He chuckled before asking, “Will you have lunch with me?”
“You want to spend some time with me?” She enjoyed needling him. Served him right for the miserable two days and nights she had spent.
“Obviously.” He sighed, steeling himself to keep his cool. She was the most frustrating, irritating, gorgeous woman he had ever met, and he wanted her with every breath he took. “Well, will you?”
“Today?” she coolly asked.
“Yes.” He almost hissed the word, and she repressed a chuckle behind her hand.
“I have to check my schedule,” she matter-of-factly answered when she could safely articulate the words.
“Look, why don’t we just forget—” She heard the anger building in his voice.
“Oh, no you don’t!” she quickly interrupted him. “The entire day is yours if you want it.”
“What about Herman?” He said the other man’s name like a curse and she chuckled.
“Henry,” she automatically corrected. Then she quickly added, “You know I’m not interested in Henry.”
“Then why did you throw him in my face the other night?”
His voice evidenced his displeasure. She bet he was scowling into the phone and scratching his hair-covered chin in frustration.
“Because you needed me to,” she easily responded. “Apparently, he did the trick.”
“Apparently,” he grudgingly admitted. “What happened when he took you home?”
“What usually happens when a man takes a woman home,” she couldn’t resist teasing.
“Marcy...” His voice held a warning.
“You know nothing happened between us,” she softly scolded and smiled when he sighed audibly in relief. “You didn’t like seeing me with him, did you?”
“No,” he shortly yet decisively responded. “Did he kiss you good-night?”
“Nathan,” she chided, “I’m not the kiss-and-tell kind of girl.”
“Marcy...”
“You’re jealous.” She laughed happily. “I think I like that.”
“Did he?” Nathan persisted, waiting impatiently for an answer.
“Of course he didn’t kiss me,” she softly promised, deciding to stop torturing him. “I’m saving all my kisses for you, handsome.”
“Good,” he approved, and she laughed.
“You don’t want me to see him again?”
“You won’t see him again,” he firmly stated.
“Or any other man, except you?”
“No other man but me,” he ordered, and her eyes closed momentarily in triumph.
“You want exclusivity, then?” She paused, and when he didn’t answer she relented. “What do you have in mind for today?”
“Let’s play it by ear.”
“I love spontaneity,” she agreed brightly, giving up all pretense of not being happy he had called her.
“Yes, I’ve noticed,” he dryly responded. “I’ll pick you up in...an hour or is that too early?”
“It’s perfect. I’ll be ready,” she promised before ringing off. She suddenly stood up, lifted her hands in triumph and shouted in glee.
“Ms. Johnson, are you all right?” the receptionist asked, coming through her door unannounced.
“Fabulous!” Marcy hugged her and then sprinted back to her desk, flopped down in her chair twirling around. “Oh, Peggy?” She halted the other woman as she prepared to leave.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Clear all my appointments for the rest of the day, and ask Sally if she can take my three o’clock meeting with Fisher,” Marcy ordered.
“Yes, ma’am, but you do have a meeting with Robert Brown at two o’clock,” she reminded.
“Oh, no.” She had been courting him for months. “I’ll call him myself,” she decided, picking up the phone as the other woman left her alone.
She would persuade Mr. Brown to reschedule because money or no, she wasn’t going to cancel on Nathan. She had worked too hard to get that stubborn, wonderful, intriguing man to admit she was important to him. She couldn’t wait to see what he had planned for her today—or to show him what she had planned for him tonight.
* * *
Exactly an hour later, Nathan strolled into Marcy’s office looking more handsome than ever dressed casually in dark jeans, a black leather jacket and black shirt.
His appreciative eyes raked her from head to toe. She was dressed in a plum pantsuit, and her thick mane of hair was carelessly piled high on her head in thick wavy ringlets. Her plum lips curved slightly at the sight of him and sent painful desire shooting into his loins. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and she was his.
“Hi, handsome. Right on time,” she gaily responded, walking from behind her desk.
“I believe in being punctual.”
Lord, she looked great. Couldn’t she ever look anything less than stunning? His eyes were hungry for the sight of her. Had it only been two days since he had seen her last? It had seemed like an eternity.
“Did you miss me?” She lightly fingered the sleeve of his biker jacket.
“Marcy, I’m here,” he sardonically reminded.
“I know, and I’m glad you are, but did you miss me?” She refused to relent, trailing her hand up his leather-clad arm.
“Yes, I missed you.” He snapped the words as his hands lightly touched her waist. “Satisfied?”
“You don’t have to bite my head off.” She smiled, cradling his face in her hands. “I missed you, too,” she whispered. They both levitated toward each other as if drawn by invisible strings. “Terribly.”
She barely got the words out before their lips met in an exploratory and then consuming kiss. He feasted on her lips as if he were a starving man being unexpectedly given a feast. Why did she have to taste so good? Why did she have to feel so good in his arms? He never wanted to let her go. He wanted to drown in her softness and scent.
“Hugo will never kiss you like that,” he promised against her lips.
“Henry,” she corrected. At his frown, she laughed. “Of course he won’t.”
He smiled triumphantly before capturing her mouth again in a decadent embrace she prayed would never end. The thought of the other man kissing her as he was filled him with rage and the fact that he hadn’t imbued him with strength.
Marcy felt positively scorched when his lips continued their thorough devastation of hers. Her bones turned to liquid as his tongue sought, encountered and consumed hers. How long they kissed neither knew. A kiss would soon not be enough to assuage the flames licking through every part of their bodies—this they both realized and accordingly reluctantly ended their kiss.
When he pulled away, she still held his face in her hands; his were around her waist. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at him helplessly, unable to speak, barely able to breathe.
“I didn’t want to care about you,” he suddenly confessed, troubled eyes staring deeply into hers.
“Do you care?” Her heart somersaulted at his words as her fingers caressed his cheekbones.
“I’m afraid I do.” He nearly groaned as her arms twined around his neck and she pressed her shapely length closer to his.
“Why afraid?” Her expression bore puzzlement. “Why not glad?”
“Marcy...” He paused, searching for words, and she did something that was hard for her—remained silent. “I can’t explain so you’ll understand,” he finished, trailing his fingers up her back and then back down.
“Then don’t. Just be with me,” she magnanimously offered, shuddering at his actions.
“I want to,” he admitted, eyes darkening as she began tracing the outline of his lower lip with her thumb. For as long as I’m able to.
“Then do.” She acted as if it
was the easiest and most natural thing in the world.
“I wish it was that simple.” His eyes grew distant and disturbed.
“It is,” she promised, kissing him lightly. Then, in a tone designed to lighten his mood, she asked, “What fabulous place are you taking me to?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said and smiled. She always knew when to back off. Her hands moved from his face to his shoulders, down his arms to grasp his hands.
“I love surprises.” She smiled, pleased that the forlorn look had almost completely disappeared from his eyes. “Am I dressed all right?”
“You’re always dressed perfectly,” he flattered. “Let’s go.” He brought her hands to his lips and then released one as he led her out of the office into the elevator.
God help him he was going to destroy her, and the only way he could possibly prevent it was to cut her loose now, walk out of her life and never see her again; unfortunately, that was the one thing he simply couldn’t bring himself to contemplate—let alone accomplish.
Chapter 9
When Nathan stopped the car in front of his parents’ Rochester home, Marcy turned to stare at him in shock. “You brought me to your parents’ house?”
“Do you mind?” He watched her closely.
“No, I love your parents and Nicole. I’m just surprised,” she explained.
He smiled at her before getting out and opening the car door for her. “Well, Mom has been on me for not spending enough time with them, and I agreed to come for the afternoon. Afterward, I thought we could catch the New York game.”
“You have tickets?” He laughed at her obvious excitement as he helped her from the car.
“Floor seats.” He reached in his breast pocket and showed them to her. “It’s the least I can do for making you miss the game the other night.”
“How did you get these?” She wanted to know, holding on to the tickets as if they were gold.
“I have contacts,” he whispered, prying the tickets from her fingers and placing them back in his pocket.
“I can’t wait.”
“Really?” It was ludicrous how much he had wanted to please her.
“Really,” she promised, impulsively reaching up and kissing him deeply just as the door opened to reveal his parents. He could see the wheels turning in his mother’s head as she watched them with glee evident on her face.
“Uh-oh, now you’ve done it.” Nathan placed an arm around her waist.
“Sorry,” she whispered, moving close to his side as she reached out and embraced his parents.
“Marcy, it is wonderful to see you again—especially with Nathan.” Linda kissed her cheek warmly.
“It’s nice to see both of you again Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” Marcy said and smiled.
“We’re almost family,” Linda predicted, winking at her son’s scowl. “It’s Linda and Lincoln,” she corrected.
“Yes, ma’am,” Marcy agreed.
Linda frowned disapprovingly at her son. “It’s about time you showed up.”
“Mom, I’m here now.” Nathan sighed. “Ouch!” he complained as she pinched his ear in reproof.
Marcy hid a laugh behind her hand as Lincoln led her into the house, followed closely by Nathan and Linda.
“When will you learn?” Lincoln laughed at Nathan, who was still being scolded by his mother.
“Where’s Nicole?” Marcy asked.
“Upstairs. She’ll be down soon,” Lincoln answered as they went into the living room with him.
“Are you going to admonish me the entire time I’m here?” Nathan rubbed his ear as he sat beside Marcy.
“I should, but I don’t want Marcy to think I’m too hard on my children.” Linda threatened his other ear with her fingers and he moved away from her and that much closer to Marcy.
“Oh, don’t mind me.” Marcy smiled as Linda sat on the arm of her husband’s chair and his arm went around her waist.
“Thanks for the help.” Nathan frowned at her.
“Any time.” She chuckled.
“I think I’m bleeding,” Nathan complained.
“Let me see.” Marcy carefully inspected his ear. “No, you’re not,” she assured him.
“Well, it feels like it,” he continued to grumble.
“It serves you right, staying away from your family for so long. I have never—” Linda’s eyes sparkled as she began her good-natured tirade.
“Hi, everyone.” Nicole breezed in, interrupting her mother.
“Saved at last!” Nathan’s eyes turned heavenward at his sister’s entrance.
“What have I missed?” Nicole laughed as she curled her frame into the chair opposite her father.
“Your mother was just reprimanding your brother.” Lincoln chuckled and then grimaced as his wife pinched his arm in retaliation.
“Ah, the usual, then.” Nicole smiled as her father rubbed his arm and Nathan rubbed his ear.
“Has anyone heard from the newlyweds?” Nathan asked to get his mother’s mind on something other than him.
“Tash and Damien are tucked away in wedded bliss,” Nicole said and smiled. “I don’t think we’ll be hearing from them any time soon.”
“There’s nothing like finding the right person to share your life with.” Linda glanced from her son to Marcy.
“Natasha and Damien certainly are perfect for each other,” Marcy agreed around a smile.
“They’re not the only ones,” Linda slyly predicted.
“Momma, whatever do you mean?” Nicole innocently asked and fought against hysterical laughter as Nathan shot her a killing look.
“I’m starving. Is lunch ready?” Nathan abruptly stood.
“This one, Marcy. He has an appetite that is endless,” Linda responded as they walked into the dining room. “The woman who marries him will have to own stock in a grocery store.” She smiled knowingly. “But you’ll soon find out.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Marcy’s humor increased at Nathan’s scowl as they were seated around the table.
“Can I help you bring in the food, Linda?” Marcy asked, preparing to get up.
“No, no. You sit and entertain Nathan and Lincoln. Nicole will help me.” She glanced at her youngest, who sighed and rose to obey.
“Dad, can’t you do something with Mom?” Nathan asked when they were alone.
“Like what?” His father smiled at his son and at Marcy, who was trying unsuccessfully to hide her amusement.
“Convince her that at thirty-one I am capable of leading my own life,” Nathan exasperatedly suggested.
“Ha! I’d rather fight ten angry tigers than to interfere with your mother once she has set her mind to something.” Lincoln negatively shook his head.
“And you are not helping the matter, either.” Nathan shot Marcy a stern look as she chuckled uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry.” She giggled, and Lincoln joined her. Soon the two were laughing heartily while Nathan sighed in annoyance.
A few minutes later, steaming food covered the table, and Nicole and Linda reseated themselves. Soon, everyone’s plate was filled to overflowing at Linda’s insistence.
“Mmm, everything smells wonderful.” Marcy smiled as she picked up her fork.
“There’s nothing like Mom’s cooking,” Nathan flattered, hoping to keep his mother’s mind on food and off of him for a few minutes at least.
“Everyone dig in,” Lincoln ordered, picking up his fork.
“When you’re married, you’ll say the same thing about your wife’s cooking,” Linda promised and chuckled as her son remained noticeably silent.
Nicole winked at Marcy before teasing her brother, “I bet you’ve left a string of broken hearts behind in Washington.”
“Hardly
. I’ve been working,” Nathan denied, placing a piece of roast into his mouth, wishing everyone would follow suit and cut the annoying chatter.
“Your job is too demanding,” Linda disapproved.
“Yes, it is, but I knew that when I signed on,” Nathan agreed, spearing a potato with his fork.
“Perhaps it is time to reevaluate anything that keeps you away from your family for so long,” Linda suggested.
“Linda, leave Nathan alone.” Lincoln gently touched her hand.
“This pot roast is delicious.” Marcy tried to divert Linda’s attention.
“Thank you. It’s in the marinade,” she replied. Nicole and Lincoln stifled grins behind their hands. She always said that about every type of meat she cooked.
“What are you two snickering—” Linda’s voice halted as the phone began ringing.
“I’ll get it.” Nicole excused herself and walked into the hall to answer the phone. “Hello.”
“May I speak with Ms. Nicole Carter, please,” an unfamiliar, pleasing, deep male voice asked.
“This is Nicole,” she responded, sitting down on a bench.
“Ms. Carter, this is Alexander James.”
“Really?” Her heart was suddenly racing in excitement.
“Really.” His voice held a hint of humor.
Her eyes widened in awe. “The Alexander James?”
“The only one that I know of,” he said and chuckled.
“Mr. James, I can’t wait to be with you. I mean to get to know you. I mean...” She was babbling like an idiot, and she was helpless to stop herself. She was talking to Alexander James!
“Stop while you’re ahead, Ms. Carter,” he dryly suggested, and she wondered if he was smiling.
“Nicole,” she breathlessly offered, placing a hand over her thudding heart.
“I just wanted to call and congratulate you on beating out some stiff competition and let you know I’ll be sending you an info package later this week.” He was cool and professional.
“Thank you. I’ll be watching for it,” she assured him.
“Please let the office know if you don’t receive it next week.”
“I will.”
“We’ll see you in about a month, then...Nicole.”
Our First Kiss Page 12
