by Celya Bowers
“But what about the money I lost?”
“It’s gone, Harry.”
“But, Finn—”
“There’s no but, Harry. You went with another broker and you lost money. Let it go.”
“I guess it’s the businessman in me, hating to admit failure. I just feel like someone should have to pay for this.”
“Someone is paying for this. You. You jumped on what you thought was a hot stock tip and it backfired. Now you’re paying the price.”
Harry gave one of his martyr sighs and rose. “All right, Finn. I’ll get my money back from him and let you work your magic, as always.” He left the office.
After he was sure Harry was out of the office, Finn made notes on Harry’s account. After a few minutes, Sarah made an appearance in the doorway. “You know he was muttering when he left the office. He looked like those people that go nuts and then kill everyone.”
He laughed. “Harry’s pissed, but he’s not crazy. He wants someone to pay because he made a bad business deal.” He leaned back in his chair. “Once he calms down, he’ll be fine. Do you know who brokered that deal? Harry never gave me details, but I want to at least make sure he’s licensed.”
“No, but Hannah probably would. She’d even tried to talk him out of it.” Hannah had been Harry’s wife number two.
Finn didn’t like the sound of that. Why was one of the richest men in Texas running after hot stock tips, anyway? It wasn’t like Harry was destitute. “Run an analysis on Harry for me.”
“Sure thing.” Sarah went back to her desk to complete her task.
Finn wanted all his bases covered just in case Harry didn’t calm down. He’d worked too hard to get Callahan Consulting off the ground, and he’d protect it with his dying breath.
* * *
Later that night, Finn just wanted to hear a friendly voice. After such a draining afternoon with Harry and long business meeting with Jules, he needed to hear Kayleigh’s soft voice. He dialed her home number and waited for her to pick up, but after five rings, he gave up.
Oh, well, the end to a perfectly rotten day. She was probably out with Manny anyway. Finn walked to the bar to fix a glass of relaxation when the phone rang. He hoped it wasn’t a family emergency. “Mom?”
“No, it’s not your mother,” Kayleigh said. “Did you just call me? I was just getting out of the shower.”
Now that was a visual he could deal with. He easily imagined her sleek body, glistening with water. “Yes, I called. I just wanted to talk. But I can call back.”
“I can talk to you and put moisturizer on my body at the same time,” she said.
He hoped so. His lusty brain buzzed with the possibilities. “I had a bitch of a day and wanted to hear a friendly voice.”
“I’m sorry you had such a bad day. Was it the man with the white hair and gray suit?”
She’d described Harry to the last detail of his traditional attire. “Yeah, how did you know?”
“He threw people off the elevator so that he could get on. He was like ‘don’t you know who I am, I’m worth more than you’ll ever earn.’ By the time security got there, he was gone. I knew he wasn’t coming to our office. The floors above ours are your firm and the adoption agency. I figured it was about money, not a child.”
“Right as rain,” he said. “Yes, he was a dissatisfied client.”
“I know you can’t discuss it and I wouldn’t ask you to, but that guy was a piece of work.”
“Are you always right about people?”
“Usually.”
“What do you think about me?” He was treading on thin ice and he knew it. Sometimes, you just had to take a risk.
“I don’t know you yet. You’re a great kisser, though.”
No mention of his wealth, his status in the community, or how many degrees he held. “Well, at least you’re honest.”
“I try to be.”
He wanted to know more about her. He wanted her to know more about him. He wanted her. “What are you doing this Friday?”
“I’m going to Manny’s fiesta.”
He was going to have to kill Manny. Okay, that was harsh, but he was definitely going to have to do something about the model and get him out of the picture.
“Why don’t you come?”
“I don’t think I’ve been to a fiesta.” He’d had visions of getting her alone and stating his case for upping the bar in their relationship, or whatever they had going.
“It’s fun. Manny throws a big party every year. His family, friends and some models come to it. It’s great.”
He saw the handwriting on the wall. “Okay, you got a date. What time shall I pick you up?” He waited for her adamant refusal that it wasn’t a date.
“Seven.”
He knew better than to force his hand, but he had to try to get some alone time with her. “How about dinner Saturday night at Branchetta’s?”
“Oh, the premier steak place,” she cooed. “I haven’t had a good steak in a while.”
He smiled at her playful tone. “Good.”
“Finn?”
It sounded like a precursor to the dreaded words “We need to talk.” “What is it, Kayleigh?”
“Why do you want to date me?”
Talk about a loaded question. “I think you’re very interesting. You’re not afraid to speak your mind, and you’re beautiful.”
“But you have your pick of women. Why me?”
“Why not you?”
“I’m not in your league.”
“I’m a man. You’re a woman. I don’t have a league. Is the color thing bothering you? It doesn’t matter to me. You could be purple and I’d still want to date you.”
“What if I were sick?”
“I don’t know. I guess it would depend on how sick.”
“Oh.”
“Are you sick?”
“Of course not. I was just fishing,” she said. “You passed.”
He breathed easy. An illness was the one complication he couldn’t deal with at the moment. “So I can ask you hypothetical situations and grade you on your answers?”
“If I couldn’t take it, I certainly wouldn’t dish it out. Give me your best shot.”
Of course, she was a little too confident. He decided, it was time. “Okay, Kayleigh, what would you do if I said I wanted more?”
“More what?”
He liked the way her voice rose an octave or two. “More time alone together. Instead of going to Branchetta’s, how about I take you to the best steakhouse in Arlington and we can work on my hypothetical situation.”
“W-where is this place?”
He’d sprung his trap and it looked like it was going to work. “It’s a surprise. Don’t you trust me?”
“You’re still a man. It doesn’t matter how much I trust you, you’re going to mess it up. But I feel you have more to lose than I do, so I feel relatively safe in your company.”
It wasn’t a glowing accolade, but he’d take what he could get. “So Saturday night I’ll pick you about six.”
“Six? That seems early.”
“This is about me building up my trust factor with you. I’ll see you Friday at seven and Saturday at sex.”
“I hope you mean six, right?” Kayleigh laughed. “If you meant sex, then somebody thinks very highly of themselves.”
Did he really utter his lusty thoughts? Was he really so far gone that his inner voice had taken over his mind, body and mouth? “I meant I’ll pick you at six.”
CHAPTER 11
“You invited Mr. Hottie to Manny’s party?” Harley said as they entered the elevator.
Kayleigh yawned. “Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
Harley narrowed her blue eyes at Kayleigh. “You invited a very conservative man to a loud, boisterous party. He’s going to freak the minute he walks into the place.”
“Really? I wouldn’t want him to feel out of place.”
Harley gasped. “Oh, that’s just so wrong! You invited
him on purpose.”
“He always seems too prepared. No matter what I spring on him, he’s ready for it. For once, I’d like to catch him off guard.”
“You’ve known him exactly three weeks. You don’t know him yet.”
“I know, but still.”
The elevator doors opened and they walked out. Harley looked at her. “So have you told him yet?”
“Sort of, but I didn’t like his answer. So I changed the subject.”
“Sort of means you hedged. And by the way, Kayleigh, when are you going back to the doctor?”
There was no use trying to pretend she wasn’t feeling her best. “Monday. I’ve been dragging since last weekend. And this weekend I have another date with Finn.”
“What?”
“We’re going out Saturday night.”
“Yummy.”
“Harley, would you stop? One crisis at a time.”
“Hey, you know this is the third date.”
Like she hadn’t thought of that. “So?”
Harley smirked. “Are you going to put out?”
“No.” Kayleigh hoped she could keep that pledge. “He did mention something about some alone time.”
“Uh-oh,” Harley said. “Somebody is going to get laid,” she sing-songed. They headed for the lobby door and out onto the street.
“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer. Where do you want to eat?”
“Let’s go to Alistair’s. I’m in the mood for some pub food.”
“Lead the way,” Kayleigh said. “I think I’m going to eat some fish and chips.”
As they headed down the street, Harley cleared her throat. “You’re on the pill, right?”
“No. I haven’t taken them since I dated Manny.”
“You hadn’t had sex in two years!”
“Why don’t you say it just a little louder? I’m sure someone in Cowtown Square down the street didn’t hear you.”
Harley apologized. “Sorry, Kayleigh, but you have to admit that’s a long time. Even for you.”
“You know I’m not into casual sex. It has to mean something to me. I’m not saying that it won’t happen with Finn, I just don’t think it’ll happen this weekend.”
* * *
Okay, her idea wasn’t working as well as she thought it should. She and Finn arrived at Manny’s party and it was already in full swing. Manny met them at the entrance.
“Girl, my grandmother has been hounding me for the last hour!” He grabbed her hand and dragged her across the large room. “Manny, I can’t leave Finn.”
“I’m right behind you,” he said dryly. “You don’t think I’m going to let him drag you off without me following, do you?”
“That’s good to know,” she said. “It shouldn’t take long.”
They arrived at Manny’s grandmother. The older woman was sitting in a chair surrounded by her daughters and granddaughters. Kayleigh hugged the elderly woman. “Hello, MaMa.” She hugged her. “You’re looking very well. How have you been feeling?”
“Where have you been? You haven’t been to see me.” She glanced in Finn’s direction. “New man?”
Kayleigh smiled. “Friend. This is Finn Callahan. Finn, this is Manny’s grandmother, Rosa Gonzales.”
“Everybody calls me MaMa.”
Kayleigh might have gotten her wish. She saw Finn’s nervousness. He cleared his throat. “Glad to meet you, MaMa. You remind me of my grandmother in Ireland.”
MaMa’s brown eyes lit up. “Ireland? My amiga Hannah is from there. Good people. Now, what about Kayleigh?”
“Excuse me?” both Kayleigh and Finn asked.
“Don’t you try that nonsense with me!” she warned Finn. “I see the way you look at my grandson. He’s not your problem. He’s got a roaming eye, like his papa.”
She felt Finn’s hand sneak around her waist and hold her tight. “Thank you, MaMa.” He planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “Best news I’ve heard today.”
* * *
Harley and Ben met Kayleigh and Finn as they joined the long line of people at the buffet table. She hugged Harley and Ben. “You guys remember, Finn.”
Harley’s blue eyes twinkled. “Of course we remember him. Not as good as you, but all the same. Nice to see you again, Finn.”
He chuckled and moved closer to Kayleigh. “Nice to see you both again.”
Kayleigh, however, wanted to strangle all parties involved with the conversation. Whatever advantage she’d hoped to get over Finn was dwindling fast. MaMa, who was known for making any outsider quake in their sandals, welcomed Finn with open arms. Like her mother used to say, the best-laid plans often head straight to the dumper. Every time she thought she put him in an awkward position, he’d emerged smelling like a rose.
He whispered something undetectable in her ear. The sensations of his tongue against her skin electrified her entire body and her eyelids fluttered closed.
“Honey,” Finn said against her ear.
Who was he talking to? Her eyes popped opened and she stared at him. “What?”
“You’re holding up the line.” He nodded over his shoulder and, sure enough, there was a long line of people glaring at them.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, grabbing a plate and walking ahead of him.
“You don’t ever have to apologize to me for anything, honey.”
There that word again. Finn didn’t seem to be the terms-of-endearment type, but that was the second time he’d said it in less than two minutes. That had to mean something. She sighed. In a matter of weeks, she’d become one those romanticizing women. It was all Harley’s fault.
* * *
He was treading on thin ice. Finn had slipped up and called Kayleigh honey twice. She didn’t comment on it either time, which worried Finn. Usually, using a term of endearment to a woman was tantamount to saying the “L” word. Hopefully, she wouldn’t say anything about it.
He liked her, wanted her badly, but love was an entirely different situation. He liked spending time with her and liked her spontaneous nature.
He turned his attention back to the food in the buffet line. He might dislike Manny for having a past with Kayleigh, but the man knew how to throw a party.
“What are you getting?” Kayleigh asked. “I think I want some fajitas.”
“Hey, that sounds pretty good.”
Kayleigh smiled as she extended her plate to the server. “Copycat.”
Finn hadn’t planned on having such a good time at a party hosted by Manny, but he had. “You betcha.”
After they loaded their plates, Kayleigh and Finn found a table and took a seat. Finn gazed around the room, looking for a bar in the large room. “I see the bar. What would you like to drink?”
She prepared her fajita. “Margarita.”
He walked across the large room. There were several margarita machines planted throughout the room.
He returned to the table and, to his disgust, not only had Harley and her husband joined their table, but so had Manny and some woman who looked about twenty.
“I thought I was going to have to send Manny and Ben to find you.” Kayleigh took the margarita out of his hand. “What kind of beer did you get?”
“Corona.” Finn took a seat across from her and they begin to eat. The food was delicious, but Finn couldn’t keep his eyes off Kayleigh. What was it about her?
Kayleigh smiled at him. “Thanks for being so nice to Manny’s grandmother. Her bark is worse than her bite.”
“I figured. She reminds me of my grandmother. Tough as nails, but soft as a marshmallow.” He fixed his fajita and noticed Kayleigh wasn’t shy about eating. Her tortilla was loaded and she had taken a huge bite.
“Finn, you have the oddest look on your face,” she said, wiping her mouth. “How’s your food?”
If she knew what he was thinking at this very moment she would probably slap him. “It’s good. Who’s the caterer? I think I might use them.”
“The caterer is one of Manny’s cousins,
” Kayleigh said. She took a sip of her margarita. “Wow, these things are strong.” She looked across the table at Manny. “Who made this?”
“My brother,” Manny commented. “I think he doubled up on the tequila.”
She coughed. “Tastes like it.”
He thought she would have pushed the drink away, but she drank it a slower pace. “Would you like something else?” Finn was ready to jump.
“No, it takes more than a strong drink to slow me down,” she said.
He had known she was a strong female the minute he’d met her. Solid Irish stock, his Grammy would say. Kayleigh wasn’t Irish, but she was a force.
After they’d finished eating the band started to play. Finn had to admit, when it came to this kind of dancing, he was out of his element. Then again he’d never been to a party like this one.
“Can you salsa?” Kayleigh asked, finishing the last of her margarita.
“No.”
She rose, reached out her slim hand. “It’s time you learned.”
He had a feeling this was going to be worse than divorce court, but he was willing to give it a try. He took her hand and let her lead him on the dance floor.
She explained the moves as she danced against him. “It’s really fun. Just let your body relax and flow to the music.”
He tried, he really did, but letting go in public was just not his thing.
“Finn,” she said putting her arms around him bringing them closer together, “if you don’t relax soon, I’m going to have to find a way to relax you.”
His brain was examining all the possibilities when she kissed him. It was the liquor, he realized. Kayleigh was a bit of a free spirit, but not this free. But her soft lips were beckoning him to abandon his inhibitions. Finn gave up quickly and let his lips and his body did all his talking for him. He moved against her, letting her feel his erection and how much he wanted her.
Kayleigh looked at him with those sultry brown eyes as she slowly, but very effectively, put some space between them. “You catch on pretty quick, Finn. I bet you’re a wonderful dancer.”
He knew she wasn’t actually talking about dancing. “I haven’t had any complaints. You’d be the first.”
