Until We Touch

by Susan Mallery

  Dan said he would be in touch and hung up. Larissa sat alone in the quiet of the Modesto wilderness and knew there was only one way out of her predicament.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  JACK LOOKED OVER the weekly report that listed ad buys for various clients. Mostly he left this sort of thing to Taryn, but there were a couple of accounts that he monitored more closely. Mostly because the connection with Score was personal. Each of them had brought in clients who were also friends. It was part of how they did business—making sure the personal touch never went away.

  He made a few notes on the report, then wrote a couple of emails to update the clients in question. Just as he pushed Send, his cell rang.

  He glanced at the screen and saw Larissa’s picture. Taryn had mentioned something about Larissa not coming in today because of an animal rescue. He hadn’t stayed to hear any of the details. There was no reason. Whatever she was doing would manifest itself later, most likely in his living room.

  Now he took the call as a nibble of worry took up residence in his gut.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  On the other end of the phone there was a second of silence. “I want to say nothing,” Larissa said quietly.

  “But?”

  “My car died. I’m east of Modesto with a group that’s rescuing chiweenies. A lady was breeding them and the situation got out of control and now she’s going to surrender them. I was one of the volunteers who would walk the dogs on the trip back.”

  “They’re not being driven?”

  “Of course they’re being driven. But it’s several hours. They’re going to need a chance to go to the bathroom.” She sighed. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” she said softly. “I’m trying to do a good thing.”

  “You are doing a good thing. The weak link is your car. It’s what? Thirty years old?”

  “Fifteen and I guess it needs servicing.”

  “If you’d let me buy you a new car,” he began, only to realize that wasn’t the point. At least not now. Larissa needed him. “Is your location finder on your phone turned on?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Good. I’ll be there within the hour.”

  “Not even the way you drive. Jack, you don’t have to come get me. I just wanted you to call a tow truck.”

  “Not happening. I’ll be there in person.” He wrote down the route she’d taken that morning and told her to stay with her car. “Lock the doors.”

  “I’m perfectly safe,” she assured him.

  “Lock your doors.”

  “I promise.”

  He hung up and headed out the door.

  * * *

  “SHE SHOULD BE right around here,” the helicopter pilot said, pointing to the ground.

  Jack nodded. He glanced at his cell phone and saw the blinking red dot that was Larissa was nearly under them. He looked through the trees and saw her aging import pulled off the side of a two-lane road. The knot of worry that had been growing since he got her call finally eased. He was here. Whatever was wrong, he would fix it.

  The helicopter set down on a dirt road only a few yards away from her car. Jack pulled off his headset and climbed out as the dust swirled around the whirling blades.

  Larissa got out of her car and shook her head. He knew what she was thinking. He couldn’t take a car like a normal person? Sure, he could have, but then the trip would have been much longer. She needed to be rescued and he was the man to do it.

  They walked toward each other. She had on jeans and T-shirt under a hoodie. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wasn’t wearing any makeup. But when her gaze met his, he felt the pull all the way down to his soul. Whatever they were going through now, this was Larissa and she would always be a part of him. As much as she needed him, he needed her more.

  He held open his arms and she ran to him. When he drew her against him, he knew that he was done fighting the inevitable. How could he resist a woman who wanted to rescue chiweenies—whatever the hell they were? A woman who claimed to love him and wanted to use sex to get over him?

  Hunger burned inside of him. Hunger and need and desire, but they were all second to what he really ached for. He didn’t have an itch to be scratched. He had a bad feeling that if he gave in to what they both wanted, the trouble to follow would be cataclysmic. Yet there was an inevitability in the moment. He could run but he couldn’t hide. So maybe it was time to stop running.

  She buried her face in his chest and trembled slightly. When she finally raised her head, he saw tears in her eyes. “Everything I touch turns to crap,” she murmured.

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is. I just wanted to help walk some dogs.”

  “They’re still going to be rescued and if I know you, you’ll be arranging for a dozen or so to be fostered in Fool’s Gold.” Possibly half that number in his house, but so what? “You care, Larissa. That’s rare. Treasure your compassion. I do.”

  “I just feel stupid. I do this to myself. I’m so busy running from crisis to crisis, I don’t take care of the important things like getting my car serviced. What if I’d been the only one going to get those dogs?”

  “I would have brought a bigger helicopter.”

  He hoped she would smile, but she didn’t. She stepped back. “I’m serious, Jack. Look at me. I’m twenty-eight years old and you’re still rescuing me. How can I save the world if I can’t keep my car running?”

  “I don’t agree they’re related problems.”

  “They’re symbolic.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I’ll beat myself up later. Thank you for rescuing me. I really appreciate it. Now what happens? We can’t leave my car here.”

  He pointed and she turned. A woman was collecting a big tool box from inside the helicopter.

  “That’s Donna. She’s going to get your car running and then drive it back to Fool’s Gold.”

  “What if it can’t be fixed?”

  “She’ll call for a tow truck.” Jack put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s get your stuff and we’ll get out of here.”

  “We can’t just leave that woman alone with my car.”

  “She’ll be fine.” Jack wasn’t going to mention the outrageous sum he’d offered to get Donna to go with him. That would only make Larissa feel worse.

  Larissa got her purse and cell phone, then explained what had happened with her car. Donna grinned. “No problem. I’ll have her running like new.”

  Jack doubted that, but at least functional would be good. Larissa thanked the other woman, then followed Jack to the helicopter.

  “I’ve never been in one of these before.”

  He grinned. “Then it’s about time you were.”

  * * *

  LARISSA HAD FLOWN lots of times, so she was expecting the slow ramp-up to takeoff speed. The helicopter wasn’t like that. The sound of the engine got louder and louder as, she would guess, the blades whirled faster and faster. But there was no warning it was time. One second they were safely on land, the next they were airborne and climbing higher.

  She and Jack were sitting side by side in the bird’s rear seats. They both had on headsets so they could hear each other and the pilot. Before they’d taken off, Jack had made several phone calls. Larissa hoped none of them were to tell everyone at Score how stupid she’d been. But as soon as the thought formed, she pushed it away. Jack wouldn’t do that to her. The only one beating up on her was herself.

  She watched out the window as the ground disappeared below, then they were moving fast through the sky. She tried to calculate how far they were from Fool’s Gold. She’d had the trip to just north of Sacramento to join the group, then they’d all gone south maybe eighty or ninety miles. But the helicopter could fly straight. She would guess their trip would last about an hou
r.

  Forty minutes later she looked out the window to find they weren’t anywhere near Fool’s Gold. Out in front of them was the Pacific Ocean. And up ahead...

  “San Francisco?” she asked, speaking into the microphone.

  Jack nodded.

  She wanted to ask why but knew the pilot could hear everything they said. She waited until they were on the ground, which came only a few minutes later. They didn’t land at the international airport, but instead settled on a tarmac very near the center of the city.

  When they stepped out, she saw a limo was waiting for them. She turned to Jack. “I don’t get it. What are we doing here?”

  He stared at her. “I’m going to help you get over me.”

  She felt her mouth drop open and consciously closed it. “You’re here to sleep with me?”

  He raised one shoulder. “There’s more to it than that. We’re going to stay the night here. Whatever happens is up to you.”

  She had more questions, but realized she didn’t actually want to know. The city beckoned and the man next to her was irresistible and she was in love with him. A night away was exactly what she wanted. Why would she want to spoil the mood with a bunch of questions?

  Anticipation bubbled inside of her. Whatever the outcome, this was going to be a great day.

  She followed him to the limo. The driver stepped out and opened the rear door.

  “Fisherman’s Wharf,” Jack said before sliding in next to her.

  “I already talked to Percy,” he said. “He’s going to feed Dyna tonight and spend some time with her. Taryn knows you won’t be back until tomorrow.”

  “What did she say when you told her where we were going to be?”

  He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “She said I was going to get into more trouble than I could handle.”

  “Did you believe her?”

  “Sure. Taryn’s never wrong.”

  Larissa laughed.

  They drove into the city and the driver dropped them off at the wharf. She and Jack walked around for a couple of hours before getting lunch in a waterfront restaurant. After they’d eaten, he excused himself to make a few more calls. Larissa sat at the table, content to stare out the window and enjoy the warm sunny day in the beautiful city.

  Tomorrow she would return to her regularly scheduled life. Tomorrow she would have to face the consequences of what she’d done today. But that was okay—the price would be worth it. She loved Jack—of course she wanted to spend time with him.

  He returned to the table and paid the bill, then they walked out of the restaurant and he hailed a cab.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “To the hotel.”

  Already? Her toes curled in her athletic shoes.

  “The Ritz,” Jack told the driver.

  The Ritz? As in the Ritz-Carlton? “I’m not dressed for a fancy hotel,” she said, aware that while she’d brushed her teeth that morning, she hadn’t showered. And that her jeans were a little frayed at the hems and her T-shirt had seen better days. She’d been planning to rescue dogs, not go to the Ritz.

  “Don’t worry,” he said and took her hand in his.

  Good advice she couldn’t follow. Not only did she look as if she didn’t belong, they weren’t checking in with luggage. That couldn’t be good.

  “I’m going to need a toothbrush,” she told him. “And shampoo. And something to wear tonight.”

  “Not to worry. It’s all taken care of.”

  They pulled up in front of the magnificent hotel. An elegantly dressed middle-aged woman was waiting and smiled at Larissa. “Ms. Owens?” she asked.

  Larissa nodded.

  “I’m Francine. If you’ll come with me, please?”

  Larissa looked at Jack. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re going to have to go with her to find out.” He leaned in and lightly kissed her. “You’ll like it. I promise.”

  She wasn’t sure but decided to go along with whatever had been planned. She was in the Ritz-Carlton. It wasn’t as if anything bad could happen here.

  Francine led her through the luxury hotel to the spa. Once she was there, she was checked in for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering, according to the very perky attendant. There would be a facial followed by a manicure and pedicure. After that she would get her hair done.

  “It sounds wonderful,” Larissa said, grateful Jack hadn’t booked her for a massage. There were only a few people she trusted to do that.

  She spent the next couple of hours relaxing in a treatment chair while her face was steamed and wrapped and smothered in various concoctions. Later she had a wonderful manicure and pedicure. By the time she was led into the salon, she was feeling relaxed and pampered.

  José, a charming young man with a big smile, played with her hair for a few minutes before declaring the color “perfection” and the length “a disaster.”

  “How much do you want to cut off?” she asked warily.

  “Trust me,” he said.

  “That so isn’t going to happen.”

  “It’s hair. It will grow back.” He fingered the ends. “Maybe a few inches. It will still be long, but you’ll have layers and style.”

  She’d never been much for style, she thought humorously. Taryn had enough for all her friends. Still, it would be nice to be glamorous for once.

  “Okay, do what you think is best, but not short.”

  José nodded. “You’ll see.”

  He whipped up a mysterious brew and gave her a few highlights. When her hair was wet, he went to work with a razor. Strands went flying. When he was done with the cut, he used a big round brush to blow out her hair, then put in a few hot rollers. During the entire session, she wasn’t allowed to see herself in the mirror.

  After José, a woman came over and applied makeup. Larissa listened carefully as she gave advice. The last time she’d tried to conquer the smoky eye, Sam had asked if she’d gotten in an accident.

  When the makeup artist was done, José reappeared. He pulled out curlers, teased, finger-combed then applied enough hair spray to turn her into a plastic doll. At last he spun the chair so she was facing the mirror.

  She almost didn’t recognize herself. She was still a blue-eyed blonde, but instead of looking like the fresh-faced girl next door, she’d been transformed into a sexy, elegant stranger.

  Her hair tumbled in big soft curls that shifted every time she moved. José had given her long bangs that softened her features and made her eyes look huge. Or maybe it was the expertly applied makeup that made her eyes so large. She couldn’t decide. Either way, she loved it.

  “Wow,” she said. “Just wow.”

  José patted her shoulder. “You’re a swan now. A beautiful swan.”

  Francine was waiting when she left the spa. “Ms. Owens, did you enjoy your time with us?”

  “I did. It was magical.”

  The older woman smiled. “I’m glad. Now just one more stop.”

  They went into what looked like a conference room. Only instead of long tables and plenty of chairs, there was a rack of fancy dresses, boxes filled with shoes and a makeshift dressing room.

  “I’ll be right outside,” Francine said. “Come out when you’re done.”

  Larissa stared at all the clothes. They were in her size and from designers she’d only ever seen Taryn wear. She reached for one, then pulled back her hand. No way she could wear any of these.

  “Oh, good. You’re here.”

  A petite brunette walked into the room and smiled at her. “I’m Holly. I’ve brought cocktail attire, along with everything you’ll need to wear with it.” Holly was beautiful and wearing a simple red dress that looked custom-made for her. “Your guy said the trip was impulsive and you
didn’t even have a toothbrush.” Holly winked. “He sounds like my kind of man. So what do you like?”

  Larissa felt overwhelmed by too much input. “I’m not sure.”

  “Reach for one and let’s see what it is.”

  Larissa started to bite her lower lip and remembered the lipstick. So she settled on just feeling nervous. She reached for the rack of clothes and chose a simple black dress.

  It had a scooped neck, front and back, with a fuller skirt that looked to be about knee length. The fabric was interesting, with a texture, but not too thick.

  “Nice,” Holly said. “Oscar de la Renta. A silk cloque cocktail dress. You have good taste. Try it on. Oh, you’ll need these.”

  She held out several black bras along with matching pairs of low-cut panties, also in black. Larissa took everything with her and went into the dressing area.

  She found the right bra immediately. It added a little something to her modest assets. The dress slipped over her head and when she zipped it, the fit felt perfect. She stepped out and Holly grinned.

  “You go, girl. Now try these.”

  She held a pair of lace peep-toe pumps with a bow. The heel was only a couple of inches—a good thing considering she didn’t have Taryn’s ability to walk in anything higher.

  After slipping on the shoes, she walked to the mirror and stared at herself.

  The woman looking back was vaguely familiar. Same face shape, same eyes. But the hair, the clothes, the makeup were all different. While it wasn’t something she would do every day, she was starting to see the value in making a little effort.

  “You like?” Holly asked with a grin.

  “I do. It’s amazing.”

  “Good. I’ll have your clothes delivered to your room. Come on. Francine is waiting.”

  Larissa and Francine went to the elevator bank and rode up. Larissa pressed her hand to her stomach and tried to hold in nerves. Because with everything that had been happening, she hadn’t had time to think about what Jack had said. I’m going to help you get over me.

  Did that mean what she thought it meant? It had to. She had told him she wanted to have sex with him in her effort to get over being in love with him. At the time the words had probably made sense, but she was less sure now. He was everything she wanted. The possibility of not loving him seemed impossible.