He shook his head. She curled into the corner of an oversized chair and motioned toward the couch.
“Thanks.” He sat across from her, leaning forward on his elbows. “You’re more gracious than I’ve been.”
“That’s an understatement. What can I do for you?”
He rubbed a hand wearily over his face. For the first time, she really looked at him. Dark circles shadowed his eyes and razor stubble covered his face. He looked depleted, exhausted, and yet incredibly sexy. Heat curled in the pit of her stomach, followed by a rush of surprise.
She hadn’t reacted to a man in years. She’d thought sexual desire had died along with her marriage and unborn child. Apparently, Griff brought out more than just memories of her past. He made her feel desire and need. Those were sensations she’d buried long ago and didn’t dare resurrect. She wished he would get to the point of his visit.
“I need a favor,” he finally said. “And after your role in the custody hearing, I figure you owe me one.”
Both curiosity and need vanished, replaced by anger at his high-handed tone. “I owe you?” She shook her head, unable to believe his nerve. “Try asking me without laying on the guilt. I’ve already apologized not once but twice. I’ve been insulted. I’ve been told in no uncertain terms to stay away from you and my niece. And, if you’ll recall, I’ve been practically thrown out of your home. So if you think I haven’t paid for taking the damned case, think again.”
She paused for a steadying breath. Since losing custody, her own parents hadn’t been forgiving either, having retreated to sunny Florida to “heal.” She’d never been particularly close with either parent, which was why she’d tried so hard after her sister’s death to bring her family together. Thanks to her conscience, she’d been paying for that misguided attempt ever since.
Griff’s continuing hostility bothered her more than her own flesh and blood’s, and more than she cared to admit. She met his gaze. “Under the circumstances, I’ve treated you a hell of a lot better than you’ve treated me. Now. I’ll ask you again. What can I do for you?”
He gulped hard, causing his Adam’s apple to bob up and down. Chelsie wondered if he’d swallowed his pride.
His light eyes reflected some inner torment and drew her in deeper than was prudent.
“I need you,” he grudgingly admitted. “I mean, I need your help with Alix.” Griff steeled himself, waiting for Chelsie’s I-told-you-so reaction.
He hadn’t exactly handled this evening with finesse, so he figured she’d take advantage of having the upper hand. After all the grief he’d given her, he fully expected her to grab the opportunity.
“What’s wrong? Is Alix okay?”
He narrowed his gaze. “That’s it? No, ‘I told you so’?”
“Is that what you want? There are more important things at stake here than who’s right and who’s wrong. Is Alix okay?” she asked again, with what sounded like genuine concern.
“Yes. And no.” Chelsie had managed to put him in his place and make him feel petty without resorting to feminine tactics. No tears, no theatrics, just honesty. Though impressed, he warned himself to proceed with caution. He’d been duped before.
“Which is it?” she asked.
“A little of both.” He launched into a detailed description of his nights during the time Alix had been in his care, a summary that included a lot of floor walking and little sleep. “Except for the day you stopped by. That afternoon and evening, she was the child I remembered. The one my brother and your sister raised. I’m desperate enough to chance that it wasn’t a coincidence. So I’d like you to spend time with her. Visit on a regular basis.”
Her dark eyes widened at his request. He reminded himself that he’d had more than a few days to adjust to this idea. She’d had one second. If her offer to help had been sincere, he’d have no problem. If, on the other hand, her offer had been phony, a passing thought to soothe a guilty conscience, he’d best find out before any harm was done to Alix.
“Evenings at the house, suppers,” he explained. “Just help create a stable environment. Once she’s sleeping better, you’d be off the hook.”
She shook her head, causing her ponytail to swish with the force of the movement. “I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.” He refused to admit she’d disappointed him again. He’d known all along that Chelsie had nothing to gain by helping him. Despite her claims to care about Alix’s welfare, her initial interest in his niece had been for the sole purpose of helping her parents and reaping any professional rewards that entailed. After all, her parents had influential friends who could be persuaded to hire a new attorney.
Maybe she’d even suffered a momentary pang of guilt for the distance she’d placed between herself and her sister. Maybe not. For all he knew, her visit to his home could have been at her parents’ request, as well.
“I mean I can’t.”
“Doesn’t matter. Semantics aside, it all amounts to the same thing. No is no.” He braced his hand on the arm of the leather sofa and pushed himself to a standing position. “Thanks for your time.” Without a good-bye, he headed for the door.
“Hold it.” Her voice caught him before he’d reached the hallway.
He turned to find her right behind him and reached out to grasp her upper arms before she barreled into him. Awareness flickered in her eyes at the unexpected contact. Her startled expression and flushed cheeks betrayed her inner feelings. He’d thought himself alone in this vortex of tangled emotions. That she felt the same desire shocked him.
The heat of her flesh coursed through his fingertips, despite the layers of clothing. Firm yet soft— another Chelsie Russell contradiction. This one caused his body to come alive. The desire to dip his head and taste the lips that had opened in surprise surged through him.
Before he could rethink the wisdom of his actions, he lowered his head to taste what she seemed to offer. His mouth met hers and her lips softened in acceptance.
His hands roamed over her. Even through the barrier of clothing, he could feel every curve. He exhaled, and his next breath was filled with her enticing scent, making his fists clench and his groin harden in unmistakable need.
Griff wanted more than a simple kiss. He wanted Chelsie. With that notion, stark reality and the reasons for his visit came flooding back hard and fast. His fingers, which he’d wrapped around her sweatshirt, uncurled as he released his hold and stepped back.