by Celya Bowers
“Accompanying you to the library.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
He took a bite of his quiche and nodded. “That’s true.”
“I’ve been to the library before. I don’t need company,” she said. “Besides, you’ll just distract me.”
“I promise to be good.”
“Why would you want to go?”
His blue eyes met hers when he spoke. “Because, as I stated last night, I want to spend time with you. I realized your time is limited, so for now, I’ll take what I can get. If that means accompanying you to the library, I’ll do that.”
* * *
A few hours later, Finn thought he deserved a gold star for going to the library with Kayleigh. Now he was looking for a little compensation for all his good behavior.
She had invited him back to her place, hinting at that very thing. He followed her inside and waited as she fixed coffee. He glanced around her small living room, noting the pictures hanging on her wall. Several pictures were of Manny and Harley. He also noted several of her parents, most likely. He didn’t see any of her.
“Why aren’t there pictures of you?” he asked when she entered the room with a tray. He walked back to the couch.
She sat down and offered him a cup of coffee. “I don’t know. I guess I never really thought about it.”
He took a sip of the coffee. It was flavored. “Is this hazelnut?”
“Yes, it’s my favorite.” She glanced quickly at the tray. “I think I might have some regular in the kitchen. My dad hated flavored coffee. He thought it was too girly. So I usually made both.”
“It tastes fine,” he lied. Finn was not a fan of flavored coffee, but he’d ask for his with whipped cream on top, if he thought it would get him brownie points with her.
She smiled, instantly relaxing. “Thank you for going to the library with me. And for brunch. I love going to Hildalgo’s.”
Finn was ready for level two, but didn’t know how Kayleigh would feel about that. He leaned back and studied her. “How are your classes going?”
“Pretty good. There’s only eight more weeks to go. I hope I can make it through without any problems.”
He had a strange feeling she wasn’t talking about college. “I’m sure you’ll make it through just fine. If I can help you, just ask. I can write some pretty good legal agreements, so an English paper can’t be that different.”
“That’s very nice of you, Finn. Let me see how much I can get done on my own first.”
At least it was something. “Just let me know,” he said, backing off. He didn’t want to smother her and have her running off in another direction.
He watched her yawn for at least the third time and realized she was probably tired. “I’d better get going. I have an early client in the morning.” He rose. “I had a nice time today.”
She stood. “Me, too.”
In his original plan, he’d only intended to kiss her lightly on the lips for a chaste end to their evening together. Something happened the minute his lips touched hers. He felt the familiar tingle and tried to fight it. As she joined him in the tender exchange, he was fading fast. He tried to ignore every instinct in his body telling him to pull her closer to him and let the passion take over.
“Finn,” Kayleigh whispered against his lips. “Finn.”
His hands rested on her waist and pulled her closer to him. “What?” But he already knew. It was too fast. He pulled back and set her apart from him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get out of control.”
Her brown eyes were as dazed as he felt. He was hard as cement and every nerve in his body was telling he needed to stay and make love to her, but he was going to have to leave.
She licked her lips. “It’s okay. You’re an awesome kisser. I feel all warm inside. You’re going to be trouble. You make me want to forget about my paper, but I can’t.”
CHAPTER 9
Finn yawned as he walked into the Fitness HQ gym. He stayed up too late thinking about Kayleigh, and it was just too damn early on a Monday morning.
He was hanging up his clothes when Brendan sauntered in. “Man, you look a mess. You stayed the night, I take it?”
Finn shook his head and closed his locker. “No, I didn’t. I actually made it back home about eight last night.”
“No penetration?” Brendan hung up his business suit in the locker. “Man, it’s like the third date.”
Finn took out his racquetball racquet and started taking practice swings. “You know, you’ve been married over ten years. Why are you so preoccupied with sex?”
“You were married once, you know how they get,” Brendan said. “It’s nice to live vicariously through your sex life. But lately it’s been a lack thereof. This Kayleigh person seems like she’s got you rethinking that whole ‘I’m-through-with-women’ thing.”
Kayleigh had him thinking of a whole lot more. “Yeah, that she does. But she has a lot on her plate, so dates are kind of hard to come by.”
The men began walking to the racquetball court. Brendan sighed. “The name of the game is to tell her how busy you are. You’re a freaking millionaire, for goodness sake. Women fall at your feet every day. She’s supposed to change her life for you, not the other way around.”
Brendan was a good friend, but sometimes he had tunnel vision about women and sex. “Well this case is different. Besides, she’s Ted Collins’s goddaughter. So I have to tread lightly. Any misstep and I’m sure she’ll head straight to Ted.”
Brendan opened the door to the court and motioned for Finn to precede him inside. “Yeah, Ted makes your cash look like pennies, and he could mess you up.”
Finn took the balls out of his pocket and started to practice, hitting them against the wall. “You don’t have to tell me. I was thinking about inviting her to lunch today.”
Brendan hit a ball back to Finn. “Wow, man. Slow down. Give the girl some room. In twenty-four hours, you’ve had three dates with her. She needs time to miss you. What is with you, Finn?”
Finn shrugged. But he knew exactly what was with him. He wanted Kayleigh and wouldn’t be satisfied until he had her.
Brendan laughed. “It’s okay, Finn. I know that feeling of fear. You don’t know whether this could be real, or if it’s your libido talking.”
Finn nodded. He hated to admit he’d never had feelings like this for his first wife. “I didn’t feel this way when I met Connie. Kayleigh’s got me doing things I swore I’d never do for a woman.”
Brendan nodded for him to serve the ball. “Finn, I know your marriage with Connie wasn’t about love. You thought it was time to marry, so you did. And it crumpled like a house of sticks. Now, I’m not saying you gotta marry this girl, but at least she’s got you gunning your engine. Now serve the damn ball.”
Finn laughed. Brendan, in his own twisted way, made sense. So Finn slammed the ball against the wall and they began to play.
* * *
Kayleigh walked into the office building, half expecting to see Finn in the lobby. She didn’t. Instead, she saw Harley barreling toward her like a tornado. They met at the elevator.
“Well, how was he?” Harley repositioned her briefcase and purse. “I tried to call you last night a couple of times, but got no answer.” They stepped into the crowded elevator.
Kayleigh yawned. “Sorry. When he finally left, it was almost eight. I was so tired I went to bed and didn’t wake up until this morning.”
Harley’s blue eyes narrowed. “You do look tired. Maybe you should call the doctor?”
“No. It’s probably because I was so busy this weekend. I’m sure I’ll catch up on my sleep in a few days.”
“Not.” Harley held up her hand. “I know. I’m getting up in your business, but you gotta take care of yourself. I don’t want to relive the other week ever again. I was so scared when you wouldn’t wake up.”
Kayleigh had known Harley for over three years and they’d been close friends since starting to work together. Harley was
never scared. Overprotective, yes, nosy, yes, but scared, never. “I’m sorry, Harley. I scared me, too. I’m being careful.”
The elevator door opened and they stepped out and headed for their office. “Since you and Mr. Hottie are keeping company so much, are you going to tell him about the lupus?”
Kayleigh had thought of sharing the information with Finn, but decided against it. “There’s not anything to tell right now. Besides, he might run like a scared rabbit if I tell him.”
“I knew it,” Harley said. “You like him! You’re afraid to tell him you’re sick. You like him.”
Some days she really hated Harley. “I don’t like him. Not like you think. He’s just full of surprises.”
“I bet he is,” Harley said wistfully. “He’s a romantic’s wet dream, and he’s being wasted on a cynic like you.”
They entered the office. “I thought you wanted me to date.” She took a seat at her desk and turned on her computer.
Hayley placed her briefcase on her desk. “You know I do. I also want you to enjoy life. Everything isn’t about school. I know you want to get your degree, I want mine, too, but you have to start taking it easy or you’re going to fall asleep on Finn.”
She doubted that was very unlikely. Every time she was alone with the man, her body was on full alert and begged to be fulfilled. “Not likely.”
“Good morning, ladies,” Ahmed, the idiot, said as he stood over Kayleigh. “It’s so nice to see you here on time.” He glanced at her phone. “You already have messages? I hope it’s not the East Coast office needing invoices.” He slithered back to his office.
“I feel like I need a shower whenever I’m near that man,” Kayleigh said. “I noticed he didn’t say one word to you. You’re his assistant.”
Harley shrugged. “I know. He knows I’m auditing his reports.”
“What?”
“Per the corporate office. He keeps asking me if I’m finished, because he wants to see them before I send them to New York.”
That was highly unethical. “You’re not going to do that, are you?”
“Heck no. Ben would kill me. You would kill me.”
“You got that right.”
* * *
Three days after her brunch date with Finn, Kayleigh was still tired. Thank goodness it was Wednesday and the weekend was only two days away. She was going to sleep all day Saturday.
She glanced at the wall clock. It was a few minutes until lunch time. She and Harley were heading to their favorite deli and Manny was meeting them there.
“Kayleigh, you look exhausted. Pretty, but exhausted,” Harley commented as they crossed the busy street.
“I am exhausted. Finn called last night. We talked until two this morning.”
“What?” Harley stopped in front of her. “Details. You’re not supposed to keep details like that from me.”
“I know. I was saving it for lunch. I wasn’t expecting him to call, and I really wasn’t expecting us to talk on the phone so late.”
“So what did you guys talk about?”
“My classes, his work schedule. His prior marriage. Lots of stuff.”
“Did you tell him about your lupus?”
She’d been tempted. “No. It’s not the right time.”
“So when was he married? Why did she let a prize like that walk away?”
“I don’t know. It didn’t sound like a happy marriage.” Kayleigh resumed walking to the deli. “It sounded practical, and as if it lacked spontaneity.”
They entered the long line at the deli. “But you like practical. You live for it.”
“Not when it comes to love, romance and marriage. It should be like a thief. You should never see it coming, and it should knock you on your ass.”
Harley laughed. “Well, I don’t think I’ve heard it described quite like that. So you liken love to getting robbed. That’s different.”
After they gave their order and found a table, Manny walked inside and joined them. He kissed both women on the cheek.
“Hey, Kayleigh, Harley. What’s the update?” He sat down in the vacant chair.
Before Kayleigh could tell him, Harley quickly informed Manny of the late-night phone call. Manny winked at her. “I’m happy for you, honey.”
“There’s nothing to be happy for,” Kayleigh said. “I’m sure he’s very busy today.”
“Are you sure about that?” Harley took a sip of tea. “I think I see Mr. Hottie crossing the street with a sexy blonde right now.”
Every fiber in her soul told her not to look. But since her back was facing the window, she had few options. Her willpower hadn’t lasted long. She turned around and knew she’d been had. “You guys are just awful.”
Both Harley and Manny were laughing. “Made you look,” Harley said between her giggles. “I didn’t lie. That guy is a sexy blond. Your jealousy just took over your practical mind.”
Manny nudge Harley. “Oh, she gave you the practical speech?”
“Yes. What a load of crap.”
Kayleigh shook her head. “I don’t know why I stay friends with you two.”
“Because we’d miss things like this,” Manny drawled.
Finn walked inside the deli and headed straight to Kayleigh. “Hey you,” he said, smiling. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I called you earlier to see if you were free for lunch, but you’d already left. Kayleigh Hardy, this is Julian Brasselton, a client. Jules, this is my friend, Kayleigh.”
Julian shook Kayleigh’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Kayleigh. You’re every bit as beautiful as Finn said. Too bad he saw you first.”
Kayleigh smiled. It was a nice lie. “Nice to meet you, Julian. These are my friends, Manny Garcia and Harley Harris. You guys want to sit down?”
Finn was about to answer when his cell phone rang. His blue eyes met Kayleigh’s and smiled. “Want to answer?”
She remembered the scene at the restaurant. “No, thank you.”
He answered the phone, had a brief conversation and ended his call. “Looks like we can’t stay. We’ll have to get it to go.” He looked at her pointedly. “Talk to you later?”
A delicious shiver cascaded down her dormant body as the question hit home. “Yes.”
“Good.”
CHAPTER 10
Finn walked into his office knowing that he was in deep trouble. He’d just broken his own rules. Never kiss a woman in public, and never, never kiss said woman in front of a client. He’d done both. What was he thinking?
“I thought you and Jules were going to eat at the deli. You know, for some fresh air?” Sarah reminded him.
“Harry Benton called.” He didn’t have to elaborate. Harry was one of Fort Worth’s wealthiest men and Finn’s biggest client. “He’s in trouble.”
Sarah rolled her blue eyes toward the ceiling. “Don’t tell me that great stock tip you advised him against didn’t pan out.”
Finn nodded. “Jules decided to leave before he got here. He’ll come back tomorrow. Block off two hours for lunch tomorrow.”
“What about your meeting with the Junior Achievers?”
He muttered a curse. “Forgot. Okay, call Jules and see if tonight is good. We can have dinner.”
“I know he’d rather let you cook something for him than go to a restaurant.”
Finn sighed. As much as he enjoyed cooking, he wasn’t feeling it at the moment. “Not tonight, we’ll have to order in. And order some movie tickets for the Junior Achievers.”
She shook her head. “You’re spoiling those monsters. I bet you’re their only sponsor who always brings gifts to every meeting.”
He didn’t doubt that for one moment. But he believed in rewarding good behavior. “You have to invest in their future,” he told her.
“What about your future?” Sarah rose and walked toward him. “When is this sabbatical from women going to be over? Do you have any idea how many women call here every day?”
“My future is just fine.” Instantly, Kayleig
h’s pretty face popped into his head. “Thank you for screening the calls.”
“I take it the sabbatical continues.”
“In a matter of speaking, yes. When Harry comes in send him back,” Finn said and smiled. He walked down the hall to his office.
* * *
“Finn, you gotta get me out of this mess,” Harry said as he rushed into the office. “I already lost a million!”
“Let’s see what kind of damage has been done,” Finn said. “Have you pulled the rest of the money out?”
“Yes. How can I recoup what I lost?”
You should have listened to me in the first damn place, Finn thought. He turned on his computer and searched the stock exchange website for information. “When did you pull your money out?”
Harry ran a hand through his thinning hair. “This morning. The broker kept yammering something about it had to go down before it could go up. But it had dropped thirty-five points in two days.”
He half-heard Harry’s saga as he researched the failing electronics company. Flower Bug Electronics stock points were falling faster than hail in Texas. He had cautioned Harry about the new company. Finn had even gone so far as to refuse to buy the stock for him. But when Harry Benton wanted something, he got it. Another broker bought the stock for Harry.
“You know about the CEO?”
“What?”
“According to the Internet, he was on the CNN and admitted the company hadn’t tested all the high-definition televisions. They reportedly emit some kind of harmful rays that are rumored to cause cancer.”
Harry groaned.
“Look at this way, Harry. You lost a million, but it could have been worse.” The old billionaire could stand to lose several million and not even feel it.
“Yeah, my name could be on the idiot’s list for investing with that moron. Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I told you it sounded shaky and I couldn’t verify any of the prospectus information.”
“I know you were trying to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. He was guaranteeing a 200 percent return.”
“Any broker worth his weight in T-bills wouldn’t guarantee you anything. I don’t guarantee squat, because we’re dealing the stock market and this is a volatile economy. Make sure he gives you certified funds when he returns your money.”
