by Ravenna Tate
“He’s exactly like that.”
Why was she reacting this way? It wasn’t like her to interfere in Colleen’s dating life. “Aunt Charlene, I do appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m perfectly able to—”
“Don’t get involved with him. I’m serious. He will hurt you.”
A nasty shiver ran down Colleen’s back. “You’re kind of scaring me.”
“I’m trying to. I don’t want you to end up like…” She sighed into the phone. “I don’t want your name to end up linked with gossip about him. He goes through women like water.”
“I know that. It was only dinner.” Liar!
“All right. Just be careful. All those Weathermen are exactly alike. They’re heart-breakers and users.”
Blaine was the only one not permanently attached to someone. Three of them were married and eight were engaged, but Colleen decided not to quote statistics to her aunt. This wasn’t like her at all. What was really going on here?
She heard voices on the other end of the phone. “I have to get to a meeting.” Her aunt sounded all businesslike once again, and the tone made Colleen feel secure. “I’ll try to call you later so we can talk privately.”
“All right.” The call disconnected before Colleen could say another word. She stared at the phone, frowning, then shook her head and returned to her work. Her aunt was probably having a bad day, that’s all. Or maybe someone on her staff had shown her the tabloid, and she was worried Colleen would become another of Blaine’s conquests that he left in the dust.
Well, that would likely happen anyway, but she already knew that. It wasn’t like she’d gone into this with stars in her eyes or dreams of an engagement ring on her finger. Those kinds of things were fine for some women, but not Colleen. She had work to do and plans for her life.
Blaine was handsome, charming, fun, and the best lover she’d ever had, but he was still only a man. She wasn’t going to do anything stupid like fall in love with him. No matter how blue his eyes were, how great he smelled, or how incredibly he made love.
No way. Wasn’t going to happen.
Chapter Nine
Blaine spent the rest of Monday brooding about his situation. He almost called or texted Colleen at least once an hour, asking when he could see her again. Since that made no sense in light of his current dilemma, his desire to go out with her again was frustrating. He’d never had such conflicting emotions where a woman was concerned.
If he broke up with her after one weekend, she’d believe he’d only used her. She had already emailed to let him know the permits had passed her desk, and she’d given them a priority rating. She’d kept her word. Technically, he didn’t owe her anything for that, but he’d feel like a giant shit if he decided never to see her again.
And the simple truth was that he did want to see her again. In the worst way. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her all day. That wasn’t like him, either. But he had to tell her that he knew her aunt. She’d find out and then would wonder why he’d never mentioned it. And if Charlene told her niece exactly how she knew Blaine, it would be over and Colleen would be hurt.
Fuck this. Either way, he was screwed, and Colleen would end up feeling betrayed. All because he hadn’t taken a few moments to find out who she was before he asked her out.
No, that wasn’t quite true. This was all because he’d made up his mind to fuck her as soon as she walked away from the site of his project on the surface, moving her curvy ass in that flowered skirt. This was a done deal from the moment he’d looked into those deep green eyes.
He didn’t like being so rattled. And why the hell hadn’t Ace returned his call by now? It was almost six. Blaine shut off his computer and left the office, his mind racing all the way home. He had decided to order takeout for dinner when his damn phone finally rang.
“Hey, sorry I couldn’t call you back before now. It’s been a crazy day.”
“I need your advice.”
“On what?”
“A woman.”
“Seriously? Did hell finally freeze over? Are there pictures on the Internet yet?”
“Hysterical, Ace. Really. Shut the fuck up and listen.” Blaine outlined his dilemma, sparing no details of the weekend, or of his past with the VP of the USA.
“Holy shit. Why did I never hear about you and Charlene before?”
“Because I never told anyone. What do I do now?”
“Well, fuck if I know, but one thing is clear. You need to come clean to Colleen if you intend to see her again.”
“That’s what I was afraid you’d say.”
“How can you not? If she finds out from anyone but you, she’ll be very upset and rightly so.”
“That’s my conclusion as well.”
“It’s a solid one. Just tell her the truth. And then convince her you didn’t know who she was related to when you spent the weekend with her.”
“She’ll never buy that.”
“You have to make her believe it, Blaine.”
“No, you don’t understand. Saying that to her won’t work.” Blaine reiterated the conversation at dinner where he’d discovered Charlene was Colleen’s aunt, but hadn’t said anything.
He heard Ace sigh and knew he was fucked. “Well, then you’ll have to give her a damn good reason why you didn’t clear that up right then and there.”
“I don’t have one.”
“You mean you don’t have one that doesn’t involve thinking with your dick.”
“Exactly.”
“Well my friend, I don’t have any magical words of advice for you. Tell the truth and take the consequences. Trust me on this one. You hold something this big back for too long, and nothing you say will matter.”
He knew Ace was right. He’d reached the same conclusions already. After they disconnected the call, Blaine stared at his phone until his eyes grew tired. He needed a place to tell Colleen about him and her aunt that wasn’t his apartment. There were already too many memories inside it. And he didn’t want to tell her with others around, so a restaurant was out.
Blaine read the email from her again, and then an idea came to him. It was risky, but if she forgave him for not telling her about his past with her aunt, and if she wasn’t upset about it, his idea would afford them a very romantic night. Before he lost his nerve, he called Colleen. After thanking her for pushing through the permits, he asked if she’d like to go out again on Friday.
“Sure. I’d love to. What did you have in mind?”
“I have a plan, but it involves going up on the surface. Are you game?”
“Oh, how intriguing. I’m game if you are.”
“Great. I’ll see you Friday at six.”
After he disconnected the call, he called his favorite takeout place and ordered dinner for himself, plus the food he’d need for Friday. For a conversation this monumental, involving the worst relationship disaster of his past, he needed to be out in the open, under the stars.
Chicken shit.
Yeah. Exactly. He was a chicken shit, but he would make her believe his sincerity. He would own up to the fact he should have said something as soon as he realized who her aunt was. She’d have to walk back and descend through the airlock if she wanted to get away from him before morning. He hoped he had guessed right about her reaction. If he hadn’t, he’d have a second relationship to place in the total disaster category.
****
Colleen was way too excited about her date with Blaine on Friday. It bothered her because she wasn’t the giddy type when it came to men. Then again, Blaine was unlike any man she’d ever known. But still, she was acting like a lovesick schoolgirl.
Her concentration at work all week had been shit. She’d even ignored a follow up email from her aunt, warning her that the Weathermen were all bad news. And worst of all, she caught herself humming at various times throughout each day. Next thing she knew, she’d be twirling in front of a mirror as she tried on outfits for Friday, like a freaking fairytale princess! What
the hell was wrong with her?
She emailed him Friday morning to ask if she needed to bring anything along, like camping gear. There were no structures up there, and she assumed it might still be cold, especially at night. It was March, and the weather patterns had almost returned to normal. If you believed the Internet news, that was.
He emailed back to tell her he had everything covered, but if she wanted to bring anything she’d need to spend the night, like personal items, that might be a good idea. He was assuming a lot, but she didn’t mind. Again, she found his confidence sexy. It was part of his charm.
She wore jeans and a sweater, plus thick socks and hiking boots. She’d brought along a ski jacket, gloves, and a bag filled with travel-sized personal items. When he arrived at six, he carried a large backpack and two duffle bags. She laughed. “You weren’t kidding about having everything covered, were you?”
“Not at all. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Colleen reached up to kiss him, but it was awkward with his hands full. And she couldn’t be sure, but he seemed hesitant, which confused her. Should she have called him or texted him during the week? Did he usually do that, and hadn’t for some reason with her? Was he waiting for a sign from her? He obviously wanted to see her again or he wouldn’t have asked, right?
These were exactly the kinds of things she didn’t like about relationships, especially new ones. She hated all the uncertainty and second-guessing, and she definitely did not like feeling insecure. Colleen preferred to be on solid footing, especially with people.
They walked along making small talk about work, and then ascended through the nearest airlock. It was almost dark on the surface, but Blaine had thought of that as well. He retrieved a powerful flashlight from the backpack. It cast a strong beam, but everything it illuminated had an eerie quality. Colleen wondered when they’d all get used to being topside again.
“It’s still odd when I come up here and know I don’t have to worry about storms,” he said.
“What about rain or snow? I mean, I’m assuming it now does both, like it used to?”
“It does, but I have that covered, too. Enough of the weather satellites are still functional that we’re able to get forecasts once more. They’re spotty, but I made sure it wasn’t supposed to do either tonight.”
She glanced up at the sky, sighing loudly at the sight of the moon and real stars. “I’d forgotten how truly beautiful it is.”
“Yes. I will never again take these sights for granted.”
“We all did. I mean who would have thought such a thing could happen?”
“Plenty of people, including the ones who worked on The Madeline Project.”
She gave him a quick glance. “You mean like Dave Perry?”
“Among others.”
Colleen had heard some news about Dave from her aunt this week, but wasn’t sure if she should say anything to Blaine. Aunt Charlene hadn’t told her not to tell another person, but it had been Colleen’s experience that her aunt assumed by now Colleen wouldn’t blab about things she was told in confidence.
Maybe Blaine had heard? He knew people in high places, too. Only one way to find out. “What do you think will happen to Dave?”
“I don’t know.”
He hadn’t heard yet. If he had, he’d have no reason to keep it from her. “He’s not getting his pardon.”
Blaine stopped walking and faced her, but she couldn’t see his face. It was too dark. “What?”
“I’m sorry. I thought you might have heard by now. The President won’t pardon him. He’s going to stand trial.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“You have to understand why.”
He shook his head. “What happened to his family has nothing to do with Dave.”
“He lost his daughter and her family in a massive storm surge, on the day they were all ready to move underground to Central. Now that he has the man he holds responsible in custody, he won’t let him go. He won’t let any of them go. Dave will stand trial along with the hackers and the others you all picked up, including Rob Marin.”
She felt rather than saw Blaine’s disappointment. “Can’t say I agree with him on having Dave stand trial along with the others. It was never his intention to send the program on a course of destruction. He told us that. We have it on tape. Can’t believe I’m saying this but even Rob Marin isn’t responsible in the same way as the others are. He knew about all this and didn’t say anything, but he didn’t fuck up the code.”
“I realize that, but Harrison will never see it that way.” President Blake Harrison was a vindictive man. Her aunt had said so many times over the course of her term in office.
“That makes me very sad to hear. Thank you for letting me know.”
She had the feeling he wanted to say something else, but after a few seconds he continued walking in silence. When they reached the site of his future project, she helped Blaine set up a tent, and then he pulled out containers of food, a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a corkscrew. He lit two lanterns that cast a soft glow, and they sat on a thick blanket he had brought along as well.
“How did you fit all this in only three bags?”
He grinned. “I had plenty of practice as a kid. My parents loved to go camping and were experts at cramming necessities into tight places.”
“I can see that.” They feasted on cold chicken, raw veggies, and oysters. Colleen loved oysters, but hadn’t had them in years before last Friday. “I can’t believe you found these. Twice yet.”
“They’re not easy to come by, even in a restaurant, but I know a place that specializes in rare foods.”
She glanced out over the dark landscape. “Do you think anything else survived besides some of the sea life?”
“I don’t know. I doubt it, to be honest.” He poured them each a third glass of wine. “Colleen, I brought you up here not only so we could have this time alone, but to talk to you. There’s something I should have told you last week, while we were at the restaurant.”
A cold chill settled over her, but she wasn’t sure if it was due to his words or the cool night air.
“I told you I knew your aunt a long time ago, but I didn’t tell you how I knew her.”
“You said you grew up in a town close to hers, right?”
“Yes, but we didn’t actually meet until college.”
Colleen didn’t like the tone of his voice. Exactly how well did he know her aunt? She drained her wine glass and repositioned herself on the blanket.
“I was a freshman when she was a senior.”
Colleen said nothing. She merely watched his face.
“We dated briefly that year.”
“When you say ‘dated,’ do you mean you fucked her?”
“Yes.”
Well, all right. That isn’t fatal. “Why did you break up?” While it wasn’t the most terrible thing he could have told her, it was really creepy to suddenly realize she and her aunt had both shared his body.
“She wanted more from the relationship than I did.”
“You mean marriage and children? Seriously? My aunt Charlene wanted that?”
“Not necessarily that, but she didn’t want me catting around the way I did.”
“Oh.” This wasn’t exactly a new revelation. Why had he waited to tell her? “Did you expect me to be upset?”
“Well, yes, if you want to know the truth. I expected you to be very upset.”
“Why?”
“I hurt her, Colleen. She hates me for it. She still holds a grudge.”
Colleen lay back on the blanket and put her arms behind her head. Now the emails and phone call from Aunt Charlene made sense. “She can hold quite a grudge, Blaine.” Colleen told him about the phone call and the emails she’d received lately, warning her to be careful.
“I’m sorry.”
She glanced up at him. “Why? You didn’t do anything. She’s the one who never lets anything go. Don’t misunderstand me. I love my aunt and I admi
re her, but you do not want to cross that woman. She will make you pay for the rest of your life.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
She sat up. “What do you mean?”
“The permits.”
“I told you the truth. She doesn’t have that kind of influence over the AFSR.”
“She’s the Vice President. She can do anything she wants.”
“Well then, just steer clear of her and she’ll be too busy to notice.”
“She already knows we’re going out.”
Colleen shrugged, but she knew Blaine was right. This relationship was a week old, and it was already on Aunt Charlene’s radar. “So, what do you want to do? Are you breaking up with me?”
“No. I don’t want that.”
“I don’t want that either. I say we keep going out. This will blow over.”
He didn’t look convinced, and she understood now why he’d chosen this spot for the talk. She had to walk back to the airlock to get away, and they were completely alone. No one would overhear them, and there were no reporters or others up here taking pictures.
Colleen sat up. “Blaine, I have never stopped seeing someone because my aunt, or anyone else for that matter, thought I should.” She crawled toward him, smiling. Since they were completely alone, under the stars, they should make the best of it. “And I’m not about to do so now. You’re stuck with me.”
His grin made her pussy wet. “There is no one I would rather be stuck with.”
When she reached him, she took off her sweater. Doing so made her body break out in goosebumps, but she had a feeling Blaine would warm her up soon. “Good. So, as long as we’re stuck up here for the night…” She removed her bra, loving the way he didn’t even try to hide his lust as his gaze fixed on her boobs. “Let’s have some fun. What do you say?”
He reached out and grasped her breasts. “I say you’re the sexiest woman I have ever met.”
Chapter Ten
Blaine kissed her, hard, shoving his tongue into her mouth. He tasted oysters and wine—his favorite combination. He’d either dodged a bullet where Charlene was concerned, or her niece was the most understanding woman in the world. Blaine still wasn’t sure Charlene wouldn’t try to hold up the permits, but right now, he had more pressing things on his mind.
