“I don’t smoke.” He grinned down at her as he held her arm and led her away. “And, besides, I want you with me.”
“In that case lead on.”
They walked out the far door arm-in-arm. Neither of them saw Winston standing in the opposite doorway staring after them with a look of ill-concealed fascination and dawning pleasure on his battered face.
An hour or so later Mira hummed happily to herself as she made her way up her front walk. She paused under the light by the front door and a soft smile spread across her face as she recalled the last half of her evening.
After the excellent meal—which she was sure James had not made by himself—they had sat in the library and talked about everything from their childhoods to their future aspirations. If it hadn’t been for the subtle, but intense sexual tension that had wrapped around them and kept both of them intensely aware of each other they might still have been the lonely children that they once were, forming an unusual, but un-breakable bond that survived neglect and the passage of years.
In fact, things had been so comfortable and James had been so careful to maintain a polite distance that she hadn’t even anticipated anything but a peck on the check by way of a goodnight kiss. She had walked outside with him, slightly dissatisfied but resigned to rebuilding slowly. When he had clasped her face and bent down she had expected either a brief touch of his lips or, considering their first kiss, an intense, but dominating assault that would completely fry her brain. She got neither.
Instead his lips had been incredibly gentle, brushing back and forth across hers with the delicacy of butterfly wings. By the time he finally deepened the kiss she had been so entranced that she hadn’t even noticed her hands were gripping his shirt and she was straining against him. But, when she would have pushed for flash and heat, he had gentled things, slowly and sensuously delving inside her mouth until she had felt herself melting. Only then had he drawn away, leaving her feeling bereft but dazzled.
She was still slightly dazed now as she turned her key and pushed open the door. She would do something that she hadn’t done in ages, she decided. She would run a hot bubble bath, light some candles, and spend an hour basking in daydreams. With her mind already focused on pleasant thoughts, she flipped on the light and her mouth dropped open.
Her once tidy home was in shambles. Shards of broken glasses littered the kitchen floor, glittering in the overhead lights like splintered diamonds. In the living room her beautiful red sofa had been slashed open, spilling its insides on the floor in fluffy white tufts. Her precious books were scattered everywhere, some completely torn from their covers.
In a daze she walked across the room and something crunched under her feet. She looked down, somehow surprised to see that she was standing on the tattered remains of her parents’ wedding picture. Angry tears leaked down her face and she impatiently wiped them away as her mind cleared. Whoever had perpetrated this wanton destruction was going to pay.
Intellect told her that she should leave immediately and call the police from the safety of a neighbor’s house. Her ears, however, heard only silence of an empty house and she was too pissed off to sit and wait. Detouring by the kitchen to grab a large butcher’s knife off the floor, she quietly made her way up the stairs.
To her relief the guest bedroom had been left alone except for a broken lamp. Her room had not been so lucky. Her mattress was slashed, her clothes had been ripped of hangers, and her drawers were emptied in heaps on the floor. It looked like a miniature tornado had blown through and turned the room on its head.
Bottles and tubes rolled across the floor as she gingerly stepped into the bathroom. It wasn’t the mess in here that caught her eye, it was the mirror. Scrolled in dark red across its surface were two words: YOU’LL PAY. With her jaw firm and her hand clenched around the handle of the knife, she turned and walked away. There was still one more room to check.
Considering the rest of the house, it was with a heavy heart and a lagging step that she finally made her way downstairs to the studio and eased open the door. Her feeling of relief was so strong that she had to drop the knife and grip the doorjamb to prevent herself from collapsing. This room had either held no interest or, more likely, her arrival had chased the perpetrator away. It looked untouched.
On legs that could no longer support her, she sank to the floor. Only then did she allow the tension to seep away and a weary ache to take its place. With a tired sigh, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
It would be nice and extremely easy to just sit there and pretend, at least for a while, that nothing had happened and her little world was still normal, but she wasn’t that type of person. That kind of thinking may give her a short period of pleasant delusion, but it would not get anything done. She still had to call the police and find a place to spend the night. No way was she sleeping in that bedroom. Cops first though, she decided, as she opened her eyes and pulled out her cell phone.
**********************************************************
“Thanks for letting me stay here tonight,” Mira said as she flopped down onto Amy’s sofa.
“Don’t worry about it,” Amy replied. Just as full of energy at two o’clock in the morning as she was during the day, she zipped around her apartment gathering blankets and pillows. When her arms were full she deposited her collection on one end of the long, cream sofa and plopped down next to Mira.
“So.” She propped her feet on the coffee table and crossed her ankles. “Did you meet any hot cops? I have to say, I do love a man in uniform. Especially,” she added with a wink, “if he’s carrying a big gun.”
Mira laughed helplessly and felt some of her tension drain away. Amy’s bawdy sense of humor and undaunted spirit were just what she needed to shake off her bad mood. It had been a very good idea to come here instead of staying at a hotel.
“You know,” she said. “I wasn’t exactly checking them out. The cops were there to investigate a crime. Besides,” she continued. “One of them was a woman and I got the impression that they were a couple.”
“Oh well,” Amy sighed. “A girl can hope.”
She sounded so dejected that Mira laughed helplessly before a yawn caught her. She stretched her arms above her head and arched her back. She was so tired that it was an effort just to keep her eyes open. Even moving seemed like too much.
“Didn’t the boss man offer to let you spend the night?” Amy asked, breaking her light doze. “He may be a little too cool and controlled toward me and all his other employees me, but James Kelly doesn’t seem the type to ignore a damsel in distress, particularly when it’s you. They way that man looks at you could melt amber.”
Mira didn’t even bother to open her eyes. “Frankly,” she muttered. “I might not have even told him what happened if I he didn’t have a detective for a friend. He would have learned about it sooner or later and then been mad at me for hiding it.”
“That friend of his sure is something else.” Amy rolled her eyes in appreciation. “Now that’s a man who would look fabulous out of uniform.” She shook her head, apparently to dispel the image, and returned to the subject. “Anyway, I thought that you and James were back together. Why wouldn’t you want to tell him about the break in?”
“Do you know what he did when I told him?” Mira asked rhetorically. “He didn’t just offer to let me stay at his house, he straight out demanded that I do so. Apparently, he doesn’t think that I’m capable of taking care of myself and thinks it’s his duty to do it for me.”
“I have to admit that I find it kind of sweet, if a little strange that our ‘cold and unapproachable’ boss is so overprotective. Of course,” she amended when Mira opened her eyes and shot her a glare. “I can absolutely see why you turned him down. Any self-respecting woman would have done the same.”
“I appreciate your support.”
“Anytime. You know, at least this incident will bring the viper down a peg or two.” She rubbed her hands together an
d chortled with glee. “I wish I could see the look on Kim’s face when the cops drag her downtown for questioning.”
Mira sighed. “The truth is I don’t think the police are going to do that.” She stretched out her legs and stifled another yawn. “They’ve promised to at least talk to her, but they didn’t seem to think that she had anything to do with it. Come to think of it,” she frowned, “neither does James. Do you think we’re right to suspect her?”
“Of course we are,” Amy scoffed. “The woman is too tall, too rich, and too plastically gorgeous, and her boobs are much too big. Although,” she lowered her voice and leaned in. “I heard she’s had them enhanced, twice.”
Mira grinned and shook her head.
“Plus,” Amy continued. “The woman has repeatedly threatened you, sent you a dead animal, and to top it off she appears to be stalking you. Besides, didn’t you say that the writing on your mirror was done in lipstick? Who else but a woman would do that?”
“I suppose you’re right,” Mira mused. “But somehow I can’t see the cool and polished Kim sustaining, or even feeling, the rage that it must have taken to do that much damage.”
“Trust me. If that viper thinks that you came between her and something that she really wanted she wouldn’t hesitate. And she wanted James Kelly.”
“I’m still not sure I buy that. I’m mean she’s not exactly lacking in male companionship and, despite how sickeningly sweet she acted when James was around, I don’t even think she had any deep feelings from him. It seems like she saw him more as a trophy.”
“Exactly, a prize that her daddy really wanted and he expected Kim to get for him. I’ve heard rumors that his business isn’t exactly booming right now. I bet he needed that connection to EcoSpace. I doubt that daddy’s making Kim’s life easy right now.”
“Yeah, but she’s already lost James. What good does scaring me do? Does she really think that she could get him back?”
“With you out of the picture? Definitely. That girl’s ego knows no bounds.”
“You’re probably right.” Mira stretched and yawned. “I guess that I’m just tired and not thinking too clearly.”
“Where are my manners?” Amy stood up and pulled Mira with her. “You have to be absolutely exhausted and here I am keeping you awake. Why don’t you stand right here and I’ll get the sofa made up. You know, you can have the bed.”
“It’s fine. You’ve done enough already and, truthfully, I don’t think I could make it to the bedroom. Thanks anyway.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Positive.”
Within ten minutes Mira was comfortably settled with the lights turned off. With everything that had happened she was sure that her brain wouldn’t be able to shut off, but in a matter of minutes her eyes closed and she slept.
Chapter 27
The meeting should have started twenty minutes ago but, as yet, the boss hadn’t shown up. From the looks of things the department heads were getting restless. The coffee pot was nearly empty, the donuts were gone, and instead of sitting, people were now standing around in small groups gossiping. If James didn’t show up soon, Mira thought as she glanced at her watch, she would seriously consider walking out. She shifted uncomfortably and wondered for the tenth time why she was even at this meeting. She was really just a lowly employee, not a manager. In fact, she really should leave. With another glance at her watch, she pushed back her chair and stood up.
“I still don’t understand why you refused my offer of a spare bedroom the other night,” a soft voice said from close behind her.
Startled, she jumped, knocking her head against James’ chin. She sat back down while he cursed softly and rubbed his jaw. A brief scuffle occurred as the other occupants noticed James’ presence and hurried to take their own seats. Her boss, Barry, nodded to James and cleared his throat.
“You know perfectly well why I chose not to accept your kind ‘offer,’” Mira whispered in a furious undertone while Barry began his report. “Despite your deluded ideas on the matter I refuse to sleep with you after one date.”
“It wasn’t one date,” James reminded her. “Our involvement started months ago and, if you want to get technical, our relationship really began years ago. Besides, I never said anything about sex. All I did was offer you a friend to talk to and a safe place to sleep. No strings and no expectations.”
“Come on James,” she mouthed, glad that she had chosen to sit away from everyone. “I know you. I’d have to spend the whole time fighting against your advances.”
“Are you trying to say that you find me irresistible? Really,” James taunted. The idea intrigued him and he spent several pleasurable moments contemplating how best to use his newfound knowledge. Getting her back into bed might not be so difficult after all. His body tightened and he stepped closer.
“It was a slip of the tongue,” Mira whispered somewhat desperately. “I meant fighting off not fighting against.”
“Did you have any questions Mr. Kelly?”
The voice came from the front of the room, startling them both as they realized exactly where they were.
The monthly progress meeting, Mira thought, was definitely not the place to have a private conversation or an argument, as this one was turning out to be. Not only was it highly unprofessional, but it was also guaranteed to have made its way around the entire building by lunchtime. She had no wish to be the subject of office gossip — again.
In an effort to put some distance between James and herself, she scooted her chair to the side and turned to the front of the room. Obviously, James had the same idea because he stepped back and focused on the speaker.
“Thank you for your report Mr. Sims.” James stalled as he tried to think of a way to disguise his inattention. After drawing a blank, he gave up. It looked like he would just have to brazen it to his face. “But I have a few questions.”
“Certainly sir,” Barry said deferentially.
“Remind me, if you would be so kind, when exactly we can expect the groundbreaking for Mr. Ashton’s resort.”
Apparently, Mira thought, her boss took James’ words as a criticism and not a valid question because he swallowed thickly and quickly launched into an explanation.
“As I said, we should certainly be ready in five months. But,” he rushed on, “there are valid reasons for the delay.”
“Five months, Mr. Sims? From what you told me last week the design was almost ready and the workers are already lined up. What possible reason can there be for such a long delay?”
Mira looked over at her immediate supervisor and winced in sympathy. Usually, he was a fairly charismatic, confident man but when faced with James’ cold disapproval he seemed to have turned into a nervous teenager. Beads of sweat were starting to form on his forehead and his eyes flickered around the room as if seeking an escape route. She actually worried that he might bolt, but he finally straightened and seemed to regain a little of his composure.
“There have been several problems, sir,” he said with only a slight quaver in his voice. “The first issue is just a slight difference of opinion between myself and the engineering supervisor, but,” he glanced quickly at the other manager and received a nod. “We are ready to come to an agreement. The other problem, I’m afraid, could involve some extensive changes to the design and could, potentially, push the project back for months.”
“I’m not sure that I understand you correctly.” James wondered fleetingly if he had missed anything else in his recent distraction. “I’ve already approved the final design. As has the client and I was told that there would be no problems implementing it. So what happened?”
“It’s not a problem on our side,” Mr. Sims hastily assured him, “but one with the suppliers. We have just been informed that there will not be enough panels of solar glass to fit our needs. Apparently, the company has other commitments.”
“Why was I not told of this sooner?”
“Excuse me sir,” the engineering manage
r bravely spoke up. “But the call only came in this morning. You weren’t in your office yet so I took it.”
Bold man, James thought, to deliberately, if subtly, remind of his tardiness. He needed people like that on his not yet created executive team. It was time he started delegating more. First, though, he had a problem to solve.
His lighting sharp mind quickly shifted through all the possible ramifications and workable solutions. His company had a reputation for delivering exactly what the client wanted on time and he wasn’t going to let things change now. He would just have to find a hook. “I will deal with the suppliers.” He stepped back and opened the door, signaling an end to the meeting. “Continue as you are. I’ll expect a report next week.”
A chorus of ‘yes sirs’ followed the employees out the door.
As everyone filed past Mira attempted to merge with the group and escape undetected. James was much too good at persuasion and she was afraid that if he got a chance to talk to her alone she might end up agreeing to stay with him. It was much too early for that. Surreptitiously, she stood up and tried to slide into the middle of the line. Just as she thought she might make it, a heavy hand fell on her shoulder.
“Could you stay behind for a few minutes Mira?” James asked. “I have something to discuss with you.” He felt her body stiffen and tightened his grip. There was no way that he was going to let her leave without finishing the discussion. He knew Mira very well and, if he let her go now, she might just be able to evade him for the rest of the day or, perhaps even, until her townhouse was habitable.
Since shaking his arm off and giving him hell was bound to cause a scene and start the office gossiping, Mira decided to accommodate him. She could always hold the dramatics in reserve.
“I’ll give you five minutes,” she told him as she pulled out of his grip and walked back into the conference room. “Not only do I have work to do, but I have nothing more to say on our earlier topic. Amy is kindly letting me stay with her until my place is cleaned and repaired.”
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