by Robyn Grady
More alive.
Sucking in a breath, she dropped her arms, which had remained around his neck, and took an awkward step back. As his heat receded, the cool of the shadowed night enveloped her. Trembling, she drew her coat close.
“No need to apologize,” she said in a thick voice. Avoiding his gaze, she shrugged. “Sometimes, when emotions run high, things happen.”
“I want you to know, I don’t make a habit of dragging women into my arms like that.” He ran a hand through his hair, looked around. Out the corner of her eye, she saw him crack a lame smile. “Must be something in the air.”
She closed her eyes and withered. If she could turn back time and wipe out these past few moments, she’d do it in a blink. That she’d surrendered so completely was bad enough. Did he need to rub in the fact that he regretted it, too?
“Daniel, please don’t worry that I’ll give another moment’s thought to it.” She tilted her head and drawled, “I have been kissed before.”
He didn’t reply, didn’t move. Only his eyes glittered in the moonlight as time stretched out and, growing increasingly edgy, she wondered whether he would ever leave or call her bluff and announce she might have been kissed, but never like that.
But then he exhaled, took a look back over his shoulder toward the house and nodded once before he walked away. “Take care.”
Her pulse beating in her ears, Elizabeth watched Daniel walk away down the path until his silhouette disappeared into the night. A few moments later, the engine of his SUV kicked over. She waited, alone in the shadows, until the rumble had faded clean away. Then she dropped her head into her hands and, cringing, cursed herself for a fool.
How could she confide in a near stranger such personal information? When he’d confronted her regarding the morality of her parents’ will, why hadn’t she laughed it off rather than grow defensive? She knew her own mind. She did have a choice. She did.
And then…
Oh God, then there was that kiss.
The nerves that were bunched tight in her belly kicked then knotted again. She’d given herself over to the thrill of that uninvited caress so quickly and completely it frightened her—and, in some strange way, it comforted her, too. That embrace was the kind a woman would still recall in her twilight years. The kind that would cause her eyes to drift shut and chest to heave a contented sigh.
Setting off down the path bordered on either side by flowering sage, Elizabeth touched her lips, thought back on the dizzy pleasure and found she was smiling. Daniel might think he had some God-given right to force his opinion where it wasn’t needed, but he still was the finest specimen of the male species she’d ever come across. Not simply because he was more attractive than most billboard models, or that he seemed to naturally dominate any space he inhabited. Despite their differences—and there were a few—she enjoyed his company. His sexy, deep laugh. It was silly, useless, and yet she couldn’t help but wonder…
What if his home had been Texas or hers New York? What might have been if they’d had similar backgrounds and goals? What if, instead of apologizing for his roguish behavior, he’d hauled her back in and demanded she kiss him again?
When Elizabeth entered the house through the back patio door, she stopped dead in her tracks then let out a breath. She should have known she’d have company.
“I thought he liked my cooking,” Nita said with a slight frown. The older woman held two cups in her hands.
“He said to thank you for the beautiful meal. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Elizabeth said, withdrawing a pin and shaking out her hair as she headed for her room, “I’m tired.”
“Good idea. I mean, will you look at the time. Past nine o’clock.”
Elizabeth served Nita a fond but stern glare as she passed. “It’s been a long day.”
“That’s all right. That’s fine.” Nita stared at the ceiling as if she had nothing better to do. “If you don’t want to tell me what happened…”
Elizabeth held her looping stomach and groaned. “You don’t want to know.”
“I’m the best listener in and around these parts.” With an understanding smile, she presented the cups of hot chocolate. “Made ’em when I heard his car.”
Knowing when she was beaten, Elizabeth lowered herself onto a nearby settee.
She took the cup her friend offered and held the warmth between her palms. But rather than spill all about her time outside with Daniel, something even more important begged to be voiced.
“Were you surprised by my parents’ will? Did Mom ever speak to you about it?”
“To my mind, it was more your dad’s idea.” Nita sat back and rotated the cup around in her work-worn hands. “The ranch was built up through his side of the family. Grandpa Milton was a hard man. Always talking about the responsibilities your father would need to step up and accept once he passed on. Guess your father had that in mind when he drew up that clause.”
“He should have known I’d never give up the ranch. This is my home.”
“You were always one to see where adventure might take you.” She lifted the cup to her mouth. “Maybe things haven’t changed so much.”
Elizabeth knew the point Nita was making. She couldn’t argue that the idea of experiencing something different and exciting had encouraged her to invite the New York architect here tonight. And, admittedly, matters had got a little out of hand when their opposing opinions had clashed and heated emotions flared.
But a kiss in the dark was far from running away and turning her back on her duty.
“I would never let my parents down,” she said to herself as much as to Nita. Never.
And yet sometimes… Trying to swallow the lump caught in her throat, Elizabeth concentrated on her cup. “Do you ever wonder whether that caveat in their will was fair?”
“I don’t know if that’s the question you should be asking.” Nita tipped forward. “Beth, you’d still have plenty to live on if you decided to walk away. One thing’s a constant. Nothing ever stays the same.”
“In these past years, I’d never thought beyond living here, giving it my best, making it work. One day I’d like to marry, have a family.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Elizabeth found a smile but then sobered. “Would my parents expect me to put the same ultimatum in my will?” She’d taken on the challenge to hold on to where she’d come from, who she was. But could she pass that heavy baton on to her own daughter or son? Would they hate her for it if she did?
When the lump in her throat grew all the more, Elizabeth growled at herself. “Lord, I’m all muddled tonight.”
“A good-looking man will do that to you. A nice man, too, seems like. Intelligent,” Nita went on, matter-of-factly. “Amusing—”
“Daniel Warren’s life is in New York City,” Elizabeth cut in, pushing to her feet. “Anyway, we’ve known each other a day.”
Nita nodded as if that must be a consideration. “Do you know I was almost married?”
Elizabeth sat back down. “You never mentioned.”
“I was with a bunch of girlfriends at a nightclub in Dallas, celebrating my twenty-first. He stole my heart the moment our eyes met. We danced all night and when he took me home, he cupped my cheek and kissed me. I thought I would faint for sure.” Misty-eyed, Nita sighed. “I knew it would be him or no one. When he asked me to marry him two weeks later, I said yes.”
Elizabeth was on the edge of her seat. “What happened?”
“He was drafted.” Nita’s mouth tightened and she pushed her glasses back on her nose. “Never made it home.”
Her heart sinking, Elizabeth took the older woman’s hand. “Oh, Nita, I’m sorry.”
“Thing is, I’d rather have those two wonderful weeks than a lifetime as Mrs. Someone Else.” As the faraway look evaporated, she cleared her throat and got to her slippered feet. “Best let you get to bed. Sweet dreams, Beth.”
As Nita left her alone in the big room with its heavy timber furnit
ure and portrait of Grandpa Milton hanging on the wall, Elizabeth leaned back into the cushions. The feelings Nita had for her young man must have been fierce. As fierce as the passion Daniel had coaxed from her tonight?
Bald truth was she wanted to see Daniel again. But given the way he’d left tonight—with an apology for weakening and kissing her when he hadn’t meant to—would he want to see her?
Gnawing her lower lip, Elizabeth’s frown slowly eased into a smile.
Maybe she could help him decide.
Four
The next morning, dying for coffee, Daniel entered the Royal diner. The concierge at the hotel must have passed on the same recommendation to his crew. Rand sat in a corner booth near the jukebox, polishing off a plate of ham and eggs. As Daniel crossed over, the younger man lifted his fork in greeting.
“Hey, we missed you at dinner.”
Sitting down heavily, Daniel suppressed a yawn. He hadn’t slept a wink last night.
“I left a message,” he said, signaling the waitress.
Grinning, Rand finished munching a mouthful of toast. “You had a better offer?”
“Something like that.”
“I’m guessing from that doll in the fur.”
“Her name’s Elizabeth Milton.”
“Whatever her name, from the look, she didn’t take you back to her trailer for soda and chili dogs.”
The waitress brought over a cup and poured a steamy black coffee that smelled like heaven. “What’ll it be, sugar?”
“Coffee’s good,” he said, sliding the menu aside.
He’d been told anything ordered here was tasty and filling, but his appetite was lost, wondering what Nita had whipped up for breakfast this morning. Not to mention his obsessing about whether Elizabeth had tossed and turned all night, too.
He hadn’t been able to get that confounded kiss out of his head.
Of course, that could never happen again, Daniel told himself, scalding his tongue on a long pull from his cup. He was having a hard enough time making this trip a positive experience without throwing a gorgeous heiress held to ransom by her deceased parents into the mix.
Was he ever pleased that part of his past—having no say in where he went, how long he stayed—was well behind him. After the constant struggle of being shuttled between homes, between states, no way could he tolerate Elizabeth’s situation. And while nothing would change the fact that he found Miss Milton beyond attractive and interesting and charming, truth was he’d lost a little respect for her. If his parents had tried to blackmail him like that at her age, he’d have told them to go to hell in a handbag.
Rand was dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “What are you planning to do about the design?”
“Scrap it.”
Reaching for his cup, Rand froze. “You mean everything?”
“You were at the meeting. The black plague was a bigger hit.”
“Personally, I thought that model depicted the Old West at its best.”
“Point is this isn’t the Old West. Not anymore.” Daniel finished his coffee and signaled for another. “Abigail’s a friend but maybe I ought to retract my offer to submit.”
Hell, he should be home, preparing for next month’s visit from a client who needed a design for a new supermall, not downing coffee in a diner that looked like a reject from the fifties.
Leaning over the table, Rand dropped his voice. “You don’t need this job, boss. Your friend will understand.”
Understand? Abigail would most likely kick her heels if he suggested she might like to try someone else. The jet was fueled, ready to shoot them back to New York the moment he gave the word. Daniel took in the red-and-white upholstered booths, the diner’s sleepy clientele.
What the hell was he doing wasting his time here?
Across the table, Rand nudged his chin at the entrance. “Look who just walked in.”
A shiver running up his spine, Daniel spun around. Elizabeth Milton was sashaying inside like she’d been doing it all her life, which she had. Daniel told his heart to quit pounding. He didn’t know how she did it, but the woman looked even hotter this morning than she had last night. A pale pink dress with a matching short-sleeved jacket and pumps that drew the eye up over the splendor of those long, shapely legs. Tiny waist. Ample bust. Every line, every crest and valley was perfection. Then there were those lips…
When a throb kicked off low in his belly, Daniel panicked and pushed to his feet. He’d pretty much made up his mind to pull up anchor. That Elizabeth Milton had strolled in now made no difference. They’d already bade each other goodbye and good luck. They had nothing more to say.
While he slapped a few bills on the table, Elizabeth stopped to speak with a woman by the counter. From her relaxed body language, it was someone she’d known a long time. Daniel shoved his wallet in his back pocket while Rand collected his laptop and sidled out of the booth, too. Elizabeth had her back to them. If he hurried, he could save them both an awkward moment and duck out before she was any the wiser.
He headed for the door, Rand hot on his heels.
“I can make myself scarce,” Rand said, “if you want to, you know, say hi.”
Still striding, Daniel glared over his shoulder. “We’re leaving here together, packing up and saying goodbye to Royal for good.”
Rand’s mouth swung to one side. “You can tell Elizabeth Milton that. She’s on a crash course, headed this way.”
Daniel realigned his vision at the exact moment he plowed into something…someone. On reflex, his arms shot out and caught Elizabeth’s upper arms as she emitted a cry of surprise and toppled backward. Daniel swore under his breath.
Idiot. He should’ve watched where he was going. Now, not only did he and Elizabeth have to face each other, they’d made physical contact, skin on satin skin, and that was bad news. Those big green eyes, that fresh sweet scent. If they’d been alone, he’d have gone against every scrap of common sense he possessed and kissed her again.
He made sure she was steady on her pretty pink heels then, pasting on a smile, he released his hold and dug both hands safely away into his trouser pockets.
“Elizabeth. Hey, what a surprise.”
“You here trying some of our world-famous breakfast tacos?”
“Just coffee this morning.”
“Pining for Nita’s cooking?”
He slowly smiled. “That’s probably it.”
After the way they’d parted last night, why was she being so friendly? He wasn’t getting even a hint of frostiness. No sign of embarrassment. In fact, she radiated confidence. It was as if that moment last night in the moonlight had never happened. She said she’d been kissed before. Maybe this kind of thing was a regular occurrence.
Rand was easing around them. “I’m off. Lots to do.” He sent a smile to Elizabeth, a conspiratorial wink to Daniel, and made a beeline for the door. Daniel scowled after him. Traitor.
But if Elizabeth was big enough not to hold a grudge, considering he’d been the one to make that rash move in the first place, shouldn’t he show manners enough to give her a polite moment now? Not that he intended to drag it out. He had a phone call to make. Packing to do.
So why, when he had every intention of saying, Well, nice to have met you, have a great day, did it come out, “Would you like a coffee?”
At his offer, barely-there dimples appeared on either side of a dazzling smile. “I’d love one.”
The waitress and her coffeepot materialized beside them. “You two lovebirds need a table?”
Daniel suppressed a cough. He could take her calling him sugar, but lovebirds? Southerners were far too familiar. Talk like that could cause gossip. And gossip meant trouble.
Making certain to stand an arm’s length away from Elizabeth, he indicated the booth he and Rand had shared. “I was sitting over there.”
“Then let me clear those plates.” The waitress walked over with them, addressing only Elizabeth when next she spoke. “Word is those pesky flamingo
s have ended up on your front lawn.”
“I was going to make my donation today, but I thought I might keep them around a couple more days.”
The woman laughed, a throaty relaxed sound. “To scare the cows?”
“Who knows?” Elizabeth said with a cheeky grin. “They might come back in fashion.”
“Not where I come from,” Daniel muttered, sliding into that booth.
When the waitress looked at Daniel, Elizabeth explained, “Barb, Daniel here is from New York City.”
“Really? I’m hearing a lilt of an accent. South Carolina. Got an aunt from round that way.”
“I call New York home now.”
She deadpanned, “Whatever you say, sugar.” Her focus jumped to the other side of the booth, where Elizabeth was making herself comfortable. “Can I fetch you a menu, hon?”
“Just coffee,” they said together.
The waitress inspected her near-empty pot. “Need a fresh one.” She headed off. “Back in a flash.”
Elizabeth set her handbag down then clasped her hands on the table. “Now that we’re here, I might as well go ahead and tell you the story behind the club’s plaque.”
If he hadn’t left so abruptly, she’d have told him last night. But the situation had changed.
“No need,” he said.
Her smooth brow furrowed. “Oh? Why not?”
Because I’m throwing in my hand. Giving up and going back to where I belong. But he didn’t need to spill his guts, just because she was sitting here across from him, making him feel all jumpy, that amazing mane of hair cascading over her shoulders while she radiated curiosity and “you know you want to hold me again” vibes.
When he realized he was leaning over the table, stomach muscles clenching, he cleared his throat and lied. “A pressing matter’s come up. I need to get back to the city as soon as possible.”
“Nothing bad, I hope.”