The Best Mistake of Her Life (11 page)

Shoulder propped against the bathroom wall, Memphis silently watched Kate reapply her lipstick.

“My dress is creased,” Kate said.

“No one will notice.”

“And my hair is a mess,” she said.

“You look fine.”

She looked better than fine, she looked beautiful. And although the ice-princess persona was firmly back in place, he was beginning to recognize the signs of the underlying edginess brimming beneath her reserve.

Usually it was the subtle, rapid blinks of her eyelids that were the only clue to her distress. Right now it was evident in the faint tremble of her fingers as she swept a blond wisp of hair from her cheek and tucked it back into place. The strand had worked its way free from the elegant twist at the nape of her neck—most likely knocked loose when Memphis had held her head as Kate had worshipped his body with her mouth. The erotic memory brought an inevitable swell of desire, but Memphis pushed it aside. Because every tiny shake of her unsteady hands put another nick in his heart.

“The only thing anyone will notice is the glow in your face,” Memphis said.

Kate pressed her palms to her cheeks, staring at her reflection in the mirror, her brow creased with concern. She’d spent most of her life so contained she probably wouldn’t recognize her own feelings if they walked up and slapped her. He
hadn’t entered the bathroom to make love to her, only to tease and get a rise out of the normally composed woman.

Now he had an overwhelming urge to get her away from this toxic environment, to get her to
relax
.

“I’ll take you home,” he said

She met his gaze in the mirror. “I don’t want to leave right away.”

Surprised, Memphis shifted his weight on his feet. “I figured after everything the gossipmongers had said—”

“No,” Kate said as she turned and leaned back against the bathroom counter, bracing her hands on the marble behind her. “I told you before, I don’t care what they think about my marriage.”

He tipped his head. “So what does Kate Anderson care about?”

Kate didn’t hesitate. “Fixing my life.”

The regal set to her chin disturbed him more than he wanted to admit. He folded his arms against his chest, hating that he had to ask the words out loud. “Does that include continuing to stay away from me?”

Her forehead crumpled in confusion. “I don’t know, Memphis,” she said, the doubt and the uncertainty and the honesty cutting deeper than they should. “I just don’t know anymore.”

The look on her face made his chest grow tight, and he pushed away from the wall. “Damn it, Kate,” he said softly. Reaching the woman had never seemed so important, and he finally admitted
to himself just how much was at stake. “Please tell me you’re not engaged in some sort of self-torture mission because of what we did five years ago. As if you don’t deserve pleasure or happiness because of the past.” He hiked an eyebrow. “Because martyrdom isn’t an attractive quality in this day and age.”

Kate let out a small self-deprecating laugh. “If avoiding pleasure was my intent, I wouldn’t be doing a very good job of it, now would I?”

Despite the tension, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Not really.”

Her gaze shifted away from his. “And not that I think suffering in any way shape or form makes up for my sins, but trust me when I tell you I’ve suffered quite a bit already.”

“How?”

Kate’s expression went blank, and then she turned back to the sink. Not meeting his gaze in the mirror, she washed her hands, as if she hadn’t washed them two times already.

“How?” he repeated.

She pulled a tissue from the decorative container on the counter and pivoted to face him, holding it out to him. Clearly she was stalling for time.

“What’s that for?” he asked, refusing to take the tissue.

Kate nodded in his direction, not meeting his gaze. “I suggest you wipe your mouth. Mind you, you have testosterone to spare, but the lipstick really detracts from your manly appearance.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked, not that he gave a damn about having Kate Anderson’s lipstick coloring his mouth. Memphis shifted on his feet, refusing to budge. “What happened when you told Dalton about us?” he said

She blinked hard, and then turned back to the sink, rearranging the contents of a decorative basket on the counter. “All things considered, he took it remarkably well,” she said, her tone carefully even. But the nervous activity of her hands was a dead giveaway. “He knew we were in trouble, and he acknowledged he was also at fault for the two of us drifting apart,” she went on, her fingers smoothing the petal of a silk flower. “The competition to get into the law school he wanted was tough. And that meant his college years consisted of him being buried in the books. Spending hours away from home.”

“Lots of couples survive similar circumstances.”

Kate shook her head gently. “It got worse in law school, and even when he
was
home, he wasn’t mentally with me.”

Memphis knew there was more to the story, and he met her gaze in the mirror and, lifting an I’m-not-going-away brow, he said, “But what was his reaction about us?”

Kate heaved out a breath, and scrunched her eyes closed, her thumb and her forefinger pinching the bridge of her nose. “We talked about everything in depth with a marriage counselor, and Dalton seemed to come to grips with the news.
He was even able to discuss his feelings with the counselor in a logical, reasonable fashion. He told me he wanted to fix our marriage.”

“So what was the problem, Kate?”

She dropped her hand to her side and met his gaze in the mirror. “At home he began to hurl indirect slurs my way.”

He stared at her, as if he could will her not to look away.

“I couldn’t discuss his humiliating words with any of my friends.” She let out a low laugh that held no humor. “And I certainly didn’t want to confess to my family what I’d done.”

“Did you ask him to stop?” he said.

There was a small pause before she answered. “I did, but that only made his derisive comments worse,” she said. “He started making them in public, too, trying to hide them behind humor. He told jokes about women being untrustworthy. Liars and cheats. The only one not laughing was me.” She met his gaze again. “And the comments grew more vindictive as time went by.” Kate swiped an imaginary hair from her cheek, as if trying to brush aside the unhappy memories. “Until I finally realized he just couldn’t forgive me.”

Memphis watched her smooth her hand down her dress, as if trying to fix the faint creases from their moment of passion, and Memphis couldn’t take the nervous activity anymore. He reached out to wrap his fingers lightly around her wrist, subduing her antsy hand. He held her
gaze, his voice low. “Four years is a long time to spend seeking forgiveness,” he said, rubbing his thumb along the pounding pulse at the base of her thumb.

Her blue eyes were alive with emotion. “Especially when you’re struggling to forgive yourself.”

The words pinched his heart, and Memphis frowned. “Kate, you came clean. You tried to repair your marriage. There was nothing more you could have done.” Kate didn’t look convinced, and Memphis went on, struggling to convince her of the truth. “Ultimately,” he said. “Dalton made his own choice.”

Despite everything, a part of him had to ask the question, his gut tightening uneasily. “Do you still have feelings for him?”

Her sigh was so small it was almost inaudible. “I still believe in his politics. I know better than anyone that his commitment to serving the people is genuine.” She lifted her chin, squarely meeting his gaze. “And I will always support him unconditionally in his fight to better the lives of others. But no,” she said, shaking her head softly. “The only feelings that remain are the ones of respect for his dedication to his work.”

An intense feeling of satisfaction bloomed. And suddenly, the need to leave the complications behind was intense. “I found a side door while searching for the den,” he said. “I say we slip out and leave this party behind.”

Kate’s hesitation was brief. “On two conditions.”

Doubt narrowed his eyes. “Which are …?”

“First, we fix your appearance.” Kate reached up and wiped his mouth with the tissue, and Memphis was left wishing she’d used her lips instead. “Real men don’t wear lipstick.”

“And second?”

“You
have
to feed me.”

As if on cue, her stomach growled, and a smile crept up his face. “Deal,” he said. “I know the perfect place.”

F
ROM
the outside, the old fishing wharf restaurant looked as if it had fallen on hard times, but Memphis knew better. And the number of cars in the parking lot confirmed the unique establishment’s popularity. As they made their way for the door, Memphis loosely linked his fingers with Kate’s, enjoying the feel of skin on skin. And while there was nothing better than touching her in the midst of a round of passionate sex, he craved this simple contact, too.

“When you took me home to change into jeans,” she said. “I thought we’d end up at a beachside dive with sand under my toes.”

Chuckling, Memphis opened the door and led her inside. Music blared, people chatted loudly and mouthwatering smells filled the air. “
This
dive has the world’s best hamburgers and a great selection of beers,” he said. Just inside the doorway, Kate slipped her hand from his, and disappointment surged—because he missed her touch. “It also has a conspicuous lack of a judgmental public.” He shot her a meaningful look as he
steered her through the crowd. “When you decide to come to Rick’s, you don’t need to worry about a thing.”

Kate took a seat at one of the large wooden cable spools that doubled as tables, and her lips twisted wryly. “Except, perhaps, getting a tetanus shot,” she said dryly, eyeing the bar along the wall that was creatively fashioned out of wooden shipping crates.

Memphis chuckled as he sat in the chair beside her. “No nails, I promise,” he said, patting the table, which had a clear coat finish.

A perky waitress arrived to take their order, and when she retreated, Memphis turned back to Kate. “I promise you, no one in here has noticed nor cares that you are Kate Anderson.”

“No pitying looks for the ex–Mrs. Worthington?” she said lightly.

Memphis studied her face, but her relaxed expression matched her tone. Since they’d left the party, her tension had evaporated. Still, he knew that Tabitha’s malicious words had disturbed Kate, and he felt the need to offer reassurance. “Tabitha Reed is a useless phony.”

“She’s been a thorn in my side since high school.”

“I’m shocked.” His lips quirked. “Don’t you feel obligated to say nice things about her?”

She shot him a look. “That
was
me being nice.”

“Ahhh,” he said with a smile. “That was your delicate way of calling her a pain in the ass.”

“Yes.” She clearly was fighting a grin. “But she was good for one thing.”

He hiked a skeptical eyebrow. “Defining the word
bitch?
”

Kate let out a laugh, and the sound rolled through him, warming his insides and delighting him more than it should. Her blue blouse brought out the color of her eyes and was casually youthful, not the political-wife style she usually wore. With her shoulder-length, wheat-colored hair framing her face, she looked younger than her twenty-eight years.

And the new lightness in her eyes was infectious.

“That, too.” She folded her arms on the table. “But I was talking about her scathing appraisal of my life.”

He winced on her behalf, and, overwhelmed with the need to offer comfort, he covered her palm with his. “Kate—”

As if acting reflexively, she gently pulled her hand away again, her soft skin slipping from his grasp. But, instead of her standard chastising look, she sent him a smile. Which was an improvement, but not as much as he would have liked. “While waiting in the bathroom for you to break up the gossip fest,” she said. “I realized you and Tabitha were both right.”

His brow crinkled with doubt. “She and I sure as hell never agreed on anything.”

“You both claimed I didn’t have a life outside of my marriage,” she said. “And it’s true.”

Stunned by her words, he waited for her to go on, knowing the admission had to have been difficult. “I loved organizing the fundraiser functions,” she said. “But ultimately, Dalton reaped the benefits, not me.”

Pleased with her confession, he leaned his elbows on the unusual table. “So, what is Kate Anderson going to do now?”

“Something I thought about years ago. I’m going to start my own event-planning business.”

Pleasure surged. “Good for you.” He tipped his head curiously. “What stopped you before?”

“My parents encouraged me to wait until Dalton was more established in his career.” She pursed her lips. “But I suspect they were just worried I’d fail.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “If anyone can make the business a success, it’s you.”

“Thanks,” she said with a small laugh. “But in high school, Tabitha was the one voted most likely to succeed.”

“And you were voted most popular.”

As if unimpressed, Kate gave a tiny roll of her eyes. “Success is much more desirable than popularity.”

Memphis let out a small scoff at the irony. “I’ve learned that the first can buy you the second.” His lips quirked in humor. “Did you know I was recognized by my senior class, too?”

“And what notable title were you appointed?” she said, amusement shining in her eyes. “Best
killer smile? Most likely to bring a woman to her knees?”

Memories of the bathroom hit, and desire surged in response. “You know how much I love it when you’re on your knees,” he murmured.

Instantly her gaze grew dark, her throaty tone confirming her sensual gaze. “Careful, Memphis.” Folding her arms on the table again, she leaned in, the proximity increasing the feeling of seclusion. “That comes dangerously close to male chauvinism.”

“If it’s any consolation …” He held her gaze, more than pleased with the sense of intimacy. “I won the most insane vote.”

“Fitting,” she said softly. “Which crazy event earned you that title?”

“Right after your senior prom, I dived off the Biscayne Bridge. It was a great way to rid myself of a little sexual frustration.”

Her brows rose curiously. “If you spent most of my prom in the parking lot with Tiffany Bettingfield, where does the sexual frustration come into play?”

He took her hand, expecting her to resist again. Instead, Kate laced her fingers with his, her heated gaze and the small success thrilling Memphis to the core. Memory, and the soft, promising contact set his body on fire. “She wasn’t you.”

The scorching look that passed through his sinfully sexy eyes sent a heated flush surging
through Kate’s body. Holding his hand felt almost decadent, and her heart thudded so hard there was no room in her chest to breathe. But she couldn’t have pulled away again, even if she’d wanted to.

After several moments filled with a mutual desire, his gaze intense, Memphis said, “Where are we going from here, Kate?”

Kate stared at him, trying to process his question, knowing he was referring to their relationship. As the internal war was fought over what to do next, she lifted her gaze to his gorgeously mussed brown hair. And this time she had firsthand knowledge that it was the work of her fingers. Palm pressed against his, she subdued the urge to smooth his hair with her other hand, frightened by the tender feelings that the image brought.

Before she could resolve the battle being fought in her head, Memphis went on. “I get that you don’t want to add any more fuel to the gossipmongers. And clearly, going public with any kind of relationship, outside of a friendship, will do just that.” His fingers curled more firmly around hers, and she basked in the electric sensation. “But I won’t allow you to continue to pretend the chemistry between us is because you’ve gone so long without sex.”

She licked her suddenly parched lips. “I—”

“Because it isn’t.”

Her shoulders drooped a bit, giving in to the weight of the overwhelming truth. “I know.”

He didn’t give her a chance to continue, his
voice low and determined. “From now on, until this reunion is over, if I want to take you to bed I will.” A thrill shot through her. He rubbed her palm with his thumb, sending a potent shimmer of desire straight between her legs. Her now weak and
shaky
legs. “Hell,” he said. “If I want to sleep with you every night between now and the final party, I will.” He paused, as if letting the statement fully sink in before going on. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

As the sultry tension edged higher, she stared at him. He wasn’t trying to intimidate her. He wasn’t being a tyrant. He was simply a man who had reached the end of his patience.

“I understand,” she said.

He paused, as if expecting to hear an argument. When none came, he said, “So, do you agree to my conditions?”

Kate blinked once. Hard. She could refuse his demands, and that would be the end. Memphis would walk away and never look back. And although she’d come to terms with her mistakes long ago, she’d finally accepted that nothing she did now could ever undo what she’d done back then, either, which was a huge step forward to taking back her life.

Memphis would eventually leave town in search of the next big stunt, she accepted that inevitable truth. But for the first time in years the end of the day would be something to look forward to. And it was about more than great sex. It was the laughter, the
companionship
. She
couldn’t bear the thought of missing out on this chance.

She’d wanted to be with Memphis since she was a teen, and, right or wrong, she was done pretending she didn’t. “Agreed,” she said.

His thumb went still, and his gaze grew impossibly black, as if someone had poured melted dark chocolate into a glass full of whiskey.

A hamburger platter appeared on the table before her, a tantalizing smell reaching her nose, and Kate blinked in surprise, looking up at the young waiter responsible for the intrusion. He was dressed in baggy pants, a T-shirt and an eager expression.

Her
expression probably reflected her desperation and pounding heart. Neither of which had anything to do with the arrival of food and everything to do with the way Memphis was looking at her—as if he was ready to drag her into the nearest bathroom.

“Enjoy your meal,” the waiter said, placing a matching plate in front of Memphis. Instead of leaving them to their dinner, the guy turned to Memphis. “I took up BASE jumping three years ago. I’m a big fan of your work.”

Memphis maintained his hold on Kate’s hand. “Thanks,” he said to the waiter.

The man assumed a relaxed posture, as if ready for a long discussion. “I was at the New River Gorge the year you and that Anderson guy made a simultaneous double gainer BASE jump.”

Memphis shot the waiter a genuine smile. “That was a good one.”

“It was a
beauty
,” the waiter said with enthusiasm. “I was stoked for days after.” And then his face scrunched lightly, as if trying to remember. “And wasn’t the jump you two did from the top of the Anderson office building the one that injured your friend?”

At the resurrection of the awful memories, Kate’s heart sputtered to a stop, and Memphis’s thumb on her palm went still, the pleasant expression wiped from his face.

Tension tightened in the air, but the BASE-jumping waiter was oblivious as he went on. “I hear he almost died. Is he walking better now?”

The clatter of dishes, chattering guests and music filled the pause, the waiter clearly expecting a response, but it was Kate who recovered first. “Brian Anderson is doing just fine,” she said with a strained smile.

Memphis cleared his throat and pulled his hand from Kate’s. “Yeah,” he muttered. “He’s great. Thanks for the food.”

As the waiter retreated, Memphis started to eat, avoiding her gaze. Heart pumping at the reminder of another awkward part of their past, Kate shifted her eyes to her meal, no longer hungry … and missing the feel of Memphis’s hand on hers.

Two days later, Kate gripped her iced tea and tried to enjoy the sunny, bird’s-eye view of Miami
from the rooftop bar of the Anderson Towers—the perfect mix of elegant decor and a relaxed, Sunday-afternoon attitude. Earlier she’d been finishing up brunch with her family at the Country Club when Memphis had called and asked her to meet him here. After forty-eight hours of silence she’d been grateful for the contact. She’d also been grateful for a break from defending her choice of a date to her parents. They were unhappy to hear she considered Memphis a friend. Imagine how disappointed they’d be to know he was so much more? Or at least, he
used
to be more.

After the disastrous reminder of reality at dinner, Kate was no longer sure.

The conversation had been strained as they’d eaten their meal at Rick’s. Memphis had been quiet, almost withdrawn, and she’d been lost in the horrible memories of Brian’s accident—and all the things she’d said to Memphis that day….

Her stomach rolled, and Kate pressed a palm to her belly. When Memphis appeared on the rooftop deck, she gave up her efforts at self-comfort.

Because, although the office building was part of her family’s extensive holdings, he strolled onto the teak deck as if he owned the place, seizing her immediate attention. The athletic grace. The easy, yet commanding attitude. In jeans and a snug T-shirt, every muscle was lovingly emphasized, and he had a small backpack slung over one shoulder.

But of all the possible locales, why had Memphis wanted to meet her here?

She knew the answer had to do with Brian’s accident. Hating the barrier between them, she realized it was time to address this painful part of their history. Searching for a way to start the conversation as he drew closer, Kate said, “Most people come to Miami to enjoy the view of the ocean, not the tops of skyscrapers.”

Memphis ignored the subtle inquiry. He signaled the waitress and ordered a drink before dropping into a seat at the table, setting his pack next to his feet. “I’m not most people, Kate.”

No, he definitely wasn’t.

The whiskey-colored, thickly fringed eyes oozed the usual sex appeal, but there was a subtle hardness that had been there since the waiter had mentioned the accident. She scanned his face wondering what was going through his mind, and she remembered her brother’s warning words. Memphis wouldn’t be around much longer. And time was running out.

Fear squeezed her chest, an emotion she’d refused to acknowledge until now. Intuitively, she realized this was the reason why she’d dreaded asking Memphis for help.