Secrets & Seductions by Pamela Toth Page B

expression was teasing, his dimple a dark smudge against his cheek.
    She saw the trap his question laid, but walked right in. “Because you’re a very attractive adult.”
    For the space of a couple of heartbeats, he didn’t respond. She wondered if she’d embarrassed him.
    â€œAre you always so outspoken?” he finally asked, his voice sounding unusually strained.
    She thought of the role she’d been playing since she had arrived here, pushing him as much as she dared without being too obvious about her intentions.
    â€œSometimes, I guess,” she hedged, steering the conversation back to him. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”
    â€œI’m flattered that a beautiful woman finds me attractive.” He glanced away as an owl hooted from the woods.
    â€œSo, where are your parents?” she asked before the silence could become uncomfortable.
    He turned his attention back to Emma. “They’re enjoying retirement down in California, where I grew up. In fact, they were up here visiting me just recently.”
    It took her a moment to catch on. “Oh, you must be talking about the people who raised you.”
    â€œThose are my parents,” he said firmly. “I’m lucky to have them.” Then he blew out a breath. “But I know what you’re asking. My birth mother came from Mexico. She was looking for a better life, but instead she had a brief affair and ended up with me.”
    That explained the golden tan and jet-black hair.
    â€œThe only thing I know about my biological father is that he was a blue-eyed Caucasian,” Morgan added. “It was enough.”
    Emma would have liked to pat Morgan’s arm. She didn’t want him to misinterpret the gesture, so she kept her hands clasped together tightly in her lap while she tried to absorb what he’d said.
    â€œSo your mother tried to raise you alone?” she guessed, trying to imagine how terribly difficult it would be to find yourself alone in a strange country with a baby.
    He nodded. “It must not have been easy for her,” he said as though he were reading Emma’s thoughts, “but eventually she ended up cleaning my father’s offices. He told me that one day she asked him if he knew a nice couple who would take me. She wanted to go back home, but she wanted me to have a better life. It was a private adoption, but a legal one.”
    â€œThey paid her?” Emma asked, trying to make out his expression.
    â€œOnly enough for her to go back to her village and start over. She refused to accept any more than that.”
    A wave of envy washed over Emma—envy at the knowledge he possessed about his own birth mother and that he withheld from Emma about hers.
    She swallowed hard. “And you’ve been in contact with her since then?”
    He surprised her by shaking his head. “No, not at all.”
    When he didn’t add anything more, she peered up at his face. “How could you not be curious? She’s your mother.”
    â€œShe gave birth to me,” he corrected her gently. “I wish her well for giving me a chance, but I don’t need anything from her. I have a family.”
    He reached up to touch Emma’s face lightly with his fingertips. “You have your parents, too, and I’m sure they care about you very deeply.” His voice was deep and soft. “Have you thought about calling them?”
    As she considered how to answer his question, she forced herself to break the enticing contact before she made a fool of herself.
    â€œI haven’t decided yet what to do.” It was the truth, more or less.
    She wasn’t about to admit how much time she’d spent imagining a fantasy reunion with her birth parents. They would be delighted to see her again, their eyes sparkling with tears and their faces alight with pride. What if they truly did regret their decision to give her up. Unless she was able