Fate, however, was not on her side. One of her other cases hit a snag and she’d had to cancel her date with Ian.
The next day, it was Ian’s turn to cancel, but he didn’t do it in person. Jeffrey, of all people, called to inform her that Ian would not be available. Sage was livid. Was Ian reverting to his old ways now that they were back in Manhattan?
She didn’t have much time to mull it over. After she’d caught up on her other cases, she called Patrick, her private detective that she had retained for the Johnson case, to find out what Lucas had been up to while they were gone. He revealed that Lucas had frequently been meeting a woman in secret. Lucas was going out of his way not to be seen with her by meeting away from Manhattan and in the wee hours of the morning. What was he hiding?
“Do you know who she is?”
“I’m working on it,” he answered.
“Stay on it,” Sage replied. “Perhaps this woman is the missing piece of the puzzle.”
It was hard for Sage to concentrate on work when her emotions were swirling like a tornado around her. A visit to her physician to find out the cause of her recent asthma attacks had found her in perfect health. In fact, he’d determined psychological stress was most likely the trigger. She was definitely stressed now. Outside of the odd phone call, Sage hadn’t heard from Ian, the client she’d made love to endlessly in California and who’d now carelessly discarded her.
The only bright spot in her horizon was the fact that Quentin and Avery’s wedding in late July at The Plaza was fast approaching. She didn’t feel like celebrating when her own life was in shambles, but as a bridesmaid she felt obligated to attend the bridal shower at Avery’s parents’ home that weekend.
Avery arrived looking as gorgeous and classy as ever in a white sheath with pearls. Her mother, Veronica, was every bit the New York socialite in a Dior suit and hat. Sage put on a smile and oohed and ahhed at Avery’s gifts. When the appetizers were served, Sage passed. She hadn’t had an appetite in days; that was what love did to you. It made her sick. Lovesick.
When it came time for her gift, some crystal flutes, Avery sparkled. “Thank you so much, Sage.” Avery rose to give her a peck on the cheek. “These are beautiful.”
“You’re welcome,” Sage replied.
After all the gifts were opened, Sage excused herself and left the house for some much-needed fresh air. She was looking down the road when she felt someone’s presence behind her.
“How are you doing?” Peyton rubbed Sage’s back.
“Not good.” Sage frowned. “It’s hard to see Avery so happy and not want the same for myself.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Sage had been a lifesaver when her relationship with Malik hit a rough patch. Heck, it was because of Sage’s meddling that Peyton had broken through the wall around Malik’s heart.
“No, I just have to bear it,” Sage replied. “Stiff upper lip, you know. I did it when my engagement ended years ago. I focused on becoming a great labor attorney and defeating my opponents in court. Except this time, it feels much different.”
“Because you think he’s the one.”
Sage didn’t just think it, she knew it. Ian Lawrence was the man for her.
Ian sighed as he stared out over Central Park from his patio Monday evening. His penthouse renovation was finally complete and he’d left the Four Seasons. Because of Lisa, he’d remodeled his penthouse to be more contemporary. He hadn’t minded the masculine brown and cherrywood tones, but Lisa had said it was too depressing and had refused to stay for any length of time. So he’d relented. Despite his wealth, he hadn’t been able to control an unforeseen lumber shortage or a delay in the manufacturing of the Italian marble for his foyer. He’d been homeless for two months longer than he’d anticipated as the construction continued, but now that it was done, he was home sweet home.
Unfortunately, after his and Sage’s return, a big wrinkle in the deal he’d been cultivating for months in Los Angeles had nearly fallen through as the owner rallied to save his company. He’d had to leave New York unexpectedly for nearly two weeks. He’d salvaged the deal and now had a new online magazine to add to L.E.’s portfolio. However, he was sure Sage was furious with him for being MIA so soon after their getaway, which would explain why she hadn’t returned any of his calls.
Admittedly, he’d been busy in meetings, but when he’d had a moment he had finally called. She was just being stubborn—not that it should surprise him. From the moment he’d met Sage, she’d been a challenge; she wasn’t a woman to wait for greener pastures. She was a go-getter. It was one of the many qualities he admired in her, among other things.
It still didn’t mean he wasn’t bothered by the fact that they hadn’t shared a bed in weeks. His body ached with need. In his meetings his mind would wander to the sleek curves of her body, her silky skin or the little moans she made when she was on the verge of coming. Ian missed Sage even though he would never admit that to Jeffrey. Jeffrey was already ragging on him and telling him he was in love. Him in love? No way!
He wasn’t some lovesick puppy. It wasn’t in his makeup. He was a virile man in his late thirties. He had an itch that only Sage could scratch, plain and simple. The more he thought about it, the more he decided that he would not let Sage run the show. She may have done that in her other relationship incarnations, but Ian was determined to be in charge, to be in control, which was why he was about to show up at her doorstep completely unannounced.
“I brought food and drink.” Dante held up a tinfoil container and a bottle of white wine that paired well with the variety of tapas he’d prepared.
“Thank you, Dante,” Sage said as he came inside her condo. “But you needn’t have.”
“It’s no bother,” he said as he headed toward her kitchen in the rear with Sage behind him. “When you missed Sunday dinner, I volunteered to come and check in on you.” Dante glanced at the frumpy sweats Sage wore and her usually styled hair was now all over her head. “How’ve you been, kiddo?” he asked, unpacking the food.
“I’m fine,” Sage replied. She avoided looking Dante in the eye by finding the wine cork and focusing on opening the bottle. He’d know she was lying.
“As you wish.” When she finally turned to hand him a glass of wine, Dante stopped what he was doing and grabbed her by the shoulders. Sage tried to look down, but Dante wouldn’t let her. “Look at me. This has to do with Lawrence, doesn’t it?”
Sage couldn’t hide it from him and nodded. She hadn’t seen Ian in weeks. Sure, he’d finally called her himself a few days ago, but how was she supposed to feel? After a glorious week in Malibu, he’d abruptly left for two weeks, leaving Sage to question her decision to become intimate with him.
Dante shook his head. “I thought a little fun might be good for you because you hardly ever date, but obviously I should have never encouraged you. You’re in love with the bastard.”
Sage’s eyes teared up. “For the first time in a long time I feel a connection with someone. I thought I’d never feel this way again after James. The only problem is, I’m in love with someone who can’t love me back.”
“I could kill that bastard—” Dante got up from his chair and paced the room “—for being so cavalier with your feelings.”
Sage stood up and grabbed his arm. “It’s my own fault for falling into his trap, Dante. I knew I was setting myself up for heartbreak, but who could resist the wining and dining, the private jet and the beachfront house in Malibu? Add all of that romance and Ian to the equation, who let’s not forget is incredibly good-looking, and you’ve got one hard-to-resist man.” She laughed tersely.
“Even though he hurt you, you’re taking the blame?”
“He didn’t do it on purpose. I knew the score, what he was capable of, but of course we always want what we can’t have.”
“That still doesn’t mean I don’t want to permanently rearrange his face.”
Sage smiled now because that was a Quentin-like thing to say. She sho
uldn’t be surprised that Dante was all fired up to protect her honor. With Quentin planning his wedding, they’d gotten close in recent months. Dante was a great sounding board.
“Let’s just eat.” Sage pulled Dante toward the table. “I know now that a leopard can’t change his spots.” Ian had tired of her as he had of all the women he’d dated. Sage would just have to accept that and move on. It hurt, but she didn’t have much choice.
They were enjoying their meal and wine when her doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” She wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Considering the hour—” Dante glanced at his watch and it was after nine “—perhaps I should get it.” He rose from the table and walked to the door. Dante peeped through the hole and saw Ian. “May I help you?” he asked when he opened the door.
“Dante.” Ian extended hand.
Instead of shaking it, Dante glared at him.
“Dante, who is it?” Sage asked, coming down the hallway. She was shocked to see Ian standing uncomfortably at the doorway and her hand immediately went to smooth down her hair. She looked atrocious in sweats. Why was Ian here anyway? He’d certainly taken his time coming back to New York and contacting her.
“I hope you don’t mind my stopping over.” Ian stepped past Dante into the hallway.
Sage busied herself in the mirror by licking down the sides of her hair with her thumb, while Ian walked inside and glanced around her condo. She watched him finger several photographs on her mantels and eye some artwork on her walls.
Reluctantly, Dante closed the door behind Ian. He didn’t like for one minute that Lawrence was there staking his claim.
“Actually, I do mind. So what do you want, Ian?” Sage asked, following him into the living room.
“Well, I…” All of a sudden, Ian felt tongue-tied and that had never happened before. He was used to speaking in front of people, so why was it so hard to tell Sage that he’d missed her? Maybe it was because her friend was staring daggers at him? It was clear that Dante was not a fan of his.
“We were having dinner before you interrupted us,” Sage continued. “So if this is not important, I would like to get back to my meal. Can we meet at the office?” Although she had missed him, she wasn’t about to roll over and play nice either.
Ian stared back dumbfounded. Was she really ushering him out? “I just got back from L.A.” He found his words. “I thought we could spend some time together.” Wrapped up in each other’s arms, he thought.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Sage returned. Did he think she was supposed to fall all over him because he’d finally decided to make room for her in his busy life? Well, he had another thing coming. She might love him, but she still had her self-respect. “I have other plans for the evening.” Sage walked over to Dante and linked her arm through his.
“I see,” Ian replied. “Well, I wouldn’t want to disturb your plans.” Furious with being dismissed, he stormed out of the living room. Seconds later, her front door slammed.
“My, my, my.” Dante laughed. “That was some power play. I’m impressed. I’m glad to see the old Sage hasn’t completely left us.” He tickled her in the middle.
“No, I’m still here.” Sage smiled. “And kicking.” Ian Lawrence would think twice the next time he assumed she’d dropped everything for him.
Ian was livid when he jumped back into the Bentley. He couldn’t believe Sage had asked him to leave instead of Dante.
“Drive,” he barked at the chauffeur. Sage had made it clear she did not want to see him this evening. And usually he was happy about having his freedom, a night to be carefree, so why did it feel as if he’d just been gut punched?
Chapter 12
“You will not believe the dirt I have on Lucas Johnson,” Patrick said on the other end of the line the following afternoon.
“What do you have?” Sage asked. Patrick’s company had been tailing Lucas for weeks now and she hoped he had something good.
“The mystery woman is Gia Smith, some hot-shot executive.”
Sage remembered her because they’d met the first night she’d gone out with Ian at Jean Georges.
“And we learned that Gia Smith was Myles Lawrence’s lover.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, apparently they were lovers until his death.”
“Wow!” Ian had never mentioned a word of this to her, but then again, he was very closemouthed when speaking of his father. It was funny that on one hand they could be so intimate with each other in bed, knowing the other person’s likes and dislikes, but yet on the other, they still didn’t know each other.
“We spied Gia Smith with Lucas Johnson on several occasions, and just this morning, she was seen leaving Johnson’s place well after two. And I have the pictures to prove it.”
“Well, this is very interesting news, indeed,” Sage replied. Why would Lucas Johnson be cavorting with Ian’s dead father’s ex-lover? Obviously Lucas and Gia had something cooking in the oven. “This is good work, Patrick. Thank you. I’ll take it from here.”
Odds were the couple planned this thing from the start to get back at Ian. For what, she didn’t know, but where did Bruce Hoffman and a racial discrimination lawsuit fit in the picture?
She was reviewing her notes when her assistant poked her head inside her office and informed her that Ian wanted to speak with her. Sage assumed it was over the phone, but then the door opened and Ian walked briskly inside and her heart started beating rapidly.
Last night had given her pause to consider her feelings for Ian; she was evaluating whether to continue seeing him. She’d needed time and distance to think with a clear head, but it was clear she wasn’t going to get that.
“Mr. Lawrence, it’s great to see you. Please have a seat.” She motioned to the chair opposite her desk. “Thank you,” she said to her assistant as she exited the room and closed the door behind her.
“I don’t want to sit down,” Ian replied, coming toward Sage. “I just want this.” He pulled her out of her chair, drew her toward him and planted his lips firmly on hers in a demanding kiss that robbed Sage of all thought. Crushing her to him, he pressed his mouth to hers. When her lips parted to protest, his tongue darted inside her mouth and probed the recesses of her mouth. When he finally lifted his head, she was speechless. “That’s what I would have done last night but wasn’t given the opportunity to since you had company.”
“So what, you came here to take it?” she asked, pushing him and stepping away to fix her suit even though blood was pounding in her brain and her heart was racing a mile a minute from his masterful kiss. “I don’t like being manhandled.”
“Where is all this hostility coming from?” Ian asked. This was not the response he’d expected. “If this is about my not being available for a couple weeks, it was out of my hands.”
“I am not that needy,” Sage responded tartly. “You, on the other hand, are spoiled, Ian. You get what you want, when you want it. The world does not revolve around you. I have other interests and people who happen to mean a lot to me. I won’t drop them just because you’ve decided you finally have time for me. And in case you’ve forgotten, this is a place of business. Anyone could have walked in on us just now.”
Ian wasn’t used to people giving it back to him. Jeffrey, maybe, but certainly not his woman; he respected Sage for voicing her opinion. “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t think that you might have company last night. All I knew was that I missed you and I wanted you in my bed. Guess that was pretty selfish.”
Sage smiled. Ian admitted he was wrong? That he’d missed her? He’d made some progress in getting in touch with his feelings. “I accept your apology. And actually, I’m glad you stopped by because we really need to discuss your case.”
“What about it?”
“Who is Gia Smith to you, Ian? And what does she know about you and Lucas?” When Ian turned away and faced the window, Sage began to worry. “What happened between you two, Ian?”
> “Nothing of any importance.”
“Like hell.” Sage grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her. “Why don’t you tell me the real reason Lucas has a beef with you and how Gia Smith plays a part in all this?”
Resigned, Ian walked to the sofa and sat down. He’d hoped not to have to dredge up the past. A past that reminded him of his father, an unforgiving, cold man, who he constantly tried to impress to no avail, but apparently some things wouldn’t stay buried.
“Gia used to date my father.” When Sage didn’t seem surprised, he asked, “You know about that?”
“Yes, I had her investigated. Go on.” She didn’t want him to get off track.
“My father liked beautiful things, as do I.” He winked at her, but Sage didn’t react. “And Gia was as young and beautiful as she was smart and ambitious. She didn’t care that my father was twice her age. Gia saw dollar signs. My father was always a means to an end for her.”
“So you tolerated her?”
“I did, but when he passed away, she seemed truly distraught, so I tried to be her friend. We became close.”
“Lovers?” Sage held her breath. As his lawyer, she needed to know the answer, but as the woman he was sleeping with, she’d prefer ignorance. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know Ian to be a ladies’ man, hadn’t seen the pictures and articles in the paper, but it was another matter altogether hearing it firsthand.
“No!” Ian was surprised Sage would even think it. “I would never sleep with a woman who’d been intimate with my father, but it wasn’t for her lack of trying.”
If You So Desire Page 12