Kismet: A Serendipity Novella

by Carly Phillips

  He scowled. “I don’t mind picking you up.”

  “There’s no need for you to treat me like a date. I’m a journalist writing your story,” she felt compelled to remind him. Or maybe she needed to say it out loud for herself. “The Waldorf, correct?”

  He nodded, but she could see from the stiffness in his shoulders he wasn’t happy with her suggestion.

  “Great,” she said, rising from the bed. “I’ll see you there.”

  He rose and stood way too close. “You’ll see me, all right,” he murmured too enigmatically for her liking. Reaching out, he placed his fingers beneath her chin until she looked directly into his eyes. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

  He tipped his head and her stomach did a nervous roll as his lips came closer to hers. A yearning the likes of which she’d never felt before rose up to greet him. But instead of touching his mouth to hers, he placed a kiss on her cheek, his touch too short to make any promises and yet too long to mean nothing.

  He stared at her for a long while afterward, as if studying her.

  She curled her hands into fists at her sides, her heart pounding, her body responding in ways she’d long forgotten. Her breasts grew full, her nipples peaked, and dampness pooled between her thighs.

  “See you later,” he said in a deep voice, gruffer than before.

  “Bye,” she whispered, unable to form a coherent thought. And though he hadn’t really kissed her or touched her at all, heat licked at her from the inside out.

  Oh boy, was she in trouble.

  Lissa spent the rest of the afternoon pulling herself together. She tried on the variety of dresses Collette had sent over, surprised to find each one fit. It was up to her to decide which to wear and which to return. The answer came down to one question.

  How sexy did she want to be?

  She luxuriated in a scented bath and took an amazing amount of time getting herself ready. The last time she’d primped so much on her appearance had been back in high school. Sadly, that had been the last time she’d truly cared about impressing someone, and she had to admit it felt too good to make the attempt now.

  Though she knew she ought to eat and had ordered up something light, she merely picked at the salad and fruit, too nervous for a full meal. Still, at least she had something in her stomach so that she could nurse a drink and not feel tipsy. Something told her she’d need to be in full control of her faculties this evening when dealing with Trevor. Not to mention, she wouldn’t be taking notes on the people she met and on Trevor’s interactions, so she’d need to rely on memory when she wrote up her interview notes later.

  Finally, gown and shoes chosen, she gathered her evening bag—another smart choice by Collette—and headed downstairs to hail a cab. Except when she reached the lobby, she found Trevor waiting for her.

  Standing against a pillar, clad in a perfectly fitted tuxedo, the man exuded confidence and sex appeal. She was so surprised to see him, so affected by his masculinity, that she nearly tripped in her high heels as she made her way over to him.

  “I thought I said I’d meet you there,” she said.

  “And I told you you’d see me. I just didn’t say where.” His gaze raked over her, hot and heated, devouring her with its intensity. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you. Collette chose well.” She managed to speak though her mouth was bone dry.

  “It’s not the clothes, Lissa. It’s you,” he said gruffly. “Do you know how many times I wished I could afford to buy you nice things?”

  He was talking about ten years ago.

  She smiled. “I never wanted them,” she murmured. She’d only wanted him. She shook her head, shaking off the memories they couldn’t change.

  “Ready to go?” he asked, placing a strong hand against her bare back. “The limo is waiting.”

  Surprised, she opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Limo?” The word sounded like a squeak and he grinned.

  “Your article is supposed to document who I am and how I live, correct?” She nodded. “Don’t worry. It’s not a full limo. It’s a town car with a driver.” He chuckled, probably at her shocked expression.

  “Lead the way,” she said, raising her chin in a futile attempt at nonchalance.

  The man was riding roughshod over every one of her good intentions and damned if she wasn’t enjoying having someone else take control for a change.

  Not that she’d give him the satisfaction of telling him that. All she had to do now was get through the rest of the night without succumbing to that charm he seemed so determined to lavish on her.

  But that was the sensible Elisabetta talking. The old Elisabetta—the one who would follow Trevor’s lead to hell and back, the one who was enjoying the feel of his heated palm against her back—urged her to stop thinking and enjoy. Not that she’d forget why she was with Trevor or that she had an article to write when her time with him was through, but for now, the devil on her shoulder insisted she relax and see where this night and these sparks between them would lead.

  And she wondered which Lissa would win.

  Chapter Three

  For Trevor, nothing about tonight was work-related. The fundraiser was something his firm believed in and attendance was mandatory, but nobody conducted business at these kinds of events. Most attended with their husbands, wives, or significant others and it was as much a chance for people to catch up personally as it was to raise money for the charity. Normally Trevor hated these things. He’d have to dig up a date, either a woman who bored him to tears or one who thought she could be the one to catch him when no other woman had been able to before.

  At first he’d questioned why this was on the reporter’s schedule of events, but he realized Alex wanted to showcase both Trevor and the firm’s commitment to altruistic causes. He’d resigned himself to sucking it up because at least he’d be with a woman who had no expectations. Once he’d discovered the reporter was Lissa and after he’d made the deliberate decision to let go of the past for this short time they were together, he’d begun to look forward to the evening.

  As for her insistence that she’d take a cab? It was easier to let her think she’d gotten her way than to argue. And it had been worth the waiting time in the lobby to get his first glimpse of her uncensored expression the moment she’d laid eyes on him as she walked out of the elevator. Pure, unadulterated pleasure lit her gaze, along with a definite dose of female appreciation, before wariness shuttered her emotions. And her skin glowed radiantly, her emerald eyes twinkling with delight she tried hard to hide.

  It was enough for him to know he’d gotten to her the same way she affected him.

  Only then did he allow himself the full pleasure of viewing her in all her glory. Dressed in a gold gown, Grecian in design, that draped over one shoulder and hugged her curves in all the right places, she looked like a princess. The back dipped enticingly low, giving him a glimpse of her olive skin and affording the perfect place to settle his palm possessively against her back.

  They made the ride to the Waldorf in silence and Trevor let her squirm. He knew she was questioning his motives and what he wanted from her. He liked her nervous and a bit wary. That was when she’d be most unguarded, letting little things slip.

  There was much to revisit, much still unsaid, and though they had a limited amount of time together, most of it would be one on one. Just not right away.

  As soon as they arrived at the hotel and walked into the ballroom, all eyes turned to look at them. Trevor understood. Lissa, with her Mediterranean olive skin, jet black hair, and green eyes, made an impression. She had a regal look and he was proud to have her on his arm.

  “I’m the envy of every man here,” he said, escorting her toward the bar.

  “Flatterer. Have you seen the other women here? They’re at least twenty pounds lighter and have much tinier waists,” she said, laughing without seeming uncomfortable.

  “I hadn’t noticed. I can’t take my eyes off you.” He drew a deep breath. �
��Would you like a drink?”

  She nodded. “A glass of white wine.”

  The bartender had heard her, so Trevor merely added, “And a Scotch on the rocks for me.”

  A few minutes later, they had their drinks in hand. “Let’s walk,” he said, steering her into the crowds. The sooner they did the obligatory meet and greet, the sooner Trevor could dance with this woman and take her to bed. They passed the next thirty minutes talking to the important people at Wittman Financial and other people in the industry. Trevor was careful to introduce Lissa to the movers and shakers by both name and company affiliation, knowing that despite the personal nature of their time together, when all was said and done, she had a job to do.

  “Trevor, Ms. Gardelli, I’m so glad you could make it.” Trevor turned at the sound of Alexander’s voice. “I see you two have worked out your ... differences?”

  “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Wittman,” Lissa said, extending her free hand.

  Instead of shaking it, Alex lifted her hand and placed a courtly kiss on top. “You look ravishing.”

  Lissa blushed.

  “I was just telling her the same thing myself,” Trevor said, unable to hide his pleasure at being with her.

  Over the years, as Trevor had escorted various dates to these types of evenings, he’d envied Bradley Banks, thinking the man was taking Lissa to country club events, showing her off and then taking her home and making love to her.

  Trevor’s stomach turned at the thought even now.

  How much time had he wasted by not finding out the truth of how her life had been?

  Which reminded him, he had some crow to eat. He turned to Alex. “I already apologized to Lissa and now it’s your turn. I was shocked to see her after all these years and I let emotion cloud my judgment. I was rude earlier today and I apologize.”

  Trevor wasn’t a man prone to saying I’m sorry, but in this case, he owed his boss and mentor and intended to prove he understood his mistake.

  “I don’t know what happened between you two in the past, but to have such an explosive reaction means great passion was involved.”

  A small hiccup came from Lissa, a clear sign of shock.

  “Alex ...” Trevor said in warning.

  The other man waved away Trevor’s concerns because in Alex’s world, people were meant to be paired off. He was a romantic to the bone.

  “Speaking of passion, Emma sends her best, but she’s home with a headache and she wants to make sure she’s better for tomorrow night’s dinner party. Which means I’ll be leaving early,” he said with regret.

  “I hope she feels better,” Lissa said. “I’m looking forward to meeting her tomorrow.”

  Trevor stepped closer to Lissa and slid an arm around her waist. She stiffened for a moment before managing to relax. “Please send Emma my best wishes. And we’ll see her tomorrow,” Trevor added.

  “She’s looking forward to it, as am I.” Alex nodded. His perceptive gaze locked on Trevor’s possessive hold on Lissa and a smug grin settled on the man’s face. “I’ll see you two later,” Alex said and headed off to finish making his rounds.

  Trevor gave Lissa a few minutes to enjoy her drink in silence and take in the ambiance in the ballroom. He finished his and turned to face her.

  “Dance?” he asked.

  “Sure.” Lissa handed her wine glass to a passing server.

  Lissa steeled herself for the next few minutes in Trevor’s arms.

  It was hard enough to see the heat and appreciation in his eyes whenever he looked at her. Harder still to make herself believe he meant it. She didn’t doubt he wanted her. She desired him just as much. It was how she felt about that look in his eyes that frightened her. As he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, the warmth of his body and the thrill his touch inspired scared her even more.

  Yet when he looked down and into her eyes, she practically melted on the spot.

  “This feels familiar,” he said as he slowly moved to the strains of the music.

  She laughed, remembering their junior prom. They hadn’t made it to their senior. “As I recall, we were more awkward then.”

  He shrugged. “Practice makes perfect.” He stroked her bare back with his thumb and she shivered.

  “Do you come to these things often?” she asked.

  “It’s part of the job. There are charitable galas, holiday parties, things like that.”

  “And that’s where you got all your practice. Who were your partners?” she asked, forcing a smile while they talked.

  “Is that on the record? Or more of a personal question?”

  She tried to pull away but he tightened his hold, continuing their glide around the dance floor. “Well?”

  “I think you know.”

  He nodded. “I do. And the answer is, nameless, unimportant women.”

  Her heart stopped beating. “All of them?”

  Again, he nodded.

  “Why?” she asked softly, unable to believe they were having this conversation.

  “Are you sure you want an answer?”

  Was she sure? Ten years of wondering if Trevor ever thought of her. Lonely nights of imagining him taking other women to bed, falling in love with one of them, eventually marrying one and having children. Jealousy had eaten away at her even as her rational self knew she had no right. She was the one who’d turned to someone else. She’d had another man’s baby.

  She met his gaze and nodded.

  “Okay, but once you get it, there’s no turning back.”

  She couldn’t suppress a smile. Because she had the sense there was no turning back anyway. “I’m sure.”

  His dark eyes smoldered with need. “They were all nameless, unimportant blurs because they weren’t you.”

  “Oh, Trevor,” she said as his words wrapped around her heart.

  His grip on her waist tightened, his large hand cupping her so hard she thought he’d leave marks. The thought of him marking her in any way aroused her beyond reason. So did the hardened erection pressing into her belly, telling her how very much he wanted her.

  That was what she could believe in. The only thing.

  The feelings behind the desire? Those were emotions she no longer let herself trust.

  “I need to get out of here,” he said gruffly.

  Lissa nodded. She’d never wanted anything more. Another night with Trevor was more than she’d ever imagined—and now it looked like they’d have at least two before she went home to Serendipity and the life she’d chosen so very long ago.

  *

  Instead of going to Lissa’s hotel as she’d expected, Trevor gave the driver his Upper East Side address, which for some reason made this next step seem all too real. To see where he lived, what his life was like ... She shivered.

  “Cold?” he asked from his seat beside her in the car. She shook her head. “Ah. Then you’re thinking too much.”

  She smiled, amazed he could read her so well after all these years.

  “Guess I’ll have to remedy that.” He reached up and slid his fingers beneath her hair, cupping her neck and pulling her close. Then, without wasting any time, he sealed his lips over hers.

  His instincts had been correct, she thought. At the sizzling connection between them, all coherent thought stopped completely.

  He’d always been talented with his mouth and that hadn’t changed. His lips slid back and forth over hers, taking her for a blissful, mind-numbing experience that quickly turned hot and arousing when he grasped her hair in his hand and deepened the kiss.

  The slightly aggressive move was somehow erotic too, and her body liquefied with the tug against her scalp. With a moan, she returned each swipe and thrust of his tongue with equal fervor and need, wanting nothing more than to crawl into his lap and get as close as possible given the barrier of clothing.

  When he suddenly pulled back, her entire body protested the loss of his mouth over hers. “What’s wrong?” she asked, feeling dazed and
unfulfilled.

  “We’re here,” he said.

  Lissa looked out the window. “Oh,” she said, shocked to see the car had stopped in front of a building.

  He grinned and slipped his hand in hers. “Thank you, Tony,” he said to the driver.

  Lissa blushed and ducked her head, embarrassed they’d been making out with the man right in front.

  “He’s paid to be discreet,” Trevor said, laughing, making Lissa wonder if he made this a habit, seducing his dates on their way home.

  She didn’t want to know if he did.

  More sober now, she followed him inside, aware of his arm around her waist but not feeling as relaxed as she had earlier. Which was ridiculous, all things considered.

  He lived in a building with a doorman, which meant another stranger to nod to as she passed by, walking with Trevor to the elevator. They stepped off on the twenty-first floor and headed down the long, lit corridor to the end of the hall.

  He unlocked the door and motioned for her to step in ahead of him. He’d left lights on and she was able to look around immediately. He tossed his keys on a shelf in the entryway before taking her hand and pulling her into the main living room. A wall of windows overlooked the glittering skyline of Manhattan.

  “The view is incredible,” she said as she walked to the windows.

  In fact, the entire apartment was a thing of masculine beauty, with its heavy, rugged furniture facing an oversized wall-mounted television, shelves with books and other decorator chosen pieces, and picture frames. It was the photographs that gave the place a lived-in, homey touch and at a glance, Lissa recognized the various photos of Trevor’s family, his parents, his sister and her husband, and their new baby.

  “The view is the reason I chose this place. There’s no highrise to either block my visibility or give anyone an unobstructed look into my private space. I can leave the shades open most of the time.” He stepped up beside her and she immediately felt his body heat.

  “Do you miss living in Serendipity? The wide open spaces?” she asked, wondering if she could give up small-town living for Manhattan.