by Unknown
Shane could have smacked himself on the head. Rio certainly would have. Some cover. “I’m still weighing my options.”
“Of course,” she quickly said, obviously embarrassed.
“Please tell Paige I’ll see her later. The zip disk is on the right-hand side of her computer. Good-bye.” Trying to figure out where and why Paige had disappeared, Shane headed for the elevator. Passing an open door, he caught a flash of movement. Paige.
He stepped inside the room. She whirled abruptly, her gray eyes huge in her troubled face. “What happened between this morning and now?”
“I—”
He saw the lie forming. He closed the door and advanced on her. “Did Russell get to you?”
“Russell?” she cried incredulously. “He had nothing to do with this.”
The pounding in his brain only lessened marginally. “Do you mind clarifying what this is?”
“I—”
His patience was nearing the breaking point. “Paige, don’t think. Just spit it out.”
“With your skills, you could relocate anyplace.”
Me. Shane had never felt on shakier grounds or more at a crossroads. He had run out of time to decide if he planned to see where the attraction between them led—or take the corporate jet back to Santa Fe. He knew it wouldn’t be the happily-ever-after Paige’s mother said she wanted.
And then what? He’d still miss her, want to be with her. But she was the type of woman who wanted forever, and he was a man who wanted no strings.
“I need to get back to my office.” She started past him, and he caught her arm.
“I didn’t expect this to happen,” he said quietly.
“You think I did?” she asked just as quietly, finally looking at him. Her soft mouth trembled.
His other hand lifted to cup her exquisite face. “No. I imagine not.” His thumb stroked her smooth skin. “I have no intention of leaving for the time being, but I want you to know up front that I’m not much on long-term relationships.”
Her gaze remained fixed on him. “That’s a shame because that’s the only kind I want.” She walked out, leaving him staring after her.
Paige made it back to her office by sheer force of will. She might eventually see the humor that the man who had just hurt her so deeply was the man who taught her to keep her head up.
She should have known he wasn’t for her. Shane was a fierce protector, intelligent, assertive. He’d want a woman his equal.
A knock sounded on her door. Hope surged through her. She quickly ran her hand over her hair. “Come in.”
Jackie stuck her head in, the anxious frown on her face deepening on seeing Paige’s miserable expression. “Can I come in?”
Her throat suddenly too tight to speak, Paige nodded. She would not cry.
Jackie rounded the desk to lean back against it and stared down at Paige. “I just saw Shane leave. He had the look of a man I wouldn’t want to cross. When Doris saw him from behind, she called his name, but the dangerous expression on his face when he turned had her scurrying back to her office.”
“His scary look.”
“Since he’s obviously p.o.’ed and you’re not at your best, I take it things didn’t go well in the break room,” Jackie said softly.
Paige linked her fingers. “No. He’s not into long-term relationships.”
“Paige.” Jackie drew out the name, then caught the back of Paige’s high-back leather chair and spun her around to face her. “Weren’t you listening to me earlier? Some men don’t know what they want until a woman shows them.”
“Women have tried changing men’s minds before with disastrous consequences.” She didn’t know from personal experience, of course, but all the talk shows and numerous articles she’d read on relationships said as much. It was best to cut her losses now. Somehow she’d get over him.
Perhaps in fifty or sixty years.
Jackie tsked. “You can’t change a lying, cheating, no-good man who’d rather spend your money than his, drive your car instead of getting one or getting his repaired, who wants to stay at your place rent-free and expects you to be ready to cook and have sex whenever he wants. You can’t tell me Shane is like that.”
“No, of course he isn’t,” Paige said, aghast. “What woman would want a man like that?”
“Plenty, including me. Until one morning I looked at the lazy bastard sleeping while I was getting ready to go to work.” Jackie’s mouth tightened. “I was so scared that I’d never find anyone that I settled for anything-in-pants.”
“I’m sorry,” Paige said, reaching out to touch Jackie’s arm. “I didn’t mean to make you think of unpleasant memories.”
Jackie patted Paige’s hand in reassurance. “You haven’t. That was actually a proud day. I was late to work that day because I threw his lazy behind out. After that it was a long dry spell, but I wasn’t accepting just anything-in-pants. If he couldn’t step up to the plate and come correct, I kept walking.”
Paige believed her. There was a fierceness about Jackie that she admired. “You’re a strong woman.”
Folding her arms, Jackie smiled. “I’d like to think so, but the right man can make the smartest woman act like a fool.”
“That I believe.” Shane had certainly tied her in knots and made her act out of character. All for nothing.
“But the right man can also make a woman float on air,” Jackie mused, her face dreamy, she ran her thumb over the half-carat diamond center stone in her engagement ring.
“Been there, too,” Paige confessed.
“And you’re giving up?”
Paige squirmed in her chair. Jackie’s words were almost a challenge. Part of Shane’s rule number two popped in her head. Never give up. “I’m not sure what else to do.”
“I’d say, continue what you’re doing. You look sensational this morning and we both know why. I bet Shane noticed.”
Paige brightened a bit at the thought. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off me.”
“You see. We already know other women are trying to get his attention, but he’s interested in only one woman.”
Paige sat up straighter in her chair. “Me.”
“You.”
“Is that how you changed Aaron’s mind?” Paige asked.
“Just showing him that being with him was the most important thing to me went a long way, too.” Jackie leaned over and whispered, “A little massage oil in the right places cinched the deal.”
Both women burst out laughing. “Don’t forget where you purchased it,” Paige said, imagining her hands all over Shane’s muscled, gorgeous body. She quivered and got a bit light-headed at the thought.
“No way. It’s the first thing I plan to pack for our honeymoon.” Jackie sighed. “Only six more weeks and I’m Mrs. Aaron Baskin.”
In six weeks Shane could be gone. “Jackie, I’m going shopping for a few things at lunch. Care to come along?”
Jackie chuckled. “Shane won’t know what hit him until it’s too late.”
Paige grinned. “That’s the idea.”
When the limousine carrying the governor’s wife arrived at Neiman Marcus for the luncheon, Shane was stationed by the first-floor elevator. He’d already been cleared by her security and assured by a call from Daniel that morning that the “situation” would be handled. The governor’s wife would support Mrs. Albright. Shane was there to remind her.
The governor’s wife might go along with the plan, but she might also conveniently “forget.” He’d learned she liked doing things her way. Women were unpredictable.
One woman in particular was Paige. He’d blown it at her office, but he planned to rectify things as soon as he saw her tonight. A babble of excited voices interrupted his thoughts and alerted him that the governor’s wife was inside the store and heading for the elevator being held for her.
A throng of security guards and press followed the elegantly dressed woman every step. They entered the elevator. Shane followed. Two guards blocked the pres
s and onlookers from entering after him.
“Might I say that your husband is doing a commendable job as governor, and has the support of many?” Shane said, staring straight ahead.
“So I’ve heard. What is your name?” she asked, removing her large-rimmed Chanel sunglasses.
“Shane Elliott,” he answered, looking down at her. She stared back. This woman wouldn’t back down from anyone. Things just got a bit dicey.
“Well, you’re about to learn what my husband learned many years ago. I don’t do lip service.”
His gaze didn’t waver. “A woman who loves her children more than anything in this world needs your help against those who’d rather tear someone to shreds than reach out a helping hand.”
The elevator door slid open. Turning away, she stepped out of the elevator and met the welcoming committee. In front were Mrs. Osgood and Mrs. Franklin, who gushed and presented the governor’s wife with a large bouquet of red roses.
Shane followed the security team off, but hung back as the women made their way to the podium. They were no more than twelve feet inside the Zodiac restaurant when the group stopped. He moved until he could see the reason.
The governor’s wife stood in front of Mrs. Albright. The two were holding each other’s hands and talking. The beady-eyed women’s mouths were clamped tightly in anger. Shane wanted to roar with laughter.
The governor’s wife said something to Mrs. Franklin, then continued to the head table, taking Joann with her. She was putting her stamp of approval on Mrs. Albright. He was about to leave when one of the security guards stopped him.
“Yes?”
The burly man leaned over and whispered, “She wanted you to know that if she hadn’t agreed, you know what you could have done with the order to support Mrs. Albright.”
“Please tell her thank you.” Shaking his head, he proceeded to the elevator. Now if he could just solve the problems between himself and Paige.
Shane checked his watch a hundred times that day. The hours dragged by slowly as he waited for Paige to come home. They needed to talk. He shoved his hand over his head, paced in his room.
What would he say differently, do differently to make her understand? I want your body, but I plan to leave when I get tired of it.
Muttering a curse, he spun. He’d kick his own ass or any man’s who ever even insinuated anything so heartless and cruel. He was caught between his desire for her and her desire for a lifetime.
One of them was going to lose, and it looked as if it was going to be him. He could probably seduce her. She was inexperienced, and he knew a thousand ways to pleasure a woman.
But even the idea left a foul taste in his mouth, a hard knot in his stomach. He’d cut off his arm rather than treat her so callously. There had to be a middle ground. Blade was the negotiator of their unit. This was all new to Shane. His expertise had been computers. Those he understood.
Computers were built by men to perform certain functions. They did no more or less than they were programmed to do. You didn’t have to deal with emotions or logic, just hard facts and functions that never varied. You always knew what you’d get if you hit a certain key.
With Paige he was in the dark, making one mistake after another. He refused to believe there would be no common ground.
He checked his watch again. Five twenty. He whirled to the door. Paige should be coming home soon. He’d meet her outside and they’d drive someplace quiet where they could talk. He’d seen Macy earlier and told her they wouldn’t be home for dinner—or supper, as they called it in the South.
He stepped out on the bricked porch and walked down to the flagstone driveway, not paying the least attention to the soothing waters of the large fountain directly in front of the front door. He’d make her listen. Paige was a reasonable woman, sweet and a bit malleable . . . or at least she had been.
Hearing the engine of a car, his head lifted. Even before the Lexus came into view, he knew it wasn’t Page’s Audi. Mrs. Albright waved as she continued around the side of the house edged with boxwoods toward the garage.
He checked his watch again, then he walked out a bit so the statue in the spewing fountain wouldn’t impede his view.
Paige, where are you?
“Shane.”
He spun around. Mrs. Albright stood in the arched doorway. She still wore the lavender Chanel suit she had on at the luncheon. “You aren’t waiting for Paige by any chance, are you?”
“Yes,” he answered, thinking the less said the better.
Frowning, she stepped onto the porch. “I thought she told you.”
“Told me what?” He knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say by the uneasy expression on her face.
“She called me after I left the luncheon. She’s gone out with a friend and doesn’t expect to be home until late.”
Stunned, he stared at her. Like mother, like daughter. Paige had outmaneuvered him. “How was the luncheon?”
Mrs. Albright smiled brightly. “Exactly as Bitsy and I planned.”
“Excuse me?”
Mrs. Albright’s smile turned into happy laughter. “The governor’s wife’s nickname. She and I have been friends since we were in grade school. I called her last night to tell her what was going on and asked for her help.”
Shane shook his head. She hadn’t needed him at all. What’s more, the governor’s wife had made sure he knew she followed her own conscience.
The night he and Paige had caught the thieves in her office, Shane had been bluffing when he’d thrown the Albrights’ connections with the governor at the police officer to get the security guards to lower their weapons. “You mind if I ask why you hadn’t sought her help before?”
Anger replaced the laughter. She rubbed her wrist. “There were repercussions for making waves. I had to protect Paige and Zachary.”
Shane cursed silently. Marshall Albright had physically and mentally abused his wife, and used her love for her children to control her. “You’re free now.”
Sadly, she shook her head. “No. I have friends, good friends as Bitsy proved today, but Paige moves in the same circle. If word leaked out about Trent it would devastate her. Yet I want to shout to the world that he’s mine.” She swallowed. “He understands and has never looked at me with anything but love, although I gave him away a week after he was born.”
“To protect him,” Shane reminded her. “He realizes that.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes. “Now I have to protect Paige. I think Zach would understand in time. He is worldlier than Paige. However, I can’t risk telling either of them. I couldn’t bear it if they turned their backs on me.”
“But it’s just as difficult not being able to acknowledge Trent,” Shane said with certainty.
“Yes,” she admitted. “But I won’t lose hope. Somehow, some way, this will all work out. We’ll all be happy.”
Shane certainly hoped so. All of them were caught in an impossible situation. Time would tell if happiness or heartache waited for them.
Chapter 14
It was half past ten when Paige turned into her driveway. After their lunch and shopping spree, Jackie had suggested they change plans and stop after work to eat dinner and strategize. They’d decided to eat at the grill-and-tavern where Gayle served as the hostess, and Noah as waiter. It had been the right decision.
Gayle had seated them at a table near the window in Noah’s section. Learning that Jackie had donated the carpet for their apartment, they insisted on taking care of her meal. As Paige expected, her friend and boss nixed the idea. It had been her pleasure, she told them. But she couldn’t resist the chocolate dessert Noah served after they finished their meal, and neither could Paige.
It had been a fun, relaxing evening, leaving Paige feeling a bit more optimistic on the outcome between her and Shane. She might be inexperienced but, after sitting on the sidelines watching people for so long, she’d learned that what people did, didn’t always match what they said. Russell popped into her m
ind as one of the talkers instead of the doers.
She’d tried to be non-judgmental because of her father’s wishes. There was no comparison between the two men. Shane would always put her first, not himself. He cared, and she intended to do everything in her power to build on that.
Parking in the garage, she took the curved path to the back kitchen door. Her mother’s bedroom lights were on and so were Shane’s. According to Jackie, he wouldn’t be pleased that they hadn’t been able to talk or that she had blithely gone about her business while he was probably stewing in his own juices.
Paige wrinkled her nose and reached to unlock the back door. Shane wasn’t the “stewing” type. The door jerked open.
Shane stood there and he had that hard, dangerous look that made men and women run. Paige smiled at him. “Thanks, but I had my key ready.” Purposefully, she brushed against him and was rewarded by the sudden stiffening of his body. “Good night.”
“Where have you been?” he growled, shutting the door with a sharp snap.
If there was one person who kept his cool, it was Shane. He was furious and not shy about showing it. Paige danced inside and lifted innocent eyes to his. “With friends. I had a wonderful time.”
“You went shopping?” he asked, relief in his voice as he noted the clothes from a popular women’s store in a plastic bag draped over her arm. “We need to talk.”
She yawned, patted her mouth. “Maybe tomorrow. I’m tired. See you in the morning.” She kept walking, feeling his eyes burning into her, fighting the instinct to run.
A little after eight fifteen the next morning, wondering if she had overplayed her hand, Paige continued downstairs to breakfast, her heeled sandals muted on the silk runner on the stairs. Last night she had half expected Shane to follow her up the stairs or at the very least be waiting for her when she came out of her room this morning. He’d done neither.
Her footsteps seemed unnaturally loud as she reached the Italian marble that covered the wide entryway. The sound probably coincided with her booming heart. She entered the kitchen and conversation stopped. Shane, who had been about to sip his coffee, jerked his head up. His eyes narrowed, then widened. Her heart boomed louder. Her mother lifted an inquiring brow.
