Stealing Kisses

by Harmony Evans

  “Just a friend,” he replied, avoiding her eyes. “Come on, let’s go.”

  He strode away without waiting for her to respond, slid down the rocky embankment, then held out his hand to help her safely down.

  When her feet hit the hard dirt, he took off down the path, stopping only when she grabbed his arm.

  “But what about your father? He’s still recovering. You promised him you’d be there for him.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?” His voice seemed to echo through the forest, the pain in it reverberated off the tree bark and etched his face, held in by pride and the thick canopy of leaves.

  He stalked off again, hastily threw everything onto the backseat and jumped in the car, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently. If he got to the airport right away, he’d have enough time to fly home and get changed before the meeting.

  Natalie opened the door and got in. He started the Jeep and the wheels spun in the gravel as he sped off the embankment and onto the main road.

  “What about your luggage?”

  There was no way he was going back to Belle Amour now. What explanation would he give to Wes?

  “Bring it with you, will you?”

  “You mean I’m not going with you?” Natalie asked.

  Much as he wanted her to be with him, Derek knew he had to face this alone. “You hate flying, remember? I’m going to leave the car with you, so you can drive back to New York on your own.”

  Natalie didn’t say a word the entire drive to the airport, and Derek was secretly relieved. Talking led to questions, and right now, he wasn’t ready to provide the answers she wanted, because he wasn’t sure of the outcome.

  He wanted to show Natalie, his family and the world that he could be different. But mostly, he wanted to prove it to himself, and he knew tonight may be his only chance.

  When they arrived at the terminal, Derek parked and got out of the car. He left it running and met Natalie on the passenger side.

  She reluctantly took the hand he offered and stepped out. He was leaving her with virtually no explanation. Some prince he turned out to be, he thought.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly.

  His head tilted up and he searched the clouds, wishing he could make her understand.

  “An opportunity,” he replied firmly, and he could tell by the look on her face that she knew his mind was made up.

  He took both her hands in his. “Do you ever miss ice skating?”

  She tilted her head in surprise. “I used to,” she admitted. “But not anymore. It’s no longer who I am.”

  He paused for a long time. “You’re lucky.”

  Natalie blinked hard and he knew she was about to cry. So he walked away from her and into a place deep inside himself.

  This is the last time.

  I promise.

  Chapter 12

  “Way to go, Ice Queen!” she muttered, wiping her tears away with one hand as she angled Derek’s car out of the parking lot and onto the main road. She’d had the chance to tell Derek that she loved him, now that chance was gone. Perhaps forever.

  What was wrong with her?

  For a while she drove around mindlessly. Her brain was in a fog, trying to piece together the events of the afternoon, as she struggled to cope with her emotions.

  Finally she switched on the vehicle’s GPS system. Derek was in such a hurry to hop in his plane and get out of town that he’d forgotten to tell her how to get back to Belle Amour.

  The question she wanted to know was what had drawn him back to New York so urgently. What was behind this so-called “opportunity”?

  Although she felt sure in her heart that he wasn’t fleeing to another woman, when she checked her phone, there were no calls or texts from him. She didn’t even know if she’d hear from him when he got home.

  Natalie glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was just after 4:00 p.m. She could pick up her bag, hit the highway and be back in her own bed sometime this evening.

  Or at Derek’s apartment.

  For a moment she considered stopping by the hospital to tell Derek’s father what was going on, but she quickly dismissed the thought as silly.

  It wasn’t her place to tell him anything. She’d just met the man for the first time today. She wasn’t family. She was an outsider. But mostly, she was afraid she would be blamed for Derek leaving Baker’s Falls. Her heart lurched at the memory of his tender kisses and his declaration of his love came roaring back.

  She gripped the steering wheel even tighter. It was her fault that he wasn’t sitting beside her right now. She’d rejected him, and she didn’t need to put on her psychologist cap to know that no man stuck around when the woman he loved rejected him.

  She couldn’t run away from the facts. Before she left for New York, she had to go back and tell Wes and Pops the truth.

  When she arrived at Belle Amour, she couldn’t help but be disappointed to see Wes’s truck in the driveway. A small part of her had hoped he wouldn’t be home.

  Don’t be such a coward, she told herself.

  He was sitting on the porch stairs with an old metal colander, snapping green beans. Natalie almost laughed out loud. Janet sure knew how to get her man to help her in the kitchen.

  Wes called out to her. “Janet’s put me to work. She wants to bring Sunday dinner to Pops tomorrow, so we’re starting to get everything ready now.”

  He nodded as she sank next to him. “You’re back early. Where’s Derek?”

  She stared out at the rosebushes that lined the yard. “He flew back to New York, and I’m not sure if he’s ever coming back.”

  Wes stopped midsnap. “What happened?”

  The red-and-pink roses were blurry now. “That’s the problem. I don’t know. But I think I may have an idea.”

  She wiped a tear away, ashamed to be crying in front of a man she hardly knew. “He left because of me.”

  Wes set the colander aside and turned toward her. “What did he say?”

  She told him about being at the falls, and how he got a call from a “friend” and that when he’d hung up, he’d announced he had to go back to New York.

  “He said he had an opportunity. But I know he never would have left if I had told him how I felt about him.”

  Wes grunted and picked up the colander. He started snapping beans again.

  “What?” she asked, slightly hurt that he seemed to be ignoring her plight. “What did I say?”

  His beefy hands paused. “I think you’re reading too much into this. Derek has changed. He’ll be back.”

  She lowered her head in shame. “I hope you’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right,” he replied with a smile. He nudged her with his elbow. “Have a little faith.”

  She chuckled a little, at herself mostly, because if she didn’t laugh, she would cry.

  Here she was, Derek’s life coach, the person who was hired to help him overcome his past and get on the right track, and she was giving up on him.

  Perhaps she was in the wrong profession. But that wasn’t it, either. The problem was that she’d gotten personally involved with her client. Lost her head, lost her heart, and now she’d lost her will.

  “I need to get back to New York, too. Thank goodness Derek left me his car. I was going to go tonight.”

  Wes cut her off and shot her a look. “Tonight? It’ll be dark soon.” He rolled his eyes. “And now I’m starting to sound like your mother.”

  Natalie laughed. Wes really was a sweet guy. Janet was so lucky to have him.

  “But seriously, just stay another night, okay?” he said, shaking a bean at her. “Things will look better in the morning.”

  “Okay. You’re right. It is getting too late to d
rive home safely.”

  After politely refusing dinner, Natalie excused herself and went upstairs. She slipped out of her clothes and went to choose a nightgown when she realized she didn’t have any clean ones.

  She spotted Derek’s carry-on next to the armoire. Unzipping it, she found one of his clean shirts and slipped it on. She walked into the bathroom for a look and despite her somber mood, she couldn’t help but giggle. His shirt was so large it draped to her knees.

  After pulling the shades, she slipped under the covers. She bunched Derek’s shirt up in her fist and brought it to her nose. It even smelled like him. Spicy and strong and sexy. That’s when the loneliness hit her.

  “Love hurts,” she whispered into her pillow as she fell into a deep yet restless sleep.

  * * *

  Derek stepped out of the black stretch limo, ignored the flashbulbs clicking, the jealous stares held back by red-velvet ropes, and checked his watch. It was 9:00 p.m. sharp. For once, he was right on time.

  He only wished Natalie was there to see him dressed in a black designer suit and a deep purple button-down shirt, instead of his everyday clothes. It had only been a few hours since he’d left Baker’s Falls, and already he missed her terribly.

  Two bouncers accompanied him as he walked the red carpet and into the club where a beautiful girl stood waiting by the door.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Lansing.”

  He nodded and followed her as she escorted him upstairs to the VIP lounge.

  Heads looked up with interest as he stepped into the room. Derek shivered a little, even though he wasn’t cold. The club was located in a converted warehouse, and there always seemed to be an unseemly chill in the air.

  The VIP area used to be administrative offices, where the company executives could look down on the workers. The original glass had been replaced with one-way glass, so guests could spy on the people below as they danced and writhed to the music.

  He stepped to the window and gazed at the DJ up in a booth like a watchman’s tower where he controlled the crowd with beats and rhyme and musical chaos. His eyes moved over the plasma televisions embedded in the walls that showed the sweaty, youthful faces made grotesque by the flash of the strobe lights.

  God, he was tired of this scene.

  The music that normally energized him suddenly repulsed him and he had to fight the urge to clap his hands over his ears.

  A man approached him, short and impeccably dressed. His tanned skin was bought, not natural. Neither were his teeth, which gleamed white with implants.

  “Derek!” the man shouted over the din of the music. “Mickey Stanluca. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” he said a little too enthusiastically, offering his hand.

  Derek shook it, but when he released his grip, his hand felt slimy, even though his palms were completely dry.

  So this was the elusive Mr. Stanluca, owner of the club. He was rarely seen, yet everyone knew who he was. Tony had told him that Mickey was a big fan and wanted to meet him.

  “I’ve spent many a night watching you courtside while you worked your magic for our New York Skylarks. Perhaps you noticed me?”

  Derek arched an eyebrow and took a step back. Was the man coming on to him, or was he just crazy? He shook his head and plastered on a polite smile, even though he was annoyed. He cursed Tony inwardly for setting up a meeting that was looking like a complete waste of his time.

  “No, I’m afraid I didn’t. When I’m on the court, all I can think about is the ball and doing whatever I can to help my team win.”

  Mickey chuckled, but for some reason, Derek got the feeling he was not amused, that he wanted to be noticed.

  “Of course, of course,” he said. “Come, let’s sit down.”

  There were a number of attractive females in the room, all with knowing smiles on their faces. He recognized a few of them, but couldn’t remember their names. At the time, it didn’t matter. But now his face flushed with shame.

  They were just two consenting adults having a little fun. For what? So they could stare at each other across a room?

  Strangers then.

  Strangers now.

  Derek jerked his attention back to Mickey as they sat across from each other on black leather sofas.

  “What’s your poison?” he said, gesturing toward the well-appointed bar.

  He waved his offer away. “Just a club soda for me,” he responded, wanting to have all his wits about him tonight.

  “With you drinking like that, my Scotch will go down even smoother,” he joked, gesturing to a waiter.

  They made small talk as they waited for their drinks.

  Here and there, Derek saw couples huddled up, making him yearn even more for Natalie, stirring up the guilt he felt for leaving her, and his father.

  Even though she’d rejected him, he was still drawn to her, the feistiness that lay beneath her quiet demeanor.

  When they arrived, Mickey held his glass in a toast.

  “To new beginnings.”

  Derek reluctantly clicked his glass against Mickey’s, who promptly downed the contents in a couple of seconds.

  “When I contacted Tony with my plan and told him about it, he told me you were a man who liked to party.” Mickey laughed. “On your off hours, that is.” He laughed again, insinuating that Derek partied twenty-four hours a day.

  I’m not like that, he wanted to scream. Although admittedly there were some nights when he got home that he felt as though he’d been carousing all day, instead of just a few hours. Those were the days when something triggered a feeling deep inside and all he’d wanted to do was tamp it down and throw ashes on the memory, so he could finally forget.

  The next day when he woke up, he knew he’d tricked himself. The memories never went away. The feelings were stored inside his heart, and it was only a matter of time before they were released again.

  “I used to be...” he managed to say, but the words felt foreign.

  Mickey squinted at him and then went on talking as if he hadn’t heard. “You’re one of our best customers.”

  Derek knew it was not just a compliment—it was true. He didn’t even want to think about the thousands of dollars he’d spent at this particular club. It was the perfect escape. The booze and the music drowned out the pain, while the women falling all over him were a balm to his ego, especially on the rare days when the Skylarks lost.

  “This is a fun little spot,” he remarked, because it was true. He just wasn’t into it anymore. “But it’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

  “So are you interested in buying it?”

  Derek stared at the man, openmouthed. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m looking for a buyer for this place. I’ve got my hands in a lot of different businesses, but now I’m trying to sell off a few of them.” Mickey lifted his glass. “To the right person, of course.”

  Derek took a sip of club soda. “Why?”

  “Two words. Abu Dhabi.”

  Derek nodded. He had an interest in international business and had heard about the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates, known also as one of the richest cities in the world. In addition, Abu Dhabi was the capital of the region.

  “It’s hip, it’s cosmopolitan, and a mecca for the new glitterati,” Mickey continued. “Plus the climate is favorable for these old bones.” He laughed as he took a yellow envelope from inside his suit coat and placed it on the glass table between them.

  “I’m sure you’ll find the terms quite favorable.”

  Derek opened the documents. The room was quite dark, so he dug his cell phone out of his pocket to illuminate the pages. He read quickly, scanning for the most important thing—the price. His eyes widened when he found it.

  Mickey watched his reaction and chuckle
d. “I see you agree. Quite favorable, yes?”

  He tapped his finger against the envelope. “You’ll find the appraisal in there, as well. This place has been inspected from top to bottom and there are no violations. The liquor license is sound and up-to-date.”

  Derek reviewed the additional paperwork, his eyes widening, not in surprise but in suspicion.

  He pointed to the appraisal. “The club is worth five times what you’re selling it for. Care to tell me why you’re off-loading it so cheaply?”

  Mickey steepled his fingers and put his elbows on his knees. He leaned forward, so he wouldn’t need to raise his voice over the din of the music.

  “I wanted to keep the barrier to entry lower,” he explained. “I know you are a fairly cautious investor. Other than your car, your plane and your apartment, you own very little for a man your age and of your prominence.”

  “So what?” Derek retorted, a little peeved that the man insinuated he needed more things than he already had.

  “You can’t play basketball forever.”

  Mickey’s words hit him square in the gut and he leaned back against the couch. He was right. It was only a matter of time before he got injured. Basketball was a grueling sport and although he was in top physical condition, he knew it wouldn’t last.

  Neither would the lucrative sponsorship deals he currently enjoyed. Eventually they’d run out, too.

  Mickey watched him. “If you’re interested, I need your answer in twenty-four hours. You’re my first choice to take over this place, but I do have someone else in mind if you turn me down.”

  Derek got up out of his seat and stood at the window. He peered down at the gyrating crowd below.

  Did he really want to run himself into the ground before his prime? He loved basketball. It was the game that tore his family apart and conversely brought it back together when he’d met Natalie. And it was the game that could end everything he was trying to build with her.

  Did he really want that?

  The bass pumped in time with the beat of his heart.

  “I don’t need twenty-four hours,” he said, returning to the table. He remained standing as he folded the documents and slipped them back inside the envelope. “The answer is no.”