She was finishing up lunch when he returned and reapplying her lipstick. “Well, I’ve got to get back to the firm. I have a meeting with Hawk.” He didn’t want her to leave without some sort of further explanation, but she was on her way. Ben ran after her but she seemed to be in a hurry. She waved to him, “Later, darlin.”
Ben yelled her name in an attempt to stop her, “Lara, please…”
Then he saw Abby at the end of the hallway hovering near her office door. She had a smug smile plastered on her face as if she had accomplished her mission. Ben went back into his office and slammed the door.
Moshe was on the Dark Horse site again with more details about the mission and he completely forgot about Abby. He gathered his materials for the afternoon class and walked toward the classroom with the beginning of a headache. He regretted not eating lunch with Lara.
~ Abby ~
Abby had managed to manipulate quite a bit of information from Hawk in the grocery store. Actually, it was pretty easy. The guy’s tongue was practically hanging out when he talked with her and his eyes swept over her body as if he couldn’t wait to sample the goods. She knew all about Grant Hawkins and his connection to Ben’s wife.
Lara seemed very interested in helping Hawk and Abby was beginning to see why. Hawk was handsome, not in an obvious kind of way. But he had a raw sex appeal that was undeniable. His deep set hazel eyes and full lips instantly attracted her. And that cute cleft dimple in his chin. She also noticed his rock hard body. He had to be six foot four and the landscaping work hardened his rugged masculine form making him a treat to behold.
Preoccupied with the thought of Grant Hawkins, she set about to learn everything she could. Googling his Secret Gardens website, she learned that he had recently joined Stone and Associates, so now he worked for Lara. Hmm. Lara was really making an effort to help this guy. According to the background check Abby ran on Hawk, he came from nothing and had a drug conviction and served time. Maybe Lara was into picking up strays and taking them under her wing.
Abby wondered if Ben knew about all of the time and effort his wife invested in Grant Hawkins – or “Hawk” as he liked to be called. Abby stared at Hawk’s handsome photo on the website of Stone and Associates. Gosh, Lara had managed to get him into a suit for that photograph, probably no easy task. She noticed his place of business was now the bungalow on the avenue just a short walk from Abby’s apartment and the university. A plan was formulating in her mind. She slipped into a cut-off top that showed her trim midriff and yoga pants and put Lola on the leash. It would be a good time to walk past the bungalow to see if Hawk’s truck was still there. He seemed like he would be the dedicated workaholic type.
~ Lara ~
Her phone vibrated and she looked at the number recognizing Bettencourt. “Hey, how are you?” she answered.
His deep voice boomed over the speaker on her phone, “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been waiting for you to show up at the dojo for an ass kicking!”
Instantly, Lara laughed. “You’re so perceptive. How did you know I needed to kick someone’s ass, preferably yours?
“Okay, lady. When can you meet me at the dojo?” Bettencourt retorted.
She glanced at the time, “How about five minutes?”
He chuckled, “Perfect, I’m finishing my shift right now. See you there.” He clicked off and Lara nearly flew past Finn Murphy on the staircase on her way to meet Bettencourt.
Finn laughed, “I’ll call you.” Lara waved and was in her vehicle.
Bettencourt’s cruiser was already there and Lara rushed in to change in the locker room. When she strode by the juice bar there was Bettencourt, all six foot four of him, and he had a wicked smile.
“It’s about time!” he joked with her. At that moment she realized how much she missed the big oaf. The last few weeks were a blur of chaotic activity and she missed her old routine.
They stepped into the small private room and she dropped her leather sack onto the floor. She noticed he had tossed his leather sack on the floor nearby. Since he had been a target for terrorists, Lara noticed Bettencourt carried his loaded weapon constantly. Ironic that she had to convince him to do so.
“The bigger they are, the harder they fall…Bettencourt!” Lara goaded him into a mixed martial arts smack down.
Bettencourt smiled and the match was on. Thank God she had a bottle of water because he pushed her physically to the point of dehydration. And, she thought she had stress to work off! He must have been really wound up to go that long on the mat with her. He usually gave up after an hour.
~ Bettencourt ~
He was pleased that Lara took him up on his offer. He sensed she probably needed the chance to burn off some of the tension she carried from running Stone and Associates. He had kept close tabs on her since the funeral of Eliot Stone and knew she was suffering from depression. The best tonic for her would be to get back to a normal routine. Being a combat vet and suffering from depression himself, Bettencourt was all too familiar with how things could spiral out of control.
Lara took advantage of his wandering thoughts and took him off his feet. She hadn’t lost her skills, even though she’d been away for a few weeks. He got back up and charged toward her. She was quick on her feet and managed to avoid him. She spun around and smacked him with a well-placed kick to the side of his head and he felt his body lurch. He staggered and she had him on the floor in a matter of minutes before he tapped out. After ninety minutes of sweaty, grueling spins, kicks and holds, Bettencourt was spent.
The pair sat side by side on the floor drinking bottled water and gasping for oxygen. “That…was…great!” Lara said breathlessly.
Bettencourt touched her hand. “I want to talk with you for a few minutes. See you at the juice bar?” Lara nodded.
He quickly showered and stood at the juice bar waiting for Lara. He heard her voice in the back room talking with Don Henderson, the owner of the dojo. She was giving him hell for something.
Then she sidled up to the bar and smiled at him. “Admit it, Bettencourt. I kicked your ass in rare form today!”
He laughed. She always made him laugh when she talked like that. She was strong for a woman and cocky, too. But he loved it. Her friendship meant the world to him. That’s why he had to talk with her about his love life.
“Lara, I want to ask you a very important question…” Bettencourt began.
“Shoot.” She sucked on a smoothie and shot him a sidelong glance.
Bettencourt inhaled and whispered, “I want to ask Monique to marry me.”
Instantly Lara blew the smoothie out of her mouth spattering some on him. She squealed, “That’s great…when are you going to propose?” she asked eagerly.
“That’s what I need you for – ideas – do you have any?” he spoke softly.
Lara smiled with mischief in her eyes, “Oh yes, I have lots of ideas!” And, the two of them talked for twenty minutes about all the ways to ask a woman to get married.
Before parting, Lara turned to him and leaned in, “Hey, Bett, there’s a favor I need to ask of you. It’s a big one.”
“Shoot.” He replied, narrowing his eyes.
“There’s this woman,” Lara began, “Her name is Abigail Roth. She grew up in the Boston area. She’s an old flame of Ben’s. I want you to give me all of the information you can on her, and I mean everything ~ but I don’t want Ben to know.”
He hesitated for a split second, then agreed to her request. “I’ll get in touch with you once I have something.”
Lara looked up at him with admiration in her eyes, “Thanks, Bett. I knew I could count on you.”
Driving home, Bettencourt was glad that he made the connection with Lara. He had been worried about her and she seemed to be her old self, or close to it. He was so thankful that she had fixed him up with Monique. They were head-over-heals in love and Bettencourt knew the time was right to pop the question, but he wanted it to be perfect. Lara had given him plenty to think about.
Now he just had to choose the right time and place. He already had the ring.
~ Lara ~
Lara was glad she had the raucous mixed martial arts session with Bettencourt as it served to diffuse her anger about Abby in Ben’s office. Pulling into the driveway she imagined Ben was in the kitchen preparing dinner. She made a focused attempt to throttle back her anger as she thought about Abby with Ben. As she opened the kitchen door Ben rushed to greet her with a warm kiss and strong embrace. She wanted to remain in his arms forever. But she sensed he wanted to talk with her about something, and her intuition was right.
“How was your day, darlin?” He softly inquired.
She recounted the session with Bettencourt and said Hawk was ready to do design quotes solo from now on.
“I’m sorry about Abby barging into my office with her dog. It was an unguarded moment. I won’t let it happen again.” Ben’s tone was apologetic.
She was more than angry but wouldn’t allow it to show. Lara made a dismissive gesture with her hand in an attempt to disguise her annoyance.
But she was caught off guard as he continued. “Lara, I don’t keep anything from you. I have to tell you that I gave Abby a lift home from the university.”
She felt her face getting red and fought the anger that seemed to choke off her breath. Biting her lip, she looked away. It wasn’t so much anger she felt as insecurity at that moment. Why was Ben engaging this woman? Images twirled through her mind of Abby snugged up against Ben on the motorcycle.
Ben gestured with his hands while talking, “I walked outside to get onto my motorcycle and she was lying on the sidewalk, bleeding. Apparently her heel got caught in the bricks and the damned thing broke off. God, you should have seen those things. I don’t know how women walk in them. Abby had a bloody knee and no shoes to wear. She couldn’t walk home like that.”
Lara could picture the scene in her mind. She forced herself to remain quiet as she listened to his voice, “I put a band aid on her knee and she rode on the back of the motorcycle to the pink Victorian. She’s in your old apartment there. I helped her to the porch. I just wanted you to know about it.”
She remained silent and kept her eyes on the newspaper in her lap. She was furious with Ben but swallowed the hurt and anger. What she wanted to say was, You actually fell for that routine? Oh, God, Ben, how can you be so naïve? Abby wanted to be rescued by you – don’t you get it? She’s an actress playing a scene and you’re buying it. Oh, God, I can’t believe a guy with your intellect could get sucked in like that! …but she didn’t say it. Lara just stared at the newspaper, unable to utter a word. She took a deep breath to keep herself calm.
Ben must have noticed the disappointment on her face. He whispered, “I’m sorry. I just reacted.” Lara looked down at her hands. She couldn’t look at him without being angry, and she didn’t want to let it show. Instead, she stood and walked into the living room. When Ben came to her, she refused to eat dinner.
“Put a plate in the fridge for me, please. I’ll eat later. I’m going to shower and go over some paperwork for tomorrow, then go to bed. I have a busy day lined up. I’m really tired, Ben.”
~ Ben ~
He was in the doghouse now and he knew he put himself there. He didn’t dare to tell Lara about Abby kissing him or the fact that she traced her hand over parts of his body she shouldn’t be touching. He didn’t get a reaction out of her telling her about the motorcycle ride with Abby. The only thing he got was the cold shoulder ~ distance.
Instead of showing anger Lara just pushed him aside and buried herself in her work. He couldn’t believe she wasn’t jealous or angry. She didn’t shout at him or badger him with questions. She just disconnected. He was beginning to wonder if she even cared that Abby was in hot pursuit of him.
He pushed the whole incident out of his mind and spent the rest of the evening in his office on the computer, then worked out with weights and went for a late night run on the beach in the cold October air. It always seemed to clear his mind, but this time it didn’t work. When he returned, Lara was sound asleep and he slipped under the covers with her. She hadn’t even kissed him goodnight.
The weekend at the cottage had been amazing – spectacular. He wanted that feeling to remain forever. Lara was distant, she wasn’t herself. To be honest, he wasn’t himself either. He should have told Abby when she kissed him to leave him alone. He should have been more forceful with her.
Since her arrival at the university, Abby had made his life miserable. He knew he had to confront her but dreaded doing so. Abby had definitely stepped over the line and his marriage was too important. He could not let Abby continue with her manipulative games. Once again the thought occurred to him that Lara was slipping away, spending too much time with Hawk and other guys. He wanted to be the center of her life. He didn’t give a damn about her work or the firm or Hawk. All he wanted was Lara’s time and attention, as much as he could get, anyway.
~ Abby ~
It was late when Abby walked Lola past the cute little bungalow with the new sign out front that said, Secret Gardens, a subsidiary of Stone and Associates. The porch light was on and Hawk’s truck was in the small parking lot around the back. She saw the lights on in the kitchen and casually sauntered up to the front door. Abby turned the knob and the door opened. Stepping into the entryway, she saw her reflection in the beautiful Victorian mirror and ran her hand through her long dark hair. Lola pulled on the leash and wagged her tail as Grant Hawkins appeared in the small office to the side of the entry.
“Hi Abby. I was just finishing up. Can I help you?” Hawk asked with his deep voice.
Ah yes, he was masculine all right. And lonely, too. She noticed how his eyes lingered on her body and a dimple appeared when he smiled.
“I was just going by for a walk,” Abby smiled back. “My apartment is like two blocks away. I saw your truck and thought I’d say hello.”
“I just moved in here,” he nervously stated. Hawk brought her into the small office that had an oak desk, two chairs and a sofa in the far corner.
“Is this your place of business or do you stay here overnight?” Abby probed.
Hawk seemed shy and slightly embarrassed, “I started out working here, but got a sofa bed and now just stay here at night, too. My apartment was in a noisy part of town. You know, lots of bars and restaurants. It’s a lot quieter here. Plus, it’s a better neighborhood. I like it.” Abby walked around taking in the details of the place, all the while feeling Hawk’s eyes on her. Yes, he was interested. This would be much easier than she anticipated.
~ Hawk ~
He appreciated Lara’s logical advice about meeting women. The grocery store ~ it was brilliant! And just like that Abby walked into his life. It was as if Lara was psychic.
Just that morning he had brought blueberry muffins to Lara at Clearwater Farm and spent no more than twenty minutes with her on the porch, but it was as if she gave him enough fortitude to plow through an incredibly busy workday. Working together gave them more time to talk. She frequently bounced ideas off him and he enjoyed trouble-shooting with her. As he watched her slog through each challenging day at Stone and Associates, his respect for her grew even more. She was kind and patient with everyone, no matter what their station in life.
And, thanks to Lara’s advice, he now he had Abby as a friend. Abby seemed to be the perfect diversion from work. She was bright and full of energy and incredibly beautiful, although he suspected she knew that. He watched as she paraded around the bungalow and flirted with him.
“Have you had dinner?” He finally got up the nerve to ask.
Abby pursed her lips, “No, actually, I was just going to get some take-out but I’m not familiar with the area.”
“Well, let’s go for a walk and get something to eat.” Hawk smiled. He closed and locked the bungalow door and they strolled a few blocks to his favorite Thai restaurant. They walked into the small, dark crowded place and searched for a booth. The owner agreed to allo
w Lola, only if they sat in the back near the exit. It was private and secluded and a good place to talk. Abby leaned over in the booth to reach for her purse and Hawk noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra. A twinge of excitement ran through him. God, it was difficult being a man with this visual feast before him. But he had manners and he’d try to mind them.
~ Abby ~
Abby was well aware of Hawk’s eyes taking in her assets. She was pleased that he was getting a good look. It was her intention to get very close to Grant Hawkins so she could learn more about Lara and her intimate life with Ben. Hawk must know a great deal about them. He had worked for Lara on several projects and now Lara had taken him on as a permanent employee. There had to be some background, some relationship that had developed along the way.
As Abby scanned the handsome landscaper in front of her, she wouldn’t blame Lara for sneaking a little something on the side with Hawk. He was sexy and all male. She didn’t want to come on too strong; she sensed it would put him off.
So, she got into a relaxed mode and let Hawk lead the conversation.
“So, you teach at the university? What subject?” Hawk queried.
“Mathematics,” Abby answered sweetly.
“That’s the only subject I did well in!” Hawk smiled. He talked a great deal about landscaping and how he enjoyed the design phase. His voice was soft, low and sexy and Abby was mesmerized by the cleft dimple in his chin as he spoke, “It’s like I can see the design in my mind before I put it on paper.”
“Tell me more, Hawk, I love listening to you talk about your work.” Abby smiled.
The food came, they ate, and conversation continued. After two hours, the couple strolled back to the bungalow and Hawk invited Abby inside for a night cap. Of course she accepted. As he opened the door she brushed past him and noticed he liked the physical contact. She perched herself on the sofa in the living room and stretched out her long legs enjoying Hawk’s stare.
Flawlessly Executed (Dark Horse Guardians Book 3) Page 10