Winter Magic: 4 (The Hawks Mountain Series) (11 page)

JUST AS THE knock sounded on the front door, Andi placed the last log on the fire she’d started in the fireplace to take the chill off the house. Slightly irritated that she had company when she just wanted to be left alone to sort through her dilemma, she strode across the small living room and then swung open the door.

To her surprise, she found the very root of her dilemma standing on her porch.

“Jonathan!” was all she could manage.

“Hello, Andi. May I come in?” He smiled.

At that moment, with his breathtaking smile stealing her good sense, Andi knew if he’d been the local ax murderer, she probably would have let him into her house. Stepping to the side and terrified that her voice would betray her emotions, she motioned for him to enter.

She cleared her throat in an attempt to level her voice, then blurted out the first thing that entered her mind. “How did you find me?”

Again he smiled. Her heart began to race.

Please, stop doing that!

“I have a friend in the Charleston PD who owed me a favor. He traced your address through your cell phone number.”

Andi wasn’t sure if she should be happy that he’d gone to all that trouble to locate her, or upset that he’d used the police department to track her down like a wanted felon. “Oh.”

Oh? That’s it?
Come on, Andi. Ask him why he’d invaded your privacy by tracking down your address?
Or why was he here?
But the words refused to form on her tongue.

“I’d like to talk to you. If you have time, that is.”

Oh, boy! This didn’t sound good. Was he about to fire her because she’d walked out of his office?

“Sure. Let’s sit down.” She waved her hand toward the sofa. She followed him and took a seat at the far end of the couch, leaving a good length of non-temptation distance between them. Once they were seated, she faced him head on. Might as well get it over with. “If this is about why I walked out—”

“No. No, it’s not.”

“Then is it about me not getting back to you with theme ideas?”

“No.”

Andi was at a loss. She couldn’t think of anything else they needed to talk about. So, she waited.

Jonathan looked around as if expecting someone else to materialize out of thin air. He turned toward her, opened his mouth as if to speak, then quickly snapped it shut and looked away.

Jonathan Prince at a loss for words? Mr. In-control fidgeting? Odd, since she considered him one of the most self-assured people she’d ever met.

In the ensuing silence, the only sound in the room was the
crackle
of the wood in the fireplace. Realizing she’d never put the fire screen in front of it, Andi rose and positioned the screen to prevent sparks flying out and setting the rug ablaze. Then she returned to her seat.

Jonathan still didn’t seem ready to talk. That this man was having such a difficult time expressing why he’d come here puzzled her. He’d certainly never had a problem speaking out before this. It was almost painful to watch.

She stood. “I made coffee earlier. Would you like some?”

“Yes, thanks. I’d love some.”

Relieved, Jonathan watched Andi walk into her tiny kitchen. Why was he having such a hard time telling her what he’d come here to say? He felt like a high school kid angling for his first date.

Trying to gather his thoughts, he looked around the living room. No expensive embellishments. No ostentatious decorations that screamed money. The rug and furniture, while both were serviceable and attractive, appeared to have come from a store that handled moderately-priced, mass-produced, tasteful, if not elaborate, furnishings. A selection of green plants stood on various end tables. The few paintings, some of his favorites, were obviously printed copies of the Masters: Monet’s
Pool with Waterlilies
, Renoir’s
Cagnes Landscape with Woman and Child
, and another of Monet’s,
A Woman in the Garden
. It struck him how the peaceful scenes reflected Andi’s nature.

The entire room was neat and tastefully decorated, but did not gel with the flamboyant, lavishly dressed Andi Cameron he’d met the first day in his office. However, the subjects of the artwork on her wall definitely reflected the Andi he knew. Once more he was faced with the contradictions that surrounded this woman he’d grown very fond of in a very short time.

His thoughts jumped back to his original question: why was he having such a difficult time telling her what he’d come here to say? Then it hit him. Because what he’d come to say was not what his heart kept repeating. He didn’t want to apologize for the kiss. He wanted more. He wanted to hold her again and feel her lips beneath his. He wanted to tell her she was unlike any woman of his acquaintance, and he never wanted her to step out of his life.

At the same time, a small voice inside of him kept holding him back. Questions about this woman assaulted him, questions for which he had no answers.

Could he risk his heart with a woman who seemed to be such a contradiction?

Although he detected her interest in him as a man, was it enough?

Or was his wealth the main attraction?

Was this
Andi
just an act to catch a rich husband?

Would she betray him just as the others he’d cared about had?

Suddenly, he knew that this was the last place he should be until he could answer those questions. He stood, hoping to leave before she came back with the coffee. But he’d delayed too long.

Andi hurried into the room carrying two steaming cups of coffee. “Here you are.” She handed him one of them. He took it, and their fingertips brushed. He could have sworn a jolt of electricity danced up his arm.

Telling himself that his imagination had gotten out of hand, he sat back down on the couch and then lifted the cup to his lips. “Thanks.” After taking a sip, he looked at her, his expression one of surprise. “You remembered how I like it.”

Having watched him fix his coffee several times during their meetings, one sugar and a drop of cream had stuck in her head, as had most other things about him. Rather than say that, she simply shrugged. “It’s a gift.” Tired of the small talk and eager to get him out of her house before she embarrassed herself, she set the cup on the table beside her, and then looked him in the eye. “Why are you here, Jonathan? I’m sure it wasn’t to talk about coffee.”

He too set his cup aside. “No, it wasn’t.” Readjusting his position on the couch to face her, he took a deep breath. “I came to apologize.”

Apologize? Jonathan Prince apologizing?
That was the last thing Andi had expected. “For what?”

“For calling what happened on the lawn a mistake.”

Andi’s breath caught in her throat. So then, what was it? Unable to voice a reply, she rose and went to the fireplace and adjusted the logs.

Stop it, Andi! You know what happens when you start building castles in the air. Miranda comes along and blows up the foundation, and all your fanciful dreams come tumbling down on your heart. And you know that it’s just a matter of time before it happens again.

Resolved to end this here, she turned to him. “Of course it was a mistake. There’s no need for you to apologize. We should just
 . . .
” She turned back to the fire and forced the words from between her lips, words, in her heart of hearts, she didn’t believe. “We should do what you said before and just forget it happened.”

“Can you do that?”

The room went dead silent. The only sound the
hissing
from the green log she just placed on the fire. The silence stretched out into minutes.

Finally, she found the words to voice the lie. “Yes, of course.”

“Well, I can’t, and I don’t believe you can either.” The words were whispered close to her ear.

Strong arms encircled her from behind. Chills skittered down her spine. She should step away. Put distance between them before something irreversible happened.

But she couldn’t. She’d waited so long for this, wanted it so desperately, and, now that it was actually a reality, she didn’t have the strength to deny herself the pleasure. Instead she leaned back against him and closed her eyes.

Very slowly, he slid his hands to her shoulders and turned her toward him. Knowing she’d be lost if she looked into his eyes, she centered her gaze on his chest. But he cupped her face in his palms and gently tilted it up. Andi held her breath and allowed herself to look into the bottomless blue depths of his eyes. The desire she saw burning there both excited and terrified her.

Then, as though giving her time to refuse, he very slowly lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. As his lips settled over hers, Andi felt as if she’d just stepped off a dizzying rollercoaster ride and into a swirling whirlpool of emotions.

This kiss was not like the one they’d shared in the snow. This one was gentle, yet demanding. It devoured her will and sapped her strength to resist. This time her body came alive with a need that she couldn’t begin to deny. Her soul cried out for more . . . much more. This time Sarah wasn’t peering down at them, giving Andi an excuse to pull away.

When he took her hand and drew her toward her open bedroom door, she knew she wouldn’t, couldn’t resist. It was as if she’d waited her entire life for this one moment, and nothing or no one was going to stand in her way. Not shadows of her sister. Not her insecurities. Not her own conscience’s warnings.

But even as determined as she was, she had to ask him one question. “Is this another mistake?” she whispered, barely able to get the words out.

“Probably.” Jonathan looked deep into her eyes, his lips inches from hers. “But I don’t care. Do you?”

At that moment, even though deep down she knew the pain would follow, she cared about little beyond right now and Jonathan. At least she’d have the memories. Her answer was to place her mouth over his and seal off any other words he might say.

THE NEXT MORNING, Andi opened her eyes, immediately aware of warmth emanating from the naked man lying next to her. Flashes of the passionate night she and Jonathan had shared played through her mind. Had that insatiable woman really been her?

The answer was a surprising
yes,
and amazingly, not one ounce of regret had come with the morning light. She’d never felt more alive before in her entire life. Jonathan was right. Perhaps the regret would come later, but right now, she basked in the euphoria of afterglow. Andi knew that the memory of this night was something she’d cherish for the rest of her days.

But what about Jonathan? Would he regret it? Was she just another one night stand for him? He had said he thought it was a mistake.

Andi rolled to her side and gazed at the man who filled her thoughts, as if she could read the answer in his relaxed features. A lock of dark hair had fallen over his forehead almost obscuring one eye. She reached out to brush it back. His hand seized her wrist. He opened one eye and smiled. Then he hauled her into his arms and kissed her.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

Beautiful.
No one had ever called her that before. Reliable. Sensible. Smart. Never beautiful. She couldn’t hold back a grin. “Hi.”

Jonathan rolled to his back and pulled her across his chest. Her hair cascaded around them, creating a curtain of privacy. He recalled that day in his office when her barrette had broken and the effect her loosened hair had had on him. This very moment proved to elicit the same longing that had gripped his body then.

Looking into her eyes, he could see the rekindled desire that echoed the sensations racing through him. His body responded to her need.

“Andi.” Her name passing over his lips felt like a caress. “I could stay here and make love to you all day.”

She drew back. “But?” Her expression reflected his disappointment.

“But, I’m afraid you have a gala to plan, and I have an appointment in a few hours with a particularly arrogant author, who wants me to offer up nothing less than my first born to buy his manuscript.” He ran a fingertip over her lower lip. Her mouth opened just a fraction. Her warm breath brushed his face. His groin tightened painfully. “You are a tempting witch, Miss Cameron.”

She grinned. “It’s a gift.” Then she returned his kiss with one that intensified all the wonderful emotions filling his heart.

It didn’t take much coaxing for him to forget all about his appointment, the publishing business, and anything but holding Andi and making love to her.

AS THEY ENTERED the foyer of Jonathan’s house, the grandfather clock in the hall chimed noon. Jonathan whispered in her ear, reminding her of something that had happened hours before in the privacy of her bedroom. Andi laughed out loud, slapped playfully at his arm, and then swung toward the stairs to find Aunt Sarah and Granny Jo Hawks standing in the hall staring at them with decidedly impish grins on their faces.

“Good morning.” Sarah looked at her watch. “Or perhaps I should say good afternoon.”

Andi flushed and glanced at Jonathan. He was seriously fighting the smile that played around his mouth. They would have been here hours ago, but they’d gotten
 . . .
sidetracked, something she was not about to share with the two older women.

“Hello, Aunt Sarah. Granny Jo” Suppressed laughter thickened Jonathan’s tone of voice.

The women’s smiles widened. Sarah handed him the bunch of pink slips of paper she was holding. “Your office has called several times. It seems you have a homicidal secretary and one very irate author waiting for you.”

Jonathan took the papers, glanced at them, and then shoved them in his pocket. “I had more important business to take care of this morning.” He winked at Andi.

Well aware of the heat rushing to her cheeks, Andi knew she might as well have had a sign reading
Jonathan and I made love
written on her forehead.

Sarah looked from her nephew to Andi, then shook her head and smiled. “Be that as it may, at least call Helen before she develops a severe case of apoplexy, or does in one of your bestselling authors.”

“Yes, ma’am. As soon as I shower and change.” Jonathan brushed Andi’s mouth with a quick kiss, and then whispered, “See you in a few.” He started for the stairs, but Sarah intercepted him.

“Now, please. She’s called a number of times, and each time she sounded more and more frantic.”

“Very well.” He disappeared into his office and closed the door.

Lips still tingling, and a warm glow enfolding her like a favorite blanket on a cold day, Andi stared after him, still unable to believe that last few hours had really happened to her. One thing she had no problem believing. She absolutely and unequivocally loved Jonathan Prince. She just prayed she hadn’t put her heart on the line again. If she had, she was certain that this time the pain would be unbearable.

“Well?” Sarah’s voice brought Andi back down off cloud nine.

She blinked to refocus her thoughts. “What?”

“What’s going on between you and my nephew? That’s what.” Sarah looped her arm in Andi’s and steered her toward the stairs. Granny Jo followed silently behind them.

Andi dipped her head as if carefully gauging her steps. “Nothing.” She sounded very much like the kid who’d gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Andi’s declaration of innocence elicited a muffled snicker from Granny Jo.

On the other hand, Sarah’s laughter echoed around the foyer. “Nothing? And you expect us to believe that. He left here looking for you, didn’t come home all night, and when he does, he has you in tow, and you’re both giggling like a couple of school children.” She stopped walking and looked at Andi, then beamed as if she’d just won the lottery. “I may be old, but I’m not stupid, my dear.” After a moment, she continued to guide Andi up the wide staircase. “I’ve been in love, too.”

With no alternative, given that Aunt Sarah didn’t appear to be giving up her quest for information, when they reached Andi’s makeshift office, she gave them an exceedingly abridged version of her time with Jonathan

AFTER GETTING BOTH his secretary and his irate author calmed down, Jonathan ran upstairs, took a shower and changed his clothes, then returned to his office and settled into his desk chair to work. But work was far from his mind. All he could think about was the magic of the night before and how wonderful Andi had felt nestled in his arms this morning. He’d held many women in his thirty-four years, but none seemed to fit as perfectly as Andi. It was as if she’d been made especially for him.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, recalling their passionate love making, her enthusiasm, their kisses, and this morning, when neither of them were willing to have it end.

Quite unexpectedly, Jonathan realized he didn’t want any other man to wake up to Andi’s smile, to kiss her good morning, to hold her. But what did he do about it? They’d only known each other a short time. Was it him she cared for, or his bank account? If it was him, would she be willing to commit after such a short period of time? Did he have the right to ask her? Did she even feel about him as he did about her?

And exactly how
do
you feel about her?

“Jonny.”

Jonathan started so violently, he almost fell out of his chair. “Aunt Sarah?”

A broad grin spread across her features.

He straightened in the chair and cleared his throat. “I didn’t hear you knock.”

“I did, but you appeared to be lost in thought
 . . .
or wherever it was you were. Were you expecting someone else?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Andi and I are going to go over her theme ideas for the gala.” Aunt Sarah’s grin faded. “Then you two haven’t discussed them yet.”

He frowned at her change in attitude. “No. Is there a problem?”

“Not at all.” Aunt Sarah shook her head. “I just assumed you’d already discussed it.” She backed up toward the door. “I’ll just leave so you can
 . . .
” She completed her thought with a trivializing wave of her hand.

“Was there something you wanted?”

“It can wait.” And before he could say more, she was gone.

He shrugged and pulled a folder from the pile on his desk. As he flipped it open, he sighed.
Women
.

He read the first line on the top sheet, then paused and looked back at the closed door. Why had Aunt Sarah’s behavior done such an abrupt change at the mention of the gala theme?

AFTER GRANNY JO and Aunt Sarah had listened to her abbreviated explanation and then settled into one of their quilting sessions in the far corner of the room. Andi threw herself into her work before one of them could reopen the conversation about Jonathan and the night before. She’d told them all she planned on divulging, but neither of them seemed totally happy with it and had alluded to wanting more detail. Detail Andi was not about to supply. When she offered no more, they’d given up.

Shutting out Granny Jo’s muffled tones instructing Aunt Sarah on how to assemble the squares for a fruit-basket quilt design, Andi focused on her to-do list. Once she got Jonathan’s okay on her theme idea, she’d be ready to start checking them off and getting the plans she’d made up and running.

By the time she’d added the last task to her list, she was satisfied with her progress. The list was long, and she’d need to get Nancy to help put it into action, but at least the preliminary contacts had been made with the vendors, and once she got the final go-ahead from Jonathan, everything was ready to go into action. Andi was definitely feeling more in control of the situation. As she read over the list, she recalled Sarah’s strange reaction to having a Santa’s Village theme for the gala.

Before she could give it more thought, however, a soft knock sounded on the office door.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened and Davis, the butler, stepped into the room. “Mr. Prince would like you to join him in his office.”

“I’m on my way.” Andi stood, gathered her notes and preceded Davis out the door.

Excitement built in her as she descended the long staircase. Jonathan was going to love her idea for the gala.