Kismet: A Serendipity Novella

by Carly Phillips

  Lissa blinked in surprise, a lump forming in her throat. “Don’t go canonizing me. I’m still no saint,” she reminded him.

  “Especially not in the bedroom,” he said, his eyes darkening. And that quickly, serious conversation was over.

  *

  Lissa and Trevor parted ways after breakfast. Trevor decided to head into the office to get some work done while Lissa went to her hotel room to begin working on the article about him. In truth, Lissa suspected he needed time alone as much as she did.

  Time to remind herself that despite how easily they fit together when they were alone, life wasn’t about living in a bubble and they had way too many obstacles between them to think about a future. Back in her hotel, she settled in with her laptop and began writing about Trevor Dane. The boy who’d pulled himself up and out of Serendipity to become one hell of a man.

  By the time the evening approached, Lissa had accomplished more than she’d hoped for considering her state of mind, and she’d even managed to take a nap. She luxuriated in a warm bubble bath and then pulled out the simple black dress Trevor’s secretary had chosen for the dinner party.

  From the things Trevor had said and things her research had indicated, Alexander Wittman was a big part of Trevor’s life, his mentor as well as his friend. For that reason, Lissa wanted to make a good impression—and not just as a reporter doing a story. Though it was silly, if Trevor was going to bring her as his date, she wanted him to feel proud. Last night had been easier. Dressed in a ballgown and feeling like a princess, she’d almost been able to believe she belonged at the event.

  But now, as Trevor helped her out of the limousine, nerves assailed her. Though he hadn’t taken his hungry gaze off her, and though he clearly approved of the way she looked, her insecurities came rushing back. After all, if her husband, the man whose baby she’d borne and who’d married her, hadn’t seen her as country club material, why would Trevor’s business associates and friends see her any differently?

  When she’d attended as Trevor’s reporter/date, she had been able to put those feelings aside, but now that he was looking at her possessively, she was petrified she’d fall short and embarrass him.

  Unaware of her inner turmoil, he placed a hand at the small of her back. “Ready?” he asked.

  She let out a deep breath. “Of course.” She walked toward the waiting doorman, who opened the door for them.

  “Good evening, Mr. Dane. Mr. and Mrs. Wittman are expecting you,” he said, nodding politely to Lissa and acknowledging her with a smile.

  “Thank you, George. See you on our way out.” Trevor steered Lissa away from the bank of double elevators and toward a separate single lift down the hall. “This way,” he said.

  Once they were alone outside the small elevator, Trevor turned to her. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head and forced a smile. “Nothing. Why?”

  “You’re uptight and your spine’s so rigid I’m afraid it’ll break,” he said, grasping both her hands in his. “Are you nervous about meeting Emma? Don’t be. You’ll love her.”

  Lissa shook her head, feeling stupid, but if she didn’t let out her fears, she’d definitely screw things up even worse. “I don’t belong here,” she said on a rush.

  “What?”

  “The private elevator, a dinner party where we’re dressed nicer than any dinner I’ve ever been to ...” She shook her head and swallowed over the lump in her throat. “If you were bringing me here as the reporter to cover your story it would be one thing, but—”

  He squeezed her hands tighter, forcing her to meet his gaze. “But what?”

  Just say it, a small voice in her head insisted. “But my own husband didn’t want to be seen with me at formal events. These people you love so much are going to take one look at me and know I’m so far out of my league—” She cut herself off, horrified by the truth she’d blurted out.

  She’d meant to be honest. Just not that honest.

  An angry muscle twitched in Trevor’s jaw.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.” She was making a mess of a night that meant a lot to him.

  “You didn’t upset me. That asshole you married did.” Trevor took a minute to breathe and let go of the rage simmering inside him.

  No matter how opulent the apartment, he and Lissa came from the same world. He’d had the same insecurities, probably more so as he’d had to navigate alone. She had him by her side.

  “I’m sorry Brad made you feel inadequate in any way. You are spectacular and the people upstairs will know it the second they lay eyes on you. Because they’re real and nothing like the Bankses of the world.” Speech finished, Trevor cupped his hand around her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss.

  One light enough not to ruin the makeup she’d obviously spent so much time applying, but one sincere enough to make his point. “Do you believe me?” he asked.

  Eyes wide, she merely nodded.

  He hoped she meant it because he sure as hell had. “Ready?” he asked her.

  “Ready,” she said, her voice hoarse.

  Trevor nodded. “Good.”

  The night went better than Trevor could have hoped. Alex and Emma clearly liked Lissa and made her feel at home, as did their small group of guests. By the time ten o’clock rolled around, Trevor was ready to get her out of there and be alone with her, when Alex waylaid him.

  Together they walked to a private corner. “She’s something special,” Alex said.

  Trevor inclined his head. “That much I know.”

  “But? I sensed tension from her earlier tonight.”

  Trevor nodded. Alex had always been perceptive. It was why he’d done so well in business. He was good at reading people. “She doesn’t think she belongs here,” he said, frowning at the notion.

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “Did anyone say something to make her think that?” he asked angrily.

  “No. It goes back a long time,” Trevor said, not wanting to divulge Lissa’s personal insecurities. “She thinks we live in different worlds now.”

  “I see.” Alex nodded knowingly. “She does have a valid point.”

  Narrowing his gaze, Trevor glared at his friend. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “Breathe, boy.” Alex laughed and gestured toward a passing waiter to bring them each a drink. “Serendipity isn’t exactly Manhattan. Can you blame her for feeling a little out of place? I’m sure she’ll adjust in time.”

  “Only if she wants to.”

  “You both have to want to,” Alex said.

  Before Trevor could respond, the waiter returned with two glasses on his tray. “Scotch on the rocks,” he said.

  Trevor accepted a glass, as did Alex. “Thank you.” The waiter nodded and walked away.

  “They’re hitting it off,” Alex said, his gaze drifting toward the corner of the room where Emma had pulled Lissa away for a private chat.

  Trevor was grateful the other woman was making an effort at helping Lissa feel more comfortable, but he didn’t plan on leaving her alone for too long.

  As always, Alex’s gaze softened as he looked at his wife. The man, a shark in the boardroom, was a marshmallow at home. “Relationships are a two-way street, you know.”

  “I’m trying,” Trevor said. Hell, he was doing his damndest to convince her they could make a go of it. “It’s only been two days ...” His voice trailed off, knowing time didn’t mean a damned thing. They’d known each other for too long.

  “But there are ten years to get over,” Alex said. “Not to mention a lot’s happened in that time. You’ve been a confirmed bachelor, while she’s a mother.”

  As always, the reminder felt like a physical punch in Trevor’s gut. “I know.”

  “Do you?” Alex asked, putting a hand on Trevor’s shoulder in a fatherly gesture.

  “What are you saying?” Trevor asked.

  “Just this. Before you ask her for anything, make sure you can handle her life and everything that comes with it. It’s not
fair of you to ask her to let you into her life unless you’re sure you want all of her, including her child.”

  His stomach cramped and he suddenly felt the weight of responsibility he hadn’t thought of before. “We haven’t discussed it,” Trevor said.

  “And you haven’t given it much thought because you’ve spent the weekend in bed,” Alex said, guessing correctly.

  Trevor broke into a sweat. He wasn’t sure whether to thank Alex for making him face the truth, or to deck him for bringing it up.

  “One thing is for sure—no matter how you come by them, children are a lifetime responsibility and when they’re stepchildren, so are their biological parents,” Alex said. “Now, I know I’ve given you a lot to think about. Let’s go join the women.”

  With a new weight on his shoulders, Trevor followed Alex over to Lissa, suddenly panicked, knowing he couldn’t possibly jump into the idea of being her daughter’s father overnight.

  Alex was right. Either Trevor was all in or he bailed before either of them got hurt.

  And deep down, he feared it was too late for that.

  *

  Trevor was silent on the way home. Too silent, and Lissa couldn’t help but fear his thoughts. For the last two days, she’d been telling herself this weekend was all they had—but inside, she couldn’t deny there was a flicker of hope. She wanted more, and he’d done his best to indicate that he did, too.

  But ever since he’d returned from talking to Alex earlier, Trevor had been more withdrawn. “Would you mind if we went back to my hotel room?” she asked, knowing that even if they spent tonight together, it would be easier on her if he left in the morning. That way she could just fall apart instead of having to be the one to walk away.

  “Sure.” He sat by her side in the town car, but unlike their last few rides, he kept his hands to himself.

  Another bad sign.

  She fingered her small bag, her nerves getting the best of her until finally the driver pulled to a stop in front of the hotel. A doorman immediately stepped up and opened the car door, then stood back and waited.

  Lissa exhaled a long breath and turned to face him. “Thank you for taking me with you tonight. It was a pleasure to spend time with Alex and Emma, since they both mean so much to you.”

  The evening had also filled out her article in immeasurable ways, but she wasn’t in the mood to bring up business.

  He smiled at that. “When I was younger, they helped me feel welcome, Alex in business and Emma on the social side.”

  She nodded in understanding, then reached for his hand. “Trev, I’m so glad we had this time together.” It was more than she’d ever dreamed of and less than she wished for deep inside.

  “Does this mean you’re not inviting me up?” he asked, his voice gruff.

  She swallowed hard. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to come.”

  His blue eyes darkened. “I probably shouldn’t, but I’m selfish enough to want more. I want tonight,” he said, his voice hoarse.

  Oh, he was definitely preparing for the end, she thought. A far cry from the man who’d faced her earlier. But she wasn’t ready to ask questions she didn’t want the answers to yet. So, though she knew she’d hate herself for prolonging things, she met his gaze and nodded.

  “I want that, too.” She slid out of the car before she could change her mind, and held out a hand, indicating he should come, too.

  The next few hours were the most beautiful and the most painful of Lissa’s life. Trevor held her hand as they made their way upstairs to her hotel room and locked the door behind them.

  He undressed her slowly, taking his time because they had all night. What they didn’t have was a lifetime, and that was the only thing that would satisfy the yearning inside her. Still, she wanted these last moments and she made sure to recall each and every one. His strong, tanned hands gliding over her skin, his dark hair as he bent over her, his mouth taking her breast and suckling and teasing, torturing her until her need was so great, she thought she’d come from that alone.

  He worked his way down her body, making love to her with his tongue, worshipping her in the way only a man could, replacing memories of them at seventeen with those of a night stolen out of time. One that belonged to them alone.

  And by the time he lifted his body over hers, poised for entry, she’d already come more times than she could count, yet she still hadn’t had enough of him. She never would.

  With his gaze fused to hers, he nudged at her opening and slowly eased his way inside, making sure she felt every last inch, every ridge, every thick hard part of him. Only when he thrust home, so deep she knew he was touching more parts of her than he’d ever reached before, did he lose control.

  “Lissa.” Her name a groan, he pulled out and thrust back in, her own moisture creating a slick haven for him to pound in and out of her, bringing her up higher and higher.

  She tried her best to hold back her emotions, to take the ride and just feel everything inside her and process later, but the tidal wave of feelings he created was too great.

  “Trevor.” His name came out on a sob, triggering his release.

  He didn’t hold back either, murmuring words of love and caring, words she absorbed into her heart and her soul, sensing this was the last time she’d hear them out loud.

  And as he took over her body, coming inside her, he carried her up and over with him. Stars exploded around her, inside her, shattering her heart in the process.

  When their breathing slowed and he pulled out, separating their bodies, he curled himself around her and held her tight. Neither said a word, Lissa holding back sobs but letting the tears fall. And later still, when hours passed, he’d made love to her one more time before she fell into a fitful sleep.

  Lissa awoke to the feel of him sliding away from her and out of bed just as the sun began to creep through the window.

  She knew her options. She’d weighed them each time she woke in his arms during the night—remain silent, pretend to be asleep, and avoid a painful goodbye; or get up and fight for what she wanted.

  She’d spent yesterday telling herself it was better for them to separate now, but the more she thought about it, the more she had to ask herself why. Fate had brought them back together at a time when they had no obstacles in their way, unless they put them there. This time there was no pregnancy and no other man.

  True, Lissa had a child, but why couldn’t Trevor get to know Livvy and accept her as Lissa’s little girl, and eventually as his own? Many men accepted other men’s children. Even with their intertwined past, they should be able to do this.

  She owed it to herself to at least reach for what she wanted. Heart pounding, Lissa pulled herself to a sitting position in bed, lifting the sheet to cover her naked body. “Trev?” she asked softly.

  He turned. The only light in the room came from the sun filtering through the drapery. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said.

  “Were you going to just slip out without saying goodbye?” She brushed her tangled hair off her face.

  “I would’ve left a note.” He sounded as sheepish as he ought to feel, Lissa thought.

  “Don’t go yet.” She patted the space beside her, but he remained standing and shook his head.

  “I thought ... I think we should make this as easy on ourselves as possible.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Says the man who insisted this wasn’t closure? That if it hurt, it meant there was still something between us?” she asked, throwing his own words back in his face. “I admit I’m the one who was ready to throw us away, but I was wrong. What changed on your end?” she asked, hating how her voice trembled. But she had to know what happened.

  “I thought about what you said yesterday. About the things that separated us. And I thought about something Alex said.”

  Uh-oh. Lissa’s heart began to thud against her chest in a painful beat. “And what was that?”

  Trevor reached for his slacks, pulling them on before speaking. “He
brought up more things than just the distance between New York and Serendipity and the disparity in our lifestyles. He said I shouldn’t push you for anything until I was sure I could accept everything your life involves.”

  And in that moment, Lissa knew exactly what Alex had said. “You aren’t sure you could accept Brad’s child as your own,” she said dully, the pain hurting so much more than she could have planned for.

  He spread his hands in front of him, as he so obviously searched for the words to explain. “It’s more than that. It’s whether I’m ready to be a father. To be honest, I gave up that dream when I lost you. I dove into college, work, and making a life for myself.”

  Lissa nodded slowly, digesting his words, believing part, dismissing the rest. “Let’s be clear, okay? This has nothing to do with whether or not you want to be a father. Whether you can adjust your bachelor life. This is about me having Brad’s baby and you having to face that every time you look at my daughter.”

  Her jerked as if she’d struck him, but to his credit, he pulled himself together.

  He rolled his shoulders back and met her gaze. “I don’t know. Maybe that is it. But could you blame me?” he asked, his voice rising. “Could you really blame me for having a tough time with it?” He sucked in a breath, then muttered a low curse. “Shit. I didn’t mean it that way.”

  He sure as hell had, Lissa thought. She closed her eyes and only when she was sure she could speak calmly did she look him dead in the eye. “Not only did you mean it, but I have an answer to your question. Yeah, I sure as hell can blame you. Not before yesterday, but after. After you looked me in the eye and told me we weren’t over. Now this?” She shook her head, devastated beyond words. “Just go,” she said, wanting to him to leave so she could be alone when she cried.

  She turned her head and waited. She felt him standing there staring at her and she held her breath, wondering if he’d crawl onto the bed, pull her into his arms, and say he’d made a mistake.

  Instead, she heard him dressing and getting himself together. After an interminably long time, the hotel door shut behind him, leaving Lissa alone.