“So.” Carter took a moment to collect his breath. “So no one’s home?”
She shook her head. “Trina is spending the night at her fiancé’s. Frannie is likely here, but she goes to bed early, and her room is on the east side of the apartment. It’s on the opposite side of the building.”
“Damn. How big is this place?”
“Big enough that we wouldn’t be disturbed,” she said, pulling him into the darkened apartment. They walked to the room where he’d been earlier today, and stood before the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The view was unlike anything Carter had ever seen. The lights of Navy Pier and downtown Chicago glittered across Lake Michigan, like something you’d find on a postcard.
“That’s a pretty amazing view,” he said.
She caught his hand and pulled until he faced her. “That isn’t the view I want you to concentrate on, Carter.”
Lorraine pulled him close and crushed her lips to his, practically inhaling him.
Whoa. What had happened to the sweet, shy woman of just a few minutes ago?
He wasn’t questioning it a second longer. Carter followed her lead, snaking his hands down and fitting his palms onto her backside. He pulled her more firmly against him and delved into her mouth with practiced skill. They stood before the window, tasting and exploring, learning each other. And he liked what he’d learned so far.
Lorraine ran her hands up his chest, then wrapped them around his neck. Her soft murmur of pleasure traveled down his spine like a waterfall, causing all manner of electric sparks to shoot across his skin.
Carter fitted her more firmly to his hardening body, his mind picturing her supine, reclining on one of the leather sofas as he peeled the clothes off her.
But that was not what this was about. Not yet.
For some reason, Carter suddenly felt the need to slow things down. The thought shocked the hell out of him. Usually, he approached women with the sole purpose of landing in the situation he now found himself in, hard as a rock with his hands full of a nice, firm ass.
But his normal mode of operation didn’t fit when it came to Lorraine. Carter still hadn’t figured out what made her so different, but he knew he’d have a good time discovering it.
Reluctantly, he pulled away.
She looked up at him, more than a little dazed and confused. “Is there something wrong?”
He shook his head.
“Then why...?”
“Because you’re worth waiting for,” he answered.
“But there’s no need to wait, Carter.”
“Yes, there is. Not much longer,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “But we should. I don’t want you rushing into this only to regret it later.”
She looked crestfallen, making it even harder for him to go along with what his conscience demanded.
“Well, can you join me for a while in the living area?” she asked, tugging him toward the sofa. But Carter knew that was a dangerous proposition. The longer he stayed here, the more likely he would strip the clothes from her body and taste for himself just how sweet she was.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said. He kissed her again, this time on the lips. “I promise.”
And with that Carter let himself out of the penthouse, cursing his sudden spark of gallantry.
Chapter 6
Lorraine spotted Carter as soon as she walked through the doors of Lillian’s. He looked up from behind the register where he was ringing up the purchases of a group of women. She swallowed several deep breaths as she waited for him to finish, hoping her nervousness didn’t show on her face.
Over the past week and a half, he’d called her at least a dozen times, had texted her at least a thousand times and had taken her out to dinner every night except Sunday, when he’d had dinner with his mother. It had been like a dream, having someone lavish so much attention on her without asking for anything in return. Even though she was desperately ready to give him something very specific in return.
But not today. In fact, today, she had been hoping she wouldn’t have to see him at all.
As soon as he was done with his customers, Carter came from behind the counter and greeted her. “Hey there, beautiful,” he said, giving her a quick kiss.
“Carter,” Lorraine admonished, looking around the bakery to make sure no one had witnessed his very public display of affection.
“What? They all know what’s going on now that our picture was plastered across the newspaper.”
“I know it isn’t a secret,” Lorraine said. He tilted his head to the side and gave her an exaggeratedly forlorn look. “Oh, fine.” She stood on her tiptoes and placed a light peck on his lips. “Are you happy now?”
He wiggled his flattened hand. “Marginally satisfied.”
“Well, that will have to suffice for now,” she said.
“I guess it’ll hold me until I see you tonight. What are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be doing last-minute bridal shower stuff?”
“I am,” she said. “I’m here to pick up Trina’s cake.”
“You didn’t have to come here. The cake is being delivered. In fact, I’m delivering it personally.”
“No!” she shouted much too forcefully.
Carter’s head snapped back, his brow furrowing. “Why not?”
“I’m already here and the Drake is only a few blocks away.” She gestured toward the large display window. “Bradford, our driver, is outside, ready to do the heavy lifting.”
“The cake has to be delivered by people who know what they’re doing,” Carter said. “Actually, I just had it loaded into one of the delivery vans. It’ll be at the hotel in the next ten minutes. You want to meet me there?”
Anxiety tightened her chest, but what could she do, tell him that she didn’t want him anywhere around the Drake Hotel today?
“If you insist,” she said with forced brightness. “I will meet you there.”
A few minutes later, Lorraine was rushing into the tearoom at the Drake, where the finishing touches were being put on the underwater fantasy she and the coordinator had created for Trina’s bridal shower.
The woman walked up to her, a cagey smile on her lips.
“Hello, Ms. Hawthorne-Hayes. What do you think?”
“It’s breathtaking,” Lorraine answered. “Everything I had hoped it would be.”
“Mrs. Hawthorne-Hayes isn’t as thrilled, but I think she’s warming up to it.”
“Please, do not allow her reaction to bother you,” Lorraine said. “My sister is going to adore it, and that’s all that matters.”
“Lorraine.”
She turned to find her mother striding purposefully across the room.
“Yes?” Lorraine answered, ready for a confrontation.
“This theme is not what we discussed for your sister’s shower. You planned this from the very beginning, didn’t you?”
“That’s not exactly true,” Lorraine said. “I didn’t plan it from the beginning, only after I ordered the cake. And you have to admit that everything is gorgeous, Mother. Trina is going to love it.”
Her mother’s proud jaw twitched. “I suppose she will.” She gave Lorraine a severe look. “But I do not appreciate being kept in the dark. You should have discussed your plans with me.”
“You were so busy with all of your other interests. I was tasked with organizing the shower. I didn’t feel the need to bother you.”
Lorraine turned at the sound of bustling. Seconds later, Carter and one of the other workers from Lillian’s came in carrying the most beautiful cake she had ever laid her eyes upon. The cake was everything Carter had promised and more. There were three round cakes in decreasing size stacked upon each other, with what appeared to be hundreds of intricately crafted seashells, sea horses, starfish and other ocean creatures strategically placed on the smooth light blue fondant.
Carter turned to her. “So, is this what you had in mind?”
Before she could stop herself, Lorraine wrappe
d her arms around him. “Oh, my goodness, Carter, it’s perfect.”
“I’m happy you like it,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“I must say, the cake is stunning,” came her mother’s deceptively smooth voice.
Lorraine’s spine stiffened at the icy pronouncement. She quickly disengaged from Carter’s hold, and took a few steps back.
Carter turned to Abigail and held out his hand. “Hello, I’m Carter, one of the head bakers at Lillian’s.”
Abigail ignored his outstretched hand. Her eyes embarked on a slow perusal, from the top of his head to his feet, and back. It was clear by the set of her jaw that she found him lacking.
“Thank you for delivering the cake,” Abigail said. “Now, if you don’t mind, we still have much to do before the start of the bridal shower.”
Lorraine was mortified by her mother’s dismissal.
Carter’s hand dropped, along with his smile. He looked to Lorraine, as if waiting for her to say something more, but what was she supposed to do? Her mother reacted just as Lorraine knew she would, which was why she had not wanted Carter to be the one to deliver the cake in the first place. She wasn’t ready to explain him to her parents, and vice versa.
But one look at the injured expression on his face, and Lorraine knew she had to say something.
“Carter, I am so sorry about that,” she apologized, taking his hand.
“Lorraine Elise,” her mother snapped. Lorraine dropped his hand as if it were a hot iron. “I need you over here right now.”
The look in Carter’s eyes was one she would never forget. It was filled with hurt, accusation and, worst of all, disappointment.
“Carter,” she said with an apologetic plea.
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You don’t understand,” she implored.
“Lorraine,” her mother called again.
“I understand perfectly,” he said. “Enjoy the bridal shower.” Then he turned and walked out of the tearoom.
Lorraine fought the overwhelming urge to abandon the shower preparations and race after him. She knew she couldn’t leave, but she also didn’t want Carter to walk away thinking that she had been ashamed to introduce him to her mother, when, in fact, it was the exact opposite. No one deserved the likes of Abigail Hawthorne-Hayes.
She closed her eyes for a moment, pulling in several deep, cleansing breaths. They did nothing to abate the frustration welling up inside her, but Lorraine was at a loss as to what to do. She’d given her mother good reason to be critical of her choices when it came to men.
Her father might have written the check, but it was her mother who had brokered the deal with Broderick Collins five years ago, saving their entire family from the humiliation Lorraine had nearly caused. Of course Abigail would proceed with caution; she had all but told Lorraine to her face that she had zero faith in her judgment.
How could she explain to her mother that Carter was different?
How did she know that Carter was different, especially after knowing him for such a short period of time?
“He is,” Lorraine said aloud to herself. She recalled the way he had so selflessly given of himself at the Children’s Hospital Gala at Lincoln Park Zoo. Carter was sweet, generous, attentive—everything she could ever want. It scared her to no end to realize she was falling for him so quickly, but it also felt right. It was time she started trusting her own instincts again.
Once the shower was over, she would go to Carter and explain her mother’s behavior. Although, Lorraine wasn’t entirely sure what was behind it herself. Had her mother been looking out for her daughter’s reputation, or her own? With Abigail, one never knew the real motive.
* * *
As the shower festivities got into full swing, Lorraine tried to join in on the fun, but her heart was still heavy over the way Carter had looked at her as he’d left the hotel earlier today. Every time Lorraine even glanced in her mother’s direction, she wanted to lash out at her.
Her eyes found her now, commanding the room with aristocratic aplomb, as if she deemed the attention her due. Why must she relish looking down her nose at people? Unable to stomach the charade, Lorraine headed for the room where she’d stored the various bridal shower favors for the guests. Attendants were scheduled to distribute them soon, and she wanted to make sure everything was in order.
Moments after she’d entered the coatroom where the favors were stored, the door burst open. Her mother walked in, her body practically vibrating in anger.
“Lorraine, what is the matter with you?” Abigail hissed.
Lorraine sucked in a deep breath, and shook her head. “Not now, Mother.”
“Need I remind you that you are at a bridal shower, not a funeral? You will stop this moping at once.”
“I’m not getting into this with you right now,” Lorraine said. “Go attend to the guests, Mother. I’ll be out in a minute.”
The set of her mother’s jaw was so rigid Lorraine wouldn’t be surprised if it broke into a million pieces. Annoyance etched across her face, Abigail pivoted on her designer heels and exited the storage room. Lorraine understood her mother’s plight; she was feeling a fair amount of frustration herself.
She turned back to the baskets of shower favors and needlessly straightened them. She needed a few minutes more to collect herself before going back out there.
No, what she really needed was for this shower to be over so that she could go to Carter and smooth things over.
Lorraine felt an immediate stab of guilt. This was her one and only sister’s bridal shower, and here she was, hiding out in a closet and counting the seconds until she could leave. She should be out there celebrating with Trina, who had been positively glowing from the moment she’d walked into the tearoom.
There was a soft knock on the door a moment before it opened and her sister walked in. It was that twin thing again. All their lives, all one had to do was think the other’s name, and they somehow appeared.
“Hey, you,” Trina said. “What’s going on? Why are you in here?”
“Just checking on the favors,” Lorraine said, motioning to the baskets of crystal wine stoppers and picture frames etched with Trina’s and Jackson’s names and wedding date.
One of Trina’s brows cocked. “Are you expecting them to grow legs and walk out of here?”
Her sister, always the smart-ass.
“Ha-ha,” Lorraine said. “I just needed to get away for a bit. My face ached from all of the smiling.”
“Now, that I can understand,” Trina said.
“How so? Aren’t you enjoying yourself? It’s the under-the-sea theme, isn’t it? You don’t like it.”
“Would you calm down!” Trina put an arm around Lorraine’s shoulders. “I love the theme. I was completely floored when I walked in here. And that cake! It’s unbelievable.”
“Oh, Trina. I’m so happy you like it.”
“I didn’t say like. I said that I love it. Thank you so much for all of this.” Her sister squeezed her shoulder and pressed a kiss to Lorraine’s temple. “Now, can you tell me what’s really going on? And not just what has you hiding out in here. I want to know what’s been eating at you lately. You haven’t been yourself for months, Lorraine.”
“Please don’t ask. You don’t want to know,” Lorraine whispered.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know. I would just pretend to be blissfully ignorant and ignore the fact that my best friend in the world hasn’t been herself lately.”
Lorraine stepped out of her sister’s grasp and turned to her. “If you really want to know, I’m jealous,” she admitted. “Jealous of you and Jackson.”
A sad smile pulled at Trina’s lips. “I had a feeling that’s what you were going to say.”
“I’m also...I don’t know...hurt? You’re leaving me, Trina. Who am I going to turn to when Mother and Father start driving me up the wall?”
“It’s not as if I’m moving t
o the other side of the world, Lorraine. I’ll still be here in Chicago, just a few minutes away.”
“But with a new husband, and a new life.” Lorraine shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m completely ruining your day. But it’s not as if I didn’t warn you,” she pointed out. “I told you not to ask. You’ve always been the hardheaded one who never listens.”
“Shut up,” her sister said, bringing her in for another hug. “You know that I’m always here for you. Always. And you are more than welcome to crash at our place when Abigail and Arnold start driving you crazy. Just promise you’ll give Jackson and me a heads-up. We are going to be newlyweds, after all. I wouldn’t want you walking in on something you’d rather not see, if you know what I mean.”
They both burst out laughing. Count on her silly, down-to-earth sister to brighten her mood.
“Are you ready to go back out there?” Trina asked. “I’m ready to cut that cake so I can find out if it tastes as good as it looks.”
“I’ll join you in a minute,” Lorraine said. She squeezed her sister’s hand. “Thanks, Trina.”
“Thank you,” her sister said, enveloping her in a hug. “My shower is absolutely perfect. I love you so much for doing all of this.”
Trina started for the door, but stopped with her hand on the doorknob. She turned around. “You know it’s just a matter of time, right, Lorraine?”
“A matter of time before what?”
“Before you find someone who makes you as happy as Jackson makes me.” Trina winked, and then left the room.
“I may have already found him,” Lorraine whispered to herself.
Carter had given her a reason to smile, when she’d had so very little reason to do so in the past few years. He’d awakened her to what life could be like when you were not just going through the motions. She had been so afraid to live—afraid to breathe—in fear of making another mistake that could be detrimental to her family.
But she couldn’t go on like this for much longer. She was tired of her parents holding that indiscretion over her head. It had been five years. Yes, it had cost them all dearly, and could have cost so much more if the truth had ever come out, but when would it be enough? When would she ever be forgiven and allowed to live her own life?
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