by Leanne Banks
Another skeleton, he thought, gritting his teeth. He glanced at the photograph of Calista and remembered her smile and breathless laughter. Damn it, she made him curious. It might not be wise to pursue a woman whose life had been negatively affected by his pseudoguardian, but Leo was more tired than ever of being bound by his past. He picked up the phone and dialed her cell number.
“Hello?” she asked and her voice felt as if it seeped inside him like honey.
“Hi. Leo Grant. You said you couldn’t make the first call,” he said. “So I’m making it.”
He heard the soft intake of her breath. “What a surprise. How did you get my number?”
“I have ways. Do you mind?”
She paused, a half beat that put him on edge. “No, I don’t.”
He grinned at the odd thrill that raced through him. “Good. Dinner tonight at Antoine’s at seven. I’ll have my driver pick you up wherever you say.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t tonight.”
Unaccustomed to being refused, he felt a twist of irritation. “Tomorrow night?”
“I would like that,” she said. “But there’s no need for you to send a car. I can drive myself.”
Calista hung up the phone and mentally checked step two off her list. The following afternoon, a last-minute meeting at work nearly made her late, but she rushed to pull herself together. Thank goodness for all the charm school classes her mother had required her to take. At the time, they’d seemed dreadfully old-fashioned, but now she was thankful to know how to present a calm face even when she didn’t feel that way.
She strode into Antoine’s and asked the maître d’ to direct her to Leo’s table. The man nodded. “Your dinner partner is at the bar,” he said.
Glancing up to find Leo staring at her, she felt a dip in her stomach. No doubt about it, the man was as gorgeous as sin, but it was the intense way he looked at her that affected her. There was a hard-won strength about him that appealed to her despite the fact that she hated his father for what he’d done to her family. She smiled as he walked toward her. “Hello again,” she said.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as the maître d’ led them to a table in the corner next to the window.
“I will be as soon as I catch my breath,” she said.
“Busy day?” he asked.
She nodded. “And always a minicrisis at the end of the day. How about you?”
“I just negotiated a new deal with a company in China. That will keep us busy for a while. Would you like something to drink? Don’t I owe you a margarita?” he suggested with just a hint of sensual mischief in his eyes.
She laughed. “Thank you. I’ll stick with one glass of wine tonight. What kind of business are you in?” she asked, even though she already knew quite a bit about Leo. She’d made it her mission to know as much about him as possible—even the kind of women he favored. She’d been pleased to learn he tended toward well-bred, well-educated blondes. Nice that she didn’t have to dye her hair, she thought.
“Shipping and transportation,” he said.
“And international since you just mentioned China,” she said.
He nodded. “It’s a must with the global economy. What about you?”
“I’m an analyst for Collier Associates. It’s not my first love, but I have a great boss.”
“What’s your first love?” he asked and she noticed his voice had a caressing quality to it. She could almost feel it on her skin.
“I love astronomy, but now that I’ve worked for a couple years, I’ve decided it’s better to enjoy that as a hobby,” she said.
“So you like to study the stars,” he said. “Interesting. How long have you had your head in the upper atmosphere?”
She smiled at his teasing tone. “Close to forever. I asked for a telescope when I was a very young child. A lot of kids get them, then they’re abandoned in the attic. You strike me as the kind of man with both feet on the ground. Do you remember what you did with your telescope?”
“I didn’t ever have a telescope,” he said, with a chuckle that didn’t meet his eyes. “I didn’t have a childhood.”
She blinked at his statement. “What? Everyone has a childhood. Unless you were hatched or are an alien.”
He shook his head. “As far as I’m concerned, life for me began at sixteen. But enough about my boring past. I’d like to know more about you.”
He was more charming than she’d planned, but she supposed she should have expected that. After all, he’d essentially been a grifter, a con artist. Wasn’t that the job requirement for con artists?
Just after the server delivered their drinks, a man approached the table. He looked vaguely familiar to Calista, but she couldn’t name him. She wondered if he was one of Leo’s acquaintances, except he kept looking at her.
“Calista French. All grown up. I remember you as a young teen,” the man said.
Calista searched the man’s face but still couldn’t recall him. “I’m sorry. I’m drawing a blank.”
The man laughed but his eyes were cold. “William Barrett. I was one of your father’s business partners.”
Calista felt her blood drain to her feet. William Barrett had sued her father’s estate and then gone after her mother after her father had died. She mustered a blank expression. “You’re correct. I was very young. I hope you’re enjoying your dinner. It’s a lovely restaurant, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. How is your mother these days?” he asked.
She couldn’t quite keep from digging her fingernails into her palms, but at least her hands were in her lap out of sight. “My mother passed away several years ago.”
Barrett raised his eyebrows. “Oh, I’m sorry. Of course, I knew about your father, but—”
The maître d’ approached Barrett. “Sir, I’ve been asked by the manager to inform you that your party will receive a complimentary appetizer. We just need to know your preference. Your server has a menu at your table.”
Barrett gave a loud bark of a laugh. “Must be my lucky day. Hope to see you again, Calista.”
Calista said nothing and reached for her glass of wine, barely resisting the urge to hiss at the man.
“You don’t like him, do you?” Leo asked.
“Was I so obvious?”
“You turned pale,” he said.
“He treated my family poorly during a difficult time,” she said.
“Then I’ll tell his server to pour red wine on him,” he said.
His suggestion lightened her mood. “Oh, they wouldn’t do that on purpose,” she said, feeling a slight pinch at the memory of the margarita she’d poured on Leo.
He lifted an eyebrow. “My personal assistant usually runs interference when I’m eating in a public place, but I allowed this man to approach because he might have been a friend of yours. Next time we’re in public, I’ll stick to my routine.”
Although Calista had been raised in a relatively wealthy home, she’d never heard of her father employing an assistant for such a task. She glanced around. “Is your assistant here tonight?”
He nodded behind her and waved his hand. A brawny middle-aged man approached them. “George, this is Miss French. We’d prefer no interruptions for the remainder of the meal.”
“Miss French,” George said in a gruff voice with a nod.
“George, it’s nice to meet you,” Calista said, extending her hand.
Looking slightly uncomfortable, he shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you also, Miss,” he said then turned to Leo. “Enjoy your dinner, sir.”
George turned around with his hands folded behind his back, creating a barrier between their table and the rest of the room.
Calista let out a sigh of relief. Barrett wouldn’t be approaching her again that evening. “Must ask. What does he say to people who try to approach the table?”
“Mr. Grant and his guest would like to enjoy their meal without interruption. Thank you for your consideration,” he recited.
“Has it ever
not worked?” she asked. “What happens if they ignore him?”
“That’s only happened three times. George says, I insist.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”
He hesitated, then smiled. “You want to know about the one time that a man wouldn’t take no for an answer? George is a former boxer, but he was homeless when I met him. He’s my trainer and sparring partner.”
Surprised, she stared at him for a moment. “Is he your bodyguard?”
Leo laughed. “Hell, no. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had. I just had to find a way to get him off the streets and the only way I could do it was to employ him. Shocked?”
“Yes.” She paused a second. “In a good way.”
He lifted his glass and clinked it against hers. “To no more interruptions.”
A couple hours later, Leo escorted her downstairs and outside. He was tall and moved with athletic grace. He oozed confidence, strength and mystery even though she knew his secret. Sliding his fingers through hers, he looked down at her. “Come to my house for an after-dinner drink,” he said, his eyes full of invitation.
Her stomach dipped, taking her by surprise. “I can’t. I have my car,” she said.
“One of my drivers can pick it up for you,” he countered.
She was stunned at the heat that rushed through her. “I have to go to work tomorrow,” she said and suddenly remembered she was supposed to be seducing him. “Rain check?”
He leaned toward her and pressed his mouth against hers. Her breath left her body.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
She vacillated, not wanting him to see her older vehicle. “Um.”
“I insist,” he said and slid his hand behind her back.
They passed a homeless man on the sidewalk with a can for donations. She watched in amazement as Leo stuffed a twenty dollar bill inside. “Take care,” he murmured to the man.
“Thank you,” the homeless man said. “Go in peace.”
Leo glanced at her and must have read the surprise on her face. “In different circumstances, that could be me,” he said.
Something in his tone jerked at her heart. He spoke as if he had insider experience. She slid another assessing glance at him. Who was this man? He was different than she’d expected.
They arrived at her car in the parking garage and a black Town Car pulled alongside them. “Don’t worry. It’s just George. He’s also one of my drivers,” he said. “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to extend the evening?”
“You probably could,” she said, surprised at the breathlessness in her voice. She had a plan here, a strategy. She shouldn’t be this attracted to him. “But I’m hoping to appeal to your better nature and that you’ll encourage me to get the rest I need for my busy workday tomorrow.”
Leo gave a rough chuckle. “My better nature? I’m not sure that exists.” He lowered his head and pressed his mouth against hers. His mouth was both firm and soft, exploring and seducing. “Come to my lake house this weekend,” he muttered against her lips. “It will be your reward for being a good analyst.”
Calista sighed. “I can’t. I have a previous commitment on Saturday.”
“Break it,” he said.
“I really can’t,” she said. “I promised to take my younger sisters shopping for prom dresses on Saturday.” She shot him a teasing smile. “Wanna join us? Your opportunity to get up close and personal with teen girl drama.”
“Sounds tempting, but I’ll pass,” he said dryly. “Will you be done by Saturday evening?”
“Yes. Why?” she asked.
“Then we can leave for the lake on Saturday evening. We’ll take my helicopter. Say yes,” he said.
She looked into his deep brown eyes and felt a shudder of intuitive warning reverberate inside her. “Yes,” she said and wondered if she was making a huge mistake.
“Good.” He glanced down at her car and frowned. “You won’t be driving this car home tonight.”
“Why not?” she asked then noticed her tires had been slashed. Her stomach dipped. “Oh, no! Are all of them—”
Checking the tires on the other side of the car, he nodded. “All four.” He glanced at the car next to hers. “Look,” he said. “All the tires of the cars in this row have been slashed. Damn vandals,” he muttered and waved for George to approach.
Calista mentally added up the cost of replacing the tires and stifled a groan. She had neither the time nor the money to spare for this.
“Yes, sir,” George said to Leo.
“We’re going to need to get Miss French’s car towed to the garage so her tires can be replaced. Just use our garage.”
“No, that’s not necessary,” she said.
“I insist,” Leo said. “You can stay at my condo. It’s just a few blocks from here.”
Panic surged through her. “Oh, that’s crazy. There’s no reason I can’t sleep at my own place tonight.”
“Your vehicle won’t be ready until the morning,” he said, then shot her a half smile. “Don’t worry. You won’t be all alone with me. I have staff.”
Two
Moments later, Leo dropped his Town Car with the valet, and they took an elevator to the penthouse of an exclusive condominium building. A woman greeted them at the door. “Good evening, Mr. Grant. Can I get something for you?”
“Would you like another glass of wine?” Leo asked as they entered. “Margarita?”
She shot him a sideways glance. “Just water please.”
“Water for both of us, Brenda. Thank you,” Leo said.
“This is very nice,” she said, looking around at the posh furnishings.
“It works when I’m spending a lot of time in the city,” he said with a shrug. “I have another place just outside of town where I rarely stay. This is convenient.”
Brenda returned with chilled water. Calista gulped hers down.
“Are you upset about your tires?” he asked, studying her face.
“It’s a little disturbing even though it wasn’t personal,” she said and realized a big part of the reason she wasn’t more upset was because Leo had been there with her. She would have to be very careful around him. It would be all too easy to enjoy having a strong, decisive man on whom she could count and let her strategy slide from being her top priority. “I’m just thinking I need to get up early in the morning so I can go back to my apartment before work. I think I’m ready to turn in. Where is the guest room?”
“You have a choice of two beds. The guest bed, or mine,” he said with an undertone of seduction.
She felt a quick rush of forbidden temptation but pushed the sensation aside. “I’m not sure I’d get much sleep in your bed,” she admitted in a whisper. “And sleep is what I need.”
He slid his finger over her jaw. “If you say so,” he said, then lowered his head and kissed her.
The light scent of Calista’s perfume lingered for a few seconds after she walked down the hallway to the guestroom. He inhaled deeply, wanting to catch the last bit of her. The taste of her was still on his lips, but he wanted more. He couldn’t remember wanting a woman this much, this quickly. He wanted her in his bed tonight.
Calista was the flesh and blood equivalent of his dream woman. Classy, well-educated, polished, yet warm, she could make him clean. With her by his side, he could travel with ease in any social circle. She would also be an asset to his business.
Yes, she would suit his needs nicely, in bed and out. After he seduced her, and he would, maybe he could con himself into believing she could make him clean on the inside, too.
The helicopter hovered over eastern Pennsylvania, landing on a helipad next to the lake, and what looked like a compound. A man approached the helicopter and took the luggage. Leo jumped out and helped Calista onto the ground, moving swiftly toward a vehicle waiting on the drive.
Moments later, they pulled into the back driveway of a three-story luxury mansion that sat directly on the lake. “Good for a litt
le break, don’t you think?” he asked as he led her into the huge house.
“Or longer,” she said, taking in the polished wood floors and beautiful furnishings. More evidence that the con man had done very well for himself. He guided her to the room facing the lake and she stared out at the beautiful blue water and could have almost happily died from the serene view of the sunset.
“This is so beautiful. How do you tear yourself away?” she asked. “The view is just—” She broke off without adequate words to describe it.
“I get restless if I’m in one place too long,” he said. “Plus, business can be very demanding.”
“Hmm,” she said and met his gaze. “If you say so.”
He chuckled. “I bet you don’t stay still for long either,” he said.
She didn’t, for other reasons, though. “Maybe, but this could tempt me.”
“Good,” he said, gazing at her through hooded eyes. “Dinner will be waiting for us on the terrace. Steak and lobster.” A woman approached them. “Denise will show you to your room while I make some calls.”
Denise led her to a beautiful room furnished with a queen-size bed, furniture upholstered in a soft pastel palette and Monet prints. The result was so soothing Calista could have happily closed the door and lived there the rest of her existence if she didn’t have other responsibilities. She sank into a chair next to the window. Drinking in the peaceful reflection the moon cast on the lake, she felt her tension fade away. For a few sweet seconds, she felt safe.
A knock sounded on her door and the feeling disappeared. She must not forget that she was here for a reason. Calista stood and answered the door. “Yes?” she said to Denise.
“Mr. Grant invites you to join him for dinner,” the woman said.
“Thank you,” Calista said and grabbed her sweater. Peace was an illusion. She needed to continue with her strategy. “I’m ready now.”
Denise led her to a porch that featured an outdoor heater. It was a clear night and she felt surrounded by the stars. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
“Yes it is,” Denise said. “Mr. Grant will be here momentarily.”
