Surviving With Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  “I’ll try to be careful. Thanks, Ben.” Wow, so much to learn and remember. Stacey felt like a little fish who suddenly found herself in a strange new pond. When the elevator doors slid open, Ben led her to the only door and pointed to the electronic box where she needed to swipe her key card.

  A low buzzing sounded and Ben turned the antique gold handle before placing her case inside the doorway. “Will there be anything else, Miss Parker?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Stacey stepped hesitantly into the apartment. “Thank you for your help.”

  “If you need assistance, pick up the phone and press the red button. Someone will answer.”

  “I’ll remember, thank you.” She watched Ben return to the elevator and use his own card before she closed the apartment door. The low buzzing stopped. So, this is a security building. She had read about them, of course, but never seen one. How do people live under guard like this?

  Turning slowly, Stacey curiously took in her surroundings. A large living room obviously decorated by a professional opened out from the small foyer. At first glance, everything seemed to be black, white, or glass. There were glass-topped tables, black leather furnishings, a curved black marble bar, white and black marble statuettes, and glossily waxed, hardwood floors spotted with black and white rugs. Modern paintings on two walls provided the only color. One painting consisted of intersecting lines of different colors on a white background. It hung where the end of the bar and the wall met. The other painting looked as if a painter gone mad had splashed colored paints onto a black canvas.

  Stacey grimaced and wandered into the large open space. One entire wall across the room was covered from floor to ceiling with black vertical blinds. She took several more steps into the room and saw a long black lacquered dining table with ten chairs to her right. She touched a marble statue on one of the tables as she drifted past. Cold was her first impression.

  A large china cabinet, a hutch, and some sort of service piece took up wall space in the dining area. At the back of the open area, a white swinging door would lead to the kitchen, she decided.

  To her left another door opened to what appeared to be a study or office. Farther on she spotted a hallway that must lead to the bedrooms. Stacey went back to pick up her large suitcase and carry-on before exploring in that direction. Everything looked new and unused and felt cold and uninviting. Almost as if no one lives here and it’s kept this way to be used for magazine layouts or impressive parties. Maybe Cord spends more time in Dallas. That’s where he called from when she asked him for help.

  At the end of the hallway, large wooden double doors opened to a huge master bedroom suite. Stacey dropped her cases in the hall. She definitely needed to check this out. There were a few signs to show Cord spent time in here, she found. A pair of well-worn running shoes sat on the floor beside the bed. Keys, change, and a baseball cap lay scattered on top of the large chest of drawers. Half-open folding doors revealed a walk-in closet containing his clothes. Mostly black. She couldn’t help smiling.

  Huge triple windows gave a view of trees in one corner of what she took to be Central Park as she peeked out. The entire room was done in wines and grays. Her feet sank into super plush carpeting. Stacey only allowed herself a quick peek into the master bath. Lots of marble and a similar color scheme filled a room almost as large as another bedroom. A few toiletries attested to Cord’s use of this part of the apartment. A narrow louvered door concealed bathroom supplies, linens, and a tilt out hamper.

  Quickly leaving the bath and his bedroom, Stacey decided she wasn’t ready to move into his space. There were two closed doors in the hallway and she opened the one nearest his room. Another bedroom on a smaller scale contained a double bed and a hunter green and gray color scheme. The same light gray carpeting covered the floor and folding doors opened to reveal an empty closet. Pulling out a few drawers in the chest and dresser, she made sure they were empty before choosing this as her room. Stacey tossed her things on the bed then decided to see the rest before unpacking.

  She wandered back through the living room then into the dining area. Stacey pushed the swinging door and went to peek at the kitchen. Every imaginable small appliance was displayed on the spacious butcher-block countertops. A large commercial type stainless steel refrigerator-freezer, double ovens, a center island with range and grill, a hanging rack with copper-clad pots and pans, huge dishwasher, and double stainless sinks were all spotless and gleaming. The floor was of shiny black tile with non-skid mats at the sinks and the center cooking area.

  What does Cord do with all of this? Oh, Lord, I’m never going to fit in here. Stacey walked on, almost afraid of what she might see next. A door off the short hallway from the kitchen revealed a fairly plain, but decent, bedroom. Probably a maid’s room, she guessed. The next door opened into a small tidy bathroom and the last one revealed a small sitting room-bedroom combination. She began to feel even more out of her element.

  Hearing a strange beeping sound, Stacey walked quickly into the kitchen looking for the source. A light was blinking on the wall-mounted phone near the swinging door. She hesitantly picked up the receiver.

  “Hello.”

  “Miss Parker, this is the security desk. Mr. McConnell’s houseman has arrived. Should I send him up?”

  “Yes, please. That will be fine.” She put the phone back. Houseman? What other surprises does Cord have for me?

  CHAPTER 17

  The low buzz preceded the opening of the front door. A slim, gray-haired man juggling several grocery bags entered.

  “Here, let me help you,” Stacey offered and stepped forward to reach for a bag.

  “Thank you, Miss, but I manage,” the man said quickly and kept the bags out of reach.

  He had an accent she didn’t recognize and very tanned coloring. He wore a white shirt, black pants and vest, and a black tie. “Please, I really would like to help. To be honest, I’m sort of—well—I’m used to staying busy and I don’t know what to do with myself,” she admitted shyly.

  He relented and she took two grocery bags before following him into the kitchen.

  “You are Miss Parker?” the man asked.

  “Yes. I’m from Idaho. My family owns a lodge there.” She removed items from the bags and set them on the counter for the man to put away.

  “I am Stanley. I take care of cooking and cleaning for Mr. McConnell.” He moved efficiently, putting the groceries in cabinets or into the refrigerator.

  Stacey smiled, “It’s nice to meet you, Stanley. Are you a native New Yorker?”

  “No, Miss. I am from Turkey. I am a citizen of the United States for ten years.”

  “Have you worked for Cord very long?”

  “Three years. He comes, he goes, and I am still here. Pay is good, work is easy,” Stanley smiled. His accent became thicker when he forgot to be so formal.

  “Does he stay here much? The apartment looks almost unused.”

  “Sometimes,” Stanley told her with a shrug. “He will stay some weeks and then he goes for many months. Longest stay, he was recovering from injuries. Stanley had to be cook, maid, and nurse that time.” He smiled again.

  Stacey liked Stanley. Maybe it wasn’t fair to pick him for information, but he didn’t seem to mind her questions. “I’m sure you take very good care of him. Has he had this apartment long?”

  “Two years, I think. He said it make good investment for retirement. Redecorating did not turn out as planned. I like more comfortable, also. Mr. McConnell said not to worry. Will change it soon or sell. The kitchen is nice, I don’t worry.” Stacey laughed and agreed. “I must cook now, Miss Parker. You wish to see bedroom?”

  “I’ve already found my room, thank you, Stanley. Do you have something I can do? I don’t want to sit in there all by myself.”

  “Fine. You peel vegetables.” Stanley opened a drawer and handed her an apron. Then he piled carrots, potatoes, and onions in front of her. Opening another drawer he found a paring knife and a ve
getable peeler. He brought a stool from the corner and said, “Sit.”

  She peeled vegetables and watched the slim man as he prepared a chicken for the oven. They talked about her family and his growing up in Turkey. Stanley removed her apron, made her a cup of sweet Turkish coffee, and then whipped up some fresh cream to top the dessert.

  Suddenly the swinging door into the kitchen opened.

  “I should have known you would be in here bothering Stanley, Parker.”

  “Cord!” Stacey flew into his arms. She strained upward to kiss him.

  The touch and warmth of this woman eased an unidentified yearning deep within him. Forgetting all about Stanley’s presence, Cord deepened the kiss and drew her close. As she responded, he stroked her tongue with his then lifted her against him. Regretfully, he raised his head to let her slide back down his body until her feet touched the floor.

  She snuggled close and refused to let go, instead wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “I believe she’s glad to see me,” he spoke over her head to a smiling Stanley.

  “I believe so, Mr. McConnell. Welcome home. Your trip was successful? You are hungry?”

  “Yes to both, Stanley.”

  “Dinner will be ready in an hour,” the houseman said and turned back to his dessert preparations.

  “Come on, Stacey. I need to get cleaned up.” He held her to his side and urged her out of the kitchen.

  She gazed up at his rugged face taking in the shadows under his eyes and the lines at the sides of his mouth. “You look tired. Was it a rough job?” They went through the living area and down the hall.

  “The heat and sand always make it rough. I feel like the dirt is ground into my skin. But the ambassador and his son are safely on our soil.”

  She suddenly stopped when they reached the door of his bedroom.

  He let go of her and continued into the room. “Come on in, Parker. You can talk to me while I shower. I’ll be a gentleman. I just missed you,” Cord admitted sheepishly.

  When she continued to hover silently in the doorway, he pretended indifference and turned away. “This really won’t go any farther than you want it to,” he finally promised gently as he took clean clothes from the dresser.

  Stacey slowly went in and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed. She watched while he unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off to reveal a black tee shirt. He sat down on the end of the bed to unlace his boots, before he kicked them off. Reaching behind him, he unclipped his holster and brought it around to the bedside table.

  Cord placed it in the drawer and gave her a quick kiss as he passed by on his way toward the bathroom. He left the door open.

  She listened as the water came on in the shower. Stacey couldn’t resist watching Cord, hoping for a glimpse of his broad back or sculpted chest.

  Opening the louvered door, Cord tilted out the hamper and tossed in his black shirt. He stripped off his tee shirt and socks and tossed them in too. Removing his belt, he threw it toward the closet doors and moved deeper into the bathroom. His pants suddenly hit the hamper and caused it to drop back into the small pantry.

  “You could join me,” Cord invited from the recesses of the large bathroom.

  “Not this time, thanks. Stanley will be hurt if we don’t eat his roast chicken.”

  “How did your parents take you coming here?” He called and she heard the door of the shower click closed.

  “They understand,” Stacey answered.

  “What? I can’t hear you,” he shouted over the sound of the water.

  Stacey got up and walked cautiously to the bathroom door. Steam rolled over the top of the shower door. Trying not to look, but unable to resist, she was disappointed when all she saw were the wide black horizontal stripes on frosted, foggy glass and some vague movement behind it. She repeated, “Mom and dad understand. Did you know Brooks and Thompson have been captured? Cathy, Morris, and the twins left on a trip to visit relatives and maybe go to see Mickey Mouse.”

  When Cord turned off the water, Stacey quickly retreated to the hall and turned her back to the bedroom. She felt sure the edge of the bed wouldn’t be safe now.

  “How was your flight? Did you have any problems getting here?”

  She heard the rustle of clothing. Stacey talked about her trip through the storm and how nice Wilkes and Ben treated her when she arrived. “When I first saw your living room, I thought I made a big mistake,” she laughed. Then she capped her hand over her mouth as she realized she shouldn’t have admitted that.

  “What’s wrong with my living room, Parker?” he asked then turned her around to face him.

  “I—well—uhm.” At his arched brow and questioning look, she finally told him. “Okay, nothing, if you like living in a magazine layout. It’s a bit—stark, don’t you think? When Stanley told me that you didn’t really like it either, I was relieved.”

  “Stanley told you that?” Cord seemed surprised. He looked comfortable and very sexy in a white v-neck pullover and khaki slacks.

  “Yes, sort of, while I was helping him.”

  “He let you help?” Now, Cord was downright astonished. Stanley didn’t even like for him to be in the kitchen.

  “Sure. I unpacked groceries and peeled the veggies for dinner. Speaking of dinner, should I change?”

  “Let me see.” Cord appraised her from the top of her strawberry curls tamed slightly by combs holding each side off her face to the tips of her black flats. His eyes lingered over the skin exposed by the three top buttons left open on her blue blouse. A multi-colored brocade vest hugged her trim abdomen and the black slacks made her legs seem longer. “No need to change. You’re beautiful just like you are, Stacey.”

  Cord took her hand and led her to the living area. “I’ve got to show you what attracted me to this place.”

  “Other than the investment?” She enquired as he shifted her around behind the sofa to face the closed vertical blinds.

  “Stanley again, right?” he guessed. “Stand here and close your eyes. Don’t open them until I tell you.”

  Stacey heard him moving around, but obediently kept her eyes closed to please him. The blinds made a swishing noise as he drew them open. She felt him come to stand behind her.

  “Okay, Parker, open your eyes.”

  In the now darkened room, she blinked several times. Once her eyes began to focus, the view of the New York skyscrapers lit up against the night sky made her gasp in delight. The glass wall disappeared in the dark and it looked as if she could walk right out into space. It was the complete opposite of Saddleback Mountain.

  “It’s—unbelievable,” she breathed. She went nearer the glass like an entranced child. Her eyes couldn’t take in the sights fast enough. “Cord, look.” Stacey pointed to a jet seemingly skimming over the top of a skyscraper. Leaning on the glass wall, she tried to see straight down. Car lights moving along the streets, neon shop signs, and amber street lamps showed her a city that was always busy. She wanted to see and absorb everything.

  Cord looked too, but not at the view. He couldn’t take his eyes from the part-woman, part-child in front of him. He ached with wanting her. But, he wanted her to be ready. He wouldn’t touch her unless she invited him. Still not sure what he could offer her, he wouldn’t mislead her or make promises he couldn’t keep to lure her into his bed.

  Stacey’s innocence was hard to remember until he saw her like this. So much seemed new and fresh to her. She possessed a zest for life like water to a man dying of thirst. Moving up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and began pointing out certain buildings and streets.

  “Excuse me. Dinner is ready. Would you like me to serve, now, sir?” Stanley asked from the edge of the darkened living room.

  “Yes, Stanley. We got distracted by the view.” Cord escorted Stacey to the dining area.

  As soon as they were seated, Stanley brought a bottle of wine to Cord for his approval. “This white wine should be perfect with the meal. Shall I open it or would y
ou prefer something else?”

  “Open it, Stanley. I’m definitely ready to relax and we have to celebrate Stacey’s arrival.” Cord reached for her hand and she put hers in his with no hesitation.

  Stanley expertly opened and served the chilled wine. He brought their soup then disappeared into the kitchen.

  As they ate, Cord told her about the job he’d just completed. The houseman moved in and out, quietly removing dishes, refilling their glasses, and serving the courses. Glossing over the most dangerous parts of the rescue, Cord focused on the timing and planning of the job.

  Stacey asked intelligent questions and he gave her truthful answers including more details than he intended. It was unusual for him to be able to unwind like this after a mission.

  “Do you wish coffee with dessert?” Stanley asked as he picked up the plates from the last course.

  “We’d like it in the living room. Would you set the coffeemaker for six in the morning and we won’t expect you until nine,” Cord informed the houseman.

  “Yes, sir. Shall I leave the dishes, Mr. McConnell, or finish cleaning?”

  “You can take care of them in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, sir, and goodnight to you, Miss Parker. It is a pleasure to meet such a nice lady.” Stanley bowed slightly from the waist and hurried back to the kitchen.

  “You really made an impression on him.” Cord pulled out her chair and motioned her to the living room. She walked directly to the wall of glass as he expected. He grabbed the seat cushions from the black leather sofa and tossed them onto the floor almost against the floor-to-ceiling panes of glass.

  “What are you up to?” Stacey laughed when he made a long row of the cushions.

  “If you’re going to be over here we might as well be comfortable.” He stretched out on his side on the cushions and propped up on one elbow to look out. He held his other hand up to her.

  “I can’t believe this,” she whispered as she took his hand and let him pull her down to sit in front of him. She leaned back against him and stared out at the skyline. Used to a vista of mountains and trees shadowed against the night sky, the lights and buildings seemed surreal. The wine relaxed her and the food had been excellent. Combined with the view and the man she loved, she felt amazingly content.