by Ruth Langan
She arched a brow. “I was going to hang that shelf in my office, behind my desk.”
“Yeah. That’s what I figured.” He grinned. “With my silly little frog sitting on it, you’ll have a reason to smile every morning before you tackle all that paperwork.”
“You bought him for me?” She felt an unexpected warm glow at the knowledge.
“Just returning the favor. I still have that frog tie you bought me. Remember?”
She shot him a look of surprise. “You do?”
“You told me your life would be easier if I were as homely as a frog. And I said I’d work on it.” His smile became a rumble of laughter. “I still wear it whenever I need cheering up.”
“Not to board meetings, I hope.”
“And why not?”
“Somehow I can’t picture the chairman of the board of Van Dorn Hotels ever considering elevating to the role of president a man who wears a goofy frog tie to board meetings.”
“Ha. That’s how much you know about it. The chairman of Van Dorn Hotels happens to like my frog tie. He said it shows me to be a man of sensitivity and good taste.” Drew took another sip of wine before adding, “I believe he said that just before he stuck out his tongue and caught two flies.”
Celeste was still laughing when the waiter came to take their order. It occurred to her that she hadn’t laughed this much in ages. But then, she and Drew had always brought out each other’s silly natures.
A short time later, as evening shadows thickened and darkness began to cover the land, she and Drew shared a wonderful antipasto and salad before sipping more wine. Then they feasted on veal and pasta kissed with just a hint of garlic.
When their table was cleared the waiter asked, “Would the lady and gentleman care for dessert or espresso?”
Drew finished the last of his wine. “The lady can always make room for dessert. And we’ll both have espresso.”
The waiter returned with a plate of tiramisu, a pastry filled with rich cream and lined with lady fingers, and two steaming cups of espresso, before leaving them alone.
“Oh, Drew. You have to taste this.” After one bite, Celeste lifted the fork to his mouth and watched his reaction.
He nodded. “It’s positively sinful.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Where do you put all this food?”
“I really don’t know. In fact, since you’ve been here, I’ve eaten more than I normally would in a month.” She took another bite. “I can see that you’re a very bad influence on me.”
“Uh-huh.” He watched as she finished the dessert, and drained her cup of espresso. “Are you sure you aren’t hiding a storage tank under that jacket?”
“Oh, no.” She patted her middle. “Now you’ve discovered my secret. Swear you won’t tell a soul?”
“Hmm.” His smile widened. “I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I think we’d better walk off some of this food.”
“Great idea.” She stood and began to gather up their packages while he settled the bill.
Once outside they turned away from the town and started toward the Old Liberty Tavern, whose weathered roofline glinted in the moonlight.
Celeste looped her arm through Drew’s. “That dessert was fabulous. I’m going to have to talk to Marcus about getting the recipe. If we offered it at the tavern, I doubt we could keep up with the demand.”
He closed a hand over hers. “Do you know that’s the first time you’ve mentioned work in hours?”
“Is it?” She fell silent, digesting that fact.
It had indeed been hours since she’d given a thought to the business. She’d phoned her assistant only once, to tell him that she wouldn’t be returning to the office. If Daniel had sounded a little surprised, he’d managed to cover it quickly. After that, she’d put him and the work awaiting her, out of her mind.
It had felt good to get away. To forget, for almost an entire day, the weight of responsibility that was so much a part of her life. The decisions, the paperwork, the endless meetings, would still be there in the morning, tugging at her mind. But for now, she felt a lightness she hadn’t known in a very long time.
“Smell that air.” She lifted her face and breathed deeply.
“Yeah.” He linked his fingers with hers. “I was thinking how clean and fresh it is here. No auto exhaust fumes stinging the eyes.”
“And have you noticed how quiet it is?”
He nodded. “No planes, trains or automobiles. I feel like I’m on vacation in the Alps.”
She grinned. “Only better. You can speak the language here.”
“You,” he said, squeezing her hand, “can speak the language just about anywhere.”
“Well, not in China.”
“Yet.”
They both laughed.
When they reached the front steps of the tavern, Celeste climbed the first step, so that she was almost eye level with him. “I had a wonderful time today, Drew. Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad my last day here was so pleasant.”
“Your…last day?” She absorbed the blow to her heart. She’d almost forgotten the fact that he was only here for a short time. “You’re leaving in the morning?”
He nodded. “My company offered me more time, but I think I’ve seen enough to make a report. If I need any more documentation, you can fax it.”
He was grateful for the shopping bags and parcels. This time, he intended to keep his hands to himself, instead of having them on her. That always got him into trouble, he realized. Last night, the minute he’d touched her, he’d been lost. And then he’d made a fool of himself, asking her to stay the night. As he’d replayed it in his mind later, it had sounded a lot like begging. Not a pleasant thing to admit. Especially to a proud man.
Not this time. Since this was his last night in town, he was determined to keep things light. Light and friendly.
He gave her a smile. “If you want, I can drop these things at your office.”
She shook her head and took a step closer. “I’ll summon one of the bellmen. They can use a pass-key to leave them in my suite upstairs.”
“It’s no trouble to take them, Celeste….” The words died in his throat as she let the packages slide to the porch before wrapping her arms around his neck and brushing her lips over his.
For the space of several seconds he stood perfectly still, his fingers frozen to the packages in his hands. But when she pressed her body to his and took the kiss deeper, he released his hold on the bags and parcels, allowing them to fall to his feet. Then his arms came around her and he lifted her off the ground and kissed her until her head was spinning.
Had the earth tilted? She didn’t know. All she knew was that there was an explosion of fireworks going off behind her closed eyes. And the hunger she felt for him was suddenly so compelling, she wanted to devour him here on the spot.
“Oh, Drew.” The two words came out in a long, drawn out sigh. “I didn’t realize you were leaving in the morning. What am I going to do about you? What are we going to do about…this?”
“This?”
“This…sizzle between us.”
“Oh yeah. This…sizzle. What would you like to do?” He kept his mouth on hers, lowering her gently until her feet touched the ground.
She shook her head and nuzzled his jaw until he thought he’d go mad from wanting her lips. Finally she turned her head enough to capture his mouth with hers.
Against his lips she whispered, “What I’d like to do isn’t the same as what’s sensible.”
“Forget sensible. What would you like to do?”
“I’d like you to take me up to your room and make mad, passionate love until morning.”
She’d just described heaven. He could feel his heartbeat racing like a runaway train.
Still he managed to lift his wrist until he could see his watch and attempt a lightness he didn’t feel. “Okay. If you insist, I’ll just have to sacrifice my body for your happiness. But I really wanted to watch a midnight marathon
of cartoons.”
She laughed and pressed her cheek to his. “Oh, I’ve missed your silliness. Why do you have to be so damnably agreeable?”
“Anyone homely as a frog has to have some redeeming virtue.” He caught her lower lip between his teeth. “Mine is that I’m too damned easy for my own good.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Bitsy Hillerman stepping out the front door of the tavern.
Against Celeste’s temple he whispered, “Don’t look now but there’s a spy in our midst. Come on. Let’s sneak away while there’s still time.”
“Wait. I…” Celeste looked up to see the young woman gaping at them.
“Good evening, Ms. Sullivan.” Bitsy’s voice was a squeak of embarrassment.
“’Evening, Bitsy.” Celeste took a step away and bent to retrieve her parcels.
Suddenly Jeremiah appeared on the porch. Almost, Drew thought, as though he’d been watching, and was annoyed at Bitsy’s interruption.
The old man sent Bitsy on her way, then turned to Celeste and Drew. “If you’d like, I’ll take these packages to your room, and the two of you can go about your business.”
“Our business?” Celeste felt as if she’d just been doused with a bucket of ice water. Her sensible nature returned. And with it, the realization of what she’d almost done. In the afterglow of a lovely day she’d almost made an irrational decision that later would have caused both of them extreme discomfort.
She brought her mouth to Drew’s ear and whispered firmly, “Looks like you’ve just been saved by the cavalry.” She took a step back, keeping her gaze steady on Drew’s as she called, “Thank you, Jeremiah. I’d appreciate that. If anyone asks, I’ll be in my office. Good night, Jeremiah. Good night, Drew.”
She never looked back as she started up the steps.
The old man looked from one to the other in consternation, then retrieved the packages and followed her.
When he was alone, Drew felt a wave of frustration and decided what he needed was a long walk in the courtyard. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away, breathing deeply of the cool night air. And praying it would help clear his mind.
What had just happened here? Was it just incredibly bad timing? Or was there some cosmic force working against them? Whatever the case, being this close to Celeste, and not being able to have her, was driving him around the bend. It was a good thing this was his last night here. Neither of them would be safe, it seemed, until they had a few thousand miles between them.
The ringing of Drew’s phone had him struggling through a layer of deep sleep.
“Hmmm?” He held the receiver to his ear, keeping his eyes shut.
“Andrew?” The booming brogue of Patrick Sullivan had him sitting straight up in bed.
“Yes.”
“Did I wake you, lad?”
“Uh.” He dragged a hand through his hair and managed a smile. “Yes.”
“Sorry. I was talking with Eric Van Dorn, and he suggested I speak with you directly. Are you ready to make a recommendation to your board?”
“I…suppose I am.”
“Before you do, I’d like to meet with you.”
“Meet with me? In Venice?”
“No. No. I’ll be flying up to New Hampshire. Would you mind staying until I get there?”
Drew almost groaned. He felt like he was riding a roller coaster that never ended. Every day he spent with Celeste was another test of his willpower. And now he was being asked by Patrick Sullivan himself to remain in temptation’s path.
“I guess I could arrange to stay another day or so.”
“Good, lad. Good. I’ll see you…probably before the weekend.”
The line went dead, and Drew stared at the bedside clock, knowing it would be impossible to fall back to sleep now. The thought of the woman sleeping just across the hall had him climbing out of bed and heading to the shower. As if, he thought, wryly, even cold water would do any good at all.
The Old Liberty Tavern was hosting back-to-back conferences. The first was an artists’ conference, filling every guest room, conference room, and banquet facility, and putting considerable strain on the overworked staff. The attendees held seminars, workshops and an award banquet that filled the ballroom. The conference culminated in a much-publicized showing of art that brought fans from around the country to bid on favorite pieces.
No sooner had that demanding group checked out than a conference of professional businesswomen checked in, and once again the staff was forced to step up its pace.
As Drew settled himself at a small table in the rear of the crowded coffee shop, it occurred to him that he hadn’t seen Celeste except in passing for more than three days. And he hadn’t heard another word from Patrick Sullivan.
“Good morning, Mr. Hampton.”
Drew looked up to find Jeremiah, looking dapper in a black, double-breasted jacket with a white handkerchief in his breast pocket, and a white carnation in his lapel.
“’Morning, Jeremiah. Do you have time to join me?”
“I believe I do.” The old man pulled out a chair and signaled a waitress for a cup of coffee.
Minutes later she set a steaming cup in front of him and took his order.
He looked around the room. “Busy time of year. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen so many attractive women in one place.”
Drew smiled. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Jeremiah studied him. “Usually when a man doesn’t notice a room full of beautiful women it’s because one woman already owns his heart.”
When Drew made no response the old man lifted his cup and drank before setting it down carefully. “Did you hear that our Miss Celeste has been asked to participate in a workshop for the current organization in residence?”
“No, I hadn’t heard.” Drew sipped his own coffee. “But I’m not surprised. If anyone knows about being a professional, it’s Celeste. I’m sure she’ll have some good advice she’s willing to share.”
“Would you like to attend her workshop?”
Drew shook his head as a waitress served their breakfast. “I doubt I’d be welcome at a professional women’s conference.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. As a guest of the Old Liberty Tavern, you’re welcome to go anywhere on the premises without asking for any sort of special treatment.” Jeremiah tasted his vegetable omelette and helped himself to wheat toast. “How much longer do you think you’ll be here, Mr. Hampton?”
Drew shrugged. “I should have been gone days ago. But a phone call changed my plans.”
Jeremiah studied him from beneath those trim white brows, then drained his coffee and smiled before getting to his feet. “It’s time for me to get back to work. As usual, I’ve enjoyed your company, Mr. Hampton.” He started away, then turned back. “In case you’re interested, Miss Celeste’s workshop is a panel discussion with several other high-powered executives. I believe the subject is ‘What Price Success?’.” He cleared his throat. “It’s being held in the Franklin Pierce Room in half an hour.”
Drew watched as the old man threaded his way through the bustling crowd. Then he glanced at his watch. It wouldn’t hurt to just drop by for a few minutes and hear Celeste’s views on the price she considered necessary for success.
Celeste checked her makeup and hair, then picked up her notes and made her way to the conference room. She wasn’t particularly nervous about being part of a panel discussion. Public speaking never rattled her. And in this instance, she was pleased to have been invited to share her views with other businesswomen.
When she reached the Franklin Pierce Room she made her way slowly toward the front, pausing to meet and greet dozens of women along the way. By the time she’d made it to the long table lined with microphones, several other panelists were already seated.
While the moderator introduced the panel and listed their many achievements, Celeste took a moment to scan the crowd. So many women. And all of them had worked their way to positions of importance in the com
panies of their choice. It felt good to be counted among their number.
Soon she was deeply involved in a lively panel discussion, fueled by written questions submitted by the attendees, on matters ranging from the importance of post-graduate degrees to how to demand a salary commensurate with ability. Before long the discussion moved from the dangers of professional friendships to the price many women paid in their personal lives while striving to reach the top of the corporate ladder.
A young, beautiful executive in charge of special affairs for an international banking conglomerate remarked that she was never in one place long enough to develop a relationship. She ended by saying that the great love of her life had grown weary of waiting for her, and had married someone else.
“Ms. Sullivan?” The moderator turned to her. “Do you have any advice?”
Celeste adjusted her microphone. “I think you’re tormenting yourself needlessly. If he really loved you, he’d have understood your need to pursue your goals even if he didn’t share them, and he would have been willing to wait as long as it took.”
“Even if it took forever?” a member of the audience called.
There was a smattering of laughter, and Celeste smiled before adding, “Yes. Even if it took forever. If two people really love each other, they’ll find a way to work things out. No matter how complicated.”
The moderator glanced at her watch and stepped to the microphone. “I guess Ms. Sullivan’s opinion will be the last word on the subject. I’m afraid we’re out of time. I’ll remind you that due to the beautiful weather, lunch today will be in the courtyard.”
Celeste gathered up her notes and got to her feet. As she did, she spotted Drew seated in the very last row. At that moment he stood and began making his way with the rest of the crowd toward the door.
She started after him, threading her way through the crowd. She was forced to pause with every step to accept congratulations or to speak to clusters of women she knew. By the time she made it to the door, Drew was nowhere to be seen.
She heard a woman’s voice beside her saying to a friend, “If I had something like that waiting for me, I might be persuaded to give up my career, my paycheck and even my future with the company.”