by Calista Fox
“I believe that.”
“Good. I also want you to consider that I’d like more time with you. More nights with you.”
“I’d like that, too.”
He sighed, as though relieved. Did he really think she wouldn’t be amenable to seeing him more than just on a random basis, here and there?
Combing her fingers through his unruly hair, she said, “I’m not able to just cut my fears loose, even if they sometimes do feel like dead weight. But I can give this a chance. I think it’ll be worth the risk.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
She smiled softly. “You make me very happy.”
“Trust me, you do the same.” He kissed her tenderly, showing that side of him that was so unexpected given his aggressive and confident nature. Then he stood and climbed into the tub, helping her in with him.
Tague settled against one side with L.L. between his legs, her back to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scented bubbles and the fragrant aroma from the roses.
“This is heavenly,” she murmured.
“Then I’m glad I thought of it. You deserve a little decadence.”
“I don’t know about that—I think we’ve already overindulged this evening. But it’s greatly appreciated. Really, Tague. The whole night has been like a fairy tale.”
“Complete with the evil queen,” he lamented.
“Oh, stop.” She laughed quietly. “I could see that you have affection for your parents; you just clearly know that you have to assert yourself and stand your ground with them. Your mother told me they have high expectations for you. I’m sure they’re more extraordinary than the typical parental expectations. But I highly doubt you’ve ever let them down. Well, save for the fact that you brought a plus-one when they’d invited Brianna Carlisle along.”
“Honestly, they knew better than to do that. It did piss me off. At one point, they had influence over whom I was with, and that’s what split the riff between us wide open. But I can’t place all the blame at their feet. She willingly walked away.”
L.L.’s eyelids drifted open. “Who would walk away from you?”
Tague’s muscles tensed all around her. If she glanced over her shoulder, she had no doubt she’d find his jaw set in a hard line and his eyes close to black.
“Her name is Renee. I met her my second term at Harvard. She was thirty-four.”
“And you were what? Nineteen?”
“Yes.”
“Wow. That’s a big gap at that age. Was she a professor?”
“No, a student. Studying for her MBA. She worked as a vice president for a global communications company, and she needed the advanced degree to move into a senior VP position.”
L.L. waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she prompted him. “What was she like?”
“Beautiful.”
L.L. smiled, despite the sensitive subject matter. “Of course.”
“Very fragile. Blond. Meg reminds me of her.”
Now L.L. winced. “That must have been painful on Tuesday, then.”
“When I met her? No. I was too wrapped up in you to even think of anything else. Especially Renee.”
“What happened with the two of you?”
Tague fell into another lull. She didn’t push him this time, just let him sort out what he wanted to say. How much, how little.
Finally, he told her, “After almost a year together and she’d graduated, I was going to propose to her. But one day, she just disappeared. All of her clothes were gone from her apartment, the lease had been paid in full, and no forwarding address had been given. There was, however, a note for me.”
L.L.’s brow knitted. “Which said?”
“That she’d accepted a position in London, it was over between us and not to contact her. Ever.”
“Oh, my God.” L.L. swiveled in the tub so that she could see Tague’s face. It was impassive, though she caught the tinge of anger rimming his dark irises. “Why would she do that?”
“Because she sold out. To my parents.”
“I don’t—” L.L. shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“They paid her off. To get her out of my life. Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars. My mother was all-too happy to show me the cashed check.”
L.L. was stunned. It took a minute for her to collect herself. Then she said, “Your parents would actually do something that heinous? When you were in love? When you were planning to propose?”
He nodded.
“And Renee accepted the money.” L.L. simply couldn’t comprehend it. On top of that… “A quarter of a million was worth leaving you? Worth giving into your parents and severing the ties with you?”
“Apparently so.” His tone was flat, holding no inflection. Though it was quite clear in his eyes that the betrayal from all sides still cut deep.
“Tague.” She gingerly ran her fingertips along the hard angles of his face, hoping to soften them a little. If at all possible. “I’m so sorry. You were right about that being a double-whammy. I cannot imagine parents conspiring against their kid like that.”
“It’s not exactly a new world order,” he pointed out. “Though, it does take one by surprise. And makes them infinitely wiser.”
“More jaded, too,” she said.
He stared at her. Her gaze didn’t falter.
32
“You mentioned that at the club,” he said.
“I wondered what could make a man who seemed to have it all so cynical.”
“Not truly having it all.” He let out a hollow laugh. Shook his head. “This is difficult to verbalize, but—”
Her brow lifted.
Tague chuckled with humor this time. “Okay, you’re thinking, Seriously? Difficult for a lawyer to verbalize?” He gave her a pointed look.
“Exactly.”
“Fine.” His tone turned edgy again. “The truth is, I really held onto the slight. For the longest time, I thought it was Renee that I was so angry and disappointed with, and then I realized that wasn’t the real source of my fury. It was my parents. I was disgusted and irritated that they’d do something so underhanded. That they’d meddle in business that wasn’t theirs. Worse, that they had such little regard for my feelings and happiness that they’d shred them just for the sake of appearances. Because Renee wasn’t their ideal. Not the spitting image of what they believe my wife should represent.”
“That is really shitty,” she agreed.
“Anyway, I’ve clung to that and let it guide me in personal affairs going forward. It’s also fueled my professional success. Or so I thought.”
L.L.’s head tilted to the side. “Not sure what you mean.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and shifted her so that her back was to his chest again, and she leaned against him. Then his fingers glanced over the intricate knots of her hair and he asked, “How do I undo this?”
“Work the pins and tiny bands underneath.”
He carefully set himself to the task, freeing thick strands.
L.L. wondered if he’d elaborate, finish his story. Silence ensued for a few minutes as he concentrated on her hair.
Then he said, “When I met you at the coffee shop, I was intrigued. Very interested. When I saw you at the club, I was beyond captivated. Completely ensnared. It dawned on me then that I was totally over Renee—that I had been for years, I just hadn’t known it. Until you.”
She stared at him over her shoulder. He gave her a ghost of a grin.
“That’s an incredibly beautiful thing to say,” she told him.
“Loralai,” he said, his tone steady, genuine. “I think we’re meant for more than just this night. More than just this week.”
Her heart swelled. Could he really be feeling the same thing she was?
Was Tague falling in love, too?
“In fact,” he continued, “we should talk about—”
“Shh,” she interjected. And pressed her lips to his. Then she said, “Let’
s not talk anymore.” This was all unexpected, yes. New and exciting. But still tenuous. L.L. had no desire to fray delicate strings. They needed to be strengthened first. “Take me to bed, Tague. Make love to me. Repeatedly.”
Her devilishly handsome attorney didn’t present an argument.
Tague made love to her twice in the morning as well, since L.L. insisted she wasn’t sore. He had his doubts, but couldn’t resist temptation. L.L. naked and wanting him was the equivalent of winning the biggest of cases—even gaining his father’s approval for the Tokyo office. Though, perhaps, the scales tipped a bit more in her favor.
There was no escaping the indisputable fact that he was more than just attracted to her, more than just spellbound by her flirty looks, sassy attitude and sexy body. His feelings ran deeper than that. So much deeper.
He couldn’t recall ever experiencing this welcomed anchoring sensation in the pit of his stomach—a powerful emotion that assured him they belonged together. That they stabilized each other, complemented each other, fulfilled each other. And that made Tague eager to discuss the future with her.
But he let L.L. sleep after their last go-round while he showered and dressed. He ordered room service and she stirred at the smell of strong coffee and joined him in the dining room. She dropped a kiss on his forehead, then took the seat next to him and dug in.
“I’m starving,” she said between forkfuls of a fluffy, fully loaded omelet.
“I’m not surprised. That hearty appetite of yours isn’t just for food.” He winked.
She swallowed down a sip of coffee and told him, “I will admit, I literally cannot get enough of you.”
He grinned. “That’s an incredibly beautiful thing to say.”
Swatting playfully at him, she said, “Smartass.”
He kissed her. Then asked, “So what’s on your agenda for the day?”
“Mm. Got a call from Chip. He wants to meet with me later this morning. Business. Would you be interested in going with me?”
“Sure. Need me to consult?”
“Not exactly. Something I want you to see.”
This piqued his curiosity. “New designs?”
“It’s a surprise. Chip’s bringing champagne.”
“So, a really good surprise.”
“The best.” She kissed him. Then went back to work on her breakfast.
They checked out of the hotel and Tague’s driver took them to the address L.L. provided. She all but vibrated in the seat next to him, but wouldn’t spill the beans on whatever had her teeming with excitement.
They pulled into a parking lot where Chip’s Zagato was already parked, along with a Lexus SUV. They joined Chip and two other men at the entrance of a well-maintained building.
L.L. said, “Boys, this is Tague Mason. Tague, this is Max Brighton and Len Dorsey. My business partners.”
The men shook. Tague told them, “It’s nice to meet you.” Then to L.L., he said, “I thought you were an independent designer.”
“I am. Max is my manufacturing specialist and Len is our shipping guru. Now facilities and distribution head honcho,” she added.
Chip opened the door and they all filed in. Tague was a little confused, but as soon as he eyed the entire open, empty space and the loft upstairs, it all clicked.
“You’re going to mass produce your toys,” he said to L.L. “That’s why you wanted the patents.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Many of my clients have agreed to endorse the products, namely the designs created for them personally—they’re thrilled about the naughty notoriety. All we needed were the patents and the facilities to pull it all together. Chip came through for us on both counts.” She gave him a big hug.
“And to that end,” Chip said, “I have celebratory cocktails and the lease agreement for you three to sign.”
L.L. was ecstatic. Tague could see perfectly clear how excited she was. And he was happy for her. Damn happy.
Even though it changed up his game plan significantly.
Pushing aside thoughts of Japan and the fact that he’d decided while in the shower that he was going to ask her to go with him, he partook in the festivities, kissed her passionately and told her how proud he was of her for following a huge dream—and achieving it.
“Well,” she said in an exuberant tone, “I can’t call us a success yet. We haven’t even started. But we’ve laid so much groundwork, have done so much research and found a great marketing angle that I think we’re gonna rock it pretty hardcore.”
“Literally and figuratively,” Max quipped.
Chip had brought crystal flutes instead of plastic cups and they all clinked rims in toast of the new business venture.
Then Chip laid out all the details of the lease and the trio signed. He said, “I’ll have the landlord countersign and deliver you copies of the fully executed contract on Monday.”
“Wow,” L.L. gushed. “This is really happening.”
Max and Len gave her a squeeze. Then they wandered off to inspect the building some more. Chip said, “I’ve got to get these papers to the owner by one o’clock.” He kissed L.L. on the cheek, bid everyone goodbye and left.
L.L. took Tague by the hand and guided him up the spiral staircase to the loft. He surveyed the space while she sipped her champagne.
With a nod, he told her, “This is fantastic, baby.” And he meant it, despite the wrench suddenly thrown into his works. He sat on a wide window ledge and tried to mentally sort out how this impacted them as a couple. What he was now supposed to tell her about Tokyo.
It occurred to Tague that it was a good thing he hadn’t found the opportunity to share his news with her before now. That he hadn’t yet proposed that she go with him to Japan, as he’d been on the verge of doing before she’d invited him to come see her new facilities.
Had he jumped the gun, L.L. might have hesitated when it came to signing the lease. She might have faltered when it came to chasing her dream because of what had transpired so quickly between them and continued to grow. Tague couldn’t have her stepping away from her career aspirations because of him.
Conversely, he regretted how this affected their relationship. How would she feel about a long-distance romance? Long distance. Tokyo was not a hop, skip and a jump away, despite how flippantly he’d presented the situation to Chip. It was a fourteen-hour flight. And there was a dramatic time zone difference as well.
“What are you thinking?” L.L. nudged his foot with hers. “Not really as fantastic as you claimed?”
His head snapped up from where he’d been staring at his hands, clasped between his legs. “No, it’s absolutely fantastic. I sincerely mean that. Now I know why you were so excited on the ride over. This place is perfect.”
“It is,” she beamed.
“This is so great for you, L.L. I had no idea your plans were this grandiose, and I really admire your determination, your ambition.”
It appeared difficult for her to contain her enthusiasm, but she said, “So why do I get the feeling you were lost in thought about something not so great related to all of this? Did Chip mention the lease to you previously? Was there something in the terms that didn’t sit right with you?”
“No, definitely not.” He stood. “Chip negotiated a stellar deal for you. I would have encouraged you to sign if you were my client.”
“So…what, then?”
33
Concern flitted over her lovely face.
Tague took her glass and set it on the ledge. Then he pulled her into his arms. “It’s fine, baby. What matters most is that you’re doing exactly what you want to do. That you’re following a dream you pursued before we even met.”
Her brow furrowed. “That sounds rather ominous.”
“It’s not. It’s realistic. What I was thinking earlier, at the hotel…that wasn’t realistic.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
L.L. stared up at him. “And that would be…?”
“That I was going to ask you to go to Japan with
me.”
She gave a soft laugh, full of relief. “Of course, I’d love to go with you. I’ve always wanted to visit Asia. And we could make the trip while Max and Len are ordering their equipment, before everything gets delivered and all hell breaks loose here. Excellent timing.”
His jaw clenched. His heart wrenched. Tague said, “I wasn’t talking about a vacation. I was talking about…you moving to Tokyo. With me.”
She stared up at him, her eyes wide. Tague groaned. Released her. Stepped away.
What a stupid fucking thing to say. To desire.
He’d known the woman a week. And he wanted her to relocate to another continent with him?
Tague combed a hand through his hair as he mentally berated his own idiocy. He turned back to L.L. “I’m sorry. That was out of the blue. Completely selfish. Nonsensical. Not like me at all. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
Yes, you do.
She continued to stare at him, frozen. He wasn’t even sure she breathed.
“Loralai,” he said as he took her hand. “Snap out of it, baby.”
She remained in apparent shock.
“L.L.” He gently shook her. “Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to freak you out. Breathe.”
She sucked in a breath. Then a strangled sound leapt from her throat.
He clasped her shoulders to steady her. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out.”
“I—You—I—” She gasped. Squeezed her eyes shut. But they flew open a heartbeat later. “You want me to move with you? Live with you? In Tokyo?”
“I know,” he said, striving for a light tone, though his gut burned with the fiery pain of being separated from her.
Telling Tague quite pointedly that he was in love.
And didn’t that just complicate things even more?
He cleared his throat. Tried to clear his lovesick head. “It was a crazy thing for me to say, to think. We only just met. And I’ve been trying to tell you—even last night and earlier this morning—that I’m going back to Japan. I’m establishing a new office there, a new branch of the firm. It’ll be my legacy.”
As long as his father didn’t jack his program. He was still cryptic about his decision.
