Laughing, Elliston swiped the card through the reader and pushed the door open with one hand. Before he could stop her, Della ducked under the arm he held the door open with, stopping on the other side to squeeze his arm muscles through his jacket sleeve.
“You’re in pretty good shape for a geek, Mr. McElroy. I’ve been wanting to get a feel since I met you.”
“Thanks. I work out,” Elliston said, clearing his throat. “Come on, honey. Bed for you.”
Della giggled. “Stop teasing me, Elliston. I’m not going to bed with you. That would be a very bad idea.”
“Yes, it would, especially in your current condition,” Elliston agreed. “That’s why you’re going to bed alone. However, I am going to tuck you in and make sure you don’t get sick.”
“Oh, I never get sick, but I’ll probably get a headache. My mother calls it the devil’s work. She means the drinking—not the headache—which she would say I fully deserve,” Della admitted, sitting down heavily on the first bed she saw.
“Nope. You’re on the wrong bed, Sherlock.”
“That’s elementary, my dear Watson,” Della replied in her best fake British accent, giggling as she tried to undo her shoe straps.
A sighing Elliston dropped to his knees and took over the task. “You went from brilliant doctor to giggling girl in two freaking sips. I’ve never seen that happen to anyone before.”
“Yeah… I’m a lightweight drunk like my mother, except when I’m leaning against you. Then I’m sturdy and solid like my father. My mother says it’s his fault I have such a big butt.”
“You do not have a big butt. You have a perfect sized one that looks very cute in your skirts. It even looks cute in that conservative dress you’re wearing. I like your butt just like it is.”
“Thank you,” Della said, her voice rising with sweetness. Her hand lifted his chin until Elliston had no choice but to look at her. “Will you tell my mother?” she asked sincerely.
“Yes. I’ll tell her at your sister’s wedding next month that your butt is Livingston perfection,” Elliston answered, her plea hurting his heart. The woman was beautiful, but it sounded like she had some deeply rooted insecurities.
When he rose, he pulled Della up with him. He turned her around and lowered the zipper on her dress before pushing it off her shoulders and watching it fall to the floor. She stepped out of it automatically and turned around to face him in nothing but matching black underwear. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen women in great underwear before, but… damn. Della was really built well.
“Okay. That outfit’s like… wow,” he said. The sight of her made him nearly incoherent. He rubbed a hand over his face trying to maintain his grip on himself. He tugged Della until she followed him to her own bed. Pulling back the covers, he helped her climb in and then tucked them up around her tightly.
She giggled at his actions. He grinned at her laughter. “Stop giggling. I can’t walk now because of you. That big butt of yours looks really spectacular in black underwear… and I bet you know it, Dr. Livingston.”
“Perhaps I do, Mr. McElroy. You can kiss me goodnight if you want. I won’t tell Mariah so you won’t have to pay to do it.”
“Nope,” Elliston said sharply. He started to stand but got pulled back down with one hard yank. “You’re a lot stronger than you look, aren’t you?”
Giggling again, Della scooted over and patted the space on the pillow next to hers. “At least lie down with me until I fall asleep. Sharing a bed will be our little fake date secret.”
Elliston rubbed his face and nodded. “Okay. I guess I can do that.” He slipped off his jacket and shoes, and then stretched out on top of the covers beside Della. She stared at him for a couple of minutes before reaching out a hand and rubbing his chest.
“You feel exactly like I imagined,” she said dreamily, closing her eyes as her hand stilled. Her fingers curled against his heartbeat.
Elliston waited, watching Della’s peaceful face as she slept. “And I was just thinking that you’re nothing like I imagined at all,” he whispered, closing his eyes as well.
Della woke in full daylight and listened to the shower running. She ran a hand over her body and felt the lacy underwear she’d donned the evening before. On the bottom of the bed was Elliston’s suit jacket looking casually tossed aside. She looked at the impression on the pillow next to hers. Since her contacts were still in, she looked across the room. The other bed wasn’t turned down at all, but her borrowed dress was draped across it.
“Wow… I can’t believe I did this,” she said, rubbing her eyes before she remembered her makeup was still on. She probably looked like the half-melted bride of Frankenstein now. “Curse you, champagne. What have you done to me this time? I actually like that man.”
Elliston emerged from the bathroom wrapped in only a small hotel towel that barely went around his hips. He hurried to his suitcase, retrieved clothes, and then started hustling back.
“Good morning, Elliston,” Della said, wanting to get the awkwardness over with.
“Oh. Morning, Della,” Elliston said, glancing down at himself. “Uh… I forgot my clothes.”
Della smiled and nodded. “I can see that.” Then a giggle overtook her. “I don’t know why I’m laughing.”
“Because we keep ending up in these awkward situations?” he suggested.
She sighed out loud. “Do I need to apologize for last night?”
“Apologize?” Elliston asked, pretending to ponder it. “For the champagne or what happened afterward?”
“God, what happened afterward?”
“Nothing bad. I swear,” he answered, laughing at the fear in her voice.
Despite wishing she could remain stoic, Della giggled again. “You didn’t sleep in your bed last night. You slept in mine, didn’t you?”
“I had no choice. You held me in place with your wrestler grip. I totally believe your story about being a tomboy now.” Elliston laughed and cleared his throat when she groaned even louder. “I’m kidding. You asked me to stay until you fell asleep. I stayed until we both did. Should I apologize for snoozing too?”
“I’d be really disappointed if you did, but I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I should never have let Bert talk me into champagne. It has a weird effect on me.”
Elliston shook his head. “Your cuteness pushed me to the limits of my nobility. Luckily for both of us, I passed the test. You can thank my father and Uncle John. Fear of them kept me from taking advantage.”
Della snickered and sat up, the sheet falling to reveal the black bra. She snatched it back up and covered herself. “I don’t know about how lucky it was, but your restraint during my champagne fugue does make me like you more.”
“Good. I want you to like me. And for the record… I applaud your choice of underwear. Looks great on your big butt which you got from your father’s side of the family,” Elliston said.
He laughed when Della ducked her head and groaned loudly again.
“Great. What other secrets did I reveal to you?” she demanded.
“Oh, nothing really bad. You’re just kind of funny when you’re snookered.”
“Stop. Don’t tell me any more. I need to use the facilities when you’re done,” Della said, motioning with her hand. “Hurry.”
“Oh. Right,” Elliston said, hurrying back into the bathroom.
Della sighed and looked around her. This was turning out to be a very strange weekend.
It was their last day so Della opted for a half hour hand and foot massage to complete her relaxation plans. She finished feeling refreshed in body, but still disturbed in her mind. Before disappearing, Elliston had ordered a full breakfast be delivered to her while she was in the bathroom. He’d seemed to know that she needed a little time to regroup. She’d dated a man for two years who never once offered to get her a drink of water. Elliston’s thoughtfulness was something outside her experience of most men.
Not ready to interact with Bert’s crowd yet, she
wandered the resort grounds alone and enjoyed looking at the beautiful tree line. Tennessee was definitely a beautiful state to visit. The scenery was just one of many reasons she was going to remember this trip.
“There you are. Someone told me you were out walking.”
She turned at the voice. Today Elliston was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt, a vest, and a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly. His sleeves weren’t rolled like he normally wore them, which told her that he was purposely hiding his tats from Bert and his cronies. The outfit was a very casual look for him, but no less attractive than his suits. She smiled and raised a hand to wave hello.
“Headache better?” he asked.
“Never really got one,” Della answered. “Maybe it was the incredible breakfast you sent to me. Thank you.”
Elliston nodded. “It was my pleasure. Can I…” he pointed to the ground. “Can I walk with you?”
“Sure,” she said, turning back to the small path she’d been following. “It’s very scenic here. Ohio is nice, but I thought no state could ever be as beautiful as Kentucky. After this weekend, I may have to reconsider my bias.”
“I’m definitely going to be sad to see this trip end even though I’ve got enough new work to keep me busy doing callbacks for a week. I have a retired friend who helps me program when I’m swamped. I’m going to have to call him.”
“So things have gone well for you then?”
“Yes,” Elliston said. “This weekend has exceeded my expectations.” He walked quietly at her side. “You exceeded my expectations as well. You’re the reason I’m not in any hurry to go home.”
Della laughed. “That’s just gratitude and a healthy dose of lust. Celibacy is hard on everyone—pun intended.”
Elliston laughed. “So you think I’m not really into you? I’m not following your logic.”
“I didn’t say that exactly, but okay, I can’t help but think it. You really don’t know me, Elliston. Our attraction is about proximity and gratitude—not genuine attraction.”
Elliston put a hand on her arm and stopped her forward motion. “I’m going to have to disagree with that theory. I’ve learned some very fundamental things about you in the last couple of days that I think only a genuinely attracted guy would notice.”
“Such as?” Della prompted.
Elliston looked off and then looked back at her. “You’re always charming to strangers no matter how uncomfortable you are. You have a great sense of humor and are smart without being even a tiny bit pompous about your intelligence. You also have a killer body which I’ve had a hell of a time keeping my hands off of this whole weekend, but what really matters is the way you instantly smile every time you see me and how something inside me lights up when you do.”
Della sighed and made a face. “Oh my god—this is worse than I thought. You’re infatuated with me.”
Elliston chuckled. “You make my interest in you sound like a disease. Now I’m seeing the downside to dating someone claiming to be a mating expert, Dr. Livingston. In fact, I think you’re being totally dumb at the moment.”
“I’m not being dumb. Your pseudo-attraction to me is just so… textbook,” Della said, waving a hand in front of him. “I did you a huge favor by charming your clients and now you’re crushing on me in gratitude. That feeling’s going to fade in like, a week, and you’ll start seeing every fault I possess as an irritant. You know I can’t let that happen. I don’t want Mariah to lose you as a client because of me.”
“Textbook?” Elliston huffed at the accusation, ignoring the rest of her rant. “Maybe what I’m feeling is kind of predictable, but that doesn’t mean what I’m feeling is not the kind of liking that leads to something genuine. I started feeling the vibe between us the moment you got into my car for this trip. And I’ll tell you what I told your boss already—I don’t sleep with every woman I come across. Though I’m starting to think I have a weakness for bossy tomboys who won’t let me out of their beds.”
“I admit you were a good sport about my champagne crazy moments. I like you—I do, but…” Della shook her head.
“Is the problem that you know too much about my dating habits? Are you hung up on my star ratings at The Perfect Date?”
Della crossed her arms. “It’s maybe a little of that insider stuff, but it’s more about me and my needs. I’m just as career-minded as you are. I know you’re looking for a fun companion who has her own interests, but from my experience this weekend, what you really need is someone who can hang with your business clients when you have to schmooze, as you call it. I even get that because I need a guy who can support me that same way when he finds out I intend to actually work for a living. Our demanding careers cancel out.”
“Huh,” Elliston said, stunned by her warped logic. How about the physical pull they were feeling? Didn’t that count? “So you think I’m too busy with my career to have a real relationship?”
“Don’t you?” Della asked.
Elliston shrugged. “Not so long ago I thought I was, but that might have been more about motivation. After this weekend, I know for certain that I want to date you. Other women your age don’t really interest me. Most are playing at being Business Barbie, but their real goal is marrying a man with money.”
Huffing, Della dropped her arms and waved her hand in front of him again. “No woman is dumb enough to think all you have to offer her is money. I’ve seen you in a towel that left little to the imagination. Not to mention the other morning when you woke up…”
“Ha! I knew you were staring at me,” Elliston declared.
Della giggled. “Because you really are a hot geek. You know it too, so don’t pretend to be modest.”
“Which is why I think you should kiss me. You might find out I’m worth liking back.”
“Kissing you would only complicate my life,” Della said. She shook her head and started walking. “I don’t have time for complications, especially not right now. This is what I was talking about in the car coming here. I’m too busy to get involved. That was the only reason I said yes to our trade. I wasn’t playing nice just to get to go out with a cute, rich guy. The other guys Mariah found for me were just as cute—maybe just as rich.”
“Great. Thanks for the kicking my ego in the balls.”
“I wasn’t being sarcastic… or trying to find out your net worth. The point I’m making is that I could date for real if I wanted to—I just don’t choose to do so at the moment.”
Elliston caught up to her in several strides. She moved really fast when she wasn’t wearing heels. “So what do you do instead of… getting involved? Do you date guys like the one who only saw your legs and never realized you had a brain that was just as phenomenal?”
“I consider that information to be personal. We all have our coping strategies to keep loneliness away,” Della said firmly.
“Damn it, Della.”
“Do not swear at me, Elliston McElroy. I don’t like it. And I’ve done nothing to deserve your frustration. I’m merely being honest, which we agreed to do from the beginning of this trade.”
“Sorry. You’re right,” Elliston said immediately. “But you’re driving me crazy.”
Della snorted and crossed her arms again. “How? I’m not doing anything except keeping my side of the bargain. I don’t have time to like you the way you want me to.”
Elliston threw up his hands. “Fine. Don’t like me. I’ll back off right now.”
Della nodded briefly. “That would be for the best. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Fine,” he said again.
Della felt Elliston’s gaze on her as she walked away. Was she being an idiot for not jumping the man? Maybe. Either that or she was dodging a situation that might put her heart, career, and life in jeopardy.
She’d gone with her heart’s choice of a man too many times in her life and it had never worked out, which was the real reason why she’d never settled down. It certainly wasn’t the pressure from her marriage crazy family.
This time though she was going with her mind’s decision. It kept pointing out that Elliston McElroy and his career were both too high maintenance for her.
Chapter Six
“What did you do to her?” Bert asked.
Elliston turned his gaze back to his client. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been staring a hole in Della all evening and she hasn’t looked at you once. She’s listening to my wife bend her ear and has barely spoken back to Joyce. After you’ve been married as long as I have, you learn the signs of a woman being upset,” Bert said.
Elliston shook his head and sighed. “I guess I pushed her too hard. We sort of had a fight this afternoon.”
Bert snorted. “Doesn’t surprise me. You’re the kind that takes a while to figure things out then turns into a steamroller once you do. That’s how you get so much done. I like that about you, but I can see that being a problem for your love life, especially with a cautious woman.”
Elliston cocked his head and grinned. “A steamroller? I don’t think anyone’s called me that before.”
“You need to wait until she gets that degree under her belt then work your steamroller magic on her,” Bert advised. He nodded his chin to Joyce. “My wife had her own business. I needed her help with mine. It took a few years for her to decide mine paid the bills better. Now she does all the hiring and the negotiating. People don’t tell my Joyce no very often. She’s as smart as she is beautiful. She’s also the best woman I know. I love her more now than I did when we married twenty-one years ago.”
Elliston nodded. “I’m in a different place, Bert. After this weekend, I may never see Della again. That’s not an acceptable solution to our hectic lives dilemma. It seems a shame to give up our chance for such a stupid reason.”
Bert burst out laughing. “No. I imagine that’s not acceptable from your standpoint. My guess is Dr. Livingston isn’t short on admirers with those long legs of hers.”
Elliston thought of the guy on the street when he picked Della up. “No. She draws them without trying.”
Never Be Her Hero Page 5