A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series (12 page)

"I've been waiting for you," Robert said, approaching her in the lobby.  His voice sounded stern as he glowered down at her.

Her dreamy smile faded, and she felt a knot form in her stomach.

"What's wrong?" she asked, sure the meeting had been a disaster.  She braced herself for her boss's fury.

Robert stared at her for a moment.  She caught his eyes roaming over her hair, then down to her shoes.  Then, his face broke into a toothy grin.

"Nothing's wrong.  You just earned us a huge commission and a foot in the door with Daud Industrial!  We're all going to Barstow's to celebrate.  Come on.  Everyone's there already."

"That's wonderful. I'm so happy it all worked out.  I need to call Kiki.  If it wasn't for her, our modern western girls might have scared them off.  Oh, and we should call Mike Johnson.  He's the one who helped me with all of this."

"We already phoned them.  Let's go!"

Robert took Katrina by the elbow, and she couldn't deny the spark she felt.  She shook her head, trying to shake his effect off.

"Something wrong? You're not going to faint, are you?" He stopped and put the back of his hand on her forehead, checking for a fever.

"No.  I'm just . . . nothing.  I'm fine."

"You look a little flustered. Your face is all pink," he said.

She shot him a look, and he backed off.  She took off towards the building's revolving door, but before she reached the exit, she felt his large hand at the small of her back, guiding her from the building.

Why does he have to keep touching me?

She preferred the friendly, non-threatening Barry to the unstable Robert and all the fireworks his touch set off.

Sure enough, the entire staff of Dodd and Company had crammed into the desert rat-themed bar.  Barstow's had corrugated tin for paneling, fake cacti everywhere, and a signature margarita that was a favorite of most of the people in her building.  From appearances, it looked like Chuck Manning had downed several already.   She spotted Kiki chatting with Mike Johnson and headed towards them when she heard a loud clanking sound.  Turning around, she saw Robert attempting to gain everyone's attention.  He banged a large tin cup on a metal tub.

"Attention All!  I just got off the phone a few minutes ago with William Dodd.  He sends his congratulations to everyone and says we're to enjoy drinks and dinner on him!"

Dodd and Company employees roared their approval.  Barstow's offered hamburgers, tacos, pizza, and the like from their kitchen.

"Hey, Kat!  Did you think when you called me it would end like this?" Mike Johnson asked, smiling.

"I certainly did not.  But you came through, big time, Mike.  Thanks so much."

Robert approached and placed one arm around Katrina and the other about Kiki.

"These girls really pulled off a coup!" he said.

Something Mike said when she contacted him flashed across her mind.  She turned to her boss.

"Actually, Robert, you're the one who suggested I dig further into Daud.  When I phoned Mike, he assured me you had a good reason for pursuing the matter.  You deserve as much credit as anyone."

Katrina recognized a softness growing in the man's eyes as a strange smile crept across his face.  His granite features relaxed a little.  The man looked pleased!  His arm still draped around her shoulder. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and shifted her gaze to Mike.  Her old friend started complimenting her boss, something about how his acumen was legendary and so forth.  She couldn't follow it all. So much turmoil brewed just below the surface inside her, while her skin tingled beneath Robert's touch.  She stared at the countless beer bottles on the wall behind the bar and felt a familiar prickling at the top of her head.  She took a gulp of air and decided she had to get out of there before she fainted.

Without a word, she slid from her stool and hurried from the bar, trying to smile and nod at coworkers as they patted her shoulder, offered congratulations, or just gave a shout out in her direction.  Outside, she found a bench, sat down, and inhaled exhaust-laden air deep into her lungs.  She wanted to go home.  She closed her eyes and exhaled. 

"Katrina?" A deep voice she'd know anywhere hovered above her.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Robert," she said without opening her eyes.

She felt the bench move as he sat next to her, then his hip and thigh pressing against hers when he slid closer.

"Then why are you sitting on an LA street corner with your eyes pinched shut, breathing smog?  Anyone could come upon you and mug you, hurt you or whatever."

"Anyone did," she said, opening the eye closest to her boss and raking her gaze over his face.

He burst out laughing, forcing a giggle from the girl as she clamped her eye shut again.

"That's my girl," he said after a long howl.

She felt his arms encircle her at the shoulder and give her a hard squeeze.  Somehow, she didn't mind.

"Would you like me to take you home?  I don't think you should be driving a two ton weapon of destruction right now.  I'm not convinced you're well."

"Yes," she heard herself say.

"All right.  You feel strong enough to walk?  My car's in the garage."

She nodded and allowed him to assist her from the bench.  He kept his arm around her all the way to his car and helped her inside the vehicle.  He drove a black Range Rover, which surprised her for some reason.  Back at Wood and Associates, he owned a compact, and the sight of his large form filling the front of the car always struck her as humorous.

"What's so funny?" he asked, pulling his vehicle out of the building.  "You look amused."

"I'm remembering that old Honda you used to drive."

Robert stopped at a red light, and she shut her eyes again.

"I always noticed how you made it look like a clown car.  I'd watch from our office when you pulled in the lot each morning to see if you'd hit your head getting out," she said in a sleepy voice.

She couldn't see him as he allowed his eyes to roam over her, drinking in every detail of her appearance.  A horn honked and he hit the gas, jolting Katrina forward.

"Sorry," he said when she opened her eyes and shot him a disapproving look.

"Take it easy with this
two-ton weapon of destruction
, will you?" she said and closed her eyes again.  Late hours spent working on her blog and researching manufacturers took their toll, and Katrina drifted off to sleep.  She woke when Robert tapped his brakes on the freeway off ramp.

"So, did James agree to escort you to the Spring Fling on Saturday?" he asked in a low tone.

"Yes!  He did.  I can't wait to see him.  We don't get to spend as much time together as we'd like."  She came alive at the mention of her brother, and her enthusiasm for him showed.

"I see."

"I think you'll like him, Robert.  You two have a lot in common," she added as the Rover rolled to a stop outside her apartment.

She glanced at her boss who held the steering wheel in what looked like a death grip.  She noticed how his large hands almost covered the top half of the circle. 

"Thank you for bringing me home.   Would you like to come in?"

"No," he said, steel in his voice.

"Well, thank you again.  I appreciate your leaving the party to see me home."

"I didn't want a lawsuit against the firm in case you caused an accident."

She'd have thought he teased her if his voice hadn't been so cold.  Hurt and confused, she got out of the car and leaned over to get a look at him before shutting the door.

"Goodbye," Katrina said, seeing the familiar twitch as he clenched his jaw.

He kept his face forward and didn't answer.  She stood on the curb and watched the Rover disappear around a corner, tires squealing. 

Chapter 9
-A Spring Fling Like No Other-

"I'm going to have to meet you there, Sis," James said.

"
Really
, Jim? You've known for over a week what time I needed you!" she said, agitated.

She didn't relish walking into the Spring Fling Dinner Dance by herself.

"I know, and I'm sorry.  It's just that when I tried my tuxedo on last night, it didn't fit.  The tailor won't have the jacket done for another hour.  He just finished the pants as it is.  Give me the address, and I'll get there as soon as I can."

"It's the Beverly Hills Hotel.  Just punch it into your navigation system.  When you get close, you should see a big pink building.  And please, drive careful, Jim."

Katrina hung up and checked herself in the mirror.  She'd had her hair dresser give her an updo that morning, as Irina had suggested.  She didn't stick to the Russian's advice when it came to jewelry, though.  She couldn't resist adding a pair of earrings.  She chose to wear the pair her father gave her on a recent birthday.  Real rose gold surrounded circles of Morganite, which dangled on small wires a quarter-inch below her ear.  Each stone was smaller than a dime in diameter but caught the light in a lovely manner.  Their light pink color complemented her gown. 

She'd kept her makeup simple, and with the exception of a dab of smoky shadow at the outer corners of her eyes, she looked quite natural.  Matte pink lipstick in a soft shade completed her appearance, and soft wisps of hair framed her face in an attractive manner.  Something about the high ruffled neckline on her dress accentuated her sharp chin and other fine features.

She arrived at the hotel and left her car with a valet.  She'd experienced the Beverly, as it was known, several times before.  Dodd and Company included clients at the Spring Fling, and thus easily filled the large ballroom overlooking the tennis courts.

Katrina walked down a wide hallway leading to the
Crystal Ballroom
.  Hotel staff checked her name and said she'd be eating dinner at table seventeen.  She paused atop the wide sweeping staircase and took a moment to glance around.  Below her, the room was a hubbub of activity.  Waiters passed hors d'oeuvres from silver trays while guests mingled around tables and at the  bar.  A jazz quartet played music while a crooner sang a swanky tune.  She recognized the singer from prior galas.  He'd bought her a drink in the Polo Lounge once, after an event.  She remembered his name was Tom.

The auditor glanced up at the magnificent chandeliers, which gave the room its name.  The enormous gold and crystal fixtures winked at her from thick gilt cables attached to the high ceiling.  Arched French windows lined the outside wall on a grand scale and reflected light from the three chandeliers and various matching sconces mounted on pink walls throughout the hall.  Katrina felt she could be viewing a real chateau in France.

Just as she took a step, the music ended and the singer made a gesture towards the staircase.  He said something into the microphone, which caused all eyes to turn on her.  Kate froze, mid-step, at the rustling created as guests turned to see who or what had caught the crooner's attention.  Within a moment, all eyes were on her.

"Wow," Chuck blurted into Robert's face, pointing up in the direction of the entrance. 

Chuck Manning had already downed two cocktails.

LaSalla watched, along with everyone else, as she descended the stairs.  Her dress flowed about her from the hips down, giving the impression that a delicate spring bloom glided down the steps, perhaps driven by a gentle breeze.  The girl stood out from all others in the room.

Kate couldn't get off those stairs too soon, and she felt a blush heat her face pink.  Before she could locate table seventeen, her boss appeared at her elbow.

"James stand you up?" he whispered into her ear.

She could feel his breath on the sensitive area where her jaw met her neck, and as usual, he succeeded in rattling her.

"Of course not.  He's just running late," she said, aggravated at the entire situation.

Arriving alone was a bit humiliating, but having everyone notice
and
having to parade down a grand staircase while they all gawked really
was
too much. At least she hadn't tripped and fallen, which had been her prime concern in the high platform pumps she wore for the first time.

"I'm so relieved to hear it," Robert said, placing his hand on her bare back and guiding her through the crowd to a table labeled
Seventeen
.

His fingers pressed into her skin with a fierce heat.  She worried they'd leave a mark.  The sarcasm in his voice prompted her to pull away and get a better look at his face.  He flashed a benign smile.  She must have mistaken his tone.

"They'll serve dinner in a minute.  I'm headed to the bar.  Can I get you a drink, Katrina?"

"No. No, thank you," she said, trying to maintain her composure.

Relief swept over Katrina when she saw her friend approaching with Chuck.  Apparently, the receptionist did get stuck with him after all.  But at least she'd have someone else to talk to while she waited for James.

She turned her attention to the hotel's dinnerware.  Covered with a crisp white linen, fine monogrammed china, silver, and crystal goblets surrounding a low white floral bouquet, the table looked the picture of elegance.  She noted enough place settings for eight.

"Isn't this lovely?" Kate said to Kiki, once her friend sat down.  She added, "Don't worry, Jim's coming. He's just late.

The receptionist grinned and whispered something about the guy at the microphone wanting to speak with her.  She laughed and shook her head, letting Kiki know she wanted no part of the crooner.

"Don't look now, but here comes the boss man, and he's got a woman on his arm," Chuck said, his eyes growing as big as saucers.

The auditor turned her head and caught sight of her boss leading a tall, gorgeous blonde to their table.  She looked like a model, with tan legs that went on forever.  Relieved she hadn't chosen the red rhinestone dress, Katrina stared at the short, fire engine red, sequin-covered number on Robert's date.  A low-cut
V
in front showed off the Giselle lookalike's figure.  She could never compete with
that
.