Irresistible Desire

ket shed wrapped herself in and didn continue.

A thousand thoughts raced through Jacobs mind as he contemplated everything shed revealed.

Jacob wanted to strangle her parents. Instead, he gave in to the urge to touch her and closed one of his hands over hers, not certain that shed tolerate any further contact while mired in the past.

Her eyes were confused when she finally turned to look at him. ”Why did she love him for such a long time? Why did she? We both knew he had other women. Was she that grateful that he took her in when she was pregnant? ”

He could tell from the tone of her voice that she was expecting an answer. A response. Even though her expression indicated that she already knew that there was none.

Jacob could imagine her mothers befuddlement at this child of hers who was so without deceit, a child who wouldn allow her to forget grim reality in useless illusions. ”She sounds like a woman who lost her way. ”

”Yes. ”

”Where does Simons father fit in? ”

Fear clouded her gaze. ”Kenny didn return for him after our mother died. Even before her death, I was the one who took care of Simon. But now hes back. ”

Encouraged by her lack of resistance to their linked fingers, he reached out with his free hand and stroked her hair off her face, shifting his body closer to hers at the same time. ”What exactly does he want? ”

”Simon. ” Pain devastated the pure blue of her eyes to a dull shade. ”Ill fight him ill I have nothing left, but Im afraid. Hes Simons father. Im only his half sister. ” She leaned just a little into his stroking hand.

He was pleased that she saw him as a source of strength. ”Youve raised him. ”

”You don understand. Kenny isn some riffraff – hes rich. He always was, though he never gave us a cent. I suppose he married my mother because she was so very beautiful and he wanted her. But, then, he threw her away. He didn care about Simon then. ” Desperation was apparent in her too-fast speech.

”He told me that hed remarried and had a stable home for his son. I think he only wants Simon because he can have children with his new wife. ” She was shaking, as if with rage. ”I can let that happen! Kenny will hurt him. I saw him hit Simon when he was a baby! ” Releasing his hand, she clutched at his forearm. ”I saw him! ”

Gently disengaging her fingers, he took a chance and wrapped his arms around her. After a momentary hesitation, she softened. ”You must not worry so much, Gracie. I am here. ” Her pain tore at him. ”How rich? ”

”Hes a partner at the Derek Williams . ” She named a prominent law firm. ”He knows judges and psychiatrists. He said hed have me declared unfit if I didn give him Simon, and that hes convinced judges who are friends of his that I have a bad lifestyle.

”Ive tried to fight it but all my motions to the court keep getting denied and his accepted. Ive fought every way I can but I don know how much longer I can stall him. Im so scared. I can lose Simon. I can . ”

Jacob felt his instincts growl in warning. How dare anyone threaten this woman? This strong, beautiful woman, who, unbeknownst to anyone, belonged to Jacob Wolfe . He pulled back and tilted her face up with a finger under her chin, his anger intensifying when he saw that her eyes were shiny with tears she refused to shed.

”Do you trust me, Grace? ” If she didn , he was damn well going to teach her to, even if he had to cuddle her in his lap all night long.