by A. C. Arthur
There was no need for him to respond. She’d given him a look of sheer hopelessness before leaving him alone. Once again, alone.
Brock moved to the recliner in the far corner of the room, the one piece of furniture that had belonged to his father that he’d kept. Sitting heavily in the worn leather chair, he let her words play over and over in his mind.
Could she be right? Could this have been his crutch all these years? Of course it could. He’d had that thought a million times himself. But it had been much easier to lean on the crutch rather than try the unknown.
Now, with the arrival of Noelle and her pretty smile and perky attitude, he was rethinking that position entirely.
Chapter 13
“He asked me out, on a date I mean,” Noelle told Karena over the phone on Saturday afternoon.
It had been two days since the conversation in his study, two days since his birthday, and they’d managed to awake that next morning and fall right back into step, with business, that is. Funny how they could do that, both of them, put the personal in a box and keep it there until it suited them.
However, it seemed this morning Brock had wanted to take that personal right out of its box. In no uncertain terms after they’d finished breakfast and he’d informed her that he would be golfing with Kent for most of the day, he’d asked her out.
“I don’t want to discuss business, Jade and Linc or any of the other family members. I want dinner with you and me, a man and a woman getting to know each other. Can you do that?” he’d said in that matter-of-fact way that she’d become accustomed to hearing from him.
For the first time in her life Noelle had been left momentarily speechless. That moment had quickly passed as she’d blinked and answered, “You say that with such authority. As if you expect me to fall right in line.”
He’d smiled down at her. “I would never be fool enough to expect anything where you’re concerned. You, Noelle Vincent, are clearly the unexpected.”
“Well, in that case…”
He’d grabbed her hands, bringing both of them to his lips. “Don’t say no. I want to spend this evening with you.”
Noelle hadn’t known what to do with herself, so she’d simply agreed then attempted to leave the room as quickly as possible.
Only to have him stop her.
“Don’t run from me,” he said in a gruff voice. His hand held her by the elbow, and he quickly maneuvered her until she was flush against his chest.
“Running isn’t the answer, for either of us.”
“I’m not running from you,” she’d defended, but knew it was a lie.
“We’ve both been running and it stops now.”
His mouth lowered, landed on hers in slow procession, his closed lips settling over hers as his hands slipped around her waist.
Noelle could feel his control. His entire body was tense, his touch deliberately slow, measured. Slower than they had ever touched before.
“Kiss me back,” he commanded as his palms splayed over her back.
Her eyes fluttered then closed, and she’d fallen, into his embrace, into his kiss once more.
Now, she had a headache. This man stirred up the most controversial feelings in her. One minute she was straight on her path to avoid frivolous relationships, and the next…
Hadn’t she told him what she wanted from a man and hadn’t he then told her the other night what he wasn’t capable of offering a woman? They were obviously at opposite sides of the spectrum. So why was she still so drawn to him?
“So go to dinner with him,” Karena said offhandedly. “I don’t see the problem—you’re practically living with him.”
“I’m staying here like I would stay at a hotel, Karena. I’m not living with him. Besides, all our dinners up until now have been business. Everything—besides that morning we both lost control—has been business.”
“That morning and his birthday. Didn’t you say he opened up to you?”
“I did,” Noelle admitted, wondering why she continually told Karena everything only to have it thrown back in her face.
“Then maybe he’s trying to do so again.”
“But why? We don’t want the same things. I mean, the only thing between us is this physical pull.”
“Then that’s a damn strong physical pull considering you’ve already acted on it. Usually, it’s the sexual tension that eats away at you regardless of how different you seem. But you and Brock have already gotten that out of the way. So I’m inclined to believe there’s something else going on.”
“No. There’s definitely nothing else going on. I want one thing and he’s determined to have another. I can’t start over with a man like that.”
“Then why not just have fun with him while you’re there?”
“You know why I can’t do that. I’ve been just having fun all my life. It’s time I settled down and acted more responsibly.”
“Is that you or Jade speaking?”
“Karena, you are not helping!”
“Why? Because I’m not saying what you want to hear?”
“No,” Noelle whimpered. “Because you’re not trying to warn me against making another mistake.”
“That’s because I don’t think you’re making a mistake. By going out with him, I mean. From what I hear when you talk about him, you’re really feeling him. Despite your differences, you are really into this man. Now, it’s unfortunate that you would meet him on the heels of your latest relationship downfall, but, Noelle, you are a woman who, when she falls, she gets right back up again. So stop sitting on your butt, looking for excuses and go to dinner with the man. Damn!”
Noelle pulled the phone away from her ear, stared at it strangely, then put it back. “Are you all right, Karena? Do you need a man in your life for a night or two?”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. No, I do not need a man…Well, okay maybe I do. But that’s not where all this is coming from. Since you’ve decided to get your act together you’ve been rattling and indecisive and I don’t like it. I want the old Noelle back, the one who made decisions at the drop of a dime, who was proactive and exciting.”
“I’m not proactive and exciting anymore?”
“No, you’re scared and cautious and downright irritating.”
Noelle rubbed her forehead. “Wait a minute, I thought we were friends. You’re talking as if you can barely stand me.”
On the other line Karena laughed. “Nonsense. I’m talking like this because I love you and I want what’s best for you. Changing the person you are is not the answer to your love-life problems—it’s making better choices. And Brock Remington seems to be a much better choice than Luther Simmons.”
“I hear you,” Noelle acquiesced. “I do. I’m just not so sure right now and until I’m positive…”
“You’re going to starve until you’re positive?” Karena asked.
“No.” Giving in to her own laughter, Noelle could only appreciate Karena’s honesty. “I’m going to have dinner with Brock, but I’m not, under any circumstances, sleeping with him again.”
“Honey, I’m not the one you need to make that pledge to.”
She’d hung up with Karena and dressed in casual linen capris and her favorite powder-blue tank top. On her feet she slipped on white wedge-heel Prada sandals and headed downstairs.
Brock’s house was on seventy-five acres of land that after four weeks she’d yet to see. So since it appeared she had the afternoon to herself, and a ton of stuff on her mind, Noelle set out to do just that.
She passed the pool, in which she’d enjoyed at least a swim a day. It was great to have this weather and this scenery as she swam, and she loved the privacy. Moving beyond the pool, she stepped off the stone pathway into cool grass. A landscaper was out once a week to tend to the land when Brock was too busy to do it himself.
If she went to the left, she’d be heading toward the garage and the dirt path that led out toward the road. Instead she turned right, sighing as the gorgeously green grass opened
up to scattered trees and patches of flowers that gave off a contented feeling that Noelle had secretly longed for.
Walking, she let her mind go blank, reveling in the serenity of the moment, only to have it interrupted by the impending date with Brock.
She’d agreed to go so there was no backing out now—that wasn’t the type of woman she was. She’d go and she’d do everything in her power to keep it as casual as she could. Although the light in Brock’s eyes this morning said he was thinking anything but casual. That was exactly what Noelle was afraid of.
Not Brock, the man, but the implications of him being interested in her. The sex part was clear—they were extremely attracted to each other in that way so much so that they’d acted on it after knowing each other only a few hours. So why hadn’t the desire subsided? Probably because it was now being compounded with something else.
For all that she thought Brock was too quiet and too focused on being alone, she found herself liking him more and more every day. For his strength and his dedication, she admired him. On more than one occasion she’d found herself wondering how it would feel to be Brock Remington’s woman, to be the one to open his heart to love.
But that was too big of a task for even her and her adventurous nature to take on.
She stopped for a moment beneath a huge tree with heavy branches and pretty purple blooms. At the tree’s base were bundles of hosta plants. The shade was welcome as she stood looking out toward the water. This whole scene was new and invigorating to her. A great place to start over, she thought, then shook her head to free the silly notion.
Taking a few long strides her shoes echoed as she stepped onto the private dock and walked along the wooden planks. On both sides she was surrounded by the Miles River. Tiny rivulets moving almost silently beneath her cast a willowing perimeter to Brock’s house. Arriving at the edge of the pier, she decided to sit for a minute and bent down to unsnap her sandals and take them off.
As Noelle let her bare feet hang over the side to touch the surface of the water, she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. Recognizing the chime as receipt of a text message she clicked the button to show the text and cringed.
Thinking about you. Need to talk to you soon.
Why couldn’t Luther simply leave her alone? It couldn’t be that he just wanted her back. That was crazy since it seemed he had more than enough lovers. Their breakup hadn’t been emotional or turbulent like some she’d had before. He should have simply walked away and yet he hadn’t. And like a fool, she’d continued to take his calls and texts without complaint, without reporting him to the authorities for harassment.
But Noelle knew the reason for that. She didn’t want anyone to know how stupid she’d been. How vulnerable and naive she’d allowed herself to be over this man.
Turning off her phone, she dropped it onto the wooden planks beside her and tried to take deep breaths. Maybe by the time she returned to Vegas, Luther would have moved on to the next flavor of the month and decided to leave her alone.
That was a big maybe, she admitted.
She wasn’t returning his calls.
Luther Simmons took one final puff on his cigarette, then tossed it into the gutter as he walked down The Strip.
He hadn’t seen her at the Gramercy in weeks—that alone had concerned him. Then the mysterious phone call from Claudette yesterday, saying she had something to discuss about his latest indiscretion assured him that something wasn’t right.
Not that he’d needed Claudette to confirm that fact. Ever since losing Noelle, Luther’s life had gone steadily to hell.
His last two real estate deals had fallen through, the properties going to lower bidders, and his own mortgage was two months past due thanks to all his losses at the blackjack table.
Now his wife was on his back about receiving her monthly allotment and threatening him with divorce. There were times when Luther actually considered calling her bluff on that one. But then he’d think that it was cheaper to keep her since he had no doubt that Claudette would do everything in her power to leave him penniless.
And that was a situation that Luther Simmons refused to live through again. He’d grown up in the projects of Detroit, sharing a room with his four brothers and two sisters. No, never again, he’d told himself the moment he’d stepped off the plane after serving his four years in the Army. Every check the government had paid him Luther invested into Las Vegas properties, knowing that the casinos were where the money was. He’d moved to Vegas then and hadn’t looked back since.
Now all of that was in jeopardy, and it was partly his fault.
He’d known there was something special about Noelle Vincent the day he met her. And when she’d walked out of his life Luther thought he’d be okay without her. He’d simply do what he always did, regroup and replan.
Claudette’s interference had now changed his course of action.
Stopping, Luther adjusted his sunshades on his eyes and tilted his head back to stare at the building in front of him.
The Gramercy Casino. This was where it had all begun for him. His previous plan for success, that is. Claudette had only wanted him for the money he could give her—she didn’t love him. Noelle, however, was young and impressionable. In her gorgeous hazel eyes he’d seen a naïveté that almost called to him. With Noelle he could afford to leave Claudette. Noelle had money, or rather, she was closely related to money. Donovan money.
The wheels of Luther’s mind began to click. Yes, this was where it had all begun. How befitting that the Gramercy II would be where it all culminated.
Chapter 14
The evening had cooled down significantly so that there was a slight breeze. It was warm until they came closer to the water.
Brock walked beside her, holding her hand in his. To anyone passing by they probably looked like lovers, but Noelle knew differently.
Or at least she thought she did. Once again the conflict that Brock Remington set in motion in her body and her mind was evident. After speaking to Karena earlier today she’d had even more time to contemplate this evening and what it could possibly mean to their relationship. Brock said it wasn’t about work, which meant it could only be about them.
He wanted to get to know her better? Why? she thought dismally. She’d be out of his life in two more months. Looking around at the small streets and restaurants just coming alight with the evening crowd, she let herself ponder that for a moment. She’d never been to the east coast before, never even thought about traveling here. But she’d been here almost four weeks now and was beginning to feel like she could come back, to this small town and its friendly citizens and beautiful scenery. She could take a vacation here, stay in one of the many bed-and-breakfasts, be pampered and enjoy herself. She could do that.
But not right now. Now was for business, which meant that this dinner with Brock was a bad idea. But then she’d already thought that.
Noelle absolutely hated this. It was a side of herself she didn’t see often, ever actually. Questioning herself, doubting her reasoning, wanting to draw back and not deal with circumstances in her life just wasn’t her thing. Well, okay, the not dealing with the circumstances of her life might be more of the Noelle that Jade had always known and that Trent had picked up on. But that’s the part she’d tried to change. Whoever said growing up was easy lied big-time.
“I picked a seafood and steak restaurant. I hope that’s okay with you,” Brock said.
“Hmm? Oh, seafood. That sounds good,” she said, trying to get her mind back on the here and now. She was out to dinner with him so there was no going back on that now.
When he stopped walking and turned to stand in front of her, Noelle felt a jolt. He smelled terrific and looked even better. Tonight he’d chucked his jeans and wore black slacks instead. His Timberland boots had been exchanged for Christian Dior moccasins—yep, she’d spied them the moment he walked into the living room where she’d been waiting for him. Her love of shoes didn’t stop at women’s style
s, and this was a good choice for Brock. His normally rugged handsomeness had been transformed to a subtle sexiness in his dark pants and crisp white fitted polo shirt. The black sports jacket he slipped on just before escorting her out the door only topped his ensemble off and sent shivers of desire down Noelle’s spine.
So it was no wonder she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Lifting her head just slightly, her gaze met his.
“I want you to remember that tonight is about you and me. Not the casino.”
She opened her mouth to say something and he put a finger up, held it just a whisper away from her glossed lips until she snapped them shut.
“It’s about us.”
The smile came easily because he looked so good and sounded so sincere. Knowing that this was probably another mistake, but that it was too late to turn back now, she nodded her agreement.
Once inside Noelle let her attention drift to the ambiance of the restaurant Brock had chosen for them. The St. Michaels Crab and Steak House was a casual restaurant, its menu apparent by the ship paraphernalia hanging tastefully on the walls. It was a little after seven and seemed like prime time for the dinner crowd because Noelle didn’t see one empty table available.
When the host greeted them Brock only gave his name and the young girl’s smile spread quickly. Apparently she wasn’t the only one that thought he looked good, Noelle surmised.
“Right this way, Mr. Remington. Your table is all ready.”
So he’d made reservations—that meant he’d given this evening some thought. Noelle squelched a bubble of excitement at that thought. No way was Brock Remington interested in her in that way. He was simply trying to sleep with her again. Wasn’t he?
Noelle thought that overall she was a pretty good judge of character so this would be an elaborate setup on Brock’s behalf if it were just about sex. That didn’t mean it was along the lines of what Noelle wanted out of a relationship, either. Hadn’t he already told her he had nothing to offer a woman long term?