And with that, she knew from his expression that he finally understood. “You realize what you’re saying, right?”
She stared at him, her blue eyes clashing with his dark ones. “Yes,” she whispered.
He groaned as he pulled her closer. “Phillip’s an ass, Lillian,” he told her a moment before he kissed her. The salmon was forgotten. He lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs, kicking the bedroom door closed as he placed her on the bed.
“You enjoy the way I kiss you?” he asked as he stood up, looking down at her stretched out on his bed.
Lillian smiled, but it wasn’t one of those flirty smiles, or a polite smile. Nope, this one was total seductress and hit his body hard. Lust was a powerful thing and he slipped off her pretty shoe and flipped it behind him.
“Yes,” she whispered, lifting up on her elbows to watch him as he continued to undress her. “I love the way you kiss me.”
And for the rest of the night, she showed him exactly how much she loved it.
Chapter 6
The following day, Lillian walked into Phillip’s office, determined this time to speak with him. “Is he available?” she asked, standing in front of Marie’s desk.
The lovely woman looked up and sighed and Lillian knew that it was going to be a challenge to see Phillip.
“He’s very busy, but I will shift things around and ensure that you have as much time as you need,” she said briskly, immediately standing up and walking into Phillip’s office.
Lillian stared at the now-closed door, contemplating the difference between the two men in her life. George never closed his door, she realized. Okay, well, he closed it when she walked in. And Della closed it whenever Lillian walked in. It hadn’t ever occurred to her before this moment, but she thought about it now and…well, she was pretty grateful that no one on the staff had seen her with George. Even months ago, when they were simply talking about nothing in particular, he’d kept the door closed. She quickly turned away so that Marie wouldn’t accidentally see the heat in her cheeks as memories of last night flooded into her mind.
“He can see you now,” Marie announced and Lillian swung around to face the woman.
“Thank you,” she replied.
Stepping into Phillip’s office, she found him gathering up papers from his desk and looking at something on his computer monitor. “Marie!” he bellowed. When the woman stuck her head in the doorway, he continued, “Can you get me the file on the water rights? We’ll need that for the proposal.”
Marie nodded and backed out of the office. But she left the door open. Interesting, Lillian thought. She then turned to focus on Phillip. Her determination was strong. He wasn’t getting away from her this time.
“We need to talk, Phillip,” she announced as she put her purse down on one of the chairs. She didn’t sit this time. She needed to be ready. Ready to step in front of him if he tried to escape.
He glanced up at her, obviously distracted. “What’s up, Lillian?”
She smiled, thinking that the man had been abnormally busy lately. Truly busy? Or just trying to avoid her?
“We have to cancel the wedding,” she announced.
The gasp behind her pulled her attention away from Phillip’s startled look. Marie was standing in Phillip’s doorway, her arms clutching a stack of files against her chest, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. When she realized that both of them were staring at her, Marie stammered, “I’m sorry!” and backed out of the office again, closing the door behind her.
“She should probably stay,” Lillian commented. Then tilted her head slightly. “But it might be better if we get this cleared up before you go talk to her.”’
Phillip’s expression shifted from shocked to irritation. “Lillian, what are you talking about? The wedding is Saturday. We can’t cancel the wedding at this point!”
She smiled slightly, impressed with his tone. “Why not?”
He glared at her, acting as if the answer was obvious. “Because it is too late.”
“Too late to announce to the world that we…” she looked at him carefully, noticed that he was waiting tensely for whatever she might say next, “are basically brother and sister?”
The tension in his shoulders didn’t subside. “We aren’t related in any way. What’s your point? I have several meetings this afternoon.”
Her challenging expression gentled. “Yes, I know. You always have extremely important meetings when I show up lately. It didn’t used to be that way.”
“I wasn’t about to leave for my honeymoon,” he argued right back.
She smiled, shaking her head. “Not true. When we all went to Bermuda that one summer, both of our families, you weren’t nearly as busy.” She smiled softly as she continued, “Of course, we weren’t engaged at that time. So you didn’t need to manufacture reasons to avoid me.”
He shook his head and she realized for the first time that the gesture was his polite way of rolling his eyes. “Lillian, you’re not making sense. Is this just pre-wedding nerves? Are you anxious about the wedding night?”
She laughed. “I wasn’t, but recent events have made me more than slightly horrified at the idea of making love with you.”
His eyebrows went up with that announcement and he crossed his arms protectively over his chest. “What recent events, my dear, would create horror at the idea of my touch?”
She smiled gently, thinking he was normally a very sweet man. “Phillip, do you realize that we’ve never even kissed properly?”
He dropped his hands, but stuffed them into the pockets of his tailored slacks. “I kiss you every time we’re together.”
Lillian laughed, feeling relaxed for the first time in…months! Wow, she hadn’t realized how worked up about the wedding she was! But now…not feeling the tension and the worry was a huge relief! Of course, her good mood and lack of stress might have something to do with being in George’s arms last night. He was…well, really good at getting rid of tension.
Focusing on Phillip, she reined in her wandering mind. This was important. “Yes, you kiss me, on the forehead, on the cheek, on my hand. And yes,” she lifted her hand to stop him from his next statement, “you’ve kissed my lips, but never a passionate kiss. Nothing that would involve something more than a simple peck.”
He looked at her for a moment and she knew him well enough to tell that he was going through the previous months in his mind, trying to find a kiss that would refute her argument. She also knew the exact moment when he realized that they’d never really kissed. She also knew the moment he altered his argument, trying to bring her back to his way of thinking. “I respect you, Lillian. I don’t want to do anything to embarrass you. There will be plenty of time for passion when we’re on our honeymoon.”
Lillian smiled gently. “There isn’t going to be a honeymoon, Phillip.”
Now he rolled his eyes. “Lillian, you’re being ridiculous. We’re getting married on Saturday.”
“Really?” She walked around his desk and looked up into his eyes. He really was an exceptionally handsome man. Unfortunately, he sparked zero desire in her mind or body. He was a nice guy. A friend. A good friend, she clarified in her mind. “Kiss me, Phillip.” She backed up when he reached out to take her hands. “No, kiss me as if you’re crazy in love with me and want to throw me on the desk and make love to me.”
He pulled back, a look of disgust on his handsome features. “Lillian, I would never dishonor you in such a way.”
She sighed. “Okay, then kiss me as if you love me in a romantic way.”
He still hesitated. “Are you going to be crass?”
Her smile widened because she knew that she was right. “No. I’m going to prove my point.”
Phillip moved closer, his hand lifting up to cup the side of her face. Slowly, millimeter by millimeter, he lowered his head. She saw the determination in his eyes, the way he was clenching his jaw and she worked very hard not to laugh. He was trying and she loved him for it
. But she wasn’t in love with him. Nor was he in love with her.
When his lips hovered over hers for several moments, she couldn’t hold back any longer. The laughter just burst out of her. Even trying to cover her mouth didn’t help.
Phillip lifted his head and she recognized his acceptance.
With a sigh, he released her and lifted his head, the grimace on his features showing his realization that they weren’t in love. “Okay, you’ve proven your point,” he admitted. As he looked down at her, he even let out a soft chuckle. “How did we get to this point?”
She shrugged and both of them turned to lean against his desk. “I don’t know. It’s strange though, isn’t it? Kissing me is like…”
“Kissing my sister. No offense, but that’s just disgusting.”
They both laughed again and she leaned her head against his shoulder. “No offense taken,” she said.
His arm went around her waist and she once again felt that close friendship that they’d shared before this crazy wedding business started to change their relationship. There was a long silence as they both got lost in their private thoughts. He finally broke the silence, his arm tightening slightly in a gentle hug. “So, what do we do now?”
She shrugged. “Cancel the wedding. No way am I marrying a man who can’t even kiss me.”
He laughed. “I would feel very strange marrying a woman who can’t stand my kiss.”
She giggled, but neither of them moved for a long moment. “Thanks,” she finally said.
“For what?” he asked, looking down at her with surprise. “For not being able to kiss you?”
Lillian thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, for that. And for being such a nice guy.”
“Nice.” He made a rude sound as he shook his head. “I’m not a nice guy, Lillian.”
She patted his arm. “You’re a nice guy to me,” she argued.
There was a knock on the door and then it opened before they could pull apart. “Oh!” Marie gasped, then looked down as she stumbled. “I’m so sorry, sir. Lillian. I just…”’ she gestured with the files in her hand. “The meeting. It’s starting, sir.”
Both of them stood up and Phillip nodded. Lillian started to leave, but he took her arm, holding her back. “Tell everyone that I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he told Marie.
A moment later, she disappeared behind the closed door and Lillian watched Phillip’s features. Yep, it was right there. The tension, the heat. It was in his eyes and in every muscle of his body.
“You know,” she began as she walked around to the other side of his desk. “I suspect that there is one very lovely woman who would thoroughly enjoy your efforts at kissing,” she glanced up into his eyes.
He looked down at her blankly, then over towards the door. “Who is that?”
She grinned, shaking her head. “You are aware that Marie is completely in love with you, right?”
Once again, his eyes darted to the doorway where the woman in question had just disappeared. He then looked back at her. “Marie is a valuable employee, Lillian. I would never…”
“You should,” Lillian interrupted. “She’s beautiful and,” she tilted her head slightly, looking at Phillip with new eyes, “you feel the same way about her.” She picked up her purse and turned back to him. “I’ll tell my mother to cancel the wedding. We can send the food and the cake to the homeless shelter and throw everyone a party. No need for the food to go to waste, right?”
His lips pressed together, but he nodded. “That’s sounds like a lovely idea. I’ll inform my mother as well.”
Lillian tried to think of all the other issues that needed to be cleared up but dismissed the effort, thinking she’d simply delegate everything to her mother. With that in mind, she looked down at her finger. “Oh, and you’ll need this back.”
He took the diamond engagement ring, slipping it into his pocket. “I suppose we should have figured out what was going on when neither one of us realized that we were engaged.”
A giggle burst out of her with that point. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“I’ll cancel the honeymoon.”
Lillian looked at him carefully, a thought hitting her that might just help him and a certain pretty brunette. “Maybe you shouldn’t cancel the honeymoon,” she told him and a smile grew wider. “Maybe, you should make it a working vacation.” She moved closer, laying a hand on his chest, “If you cancel now, you’ll just have a bunch of cancelation fees and nothing to show for it.” She once again glanced over her shoulder at the closed door, then back up at him. “However, if you go on the trip, say with a beautiful brunette instead of a blonde, then you might make it worthwhile.”
He smiled down at her, but shrugged a broad shoulder. “Lillian, we’re staying at my family’s home in Aruba and flying there on the company jet. There won’t be any cancelation fees.”
Lillian rolled her eyes, dispensing with some of the polite subtleties required of a southern belle. Spinning around, she walked over to the doorway, feeling free and excited for the future. “Yes, but your beautiful assistant doesn’t have to know that!”
She grinned when he threw back his head laughing.
When his laughter slowed to a chuckle, he lifted his hand, stopping her from opening the door. “By the way, how did you figure this brother/sister thing out?”
Lillian froze, looking back at him but not wanting to hurt his feelings by admitting what she’d done with George. “Oh, things just didn’t seem right lately,” she replied carefully.
She’d just put her hand on the doorknob when one word stopped her. “George?” he asked.
Lillian spun around, her cheeks giving away the truth. He laughed and walked over to wrap her in his arms. “Good luck, Lillian,” he said, then kissed her on the top of her head.
“You too, Phillip!” she said and meant it sincerely. “If there’s anything I can do to help with the budding romance, let me know.”
He rolled his eyes this time. “I think I can handle it.”
Lillian pulled the door open as she burst out laughing again, happiness hitting her full force. With a wave to Phillip, she practically danced down the hallway and out of the building.
Chapter 7
“No Mother. Canceled.” She smiled as George entered her office and closed the door. Immediately, her body started tingling, wondering what he was going to do. His eyes told her that he was thinking of doing something very naughty.
“Yes Mother. All of it. All the food should go to the local food shelters.” She watched George as he sat down in the chair on the other side of her desk. Goodness, he was such a handsome man, the complete opposite of Phillip, who was blond and all-American with his smoothly shaven appearance. Nope, George was dark. Dark eyes, dark hair, even a five o’clock shadow despite the fact that it was barely noon. Both men were tall, but George was built more like a linebacker while Phillip was sleeker, more like a swimmer or marathon runner.
As she stared at the man across her desk, she lost track of whatever her mother was saying. The look in George’s eyes told her that something important was up.
“Mother, I have to go,” she said, interrupting whatever her mother was saying. She knew it was rude, but the look George gave her distracted her anyway.
“Yes Mother, I’ll call you back.”
She hung up the phone before even hearing her mother’s goodbye, then settled back into her chair once again. “You look dangerous,” she told him.
He lifted a dark eyebrow with that announcement. “Dangerous? In what way?”
She smiled, unaware of how sexy she appeared at the moment. “In a dangerous, I’m-not-going-to-let-you-toss-me-over-this-desk kind of way,” she told him very firmly.
He laughed softly, but he didn’t bother denying that he’d been thinking that very thought. “You canceled the wedding?”
“Yes.” She shrugged slightly. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to marry a man when I…” she stopped, startled by what she�
�d been about to say.
“Go on,” he encouraged.
She shook her head, looking down at the papers on her desk. “I’m…uh…”
He stood up and came around to the other side of her desk, taking her hands and pulling her up so that she was standing in the circle of his arms. “You were going to say, you can’t marry one man when you’re in love with another. Right?”
His fingers interlocked behind her back and she rested her palms against his broad shoulders. “Well, no. That’s not what I’d intended to say.”
“But it’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it?”
She hesitated, not sure what to admit and what to deny.
Abruptly, he took her hand. “Come with me,” he commanded.
She thought about pulling back, not wanting him to think he could continuously tell her what to do all the time. But the look in his eyes told her that she might want to allow it. Just this once. “Where are we going?”
He grabbed her purse and continued out the door. “Ralph, cancel Lillian’s appointments this afternoon. We’re having a meeting to discuss an important merger.”
Lillian had no idea what he was talking about since they hadn’t had any mergers on the books in a while. Nor had George mentioned anything in that direction either.
When the elevator doors closed on them, she turned to look up at him. “What’s going on?”
He looked down at her with a strange look in his eyes. “What happened with Phillip when you told him that the wedding was off?”
This was such an abrupt change of subject, she wasn’t able to follow the conversation immediately. “Um…” the elevator doors opened and he stepped out, taking her hand once again.
Doing the Right Thing Page 6