by Nita Wick
Haley released the weight and stared at him. “A man who listens. I didn’t know there was such a creature.”
A grin appeared, but it was gone before he spoke again. “Did he cheat on you twice?”
She shook her head and pushed her arms together, the thick black cushions providing a temporary barrier. “It was two weeks before our wedding. I’d been planning it for over six months. I came home early from a business trip and found him in bed with my best friend, my maid of honor.”
“Shit.”
Haley didn’t look at him. “Yeah, that about covers it.”
“I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall. What did you say to them?”
“Nothing. They were asleep.”
He stopped exercising and swung his leg over to face her. “What? You didn’t scream at them? Tell them off?”
Haley shook her head. “Nope. I took out my cell phone and snapped a picture of them.” She paused, the clanking of the weights behind her signaling their release. “They didn’t even know I’d been there. They weren’t expecting me to return for two more days.” She met his eyes. “The next day I had five hundred copies of the picture made and had my secretary mail them to everyone who’d received wedding invitations.”
He laughed. “Nice.”
“I changed my phone numbers and the locks on my doors. Security at my apartment and company were instructed to remove both of them from the premises if they should show up. I had my lawyer file for a restraining order on both of them. I refused to see them—cut them out of my life completely.”
“So you never talked to them again?”
“No. I didn’t want to hear their excuses or apologies.”
“Good for you.”
Haley shrugged. “Not really. The pictures I mailed out to all our friends and his family had the desired effect. I heard through the grapevine Keith and Sheila were catching hell all over town. But there was something else I didn’t expect.” She took a deep breath. Why was she telling him this? She hadn’t talked to anyone about the whole ordeal, and here she was spilling her guts to a man who was still practically a stranger.
“Go on,” he prodded, his voice hushed and low.
Oh, what the hell. She might as well finish. Looking across the room at the woman on the treadmill, she continued. “Everywhere I went, I saw people who knew me. Knew all of us. They were nice to me, sympathetic. But they looked at me with pity in their eyes. I’d worked four years to earn their respect, build my company and a strong reputation. And suddenly I was the object of their pity. I couldn’t stand it. My heart was already broken, but that was the finishing blow. I lost it. I didn’t eat. I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t work. I tried, but I couldn’t do it anymore.”
Her throat tightened, and tears filled her eyes. No, damn it. She wouldn’t cry again. She should be past the tears by now. “I sold my company, packed up, and came home.”
“So Knoxville is home?”
She found the courage to meet his eyes. His gaze held no pity, no censure. Relief spread through her. “I…” Exhaustion followed close on the heels of her relief. Months of tension eased, but it left her hollow and weak. “I don’t want to talk anymore. I’m going to get some juice.”
He stood and offered his hand. “I think juice is just what you need.”
Haley slipped her hand into his. A warmth and tingling spread through her, not quite as sharp and breathtaking as she’d received from his touch yesterday. This time a more comforting, peaceful feeling encompassed her. She searched his face. His eyes reflected his smile.
He gave her hand a little squeeze and a tug. “Come on.” Without releasing her, he led her to the bar.
She climbed on the stool, and he let go of her hand. The loss of his warmth disturbed her. The realization that she already felt some kind of connection with this man distressed her even more. She wasn’t ready for this.
“Orange juice?”
“I think I’ll have white grape this time.”
He nodded and ordered for them. “So how’s the leg?”
“Still sore. The massage therapist and the trainer on staff both cautioned me to rest it for a few days.”
“And yet here you are.”
Was he chastising her? “I was just going to work the upper body.”
He took a drink of the juice the bartender delivered. “Be honest with yourself, Haley. You didn’t come here tonight to work out.”
Her breath caught. Was he right? Or was he just a conceited jerk thinking she wanted to see him? She stared at her glass. “Why did I come here then?”
He didn’t answer until she looked up and met his gaze. “To talk to a friend.”
Haley bit her bottom lip. So maybe he wasn’t completely conceited. And maybe he wasn’t completely wrong either. “I didn’t know I had any friends here.”
He smiled. “Liar.”
Surprise warred with confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Think about it.” He leaned toward her. “Last night when you gave me your name…That’s when you accepted my friendship.”
She thought back to that moment. What had possessed her to do it? Was it just the physical attraction? Or was it something else? Something deeper. She sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”
“What’s this? A woman who admits when a man is right? I didn’t think there was such a creature.” His dimple made another appearance alongside his amazing smile.
She laughed. Again. The second time in as many days. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“My pleasure.” He finished his juice and stood. “See you tomorrow?”
Haley hadn’t expected him to leave her so soon, but she was thankful for the means of escape. Her confession had left her drained, empty. And she wasn’t ready to reveal any more secrets. “I usually come around four on Saturdays. It’s less crowded by then.”
“Four o’clock then.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead, just above her right temple. “Goodnight, Haley.”
The tender gesture took her breath away. She watched him leave, noticing for the first time he wore jeans and cowboy boots. No workout clothes. He’d come here just for her. A nagging little voice urged caution. The man was too good to be true—sexy, handsome, polite, thoughtful. And he hadn’t pushed her. He’d just listened. She groaned aloud and held her head in her hands. With her luck, he would turn out to be a serial killer.
* * * *
At five after four, Haley left the dressing room and headed toward the main exercise facility, passing the private rooms where instructors conducted classes. Lively music came from the aerobics class. Calming, soothing soundscapes drifted to her from the yoga room.
She wiped her palms against her royal blue tights. The color complemented her skin tone and hair. She’d even applied some waterproof mascara, a touch of blush, and some rosy lip-gloss. It wasn’t a crime for a woman to want to look nice. Oh, who was she kidding? She’d put it on for him, but she’d drawn the line at fixing her hair. Working out did not require hot curlers and hairspray.
Haley searched the room for the man who’d occupied her thoughts for two days now. She didn’t see him yet, but the room was not nearly as empty as it had been the night before. Deciding he’d be able to find her at the abdominal machines, she chose one and sat down.
Only five crunches in, his voice greeted her. “So where were we?” He sat on the adjacent machine and smiled at her. “Knoxville, right? You said you packed up and came home. Knoxville is home then?”
She smiled and did another crunch before answering. “Good afternoon to you, too, Michael.”
He chuckled and started his sit-ups. “Spill it, Blondie. You’ve left me hanging long enough.”
Haley continued her crunches, answering his question while she exercised. “Actually I’m from Brentwood, a little town just south of Nashville.”
“Brentwood, huh? The land of multi-million dollar homes where Nashville’s elite live.”
“My parent
s had money.” She left it at that. They’d had loads of money, but he didn’t need to know that. “Anyway, I went to school at UT here in Knoxville.”
“Really?” He paused, sitting up and staring at her. “So did I. When did you graduate?”
“Five years ago.”
“Ah. That explains why I didn’t see you there. It’s been seven for me. I was a couple of years ahead of you.”
She shook her head. “We could have been in the same class and still missed each other. During graduation, I remember being surprised by all the names and faces I didn’t recognize. It’s a big school.”
“Yeah, it is.” He returned to his exercises. “So are you still a fan?”
She smiled. “Are you kidding? I bleed orange. How ’bout those Lady Vols, huh? Yet another basketball championship. I’ll bet they’re running out of room for the banners.”
He grunted. “Did you see the game? LSU never had a chance.”
“Of course I watched it. What kind of fan misses the championship game?”
“What about football?”
She stopped and sat up, catching her breath. “I buy season tickets every year.”
“Let me guess. Fifty yard line.”
“Actually they’re on the forty-five, the side closer to the student section.”
He swung his leg over the machine and faced her. “I think I’m in love.”
Haley laughed, not surprised this time that he’d managed to make her do it. “There are any number of men here in Knoxville who’d be in love with my tickets.”
He grinned and winked at her. “Ready to work your biceps?”
“Sure.”
They changed machines, set the weights, and sat down. Haley wasn’t really ready for another round of questions, so she asked one of her own. “So what do you do?”
“I’m an architect. Miller Engineering & Design.”
Shock coursed through her. That was the company she’d used to design the home she was building a few miles out of town near Sevierville in the Smoky Mountains. Her new home would be about an hour away from Knoxville. She’d commissioned only the blueprints and building design, declining their interior design services. Why should she pay for something she could do herself? At least she used to be able to do it. She was the best. But that was before the betrayal, before she’d fallen apart.
Michael might have been the architect who designed her home. The general contractor she’d hired had dealt with M.E.D. Conducting all business through the builder allowed her to remain anonymous. She really didn’t want the company falling all over themselves to please her.
Haley and her interior design company were renowned throughout the industry. She’d have to be careful around Michael—at least until she knew him better. “So do you design office buildings or homes?”
“A little of both. Whatever the assignment is. What do you do?”
She considered lying, but realized there was no need. “Nothing at the moment. I sold my company, remember? I guess you could say I’m between jobs.”
“What kind of company was it?”
She should probably just tell him and get it over with, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. “The kind where you work six or seven days a week catering to the whims of the rich and famous.”
“Hmm. You surprise me there. Somehow I pegged you for a lawyer or stockbroker, some kind of financial advisor. I just can’t see you pandering to anyone.”
She grinned and slowed her pace on the machine. “The trick is to convince your clients what you’re selling them is exactly what they asked for.”
His deep chuckled pleased her. “Now that I believe. And I’ll bet you were damned good at it.”
And so it went for another week. Almost every day they’d meet and work out together for an hour or so. She’d managed to avoid any more conversations about her job, admitting only that she’d worked in Manhattan. She’d talked more about Keith and Sheila. For some unknown reason, she found it easy to talk to Michael. He listened and changed the subject whenever the topic became too melancholy for her.
Their sessions always ended with a glass of juice and that tender kiss on her forehead. Friday evening they sat drinking cold cranberry juice. Michael sipped his drink, watching her.
“What?”
“I was wondering…Would you like to get a cup of coffee after the showers?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His jaw tightened as if she’d angered him, but disappointment showed in his green eyes. “Okay. As much as I want to, I won’t push.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead and stepped around her.
Haley smiled. “I could really go for a pizza, though.”
He stopped, settled his hands on hips, and tilted head back to stare at the ceiling.
She stood and walked around in front of him. “Do you like pizza?”
He lowered his head, a crooked smile on his face. “You’re a wicked little witch, teasing me like that.”
“But you make it so easy.” She winked and returned his smile. “I’ll meet you at the front door. Give me twenty minutes.”
Chapter Three
Haley didn’t want to leave her car at the fitness center, so he followed her to her apartment building where she parked her car and joined him in his SUV. Mia’s Pizza Parlor was crowded, mostly with teenagers and families with young kids. Michael assured her the restaurant had the best pizza in town. They waited on a bench in the foyer until a small booth emptied.
She sat down, and he slid into the seat across from her. “So what kind of pizza do you like?”
“You can put anything on it except onions, bell peppers, or anchovies.”
He nodded. “Thick crust or thin?”
“Thick. Oh, can we get extra cheese?”
He shook his head and laughed. “I’m dreaming this, aren’t I? I’m going to wake up any minute and find my perfect pizza date was just a figment of my imagination.”
“Perfect pizza date?”
“Do you know how hard it is to find a woman who will even eat pizza these days?”
Haley laughed. “Oh, they eat it. They just won’t eat it with you. I’ll bet they all order salads when you take them out to eat.”
He lifted his widespread hands. “Exactly.”
“I’ll work it off in the gym tomorrow.”
After they polished off a medium pan pizza with six toppings and extra cheese, he drove her home and walked her to the front gate of her apartment complex.
“So which one is yours?” Michael pointed to call box on the wall next to the gate.
“I’m in 214.” She pulled the security card out of her wallet and turned to him. “It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a night out like that. Thank you.”
“No, I’m the one who should thank you. That was the best pizza I’ve had in years. And the company was even better.” He grabbed her hand and brought to his lips.
Heat spread through her. Damn, but she was tempted to ask him inside. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
He let go of her fingers and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Sorry. I can’t. I promised Mom I’d help her plant some azalea bushes.”
A smile tugged her lips. There was something appealing about a guy who’d help his mother with her gardening. “That’s a promise you’d better keep.”
“Yeah. I don’t mind, though. Mom’s pretty cool.”
Before she thought better of it, she asked for another date. “The annual orange and white football game is a week from tomorrow. Want to go?”
“Are you kidding? Yes!” The back of his fingers brushed her cheek for an instant before his hand returned to his pocket. “You’re gonna break my heart, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“I’ve found this incredibly beautiful woman who eats pizza and likes to watch Vols football. You must be like some fairytale princess who disappears at midnight or something.”
She shook her head. “No, but do
n’t be fooled. I’m told I can be a real bitch when I don’t get my way.”
He wagged his brows. “You can have your way with me anytime you want.”
She laughed. “Stop it.”
The look he gave her simmered with a sexy heat that warmed her blood. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
Haley sucked in a strangled breath. She wanted him to kiss her, but she shouldn’t. “Is that a warning? Or is it a half-hearted attempt at asking permission?”
He shrugged. “Maybe both. Mom would want me to ask, but I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer. You’ll have to admit I’ve been very patient.”
She couldn’t argue with him. He had been patient. Since the moment they’d met, he’d made no attempt to hide the fact that he found her attractive. He wanted her, but he hadn’t pushed.
Haley struggled to reconcile his atypical behavior. Or was it atypical at all? Michael was the kind who knew what he wanted and how to get it. If he pressed her for something she wasn’t ready to give, she’d have nothing more to do with him. And he had probably deduced that from the beginning. The man was as clever as he was sexy.
Pushing her thoughts and reservations aside, she gave in to temptation. “I suppose a little kiss wouldn’t hurt anything.”
He pulled his hands from his pockets and stepped closer. “I promise it won’t hurt at all.”
Butterflies churned in her stomach, and her heart raced. She held up her index finger. “Just a little kiss. Okay?”
He wrapped his hand around her finger and pulled it to his chest. “Just tell me when to stop.”
His lips hovered above hers for a heartbeat then touched hers with a feathery caress. They moved over her mouth, barely touching, but she felt it all the way to her toes. Firm lips increased their pressure, and time stopped. Liquid fire sped through her veins. He caught her bottom lip with his teeth and gave it gentle tug. Haley’s lips parted, and his tongue teased the seam between them as if asking permission to enter.
She couldn’t have denied him had she wanted to. All thought fled, and she leaned into him, opening her mouth, inviting that sinful tongue inside. His arm came around her, pulling her to him, pressing her into his hard chest. Her nipples pebbled in response.
