Jan leaned forward, her elbows on the desk, her hands pressed together. “He was hurt before, but he’s never told me what happened. I know he was engaged once and I know his parents are divorced. I just don’t think he believes in true love anymore.”
Micki sat up and cocked her head at Jan. “So Adam isn’t into long-term relationships?”
“Long-term?” Jan laughed scornfully. “Long-term for Adam is anything that lasts until the day before yesterday.”
“And no lasting attachments?” Micki persisted.
“No. In fact, last year…” Jan’s voice trailed off. “Just what are you getting at?”
“Hmmm.” Micki was half teasing. “An attractive playboy who can take care of himself. Sounds like fun. In fact, it sounds like Adam fits the bill perfectly.”
“Micki Vaughn.” Jan was insistent. “Don’t make a mistake. You’ll only get hurt. You’ll fall in love and he’ll break your heart.”
Micki laughed. “You’re so serious, Jan. I only met him for an hour last night. He’s probably forgotten all about me.”
“Adam doesn’t forget attractive women.”
“Why thank you ma’am.” Micki nodded her head in mock acceptance of the compliment.
Jan narrowed her eyes and paused for awhile, then turned back to her computer. “Just don’t get hurt. I really like working with you, you know.”
“Thank you.” Micki smiled, suddenly shy. “And I love working for you, Jan. This has been a great job. I’ll be sorry when it’s over.”
“Over?” Jan raised an eyebrow without looking up from the screen. “Your job is never over. Computer updates are forever.”
“Of course they are. But my contract won’t last forever. I’m only here for four more months, remember?”
“What?” Jan furrowed her brow. “I thought that was just to see how well you fit in with the company. You don’t mean to hold us to that, do you?”
“Oh yes I do. I’m a contract worker at heart.”
“And just what, exactly, does that mean?”
“It means I’m only here for six months,” Micki said with a light tone, “and then I’m off to somewhere new.”
“But why? I thought you said you liked working here.”
“I do,” Micki agreed vigorously.
“Well then? You know I’d sign you up permanently in a moment. I’m not supposed to say this, but we’ll pay you well.”
“No.” Micki shook her head vehemently. “I don’t expect you to understand completely, but I love all my jobs. I work hard at them. I give them my nights and my weekends. But when the contract’s up, I like to move on. To a new job, a new town. You know that old saying. ‘See new places. Meet exciting new people’.”
“And to what exciting place do you plan to move on to from here?”
“I’m not sure,” Micki said lightly. “I haven’t thought about it yet. San Francisco, maybe. I’ve never lived there before.”
“Don’t you have a home?” At Micki’s negative shake Jan added, “I can’t imagine not having a home. Roots. Don’t you ever grow attached to one place? Don’t you find it hard to leave your friends?”
“No.” Micki said shortly. She was beginning to be sorry she’d ever opened her mouth. Jan was probing too closely for her comfort.
“Why not?”
At Micki’s dark look, Jan added quickly, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. But I really care about you. And your resume is so full of jumps. Last year Denver. The year before New Orleans.”
“I just haven’t figured out where I want to be when I grow up, that’s all.”
“Is that all it is?” Jan looked doubtful.
A rapid pounding tattoo began beating time in Micki’s head. Yesterday and now today. She didn’t need this pressure. Pressure to discuss her past. Her plans. She stood up with a start and leaned toward Jan. “Are you psychoanalyzing me?” she demanded in a low, deliberate voice. “Because if you are, let me give you fair warning. I won’t appreciate it.”
“I’m sorry.” Jan leaned back in surprised shock.
“No, Jan.” Micki slumped her shoulders and sighed. “It’s okay. I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She stared at the manual in her hand. “I know you’re just being my friend.”
Jan turned back to her computer screen, tapping on the keyboard again. “You’re a funny duck, Micki. I wish I knew you better. But if you ever change your mind and decide to stay, remember you’ll always have a job here.”
“Thanks Jan,” Micki said softly and Jan smiled back at her.
“Lunch time!” The loud voice from the hall startled both of them.
“That’s Adam,” Micki hissed. “Did you ask him here?”
“I most certainly did not!” Jan hissed back.
“Then what in the world is he doing here?”
“Whispering, ladies? That’s hardly polite.” Adam stood in the hallway holding several large paper bags and he flashed a broad grin as he noticed their embarrassment. “Something good about me, I hope?”
He looked so attractive, in khaki pants with a long-sleeved white shirt and a dazzling smile, Micki couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Adam.” She could have kicked herself when she heard the undisguised pleasure in her voice.
“What are you doing here?” Jan demanded. She stood up and confronted Adam, crossing her arms, as if she were a German Shepherd watchdog, guarding Micki from an attack of wolves.
“Having lunch, I hope.” Adam moved easily around Jan and dropped the bags onto an open table. “I have taken the liberty to invite myself on a date with the most lovely lady I have ever met. And her friend,” he added politely, nodding toward Jan as an afterthought. Jan scowled.
Micki was surprised at his implied snub to Jan, but as she stared at Adam, he gave Jan an elaborate wink and Jan’s scowl melted to a half-smile.
Adam held up a dish of what looked to be a creamy chicken salad. “I’m hoping that the way to that cold heart of hers is through her gorgeous tummy.”
“How’d you get in here?” Jan was still interrogating him. “The outside door’s supposed to be locked.”
“Oh, I have my ways.” Adam smiled at Micki, then added, “And I know the security guard. I worked a lot of weekends back when we reorganized this company.”
“Traitors in our midst,” Jan muttered.
“Enough talk, now.” Adam held a chair out and turned to Micki. “Food awaits.”
Jan and Micki stared in awe at the incredible variety he unpacked. Salads, sandwiches, egg rolls. Certainly far too much food for the three of them. “You really shouldn’t have,” Micki said.
“Actually, I didn’t.” Adam’s smile gleamed. “The delicatessen did. I just pointed and said that and that and that.”
“There’s hot water in the lunchroom,” Micki offered. “I’ll bring tea. And plates.”
Adam was at her side in a second. “I can help,” he said quickly.
Jan snorted. “I guess I’ll be eating this lot by myself.”
Ignoring Adam, Micki walked quickly to the lunchroom. Adam watched, leaning against a counter, while she set out the cups and the tea bags. His close gaze was making her uncomfortable.
“Something wrong?” she demanded self-consciously, flicking an imaginary piece of lint off her blouse.
“Not in the least,” he said softly. “I like the outfit.”
She blushed. The shorts and blouse were perfectly practical, but the way his eyes widened, she felt like they revealed far more than she had intended. She reached for the sugar cubes, but Adam moved closer. He reached his hand out and stilled her movements, picking up the sugar bowl himself and placing it on the tray.
“How about that?” His mouth was next to her ear and he paused to nibble one lobe causing a shiver of delight to run through her. “We make a great team.” He pulled her gently closer and held her in a loose embrace, his kisses soft and delicate against her cheek. Her light cotton clothes were no p
rotection against the heat of his body and she felt nearly naked as his arms began moving softly and slowly down and around her back.
“Did you two get lost in there?” Jan’s voice echoed down the hallway. Micki stepped back abruptly, while Adam flashed his broad grin.
“Not at all,” he called back. “Just reaching for some sugar.”
Micki’s face was beet red by the time she made it back to the office and Jan’s dour stare certainly didn’t help. She kept her gaze down as she placed the plates and cups on the table and helped herself to some of the food.
The conversation was kept to a polite level during lunch, discussing the network troubles and the party last night. Jan and Adam were obviously old friends, sharing easy, bantering talk.
At last, Micki dropped her fork and sighed appreciatively. “This was a lovely meal.”
“Ha!” Jan was quick to point out. “You barely ate a thing.”
“Whereas you,” Adam unchivalrously pointed his fork at Jan, “seem to have put away an amazing amount.”
Micki looked up quickly, but Jan took it in stride, with all the aplomb of an old friend. “I hate diets,” she declared, popping an olive into her mouth. “They’re so restrictive.” She took another bite of her sandwich and then added to Adam, “So you’re planning to date our elusive Micki, are you?”
“Elusive, is she?” Adam was immediately interested. “I was afraid it was just me.”
“Nope. It’s everyone. I was just talking to her about that. She doesn’t form lasting attachments, it seems.”
Micki flushed with embarrassment. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to not be talked about as if I’m not even here.”
Jan continued speaking as if Micki hadn’t interrupted. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you planning to date Micki?”
“I’m trying to.” Adam took a deep bite of his chicken salad sandwich.
“Excuse me. I’m here. I think I have some say in this conversation.” Micki waved her arm in the air, but to no avail.
Jan went on, “Because if you are, I want you to treat her with care. She’s a very nice person and a lot more vulnerable than you give her credit for.”
“That’s not true!” Micki was mortified.
“Micki’s vulnerable?” Adam seemed pleasantly surprised. “All I’ve ever seen are prickles. I can’t wait for the vulnerability to show. Tell me, is she dating anyone else?”
Jan gave a short laugh. “Hardly. She won’t have anything to do with the men in this office, it seems.”
“Good.” Adam gave a pleased smile and took another bite of his sandwich.
“Hellooo.” Micki swung a teriyaki chicken leg between them. “I’m talking to you.”
“I want you to treat her well, Adam Laurence.” Jan’s sharp voice easily penetrated over Micki’s. “I know your style and I don’t want her hurt. She’s my friend.”
He seemed taken aback. “You don’t think I should date her?”
“I want you to be careful, that’s all.”
“Not to worry.” Adam smiled reassuringly. “Why, I’m the nicest fellow I know.”
Jan scoffed her disdain.
“Hello.” Micki nearly shouted in frustration. “Don’t I have some say in this?”
“Yes hello.” Adam was maddeningly glib. “Nice of you to join us.”
“Your entire conversation was ridiculous. I don’t recall saying I was dating you,” Micki informed Adam tartly.
“You told me you were going to date him,” Jan reminded her. Micki’s eyes flashed angrily towards her, while Adam grinned his pleasure.
“Oops.” Jan stood up at the look. “Maybe I’ll just take our plates back to the lunchroom.” She quickly gathered the dishes and beat a retreat to the kitchen.
Micki watched her leave, feeling rather than seeing Adam move over to her side. She felt extraordinarily alert around him.
“So where are we going tomorrow?” Adam smiled an innocent smile.
“Excuse me?”
“Normally,” he explained with exaggerated patience, “when two people date, they go out somewhere.”
Now’s the time to decide, Micki Vaughn. Are you going to jump in or aren’t you?
“The two of us go out,” she echoed, trying to buy some time.
“That’s right.” He nodded. “Preferably together.”
I dare you, Micki Vaughn. She had to glance up to make sure she wasn’t talking out loud. He really had the nicest smile. Almost impossible to resist. I dare you to go out with him.
She didn’t answer for a moment and his face turned serious as he took a finger and drew it lightly down her face, sweeping her hair away as he went. “I dare you.” His words echoed her own. “Please?”
What’s the use of a dare if there’s nothing to lose? “All right.” The words were nearly forced from her mouth.
“That’s right.” His smile came back, lighting up his eyes.
“Where do you want to go?” she asked.
“Dealer’s choice.” At her look of inquiry he added, “You choose. Anywhere, anytime.”
“I don’t know…”
“You like games. How about horse racing at the track?”
“Hmmm.”
“A parachute jump from an airplane?” At her look of doubt he thought for a while, then looked up with a pleased smile. “Of course. I know just what you’d enjoy. How about a good old-fashioned sail around Puget Sound?”
“Sailing?” Micki perked up. She had always wanted to try sailing, but Danny had preferred the woods. “You know, I’ve been back in Seattle for two months now and I still haven’t been out on the water?”
“Back in Seattle?” Adam pounced on the phrase. “You used to live here?”
“A long time ago.” She shrugged off his question and he seemed to let it go. “What would we sail? Is there a rental boat shop?”
“I own a sailboat.” His voice took on a glow of pride. “A forty-two-foot racing boat, to be exact. She’s a real beauty. I think you’ll like her.” He leaned towards her suggestively. “I know you’ll look good on her.”
“All right you two.” Jan stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “Your chaperone’s back. Keep it clean.”
Adam leaned back regretfully. “I assume,” he questioned Jan, “that after working Saturday you’re giving her Monday off?”
“I suppose she deserves that,” Jan admitted with a grudging note. “Take a cell phone with you, Micki.”
Micki flinched. She backed away. “I don’t use cell phones.” Her voice nearly trembled with repressed emotions, but Jan and Adam didn’t notice.
“Okay, no cell phone,” Jan agreed. “But I want her back in the office on Tuesday, or I’m going after you with a piece of my mind.”
Adam quickly put up two hands as if to ward her off and laughed. “Tuesday it is.” He whispered to Micki, “That gives us all of Sunday night. And Monday.”
She backed away from him by force of habit. “How about you?” she questioned. “Don’t you ever have to go to work?”
“I worked hard last month,” Adam said flippantly. “I’m taking this month off.”
“That must be nice.”
“Worked hard.” Jan snorted. “By that, he means he spent twenty-five hours a day, eight days a week clinching a deal. He’s a ruthless businessman, Micki. Keep that in mind. When he sees a holy grail, he works until he gets it. I swear he lives off of coffee and adrenaline.”
“That’s me,” Adam agreed cheerfully. “A confirmed workaholic, out for a holiday.” He turned to leave, adding to Micki, “And now I’m out for romance. See you at your place, nine a.m.”
“Wait!” Micki knew she was missing something. “You don’t know where I live.”
He turned with a grin. “Of course I do.”
“How? I’m unlisted.”
“I have my ways. You don’t think I’d let you drive home unescorted, do you?” He reached in his pocket. “Here’s my card, with all my phone numbers.”
Leaning toward her suggestively, he whispered, “In case you can’t wait until tomorrow.”
Micki stared at the doorway where he had suddenly disappeared. She felt as if a major force of nature had just left her in its wake.
Chapter Three
When the doorbell finally rang on Sunday morning, Micki nearly tripped over herself to answer it. She threw her front door wide open and let out a relieved shout. “At last! I’ve been waiting for hours!”
Adam stood in the doorway, his words of greeting dying on his lips as he surveyed her outfit. Micki was wearing a short, brightly colored silk bathrobe and old scuffed slippers. Using one hand to hold her robe closed, she gathered her other arm around her chest. He stared at her, at a momentary loss for words.
“Well, come in!” She stomped her foot. “Are you going to stand out there all day?”
Producing a fragrant bouquet of yellow roses from behind his back, he handed them to her hesitantly as he entered her apartment. “I love the outfit. And I’m glad you’re pleased to see me, but perhaps we should exchange pleasantries before we…”
“Oh, not now,” she interrupted, rejecting the flowers with an impatient gesture. “I don’t have time for blather. Go to the bathroom.”
“My.” He seemed taken aback, but willing to go along. “Starting early aren’t we? Not that I’m complaining, but a man does like to be wooed first. Do you have champagne?”
“For heaven’s sake.” Relief at seeing him made her voice sharp. She dragged the silk bathrobe more tightly around her. “I only need you for a second.”
“A second?” He lifted an eyebrow and put the flowers down, gazing at her with an appreciative smile. “What I have in mind will take a little longer than a second.”
“Will you be serious.” She stomped her foot again. “There’s a spider in my bathtub.”
“Oh, is that what this is about? Too bad.” Adam began an elaborate show of rolling up his sleeves. “And here I thought my daredevil Micki was game for anything.”
“I am!” she said loudly. To his raised eyebrows, she added defensively, “If you hadn’t been coming, I could have gotten rid of him. But you were coming, so why should I go through the bother?”
“Why indeed?” Adam nodded his head wisely and made his way to the bathroom, collecting a tissue along the way. “You should have called me earlier. You still have my cell number, don’t you? I would have rushed to your rescue.”
Game of Love Page 3