Picking up flatware, Felicity joined him in line. She scooped hummus and pita onto her plate before adding skewers of pineapple and strawberry. Conrad placed a burger onto his own dish, feeling Felicity studying him through narrowed eyes.
He glanced at her. “Is there something wrong?”
Smiling, she gently brushed shoulders with him. “I’m just curious. This doesn’t seem like your kind of party.”
“Maybe I’m doing research for the next kids’ story to read to sway you with my Machiavellian plan.”
“Is that true?”
His levity fled. “This is my family. They’re here. I’m here.” He couldn’t help wondering. “Why are you?”
“My friend invited me.”
She’d called him a friend. That was progress of sorts, given they were also lovers. “Well, what a smart friend I am for wrangling the opportunity to spend the day with you in a swimsuit.”
“I could say the same.” She snapped the waistband of his swim trunks playfully, then blushed, looking around quickly to see if anyone had noticed.
His fingers ached to touch her, pull her in for a kiss. Given the scenario, his throat hummed with a rumble of appreciation, eyes locking hard with hers.
Conrad leaned in to steal a quick kiss from Felicity, but the erratic barking of Isabeau’s dog interrupted him. Tearing his eyes from Felicity to the lounger across the pool, he watched Trystan’s expression fill with concern as he launched to his feet, leaning over Isabeau. Jeannie was already across the pool. Shouting mixed in with the dog’s increasingly urgent barks, launching panic.
Isabeau was going into premature labor.
* * *
A half hour after the family departed for the hospital in a fast caravan of vehicles, Brea still sat in her car, where she’d hunkered down and watched with binoculars from a hidden vantage point as they’d partied. She hadn’t lived in that home long, her father having built it as they grew older and needed more space. But she’d still had time to make memories there.
She should take the rental car out of Park and leave, but she was so caught in the past, she hadn’t been able to make that move. Hours had passed since she pulled her little sedan into this hidden spot near the gates. Like a hawk, she’d watched the Steele mansion with a macabre interest. Unable to tear herself away.
Waves of memories presented themselves to her. As each receded, she felt more hollow and raw. Once upon a time, she had dared Broderick to hang from the rafters of the boathouse like a bat. He’d done it, stalwart and brave in the middle of the night.
Once upon a time, she’d wanted to be a mermaid with her sisters in the indoor pool. Brea made them stay in the water practicing synchronized mermaid dives until their hands turned pruney.
Once upon a time, she had been happy there as a Steele. In that house that loomed so far from her. A pain lodged in her chest that felt much like a knife piercing her ribs.
How could they all be so happy, so unaffected, when her world had been blown all apart?
She couldn’t help but think her reappearance hadn’t rocked them all that much. Sure, they wanted her around, but she wasn’t one of them anymore. They’d moved on. The bond had been broken. Any joy in seeing her was...out of nostalgia.
That confirmation of her suspicions should have reassured her, but it just hurt. More than it should. She couldn’t allow the Steeles to have this kind of power over her.
A three-knuckle tap on her passenger window disrupted her thoughts. She cranked her neck to the left. Ward Benally’s fox-like gaze met hers.
As if her emotions weren’t raw enough.
She spotted his sleek SUV parked a few feet ahead. She didn’t know a lot about him, but if he was now a part of the Steele and Mikkelson corporate empire, then she’d best keep her guard up around him.
Tipping her chin, she rolled down the window, the cold air washing over her. Centering her as she met his deep blue eyes, which she cursed herself for noticing so acutely. “Yes?”
“Mind if I climb in with you before we talk? I’m freezing my ass off out here.” He glanced pointedly at the empty passenger seat.
She studied him for a moment, resisting the urge to tell him to go back to his own vehicle. The more she learned about him, the safer she would be. He wore a well-tailored coat that showed off his finely toned body. His brown hair covered mostly by the black stocking hat making him somehow even more attractive.
Since he’d already seen her lurking around, there was no need to bolt. The damage had been done. She might as well make the most of the inside scoop he could offer her on her family’s world.
She tapped the locks and gestured to the passenger seat of her rental car. After he climbed in, she turned off the low-playing radio and turned up the heat. “So you’re the CEO who’s going to take over my father’s company.”
He folded into the bucket seat, his large frame a tight fit in the compact vehicle. “The business belongs to the shareholders, from both the Steele and Mikkelson corporations.”
“I stand corrected.” She conceded that point, but nothing more. He was an outsider and the Jack Steele she’d known growing up would never have turned his business over to a stranger. Another mystery. “You owe both my father and stepmother for your advancement.”
“It’s my understanding that none of your siblings or your stepsiblings could be convinced to take on the job.” He nodded, his angled jaw flexing.
She sat up straighter. “Are you implying there’s a reason no one will step up?”
“A lot of reasons, I imagine.” He fell silent, his eyes on her.
“What?” she asked, fidgeting uncomfortably.
That fox stare of his pinned her again. “I’m trying to figure you out.”
“Why?” she fired back. “Are you interested?”
Whoa. Where had that come from?
“Only interested in the chaos you’re causing.” He tapped the dash decisively. “My first priority, if I decide to accept the job, will be getting this company on stable footing again. What is your priority?”
Brea let her smile turn as icy as her Alaskan birthright. “What do you think?”
He removed the stocking cap, his textured brown hair standing on edge. Disheveled in a way that made Brea want to run her fingers through it.
His hands squeezed around the knit hat as he casually said in a gruff voice, “I’m guessing some kind of self-interest.”
That surprised her. And intrigued her. “I appreciate how you don’t tiptoe around me like my family does.”
“That’s because I don’t care. And they do. Sadly. Because it doesn’t seem like you give a damn about them.”
“You don’t know the first thing about me.”
The heat in the air crackled between them as they stared at each other. His pointedness magnetized and enraged her.
“I know you’ve been avoiding the Steele family.” He gestured to the mansion with his hat. “So I think it’s strange that you’re out here spying on them.”
Spying? She didn’t like that word at all. Or the sense that’s how he saw her, as someone who lurked and stalked. “What you think isn’t of significance to me. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Actually, yes. I need to find out where everyone is. I need to drop off some paperwork and no one’s answering at the gate.”
A tart laugh burst from her lips. She angled toward him, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “That’s because they all just hauled out of here in a caravan of cars.”
“And you’re still hanging out because?” He didn’t miss a stride, leaning in with a dramatic whisper of his own.
She blinked. She wasn’t giving him any more information than necessary.
He lifted his hands innocently. “Okay, none of my business. Except for the fact that—as you said—I’m a lock to be the new CEO of Alas
ka Oil Barons Inc. And as the head of that company I think it’s in my best interest to make sure you don’t intend to do something that harms the business.”
“Is that a threat?”
His head snapped back. “No. Not at all. I had no intention of giving off that impression.”
“You can understand I’m not too trusting of the people around here.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And I’m sure you can understand why people around here aren’t too trusting of you right now.”
“Point made. Get out of my car.”
“Can do. I need to figure out where that caravan of Steele vehicles was heading anyway.” He tugged a lock of her hair. “Nice chatting with you, Breanna Steele.”
The door slam vibrated the car and she wished she could have attributed the tingle she felt to the gust of wind that had blasted through. But she knew full well it was from that infuriating man.
A man she couldn’t allow to distract her. Not now. Not when her future, her life, her sanity, was at stake.
* * *
Balancing a tray of coffees and a bag of pastries, Felicity channeled her college waitressing days as she moved into the waiting room. Carefully maneuvering around the green chairs that had seen better days, she distributed the sweets and coffee to Conrad’s family. Appreciative nods and murmured thanks lifted up from all around.
Food and coffee would not mitigate the risk Isabeau was in as she labored a month early. The baby was coming, and the road to the safe delivery of the child would be hard fought.
Still, sitting idly by had never been Felicity’s style. So she did the best she could to offer temporary distractions.
Felicity’s heart was in her throat for this family as they worried about Isabeau. Trystan had been beating himself up for not insisting she never set foot out of bed, even though the doctor had assured them all had looked well at the last appointment.
They would feel better when that baby was in the world and Isabeau was healthy.
Marshall scooped up the last apple pastry, and Felicity slumped in one of the green chairs by Conrad. She’d sat here a year ago with the sister of one of her clients. A flashback to that day involuntarily played in her mind’s eye, along with memories of her own marriage. About the time she’d wanted to start a family, her relationship had begun crumbling. She hadn’t understood why then. But later realized that was when her husband’s drug use had started.
She’d beaten herself up for a long time, not understanding how she—counseling professional—could have missed the signs. Only later, with some distance and proof, had she realized he was just that adept of a liar.
Tears stung her eyes as she stared at the board of baby photos from ward deliveries, all those healthy babies and happy families, all the joy around them now with other relatives getting news that everything went alright. She prayed for similar news today for this family as she watched nurses in scrubs scurry down the hallway.
Conrad blew into his cup of java. “Thank you for this. I appreciate your sticking around to help here.”
Her hands moved on their own volition to stroke behind his ear. He leaned into the touch, settling into the chair more. Somehow, despite all the signs for why she didn’t need this complication, she found herself unable to leave.
No. That wasn’t quite right.
She didn’t want to turn her back on this man. This kind, complicated man.
Felicity gently massaged his temple, hand tracing circles in his dark hair. “I figured you would want to sit with your family for updates, and if I hadn’t come, you would have been the one making runs for coffee and pastries.”
“Probably so.” He let out a chuff of air, nodding.
A chime of bells dinged—an indication a baby had been delivered. The whole family turned toward the double doors. Waiting. But no doctors came. The room’s collective hush faded. Whispers of conversations started again in their private nook where they couldn’t be overheard.
“I enjoyed myself earlier.” Felicity scooped her legs underneath her. She leaned against him. Their shoulders touching. “You’re so good with the kids. I know you say you’ve wanted to be there for your brother, but...”
“Why am I not married?” He supplied the obvious question.
“I don’t mean to be rude or pushy...”
“You’re certainly not the first to ask. It’s a reasonable question and given the shift in things between us, you have every right to ask. I almost made it to the altar. We had the reception hall reserved...and she got cold feet.”
She’d heard he’d had a very serious relationship in the past, but hadn’t realized things had gone so far. She felt selfish thinking she’d had the corner on the market for painful pasts. “I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”
“Why does it matter?” He bristled.
“I guess my career makes me ask questions without even thinking.” She dunked a piece of the pastry in her coffee.
“Or as a means of keeping people from asking about your life. Maybe if I had asked more questions before, I would have understood you better.”
She chewed the bite of pastry, grateful for the pause it gave her before answering. Conrad may not have her training, but he was sharp. Attentive. And perhaps all too close to the mark.
She cleared her throat with a sip of coffee, knowing she owed him the same kind of answers she sought from him. “I believe I was clear when I broke things off last Christmas. I had a rotten first marriage. I’m focused on my career, now more than ever, with the new position at the hospital.”
He stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing his feet at the ankles. “Surely you can’t think one bad man represents the entire male population. Your career must tell you otherwise.”
“If that’s true, what if I just don’t like you? It’s not like we went out for very long.”
He laughed, locking eyes with her. “I believe we’re past that now.”
A blush heated her face. “Point taken.”
He patted over his heart. “I think that may well be the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”
“Considering I’ve pushed you away more often than not, I don’t think that’s saying much.” A hint of regret stung as she thought of how forceful she’d been. She’d been pushing him away because of her own shadows.
“Then make it up to me by letting me take you home when we finish here.”
As she weighed her answer, the bell chimed. A new baby. The doors opened and a nurse walked through, calling for them. “The doctor wanted me to let you know Isabeau is fine. And the baby boy is doing well for a preemie.”
An eruption of cheers rivaling any college touchdown echoed in the waiting room. Felicity was swept into the movement of this family, exchanging hugs with not just Conrad, but the rest of the clan. A beautiful, happy family moment, and she cherished it. Felicity was caught right up in the middle of the celebration. If she wasn’t careful, she would get caught up in this family the same way she’d gotten caught up in the man.
Eight
Three hours later, as she stepped into Conrad’s home, Felicity wasn’t any closer to stemming the excitement singing through her. There was just too much beauty in the day for the moment to be denied. The happiness made her realize how long it’d been since she felt this way—not bracing herself for the next storm life had to offer her.
After buffering herself from life for so long, this new ease and happiness had been unexpected. Strange, even. But she wasn’t ready to let it go yet. She decided to savor it just awhile longer. Tomorrow would come all too quickly.
Right now, she wanted to ride the joy of knowing the baby was okay. And yes, it had been a wonderful afternoon with Conrad.
Shrugging out of her red wool coat, Felicity stepped farther into the entryway. Drank in the small details she now recognized as Conrad’s signature, understated style.
A wall of windows on the far side of the living room boasted a stunning vista of snowcapped mountains, eliminating any need for art. The room was dominated by nature, with sleek silver cliff sides jutting through and tall trees that fluttered in the wind. Even now, the view still took her breath away.
“This is...quite a place.” Her whole apartment would fit in the living room with space to spare.
He tossed his Stetson on a coatrack hook. “Are we going to discuss my overprivileged life again?”
“No, I understand you made your own fortune.” She passed her coat to him and placed her bag on the leather sofa.
“And I understand that my home life was stable, giving me advantages you didn’t have,” he said, his eyes cautious.
She couldn’t help but think that despite all of Conrad’s charm, he moved as warily through relationships as she did.
She did appreciate that he was trying to show her he’d heard her concerns, but she didn’t want to hash through that now. She wanted to live in the moment. “How about we just deal with the present?”
“Sounds good to me.” His hands fell to rest on her shoulders, massaging lightly.
She swayed nearer, drawn to the heat of his touch. “We’ll be working together on the hospital event even more closely now that Isabeau’s had her baby. Let’s keep our focus on that, rather than the past.”
His thumbs stroked along her collarbone in sensuous, slow swipes. “I’m not going to pretend last night didn’t happen.”
“Me either.” She couldn’t. What they’d experienced together was rare, and absolutely unforgettable. Still, she needed to be clear with him before she could feel comfortable indulging that attraction again. “But please understand, I’m not walking back on what I said about not being in the market for a long-term relationship.”
“I heard you.” His hands glided up to cup her face, fingers spearing in her hair. “And I also remember you suggested that since we can’t avoid each other for the next three weeks, we might as well make the most of that time.”
The Billionaire Renegade Page 10
