by Susan Craig
Community service. She wasn’t sure whether to be offended or amused. Amusement won out and she started to laugh. “Community service? I’ve never had a ticket in my life! No, I work at the shelter every weekend.”
“My mistake.” He smiled in her direction. “I didn’t have you pegged as the volunteering type.”
Let it go. No reason to tell him her whole life story. “I like dogs. They don’t care what you look like or what your job is. They just take you as you are, and are glad to have you around.”
He nodded in agreement and let the conversation lapse as they moved into traffic.
Diana studied him as he drove, glad his attention was elsewhere. His hands were broad and powerful, sliding easily over the wheel as he negotiated the Jeep through the streets. Dark jeans clung to the hard muscles of his thighs, and the short-sleeved knit shirt he wore in deference to the hot summer weather displayed massive shoulders and biceps so large her two hands would not have fit all the way around them. Where had he gotten those muscles? Servicemen were fit, of course, but he was an engineer...
“What did you do in the service?”
“Army Ranger.”
Diana stomach slipped at the thought. He hadn’t served his country with the desk job she had imagined. That explained his build and the sense of absolute self-confidence he projected.
He looked over at her and changed the topic. “What about you? What are your plans now that you’re selling the plant?”
“I honestly don’t know. I was only a couple years out of college when my folks died and I took over running the business. Even during college, I expected to work in the company.”
“Expected or was expected to?”
She gave a small grimace. “Was expected to—definitely. When the company is finally in your hands, I’m going to take some time and figure out for myself what I want to do.”
“You could do that starting now. I wouldn’t complain.”
She raised her eyebrows and gave him a small smile. “I can’t. I have a responsibility to my employees. You should understand that.” She was thinking of his speech about the dog. “For all I know you may be a natural-born CEO. But until I see proof that you’re a good executive officer I would be ducking my obligations if I left. You’re stuck with me, Dr. Carmichael—at least for the short term.”
Logan swept his eyes from her face to her toes and back, then gave her a cocky grin that shot her blood pressure into the stratosphere. “I’m beginning to think I might not mind that so much, Ms. Lennox.”
Diana blushed and looked out the window. Say something friendly—quick! They were coming around a turn in the winding rural road. Ahead, she could see a sunny meadow full of wildflowers with the inn at the far end, backed by a half circle of mature trees. She didn’t care if it was trite. “I always love the way the Homestead fits into its surroundings.”
“Very nice.” The dry tone made it obvious her comment had been recognized as an attempt to deflect his attention. She felt heat rise in her cheeks again as he turned the Jeep up the drive.
At the front of the inn, the meadow merged into skillfully planted clumps of wildflowers and native grasses. But to the south, between the building and the parking area, lay a magnificent rose garden. As Logan handed her down from the Jeep, Diana breathed in the sweetness of the roses, the scent of meadow grasses beyond, and the heady musk of sun-warmed male.
She wanted to press her face to that broad chest and simply inhale the scent of him. Bad idea. Tonight’s battle was already being fought on two fronts, as she tried to act like Logan’s friend while denying the sexual response his presence spawned.
“Watch your step. The path is rocky.”
Too true.
Inside, Homestead Inn was pleasantly rustic, and comfortable. Diana noticed how the forest green of the walls set off warm browns in the worn leather on lodge-style chairs. It gave her the same feeling as walking in the woods on a quiet afternoon—relaxed and natural. In the dining room, the same scale of furniture was arranged in more intimate clusters. A massive stone fireplace looked large enough for roasting a whole sheep. Someone had filled its cavernous interior with huge baskets of fresh meadow flowers and grasses. Diana and Logan were led to a table nearby.
As Logan seated her, Diana felt him turn his face to nuzzle her hair. She tensed from neck to shoulders, her heart began hammering against her chest, and the heat of arousal enveloped her body once again. The friend role wasn’t going very well.
“You smell wonderful…like honeysuckle.”
Was his voice deeper than normal? “Uh, shampoo…” She studied her plate as he sat down. “It does have a nice scent to it.”
When Diana looked up Logan’s gaze burned into hers. She jerked her eyes down to stare, unfocused, at the silverware. Goose bumps crawled slowly up her thighs and down her back. What was going on here? He looked like he planned to have her for dinner. She realized the evening called for a role different than the one she had chosen. She had been wrong. What do I do now?
The ghost of her father’s voice echoed in her head—‘Your behavior is an embarrassment to us.’
Her feeling of inadequacy escalated alarmingly. I don’t know what to do! She had to escape and regroup.
As Diana prepared to jump to her feet, Logan’s hand, warm and strong, closed over her wrist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Relax and enjoy your dinner. Let’s have a pleasant evening together.”
She froze in place, indecision robbing her of the capacity for movement.
“Come on, Diana, look at me. I’m sorry I upset you.”
Diana took a shaky breath. Hesitantly, she raised her eyes to his…and saw warmth and friendship in them. Nothing more. The rhythm of her heart steadied and began the drop back to normal. He looked friendly. She could handle this.
Logan squelched the desire in his gut and kept it out of his face as well. What the hell was going on with Diana? All I did was let her know I want her. Surely she was used to that—but she looked about to panic. Change the game plan, Carmichael.
Obedient to his own advice, Logan altered his agenda, keeping his growing curiosity and irritating awareness of her body under wraps. She’s behaving more like pabulum than poison. Deciding to play it safe, he set himself to charm her and put her at ease.
He succeeded. They had a relaxed and delicious meal, shared fresh blackberry cobbler ‘a la mode, and laughed over tales of his childhood misadventures.
Walking to the Jeep in the moonlight, Logan reached for her hand and silently congratulated himself when she barely jumped. Laughing at himself, he smiled ruefully in the sweet perfumed darkness. He’d chosen the Homestead Inn because it was an actual inn, offering charmingly rustic accommodations. In his own absurd optimism, he’d thought he might share a room here, and a bed, with Diana tonight. He shook his head. Any fool could see it was too damn early for that.
Once again, he wondered where the elegant, powerful CEO went and where this nervous, uncertain woman came from. In her vulnerability, Diana drew out feelings of protectiveness and gentleness he hadn’t known he possessed. Could it all be an act?
She talked quietly all the way back to town. Her childhood had been so different from his—and a lot less fun from his point of view. Lessons in this and that…ballet, art, even manners—deportment, she called it, and he laughed. He didn’t think she realized how cold, and even sad, it all sounded.
By the time they pulled up next to her car in the company lot, Logan had almost decided his initial assessment of Diana had been wrong. This was no hardened career woman, despite her professional demeanor and obvious success. He was curious, too, about her apparent naiveté. It could all be an act, but if it was, she was one hell of an actress. He looked across the seat to where she sat with her head leaning against the window. “Well, here we are.”
“Yes. Thank you, Logan. It’s been fun.” Her voice sounded almost wistful, and the full lips parted in a soft smile.
Coming around to he
r side of the Cherokee, Logan opened the door and reached up to lift her down. Her waist was slim and firm beneath his hands, the lush breasts a tender temptation just above his thumbs. But he resisted the desire to simply pull her into his arms. She wasn’t ready. Her firm grip on his forearms held her at what she undoubtedly felt was a proper distance from him. So he stepped to the side, reaching behind her for the jacket that still lay on the seat of the SUV. “Let me help you with this.” Sliding the fine lightweight wool over her silk-clad arms, he ran his fingers to the nape of her neck, releasing the heavy fall of hair trapped by the collar. The silken strands covered his hands, warm from her body and full of the scent of her. With a gentle squeeze on the neck, he gave fair warning of his intention, then grasping her shoulders gently, turned her into his embrace.
An instant’s resistance melted into fluid motion as she stepped towards him. In the light from the streetlamps, her face looked unsure, but not fearful. Watching emotions flit across her face, in succession too rapid for him to interpret, he leaned down and with a gentle touch, took her soft mouth. She was still as a statue. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes.
Strange feelings stirred inside him. Lust chained tightly down, yes. But something more as well. Something unfamiliar. He slid his hands down to her elbows and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. Her hands flattened against his chest, but she didn’t push away. Once again, he lowered his head and took her mouth, more firmly this time. Without a word, his lips urged her to drop her defenses. He felt her body relax as she swayed against him, head tilted back and lips parted, and he traced their fullness with his tongue, tasting the sweetness of her mixed with a hint of blackberry. As he lingered, lips moving softly against hers, her hands slid to his shoulders. He pulled her tight against him, fighting the desire to take all the sweetness she offered. For just a moment, he allowed himself to increase the pressure of the kiss, and then eased back, gently releasing his hold on her until she stood on her own, still in the shelter of his arms. Like a child. His heartbeat, strong and steady, pulsed in his fingertips. Her face was open, soft—and surprised. His head pulled back. Why the hell did she look surprised?
The nervous, uncertain look returned, and she stepped away. “Goodnight, Logan. It was…” She swallowed. ”It was a lovely evening.” Turning, she slid into her car and drove away.
He stood there, held immobile by sudden confusion. Had those been tears in her eyes?
CHAPTER SIX
Four days wasn’t nearly long enough to forget her embarrassing response to Logan’s kiss. Why did McDougal & Bond have to be so prompt with the contract? Diana stood in her closet fretting as she studied her array of power suits. The voice of the morning news anchor droned on from her bedroom television. At least she had managed to get away before she started to cry.
Stop overreacting. The kiss didn’t mean anything. It was a normal ending to a pleasant evening out.
Yeah, right. One thing was certain. There’d be no sexual encounters permitted today. He’d probably crossed her off his list after she made a fool of herself when he kissed her, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She reached for the most severe, least attractive suit she owned, an oatmeal-beige tweed that made her skin look muddy and her eyes dull, like she hadn’t slept. Well, she hadn’t—worrying about today had kept her awake. May as well go with it.
She could still feel the comforting warmth of his arms—how her heart filled up and spilled over in response to the gentleness he’d shown. She’d felt so abandoned and alone when he let her go. It meant nothing to him, but I practically fell apart. Why didn’t the ground just swallow her up?
Don’t be an idiot, Diana. You’re making an I-beam out of a ten-penny nail. She pulled on a white cotton blouse with a prim neckline. She’d better remember it hadn’t been a big deal to him. Otherwise she was sure to embarrass herself today.
She knew she was prone to over-reacting. Her mother’s voice played in her head—‘Must you always be so excessively dramatic?’ Turning her back on the voice and her anxious thoughts, Diana walked back into the bathroom and ran her fingers over the soft grey travertine tile. The cool texture was calming and the floral scent that lingered in the room soothed her. She reached for her hairbrush, resolutely turning the nagging voice off the way she always had—by focusing on her work.
The arrangements for Logan’s purchase of her company were rather complex, because the situation was unusual. I want to get to the lawyers’ office early and double check the wording of the contract with Gavin Bond. I want it clear that I have the freedom to step in any time the profit line is in jeopardy. If only her hands would stop shaking.
This is just another business meeting. Nothing more. She finished pinning her hair up in its neat twist, picked up her slim black briefcase from the hall, and walked out the door.
In downtown York, Logan parked his SUV a block away from the law offices. He tilted the mirror to face him, straightened his tie, and ran a hand over his hair. Today was the day. In a few hours, he would have a company of his own—if Diana Carmichael was to be trusted. Stepping out of the vehicle, he swung the door shut and scanned the exterior of the well-used Jeep. Logan nodded at the Cherokee. I’ll probably keep you for old time’s sake even after I’m rich. He patted the fender of the battered SUV, then turned and stepped along the street, past the silver Lexus parked in front of McDougal & Bond’s renovated brick building. Diana’s car.
He wrinkled his brow. She had him puzzled. Was the skittishness an act, or was it real? And why was she willing to gamble her money on his ability to make Lennox a market leader? Mind you, he knew he could do that, but what motivated her support? There was something going on that he was missing. He had to keep reminding himself she was dangerous. A woman with power was always dangerous. Did she plan to somehow steal his process? She knew a lot more about the ins and outs of pultrusion manufacture than he’d anticipated. She even understood the chemistry of it. When he pitched the idea to her, she picked his brain pretty thoroughly. Could she be planning to use that information to sweeten a deal with Carbon Unlimited?
Damn it, I should have had a lawyer draw up that intellectual property agreement, instead of getting distracted by the negotiations. It was too late to do anything about that now. He was going to have to examine the contracts minutely to make sure she wasn’t trying to slip something past him. “Keep your eyes wide open, Carmichael.”
He bounded up the steps to the door, two at a time.
Three and a half hours later, the contract was signed. Leaving Diana in conversation with the attorneys, Logan paused at the top of the steps to look up and down the street. The smell of grilled steak drifted from the Corner Restaurant. His stomach growled. Maybe he’d treat himself to lunch. Downtown York looked better than ever. The historic old buildings seemed to gleam with prosperity in the midday sun.
The deal was official now. He reached inside his jacket, to tuck his copy of the paperwork deeper into the pocket there, and resisted the temptation to leap from the landing to the sidewalk, stepping sedately down instead. Diana hadn’t tried any tricks—the terms were just as they’d agreed in her office. My office now. She even included the intellectual property clause they discussed.
A wide grin split his face, as he shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the scent of food. She played fair, so far, though she’d treated him with chilly politeness. The grin vanished. Well, that was fine with him; he didn’t need the distraction. At last, the ball was in his court. “You’re on your way, Carmichael.”
Come Monday, he would be the one in charge.
On the top floor of Lennox Incorporated, Diana faced the small, efficient woman who ruled over the outer office.
“Ms. Lennox, I’m going to miss you. First your daddy gone, and now you leaving… It doesn’t seem right, somehow.” Mildred’s salt and pepper hair curled around cultured pearl and rhinestone earrings. She wore a prim black suit and sensible shoes. A pearl and rhinestone pin, mate to
the earrings, held firmly to her lapel.
“I’m not gone for good yet, Mildred. I’ll be back in two weeks, and then I’ll be meeting with Dr. Carmichael every Friday for at least a year.”
“It just won’t be the same.” The older woman had been with the company practically since the beginning and probably could have run the place herself if she’d had the temperament or the inclination.
“Don’t fret, Mildred.” Diana put an arm around the bony shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “You’ll get along fine with Dr. Carmichael. Just steer him right for me, okay? And have a good weekend.”
Mildred seemed to think that unlikely. “I’ll try.” Casting another worried look at Diana, the secretary picked up her purse and left.
With a sigh and a smile at Mildred’s retreating back, Diana got down to business. She turned and opened the door to her office for the last time. After today it would be his office. That would feel strange. Standing behind the desk, she studied the tired, old walls and wondered where the feeling of nostalgia was coming from. This place had never been comfortable for her, yet she knew she was going to miss it. Not all the memories were bad. Her father had pushed her hard, never quite satisfied, but there had been good times, too.
Even so, her sadness felt out of place. I guess it’s because today is an ending. The end of Diana Lennox, CEO.
For the first time it occurred to her to wonder who she would be when she was not the CEO. What role would she play in the company, and how would it be done? Coach? Mentor? Consultant? Or maybe… just outsider? She felt a bit adrift, and more than a little alone.
Opening the top drawer, she removed the few personal items kept in her desk—a makeup bag, comb and mirror, a few birthday cards that had been sent to the office. Not enough to fill the small box she’d brought. She’d never felt at home here—it was just a stage set where she played her role. Who would she be after she walked out the door?
