by Cindy Kirk
“Happy New Year, Shane.”
Through the closed windows she heard fireworks exploding outside. Lia put down her glass and stepped out onto the balcony overlooking Main Street. The sky was awash in bursts of red, silvery-white and blue as well as vibrant greens and yellows.
Shane moved to stand behind her. She jumped a little as he rested his hand on her shoulder, but there was nothing suggestive in his touch. He just stood there, smelling terrific and watching the fireworks with her.
“This is much nicer than a crowded ballroom with a bunch of drunk cowboys trying to kiss me,” she murmured, her gaze focused on the raucous crowd below.
“Well, I’m not drunk. And I’m not a cowboy.” Shane turned her in his arms to face him. His fingers were not quite steady as they touched the curve of her cheek and trailed along the line of her jaw. “But I’d sure like to kiss you.”
His seductively soft voice sent shivers rippling across her skin.
Lia cleared her suddenly dry throat. “Kissing at midnight is practically a New Year’s Eve tradition.”
It was all the encouragement he needed. Shane’s mouth brushed slowly over hers.
When she made no effort to pull away, he settled her closely to him, as his tongue teased the fullness of her lower lip. She opened her mouth and he changed the angle of the kiss and deepened it.
Her hands moved up and she curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. She could feel the heat of his body under her hands, the steady thud of his heart.
Everything faded except the need to feel more of him, taste more of him.
His hands dipped down to the small of her back and pulled her closer. His erection pressed against her belly, inspiring a dizzying myriad of sensual images of her and him, in that big king-size bed, together.
But when his fingers began to tug at her zipper, Lia forced herself to pull back.
“That was nice,” she managed to stammer, her breath coming in short puffs.
“Nice?” Shane looked comically appalled.
If Lia had been unprepared for the alarming rush of pleasure from his kiss, she was even less prepared to quantify the experience. “I—I should leave.”
“What’s the rush? Stay and help me eat these.” He gave her an encouraging smile and gestured to the appetizers. “Have another glass of champagne.”
Lia thought for a moment. She could fight the loud, boisterous—and likely drunk—crowds that would have filled the streets to watch the fireworks. Or she could have another glass of champagne with Shane, enjoy some sushi then head home. “Okay, but no more kissing.”
Shane looked at her steadily. The air crackled with electricity, while one corner of his mouth curled upward. “If that’s what you want.”
Of course that wasn’t what she wanted. But one of them had to be sensible. “That’s what I want.”
Over a couple spring rolls and some yellowfin that had to have been a special request of his, they talked. Or rather, he asked questions and she talked. About being raised by a single mother and growing up with an overprotective older brother. She told him how she’d wanted a fine arts degree but that her oldest brother, Eric, had pushed her to get a degree in business.
Shane drank some champagne and leaned back, watching her speculatively. “You can’t go wrong with a degree in business.”
Lia rolled her eyes. “Now you sound like my brother.”
“I don’t feel like your brother,” he said with disarming frankness. His gaze flickered downward and lingered on her mouth for several seconds.
The brief glance touched Lia like a heated caress, sending her pulse into double time.
“Stay with me tonight.” Shane touched a single fingertip to her bare shoulder then slowly dragged it down her arm. Goose bumps beaded her flesh, completely at odds with the inferno his feather-soft touch ignited.
“You are so sexy.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze dark and intense. “So incredibly lovely.”
Unexpected desire, hot and insistent, gushed through her, turning her limp. She’d thought she was incapable of wanting a man in this way. But right now she wanted Shane.
It wasn’t as if they were strangers, Lia told herself. Shane knew more about her family and her dreams for the future than a lot of her friends.
Neither of them was looking for a relationship. She wasn’t ready for another one. And he, well, he seemed to have his reasons.
Though she’d always believed sex belonged in a committed relationship, she’d dated David for over a year and look how that had turned out.
Lia’s gaze lingered on the man sitting beside her, patiently waiting for her answer. She searched his eyes and saw desire, hot and liquid, but also a heart-tugging uncertainty.
Her gaze flickered down to where his thumb drew a slow circle on her palm.
She and Shane were two mature adults who would be going into tonight with their eyes wide open.
She was on the pill.
He had condoms.
What could go wrong?
* * *
The next morning, Lia opened her eyes to the sound of voices. Or rather, a single voice. Shane’s voice.
Pushing aside the covers, she sat up and realized she was naked. The events of the previous evening flooded back in brilliant color. They hadn’t just done it once; they’d made love for hours.
A blush stole up her neck. Shane was an imaginative and inventive lover who’d seemed as interested in her pleasure as in his. When she’d warned him she was bad in bed, he’d simply laughed and went about proving her wrong.
She heard his voice again and realized he was on the phone. This gave her the perfect opportunity to hop into the shower and get dressed. Grabbing her underwear and clothes from the floor, she scampered into the bathroom and locked the door.
When she emerged fully dressed fifteen minutes later, Shane was sitting on the bed. Instead of the tux, he wore black pants and a white cotton shirt. He must have gotten up early because she could see that he’d already shaved and showered.
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
Lia lifted a brow.
“I was on the phone and things got a little loud.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing that I can’t handle,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Lia had been around enough to know when someone was telling her to mind her own business. No matter how it had seemed last night, just because she and Shane had shared a bottle of champagne and slept together didn’t make them friends.
She experienced a sudden urge to cry. How could she have had sex with him? Dear God, she didn’t even know his last name. And to ask now would make it appear she was hoping for something more from him. Unless he wanted more...
“I’d better get moving.” She waved a careless hand in the air. “I have things to do, places to go.”
His gaze turned speculative as he leaned against the headboard. She had the sinking feeling he could see right into her head.
“It, well, it was fun.” She cringed as the words came out of her mouth. Fun? Throwing a ball to a dog was fun. Having sex with a stranger, well, that fell more into the crazy range.
She started past him, hoping to find her purse in the parlor. But he grabbed her hand and tugged her to him.
“I like you, Lia,” he said, his eyes dark and very blue. “But—”
Lia had no trouble filling in the blank when he paused. I like you but this was a one-night thing. I like you but I lied—I really do have a girlfriend. I like you but—
“I’m leaving Red Rock today,” he said. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“Well, then, safe travels to wherever you’re headed,” she heard herself say, pleased at how composed she sounded. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “No kiss goodbye?”
He obviously found this situation amusing, rather than awkward. Well, good for him. For her part, she wasn’t goi
ng to compound her error in judgment by delaying her departure one more second.
“I think there’s been enough kissing,” Lia said drily. “Have a nice life, Shane.”
She turned on her heel and walked out of the suite. A woman knew when a guy was giving her the brush-off. When that happened, the only thing she had left was her dignity.
Lia didn’t look back or slow down. Not even when she thought she heard him call her name.
Chapter Three
On a bright sunny day in late April, Lia pulled her car to a stop next to the curb in front of a nightclub being built on the edge of Red Rock. Construction workers in faded blue jeans, white T-shirts and yellow hard hats were congregated under a large shade tree eating their lunch.
With the air conditioner running, Lia rolled down the passenger-side window and took a moment to survey the site. Dismay clogged her throat. From the way her brother Eric had talked when they’d spoken on the phone, Miguel Mendoza’s nightclub was ready to open. Which meant his friend might be in the market for an accountant.
Though the doors and windows had been installed, the siding had yet to be put on the building. Mounds of dirt littered with construction debris filled the yard.
Heaving a resigned sigh, Lia rolled up the window then stepped out of her car. It had been two months since she’d lost her job. Savings from her beadwork sales had kept a roof over her head and food on the table since the regular paychecks had stopped. But that money was running out.
She gazed down at her loose-fitting blousy dress, confident that no one would ever suspect she was pregnant. She had the feeling Miguel would be hesitant to hire her if he knew she was expecting.
After all, his new nightclub would be going full steam by the time she gave birth in the fall. While Miguel might have his doubts, Lia knew she could handle work and motherhood. She had no choice. She would be the sole support of her child.
This certainly wasn’t the life she’d once envisioned for herself and her future children. While her childhood home had been filled with lots of love, she’d witnessed firsthand the challenges her mother faced as a single parent. That was why Lia had been determined that any children she would have would grow up in a home with two loving parents.
Lia thought back to New Year’s Eve and her encounter with Shane. Recalled how she’d convinced herself nothing could go wrong. She couldn’t believe she’d been so reckless. No, she corrected herself almost immediately, not reckless. She’d been on the pill. They had used condoms each time. But she’d also been on antibiotics for a sinus infection, which decreased the pill’s effectiveness. And, as she’d so recently discovered, no birth control method was 100 percent effective.
She’d finally told her mother the news over the phone last week. In a way, not being able to afford to fly to Boston and tell her in person had been a blessing.
Though over a thousand miles separated them, Lia had heard the disappointment in her mother’s voice. At first her mom had assumed it was David’s baby. But Lia had to tell her that no, she hadn’t been with David in that way for months before this happened.
That had been the easy part. Telling her devoutly religious mother that she’d had a one-night stand with a man she’d never met before, a man she had no way of contacting, had been brutal. The stunned silence on the other end of the line had been worse than any words of reproach her mother could have uttered.
Yet, after she’d recovered from the initial shock, her mother had pledged her support. She’d even urged Lia to come live with her.
But Red Rock was home. Lia had been born here, grown up here. That was why two years ago when her mother had moved to Boston, Lia had remained in Texas.
Even if Lia hadn’t valued her independence, her mother had enough on her plate caring for her own aging parents. Besides, if Lia gave up now, what kind of example would she be setting for her child? That when life got tough you quit and ran home to Mommy? No, she had to do better—she would do better.
Unfortunately, staying in Red Rock meant she was essentially in this alone. Without knowing Shane’s last name, there was little chance of her ever finding him.
“It will be okay,” Lia murmured under her breath. “I’ll love you enough for two, mi amorcito.”
The words had barely left her lips when, out of the corner of her eye, Lia saw a shiny black pickup pull to a stop at the corner light. The dark-haired passenger was too busy speaking with the driver to glance her way. His face was turned, so she couldn’t get a good look at him. Yet there was something familiar about the set of his shoulders and the cut of his jaw.
Shane?
Lia gasped and started to move forward. But her feet felt as if they were filled with concrete. Before she could break free, the light changed and the truck sped off.
The license plate. Get the number.
With her heart pounding Lia strained forward for a better look, only to stumble. She might have fallen if an older woman walking the opposite way down the sidewalk hadn’t grabbed her arm and steadied her.
“Are you okay?”
Lia’s hand moved protectively to her belly as she gazed into the concerned eyes of the older brown-skinned woman. “I—I’m fine.”
She shot a quick glance down the street but the truck had disappeared.
“I know it’s none of my business—” The Good Samaritan spoke in heavily accented English. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “—but a woman in your condition shouldn’t be wearing such high heels.”
Her condition? Lia pulled her hand from her abdomen with what she hoped was a casual gesture. She resisted the urge to glance down at her belly. “I thought I saw someone I knew. I simply moved too fast.”
Lia wondered how long this would keep happening. Four months and she was still seeing Shane around every street corner.
Last month Lia had thought she’d seen him at the grocery store. But when she’d hurried up to the tall, dark-haired man, the guy hadn’t looked anything like him. Last week it had been in a restaurant. The guy with the thick dark hair that curled just above his collar had been seated with his back to her. With her heart pounding in her throat, she’d strolled by his table. On closer observation, she’d discovered the man looked nothing like Shane. Not only did he have brown eyes—instead of blue—but crooked teeth and a wedding ring.
And then there was the man in the truck today...
“Are you okay, miss?”
“I’m fine.” Remembering her manners, Lia turned to the woman with a warm smile. “Thank you for coming to my assistance.”
“God bless you.” The woman cast a pointed glance to Lia’s nearly flat belly. “And your bebé.”
Lia offered up a wan smile as the woman hurried off. She hoped Miguel wouldn’t have the woman’s keen psychic abilities.
Being careful to watch for any cracks in the sidewalk, Lia took carefully measured steps on her trek to the door. She sensed the construction workers watching her, but didn’t hear a single wolf whistle. She didn’t know whether to be offended or relieved.
She exhaled when she finally reached the building. A blast of cool air greeted her as she opened the nightclub door and stepped inside.
The interior seemed to be very much a work in progress. The sounds of hammering and the whine of electric saws and drills filled the air. Lia’s heart sank.
From the unfinished state of the interior, the opening had to be many months away. She clenched her purse firmly and told herself not to panic. It might still work out. Besides, she’d driven all the way over here. It would be foolish to leave without speaking with Miguel.
“May I help you?” A dark-haired man with a thick accent stepped in front of her. She wasn’t sure if he was a security person, a supervisor or simply being helpful.
“I hope so.” Lia flashed the man a smile. “I’m here to see Miguel Mendoza. I’d appreciate it if you could point me in the direction of his office.”
He looked at her curiously, but didn’t ask any questions. “A
ll the offices are that way.” He gestured with his head toward a closed door to the right. “Miguel’s will be the last one on the right. I don’t think he’s left for lunch yet.”
“Thank you.” Lia had to skirt a couple sawhorses and a few power cords before reaching the door. When she opened it and saw painted walls and carpeted floors, her spirits rose.
An accountant could comfortably work in these conditions. Even if the club wasn’t open and bringing in revenue, there were dozens of things she could do to help out.
“Please let me get this job. Please let me get this job. Please let me get this job,” she murmured under her breath as she strode down the long hallway.
She stopped outside the last office on the right. Her hand paused on the knob when she heard voices coming from inside. She hesitated. The laughter she heard told her she wouldn’t be interrupting a meeting but perhaps she should wait...
After a few more minutes of listening to muted conversation with an occasional burst of laughter thrown in, Lia squared her shoulders and rapped on the door.
“Come in.”
Miguel sat behind a large desk. Dressed fashionably in a cream-colored shirt and brown pants, he was a handsome man with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes.
Both he and the man he’d been speaking with rose as she entered the room.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said softly, “but I wondered if you had a few minutes to talk.”
“Natalia, it’s been too long.” A broad smile of welcome split Miguel’s face, showing a mouthful of perfect white teeth. “How’s Eric?”
“Ah, he’s well.” Lia glanced at the other man, who was watching the two of them with a speculative gleam in his eyes. She took a step backward. “If you’re busy, I can wait.”
“We’ve finished our business. Your timing couldn’t be more perfect.” Miguel turned to the guy in the hard hat. “Juan, I’d like you to meet Natalia Serrano. Her brother Eric and I go way back.”
Miguel completed the introductions and after a minute of polite conversation, Juan left.
“I hope I’m not interrupting your lunch plans.” Lia sank into a plush leather chair positioned in front of the desk.