Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Martinez

  Katie swallowed as his face slowly inched toward her, his gaze dropped to her mouth a hair’s breadth before their lips met. He tasted of chocolate and she wanted to devour him. A questing tongue tickled across her lips until they opened, allowing the kiss to deepen. Tingles raced from her toes to her moist center between her legs. She pushed him away and stood. Holding out her hand, Katie silently begged him to take the offer and follow her to the bedroom.

  * * * *

  Adam looked down at her hand a minute, bent to place an arm behind her knees, caught her back with his other, and swept her up in his arms. He knew the way and walked with purpose until he stood at the side of her bed. He could lose himself just looking into her eyes. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. As he bent slightly forward to lay her on her bed, he remembered the guilt hanging over his head.

  Katie was lying on her bed, gazing at him with open invitation in her eyes. Adam swallowed the temptation. Leaving her was the hardest test of his life. He straightened to his full height, resisting what he wanted most.

  “Katie, you have no idea how much I want to stay with you, but until these murders are resolved, it wouldn’t be right for me.” As Adam started to turn, he felt Katie knot her hand in his pant leg. He paused. He knew he shouldn’t look down at her, but he needed one last glimpse of her soft and willing face before he walked away. Katie propped herself on one elbow, staring at him as if he’d lost his mind.

  “Yes, it would! I haven’t felt anything this right in a very long time.”

  Adam bent and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. His gut clenched as he straightened and left the room. He couldn’t give her a chance to change his mind.

  * * * *

  Katie heard the front door close. The air trapped in her chest rushed out in an angry sigh. Sometime she’d have to go lock up, but that would have to wait. She threw her head and shoulders back on the pillow. Her entire body throbbed with desire, nipples taut against her drying blouse, her inner thighs tingled with heat. She remembered the vibrator in her drawer, a gag gift from one of her friends. Something she’d never worked up enough nerve to actually use. For a moment she contemplated—the substitution would at least give her some release.

  Knotting her fists in the bedspread, she stared at the ceiling. No! She’d save all her sexual tension and frustration up for Adam. When the murderer was caught—watch out, Adam Russo.

  * * * *

  “You know I’d do anything for you, big sis.” The figure, huddled over the newspaper spread on the table, addressed the large portrait hanging on the wall.

  When there was no answer from the girl frozen in time in the picture, a sigh filled the room, then the forlorn person continued the one-sided dialogue. “He’s got a new woman. I promised I’d make sure he’d stay single until the time came for him to join you. I thought he’d decided to give up. But this time looks like he’s not just taking this woman out, but going to make the relationship permanent. I can’t let him settle down. What do you want me to do, sis?”

  * * * *

  Katie walked into the office two hours late the next morning. She could hear Adam rustling around in his office. The door was open, although she couldn’t see him. The last thing she wanted was to face him after she’d all but begged him to make love to her the night before—and he’d refused.

  She flipped the switch on her computer, sank into her chair, and leaned down to drop her briefcase and purse under the desk. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jumped up, bumping her head on the edge of her keyboard tray in the process. Rubbing her head, she turned and expected to see Adam.

  “Hey, got ya!” Jordan laughed and walked around to sit in the chair in front of her.

  “Damn it. Where did you come from? I didn’t hear the door.”

  “I was in with the great one, dropping off the never-ending packages. Why does he get so many, anyway?” Jordan asked in bewilderment.

  “They’re packets about acquisitions.”

  “Whatever. I read the paper and noticed you had a date with our ‘Mr. Romance.’ I want all the details.”

  Katie eyed him. Most guys could care less about things like that. Since Jordan knew both of them, it was probably natural. “It’s all in the paper, and that’s all you’re going to hear from me.”

  Amusement flitted across Jordan’s face as he stood to leave. The door opened and Mrs. Oakman walked in. “You’re no fun. Well, I’m out of here. See ya later.” He tipped an imaginary hat at the cleaning woman and exited whistling something familiar, but Katie couldn’t think of the name.

  “Dear, I read about you this morning. Imagine my surprise. I didn’t have any idea that the two of you were getting on so well,” Mrs. Oakman said. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks, I’m pretty lucky.” Katie kept up the pretense. If only it were true. Remember, Katie, when the murderer is found you’ll have your chance to win him over.

  “I’m glad he finally noticed you. I was worried he’d let you get away.”

  Katie paused, surprised at the woman’s words. “What do you mean?”

  “I always thought the two of you would make a wonderful couple. He doesn’t need to be running around with all those snotty women who could care less about him. They just wanted the prestige of going out with ‘Mr. Romance.’ You love him.” Mrs. Oakman went about her business of cleaning as if she hadn’t just stated the fact Katie had been trying to hide from everyone.

  She was in love with Adam.

  Katie looked at her sleeve just to see if her heart was pinned to it. How had Mrs. Oakman figured out she was in love with Adam? She hadn’t done or said anything. Anyway, at least she didn’t think she had. Before she could ponder it further, Adam called to her from his office. God, would the man ever learn to use the intercom?

  Katie grabbed the file of the current acquisition they were working on and went to join Adam in his office. Adam had the newspaper in front of his face. As soon as she settled herself in the chair in front of his desk, he lowered it just enough to peer over at her. His expression was anything but happy.

  “I can’t believe what your father said.” Adam scowled, gazing back at the page.

  “What?”

  “Haven’t you read the article?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Katie leaned over and grabbed the paper out of his hand. She quickly found the article and began to read aloud. “Adam Russo, New York’s famed ‘Mr. Romance,’ had his assistant contact me just last week to inform me he would be on hiatus until further notice. He would not be taking any more of his exotic trips with nationally and internationally known women any time soon. So imagine this reporter’s surprise when she spotted the well-known man at one of Manhattan’s premier five-star restaurants with a beautiful blonde. It did not look like a business dinner.

  “The evening did not end there. They were spotted throughout the rest of the evening at several hot spots, dancing the night away. But, dear readers, I’ve saved the best for last. The mystery blonde is Katherine Elizabeth Sinclair, the daughter of Wall Street’s Logan Douglas Sinclair. And she is none other than Katie, Adam Russo’s assistant and right-arm man, or woman, in this case. Does this mean our ‘Mr. Romance’ is thinking about tying the knot?”

  Katie looked up at Adam and smiled. She didn’t know what his problem was—everything had worked out the way they had planned.

  “What’s wrong with this?” Katie asked.

  “Not that article. Look below at what your father said,” Adam reminded.

  “Oh, let me read a minute.”

  Katie read through the statement her father had given the enthusiastic reporter. He was not a happy camper about her name being linked with Adam. Seemed he thought Adam would end up hurting his little girl. Katie tried not to smile as she folded the paper and put it back on the desk.

  “What did you expect? Doing business with you is one thing, but going out with his daughter?”

  “What’s wrong with me t
aking you out? I happen to think I’m a pretty damn good catch.”

  “Of course you are, and dozens of women would love to have you. But,” Katie paused and tilted her head to the side as if considering. “Can you name one woman you’ve had a relationship with, as in more than two dates?”

  “No. I’m not some rake-hell of old London either. I’ve got all the women out of my system. You know I’ve sowed my wild oats and all that.”

  “Do you read romance novels?” Katie hadn’t considered that. Could he be gay?

  “No I do not. Now you’re starting to sound like my dad,” Adam complained.

  “Your dad?”

  “Yeah, he used to worry I was gay.” Adam echoed Katie’s thought and she bent her head so he wouldn’t see her smile. “I’ve watched Valmont with Colin Firth and Annette Bening, and several other shows of the same time period. I know about gaming and rakes, from the eighteen-hundreds, all from the movies.”

  “I guess you could. But it still doesn’t make you a father’s dream. You’re not exactly relationship material. Besides, why are you worried about what my father thinks? Isn’t this article and reaction exactly what we wanted?”

  Adam gave her a disgruntled look. Katie tried not to laugh. But then her thoughts sobered. What was her father going to think when he found out Adam had put his precious daughter in danger? If her dad didn’t want Adam to date her now, what would his reaction be later? Things didn’t look too promising for a relationship later on. Katie’s stomach tossed. She wouldn’t let her father’s reaction stop her—she was up to the battle.

  * * * *

  Freda Maxim stood ready to knock on Katie’s door. She gave one last tug on her black wig. She hated the itchy thing. At least she had naturally blond hair and wouldn’t have to wear one for this assignment. She knocked on the door and waited. The expected grumble from the neighbor came as warned, but she was careful to keep her face averted.

  “Come in.” Katie swung the door wide to let Freda pass.

  Freda walked in and looked around the living room of the apartment that would be hers for an undetermined time. It looked pleasant, but a little on the small side. Katie took her jacket and smiled when Freda pulled the wig off with obvious dislike.

  “God, I hate wigs. I’m so glad you’re blond,” Freda said.

  “If I weren’t, wouldn’t you just dye your hair for the assignment?”

  “True, I could, but my stylist says it’s pretty harsh on the hair to color it drastically all the time. If I were to be on an assignment for a couple of months and needed dark hair I probably would.” Freda dropped her coat over the chair next to her wig, and then followed Katie into the kitchen, where she sat the bag of Chinese food she had brought.

  “Did Mrs. Newcomb see you?”

  “She looked out, but I looked down and pretended to be absorbed in getting something out of my purse. She just grumbled a little about being ignored then slammed back into her apartment.”

  “Yeah, I heard her door slam.”

  “Let’s dig in. It’s been a long day and I’m hungry. You can tell me all about your childhood while we eat. An overview of your younger years will be all I need. I won’t be in contact with people that will bring up too much. Unless it’s something you are still teased about or a nickname. Stuff like that I’ll need to know.”

  Katie and Freda spent the next half hour eating while Katie told her of her childhood. They were about to return to the living room to finish their wine and history when the doorbell sounded.

  “I’m not expecting anyone.” Katie walked to the door, and then turned back to Freda. “I’ll just introduce you as my friend. Oh put that wig under your coat so whoever it is won’t see it.”

  Katie had her hand on the knob when Freda stopped her. “No stop, I can’t be seen, especially without my wig. I’ll wait in your room.” Freda looked around. “Which way?”

  Katie pointed to the hall. “First door, you can’t miss it.” An impatient knocked sounded on the door. “Hurry.”

  Once she knew Freda was hidden, she pulled the door open. “Mom, what brings you out?”

  Bonnie walked in, looked around, and turned to Katie. “Do you have company, dear? I heard you talking to someone.”

  “Oscar and I were watching a movie.”

  Bonnie frowned at the silent television a moment then turned to Katie. “I’m sorry to interrupt your flick. May I talk to you a moment?”

  Katie ushered her mother into the kitchen wondering what could be so important. “Sure, do you want any tea or something while we talk?” When her mother just shook her head, Katie sighed and pulled a chair out to sit at the table, indicating Bonnie should do the same.

  “Okay, Mom. What’s up?”

  “I’m so sorry, dear, but your father is in an uproar about you and Adam. You didn’t even tell us anything. We had to find out like everyone else, from the newspaper.” Bonnie fidgeted with her button and Katie wondered what had made her mother so nervous. She hadn’t even thought to call her parents before the article came out. If it had been for real she would have. It wouldn’t do any good to kick herself now. She wished she could tell her mother everything, but the explanation would have to wait. Then she realized her mother had started to talk again and she had missed it. “Did you hear what I said, dear?”

  “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “I said your father is on his way over to Adam’s right now and I’m afraid he may just…” Bonnie stopped as if in search for words. “Punch his lights out.”

  “What?”

  “You father thinks Adam is not the right man for you.” Bonnie defended Katie’s dad.

  “I’m a grown woman. I can date whomever I want. And both Adam and I saw what dad told the reporter.” Katie wondered if she would have enough time to call Adam and warn him after her mother left. “Is Dad at Adam’s now, or is he out in the car waiting for you?”

  “No. I tried to talk him out of it, but as soon as your father left, I came here to warn you.”

  “I better call Adam.” Katie wouldn’t take a chance and wait until her mother left. She plucked the phone out of its cradle and dialed.

  Adam answered after the second ring and Katie felt the now-familiar tingle his voice caused. She’d been ignoring the sensation for years, but how delicious to finally savor the feeling.

  Adam answered, then cut his greeting short and told her to hang on. He must have laid the phone down. She could hear him open the door and then voices. Uh, oh, she could hear her father’s voice and he didn’t sound happy. When it became apparent Adam wouldn’t be returning to the phone anytime soon, Katie hung up, feeling too much like an eavesdropper to stay on the line.

  * * * *

  Adam threw open the door before the impatient person on the other side pounded the damn thing down. He wasn’t prepared for Katie’s father on the other side. Logan Sinclair was in a rage and he didn’t try to hide the fact. In one swift motion, he cleared the door, grabbed Adam by the collar, and shoved him against the wall. What the hell? He completely forgot about the phone call and stared at Logan.

  “Logan, what the hell is the matter with you? Let me down. We can go into the den and talk about whatever is bothering you like two civilized people.” Adam’s voice came out in a rasp. The hold Logan had on his shirt was fast cutting off his air supply and he didn’t think the man even realized.

  “I don’t want to be civilized. I want you to stay away from my daughter,” Logan growled out the words.

  Adam wedged his finger between his shirt and his throat and pulled. “Oh, so that is what has your blood pressure soaring. Come on, Logan, let me go and we’ll talk.”

  Logan’s hold loosened and Adam stepped away and took a deep breath. As he straightened his shirt, he closed the door. Then he led the way into the den.

  Adam walked to the bar and poured himself a much-needed scotch. “What can I get you?”

  Logan didn’t answer, just shook his head in the negative. He wandered around t
he room while Adam took his tumbler to the couch and settled in to watch the man pace. Now he knew where Katie got the habit from. He just hoped he didn’t tumble over the ottoman. Adam didn’t think Logan would take it very well.

  “Why are you so upset? I make a good living. I can give Katie everything you can. It’s been quoted that I’d make a damn good catch.” Adam had had about enough of Logan’s temper tantrum. He was beginning to feel downright irritable. Hell, what was wrong with him?

  “For someone other than Katie.” Logan ran a hand through his hair, causing the strands to stick up, giving him the look of the harassed father he was.

  “Come on, Logan, what’s the problem?”

  “You’re a womanizer.”

  “I am not,” Adam said indignantly. “I take consenting female adults out for weekend jaunts. Every woman knows up front there probably isn’t going to be a future. I let them take the lead, if they want to stay in their own rooms. That’s their prerogative.”

  “Well my Katie is not like that, I don’t want her hurt by your cavalier approach to women,” Logan almost yelled.

  “Oh good grief, I would never treat Katie in any way but with respect.” How did he explain to Logan without explaining what was going on? You don’t have to tell him everything. He’s her father. All you have to do is tell him how you feel. Adam decided his own advice was good. He’d tell Katie when all this was over, but for now the truth was the only way to appease her father.

  He took a deep breath. This was harder than he’d thought. “I’m in love with your daughter. I’m going to ask her to marry me as soon as I know she loves me.”

  Logan just sat, staring silently back at Adam. For a moment, Adam thought maybe he wasn’t going to answer. When Logan stood up and started to pace, a smile crossed Adam’s lips. The action reminded him so much of Katie.

  Logan stopped, turned to Adam, and frowned. “You really love her?”