Her Backup Boyfriend (Entangled Bliss) (Sorensen Family) (8 page)

Kate worked to bite back her own laughter at the annoyed look Cruz—who didn’t have a sign of a gray in his dark, shiny hair—leveled at his sister. “Nice to meet you, Kate. I see you’ve met the brat?”

“Behave yourself, you two. Is this how you act in front of strangers?” A small, petite woman with dark, wavy hair cut in a chin-length bob scolded them as she sidled next to Kate. Her dark eyes were friendly and bright as she surveyed Kate. “I see you’ve met most of my brood.”

This was Dominic’s mother? She didn’t know what she’d expected, but after meeting a number of terrifying mothers—Michael’s and Payton’s, cases in point—she was unused to such unabashed friendliness. Kate could see the obvious similarities between mother and son—particularly in the eyes. Mischievous. That’s all they could be described as.

“I’m Elena. Over there”—she waved her arm to a stern blond giant at the other end with clear blue eyes who didn’t seem likely to miss anything, even if his face didn’t register any emotion—“is my husband, Petter. Don’t mind the grumpy look on his face. Underneath the scowl he’s a big teddy bear, aren’t you,
mi corazón
?”

Kate watched as the stern-looking man’s face flushed and his mouth crept up a hair in what she guessed was a smile.

“My other daughter, Daisy, is over at the children’s table.” Ah. That was the heartbroken Daisy. Another beauty, with long, jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. This family had definitely hit the gene-pool jackpot.

Elena continued her introductions, pointing at the children surrounding her daughter. “That’s Daisy’s youngest, Paul. Across from them is Jenna, who just turned nine”—the little girl with serious, wide eyes smiled sheepishly—“and Natalie, who will be eight next month.”

This earned a big grin from Natalie. It was hard to miss the two front teeth missing. The kids were adorable, making Kate’s determination to convince Daisy to let her represent her in the divorce even stronger.

Dominic, she noticed, was lingering close by, leaning against the wall and holding a plate in front of him. But he wasn’t eating anything. Only watching. She quickly diverted her gaze back to Elena.

“I understand you and Dominic met because he’s helping you fix up your place, is that right?” Elena asked.

“Fixing? That might be putting it mildly.” Benny interjected. “It’s definitely a beautiful house, Kate, don’t get me wrong, but for myself? I’ll buy new every time. I’ve had enough leftovers my whole life that when I bite the bullet and get a house, ‘new’ and ‘upgrade’ will be the only words in my vocabulary. I’ve never understood the allure for old and antiquey, like Dominic.”

“Is that why your last boyfriend looked like he’d just graduated high school, Benny?” Dominic joked. “I worried a few times that he might need his mom’s permission slip to stay out past curfew.”

“Well, you know the saying, it’s easier to teach a new dog old tricks than an old dog…like you.”

Elena spoke over the laughter and teasing, obviously used to the banter. “Cruz, you’ll have to lend Kate and Dominic a hand. That doesn’t sound like something Kate can or should be tackling on her own. What about your family, Kate? Are they around to help?”

Kate looked up at the faces of Dominic’s family, and her heart ached for a moment. Other than her grandmother, she’d never really known what having a family meant. Until now. Fortunately, before she could respond, Dominic cut in. “Mama, let Kate eat. Let’s not overwhelm her with your inquisition. Give her at least until dessert.”

Dominic’s little nephew looked over as if just realizing his uncle had arrived. He raced over to Dominic, who swung his nephew up into his arms and tickled him while the boy giggled helplessly.

Kate felt a tug in the area of her womb.

Clearly seeing Dominic in such a nurturing role was playing crazy with her mind. It was making her think of impossible things. Impossible dreams. Because she and Dominic weren’t even right for each other. Had no common interests other than convincing people their charade was true.

Finally catching his breath, the little boy looked up at his uncle. “When are you going to let me come to work with you? I want to build things, too.”

Dominic set his nephew down and tousled the little boy’s thick hair. “If your mom says it’s okay, maybe I can bring you to the site next Monday.”

“Yes!” Paul cried and jumped up.

“Not so fast. You have kindergarten until noon.” Paul let out a cry of protest. “But I suppose afterward you could tag along,” Daisy added, apparently not up for a fight.

Paul raced around the room, pumping his arm and calling, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Benny shook her head. “Let’s not give this kid any more sugar.”

Kate laughed along with everyone else. But silently, she reminded herself that her place here today, with these people, wasn’t real.

So stop wondering what it would be like if this was your family. Or if Dominic was anything more than a business partner.

It would only make it harder when this was all over and she was alone again.

…

The next two hours passed by easily for Dominic, especially with the sound of Kate’s infectious laugh filling the room. It was—irrationally—something he liked to hear. Even if it was at his expense.

“He loved that thing so much, he spent a whole summer in it,” Cruz was saying. “We’ll have to show you the pictures sometime. There must be half a dozen.”

Kate looked over at Dominic, humor brightening her eyes. “Who knew you had a fondness for wearing girls’ swimsuits. Pink? With cherries?”

“I was four,” he said defensively and shot a scowl at Cruz, who from the look on his face, was letting him know this was the payback he’d mentioned before.

Best to leave now before they remembered the pics of him and Daisy hamming it up—in her princess dresses. Dominic glanced down at his watch. “It’s just after ten. I have to get to the site early. Weren’t you saying you had an early morning, too, Kate?”

Kate looked down at her own watch, surprise on her face. “I hadn’t realized it was so late. But you’re right, I should be going.”

“I’ll walk you home,” he said, coming to his feet, a movement that was premature when his mom, sisters, and aunt rushed forward to give Kate hugs and personal good-byes. Each time someone threw their arms around her, Kate froze, almost unsure how to reciprocate the attention.

“They definitely seem to like you,” he said ten minutes later as his aunt’s front door swung shut behind them.

“Good. I really liked them, too.” She was quiet another moment. “They’re pretty special.”

“They’re all right. You did great in there. Although you didn’t have to pretend to laugh at Cruz’s jokes. He’ll be insufferable from now on. Well, more insufferable.”

“Oh my gosh, I love your brother,” she gushed, and for a moment he felt a twinge of jealousy. “He’s hilarious.”

“Sure. When it’s at my expense.”

She laughed and the sound went right to his gut. “I’ll have to get a peek at one of those pictures of you in the swimsuit. I don’t think I quite believe it.”

He shook his head, vowing to himself to make Cruz pay. Best to change the subject. “Daisy even seemed to warm up to you by the end of the night. This was a good icebreaker for Sunday dinner.”

“Oh. Right.” The easy smile was gone suddenly, and her brows drew together.

“Come on. You just said you enjoyed yourself.”

“I did. But maybe that was a fluke. In a smaller, more intimate setting, things are bound to be different.”

She’d been great tonight and she’d be great Sunday, but what she needed was confidence. Assurance. “Maybe a little different. But also better. Just make sure you compliment Mom’s cooking and continue to laugh at Cruz and Benny’s jokes and you’ll be gold.”

Their breath was cool in front of them as they climbed her front porch. The smell of burned leaves still hung on the air. He watched as she fumbled for her keys, trying to decide if this was the right moment. Hell, when was there ever a right moment? “I should warn you, my sisters and mom can be relentless sometimes. And they’re bound to ask a few more personal questions. Like about your family?”

Her hand paused as she took a second to process that.

“The night is so quiet. Peaceful. Do you want to sit out here for a minute with me?” he asked, afraid that once she went inside she’d shut the door to him and their night would be over.

She looked up, and he waited to hear her decline, but surprisingly, she agreed. They sat on the top step, looking out across the yard and to the street ahead. Her cat arrived and pressed against his leg, purring softly. He reached out to massage its head.

“Want to tell me about them? Your family?”

She shrugged and kicked her legs out in front of her. “Not much to say. My dad took off before I was even born. And my mom has always been better at finding boyfriends than raising her daughter. When I was eight she dumped me on my grams and took off. She sends postcards every now and then. Last year she was up in Montana somewhere with her latest squeeze. Now my grandmother”—she paused and he heard the warmth that entered her voice—“she’s my real family. Her love was the one and only true thing I could depend on.” She shivered and gripped her arms to keep warm.

“Here.” He shrugged his jacket off and placed it around her shoulders, despite her objection. “Sorry. When did she die?”

“Oh. No. You misunderstand. She’s still alive, it’s just that…well, she’s not really herself anymore.” Kate took a deep breath of the air and slowly exhaled. “A couple years ago she was diagnosed with dementia. It happened so quickly, which I guess is a relief, compared to some other stories I hear where people—their minds—slowly and painfully degrade. In the space of a year, my grandmother was lost to me. She’s been in a home, of course. I go see her every Sunday. Spend the day with her, sometimes playing cards or watching an old Fred Astaire movie.”

She smiled and looked up at him, but he could see the extra glistening to her eyes, the trickle of a tear at the corner.

His heart hurt for her, and he couldn’t stop from reaching out, wiping the tear away with his thumb. She didn’t pull back, just looked at him. “I’m sorry, Kate.” Simple words that didn’t seem enough to express the depth of his feelings just then.

“We all have a sob story in us somewhere, right? I’m really just glad that I still have her. She’s an amazing woman.”

“Just like someone else I know.”

He wanted to kiss her. No. He ached to kiss her. Not a kiss for show, or to tease. A real kiss. But he could still feel the wetness of her tears between his thumb and finger. This wasn’t the right moment.

Wait. He shook his head. What was he thinking? There wasn’t
any
moment for real kisses. That’s not what this was about.

She wasn’t looking at him now, but back at Glenda’s. “Having met your sister, I’m glad that we’re doing this. I want to help her.” She came to her feet. “Thanks for tonight. And for listening to me.”

He stood and walked her back to the door, the cat winding around their legs again. This time she didn’t hesitate as she pushed the key in the lock and opened the door.

He almost wished someone was watching them so he could plant one on her. But the view from Glenda’s would be obstructed now, so that wouldn’t quite wash.

With reluctance he watched as she waved good night and went inside.

Chapter Eight

“I can’t remember if I left the basement door open.” Kate chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes still on the road as they headed up the canyon. “Maybe I should call Glenda and have her make sure, since if it’s closed and Oscar is inside, he won’t be able to get to his litter box.”

Kate had of course insisted on driving and since it was her car, he didn’t argue. Much. But before this weekend was over, he was going to take it for a spin. With Kate barely cracking the speed limit, he was itching to see the speed he could get on these turns.

“I’m sure Oscar will manage until Glenda stops by later.” Dominic gave her a sideways glance. “He’s a cat. He’ll be fine. Haven’t you ever left him alone overnight before?”

“No. I only got him a couple of months ago. I always wanted a pet but when you’re renting, the rules are such a pain that I didn’t find it worth the hassle—or expense. But the minute I closed on my house I went down to the humane society and adopted him. He was so skinny then.”

“Well, I’m sure Glenda will be spoiling him plenty, so you have nothing to worry about.” He glanced up at the sky. “Looks like that storm they’ve been promising is finally coming in. Good thing I packed for snow.”

“Snow? It’s the first week of November. No way.”

He glanced at her black heeled boots. “Hope you brought something more weather worthy than those.”

“Even if by some miracle it does snow, I’m not planning on leaving the lodge. I’ll be fine.”

“What? There’s tons to do up there. Even without the snow we can take the ski lift up the mountain to enjoy the view, ride the luge down at the Alpine slide, go barhopping in downtown Park City.” But she kept shaking her head. “You’re kidding. What do you usually do when you go on these things?”

“Work. When Michael and I were together, we’d get the fire blazing and pull out our laptops and work in peace and quiet.”

“Seriously?” From the look on her face, he could tell she was being serious, which was pretty sad. “Wow, Michael sure was…adventurous.”

“We always enjoyed ourselves,” she said primly.

“I’ll have to take your word for it. As for me, there’s no way I’m sitting holed up in that suite—not matter how nice it is—for three days. Okay, scratch that. I wouldn’t be holed up in some suite
on a computer
for three days. Maybe doing some other
activities
.” Her cheeks were definitely growing pink, but she didn’t turn to look at him. Man, Michael was such an idiot. “Anyhow, if we’re going to pull this little charade off, I think it will do you well if we actually leave the room on occasion. Have fun.”

“Maybe. We’ll see.” From her tone she might as well have said,
Sure, when hell freezes over
. “So what’s the plan again?” he asked.

“Cocktails from seven to nine and then we’re free until tomorrow. There’s a thing in the morning, supposed to be some psychologist or something who’s going to give people tips on managing stress and maintaining a balanced life or some crap like that. I was thinking of a way to skip it.” He smiled. Of course she was. “Then nothing until dinner and a guest speaker at seven.”

He nodded and looked out in time to see the first snowflake settle on her windshield.

“Frick.” She glanced at him. “Don’t even think of saying, ‘I told you so,’ or I’m putting on my Broadway music. I have a Gershwin CD just waiting for me to hit play.”

He just laughed and held his hands up as more snow started falling. He hoped Kate had something warmer than that light jacket with her this weekend, because he knew something she didn’t. He could be really persistent when he wanted to be, and it was going to be his mission to get Kate out of her comfort zone—and her room—and trying something new. Something that he would have to admit had been in short supply in his own life these past few years.

Having fun.

…

“Can you believe all this snow?” Jody from the bankruptcy department was saying to Kate and two other associates. Since they’d arrived over an hour ago, the snow hadn’t let up, and from the looks of the storm still raging outside, it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

Kate just nodded and agreed along with everyone else. She wasn’t very good at this small talk stuff and she couldn’t help but wonder what everyone would have to talk about if it wasn’t snowing.

She looked over at the bar where Dominic was placing their order, something in hindsight they should have done straight off. She could really use that drink.

From the corner of her eyes she kept an eye on the steady flow of attorneys streaming into the lounge. No sign of Tim. Which meant she had to stick around a little longer, until she could say hello and introduce him to her living, breathing, genuine boyfriend. Hopefully before they ran into Michael and Nicole.

Drinks in hand, Dominic turned from the bar and headed in her direction. Making her excuses to the group, she met him halfway. She took the glass of wine he offered and sipped. “Let’s grab a seat over by the windows.”

It was hard not to notice all the interested glances that kept coming their way as they crossed the room. Well, Dominic’s way. Not that she could really blame them. He certainly knew how to clean up when he wanted to. In dark jeans and a long-sleeved black polo that clung to his well-defined chest and nicely muscled arms, he looked casual but still sexy as sin. Throwing in his sculpted jawline and trademark crooked smile, he had the women from her firm bumping into walls to get another look.

Almost to their destination, she spotted Tim and two other partners seated in an alcove across from the seat where she and Dominic were heading. They must have been there the entire time.

Seeing their arrival, Tim came to his feet. “Kate. Good to see you made it before the storm hit. Jon and Martin here also just made it, but it looks like a couple of other senior partners might not get in until morning.” He shook his head in disgust. “Californians. They see a snowflake and they’re ready to call in the National Guard. You must be Kate’s boyfriend,” he said.

“Tim, this is Dominic Sorensen. Dominic, Tim’s the head of the labor and employment division at Strauss,” Kate continued as the two men shook hands and nodded. “And my boss.”

“Nice to meet you, Dominic. I’m afraid Kate’s been a little mum when it comes to her personal life. What line of work are you in?”

“Design and drafting. My family owns Sorensen Construction. We’re a small commercial construction company that works primarily in the Salt Lake Valley. Although we’ve recently been expanding statewide.”

“Sorensen Construction, huh? What are some of your current projects? Maybe I’ve seen them.”

“We recently completed some office space down at the Draper Parkway, and we’re negotiating for a contract with Eastman Motors.”

“Impressive. But knowing Kate, I wouldn’t have expected anyone less than impressive. She certainly has a solid head on her shoulders. Which reminds me,” he said and turned his laser-sharp focus on her, “Mark McKenna called earlier today, sounding a little…anxious, about the upcoming depositions. I told him he was in good hands, but when you get a chance, you may want to just give him a call. He needs a bit of hand-holding.”

She managed not to roll her eyes and instead assured Tim she’d take care of it.

“So what do you two have planned for the weekend? Hope you’re going to get out and have a little fun,” Tim added.

“I’m thinking that with all this powder, I might convince Kate to hit the slopes after lunch,” Dominic said.

She was about to tell him he was seriously deluded if he thought he was getting her out in that snow, let alone on
skis
, when he wrapped his arm around her waist. Making it almost impossible for Kate to breathe. Or think about anything other than the warmth of his arm. Of the pressure of his hand on her hip. His long expanse of muscled body pressed against her side. She managed to hide the shiver that shook through her, not of cold but of liquid heat.

“The snow will be spectacular,” Tim continued, seemingly unaware of Kate’s precarious state. “I’m afraid with my back, skiing is something I do at my own risk, but you two are young and healthy. You should get out there. Well, I don’t want to keep you guys. It was good to finally meet you, Dominic.”

“You, too, sir.”

Dominic pulled her along beside him, not yet relinquishing his hold on her, and she managed to keep her feet underneath her. “Nicely done,” she managed to say. “But I think you can let go of me now. You made your point.”

“Are you sure about that? Because while Tim was grilling me on my family’s business, you missed Michael’s entrance. He certainly didn’t miss you, however. I’d lay bets he’s watching you even now.”

She nearly stopped in her tracks but other than the slightest stumble, she managed to keep stride with him. “Really?”

“Really. So I thought we’d take this opportunity to show him and that fiancée of his that you have no interest in him anymore. How could you, when you have such a sexy, virile Latino glued to your side?”

She crooked a brow up. “Virile? Did you actually just say that?”

“What do you want to do? Go over and say hello to the happy little couple?” He came to a stop in front of the hors d’oeuvres table. Setting his glass down, he finally dropped his hand from her waist and grabbed a plate. “Or do we pile our plates with food and go upstairs and see if there’s anything good on HBO?”

She hazarded a glance around the room, spotting Michael and Nicole standing in front of the windows at the far end of the room. Dominic was right. Michael was watching them, not so subtly, as he took large sips from his drink. Nicole didn’t look like she’d seen them, too engrossed in whatever she was talking about.

Kate looked back to Dominic, who had piled his plate with cocktail wieners, coconut shrimp, and mini chicken salad sandwiches. “I think we’ve accomplished what we came here for tonight,” she said. “But instead of HBO, I have another activity in mind.”

The plate Dominic was holding slipped sideways, and he would have lost its entire contents had she not reached out to save it. She laughed, feeling a little powerful at the reaction she’d gained. “I was talking about Scrabble. I saw it in the entertainment center back at the room.”

“But you were going out on such a high note this evening. Why would you want to go back and play a game that I’m sure I’ll whip your ass at?”

She smiled. “Is that some sort of challenge?”

“Just a promise, babe,” he said and gave her that lazy sideways smile.

Usually hearing someone use such ridiculous endearments would send her eyes rolling. Only coming from Dominic, she found the words had a sweeter meaning.

“Let’s just put your money where your mouth is.”

His brows crooked. “Oh? Are you saying you want a wager?”

“Absolutely.” Little did Dominic know she had never been defeated in a game of Scrabble. Michael had given up playing her, calling her too competitive.

“Good. Because I know just what I’m going to want when I win.”

Poor deluded guy. This was going to almost be too easy. She almost felt bad for him.

…

Dominic leaned back against the couch, his legs sprawled in front of him on the floor. He waited as Kate continued to study the board and then looked back at her tiles.

“I’m setting the timer. You’ve gone way past three minutes,” Dominic warned.

“Fine,” she said, heaving a deep sigh. “I’ll go.”

Only he could see the corners of her mouth twitch as she tried to suppress a smile while placing the letters across the board. “Q-u-i-c-k. With the triple letter, should give me…forty points.”

He focused his attention on recording the score, aware of her barely suppressed glee. He glanced at his own letters, only taking a minute to see what he needed before placing two letters down. “Q-u-i-c-k-e-n. And with the triple
word
score,” he emphasized, “gives me…sixty-six points.”

Kate stared in shock at the board, her mouth slightly open. She didn’t say anything for another long moment. Then, as if she had envisioned this from the beginning, she nodded. “Lucky move.”

“Of course. And that leaves our scores at…217 and 163. I believe I’m in the lead. Your turn.”

She took another sip of her second mug of hot chocolate laced generously with Irish cream liqueur and leaned back, her feet tucked underneath her. She looked up and stared into the fire he’d lit earlier, her mind clearly running in overdrive as she tried to think of a way to best him. He should have warned her before that his family were championship Scrabble players, having spent most every weekend sharpening their skill as he grew up. Daisy was the best by far, but he’d given her a run for her money a time or two.

Outside, the snow continued to fall big, heavy flakes that accumulated on the banister outside on their balcony. By morning he’d bet they’d have over a foot of snow, easy.

Kate jumped to her feet. “Are there any more of those cocktail wieners left?”

“You’re stalling,” Dominic said. “And no. You finished them all. I think there were a few pieces of shrimp left, though.”

She headed to the fridge and peered in. It was hard for him to ignore her luscious backside when she leaned down like that. “Nope. Looks like that’s gone, too. Only a sandwich is left.” She shut the door, her nose curled up in distaste. “Why’d they have to put walnuts in a perfectly good chicken salad?”

When she returned, she plopped down on the floor, on her stomach this time. Damn.

From this angle, it was impossible not to look at the tantalizing gap in her sweater that was displayed. Her face propped on her hands, she was studying her letters again and couldn’t know where his lecherous gaze was wandering.