Beauty and the Brooding Boss

by Barbara Wallace

  Kelsey shook her head. “Not cold at all.” In fact, she’d never felt warmer.

  “Good.” His hand slid downward slightly, allowing his thumb leeway to trace her lower lip. “You know,” he murmured, “the same thing can be said about flowers.”

  “Flowers?” Her body was too busy reacting to his touch to follow his comment clearly.

  “Mmm. At first, all you see is an explosion of color and petals that won’t last. But then they fool you, and you realize the blossoms are far sturdier and do a lot more than distract you with their beauty.”

  Gently, he urged her to turn and face him. “You, Kelsey, are a very sturdy flower.”

  That slow melting sensation grabbed hold of her spine, turning her insides soft. She could feel herself hovering on the edge of something. A shift between fantasy and reality that, if allowed to happen, might not be reversible. “Sure I’m not more a flowering weed?” she asked, seeking solid ground.

  “Oh, but some of the sturdiest, prettiest, sweetest-smelling blossoms start out as weeds. They’re also the ones you can’t shake, no matter how hard you try.”

  “So I am a weed.” Why didn’t that sound bad to her?

  “No, you’re a completely original flower. One that’s impossible to ignore. God knows, I’ve tried and failed all summer.” He brushed the hair from her cheek.

  Kelsey’s mouth ran dry. Alex’s words were touching a place deep inside her, a place she kept locked away from the world. The precipice loomed closer. Another step and she’d be lost to illusion and fantasy forever.

  The fingers tracing her jaw reached her chin and tilted her face upward. She looked up and saw Alex’s heavy-lidded eyes, as glazed and lost in the moment as she felt. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?” he asked.

  “I—”

  She didn’t get the chance to finish.

  Alex slanted his lips across hers. His kiss was like him: strong, confident with a hint of arrogant possession. As if he knew she’d readily submit. Doing just that, Kelsey wrapped her arms around his neck, and when she felt his tongue demanding entrance, she gave a soft sigh and complied. He tasted of mint and something more, something she suspected was uniquely Alex. It was heavenly.

  The kiss ended far too soon. Alex was the one to break away, resting his forehead against hers. The air filled with the sound of their labored breathing.

  “Well,” he said once they’d regained their composure. “That—I—”

  He was at a loss for words. Satisfaction filled Kelsey, that she could have that effect on him. “I know,” she managed to whisper. She’d say more if he hadn’t had the same effect on her. Although it was hardly her first kiss, it might as well have been. Her toes were still curling with pleasure.

  There was an inevitability to the moment as well. Like they were simply coming to the end of a path they started back in June.

  Alex’s fingers were combing lazy lines through the loose hair on the back of her neck. Surrendering to the sensation, Kelsey closed her eyes. I could stay here forever, she thought, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I hear music. Do you think the concert’s started?”

  “Don’t know,” he replied. “Possibly.”

  “Should we head back?”

  He leaned back and looked her in the eye. “Do you want to?”

  Something lurked behind his question—something important—but Kelsey was too lost in the moment to give it much thought. “Maybe in a few minutes.”

  “Just a few?” Alex teased.

  “Maybe a little longer.”

  Alex cupped the back of her head. “Good answer,” he whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers. “Good answer.”

  They never made it to their seats in the amphitheater. They listened from beneath a spreading oak tree at the edge of the lawn. Alex lay stretched on his side beside her. He’d shed his jacket, gallantly spreading it on the ground so her dress wouldn’t grass stain. Every so often, she would look over and find him studying her with a contemplative expression. More often than not, he seemed to be studying her mouth which kept the memory of their kisses alive. Did he know her lips still tingled from the contact?

  “What?” she asked finally, when his scrutiny became too much.

  “Nothing,” he replied. “Admiring the view is all.”

  He was lying. There was more to his gaze than admiration. She could see it pooling behind his eyes.

  But, she didn’t press. Couldn’t press the issue, actually, because he leaned in and kissed her. A quick, chaste kiss, but enough to erase all thoughts.

  The soloist, a pianist who really was quite good, switched from an overture to a ballad. Like the sultry music drifting into the night, Kelsey’s insides slowed too. The whole experience was too dreamlike to be real. It had to be a dream. Surely reality wouldn’t feel this natural or this good. Would it?

  Common sense told her to stop. That what she was feeling was nothing more than two people giving in to their attraction. But she didn’t listen. As the music built to a crescendo, Kelsey drowned out the warning voice and let her feelings take charge. For the first time in her life she allowed herself to think that maybe, just maybe, she’d found where she belonged.

  “What?” Alex asked.

  It was her turn to stare at his mouth. How had she gone all summer without kissing them?

  “Nothing,” she said, bringing her lips towards his. “Enjoying the view is all.”

  Later that night, when Alex walked her upstairs, Kelsey couldn’t feel her feet touching the ground. Come to think of it, she didn’t remember feeling the ground since Alex kissed her. Had it dissolved away?

  They stopped at her door. Pulse quickening, she leaned back against the wood and waited. Expectancy clung to the air. Only unlike the other night, she wasn’t wondering about a good-night kiss, she was wondering if he would want more.

  “Tonight was amazing,” she said, looking up at him. “I can’t remember when I had such a good time.”

  “Me neither. Hard to see it end, but—” he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand “—I think maybe it should. This time anyway.”

  Pressing her lips to the knuckles grazing them, Kelsey nodded. Even though her body was willing, taking things slowly was the right move. For now. And that Alex recognized that too only pulled her deeper under his spell. “Then I guess it’s good-night,” she said.

  “Guess so.”

  Neither of them moved, making her giggle. “Good night, Alex.”

  He grinned, looking so boyish and adorable she nearly had trouble breathing. “Good night, Kelsey.”

  His mouth found hers. What started out sweet and gentle soon became heated, until the only sound Kelsey could hear was her blood pounding in her ears. Her bedroom door opened and they both stumbled across the threshold locked in the kiss. But instead of moving toward the bed as she expected, Alex lifted his head. “You make a man forget his resolve,” he whispered, lips grazing her skin. “I better say good-night while I still can act like a gentleman.”

  Gently he pried her arms from his neck, ignoring her soft whimper. His kisses were far too addictive; she missed them already.

  Reading her thoughts, he pressed one more to her lips. “Sweet dreams, Kelsey.”

  Sweet dreams? Wasn’t she already dreaming? How else could she explain this evening?

  She closed the door with a happy sigh. Was it possible for a woman to float away? Why not? She’d been floating all night, hadn’t she?

  Pressing her fingers to her lips, she smiled. They still tingled from Alex’s kisses. His taste still lingered. She ran her tongue across her lower lip savoring his flavor. Remembering the possessive feel of his mouth as it covered hers.

  Listen to yourself, she chided with a giggle. When did you get so fanciful?

  She already knew. The moment Alex took her into his arms. His embrace felt secure. Right. She’d never felt anything so perfect.

  Through the walls, she heard the scraping of a chair, followed by the sound
of Alex’s footsteps. What was he thinking right now? Was he thinking of her? Did he regret saying good-night? Was he, like her, counting minutes until they’d see each other again?

  Dear Lord, she sounded like a smitten teenager. More proof tonight had to be a dream, because she’d never acted like that. Not even when she was a teenager. Surely, she’d wake up in the morning and reality would come crashing down. It always did.

  Except for this time. Come breakfast, Kelsey was still floating. In fact, she swore her feet didn’t touch the stairs as she headed downstairs.

  As it was normally her routine—although this morning felt anything but routine—she headed toward the office to check her e-mail. With all the activity yesterday, she hadn’t touched base with Stuart. The editor hated radio silence. Weekend, weekday, it didn’t make a difference. He no doubt flooded her inbox with requests for an update. Though she hadn’t looked, she bet her cell phone inbox was full too.

  Reaching the office, however, she paused. A soft, low voice drifted from the terrace. Looking out, she saw Alex, his back to her, his head focused on his lap.

  “You’re a mangy son-of-a-gun, you know that don’t you?” He spoke in a singsong voice, like what you’d use to address a child. The rhythm washed over her, making her smile. “A big fat mangy thing.”

  A flick of orange flashed by his elbow revealing his conversation partner. Where she’d been floating, she now tumbled, her insides turning in a weightless free fall. That he could be so sweet with a cat he supposedly didn’t like…

  “Careful,” she said, “he might get insulted.”

  Alex turned and flashed a brilliant smile. So brilliant Kelsey had to grab the door frame. To wake up to that smile every day. The thought popped into her head so quickly that for a second, her heart stilled. Surely she didn’t really think this could be something permanent, did she? She wasn’t a permanent person. Alex wasn’t either. Was he?

  “I don’t think he cares what I say as long as I rub his belly,” Alex said, still smiling. He looked back to his lap. “Unfortunately, pal, our moment is over.”

  He rose, the motion causing the cat to slide unceremoniously from his lap. “How about you?”

  “Are you asking if I want my belly rubbed?”

  “Mmm, interesting idea.” A sultry sparkle appeared in his eyes. The free fall inside her gathered momentum. Doubly so when he crossed the space and slipped his good arm around her waist. “However, I’ll settle for a good-morning kiss.”

  Their bodies molded together as if they’d never said good-night. “Now that,” Alex said when they finally broke for air, “is how a morning should start. Who needs coffee?”

  “Unfortunately I do,” she said with a smile. His kisses were as wonderful as she remembered. So wonderful she still couldn’t believe this—they—were real. “Once a caffeine addict, always a caffeine addict, I’m afraid.”

  “Cast aside for a cup of Italian roast. I should be insulted. Though I guess I can forgive you. This time.” He punctuated his answer with a kiss to her nose.

  “You’re so generous.”

  “Plus, I already had a cup.”

  “Cheater!” Kelsey gave his arm a playful slap, which he laughed off.

  “Tell you what. Why don’t we go get you a travel mug, refill mine, and have breakfast on the rocks? I feel like playing hooky today.”

  “You do, do you?”

  “Uh-huh. Think your boss will let you come play with me?”

  “I don’t know. He’s pretty tough.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll persuade him. I can be very persuasive when I try.”

  She’d been expecting him to release her so they could head to the kitchen, but he didn’t. Instead, he nuzzled the crook of her neck.

  “So I see,” she replied. He was nibbling a path across her skin, his nose nudging the strap of her yellow tank top. Kelsey arched her neck allowing him better access. Her fingers slipped up to tangle his dark curls. A soft moan left her lips.

  Alex swirled his tongue across the hollow above her collarbone. “That a yes?”

  Yes, yes, yes. Right now she’d say yes to everything.

  He gave her one more deep, toe-curling kiss before letting her go. “Good. Hold that thought. I’ll grab some breakfast and we’ll be on our way.”

  “Can I help?”

  “Nope. I’ve got everything under control. You can think of other things you might need persuading about. And you, pal—” he turned to Puddin’, who had reclaimed his spot on the abandoned chair and was waiting expectantly “—will have to find someone else to rub your belly. Kelsey and I have petting of our own to do.”

  Though outwardly she giggled, inside Kelsey shivered with excitement. Glancing up through her lashes, she whispered, “Can’t wait.”

  “Me neither.” He kissed her again and disappeared into the office.

  Too full of anticipation to simply wait, she headed into the office herself and fired up her laptop. Might as well do what she started and check in with Stuart before he started sending telegrams or something.

  Sure enough, there were close to a dozen messages from the man dating back over the past couple days. “Human grain of sand,” she murmured to herself. He could wear down the President of the United States. But it was his last message that caught her eye first. Marked urgent, the subject line read HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!! Intrigued, Kelsey clicked open the link.

  In a flash, her dream became a nightmare.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “BUT the biggest surprise of the evening was the reappearance of prize-winning novelist Alex Markoff, who let slip he’s working on his longawaited comeback novel. From the looks of things, the novel isn’t his only comeback.”

  Alex slapped the blog printout on his desk, his palm landing on the photo of them kissing during the concert. “How did they—?”

  “Camera phone most likely,” Kelsey replied. Unfortunately paparazzi technology had become more advanced during his hermitage.

  Upsetting as the photo was, however, it wasn’t nearly as disturbing as the blogger’s byline. Tom Forbes. Kelsey felt sick. “When I asked him what he did for a living, he said a little bit of everything. I swear, if I had known…”

  Alex wasn’t listening. He’d moved away from the deck over to the garden windows. Staring out at the tree line, he looked so worn down it hurt to look at him. “I should have known. What made me think the world—people—had changed.”

  The defeat in his voice killed her. She didn’t have to see his expression to know it was shrouded in darkness. He was folding into himself. Retreating.

  Kelsey’s stomach churned. She might as well have really crashed to earth, the change was so sudden and sharp. Only ten minutes ago they were in each other’s arms.

  Damn Tom Forbes for using them like that.

  You mean using you. God, what an idiot she’d been. The one thing Alex feared more than anything, and she led it straight to his doorstep.

  She made her way to the window and placed a hand on his shoulder. A pang stabbed her heart when he flinched. “I swear, Alex, I didn’t know. When he offered me the tickets, I thought—”

  “He gave you the tickets?”

  It was her turn to flinch, from both the harshness of his voice and the memory. It was supposed to show there were no hard feelings. A friendly gesture. “He set me up. He saw us at Farley’s and he set us up. I had no idea he would misuse our friendship for a story.”

  “People use people all the time.”

  “Including me?”

  He didn’t answer, which hurt more than if he had. “I don’t know what made me think the world would change. People are as miserable as they always were. Concerned only with their personal agendas, ready to sell you out at the first opportunity. You can’t trust anyone.”

  “You can trust me.”

  Again, no reply. He was slipping away with each passing moment, letting the betrayals of the past take over. She could feel the gulf widening and her words couldn’t reach
across the chasm. Reaching out, she tried one more time. “It’s one blog, Alex. One of a million. He’s probably got no more than a dozen readers.” But even as she offered her reassurance, she knew audience size wasn’t the point. This was about the betrayal. A return to the world he left five years ago where his wife used his fame, and his friends sold him out to the highest bidder. “I know you’re angry…”

  “Angry?” He shook his head. “I’m not angry. How can you be angry at reality?”

  “But it’s not reality. Not everyone has an agenda, Alex, or is out to use you.”

  “Really? Name one.”

  “Me.”

  He looked at the hand she placed on his shoulder, then to her eyes. “Then you’re the lone swimmer in a very cold ocean,” he replied. “Not to mention naïve. You, of all people, should know I’m right.”

  Because of her grandmother. But this was different. Surely he had to realize she wouldn’t hurt him. Except you already did. “Face it, Kelsey, the world is never going to change.” He shrugged off her touch. “I should never have thought otherwise. It was a mistake.”

  He was calling last night a mistake. Did that mean he considered her a mistake too?

  Alex had pulled away and was heading toward the door. “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “For a walk. I need to get out of here and get some fresh air.”

  “Good idea. Let’s go to the rocks and you can clear your head.”

  “No.”

  Kelsey stopped. He’d said the one word she feared he would say. “But you just said—”

  “I’m going alone. I need to be alone. The way I should have stayed in the first place.”

  Watching him disappear in the garden, Kelsey wondered if she’d ever feel this morning’s joy again.

  She should have realized a dream as good as this morning’s couldn’t last. By suppertime, she wondered if it ever existed. Alex still hadn’t returned from his “walk.” He was avoiding her. Kelsey sat in the great room, studying the garden. It was like the early summer all over again. Only this time Nuttingwood felt colder and more empty than ever. Not even the insistent presence of Puddin’ could dull the ache inside her.