His head fell back onto the seat, and he clamped his eyes shut. He had no idea how he would see her every day and feel nothing, but he would have to figure it out. She didn’t deserve to be confronted by him or anyone else. If he really cared for her, he’d watch her back and make sure no one else bothered her.
His lip twitched. Finally, he understood the reaction of the locals. They didn’t hate him; instead, they despised anyone who threatened her. He settled farther into his seat. Well, he was a local now and he’d stand with them. He’d build a resort the community would be proud to have in its midst, and make sure Tara got the credit. It was the least he could do.
Glancing across the cabin, he caught her head bobbing. She smacked her lips dryly, rubbed one eye, and shifted to find a comfortable position in her seat. Her head flopped to one side, her fingers absently clenching at the edge of the wrap she’d tugged over her arms.
Justin stood and retrieved a blanket from an overhead compartment. Taking great care, he draped it over her shoulders. Every part of his body screamed for his fingers to brush her cheek, for his lips to touch her forehead, but he clenched his fists and backed across the cabin.
Chapter Twenty-One
As the landing gear contacted the pavement, Tara snorted awake. Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, she didn’t immediately recognize her surroundings. Across the aisle, Justin stretched his arms over his head and pretended not to notice.
Collecting her purse and attaché, and tossing her wrap over her arm, she turned to Justin. “Are you ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
As they bent their heads to exit the plane, they could see a limo pulled up on the tarmac. The driver stood near the car. He nodded and opened the door as they approached.
Once they were barreling down the freeway toward Denny’s office, Justin turned to Tara. “Should I go first and show them the drawings of the grounds and buildings? Then you can wow them with your interiors.”
She immediately picked up a different vibe from him. He was less engaging, more animated, almost as if he were speaking to a child. She scowled.
“Or— I could go second. You could blow them away with your comfort and class, and then I’ll get to the construction part.”
Her eyes squinted. “What’s up with you?”
His hands came up in question. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged and let it drop. “You go first.”
“You do realize that whatever we plan, Muffy will do her best to throw us off balance.”
Tara massaged her temple. “You’re right.”
Justin glanced out the window for a long moment. “What are you going to do if she asks about us?”
She met his eye levelly. “What about us?”
His face fell. “You’re right – nothing to tell.”
Tara hated that he looked uncomfortable with her answer. Why was she so good at throwing barbs? She actually liked Justin. He’d helped her with the bat and compromised on the project. He was a decent guy. And he’d been right that she’d wanted him to kiss her. She’d even enjoyed it, until she freaked out. It was almost as if her body wanted him and her heart didn’t. Or her brain wouldn’t allow her to—
“…don’t you think so?”
Jolting back to the moment, she brought him into focus.
“Where’d you go?”
She shrugged. “I was— What did you say?”
“I said we got here quicker than expected.”
Discombobulated, she glanced out the window to see that they had arrived at a tall office building. “Oh, right.” She turned to open the door, but he caught her arm. She glanced down at his hand, expecting to feel tingles from his touch. But there was nothing. She looked up to meet his eye.
“Hey, you okay? Do you need water or something?”
She blinked. His voice said words that made sense but the emptiness in his gaze stunned her. His eyes didn’t glitter with the fire she’d come to know. There was nothing. She’d known his feelings about her would change when he heard about her past, but until this moment, she hadn’t realized how horrible it would feel to see nothing in his eyes.
“Tara?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She turned and climbed from the car. The driver held out a hand to assist her, but she didn’t see it or anything else. She felt hollow. Her ears rang and her eyes watered.
Justin said something as he came around the back of the car and she turned in slow motion, but no noise penetrated the vacuum she had entered. The trees sparkled in the sunlight and the ground tilted. Darkness crept inward, blotting out his face.
* * *
Shoving down panic, Justin bent and scooped Tara into his arms.
“Get her things, will you?” he called over his shoulder to the driver.
He pressed the lobby door open with his back and strode into the building, searching for a place to lay her. Finding a couch, he sat on the edge and spilled her limp form onto the cushions. Smoothing her skirt down her legs, he perused her from head to foot, looking for injuries. He’d caught her before she’d hit her head, thank goodness, but she was white as a sheet.
Fierce protectiveness surged through him as his veins turned to ice with unspoken concern. The driver hurried over with her bags, and Justin propped her head on her purse and her feet on her portfolio bag, then covered her with her wrap. “If she doesn’t come around in a few seconds, call 911.”
The driver nodded.
Justin patted her cheek. “Tara? Tara, can you hear me?”
Her eyelids fluttered.
“Tara, honey, come on, talk to me baby.” He patted her other cheek, then lifted her hand. Panic edged into his voice. “Come on, baby.”
Her eyes fluttered open and the vise in his chest relaxed.
“Thank God!” He held her hand and sat on the edge of the sofa. The driver hurried away to find her a drink of water. Justin frowned. “Honey, what happened? What—”
Tara bolted upright. Her hands flew to her head, and then she paled and flopped back down. “What happened? Where are we?”
Justin tucked the wrap back over her arms. “You fainted but you’re okay.”
“I fainted?” She shook her head and color surged back to her cheeks. Flailing, she fought to free her arms and sit up.
With one hand on each shoulder, he pushed her back down. “Just rest for a minute, then you can sit up.” He watched her pupils dilate and her tongue moisten her lips. She seemed so thin and delicate.
“I’ll sit up if I damn well want to!” she huffed, tossing her feet off the sofa and pushing Justin out of her way. She sat stiffly, taking in the lobby of the office building.
So much for delicate.
Finally, her gaze swung back to him. “How did I get in here?”
“I carried you.” He grinned.
With her elbows on her knees, she dropped her head into her hands. “How embarrassing.”
“Have you fainted before?”
She sighed and mumbled into her hands.
“Tara, I’m worried about you. Does this happen often?”
She flopped back into the sofa and stared at the ceiling. “Sometimes, if I don’t eat.”
“How long has it been since you had a good meal?”
She tossed him a dirty look. “What are you, my mother?”
He stood and glared down at her. “For God sakes, Tara, you fainted right at my feet. You freaked me out! I’m trying to help you.”
Smoothing her skirt, she gathered her bags and turned to him to apologize, but before she could say a word, Muffy and Denny emerged from the elevator and hurried toward them.
Muffy wore a tight, red wrap-dress, the same exact shade as her lipstick, and her heels clicked on the marble floor like a little dog’s claws. She clutched at Denny’s arm with one hand, waving the other, simpering and click-clacking as fast as her narrow skirt would allow.
The woman’s voice, high and squeaky with alarm, echoed th
rough the glass and marble lobby. “Oh my Gawd, darling! I was so frightened for you when the driver called. Are you all right?”
Muffy threw herself onto the sofa and wrapped both arms around Tara but over Tara’s shoulder, her eyes were on Justin.
Considering the show, Tara was shocked to find that the woman’s arms barely touched her.
Muffy leaned back to strip Tara to the bone with her gaze, then turned to do the same to Justin. “What in the world happened?”
Justin sighed and jammed his hands in his pockets. “We left early this morning, and I don’t think she ate. Why don’t we do business over lunch?”
Muffy lifted Tara’s fingers into her boney hand and patted them, as if Tara were a lost child. “Is that what you’d like, dear?”
Tara stood and tugged her hand away to collect her bags. “That would be fine, thank you.”
Muffy turned to Denny, seeming delighted at the thought of lunch. “Have the driver bring round the car right away.”
Denny nodded to the driver as he handed Tara a bottle of water. “The car is here, dear. Let’s go.” He reached down to take Muffy’s arm, just as she reached for Justin’s, and he led her toward the door. Her hands flittered as she continued to squawk excitedly.
Justin followed Tara, ready in case she staggered, but her back was ramrod straight. A protective instinct he didn’t know he possessed overcame the desire that normally surged when he walked behind her.
* * *
They piled into the limo; the two couples facing each other.
Justin tossed Tara an, Are you okay? glance, and she tossed him back a Don’t be patronizing look.
Muffy’s gaze flashed between them, missing nothing.
Justin snorted and elbowed Tara as he buckled his seat belt, as if to say, Fine, I was actually concerned about your welfare.
Tara sucked in her breath as his elbow made contact and accidentally ground her heel onto the top of his loafer as she searched for her seat belt, as if to say, I’m a big girl, and I don’t need your help.
Both glanced up to see Muffy’s eye’s flicking back and forth, as if she were watching a tennis match. She was grinning broadly, her lipstick cracking under the strain. The woman was definitely entertained and looked as if she wanted to clap at their performance.
Justin and Tara glanced at each other and resigned themselves to civility.
* * *
When the first course was finally cleared away, Justin had managed to ignore Muffy’s languid stares, and Tara’s color was much better.
Justin laced his fingers on the table in front of him. “So, are you ready to see the drawings of your new resort?”
Muffy nodded. “I have been so curious what you two would come up with.”
He picked up the drawings and pulled the end cover off the tube. “This design was actually Tara’s idea. She’s had some great ideas.”
Tara glanced up at him, a little shocked that he’d lied. Muffy’s gaze flickered to Tara and a small crease formed by the woman’s mouth.
Denny moved the wine bottle and glasses to the side. Facing the wealthy couple, Justin smoothed out the drawings, anchoring both ends with the salt and pepper shakers. “As you can see, the resort will consist of three major structures. The main house…” He pointed. “The barn with guest accommodations and an eatery, as well as an amphitheater…” His finger moved across the page. “And a day spa.”
Muffy and Denny searched the drawing, their eyes following Justin’s finger.
He continued. “The grounds will also include two pools, three hot tubs, a sauna, and four patios for entertaining.”
Muffy’s red fingernail touched the drawing of the house. “This resembles my aunt’s home in upstate New York. How very interesting!”
“Is there golf?” Denny leaned over the paper, then lifted the corner, in an attempt to see the next page.
Justin shuffled the drawings, shifting the top page to the bottom. “I wouldn’t forget your golf, sir. As you can see here, we have a championship-style, eighteen-hole golf course, which surrounds the property on three sides.”
Denny grunted as he looked over the page. “This hole looks like a monster.”
“We had the course professionally designed – your friends will be impressed. We were also careful to not disrupt any more forest than absolutely necessary.” He glanced wickedly at Tara.
She tilted her head and smiled, but the grin didn’t reach her eyes.
Denny nodded and leaned back in his seat. “Looks good, son. Did you draw up figures for my money men?”
“Yes sir, I did.” Justin reached into his briefcase and handed Denny a neatly printed sheaf of papers. “These are construction bids. Tara will handle the interior design estimates.”
“What will the inside be like?” Muffy asked, tossing a disappointed glace toward Justin for his dismissal of her, to talk golf. “Is it shabby chic? I just love that whole thing. It’s so quaint!”
Tara leaned forward and placed her portfolio on the table in front of Muffy. “Definitely. We spun it a bit more toward cottage style, so the men don’t fuss about too many ruffles, but I have already been working on the pieces for the main house. Look here…” She flipped the cover open to reveal photos of chairs and tables arranged against a wall, which Justin recognized as the inside of her shop. “I selected these pieces especially for your resort, and they are one of a kind.”
Muffy beamed in spite of herself. “I have been telling the ladies at the club about how sweet you are and about your little vintage look. They are so curious! Most of them have never seen such things.”
Tara shifted in her seat, trying her best to hear a compliment and not a dig in Muffy’s comment. “Go ahead and flip through the book. There are photos of several furniture groupings, as well as fabric samples and prices. You can take that with you if you’d like.”
Muffy held the book on her lap and flipped through, glancing up at Tara and Justin between pages. “Denny said your resorts are usually very modern, Justin. What exactly made you design this one so traditional?”
He glanced at Tara. “I design all my resorts based on what the client wants, and you wanted Tara’s design to be included. My architect was more than happy to alter the bid set of plans, and if we get your signatures today, we can get started on a complete set of drawings.”
Muffy wasn’t about to let the subject change. “And you, Tara? Do you approve of Justin’s modern designs?” Her beady eyes glanced between them, alert for any sign of discord.
“As a matter of fact, I thought it was brilliant. So much so that I encouraged him to keep the spa.” Tara grinned innocently at Justin and his lips stretched in return. There was no way she could mistake his expression for a smile.
“Do tell, dear.”
“Well, I—” Tara stuttered, “I hadn’t considered a spa in my plans, and it struck me as something you’d enjoy.” Muffy nodded and she continued. “So, we discussed it and decided to keep it in the plans.”
Justin forced his eyes not to roll. If Muffy only knew how they’d discussed the resort that day, both of them sexually preoccupied, she’d really be ticked.
“And this ‘shabby’ furniture? You and Tara planned this together?” Her eyes batted toward Justin.
He cleared his throat and banished the memory of Tara in his arms, laughing, that day at the warehouse. “She showed me several items in a grouping, and it was obvious she knew what she was doing, so I gave her full rein on interior design.”
Tara snorted into her water glass. All eyes turned to her as she choked. She coughed into her napkin. “Sorry, that went down the wrong way.”
Muffy lifted her teacup. “Well, it appears that you two work fabulously together. I couldn’t be more pleased,” she lied, as she sipped and pointedly assessed Justin and Tara over her cup.
* * *
Muffy called out the limo window as Tara and Justin climbed the steps to the jet. “Travel safely, dears!” Her fingers fluttered at them.
Tara sighed and flopped into her seat.
Justin crossed the cabin and stashed his briefcase in the overhead bin. Watching Tara from the corner of his eye, he noted she looked a bit wan, maybe even exhausted. He scowled. He’d had no idea that she hadn’t been eating well. Sure, she’d been upset and not answering his phone, but evidently, she was more distraught than he’d thought.
Once again, he resolved to see her as a little sister figure. She needed support and kindness, not a hormonally-driven boar.
* * *
Tara leaned her head on the seat and gazed at Justin as he slept. His fancy hair was mussed, his shirt wrinkled, and his tie hung loose and crooked. Soft snoring noises came from his mouth, his lips pursing and parting with each breath. The meeting had gone well enough but her day with Justin had been a fiasco. At this rate, he’d never believe she was competent and capable.
Fainting, of all stupid things.
Imagining herself limp in his arms as he carried her into the office building, her heart swelled in an unfamiliar spot. Had anyone ever carried her anywhere? Not that she could remember. She knew that Justin would have held her tenderly and fussed over her; after all, he’d covered her with her wrap. And he’d been so upset. She scowled. Anyone would be concerned if someone fainted in front of them. It meant nothing. Banishing the tender feeling, she shifted in her seat.
She understood that Justin’s feeling for her had changed, but she didn’t have to like it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Pulling his pillow over his head, Justin attempted to block out the ringing of his cell phone. Finally, he tossed the pillow across the room, reached for the phone, and groaned hello.
“Hey, it’s Tara.”
He rubbed one eye and opened it tentatively. “What’s up?”
Hometown Series Box Set Page 16
