Temptation - Brenda Jackson [36]
He decided to go with Sheila’s change of subject. “The case is coming along. I’m still following up possible leads.”
He told her about his conversations with Rali Tariq and Arthur Moran and their admissions that they too had received blackmail letters.
“You mean they received blackmail letters claiming they fathered babies, as well?”
“Not exactly. Both are married men and they received letters threatening to expose them as having cheated on their wives, which they both deny doing. But both knew doctored pictures could have shown another story. It would have been embarrassing for their families while they tried to prove their innocence.”
Sheila shook her head as she took Sunnie out of the car seat. “But knowing Bradford Price wasn’t the only one who got a blackmail letter gives legitimacy to your his claim that he’s not Sunnie’s father, and it’s all a hoax to extract money from TCC members, right?”
“In a way, yes. But you’ll still have some who have their doubts. The paternity test would clear him for sure.” He saw a thoughtful look in her eye. Clearing Brad also meant that Sheila would have to give Sunnie up.
Zeke stood and glanced out the window. “It’s stopped raining. If we’re going to my place we need to do so before it starts up again.”
She frowned. “I never said I was going to your place with you.”
He slowly crossed the room to her. “I know. But considering everything, even your apprehension about spending time with me, is there a reason you should subject Sunnie to another night in a house without power?”
Sheila swallowed, knowing there it was. The one person she couldn’t deny. Sunnie. She looked down at the baby she held in her arms. In the end it would always be what was best for Sunnie. Right now she was all the little girl had. And she would always put her needs first. Last night hadn’t been so bad, but it was November; even with fire in the fireplace, the house was beginning to feel drafty. And she couldn’t risk the baby catching a cold all because she couldn’t resist a tall, dark, handsome and well-built man name Zeke Travers.
She looked at Zeke, met his gaze. “Will you promise me something?”
“What?”
“That while we’re at your place you won’t…”
He took a step closer. “I won’t what?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Try seducing me into sleeping with you again.”
He studied her features for a moment and then he reached out and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand while he continued to hold her gaze. “Sorry, sweetheart, that is one promise I won’t make you,” he said in a low, husky tone. He took a step back. “I’ll start loading up Sunnie’s stuff in my truck.”
Sheila held her breath until he walked out of the room.
Zeke pretended not to notice how well Sheila interacted with Sunnie as he loaded the last of the baby items into his truck. They would probably be at his place only a day at the most. But with everything Sheila had indicated she needed to take, you would think they were moving in for a full year. He chuckled. He had no complaints. He had a huge house and lately he’d noticed how lonely it would seem at times.
He heard the baby chuckle and glanced back over at her. He couldn’t tell who was giggling more, Sunnie or Sheila, and quickly decided it was a tie. He pushed his Stetson back off his head, thinking, as well as knowing, she would make a great mother. She always handled Sunnie with care, as if she was the most precious thing she’d ever touched.
She glanced over at him, caught him staring and gave him a small smile. The one he returned had a lot more depth than the one she’d given him and he understood why. She still had misgivings about spending time at his place. He didn’t blame her too much. He had every intention of finishing what had gotten started between them last night. By not agreeing to her request not to get her into his bed, he’d pretty much stated what his intentions were and he wasn’t backing down.
But as he’d told her, there was no way he could make her that promise. It