"It's spectacular. You're in the middle of nowhere, but you're not."
"Yep. It's a great spot. Come inside. We'll go in the front door so you can get the full impact. Where's your suitcase?"
"In the back of my car,"
Touching her key, the back of the SUV popped up, and Tony pulled out her bag.
"This is small. Are you sure you have enough?"
"Probably not. I was frazzled when I packed, but I'll have to go home to meet the plumbers. I can always grab whatever else I might need."
"I'm really sorry you have to deal with such a mess on top of everything else," he remarked as they walked towards the house.
"The timing isn't great, and I thought the plumbing was in good shape. I just don't understand how it could have happened."
"I'm sure your plumbers will tell you. Meanwhile, welcome to Devonshire House," he exclaimed, unlocking the heavily carved front door and pushing it open.
"Tony. This is incredible."
The marbled floor foyer was flanked either side by twin sweeping staircases with polished mahogany bannisters. Pedestals featuring bronze horses, dogs and elephants were strategically placed, and a huge gilded mirror mounted on the side wall reflected the splendor.
"It's a bit much for me, but it needs to look like this. When it goes on the market people will talk about it."
"You're advertising already?"
"Sure, though it's not blatant. If someone asks me if I'd be willing to part with this house, I say something like, you'd have to write me a very fat check. I'm planting the expectation. When the time comes people will know I won't be interested in a low offer, but I expect I'll get some bites before that even happens. Now, Miss O'Connell, you have a decision to make. There are five guest suites, but the best are the three upstairs. Two have a view of the back lawns and trees, the other over the city. Which would you prefer?"
"I thought you said you had six bedrooms."
"The sixth is mine."
"Oh, of course, Duh. Silly me. I'd love to look over the city."
"Right this way."
"I feel weird," she said as they walked up the stairs.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Being in this amazing house with you, it's a bit…"
"Intimidating?"
"Yes, I think that's what it is."
"What can I do to make you comfortable?" he asked, turning down a wide hallway.
"I'm not sure," she replied, though she wanted to say, sweep me into your arms and kiss me.
Opening a door, he waved his arm, and as she walked in she broke into a wide smile. The expansive bedroom was lemon and white, with a white sleigh bed and complimentary shabby chic furniture. French doors led out to a terrace, and as she moved across the room and stepped outside, she let out a sigh.
"This is gorgeous."
She could feel him behind her, and turning around she found him closer than she'd expected.
"So are you," he murmured, with an almost solemn expression.
"Uh, thank you."
"Sorry. That just came out."
"Why are you sorry?"
"Given our conversation at dinner it probably wasn't appropriate. Mixed messages and all that."
"Tony, the truth is," she began, lowering her voice, "I was really nervous, and when I'm nervous I can't think straight and things come out wrong."
"Nervous? You didn't seem nervous. You seemed anything but."
"I was, but sometimes," she said, looking at him intently, "arguments like that can bring people closer together. I think that's happened with us. Or am I wrong?"
"You're not wrong, and I'm glad of it," he replied, then pausing, he added, "You said something at Mabel's that struck a chord."
"I did? About what?"
"You said I loved Mabel because she's real. I've been around you for weeks, and the more I'm with you, the more I want to be with you. It hit me. That's why. I like being with you because it's easy. You're comfortable in your own skin. You are who you are."
"Tony! What a lovely thing to say. But so are you."
"That's the thing. I can be who I am with you. I don't usually feel that way around a woman," he continued, taking her hand. "I told you I don't mix business with pleasure, and I don't, but I want to. I just don't know if it's a good idea."
"Tony…"
"I meet women all the time. All kinds of women, but there's something special about you. I think about you. I think about…"
"About?" she whispered, feeling her heart leap in her chest.
"Sorry. I'm not doing this very well. One of the reasons I'm going to Houston is to get out of here for a few days. I need some distance to clear my head, and I'd like you to think about things too. Really think about what it would mean if we decided to give things a go. There's crazy chemistry between us, but the reality is, we're in business. I think we'd be unwise not to think hard before we leap."
"I agree."
"You do? I thought I was about to get another earful."
"No," she said with an embarrassed smile. "As I said, I was nervous that night. This house might be intimidating, but being here with you, talking like this, I'm not nervous at all."
Tony let out a deep sigh. He wanted her so badly it hurt.
"I wish I could just throw caution to the wind. It's just…"
"That's not who you are. You didn't get where you are by being reckless. Would I love it if you swept me up, tossed me on the bed, and totally ravaged me? Of course, but there is something—how do I say this—unsettled in you. I don't know what it is, and it's subtle, but I can feel it."
"Yeah, there is. But the more I stand here, the less unsettled it feels."
As he spoke the words, he knew them to be true. The episode with Jennifer was still a mystery, but a ghostly mystery. Colleen was real. His feelings were real, and just as he began to question his need to leave town, the loud chiming of the doorbell echoed through the house.
"That's Frank. Make yourself at home. When you've finished putting your things away, take a wander through the house. Feel free to check it out. We'll be in my den."
"How will I know which is your den? I don't want to interrupt."
"There won't be much to interrupt," he said with a smile. "Keep your phone on you. If you haven't found us by the time we're done, I'll call you. If I don't, we'll be wandering around his place looking for each other for an hour."
"That's hilarious."
"But true," he said, then leaning forward he kissed her lightly. "I had to do that."
"You can do it again, any time you want."
Her voice had been almost a whisper, and as he turned and left, she willed her heart to stop its wild beating.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Who's the visitor?" Frank asked as Tony opened the door.
"Colleen. Come on through to the den."
"What's going on?"
"Her pipes burst. She has no water for a few days, and since I'm going away—"
"Ah. That worked out well."
"You want anything? Do we need to stop into the kitchen?"
"No, I'm good."
Tony's man-cave was on the first floor next to the game room. Wood paneled with coffered ceiling, a full bar, a wall-mounted flat screen television, and a large fireplace, it was where he spent most of his time. As he dropped into his chair by the hearth, Frank settled into the couch opposite him.
"Okay, Sherlock. Where do I start?"
"Not with Colleen. That's written all over your face. Do you want me to continue with the in-depth background check?"
"No. Jennifer was the one who put all the doubts in my head about Colleen, and it was Jennifer who spun my brain out. I still don't know how she did it, or why I was so drawn to her. The whole thing was really strange."
"Jennifer is the reason I'm here," Frank said gravely. "That's who I want to talk about. Tell me more about last night."
"I'm not seeing her again, so it's probably moot."
"Tell me anyway. I'm
worried about this. Call me paranoid, but—"
"I often do," Tony said, cutting him off.
"To your benefit."
"This is true, and I trust that crazy nose you've got, but as I said, I won't be seeing her again."
"Indulge me. Tell me everything. Every detail."
Tony began to relay the story, starting with calling the store and being told she wasn't there, then finding her outside studying the window display.
"Interesting. What happened in the bar?"
"We sat at a table. I drank half a glass of beer, and it was only a few minutes later I started to feel a warm buzz, which was weird because beer generally doesn't get to me, and Jennifer, she was…"
"Go on."
"I don't now how to describe this. I wanted her. I mean, I wanted to leap on her bones right there, but she beat me to it. She kissed me, and I didn't care that we were in public. You know me. That's not my style. It was the same when I first met her. I felt this crazy attraction. This will sound nuts, but both times it was as if she'd…I can't even say it."
"Put a spell on you?"
"Yes! But that's absurd."
"I believe she did, but not the kind of spell you mean. I think she slipped something in your drink. Did she have the opportunity to do that?"
"Why would she?"
"One step at a time, Tony."
"Let me think. No, not either time."
"What about the server?"
"The first time I was at the bar and the bartender took care of me. Last night I was at a table, and it was a waitress."
"Huh. Same bartender?"
"Yeah. His name is Scott, but why would he—Shit! Scott was the one who convinced me to see her that first night."
"I'll bet Jennifer and Scott work together," Frank said knowingly.
"But she owns one of the stores in the mall. This isn't adding up."
"What's her name?" Frank asked, opening his briefcase and retrieving his iPad.
"Jennifer Willow Grant, and she lives in Filagree Court."
"Nice development. The name of the store?"
"The Crystal Wand."
"Let's see," Frank mumbled as he tapped on his screen. "Is Jennifer forty-seven?"
"What? No!"
"Jennifer W. Grant, aged forty-seven, does live in Filagree Court, and there's a very nice photograph of her standing in front of The Crystal Wand on opening day."
"What the fuck?" Tony exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Let me see that."
"You were a mark," Frank said as Tony stared at the screen. "She and the bartender are scammers."
"But how did she know so much?"
"She didn't. You talked to Scott before you went in to see her, right?"
"Yeah."
"He probably texted her whatever you told him, and the rest is easy. She spun you a yarn, and the drug did the rest."
"But what about the cards? I pulled Tarot cards and she explained them."
"Tony! It wouldn't have mattered what cards you drew. She gave them the meanings she needed to. Now tell me about last night."
"She was all over me. She wanted to leave the bar and come back here."
"What stopped you?"
"You did. Your comment. Keep it zipped. It flashed through my head."
"No shit."
"And I felt weird. Kind of sick."
"Sounds like the bartender screwed up. He must have put too much of the drug in the beer."
"I just remembered something else. I ordered coffee when we reached the restaurant, then I went to the men's room. When I came back I changed my mind and just had water. By the time dinner was over I was starting to feel a bit better. I bet if I'd had the coffee, she would have ended up driving me home. She offered to do that a few times."
"For sure, and once you were here she would have given you something to knock you out. In the morning you would have woken up to find everything of value gone. Or, she would have arranged to see you again, and when you were out of the house, Scott would come here and cleaned you out."
"I can't believe it. How could I have fallen for it? I thought it was strange that someone so young would have such a thriving store, but people used to say things about my age when I started hitting home runs."
"Meeting you outside the store like that was clever. She's got to be kicking herself. You're the fat cat who got away."
"She doesn't know that. I told her I'd call her when I got back from my trip."
"You told her you were going away?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Tony, please tell me she doesn't know where you live."
"Um, no, she doesn't. It never came up. Do you think they would have broken in here while I'm gone if I'd told her?"
"I wouldn't doubt it. You need to report this to the police. I've got a friend in the department. I'll let him know what's happened."
"Talk about dodging a bullet."
"More like a cannon."
"Yeah, more like a cannon. At least I found out in time."
CHAPTER NINE
Colleen had wandered through the beautiful home. It was pristine, and she could understand why Tony needed a housekeeper three days a week. Moving down the stairs, she'd found a game room and a library, then wandering through the large dining room, she found herself in a gourmet kitchen. As she stopped to stare out at the backyard and its sparkling pool, she heard voices. Turning around she saw Frank and Tony walking in from a different door on the opposite side of the kitchen.
"Hello, Colleen," Frank said warmly. "I hear you're under water."
"I was, but that heroic sea captain next to you saved me."
"I'm not surprise. He's as good at saving people, as he is at saving companies. I need to be on my way. I just wanted to say hi."
"Thanks. I'm glad you did."
"I'll see you later, Tony."
"Wait, I'll walk you out."
"No need. Have a safe trip, and call me when you get to Houston."
"Will do. Thanks for coming by."
"No problem. Bye, Colleen."
"Bye, Frank."
As Frank walked away, Tony rested his elbows on the island and gazed across at her. She was leaning against the counter, her long red hair falling around her shoulders, and as her green eyes sparkled back at him, a surge of emotion moved through his heart. She belonged there. She belonged in his home and in his life.
"Your house is amazing," she said softly. "I don't know what it looked like when you bought it, but everything seems brand new."
"Much of it is. Can I get you anything?"
"No thanks. I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you look calmer. Did Frank bring you good news?"
"In a way. That situation you picked up on, it's been resolved."
"That's great. Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I met this woman, and it turned out she wasn't who she claimed to be. She was running a scam."
"Really? What did she do?"
"She tried to drug me. Correction, she did drug me. She and her boyfriend had me pegged for a score. Frank and I just figured it out. We think they were planning to get in this house and rob me blind."
"Oh, my gosh. That's terrible."
"It's been a disturbing and very confusing few days, but it's behind me now," he said, walking slowly towards her. "There is something I can do in Houston, but I don't need to go there to think about us."
"You don't?"
"Nope, not even for a minute," he said, stopping directly in front of her. "I want to share my life with you. Business, pleasure, the up and downs. I want you, Colleen."
Opening his arms, he waited for her to accept the invitation. She didn't hesitate, and as she fell against his chest, he closed his eyes and breathed her in. He felt happy, deeply happy. Happier than he could ever remember.
"Tony, earlier you said you think about me," she murmured. "You said you think about—but then you stopped. Can you tell me what you were going to say?"
"I've been thinking about sliding my hands int
o your hair like this," he purred, pulling back and moving his fingers through her long, thick locks, "and leaning down and…"
As his lips brushed against hers, their erotic fever took hold, and his cock surged to life.
"You said something about having it all," he breathed as they broke apart. "I've decided to believe it's possible."
"I don't know what to say," she whispered, wondering if she was having an amazingly wonderful dream. "What happens now?"
"You have to ask? Unless you want to wait."
"Wait for what? I've already been waiting."
"Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you are?" he purred, moving his lips to her neck. "All those meetings, watching you make mincemeat out of guys who make mincemeat out of everyone else. It made me crazy."
"Tony?"
"What?"
"Will you please stop talking and ravage me?"
Abruptly lifting her off her feet, he strode through the kitchen and out into the hall. Resting her head against his shoulder, she felt the power of his muscled body, and inhaled the fragrance of the same seductive cologne he'd been wearing when they'd had dinner. Pushing open the door of a guest room, he laid her on the bed, quickly peeled off her clothes and tossed them aside. He paused, gazing down at her for a moment, then leaning over her, he placed his hands on either side of her head.
"I wasn't thinking," he said, his voice husky.
"What's the matter?"
"The condoms are upstairs in my bedroom. I can carry you up there, or be back in a minute."
"Leave me for one-second and you're a dead man."
"Ah. Well. In that case!"
Swooping her up, he hurried back into the hall and started to climb the stairs.
"I'm really glad you're as strong as a marine."
"I'm really glad you only weigh an ounce. Hold on. We're almost there."
But she couldn't wait, and began planting kisses across his face, fueling his hot fever. Striding into his room, he tossed her on the bed and pounced on top of her.
"I need to ask you something."
"Ask me anything," she said breathlessly.
"Do you want me to spank you? The truth."
"Uh…"
"Come on, little girl. Answer me."
"I'm not a little girl."
BOSS_His Wealth. His Power. His Demands. Page 7