Secret Baby Santos by Bárbara McCauley Page A

now felt cold and frightened.
    â€œThere’s no connection between us, Nick,” she said evenly. “Only that we lived in the same town and went to the same schools. I had a childish infatuation with you, just like half the other girls in school did, that’s all.”
    She rubbed at the chill that had settled into her arms, felt suddenly tired, though it was still early. She had
to make him understand that nothing was going to happen between them, that they could never be lovers.
    â€œThat foolish little Maggie doesn’t exist anymore.” Her voice was steady, firm. “She’s all grown-up now. She lives in the real world, where ordinary people build their relationships on hard work and a serious commitment to each other, not childhood fantasies or one-night stands.”
    He straightened, his mouth set in a firm, hard line as he stared down at her. It was several long moments before he finally spoke. “I need to take you home now, Maggie,” he said evenly.
    Of course he would want to take her home, she thought. Now that he’d finally gotten it through his head that she wasn’t going to go to bed with him, he’d want to get rid of her as quickly as possible. Why wouldn’t he, when there were plenty of women more than ready to accommodate him? The night was young, he could dump her and still find a woman willing to have a private party with him. She told herself that it was for the best, that this was the way it had to be, but that didn’t ease the pain in her heart one little bit.
    â€œYou go on, Nick.” She forced her voice to be light. “I’ll find a ride home.”
    â€œI brought you here.” He took her elbow, was already moving her back toward the party. “I’ll take you home.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œDon’t argue with me, Maggie. Just get your coat.” They bumped into several guests as he dragged her across the back lawn.
    â€œI haven’t even said goodbye to Lucas or Julianna,” she protested, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

    â€œI’ll call them tomorrow.” They were inside the house now and he nearly pushed her down the hallway toward the bedroom being used as a coatroom. “I’ll be waiting at the truck.”
    She opened her mouth to argue, but he’d already turned and walked away before she could get the words out. Of all the nerve! Who did he think he was!
    Nick Santos was just a little too full of himself, she decided, and intended to tell him so. What right did he have to get angry because she wouldn’t go to bed with him?
    The arrogance. She snatched her coat from the bed and yanked it on. The audacity . She found her purse and snapped it onto her shoulder.
    She was almost to the door when Roger stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. Oh, God, she groaned inwardly. Not now.
    â€œHello, again.” He closed the door behind him. “I noticed Nick just left. I thought maybe we could finish our discussion.”
    â€œWe weren’t having a discussion. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to pass.”
    â€œWe’ve got a lot to catch up on, Maggie. It’s been a long time.”
    â€œNot long enough, Gerckee.”
    If he hadn’t reached for her arm when she tried to move past him, and if she hadn’t felt so agitated, she might have waited a moment to react. But the fact was he did grab her arm, and she was very, very agitated.
    So in one smooth, easy move, she flipped him onto his back.
    Eyes wide, jaw slack, Roger lay perfectly still on the floor. She knelt beside him and sighed. “Don’t ever touch me again, got that?”

    He nodded mutely.
    â€œGood night, Roger,”
    She stood, straightened her coat and purse and slipped out of the bedroom. Nick already had his truck running and he stood beside the open driver door, his face tight with impatience. “What took you so long?”
    â€œI had