The Red Dog Saloon pulsed with bodies dancing, eating, and lounging at the bar. Sawdust and peanut shells covered the timber plank floor and fishing nets crisscrossed each other overhead. Country music twanged from a small band in the corner, and servers balancing trays holding pitchers of beer dodged the occasional enthusiastic patron.
The fish and chips lived up to their reputation and I inhaled my food as if I hadn't eaten for days. After dinner, we walked down by the water. Streetlights offered a faint glow along the boardwalk, more for effect than light, because the sun never completely disappeared this time of year.
We found a bench on the far end of the docks, near the water. In the distance, a cruise ship, lit up in carnival lights, headed for the open sea. I leaned into Doug's shoulder. "Is it weird to have it light all night?"
"You get used to it. It's not as bad as when it's dark all day."
Waves lapped against the side of the pier and a faint fishy odor lingered on the cool night air. A light breeze blew off the water and I welcomed the warmth of Doug's arms when he folded them around me.
"Marli, why did you accept my invitation? To be honest, it surprised me you were still available."
"I won't be eighteen for a few weeks, which is something my dad insists on. He thinks that's even too young. He wants me to go to college for a couple of years before deciding anything permanent in my life."
"Is that what you want?"
I began to think this conversation was my interview. "Yes. I mean, I'm not opposed to a relationship, but I'm not ready for anything permanent." I wasn't sure, however, how I'd answer this same question if Jordan asked.
"But if you wait, that makes you twenty."
"So? Twenty isn't ancient."
Doug pursed his lips and stared at the water. Something ghostly skittered through me. An unknown. He looked back at me, a forced smile on his lips. The haunting feeling remained, but I dismissed it when he drew a tender line along my face and my heart rate hitched for a different reason.
I turned sideways out of his embrace and took the conversation in a different direction. "What about you? What's your plan for the future?" Besides me.
"I'll probably stay in Alaska and finish my pharmaceutical training. I've even thought about pursuing medicine. If I do so through The Program, the pay proves to be worth the hassle of meeting all their requirements.
Jordan talked about the strict rules he worked under required by The Program so I understood what Doug meant.
We discussed Doug's family. His younger sister was also a candidate and he jokingly described her as "fifteen going on eighteen." I told him about Rick and Muffy. Guardedly, I touched on Daniel's death and the fact I was now an only child. When he asked about my mother, I rationalized her mysterious whereabouts as a matter of national security, avoiding anything personal.
Doug played with the fingers spread over my knee. "I'm sorry about your brother and the fact you and your mother aren't close. That must be hard for you."
"Thanks, but my dad's the one I've always been closest to. After the divorce, I wanted to live with him. Honestly, I'm content with my life." Or used to be.
A cool gust of air caused an involuntary shudder. Doug opened his arms and I nestled within his embrace against my better judgment. His head dipped, his lips close and waiting acceptance.
An internal war erupted. I cared for Jordan…maybe loved him, but for whatever reason, he didn't want a permanent relationship. Jesse was off limits—forbidden. But Doug wasn't anything. Technically, I broke no rules by getting involved with Doug, even if just for the weekend.
Our lips pressed, my mouth giving passage to a deeper, spearmint-tasting kiss. After a few minutes of sensuous oblivion, we heard steps clomping toward us on the boardwalk.
"You two coming up for air anytime soon?"
A mischievous grin promising of more to come, eased onto Doug's mouth.
The docks' security guard loomed over us. "I hate to break up you lovebirds, but it's getting late and this isn't the best place for a young lady. I suggest you move it somewhere safer, and with the steam rising off the two of you, separate places might be best."
The jeep rumbled up the hotel driveway, stopping under the bright lights of the canopied entrance. All of a sudden, I became nervous. Should I invite him upstairs? I walked new territory here. I'd never stayed alone in a hotel, or been so far from home. And I didn't know Doug. What if—
Doug's voice startled me. "Sorry I kept you out so late. You must be tired."
I released a nervous breath. "A little. Mind if we call it a night?"
He leaned closer, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. His eyes dropped to my mouth, parted and already releasing heavy anticipated breaths.
"Can I kiss you goodnight at least?"
I nodded and he placed a long, heady kiss on my lips. I sucked a deep breath, catching his sexy fragrance.
"Mmm, you smell good. Your whole penthouse smells like you."
Doug curled his fingers into my hair and pressed another kiss on my mouth "So my scent drives you wild? Guess I'll bathe in it before I see you tomorrow."
I pulled away. "Tomorrow?"
"My parents are hosting a barbeque for some friends and I want to bring you as my date, if you don't have other plans. My little sister is dying to meet you."
A little knot coiled in my stomach. "Hmm, dinner with the family? What if they don't approve of me?"
"I'll adopt a new one."
The lights of the city and shadowy sun lent a soft glow to my room. The clock on the dresser said 11:30 PM. Back home it would be 3:30 AM—too late to call Jordan. I logged in a message for him to find when he woke. Miss you.
I slipped into the silky black and pink polka-dot pajamas Brittany talked me into buying, suggesting I needed something more appropriate than boxer shorts and a camisole. The tinkling sound of my phone ringing on the dresser pulled me way from the balcony doors.
"Doug?"
"Do you have everything you need before turning in?"
"Yes, thanks." I paused. "I had fun tonight."
"Me too. Can I ask a favor? Have breakfast with me in the morning? I'll have room service deliver say around ten o'clock?"
"A girl's got to eat. See you then." I disconnected and another call beeped in—Alex and Brittany?
"Why are you two up this late?" I knew why they'd called, but I drew out the anticipation, if for no other reason than to torture Alex.
"We have to know the details! Is he as gorgeous in person? Did you kiss him?"
"Slow down," I chuckled. "Yes, Doug's even more handsome in person and very nice. Sorry I haven't called, but I just got back to his penthouse."
"His penthouse?" Both picked up immediately on the little detail.
"Marli? You can't stay with him. That's against the rules." Now Brittany worried about rules. Where was her concern when Alex opened the red envelope?
"I'm not staying with him. His parents own the hotel. Doug's staying at their house outside of town."
"You didn't answer about the kiss, Marli. Did he kiss you?"
"Nichols, you're like a dog with a bone. Yes. Doug kissed me. Yes, it was amazing. Satisfied?"
"What about Jordan?" Brittany squashed my seductive fantasy and reinforced the guilt I struggled against.
"We're dating, remember? He called earlier. He knows where I am." They gasped, surprised. "You were right. This interview had to happen. Jordan wants to talk when I get back." I purposely left out his declaration of love. Some secrets belonged only to me.
"Be careful, Davis," Alex warned. "Don't blow it this time."
Light filtered through the slit in the heavy drapes drawn over the windows, and my mind slowly became conscious of a blaring alarm. On the ceiling overhead, 8:30 A.M. blinked in neon green. Breakfast would arrive shortly.
I showered and washed my hair, amazed at how I could pass through a wall of hot air and come away dry, with my hair flowing in shiny loose curls. If we had a drying halo
at home, I could shave an hour off getting ready for school.
I squeezed into an ivory tube top, slipped a nutmeg colored sweater with the baggy neck pulled off one shoulder, over a short denim skirt. A wide leather belt, buckled loosely around my hips, finished my look.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Miss you too. Come home. NOW!!
A smile snapped on my lips. I rather enjoyed being in the power seat for a change. My fingers deftly entered a teasing response. All in good time. –M.
I purposely shut off the receptor, reminding myself Jordan shouldered part of the blame for my being in Alaska, and payback was due.
I'd barely finished making the bed when the doorbell rang. Showtime. Yanking the drapes open to let the morning light into the rooms, I made my way to the door as a second impatient buzz sounded.
"Coming!"
A muffled reply sounded from the other side. "Not fast enough."
I paused before disengaging the lock. "Did you bring breakfast? I'm only opening this door to handsome guys with food."
"Next to Pedro here, I'm very handsome and I have enough food for an army." I heard someone, I guessed Pedro, mumble something and Doug laughed.
I opened the door and Pedro pushed a cart of silver covered dishes into the dining area. Doug twirled me under his arm, "Unbelievable. You're more beautiful than yesterday."
My cheeks flushed. I wasn't used to compliments and since Jordan, Jesse, and now Doug were generous with spoken praise, my cheeks constantly burned.
"Do I look okay to meet your parents? I'm so nervous."
"You look perfect. Stop worrying. They're going to love you."
Doug sat across from me, dressed in jeans and a blue striped cotton shirt. Today however, the sleeves buttoned at his wrists and his hair, slicked back, gave him a polished, formidable look.
I popped a grape from the fruit bowl into my mouth. "You're right. You're better looking than Pedro, but it's a close call."
After breakfast, we set out in the Lotus for my next test. To say I felt anxious about meeting Doug's family would be a gross understatement. I worried how they'd judge me. Jordan's mother seemed indifferent, almost cold.
Jordan. Guilt blanketed me again. It shouldn't be like this. I shouldn't be having a good time and enjoying Doug's company. When Jordan blurted out he loved me, he sounded desperate, almost frightened—the shy, teenage boy I'd only seen glimpses of when his driven, restrained alter ego took a break. Jealousy seemed to be the trigger that flushed out his true character, and I couldn't help but feel a slight thrill knowing I caused his self-restraint to falter.
Doug took my hand, interrupting my thoughts. "Relax. Everything will be fine."
I wasn't so sure.
A few minutes passed after we crossed a bridge, before we stopped at a large ornamental gate. Once Doug passed the retina scan, it opened. A private lane stretched over the summit of a hill and opened into a large meadow. Beyond a wildflower blanket sat an exquisite log home—the entire south side a wall of glass, reflecting the majestic mountain range it faced.
My mouth gaped. "That's your house?"
Doug simply grinned, steering the jeep to an empty parking space among several expensive private vehicles. We stepped through ornate entry doors to an inside balcony overlooking the living room below. A massive stone fireplace stretched floor to ceiling, cutting through the center of a wall of windows.
He tugged me up a staircase to a small, sun-wrapped room with two telescopes poised on tripods, facing different directions. I closed an eye and gazed through one. The view filled with a large glacier pouring out between two mountains and dropping to the ocean, close enough I could see the dirt clinging to the edges.
"Awesome. You should see this."
Doug moved the telescope away. "I don't need a telescope." He tucked my hair behind my ear and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "I'm already looking at something amazing."
His lips brushed lightly over mine, his teeth playfully nipping my bottom lip. I slipped my fingers through his silky hair and welcomed the lustful kiss placed on my mouth.
"Well, well!"
Our teeth raked when we jumped and I checked my bottom lip for blood. A distinguished gentleman filled the doorway. Midnight black hair, threaded with wisps of silver at the temples, crowned his head. His eyes were the color of dangerous, deep water, and when he smiled his white teeth gleamed in contrast to his olive skin.
"Son, are you going to introduce me to the enchanting young lady you're nibbling?" The burn was instant on my cheeks. "My, that blush is powerful. He took my hand, the same way Doug had, curling it around his fingers and placing a delicate kiss on top.
Doug hugged my waist. "This is Marli Davis, the candidate I'm interviewing. Marli, this is my father, Antonio Peterson."
"Tony, please. Antonio sounds too formal."
Mr. Peterson's arm replaced Doug's around my waist. He guided me down the staircase and my brain pled with my feet to remain on the stairs and not stumble. A small, delicate woman met us at the bottom. Doug tucked her under his arm and placed a light kiss on her head.
"Mom, this is Marli."
She took my hand in both of hers. "Welcome. I'm so glad you could join us." She tugged me with her, "Come help us girls in the kitchen." I glanced at Doug for rescue.
"Uh, Mom?"
"Shoo!" his mother gestured to him. "She'll be fine. Go keep an eye on your father and find Doogie. He's been waiting all day for his Uncle Doug."
She draped an apron over my neck and tied it tight at my waist. Out the large window in the dining room, I watched Doug scoop a little curly-red-haired boy onto his shoulders, both giving me an enthusiastic wave. A young girl with features resembling Doug from her deep blue eyes to her dark hair, appeared at my side.
"So you're Marli. You're much prettier than your picture."
"You must be Marah."
"Marah and Marli. That should be fun to keep straight." Another young woman appeared out of nowhere, obviously Doogie's mother with her head of long, silky red hair. She wiped her hands on her apron and held one out to me. "Hi, I'm Andrea. Doug's told us everything about you we could drag out of him. We're hoping we can get more information while we have you all to ourselves."
A shuffle of snickers rustled through the kitchen. Great. Interview, family style.
The party moved indoors when the sun dropped lower in the western sky, cooling the air with its descent. I excused myself to locate the powder room on the second floor. Slowly, I walked the length of the hallway, admiring the pictures hung at various levels on the wall. A few were of Doug's father standing with prominent people—one with the President.
On my right, a door to an elaborate office rested open and as I passed by, a voice called out. "Miss Davis?"
The wood floor creaked against my weight when I stepped inside. Tony Peterson moved from behind an ornate desk and walked toward me, gesturing to a small table next to where I stood. On a mirrored tray sat a crystal carafe filled halfway with a rich, amber liquid. Mr. Peterson poured a small amount into what looked like an enormous goblet and placed it in my hands.
"Hold the snifter with both hands and gently swirl. It warms the brandy." Mr. Peterson covered my hands and moved the snifter in a circular motion. "Like this." He smiled differently and his eyes reflected something unrecognizable, lurking in the dark blue. He lifted the globe of tawny fluid to my face. "Close your eyes and describe the bouquet." I scrunched my nose in protest and attempted to pull back. Mr. Peterson's tone sharpened. "Miss Davis, you should acquaint yourself with these small, but important, social nuances."
To avoid a harsher admonishment, I did as instructed. A sweet, but strong nutty aroma wafted from the bowl reminding me of old, expensive wood, the kind that lined the walls of elegant restaurants with white linen tablecloths and fancy waiters.
When I opened my eyes, a pleased expression relaxed Mr. Peterson's sour grimace. A wry grin curved his mouth. "Go ahead, have a taste. I think you'll find the flavor m
ellow for a French cognac."
"No thank you. I don't drink."
Another insistent nod suggested I not argue, but I still refused and handed him back the snifter. A gentleman I'd only seen twice all evening, stepped into the room. There was no mistaking the disapproval in his expression.
Tony Peterson's arm circled my waist. "Simon, you remember Miss Davis—Douglas's prospective assignee? She was about to sample my latest acquisition."
No…I wasn't.
His eyes carefully watched Tony Peterson, but he remained fixed in the doorway. "Sir, may I have a word with you in private?"
I slipped from Mr. Peterson's arm. "I should get back downstairs. Doug will be wondering what happened to me." They exchanged a curious glance as I walked between them.
The door clicked behind me and I stilled on the other side listening. I concluded that Simon was more than a butler and very brave when he immediately chastened Tony Peterson.
"Sir, what were you thinking offering alcohol to the girl? She's underage! We can't afford dangerous mistakes this early in the game."
Tony Peterson's timbre changed to almost a dangerous resonance. "Simon, Miss Davis is not your concern. I'm fully aware of the consequences, but I had to test my theory. She's strong, just as I'd hoped. You must understand, I will do everything in my power to ensure this transaction succeeds. I can't leave this matter to chance, nor can I trust my son to carry through on his own. This is business, Simon. Business."
What? My heart smacked my ribs and the sudden wave of adrenalin made me hot and light headed. I braced myself against the wall. I was a business transaction? Some commodity to be wagered? Tested?
Footsteps shuffled behind the door and I hurried down the hall. When I rounded the corner, I bumped into Doug coming the other way.
"Marli?" My legs wobbled and he grabbed my shoulders. "What's wrong?"
"I don't feel well."
"Must have been something you ate. Maybe you should lie down." He towed me by the hand down another hallway and into a room at the end.
Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut Page 15
