Dex pulled Caitlin closer into his arms. “You’ll like Lorren. She’s a sweetheart and just what Justin needs. He loves her very much.”
Caitlin stirred against Dex as she considered his words. “Lorren’s a very lucky woman to have the love of her man.”
Dex tensed at her words. “Caitlin?”
“Yes?”
“I do care for you. You know that, don’t you?” Dex’s breath was warm against her cheek and he tightened his arms around her.
Caitlin had to close her eyes at the tears that stung them. She shifted slightly and pressed closer to him. Caring wasn’t the same thing as loving. She lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. “Yes, I know you care for me.”
Dex leaned down and kissed her. Caitlin’s response to him was immediate, it was spontaneous, it was urgent. Their heat was ignited by their passion, their sensual demands unleashed by desire. One kiss led to another and another, each one deeper, more greedy and more intimate than the other.
A smile touched Dex’s lips seconds before they sank to the plush carpeting. Within minutes they had removed every stitch of their clothing. Caitlin took Dex’s face into her hands. “I’m not protected, Dex.”
Dex gathered her closer to his naked form. His forehead dropped to rest against hers. “Neither am I, baby. Neither am I.”
His hands cupped the sides of her face and when his mouth touched hers it put an end to all conversation. The only sounds echoing in the room were the sounds of their heavy breathing, their moans of delight and their groans of pleasure as they shared total fulfillment.
Dex was driven by a raging need and a desire to communicate physically just how much he wanted and needed her. His mouth became more demanding, his body greedier and his movements harder, fiercer.
Caitlin used her hands to cherish him, she used her mouth to entice him and she used her body to please him. She wanted to prolong what they were sharing, but couldn’t.
The first rush of ecstasy touched them simultaneously. Their hold on each other tightened as Dex drove hard inside of Caitlin, filling her completely with his release at the same time she found her own. Tortured cries were rung from their lips as they were overtaken by an all-consuming climactic force that left neither of them protected.
“What do you mean, we were dropped by Remington Oil?” Walker asked, looking at his uncle. “I don’t understand.”
“Well, you should understand,” Duncan Malone shouted. “Since it’s all your fault. I never should have gone along with your scheme to harass Halston Parker. Now look what’s happened. Remington Oil knows everything.”
“But how can they? No one knows of our connection to Remington Oil. How could they have found out?”
“Halston Parker’s daughter,” he growled. “That man she’s married to used to work for Remington Oil. Somehow he figured out what was going on.”
“But how?”
“I don’t know.” Duncan Malone snorted derisively. “All I know is that I got a call from the top brass at Remington Oil who said my services were no longer needed, and I was told why. Do you know what that means? Do you have any idea how much money I’ll be losing? They were my biggest client.”
He flung a large hand toward his office door. “I want you out of here, Walker. Maybe with you gone, I’ll be able to salvage a little of the good name I used to have. If word gets around about what happened, other companies will stop doing business with me, too. Then I’ll lose everything, all because of you.”
Walker saw his chance to one day run Malone Land Developers crumble before his eyes. “Where will I go? What will I do?”
“I don’t care,” Duncan Malone thundered. “Just clean out your desk and get out of my sight before I forget we’re related. And don’t come back.”
Less than an hour later Walker Malone had loaded his belongings in the car. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he drove around town with no particular destination in mind.
When the car came to a stop at a traffic light, he glanced down at the sketch pad in the seat beside him. His stony gaze slid over the paper he’d drawn of the woman who was the cause of all his troubles. His hard-muscled arms and strong hands gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“You’re going to pay, lady. I’ll make sure of it.”
Corinthians gave the young woman who opened the door a forced smile. “Ms. Madaris. I’m Corinthians Avery from Remington Oil. May I come in?”
“Yes.” Caitlin moved aside to let Corinthians enter. She then gestured toward the living room. “If you’re here to see my husband, Ms. Avery, he’s not home. Dex’s at a job site and probably won’t be back until late tonight.”
“I’m not here to see your husband, Ms. Madaris. I’m here to see you.”
Caitlin looked back at the sharply dressed woman who was following her into the living room. “Me? Why would anyone from Remington Oil want to see me?”
Yes, why indeed? Corinthians thought as she sat down on the sofa. She’d been so curious to get a chance to see for herself the woman who’d stolen Dex’s heart, that she had volunteered for this mission. But whatever prior images she’d had of the woman had faded the moment she’d opened the door. Caitlin Madaris appeared to be a vibrant and friendly person. And she was indeed pretty. No, pretty wasn’t a strong enough word. Drop-dead beautiful was better.
Corinthians could immediately see how Dex had fallen in love with her. Even dressed in a pair of cutoff jeans and a T-shirt, there appeared to be a certain softness about her. And she was so young. Corinthians had oftentimes wondered if the seven year difference in her and Dex’s ages had been the reason he’d never had a romantic interest in her. Evidently age hadn’t been a factor, since the woman he’d eventually married looked to be around twenty-four or twenty-five. That meant there was at least an eleven-to twelve-year difference in their ages. There also seemed to be some sort of strength surrounding her. But the strength did not lessen her femininity. When she walked, she moved like a model or a dancer.
“Can I get you something to drink, Ms. Avery?”
“No thanks, and please call me Corinthians. May I call you Caitlin?”
“Sure. And Corinthians is a pretty name.”
Corinthians settled back in her seat. “Thanks. My father is a minister and couldn’t resist naming me after his favorite book in the Bible.”
“Which one, First Corinthians or Second Corinthians?”
Corinthians grinned. “I believe both.”
A smile creased the laugh lines beside Caitlin’s mouth and eyes. “My father’s favorite book in the Bible was Psalms, especially after my mother’s death,” she said. “I believe the scriptures gave him the strength he needed to face each day without my mother. With them he found peace and comfort.”
She also had sought solace in the scriptures, Caitlin thought. While she was pregnant with Jordan, she’d selected a verse out of the Book of First Corinthians. That passage had given her strength each day for the past four years. And even now, being back with Dex, she depended on it even more. She had to believe its words—Love knows no limit to its endurance, no fading of its hope. It can outlast anything. Love never fails…
“I think I’d like that drink, after all,” Corinthians said, interrupting Caitlin’s thoughts. “A cola will be fine if you have one. Then I’d like to explain to you why I’m here.”
Caitlin stood. “All right. I’ll be back in a minute.”
While Caitlin was gone, Corinthians glanced around the room. It was a really nice place. She suddenly wondered where Trevor Grant lived and what his taste in decorating was like. After the meeting on Friday, he’d quickly left the building, which at the time had been just fine with her. All during the business meeting he’d kept her within the scope of his relentless gaze. It had been totally unnerving to have him sit across the conference table and stare at her most of the time. She had wondered if he was remembering what she’d been wearing the night before. She was more than certain an embarrassing blush had b
een on her face during the entire meeting.
“Here you are,” Caitlin said, returning with a glass of Coke on ice. She handed the glass and a napkin to Corinthians.
“And like I told you earlier, Corinthians, I really don’t understand why you want to see me. Dex is the one whose company was going to head up some major project with Remington Oil.”
Corinthians took a sip of her soda. “Yes, he was.”
“It’s my understanding,” Caitlin continued, “that the project has been cancelled.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Corinthians said, smiling. “Let’s just say the Leabo Project has been placed on hold for a while. And I for one hope it’s only temporary since I’m the one who did all the research for the project. I’m a geologist for Remington Oil.”
“Really? Dex used to be a geologist for them a few years ago. Did you know him?”
“Yes, Dex and I used to work together. We’re good friends.”
Something about the tone of Corinthians’s voice when she made the statement caused Caitlin to lift a brow. “Oh, I see.”
Corinthians met Caitlin’s inquiring stare. “Dex trained me when I first started working at Remington Oil, and we continued working together until he was sent to Australia. I haven’t seen him since then.”
Caitlin sat back in her seat wondering just how good of friends Corinthians and Dex had been. Had they been lovers? She wasn’t naive enough to think his life before marrying her hadn’t included women. But still, she couldn’t help the tinge of jealousy that suddenly struck her that perhaps she and this woman had something in common—Dex.
“Why are you really here?” she asked, suddenly feeling there was more to the woman’s visit than she’d let on.
Corinthians picked up on the change in Caitlin’s tone. It was still friendly, but cool. “I told you the truth, Caitlin. I’m here to discuss Remington Oil.” She shifted positions in her seat so she could face Caitlin squarely. “Before we go any further, I think we should clear the air about something. What I said a few moments ago is the truth. Dex and I are friends. But that’s it. He’s like a brother to me. But I’m going to be completely honest with you and give it to you straight. I’ve always wanted more than just friendship between the two of us. But he never knew it. He thought of me as one of his sisters.”
“And what about now, Corinthians?”
Corinthians had no doubt that Caitlin was staking her claim and she liked that. “Now Dex is a married man, and I have no reason to think he’s not a happy one. I believe strongly in the marriage vows. I would never try to come between you and Dex.”
“Do you still love him?”
Corinthians smiled. Lately she hadn’t been doing a whole lot of thinking about Dex. There was another brother who’d begun occupying her thoughts—Trevor Grant. “Had you asked me that same question a few weeks ago, I would not have hesitated in saying yes. But now, to be quite honest with you, I don’t know. I’ve talked to Dex on the phone a couple of times—” at the lift of Caitlin’s brow, she rushed in “—all business-related conversations. I haven’t actually seen him in over four years. So I don’t know how I feel right now.”
Feeling secure in her love for Dex, Caitlin replied, “Until two weeks ago, I hadn’t seen Dex in nearly four years, either. But there was never a day that went by, while we were apart, that I didn’t know I loved him. At times, that was the only thing I was completely sure about.”
“In that case, Caitlin, maybe what I’ve always thought I’ve felt for Dex hasn’t really been love, after all. Maybe it’s been some sort of hero worship or infatuation.” Corinthians grinned. “Although you would think at the age of twenty-nine I’d know the difference. But what I do know, is that I want the very best for him. He’s a good man. It’s not very often that a brother gets an opportunity to succeed in his career like Dex has. His time has come, and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving man. Dex works hard and plays by the rules.”
“I really don’t understand why you’re telling me all of this. I’m very supportive of his career. I was very happy for him when he was chosen by Remington Oil to head that project. And I was very disappointed with their decision to abandon it.”
“You left us no choice.”
Confusion clearly shone in Caitlin’s eyes. “What do you mean I left you no choice. That’s crazy. I had nothing to do with it.”
Corinthians frowned. Something wasn’t right here. Caitlin acted as if she didn’t know a thing about her involvement in the Leabo Project. If that was the case, why hadn’t Dex told her?
Corinthians stood and began pacing the room, fully aware that a confused Caitlin watched her. If Dex hadn’t told his wife anything, what right did she have to? But, if Caitlin didn’t know, didn’t she deserve to? Corinthians took a deep breath. She was in a quandary on how to proceed.
“I’m going to ask again, Corinthians. What do you mean, I left you no choice?”
Corinthians stopped pacing and faced Caitlin. “What has Dex told you about the Leabo Project?”
“Nothing, and until a few moments ago, I never knew the name of the project. Dex refuses to talk about it. I just assumed Remington Oil’s decision to stop the project was too much of a disappointment to him, and he wanted to get beyond it.”
Corinthians took her seat on the sofa again. “Well, I’m going to tell you a little about the project, and I hope in the end you’ll understand why I’m here.”
She then told Caitlin about the project, beginning with her research and ending with Remington Oil’s failure to secure possession of a final parcel of land needed for the project.
“That parcel of land that’s vital to Leabo is land you own, Caitlin. I understand it’s land that’s been in your family for generations.”
“Shadowland?”
At Corinthians nod, Caitlin flew out of her seat and began doing what Corinthians had done moments earlier, pace the room.
“That’s crazy. I’ve never heard anything about Remington Oil wanting to buy Shadowland. I’m well aware that some land-developing company by the name of Malone Land Developers tried forcing my father into selling it, and even made a harassing telephone call to me. But no one ever said anything about Remington Oil.”
“Malone Land Developers was working for us, Caitlin, although we had no idea they were harassing you or your father. Duncan Malone had us convinced you and your father had agreed to sell Shadowland. We were taken back when Dex told us you didn’t want to sell, and that neither you nor your father had ever wanted to sell.”
“When did you talk to Dex about this?”
“Last week. And he made it pretty clear that Shadowland was not for sale and there would not be any further discussion on it.”
Caitlin’s head began spinning. Why had Dex risked losing out on a major job that would have boosted his career? Why? Even as she asked herself the question, deep down she knew the answer. Because he hadn’t wanted to place himself in a position where she would have to make a choice again. The last time, she’d chosen her father over him. Did he actually think she wouldn’t choose what was best for him over a piece of land? Granted, she loved Shadowland, it held deep ties for her, but she loved Dex even more. Didn’t he know that?
“Caitlin, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She wasn’t at all sure of that now. It hurt to know that Dex still didn’t have faith in her love for him. He still hadn’t let go of the past and probably never would. She had lived each day since he had returned hoping and praying, but now it seemed there would never be love, trust and faith in their marriage. Those things would be there, but only from her. But considering the pain he’d suffered when his friend had died as a result of love, and the hurt she’d caused him, did she really expect him to be any different?
“The reason I’m here,” Corinthians continued, “is to first apologize on behalf of Remington Oil for the actions of Malone Land Developers. Since finding out about what they did, Remington Oil has severed all tie
s with them.”
Corinthians stood. “The other reason is personal. I had to see the woman who had captured Dex’s heart. And after meeting with you today, I can see why. Goodbye, Caitlin. It was nice meeting you. I’ll let myself out.”
“Wait, before you go,” Caitlin said, coming to stand before the woman. “How much time do you have today?”
Corinthians lifted a brow. “I have all the time in the world. I flew in from Austin on the company’s jet. It’ll take off whenever I’m ready to leave. Why?”
“I’d like to read whatever reports you have on the Leabo Project. If the project is as important to Remington Oil as you claim, I would like to make them a counteroffer.”
Corinthians smiled. “I think they’ll be receptive, depending on what you’ll be wanting, Caitlin.”
“Good, and I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if an attorney was here to help draw up a proposal.”
Caitlin went over to the telephone and began dialing. “Hello, Clayton. This is Caitlin. I need your help in working up a land deal.”
“You’re what!”
“I’m selling Shadowland. Clayton is helping me draw up the papers to make Remington Oil a counteroffer.”
Dex’s mouth hung open at Caitlin’s casual statement as she moved around their bedroom, packing for their trip to Justin and Lorren’s home. He had been gone all day at a job site and had been in the house only long enough to shower before she’d dropped this little bombshell. No, he corrected, this big bombshell.
“Caitlin, will you please stay in one place long enough to tell me what the hell is going on,” he thundered.
“Dex, please. You don’t have to yell.”
Dex crossed the room in great strides, coming face-to-face with his wife. His patience was wearing thin. He gritted his teeth. “What’s this nonsense about you selling Shadowland?”
“It’s not nonsense. I’m selling Shadowland to Remington Oil. It seems you forgot to tell me that Malone Land Developers was working for them and my refusal to sell jeopardized your position with the project.” She moved around him.
Whispered Promises Page 20
