“Sorry,” Kate said. “It’s true. And I so want Carson to find Jackson. It’s such a tragic story.”
Much like hers. Georgia could hardly fault her.
“She’s also good at recognizing couples who fit together,” Patrick said.
“Maybe you aren’t ready to hear that.” Kate looked at Georgia. She thought Georgia wasn’t ready to hear it. Well, maybe she wasn’t. And maybe she never would be.
“How are you faring now that you’re out of the Marines, Carson?” Kate asked. “Whit told me you weren’t taking it so well.”
“He isn’t,” Georgia said, and then realized she probably shouldn’t have piped in. Carson looked at her with warning.
“I’m handling it just fine.”
“So, you’re going to take over your father’s place at AdAir Corp?” Patrick asked.
“That I haven’t decided.”
Kate frowned. “What else would you do?”
Georgia followed their conversation, having thought the same thing about Carson.
“I haven’t figured that out yet.”
The bite to his tone made Kate look from him to Patrick and then to Georgia, who tried to keep an I-know-exactly-what-you’re-thinking look off her face. She didn’t think she’d succeeded. Kate smiled and turned to Carson. “Well, something tells me you’ll get some help in that regard.”
This woman was incredible. And scary. Did she really see that much into her and Carson? That there was something cooking between them? The notion both excited and terrified her.
“There aren’t many men who are capable of being the kind of soldier Carson was,” Kate said. “He was among the best of the Special Forces, you know.”
“Yes, I’ve learned that about him.”
“Smart,” Patrick said.
“Mmm-hmm.” She slid her gaze to Carson. He was taking this glowing praise stoically. His experience as an elite soldier did impress her, probably too much. Impress didn’t cover the way she felt about him in that light. Heated her blood might get a little closer.
“Strong and brave, too,” Kate said. “For all his daring secret missions.”
Kate was a proud aunt for sure.
But then she said, “You could do worse in a man.”
The shock of that observation rippled through Georgia. Kate had deliberately led up to this baiting. She thought there was something worthy brewing between them and she’d just pointed that out—quite expertly—to Georgia.
“You’re right,” Georgia said, not seeing any other option. Disagreeing would not only be insulting, it would be a lie. “I could do much worse.” She already had. Which was precisely why she was never going to make another mistake again. Not when it came to men. The wrong man could turn her life into a disaster. She’d barely recovered from the last one.
“I’m going to a spa tomorrow, something I sometimes do after events like this,” Kate said. “Why don’t you join me?”
“Me?” Oh, dear God. A spa? With a former vice president? The spa was a formidable temptation, though. She could afford to splurge on that.
“Yes. Just you and me. I’d love to get to know the woman who lassoed Carson Adair’s heart.”
“Kate...” Carson warned.
Patrick chuckled and slipped his arm around Kate.
“All right, all right. Don’t listen to me. You’ll see what I mean in due time anyway.” She patted Carson’s shoulder. “You enjoy the party. I’ve got to go mingle and make sure these people hand over a good chunk of their money.” She turned to Georgia. “You. Me. Tomorrow afternoon. Two o’clock.”
Georgia almost said, Yes, ma’am. But Patrick whisked Kate away as she waved a temporary goodbye, leaving her alone with Carson.
“She’s very forthright,” she said almost to herself.
“She wants to get to know you better.”
She turned to his sly look. “Because she recognizes we’re a couple?”
“This is our first date,” he said.
She had to stop from allowing herself to believe that was what this really was. How foolish would she be to entertain the possibility that she could fit in with a family like this? Carson and Kate may be normal, as he’d put it, but there were plenty others in the mix who could inflict agony. All because of money. And her lack of it.
“Carson.”
Georgia followed the sound of the female voice and saw a woman in a silky black dress that V’d well below her breasts. Diamonds decorated her chest and wrists and dangled from her ears. Her blue eyes were as light as Carson’s and her jet-black hair was coiffed into an elaborate bun, wisps left to hang and tickle her shoulders. She must have a headful of long, shiny hair.
“Noreen?” Carson seemed startled to see the woman.
Of course he would know her, a beautiful, wealthy woman. Was this the type of woman he’d look for? He’d said he would because he’d know she wouldn’t be after his money.
“I called Kate to see if she’d heard from you and she invited me to her charity event,” she said. “I thought I’d come and see for myself that the rumors are true. You’ve left the military?” Her eyes roved all over his body. Was she sending him silent messages?
“Yes. I was injured.” He’d seemed happy to see her, but this wasn’t a topic he liked.
“Oh, you poor thing. That must have been terribly devastating. But you’re back. I can’t say that I’m sorry about that.” She smiled, big, white teeth flashing.
Georgia looked for an escape. Not knowing anyone here, she was stuck with this woman pretending she didn’t exist. She obviously would love to snag Carson as her man.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately,” the woman said. “About just after high school, wondering how things might have been different had you not gone away. I understand why you did, of course, but when I heard you were back in San Diego, I couldn’t help myself. I had to come.”
Georgia began to bristle over the woman’s audacity. Did she know who Georgia was and decided she didn’t matter? Ruby’s stepdaughter couldn’t be important enough for Carson.
“Noreen, this is Georgia Mason, my date.”
Noreen finally turned to Georgia. “Oh. Your date?” She looked confused.
“Hi.” Georgia offered her hand in greeting.
Noreen took it, but there was little warmth in her striking eyes. “You’re Ruby’s stepdaughter, aren’t you? The one who’s after Reginald’s inheritance?”
Annoyance burned in Georgia. Who did this woman think she was? Someone rich, that was for sure. She withdrew her hand. “Ruby is my stepmother. You’re right in that regard.”
“Ruby wasn’t after any inheritance. My father left a portion of his worth to her in his will. It’s rightfully hers,” Carson said.
“Oh. Well, if you say so. It’s hard to tell what’s the truth in the media.” She laughed, a fake laugh that was more for show.
“I’m sorry, Carson.” She laid it on thick some more. “Of course it’s her rightful inheritance. She was once married to Reginald. So, tell me, how is Ruby doing? It was just terrible what happened. And so long ago.”
“She’s doing well.”
“Good, good.” She glanced at Georgia. “So, when did this happen?” Her hand moved to indicate him and Georgia.
Carson slid his arm around Georgia, pulling her to his side. “This is our first date.”
Georgia was happy he’d labeled it that now—even if it wasn’t really a date.
“Oh.” She nodded as she scanned Georgia’s body, noticing the dress in more detail. “I thought Ruby married a construction worker. Your father.”
Georgia did not feel like talking to this person. “He ran a roofing company.”
She put a diamond-bedecked hand over the gap of silk on her chest, and Georgia was certain it was on purpose so that she’d see the money dripping from her fingers. “He was a roofer?”
“Entrepreneur. He owned the company.”
“Oh. So he did well for himself.” Down w
ent the hand.
Georgia stole a glimpse of Carson and saw his amusement. He was staying out of this, letting her find her own way against a piranha like Noreen. Didn’t he see that this was what she strove to avoid? Poisonous rich people like Noreen?
“He’s dead,” Georgia said, keeping her calm, “and no, we weren’t wealthy. But we weren’t starving, either.”
“Oh.”
If she said Oh one more time...
“And...what is it that you do, dear?”
Georgia was going to relish telling her. “I’m a librarian.”
“Oh.” Noreen looked at Carson as though she couldn’t believe he’d picked such a low-hanging fruit.
“Georgia loves books as much as I do,” he said to Noreen.
“Well, yes, and no wonder she became a librarian.” She turned to Georgia. “Where is your stepmother? I would think she’d have to go to San Diego to claim her inheritance. Is that how you met Carson? Did you go with your stepmother to San Diego?”
“I took a leave of absence to help her. She stayed in San Diego while we came here to follow up on some leads Reginald uncovered before he was killed.”
“Ah.” Noreen glanced around the ballroom, looking uncomfortable.
At least she’d used another word.
“Well,” Carson said. “It was nice running into you, Noreen. Georgia, would you like something to drink?”
She could have hugged him. “I’d love one.” Anything to get away from this woman.
“If you’ll excuse us.” He gave Noreen a bow of his head.
“Of course.” Flustered, Noreen stepped aside, and Carson kept his hand on the small of her back as they walked to one of the waiters holding a tray of glasses filled with champagne.
“Why did you take a leave of absence?” Carson asked her as he handed her a glass.
She hadn’t expected him to ask that. And she realized she didn’t have to tell Noreen. It had just slipped out. “For Ruby.”
Sensing him assess her and accurately deduce that she didn’t need to take a leave of absence to help Ruby with her inheritance. Some time off would have been enough. So why had she?
Before he could ask her, a man in his fifties approached.
“Robert.” Carson shook the man’s hand. “It’s been a while.”
“Ten years or more. I hear you’re back for good now. Going to run your dad’s company?”
“Robert, this is Georgia Mason.”
“Hello,” she said.
“Well, hello there.” He gave her a once-over as though she were caged in a stock show.
Another one? Georgia looked around at all the poised and prim aristocrats and couldn’t pick one from the other. Nice? Or snooty? She began to feel out of place.
Carson and Robert went into a long talk about EBIDA and stock shares. The topic of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization bored her to tears. She listened to Robert brag about his rising revenue and the new house he and his wife were building in Scotland. The yacht trip they’d just taken. He barely gave Carson time to talk. He was much more interested in discussing his possessions.
Georgia thought of home. How she longed to be there now, away from all this pretentiousness. If she and Carson took this date seriously and gave a relationship a try, how could she expect not to have to endure more evenings like this? She wanted nothing to do with any of it. If she never ran into another Noreen or Robert ever again in her life, she’d consider herself blessed.
“It’s always interesting to listen to you, Robert,” Georgia heard Carson say, “but I’ve got some people I’d like Georgia to meet.”
Robert looked a little miffed as Carson steered her away. Had Carson noticed her withdrawal? He couldn’t protect her from the people who surrounded him, the ones who were bound to be in his world. People who would never pop into her life. Her simple, humble life that she was beginning to miss.
Carson took her over to a good-looking couple. The man was as tall as Carson and had light brown hair like Carson, only it was longer—not difficult when compared to a military cut. His hazel eyes were strong and sure and full of love for the woman who stood beside him. Georgia saw the diamond ring on the woman’s ring finger. It was beautiful but understated. She was fairly tall, five-nine or so, and had auburn hair that was up in a bun, and her smiling light green eyes were full of life. This was what happiness looked like.
“Georgia Mason, this is Thad Winston and Lucy Sinclair. Thad is one of Kate’s sons and a damn good crime scene investigator. Lucy is his wife. Are you still nursing over at Duke?”
“Nice to meet you, Georgia.” Lucy took her hand. “I am still working there, but—” she turned to share an intimate look with her husband “—we’re having a baby, so I’m thinking about taking a break for a while.”
“She’s going to be a kept woman,” Thad said, earning a teasing glare from Lucy. After a chuckle, he said to them, “Lucy has to feel like she’s making her own way, even though we can afford her not working.”
They both had normal jobs. Yet they must have money, being Kate Winston’s family. She glanced over at Carson, sure that he’d introduced them to her for a calculated reason.
“Congratulations on the new baby,” Georgia said.
“Sophie is so excited,” Lucy said. “She wants a baby sister.”
“Kate told me you adopted her,” Carson said. “She’s a lucky girl.”
“We did,” Thad said proudly. “She’s our daughter. And we’re the lucky ones.”
“Precious daughter,” Lucy said. “Best thing that ever happened to us.” She looked at Georgia. “But hey, enough about our boring life, how great that you’re back, Carson. I mean, I was sorry to hear from Kate about Reginald, and that you had to quit the Marines, but it looks like it might turn out okay for you.” She said the last with a glance at Georgia. “You brought her with you to search for Jackson?”
“I’m here for my stepmother, Ruby.”
“Oh.” It was a much different oh than what had come from Noreen. Lucy must have gotten another impression about Georgia, one that had her here for Carson, not Ruby. “I didn’t know about her until Kate told us what happened.” She looked at Carson. “Are you doing all right? With your dad and all...”
“As good as I can. Finding Jackson will help.”
That, and forgiving his dad in the process. Georgia was pretty sure Carson wouldn’t be able to let go of his military career until he accepted what had made Reginald the way he was. When he did that, he’d be able to run AdAir Corp without feeling as if he’d become his father—the father who had turned away from his kids and whose reputation bordered on tyrant.
They talked for a while longer and Georgia thought she’d found a true friend in Lucy. By the time they moved on to some other guests, she struggled to keep her guard up.
“Come here.” Carson took her hand and led her to the dance floor, which was a space in the middle of the ballroom where people had gathered.
The DJ played a slow song, Georgia only then realized. “Carson.” She began to resist.
He drew her against him. “This is a date, remember?”
She sucked in her breath as her body pressed to his and her hands went to his chest. She tipped her head back a bit to look up at his face, so close to hers. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief and more. The mischief helped assure her this wasn’t a real date.
She followed his lead, acutely aware of his hand on her lower back and the way his other took one of hers. She slipped her hand up his chest to rest her hand on his shoulder.
As they swayed to the beat, she felt his every movement, his rock-hard muscles. Special Ops soldier muscles. Why did he make her so hot?
“What did you think of Thad and Lucy?” Carson asked.
“You know what I thought. They’re wonderful.”
“See?”
“You’re wonderful. Kate is wonderful.” She left it for him to assume by omission that there were others who were not wonderfu
l.
He grinned. “You think I’m wonderful?”
She’d stepped right into that trap. “You know what I mean.”
“No. I’m not sure I do.”
“You’re a nice man. If I’d have met you on the street I wouldn’t have guessed you were Reginald Adair’s son.”
“Oh. For a minute I thought you liked me.”
She smiled. Another man might have gotten defensive. “I do like you. It’s impossible not to.” The tone of her voice was seductive, a pure reaction to his flirtation, and the truth in the last that she said.
His gaze fell to her lips and when it traveled back to her eyes, no humor remained. There was a distinctive shift in energy between them. An unexpected blaze. Attraction that had been there from the start blossomed out of control. They stopped dancing.
Music faded away. People surrounding them, talking, laughing, joined the white noise. Nothing stood between them, no family members, no past hurts or cautions.
When Carson’s head came down, Georgia tilted hers up enough to accommodate his kiss. Soft. Warm. He only pressed his lips to hers at first. But that quickly intensified into a brushfire of sensation. He kissed her harder and she welcomed him. Then he withdrew. She felt empty and full of regret that something so powerful and lovely should end so soon.
Blinking herself back to clarity, she grew aware of where they were. No. This couldn’t happen. Not here. Not ever. Not with him. Stepping back, she saw that he was just as thunderstruck by the strength of the kiss.
She caught sight of Robert talking away with another man, who nodded mechanically. A pair of women watched the dance floor, and Georgia realized they were watching her, head tipped up and eyes judging. Did they know Carson? Did they know who she was? In an instant, she didn’t care. She was on a collision course with a life that Ruby had tried and failed to hang on to. And the intimacy dredged up memories she’d rather not ever think of again, memories with a man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with but who’d turned out not to love her after all. She’d been a possession to him.
Upset, Georgia walked off the dance floor and picked up into a jog to get away as fast as she could. She left the estate through the front doors. There were several limousines parked in the driveway along with a couple of taxis.
The Marine's Temptation Page 10
