by Cynthia Gail
“Your secret’s safe with me.” She couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. Oh, what a charmer. One that made her stomach feel like bowling pins being hit with a strike every time he smiled.
Beth noticed Jenny entering the room. Finally. Nick must have seen her as well, because he stepped away from the tree and held out his arms.
“Jenny, you made it. You’re stunning.” Nick gave her a light hug.
An unexpected pang of jealousy ran through her. Completely unnecessary, even if she were interested in pursuing Nick. And she definitely wasn’t.
“Thank you,” Jenny said. “I feel like I’ve been running a marathon all day. I’m lucky my shoes match at this point.”
Beth laughed and glanced down at Jenny’s black matching heels. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Nick had done the same. For a split second, his eyes caught hers, sending a wave of heat to her core.
Nick straightened. “Can I get you something to drink, Jenny?”
“Yes, thank you. A merlot would be great.”
“Beth?” His fingers slid across the top of hers before he finally took the empty glass from her hand.
“Please.”
Jenny turned to Beth and lowered her voice the moment Nick stepped away. “I talked to Brandon Dorsey, Nick’s business partner, this afternoon.”
“About Nick? You didn’t!” Beth gasped, then quickly glanced around the room to make sure no one had heard.
“I told you, it’s no big deal. I’ve been working with Brandon and Nick for several years. We’re friends.”
Beth shrugged and nodded for Jenny to go on. She hated the thought of someone other than her friend knowing she’d been curious about Nick’s personal life.
“Brandon can’t be here tonight, but he had some questions about a couple of ads I’m working on. So I asked him.” Jenny lowered her voice to a whisper. “He confirmed Nick and Lauren broke up last week. Everyone knows Lauren wants him back, but he’s not interested. Nick wouldn’t tell him anymore, just that he’d met someone else and had already moved on.”
Well, that cleared things up. Church night was simply church and nothing else. She wanted to be relieved. But she couldn’t help the disappointment that quickly spread through her. He’d already moved on?
“I’m sorry. Brandon says Nick is private and doesn’t talk about his personal life. He didn’t know anything else.”
“Don’t be. That’s good news. He’s not the kind of guy I’m looking for.” Beth could tell by the smirk on Jenny’s face she didn’t believe her. “Actually, I’m not even looking. You know I have too much on my plate getting my business off the ground.”
“You two seemed pretty cozy when I arrived. Are you sure there’s not even the slightest bit of attraction?”
“We were talking about the handmade ornaments. Nothing special.”
“I don’t know. You’re not the only one that noticed him checking out your legs instead of my shoes.”
Beth felt a flush rise up her cheeks. She wished his roaming eyes did mean something. No, she should be glad it didn’t. She couldn’t let herself be with a man like Nick, no matter what he did to her insides every time he smiled. She would never measure up in his world. He’d break her heart if she ever let him get close enough.
“I doubt he’s seeing anyone yet,” Jenny said. “She would be here with him, wouldn’t she? It wouldn’t hurt to do some mingling and ask around.”
Beth’s heart wasn’t in it, but for some reason she wanted to know more about the new woman in Nick’s life. And if her best friend wanted to mingle and listen to the latest gossip, she wouldn’t stop her.
Just as Nick reappeared and handed each of them a glass of wine, a tall brunette approached and threaded her arm through his. Beth watched as the woman leaned in close and whispered something in his ear. She instantly checked herself to make sure the scowl in her chest hadn’t spread to her face. Then she heard a strained laugh as Nick faced the woman and quietly said something in return. It didn’t look like the conversation would be over any time soon.
With a growing urge to flee, Beth turned to Jenny and they slipped from the room.
“What do you think that’s all about?” Jenny asked as they headed down the hallway.
“I can’t imagine, but he didn’t appear happy to see her.”
“Are you hungry?”
Beth’s stomach answered with a soft growl. She hadn’t taken the time to eat lunch and a mixture of delicious aromas filled the air.
“Let’s get something to eat, and then we’ll circulate while I ask a few questions,” Jenny said. “We need to find out who the brunette is.”
Nick could kick himself. Was he thirty-four or fourteen? He’d thought about Beth nonstop for the past seven days, but had been so busy with work and preparations for the party he’d decided to wait until tonight to ask her out.
Then he’d blown his chance. What had he been thinking? He chuckled. What was she thinking? Midnight Mass with his grandfather?
He’d found her personal business card two days ago. Couldn’t remember his reasons for not passing it on to Lauren, yet the oversight had turned into a blessing. Her direct phone number and e-mail address were listed. But neither the staff picture online nor his memory did justice to the woman that came through the front door this evening.
Beth had a petite frame, curvy in all the places that made a man weak. She’d worn her hair down, falling in a soft, auburn wave that covered the top of her sleek, bare shoulders. An elegant cocktail dress gently hugged her body, stopped short of her knees, and revealed a pair of legs he would be dreaming about for days to come.
He’d watched as she greeted his grandfather with the most radiant, genuine smile. And when she spoke to him, her eyes held a soft caress that gripped his chest.
His emotional reaction caught him completely off guard. He’d had to step into a side room off the foyer to catch his breath at the sight.
His grandfather always drew a friendly response from people they met. Whether by friends or new acquaintances, the Chester name translated into the word ‘money’. And everyone had an agenda.
Except her.
He couldn’t remember ever feeling so captivated by a woman before. But something had told him in their first meeting that Beth was different.
Their discussion about handmade ornaments and Midnight Mass had deepened his opinion. Maybe that’s why the invitation had flown from his lips before he could think. The first opening he’d had and all instincts screamed to jump in headfirst.
He’d caught the hesitation before she answered. He didn’t blame her for being a little confused. Before he’d had a chance to clarify, Jenny arrived. Then Maureen. And before he could get rid of her, both Jenny and Beth had slipped away.
“Nick and Lauren seem to be the hottest topic of the night.” Jenny joined Beth again, just as she stepped away from a small group gathered near the bar. They had both been circulating alcohol depots, knowing as the night progressed, drinkers became talkers without any prompting.
“And?”
“Okay. First, the brunette is Lauren’s younger sister, Maureen. Second, she’s protecting personal property while Lauren’s out of the country. Maureen is letting everyone know Lauren wants Nick back. And, it’s common knowledge Lauren always gets what she wants.”
“That’s pretty much what I’ve been hearing, too.” Beth felt more disappointed than she thought she should.
“I don’t think Lauren’s going to get what she wants this time,” Jenny said. “And nobody’s heard about him moving on. If you want my opinion, I think he likes you. I’ve caught him watching you several times this evening.”
“Coincidence.” There went the roller coaster again. Jenny’s comment shouldn’t make her feel so good, but it had her insides quarreling–common sense and experience versus something she chose not to identify.
They mingled as a pair for the rest of the evening and Beth tried to ignore the constant gnawing in her stomach.
An attentive host, Nick remained busy taking care of his guests or surrounded by a group of friends. A good thing, she kept telling herself.
Although their eyes met several times, they never actually had an opportunity to speak again. She wished he hadn’t asked her to Mass. She had no intention of actually going, but the invitation had planted a seed in her brain that refused to rest.
“It’s almost midnight.” Beth stifled back a yawn. “I should check on my parents. They’ve probably been ready to go for the last hour.” Several of the older guests had already left.
“If you want to stay, I can give you a ride home. Tell them to go on.”
“I think I’ve had enough holiday cheer for one evening. And I have an early morning tomorrow. But thanks. I’m glad you came.”
“Give me a call and I’ll come by for lunch.”
As Jenny headed toward the front door, Beth turned in the opposite direction and strolled down a long hallway leading to the great room she’d seen her parents in earlier.
She’d heard the fatigue in Jenny’s voice. It had been a long week for both of them. Her own feet hurt and her face felt stiff from the pasted smile she didn’t really feel.
“You’re not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?”
Her breath caught at the sound of Nick’s voice. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I forgot how demanding playing host can be,” he said. “Every time I thought I was getting closer to your crowd I got sucked back into another one.” His voice softened into a low caress. “I’m glad I caught you before you left. Do you have a minute?”
“I’m not in a hurry.” Wrong. She was in a hurry. In fact, she should be running—as fast as she could.
“Come with me.” Nick turned and led her back toward the front of the house to a room not open to guests. Stepping inside, she realized they were in his grandfather’s study. She took her time admiring the room, trying to steady her pulse.
A large mahogany desk sat at the near side of the room with a black leather couch and matching wing chairs facing it. The far side of the study held a conference table. The sound of a grandfather clock filled the air with twelve deep chimes.
“I wanted to talk to you about Midnight Mass.” Nick motioned for her to sit on the couch. “Let me explain.”
Beth sat, though she suddenly preferred to end the discussion quickly. She could tell from his awkward stance, he didn’t want to have this conversation any more than she did.
She had been right about him. Nick may have checked out her legs and caught her eye a few times, but it didn’t mean anything. And he seemed tired. Still incredibly sexy, but his eyes held exhaustion.
She should give him a break and make this easy. “I understand, Nick. Christmas Eve Mass is really a family affair. Your grandfather may want it to be just the two of you.”
“No!” He paused. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.”
“It’s okay. You were just being nice. It’s really no big deal.” She needed to leave. The air was so tight she could barely breathe.
“Beth.” He met her eyes with a commanding gaze that refused to let her shy away. “Would you go to dinner with me tomorrow night?”
Wow. Her gut had been way off base.
Dinner? Translation–real date? His words took a moment to sink in. But when they did, she couldn’t stop her mind from funneling through the numerous events already scrambling her weekend.
“I can’t. I’m sorry, it’s just really busy at the salon right now.” She told the truth. Even if Nick wasn’t off limits and completely the wrong man for her, the salon kept her too busy to even think about starting a new relationship.
“I’ve been wanting to try Carlino’s. Have you been yet?” he asked, ignoring her answer.
“I called to get a reservation last week and they’re booked through the holidays.”
“I’ve heard the same thing. But what if I can get one? Would you join me?”
“I really can’t.” She saw disappointment flash across his face before he could replace it with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re having our staff Christmas party.” The gleam reappeared. His reaction shouldn’t matter as much as it did.
“How about Sunday? I happen to know La Bella Vita isn’t open on Sundays. Let me see what I can do. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what time I’ll pick you up.”
She chuckled. “I didn’t say yes.” But she wanted to, even if accepting went against every sensible conviction in her brain.
“You didn’t say no,” he whispered.
“I guess I didn’t.” His stare burned through the last of her fortitude and suddenly, she realized that turning him down had never been possible.
“I still have your card.” He looked at her with a ‘cat ate the canary’ grin.
Her card. The one she’d given him for Lauren? She knew she shouldn’t say anything. But if she was willing to let her guard down and accept his invitation to dinner, she needed to know the truth—from him.
“Speaking of my card, Nick. Where does Lauren fit in?”
“Lauren and I stopped seeing each other a few days before I met you.”
So, they really had broken up. But what about the rest? “According to the rumors—”
“She wants to work things out, but knows I don’t.” His firm answer gave no leeway to ask further questions.
Beth rose as soon as Nick did, prepared to follow him from the room. Jenny’s words came back to her. He’s very private and doesn’t talk about his personal life. Maybe she should have remembered that twenty seconds ago.
Instead of turning to leave, Nick reached down and took her hands in his. They were warm and soft. His thumbs gently rubbed across the top of her knuckles in a subtle stroke.
“I’ve moved on, Beth. Or, at least that’s what I want to do.”
He seemed to be waiting for an answer. She could blame it on the wine and the way his eyes bored into hers, but she didn’t know what to say.
They stood so close she could feel the heat coming from his skin. A hint of his cologne, mixed with leather and the smell of old books, filled her nose. Her eyes moved to his lips and she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
Oh, God help her, she wanted him to.
In her dreams, his lips had been soft and sweet. He’d been gentle at first, slowly caressing her mouth as he held her face in both hands. Then he slid his tongue across her lips, coaxing her to open. When he took her mouth deeper, an electric current sizzled between them and her body tingled everywhere they touched. Every part of her melting into him. She was lost.
She felt his arms come around her, bringing her even closer, but it didn’t seem to be enough. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair. Slide her hands across the taut muscles of his chest. She needed—.
A sound from the hallway startled her and she raised her eyes to meet his. She had no idea how long she’d been staring at his lips and remembering the dreams she would never admit to having. Heat flooded her cheeks as she read the smugness on his face. It had been long enough for him to read her thoughts. But the intensity she felt from his gaze told her it didn’t matter—he wanted the same thing.
CHAPTER 3
“I can’t believe he didn’t kiss you!” Jenny took another bite of her chicken salad.
“I know. Whoever came up with the line ‘mind over matter’ doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Because, my mind was begging and there’s no doubt he wanted to.” Beth sat back in her seat and groaned. “I can’t believe I just admitted that out loud.”
“Never be ashamed about being attracted to a man like Nick. Who wouldn’t be? Has he called you yet?”
“No. I can’t figure out how he’s going to get reservations at Carlino’s. Dad tried last week. He didn’t have any more luck than I did.”
Jenny let out a laugh and then covered her mouth as the couple seated next to them peered in their direction. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you. Let you wonder.”
Beth straightened in her chair. “You can’t hold out on me now.” She had to know, even if it meant playing the best friend card.
“Okay. But you didn’t hear it from me.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Chester and Dorsey had the contract on building the restaurant. He knows the owner personally.”
Beth chuckled and sat back. “Funny how he didn’t mention that tiny detail.”
“I wouldn’t tell him you found out his secret. You know how men are. He’ll want to leave you guessing. Admiring.”
“I have a feeling this man is going to keep me guessing on a lot of things.” She paused, as a rush of anxiety washed through her. “In fact, I’m not really sure this is a good idea.” How could she ever get past who he was? His wealth. Connections. Social status. Any day now, he would realize she didn’t fit into his world. She wouldn’t have been invited to his grandfather’s party if not for her parents’ connection to the family.
“Of course it’s a good idea. Trust me, Nick’s a great guy. I still don’t get why he ever went out with Lauren. He isn’t the type to date someone so shallow, regardless of how pretty she is.”
“Maybe that’s why they only lasted three months. He found out Lauren’s definition of personal achievement means her nail polish matches her designer handbag.”
“You’re probably right.” Jenny motioned for the waiter to bring their checks. “You know, despite your efforts to keep your guard up, I can tell you’re excited about this date. You don’t have to admit anything, but I hope you let yourself relax and enjoy the evening.” Jenny reached across the table and grabbed her wrist, shaking it firmly. “Promise me you’ll be open-minded.”
They walked the short distance back to the spa and talked about their plans for the following week. She often went with Jenny when she volunteered at the Nashville Children’s Clinic. Her friend would be spending the afternoon shopping for coloring books and crayons, glitter pens, holiday pencils, books, and snow globes to give the children. Then they planned to bake sugar cookies Thursday evening to give to the nursing staff and parents.