Billionaire Baby Dilemma by Barbara Dunlop Page A

was little boy. Nannies don’t like little boys to climb trees, throw rocks, jump bicycles and climb on the garage roof.”
    Devin couldn’t help but smile at the images. “I take it you did all those things anyway?”
    â€œThose and more. And so did Konrad. Looking back, I’m thinking that might be why we went through so many nannies.” The small orchestra switched to a slower song, and Lucas settled her a bit closer. “What about you?”
    Devin shook her head. “No nanny for the Hartleys.”
    â€œWhat were you like as a kid?”
    â€œI don’t know. Normal, I guess.”
    â€œDid you grow up at Lake Westmire?”
    â€œSame house I live in now. With my mom and Monica. Weswam, built sand castles, baked cookies, designed elaborate dollhouses all over the yard.”
    Devin had moved away from Lake Westmire to attend college. She came back five years ago when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. But tonight wasn’t the time to think about that.
    Instead, she fixed her memories on their teenage years. Monica had been a year younger, and the neighborhood had been full of kids around their ages.
    â€œWhen we were teenagers,” she continued, remembering, “Monica and I sat with our friends around weekend bonfires down at the park by Sunny Bay.”
    â€œAnd kissed the boys?” Lucas asked in a teasing tone.
    â€œTommy McGuire,” Devin admitted. “Ninth grade. It was a dare, and he cut my nose with his glasses.”
    Lucas laughed at that.
    â€œI bet your first kiss wasn’t perfect, either,” she retorted.
    â€œYou be the judge. I have videotape.”
    â€œAre you kidding me?”
    â€œSteve secretly took it. He threatened to show my mother, until I beat the crap out of him and took the camera away.”
    â€œYou beat up Steve?”
    â€œHe was a Peeping Tom. I’m surprised he didn’t grow up to be a member of the paparazzi.”
    â€œHe was a kid.”
    â€œHe hasn’t changed.”
    â€œIs this another of your warnings about the evil Steve?”
    â€œNo. This is an offer for you to review the game tape and tell me what you think of my first kiss.”
    Devin chuckled low, even while she shook her head. “I’m not watching a videotape of your first kiss.”
    â€œWhy not? Maybe you could give me some pointers.”
    â€œI’m sure your technique has changed considerably since you were… How old were you?”
    â€œI don’t remember.” His gaze shifted to her lips, and she could tell from the glow in his gray eyes exactly what he was remembering.
    She was remembering it, too.
    â€œLucas.” A hearty male voice interrupted the moment.
    Lucas glanced to the side, while Devin tamped down the buzz of sexual awareness lighting up her body.
    â€œMr. Mayor.” After what felt like a brief hesitation, Lucas let go of Devin to shake the man’s hand.
    â€œI wanted to thank you personally for your generous donation to the hospital.” The mayor’s curious glance went to Devin for a brief second.
    The man was in his midfifties. His full head of distinguished gray hair topped a tall physique that he kept in shape through highly publicized biking and rowing sessions.
    â€œMr. Mayor, this is Devin Hartley.”
    â€œMs. Hartley.” The mayor took her hand and gave it a gentle shake.
    Nobody acknowledged or introduced the well-groomed man standing behind and to the left of the mayor. Devin assumed he was either an aide or security.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Devin. “This is a wonderful party.”
    â€œWe have the hospital board to thank for that,” the mayor responded as he released her hand. “And we have donors like Lucas to thank for the new pediatric wing. Please, enjoy yourselves tonight. You’ll be at the ground-breaking next weekend?” he asked Lucas.
    â€œWouldn’t miss it,” Lucas