It Must Be Love

by Nicki Night

  Sterling was truly entertained. “So you were trouble. I could imagine the stories.”

  “Oh my goodness. This one time, I snuck out for a party and got caught because I accidently kicked the ladder over after climbing back to our room. It made so much noise crashing against the house and landing with a bang. I jumped in my bed and pulled the covers over my head. I could feel Chloe looking at me and probably shaking her head, but I refused to look back at her.” Jewel paused to laugh. “Then we heard our parents running down the hall. They opened the door to our room and I held my breath. Chloe later told me that she pretended to be sleep as well. She didn’t want to think about what was going to happen. My dad went outside and realized what happened and came right back to our room. He knew I had something to do with that fallen ladder. I ended up being grounded for three weeks, but I had a ball at that party.”

  “I bet.”

  “What were you and your siblings like?”

  “We stayed in trouble. But I have to admit, Stephan was often the catalyst and because I was the older brother, I often got in trouble for things he did. Taylor was pretty sensible. She’d seen us get into enough trouble.”

  “My parents had a tighter reign on Jade because of me. Chris did whatever the heck he wanted. I hated that, which is why I acted out so much sometimes. I couldn’t understand why he got to do things that we girls couldn’t—especially when I was older.”

  Swapping stories about their childhood adventures entertained them all the way to the golf course. Sterling’s side hurt from laughing at Jewel’s animated stories—especially the one about her putting crazy glue on the bottom of her mother’s house shoes so she couldn’t come outside and find her playing in the dirt again. She was young enough to think that would keep her mom inside.

  At the golf course, Sterling checked them in at registration. They were presented with a scrumptious breakfast spread of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, oatmeal, fruit and yogurt, coffee, tea and various juices. Sterling introduced her to a few colleagues who had joined him at the table as they filled their bellies. The charity owner delivered a welcome address, thanked everyone for coming and bid them a great time out on the green. Soon after they were greeted by their assigned caddy and taken to their carts to begin their game.

  “You said you weren’t the best. I have a few tips for you.”

  Jewel looked at him for a moment before answering, “Okay.”

  Sterling wondered what that look was about, but dismissed it, counting it as an indication of Jewel’s playful nature.

  At the first hole, he let Jewel tee off first. He came up next to her to offer some tips on her stance.

  “Show me,” Jewel said.

  Sterling stood behind her and leaned forward to grab hold of her club. “You’ll want to hold your hands like this,” he said, demonstrating and feeling the heat in his body rise from being so close to her. “Tilt the club this way and when you swing, follow through like this.” Sterling lifted the club with her hands still on it and swung. “Remember, don’t turn your whole body, just rotate your hips.”

  Jewel looked back at him over her shoulders. “Like this, huh?”

  Energy transferred from her gaze to his eyes and traveled to his core. He cleared his throat. “Yes. Just like that.” He held her gaze for a moment longer, gently swung the club and stepped back, offering space between them.

  Jewel hit her ball and then it was Sterling’s turn. His ball sailed high into the air and landed far from where they stood.

  The two climbed back into the cart. Sterling was suddenly aware of how close they were. He tried not to look at the smooth caramel tone of her thighs when her dress rose as she sat. Jewel crossed her legs, advancing his view, and he wondered if she had done that on purpose. The temperature on the course seemed to rise suddenly.

  At the next few holes, he gave Jewel more pointers. Each time they returned to the cart their closeness challenged his composure and he knew that Jewel was aware of the effect she had on him. Around the fourth hole, the game took an unexpected turn. All this time, he’d been in the lead. Suddenly, Jewel began hitting balls like a pro. His competitive nature rose and he challenged her play for play. Jewel hit one ball and they had to shield and squint their eyes to follow it toward the hole.

  “Hey! I thought you said you couldn’t play.” Sterling planted his hands on his hips.

  “I didn’t say I couldn’t play. I said I wasn’t the best.” After moving ahead of his score, she tossed the club over her shoulder and sauntered back toward the cart.

  Sterling threw his hands up and followed her laughing, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “You bamboozled me!” Sterling said as he climbed into the cart. “I was going easy on you. It’s time to really bring my game,” he said.

  Jewel welcomed the challenge with a confident tilt and sly smile. “Bring it on.”

  If Jewel knew what that comment did to Sterling’s core, she might have held it behind her tongue. By now, he was completely intrigued by this funny, cunning, smart, witty, sexy woman. He hadn’t had this much fun with a grown woman in years. Being with her on that course made his problems melt away. Her presence engrossed him, leaving little room for any other thoughts to take residence in his mind. Jewel was enticing every part of him.

  They remained playfully competitive until the very last hole. Jewel was close to beating him, making him sweat to gain that win.

  When they were done everyone returned to the dining hall for more food and the results of the raffles and silent auction. Jewel won a basket of spirits and Sterling won the bicycle branded by the company who donated it. Instead of keeping it, he offered to give it to one of the youths that the organization served. Everyone cheered when he made the announcement. Jewel also seemed pleased with his decision.

  By the time they left late that afternoon, Sterling was full physically, mentally and emotionally. Jewel’s presence was satisfying in every possible way and by the time he made it back to her house to drop her off, he found that he didn’t want his time with her to end.

  Sterling pulled into her driveway and shut off the engine. His intent was to walk her to the door, but instead they sat in the car talking a while longer.

  “I’m glad I came,” Jewel said. “I had a great time.”

  “You cheated!” Sterling teased.

  “I did not!” Jewel raised her back. Her face was filled with surprise at his accusation.

  “You pretended not to play well.”

  Jewel revealed a half smile. “That’s not cheating.” She hadn’t denied playing him. “You still won so don’t worry. Never underestimate a woman.” She wagged her finger.

  Once again, Sterling couldn’t help but laugh. The two shared a hearty chuckle, but once it waned a tense silence filled the car. Sterling looked into Jewel’s gleaming eyes. She held his gaze. For moments, they communicated without words. Though they couldn’t consider being anything beyond professionals at the time, there was an unspoken understanding. Sterling hoped he had read her correctly. She was as curious about him as he was about her. Curious and ready to explore.

  The silence between them grew more dense, weighted by an obvious desire. Jewel blinked, breaking their trance between one another and he marveled at her brown doe eyes. Sterling wanted to know what her lips felt like. They seemed to have a mind of their own. Longing drove him toward her. She didn’t move. Sterling kissed her softly at first. Her lips made him feel as if he were dreaming on a cloud. He kissed her again and her lips parted, inviting him in. His hands followed, no longer able to resist the desire to touch her supple skin. He cupped his hand along her cheek. Jewel reached her arms around his neck. And right in the car, their yearnings took hold of them, dismissing all boundaries and professional courtesies. The kiss lasted long enough for them to force themselves apart to breathe. Jewel touched her kiss-swollen lips.

  “I�
��d better go.”

  With that she was out of the car. Her exit was like a sweep of wind. Sterling blinked and she was already at her door, turning her key. She waved goodbye and disappeared into the house.

  Sterling sighed and let his head fall against the headrest. He knew everything he needed to know about Jewel to know that he wanted her.

  Chapter 15

  “How’s the work going?” Dominique asked.

  “Yeah, Jewel. Are you guys making good progress?” Harper added.

  “At the office? Yes.”

  “Wait! What’s that supposed to mean?” Dominique asked.

  Jewel giggled. She loved teasing. “Nothing.” She swirled around in her office chair with the phone pressed between her ear and shoulder. “They’re finishing up now. After a few days and a couple more tests, they should be packing up.”

  “Is Sterling still showing up at your office all the time?” Dominique asked.

  “No. I actually started looking forward to his visits. Can you believe that?” Jewel wouldn’t let on just how much she’d missed seeing him. They had spoken on the phone and exchanged texts, but she hadn’t laid eyes on him since the golf event.

  “Mmm-hmm.” Dominique moaned. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to take all that handsomeness in your face without softening on your stance.”

  Jewel got up to close her office door and sat back down. “He invited me to an event.”

  “Really!” Harper squealed.

  “What kind of event?” Dominique seemed hungry for more.

  “A charity golf tournament.”

  “Did you let him win?” Dominique asked in a tone that suggested she already knew the answer.

  “He earned his win. Ha! Came this close to losing.” Jewel held her thumb and forefinger a short distance apart. “He said I cheated.” Jewel threw her head back and belted out a laugh.

  “I knew it,” Dominique said. “Sooner or later these men will learn not to underestimate us women.” All three snickered.

  Especially Chandler women. Jewel hadn’t bothered to voice that last thought. Bobby Dale made sure his children had well-rounded experiences. They skied, golfed, played chess, changed tires, took karate classes, sailed boats, and so much more.

  “What did you do after the golf tournament?” Dominique was fishing.

  “Nothing.” Jewel knew she wanted to hear more. For a moment she thought about whether or not she should share how they’d connected.

  “Nothing?” Dominique asked incredulously.

  “Aww. I was hoping there would be more.” Harper groaned.

  “No kiss?” Dominique nearly growled.

  “Dom! It was a charity event. Not a date.” Jewel decided she wasn’t ready to admit more. Mentioning how much she thought of him and how often she wanted to call just to hear him talk would force her to acknowledge how much of an effect he had on her.

  “So! He drove you home, right? Not to the office. You guys didn’t even share a friendly hug? I’m so disappointed.” Dominique snickered. “I was hoping you had a juicier story to share.”

  The three ladies cracked up laughing again.

  “What do you want to happen here, Dom?” Jewel asked outright.

  “I want you to stop acting like that man isn’t handsome enough to make you second-guess your crazy standards. Shoot! Had he looked at me the way he looked at you that night of the reunion with this gorgeous hazel orbs, I’d be planning my wedding date and would be half pregnant by now.”

  “Ha!” Jewel’s laugh was like a sharp bark. It melded with Harper’s who now sounded like she was hyperventilating.

  “You’re nuts, Dom!” Harper laughed again. “Half pregnant,” she repeated.

  “You can’t convince me that he has no effect on you, Jewel. Keep being around him and you’ll loosen your standards soon enough. All that handsomeness is probably illegal somewhere in the world. Right, Harper?”

  “The handsomeness is great, but who said I was softening on my stance. I still have my standards and that’s not changing.”

  “I just think that’s so superficial, Jewel. There are plenty of great men out there who don’t have Ivy League degrees. Heck! Some don’t even have degrees at all! That doesn’t mean they aren’t successful. There’s nothing wrong with men like that, especially if he’s a nice guy with goals.” Dominique was on her pedestal again.

  “Dom’s got a point, Jewel.”

  “A nice guy with goals? Degree or not that sounds like a snore. Picture me gagging.” Jewel pretended to put a finger in her mouth and made gagging sounds.

  Harper giggled.

  “That did sound a little boring, but you know what I mean. Would you preferred I say he’s the type to bark ‘Me Tarzan, you Jane,’ grab you by the hair, lay you on his rock bed and make passionate love to you? Would it matter if Tarzan had an Ivy League education?”

  “Does Tarzan also have a six-pack to go with that bed of rocks?” It took a few minutes and several fresh bouts of laughter before the girls recovered from Jewel’s comment. “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with him. We’re simply not compatible.”

  “I still believe you’re being superficial.” Dominique was firm.

  “I don’t.”

  “Like I said before—prove it,” Dominique challenged.

  “What?” Jewel waved her off as if she could see her.

  “Just go out on one date with him.”

  “Here you go again.” Jewel rolled her eyes upward. “Please tell me what you think going out with him is going to prove?”

  “That you’re not discriminating against him because he’s not what you would consider on your level. It’s just one date. As easy as he is on the eyes that shouldn’t be so hard.”

  “She’s got a point.” Harper’s voice reminded Jewel that she was still on the line.

  “Listen, ladies.” There was a knock at Jewel’s door. “Hold on a sec.” She placed her hand over the receiver. “Come in,” she sang.

  Chris stuck his head around the door. “I need to talk to you.” The look on his face made Jewel think whatever he wanted to discuss was urgent.

  Jewel looked at her watch. “Give me about five minutes.”

  “Cool! Come down to my office.”

  “Okay.”

  Chris shut the door. When Jewel was sure he’d stepped far enough away, she went back to her conversation.

  “Ladies. I don’t have a problem with Sterling. Yes, he is handsome. And now that I’ve gotten to know him a little more, I think he’s a cool guy, but the fact remains that we’re not compatible. A date won’t change that.”

  “Aren’t you even curious?” Harper asked.

  “It won’t matter.” Jewel shrugged as if they could see her. “Besides, I could never go out with him while he’s doing work for my company.”

  “So go when the project is complete, like you said before.”

  “Harper! Dominique has dragged you into her den of silliness. I wasn’t serious.”

  “One date!” Dominique challenged again.

  “Just one,” Harper whined.

  “You know what...just to prove you ladies wrong, when this job is over, I will let him take me out on one date and when I prove that we’re not compatible, I don’t want to hear any more of this dating stuff from you two.”

  “We’ll be waiting.” Harper snickered.

  “Maybe he’ll at least be a great lay.”

  “Dom!” Jewel and Harper yelled her name at the same time. Again, all three laughed hard.

  When Jewel caught her breath, she said her goodbyes and headed to her brother’s office.

  “Hey, dude. What’s up?” Jewel walked in and hiked half her backside onto the corner of Chris’s desk.

  “You’re not thinking about leaving the company are you?” Chris studied her
with a tight gaze.

  Jewel jerked her head back. “Where’d you get that from?”

  “I hear things, Jewel.” He sat back in his chair.

  She studied him for a moment. He looked concerned, but not angry. “Who told you?”

  “I ran into Kevin.” Chris learned forward and looked Jewel directly in the eye. “Are you considering this?”

  Jewel huffed, moved off the desk and paced a few steps. She walked over to Chris’s office door, shut it and sat down in one of the chairs facing him. She contemplated her words before speaking.

  “I only looked at the offer. It’s quite attractive, but I’ve yet to respond to him. I’m still trying to weigh my options. Dad has me working my behind off for a possible promotion and Kevin wants to offer me so much more. It would look fantastic on my résumé.” She pleaded that last line.

  Chris sat back twirling a pen between his thumb and index finger. Several beats elapsed before he spoke again. “It’s a start-up. There’s no guarantee this company will be around in a year. What happens then?”

  Jewel pictured having to ask her father for her old job back. She held her hands up and let them fall in her lap. “I don’t know. What I do know is that I want more. I’m ready, but Dad doesn’t seem convinced. He’s turned me down before. I can’t help but feel like I’d have a better chance if I weren’t his kid. Maybe my only way up is out. Kevin seems confident that I am just what his company needs. It’s great to feel valued.” Jewel looked down at her hands. She’d been wringing them. “Dad always told us not to be afraid to take risks.”

  “You don’t feel valued here, sis?” Chris’s head tilted with concern.