He shifted his chair, indicated her foot and patted his knee. “Up.”
“No.” She planted her feet firmly on the ground and ignored his challenging stare.
“Come on, Kara. It’s my fault your feet hurt.”
“How do you figure that?”
“If I hadn’t stopped by today, you’d be home with your sister. If I hadn’t insisted on a tour of San Diego and walked your legs off all over Balboa Park, Old Town—”
“Okay.” This was such a bad idea, but his expression made her feel like she was making a big deal out of nothing. Sighing, she shifted to face him, lifted a leg, and laid it on his knee. Then she rearranged her dress around her legs, minimizing exposed skin. The corners of his mouth tugged as though he was suppressing a smile. “Crack a smile and you’re in deep trouble, mister.”
“Wouldn’t dare.” His hand landed on her ankle, and butterflies flitted and dipped in her stomach. His hands were large and warm, and the feel of them on her skin sinfully stimulating. Seriously, letting him massage her feet was a no-brainer. What was she thinking?
The sight of him undoing her sandal distracted her. Such a mundane task yet he made it so sensual. He grazed her toes and a delicious rush of energy and quivering heat shot up her leg. Kara wiggled her toes. Thank goodness she didn’t have chipped nails or nail polish.
“What time are you flying home tomorrow?” he asked, interrupting her musing.
Kara dragged her eyes away from Baron’s hands. “Nine-thirty. Briana’s mother-in-law is coming tonight. You?”
“Tonight. Which part hurts the most?” he asked.
“The arch.”
He wrapped a hand around her toes, pressed the sole of her foot with the pad of his thumb, rotated and kneaded the muscles.
“Oh, that feels good,” she said, closing her eyes. “Where did you learn to do that?”
“Here and there. I’m available if you ever need a full body massage. In fact, why visit a masseur when I’m around?”
Kara’s eyes had snapped open before he asked the last question. Every time she thought she had her emotions under control he said or did something to put her on edge. Her unruly, annoyingly rebellious mind followed, conjuring X-rated images of the two of them. This time, his timing was perfect.
“Why indeed,” she said.
He arched a brow in question.
“My answer is yes. Yes to the two weeks in Idaho,” she added in a rush.
A sensual gleam glistened in the depth of his gorgeous blue eyes. “Baby, you picked the worst moment ever,” he chided, his voice a low throb.
“I love surprises, receiving and giving them.” She glanced at her other foot. “So are you going to finish…?”
“First things first,” he murmured. One minute he was leaning back in his seat the next he was a breath away from her. He cupped the back of her head and gave her a long, steaming kiss. He smiled into her eyes when he let her up for air. “You won’t regret your decision.”
“I know. I’m calling the shots.”
Baron laughed. “That’s right.”
“So if I said I want you to make love to me tonight, what would you do?” she teased, but waited eagerly for his response.
Baron grinned. “I’d cancel my flight, check us into a hotel and slap a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door for the next forty-eight hours.”
CHAPTER 11
Baron grinned as he sped toward San Diego International Airport, the teasing gleam in Kara’s eyes still playing in his head. Gorgeous and unpredictable, she was going to keep him on his toes. He looked forward to anything she planned to throw his way, learning about personal quirks only a lover would know. He grinned with anticipation.
A driver honked and zoomed past, reminding him he was cruising below the speed limit. He stepped on the gas and focused on his next move. It wasn’t in his nature to be impulsive, even though the detour to San Diego had gotten him more than he’d expected. The trip to Idaho would be the beginning of the rest of his life and he had no intention of leaving that to chance.
His cell phone interrupted his thoughts. Baron pulled the instrument from its holder, saw the number and brought it to his ear. “Bryant, what’s happening?”
“We just got a breakthrough,” Bridget VanderMarck’s lawyer said in an exhilarated tone. “The cops recovered the collection. Jake had used a boat to transport and hide them. Whether everything is intact is another story.”
Baron resisted the urge to shout out in jubilation. “That’s great news.”
“Yes, it is. Are you still planning on coming back this weekend?”
“Yeah. Sunday.”
“Should I tell the housekeeper to expect you?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I spoke with her before I left. Have you given Bridget the news?”
“Yeah. She was relieved, but she hinted at giving Jake part of the collection or a share of the proceeds from the sale. You may want to call her.”
“I’ll stop by her place tomorrow,” he said and hung up just as he pulled up at the car rental parking lot. Whether Bridget decided to give part of the collection to Jake or not shouldn’t be a problem. She’d still want them authenticated.
Baron returned the keys and the SUV to the rental company and caught a shuttle for the terminal. The place was unusually busy and forward motion became slow and frustrating. Deciding to not wait until he was seated before making the next call, Baron punched in Kara’s number.
“Can you be ready to travel by Sunday?” he asked her.
“To Idaho?” she asked, not masking her surprise.
“Yes.” She was silent and he felt something shift in his gut. “If you need more time….”
“No, no, I’m fine with that. Yes, I’ll be ready.”
Baron grinned. He would have waited another week, months for her if she needed it. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
The next call he made was to his office. His assistant picked up the phone after two rings. “Gena, I should be back in an hour but I need you to do a few things for me before you leave for the day. Book a flight for two, first-class, to Hope, Idaho, via Spokane.”
“Which day?”
“Sunday. Leave the itinerary on my desk. Cancel all my appointments for the next two weeks, starting Monday. I want to talk to you and Rick before—”
“Baron?” a voice called out from somewhere to his left.
He turned and searched the faces hurrying past him. A vaguely familiar woman in low rise jeans, tank top and slanted hat gave a brief wave in his direction. He moved toward the wall where she was standing, her hat so low it hid her face.
“First thing tomorrow morning. I’ve got to go.” Baron snapped his cell phone shut. Recognition dawned as he moved closer to the woman and he stiffened. “Valerie?”
She gave him a self-conscious smile. “Imagine seeing you here.”
The past rushed back with a vengeance, yet for the first time the sense of betrayal that usually accompanied thoughts of her was gone. He studied her dispassionately. Her skin hung loose on her bones and the heavy makeup couldn’t cover the bags under her eyes or the caged, feral expression in their depth. Her once glorious dark locks were stringy and dull.
“Yeah, imagine that. How long has it been?” His tone came out neutral and indifferent.
“Five years,” she mumbled.
A tense moment followed as they stared at each other, her expression apologetic and his, he was sure, uninterested. What the hell happened to her? It was hard to reconcile the gaunt woman before him with the curvaceous one he was once engaged to. He followed her gaze to the entrance of the men’s restroom.
“You look well,” she added softly, drawing his attention.
Baron couldn’t bring himself to return the compliment, but the realization that hit was exhilarating—Valerie and the pain she’d caused him no longer mattered. He’d moved on. He gave her an easy smile and lied smoothly, “You don’t look bad either, Valerie. It’s been interesting seei
ng you again.” He turned to leave.
“Don’t go…please.”
Baron cocked an eyebrow, impatient to leave yet oddly curious about why she was detaining him. She fidgeted and tucked strands of hair behind her ears with a trembling hand. Despite his indifference, he peered at her and asked, “Are you okay?”
The sound of a high-speed camera clicked somewhere behind him. He gave the terminal a sweeping glance. No visible lenses were aimed at them yet he knew he hadn’t mistaken the sound. Shrugging, he focused his attention on Valerie who looked positively ill. There was definitely something wrong with her.
“Are you here alone?” He spoke slowly, enunciating his words.
“No. Stu and his boys are, uh, will be here soon.” She glanced toward the men’s restroom again. “I think about…about what happened between us a lot.”
Baron shook his head. He wasn’t in the mood to dredge up the past. “I don’t. It’s in the past and doesn’t matter anymore.”
“But it does, for me anyway. I never told you how sorry I was for how I behaved. Maybe some day you’ll let me explain.”
“Like I said, forget it. I’ve moved on. You should do the same.” Valerie’s chin trembled and Baron steeled himself against the innate urge to offer comfort to a distressed woman.
“I’m so sorry,” she gulped, turned and appeared to crumble.
Baron reached for her. She clutched his arm, her beseeching eyes lifting to his. Again, he heard the clicking of a camera behind him. This time he didn’t bother to check. He was busy staring at the shaking woman in his arms.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I can call an ambulance if you need one or find Stu for you.”
“Don’t. Please.” The panic in her eyes matched the one in her tone. Baron realized she was attempting to tug her arm from his grasp.
He let her go and took a step back. “Do you want to sit down?”
She shook her head so hard the hat threatened to dislodge. “No, I’ve said all I wanted to say. Go. Please.” When Baron still didn’t move, she turned and hurried away.
He continued to stare in the direction she’d disappeared, finding it hard to wrap the brief exchange around his brain. What was that about? Shaking his head, he continued on to his gate.
Fifteen minutes later, Stu, a smiling Valerie, and three men, probably bodyguards, walked past Baron’s boarding gate. She was no longer the cowering victim. Her hand in Stu’s and head held high, her gait was confident. If it weren’t for the haunted look in her eyes which connected briefly with his then shifted away, Baron would have sworn she was a different woman. He watched them until they disappeared around the corner.
Had Valerie played him again or was something else going on? She had left him to pursue a career in acting. Could the exchange outside the men’s restroom have been staged? The clicking camera, the change in her now, their past history, he’d have to be an idiot to believe the abused woman act was real. Disgust coursed through Baron. Her acting had gotten much better and he was the sucker who bought it every time.
During the short flight to L.A., the past flashed through his head. Valerie had been too wounded when they met. Abusive ex-lovers, a broken home, her list of sob stories had made it seem like she couldn’t survive another day without his support. He was no hero material but he’d lapped it up, willing to be her savior while tiptoeing around her in and out of bed, reining in his passion for fear of scaring her. Part of him, the immature and totally idiotic part, had liked having a woman who let him take charge, a woman whose response he could predict before he spoke and whose sole existence was to cater to his needs. Amazing what immaturity could make a man believe.
He realized Valerie would have been the wrong woman to spend the rest of his life with. A man needed a mate he could depend on, a woman like Kara. Strong, independent, and confident, yet not afraid to accept help or drop everything to run to the aid of someone she loved. Her stubbornness and tendency to be overly cautious were sure to create conflicts in their relationship. On the other hand, a little friction never hurt anybody. And not knowing what went on in her head was unsettling to say the least. Despite all that, he couldn’t trade Kara for all the Valeries in this world.
It was six when Baron stepped off the shuttle at QuikPark parking lot at LAX, tipped the valet, and entered his car. He dialed his mother’s number as he drove away.
Estelle picked up after a ring.
“Mom, where are you?”
“I’m doing fine, thanks for asking. And to answer your question, I’m in the car with Simon heading home.” Baron could tell she was smiling.
“Sorry about not asking how you’re doing. It’s just, uh, what are your dinner plans for tonight?” He wanted to tell her in person that he was bringing a guest to the family picnic on Saturday.
“Eating alone since your brother is working late again. Why?”
“May I join you? If you don’t mind a substitute.”
Estelle chuckled. “Substitute indeed. If you were here, I’d slap you upside down for such a humorless joke. Neither of you is a substitute for the other. You’re all equally important and—”
“Hell, Ma, I was only kidding.”
She gasped. “Baron Fitzgerald.”
“I’m sorry. No cursing, I forgot.”
There was silence on the line then, “You owe the swear jar ten dollars.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“When did you get back from San Diego?”
Baron frowned. “Half an hour ago. How did you know I was in San Diego?”
“Because a mother knows everything.”
Baron laughed. “That worked when I was a child. Who’s been carrying tales? Lex? Chase? Teal?”
“Let’s talk when you get home, dear. When do you think that’ll be?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll see you then.”
***
Kara couldn’t get Baron off her mind after he called. Sunday, four days away, then it would just be the two of them. The very thought was exhilarating and a little scary. Instead of dwelling on it, she got busy.
First she placed a call to Chloe to make an appointment. She was due for a retouch down under. Or maybe she’d go for something daring like a Brazilian wax. Chloe found her a spot on Friday evening, which coincided with Baron’s “dessert” date.
Cancel or tell him to come later? She fretted about it for hours then decided to go with later. If she was going to live dangerously, there was no room for cold feet. Then she called Renee’s realtor friend and made a second appointment. She’d read the lease agreement, had Renee go through it with a fine toothed comb, and was happy with the terms. She’d sign the lease for her future store before leaving.
Kara was so wired up even Briana’s mother-in-law’s arrival later that evening couldn’t dampen her spirits. Not that she had anything to worry about. The woman seemed genuinely eager to take care of Briana and her unborn baby.
***
The next morning, Kara left for L.A. without an ounce of regret. Instead of going home, she stopped to sign the lease for her future store then went to the gallery.
“Nice to have you back,” Maya said when Kara walked in. “What’s up with the travel bag? Going somewhere again?”
“No, just got back.”
“Good, because I’m supposed to call you for consult if a customer wants one.”
Kara frowned and glanced upstairs at Baron’s office. “Why? Where is everybody?”
“The boss, Rick, and the witch are having some hush-hush meeting upstairs.”
Kara was tempted to ask what was going on, but held her tongue. How was she going to finish the Hallè painting if she was on call? “Okay. Buzz me if you need me.”
The first thing she noticed when she walked in was the single rose on her desk. Smiling, Kara picked it up and inhaled the soft fragrance. There was no card or note, yet she knew it came from Baron.
She found a used green tea bottle, filled it with water and dropped the rose in
it. Then she placed the makeshift vase by the phone where she could see it while she worked. She turned off the ringer on the phone then went about setting her paints and brushes. Next she planted herself in front of the painting and studied the area she’d cleaned before her sudden exit to San Diego. Next she used a magnifying glass and UV-light. No residues left. She sat on her stool, picked up a brush and the synthetic, non-yellowing varnish and got busy.
Kara didn’t know how long she worked before the flashing light on her phone drew her attention. She put the paintbrush down, removed the jeweler’s eyeglass from her forehead, and reached for the phone. “Yes?”
“Mrs. Estelle Fitzgerald’s on the line for you,” Maya said in a tone tinged with awe.
Kara blinked. She couldn’t have heard right. “Are you sure she’s asking for me, Maya?”
“Yes,” Maya whispered. “Here she is.”
“Hello, Kara. Am I bothering you?”
Baron’s mother? Calling her? Why? And what did she expect her to say to that question? Kara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No, you’re not bothering me, Mrs. Fitzgerald. I was just about to take a break. How are you doing?”
“Just fine, thanks for asking. You and I haven’t spoken in while, have we?”
Not since the mess with Valerie. Their paths had crossed, a smile and a how-are-you-doing exchanged, nothing big. “Yes, it’s been a while. What can I do for you?”
“I have a meeting with my lawyer, unfortunately the man’s running late. Can you take pity on me and allow me to visit with you for a spell?”
Oh please, like I’d say no. “Sure. It’s no problem.”
“That’s wonderful. What do you say to a quick bite?”
Kara looked at her watch. It was almost one in the afternoon, no wonder her stomach was growling. As for her attire, it wasn’t what she’d wear to lunch with a society woman like Estelle Fitzgerald.
“That’s fine, though I usually grab a sandwich from a deli down the street.” She cringed. The woman probably didn’t visit delis.
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