Cole jumped up from his seat, agitation lining his face. "Here. Let me help you."

She brushed away his hand, blotting at her skirt with her napkin. "Thank you. I can handle it. I'm sorry for being so clumsy."

He stood so close to her his arm was touching hers. The spicy scent of his aftershave, the heat radiating from his body, his overpowering masculinity threatened to suffocate her, and for a moment, she couldn't catch her breath. This was not the time for arousal to take over her senses.

She needed a clear head to understand this totally unexpected situation. Then he moved, and she breathed again.

"Please don't apologize." His voice was tight. "I know this has to be a shock to you."

"Now there's an understatement for you." She waved her hand at him. "Please sit down.

I'm fine."

No, I'm not, but it won't help if you hover over me.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Cole, is this some kind of joke? If so, it's not very funny."

"I a.s.sure you there's nothing humorous about it." His voice was earnest, pleading. "I want to make a bargain with you. Exchange of goods for services."

Her head was spinning. "A bargain?"

He nodded. "I have a child who needs permanence in her life. I can't give it to her. I can't tell you why so you'll just have to accept that. I know you've been worried about your father and his health problems. And I'm sure he's concerned about taking care of your mother, since he can no longer work. Alamo Construction has done very well, as you know. I propose to take care of your parents financially in exchange for you serving as the child's mother. And my hostess on occasion."

Tara's pulse accelerated. Hostess. His hostess. What else would he expect?

"As I said, this would be strictly a business arrangement," Cole went on to a.s.sure her.

"You could hire someone to do the cleaning and laundry. I certainly wouldn't expect that of you.

It would be nice if we could have dinner together, maybe share some time on the weekend, but that's strictly up to you."

"Dinner." She tried to follow everything he said. "Weekends."

"Yes. Sometimes, I go out to visit Jake and Lindsey at their ranch. Jake and I have known each other since our days at the University of Texas, and we've been a good fit as partners in the business. You've probably been able to see that."

"Yes. That's true." Lindsey Varner was a sweet-faced blonde, and she and Jake were so obviously in love the air around them nearly crackled with flames when they were in the same room.

"She's really domesticated Jake. I think you'd enjoy spending time with them if you wanted to come along." He shifted in his chair, nervously crossing and uncrossing his legs. "There might even be other things we find we'd enjoy doing together."

"We'd be the same as housemates." She couldn't believe she was sitting here so outwardly calm, discussing this outrageous proposition. A bargain, he'd said.

"Yes." He actually smiled. "Housemates. A good description. You'd have your own room.

Your entire focus would be on the child." He shifted his gaze away. "Of course, there'd be no expectation of intimacy."

Intimacy. The word brought her up short. If she said yes to this, they'd be living together.

No going home at five o'clock. How on earth would she share a house with a man she l.u.s.ted after without ever letting it show?

And what did he plan to do about s.e.x? He wasn't the kind to cheat on his wife, real or otherwise, with a series of discreet affairs. But he also was a man known for his strong s.e.xuality.

How would that factor into things?

She looked at him and saw the s.e.xy man as he appeared to the rest of the world- dangerous, dark and edgy. Eyes so black you could fall into them, framed by thick lashes. A square, masculine jaw set off his sensuous lips. The six-foot-four lean, muscular body was topped by a head of thick black hair that framed a rugged-looking face. He had a powerful presence that dominated every room he entered. His graceful movements belied the coiled energy that lay just below the surface. He was like a panther, always poised to leap. Even dressed in his usual outfit of jeans and work shirt he lost none of the power of his presence. "I'll take care of the bills," she heard him say, "but you'll be in charge of everything else-the running of the house, normal ch.o.r.es and activities -those kinds of things. And the child. Especially the child. She'd be your primary focus."

"I see."

"We'd have an agreement so that if it happened not to work out you'd suffer no financial hardship." He looked down at his hands. "I had my attorney draw one up just in case you agreed."

She looked at him for a long time. Finally, she said in a flat tone, "You want to hire a wife."

He gave a short laugh. "It sounds so cold when you put it that way, but yeah, I guess that's what I'm asking."

"And how many others have you interviewed?"

"No one else." His voice was stiff. "Tara, I didn't mean to offend you in any way. I..."

"It's all right." She smiled tightly. "I'm just...stunned and not quite sure what to say." She took a sip of water, trying to collect her thoughts. "Cole, if you're so concerned about your daughter, why do you refer to her as athe child'? Why don't you ever use her name? And why don't you want to play any role in her care?"Lines of misery were etched on his face. "Please believe me when I say I can't tell you that. Tara, you've only known me for two years, but I think we can take the measure of each other. Can I just ask you to trust me on this when I say there's a real need here and not ask any questions?"

Tara was shocked at the amount of pain in his words. What kind of tragedy had he faced that he couldn't deal with a tiny child? She spread her hands.

"How can I make such a life-changing decision without all the facts in place? And why me?" That was the real question. "Surely there must be others you'd consider. I'd think you could have your pick of a dozen women. A hundred."

"You overestimate my present market value." A tight smile twisted his lips. "Especially these days. In any event, they would demand a commitment from me that I'm unwilling to make."

"Ah." Understanding dawned. "The intimacy issue."

"Among other things." He thought about where his libido had gotten him before. In his present state of mind, he was sure he could live without s.e.x for the rest of his life.

"I just find it strange," she interrupted, "that you're willing to live in a celibate relationship."

"Believe me." Now his voice was bitter. "Celibacy has its virtues. I want a situation that won't be complicated by s.e.x."

Tara's eyes widened and her hands tightened on her napkin. "I beg your pardon?"

"Tara, please don't take this the wrong way, but that's one of the reason's you're the ideal candidate. s.e.x is something we won't have to deal with."

She didn't know whether to be angry or laugh at him. "Have I just been insulted?"

"No." He shook his head. "Not at all. In fact, you might consider it a compliment."

"If you say so." How ironic, she thought.

"I have to have someone I trust to do this. And I trust you, Tara. Implicitly. I'm convinced you're the person who could make this work."

She was still trying to decide how to react to the offer. Little fingers of warning danced on her neck, but she swallowed hard and banished them. Whatever the problem was, she'd find a way around it. Who could turn away from a child? "I admit you've caught me off guard. I don't know what to say."

"Tara, I'm sorry if this has upset you. I never meant..."

"No, please, it's all right. I think I'm just feeling a bit hysterical at the moment." She sipped at her water again, buying time to think. "You said I'd have full control in all matters where your child is concerned, right?" That was the key here. The heart of the matter. Whatever his problem with his daughter, she wanted to have no misunderstanding about her role.

"Totally." He was emphatic.

"And how much time do I have to think about this?"

"I wish I could give you as much time as possible to make your decision," he said, shifting in his chair, "but I have...let's say...a certain sense of urgency here." He took a deep breath. "I hate to push you this way, but do you think you could give me an answer by tomorrow?"

Tara thought she would faint. Tomorrow! She didn't know if she'd be able to answer him by next month or even next year. Her mind reeled. "Tomorrow. Well. I'll do my best to manage that. Could we leave now, please?"

"Of course. I understand." He signaled for the check. "I'm sure you have a lot of sorting out to do."

She was silent on the drive from the restaurant, very aware of Cole's presence next to her, his scent that filled the air in the car, his strong, lean fingers on the steering wheel. She kept stealing sideways glances at him, trying not to stare at this man whose entire meaning in her life had changed in seconds. What would it be like sitting across the table from him every day, watching the flex of muscles in his jaw and throat as he ate? Trying not to fall into the black pools of his eyes. Feeling the lingering traces of his presence when he left a room.

She was so preoccupied she barely noticed when the motion of the car stopped.

"We're here, Tara." His voice held a trace of amus.e.m.e.nt under the tension.

She blinked. They were parked in the driveway of her small house in northwest San Antonio. A two-story adobe structure with lots of wide windows, it was set back from the sidewalk on a tiny manicured lawn. A swing hung invitingly on the porch. She loved her tiny refuge, a little gem that she'd bought with Mike's insurance money. It gave her a sense of permanence. Would she have to give it up?

"Sorry." She shook herself. "What would I do about my house? I really don't want to let go of it." Her safety valve, she told herself, if this whole absurd situation blew up in their faces.

"Your decision. You can rent it out or just leave it empty. I'll pay the taxes on it, and we'll hire help to maintain it for you on a regular basis."

"I'll factor it in with everything else," she said, a touch of irony in her voice. "I understand this is a big responsibility you'd be handing me, and in fact, I'm flattered you think of me as the ideal candidate. But I have a lot to consider right now."

"I understand."

She stopped him as he unfastened his seat belt and started to open his door. "Please don't walk me to the door. I'll see you in the morning. I will try to have an answer for you then."

"Thank you."

Tara unlocked her door and stepped inside, turning to wave to Cole before closing it again. She waited until she heard Cole pull out of the driveway. Then she locked the door and leaned against it, heart racing, head throbbing. How could Cole put her in this position? What was he thinking? That she could give him an answer by tomorrow?

But she closed her eyes and thought, not only of Cole but the unknown child that no one seemed to want.

Driving away from Tara's house, Cole cursed himself steadily. Jake and Sean were right.

He was an ignorant fool. Whatever had possessed him to b.u.mble ahead with this stupid idea?

He'd thought it so sensible until he looked at it through Tara's eyes. She was right. He was hiring a wife.

But worse than that was his unexpected physical reaction to her, that unfamiliar tightening in his groin when he'd suddenly looked at her for the first time. He hadn't had s.e.x in so long he'd almost forgotten how it felt, but he certainly hadn't thought of it in the same breath with Tara. He'd better not do it now, or he'd be in worse trouble than he already was. And Tara would certainly run as fast as she could in the opposite direction.

Sweat ran down his spine in rivulets and covered his face with a fine sheen, the aftereffects of nervous tension, and he suddenly felt as if he were choking. Yanking his tie loose and opening his collar, he drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Did Tara think he was a d.a.m.ned idiot? What if she turned him down? He hadn't even allowed for that possibility.

Come on, Tara. Say yes. You're my only hope.

Chapter Three.

The ringing of her phone brought Tara back to reality. She pushed herself away from the door and rushed to catch it, her "h.e.l.lo" coming out slightly breathless.

"Tara?"

Oh, G.o.d, her mother. Just what she needed right now.

"Honey, are you all right?" Ellen McKee voice had a touch of concern.

Tara looked at the clock. Twelve-thirty. "Mother, what are you doing up this late? You never make it past the news." A terrible thought struck her. "Is it Daddy? Is he okay?

"Yes, he's fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Then what are you doing up so late?"

"I was worried about you. I tried you earlier several times but didn't get any answer."

Of course, Tara thought. I'm so predictable that the one night I'm out late, my parents push the panic b.u.t.ton. You'd think I was eighteen years old. She hoped her father wasn't worrying himself into another heart attack. His condition was bad enough as it was.

"I'm fine. I was just out for the evening."

"Oh?" She could hear the curiosity in her mother's voice. "Anything special?"

"Not really. Just dinner with my boss."

Please let her leave it at that.

"You had dinner with Cole? How nice. A real night out. I'm sure you had a great time."

Yes, Tara the bore actually went out on a date. And Mother, you wouldn't believe what happened.

"Yes, I did. We had a lot of...business to discuss." That's the understatement of the year, she thought. "How's Dad?"

Was that hesitation in her mother's voice? "He's doing okay, honey. Everything's fine."

But the underlying worry about health insurance and further treatments was always there.

Tara could sense it. And she had it in her power now to put that worry to sleep.

That's good, Mom. But now I'm very tired. How about if I call you back tomorrow.

Okay?" Without waiting for an answer, she said, "Night, Mom," and disconnected the call.