Truly Madly Deeply Boxed Set

by Carly Phillips

  “Carly, wait.”

  She turned. “Please don’t say anything.”

  “But...”

  “Not a single word.” She placed one finger over his lips, then jerked back as if she’d touched a live wire. With a single touch or a heated glance, the man caused her nerve endings to tingle and her entire body to vibrate in a way that was both new and familiar at the same time.

  She clenched her fists to keep from trembling. “I’m going back to the table before anyone misses us.”

  He opened his mouth to speak.

  “Now, please.” She cut him off, the entreaty in her voice plain.

  Mike, powerless to deny this woman anything, turned and followed her back to the table. His body still burned from a simple dance.

  He held Carly’s chair before lowering himself into his seat beside her. He had to bite back a curse as his brother covered her hand with his.

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard in months.” Peter beamed with pleasure, more honest emotion than Mike had seen since his return.

  “What’s that?” Carly asked. She laid a hand on Peter’s arm. Mike tensed but said nothing.

  “Partnership decisions have been moved up,” Roger said. “We’ve seen a boost in almost every department and want to make up for the last few years. We’ll make final decisions in about a week and a half.”

  “That’s great news, Pete.” Mike knew his brother lived and breathed little else but work. This turn of events ought to make him ecstatic.

  “Carly?” Anne looked at her daughter. Obviously she expected some reaction from the soon-to-be wife of an attorney and almost partner.

  “Great,” Carly echoed.

  Sincere but flat. Anne didn’t appear to notice. Mike did.

  “Well, with that settled...” Anne smiled, then cleared her throat. “I mean almost settled. What’s going on with the wedding details? Are you all set?”

  Carly nodded. “Pretty much.” She leaned closer to Mike to allow the waiter room to maneuver.

  Caesar salad had always been Mike’s favorite, and when everyone had been served, he picked up his fork.

  “All that’s left is the final fitting on my dress.”

  Mike’s appetite disappeared. Watching as Carly moved one leaf around the plate, he surmised that she wasn’t any more hungry than he.

  “I’ll be glad to go with you,” Anne said, hope shining in her eyes. “After all, it isn’t every day your daughter gets married.”

  Whatever Mike’s first impressions of Anne Wexler, they were obviously as false as the shield she hid behind. It was obvious now that she loved her daughter but feared being rejected.

  “No thanks, Mom. I don’t need your help. I’ve got a million errands to run and last-minute appointments before the high school graduation.”

  “All of which have nothing to do with me. I want to be there. Just name the time.”

  Carly raised her eyes from her dish and glanced toward her mother. “I’ll probably just drop by the bridal shop during lunch on Friday.”

  “Friday’s the Bar Association luncheon honoring your father.” Disappointment radiated from Anne in waves.

  “I know, and I can handle this alone. After all, the dress is picked. It’s just a final fitting.”

  “But every bride needs someone there for them.” Anne paused. “Your bridesmaids?” she asked hopefully.

  “Are coming from out of town, you know that. And Juliette has a business lunch.”

  Anne turned toward her husband, her intention clear.

  “No! You belong with Dad. I can deal with this alone. I’m fine, Mom.”

  Mike couldn’t take it anymore. For either of them. “If you need a second opinion, I could help out.” He draped an arm over Carly’s chair and leaned back. “I might enjoy it,” he said with a grin.

  Peter looked up from his conversation with Roger. “Not a bad idea, Carly. At least you’d have someone there... you know, for moral support.”

  “I don’t need...”

  “Sure you do,” Pete insisted. “You’ve handled all this on your own, planned everything, picked everything.”

  She raised a napkin to those luscious lips. “Not quite everything,” she muttered, then lowered the napkin back to her lap.

  Mike shifted his wrist and tapped her on the shoulder. “I don’t mind.”

  “We can’t,” she said. “It’s bad luck or something.”

  He roared with laughter. “Why would you say that?”

  “It’s not like he’s the groom,” Pete said, joining Mike for a laugh.

  Suddenly Mike didn’t find the subject all that amusing. “If you want me, I’m available,” he said, suppressing the nudging guilt that threatened whenever he even thought about Carly.

  Mike loved his brother. For Peter, Mike felt a kinship born of childhood struggles. For Carly, Mike felt... something stronger than he could put into words. But regardless of Peter’s faults or reasons for this engagement, Mike’s interest in his brother’s fiancé was low.

  If he allowed Carly to come between them, he would lose the only family he had left. And so would Pete. For that reason alone, Mike was determined to keep a safe distance from Carly from here on in. With all the self-control that had gotten him the perfect picture numerous times, that shouldn’t be too difficult. But his conflicting desires just might tear him apart.

  “Carly?” Peter laid a hand on her bare arm. Mike clenched his teeth in response.

  “Okay,” she said, glancing at Mike. “I’d appreciate it.”

  “Mike?” Peter glanced at him, one eyebrow lifted, waiting for an answer.

  “Sure.” He’d help her. He’d help Pete. But at what cost? And to whom?

  FOUR

  Operating under the assumption that busy minds didn’t have time to think, Carly awoke early and spent the morning tackling belated spring cleaning and ignoring the persistent ring of the telephone. Unfortunately she couldn’t do the same thing with the doorbell.

  She wiped her dusty hands on her jeans and brushed her bangs out of her eyes with the back of her hand. Whoever stood by the buzzer had more determination than she did. “Who is it?” she called out.

  “Mike.”

  Her stomach flipped, but she grabbed for the doorknob before she could change her mind. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

  “And we would if you’d answer your telephone.” He grinned. “May I?” He gestured inside and, without waiting for an answer, slid past her into the apartment.

  “Pushy,” she muttered.

  “So I’ve been told,” he called over his shoulder.

  “You weren’t supposed to hear that.” Despite her late-night resolution to steer clear of Peter’s brother, she couldn’t deny she was glad to see him. She shut the door, turned and followed him inside.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked.

  He stood by the window overlooking the small park. Wearing ragged denim shorts and a black T- shirt, his impact was as potent as ever.

  “I thought we should talk.” He crossed his muscular forearms over his chest.

  Idly she wondered if he worked out and where. She’d love to watch him develop those biceps. She licked her suddenly dry lips. The Carly Wexler she knew never had such wayward thoughts about men.

  He pushed himself off the wall and took two steps toward her. The sexy swagger and casual air that were so much a part of him never ceased to amaze her. Neither did the fact that he was related to Peter. And that was the thought that sobered her.

  “Talk about what?” she asked warily.

  “What happened last night.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Nothing happened.”

  His eyes narrowed, pinning her in place. “Funny, but you didn’t strike me as a coward.”

  She ignored that comment. “We were on a crowded dance floor. Nothing happened.” If you don’t acknowledge it, it can’t hurt you. Her mother’s voice echoed inside her head. Tears she’d suppr
essed late in the night rushed forth, threatening to fall at the slightest provocation.

  “Why did I know you’d say that?”

  She swiped at her bangs, then tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Because it’s true.”

  He held up his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. “You win. For now,” he muttered. “It’s a beautiful day. Too nice to spend inside.” He glanced around, taking in the rags, cleaning solutions and Good Will boxes scattered around the room. “Definitely too nice to spend indoors cleaning.”

  “Got any better ideas?” Carly regretted the words the minute they left her mouth.

  A knowing smirk formed on his lips. “I do. Do you like amusement parks?”

  “Who doesn’t?” Peter. The traitorous thought formed and she pushed it aside. If he’d returned her call before going to the office, maybe he’d be here now instead of Mike. Then again, knowing Peter, maybe not. Work came first, after all.

  She forced a smile. “Disliking amusement parks and carnivals is un-American.”

  “So I don’t have to pour on the charm to convince you.” He grinned. “Well? What are you waiting for?” He prodded her gently on the back. “Go get changed, unless you don’t mind roasting in those heavy jeans.”

  “You’re serious.” How could she go anywhere with him and keep a clear conscience?

  “Of course. I rented a car. Playland is a short half-hour ride from here, or haven’t you heard?”

  The last good memory she had of her father was a Sunday when he’d taken her to Playland. “Have you been there before?” she asked, stalling for time.

  “Grew up near there.”

  “That’s right, I forgot.”

  “You’re stalling,” he said with dead-on accuracy. “Are you coming or not?” he asked.

  Playland. She reached back into pleasant childhood memories and felt the beginning of a relaxed smile take hold, her first in a long while. Mike reached his bronzed hand toward her. She hesitated, and silence stretched taut between them.

  Carly listened to the conflicting voices deep inside her before making a decision. Finally she placed her hand inside his. Just this once she’d follow her heart.

  * * *

  Carly looked down at her hand firmly enclosed in Mike’s strong grasp. Crazy Glue couldn’t bond more thoroughly than she and Mike had over the past few hours. Unable to resist the opportunity to spend time with him, she had broken her self-imposed promise to keep her distance. One time wouldn’t hurt, she’d rationalized. She now wondered how much rationalizing her father had done during his affair with his twenty-five-year-old secretary.

  She gazed around the park and listened to the shouts coming from the brazen riders of the Dragon Coaster, the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Spider. With the exception of the carousel, she had laid her head on Mike’s chest and screamed through each ride. She had loved every heart-stopping minute spent in his arms.

  Juggling her newly won stuffed animals, she gingerly tugged on Mike’s sleeve. When he turned, she gestured toward the cotton candy concession stand.

  “Two snow cones, one hot dog and a bag of popcorn weren’t enough for you?” he asked with a grin.

  She shrugged.

  He pulled his wallet from his pants pocket. “I’ll say one thing, you’re not a cheap date.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m a fun one.” She laughed. “And I’m not the one who wasted almost fifty dollars trying to win that oversized bear.”

  “No, but who was it who sighed and said ‘Oh, he’d look so cute sitting in my living room’?”

  “Guilty.” She grinned. “And it was kind of you to accommodate me.” She thought of the cuddly pink bear that now rested comfortably on the backseat of the rental car. “How’s the pitching arm?” She gave his muscled biceps a playful squeeze, drawing her hand back before she succumbed to temptation and explored further.

  He grunted and handed her the cloud of spun sugar.

  “I love cotton candy.” Taking a bite of the pink fluff, she closed her eyes and let the sugar dissolve in her mouth. “Heaven.”

  “Show me.”

  At the sound of his deep voice, her eyes popped open wide.

  “Just a little taste.” The laugh lines crinkled around his eyes. “Please.”

  Before she could change her mind, she stuck one finger into the ball of pink fluff. “Open.” She barely recognized her own voice.

  Mike complied. She raised her sugar-laden finger and placed it into his waiting mouth, watching intently as his lips closed around her finger. Warm, wet and welcoming. A rush of dizziness assaulted her, but that was like a small wave compared to the heady rush she received when he nibbled on her fingertip with his teeth. A tidal wave of sensations surged through her. Such a simple act threatened her very being.

  She wanted what she’d never realized she was capable of wanting. What she’d never allowed herself to desire. She wanted passion. Wanted to soothe the ache that pounded in every part of her body. She wanted Mike.

  And she couldn’t allow it.

  Slowly, she pulled back, wiping her now cool finger against her denim shorts. “Well,” she murmured. Flustered and embarrassed, she turned away.

  Mike cleared his throat. “You and Pete do this often?” he asked.

  “What?” His question had her pivoting back to face him in an instant.

  He smiled, the charming grin that came naturally but knocked the wind right out of her.

  “Carnivals. Do you and Pete do this sort of thing often?” he asked.

  “Oh.” She exhaled a sigh of relief. “No.” They talked, ate in fancy restaurants when he wasn’t working, attended work-related functions. His and hers, but mostly his. Not once did they let loose and have fun.

  Why had she allowed herself to believe that was enough for her? Because safety and security were more important to her than a good time. Had her feelings changed so drastically in such a short period of time, or was Mike just the catalyst, forcing her to face things she’d buried for too long?

  “I guess Peter doesn’t relax often enough to enjoy something like this,” Mike said.

  “No, he doesn’t.”

  “It’s a shame. He used to love this place when we were kids.”

  “Did your parents take you?” She immediately placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “That was thoughtless. I was comparing my own childhood to yours and spoke without thinking.” How could she have been so careless?

  He shrugged. “No problem. Pete and I were abandoned a long time ago. We made out okay.”

  His words startled her. He smiled, but she didn’t buy the act. Orphaned wasn’t the same as abandoned. She wondered if he recognized the distinction.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Pete never told you?”

  She shook her head. “Not in detail.” And she hadn’t pushed. So why force Mike to talk now?

  He exhaled a sigh. “My aunt and uncle weren’t the best parents. Very little love and even less laughter.” He spoke without rancor, but as he looked over the park, he clenched his jaw and donned a closed expression. The carefree man of earlier in the afternoon had disappeared.

  Obviously he hadn’t come to terms with his past as completely as he’d have her believe. That was something she could relate to. “So that’s why you two are so close, even when you’re not on the same continent,” she said.

  “Yeah. We didn’t choose the same paths, but we’re close.”

  “Looks like the Novack brothers made good.”

  He shrugged. “One brother never stays in one place and the other looks for the easy way. I’m not sure I’d call that making good.”

  “Law school isn’t taking the easy way,” she reminded him. Neither was traveling the globe to the world’s hot spots.

  “No, but in Pete’s mind, success in law school guaranteed money. Another thing in short supply growing up.”

  The sudden insight into her fiancé astounded her... not just because she had thought
she understood Peter and didn’t, but because her information came from Mike and not the man she was about to marry.

  Mike glanced at her, a serious expression clouding his handsome features. “Pete’s willing to sacrifice an awful lot to achieve his goals.”

  She pondered his words. “Life’s full of sacrifices.”

  “Do you want to be one of them?” He waved away his words with a jerk of his hand. “What I meant was, sacrifice is fine as long as you don’t give up what counts.”

  What counts for you, Mike? Though she wanted to know, she was more afraid of hearing his response.

  So the question remained unasked—and unanswered.

  “Hey. You up for one last ride before we go home?” He pointed toward the large Ferris wheel and all other thoughts fled.

  “You bet.” She turned and ran toward the ride. The fact that she was also running from her thoughts didn’t escape her notice.

  * * *

  Mike followed a short distance behind Carly, admiring the sexy sway of her hips as she sprinted ahead. Until today, when he’d seen her in those brief cutoff shorts, he hadn’t realized how long her legs actually were. Long enough for a good many things, he realized, halting his thoughts before he embarrassed himself in a public place.

  She stopped at the entrance to the ride and swung around. “Hey, are you coming or am I riding this thing alone?”

  He grinned and caught up with her. All afternoon her enthusiasm had been contagious, making him glad he’d stopped by Pete’s apartment to retrieve his camera. Though he’d been unwilling to look at the damn thing up until now, an afternoon in the sunshine with Carly provided a not-to-be missed opportunity. He’d enjoyed today more than any other in recent memory. And he knew... the shots he’d taken today would have to last him a lifetime.

  The day had been full of revelations, though. If he’d had an inkling before, he now realized how mismatched Carly and his brother actually were. Although he had no right to judge, no right to come between them, the idea of letting them end up together, making each other miserable, ate at his gut. So did the never-ending sense of guilt. Technically he’d done nothing wrong, yet he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he was betraying his brother.