by Judy Teel
Jackson clasped Todd's shoulder briefly, and then settled himself serenely back in his chair.
"I apologize," Todd said, his cheeks flushing a dark red. "My offer still stands."
Brad narrowed his eyes at Todd. "Mine does, too."
"Any one of us would be glad to help," Jackson said. "Just say the word."
"Thank you." She wiped the tears off her cheeks with her fingers and gave Brad the best smile she could muster. "All of you."
His eyes softened with concern as he pressed his mouth into a tight line. Giving her a short nod, he moved back to the sofa.
Ajax held his purse, shoes, and hat out to Brad, his eyebrows pulling down into frown. "These pinks do not clash," he said, belligerently.
Brad's big hand shot out, snatching the stuff right out of Ajax's grip. He hurled the whole lot hard against the wall. The heels of the shoes shattered and everything fell to the floor with a clatter.
"You're right. They crash." He chugged down his entire beer and belched—long and loud.
"Aw, man," Ajax whined, staring at the mess, his expression distressed. "You broke my Jimmys!"
"It's for your own good," Brad said.
"The little jewels fell off my hat!"
"Tough love's a bitch, dude."
* * *
The Captain had done up the mansion like a debutante coming out party, Ryan thought with disgust. The whole place was nothing but a sea of white gauzy crap draped around windows and doorways, sparkling chandeliers, candles in glittery cut glass, and piles of colorful flowers. He tugged at the collar of his tux in an attempt to ease the feeling of suffocation. Worst of all, half the guests were men under the age of forty.
Maybe debutante wasn't the right analogy. More like whored-up millionaire frat house.
He'd only come for one reason—to say goodbye. Despite everything, she was still his friend and he owed her that much. He'd been searching for her since he arrived thirty minutes ago, with no luck. Where the hell could she be?
Images of her flirting and laughing with one of the bachelor horde shattered the last shreds of his peace of mind. He glowered at a group of twenty-somethings chatting amiably next to the buffet table and stomped toward the bar. Brad lounged against the counter, staring at the full glass of beer in his hand.
"This is disgusting," Ryan said, signaling the bartender.
"No kidding. Only stuff here is this imported crap."
"I can't believe she's going through with this. She'll be miserable the rest of her life."
"Not if she buys domestic." He took a cautious sip from his glass.
"Look at these guys. They don't know her. They don't care about her. They don't even like her."
"And you do?"
"Of course I do. How can you ask that?"
"Probably because of the way you've been acting."
Ryan threw him an exasperated look. "I've been trying to find a way out of this."
"Uh, huh."
"I couldn't. Only adult family members can view the Will and without that I didn't have a chance of finding a loophole."
"So, she doesn't really have a choice. She's going to have to get married."
"She could walk away."
"You know she'd never do that to her grandfather." Brad took a longer pull on his drink, smacked his lips together and took another. "You can get used to anything, I guess. Probably even marriage."
"That's depressing."
Turning toward him, Brad frowned at him. "We like her, Ryan. She's a good girl. If you can give her a better option, then you should. If you can't, then step back and let someone else have a chance to make her happy."
A cold chill fisted in his gut. "Like you, maybe?"
"Why not?" he stated.
"Look Brad—"
His friend banged his glass down onto the bar top, anger glittering in his eyes. "She needs a guy who's willing to step up to the plate. If I want to be that guy, that's my business. You had your chance."
Brad tossed a bill down onto the top of the bar and strode off into the crowd.
Ryan took a deep breath, fury seething up into his chest. Clenching his hands, he fought the urge to chase him down and pound him into the ground.
Brad married to CK? He'd break her heart in a week.
Like you did, his conscience whispered. "Shut up," he snarled. Ignoring the startled look from the bartender, he turned and stalked toward the terrace.
Muttering excuses, he pushed through the crush and in a moment was through the French doors and crossing toward one of the winged lion statues. Only a few people had moved out into the night air and a movement at the other end of the terrace caught his attention.
CK stood by a potted tree talking on her cellphone. Moonlight spilled out across the flagstones like a spotlight, burning the image of her into his mind.
Her pale gold, strapless dress flowed to the ground, following her curves perfectly and turning her skin luminous. The thick auburn curls of her hair brushed against creamy shoulders and drew his eye to the curve of her neck where she wore a simple diamond choker. Above the neckline of the dress, a hint of cleavage taunted him. Everything in him coalesced into a fist of longing.
She was so beautiful it made his soul ache.
He couldn't let her marry someone she didn't care about. She needed to marry him.
Ryan held his breath as the realization sunk in. The right woman had been under his nose the whole time.
He started toward her just as she finished her call. Slipping the phone into the tiny purse dangling from her wrist, she turned away and ducked behind the tree. He quickened his pace, but when he got there, she was gone.
Behind the tree a narrow staircase had been cut into the stone. A path led off from it and disappeared into a wild, neglected part of the garden. A flash of gold glinted in the moonlight from the tangle of trees and bushes and his suspicion grew.
There was only one reason a woman left a party and dashed off to a section of the grounds where no one ever went.
Ryan bolted down the steps and plunged into the underbrush.
* * *
CK gathered up the train of her gown and picked her way along the narrow, winding path. The silk felt cool and crisp as she rolled it around her hands, careful to keep the elegant fabric from catching on the thick foliage.
Thank goodness for all the summers she'd spent exploring the grounds of the estate. Few people knew of the secluded fountain where she was meeting Steve and even fewer would be able to discern the trail to it.
Privacy was crucial. They couldn't risk being overheard, not with the information he'd found.
Excitement pounded through her at the thought that she might have finally discovered a workable solution. A loophole that would keep the merger moving forward and also free her from having to get married against her will.
Masculine laughter drifted faintly from the direction of the house, reminding her that nothing was settled, yet. Once her grandfather set himself on a course of action, it was nearly impossible to convince him there was a better way. Filling the house with eligible bachelors was a perfect example, and both annoying as well as heartwarming. She understood he wanted to see her settled, but desperately hoped he would listen with an open mind to what she and Steve had to propose.
Somehow she had to make him understand that she couldn't marry without love and that love couldn't be rushed or forced. It just happened. Falling for Ryan had certainly taught her that.
Struggling with those feelings had also shown her that she wanted more than a quick flirtation, even with him. She wanted a relationship. Something solid and real. And someday, she wanted children.
Ryan liked his freedom too much to ever give her that kind of life. She couldn't even find it in her heart to fault him for it. Wanting the independence to be yourself, to live your life, that was something she understood very well.
CK picked her way carefully through the trees and overgrown plants, guided by the mottled patterns of moonlight trickl
ing over the trail. A moment later, she emerged into a grassy area twelve feet across and flanked on two sides by a high stone wall. In the center a simple, three-tier fountain stood, long dry, an old bird's nest perched forlornly on its top. Steve turned when he heard her approach.
"Will it work?" she asked, hurrying over to him.
"Grayson's team says it will. The question is, can we talk your grandfather and Dad into it?"
"And will they be willing to move forward on it, tonight."
"We'll just have to convince them," he said, a smile lifting the corner of his mouth.
CK reflected on how much she'd enjoyed getting to know him these last several days. He was an intelligent and caring man. Paul was a lucky guy.
"I'm glad we're doing this," she said.
"I am, too." He gave her an appreciative once-over. "You look very beautiful, tonight, CK."
"Shouldn't you be up at the party?" an incensed male voice said behind her.
CK spun around in surprise. Ryan stood behind her, legs braced, fists at his sides, his expression tight with barely controlled fury. Her astonished gaze swept over him, drinking in the way his broad shoulders and chest filled out his tailored tux to perfection, and the heart-stopping, ferocious beauty of his face.
Steve casually stepped between her and Ryan. "May we help you, Mr. Anderson?" he said, his tone polite, but not friendly.
"This isn't your business, Wayland."
"You appear to be in an unpredictable state of mind. Since CK's safety is important to me, that makes it my business."
"Her happiness is important to me," Ryan said. He zeroed his angry gaze in on her. "I won't let you do it."
"Do what?" she asked, puzzled.
"Marry Steve."
Amusement flashed across Steve's face. "Is that what you think we've been doing? Planning a wedding?"
"It's the perfect solution, isn't it? Merge the companies and the families all in one swoop."
She stepped around Steve and squared off with Ryan. "We'll talk about this later. Please leave before you make any more of a fool out of yourself."
"None of this isn't the perfect solution for you, CK," Ryan said, crossing the grass to loom over her. In the soft white glow of moonlight, his eyes flashed midnight blue, impassioned and restless, an avenging god claiming his own.
A reckless warmth bloomed low in her belly, making her legs weak. Locking her knees, she willed herself to stand her ground. She had to be strong against these feelings for him. She did not need her heart broken, again.
"Back away, if you please, Mr. Anderson," Steven said, calmly.
"Or what?"
"Do you really intend to start a fist fight in the middle of a charity ball? In our formal clothes?" He quirked a brow at Ryan.
"Not classy, Anderson," CK said as sternly as she could manage.
"I'm not here to make a good impression." He grasped her arm and hauled her against his chest. "I'm here to get you to call it off."
His mouth landed on hers hard and hot. She parted her lips in surprise and his tongue swept across the inside of her bottom lip. She sighed and softened against him.
Steve cleared his throat behind them. Ryan pulled away and his gaze locked with Steve's.
"You appear to expect me to do something," Steve observed.
"If she were mine," Ryan growled, "I wouldn't share."
"Hmm. Good for you," Steve replied, his voice sparkling with amusement. "I'll see you in the study in forty, or so, CK?"
She struggled to gather her thoughts, but it was nearly impossible with her body crushed against Ryan and her arms wrapped around his neck. "Okay," she mumbled.
Steve gave a cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh, and then she heard him moving off. After a moment, a deep silence settled around them, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves as a breeze flirted through the tree tops.
"Is that what you want?" he said. "A husband who doesn't even care enough to stop another man from kissing you?"
"It isn't like that."
"It's just business, is that right? How long do you think you'll be happy with that arrangement?" Burying his hands into the folds of her gown, he cupped her bottom and pressed her tightly against him. "How long before you start wanting a man who can't keep his hands off you?"
CK pushed against his chest, vainly trying to get some distance between them. "You arrogant jerk. You're the one who made it clear we could never be together. You drew that line in the sand."
His arms flexed around her like steel bands and he held her tightly, giving her no leverage. Frustration and lust swept through her body like a tidal wave as he bent his head and his lips brushed her neck just below her ear.
"I was wrong," he said against her skin, his voice a low, hot purr. His mouth traveled across her jaw.
Her knees turned to pudding and she bit back a moan. "No, you were right. It changed everything."
As he gently bit her neck, he loosened his grip and slipped his left hand around her rib cage and along the side of her breast. He traced his forefinger across the top of her dress, leaving a trail of sparking energy.
"Everything has changed. I've never wanted someone so desperately in my life." Hooking a finger under the edge of her gown, he pushed the material lower, exposing more of her cleavage. His lips were warm and soft as he kissed the deep valley between her breasts.
Running her hands up over his chest, she undid his black tie and the first three buttons on his shirt. "You want me now, but will you tomorrow? Or next week?" she said, clinging to the last shreds of her scattering thoughts.
"Say 'no' and I'll stop," he answered as he slid the zipper at the back of her gown down to her waist. A cool breeze glided across the middle of her back, and then his hand cupped her head and his mouth came down on hers in a searing kiss.
He deepened the kiss, mimicking with his tongue the joining her body craved. The thick ridge of his erection pressed against the juncture of her thighs, sending currents of need cascading through her nervous system.
Stepping back, he ran his hand over the tops of her breasts and then pushed her bodice down. He sucked in a breath as her naked breasts sprang free.
"My God, you're beautiful," he whispered.
Ryan knelt in front of her. Grasping her around the waist, he flicked his tongue across her right nipple sending a shaft of fire straight to her core. She gripped his shoulders, digging her fingers into the dense muscles as he pulled her into his mouth and sucked gently, coaxing her nipple into a taunt, aching peak.
Her dress rustled as his hand slipped under the material and then his palm skated up the back of her leg. His hand caressed her bottom and he groaned against her breast.
"You're wearing the thong."
"I know."
He lightly bit her nipple and then soothed it with his tongue. Bracing her legs wider, she leaned heavily on him, not sure if she'd be able to stay upright much longer. He wrapped his left arm around her waist to steady her as he brought his hand over her hip and slipped his fingers under the small scrap of silk.
Without warning, he plunged a cool finger into her wet core and his thumb brushed across the swollen nub of her center. He moved his fingers in languid strokes and the hungry tension deep in her womb buzzed and tightened. Sliding his fingers out of her, he gently rolled the center of her need between his thumb and forefinger and his mouth covered her left nipple, sucking the hard peak fully into his mouth.
CK gasped and her world shattered. A rapturous storm rolled over her, fragmenting her thoughts and plunging her into a world filled only with Ryan's touch and the euphoria gripping her.
As the sweet spasms eased and a languid contentment flowed over her, Ryan settled her skirt around her legs and gently drew her bodice up over her breasts.
She gazed down at him, her heart expanding with a sudden warmth. She longed to tell him that she loved him, but she was afraid it would chase him away. "What about you? Why didn't you make love to me," she said instead, cupping h
is jaw in her hand.
"I thought I had."
"You know what I mean."
"Despite rumors to the contrary, I don't stuff my pockets with condoms when I go to a charity ball." He smiled up at her. "Though if you were going to be there, I might in the future."
A shadow of hope stuttered through her. "Is there going to be a future?"
His smile died and she winced. Why hadn't she kept her mouth shut? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Ryan rocked back on his heels and started buttoning his shirt. "Not if you're marrying Steve," he said, darkly.
She glared at him, outrage building inside her. "Do you really think I'd make out with you while engaged to another man?"
"Isn't that what you just did?"
CK held her bodice in place and pushed to her feet. "You are such an idiot, Ryan Anderson!"
"Because I draw the line at adultery?" he snapped.
"Because you don't know me at all." She reached behind her and struggled to get herself in order. With a hiss of frustration, she turned her back on him. "Zip me up."
She felt his heat against her back and then his deft fingers brushed her skin as he held the top of her gown together with one hand and slid the zipper up with the other. "I've fulfilled our contract," he said, his breath brushing across her neck. "My resignation will be on your desk in the morning."
A scorching pain speared the center of her chest and she straightened her back, pulling away from him.
"Don't expect me at the wedding," he added.
The air stirred behind her, sending a chill across her bare shoulders. A moment later, she heard him crashing through the overgrown path as he headed back toward the house.
Ryan was an ass, she told herself firmly, tears burning in her throat. He should trust her. He should trust their friendship.
A sob broke past her clenched teeth and she covered her mouth with her hand. Loving him was a constant emotional roller coaster that she didn't need in her life. She was better off without him.
Choking down her grief, she piled her anger around her like a fortress as she gathered up the train of her dress. She had better things to do with her time than fret over a stupid man, she told herself firmly as she stomped across the grass toward the path. Like stopping the train wreck her great-grandfather had started.
