by Joan Hohl
The girls, Lisa and Gayle, had been sent to spend part of the holidays with Anne's parents and now, happy to be home, they were noisily taking repossession of their parents.
Katherine entered the dining room to the sound of young voices recounting in detail everything that had happened since they'd left. They paused in their narra-
tion long enough to acknowledge her, then plunged, headlong, back into it until Matt entered the room. With squeals of delight they jumped away from the table in unison and flung themselves against him.
"Good Lord," his raspy voice growled at them. "Don't you brats have any consideration for a man just out of his bed?" And catching them up in his long muscular arms, he pulled them off their feet against his chest in a fierce bear hug.
Laughing, trying to catch her breath, and speak at the same time, the thirteen-year-old Gayle gasped, "Uncle Matt, how long are you staying?"
"I'm leaving right after lunch."
"No, please," the girls begged.
"Right after lunch." His tone was adamant and although they both gave him pouty looks they ceased to beg. He seated himself at the table before adding teas-ingly, "Now if you'll both let me have my breakfast in peace and comparative quiet, for this place has sounded like a madhouse for the last half hour, I'll give you your Christmas gifts. A little late I know, but I somehow think you won't be disappointed."
The room became blissfully quiet and Katherine had finished her breakfast and was sipping her coffee when the phone rang and Lisa went to answer it. She was gone only a few seconds and as she reentered the room said, "It's for you, Mrs. Acker."
"Thank you," she replied quietly as she hurried from the room, the thought springing to her mind of Janice and Carlos flying back to Washington from Argentina. She said "Hello" breathlessly and heard Tommy's voice saying gaily over the wire, "Hi, Mom, Happy New Year, I'm home." Katherine had called his friend's home
before leaving town, leaving a message for him where she'd be but she had not thought to mention when she'd be home as he'd planned to go on to school from his friend's home. Letting her breath out now in mixed relief and consternation she cried, "Tommy, honey, I thought you were driving straight to school from Curt's home."
"I was going to, but last night I decided to spend today with you so I left early this morning."
"Oh dear, and I'd made arrangements to drive into town early tomorrow morning with Richard."
"It's okay, Mom, I'll see you next weekend."
"No, wait, Tommy, hold on a minute." And with that she laid the receiver down on the desk and went back to the dining room. She waited until Richard had finished speaking then said, "Excuse me, Richard, but is there any sort of bus or train close by that I could get into the city? Tommy's home and I would like to spend some of the day with him."
Before Richard could answer, Matt said quietly. "I'm driving into town, you can go with me."
"Oh, are you sure it would be no trouble—"
"Of course not," he cut across her impatiently. "Can you be ready to leave after lunch?"
"Yes, certainly."
"Good." He nodded and turned back to Richard.
ervations." Janice laughed softly as she finished speaking and Katherine joined her. "Very clever of him. I hope you told your doctor that I have no intentions of letting you overdo anything. And Janice, please call me when you know your arrival time, I'll come and pick you up."
"All right, I will, but it probably won't be until sometime this evening. Carlos has a full afternoon and I won't be talking to him until dinner."
"Anytime, dear. If I'm not here give the time to Clyde."
"Will do. Bye for now, see you tomorrow."
Katherine had no sooner replaced the receiver and was sliding her arms into the sleeves of her robe when the light tapping sounded on her door followed by Clyde's voice. "I have coffee for you, Mrs. Martin. May I come in?"
"Yes, Clyde," she answered pulling the belt tight on the severely tailored satin wrap.
He entered carrying a tray, which held, besides a pot of coffee, a glass of juice and a plate of toast. He set the tray on the small table in front of the window and as she sat down, Katherine murmured, "Thank you, Clyde, I believe you are trying to spoil me," then looked up in surprise when he answered, seriously, "I don't think that's possible, even though you could do with some spoiling." And before she could think of a reply he added, "Will there be anything else?"
"Yes, ask Mary to bring Jon in, please. And Clyde, thank you again." Nodding briefly he left the room, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Katherine had finished her juice and was munching a piece of toast when, after one short rap, Mary walked into the room carrying Jon.
"There's my angel," Katherine cooed, stretching her arms out for him. The baby wriggled excitedly as he reached for her and she held him close in a gentle hug before laughing up at Mary, "I'm glad he remembers me. I was afraid, after the little he's seen of me the last few days, he'd forget who I am."
"Never worry about that, Kate," Mary replied complacently. "This one knows who his mother is. Strangely enough, he knows who is father is too. The minute his daddy walks through the door he gets all kinds of excited."
So does his mother, Katherine thought wryly. For some reason the word daddy in reference to Matt caused odd sensations inside her and she quickly changed the subject.
She talked to Mary and played with Jon until it was time for his nap. After Mary had taken him off to his crib, she had a quick shower.
In nothing but lacy bra and sheer pantyhose, Katherine stood, one hand braced against the closet door, as she slid one foot then the other into low wedge heeled shoes and looked up with a startled, "Oh!" when the door opened suddenly. She felt a thrill of pleasure run through her as Matt stepped into the room closing the door quietly behind him and in an expelled breath she exclaimed, "Matt, it's you."
He stood just inside the door looking sophisticated and urbane in a chocolate-brown suit, beige silk shirt and gold necktie. With expensively clad shoulders looking almost as wide as the door they leaned on, he raised one eyebrow fractionally and asked in a soft rasp, "Who were you expecting?"
Flustered, her cheeks tinged pink, she shook her head
sharply. "No one. That's why you startled me. When did you get back?"
He didn't answer, but stood negligently, letting his eyes roam over her slim, scantily clad form. With an abruptness that unnerved her he rapped out, "You've lost more weight, Katherine. Did you see Mark for your six months' check-up?"
"Yes, of course. He said I'm as healthy as a race horse," she answered defensively, feeling the color deepen in her face. "Hummm" he murmured, then just as abruptly answered her question. "I flew in a short time ago. Needless to say, I was surprised to find Jack waiting for me. He's the one informed me 'my lady' was at the apartment and not the house. Why hadn't you told me you were planning to come into town?" He had moved slowly into the room as he spoke, his voice growing hard and more raspy. He stopped in front of her, blue-gray eyes cool, questioning.
Still on the defensive, she turned, plunging her hand into the closet for the suit she'd planned to wear, muttering, "I tried to tell you before you left. You told me you didn't have time to talk, we'd talk when you got back. I couldn't wait." Then she froze as she felt his lips on the curve from neck to shoulder.
"You smell good." The hardness had left his voice and the soft rasp made her flesh tingle. "What is that scent?"
"I—" For the first time she couldn't remember, but it didn't seem to matter. He appeared unconcerned with her lack of answer and more concerned with slipping his long fingers under her bra strap and tugging it over and off her shoulder, his mouth following its passage.
"Matt, I must get dressed." She caught her breath on the last word as Matt's hand slid around her waist and
drew her back against him. His mouth now at her ear, he rasped, "Not for what I have in mind. Katherine, it's been over a month since I've touched you."
What was he telling her? she wondered vaguely. That he'd been without a woman for that length of time or that it had been that long since he'd felt any desire to be with her? Then all coherent thought vanished for he turned her around sharply, enclosing her against his chest with hard, muscular arms. Bending his head, his mouth crushed hers in a deep, mind-shattering, completely demoralizing kiss.
Without thinking she slid her hands inside his jacket and slowly up over his silk-covered chest. Her fingertips felt the shiver that went through him and lifting his head his words were a hoarse echo of a month ago. "Oh God, Kate, I want you."
Katherine was lost. Lost in the warmth that surged through her. Lost in the aching need within that yearned toward him. Lost in the passion in him that overwhelmed her.
For the second time that day she was startled awake by a light tapping on the door. Three questions sprang into her fuzzy mind: What was she doing in bed? What time was it? Why was the room so dark? The next moment the first question was answered as beside her Matt's voice growled, "What is it?"
"Sorry to disturb you, Matt." Clyde's bland, expressionless voice came through the door. "There's a call from New Jersey for Mrs. Martin. Line one."
Matt had reached for the phone before Clyde had finished speaking. Placing the instrument on his chest he replied, "Thanks, Clyde," punched the number one button and handed the receiver to Katherine.
Fully awake now, the room no longer seemed quite so dark, yet she was now glad of its dimness, for as he placed the receiver in her hand her fingers brushed his and she felt a tingle snake its way up her arm, felt her face grow warm. This is ridiculous, she thought impatiently, a woman my age blushing, going warm and excited at the slightest touch of a man's hand. Clapping the receiver to her ear she murmured, breathlessly, "Hello, Tom?"
"Yes, Mother. Did I drag you away from the dinner table?" Tom asked contritely. Dinner table? What time was it, for heaven's sake? Tom, not yet as astute as his sister, had not noticed the hazy, not quite awake sound of his mother's voice.
"No, honey, you didn't. And if you had it wouldn't matter. Is something wrong?" Katherine's warm tone was tinged with anxiety.
"No, Mom, nothing wrong. I just called to tell you I probably won't get into Philly before noon Saturday. Okay?" He didn't wait for an answer before asking, "Is Matt home yet?"
"Yes, he arrived a short time ago." Again warmth touched her cheeks. "Great." His voice seemed to shout over the wire and she held the receiver away from her ear. "Then he'll be at my birthday dinner."
"Well—I don't know, Tom." Katherine hedged. "You know how busy he is. But I'm sure he'll be there if he can." She had barely finished speaking when Matt's voice rumbled irritably, "Tell him I'll definitely be there."
Katherine swallowed quickly. Why was he angry? Did he feel she'd placed him in the position of having to agree to go? Or was it her ambiguousness with Tom?
'Tom, Matt just said he will definitely be there." There,
she thought peevishly, if he's going to be angry, I may as well give him cause. Then she ground her teeth as his soft laughter floated into the dim room. Damn the man.
"Good." Katherine's eyes widened at the note of satisfaction in Tom's voice. She had long ago faced the fact that her young Tom was a cynic who rarely bestowed his respect and approval. Now, it seemed, he had capitulated unconditionally to Matt. Somehow this knowledge both shocked and pleased her. "Look, Mom, I have to get on the move. I've got two mind-bending tests tomorrow and I must hit the books. Say hi to Matt for me. I'll see you Saturday. Oh yeah, I hope you got me something really bad for my birthday. Bye now." And with that he hung up.
Shaking her head and smiling, Katherine turned to replace the receiver. Then she gave a sudden yelp, practically threw it onto the cradle, tossed back the bed covers and began scrambling out of bed.
"What the hell!" Matt exclaimed, replacing the instrument on the bedside table. "Katherine, have you flipped out?"
"Don't be silly," she snapped. "Tom said he hoped I'd bought him something terrific for his birthday." Here her voice sank to a wail. "Oh, Matt, I haven't bought his gift yet. I was dressing to go shopping when you came in and I won't have much time tomorrow. Janice and Carlos are flying up and I'll have to meet them." She stopped, having run out of breath. As she moved to get off the bed he sat up swiftly, curling an arm around her waist, holding her firmly still.
"Calm down." His voice held deep amusement, his breath tickled her ear. "I've taken care of it."
"You've—but, Matt, I must have something for him from me."
"Katherine." A definite warning note had replaced the amusement. "I said I've taken care of it. The gift is from both of us. To Tom, from Mother and Matt." The emphasis on the last word was final. "Believe me, the one gift will be sufficient. Now, if you will go and dress, I'll show it to you."
She pondered his attitude while standing under the shower. It had been the same over Tom's tuition for school. He had wanted to pay it. That time she'd won. But not without a bitter argument that ended with her saying sharply, "I sold my home for the money to send Tom to school, and I'm damned well going to pay his fees myself." Matt had gone rigid with anger, his eyes looking as cold and stormy as the Atlantic Ocean in January. Without another word he had turned from her and left the room. This time he'd won simply because she'd not been able to satisfy herself over a gift in her earlier shopping trips.
Some thirty minutes later Katherine stood in front of the bathroom mirror, a displeased frown on her face. She had dressed in purple velvet slacks and a pale pink cowl necked pullover, that, combined with the shimmery lilac eye shadow she'd applied to her lids, gave her face a softly glowing look. She didn't notice it. The frown deepened as she gazed in dismay at the mass of black, riotous, curls that framed her face and lay tangled at the back of her neck.
Sighing softly she wondered how it was possible she'd not noticed before how long and unmanageable her hair had become.
Hairbrush in hand, she swiped frustratedly at a
wayward curl that refused to stay in place, bouncing back each time to lay against her cheek. "Damn it," she muttered, then, at the sound of soft laughter, turned startled eyes to the bathroom doorway.
Matt leaned against the frame, freshly showered and shaved, casually dressed in plaid slacks, turtlenecked pull-on and sport coat, looking relaxed and far too attractive.
"I wish you'd tell me what's so damn funny," she snapped in irritation. "My hair's too long and it's a mess."
Still grinning, shaking his head slowly, he walked into the room and stopped in front of her. Reaching out his hand he lifted the curl from her cheek and smoothed it neatly into place, saying quietly, "I don't know what you're so upset about, I like it." Leaning back he studied her a moment before adding, "Not unlike Elizabeth Taylor's hair."
Katherine stared at him in astonishment then began to laugh. "Of course," she said, when she could finally talk. "But if now I'm supposed to say you look like Richard Burton, I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment. Even though I must admit, there is a slight similarity in the deepness of the voice."
The smile still pulled at the corners of his mouth and blue-gray eyes gleamed at her, but his voice was quite serious as he replied, "The same dulcet tone, eh? But surely you know that Burton's out? It's that guy from Virginia now. Handsome devil. Perhaps you think I resemble him more?"
As he had finished speaking one eyebrow had inched up, slowly, deliberately.
Still laughing she walked past him and out of the bathroom feeling buoyant and strangely excited. Never
before had they exchanged this kind of nonsensical banter and she decided she liked it, very much.
She reached the bedroom door before she felt him behind her. As his arm reached around her and opened the door she turned her head, gave him an arch look and said laughingly, "At a party one evening, I heard you referred to as a giant-sized, rich man's Clint Eastwood. I must admit I'd silently agreed, with one reservation."
&n
bsp; "And that is?"
"Generally, you look even more ruthless than he."
Matt threw back his head and roared with laughter, completely startling her. She watched him wide eyed, enchanted. Never had she heard him laugh like this, the sound was one of pure joy.
When he could finally speak he reached out a hand, drew one long finger down her cheek and said softly, "You better believe it, baby, and flattery will get you just about anything. Do I hear any requests?"
"Dinner," she answered promptly. "I'm starving."
"You got it, even though that would have been my second choice." He gave her a wicked grin before adding, "Better get a coat, we're going out."
"But—"
"No buts." He gave her a gentle shove in the direction of her closet. "Get your coat and let's go."
They were in the elevator before, remembering, Kath-erine blurted, "Matt, I can't go out tonight. Janice is going to call to let me know what arrangements she made." Her hand had jerked out and touched the button that brought the car to a halt but as her fingers moved to touch the button marked penthouse his hand caught her wrist.
"Relax, everything's been taken care of."
"What do you mean, everything's been taken care of?"
Releasing her wrist, he leaned back against the wall of the car, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that they were at a stop between floors.
She waited a few seconds for him to continue, then sighed in exasperation. Getting information out of his man was like pulling teeth.
"Matt." Try as she would she could not keep the irritation she felt from showing. "Will you please explain?"
"I spoke to Janice while you were in the shower," he drawled lazily. "Everything's arranged."
Voice heavily laced with sarcasm, she snapped. "Do you think you could force yourself to tell me what the arrangements are? I told Janice I'd meet their plane."
