Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (45 page)

Adam laughed. “I'm almost ready. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back.”

“Isn't that a woman's line?”

“It's interchangeable. You can use it next time I come to pick you up.”

He disappeared up the stairs and Teddy turned around. The prickles on her arms were receding. Removing her coat, she laid it on a chair inside the living room. There was a fireplace and a fire burned in the hearth. Teddy spread her hands, taking in the warmth while she looked about. The room had that decorated-by-a-decorator look. Everything coordinated: the walls were a soft blue-gray, blond hardwood floors that glowed warm in almost any light. The furniture was black leather, soft as butter with gray and white pillows. Fresh flowers were set strategically about the room, giving unexpected pops of color and a fragrance that had her thinking of romance. Spying a vase of roses, she went to it, bending down and smelling their fragrance. Now she knew where he got the rose he'd left her. He'd driven all the way home and come back to leave her a rose. Emotion welled up in her throat and she had to blink away the tears that filled her eyes. The simple act of kindness was unexpected.

There were pictures on the walls, not anything personal. These were oil paintings. Teddy didn't know art, but she knew these weren't the kind of paintings you find in local department stores. Looking in the corner of one, she checked for a signature. It was hard to read and meant nothing to her. Despite the room's perfection, it was cold. There was nothing here that said Adam. None of the personality she was coming to know was reflected in the blacks and grays of the room.

He was a warm man, sensitive and loving. Of course, his humor could use some work, but that was one of the things that made him different from all other men.

“Ready?” Adam asked, running down the stairs.

Teddy faced him. Wearing pants that hugged his thighs and a blue shirt open at the collar, he looked both casual and good enough to eat. Teddy curled her fingers in her hands to keep them from reaching out and touching him. She knew that body, knew the hardness of his chest, the strength of the muscles in his arms and the tenderness they could enfold. She knew his mouth, the way it fit perfectly over hers. The way his tongue felt sweeping into her mouth and removing everything from her mind except him.

“You brought me a rose,” she said, placing her hand on one of the buds in the vase.

“Sleeping so soundly, you reminded me of a delicate flower.”

“So you drove home, picked a flower and drove back.”

“It was on the way to work.”

She knew he was making light of his actions, but she appreciated it. Teddy went to him and kissed him on the cheek. “I liked the rose.”

“You're easy to satisfy.”

“Am I?” she questioned, knowing the innuendo in her voice.

Adam darkened, but recovered almost immediately. “I'm not sure. I'll have to try it again just to make sure.”

She kissed him again, this time on the mouth. “Now?”

He let out a long breath. “I would sure like to, but we'll miss your father's lecture and your mother will never let us live it down.”

“True.” She pouted.

“We'd better go before I change my mind. And if we don't leave now, we're bound to get caught in traffic.”

“Right,” Teddy said.

“Would you hand me the phone in that drawer?” He indicated an end table. Teddy hadn't seen the drawer when she looked around the room. She heard Adam exhale a long breath when she was no longer looking at him. The thought that she affected him made her feel good.

Pulling the drawer open, she saw a phone lying in the bottom. The only other thing in the drawer was a charger the phone was connected to. She didn't see how it fed out the back or bottom of the drawer and connected to an outlet. Reaching inside she disconnected the phone. The password screen came up as she handed it to him.

Adam slipped it into the pocket of the leather jacket he'd added to his wardrobe.

Lifting Teddy's coat from the chair, he held it as she slipped her arms inside. For a brief moment he squeezed her shoulders. She wanted to step back into his embrace, feel the warmth of him, but she knew where that would lead. Where she wanted it to lead. But they didn't have time for that now.

“We've been invited to a Christmas party,” Adam said.

“Really?”

“One of my VPs holds a holiday party every year. Since we'll still be together then, would you like to go?”

“I haven't been to a party just for pleasure in a long time,” she said. “I'd love to.”

“Good. I'll let him know we're coming.”

“Now, we'd better get to this party.”

With his hand on the small of her back, the two went through the front door. Teddy opened her car door and slipped inside. The decision of who would drive had been solved without discussion.

As an honored guest, Teddy had a pass to park on campus. They entered the lecture hall several minutes later and took seats near the middle of the auditorium.

“What's your father speaking about?” Adam asked. “I know it has something to do with journalism, but I didn't get the specific topic.”

“I'm fuzzy on that,” Teddy said. “He told me, but I wasn't paying close attention. My mother was trying to get into the discussion and I was blocking her. It has something to do with the future in the digital arena of journalism.”

Teddy turned her attention to the program, looking for the topic. She didn't get to read it due to the interruption.

“There you two are,” her mother said, coming to where they sat. Her voice sounded like a proud parent on the night of her daughter's first date. “I thought you'd like to sit closer to the front.”

Teddy shook her head. “If we sit up there, Father will embarrass me. This is fine.” They were sitting in the subdued light halfway up the hall. Teddy wasn't sure they could be seen from the front.

The room got quiet. “They're about to start,” her mother whispered. “I'll see you when the lecture is over.” She got up and rushed back to her seat near the front, hunching down as if she didn't want to be seen.

When the president of the symposium introduced her father, he said the speech was on the coexistence of the internet and the small newspaper. Adam took her hand as her father walked to the podium and began his speech. Neither she nor Adam had anything to do with newspapers. The subject sounded boring, but her father had a knack for entertainment and he had the audience laughing as he delivered anecdotes on his experiences as a newsman from the big papers to the one he managed now. His lecture was followed by an active question and answer period.

The crowd thinned until only Adam, Teddy and her mother remained in the audience. Several organizers of the event cornered her father and congratulated him.

“Are you going back to work after this?” Teddy asked Adam.

“I thought we might have an early dinner with your parents.”

“You're ready to endure my mother again so soon?” Teddy's eyebrows went up while her voice went down.

“I can take it.” He smiled, glancing at the woman sitting in the first row.

“They're not staying,” Teddy told him. “They decided to return home right away. My father can't be away from his paper too long. He gets withdrawal symptoms.”

“So, it's just you and me?”

“If you can endure me so soon after the last time,” she teased.

Adam's eyes turned dark and hot. She meant to be flippant, get a laugh out of him, but the impact of her words after the night they'd spent together came to her in a rush of heat. By the look on Adam's face, he was obviously remembering that night, too.

“Teddy?”

She didn't even hear her mother until she'd called her name twice. Turning, she looked at her, hoping it was too dim in the room for her mom to see her clearly.

“We're going to head for home as soon as your father finishes up.” She glanced at the three men still talking at the front of the room.

“We want to get there before dark,” her father was saying.

It was only a couple of hours to Bentonburgh. They should make it with time to spare. But it was rush hour and that would slow them down a bit.

Teddy and Adam stood up and went to the end of the aisle. Adam followed. Teddy hugged her mother. And then her mom hugged Adam. It appeared as if she was welcoming him to the family.

“Adam, it was good seeing you again. And I spoke with Ann this morning. We agreed to spend Thanksgiving as a family.”

“Mom,” Teddy warned again.

“What?” She looked at Teddy. “It'll be good to spend the day with friends and family.”

“Thanksgiving is a month away.”

“But these things must be planned, the same as weddings.”

“Mrs. Granville, I'm looking forward to it,” Adam cajoled, slipping his arm around Teddy's waist. She let go of her rising anger.

Her mom stepped back. “You two do make a lovely couple. And I can see how much you love each other.”

Teddy grabbed Adam's hand and squeezed. Neither of them agreed or disagreed with Gemma Granville's comment.

Finally her father joined the group. The four of them left the auditorium and walked to his SUV.

“I wish we could stay longer, but I have to get back to the paper,” Merle Sullivan said. He reached around her to Adam and shook his hand. The two men nodded mutually. Both knew it wasn't necessary. Then her dad kissed her on the forehead and climbed into the driver's seat. Her mom got in the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. With a honk of the horn, they pulled out of the parking lot and headed south toward Maryland. Teddy stood with Adam's arm around her until the SUV was out of sight.

“What do you think they're planning for Thanksgiving?” Teddy asked.

“I have no idea. But I realize this was just a warm-up. The main event is being planned as we speak.”

“I can only hope we'll be ready for it,” Teddy said.

“We'll surprise them.”

Chapter 6

B
oth Teddy and Diana were early risers. This was something that made them compatible. They had time to spend a few minutes being friends and then get a jump on the day. The calm before the storm, before the other associates came in and before the phones started to ring.

“You're here early,” Diana said. “You're always early, but today you're really early.”

“After spending two days with my parents and the weekend, I have a thousand things to do. Why are you here at—” she looked at her watch “—six o'clock?”

“Scott had an early flight. I dropped him at the airfield.”

Scott usually drove himself to the airport, but he and Diana were still technically newlyweds. She made no excuses about wanting to be with him as much as possible. And Scott had told her he loved finding her at the airport waiting for him when he returned from his flights.

Diana took a seat and handed Teddy the cup of coffee she often brought in with her. “When I spoke with Renee on Friday, she seemed to have everything under control.”

“She did. I told you she's ready to go out on her own. I'm going to hate losing her as an assistant.”

“I'm sure you two will work something out.” Diana leaned forward, putting her arm on the edge of the desk. “Tell me about your weekend. Did you have a good time?”

Teddy leaned back. “Picture this—two mothers, both wanting their children to find someone and get married. Send them all out to dinner and miraculously discover they are all at the same restaurant and in the same room.”

Diana was holding her mouth closed. “You met Adam's parents.”

“And his two brothers and their dates.”

Diana was laughing. “What an ambush.”

“That's exactly the word Adam used.”

Teddy explained that her mother led her to believe they were going to dinner as guests of the university, but it was really to join the Sullivans for their anniversary, and for them to push Adam and her toward each other.

“Stop laughing,” Teddy said, trying to keep from joining her. “It's not funny.”

“It's hilarious, and to think they aren't even trying to hide their strategy.” She took a drink of her coffee. “How's Adam taking it?”

The mention of his name had Teddy's body reacting as if she could touch him from this distance. She hoped Diana didn't notice the change.

“He's better than I expected he'd be. This was his idea, but I thought he hadn't thought it through. Yet, he falls into the act as if it was natural.”

Teddy looked up and saw Diana staring at her. “Are you falling for him?” The scrutiny in her eyes was serious.

“Of course not.” She wanted to stop there but knew she needed to reinforce her statement. “He is easy to look at.”

“And he's got a great body.”

Teddy nearly choked.

“And he loves to touch you,” Diana went on.

“What?”

“Don't tell me you haven't noticed.”

“He's only doing that for show,” Teddy explained.

“Yeah,” Diana said. “It isn't only that he touches you, but the way he touches you.”

“The way?” Teddy frowned.

Teddy knew exactly what Diana meant. She loved being touched by Adam. Whenever he put his hands on her, she felt his tenderness. She wanted to turn into his arms and settle there forever.

“Teddy, you're blushing.”

Teddy snapped out of the reverie she was falling into. “I am not.”

Diana didn't respond. At least, not in words. She gazed at Teddy for a long time.

“All right, I'm attracted to him. And yes, I've noticed that he touches me a lot.”

“And you like it.” It was a statement.

“I shouldn't. I shouldn't feel anything more than a warm hand, but for some reason my entire body almost glows.”

“I am so glad to hear this.”

“Why?” Teddy asked.

“Because you deserve to be happy.”

“You're only saying that because you found Scott and you think everyone should feel like you do.”

“You're right,” Diana said. “What I feel for Scott is amazing. And I never thought he'd be the man for me, but since that time long ago, you've sort of given up on ever finding someone. But with Adam—”

“Stop.” Teddy put her hand up. “There is no Adam and me. We're not a couple. We're only together for this short period. He and I set the rules and we'll live by them.”

“Teddy, things always change. You know that.”

“Not this,” Diana said.

“Does he feel the same way about you?”

“I don't know,” Teddy said, sorry this conversation had taken this turn.

“Does he know how you feel?”

Teddy shook her head. She hoped he didn't know.

* * *

The jewelry store on the corner of Nassau and Williams Street had sat there for decades. Adam passed it almost daily, but he'd never stopped to look into the windows. Yet today he stood there, staring at a setting in the window.
Would Teddy like that?
he wondered. He pictured the ring decorating her elegant hand.

“Never buy the ring unless she's there to pick it out,” someone said behind him. Adam turned to find Veronica Woods standing behind him. She was the last person he ever expected to find on a street in Princeton.

“Veronica, this is a surprise.”

“A good one, I hope,” she said. She leaned forward to kiss him. Adam pushed his cheek to hers and stepped back. Veronica was dressed impeccably in black and white, looking like someone he'd see on the cover of a glossy magazine. Her long coat was ringed with white fur around the neck and sleeves. On her head sat a matching hat. This framed her face, softened her features and made her desirable to any man—except him.

“What are you doing here? I thought you moved out to Chicago.”

“I did. I'm only back for a visit, but I'll be here for a couple of weeks. When I left, I took a job working for a decorator. After a few years, I joined the partnership. A while after that, I was about to strike out on my own when we decided to open another office. I'm running that office.”

“Here in Princeton?” Veronica represented betrayal to him and he didn't want to be reminded of it constantly. He knew she'd never really been in love with him, but the humiliation she heaped on him was not easily forgotten.

“Philadelphia,” she corrected with a shake of her head. “I came up today to see some old friends. I didn't know one of them would be you. I take it you're still running that investment company.”

He nodded, disappointed that she didn't remember the name of his company. He could tell Veronica hadn't changed much. She looked better than she had five years ago. Her clothes were designer originals, but her values were the same. She acted as if they'd parted as friends, as if nothing had occurred between them.

“Things must be going well if you're looking in the window of a jewelry store.” She indicated the display windows behind him. “Who is she?”

Adam glanced at the window. The setting he'd been looking at sparkled. “You wouldn't know her,” he replied. Adam hadn't seen anyone on a steady basis since he and Veronica's relationship had ended. He wasn't about to let her think he was harboring any residual feelings for her.

“It must be serious. I never thought you'd give up your bachelorhood.”

“Change happens,” he said, refusing to mention anything about their past.

She smiled. Adam knew that look, knew that the sweeping down of her eyelashes meant she was covering something she didn't want him to see.

“Why don't you buy me a cup of coffee and tell me about her?”

He looked over her shoulder at the university that dominated the college town. “I'd love to, but I have to get back to that investment company. I only stepped out to pick up my lunch, which is probably ready by now. But it was great seeing you again.” He knew he was dismissing her. “Good luck with your design firm.”

She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. “Call me sometime.”

He took the card. “If I need a decorator.”

“Or if you just want to mull over good times.”

Adam doubted he would call for that reason, but he nodded. Veronica again leaned forward. This time she kissed his mouth. And of course it would happen then. As he raised his head he saw two women turn the corner and walk toward them. Immediately he recognized them both.

Teddy and Diana.

It took a moment since they were talking to each other before Teddy recognized him and smiled. The two approached.

“Hello, Adam,” Teddy said. She glanced at the woman and nodded.

“Veronica, this is Theresa Granville, my fiancée, and her business partner, Diana Thomas.”

As the women acknowledged each other, Teddy reached into her purse and extracted a tissue. She held it out to Adam.

Red wasn't his color.

* * *

At seven o'clock that night Teddy stood outside Adam's condo. She pushed the doorbell and heard it chiming through the ornate entryway.

“So that was Veronica?” Teddy stated by way of a greeting as Adam opened the door.

“That was Veronica.” Adam sighed. He stood back and allowed her to enter the foyer. Taking her coat, he hung it in the hall closet. “I assume you're hungry and since I didn't know what you might want to eat, I bought a variety of entrées.”

He led her into the dining room, where several bowls of Chinese food sat on a table set for two. She'd glanced in the kitchen on the way and saw the paper containers whose contents he'd transferred to china bowls. She wondered what Adam was trying to do, what he might want to tell her.

“Sit down,” he said and poured her a glass of white wine.

Teddy took a seat and because she was hungry, she filled her plate with a small sample of everything and ate heartily. Adam, on the other hand, pushed his food around but ate very little. He felt guilty, she thought.

“Adam, is something wrong?”

“Why do you ask that?”

She was sure something more was wrong than she thought. In her experience, any time a question was answered with a question meant something was wrong. Their meeting on the street this afternoon had prompted her to rethink their plan.

“What is it?” she asked.

Adam got up and took his wineglass. He offered his hand to Teddy and they moved from the dining table to the large family room. This one also looked as if a decorator had a hand in the furnishings and wall art. It had a large circular sofa facing a gigantic television and a fireplace with a fire that crackled and popped, adding ambiance to the evening meal. Teddy took a seat on the sofa.

She finally spoke. “Is this about Veronica?”

Teddy felt the tension rising in her. She didn't know how this was going to end, but she didn't think it would come out in her favor. Adam turned to her and Teddy knew the look. It was an ending. Everything had been packed and was ready for release. Teddy just needed to wait for the last train.

“Is she your one and only? I know the rules we set in place when we started this. But if you want to end the pretense so you can be with—”

Teddy didn't get any further. Adam moved faster than lightning. He was in front of her, pulling her up from her seat. His face was so close to hers it scared her. “This is not about Veronica. I saw your face this afternoon. You looked as if I'd kicked you.”

Teddy pulled back, taking a step to straighten herself. “Things are getting complicated,” she said. “More so than we thought they would. Now you have a former lover in town.”

“Emphasis on ‘former.' Our relationship ended long ago. It's old news.”

“Is it?” she asked.

“Very old,” he confirmed.

“It didn't look old. In fact, it looked as if there would be a new edition. And I thought in light of that, you might want to end this. Now.” He was holding her so close and so tight, she could hardly breathe. “I thought you and Veronica wanted to get together. After all, you
were
wearing her lipstick.”

Adam's head moved with the same speed as he'd crossed the room. His mouth clamped on hers and held for a long moment, long enough for Teddy to cling to him. These days that took less than a second.

“Now I'm wearing yours,” he said.

Teddy couldn't stop the smile that turned her mouth up. The smile became a giggle and then a laugh. Adam put his arms around her and together they laughed. The tension that had settled between them on the main street in Princeton that afternoon lifted.

Adam took her hands and they sat side by side on the sofa. The fire gave the room a rosy glow. Teddy slipped her feet out of her shoes and tucked them under her.

Adam smiled. “Comfortable?”

She nodded. “Tell me about her?”

“I told you the story before.”

“And there's nothing more?”

“Nothing.”

“But she's back now. More than likely you'll run into her from time to time.”

“She's a decorator. She's opening a business in Philly. Probably more of her clients will be in that area than here.”

Teddy felt he was giving her excuses, rationalizations that could boil over and change at any given moment.

“Was she The One, Adam? Did you think the two of you would have the forever kind of love?”

He hesitated a long time. He took a drink of his wine but didn't move away from Teddy. She felt for a change in his body, a stiffening of muscles that indicated an increased heartbeat or a rush of blood to the head, even a raised eyebrow. None of the cues were present.

“My brother Quinn says there comes a time when you have to risk your heart. I thought I was doing that with Veronica. I thought she felt the same about me. That proved not to be the case.”

“So you're no longer willing to risk your heart?” Teddy asked. “I guess that makes me perfect for you.”