The doorbell rang. Grace dashed to answer. “Ordered pizza for dinner. My treat.”
“Next time’s mine. I could cook.”
“Grilled cheese and soup from a can?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“You live with a trained chef and you ask that question.” Grace waved aromas from the box toward Lauren. “After the day you put in at the store you deserve this.” She put the box on the table and crouched to pick up Jamie. “Fellow, come and watch us glom. Someday you’ll want a share.”
Lauren laughed. “I’ll give him a cookie.” She went to the cupboard. Grace fastened Jamie in the chair.
“What did the man want?”
“The nanny search isn’t going well.”
Grace pulled a slice from the box. “Did he expect to snap his fingers and one would appear?”
Lauren chewed the bite she’d taken. “He did. He’s into fast.” A long sigh escaped.
Grace arched an eyebrow. “Out with it. Something’s eating you. What did he say?”
“Nothing other than a guest had arrived for dinner.”
“Why should that bother you? Aha, I see.”
Lauren frowned. “Don’t speculate.”
“Did you ask him to visit Jamie?”
“Why would I do that? No invitation is needed. Jamie is his nephew. Oh, he did offer to pay for the sitters.”
“That’s a plus.” Grace leaned her elbows on the table. “Tell me true. Do you like him?”
Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know him and I don’t like the way he always assumes his ideas are right.”
Grace tapped Lauren’s arm. “You do have a thing for him.”
Lauren shook her head. “Would be a dumb move.” She lowered her head. “What’s happening at the store tomorrow?”
“The sign man is coming in the afternoon. Savory and Sweet bites will be painted on the window. In the morning the ovens are being professionally cleaned and checked. If you and Jamie keep your eyes on the painter I can finish ordering supplies and check the adverts. Not much time until opening day.”
“Saturday. Wish I could be there.”
“You can stop by after class and help count the take.”
“Hundreds of dollars. Orders galore.”
“From your lips…”
Lauren finished the last bite of her second slice. She rose and gathered the dishes they’d used and stored the half pie in the refrigerator. After playtime with Jamie she carried him to the nursery.
Once he slept she hit the books. Toward the end of the study session Tony’s image broke into her thoughts and ripped her concentration. She closed the books, showered and hit the bed. As she settled beneath the covers his face filled her head.
Stay out of my dreams.
On Tuesday Lauren arrived home from class. She kissed Jamie’s cheek. “Ready for lunch.”
“I’ll feed him,” Ray said. “Grace asked me if I could stay this afternoon. My class isn’t until seven.”
“Thanks.” She put a slice in the microwave.
Ray warmed the baby’s food. “Do you think Mr. Carlin will visit this weekend?”
“Doubtful. He has a busy work and social schedule in the city. Any reason?”
Ray shrugged. “Wanted to talk to him about law school.” He popped a spoon of food in Jamie’s mouth. “I figured he would visit.” He grinned. “I think he kind of likes you. When I arrived to relieve him on Saturday he was real glad you weren’t angry. He’s cool.”
“Cool. Cool.” Jamie waved his hands.
“Not while you’re eating,” Ray said.
Lauren laughed. She pulled the slice from the microwave and headed to the door. “See you around five. I’ll bring Chinese for dinner. Anything special for you?”
“I eat everything.”
“Bye, Jamie. Be good for Ray.”
“Bye, Bye,” the baby yelled.
Lauren drove to the spot and found a parking space. She fed coins in the meter and dashed to the store. Grace headed to the door.
“Wait a minute,” Lauren shouted.
“I need to get this ad to the newspaper to meet the deadline.”
“I’m ordering Chinese for dinner.”
“General Tso’s for me.”
“Should I order anything else?”
Grace turned. “Wanton soup and egg rolls.”
Lauren’s friend had been gone for less than ten minutes when the painter returned. She watched him paint an outline on the window. She walked to the back and started to fill boxes following Grace’s directions. Before long Grace returned and joined her.
At four they stopped to admire the front window. Sweet and Savory Bites written in script flowed across the window. Beneath Sweet and Savory huge cupcakes sat. One with frothy icing and a pair of buzzing bees and the other with a hovering pair of red and green jalapeños.
Lauren laughed. “Looks wonderful.”
Grace nodded. “Two more days. I’ll lock up and meet you at the condo.”
At five Lauren pulled her car into the garage and carried the bags of Chinese food inside. Ray had set the table for three and fed a last bite to Jamie. Moments later Grace arrived. She told them about the cupcakes she planned to bake for the first day. Lauren quizzed Ray for his Sociology test that evening.
While bathing Jamie he splashed. “Cool. Cool.” In an instant his happy chatter turned to tears. “Cool. Dada. Up.”
Lauren lifted him into her arms. What had triggered the tears? Was he remembering his day with Tony or the close resemblance to his father? What could she do? Tony hadn’t left a number for her to call. On Sunday he’d bolted and the other night the call had ended with the arrival of his dinner guest.
Should she wait for him to call? She could always search Jim’s file for Tony’s number. When she did she found the number of Tony’s office but no other. Tomorrow she would try.
At a few minutes after nine she dialed the office and listened to the prompt. She pressed the extension. A frosty female voice didn’t give her a chance to identify herself.
That afternoon she tried again and received this message. “Mr. Carlin is in a conference and cannot be disturbed.”
“Can I leave a message?”
But the woman had hung up.
Lauren slumped on the couch. If he cared about his nephew he would call. Or come. Don’t go there. The night she and Tony has shared a bed had been a reaction to the funeral. They had both sought comfort for their grief. Nothing more.
* * *
By Friday evening Tony’s frustration with the first nanny agency had peaked. That morning he’d extended the search by calling two more agencies. What was wrong with these women? He was willing to hire two and pay a full week’s wages for four days of work. Did every nanny want weekends and evenings off? If he gave into the demands of the women and the agencies the “love nest” he’d inherited from his father would become a social desert.
Besides the search his days at the office had been crammed. Client meetings and discussions with the partners took too much time. He’d worked until nine or ten every evening and had no energy for hitting one of the clubs. His life seemed to be trudging up a mountain taller than Everest. When he started the descent could he stop?
You need a change.
That voice again. “Get lost.”
“What?” The question from a dozen men at the conference table bombarded him. He war really losing his ability to concentrate.
Tony groaned. “Blame it on the nanny search.”
One of the partners rose. “You need to get a life. We’ve hashed everything to death. Anything pending can be done next week. My wife will be glad to see me home before midnight once this week.”
“Good idea. See you on Monday.” Tony shoved papers in his briefcase and led the charge to the doors. He stopped in his office and left a list for his secretary to handle on Monday. He stacked folders on the desk.
An hour later he slouched on the leather couch in his living roo
m and stared at the darkening sky. He held a vodka and tonic and took a deep drink. He’d wanted his life to change but this all work and no play wasn’t working. He drained the glass and mixed another.
A memory flashed in his thoughts. He and Jim had been ten and twelve. They had vowed to have each others’ backs. The guilt he’d buried spilled over. He sucked deep breaths. He set the glass on the coffee table. He needed a diversion. He needed people. He needed…He didn’t know. He had failed his brother and himself by walking the road their father had chosen.
The muscles of his chest felt like iron bands. A choking sound emerged. And tears, hot bitter tears spilled down his face. He gulped a deep breath.
He pushed to his feet. In the kitchen he splashed cold water on his face. Maybe he would hit one of his favorite spots and find female company. First he’d better eat something. He was half way to being drunk.
He pulled eggs, pepper Jack cheese, tomatoes and pepperoni from the fridge. After chopping all the ingredients he needed, he mixed four eggs with cream and poured them into a large omelet pan. As he sat at the center work space a memory of Lauren sliding food onto a plate arose. His body took fire. His eyes widened. He wanted her but last Saturday should have cured his desire.
He sat and ate the omelet. Why hadn’t she called? His fork clattered on the marble work space. On Sunday he’d dashed from the condo as if a father with a shotgun had drawn a bead on his back. He hadn’t given her his cell number and the apartment land line was unlisted. She could have called the office but his secretary had orders to refuse all calls from women with only the women from the Good Magazine Group allowed.
He finished the omelet and carried his drink to the living room. For a time he searched his phone log and rejected number after number. He knew who he wished to call. He went to the window and stared at the skyline. Shadowy buildings blurred by spots of light stood against the dark sky. Call Lauren? Ask about Jamie? Pr…The thoughts occurring made him laugh.
Chapter Five
Tony stood in the shower as the hot water washed over him. Instead of luxuriating he scrubbed and rinsed. With a towel wrapped around his waste he strode to the bedroom and put pillows behind his head. He put ear buds in and reached for his cell. He was prepared to talk, to listen and do other things.
Nearly ten. Was she in bed? Asleep? She had classes all day tomorrow. He hit her number on speed dial. By the fifth ring an ember of anger sparked. Where was she?
“Hello.” The husky voice was hers.
“Lauren, it’s Tony. Did I wake you?”
“Yes.”
“Can you talk?”
“Let me go downstairs so I don’t wake Jamie.”
“Housemate?”
“Sleeping. Tomorrow’s her big day.”
He listened to the sound of her clattering downstairs.
“I’m here. Did you find a nanny?”
“No.”
“Sorry to hear that.” The disappointment in her voice struck a blow. “Why did you call?”
“To talk. Where are you?” A vision of her long legs flashed in his thoughts. He drew a deep breath to camp the sensations storming his body.
“In the living room. What’s this about?”
He cleared his throat. “The nanny search is impossible. Work is hectic. I’ve been at the office until nine or later every evening. How’s Jamie?”
“Growing. Looking for Cool.”
Tony chuckled. “How can he miss me? I spent so little time with him.”
“You remind him of Jim. Why don’t you come to see him?”
“I will. Tomorrow.”
“I’ll tell Ray to expect you.”
Tony stretched on the bed. “I’ll spend the night and cook for you.” He heard her sigh. Why?
“There’s a problem,” she said.
“What?”
“My housemate. She’s staying and helping with the utilities until her shop is doing well and she can afford to rent.”
“Grace, right.”
“Yes. But I still think you should spend time with Jamie.”
“I will.” He wanted to see his nephew but he wanted Lauren as part of the package. His heart galloped. He wanted her with an urgency that made him consider driving across the bridge, finding a motel and taking her to bed.
“What are you wearing?” He propped himself on the pillows and opened the towel.
“Tony!”
“I’m up for a bit of fun.” He ran his hands over his chest. “I’m naked. You game?”
A nervous laugh answered him. “I don’t know.”
“Try and you will enjoy. Better than going solo. Tell me what you’re wearing.”
“A sleep shirt.”
“Is it the yellow one allowing a peep of your underwear?”
“Yes.”
“Touch your breasts. I’m massaging mine. Feel the way your nipples tighten.” Her moans made him grin, “I wish I could be there, suck them into my mouth and then blow on them.”
She gasped. “Lord, this is strange.”
“Run your hands over your belly and slide your panties down. I’m touching my cock pretending my hand is yours. Are you hot? Are you with me?”
“Yes.”
“Bring yourself to a climax. Let me hear you. I’m working myself as hard as I can.” He couldn’t say another word.
Her moans and cries meshed with his growls and groans. “Yes, oh yes,” she cried.
He erupted. “So good. I want the real thing. How about you?” He waited for her answer.
“How?”
“I’ve an idea. Sunday after your class, drive here and spend the night. I’ll take Monday off. Will you come?”
“What about Jamie?”
“Bring him.”
“Where will he sleep?”
“I’ll buy a crib, probably one of those portable ones. Please come.” He lowered his voice. “I want you in my bed and bury my cock in your depths.”
“You are naughty.” Her breath caught.
“I will be.”
“Expect us between three and four.”
“Here are the directions to my apartment and my cell number.”
“Wait. I need paper and pen.”
He imagined her standing at the counter. “Here goes.” With care he gave directions and repeated the phone number twice. “Sleep well. Ciao.”
“You, too. See you Sunday.”
Tony rose and used the towel to clean himself. He showered and settled in bed. Thoughts of Lauren followed him into his dreams. Sunday seemed a long way from today.
* * *
Still clutching the phone Lauren turned from the counter. She could never answer a call without hearing Tony seducing her. Phone sex with a man she barely knew but one who had intrigued her from their first meeting.
Idiot.
A startled laugh emerged. How had they gone from enemies to their present desire for each other? Why now? She had no time for building a relationship even if he wanted something long-term. She had her doubts about this being other than a fling for him.
On Sunday she would drive Jamie to the city. She had given in to the desire to see Tony again. He wanted to visit his nephew. He could have spent tomorrow with the child. He didn’t need her presence. What was he thinking? She set her phone in the charging block. This was a no-brainer. Tony had sex on his mind. Unfortunately, so did she.
She had his number. She could call and cancel the trip. If she did that now and he answered she wouldn’t be able to say she couldn’t visit. Tomorrow she would leave a message. But…she remembered how often Jamie called for Cool and knew she had to take her nephew to the city.
She dashed upstairs and recalled the paper she’d left on the counter. She shrugged, entered the nursery and crawled into bed. A smile curved her lips. He’d been right. The phone sex had been better than going solo.
Sex. That was the only tie between them. As long as she remembered she was safe and couldn’t be hurt. She sprawled on her stomach and drifte
d. A sudden thought jolted her awake.
Lust brought trouble. Especially with the chances they’d taken. No problem this time. She didn’t have to worry about the events of last weekend. If she decided to travel to the city on her way home from class tomorrow a stop at the drugstore was essential.
The next morning at six thirty the day began. While she fed Jamie breakfast Grace bounded downstairs. Lauren turned. “Ready for the big day?”
Grace nodded. “If I can control the rapidly multiplying butterflies in my gut I will be. The cupcakes are ready for the final touches.”
“What kind?”
“Chocolate Surprise, Ginger Peachy, Vanilla Heaven and a few more of the ordinary ones.”
“Such as.”
“Red velvet, spice, chocolate. Without the flavor enhancements.”
“Can you do without my help on Monday?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
Lauren fed Jamie another bite. “I’m taking Jamie to the city to see his uncle.”
“Cool. Cool.” Jamie hit the spoon and sent cereal flying.
Lauren and Grace laughed. Grace grabbed paper towels and cleaned the mess. “Looks like he’s eager to go.” She winked. “What about you?”
“I’m torn. He’s a sexy man and good in bed but I can’t afford to become further involved.”
“Why not? If I found a man who rattled my bones. I’d grab so tightly he couldn’t shake me loose.”
Lauren sighed. “It’s the holding that scares me.”
“I hear you. Go. Enjoy the two days. Don’t think beyond the moment. Lust can be fun. So I’ve heard.”
“That’s what he said.” Lauren scooped the last of the cereal from the bowl, popped bread in the toaster and grabbed the peanut butter. Once she finished she washed Jamie’s face, ate her toast and waited for Ray. The moment he arrived she kissed her nephew and headed to class.
After her day at school ended she dashed to the drugstore and purchased a box of condoms. No more chances. She stopped at the bakery. The sight of near empty cases pleased her. “Good day?”
“The best.” Grace grabbed a box. “Take these home. Saved them for you and Ray.”
“When will you be home?”
“Late. Don’t wait dinner. I need to start organizing. I want to change the specialties and add a fourth.”
Seducing the Attorney (At First Sight Book 5) Page 6