by Leah Vale
Harrison chuckled. "I guess that's the next best thing to counting cans of beans."
Juliet and Nathan both looked up at him and smiled. Nathan scrambled to his feet, squealed, "Dada," and ran for his father's legs. As Harrison picked up his baby, he was hit with what had to be the two-by-four of contentment. He could handle coming home to this every day.
Nathan wasted no time finding what was now a permanent supply of licorice in Harrison's breast pocket.
"Hey," Juliet greeted him. He hoped it was pleasant memories of the before that made her color high and her voice husky. "Guess what? When I came in here earlier looking for something to read, your dad was in here and we got to talking."
Harrison must have visibly stiffened because she waved a dismissive hand. "No, it was good. Get this, ol' George and I have something in common."
She hoisted the book in her hand. "A love of Shakespeare and other English literature. He has this amazing collection. He said I was welcome to read them." Her gaze sliding over the books lining the walls floor to ceiling, she mused, "Man, I could spend days in here."
With a pleasant start of surprise Harrison realized what his father had meant when he'd said Juliet was where she apparently belonged. George Rivers thought Juliet Jones belonged in the vaunted Rivers library. Go figure.
She returned her gaze to his with an almost shy look. "And it will be a great place to do my school-work."
Harrison raised his brows. "Schoolwork? As in college?"
She nodded.
Having learned not to make assumptions about his brown-eyed girl, he pressed, "You're accepting the scholarship?"
She gave him a sweet smile of reassurance that was like a hole-in-one to the heart. Pleased beyond belief, he grinned back at her. Just when he thought she couldn't make him any prouder with her bravery, she surprised him again. God, she was something.
Clicking steps sounded on the tile behind him and he heard his grandmother call as she approached him, "Harrison, be a dear and go down to the cellar and pick out a wine to pair with the duck, please." She caught sight of Juliet and Nathan and her lovely, lined face lit up. "Take Juliet with you. Your father's wine cellar is certainly a sight to see. I'll take our angel to the dining room."
"Certainly, Grandmother." He gave Nathan over to her, then held out a hand to Juliet.
Still acting shy, or perhaps self-conscious, Juliet avoided his gaze as she set the book next to the framed photos of the family on the piano before coming forward to take his hand.
He guided her back toward the kitchen and the narrow door that led down into the large, cool wine cellar. His father was quite the collector, and the temperature- and humidity-controlled cellar invariably made it into most tours of the house.
"Did your grandmother say we were having duck?" she asked as she went down the steps in front of him.
He nearly laughed at the trepidation in her voice. "Yes."
"As m Donald?"
That did make him laugh. "Trust me, you'll like the way Marie prepares it."
"Mmm," she murmured uncommittingly.
Thinking of all the other times he'd told her to trust him, Harrison changed the subject by explaining how the racks upon racks of wine bottles were organized by type and age, and how wine is paired with food based on the grape's leather and oak tones.
She gave him a look. "So you're telling me that you guys buy this stuff-for a lot of money, I'm guessing-because it tastes like cowhide and wood?"
Chuckling, he corrected, "More like expensive car upholstery and wine barrels."
She threw her head back and laughed, the sound dancing musically amongst the bottles and settling firmly in his chest. It was a feeling he didn't want to lose.
Her eyes twinkling, she nodded solemnly. "Oh. That makes a difference."
His gaze dropped to her lush mouth. Memories of their lovemaking the night before slammed into him.
Sensually wondering if she preferred a sweet or heady taste on her tongue, he asked, "So what would you base your choice of wine on?"
She looked around them at the floor-to-ceiling wooden racks housing hundreds of bottles, then at the larger bottles, still in their lidless crates and lying on their sides on the floor. "Well, I'd decide which one was most in my way, and that's the one that would get killed."
"Okaaay." He drew the word out on a laugh.
"You'd never be disappointed because you'd made the wrong choice."
Thinking how far from disappointed he'd been with her, he took a step closer, reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. His pulse started pounding. "And if you made the right choice, you'd be pleasantly surprised."
She moistened her lips and he nearly came out of his skin with wanting. "If you were lucky."
"Oh, I think I'm pretty lucky." Suddenly remembering the surprise he had for her, he reached into his pocket. "I have a present for you."
Her brows went up, and when he dangled the keys to the Mercedes SUV in the small space between them, her eyes went wide. "Car keys?"
"And the car that goes with them. Now, before you say anything, I couldn't have you being a prisoner here at the estate. You know you need a way to get around, especially now that you'll be going to school. And if you don't like the color, or heck, even the car itself, we can easily trade it for something else."
Her gaze fastening on the Mercedes logo on the key fob, her expression fell. "My insurance would never cover a car like that."
"It doesn't have to. I'll take care of it." Expecting her argument, he placed a finger on her warm, supple lips the second she opened them. "Because I want to. It makes me happy."
She stared at him a moment more, as if she were searching for answers in his eyes. "Why are you so good to me?" she whispered beneath his finger, sending sparks of awareness clear through him.
He traced her lower lip. "Good? Actually, good isn't the word that springs to mind." Lustful, insatiable, yes, but not good.
"Whatever." She took the keys and his hand into hers with a tender smile. "Do me a favor and don't stop just yet."
Extremely happy that she was accepting his gift and liking the way it felt, he lowered his head toward hers, intent on following the same path his finger had taken over her lips. "Don't worry. I don't intend to."
She sighed and her eyes slid closed.
Right before his lips made contact, Donavon's voice echoed down the stairwell "Do you need assistance choosing a bottle? Dinner is growing cold."
Juliet jerked away with a flustered look. She grabbed the nearest bottle of red wine and held it in front of his face. "Will this do?"
"It'll do," he said, and gestured for her to precede him out of the cellar. Too bad dinner was the only thing growing cold.
Harrison waited until most of the guests had arrived at the retirement party before making his way out onto the veranda, dodging the hugefloral arrangements Ashley had insisted upon. He didn't want to appear overly eager for his father to step aside and
leave him in charge as the new CEO and chairman of the board. Though everyone knew he'd worked his entire life in preparation for just this moment. Try as he might, he couldn't calm the excited butterflies in his stomach.
Today was the day. Today his father would formally announce his retirement and name Harrison as his replacement as head of Two Rivers Industries. Everything in his life would then be just how he wanted.
Well, almost everything. Ever since their near kiss in the wine cellar,
he and Juliet hadn't managed a moment alone together all week. Ashley had apparently recruited Juliet to help with the party planning when she wasn't busy with school-related matters. If only he could lure her back down to the cellar, or to the river bank...
He took a sip of the champagne and stayed back from the closest group of guests, all of whom he knew from work, while he fought to redistribute the blood that had flooded his crotch in response to his thoughts.
He’d also been plagued by the notion that reviving his physical relationshi
p with Juliet was the ultimate irresponsible act. He'd have to be an idiot not to realize she cared for him. Perhaps even deeply. Hell, she was thanking him for being good to her when she should be slapping him for his greed. He just couldn't get enough of her.
And while he wasn't willing to consider what his unrelenting, sometimes aching need for her translated into emotionally, there was no question their relationship couldn't progress to anything formal. The last thing she'd want to try being was a chairman's wife.
Besides, he didn't need any woman in that way, he reminded himself. He had his sister to handle all social arrangements that went with the job, and he certainly didn't need the emotional support many men required to succeed in their careers. He didn't need anyone to bounce difficult decisions off before he made them.
And he never wanted to face the kind of emotional and career evisceration his father had suffered through before and after his mother's death. Harrison never wanted to depend on someone so much that he couldn't function personally or professionally at the same level without her.
Granted, he should probably check for cracks in his own glass house before he threw stones at his dad's, but it had been some time since he'd felt swamped by residual pain from his mother's death. He still missed her-always would-but his life didn't feel quite as empty anymore. Discovering Nathan had apparently healed him somewhat.
How not formalizing their relationship would affect Juliet remained to be seen, though her pragmatism regarding their situation gave him hope that all would be well. Then his life would be damn near perfect.
He had his son, whom he'd been able to entice away from Grandmother enough to play with every day after work. He had Juliet close at hand, though what she had been up to this week he didn't know. And today he would have control of his family's company. He was going to fulfill his mom's dreams for him in the best way possible. As soon as he was made chairman he would complete the purchase of the Dover Creek Mill and increase the assets and revenue potential of Two Rivers by millions.
Close to bursting with satisfaction, he downed the rest of the champagne and headed for the nearest group of guests. Just as he stepped into the circle of some upper management people and their spouses a commotion behind him drew everyone's attention. He turned and saw something that froze the breath in his chest.
Ashley had emerged onto the veranda with Nathan holding one hand and the most stunning creature at her other side. With noticeably shorter, honey-blond hair swept sleekly away from her face and flipped up at the ends, full lips accented by a kiss of muted-red lipstick, and luscious curves highlighted by a fitted red suit with big brass buttons, Juliet Jones looked as if she'd just stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine.
Or through the doors of Saks.
He yanked his eyes from Juliet and narrowed his gaze on his sister. He'd told Ashley not to meddle, but clearly she hadn't been able to resist the challenge Juliet represented. The fact that Juliet had allowed Ashley to play dress-up with her rocked him back on his heels. He returned his gaze to Juliet and watched her scan the crowd. She had really taken his speech about change to heart.
But why now?
Her searching gaze found him and he saw the answer right there in her eyes. She'd done it for him. She had allowed Ashley to dress her up and turn her out like a featured star on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous to please him.
She had allowed herself to be changed into what she thought she needed to be to function in his world.
Good Lord, he never would have dreamed that she'd be willing to try such a stunning transformation. Though he shouldn't be surprised, He'd seen more than a few examples of Juliet's courage and determination. Only usually it involved the one person in her world she loved more than her own life-their son.
Their gazes still locked, Juliet gave him a tentative, almost shy smile and Harrison sucked in a breath as realization hit him between the eyes. She'd faced her fear of change for him because of one reason and one reason only. She cared for him deeply, all right. Deep enough to call it love.
Juliet was in love with him, and he didn't know what the hell to do about it.
Juliet saw the panic flare in Harrison's eyes and suddenly wished she was a stone sinking to the bottom of the river. What had she been thinking to allow Ashley to unveil her at George Rivers's retirement party?
Now she had to face Harrison's rejection in front of at least a hundred guests. A hundred people who would look at her and wonder who she thought she was fooling. She had to physically fight the urge to check to see if there was still dirt under her freshly manicured fingernails.
As if sensing she was on the verge of bolting, Ashley sent Nathan toward the waiting arms of his great-grandmother, then touched Juliet's sleeve. She spoke softly so only Juliet could hear. "I think you've suitably wowed them with your looks. Goodness, Harrison appears to have forgotten how to breathe. Now, let's mingle and show them you've got the brains to match the beauty."
Beginning to feel ill over Harrison's reaction to her foolishness, Juliet shook her head. "I can't. This was a mistake."
"No, it wasn't," Ashley insisted, the steel in her voice belying her serene expression. "This is the perfect opportunity to show everyone what you're capable of, that there's more to you than what they might think."
Juliet swallowed hard against the churning of her stomach, knowing full well Ashley was talking about Harrison. This was Juliet's chance to prove to him in no uncertain terms that she could function in his world, that she wouldn't prove to be an embarrassment. And thanks to his sister's unflagging support and encouragement while she taught Juliet which fork was which and how to interpret the stock page, she knew in her gut she could do it.
The million-dollar question was did he want her to? She chanced another glance his way. Judging from his strangled expression, the answer seemed to be no.
Ashley snagged two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Juliet. "Besides, you already know quite a few of the ladies here from Grandmother's luncheon. We'll start with them. And who knows, maybe you'll drum up more donations for the scholarship fund."
Juliet mumbled, "Donations for the fund. Yes. That's reason enough to stay."
Ashley's smile was brilliant. "Darn tootin' it is. Fund-raising is an art, my dear. Not to mention a decent living, if you can get hired by the right charities." She tugged on Juliet's sleeve to start her into the crowd gathered on the veranda and spilling over onto the expanse of lawn below where the banquet tables were set up. Bumping shoulders with Juliet, she winked and said, "We just might get your future settled yet."
"But I would still like to go to college. You know, on the scholarship."
Ashley's smile grew wider and radiated approval. "You can do that, too."
Overwhelmed by the possibilities being presented to her, Juliet thrust Harrison's displeasure from her mind and gratefully followed Ashley to a group with a few familiar-looking faces.
Jacobson spotted them first. She smiled a welcome at Ashley then turned her gaze to Juliet. Her drawn-on eyebrows rose to her graying blond hair. "Oh, my goodness, Ashley. Do tell me my eyes are not deceiving me. Is this Harrison's Juliet?"
Ashley beamed in satisfaction while Juliet inwardly winced at the possessive attached to Harrison's name. But that was precisely why she had no choice but to try and change the way these people perceived her. Whether he wanted her or not, they all considered her his Juliet.
Juliet forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, it's me, Jacobson."
The older woman shook her head in apparent amazement, and Juliet couldn't help pulling her chin back a little. Sheesh, had she looked that bad before?
Jacobson said, "My dear, when I first met you, I thought, 'my, what a lovely girl.' Now, all I can think is, 'what a beautiful young woman.' You have blossomed in a mere week's time."
Juliet was about to deny any sort of blossoming and give credit where credit was due, but Ashley stopped her with a discreet bump of her elbow. Her look said, Just
enjoy it.
Jacobson added, "I must introduce you to my husband. He's on the board, you know." With a remarkably deft move, Mrs, Jacobson shifted her plate of hors d'oeuvres to the hand holding her champagne glass and tapped the short, balding gentleman next to her on the shoulder.
He broke off his conversation with another man and looked questioningly at Jacobson.
"Alexander, you must meet the young lady I was telling you about." She sent his attention toward Juliet with a gesture. "This is Harrison's Juliet. Isn't she lovely?"
He gave a crisp nod of agreement and, after making the same juggling move his wife had with his plate and glass, he extended a hand to her. "It's a pleasure, Juliet."
Juliet returned his pleasantry while making a mental note to have Ashley show her how to hold a glass and a plateful of shrimp, crackers globbed with decorated pink stuff and tiny little pie appetizers in one hand without dumping it all down her front.
While keeping hold of her hand in his large, rather warm one, Jacobson said to the slightly younger man he'd been talking to, "Say, she's close to the boy. We should ask her what his plans are."
Ashley looped her arm through Juliet's and pulled her backward just enough to subtly remove Juliet's hand from Jacobson's clasp. "Sorry, gentleman, but I need Juliet to help me corral Father long enough to present him with his retirement gift."
Jacobson gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "George is camped out by the bar. I guarantee you'll have no trouble finding him when you need him." To her husband she said, "Now, what did you want to ask Juliet about?"
Jacobson gestured to the other man again.
"There are members of the board who are concerned about Harrison's plans
regarding this mill he is so set on buying. Would you happen to know if he does indeed intend to entirely shut it down once the sale is complete?"
Ashley shifted forward in a conspiratorial way and said, "Come now, Alexander. Do you really think Harrison has work on his mind when he's with a woman as gorgeous as Juliet?"
Juliet's face flamed.
The other man guffawed. "Ashley, child, your big brother always has work on his mind. Never known him not to."
