“Good thing we’re just friends.” He studied her reaction. She was unraveling at the seams, just like him. He could feel the sexual energy radiating from her body, matching his own. But he knew it would be wrong for him to pursue her if he couldn’t give her what she needed. That hadn’t necessarily stopped him before, but there was something about this woman . . . she was already fragile. He didn’t want to break her.
“You still haven’t answered my question, though. Why don’t you want a relationship?” He had his reasons, but what were hers?
“It’s just not in my plans right now. I need to focus on the business.”
“Hm.” He squinted at her a little, calling her bluff.
“What?” She smiled.
“Nothing,” he said as the waiter delivered their calamari.
“So, why’d you join the military? Was it because of September 11th?” He flinched at the question and put down the fork he had picked up. He tried to think about how he wanted to respond, and when he didn’t answer, she added, “I’m always wondering what my life would be like if I had chosen a different path, if I hadn’t taken over for my stepmom. I guess I was kind of thinking you might feel the same?”
He exhaled a deep breath and considered her question. “The military and the CIA pursued me when I was finishing my last year in college. They told me I could help them win the war on terror.” He took a quick drink. “To be told at twenty-one that my designs could help locate terrorists and save lives was a little overwhelming.”
“But you did it.”
“I chose the military. I didn’t want to be in the CIA.” He stared down into his wine glass. To his eye, the glass appeared to rattle with the sounds of war. He shut his eyes and tried to silence the memories, but they were too loud.
His erect posture waned for a moment as his shoulders arched forward a little.
“You okay?” she asked, her voice softening a touch.
He blinked his eyes open. “Yeah, sorry.” He swallowed. “But yeah—yeah, I know what you mean about wondering if life would be different if I didn’t join the Marines.” He didn’t regret his decision, but he knew he would never be the same.
“How about them Yankees?”
He looked up at Kate and smiled, her words surprising him.
“I always say that whenever things get a little too much.”
He nodded. “I’m more of a Red Sox fan.”
“Really? So am I.”
“I guess we have more in common than we realize,” he said. God, you’re sexy. He forced his attention away from her as the waiter delivered the rest of their meal.
They chatted on and off as they ate, and he loved simply hearing the soft sound of her voice as she spoke. And he also enjoyed seeing a woman finish her entire meal—he was so sick of watching his dates only eat salad—with no damn dressing even.
“I’m going out of town tomorrow. Just for a night. But I assume I will see you in the office Tuesday?” He finished his last bite of eggplant parmesan and set his fork on the table.
“Business meeting?” she asked.
“I usually spend every other week in New York, but I didn’t want to be away all week.” I want to get to know you more, he thought as he looked up.
She cleared her throat and touched her lips. Her eyes remained frozen on his as her bottom lip slipped down at the touch of her fingers. “Must be tough to bounce back and forth each week.”
He gulped, relieved that she’d spoken and moved her fingers away from her mouth. Was she trying to kill him? “Not really,” he said once he realized her statement was still hanging in the air. “How did you like dinner?”
She smiled and looked down at her empty plate. “It was delicious. And the wine was amazing. Nice choice.”
“Glad you liked it.”
“Thanks again for tonight. Sorry about—um—turning you down.” She peered at him from the corner of her eyes. The dilation of her pupils and the slight tremble of her lips seemed to belie her words.
He had to look away. He would lose his control. He would kiss her soft, full lips right then and there if she didn’t stop looking at him like that. “Let’s get going,” he grumbled.
He paid the check and said goodbye to the owner. They walked back to her hotel without speaking. “I should say goodbye here,” he said once outside the entrance of her hotel. He didn’t trust himself to be anywhere near her room. And he knew she felt the same way. He could feel it.
“Thank you again.”
His eyes drifted over the curves of her body before returning to her pouty lips. Goddamn it. He blew out a small but unnoticeable breath and leaned forward. He rested his hand on her arm and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, Kate,” he said gruffly.
“’Night.”
He turned and left.
Two nights in a row he found himself walking away from this gorgeous woman—what in the hell was wrong with him?
Kate entered her hotel room and slipped off her heels. She couldn’t believe Michael’s arrogance. How could he be so bold as to mention sex at dinner? But then again, the man was used to getting whatever he wanted. To think that she had almost fallen victim to his gorgeousness.
She tossed her bag on the floor and sank onto her couch. She couldn’t get him out of her head, though. She wanted him, that much was obvious.
But they both had their reasons for keeping away from each other, didn’t they?
Why is this happening?
Frustrated, she pushed to her feet and walked to the bar to pour herself a drink.
She watched as the red liquid sloshed into the wine glass, and then she raised the glass to her lips, berating herself for agreeing to have dinner with Michael in the first place.
A knock at the door had her pulse racing. Oh, God. Michael? Would she be able to keep up her thin veneer of restraint?
She set her wine glass down on the coffee table and approached the door. She rested her hand over the safety lock and shut one eye as she looked out the peephole with the other.
No one was there. Had Michael changed his mind and left so soon? She unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall, looking left and right.
No sign of anyone, but she did hear the sound of the elevator doors closing down the hall.
He must have left. Maybe he realized his mistake and took off. Thank God. She turned to go back in but noticed a red envelope beneath her feet.
She took a step back and stared down at it. Her lip tucked between her teeth.
She realized that it wasn’t Michael who had knocked on the door—in her heart, she knew that whoever had been stalking her had just taken things up a notch.
She knelt down and picked up the envelope before returning to her room. She dead bolted the door behind her, then walked into the living area and tapped the crimson red envelope against her leg, not sure if she should open it.
Chapter Six
Kate hadn’t opened the red envelope since she’d received it thirty-six hours ago. She had switched her hotel room within ten minutes of getting the envelope, and booked a room for the next night at the hotel where the gala was to be held. There was no way she was going to sleep one more night in a room where her stalker had been.
Just open it, for Christ’s sake.
Kate’s hand slipped into her large purse, which also served as her work bag today, and she felt the envelope in her hand.
As she exited the revolving doors of the hotel and stepped out onto the sidewalk, she released the envelope. She couldn’t do it. Maybe if she didn’t open it, she could continue to work as though there was no danger.
She would keep telling herself that, at least.
She startled at the sound of the high-pitched ring that blared from her purse. “This is Kate,” she answered after retrieving her phone.
“Hey, you coming into the office today?” Julia asked.
“Walking there now. I finished with the designer at the hotel.”
“Perfect. Michael is back from New York,
and he’s asking for you.”
Kate slowed down her pace, worried if everything was okay. “Oh really? Does he want to check in on our progress?” Or fire me for turning him down?
“I have no idea. Just head on over to his office when you get here. See you in a bit.”
Kate tossed her phone back into her bag, thoughts of the envelope far from her mind now.
Michael. He was all that was in her head.
When she got to the office, she nodded and smiled at Cindy, then started for Michael’s room.
Julia’s office was empty, giving her no reason to stall now.
She toyed with the strap of her bag as she forced her black pumps to move, one step at a time.
When she arrived at his door, she popped her head in to say hello, but her mouth closed when she saw he wasn’t alone. He was sitting on his couch next to an auburn-haired woman. His hand rested on her shoulder, and the woman’s gaze was cast down.
Kate took a step back, attempting to duck away before Michael saw her, but it was too late. His eyes captured hers, and he gave her a slight shake of the head.
She put her hand up, motioning that she’d catch him later and quickly left. It was obvious she had come at a bad time.
“Kate,” Julia called out on approach.
“Hey, I was going to set up shop in your conference room. Is that okay?” Kate pointed to the room that adjoined Julia’s office.
“Of course. I was hoping to catch you before you saw Michael, anyways. He got a visitor right after we hung up, but I’m sure he’ll find you after.”
“Sure.”
“You okay?” Julia arched a brow.
Kate shrugged her purse off her shoulder and allowed it to drop to the ground. “Yeah, just a little tired. I’ve been working like crazy on this gala.” It wasn’t a total lie.
Julia smiled. “Thank you. I’m so grateful.” She sat down at the conference room table and folded her hands. “I have great news. I followed your advice, and I have a special guest speaker for the ball.”
“That’s awesome.” Kate started to sit but seeing Michael through the glass wall caught her off guard. He was walking down the hall next to the redhead, his hand on the small of her back. He managed to avoid looking into the conference room, and Kate forced herself not to overthink anything. Besides, what did it matter? She’d said no to Michael the other night. What difference did it make to her who he dated—or whatever he did with women . . .
Julia cleared her voice, which had Kate glancing over at her.
“Maybe we could order some lunch to the office while we work? I’m starved—my treat.”
“Let’s go grab some food instead. I know a great place,” Julia said.
Kate nodded. Hell, Julia’s idea was a lot better. She’d been in the building for five minutes but suddenly felt like she was suffocating.
She kneeled down to grab her purse off the floor, but a large hand beat her to it. She followed the black dress shoes to slacks, which stretched all the way up to a trim waist. She inhaled as she straightened, taking in with her his cologne and the smell of clean linen.
“On your way out?” Michael asked, handing Kate her bag.
“We’re going to lunch.” Julia looked at her brother. “Care to join us?”
“Sure. I’m always hungry for something good to eat.” The way Michael’s eyes traveled the length of her body before settling on her face made her buzz to life with excitement. Her body betrayed her as her nipples hardened beneath her silk blouse. She prayed her bra was thick enough to cover her sudden arousal.
“Michael? Kate? You two ready?” Julia asked.
Michael tilted his head and wet his lips. Was he teasing her? He was, wasn’t he? “Yes, I’m ready.” She swallowed. “Are you?” she asked Michael in a faint voice, frustrated that this man was intentionally trying to get a rise out of her—even after he’d just walked in front of her with another woman. Of course, Kate had no idea who the redhead was—but with his reputation what else could she think?
“I’m more than ready,” Michael said in a low voice. His words were like satin, wrapping around her every limb—and she hated that he was able to create such an intense reaction within her so easily.
Kate diverted her attention, unable to look at Michael any longer without giving herself away.
Once they all entered the elevator, she stared down at her heels and clutched her bag with both hands, hanging onto it like a lifeline.
“Is Mexican okay?” Julia asked as they stepped out into the lobby.
“Yeah, I love anything with spice.” Kate spotted a quirk in Michael’s lips as he held the door open for them.
The restaurant was around the corner in one of the most popular areas of Uptown Charlotte. They sat at a round table out front, and Kate found herself too close to Michael, even though they were across the table from each other. Anywhere within eyesight of the man was too close, though.
Kate quickly looked at her menu, pretending to have no idea what she wanted, buying herself some time before she’d have to get lost in his blue eyes again. She’d decided on their color, anyway.
Navy blue. For today, at least. It depended on what he was wearing tomorrow as to what shade she’d get lost in.
“So, how was New York?” Kate asked and stole a look at him above her menu.
“It was fine. But what I’m really interested in is to find out how the planning is coming along.”
“Bullshit,” Julia said almost immediately and reached over and slapped her brother’s chest. “Don’t be an ass.”
He reached for his collar, popped open the top button—tie already removed—and smoothed his hand over his shirt before resting it in his lap. “No, seriously. I’ve taken an interest,” he said casually as Julia stared at him with parted lips.
“Ohh.” Julia straightened her spine and looked at Kate.
“Well, we’re wrapping up the details—fine-tuning everything,” Kate finally answered, but she was worried about what Julia was thinking right about now.
Julia’s phone began to ring a moment later, helping diffuse the awkward tension that had begun to ping-pong back and forth between Kate and Michael.
“Sorry,” Julia muttered and glanced down at the caller ID. “Shit. It’s Aiden calling.”
“That can’t be good,” Michael responded. “Why’s he calling you instead of me?”
Julia rose to her feet, gripping the phone. “Business stuff he doesn’t want to trouble you with.”
“Well, tell him to call me later, okay?”
Shit, don’t leave me alone.
Kate watched Julia walk away with the phone pressed against her ear.
“Eh, so, who is Aiden?
“A friend of mine in Boston. We invested in his pub and, apparently, Julia has been helping him out more than I realized.” Michael’s hand wrapped up around to the back of his neck, and he squeezed. A thick band of tension had cut hard between them—the man had hardened before her eyes. What is with you? Was he worried that his friend might be hooking up with his sister? Julia had said Michael was overprotective . . .
Julia returned to the table after only a minute, thank God. “Ugh. Kate, I’m so sorry, but I need to fly to Boston today. I might need to be there for a little bit.” She lifted her purse and hung the strap over her shoulder. “Don’t worry—I’ll be back in time for the gala. I’m so sorry I have to bail on you right now.”
“Why does Aiden need you in Boston? Something wrong with the pub?” Michael pressed back in his seat, worry spreading across his face.
“He’s fine, but he says he’s not business-minded, so he calls me when he needs help. It’s nothing to stress about.” Julia came over next to her brother and patted him on the shoulder. “Really, I’ve got this. You can help Kate since you’ve developed such an interest in the ball.”
“If you say so. But that also means you’re going to miss our monthly poker game again. The guys are going to be so pissed.” Michael reached beneat
h the table and produced his cell phone a moment later.
“Looking for my replacement so fast, huh?” Julia chuckled. “Well, I’m sorry to exit in the midst of lunch, but I need to go book a flight and pack. I’ll call you later.”
Michael looked up from his phone and nodded. “Have a safe flight.”
“We’ll be fine. No worries.” Kate hoped, at least. She gave Julia a reassuring smile and waved goodbye, then focused on Michael as he stowed his phone back into his slacks pocket. “So, Julia plays poker?” How will I survive without her?
But she didn’t have a choice. She had a job to do. Plans to carry out.
“I taught her a long time ago.”
Kate smiled as she drew up images of her own past. “I taught my kid brother to play before he went into the military.”
“You play?” He stared at her, and his lips parted. “What got you into the game?”
Kate fiddled with the drink menu. “One of my boyfriends at Harvard liked to play. He used to compete in tournaments all of the time, and so I asked him to teach me. I fell in love with the game and continued playing even after we broke up. He had a bad gambling problem that I later discovered . . . but I thought the game was fun, and I even won a couple of local events.” She sighed. “I haven’t played in years. Ever since I began running my stepmother’s business, I never have time to have fun anymore.”
“You played in tournaments?” Michael scratched at his jaw. “I’m having trouble believing that you would sit at the table with poker sharks, and—” He stopped himself and shook his head, a smile threatening his lips. “Actually, I think you must be great at the game. All you need to do is bat your eyes and smile, and the players are putty in your hands.”
“What? Can’t a girl have real poker skills? A woman has to use her looks to win?”
“No, but I—”
“I do have talent, by the way. There is no eye batting. I wear my Red Sox hat and a pair of sunglasses.”
“To hide your tells?” he taunted, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I would still be able to read you.”
Kate’s chest constricted at his words. “There’s only one way to find out.” What am I doing?
The Hidden Truths Series Box Set Page 6
