Surprise Partners

by Gina Wilkins

  All in all, she thought, collapsing bonelessly against his still-heaving chest, it had been a spectacular show. And, as she had predicted, it was like nothing she had ever experienced before.

  Already she wondered when she would experience it again.

  Scott’s hand moved idly in her hair, stroking, caressing, soothing them both with the gentle motion. “You never cease to amaze me, Lydia McKinley,” he murmured.

  She smiled against his shoulder. “I could say the same about you.”

  He stroked his thumb along the line of her jaw, from her ear to her chin. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

  Frowning, she thought about it. “I’m not sure that’s a habit we want to get into.”

  “I only asked for tonight,” he reminded her, a faint touch of amusement in his voice.

  Had she taken too much for granted with her cautious response? A little embarrassed, she mimicked his light tone. “Yes, well, give a guy like you an inch…”

  He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “You may be right. But will you stay for at least tonight?”

  It probably wasn’t a bright idea. Definitely not a good precedent to set. But it felt so right to lie beside him, their limbs tangled, their hearts still beating in rhythm. Maybe—just for tonight—she would stay.

  She settled her cheek more comfortably into his shoulder. “I’m not sure I have the energy to climb the stairs anyway.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” He rolled to lean over her. “And since you’re here…”

  He moved a hand to her breasts, and Lydia arched involuntarily into his touch. Perhaps she had some energy left after all.

  Chapter Twelve

  The morning sun slipped slowly into Scott’s bedroom, creeping across the floor until the shadows of the night retreated to the far corners. Scott had been awake for a while, propped on one elbow while he watched Lydia sleep.

  He doubted that she would appreciate his observing her while she was so unguarded, so vulnerable. But he couldn’t help it. Looking at her gave him so much pleasure.

  She slept on her stomach, her arms beneath her pillow. Her face was turned toward him, her cheek softly flushed, her lips slightly parted. Her silky brown hair was tousled appealingly around her face, one strand lying enticingly close to the corner of her mouth. He was tempted to brush it back, but he didn’t want to risk waking her. Not yet.

  It was too nice just to lie there, savoring the sight of Lydia McKinley in his bed.

  He didn’t want to ruin the moment with too much analysis. But he knew that his feelings for Lydia were unexpectedly complex, different from what he’d felt for the women he’d been involved with before. It wasn’t the somewhat detached, rather cynical affection he’d felt for Paula, nor the starry-eyed, almost painful infatuation with Tammy. This was unique. Just as Lydia was.

  He didn’t know exactly how to label it or how long it would last. He only knew that one night with her wouldn’t be enough.

  Lydia’s eyelashes fluttered, then slowly lifted. He watched as consciousness returned to her in increments until she was fully aware of where she was and who was lying beside her. And then he smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” Her voice was husky from sleep.

  He liked hearing it that way. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Surprisingly enough, yes.”

  “Why are you surprised?”

  “I don’t usually sleep well in a strange bed,” she admitted.

  He tried to keep the smugness out of his voice. “I suppose you were exhausted.”

  Her tone was dry when she answered. “I suppose I was.”

  He finally reached out to brush back the lock of hair that had been tempting him. Once his fingers touched her, he didn’t want to pull his hand away. “Do you have plans for today? Will you spend the afternoon with me?”

  “I’d like that,” she said, catching his hand in hers. And then she frowned. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I have a study group meeting this afternoon.”

  “Tonight, then. We could have dinner, maybe—”

  “No. Tonight I’m speaking at a meeting for micro-biologists. It’s the end of a weekend retreat. I was actually supposed to be there yesterday, but I begged off.”

  Because of him, he thought. He shouldn’t complain that she had no time today when she’d already given so much. Lydia was a very busy woman—he’d known that all along. And that was exactly what he’d wanted, right? Someone too busy with her own life to interfere with his.

  “What time does your study group meet?”

  “Two o’clock.”

  He shifted to lean over her. “That gives us some time, then.”

  Sliding her arms around his neck, she looked up at him with mock innocence. “Time for what?”

  His mouth hovering an inch over hers, he smiled. “For whatever turns us on.”

  She laughed and reached up to take his head between her hands. “You turn me on, Scott Pearson,” she murmured as she pulled his mouth to hers.

  He was very glad to hear that. He would hate to be in this condition alone.

  More than a week later, during the first week of May, Lydia found herself wondering if a woman could be technically having an affair if she never actually saw the man with whom she was supposedly involved.

  She had hardly spoken with Scott since the night they’d spent together. Extremely busy with the demands of their respective careers, they hardly had a chance to breathe during those days, much less spend time with each other. It seemed that every time Lydia had an evening free, Scott was busy, and vice versa. Even the weekends, during which they had found time to be together before, were suddenly filled with obligations. It was as if forces were at work to deliberately keep them apart, Lydia thought wearily.

  She wondered if she should take that as a sign.

  “We weren’t kidding ourselves when we said we didn’t have time for anyone in our lives, were we?” Scott asked over the phone after another evening ruined by a last-minute crisis at his office.

  Sitting in her apartment surrounded by things she needed to do, Lydia swallowed a sigh. “No. Obviously we weren’t.”

  “I want to see you, Lydia.”

  “You will,” she assured him. “As soon as we’re both free.”

  “How does Thursday evening look for you?”

  “I’m leaving town early Thursday morning. I won’t be back until Saturday afternoon.”

  “Where to this time?” he asked in resignation.

  “Michigan. I’m interviewing at the university Friday.”

  “Michigan?” His tone suddenly sounded strained. “That’s, um, a long way.”

  “Yes.”

  “Quite a change of climate for a Texas gal. Think you can handle those winters?”

  “I’m sure I could. But there’s no guarantee I’ll get the job. I’m not even sure I’m one of the front-runners for this one.”

  “Well…good luck.” The words were spoken sincerely, if not with a great deal of enthusiasm.

  “Thank you.”

  “Give me a call when you get back, will you? You can tell me all about it.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Lydia hung up with the hollow feeling that she had disappointed Scott. She rubbed her fingertips over her forehead, reminding herself that she had known better all along than to let herself get involved this way.

  She was packing for her trip when Larissa called. “Don’t forget it might get chilly up there. Pack some warm clothes.”

  Lydia smiled wryly, folding a sweater as she held the phone on her shoulder. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound like the bossy older sister.”

  “Face it, Larissa, you don’t really know how to sound any other way when you talk to me.”

  “Okay, you’re right. So I’ll just go ahead and say it. Be careful, Lyddie.”

  “I will. Thanks for caring.”

&
nbsp; “How does Scott feel about your leaving for this interview?”

  “We haven’t had much chance to talk about it. He did wish me luck, though.”

  “Really? He doesn’t mind that you might get the job and move so far away?”

  “I’ve told you, Larissa, Scott and I don’t have that kind of relationship. He won’t interfere.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s good.”

  Lydia set her sweater in the suitcase and reached for a pair of slacks. “Now what’s wrong? First you criticized Scott because you were afraid he would get in my way, and now you sound disapproving that he isn’t interfering.”

  Larissa laughed ruefully. “I know. I just worry about you, Lydia. For so long, you and I believed we didn’t need anything in our lives but each other and our careers. But now I have Charlie in my life and I’ve seen how much more there can be. I love my work, you know that. Just as I know how much you love yours. But when the workday ends, it’s awfully nice to have someone to talk to. To laugh with. Your work can’t give you that.”

  “So now you’re trying to push me into Scott’s arms?” Lydia asked in exasperation, ignoring the slightly empty feeling Larissa’s words left inside her. “The lawyer?”

  “Never mind.” Larissa sighed. “I know I’m not making any sense. I’ve had a rough day—nothing I’ve attempted has come out right. And…well, to be honest, the thought of you moving all the way to Michigan makes me sad.”

  “Larissa, I haven’t even been offered a position. I’m only going for an interview.”

  “I know. And I hope you get the job if it’s right for you and it’s what you want. They would be very fortunate to have you on their team. I’m proud of you, Lyddie, and everything you’ve accomplished on your own during the past few years.”

  Touched, Lydia swallowed before answering. “Thank you. I’m very proud of you, too.”

  “I know.” Larissa sounded as if she was choking back tears. And then she gave a shaky laugh. “Lord, I must be hormonal. This is turning into a real femfest. Have a good trip, Lyddie. Call me when you get back.”

  “I will. Love you, sis.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Lydia was in a melancholy mood as she finished her packing. Neither Scott nor Larissa had made her feel great about this trip even though both had wished her luck.

  She had worked too hard for this to let her sister’s uncharacteristic clinginess and Scott’s unexpected wistfulness hold her back, she reminded herself. After all, both Larissa and Scott had their own lives and could get along perfectly well without her. She had to take care of herself.

  “But when the workday ends, it’s awfully nice to have someone to talk to.”

  Larissa’s words seemed to echo in Lydia’s empty, quiet bedroom while she finished her packing.

  Ten minutes after Lydia walked into her apartment upon her return from Michigan, she called Scott. She had intended to wait a while longer, but her willpower lasted only until she’d set down her luggage.

  “Are you home?” he asked the moment he heard her voice.

  “Just walked in.”

  “I’ll be up in ten minutes.”

  He was there in five.

  Lydia barely had time to open the door before Scott was inside and she was in his arms. She couldn’t even greet him; his mouth covered hers before any sound could emerge.

  She had expected to end up in the bedroom. They made it as far as the couch. Her clothes were in a pile on the floor before her back even touched the cushions. Scott was really very good at this, she thought, eagerly drawing him down with her.

  She’d spent most of the day in an airplane, cruising at thirty thousand feet. Scott took her even higher.

  “So,” he asked some time later, when they had slowly drifted back down to earth and could form coherent sentences again, “how was your trip?”

  She giggled. Then wondered if that sound had actually come from her.

  He shifted his weight, tucking her against his side on the narrow couch. “I missed you.”

  She ran her hand across his damp skin, feeling his heart still racing in his chest. “I can tell.”

  Catching her hand, he raised it to his lips. “How was your trip?” he asked against her knuckles.

  “Long. Tiring. But interesting, I suppose.”

  “Did they offer you the job?” His voice was a bit too casual to match the expression in his eyes.

  “No. They have several people left to interview before they make a decision.”

  “Do you have any other interviews lined up?”

  “A few. I’m flying to Florida Thursday for an interview there.”

  “No chance you’ll end up staying here in Dallas?”

  “I didn’t say that. There’s a chance I’ll have an offer here to match any others I might get.”

  Looking thoughtful, he nodded.

  Suddenly uncomfortable with their position, Lydia sat up and reached for her clothes. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” she said. “I’m starving.”

  He glanced at his watch—the only item he was wearing at the moment, she couldn’t help noticing. “It’s almost seven. No wonder you’re hungry.”

  While Scott dressed, Lydia wandered into the kitchen to see what she had to eat. She found a package of pasta and some bottled pesto sauce, ingredients she always kept on hand for a quick meal. From the freezer, she unearthed a package of crusty wheat rolls; she put several in the oven to brown while the pasta cooked. Though she hadn’t actually asked him, she assumed Scott would stay for dinner.

  He kissed the back of her neck when he rejoined her. “Smells good.”

  “It isn’t fancy, but it’s filling.”

  “Oh, yeah, the food.” He nuzzled the spot behind her ear. “That smells good, too.”

  She smiled and stepped aside to stir the sauce. “You are so full of blarney.”

  Chuckling, he leaned against a counter. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Make yourself a drink and have a seat. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

  He rummaged in the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Shall I open this?”

  “If you like. It should go well with our meal.”

  “Wineglasses?”

  “First cabinet to the right of the refrigerator.”

  He found the wineglasses and her other dishes. By the time the meal was ready, he had the table set. Both hungry, they ate in silence for a few minutes. Scott spoke first. “This is good.”

  “I always like pasta—but you should know that by now.” She thought of the times they had eaten at Vittorio’s.

  “I’m getting to know quite a few things about you.”

  There shouldn’t have been anything in that simple statement to make her blush—but she did, anyway. She looked quickly down at her plate to hide the inappropriate response.

  “You said you’ll be in Florida next weekend?”

  “Thursday and Friday.”

  “So you’ll be back in town by Sunday?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “There’s a party Sunday afternoon. I’d like for you to go with me if you’re free.”

  “Is your sister still trying to find a date for you?”

  The look he gave her chided her for the question even though she’d asked jokingly. “I’m asking because I want you with me. There’s no other reason now.”

  “Sorry. What’s the purpose of this party?”

  His eyebrows rose. “Must a party have a purpose?”

  “They generally do.”

  He shrugged, looking suddenly self-conscious. “It’s my birthday, actually. Heather’s, too, of course. Shane and Kelly invited the gang to the ranch to mark the occasion.”

  “Your birthday is next Sunday?”

  “Yes. Will you come?”

  “Of course. If you don’t think my presence will ruin your sister’s enjoyment of the day.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Heather will be happy to see you. I wish you’d get
over this notion that she doesn’t like you.”

  Lydia wrinkled her nose. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “You said you wanted to see the ranch in daylight. The party starts at two.”

  “Will there be many guests?”

  “Just the usual group. Heather and Steve, of course. Michael and Judy. You might even have a chance to meet Shane’s parents, Jared and Cassie, and his sister, Molly. You’ll like them—they’re a great family.”

  She swallowed another bite of her pasta. “You didn’t mention Cameron. I assume he’ll be there, too?”

  “Yes, I’m sure he will. Any particular reason you asked?” he inquired mildly.

  “No. Just curious.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her.

  She smiled and dipped her fork into her food again. “It’s nice of your friends to help you and Heather celebrate your birthday.”

  “It was Shane’s idea. He said he didn’t want our big three-oh to slip by without a shindig.”

  Lydia’s fork clattered against her plate. “You’ll be thirty?”

  He looked surprised by her reaction. “Yes. Did you think I was older? Younger?”

  “Older,” she muttered.

  “Oh. Does it matter?”

  She bit her lip and shrugged, then said ruefully, “I suppose not. It’s just that I’m not used to dating younger men.”

  He started to smile again, his green eyes glinting. “How much younger?”

  She should have known better than to tease him even a little about Cameron. Scott always found a way to get his own back. She sighed. “I turned thirty-one last December.”

  “Sixteen months. That’s not so very much. Um…would you like me to cut your pasta for you?”

  Very calmly, she picked up an extra dinner roll and threw it at him. It hit him squarely in the center of his forehead. Scott laughed.

  A moment later, Lydia joined in.

  Lydia and Scott spent the rest of the weekend together, turning on their answering machines and hiding in her apartment Saturday night and all day Sunday. She neglected several things she really should have done during those hours and she suspected that Scott did the same, but she couldn’t regret it.

  It was magical.