Unforgettable Heroes Boxed Set

  “I’m free tonight and wouldn’t mind some company. Want to get together?”

  Phillip wrestled with his desire to throw caution to the winds and chase after one woman, rather than dealing with the one in his arms. He looked Heather over, noticing, as always, she was coifed to the teeth, smelled expensive, and had the comfortable beauty of a woman well pampered. He took a deep breath and threw one last glance in the direction of the woman he really wanted. She was gone. “Sure,” he said, smiling. “Your place is closer.”

  ****

  Half an hour later, Phillip lay staring at the ceiling much like he had all night, only this wasn’t his ceiling. He glanced over to Heather as she sat in a slip at her vanity, brushing her hair. She slid occasional glances at his reflection. He waited, expecting questions. She didn’t disappoint.

  “Who is she?”

  Phillip pressed his lips together, then shrugged. “I don’t know her name,” he said, not surprised Heather had guessed his inability to perform had something to do with another woman.

  She stopped brushing and twisted at the waist to look at him. “You don’t know her name?”

  Phillip grinned. “No. I met her at a party. She didn’t tell me her name.”

  Heather laughed. “That’s funny. They usually tell you their names then tack yours on at the end.”

  Ignoring that, Phillip exhaled heavily. “I didn’t exactly tell her my name either.”

  Brows raised, Heather studied him. “She doesn’t know who you are? And you don’t know who she is. But she has you so messed up you can’t give a friend a little relief?”

  Since she said it all with amusement clear in her voice, Phillip relaxed. They had been close for a long time and he hated to disappoint such a good friend. “Sorry.”

  Heather turned back to her mirror, lifted a small gold cylinder, and refreshed her lipstick. After pressing her lips against each other in rapid succession, she glanced at him through the mirror again. “That’s okay. I always have the Rabbit. Not as good as you, but he works in a pinch.” She flashed a coral lipped smile at him. “So, do you know how to contact her?”

  That was the stickler. He did know how to contact her, since she would soon be heading to his penthouse apartment. The problem was he didn’t know whether to stay away and stand her up, or to meet her at the appointed time and send her on her way. “She’s coming to my studio this evening.”

  Heather turned on the bench, her hazel eyes twinkling. “Well, then. There you go. Although I have to admit, I do hate having to give you up. There is nothing better than knowing you can trust your sex partner.”

  “Have you ever thought about having a real relationship?”

  Heather’s lips twisted. “I’ve tried real relationships. The one we’ve had has been more honest than any of them ever were. What about you? Do you think this mystery woman could be the one?”

  “No.” Phillip tried to ignore just how disappointing that short word was. “I’m obsessed with her.”

  Heather stared at him long and hard. “And?”

  “And, it isn’t healthy. I can’t sleep for wanting her.”

  “And? The problem is?”

  Phillip frowned. What was the problem? “I don’t know. There’s something about her. I can’t put my finger on it.”

  Heather rose and crossed the room to sit on the opposite side of the bed. “Listen, kiddo. I have never seen you so taken with anyone. Go with it. Find out about her. Do the dirty with her. Maybe you’ll just end up getting her out of your system.” She smacked his bare chest playfully then slid a regretful glance at his manhood, and sighed. “Then, after the appropriate amount of blood tests have been taken…I may even let you back into my bed.”

  Her gaze returned to his eyes, her own serious. “Or, maybe she is the one. And if she is, are you willing to let her disappear without ever knowing? Without ever seeing?”

  Exhaling loudly, Phillip sat up and reached for his boxers. “I don’t know. And I don’t know that it would matter. You know my father. If she isn’t somebody she’d never be allowed into the family anyway.” He looked Heather over, grateful to have her in his life. “You know he expects me to marry you someday.”

  Heather laughed. “Yeah, well, my dad does too, but they will both just have to be disappointed. You are one incredible lay, my friend. But I love you too much to fall in love with you. We’d end up hating each other. I’m a party girl, you are a hermit artist and we are both deliriously happy in our little worlds. Go on. Get out of here and meet with your mystery woman.

  “And I want details later tonight! Lots and lots of details.”

  Phillip finished dressing and kissed her soundly, though he felt nothing more than the deep love for a cherished friend. “You know I never kiss and tell.”

  Heather laughed. “Well, damn!”

  Chapter Four

  Aurora resettled her numb behind on the hard surface of the marble bench. She’d been there ever since making a fool of herself by running away after she spotted Phillip and that woman hours before. Why in the world had she behaved so childishly when in fact she and Phillip were barely even acquaintances? She never did things like that. It was high school dramatic, and she hadn’t even caused any drama while in high school. But worse, if her always very reflective face had shown what she’d felt, her humiliation would be complete.

  She’d felt wounded, to the core. Betrayed, though she knew she had no right. Saddened, that the fantasy man she’d spent the day chewing her bottom lip off over might have a woman in his life.

  Why hadn’t it occurred to her that he’d be attached to someone? He was gorgeous, funny, bright, interesting. Everything she was certain she was not. “Don’t be stupid. Of course he’d have a girlfriend! Idiot! What did you think? He’d take one look at you and fall in love?”

  “I’m sorry. Are you talking to someone?”

  Heat blaze Aurora’s cheeks. She shook her head. “No, sorry, just lecturing myself because I’m an idiot.”

  The girl pointed to a vacant bench across from Aurora’s. “Do you mind if I sit here awhile? I didn’t have time for lunch today and I have to go wait tables in an hour.”

  “Not at all.” Aurora grinned when the girl hesitated. “I’m not really demented or anything. This is about a guy.”

  Her companion settled herself on the hard bench and pulled a wrapped sandwich from her large bag. “Oh, well that explains everything. Is he cheating on you?”

  Aurora almost laughed. “Not exactly.”

  “Are you cheating on him?”

  Not used to anyone delving into any part of her life, Aurora frowned. “No, but aren’t you getting a little personal for someone you just met?”

  “Oh, sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m naturally nosy. And told it is an annoyance.” She grinned sheepishly, and a strange light entered her eyes. “I’m told my father was the same way.” After a heartbeat she asked, “Would you like half my sandwich?”

  Shaking her head, Aurora pondered the woman. Something about her seemed off kilter, but she couldn’t say exactly what it was that didn’t seem right. Suddenly a gusting wind arose. The piped in music changed, as it was the time of day the music department often turned from live performances to recorded works. She looked at the offered triangle of meat and bread. “No, thank you.”

  After a moment of her companion chewing, smiling, then chewing some more, Aurora knew it was only polite to engage her in conversation. After all, she’d been taught manners by three of the most proper ladies on the planet. “Is this your first year?”

  The girl nodded thoughtfully, chewing. After swallowing, she took a long swig from a water bottle. “Yes, freshman. You?”

  Aurora shook her head, wondering if her companion was an older student. Though not uncommon on college campuses across the nation, most everyone she knew attending DeLaCourt was there fresh out of high school. The woman across from her was surely in her mid to late twenties. “No. A junior. Only one more year aft
er this one. I’m Aurora, by the way.”

  “Tina. Tiny to my family, but Tina to everyone else.” Both leaned forward and shook hands. “I envy you being almost done. I still have three more years after this.”

  Aurora exhaled heavily. “It will go by so fast.” And that was, in truth, worrisome. She didn’t know what she was going to do about the aunts once she was out of school. She couldn’t continue to live with them. They were just going to have to understand that. But making a decision to move out on them and actually doing it when she knew all the arguments that had kept her there this long, made her head ache. Somehow they always stopped her, pulling her back in to the same dull life she’d always led.

  “I assume you’re an artist of some sort since we all are… Supposed to be anyway.” Tina grinned. “I design and create stained glass panels.”

  Aurora pushed her own worries away and settled back to listen to the melodic prerecorded tunes of the cathedral’s giant pipe organ coming through the gazebo’s speakers. For some reason the organ’s music always called to her. She smiled in appreciation. “I love colored glass art. Another friend of mine just received a commission to do a five-story museum in Arkansas. He is wildly thrilled.”

  The smallest degree of envy momentarily clouded Tina’s amber eyes. Then her expression changed, as if she realized how she should respond. “Oh, my, gosh! He is living my dream. Do you know what that kind of exposure that can do for you? He’ll have works for years to come.”

  Aurora nodded. She was glad for James and just a little envious herself since he was getting to go where he wanted, to do what he wanted. She would always have to stay close to home to look after the aunts, to some degree anyway. Even after she moved out she knew she would need to see to their welfares. They were, after all, collectively two hundred and fifty eight years old.

  But after her meeting the evening before with the hunky Phillip Preston, her attitude about having to stay local hadn’t seemed as daunting. Of course, that was before she realized he was taken. She frowned at the direction her thoughts were taking. She’d never needed a man to make her life complete before. Why, she wondered, did she suddenly need one now?

  “So what do you do?” Tina asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  “I’m sorry. I’m a little distracted today. I design clothes.”

  Interests sparkled in amber eyes. “Really?” She looked Aurora over shrewdly. “Did you make your outfit? I love that blouse.”

  Aurora nodded as the cathedral bells rang the hour. She glanced at her watch to confirm the time. “Yes. Listen, it’s been really nice meeting you, Tina, but I have an appointment.”

  Tina’s grin didn’t quite match the look in her eyes. “You, too.”

  Aurora nodded, and rose, uncertain what it was about the girl that spooked her. With no time to lose, she pushed the thought away and took to the flower-lined path leading back to the college’s main entrance. Already the sun dipped close to the tops of the hedges at the western end of the campus, adding another degree of tranquility to an already peaceful setting. She hurried, knowing she’d purposely allowed herself to be delayed as an excuse to talk herself out of keeping the appointment she’d made with Phillip. But now that she was actually late, she couldn’t help but hurry. Because girlfriend or no girlfriend, she wanted to see him again. No, she needed to see him again. Just so the fantasy she’d made him into, in her mind, was proven wrong.

  ****

  “You did well, my dear. Very well.”

  “Thanks, Granny. I think she liked me. I can make her my friend. So why am I doing this?”

  Elvira Maleficent patted her granddaughter’s hand, then slid a twenty from her purse and handed it over. “Just do as you’re told, for now, Tiny. Go buy yourself a new outfit. And there is more where that came from. If you play your cards right…lots more.”

  Tina looked at the bill, opened her mouth, then closed it without uttering a word. For Granny to have given her anything at all was new, as the woman was as tight fisted with her money as Fort Knox was with its gold. And it would do little good for Tina to explain that an outfit worth wearing would cost a hundred times the amount she’d been given. Unless…she could make Aurora a close enough friend and convince her to make Tina some new clothes. Liking the idea since she adored what Aurora wore, she eagerly followed her grandmother back to the gazebo. “Thanks, Granny. What do you want me to do next?”

  Elvira took a seat on the hard marble slab bench. With her ample buttocks, she had more than enough cushioning to settle herself in comfort. What she needed most at the moment was to rest her tired feet, and aching knees, as the ample body attached to that butt took its toll on her lower appendages. And hiding behind the Greek style statue the entire time the girls had talked had only made her feet hurt worse.

  Now she had to spell out her strategy to the idiot daughter of the son she would avenge. But she’d only give the chit as little information at a time as she felt necessary. Tina was stupid and didn’t have the sense God gave a snail, but she was the only tool available to get close to that DeLaCourt girl. “I want you to make a point of running into her every day. Talk a little. Not too much at first or you will likely scare her off.”

  Tina frowned. “I know how to make a friend, Granny.”

  Elvira pierced the younger girl with her gaze. “Don’t you sass me, girl. I hold your inheritance in here!” she said, tapping her forehead. “You do as I say and you can have anything in life you want. It should have already been yours,” she added sourly.

  Tina frowned at her grandmother. “Is this about Daddy?”

  “Enough questions!” Elvira hissed. “You do as I say. Make that girl your friend. Find out where she lives. Who she lives with. Who her friends are. You hear me, girl?”

  Tina nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Elvira’s eyes slid from piercing to gentle. “Now, there’s a good girl.”

  Chapter Five

  Aurora looked at the napkin in her hand, then back at the number on the towering building. She was at the right address. Apparently Phillip’s friend had money, and lots of it. The building apparently was owned by the Princeton Foundation, as their logo hung proudly from the top of the high-rise.

  After parking in the multilevel garage, she knew her car stood out like a sore thumb compared to the opulent vehicles parked in the concrete and steel structure. Stretch limos, Rolls-Royces, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and DeLorians were only a few of the rich man’s toys filling the extra wide parking spaces.

  An armed guard approached her, and Aurora took a deep breath. “Hi.”

  The man looked from her to her car. “Can I help you, Miss?”

  Aurora pulled Phillip’s napkin from her purse and handed it over. “I’m expected.”

  Taking the paper, the guard looked it over, then handed it back. “Just a moment, please.”

  She bit her bottom lip as the guard went to his little hut, to make a call, she was certain. She dared not move, afraid doing so would cause the man to pull out the gun strapped to his hip. But seconds later he turned, smiling kindly.

  “Top floor. I’ll send you up. This way, please.”

  Aurora followed him to the elevator and waited while he slid a card into the slot. He waited for her to enter, tipped his hat, then stepped back as the doors closed. She listened to the soothing sound of jazz as the digital numbers lit with each new floor she passed. After endless seconds of building nerves, the doors slid open with a gentle ding.

  Stepping into a small, elegantly decorated foyer, Aurora made her way to large white double doors. Before she could knock, they opened, and Phillip stood there, looking both adorable, and irritated.

  Uncertain of her welcome, she waited for him to speak.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  Phillip wished, now more than ever before, that he had some shanty somewhere to live in and create his art. Living at the top of one of his father’s most expensive condominiums hadn’t been his idea, but Phillip Seni
or had made it clear that no son of his was going to live in a trashy neighborhood, in a shack. The only reason Phillip had given up and agreed to live here was that his mother had begged him not to fight with his father over this issue, as he’d won the battle of where he’d gotten to attend school, and his father didn’t interfere with his art.

  It was a hard pill for Phillip to swallow that his father was still so strongly in control of his life. But he knew that to fight it would only break his mother’s heart, a heart that had been broken so many times, with each child conceived after him being stillborn. He’d made it his life’s mission to make up for her other losses, so this time, again, his father got his way.

  Phillip looked his mystery woman over, glad to see she hadn’t changed from earlier in the day. It meant that she was here for the right reason, and not that she’d had seducing him in mind. It was ironic really. Any other woman on the planet would have freshened up, hoping to bed, then wed him, and he would have been disappointed. But not this gorgeous specimen of womanhood. She was here so he could transpose her into art on canvas, and all he wanted to do was take her into his arms and taste her full, plump lips.

  “I saw you today.”

  “Yes. I’m sorry. My friend interrupted before I could say hi.”

  “Oh.”

  After several seconds of him being tongue-tied, he could tell his silent scrutiny was making her nervous so he stepped back. “Please, come in.”

  Phillip watched as she stepped into the large, sparsely, though elegantly decorated room and looked around. She turned back to him, a tentative smile on her lips. “This is big.”

  Phillip laughed, relieved she wasn’t going to go on and on about the place. It was the usual reaction, and he was happy to see his initial assumptions about her were holding true. Mystery Woman was anything but usual. “Can I get you a drink, or anything?”