Queen of Diamonds by Sandra Cox

screwing her when I became pregnant. When he found out there was going to be a baby, he offered me money to get an abortion.” She shrugged. “That pretty much killed the razzle dazzle for me.”
    He shifted in his seat and toyed with his cup. “Don’t you think he has a right to know?”
    “He was screwing my best friend and wanted me to get rid of my baby.” Her eyes looked into his, sharp as knives.  There was a catlike deadliness to her demeanor. “He has no rights.”
    “Like I said, he couldn’t have been that smart.”
    She relaxed a fraction and picked up her coffee cup.
    He should let it go, he lectured himself, but instead of listening said, “Don’t you think Caroline deserves to know her father?”
    “He doesn’t deserve her,” she said flatly and took a swallow of her coffee.
    Before Logan could respond, Dan bustled over, carrying their dishes. The plates clicked against the table as he set them down.
    Kendall smiled her thanks. Logan nodded.
    He took a bite, chewed and swallowed. “Maybe she wants to know her daddy.”
    “She has her granddaddy. It’s not like she doesn’t have a male in her life.”
    “He’s not going to live forever, Kendall.”
    She half rose, her breasts heaving. “Don’t you say that. Don’t you dare say that.”
    “It’s okay, darling.” He reached over the plates and gently tugged her back down. “He looks healthy as a horse and will probably out live me.”
    “I doubt that,” she retorted, resuming her seat and looking embarrassed at her emotional outburst. “The good die young.”
    “Are you trying to say I’ll live forever?”
    “I predict to a ripe old age.”
    “Ouch. A hit to the heart.”
    She smiled reluctantly.
    “Enough about Caroline. Tell me about this mystery man you fly all over the country to sleep with.” It was harder than he expected but he kept his voice light.
    She lifted her chin. “You shouldn’t judge him. His wife is bedridden.”
    “And that makes it all right?” Her values surprised and dismayed him.
    She arched an eyebrow, her expression disdainful. “Oh yeah, like you’d be faithful whether your wife was bedridden or not.”
    Her words stung. His lungs constricted and he had to push air into them before he could respond. “Ms. Theron, you can believe what you choose, but I take wedding vows seriously, which is one reason I haven’t married. I’ve yet to meet the woman I’m prepared to make that kind of commitment to.” 
    “Very commendable, I’m sure. Funny, I never took you for the moralizing type.”
    “And I never took you for a homewrecker.” He regretted the words the minute they were out. Couldn’t figure out why he’d said them and why the idea of her carrying on with a married man bothered him so damn much. Though he was pretty certain, it wouldn’t have mattered if the man she was sharing a bed with was married or not.
    Color rode high in her face. “You might find there’s a great deal about me you disapprove of.” The look was a challenge and said only too clearly she couldn’t care less what his opinion of her was. “And quite honestly, I don’t think your own moral fabric can bare that close a scrutiny.”
    He beat back the rising anger her words so easily brought to the surface. He’d never realized what a low opinion of him she had. He took a swig of his coffee before setting the cup back carefully on the tabletop. “No doubt you’re right.”
    A pretty young blonde sitting two tables over rose and came to the table. “Mr. Hunter, what a pleasure. Would you sign my napkin?”
    “Of course.” He smiled at her. “Your name?”
    “Sherry. Sherry Ann.” Willing back the tension in his body, he signed the square of paper and handed it back.
    “Thank you,” she breathed and fluttered her lashes. She slipped a note under his plate and sauntered out.
    Her arms crossed, Kendall stared at him, a knowing expression on her face.
    Holding eye contact, he crumpled the paper.
    The gesture