Going All the Way (Kiss the Bride #1)

by Cynthia Cooke

  His gaze dropped down and caught an eyeful of lace hugging her soft breasts through the v in her neckline. He swallowed. “I’d like to stay and have another glass of wine.” He cleared his throat and focused on her eyes. Beautiful eyes. Warm eyes. “But I need to get back to work or Stu Steinhem will cut me a new one.”

  She stilled, her smile faltering, her eyes widening with surprise and dismay.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She took a step back and turned toward the door. “Nothing. I…uh, thought I heard Riley. I’ll go get him.”

  Riley? He didn’t hear anything.

  She unlocked her front door and quickly slipped through, leaving him standing on the stoop alone and bewildered.

  What the hell had happened? He shook his head. She was beginning to master the art of getting him hot and then leaving him cold. Whatever was going on with her, it was just as well. He needed to get hold of himself and focus on his job. His pretty new neighbor was way too tempting, and obviously more than he could handle.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning, Carrie pulled out her camera, fitted it with a telephoto lens, and made sure the batteries were charged and a fresh memory card was inserted. She was taking Riley to the park. She’d take lots of pictures, then start a new painting, and try not to think about the fact that she’d almost kissed Ryan again. That she wanted to kiss Ryan again. No matter how strongly she told herself to keep her distance, she couldn’t. There was something between them. She didn’t know what, but she felt good with him. Comfortable. Easy. And he was so damned sexy. She definitely would have kissed him. Until he said the dreaded word—Steinhem. He worked for Steinhem Company. Her old company.

  He worked for Stu.

  It was just her dumb luck. She should have guessed. He was living in Stu’s half of the duplex. She knew Stu was having trouble, but to bring in an outside consulting agency? It must be worse then she thought. And Ryan was the expert help he’d brought in. Talk about complicated. If Ryan knew she was Stu’s ex-wife, would he still want to spend time with her? Share dinner and stolen kisses? She didn’t think so.

  He was all about business, first and foremost. As he should be. To be offered the job of president of a top-rated consulting firm was quite an accomplishment. Having a relationship with client’s ex did not fit into that equation. Not that she was ready for a relationship, or even wanted one. But now there was no option. Damn Stu. She just couldn’t seem to make a clean break from that man.

  She sighed. She wasn’t going to think about it, or him. Or Ryan. Today she would focus on her art. She would start by going to the park and taking pictures. Lots and lots of pictures, and then she’d start a new project. “Hey there, Riley. You ready to go?”

  Riley, who was lying on the floor with his head in his paws, perked up immediately. The poor boy had been depressed all morning.

  “You missing your owner? He’ll be back soon. Let’s go to the park, take some pictures, chase some ducks, what do you say? It’ll be fun.”

  Riley’s tail did a quick wag before dropping back to the floor.

  “You look truly pathetic. Why would you put all your happiness into the hands of one dumb guy? Haven’t you learned better by now? They can’t be trusted to stick around, to be faithful, to have your best interest at heart. I hate to break it to you, but all they think about is what they want. What’s best for them. It’s all about their life and how you fit into it to make them happy.” She rubbed his head.

  He looked at her with those big, sad eyes.

  “You need to look out for number one, Bud. Or you will always be one sad pup. You got that?”

  Riley did that wilty wag thing again.

  “Come on. You can sniff some doggy butts, that will cheer you up.” She grabbed her purse, pulled the leash off the table and headed for the door. Riley jumped to his feet. “See, I knew that would get you. Typical male all the way.”

  Riley barked as she clicked the leash onto this collar.

  “And if you’re lucky you might even get a hot dog.” She grinned at her joke and they walked out the door, headed across the street, and turned the corner into the park. As she walked, she lifted her camera and peered through the viewfinder. It was a beautiful day with no fog and lots of warm sunshine, and people were out in droves. She breathed deep. The smell of eucalyptus filled the salty air. She had missed this city. There was no place else on the planet like it. She started snapping pictures: a little girl with red pigtails and freckles coming down a slide. A man on his bike with an aerodynamic helmet, mirrored sunglasses, and a way-too-serious look on his face as he took a turn. A clown holding a bouquet of brightly colored balloons, a dog playing Frisbee, and Stu standing by the hot dog stand in front of the entrance to the dog park with two hotdogs in his hand.

  She dropped her camera and did a double-take. “Stu? What are you doing here?” she asked as she reached him.

  “What, you don’t believe I like to eat lunch in the park?” he answered smoothly.

  “Not for a minute.” She perused his face. “Were you spying on me?”

  “No, of course not. I was just getting ready to call and see if you wanted to join me, and here you are. It’s like kismet.” He grinned.

  “My ass,” she muttered. She’d been dumb enough to tell him right where she’d be. She took off Riley’s leash. “Go play,” she ordered, and he sprinted toward the other dogs inside the fenced area. She snatched one of the hot dogs from Stu’s hand. “All right. What do you want?” she asked, jumping into the fray.

  He walked toward the nearest bench and took a seat. “I hate to admit it, but I’m in trouble. I need your help.”

  No surprise there. She joined him on the bench and took a bite off the dog.

  “We lost the Pepsi account,” he continued when she didn’t say anything.

  “I heard. That’s quite a hit.”

  Riley ran toward them, sat in front of her for a moment, got his head scratched, then ran toward the ducks in the pond.

  “Don’t get wet,” she called, then realized how futile that was as Riley loped right into the water. “Damn,” she muttered. “Now I’ll have to give him a bath.”

  “Since when did you get a dog?”

  ”I didn’t. I’m dog sitting.”

  Astonishment crossed his face. “You?”

  “Yes, me. Why is that so hard to believe?”

  “I don’t know. You never struck me as the nurturing type. Dogs. Kids, hearth and home. Not exactly your style.”

  She didn’t know whether to be insulted or to agree with him. The fact that she purposely hadn’t set up her computer so she would stay away from emails told her better. She took the safe route and said nothing.

  “I know you,” Stu continued. “People are my job. You were always a specialty of mine. When we were together, we were unstoppable.”

  “We were explosive, all right. That’s why we crashed and burned.”

  “We could try it again.” His gaze held hers. Two years wasn’t that long ago. She’d given many more years, her whole life, to this man. He’d been her world, her everything. And then he’d broken it, and she’d never been the same. And she doubted she ever would be. How could she let her guard down enough to take that chance again? To trust anyone the way she’d trusted him?

  “No. We couldn’t. You are exactly what I don’t want in my life,” she said, her voice thick with bitterness.

  “Don’t you miss the excitement? The fire?”

  She looked at his beautiful dark eyes, the perfect cheekbones, the Armani suit that fit him like a glove, and could easily give him an honest answer. “Not in the least. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You tell it like it is. Always have. It’s one of the things I love best about you.”

  But he hadn’t loved her enough to stay. To be faithful. “So what are you going to do about the company?” she asked, taking another bite as she thought about Ryan and the trouble he’d been having.

&nbs
p; “Beg you to come back.”

  “I can’t,” she said instantly. And she wouldn’t. Not again.

  “Just for this one account. If we lose the Costas account after having lost Pepsi, our stock will plummet. I’m not sure we’ll recover.”

  He must’ve been desperate if he’d hired Ryan’s consulting firm. But even Ryan admitted he couldn’t seem to make it work, to find a campaign that would save this deal.

  “Give it some thought. Just for this one account,” Stu said again. “I know you’d hate to see the company we built go under as much as I would.”

  He had her there. That company had more than her blood, sweat and tears. It had been a creation of her soul. “I’ll think about it.”

  He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “It’s really good to have you back.”

  She stiffened at the touch of his lips. “Thanks, Stu. But I have to look out for myself and Steinhem isn’t the best place for me.” Her words sounded hollow even to her own ears. She could feel herself being drawn back in, even while she tried to cling to the shreds of her newfound fragile bliss.

  “It wasn’t the company that drove you away, it was me. I’m so sorry, Carrie. I was an idiot and a fool, riding high on an ego boost and not valuing what was really important, what really mattered to me. And that was you. I made so many mistakes, and I lost you. Your friendship and your love. I only hope someday you can forgive me.”

  “I do forgive you, Stu.” Did she? Had she really moved past it? She had to admit, she wasn’t sure. “We were both too young to get married. We felt too strongly about each other…” She couldn’t continue over the lump in her throat.

  “I still do,” he said.

  “What?” She looked at him with fear in her heart.

  “Love you.”

  “Don’t say that,” she whispered. “We can’t go there. Not ever again.”

  “All right. I respect you enough for that. But I will make it up to you someday. I promise.”

  She smiled, but it felt weak. Some promises couldn’t be kept.

  “I know I have no right to ask, but if you can spare a minute and do an old friend a favor by looking over the file on this account, I’d really appreciate it. You were always the best and if anyone can save this thing, it’s you.”

  He pulled a folder out of his briefcase held it out to her.

  She stared at it. “You shouldn’t have brought that. You shouldn’t have assumed I’d help you.”

  “I didn’t. I hoped you’d do it for me, for old time’s sake. Look at it, then if something sparks your interest we can talk about it. No commitment.”

  She shook her head, still refusing to touch it. To go back there. “I don’t know, Stu.”

  “Listen, I understand you’re not coming back to work. All you’re doing is looking at it. If you happen to come up with a few ideas that my team can run with, I’d be extremely grateful. And if you don’t…” He spread his arms wide. “No harm, no foul.”

  She stared at the file. Ryan had talked about her being in control of the project, the art, the deadlines. Maybe it was possible to rekindle the joy she used to have in advertising. To be a freelancer working on her terms. Maybe Ryan had a point.

  She thought of him and warmed. Except they didn’t stand a chance. Ryan worked for Stu. But maybe if she could help Ryan, it would be worth it. “All right, I’ll look at it.”

  He grinned and handed her the file. “I knew you would.”

  She bristled as she placed the file in her bag. “Oh, yeah? What made you so sure?”

  “I know you, darling. You love the fire. You love playing with it, you love creating it.”

  She sighed. Obviously, he was right. She hadn’t even been home a week and she was already getting sucked back in to Stu’s world. She’d better get her defenses back up or she’d end up right where she was before—burned.

  Chapter Nine

  Carrie stared into space for a full minute after Stu left, contemplating everything he said, how desperately he needed her help, and how tempted she was to help him—to get back on that merry-go-round. And then she remembered Riley. “Oh, no!”

  She jumped up and ran toward the dog park, but didn’t see him inside the fence anywhere. Wide-eyed, she turned and hurried toward the pond. Riley was jumping through the water, chasing the ducks, looking absolutely adorable. She immediately took out her camera and started shooting away. He was beautiful. The light was just right. As she moved closer, she overheard a group of mothers.

  “Look at that dog, what is he doing in there?”

  “What kind of owner lets their dog run loose in the park?”

  “Obviously one who can’t manage their dog,” a short brunette pushing a stroller said.

  Carrie stiffened, dropped her camera and looked around her. Everyone was staring at Riley.

  ”Riley, get out of that water!” she yelled, and hurried toward him. He had practically swum the entire length of the pond. All the ducks were in a frenzy. Kids were scared and crying, and now everyone was staring at her. Of course they were. She was the one who couldn’t manage her dog. “Riley!” she called again. “You have to get out of there right now.”

  “What were they thinking, putting a duck pond in the middle of a dog park?” Hands on her hips, she wondered how she was going to get Riley, who was apparently having the time of his life chasing the ducks out of the water.

  “The dog park ended over there.” A park ranger, who was suddenly standing next to her, pointed toward the chain link fence. The one Riley had run into. She’d been so deep in the conversation with Stu, she barely remembered when Riley came back out.

  “I’m really sorry. I must have missed it,” she said to the officer with a bright smile.

  Apparently it was lost on him. “You need to get your dog out of the pond and back on his leash.”

  Like she couldn’t figure that out on her own. “Yes, sir,” she said respectfully, and took another step toward the putrid water. “Riley! Get your furry butt over here!”

  A mother gasped. Her child giggled. The ranger pulled out his ticket book.

  “Riley, come on, please.” She was beginning to whine. Maybe Stu was right. What did she know about dogs? About trying to make a go of it on her own? She was made for the corporate world. Even if it wasn’t good for her? No, she had to find a way to make this work. She wasn’t a quitter, and she didn’t give up over the first obstacle to come along. “Riley!” she called again until finally he came loping out of the water, a big-ass grin on his face, his tail wagging a mile a minute. He ran straight toward her and jumped up on her pants and shirt, making a muddy mess, and then proceeded to lick her face. “Riley! Get down,” she insisted as she clicked the leash onto his collar. But he was so happy, jumping up and down, barking, his tail beating whatever got in its way. She’d never seen him so animated, so…joyful. Her annoyance instantly dissipated.

  “You think this is really funny, don’t you?” she asked him.

  He jumped up again, his head cocked to the side and looking at her like she was the answer to all his prayers. She couldn’t help grinning like an idiot.

  “Chasing the ducks, getting all dirty, getting me all dirty.” She glanced around her and then lowered her voice. “And getting me in trouble.”

  She caught a whiff of him and then herself, and grimaced. “Come on, boy. We both need a bath.”

  “Ma’am?”

  She turned back to the ranger, who promptly handed her a ticket. “Thanks,” she muttered.

  The man smiled for what was probably the first time all day. “My pleasure.”

  …

  Ryan picked up a couple sandwiches from the Italian deli after work and decided to take a chance that Carrie might still be in the park with Riley. As he crossed the street to the park’s entrance, he was surprised to see Stu pulling out. Stu didn’t seem like the lunch in the park kind of guy, but then he supposed there were a lot of things about his client he didn’t know.

  As he got d
eeper into the park, a ruckus over by the pond stopped him in his tracks. Riley was running out of the water, barreling straight toward Carrie. And boy did she look good in tight-fitting yoga pants and a tee shirt—until Riley jumped on her, almost knocking her over with his exuberance. Ryan swore and hurried toward them as a park ranger handed her a ticket. If he wasn’t careful, he might just lose his dog sitter.

  “Ryan, where did you come from?” Carrie said as he ran up. Her eyes widened and she quickly glanced down at Riley and then herself.

  “It’s my lunch hour. I thought I’d bring you lunch and check to see how you’re doing.”

  Riley immediately jumped on him and started barking. “Down, boy,” he said, and petted Riley on the head. He looked down at his work slacks in disgust. “Geez. You smell awful.”

  “Oh, boy. You should have known better the moment you saw me.” She gestured toward her muck–sprayed clothes. “I’m afraid he had a little more fun than I had planned.”

  He smiled at her. He couldn’t help himself; she was so darned cute with her clothes a mess, a smear of mud on her cheek, and several curls pulled loose haphazardly from her ponytail. “I’m really sorry about this.” Ryan brushed the mud off his clothes. “He should be better behaved.” He gave Riley a stern look.

  “I should have kept a better eye on him,” she insisted.

  “Okay, we’re even.”

  “Almost,” she said. He looked at her. “This is for you.” She handed him the ticket. “Obviously that ranger has no sense of humor.”

  “Obviously.” He pocketed the ticket. “Come on, let’s get him home. I brought sandwiches.”

  “You did?”

  He held up the bag and grinned.

  “You better make sure Riley doesn’t get ahold of those.” They walked quickly, trying to get Riley back to the house as fast as they could before he caused any more trouble.