His hands slipped beneath her shirt, pushing her bra aside impatiently to reach the sensitive flesh beneath. Her breasts strained toward him, lifting and tightening in response to his touch. The dampness clinging to his palms heightened the sensation of his caress, adhering skin to skin and robbing her of the ability to breathe.
There was something timeless in a kiss shared amidst the elements. There was the blending of all the colors and fragrances in nature’s palette to complement the blending of a man and a woman—a sense of oneness that transcended the senses to reach the soul. Deep within her Kylie knew this, was conscious of the awesome beauty of the mountains and trees, of the sky and swirling stream. And she knew also that all this was insignificant compared to the awesome yearning of her heart for this man.
When he drew back, her sigh was one of reproach. “Mmmm,” she murmured. “Could we try that again? You see, no one has ever kissed me in the middle of a stream before, and I want to be sure I’ve got the hang of it.”
“Sorry.” Nick stood and pulled her up with him. “I can’t divulge trade secrets. The next thing I know you’d be offering guided tours to this very spot.”
Kylie wound her arms invitingly around his neck. “Do you suppose a little positive action on my part could change your mind?”
His fingers teased their way down her back to her hips. “Blackmail, Kylie?”
“Friendly persuasion, Nick.” She applied pressure to his nape and raised herself on tiptoe to brush his lips with hers. He was slow to respond, letting her make the initial overtures. With the tip of her tongue she explored the sensuous curve of his mouth and the tantalizing taste inside until he gave in to her allure and tightened his hold on her. Their bodies clung, wet and warm with the currents of desire that built to a demanding crest but halted at Nick’s command.
“Kylie,” he said in a throaty whisper, “has anyone ever made love to you in the middle of a stream?”
She shook her head and nestled against him. “I guess it might be a little uncomfortable.”
“My thinking, exactly,” he said firmly. “So let’s leave the friendly persuasion until a more propitious moment, shall we?”
“Your wish is my command.”
His eyes communicated his skepticism as he took her hand and led her from the water. “I’d better get you home. I think you’re becoming delirious. Overexposure to nature, more than likely.’’
It was overexposure to Nick, Kylie thought as they packed the remnants of their lunch and started toward Santa Fe.
Too much of anything isn’t good for you, she remembered her mother saying. You can’t have too much of a good thing, her father would always counter. Kylie glanced at Nick and decided that in this instance she liked her father’s advice better.
Nick turned and caught her look, returning it with a smile. “You look very pleased with yourself all of a sudden. What’s the secret?”
“No secret. I was just remembering how my mother had a wise saying for every occasion and how my dad always had an opposing adage. That way I had a choice.”
“I knew you had to have inherited that argumentative nature from one of your parents.”
She wrinkled her nose in protest. “Actually I didn’t inherit that. Dad kept it all for himself. I’m sure there are times Mom wishes he could give it away, to me or anyone else.”
“Not a marriage made in heaven, I take it.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. They just have regular differences of opinion.”
“Like us?” His tone was no longer light; it was a serious question. “We seem to have regular differences of opinion too.”
Kylie kept her eyes straight ahead. “There’s no comparison, Nick. My parents have been married for thirty years. Their disagreements are only superficial.”
“And you think ours are not?”
Her breathing slowed with uncertainty. “I don’t know, Nick. I think we’re very different in some important ways.”
“That isn’t necessarily bad, you know.” His voice was soft and reassuring, and she could feel the caress of his eyes. “As Spencer Tracy once said to Katharine Hepburn, viva la difference!”
Her smile was forced. She couldn’t find amusement in something that was so important to her. She and Nick were different, and although that wasn’t necessarily bad, it wasn’t necessarily good either.
“You know,” Nick said in a conversational tone, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen two people as different as Stephanie and Alex, yet they seem oddly suited to each other.”
“Oddly?” Kylie asked, not really interested in a discussion of Stephanie and Alex, but not sure that she was up to a personal discussion of herself and Nick either.
“Well, they’re very different in temperament and personality, but their individual differences could complement each other. Don’t you think so?”
“It’s a little early to tell. I think Alex needs someone to depend on him, someone who needs him. And for whatever reasons Stephanie needs Alex.”
“Or at least she did before she became so assertive.”
Kylie gave him an indignant look. “Being assertive doesn’t negate a man or a woman’s ability to relate to another person. Stephanie has just learned that Alex has to respect her as a person before he can ever feel anything for her as a woman.”
“Do you really believe it’s possible to separate gender from a relationship that is based on the unique differences between a man and a woman?”
“I believe mutual respect is the only basis for a fulfilling and lasting relationship.”
Nick’s mouth formed a curious upward slant. “Isn’t that amazing? I find myself in complete agreement with you, Kylie. Do you think that’s a good sign?”
“For what?”
“For future discussions about subjects that aren’t superficial.”
Her breath caught, and she wondered if they were about to embark on such a discussion. It seemed suddenly frightening and too soon. “I think that sounds like a trick question,” she answered, impulsively opting for a lighter tone of voice and mood.
“No tricks. Would you like me to explain?”
Kylie hesitated, afraid he would ask her how she felt about commitment, afraid he wouldn’t. “I…don’t think so. Not now.”
Nick respected her wish and didn’t offer further comment. The silence wasn’t as relaxed as during their earlier drive. It was heavy with emotion, with thoughts and feelings that Kylie didn’t know how to express. The scenery she’d found so delightful before passed the car window in a meaningless blur of color. She was looking past the view to a future with Nick, a future that beckoned her to take a chance. But did she dare risk her carefully mapped-out plans in the hope that Nick would accept her as an equal partner in their relationship? It was possible that he would want to make the decisions, take responsibility for her, as he had done for his mother. Would he expect her to meekly accept the role he chose for her?
Kylie smiled to herself. No, he knew she would never be meek, and she felt confident he wouldn’t want her to be. Was her worrying pointless? Or was she really worried about her own uncertainties? Did she dare to acknowledge her own longing to depend on someone, her need for a man strong enough to support her in her quest to become all she could be?
She stole a glance at his attractive profile. How could she not take the chance? Nick was so much more than she’d ever hoped to find. She admired him, respected him. Loved him, her heart added, and Kylie didn’t argue. It was certainly a foundation to build on. At least it would be, if he asked….
Nick heard Kylie’s quiet sigh of indecision and wished he dared to ask her what she was thinking. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Hell! He wished he could ask her more than that.
He wanted to know how she felt about things like commitment, marriage—him. But it was too soon. She was uncertain. He knew that, but still he was tempted to force a decision about the future, their future. Even so, if Kylie needed more time, he wouldn’t rush her.
<
br /> As Nick guided the car into the drive of the company house, Kylie let her gaze touch him in an unguarded caress. I love you, Nick. The thought drifted into her mind like the beginning of a poem she had always known and yet had just now remembered, a gentle awakening to a time for decision.
She and Nick needed to talk about the future, about hopes and dreams and plans. But what if Nick didn’t want to discuss it? With a decisive sigh Kylie leaned back and comforted herself with some of her father’s timely advice: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Chapter Eight
As the car pulled to a stop beside a black Porsche parked slightly askew in the drive, Kylie straightened and glanced at Nick. “Isn’t that Alex’s car?”
Nick’s smooth brow creased worriedly. “Yes, but I can’t imagine why he would make a trip out here on a Saturday. On the weekends Alex usually avoids anything that has even a remote connection with the company.”
“He could be here to see me, you know.” Kylie tugged at the handle and pushed open the door, not waiting for Nick to open it for her. “You’ll have to admit I’m more of an attraction than you are.”
“I’ll admit nothing of the sort,” he said as he came around the front of the car to her side. “There are attractions and there are attractions, Miss Richards. Probably Alex wants to borrow my polka-dot tie or my chrome-plated tie clip or some such thing.”
“He certainly won’t want to borrow your taste if that’s an example.”
Nick captured her hand and led her toward the porch. “Oh, I don’t know. He seems to like my taste in women just fine. But don’t worry, I almost never loan one out.”
Kylie smiled serenely. “I wasn’t worried at all. I can handle both Alex and his cousin.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you? Would you like to put that statement, minus the part about handling Alex, of course, to the test? I know I would like to....” Nick’s words trailed off as the solitary figure at the end of the porch came forward.
Stephanie turned apprehensive eyes first to Nick then to Kylie. “Hello,” she said, her tone as overly bright as her eyes. “You’re back.”
“Hello, Stephanie.” Kylie started up the stairs, wondering at the odd greeting. “Did we miss an appointment or something?”
“Have you been waiting for us?” Nick asked in a crisp but friendly voice. His gaze traveled past her to the closed door of the house. “Is Alex around here someplace?”
“No. I mean, yes. But Alex isn’t here.” The words gave way to a nervous smile, and Kylie noticed the agitated movement of Stephanie’s hands. “Alex is…. Well, he’s at the mill.”
“What’s happened?” Nick stepped onto the porch, concern etched in his features, his body tensed, alert. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Stephanie said quickly. “Nothing has happened. Alex just didn’t want you to worry.”
Nick took a deep breath before he turned to exchange a puzzled look with Kylie. “Let me get this straight, Stephanie,” he said evenly. “Nothing has happened. Alex is at the mill—on a Saturday—and he sent you here—in his Porsche—to tell me that nothing has happened just so I wouldn’t worry. Right?”
Stephanie’s pallor made her eyes seem unnaturally blue as she faced Nick squarely. “No, Mr. Braden—Nick. That isn’t right. That’s what Alex wanted me to tell you, but….” She paused, loyalty to Southwest weighing in the balance against her desire to please Alex. “I think maybe it would be better if you joined him there.”
“At the mill?” Nick asked. “Is anyone hurt?”
Kylie had to admire his restraint and patience with Stephanie’s vague responses.
“Oh, no, nothing like that has happened.” Stephanie shook her head to emphasize the denial. “It’s just—well, Alex will tell you.”
With a nod Nick met Kylie’s eyes briefly. Then he was striding, in a running walk, away from the house toward the driveway.
With a lingering gaze Kylie watched him before turning to smile at Stephanie. “How about something to drink?”
“Oh, please.” Stephanie seemed intent on watching Nick’s departure too. “I hope….” The blue eyes came to rest on Kylie with sad appeal. “Could we talk?”
“Of course. Let’s go inside.” Kylie reined in her rampant curiosity to give the other woman a chance to regain some much-needed composure. But once inside, as they sat in the living area beside tall glasses of iced tea, the silence was frustratingly long. Finally, just when she thought she couldn’t take another minute, Kylie heard a soft heartfelt sigh.
“He’ll never forgive me for sending Nick.” Stephanie leaned her head against the back of the sofa in a gesture of defeat. “But I had to do it. You understand, don’t you, Kylie?”
“I’m sure I will if you’ll start at the beginning and tell me what happened.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure of all the details myself. Alex called a few hours ago and told me to meet him at the office. I told him I didn’t work on the weekend and that whatever he had for me to do could wait until Monday.
“But then he said, ‘I need you here. Please come, Stephanie.’ ” Again she emitted that deep sigh. “It’s the first time he’s ever called me by my real name and well, I had to do as he asked.”
“I can understand that.” Kylie offered the only comfort she thought might be acceptable at the moment. “But what happened at the mill?”
“A fire. Alex wouldn’t let me go inside the building, but he said it was minor and there wasn’t much damage. There was a fire truck and several of our own security people, and no one seemed greatly alarmed. Alex was positive, though, that somehow Nick would hear about it over the radio or something, and he sent me to break the news.”
Stephanie rubbed her temples wearily. “I didn’t do a very good job of that, did I? No telling what Nick thought, but Alex told me he didn’t want his cousin anywhere near the plant, that I should make sure Nick stayed right here and waited for his call.”
Kylie frowned in confusion. “Why would Alex ask you to do something like that? A minor fire is not a major catastrophe, but Nick would need to know. And he would want to see for himself, just for his own reassurance. I mean, accidents happen sometimes.”
“It wasn’t an accident, Kylie,” Stephanie interrupted. “Alex said it looked like arson, and he…he didn’t want Nick to know that. That’s why he sent me. He thought he could disguise the evidence somehow. I tried to tell him it wasn’t possible and that it’s illegal to do that. Plus, there were people all around. I mean, that’s crazy, right? But Alex seemed to think he could handle everything and still keep Nick from finding out and laying the blame on him.”
“Nick wouldn’t do that. Alex can’t be held responsible for everything that goes wrong at Southwest.”
“But Alex does feel responsible for everything that goes wrong. He could be a really fine executive, you know, if his family would leave him alone. But they seem to delight in criticizing his every decision, every idea.”
“Stephanie, if concealing evidence in a fire is an example of his ideas and ability to make mature decisions, he needs more than criticism.”
“That’s easy for you to say, Kylie.” Stephanie sat up, defensiveness written in every angle of her body. “No one is going to hold you accountable for today’s fire. And no one will expect you to explain how and why such a thing happened.”
“He is the president of the company,” Kylie said, trying to insert some reason into the building ferocity of Stephanie’s argument. “And the president of any company is expected to investigate and explain any accidents.”
“Alex could do that,” Stephanie interrupted vigorously. “If Nick wasn’t here breathing down his neck, Alex would conduct an investigation, and he’d get to the bottom of this in no time.”
She paused, and her eyes shone with conviction. “He just needs the chance to prove he’s capable of handling the responsibility of his position, to feel proud of his accomplishments and to learn from his own mistakes. Surely everyo
ne is entitled to that. You said so in the first training session, didn’t you, Kylie?”
Blinking at the barrage of wisdom—her own wisdom, evidently—Kylie was at a loss for words. She could only wonder at the idiosyncrasies of human nature. The traits others interpreted as weakness in Alex Jamison, Stephanie, seeing with love’s vision, understood as potential strengths.
Nick was right, Kylie thought. The differences between two people weren’t necessarily bad. And in this case they seemed good and very right. Alex needed someone to believe in him, and Stephanie needed someone to believe in. Suddenly Kylie felt that the future was a kaleidoscope of promise.
“You don’t think Alex can handle the job either,” Stephanie said, obviously interpreting the silence as a negative response. “But you’re wrong, Kylie. If Nick will just leave him alone….”
“Don’t blame Nick.” Kylie knew her voice was sharp, but she couldn’t hold back the defensive retort. “If Alex can handle the job, Stephanie, he can do so with or without someone breathing down his neck, as you put it. Nick is simply doing his job.”
“I should have known you’d take that attitude. No one is ever on Alex’s side.”
Kylie took a deep breath and refrained from mentioning that there was probably a good reason for that. Instead she reminded herself that Stephanie was upset by the afternoon’s events and forced a smile. “With you on his side it doesn’t appear he needs anyone else.”
Stephanie managed an equally forced smile and lapsed into an uneasy silence. Kylie ignored her iced drink to stare out the patio doors as a restlessness settled around her. Finally, deciding that Stephanie was no more in the mood for conversation than she was, Kylie excused herself and went to her bedroom to change clothes.
She was tempted to take a soothing soak in the tub, but she contented herself with a brief hot shower and a brisk rubdown. As she slipped into the brightly colored folds of a caftan, she thought of Nick and wondered what he was doing. Taking charge, more than likely, she thought confidently. Bringing some semblance of order to a disorderly situation.
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