"There's no proof, Grace. It's just talk. Apparently, Senator Barrows has spent a few vacations in Ireland the past few years and there was a photo with her and your father."
"What kind of photo?"
"They were just at dinner; they weren't in bed."
"At least not in the photo. We know my father isn't opposed to adultery," she said, feeling a taste of the old bitterness. Had she been giving her father too much credit today? Maybe he was exactly who her mother had always said he was.
"We can do some digging. I have a friend who works in DC. He might be able to tell me what he's heard."
"Why go to him? Senator Barrows is in Tahoe. We could just ask her."
"David said she left yesterday, bailed on her panel."
"Why would she do that?"
"I have no idea, but she's not here anymore."
"Then you have to call her. I saw her look at you with extreme interest the other day. She'll take your call."
"And I'm supposed to ask her if she's having an affair with your father?"
"Why not? At least we'll get an answer."
"And I'll make an enemy of a woman who controls a great deal of the money the government gives to scientific research."
"So you don't want to jeopardize your job to help me. Great. I knew it was just a matter of time before your ambition would come before everything else." Anger ripped through her as she jumped to her feet. "We're done here."
"Hang on." He got up and grabbed her arm as she tried to move away from him. "I'm not your father, Grace. You have to stop trying to turn me into him, so you won't be disappointed."
"I'm not doing that. You are like him. You're choosing to protect your self-interests over finding out who tried to kill my father, your mentor, someone you revere. That's exactly the same choice my father would have made, so it's a little ironic."
"It's not ironic, and it's not the same," he snapped. "I will help you get to the truth, but it's not just my work I don't want to jeopardize; it's all the people around the world who will lose out if I can't get the government to help me distribute the clean water filters where they need to go, and Senator Barrows is a part of that process."
Logically, she got it, but emotionally it still ticked her off. "I'll do it myself then. I'll find a way to get to her on my own."
"Let me talk to my friend first. David could have been blowing smoke. There might not have been an affair. And even if there was, I doubt she would admit it to either one of us. She's too savvy of a politician to do that."
He had a point. The anger ran out of her like the air from a balloon, and all she felt was tired. "I need to go home."
"If you're going home, I'm coming with you."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am," he said, his fingers tightening on her arm as he forced her to look into his eyes. "You can hate me and be pissed off, Grace, but I'm not going to let you go home to an empty house when we don't know what's going on and how dangerous that could be."
"I am not your responsibility, Ian."
"No, but you're someone I care about, and I'm not going to let you get hurt."
She stared into his determined gaze and felt her emotions take a big right turn. She wasn't thinking about her father anymore or her past; she was thinking about the silver flickers of light in Ian's blue eyes, the flickers that shone more brightly right before he kissed her. And then there was his mouth—the firm, full lips that could take command so easily. Not to mention his strong jaw, his possessive hands, and his very, very appealing body.
She forced herself to say the words she needed to say, but it wasn't easy. "I can't stay with you."
"You don't have a choice. You're not going to be alone tonight. Wherever you go, I will be with you." He paused. "I know you're thinking that I'm going to make a move on you, but I won't. You can trust me. That's probably a difficult concept for you to grasp, because you clearly don't trust men, especially men of science, but I will not let you down."
Maybe he wouldn't let her down tonight. But what about tomorrow? Next week? She was falling for him. She knew that as clearly as she knew anything. She also knew that she was fighting a losing battle right now. Not with him—with herself.
"I know you won't make a move on me," she said. "But what are you going to do if I make a move on you?"
He started at her words, but the shining light in his eyes told her he found her statement as tempting as she did.
She felt like she was playing with fire, but she couldn't stop herself. She moved closer, sliding her free arm around his waist as she looked up at him. She didn't press her breasts against his chest, but she was close enough that the slightest movement would bring their bodies together in a very provocative way.
"You're confused. You're upset. You're looking for a way to stop thinking," he said, his voice edgy, rattled. "That's not the way to go into this. I don't want this to be about anger."
"I'm not actually mad at you. I was angry at myself and I took it out on you."
"Really?" he asked doubtfully. "You seemed pissed off at me."
"You've been beyond great, and I haven't been very appreciative." She slid her hand under his shirt, and he sucked in a breath. "I'm confused about a lot of things, but not this, not you, Ian. Maybe I do want to stop thinking. Is that so bad?"
"I don't want to take advantage of you."
"That's why I'm the one making the move."
"Grace."
"Ian," she said, leaning in so that her breath blew against his neck. "Do you really want to say no?"
"God, no," he said, his arms moving around her. "If this is what you want, then yes, yes, yes. I've wanted you since the first second I saw you."
She licked her lips. "It is exactly what I want."
He drew in another quick breath. "You know when you do that, it makes me a little crazy." The last word had barely left his mouth before he kissed her.
The way his lips moved on hers made her crazy. She opened her mouth, her tongue tangling with his, as the kiss went deeper. Ian kissed her like no one else ever had. He stirred her senses, and she inhaled him with every breath. It wasn't enough.
All the barriers for not getting together had vanished. There was no kid in the next room to worry about. There was no pretense that what was happening was just for tonight, because who knew what tomorrow would bring, and she was okay with that. Because all she wanted right now was him. No thinking, just feeling.
She broke away from the kiss to unbutton his shirt. She was surprised at how shaky and impatient her fingers were. She was filled with such a desperate need that she literally wanted to rip his shirt off him, because she just couldn't wait.
Finally, she got to the last button. She helped him off with his shirt, then literally caught her breath at the spectacular male in front of her. His chest was broad, muscled, a smattering of dark- brown hair running down in a vee to his flat abs, disappearing into his pants. She swallowed hard. Ian might be a scientist, but right now he looked more like an athlete.
"My turn," he said with a teasing smile, as he grabbed the hem of her sweater and pulled it over her head.
She really wished she'd gone for sexier underwear, but she'd dressed for a day as a schoolteacher, not a night with this sexy guy.
"Beautiful," Ian said huskily as he ran his hands up her rib cage, his fingers playing with the front clasp of her bra as he leaned and kissed her neck.
Shivers ran down her spine as he unhooked her bra. She shrugged out of it, wanting no barrier between her body and his hands, his mouth.
He planted another kiss on her lips as he cupped her breasts with his hands, his fingers teasing her nipples as nerves shot through her body. She'd never felt so eager for a man as she did right now. As he slid his mouth down her neck, she ran her hands up and down his back, feeling the restrained power in his muscles. He felt so damn good. She wanted the moment to last forever.
When he lifted his head, words tumbled out of her mouth. "Don't stop."
She'd been so caught up in him, she hadn't given protection a thought. Now, standing with her arms across her bare breasts, she felt a little cold and a tiny bit unsure. She'd started this… was she insane? Would she get hurt? Would it be worth it?
Her uncertainty fled as Ian came back to her, as he wrapped his arms around her, his mouth seeking hers. Heat flooded through her body. She wasn't going to worry about tomorrow. She wanted him tonight.
They slid out of the rest of their clothes, stumbling across the living room into the bedroom, where more floor-to-ceiling views and the city lights brightened up the shadowy room. They fell onto the huge king-sized bed together, the soft mattress embracing their bodies.
His hard, masculine power made her feel infinitely more feminine. She wanted him next to her, on top of her, everywhere he could be. Each touch, each taste, took her higher. She felt like she was flying, like earth was very far away. Her world was just her and Ian, and it was more than enough. She lost herself in him, and he lost himself in her.
The man who seemed to exercise so much control over his thoughts, his actions, was all physical now, his only focus on pleasing her, and she wanted to do the same.
It was moving so fast—the feelings, the nerves, the anticipation. She wanted it to last, but if it couldn't last, then she wanted it again, and again, and again. Happily, it appeared that Ian felt exactly the same way…
Fourteen
Grace felt deliciously weary and even a little sore as muscles she hadn't used in a while reminded her of the wonderful night she and Ian had shared. Rolling on to her side, she smiled as she saw the man beside her. The sun streaming through the windows lit up his handsome masculine face, the strong jaw, the long black lashes that framed his incredible eyes.
She had the rather incredulous feeling that she could stare at him forever. But as he rolled over onto his back, her gaze caught on the bedside clock. It was twenty past seven. Forever was coming to an abrupt end.
She sat up in bed, and her movement brought Ian awake.
He put a hand on her thigh as he shifted back onto his side. "Where are you going?" he asked in a sleepy voice.
"To take a shower. I have to go to work."
"Work? What's work?" he drawled, a smile curving his lips.
She smiled. "You—the intensely dedicated scientist—probably workaholic—are asking me that?"
He grinned back at her. "That's the old Ian. The new Ian thinks spending the next twelve hours in bed with you would be much more entertaining. I could make it worthwhile. You could call in sick."
She shivered a little at the intimate promise in his eyes. "I can't do that, Ian. I have a classroom full of kids to consider."
"Can't you get a sub?"
"I try not to do that very often, especially not for…this."
"This being incredible sex."
She flushed. "Yes. But we don't need to talk about that."
"We don't. It speaks for itself," he said with a grin. "Getting back to work…" He sat up and cupped the side of her face with his hand. "I know you have to go in. You're a dedicated teacher. I respect that."
"Thank you."
"There could be a child in your class who grows up and invents a drug to cure cancer or who runs for president or who stops a deadly epidemic. You're molding future generations, Grace. That's amazing."
She couldn't believe he really got how she felt about education. "That's exactly how I feel, Ian. Knowledge is power. And if I can plant a few seeds now, who knows where they'll sprout?"
He stroked her cheek with his fingers. "I like a woman who likes to work. So, we'll get you to school—after we take a shower."
She laughed at the gleam in his eyes. "I don't think I have time for a shower with you, Ian."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." She paused. "But I do want to say that last night was amazing."
"Yes, it was." He leaned over and kissed her. "I want to see you later."
"I want to see you, too," she said, her heart racing at the look in his eyes, the promise of later.
"Good. I'll check out the conference while you're at school, and I'll see if I can get any more information on your father."
"That would be great. I have a staff meeting after school today, so I won't be free until five or five thirty."
"I'll meet you at school then."
"Sounds good." As she slid out of bed and walked to the bathroom, she was not only conscious of the very male stare following her but also the fact that this little interlude was going to end soon. Ian's conference would be over on Friday. What then? Would he leave? Would she ever see him again? Would this all just be an amazing memory?
As the questions entered her head, she stepped into the shower and told herself to stop looking too far down the road. He wasn't gone yet, and until he was, she was going to enjoy every minute.
* * *
While Grace showered, Ian got out of bed, put on his boxers and then grabbed his phone as it started to ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Ian. It's Emma. I hope I'm not calling too early."
"It's fine," he said, a little surprised to hear his cousin's voice. "What's up?"
"I'm in Ireland."
"Does this have something to do with Shannon?" he asked, hearing the excitement in her voice.
"Yes. I have some exciting news. There have been a flurry of conversations and meetings since we last spoke, and the end result is that Max and I are going to adopt Shannon. Her father is giving up his parental rights. Maeve has signed off on the adoption. We've talked to all the authorities, and while the official paperwork will take some time, she's going to be our daughter."
"That's amazing. And fast."
"I know. It's been a whirlwind, but you know me—once I make my mind up, there's no turning back, and I'm thrilled, Ian. I knew the first time I met Shannon that she was going to be important in my life. I had no idea exactly how that was going to work, but now I do."
"I'm really happy for you."
"I'm happy for me, too. I'm taking a month's leave of absence and Max is going to take two weeks off, then go back to the States until we're ready to bring Shannon home. We have a two-bedroom place, so we won't have to move, but there are a million other things to do. Our goal is to have her with us in San Francisco in January and get her enrolled in school." She paused for a quick breath. "Maeve's health is failing, and she's trying to hang on for the holidays, but she's told me that she'd like to say good-bye to Shannon before she gets much worse. She doesn't want Shannon to see her…well, you know. I don't want to think about the sad part of all this."
"You're making Maeve's last days comforting. She won't have to worry about Shannon anymore."
"I know. Maeve is such a sweetheart, Ian. And she's been telling me stories about Grandma that will make your toes curl."
He laughed. "I think I've already heard some of those."
"Our grandmother has definitely lived a full life. She's an inspiration."
"She is," he agreed.
"I can't believe I'm going to be a mother, Ian. It's not the way I expected. But it also feels perfect."
"Have you told Grandma yet?"
"Yes. She's very excited about it. I know she sent me to Ireland to meet Shannon. She won't admit it, but I'm convinced."
"I am, too."
"So, how are you? How's Tahoe? Did you meet that professor's daughter?"
"I did, and that's taken some interesting turns." As he spoke, an idea formulated in his head. Emma and Max were in Ireland. Maybe he could get them to do him a favor.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked.
"Professor Donelan was attacked in his university office in Waterford last week. He's in a coma at the local hospital, and the police don't have any suspects."
/>
"What? That's terrible."
"I'm helping Grace try to piece together what happened to her father, but we have little information."
"I feel a favor coming on," she said.
"Would Max have any professional status with the police in Waterford? Any chance he could find out what they know about the investigation? Grace hasn't gotten a call back from anyone yet, and she's concerned about her dad."
"I can certainly ask him, Ian."
"I know it's a big favor."
"It's not that big. It's possible Max won't be able to get anywhere, but I'm sure he'll give it a shot for you. You're family."
Her words touched him in an unexpected way. Sometimes, he took family for granted, but seeing how messed up Grace's family was had made him appreciate his even more. Callaways were always there for one another. It was one thing in life he knew he could count on.
"So his name is Seamus Donelan?" Emma asked.
"Yes." He quickly related the other details he had. "Anything you can come up with would be helpful."
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, Emma, and congratulations again."
"You're welcome. We'll talk soon."
As he set down the phone, Grace came back into the room, a towel around her lovely body. His mind immediately stripped that piece of white terry cloth away, envisioning the sweet, soft curves that he'd spent the night exploring.
"Don't," she warned, obviously reading his mind.
He laughed. "I used to think I had a good poker face."
She grinned. "Not when it comes to sex." She took a breath as she gathered up her clothes. "Who were you talking to?"
"My cousin Emma. She went to Ireland with me when I visited your father. We both have found ourselves on unexpected journeys since that trip."
"Are you calling me an unexpected journey?" she teased.
"Unexpected but also great."
"What was Emma's journey?"
"She's adopting a child we met there; the great-granddaughter of one of our grandmother's best friends. Emma has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. When I met the little girl in Ireland, I could see the bond between them already forming."
Closer To You (Callaways Book 11) Page 18