“She’s as beautiful as her mother,” Heath said.
“And you’re a sweet-talking man. Don’t use it on my sister. She doesn’t realize what a friendly scoundrel you are.”
Heath put his hand to his chest and grinned. “Sondra, you break my heart.”
“I want to meet the woman who can accomplish such a feat.” Sondra shooed them out the door. “Have fun.”
He helped Susie into his SUV. Then went around and got in.
“I never thought of you as an SUV type of guy. Usually I picture those as family cars.”
“It is. I use it here and at the ranch. When my brothers and I decide to go dancing on a Friday night, we all get in this vehicle.”
Heath didn’t drive far before he turned and went down a side street. “This is one of those out-of-the-way places. They serve delicious seafood and steaks.”
“There are a lot of cars parked around the restaurant on the right. Is that it?”
“Yes, I called and reserved a parking space or we’d be going around the block until some guests left.” He stopped, got out, and removed a reserved sign in front of the restaurant door. Then he parked.
“Welcome, Mr. Garrison,” a tall, burly man greeted them at the door. “Go right on in.”
A slim woman with long blonde hair smiled at Heath. “We’re always glad to have you visit, Mr. Garrison. Chuck said to keep your table open for you.” She picked up two menus and led them through the restaurant to the back and a table in an alcove.
After they sat, she took their wine order and walked briskly back to the front. Susie took a deep breath and let it out. Then flushed when she saw Heath look at her, puzzled.
“May I know what brought out such a sigh?”
“She’s”—Susie nodded toward the hostess—“so lovely and thin. If I starved myself I’d never look like her.”
“You’re pretty as you are. I like to see women with curves. I’ve never understood why no woman seems satisfied with the way they look.”
“It’s a woman thing. We all want to be five to ten pounds lighter. You’re seldom the exact weight you want to be.”
“I’d like to tell them all to stop. Most of the men I know enjoy seeing a woman eating and not picking at her food. A woman who looks healthy and not gaunt. Where did this mindset come from?”
“From seeing skinny models and movie stars and wanting to look like the women in all the magazines. Most of them say they wear a size one. I never knew clothes came that small,” Susie said.
Heath had a nice, deep laugh. “As I said, don’t change a thing about yourself. You’re lovely just as you are.”
The waiter came with a bottle of red wine. “Try this. It’s a great wine, but if after you’ve tasted it you’d prefer a different one, tell me. I won’t be upset.”
She took a sip as the waiter and Heath watched. It had a smoky, sultry taste. “It’s very good.”
“Excellent,” the waiter said and smiled.
“I’ll return shortly to get your order, but would you like an appetizer first?”
Heath looked at Susie. “You choose. You’ve been here before, and you know what’s good.”
“It’s all good,” Heath said. But he glanced at the menu and ordered a mixture of different hors d’oeuvre.
“Tell me more about your family,” Susie said. “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”
“No sisters. Mom and Dad tried for years until Mom threatened his life if he wanted to try again.” Heath laughed. “They’re still fun to watch. A truly happy, loving marriage. A rarity these days.”
“My parents have been married thirty-four years, and they’re happy. How many brothers do you have?”
“Six.”
“Really? That’s a big group.”
“I’m the oldest at thirty-four and the youngest is twenty-four. My middle brother was adopted.”
“Still, that’s six children your mother birthed. No wonder she put a stop to trying for a girl.”
“She teasingly complains that she’s outnumbered, but she runs the house. She and my dad recently built a smaller home on our ranch, more toward the mountains. He’s semi-retired.”
Their waiter returned with the appetizers and took the rest of their order. “I’ll never be able to eat all this food.”
“You can take home what you don’t.”
“In a posh place like this?” Susie glanced around her. The room was dimly lit and a man sitting at a piano to the side played soft music. She started to look back at Heath when she saw Clay. His back was to them, but she knew it was him. A beautiful redhead sat across the table from him. A twinge of jealousy shot through her.
Determined to not let seeing him ruin her evening, she imposed an iron will on herself and reached for her wine. In her rush, she tipped the glass over. Heath jumped out of his chair and started sopping up the wine with his napkin. Susie got up just in time to miss ruining her dress.
“I’m so sorry.”
“No problem.” Heath smiled at her. The waiter hurried over and soon had the tablecloth changed. If Heath noticed what had caused her clumsiness, he didn’t comment.
Once they were seated, Susie stared to talk to cover the awkward moment. “Tell me more about your brothers.” She listened with one ear and tried to regain the pleasure in the evening.
When the food came, it was hot and delicious as Heath had promised. They ate without talking for several minutes.
“I’ve told you about my family. What about yours?” Heath asked.
Susie talked, ate, and smiled, but she was aware of Clay and when he and his date left. She and Heath shared a dessert before heading back to her sister’s.
He walked her to the door. “Thank you for a lovely evening. I enjoyed your company.” Heath raised her hand and kissed the back of it.
“I’m sorry about my clumsy accident. I had fun and the food was as wonderful as you described. I won’t need to eat the rest of the weekend.” She kissed his cheek and started to go in the door.
“Susie.” Heath’s voice stopped her. He looked worried.
“What is it?”
“I want to be your friend. I feel protective toward you like I think I’d be if I had a sister.”
“I like that you see me in that way, but there’s more, isn’t there?”
“Yes. I saw Clay with his date, too.”
“Oh.” Her hand went to her mouth.
“It was your reaction to seeing him that made you spill your wine. You have a very expressive face. Guard your heart as much as you can.”
She blinked the tears back. “I will. I’m sorry if I ruined your evening for you.”
“You didn’t. I meant what I said. The evening was very enjoyable. And I do see you as an adopted sister.” He shrugged. “It was nice to be on a date that wasn’t looking at me with dollar signs in her eyes and wedding bells in her head.”
Susie laughed. “Is it that bad?”
“Worse sometimes.”
“I’m always available to go out with my new brother. Now I’d better get inside before Sondra comes to the door.”
Susie leaned against the closed door. Clay’s kiss had stirred emotions she didn’t want to have. An attraction to him would be perilous, but it might be too late to reject the feelings he’d aroused this afternoon.
She had to admit, whether they interacted in a positive or negative manner, her interest in him increased. She’d tried to keep her distance and remind herself he was her boss. But his kiss had blown apart all her defenses.
Chapter Five
Clay had convinced his date he was tired and had lots of work to do tomorrow. He’d left her at her door.
He locked himself in his condo and took off his clothes as he headed to his bedroom. In the bathroom, he turned on a cold shower and got in.
Visions of Suzette in her low-cut dress with her black hair around her shoulders were imprinted on his brain. He’d seen her when she came in. He and his date had arrived at their table
, and he’d pulled out the chair for her. In the low light Suzette hadn’t noticed him. He sat on the opposite side where she’d see his back and not recognize him. Yet he kept remembering how she looked and how she smiled at Heath.
When he heard the clatter behind him, he fought to keep a smile off his face. He wondered what she’d spilt on Heath. Yet in spite of her clumsiness, he envied his friend.
He’d never been jealous of Heath, or anyone else for that matter. I’m not sure what’s happening to me, but I don’t like it.
He got out of the shower, dried, and pulled on his sweats. Then he went to the kitchen and poured a tall glass of iced tea. He took his tea and phone with him out on the balcony and sat in his favorite lounge chair.
He’d call his mother about coming home Tuesday instead of the following Monday, and he’d have Suzette come on Sunday. A few days away from her and he’d get himself back to normal.
* * * *
Susie got to the office early, started the coffee, and typed up the last letter from Friday’s dictation. She placed it on Clay’s desk for his signature.
She’d just gotten back to her desk when the elevator door opened. Her head jerked back. “Andrew? What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. I want you to come home with me to New Mexico. We can work things out. I’ll wait until you’re ready to accept my proposal.”
“Andrew, I explained before I left, I don’t want to marry you. You’re a very nice man, but I’m not in love with you. I like you and we had fun dating, but my feelings for you aren’t strong enough and never will be.”
Andrew walked around her desk and pulled her up against him. She pushed at his chest, but he held her tight with one arm and her head with the other. He ground his mouth against her lips. She struggled to get loose, and suddenly Andrew was flying backward away from her.
“What the hell are you doing in my office?” Clay’s angry words hardened his expression. When Andrew started to hit him, Clay punched him in the face.
Andrew sat on the floor with blood running from his nose. “I’ll sue you for hitting me.” He glared at Clay.
“Like hell. You were accosting my secretary. I saw her fighting to get free from your clutches.” Clay leaned down closer to him. “If you so much as touch her hand ever again, you’ll have more than a broken nose.” He grabbed the phone and called security. Then he stared at Suzette. “Who is he?”
“Someone I’d been dating back home. We broke up about three months ago. He took it hard. I was glad to come to New York to get away from him.”
“Apparently you underestimated his persistence.”
“Dan,” Clay said to the guard who’d come out of the elevator. “Take this guy and see him out of the building. If he comes again, call the police.”
“Yes, sir.” Dan helped Andrew from the floor and escorted him to the elevator. Andrew frowned at Clay. “This isn’t over.”
“It is. Remember my warning.”
Susie took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for the disturbance.” She heard the shakiness in her voice. She tried to hold onto the slender thread of control keeping her from coming apart.
Clay walked to the coffee pot and poured them both a cup. “Here, this may help.” He placed the mug carefully in her hands and made sure she had a good grip before letting go. “The disturbance wasn’t your fault.” He put his coffee down and knelt by her chair. “Don’t be frightened. The guards will keep him out of here.”
“I never expected him to follow me.” Tears ran down her face. Clay took her mug and put it on the desk, and then he picked her up and carried her into his office. He sat in one of the leather chairs with her on his lap.
“Go on and cry. It’ll help.”
She looked at him through watery tears. Being in his arms both frightened and thrilled her. As upset as she’d been, the warmth of his body and being this close to his sensuous mouth sent disturbing warning signals to her brain.
Clay rubbed his thumb across her cheek and along her bottom lip. Their eyes met and held. He reached for her glasses and removed them, giving her an added sense of vulnerability.
“You have gorgeous eyes that shouldn’t be hidden behind spectacles.”
His husky voice broke the silence and yet still they stared at each other. Today his polished veneer had slipped away, exposing an innate ruggedness and a man who made her feel safe.
She wanted to cuddle against him and breathe in his scent, to feel his arms enclose her tighter, and to let herself care, if just for a moment.
Clay took hold of her chin and lowered his head. She saw the kiss coming and knew she needed to move, but that was an impossible task.
His lips were smooth and gentle as he brushed them across her lips. She gasped and he took advantage of the moment to slip his tongue inside and lick and taste her mouth and along her tongue. A shiver of awareness flowed through her.
After ravishing her mouth, he leisurely kissed her face. His lips brushed lightly over her cheeks, her closed eyelids, and her forehead. His hand glided along her arm. The longing to get closer to him intensified. His hard cock pulsed against the side of her hip and her pussy clenched tight. When she squirmed in his lap, he loosened his grip on her and sat back.
“I want to make love to you, but this isn’t the place. I need to put some distance between us for now. My control is limited, and I’m at the end of my tether.” He helped her up. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll get to work.” She felt his eyes on her all the way to the door. I don’t know what to say. I could deny his statement about us making love, but I’d be lying. The defenses I’ve tried to build between him and me crash whenever he kisses me.
Susie closed the door and collapsed in her chair. Her hands trembled and her heart pounded as she visualized her and Clay making love.
She ought to run as fast as possible back home. She’d heard all the warnings about him. Susie chuckled to herself. Ten horses couldn’t drag her away. She’d take a leap into the unknown and hope the fall didn’t hurt too much.
* * * *
Clay sat in the chair where he’d held her. What was he thinking? He never got involved with his staff. But when she looked at him with those violet eyes full of tears, he’d melted.
And he had to admit he enjoyed holding her close. Her soft, curvy body fit against him perfectly. The feel of her had his unruly cock raising its head. He wanted her more than any woman he’d known. But she also scared him more than any of his other relationships. There hadn’t been that many. His reputation had been blown out of proportion.
Mostly, the women he dated went with him to concerts or plays. His one engagement had been broken off for quite a while.
He shook his head. Suzette wasn’t for him. She’d want more than he had to give. He’d always been more of a loner, he hide it well. Unlike his brother, Graham, who’d always made it clear he enjoyed his own company. At least until he met his wife, Gina.
One look at Suzette and he’d forgotten all his good resolutions. To take his mind off the woman in the next room, he signed the letter she’d left on his desk and made a few phone calls.
He had an appointment with one of his managers in a few minutes and at one with his accountant. Afterward, he’d take the rest of the day off.
Susie buzzed him. “Mr. Simmons is here.”
“Tell him to come in. If you don’t mind, bring us coffee and two Danishes.” Clay glanced at his clock. He’d come in at nine. It seemed like hours ago.
He opened the door and smiled. “Hello, Fred.” He motioned Fred to a chair in front of his desk, and he walked around to his seat.
Suzette still looked pale when she entered with a small tray holding coffee and their Danishes. She sat it on a table located on the left side of the room where two more leather chairs were arranged.
When she started to pick up the mugs, Clay stopped her. “Fred, sitting where the coffee is might be more comfortable, less formal. Shall we move?
Fred jumped up eagerly and walked in Suzette’s direction. She turned and placed the coffee cups back on the tray.
“We can serve ourselves. Thank you, Suzette.” She looked in his direction and narrowed her eyes. He found himself smiling. She’d known he feared they’d end up with coffee on the table or on them.
Irritated, she swung her hips as she left. He wanted to grab her and kiss her fiercely in reply. But Fred was looking at him strangely. He was in deep trouble.
Chapter Six
The afternoon had been long and boring with Clay gone. She did all the typing, filing, and answered the phone, but it didn’t stop her from thinking about the touch of his lips on hers or the feel of her body against his. When the phone rang at fifteen minutes before time for her to leave, she grabbed it.
“Suzette.” His low, sensuous voice beckoned to her, and her heart rate increased significantly.
“Hello. You just caught me.” Her voice sounded breathy in her ears.
“I wondered if you’d like to have dinner tonight. I can pick you up at seven. We’ll go to a nice, quiet restaurant. After the episode with your old boyfriend this morning, I suspect you were tense most of the day.”
She wasn’t tense from the episode with her old boyfriend. But the memory of Clay’s kiss and touch had her body aroused all day. Before she could stop herself, she accepted.
“See you at seven.”
When he hung up, Susie stared at the phone. What if he asked her to come to his place and started to make love to her? Becoming intimate with Clay was a risky step for her well-being. She wanted to deny it, but she was falling in love with him.
If he touched her tonight, they’d make love. Was she ready? Probably not, but she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She’d see how it went this evening before she made her final decision.
She locked the office. On the elevator she thought of all the dire warnings her sister would give when she found out Susie was going to dinner with Clay. She hurried out of the building and grabbed a cab. She’d be a few minutes late getting to her eye doctor’s appointment.
The Billionaire Cowboy's Christmas Surprise [Wives for the Western Billionaires 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 4
