Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Martinez

  “Katie, are you listening? I said there are your parents,” Adam said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I was thinking and trying to remember if I had left Oscar anything to eat,” Katie lied.

  “Thankfully we’ll only be gone a couple of hours.” He walked in the direction of their table, Katie in tow. “Let’s go sit with your parents, and then your father and I can continue our discussion from lunch.”

  Katie looked at him and just wanted to kick him. Was the man blind? Or did she not have any effect on him?

  “Darling! You look fabulous in that dress. Wherever did you get it?” Her mother winked as she gave her a hug.

  “Katherine, you look wonderful. I can’t say I’ll miss all those seventies rags that you love to wear.” Logan stood and kissed her cheek.

  “Those old rags are very comfortable, and I’m not going to stop wearing them.”

  She smiled when both her parents groaned at once. She let Adam help her into a seat and then he searched out a waiter. He gestured for some drinks, and a man appeared in moments with a tray full.

  “Logan, have you given any thought to our joining in that investment we discussed?” Adam asked.

  “Stop right there,” Bonnie interrupted sternly. “Katie and I are not going to sit here and listen to shop talk. This may be a benefit dinner and not the most exciting place to be, but I plan on making the best of it.”

  “I agree. We talk about work all day. Let’s just enjoy the evening. Besides you still aren’t feeling well, so why don’t you see if they have the means to make a hot toddy. That should make you feel better,” Katie instructed.

  Katie was surprised that the food was delicious. She’d always heard horror stories about benefit dinners. The speakers were everything that she’d heard—long and boring. But it was for a good cause. The money would be used toward research to find a cure for ovarian cancer. The speakers felt they needed to speak in scientific terms and Katie hadn’t understood most of what had been said. She did understand the need for money to wipe out the horrible disease.

  After the speakers were finished, the orchestra played, while everyone mingled and discussed the subject of the night. Soon couples were dancing, swirling around the small dance floor. Katie’s toe beat a rat-tat-a-tat-tat on the floor to the rhythm of the current song they were playing.

  “I noticed you weren’t dancing.”

  Chapter Eight

  Startled, Katie turned toward the deep masculine voice. She remembered him, dark-tanned, same golden blond shaggy hair, in a beach bum kind of way, lean and broad shoulders, looked damn good. But not Adam. “James? How are you?”

  “Why don’t I tell you on the dance floor?” James said, as he reached down and pulled her to her feet.

  “Sure,” Katie agreed, then turned to the others at the table. “Adam, Mom, Dad, this is James. We had a few classes together at Georgetown. Do you mind if I go dance?”

  Although Katie had directed her question at Adam, her father answered. “You go have a good time, Katie. We’ll keep Adam company.”

  Without a backward glance, she kicked off her shoes, leaving them by her chair and let James lead her to the dance floor. He was still as handsome as he had been when they had statistics together. But when he held her in his arms to circle the dance floor, she didn’t have any of the butterflies in her stomach she did when Adam was near. Why was it only Adam that could bring them on?

  “You’re looking beautiful tonight. I’m glad to see that you ditched the dorky glasses you wore in school,” James whispered in her ear, as he twirled her around.

  When the music ended, before she had time to say thank you, another man was asking for the pleasure of a dance. Katie lost track of the different faces as the night wore on. The only break she took was to have another gulp of champagne each time the waiter passed by. She hadn’t been dancing in years. She was enjoying herself immensely. The one person who could have made the night perfect was still sitting at the table, not caring how many dance partners she had. Katie, you knew it would be an uphill battle, don’t give up now.

  * * * *

  “Adam, you don’t look like you are feeling any better than you did this afternoon,” Logan said. “Katie looks like she is having a grand time. Would you like us to give her a ride so you can go home and get some rest?”

  “No, thank you. A gentleman always returns his date safely home.”

  “Oh, I thought she was just doing you a favor by coming with you. I didn’t know it was a date,” Bonnie said.

  “Any time a man takes a beautiful woman out, no matter the reason, it’s a date,” Adam replied, without taking his eyes from Katie’s swirling, laughing figure on the dance floor. It was all he could do not to go out and grab her away from her current partner. That would never do.

  “Okay, now that is settled, Adam do you mind if I take my beautiful wife to the dance floor?” Logan said.

  “Go ahead. I’m enjoying this hot toddy. I’m glad Katie suggested it. I’m also glad we have a driver.” Adam smiled as the two left the table arm in arm.

  * * * *

  “Logan, do you think Adam is interested in our Katie?” Bonnie asked, watching Adam stare at their daughter as she danced.

  “I hope not,” Logan replied.

  “Why? He’s young and handsome, and he doesn’t need Katie’s money. They’d be perfect. And she’s in love with him.”

  “What?” Logan nearly shouted and stopped in the middle of the dance floor and stared at Bonnie.

  “Logan.” Bonnie looked around, hoping they weren’t the center of attention.

  Logan pulled her closer and whispered in her ear as they started to dance again. “What do you mean she’s in love with Adam?”

  “I went with her this afternoon to pick out her dress, as you know. Let’s just say I have no doubt about it. Although she didn’t actually come out and say it. Just call it woman’s intuition, or mother’s intuition, take your pick.”

  “I hope you’re wrong, or Katherine will get her heart broken.” Bonnie watched her husband turn to look toward the table where Adam still sat nursing his drink and staring at their daughter. “He’s not the settling down kind of guy. I don’t want her to be one of ‘Mr. Romance’s’ women.”

  “Oh, come on dear. He’s old enough to settle down. He must be getting bored with a different woman all the time.”

  “Nevertheless, I think it best if our Katie stays clear. She should leave their relationship strictly business.”

  “Dear, if I remember correctly you were just as unsettled as Adam when I met you,” Bonnie reminded.

  “That was different.”

  “How?” Bonnie wanted to know.

  “I fell in love with you the minute I laid eyes on you. I didn’t have a choice.”

  “I did with you, too.” Bonnie leaned in and nibbled on her husband’s neck, smiling when she felt the shiver run down his body. “I still don’t understand why you don’t think Adam is good for Katie. They make a striking couple. You saw all the heads turn when they entered the room tonight.”

  “Yes, they did. Katie has been his assistant for years and he’s never noticed her until now. If he truly wanted Katie, he would have fallen for her if she’d been wearing a gunnysack. I know that I would have loved you had your hair been bright purple and you wore Katie’s old glasses. It was you, not the way you looked. I know he’s staring at her now. But what man wouldn’t? She’s a knockout. Did he look at her that way last week? No, I don’t think so. No, I don’t want our Katie to get hurt.” Logan finally ran out of words.

  Bonnie looked at him in astonishment over the strong opinion he had. She kept her retort to herself. She knew Katie would bring him around. But she hoped she wasn’t wrong, because Katie would get her heart broken if she was.

  * * * *

  Adam’s head was pounding to the beat of the music. He was getting dizzy watching Katie whirl around the dance floor with one partner after another. The only break she took was to grab an
other flute of champagne from the passing waiters. At first she had just taken a couple sips, placing the partially empty glass back on to the tray. She had graduated to tossing them back like water and Adam could see she was getting more than a little tipsy. It was time to go home.

  He stood and when the strong alcohol from his toddy hit his brain, he wavered a little bit. Standing by his chair, he waited for the dizziness to subside. Once it did, he marched out to the floor to retrieve his date, telling himself as he did so, that if her dance partners couldn’t keep an eye on her drinking then he would. Right, Russo, you just want to leave because if you see her dancing with one more clown you’re going to make a scene by decking someone. Shaking his head at the unwanted thoughts, he was finally able to catch her as she danced by.

  “Katie, I think it’s time we leave.”

  “Hey, if you don’t want to go, Katie, I can take you home,” her current partner said with a lecherous grin.

  It was all Adam could do to stop himself from grabbing the guy by the collar and physically mopping the floor with him.

  “No. I’m ready to call it a night. Thank you for the dance.” Katie tried to disengage herself from his hold. But he seemed to be all arms and hands.

  “Let her go,” Adam ground out of clenched teeth. Before he could follow through on his earlier thoughts, another voice broke into the conversation.

  “Having trouble, Katie?” Logan asked.

  “Hi, Dad.” Katie giggled then hiccupped.

  Adam raised an eyebrow at Logan. Katie’s father reached around Adam and gently pulled his daughter away from the clinging man, who didn’t seem to understand that she wanted to go.

  “I said I’d take her home, no need for her to leave yet,” the man complained.

  Adam took a step toward him and once again, Logan intervened. “Sir, my daughter said she’d like to leave now.”

  “Your daughter?” The belligerent man blinked a couple of times at Adam and then Logan, and finally let go of Katie.

  Without the man’s support, Katie swayed with the effects of the unaccustomed amount of alcohol she’d consumed. Adam quickly steadied her and led her away from Logan and the still protesting man.

  “Thanks. I can’t even remember his name,” Katie said. “He was stepping all over my feet too. Before we go, I gotta get my new shoes at the table.”

  Adam raised a brow at the last statement. She had told him she had something hanging in her closet. Well maybe she just bought the shoes and not the dress. He kept a steadying arm around her as they waited in the lobby for the car.

  When the car arrived, Adam helped Katie climb into the back. Adam followed, trying to scoot her over as he did. Finally, with her in the middle leaning her head on his shoulder, the car eased away from the curb. Giggling a little, Katie snuggled to Adam and then her hand drifted down to rest on his thigh. Adam looked down at his lap where her fingers were lying. They looked harmless enough, but the way they were brushing a most crucial part of his anatomy, he didn’t think it was harmless at all.

  Adam tightened his jaw and stared out the window at the passing buildings of downtown Manhattan. In his mind, he listed all the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea to get involved with Katie. And the top and most important reason—She’s my assistant. You don’t date anyone you work with.

  Wasn’t that the rule? Everyone in business knew that. She has all the qualities on your list. God, how he wished that little voice would shut the hell up. Adam ruthlessly ignored it and helped Katie from the car when they reached her apartment building.

  “Would you like to come up for a drink?” Katie asked and then hiccupped loudly. Placing a hand over her mouth, she looked around. Adam watched her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment. Then another giggle escaped. God, she’s cute.

  “Come on, Katie. Let’s go to your apartment and get you ready for bed.”

  Katie straightened up and looked up at Adam. Adam watched as she started to lean to the side. He hurried to place a steadying hand out, but before he could, she started to teeter the other way. He finally grabbed her by the shoulders. Walking her backwards until they reached the side of the building, he propped her up against the brick. He leaned down and took the ridiculously high-heeled shoes off her feet, one at a time. Shoes in hand, he stood up.

  “Okay, I think you can walk to your apartment. Come on.”

  Adam was glad they didn’t have to take the stairs. He would have had to pick her up and carry her. Not that it wasn’t a tempting idea, but he was having a hard enough time controlling himself without the added temptation. At her apartment, he kept one arm around her waist and half propped her against the wall. He waited while she fumbled in her miniscule silver purse for her key. Then he unlocked the door.

  “In you go, Katie. Now which way to your bedroom?” Adam asked.

  Before she could answer, Oscar barked from the kitchen where Katie had left him for the evening. First things first—someone had to take care of the poor dog and then he could deal with Katie. He led her to the sofa, helped her sit and smiled at the silly grin she had on her face.

  Standing at the door, Oscar waited to be let out. Adam looked at Katie. “I’m taking the dog for a walk. Will you be all right?”

  Katie blinked and her head rolled to the side to look at him. She grinned wider, then hiccupped. “Yup.”

  Adam sighed. He couldn’t just let the dog out, it had to be on a leash. Hoping Katie stayed on the couch, he let himself and Oscar out.

  When Adam let himself back into the apartment a few minutes later, Katie was still sitting where he had left her. Her eyes were closed and the same silly grin spread across her face. He walked over and, as his face came level with hers, her eyes popped open and her hand came up quickly. Before Adam knew what was happening, she’d put her hand to the back of his head and pulled him in. Her warm lips locked with his. Desire shot through his body.

  Reminding himself that she wouldn’t remember it in the morning, he forced himself to pull away gently. Taking both her hands, he pulled her to her feet, where she slightly swayed.

  “Okay, now again, which way to your bedroom?”

  “That wa…” She pointed in the direction of the hall and she quietly melted to the floor.

  Adam stood in shock looking down at her. She had passed out. Now what? He scooped her up and followed in the direction she had pointed. When he found her room, he noticed the box from Bloomingdale’s on the bed, and realized she had gone out to buy new things for the dinner.

  He sighed. So much for having something hanging around to wear. Maybe she wanted to look nice for you, the damn voice whispered. He closed his eyes and argued that there couldn’t be anything between the two of them. Still, he couldn’t squelch the warmth that traveled through his body at the thought that she’d gone out of her way for him.

  With one hand he cleared the bed and then gently laid her down. Then he straightened. Did he undress her? Or find a blanket and just cover her? The latter seemed kind of a cold thing to do. But he didn’t know if he could trust himself to undress her.

  He felt something tug at his ankle and looked down. Oscar was growling low in his throat and tugging on his suit pant as if to say, “Stay away from my mistress!”

  “Look pal, I can’t just leave her like that,” Adam said to the dog. As if he understood, he let go of Adam’s pant leg.

  “Okay, all I have to do is figure out how to get her out of this thing.”

  The dog yapped in response. Adam paused and looked at him a moment. Did he understand him? Then he turned back to the task at hand. He leaned down and gently slid a hand under her neck to find the clasp to the halter dress. She made a little mewling sound that sent electrical shocks from his head to his toes. She rolled toward him and her arm came around his neck, anchoring him to the bed.

  Oscar jumped up on the bed and sat on the other side of Katie. The dog stared at Adam accusing him as if he were the one that had his arm around Katie.

  “Look, I didn�
�t plan this, okay?”

  Adam tried to ease out from under the smooth arm. Reaching up, he took her hand and laid it gently down to her side. Another moan escaped her soft lips as she rolled to her other side. Oscar hastily jumped out of harm’s way to the floor.

  Presented with her back, Adam could see the clasp clearly at her neck. He could also see the smooth expanse of back the dress offered. Swallowing and trying to think of anything but the sleeping woman he was about to undress, he undid the top. He wasn’t quite certain how to proceed. The front had fallen down and he needed somehow to get the satiny fabric down her hips. That was hard to do when she was lying on her side facing away from him.

  Taking a deep breath, he slid one hand between her hip and the bed. Using his other hand he gently pulled the material down, trying to look everywhere but at Katie. When he finally had the dress at her ankles, he lifted her feet and pulled it off. Standing, he turned away from the bed, or maybe he was turning away from temptation, he didn’t know. He shook out the dress, went to her closet, and hung it up.

  Gulping, he turned and tried not to stare. Her skin was smooth and naked, except for a T on her bottom where her thong was, and the thigh-high nylons. Glancing around frantically to find something to throw over her, he wasn’t going to even attempt to take the stockings off. He just didn’t have the willpower.

  Oscar gave a low growl. Turning, Adam noticed a blanket under the dog on the chair. Gripping the edge of the blanket, he ignored the dog’s betrayed expression and tugged gently.

  “Look, I had to take the dress off and I’m not even glancing her way. I’m just going to throw this blanket over her to keep her warm. Okay?” As he talked, he freed the blanket from Oscar’s butt, shook it, then turned, careful to keep his eyes on the wall and not on the bed. He tossed it over the sleeping woman. He was surprised to see the cover was actually an NFL throw with a big Miami Dolphins insignia on it. Man, if she had to have a team, she ought to pick one who at least wins. Then he thought about his favorite team and kept the rest of his thoughts to himself. He turned off the light as he left the room. Oscar followed in his wake.