After the Dawn (19 page)

“I'm not a man who goes from woman to woman. True, I try to relax between jobs, but that doesn't mean I have to have a woman to do so,” he told her. “I won't hurt you. I promise. Trust me. Trust this.”

His mouth took hers, gently, then with growing ardor. Both were trembling when it was over. “That's why I'm not walking away. You move me, excite me.” He brushed his hand over her hair. “I want to do wicked things to you, protect you, make you laugh for no reason. No woman has ever made me feel that way.”

“Don't do this,” she whispered, blinking rapidly.

Pulling her closer, he gently kissed each eye. “Dillon said if you shed one tear, he'd do more than wrinkle my shirt.”

Her gaze dropped to his shirt. She ran her fingertips over the creases. “He's protective of me.”

“And he loves you. If he thought I was running a con, I'd be in need of a doctor by now,” Roman said. “I'm asking again that you give us a real chance. Don't try to read something negative into my every sentence. Just trust me. Please. I won't hurt you or lie to you. Like I said, I know what that feels like.”

“You might not want to go out with me if you really knew me,” she whispered. She'd been the other woman.

“I doubt that, but I'm willing to take the chance.” He lifted her chin. “How about a movie tonight? Or we can drive into Dallas and go out to dinner.”

With the muscled warmth of his body against hers, his beautiful face so close to hers, it was difficult to think straight. “If we go to Dallas, you'll be late driving back and then you'll have to come back in the morning.”

“I like your being concerned about me, but I'm used to driving.” He grinned. “If it will make you feel better, we can go by my place afterwards. I'll pick up some things and when I drop you off at home, I can get a hotel room in Elms Fork.”

Going by his place would be too risky. “A movie here should be fine. I'll fix dinner.”

“Nope, we'll go out.”

“Dillon—”

“Can fend for himself.” Roman kissed her. “Six thirty all right?”

He kissed her and her logical mind shut down. She might be getting in over her head. “I suppose.”

He brushed his lips across hers. “Thank you. You won't be sorry.”

“If I am, you'll be sorrier.”

He laughed, kissed her again, and then was gone. Scared, excited, Marlene plopped into her seat.
Roman, please don't be a lie,
she thought.

*   *   *

Dillon was too restless to work on the prototype. He'd gone outside and called Carson's father, Nathan Rowland, about using the intercooler in his 1948 BMW in Saturday's race. Nathan might respect Dillon's ability, but he was a race car fanatic and as competitive as they came. Carson, his oldest son, owned three luxury car dealerships in the Southwest. He drove the BMW on race day and was even more competitive.

The best Mr. Rowland could offer Dillon was a chance in the qualifying trial in Friday's races. If the intercooler did its job, Dillon was in. If not … In exchange for the opportunity, Dillon gave a verbal agreement to be on call exclusively for Rowland Racing Team for the next two months. Dillon hadn't hesitated. Both of them knew that ideas for improvements on cars came quickly; it was imperative to get his on the car as fast as possible and see if it worked.

Dillon disconnected the call, got in his truck to go pick up lunch and ended up at the garage. He saw Roman's convertible Porsche pulling out as he was pulling in. He parked and went inside the main office. “Hi, Gloria. You're looking as sexy and as beautiful as ever.”

“My husband thinks so, but it's always nice to hear,” she told him.

Dillon chuckled. Gloria was a hoot, and he liked to tease her. “I'm going on back.”

She leaned over the counter and whispered, “He just left. He's a handsome devil, I give you that, but I told him we'd be watching him.”

“Thanks.” Dillon went to his mother's office and knocked.

“Come in.”

Her voice sounded shaky. She could be upset or … Dillon opened the door. His mother's cheeks were flushed, her hair slightly mussed. Scratch upset.

She held his gaze, but he could tell she was nervous. She'd never asked for anything from him, done without so he didn't have to. She'd worked hard to give him a house with a yard, the puppy he'd wanted, the car at sixteen.

Some would say she'd given him too much. As an adult, he realized she hadn't wanted him to have less or, more important, feel less because he didn't have a father in his life.

Dillon knew Roman was right. One word from Dillon and she wouldn't see Roman again. She'd always put Dillon first. Their bond was strong and unshakable. His gaze fell on the bakery box. He lifted the lid, then switched his attention to hers.

“You going out with him again?”

She bit her lip. “Dinner tonight and then a movie.”

He let the lid fall. “I don't guess I have to tell you to be careful. No parking. If you need me, don't think. Just call. Home by ten.”

Her smile trembled as he repeated the rules she'd given him growing up. “No.” She glanced down, then up, her gaze troubled and a bit unsure. “I'm not sure what I'm doing.”

He took her unsteady hands and knelt. “Do you want to go out with him?”

She nodded. “But I don't want to make a mistake again. We're just dating, but … I don't want the town whispering about me when I pass.”

Dillon's face hardened. “You can't live your life to please the town. Please yourself.”

She almost smiled, freed her hand to cup his cheek. “Yes, Mother.”

They both chuckled. She'd been the best and, for the lack of a husband, had borne the brunt of the town whispers. He couldn't change that, but he would help her think of herself for once. And if Roman messed up … “He's a good man.”

She nodded again. “I won't have time to fix your dinner.”

“I'll pick up something. Don't worry.” He kissed her on the cheek and pushed to his feet. “Have fun.”

“Thank you.”

He stopped at the door and looked back at her. “Thank me by pleasing yourself for once. I'll make myself scarce if you two want to come in.”

She blushed and tucked her head.

Chuckling, he headed to his truck. He trusted Roman, but it wouldn't hurt to be there when he picked his mother up.

*   *   *

“I'm leaving early today,” Dillon announced to Samantha as soon as he came through the office door. “See you tomorrow.”

“It's just six. You're supposed to be working on the prototype while I work on the files. We have to be ready Friday.” Sam lifted a brow and folded her arms. “You got a hot date?”

“No, but Mama does with Roman.”

“What?” She snatched her arms to her sides.

Dillon rubbed the back of his neck. “I trust the guy, but…”

“He's a man, and your mother is a beautiful woman,” Sam said knowingly.

“Yeah.”

Her lips twitched. “I guess the stories about protective big brothers goes double for protective sons, especially those with a reputation like yours.”

“I'm not that bad.”

She rolled her eyes. “Dillon, you're practically legendary in this county. You probably gave a lot of mothers some hard times. I'd say it's payback time.”

His eyes narrowed. “If he gets out of line…”

“Marlene can handle him.” Sam folded her arms and leaned against the desk. “Give them a break. You'll only make her nervous if you're there.”

“You might be right, but I plan to be there just the same.” He glanced at his watch, then started for the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“Dillon, you can't be serious.”

“I'll stay out of the way.”

“No, you won't.”

“You could come with me so it would seem more casual,” he suggested. “We could go grab a bite later.”

“As if they need two people staring at them.”

“We could be in the back or something.”

“You're really worried about her, aren't you?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes your best intentions get pushed to the back in certain situations.”

She briefly lowered her head. She probably remembered the kiss. “I'll get my purse, but we're staying on the terrace until they leave and then we're going to grab dinner.”

“I'll just say hi to Mama and then we'll go to the back.”

*   *   *

Marlene had changed clothes twice. She didn't like the way she looked in either outfit. Besides that, her hair refused to behave. In her bedroom, she stood in front of her built-in floor-to-ceiling mirror and considered changing for the third time. The times she'd seen Roman, he'd been in dress slacks and a tailored shirt. He was coming straight from work.

Remembering the wrinkled shirt, she glanced skyward. What was she doing? Maybe she shouldn't go.

“Mama,” Dillon called, rapping on her bedroom door, “Sam and I are going out back to talk business.”

She came out of the bedroom, wringing her hands. “Hello, Sam.”

“Hi, Marlene. You look fantastic,” Samantha said, catching Dillon's arm. “We're going out back.”

The doorbell rang.

Marlene started, glanced at her watch. “That can't be Roman. He's ten minutes early.”

“He's anxious,” Samantha said with a smile. “When he sees you, he'll be glad he was early.”

Marlene ran her hand over the pale peach sundress. “I—I don't know.”

The doorbell rang again.

“Dillon, what do you think? Maybe I shouldn't go,” Marlene said, biting her lower lip. He had yet to say a word. He just stared at her.

“I think you should.” Dillon picked up her handbag from the bed, then went into her closet and came back with a light shawl. “It gets cold in the movies.”

The doorbell rang again.

“In a minute he'll be banging on the door.” Taking her arm, Dillon led her to the front door and opened it.

“Marlene,” Roman said. “I was afraid … You look beautiful.”

“Have her home at a decent hour. No speeding,” Dillon said to Roman, then to this mother, “Do you have money in case he gets out of line and you need to call me?”

She nodded, finally smiled. “Yes.”

“You have my cell phone. We're going to Dixie Bell to eat and then the seven-thirty movie.” Roman caught Marlene's hand and drew her over the threshold. “Good night.”

“Night. Have fun.” Dillon closed the door.

*   *   *

“I'm proud of you.”

“I've never seen her that scared and unsure of herself.” Dillon rubbed a hand over his face.

“A man you care about will do that.”

Turning, he folded his arms and stepped away from the door. “Speaking from personal experience?”

“You promised me food.” She smiled. “Is the Burger Joint on Beacon Street still open?”

“Last time I drove by.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

*   *   *

“I almost didn't come,” Marlene said, no longer clutching her purse. Perhaps it was the soft music on the radio that helped calm her.

“I figured as much when no one answered the door.” Roman cut her a quick glance. “I wasn't sure if Dillon had changed his mind about me.”

“It was me.” Marlene laughed nervously. “I wasn't sure I looked right, then he came home and you were early.”

“Sorry.” He stopped at a signal light. “Guess I was anxious to see you, and scared that if you had too much time to think, you'd back out.”

“If it hadn't been for Dillon, I might have,” she confessed, finding her muscles relaxing more and more. “That's the second time Dillon has acted the parent, repeating my words back at me.”

“He probably heard them a lot.” Roman pulled into the graveled parking lot of a long wooden building with an eight-foot plastic heifer in front.

“He did. Dillon liked testing me and rules,” she said. “Sometimes…”

“You wondered if you were doing the right thing,” he finished.

“Yes. I look at him now and think how grateful I am for him.”

“So am I,” Roman said. “He led me to you.”

Marlene flushed.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

“Yes. Twice.”

“Just checking.” He grinned, and she grinned back.

He hopped out of the car, then went around to open her door and helped her out. “Any idea what a decent hour is?”

“When Dillon was in junior high, it was nine.”

“I think we're going to miss it.” His hand closed around her elbow.

Smiling, thinking he might be right, Marlene continued toward the restaurant. The warmth and excitement of his touch wasn't as scary or unnerving as it once had been.

Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a look at him. Her heart did a hop and a skip. Even in profile, he was an extremely handsome man. His hair might be liberally sprinkled with gray, but his broad shoulders were erect, his muscled build evident in the blue cotton shirt and dark gray slacks.

“Hello, Marlene.”

“Hi, Ms. M.”

Marlene jerked her head around to see Anna Douglas and her five-year-old daughter, April. For a moment, Marlene couldn't think of a thing to say. She was thrust into the past, when people whispered as she passed. She'd never wanted to have that again.

“Marlene?” Anna and Roman said almost in unison. Her gaze jerked from one to the other. Both wore expressions of concern.

“Are you all right?” Roman took both of her arms, stepping in front of her. “Do I need to take you home?”

She opened her mouth to say yes, but, staring into Roman's dark eyes, she couldn't form the word. If he took her home, she knew she'd never get up the courage to go out again, even with Dillon pushing her. She was going to do what Dillon said, what she'd taught him. She was going to live her life.