Her enjoyment of the romantic setting superseded her worry over the drug prank—simply not Luke’s style, Helen convinced herself. Despite her determination to protect her business interests, she was enjoying herself.
“So if we can’t talk business, what do we talk about?” Helen asked.
“The view?”
“Gorgeous.”
“Weather?”
“Pleasant, considering it’s August.”
Indeed, a lake breeze swept over them, swirling the silk of her sari skirt around her legs, bringing the temperature down to a comfortable level.
“The drinks?”
“Tasty.”
“You’re just itching to do it, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“Make this a nondate.”
Bristling at the challenge in his voice, Helen demurred, “Of course not.” Though this was supposed to be anything but a date for her, she felt herself softening toward him, yearning for something she shouldn’t want. The margaritas must be addling her brain. Perhaps she’d better stop drinking. “I was simply trying to set the ground rules.” She took just one more salty, sweet-sour slurp and put the glass down on the table.
“I thought you already did that with your ‘three strikes and he’s out’ dating philosophy. Or is there more to them? Maybe you can illuminate.”
No way was she about to explain further. She wasn’t about to get to any stage with him tonight. Information, that was what she wanted.
Wasn’t it?
Simply looking at Luke sitting back all relaxed, top two buttons of his shirt undone, wind ruffling his spiked hair, Helen wished things were different. She wished he was just some guy she’d met at a party or at the grocery store. A guy who had no vested interests in anything that could be considered competition.
“How about you doing the illuminating?” she suggested, trying to keep herself on track. “Where are you from originally?”
“Florida, Wyoming, Maryland, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alaska, South Carolina, Alabama. Pick one.”
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who moved around that much.”
“My dad was career military. Air force.”
“That had to be hard on you. I remember hating moving, even though it was to nicer places both times, but at least I’ve lived right here in Chicago all my life.”
Luke shrugged. “You’re just lucky your father had steady work in one city.”
“Not my father…my mom.”
“Oh, sorry. Divorce can be hard on a kid, as well.”
He reached out and covered her hand with his, prompting a shock that went straight up her arm.
“Uh-huh,” she murmured evasively, unwilling to correct him. Heat slid from her shoulder to her neck and she squirmed in her seat a bit. Not because her father had never seen fit to marry her mom, but because Luke was so tempting.
She pulled her hand free, grabbed her drink and took a long sip.
“Actually, my mom died when I was a kid,” Luke said.
Swallowing hard, she felt a wave of sympathy for him. Or perhaps empathy, knowing what it was like to have only one parent in her life. “So your dad never gave you a stepmother?”
“He did. Three, actually. He would get lonely and marry too quickly, without giving the woman a true picture of what life in the air force was going to be like. Or maybe he did and they didn’t believe him. Who knows? But none of those marriages lasted more than a few years. But he’s retired now and he met an army widow who can keep him in line.”
How ironic. She had a mother who’d never married and he had a father who’d married too often.
Somehow, that made her feel more connected to Luke, a fact that should have been more disturbing than it was. She wasn’t supposed to be connecting, she was supposed to be figuring out how to survive in shark-infested waters.
But if Luke was a shark, she had to admit he was a very subtle, very attractive one.
“Siblings?” she asked.
“A half sister twenty years younger. I hardly know Peggy. I’ve only seen her a few times. Her mother remarried and had two more kids, so she doesn’t need me.”
Thinking of her own half siblings, Helen said, “You don’t know that. Have you tried having a relationship with her?”
“Relationships aren’t my strong suit.”
And no wonder. His own life had lacked the stability a kid needed, the stability her mom had been careful to give her. No doubt every time he’d made friends he’d had to leave them behind to go on to the next air force base. Maybe that’s why he’d picked a business where he didn’t have to stay in one place, Helen thought. Apparently he was carrying on the tradition of not getting too close to anyone for long.
Well, that fit in with her plans perfectly.
Whoa…wait a minute. Plans? Was she drunk? She must be, because the idea of covering the three bases over three dates with Luke DeVries was suddenly looking very, very appealing.
Why not? What would it hurt? a little voice demanded. You want to…you know you do.
“So does your mother still live in Chicago?” Luke asked, jerking her out of her thoughts.
“She does. Right over there as a matter of fact.” Helen pointed to a high-rise apartment complex towering over Lake Shore Drive.
He whistled. “Fancy location.”
“A long way from the south-side neighborhood where she grew up,” Helen agreed. “Mom only has a small one bedroom, but she adores her lake view and loves living downtown. No need for a car. She can walk to work. She’s the senior buyer at one of our upscale department stores.”
“No doubt where you get your fashion sense.”
Helen laughed. “Hardly. Although I do use her discount every once in a while, we have very different tastes in clothing. She’s a dynamite lady, though. Worked her way up from the clerk’s job she had when I was a kid.”
Luke’s expression was odd, as if he were reassessing her. Then he asked, “Siblings?”
And Helen sobered. “Half brother and sister. My father’s children. They want nothing to do with me. And, yes, I’m sure of that. They don’t even recognize my existence.”
Luke’s forehead furrowed. “Now that has to be rough.”
“I don’t even think about it anymore,” she lied, polishing off that second margarita, after all.
“I don’t believe that. I suspect it bothers you tremendously.”
“You’re right,” she said. “Okay, so you’re right. My own father never wanted me, so why should they?”
Luke didn’t so much as hesitate before saying, “Because you’re a smart, hardworking, very engaging woman that anyone should be proud to claim.”
Helen put it to her tequila-induced state, but something inside her softened and she suddenly wanted to get closer to Luke. Wanted this to be a real date.
And who would be more perfect to date than a man who wouldn’t stay around long enough to exceed her rules?
But what if those rumors about his sinking other businesses are true? another voice asked. What if he did use shady tactics to put his competition out of business?
Now that she knew him personally, Helen didn’t want to believe it of Luke.
Besides, it simply didn’t make sense. His business was so high concept that it would succeed or die on its own merit, no matter the competition, because nothing could touch it. Hoping that Kate had been right—that all businesses had problems, and who knew how much of what she’d heard or even read had been based on fact?—Helen decided to go for it.
HAND IN HAND, they strolled down the walkway edging the beach. The night was lush, the lake enticing with its wash of breakers kissing the sand, the walkway a danger to anyone not on a bike or roller blades, even at this late hour.
“Let’s take off our shoes and cut across the sand before one of us is wearing a bike,” Luke suggested, also wanting to get Helen off to himself.
“All right.”<
br />
She stepped off the walkway and out of her sandals in a second. He took a bit longer and had to catch up to her. Finding her hand, he threaded his fingers through hers.
“You’re unexpectedly agreeable,” he noted.
“It’s the tequila.”
“Uh-uh. You ate enough for two people. You’re so stone-cold sober, I’d bet anything you could walk a straight line.”
Rather than make another excuse, she merely smiled at him in answer, and he felt his chest and gut tighten.
They walked in silence, kicking up the cool, loose sand, Luke returning to the conversation about families and wondering how any man could turn his back on a child that he’d sired. Wondering how siblings could turn their backs on a sister. Though she’d tried to hide it, he’d heard hurt ripe in Helen’s voice. Right then, he’d decided to call his kid sister the next morning. Though Peggy probably was too young to know it now, she needed him. And he needed her. And he hadn’t even realized it before.
He really was lousy at relationships.
Helen stopped suddenly and lifted her head to the breeze. Her curls fluttered back from her face, as did the split skirt, the silken panels dancing behind her, revealing her long, luscious legs to the swirling sands. Luke stepped away to take a better look. Moonlight silvered her from head to toe, and he was reminded of a goddess.
Music played from a nearby boom box, its owners spread on a blanket necking hot and heavy. There was something about that Latin rhythm, Luke thought, noticing Helen’s hips were swaying to the music. Grasping her wrist lightly, he swung Helen around and into his arms, making her drop her sandals.
“What?” she gasped.
Dropping his sandals next to hers, he murmured, “Let’s dance.” He pulled her closer and rotated his hips against hers in a slow, sensual rumba.
No sex, she’d said earlier when he’d asked her out.
Surely she hadn’t been serious, not after that spectacular orgasm he’d given her the night before. Maybe she simply meant she didn’t want to go any further. Well, that was all right with him. For the moment.
They might as well be having sex right now, he thought, for their moving together across the sand was as erotic as any lovemaking. His erection grew at dizzying proportions, making his head grow light. All he could think about was burying himself in this woman, feeling her legs wrap around his back and grip him as he rode her to climax.
And then the music died, replaced by a rapid-fire commercial in Spanish, and the mood was broken. Helen stepped back out of his arms, her moonlit face wreathed in a dreamy expression, making Luke want to take her right there.
“Let’s get our feet wet,” she said, picking up her sandals and heading straight for the water.
Luke followed at a more deliberate pace.
Helen was holding her skirts up now, bunching them above her knees as she splashed into the shallows and shrieked. “Brr, it’s cold!”
“I could use that cold water on more than my feet,” he muttered. “Too bad I didn’t bring a suit.”
“You could skinny-dip.”
“I will if you will.”
“And get arrested for indecent exposure? Not my style.”
But once in his mind, the image wouldn’t fade. The goddess Helen standing nude in the surf, breakers crashing around her thighs, the nipples of her full heavy breasts tight from the cold. He imagined drawing her deeper into the lake, where he could warm her with his own body….
Instead, he splashed alongside the woman and let her take the lead back in the direction of the beach house and parking lot. They stopped on the walkway to dust sand off their feet and put on their sandals.
“Your place or mine?” Luke asked.
“I think my place is safer.”
“Why is that?”
“Yours is too seductive.”
“Just the effect I was going for.”
“Then you were very successful,” Helen agreed, furtively glancing around, “but remember what I said this morning.”
Realizing she was speaking in code because of the people still wandering along the beach, Luke smirked. “You said a lot of things this morning.”
She gave him an arch look. “I’m sure you remember this particular thing.”
“Oh, I remember every word you said, darlin’.” No sex? Hah! “But after last night, I don’t understand why.”
“Last night was an aberration.” She actually sounded appalled at herself.
“Are you saying you’ve never done those things?”
“Of course I have! Just not so soon. I don’t even know you. Um, about my three-date rule…”
“You’re going to suspend it?” he asked hopefully.
“I was going to explain it.”
“I thought it was pretty simple.”
“It is. First date, kissing…second date, touching…”
Then it hit him. And third date, the big payoff. That meant she never slept with a man more than once, something he couldn’t fathom, because having her once surely wouldn’t be enough.
“First date,” he repeated softly. “Kissing? That’s as far as you go on a first date?”
“It works for me.”
“All right, then.” Luke would find a way to make kissing work for him, too. “Let’s get going.”
Helen rose, dusted off her hands and turned to go to the car, but Luke caught her by the wrist and twirled her back around to face him. Before she could voice the question he noted in her eyes, he brushed his lips over hers. Her quick intake of breath pleased him, and he was about to kiss her again, when someone shouted, “Hey, get outta the way!”
He drew her from the path of the cyclist and against him with only inches to spare.
“Slow down!”
In response, the cyclist gave him the finger.
“Nice,” Helen murmured.
Luke noticed she didn’t try to pull away. Her breath deepened and her pulse quickened—he could feel it where he held her. Wanting in the worst way to give her a first date like she’d never before experienced, he let go of her and took her hand.
“C’mon.”
They headed for the parking lot.
Mere minutes later, they stopped at the SUV. Luke opened the door for Helen, then kissed her again. He made this one long and sweet and hoped to hell her knees were turning to jelly. He had to hold on to the frame of the vehicle to steady himself. Unless he figured an angle here, he was going to have another wet night.
When he pulled away, her eyes were wide on him and she was swallowing hard. Good signs, Luke thought, helping her inside. He clung to her hand for a moment and kissed her palm. Her fingers curled reflexively.
Once out of the lot and heading for home, Luke said, “Define kiss.”
“I don’t think you need any help in that direction. You know, that thing you do with your mouth.”
“So that’s it?” He lifted her hand toward his face. “I can only use my lips?” He kissed the inside of her wrist and heard the subtle shift in her breathing. “I want to get my parameters straight here.”
“Well…lips and associated parts.”
“Okay, lips, teeth and tongue.” He sucked on a fingertip, then bit it lightly. “No hands?”
“Nowhere intimate.”
“And that’s it? That’s the whole enchilada?”
“I told you my dating rules were simple.” Helen laughed. “I keep getting drawn into the strangest conversations with you. How is that?”
“You like me. And you want to throw away your rules, and you’re hoping I’ll talk you out of them. Am I right or am I right?”
Helen merely laughed again, but Luke didn’t miss the edge that told him he was square on target.
WHERE THE HELL WERE THEY? Not at Hot Zone—she’d already checked. That’s why she was waiting here, practically in Helen’s front yard.
Seeing another vehicle coming down the street, she drew herself into the neighboring bushes. An SUV…two people in the front seat…bingo!<
br />
Luke parked down the block, helped Helen out and they took their time walking back. Every so often, he would stop and kiss the bitch!
When would he kiss her like that? she wondered.
He will, a little voice whispered. It won’t be long now. You’ll show him you’re the better woman…the right partner for him.
But, in the meantime, she would have to suffer another of his fast females.
They were on the porch now, kissing again. And then Helen was getting her keys and opening her front door. She turned back to Luke and started to say something, but he kissed her again and pushed her back through the doorway.
The door slammed shut behind them.
Her stomach knotted.
She didn’t want to know, so why had she come here? Just to torture herself? But he’d never before dated his chief competitor….
She whipped away from the bushes and hurried down the street. She had more important things to do. Plans to make. Businesses to destroy.
Helen’s business.
This time she would enjoy it as she never had before.
This time it would be personal.
LUKE TRAILED KISSES down the length of her neck and dangerously near her breasts. Her nipples hardened and he was close enough that he must see them stabbing at him through the thin silk of her midriff top.
“W-what are you doing?” she gasped, letting her weight fall against the back of the couch.
“Kissing you.”
“You missed. My mouth is a bit higher.”
“Uh-uh. I’m simply following the rules you made. You didn’t say anything about where I could kiss you.”
His tongue dipped down into her cleavage. Her whole body tightened in anticipation of something that was not going to happen. Her fingers tightened on the couch back.
“You’re being too literal!”
Hot Zone Page 6