Not at Eight, Darling

by Sherryl Woods

  “We do now,” he said, kissing her thoroughly before rushing out the door. On his way out he practically crashed into Heath and Danielle, who were so embroiled in yet another heated argument about the latest script for Goodbye, Again that they barely acknowledged him.

  “What’s the problem this time?” Barrie asked them resignedly, picking hungrily at the little mound of fried rice not ravaged by Michael.

  “I say Karen should go out with another man, even though she’s involved with Mason,” Heath explained.

  Barrie’s head jerked up as she was struck by the strangest sense of déjà vu. The show was mirroring her life again.

  “I mean, why not?” Heath continued, glowering at Danielle. “There’s no commitment. She hadn’t made any promises to him, and this other guy is pursuing her.”

  “Is she attracted to him?” Barrie asked curiously, wondering if her lack of interest in Jeff Taylor physically had played a role in her refusal of his invitation.

  “The guy is a hunk. Of course she’s attracted to him. That’s what it’s all about.”

  “But is that kind of attraction alone enough for her to risk hurting Mason?” Danielle demanded skeptically. “I don’t think so. It makes her seem shallow and callous.”

  “No. It just shows she has a strong sense of her own sexual needs. She’d think Mason could—or should—take it, just the way women have been accepting it for years that unless they’re married to a guy, he’s got the right to roam.”

  Danielle turned to Barrie for support. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know,” Barrie admitted finally. “A month ago I’d have said let her go. Mason can stand up for himself. But now it seems wrong.” Just as it had seemed wrong to her only moments ago to accept a date with Jeff Taylor simply to make Michael jealous. She appealed to Danielle, tears glistening in her eyes. “What’s happening to me?”

  Danielle’s face was instantly full of concern. “Sweetie, it’s just a television show. Why are you so upset?”

  Before she could explain, she realized that Heath was staring at her as though she’d betrayed him. “I thought you were the liberated woman, just like Karen. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, and all that sort of thing.”

  “Your sense of timing is lousy, Donaldson,” Danielle growled. “Can’t you see that? Get out of here.”

  “But we haven’t settled this.”

  “We’ll settle it later.”

  When he had gone, Barrie admitted to Danielle that her own emotional turmoil was forcing her to rethink the character she’d created, as well. The Karen she’d created wouldn’t have thought twice about dating a whole string of men, even if one of them happened to care very deeply for her and she for him. There would have been emotional safety in a crowd, protection from a commitment that could go painfully awry.

  “But I can’t play it safe that way anymore,” she confessed. “It wouldn’t do any good, anyway. I’m in love with Michael.”

  Danielle raised her hands in a victory gesture. “At last,” she said triumphantly. “Are you going to marry him?”

  Barrie quirked a brow. “Who said anything about marriage? He won’t even live with me, and he’s certainly not in love with me.”

  “Oh, posh-tosh. Who says?”

  “I do. I practically asked him point-blank, and he avoided using those words as if they were missing from his vocabulary. He said everything else but that. He cares. He wants me. He needs me. But love? Forget it.”

  “Honey, I’ve seen the look in that man’s eyes. He’s not about to let you get away, and I don’t think he’ll settle for anything less than marriage, no matter what he does or doesn’t say. Give him some time.” She grinned at Barrie. “Don’t you think those incredible thighs are worth waiting for?”

  “I’m more interested in his mind.”

  “Uh-huh. Of course you are,” Danielle said dryly.

  “A man’s legs are not a great basis for a marriage.”

  “Maybe,” Danielle retorted without conviction. “Think of it this way, then. You’ll never have to explain to him what a demographic is or how a rating is determined, and he has great thighs. Where would you ever find another man with those credentials?”

  Barrie winced. “Don’t even mention ratings. Every time I look at ours, I get this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.”

  “They’ll get better.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  “If they don’t, you can just remind yourself that it was Goodbye, Again that brought you and Michael together.”

  “It may be the thing that drives us apart, too,” she countered candidly.

  “I love your optimism.”

  “I’m just trying to be realistic.”

  “The reality is that Michael Compton is crazy about you, and I refuse to listen to any more of your silly doubts.”

  “I thought that’s what I paid you for.”

  “No. You pay me to direct a television show. Being your friend is something I do out of the goodness of my heart and because of my insatiable curiosity.”

  “Curiosity?”

  “Of course. Ever since I realized you intended to set the world on its ear, I’ve wanted to stick around and see how it turned out.”

  “How am I doing so far?”

  “You’re getting better every day. Now plan something spectacular for tonight, something dear old Michael won’t be able to resist.”

  “Any idea what that might be?”

  Danielle feigned shock. “My dear, I don’t know the man that well.” She winked at her. “But you sure do.”

  When Danielle had gone, Barrie tried to think of something wildly romantic and impetuous that would set Michael Compton on his ear. She ticked off every fantasy she’d ever had, every tale she’d heard of other crazy, funfilled flings. When the perfect idea finally struck her, she couldn’t wait to put her plan into action. She made several phone calls, had a hurried conference with Danielle about that night’s taping, then raced out of the studio to take care of several errands. At four-thirty she walked into Michael’s office unannounced.

  His head was bent over the papers on his desk, and a frown of concentration knit his brows. He was so engrossed in his work, that he didn’t even glance up at her entrance. She cleared her throat loudly.

  “Just put them over there,” he muttered without looking up.

  “Put what over where?”

  His head came up then, and he stared at her in surprise. A slow, sensual smile transformed his face. Barrie smiled back. So far, so good. He hadn’t tossed her out on her ear.

  “Busy?” she asked, perching on the edge of his desk.

  “Not too busy to see you. What’s up? Has something happened since I saw you at lunch?”

  “Can you take a break?”

  He dropped his pencil and leaned back. “Sure. I’m all yours.”

  “Good. Come with me.”

  He shook his head. “I said I could take a break. I didn’t mean I could get away from the office.”

  “Sure you can,” Barrie countered confidently.

  “I have appointments yet this afternoon.”

  “Not anymore.”

  He stared at her blankly. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean they’ve been cancelled.”

  “Who cancelled them?”

  “I did.”

  His expression altered to one of shocked disbelief. “Barrie, how could you do that? They were important.”

  “Not as important as what I have in mind. I checked with Mrs. Hastings just to be sure,” she said firmly. “Now get your jacket and come on.”

  He sighed and relented finally. “When you get that determined little gleam in your eye, I suppose it’s pointless for me to refuse.”

  “Do you really want to?”

  He looked from her to Mrs. Hastings, who was standing in the doorway beaming at the two of them with maternalistic satisfaction.

  “You’re involved in this conspiracy,
aren’t you? You know what’s going on?” he demanded of her.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied dutifully.

  “Would you mind telling me?”

  She grinned at Barrie, then looked back at him with an expression of pure innocence. “Sorry. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”

  “But you’re my secretary,” he reminded her, then added pointedly, “For now.”

  “I am also a woman who loves surprises,” she retorted tartly. “And don’t you go threatening me, young man. I was here before you came, and I daresay I’ll be here after you’re gone. Now you just run along and have a good time. Don’t be such a stuffed shirt.”

  “Stuffed shirt?” Michael’s eyes widened, and he shot Barrie an accusing glance. “Are you proud of yourself? It’s your fault that my secretary called me a stuffed shirt.”

  “And well she should,” Barrie commented dryly. “I’ve never seen a grown man so terrified of a little surprise.”

  “The last time someone tried to surprise me I walked into a room filled with 300 of my nearest and dearest friends, all of whom had been celebrating so long before my arrival that they barely noticed me.”

  “That must have been a blow to your ego,” Barrie commented, grinning at him.

  “If it will help, I guarantee you that I’ll notice you,” she promised seductively. “In fact, I won’t take my eyes off you.”

  He threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Okay. When you put it like that, I don’t dare refuse. Lead on.”

  Outside, Michael’s limousine was waiting with the driver standing smartly at attention.

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “It’s part of the surprise.”

  “You ordered my limousine?”

  Barrie shook her head. “Of course not,” she denied indignantly. “Mrs. Hastings did.”

  “Thank goodness,” he chuckled. “I see. Is there any point in my asking where we’re going?”

  “None.”

  “I don’t like this,” he said as they entered the limo.

  “You don’t like not being in control. Relax.”

  “I’m virtually kidnapped out of my own office in the middle of the afternoon, and you tell me to relax. You’re the kidnapper. Why should I trust you?”

  “Because I’m entirely trustworthy.”

  “That remains to be seen.”

  Barrie reached into her purse and extracted a white scarf. Michael eyed her doubtfully.

  “What’s that?”

  “A scarf.”

  “I know that. What’s it for?”

  Barrie took a deep breath. This was going to be the hard part. She groaned. Who was she kidding? It might very well be the impossible part.

  “It’s a blindfold,” she offered casually.

  Before she’d completed the sentence, Michael was already shaking his head. Decisively. “Uh-uh. No way. I draw the line at blindfolds.”

  “Michael,” she said sweetly, curving herself into his side and running her fingers down his chest. She could feel his heartbeat speed up. “Remember how much fun we had when you talked me into getting onto the swing?”

  He eyed her warily. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Remember how pleased you were that I was willing to take a risk on that?”

  “Yes,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing distrustfully. “But I am not wearing that blindfold,” he repeated adamantly.

  Barrie stared directly into his eyes and waited. Their gazes locked, held. “Please.”

  Michael moaned. “Barrie,” he pleaded.

  “Michael.” Her tone was soft, cajoling.

  “Oh, okay. Give me the damn thing.”

  She smiled at him brightly. “Thank you.”

  As soon as the blindfold was in place, she reached back into her purse. “Now, hold still a minute.”

  “What the hell are you doing now?”

  “Ear plugs.”

  “What!” Michael’s shout reverberated through the limousine, and Barrie noted that the driver’s glance in the rearview mirror was thoroughly amused. “Forget it!”

  “Please, Michael. Don’t spoil my surprise.”

  “Dear Lord, woman, what are you up to?”

  “It’s just for a little while. I promise.”

  When the earplugs were in place, Barrie sat back in satisfaction and held tightly onto Michael’s hand. Her grip was intended to keep him from ripping off the blindfold and tearing out the earplugs even more than it was to feel the warmth of his touch. She had a feeling his compliance with her odd demands would be very short-lived. Fortunately she only needed another half hour or so.

  They completed the ride in silence, and when the car stopped, Michael immediately reached for the blindfold with his free hand. Barrie nabbed his hand in the nick of time and removed one ear plug.

  “Not yet,” she said and quickly put the plug back in place.

  With the assistance of the driver, she led Michael from the car, across the pavement and up a long flight of stairs, ignoring his angry mutterings and the amused grins of everyone they passed. When they reached their destination, she pushed him down into a seat, thanked the driver and sat down next to him. By now he was thoroughly docile, though she had a feeling that at any minute he would rise up and rebel. When she heard the engines roar to life, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  And when the plane began taxiing down the runway, she reached over and removed the ear plugs and blindfold.

  “Where the hell are we?” Michael immediately grumbled, looking around. His eyebrows shot up in amazement. “We’re on a plane.”

  He couldn’t have looked any more stunned if he’d found himself on a spaceship. “What are we doing on a plane?”

  “Going to dinner,” she announced casually, picking up a magazine and thumbing through it. He snatched it from her.

  “Look me in the eye and say that again.”

  “We’re going to dinner,” she repeated, staring him straight in the eye.

  “Where?” He sounded shaky.

  “Hawaii.”

  Once the full impact of what Barrie had done sank in, Michael burst out laughing, much to her relief.

  “You’re incredible!” he announced, giving her a kiss that literally took her breath away.

  She regarded him closely. He seemed happy enough. “You’re not angry?”

  “How can I be mad at a beautiful woman who is taking me to dinner in one of the most romantic places in the world?” He paused. “You are taking me, aren’t you? Or is part of the surprise that I’m paying for all of this?”

  She grinned at him impishly. “Well, Mrs. Hastings did make the arrangements. She was sure you were too much of a gentleman to let me pay.”

  “Right,” he said dryly.

  “I did offer.”

  “I’m sure you did. Mrs. Hastings is a very generous woman…with my money.” He reached up and pushed the call light for the stewardess. “I think I could use a drink.”

  Barrie watched him warily. The last thing she’d wanted to do was get the sweet, very cooperative Mrs. Hastings into trouble. “Don’t be mad at her,” she begged. “After all, this was my idea.”

  “I know that,” he said. “She’d never dream this one up on her own.”

  “You’re not going to fire her, are you?”

  “Good heavens, no. Didn’t you hear her say she’d be around the network long after I was gone? She knows where all the bodies are buried. She could blackmail every one of us.”

  “Mrs. Hastings would never do that!” Barrie replied indignantly. “She is the kindest, sweetest, most loyal secretary in the world. She adores you.”

  “Don’t you ever tell her, but I think she’s pretty terrific, too. Though I think I’ll remind her that the next time some liberated woman wants to fly me across the Pacific for dinner, she should keep my credit card numbers out of it.”

  “If we talk about the show, you could charge it to your expense account,” Barrie suggested slyly. “W
ould you feel better about that?”

  Michael’s eyes widened. “My God! The show! It’s Friday. You have a taping tonight.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Danielle’s handling everything. The rehearsal came off last night without a hitch. Tonight will be a breeze.”

  “What happened to that noble producer who kept telling me that she was part of a team and that she’d never abandon them?”

  “I’m not abandoning them. I’m letting them try out their wings. Everyone can use a little independence, you know,” she told him nonchalantly.

  “Are you sure Heath won’t rewrite the script and put in a passionate love scene just to get even with us for leaving?”

  “If he does, we can just edit it out again,” she soothed. “Now stop worrying.”

  He chuckled suddenly. “It’s nice to see you finally loosening up.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “That the woman I met a few weeks ago would never have walked away from her television show for a mere dinner date.”

  “Love, this is no mere dinner date, as you call it,” she retorted, adding with dramatic emphasis, “We are having a romantic fling.”

  His smile widened, and he put his arm around her. “Tell me more,” he murmured softly into her ear. “This is sounding better and better.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Dinner on the terrace of a suite overlooking the ocean and Diamond Head had been sheer perfection. Soft breezes filled with sweet tropical scents touched their skin with a lover’s gentleness, and the swaying of palm trees created an island music. A basket of fresh Hawaiian fruit, a bottle of chilled champagne and orchids on the pillows had provided the romantic finishing touches. But it was Michael’s tenderness, his exquisite caresses, his whispered words that had filled the evening with romance.

  Barrie lay by his side at dawn and watched him, her body sated, her heart filled to overflowing with a love more powerful than she had ever dared to dream of. She had hardly slept, not wanting to miss a moment of this beautiful time together. She couldn’t seem to get enough of the sheer joy of looking at him, at his broad chest with its masculine shadow of hair, at his flat stomach, his curved bottom and those thick muscular thighs that seemed to symbolize exactly how powerful and virile he was.