Falling for the Boss (19 page)

“
That’s not necessary since I won’t be coming here again, and I wouldn’t have any opportunities to ride otherwise.”

Marcus grinned lazily
, tracing her upturned face with his finger. “I can assure you that you’ll have more opportunities to ride than you think.”

Maggie wanted to believe this to be true. It was on the tip of her tongue to say that nothing would please her more than to think she would be returning to this wonderful place. But none of these thoughts could be voiced. Their relationship was
n’t real.

After
lunch, a meal shared with the two men on the sunny deck, Marcus suggested Maggie might want to rest for a while. Damien’s party would no doubt run late. Thinking he’d probably tired of her company, she left them talking over their coffee.

Though she wasn’
t sleepy, Maggie decided to take Marcus’ advice and lay down for a while. Not bothering to change, she went to the couch in front of the fireplace and closed her eyes. Her repose was interrupted by a throbbing sensation at the base of her neck. Moving from the loveseat to the bed seemed to help for a while and Maggie fell into a restless doze.

At some point
, she became aware that the discomfort in her head was worsening. Knowing things weren’t going to get better without help, she made herself get up. As quickly as her pounding head would allow, she changed into a nightgown, took her medicine and returned to bed.

This is where Marcus found her.
His teasing remarks about people who sleep the day away died on his lips when his glance came to rest on her stricken face. He took the hand lying limply on the bedspread into his own.

“
What’s wrong?”

“
A headache,” she answered weakly.

Marcus
remembered the doctor’s warning that from time to time Maggie could be subject to blinding headaches as a result of her accident.

“
Have you taken anything?”

“Yes, so I should be feeling better soon.”

Marcus sat down next to her. “If you like, I’ll rub your back. It will help you relax.”

Maggie
turned over without a word. The medicine was beginning to make her drowsy, almost like she was floating on a cloud. She felt his hands move to her hair.

“That’s nice,” she said in a drowsy voice that drew a
gentle smile from the man at her side. “My mother used to do this every night before I went to sleep.” She suddenly remembered their plans for the evening. “What about the party?”

“
You’re supposed to be going to sleep,” Marcus answered quietly. “The party is the last thing you should be worrying about right now.” He bent down and kissed her cheek. “You need rest; everything else will take care of itself.”

Sometime later
Marcus crept silently from the room. He must notify Damien about the change in plans. When he arrived downstairs, Collin was preparing to leave, his attire suggesting he was going to be spending time with someone special.

“Got a date?” Marcus asked, smiling faintly.

“Yes; I met her at the grocery store.”

“The grocery store?”
Marcus was startled into exclaiming.

“If you weren’t engaged, I
would suggest you try it some time. Aren’t you supposed to be leaving for Damien’s soon?”

“Maggie’s out of action – a headache. That medicine she takes will probably keep her
out until morning.”

“I hope she feels better tomorrow. Well, I’m off.  Don’t wait up for me.”

“When have I ever done that?”

Marcus tried reading, television and even paperwork. Nothing could hold his attention for long.
He finally gave in and did what he’d wanted to do all along. He stood beside the bed looking down at the woman who had literally changed his life. She was so sweet and feminine and so very easy to love.

When Maggie woke the next morning, her headache was gone. A glance out the window was enough to send her into the bathroom where she quickly
changed into her swimsuit and headed outside. There was a light mist rising from the pale blue depths and with only the birds to witness her presence she slipped into the warm water. As she lazily floated on her back, she wondered when Marcus planned to return home.

Entering the house
a short while later, the delicious aroma of coffee led her to the kitchen. As there was no sign of Collin, Maggie helped herself to a cup of the dark brew, draping her towel over a chair. Some sixth sense told her she was no longer alone and she swung around quickly. Marcus was standing in the doorway.

“I’
ve looked everywhere for you. I never thought to try the pool.”

“I couldn’t resist – it was wonderful.”

His green eyes rested on her thoughtfully. “It’s a relief to see you recovered.”

Maggie laughed slightly. “It’s a relief to be recovered. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for making us miss the party. I wish you
’d gone without me.”

“How do you know I didn’t
go?” he asked as he slowly walked over to stand next to her.

She glanced at him quickly and then away again. “
I don’t know for sure. I just assumed you stayed home.”

“You assumed correctly.
Collin was going out, and I couldn’t leave you alone.”

“Is that the only reason
?” she asked in a small voice.

He laughed softly. “
No. You’re even more charming when under the influence of medication.”

Maggie bit her lip.
“I hope I didn’t say or do anything silly.”

“Not even a little bit silly.”

“I hate taking those pills; they make me feel weird.”

“Well, hopefully the times you need to use
them will become less frequent. I’ve kept you standing here in that wet swimsuit long enough. Go take a hot bath. Collin has gone for his morning jog so you’ve got plenty of time. When you’re ready, come to the library.”

When
Maggie entered the paneled room, Marcus was reading in a chair situated some distance from the floor to ceiling shelves that lined two walls. His brief glance and casual greeting sent her in the opposite direction to peruse the ornate bindings in front of her.

Dressed in
a new blue pantsuit, she made an attractive picture. Marcus found his interest in the book he held waning. With a nonchalance that was in variance to his feelings, he shelved the book and crossed over to stand behind her.

“
So you like poetry? I find it rather insipid myself.”

She turned her head to argue the point, but before she could say a word, Marcus bent
his head and gave her the lightest of kisses. It was very much like the first one he’d given her, the one she’d never been able to forget.

“
Would you mind doing that again?” she asked breathlessly.

Marcus shook his head slowly and started to laugh. “Oh, Maggie, you couldn’t be boring if you tried.” So saying, he lowered his head once more.

“We should probably go to breakfast now,” she offered when he drew back. “Collin must be wondering where we are.”

“Is that all you can say?” Marcus asked as he ran a finger down the side of her face. He saw the wave of color flood her cheeks.

“What can I say?” she whispered, her eyes downcast. “I’ve never asked a man to kiss me before. I can’t think why I did it.”

“
Whatever the reason, I hope you’ll do so again.”

Collin
made omelets, light and golden yellow. With them he served fresh fruit topped with his own homemade frozen yogurt. Marcus picked up the newspaper placed conveniently by his plate and began to read. After a quick glance in his direction, Maggie relaxed and prepared to enjoy her meal.

They left soon after breakfast. Resting in Maggie’s lap was a
satin box containing fudge, a parting gift from Collin. Once away from the city traffic, Marcus increased his speed and leaned back in his seat.

“You made a hit with Collin. He doesn’t make his famous fudge for just anyone.”

A small smile played around her lips. The sight of it produced a frown in her companion. “He’s rather nice, you know. I wonder why he’s not married.”

“
I wouldn’t spend too much time thinking about him. You’re not his type.”

“
How do you know?”

“
I just know.” Marcus’ cell phone rang, and this highly revealing conversation ended. He drove straight to her apartment, and as he unloaded her luggage from the trunk, he asked if she was interested in going sailing.

“
I’d love it, but haven’t you had enough of my company?”

“
I’m beginning to think such a thing impossible.”

Watching him walk back to his car, Maggie wondered
if he realized what he’d said. Did he really mean what those words implied?

O
nce on the water, she forgot all these troubling issues and enjoyed the cool breeze billowing the sails and pulling her hair. She was amazed at how well they got along despite the differences in their backgrounds.

Maggie
was stowing always the remains of their lunch when Marcus came up beside her and leaned negligently against the counter. “I never knew all those weeks ago what I was letting myself in for when I suggested we get engaged.”

“
What are you talking about?” she managed to ask, completely bewildered.

“
I’d never met anyone like you before. How was I to know how either of us would react?”

S
uddenly, she understood. She’d given herself away and now he wanted to end the engagement. Maggie felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. In her agitation, she moved so quickly Marcus barely had time to get out of the way.

“
I understand that under these circumstances it would be difficult for us to continue. Would it be easier if I found another job?” Tears were close, but she willed herself not to break down.

T
o her chagrin, Marcus laughed. “It’s the only thing to be done.”

“
That’s not fair; this was your doing, Marcus. You’re the one who kept asking for help. I never wanted to do this in the first place. And I certainly had no plans of holding you to an engagement that means nothing to either of us,” she finished heatedly.

“
I never said it didn’t mean anything,” he interjected softly.

“
Oh, what’s the use in talking about it? You better take this.” She removed the ring from her finger and slipped it into the pocket of his shirt. “I’m not sure how these things work, but hopefully you can get your money back. I’d like to go home now.”

An
arm stopped her hasty exit and twinkling green eyes looked adoringly into her own. “We’ve already discussed the fate of the ring. Think how ridiculous I would look going back to the jewelry store.”

“
That should be the least of your worries. How hard can it be to admit you made a mistake? It happens every day.”

“
I didn’t make a mistake. I made one of the wisest decisions of my life getting engaged to you. Though I can’t claim to have done it for the right reasons, I’m endeavoring to correct that.” Maggie dared not believe what he seemed to be implying. Her eyes searched his in disbelief. “I can’t believe you don’t know.” Taking her hands, he kissed the fingers that trembled in his hold. “I’ve certainly shown you in every way a man can. I thought a woman could always tell these things.”

“
You and your theories on women. You act like we’re all the same.”

“
I thought so until you came along. Someone once told me that only in marriage can two people find true joy and fulfillment.”

“I thought
you didn’t believe in marriage. You told me you didn’t need that kind of distraction.”

“
The words of a fool. I was a marked man even then. I love you desperately, Maggie. So desperately that I’m saying and doing all the wrong things.”

Maggie’s breath caught in her throat. She reached out to touch his face. “
You’re saying the right things, darling,” she said softly. “I just can’t believe you’re saying them to me.”

Marcus turned his head, brushing his lips against her fingers. “
Does that mean you could put up with me on a full-time basis?”

“
Oh, yes. But are you sure, Marcus? You could have anyone and I’m so ordinary.”

“
Ordinary is the last word I would apply to you – bewitching is more like it.” Watching the dawning joy in her eyes, he continued. “I’ll never forget the night I kissed you during that thunderstorm. Every time I saw you, I wanted to do it again.

“
You’re so different from anyone I’ve ever met. The more I tried to tell myself that those differences didn’t matter, the more I realized how much I admired them. It was then I knew I had reached the point of no return. I was falling in love for the first time in my life and it scared me. I didn’t want to and yet could do nothing to prevent it. Does any of this make sense to you?”