Finding the Perfect Man (4 page)

His eyes widened, and she hoped he didn’t take it the wrong way, so she added, “Why don’t you pretend I’m Lanie, and talk to me like you want to talk to her?”

His hooded stare gave her no clue to his thoughts until a grin broke out across his face. Beyond the outdated glasses, and his unkempt facial appearance, he was really quite handsome.

“You want me to talk to you like you’re Lanie?”

“Yes. You need help confronting your fears, and that’s what I’m here for.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think I can.”

“Give it a try.”

He hesitated, rose from the couch, and moved to stand in front of her. She knew by his crooked grin, he wasn’t taking this seriously, and because of his reaction, she laughed. “Quit looking at me like that,” she said. “I really want you to pretend I’m Lanie. I want you to tell me you know about my affair.”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he straightened. His expression sobered as he stared at her. After a few seconds, his gaze roamed over her hair, her face, then down to her mouth. A familiar chill ran through her body, and her stomach fluttered with unexpected excitement. She cursed her body’s weakness.
Act professional!

He blinked and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Dr. Reed, but I can’t.”

As he turned to leave, she put her hand on his arm to stop him. “Brock? What’s wrong?”

“I can’t look at you and imagine my girlfriend.”

“Why?”

“Well, aside from the fact you two look nothing alike, she has long hair.”

“Would it help if I took down my hair?” Why did she suggest such a thing? That went beyond her duties as a doctor.

His eyes shifted back to hers. “You’d really do that? You’d help me like that?”

She ran the idea through her mind several times before answering. She’d never done anything like this before. Dare she try it with this particular client? Would it go against her professional ethics?

“Yes, Brock, I’ll do that for you.” She swallowed hard. “If it will help you find the words to say to Lanie, I’ll do it.”

She paused. Was he waiting for her to prove it? With shaky hands, she reached for the pins in her hair, and one by one, pulled them out. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders and down to the middle of her back, a stubborn lock fell across her face. Before she had time to move it, Brock reached with his finger and pushed it back with such tender care it nearly took her breath away.

“You have pretty hair.”

Her face warmed with his compliment. “Thank you.” She cleared her throat and slipped the hairpins into her jacket pocket. “But anyway, let’s start with the dialogue to your girlfriend.”

Nodding, he stuffed his hands back into his pockets. When he closed his eyes, his breathing became deeper. After a few seconds, he looked at her.

“Lanie, I have something to tell you.” He stopped and turned away. “What am I doing? I can’t do this.”

She grabbed his arm. The hardness of his muscles beneath the flannel shirt startled her, and for a moment, she couldn’t think of what to say. “What…what do you want to tell me, Brock?”

She kept hold of him until he faced her, then dropped her hand. This time, a different look appeared in his eyes, and she believed he had finally found the courage to act out this role-playing.

“Two weeks ago,” he said, “I came home from work early, and guess who else was home from work early?”

“Yes. I was home.”

“I saw a strange car in the driveway.” He paused, his lips thinning in anger. “Who do you know drives a red Chevy Cavalier?”

“I have no idea, Brock. Who?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Don’t play that game with me. I know better.”

“What are you insinuating?”

He folded his arms. “I came into the house to see who was here, and I heard noises up in our room. Can you take a guess what I heard?”

“No.”

He stepped closer, making Jordan retreat back against the wall until he had her pinned. The look of bitterness remained in his eyes, yet it didn’t scare her as much as the heat from his body, and the masculine scent of his cologne. She moistened her dry lips with her tongue.

“Let’s put it this way…you were
not
sleeping, and you most certainly were not alone,” he snapped.

“I don’t think you know what was going on, Brock.”

“Yes, I do.”

He grasped Jordan’s shoulders, and she sucked in her breath. Her heart thundered in her ears, but it wasn’t from his anger. His gaze focused on her opened lips, and she panicked. This couldn’t happen. She had to tell him not to touch her.

Yet, he seemed to be releasing his anger and frustration. She couldn’t stop him now. This was good therapy.

“What are you accusing me of?” she forced herself to say.

“You were cheating on me. You were with somebody other than the one you’re supposed to love, weren’t you?”

“Brock, it’s not what you think,” she repeated the famous sentence all cheaters use when they’re caught.

“It’s not what I think? Ever since you became friends with Tiffany, you’ve wanted to do everything she does. You go clubbing with her and stay out late, and you never want to do anything with me anymore. Tiffany is a wild woman, so I’m sure she’s introduced you to many guys. You’ve changed Lanie. You’re acting just like Tiffany, and I
know
you’re cheating on me, too! I also know who you’ve been spending time with. I’m not an idiot, Lanie.”

He closed the space between them. The buttons on his shirt caught the buttons on her open jacket, and his jeans rubbed against her legs. Burning sensations coursed through her body, but she mentally tried to keep the situation from getting out of control.

“What I’d like to know,” he continued, “is why you’d allow another person’s lips on yours when you belong to me?” He brought his hand up and gently stroked her cheek. “Is your lover’s touch better than mine?” The pad of his thumb swept across her mouth. “Does your lover’s kiss excite you more than mine?”

Brock bent his head, and she thought he was going to kiss her, but he switched his direction and kissed her earlobe instead.

She gritted her teeth. This had gotten way out of control! She had to stop it. Now!

Grasping his upper arms, she tried to push him away, but her body was weaker than her mind, and she felt paralyzed. After all, she was a woman with normal longings penned up for too long, but taking them out on her client was out of the question.

“Why, Lanie? Why didn’t you stay faithful to me? Don’t you know how much I loved you? I would have done anything for you.”

He pressed his body against hers and slipped his hands inside her jacket, sliding them around her waist. She gasped and squeezed her eyes shut. His chest and arms were so muscular, proving his profession as a construction worker.

“Brock,” she muttered, trying to bring him back to the present.

He kissed her neck, and nuzzled his face against her throat. His strong arms held her in a passionate embrace—one she couldn’t have. This was wrong!

“Brock,” she said louder.

He pulled back slightly, and she looked into his dark, green eyes. She moistened her lips, and his attention moved there. Her mind screamed to stop and take control.

“Brock, I think this role-playing has gotten way out of hand.”

His passionate expression disappeared. Weary sorrow replaced it, and his mouth dropped into a frown. “Lanie,” he continued softly. “Just one last question.”

She hesitated before nodding.

“Why did you cheat on me with my best friend?”

THREE

Brock studied the beautiful doctor he held against the wall, keeping himself in character. She would definitely think he was insane if she knew what vengeful thoughts swam in his head.

Most of what he’d told her was true, but Lanie’s deceit didn’t bother him any longer. He led Doctor Reed to believe this happened recently, when in reality, it was a few years ago. He had no other choice but to lie. How would he find out if the good doctor was the reason his baby sister committed suicide if he didn’t portray a client himself?

What he’d told Dr. Reed about Lanie’s lover had stunned her. He could tell by Jordan’s wide eyes and open mouth…lips that looked like they’d be heaven to kiss. Shaking the disturbing thought away, as it sidetracked him from his purpose, he concentrated on his goal.

He stepped away. He covered his face with his hands, dropping his shoulders for more effect.

“Oh, Dr. Reed. I’m sorry.”

As she released a deep sigh, her warm, minty breath brushed over him. “Brock, let’s go and sit on the couch.”

He followed her back to the couch and slumped in the cushions, refusing to meet her stare. He continued to cover his face.

“Brock, look at me.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m too embarrassed.”

“Why are you embarrassed?”

“Because it still hurts to think I was deceived by two people I’d loved, not just one, and I’m still very emotional about it.”

“Brock, that is understandable, I promise. Look at me.”

He lowered his hands and raised his face to hers.

“I’m glad you told me.”

“You are?”

“Yes. It’s a breakthrough in your recovery. That, and the role-playing we did. I’m sure you feel as if a weight has been lifted from your shoulders, don’t you?”

He nodded. Another thing that surprised him was how good she felt in his arms, and how heavenly she smelled. That in itself stunned him. He never expected
that
to happen. How could he haven’t enjoyed it when he loathed her so much?

“But I still don’t think I can talk to Lanie.” He paused, staring into Jordan’s pretty blue eyes, the same pair he’d almost lost himself in a moment ago. He definitely couldn’t let that happen again.

“Do you understand now why I’m so afraid?” he asked. “I’m finding it hard to admit that the two people I care most about have stabbed me in the back.”

“In our next session, we’ll get through that.”

“Promise?”

She smiled. “Yes, I promise.”

“Doctor Reed, I guess I should apologize for what happened a few minutes ago. I...I...I got rather carried away.”

She shook her head. “You were only expressing your feelings.”

“I have to admit it helped.”
In more ways than one.

Her smile widened. “Good. That’s what our sessions are for.”

He looked away from her amazing eyes and lowered his gaze to the stubborn lock of black hair lying against her cheek. He reached over and brushed it away. When she flinched, he realized he shouldn’t have done it. Bringing her down in front of the eyes of the professional world would be easier if she weren’t so cute and desirable.

“I just don’t want you to think I’m…uh, trying to hit on you,” he said.

She laughed uneasily. “I don’t.”

Although he didn’t want to, he couldn’t stop the tug pulling his lips into a smile.

“Brock, I think we better end our session today. Make another appointment with my secretary for next week.”

“May I make the appointment sooner?”

She shrugged. “You can make the appointment any time you like as long as I’m available.”

As soon as she said it, her cheeks flared a pink color. He bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“Thanks, Doc.” He stood and strode out of the room.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, he released a heavy sigh. He’d done a good acting job. He had to hand it to her, though. She’d handled the situation quite well. He’d expected her to melt in his arms, and let him do as he wished.

The doctor was tougher than he’d first thought.

It surprised him how much he enjoyed hearing the little gasps she made. But he couldn’t enjoy them. He didn’t want to be distracted, and getting too close to her did that.

The key to his plan was simple. He could not, under any circumstances, become attracted to Dr. Jordan Reed. He needed all his concentration if he planned to make sure she lost her license. He wouldn’t give up no matter what.

* * * *

Jordan sank into the brown leather couch and kicked off her heels, stretching her feet in front of her on the rug. What a hectic morning. The meeting with Brock had turned out well…yet at the same time, disaster had struck. She’d become weak, and she couldn’t do that again.

This wasn’t right. She couldn’t have these feelings about her client. She exhaled slowly. She must release him as her client. Doctor Fairchild was a good psychiatrist. Brock would like him. But no matter what, she couldn’t see him again. Not after their role-playing.

She closed her eyes and rested her head back on the couch. What was wrong with her? She knew the answer. She needed to meet a man…needed to be held in a man’s strong arms and kissed to distraction. Dare she ask Erica to set her up with one of her friends?

The thought made Jordan chuckle. No. Erica hung out with an odd crowd, and Jordan preferred the more professional kind of man. Professionals retained more self-control—at least that’s what she had always thought. At the same time, she had the urge to control the men in her life, which was why she hadn’t gotten past the first date. Was she so distrusting of men, she couldn’t allow them into her life? Had her past relationships ruined her completely?

She blamed Kenneth.

Jordan slipped on her shoes and headed for the door, picking up her suit jacket on the way. When she opened the door, Erica hung up the phone. A smile stretched wide across her secretary’s face, her hazel eyes danced with excitement.

“Guess what?” Erica asked.

“I don’t know, what?”

“That call was an inquiry about the ad. He wants to come over right now.”

“What about my next appointment?”

“Canceled.”

Jordan frowned. “Mrs. Murphy canceled again?”

Erica shrugged. “It’s fate. There’s a reason the old woman’s family came to visit. Fate’s telling you the man coming today is the man you’re searching for.”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “Don’t go weird on me now. If you remember right, Mrs. Murphy cancels every other week. Besides,” she said, sitting on the edge of the desk, “this is the first man to call about the ad. Forgive me if I wait a while before getting excited.”

“Well, you only have ten minutes to wait.”

Jordan’s heart rate quickened, and she jumped from the desk. “Ten minutes?” She took a deep breath and calmed herself. “Ten minutes is fine.” She finished with more control. “Will you get me a diet Cola from the machine in the hall? I need to go over my questions before he arrives.”

Once Jordan closed the office door behind her, her body shook. What was she doing? Although she’d asked herself this question many times, she had no clear answer. This had to be done. She couldn’t let Kenneth know she hadn’t been in a relationship since he left her.

Cold hands against her hot cheeks felt good as she paced the room, trying to think of a professional way to conduct this meeting. But the plain and simple truth was, there wasn’t anything professional about seeking out a man to help her with deceiving her stepmother…even if only for a few days.

Jordan would have to let this applicant know right away this was only a business deal, and definitely no sexual innuendos or any kind of flirtation allowed. Unless, of course, it was done for show in front of Serena and Kenneth, which was why Erica made sure the ad mentioned having acting abilities.

Erica knocked on the door and made Jordan’s heart leap, but she smiled through her nervousness when her friend handed her the cola.

“Just now, out the window in the parking lot, I saw a red Beamer pull up to the building.”

“He drives a BMW?”

Erica shrugged. “Looks like it.”

“Be nice and let him in.”

Erica nodded and walked out of the office, pulling the door shut.

With shaky hands, Jordan pried back the tab to the can. It spurted air and soda out of the can, and she jumped back. Good thing it didn’t get on her white jacket. Cursing under her breath, she shook the excess liquid from her hands and sipped her drink.

The intercom on her desk buzzed. “Doctor Reed? Your appointment is here.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right out.”

Jordan set the Cola on her desk and took a deep breath for courage. Steadfast and in control, she walked to the door and opened it.

When she took her first look at candidate number one, she gasped. A Spanish God stood in front of her. His rugged good looks took her breath away. Although older than she expected, the light touch of gray in his black hair gave him a distinguished look. Square shoulders and large biceps made his navy blue suit jacket fit tight. A well-trimmed goatee framed his smiling lips and chin, adding sex appeal.

She smiled and extended her right hand. “Hello. I’m Doctor Jordan Reed.”

His large hand slid into hers. His heat mixed well with her cold skin. A hint of cologne, a blend of leather and spice, waffled around her.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Juanito Balli, the fourth.”

The fourth?
How impressive. “Would you please step into my office and we’ll start the interview?”

He nodded and walked inside. Behind him, Erica eyed him over, but the look on Erica’s face wasn’t lustful like usual. Her creased brows and pursed lips spoke of confusion.

Jordan ignored her friend and closed the door. “Please, Mr. Balli, have a seat.”

She rolled his last name on her tongue, giving the double L’s the Spanish Y sound—Bayi.

“Call me Juanito.”

“Thank you, call me Jordan.”

Once they were seated, Jordan said, “I apologize for not giving much away in the advertisement. I had a situation come up in my personal life, and this is the only way I know how to handle it.”

He nodded, keeping his warm chocolate eyes on her.

“Anyway, keep in mind as we go over the questions, I am looking for a business relationship only.”

“As am I. It is an act of providence that we have found each other.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I have more than the specifications you outlined in the newspaper advertisement. You will not be seeing one other applicant come in here wearing Bruno Magli shoes and an Ermenegildo Zegna suit. This custom made, high collared, blue shirt cost five-hundred dollars, and the Countess Maria pure silk tie costa almost that much.”

Jordan sighed, relieved. If anything, this man was certainly full of himself. She picked up her notes she’d jotted down earlier and cleared her throat. “Are you married?”

“I am a widower.”

She wrote down his answer. “Are you financially secure?”

“Sí. Mí esposa was wealthy when we married. I am not a spendthrift, and most of the money is in stocks and bonds. Do you think I bought these clothes in a hock shop?”

“Excellent.” She bent over her notes, scribbling as fast as she could. She could picture herself talking with the actor Antonio Banderas in one of his more serious roles. It surprised her how well it helped the situation, especially now, since she didn’t like Juanito’s cocky attitude.

“Now, the most important question.” She looked up. “Would it scare you off if I told you we might have to act as if we’re engaged?”

“I can handle that. I come from a long line of Spaniards from Barcelona. Going back in history, one of my relatives owned the island. I have a brother in Madrid who is a bullfighter. I have never done drugs. I have to admit, women fall for my charm very easily.” His grin stretched wide. “Of course, a pretend engagement would not scare me off. Like you said earlier, this is a business deal, is it not?”

“You are correct.”

She bit back a laugh. It sounded as if this man was used to acting. Feeling more relaxed, Jordan leaned back in her chair. “Let me tell you what’s going on in my life. Maybe you’ll understand more of my predicament.”

Once she began her story, the interest in his eyes never wavered. She liked that. He knew how to listen, something most men had a problem with.

Outside the window behind him, a movement caught her eyes. She tried not to focus on the commotion in her shrubbery, but she couldn’t help notice Erica wedging herself between the bushes and the building.

Jordan glanced down at her hands just to keep her mind off Erica. After a few seconds, she looked back up at Juanito who, thankfully, didn’t seem aware of Erica’s peculiar behavior behind him.

Erica made wide hand gestures and shook her head. She pointed to Juanito then wrapped her hands around her throat as if she were choking. Jordan bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. She rose from her chair and walked to her desk to regain her composure. What on earth was Erica trying to tell her?