Today, I am posting Chapters 5 & 6 of The Betrayal, my romantic intrigue set in Seattle.
I hope you enjoy.
Five
Brice frowned. She was right. They were both free agents—even if he had no desire to date anybody but Holly. Of course, it was for his job, which made their dating work, although it felt nothing like work when he was with her. He enjoyed Holly and had every intention of continuing their relationship when he finished his job—if she would still have him. Given everything he needed to do, she might never forgive him when he was done.
Hoping to keep their friendship as it was for now, he asked, “If that’s really how you feel, what’s bothering you? Usually, you’re energetic and friendly. Tonight, you’re going out of your way to ignore me.”
She bowed her head then straightened her shoulders and looked him I the eyes. “I guess maybe I am, but you have a date. I don’t want to intrude on your evening. Carrying on a conversation, no matter how short or how often, would leave Deanna in the cold. I don’t do that to other women.”
“Deanna understands how it is between us.” Then, realizing the confusion his explanation could cause he added, “Between her and me, I mean. You see, I used to date her when we were in college, and we’ve been dating off and on for years now, especially when we don’t have an escort to an important function like this. If I thought you wouldn’t like it, I certainly wouldn’t have brought her.”
“It’s all right, Brice. Honest. Will it make you feel better if I admit that it did bother me at first? I was hurt and humiliated. You’re a smart man, Brice. You should have realized how out of whack what you did was. You knew I was working tonight, but you brought somebody else, anyway—and after you’d told me that you didn’t want to go with anybody else. It was a crazy thing to do, Brice, but that’s beside the point. What’s bothering me now is that you set me up by having Dad sit at your table.”
“I didn’t set you up,” he denied. From the way she was acting, Edward was just an excuse to hide here embarrassment at being jealous. And if that was the case, … He left the thought unfinished and completed his explanation. “Edward didn’t want a seating arrangement this year, Holly, so I didn’t make one. It’s just a coincidence that he’s at my table.”
“That’s a damned lie!” she whispered. “I saw him watching to find out where you were going to sit. I stood by the door and watched him walk over and sit down at that very table. I’m not a damned fool, Chesterfield. I know what all that means.”
Despite her anger and his suspicions of jealousy on her part, Brice responded calmly. “If he was, it had nothing to do with you. All he asked me to do was see that there were enough seats at all the tables, so each waitress only had to work one. Maybe he suspects I’ve been dating you behind his back. Did you notice if he’s been paying attention to me during the meal?”
“As a matter of fact, he has.”
Brice grimaced and stroked the scar on his cheek.. He didn’t like the sound of that, since it showed the possibility that Edward was suspicious of him. “I’d better get back. Now that we’ve settled your mind about Deanna, may I come over to your apartment after I take her home? I would love to talk some more.”
Holly hesitated before she acquiesced. “All right. As long as you don’t stay too late. I’m still bushed from last night.”
“Then I’ll talk to you later.”
While eating dessert, Brice watched as Holly began clearing leftover food from the salad bar. After several trips to the kitchen with loaded trays, she returned to collect the tubs of dressing. Then she started to fall. She gasped so loud that Brice could hear her and grabbed the metal rim where plates were set for serving up the salads. Still, she couldn’t get her balance.
The rim broke, and the sharp corner slashed her forehead, just missing her left eye. With an angry profanity, she landed flat on her back. Her head hit the ceramic tile floor.
“Oh, my God!” Brice exclaimed as he scrambled to her aid.
By the time he reached her, she was rising to one elbow with her left hand over her eye. Kneeling on one knee beside her, he grasped her upper arms to help her sit while she gazed up at him blankly.
“Are you okay, Holly?” he asked in concern.
Examining the blood on her hand, she showed it to Brice. “Yeah—except for a headache and the loss of a couple pints of blood. I think I passed out for a few seconds, too.”
“Somebody get an ice pack!” he shouted. “And bring a chair.”
While Pat hurried to the bar for some ice and a towel, a chair appeared beside Holly. She glanced up at the person and saw who it was, she turned her startled gaze to Brice.
“Is everything all right here?” Edward asked as he and Brice helped her onto the chair.
“She has a nasty cut, Edward. She should be taken to emergency.” Brice accepted a towel filled with ice from Pat and put it against Holly’s forehead. “Thank you. Now get a clean towel to wash it off. I want to see how bad it is.”
“Brice, please,” Holly protested while Pat hurried away again. “I don’t need emergency treatment. All I need is a Band-Aid and a couple of aspirins.”
“Let me decide that. You can’t even see the cut.”
“Are you two dating against my wishes?” Edward interrupted.
“Yes,” Brice snapped in response, “and we have been for the past three weeks. Neither one of us has come near you, and you don’t have to worry that we will.”
“All I’m worried about is you getting her out of here.”
Pushing Brice’s hand away, Holly said, “Brice has a commitment tonight, and even if he didn’t, I would insist on finishing my shift. I put in for six hours of overtime, but I’ve only worked four so far. I don’t want special treatment just because of a little cut.”
“You aren’t getting it,” Edward insisted. “If any of my employees is injured on the job, they see a doctor. I don’t care who you are, young lady. That goes for you, too.”
“You can’t force me to leave,” she declared.
“I can, and I am doing just that. Get her to the ER, Chesterfield.”
“I won’t go. Brice is on a date.”
“I don’t care. It’s company policy. If you’re injured on the job, you go to the ER, or at least see a doctor. Since it’s Saturday night, the ER it is.”
“I won’t break his date. Besides, I’m perfectly capable of caring for …”
This was only going to deteriorate further if Brice didn’t stop it, so he said, “Shut up, Holly. You know the situation with Deanna and me. I agree with Edward, anyway. You need to see a doctor. Deanna and I are taking you to the hospital, and I don’t care what you say.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital. I’m not hurt that bad.”
“You took a nasty fall, Holly,” Edward said sternly, “and that cut doesn’t look good. You let Brice take you, or I’ll drag you there kicking and screaming like I did when you were …”
Holly stared up at Edward in shock. Edward stared back, equally surprised by his words. When she was five, shortly before he “died,” she had jumped off a chair and hit her chin on the edge of the counter. It had cracked open and bled profusely. He had rushed her to the emergency room that evening to get it stitched, and she had kicked and screamed as he carried her inside. He should have been more careful in what he said. If he had been, he wouldn’t have let her know that he had memories from her childhood.
As they gazed at her, he found himself mesmerized by that same expression of undemanding love she’d had as a child. It had melted his heart back then, but he couldn’t let it do that now. He needed to remain strong to keep her out of his life. The only way to do that was to make sure he didn’t give her the wrong idea. Dredging up the past was doing exactly that.
***
Thank goodness Brice had driven his Lexus sedan instead of his coupe. He was able to take Deanna along to the hospital to keep him company while Holly was with the doctor and nurses. Together, they sat in the lobby.
Brice twisted his ring around his finger as Deanna sat beside him paging through a sports magazine.
Soon, she looked up and said, “So that was her father. Why didn’t you point him out when he came to the table?”
“I didn’t think it was that important,” Brice mumbled.
“Don’t give me that!” she snapped. “You know how important it is. I was there so I could make an impression on him. I didn’t accept this assignment for no reason, you know. This is one of the most important ones we’ve had in years.”
“Despite what you apparently think, I know it is. Summers wants you to see if you can get the information I haven’t been able to. Can I help it if it’s hard to dig up something? That’s why I decided to go through Holly. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to hurry these things, Deanna. You know that.”
“Of course, I do, but you’re in way over your head where Holly’s concerned.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Come on, Brice,” she said in exasperation. “It’s obvious that she’s more than just a job for you.”
“You’re right. She’s a friend, too, and before you say anything, I can be her friend and still do my job. I have to move slowly on this Deanna. Edward and Holly have been separated for twenty-seven years. He doesn’t even want her around. It’s going to take some time to get them reunited to the point where they’ll feel comfortable confiding in each other.”
“In the meantime, you’re dating the woman.”
“Just as a friend. I haven’t even kissed her good night except on the cheek. That’s something I might add, I have a very good reason for. I don’t need an involvement that could lead to marriage and children. I won’t risk losing either one again.”
“Then why can’t you keep your eyes off her?”
“It’s my role—a shy, love-struck man. I have to play it that way to keep her interest. I could lose a lot if she gets bored with me.”
Deanna slapped her hand on the arm of the chair. “Good God, Brice! You’re not stupid. Holly’s bound to lose interest in you if you don’t kiss her soon. Hell, you should have screwed her by now if you want to keep her interest. Didn’t you say it’s been three weeks? Even a shy man would have made a move by now.”
His anger rising, Brice snapped at her. “Not all women are like you, Deanna. Some women appreciate a man who will take his time and let her lead the romance to the bedroom. Besides, that part of the role isn’t acting. I really am shy around Holly. She’s not like the other women I date. She has a lot of fun when we go my usual places, but she’s also uncomfortable and unimpressed. And another thing. I absolutely never kiss a woman until she sends me signals I can recognize that say she wants me to. So far, Holly hasn’t done that. Don’t you understand? I can’t make a first move for fear that she wants a platonic relationship. If I misjudge her intentions and push things too far too fast, I could blow the entire scheme.”
“Listen to yourself. You’re acting like a damned kid on this one.”
Deanna paused, but he knew what she was thinking. He’d known her so long he had no doubt what was in her mind, and he didn’t like it. He was so angry and so concerned that she undoubtedly knew why he was acting this way. In fact, she’d probably noticed the same symptoms when he was dating Debbie. But this time she was wrong. Holly was a job—not a prospective mate. And he was determined to keep it that way.
“Are you sure you aren’t getting involved with her?” Deanna asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Absolutely sure,” Brice declared, “so drop the subject. Let me do my job without your interference. I don’t care what Summers tells you. You talk him out of your trying to date Edward and give me a couple more months to handle matters. I’ll have everything we need by then.”
“I won’t make any guarantees, but I’ll talk to John and try to convince him that you can handle the job.”
Brice sighed, knowing that was the most he could ask. “Thanks, Deanna. I owe you one if you can.”
“I’m only agreeing because you usually do good work. You’re just lucky you spend most of your weekends at Henderson’s warehouses and docks; otherwise, I’d be going after him no matter what you want. But I’ll see what John says before I do anything else in your territory.”
“You won’t regret it. I promise.”
At that moment, Holly entered the lobby. The left side of her forehead was covered with a gauze bandage that had blood seeping onto it. A bruise peeked out the edges of the bandage that also covered part of her eye. When Brice saw her, he scrambled to his feet, asking, “How are you?”
“Now I’m glad you brought me,” she replied, ignoring Deanna who stood beside Brice. “The cut was so wide the doctor didn’t think those butterfly bandages would do the trick. He needed to stitch it. Starts right here.” She traced her finger over the bandage from about two inches above her eye and angled it down to about a quarter of the way through her eyebrow, stopping just into her eyelid. “Stops here. He said I was lucky not to have any damage to my eye.”
Draping his arm around her shoulders, he escorted her toward the door. “Let’s get you home so you can rest.”
***
After dropping Deanna off at her condo in an expensive, gated complex, Holly and Brice ran by the Henderson Building to get her car. Instead of him going a different direction as she expected, however, he followed her home. While he parked, she waited beside her car so they could walk to the door together.
“You didn’t have to come here,” she said.
“I most certainly did,” he replied with a smile. “You said you were unconscious for a few seconds, and I needed to make sure you didn’t crash your car. Also, I told your father that I’d see you got home safely. Besides, you said I could come over after that banquet.”
“That’s right. I forgot in all the confusion. Come on in, but you’ll have to excuse me for a few minutes. I want to take my uniform off and soak the blood on it.”
Five minutes after she disappeared into her bedroom, she returned to the living room, where Brice was reading her newspaper, and asked if he wanted anything since she was getting herself a soda. Casually looking over the paper, he stared at her in amazement as she wandered to the small refrigerator. He’d never seen anyone with hair as long as Holly’s which reached about four inches below her waist and barely curled under at the ends. Laying the paper on the coffee table, Brice rose to join her.
“I’ll have whatever you do,” he said.
“One diet soda it is,” she returned. “Do you want it in a glass? That seems to be more your style than straight from the can.”
“Please, and on the rocks.” While she prepared his drink, he leaned against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest to study her. Even while getting ice and a soda, she moved so seductively that he couldn’t help wondering if she did it on purpose. And his body reacted to her simple tasks. To take him mind off his inappropriate thoughts, he said, “I never dreamed your hair was so long. It’s a pleasant surprise.”
“I should probably get it cut, but it’s been long for so many years that I always chicken out before I even make an appointment. I’m a little old for such long hair, but I just don’t have the heart to cut it. That’s why I wear it up all the time.”
“You should keep it down.”
“And you should go without a suit and time sometimes.” She grinned as she handed him his drink. “I’ve never seen you without either. Don’t you ever wear anything casual?”
“Not very often I’m like you with your hair. I’ve worn a suit and tie for so many years, I feel comfortable in them.”
Popping the top of her can, Holly led Brice to the living room and sank into the recliner while he returned to his former position on the couch, asking, “Is that your favorite chair?”
“Not particularly. I’d rather sit on the couch, but you have my taste in seats. You always take my spot before I get to it.”
Brice moved to the next cushion and patted the one where he had been sitting. “I’ve relinquished your territory, fair lady. Feel free to use it.”
“Good idea.” Settling herself beside him so her head rested on the back of the couch, she planted her feet on the coffee table. “By the way, thanks for taking me to the hospital. I really wouldn’t have gone, but Dad reminded me of the time I split open my chin and needed stitches shortly before he left. I really was kicking and screaming when he took me in.”
Brice nodded. “So, he does remember things. I suspected as much. Maybe we should work on a way to get your reunion.”
“I don’t know, Brice,” she replied, her tone filled with sadness. “As much as I want it, Dad doesn’t. He wouldn’t exactly be happy if we interfere in his life. Maybe we should just leave him alone and let him come to me.”
“There must be some way we could convince him.”
“Why are you so desperate for us to reunite? Do you think it might help you career to be nice to the boss’s daughter? If you do, I’m surprised, because he sure hasn’t shown that’ s going to happen.”
She could help his career, all right, but not because she was the boss’s daughter—not in the sense she meant, anyway. Somehow he needed to distract her, to show her that he was interested in her because of her, not because of her connection to Edward Henderson. To do so, he slid his arm around the top of her hear and used his finger to move her bangs from the bandage near her eye.
“I told you my reasons after the first attempt at a reunion with Edward,” he said as he stroked her temple just below the bandage. “You’re lucky you won’t have a scar like mine.”
“I know. How did you get that scar, anyway? In a car accident?”
“Unfortunately, I met up with a knife-wielding thug about five years ago. Even more unfortunately, he was younger and faster than I was. Mine took thirty-two stitches to close plus a little plastic surgery to make it less noticeable. Your scar will probably be almost invisible.”
“I sure hope so.”
With nothing more to say, Holly fell silent. If only she could have a happy meeting with her father. For a few seconds that evening, she’d been almost certain that Edward was hiding his concern, but it was only a fleeting thought. He’d still been angry with her, probably because she’d made such a spectacle of herself by falling at his precious banquet. He probably didn’t even care about her, just the scene she’d created. Out of all the people in the room, why did she have to be the one to slip on that dressing?
What difference did it make? If it hadn’t been that, Edward would probably have found another reason to be angry with her. He’d said from the start that he didn’t want her around, and here she was at his annual dinner something that was a big deal for him. Then again, she wouldn’t even have been there if he’d fired her like she practically dared him to do. Maybe he wanted her near him after all. What a ridiculous thought! He hadn’t shown an ounce of true concern for her well-being after her accident. And why? Because if he had, she would have found out that he cared about her. That in itself would be enough for him to hide his emotions.
Brice was right. They should think of a way to reunite her with Edward. It would be wonderful to be his little girl again, to have him hug her like he used to. But was it a good idea to think along those lines? After all, she wasn’t a child, anymore. She was a woman—who had been deprived of her birth father for twenty-seven years. She was too old to turn back the clock and become a daddy’s girl again.
Yet one question kept forcing itself to the front of her mind, no matter how hard she tried to bury it. Maybe she should analyze the answer to that question before she tried to obtain her goad.
“Just sitting quietly with you is really great, Holly,” Brice said, drawing her from her thoughts, “but you should get some sleep. I’ll sleep on your sofa so I can check on you throughout the night.”
“I wasn’t hurt that badly when I hit my head,” she protested.
“You said yourself that you blacked out, and you said the doctor told you that you probably have a mild concussion. I’m not leaving you here alone under those circumstances. If you have a spare pillow, I’ll use that. Otherwise, I’ve spent many nights sleeping on couches and can make do with the arm.”
“Oh, hell,” she said irritably. “If you’re going to insist, I’ll get the extra pillow on my bed.”
When Holly returned with a lightweight blanket and a pillow, Brice had already removed his suit jacket, tie, and vest. While he draped them over the back of a dinette chair, she strolled up behind him. To her surprise, he took the bedding and set it on the table before him then pulled her close.
His lips met hers, as if he was doing it to appease her. But she felt nothing. She couldn’t get excited about a token kiss Then his embrace changed. His arms slid around her; his fingers caressed her head; his lips ground against hers. Now this was a kiss she could get into! Sliding her arms around him, she leaned closer, molding her body against his. Already she would feel his arousal, and they’d only started kissing a moment ago.
His tongue touched her lips in silent askance, and she parted them slightly. The much-wanted intruder dove into the mouth, seeking her tongue. They collided in heated passion.
Holly moaned her acceptance and tightened her hold. This was what she’d been dreaming of for the past three weeks, but it wasn’t quite what she’d expected. Somewhere in the passion there was also reserve, like he was keeping part of himself from her. Even that didn’t matter, though, because this was the most exciting kiss she’d ever had. If he wanted to share her bed that night, all he had to do was say so. She would break down her resolve to remain celibate until marriage in a second. Becoming a “born-again virgin” had been one of the best things she’d done in a long time, but Brice was melting her in a way no other man had since her last fiancé.
Pushing her away, he broke all contact to gaze down at her. His face reflected disbelief for a brief moment then went neutral of expression.
“I’m sorry, Holly,” he said. “I wanted to show you that I appreciate you for not staying angry about Deanna, and I got carried away. I didn’t mean to come on so strong. You’d better go to bed now. Good night.”
“Good night,” she replied as she fled the room. Her heart broke that he had apologized, and she didn’t want him to see how much it upset her. Even though she thought she would be awake for hours, she drifted into dreams of that kiss in just a few minutes.
Six
Edward was worried. He had no idea why he’d been summed to the mansion outside Seattle. Joseph Campbell had been at the banquet the night before, and he probably wanted to know how Holly was. But Edward couldn’t believe that was the case. Edward had been living on edge for the past three weeks, especially after he’d gone against some of Campbell’s wishes. And crossing Campbell wasn’t smart.
When the maid who answered the door returned to the foyer, she led him into an elaborately decorated study dominated by an enormous oak desk set directly before the door Behind the desk sat the tall, well-fed man with graying black hair and an immaculately trimmed mustache and goatee. His casual attire showed that Sunday was his day off, and his sour expression demonstrated that he didn’t like being bothered.
“You wanted t see me, Mr. Campbell?” Edward asked.
“That’s right,” Campbell responded. “I wondered how the woman who fell last night is doing.”
“You could have asked me that over the phone.” To hide his irritation, Edward lowered himself onto a straight chair in front of the desk. “I don’t know how she is. Brice Chesterfield was supposed to take her to the emergency room, but I couldn’t get him on the phone when I got home last night. He must have turned his cell.”
“Why didn’t you call her?”
“How could I? I don’t know her number. I don’t even know her name to look it up.”
“Surely, you know your employees’ names.”
“I can’t know every peon in my company. Between the Henderson Building and the warehouses, I have over two hundred employees. I know the names of the supervisors up, but that’s it. I wouldn’t have time for my customers if I had to keep up on every worker who comes and goes.”
“I think you know that waitress,” Campbell said with a note of suspicion in his voice. “I saw the way you were watching her at the banquet. Is she a new lady friend of yours?”
Edward chuckled in an attempt to disguise his discomfort. “Believe me, she’s no lady friend.”
“You look a lot alike. Maybe she’s a relative.”
“You’re way off base, Campbell,” Edward snapped.. “I have no living relatives. Why are you so interested in her, anyway? She’s just a young woman who works for me. From what I understand, she’s dating Chesterfield.
“If she’s dating Chesterfield, why was he at the banquet with another woman?”
“How do I know? Maybe they had a fight or something. Unless their job performance is hindered, I keep out of my employees’ personal lives. I don’t like the idea of office romances, but if they do their jobs, I don’t say anything about it. From what I understand, both Chesterfield and the woman are professional and competent.”
“And she has no other connection with you?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”
“It is my business, Henderson, and you know it. I’m watching you just like I’ve always watched you I won’t let anything interfere in my business, either—not you, and not anybody connected to you—unless it’s for my benefit. Is that understood?”
“Only too well.” Edward stood, desperate to leave before he said something he shouldn’t. “May I go now, or do you want to interrogate me more?”
“You can leave. Just remember our agreement. Nothing will ever change.”
***
When Holly woke at ten Brice was gone, the bedding he had used nearly folded on the couch. On top was a note asking her to call him when she got up. After making a cup of coffee, she sat down with her celle phone and dialed the number on the note.
“Good morning, Brice,” Holly greeted cheerfully when he answered. “Your note said to call. What’s up?”
“I wanted to be sure you were all right. How do you feel this morning.”
“Terrific. The headache’s gone, and the cut only throbs a little”
“Do you have plans today?” he asked, rambling as he always did when he was uncomfortable in a situation. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask sooner, but I didn’t know if I’d have to work or not. I don’t, so I wondered if you’d like me to take you on a tour of Seattle Center. If you’re free, of course.”
“Of course, I’m free,” she said with a giggle. “I planned to be the night you suggested that we do something together today.”
That’s right. I did ask you already. I guess your accident last night unnerved me a little. Would you like to see the Center?”
“I’d love to. I’ve heard a lot about it, but I haven’t had time to get there yet.”
“Wonderful. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“Make it an hour and a half, and you’ve got a date.”
“All right. Would you do one small favor for me? Would you not put your hair up today? I really like it down.”
Holly chuckled, remembering his expression when he first saw the length. “Not all the way, anyway. I’ll just pull it back so it’s out of my face. Now good-bye. I’ve got to shower and dry it before you get here.”
“Don’t get those stitches wet,” he reminded her just before she disconnected their call.
After her shower, Holly dried her hair most of the way with her blow-dryer then used a curling iron to put extra curl in the ends. Finally, she pinned back the sides with two large hair combs. Even though she dressed casually in white slacks and a light blue oxford shirt, Brice appeared at her door wearing his usually business suit.
“I’m not going sightseeing with anybody wearing a suit,” she teased, dragging him into her apartment by the arm. “Take off the tie, jacket and vest, or you’re going alone. Got it, buster?”
“I suppose I am overdressed,” he admitted as he unknotted his tie and slid it from under his collar. Folding it neatly, he put it in the jacket pocket then shed his jacket and vest at the same time. Finally, he hung them over the back of a dinette chair and turned toward her. “I’m so used to wearing suits that I didn’t even think about it. I only dress casually to go sailing.”
“Don’t you do anything but work and sail?” she asked, astonished.
“I used to play tennis and swim, but I haven’t had much time for either in the past few months. It’s close to a year since I’ve had time for sports—even sailing for any length of time.”
“Do you miss it?” she asked as Brice placed is hand on the small of her back to escort her out of the apartment.
“A lot. It’s exhilarating to be in complete control of a boat like that. Me and the wind and Shelley Joy. It’s great.”
Smiling up at him, Holly noted the animation in his voice as he spoke of sailing, but she didn’t like the tone of his voice when he spoke of Shelley Joy. It was filled with adoration, and she found jealousy creeping into her again.
Waiting until Brice backed his car out of the driveway, she questioned him in a casual tone, so as not to reveal her feelings. “You really enjoy sailing, don’t you? Who’s Shelley Joy? Your co-pilot or whatever?”
“The co-pilot of a ship is called a first mate, Holly,” he replied with a slight chuckle. “And Shelley Joy is my sloop—named after my daughter, Shelley for Rochelle and Joy for how I felt whenever I was with her. There was a time when I had a small cutter, just a mainsail and two jibs, but she was a real beauty. I’m really glad I decided to sell her, though. She needed too much upkeep for a single person to handle efficiently. I can take care of Shelley Joy with a few hours of work a week.”
“You mentioned jibs. What are they?”
“A jib is a smaller, triangular sail.”
“Smaller than the mainsail you mentioned, right?”
“That’s right. You catch on quickly.”
“When do you have time for upkeep of a sloop if you work so much?”
“Sometimes it’s not easy. There are weeks I have to make two trips to the marina because I wasn’t able to get there the previous week, but it all averages out on the whole. She’s my confidant, Holly, which is why I spend as much time with her as I can. I tell her all my problems and all my joys, all my hopes and fears. I tell her everything. When we’re sailing on Puget Sound or even in the Pacific—well, that’s just something I can’t explain. It’s a totally unique experience.”
Holly marveled at his enthusiasm. Something he certainly hadn’t shown her before. “You more than enjoy sailing. You love it a lot if it makes you this excited to talk about it.”
“There’s absolutely nothing I love more.”
“Tell me more about her.”
Holly was so intrigued with Brice’s sailing stories that she didn’t even realize they were downtown until he pulled into a parking space. When she questioned his motives, he explained that they were going to ride the monorail to the Seattle Center.
***
After trips to the Seattle Art Museum Pavilion and the Pacific Science Center, they browsed on the three levels of the Center House. Holly found some regional crafts for herself, Kirk, Lynne, and Carl. She also purchased a polo shirt with an embroidered Space Needle emblazoned above the pocket. Thanking her, Brice took of his dress shirt and slipped into the polo. For a man who didn’t seem to get a lot of exercise, he had great body, Holly decided. Finally, they ate dinner at the Space Needle’s revolving restaurant.
During their time together, Brice touched Holly more than he ever had. It was almost is if something had changed in him overnight. He was more outgoing, less formal. Yet even though he seemed to be having a good time, he seldom smiled; and when he did, it was only briefly.
What could be making him so unhappy? She wondered as they returned to his car via the monorail. Was it just the memories of his daughter that her appearance had revived in his soul? Or was it something else causing his distress? She liked this new Brice Chesterfield even more than the liked the old one, but it bothered her that he was still unhappy. If only she could do something to change that in him. Thinking of some way to cheer him would be simple. Or would it?
She’d been cheerful and optimistic all day but had drawn very little response from him. Her own attitude had done little more than open him up and increase his casualness. If a joyous disposition couldn’t bring him out of his mood, what would? Maybe she should ask him to recount mor sailing stories. No, that was too obvious. Instead, she remained silent while he drove her home.
After parking behind her car in the driveway, Brice turned toward her and asked, “Are you feeling all right, Holly?”
She stared at him, startled. “I’m fine. Why?”
“You’ve been so quiet since we left the restaurant. I thought you found my company a bit upsetting today. Or maybe you ate something that didn’t agree with you. Or even that your headache from your accident was back.”
“I was just thinking. Actually, I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed it a lot.”
“I did, too. It’s been a long time since I had as much fun as I did today. I was really grateful that you agreed to keep me company. Thanks for not during down my spontaneous invitation, which is another thing I haven’t done in a very long time.”
Holly shook her head and grinned up at him. “Why do you keep forgetting that we’d planned to do something? It’s where we went that wasn’t planned. Besides, I have a feeling that spontaneity doesn’t exactly run in your blood.”
“It doesn’t. My life has been running like a well-timed clock for the last fifteen years—ever since I graduated from college. Once I set the clock back for a while, but even that was planned, like daylight savings time. Today, I felt like my clock temporarily stopped.”
“Was it a good feeling?” she asked, not sure she really wanted an answer.
“Definitely, and I have you to thank for it.” Brice reached across the car to caress her neck while he examined her. She sighed, content in the feelings his mere touch created in her, while he continued. “If you weren’t so easy-going and natural, I never would have had the courage to ask you out at the last minute And before you correct me again, I know it was planned, but I’d forgotten, which meant it was spontaneous for me. It was fun doing something on the spur of the moment. I enjoyed it tremendously.”
“Then why did you seem so unhappy?”
“Is that the impression you got? I wasn’t unhappy, Holly. I’m just not used to you yet. You live in a world far different from the other women I’ve dated. They’ve all come from upper-crust families. You’re the first woman I’ve ever dated who comes from the middle class, and you’re the first one who isn’t impressed by where I take you. I can tell you have fun when we go to restaurants and activities that I’m accustomed to, but I have a feeling you enjoy everything you do.”
“That’s true. I especially like doing new things.”
“Have you filled your quota of new things for one day?”
Holly giggled. “I don’t think I could ever do that, but I am temporarily satisfied.”
“Could we do something else next weekend? I could make some time and take you down to the waterfront.”
“I’d like that, Brice, but could we make it the weekend after that? I already have plans for next weekend.”
“If that’s what you want.” After a nervous pause, he added, “I’d better get you inside. It’s been a long day.”
Brice took her purchases from the trunk while Holly went into her apartment and turned on the light He followed her in seconds later, closing the door behind him and asking, “Where do you want these?”
“Just put them on the recliner with my purse. I’ll put them away later.” Collapsing onto the couch, Holly kicked off her sandals to prop her feet on the coffee table. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“No, thanks. I’d better get home. I didn’t get nearly as much sleep as you did last night. I checked on you three times before I finally dozed off, then I woke up at eight. Your father will be furious if I’m too tired to work efficiently tomorrow.”
When he started toward the door, she scrambled to her feet and raced to the dinette. “Don’t forget your jacket and tie.”
“That just goes to show how much you’ve changed me,” he said as he joined her. “I was so comfortable I completely forgot that I’d worn them.”
With his hands on each side of her neck, he bent to kiss her good night with controlled actions. His lips met hers, like the beginning of their kiss the previous night, but he lingered for several moments, igniting a small fire within her. His kiss wasn’t a passionate embrace of desire, but one of longing that she didn’t think Brice even recognized as such.
Releasing her, Brice stared into her eyes as he reached around her for his clothes. “I really have to leave now.”
“I understand,” she managed to say, even though she didn’t understand at all. Why did he find it so hard to spend the night when he was obviously attracted to her? If he weren’t, he wouldn’t want to be in her company so often. On second thought, it had taken him three weeks to kiss her. Anything more would probably take at least that long—if she didn’t jump him first.
“Holly?” His impatient voice drew her to the present. “Are you going to walk me to the door?”
“Sure.”
At the door, Brice gave her one last quick kiss and said good night. She returned his farewell absently, her mind still mulling over why he was in such a hurry to leave.
***
The following week one of the buyers approached Brice twice to review the merchandise he considered having shipped from Tokyo. Both times the client arrived within minutes of Brice’s lunch hour, forcing an invitation to the dining room. The first day Holly’s station was filled, so the men sat in Mandy’s station. During his meal, Brice met Holly at the coffee pots for a refill. When he returned to the table, the buyer verbally observed that Holly was very pretty.
The second day, however, Brice was disappointed to see that the only tables available were in Holly’s section. After the client’s remark the previous luncheon, he had wanted to avoid having contact with her.
“Hi, Brice,” Holly said when the men were seated. “What will it be today?”
“I’ll have the French dip sandwich, a tossed salad with bleu cheese dressing, and coffee,” he answered, unable to keep the formality from his tone. “Mr. Campbell? Do you know what you want?”
“That sounds good,” Joseph Campbell agreed. “Except I’ll have Italian dressing.”
When Holly repeated their orders and left for a fresh pot of coffee, Brice’s eyes didn’t leave her.
“She’s a lovely woman,” Campbell said. “Do you know her well?”
“Fairly well,” Brice admitted. “We’re dating.”
“Ah. Is it serious?”
“It’s strictly friendship.”
“Then you won’t mind introducing me.”
Brice’s gaze shot to Campbell. “Introducing you?”
“Yes. Here she comes now.”
“Holly,” Brice announced as she poured their coffee. “Mr. Campbell wants to meet you.”
“All right,” she agreed, setting the pot on the table and turning toward the man rising from his chair.
Reluctant to do this but unsure how to get out of it, Brice continued. “This is Joseph Campbell. Mr. Campbell, Holly Malone.”
The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before Holly excused herself, returning to work while watching the table throughout their meal.
After the men left, she went to clear the table and found a note folded in a five-dollar tip under Campbell’s plate. Reading it, she learned that he wanted to set up a dinner date. Unsure what to do, Holly waited until the end of her shift then went to see if Brice had time to talk. With a wave of her hand, his secretary sent Holly into his office and returned her gaze to her computer.
Pushing the door ajar, she peered into the paneled room. It was tastefully furnished with an oak desk, his executive chair, two straight chairs, and a credenza, which stood below the window. Behind the desk, Brice studied some papers spread out before him.
“Brice?” she asked, hesitant to disturb him.
He looked up and stared at her in shock. “Holly!”
“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked as she entered his office and closed the door behind her. “I need to talk to you.”
“I always have time for you. Sit down.” While Holly seated herself on a straight chair, Brice rounded his desk to sit beside her. “What’s on your mind?”
“Mr. Campbell left a note with his tip. He wants to take me out to dinner. I don’t know what to do.”
Brice paused, and Holly examined him, suspicious as to why he didn’t answer without hesitation. Judging from the look on his face, he’d been expecting this. And considering how sorrowful he appeared, he wanted to keep her away from Campbell. But his voice remained calm when he spoke. “I don’t know why you’re asking me. Either you accept or you decline. It’s that simple.”
“Who is Mr. Campbell, anyway?”
“A buyer. He collects Oriental art.”
“Does Dad want his employees dating the customers? I wouldn’t want to make him madder at me that he already is.”
“As far as I know, he doesn’t mind. Are you going to do it?”
Gently biting her lower lip, Holly shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not too sure about Mr. Campbell. I got some pretty bad vibes from him.”
Rising, Brice stifled a sigh of relief. Campbell was suspected of smuggling everything from drugs to stolen jewelry, and he didn’t want Holly anywhere near somebody like that. All he needed to do was convince her that she was making the right decision if she didn’t want to date the man.
So as not to alert her to his concerns, he chose his words with care. “If you don’t like the man, don’t date him.”
Holly nodded as he sank onto his seat again. “That’s how I feel, too. But what if dating him could bring more profits to Dad? What if not dating him would bring a loss of business? I don’t know what to do.”
“For God’s sake, woman, don’t date the man on those grounds.” Brice had never raised his voice to her, but this time it grew louder in irritation because he couldn’t contain his anger over the situation. Being around Joseph Campbell could be dangerous to her. Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell her that without causing himself trouble, so he said, “Date him because you like him, not because it would mean a profit or loss for Edward. He’d be the first one to agree with me, too.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Edward’s not against you, honey. He just doesn’t want you working here. Look at it this way. You told him to fire you over four weeks ago, and he still hasn’t done it. That has to mean something.”
Holly sighed. “I guess you’re right. If Mr. Campbell asks again, I’ll turn down his invitation.”
“That’s how I like to hear you talk. Stand your ground.” Pausing to grasp her hand, he offered her a small smile. “I know it’s only Thursday night, but could we have dinner?”
“Sure. It will take my mind off Mr. Campbell.”
“Which is the very reason I invited you. Would you like to eat in the Space Needle again?”
“You bet. Seven again?”
“All right..”
“I’ll be ready. I’d better let you get back to work now. Thanks for taking time out for me.”
“It’s always a pleasure to be with you, Holly. You should know that by now,” Brice said as he walked her to the door. Then, with his arms resting on her shoulders, he gazed down at her. “It’s probably stupid of me to do this with your father upstairs, but I can’t resist.”
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against hers. In that instant, the flood of feelings returned. He slid his arms from her shoulders to her back, and he embraced her fully. To his surprise, she seemed to melt into his body at the movement, and she threw her arms around his neck, moaning into his mouth.
He ground his mouth against hers; his tongue slipped between their lips and teeth to reunite with hers. He pinned her against the door with his body so she could feel his hardness. He could only hope this would convince her of his affections.
A gentle tap on the door startled him, and they separated so fast Brice wondered if he’d just dreamed the incident.
Holly gazed up at him. “I’m sorry I bothered you during working hours.”
“I’m not,” he whispered hotly before turning his back on her. “Do it again sometime.”
“Who knows,” she replied, “maybe I will. See you later.”
As Holly hurried out the door, Brice’s secretary went in with a piece of paper in her hand. Sitting down at his desk so she wouldn’t see his arousal, he took the email from her with an absent thank you and waited until she was out of the room to read it.
As shipment due in port three dates later had been delayed by nearly two weeks, and the turn of events gave him an excuse to meet with Edward. He could start the conversation with that information and casually bring up the subject of Campbell’s interest in Holly. Brice was curious as so what affect such news would have on Edward, too. If his intuition was right—and it usually was—he might be able to force Edward’s hand with the information about Holly.
After placing an interoffice call to Edward’s administrative assistant to see if he was in, Brice went upstairs to confront his employer.