by Kari Lemor
A grin split Callie’s face. “Sexually frustrated?”
Freakin’ heat rushed to her face and she looked down.
“Oh, my God. Seriously? You’ve got a thing for Scott?”
Rolling her eyes, she tried to deny it. “No, not a thing.”
“You spent the last few years pretending to be together. Was any of that real? Have you done…you know…it?”
Her cheeks burned and she kept her eyes averted.
“You did. When? Where? I want details.”
Damn, she couldn’t lie to Callie. They’d been best friends since their early teens. Callie hadn’t cared who she was or how much money her family had. She was a true friend. And she’d shown her how to be independent. Not to rely on others like her mother relied on her dad.
“Right after Christmas in Vermont.”
“How did I not know this? I was there.”
“You were a bit busy with Jack.”
Sitting back, Callie patted the tiny bump on her belly. “Yeah, I guess I was a little preoccupied. You know stuff like that can lead to stuff like this.”
Where did that twinge of envy come from? Heather didn’t want to be pregnant. Now or any time soon, though she was thrilled for her friend.
“I’m guessing you remembered protection. Not that I regret this at all. It made me reach inside, find the courage and confidence to get the evidence that put Victor away.”
And thank God she had.
“We remembered. It wasn’t my first barbecue, thanks.”
Callie sipped her tea, hiding her grin behind her cup. “Have you and Scott had many of these barbecues?”
“You and Scott are having a barbecue?” Jack Holland walked through the back door. “Isn’t it a little early in the season for that?”
More envy flashed through her as Jack leaned over to kiss his wife. A long, sweet kiss. Why was she envious? She could have guys kissing her if she wanted. Scott would certainly be willing. But where were the ones who held her face and stared deeply into her eyes when they kissed her? Like Jack did with Callie.
Whoa. Wait a sec. That wasn’t what she wanted. Independence. That was her current goal. Her biggest desire in life at the moment. She wouldn’t find it being dependent on some guy. Perhaps once she had this mill project done and proved to her father she could make it on her own, then she could start looking for a full-time man. Not that she needed one of those for her happiness. But it would be nice to eventually have the comfort of one to come home to.
“Why are you home so early?” Callie asked her husband.
“I was working close by and thought I’d stop in for a quick visit.”
The transformation in Callie from a few months ago to now was lovely to see. She finally had the man she loved with her all the time, and they both could be parents to their son and, soon, their new baby.
“Daddy,” Jonathan yelled as he spotted his father.
Jack moved to the living room, scooping the child into his arms for a hug.
Leaning closer, Callie whispered, “So tell me about you and Scott.”
Keeping her voice low, she said, “There’s nothing to tell. We got a little carried away with all the pheromones you two were giving off and had a one-night stand. Nothing’s happened since.”
“Except him feeling you up today.”
The heat in her cheeks crept down her neck. “He caught me by surprise. That’s all.”
“But you liked the surprise.”
“No.” The denial came quick and Callie rolled her eyes.
“Right. That’s why you’re so sexually frustrated.”
“No, I just haven’t done anything since Scott. Any guy would have gotten me hot and bothered.”
“Sure, you keep telling yourself that.”
She would keep telling herself that. If only to delude herself into thinking there was nothing else to her feelings.
“Calico,” Jack interrupted, holding Jonathan in his arms. “He’s getting tired.”
“It’s almost time for his nap.”
The grin on Jack’s face widened as he moved closer and skimmed his hand down his wife’s arm to pat her belly. “I was kind of planning on that when I decided to come home.”
A blush covered Callie’s cheeks. Jack kissed her then left the room saying, “I’ll put him down.”
“I think this is my cue to leave,” Heather said, standing.
“You don’t have to,” Callie replied, though her eyes followed the handsome man and boy as they walked toward the stairs.
“Yes, I do. I don’t want to be responsible for someone else being frustrated. You guys have fun.”
Walking out the door she tried to tamp down the envy that almost overwhelmed her. Damn, her emotions were not coming at a good time.
* * * *
“What do you mean you’re recalling the loan?”
Scott’s heart beat double time at what his banker, Bill Bradley, had told him.
“I’m sorry, Scott, but my supervisors have gotten some new information that makes them worry you won’t pay back the money.”
“What information?” Stalking across his office, he pulled out copies of the loan application forms he’d filled out. What could possibly be wrong?
“It seems you defaulted on a loan a number of years back. They must not have caught it initially.”
“I’ve never defaulted on a loan. What are they talking about? Where did they get this information?”
“I’m not sure. I’m simply giving you the message. They want payment back of everything you borrowed.”
“I already used it to buy the building.” Seriously, what the hell? “You knew that, Bill.”
“They want it back within the week and they won’t hold it against your credit.”
“Hold it against my credit. You’re already holding something against my credit apparently. How the hell am I supposed to get that much money in a week? The point was to renovate the building, then sell for a profit.”
“I understand there were other bidders for that building. You might try contacting one of them to see if they’re still interested.”
“What loan are they claiming I defaulted on?” And who was behind giving the bank this so-called new information?
“It says here it was a car loan for a Ford Ranger.”
“I haven’t owned a Ranger for ten years. I sold that truck.”
“Then you must not have paid off the whole loan.”
“Of course I did.”
“Do you have the forms showing that?”
Did he? It was ten freakin’ years ago. That loan was paid off, though; he had no doubt.
“I’ll find them and if not I’ll contact the bank where I had the loan.”
“You’d better do it fast. I’ve got them on my back to recall the loan. I’m really sorry, Scott. I’ve appreciated the business you’ve done with us.”
“Apparently not enough. I’ll get back to you.”
Pressing the disconnect button, Scott fumed, wishing for an old-fashioned phone he could slam down. It might release some of his anger. Another damn problem. This project was cursed. First the bid going too high, then having to form a partnership with Heather. The stupid permit application being lost, and now this. Only three days after finally getting the permit to build.
Slumping down into his desk chair, he pulled at his hair then scrubbed his face. The stubble on his chin reminded him he’d been burning the midnight oil a few too many times in recent weeks. Trying to get the memory of Heather’s soft skin out of his mind. No, he shouldn’t be thinking of her. She’d shut him down too often. When would he get the message?
Like when her voice didn’t go all smoky and her breathing stayed even. She wasn’t as unaffected by his nearness and touch as she wanted him to believe. He’d bet every last
dollar he had on that. Shit. If he couldn’t find the damn loan payoff, he might have to give away every last dollar and then some.
After two hours digging through every file cabinet he had, he finally found the payoff notice. Thank God he’d saved it. What the fuck had happened to make the bank think he’d defaulted? They’d gotten information from somewhere. Where? Or should he say who?
Who would benefit from his losing the building? One of the other bidders? Heather? But they were in a partnership. She still had the building project. Unless she wanted it for herself as she originally had. But she hadn’t had enough cash. Had she gotten more funding and tried to sabotage him?
First thing he needed to do was get the bank loan straightened out. Making a few copies of the loan payoff, he stuffed one back in his files and headed out the door. When he got to the bank, Bill couldn’t apologize enough after seeing the statement. The banker couldn’t tell him where the incorrect information had come from, though.
Now to deal with the possible troublemaker.
Her office was on the fifth floor of a swanky building near downtown Waterbury. Entering the suite, he noted the elegant secretary sitting at an impressive oak desk outside a few closed doors. She looked up, smoothed a strand of her flawless blond bun into place, and smiled.
“Can I help you?”
“I’d like to see Ms. Silva, please.”
Scanning the calendar that sat at her elbow, she asked, “Do you have an appointment?”
Obviously he didn’t, considering she’d just checked. “No, but she’ll see me. Tell her Scott Holland is here, please.”
“She asked not to be disturbed. I can take a message and have her get back to you as soon as she’s available.”
The woman’s glance to her right gave away where her boss was. Striding down the short hall, he peeked through a large window into a conference room as heels clicked on the floor behind him. Heather stood inspecting a blueprint. Their project or one of hers?
“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go down there.”
“Apparently, I can.” Tapping lightly on the glass part of the door, he pushed it open and strolled in.
“Scott, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Silva. I told him you were occupied.”
“It’s okay, Wendy. This is Mr. Holland, my business partner in the mill building renovation.” She threw him a forced smile. “He’s welcome here, though it would have been nice to know that he was coming.”
Wendy nodded politely and scuttled back to her desk.
“Thanks for calling off guard dog Barbie.”
Something was off about Heather’s appearance. It took him a second, but when she moved to the side of the table and bent over, he realized she wasn’t wearing any shoes.
As she slipped the spiked heels back on her feet, she apologized. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to come in.”
“Don’t bother putting them back on for me.” The sight of her bending over in her slim fitting skirt and the long, trim legs emphasized by the heels made his pants get snug. Why couldn’t all of him stay mad at her?
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Her voice reeked of sarcasm.
Leaning against the table, he scanned the papers on it. Yup, the plans for the mill building. Her original ones, or the ones they’d come up with together? Hard to tell, since it was only the first floor plans in view.
“I had a call from my banker earlier today.”
Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. “Nothing bad I hope.”
Was she playing the part of concerned partner because she already knew what he was about to say, or did she really care?
“They wanted to recall my loan.”
Her arms dropped and her eyes opened wide. “What? Why?”
“Something about a defaulted loan from ten years ago.”
“You defaulted on a loan? How did that not get picked up by the bank before this? And what does it mean for our partnership?”
“I suppose it could mean that you could buy me out of my half of the building and do it all yourself.”
Something flared in her eyes but he couldn’t quite decipher what. Greed? Anxiety? Guilt? Euphoria? The typical smugness of a rich girl getting her way.
“What does the bank plan on doing?”
Let her continue swinging, or fill her in? “Nothing now, as I had the documents to prove I hadn’t defaulted.”
Her brows knit together. “Everything is fine then?”
“Yup.”
“Then what was the big rush to tell me? You scared the crap out of me for a minute.”
“Did I? Or were you hoping to be able to continue this all on your own?”
Tilting her head she stared at him. “On my own. How would I do that without both of our financing?”
“I didn’t know if you managed to coerce some other schmuck into helping fund you.”
“Helping fund…” Anger, swift and fierce, descended over her features. “You thought I had something to do with the loan default? Why you arrogant piece of—”
Stepping closer, he backed her against the table, stopping her tirade. “Admit it, you originally wanted to do this solo.”
“Of course I did, but now…”
“Now?”
Her jaw tightened and she looked away. Taking a deep breath she returned her gaze. “I understand the project is a lot bigger than I could have handled by myself.”
Leaning in, he put his hands on either side of her. “You mean you need me?”
Her eyes focused on his lips, and he wanted nothing more than to connect his to hers.
“Or someone like you. A contractor.” She pushed at his chest. He didn’t move.
“There’s no one like me, warrior princess, not for you.” His breath swirled around her ear and she shivered. Damn, he loved having this effect on her. Too bad she wouldn’t admit she felt it.
Pushing harder, she managed to slip out of his grasp and move near the window, facing him. Her expression was formidable.
“I can’t believe you thought I’d try and sabotage this project. How could you think I’d do something like that?”
Slipping his hands into his front pockets, he rocked back on his feet. “You like things your way. Why not get rid of the guy who keeps questioning everything you do?”
Pushing away from the window, she barreled toward him, her finger pointing at his chest. “Look here, Holland. No, I don’t always like having to debate every little screw and nut that you purchase, but we made a bargain and I plan to stick to it. We’ve known each other for a few years and apparently you still don’t trust me. Haven’t I proved my loyalty by keeping your cousin’s secret all these years?”
His anger deflated. Yes, she had proved her loyalty and faithfulness. To her best friend. No debating that. But she was still a rich woman who liked things her way.
“I’m sorry for doubting you. But it seems this project is being slowed down every step of the way. You don’t have some gypsy curse on you, do you?”
“I’ll put a gypsy curse on you if you ever act this stupid again. If we’re going to make this partnership work, we have to trust and help each other.”
“You’re right. What are you going to help me with now? Looks like you’ve been studying the plans.”
Walking to the table, she pointed to the blue prints. “I’m making notes on possible locations of outlets and walls depending on who we get in there.”
Standing behind her, he checked out what she’d written. Not that he could keep his mind on the plans with her floral scent filling his nostrils. Her shoulders stiffened as he pressed closer.
“Hey,” he rubbed his hands down her arms. “I said I was sorry. I’m frustrated at how slow this project is moving and didn’t handle this new development well.”
At his a
pology, her body relaxed. That only made it worse as their bodies came in contact, causing his arousal to grow. It never quite diminished when he was near her. One more thing that had him frustrated.
Chapter 5
GO AWAY!
Heather squinted at the graffiti scribbled on the wall of the entryway to the mill building. Pointing to a strange symbol, she looked at Scott.
“What the heck does this mean?” The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
Glancing around, Scott’s face tightened. “That’s a symbol the Northside Dragons use to mark their territory.”
“The Northside Dragons? We aren’t in Hartford, Bridgeport, or even New Haven. This is an old mill town. What would a gang be doing around here?” Her voice rose in pitch. Stay in control. Don’t show fear.
Shrugging, Scott unlocked the door and stepped into the large open room that now housed stacks of lumber and piles of debris. Seemed work had finally started. Her eyes were drawn to another wall decorated with more writing. A shiver ran through her.
“I didn’t think they were, but some gangs have been known to expand their territory if they think it’s profitable. We’re only twenty minutes outside of Hartford.” He held up his phone and snapped a few pictures then got busy texting.
“Are you sending that to the police? We can’t afford to have gangs around here messing with our project, or extorting money from the companies we put in here. Totally bad for business.”
Sticking his phone back in his pocket, he strolled through the cavernous room. “Do you still need help walking?”
Glaring at him, she shook her head. She’d put sneakers on for this trip, not wanting Scott to have to help her. A tiny part of her resisted and still wanted him to. Wanted his hands on her hips, on her thighs, on her—Stop. No hands on her anywhere. No fun. That little voice still niggled inside, but she pushed it back. Focus on business.
Following behind him, she took inventory of what had already been accomplished since she’d been here a week ago. Mostly demolition it seemed. As they wandered through the building, Scott filled her in on the reconstruction project.
When his phone pinged, he read the screen then frowned. Moving closer, she touched his arm. The tingling she always got with him near surged through her skin.
