"Do you mean that?"
"Of course."
He pulled her into his arms for another kiss when the door opened.
"Ah, there you are…robbing the cradle, Leah?"
A blond man, wearing a dark gray suit lounged against the door frame, an amused look on his face.
"Rod. Come in," Leah smoothed her skirt down. "This is Colin. Colin, Rod McMahon."
Colin, still bristling from the man's nasty crack, nodded. Rod's blue eyes glittered.
"Leah, give him a lollipop and come back to the party."
Colin's hands fisted at his sides.
"Rod, no need to be insulting."
"Can't he talk yet?"
"Yes, I can talk. Thought I'd save the lady the embarrassment of having one of her guests taken down."
"Lady? Leah, you mean?" He laughed. "She's more like a friend…with benefits, than a lady."
Leah's face colored.
"Take that back, asswipe." Colin took a menacing step toward the man.
"Oh? And who's gonna make me?"
"Rod, you've had too much to drink. Maybe you'd better go home," Leah moved toward him until Colin's arm blocked her way.
"Me? Don't think so. Gotta be here at midnight for my Happy New Year hump with you."
Colin grabbed Rod by the lapels of his jacket. Rod tried to break the younger man's hold but was unsuccessful.
"Apologize," Colin spit out.
Rod shook his head. Colin grabbed him in a headlock and took the man down. He easily held him down on the ground.
"Apologize or go home with a broken arm."
Colin twisted Rod's wrist then shoved it halfway up his back. Rod yelped in pain. Leah tried to break it up until Colin threw a stern look at her.
"Apologize…now!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Leah. I didn't mean it. You're every inch a lady."
Colin let go and stood up. Rod rubbed his wrist then his arm while staring daggers at Colin. Grey entered the bedroom.
"I've been looking for you, buddy…" he said.
"This is your buddy? Better be careful. He bites," Rod said.
"What's going on?" Grey stood back.
"This asswipe made disparaging remarks about Leah. He was damned insulting."
"Hey, I apologized didn't I? Leah, get this Neanderthal back in his corner, would ya?"
"Are you calling my brother a Neanderthal? I think you need to leave."
Grey grabbed one arm while Colin took the other. Leah quickly found Rod's overcoat and trailed behind while the two men escorted Rod to the front door. Leah opened the door so the men could shove Rod into the hall. Colin took the overcoat from Leah and tossed it on Rod who was lying in a heap on the hall floor.
"Don't come back again, Rod," Leah said before shutting the door. She marched to the buzzer and buzzed Lance.
"Lance, I've got a drunk on the hall floor. Could you please put him in a taxi? Thanks so much."
Colin pulled Leah aside, guiding her into the kitchen.
"Is that the type of guy you're hooking up with?" He whispered to keep his comments from the ears of servers rushing in and out.
Her face colored. "Rod? Not in a long time. He was…a mistake…"
"Honey, you're too good for guys like that." He put his hand on her waist, drawing her closer to keep their conversation private.
"Guys like Rod don't want any commitment. Neither do I. He's not the ideal…I've dated others who are nicer…who also don't want a commitment." She turned her gaze to the floor.
"What's your problem with commitment?" He raised her chin to look her in the eye.
"This isn't the time or place for this discussion…can't we please get back to the party?"
"No more guys like that, Leah. You're better than that."
"Thanks for getting rid of him." She patted his arm and smiled.
"He's lucky I didn't mess him up."
Grey stuck his head in the kitchen.
"Everyone okay in here?"
Colin and Leah nodded.
"It's almost midnight, little bro, Leah," Grey said.
They rejoined the others for the midnight toast. Colin stuck by Leah's side and they kissed at midnight. He held her close for a little longer, dipping his head to smell the sweet scent of her freshly-washed hair mixed with her delicate perfume. His hands caressed her shoulders and back. I'd like to rip those tiny straps right off your dress, carry you away and make love to you all night. When Leah stepped back, he saw a slight flush on her chest. Her gaze met his, there was fire in her eyes. Her palms lingered on his chest a moment longer than necessary, lighting a fire inside him. Wait. My time will come. He smiled at her as he let her go, calling out, "Happy New Year!" to all he could see.
****
Grey and Carrie left right after midnight, leaving Colin to make his own way back to the townhouse. Jean Luc's staff stayed to clean up after the guests went home. They were very efficient because they were all anxious to leave. Colin slung his coat on.
"Wait, I'll walk you to the corner…make sure you find a taxi." Leah gave tip money to Jean Luc before retrieving her coat.
"I'm not a baby, Leah. I can hail a cab on my own." He shrugged his broad shoulders into his coat.
"I know but on New Year's Eve…it may be harder and a woman might have a better chance."
Colin held her ermine coat for her and they went down the elevator together in silence. When they hit the street, Colin spoke up.
"You're not going to see that guy Rod again, are you?"
"Of course not." Leah gazed at the sidewalk.
"How many other friends with benefits do you have?" His eyes locked on her face.
Heat rose to her cheeks. "I haven't had any for a long time."
"Living the celibate life?" He raised his eyebrows.
The frigid wind on Central Park West barely relieved the growing warmth in her face.
"I've spent a lot of time alone lately." She folded her arms across her chest.
"I'm not judging you, Leah. Just looking for information." His gloved hand turned her chin toward him.
"Why?" Light from the streetlamps made her light brown eyes appear liquid.
"Because I care about you."
"You've got your life in Pine Grove. I'm moving to Paris…why do you want to start something between us?" Leah stopped. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest.
"You and I have something…call it chemistry…whatever. I've never been as attracted to a woman as I am to you."
"That's just sex, right? Like friends with benefits?"
"It's more…more than that. You're like a beautiful onion…"
"An onion?" She rested her hands on her hips, a frown on her lips.
"Each layer that peels back reveals something beautiful, interesting, fascinating, exciting about you. Something I didn't know before. You're creative, smart and…funny." His hands held her shoulders.
Her gaze perused his face. Sincerity shone through his eyes. Words of denial caught in her throat. He believes every word. She reached up to cup his cheek. Their lips met.
"Get a room." A lone man on the street said as he walked by.
Leah moved back, away from Colin. She took his hand as they continued on.
"You don't have to take me to the corner like a nursemaid."
"It's just…"
"Stop! I'll find a cab. It's freezing. Go back inside, I'll be fine."
He turned her around and gave her a gentle shove toward Central Park West.
"You're sure? You'll call me when you get home?"
"Leah!"
"Please?"
"All right, all right. Anything if you'll scoot…get out of the cold."
She smiled at him and headed down 77th Street toward Columbus Avenue. Leah was confused. He's so sweet…but I'm leaving in a few months. Maybe I won't come back. Ugh! Timing stinks!
Lost in her own thoughts, she wasn't paying attention. Suddenly an arm snapped around her waist from behind, gripping her hard.
<
br /> "Give me your purse and your coat," a hoarse voice whispered.
Leah struggled to get away but his arm held her in a vise-like grip.
"Colin! Colin!" She screamed with all her strength.
"Shut up!" he spat at her with putrid breath.
The man tightened his grip while he slapped his other hand over her mouth. Fighting for breath she tried to move his fingers which seemed glued over her lips and nose.
"Gimme your coat!" He demanded, his hoarse voice louder than before.
Leah shook her head, pushing against his hand to no avail. Her pulse beat wildly in her neck. Fear wrapped an icy hand around her spine. He's going to kill me. Give him the coat!
She began to nod vigorously but the man wouldn't let go. He lifted her up so that her feet dangled off the ground. She tried to kick him but flailed her legs back and forth to no effect. Hope was running out as she began to feel lightheaded from lack of air.
She heard running feet. Oh, shit, he has an accomplice. Just as suddenly as he'd grabbed her, he let go. His hands tugged on the lapels of her ermine coat from behind as she gulped air into her lungs. Leah kicked back at him but he dodged her foot. He spun her around, pulling at her coat. She threatened him with her small fist. He raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the ground with a cry. Searing pain rocketed through her brain, paralyzing her for a moment. Her hand flew to her mouth. Something warm and wet dribbled down her chin. She tasted blood. Tears clouded her eyes but she brushed them away, raising her hand in a defensive move.
He lifted his hand in the air, poised to strike her again, when a man's hand locked onto his wrist. The man behind him twisted her assailant's arm until he cried out. Then the newcomer yanked the man's arm back and shoved it up his back, causing him to scream in pain. His other arm closed around the man's neck, subduing him with a choke hold.
"Leah, call 911," Colin said as he held the assailant still.
Her hands shook as she took out her cell phone. Between the cold and her fear, Leah couldn't command her fingers to dial. She started to cry in frustration.
"Leah! Pull yourself together…just for a moment, sweetheart." Colin's voice was calm and steady. The man who'd attacked her gasped then whimpered.
She took a big breath, feeling a shudder roll through her body before a moment of calm set in. She dialed the number, reported the assault giving the exact location. They waited at least five minutes in silence before they heard the sound of distant sirens drawing closer. Her body trembled out of control, whether from fear or the cold she couldn't tell. Maybe both. A sense of relief washed through her as the black-and-whites pulled up, lights flashing. They drew their guns on Colin.
"Let him go, sir." The shorter, darker officer said.
Colin let go of the man and raised his hands. The man started swearing and attempted to take a swing with his good arm, aiming at Colin who easily dodged him. The smaller police officer subdued the man then locked him in handcuffs. Colin rushed to Leah, and helped her up.
"What happened, Ma'am?" The taller officer asked Leah.
Resting against Colin's arm around her shoulders she took another deep breath and paused before recounting the assault while the man screamed "liar" at her. With trembling hands, she retrieved her driver's license from her small bag lying on the sidewalk and gave the policeman her contact information. When she was finished, Colin folded her into his arms. She let go, allowing the pent up fear to surface as she sobbed against his chest. The officer gently pried her away from Colin to snap several pictures of her face while his partner put the hollering man in the back of the squad car.
"You might want to get that lip looked at, lady. Do you intend to press charges?"
"Damn right I do," Leah said in a shaky voice.
"Good, gets that guy off the streets. We'll need you to come down to the station house."
"Can I do it in the morning?"
"Okay, I guess. Bring him." The officer indicated Colin then handed Leah his card.
"I'll be there," Colin said.
The taller officer joined his partner in the squad car. They drove away.
****
Leah's legs shook like quivering jelly as she leaned against Colin on the short walk back to the apartment. The place was quiet when they entered, now that all the guests and catering staff were gone. Colin led Leah right into the kitchen. He took some ice from the freezer, folded a cloth napkin around it and placed it on her lip, picking up her hand to hold it there. He drew up a chair and sat her down before he poured a glass of wine for her from the bottle of cabernet on the counter.
Leah's hand shook too much to hold the glass. Colin held it up to her lips and she took a sip, then hissed at the pain of the alcohol on her cut lip flew through her dizzy brain.
"I'm sorry. Forgot about your cut. Do you have straws?"
Leah indicated a drawer and Colin retrieved a straw. She sipped a few long sips of wine and began to feel a little calmer as the alcohol warmed her insides. Colin picked her up off the chair and carried her into the living room. He sat down on the sofa, placing her in his lap. As she cuddled into his shoulder, he held her close and stroked her hair. Leah closed her eyes. Colin hunted up some ibuprofen then presented it to her with a glass of water and a straw.
"This will make you feel better in the morning."
"Please don't leave." Leah asked, closing her fingers around his forearm.
"I have no intention of leaving."
She glanced at him with a questioning look.
"Not like that. I don't want you to be alone. We can spend the night…as friends," he said.
She tried to smile but the pain in her lip made her wince.
"Do we have to take you to the emergency room?"
"Let me see." She fumbled in her purse, still unable to get her fingers to stop shaking. Finally, she found a compact, opened it to examine the damage to her face in the small mirror. The lip was swollen to twice its normal size, the cut made by her teeth was mostly on the inside and didn't appear big enough to require stitches.
"I think it will heal on its own," she said to Colin.
"Let me snap a couple more pix of you." He whipped out his phone and took a few close-up shots before she could object.
"I must look horrible." Leah tried to get off his lap, but he pulled her back.
"Stay. I think you'll be okay." He placed the ice pack back on her lip.
She nestled into his shoulder, emitted a big sigh and began to relax. Colin stroked her back. Her eyes closed as exhaustion set in.
"Sleep would be the best thing for you," he whispered.
He stood up with her in his arms as if she weighed nothing then headed for the bedroom, placing her gently on the bed. She stretched out her arms and legs.
"Thank you for saving me."
"I should have realized that guy was up to no good when we passed him and that it wasn't safe for you to walk even two blocks back to the apartment at that hour. I'm sorry. It's my fault."
She slapped his arm and knitted her brows.
"It's not your fault! It's that jerk's fault."
She tried to reach around to unzip her dress but her fingers wouldn't cooperate. Colin turned her around and unzipped the dress. He retrieved her bathrobe before peeling the dress down her arms. It was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra, maybe no underwear at all, so he draped her terry robe over her shoulders as he slid her dress down. She knew his hands on her shoulders could feel her tremble. When he pushed the dress down, his fingers came into contact with her breasts for a second or two. A tingle shot down to her core. God, I want you! She slipped her arms into the sleeves of her robe and drew it around her naked body.
Colin removed the pieces of his tuxedo, placed them on the dresser and a nearby chair. He laid them out neatly. Wearing only his boxers, he returned to the bed. Leah had her robe wound around her, her hand held it closed at her chest. His grace and perfect body as he moved across the room aroused her despite her jan
gled nerves. She eyed his chest, longing to touch him.
He's so gorgeous. Her gaze raked his body, producing a small smile on her bruised lips. Colin pulled the covers down in one motion and gestured for her to get in. She slipped underneath then scooted over.
"Sleeping only. I promise. Even if it kills me," he said.
Colin sat down on the bed and swung his long legs on top, then pulled up the covers.
"Come here," he said, motioning for Leah to join him.
She cuddled up to him, putting her head on his chest. Her fingertips brushed through his chest hair and a small smile stretched her swollen lips.
"Ouch! Hurts too much to smile…or talk." She gestured toward her mouth.
"That's okay. We don't need to talk in bed. Oops. That didn't come out right."
They laughed as Colin put one arm around her and inched the covers up over her shoulder with the other.
"My robe…I almost forgot," Leah said, sitting up and sloughing one side off her shoulder, exposing her breast to his gaze.
Colin pulled the robe back onto her shoulder.
"No way. I'm not sleeping here with you if you take that off. I'm only human, Leah. If you're sleeping naked with me, then we're making love."
She fisted the robe and held it to her chest. If only I was feeling better…
"I want to make love to you but not tonight. Tonight you need to be…to be held."
He opened his arms again and she fell into them with a long sigh. The ibuprofen began to kick in. The warmth from his body thawed her frozen fingers and nerves, peace flowed through her veins. He leaned over and switched off the lamp on the bedside table. Cuddled together, the would-be lovers fell asleep.
At four o'clock, Leah sat up in bed screaming. Colin woke up and touched her shoulder. She shrank back from him.
"It's me, Colin," he said.
'You're still here." She placed her hand on his chest.
"Did you think I'd run out on you?"
"Didn't know what to think," she murmured.
Shivering, Leah reached out to touch his face. He kissed her fingers.
"Come to me, sweetheart," he whispered.
He folded her in his arms and pulled up the covers. She sighed as she rested her arm around his waist. The next time she opened her eyes, she was staring at the clock, reading ten o'clock on the dial.
The Dating List Page 7
