by Linda Cajio
Six
Driving her Datsun Z-80 through the busy streets of Oakland, Diana smiled her first genuine smile of the day.
She had the beginnings of a plan.
As she parked her car in the four-storied parking garage downtown, she decided her plan was a simple one too. And as she walked into the suite of offices containing Adam’s architectural firm, she congratulated herself for implementing the first step of the plan with barely a nervous flutter of her pulse.
But when Adam’s receptionist told her he wouldn’t be in until later in the afternoon, Diana felt her shoulders sag in surprising relief.
Maybe she wasn’t quite as ready to implement the plan as she’d first thought.
Then she straightened her shoulders. She’d completely forgotten that Adam had said he had to check on a site in Richmond today, but she couldn’t quit now just because she’d made a little mistake. Clearing her throat, she smiled at the well-dressed young woman seated on the other side of the desk and asked, “Would it be possible to leave a message for Mr. Roberts?”
“Sure,” the receptionist replied, picking up a pen. Diana gazed at the cinnamon-red polish on the woman’s very long nails as she attempted to form a personal yet neutral message.
Finally she said, “Just tell him Diana Windsor stopped by, and she’ll be having a drink at the—the Oakland Towers Hotel around … six this evening, if he’d like to join her.”
The receptionist smiled as she wrote down the message. “He ought to be back at about half-past three. In the meantime, is there somewhere he can reach you, should he call in?”
“No. I’ll be … shopping.”
The receptionist nodded. Diana said goodbye and walked away. She tried not to walk too fast. Running was ridiculous, she thought, as she forced her feet to keep a sedate pace. Besides, one part of her plan called for some more sophistication, and it surely wasn’t sophisticated to run like a scared kid.
Somehow she managed to maintain her composure until she reached the sidewalk. Instantly she sprinted away from the tall office building, mumbling apologies when she bumped into several pedestrians. She was three long city blocks from Adam’s office before she slowed to a stop.
This was getting her nowhere fast, she thought, and firmly reminded herself that she shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to face Adam again. The shame was his for what he had done. She had every right to string him, and his brother, along, every right to act sweet and almost love-sick until Adam was bragging to his brother that she was signed, sealed, and delivered. And then she had every right to turn around and sell her game wherever she darn well pleased.
Never get angry, she told herself with smug satisfaction, just get even.
Glancing at her watch, she moaned when she realized it would be nearly five hours before her drink with Adam—if he showed up. She dismissed the doubt. He’d show up. Under the circumstances, he probably wouldn’t be able to stay away.
She grinned. If he thought she would mention the offer from Starlight Software to him, he’d better think again.
Still, it would be long hours before they were to meet, and she wondered if she should go back home. She didn’t want to fight the traffic, but she had no idea how to fill the time. Then she chuckled to herself. She’d told the receptionist she’d be shopping.
So she’d go shopping.
A little before six that evening Diana walked into the Oakland Towers’ lobby. Immediately she spotted Adam already waiting by the elevators. In his gray pinstripe suit, he looked like a no-nonsense but very virile business executive. She remembered his sensual tutoring of the night before in a rush of sensations. And she remembered his betrayal of the morning. Her steps faltered and she fought the urge to turn around and run. Drawing a deep breath, she steeled herself to face him, when he caught sight of her and waved. He hurried over.
“Hello, Adam,” she said as he drew near her. She gave silent thanks that she actually sounded normal. Her stomach was churning, her chest was heaving, and her body was unnaturally stiff. She couldn’t believe her physical reaction to him was stronger than ever, especially after the morning’s revelation.
“Hi,” he said softly. “I’m sorry I missed you earlier at the office. I really would like to have shown you around.”
She forced herself to smile. “I would have enjoyed that.”
His voice grew deep. “I wanted to call you this morning—”
“I’m almost glad you didn’t,” she broke in, her own voice low. She edged away from him as unobtrusively as possible. “I wanted to surprise you by taking you to lunch. Unfortunately, I forgot you had to go to Richmond on business.”
She sighed silently, grateful there had been no betraying awkwardness on her part. Somehow, she hadn’t panicked, and had even managed to sound almost flirty. The worst had to be over now. She hoped.
Adam gazed at Diana’s lush mouth. He wanted to kiss her, to carry her away and finish the lesson of the night before. He wanted to ignore his honor, but couldn’t. Diana needed time. If only her mouth didn’t look so soft and moist. Suddenly he noticed she was wearing lipstick … and eye shadow. And a sweater that outlined her magnificent breasts. Diana had always seemed like an Eve to him—natural, innocent, and earthy. So why …?
He hid a grin, realizing she had dressed up, put on makeup, for him. There was no need. She was fine to begin with. Still, he had to admit he liked the enhancements.…
As he continued to stare at her mouth, Diana nearly did panic. Was her pale pink lipstick crooked? Too heavy? Downright clownish? She prayed it wasn’t. The lipstick had looked okay in the bright lights of the department store’s ladies’ room. So had the mascara and light blue eye shadow she’d applied. In fact, they had looked barely there. Maybe the makeup clashed with the pretty silver-and-blue designer sweater she’d purchased. She’d only wanted to look a little more sophisticated, not ridiculous.
“I like that sweater,” Adam said, slipping his arm around her waist. “Shall we go have a drink now?”
She nodded, relaxing at the obvious sincerity in his voice. Evidently her little impromptu changes were having the desired effect. She decided her plan was moving along quite nicely, despite her initial setback. All she had to do was keep a layer of detachment between herself and Adam. Easier said than done, she admitted as his arm seemed to burn her waist.
As they walked to the elevators she congratulated herself on her choice of meeting place. The restaurant and bar were on the top floor of the hotel, overlooking Lake Merritt. If nothing else, they could talk about the terrific view.
The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. As she turned around to face forward, Diana almost gasped out loud as the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen rushed into the elevator just as the doors were closing. Light perfume filled the enclosed space. Diana completely forgot about Adam.
“Morgan’s going to kill me,” the woman muttered as she pushed the already lighted button for the restaurant.
Diana stared at the redhead’s pale yellow cocktail dress. Obviously expensive, the long-sleeved dress clung to the woman’s body as if it had been designed for it. Probably it had. It was barely held together by gold clasps at the shoulders, and the neckline draped impossibly low, exposing much of the woman’s cleavage. As Diana’s gaze drifted upward to the expertly made-up face, she noted that in spite of her comment, the woman looked gorgeous, confident, and … sophisticated.
“That’s a beautiful dress,” Diana said to the woman. Normally she didn’t speak to people in elevators, but she just had to tell the woman how much she liked the dress.
The woman turned and smiled, pleasure evident in her brown eyes. “Thank you. I hope my husband has the same reaction. Maybe then he won’t strangle me for being so late. The traffic over the Bay Bridge was terrible! That’s a pretty sweater you’re wearing. I love those silver snowflake appliqués.”
Diana thanked her, and decided that whoever the woman was, she was very nice. Then she became aware of Ad
am again and realized he hadn’t spoken a word since they’d entered the elevator. She glanced up to find him staring almost open-mouthed at the woman. She shifted her gaze back to the woman. She could understand Adam’s staring. After all, her own reaction had been the same. But was he attracted to her?
She stiffened at the thought. The doors opened just then, and Adam suddenly came to life, whisking them both through the doors. Finally, he acknowledged the woman with a rather curt nod of his head.
The woman smiled politely at him, then said to Diana, “It was nice of you to defy the elevator code of silence and speak to me. Those were probably the last kind words I’ll hear for the rest of the evening. Speaking of evenings, have a nice one yourselves. The hotel’s restaurant is supposed to be very good.” The woman’s smile turned into a mischievous grin. “Well, I’m off to make a grand entrance. My husband never has learned to cope with one of those.”
The woman hurried away in the direction of a private reception room, and as she watched her go, Diana couldn’t imagine the woman’s husband even having the ability to speak after seeing that dress. Adam certainly hadn’t. It was even more depressing to admit that she hadn’t left him silently gawking as the redhead had.
She forced a smile to her lips. She wasn’t about to let him know that his reaction to the woman had upset her in the least. “She was very beautiful, wasn’t she?”
Adam grinned. “Yes, she was. But I know good fortune when I find it, princess.”
More than good fortune, he thought as he smoothed his hand down the length of her spine. Diana, with her huge violet eyes and sexy naïveté, was much more beautiful than the redhead. He’d never had a woman obviously make herself look prettier because she thought it would please him. Diana had also given over a measure of trust to him last night, and he had never felt so honored in his life. Now he had to protect that vulnerable trust, nurture it. And he would. Women like Diana came along only once in a man’s lifetime—if they ever did. And if a man was very lucky, he’d recognize her. He was a very lucky man.
On that thought, he ushered her into the Tropical Room. The decor was overdone with bamboo and palm fronds. Even the waitresses’ sarong uniforms looked hokey to Adam. But the place had a certain thirties-era charm.
They were seated in tall fanback chairs by one of the panoramic windows and ordered drinks. Adam watched in amusement as Diana kept fiddling with the zipper on her purse. After a minute she asked, “How was Richmond?”
“Very good. We’re doing the renovations for several commercial properties, and the construction is just about ready to start. Between the massive redevelopment projects here in Oakland and there, my partner, John Polaski, and I figure we won’t be out of work for the next hundred years or so.”
“That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed. “When did you start your business?”
“About three years ago.” He grinned lopsidedly. “Like you, I prefer working for myself, even though I work harder. But it’s worth it.”
She nodded. Suddenly she leaned forward, staring directly into his eyes. “You know, I never asked you … but are you married?”
He burst into laughter.
Diana felt a hot blush cover her cheeks. Really, she thought. He didn’t have to laugh quite that loud. Maybe the question wasn’t exactly subtle, but it had suddenly occurred to her that she ought to know. Now she wished she’d never asked.
“I just thought I’d check, that’s all,” she said in a rush, trying to cover her embarrassment. “I nean … you never said … I never knew …” She collapsed back in the chair and began to laugh. “It was a heck of a question, wasn’t it?”
“It sure was,” he agreed. “And no, I’m not married. Never even came close.”
“Why?” she asked, curious.
He shrugged. “Just never found the right woman. Why aren’t you married?”
She shrugged. “Too busy, I guess.”
“Same here.”
Grinning, she said, “Taking a page from your book, what about fantasies, hopes, and aspirations?”
He grinned back. “My fantasies couldn’t get much better than last night. My hope is that there will be more nights like that. My aspiration is to figure out how to change the oil in my car without getting the stuff all over me.”
She laughed at the last. She refused to think about the first two. “Are you originally from here?” she asked in an attempt to change the subject.
He shook his head. “Seattle. My family is still there. I moved here about five years ago to work for a big architectural firm. Then John and I struck out on our own.”
She couldn’t have asked for a better opening. “Oh!” she said very innocently. “Seattle is where your brother’s software company is. Starbright, right?”
“Starlight,” he corrected her in an amused voice. “We sound like we’re rhyming sentences.”
“I have to admit I’m a little curious about your brother, seeing as we’re in the same line of work. Has his company been in business long?”
Before Adam could answer, a waitress, different from the one who had taken their order, arrived with their drinks. A very attractive waitress with blond streaks in her dark, windblown-styled hair. She bent especially low when she placed Adam’s Scotch and water on the wicker table. Diana couldn’t see the waitress’s face, but somehow the woman’s whole body seemed to exude sexual invitation.
Feeling like a struggling rookie surrounded by superstars, Diana glanced down at her sweater and old navy skirt. The silver snowflakes that had distinguished the sweater from the others on the rack now looked childish, and to her critical eyes the skirt showed its age. Her navy pumps, with their short, squat heels, were so damned sensible too.
The waitress left with a last swish of her sarong. Diana cringed, wondering how she could have been so stupid as to think her own appearance was the least sophisticated or womanly. Her attention had been focused on the waitress, but she could well imagine Adam’s expression as he’d received a close-up view of the low-cut sarong. She grabbed her glass of white wine and took a large gulp of the tangy liquid.
“I foresee another rescue in the works if you keep drinking like that,” Adam said gently.
She carefully set the glass back down on the table. First the redhead, then the waitress, and now this! She sighed and absently adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She had a long way to go before she’d be a master in the game of sophistication. There were mazes and obstacles that she just hadn’t anticipated. Still, she did have one advantage, for which she was very grateful. She knew exactly what Adam’s game was. And that, she decided, made them just about even.
“Diana?”
She raised her head and looked at Adam, at his tender expression. He really was quite good at faking it, she thought.
“I get the feeling something’s bothering you,” he continued, leaning forward. “If it’s last night, then I think we should talk.”
Frantically she searched for an adroit way to turn the topic of conversation to something neutral. Of all the darned times to be out of sophistication! Swallowing back a lump of desperation, she said, “I’m not uncomfortable about … anything, Adam. I did some shopping this afternoon, and I’m a little tired from that. That’s probably what you’re noticing.”
He frowned at her, and Diana knew she hadn’t fooled him. Her heart pounding, she forced herself to say, “Last night was just … last night. There’s really nothing to discuss. And especially not here.”
“There’s plenty to discuss,” he countered. “But you’re right about not here. Finish your drink, and we’ll go to my place—”
“Honestly, I’m fine,” she broke in, horrified by his suggestion. “Quite happy, in fact. Brimming with a healthy attitude about private lessons, thanks to you—”
“Well, well. If it isn’t Princess Di and her bodyguard.”
Startled by the unexpected interruption, Diana glanced up to discover Jim Griegson standing next to their table, a drink in
his hand. From the glazed look in his eyes and the sour smile playing on his lips, she had the feeling this drink wasn’t his first of the evening. She nearly groaned aloud when she remembered the last time she’d seen the CompuWorld reporter—and his boardroom/bedroom comment in his last column. She only hoped he had calmed down about Adam’s having pushed him into the buffet table. While Jim was the last person she might want to see, she did have to admit that his appearance was very timely. She’d been babbling herself into disaster.
“This is a private conversation,” Adam said curtly.
“I see you’re still the great protector. Roberts,” Griegson said in a sarcastic voice.
“I’m really sorry about what happened at the reception, Jim,” Diana said, feeling that if she didn’t dispel the thick tension between the two men, there would be another disaster. “And so is Adam. Why don’t you join us? We owe you amends.”
“No, thanks,” Griegson said, then smirked. “I wouldn’t lower myself to hoist one with the Virgin Queen and her consort.”
Before Diana could even be shocked by the crude words, Adam exploded out of his chair. Griegson yelped in fright, and jumped away from the fist that never materialized. He crashed into the bamboo furniture behind him and went down in a tangle of legs, table, and chairs.
Diana blinked once in amazement.
“You owe the lady an apology,” Adam said in a cold voice, standing over the dazed reporter.
Realizing that Jim was too stunned to apologize for anything, Diana rose unsteadily to her feet. The other patrons were staring in shock. She still found it hard to believe that Jim had been insulting both her and Adam one moment, and was sprawled on the floor the next. Touching Adam’s arm to get his attention, she said quietly, “I do believe you’ve delivered our usual exit signal, Adam.”
He turned, a furious expression still on his face, then visibly relaxed. With a last disparaging glance at Griegson, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of bills. Tossing them on the table, he said to Diana, “Time to go.”
