by Sandra Kitt
“What’s on your mind, Craig?”
“You. How are you?”
I’m in love with you. “I feel wonderful.” And she did. Protected against the cold floor by the large, fluffy pillows and a roaring fire to warm her skin, she had Craig on top of and in her, meeting her other physical needs.
But what about her heart and mind? Neesie shook the thoughts of permanence—her and Craig—away. That wasn’t their reality.
His fingers smoothed her hair, and she never felt sexier.
His gaze flitted to hers. “Are you cold? Do you want to get up?”
She wiggled her hips. “In a minute. I’m happy right here.” Unwilling to lose the closeness they shared, she didn’t want words or movement. She wanted to suspend time. And she did for just a while longer.
* * *
The sound of the shower awoke her and Neesie rolled over, remembering how she and Craig had christened her bed. Morning light peeked through the drapes and then reality hit her.
Craig had spent the night. Neither had done much sleeping, but that wasn’t the point. He was still there and it was morning.
Gathering her silk nightdress, she slipped it on and hurried to wash her body and brush her teeth in the guest bathroom.
What was he going to say? What would he do? Would he try to make a fast escape?
Splashing her face again with water, Neesie smoothed down her sleep- and sex-mussed hair and fixed a wayward earring. Noticing the other was gone, she removed the remaining one and laid it on the sink.
Now what?
Face the music.
She exhaled, closed the door as she entered the hallway and ran right into Craig.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
His white shirt was half buttoned, the cuffs hung open and his feet were bare. From his expression, she realized he was feeling just as unsure as she. This fact calmed her.
“I figured you might have to go to work, so—”
“I was looking for you.” Placing his hand on her side, he eased her back against the guest room door. A low thrum pounded in her chest, between her legs.
Neesie couldn’t stop her mouth from opening and accepting the delicious kiss he bestowed upon her. Their tongues tangled, mingling in morning greeting until she was breathless.
“I could eat you up,” he said, sampling her neck, then releasing the moist skin. He took her hand and kissed it.
Her body was on fire with wanting and Neesie wished they could go back to bed and continue the journey of their seeking souls. Yet her practical side took over.
“I would love nothing better. But we’ve got lots of work to do.”
He sobered and sighed. “In that case, I definitely need food.”
Leading him by the hand they entered the kitchen and Neesie headed straight for the refrigerator and her favorite water pitcher. She poured two glasses of orange juice and handed one to Craig.
“Good morning.”
He grinned. “Good morning.” After he drained the glass, he sat down. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
From the pantry, Neesie glanced over her shoulder at him. “You mean you’re not trying to tell me?”
“I’ve changed.”
A simple declaration, but so revealing. Her heart tripped, catching the beat again.
“We’ve both changed,” she finally said. “But the outcome will still be the same, right?”
He hesitated, nodded.
Her stomach fell as she strove for nonchalance. “Well, while I’m making breakfast, you can learn to wield a calligraphy pen. Both of us depend on our jobs too much not to have them.”
“You understand, don’t you?” Yes, she understood sometimes to love was to lose.
Facing the pantry shelves again she forced her voice steady. “Uh-huh. Make yourself comfortable in the den, and I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.”
After several attempts and calls for help, Craig caught on to the pen and addressed invitations while Neesie cooked. She was amazed at his level of concentration.
She set the table and tried to think of inconsequential things to say, but failed and after several attempts, they both took an inordinate interest in chewing.
After breakfast, Neesie forced herself to sit still and write out envelopes but she could feel his gaze upon her every time she stood.
Watchful and assessing, understanding her need to move.
Finally she couldn’t sit without touching him. “I’ll be back. I’m going to get dressed.”
“Take your time.”
When she returned to the den Craig was gone. Pain tore at her as she found a note on the island in the kitchen.
Gone to the post office and home to change. I’ll call you. Later.
Knowing that he’d have to leave sooner or later didn’t lessen the blow to her feelings. He’d chosen to escape while she was indisposed. A definite reminder of their status. They were officially lovers. Nothing more. He hadn’t even invited her over to his condo. Another reminder.
Neesie strolled into her office, sat down at her table that doubled as her desk and picked up the phone. Though her eyes were teary, she refused to cry. Big girls don’t cry.
She forced her fingers to move and dialed the caterer.
“Hello, Hannah. This is Neesie Claiborne.” She paused, mustering up her usual enthusiasm. “Have I got the menu for you.”
After describing her vision for the food and drinks, she waited for Hannah’s approval.
“I can’t do it. Sorry, Neesie.”
Neesie sat up in her chair. “Why? You signed a contract with Stadler’s months ago. It stated clearly to call you two weeks before the event. I realize I’m a few days early, but that’s not it. What’s the problem?”
“A stop pay was put on the check.”
“What!”
Neesie could hear Hannah leafing through papers.
“Yep. I’ve got the check right here. It arrived two months ago, but I was out of the country, then I was sick with the flu. When I tried to deposit it several days ago, there was a stop pay on it.”
“Hannah, I’m sorry. There must be some mistake. We definitely want you. Can you give me a few minutes to clear this up?”
“Look, Neesie. We’ve worked together in the past and this is no reflection on yours and my relationship. But I don’t want to do business with Waymon Stadler. He’s a crummy guy and Nevana, well, she’s burned her last bridge over here. Besides, after I lost that account, I picked up another for the same day and time. I just couldn’t wait to hear from you guys any longer.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have had this cleared up in a heartbeat.”
“I know you would have, but I didn’t know until I called Nevana that you had taken over for her. Anyway, she referred me to Waymon Stadler’s office and I left several messages. When I didn’t hear back from him, I assumed he didn’t want to do business. I’m sorry to do this to you, Neesie, and I wouldn’t have had I known you would be catching all the flak.”
“Hannah, I need somebody. Come on, help me out.”
“Mmm. I use the ladies at your church to cook for me when I’ve got an overload of business. Your mother and grandmother are the best. I know they’ll pitch in. Look, I’ve got to run. Good luck and keep me in mind when you’re not working for Stadler.”
Neesie listened to dead air and let her eyes sink closed. Waymon Stadler was sabotaging them. He could have returned Hannah’s calls if he’d wanted to, but he hadn’t. And she’d bet ten dollars he was behind the stop pay on the check.
Neesie dialed her mother’s number and left a message.
If Waymon wanted to play hardball, it wasn’t a thing for her. Avery was her town.
Chapter 10
Craig pulled into Neesie’s driveway, parking on the left.
His side of the driveway.
After she’d referred to it that way the evening after he’d spent the night, he couldn’t get it out of his head.
As
he stepped from the car, briefcase in hand, a spring breeze bathed his face. The tepid air felt good. It had been a long, hard winter.
He followed the stone pathway to the door and rang the bell wondering what damage Waymon had wreaked in the two hours since he’d left the office.
But his thoughts didn’t stay on work, instead jumping over to the house he’d become comfortable with, and the woman who’d made him feel alive. He’d left her house the other day thinking he could walk out of her life as he’d entered. Cool and in control. But control failed him and he kept coming back for more.
Neesie’s voice reached him before she opened the door, and anticipation made him shift everything to one hand so he could pull her against him and taste her mouth.
He didn’t tire of her. Ever.
The door slid open and Neesie’s bare foot came into view.
Letting his gaze travel from the brightly painted toes up her leg, he took in her workout attire. Gray shorts and a white sports bra that left her bellybutton exposed, made him want her.
He was whipped and didn’t mind.
Like an obediently trained animal, he returned her wink and followed her down the long hall as she continued her conversation on the phone.
“Yes. We need about fifteen waiters and waitresses to service about two hundred tables. That’s right. How are we with the menu?”
Two hundred tables? Where were they going to get two hundred tables from? They were trying to cut costs, not increase them. He waved to attract her attention, shaking his head.
Absently she waved back, then let her hand land on her hip as she paced the office. Craig dropped into her pink office chair and watched her work.
“Greens are good,” she said to the caller. “Salad, of course. How about the meat? Rib eye? No, ma’am, that’s too expensive. No chicken,” she said, using her toe to nudge the weights she’d been using out of her way.
“This is a period party. We have to stay with the prohibition theme. I know you’ve got things under control. I trust you. I really do. A less expensive steak is good. Let’s talk dessert.”
Neesie moved gracefully as she pushed the caller to give her exactly what she wanted. He was relieved that she was negotiating with a caterer after Waymon’s recent sabotage attempt.
Craig caught Neesie by the waist as she slid her hand around his neck and perched on his lap.
“Vanilla ice cream is perfect. Yes, ma’am.” She nodded. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Neesie wrinkled her nose against his, her lips playing taps with his as she talked. “You saved me once again. All right. Yes, I’m happy. With everything.” She met his gaze, then settled her back against his chest.
Slowly he caressed her side with his thumb, pleased to be part of her life, wondering why contentment had found him now.
Early success had separated him from his peers. While they’d been out hooping, he’d been learning about the stock market and investments at the local Boys & Girls club. His mother had kept him, his brother and sisters at church and away from the harsher life on the Chicago streets, and a scholarship to Notre Dame had sealed his fate. He was Ivy League, black and successful.
He’d set goals as he’d been taught and had for the most part, achieved them. Now he felt a change occurring that wasn’t part of his ten-year plan and Neesie was the reason why.
She was happy, he argued with himself. She’d said so today and after the first time they’d made love. Yet the feeling that change was imminent scared him.
Nothing would stand in the way of reaching his dreams, and he was glad Neesie understood that.
Finally Neesie hung up and sighed, settling more on his lap.
Silence enveloped them and they remained quiet. Her breathing evened out and he wondered if she were asleep until she turned and looked at him with tender eyes.
“What’s the matter, Neesie?”
“Everything is good.” Her lips touched his neck. “Craig, make love to me.”
An unspoken urgency evolved around them, charging the air with need and he let himself be swept into the tidal wave.
His hand covered the proud bend of her breast. “Right here?”
She dropped the phone on the desk and hooked her fingers beneath the straps on the sports bra. “Right now.”
Neesie was the first to rise from the love nest they’d created in her bedroom. She hurried to the bathroom, not wanting Craig to hear her sobs. The shower masked the noise of her pain and she wondered why she’d done it. Why had she slept with Craig again? He wasn’t in love with her. He wasn’t staying in town to fall in love with her. He wasn’t going to commit his heart to her. Why had she fallen in love with a man she knew could never love her?
The door to the bathroom cracked open and she turned away.
“Are you hungry? I’m ordering some dinner. We have to be at the Stadler’s house at seven.”
Holding the thick washcloth to her eyes she spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
He stepped inside the bathroom, his voice concerned, but cautious.
“You okay?”
Neesie cleared her throat. “Yeah. I got soap in my eyes. I’ll be out in five.”
He hesitated and she wondered if he believed her. Then he said, “All right.”
She heard the door close and picked up the bar of Dove. Get over it, she thought as she scrubbed her skin. You went into this with your eyes open. Don’t get wimpy now. Still, she vowed not to make love to Craig again.
The house was magnificent. Though this was the second time they’d been to the Stadler’s house, Neesie was still taken with its beauty.
Mr. and Mrs. Stadler had stayed true to the original designs and kept the unique flavoring of a house built in the early part of the twentieth century. A wide wooden staircase filled the grand foyer, which had been glossed to a high sheen. Candles reflected against mirrors, lighting their way as they opened doors and peered into rooms. They entered an oval room and Neesie fell in love again.
Orange taffeta hung from the high windows and a soft gold tapestry covered the walls. Wrought-iron bars exquisitely designed into animals shapes hung from the walls of the otherwise bare room. She walked the length and back before commenting.
“I’ve decided. This will make a perfect Vanderbilt room. The gaming tables will go in here. I’ve already rented them and they’ll be delivered the day before and set up by the rental company. For a fee, they even provide people to work the tables. I’ve rented two roulette, two blackjack and three poker tables. I think that will fill this room very well.”
Craig had been watching her since they’d left her house. He hadn’t said much on the ride over and she was glad. Her red eyes had been blamed on the soap and if he wanted to believe that, it was all the same to her.
She made a check mark in her notebook before looking up at him. “How many gold coins were you able to get?”
“We’ll have ten thousand. I figured we’d assign a value of one dollar to each coin.”
Nodding, she stepped into the hallway, waiting as he closed the door. “That’s perfect. I think we should give some of them a five dollar value. There will be girls walking around selling cigarettes and chewing gum. They can sell coins, too.”
Pointing with her pen, she earmarked four other rooms. “These will be the Manhattan room, the Della Robbin room, the Eliot Ness room and the dining room is where we’ll have dancing and the presentations. Oh, the tiny room off the foyer at the end of the hall will house the bar. We’ll have a coat check and powder room for the women on this level, with two more upstairs.”
“Neesie.”
Neesie swallowed, keeping her gaze glued to her notebook. “Yes?”
“Have I done something to upset you?”
“This isn’t the time.” Suddenly her throat was thick with tears and she moved toward the voices that were growing louder.
“When is the time?” he asked, his hand stopping her. He pulled her into one of the rooms and close
d the door.
Breath huffed from her. “I can’t help that I’m falling in love with you. I know...” she said when he stared at her with wide eyes.
Even though he steeled himself, he couldn’t stop her words from piercing his heart.
“You’re changing the rules.” His breath hissed quickly, and he shook his head with his eyes closed.
“I can’t help how I feel. I’m sorry I’m not a robot, Craig.” She shook her head, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. “I can’t handle this right now.”
His dark eyes blazed as he looked at her. “What now?”
“Nothing. We’re going to go on as planned.” Her eyes rested on the notebook. “We’re going to show up Waymon Stadler, I’m going to be known as the best event planner Avery has ever seen and you’re going to get that promotion. Everybody except Waymon will get what they want.”
“How can you say that? I have...feelings, too—”
“Don’t.” She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Don’t go there unless you’re willing to take it all the way.” Confusion and indecision registered in his eyes and she had her answer. “Your boss is waiting.”
They stepped from the room and Neesie became the professional again, shutting him out in a way that left him cold.
Stadler greeted them with a welcoming smile and ushered them into his library. “Craig, this year’s event will be fabulous. Ingenious idea.” He shook his head. “You and Ms. Claiborne here have come up with a winner.”
“Thank you, sir.” Craig looked at Neesie’s bowed head and wished he could talk to her. She’d been crying when she’d left the bed and in the shower and now he knew it was because she loved him.
A part of him wished he’d never crossed the line with her, but the other part was glad to know her. Maybe she’d come to California. Come on, California, he urged silently. Too many decisions, not enough choices.
“I cut my fishing trip short and went to San Diego last week, Craig. We’re anxious to get you out there.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m anxious to go.”
