She lifted the basket and then shut his office door, making a show of locking it with a coy look his way.
“What have you got there?” He stood with a grin forming. She’d brought dinner. And her timing couldn’t have been better. Not only was he finished for the day; thinking about his dad had begun to be a real downer.
“Something we middle classers all learn to love.” She put the basket down on the table in front of a sofa across the office and began removing items. First came a tablecloth, very old-fashioned with red-and-white checks. It was even plastic.
She had him chuckling already. This was going to be an interesting dinner. He walked over to her, removing his suit jacket and tossing it over one of the guest chairs in front of his desk. Loosening his tie, he sat on the sofa next to her as she brought out paper plates, the really cheap ones, and napkins. While she sliced Granny Smith apples, he took out peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches and put them on their plates.
“PB&Js, huh?”
“Ever had one?”
“Many times in the Marines.”
She looked at him somewhat in surprise and then warmth changed the look to something more steamy.
He removed his tie, seeing she noticed. “I’m not different than you, Georgia. When are you going to accept that about me?”
She put apple slices on their plates. “You seem to be settling in nicely here.”
At AdAir. In his father’s office. Taking over for Reginald. “Yes. But not the way my father did. I doubt he ever felt settled when he was here.” He looked over at the desk. He’d thought about a lot of things today. That’s why he’d told Ruby he would be home late. He needed time to sort out his feelings and make some decisions regarding his future.
“No,” Georgia said. “I talked to Landry before I left and she said she’s been hearing some positive things from the workers here. They all love you.”
“They love Whit, too.”
“Just take the compliment.” She laughed at his humility.
“How did Landry look?” he asked.
“Beautiful. She was on her way out for the night.”
“Again?” What was the matter with her? Why couldn’t she snap out of her funk?
“Still skirting the compliment?” Georgia asked.
“My employees like me. Good. More evidence that I’m not my father.” He didn’t have to be a marine for that, either. He’d realized that today. He’d also realized that he enjoyed running this company and he was excited about seeing how he could make improvements.
And that realization had led to another. He took in her adoring face. “There’s something I need to ask you.”
At his serious tone, her adoration turned to wariness. “Okay...”
“How long were you planning on staying in San Diego?”
“I talked to Ruby about that. She doesn’t want to leave yet. But there’s really no reason for me to stay.”
She didn’t seem certain, and he’d use that to his advantage.
“Stay.”
She hesitated. “For how long?”
“For as long as you’re able.” Forever.
“My leave is for six months.”
“Then stay until you have to go back to work.” That should be enough time for him to convince her to stay for good.
When she didn’t respond, he said, “If you’re not comfortable at the ranch, I can arrange for an apartment downtown.” Her face showed disappointment. “And don’t start thinking I’d be supporting you. I want to spend more time with you and it will be hard if you’re all the way across the country.”
“I don’t know, Carson.”
He took her hand and held it in his. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.” She was still clinging to her bias, even though deep down she knew it was only a crutch. “You don’t have to take care of Ruby anymore. She’s happy fooling around with Hayden. And you could be happy with me. If you let yourself.”
“What are you saying? Carson...”
“You know what I’m saying.” They didn’t have phenomenal sex for no reason. He wanted to see where this led on this new path his life was taking, and he had a strong feeling that she was an integral part of making it feel complete. Meant to be. A good decision. All of that.
She began to fret, leaning away from him, tugging her hand free.
Carson slipped his hand along the side of her face and moved his head closer, drawing her gaze to his.
“Carson,” she said breathlessly, a passionate whisper. Just like that he could turn a switch in her. In him, too. That’s how much they desired each other.
He kissed her. Softly at first, but when her hands ran up his chest to his shoulders, the inferno roared. He kissed her harder and leaned forward until she lay on her back, fevered and all else falling away except this, the love they made together.
Kissing his way down her neck, he slipped his hand under her T-shirt and felt her soft, firm waist, caressing her up to her breasts.
Her hands were busy, too. They were up under his shirt, feeling the contours of his lightly haired chest.
Devouring her mouth again, he then rose up to remove his white dress shirt. Georgia propped herself up onto her elbows to watch. Her doubt began to return, and he sensed she was about to withdraw. He came back to her, kissing her into sweet oblivion.
He tugged her T-shirt up, and she raised her arms to accommodate him removing it. Then he wasted no time unclasping the hook of her bra, baring her breasts for his tongue and mouth.
She arched her back with a groan.
Taking some of that groan into his mouth, he took his time there. She raked her fingers into his hair, ran her hands down his back to the waist of his slacks. She found the fastener and slipped it free, then slid the zipper down. Her hands went inside to his behind, and she pushed the trousers down. Then she slipped her hands inside his underwear, kicking off her shoes as she kneaded his tight butt.
Carson unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them off her, taking her underwear with them. When those were on the growing pile on the floor, he sat up to remove his shoes and the rest of his clothes.
Georgia lay on the sofa waiting for him, watching him, taking in his nudity. He kneeled between her legs, loving how her dark red hair fanned out on the sofa cushion and her green eyes smoldered with sexual hunger.
“You’re so beautiful.”
She wrapped her legs around his hips as he found her and slid in, her head falling back at the sensation.
“You make everything right.” He moved back for a slow, deep penetration. She grounded him. It all made sense because of her. Settling down no longer felt dreadful, as if he would be falling in line with his tyrannical father’s wishes.
Georgia hooked her arms over his neck and kissed him fervently with his declaration. In the heat of passion she she was all his. Would he be able to make her his at all times?
He showered her with passion the way he did costly things. He only hoped she wouldn’t cost him his heart.
Thought left him and he had to move faster inside her. Deeper. She felt so good. The way her bare legs rubbed him, her fit stomach against his, the softness of her breasts. Full, parted lips begging for kisses.
She cried out as she reached her peak. He groaned and came. As the eddy calmed, he kissed Georgia.
“Tell me you’re staying,” he said.
Her eyes opened, still drugged in the aftermath.
“Stay, Georgia.”
A soft smile pushed up her pink lips and she nodded.
“No, no, no.” He kissed her mouth. “Not good enough. I want to hear you say it.”
“I’ll stay.”
He kissed her harder, deeper, moaning with pleasure her yielding gave him. If only he didn’t fear a silent voice finishing her sentence. For a little while.
* * *
Georgia lay against Carson on the sofa, a soft blanket he had in a closet draped over them. She fed him the last piece of PB&J a
nd rested her head on his chest. She hadn’t let herself analyze what had occurred in his office. She only basked in the loveliness of being with him, of the astonishing way she responded to him. The part of her that turned to butter whenever Carson kissed her wasn’t having anything to do with logic, practical thinking.
That made her toes tingle like the way they did when she was standing on the edge of a high cliff.
She had to be rational about this. About Carson. Did she want a man like him? Or did she really prefer to avoid him? Everything she’d grown up believing no longer held true. She had put Ruby first in all things. She loved her stepmother and didn’t regret doing so. Meeting the rancher had helped Ruby. She was happy again, the way she was when Georgia’s father was alive. She didn’t need Georgia as much as she had after he died.
Georgia could live anywhere she wanted. She could get a job here. Keep seeing Carson. If they lasted, great. If not, she’d still be close to Ruby. Because it was clear that Ruby wasn’t going anywhere. She was going to be with the rancher, at least for a while. Who knew what the future held for them both. It felt refreshing not to know and not have to plan.
She couldn’t plan who she’d marry. But she could plan for the next few months. And staying here with Carson made her feel happy.
Carson’s phone rang.
“It’s late,” he said.
Something must be wrong. Reluctant to get up from the sofa and leave the cocoon they’d created, Georgia sat up as Carson jumped from the sofa and went to pick up his cell from the desk. He stood silhouetted by the single light they’d left on, a work of naked art.
But when his face grew ominous with apprehension, she stood with the blanket, wrapping that around her.
“What kind of alibi?” Carson asked the caller. When she came to stand before him, he said into the phone, “So what you’re saying is the parking-garage shooter wasn’t Stephen Chow.”
Carson finished his conversation with the caller as shock singed her. If the shooter hadn’t been Stephen, then who had it been? Carson’s original theory that Reginald’s killer had shot at him came back into play now.
Carson put his phone down. “That was Copeland.”
“Who shot at us after dinner that one night?”
“Stephen doesn’t have an alibi for that night, but he denies he shot at me.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know.”
“If he’s telling the truth, he may not have known the technology was still missing. Is it possible that he thought you had it until you started tailing him?” It had to be. Wouldn’t he have known Leif had taken the flash drive? Possibly. “He might have run before you or your teammates got to Leif after he was shot.”
Carson nodded. “And Leif put it in his knife holder before he died.”
“And he died before he could tell anyone.”
Carson stared at her, deep in troubled thought.
“Come on.” She took his hand. “Let’s go.”
They dressed and left the office, Carson carrying the picnic basket.
Walking through the dark building was creepy. She could imagine what it must have been like for Elizabeth to walk back in and find Reginald’s body. His then assistant was alone. Her then boss had been killed in a dark and deserted building, on a night not much different than this. She could also imagine Reginald’s killer stalking them. This would be the perfect opportunity to try to kill Carson again. Her, too.
They made it to the private elevator. Carson kept a vigilant watch of their surroundings until the elevator doors closed. He’d sent the limo driver home after she’d arrived. At the main level, they walked through the dim lobby. The two security guards there made her feel a little better.
Outside, Carson waved for a taxi.
Carson’s phone rang again, making Georgia flinch. “Landry?” He sounded frustrated and incredulous. “Where are you?”
After disconnecting, he turned to Georgia. “It’s an active night. Landry is stuck at a bar. She didn’t bring the number for the limo and she can’t find a cab. He told the driver where to take them.
Moments later, the driver pulled up to the front door of a bar. Music played loud enough to hear it outside.
Landry stood at the curb, waving at the cab. When Carson got out to let her in, she seemed surprised to see him.
“You needed a cab,” he said. “We had one.”
“Thanks.” She stumbled as she bent to get into the cab, and if it hadn’t been for Carson, she would have fallen.
Landry sat in the middle, looking over at Georgia. “Oh, hi, Georgia.” She smiled big. “You and my brother are out late. What were you doing?”
“We were at the office,” Carson said.
“Ooooh, the office.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Sexy place to do it.”
“You’re drunk again,” Carson said.
“Only a little.” She held her pinched fingers up for him, then turned to Georgia and laughed lightly.
“Landry, you have to stop this behavior. You’re letting too much of your responsibilities go. What kind of reputation do you want to have?”
Her smile faded and she looked down at her lap. “Don’t be mean, Carson.”
“Mean? You’re in self-destruct mode. If somebody doesn’t step in and straighten you out, you’re going to ruin your life.”
“No, I’m not.” Her voice was quiet.
“When was the last time you worked on your charities?” he asked.
“I... Not long ago...”
“You don’t even remember?” Carson sounded disappointed and he was upsetting his sister.
“I’m sick of doing what everybody else expects of me!” She began to cry. “I wish I was more like you, Carson.”
He put his arm around her. “There, there. It will all be okay in the morning. But right now, we’re going to sober you up.”
He told the cab to stop in front of a twenty-four-hour diner. Georgia was flabbergasted because it was so not rich-man. A diner? It was an old building and nothing to rave about, but they’d have hot coffee and a greasy breakfast.
After two stout cups of coffee and a bacon, sausage and egg breakfast, Landry showed signs of sobering. That’s when Carson very deliberately told her about the call he’d received from his commander.
“What are you saying? That our mother is trying to kill you?”
“It’s possible. She could have sneaked back into the country.”
“That would imply that she killed Dad.”
“Yes, it would.”
Landry slapped her hand onto the table, enough booze still left in her to make her dramatic. “I refuse to believe that! Mom did not kill Dad! She wouldn’t do it. Damn it, Carson, why are you going after her like this?”
“I’m not. I’m trying to make you be realistic. We don’t know who killed our dad. But it could have been Patsy. You have to accept that.”
“No, I don’t!” She stood up and marched toward the exit.
Carson turned to Georgia, his frustration and concern clear.
“Is there someone close to her that she could talk to?” She waited while Carson took a few seconds to think.
“Rachel Blackstone,” he finally said. “Her best friend. She’s kind of a socialite, but she’s a real giver, like my sister. Maybe a little lonely, too. Her parents died when she was young and she comes to see Landry at the ranch a lot. She’s like extended family to us. Maybe she can reach her.” He looked toward the exit. “We’d better make sure she gets home. I’ll call Rachel in the morning.”
Maybe someone who wasn’t a family member could help Landry face the fact that Patsy was not a sane woman. She was a woman capable of murder. She’d already proven that by going after Elizabeth.
Chapter 14
Three evenings later, Georgia got out of the shower to find another cocktail dress on the bed. This one was a beautiful azure-blue that would look dazzling with her dark red hair. He must like her legs bare because it was above the knee
like the black one. There were also diamond earrings, a necklace and a bracelet. Sparkly, silver high heels were placed on the floor.
She had to smile.
At Whit’s suggestion, Elizabeth had planned a family reunion to try to inject some joy in the wake of Reginald’s murder and Patsy’s attempt to kill her. The thought was that if everyone got together, they’d all see they were still a family. Carson had joked with her that it would also show her that the good ones were left. A little bad humor since he’d implied that his parents were the only bad ones in the bunch.
Having already done her face and hair, Georgia dressed. The dress fit perfectly and the jewelry made her look more elegant than she’d ever seen herself. She touched the tasteful diamond necklace and almost didn’t recognize the woman standing before the mirror. There was a content look in her eyes and yet her hair had a wild flare to it with the mousse she’d used. She looked hot.
Going downstairs, she found Carson waiting for her in a tuxedo. A feeling of déjà vu stole over her until he looked up and his eyes heated with intimate knowledge. He watched her come down the stairs and then took her hand when she reached the bottom.
Drawing her to him, he slid his hand around the waist of the formfitting dress that flared below her butt.
“Georgia,” he rasped. “You’re killing me.” He kissed her.
She laughed and looked up at him.
“Maybe we don’t have to go tonight,” he said.
“How much did you pay for this dress?”
He smirked.
“We’re going.” She eased away from him and walked toward the door. Elizabeth had reserved a ballroom at a posh hotel. Many were staying there for the night.
In the car on the way there, Georgia was ever aware of Carson looking at her.
“Did you talk to Landry’s best friend?” she asked for idle talk.
“Yes. She’s going to watch Landry. Spend more time with her.”
“Good.”
“Let’s leave the party early.”
She laughed as the limo stopped in front of the hotel.
Entering the ballroom on Carson’s arm felt strange but good. She felt secure with him, and with anyone she encountered tonight. Maybe she would fit in with his family.
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