Carson waved his hand toward the bar. “Please stay. I’m a night owl and would enjoy your company.”
“Thank you, Mr. Peterson.” One more glass of wine couldn’t hurt and would hopefully invite sleep. She glanced toward the entry.
“Please, call me Carson. Mr. Peterson makes me sound like an old man.” He laughed and followed her gaze to the door. “Steven had a couple of business calls to make and if I know my son, he’ll be there for hours. He doesn’t let business rest for a moment. My son has to…” He stopped and shook his head. “Tell me about yourself. Why did such a beautiful woman choose law for a career?”
Christina smiled. Steven may have inherited his father’s eyes, but hadn’t received his father’s enjoyable personality. Why is that cad entering my thoughts? “Many of my friends had hopes of becoming teachers, nurses, and vets, but after watching a legal show on television, I was hooked. I made my dream a reality.”
“You must be very dedicated. I know first-hand about the determination for success that drives an individual above all else.”
“My career is my life.”
“Ah, I once thought the same thing.” Carson pointed a finger in the air. “That would be before I met Theresa. She showed me what I had been missing. Love and to be loved in return, someone to share your accomplishments.”
“I agree. If one is fortunate enough to find the right person.” She once thought she had found that person, but was wrong.
“You must have a special someone in your life?”
“I’m not one of the fortunate ones.” She lowered her gaze to the glass in her hand. Christina wondered if she’d ever be.
“There’s someone for everyone. You just have to be willing to let him in.”
Carson’s words hit home more than she preferred to admit. Her response went unspoken as Steven’s large frame filled the doorway.
“Father, I think Christina reels them in quite easily and can spit them back just as quickly.” He sauntered into the room, arrogance cloaking his features. “I bet she’s broken many hearts in her path. The power she must have over a man.”
“Steven, have you forgotten your manners this evening?” Brows drawn into a frown, Carson reprimanded his son. “I believe an apology is in order.”
Christina was tired of biting her tongue and one more nip would surely draw blood. Enough playing timid rabbit, payback time had arrived. “Carson, there’s no need for Steven to apologize. I’m flattered he thinks so highly of me, and to believe I can be so uncaring, only someone with similar characteristics could pick out those appealing attributes.” She glared in contempt, feeling satisfied at stating her opinion. “You don’t like it when a woman does the dirty work, do you?” She should stop, but couldn’t. Too many years of holding back pushed her forward and she jutted out her chin. “Your public reputation for using women and tossing them aside hasn’t hindered your little black book. How many hearts have you broken this month?”
“I could ask you the same.” He challenged and stepped toward her, locking his gaze on hers.
Carson cleared his throat, causing Steven to halt further advancement.
As she rose to her feet, Christina breathed a sigh of relief. “Carson, thank you for the wine and conversation. And Mitch…Steven, a pleasure sparring with you as always, but let’s leave it for the courtroom. Goodnight, gentlemen.” She quickly walked out of the room before she assaulted Carson’s son in front of him.
****
The morning’s breeze gently ruffled the leaves on the red maple. The afternoon would be a scorcher. Steven sifted a hand through his thick hair as he glanced out at his mother’s rose garden. He wondered how he’d keep cool from the day’s heat and from Christina. After Steven watched her leave the library, he’d been grilled hard by his father. He demanded an explanation of Steven’s unsettling behavior, but his fabricated excuse of jetlag didn’t foil his father.
The plan was to rebuild the damage done. Unfortunately, Steven kept repeatedly put his foot in his mouth and sabotaged his own strategy. Things definitely weren’t working out the way he wanted. Christina brought out the best and worst in him, and arguing in front of his family would raise suspicion. He’d have to check his emotions at the door and stay focused.
Knowing Christina would be in the garden, he searched from the patio. His mother’s garden would have attracted her and sure enough, there she stood nestled among the bushes. She bent to inhale the sweet aroma of the roses. Resembling a colorful flower, she wore a pair of light blue shorts and pink tank top. The sun streaked her brown her and cascaded over her beautiful tanned face. A delicate rose among the thorns, but she wouldn’t be easily picked. She’d fight him the whole way.
Steven joined her in the garden. “Christina.”
She turned and then walked away.
“Please, we need to talk.”
“I think we said enough last night.”
He nodded and stepped beside her. “Agreed, but we have to work on a truce, at least for the weekend.” He picked a long-stemmed red rose and held it out. “Peace offering.” His fingers grazed hers as she accepted the flower. The brief contact vibrated his steady pulse rate. “I apologize for last night. I baited and you bit. If we continue to argue, too many questions will be asked.”
“What do you suggest?” She ran her finger along the edge of the rose petal.
He frowned. She was making this easy—too easy. Did she have a plan of her own?
****
Christina raised a brow to Steven’s frown. She thought she’d be the one groveling to make peace for the good of her sister, but he succumbed before she gained the courage. Pleading with him to act civil wouldn’t have been easy, and she was only too happy to have him approach her first.
“Does Tanya know about our past relationship?” He touched the petals of another rose.
“If she did, do you really think she’d be praising your name?”
“What does she know?”
Not wanting to relive the past, she shook her head. “That I was dating a man from the office, who then had me fired.” She paused, remembering that dreadful day. “If Tanya found out Steven, her oh-so-wonderful brother-in-law, is the same ruthless swine, she’d hit the roof. I won’t be the one to ruin this wedding.”
Steven stared at the ground. “I had no idea you were Tanya’s sister until just recently. She never mentioned knowing you and I had met, so I assumed you didn’t tell her much.”
“Why didn’t you inform me you are Brian’s brother?” She clenched her hand at her side, hoping to control her rising emotions. “You should have mentioned the family connection yesterday.”
“And spoil the element of surprise, not a chance.” He laughed. “I couldn’t wait to see your reaction, though I didn’t expect you to faint in my arms.”
“You’re a jerk.” Christina rolled her eyes. “I hardly fainted from the sight of you. The humidity was too much.” She longed to push him into the thicket of thorns, which would surely remove the self-righteous smile from his face. “You haven’t changed one ounce. I thought after five years, you’d have matured somewhat. Perhaps you’re incapable of any decency.”
“Ouch.” He placed a hand on his chest. “I thought we were playing nice. I’m trying to keep the peace, considering we’ll see each other now in professional and personal situations.”
“I hoped to never see your arrogant face again.” She clenched her teeth, blocking the tears threatening to fall. “What type of reaction did you expect? Did you actually think I would welcome you with open arms?”
His jaw flexed, and his lips parted to respond.
Instead, she held up her hand, ignoring the beautiful rose. “You accused me of sexual misconduct in the workplace and had me fired from my job!”
Steven met her stare. “Things got out of control. I thought…you…” He shook his head and ran a hand over his jaw. “But then it was too late. I’m so very sorry.”
She placed a hand against his chest an
d shoved him backward. “You’re sorry? Why?” Even as much as she detested the sight of this man, she struggled to deny her racing heart. “You got what you wanted from me. Having to go through those dates before having sex must have been hell. You’re sorry?” She laughed and braced a hand on her hip. “You moved on without a care in the world, whereas my career was near ruins. I thought another firm would never hire me.” Narrowing her gaze, she paused and then added, “I despise the very ground you walk on.”
He winced, his mouth tightening into a straight line.
The gesture had to be because of the thorns against his back, not her words. He would have to have a heart to feel remorse.
“I probably deserve that.”
She held her breath as Steven gazed into her eyes. With one glance into his baby-blues, she melted. Look away before it’s too late!
He reached for her wrist and pulled her slowly toward him.
The distance between them lessened, and she was within inches from his sculpted chest that hid behind his brown, short-sleeved shirt. His hand slid around her waist and she fought the urge to run her fingertips through his hair. Her body trembled.
“Don’t be afraid. I won’t bite you.” He twisted a loose strand of her hair around his finger. “Unless you want me to.”
“Stop it!” She struggled for space between them, but his hand held tight to her waist. Her fight for freedom only brought her body closer against his. Her heart pounded a frantic beat.
“You must stay in control when we’re together. You have to restrain the urge to slap my face…or to place your lips over mine.”
“Oh, you wish.” She pushed hard on his chest, finally getting the breathing space she needed.
He laughed. “We need to watch our step or someone in this family will get hurt.”
Christina took another step back. “You don’t want your family to know their perfect son tried, convicted, and sent an innocent woman to jail—all without a hearing or jury.”
“What? You’re not making any sense.”
“You know I’m not the type of person you accused me of being. You took it upon yourself to have me dismissed without allowing me any defense. In a real trial I would have the right to testify.” Anger quickly rose again, stiffening her muscles. “Your mother would be appalled to know what you’ve done. Maybe she needs to know,” she threatened.
“My mother had a bad fall and needs rest. She’s stressed enough that she can’t prune the garden.” Steven held out his hand. “You promise to keep quiet and I’ll do the same. This marriage depends on our silence. Agreed?”
An image of her sister’s blissful face entered Christina’s mind. She sighed. His caring approach toward his mother’s well-being and her sister’s happiness broke a small piece of wall surrounding Christina’s heart. “Agreed.” She accepted his hand. “I’ll try my best not to let anyone know how much I despise you.”
His hand tightened and pulled her back. “If you despise me so much, why does your pulse race when I’m near you?” He slipped his hand around her waist and bent his head to her neck. “Yes, I can feel the pounding rhythm.”
His question was justified. Christina’s brain fought for an answer. Why did she respond to his physical presence? Deep down she knew why and the emotional answer frightened her. The determination to dispense with this conversation, before she said more than she should, gave her the strength to again push him away. “My heart beats uncontrollably when I’m near you because I’m trying to control the rage not to strangle the life from your body.”
Her words were meant to sting, but had no ill effect. “Well, you’ll have to control your loathing because your actions are coming across as intense attraction.” He winked.
She released a heavy sigh. He was impossible. “Why am I wasting my breath?”
“We’re connected. You can’t deny it. From that first day we met at the office party.” Steven crossed his arms over his chest.
“We dated, that’s all...” Unable to finish her denial, Christina stopped. No, they did more than date. “Our brief encounter was a long time ago.”
“I remember as though that party was yesterday.”
Steven spoke in that irresistible, husky tone that rattled her sanity. Goosebumps ran up her spine.
“I know you remember. I can see it in your eyes—those beautiful eyes, deepening the darkest of brown after I kissed you and your long silky hair tangled through my fingertips. I recall every single detail.”
Was he purposely annoying her for his own amusement? She walked back toward the patio. “The best way for me to be civil is for you to stay the hell away.”
Steven caught up with her and blocked her path. “Can’t we let bygones be bygones?” He placed a finger over her lips to stop her from speaking. “I wish I could wipe out that whole miserable day, but I can’t. I can only make amends and had hoped you would give us another chance.”
What? Her eyes shot wide and she gasped. Did he actually ask for another chance? She thrust the rose she had been holding at his chest. A tiny red blemish stained his shirt as a thorn made contact. “Are you freaking crazy?”
His gaze searched hers and his lips parted to speak, but a chair scraping against the patio tile failed his words.
“Steven, Christina, there you are. Come to the patio and join me for tea.” Theresa waved a hand.
Christina shoved past him. “I’ll play out our little charade and hide your dirty little secret, only to keep peace during this wedding.”
“Friends?” he whispered, as they neared his mother.
“Never,” she bit back through her grinding teeth. She sprinted ahead of him, smiling at Theresa.
“I see Steven has graciously led you through the garden.” Theresa adjusted her sunhat to block the sun from her eyes.
“Your garden is absolutely beautiful. I’d love to bottle the aroma from your roses and lilies.” Christina pulled out a chair and sat.
Theresa tapped Christina’s hand. “Thank you. I take a lot of pride in my hobby. I’ll have Kenneth place a fresh bouquet in your room.”
Steven approached just as tea was being served.
“Christina, how do you like your tea?” Theresa poured two cups.
“She likes one sugar and cream,” he responded.
His quick comeback not only surprised Christina that he remembered how she preferred her tea, but that he revealed that fact to his mother.
Theresa only smiled. “Steven, dear, thank you for showing Christina the garden.”
“My pleasure, Mother. I’d do anything for Tanya’s sister.”
Christina almost spit her mouthful of tea across the table. Instead, she dabbed her lips with a napkin.
“What are your plans for the day, my dear son?” Theresa glanced up from under the brim of her hat.
“I’m driving to the property to check the progress. I’ll be gone most of the day.”
“The guests for the party will be arriving around seven. Don’t be late.”
“Am I ever late?”
Theresa frowned.
He laughed. “I’ll be on time, Mother, even if I have to arrive in my dirty work boots.”
“Don’t you dare!”
“I was joking.” He kissed his mother’s cheek. “Have a pleasant day, ladies.” He winked at Christina and disappeared into the house.
Would pretending to like Steven be so difficult? He could be such a charmer—when he wasn’t being an arrogant jerk. However, he was daft if he thought she was about to forgive and forget. Even if she wanted, Christina couldn’t do either. She had put the past behind her, but as Steven admitted, their connection was as fresh as yesterday…the good and bad. Her emotions were suspended over the edge of a cliff, hanging by a thin thread. Control would be near impossible, and Steven’s bizarre actions weren’t helping. Was his apology sincere? Did he regret his actions?
Damn! She could question his motives all day and still get nowhere. He couldn’t be trusted, that she knew, even if
her heart wanted to believe in him. She had made that mistake once before and would not be swayed by his irresistible charm again.
Chapter Eleven
After Steven’s departure, Christina wondered if Theresa had heard any of her conversation with Steven in the garden. To someone unaware of the past they shared, their connection may appear as if an attraction existed. The touching, the stares, and hushed whispers could be misinterpreted. She’d have to be more careful. Letting down her guard for just a moment would be disastrous.
Theresa was explaining the art of deadheading flowers, which some may find a boring conversation, but Christina, who hoped to have her own garden someday, found the discussion quiet interesting.
Tanya soon arrived, ready to begin their busy day. “The last dress fitting is today and I’m beyond anxious.” She pulled out a chair, but remained standing. “If I eat another bite of food, the zipper on my wedding dress won’t close.
Tanya wanted Theresa to accompany them to the boutique, but the older woman insisted they go without her. “You ladies go.” She tapped her leg. “I’d only slow you down, and I have to oversee the preparations for this evening’s party.”
Christina fetched her purse and rejoined her sister by Brian’s car.
Tanya drove into the city and stopped at several shops to confirm the cake and flowers.
Arriving at Tanya’s boutique, Christina stepped out of the car and smiled at the sign mounted above the doorway. Crawford Designs was etched in a large piece of driftwood. After finding the wood on a beach during one of their family vacations, Tanya had hand-crafted the wood for a high school art project. Christina admired her sister’s drive to follow her dream. She had done the same until a very tall, dark, and handsome obstacle blocked her path, ruining her perfectly mapped-out plan, followed by an emotional collapse, after which she had picked up the pieces of her broken heart and started over. She shook her head. “The sign looks great, Tanya. I’m so glad you could move the business without any problems.”
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