“She’s lonely.” Gerard shook his head. “I know what I see, and I don’t want somebody desperate or to feed into someone’s aggressive loneliness.”
“Meet her before you judge her.” Barnie pushed his glasses up and shrugged. “It could just be the picture. She fits the profile of everything we want. She won’t be a problem.”
“Then you can marry her.” Gerard rolled his chair away from his desk. “You went to Yale. You have a promising career as a political player. You’re a perfect match.”
“Just go meet this woman. If you don’t like her at dinner, we’ll call the deal off.”
Barnie stormed out of his office. Gerard grimaced as he stared at the folder. Then he tried to work. The plan to meet her at six had been set. His computer screen had a jumble of words. He’d be a jerk at dinner and hope she’d end the charade. Not evening winning the election was worth matrimony.
Time flew. His fingers hovered over his keyboard, but then he glanced at his watch. Only fifteen minutes remained. He shut down his computer and stood. He closed his office door, said goodbye to everyone on his staff, and glanced again at his watch. Gerard shrugged his muscular frame into his black trench coat and found a hat. The cold autumn rain outside matched his mood.
As he strolled down High Street into downtown Boston, he passed other people as they rushed out of the cold. He held his collar close to his neck and wished he’d remembered a scarf.
Two minutes later, his older brother Sean called him. Gerard had avoided all calls and visits from his family this week. He bit his bottom lip and answered, “How are you?”
“You didn’t come to Mom’s dinner this weekend.”
“I was tied up with the election.”
“Or your wedding plans?” Sean asked. “We all subscribe to the news and get alerts when our name makes the papers. Gigi said you intended on a wedding to help with your election.”
Gerard’s neck tightened in his collar as his face heated. “Don’t believe everything you read,” Gerard answered. “But in this case, it might be right. I’m thinking about a temporary fiancée.”
The censure Gerard felt in that breath over the phone silenced him. Sean said, “Marriage to a good woman will only get harder for you to find if you keep playing fast and loose, baby brother.”
“We can’t all be in love with a woman we met when we were three, bro.” Gerard kept up his pace to get to the restaurant in time. He knew Sean was right.
“Gigi and I didn’t have an easy time of it.”
Women were never easy. “I’ve already lived through the bomb threats, break-ins, naked videos, and everything else that Stella Burns did.”
“A good woman won’t find you, especially if you already have a wife.” His brother should be the lawyer and not the CFO of their father’s company right now. Everything he said was valid. From the end of the block Gerard stared at the restaurant as his brother continued his lecture. “You’ll find the right woman if you keep your eyes open. Marry the wrong one and you’ll make your life complicated.”
Also true. Sean was on a roll. Gerard had no optimistic illusions of love, and this felt wrong. As he stood outside the exclusive restaurant, his entire body heated up as he stared in the window upstairs. A pair of great legs caught his attention. If that was this Imogen girl, maybe he’d get past the eyes. “Sean, I have to go.”
He turned off his phone, just in case anyone else thought to call him. Then he walked inside. He shook his jacket free of the light mist and handed his coat and hat to a coat-check counter. A moment later, he leaned against the oak doorframe and glanced around again for the pair of legs. Whoever she was must have sat down.
“Mr. Collins, your party is already seated,” the hostess told him. “Please follow me.”
He expected the worst. He glanced down, and the hostess had nice enough legs, but they weren’t the ones from the window. He clicked his tongue in his mouth and gazed at the woman who sat at his table. His stare drifted to under the table. No, she wasn’t the legs either. Hers were skinnier and straight, and a shudder ran through his spine as he gazed into her crazy eyes. He’d never marry this one.
She was just like Stella.
Gerard’s mind drifted. Legs from the window was the type a man lusted for, and he pictured them wrapped around his waist.
“Gerard Collins?” The woman smiled at him and sedately offered her hand. “I’m Imogen Ramos. It’s good to meet you.”
He sat across from her and nodded. “My advisor, Barnie White, had a major crush on you, but thought he’d be doing his job if he set us up.”
“I don’t understand. Aren’t you the one running for office?” Imogen asked him, batting her eyes.
Gerard’s entire focus went to the aisle near the maître d’s table. He glimpsed the legs again.
The thighs had just enough of a curve, and the skin looked soft. He blinked as those legs turned and he saw the curve of her calves. As she took a step forward, his gaze traveled. Her tanned legs went with a beautiful, curvy body, long blonde hair, full lips, and blue movie-star eyes.
Gerard massaged his chin. Nicole Wyman, his mother’s favorite actress, was here, and she was still breathtaking.
He returned his attention to Imogen. She’d said something about Barnie. Gerard said, “Barnie is a great guy and I hired him because he’s the best. You’d like him.”
Imogen shrugged. “I’m fine with the proposal as it stands now.”
Gerard tightened his fists under the table. He was not getting married to win. There had to be another way.
CHAPTER FOUR
Nicole
Nicole stared hard at Gerard. The man’s shoulders meant he spent hours in the gym. He sat with a well-dressed Hispanic woman. Nicole’s mind swirled. The news said a political marriage, but she couldn’t believe it.
She held her head high then swayed her hips as she walked. She saw how Gerard stared at her legs as she came toward him. She had to see him.
She flipped her hair behind her head and played the movie star.
Once she made it to the table, she slid in next to him and avoided the other woman. This wouldn’t take long. Nicole licked her lips. He stared right at her, as did the pretty little rich girl. She crossed her legs and then took a piece of bread from the rolls on the table. Then she batted her eyelashes, which always caused people to hold their breath.
Gerard did the same. Perfect. She smiled. “I’m Nicole Wyman, the Oscar-nominated actress. What most people don’t know about me is that I’m originally from Hyannis, and my real name is Nicole Burns. I’m here today—”
“Burns?”
She watched Gerard’s lips open as he stood.
“Do you know her, darling?” the well-put-together woman asked.
Gerard grimaced. “I’m not your darling. I don’t think we’re a fit.”
“Ouch.” Nicole leaned forward. “Is that what you say to all the women when you’re done with them?”
The woman nodded like they were suddenly best friends. “Do you know Gerard?”
Nicole nodded. “The Burns family and the Collins family—”
“Have known each other for years, Imogen.” Gerard motioned for the waiter and the check. “We need to catch up now.”
“We do?”
Gerard met her gaze with his steely one. “Ms. Ramos and I have finished our business conversation, and I’d love to talk to you alone.”
Nicole’s head swung as she tried to make sense of the scene. The candles. The breadsticks. The wine. This setup made it seem like a romantic date. “Business conversation?”
Imogen picked up her wineglass, sipped, and then sighed. “He told me he doesn’t want to marry me.”
Gerard bared his teeth.
Perhaps the gossip in the news had been right. Nicole leaned across the table and took the woman’s free hand in hers. “Did you think he would?”
Imogen sipped her wine again. “The truth is I don’t care.”
At least Nicole ha
dn’t interrupted a tearjerker moment to ask what he knew about Stella. She sat straighter in the seat next to Gerard and felt how he was taller than her. He made her feel feminine, though muscles and height never carried much weight with her. She brushed her hair behind her ear and nodded. “Good for you.”
Gerard shook his head. He clearly wanted this to be done. No man wanted to stick around after a breakup scene. How he was still here was a testament to his ambitions. Gerard scoffed as he took the bill from the waiter that reached over her head. He signed the paper and pocketed his card. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Nic.”
No one called her Nic. Ever. She clenched her hands under the table. Heat washed through her, but this wasn’t about her. “I want to speak to you about Stella.”
“Not here.” Gerard’s hip pressed into hers. He wanted to get up. She refused to budge, and he said, “Stella cannot be brought up in public during the election.”
Nicole had to know how best to help Stella now. Her brazen attitude here tonight had everything to do with her sister.
Nicole’s heart raced as she motioned with her hand to his dinner companion. “You’re being rude to Ms. Ramos.”
“I’m staying. You two can go,” Ramos said.
He smelled like a man, the forest meeting the cold, hard Atlantic sea air. Gerard tapped his hands on the table.
She brushed her hand against his leg. It was time they left. She motioned to get up. Gerard slid out beside her. Then he straightened his clothes. “I think we best talk alone. Goodbye, Ms. Ramos.”
Nicole nodded and followed Gerard.
She’d ask about Stella and leave. She’d ignore the goosebumps that grew on her arm.
Gerard motioned for her to go further down the aisle and let the patrons see them leave together. “Nicole…”
“Yes.” In Hollywood, she’d ensure she was not photographed with him. If Stella saw any picture, Nicole would explain she came to discuss her. She swallowed and then followed him. “I suppose you’re right. Let’s talk somewhere else.”
The entire restaurant stared at them now. There would be pictures. Nicole straightened her shoulders and clicked her heels into the ground as she swayed toward the door. “Lead the way, heartbreaker.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Gerard
From the restaurant door, Gerard felt his face heat. His mother had always said to never let a lady drink alone. But at least she wouldn’t expect a ring.
Nicole’s sigh as she covered her mouth rang in his ears. The cold autumn evening lowered his temperature as he led Nicole down the street. With his hands under his arms, he still felt the chill in the air.
“Where are we heading?” Her voice was airy and light. Then she took his hand and covered her face as someone on the street pointed at her in recognition. The bite in the air kept him from stopping.
“My office. The staff will be gone. You can say whatever you want to me there,” he told her. “It’s this way and not far.”
As they turned onto High Street, she tugged her hand away from his, and a coldness reentered him. She kept her head down, but followed him. “I saw you are running for the Senate, Gerard. It’s a big responsibility.”
“There is too much corruption both here and in Washington.” His upper lip curled. Stella had done a number on him. Nicole should wear a neon-bright red light around her and blare in his ears danger. At his campaign headquarters, he pointed to the door. “You coming home helped me realize something.”
“What is that?” Nicole kept her head low so no one saw her. As she came closer to him, she brushed against his arm.
“I can’t fight corruption if I sell my soul in marriage to a woman I don’t know or care for.”
“The news had it right for once.” Heat rushed through him as she continued, “Gerard, you could have almost anyone you wanted.”
He walked up the four steps to his headquarters and unlocked the door. She passed him, and he inhaled her vanilla scent. His mouth watered. Nicole Burns was flawless on the surface, and she must know it.
He followed behind her then turned the lock to ensure they would be left alone.
“I don’t want any woman. If I did, getting married to win wouldn’t be an issue.”
Nicole’s soft whimper made him doubt himself.
“This isn’t what you want to talk about. What is it, then?”
“I think you deserve happiness.” She stepped closer, and his gaze lowered to her breasts for a second. She crossed her arms, and his face heated as she said, “I came to find you so we can talk about the past.”
The fire in her gaze sent a shock through him. He closed the door and assumed she was fine with being inside. The bell above the door rang, but they both ignored it.
“We might be out of time soon. I haven’t seen you since you were a teenager.” Gerard stormed around the still-dark office. As he turned on the lights, he watched her blush spread up her neck, and fought the urge to kiss her shoulder. He licked his lips, not sure where the thought had come from. The small slice of heaven she seemed to carry around with her had to be his imagination.
“My sister’s sick. She was obsessed with you.” Nicole massaged the back of her neck again and then recrossed her arms. “I have done my best to keep her safe.”
He froze, and every part of him felt like ice. “How? I haven’t seen Stella in years.”
Her hands curled. “Stella’s in a mental hospital. She was diagnosed and is receiving treatment for mental illness.”
Well, that explained a lot. Stella had deserved to be locked up for how she’d stalked him. He lowered his voice. “I am sorry for you.”
She let out a breath as she avoided his gaze. “Schizophrenia and a borderline personality disorder that was exacerbated with illegal drug use and alcohol.”
A few pieces slid into place. Stella had a serious mental health issue. He motioned for them to sit in chairs. “Wow, Nic, I had no idea. I’m sorry.”
She stood and paced, refusing the chair. “Don’t pretend with me.”
He sat on the edge of his desk as he stared at her. “How long has she been in treatment?”
She let her arms fall to her sides and met his gaze. “Ten years rehab. Three years in a permanent mental hospital.”
“That explains why my life became quiet.”
“I am sorry she tried to hurt you.”
He brushed his hand against her shoulder to get her to lower her guard, but the moment he touched her, an electric jolt reverberated in him. He drew his hand away like he’d been singed. “Your sister was never well, Nic. I am glad you came to see me.”
“Are you?” Her words were soft, like she choked on them.
“Am I what?” He couldn’t understand Nicole. “Yes, Nic, I always wondered about you.”
“I told you already. Don’t call me Nic.” She shook her head. “I hate that name.”
It was her name. She seemed to be avoiding the real reason for this conversation. “It’s what we called you before you ran off to be famous.”
Her face darkened. “Nicole. My name is Nicole. I never liked that nickname, even as a girl. To me it sounds boyish.”
Memories flooded him. As a teenager, Stella had followed him around. “I think your name is cute.”
Nicole stopped moving and lifted her eyebrow. “You’re a guy. You don’t get it.”
Neither said anything.
“There had to be a reason she targeted you.” Nicole didn’t look at him, and her voice wavered.
“I met Stella and you at church. She knew Gigi, my brother’s wife.”
“Your brother and Gigi married? That’s good.” Nicole kept her head down and rubbed her temples. “Stella adored you, Gerard.”
“She was lonely and wanted me, but it doesn’t mean I encouraged her. Nicole, believe me.”
She nodded and turned her head to give him a half-smile. “My sister didn’t make a lot of friends.”
A sense of relief swept through him. “Ni
cky—”
“Nicole.” She stepped back, but her gaze flew to his.
He nodded and offered her a half-smile. “Most girls named Nicole are pretentious, but that’s not you.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s a sweeping generalization and untrue.”
“You win on that one. It was rude.” He leaned on the wall closer to her. She stared at him without an answer. “Your sister was imbalanced and scared me. She called the police on me at church for threatening to burn the place down. Nicole, I avoided your sister.”
“The way she talked about you…” Her eyes misted, and he froze. She gulped and continued, “Gerard, something wasn’t right, but and I wish we had known what it was then.”
“She wanted to bear my unborn children. She literally told me that when she begged me to date her. She threw herself on top of my car to tell me.” He held out a palm. “You knew your sister was obsessed.”
“I was younger than you both.” She didn’t touch his hand. “Stella hadn’t been levelheaded or well adjusted when the subject was you.” Nicole closed her eyes. “I shouldn’t have flown in from California for this.” She took his hand to shake.
Skin-to-skin contact made every cell in his body come alive. He coughed. “Nicole Burns, I’d like to bury the hatchet between us.”
She lowered her gaze. “I needed closure on my sister. I shouldn’t have placed blame on your doorstep.”
The smell of roses and honey wafted next to her. He leaned forward as his lips tingled to kiss her, but he then he stopped. It wasn’t the time, not yet.
CHAPTER SIX
Nicole
Goosebumps grew all over her near Gerard. It was better to leave now or call her sister. Her heart thumped in her chest. Nicole zipped her light jacket to face the bite of the wind outside.
“Would you like a drink?”
Gerard’s deep voice reverberated in her gut. Her fingers trembled as she gazed into Gerard’s deep brown eyes with flecks of red. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she swallowed.
A few more minutes with him might show her why she had always been attracted to him. Slowly, she unzipped her jacket and sighed. Staying couldn’t hurt. “Okay. One.”
Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three) Page 3