by Lynne, Donya
What he needs.
As far as Karma was concerned, she was what he needed. For as long as they’d known one another, she’d been his assistant. That had been her identifier and what, ultimately, had brought them together. Now she worked elsewhere. The connection that had defined so much of their relationship was now fading into the past.
They no longer needed to hide their relationship from the public. They no longer needed to maintain secrecy. For the first time, they were free and clear to be openly together.
Which was a tiny bit scary, because now they needed to find where they fit with one another when work didn’t dominate so much of their relationship. When she’d worked with him, she’d seen him almost every day at the office. Now, he still worked at Solar. She didn’t. And even though she had no reason to doubt his feelings, a tiny niggle of insecurity fed the paranoia just waiting to launch an all-out assault on her emotions.
Okay, confession time. She was jealous of his new assistant. There, she’d admitted it.
She dropped her gaze to her fingers, picking at the corner of her paper napkin again. “You know, this really kind of sucks. I miss working with him. What if—”
“Stop.” Lisa held up her hand. “Just stop right there, sweetie. Because I’ve known you too long not to know what you’re thinking.” Lisa sighed and shook her head. “Honey, you are the apple of Mark’s eye, and no one’s ever going to replace you. And that’s coming from him, not me.”
Karma perked up. “What do you mean? Did he say that?” An unexpected thrill shot through her.
“No, but he might as well have.” Lisa washed down a bite of pizza then plunked her cup on the table. “That man is as bad as your father, Karma. So damn stubborn. Do you realize we’ve brought in six temps, and Mark has found something wrong with every single one of them?” She rolled her eyes. “That man is the damn pickiest man I’ve ever met. He wants another you, but I can’t make him realize you were an exception. Most of these gals don’t have the level of education you do, nor do they have the experience. And you think differently than the typical administrative assistant. You think more like a manager.” She sighed, her eyebrows raised. “But Mark is looking for that needle in the haystack. And he is getting seriously frustrated we can’t find it. And as a result, he’s seriously frustrating me.” She planted her open palm in the center of her chest.
Karma giggled then forced herself to stop when she saw the irritated expression on Lisa’s face. “I’m sorry, Leese. I don’t mean to laugh, but you have to admit, this is a bit of an ego boost.” The thought that Mark couldn’t find a suitable new assistant secretly elated her. It shouldn’t have, but it did.
Lisa leaned across the table. “Karma, I like Mark, but if he doesn’t find his new assistant—and I mean soon, ego boost or not—you could end up with a eunuch for a boyfriend.”
Karma laughed. “Don’t you dare touch my man’s manly parts.”
“I can’t make any promises. I mean, really, Karma. I’m about to hurt him. Seriously.” Lisa’s eyes opened wide, emphasizing her frustration over the situation.
Karma understood. After all, she’d worked for the guy and dated him for five nonconsecutive months. If anyone knew how particular Mark was, she did.
“I’m sorry, Leese.” But she liked knowing she was irreplaceable. “Maybe things will turn around soon.”
Lisa huffed. “Do you realize he’s in my office within a day of a new temp starting, complaining about how this one isn’t proficient enough in PowerPoint or Excel, and then the next one isn’t assertive enough. The one we dismissed Tuesday was too gossipy.”
“Mark detests gossip. You know that.” Karma sat a little higher, her ego inflating by the second.
“Exactly.” Lisa calmed as if a moment of Zen had come over her. “Hopefully, the gal we brought in yesterday will work out. Mark hasn’t complained about her yet, so there’s reason to hope.”
“Oh?” Karma’s bubble deflated, her shoulders slumping.
Lisa gave her a suspicious sidelong glance. “I saw that. You like that he’s having so much trouble finding a new assistant, aren’t you? You little sadist.” She tore off another slice of pizza and held it in front of her mouth, her eyes never wavering from Karma’s. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Karma sighed and wrinkled her nose as if she’d smelled a rotten egg. Sometimes it sucked that Lisa knew her so well. “Fine. I’m secretly happy he’s having so much trouble finding a new me.”
Lisa laughed. “I knew it.”
“What can I say? I’m possessive.”
Lisa’s eyebrows bunched. “You’ve never been possessive before.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I was and just didn’t know it until now. After all, Mark is my first real boyfriend.” She didn’t count the guy from high school, who’d been more of a friend. And she didn’t count the jerk she’d spent a few weeks with in college, who ditched her the day after she slept with him. And Mark had come along before Brad, who she’d never felt a strong connection to. “Maybe I’m learning that I’m more possessive than I thought.”
“And Mark is all about teaching you new things, right?” Lisa narrowed her eyes knowingly.
Karma had told Lisa all about the sex lessons Mark had given her during their four-month affair two summers ago. He’d been a brilliant teacher, too, helping Karma feel things she’d only read about in books or seen in movies.
“Something tells me jealousy and possessiveness weren’t what he had in mind,” she said.
Lisa wiped a dab of tomato sauce from the corner of her mouth. “Hey, it comes with the territory, sweetie.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t want to be that girl.”
“Please.” Lisa waved her off. “You will never be that girl. Besides, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little territorial and hate the idea of someone else stomping around on your turf. And don’t forget I know how you put Jolene in her place a time or two, as well. You have a possessive streak in you, missy. Admit it.”
Jolene. Karma simply wanted to forget that bitch had ever existed.
“It’s just that he and I worked so well together.”
One of Lisa’s eyebrows shot up, and she acerbically lowered her chin. “Girl, I think everyone knows just how well you two worked together.” She sucked cola through her straw, innocently batting her eyelashes, before adding, “And that, my dear, is why you no longer work for the company.”
Karma rolled her eyes to glance out the window at the fat, lazy snowflakes drifting to the ground, where they melted on contact. “Quit reminding me.” She was happy with her new job, but sometimes she missed working with Mark to the point of distraction. Once she was up to her ears in manuscripts, she had a feeling she’d get used to the new situation, but for now, putting the past in the past proved challenging.
Without missing a beat, Lisa added, “I can only imagine what could have gone on in your private meetings had you stayed.” She snickered as she set down her cup. Lisa knew what had gone on between her and Mark at the office, right down to the wicked conference room sex against the wall two summers ago.
Karma kept no secrets from Lisa.
“Okay, fine. So Mark and I have a disease called we-can’t-keep-our-hands-off-each-other. Sue me.”
Lisa’s loud laughter broke through the other conversations in the dining room, making several nearby diners turn their way.
“But . . .” Karma raised her index finger. “We always got our work done.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure you did.”
Karma sneered at her. “We did.” Deciding to get back on topic, she asked, “So, who’s this scag you’ve brought in to try and fill my very unfillable shoes?” She pushed her empty plate aside and crossed her forearms on the table.
“Scag.” She laughed. “Noooo, you’re not even the teensiest bit jealous. Not at all.”
Karma gave her a chagrined smile. “Just tell me what she’s like.”
Lisa grew more serious. “She’s nice. Professional. See
ms put together.”
“How old is she?”
Lisa thought a moment as if trying to determine her age from her appearance. “Maybe thirty.”
Karma was only twenty-six. This chick was closer to Mark’s age. That didn’t sit well.
“Is she pretty?”
Lisa smiled patiently. “Kit’s attractive, but not amazing or breathtaking or anything like that. I mean, she’s not going to grace any Sports Illustrated covers, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Funny. Har har.”
Lisa blew out an impatient breath. “You know what I mean.”
Karma had never been considered amazing or breathtaking, either. And yet Mark thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. What if he ended up deciding his new assistant was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met instead? It could happen.
And what kind of name was Kit? That was a Playboy Bunny’s name if she ever heard one.
“So, is this Kit chick married?”
Lisa tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “Honey, you do not need to worry about her. The only woman in Mark’s heart is you. Don’t you know that by now?”
“Well, yes, but . . .” Old insecurities and that bastard named Paranoia reared inside her mind.
She had gained so much confidence in the last twenty months, but sometimes the previous twenty-four years still haunted her. She’d been bullied ruthlessly as a child and had carried a mountain of self-doubt and esteem issues into adulthood. It wasn’t until she met Mark that she began to see herself in a more positive light. He’d been a major confidence booster, but she couldn’t expect to be totally cured in less than two years when she’d lived with those damn naysaying voices for twenty-four.
And she couldn’t expect never to falter and fall back into those destructive thought patterns at some point, either. Not that they would completely overtake her, but she wasn’t so delusional to think her past insecurity would never sweep her back into its grasp, especially at times of change, when fear and doubt came in high supply.
Like now.
This was a huge change for her. For them. Her and Mark. They were no longer secret lovers. He was no longer going to leave her on some predefined end date. He was no longer her teacher, and she was no longer his student. And they no longer worked together.
For the first time in their tumultuous almost-two-year, on-and-off-and-back-on-again relationship, they were a bona fide couple. And to hear Mark talk, he wanted to spend his life with her.
But they’d only just gotten back together. What if things didn’t work out? What if, now that he was back, he realized she wasn’t all he expected? What if she discovered the same about him? He could tire of her, or they could tire of each other and break up. Couples broke up all the time, even after professing undying love.
So yeah, everything could still fall apart. Nothing was secure, and any little thing could destroy the fragile newness of them.
Which was why doubt prickled Karma’s sense of security. A new woman was entering Mark’s life in a capacity that, until recently, had been dominated entirely by her from their inception. A little territorial insecurity was bound to haunt her.
“I’m just . . .” A troubled, almost sad sensation stirred inside her chest. She didn’t like this feeling of being replaced. Of losing this one simple connection. Even though she possessed Mark in the most important way, it still felt like loss.
Lisa reached across the table and took her hand. “Honey, listen to me. You have nothing to worry about. Mark is head over heels for you. He loves you. He’s all but asked you to marry him.”
“But he hasn’t.” She waved her free hand as if dispelling a mist. “And it’s too soon for that, anyway.”
“The hell it is. It’s been almost two years since you met each other. You spent four incredible months together. Four months that burned themselves on Mark’s brain and heart so deeply that he tattooed your name on his chest. Four months that made him realize the two of you were meant to be together. And now look at you. You are together. Right where you belong.” Her eyes warmed. “Karma, what I’m trying to say is sometimes you just know. And something tells me Mark just knows with you.”
Lisa always knew what to say to make her feel better.
“Thanks, Lisa. I needed that. I just get so—hey, look at this.” She pointed out the window at a black Cadillac limousine pulling up to the restaurant. “Fancy bling for a place like Greek Tony’s, don’t you think?”
Lisa followed her gaze then straightened when she saw the limo. She checked her watch in such a way it seemed she’d known the limo was coming and had lost track of the time.
Karma frowned at her. Was this part of her and Mark’s scheming?
The driver exited the vehicle and strode purposefully toward the entrance. Once inside, he stopped and scanned the dining room. When his eyes met hers, he smiled and approached.
Lisa cleared her throat and leaned back in her chair as if to give the man room.
He stopped beside their table. “Miss Karma Mason?”
She looked from the driver to Lisa, who had her lips pressed together as if forcing herself to look innocent.
She glanced back up at the driver. “Yes.”
“Would you mind coming with me, please?” He held out his hand as if to help her from her chair.
Everyone in the dining room was staring at them.
She turned her gaze back to Lisa, who bit her bottom lip harder to keep from smiling and bobbed her head toward the driver’s outstretched hand as if to remind Karma it was there. “Go on, Karma. Go with him.”
“What did you and Mark do?”
Lisa giggled then turned an invisible key over her lips.
Karma reluctantly met the driver’s eyes “Where are we going?”
The man’s smile could have melted butter. “I’ve been instructed not to say.”
“By whom?” But she could guess. This had Mark’s MO stamped all over it.
His gaze sparkled with intrigue. “I’m not allowed to say that, either.”
“Uh-huh, I see.” She arched one eyebrow at Lisa. “You were in on this, weren’t you?”
Her cheeks turned rosy as she guiltily—but playfully—bowed her head. “Maybe.”
“Ma’am?” The driver nodded toward his outstretched hand. “I apologize, but I have to insist we not delay. We’re on a bit of a timetable.”
With a resigned sigh, she placed her palm in his but narrowed her eyes on Lisa. “I’ll get you back for keeping this from me.”
Lisa laughed. “You’re going to love it. I promise.”
“I’m still going to get you back. Just wait.” She began to pick up her briefcase, but the driver easily plucked it from her hand.
Okay, fine. He could carry it for her.
He took a step back as she slipped on her coat.
“Wait. What about my car?” She couldn’t just leave her car there.
Lisa giggled and pulled her spare car key from her purse. What the hell? How had Lisa gotten her spare key? Oh wait. Mark. He must have stolen it from her purse the last time he’d spent the night. Sneaky bastard.
“Daniel’s waiting for me to call him so he can come and meet me,” Lisa said. “He’s going to drive your car back to your apartment. Then I’ll take him home.”
So, Daniel was involved in this plot, too? Just how many of her friends had Mark enlisted to pull this off?
“How long have you and Mark been planning this?”
“About two weeks.”
Karma gasped and smacked Lisa’s arm. “I can’t believe you kept this from me for two weeks!” She straightened and raised her chin. “I’m revoking your best friend status.” She snagged her purse, slung the strap over her shoulder, and stepped beside the driver.
Lisa laughed.
Sucking her tongue between her teeth, Karma nodded toward her car’s spare key in Lisa’s hand. “Tell Daniel he’d better not scratch the paint.”
“Just make sure
you text me and tell me all about . . .” Lisa trailed off as if she didn’t want to give away too much of Mark’s plans. “Just text me.”
“We’ll see.” With that, and with Lisa’s giggles teasing her, she turned and followed the driver out the door to the limousine.
He opened the rear door for her, and she peered inside.
And there he was. The man she was madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with.
Mark Strong. The captain of her heart.
Lounging on plush, cream-colored leather, he wore a black knit sweater, black slacks, and a sexy-as-hell smile under bedroom eyes. Just . . . God.
In the dictionary, beside the word luscious, there had to be a picture of Mark wearing this outfit and that expression. There just had to be. With dark hair, dark eyes, strong jaw, straight nose, and angular lips that did such naughty, wicked things to her anatomy, he was the epitome of sex appeal.
He took her hand and drew her onto the bench seat beside him. A moment later, the door closed, leaving them alone.
“What are you doing here?” she said. “I thought you were flying to South Carolina today.”
At least that’s what he’d told her when they spent the night together Monday. He’d said he was meeting with a potential client and wouldn’t be back until the weekend. It was only Thursday. Apparently, his story had been a ruse to throw her off.
Mark wrapped his hand around her inner thigh and tugged her closer. He cupped her face in his other hand as he leaned toward her. “I lied.”
His face was barely an inch from hers. “I sort of figured that out,” she whispered.
The way the outer corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned tugged at her heart. “I’m kidnapping you instead.”
“Kidnapping me?”
He pushed her hair away from her neck and softly pressed his lips against the subtle dip below her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
“Yes, kidnapping,” he whispered, as the car pulled away. “You’re my prisoner now.” His warm breath washed over her skin before he kissed her again, lower. Then again and again, burning a trail down the side of her neck. As he inched downward, he nuzzled her flesh and gently pushed her collar down her shoulder with his lightly scruffy chin while his lips continued feasting on the tender curve of skin where her neck and shoulder met.
