His To Keep

by Stephanie Julian

  Yeah, right. “We need to talk.”

  She shook her head and one long golden tendril escaped the knot at her nape to curl onto her shoulder.

  “It’s late and I’m tir—”

  “This won’t take long.”

  She swallowed loud enough for him to hear over the muted din coming from the carnival atmosphere of Friday night on South Street, one block over.

  “Fine.”

  With practiced fingers, she disengaged the security system Nic himself had supervised. Not that she knew that. She thought his dad had taken care of it.

  He followed her down the entrance hall, past the stairs that led to the second floor and into the living room. She’d left a small light burning in the corner, the lamp’s stained glass shade casting a warm glow. She turned in the middle of the room to face him, almost as if she was facing a firing squad.

  “What do you want, Dominic?”

  He wanted her. He’d never stopped wanting her. He wondered what she’d do if he just came out and said it.

  But he couldn’t have her. Not now. But maybe later…

  “I figure we need to talk about that kiss.”

  She crossed her arms over her stomach and stuck out her chin. “Why?”

  He swallowed a sigh at her belligerent stance. “I need to apologize.”

  There. That got a response. Her eyes narrowed and he could have sworn hurt passed through the glass-green depths before she wiped it away.

  “Fine.” There was no emotion in her voice. “Anything else?”

  “Yeah.” Anger started to heat his blood, made his stomach tighten. “Tell me why you liked it?”

  Her mouth dropped open before she could stop it. “You arrogant bastard,” she hissed. “Of all the things you could— Get out.” She pointed toward the door, but her hands trembled and he knew it wasn’t from fear. “Right now. Damn you, Dominic, get out now before I…”

  “Before you what?” he taunted.

  He couldn’t seem to stop. Her eyes turned the most brilliant shade of emerald when she was angry and right now she was furious. Or, at least he thought she was. Until he saw the sheen of tears in her eyes.

  Damn. He’d never been able to handle female tears. They made him want to fix whatever was wrong and the only things he could fix were mechanical.

  “Oh, hell, Annie. I am sorry.” He pulled his handkerchief out of his back pocket and waved it in her direction. She grabbed it with deadly force.

  “Don’t. Don’t you dare say that again.” She shook the cloth at him, then dabbed at her eyes. When she was done, she threw the thing back at him. “There’s nothing to apologize for, you big jerk. Just forget it and everything will go back to normal.”

  He snorted. “There’s been no normal in my life for a long time. Not since you came to work at the office.”

  She stiffened even more. “Well, forgive me for ruining your life— No, wait. You know what? This isn’t my fault, Dominic. Not at all. But it’s over. I know you regret kissing me. I know it won’t happen again.” She deliberately looked at her watch. “It’s late. You need to go.”

  Now she looked him straight in the eyes. And what he saw there made him mentally dig in his heels. Something didn’t fit.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like it, Annie.” He forced himself to relax against the living room wall. “I’m just sorry I frightened you.”

  Her mouth tightened. “You don’t frighten me, Dominic. It would take a lot more than your pathetic kiss to scare me.”

  His eyes brows rose. “Pathetic, huh? If it was so pathetic, then why were you shaking?”

  She drew in an outraged gasp. “You are the most conceited…the most arrogant… Ooh, damn you, Dominic.” Eyes blazing, she pointed to the door with a shaking finger. “Get out. Now.”

  No way in hell. Things were just getting interesting.

  “Now hold on.” He spoke slowly, drawing out his words as if he were talking to a child, which was sure to piss her off even more. Exactly what he wanted. “What’s got your panties in a twist?”

  “I refuse to do this with you, Nic. I’m not going to get into a war of words with you.”

  “I’m not talking about words here, Annie. I’m talking about that kiss tonight.”

  He moved toward her, got right in her face, curious to see if she’d blink. Move away. Hit him.

  She stood her ground, drawing her back into a rigid line, and he knew he’d made a tactical error. Because the heat in her eyes, the darkness of the room and the mess of emotions between them started to drag him under, back to that place where he had to touch her, no matter what.

  Her lids flickered for the briefest second. “There’s no need to talk about that. I want you to go. Now. Please.”

  It was that last word that got to him. Stifling his own feelings, he noticed the paleness of her skin, the slight tremble of her fingers as she clasped them together in front of her.

  He couldn’t stop from raising one finger to trail down her cold cheek. “What’s wrong?”

  She gave an almost vicious shake of her head and more hair escaped from the knot. Turning away from him, she reached up to draw the few pins from her hair. He watched it spill over her shoulders and midway down her back. He clenched his hands into fists as he fought the overwhelming desire to sink his fingers in that golden silk.

  “Did that guy do something? Damn it, Annie. Are you okay?”

  She laughed with no amusement. “I’m fine, Dominic. I’m really not in the mood to talk tonight. I would appreciate if you would leave.”

  “No way—”

  The doorbell rang, and the relief on her face was almost laughable.

  Who the hell would be stopping by this late at night?

  “You should go.” She gestured for him to precede her, but when he refused to move, she stormed by him with murder in her eyes. He could practically feel it coming off her in waves. He held his ground, admiring the view as she walked away.

  He heard her stop at the door and pause. Then she released a huge sigh as she opened the door.

  “Janey. Come on in.”

  “Hey. I saw your light go on and I know Brad’s probably here, but I wanted to ask you to water my plants while I’m gone. Mal and I are going to Pittsburgh for a case and it may take a week or two— Hey, Nic. What are you doing here?”

  His baby sister and Annie’s best friend for years, Janey gaped at him, her blue eyes round and shocked. For about three seconds. Then she traded it for an expression for which he’d learned to have a healthy respect—curiosity.

  “He dropped off a file I needed from the office.” Annie whipped him a look and spoke before he could say anything. “He was just leaving, weren’t you?”

  Her tone indicated he didn’t have a choice. And from the look in her eyes, she’d nearly reached her breaking point. He didn’t want to make it worse.

  “Yeah, I am.” He caught Annie’s gaze, more sure of herself now that she had reinforcements. “I’ll talk to you Monday. Janey, be careful. If you need anything, I can be in Pittsburgh in a couple of hours. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  Then he walked out.

  *

  Annie turned away from Janey’s searching gaze, her blue eyes so like her brother’s.

  “It’s going to be a half-gallon night, so if you’re not looking to put on about five pounds, say so now.”

  Janey’s chuckle followed her down the hall to the kitchen. “That bad, huh?”

  Annie reached the fridge and practically tore the door off the freezer. “You have no idea.”

  Retrieving two spoons from the drawer, Janey dragged a stool out from under the island and sat, handing one spoon to Annie. “Go on. Spill.”

  “Your brother kissed me and I broke up with Brad.”

  Janey’s mouth literally dropped open. It would have been funny in any other situation. Now, Annie could only echo the astonishment.

  “What?”

  “You need me to say it again?” Annie shov
ed a heaping spoonful of Cherry Garcia in her mouth and let the ice cream give her a brain freeze.

  “Nic kissed you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “He kissed you?”

  Annie lifted a brow. “Don’t forget the other half of that equation.”

  Janey waved her spoon with one hand and tossed her long, dark braid, her hair the exact shade of Nic’s, over her shoulder. “I’m not surprised about Brad. Nic kissed you. What happened?”

  If Janey didn’t stop saying it, Annie was going to have to hurt her best friend. She shouldn’t have opened her big mouth. But now Janey knew too much for her to wiggle out of a full explanation.

  “Yeah, but I think I might have goaded him into it.”

  Janey put her spoon down and turned to the fridge. “This definitely calls for chocolate syrup. How did you goad Nic into kissing you?”

  Might as well spill it all. Janey had a gift for reading people. Maybe she could help Annie sort out her overwrought feelings.

  “The other night, he met two guys at the office after hours. I was there catching up on some work before I went to practice with Colin.”

  A frown made furrows between Janey’s blue eyes. “What two guys?”

  “Scary monsters, if you ask me.” Annie shuddered.

  “Did they have an appointment?”

  She shook her head. “They weren’t in the book. I’m sure Nic didn’t want anyone to know he was meeting them, and I can see why. Maybe they were just old friends from his days in the military. They both reeked Armed Forces, if you know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” Janey’s expression turned thoughtful. “Nic never meets his Army buddies at the office. I think he doesn’t want to be reminded of Nino.”

  Annie hadn’t known the DeMarcos’ cousin very well. Mainly she remembered his wicked sense of humor and handsome smile. He’d been killed in Afghanistan and Nic had been critically injured trying to save him. After Nic had recovered, he’d left the military and joined the family firm.

  “Then maybe it had something to do with a case,” Janey said. “You know he takes anything with even a hint of danger in it. He’s a complete adrenaline junkie.”

  “And he has a head as thick as a rock.”

  Janey didn’t defend Nic as she normally did. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “So what happened?”

  Annie shook her head, furious that she’d let him get to her. “He was taunting me, like he always does. And last night, I’d had enough. I walked over to him and brushed my lips against his. Not really a kiss, just… Oh, I don’t know. But it shut him up.”

  The start of a smile curled the corners of Janey’s lips. “No wonder. How can you not know how badly Nic wants you?”

  It was Annie’s turn for her mouth to drop open. “Are you crazy? There’s no way.” Not after all this time. But, oh, how that made her yearn…

  Janey shrugged. “I know my brother. He wants you. He just doesn’t want to admit it. And you’re not the easiest person to get along with, either, you know. Some men are intimidated by you.”

  With good reason and a lot of practice.

  “Nic has no fear,” Annie scoffed. “And if he did, he certainly wouldn’t be afraid of me.”

  Janey just smirked. “Don’t be too sure of that.”

  Chapter Five

  “… I need you to get me that brief from the State Department. And track down Gen. Terry Anton for me, will you, please? That blasted man will not return my phone calls. He knows I hate that, and he’s just doing it to rile me.”

  Wednesday morning, his mother’s voice drifted down the hallway from Annie’s office to Nic, who’d just let himself in the back door.

  “I’ve discovered the key to getting anyone in the Pentagon to call you back is a little schmoozing,” Annie said. “It’s amazing how eager they are to talk when you tell them how interesting they are. I’ll put him through as soon as I reach him. Anything else, Grace?”

  His mother’s laugh echoed through the quiet first floor. “You’ve learned quickly. No, that should do it. Oh, wait. Did you get the tickets?”

  “Yep. Have them right here. My treat.”

  “Oh, no.” His mother sounded like Annie had just said she was going to be out after curfew. “You can’t do that. I insist we pay for them this year.”

  “Absolutely not.” Annie’s voice sounded just as firm. “These are my gift to you and Frank. You know I always get them for your anniversary.”

  Damn, he’d almost forgotten his parents’ anniversary in a few weeks. He wondered what the tickets were for.

  “And we appreciate it. We love to watch you dance. Are you competing this year?”

  There was a pause. Then Annie said, “Actually, yes. We decided to enter this year.”

  “Oh, honey.” His mom sounded ecstatic. “That’s wonderful. I know you’ll do well.”

  Do well at what? A dance competition?

  “Thanks, Grace, but we don’t even expect to final.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve been training for this since you were five years old. And with Colin, I think you have a really good shot at finaling.”

  Colin? Who the hell was Colin?

  “I know. We just don’t want to jinx it. Anyway, I’ll get on this call.”

  “Thanks, sweetie. And thanks for the tickets. We can’t wait.”

  Silence followed, but Nic knew his mother well enough to know she’d make her way down to his office, even though he couldn’t hear her approach. His mother moved like a cat.

  “Hello, dear.” Grace stuck her head through his door.

  “Hey, Mom.” He leaned back in his chair, ready for anything. “Having a little trouble with your General again?”

  “That man will never learn.” She huffed as she took his bait. “Between him and your father, you’d think the world couldn’t turn without their involvement.”

  Nic’s heartbeat picked up its pace. “What do you mean? Is Dad working on something? He shouldn’t be—”

  “No, no.” Grace cut in. “It’s not a case. I’m just trying to get Terry and Kathy together for dinner, but between your father’s getaways and Terry’s schedule, Kathy and I can’t get a weekend together to save our lives.”

  The General and his mother had worked together for years. The Antons and the DeMarcos maintained a close friendship, which was one of the reasons Nic refused to go to anyone remotely connected to the military to deal with his caller.

  Nic shrugged. “So just schedule it and tell them to be there. No one refuses you anything, Mom. You know that.”

  Grace shot him a look that clearly expressed her disbelief in that statement. No matter how true it was.

  “If that’s so, then how about dinner tonight? We can eat early if you have plans.”

  “No plans. I’ll be there.”

  “Good.” She eyed him. “You don’t look like you’re sleeping well.”

  “Mom.” He didn’t need this now.

  “Or eating well.”

  “Mom.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Oh, alright. But I reserve the right to hound you tonight. I am still your mother, no matter how old you are. I’m heading home now.”

  Effectively leaving him and Annie alone in the building. Janey and Mal were still in Pittsburgh and Jimmy was in Washington for a conference.

  Thanks, Mom. Just what I need.

  On Monday, he and Annie had gone back to their pre-kiss battle stances. They’d managed to avoid each other the past two days, mainly because he’d made sure to be out of the office most of the time.

  He had a couple of cases pending, none urgent except the Jones case. Tiffany Jones had called last night, worried because her abusive ex-husband seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth.

  Normally, that wouldn’t bother Nic. However, the guy was a complete nutcase. If he wasn’t in Philly, where Tiffany had finally left him, he was probably on his way to get her.

  Nic had set Tif
f and her little girl up in Baltimore. Maybe it was time for a little trip…

  A half hour and a couple of phone calls later, he heard footsteps in the hall. Since his mother had already left, he knew it had to be Annie.

  She hadn’t willingly come to his office all week so maybe she’d stop at Janey’s office.

  No such luck. A few second later, she appeared in the doorway, calm in a pale blue suit that made her skin look like porcelain.

  “Nic.” Her voice was cool and expressionless, her fingers laced together in front of her. “I think you’re right. I think we need to talk.”

  Annie surprised herself by stepping into the lion’s den.

  For the past two days, she’d listened to him growl—at Jimmy, at his mom and Janey. Even at Mal, who barely said much to begin with.

  And it was her fault.

  Last weekend, he’d tried to talk to her, and she’d practically ripped his head off. It was time to set things straight. She should have done it earlier this week but this was the first time she’d been able to catch him. He’d gone out of his way to avoid being alone with her this week.

  She was tired of walking on eggshells. She’d been stewing about that kiss for days and she couldn’t take it any longer. She had to know why he’d done it.

  “I’d like to apologize for treating you so poorly Friday night,” she began. “My manners were awful and I need to say I’m sorry.”

  He frowned and confusion settled onto every inch of his expression. “Is something wrong? Did something happen.”

  She controlled the urge to roll her eyes. “Everything’s fine. I simply realized I was rude on Saturday and I wanted to apologize.”

  If she was being truthful, at least with herself, she couldn’t stand the strain between them. It’d been different before. They’d built up a rhythm over the past eight years—avoidance, annoyance, antagonism.

  That had changed when she’d kissed him last week. And he’d blown any chance of going back to that rhythm after he’d kissed her Friday night.

  Since they both worked here, and neither was going anywhere, they would have to find a way to get along. Rip the bandage off, so to speak.