by Ruth Langan
Minutes later he stepped out of the elevator on the sixth floor and hurried along the cool hallway. Before he could knock the door was opened.
Summer was wearing one of those long, an kle-skimming sundresses the color of raspberry sherbet. She’d pulled her hair up in a knot with little tendrils kissing her cheeks. On her feet were strappy sandals.
She glanced at the handled bag, bearing the logo of one of the area’s finest gourmet shops. “Wine?”
“Champagne. I thought the day called for something special.” He stepped past her.
When she turned, he had to stop and swallow. There was almost no back to the dress. All that cool, pale skin robbed him of breath.
“The chicken’s on the grill.” She pointed to the little balcony before opening a cupboard door to search for champagne flutes.
He crowded in beside her and began fiddling with the cork. Though the air was on and her apartment cool, he was sweating. He popped the cork and watched as the champagne frothed. Then he filled two flutes and handed one to her.
She smiled at him. “What will we drink to?”
His eyes met hers. “Too cool blondes in backless dresses.”
She could feel her cheeks redden even while she laughed. “I debated changing into something else.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” He was grateful for the icy liquid that slid down his parched throat. “If you’d rather, we can drink to chocolate.” He opened the bag to reveal a lavish foil box.
“You remembered.”
“How could I forget your weakness?” He could see her debating whether to indulge herself or wait. “Go ahead. Have one.”
She laughed again. Quick. Musical. “I didn’t realize I was that transparent.” She shook her head. “It’ll spoil my appetite.”
“Haven’t you heard?” He held out the box, daring her. “Chocolate actually stimulates the appetite.”
“You’re making that up.”
“Maybe.” He popped a chocolate maple cream into his mouth and sighed. “But it works for me.”
“All right.” She followed suit. On a sigh she closed her eyes. “Oh, double chocolate fudge.” She nodded. “You’re right. Now I’m starving.”
As she squeezed past him, she was aware of the way her body strained toward his.
She slid open the glass door leading to the balcony. “I’d better turn that chicken.”
Cam stood a moment alone in the kitchen. Had he imagined the sizzle between them just now?
Needing something to do, he rummaged through the cupboards until he located a deep crystal bowl. He filled it with ice, picked up the champagne and chocolate and stepped out.
When he looked around he was pleasantly surprised. Besides a small wrought-iron table and two chairs, there were pretty pots filled with a glorious array of flowers in pinks and whites and purples. In one corner of the balcony was a fountain, a smooth column of marble over which spilled a cascade of water. The sound of it, mixed with the perfume of flowers and the cool shade of the building, made for a lovely, relaxing bit of paradise.
“This is great.”
Summer looked up from the grill. “I love this spot. It’s the next best thing to having a yard.”
He tucked the champagne on ice, then took a turn around the balcony, admiring the work that had gone into it. “With this much talent, you really ought to have a house and yard.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you.” She opened a foil pouch of vegetables, releasing fragrant steam. “There’s just one problem. I have this job that seems to take up way too much of my time.”
“I know the feeling.” His voice, so close behind her, had her looking over her shoulder. “Need some help?”
She shook her head.
“Then let me fill that glass.” He took the flute from her hand.
When he walked away Summer reminded herself to breathe in and out. It wasn’t easy when he was so close his warm breath tickled the nape of her neck.
Seconds later he returned. The heat seemed to follow him.
She sipped, grateful for the cool slide of liquid velvet. “Tell me about your day with Tio.”
“Not much to tell. We didn’t exchange too many words. I gave him a lecture on learning to use his brain instead of his fists. I came off sounding like a fool. After his visit with his father, I bought him lunch. Then, to make up for being such a jerk I told him I’d offer him the same deal next weekend, if he stayed in school.” Cam’s hand fisted atop the balcony railing. “That’s pretty much it.”
Summer closed a hand over his. “Why are you beating yourself up over this?”
“Because I don’t know how to reach him.”
“At least you’re trying, Cam. That’s more than most people are willing to do.”
He shook his head. “Look. I’m not even sure how much I care about the kid. I’m in this because my mother asked me for a favor. I’ve always thought I could do anything for her. But she wants me to look at Alfonso’s transcript and see if there’s a chance for a retrial. I’m not sure I can do that.”
Summer nodded in understanding. “Because he’s convicted of killing a police officer.”
“Yeah. I don’t think I can get beyond that.”
Summer sipped her champagne as she digested this information. “How do you think your mother is able to get beyond it?”
Cam shrugged. “She’s just a much better person than I am. She’s always had this amazing ability to work through her pain.”
“What did you do to get through the pain of losing your father?”
He looked away. “I did a lot of fighting.”
“A tough guy, huh?”
“Yeah.” His smile crept back as he turned to her. “I developed a mean left hook. And then I was persuaded to develop my brain instead.”
“I’d say it worked.”
His laughter warmed. “I don’t know. There’s something satisfying about rattling a few bones. I’ve always enjoyed a good knock-down-drag-out fight. But in the long run it’s a lot easier practicing law than trading punches. And the pay’s better.”
Relieved to see his sense of humor return, Summer began filling a platter. “Come on. That chocolate gave me a big appetite.”
“I told you so.” He tugged on a strand of her hair, sending heat straight to her core.
When he walked to the little table, she had to take a moment to catch her breath. Then she followed him, setting the platter down before taking the chair he was holding.
“Did you meet Tio’s grandmother?” Summer spooned wild rice onto her plate, then passed the rice to Cam.
“Yeah. She seems like a nice lady, trying to cope with a son in prison and an angry grandson who keeps testing her patience.” He helped himself to the rice, then added chicken and vegeta bles before holding the platter while Summer did the same.
“Does she seem overwhelmed having a grandson living with her?”
Cam buttered a roll warm from the grill. “Not that I noticed. In fact she said having Tio with her eased her loneliness.”
Summer winced.
Seeing it, Cam reached across the table to lay a hand over hers. “Now who’s beating herself up?”
“I’m the one who wants to take Tio away from her, remember?”
“Only if you decide it’s the right thing to do. As I recall, you’re still weighing your options.”
She sighed. “Only because a certain persuasive lawyer has been working his charm on me.”
“Really?” He looked enormously pleased with himself. “You mean I’m the only reason you haven’t made a decision?”
“As if you didn’t know.” She was relieved when he lifted his hand. Her own was none too steady as she picked up her fork and started to eat.
He tasted. Smiled. “This is good.”
“Thanks. I make it a lot, when I’m too tired to eat out. It’s so simple. I just throw everything on the grill, and by the time I’ve showered and changed into something comfortable, it’s ready.” She
sipped her champagne. “How about you? Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?”
“I do a little of both. But home is definitely better.”
“Really? Why?”
He couldn’t stop the smile that curved his mouth. “You’d have to meet my family. They’re noisy and bossy, and when we get together for dinner, which is at least once or twice a week, it’s a party. Pop calls the tune, and the rest of us dance to it.”
“Sounds like you have a fascinating family.” She sat back, a pensive look crossing her face. “I think it would be fun to have siblings that you enjoy as friends.”
He studied her. “I take it you and Elise aren’t exactly close.”
She sighed. “We never were. Even as children. I think we’ve reconciled ourselves to the fact that we’ll never travel in the same circle.” She brightened. “My dad called earlier. We’re having dinner tomorrow night, before he flies out to Ireland.”
“It sounds like you count him among your friends.”
She nodded. “We have a special relationship. I’ve always known that I could go to him with any problem. From the time I was very young, I’ve always been comfortable telling him whatever was on my mind.”
“That’s nice.” Cam studied her across the table. “I’ve always thought that’s the way it would have been for me with my dad.”
“Do you remember him?”
He frowned, and for a moment she thought he might not answer. Then he shrugged. “The truth is, I’m not sure what I remember and what I’ve heard so often that I only think I remember.”
“I don’t understand.”
“At first, we all grieved in silence. Maybe it was too deep for words.” He shrugged. “Anyway, after a while my family decided to keep Riordan Lassiter alive, at least in our own home. To that end my grandfather, my mother, my sister and brothers, all shared their memories about him around the dinner table. I’ve been hearing those stories for so long now, it’s impossible for me to distinguish between what I remember and what I’ve been told.”
Summer heard the thread of pain in his voice and found herself wondering what it would be like to have grown up without the love and protection of her father. Though her relationship with her mother and sister was prickly at times, she’d always been able to count on her father to be there for her.
“What a remarkable family, to have kept his memory alive so long. Your mother and father must have shared a deep, abiding love.”
Cam nodded. “You can see it in her eyes, even now, when she talks about him. It’s as though the years fall away and he’s still here with her.”
“She’s a lucky woman.”
Cam fell silent. Then he pushed away from the table and began stacking the dishes.
Summer touched a hand to his. “I’ll clear the table later.”
“Sorry. I can’t sit back and ignore the clutter. It’s just not the Lassiter way. We’ll do this together.” He eyed the half-empty bottle of champagne. “Then we’ll watch the sun set while I ply you with chocolate and alcohol.”
She laughed. “Sounds serious.”
“You bet.” He brushed a kiss over her cheek before heading toward the balcony door.
As he disappeared inside, Summer went very still, wondering at the little tremors that raced along her spine. Anticipation hummed through her.
She picked up the rest of the dishes and tried to act casual as she deposited them on the counter. Beside her, Cam was loading the dishwasher. She studied the muscles that bunched and flexed across his back and shoulders as he worked.
She’d never before thought of kitchen work as erotic. But right now, this moment, she had the strangest urge to wrap her arms around his waist and press her lips to his throat.
Stunned at the image, she found herself laughing.
Cam looked up. “What?”
“Nothing.” She swallowed her smile and turned away, busying herself with the coffeemaker.
When she did, Cam caught sight of that cool, pale expanse of flesh and wondered what Summer would do if he pressed a kiss just there.
The thought had him grinning.
She turned and arched a brow. “What?”
“Just thinking about dessert.”
“You mean chocolate?”
“Something like that.” He finished loading the dishwasher and took a step toward her.
Her eyes widened before she stepped back, feeling the edge of the counter against her flesh. “I’ll have the coffee ready in a few minutes. In the meantime, if you’d like to pour the rest of the champagne, we can have it in the other room, or out on the balcony.”
He could see her nerves and decided to play it her way. “Okay. Out on the balcony.”
As he turned and walked away, she drew in a long, deep breath and wondered how she’d get through the rest of the evening.
Chapter 8
“Here’s the coffee.” Summer stepped onto the balcony holding a sleek black tray. On it were a carafe, cream and sugar and two mugs.
Though Cam remained at the railing, his face in shadow, she could feel him watching her. It sent a tingle of excitement through her veins.
She glanced at the two flutes. “Would you prefer champagne or coffee?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you’re having.”
“Coffee then.” It was safer. Just having him close had her head spinning. The last thing she needed was anything that would further muddle her brain.
She filled the mugs. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black.”
She carried the two mugs to the railing and handed one to him, feeling again the quick little slice of heat along her arm when their fingers brushed.
He drank. “I like what you’ve done here, Summer.”
“Thanks.” She smiled in the gathering darkness. “I figure sooner or later I’ll have to give in and buy a house. One with a yard big enough for all the flowers I’m dying to plant.”
“Why didn’t you stay at your parents’ house in Georgetown?”
“Because it isn’t mine. I want something of my own.” She looked over. “I spent better than half my childhood in boarding schools, here and in Europe, while my parents established themselves in the art community and stocked their galleries. When I finally earned my degree I vowed that I’d find a place where I could put down roots.”
“Have you found it?”
She shrugged. “Not yet. But I’ll know when I see it.”
Cam nodded. “That’s what happened to me. I love the rolling hills and green countryside around this part of the country. That’s why I chose Virginia. It’s hard to beat the view. Of course—” he set down his mug and turned to her “—the view from here’s not bad, either.”
She could feel the heat rush to her cheeks and was grateful for the growing darkness. “You like teasing me, don’t you?”
“Who said I’m teasing?”
“You just want to see how I’ll react when you say something unexpected.”
“Unexpected?” He smiled in the darkness, showing gleaming teeth. “Summer, you have to know by now that I’m attracted, or I wouldn’t be here.”
“Well, of course, but…”
“Does it go both ways?”
She nearly spilled her coffee. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Throwing me off balance.”
“Good.” He stepped closer, slipping his hands around her waist. “Admit it. You’re attracted to me.”
“Well, why wouldn’t I be?” Afraid the cup might slip from her hands, she set it on the bal cony railing. “You’re so smooth and slick and sure of yourself.”
“Not to mention how handsome and charming I am.”
When she chuckled he brushed his mouth over hers, tasting, sampling.
She drew back. “You forgot self-assured and arrogant.”
He merely smiled and drew her closer, teasing her lips with his. He seemed in no hurry as he took the kiss deeper, until he heard her little moan of ple
asure.
His hands moved from her waist to her back.
At the touch of his fingers on her bare flesh, she could feel her heart take a sudden dip, then shift into overdrive.
There was such incredible heat wherever he touched her.
She’d wanted this. Wanted his mouth on hers. His hands on her. She’d known, when she’d asked him here, that this was where it might lead. But she’d never dreamed he would affect her like this. She couldn’t recall the last time a simple kiss had left her so defenseless.
He had to know how he affected women. And yet, he made her feel as if she were the only one.
His mouth moved over hers, his taste dark and so potently male she felt the jolt clear to her soul. Just beneath the smooth, polished surface, she could taste the danger. The excitement. It had the breath backing up in her lungs and her heart thundering in her temples.
In some small corner of her mind she felt a warning that she was losing all control. This wasn’t like her. She was a woman who was always in complete control. And yet, instead of her usual need to pull back, she found herself sliding deeper into the temptation he offered.
He changed the angle of his kiss. She was incredibly arousing to watch. The way she tried to plant her feet and, instead, leaned into him. The way her voice turned haughty before lowering to a purr of pleasure. The way her lashes fluttered, then closed as he deepened the kiss. The way her breath hitched in her throat, then ended on a sigh.
He turned slightly, leaning against the railing as his hands skimmed her back, then moved up her sides until his thumbs found her breasts.
When she started to pull away his mouth cov ered hers. Her breath mingled with his, and he drew in the taste of her. Champagne and chocolate. Tart and sweet. A man could get drunk on just her taste.
He could feel the blood roaring in his temples as he brought his lips to her ear. She responded with a sigh, and her hands tightened at his waist, as if needing to anchor herself.
“I want you, Summer.”
“I know. And I want…” She froze at the ringing of her phone.
“Don’t answer it.” Cam bit lightly at her lobe. Tugged. “Stay here with me and let me show you all the things…”
The phone rang again, and Summer pushed free of his arms. “I have to answer it, Cam.” Her voice sounded breathy in her own ears.
