Local Hero

she was trusting her son to this man every afternoon. She supposed it would be best if he had some background.
    “Rad hasn’t seen his father in almost seven years.”
    “At all?” He couldn’t help his surprise. His own family had been undemonstrative and distant, but he never went more than a year without seeing his parents. “Must be rough on the kid.”
    “They were never close. I think Radley’s adjusted very well.”
    “Hold on. I wasn’t criticizing you.” He’d placed his hand over hers again, too firmly to be shaken off. “I know a happy, well-loved boy when I see one. You’d walk through fire for him. Maybe you don’t think it shows, but it does.”
    “There’s nothing that’s more important to me than Radley.” She wanted to relax again, but he was sitting too close, and his hand was still on hers. “I only told you this so that you wouldn’t ask him questions that might upset him.”
    “Does that sort of thing happen often?”
    “Sometimes.” His fingers were linked with hers now. She couldn’t quite figure out how he’d managed it. “A new friend, a new teacher. I really should go.”
    “How about you?” He touched her cheek gently and turned her face toward him. “How have you adjusted?”
    “Just fine. I have Rad and my work.”
    “And no relationships?”
    She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or anger, but the sensation was very strong. “That’s none of your business.”
    “If people only talked about what was their business, they wouldn’t get very far. You don’t strike me as a man-hater, Hester.”
    She lifted a brow. When pushed, she could play the game by someone else’s rules. And she could play it well. “I went through a period of time when I despised men on principle. Actually, it was a very rewarding time of my life. Then, gradually, I came to the opinion that some members of your species weren’t lower forms of life.”
    “Sounds promising.”
    She smiled again, because he made it easy. “The point is, I don’t blame all men for the faults of one.”
    “You’re just cautious.”
    “If you like.”
    “The one thing I’m sure I like is your eyes. No, don’t look away.” Patiently, he turned her face back to his. “They’re fabulous—take it from an artist’s standpoint.”
    She had to stop being so jumpy, Hester ordered herself. With an effort, she remained still. “Does that mean they’re going to appear in an upcoming issue?”
    “They just might.” He smiled, appreciating the thought and the fact that though tense, she was able to hold her own. “Poor old Zark deserves to meet someone who understands him. These eyes would.”
    “I’ll take that as a compliment.” And run. “The boys will be back in a minute.”
    “We’ve got some time yet. Hester, do you ever have fun?”
    “What a stupid question. Of course I do.”
    “Not as Rad’s mother, but as Hester.” He ran a hand through her hair, captivated.
    “I
am
Rad’s mother.” Though she managed to rise, he stood with her.
    “You’re also a woman. A gorgeous one.” He saw the look in her eyes and ran his thumb along her jawline. “Take my word for it. I’m an honest man. You’re one gorgeous bundle of nerves.”
    “That’s silly. I don’t have anything to be nervous about.” Other than the fact that he was touching her, and his voice was quiet, and the apartment was empty.
    “I’ll take the shaft out of my heart later,” he murmured. He bent to kiss her, then had to catch her when she nearly stumbled over the newspapers. “Take it easy. I’m not going to bite you. This time.”
    “I have to go.” She was as close to panic as she ever allowed herself to come. “I have a dozen things to do.”
    “In a minute.” He framed her face. She was trembling, he realized. It didn’t surprise him. What did was that he wasn’t steady himself. “What we have here, Mrs. Wallace, is called attraction, chemistry, lust. It doesn’t really matter what label you put on it.”
    “Maybe not to you.”
    “Then we’ll let you pick the label later.” He stroked his thumbs over her cheekbones, gently, soothingly. “I already told you I’m not a maniac. I’ll have to remember to get those references.”
    “Mitch, I told you I appreciate what you’re doing for Rad, but I wish you’d—”
    “Here and now doesn’t concern Rad. This is you and me, Hester. When was the last time you let yourself be alone with a man who wanted you?” He casually brushed his