"I thought Mom might want a place to rest if the dancing and socializing became too much." He laughed. "I left her boogying with the energy of a teenager. I don't think we have to worry about any interruptions."
The ride was just long enough for Calder to admire the way Adam's white jacket fit his lean body. He always dressed well. Tonight, he looked like a living, breathing, dream come true.
"You read your invitation."
As he ran a hand down the perfectly tailored lapel, Adam grinned.
"Didn't everyone?"
"You'd be surprised."
The first thing Calder saw as she walked off the elevator was a bank of windows and an uninterrupted view of Manhattan at night. Like every other part of The Stanton Plaza, the penthouse was impressive.
"The view can wait." Adam said, pulling her close. "I can't."
Only a few days had passed since Calder had felt Adam's lips on hers. Yet her body responded as if starved for a year. She couldn't get enough of him. Couldn't wait to touch and be touched.
"Do we have time?" he asked.
"One second."
Breathing hard, Calder fumbled with her phone.
"Annabel?"
"Hey. Where are you?"
"I was waylaid." Adam's hand slid under Calder's skirt and up her thigh. With extreme effort, she bit back a moan. "Any problems?"
"Smooth as clockwork. Take your time. And tell Adam hello."
Busted. Without an ounce of shame, Calder slowly lowered the hidden zipper at the side of her dress. The silk slid to the floor, a gentle pool of blue at her feet. Naked except for a wisp of lace that passed for undies, she stepped out of her stiletto-heeled sandals.
"I've missed you."
"Let me remind you how I like to say hello."
Adam lifted her into his arms. He slid open the balcony door. A warm rush of almost summer air caressed Calder's face as he lay her on the cushioned lounge chair.
The look in Adam's smoldering blue eyes took her breath away. Anticipation made her skin heat.
"Touch me. Please."
"I will. Again and again." He kissed the swell of her breast. The slope of her shoulder. "I'm yours, Calder. Only yours."
Calder knew. Without a single doubt. In her heart. To her very soul. Adam belonged to her.
"So beautiful," Adam breathed. "Are you mine, Calder? Only mine?"
"From the moment we met. Then. Now. Forever." She made the promise without hesitation.
Adam stood. He removed his jacket. His tie. Unbuttoned his shirt. As he revealed inch after inch of muscled, mouthwatering skin, Calder stretched her arms over her head and enjoyed the show.
"I don't want to have sex with you ever again."
"Really?" Calder asked when Adam's pants hit the floor. Her gaze lowered to the proof of his lie. "Did your body get the memo?"
Knowing Adam, she expected him to smile. To make a light, teasing remark. Instead, he covered her body with his. Slowly, reverently, he brushed his lips across her cheek.
"Every time I touch you. Kiss your lips. Share my body. I want you to know—here." Adam placed his hand over Calder's heart. "I kiss you with love. I touch you with love. Willingly, joyfully, I share my body with love. Always."
Calder felt her heart might burst from her chest. Adam had to feel the pounding beat. Tears she couldn't contain—didn't want to stop—filled her eyes.
"I love you, Adam Stone." Calder laughed. Happy. She was happier than she imagined possible. "I want to make love with you. Tonight. Tomorrow. For the rest of our lives."
"Want the truth?"
"Always," she nodded.
"I love you, Calder Benedict." Adam nuzzled her neck. "Are you serious about making love—over and over and over?"
"Oh, yes," Calder moaned.
"Then you have no choice. Before you can ask for such a long-term commitment? You'll have to make an honest man of me."
If ever Calder expected a tidal wave of panic to engulf her, now was the moment. She'd always assumed she would never marry. Why would she? All her life, she'd dreaded the word and everything the institution represented. Yet…
Adam. He set the standard for everything a good man should be. How could she not want to spend the rest of her life with him? Hold him. Love him. Comfort him. Share the highs and the inevitable lows.
Calder waited for the fear and the million reasons why she should run. And waited. And waited.
"Should I get down on one knee?" she teased.
Adam grinned. Lord, the man was gorgeous. Inside and out.
"Maybe another time. Right now, I want to make love to my fiancée."
Calder wrapped her arms around Adam's neck. Her future. Her heart.
"And she wants to make love to you."
~~~~
"SORRY I DOUBTED you."
Frowning, Adam paused in the middle of fashioning a perfect bow tie.
"You mean the picture?"
Calder nodded. Sitting on the bed, she buckled her shoe.
"Aurora's machinations were easy to dismiss. My father? Ingo Hunter? Every explanation I could think of for the three of you in the same place made me physically ill."
"I haven't seen the photo. Will you show me?"
"Here." Calder handed Adam the phone. "When you're through, hit delete. I want to forget the damn thing ever existed."
"Jesus." Adam looked, shaking his head. "A real clusterfuck."
"Good word. And accurate."
Calder shuddered when she thought how different tonight might have been. If she'd let her worst fears get the better of her, she wouldn't have Adam. Her future without him? Sad and bleak.
"Can you forgive me?"
"For what?" Adam sat next to her. "Take another look."
"I'd rather not."
"One more, then we'll hit delete together."
"Okay." Calder glanced at the offending picture.
"Forget Aurora."
"If I could, I would."
"I have, so you can." Adam enlarged the photo until Edwin Calder and Ingo Hunter dominated the shot. "Two men who have given you nothing but grief. Men you know for a fact are usually up to no good. Any doubts you had about me were completely justifiable."
"But—"
"If the situations were reversed, I'd doubt you."
"Really?" Calder didn't know how she felt about Adam's revelation. "Why?"
"History. As great and amazing as our time together has been, our backstory is brief. You've known your father much longer. Experience tells you to doubt anything and everyone who associates with him. Add Hunter to the mix?" Adam shrugged. "You doubted me. But you didn't let them win, Calder."
"No. They didn't win. They never will."
"Not if we stick together."
"Delete."
"First—"
"Oh, come on." Calder wanted the picture gone. Now.
"I need to apologize. I didn't tell you I'd met with your father because I didn't want to hurt you."
"I understand." And she did. Completely. "But for future reference? You can't protect me from every bruise and bump. I wouldn't want you to."
"Your father's more than a bump." Eyes filled with worry, Adam ran a hand over her hair. "I wish I could take away the pain he caused you."
"You could beat him up."
"I could." Adam smiled. "I would. If I thought you really wanted me to."
"I don't." Calder loved how quick he was to understand. "I can't have him in my life any longer. Honestly, I'll miss the idea of a real father—something he never was. I won't miss Edwin Calder."
"I love you."
"My father will never love anyone but himself. So, he'll never know how it feels to be loved. He thinks money is the key to happiness. He's wrong." Calder's heart lightened. "I have you. And my sisters. My friends. I am a very rich woman."
"Ready to head back to the party?"
Calder took Adam's hand.
"With you by my
side? I'm ready for everything."
~~~~
CALDER SPENT THE rest of the evening eating, laughing, and dancing. Surrounded by the people she cared about. Who cared about her.
Wisely, Edwin was nowhere to be seen. Calder knew he'd be back. She would deal with him when the time came. For now, he was out of her life, and she was relieved to see him go.
"We are superwomen." Annabel clinked her glass to Calder's. "The gala was a huge success."
A success, and over. The doors had closed behind the last guest. The caterers and hotel staff had started to clear away the plates and clutter. Calder watched, grateful she wasn't expected to pitch in.
"If you don't need anything else, I'm going home."
"Thank you for holding down the fort tonight." Calder hugged Annabel tight. "I was a bit distracted."
"A story I expect to hear in great detail." Annabel slipped on her jacket. "I assume the handsome Adam Stone will play a major role in your narrative."
Calder nodded. Near the exit, Adam spoke with one of the waiters. He'd escorted his mother to the penthouse suite. Tired after her night of revelry, she hadn't felt like making the long ride back to Long Island.
Lucky Calder. She had him for the rest of the night—in her bed and in her arms.
"You look all too pleased with yourself."
Ingo Hunter. Until now, Calder had been blessed not to have her evening marred by his company. The crowd was gone. The lights were lowered. Time for the vermin to scurry out of the woodwork.
"I'm glad to see you."
"Really?" Ingo looked surprised. "Are your eyes finally open to my undeniable charisma?"
Calder let the ridiculous, stomach-turning, comment pass. Adam, ever vigilant, started across the room, ready to dispose of the trash. She shook her head, a silent message to let her take care of business first. Reluctantly, he heeded her wishes. Taking a seat within striking distance, he kept his eyes trained on Hunter.
"I want to say something to you. Hear me and understand."
"I always listen when a beautiful woman talks."
"Don't." Calder sighed. "You think you're charming. You're wrong."
"Your mother doesn't agree."
"Billie is… I can't do anything about her. I can only take care of myself. Let me be clear. Never try to fuck with my life again. The pictures you have? The ones with Adam and Aurora? They're worthless. Always were. Always will be."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The flicker of anger in Hunter's eyes told a different story. He could deny his involvement all he wanted. She knew the truth.
"You lost. I won." Actually, Calder hit the jackpot. "I don't know what you want. What you have planned doesn't matter. My sisters and I will take you down. Every time."
"Ah, yes. The invincible Benedict girls." Hunter's laugh held an unpleasant edge. "You think you're smart. All the angles covered. You may have won a battle. But the war is mine."
Calder's hand balled into a fist. If Hunter hadn't turned and walked away, she would have knocked the smug off his face.
"You okay?"
"I will be. Hold me."
"With pleasure."
Adam's arms did the trick. Calm settled over Calder. She wouldn't let Ingo Hunter mar her happiness.
"What are your thoughts on a long, hot bath?"
"Will I have company?"
Calder nodded.
"Then, I say yes. The longer, the better. What do you say?"
"I love you. And, let's go home."
EPILOGUE
~~~~
THE NEXT MORNING breakfast was a lively affair considering the hour everyone got to bed. And the fact Calder woke her sisters early so she could fill them in on last night's events. They agreed her father's actions were inexcusable. As for Ingo Hunter?
"What the hell?" Destry speared a blueberry with extra gusto. "Can he sink any lower?"
"I wish the answer was no," Calder sighed.
"He's a petty slime ball." Bryce smiled when Mrs. Finch set an everything but the kitchen sink omelet in front of her.
"The only important thing is, you prevailed," Andi said as she cut into her waffle. "Let's focus on the happy. We get to plan a wedding. I need at least a month to make your dress. You need to decide on a design. The color? Lace? Satin? Not to mention the fittings."
Calder was getting married. The notion hadn't sunk in completely. Still, happy summed up her feelings very nicely. When the event would occur was the last thing on her mind.
"We aren't close to picking a date."
"No ring on your finger?" Destry's eyes widened in mock horror. "Bad planning on Adam's part."
"I don't know if I want an engagement ring."
"What?" Mrs. Finch handed Calder a bowl of fresh fruit. "A ring is such a nice tradition. I still cherish mine."
The symbolism bothered Calder. She belonged to Adam. Body and soul. But she wasn't his property.
"I didn't say absolutely not." Calder shrugged. "Maybe I'll buy a ring for Adam."
"I don't think so." Adam walked into the kitchen shaking his head.
"A pretty diamond for my pretty fiancé?"
"You're funny." He snatched a strawberry. And a kiss. "The subject is non-negotiable. The stone from my mother's ring in the setting of your choice."
As soon as Adam mentioned his mother, Calder's resistance melted.
"Some traditions are worth keeping."
"I agree. Which reminds me." Adam put an arm around Mrs. Finch's shoulders. "Ladies. I know the bond you have. How much you mean to each other. I couldn't marry Calder if I didn't have your blessing. What do you say? May I have your sister's hand in marriage?"
"You really want to make me bawl, don't you?" Calder sniffled.
"Hold off," he whispered. "If they say no, I'll join you."
"We discussed the possibility," Andi said.
"You did?" Surprised, Calder looked at Bryce.
"Just in case, we thought we should be prepared."
"And?" Calder and Adam asked in unison.
"Calder wouldn't have said yes unless she knew you're the one," Destry pointed out. "And I like you."
"Destry's right," Bryce nodded. "I like you, too. And, I trust Calder's judgment."
"We're unanimous." Andi smiled. "Welcome to the family."
"If you start crying now, Mrs. Finch, you won't have any tears left on the day of the wedding," Destry pointed out.
Mrs. Finch wiped her eyes with the end of her apron before she hugged Adam.
"Weddings are for laughter, not tears. Today better be the last time I cry over you and my Calder. Until I hold your first baby in my arms. Then all bets are off."
"Hold up on the babies, Mrs. F."
"I'm not worried." Around her tears, Mrs. Finch looked almost smug. "Someday you'll be ready."
Calder met Adam's blue gaze. When he smiled, she smile back—and had her answer. Someday.
"I have to go. Mom called. She loved her night at the hotel. Ate her room service-delivered breakfast in the lap of luxury. Now, she's ready to go home."
Adam gave Calder another kiss.
"Meet you for some afternoon playtime?" he whispered.
"My room. Two o'clock?"
With a wink, Adam left.
Destry let out an exaggerated sigh.
"I suppose we'll have to get used to all the touching and whispering and so forth."
"Especially the so forth," Calder assured her. "Think you can survive the shock?"
"You're happy?"
"More than I ever thought possible."
"Then bring on the mush," Destry winked.
A moment later, Billie burst into the room in a cloud of perfume and a swirling red negligee. Her face fully made up. Hair artfully arranged. The same as every other morning. Except something was different. Instead of a rather languid, I can't function until noon, demeanor, she practically vibrated with excitement.
"Oh, good. You're all here. I have news." Billie paused for dramatic effect. "I'm pregnant. And I just know I'm going to have a boy this time."
Hurricane Billie twirled out of the room. In her wake, silence and devastation.
A baby. Potentially a boy who would inherit the entire Benedict fortune. Including the house. Their home.
The shock Calder felt was mirrored on the faces of her sisters. Now she knew what Ingo Hunter meant when he said he would win the war. If Billie gave birth to his child—his son—he would gain control of everything.
Calder's head fell into her hands.
"Well, crap. Now, what do we do?"
COMING IN APRIL
~~~~
TWO OF A KIND
BRYCE'S STORY
BOOK TWO OF THE SISTERS QUARTET
TURN THE PAGE FOR A LOOK AT MORE BOOKS BY
MARY J. WILLIAMS
IF I LOVED YOU
(HARPER FALLS BOOK ONE)
PROLOGUE
IT WAS SOMETHING out of a fairy tale.
Thousands of flickering lights dazzled her senses, almost as much as the tall, wickedly handsome man who so expertly danced her onto the shadowed balcony. The music that filtered from the nearby ballroom only added to the already magical atmosphere.
Women dreamed their whole lives of a moment like this — a prelude to a happily-ever-after ending. Ever so briefly, she let herself drift into that fantasy as if she was one of those women. For a moment, she let herself pretend that her childhood had been filled with the kind of whimsicality that allowed those fantasies to carry over into adulthood.
But no, she wasn't a romantic, hopeless or otherwise. She didn't want a prince to sweep her into his arms and carry her away on his faithful steed. She was more than capable of rescuing herself. She preferred it that way.
The stars were in the sky, not in her eyes.
"I'm glad you asked me to dance," her partner whispered, pulling her closer.
Suddenly, she was nervous. The champagne she downed earlier had completely worn off. No more floating on a cloud of false courage. If she was going to do this, she was going to have to do it on her own.
One Way or Another_A Friends to Lovers Contemporary Romance Page 26