Twin Ties, Twin Joys: The Boss's Double Trouble Twins / Twins for a Christmas Bride / Baby Twins: Parents Needed

He stared at her. “Darcy, I didn’t ask it. I can see they’re mine. You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“Oh. Well, good.” Her cheeks filled with color and heat, but the relief that also filled her blotted out any embarrassment. She hadn’t really let herself formulate the fear, but now she knew she’d been dreading that he would want explanations and promises. And if he had demanded those things, she was ready to hate him.

As if that were possible.

Well, anyway, she’d been planning to be really, really angry. Only now, she didn’t have to be. That left her with an empty space inside, but it quickly filled up with more yearning. She just couldn’t help it. Even when she was angry with him, she couldn’t turn off the feelings that surged in her when she looked at him.

They reached the edge of the canyon and both stopped, looking down at the sharp drop off into wild brush. Mitch’s mind went back for a moment to when he and Jimmy had spent hours in all that wilderness as boys, losing themselves in adventure fantasies. He hadn’t realized at the time that he would grow up to live some of those playacting scenes out in real life. He kicked at a rock and listened as it skittered down the side of the canyon, until it got lost in the underbrush.

“I guess we weren’t as careful as we should have been, were we?” he mused, remembering that for the short amount of time they’d spent together, there had been an awful lot of chances to forget to be careful. Once they’d begun, they’d both been insatiable—probably because they knew they had so little time. What else could have made them so crazy?

“So what now?” he asked gruffly. “Do we get married, or what?” “Oh!”

She let the small word out with so much outrage, he looked up in surprise. He was only trying to figure out what was expected in situations like this. He’d never been here before. Was he supposed to know everything?

“I wouldn’t marry you if you were …” She clamped her lips shut, cutting off the cliché, but they both knew it by heart. She took a deep breath. “Let me put it this way,” she said more carefully. “There are men who are fathers, and there are men who are biological donors.” She glared at him. “We’ll just put you into the latter category, okay? You’ve made your most important contribution. Now all we need from you is health information and maybe an occasional financial donation. And that, only when absolutely necessary.”

He frowned. He didn’t like the way she was putting things, but right now, he hadn’t thought the situation through well enough to know what he wanted to say in rebuttal. Still, he did know he didn’t want to shirk his duty in any way.

“Listen, Darcy, I agree that a marriage between you and me just wouldn’t work out, but I definitely want to help you in any way I can. We need to figure how much money you’ll need and I’ll set up a monthly fund.”

“No!”

She was cringing inside. How was it that he didn’t understand that his offer was so hurtful she could hardly bear it—that it was even worse than his halfhearted mention of marriage that seemed so easy to brush away? That it was so obvious he just wanted to get the hell out of here. She closed her eyes, but only for a few seconds. She couldn’t let herself weaken.

“I will take some help because I’m going to need it,” she said, her voice rough as she tried to rein in her emotions. “But only enough to make sure the twins are okay.” She drew in a deep breath. “But help is one thing. Taking over my life is another.”

“Who said anything about taking over your life?”

She stared down into the canyon. “Those who give money always end up seeking control. It’s human nature.”

And then she wanted to bite her tongue. Why was she being so testy? This bristling edginess between them seemed so strange. They’d never been this way with each other before. In the old days, when he’d hardly glanced her way, she’d watched from afar, thinking he was the most wonderful thing in the world.

And then there had been Paris. The attraction between them had been immediate and explosive—a match being struck and igniting into instant flame. The joy of being together in that beautiful city, the ecstasy of the love they’d made in that narrow bed in his tiny hotel room, walking together down the wide boulevard and watching the dawn arrive over the spires and treetops of the sleeping city—it had all been a magical fantasy that she would cherish forever.

But that was then. This was reality, where they were giving each other scathing looks and tight-lipped smiles and acting as though they could barely stand to look at each other. What had happened? Was it just because of the babies?

She tried to imagine what it would have been like if there were no children, if he’d come back and found her much the way he’d left her. But no, it wouldn’t be very different. Even without the babies, there was still the fact that he’d walked off and forgotten all about her in a few short moments after that weekend. And she’d been able to think about nothing else—until Jimmy’s accident took center stage in her life. After all, when their eyes had first met in that washroom, there had been no spontaneous burst of joy between them. To the contrary, there had been an instant antagonism, an instant wariness—and it hadn’t been just her.

Face facts, Darcy, she told herself bitterly. He’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy who doesn’t particularly care to find the ones he’s left turning up on his doorstep. That much is obvious.

“Who knows about this?” he was asking.

“That you are their father? Nobody.” She shrugged. “Nobody but you and me. And I think Mimi is probably figuring it out as we speak.”

He nodded. “Okay. Do you want to leave it that way?”

No, of course she didn’t. But what else could she say? She turned so that he couldn’t see her face.

“I guess so. Especially since we’re going to be working together. I think it would be best, don’t you?”

He nodded again.

She looked back at him. “You might want to tell your parents.”

His handsome face registered surprise. “Why would I do a thing like that?”

“They’re grandparents and don’t even know it. Don’t you think they have a right to know?”

Slowly he shook his head. “They have nothing to do with my private life.”

“Oh.” She searched his face, puzzled by his attitude. His tone was so bitter. “I’ve met your father. I think he’s a very nice man.”

“Most people do.”

She rolled her eyes, just a little. “I see. Those who don’t know him like you do.” “You’ve got that right.”

She frowned, shaking her head and searching his face for clues. “What did he do to you, Mitch?” she asked gently.

Something hard flashed in his gaze and he grimaced. “We’re off topic,” he said. “We were talking about the fact that you had two kids who are part mine and you didn’t tell me about it.”

She lifted her chin. “No. We’re talking about the fact that I had two kids who are part yours and you wish I hadn’t.”

He stared down at her. How could he deny what she’d just said? It was true. She’d dropped a bombshell on him and he hadn’t recovered from the impact yet. He really wasn’t sure what he thought.

But one thing he knew for sure—babies or not, life-changing news or not, antagonism or not—he still wanted her like he’d never wanted any other woman. Every time he looked at her he felt that same pull, an attraction so strong, so deep, that it seemed almost physical. She drew him like a magnet. He longed for her, ached to hold her, hungered to feel that open, unrestrained response she’d given him in Paris. And yet, that seemed to be more and more impossible every moment. He could almost see the gulf widening between them. He hated that, but he had no idea how to stop it.

He’d been in a state of denial. He realized now that he’d felt this way for a long time. He’d dreamed about her on cold, empty nights in the Himalayas, seen her face in the reflective glass of windows on the streets of Brasilia, thought about her when he was alone and when he was in crowds. She’d been haunting him for two years. No wonder he’d finally had to come back.

But that didn’t make any sense. He hadn’t known she’d be here. He shook his head, rejecting that random thought. And yet …

Now, suddenly, the woman who obsessed him was the mother of his children. That brought him up short. What was he supposed to do with that? Emotions were churning inside him but he needed to sort them out. He wasn’t sure what he thought, what he felt. He needed a little time to think it all over.

“Listen, Darcy,” he said, turning to head back toward the house. “This has really knocked me for a loop. I can’t seem to put together a coherent thought right now. I need some time.”

She nodded. They walked back in silence, the crunching of the rocks beneath their feet the only sound. A cool breeze was kicking up, slapping her blond hair against her face. She shivered and drew her arms in close. As they came back in front of the house, she turned to him. Despite everything, she longed to have him love the boys the way she did. Maybe, if he got to know them …

“Do you want to come in?”

“No.”

She drew back, startled at his abrupt tone of voice.

“No,” he repeated, deliberately sounding gentler this time. “I think I’d better go. I’ve got to think about this.”

She nodded, but her heart sank. He seemed to read her disappointment in her face, because he hesitated and added, “Darcy, you know I’m not used to this yet. You’ve had two years to get used to it. I’m just starting down that road.”

“Sure,” she said. “I understand.”

He raked fingers through his hair and looked at her with a half smile. “Do you? That’s good. Because I sure don’t.”

She could have used a sharp retort against him but she didn’t. Something in the lost, bewildered look in his eyes stopped her. He really had been sent into a tailspin and needed to right himself before they talked more. She could see that. So she nodded when he said, “Goodbye.”

“See you tomorrow,” she said simply.

She watched him get into his car and start down the driveway. She stood where she was until he was out of sight.

“Why me?” she whispered to whatever power in the universe might be listening. “Surely there are others who deserve to be tortured much more than I do.”

This was all so disturbing, but she thought she understood him to a point. Yes, she understood his need for time to think, but there was something she didn’t understand. Or, maybe she understood it too well and just didn’t like it. He didn’t want to come in and see the babies again. Maybe he would never want to see them. That thought was like a knife through her heart. How could he turn his back on those two sweet babies?

And yet, what did she expect him to do? Oh sure, he could write a check and pretend that took care of everything. But what else did she want from him? It wasn’t even clear to her yet. Something was bruised deep inside her and she tried to figure out just exactly why. She was hurt and disappointed that Mitch was acting like he didn’t want the babies, but this was more. This had to do with his reaction to her.

Maybe it was for all she’d lost. She wasn’t that girl anymore, that open and loving woman who’d clung to him and made love to him so freely, so full of joy. That girl was gone forever. She could no longer do things just because she wanted to. She had two little babies to care for. She had to take them into account before she did anything at all.

So maybe that was it—a sense of mourning for the lost Darcy of old.

“Whatever,” she muttered to herself. “Good riddance, anyway.”

But her eyes brimmed with tears. “Has he gone?” Mimi asked as she came back into the house.

“Yes,” Darcy answered. “Thanks for taking the babies for me. Are they down?”

“Yes indeed, and sleeping soundly. They were all worn out from their escapade.”

Darcy smiled.

“Mitch is such a nice fellow,” Mimi went on, bending to pick up a toy lodged halfway under the couch. “He was always one of my favorites of Jimmy’s friends. Even with that mother of his.”

“His mother? Do you know her well?”

“Not well, but of course we had to deal with each other over the years, our sons being friends and all.” She stopped and considered, head to the side. “I always had the feeling that she wished Mitch would find someone else to spend his time with, someone from the wealthy neighborhood they lived in. But that could have been my imagination, I suppose.”

Darcy nodded. “I had a similar feeling the day I tried to talk to her about getting in touch with Mitch.”

“Oh. I see.”

She saw everything and knew everything. Darcy shook her head, half laughing. “Oh, Mimi, the answer is yes, Mitch is the father of my babies.”

Mimi shook her head, looking bemused. “Well, come on into the kitchen and have a cup of tea with me,” she said, “and tell me all about it. This is a story that’s been a long time coming, so it better be good.”

Darcy laughed lovingly as she turned to follow her friend. She knew Mimi was still disappointed that she and Jimmy hadn’t clicked romantically, but she was bighearted enough to want the best for Darcy anyway. And for the babies.

“It’s a fairly short story,” she warned. “But I’ll see what I can do to embellish it for you.”

“You do that,” Mimi said approvingly. “And I’ll brew the tea.”

CHAPTER FIVE

IT HAD been three long days since Mitch had returned. He and Darcy had been working together for two of them, and he hadn’t said a word about the twins. She’d started out on pins and needles, jumping every time he came near, waiting for him to bring up her babies and get things settled between them. But he was acting for all the world as though that afternoon at Mimi’s had never happened. And she was rapidly losing patience with him.

“Why didn’t you want me to know?” he’d said to her accusingly.

Well, Mitch, maybe this was why. Maybe it was because I knew you wouldn’t react the way I wanted you to react. Maybe it was because you’re just a big jerk.

Not really. After all, how could she criticize him for acting right in line with the way he’d warned her. He didn’t want kids, didn’t want to be tied to one woman, or tied down in Texas. So what did she expect?

Still, she came into work resolved on the fourth day. This was the day. It was time. She was going to confront him, get everything out in the open, make sure they each knew where they stood. She’d pumped herself up. She was ready to make him deal with the situation.

Sitting down at her desk, she was a model of fierce determination, drumming her fingers on the heavy wood and waiting for him to show his face.

And then she heard the laughter in the hallway. Turning, she beheld the spectacle of Mitch being escorted into the office suite by a bevy of the building’s most attractive young women, all seemingly in a party mood. They giggled and called out teasing suggestions as they left him, and he looked very pleased with himself as he waved them off.

As the elevator doors closed on the last of them, he turned back to favor Darcy with a crooked grin. His tie was pulled open, as was the neck of his crisp white shirt. There were lipstick marks on his cheek and neck. His blue eyes were dancing with pure male happiness.

“Good morning,” he said.

She couldn’t respond. Something was choking her.

“Uh … sorry I’m a little late,” he added, shrugging with boyish helplessness. “Some of the girls asked me to come in early for a meeting. I didn’t realize they were planning a little surprise ‘welcome back’ party for me.”

“I see,” she managed to get out, and darned frostily, too.

But it was no use pretending. All her confidence was draining away, as though someone had pulled the plug on her reservoir. She didn’t need to be reminded of what an attractive man he was. Women responded to him the way flowers turned toward the sun. It was a natural phenomenon she couldn’t have stopped if she’d wanted to. She knew he had a thousand other options besides dealing with her and her twin boys.

So where was this confrontation she’d been planning? He walked on into his inner office, whistling tunelessly, and she closed her eyes. No confrontation, no settling of things. What was she trying to prove, anyway? If he wanted to be a part of her life, he would have said so by now. If he had any interest in the babies, he would have asked about them, or come by to see them. She couldn’t make him care. If it wasn’t there, it just wasn’t going to be and she might as well face it.

Hurt and anger simmered inside her, but she tamped them down. She had work to do, and luckily, a reason to get out of the office and leave all this behind for most of the day. She had a few loose ends to attend to and then she was off on a field trip—and as far away from Mitch as she could get in one business day. The trick would be to avoid him and get out of here before he knew she was going.

Working quickly, she spent the next hour clearing up the work left over from the day before. She was almost ready to leave when she heard him coming back out of his office and she started typing furiously, concentrating like a laser beam on her work. Maybe he would notice how busy she was and go on by. She could always hope.

“Ah, Darcy,” he said, almost as though he hadn’t already seen her that morning. “There you are.”

She sighed. Oh well. Looking up, she threw him a glance with the hint of a glare.

“You’re right,” she said tartly. “Here I am. Just like always. On time and with my wits about me.” She stacked a few folders as though that was a very important thing to do right now.

He stood right over her and she didn’t have to look up to know he was smiling. She knew he actually enjoyed it when she didn’t play the docile employee. Why did she keep providing him with red meat this way? She couldn’t seem to help herself.

Though they’d been working together for days now, she’d managed to avoid too much direct contact. Luckily he’d been spending a lot of time in meetings. Even luckier, the requirements of her job kept her out of the office a lot of the day. She was planning to do as much fieldwork as possible from now on.

“I’ll agree you’ve got a strange sense of humor about you,” he was saying. “But wits? We’ll see.”

He was trying to make a joke, trying to lighten the mood between them. But she didn’t want it lightened. She made another careful pile of folders.

“I’m busy,” she said without looking up.

“As usual,” he noted. “But maybe you can spare me a minute or two.”

She finally raised her head and reluctantly met his gaze. She’d been right. He was silently laughing at her.

“What can I do for you?” she asked with as much regal chill as she could manage.

“You can type up these meeting notes for me.” He waved pages of yellow paper with a lot of things scribbled on them in her direction. “Okay?”

She looked at them. Her impulse was to grab them and start typing away. After all, it wouldn’t really take all that long. But she stopped herself. She had to guard against letting him put her into a role she didn’t deserve. So instead of accommodating him, she flashed him a look and shook her head.

“No, actually, I can’t. Give them to Paula.”

“She’s out this morning.”

“She’ll be back.”

“Maybe.”

He still stood there, waving the papers at her.

She glared at him. “I guess I need to remind you again. I’m not a typist.”

He frowned as though he didn’t understand the word. “You’re not a what?”

“A typist.” She rose and opened a drawer, pulling out her little molded purse. It was obvious he thought she was being silly, but she didn’t care. She’d worked hard to achieve her position and she wasn’t going to let him discount it.

“I’m also not a secretary. I’m not even an administrative assistant. In fact, if you think about it really hard, I’m sure you’ll recall that I’m a property acquisitions agent.”

She tucked the purse under her arm and started toward the elevator, looking back at him over her shoulder.

“And I’m off to do some acquiring work right now. In fact, I’m late for a meeting with a contractor on the Pearson Development. So if you’ll excuse me …”

He was following her, looking interested. “You’re meeting with him right now?”

“Yes. I’m going out to Shadow Ridge.”

“Great. I’ll go with you.”

Stopping dead, she swung around to face him.

“What?”

He shrugged, looking remarkably handsome and civilized now that he’d wiped off the lipstick and straightened out his dark blue suit and the silver-blue tie. “Why not? I’ve got to get to know more about this business. You can show me the ropes.”

She sagged. The last thing she needed was to spend the day carting him around and feeling resentful while doing it. “But Mitch …”

He was taking no arguments. “Look, Darcy. I’m like someone who’s been dropped out of the sky here. I mean, I know I used to work here part-time when I was in high school and college, but I never paid much attention. I only wanted to get out of this town as soon as I could. On the whole, you know a lot more about this business right now than I do. If I’m going to do a decent job, I’ve got to learn. You can teach me.”

She was supposed to teach him all she knew? Hah! That would be the day. She’d come by her knowledge the hard way, and he could do the same. Still, she couldn’t deny him a seat in her car. If only there was some way she could talk him out of coming with her.

“You’re going to miss lunch,” she warned him hopefully.

“Lunch.” He narrowed his eyes speculatively. “Are you talking about those cardboard slices of bread with some kind of fish substance slathered between them that they sell in the break room vending machine? Hmmm. Yes, that is a lot to give up just so that I can ride out into the warm sunny day to a rural area and listen to builders talk building. But sacrifices must be made.” He gave her a lopsided grin that was, unfortunately, totally endearing. “Besides, we can grab something on the road. A hamburger maybe.”

Folding her arms over her chest, she frowned, feeling sulky. “I don’t ‘grab things on the road.’”

He smiled, leaning across her to press the button for the elevator. “Don’t worry. There’s nothing to it. I’ll show you how.”

“Oh brother!”

“Besides,” he said, his smile fading and eyes darkening seriously as he leaned close to say it softly, “we have some things to talk about. This will give us a chance to do that.”

Her heart began to thump in her chest. So he wasn’t going to ignore their situation after all. Well, good. Maybe. But just the fact that he thought they could discuss things on the fly given an odd moment or two didn’t bode well. You just didn’t make life commitments that way, did you?

As they hit the highway and left city traffic behind them, her anxiety began to melt away. How could she stay tense when that big ole Texas sky was shockingly blue and almost cloudless above them? There was something irresistible about an open road. She relaxed, her hands loose on the wheel.

Mitch had been quiet since they’d left the parking garage. Glancing at him sideways, she wondered what he was thinking. Was he preparing what he wanted to say to her? Or was he still mulling things over? Why didn’t he just go ahead and get it over with? She had a feeling it must be really bad if he couldn’t just spit it out on the spot.

Now she was getting tense again. This was no good.

“What kind of music do you like?” she asked, suddenly wanting something to fill the silence between them.

“You choose.”

She hesitated. “Well, are you still Texan enough to take in a little country and western? Or have you become too cosmopolitan and sophisticated for us hayseeds?”

“Am I still Texan?” He turned toward her, appalled by the question. “Is the Pope Catholic?” She refused to give him a smile. “Last time I looked.”

“There’s your answer.” He snorted. “Am I Texan?” he repeated, and for good measure, he sang her a few lines from, a popular song, finally coaxing a smile from her.