Slow Burn (A Madaris Family Novel) (18 page)

She nodded. “Now what do you think is your greatest accomplishment? What bill did you help get passed that was important to you?”

He smiled. “Now that one is easy. The King Memorial. I thought it was long overdue, and I was proud to give it my full support.”

Taking a deep breath, he then glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting late. I think we should enjoy dinner now, don’t you?” he asked, coming to his feet.

He offered her his hand and she took it. “Yes, I think that we should.”

Skye let herself into her condo around seven that evening. She knew that Slade was home since she’d parked the car he’d loaned her next to his truck. A part of her wanted to see him and to tell him what a great afternoon she’d had with Vincent and the other Madarises, but she decided not to bother him. Besides, she was trying to wean herself from having so many Slade moments. She loved him, but knew nothing could ever come of it. At the end of the summer she would be returning to Maine, and he would continue his life here. Since Vincent would be living in Dallas, she could fly there to see him and not to Houston, which meant it would be rare for her and Slade’s paths to cross unless, like before, he was visiting Justin and Lorren when she visited.

Tossing her purse on the sofa, she decided to call her parents, hoping they had regretted what they’d told her the last time she’d seen them. Being around Marilyn and Jonathan Madaris had again made her notice things about their interaction with each other that she had never noted with her parents.

And then there was the way all the other married couples interacted as well. Everyone was loving toward each other. She chuckled. She found that Clayton and Syneda rarely agreed on anything, and they had gotten into a rather heated debate as to who would become the next president. The one thing they had agreed on was who would be the best person for the office of vice president. They both thought that at forty-three, Senator Ryan Baines, from her own home state of Maine, was the top contender.

Syneda had pulled her into their discussion by asking if Skye knew the very handsome and single Senator Baines, who was fast gaining popularity across the country. She responded by telling them that she didn’t know him as well as she knew his father, retired Congressman Baines, a man she considered like a godfather to her since her father had been his personal accountant for years.

After her response, Syneda and Clayton moved to another topic—one they didn’t agree on. A laughing Lorren told her not to mind them because the couple was known to never agree. But Skye figured they evidently agreed on some things when she and Vincent’s aunts, Kattie and Traci, accidentally walked in on them an hour or so later, sharing a very passionate kiss in Marilyn Madaris’ kitchen.

Sighing deeply and with a yearning to speak with her own parents, Skye pulled her cell phone out of her purse and begin dialing her parents’ number. It was picked up by Helen.

“Yes, Helen, are my parents home? I’d like to speak with them.”

There was a slight pause and then the older woman said, “Sorry, Ms. Skye, but your parents said not to disturb them if you were to call.”

Skye held her breath for a moment, fighting the hurt that settled around her heart. How could her parents treat her this way just because she was doing something that she wanted to do? Something that made her happy.

She let out her breath and then inhaled deeply. “Very well, then. Please let them know that I called.”

Skye flipped shut her phone and returned it to her purse. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a shiver touch her body. How could herself parents put a hurtful ending on what had otherwise been such a beautiful day? It just wasn’t fair, and why couldn’t they see that? Why couldn’t they see that if she did what they wanted her to do, which was cutting off all contact with Vincent as well as marrying Wayne, both would ultimately destroy her? Didn’t that matter to them?

She closed her eyes, fighting the need to walk across the hall to Slade and be held in his arms. He had a way of taking her hurt away, and she needed that now.

She reopened her eyes, knowing this time she would not turn to Slade. Doing so would only start something she couldn’t afford to finish. In the past when she felt lonely and needed a shoulder to cry on, she’d had no one, and now she would have to go back to being her own comforter.

Her parents had made their decision and she would have to find a way to live with it.

Slade quit pacing the floor when he heard Skye return. He’d waited awhile to see if she would come over to his place, and when she hadn’t he pulled out one of his favorite old movies and slipped it into the DVD player.

He kept telling himself the same thing he’d tried convincing himself all day. He didn’t need any hassles in his life now. And if Skye didn’t want to pursue anything with him, then that was fine.

He inhaled deeply when he slipped his body between the sheets. “Hell, no, it’s not fine,” he angrily muttered to himself. He didn’t like what she was doing to him. To them. Why couldn’t she see that she could have it all? Him and Vincent? Slade understood her need to spend time with Vincent, but he wanted to spend time with her as well. Why was she being so stubborn and difficult?

He flipped on his back and stared at the ceiling. Was she upset because he hadn’t warned her that a lot of his relatives were going to be at church today? Pretty soon she would see he had relatives practically everywhere. Tomorrow she was to start work for him. Sexual chemistry was something they hadn’t been able to deal with very well.

It was going to be a challenge for them to work together in the same office, and he wondered how they would handle it.

Slade glanced down at his watch. It was just a minute or so
past ten. He had only been in his office a couple of hours, and he wasn’t handling Skye’s presence very well.

He had not called to ask if she wanted a ride to the office that morning. Instead he’d called to let her know his car was available for her to use. In a very professional tone she had thanked him and then told him that that wouldn’t be necessary since a rental car was being delivered to her. She didn’t think it would look good if she drove the “boss’s car” on a continuous basis.

She had arrived to work on time and he had taken her around to introduce her to everyone. Blade had an early outside appointment, so he wasn’t in yet, but she was introduced to his secretary and his staff. Then Slade had taken her to see Sherri, the person Skye would be replacing for the summer. The two hit it off immediately, and he’d left her in Sherri’s competent care. But that hadn’t stopped him from thinking of her, from remembering all the things they’d done together that past weekend. How could she cut her emotions on and off like that? Or could she?

A part of him was dying to find out by boldly walking across the hall to where she was in the accountant’s office and kissing her senseless. But what would he accomplish by doing that, other than cause unnecessary office gossip about the boss and the temporary employee? Most of his staff considered her a family member, since Vincent, who had arrived an hour ago, had quickly spread the word that she was his sister.

He turned at the knock on his closed office door. “Come in.”

He lifted a brow when Blade walked in smiling. “What are you smiling about this early?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“I just saw Skye. It’s nice seeing another beautiful face around here, isn’t it?”

If Blade was trying to get him riled up, Slade decided it wouldn’t work. “Yes, it is. Now what do you want? I’m sure you have a lot to keep you busy today like I do.”

Blade chuckled. “Umm, I heard while you were at Mom’s yesterday, Skye was at Aunt Marilyn’s. What’s up with that?”

Slade narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know. You tell me what you think is up.”

“That sounds like the two of you are cooling things between you for a while. Or that there’s trouble in paradise. That you’ve gotten into short-term affairs like me. Hell, Slade, I don’t know and I don’t like guessing. So tell me what’s up with you and Skye.”

Slade pushed away from the drafting table. He knew his brother well enough to know that he wouldn’t leave his office until he got answers, and since they’d always been honest with each other, Slade said, “Skye’s worried about what the family might think if they knew we were involved. She’s afraid they’ll think it’s not her interest in Vincent that brought her here for the summer but her interest in me.”

Blade looked confused. “Maybe I missed a piece somewhere along the way, but does it really matter?”

“Yes, to her it does. I get the feeling that while growing up she had to adhere to a very strict code of principles and standards. A few of them she can’t easily let go of. She only wants to focus her time and attention on Vincent this summer.”

“So where does that leave you?” Blade asked.

Slade shrugged. “Frankly, I don’t know. But I do know I’m not going to make things easy for her. She’ll eventually realize that one doesn’t have anything to do with the other.”

“Well, good luck. Now you see why I prefer playing the field. Women are too much trouble to settle with just one. They’ll send you to an early grave trying to figure out how their minds work.” A slow grin spread across his face when he added, “I’d much rather concentrate on working another part of their body.”

“Bye, Blade. I’m sure you have something to do,” Slade said, turning back toward the table.

He shook his head when he heard the door close shut behind his brother. If he could think like Blade, it would definitely be easier for him to deal with Skye. But he couldn’t think like Blade. They were twins, but when it came to women they definitely thought differently.

Diana walked into her daughter’s lingerie shop when it opened on Monday morning. She looked around and made a few purchases that she didn’t think were too outlandish for her to wear to bed. Not that anyone would see her in them, but still, when it came to nightclothes she thought sensibly. She liked silk and lace but thought she was too old for all that overly-sexy stuff. Wearing a thong was something she would never be comfortable doing, physically or mentally.

“Hi, Mom, how did your date with Uncle Ned go?” Felicia asked her mother when Diana went to the counter with her purchases.

Diana glanced around. She was glad no one else had heard her daughter’s question. “It wasn’t a date, Felicia. We merely had dinner together at his place.”

Felicia shrugged. “Sounds like a date to me. In fact, I always considered the two of you dating when you didn’t.”

“Only because Ned is nothing more than—”

“Your best friend. But you love him. You told me so. So why won’t you let him know how you feel?”

“Because things don’t work that way.”

“Maybe in your generation but not in mine. And I’m going to teach Madaris to go after what she wants in life, whether it’s a man, career, an education, whatever.”

Diana believed her. Thanks to the spoiling by her uncles, Felicia always had done pretty much whatever pleased her. Diana thought Felicia and her husband, Trask, made a beautiful couple and Trask was just what she needed. They had known each other forever, so Trask was used to her airs and didn’t tolerate them much. He knew how to keep Felicia in line most of the time.

“So what’s next?”

Diana looked up into her daughter’s smiling face. “What do you mean, what’s next?”

“When is the next date—I mean best-friend get-together?”

Diana rolled her eyes. “I’m his escort at the retirement party Jake is giving him in a few weeks.”

“Umm, that’s sweet. Honestly, I can’t imagine any other woman walking in on his arm but you.”

Diana smiled. Neither could she. She and Ned had gotten into a routine, and people were used to seeing them together. “Well, I got to run,” she said.

She decided not to mention to her daughter that Ned was taking her to lunch. Knowing Felicia, she would read more into it than there was.

“I think you made some nice purchases, Mom. But I wish you’d consider that outfit over there. I think it would look good on you. Just the thing for you to lounge around wearing. And it would be appropriate for you to wear to entertain a certain man.”

Felicia scanned her mother’s toned limbs and ripe curves. The dress she was wearing was very flattering. In fact, all of the clothes she wore always looked gorgeous on her, but if only she could interest her in buying those hot sexy items that were guaranteed to raise a man’s temperature up a notch. “You have a nice figure, Mom. You’ve kept it up over the years, and I think you should wear outfits—both inside and out—that flaunt it.”

Diana glanced over at the outfit her daughter was talking about. It was on display in the middle of the store on a mannequin. The outfit didn’t just flaunt; it bared all. Gracious! It was a beautiful lounger, but it left nothing to the imagination. It was something way too bold for her taste. She couldn’t imagine what Ned would think if he were ever to see her in something like it.

“That’s not me, Felicia.”

“Then make it you, Mom. Go ahead. Be bold and daring just once. Here,” she said, reaching under the counter and pulling out the same outfit. “This one is your size and I know it’s the senator’s favorite color. Consider it a gift.”

“Felicia, I can’t possibly wear some—”

Felicia put the item in a bag, then placed the package into her mother’s hands. “Yes, you can. Humor me, will you? And take it a step further and take advice from your daughter for a change instead of giving me advice. You are
woman
. That entitles you to go after what you want. Men are slow about certain things, and it takes a woman, a strong, confident woman, to be bold enough to make the first move. I think one of the reasons my godfather has never taken things further is because he’s not sure it will be reciprocated. He probably assumes friendship is all you want. Once he knows that’s not the case, then your worries are over and you’ll live happily for the rest of your life.”

Felicia leaned closer over the counter and whispered, “And don’t you want that, Mom? Wouldn’t you rather curl up at night with a good man than a good book? Umm, just think of the possibilities.”

Diana felt the blush that came into her face. The possibilities were too numerous to think about or share with her daughter. She quickly gathered up all her bags. “I’ll see, Felicia.”

“Remember what I’ve told you, Mom,” Felicia called after her.

Diana didn’t look back as she headed for the exit door, thinking there was no way she could forget.

Slade walked out of the office to leave for the day the exact moment Skye was leaving with Vincent. He smiled when he saw them. “Hello, Skye. Vincent, how did things go your first day?”

“Great! I got to spend time with Glenn, and he showed me how he takes the plans you draw and checks to make sure they will work for the environment. I thought it was cool. Tomorrow I get to ride out on a job site with Blade,” Vincent answered excitedly.

“That’s good. I see the two of you are calling it a day.”

“Yes. Skye and I are going to that pizza place for dinner. You want to come?”

He glanced over at Skye. Although she was looking at him, there was nothing in her features that gave him the impression that she wanted him to tag along. “Thanks, but I have some work I need to finish up at home. The two of you go and enjoy yourselves.”

It was then Skye spoke. “Are you sure, Slade? You are welcome to join us.”

Although she had issued the invitation, he knew she preferred time alone with Vincent, and he was fine with that. What he wasn’t fine with was that she didn’t want time alone with him. “I’m sure. Besides, Mom sent me home with a to-go box filled to capacity. I have enough food to last for a week.”

He took the elevator down with them, and he and Skye listened while Vincent recapped his day some more. When they got to the fifth floor the elevator picked up Syneda and Clayton. They were caught up in another heated debate as to whether or not the Texans, who were Clayton’s favorite team, would beat the Cowboys, who were Syneda’s favorite team, in football this coming season. They broke off the torrid discussion long enough to find out how Skye and Vincent’s first day at work had gone.

Slade walked Skye and Vincent to her rental car before getting into his truck. He watched them pull off and sat there awhile in his truck. Skye seemed to be handling things pretty well. Evidently his presence in the office didn’t bother her like hers had bothered him today.

He’d caught a glimpse of her several times that day while she’d followed Sherri, learning her way around the office. And each time he thought she looked stunning. Although his office had a pretty lax dress code for the summer months, she had worn a very sharp business pantsuit. Several times he’d been tempted to corner her somewhere and take the suit off her.

He rubbed a hand down his face before pulling out of the parking lot. He’d made it through day one; now there were only eighty-something more to go.

“I wish Slade could have joined us.”

Skye glanced over at Vincent, hearing the disappointment in his voice. A part of her wished Slade could have joined them, too. “You really like him, don’t you?”

“Who? Slade?” At her nod Vincent said, “Yes, he’s cool. But then Blade and Luke are cool, too. All my older cousins are cool, but Slade is one of the coolest. He used to spend a lot of time with me when I was little, and would make me feel special and made me think I was so smart that I could do anything.”

Skye nodded. Every child needed someone in their life who was a mentor, a role model. Just plain someone who cared.

“Was there anyone who made you feel special and smart when you were growing up, Skye?”

Skye thought long and hard over that question. Besides her aunt Karen there had been one other person. “Yes, the man who I consider my godfather, although he’s really not. My father worked as Congressman Baines’s accountant for many years, and I remember going to the office with my father on Saturdays and the congressman would be there.” Skye smiled. “Come to think of it, he was always there visiting the office and would ask how I was doing and would tell me that I would grow up to be a special young lady one day. He used to tell me that so much that I believed him. And he would always buy me a special present for my birthday.”

“That was nice of him.”

Skye’s smile widened. “Yes, I always thought he was a nice man. I still do, although I don’t get to spend as much time with him now as I did when I was younger. Maybe that will change now that he’s retiring from politics.”

“Like my uncle Nedwyn Lansing. He was a senator, but he retired a few months ago. He’s not really a family member, but we all think of him as one. We had another senator in the family, Mama Nora’s brother. His name was Roman Malone. He was a good friend of Grampa Jonathan. They had gone to college together, but he died two years ago. He was a nice man. He’s the one who introduced my dad to my mom.”

“Well, thanks for sharing some more family history,” Skye said, smiling, as she pulled into the parking lot of the pizza shop. “I’m learning more and more about the Madaris family every day. But while we’re eating pizza I want to learn all there is to know about
you
. What you like. What you don’t like. What’s your favorite color?” Her eyes twinkled when she said, “How many girlfriends do you have?”

Vincent couldn’t help laughing. Before unhooking his seat belt he said, “Skye, there are some things a guy don’t even tell his sister.”