by Francis Ray
Dianne had heard the same story twice before from his secretary. “My paycheck hasn’t been deposited in my account. Again.”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Ms. Hill said. “I can only imagine how annoying this must be. That’s why Mr. Boswell is in a meeting, bringing the staff up to par.”
“When my grandfather was running the company, it was up to par,” Dianne said. There had already been changes and firings in the Paris office. Dianne imagined the same thing was happening in New York.
“I’ve heard your grandfather was a great man. I believe, given the opportunity, you’ll come to feel the same way about Mr. Boswell,” Ms. Hill said.
Dianne doubted it. “When can I expect my paycheck?”
“I’ll check on it, but if for any unforeseen reason it doesn’t show up in your account, I’ll have payroll cut you another check while you’re in the meeting Monday. Will that work for you?”
“I want it waiting for me when I arrive,” Dianne said emphatically.
“Mr. Boswell wants you to have everything that is coming to you. Trust me.”
When someone said Trust me, her grandfather had told her to watch out. “If I don’t have my paycheck by the time I leave the meeting, I’m contacting my lawyer.” Alex would get her check and crack some heads in the process—if she told him. She wouldn’t. Not now. If she did, he’d get angry on her behalf and then remind her that he’d always said she needed a contract. “Good-bye.”
“Good-bye, Ms. Harrington.”
Dianne picked up her wallet and put it in her purse. She still had a credit card. She pushed away the worrisome little voice reminding her that it was the company’s credit card, and the only one she had.
The nagging little voice didn’t stop until the charges for her wrap, pedicure, and manicure—which she added—went through. Tipping her technicians, she left the spa.
She shouldn’t have worried, but lately she’d been restless, uneasy. She’d attributed it at first to the loss of her grandfather, but she wasn’t so sure anymore. As Sonya had pointed out, thirty was old in the modeling business—at least for some models.
No matter how she tried to push it out of her mind, she worried that she wasn’t going to be one of those lucky people who were ageless in the industry. And if she wasn’t, she didn’t want to think about what would happen to her. Pushing the unsettling thought away, she went window-shopping, a favorite pastime and a business necessity to see what other designers were doing.
* * *
Slightly winded, she didn’t arrive back at her apartment until a little after four. She’d walked the last ten blocks instead of taking a cab. Despite what Alex said, she had to at least lose a pound or two before she returned to Paris.
She was on her way to the kitchen for a bottle of water when her cell phone rang. Seeing Alex’s name, she smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi. You have fun at the spa?”
“Yes.” She plopped on the sofa, drawing her feet under her. “I thought you were going to be in court.”
“I was, but it ended sooner than I expected.”
“You must have won. I can hear it in your voice,” she mused.
“Yeah,” he said. “The insurance company will have to pay the family the money due them.”
“It sounds like one of the pro-bono cases you take and never collect the fee, or donate it to charities,” she said.
“Sometimes people need help. If I can give it to them, why not?”
Dianne leaned back on the sofa. He was such a great guy. “Congratulations. We’ll have to celebrate.”
“I’m way ahead of you. I should be there in fifteen minutes. We’re going to Central Park. Maybe take a canoe ride. Just relax.”
“I’d love that.” She came to her feet, snagging her handbag on the way to the bedroom. “I haven’t been there in years.”
“Neither have I. See you in a bit. Bye.”
“Bye.”
* * *
With his shirtsleeves rolled up almost to his elbows, Alex strolled hand in hand with Dianne though Central Park. He had few free afternoons. He really didn’t have one now. He should be going over a brief, but he’d wanted to see Dianne, be with her as much as possible. He wouldn’t give anything less than his best for his client, but neither was he willing to forgo the precious time he had left with her.
“This is wonderful,” she mused, leaning against him.
He kissed the top of her head. He couldn’t agree more. She looked sensational in a sleeveless white sundress that stopped just above her incredible knees. The grass was green, the sky an awesome blue. It was a beautiful day to be with the woman he loved. It felt good just being with her. He tried not to think about her leaving in five days, but the thought kept creeping back into his mind no matter how much he tried to keep it out.
“Although you shouldn’t have tempted me earlier,” Dianne said, a pout on her beautiful face. “You know how weak I am.”
Alex stopped, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her for the sheer pleasure it gave him, tasting the mustard from the hot dog she’d just eaten. “Just helping an independent businessman and getting the full Central Park experience.”
Dianne, her hands on his chest, smiled up at him. “It was delicious, but I shouldn’t have.”
“We’ll walk it off, or you can help me row the canoe. Come on.” He took her hand and they started down the walk again. A couple of women jogged past them. On the grass, people were reading, sleeping, playing Frisbee.
“Oh, Alex. Look.”
Hearing the softness in her voice, he followed the direction of her gaze and saw a wedding being performed. The woman wore a long white gown and the man a tuxedo. A small group of people stood around them.
“I hope they’ll always be as happy as they are today and have enough love for their children,” Dianne said quietly.
He knew she was thinking about her parents. They probably loved each other in their own way, but there was never enough love to include their daughter. “For some, the love only becomes stronger. Children are an extension of that love.”
She looked up at him. He saw the doubt and the sadness in her eyes.
“Watch out, man!”
Alex’s head came up, around, searching for danger. Reflexively he pushed Dianne behind him with one hand and caught the Frisbee that would have hit her in the face with the other. He whirled around to her. “Are you all right?”
She smiled up at him. “With you, always.”
“Sorry, man. Your woman all right? It got away from me.”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Dianne curved her arm around Alex’s waist.
Alex glanced around and saw a man in his early twenties wearing a sweat-stained Columbia University gray T-shirt. “I can see that.”
Alex gave the grinning young man back the Frisbee. “Be more careful in the future.”
“Sure thing.” With a wave of the Frisbee, he was gone.
“You have great reflexes,” she teased.
“Hmmm. I suppose.” His arm was around her waist as he stared at the group of men playing.
“What?” Dianne asked, moving in front of him.
He stared down at her. She was beautiful, vibrant. Men desired her. “You’re leaving and men will want you.”
She palmed his face. “But I won’t want them. I never did. You’re the only one who makes my heart race, my skin shiver. And I’m here now.”
He grabbed her to him and just held on. “I always want to be that man.” He kissed her long and deep, wishing it never had to end between then, knowing it would. “After the canoe ride, how about an early movie and then dinner?”
“I have a better idea.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Why don’t we rent a movie, watch it at your place, and do our own version of a body wrap,” she asked.
Man, how he loved this woman! “I like your idea even better.”
* * *
Dianne intentionally chose a romantic comedy for them to watch. She wanted
to laugh and be happy, and forget the happy couple in the park, forget that for some love didn’t last. Yet the closer the couple in the movie came to finally admitting their love for each other, the sadder Dianne became.
For her, there would be no happily-ever-after. She should have realized that she’d want more than a brief affair.
“You’re not crying, are you?” Alex teased.
She felt a lump in her throat, but it wasn’t for the couple. Sitting beside him on the sofa in his apartment, she kept her head on his chest. “It’s allowed.”
“He’s going to realize he needs her in his life more than his oddball buddies, and she’s going to realize that her girlfriends were all wrong about him being all wrong for her.”
“I thought you hadn’t seen this before,” she said.
“It’s the only obvious conclusion,” Alex said. “Neither of them wants to admit their feelings for the other for fear of being the first and being vulnerable. Caring for someone puts you at risk.”
She sat up and stared at him. “That never stopped you,” she said with absolute certainty. Alex cared, and he showed it in every possible way.
“Some things are worth the risk.”
So simple and so true. She might not ever have it all, but with Alex she’d come very close. She was going to enjoy this time and stop thinking about what couldn’t be.
Sitting up, she straddled him, her knees sinking into the sofa cushion beside his hips, her arms around his neck. “Why didn’t I ever see this other side of you?”
His hands bracketed her waist. “You’ve always been busy.”
That could be the reason, or it could be that she hadn’t thought about “Alex the lover” instead of “Alex the man she could always count on” until she needed one. She leaned her forehead against his. “And selfish.”
“We’re all selfish.”
Her head lifted. “You’re doing it again. Defending me.”
“If I wasn’t selfish, I would have tried to talk you out of us becoming lovers,” he told her. “I didn’t because I want you too much to be noble. See? Selfish.”
She felt the proof of his desire nudging her, yet he calmly held her. “A selfish man would have taken what he wanted that first night. He wouldn’t have cared about my feelings or wanted to make this romantic and fun.”
His eyes darkened. “I never want you to regret our being together.”
“Never. And just so you know.” She felt the heat and the hardness of his body. Her lips touched his, gently, then with growing hunger and need. His hands swept up and down her back before settling on her hips, bringing her woman’s softness against his growing erection.
Her body shuddered. She wanted more. As if recognizing her feelings, he deepened the kiss, his tongue thrusting deep, tasting and teasing her. Sensations racked her body. Her breasts felt tight. She wanted her hands on him, his on her.
She jerked up the T-shirt he’d changed into when they arrived at his place. His skin was warm, resilient, muscular. The more she felt, the more she wanted to touch him. She was almost light-headed with the need.
“Dianne.” He whispered her name in a guttural sound moments before he leaned her backward and fastened his mouth on her aching nipple.
She moaned. Whimpered. Even through the thin cotton-and-lace bra, she felt the suckling deep in the core of her body. The ache intensified. She pressed against him, trying to appease the growing need building between her thighs.
Abruptly he tore his mouth away and pulled her to him. She felt him trembling, felt her own body doing the same.
“I want you so badly.”
She wanted him the same desperate way. “I—I never knew.”
He leaned her away from him. His eyes were dark with desire. “When we make love, I’m not going to want to let you out of my arms or bed for a long, long time. If I didn’t have important court cases tomorrow you wouldn’t be leaving tonight, but I won’t deny myself this.”
The last words were barely out of his mouth before his mouth was on her again, kissing her with passion and long-suppressed hunger. Her arms tightened around his neck. Their mouths clung as if each were starved for the other. She felt wanted, desired.
He devoured her mouth while his hands freely pleasured her body. Much too soon he lifted his head and sat her on the seat beside him, blew out a breath. “You get to me.”
It occurred to her that Alex was putting his feelings out there, being vulnerable. It wasn’t just sex. She realized she could do no less. She caught his hand and waited until he turned to her. “You kiss me and I forget everything.”
“Soon we won’t stop at kissing.” He stood and picked up the remote control. “The movie credits are rolling. You want to roll the movie back or go for a walk?”
She came to her feet. “Walking might get our minds off other things.”
“Or at least keep us from acting on them.” Smiling, he reached for her hand. “Come on, let’s go people-watch.”
* * *
“Are you sure I look all right?” Dianne asked, stopping Alex as he reached for the door of Callahan’s Friday night. After some debate, she’d decided on a white cotton sweater, black pants, and a loose black-and-white scarf.
Alex kissed her on the forehead. “You look beautiful.”
“I wasn’t sure. I’ve never been on a pool date before.”
“My first one as well, and you’re also the first woman I’ve brought here.”
“You know, Alex, this might be selfish again, but I’m so glad another woman didn’t snap you up.” She curved her arm through his and leaned into him. “You have a way of making me feel special.”
“That’s because you are.”
Opening the door, they went inside. The mournful sounds of Maya, C. J.’s favorite singer, greeted them from the jukebox. His arm around Dianne, Alex led her to a booth in the back. She slid in, and he followed.
“What are you and the lady having, Alex?” a waitress called from across the way at another table.
“Beer and tonic water,” he answered.
“Be back as quick as I can.” She moved away with a tray of empty beer bottles and shot glasses.
Dianne tapped the RESERVED sign. “Do you ever have trouble getting a table?”
“Since I don’t go out that much, no,” he answered.
She frowned at him. “This is New York.”
He glanced away. “I still prefer staying at home.”
“Yet you’re taking me out.”
He picked up her hand. “And enjoying it. I never had a reason before.”
“We’re staying in tomorrow night,” she told him.
“And miss the helicopter ride over the city?” he said. “I hear it’s very romantic.”
She leaned toward him. “With you, everything is romantic.”
He kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Well, well. Summer was right on.” C. J. placed the drinks on the table.
Dianne looked up to see a tall, gorgeous, clean-shaven man with linebacker shoulders and close-cut curly black hair in a T-shirt and jeans. He stuck out his hand. “C. J. Callahan.”
Dianne took the callused hand, found hers almost swallowed. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Same here.”
Alex separated their hands. “Enough.”
C. J. grinned. Dianne hugged Alex’s arm.
“So, I’m possessive.”
“With good reason.” C. J. slid into the booth across from them.
“Why, thank you,” Dianne said with a smile.
“Looks like you hit it out of the park, Alex.”
Dianne looked around to see another gorgeous man with a chin-strap beard and twinkling black eyes. He extended his hand.
“Payton Sinclair. Friends call me Sin.”
Chuckling, Dianne took his hand, surprised to feel calluses before pulling her hand back. “I can see why.”
“Smart woman you have, Alex.” Sin stared down at C. J. “Move over.”
&nb
sp; C. J. scooted out of the booth. “I might have to help. A certain sport consultant said he was meeting some athletes at Callahan’s tonight in a radio interview this morning.”
“You can thank me later.” Sin pointed toward Alex’s beer. “You gonna drink that?”
Alex pushed the longneck toward him. “You know C. J. likes to keep the place low-key.”
“I also know a leggy brunette sports reporter just might drop by.” Sin tilted the bottle. “She asked about you, C. J.”
C. J.’s grin was slow and easy. “You might make it out of here in one piece.”
“Noted.” Sin pulled the beer nuts in front of him. “Man, I’m hungry.” He looked at Dianne. “How about we get out of here and grab a bite to eat.”
Dianne’s mouth gapped. Annoyed, she looked at Alex. “I thought he was your friend.”
“Don’t mind Sin.” Alex draped his arm across Dianne’s shoulder, “His mind works so fast his mouth gets ahead of his brain.”
“We tolerate him,” C. J. added.
Sin swallowed the beer nuts. “Don’t let them fool you. They are just annoyed because I whipped them the last time we played pool. I plan to do it again tonight. Right after I get something to eat.”
“Here you are, Sin.” A hamburger and onion rings plopped on the table along with a bottle of ketchup and a draft beer.
“Thanks, Piper. Please bring Alex a replacement.” Sin picked up an onion ring, shoved the plate across the table to Dianne. “They’re the best in the city.”
Dianne had never met anyone who seemed to jump so quickly from one topic to another. But if he was Alex’s friend, he must be all right. “I shouldn’t.”
Alex snagged one, bit it, and offered it to Dianne. She immediately took a bite, then reached for the remaining part to finish it off. Alex signaled Piper. “Another onion ring and burger.”
“So how did you two meet and, if you dump him, can I call you?” Sin bit into his burger with relish.
Dianne finally caught on. “I never settle for second best.”
Sin choked. C. J. happily slapped him on the back, grinning for all he was worth. “I guess she told you.”
“She sure did.” Sin nodded at Alex. “She’s a keeper.”