Awakening (5 page)

“My work? Wow, Nora, that’s original. Run out of things to say already?” He looks almost wounded.

“No, really. I want to know. I was pre-law at Stanford. Tell me about your work.”

“Pre-law at Stanford?” He looks shocked. Jeez, do I come across as such a dumb ass that me going to Stanford seems so shocking? “Why are you working as a party planner?”

Ouch. That stings, a lot.

“First of all, I now hold a degree in Political Science thank you very much. And I am NOT a party planner, I’m an event specialist. I’m simply taking some time off between—”

I trail off, knowing that excuse worked for the first year or so, but three years later—my stomach turns over. This is not what I want to be talking about. “You know what, never mind. Let’s go. I’ve got a lot of work to do for your aunt.” I grab my coat and bag and storm off towards the car.

“Hey!” Ryan catches up to me in the parking lot. “Sorry. I hit a sore spot. I get it. I can be kind of an asshole some times.”

“Kind of?” I snort.

I want to be out of his company. He is too good-looking and too smooth, and my stomach is in knots from all the adrenaline, coming from either his quirky looks or my meeting. Suddenly, I’m exhausted.

We stare at each other in the parking lot. His face is frozen with a look of astonishment, but he doesn’t say anything. His eyes are flashing from copper to dark brown to something murkier with whatever is happening in that brain of his. Whatever it is, it’s pulling at my stomach.

His hand reaches up and pulls a few strands of hair out of my eyes, leaving a tingly trail from my eye to my check bone where his fingers brushed against my face. My stomach clenches as more adrenaline spikes through my arms and legs and deep in my abdomen. Oh my! My breath catches in my throat.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I said, but whatever it was, I am sorry,” he says, his voice soft and genuine, causing my heart to leap into my mouth.

Speechless for a few seconds, I stare at him with an open mouth and shallow breath, taking in the sensations of his hand, my body, the wind moving around us, and the beer. Oh yeah, the beer. That’s what this is. Not his touch, that is so similar to my stranger from the bar. Not because my knees are now weak and I can’t get my head out of the gutter. Nope, not that. I’m sure it’s really from the beer.

“Maybe you should drive. I think that beer did me in.” I hand him the keys and with his touch that tingly sensation shoots from my fingers up my arm and back down again to that sweet spot between my legs. Man, that was a strong beer.

“Oh. Okay, sure.” He takes the keys and looks perplexed. “Do you want to go back to the office? Or home?”

I shake my head to try and clear it. It’s after six, and I know what I need to do is to go home and take a nice hot bath, then go to bed.

“No. I think I better go home.” I yawn, hoping I might clear my head a little. “Do you mind? I can call you a cab from there.”

He looks down and smiles at me. “No worries. I’ll take you home.” His eyes flash with some salacious thought and then he turns toward the car. Another wave of adrenaline crashes through my body with that look, and all that sensation ends up deep in my belly. Oh God, get me out of here.

After giving him directions, I roll down the window in the pretense of staying awake, hoping the wind in my face will quell this longing I feel inside, or at least cool my skin. What the hell? I feel like I’m 17 and on a first date.

Sneaking a glance at Ryan, I watch as he sweeps his hand through his hair and scans the road intently. I can see his jaw muscle tighten and relax over and over again. Nervous habit? Or did he feel something, too?

“Have you ever gone to—” I start and then change my mind. If it had been him, he would have said something by now. Ryan doesn’t say anything. Halfway home I realize that I’m disappointed.

We arrive at my apartment and Ryan insists on walking me up to my door. I frantically wonder if I have dirty dishes or laundry anywhere.

“Okay, Young. Is this you?” Ryan asks as we approach the door. Oh, he’s not coming in? Did I want him to? Nora Young, what is the matter with you? I must be getting my period. I am completely insane today!

“Yes. Thank you for being such a gentleman and escorting me all the way to my door. I’ll remember that a Dos Equis on an empty stomach after a long day is a bad idea.” Or maybe just drinking it with you is a bad idea.

He hands me my keys and I feel a lurch of tingles all the way to my stomach again. DAMN IT!

“You’re sure you’re okay? You can get home from here?” I ask, almost pleading with him to come inside; I need him to come in. I am aghast at my inner self.

“I’m fine. I can get to my car from here. No worries.” He pauses. I think he is going to say something else, but nothing comes. “Okay, then.” He takes a step back toward the stairs.

“Okay. Bye. G’night. See you later, then.” I turn and will myself to open my door and not turn around. I make it in the apartment, shutting the door behind me. When I’m brave enough, I look through the peephole, but see nothing.

Sighing with relief, I turn back and sag against the door.

CHAPTER FIVE

Shifting through the plan book for the millionth time this morning, I realize that the fog is not lifting from my brain. So much for the Fog Lifter coffee David buys at the organic store. Last night was rough, sleepless, and filled with dreams and images and running, lots and lots of running. I woke exhausted and a little excited. So confusing.

I wonder if Ryan will make an appearance today. I can’t help thinking that he might be my sexy stranger from the club. Why wouldn’t he say anything last night when we were together? Julie has been on the phone all morning tracking down the marketing shipment and looking for an Amaryllis source. I know I am missing something, but I’m so frazzled I can’t seem to figure out what it is.

“Hey! Uh-oh, you look a little wasted. Do you think you’re sick?” Sophia is at my door.

“Oh, God no. Don’t even say that. No! I am not sick. I just didn’t sleep well, there’s a lot to do for this darn event and—” I pause and take a sip of my now cold coffee.

“Yeah, I heard Mr. Daddy’s Boy is babysitting you and Julie. Heard he is drop dead gorgeous, though!” She smirks at me.

Rolling my eyes at her I say, “Leave me alone now, please.”

She walks out laughing and leaves me staring at my plan book.

“Okay, girlfriend. I am so good!” Julie flounces in and plops into one of the two chairs in front of my desk. She is extremely pleased with herself.

“We all know how good you are, my dear. Please tell, what did you do this time?” I fail to sound serious. Slowly, I am waking up; the coffee must be starting its lift.

“I, yes, little ’ole me, have found not only the Amaryllis we need, but have just confirmed that the marketing package is at the printers as we speak!”

“That is great news! Well done, Julie!” That’s a load off. Now it’s just a matter of logistics to get this event off the ground.

“Sooo.” Julie eyes me speculatively. “Aren’t you going to tell me more about Mr. Daddy’s Boy? All you said this morning was that you got the reservation straightened out.”

Oh, that. I had hoped she wouldn’t ask. “Nothing to tell really, he watched my interaction with Gary and told me he didn’t think he was needed, and that was that.”

“Really? That’s all? Nothing else.” Julie is sitting in the chair, arms crossed, eyes narrow. What the heck, why is she even asking about this?

“Well, I asked him what he did to get the honor of babysitting us,” I say nonchalantly.

Julie stands up in a rush, jaw open, “Oh, my God. You didn’t? What did he say?”

“He didn’t answer, but he did say that his aunt was a bit, how did he put it, oh yeah, tightly drawn.” I smile as I let that tidbit of information go.

“His aunt? Tightly drawn? Who talks like that? Mrs. Foster is his aunt?” She looks horrified.

“Yeah, Reade, Foster and Cole are Mr. Cole and his two sisters, who knew? Ryan, I did get him to use his first name with me, is their nephew. We need to do a better job on background research with our clients.”

“Huh. Well, that explains a lot. I’m sure it’s in the file. Oh yeah, I think David mentioned that their family relationship isn’t really common knowledge. They think it’s better for client relations to not be related, or something like that.” Julie looks distracted as she wanders back to the door. “I’d love to get out of here early tonight. I’ve got a hot date.” She says right before leaving.

It is suddenly quiet so I look around my office and start pulling files out, running through lists in my head.

The phone jars me out of my reverie. I pick up. “Nora Young.”

“Hello, Nora Young.” The voice on the other end is smooth and deep and inviting. A shiver runs up and down the length of my spine. I know this voice, it’s the same voice as my sexy stranger; I just know it is.

“Well, Mr. Ryan Cole. I wondered if your babysitting duties extended to today’s working hours.” I am suddenly buoyant.

Laughter from the handset reaches my ears. I smile.

“Yes, well, the babysitting duties do, in fact, extend to today’s working hours, however, I have these pesky things called clients, and quite frankly, they don’t give a rat’s ass about my aunt’s annual function.” Wow, he sounds so different on the phone, so self depreciating, a welcome change from yesterday.

“Ah, so you’re checking up on us via telephone, then?” I hear the smile in my voice that I can’t hide.

“Yes, in truth, I would love to come over there and check you out in person.”

At that, my stomach clenches.

“But this will have to do for now.” He continues, bringing me down a little.

Good God, Nora! Get a grip. This is getting out of hand.

“So, you want an update, then?” I lower my voice, trying to sound less like a schoolgirl and more like a businesswoman.

“Yes, please.” I can still hear the humor coming over the hand set. I give him the update on where we are, the marketing package, the dreaded flowers, and the major tasks for the next few days.

“Okay, then.” He’s all business now. “Sounds like you have things covered there. How about we meet again on Thursday afternoon. I know Mrs. Foster will want an update by then, too.”

A stab of disappointment runs through me. I am so disgusted with myself, and now I’m beginning to feel disloyal to Darren.

“Sounds good. Thursday, two p.m., then?” I put on my best business voice now.

“Great, see you then.” He pauses. “Oh, and Nora.”

“Yeah?” My heartbeat quickens and my voice shoots back up an octave.

“I had a good time with you last night. Even if you are a cheap date and can’t handle your liquor.”

What? A wave of sensation washes over my entire body and I have tunnel vision. Before I can respond, he hangs up.

I am left dumbfounded holding the headset.

Great time? Cheap date? Wait, am I a cheap date, or was that a cheap date?

Was that a date?

CHAPTER SIX

Julie sets down my fourth double latte of the morning. I stand, for the first time in over an hour, and start pacing around my office. It feels good to move around, so I roll my shoulders and stretch my neck. The neck stretch almost knocks me off my balance. Steadying myself against the wall, I wonder if the high heels were a mistake.

“Jeez Nora, are you sure you’re alright? You can barely walk around your office!” Julie scrutinizes me carefully.

I feel her gaze on me and I know she wants the scoop. After that ridiculous phone call yesterday, I have thought of nothing but Mr. Ryan Cole. I know I’m acting like a teenager, but I can’t stop myself. I even had an erotic dream about him last night. Good thing I don’t have to face him until tomorrow. I cringe as a ripple of pleasure courses through my body.

“I didn’t sleep well last night. And then I had some strange dreams.” I shudder, hoping she will think they were nightmares.

She picks up my coffee and hands it to me. “Well, drink this. Mr. Cole, Ryan, just called. He needs to come over for a meeting. He wants an update.”

My insides cave. Fuck! Ryan? Here? Right now? What happened to ‘see you on Thursday’?

“Great. Thanks for the heads up.” A mixture of dread and excitement turn my stomach. I take the last sip of my latte and hand her the empty cup. “Keep these coming! I’m tired, overwhelmed, and way over caffeinated, but we can do this!”

She grins, accepts the cup, and turns to leave. “Good thing you have your power suit on, Nora. Heels and everything. Good call this morning. It’s nice to see you accentuate your height. It really works for you!”

I’m momentarily speechless. No one has ever complemented me on my height before. I am often the tallest in the room, sometimes even in a room full of men. I love high heels, but with Darren’s feelings on the line, I have learned to go without.

~~~

Last minute make-up check complete, I’ve done everything I can. I may not be 100%, but it’s everything I have. Fully caffeinated, adrenaline coursing through my veins, I am as awake as I’ll ever be. With the make-up almost hiding the dark circles and bags, I just might pull this off.