by A. C. Arthur
“Something or someone?” Bree insisted. Sam frowned.
“You never said which sister called you,” Bailey said. “They’re all intriguing. I researched them last night. There’s Monica, the ice queen with an off-the-charts IQ. Then there’s Deena, the free spirit with an artistic streak of her own. But I’m putting my money on Karena. The middle daughter with excellent taste in art.”
Bailey was too damned thorough. The FBI would be lucky to have her on its side.
“All right, yes, it was Karena who called me. And she called me because we met a few months back at the opening of Linc’s new casino. Actually, we met about a month before that. But anyway, she’s not the problem.” And he was telling the truth in that regard. Karena was not a problem because he knew exactly how he was going to deal with her.
“If she’s not the problem then something connected to her and this case is.”
“I don’t like the vibes I got from the family meeting yesterday, that’s all. It’s probably nothing. I mean, I know how family can be.”
“Oh, yeah, that reminds me, Dad wants us all at the restaurant on Sunday for brunch. He has an announcement to make.”
Sam nodded just as his cell phone rang.
“Desdune.”
“Hi. It’s Karena.”
She sounded breathless. Stressed. Worried. He was instantly on alert. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I mean…” she sighed. “I just wanted to see if you’d made any progress.”
“No. I’m going over some things with Bree and Bailey now.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, call me back as soon as you hear something.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? If there’s something…” Sam stopped, noting the curious gazes of Bree and Bailey as he spoke. He cleared his throat and rephrased his words, because he was definitely getting ready to say if there was something wrong he’d be in Manhattan within the hour. Instead he said, “If there’s something you need to tell me about the case, we can schedule a meeting. I’m free this afternoon.”
“No. No. That’s okay. I don’t want to see… I mean, I don’t need to…” Again she sighed then took a deep breath. “It’s fine. Just give me a call with any updates.”
Too late, he thought, he was definitely heading into the city today, just as soon as he could manage it. Something was going on with her. She sounded upset, almost unsure of herself, and he wanted to know why. Had her father been in her office and upset her? Her sister? He felt his protective instincts going into overdrive.
“Sure. I’ll call you as soon as I hear something.” He disconnected the call because he wasn’t alone and free to push her further. And he definitely didn’t want to give Bree and Bailey any more tidbits of conversation to speculate over.
“So you want to tell us the truth about what’s going on between you and Karena Lakefield now, or do we have to use our superior private-investigator skills to find out on our own?” Bree asked as Bailey gave him a knowing smile.
Sam frowned then shooed them both out of his office. “I’m not paying you to investigate me or my personal life. So get back to work.”
Chapter 11
He’d spent the duration of the day worried about her. Sure it was probably foolish. She was a grown woman, she’d made it this long in life without his interference, so if there was something going on with her, she most likely didn’t need him now.
But all the rationalizing in the world couldn’t keep Sam from climbing into his car and heading back to the city.
There was just something in her voice that bothered him, and he knew he wasn’t going to be satisfied with her answer that she was fine until he’d seen it for himself.
Astrid only smiled as he walked through the doors of the Lakefield Gallery once more. He didn’t have to ask if Karena was in, he simply walked in the direction of her office.
Lifting a hand, he knocked lightly and waited for her answer.
Seeing her again was like a sucker punch to the gut. She wore a smoky-gray color today. She was sitting behind her desk, so he couldn’t see if this outfit was as short as the one she’d worn yesterday. But he knew instinctively it would be just as sexy.
There wasn’t a hair out of place and her makeup—although he wasn’t usually an expert in this area—added a sensual allure to her. The color of her eyes matched her dress, and the color smudging her lips was much darker than her light complexion but complementary just the same.
Sam realized he could stand there for hours just looking at her, absorbing all the physical traits he was beginning to adore about her. But as she looked up at him, as his gaze locked on hers, the physical attraction abruptly paused.
The worried, stressed vibes he’d gotten over the phone were magnified a million times. He saw it in her eyes and resting on her shoulders like an invisible weight.
“Hey,” he said, trying for casual when he really wanted nothing more than to skirt around that desk and grab her up into his arms.
Something told him she wouldn’t take too kindly to that.
“Have you heard something?” she asked immediately, dropping the magnifying glass she’d been using to look at some pictures on her desk.
Sam closed the door behind him and compromised from simply scooping her up by moving around her desk and perching himself on the edge. Looking down at her he said, “Have you been worrying over this case all night? Or did something else keep you up?”
Karena sighed, sat back in her chair and frowned. “Don’t flatter yourself, Desdune. Last night was good, but I’m no stranger to orgasms.”
He chuckled, happy that her quick wit hadn’t diminished under the heavy lines of worry marring her forehead.
“I didn’t think you were, since you’re so well prepared,” he said, remembering the way her body had shivered the moment he touched the vibrator to her skin.
It was a dress, he saw the moment he tore his gaze from her face. And it was short. The lower half of her thighs and her knees were visible from where he was sitting, and his body heated instantly.
“A woman has to take care of herself,” she quipped.
“Sometimes,” he conceded. “But then a man can make the experience so much more rewarding.” He reached out then, because he couldn’t resist another second, and traced the line of her jaw.
“As long as the end result is the same, I’m inclined to take what I can get.”
Her voice was thicker, her eyes just a little cloudy as he touched her. Sam was pleased.
Karena Lakefield was no pushover, nor was she a simpering female who played the game of seduction like a skilled actress. She said and did exactly what she wanted, when she wanted. Problem was, she wanted so desperately to believe that she didn’t want it with him. He was going to have a great time proving her wrong.
“Tell me what’s really on your mind, Karena. I know it’s not what happened between us last night. Is it just the painting? Or is there something else bothering you?”
She opened her mouth to answer, and he put a finger close to her lips to quiet her. “And don’t even bother lying. You already know I can see right through that.”
He did, she reluctantly admitted to herself. It was uncanny the way he could seemingly see right through her. So the effort of lying or dodging his question was more than fruitless.
“I’ve got a lot of things on my mind today,” she answered.
He nodded. “For instance?”
“What are you, my confidant now?”
“For now, I’ll take the title of friend.” He was back to touching her face again. “But I plan to change that soon.”
“You are so damned arrogant.”
He smiled. “You like it.”
And because he was right, again, she had no other choice but to muster up a smile in return. “If you say so. Look, there are some family things bothering me and then this painting.”
“I see,” he said, nodding. “Is it your father?”
“No, thank goodness, he hasn’t paid me a
visit today. But my mother did and that rattled me. Then I got an e-mail from Monica about an upcoming exhibit. There’s just a lot going on.”
“What did your mother say that rattled you?”
She moved away slightly, just enough so that he was no longer touching her. “Nothing. It’s no big deal. I’m probably just overreacting again.”
Were those her words or someone else’s?
“Overreacting about what?”
“Look, I appreciate your trying to lend an ear, but I’m fine.”
“What you are is too intelligent to believe I’d let you get away with that half-assed answer. But,” he said when she looked as if she was ready to argue with him, “since you’re clearly not in the mood to talk about what’s bothering you, I have a better idea.”
Her lips quirked a bit at the ends, making her look surly and suspicious, which for some reason still warmed his blood.
“Let me take you away from all this.”
Her forehead creased again. “What? Take me away from what?”
“From whatever is bothering you. Look, you don’t have to tell me what it is right now. I’ll wait until you’re ready. But it’s obvious that something is on your mind, and while it is you’re not going to get any work done anyway. So, it’s Friday, it’s four o’clock, we can get out of here, go someplace where you don’t have to worry about your mother’s words that rattled you. Or your sister’s e-mails demanding more of your time. Or this painting situation that I already told you I would handle. You could simply relax.”
She chuckled. “No, that’s out of the question. I have too much to do.”
“And that’s why your forehead is beginning to look like a road map from frowning and stressing.”
Her hand immediately went to her forehead. “What is it with people staring at my forehead today?”
Sam only lifted a brow. “Stress isn’t healthy, Karena. Sometimes you just need a break. I’m offering you that, just for the weekend. Come away with me and let me help you unwind.”
He must have truly lost his mind if he thought being alone with him was going to relax her. Karena’s mind whirled trying to wrap itself around his offer and the true reasons behind it.
“Will this getaway end with us in bed together?”
“Karena,” he said, moving closer to her once more, using his finger to tip her chin up so that she was staring at him eye to eye, “whether we stay here in this office, go back to your apartment or stand at the top of the Empire State Building, we’re going to end up sleeping together. That’s an irrefutable fact, not a deal breaker.”
Sam Desdune was cocky. He was arrogant, pushy, over-bearing and…sexy as hell as he stepped off the elevator with her and walked down the hallway to her apartment.
Because Karena wasn’t one to beat a dead horse, convincing her to go away with him this weekend had taken no longer than half an hour. The two subsequent e-mails she received from Monica while he was in her office sort of clenched the deal, too, but that was more like the icing on the cake.
The minute he offered to take her away from all her worries, Karena’s heart had soared. Never before had anyone cared that much about what she was going through to offer a solution. Her family just assumed she always had it together, that she didn’t need anyone’s help, ever. That was most likely due to her fierce independent streak. Still, it seemed that if Sam could see she was nearing the end of her rope, why couldn’t the people who were closest to her? She didn’t want to entertain the thought that perhaps they did see but chose to ignore it instead of offering her help.
Once inside her apartment, she paused and had a second’s hesitation. Did she really know Sam well enough to run off with him? Sure she’d met him months ago, and she knew that if the Donovans and Noelle trusted him so implicitly he had to be a good guy. The fact that he could probably kiss her into an orgasm only added more brownie points. But shouldn’t she at least tell her family where she was going, who she would be with, just in case?
Before she could decide, she felt his strong arm wrapping around her waist. How did he do that? How did one touch instantly calm her and wrap her in such a web of security that she simply melted into it?
“You’re overthinking this. It’s really simple. Pack a bag, come out to my place with me for the weekend where all you’ll have to do is eat, sleep and occasionally allow me to touch you. It’s not rocket science nor is it your next big business deal.”
Both his arms had snaked around her now, her head lulled back to rest against his chest and he’d leaned over so that the warmth of his breath brushed against her ear as he spoke.
Finally she nodded and peeled herself away from him. “I’ll just be a few minutes,” she told him, moving toward her bedroom.
“Take your time.”
She didn’t plan on taking that little piece of advice, because as he’d just said she was already thinking this situation to death. In a few more minutes she’d be liable to change her mind.
So the moment she hit her bedroom she picked up her phone and dialed.
“Time is money, money is time. Speak to me.”
Karena frowned at the familiar voice who answered. “I really wish you’d stop answering your phone like that, Deena,” she said with exasperation. She’d tucked the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she opened her closest door and pulled her overnight bag from the corner.
“Hey, K, what’s up?”
Clearly Deena had no intention of discussing her phone-answering skills with Karena. “What if your agent was the one on the phone and you answered that unprofessionally?”
“One, I don’t have an agent yet. And two, have you ever heard of caller ID?”
Karena rolled her eyes and moved to her dresser. “Whatever. A simple hello would do nicely.”
“Great, when I call you I expect you to answer your phone that way.”
Sighing, Karena figured it was best to give it up. “Look, I’m heading out for the weekend, just wanted to touch base with someone in case you need me.”
“Another business trip? Didn’t you just get home? You really need to get a life outside of that gallery, K. I mean, damn, there’s more to this world besides temperamental artists and paintings of who really knows what.”
“Stop the lecture, I’m not going away on business.” Undecided on sleepwear, Karena tossed in two nightshirts and one silky negligee.
“What?” Deena exaggerated the word so that she sounded more like a teenager on one of those Disney Channel shows than the twenty-seven-year-old woman she was. “You’re going on a personal trip?”
“Yes, I am. And before you ask, yes, it’s with a man. His name is Sam Desdune. He owns D&D Investigations and lives in Connecticut. That’s where we’ll be staying. His family owns those restaurants, Lucien’s. You know, the one you like in Harlem.”
“Oh, yeah, great king cake. Hey, you think you can get the recipe from him? I mean, since you’re sleeping with him and all?”
Karena stopped instantly. “I did not say I’m sleeping with him.”
“Well, you’re spending the weekend with him, that means sex.”
“It does not. I just need a break. A change of scenery will be helpful.”
“And so will sex, especially if it’s good. So take your break, indulge in that change of scenery and get your freak on! Text me to let me know you got there safely and call me with all the details when you get home. Love ya! Smooches!”
And just like that, Deena disconnected the call.
All Karena could do was smile. What she wouldn’t give to be that cheerful and carefree for just one day.
Chapter 12
The smooth lyrics of Babyface echoed throughout the car’s interior as Karena drove behind Sam’s metallic Lexus GS Hybrid. Taking her own car was the smart thing to do, not part of her quest for independence, she’d convinced herself.
Sam had only shrugged when she insisted, giving her that look that was becoming all too familiar to her. So many things abou
t this man were becoming familiar. She’d known him for a little over three months, she’d kissed him and he’d kissed her, right to an orgasm. Were they dating?
Turning off the interstate into what she could only surmise was a small-town setting, her fingers grew lax on the steering wheel, her mind opening to the thought of Sam Desdune without all her usual questions and obstacles.
She could date a man like Sam. Dinners with him would always be filled with lively conversation. Nights in bed with him would certainly be long and satisfying. He was a great listener, if she’d ever open up and really talk to him. The fact that he wanted her to was what scared her.
Who was she kidding? Everything about him scared her because it was all too good. He was too good. Giving herself to him completely would be too easy. Losing herself would be inevitable.
He made a left turn down what looked to be a dirt road. She followed, her breath catching as she noticed the tall trees flanking the roadway. Like a burst of color, orange-and-yellow and muted green leaves decorated the scene. Gone were the honking horns and rushing citizens on the sidewalk, all to be replaced by grassy hills and the sun setting amongst a crimson pillow of clouds.
On impulse she rolled her window down, inhaling the fresh air that did not smell of exhaust or hot dogs and all their gooey toppings like the city she drove through every day. She sighed, letting the change lull her as her car continued to follow Sam’s.
Parking in the driveway behind him, she couldn’t wait to step out of the car. Words didn’t come quickly, which was new for her. She was a salesperson, so talking was part of her trade. She viewed great pieces of art, examined them, sold them, on a daily basis, so this picturesque house and its adorable backdrop should not have held her speechless.
Yet it did.
A split-level ranch was her first impression of his house, but then it wasn’t really that simple. The house itself was flanked by more trees, including a huge weeping willow that almost covered what she assumed was the front door. Gorgeous bursts of color came from fall mums in shades of gold, bright yellow and gorgeous plum. The walkway leading to the house was a rock path that continued onto the steps and the small front porch.