Gunther stopped chewing.
“Really, Gunther. If her only crime was trying to have her own dream and tricking you into giving her the chance, it doesn’t seem quite so monumental, does it?”
“Not if you put it that way. But she lied to me. She didn’t love me. She was only using me for connections, telling me she loved me…”
“Did she ever say she loved you?”
“Not in so many words, but a guy knows.”
“So, she didn’t lie about that.” A look of triumph skittered across her face.
“She said she did after I got mad. Told her we were through.”
“Why would she lie to you then? You’re already furious and out the door. She had succeeded at the audition. Technically, she didn’t need you anymore.”
Gunther scratched his two-day growth of beard. “You got a point there.”
“Maybe she really does love you, but she also wanted her dream. Is that possible?”
“No!” He pushed to his feet, grabbed his new L.L. Bean jacket and went outside for a walk. He made a few snowballs and threw them at nearby trees. Why does Mom have to be so damn smart all the time? I hate it when she’s right. Gunther couldn’t keep up his anger for long. The cold got to him, and he returned inside. He mother was stirring chocolate on the stove. She poured him a cup.
“This is good, Ma.” He wrapped his icy fingers around the warm mug and took another sip.
“Here’s the schedule. Tomorrow, we go shopping. There’s a new mini-outlet mall. I have the gift list. Lunch out. Pizza for dinner. Wednesday, there’s a sing-along, or we can be on the list to receive carolers. The church is having a Secret Santa potluck Thursday. Christmas Eve, I’ve invited my friends here for a buffet. I’ve been cooking and freezing all week. Then, Christmas Day. After church, old movies, sports, whatever…your choice.”
“Sounds great, Ma.” He smiled at her. I could use a little tradition this year. He took the hot drink and went into the glassed-in porch. The room had a perfect view of the water. As he sat back, watching the waves, he thought about what his mother had said. Why did you do it, Erica? This would have been the best holiday in years. He missed her, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
The next morning, after assurance from his mother that the mall would be heated, he put on a regular weight jacket and got behind the wheel of his mother’s SUV. The shopping trip had been fun. Gunther was feeling generous. They bought gifts for her friends, especially the ones who were in need of new, warm clothes to replace worn garments that were beyond budgets.
Gunther made sure Clare had a practical gift for each. He enjoyed spending the day with her. She had a quick wit, a generous spirit, and a sharp mind. He couldn’t fool her, so he didn’t try.
They dined in a quaint little restaurant, filling up on piping hot, New England clam chowder and lobster rolls. Gunther chowed down on his favorite non-meat foods. “This chowder is okay, but not as good as yours,” he said, blowing on a spoonful.
“Maybe not as good, but a helluva lot less work,” Clare said, grinning.
They returned home at five o’clock, loaded down with packages. Four, five, Gunther had lost track of how many shopping bags they had. It looked like he’d bought gifts for half of York. But it made him happy to see his mother smiling as she shopped merrily for her friends, finding just the right gifts. She always loved holidays, birthdays, gift giving. He had to admit to himself that her enthusiasm was infectious.
Even though Gunther made three trips to ferry in all the bags from the car, plus the pizza, he didn’t see a small, half-frozen figure hiding in the shadows. Clare put up a pot of coffee and set out plates for the food when she was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. “Gunther! Could you please see who it is?”
“Sure, Ma,” he called, traipsing up the steps with the last of the gifts. He dropped them on the floor next to the granite counter in the kitchen then went to open the door. He thought he heard singing as he approached. He called to his mother. “Carolers, Ma!”
She joined him, frowning as she wiped her hands on a paper towel. “They’re supposed to be here tomorrow night. Not tonight.” With a knitted brow, she opened the door.
There on the stoop, wearing a thin coat and shivering from the cold, stood a young woman singing “Jingle Bells” off key. She stopped when Gunther and Clare stared at her.
“Erica? What are you doing here?” Gunther asked.
Chapter Ten
“Hi, Gunther. Merry Christmas.”
She looked so pathetic, his heart flipped. Now I know what plans she made for Christmas. None.
Clare took Erica’s hand and pulled her inside. “Come in, come in. You’re freezing. Gunther, please get her things.”
“You can’t stay here,” he whispered to the young woman.
“Of course she’s going to stay here. Where else would she stay?” Clare gave her son a sharp look.
“A hotel?”
“They’re all booked this time of year. We have plenty of room. Take her bags to the lavender guest room, Gunther.”
He frowned, but carried Erica’s luggage to the room directly across the hall from his.
“Wow, this is a great house. Will you give me a tour?” she asked, still shivering.
Gunther put down her bags. “Sure.” But he was angry. What’s she doing here? What more does she want from me?
He led the way. The house was big—four bedrooms, a big living room, and a cozy den with chintz loveseats facing a huge window looking out on the water. It had a fireplace and a television, too. The den was Gunther’s favorite place. He’d set up his office in there to handle any business problems that came along while he watched the seagulls fishing for their supper.
The tour ended at the kitchen. Clare was whipping up more hot chocolate. Erica rubbed her hands together. Gunther saw she had the beginnings of frostbite.
“You come to Maine in December without gloves?” he asked, then continued without waiting for her answer. “Come here.” Taking her hand, he brought her to the sink. He turned on the water and made sure it was lukewarm before pushing her hands under it. She hissed at the pain for only a few seconds.
Clare placed pizza slices on plates. “I’m sorry dinner isn’t more exciting. We’ve been out shopping all day. So, it’s pizza tonight.”
“Anything is fine with me. Thank you for taking me in.”
“Of course! Any friend of Gunther’s is always welcome here.”
“She’s not a friend,” Gunther said on his way to the table.
Erica turned off the tap. “I’d better go. I’m sorry. This wasn’t a good idea.”
“Ridiculous! You’re staying here, and Gunther’ll have to get over it.” Clare shot an angry look at her son. “Gunther, its Christmas. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
He looked down at his fingers. “Okay, Ma. She can stay.” How can I be around her? I don’t know if I want to kiss her or kill her. “One night.” Clare shot him another nasty look. “All right, two. But that’s it!”
“That’s more than fair. Unexpected company, I know,” Erica said.
“But you weren’t unexpected. Gunther didn’t tell me until he got here that you weren’t coming. I expected you up until yesterday.” Again, she glanced at her son.
He shifted his weight. She can make me feel like a naughty nine–year-old in five seconds.
“Thank you. But I understand how Gunther feels, and that’s okay. I was hoping to make amends, but if that’s not possible, then tomorrow I’ll change my plans and be out of here the day after. Thank you for your warm welcome, Clare.”
One look at Erica, and he could tell she was holding it in. No waterworks, please! They all sat down and ate. Erica embraced her hot chocolate, wrapping her barely-thawed fingers around the warm mug. He chuckled. Thought you’d just show up in Maine, eh? Colder than hell here.
“I hear you’re an actress, Erica,” Clare said.
“Sort of. Just doing my first movie now.”
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“One of Gunther’s, I understand.”
Erica whipped her head around to look at him.
Okay, so I told my mother about us.
“It is. A good one. A fine film. Great cast, too.”
“How’s the leading man doing? I hear he’s supposed to have several scenes with you,” Gunther asked.
Erica flushed. “He’s fine.”
“Love scenes, I believe?” He continued his probe.
“You should know, you’ve read the script.” Erica shot back, her brow furrowed.
“Ohh, she bites,” Gunther murmured, taking a bite of a slice. “You don’t have to worry about Erica, Ma, she can take care of herself. Very well, very well.”
The young woman’s blush deepened.
“Seems to me when someone comes to make amends, Gunther, you should let ’em.” Clare’s gaze switched from Erica to Gunther.
“What exactly are you doing here? You’ve got what you wanted from me, what’s left?”
“I think this should be discussed privately.” Erica kept her gaze on her food.
“I’ve nothing to hide. What more do you want from me?” He threw his hands up.
“Nothing to do with my career, if that’s what you’re getting at.” She wiped her lips with her napkin.
Don’t do that in front of me. “How perceptive of you! That’s exactly what I was getting at.”
“Gunther, I think the young lady would like some private time with you. Please stop teasing her. You’re making me uncomfortable. I’m not used to such rude behavior from you.”
Anger boiled up inside him. He was trapped. Erica had invaded his personal space, his mother’s house, and his mother was siding with her! He was outraged.
Before he could act on his feelings, he realized he was behaving like a two-year-old who’d lost a toy. “You’re right, Ma. Erica, we can talk after dinner.”
Normal color returned to the young woman’s face, and she grinned. Clare smiled back. Don’t get used to her, Ma. She’s not staying.
They finished the pizza then tucked into Clare’s homemade apple pie. Erica got very quiet while Clare chatted about her friends to Gunther. A sad cast to her doe eyes caught his attention. He tried to ignore it, and her, but was unable. She looked beautiful with her golden hair falling in a loose wave about her face and a sky-blue, fleece warm-up suit hugging her curves.
“Excuse me, Ma. Okay, what’s the matter, Erica? Something wrong with the pie?”
She shook her head. “Just reminds me of my mother’s.”
“Please ask her for her recipe. I’d love to compare.”
Gunther put his hand on his mother’s arm, but it was too late.
“My mom’s been gone a long time. This time of year, I miss her more than usual. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be gloom and doom.” Her eyes filled.
No waterworks, please!
Erica wiped her cheeks with her fingers and smiled at Clare.
“That’s too bad. I’m sorry.” The older woman patted Erica’s hand. “I’ve got some letters and cards to finish.” Clare pushed to her feet and refilled her mug. “See you in the morning.”
The big kitchen seemed to shrink when Clare left. Gunther sat finishing his second piece of pie with Erica sipping coffee at the kitchen table. They stared at each other.
“So what are you really doing here?” he asked, taking the last forkful.
“I came to see you. I miss you. I was looking forward to the holiday with you…” Her voice broke, and the tears started.
“No tears, Erica!” He handed her his handkerchief.
“I’m sorry. I know you hate this. Thanks,” she said, taking his offering. He sat silently watching her. Erica fidgeted with the cloth, twisting it. “This is very hard for me.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m going to say what I said before. Maybe now that some time has passed, you’ll believe me. I love you, Gunther.” She looked up at him. “I do. I didn’t realize how much this lie would hurt you. I thought you’d be mad, but understand how desperate I was. I took the job under false pretenses… I took advantage of you, and that was wrong.”
He didn’t move a muscle.
“I didn’t mean to fall in love with you. I didn’t want to, but I did.”
“You love me against your will?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, no. Not exactly. Falling in love wasn’t on the agenda. I wanted to learn all I could about the business, do a really great job, get promoted, and maybe, just maybe, get to meet a casting director. I never thought Whitmarsh Eddy would email…all the things that happened. It was a dream come true to me.”
“But when the opportunity presented itself…”
“I jumped at it. I did. So would you. I thought you’d be proud of how I found my way to get my dream.”
“By pretending to love me?”
“I wasn’t pretending. I guess I didn’t get your point-of-view. I had no idea that’s how you’d see it. I was wrong, Gunther, I admit it. I’d do anything to take back the pain I caused you. Please don’t shut me out. You’ve made…added…I’m miserable without you.” She picked at a cuticle and bit her lip.
“It’s been a long day. I’m tired. Let’s sleep on it, okay?”
Erica sighed and nodded, but didn’t smile. Gunther went into his room and stretched out on the bed. He stared at the ceiling. She loves me, she loves me not. What’s in it for her to come here? She’d know there’s a fifty-fifty chance I’d turn her away. Maybe even greater than that. It took a lot of balls to come here. Balls, or she really loves me.
He checked his watch. Jet lag and running around in the freezing temperatures had tired him out. He got undressed, washed up in the bathroom he’d be sharing with Erica, put on a T-shirt because it was cold, and hopped into bed.
The house was so quiet that a creak in the middle of the night was loud enough to wake him. He sat up and looked at the doorway. A small figure, draped in a full length nightgown, stood there. The hall light outlined her supple figure in silhouette through the flimsy garment. Gunther’s mouth watered.
“I can’t sleep. It’s a strange house. Can I sleep with you?”
“You’re kidding, right? Get in this bed with me?”
“Thanks. I didn’t think you’d offer.” She scooted across the room and slipped in next to him.
“Hey, I didn’t offer. That was a question.”
“Too late,” she said, snuggling up to capture his warmth. “It’s freezing in my room.”
“Turn on the electric mattress pad.”
“I’d rather turn you on,” she whispered, nuzzling his neck and running her hand down his chest.
Celibacy had never been a comfortable condition for Gunther. Here she was in a filmy negligée, pressed up against him. He was only human. He rolled onto his side. “Do you want me?” he asked, his voice husky.
“God, yes,” she whispered. “Do you want me?”
He wrapped her in his arms and gave her a hungry kiss. She responded immediately, lifting her leg and hooking it around his waist.
“You wearing anything under that?” he asked, while he planted small kisses on her neck.
“Nope.” She eased her head back to expose more of the sensitive column to him.
Gunther pulled her gown up and off. “That’s better.” She arched her back, raising her breasts toward him, and he didn’t hesitate. He lowered his mouth and sucked then licked her peak greedily, devouring her.
Erica returned his passion, her mouth kissing, her hands touching, caressing, and holding him. He craved her more than he had ever wanted any other woman. He couldn’t resist his own needs. She was in his bed and eager. So, he made love to her, releasing all the desire, anguish, and pain that had been building inside him. Tangled together, they fell asleep.
* * * *
Erica awoke first. Disoriented, she looked around and didn’t recognize the room. But she recognized the scent of her lover. Gunther was on his stomach, with his
arms hugging his pillow. He looks so cute and harmless. Hah! Anything but.
She pulled the covers to her chin against the early morning chill. She realized she had nothing to wear but her see-through nightgown, which had been tossed to the floor the night before. But it was early, six o’clock, and she wasn’t ready to get out of bed.
Snuggling closer, she put her hand on his lower back. He rolled over and slapped his arm over her middle without waking up. Erica closed her eyes. Warmth and peace surrounded her. I don’t know for how long. I will enjoy it while I can.
The next thing she knew, sun was streaming in the window, poking her in the eye. Gunther was leaning on one elbow, studying her as she slept. She blinked and smiled. A shiver ran through her at the cold, angry scowl on his face.
“Don’t think because I slept with you, we’re back together. We’re not.”
“Okay.” She cowered before his dark expression.
“Never turned down a freebie…”
“I get it. I was willing. No strings attached.”
He let out a breath and relaxed. “Good. Don’t want any misunderstandings.”
“We’ve had enough of those,” she murmured, pulling the sheet up to cover her chest.
He chuckled. “Hiding from me? A little late for that, isn’t it? Gee, something comes to mind, yeah, closing the barn door after the horse has escaped?”
Don’t get huffy. Don’t let him rile you. He’s looking for that. Don’t give him a reason to reject you again. She put on a smile she hoped was sweet. “Good analogy.”
He cocked an eyebrow, his gaze locked on her face. “You’re in a good mood this morning.”
“Why not? I had amazing sex last night.” She stretched, letting the covers fall to her waist. “I feel great.” Don’t fight with him, seduce him.
She tried to suppress a smile as she watched his gaze settle on her breasts. He licked his lips before looking at her face.
“If we were alone, we could have an encore performance,” she whispered, grinning.
Before he could answer, there was a sharp rap. They both jumped.
Lovers & Liars Page 14