by Lori Foster
By silent agreement, they ventured into the family room, the only warm room in the house. Joan drew up short at the sight of Shadow's bra and other clothing stretched about the fireplace. Brent cleared his throat, but Shadow grinned. She really was enjoying herself, he realized.
"I don't suppose you could scrounge up something for breakfast, could you, Brent? I'm starving," she exclaimed.
Brent eyed Shadow's relaxed pose in the chair, then glanced at Joan, sitting rigidly on the very edge of her seat. She looked provoked and ready to do serious damage to somebody. He decided Shadow could better defend herself than he could, and agreed to figure out breakfast.
But he rushed it, not willing to press his luck.
* * *
Shadow gave Joan a moment to acclimate herself to the situation. It was rather sad, she thought, that a woman would feel compelled to chase a man. Shadow hoped she would have more pride should such a circumstance ever occur to her. Any failed relationships she'd had she'd been more than thrilled to see the end of. But Brent? Well, she didn't think she would ever be truly content away from him. She loved him.
Brent had said Joan only wanted him for his money, but Shadow needed to know if that was true. She watched dispassionately as Joan seemed to gather herself, her haughtiness returning with a vengeance. She stood, removed her ermine coat and hat, then tossed them on the chair. Pacing the room, she eyed Shadow's clothes on the fireplace with distaste.
"As you can see," Shadow said easily, "my clothes were wet and cold last night when I arrived. I put them there to warm them so I could dress. But then Brent gave me some sweats to put on. They're really comfortable, even though they're too big. I had to roll the waistband up three times to make the pants fit. But I like the top being so large."
Joan gave her a look of great dislike. "Do you have to rattle on like that? I'm trying to think."
"About what?"
Joan ignored her question to ask one of her own. "How long have you known Brent?"
"Not long really. A couple of weeks."
"Good. He should be tiring of you soon, then. He did this all the time in Chicago. Had his little flings. I tolerated it, of course, but once we marry, it will stop."
Shadow felt her chin drop. Incredulous, she asked, "You didn't mind if he was unfaithful to you?"
Joan lifted one elegant shoulder. "It's the way he does things. He must always be in control, which means forever proving to me where my place is. He's always made up to me later by buying me something exquisite." She dangled her bracelet for Shadow to see. "This is a little something he gave me before he left Chicago."
Brent entered at that moment, saying, "Actually, it was about three months before I left. An apology, I believe it was, for breaking off with you."
Joan visibly jerked at his entrance, and Shadow knew that everything Joan had told her was a lie. Joan was watching Brent warily, her gaze occasionally flicking toward Shadow, waiting, probably, to find out if her lies would be revealed. Shadow said, "It's a beautiful bracelet. And it looks lovely on you."
It had likely cost a small fortune, Shadow thought, looking at the diamond-encrusted gold bracelet. It was fashioned like a tennis bracelet, but heavier, the diamonds so large the bracelet would have very little flexibility. It should have adorned a queen, not an everyday, average woman. Shadow couldn't imagine ever putting something so lavish and expensive on her own arm. It wouldn't go with her jeans.
She noticed Brent watching her and smiled. "What did you round up for food? After all our … exertions, I'm ready to faint from hunger."
Brent was silent for just a moment, then carried the tray toward her. "The electricity is still out, so all I have is fruit and juice, some cold bagels and jam. Will that do for now?"
Rolling her eyes in bliss, Shadow said, "Sounds delicious," then added politely, "Joan, would you like something? Brent must still be in a state of uncertainty. Otherwise, I'm sure he would have remembered his manners and made the offer himself."
Joan turned to Brent, a disbelieving frown marring her smooth brow. "I can't believe you tolerate this, tolerate her! She's unbelievably crass and outspoken."
Shadow saw Brent's eyes narrow in anger, and she quickly waved him to silence, concerned about what he might do. Around a mouthful of bagel, she explained, "He likes it that I'm outspoken. And unbelievably enough, he doesn't think me crass—at least not often."
Brent walked over and shoved the bagel back into Shadow's mouth. "Eat. I'll speak for myself if you don't mind."
He faced Joan. "If you came here thinking there was some way we could reconcile, I'm sorry. But I made it clear in Chicago that it was over. As you see, I'm very much involved with Shadow, and that's not going to change with your presence."
"She's a distraction, an oddity," Joan said finally, her tone filled with spite. "You'll tire of her soon enough. In the meantime, I think I'll stick around." She picked up her coat and headed for the door, sending a look of pure dislike toward Shadow, who merely waved, taking another drink of her juice.
Joan said from the doorway, "I'll keep in touch," then stormed out.
Shadow chided Brent, "You should have escorted her to the door to see her out."
"She's a malicious bitch. She can see herself out."
Shadow chuckled. "Aw, poor baby. You really let her get to you, didn't you?"
Brent stiffened. "It's not funny, Shadow. It was bad enough in Chicago, but now she's following me here?" Shadow set her glass of juice on the tray and went to Brent, crawling, uninvited, into his lap. Despite his stiff posture, she wiggled around until she was comfortable, then gave him a hug. "I'm sorry. I suppose I should be more sympathetic."
"Yes, you should." He relaxed enough to loop his arms loosely around her. "She's a pain in the butt, and I won't tolerate her insulting you."
"Brent, I didn't pay any attention to that. It was just jealousy. If it weren't for you, someone like Joan wouldn't even have noticed me, much less made the effort to comment on my behavior or appearance. It's a beautiful day. Don't let her spoil it."
Brent rubbed his face in agitation. "A beautiful day? There's not a single color visible outside other than white, it's probably ten degrees, if that, we've had a maniac call to threaten you and another maniac show up to annoy me, and we have no electricity. This is a beautiful day?"
Shadow kissed his jaw. She slipped her hand beneath the rounded neckline of his sweatshirt. "You're not using the right perspective. You're seeing things all wrong."
His skin heated, from just her simple touch. He asked in a low voice, "How do you see today?"
"I'm sitting on the lap of the man I love. We're all alone, and I for one don't have anyplace urgent to go. The sun is shining so brightly the reflection on all that snow is almost blinding. We're warm and comfortable and dry. And alive. To me, it's truly a spectacular day."
There was a moment of thoughtful silence before Brent said, sounding much struck, "You're right. And I thank you for pointing it out to me." He nuzzled beneath her chin. "You really don't have to go to the shop?"
"Nope. Kallie works by herself today. I'll just call to check in later. And I'm considering hiring someone else as you suggested." She didn't add that she had decided to do that so she would have more time to spend with him. She had made enough declarations of her feelings without getting any in return.
Brent put his hand to her cheek, turning her to face him. "Will you spend the day with me? And the night? I rather liked the way you woke me this morning."
Shadow chuckled. "It was a little different from the way I woke you at my house, wasn't it?"
Brent nodded. "Morning screams are hell on my nervous system."
"I'll have to go home later to get a change of clothes and check my messages. Other than that, I'm all yours."
He stared at her mouth. "Hmm. I like the sound of that."
Shadow traced his huge grin with the tip of her finger. "Do you really want me to be all yours, Brent?"
Brent kissed he
r, a kiss filled with tenderness, but Shadow felt his hunger and need, too. He hadn't given her an answer, but she felt certain he cared for her, if just a little. He was smart to be cautious, especially with the way women had apparently feigned their affections, their real interest based on his financial standing.
It was beyond Shadow how any woman could be with Brent and not see the whole man—the strength, the intelligence, the innate compassion for other people. Thoughts of his money never entered her mind, except when he was trying to spend it on her, forcing her to object. But she understood his caution; Joan's visit had proved the necessity of that. That woman had plainly said she didn't mind sharing him with other women, as long as she was richly compensated. Shadow couldn't comprehend such a sentiment. If Brent went to another woman now, she'd want to scream, to maim and then cry, probably in that order. And she didn't think it was something she would ever be able to forgive him, for it would be such a break in trust. Just the thought made her shiver.
She snuggled closer to Brent, then laughed. "Your lap isn't quite as comfortable now as it was a minute ago. What happened?"
Brent said into her ear, his words gruff, "There's this incredibly soft, sexy woman sitting on me who keeps squirming around. She caused my libido to jump-start, and now it's in overdrive." He gently bit her earlobe, then licked the tender spot beneath her ear.
Shadow squirmed again. Her only comment to his outrageous teasing was, "Overdrive, huh? Oh good."
* * *
Brent didn't know it was possible to have so much fun. Everything Shadow did, she did with pizzazz.
The electricity finally came back on that afternoon, and Shadow decided they should cook their own lunch. But she neglected to inform Brent she didn't know any more about cooking than he did, until it was too late. Making lasagna was a messy business. Shadow laughed her way through it, and even though the end result didn't look particularly appealing, it tasted perfect. Brent wasn't certain if that was due to the actual flavor of the dish or the fact that he shared it with Shadow.
She set up a picnic of sorts, using the same quilt they'd used the night before, spread before the fire-place, with lit candles all around and soft music in the background. She'd also insisted they eat naked. She said it greatly enhanced the flavor of the food. Later, she confessed hoping the sight of her nudity would distract Brent from what he ate, so he wouldn't actually notice what a poor job she'd done of it.
Later that day, after they had seen to having her car towed from the ditch, Shadow called in to Sex Appeal. Kallie had put a Help Wanted sign in the window, as per Shadow's instructions. Already there'd been several applications taken. It was while they were in his tub, enjoying a leisurely bath together, that Brent found out about her strange list of requirements for all applicants.
Shadow sat between his thighs, her back to his chest. Brent alternately rubbed his chin against the softness of her hair, breathed her scent and found various excuses to touch and stroke her. At the moment, he was washing her knee. "Why does the new assistant have to read a book in front of you?"
"Not just any book," Shadow clarified, "but a specific book that I've always found hilariously funny. If she reads it while I'm watching, and doesn't so much as crack a smile, or worse, if she actually frowns, I'll know she's not right for the job."
Brent ran a soapy hand over Shadow's shoulder. "What exactly is in this book?"
She leaned her head against his wet chest and looked at him upside down. "Slightly crude cartoons. Like the one with a couple lying under the covers in their bed, a multitude of, ah, sex toys scattered around them. The woman is looking at the poor guy, who has just emptied the entire box trying to spark her fancy, and she complains, 'I'm bored.'"
Brent smiled.
"There's also one where two businesswomen are talking over tea. One says, 'The only interesting man I've met lately was an obscene phone caller, and he refused to give me his name no matter how I begged."'
Idly cupping her breasts in his palms, Brent asked, "So if this unwary reader fails to laugh the appropriate number of times, you won't hire her?"
"That's right. But there are other deciding factors. Does she look pleasant or stern? And how she reacts to me. I can't have someone working for me who thinks I'm a certifiable nut. Not if she thinks being a nut is a bad thing."
Brent laughed, hugging Shadow to his chest. "You're priceless, honey, you know that? I've had so much fun today. Real fun. I think it's a first for me. Thank you."
"You're very welcome." She twisted in his arms, seeking a kiss. When the water cooled, Brent reluctantly moved her aside, then stood, quickly wrapping a towel around his waist.
Shadow, too, stepped out of the large tub, concerned by his withdrawal.
"Brent…?"
After slicking his wet hair off his forehead, he faced her. With his hands on his hips, not seeing any other way of broaching this, he said, "Stay here with me until this is all over."
She caught her breath. "Until this is over?"
"Until whoever is making those calls is either caught or goes away."
She shook her head. "I can't do that."
Though he'd half expected her refusal, it still annoyed him. "Why not? It's not like we haven't been intimate. And in this day and age, no one thinks anything of two people living together."
"I agreed to spend one night here, Brent. Not to move in. Remember, I told you I come from an old-fashioned family. They'd be shocked if they found out I was living with a man."
"I want you safe, Shadow."
"I know," she replied gently. "And I appreciate your concern. But my house is safe, too. Judging by the cost of that dumb alarm system, it had better be secure." Her attempt at humor went flat.
"You think I'm only 'concerned' about you?" Brent gripped her bare shoulders, shaking her slightly. "I care about you, Shadow. Very much. It's a hell of a lot more than concern!"
She eyed him curiously, but said only, "What is it then, exactly?"
He released her with a muffled curse, turning away. Just as quickly he turned back. "Would you marry me if I asked?"
Her eyes rounded and her mouth opened twice before she managed to say, "If? You want to know before you actually ask?"
"Just answer the damn question," he growled.
She studied him in silence. "Why would you be asking?"
"What the hell do you mean, why?"
She tightened the towel around her waist, looking vulnerable. "You never said you love me. A proposal based on some noble sacrifice definitely wouldn't be acceptable."
Brent ground his teeth. "I'm not noble."
She nodded slowly. "Yes you are."
"I'm asking," he said succinctly, with flagging patience, "because I want you to marry me."
"But why?" She hugged herself tighter. "You're worried about me and you think marrying me is a way to keep me safe?"
There were a number of women who would have jumped at a proposal from him, and not one of them would have given him the third degree. They'd have said yes with alacrity and been thrilled. But not Shadow. No, she had to torture him a bit more by asking him questions he didn't have answers to.
Brent paced the floor, his hands fisted. Finally he turned to her again. "You could be pregnant," he reminded her.
She wasn't swayed. "So? I can take care of a baby. I may not have your wealth, but I can manage just fine. That would be a lousy reason to get married."
"You said you were old-fashioned," he accused with heat. "Children are a damn conventional reason to marry!"
"That's your only reason for asking? Suddenly, because I might be pregnant, you want to marry me?"
Brent floundered. Finally he took both her hands in his and led her to the bed. After she sat on the edge he started to speak again.
His eyes dropped to her exposed breasts, still damp from the bath. "I could do this a lot easier if you covered yourself properly."
She put one hand over each breast. "Now talk."
His groan turned
into a laugh. "That doesn't help, honey. Your hands are too small to do an adequate job." He reached to the top of his large mahogany bed and jerked the pillow from beneath the spread. "Here. Hide yourself from me."
She covered herself, then gave him an expectant look.
"I care about you, Shadow. You know that." He waited until she nodded, then continued. "And after this morning, you could be pregnant."
He frowned pensively, adding, "I enjoy your company, which isn't something I can honestly say about any other woman I'm not related to, and even the relatives are few. Most of all, I don't like worrying about you. You can accuse me of being chauvinistic later, but I feel responsible for you and protective. So please," he asked quietly, "will you marry me?"
Sadness filled her eyes, making his heart almost stop. Then she smiled and leaned over to kiss him. Brent, wanting an answer, not a distraction, tried to pry her loose. But she fell against him and they both toppled to the floor. He landed with a thump, then groaned, but only until Shadow held his face between her hands and started kissing him.
Brent chuckled and finally managed to pull himself free enough to talk. "Does this mean yes or no?"
Shadow shoved away her towel, then his. Her fingers spread across his chest, tangling in his body hair. She straddled his hips and said, "No."
He froze, frustrated, angry. But Shadow was naked, astride his hips, and he was hard, ready. She rubbed against him, her eyes closed, her head tipped back, and he thought he'd shout with the pleasure of it
"Shadow." He caught her hips and held her tighter to him.
"Where do you keep protection?"
She looked around the room until he said hoarsely, "In the nightstand." They'd talk later, he decided. He'd convince her then. Right now, he could barely breathe.
She curled her slender fingers around the base of his straining erection, stroked her thumb over the sensitive head, then did a tantalizing job of rolling on the condom. She held him steady and slowly lowered herself to slide down his length. He stiffened, his hips rising to meet her. She whispered breathlessly, all the while moving, "I'll never again marry a man who doesn't love me. For any reason."