He had half a mind to pull away from the curb and call her from his cell phone, but the valet already had the door to his truck open, and he had no choice but to step out. Especially when she turned around and waved.
Feeling like a complete moron, he jumped out of his pickup and walked over to her. He could feel a flush creeping up his neck and into his face. Great.
“Hello, Brigit.” He offered his hand. “I’m Derek Connors. It’s nice of you to meet me.”
She smiled and tilted her head, eyeing him like he was a prize. “It’s my pleasure, Derek. Come. Let me buy you a drink at the bar.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said a little more gruffly than he intended. “I’m taking you out this evening.”
She laughed. “Okay. You can buy the drinks, but I’m definitely paying for dinner.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Don’t even go there. Have you seen the prices in this place? It’s the least I can do since you help so many people in need.”
Oh, shit. It was that Habitat thing again. Why did it make every woman practically cream her pants?
“I’m no saint,” he said. “I’ve been in construction my whole life. I’m as much of a money grabbing SOB as you’re likely to meet. I’m just keeping my hands busy until the tide turns around and real estate picks up.”
She tossed him a smile and took a seat at the bar. “I want to hear all about it. Come buy me that drink.”
Brigit ordered a Cosmopolitan and he had a single malt Scotch on the rocks.
“I don’t want to talk about me,” he said. “Tell me about yourself. What does a catering manager for the Ritz have to do? I’m sure you take care of the staff and do the purchasing, but do you get to create the menu or something along those lines?”
“Something along those lines.” She ran a delicate finger around the rim of her martini glass, then dipped it in and sucked it.
He took a generous slug of his Scotch, feeling ridiculously nervous again.
“My staff and I specialize in creating masterful presentations for each and every event held at the hotel, whether it’s a wedding or a simple business meeting. The people I work with are incredible and can handle anything, from a five course dinner for ten to an elaborate ballroom gala that would knock your socks off.” She laughed. “We have a pastry department that is truly orgasmic, and can make all your dreams come true.”
“It sounds like you love your job.”
“What’s not to love? I work in beautiful surroundings with very talented people, and they pay me well.”
“Uh-huh. I work in the dirt and the great outdoors, creating a masterpiece out of stucco and lumber. To each his own.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
They alternated between idle conversation and listening to the soft music being played on the grand piano. When they had finished their drinks, they were shown to their window table. The restaurant, in the heart of Palm Beach, was regarded as one of the finest by its loyal customers, and deservedly so. It was a beautifully appointed room—small but elegant. After a quick glance at the menu, Derek was glad Brigit was footing the bill.
She ordered Beluga caviar to start, followed by an organic mixed greens salad and Chilean sea bass. With the price of that dinner, he would have had to load up on free bread. But the woman loved to eat, and she insisted Derek join her course for course.
After he’d finished his late bite of crab and lobster tortellini, he wiped his mouth and resisted the urge to loosen his belt.
“That was wonderful,” he said. “I can’t remember enjoying a meal quite so much.”
She laughed. “I’m glad to hear it, because I’m sure you’re going to love dessert.”
“Count me out. I couldn’t force another thing down my throat.”
She wiggled her foot against his leg and gave him a wicked smile. “I can. Come back to my place tonight. We’ll have dessert out on my terrace. I brought home a chocolate mousse cake from work that is a favorite with all the guests.”
He had enjoyed the evening, but keeping up his end of the conversation had been a little like work. He was tired and would prefer nothing better than to head home, but Brigit was paying the bill and he didn’t want to be rude.
“Sounds good.” He smiled. “I won’t be able to stay late. I have two kids at home.”
“That’s all right.” She practically batted her eyelashes at him. “I promise I’ll let you leave at the stroke of midnight.”
She slid her foot up his leg, a move that should have at least intrigued him, if not actually aroused him. Instead, he felt nothing. Now, if it were Christine rubbing his leg, he’d be whisking her out the door, all hot to trot.
Being a one woman man certainly had disadvantages—especially when that one woman refused his advances, and another woman was on the make.
“Maybe I’ll take a rain-check,” he said.
“No. You can’t.” She pouted. “Come on. You can come by for an hour. I won’t keep you late.”
“I do have to be up at the crack of dawn. We like to get an early start before it gets hotter than blazes.”
Her eyes turned deadly. “It’s the least you can do after I bought dinner.”
What? He had to put out for a free meal?
This was not how the evening was supposed to play out. She was a gorgeous woman, intelligent and successful, and she knew exactly what she wanted. Him. But he didn’t want to go to bed with her. He hardly knew her. And she didn’t excite him the way Christine did.
He was thinking fast. What excuse could he use that wouldn’t be totally lame?
“I feel like I’m coming down with something. I had a flu shot and it’s probably given me the symptoms.”
“You haven’t shown any signs of that all night.” Her eyes impaled his. “Why are you stalling? You aren’t gay, are you?”
He laughed. “Hardly.” He took a swallow from his glass of water, rolling an ice cube around his mouth. “I guess I could try out that chocolate mousse.”
She laughed and ran a hand up his arm. “You won’t regret it.”
He followed her to the door, and noticed quite a few men watching her. He should feel good about this. Probably half the men in the restaurant would give their eyeteeth to be invited back to her place. Maybe Brigit was right and there was something wrong with him. But he wasn’t gay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Brigit lived in a luxury apartment on South Ocean Drive. The view of the beach and the ocean was as good as any of the multi-million dollar homes he used to build. He knew a fine piece of property when he saw one, and this was a quality building in Manalapan, only a short stroll away from the Four Seasons Resort and the Ritz Carlton where she worked.
The apartment was impeccably decorated, with a comfortable seating arrangement on her large terrace. Derek knew that during the day the view would be extraordinary, the water an inviting turquoise color and the sand soft and white. Now the beach was dark, and the only light was from the dozens of candles Brigit was lighting inside the apartment and on the terrace. The building was close enough to the beach that they could smell the salty air and hear the gentle waves lap against the shore.
It was all very romantic, and should have set the mood for what was to come, but Derek couldn’t get over the fact that he was expected to put out. It was ridiculous, but he felt like a teenage girl whose boyfriend expected a romp in the backseat of his car because he’d bought her a cheap meal somewhere. Not that their meal had been cheap. That wasn’t the point.
He’d never been in this predicament before and it was not pleasant. He wouldn’t be able to get it up if he tried, so it would be best if he made a quick exit before embarrassing himself. Right after dessert, he would leave.
Brigit must have read his thoughts, because she came up behind him and circled his waist with her arms. He felt her firm breasts against his back. She purred like some kind of feline creature.
As expected, he turned around and took her into his arms. He bent his head a
nd kissed her.
Nothing. He tried again. He deepened the kiss and heard her moan. Okay, she was getting all worked up, but what about him? What the hell was wrong with his machinery? It never went on the fritz. He’d always been in perfect working order, every inch of him.
He stuck his tongue inside her mouth and she plastered herself to him. The feel of her beautiful breasts against his chest and her hips grinding against his should have been enough to make a eunuch hard, but it wasn’t having any effect on him.
Gently, he moved away from her, breaking the kiss and the bodily contact.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you in a hurry? We’ve got two hours. Longer, if you want to stay the night.”
He took her chin in his hand and stared into her eyes. She had beautiful blue eyes. They were looking a little confused and hurt. “Nothing is wrong. The night was great, really great, but I’m just not into this.”
“What do you mean, not into this? You seemed to be enjoying the kiss well enough.”
“I did. You’re a gorgeous woman, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I don’t want to make love to you.”
“Why not?” Her voice grew shrill. “Why the hell not?”
“Maybe because I’m not that into you.”
“You…you can’t be serious, right? I mean, you’re an out-of-work builder, and…I don’t ‘put on the Ritz.’ I am the Ritz.” She flipped her hair back with an arrogant toss of her head. “You should be so lucky.”
“You’re right. I should.” He winked and walked away.
* * *
Christine and Nicole were in their pajamas, eating popcorn and watching the movie Gladiator on TV.
“Russell Crow looks a little like Derek, don’t you think?” Nicole popped a handful of popcorn into her mouth and watched her mother. She still thought something might be going on between her mom and Derek, especially since her mom had been in such a bitchy mood all night.
“Huh.” Christine grunted with sarcasm. “Derek is pretty muscular, but he’s not nearly as hunky as Russell Crowe.”
“Yeah, but he’s got a similar look. Could be the eyes and the hair.”
“You think so? Do you think he’s an attractive man?” She stared at the TV, refusing to look at her daughter.
“Sure. Don’t you?”
“I suppose. Do you think Brigit will be attracted to that rough and tough exterior of his?”
While cooking linguini and shrimp scampi for their dinner, Christine had told Nicole all about the woman she’d set up with Derek.
Nicole wondered why her mother wouldn’t admit she was attracted to Derek. Instead she continually shoved him away, and now risked losing him altogether by lining him up with other women. It didn’t make sense.
She pushed the bowl of popcorn away and sat up straight to focus on her mother better. “I wouldn’t think so. I don’t think he’s her type.”
“Then why would she agree to see him?”
“A novelty. She probably only wanted to go to bed with him. I doubt that she’d marry him.”
Christine frowned. The thought of the two of them in bed together made her stomach churn. But the idea of him marrying her was much worse. “That’s not a very nice thing to say.” She paused, then said, “Do you think it’s true?”
Nicole hid a smile at the hopeful tone in her mother’s voice. “I don’t know. You could ask him how it went. If they like each other, fine, your job’s done, but if not you’ll have to find him another date.”
Her mother looked sullen again. “That’s right.”
“Mom, why don’t you go out with him? I think he likes you.” Nicole curled her legs up under her, getting ready to engage in girl talk. She couldn’t remember ever having this kind of conversation with her mother. Almost as though they were friends. It was cool.
“It’s not that simple,” her mother said. “He wants to get married again, and that is the very last thing I want.” She looked directly at Nicole. “I’m the kind of woman who loves with all her heart, and I gave that love to your father.”
“He didn’t deserve it, but I think Derek might. You should give him a chance.”
“I can’t. I like my life as it is. Why risk my happiness and sanity over a man?”
“No risk. No gain,” Nicole reminded her. “I always thought you were one of the strongest, bravest women I know. Are you telling me you’re not?” She twisted around so she could look into her mother’s eyes. “What kind of life will you have without love in it?”
Her mother didn’t answer, but the frown lines around her mouth deepened, and for once she looked uncertain.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The following day, Christine did take it upon herself to check with Derek on his date.
“How’d it go last night?” she asked. “Brigit is a lovely woman, isn’t she?”
“Oh, yeah.” The way he said it rang false to her ears.
He continued, “I wouldn’t expect a woman like that to want to pick up the tab.” He gave a short laugh. “I wasn’t too happy about it until I saw the prices. Not that I couldn’t afford it, but she insisted, and I gave in graciously enough. Didn’t realize at the time she thought she had bought and paid for me.”
Christine picked up a pen and started tapping it. “What are you talking about?”
“She expected me to go home with her. She wanted me in the sack.”
“Uh-huh.” The pen tapped faster. “I’m not surprised. Why are you?”
“What happened to the chase?” He sounded annoyed. “Am I too old-fashioned to think a man should make the advances?”
Christine grinned. “Let’s say you’re a little out of date. Anyway, there are worse things than having a beautiful, accomplished woman like that throw herself at you. I’m sure she didn’t have you running scared.”
“Hardly. I can hold my own.”
Christine’s grin faded and her hand tightened in a stranglehold around the phone. “Of course you can. I don’t expect you turned her down flat.” If he did go to bed with her, she really didn’t want the details, thank you very much.
“I did turn her down, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Christine had to force herself to keep up her end of the conversation. Childishly, she wanted to put her hands over her ears so she wouldn’t have to listen. “So what did you do? Sleep with her?”
“I don’t think a gentleman should answer that question, do you? Let’s just say I did go home with her.”
“You did, did you?” She cleared her throat but her voice still sounded raw. “Well, I guess I would call that a success.”
“I’m not sure what you’d call it, but I don’t like being treated like a piece of ass.”
“Derek!” She choked on a laugh. “Now I know you’re kidding.”
“Like hell I am. I won’t be seeing her again.”
“Why not?” She tried to subdue the thrill that ran through her, and keep her voice steady. “I mean, if you both enjoyed each other. That’s what a dating service does—hooks up people who are well-suited for each other.”
“Forget it. I’m outta her league.”
“What? She didn’t imply that, did she?” Christine fought for neutrality, trying not to let her feelings get involved. Of course it was impossible. She cared very much for Derek. If Brigit had done or said something to make him feel as though he was not her equal, she would be very angry.
Derek was a gentleman, he was honest and hard-working and successful. He’d been a premier builder and had a great reputation in southern Florida. Conner’s Construction and Developers had built nice quality homes, as well as luxurious estate homes worth millions in the gated communities she knew about, and many that she didn’t. More importantly, he’d loved his wife very much and mourned her still. He was a man of character, worthy of anyone.
“No, she didn’t imply it. She came out and said it.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry, Derek. That was terrible of her.” She pictured the
scene, imagining how he must have felt. Had it happened in the bedroom?
“Hmm. I’m over it. Actually, I was the one who did the walking, so she was probably just pissed off.” He added smoothly, “Maybe I can make a few suggestions for the next lady we try. It would be nice to meet a woman who was interested in someone other than herself. I’d like to find someone special, like you.”
Aw, there he goes again. Sweet enough to melt her heart. She sighed, and sat up straighter. She had to be strong. “I’ll keep my eyes open for the right person, Derek. I promise.”
“Sure.”
After they got off the phone, Christine replayed the conversation in her head, feeling a warmth settle over her. Derek had not complained when she’d slipped between the sheets with him on their first date. As a matter of fact, he wanted their sexual relationship to continue and had made that abundantly clear. It was she who was holding back.
Derek hadn’t fallen for the gorgeous Brigit. She pumped a fist in the air. Yes!
* * *
Nicole was home alone when there was an unexpected knock on the door. They lived in a gated community and so visitors had to be called in, their names left with security. The exception was UPS and similar carriers, and anyone else who might make regular deliveries or service.
It was an extremely safe neighborhood, so she did not hesitate to open the door.
She tried shutting it again when she saw Brett standing there. He stuck his foot in the door and held it open with his hand. “Come on, Nic, let me in.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you. How did you get past security, anyway?”
“They were busy giving directions to a landscaping truck, and they just waved me through the second gate.” He grinned. “Must be my honest looking face.”
“Well, they shouldn’t have.” She let him push his way in, but was still fuming that he was there. She didn’t want anything to do with him, and wished he would leave her the hell alone. The other night when she’d called Jake he’d said he’d tell him, but if he had Brett wouldn’t be here now.
“Look,” he said, “we have a history of breaking up and making up, and I want to get to the good part.” He touched her cheek, but she flinched and pulled away. “Come on, Nicole. You know you can’t resist me.”
ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE- 4 Book Bundle Page 63