Closer To You (Suits in Pursuit)

by Kelley, Lauren H.

  Kerri

  Friday, December 28

  The wheels on the plane extended, beginning its initial descent into San Diego International Airport. Axel’s growth and expansion plans had suffered already—his lack of focus over the past weeks was to blame—and cutting his business trip short wasn’t going to make much of a difference. He arrived in San Diego a week early. Jordan would be, waiting at the airport, to take him to Loews Coronado Bay Resort, where Brenda had made reservations for his stay.

  Axel emerged from the airport, his eyes searching for Jordan’s silver Lexus among a sea of cars and trucks and transportation shuttles. A car matching the description Jordan had given pulled up to the curb. The stately man inside dressed in scrubs and carefully scanned passersby as though he was trying to identify his would-be passenger. Axel strode over cautiously. The passenger window lowered.

  Leaning down, he poked his head through the narrow opening. “Jordan?” Axel reached inside and extended his hand.

  A steady hand met Axel’s firm grip. “Good to meet you Axel. Put your luggage in the trunk and hop in.” Jordan pressed a button releasing the trunk. Slowly, the bonnet glided up.

  Axel eyed the meticulously laundered suit hanging in the vehicle’s rear. “Nice to meet you too, although I do wish we were meeting under different circumstances.” Jordan nodded.

  Skirting a large man wheeling a cart of assorted luggage, Axel made his way to the trunk and tossed his bags inside. Sauntering back to the door, he climbed inside and sank into the passenger seat.

  “How was the redeye?” Jordan asked.

  Axel raised his brow. “Too early and too long, but it’s the most important trip I’ll ever take. Thank you for the ride.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Jordan, I can’t thank you enough for your help with everything.” He tugged at his collar and twisted his neck, giving Jordan a sidelong glance.

  Jordan guided the car away from the curb. “I just hope you can make things right with my sister. I know you care for her.” He glanced at Axel and then returned his focus to the road.

  Tearing his eyes from the majestic view of the bright blue sky and tall palms, Axel faced Jordan. “I love her—I’m in love with her.” For the first time, he understood what it meant to love someone. “I didn’t come all the way to San Diego to screw this up. I need your help with something else. I would like to speak with your parents. Would it be possible for me to talk to them today?”

  Jordan eyed him tentatively. “I’ll help you, but let’s take this one step at a time. Do you have a plan?”

  Axel smiled and gave an affirmative nod. “Yes, the ball is already in motion. Now, I just need to think through what I’ll say to her.”

  “I think I can arrange for you to speak with my parents later today. Kerrigan said you moved quickly, she wasn’t kidding.” Jordan chuckled.

  He rested his head against the seat. “I love your sister, and she loves me too. I’m a man who knows what he wants. I see no reason to procrastinate or delay the inevitable.”

  “I can’t believe how calm you are.” Jordan remarked.

  “Calm? I’m nervous like hell, but what Kerrigan and I share…” He paused, and then focused his gaze out the window, peering at the open sea. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”

  The drive to the resort took under an hour, and the scenic view along North Harbor Drive was breathtaking.

  Surrounded by the splendor and beauty of the resort, the car came to a halt at the hotel’s unloading area.

  Jordan faced Axel. “I’ll call you later about the meeting with my parents. If you need anything, give me a call. You have my mobile number.”

  Axel nodded and moved his hand to the door handle. “Thank you for everything Jordan.” He opened the door, shook Jordan’s hand again and exited the car. “See you later today.”

  After checking in, he made his way to his suite to unpack, and then went to pick up the rental car that was reserved for him.

  Anxious to get to Kerrigan, Axel jogged pass customers and lot attendants on his way to his rental car. Seated, buckled in and ready to go, he pulled out his GPS, his hurried fingers hammering in the address where Kerrigan worked. Armed with information that Jordan had shared, she would be arriving at work soon. Thirty minutes later, he turned into the lot, parked the car near the boutique and jumped out.

  Spotting a coffee shop, he decided to grab some coffee while working through his plan and his nerves. He needed to think through his next moves carefully.

  Kerrigan awoke refreshed and feeling better physically than she had in weeks. She was nearing the end of her first trimester. Today, she decided to wear a blue sundress. Her clothes had begun to fit snugly around her mid section, her little round belly now starting to show. She planned to go shopping for maternity clothes that weekend.

  That morning before going to work, she made her usual rounds—a quick stop for a small coffee and a brisk walk to the boutique where she worked. The white sweater she wore would stave off the morning chill. Rounding the sidewalks curve, she strolled to the door.

  In walked Kerrigan. Her gait graceful, she floated across the floor. Axel’s heart nearly stopped when he laid eyes on her. With her hair piled on top of her head, delicate wavy tendrils cascaded the nape of her neck and teased her temples. She was gorgeous, even more beautiful than he remembered, radiant. Seeing her and hearing her melodic voice as she ordered sent a wave of nerves through him so fierce that the wind was knocked out of him. As if on command, his cock stiffened. She didn’t recognize him sitting at the table near the window wearing a white baseball cap and sunglasses.

  Axel raised the newspaper high, hiding his face. Listening to the light banter between her and the man at the counter, she was a regular customer. It took everything in his being not to jump up and take her into his arms. In that instant, he had the clarity he needed, and he knew what he would do and say to her. Peering over his paper, his wide eyes followed the sway of her hips as she left and strolled down the sidewalk until she disappeared from view.

  When she walked in at nine o’clock, the quaint boutique was abuzz, which was unusual since traffic didn’t pick up until ten o’clock or later. She didn’t know what all the commotion was about when Sandy, the owner came barreling toward her.

  Kerrigan stripped her white sweater away.

  She yelled across the store to Kerrigan. “You look exceptionally beautiful and pregnant this morning.” The skinny, blonde cheerleader-type had the energy and gumption twice that of most forty-something-year-olds. “You have an admirer who thinks so too.”

  Kerrigan frowned. “Sandy, what on earth are you talking about?”

  An index finger pointed toward the front counter. “Take a look, these beautiful roses came for you a few minutes ago.” Sandy grinned. “You’ve been holding out on us. We’re dying to know who sent them.”

  Kerrigan gasped, her jaw dropped. She cupped her mouth with her hand. She had only received flowers like those from one person in her life, Axel Christensen. The fragrant smell of fresh roses filled the air. She walked over to the beautiful arrangement and inhaled. The note attached was short, not giving much away.

  Beautiful roses, for a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul.

  Always and forever,

  Yours

  She thought of Axel again. The expression and sentiment sounded very much like him, and her stomach knotted with anxiety. She read the signature again. Yours. That was Axel’s signature.

  Tears filled her eyes. Kerrigan recalled the love she believed they shared. “Sandy, there must be some mistake with the delivery. These flowers can’t be for me. They must be for someone else. I don’t know anyone who would send those flowers to me.”

  “Well, you’re wrong because somebody did, you lucky girl,” Sandy said.

  The ruckus in the boutique died down, and everyone went back to his or her tasks. Her job was to greet and assist customers with their selections. Since n
ew items came in daily, she also helped display many of the new products. She unpacked the boxes that Sandy had given her. One box contained a perfect, handmade blanket. She fell in love with the soft fabric, but the price tag was well over her budget. All morning, she kept eyeing the blanket. Finally, she decided to mention the blanket to Sandy.

  “Sandy, would you consider putting this blanket aside? The blanket is perfect, but I need a couple of weeks to save up. I’m allowing myself one splurge item for the baby.”

  “Consider the blanket a gift from me. Put it away behind the counter and save your money for something else. This gift is the least I can do after your help.”

  “Oh Sandy, that’s so generous of you. Thank you!”

  Kerrigan’s smile spanned her entire face. She folded the blanket and placed it into a bag, carefully tucking the generous gift behind the counter.

  The rest of the day went on like any typical day. She organized items on the shelves and assisted customers with their purchases. The store was large and when busy, keeping track of all the customers was sometimes difficult, but the pace made her day entertaining. Today was no exception. There were three conferences happening in town and they were busier than they’d ever been.

  “Kerrigan, you’re brilliant. I think we’re going to reach record sales today, thanks to you,” Sandy said.

  Kerrigan was glad that the marketing plan she created for Sandy was already showing positive results. Patrons from participating hospitality businesses flocked to receive their discount and complimentary gift.

  “I’m glad I was able to put my marketing savvy to use. I have some other ideas, too.” She patted the woman on the arm.

  She was glad she had found Sandy and the boutique. This was what she had always wanted to do, and she needed the diversion from her life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Axel drove to the address Jordan had given him to meet at his parents’ house at noon. He waited in the vehicle until he saw Jordan approaching. He bounded out of the car and joined him. The two men shook hands and walked toward the house. Jordan had told Axel that he purchased the home for Mr. and Mrs. Mulls years earlier after a fire had destroyed the apartment building where they lived. It explained why his previous attempts to reach them had failed.

  Jordan knocked, and a beautiful older woman appeared at the door. After peeking through the sidelight windows and seeing them standing on the porch, she opened the door.

  “Jordan! My favorite handsome son. We haven’t seen you in weeks. How are Nicole and the girls?” She asked, motioning the men inside the house.

  “Mom, you know I’m always on call. Nicole and the girls are fine, the same as the last time you saw them, Saturday, right?” He smiled.

  She opened her arms and drew him in. Axel studied her carefully, taken aback. Mrs. Mulls was a strikingly beautiful woman. She looked like Kerrigan, just mature. Kerrigan had inherited her mother’s delicate features and graceful curvy frame.

  Jordan’s father joined the three of them in the foyer.

  “Mom and dad, this is Axel Christensen, Kerrigan’s boyfriend. He’s come all the way to San Diego to clarify the misunderstanding that caused their breakup. He’s explained everything to me. I believe he’s a good man. Kerrigan doesn’t know he’s here yet. He’ll surprise her later today, but he wanted to talk to you first about his intentions.”

  Mr. Mulls glared at him, an unforgiving scowl his eyes protruded, and nostrils flared. He flexed his hands and cracked his knuckles.

  “Mr. Mulls it’s a pleasure to met you. Kerrigan always speaks so fondly of you both,” Axel said, extending his clammy hand, nervous eyes dancing between Mr. and Mrs. Mulls.

  Eyeing him up and down, and strutting like a peacock, Mr. Mulls puffed out his chest, and then glared. His hands resting at his side didn’t budge.

  Mrs. Mulled stepped between the men. She reached out a delicate hand to Axel. “Axel, I’m Kerrigan’s mother. Come on in. We’ll sit in the living room.”

  Axel’s eyes shifted between her and Mr. Mulls’ cold glare. “Thank you ma’am. Good to meet you both.”

  “I’d like to know exactly what happened between you and my daughter. I’ll make up my mind about you then.” Mr. Mulls said, his sour face contorted.

  Walking into the living room, Axel’s eyes floated around the room. His gaze landed on an upright piano, the top covered with trophies and picture frames. Stepping closer, he recognized Kerrigan’s smile in most of the photographs and her name was etched into the gold-tone nameplate on all of the trophies.

  Mrs. Mulls paused beside him. “Kerrigan plays beautifully. Did she ever play for you?”

  Remembering the first time she played for him brought sensual memories back. “Yes, she played for me once.” His pulse quickened at the thought. “You have an exceptionally talented daughter. She plays beautifully.” He missed holding her, and he couldn’t wait to have her in his arms again.

  Mrs. Mulls stared into him. “She could have gone so much further with her music, but she simply stopped playing.” She shook her head, blankly staring across the room. “She could have done so much more with her life.”

  Axel pressed his eyebrows together, frowning. “Mrs. Mulls, Kerrigan is a very accomplished woman. You should be proud of her. I believe she can do anything she sets her mind to.”

  Pursing her lips, she grabbed the back of her neck. “I agree, but that was before the…” She snapped her head around and faced him. “Never mind. Please have a seat. I’m heading to the kitchen for refreshments and drinks. I’ll be right back.”

  Axel joined the other two men on the sofa. While she was gone, Jordan and Axel chatted casually about sports. Mr. Mulls sat back silently, his glare locked on Axel. As soon as she entered the room, Mrs. Mulls kicked off the interrogation in blunt fashion.

  “Axel, what happened? Kerrigan has admitted to me that she loves you. Why did she quit her job and move all the way back to San Diego? She loved her job, her life and you.”

  He told them the entire sorted story, starting with Sara—how she had tried extorting money from him and this family with her lies about him allegedly raping her when the two were in college.

  Leaning forward with his forearms resting on his thighs, he spoke softly. “After Sara, I was devastated. Mr. and Mrs. Mulls, Kerrigan is my first serious relationship.” He hung his head down. “I loved her—I am in love with her. I was ready to take our relationship to the next level, but she was insecure and doubted my feelings for her. I don’t understand.” His baritone quivered, and then heat rose to his face as nerves were getting the best of Axel.

  Mrs. Mulls patted his shoulder. “Yes, Kerrigan expressed her insecurity about your relationship to me too. I don’t understand either.”

  Axel lifted himself and addressed Mr. Mulls directly. “We had an argument. That was the last time I saw her, more than two months ago. I was shocked to learn the next week after our argument that she had quit and moved away. Until I talked to Jordan, I had no idea what happened.”

  She pivoted in her seat to the left. “Jordan, did Kerrigan say why she left?” Mrs. Mulls asked.

  “Kerrigan saw and overheard Axel talking to a woman in a coffee shop. It was a misunderstanding. She heard him making disparaging remarks, and she thought he’d been talking about her when he had been talking about Sara.”

  The boom of voice caught their attention. “Who was the woman you were talking to?” Mr. Mulls asked.

  “The woman she saw me talking to is my cousin Melody. I had just won my lawsuit against Sara. Melody has been my confidant over the years. We’ve been close since childhood. I’d been spending most of my time with Kerrigan. When we greeted each other that day in the coffee shop Melody asked me why she hadn’t seen much of me. I responded with one word—Kerrigan.” He took as deep breath, assessing the Mulls’ reaction to his story.

  Mrs. Mulls leaned in close, her eyes narrowed and focused on his as he spoke.

  Continuing his explanation, “I had
n’t dated anyone seriously since the incident with Sara until I met your daughter. Melody said she was glad that I was finally moving on. I shifted our conversation and unloaded about Sara.”

  Axel glanced at Mr. Mulls and noted his brow drawn down; his expression hard like chiseled stone.

  Mr. Mulls shifted in his seat and then cracked his knuckles. “Did Kerrigan ever tell you I was in the Army?”

  “Yes sir. She did.” A light coat of sweat glazed Axel’s forehead.

  “Did she ever tell you what I did?”

  “No, no sir, she didn’t mention that.” Axel’s baritone pitched.

  Mr. Mulls didn’t blink. “I was an Interrogation Specialist. Did that job for fifteen years. Go on. You were saying.”

  Mrs. Mulls shook her head.

  Wringing his sweaty hands, the explanation rushed from his mouth as if Mr. Mulls had threatened to short shackle him. “I was talking about Sara and the lawsuit that I had won. Apparently, Kerrigan was there and overheard that conversation. She must have thought I said those awful things about her. I understand how that conversation must have sounded and looked to her without knowing the full story, especially after our argument. What I don’t understand is how she could think I’d ever say anything like that about her.”

  Mr. Mulls spoke, but only his lips moved. “Axel, why should I believe you?”

  “Sir, I love your daughter. I wouldn’t say or do anything to hurt her. I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to prove that to her.”