In a Fix (35 page)

Authors: Linda Grimes

Tags: #Romance, #Fantasy, #Adult

BOOK: In a Fix

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“I can only live in hope,” he said, and kissed me again. It was shorter this time, but what it lacked in duration, it made up for in
Zing!
Maybe not quite the same kind of
Zing!
as the first kiss, but as close as you could get without lingering fingers.

“Okay,” I admitted afterward. “I like kissing you. I’ll
probably
let you do it again. But honestly? I’m not sure about the monogamy thing.”

It wasn’t just letting go of the idea of Mark either—that fantasy was already loosening its grip on me. But getting involved with Billy would be risky enough without setting myself up for the kind of hurt that could come from expecting something he might not be capable of delivering.

“That’s okay. I’ll have fun convincing you.” He gave my hair another tug, and we changed back into the bride and groom.

It was starting to rain as we got out of the limo; a storm was brewing. Billy carried me all the way to our room and over the threshold, so I wouldn’t ruin Mina’s stockings. No way was I ever putting those shoes on again.

He changed in record time, ridding himself of Trey’s aura and tux with a casual disregard for my presence. I busied myself removing my headpiece and veil, all the while sneaking peeks at his side of the room.

Other than turning his back briefly as he dropped Trey’s trousers and boxers (he
would
have to have an ass like a Greek statue, I thought with an inward groan) he didn’t seem overly concerned with modesty. Which was a good thing, because the stylishly ripped T-shirt and low-rise jeans he pulled on after donning the oh-so-sexy black boxer briefs didn’t do a lot to cover his abs. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be drooling all over Mina’s gown.

I coughed lightly, calling attention to myself, once again overwhelmed by the Mina-size dress. “Do you think you could give me a hand getting out of this monster before you leave? I know you’re in a rush, and I wouldn’t ask, only I can’t reach far enough behind me, and it might look strange to call the concierge for assistance.”

Billy’s Adam’s apple bobbed twice before he spoke. “Sure. Not a problem.”

He stepped behind me, crushing my skirts between us in an effort to get close enough to deal with the tiny satin-covered buttons. There were dozens, and it took a considerable amount of time to get through them, with his fingers brushing against my back and his breath tickling my neck the whole time. When he made it almost as far as my hips I said, “I think I can manage from here.”

“Only a few more,” he said softly, and continued. When he paused I thought he must be finished, and tried to turn around to say good-bye. He stopped me, slipping warm hands past my waist, up to my breasts, bare now because the bra had been built into the bodice.

I inhaled sharply, but was otherwise motionless as I felt his lips on the side of my jaw. When his fingers began teasing, I lowered my arms and let the dress fall as far as it would.

“Just a taste,” he whispered, turning me and lowering his head. The shock of his mouth, hot on my nipple, jolted me back to reality, and I pushed his head away.

“I thought you had to go now,” I said.

His eyes twinkled. “More like an hour ago.”

“Then why are you—”

“Because,” he said, pausing to kiss each pink tip before continuing, “they are right there in front of me.”

I laughed at the blunt honesty of his reply. “Maybe you could stay just a little longer,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “You’re already late anyway.”

Regret filled his eyes, but when he spoke his voice was resolute. “No. I don’t want you to remember the first time we make love as some sort of work-related quickie.”

“You’re right,” I agreed, if reluctantly, and licked my lips. Slowly. (What? They were dry.)

Staring at my mouth with hot eyes, he said, suddenly, “Come with me.” Not the words I expected to hear.

“I can’t,” I said with a tiny shrug, my dress slipping down more with the motion. Oops. “I’m in the middle of a job.” I blinked innocently.

He took a deep breath and tugged the bodice back up to cover my chest. “Suit yourself. Either Mark or I will be back in a few days so you and Trey can make a show of leaving the hotel together.”

I was surprised to feel a stab of disappointment that he might actually let Mark come back in his place, but didn’t let myself comment on it. He slung a small pack over his shoulder and gave me a last kiss, a real toe-curler, half-lifting me with one arm.

Wait just a darn minute
… Was he trying to out-tempt me? He
was
.

Well, we’d just see about that. After he abandoned my lips I licked them again, because I liked what it did to his eyes the last time, and also, I admit, because I
might
be a teensy bit competitive.

“You’re really sure you have to leave?” I said, extra-breathlessly.

He saw through it, and grinned down at me. “Convinced already? Gee, you’re easy.”

Argh
. Points for Billy. I pushed him away, making sure I held the bodice up. “I am not! Go. Leave already. See if I care.”

He laughed as he headed for the door.

“What am I supposed to do by myself until you get back?”

“Think about me,” he tossed over his shoulder, and was gone.

“I might just think about Mark instead!” I hollered after him, a sorry attempt at a Hail Mary pass.

Silence.

Damn it. I wasn’t about to sit around thinking of either one of them. I kicked my way out of the dress, threw on my stand-by “me” clothes and shoes, and quickly dialed the front desk. Told the clerk to hold all calls for the next few days, said the fruit basket and champagne in the suite would suffice, so room service wouldn’t be necessary. Grabbed my overnight bag, left a Do Not Disturb sign on the door and ran down the stairs, not trusting the elevator to be fast enough.

I found Billy on the first level of the parking garage, leaning against his Chevy, casually drumming his fingers against the fender, a gleeful sparkle in his eyes.

I pulled up short, stopping a few feet away, breathing hard. “You ass,” I wheezed. “You’re waiting for me.”

He shrugged. “Hoped you might change your mind.”

I eyed him suspiciously and gave myself a minute to think. “Okay,” I said finally, after I’d recovered enough breath to speak evenly. “Say I do come with you—we have to get some things straight.”

“I’m all ears.”

“If I’m in, I’m in. No shoving me off the field if things get dangerous.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He said it so earnestly I knew better than to trust him.

I raised a brow.

A smile visited his lips briefly. “Really. I’m past that. I’ve evolved. Mark’s the one you have to worry about.”

“He’ll be pissed you brought me,” I pointed out.

“Yeah. You care?”

I cocked my head and gave it some thought. “Nah. He’ll get over it. Oh, and one other thing—give me the keys. I’m driving.”

“You must be kidding,” he said, his voice appalled. Everyone has his limit.

“If I wreck it, you can spank me,” I lied. I mean, what were limits for if not to be pushed?

His eyes darkened and he tossed me the keys without a second’s hesitation, swallowing hard. I settled myself into the driver’s seat, mentally spiking the ball.
Hee
.
Touchdown.

As we exited the garage, a huge
KABOOM!
rocked us, accompanied by a blinding flash. We both jumped as far as our seat belts would allow, and looked around for flying debris. But it wasn’t a bomb this time—lightning had struck the tree across the street, and it was coming down fast.

I stomped on the gas, pulling out of the way just as the towering oak crashed behind us.
Yikes!
Had the Big Referee in the Sky called a flag on my play? A girl could get paranoid if this kept up.

Fortunately, Billy started laughing as soon as he realized the tree hadn’t smashed his baby, distracting me from impending remorse. After a second I joined in, savoring the adrenaline rush along with him.

Ha! Missed me again!
popped into my head as we sped away. But I squelched it before it could take root. Pushing the limits was one thing, but tempting fate was just plain stupid.

Acknowledgments

First of all, it’s not my fault! Not entirely, anyway. I may have written
In a Fix
, but loads of people share the blame for its final incarnation. Just so we’re clear on that.

Here are a few of them:

My mother, Elly Clayworth, who might be embarrassed to let her friends read certain parts of the book, but who will act proud anyway. Thanks for providing me with the phrase “God punishes right away.” You’re right, Mom. (There. Now you have it in print.)

My husband, Bob, who always treated my writing as if it were a serious pursuit, worthy of respect, even when I was just playing.

My children, Annalisa and Sean, and my son-in-law, Mike. If any of them were ever appalled by the “research” questions I brought up at the dinner table, they at least had the good grace not to show it. Much.

My fantastic beta readers and critique partners: Eagle-Eyes Susan Adrian, Elise Skidmore, Kris Reekie, Beth Shope, Pamela Patchet, Julie Kentner, Tiffany Schmidt, Emily Hainsworth, and my Agency Sistah, Tawna Fenske. Seriously, folks. Anything you didn’t like, I’m blaming them.

Vicki Pettersson and Joanna Bourne, who blazed trails I was too frightened to set foot on before I saw it could be done.

The CompuServe Books and Writers Community, where I became convinced I might actually be able to make a go of this author thing. Thanks to everyone I met there who encouraged my writing addiction, especially Diana Gabaldon, whose grace and patience with newbie writers is an astounding thing to behold.

And, of course, eternal gratitude to my amazing agent, Michelle Wolfson, who never once gave up on me, and my supremely talented editor, Melissa Frain. The good parts were probably suggested by her.

Finally, my apologies to anyone I’ve inadvertently left out. Look on the bright side. If the book bombs, you’ll be glad your name isn’t associated with it.

About the Author

Linda Grimes grew up in Texas, where she rode horses, embarrassed herself onstage a lot, and taught teenagers that they’d have to learn the rules of English before they could get away with breaking them for creativity’s sake. She currently resides in Virginia with her theater-god husband, whom she snagged after he saw her in a musical number at the now-defunct Melodrama Theater in San Antonio. There’s nothing like a rousing chorus of “If You Wanna Catch a Fish You Gotta Wiggle Your Bait” to hook a man for a lifetime.

Like her globe-trotting main character, Linda has spent her fair share of time overseas, though fortunately under less stressful circumstances. Kidnapping and daring rescues are all well and good in fiction, but she prefers sanity in her real life.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

IN A FIX

A Tor Book

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

175 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor
®
is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Grimes, Linda.

In a fix / Linda Grimes.—1st ed.

p. cm.

“A Tom Doherty Associates book.”