his grip. After all these years, a simple touch and she ignited desire. He resembled a randy teenager again. “How are you going to stop me?”

  She wavered, leaning toward him. He didn’t know if she meant to tempt him, but tempt him she did. His gaze zeroed in on her mouth. A mouth so familiar and yet so new. He had to have a bite. He lowered his head, brought his mouth close to hers.

  What seemed eons was less than a second.

  Her eyes widened. Her pink tongue darted out and licked her lips.

  Internally, he groaned. He couldn’t wait any longer. Couldn’t wait for permission. His lips plundered and punished her lush plumpness. The wine she drank mixed with her own special taste. Something he hadn’t experienced in thirteen years. Her taste went straight to his head, making him dizzy. Getting him drunk on her.

  He’d expected instant rejection. Punishment for taking. Instead, her mouth softened and responded to the kiss.

  All his old emotions flooded back, swamping his mind and his heart. Love, desire, and even friendship. Lightening the kiss, he caressed her lips with his tongue. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  Her body stiffened against his, and she closed her mouth. Rejection speared his lungs. He wasn’t done yet. One hand stayed on her chin. His thumb swayed back and forth, and back and fort
h against her skin. He stroked with his tongue, fondling the seam. Tempting, teasing.

  Her lips parted, persuaded by his touch.

  His stomach muscles tightened. All his muscles tightened. He didn’t waste a second. His tongue dove inside, seeking her warmth.

  Her tongue danced around his, tender and willing and exciting. A dance he remembered from their past.

  The dizziness worsened, spinning and spiraling and setting off fireworks. She brought him to his knees. He’d never felt that way with any other woman from a simple kiss. The thought terrified him. He wound his other hand into her hair, bringing their bodies closer. Heat charged between them.

  Her mouth stiffened beneath his again. She shoved against his chest and stumbled out of his arms.

  “I can’t do this.” Her cry doused the fireworks and the heat.

  She yanked open the door and ran.

  The draft from her absence chilled his hot skin, not his desire. Desire for Dani.

  * * *

  “Mom, wake up.”

  The girl’s voice reached Danielle in her dream. A dream about Brianna and Luke. A dream changing into a nightmare where Luke and Brianna merged into one person. Of Brianna hating her. Of Luke taking Brianna away. Would she ever get a good night’s sleep with Luke in town?

  Danielle had slept so little last night, tossing and turning. Thinking about the kiss. Feeling the kiss. Fantasizing about the kiss. She felt feverish.

  Luke’s reaction had been unexpected. She’d never thought he’d question he wasn’t the father. It had been so obvious. That had been one of the reasons she’d decided to tell him.

  She groaned and buried herself deeper into the covers. Maybe she should’ve kept her secret.

  Once he’d accepted the fact, she’d been shocked he wanted to get to know Brianna.

  “You’re late.” The hesitant tone showed her daughter’s concern. “Are you sick?”

  Danielle never slept in. She was never late. She was responsible.

  Except for the one time.

  “I’m not sick.” She opened her eyes and stared into Brianna’s eyes. Luke’s eyes. The same eyes from her dreams. She never could observe Brianna and not see Luke. A constant reminder of what she’d lost.

  But look at what she’d gained. A smart, beautiful child who was the center of her life.

  “Mom, you never oversleep.” Brianna’s voice sounded worried. “Get up.”

  “Sorry. It took me awhile to fall asleep last night.” Because of Luke. Because of the kiss. A kiss that wasn’t supposed to happen. “I’m awake now.”

  “I made my own breakfast.”

  The statement woke her up like a shot of caffeine. “You did?”

  “Just cereal. You came home late from work, so I figured you’d be tired this morning.” Her daughter straightened from the bed, studying her as if she might sprout chicken pox.

  Concerned for her.

  Her daughter was growing up, thinking of others, maturing. And she’d raised her. An upbeat-sad tune marched through her bloodstream. Danielle didn’t want Brianna to get derailed by finding out she’d been lied to all these years. That would be the worst thing to happen.

  Luke better keep his mouth shut.

  Except he hadn’t promised he would.

  That had kept Danielle sleepless even more than his kiss.

  “I’m meeting Chloe to walk to school together.”

  “Okay. I’ve got two finals so I may be a little late.” Danielle kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Text me when you get home from ski practice. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.” Brianna waved before heading out of the bedroom.

  Danielle lay back in bed, listening to the rustle of her daughter putting on her coat and boots. To the door opening and closing. To the silence of the house.

  And she remembered.

  This house held so many memories. Happy memories with her parents and brother. Sad memories when her mom had passed. Tender memories with Luke in high school. Scared memories when she’d realized she was pregnant and sixteen and alone.

  Brianna had been a happy baby. She’d never been a burden. She’d been a joy. Still was. After Danielle’s dad died a few months ago, they’d bonded even more. They were their own little family unit.

  They didn’t need Luke. When she’d decided to tell him, believing he’d hear town gossip and start asking questions, she hadn’t expected him to care about Brianna. From the sports reports Danielle had read, he was an irresponsible playboy. The snow bunnies, the parties, the showy stunts on the slopes. Not father material.

  Why did he want to get to know Brianna? Or was it a threat against Danielle? She shivered, cooling the crazy fever of desire from his kiss.

  Most likely, Brianna was a curiosity. In a few weeks, he’d ignore his responsibility and leave to continue his crazy profession. Not a responsible career or a secure job. Not a commitment to her daughter.

  Danielle worried her bottom lip with the repeating thought. He’d never promised to keep his fatherhood a secret, because she’d become distracted.

  Distracted by his kiss.

  She touched her lips and felt a tingle. Nerves swished in her stomach, brushing against her insides. She’d have to talk to Luke again. Extract a promise of secrecy.

  What would be his price?

  Chapter Five

  Memories assaulted Luke traversing the steps to the Marstrand home. The last time he’d walked this path was to say goodbye to Dani. They’d made love for the first time. And the last. He hadn’t known he’d gotten her pregnant. Hadn’t known if he’d make it in the world of professional skiing. Hadn’t known he’d become a father nine months later.

  The kiss last night had short-circuited their conversation. Had short-circuited his brain. Once his lips had touched hers, he’d forgotten everything. Their past, their present, their future.

  Their daughter.

  He swallowed the lump in his throat. The lump went down, down, down and lodged in his chest, an extra weight on his heart. He had a daughter.

  The realization had struck him several times during the day, as if experiencing G-force while standing still. He had a thirteen-year-old daughter. A beautiful teenage girl who could ski like Lindsey Vonn. Who laughed like her mother. Who smiled like an angel.

  He softened inside.

  Ringing the bell, he rehearsed in his mind what he’d say to Dani. That he believed Brianna was his and he wanted to get to know her while he was in town. He deserved that. He’d missed over a dozen years of her life.

  His earlier anger had faded. He wouldn’t sue or hold a grudge. No point in upsetting Brianna, or having her choose sides in his battle with her mom. Dani had done a fine job of raising their daughter, and maybe keeping his distance was the best course.

  The door swung open and his gaze swung down. Not Dani.

  Brianna.

  His brain gasped. He didn’t know what to say. When he’d first met her he hadn’t known she was his child and found talking to her easy. Now, he couldn’t think of a thing.

  Her reddish hair hung long and loose over her shoulders. Her mouth twisted into a half-smirk similar to his mother’s teasing grin. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity—about him and what he was doing on her doorstep. How could he have not known the minute he saw her?

  “Hi. Can I help you, Mr. Logan?”

  Mr. Logan. The title whipped his face like a frozen flag on a gate. His tongue tied in knots. He didn’t know what to say to this girl who was half his.

  Brianna’s delicate features brought on a fierce protective instinct he’d never known he possessed. He wanted to swaddle her in bubble wrap and keep her safe. Her hair shone and he wanted to run his hand over the softness. Had she had hair as a newborn?

  “You okay?” Brianna brought his attention back to the present.

  “Uh, yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Is your mom available?”

  “She’s at school.”

  “She’s a teacher?”

&nbs
p; Dani had never talked about what she wanted to be when they’d been in high school. They’d always talked about his career. Guilt about not knowing infiltrated him. He’d been too self-centered.

  “No.” Brianna chuckled and the sound warmed him. “She’s taking classes at the university.”

  He angled his head. Dani had always dreamed of going to college right after high school. Why hadn’t she? He glanced at Brianna and knew why. He was happy she’d finally achieved her dream. Not that it had anything to do with him. He’d been the reason for the delay.

  “Can I leave Mom a message?” Brianna asked.

  “Oh, sorry.” He ran fingers through his hair. Brianna probably thought he was a doddering, forgetful fool. “Are you in a hurry?”

  “Coach cancelled ski practice because he had a doctor’s appointment. I was going to try and get some runs in before Mom gets home.”

  Brianna was dedicated. Like him. Determined, by the gleam in her eyes. And even on her day off she planned to ski. Traits he used to have. His chest puffed, proud of her. This he did have something to do with. He’d given this girl half of her DNA.

  “Mind if I join you?” The question popped out unexpectedly, immediately followed by a twinge of doubt.

  He hadn’t been on the slopes for three months. Not since his major accident. His therapist would not approve. And Dani would be furious.

  “Skiing? With me?” She beamed and he felt as if he’d been given a gift.

  “As long as you slow down for an old man.” He was willing to risk reinjuring his knee to spend time with his daughter.

  “You’re not old. You’re famous.” Her voice squeaked and her excitement rubbed off on him.

  He wanted to ski again. With Bri. His daughter.

  “You didn’t know I was famous two days ago.” His chortle came from deep in his soul.

  There was so much she didn’t know about him. About herself. Now wasn’t the time to blurt out the truth. Who knew what could happen in the future? He’d take it one swish at a time.

  * * *

  The cold caressed Luke’s skin like an old friend. He’d missed the tingle of fresh, freezing air, missed the smell of evergreen trees, missed the smooth ride of a ski lift.