by Debra Webb
Jake kept his arm firmly wrapped around her waist as they ascended the two flights of stairs to her apartment door. As they took the last two steps, Jake noticed a tall man wearing a dark suit waiting at Merri’s door. She tensed, and then bolted forward, rushing across the landing toward the man and leaving Jake behind.
Something red and hot cloaked him, making him crazy with an emotion he couldn’t name at first.
The man waiting at the door scrutinized her and frowned. “Mere—”
“Nigel!” She threw her arms around the stranger and hugged him enthusiastically.
Instantly Jake recognized his reaction to the man—blind jealousy. He wanted to punch this Nigel... kick him down the stairs if necessary. And if that didn’t scare him off—
“Jake, this is Nigel, a dear friend of mine from New York.” She smiled nervously at the man. “Nigel, this is Jake... a friend.”
Friend?
Jake felt too many emotions to name at the moment. His gut felt queasy. Who the hell was this guy and why did Merri feel compelled to introduce Jake as a friend?
The man extended his hand. “A pleasure, I’m sure.”
Jake gripped his hand, hard. “Right.”
There was no mistaking the look that passed between them. This man—Nigel, what a name—assumed some sort of claim on Merri. Jake released his hand, though his first impulse had been to break it.
“Where on earth have you been? I’m certain I’ve left a dozen messages. We have to talk,” Nigel insisted, looking pointedly at Merri.
She nodded stiffly. Her smile was forced. Jake didn’t like this. He didn’t like it at all.
“Just give me a minute.” She patted the man on the sleeve of the navy suit that looked as stiff as he did.
Maybe he needed a wrinkle or two, Jake decided. Something to lighten him up a little.
Merri grabbed Jake’s arm and tugged him back toward the stairs. “Thanks for dropping me off.” She paused at the top of the stairs and produced another of those forced smiles. “Give Dan and Suzy my best.”
“Sure.” The wild jealousy that assailed him wouldn’t go away. “I’ll do that.”
An audible sigh slipped past her full lips. “I had a great night, Jake.”
“You’re damned right it was a great night,” he growled. Before she could comprehend his intent, Jake hauled her up against him and kissed her long and hard. When she would have pushed him away, he kissed her harder still. He plundered her sweet mouth until she surrendered to his sensual assault. His body tightened with the desire coiling deep inside him, despite his fury. Not until they were both gasping for breath did he release her.
“A really great night,” he repeated before turning away and bounding down the stairs.
The image of her standing there, still dazed from his kiss, stayed with him all the way across town. The thought of her with that Nigel character made Jake want to roar like a wounded lion.
Was that guy the reason why Merri hadn’t admitted her feelings for him? Considering her nervousness, something was definitely wrong with the picture. Jake gritted his teeth.
He parked in the hospital parking lot and sat, unmoving, for several long minutes. He had to get a grip. Merri didn’t deserve this kind of distrust. There was no reason for him to automatically assume the worst. Jake let out a frustrated sigh. He’d overreacted. Undoubtedly embarrassed her. Hell, for all he knew Nigel could be married. But did that stop anything? He was obsessing. Shaking his head, Jake climbed out of the Jeep and snagged the luggage he’d come to deliver.
He was an idiot. And tomorrow he would apologize properly to Merri. Hell, maybe he’d even propose.
Chapter Nine
“What’s going on, Meredith?” Nigel surveyed her from head to toe once more, an air of disapproval on his usually carefully composed face. “And who was that man who escorted you to the door and then marked his presumed territory for all to see?”
Forcing a calm she didn’t feel, Meredith gestured to a nearby chair. “Have a seat, Nigel.” She sat down opposite the chair she’d indicated. Putting her psychological training to use, she turned the tables on him and asked, “Why are you here?”
He waved his arms in exasperation before settling into the comfortable overstuffed chair. “I was worried about you. I haven’t heard from you in two weeks. Then I thought to call Shelley and ask if she’d seen or heard from you.” He gave her another disapproving look. “Getting anything out her was difficult. She’s very protective of you, you know.”
Meredith was going to kill Shelley. No one was supposed to know where she was. Shelley knew better than to tell Nigel, of all people. Meredith had a sneaking suspicion that her friend’s little slip had something to do with misplaced loyalty. Shelley wanted Meredith to come clean with Jake... to confess her true feelings. She almost groaned. What a mess.
“I asked her not to let anyone know I was here,” Meredith explained. “I’ve had about all the publicity I can take in one lifetime.”
Nigel rolled his eyes and shook his distinguished head. “Well, you’re certainly the first author I’ve represented who didn’t like being on the bestseller lists. Most people in your position would be thrilled at their good fortune.”
Meredith inhaled a deep, cleansing breath. She had to stay calm. Falling apart in front of her literary agent would not be a good thing. But the turmoil of emotions twisting inside her was nearly more than she could bear. “I’m very grateful for your help, Nigel. And don’t think I’m not happy about my book’s success. It’s just that I’m still adjusting to being famous, and I do have another book to write.”
“Speaking of which,” Nigel began, suddenly appearing anxious. “Your editor is begging me for at least the first three chapters, and a detailed synopsis. I’m quite certain she wants to do some early press releases. You know, capitalize on the current buzz.”
She had guessed that was the reason for his visit.
“My research is complete,” she said, pushing aside the mixed emotions which threatened her ability to speak. “It’ll take me a couple of days to go over my notes and incorporate my conclusions. I should have something ready in a couple of weeks.”
“Excellent.” Nigel smiled widely for a moment before the expression slipped. “Is that why you’ve been in Atlanta? You thought you couldn’t do research in New York without being recognized?”
Meredith hesitated, but what was the point in denying the truth? “Yes,” she admitted. “I needed a sense of anonymity.”
He studied her, not quite believing what he saw. He gestured vaguely to her attire. “That would explain the... dress and hairstyle.” His brow pleated into a frown. “Where are your glasses?”
Meredith gave him a challenging look. “I wear contacts now. Do you have a problem with that?”
He shook his head adamantly. “Of course not. I’m just surprised, that’s all. You look so different.”
Meredith couldn’t help a beleaguered sigh. Her current predicament was no one’s fault but her own. Nigel certainly wasn’t to blame for her love life. “I’m sorry, Nigel. I don’t know where my manners are. Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee?”
He stood. “No, thanks. I need to get right back.”
“I’m sorry you had to come all this way. I should have kept in touch.” Feeling contrite, Meredith followed him to the door. “I’ll be going back myself in a couple of days.” She moistened her suddenly dry lips. “I just have a few loose ends to tie up down here.”
Before leaving, Nigel turned back to her and asked, “Meredith, was that man part of your research?”
Again, there was no reason to deny the truth. Nor could she deny the reality of what she had done to Jake and herself. “Yes.”
Nigel held her gaze for an awkward moment, then leaned down and placed a chaste kiss in her cheek. “I’ll see you in a few days then.”
Meredith could only nod. If she tried to speak, the tears she was barely holding back would fall. She’d made a terrible
mistake. She closed the door behind her agent and sagged against it.
How would she ever make things right again?
~*~
“I’m telling you the guy has a thing for Meredith,” Jake insisted for the third time.
Balancing the bags containing his purchases in one arm, Dan unlocked the front door to his house and pushed it inward. “You don’t know that,” he argued.
Jake followed him inside. “Where are we putting this stuff?” He and Dan had had just about cleared out a half-dozen baby stores and the biggest toy store in town before calling it a day. Dan wanted to make sure everything was perfect when little Danielle and her mother came home.
Dan tossed his keys onto the hall table. “Let’s go up to the nursery and set all this stuff up.”
“Let’s dump it, have a cold one and then set it all up.” Jake trudged up the stairs ahead of him. “I’m beat. Who would’ve thought that shopping for a tiny little baby would be such hard work?”
“Mark my words, pal, when you and Merri have your first child, you’ll do the same thing.”
Jake didn’t even want to think about it. They could be having a baby already. He blinked away the image of the suit named Nigel. “She hasn’t said she feels the same way I do,” Jake reminded his buddy.
Dan dumped his bags on the floor in the pretty pink nursery. “Maybe not, but her feelings are as plain as day.” He slapped Jake on the back as they headed out of the room. “Even Suzy thinks Merri’s in love with you.”
Jake heaved a heavy breath. “Something’s not right, man.” Their footfalls made a rhythm of sorts as they bounded down the stairs. “I still don’t know anything about her, only her address. Hell, I don’t even know when her birthday is.”
Dan pointed to the couch as they passed through the great room. “Sit,” he ordered. “I’ll get the brewskies.”
Jake plopped down on the comfortable, familiar sofa, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was too tired to think straight. Between Dan’s party, little Danielle’s arrival, the bump on his head, and then the hours of making love with Merri, he was pretty much out of it. Things would surely be clearer after a few hours of sleep. He could catch a few z’s right here on Dan’s couch, then hustle back over to Merri’s place and have a talk with her. He had to know if she felt anything resembling what he felt. He had to know if she wanted their affair to keep on going. He sure as hell did.
What would he do if she didn’t?
He wasn’t at all sure if he could simply walk away from Merri. And if she did the walking, he wasn’t sure he could handle it. Jake opened his eyes and erased that thought from his mind. No way was he going there. He had to talk to Merri first, get things straight.
“Heads up.” Dan pitched a cold beer in Jake’s direction.
Snagging the bottle in one hand, Jake quickly twisted off the top and took a deep, thirst-quenching pull. He licked his lips and plowed a hand through his hair. “I’m in bad shape here, buddy.”
Dan sat his beer aside and leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his wide-apart knees. “I can see that.”
Jake matched his stance, his bottle dangling from the fingers of his right hand. “This is too intense. I didn’t know it could be like this.”
Dan puffed out a big breath. “Hey, like the song says, love hurts.” He grinned then. “Only sometimes, though. Trust me.”
Jake scowled. Confusion reigned supreme in his thoughts. “I don’t understand. I mean, Merri’s the most beautiful... the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met, but I don’t understand what happened.” He shrugged. “Or how it happened so fast. She’s all I think about. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I just want to be with her.” He fixed his gaze on his best bud’s. “Is that normal?”
While Dan considered the question, Jake took another sip of his beer. The cool liquid felt good in his throat.
Dan nodded suddenly. “I know what you need.” He jumped to his feet and rushed to a bookcase across the room. “Suzy bought it a couple of weeks ago. It’s great.”
“What is it?”
Dan pulled a book from a shelf. “Here it is.”
Jake scowled. A book. He didn’t have time to read a damned book. Besides, it was probably written by some impotent old man who’d never been in real love in his life. He just needed someone to tell him how to handle all these alien feelings.
Dan tossed the book at him and reclaimed his seat. “Read it,” he commanded. “It’ll tell you everything you ever needed to know about what draws men and women together.”
Jake studied the hot pink lettering on the cover. Basic Instincts. “Well, it certainly has a catchy title.”
“Suzy and I both enjoyed it. The author definitely knows what she’s talking about. And you don’t need a degree in psychology to read it.”
Jake flipped through the pages. Maybe he did need to get an educated perspective on this thing called love. Something on the inside of the jacket cover caught his eye. He quickly shuffled to it. A brief author bio and picture. He skimmed the bio, but his gaze went instinctively back to the picture. There was something about the woman... something familiar. Her blond hair was pulled back into a conservative bun. Large glasses camouflaged her face. Sky blue eyes stared back at him through the oversized glasses. Eyes as blue as the heavens.
Merri. He scanned the author’s name again. Dr. Meredith Langston. Merri Lang. The air left Jake’s lungs.
“It’s been on the bestseller list since the day it was released. David Letterman called it the sex bible. And I’d tend to agree with him,” Dan went on. “The whole country’s talking about it. In fact, I think I saw somewhere that the author is doing a follow-up book. Letterman invited her to do the research for it on the air.” Dan chuckled. “I imagine she’ll have a hell of a time doing any kind of research since everybody and their brother recognizes her now.”
Research.
Jake stared at the painfully conservative picture of Merri on the book’s jacket, then he considered the beautiful seductress he’d met that first night. Merri—Meredith, he corrected himself, grimly—was in disguise. She hadn’t been out doing the club circuit like hundreds of other young, single females. She’d been doing research. The disguise was to keep anyone from recognizing her. Apparently she didn’t want to theorize about anything she hadn’t personally experienced.
Jake turned back to the very first page of the book. He read the first line. It’s about sex. A steel band tightened around his chest, making breathing next to impossible. He swore softly.
“I’m telling you, Jake, you need to read that book. It contains all the answers to any questions about sex and relationships you have.”
Jake thrust the book back at his friend. “It’s Merri.” His voice was strained and barely audible.
“What?” Dan looked bewildered.
Jake dropped the book in Dan’s outstretched hand. “Look at the photo inside the jacket cover. That’s Merri.”
Disbelief clear in his expression, Dan opened the book and glanced at the small picture of the author. “That’s not Merri. It’s Dr. Meredith Langston,” he said, sounding none too sure.
Jake shot to his feet. “Research.” He strode to the far side of the room, his anger and hurt building with each step he took. “So being with me was just research.” He turned and glared at his friend. “I feel like a frigging lab rat.”
Dan was still staring at the picture. “But that can’t be. Dr. Langston lives in New York. Merri’s here, in Atlanta.”
“You said yourself that she would have a hard time doing research without someone recognizing her. Think about it,” Jake said furiously. “It’s the perfect solution. She comes down here on a manhunt and finds me. The biggest fool in the world.” Jake swore at his own gullibility. “That Nigel dude is from New York.” What a fool he’d been.
Dan shook his head. “But Merri isn’t like that.” He stood, ready to argue his case. “She wouldn’t lead you on like that. There has to be another explanation.”
He waved his arms in emphasis. “Maybe I dreamed up that part about a new book and the research.”
Jake glared at him. “You know I’m right. That’s Merri and she lied to me.”
Dan dropped his head. “It sure looks that way.”
Jake stormed up to his friend and took back the book. “And I’m damn well going to find out why.”
“Jake.”
He paused halfway across the room. Too angry to care about anything else his friend might have to say in Merri’s defense. Jake turned back to him just the same.
“Take it easy on her, man.” Dan gave him a beseeching look. “She cares. I know she does.”
Jake walked away, the damning book clutched in his right hand. He had a few things to say to Dr. Meredith Langston, none of which she was going to like.
~*~
“You have to tell him, Meredith,” Shelley urged. “You can’t just assume that he won’t understand.”
“Get real, Shelley! What if you’d professed your love to some guy and then found out that even though he cared about you, your whole relationship had started out as research for his next book.”
Shelley looked away. “I see your point.”
Meredith sat down and dropped her face into her hands. “What am I going to do? I’ve really made a total mess of things.”
Shelley sat down beside her and looped her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Do you love him?”
Meredith let out a mighty sigh. “Yes.” Relief washed over her with the admission. She did love Jake. She just hadn’t realized what all her feelings meant until now—when she faced the prospect of losing him.
“Jake is a good guy; he’ll understand. You just have to give him a chance. If he really loves you, he’ll listen to what you have to say.”
Meredith swiped at the tears sliding down her face. “God, I hope you’re right.”
Shelley gave her a hug. “Of course I’m right. I’m a pretty good judge of character and Jake is, like, awesome, my dear.”
A smile tugged at Meredith’s trembling lips. “He’s amazing.” She turned to her friend. “Did I tell you he made Dan a full partner as a gift? I mean—” Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “How many guys do you know who would do something as selfless as that?”