Jarrett backed out of the room, leaving the women to pamper Mia. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was the cause of her problem.
He rubbed his hand over his face. He had no business near her, let alone kissing her.
What happened to keeping your distance, McKane? The woman is pregnant, for Christ’s sake.
He looked up to see Trace coming down the hall. “Is everything okay?”
Hell, would the cavalry be coming next? “Mia had a few contractions, but she’s resting now.”
“That’s good.” Trace studied him. “You seem to have inherited a lot more than just an apartment building. Need any help?”
Jarrett wasn’t surprised at his brother’s offer. For years the kid had tried to get close to him, but Jarrett had always rebuffed him. It made him ashamed of his past actions.
“Thanks, but I’m handling it.”
Trace smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day my brother entertained a group of senior citizens in his house and had a pregnant woman in his bed.”
Jarrett started to argue, but he had no words.
Trace grinned. “Be careful, bro, you’re getting soft, or else, Mia Saunders is doing something no other woman ever has.”
Jarrett sighed. “I don’t want to hear this.” He walked out into the great room, seeing the rest of his guests waiting for some news. He hoped he could convince them everything would be okay. First he had to convince himself.
Darkness surrounded her, but Mia knew she wasn’t alone. The small room was filled with loud music, a lot of voices trying to be heard. She could smell cigarette smoke. Someone was smoking.
No! It was bad for the baby. She tried to stand, but someone pulled her back down.
“You can’t leave, honey,” a man with a slurred voice said. “The party’s only getting started. Here have another drink.” He put a glass in front of her face and she nearly gagged on the stale smell of beer.
“No! Let me go.” She managed to break his hold, and get out the door. The night’s cold air caused her to shiver as she looked around, but she couldn’t recognize anything. She had no idea where she was, but knew she had to get home. But she had no home.
“Margaret!”
She turned and saw her father. She gasped and tried to run, but her legs were too heavy to move fast and Preston Saunders grabbed her arm.
“You can’t get away from me,” he threatened.
“Let me go,” she cried. “I don’t want you.”
“I don’t want you either, but my grandchild is a different matter. If you think I’ll let you raise this baby you’d better think again. It’s a Saunders.”
“No, it’s my baby. It’s mine! It’s mine!” she cried.
“Mia! Mia! Wake up.”
She felt another touch. This time it was different. Gentler. Soothing. She opened her eyes and saw Jarrett leaning over her. With a gasp she went into his arms and held on. Tight.
Jarrett felt her trembling. His arms circled her back and pulled her close and he felt her breasts pressed against his bare chest. The awareness shook him, but he worked to ease her fears.
“Ssh, you were having a bad dream. It’s okay, Mia.” He felt her tears against his shoulder. “I’m here.”
She shivered again and then pulled back but refused to look at him. “I’m sorry.”
With the moonlight coming through the French doors, he could see she wasn’t all right.
“Bad dream, huh? You want to tell me about it?”
She shook her head, but didn’t let go of his hand. “It’s just one of those where someone is chasing you.”
“Anyone you know?”
She shrugged. “Just someone from a long time ago.”
That had him wondering about a lot of things. “A bad-news ex-boyfriend?”
She didn’t answer for a long time. He suddenly became aware she was wearing one of his T-shirts, and he was only in a pair of sweatpants, all cozy together on his bed.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
He nodded. “Do you want me to get you anything?”
She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“Should I leave?”
She finally looked at him. “Would you mind staying? For a little while?”
He had to hide his surprise. He didn’t cuddle with women, not unless it led to something. He was about say, “Not a good idea,” but instead he answered, “Not a problem.” He changed position, propping himself against the headboard and pulled her back into his arms. “This okay?”
She nodded and then lay back down, her head against her pillow next to him. She blinked up at him with those trusting eyes.
Okay, this wasn’t going to work. “Try and get some sleep.”
“I don’t want to start dreaming again.”
He covered her hand with his. “I’m here, Mia. No one will hurt you or your baby as long as I’m around.”
Somehow she’d managed to get to him, and he’d just taken on the job of her protector. It was crazy, but he didn’t mind one bit.
Mia snuggled deeper into the warmth, enjoying the comfort of the soft bed. She smiled, feeling the strong arms that were wrapped around her back, holding her close.
Slowly, memories of last night began drifting back to her. The nightmare. Her father.
She opened her eyes and was greeted by bright sunlight coming through the French doors. What was more disturbing was the feeling of the bare skin against her cheek. She raised her head to see she was in bed with Jarrett McKane.
Oh, God. What was he still doing here?
She studied the sleeping man who was making soft snoring sounds. He suddenly turned toward her, reaching for her, pulling her against him.
Oh no. His chest was hard and doing incredible things to her out-of-whack libido. But she had a more desperate urge right now. She had to use the bathroom, and quick.
Careful not to disturb him, Mia managed to untangle herself, slide to the side of the bed and escape into the connecting bath.
A few minutes later she returned to find Jarrett awake and leaning against the headboard. His chest was gloriously naked, exposing every defined muscle under his bronzed skin.
“Morning,” he murmured, raking fingers through his hair. “We seem to make a habit of this.”
She had to put a stop to it. “Well, as soon as I get back to my apartment I won’t be bothering you anymore.”
Frowning, he got up and came around to her. “First thing, you need to get back into bed,” he told her, giving her a little nudge to climb in. Once she complied, he continued, “Secondly, I wasn’t complaining, just stating a fact.”
Jarrett hadn’t had much time for female companionship the past few months. Lately it had all been about business, until Mia Saunders and her group of merry followers had appeared in his life. They might be a costly headache, but he’d found he liked the diversion.
He sat on the edge of the bed. His gaze