Tender Kisses
Sheryl Lister
What he’ll do for loveSiobhan Gray has had it with men who view her as a stepping stone to a career with her family’s successful home-safety company. Even when a sexy stranger sweeps her onto the dance floor at a gala awards event, the twice-burned PR director vows not to let down her guard. Siobhan doesn’t count on Justin Cartwright’s persistence as he dissolves her doubts and slowly wins her trust with a passion that tempts her to believe in love again.Justin is a man with a plan: partner with Gray Home Safety to deliver his new cutting-edge product to the market. But the tall, sensual beauty is derailing all his best intentions. Then he discovers who she really is. Now he stands to lose everything…unless he can convince Siobhan that nothing matters more than their blossoming relationship—and the future they can build together.
What he’ll do for love
Siobhan Gray has had it with men who view her as a stepping stone to a career with her family’s successful home-safety company. Even when a sexy stranger sweeps her onto the dance floor at a gala awards event, the twice-burned PR director vows not to let down her guard. Siobhan doesn’t count on Justin Cartwright’s persistence as he dissolves her doubts and slowly wins her trust with a passion that tempts her to believe in love again.
Justin is a man with a plan: partner with Gray Home Safety to deliver his new cutting-edge product to the market. But the tall, sensual beauty is derailing all his best intentions. Then he discovers who she really is. Now he stands to lose everything...unless he can convince Siobhan that nothing matters more than their blossoming relationship—and the future they can build together.
“Dance with me,” Justin said when another ballad came on.
Siobhan followed him back out to the dance floor and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m glad they’re playing a lot of slow songs, because I like holding you in my arms.”
“I like it, too.”
A slow grin curved Justin’s lips. “Then we’ll need to do it more often.” He touched his mouth to hers.
“Every chance we get,” he whispered.
They danced through every slow song that played, and by the time he took her home, her body and mind were in a jumble.
“Thank you, again, for coming to the party with me,” she said as they stood in her entryway.
“I enjoyed myself.”
She leaned up, intending to give him a quick kiss, but as soon as their lips touched and he swept his hot tongue into her mouth, all rational thoughts went out the window. Justin deepened the kiss, thoroughly exploring every inch of her mouth.
He broke it off and rested his forehead against hers. “I’d better leave while I still can.”
Siobhan nodded, though she wasn’t sure she really wanted him to leave. He kissed her once more and slipped out the door.
She closed her eyes and leaned against it, her breathing still ragged. She hadn’t planned on meeting a man like him and didn’t know how long she would be able to keep her guard up.
Dear Reader (#ulink_82779bb5-98e8-5791-8dbb-a03d67a00957),
I’m excited to introduce you to The Grays of Los Angeles. Nolan and DeAnna Gray have worked hard to build a legacy for their children. But their most fervent desire is for each of them to experience the joy of an enduring love.
First is Siobhan Gray, the oldest of five, dynamic PR director and a certified control freak. Spontaneous isn’t in her vocabulary...until she meets Justin Cartwright. Justin is just the man to show her how to have a little fun because, frankly, he’s forgotten, too. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them learn to balance work, fun and falling in love. I hope you do, as well.
I appreciate your emails and messages. I love hearing from you!
Baby sister Morgan Gray takes center stage next, and I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store for her. Fast cars, football and, just maybe, love.
Much love,
Sheryl
Website: SherylLister.com (http://www.SherylLister.com) Email: sheryllister@gmail.com Facebook: Author Sheryl Lister (http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherylLister)
Tender Kisses
Sheryl Lister
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
SHERYL LISTER has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Her first novel, Just to Be with You, earned her a 2015 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Debut Author of the Year. When she’s not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-size desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife and a mother of three daughters and a son-in-love. She’s also a grandmother to a very special little boy.
To my husband, Lance, my children, family and friends for your continued support. I appreciate and love you!
Acknowledgments (#ulink_f7361313-8228-5219-9685-d21edc651bf7)
My Heavenly Father, thank You for my life.
A special thank you to the readers and authors I’ve met on this journey. You’ve enriched my life in more ways than you know.
Special thank you to my editor, Rachel Burkot, for your editorial guidance and support. I’ll miss you!
A very special thank you to my agent, Sarah E. Younger. I appreciate you more than words can say.
Contents
Cover (#ubc743160-9f4c-54cd-a36d-88592051917f)
Back Cover Text (#ua67c5520-00f0-518f-91f7-310de80fa766)
Introduction (#u8803e8b3-5ef5-5b8b-95cc-d0291e332cef)
Dear Reader (#ulink_d465d639-ca91-5dc4-916e-58f00b3901bd)
Title Page (#udd78d00f-5213-5979-8d7d-ed8a9b219422)
About the Author (#u10135aae-4165-542a-9434-ae21f0bc9513)
Dedication (#ubd0cb06d-29df-58d3-9d57-fd05a1777c9b)
Acknowledgments (#ulink_3c23d464-707e-52a4-ae3c-b46f1032ed35)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_b2c524c8-1688-5b0d-91a2-67828ddbf466)
Chapter 2 (#ulink_ee23a7c7-7f5e-5b11-a686-7ded8ec6fc2b)
Chapter 3 (#ulink_b834c134-9552-579d-a52b-87d9b9e0ada3)
Chapter 4 (#ulink_560ed78a-378e-56c1-a83c-160433f697ac)
Chapter 5 (#ulink_4298365a-617b-5758-bd90-c336a4d8ee4f)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_18028164-a0d8-5a42-9012-a49c203ca519)
I wonder if I can hold my breath for five minutes. Siobhan Gray tried to edge away and create some space between her and her dance partner. The potency of the man’s cologne—she swore he had bathed in it—had her on the verge of passing out. Instead of holding her breath, maybe she should take one big whiff and put herself out of this misery. The effect would be the same.
“You seem too young to be handling all the PR for your family’s company,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.
She pasted a smile on her face while he went on and on about Gray Home Safety. She caught the gazes of her two best friends, who stood across the room with wide grins. Siobhan rolled her eyes and groaned inwardly.
“Did you say something?” her dance partner asked.
Had that groan slipped out? “No, nothing. Just humming along with the music,” she lied. How long is this song, anyway? When it finally ended, he didn’t release her.
“Isn’t this nice?” he asked, tightening his hold.
About as nice as dancing naked in an ice storm. The move came with another gust of his cologne, and Siobhan nearly gagged. She was done. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak to.” She stepped away from him so fast she stumbled, but quickly righted herself.
He caught her arm. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a tense smile. “Fine, thanks. And thank you for the dance.” She turned and started from the floor. Three steps in, she realized he was right behind her.
“Hold on a minute.” He chuckled nervously. “I was hoping, Sio—Siyo—”
“Sha-von,” she said impatiently.
“Yes, yes. It’s a nice name. What I wanted to ask, Siobhan, is do you think you can pass along my card to your father? I have this great home—”
Siobhan cut him off and ignored the business card in his hand. “Mr....”
“Benson,” he supplied.
“Mr. Benson, if you have a product, idea or anything else, you should speak directly to my father or my brother Brandon.” She pointed them out. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She stalked off without waiting for his reply and headed straight for the balcony.
Once outside, she inhaled deeply and drew in a lungful of the sweet night air. She braced her hands on the railing and tried to rein in her anger. As PR director for Gray Home Safety, it seemed as if every man in attendance at tonight’s gala thought they could sweet-talk their way into the family’s company. Siobhan had been here for only an hour and, so far, four men had approached her. The conversations started pleasantly enough but, within a few minutes, ended the same—with a pitch for the next great thing in home safety. She had heard it all, from stair lifts to heated shower chairs.
She was proud of the company her father had started upon his discharge from the army. While he had returned whole, his best friend had not. Disheartened by the difficulty in getting services and accommodations for the disabled, Nolan Gray decided to do something about it by designing them himself. Her father’s friend, Thaddeus Whitcomb, joined the company as a minor partner soon after. More than two decades later, the small company housed in their garage was now one of the largest in-home safety companies in the country. Her brother Khalil had taken the company to a new level when he designed accessible equipment for the fitness center he opened two years ago.
“Here you are, Siobhan. We wondered where you went.”
Siobhan turned from the rail to find her two best friends. “I bet you did, Cynthia.”
“We saw you dancing. Was he a nice man?” Cynthia Johnson was a die-hard romantic. From the time the three of them became best friends in fourth grade, Cynthia had been planning their happily-ever-afters. Siobhan was the only one who hadn’t found her prince.
“Of course he wasn’t,” Kendra Martin tossed out with a chuckle. “Didn’t you see her face, Cyn?”
“It couldn’t have been that bad.”
Kendra leaned close to Siobhan and wrinkled her nose. “Girl, what kind of perfume is that?”
“I’m not wearing any perfume. It must be what’s left of Mr. Benson’s cologne. I thought I was going to pass out.”
Kendra waved a hand. “That is not cologne. It smells more like toi—”
“Don’t say it,” Cynthia interrupted.
The three women looked at each other and burst out laughing. Siobhan shook her head. “He was the worst of the four men tonight.” She frowned. “I’m tired of men trying to come on to me for the sole purpose of working their way into the family business.” She had already traveled that road and had the remnants of the broken heart to prove it. And she was still trying to rebuild her bank account from the fiasco.
“Well, if you dressed like you were thirty-three, instead of seventy-three, men would be tossing you something more than their business cards,” Kendra said bluntly.
Siobhan stared down at her dress. “What’s wrong with my dress?”
“I think it’s beautiful,” Cynthia said.
Kendra rolled her eyes. “It is a beautiful dress...for my grandmother. For one thing, it’s long sleeved. For another, you’re all buttoned up like a nun. It’s all right to show a little cleavage. And, to be honest, it’s too big.”
Siobhan placed her hand on her hip. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Kendra? I’m not wearing some dress so tight I can barely walk.”
“It doesn’t have to be skintight, but the material should at least do a drive-by on your curves.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a size fourteen, not four.”
“And with your five-eight height, those curves are in all the right places. Hell, if I had any semblance of your shape, you’d better believe I’d be flaunting it.”
“I don’t do this often,” Cynthia started, “but I have to agree with Kendra this time.”
Siobhan sighed heavily. She knew her body was in good shape, toned and tight in all the right places, but had dressed purposely to keep men at a distance.
“Stop letting Arthur ruin your life,” Cynthia added softly.
Siobhan turned back to the rail, not wanting them to see how much Arthur’s deception still affected her. After two years, the mention of his name shouldn’t conjure up all the same hurt and anger, but it did.
Kendra came and stood next to her. “Siobhan, you have so much going for you. You’re intelligent, beautiful and one of the sweetest people I know. Stop hiding. It’s time for you to come out and play again. You were always the outgoing, fun one when we were growing up. Ever since—”
“I’m fine, Kendra. That was a long time ago, and I’m over it.” Siobhan’s two friends viewed her skeptically. “I’m still the same me—fun and outgoing. I just haven’t found anyone to have fun with,” she added wryly, trying to lighten the mood. Though truthfully, she hadn’t been looking for fun. All she wanted was to do her job and make her family proud.
Cynthia, standing on the other side of Siobhan, playfully bumped Siobhan’s shoulder. “You never know—your real Prince Charming could be here tonight and you’re out here sulking.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you two,” Siobhan muttered.
Kendra laughed. “Hey, we’re trying to get a couple of godchildren. Cyn’s baby girl and this one here,” she said, rubbing her baby bump, “need a godsister or brother.”
Siobhan glanced down and smiled. “Somehow, I think I may have to settle for being a godmother.” She was thirty-three years old and, as much as she wanted marriage and children, Siobhan didn’t see herself allowing another man to get close. In fact, she thought it better to officially retire from the game of love altogether.
* * *
“Thanks for the invite.” Justin Cartwright shook his longtime friend’s hand. He and Robert Mitchell had been college roommates and bonded through their mutual love of technology. While Justin had continued to pursue a career in technology, Bobby changed directions to help his ailing grandfather run the family’s winery.
“No problem, man. I figured with all the home-safety companies here tonight, you could get that next idea off the ground. It’s even better than the first one. I can’t tell you how much I love your first one. Those electronic floor sensors are the best I’ve seen on the market. If this next one is as good, you’ll have companies lined up.”
“I appreciate the endorsement, Bobby. Maybe I should have you taking care of marketing,” he added with a chuckle.
“Five years ago, I might’ve taken you up on your offer. Now I actually like the wine business.” Bobby’s gaze shifted to a man approaching then back to Justin. “That’s Charles Hickson. He might be someone you want to talk to.” Bobby had contacts throughout the business world.
Justin nodded and greeted the man in question. He had read up on Hickson’s company, as well as several others. But he was interested in only one company—Gray Home Safety, one of the largest in the country. The floor sensors had done well and afforded him a comfortable lifestyle, but partnering with the Grays would catapult Justin’s new idea to another level and have far-reaching benefits for both parties. He’d researched everything he could find on the company and determined working with them would be his best shot at making his new alert system a household name. “What do you know about Gray Home Safety?”
“The Grays?”
“Yeah. You know them?”
“We met about a year ago. They’re cool people, down-to-earth. At least a couple of his sons and daughters work there. The one brother I met is a sharp businessman. The daughter is a helluva PR director. I’ve never seen anybody handle the media and negative press the way she does. On the personal side, she’s pretty nice but tends to keep people at a distance. Is that the company you’re targeting?”
“Yes. I want the best, and they’re it.”
Bobby smiled. “I can introduce you, if you want.”
“No, thanks. I’m sure I can handle an introduction.” Justin scanned the ballroom again and zeroed in on the beautiful woman on the dance floor. He had spotted her when she arrived earlier and noticed that she carried herself with the regal bearing of a queen. She was tall, wore her hair in a short curly style and had him absolutely mesmerized. He hadn’t been able to keep his concentration on the task at hand for staring at her. His gaze narrowed. That was the third or fourth man he had seen her dancing with. Either she was very popular, or she was somebody big in the safety industry. The latter didn’t bother him because he had only one company in mind. He kept one eye on her while sipping his drink and listening to Bobby. When the song ended, Justin watched as the man followed the woman from the dance floor and handed her what appeared to be a business card. Just as he suspected, the man was trying to pitch his idea. “Excuse me, Bobby. I want to do some mingling. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Bobby nodded. “Good luck. Not that you need it. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. I’m cutting out early. So, I’ll call you later this week.”
The two men parted ways, and Justin headed in the direction he saw her go. Halfway there, a man caught his arm.
“Well, if it isn’t Justin Cartwright. How’ve you been?” he said, grabbing Justin’s hand.
The man pumped Justin’s arm so hard he thought it would fall off. “Just fine, sir.”
He grinned. “I’ve been keeping up with you and hearing some great things about your sensors.”
“Really?” Three years ago, Justin had approached the man about backing his floor sensors and had been all but tossed out of the office. But he had persevered without any backing, and now his floor sensors were among the best available.
“Yes, yes. So, do you have any new products coming to market?”
“Not yet. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to someone. Enjoy your evening.” Not waiting for a reply, he left the man standing there. As much as he wanted to tell the man exactly where he could go, Justin didn’t believe in burning bridges in business. Now it was back to his original mission—the beauty in gold. For a moment, he lost her in the crowd then spotted her exiting to the balcony on the far side of the room. Two other people stopped him before he made it to the balcony.
“If I have to dance with one more scheming stuffed shirt, I swear I’m going to give him a swift kick in the shin with the pointed toe of this shoe. I bet he’ll think twice...” he heard her say as he reached the open door.
Justin went still. He took two steps back, pivoted and headed for the bar. Damn! He had to rethink his strategy. He ordered a Coke, not wanting anything to cloud his thinking. He took the drink out to the opposite balcony and leaned against the rail.
“Now what?” he muttered. Truth be told, he shouldn’t be worried about a woman. He had more pressing things on his plate, like making sure his alert system was perfected and talking with Mr. Gray tonight. He sipped his drink and stared at the grounds below. A slow smile curved his mouth as an idea came to him. He was great at multitasking and wanted only a dance. There would be plenty of time to get that pitch in. Justin downed the remainder of his drink and went back inside.
He greeted and made small talk with several people, all while maneuvering closer to the woman. “Good evening, ladies.” She stood talking with two other women, and seeing her from a distance had not come close to capturing her beauty, especially her eyes. They were a lighter shade of brown and perfectly complemented her golden-brown skin. Soft laughter from one of the women made him realize he was staring like an awestruck teen. Justin quickly gathered himself and stuck out his hand to the first woman, who was still smiling. “I’m Justin Cartwright.”
“Kendra Martin. Nice to meet you, Justin.”
“I’m Cynthia Johnson,” the second woman said, extending her hand.
“Nice to meet you both.” He turned slightly to face the woman he had been studying all night. “And you are?”
“Siobhan. Siobhan Hunter,” she said, shaking his outstretched hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Siobhan,” Justin said, his eyes never leaving hers. The warmth flowing from her touch gave him pause. The slight widening of her eyes and the way she pulled back let him know he wasn’t the only one who felt it. “Are you ladies enjoying yourselves?”
“Yes,” Siobhan and Cynthia chorused.
Kendra angled her head. “Let’s say the night just got more interesting.”
Justin lifted a brow. “Is that right?”
“Definitely.” She hooked her arm with the other woman and led her away. “Come on, Cynthia. We should probably go find our husbands. You know how they get. Nice to meet you, Justin,” she called over her shoulder. “Chat with you later, Siobhan.”
He chuckled. “She’s real subtle, isn’t she?”
“You’ll have to excuse Kendra.”
“No harm done. Since she left us all alone, I say we take advantage of it. I wouldn’t want her efforts to go to waste.”
Siobhan smiled and said softly, “I guess not.”
“Would you like to dance?”
She hesitated briefly then placed her soft hand in his.
Justin led her out to the dance floor, slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body, but was careful enough to leave a respectable space between them. He didn’t want to scare her off, or potentially feel the pointed toe of her shoe in his shin before he had a chance to finish the dance. “So, are you with one of the safety companies?” She turned her face to meet his eyes. In her heels, she stood only a couple of inches shorter than his six-one height.
She stiffened in his embrace. “Yes. Why?”
“I assume since this is a safety awards gala that everyone here is either affiliated with a company or looking to do so. And I was wondering if you enjoyed your job.”
“Let me guess. You have the next greatest safety invention you want to pitch,” she said almost accusingly.
Remembering the look on her face when the last man handed her his card, he said, “Actually, I just want to dance with you. Have we met before? You seem familiar—”
Siobhan viewed him skeptically. “Really?” She stepped out of his arms, held out her hand and said curtly, “How about we skip to the part where you hand me your business card and stop wasting my time?”
A no-nonsense sister. Justin reclaimed the distance and pulled her back into his embrace. “I don’t have a business card to give you.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He had several in his breast pocket, but, since he had finagled an invite to this shindig only to meet someone from Gray Home Safety, which she wasn’t part of, he didn’t want to pull one out and ruin his chances.
She stared at him for several seconds then relaxed in his arms. “So, Justin, are you in the home-safety business?”
“I have a couple of products on the market,” he answered carefully. He felt her body stiffen again and added quickly, “And I like working for myself.” They continued swaying to the slow jazz tune without conversing. Someone bumped Siobhan, pushing her closer to him, and he groaned inwardly. Her voluptuous body molded to his, and it took every inch of his control not to take advantage. His hands wanted nothing more than to tour each curve and conduct his own private touch test.
Easing back a fraction, Justin hit the brakes on his runaway thoughts. He needed to remember the plan—a dance, then find Mr. Gray. And that plan didn’t include fantasies of exploring a more personal relationship with Siobhan Hunter.
Now, if he could just get his body to go along...
Chapter 2 (#ulink_8d11b2a1-86df-5c32-b1c4-a31ef6d4e07c)
Siobhan didn’t want to be affected by the handsome man she danced with. But every time she tried to put some space between them, someone on the crowded dance floor bumped her, forcing their bodies closer together. Unlike her previous dance partner’s offensive cologne, Justin’s scent was more like an aphrodisiac. She had a hard time not staring at his clean-shaven mahogany-brown face with eyes to match, and he had a deep baritone voice that made her body tingle in places long forgotten. Places she had purposely closed off. Justin Cartwright. He said she seemed familiar, and she searched her memory banks, but couldn’t recall ever hearing his name. Then again, there was no way she would forget a man like him.
While dancing, she attempted to figure out his angle. Sure, he said he wanted only to dance, but so did the other half-dozen men who approached her tonight, then changed their tune as soon as, or not long after, the song ended, which was why she had given him her mother’s maiden name instead of her family name.
“You never answered my question.”
Siobhan’s brows knit in confusion. “I’m sorry—what did you ask?”
Justin chuckled. “I asked how you liked your job, but we got a little sidetracked when you nearly ripped my head off.”
“Sorry about that,” she said contritely. “I love a challenge and my job provides that.”
“Sounds intriguing, but don’t the challenges become a hassle day in and day out?”
“Every day isn’t like that. Most times my day is stacked with meetings, working on press releases and fielding phone calls. And, as the oldest of five, putting out fires is second nature,” she added wryly.
“I can imagine.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Two younger sisters. Something we have in common—being the oldest...and putting out fires.”
Siobhan laughed.
“Maybe we can swap stories over coffee or dinner.”
Her laughter faded. “Um, I don’t have time to date.”
“Why not? You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure there are men lined up waiting to take you out.”
She laughed him off. But in reality, over the past two years, the only men who seemed remotely interested in her had ulterior motives. “I think the song is over.” Actually, they had danced through at least three. “Thank you for the dance, Justin.” She turned to walk away, and he caught her hand.
“May I buy you a drink?”
“No, thank you. Have a good evening.” She wove her way through the crowd of people who flooded the dance floor in response to the sounds of a popular tune now playing. Siobhan exited the ballroom and ducked into the nearest bathroom. Her heart raced, and her hands shook.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Obviously, the loose-fitting dress she had deliberately chosen to keep men at bay hadn’t deterred Justin. All while they danced, his gaze never left hers. At one point, he stared at her as if she were his favorite dessert, and for a moment, she allowed the thought to play around in her mind. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she fanned herself in an effort to cool off. Where in the world had that thought come from? Siobhan smoothed down the front of her gown, took a deep breath and left the bathroom. Rounding the corner, she hit a solid mass. Strong arms steadied her.
“Are you okay, Siobhan?” Justin asked, still holding her.
“Yes. Fine. Sorry—I wasn’t watching where I was going. Thanks for the save. I need to speak to my friends before they leave.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll walk you over.”
“Huh? Oh, you don’t need to do that. I’m sure there are some other people who you probably want to talk to about your products.”
A lazy grin curved his mouth. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
Yes! “No, nothing like that. I—”
“Glad to hear it.” He extended his arm.
Sighing inwardly, Siobhan hooked her arm in his and let him escort her back to the ballroom and over to her two friends and their husbands. She made introductions, and the men struck up a conversation.
Kendra pulled Siobhan to the side. “Girl, you’d better snap up all that fine dark chocolate before some other woman does.”
Cynthia giggled and nodded her head enthusiastically. “I agree. You two looked so good dancing together.”
“I see some gorgeous godchildren in my future,” Kendra added.
Siobhan snapped her head around. “Wait—what? Hold up a minute. Nobody’s having anybody’s babies,” she whispered tersely.
“Siobhan?” Justin touched her arm.
Glaring at Kendra once more, she turned. “Yes, Justin,” she said pleasantly.
“I need to talk to someone real quick. Will you save me one more dance?”
As much as she wanted to tell him no, with everyone staring at her, she couldn’t. “Sure.”
He clasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”
His heated gaze caused Siobhan’s breath to stall in her lungs. He smiled then sauntered off with the sexiest walk she had ever seen on a man. She didn’t realize she had been holding her breath until Cynthia’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“Girl,” she said slowly, “do not let that man get away. I don’t care if he’s pitching an idea or not.”
“Amen, sister. Amen,” Kendra said, shaking her head. “He looks like a man who could curl your toes in the bedroom.”
Siobhan’s gaze followed Justin until he disappeared in the crowd. She could still feel the tingling in her palm and rubbed her other hand over the spot, hoping to erase the feeling. “The only thing he’s getting is that one dance. Nothing more.”
True to his word, Justin returned a while later for the dance. Siobhan steeled herself against the unwanted sensations that coursed through her when he wrapped his arm around her waist and moved his body close to hers. She silently prayed for the song to end, although this time for a different reason. Everything about this man turned her on, and she didn’t want to be turned on. Before the last note faded away, she backed out of his arms. “I think I’m going to call it a night. It was very nice to meet you, Justin.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Without waiting for her response, Justin entwined their fingers and led her out and toward the front of the hotel. “Did you valet park?”
“Yes.” She tried to disengage their hands, but he tightened his grip and kept walking. “Justin, you really don’t have to walk me out.”
A sexy grin tipped the corners of Justin’s mouth. “If I don’t walk you out, I can’t persuade you to meet me for coffee tomorrow.”
“I told you already that I’m busy and don’t have time to date.”
“True, but I’m not asking you out on a date. Think of it as two people with a similar past hanging out and sharing stories. Do you have your ticket?” he asked as they pushed through the front door.
He released her hand. Siobhan reached in her purse for the ticket and handed it to the valet.
“Do you live in the area?”
“Not too far away. Why?”
Justin pulled a card and pen from his pocket, wrote something on the back and handed it to her. “This is the address of a nearby coffee shop. Since you’re local, it shouldn’t be too far for you. I’d love it if you met me there tomorrow morning. Is eleven a good time?”
She stared at the card for several seconds then took it. “No promises.”
“Ma’am, your car,” the valet said.
“Thank you.” Facing Justin, she said, “Good night.”
“Good night, Siobhan. I’ve enjoyed your company tonight.”
He squeezed her hand again, this time rubbing his thumb in small circles on her palm. She almost melted in a heap on the concrete. She hurried around to the driver’s side of her car and slid in behind the wheel. She could still see him standing there as she pulled off. There was no way she planned to be at that coffee shop in the morning. Justin Cartwright was a temptation she couldn’t afford.
* * *
Justin waited until the taillights of Siobhan’s Lexus SUV disappeared before going back inside. He searched the ballroom for Mr. Gray or his partner Mr. Whitcomb but didn’t see either man. Making some discreet inquiries, he located both men standing in a group. As soon as there was a break in the conversation and the small gathering dispersed, Justin headed over.
“Good evening, Mr. Gray.” Justin extended his hand.
Mr. Gray shook Justin’s hand. “Good evening, young man. Have we met?”
“No, sir. My name is Justin Cartwright, and I was hoping to talk to you about an in-home alert system I’m working on.”
“Well, I’m always looking for something new and exciting, but aren’t there a couple on the market already?”
“Yes, but neither of those systems are able to sense body temperature, and mine can.” Well, it would when he could figure out how to make it work properly. He was still having some trouble with it distinguishing from the room temperature.
Mr. Gray’s eyebrow lifted a fraction. “Is that right?” He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a card and handed it to Justin. “Why don’t you call my secretary next week and she’ll put you on my calendar. I’m looking forward to hearing about this system.”
Justin accepted the card. “Thank you, sir. I’m looking forward to it, as well. I won’t take up any more of your time. Have a good evening.” He waited until Mr. Gray walked away before going in the other direction. On the outside, Justin maintained a cool facade, but inside he was cheering.
Since there was no one else he wanted to talk to, Justin kept going until he reached the exit. He thought about Siobhan. With any luck, she would be at the coffee shop in the morning.
* * *
Lying in bed later, Justin’s mind drifted back to Siobhan—her eyes, incredible lips and generous curves. He was especially captivated by her directness. It probably warned most men off, but had the exact opposite effect on him. A woman hadn’t caught his attention in a while, but the no-nonsense businesswoman had made a deep impression upon him.
The last long-term relationship he had been in ended a year ago. He had been content with the date nights, good sex and casual conversation, but his ex wanted more than he was prepared to give—marriage and a family—so they parted ways. His focus had been solely on making his product the best on the market, especially after his grandfather died in a home accident that could have been prevented had someone found him sooner.
Justin felt partially responsible because he hadn’t been as focused on his work and put the alert system he was designing on the back burner. He had dated multiple women since then, but none lasted beyond a few dates. He was careful not to give any woman the notion he wanted anything permanent. Maybe he would be ready to settle down in a few years. For now, he had one goal: partnering with Gray Home Safety and making sure no one else suffered the same loss.
By morning, he lay awake in bed still thinking about Siobhan and wondering whether she would show up at the coffee shop later. Justin tossed the covers back, dressed and went out for his morning run. He tried to get in at least three miles four times a week. The run helped clear his thoughts and gave him the opportunity to sort out, in his mind, any kinks in whatever program he was working on. This morning, however, Siobhan Gray crowded the space in his brain. He started with a slow jog until he reached the nearby park trail then increased his pace.
One of the things he liked about living in LA was the weather. The cloudless, early-spring morning was warm enough that he didn’t need to wear a jacket. His feet pounded the paved trail in a steady rhythm as he mentally went over the changes he wanted to make in his program to track movement in the home. He was having trouble with one of the sensors and couldn’t figure out why it stopped working after a certain amount of time. Since he renewed his focus on the project nine months ago, Justin had seen similar products hit the market, but he’d worked to make sure his had an added feature not available on the current models.
Clearing the shaded area, he slowed to a jog and cut across the park back toward his house. Once there, he grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, downed the contents and went upstairs to shower. He wanted to get to the shop a few minutes before eleven.
His cell rang as he was leaving.
“What’s up, Justin?” Bobby said when Justin answered.
“Hey.”
“I wanted to find out if you had a chance to talk to Mr. Gray about your project.”
“No. We didn’t get a chance to discuss it.”
“Oh. I thought for sure you’d have it locked up by now. What happened?”
“I only had a chance to introduce myself.” He decided not to tell his friend that he had got sidetracked.
“I know I have his number somewhere. I can call and set up a meeting if you want.”
“No, that’s okay,” Justin said hastily. “Mr. Gray gave me his card, and I plan to call first thing tomorrow morning.” The last thing he needed was Bobby’s interference. His friend meant well, but Justin wanted to do this on his own. “I’m on my way out, so I gotta go.”
“All right. I have to fly up to the Bay Area to check on the winery and my grandfather. I’ll probably be gone for about six weeks. Let me know if you change your mind.”
“Don’t worry about me. You know I have no problems going after what I want. Just save me a bottle of your best wine for the celebration.”
“Will do. Later.”
He disconnected and pocketed the phone. Hopefully, he would have something to celebrate by the time Bobby returned.
Justin arrived ten minutes before the hour and snagged a table that gave him a good view of the door. He told the server he was waiting for someone and trained his eyes on the entrance. Five after eleven and no sign of Siobhan.
Had he overplayed his hand? He thought for sure, with the chemistry brewing between them, she would show up. He drummed his fingers on the table and took another glance at his watch. The server came back to the table and told him he couldn’t hold up a table without ordering. “Ten minutes,” he told her.
Disappointment filled him when she hadn’t arrived by eleven fifteen. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to see her again. Dropping his head in his hands, he contemplated his next move. Whatever the case, he had to vacate the booth. When he arrived he had been starving, but his appetite had waned considerably. Justin slid out of the booth and came to his feet. He took one step and froze. Siobhan came through the door and searched until their gazes locked. His heart rate accelerated, and he smiled. Somehow his excitement went well beyond a casual encounter. His gaze lingered on her face then slowly drifted down. Unlike the loose-fitting gown she wore the previous night, today she had on a short-sleeved fitted T and jeans that hugged her curves. A rush of desire hit him hard and fast.
Siobhan hurried over. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I was talking to my sister and lost track of time.”
He bent slightly to kiss her cheek. “No, no. It’s all right. I’m just glad you came.” He gestured for her to sit and slid back in across from her. “I didn’t think you would.”
Looking him directly in the eye, she said, “I hadn’t planned to. I decided at the last minute.”
He had never met a woman so straightforward and who had no problems expressing her opinions. “What made you change your mind?”
She angled her head. “Truthfully, I don’t know,” she said.
The hesitancy he heard in her voice was a stark contrast to the confidence in her earlier statement. He reached for her hand. “Like I said, I’m glad you came.”
The server approached. “I guess you were waiting for someone after all,” she mumbled. “What can I get you?” she asked Siobhan.
“A cup of chamomile tea with honey, please.”
“And you, sir?”
“Coffee and wheat toast, please.” He glanced over at Siobhan when the young lady walked away. “You sure you don’t want anything to eat, Siobhan?”
“No. The tea is fine. We’re having Sunday dinner at my parents’ house this afternoon, and my mom always cooks a feast.”
“Do you eat at your parents’ house every week?”
“No, but we usually get together about once every month or so. My mom is big on family.”
“So is mine, but since my parents live outside of Las Vegas, they’re not as easy to visit.”
She propped her head on her hands and smiled. “Vegas, huh? I haven’t been there in a long while. Need to go again sometime soon.”
Her eyes sparkled, and those beautiful gloss-slicked lips curved into a sexy smile. His first thought was booking a flight for two to Las Vegas as soon as he got home.
He was in trouble. Big trouble.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_2320b287-8bfd-5e26-9087-72ba70cf5313)
Despite her calm demeanor, Siobhan’s stomach was in knots. True, her mother would prepare a feast, but she had ordered the tea because she didn’t think anything else would stay down. She had no problems standing in front of the media giving a press conference and had stared down her fiercest competitors. But sitting here with Justin, she felt out of her element. It had taken her until an hour ago to make up her mind to meet him today. Partly because she was curious about his background, and partly because she just wanted to see him again.
The server set a cup of tea and a plate with honey and lemon in front of her, then coffee and toast in front of Justin.
“Usually, men eat more than toast and coffee,” Siobhan said after the server departed.
“You’re right, but I went for a run earlier and my appetite hasn’t quite returned yet.”
When they had danced the night before, she’d felt his hard body against hers. The cut of his expensive suit had done nothing to disguise his muscular build. Today he wore a black T-shirt that fit nicely against his well-defined chest, and she was having a hard time keeping her eyes off his bulging biceps that flexed with every movement as he spread jelly on his toast.
Justin chuckled. “Believe me, in a couple of hours, I’ll be hungry enough to eat a horse.”
She laughed. “You remind me of my brothers.”
“Speaking of brothers, you mentioned being the oldest of five.”
“Yes. I have three brothers and one sister.”
“Do they all live in the city?”
Siobhan added honey and lemon to her tea then took a sip. She nodded. “Yes. My brother Brandon is one year younger than me, but sometimes acts like he’s the oldest. My brother Khalil is three years younger, and the twins, Malcolm and Morgan, six years.”
“Wow, you have a big family.”
“What about your family? You mentioned having two sisters.”
He finished chewing before speaking. “There’s a nine-year age difference between me and my sister Yvonne, and thirteen between me and Jocelyn. Yvonne is a forensic scientist, and Jocelyn is a junior in college majoring in electrical engineering.”
“Wow. That’s a huge age gap.”
“Tell me about it,” he said, shaking his head. “I wasn’t too happy about having to share my parents after such a long time, but I love my sisters more than anything now...though they drove me absolutely crazy when they were little.”
Siobhan laughed. “I can imagine. My brothers used to torment me every time my parents’ backs were turned. From cutting my dolls’ hair to mixing my makeup, I wanted to kill them all day, every day.”
Justin laughed. “Ha! I had it just as bad. Yvonne used to change the time on the microwave whenever I heated up something. If I put it on two minutes, she’d change it to ten minutes. I’m surprised I still have any taste buds left after having burned them off so many times. And Jocelyn would always tamper with whatever electronic device I was building. Once, she rerouted the wires on a remote-controlled car I was working on. I almost burned my room down when I turned the damned thing on,” he muttered.
Siobhan laughed so hard she sputtered and choked on her tea. She grabbed a napkin, wiped away the tears and fanned herself. “Your sisters are a mess.”
Justin shook his head. “And don’t get me started on dating.”
“Oh, my goodness! Yes. They used to scare my dates so bad, those boys wouldn’t give me a second look.”
“How about inviting three girls over at the same time?”
Her mouth fell open. “I sure would’ve loved to see how you got out of that one.”
“It wasn’t easy. I couldn’t get a date for six months after that little stunt.”
They continued to laugh and swap stories over second and third cups of coffee and tea. Siobhan enjoyed every moment. When she finally glanced at her watch, three hours had passed. “I didn’t realize how late it is. I’m supposed to be at my parents’ house right now.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you late.” He leaned forward and flashed that sexy smile. “But I have to tell you, this is the best non-date I’ve ever had.”
The timbre of his voice and the intensity of his gaze made her pulse race. “I...I had a good time, too.” She opened her purse and pulled out a few bills.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Justin asked, staring at her as if she had lost her mind. “Siobhan, please put your money away. My invite, my dime.”
She didn’t want to owe any man or find strings attached to an invitation, so she always made it a practice to pay her own way, even for a three-dollar cup of tea. But Justin stared her down until she put the money back in her purse. “Thanks. I’d better go.”
He was up and around to her side of the booth with his hand extended before she took her next breath. Recalling the warm feelings his touch stirred in her last night, she hesitated briefly before placing her hand in his. He gently helped Siobhan to her feet and tugged her close to him. For a moment she thought he might kiss her... She wanted him to kiss her.
Finally he backed away and murmured, “Let me pay for this and I’ll walk you to your car.” Justin gestured for her to lead the way to the counter.
She walked ahead of him on shaky legs, feeling the heat of his gaze on her. After paying, Justin reached for her hand again and pushed through the doors. They stopped next to her car.
“Nice ride,” he said.
“Thanks. I like it,” she said of the Lexus SUV. “I wanted a little luxury, but it had to be safe and functional, as well.” They fell silent for a moment.
“Well, I guess I should let you go. Siobhan, I know you said you don’t have time to date, but I’d really like to see you again. We can even come back here again, if you like.”
“Justin, I—”
He moved his body flush against hers. “Please don’t say no.”
The contact made her pulse leap. She opened her mouth to tell him she couldn’t see him, and his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her gently, unhurriedly, bringing his hands up to frame her face, holding her in place. A slow burn started in her belly and flared out to the other parts of her body, causing her to tremble. Siobhan moaned.
Justin eased back and whispered against her lips, “Say you’ll go out with me.” He gifted her with one last kiss and stepped back.
Still trying to get her breathing under control, she said, “Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely.” He whipped out his cell. “Give me your number and I’ll call you this week.”
She recited the numbers then pressed the remote to unlock her doors. He reached around her and opened the door.
After she was seated behind the wheel, he leaned in and kissed her again. “Drive safely, and enjoy your dinner.”
Siobhan managed to nod. She started the car with a shaky hand and backed out of the spot. Justin smiled and threw up a wave as she passed. She waved back and wondered what she was getting herself into.
* * *
For the second day in a row, Justin watched Siobhan drive away. He raked a hand down his face. He wasn’t supposed to kiss her, only engage her in friendly conversation. He certainly hadn’t planned to ask her out again. He walked to where his car was parked an aisle over, got in and leaned against the headrest. Her full, sexy lips were softer than he’d anticipated, and he could still taste the sweet flavor of honey from the kiss they’d shared. When she had scooped out the bit of honey left in the package with her finger and sucked it off, he almost came out of his seat. Justin had wanted to smear honey all over her and lick off every drop. If he ever got her to his house...
He shook the thought away. No honey and no more kisses. He needed to focus on the goal and not get distracted. Except he had just asked her out on a date. He groaned. What was he doing? Okay, maybe dinner, nice conversation and sharing more childhood stories. Nothing more. He could do that. He had never allowed a woman to stand in the way of his dreams, and he wouldn’t now. Feeling confident he could pull it off, Justin started the engine and drove home.
Once there, he went directly to his home office, booted up the computer and worked on his in-home safety sensor program. An hour later he placed sensors in his living room and used his cell to test whether it would distinguish between heights.
“Yes!”
Now that he had solved that problem, he had only a couple more additions he wanted to make. He was close to having a system that would outperform his competitors. And if it hit the market in a big way...
Excitement raced through his veins. Justin’s stomach rumbled. The toast and coffee was long gone. He removed the sensors, shut down the computer and padded to the kitchen to find something to eat.
After finishing his meal, he tried to concentrate on the basketball game he was watching, but thoughts of Siobhan continued to play in his mind. Although she laughed and talked, she seemed somewhat guarded, even a little tense at times. He had fully expected her to bolt after the first few minutes and was surprised but pleased she stayed as long as she had. Sitting here now, he realized Siobhan had revealed very little about herself, preferring to keep the subject focused on her family and him. He chuckled thinking back on some of the stories they’d shared, especially the ones about dating, and wondered if her brothers still ran interference. Not that he should care one way or the other. Dating Siobhan Hunter did not fall under the scope of his mission. Yet something about her made him want to peel back the layers to find out what lay beneath her prim exterior.
Justin glanced over at his cell and debated whether to call her. Was she still having dinner with family, or had she gone home to an empty house like him? Several minutes passed, and then he picked up the phone. It buzzed in his hand immediately.
“Hey, Joce. What’s up? Your ears must have been burning.”
“Hey, Justin. You were talking about me, huh? Hopefully it was to some cute guy.”
He snorted. “In your dreams, Short Stack,” he said, using the nickname he had given her when she was five.
“Hey, I may be short, but I’ve got my assets in all the right places,” Jocelyn retorted.
Justin frowned. “I don’t want to hear about your assets, and there’d better not be anybody else looking at them, either,” he gritted out.
She laughed. “Oh, lighten up, big brother. I’m too busy right now to deal with guys. So, who were you telling about me?”
“I was sharing with a friend some of the pranks you and Yvonne used to pull. Turns out she had siblings who did her the same way.”
“Did you say she? I haven’t heard you talk about a woman in ages. Ooh, wait till I tell Yvonne.”
“Slow your roll, girl. It’s not like that. Anyway, I know you’re not calling to get in my business, so what’s on your mind?”
“We’re working on a project in my engineering class, and I need your help.”
“What kind of project?”
“Designing an intruder detection system. I’m having trouble with it differentiating between humans and pets. Right now it goes off anytime there’s movement.”
“Inside, outside or both?”
“Inside. It should work in any enclosed environment.”
“Did you build in filters to minimize false positives and negatives?”
“I thought I did,” she grumbled. “So, can you help?”
He really wanted to call Siobhan, but it would have to wait. He rose to his feet and walked to his office. “Yeah. Send me what you have and we’ll work on it.”
“Thanks, Justin! I’m going to put you on speaker so Alana and Francesca can hear.”
“Who?”
“My partners. Those guys aren’t going to know what hit them when we unveil this project,” Jocelyn added with a giggle.
Justin shook his head and clicked on the email his sister had sent. He plugged in the cell, figuring the battery would be close to dead by the time the call ended if he didn’t. He scanned the document. “All right. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
They went back and forth, and he talked them through a series of steps. He asked them several questions and was impressed by the wealth of knowledge all three young women possessed. Instead of using sensors, which an intruder could step over or avoid, they had chosen to use a camera and create a system with image processing. Later, Jocelyn assured him they could handle things, thanked him and hung up with a promise to let him know how the final project turned out.
He checked the time—five o’clock. Knowing he shouldn’t, but unable to resist, Justin dialed Siobhan.
“Hello,” came the tentative greeting when she answered.
“Siobhan, it’s Justin.”
“Oh. Hey.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“We just finished cooking dinner and are about to take everything to the table.”
“I’m sorry. I figured you’d be done with dinner.”
“It’s no problem. I usually come early to help with the cooking,” Siobhan answered. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Yes. No.” Justin felt like a sixteen-year-old again, calling a girl for the first time. What was wrong with him? “I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your company today, and I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance to take you out on a real date.”
Her soft laughter came through the line. “You’re persistent, if nothing else.”
He hadn’t got this far in life without being tenacious, particularly when it came to pursuing his goals. “Only when necessary.”
“I did say I’d think about it, but stalking me isn’t going to win you any prizes or dates.”
He chuckled. “Okay, so no stalking. Got it. What about kisses? Siobhan!” he called when she didn’t answer.
“I’m here.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“My kisses. Will they win me any prizes or a date?”
“I have to go, Justin.”
“You’re not going to answer my question?”
“No, I am not,” she whispered. “Goodbye.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Justin drummed his fingers on the desk. He had no idea what possessed him to flirt with her that way. His common sense seemed to take a hike each time he heard her voice. Canceling the date would be the best thing, but he didn’t see that happening, either.
Chapter 4 (#ulink_d7c7be54-1b66-583b-b229-b1fc28076270)
Siobhan clutched the phone to her chest and drew in a deep, steadying breath. Hearing Justin’s smooth-as-velvet voice brought back everything his kisses made her feel with vivid clarity—feelings she had spent the past three hours trying to forget. Why hadn’t she declined that second date?
“Siobhan, are you planning to bring that mac and cheese to the table sometime today, or are you going to stand there daydreaming?”
She whirled around at the sound of her mother’s voice and shoved the cell into her jeans pocket. “I’m coming right now.” She grabbed the dish and rushed off to the dining room.
“Is everything all right, honey?” her mother asked, following behind Siobhan and placing a platter filled with sliced prime rib, turkey and ham on the table. “You looked a little troubled after that phone call.”
She shifted uncomfortably under her mother’s scrutiny. “I’m fine. Just talking to a friend.” She glanced back at the table laden with all manner of food. “I think that’s about it. I’ll go let everybody know.”
Lively chatter commenced as her family gathered around the table. There was a brief pause in the conversation while her father blessed the food, and then it started up again as everyone filled his or her plate.
“Siobhan, that’s all you’re eating?” Siobhan’s only sister, Morgan, asked. “Usually, three-fourths of your plate is covered with macaroni and cheese.”
Siobhan glanced down at her half-empty plate. Macaroni and cheese was her absolute favorite food, but thoughts of Justin still had her stomach in knots. “I’m just not that hungry.”
“Did you eat with your friend earlier?” her mother asked.
Brandon turned her way. “What friend?”
Siobhan rolled her eyes. “I just met a friend for coffee.”
“It wouldn’t happen to be one of the men I saw you dancing with last night?”
“Really, Brandon? All those men wanted to pitch their latest product. I don’t know why they didn’t just talk to you or Daddy.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Dad’s a little intimidating, and you’re way prettier than Brandon,” Khalil said with a chuckle.
“Whatever,” she said.
“Does that include the guy you danced with twice and who walked you out?” Brandon asked mildly after taking a sip of his tea.
She leveled him with an angry stare. “I can’t believe you. What, were you following me or something?”
“Just answer the question.”
“None of your business,” Siobhan snapped.
“Brandon, leave your sister alone,” her mother interrupted. “Was he a nice young man, Siobhan?”
Siobhan groaned inwardly. DeAnna Gray was on a mission to see all of her children happily married, and with Siobhan being the oldest, her mother thought she should set the example. Siobhan shrugged. “He was nice enough, but as I said, they all just really wanted an in to the company.”
“You know, there was this one young man I met last night,” her father started. “He had a great idea. I told him to call the office and get on my schedule.”
“Did you recognize him, Dad?” Brandon asked.
“No. He said his name was—”
Her mother held up her hand. “All right, all right. That’s enough. There will be no business talk at the dinner table.” The rule had been in place as far back as Siobhan could remember.
Her father nodded. “You’re right, Anna.”
The conversation shifted to Malcolm’s upcoming vacation. He usually took a monthlong retreat in the spring before he had to start football training camp in late summer. “I’m looking forward to getting away for a while. And I’ve never been to Belize, so it should be fun.”
“Too bad we’re getting ready for the new product release. I’d really like to go with you,” Siobhan said.
“Me, too,” Morgan added. “I haven’t had time to even think about a vacation.” Morgan worked in the company’s legal department, joining right out of law school two years ago.
Malcolm smiled. “Vonnie, I’m sure Dad wouldn’t mind giving you two a few days off. Brandon, on the other hand...” He shook his head.
Everyone burst into laughter. Siobhan put in hours well above what was considered normal, but Brandon was a true workaholic.
Brandon waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever, boy. At least I have a real job, instead of running down a field with a ball and working less than half a year. And I take plenty of time to play.”
The usual argument ensued about who worked harder, drawing Khalil, a former model turned fitness buff, into the discussion. Siobhan and Morgan shared a smile, shook their heads and resumed eating.
Later, while putting food away, Morgan asked, “So, you met a guy at the fund-raiser last night?”
“I met several. One was older than Grandpa, two were trying so hard to impress me that they stuttered and babbled like idiots, and one had bathed in some foul-smelling concoction that was supposed to be cologne, and it was all I could do not to pass out. They all tried to ask me out and pitch their idea in one breath. Lately, those are the only men I seem to attract.”
Morgan laughed. “Sounds like you had a fun night. I’m glad I didn’t go. Which one was the guy Brandon mentioned? The one you danced with twice and walked you out. What was his angle?”
“Neither. Actually, Justin and I just danced.” She spooned the remaining potato salad into the container and put on the lid. “I met him at a café downtown this morning.”
“Ah. So that’s why you rushed me off the phone. How’d it go?”
Siobhan shrugged. “Okay, I guess. He asked me out again, but I don’t know.”
“Was he a nice guy?”
“Yeah. He seems nice enough, so far.” She recalled the three hours they spent talking and laughing. She couldn’t remember the last time she had spent so much time simply sitting and talking with a man. And enjoying it.
“If he’s nice, go for it. You deserve someone better than Arthur.” Morgan wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something bad. “I couldn’t stand him. I wish you had let the brothers kick his butt like they wanted to. He had it coming after what he did to you. Did you ever get your money back?”
Siobhan cringed at the mention of her ex. “Only some of it. He had already invested five thousand in the scam that went belly-up, and he wasted the rest. Getting my money back would’ve meant filing a suit, a public battle and more people in my business. I just wanted it all to go away.” It had taken her two years of dedication to grow her savings account again.
Morgan placed stacked containers into bags for each of them—her mother insisted—and the others into the refrigerator. “Well, hopefully Justin doesn’t turn out to be a jerk. I assume since he was at the banquet last night that he’s in the safety business.”
“He said he has a couple of products on the market, but we didn’t really talk about it. We talked mostly about growing up with annoying siblings.”
“Hey!” Morgan said with mock outrage. “I was not annoying.”
Siobhan laughed. “Not too often. And you were my only ally against the boys.”
“Tell me about it.”
Malcolm came into the kitchen. “Uh-oh. What are you two in here plotting?”
“Nothing, big head,” Morgan said and handed him a bag.
“Thanks. You ready to leave?”
“Yep.”
Siobhan shook her head. “You rode with him on that motorcycle?”
Morgan grinned. “But of course. You should try it.”
“No, thanks. I prefer having a little more metal surrounding me.”
Malcolm kissed Siobhan’s cheek. “It’s fun, and I’m a safe driver. Whenever you want to ride, let me know. I’ll go extra slow.”
“I’ll pass.” Siobhan and Morgan hugged. “Be safe, you two.”
“We will,” they chorused.
She smiled at the twins as they exited. Morgan had always been a daredevil, just like her twin, and thought she should be able to do anything Malcolm did, including playing football. Good thing it wasn’t allowed in the NFL; otherwise Morgan might give him a run for his money. Siobhan finished up in the kitchen, said her goodbyes and headed home.
She put in a couple of hours of work before going to bed, and she was up and in the office by six thirty the next morning working on the press kit for the new pressure-distribution mattress the company would be unveiling in two weeks. The test subjects had raved over the comfort, usability and ease of care as compared to other same type of mattresses, and the marketing team had done a great job generating public interest.
Siobhan spoke with the production manager to make sure the mattress would be ready as scheduled, checked with the marketing manager for copies of the new brochure and the website designer to make sure it had been updated. At nine, she made her way one floor down to the conference room for the weekly staff meeting. She greeted those already seated, placed her folders on the table and went to get a cup of coffee. Siobhan didn’t drink coffee often, but since they had purchased a Keurig Brewing System, she allowed herself one cup of Mocha Swirl each week.
Minutes later, her father called the meeting to order. Siobhan listened to the announcements and updates. She nearly jumped out of her skin when her cell buzzed in the pocket of her suit jacket. In her haste to get to the meeting, she had forgotten to put it on Silent. She pulled it out and her hand froze midswipe. She knew she should just turn it off until the meeting concluded, but seeing the text from Justin piqued her curiosity, and she clicked on the message.
When I woke up this morning, you were the first thing on my mind. I hope you’re thinking about me, too. I’ll call you later to discuss our first date. I can’t wait to see you again.
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the excitement that raced through her. The last thing she needed was to let a simple text message get under her skin.
“Siobhan?”
Her father’s voice broke into her thoughts, and her eyes snapped open. The woman next to her whispered that it was Siobhan’s turn to give an update. Siobhan pulled herself together and presented her information, but for the remainder of the meeting she couldn’t keep her mind off Justin. After the meeting, Brandon cornered her.
“You okay, sis?”
“Fine. Just focused on making sure we’re ready to go public with the new mattress.”
He nodded. “I heard you’ve been here from early morning to late at night. You need to delegate.”
“No. This is my job and I’m not going to let Daddy down.” One of her greatest fears had always been disappointing her parents. As the oldest, Siobhan felt it was her responsibility to set the example. Her stomach constricted with the memory of the one time she’d slipped.
“Delegating isn’t letting Dad down. It’s keeping your sanity. Take it from me. I know.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Stop trying to do it all. I’ll see you later.”
She watched him go, then gathered up her belongings.
“Mr. Cohen never had to be called twice in a meeting.”
Siobhan slowly turned to face Gordon Samuels. The fortysomething-year-old man worked in her department and made it no secret that he didn’t think Siobhan could handle the PR director position. He had voiced on several occasions all the reasons he should have been appointed to the position when Mr. Cohen retired a year ago, including the fact that he had worked for the company three years longer than Siobhan. She took in the rumpled suit that looked as if it had been slept in, the crooked tie that didn’t match anything he had on and the grease stain on the front of his white shirt. She wanted to stand him in front of a mirror. While Gordon came up with some good ideas, there was no way she’d ever allow him to be the face of her family’s company. Image was everything, and his... She shook her head.
“Is there something you want to say to me?” Siobhan asked.
“The only reason you’re in this position is because your father owns the company. That job should’ve been mine,” he gritted out.
“Whatever you say, Gordon.” Rather than stoop to his level, she just shook her head and walked out. She had more pressing things to deal with, like finding a way to decline that date with Justin. With Gordon gunning for her job, she had to stay on her toes. And that meant not being distracted by the mahogany Adonis.
* * *
Justin poured a second cup of coffee, hoping it would give him the jolt he needed, and took it outside to sip while sitting on the back deck. He’d lain awake for most of the night thinking about Siobhan and how much he wanted to kiss her again. Even his morning run had done nothing to clear his mind. He had sent her a text, but she hadn’t replied. Not that he thought she would.
Even though she had seemed to enjoy their time together, she kept the ironclad control wrapped around her like a protective armor. Did she ever let her guard down enough to have some fun? And what would she be like if she let go? Downing the last of the liquid, he stood and went back inside to call Gray Home Safety. With any luck, he’d be able to get on the schedule by the end of the week. Justin retrieved the card from his office desk and punched in the number. Minutes later, he hung up, disappointed. The earliest appointment wasn’t for three weeks. In a way, it was a good thing since he still had a few things that he needed to work on. Now that the fog surrounding his brain had lifted, he went to work.
Justin’s focus held for the first hour, but thoughts of Siobhan slowly crept into the forefront of his mind. She had probably started her workday, and if her job was as hectic as she said, he didn’t expect to hear from her anytime soon. Pushing the speculations aside, he shifted back into work mode, alternating between typing codes and testing the sensors. By the time he looked up again, more than three hours had passed. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. He had been staring at the computer screen for so long the letters and numbers started to blur. Justin rubbed a hand across his forehead and rose to his feet. His cell rang in midstretch. A smile creased his face when he saw Siobhan’s name on the screen.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Hunter.”
There was a slight pause before she said, “Good afternoon, Justin.”
“Did you get my text?”
“Yes, but it’s been a busy day, so I’m just able to return your call.”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Were you thinking of me this morning, too?”
“I thought you wanted to discuss going on a date.”
Justin chuckled. She didn’t let up for a second. “I do, but—”
“Okay. I propose we go back to the same coffee shop.”
“I was thinking of some place a little more upscale, like a real restaurant,” he said wryly.
“The coffee shop is fine. I can meet you there Wednesday or Thursday.”
“And I can pick you up.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll most likely be leaving from work, so it just makes more sense for me to meet you there rather than driving home first.”
When he dated a woman, he made it a practice to pick her up and take her back home, but Siobhan wouldn’t budge in her position, so Justin reluctantly agreed. “Okay. How about Wednesday at seven?”
“Let’s make it seven thirty to be safe. I hate being late.”
“That works.”
“I have to get back to work.”
“Have a nice afternoon, Siobhan. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Goodbye, Justin. And, yes, I thought about you,” Siobhan added, so softly that he almost missed it.
Justin smiled. Maybe he’d get that date after all.
* * *
Justin stared at Siobhan over the rim of his glass. His gaze dropped down to her near-empty salad plate and then back up to her face. It had taken a lot of convincing on his part to get her to order more than tea. And, just like last time, she kept the conversation on general topics and deflected any personal questions he asked. But he wanted to know more about her. He took a sip of his Coke then set the glass down. “What do you like to do for fun, Siobhan?”
Siobhan lowered her eyes to her plate. “I don’t have much time for fun. My job keeps me extremely busy.”
“I get that, but on those rare times that you’re not busy, what do you do—dance, bowl, stand on tabletops and sing...?”
She burst out laughing, and the warm, throaty sound hit him like a ton of bricks. Her eyes sparkled, and the tense lines around her face relaxed. “Stand on tabletops and sing?”
Justin shrugged. “Just asking.”
“No, I do not sing on tabletops.”
“Well, you didn’t say anything, so I was left to my own imagination.”
She rolled her eyes, but was still smiling. “For your information, I like going to the movies and the beach.”
“What kind of movies? Chick flicks?”
“Yes, but I’m not opposed to a good action film.”
“What was the last movie you saw?”
Siobhan’s brows knit. “Honestly, I don’t remember. It’s been a while.”
“Then it’s a good thing we met. Sounds like you need to get out more.” He gestured to her now-empty plate. “Do you want anything else? Dessert?”
“No, thank you. I really should get going. There are a couple of things I need to wrap up tonight, and I have an early morning tomorrow.”
Justin downed the remainder of his drink and signaled for the waiter. He paid the bill and walked Siobhan to her car. “Is your office open on the weekends?”
“No. Why?”
“I was hoping we could go to dinner at a restaurant. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to the movies, and I thought we could do that, too.”
“Justin, I—”
“You just said you’re not working on the weekend, and I enjoy being with you.”
“I’ve enjoyed these times with you, but right now my job is my priority.”
“Siobhan, I don’t plan to interfere with your job because mine is a priority, as well. One dinner and a movie—then we’ll see how it goes from there. What do you say?”
“All right.”
He smiled. “And this time I’m picking you up and bringing you home.”
Justin thought she would argue, but she nodded instead. “Thank you.”
He pulled out his cell and handed it to her so she could input her address. “I should probably follow you home. It’s getting late.”
Siobhan lifted an eyebrow. “You’re taking this gentleman thing a little far, aren’t you?”
“Nope.” He slanted his mouth over hers, inhaling her reply. His arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer to the fit of his body. Justin could have kept right on kissing her, but didn’t want to press his luck. He stepped back, held the car door open and waited for her to get in. “I’ll be right behind you,” he said, closing the door.
He slid into his car and gripped the steering wheel. Each kiss he gave Siobhan challenged his resolve to keep their relationship casual.
Chapter 5 (#ulink_bbf99af9-ac5c-5173-ab91-e6e9b555d2b8)
“Damn!” That was the second mistake Justin had made today. He’d got a late start due to an overnight power outage, and he had to wait for all his electronic devices to charge. Now he couldn’t stop thinking about Siobhan and their date last night. After following her home, he’d had a hard time not jumping out of his car and seeing if he could persuade her to let him come inside for a while. But he knew if he had, they would have ended up in her bed, and that was the last thing either of them needed. If he didn’t get back on track, the alert system wouldn’t be ready to present to Mr. Gray. And he refused to blow an opportunity he’d been waiting for.
Less than an hour later, his doorbell rang, interrupting his flow. Justin groaned. “What now?” he muttered and stomped to the front door. He snatched it open.
“Surprise!”
Yvonne and Jocelyn stood on the porch with wide grins. His frown immediately disappeared, and a smile took its place. “What are you two doing here?” he asked, opening the door wider and engulfing them in a big hug. “Come on in.” They followed him to the family room, and he sat in his favorite recliner.
Yvonne kicked off her shoes and dropped down on the sofa. “I took the day off. Joce and I had lunch and she told me about your new girlfriend, so...” She let the sentence hang, as if that were explanation enough.
Justin threw a look at Jocelyn, who entered the room from the kitchen, carrying a glass of water. “I thought I told you it wasn’t like that.”
Jocelyn sat next to her sister on the sofa and shrugged. “Well, you are known for lying about your relationships. So who is she, and what does she look like? You have any pictures?”
“Ooh, yeah. What does she do? She does have a job, right?” Yvonne asked with a raised eyebrow.
He groaned. “You two do realize that you’re not nine and thirteen anymore. And what makes you think I’d tell you anything about my relationships after all the trouble you caused me?”
“I forgot all about that,” Yvonne said with a laugh. “It was pretty comical watching you try to explain to three girls that you didn’t invite them over.”
Jocelyn joined in the laughter. “The look on your face was priceless.” She tried to do an imitation of the shocked expression Justin knew he must have had when he had walked into their parents’ living room and seen the three girls there, but failed because she was laughing too hard.
Justin scowled at his sisters as they continued to laugh. “If you came over here just to laugh at me all over again, you both can leave.”
“I’m sorry,” Jocelyn said, trying to catch her breath. “Seriously though, we wouldn’t do something like that now. We just want to know if she makes you happy.”
Yvonne nodded.
He divided his gaze between them. “I don’t know if she makes me happy or not. We just met and have only gone out twice to a little coffee shop.”
Yvonne’s eyes lit up. “So you do have a new girlfriend.”
“No, I do not. It’s completely laid-back. She’s really busy with her job, and I’m trying to get my alert system ready to present to a home-safety company. That doesn’t leave either of us much time for a long-term relationship. I have plenty of time to settle down.”
She waved him off. “Oh, please. It’s called balance, Justin. Chris and I have been dating for six months, and we’re both busy with our jobs, too. But we make time for each other. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
Justin’s scowl deepened. “Chris? Who the hell is Chris? And why haven’t I met him, Yvonne Marie Cartwright?”
Yvonne shared a look with Jocelyn, and they both rolled their eyes. “Here we go again,” Yvonne said. “As you pointed out, Justin Antonio Cartwright, we are not nine and thirteen anymore. We are grown women and have active dating lives.”
“You should try it,” Jocelyn added with a smirk. “It might improve your productivity.”
He jumped to his feet. He couldn’t handle this conversation. Okay, it might be irrational to hold on to the notion that his sisters were still wide-eyed, innocent little girls, but to consider the alternative nearly made his heart stop. He shook his head. “I don’t want to hear this.”
Jocelyn chuckled. “Good, because we’re not here to talk about us. What did you say your girlfriend’s name was again?”
“I don’t think he ever said, Joce.” Yvonne looked at Justin and, giving him her most charming smile, said, “Her name is...”
Justin threw up his hands. He knew he was fighting a losing battle with these two, especially since they’d decided to double-team him. If he wanted a moment of peace sometime in the next century, it would be in his best interest to surrender and tell them what they wanted to know. “Her name is Siobhan Hunter, and we’ve only known each other a week.” He shook his head at their twin smiles of victory. “Go home,” he said, trying to hide his own smile.
“We really hope she turns out to be the one. I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“Me, either, Yvonne. I talked to Mom the other day, and she said she hoped Justin settled down soon so she could have some grandbabies.”
This was definitely not a conversation he wanted to have. Justin spun on his heel and retreated to the safety of his office to work on his program. But Yvonne’s words continued to play around the fringes of his mind: We really hope she turns out to be the one. Did he hope for the same? He kept telling himself no, but if that were the case, why was Siobhan the first thing on his mind when he woke up and the last thing when he closed his eyes at night?
* * *
Siobhan sat in her office Friday holding her cell phone and debating—for the second day in a row—whether to cancel her Saturday-night date with Justin. She didn’t want to give him any false hope about them starting a relationship, especially after what had happened last time. Her heart constricted with the painful memory of overhearing Arthur’s plans to get his hands on Siobhan’s company shares for some shady business deal. But what hurt her most was hearing him on the phone telling another woman he loved her, and that as soon as he had Siobhan’s money, the two of them could get married. Without a second thought, Siobhan had canceled the wedding three weeks before the date, even though the invitations had gone out and the gifts had started to arrive. She couldn’t put herself or her family through that kind of disappointment again. She needed to focus all her energy on excelling in her job. Gordon was waiting for her to mess up, and she refused to give him one ounce of ammunition against her.
Making a decision, Siobhan found Justin’s phone number and took a deep breath. Her finger hovered over the call button for several seconds before she changed her mind and sent a quick text message. If she heard his voice, she knew he could easily persuade her to change her mind—another reason why she couldn’t go out with him. The cell buzzed in her hand, and her pulse skipped. Siobhan relaxed upon seeing Kendra’s text letting her know she and Cynthia were downstairs waiting for their lunch date. She sent a reply, tossed the cell in her purse and left to meet them.
Siobhan exited the elevator and spotted her two friends in the lobby area. “Sorry I’m late,” she said as she approached. “I have a ton of stuff on my desk and lost track of time. I don’t have a lot of time, so I was hoping we could eat in the café here.” She gestured to the other side of the lobby. Sweet Delights Café had been open only six months and served breakfast and lunch.
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