Renting to Own

by Linda Rettstatt

  Lily soon heard voices from Rick’s office. She heard her daughter’s lisp and Rick’s response, followed by Chelsea’s giggle. She walked to the doorway. The sight stopped her. Chelsea sat on Rick’s lap, grinning up at him as she animatedly told him about her first day. The look on his face brought a smile to Lily.

  Rick looked up at nodded. “The princess has awakened.”

  “The princess needs to get her things together. It’s time to go home.”

  He lifted Chelsea from his lap, setting her on her feet. “The Queen Mother has spoken.”

  “Did you thank Rick for his gift?”

  Chelsea nodded. “I did. I’m going to wear it every day. Wait till I show Amy.” She ran out to the waiting room to get her backpack.

  Rick grinned after her, then looked at Lily. “I don’t suppose you two are free for dinner tonight, to celebrate?”

  “Thanks, but it’s been a long day. Maybe another time?”

  He nodded. “Sure. Goodnight.”

  She shut down her computer. Her hands trembled as she stacked files and set them in a desk drawer. What is wrong with me? As if another person had been present in her head, the reply came: You’re falling in love with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As had become routine, Lily picked Chelsea up at three o’clock and returned to the office. “I brought some new DVDs for you, honey. Go ahead and push the play button. I’ll get you some juice.”

  Rick emerged from his office. “Is my favorite short person here?”

  Chelsea flashed him a smile, minus her two front teeth. “Yeth.”

  Lily grabbed a box of apple juice from the refrigerator. “Here you go, sweetie. Rick, can I talk with you for a moment?”

  “Sure. Let’s go into my office.” He stood aside and let her pass ahead of him. “What’s up?”

  “Have you heard from Mr. Sanders? I feel like I’m walking on glass, waiting.”

  “No news is good news, Lily.” He sat on the edge of his desk. “As soon as I hear anything, I’ll tell you. I promise.”

  Lily plopped down on the sofa. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I came here to start over—new job, new house. I had to leave the job, and now I may lose my home.” She swiped at an escaping tear.

  Rick pulled a few tissues from the box on his desk and sat down next to her. “Here. Lily. God I hate to see you like this.”

  “Why?” She turned her head and looked at him.

  “Because…um…because, well, I hate to see anyone feeling so upset.”

  “Oh.”

  He smiled. “Especially someone I like.”

  She’d wanted to hear him say that, but now that the words were out, she felt uncomfortable. The ringing phone came at the right time. “I appreciate your concern. I better get back to work.” She stood and smacked her leg against the arm of the sofa as she turned for the door. She rubbed her throbbing knee. “Gardner Realty. May I help you?” she asked, breathless.

  “Did you run across the office?” the baritone voice asked.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  The deep laugh sent a shiver along her spine. “It’s Beau. Walker Beaumont. How are you, Lily? You know, you still owe me lunch.”

  “Beau. I’m sorry. I was in Rick’s office when the phone rang. Do you want to speak with him?”

  “I called to speak with you, but if being in Rick’s office leaves you out of breath, maybe I should talk with him.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “Any chance you’d have dinner with me tonight?”

  “Tonight? Oh, no, I can’t.”

  “Tomorrow night?”

  “Not good, either.”

  “The night after?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “You can see where this is going. I’ll keep asking until you have a free night. What do you say?”

  “I can’t. I don’t have a babysitter.”

  “I’ll pay for one.”

  “I don’t have a babysitter, meaning I don’t know anyone to babysit. I won’t leave my daughter with a complete stranger.” She turned to see Rick standing at the counter, waving to get her attention. “Hold on, Beau.” Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Need something?”

  “I couldn’t help but overhear. Sounds like you need someone to look after Chelsea. I can do it.”

  “You? Babysit?”

  “Sure. Why not? You know me, and Chelsea likes me. She’s not exactly a baby. We’ll eat ice cream and watch TV or something. You should go out and have a nice evening.”

  “Uh-huh. Um…are you sure? You don’t like kids.”

  “Not true. I just don’t want my own kids. I like your kid. I come with references, if you need them. You can call my sister. I kept her kids for an entire week once, and no one died.” He grinned. “Not even me.”

  “I’d have to ask Chelsea.”

  Rick walked to the center of the room. “Hey, Chels, would you like it if I came over to your house so your mom can go out to dinner with a friend?”

  “Yeah. We can play with my Barbies.”

  He turned and smiled broadly. “See? It’s all settled. I’ve been wanting to play with Barbies.” He walked back into his office.

  “Lily? Are you still there?” the voice called through the phone.

  “Beau, I’m sorry. Yes, I seem to have found a babysitter. How about Friday? Oh, wait, let me check. Hold on.” She set down the receiver and stuck her head around the corner to Rick’s office. “Is Friday good for you?”

  “Perfect. I’ll bring the pizza.”

  She hurried back to her desk and grabbed the phone. “Friday’s good. I’ll see you at six?”

  *

  “Chelsea, promise me you will go to bed when Rick tells you. I won’t be late. I’m just going to dinner.” She had reconsidered her plans at least six times, questioning if she knew Rick well enough. Or was she nervous about a date with Beau. Just one look at the man threw a switch on that turned up the heat and stole her breath. She’d had ample time to observe Rick with her daughter and she trusted him.

  “I promith.”

  Chelsea’s endearing toothless lisp made Lily smile. “And don’t eat too much pizza or ice cream. Rick won’t know how much is too much, so I’m counting on you.”

  “Okay. You look pretty.”

  “Thank you.” The doorbell rang.

  Chelsea raced from Lily’s bedroom. “I’ll get it.”

  “Ask who it is first,” Lily shouted after her.

  She stood at the top of the stairs. Chelsea opened the door to admit Rick. He carried a pizza box and a brown bag in the shape of a half-gallon of ice cream. “Hey, Chels. I sure hope you’re hungry.” He looked up at her. “Wow. Uh…wow.”

  “The ith-creamth gonna melt.” Chelsea tugged on his arm, dragging him toward the kitchen.

  Lily returned to her bedroom and stood before the full-length mirror. Maybe I’m overdressed. She stared at the way the neckline of the dress dipped to reveal a hint of cleavage. If she hadn’t let the saleswoman talk her into the thirty dollar bra she purchased, she wouldn’t have that cleavage. Maybe a different dress. The doorbell rang again and she was out of time.

  She started down the stairs, but Rick pulled the door open, Chelsea standing in front of him. Beau’s smile tightened as he looked from Chelsea to Rick.

  “Hi, Beau. Come on in.” Rick opened the door wide and pulled Chelsea back with him.

  “Gardner. I never expected to find you here.”

  “I’m babysitting.”

  Chelsea looked up at him, her forehead wrinkled. “I’m not a baby.”

  “I stand corrected. I’m having dinner and dessert with my favorite short person. This is Chelsea, Lily’s daughter.”

  Beau glanced down at the child. “Pleasure to meet you.” He turned toward Lily as she descended the stairs. “Lily, you look beautiful.”

  She took in his broad shoulders, dark eyes and double-dimpled smile. “Thank you. I see you’ve met my daughter.”

&n
bsp; “Yes. Cute. So, are you ready?”

  “Yes. Chels, don’t give Rick a hard time.” She looked at Rick. “You have my cell number if you need to reach me.”

  “We’ll be fine. You two kids have fun.” He ushered them out the front door.

  Beau held the door to the shiny, black vintage Corvette, his hand warm against her back. He slid into the driver’s seat and buckled his seatbelt.

  Lily caressed the soft leather. “Nice car. It suits you.”

  “Thanks. It’s a classic. So, you talked ol’ Rick into babysitting?”

  “Actually, old Rick volunteered. And Chelsea adores him. I think it’s the ice cream that won her over.”

  “You do look lovely tonight.” His eyes raked over her, lingering at her neckline.

  Shoot, I knew I should’ve changed. She self-consciously tugged at the dress. “Where are we going?”

  “Some place very special.” He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Lily observed his long legs stretched to reach the gas and clutch. She dropped her gaze to watch his fingers curl over the gearshift. A shiver rolled through her. He pressed on the gas, and the car leapt away from the curb. “Ever had dinner in midair?”

  “What?”

  “We’re having dinner on my jet.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  He faced her briefly and smiled. “Nope. We take off at six thirty.”

  “I can’t be out late.”

  He laughed. “Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin? Or will ol’ Rick be upset?”

  “I can’t be late because I have a child at home. You know, maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

  “I’m sorry, Lily. I was teasing. We’ll go to a restaurant if you want. But I can tell you, dinner up there is amazing. And I’ll have you home before midnight. Scout’s honor.”

  Feeling ridiculous at her apprehension, she nodded. Besides, dinner on a private jet sounded romantic. “Okay. I’m sorry. I haven’t been on a date for…well…it’s been a very long time. I’ve never been on a plane. And I’m not used to being away from Chelsea. It’s just been the two of us.”

  “She’s fine. I’m sure. Tell me about yourself. Are you from around here?”

  His question carried her back to the day Rick had taken her and Chelsea to get ice cream. He’d said the same thing—“tell me about yourself.” She thought about Rick and Chelsea, probably side-by-side on the sofa, eating pizza and watching a movie. She sighed.

  “Lily?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. No. I grew up near Cleveland.” She told him a bit about herself, leaving out the parts she reserved for her few close friends. “And I moved here to accept a job with a law firm. The demands for more of my time made it necessary to quit. That’s when I started working for Rick.”

  “So, it’s all business between you and Rick?”

  “Of course it is. Why would you think anything else?”

  “No reason. Just asking. Here we are.” He steered through a gate at the small private airport. “There she is.” He pointed to a jet sitting outside the hangar.

  “It’s a nice looking plane.” Lily hated when men referred to their cars, planes or anything else as “she.” It lumped women into the property category.

  Beau rounded the car and opened the door for her. “This way.” He took her hand as she climbed from the low seat.

  “Thank you.”

  He held her hand as he guided her to the plane. Warmth rose up her arm.

  “Good evening, Mr. Beaumont.” The man standing at the base of the portable stairs seemed to straighten to attention.

  “Evening, Wally. Is she good to go?”

  “Yes, sir. Everything’s on board.” He looked at Lily. “Good evening, ma’am. Welcome aboard.”

  “Thank you.”

  Lily ascended the stairs and waited for Beau. He said something to Wally, then took the stairs two at a time. “Let me show you around.”

  The open cockpit was to her left as they entered. Beau pulled back a closed drape to their right and ushered her inside. She looked around and gasped. The fuselage resembled a very well-appointed living room. A white leather sofa curved along one wall, fronted by a low chrome and glass topped table. Across from that, two over-sized white leather swivel chairs were separated by a cocktail table matching the coffee table. Recessed overhead lighting gave the space a romantic atmosphere. Two wineglasses and a plate of hors d’oeuvres graced the coffee table.

  “Beau, this is fantastic. I never knew you could do this with an airplane. It’s like a flying living room.”

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. Come on.” He led her toward the back of the plane. Mouth-watering odors emanated from the galley, where a man in a chef’s hat and white uniform prepared dinner. “This is the kitchen and back here’s the bathroom, complete with a shower.” He moved toward the tail of the plane. “And these are sleeping quarters.”

  Lily stood tentatively in the doorway. A full-sized bed filled most of the area and faced a huge flat-panel TV. “Wow. You could live up here.”

  “I travel a great deal for business. Sometimes I have to fly coast-to-coast, and I need to arrive fresh, so I can sleep and shower before landing.” He set a hand on her shoulder and trailed it down her arm.

  Lily tripped over the lip of the doorframe as she turned to exit. Beau caught her with one arm around her waist. “Watch your step.”

  “Thanks.” She straightened and smoothed her clothing. She’d begun to feel as though she was in over her head with Beau. “I’m going to use the restroom, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. We’ll be taking off in about ten minutes.”

  Lily closed the bathroom door and locked it. She turned to face herself in the mirror. What have I gotten myself into? Well, it’s just dinner and conversation. I’ll be home in no time. She used the facilities, washed her hands and joined Beau in the sitting area.

  “Ready for take-off?” he asked.

  “Oh. Sure.” She searched around her for a seat belt.

  He leaned forward, reached down and secured her lap belt. His knuckles brushed against her abdomen, sending a warm shiver through her.

  “There, all buckled in. Don’t worry. You’ll never know we’re taking off. And if it gets bumpy, I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

  Falling out of her seat seemed to be the least of her worries. Falling for Beau could be an entirely different matter. Lily felt a slight pull as the plane lurched forward and moved to the runway.

  The engines whined, the plane raced along the runway and the nose lifted. Lily held her breath. She attributed her nervousness to never having flown before.

  The plane leveled and seemed to slow. Beau released his seatbelt, walked to the cockpit and stuck his head inside, speaking with the pilot. He returned with a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. “This is your virgin flight?”

  “My what?”

  He laughed. “Your first time flying.”

  “Oh. Yes, first time.”

  He raised his glass. “To a lovely evening with a beautiful woman, thirty-thousand feet in the air.”

  Her hand shook as Lily accepted the glass. Thirty thousand feet in the air? “Thank you.”

  He grinned. “You are beautiful, Lily, especially when you blush.”

  She felt the blush deepen. “Can we talk about something else? Tell me about yourself.” She didn’t realize right away that she’d stumbled upon Beau’s favorite topic.

  By the time he finished, the hors d’oeuvres were gone, and Wally had come in to set up a dining table between the two chairs. She learned Beau had grown up near Houston, Texas, the son of a contractor. He learned the business from the ground up working for his father, then struck out on his own. “And, now, I’m on my way into the Fortune 500.” He seemed to embarrass himself with the last point and cleared his throat. “I just love creating and building new things—office complexes, shopping malls, hotels. You name it. My favorite toys as a kid were Legos and an old erector set my dad had growing up.” He pic
ked up the wine bottle. “Refill?”

  Lily refused a third glass of wine, already feeling woozy. “I need to switch to water now.”

  The chef appeared with two salads, offering ground pepper, fresh mozzarella and a variety of dressings.

  Lily was relieved when Beau talked over dinner about a new project he had in mind. She was too busy taking everything in—the luxury jet, the pinpoints of light when she dared to peek through the oval window. “Is that Cleveland?”

  Beau leaned toward the window, his cheek brushing hers. “Yes. Look out there. Lake Erie.”

  She tilted her face for a better look. The motion brought her lips barely an inch from his.

  Beau stared at her with heavy-lidded dark eyes, his lips slightly parted. Her breath caught. He shifted his gaze from her eyes to her mouth and moved closer. The kiss was soft, his lips cool at first against hers. When she didn’t pull back, he angled his face, deepening the kiss.

  Lily filled with warmth, felt a tightening low in her belly, desire building. A low moan escaped her throat and was swept away by Beau’s tongue exploring her mouth. When the kiss ended, Lily remained still, her eyes closed.

  “Lily?” Beau’s voice sounded smoky, husky.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you going to open your eyes?”

  She slowly lifted her eyelids, gazing at him. “Okay.”

  “Good, because dinner is served.”

  She averted her gaze to the plates the chef set before them. “Looks delicious.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  When she looked up, Beau gazed at her, not at their dinner. The hunger in his eyes ignited a pang of desire in her. This was happening too fast. She didn’t want to want him like this. Not yet. But her body had other ideas. She needed to find a new focus. Fast.

  She scooped up a forkful of baked potato, immediately regretting the action. She blew out and waved a hand in front of her mouth, then reached for her water.

  “You okay?” Beau asked.

  She nodded. “Fine. Hot.”

  He grinned. “I do have to agree.”

  “I meant the potato.” He really wasn’t helping her focus one bit. She decided to concentrate on the rest of the meal. The steaks were cooked to perfection and crisp asparagus spears covered by a light buttery lemon sauce.