by Lisa Ruff
“He’ll take it as a sign that I’ve finally come to my senses and returned to the family fold.”
Evan chuckled. “I suppose you have a point there.”
“I can just hear him.” Anna sat back and took a drink of wine. She lowered her voice and added a slight accent as she said, “I knew you would see sense, Anna Maria. Now you can give me many grandchildren to keep me happy for my last years.”
“First you’d have to have a husband,” Evan said drily.
“Oh, God,” Anna moaned, closing her eyes. “Ma will be beside herself, too. I’ll have to go on more of those awful dates she sets up.”
“I don’t know, I kind of liked the accountant she fixed you up with last time.”
Anna glared at him, remembering when Evan had happened to be at the bar where she was meeting one of her mother’s first-round picks. His teasing had been particularly merciless, not helping the nausea she had felt. Dating a man preapproved by her mother had been horrible enough. Anna pointed her chopsticks at Evan. “I was so mad at you. You should have disappeared as soon as he showed up.”
“Are you kidding?” Evan chortled. “Watching you turn that shade of green was priceless. Besides, you should thank me. I got rid of him for you, didn’t I?”
“That poor man,” she said, slowly shaking her head. She smiled, then giggled, unable to hold on to her anger. What a farce, at least when she saw it from a distance. “He didn’t know what to do when you sat down and bought him a drink.”
“Elaine gave me hell about it later, if that’s any comfort.”
“She thought the guy was perfect for me.” Anna shuddered. “Not in this lifetime.”
The waiter arrived back at the table, cleared the appetizers and set the main course between them. Steam wafted upward from the plates, bearing amazing scents. Evan picked up the dish nearest to him and handed it to her.
“This looks weird, but smells delicious,” he said as he lifted another plate.
They filled their plates and began to eat. The catfish was crisp in its light batter coating, nearly melting on her tongue. The vegetables were perfectly cooked and the spicy pork burst with flavor in her mouth.
“So, about the project—”
“No!” Anna held up a hand in protest. “No more until after dinner. Give me a chance to enjoy and digest.”
“But the only chance I get to speak uninterrupted is when you have food in your mouth,” Evan teased.
Anna decided to retaliate. “Let’s change the topic a bit. How’s your mother and hubby number four?”
“Number six, actually.”
Anna nearly choked on the bite of rice she had just popped in her mouth. She swallowed, sipped her tea and stared at him. “Six? Why so many?”
“Eventually they all get tired of ducking the same pots and pans she threw at Dad.”
“Wow.” Anna looked over at Evan, at a loss for words. She realized she had never really heard him talk about his parents’ divorce. Though his tone was matter-of-fact, she wondered if he was as blasé as he sounded. “I never knew it was that bad.”
He caught her sympathetic look and smiled slightly. “Don’t get upset, Annie. It was a long time ago. My mom’s just never been able to move on.”
“Is she happy with this one?” she asked, leaning forward.
“For now, I suppose. With her batting average, I figure she’s got another six months.” Evan was quiet for a minute, then shrugged. “She’d be happier if she were single, but she never listens to my advice.”
“In my experience, parents never listen to their children,” Anna said, sitting back again, thinking of her own mother and father.
“She has this crazy idea that she needs to be married. You’d think marriage to my dad would have cured her.” Evan shook his head. “It cured him, anyway.”
“He’s never remarried?”
“No. And he’s happier than she is. So what does that tell you?”
“That your parents are screwed up. That’s all. You should look at examples of normal couples.”
Evan dished up more vegetables and pork. He glanced at Anna. “The only happy marriage I know is your parents’. So, between mine and yours, that’s seven-to-one against. Not good odds.”
“Not fair. Your mother skews the data.”
“Or does she confirm it?” he asked with a wink.
Anna laughed a bit helplessly. “What about Patrick and Kate, or Ian and Mimi?” Both her older brothers had married recently and were giddily content.
“Too soon to tell. Both relationships could fall apart tomorrow.”
“I can understand why you’re such a cynic, but Charlie and Jeannie are happy and that’s been nearly fourteen years,” she said, referring to her eldest sister.
“Another fluke.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Lurking in the depths she thought she saw a touch of grim mockery. “Besides, they’re all Berzanis. I’m a McKenzie.”
“So?”
“It’s like comparing apples and pineapples. Maybe Berzanis stick to their spouses, but McKenzies don’t. That’s been proven.”
“Only by your parents. That has nothing to do with you.”
Evan laughed, but there wasn’t much humor in the sound. “I’m my father’s son, Annie. No denying that.”
Anna held his gaze, disquieted by his fatalism, yet not sure if he was serious. She looked down to her plate again, confusion sweeping through her. So what if Even McKenzie disdained marriage? That meant nothing to her. Unless…Anna stopped herself from finishing the thought. She was not going there. She knew a dangerous path when she saw one, and that one had red warning signs and flashing yellow lights posted all over it.
PUSHING BACK HIS PLATE, Evan sighed. “Kudos on your choice. That was fantastic. The best Chinese food I’ve ever had.”
Anna smiled. She had quit eating long before Evan had finished, watching with ill-concealed amazement as he had first one, then a second helping of everything. “You ate like a pig. There’s nothing left for my lunch.”
“The way you eat, there’s plenty,” he said, surveying the remains. “Here, have some more pork.”
Anna shook her head. “You’re just like my father. He’s always trying to stuff me with pasta.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. And speaking of your father—”
The waiter arrived, interrupting him. “You want a box?”
“Yes, thanks,” Anna said, grateful for the diversion.
They sat back as the waiter removed the plates. When he had gone, Evan poured the rest of the wine out. He opened his mouth to speak, but Anna beat him to it.
“My answer is still no,” she said softly. “Sorry. You’ll have to find someone else.”
Evan looked at her intently. She smiled, but her dark eyes were serious. He sighed and took a drink of his wine. “At least tell me you’ll think about it.”
She inclined her head. “Sure.”
“Liar,” he said sourly.
She laughed and he was enchanted once again, just as he had been over and over tonight. Evan gripped tight the reins of his attraction to her. But even now, hearing her laugh, looking into her eyes, he could feel his control slipping. This entire evening had been a wonder and a curse. His strategy of taking her to dinner and charming her had backfired. He was the one charmed—dangerously so.
From the moment she opened the door to her condo, he had had a hard time reminding himself that this was business. She had looked delightfully disheveled in her stocking feet, hair curling around her face. Hard to resist. No less so when she came out wearing this dress. The simple, unadorned silk molded to her hips and breasts. The heels she wore drew attention to her sleek legs and delicate ankles. He was burned by the loveliness of her fiery hair, highlighted by the gold tone of the fabric. She was more beautiful than he remembered.
It hadn’t gotten any easier since then. Talking with her, sparring with her, only added to his attraction. In their typical encounters they sniped
at each other like the teenagers they once were. Sometimes, they just glared at each other. Tonight there had been a shift, a playfulness to their exchanges that had unsettled Evan. He admitted to himself that he was fighting hard to keep the distance between them. Just a while longer, he warned himself. Keep it together, McKenzie.
The waiter returned with a plastic bag full of small boxes and asked if they wanted any dessert. They both declined and he put a tray with the bill and two fortune cookies on the table between them. Evan plucked the receipt from the tray just as Anna reached for it.
“You’re not buying,” she said, trying to snatch the bill away from him.
“Yes, I am,” Evan countered. He slipped a hand into his jacket and drew out his wallet. Pulling out a credit card, he handed it, and the bill, to the man.
“One moment,” the waiter said with a slight bow, retreating from the table.
“You don’t have to buy me dinner,” Anna said, “especially since I refused your request.”
“My treat. And my write-off,” he added with a grin, deliberately reminding himself and her that they were here to discuss business. Picking up the cookies from the tray, he tossed one to Anna, then snapped open the other. He read the slip of paper with a grimace. “‘Your lover will never wish to leave you.’ That’s not a fortune, that’s a threat. What’s yours say?”
Anna broke open her cookie. “This is probably yours,” she said, handing him the paper.
“‘Fortune smiles on the bold,’” he read and laughed. “Definitely more to my liking. I must have picked up your cookie.” He nudged the paper he had dropped to the table along with the broken cookie. A disturbing thought struck him. Narrowing his eyes, he forced himself to lean back in his seat. “So, who’s this lover that’s not going to leave you?”
When Anna blushed, her fair skin turning a becoming rose, Evan felt himself tense.
“None of your business,” she said crisply.
“So there is someone. Who is he?” he pressed.
“Evan. Let it go.” Her tone was exasperated, but the blush still colored her cheeks, and she wasn’t meeting his eyes. “There’s no one.”
“I don’t believe you.” He didn’t, either. She was too attractive to not have men hanging around. Evan found himself ready to demand an answer. As if the truth would set him free, he thought wryly. Maybe it was better not to know.
“You don’t have to believe me,” Anna said, taking a bite of her cookie.
“A secret lover? Is he married?”
She shook her head.
“Come on, Annie,” Evan said, forcing a brief laugh. “Your mother is going to grill me about you when I get back. You’ve got to give me something to feed her.”
“Satisfying my mother is not my job,” Anna countered. “Debriefing her is not in your job description, either.”
“It’s easier to give her something than have her nag me.”
“Tell her I’m busy, happy and healthy.”
“And dating?”
“No one special,” she said with a shake of her head.
Something like a rubber band snapped inside Evan, leaving him a bit light-headed. He drew in a deep breath and tried to find his footing again. “She won’t be happy with that news.”
“Life is filled with little disappointments.”
“You’ve proved that to me over and over today,” he said as the waiter slipped a credit-card receipt in front of him and offered a pen. Evan added a tip and signed the paper in a scrawl. Handing one copy back to the other man, he smiled. “Thanks.”
The waiter nodded solemnly and disappeared. Anna slid out of the booth and picked up her purse as Evan took her coat and helped her into it, settling the fabric around her shoulders. Soft strands of her hair tickled his hands, tempting him to sift through it. Not for the first time, he measured himself against her height. Small and slight, she would fit just under his chin. He stepped back and motioned her to lead the way out of the restaurant.
On the street again, they turned toward the main gate. The crowds had thinned to a few couples strolling along the sidewalk. Most of the shops were closed and barred for the night. Evan didn’t tuck Anna’s hand into the crook of his arm again. Touching her would be a mistake. Instead, he stuck his hands in his pockets and walked silently at her side.
“Oh! I forgot the food,” Anna said with a start.
“Do you want to go back?”
“No. It’s not important.”
“But you’ll starve tomorrow.”
“In this town?” Anna asked with a laugh. “Not likely.”
They walked on and Evan sensed the evening coming to a close—too soon for him, he realized. He reminded himself of the mess his parents had made of their lives—and his childhood. Evan knew he was too much like his father, too needful of his freedom and his space to endure in a marriage. Whatever attraction had sparked between him and Anna, he must extinguish it soon or repeat the same mistake.
When they reached the Dragon’s Gate, a taxi was just disgorging its passengers. Evan grabbed the door and held it while Anna slipped inside. The taxi pulled away from the curb as Anna gave the driver her address. This was a night out of time, that’s how he had to see it, just a few fleeting hours of magic that would soon be over and must never return to earth again.
Chapter Three
“Do you want to be dropped at your hotel?” Anna glanced over at Evan, his face a silhouette in the dimness.
“No. I’ll see you home first, then walk back from there.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I never do anything I don’t have to, Annie,” he said, a thread of humor lacing through his words.
Outside her building, Evan paid the driver and helped Anna out of the cab. He cupped her elbow and ushered her into the building before she could wish him good-night, then followed her through the lobby and to the elevator without a word. At her door, she unlocked and pushed it open. Stepping inside, she flipped a switch and soft light shone from a few spots on the ceiling. Evan followed her, closing the door behind him, but he didn’t venture far into the room.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked, but he was already shaking his head.
“I’d better go. I’ve got an early flight.”
There was an awkward pause—awkward for Anna at least. This was the moment the girl was supposed to wait for the guy to kiss her. Her heart sped at the thought, but she chided herself. Get a grip. This is not a date. She set her purse and keys on the table by the door. Swallowing to clear her dry throat, she sought the words to end this odd, enchanting evening.
“Thanks for the roses, dinner and, uh, everything,” she finished lamely and looked down, hoping the shadows and dim lighting hid her embarrassment. Forcing a self-conscious smile to her lips, she took a step toward him. Rising up on tiptoe, she put one hand on his shoulder for balance and pressed a quick, sisterly kiss to his cheek. Her lips tingled from the contact with his skin, slightly bristled and warm.
Evan jerked and his hands came to her waist in a hard grip. Still on her toes, Anna was caught off balance, her other hand coming up to rest on his chest. His jacket was open and her fingers splayed against the crisp cotton of his shirt, pushing his tie aside. She could feel the warmth of his skin, the tantalizing roughness of the curling hair under the fabric.
His scent filled her head and she swayed toward him. When his lips brushed against hers she froze for an instant, her eyelids sliding closed. The delicate touch was a lick of fire from her head to her toes. She had wanted this for so long; it was just as potent as she had dreamed. Evan drew away and Anna couldn’t stop the whimper of longing that came from her throat, nearly soundless above the pounding of her heart. It wasn’t enough. She wanted—she needed—more. Opening her eyes, she focused on the seductive curve of his mouth, aching for the promise behind the tease of his kiss.
“Good night, Annie,” Evan said softly, the words a whisper. His expression was calm, cold even. “And goo
dbye.”
Anna stiffened and a blush, deeper than before, suffused her cheeks. He was obviously immune to the power of their kiss. Pulling away from his touch, Anna looked down again, knowing she had let herself be swept away. She had misled herself. Closing her eyes tightly, she groped for balance. How could she have been so foolish? Evan was still Evan.
She was startled when his hands came up on either side of her head. Her gaze flew up to meet his at the first touch of his fingers in her hair. Fingertips stroking her neck through the curls, his thumbs touched her cheeks and lifted her face to his.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. His voice was low and intimate, sending a shiver of fear and need down her spine.
Anna could only look up at him, mute with humiliation. Evan’s eyes narrowed as her teeth worried her lower lip. For an instant, the spark of heat in the green depths took her breath away. There and gone so quickly, she wondered if she had imagined it. Seconds later, as if to answer her thought, his lips met hers again—warm, firm and certain.
She lost her grip. She was drowning in the kiss. There was nowhere to go but down. The heat of his mouth, the strength of the arms that slipped around her, the pulse of the muscular body she pressed against, all swamped her senses. Her arms rose to encircle his neck in surrender, her hands pressed against the soft wool of his jacket. One of Evan’s hands slid to her waist, pulling her up onto her toes again, into the curve of his body. The other fisted in her hair, holding her immobile. His kiss held an indefinable flavor she had craved for too long, a kiss so sweet and intoxicating, Anna only wanted more.
She sent a teasing foray into his mouth with her tongue. For one moment, his mated with hers in a hot slide of demand. Then he hesitated and pulled his lips from hers just the barest inch. They stayed that way for one moment and then another, the tension stretching unbearably. Evan’s face was hard, his green eyes glittering, his jaw tensed. He looked like a man in pain and instinctively, Anna moved to soothe him. She closed the gap, touching her mouth to his, offering him anything he chose to take. In the next instant, Evan took command of the kiss. His mouth molded to hers, demanding a passion she was only too happy to give him.
