by C. C. Gibbs
He slowly exhaled, reminded himself to be understanding, and told himself that Katherine’s moods were dicier than usual now. Mostly, he warned himself not to screw this up. ‘You’re right,’ he softly said. ‘We’ll work it out.’ Half turning, he reached for a hanger and held it out. ‘How about this? No waistline. Good?’
‘Whatever you think. I don’t care. You know that.’
‘You are fun to dress, baby.’ He slid the black silk tunic dress embroidered with an impressionist design of colourful flowers off the hanger. ‘Who knew?’ he said, smiling. ‘You’ve added a whole new pleasure to my life.’
‘You, on the other hand’, she murmured, gazing at Dominic’s naked perfection, ‘have added a world of pleasure to mine. Come here …’
‘Anytime you want to quit work, baby, I’m on board.’ He tapped his watch.
‘It’s your call. Just say the word.’
She scowled. ‘Spoilsport.’
‘I don’t have to be.’ He lifted his brows. ‘So …’
‘Oh hell,’ she muttered. ‘So nothing. I have to go.’
‘Come home early,’ he suggested, walking to the dresser, taking out black lace bikini panties to go with the dress. ‘Just let me know and I’ll be here,’ he offered, moving towards her.
‘I can’t,’ she said with a sigh.
He was encouraged by that sigh. Perhaps she’d see the light sooner rather than later. ‘Too bad. Maybe some other time.’ Tossing the dress on a chair, he sank slowly to his knees. ‘Lift your foot,’ he murmured. ‘Now the other one.’ Sliding the black lace panties up her legs, he adjusted them on her hips, then glanced up. ‘We should go shopping for maternity clothes.’
She groaned.
He rose to his feet. ‘We’ll have someone come to the house. Better?’
‘Not really,’ she grumbled. ‘Maternity clothes are gross.’
‘Have you looked at them?’
‘No. Have you?’
‘I thought about it,’ he said, picking up the dress.
A small smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. ‘And?’
He grinned. ‘I lost my nerve.’
She laughed. ‘So what are we going to do?’
‘If you don’t want to wear maternity clothes, you could just lie in bed naked.’ He grinned. ‘I’m good with that.’
‘Ummm … tempting.’ She ran her fingertips down his sculpted abs. ‘Maybe we could try it out now,’ she purred.
‘Keep purring like that, baby, and you’re not going to make it to work.’
‘Do we have a little time?’ she asked, hope in her voice.
‘You don’t. I do. My schedule is flexible.’ He held her gaze. ‘You decide. We’re always ready for you.’
She shot a look at his beautiful erection, exhaled a low grumbly sound that matched her pout. ‘Damn,’ she muttered. ‘This sucks.’
Unzipping the back of the dress, he held it out.
She grimaced. ‘This really sucks.’
‘I agree.’
‘Don’t sound so calm when I’m unravelling.’
‘Look, baby, you know how I feel about this; I don’t want you to work. I want you with me every minute. I’m just trying not to make waves this morning.’ His brows rose. ‘Clear?’
She groaned. ‘OK, OK, just do it.’
‘Meaning?’ he asked carefully.
‘The dress, the dress …’
‘Just checking.’ Sliding the silk-lined dress over her head, he turned her, zipped up the back, swivelled her around and pointed at a chair. ‘Sit. I’ll get some shoes.’
But he quickly pulled on boxers and his suit pants before he returned with the shoes because, her libido aside, she wanted to go to work. And he didn’t feel like taking the blame if she opted for a quickie that would make her late. There was no doubt in his mind what he wanted and he’d make it happen. Just not this morning.
‘You’re dressed,’ she pouted.
‘Baby, you can’t have it both ways.’
‘What if I want to?’ Wearing only steel-grey dress pants, he was raw, unfiltered masculinity. Broad and powerful as an ancient fortress, his swarthy skin rapped an urgent tattoo on her psyche; heat and desire gathered inside her, fingered all her nerves.
He softly sighed, held out green wedge sandals with one hand and pointed to the bed with the other. ‘I already told you what I want. You decide what you want.’
There was a significant silence.
Then she lifted one foot.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, he thought and with his childhood, he’d developed a significant level of patience. Kneeling, he slipped on the shoes, buckled the straps and standing, pulled Kate to her feet. ‘Tired?’ he murmured because she’d briefly shut her eyes and sighed.
‘Always.’
‘Call me and I’ll come get you if you can’t make it through the day.’
She smiled. ‘Thanks, but I’m OK once I start working. My adrenaline kicks in.’
‘We should talk to a doctor so we’re not flying blind with all the changes you’re going through. Why don’t I find one today?’
She rolled her eyes.
Since that wasn’t a no, he said, ‘What now? Your phone, messenger bag?’
‘Yes and yes.’ But she didn’t move. She could have gone back to sleep.
He smiled. ‘Give me a hint.’
‘They’re probably still in the kitchen where I dropped them.’
Five minutes later, Dominic exited the flat, carrying Kate, her messenger bag slung over his shoulder. Jake, who was leaning against the car, waiting, quickly opened the back door and greeted them with a smile.
‘Morning, boss. Miss Hart. Good weather for a change.’
‘It’s great weather,’ Dominic said.
Kate smiled at the driver, who came from the same mould as all Dominic’s security: dangerously buff and ultra-competent. ‘Morning Jake.’
‘We’re running a little late,’ Dominic said, as he slid into the back seat with Kate.
‘I can make up time. Nine. Right?’
Dominic nodded, Jake shut the door and seconds later, he pulled away from the kerb.
Since the wedding planner appointment had been only briefly discussed between Katherine’s orgasms that morning, Dominic did a quick double check as she was exiting the car at CX Capital. ‘You’re OK with the seven p.m. appointment?’ Her blank look wasn’t reassuring. Shit. Maybe he shouldn’t have asked again.
‘Oh that – sure, fine. If you really think it’s necessary.’
‘It won’t take long,’ he blandly said, sending a silent thank you to his sister. ‘Call me when you want a ride home.’ Giving Kate a kiss on the cheek, he handed over her bag which included lunch packed by his chef.
‘Is six thirty all right? I have a heavy schedule today.’
‘Six would be better. You’d have time to eat.’
‘Six fifteen? And a sandwich is enough.’
He wasn’t going to stand outside CX Capital and argue with Katherine about her need to eat a more healthy diet for the baby. ‘Six fifteen it is,’ he said with a smile. Then he watched her cross the sidewalk, saw all the men stare at her in her short-sleeved flower-print dress that showed off her boobs and legs. Shit. A suit with a long jacket tomorrow, he decided. Clenching his fists so he didn’t punch anyone, he waited until she disappeared through the revolving doors, before getting back into his car.
As his driver shut the door, Dominic leaned forward and opened a compartment that served as a desk.
Sliding behind the wheel a few moments later, Jake turned to Dominic. ‘Where to, boss?’
‘Just sit here a minute. I have to write a quick note. Then drive to a messenger service. I need this hand delivered.’
*
A half-hour later, Joanna Thorpe, Kate’s weekend business partner who also worked at CX Capital, was handed an envelope by a bicycle messenger dressed in full bike rider regalia, red-and-white spandex, helmet, fingerless gloves.
/> As she fumbled in her purse for a tip, the young man shook his head. ‘The bloke already gave me fifty bloody pounds. Save your money.’ And with a cheerful wave, he walked out of her office.
Her name, Ms Joanna Thorpe, was written in a vigorous scrawl on the front of the envelope and when she turned it over, the dark blue monogram on the flap explained the mysterious delivery. With the exactness of an accountant, she didn’t wildly rip the seal open but instead carefully slid her thumb under the flap and eased it up. Then she slowly drew out the card. Someone watching might have thought she was worried about a bomb threat.
After placing the note on her desk, she meticulously lined it up in the centre of her work space before reading:
Ms Thorpe,
Would you do me the favour of meeting me at Le Gavroche for lunch at noon? Please don’t mention this to Katherine. I’ll explain.
Sincerely,
Dominic Knight
Grateful for the privacy of her office, Joanna reread the short message, examined the expensive notepaper, ran her finger over the engraved monogram top centre on the heavy handmade card stock. Briefly debated her loyalties.
Then, with a glance at the clock, she put the note in her desk drawer.
As it turned out, Dominic’s message was opportune.
She had a thing or two she wanted to say to Mr Dominic Knight.
*
Since Kate never went out for lunch, and rather than a chocolate bar today, she had a variety of nourishing foods, Joanna smiled and pointed when she stopped by on her way out. ‘That looks good. Do you want me to bring you coffee or tea or something to eat when I come back?’
Kate held up a small glass container of chilled rice pudding. ‘I have a chef now.’ She pointed to the red canvas bag on her desk. ‘And a Prada cooler.’
Joanna grinned. ‘You’re helping keep the economy going.’
‘Isn’t that nice of me. Public spirited and all.’
‘He might as well spend his money on you.’ Joanna had heard it all in the months of Dominic’s absence. Not at first, but eventually. ‘Things are going well then?’
‘Yup.’ Kate held up crossed fingers. ‘Sometimes it seems too good to be true.’ She grinned. ‘I have a pagan grandmother. We’re superstitious.’
‘When it comes to luck,’ Joanna crisply said, her view of the celebrated Dominic Knight dubious after Googling him, ‘he’s lucky to have you.’
Kate grinned. ‘That’s what I keep telling him. You know what – could you bring me an iced tea? It’ll help keep me awake.’
CHAPTER 5
Dominic was already seated when Joanna was shown to the corner table by the maître d’. Pushing his chair back, Dominic got to his feet and put out his hand. ‘Dominic Knight. Thank you for coming.’ He’d seen photos of Katherine’s business partner, but she was more formidable in person. Tall, blunt-cut black hair, average looks, slightly overweight in a well-tailored burgundy suit. Unsmiling. The word grim wouldn’t be out of place.
‘Joanna Thorpe,’ she coolly said. ‘But you already know that.’
‘Yes, I have a competent staff.’ Warning off the maître d’ with a glance, he pulled out her chair himself and seated her. Moving around the table, he spoke quietly to the man who had now approached the table, then sat and smiled politely over the sparkling crystal, china and cutlery. ‘I appreciate you meeting me. I’ve ordered, if you don’t mind. I thought it would give us more time to talk.’
‘About Kate.’ She kept her voice level, telling herself she wouldn’t be distracted by Dominic Knight’s dark male splendour. He was breathtakingly handsome, powerfully muscled beneath his fine steel-grey Savile Row suit, and so charismatic. She wasn’t the only one in the room watching him.
‘Yes, about Katherine,’ he said, his voice pitched low. He glanced down for a moment, as though gathering his thoughts, then looked up. ‘I’m concerned about her. She’s overworked. She has been for some time. It worries me.’
‘Why?’ Blunt and direct, accusation in her tone.
He found it difficult to open his private life to a stranger. ‘Let’s just say because we’re good friends.’
‘Good enough friends,’ Joanna said, visibly bristling, ‘to know Kate’s pregnant? If not, I don’t see what we have to talk about.’ She began to rise.
‘Please.’ He put out his hand to deter her. ‘I know about Katherine’s pregnancy.’
Joanna resumed her seat, but her gaze was razor sharp. ‘Then are you a good enough friend to do something about it?’
Dominic smiled faintly. ‘Is this where I say I’m going to make an honest woman of Katherine as soon as possible?’
‘Yesterday, last week, last month might have been better.’
His dark brows lifted. ‘She’s discussed this with you?’
‘No, she hasn’t said a word. But I would have had to have been blind not to notice her morning sickness.’
‘As I understand it, Katherine didn’t realize she was pregnant until recently.’
Joanna shrugged. ‘I could have told her. But it was none of my business.’
‘Speaking of business.’ Dominic stopped, glanced up, nodded and the sommelier poured them both champagne. When he left, Dominic raised his glass. ‘To a mutually agreeable business arrangement.’ He drank half the champagne, set down the flute, leaned forward slightly and quietly said, ‘I have a proposal for you. I’d like to buy out Katherine’s share of your business. I’d also be willing to augment that sum with enough additional capital so you can hire as many people as you need to make your operation thrive. My motives are purely selfish, so please be liberal in your estimates. I want to take Katherine home but she thinks she can’t leave either CX Capital or you.’
‘That’s very generous. What does Katherine say about it?’
His gaze narrowed. ‘Does it matter?’
‘Yes.’ She gave him a critical look. ‘It’s a simple question.’
‘Then the simple answer is she doesn’t know.’
‘That’s what I thought. So what will Katherine say when she finds out what you’ve done?’
He softly exhaled. ‘She fell asleep at nine last night. She shouldn’t be working in her condition, particularly such long hours. I’m just trying to advance the date of her departure. As for what she’ll say,’ he shrugged, ‘I’ll find out if you agree to my proposal.’
‘I can tell you now: she won’t like it.’
He smiled tightly. ‘No offence, Ms Thorpe, but that’s not your problem. And consider, I’m offering you an opportunity to expand your business. Also, keep in mind, Katherine will eventually leave. If not now, if not when her contract with CX Capital runs out, then once the baby makes demands on her, she’ll rethink her career.’
‘How do you know? Many mothers work.’
Dominic unnecessarily straightened one of the knives to the right side of his plate before his lashes lifted completely and the cool blue of his eyes was revealed. ‘I prefer not arguing about Katherine.’ His smile wasn’t really a smile. ‘Let’s just say, I don’t think she’d mind if an opportunity arose that allowed you to buy out her share. You see, we’re both very happy about the baby.’
‘Why didn’t you say so before?’
‘I suppose because I don’t know you.’
His flinch had been almost infinitesimal. ‘And it’s none of my business.’
‘That too,’ he said, holding her gaze. ‘Now, rather than prolong this embarrassing conversation, I’d like to offer you the details of my proposal.’
‘Certainly,’ Joanna said, feeling much better since he’d said he was pleased about the child.
‘Thank you. First, I’ll cover whatever amount you offer Katherine for her partnership. That money would be over and above what you need from me for Katherine’s half of the business. The cost of hiring new personnel would be an additional amount. Just give me a total sum.’
‘I’d have to think about it.’
‘I understand.’ He sat ba
ck as their food was placed on the table: grilled scallops with clam minestrone, filet of Scottish beef with wild mushroom and a red wine shallot sauce, cheese soufflé with double cream and a variety of colourful vegetables. ‘I didn’t know what would appeal. Please help yourself.’ Then he smiled a real smile because he knew she was going to take his offer. ‘Bon appétit.’ And he began cutting his filet.
Quickly finishing the small piece of meat, Dominic set down his cutlery. ‘I’d appreciate your discretion in this matter. The tabloids follow me from time to time and I’d rather they not be privy to any of this. I don’t want Katherine embarrassed. So if you were to agree,’ he politely said, ‘and once you decide on a figure – and please, I begrudge you nothing – email my ADC. I’ll give you his contact details. Max will see that you get a cheque. As for what you say to Katherine about your new business plan, that’s up to you.’
Joanna had finished her cheese soufflé while he’d been speaking.
Dominic waited for the server to take her plate. ‘If you have any questions, please don’t be shy.’
‘Do I look like I’m shy?’ She reached for the beef.
‘If you don’t mind my saying it,’ Dominic said with a very faint smile, ‘you look as though you’d like to cut out my spleen.’
‘Heart,’ she corrected, looking up from slicing her filet. ‘If you had one.’
‘Actually, I’ve discovered I do have a heart. I was startled at first, then alarmed. Now I’m quite content, happy.’ For the first time in my life. But that he didn’t say to a relative stranger.
She held his gaze over a forkful of beef midway to her mouth. ‘You’d better not be lying about marrying Kate. She deserves someone’, Joanna looked him up and down with a scowl, ‘who knows her worth. Kate is a remarkable woman, brilliant in fact.’
‘I’m well aware of that. There were serious reasons why we were apart for the last few months.’ He fixed his gaze on her. ‘I was miserable.’
For the shortest instant, she saw the exhaustion in his eyes, then he smiled a dazzling smile that turned female heads at the adjacent tables as well because it was impossible to ignore Dominic Knight’s spectacular beauty. His physical presence was powerfully magnetic as well, as if he were on stage, caught in a shaft of light, an astonishing primitive energy stirring beneath his sleek, well-tailored façade.