Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée Read Online Free

that aura about him conveyinghis control. He stood close to her, and once again she was more conscious of Nick than anything else. His features were impassive and she had no idea whether he was irritated, disappointed or mapping his next move.
    â€œJust because my brother was hurtful doesn't mean you should be. If you’re frightened about Michael, don’t be. My father can’t take him from you, because he’s not well enough to do so.”
    â€œI think I’ve made my feelings clear,” she said, unable to get Alicia out of her mind or stop worrying that while Eli Rafford wasn’t well, he was a man who had enough power to achieve his goals.
    â€œYou can live with your conscience over your decision?”
    â€œBetter than I could if I agreed to take Alicia’s baby to see your father. Does he have any idea how cruel his son was to my friend? Or does he just want Michael in his life and he doesn’t care what happened to Alicia? Bart used her and then discarded her.”
    â€œI think most women my brother ‘used’ were extremely willing as well as pleased at the time,” Nick remarked drily, stirring Grace’s indignation “Your friend wasn’t forced to have an affair with him.”
    â€œShe realized what a mistake she had made.” Grace stepped away from Nick to head toward the door. “I think we’ve finished our conversation.”
    â€œDon’t be so quick to toss away Michael’s future. Suppose this catering business doesn’t last? Then what?” Nick asked, honing in on her deep fear. “You know how to reach me if you change your mind,” he said. As far as she could tell, he didn’t seem distressed, but she suspected he could easily hide his feelings.
    â€œI can tell you now—I won’t change my mind.”
    Nick gave her a cool, satisfied smile as if he expected herto capitulate to his wishes. “When you do rethink Michael’s future, just call.” Nick hesitated, his gaze undergoing a subtle change that warmed her. He gave her a glance that caused her heart to skip a beat.
    â€œToo bad we didn’t meet under other circumstances,” he said in a deeper tone, this time setting her heart racing. As he left, closing the door, she let out her breath.
    â€œBut we didn’t,” she said to no one, surprised by his last remark which, for a brief moment, had taken her away from the problem. How much more difficult it was to deal with the situation when the messenger was a charismatic, sexy man like Nick.
    She felt completely wrung-out, as if she had been sparring with a formidable foe. She didn’t imagine she had seen the last of the Raffords. Men with wealth such as theirs did not accept defeat easily.
    Was she cutting Michael off from a myriad of marvelous opportunities that Eli Rafford could provide? That was exactly what had sent Alicia to see Bart. Would Alicia have jumped at this chance and think Grace was being a poor guardian? Grace simply feared the Rafford patriarch would take Michael from her, but she needed to give Nick’s request more consideration before she totally slammed the door on the Raffords. Eli Rafford could insure Michael’s future. After a few days, it still wouldn’t be too late to contact Nick and agree to his wishes.
    The thought chilled her more.
    She wanted no part of Eli Rafford and she couldn’t imagine that he merely intended to see Michael a few times. She suspected he wanted his small grandson. And he would want to give him the life he had given Nick—nannies, chauffeurs and boarding schools. As far as she was concerned, she could give Michael vastly more because he would have her loving care and attention.
    She walked around her desk and looked up her attorney’s phone number, afraid she would need help to fight this battle. Frightened and concerned, she was certain it wasn’t over and that she had not seen the last of