by James, Anna
Memories of the evening he and Ashley first met came rushing back.
Ashley had been home from college on summer break. She and Nicole were at O’Malley’s enjoying drinks with friends. He’d stopped in to grab a burger and then head back to the office to get a few more things done.
Then Nicole spotted him and called him over. Ashley smiled up at him, her emerald-green eyes shimmering in the low light and any plans to return to the office went out the window.
Nicole and the other friends who’d been there had disappeared at some point in time until it was just him and Ashley. They talked for hours, until the owner kicked them out.
They’d gone back to his place and . . . Well, it hadn’t ended quite the way he’d hoped. That happened a few dates later. And it had been well worth waiting for. Best sex he’d ever had.
They saw each other every day over that summer, until Ashley returned to school. He made trips to the university she attended, almost every weekend.
Ashley told him about the baby at O’Malley’s and he’d asked her to marry him at the table where they sat the night they’d met, but Max knew none of that. To Max, O’Malley’s was the place where they grabbed a burger, a few beers and played a friendly game of pool.
“So, what do you say, Reed?”
He sighed. “Sounds good, what time should I meet you?”
“I’m here now.”
“Right. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Reed found Max seated at the bar watching one of many television screens mounted on the walls throughout the place when he arrived. “Who’s playing?” he asked and took the vacant seat next to him.
“Sox and Cubs. Last inning.”
“Who’s winning?”
“Tie score. Three apiece.” He cursed as a Cubs player hit a home run. “Make that four to three,” Max muttered in disgust. “I ordered you a beer,” he added and pointed to the mug next to his own.
“Thanks.” Reed lifted the glass to his lips and took a long swallow. “So, Nicole has another new client? I guess this designing wedding gowns thing is working out for her?”
“I’ll say. Ever since one of her gowns was featured at the bridal expo last month the phone has been ringing off the hook. If things continue at this rate, we’re going to have to hire another seamstress.”
“I didn’t know one of her dresses was featured at the bridal expo.”
“Didn’t Ashley tell you?”
“It must have slipped her mind.” Or maybe you never gave her the opportunity to tell you. He had been spending a lot of time at the office lately, but still.
Max glanced up at the television monitor. “Shit, the game is over and I didn’t catch the final score. What’s this crap on now anyway?”
Reed chuckled. “That’s what’s-her-name from the nightly news.”
“Who, exactly, is ‘what’s-her-name’?”
“You know, the lady who does that celebrity gossip corner thing.”
“Whatever.”
Reed sighed, then lifted the mug and took another pull on his beer.
“Is that Ashley?” Max asked.
He jerked his head up to the monitor. Every muscle inside him froze.
An image of Jake Delaney sat on the screen, large as life. His arm around a tall woman with long, wavy auburn hair. Her face was hidden from the camera, buried in the crook of Delaney’s neck. It was Ashley all right. Her face might be covered, but he’d know her anywhere.
The reporter spoke. Reed motioned to the bartender to turn up the volume so he could hear what she said.
“. . . but who is this mystery woman? Perhaps she’s the city councilman’s new love interest?”
New love interest?
“Reed?”
“What?” he growled.
Max backed away. “Never mind.”
Reed stood and threw a twenty-dollar bill down on the bar top. “Sorry, bro, but I think I’m going to pass on dinner. I’m not very hungry.”
Chapter 10
Reed stabbed the call button for the elevator. His cell phone buzzed and he pulled it from the holder and connected the call. “Marsh.”
“Hello, Reed.”
“I take it you’ve got the paperwork for the divorce together?”
“Yes, I’m sending it over now. Take a look and let me know if there are any changes.”
“Will do. And thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Give—”
The phone went dead. Damn. He’d forgotten to charge it after his two-hour conference call this afternoon. He’d have to connect it to the battery when he got to the car.
He set the device back in its holder, then checked his watch. Six o’clock. Things were falling into place nicely today. At this rate, he’d arrive at the Peninsula hotel for Max and Nicole’s engagement party early. Good. Ashley would have nothing to complain about.
Ashley never complained. Not once the entire time they were together. And he’d given her plenty to criticize him for with the long hours he’d been putting in at the office lately.
He let out a harsh breath. They were necessary.
No. He could have delegated some of the work to Daniela. She was more than capable.
Maybe . . . The image of Ashley in Delaney’s arms popped into his head. It wouldn’t have mattered if he’d delegated, been around more. Ashley had only married him because she was pregnant. The same reason he’d married her. Why did he keep forgetting that?
“I see you’re still in a foul mood.”
Reed turned. He hadn’t heard Daniela approach. “Why do you say that?”
“You’ve had a scowl on your face for days, not to mention you’ve been sniping at everyone.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Daniela laughed. “Right.”
The elevator doors opened. He gestured for Daniela to precede him, then he followed her inside. He pressed the button for the parking garage and they descended.
“How’s Ashley?”
She’d spoken the words in an inquiring, casual tone, but the expression on her face indicated the question was anything but. “She’s fine. Why?”
“Just wondering how she’s doing. You haven’t mentioned her in a while.”
What the hell was he supposed to say? How’s it going, Daniela? By the way, my wife left me? No, they’d agreed to go their separate ways. Ashley may have suggested the split, but once he’d gotten over the initial shock, he’d been on board one hundred percent. “Like I said—”
The elevator car jerked to a sudden stop.
“What the hell?” A soft cry had Reed’s head jerking up. Daniela was slumped against the wall. He reached over to steady her. “Are you all right?”
She rubbed her shoulder. “Yes. Startled more than hurt. What happened?”
“I don’t know.” He went to the control panel and hit the button for the parking level again.
The car didn’t budge. Shit. This was the last thing he needed tonight. He pushed the red emergency button and the alarm sounded.
“Relax,” Daniela said. “And stop pacing.”
He stopped in mid-stride, took two steps back to the control panel, grabbed the intercom receiver, and waited for the call to connect.
“Maintenance,” a voice on the other end of the line said.
“This is Reed McNamara. I’m with Daniela Mathews. The elevator just stopped for no apparent reason.”
“We’re working on it, Mr. McNamara. We’ll have you out in no time.”
The line went dead. The alarm stopped blaring a moment later.
Daniela placed her computer bag on the floor and sat next to it. Reed joined her.
“How much longer?” Daniela asked and groaned.
“I don’t know,” Reed replied.
Daniela snorted. “I was being facetious.”
He thrust himself up to a standing position and yanked the intercom receiver again.
“Maintenance.” The stiff response grated on Reed’s nerves.
“This is Reed McNamara. What—”
“We’re still working on the problem. Sit tight. We’ll have you out in no time.”
Like he had a choice? He slammed down the phone and glanced at his watch. Seven o’clock. The engagement party had started. He took out his phone to call Ashley, remembered it was dead and shoved it back in the holder. “Can I borrow your cell?”
Daniela dug inside her suitcase of a purse and tossed him her phone. He dialed Ashley’s number and waited. The call didn’t connect. “Great. No signal.” He growled in frustration. Another nail in my coffin. He couldn’t do anything right as far as Ashley was concerned.
You haven’t tried.
Like hell he hadn’t. She wasn’t interested, and . . . The memory of Ashley sobbing in Jake’s arms whispered through his mind. The vacant expression on her face when they’d arrived home from the hospital, when she silently begged for reassurance and all he’d offered was a cup of tea. The flash of pain in her eyes when he’d dismissed her last week when she’d come to his office to talk, because he’d been avoiding her.
Who the hell was he kidding? He’d done nothing.
Perhaps she’s the City Councilman’s new love interest? The reporter’s words echoed in his head.
It doesn’t matter. Ashley wanted out of their marriage.
Can you blame her?
Chapter 11
Reed strode into the ballroom at the Peninsula hotel at nine-thirty that evening, two and a half hours late. He scanned the full expanse of the room with its dark-wood accents and twinkling lights looking for Ashley.
He found her immediately. She stood a few feet away, her back to him, surrounded by a group of people. One of them said something. Ashley answered, her tone a low, husky purr.
Lord, he missed the sound of her voice. He missed the hint of citrus that clung to her skin, and teased his senses when he came near, and her warm, welcoming smile.
Dear god, he’d missed her. The realization slammed into him with the force of a freight train and had his head spinning.
Part of the crowd around her disappeared. He got his first look at her in more than a week and . . . Holy hell.
The breath whooshed out of him and he stared. No, ogled would be a better word for what he was doing, standing there, his mouth gaping open, imagining all sorts of inappropriate things he’d like to do with her.
That dress. It clung to her in all the right places. And those heels . . . They made her long, lean legs look great. Not to mention what they did for her ass.
She turned as if sensing him watching. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight of her plunging neckline and so much bare, creamy, skin on display.
Get a grip. Ex-wife, remember? Not quite true. She was still his wife, and tonight, they were going to play the blissfully happy newlyweds. She’d agreed. He’d hold her to it. No way would he ruin Max and Nicole’s engagement party.
She started toward him. Someone called her name. She stopped and turned in the opposite direction.
Jake Delaney waved.
No fucking way.
Reed strode over to her, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her glorious body into full contact with his, then kissed her.
She kissed him back. Not a chaste brush of her lips over his. No. Her arms snaked around his neck dragging his head down to hers and then she devoured him. It was the only way to describe what her mouth was doing to his.
He needed no further encouragement. Tearing his lips from hers, he nibbled at her ear and traced a path of kisses down the elegant column of her neck to the pulse thudding at the base of her throat. She moaned.
“Now who needs to get a room?” a deep voice asked in a sarcastic tone.
Heat crept up Reed’s neck. He’d thrown those same words at Max when Max started dating Nicole. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. “Max. And Nicole, I, ah, didn’t see you come over.”
Max snorted. “I bet. You were too busy devour—”
Reed cut him off in midsentence. “So, how’s the party going?”
“’Bout damned time you showed up,” Max rumbled.
Reed dragged a hand through his hair and turned to Ashley. “I would have been here on time. I swear, but I got stuck in the elevator at work for almost three hours. My phone died and Daniela’s didn’t have a signal.”
Max let out a roar of laughter. “Only you, little brother.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “But at least you’re here now. Howard’s here, too, and he wants to speak with you.”
“Howard who?” he asked.
“Foster. Our step-father,” Max said dryly.
“Step-father?” Ashley asked.
Damn. He hadn’t told her any of his parents’ sordid history. “My parents split back when I was in high school.”
She turned to him and stared. “I don’t understand. Your mother is married to your father.”
“She is now, but she was married to Howard for a few years.” Reed shook his head. “It’s complicated.”
“My parents remarried about three years ago,” Max stated in a quiet voice. “I take it you didn’t know any of this.”
Ashley shook her head.
“Hello, Reed.” The familiar melodic voice made him cringe.
Shit. What the hell else was going to go wrong tonight? He inclined his head. “Mother.” He turned his attention to the man standing beside his mother and extended his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Howard. How have you been?”
Why was the man here? Yes, he’d been married to his mother for almost six years, and yes, Max had maintained a relationship with Howard after the marriage ended, but still, Howard lived in New York and despite the friendship, he couldn’t imagine him traveling here for a party.
Howard grinned. “I’m well. Congratulations. I understand you just got married. This must be your lovely bride.”
“Yes. I’d like you to meet Ashley.”
Ashley gave a polite smile and shook the outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
The six of them stood silent for a moment, then Max spoke. “Howard has just moved back to Chicago, Reed.”
Reed glanced at Max, then shifted his gaze to Howard and his mother. Were they getting back together again? Is that why she’d wanted to have dinner the other night, to tell him? “I see.”
Howard let out a hardy laugh. “No, you don’t.”
Audrey shook her head. “Howard’s moving back to Chicago has nothing to do with me.”
“Indeed, it doesn’t. Business is why I’m back. Specifically, the Riverfront venture.”
“What about it?” Reed asked.
“I’ve invested in one of the expansion projects and I’m looking for someone to manage the job.”
His eyes widened. Howard had invested in the Riverfront development? He wanted Paradis and McNamara to manage the project? Howard’s business could help put Paradis and McNamara back in the black and keep it there for years to come.
“So, what do you say, son? Are you interested?”
Reed grinned. “Hell yes.” He wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. The company meant too much to him.
“I’ll go mingle and let you two talk.” Ashley glanced over her shoulder and gestured to the crowd.
Reed noted that Jake Delaney hovered nearby. The bastard had the balls to gl
ower at him. No way would he let that imbecile anywhere near Ashley. “It’ll have to wait, Howard. I was about to go dance with my wife.”
Ashley gasped. She couldn’t help it. Her brain couldn’t keep up.
First, the man strolled in as if he wasn’t almost three hours late, and her heart did a crazy little flip. Because he was okay, she’d assured herself, and not because she’d missed him. After all, she’d gone from supremely annoyed to darned right worried sick when Reed didn’t show on time and all her phone calls had gone unanswered.
He stood there, looking better than any man had a right to, dressed in his black Hickey Freeman tux and crisp white dress shirt and everything inside her started to tingle.
Then, he marched over, clamped those strong arms around her, and clutched her to him as if he’d never let her go. His mouth came down on hers, hard, hot, demanding, and those lips . . . Tasting, teasing while those strong hands roamed over every inch of her, caressing.
Emotions stormed through her, a hot, chaotic sea swirling inside. They came bubbling to the surface and erupted like a volcano. She kissed him back, no, devoured him.
The world around them disappeared until it was just the two of them, and then Max and Nicole appeared. She’d learned about Howard and . . .
Dear lord, Reed’s parents had divorced. Now, they were married again. Good grief. She had so many questions.
Reed grasped her hand. “Come on, honey. Let’s go.”
He dragged her onto the dance floor. His arms closed around her once again. He held her tight, and heaven help her, she let him, because this is what she wanted. “Are you all right?” She rested her head on his chest, inhaled the musky scent of him, and sighed.
“I don’t want to talk. I just want to dance.”
His voice rumbled in his chest and sent shivers skittering down her spine.
“Okay.” Pushing him wouldn’t get her anywhere.