Experiment In Love

by Clay Estrada, Rita

  Obviously her midnight-black designer dress and sleekly pulled-back hairdo put her in the “upper- class” section. He found a small table cozily situated in the comer of the room for her. It was perfect. She ordered quickly and competently, requesting a half-bottle of dry white wine to accompany her broiled filet of sole smothered with thinly sliced walnuts. Almost immediately the waiter returned, deftly pouring a full sip of her wine to allow her to approve the taste, then filling her glass with the golden liquid.

  She gave a contented sigh and sat back, perusing the room. Her second favorite thing to do was people watch. Her first favorite was watching her club grow in prestige and profitability. Luckily, one gave her the opportunity for the other. Her club, The Loose Noose, had been in existence for seven years, over five of them under her ownership.

  It wasn’t often that she left Park City and the club to come into Salt Lake City, so this trip was truly a treat People came to Park City to vacation and have fun. Skiing, drinking, and kicking up booted heels were the order of the day. But Salt Lake City people were businessmen and men and women relaxed quietly after a hard day’s work.

  Her eyes were drawn to the table across from her. A young, dark-haired woman laughed throatily at her escort, one beringed hand stroking the top of his wrist, her fingertips lazily outlining the circular gold face of his very expensive watch. Her eyes promised untold delights; her mouth pouted in readiness to be kissed. The man himself listened to her with tolerant amusement etched on his roughly hewn face. His thick, dark brows met across his forehead in a frown at something she said, his full, carved lips thinning as he shook his head in answer to her obvious pleading. Caro had the feeling that most women would have been put off if a man changed temperament as quickly as he seemed to have done, but it didn’t seem to daunt his date in the slightest.

  Caro grinned. Women were such fools to play into a man’s hands like that! Thank goodness that childish part of her life was behind her and she could see men for what they were: necessary if the business world was to continue spinning, but totally unnecessary emotionally for any intelligent woman.

  The man in question looked up to lock eyes with Caro, scanning her face and form before nodding in both acknowledgement and silent invitation. An intangible chill ran up her spine at the intimacy of his look, making her totally aware of his obvious draw and masculinity. Her lips pursed in disapproval. He had his hands full with one woman and yet he really thought he could handle another? Some men’s egos knew no bounds!

  She paid her bill with a credit card, gathered her purse and shawl, and left the darkened restaurant. As usual, she ignored the appreciative male eyes watching her progress across the room, especially those of the dark-browed man. It was time to get a good night’s sleep before calling the doctor and attorney to verify the information that the young man had given her.

  Caro fell asleep with an easy conscience, dreaming of a lovely, golden-haired child who called her Mother.

  Early the next morning everything was packed, all her calls made, and Caro was ready to visit the doctor and her attorney, then leave, anxious to see her own home again. She’d been gone for three days, plenty of time for her to see the world before running back to the cozy nest she’d built for herself. Her nest meant security, money and roots she’d never had when growing up. With one exception, she had attained everything she had ever wanted, having worked hard and long to ensure her success. She knew she was lucky. Some people never achieved the degree of security she had.

  The hotel telephone rang.

  “Yes?” Her voice was cool, businesslike. No one in Salt Lake City knew she was in town.

  “Miss Carolyn?” A deep voice with a slight southern drawl sped over the line.

  “Yes.” There was no point in explaining that was her first name.

  The voice was rough and firm. The back of her neck itched, telling her to be careful. “I’m calling about Brandon Cole. I’d like to meet with you and discuss the arrangement you’ve made with him.” His voice was briskly direct, his manner cold and arrogant

  “I’m sorry, but anything you wish to discuss should be done with him. I don’t believe any of this is your business.” She was equally brisk.

  “Anything to do with Brandon is my business.”

  “And who are you?”

  “That doesn’t matter.” He brushed her words aside. “I want to terminate this arrangement he has with you.”

  “Have you told him that?”

  “I’m telling you.”

  “Since I haven’t chosen a candidate yet, I suggest you wait to see if he is even chosen.”

  “My God, you mean there are others?” His voice was dry with sarcasm.

  “It’s really none of your business.” Without waiting for him to speak again, Caro quietly hung up the hotel phone.

  She didn’t like that. She didn’t like it at all. Only the two people who were involved should discuss something like this. Damn! Yesterday she had asked that young man if he had discussed the issue with his brothers and he had said no. Did that mean he was lying, or that he had talked to someone else? Another attorney? Her curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t have time to think about it right now. It was time to go.

  The doubts that had originally assailed her came to the fore, but she shoved them aside, shaking off the uneasy feeling the call had elicited. The telephone began to ring again but this time Caro ignored it

  She placed her two matching tan suitcases by the door, glancing around to make sure that she hadn’t forgotten anything. Quickly she walked to the bathroom, scanning the counters and floor. Something in the corner glittered dull gold. It was one of the large hooped earrings a friend had given her for her birthday the year before. Seeing it, however, was easier than getting it. It was wedged between the counter top and the commode, and Caro could barely reach it.

  “What I need is a five-foot-long arm as thin as a mop handle,” she muttered before remembering that she had heard the cleaning women out in the hall earlier. Surely she would have a mop Caro could use to reach the earring.

  Within minutes she had used the mop handle to do just that, while the small, dark maid stood behind her, watching as Caro carefully attempted to edge the earring within touching distance.

  “Anything I can do to help?” The slow southern drawl echoed off the tile walls.

  Both Caro and the maid jumped, and Caro dropped the mop handle with a clatter.

  “Look what you made me do!” Her heart was beating a fast tattoo, her breathing irregular, as she glared at the man standing in the bathroom doorway.

  It took a minute for her mind to register the fact that he was the same rugged man she had seen in the restaurant the evening before. He was wearing a pale gray suit with a white silk shirt and a ruby and azure tie. Every inch the gentleman. But his face was rugged and rough, contrasting with his smooth appearance. His build was muscular and his feet-apart stance reminded her of someone at the helm of a ship. His features were hard, carved, and slightly uneven in a sensuously masculine way.

  “I’ll reach it,” he promised, shrugging out of his jacket and tossing it on the bed before placing his hands on the maid’s waist and moving her aside, then doing the same to Caro.

  She didn’t say a word, letting the expression in her dark eyes speak volumes as she ungraciously moved, hoping that he couldn’t reach the earring. But he could. He held it up, displaying his catch with a grin that probably would have melted the heart of a more susceptible woman.

  The smiling maid slipped out of the room, mop in tow, and shut the door behind her.

  “Thank you,” Caro said with just a touch of defiance and a slightly tilted chin.

  “I’m sure you’re welcome.” His grin continued to light up his face as he conspicuously mapped out the pliant curves of her body before staring at the rose of her cheeks and the flash of anger that emanated from her deep, silver-brown eyes.

  She motioned him out of the confines of the cramped bathroom and toward the le
ss intimate bedroom. He grinned broadly as if reading her mind, then followed her to sit on the bed as if he had been invited for the night.

  “Is there something you want?” she asked in her sternest voice. People at The Loose Noose would have recognized it as the tone she used just before she called the sheriff’s office. However, this man didn’t realize just how close he was to unleashing her temper.

  “I came to speak to you,” he said, studying the length and shape of her slim legs. “I want to offer you a deal.”

  That was a new line. “I’m afraid I don’t understand. What sort of deal?” Her arms were crossed in front of her in an attempt to hide the womanly attributes he had begun to study in detail. But in crossing her arms she had unknowingly accented the fullness of her breasts by tightening the material of the blue silk blouse that covered them.

  “If you drop this ‘proposition’ with Brandon Cole I won’t be forced to file charges for prostitution.” The humor had fled. His voice was quiet, with just a hint of a southern drawl, but his eyes were as hard as polished brown pebbles.

  Caro clenched her hands to keep them from shaking with anger and a fear she didn’t want to admit “Get out,” she said quietly.

  He didn’t move off the bed. “If it’s sex you want, then I know a few hundred men who would be willing to oblige. If it’s a baby you want, there are orphanages.” His voice lowered to a gravelly rasp. “And if it’s trouble you want, then continue on this course. I warn you now, I’m not letting this go any further.”

  “If you have any more to say, please say it to my attorney, Mr. Mike Avery, here in Salt Lake City.”

  For just a fraction of a second there was a glint of admiration in his dark brown eyes. Then it was hooded. “And who shall I say his client is? Miss Carolyn? I doubt it.”

  “You could use that name and glean the proper information.” She turned slowly, reaching for her purse at the foot of the bed. He watched her carefully, arrogance written all over his face as he waited for her next question. She ignored the urge to ask him who he was. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction!

  “Goodbye.” She slipped her purse strap up to her shoulder and reached for her bags, intending to leave him in the room alone. But a viselike arm clamped around her waist and pulled her back against his hard-muscled body. Strangely enough, she had expected it. She stilled instantly, not even attempting to wrestle out of his grip.

  She waited half a beat before responding. “Is this a game to you? I assure you that I don’t play by your rules. If you don’t let me go it won’t bother me in the least to scream for the cleaning woman. She’s still there, you know. And the door is still open.” Her voice was calm, her eyes staring straight ahead at the door. Years of perfecting the art of hiding her emotions came to her rescue.

  His warm breath stirred the small strands of hair that carelessly curled around her ear. The deep rumble that passed for his laugh was more felt than heard, vibrating against her back to send a definite tremor through her body. How dangerous was this man? Was he insane?

  “I’m afraid you don’t understand,” she placated him. “All I want you to do is to let me go. I’ll discuss Mr. Cole with you in the lobby, where I met him. But not like this.” She tried to sound cool and relaxed, not realizing that he could feel her rib cage freeze as she held her breath in anticipation of his answer.

  “Reach your foot out and push both suitcases against the door,” he demanded, his grip tightening ever so slightly.

  She did as she was told, scooting each of them so close to the door that it couldn’t be opened without knocking them out of the way.

  He tugged lightly, pulling her even closer to him. Her heart stopped beating as his hand circled, then deliberately cupped, one firm breast encased in lacy nylon.

  “For a girl who’s hiring a stud, you’re very nervous.” He made his low opinion of her quite clear. “All I want to do is talk to you.”

  “Hiring implies that I have a choice. You’re giving me none.” She tried to raise her arms, but his iron hold kept them glued to her sides. Her breath was coming quickly, as if she had run a mile. She was frightened and strove to control it. She forced herself to relax and he momentarily let down his guard in response. She quickly jerked one arm free and jabbed her elbow hard into his stomach. He gasped and immediately released his already light grip on her. Quickly turning, her knee came between his legs and up. She heard a grunt then a groan that echoed through the hotel room.

  There was no time to wonder or worry. She grabbed her purse and bags, then ran out of the door without looking back. It wasn’t until she got into the elevator that she began to giggle. The giggle turned into a laugh and the laugh to salty tears.

  Perhaps he had learned his lesson. Never trust a female animal when she’s preparing a nest.

  About the Author

  Rita Clay, Rita Clay Estrada, Tira Lacy

  Rita Clay Estrada found writing and writers, and knew she'd never be the same again. While working full time and raising four children, she began writing at night. Her first book was bought in 1980 and since then she has written 44 books for six publishers. Rita, her mother, Rita Gallagher along with Parris Afton Bonds, Sondra Stanford and Peggy Cleaves worked for over four years to begin Romance Writers of America.

  She is the Namesake of the prestigious RITA AWARD for best romance fiction. Rita lives in Houston, Texas, writing more stories when not chasing fires and floods as a catastrophe environment and property adjuster.

  Namesake of Romance Writers of America

  The Rita Award

  Honored to be the Namesake of The Rita Award, given to the Best of the Best in many categories of Published Romance Fiction from Romance Writers of America.

  Created the concept, formed and first President of Romance Writers of America.

  Other Awards

  Published 44 books for 6 publishers

  Wanderer's Dream is used as a good example of writing in HOW TO WRITE ROMANCE NOVELS THAT SELL

  Wise Folly was a lead title to introduce the Silhouette Desire Line.

  Experiment in Love is listed as one of the TEN ENDURING ROMANCES TITLES in WRITING ROMANCE FICTION FOR LOVE AND MONEY.

  SUMMER SONG won The Walden Books Award for 1993.

  THE IVORY KEY won the Affair de Coeur Silver Pen Award & Bookseller’s Favorite Award.

  ROMCOM AWARD: Romance Authors Conference, GOLDEN SCROLL AWARD for Excellence from Independent Booksellers, 1994

  BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS AWARD was awarded for Best Sales overall in Temptation Category for 1995.

  HARLEQUIN FIVE DIAMOND CLUB awarded for selling over 5 million copies for the Publishing House 1997.

  NATIONAL SERVICE AWARD 1998 from Romance Writers of America.

  Proud to be Awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership in many Chapters of RWA, including: New Jersey, Dallas TX, and Orange County Chapter, CA, Honorary Member of Golden Triangle Writers Guild.

  NOTEWORTHY ACOLADES

  Listed in Who’s Who of American Women 1982, 1983, 1984

  Listed in Two Thousand Notable Women 1995

  Interviewed on CBS National News by Steve Croft

  NBC The Today Show

  Good Morning, Houston, TX

  The Today Show

  King Television

  PBS National Radio

  Washington Post

  Dallas Morning News

  Houston Chronicle