by Kristi Gold
“I understand.” And she did to a point. Still, she couldn’t help but be concerned.
The doorbell rang, spurring Drew into action. He walked into the hallway with Kristina following behind him. She wished he didn’t have to go. Wished she had made him talk to her last night. But she hadn’t, and it would have to wait until he returned.
Opening the door, Drew handed his bags to a man in a dark suit who turned and headed to the black limousine parked at the curb. Awareness of the Connelly’s importance and wealth, namely Drew’s importance, was beginning to hit home for Kristina.
Drew turned and closed the door, sheltering them from the driver’s eyes, taking Kristina totally by surprise.
“I’ll be back on Thursday, but it won’t be until later,” he said. “I’ll stop by the office first.”
Kristina tried to smile, but it felt artificial. “Guess I’ll see you then.”
His smile came halfway. “Make sure Mandy doesn’t give you too much grief.”
“She’ll be fine. And one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you mind if I give her a few piano lessons? I won’t do it if you don’t—”
“That’s fine. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.”
Kristina smiled in earnest now. “We’ll both enjoy it.”
Drew studied her a long moment, his gaze lingering on her eyes then tracking to her mouth. She found herself hoping, just one more time before he left…
He brushed his lips over her cheek. “Take care. I’ll talk to you tonight.”
Not exactly what she’d had in mind, but she guessed it was better than nothing.
Drew turned toward the door, his hand braced on the knob. He hesitated, then turned back to her and, before she could prepare, took her in his arms and kissed her but good.
A deep, delving kiss. A meeting of lips and tongues and labored breaths. He held her close, made her want, made her desire to know how it would feel to let him lead her to the ultimate destination—lovemaking.
He abruptly ended the kiss then rushed away without so much as a goodbye. Kristina stared at the door long after it closed, totally enthralled, utterly confused and very close to falling completely for Drew Connelly, a man she was only beginning to understand.
Five
Drew had endured three days’ worth of business meetings, going through the motions with one thought on his mind—Kristina Simmons.
They had spoken every night by phone, conversations consisting of Mandy’s activities and small talk. One thing he had learned, Kristina Simmons had a wicked sense of humor. Many times they’d laughed together, yet Drew had sensed an underlying tension in what hadn’t been said.
He couldn’t count the times he’d almost told her how badly he’d missed her, how she had filled his dreams along with his waking hours. But he hadn’t bothered to tell her any of that, or the truth behind their meeting.
Now seated on the edge of the hotel bed wearing only a towel slung low on his hips, the remnants of his barely touched dinner on the table in the next room, he was still thinking about her, wanting her when he knew he shouldn’t.
So much for his plans to concoct some scheme to send her on her way. He was more uncertain now about what he wanted to do, though he knew soul deep what he needed to do. He needed to tell her everything and suffer the consequences of his deceit like a man.
He grabbed up the phone and pounded out his home number before he lost his nerve. Mandy picked up on the second ring.
“Hi, sweetheart. I thought I told you to let Kristina answer the phone.”
“I know, Daddy. She’s in the shower.”
That was all he needed, to picture Kristina naked while talking to his daughter. Not that he hadn’t thought about that a few minutes before when he was taking his own shower. “Can you have her call me?”
“Wait a minute, ’kay, Daddy?”
“Okay.”
The phone pounding the floor blasted his ear, but fortunately not badly enough to render him deaf. He heard the shuffle of feet followed by Kristina’s mellow voice.
The phone clanked again. “She’s out now, Daddy, and she said hang on.”
He was hanging on, barely. “Are you being a good girl?”
“Uh-huh. Kristina taught me some piano and she read me Little House on the Prairie. Debbie wouldn’t read that to me.”
“Sorry about that, sweetheart, but at least now you have Kristina.” For the time being. “You haven’t been on the computer, have you?”
“For a little while, but Kristina was with me. We went one place and learned how they make syrup.”
A definite switch from the last time Mandy had encountered the Internet with his grandmother, learning how to find a husband. And finding Kristina.
“Nana Lilly called today.”
Speak of the little devil herself. “What did she want?”
“To talk to Kristina.”
Great. “About what?”
“I dunno. You told me not to listen when people are on the phone.”
For once he’d wished Amanda had disobeyed his orders. He could only guess at what Lilly had told Kristina, but at the moment he didn’t even want to try.
“Here’s Kristina, Daddy.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Go to bed. It’s late. I love you, kiddo.”
“Love you, too, Daddy.”
“Hi, Drew. Wait just a sec.” Kristina gave the directive to his daughter to go on up to bed, then came another exchange of “I love yous,” followed by the sound of an exaggerated kiss and a few giggles.
“Okay, I’m back.” She sounded winded, but then so was Drew over hearing her voice.
He cleared the hitch from his throat. “How’s it going?”
“Fine, except for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Tara stopped by today looking for you.”
Drew felt badly that he hadn’t spoken to his sister in a while. He held a certain affinity with Tara since she, too, had lost her spouse through death, leaving her with a small son to raise on her own. “Did she need something in particular?”
“She’s received some strange phone calls and thinks someone may be following her.”
Drew stifled an oath. Now that Tara was finally involved with someone, she certainly didn’t need anything that might interfere with her hard-earned happiness. Come to think of it, she didn’t seem all that happy with John Parker. But the guy could offer Tara and her son some much-needed stability. However, Drew wasn’t sure what John Parker could offer in regard to Tara’s safety since he wasn’t exactly the superhero type. “Is Tara okay otherwise?”
“Nervous, but as well as can be expected. She thinks she might be imagining things because of the attempt on Daniel’s life, but I gave her the detectives’ numbers and told her to call them, just to be on the safe side.”
“Good advice.” Something suddenly occurred to Drew. “She doesn’t think anyone followed her to the house, does she?”
“I asked her that, but she said she didn’t think so. Besides, your guards are staying very close by. I’m not worried about us, but I am concerned about her.”
Drew was concerned about all of them. He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone hurting his family, least of all Amanda, or Kristina. “Thanks for handling it, even if it is nothing.”
Drew hesitated a moment, worried that Tara might have revealed details about Talia’s death, something Drew didn’t want Kristina hearing from anyone but him, if he decided to dredge that up. “So what did you two talk about?” he asked.
“Nothing much since she had to get back to her son. She did tell me that she’s heard a lot of good things about me, and hoped that we would have more time to spend together later. Your grandmother said the same.”
He wondered what else Lilly had said. Might as well ask since the opportunity had presented itself. “I hope Grandmother didn’t embarrass you.”
“Not at all. She was very kind. Basically she wanted to welc
ome me to the family. She also told me that she looked forward to meeting me this weekend. Do you know what that’s about?”
He’d totally forgotten about the little lake reunion. “I’ve been meaning to tell you about that. I have a cabin on Lake Geneva not too far from the family house. Brett and I built it a few years back. I planned to take you and Mandy there for the weekend.”
“Oh, Drew, that sounds wonderful. I’ve been to Lake Geneva, but it was ages ago. It’s a beautiful place. I can’t wait.”
Drew suddenly decided he couldn’t lower the boom over the phone about the e-mails. That would be cowardly, to say the least. He’d have to do it after the weekend, when he had her face-to-face. Another few days shouldn’t matter.
“Just so you’re prepared, my family will be there,” he said.
“All of them?”
Man, he hoped not. “Not likely, but I’m not sure how many since my mother is making the arrangements. I do know Brett won’t be there. Since he and his wife, Elena, are about to have their first baby in a few weeks, they’ve decided to stick close to home.”
“That’s right. You told me that.”
In the e-mails, he assumed.
“Anyway, I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine.” In fact, he’d take that to the bank. He imagined his whole family would welcome Kristina with open arms once they got to know her. She was every mother’s dream, the ideal mate, the perfect prospect to be Mandy’s mother. What wasn’t to like? Drew couldn’t think of one thing.
“Drew, I have to ask you something.” She sounded way too serious, and Drew pretty much knew what would come next.
“Ask away.”
“What’s going on with us?”
“What do you mean?” He knew exactly what she meant.
“Well, you barely spoke to me the day before you left, but for the past few days you’ve been very attentive. And that morning, at the door, you…”
“Kissed you?”
“Yes. You kissed me.” Her voice had a breathy quality about it. Soft, sexy, seriously seductive. His entire body came to life, every nerve and muscle. Every component, especially the one below the towel.
“I’m getting mixed signals,” she continued, “and I’d like to know where I stand.”
“Honestly?” he asked, wondering if maybe he should tell her what he should’ve told her days ago, before things had gone so far. Before he’d kissed her, held her, touched her.
“I think the truth works best,” she said.
What was the truth exactly? That he wanted her out of his life, or that he wanted her with everything in him? Right now, he could only consider one truth.
“The truth is that I can’t keep my hands off you. I avoided you on Sunday because I knew that if I got too close to you, I’d wind up kissing you again, maybe even carrying you to my bed.”
“That would have been a feat,” she teased.
“I’m serious, Kristina. I didn’t want to do that with my daughter in the house.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I don’t think you do see.” Yanking the towel away, he slipped under the sheets and rested his free hand on his belly, imagining Kristina’s hand there and lower.
“All I’ve been able to think about is you,” he admitted, shocked at how easily the words left his mouth. “I enjoy talking to you. I look forward to our phone calls. I look forward to being with you again. Kissing you again. Holding you in every way.”
Her breath caught. “Really?”
“But I know how you feel about making love before we’re ready, and I respect that. I’m not saying that I like it, but I plan to honor your wishes.”
“Actually, I’ve been considering something, too.”
That it would be a cold day in hell before she got in his bed, he decided. “What?”
“I’m beginning to feel closer to you, too. So maybe we’ll be ready sooner than we think.”
At the moment, Drew was more than ready. He closed his eyes and saw only her, imagined her beside him. Beneath him. “I wish you were here now,” he said.
“That would be nice.”
His ensuing laugh held no humor. “What I’m thinking isn’t nice at all.”
“Just what are you thinking, Drew Connelly?” Her voice was a mix of amusement and challenge.
“I’m thinking that if you were here, I’d have you in this bed with me so we could go camping.”
“Would you care to explain that?”
“There’s a pup tent under the sheets.”
She released a soft laugh. “Oh, so that’s my fault, is it?”
“You’ve got that right. Just listening to your voice makes me hard as a boulder.” He’d probably gone too far with that revelation, but surprisingly, she laughed again.
“I’m so sorry you’re in such a predicament, Mr. Connelly. I’m also sorry I can’t help you out with that.”
So was he, aching with remorse. “You could help me out.”
“Drew, you’re not proposing phone sex, are you?”
“Computer sex? I have my laptop.”
“I’m afraid I’m a little too inhibited for that.”
“I’m kidding, Kristina. When this happens between us, I want you with me. I want to be able to see you when I touch you. I want to see you the moment you go over the edge, and babe, I plan to take you there.”
“Wow.”
Wow was right, and a definite understatement. If Drew didn’t stop now, he was in danger of disregarding his business and hopping the next plane to take care of other more pressing business.
“Until that time,” he said, “I’ll just have to live with my fantasies.” And the tent.
“That goes both ways,” she said followed by a long sigh.
“Sweet dreams, Kristina. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“I’ll be here.”
With that she hung up, leaving Drew alone with his desire along with a heady excitement brought about by the fact she would be waiting for him when he returned home.
It also brought on some heavy apprehension, fear of the feelings for Kristina that had begun to creep to the surface, up past the emotional armor. Fear that he might not be able to live up to her expectations.
But for the first time in five sorry years, he felt truly alive, thanks to Kristina Simmons.
It suddenly occurred to him that his mind had somehow started to change, along with his plans. Maybe he should give the relationship his best shot. Maybe he could open himself up to all the possibilities, try to work through the many mistakes he’d made with Talia and not repeat them with Kristina. What did he have to lose?
He knew the answer to that. Once Kristina learned the truth about how the engagement came to be, he could very well lose her.
Eventually he would have to tell her the honest-to-God truth, after he had proved to her, and to himself, that he could perhaps be the man she needed.
“He’s here, Kristina!” Mandy hurried away from the window and joined Kristina on the piano bench.
Kristina couldn’t halt the thrill over knowing Drew was about to walk through the door after four days. He’d called a half hour ago to tell them he’d be stopping by to pick up his own car and to say hello before heading to the office. He wouldn’t be home for very long, but the prospect of spending ten minutes in his presence had Kristina reeling from anticipation.
Their conversation the night before, when Drew had promised pleasure, made Kristina suddenly impatient to be alone with him again. Yet with Mandy in the house, she doubted that would happen any time soon.
It might, this weekend, in the woods. Heavens, she was definitely becoming a naughty girl, thanks to Mr. Connelly.
But right now she had to concentrate on Mandy and her surprise. “Are you ready, honey?”
Amanda gave a definite nod of her head and placed her tiny fingers on the keys. “I’m ready, Freddy.”
“Okay. I think I just heard the door open.”
“I’m home, you two,” Drew called out, his
deep voice echoing in the foyer beyond the room.
“We’re in the piano room, Daddy!” Mandy called back.
The sound of approaching footsteps caused Mandy to start squirming. Kristina couldn’t blame her. She wanted to squirm, too. Instead, she counted in eight-time, signaling Mandy to begin playing the moment Drew walked in.
Maybe it wasn’t the greatest rendition of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but you couldn’t tell that from the look of pride on Drew’s face. Yet the pride was soon replaced by a hint of sorrow, brought on by memories of his wife, Kristina assumed.
That in itself could keep Drew from making a real commitment to her. Perhaps he only wanted her for the sex, something she would have to think about later, after he left once again. She couldn’t think at all with him standing there, looking so darned handsome she considered throwing herself into his arms.
When Mandy stopped playing, Drew approached and braced one hip against the piano. “That was awesome, Mandy.”
Amanda beamed like the crystal chandelier hanging above them. “You liked it, Daddy?”
He walked behind Mandy and pulled her off the bench, then up into his arms. “I loved it.”
When Mandy wrapped her arms around Drew’s neck, he looked at Kristina over Mandy’s head. “Thanks. This was a great surprise.”
After he settled Mandy back on her feet, she stared up at him, grinning ear to ear. “What did you get me, Daddy?”
“It’s in the hall. Blue sack.”
Mandy sprinted out of the room as fast as her little feet would allow her.
An awkward silence hung over the room while Kristina waited for Drew to do something, say something. Finally he held out his hand for her to take. She rose and walked easily into his arms despite her earlier concerns. He hugged her tightly, unearthing more hope from deep within her. Maybe he had missed her as much as she’d missed him.
Pulling back, he settled his gaze on her eyes. “You think you could manage a welcome-home kiss for this weary traveler?”
