Lacey was third in line to talk. While she listened to the radio and waited for her turn, she couldn’t help but wonder if Max had just given her the reason why he had never married. Because he had no desire to be married? Was he one of that small percentage of people who had no burning compulsion to be locked into a relationship?
It seemed like every time she thought she’d reached a breakthrough with him, he threw her a curve from which she couldn’t recover.
Because of a seven second delay, she could hear the caller’s comments before Max switched to her line.
“I understand we have Lorraine waiting. I hope all of you Lorraine fans out there are listening. Rumor has it she’s out for my job rather than the governorship. Hello, Lorraine.”
He sounded his friendly, charming self, but if she could see his eyes, she would know if her call had caused an emotional reaction inside him.
“Good evening, Mr. Jarvis. Whoever started that rumor is insane.” An answering chuckle lifted her spirits. “One of the reasons I called in was to let you know that I agree with your opening monologue.” She prayed she sounded as cool and collected as he did.
“Did I hear you correctly, Lorraine? Did you folks in the listening audience hear that? Lorraine actually agreed with something I said. You’ve just made my day.”
“It’s pretty hard not to agree considering singlehood is becoming the norm in our country.”
“You folks heard it on Radio Talk. Lorraine paid me her first compliment. I think this calls for some kind of celebration.”
“As a matter of fact, the second reason I phoned has to do with a celebration of sorts. Something the listeners ought to be aware of. Is it all right to mention it over the air?”
“I’ve had to bow to your superior knowledge on any number of topics. So I believe I’m safe in allowing you to say what’s on your mind without worrying you’ll be out of line with the station’s policies.”
She took a steadying breath. “An open house to learn about the simian aide program is going to be held on the University of Utah campus. Building 2-A, this Saturday from two until nine p.m.
“Dr. Walker, head of the program for the rehabilitation of quadriplegics, will demonstrate the skills of a specially trained monkey named George. The public is invited to attend and become better informed about this worthwhile and innovative program.”
“I’m glad Lorraine brought this up,” Max interjected. “I’ve met George and he’s a very entertaining fellow. Lorraine, why don’t you tell the listening audience some of the things he can do for an other-abled person.”
Lacey could have hugged him for giving her precious time over the air to plug Lorraine’s project. No matter that her personal relationship with Max was a disaster, he didn’t let that interfere with his professionalism.
“A trained monkey can impact on the quality of a quadriplegic’s life. Besides offering companionship, which includes touching and loving, it can bring food to the feeding tray, fetch, carry, find anything. When the other-abled person has to be alone all day, the monkey can help him or her accomplish basic tasks. Its performance reliability is proven to be close to one hundred percent.”
“Are there many quadriplegics interested in having a monkey to help them?”
“Dr. Walker says they’ve had over six hundred requests at their institute in Florida.”
“Are there that many trained monkeys available?”
“No. Not at all. That’s why Dr. Walker wants the public to become more informed and help fund a program to procure more.”
“Through monetary donations?”
“The program needs money, of course. But it also needs volunteers who’ll become foster parents to monkeys before they’re trained.”
“You’ve all heard Lorraine’s comments, listeners. We’ll have to make time on our weekend guest program to discuss this fascinating subject in more detail with Dr. Walker.
“But to prove that Radio Talk always supports a good cause, I’ll make the commitment to attend the open house on Saturday night at the university, provided Lorraine shows up with me. A lot of our listeners have been anxious to meet her in person. Now’s their opportunity. How about it, Lorraine?”
A strange little thrill traveled through her body. “This is such a worthy cause, I hope to see as many people there as possible. Even you, Mr. Jarvis.”
“Folks? You heard her say it. Stay on the line, Lorraine. My producer needs to get a few more specifics from you. We’re switching to the Wall Street News.”
Lacey waited for Rob to come on the line, unable to believe that Max had finally made a date with her, one he couldn’t back out of.
“Lacey? Are you still there?”
It was Max.
“Y-yes.”
“Good. I only have a second. In case I don’t see you before, plan to be ready to leave the condo at six on Saturday night. We’ll go to the open house in my car. Now I have to run.” There was a click and the line went dead.
Lacey’s hand gripped the receiver tightly. She had no idea how she was going to last three more days.
Promptly on the dot of six Saturday night, the doorbell rang. Lacey smoothed the sweater in a peridot hue over the hips of a matching wool skirt one more time before answering it.
To her dismay her green eyes, so near in color to the outfit she’d chosen, shimmered like the jewels sparkling on the yoke of her sweater. Her cheeks had so much color, she needed no blusher. Max would be aware of her heightened excitement. Nothing escaped his notice.
Wishing she could calm the pounding of her heart, she took a deep breath before opening the door. When she saw him, a soft gasp escaped her throat.
Tonight Max was impeccably dressed in a mid-night-blue suit made more formal by the dazzling white shirt and elegant silk tie he wore in shades of blues and grays.
With his rugged features and build, he looked wonderful in any type of clothing, but tonight the impact of his undeniable male attraction left her weak.
At first she’d been so busy studying him, it didn’t register that his eyes had been making their own intimate appraisal. Since opening the door, neither of them had said anything, and she was suddenly conscious of the unnatural quiet.
“Hello,” she finally managed in a husky voice. For some reason she couldn’t think, let alone talk. She had to hold on to the doorknob for support.
“My sentiments exactly,” he muttered beneath his breath, but she heard him. The tension between them was palpable. She was afraid to look in his eyes for fear he’d see the light in her own. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” The word came out on a mere whisper.
He said something she couldn’t quite catch and raked a hand through his dark blond hair, disheveling it. “Let’s go.” He sounded as out of breath as she felt.
The cool night air caressed her hot skin as he slid a firm hand around her upper arm and escorted her to his Saab parked out in front. She’d forgotten about the low bucket seats and blushed when her skirt rode up her thighs as Max helped her inside the car.
His gaze lingered on the expanse of her shapely legs encased in the sheerest hosiery. After witnessing her struggle to pull down her skirt, he shut the door.
While he went around to his side, she drew in a shaky breath and detected the subtle scent of rich leather and the musk after-shave he wore. Her senses had come alive to everything about him. She felt as if she were swimming, drowning in his aura, and didn’t know what to do about it.
He levered himself in the driver’s seat and shut the door, but didn’t start the motor. He turned to her with a sober expression. “Shall we go to the open house, or simply drive off into the sunset?”
Her eyes closed involuntarily. She was beginning to believe that the kiss at her back door had affected him almost as much as it had her. Part of her wanted to tell him to take her wherever he wanted, do whatever he wanted, but of course she couldn’t say that.
“I’m afraid you’d disappoint all your talk show fa
ns if we didn’t make an appearance, and I don’t think Lorraine would ever forgive me.” By some miracle, her voice sounded steady.
He continued to stare at her for a long moment before starting the car. “Your loyalty to those people you care about is nothing short of astounding.”
His comment could be taken in a number of ways. In a shaken voice she explained. “Lorraine held my life together after Mom and Dad died. There isn’t enough I could do to repay her,” she said vehemently.
Silence followed.
“I meant it as a compliment, Lacey. Perhaps it would be better if we didn’t talk. I know another way to communicate which is infinitely more satisfying, and there’s no way of misinterpreting the meaning.”
In the next instance Lacey found herself being kissed with the kind of passion she’d been dreaming about. Despite the gear shift, he managed to crush her in his arms. She lost all cognizance of the world around her while Max gave her one soul-destroying kiss after another. The pleasure was so exquisite she moaned in ecstasy, and heard an answering sound deep in his throat.
“We’re going to be late,” he whispered feverishly against her perfumed throat. “How am I going to let you go? The way I’m feeling right now, there’s only one place I want to take you, and that’s back inside my condo.”
Lacey wanted that, too. They had reached a point where logic and duty meant nothing in the face of this kind of rapture. Thank heaven for the confines of his car, which prevented the total closeness she was craving.
“W-we can be together tonight, after the open house.” Her stammer revealed the hectic state of her emotions.
“I’m counting on it,” he emoted in a fierce tone before devouring her once more. Then he put her swiftly away from him and started the engine.
After that experience, her body was too highly charged to make polite conversation. Judging by the tautness of his physique, he was similarly afflicted. They traveled to the university in an unnatural silence all the more devastating because Lacey could do nothing about this explosion of feeling until much later in the evening:
To her gratification however, it appeared Max’s repeated announcements about the open house had achieved results because there was a crowd of people in the lounge of the building when they arrived ten minutes later.
It didn’t surprise Lacey that the minute they walked through the doors, Max relaxed enough to don the mantle of the famous talk show host everyone admired. His smooth polish and sophistication drew people in swarms. For twenty minutes or so he signed autographs. Several people asked Lacey for hers.
Lorraine waved when she saw them being mobbed, and made her way toward them. She was an attractive single woman in her fifties who had worked for Lacey’s father, then went on for her graduate degree in psychology. Lacey admired her tremendously, and made up her mind to emulate Lorraine’s most sterling quality of selflessness in her own life.
Lorraine slid an arm around Lacey’s waist and hugged her, but her gaze went to the man at her side. “You’re Mr. Jarvis! It’s you I have to thank for the crowds that have flowed through here nonstop since we opened.”
She extended a hand to him, beaming. “I’m still trying to think of a good way to repay you. Already the donations have far exceeded the amount I anticipated.”
“The thanks go to Lacey,” he said sincerely. “If she hadn’t told me about you and introduced me to George, I wouldn’t have known to advertise your project over the radio.”
“Lacey’s a treasure.” She hugged her again. “Why don’t you two come in the other room? George has been performing with Ray, the quadriplegic who’s been waiting three years for him to be trained.
“So far, George has behaved beautifully. Even after long hours, he has shown no sign of tiring. It’s this demonstration that convinces people a monkey can be taught to aid the other-abled.”
Max plied Lorraine with questions as he cupped Lacey’s elbow and they proceeded to accompany her to the other room. Lacey could scarcely concentrate on their conversation while Max held her firmly at his side, almost as if he thought she’d try to run away.
“I understand you have a need for volunteer foster parents. Why don’t you and Lacey plan to be guests on my show next Sunday night as a follow-up? We could take calls from people who might be interested.”
Lorraine looked nonplussed. “I won’t say no to an offer like that, Mr. Jarvis. You’re the answer to a maiden’s prayer.”
His white smile set off by his bronzed skin caused Lacey’s pulse to race. “We’ll see,” came the cryptic comment.
Lacey didn’t have to look at him to understand the full significance of that remark. If Lorraine was aware of the undercurrents, she didn’t let it show.
The amphitheater held three hundred spellbound people. To Lacey’s delight, almost every seat appeared to be taken. Lorraine led them down the stairs to the front where Ray lay on a raised bed, painting a specially rigged canvas with a brush held between his teeth. When he needed a different color, George would take the brush out of his mouth, put it back on the tray, and find another brush to insert.
Tears moistened Lacey’s eyes as she watched the gallant effort Ray made while George waited nearby to help. Already man and monkey had established a harmony which was easily discernible.
In an unguarded moment Max’s eyes found Lacey’s and they communed in silence. Max, too, could see that something remarkable was happening here.
Lorraine motioned for them to sit down next to her on the front row seats she’d been reserving for them. Suddenly there was a murmur from the audience as George left his post and scurried across the platform toward Lacey.
The next thing she knew, he’d scrambled on her lap and was making low hooting sounds. Her arms hugged him automatically and to her embarrassment, she began to cry. She couldn’t help it.
Lorraine got up and explained to the crowd what had happened and why, proving her point that monkeys gave love to the people who loved them.
Everyone started to clap. When the din subsided, Lorraine told George to go back to the platform and help Ray. The monkey did as he was told, but every so often he would turn his head and hoot at Lacey, which produced sympathetic laughter from the interested onlookers.
Max thrust a white handkerchief into her hands, which she gratefully accepted. After wiping her eyes, she put it in her purse and sat back. It was then that she felt a hand cover hers on top of her thigh, sending a languorous warmth through her body. He left his hand there for the remainder of the demonstration.
When it was time for the next group of people to be seated, Max helped her to her feet, still clasping her hand as if he had no intention of letting it go.
Slowly they made their way back to the lounge, besieged on every side by talk show listeners who wanted the chance to meet Max in person.
Lacey could see he was fully occupied, and assumed he wouldn’t be able to leave for a while. But in this assumption she was wrong.
“Let’s go,” he whispered in her ear, sending a fris-son of delight across her cheek and neck. He literally dragged her with him and all she could do was wave at Lorraine, who smiled back at her from a distance.
He ushered her to his car in short order and once they were inside, regarded her gravely. “How would you like to drive up Millcreek Canyon? There’s a wonderful steak house that stays open until midnight.”
Lacey knew the restaurant he was referring to. It had a cozy, intimate atmosphere. “I’d love it. A friend of mine performs there on weekends. He’s a terrific country-western singer.”
“On second thought, I’m too hungry to wait that long to eat.” Without consulting her further, he started up the car and they were off. Maybe it was the dark confines of the interior, but she thought his features seemed to harden. The rapport she’d felt with him all evening had vanished. Before she knew it, they had arrived at an authentic French restaurant near the center of town renowned for its veal.
Lacey’s nerves were on edge, robbing he
r of her normal healthy appetite. She ordered a slice of mushroom quiche, fully expecting Max to eat a five-course dinner. But to her surprise, he asked for a side order of boeuf bourguignonne and coffee.
They were served almost immediately, which was a good thing since Max didn’t appear capable of making anything more than desultory conversation.
Once the bill was paid, he pinned her with an unfathomable gaze. “What I witnessed tonight at the university has given me an idea I’d like to discuss after we get back to the condo. That is, if you don’t have someone waiting for you at home, or coming by later.”
“After what happened earlier in your car tonight, you know I don’t,” she declared hotly. “Ever since I mentioned knowing that singer, you’ve been different. Why, Max? He’s not a boyfriend, if that’s what you’re thinking. If he were, I’d be with him, not you.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath. He shoved his chair back and got to his feet. “You deserve an explanation, but this is not the place to conduct the conversation I have in mind. Let’s get out of here.”
Once again he was ushering her to the car and they drove home in tension-filled silence. Lacey’s mouth went dry as she contemplated being alone with him, let alone what he had to say to her.
They reached Oquirrh Park in record time. He pulled into his carport, then came around to help her out of the Saab. On trembling legs she accompanied him inside his condo. He switched on the kitchen light so they could make their way to the living room.
At his housewarming party, there’d been too many people for Lacey to appreciate the decor. Now she could see it was attractively furnished in walnut tones and glass, graphics, deep leather chairs and an entire wall of books.
“What will you have to drink?” he asked as he took off his coat and tie. While she sat down in one of the chairs, he unbuttoned the neck of his shirt, then undid his cuffs and rolled the sleeves to the elbows. His actions increased her nervous tension.
“Nothing for me, thank you.”
“Not even Coke?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll be right back.”
No Wife Required! Page 8