by Sara Orwig
In the warm car she had opened her coat. Now she touched the heart pendant Nick had given her. “My necklace is beautiful,” she said. “Thank you again.”
“It’s just a token thank-you for Cody. You should have had more.”
“Nick, this has over twenty-four big diamonds. It’s more than a token,” she said, wondering whether he had given it to her out of gratitude or guilt.
“I promise you, that’s a token for what I feel I should give you. Here we are,” he said, stopping the car near the back door of a sprawling ranch house with an inviting porch. They each carried bags inside and Cody brought his toys. “C’mon, and I’ll show you where your rooms will be,” Nick said. “I can bring in the rest of the stuff later.”
They walked into a spacious kitchen with stainless steel state-of-the-art equipment. Nick had dark fruitwood cabinets and woodwork with pale yellow walls and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lawn along one wall and the patio on the other. Standing at the sink was a tall white-haired man who turned to smile at them.
“Claire, meet Douglas Giroux, my cook, who’s worked for me a long time now. Zelda, his wife, heads my cleaning staff,” Nick said. “Douglas works for me in Dallas, but he agreed to come out here for these few days. Douglas, this is Miss Prentiss and my son, Cody.”
“Welcome to the ranch,” Douglas said. “I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“Something you’re cooking smells inviting,” Nick said.
“That’s a casserole to freeze. Tonight we’ll have creamed pheasant, baked potatoes, asparagus and rolls.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Claire said, as Nick took her arm to walk down the hall. The casual touch sent a tingling current down her spine. No matter how much she decided to avoid responding to him, her body couldn’t get the message. She struggled to focus on the house instead of the tall man at her side.
He led her to her bedroom for the week, done in bright colors with white furniture. Cody’s room adjoined it and held a junior bed and a big white stuffed bear that Cody ran to hug the minute he walked into the room.
“That’s for you, Cody,” Nick said, smiling at his son.
“Thank you,” Cody said, beaming as he hugged the bear again.
“My room is at the end of the hall,” Nick said. “You’re welcome to come see it.”
“Thanks. I’ll unpack instead,” she said. She needed some time away from this man, to regroup.
* * *
Through dinner and playing with Cody afterward, Nick was far more aware of Claire than before. Being together at the ranch had brought memories tumbling back, making love to her, holding her naked in his arms, kissing her for hours. Grief was leaving him along with the numbness. Without wanting to, she stirred memories and desire. He wanted to kiss her, to dance with her, to make love with her.
The past weekend and this week were so totally unlike his life—all business appointments put off, his calendar cleared to meet Cody and be with him. He had turned off his cell phone, knowing his family could get him through the ranch number or his foreman. The ranch was a world of its own and insulated from the outside world. He expected his life to shift back into its usual groove when he returned to work, but this was a reprieve that he would relish. He hadn’t spent enough time here over the last couple of years, and certainly not during the last year of his marriage to Karen. She had never cared for the ranch. She was meant for a social life, just as his mother preferred Dallas, and that had fit with his schedule. He had forgotten just how much he loved this place. Life would be ideal here with Claire and Cody.
The idea startled him. He had a busy, important career, a career that was vital to his family and could grow more demanding in the coming years. The ranch was an idyll, he reminded himself, and there was no way he could move to the ranch now, nor would Claire ever come with him. She would not leave the big business she had built and she wouldn’t leave her family. He’d best remember that.
* * *
After putting Cody to bed, Claire returned to the family room to sit with him. Her red slacks and red sweater, which clung to tempting curves, rekindled longing, making him want to untie the scarf that held her hair and let it fall loose about her shoulders, but he resisted.
“Cody’s asleep. It’s been an exciting day for him, Nick. His first plane ride, his first pair of boots and his first cowboy hat. His first meeting with a real sheriff. He has met new grandparents. So many things that he’s dazzled by them.”
Despite his good intentions, Nick took her hand, running his thumb lightly over the back of her hand. “Now I think it’s time for his mom to be dazzled.”
What did he mean by that? Claire wondered as she felt her pulse race.
“You’ve been good about all this, Claire,” he said, his voice suddenly huskier. “When you get home, go out with me. Whatever works out between us, hopefully, we’re going to be friends. Let me take you out for dinner—a ‘just friends’ thing.”
She forced a smile. “I’m tempted, Nick, but I think we should avoid that kind of evening. We’ve been in limbo, getting you and Cody acquainted. There have been no problems, no tomorrows. We’re headed for some major decisions and major upheavals in my life, Cody’s life and my family’s lives. Cody will be all right with what we do, but you and I won’t. There is no way to work out a wonderful, happy solution to sharing him between Washington, DC and Houston. It’s an upheaval for me to share him at all.”
“We might fall in love if you’d give us half a chance.”
The hurt she felt stabbed deeper. “You’ll be so busy with your career, I think that’s impossible. I’m busy with my career and my family. All I see is more heartbreak, so I don’t think dinners out together will help unless it’s something we need to do involving Cody. After this week, you’ve broken the ice and we can move on and begin to make decisions. I think the less you and I see of each other, the better we’ll each be.”
Aware Nick was unaccustomed to defeat of any kind, she gazed into his penetrating blue eyes. She couldn’t read his reaction or even guess what he was thinking, except that she was certain he was not happy about her answer.
“If that’s what you want,” he finally said. “Neither of us wants another heartbreak. I can’t deal with another one, but I didn’t see dinner leading to that. I’ve been so happy this past week that everything looks rosy.”
“I’m glad, Nick, but we have a lot to work out between us.”
He nodded. “If we don’t go to dinner, I still would like to spend some time next week with Cody. I want to see him again. Pick a time. I can stay in Houston at a hotel and keep him there with me or just come see him each day and take him out.”
“That would probably work best at this point. Eventually, I know we’ll have to work out a regular arrangement, but please, not this soon.”
He nodded. “I’ll come Tuesday and stay at a hotel and you’ll barely see me.”
“I think that’s best,” she said, hurting all over and knowing even bigger hurts were coming.
“Want something to drink before we eat? I’m having a beer.”
“Just ice water.”
When he got up to get the drinks, she looked around, seeing some family pictures in a frame. Her eyes were drawn to one in particular—a shot of Nick and his brothers and their father. She remembered what he’d told her about the men in his family. “Nick, you’ve told me about the Milan family legend that each male had to go into the field of law or his family faced disaster.”
“It was never clear what kind of disaster, and I don’t think we were all pushed toward law because of the legend as much as Dad wanting us in that field since he loved it. The legend goes back too far for anyone to have heard about a time it didn’t exist or how it got started.”
“You sort of made light of it, but your dad, your brothers and you all studied law. If
I remember correctly, your youngest brother was a practicing lawyer.”
He walked over with their drinks. “Tony? Yeah, for about ten minutes. He got a law degree, graduated, went to work for a law firm for one year, quit and moved back to his ranch and there he is and he will always be.” He shrugged. “It’s an old legend, but I don’t give it much credence. I don’t think any Milan really does any longer. Madison was always talented in art and no one has ever pushed any of the females into law.”
“That’s good to hear. I wondered whether you would be pushing Cody someday to go to law school.”
“Never. Cody can do what he wants. My dad wanted us to be lawyers, but it wasn’t because of that legend.” Nick squeezed her hand lightly and smiled at her. “Don’t give that another thought. I promise, no pushing from me to get Cody to study law because of a legend or any other reason.”
“That makes me feel better. You’re his dad and you’re in his life now, so I’m glad to hear your views on it.”
“We’ve had some family legends that have come true. I guess some are based on fact, but no one knows the history of this Milan legend. Probably originated by a Calhoun to cause trouble.”
Knowing he was joking, she smiled. “The old feud ought to be dying.”
“For some of us, that Milan-Calhoun feud is out of date and should end. Madison has married a Calhoun and so has Wyatt. Wyatt’s wife is from another branch of the Calhoun family. You’ll meet Milans and Calhouns at the family gathering Saturday night. If anyone keeps the feud alive, it’s Tony, who fights with his Calhoun neighbor.”
“I’m looking forward to Saturday night. Wyatt was a hit today with Cody. He wanted to wear his badge to bed, but I was afraid it would stick him. He thought Uncle Wyatt was super.”
“What kid wouldn’t? He’s a sheriff. Much more exciting than my profession.”
“I have to agree with you on that one.”
Nick grinned at her. “I walked into that, didn’t I?”
She laughed. “Even in the winter it’s beautiful out here, Nick. The sunset was gorgeous. Now I know why you love to come to the ranch.”
“I do,” he said. “I just don’t have time for it.” He turned to look at her, and the look he gave her told her she was in trouble.
* * *
He couldn’t resist her any longer. He’d been trying to rein himself in all day, but he was losing the battle. “Claire.” He turned his chair and moved closer, reaching over to pick her up and place her on his lap. “This has been such a good day. I want to hold you,” he said in a deep voice.
He heard her intake of breath. “Nick, you’re borrowing trouble,” she whispered, placing her hands against his chest as if she intended to push him away, but she applied no pressure.
He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer, his gaze going to her mouth. As he took her hand he could feel her pulse race and his jumped. He leaned closer and gave in to the temptation. He kissed her.
Her hands slipped up his chest and around his neck. She clung to him and kissed him back, and he leaned over her, kissing her hard, letting go pent-up longings, kissing her as he had wanted to since she had stepped off the plane.
He could feel her heart pounding now. He shifted to cradle her against his shoulder and poured himself into kissing her, wanting to feel alive, to make her respond the way she used to respond to him.
Her soft moan set him ablaze. She hadn’t stopped him as he thought she might. Far from it. Instead she kissed him passionately, her fingers winding in the hair at the back of his neck. Gone were her coolness, the resentment over the past. For a moment they were simply a man and woman physically drawn to each other, wanting to feel alive and good with each other once again.
He knew he was racing into disaster, but he didn’t want to stop kissing her. He felt as if he could kiss her all night. He wanted to hold her, love her, seduce her. He wanted to make love to her through the night. The realization shocked him. How had she reached him? He had shut out the world, kept his attention and life focused on only business. Suddenly Claire was in his life again, turning his world upside down and making him want love in his life once more, making him want to really live again. She was burning away his grief.
They had hurt each other long ago and this might be rushing into that same hurt again, only a lot worse this time. He should stop and walk away right now, but she was soft, hot, tempting, her scalding kisses stirring a storm of longing. Life was empty without love, and the thought startled him because his life was busy every waking moment. Since when had it become empty to him? The question left him as he tightened his arms around her and continued kissing her.
Their past couldn’t be undone, but they could pick up and go on with life. And it could be good again. So good.
Nick shifted her against him, wanting to carry her to a bedroom but afraid she would stop him. As he kissed her, he ran his hand lightly along her throat, caressing her, taking his time, and then his fingers drifted lower, following her luscious curves, over the softness of her breast. He twisted open a button and then another, sliding his hand beneath her blouse to touch her warm silken skin, to caress her breast, feeling the taut bud. He was aroused, ready and aching for her. He unfastened the clasp of her bra, slipping his hand below the lace to stroke her breasts with feathery touches.
She moaned, shifting her hips and moving against him, setting him on fire with wanting her.
“Nick,” she whispered, sitting up. He pushed open her blouse and leaned down to touch her breast with his tongue.
She gasped and for a moment didn’t stop him while he kissed and caressed her. He felt her fingers run through his hair as she moaned softly with pleasure.
“Nick, wait. A few more minutes and I won’t be able to stop,” she said, her words breathless. “This isn’t what I planned and I don’t think it’s what you intended.”
Reluctantly, he straightened. “Claire, I want you,” he whispered, caressing her nape. He didn’t want to stop touching her. “Do you remember our times together? They were better than anything. Remember?” he asked, framing her face with his hands and staring at her.
“Yes, I remember,” she replied, “but we’re not going there tonight. We have all the complications in our lives we need. We have to stop this.” She wiggled to stand and he helped her, doing what she wanted because he wanted her happy.
He stood, looking at her while she pulled her blouse together. “I want to make love to you all night long. Making love is good between us. I know you remember. One time wouldn’t hurt. We won’t fall in love.”
“One time wouldn’t hurt,” she repeated. “You’re saying that to convince yourself as well as me. We hurt each other terribly before and we can’t do that again.”
They stood staring at each other and he wanted her desperately. He wound his hands in the thick, black hair on either side of her head, turning her head up slightly so he could get to her mouth as he leaned down to kiss her.
The minute their lips and tongues met, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her tightly against him and kissed her passionately, once again letting her feel the pent-up hunger he felt. “Claire, damn, I want you,” he whispered and kissed away any answer she might have had.
Moaning, she clung to him. How long they kissed, he didn’t know, but finally, she pushed against him, so he released her and she stepped away. Her blouse was still unbuttoned, revealing her tempting curves, and he ached to draw her back into his embrace.
Both of them were breathing deeply and she took another step back. “Nick, we need to call it a night now. That shouldn’t have even happened.”
“No one was harmed. No promises made, nothing changed,” he said. But his whole world had changed. He wanted her and he felt headed for more hurt than ever. He couldn’t survive a marriage of convenience, which she didn’t want anyway. “Cl
aire, don’t have regrets. You’ve brought me out of grief. For the first time in far too long, I feel alive. Don’t have regrets about kissing me tonight.”
“I should go to my room. That will be better for both of us.”
“Sit and talk. I’ll sit across the room if it’ll make you happier,” he said, crossing to the other side of the room.
He looked at her, his eyes pleading with her not to walk away.
Shaking her head in surrender, she acquiesced. She sat a safe distance away and he took it as a good sign that she hadn’t run to her room.
For the next hour or so he forced his libido back into hiding and he gave her what she wanted—time together to talk. They talked about their families, their lives over the past few years, and Nick kept the conversation lively so he wouldn’t recall how much he wanted her. He was charming, personable, trying to please her. And he succeeded.
Time slipped away until she finally stood. “I have to get to bed. I’m exhausted. Good night.”
“I’ll go upstairs, too,” he said, crossing the room and walking with her to her door where he turned to face her.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, toying with a lock of her hair. “Both of you. Today has been really great.”
“Let’s hope things stay that way,” she said.
Stepping closer, Nick wrapped his arms around her to kiss again, another passionate kiss that she returned. Her response was instant, intense, and it made him think she wanted him almost as much as he wanted her.
She finally looked up at him. “We’re going to say good-night, Nick. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“This has been a very special day. Thanks for letting it happen. I’ll see you and Cody early in the morning.”
Nick went to his room. As he undressed, he wondered whether he would get any sleep at all this night. He lay in the dark and knew he wouldn’t. Every time he closed his eyes he remembered what it was like to kiss her.
