by Leslie North
“Nice to see you too. No one has heard from you in two days. I wanted to make sure you were still alive,” Gabe grumbled as he walked in.
“I’m doing my job. Remember how you and Stephen keep telling me to work on this design? If you wanted to get a hold of me, all you had to do was call.” Nathan crossed the studio to bend over his computer again. Staring at the model that he’d constructed on his computer, he checked one more time to make sure it was perfect. Satisfied, he hit the print button.
“I’ve been trying to call all morning. Your phone isn’t turned on.”
Nathan groaned and moved all his papers around before he found his phone lying underneath. The screen wouldn’t light up. “Sorry. I guess I forgot to charge it. But rest assured, I am still alive.”
“And playing with a new toy. What is it?”
“This toy?” Nathan grinned. “This is my baby. This brings my creations to life!”
“A 3D printer?”
“Indeed. In four hours, I will have a miniature model of one string of buildings.”
“So you’re done with the drawings?” Gabe asked as he leaned over the desk and looked at Nathan’s papers.
“Almost. Once I have a model printed, I’ll be able to see if there are any details that I need to work through. This is the first draft.” To make a point, Nathan leaned over and snatched the papers out of Gabe’s hands. “What are you really doing here?”
Gabe smirked. “I knew you were going to forget.”
“Forget what?”
“You promised me that you were going to plan Duncan’s birthday party this year. I’m here to pick up the invitations that you were supposed to have printed.”
“Oh. Holy. Shit.” Nathan’s eyes widened in panic. “I completely forgot. Stephen is going to kill me.”
“Relax little brother. Daisy was fairly certain that you were going to forget, so she had these printed up as a back-up.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a dark blue invitation card. It was simple but elegant. Embossed with silver font, it was an RSVP card for Duncan’s seventy-fifth birthday.
“I owe her one. And you,’ Nathan muttered as he handed the card back. “Tell her I think it’s perfect.”
“You can pay me back by stopping by the caterers on Wednesday and finalizing the menu. Daisy and Angie are handling the decorations, but I think it’s mostly falling on Daisy’s shoulders. I’m trying to help her out as best as I can.”
“Stephen got the band?” Nathan asked absently as he glanced at his printer. The party was probably going to be one of the biggest blowouts of the year, but Nathan had completely forgotten all about it, he had been so focused on the Wells Project.
And Carolina.
“Can I bring a date?”
“If by date, you mean Carolina Valdez, I’d say you do so at your own risk,” Gabe said wryly.
“Dammit, how do you know?”
“Angie and Daisy talk. I don’t think Stephen knows yet, so at least you have that to look forward to.” Gabe reached for the cord of Nathan’s phone and plugged it in.
Nathan frowned as he watched his brother playing with it. “What are you doing?”
“I’m making sure that you have the party programmed into your calendar, and I’m adding a reminder about the caterer.” Gabe looked up. “Have you gotten a present yet?”
“Are you going to add that to my calendar too?”
“Don’t be so snippy, little brother. If you forget to stop by the caterer, I really am going to kill you. If you forget the party or a present, Duncan will kill you.” Gabe smiled. “And if you bring Carolina Valdez to the party as your date, Stephen is going to kill you.”
“My love life is none of his business.”
Gabe chuckled. “Simmer down. I happen to know that Angie is making sure that her little sister gets an invitation, so she’ll already be there. I think Angie wants to make sure that you live long enough to see your new niece.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Was there anything else you needed?” he demanded.
“Don’t forget anything else, Nathan. I know we said this project was important, but you have to make time for other things. It shouldn’t be the only thing in your life.”
“I won’t forget,” Nathan promised. “Now get out so I can get some more work done today.” His brother started walking to the door, and Nathan sighed and called after him, “Thanks, Gabe.”
“Anytime, little brother.”
9
Twinkling lights were strung up in the trees in the expansive backyard, and the tables were spread with food and drinks. A small band played in the corner, and more than a few couples were on the platform dance floor. The Maxfield mansion looked breathtaking, and more and more people arrived every minute.
“Waste of time and money,” Duncan said gruffly as he filled his plate by the table. Daisy immediately snatched it out of his hand.
“The doctor told you to lay off the bread,” she said severely as she plucked the roll from his plate and set it on Nathan’s. “I swear, you never listen.”
“It’s my birthday. I should be able to eat whatever I damn well please,” he bellowed.
Daisy put her hands on her hips and was ready to square off when Nathan stepped in. “Dad, I suggest you follow the doctor’s order before Angie finds out that you’re sneaking food.”
Duncan hissed and stalked away with his remaining food. “You know,” Daisy nudged Nathan watching Duncan walk away, “I’m actually going to miss being able to use Angie as a weapon,” she said with a smile.
Nathan smiled back. He couldn’t believe the transformation that had taken place since she married Gabe. While she remained her passionate, uninhibited self, she had rechanneled her love for the environment into something that greatly benefited Duncan Enterprises and their clients.
While she had tried to maintain the San Francisco branch of Restore Eden in addition to her work at the company, it had become too much and she was feeling pulled into too many directions. Once she was satisfied with the direction Restore Eden was going helping local businesses, she had readily turned her position over to someone else, but she was adamant that they not return to their previous, somewhat nefarious, ways.
If anything, her relationship with Gabe strengthened her resolve that it was possible to save the planet from inside corporations. In fact, she had grown to realize that was where they needed to start. Granted, she still regularly butted heads with Stephen over the amount of waste the Construction division still managed to produce. Thanks to new partnerships with non-profits working to fix up some of the low-income housing in the city, Duncan Enterprises was donating their leftovers to them instead of the landfill, which was helping to turn their reputation around.
Rather than her usual t-shirt and jeans, she was dressed to the nines in a green cocktail dress that swirled as she walked. She looked beautiful, but then, she always had. “I’m not going to miss Angie being pregnant,” he snickered.
“You look good, Nathan. It’s nice to see you out of loafers and Dockers every once in a while.” His dark suit was custom-tailored to fit just right, but he hated the tie. He’d already discarded the jacket and rolled up his sleeves, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he got rid of the noose around his neck. Daisy reached up and affectionately smoothed his hair. “But this will never be tamed, will it?”
It wasn’t the touch of unresolved or rekindled love or even the comfortable touch of old lovers. He and Daisy had fallen into a wonderful brother-sister routine. The way she looked at Gabe was completely different from the way that she had ever looked at Nathan. After six years of trying to make their relationship work, he was happy that she’d finally found the love that she deserved.
“My hair is a trademark,” he said pretending to frown as he ran his hands through it to muss it up even more. “Have you seen Angie or any of her family?”
Daisy smirked. “If you’re looking for Carolina, no, I haven’t seen her yet.”
>
Nathan opened his mouth to argue but quickly shut it. There was no point. If Angie knew, then Daisy knew. The two had become close friends, and it worked out well in their favor. No Maxfield would dare go up against them when they were in league together. “You and Angie did a great job with the decorations. Everything looks amazing.”
“Don’t change the subject. I’ve heard from Angie and from Gabe, and now I want to hear it from you. What’s going on with you and Carolina?”
“We’re still getting to know each other,” he said mildly.
Daisy planted her hands on her hips again and glared at him. “I know for a fact that you haven’t even looked at a woman since moving back here. You’re too involved with your work, Nathan. If you like her, you need to show her.”
He was about to tell her to mind her own business when he caught sight of Carolina across the yard. His jaw fell open and all he could do was stare. Her blonde hair was curled and pinned up, but still somehow managed to cascade to her shoulders. She wore a black dress that was cut all the way down to the small of her back and clung to her curvy hips. It snapped halter-style at her neck, draped down dangerously low over her cleavage, and stopped mid-thigh.
“Close your mouth,” Daisy said dryly. “And I suggest you go ask her to dance before anyone else does.”
Scanning the crowd, Nathan saw that quite a few men were giving her the once-over. Without saying a word to Daisy he shoved his plate into her hand, and without looking back, he walked across the yard and took Carolina by the elbow. She was talking to Angie, but Nathan didn’t even apologize as he pulled her away and onto the dance floor.
“Nathan!” Carolina laughed. “I was in the middle of a conversation!”
“I figured I should stake my claim before anyone else does,” he explained as he pulled her into his arms. “I don’t want you to have to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
“Claim? What makes you think you get to claim me?” She said it with a smile and immediately curved an arm around his neck.
He pressed one hand to the small of her back and pulled her close. “With the way you look tonight, there is no way I’m letting another man get his hands on you.”
“Is that your way of telling me that I look nice?”
Her bare skin was warm and supple beneath his touch, and Nathan had to fight the urge to lean down and kiss her in front of everyone. “You look breathtaking.”
Carolina immediately looked down, but Nathan could see the smile on her face. When she met his gaze again, she was more composed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
The beat of the music picked up, and Nathan pulled her off the dance floor. “Hey,” she protested. “I actually have a babysitter tonight. I’m here to have a good time!”
A cocktail waitress walked by, and Nathan snagged two glasses of champagne from the tray. “Does having a good time mean having a drink or two?”
“Yes, it does,” Carolina said as she accepted the drink. “I have had a stressful week, and I’m looking forward to relaxing tonight and enjoying some grown-up time that doesn’t have anything to do with the restaurant or math homework.”
“Grown-up time, huh?” His voice was husky as he traced a finger down her bare spine. She shivered and swatted his hand away.
“You better behave yourself. People are watching,” she laughed as she backed away.
“Does it matter? We’re not doing anything wrong. We’re getting to know each other, remember?”
“I’d prefer not to get to know each other too well in front of all these people.”
Nathan raised his eyebrows. “I’m more than happy to get to know you better in private.”
Rather than reply, she tipped her glass back and drained it. He didn’t say anything as he took her empty glass from her, but when she reached out and took his glass, he smiled. “You really are out to have a good time tonight.”
“I am. And if you’re not going to dance with me, I’m going to find someone who will.” She drained the second glass of champagne, handed it to him, and sashayed away. Amused, Nathan watched as she grabbed Daisy’s hand and pulled her to the dance floor.
“Your ex-girlfriend and your current girlfriend dancing together? That shouldn’t bother you at all,” Gabe said dryly as he and Stephen joined him, one on either side of him.
“That would be your wife and your sister-in-law’s sister,” Nathan muttered.
“Same thing.”
Stephen glared at him. “I don’t like the idea of you dating Carolina. She’s vulnerable, and you’re taking advantage.”
“She’s a single mother with three kids who runs a restaurant. There’s not a vulnerable bone in her body.” He watched as Carolina met his gaze and gave him a seductive smile. “And I think she’s the one taking advantage of me.”
“Gabe,” Duncan said gruffly. “Are you abandoning your wife? Is she so lonely that she has to dance with other women now?”
“Happy birthday, Dad,” Gabe said mildly. “Are you having a good time?”
“No,” he grumbled. “Your wife won’t let me eat anything,” he said to Gabe, then he turned to Stephen and said, “and your wife won’t let me drink anything. What kind of party is it if the guest of honor can’t eat or drink what he wants?”
Stephen clapped the old man on the back. “Go easy on them. They want to make sure that you make it to your seventy-sixth birthday.”
“Three quarters of a century old, and I can’t even enjoy my own birthday party.” Despite his words, he still smiled. Nathan could tell that the old man liked being fussed over. For so long, he’d ruled the company and controlled everyone and everything. Now he was so much more relaxed and actually enjoying his life.
“Nathan, I think some guy is trying to steal your woman,” Gabe said with a smirk. Nathan watched as another man took Carolina in his arms, but before Gabe could joke anymore about it, another man snagged Daisy. “I don’t think so,” he muttered darkly as he made a beeline for his wife.
Duncan frowned at Nathan. “Well? Aren’t you going after her?”
“She’s not mine to go after,” Nathan said easily, but once the man’s hands slipped a little too low on her body, his muscles tensed. Clenching his jaw, he stalked towards the unsuspecting man.
Tapping the man on the shoulder, he cut in quickly. “Thanks man, I’ll take it from here,” he said smoothly. The stranger didn’t say anything, and Carolina smirked.
“What if I was enjoying dancing with him?”
“Then you wouldn’t be pressing your body so close to mine.” He swung her around, and she flowed like water in his arms. The more they danced, the closer she moved until every muscle in his body ached for her.
“Nathan?” she whispered.
He stroked the soft skin of her back. “Yes, baby?”
“Any empty rooms in that big house?”
Desire punched him in the gut, and he rumbled in his chest. Without saying a word, he grabbed her by the hand and led her off the dance floor.
Carolina was absolutely breathless as he snuck her into the house. Her body was on fire for him, and all she could think about was having his mouth on her.
Having him in her.
Nathan never let go of her hand, and she followed him up the stairs. He wrenched open the first door on the right and pulled her inside. Before the door even closed, his mouth was on her neck.
“Hurry,” she moaned as she pulled at his tie. “Please, I need you.”
She heard him lock the door before his hands were all over her. Frantic with need, she pushed at him until they tumbled on the bed. When she couldn’t get his buttons undone quick enough, she moaned and pulled her dress up. Straddling him, she immediately reached for his belt buckle.
“Whoa, baby, slow down,” he whispered as he grabbed her fumbling hands. “No one is going to interrupt us here. We can take our time.”
Frustrated, she tried to wrench out of his grasp. “But I need you right now. Please.”
Suddenly, he
flipped her over, shoved her dress up to her waist, and pinned her arms above her. She throbbed for him, and she bit her bottom lip. But instead of pressing his body to her, he watched her intently.
“What are you doing?”
“Savoring you.” His voice was hoarse as he kept one hand on her wrists and the other one reached down to her ankle. As his fingers trailed up her naked legs, she lifted her hips in anticipation. His eyes widened in surprise when he got to her phone holster. “Smart,” he muttered as he slid the holster down and placed her phone on the table. When he turned his attention back to her, his eyes were dark and dangerous. He was on a mission, and he returned his hands right where he left off. She gasped when his fingers made it all the way up her inner thigh and brushed against her wet heat.
Nathan immediately moaned. “Fuck, Carolina. No panties.”
“I told you. I was out to have a good time tonight.” She thrust her hips to try to urge his fingers to delve a little deeper. He brushed lightly over her sensitive clit, and the pleasure burned through her. As soon as she gasped, he moved his fingers and leaned over her.
“Carolina, I want to put both my hands on you. So, when I let go of your hands, I want you to enjoy this and not rush it. Okay?”
Wordlessly, she nodded. At that moment, she would have agreed to anything to get her hands on him again. When she was free, she immediately reached for his shirt. Tugging it up, she spread her hands over the muscles of his abdomen. His body was warm and hard, and it was all hers.
Lifting her hips, she let him slide the dress over her waist. He helped her up to a sitting position and pulled the dress completely off. As he wrapped his hand gently around her throat and pushed her back down, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to her flat abdomen.
It had been so long since another man had seen her naked body, but there was no shame under Nathan’s skillful hands. She was too busy moaning to think about what he thought of her body.
One finger slowly slid inside her. “Nathan,” she moaned as she arched her hips. “Please. If you don’t take me right now, I’m going to…”