Perfect Partners.

Carly Phillips.

To the perfect partner, my husband, Phillip, and to my special girls, Jaclyn and Jennifer.

A special thanks to Hudson Valley RWA for accepting me and helping me achieve my dream. And to Kathy, Renee, Janet, Bette, Claire, Terri, Eileen and Shannon ... May all your dreams come true.

ONE.

"I've reached a decision. Will the parties please rise?"

Chelsie Russell eased back her chair and rose to her feet, scrutinizing the white-haired judge who held her niece's fete in his hands. She didn't dare look at her mother and father seated to her left. She could barely face their lies and manipulations. For the first time in her life, Chelsie wanted to lose a case.

Representing her parents had been a foolish undertaking made under stressful, grief-filled circ.u.mstances. The untimely loss of her sister had been raw, the guilt for things not done, acute. Having grown up in their home, she should have known her mother and father weren't cut out to be role models to a young child.

The judge cleared his throat. "Rendering a decision between family is never easy." He turned towards Griffin Stuart, a man Chelsie had wronged in ways she'd never intended. "You lost a brother in that car accident," the judge said.

Griffin nodded. Chelsie swallowed over the lump in her throat. With his dark hair and strong features, the resemblance to her niece was unmistakable. So was his devotion. His earlier testimony proved his suffering ran deep. She clutched the edges of the scarred wooden table.

The judge turned towards Chelsie's parents. "And you lost a daughter," he said with compa.s.sion. "Your desire to raise your granddaughter is understandable. Admirable even, but not at someone else's expense."

Chelsie agreed. She hadn't known her parents would breach the boundaries of fairness to obtain what they wanted. She only wished she had known. They all would have been spared this ordeal.

The judge continued. "No one benefits by lying and deceit. Nor will it gain you the result you seek. As a result, I hereby award full and permanent custody to the child's uncle, Griffin Stuart, with liberal visitation rights granted to the Russells, who I hope have learned from this experience." He banged his gavel. "Court is adjourned."

It was over. Chelsie laid her head in her hands as her parents stormed out of the room without a word.

Alone in the hallway, Chelsie leaned against the marble pillar and closed her eyes. Through her light silk blouse, the cold stone chilled her back and she shivered. Despite her relief over the outcome, common decency and her feelings for Griffin Stuart mandated she attempt to make amends.

She wondered if he'd even listen. Having avoided family functions, Chelsie's dealings with Griffin had been limited to professional affairs. They would pa.s.s one another at bar-related functions with a friendly nod and an occasional exchange of pleasantries. At times, she even thought she'd been the recipient of a lingering look, but knew she had to be mistaken. Or perhaps she'd just wanted to be. Though she'd given him an admiring glance of her own, her chosen lifestyle left no room for any man, especially one whose ties to her family drew her into an emotional minefield.

And now? They'd have to be civil for Alix's sake. Thanks to the judge's ruling, Griff couldn't deny her or her parents visitation, but she no longer expected him to greet her with an easy smile or a casual laugh. His reputation labeled him as a formidable attorney with a quick temper which he'd probably turn her way, given half a chance.

"Tough morning?"

Chelsie recognized that deep voice. Apparently, the endless day wasn't over yet. "More than you can imagine," she said as she lifted her gaze.

Hazel eyes blazed with unspoken anger and his blatant disgust charged the air around him. She remembered a time when those eyes had gazed upon her with friendly warmth. Looking at him now, aloof, distant, and treating her with disdain, she regretted the change. But she met the challenge without blinking.

She understood Griffin's contempt and wouldn't begrudge him his pain. She'd lost a sister. He'd barely gotten over the shock of losing his brother when she'd served him with custody papers.

She'd nearly cost him his niece, the only family he had left, and Chelsie knew that pain firsthand. She was intimately familiar with losing someone precious. "I just ..."

"Don't tell me. It's always difficult to lose a case," he said with undisguised hostility.

She shook her head. "Not this time."

"Really?"

"Really. I owe you an apology."

"Save the I'm sorrys for someone who cares. You did your job and you lost. Just be thankful you did, or who knows what kind of life my niece would have had?"

"She's my niece, too."

"A lot of good that almost did her."

She winced because he was right. Because her parents had lost their daughter, Chelsie had succ.u.mbed to her mother's tears and her father's pleas, believing the couple would put their granddaughter first, before their active social life and status in the community. An orphaned little girl deserved more stability than one parent or guardian could offer. Chelsie had forgone fighting for custody herself because her single-parent home wasn't the best choice for her niece, nor was Griffin's. At least her parents could afford to care for the little girl, and Chelsie had planned on her own influence to compensate for her parents' shortcomings.

Lying, cheating, and attempted bribery. They'd gone overboard this time. She shivered in disgust Given the choice between the carefree bachelor and her materialistic parents, she'd gambled on hope and her parents ... and lost.

She shifted her attention to the man to whom she owed more than an apology. "You have every right to be angry, but I'm glad you won." Chelsie placed a hand on his arm. Searing heat and an unexpected jolt of awareness penetrated her fingertips. Warmth suffused her, awakening long dormant feelings. She shook her head, amazed a mere touch could ignite a flame so strong it threatened to consume her.

Though she forced her hand to remain on his muscled forearm, his heated strength settled inside her and shattered what little composure remained. "I'm sure you'll make a great father," she said, her words sounding hoa.r.s.e to her ears.

"Uncle. She had a father."

She knew that without his curt reminder. Though she and her sister had drifted apart over the years, Chelsie still felt the loss. Griffin and his brother had been each other's only family. She couldn't begin to imagine his pain.

The last few weeks had shown her that he and Alix were as close as parent and child. He'd obviously spent more time with the little girl than Chelsie ever had. At one time, she believed she'd had good reason to back away. She couldn't be that selfish again.

Without warning, he jerked his arm back as if her touch repelled him. She curled her empty fingers into a fist.

Obviously, she'd been the only one to feel a powerful connection. She wouldn't allow him to know he'd shaken her. "Look, I'm sure raising a child won't be easy," she began.

"I can handle it." He folded his arms across his chest.

Her eyes followed the movement. He'd removed his suit jacket earlier. His paisley tie hung loose around his neck, and the first few b.u.t.tons on his starched white shirt had been opened, revealing deeply bronzed skin.

He cleared his throat She glanced up to find his intense eyes focused on hers. His gaze traveled the length of her body before finally settling once again on her now flushed face. But the effect of his heated gaze remained, evidenced by the tingling of her skin and the heaviness in her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. An appreciative glint sparkled in the depths of his dark eyes.

She had little time to ponder his reaction or her own surprising feelings. An instant later, the steely anger returned.

"Alix and I will be fine," he said in an abrupt voice, reminding her of all that lay between them.

Chelsie swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I just wanted to offer ... I mean, if you should need help or anything ..." She faltered.

"We won't." The chill in the air had nothing to do with the air conditioning. His cold stare told her in no uncertain terms that anything that pa.s.sed between them had been one sided or existed only in her imagination.

Her overture had not been welcome. She sighed and thought of her niece. Though she had hoped to change his mind, she merely nodded her understanding.

"Look who Uncle Ryan has here." A deep voice interrupted them.

Grateful for the temporary reprieve, she shifted her gaze. Alix bobbed up and down on the shoulders of a dark-haired man who had occasionally sat behind Griffin in the courtroom, a man who seemed as close to Griffin and Alix as any family member.

Griffin reached over, lifted his niece from Ryan's arms, and held her close. Without warning, he tossed the two year old high, repeating the tickling episode Chelsie had seen many times that morning. The happy shrieks warmed her as nothing else could. At least her niece would have a happy life.

Seeing the smile on his face, Chelsie realized Griffin was a devastatingly handsome man. Coupled with his ability to put aside his grief for the sake of a child, Chelsie had learned much about him. She softened towards him once again.

Settled in her uncle's arms, Alix reached out a hand and touched Chelsie's hair. "Pretty."

"So are you," Chelsie said, ruffling the child's dark curls with her fingers.

"Mommy."

At the little girl's heartfelt plea, pain seared Chelsie's heart and she withdrew her hand. In truth, she had lost her sister long ago. Because Shannon's family had represented the kind of life Chelsie wanted but would always be denied, she'd made the difficult decision to pull back from the closeness the sisters had always shared.

Chelsie had suffered through an abusive marriage for too long, a mistake that had robbed her of the ability to have children, a family. A future. Wanting her younger sister to have all she couldn't, she had watched from the sidelines, a.s.suring herself that Shannon's marriage wouldn't sour as her own had. That her sister remained happy and loved.

After a while, Chelsie had stayed away, remaining connected to her sister only by phone. Death had made the rift permanent.

"Want Mommy," Alix said, holding her hands out towards Chelsie.

"No, sweety, I'm not Mommy." She ignored the memories the statement brought and forcefully pushed aside the unwelcome reminders of what would never be.

"Hold me." The little girl threw her body forward. Griffin had no choice but to release her, Chelsie no choice but to take the child into her arms and hold her close.

Ignoring his grim expression, Chelsie planted a kiss on Alix's forehead. The sweet aroma of baby shampoo tickled Chelsie's nose, reminding her of why she'd always tried to keep a safe distance from this adorable child. In Alix, Chelsie saw too clearly the baby she'd lost and the children she'd never have. She closed her eyes and inhaled, savoring the unfamiliar yet comforting smell.

"Mommy," the child said, looking around.

Chelsie swallowed, forcing back the pain that lurked behind the unwelcome tears. "No, honey," she said again in a husky voice.

Griffin exhaled a sigh and reached for Alix.

Reluctantly, Chelsie handed the little girl back to her uncle. As she returned Alix to Griffin, the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach proved she'd been right Any connection to this little girl would come at great emotional cost. Thanks to the jarring shift in family dynamics and the painful loss of her sister, Chelsie had no choice.

Obviously, Alix needed a connection to her mother. That was the least Chelsie could offer her sister's child. The little girl needed her, and she would reach out to Alix regardless of the emotional risk.

She met Griffin's gaze and was startled to find his eyes trained on her face.

"I guess you look more like Shannon than I realized," he said finally, shifting Alix in his arms. "She asks for Mommy and Daddy constantly." As he spoke, he took two steps back. He obviously begrudged her even a simple explanation.

Chelsie bit back a sigh. As a lawyer, she should be used to uphill battles, but he seemed determined to hold more than a grudge. Despite her reservations, she'd like more time with her niece in the future. The judge's ruling had a.s.sured her of that, but she realized now wasn't the time to ask.

"It'll get easier." She cringed as the plat.i.tude escaped her lips.

He remained silent. The other man stood to one side and watched them with obvious interest. Chelsie felt the heat of his gaze and looked over. He smiled and pulled his hand from the pocket of his jeans. "Ryan Jackson."

She grasped his hand, grateful for a friendly face in the enemy camp. "Chelsie Russell. Nice to meet you."

At the exchange of pleasantries, Griffin's gaze settled on their intertwined fingers and his expression darkened.

She picked up her briefcase. "As I said, I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do ..."

"There's not." He didn't bother to couch his anger with niceties.

She sympathized with his pain, but did not have to take his abuse. "Right." She reached out to Alix, fingering her soft curls between her fingers.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the building, away from the man and the child.

Griff scowled at Chelsie's retreating back, his gaze unwillingly fixed on the gentle sway of her hips as she walked. He grunted in disgust. There was nothing gentle about Chelsie Russell. He placed Alix beside him on the floor.

That he'd almost allowed himself to be distracted by Chelsie's dark eyes and huskily spoken words disgusted him. He couldn't let himself forget her attempt to separate him from his niece, a little girl she'd never given a second thought to until now.

Chelsie had never been one for family visits, and though he'd have liked to get to know her better, he hadn't been given the chance. He'd always admired her looks, and as an attorney, he'd respected her dedication and zeal, but he'd never expected her to turn those killer instincts on him.

Thanks to her misplaced family loyalty, he'd almost lost his niece, his last link to his brother. For that, he'd never forgive her.

"Cool off, buddy. You won. Alix is safe and she's yours."

"Yeah. Thanks for the surveillance tape, by the way." Proof that Chelsie's parents had attempted to bribe Griff into relinquishing custody had undermined every seemingly credible witness on their behalf and undoubtedly swayed the judge.

"What's a good P.I. for?"

Griff turned to watch Alix run in circles around the marble pillar. She looked so much like Jared that a lump formed in his throat. Once it lodged there, the accompanying emotional pain and memories would take time to subside.

The car accident that claimed the lives of his brother and sister-in-law had shaken the foundation of his existence. He and Alix had each other and no one else. The Russells didn't count and for all the time she'd spent with the little girl, neither did Chelsie.

At two years old, Alix needed Griff to keep the memory of both parents alive in her heart and her mind. He would do that, even if he had to alter his entire lifestyle to accomplish it.

"Why do you suppose she takes on all those tough cases?" Ryan asked. He pulled a carrot from a paper bag and placed it in Alix's hand. "More than half of them are pro bono, you know."

"This doesn't count as one of her tough cases," Griff muttered. "And her parents don't exactly cla.s.sify as those in need of free legal counsel. How do you know all this, anyway?"

"Had to do something with my time while I kept Alix away from the theatrics in there." He gestured towards the courtroom.

"Who the h.e.l.l knows why women do what they do? Most of them want something." Griff could understand Chelsie's need to support family. He'd stuck by his brother all their lives. But a bright woman with an ounce of compa.s.sion would want more for her niece than to be raised by people capable of deceit and bribery. Even if they were her parents.

"Chelsie Russell's not Deidre."

Griff lifted one eyebrow. "No? Could have fooled me. She does a d.a.m.ned good imitation. She's out to build a reputation and doesn't care who she steps on in the process." His gaze drifted towards the gla.s.s doors Chelsie had disappeared through minutes before. "Trust me, Ryan. She'll get what she wants. I know the type."

"Maybe she's building that reputation, but seems to me it's the other way around. Unlike some women, she gives. Doesn't take."

"Sure she does. You're just a sucker for a pretty face."

"Still bitter, huh? I guess it hasn't been that long, but I'd say you're better off without the witch."

"Drop it, Jackson." His fiancee hadn't had the decency to wait until Griff had buried his brother before she dumped him, his new charge, and a lifestyle that didn't fit into her plans. She'd turned out to be no better than the mother who had abandoned him as a child. Without a six-figure salary, Griff held little appeal. Deidre had stuck around only as long as he remained a partner at the largest firm in the city of Boston.