He didn't live on the top floor. He laughed when she asked him about it. "No, those levels are for the very, very rich. I'm just fine at my middle level place, and in fact I could live anywhere because I'm normally not home much."
His apartment was roomy, and clearly decorated by an interior designer. It looked like it belonged in a magazine. "You don't live here much, do you," Holly said. "It doesn't have that lived-in look."
He laughed. "Let me show you my study." He led her to another room off the living area that was filled with a drafting desk, papers, books stacked on the floor and chairs, all of it in a jumble. "Now this looks lived in," she said with a smile.
As they walked back he asked, "Would you like a drink?"
"Yes, please. Some water would be good."
They moved to the very modern kitchen. "Wow, I could do some serious baking in this kitchen. Look at that counter top."
He shrugged. "And yet, it never gets used by me. I only heat things up in the microwave."
She shook her head, blond hair spilling across her shoulders. "That is a shame. Scones, that is what I would make first here."
"Scones? You can make those? My grandmother loves tea and scones. Hey..." His eyes opened wider. "Could you make some? For her? Not right now of course, but--"
"I'd love to," she said, warmth in her voice. The idea of baking for someone like his grandmother appealed to her.
"You can even do it here. Just tell me what to have on hand and you can use this kitchen."
"Okay, you've got a deal. But not until Saturday. I'm too swamped with work until then."
"Great, Saturday it is."
She sipped her water and felt a little bit awkward. Somehow the idea of sex had slid to the back burner. She glanced at him and found his knowing green eyes looking at her.
"You don't have to stay, you know. I know our agreement was only for once a week."
"Or more. No, I just got distracted and now..."
"Oh, I see." He moved closer to stand in front of her. "You aren't quite in the mood now, is that it?" His voice had gotten deeper and he reached a hand out to lift a tendril of hair away from her face. "I can understand that. It has been a long night." His hand trailed down her arm, and found her hand. He began slowly rubbing his thumb over the same spot in her palm, which she was shocked to discover had a direct connection to other places deep within her body. "A tour of my place isn't that sexy an activity, it's true." He bent his head so that his lips were against her ear. "But you haven't seen the bedroom yet."
That did it. A shiver ran through her body and she wanted him right there.
"You are," she whispered. "So damn good at this." Her arms came up and around his neck. His hands were running down her back, pushing her body against his. "I'm suddenly very in the mood."
"I thought you might be," he said with a low chuckle in her ear.
Chapter 4
The next morning Holly woke up in her own bed. She'd taken a cab from Jason's late at night because she hadn't brought any clothes with her. They had discussed possibly leaving clothes at each other's apartments. As she recalled, the discussion had been derailed by Jason's kisses on the side of her neck that had migrated downward.
Stretching, she felt a muscle twinge. What she needed was a hot shower. In the middle of shampooing her hair to the scent of wild fruits she remembered the scones. Sometime last night she'd agreed to make scones for Jason's grandmother--at Jason's kitchen on Saturday. The idea seemed different in the light of day. Was it too much involvement? She wondered. But what could it hurt really, making a few scones for a nice old woman?
Her day was booked with back-to-back appointments, half of them outside the office. She didn't make it in until eleven-thirty, and waved a greeting at Lana as she headed for her desk. In the doorway to her office she stopped short and stared. A huge bouquet of colorful balloons was tied to a chair. She burst out laughing.
She advanced into the office and could feel Lana right behind her. "When did these get here?"
Lana said, "This morning around nine-thirty. Is there something you want to tell me? I know it's not your birthday today."
"No, it's not my birthday. Did a card come with them?"
"It's there on your desk."
Holly picked up the little sealed envelope and opened it. A smile played around her lips as Lana watched curiously. The card read, 'My turn to send stuff. Thank you for everything. Let these fly free over the city and make a wish.'
"A satisfied client?" Lana asked.
Holly let out a short laugh. "You could say that." She turned and ran the little card through the shredder behind her desk. "Anything important come in while I was out?"
"Your sister called."
"Anna? I wonder what's up. I'll call her."
"Mr. Earlington's office called."
"What? Why?"
"Something about one of the new employees? I'm not sure. Mrs. Stone is the one who called."
Holly smiled distractedly. "Lana, I know you and Mrs. Stone are friends. You can call her Marla."
"Very well. Marla said Mr. Earlington was eager to speak to you."
Holly was surprised--and then remembered that she'd turned her phone off due to the morning meetings. "I'll get back to him also."
"I'll order up some lunch for you. Do you want anything in particular?"
"No, not really. Wait--something with protein. I need energy."
Lana nodded and left, closing the door behind her. Holly gazed up at the balloons again and called Jason's office. Mrs. Stone put her through right away.
"Holly! When I couldn't reach you this morning I was worried you hadn't made it home okay last night."
"I'm sorry. I turned off my phone for meetings. I made it home just fine. But I think maybe it does make sense to leave clothes in each other's apartments. Coming home at two a.m. isn't my favorite thing."
"I agree," he said, and she could hear the relief in his voice. He really had been worried about her.
"So what's with letting the balloons go and making a wish?"
"When I was a kid, my father would always say that once I was done playing with it I should let it go and make a wish. I discovered I liked watching the balloon soar into the air much more than any other fun I might have with it. Dad always said to make the wish but keep it a secret so it would come true."
She noticed how his voice had gotten quieter as he went back in memory. "It sounds like a lovely tradition. And by the way, thank you for sending them. They made me laugh when I got here."
He chuckled. "Good. Don't forget about Saturday and the scones. Should I buy ingredients?"
"Hmm. No, I think I'll bring them."
"Okay." He was quiet on the other end of the line for a moment. "I have a meeting tonight."
"Oh? Well, that might be good since we both could use a full night's sleep." She was surprised to feel a thread of disappointment at knowing she wouldn't see him tonight.
"Yes, I guess that's true."
"Tomorrow okay for you?"
She felt herself smile. "Tomorrow would be great. At my place. I'll provide the food."
"Sounds great," he said and sounded pleased.
They hung up and she stared at the phone for a few minutes. Then she sighed and called Anna.
"Hey Sis, what's up?" she asked.
"Holly, I have a favor to ask. It's about Sam's sister, Maggie."
"Sure. I was just thinking about her last night."
"Well, she isn't taking to the city as well as she'd expected. And her business isn't growing. Do you have any clients you could throw her way? Maybe take her to dinner or something?"
"This is perfect timing. Jason and I met with Rob last night for dinner and we discussed the need for someone to handle publicity for the project. I told them about Maggie. I can call her and if you all agree, we can bring her on board with the project as our publicity manager."
"That sounds great. But--you and Jason?"
"Rob asked us both to be
at the dinner meeting, yes."
"So you aren't--"
"Aren't what?"
"You know what I'm getting at. I thought the thing with you guys here in Sully Point was a one-shot deal, but if you got together it would be great."
"Anna, I swear to you, I am not getting involved with him. That is the last thing I'm interested in when it comes to Jason Earlington. Look, I'll call Maggie and set up dinner. Maybe tonight if she's free."
"Thanks. Sam will be relieved--and me too. I like Maggie and want to help her out."
"I'm on it. Give my love to the munchkin and your husband."
She felt only a moment's unease at how she'd gotten around Anna's questions about Jason. It wasn't that she was worried Anna wouldn't be pleased for her to get together with him. But if she thought there was something real, some kind of big involvement between then, then all Holly would hear from everyone was questions and innuendos about the future of the two of them. It was better just to keep things under wraps from the family.
* * * *
Lana met up with Marla at their favorite coffee shop for lunch. They'd been friends for ten years, helping one another during rough times in their lives and sharing the good ones.
Once Marla was settled into the booth and had ordered her usual chicken salad sandwich, Lana asked her, "So? Was it him?"
"I think it was him. I walked in when he was getting off the phone. I heard the address and it was your office. And when he saw me standing there he got all flustered."
"She wouldn't let me see the card, actually put it in the shredder right in front of me! I wonder what they're thinking, trying to keep it a secret."
Marla shrugged. "Who knows? I don't see how they'd have time for much of a relationship, what with his schedule."
"And hers. Of course, there are still the nights."
"True."
"But it doesn't make sense to me, Marla. She has strict rules for herself about not getting involved with clients. She has been adamant about that since I've known her."
"He is quite handsome and there is a kind of animal magnetism about him."
Lana raised an eyebrow at her friend.
Marla smiled. "I'm not dead yet, after all."
"Well, I hope she is breaking her own rules and getting involved. Maybe he's the one for her."
"I don't know him well enough yet to say what he needs. But I sense he has been a lonely man. You should have seen his face when he saw the flowers and read the card yesterday. He was as delighted as a kid, and very surprised, but mainly he was pleased."
"And we know those were from her because I got that confirmation call from the florist later in the day."
"This should be interesting," Marla said, with a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, very."
* * * *
Holly arranged to have dinner with Maggie Carter at her favorite Italian restaurant. The place was not fancy and sported paper placemats on old tables. But the food was scrumptious and the service terrific. She ordered a bottle of wine right away. Once they got that poured, she began to gently question Maggie about her life.
It was clear that they young woman had become quite disillusioned after six months in the city. Here she was going up against large P.R. firms and she really didn't stand a chance. As she listened to Maggie talk, Holly became more certain that the project could use her.
"I want to talk to you about something we need for the project. Someone, actually. We need you to work with us on the project."
Maggie had a gamine look to her, with short light brown curls in a naturally-appealing disarray and a heart-shaped face. Her big violet eyes took in everything Holly was saying about the project.
"Hold on, Holly, did Sam put you up to this? Is he trying to take care of me?"
"No, I came up with the idea last night at dinner with Rob Tremaine and Jason Earlington, the architect. We were discussing the need to control publicity both in Sully Point and here in the city. It would be helpful to have someone who knows the family, however. I'm sure you can see that as well."
"Okay. In a week or so I'll be almost totally free of obligations here, since my business has dwindled to nothing. I could focus on the project full time if it needs it."
They talked about the need to spend time in Sully Point and Holly made sure Maggie knew she could stay at the Grainger house, but Maggie said she'd stay with Sam, Anna, and her nephew. They were eating dessert when Maggie brought up Jason.
"So what's he really like?"
"Excuse me?"
"Mr. Earlington! I've seen his picture in the paper. Is he as handsome as the photos?"
Holly nodded. "Yes."
"He seems so intriguing, so young to be so accomplished. Talented, sexy, he has it all."
"I guess it does seem like that."
"But you never see a girlfriend with him in any of the photos. Maybe he's gay."
"No, definitely not."
Maggie looked surprised. "How do you know?"
"I--uh--I--from something he said in a meeting."
"Oh. I wonder who his girlfriend is then, since she's not in the celebrity news with him."
"Could be anybody. Are you about done?"
Maggie nodded. "Will I have access to him?"
"Access?"
"Yes, to set up interviews or a photo shoot. We'll want to use his connection to the project."
"Oh yes, I'm sure eventually we will. Why don't you work on finishing up your current obligations, then call me and we'll go from there."
"Sounds great. Thanks so much for the opportunity, Holly."
"Sure, no problem."
As she watched Maggie head for the subway, Holly thought about her own access to Jason. It had only been a few nights but she already was used to seeing him. Going home to an empty apartment now held no appeal.
Sighing, she hailed a cab and got in. When the driver asked for the address, she found Jason's apartment address slipping out of her mouth. She started to correct that, and then leaned back against the seat. Why not? A surprise was always good.
* * * *
Jason found concentrating on his dinner meeting difficult. He'd realized halfway through that he wasn't interested in working for this group, a consortium of three wealthy men. He was regretting missing out on an evening with Holly just to meet with unimaginative, ultra-conservative potential clients.
Once he got back to his apartment he seriously considered calling her. And decided against it. He could certainly go one night without seeing her, he reassured himself. He got out of his suit and pulled on some faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt. He started to go into his home office but stopped to put some music on. The station on the radio was playing slow jazz. Not quite the mood music for working, he thought with a wry smile. Now if Holly were with him, that music would be just right.
The doorbell rang. When he looked at the view screen and saw Holly standing there, he felt a big smile spread across his face. He had already given her name to the doorman the other day, so she was standing right outside his door. He opened it and said, "It took you long enough."
She laughed and walked past him into the living room. She took off her high heels and set her briefcase and handbag on the couch. He had followed her and stood waiting. She shrugged off a turquoise jacket that matched her skirt. The cream colored blouse under it was sleeveless. She walked up to him and said, "Your arms around me would be just about perfect."
He gathered her into his arms and held her close. He felt her sigh against his chest. "Long day?"
"Very. I was headed home, but somehow your address is what I gave to the cabbie."
"I'm glad." He began to slowly move her around the room, dancing to the slow sensuous beat of the music.
"We're dancing," she said, sounding surprised.
He chuckled. "Yes, it happens sometimes with music."
"I like it."
He liked the feel of her body against his. There was no urgency in this moment. Only a patient inevitability. They
both knew where they were headed. But how they got there was just as important.
She relaxed against him and swayed to the music.
"Can I take your hair down?" It was in some kind of upswept look.
She nodded.
He felt with his fingers until he found the two clips holding it in place and took them out. Watching her golden hair fall down to her shoulders he smiled into her big brown eyes. "Your hair is the most amazing gold color."
She smiled at him. "How was your dinner meeting?"
"Lousy. How was yours?"
"How did you know I had a dinner meeting?"
"You came here still dressed in work clothes. And you didn't bring any to change into tomorrow morning."
"Yeah, that means I'll be headed back out in the middle of the night."
He frowned. "Holly, don't do that again. Wait until five when I get up."
"But I was fine when I did it last time."
"I know I'm not completely reasonable on this topic, but it's because of my parents. You never know who is out on the streets so late at night. Either I go with you at night or you wait until morning, okay?"
She thought about it and nodded. "I'll wait until morning. Might as well get a decent night's sleep. And I'm making time tomorrow to drop off some clothes here. Can I leave a garment bag with your doorman?"
"Sure, that'd be fine."
He ran a hand through his wavy hair and smiled ruefully. "Well, all that practicality certainly changed the mood I was creating."
She laughed and ran her hand down his chest to the button of his jeans. "I just bet I can fix that."
Later that night, before he fell asleep, Jason thought he might be the luckiest man in the city.
* * * *
Saturday arrived quickly, between days filled with work and nights spent with Jason. Holly visited the market down the street from her building to pick up ingredients and then took a cab to his place. The doorman knew her now and waved her on up. By ten a.m. she was ensconced in Jason's kitchen staring at a brand new sleek black Kitchen Aid mixer. "When I said I'd need a mixer I didn't expect you to buy a top of the line stand mixer. But, hey, great job."
Love Captures the Heart (Sully Point, Book 3) Page 6
