What had he expected her to do about it? Hold out her hand and demand he give them back to her right there at the hospital?
Kate ran her wrists under the cool stream of water in her hotel room, hoping to soothe her burning skin. It did no good.
God. What had she been thinking? Men like Dr. Luke Blackman were so far out of her league.
What did she do now? Call and make an appointment to pick up her errant piece of clothing? Or did he plan to keep them as a trophy?
And just where did he have them? At home? In his desk drawer? Above the deep sink with the words Kate was nailed here penned beneath them?
She held her wet hands to her cheeks and stared into the mirror, remembering the feel of his fingers on her skin as he’d yanked those very panties down her thighs...his eyes never leaving hers. Then he’d tossed them aside and reached for her hips...lifted her onto the sink.
A wave of heat rushed over her body. Kate had never in her life experienced anything so frighteningly sensual in her life. It had all been over in a matter of minutes. But she knew instinctively she’d never experience anything like that ever again.
She stared into the eyes reflected back at her.
She didn’t look any different on the outside. Not a single scorch mark lingered on her skin, although she could still feel each and every place his lips had lingered.
Little had she known all those months ago that the picture and accompanying letter she’d found in a shoebox in her mother’s closet—along with letters from scores of other men—would lead her to discover that the father she’d grown up with wasn’t her biological father. Or that all her pent-up anger and frustration over the lies by those closest to her would build to the point that it had sought release—no matter what the source.
Luke had been the only person handy at the time.
She’d exploded all right. In a most delicious way.
And now she had to live with the consequences. At least, the emotional ones. Luke had taken care of the physical ones, muttering about the need for birth control, even though her mind hadn’t exactly been up to the subject of unwanted pregnancies.
But thank heavens he’d taken precautions. Luke wouldn’t need to disappear from his kid’s life without a trace, like Nick had. And Kate wouldn’t have to lie to her own child about his or her origins—about who its father was. Her eyes moistened. She wouldn’t have to die—like her mother had—in order for her child to know the truth.
And most important of all, the only person in the entire world who’d have to live with the consequences of what she’d done in that supply closet...was herself.
CHAPTER TWO
“SHE HATES ME.”
Perched on one of the chairs that lined the glass wall of the therapy center, Nick’s bald statement took him by surprise. Luke didn’t have to ask who his friend was referring to.
“No, she doesn’t. When she was here yesterday, she seemed...worried.” That was as good a word as any.
His friend’s jaw tightened. “I wish I could believe that. That’s not the vibe she was giving off when I met her.”
“It’s a shock, I’m sure. You said she only learned about your existence a month ago, after she found a picture?”
“That’s what she said.” Nick scrubbed a hand over his head, making his hair stick up at odd angles. “I had a fling with a tourist just before I shipped out with my unit. She’d taken some pictures of us with her camera over the course of the evening. Large quantities of alcohol were involved, so I’m a bit fuzzy on all the details. Anyway, I left her a note the next day before I headed out. I had no idea the woman had got pregnant that night until much later.”
“You’ve had contact with the woman?”
“Not since that day. Kate says she died six months ago.” Something flashed through his eyes. Regret?
“And she’s just now decided to find you?”
He gave a hard laugh. “She found the picture and my note stuffed in a shoebox. She got the bloke who raised her to admit he wasn’t her real father.” One shoulder went up. “She came looking for me at the house while I was in the hospital. Nearly ruined things for me and Tiggy in the process.”
“Ouch.” Kate did seem to have the ability to stir up trouble wherever she went. He hadn’t slept much for the past two nights. “Things are okay between you and your wife now, though?”
Nick nodded, a smile curving his lips. “She’s pregnant. I never thought I’d want kids, and now I find I have a grown daughter as well as a baby on the way.”
“Congratulations!”
“I guess.”
“Come on, Nick. What more could you ask for?”
“I could ask for my daughter to give me a chance.”
“I’m sure she’ll come round. She asked how you were doing. I couldn’t tell her anything because of patient confidentiality.” He paused. “Maybe I could talk to her. Tell her you’re a regular hero.”
Whoa, why the hell had he offered to do that? Being around Kate was not good for his equilibrium, especially now.
“I’m not a hero. Especially not in her eyes.”
“She just doesn’t know you yet. Maybe you should tell her what you did in the service. For men like me.” Luke hated remembering his injury, how he’d had to fight his way back from the depths of despair when he’d realized his leg would never be right again. He knew he should be grateful it was still there. But on the days when it ached like nobody’s business, he wished he’d just had it lopped off and been done with it.
“I was doing my job.” His friend studied him for a moment. “If she asked you how I was doing, she must care. At least a little.”
“Of course she does.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That you had to sign off on her being your daughter first, giving the hospital permission before I could share any information.”
“That could work...”
He frowned. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“If I sign the papers, maybe you could be the one to talk to her for me, like you said. And the medical discussion could turn personal. You could feel her out.”
Well, he’d already done that. It wasn’t something he should do again if he wanted to maintain his sanity. And definitely not something he wanted to admit to Nick. The man who’d saved his leg could very well rip it back off with his bare hands if he found out what he’d done to his newfound daughter.
“You know,” Luke said slowly, “I think it might be better coming from you.”
“Didn’t you just offer to talk to her for me a few minutes ago?”
Yes, and he’d already decided that was not a good idea. “I’m thinking a father-daughter discussion might be more direct. Just tell her that you shipped out right after you were with her mother and over your years of service you saved a lot of men’s lives.”
“It would be stronger coming from a friend.” Nick cocked his head. “One of those very people I saved.”
Wow. He’d never expected Nick to play the you-owe-me card. And, in all honesty, he probably wouldn’t have now if he hadn’t offered to talk to Kate, like a damned fool. His fingers went to his leg, a familiar ache reminding him of what could have been had Nick not been there.
“Not fair.”
“I know.” His friend’s