Stranger in My Arms

by Madeline Harper

She skittered into the bar and picked up the phone. “Fred, I can’t believe it! Your timing is perfect. Mattison Monroe just left.”

  There was a long silence while Kasey imagined Fred picking himself up off the floor. Then she told him the whole story.

  “And you decided to let the dish go to the man.”

  “Yep. Was I wrong?”

  Fred laughed. “We’ll see.”

  “Fred—”

  “No, of course not, Kasey. It was your decision. I trust you completely.”

  That response was followed by a long pause, which left Kasey puzzled. “Fred,” she said softly, “what’s the matter. What is it?”

  “Nothing about Mattison. Nothing about your work,” he said quickly. “But...”

  “Fred,” she prompted again.

  “Okay, I’m going to come right out with it,” he said, causing her anxiety level to rise. “I didn’t want to tell you about this, but my wife insisted.”

  Kasey held her breath.

  “I called home for my messages, and I had a weird one, Kasey. From Carl Dandridge.”

  Her fingers tightened on the receiver. “Carl?”

  “Yep. I might as well tell you, it was an ugly call. The man sounded crazed, insisting I fire you and hire him back. I don’t think he’s a real threat, but you need to know how he reacted.”

  “I know already. He came by and made his threats in person. I didn’t pay much attention,” she added, not quite truthfully.

  “He’s just blowing off steam, but I want you to watch your step, just in case.”

  “I will.”

  “I chose you for the job because you get along with everyone,” Fred told her. “Even Carl. That’s what mystifies me about his taking his anger out on you, of all people.”

  “He holds me responsible for his failures, but I don’t think he’s dangerous.”

  “I don’t, either, but be careful just the same. Look out for yourself.”

  “I will,” she promised.

  “Then I’ll see you in a few days. What would you like as a memento of my vacation in Maine? How about a lobster?” he asked, chuckling at his own joke.

  “At the rate Albert’s going, that’s not a bad idea.”

  * * *

  LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF. Fred’s words rang in Kasey’s head as she closed the restaurant for the night. It was the manager’s job to shut the place down, lock the day’s earnings in the safe, turn off the lights and set the alarm. Whenever the task fell to Kasey, she asked someone to stay with her. Tonight of all nights, she’d simply forgotten.

  Judy had left early to go out with her boyfriend, and somehow the bartender and waiters had got away before Kasey. Even the late-night busboy had left early, and he was usually her self-appointed protector.

  After Kasey set the locks and the burglar alarm, she went out the back door, mumbling to herself all the while. “Doesn’t make sense. Leaving through the back. Ridiculous. Not to mention damned dangerous.” Fred had set up the security system that way, but she was going to talk to him about it when he got back.

  She was still mumbling as she looked both ways, checked to make sure there was no one lurking in the alley and then hurried out the gate toward the street. She stopped once, looked over her shoulder, just to assure herself there really wasn’t anyone following her and then made a final bolt out into Columbus Circle.

  The late-night crowd was louder and more boisterous than usual. She had to sidestep a drunk coming out of the corner bar, and as she crossed the street a sports car filled with teenagers skidded by, barely missing her. She rushed along, keeping a lookout for a taxi. She wasn’t anxious to walk home alone.

  But the heavy traffic didn’t include any empty cabs. She could take the subway, Kasey thought; it was only one stop on the local. But the idea of going down the steps to the train never had been appealing, especially at night. Lurking in a subway station seemed like something Carl would do.

  Carl. Kasey realized then that she’d been running from him ever since she left the restaurant. He’d threatened her twice—face-to-face and on Frank’s answering machine. How did she know that he wouldn’t follow her, with more than threats on his demented mind?

  Kasey stepped out into the street, hand extended hopefully to flag down a taxi. The light changed, stopping all the traffic traveling uptown. She waited patiently and then began to wave as the light turned green and the cars sped past. “Damn,” she said. “Guess I’m walking.” She made her way across Columbus Circle, dodging traffic that didn’t include any empty cabs.

  As she headed toward her Upper West Side neighborhood and away from the late-night activity, the traffic thinned out. Soon, only an occasional car passed, its headlights casting eerie shadows against the buildings.

  Kasey was still two blocks away from home, when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around, quickly, expecting to see someone out for an evening walk. But no one was there. The street was deserted. She moved on, more slowly, taking careful, nearly silent steps.

  Then she heard the footsteps again. They weren’t echoes of her own, and they certainly weren’t imaginary. She sped up; the footsteps moved just as quickly. Still moving forward, she glanced around once more, and that’s when she saw him, a dark, shadowy figure, barely discernible. Kasey began to run.

  Across the street, a young couple had just got into their car. She rushed toward them, about to ask for help, when they drove off, laughing and gesturing toward her.

  When she’d crossed the street, the man behind her had followed. Now he was closer, almost upon her.

  Her heart pounded, and she moved faster, struggling to catch her breath. Judy and Fred were right. Carl Dandridge was a dangerous man, and he was after her! She could hear his footsteps coming closer and closer. Then he called out her name.

  “Kasey, stop, Kasey!” The voice sounded muffled in the heavy night air.

  Did he think she was insane? Did he think she’d stop for him on a nearly deserted street just because he’d called her name? She reached inside for her last reserve of energy, but he was gaining on her. The faster she ran, the quicker he closed the gap. She imagined she could even feel his breath on her neck; he seemed that close. And he was!

  She let out a yell as his hand touched her shoulder.

  “No!” she cried, whirling and crouching in a defensive position, her best imitation of a karate stance.

  He was wearing a dark shirt and trousers, and his face was half-hidden in the shadows. “Don’t touch me or—” She broke off in midthreat when he stepped into the glow of the streetlight.

  “Will?” She stood up, facing him, relieved.

  “Yes. Why were you running, Kasey?”

  “I didn’t know it was you.”

  “I’m sorry for frightening you. I thought you would stop when I called your name.

  “No, I thought you were—” She broke off, winded, trying to catch her breath.

  “Who?” he asked.

  “No one. Nothing.” She didn’t explain further as she pushed her hair back from her face and looked at him. “What are you doing here?” There was no hiding the suspicion in her voice.

  “Taking a walk,” he answered immediately. “I like to walk at night.”

  He was a night walker? Kasey thought of Glenna’s facetious remark about Will as a vampire.

  “You told me where you worked, remember? I knew that you got off late, and since I was nearby...” He shrugged. “I thought maybe I could walk you home.”

  She looked down the street. “I’m nearly there.”

  “I missed you at the restaurant. Then I saw you crossing Columbus Circle and tried to catch up. But you make good time, lady.”

  Kasey couldn’t help smiling.

  “May I walk you the rest of the way?”

  There was just enough light for Kasey to see his bearded face. His eyes seemed honest, his voice sounded reasonable enough. She bit down on her lip and hesitated.

  “Or we could have a drink at that lit
tle bar a couple of blocks back, and then I’ll put you in a taxi,” he said smoothly, “if that will make you feel safer.”

  Kasey sighed, aware that her anxiety must be easy for him to read. “No,” she said. “It’s too late for a drink, but I’d like for you to walk me the rest of the way home,” she said firmly.

  Will took her elbow and started to walk. “I have a confession,” he said.

  Kasey glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “That sounds serious.”

  “An apology, actually. I want to say that I’m sorry for leaving you to face the television cameras on Saturday. The whole thing was too much for me. It seemed exploitative.”

  “Exploitative?” she asked.

  “Of the children, the parents.”

  “Oh.” Kasey was thoughtful. “That’s certainly an unusual take. All this time I had another idea about your disappearance. I thought maybe you were running from the media.”

  “Really?” He didn’t break stride, she noted, but even while he kept on walking, Kasey was pretty sure she felt his hand tighten and then relax on her arm. “How do you mean that?” he asked.

  “Well, I thought you were running from the television cameras because someone might see you.”

  “An interesting theory,” he commented casually. “Any other twists on it?”

  They stopped at the corner, and the streetlight slanted across his face, leaving it shadowed. He looked at her quizzically, and Kasey knew she should just shrug and change the subject. That would probably please him. On the other hand, she could plunge ahead.

  “Maybe you’re in hiding,” she ventured.

  “In hiding, huh? Who from, the law?” He gave a half smile. “The light’s with us, come on.” As they walked, he looked down at her with the smile still on his lips. “I can swear to you unequivocally that I’m not running from the law. The cops aren’t closing in on me, Kasey.”

  He’d succeeded in making her feel embarrassed about her question. “Well, of course not. I didn’t really think they were. I guess I was just letting my imagination play games.”

  “That’s called fantasizing, Kasey. And that makes me the object of your fantasy,” he teased.

  “No, I—”

  “Just kidding,” he said.

  They were just a few doors from Bartow Tower, when she decided to go all the way with her thoughts.

  “I also imagined—only for a minute—that maybe you didn’t want your wife to see you on television.”

  “I don’t have a wife,” he said as they walked under the Bartow canopy and toward the front door. “I have an ex-wife.”

  When they reached the marble lobby, Tim looked up from his desk, his eyes lit with interest. “Well, well. Ms. Halliday and Mr. Eastman. Been out on the town?”

  Kasey was determined to stop that rumor before it began. “I ran into Mr. Eastman on my way home from work,” she said curtly.

  “Small world, eh?”

  “Very,” Will replied, pushing the elevator button. “This one guaranteed to work tonight?”

  “They were both checked out today. No problem,” Tim assured them.

  The door opened and they stepped inside. “I wouldn’t mind, you know.” Will folded his arms and leaned against the elevator wall, looking at her with that teasing half smile.

  “Mind what?” Kasey asked.

  “Getting stuck in the elevator again. With you. Now that we know each other.” He reached for the panel of buttons.

  “Don’t you dare! We’d probably be here for days.”

  “Worse things have happened,” he said with a grin. But he let the elevator come to a stop smoothly on the nineteenth floor.

  Will walked Kasey to her door. “I’m glad I ran into you—or ran you down,” he said. “And I hope you accept my apology for leaving you the other day.”

  “Of course. Not everyone wants to be on the front lines in the Bartow protest, or on television. I understand completely, even though I seem to head for the front lines myself,” she added with a smile.

  He brushed his fingers against her cheek. “You’re quite a woman, Kasey. Amusing—” he cupped her chin “—but also thoughtful and caring. Dedicated.”

  Kasey’s eyes widened at his touch. “No, I’m not really—”

  “Sure you are. You care about your friends in the tenants’ association. You work hard for your causes, your beliefs. I bet you care about everyone who lives in this building.”

  “Well...” She wasn’t about to tell him of her reputation as the Bartow Tower housemother.

  “Besides,” he added, studying her face intently, “your eyes are the color of a summer sky.”

  The words came out of nowhere, and as he spoke them, he leaned down, his mouth close to hers. She closed her eyes and felt herself drawn to him.

  His mouth grazed hers lightly. Kasey liked the feeling, the warmth, the softness. She opened her lips slightly, inviting more. Will responded by slipping his arms around her, pulling her to him.

  Then he kissed her again, this time thoroughly, greedily. The intensity of his kiss jolted all her senses into instant awareness. His tongue touched hers and instinctively Kasey took it into her mouth. He probed the sensitive softness while Kasey tasted him, savored him.

  She felt the hard muscles of his shoulders and chest against her, the strength of his arms around her. She drank in the tangy scent of his after-shave and ran her fingers through the crisp texture of his hair just above his collar. His beard was rough against her face, but his lips were cool, moist, tender—and urgent. There was infinite excitement in the unexpected contrast.

  Kasey could feel the blood surging through her body, the growing heat of her skin, the warm tingling that spread inside her. When the kiss ended, he held on to her, cradling her against him. His breathing was as uneven as hers, the pounding of his heart as rapid.

  “Wow!” she said shakily. “That was something.”

  He chuckled. “Do you always say whatever comes into your head?”

  “Yes. Sometimes. Usually.”

  He laughed again as he threaded his fingers through her hair. “I like that. I like your openness. It’s just another one of your exceptional attributes.”

  “Thank you, Will.” She gazed at him through a romantic haze, his kiss still tingling on her lips. “I wonder...”

  “Wonder what?” He pushed a strand of hair away from her face.

  “If you would like to go to a party with me,” she said quickly before she had a chance to change her mind.

  “A party?”

  “Yes, my friend Judy’s having some people over next week, no big deal, just a get-together with friends. It’ll be a lot of fun. I thought maybe you’d like to go with me—”

  He hadn’t actually moved away, but his arms had loosened; he’d broken the contact. “I don’t think so, Kasey. Not a party.”

  “It’ll be late—at night, when you seem to be more comfortable.”

  She didn’t miss the tenseness in his jaw, the darkening of his eyes. “I appreciate the invitation. Another time, maybe.” His voice was coolly polite.

  She moved away to her door. “Maybe,” she repeated, fighting back her disappointment. The warmth, the excitement of his kiss, was forgotten in his refusal. She couldn’t understand the change in him. “I guess I’d better go in,” she said a little stiffly, turning her key in the lock. “Thanks for the walk home.”

  “Sure. Good night, Kasey.”

  5

  INSIDE HER APARTMENT, Kasey turned on the light and leaned against the door, wondering what had happened. Will hadn’t faked the kiss or the emotions behind it; she was certain of that. Then why, so suddenly, had he acted like another person, cool and distant?

  Kasey walked slowly down the hall, giving no thought to her surroundings, drifting toward the bedroom where she hit the switch on an art-deco lamp by the door and aimlessly dropped her handbag on a chair. Then she gazed at herself in the dressing-table mirror. She looked as perplexed as she felt.


  Will definitely had an attitude. Why? Because she’d asked him to a party? Kasey dismissed that possibility as absurd. It was all too weird. And this wasn’t the first time he’d reached out to her and then pulled away with no explanation. He didn’t seem like someone who would play mind games, but that’s how it looked. What the hell was the matter with the guy?

  Kasey sank onto her bed. One thing was for sure. She wasn’t going to share this story with Judy. Her friend had told her she was far too impetuous; this time, Judy was right.

  * * *

  WILL SAT in the middle of the sofa in the dark, staring out the balcony doors into the night beyond. He’d wanted to make things better with Kasey; he’d succeeded in making them worse.

  More than an impulse had taken him to the restaurant tonight. He’d been possessed by a need to see her. And the kiss? It had seemed so natural, so right, and once he’d leaned toward her, touching her lips with his, he hadn’t been able to hold back.

  And why not? She was damned appealing, and she didn’t even know it, which made her even more desirable. Her kiss had been an aphrodisiac, making him want more. He wondered what it would be like making love to her. Will shook his head slowly. He knew damned well what it would be like; it would be wonderful. He didn’t dare let his mind go any further with that. He had to be careful, and he knew it.

  But Will was tired of walking a tightrope. He’d survived his close call with the media. Careful scrutiny of the news footage had revealed that he’d been visible for only a few seconds and, with the beard, was virtually unrecognizable.

  He’d taken a chance, with no harm done, so why not go to the party with her? A smile curved his lips. After all, as Kasey had said, it was at night—his time. And he wouldn’t know anyone there.

  Before he could change his mind, Will picked up the phone and called Information. She was listed. He punched in the number and waited through half a dozen rings for her to pick up.

  “Kasey. This is Will. About that party...”

  “Yes?” She sounded hesitant, cautious. He didn’t blame her.

  “You took me by surprise. Parties really aren’t my thing recently, but you sounded like you really wanted to go.”