by Tawny Weber
Dru was pretty sure she actually felt her heart melt. Lips pressed together to keep from grinning like a fool, she stared down at her hands while struggling to regain control.
Had anyone ever said anything so wonderful about her? Understood her so well? And he did understand her. Not just the sexual side of her, although he was definitely scoring top marks there. But the real her.
Dru sighed, dropping her eyes to her half-filled glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and blinking rapidly. She’d never felt anything like this before. Her entire body was tingly and warm. Her heart was beating so fast, she could feel it all the way to the tips of her hair.
She was either catching the flu, or she had just tumbled over insanity’s edge and fallen in love.
ALEX FOLLOWED DRUCILLA into her office, sinking into one of the uncomfortably rickety chairs, and draped his arm over the hard wood back.
He watched her carefully shut the door behind him. Then in the mellowest of ways, she sucked in a deep breath, gave a silent scream and did a funny wiggly dance in place. He grinned at how her arms waved, all out of sync with the tempting swivel of her hips.
Well, someone was certainly happy with the results of their meeting, wasn’t she?
“What’d you think?” he asked needlessly, wincing at the tight knots still pinching his shoulders. He wished he knew why he was so tense. He’d rocked the pitch, not only sold Ms. Pownter on the project, but laid the groundwork for her to accept working with Drucilla after he left. Total success, right?
His stiff shoulders argued otherwise.
Luckily, before he could force himself to examine the tension too closely, Drucilla stopped wiggling to smooth her palms over her hips, lift her chin, then cross the room. With pseudo calm, she tucked her purse into a desk drawer then folded her deliciously long body into the chair opposite his.
“I thought it was a good meeting, didn’t you?” she said, leaning forward to place her folded hands on her tidy desk blotter and giving him a placid look. Then she giggled and clapped her hands together.
“No, no. It was amazing,” she exclaimed, before he could respond. “You should get the science-salesman-of-the-year award. I mean, you know I wasn’t totally on board with the expansion. The money, the publicity, the commitment. They add so much pressure, so many additional expectations. And no room for error.”
He nodded. After all, she’d been giving him that argument on a daily basis for the last week and a half.
“But now? Now,” she said, slapping one of her hands on her desk and sending the blotter spinning sideways, “I’m hooked. I’m so totally committed to this and so totally excited.”
And so she was. Energy was practically radiating off her in waves.
“And Charlene Pownter? Man, that woman is an inspiration. She’s so together and focused and, well, successful. I had a great time talking with her. Seriously? I want to be her when I grow up. I’d love working with her, learning from her. So what do you think?” she asked, practically bouncing in her chair. “Do you think we have a shot?”
“You were there for a great deal more of it than I was, so you tell me.”
He hadn’t intended the words to sound like an accusation. But the idea of Drucilla being mentored by Charlene Pownter made his blood run cold. Or maybe it was the image he’d been entertaining for the last two days, of Drucilla, happy and successful when he was gone. Of her exploring her burgeoning confidence with a whole new breed of science guys. Maybe it was the ache in his gut at the idea of leaving her. Or even the lesser ache of knowing he’d soon be giving up a project he found intriguing and challenging.
Whatever it was, it was only adding another layer of knots to his already tense shoulders.
From her big-eyed look, she was just as surprised at his tone as he was.
“She was already seated when I arrived, so we started chatting,” she said slowly. “I’m always early, you know that. It was just one of the many ways Charlene and I discovered we’re alike.”
Charlene. Weren’t they all buddy-buddy? Alex didn’t like the idea of Drucilla admiring Charlene Pownter quite so much. Yes, the woman was wealthy and determined and successful. Which would be great for the project. But on a personal level, the woman was an ice queen. Totally dedicated to her career, first and last. Exactly the kind of woman Olympia Robichoux would like her daughter to be.
And exactly the kind of woman Drucilla wasn’t. Drucilla definitely didn’t need chill lessons. She needed fun and encouragement. Support and laughter. To believe in her own talents, but to be willing to take risks and push her own boundaries.
In other words, she needed him. But he wasn’t going to be around for long, he reminded himself again.
“Don’t get too attached to the idea of working with her,” he warned, realizing he’d let his ambition overshadow what was best for Drucilla. He’d been eager to stick a big ole feather in his cap, to impress his grandfather. But not at Drucilla’s expense.
“The Pownter Institute requires a longer commitment than Trifecta might be willing to make,” he said. “They’re going to hold you to higher standards and more rigorous scrutiny than Buck Blackstone would. Charlene Pownter will be more demanding, more exacting than the government grant. She’s going to push every one of your buttons.”
Her smile fell away. She tilted her head, giving him a searching look, clearly trying to find the reason for his angry undertone.
Alex wanted to tell her to clue him in when she figured it out. All he knew was that there was some kind of fury churning in his gut and a headache the size of a small island pounding in his brain.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked with a direct look that said she wanted an answer, she expected it to be the truth and he’d damn well better spit it out quickly.
He loved that Drucilla the scientist was so strong and straight to the point. Much like Drucilla the hot, sexy fairy princess was in bed.
Which pretty much made her the perfect woman.
Perfect temporary woman, he corrected quickly. Because he was a short-term kind of guy. Between his career, his genetics and his upbringing, he couldn’t be anything else.
And that, he realized as he stared into her eyes, noting the hurt lurking in their indigo depths, was the real issue. He needed to get out of here before he did actual damage.
“I’m sorry, Drucilla.” What they had might be short-term, but she was special. Really special. The kind of woman who made a guy think he could actually turn it all around and stick things out.
He winced at the panicky need to run clutching his gut and told himself to chill out. After all, Drucilla knew this was temporary. It wasn’t as if she was expecting anything other than the launch of the project and a few really awesome months of intense sex.
“I’m just a little edgy lately,” he explained.
Her eyes drifted over his body, as potent as a caress. She ran her tongue along her lower lip, then caught it between those straight white teeth. Alex wanted to climb across the desk and bite that lip himself.
“Edgy? Why?” she asked, her tone husky, her eyes inviting. The look was enough to make him think that maybe, this time, she’d lift her no-kissing-and-definitely-no-sex-in-the-office ban. “I’m sure you’re not having any worries about the scope of the proposal. Did you want to analyze the current data? Maybe over dinner? If we bring our notes, it’ll look like it’s just business and nobody will question us.”
And then there was that. Alex clenched his teeth, frustrated that for Drucilla, it always came back to work. He knew he should be more understanding. After all, his career was definitely one of his top priorities. He even understood her reasons for not wanting to give the gossips anything to spread. But did she have to act as if she was embarrassed to be seen with him?
It was enough to make a guy want to claim his woman in a big, public, very gossip-inducing way. Focus, Maddow. She was right to keep things private. He was leaving soon. No point in sticking her with gossipy backlash on top of
everything else.
“I’m just concerned that you might be a little too…” He paused, searching for a way to explain without putting his foot in his mouth. Or anything else. “I’m worried you might be a bit too eager about the Pownter Institute.”
“Too eager?”
Her eyes narrowed. Thankfully, the suspicion wiped out that hurt look. She did start tapping her fingers, the rhythm warning him that she was losing her temper.
Alex leaned back in the chair, fighting an unexpected grin. He’d never actually seen the ice princess lose it. Would it be as hot, as sexy, as it was when she lost her cool in bed?
“Let me see if I’ve got this straight,” she clarified in precise tones. “You forced me to step outside my preferred direction for this project, shoving me way beyond my comfort zone. You practically blackmailed me into participating in the patron meetings, nagged me into courting these people who you now claim I’m too eager to work with. Why? Was that pitch a lie? Do you really not believe I’m qualified to handle this project?”
“No,” he said, grabbing her flailing hands from across the desk. “Everything I said was true. I believe in you, Drucilla. But like you said, I pushed you. I pressured and twisted this project for my own purposes. That isn’t fair to you.”
Drucilla wet her lips, nerves dancing in her eyes. She glanced away, took a breath and squared her shoulders, then met his gaze again.
“Alex, I want to do this. I’ve always taken the easy route. The safe route. Yes, I’ve aimed for success, but, you know, safe success.”
“Drucilla—”
“No, let me finish. I know I argued for the government grant. To keep things easy and pressure free. But you’ve shown me that some things are worth the risk.” She leaned closer, lifting their clasped hands to press a kiss against the back of his knuckles.
“I want to work with the Pownter Institute. I know what’s at stake,” she insisted, passion making her eyes glow, the same way they did when he touched her. “I want to take the chance. Big risks for big success. I’ll make it rock, Alex. For Trifecta. For you. And most of all, for myself.”
13
DRU FINISHED PATTING the soil around the base of the hibiscus, then leaned back on her heels to smile at the bright purple blossoms.
Gorgeous.
Nothing said security like roots, right? Even if they were plant roots.
“Drucilla, what on earth do you think you’re doing in my yard?”
Dru lost her balance and fell on her ass.
“Mom,” she greeted with a grimace as she pushed herself to her knees then brushed the dirt off her butt. “The nursery called again about the special hibiscus order, so I picked it up. I figured I’d surprise you.”
From the look of anger scrunching up her mom’s face, it was one hell of a surprise. The rip-the-tree-out-of-the-ground-and-spank-Dru-with-the-branches kind of surprise.
“You know how I feel, Drucilla. Is this your way of mocking my concerns?”
Guilt, so easily tapped, bounced right to the surface of Dru’s psyche. She had the trowel in hand and was about to dig the plant up before she even realized she’d moved.
“No,” she exclaimed. Her words were as much for her own wimpy self as they were for her mother.
It might have been the astonishment of Dru back talking or the fact that she’d back talked at such a high pitch. Either way, her mother’s face was a study in shock.
“Please, will you please just believe me, Mom,” Dru said, slowly straightening to give herself time to try to figure out what she was going to say. “Nothing is going to happen to the house. You need to stop worrying about it. I’ve got a steady job, I’m in a solid position with the lab and there’s nothing to stress about.”
Her mother clamped her arms across her chest and stared.
“Look, I’m heading up a huge project. We’re in line to receive backing from one of the biggest institutes in the country. My reputation will be made,” Dru claimed, her tone just this side of bragging.
Her mother’s glare said just this side was way too far over the line.
“Do you have a guarantee of success on this little project of yours?” Olympia asked bitterly. “Are you so positive that you’ll prove your hypothesis?”
Panic tried to worm its way into Dru’s gut. But she stood firm and refused. No. Whatever happened, she was going to have faith. In the project’s success. In her career potential. And most of all, in herself.
So Dru mirrored her mom’s arm-crossed attitude, shifting her weight to the left and setting her chin.
“There are never guarantees in science,” Dru said through gritted teeth. “You know that, Mother. Just as you know a failed hypothesis isn’t the end of a career.”
Her mother looked at her in that way she had that made Dru feel about eight years old. Stomach churning, she lifted her chin higher and tried to stop her lip from trembling.
“Just because Daddy didn’t make it doesn’t mean I’m a failure, Mother.”
“You’re your father’s daughter. You have the same eyes, the same interests, the same personality. You’re practically walking in his footsteps.”
Dru’s mouth dropped. “That’s so unfair.”
Olympia lifted her chin, then snatched up a broom and started cleaning the dirty evidence of Dru’s recent horticultural venture.
“Life isn’t fair, now, is it?”
Dru gave her mother the evil stare of rebellion, perfected in her teen years. It worked just as well now as it had then. As usual, Dru gave up after a few seconds. She puffed out a huge breath of air, then grabbed the dustpan off the potting bench.
“Why can’t you support me, Mom?” she asked quietly. “Why can’t you believe in me for once?”
The sweeping quickened, her mother’s moves getting jerky.
“I believe in this project, Mom. I’m good at what I do and I do have a solid reputation,” Dru continued, bending down to hold the dustpan in place. She blinked a few times to clear her vision, then looked up beseechingly. “I’ve been at the same lab for five years. My papers are well received. I’m heading up a major study before I’m thirty. Why can’t you see these things as the positives they are?”
The broom stilled. Dru held her breath.
“You should never count on anything,” her mother warned, sounding defeated.
Dru sucked in a shaky, tear-filled breath, then scooped up the dirt, walking slowly to the trash can as if the gloomiest rain cloud was hovering over her head.
“Come have lunch,” her mother said, holding open the screen door. “I just made a fresh batch of your favorite cinnamon-butter cookies this morning.”
Dru wanted to refuse. She wanted to go home, curl up under her bed and snivel. But as gratifying as that might be, it was also pointless. She put the dustpan away, wiped her hands on her jeans and climbed the concrete steps.
As she reached her mom, she frowned. “Fresh this morning? You didn’t know I was coming over, though.”
“I make some fresh each week,” her mother said, heading for the kitchen. “So you always have something to come home to.”
And that, Dru realized, was what it was all about. Her mom wasn’t really knocking the possibility of Dru’s successes. In her own way, her mom was just making sure Dru knew she always had somewhere, something, to depend on.
Just in case she needed it.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Dru walked over and hugged her mother. Arms wound tight, she rocked from side to side. After a brief hesitation, Olympia returned the hug, then stepped back to give her daughter a questioning look.
“That’s just a thanks,” Dru said. “You know, for the cookies.”
DRU WAS PRACTICALLY skipping as she made her way down the hall to her office. She rounded the corner, her head full of happy thoughts, and almost mowed down her best friend.
“Well, well,” Nikki said, laughing as she sidestepped. “Did someone get lucky last night?”
Dru’s eyes widened and she looked
quickly up and down the hall before hissing at Nikki to quiet down. “I didn’t get lucky,” she whispered. “I just had a, well, a really great evening with my mom.”
Nikki’s brows shot sky-high.
“Your mom? Olympia Robichoux? She who is never satisfied?”
Dru’s lips quirked. With a roll of her eyes, she opened her office door and gestured for Nikki to precede her.
“I went over to do some gardening, then we talked. She was just as discouraging as usual.”
Nikki dropped into a chair and stared, giving Dru the when-did-you-go-crazy look.
“I finally realized none of that matters,” Dru explained as she sat opposite her friend. It’d taken her half the night to label this giddy feeling, but it was still hard to explain to someone who actually knew how negative her mother was. “My mom has her hang-ups, but they aren’t mine anymore. I believe in myself. I’ve got a solid career I love. I make a good living and have excellent prospects.”
Nikki’s grin was so big, her dimples almost disappeared. “Hmm, this sounds familiar.”
“I know. You’ve been telling me this for years. But I finally believe it,” Dru told her. “I finally believe in myself. And I also believe that the cosmic string project is actually going to make me a star.”
“A star?” Nikki looked like a proud momma whose daughter had just scored the lead role in the school play.
“Nik, I’m going to push for the Pownter Institute deal. It’s huge,” she said as butterflies danced wildly in her stomach. She leaned forward, her hands clasped as she continued. “The bar will be set to the highest rung. The accolades when we actually document the strings’ effect on hydrogen gases will be… Oh, man, enormous.”
Nikki bit her lip and gave Dru a cautious look. “I love how excited you are. I do. But have you thought this through? You know the percentage of hypotheses that fail. I’m not saying yours will, I’m just saying that maybe you should prepare yourself for all the possibilities. You know the first rule of science. Don’t become emotionally invested.”
