He signaled a waiter holding a tray. Ah, good. Punch. He had nothing against a proper drink at a proper time, but he didn’t feel it was his job to support anyone else’s need to drink. Besides, he only intended to stay long enough to reconnect and introduce Maggie. Then he planned to take her home so he and Andrew could enjoy her and have her all to themselves.
He thought of his gift inside her—Christmas red, soft, silicone.
And soon, he’d be where it was.
Jake took a deep breath and willed away the hard-on that came whenever he thought of Maggie. Hell, it had been a long time since he’d allowed a woman into his life. But none of the other women he’d had had ever affected him like Maggie did. He hoped to fucking keep her. While he wanted to leap in with both feet and share everything with her, her inexperience with everything they’d done so far told him his first inclination had been correct: they needed to move slowly. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away. And this week without her had nearly driven him insane. Damn crazy-busy Christmas season.
Watching her from afar while he’d been immersed in the last few details before the grand opening today had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Now the wait was almost over.
Because they were hosts, he and Andrew would stay until the end of the party. It would not be easy. The week had been exhausting, and the day had been too long. And watching Maggie in that fabulous dress was bound to drive him insane. But the wait would be worth the reward. As soon as the party was over, he could relax and enjoy Maggie, enjoy watching Andrew with Maggie, and perhaps teach her a few new paths down the road to Pleasureville.
The guests mingled, ate, drank, and laughed, filling the large room with a festive air. Jake loved the way the sequined dresses and jewelry reflected the light from the chandeliers and candles, making everything sparkle. Maggie laughed at something Andrew said, her head thrown back, and Jake smiled. He liked her laugh. He liked knowing she’d be beneath him later. He wondered if she had any idea how many men watched at her with hunger in their eyes. He doubted she noticed the beautiful women present who looked at her with envy.
He mentally chuckled. He didn’t think she had a clue.
Andrew moved off to talk to an acquaintance, leaving them alone.
Jake took Maggie’s hand. “I want you to meet someone,” he said, leading her to a distinguished-looking man. “This is Liam Ainesworth, the owner of the hotel. Lee, this is Maggie Little.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ainesworth. You have an absolutely beautiful hotel,” she said.
Liam smiled warmly and accepted her extended hand. He held it warmly for a moment, then gently kissed the back like an old Southern gentleman, as Andrew had. If Liam noticed Maggie’s blush, he kept it to himself. She was probably remembering the way Andrew had kissed her hand.
“Thank you. My great-grandfather built this place. Of course, it started out as only five rooms and more of a tavern. Each generation has built on and added to it, making it what you see today. My contribution is the new tearoom.”
“It sounds lovely.”
Liam released her hand. “Well, perhaps sometime soon, you can come for high tea and enjoy it as my guest.”
Jake grinned. If he looked up the word charmer in the dictionary, Liam Ainesworth’s picture was probably there.
“I would love to,” Maggie said.
Liam smiled warmly. “Perhaps Monday.”
“Monday?” His invitation clearly caused her to stumble. Maggie had obviously just thought he was being polite.
Jake bit back a chuckle. He’d known Liam for a decade. The man did nothing without purpose, nor did he offer invitations lightly.
“You see?” He gestured grandly at the room. “I haven’t had the time to get the Christmas decorations up yet. I saw the job you did at the new mall today—beautiful and perfect. I normally like to have the decorations up by now, but my decorator has moved on, and I’ve been looking for someone new. I know you just finished at the mall, so I can wait until Monday. I’d like you to come, see what we have in storage, and put together a theme like you did for my friend Jake. We could talk over your ideas with tea and cucumber sandwiches.”
Jake still held her hand. He thought he might have to lean over and tell her to breathe.
But then she did it on her own. “I…would love to. Thank you.”
“Can you be here by nine o’clock?” Liam asked.
“I certainly can. Thank you, Mr. Ainesworth.”
Liam nodded. “You’re welcome.” Then he winked at her. “And call me Lee, please. All my friends do.” He slapped Jake on the back. “Jake, good luck, and good job on the new mall. It’s a beauty.”
“Thank you,” he replied, warmly shaking hands.
“Now, if you two will excuse me, I have work to do. Maggie, I’ll see you Monday.”
“See you Monday,” Maggie replied.
Her words were breathy with excitement, just like when Jake and Andrew made her come. He fought off a hard-on and smiled, giving her hand a squeeze.
As soon as Liam was out of sight, Maggie turned to him, looking as if she might burst at the seams. “Did you hear that! I’m going to be decorating this hotel! This hotel! Oh my gosh!”
“I heard.” He gave in to the rush and leaned down and kissed her.
She threw her arms around him but then stopped. “Oh…”
“Uncomfortable?”
“No. I kind of forgot where I was and that it was there. Then the sudden movement reminded me.”
“Don’t forget your promise to tell me if it gets too intense.”
She stood back and looked at him squarely. “I won’t. After all, walking and moving slow is fine. I just need to hug you slower next time. But I have to ask. Did I get this invitation because of you?”
He cupped her chin, losing himself in her gaze. “No. He came to the mall’s grand opening today. He saw your work and asked. Your work speaks for itself.”
For a moment, he thought she might melt at his feet. Tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I see someone I need to talk to. I’ll be right back.”
“I think I’ll go over to the buffet table and see what kind of hors d’oeuvres you’re providing for your guests.” She gave him a sexy wink. “I’ll just move slow.”
Jake watched her, thoroughly anticipating later. Then he stole away to talk to one of his favorite architects. He glanced at his watch. In an hour and a half, he planned to be back in the limo with her.
ANDREW WATCHED HER too. She simply had no idea how fucking sexy she looked. With Jake’s present tucked inside her, she walked like a damn sex kitten. Excitement zinged through him, knowing she’d be kissing him good night later. In that fantastic dress, she was like a walking, talking Christmas wish come true. He took a sip of his punch and nodded at the appropriate time in the conversation he was having with John and Eleanor Glass. John was in charge of rent in the malls—collecting it, recording it, as well as finding and keeping strategic stores in the right places.
“This might be our best mall yet,” John said.
“It is a pretty nice one,” Andrew agreed.
“And according to sales, this was our best grand opening.”
“I heard that too.”
Across the room, he watched as Maggie bit into a caviar-covered cracker. By the look on her face, he could tell she didn’t care for the taste. He didn’t either. And Jake thought it was the nastiest thing on earth as well, and yet he still insisted on serving it at these shindigs. He wished he could send her a mental message and tell her to taste the bacon-wrapped boneless wings. They were the best. He loved watching her eat. She had such full, almost pouty-looking lips. He couldn’t wait to watch her suck his cock later and feel her sweet mouth on him. Then he wanted to see what she did to Jake with her tongue.
“And, of course, with the decorations and the music, everyone was in a very festive mood,” Eleanor ad
ded, drawing his attention. “I think this new mall has such a welcome-home feel to it.” She placed her empty glass on a passing tray and took a full one.
When Andrew looked back at Maggie, his heart skidded. Hell, he would have thought the entire world had just stopped and the room tilted. The look on her face was…
An odd mixture of fear and shock and anger and loathing.
Andrew was afraid she just might throw up the caviar she’d just swallowed.
Who was she talking to? Oh yes, he remembered. Stanley Tarrington, the owner of the bank that had put in a bid for their next project. Either he was saying something she really didn’t like, the caviar had made her sick, or that little butt plug had slipped somewhere it shouldn’t have.
He smiled at John and Eleanor. “Would you excuse me, please?”
“Of course,” they said, dismissing him with indulgence and a smile.
He wasted no time crossing the room and reached her just in time to hear Stanley Tarrington say, “Well, then, tell me how you could get invited to something like this.”
“She’s with me.” Andrew stepped next to her and took her hand. “And I fail to understand what business it is of yours.”
“With you?” It was Tarrington’s turn to look as though he might throw up.
“That’s right.” Andrew pulled her closer and let go of her hand so he could put his arm around her. He felt the tension running throughout her entire body. Soon, he’d use his tongue and mouth to relax her. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her temple. Her touch warmed him to his core. He cleared his throat. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“Well…no. It’s just that she and I…” he stammered.
Every piece of the puzzle surrounding Maggie’s rules finally fell into place. Andrew knew Stanley Tarrington. He’d married the daughter of the owner of one of the largest bank chains east of the Mississippi and was now manager of one of the branches. He’d been trying for the past year to become Andrew and Jake’s main financial adviser, showing up at every function, sending letters, making bids.
Her words from last week came back to him. I will not be anyone’s mistress. Had Stan asked her to be his mistress? Knowing how Stanley was ready to do just about anything to get what he wanted, which was money, Andrew thought it was highly likely. It was probably also the case that Stanley had married the daughter of a bank owner to get his hand in the till. The prick.
“She and you what?” Andrew challenged him.
“She and I need to talk.”
“No, we don’t,” Maggie said.
Andrew offered him a lopsided grin. “Sounds like you don’t.”
“You don’t understand,” Stanley said.
“I understand the lady doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“But—”
Andrew felt the tremble move through Maggie and held her tighter. “I also understand that if you want to keep your teeth, you’ll leave her alone. You can start by taking yourself out of here.”
“Is there a problem, darling?” A tall, ravishingly perfect brunette stepped up to Stanley and took his arm with a sense of familiarity and pure Southern charm and grace.
“No, my pet. There’s no problem. I was just telling Andrew Harper what a great new mall he opened and what a wonderful party he and his partner have put together here,” Stanley replied.
Andrew heard Maggie suck in a breath. He casually leaned over and pressed another soft kiss to her temple, willing her to relax as he held her close. He couldn’t help but notice the way Maggie stared at the ring on the woman’s finger.
“But,” Stanley went on, “It’s been a long day, and we need to get home.”
Andrew grinned. He should let Stanley walk away, let Maggie relax. But he wasn’t quite ready to let Stanley waltz out of there so easily. He hoped Maggie understood. And if his not letting Stanley leave hurt Maggie, he’d just have to make it up to her later. “Is this your wife, Stanley?”
“Yes, this is Isabella. Bells, this is Andrew Harper. I’ve probably talked about him and his partner, Jake McGrew.”
“I believe I’ve heard you mention their names. It’s a pleasure, Mr. Harper.” She extended her hand.
Andrew took it and gave it the briefest shake possible. After all, she was probably innocent in all this. “And this is Maggie,” Andrew added, not missing a beat. “Has Stanley talked about her?”
Isabella gave him a quizzical look. “I don’t believe so. But her name is familiar.”
Andrew turned and looked at Maggie as though he studied a precious gem. “Well, she’s the most talented decorator we’ve ever met. We’re very lucky to know her and have her with us. She put together the entire Christmas-theme decor at both the Broadway Mall and at the Donovan Creek Mall.”
“Oh yes, I do remember. You decorated the hall for our wedding reception, didn’t you? That was such a busy time for me. So much blurs together.”
“Yes.” Maggie sounded as if she were choking.
Andrew lent her his strength as he held her.
“And I saw the mall today. It’s lovely, my dear.” Isabella reached out and patted Maggie’s arm affectionately. “You are very talented.”
“Thank you.”
Stanley stared and appeared to be the one who needed to breathe.
“Perhaps you could put up the trees in our home,” Isabella suggested.
Stanley looked as though he might throw up.
Maggie was holding herself together better than the man who had used and cheated on her. She smiled. Andrew guessed it took a lot of strength and willpower and courage for her to pull it off, but she did.
“I’ll have to check my schedule. It’s so busy this time of year.”
Andrew chuckled and planned to kiss Maggie all over. He was so damned proud of her.
“Of course.” Isabella smiled at them. “It was so nice to meet you, Mr. Harper. And it was nice to see you again, Maggie. Thank you for the wonderful job you did decorating for our wedding. I never got the chance to thank you in person.”
“You’re welcome.”
A moment later, they were gone.
Andrew kissed her again, this time just below her ear. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he whispered.
She sucked in a breath, then for a moment sounded as if she’d just run up three flights of stairs.
“It’s all right. He’s gone.”
“Does he work for you?” she whispered.
“No.” For the first time, he felt her relax beside him. “Tell me something,” he said softly.
“What?”
“Last week, when we were making love to you, or tonight during that short ride in the limo, did you think of Stanley Tarrington at all?”
She gave him a look, then a gentle smile appeared on her face. The action didn’t appear forced in the least. She shook her head. “No. This was the first entire week in a year I haven’t thought of him or been angry because of him. I’ve only thought of you and Jake and Christmas and putting up lights and decorations. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Andrew looked across the room and met Jake’s gaze. Jake was in deep conversation with the mayor and gave him a nod. “You know we’ll have to talk about this. We have to tell Jake.”
“I know.” Her voice was still weak and breathy.
He met her gaze. “Do you think you can handle another couple hours of this?”
“Yes, now that I know he’s gone. I’ll be fine.”
Andrew offered her an easy grin. “Try the bacon-wrapped boneless wings. You’ll like them.”
Chapter Six
Maggie was exhausted by the time she made her way to the coat check to retrieve her wrap a few hours later. It had been a wonderful party. She’d gotten two more appointments to decorate. Working for Andrew and Jake had opened doors she’d never known existed. She winced as a sudden pain shot through her. The toy Jake had tucked inside her was starting to get a little uncomfortable. She didn’t want to have to admit it to him,
though, so she was glad they were leaving. That meant he would be removing it.
She took her wrap from the coat-check attendant. And while she knew she was truly and forever over Stan Tarrington, her few moments with him earlier had sucked the energy right out of her. She’d felt as if she’d ridden a seesaw all night. Stan may not work for Andrew or Jake, but he obviously ran in the same social circle, otherwise why would he have been at the party? Maggie shuddered. She was so glad he was gone.
Turning to leave, she nearly bumped into Stan. She was stunned. All she could get out was “I thought you’d gone.”
“I sent Bells home with the driver, who will return later to get me.”
“Good for you.” Her flat tone a dismissal, she moved to go around him.
He blocked her way. Irritation filled her. The exciting new toy inside her already made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Stan made it worse. She took a deep breath, trying to work some calm into her veins.
“We really need to talk.”
“We really don’t.” Maggie tried to move past him. Stan barred her way, then maneuvered her around a nearby corner and into an empty hallway, where she found herself barricaded with a wall against her back.
“What the fuck are you doing with a man like Andrew Harper?”
“Whatever the fuck I’m doing with a man like Andrew Harper is none of your goddamned business.” She didn’t even try to keep the hostility out of her voice. She just hoped it didn’t carry to where the coat-check girl or anyone else could hear. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass herself at Jake and Andrew’s party. Or embarrass them. She didn’t want to mess up what they had.
“He is way out of your league.”
The Gift of Three Page 13
