Erica Lucke Dean - To Katie with Love (5 page)

“Katie, are you listening to me?” Dean gripped my chin and turned my face until we were eye to eye.

“I’m sorry. I was distracted.”

He tapped the tip of my nose with his finger. “No more distractions.”

“I really need to…”

Cooper paced across the lobby, his hands knotted in his hair. Silvia was still talking to him, but he shook his head and looked in my direction one more time.

Dean turned my face again. “Listen to me. That’s what you need to do.”

I sighed. “Very quickly, Dean. I really do have an appointment waiting.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Cooper follow Silvia into her office, and I relaxed for a moment. I even went all out and blew out the breath I’d been holding.

“I need to open a new account,” Dean continued.

I nodded, glancing at Silvia’s doorway every few seconds until Cooper paced back out again, Silvia close behind him. They looked to be arguing, but she was nodding and patting his arm. Finally, he smiled, and Silvia set out in my direction.

I took a step backward, bumping into the wall as Silvia came up behind Dean. She put her hands on his shoulders and got on tip-toes to get her lips to his ear. “How dare you come in here without stopping to say hi to me?”

Dean spun around. “Silvia,” he sang.

“Dean, I’m afraid I need to take you away from poor Katie here. Her appointment is getting a little restless, so I’m going to personally take care of your banking needs today.” Silvia linked her arm with Dean’s, steering him to the door of my office.

“Not to worry, Katie. I’ll wait for you,” Dean called over his shoulder. “I’ll come back when you’re not so busy.” He stopped in the doorway and turned to bow dramatically before taking his exit.

Cooper crossed the lobby in a few long strides and came into my office.

“Happy to see me?” he whispered, pulling me into an awkward hug. He didn’t say a single word about Dean, for which I was infinitely grateful.

“Of course.” I breathed him in before forcing myself to end our embrace. “I’m always happy to see you.”
He has no idea
. A wide smile broke out on his gorgeous face.

I struggled not to hyperventilate—it was becoming a habit. I had hoped he’d walk in and be the same old Cooper. There was something reserved about him before, something that allowed me to keep a safe distance.

There would be no safe distance any longer. He was just as unbearably hot and sexy as he’d been Friday night. Instead of jeans and the gray Henley, he wore loose-fitting khakis and a dark blue pullover—a color that made the little flecks of blue in his green eyes more noticeable—under a long black leather car coat. His clothing was strictly designer but completely disheveled. He’d probably shaved the day before, but not that morning, and his hair was in that ridiculously unruly tangle that I had no idea appealed to me until he caught me staring at it. I made a mental note to find out what cologne he wore so I could dab some of the spicy citrus scent on my pillows at home.

“Come on in.” I waited for him to clear the door so I could close it on the little crowd beginning to form outside my office.

Vicky and Silvia were positively oozing with excitement. I wasn’t sure if Silvia was happy for me or just drooling over Cooper. Either way, I owed her one for getting Dean out of there.

I wished I had blinds that would close so I wouldn’t be distracted by their ogling. I wanted to be completely alone with Cooper. I shook my head lightly to dispel the ridiculous notion.

With the inclusion of June, the mob outside my office grew. Silvia hadn’t wasted any time sending out the alarm that Cooper had finally arrived. I knew what they were up to. They were watching for little signs and signals to figure out what was going on between us. They had not accepted my weak explanation from Friday night. They wouldn’t be satisfied until they could see for themselves.

I didn’t know what they expected. Probably that Cooper would take me right there on my desk for all the world to see. Something inside me—most likely my ovaries—exploded, and I sucked in a sharp intake of breath at the mental image. I needed to stay away from that dangerous train of thought.

Cooper noticed my reaction and raised one eyebrow. “How are you feeling this morning?” He leaned in and whispered as if he somehow knew that outside my door, a flock of hungry vultures had assembled to listen for any crumbs that might fall through the cracks.

“I’m much better today. Thank you again for taking such good care of me Friday and Saturday. That was really very sweet of you.” The memory of Cooper holding my hair while I vomited into his pristine toilet was horrifying. My face got hot, and I pulled my lower lip through my teeth.

“It was my pleasure. Really.” His lips quirked up at the corners. “So… did your
cat
survive the weekend without you?”

I choked out a laugh. “Shh… you’re the only one who knows about my cat.”

He turned to wave at the peanut gallery behind him. “So they all think you have a real cat?”

“Shush, he
is
real. He’s also imaginary and runs away or gets a serious case of furballs whenever I don’t want to go somewhere. It’s not like I can tell them the truth. They’d all make horrible fun of me for making him up. Or worse… steal my idea. ”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “I’m glad you trusted
me
with the truth.” He leaned almost all the way across my desk, and I had to force myself to stay where I was. “Can I tell
you
a secret?”

I leaned in until our noses were just inches apart. My mouth opened to say yes, but I couldn’t speak. I just nodded.

“I’ve never invited anyone to my home before.” His fingers brushed the back of my hand. “I liked having you there.”

I swallowed hard. “You have a lovely home.” Though true, the admission didn’t even begin to cover what I wanted to say.

He flashed his megawatt smile. “Have you had lunch yet?”

Good thing I was sitting down because my knees went weak. I just shook my head, reminding myself to breathe.

“Let me take you. I’m unbelievably hungry right now.”

The ravenous look on his face made me replay his words in my mind. I sat up straight, trying to look professional. “I hate to take advantage of you any more than I already have. I still feel awful about your carpet.” I cringed. “I don’t normally drink so much. I have no idea what came over me. I’m sure you must think I’m a horrible lush.”

“Horrible? Not a chance.” He grinned. “I think you did a great job at being a lush. I was pretty impressed, honestly.”

“I’m serious, Cooper. I don’t drink. I mean, clearly I did, but that was unusual for me. I’m actually very boring most nights.” I reached for a stack of papers and focused on arranging them so I wouldn’t have to look into his eyes.

“That’s just a shame.” Cooper tipped my chin up with his fingers. “We should fix that, don’t you think?”

I shook off his hand. “
We
can’t do anything. I’m your banker. We shouldn’t be doing what we’re doing. I never should have…” The taste of his peppermint breath on my lips was suddenly the only thing I could think of.

He fell back in his chair. “Is that really all we are, after all this time?” A long silent moment passed, then he flashed his lopsided grin again. “Well, you could make it up to me. The carpet and all, I mean.”

“What can I do to make it up to you?”

RIGHT… JUST LUNCH

H
ow do I get myself into these things?

My briefcase bounced off the backseat of my Toyota and landed on the floor just as I slammed the door. It was only supposed to be lunch. Lunch! It should have been no big deal.

It was a big deal. A very big deal.

Half a day later, I could still smell his cologne all over me. How many times did he manage to hug me? The first awkward hug was almost expected, especially after the
Dean
Situation
. The second time was when I agreed to have lunch with him. It wasn’t really a hug, but more like he was laying claim to me. We stepped out of my office, and he wrapped his arm around my waist and held me against him as we walked to the main door. He was so close I could feel his breath in my hair.

It was… it was really wonderful and really awful at the same time. The whole crew was still standing there watching. Silvia looked smug, as though she was getting her way somehow. Anger rippled off of Vicky in waves. She acted as if I were playing with her toys, and she didn’t like it.

I pretended not to notice them practically pressing their noses against the glass as Cooper opened the passenger door for me and closed it as I sank into his leather seat. It would be easy to get used to riding in his BMW. Too easy.

We didn’t speak much on the way to the restaurant. I fiddled with the radio and asked him stupid questions like, “Do you have any CDs?” and “Does the BMW get good gas mileage?”

Cooper didn’t answer. He just reached across my lap with a smile and pulled an iPod from the glove box. I pretended to shuffle through the songs as I watched him in my peripheral vision. Every few seconds, he glanced over at me.

I already knew his taste in music. We’d had countless conversations across my desk about our favorite artists, first concerts, and who we’d like to come back from the dead for just one last concert tour. I was hesitant to tell him my pick—a circa-1962 Rat Pack reunion—but when I finally voiced it, he wholeheartedly agreed. No, I didn’t need to snoop through his iPod, but I wouldn’t mind being able to read his mind for the next… oh… hour or so.

When we got to the restaurant, he opened the car door for me. I liked it. I liked it more because I knew he wasn’t doing it just to impress me. I had seen him open doors for people all the time at the bank. He was very sweet. He possessed the kind of chivalry lost on most men his age. I knew about these things; I’d read a lot of books.

The restaurant was a quiet place about five miles from the bank. Even during the lunch hour, the small dining room was dim, with brick walls and dark wood trim, and candles flickered on every table. The hostess seated us at a booth way in the back, and I wondered if Cooper had arranged that in advance. I didn’t think he could have when I had only just agreed to have lunch with him.

I stared at the menu for several minutes, unable to comprehend the choices. I knew I should be hungry, but my stomach was on another rollercoaster ride, and I was far too jittery. I swept my eyes down the menu and back up again without really seeing anything.

“Such a serious face. You don’t know what you want?”

I looked up from the menu. He flashed his crooked grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

He gestured at the menu. “Everything here is good.”

I nodded absently. “That’s good to know.” I was in uncharted territory. I had sat across from him countless times and never had so much trouble knowing what to say. “I don’t know why this is so awkward.”

“Hey,” he said, his eyes softening, “it’s just me. We talk across a wooden surface at least twice a week.”

“So… did you thank Silvia?”

He gave me a strange look. “Should I?”

“Well,” I glanced back down at the menu, “you did say to remind you to thank her.” I forced myself to look at him. I could do the flirting thing.

He grinned. “Yes, I did, didn’t I? That was a great blouse. No, I haven’t thanked her yet. I should really send her flowers.”

I flashed my own crooked grin. “Flowers? She’d like that. Girls always like getting flowers.”

He laughed. “I think I’ve heard that about girls. I don’t suppose you know what sort of flowers Silvia likes, do you? I guess roses are always a good choice.”

“Hmmm…” I tapped my lower lip with my index finger as I pretended to be deep in thought. “Roses are nice.
Silvia
would probably like roses.”

His eyebrows came together. “You disapprove of roses?”

“Oh, not really.” I shrugged. “They aren’t my favorite, but we
are
talking about what Silvia likes. I’m sure
she
likes roses.”

Cooper rested both elbows on the table. “You have definitely piqued my curiosity. What exactly are
your
favorite flowers?”

I fidgeted with my napkin. “There are so many to choose from.”

“Just suppose someone wanted to get you flowers. What would you like?”

I laughed. “Why would anyone get me flowers?”

“Haven’t any of your clients sent you flowers?”

“Many of my clients have sent me flowers.”

The waiter approached the table to take our orders, rescuing me from Cooper’s line of questioning.

“You go first.” I peered at my menu. “I’m still deciding.”

“I’d like the fettuccini Alfredo with extra Alfredo sauce,” Cooper said.

“And for you, ma’am?”

“I guess I’ll have the Caesar salad, light on the croutons and the parmesan. Dressing on the side, please?” I handed my menu to the waiter before he turned and walked away.

Cooper’s eyebrows furrowed. “I thought you liked Italian?”

“Oh, I do. I love it. But I can’t eat it, too many carbs. I’ll probably gain five pounds just from the proximity to
your
plate.” I tried to laugh it off, but Cooper’s scowl deepened.

“You really don’t have to worry about your weight. You have an amazing body.”

My face got hot. “Well, with my luck, I’d end up with pasta sauce all over the front of me. It’s safer if I stick with salad.”

Cooper shook his head and chuckled. “So, was Dean Maynard one of those clients who sent you flowers?”

Twice. “Honestly, I haven’t kept track.”

He let it go, but I could see a flash of something in his eyes even while we moved on to small talk; he was still thinking about it. Every once in a while, he would look at me funny, as if trying to figure me out.

When the waiter brought our meals, I picked up a breadstick and brushed it against my lips. Cooper stared at me, open-mouthed. With my eyes locked on his, I darted my tongue out, tasting the buttery topping before taking a slow bite. He dropped his fork, and it clattered against his plate. I didn’t know what had possessed me to be playful with a real guy. When was the last time that happened?

“Orchids,” I blurted.

Cooper paused, then picked up his fork to take a bite of his pasta. That megawatt smile of his returned.

“White,” I clarified.

“White orchids,” he repeated, nodding.

I was sure he was going to catalog that somewhere to use against me later. Although having orchids used against me might be kind of nice.

Our lunch conversation steered clear of Friday night, as I hoped it would. He never once mentioned our kiss or my getting sick. We mostly talked about work. Mine.

“So in all this time I’ve been your banker, I don’t think I’ve ever figured out what
you
do for a living.”

Cooper chuckled. “I’m an international man of mystery.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, really, Austin Powers, try me.”

“I’m a contracted employee of a large organization,” he rattled off quickly.

“What exactly does that mean?”

“It means I really can’t talk about it.”

I raised an eyebrow and leaned in to whisper, “It’s a secret?”

I saw a sparkle in his blue-green eyes, and then the grin slowly fell from his face.

“Yes, it’s a secret. In fact, if I told you…” He closed the narrow gap between us until our noses were all but touching. “I’d have to kill you.”

My heart jumped to life. I was certain, given our close proximity, he had to have noticed.

He held a straight face for an impossibly long moment, and then smiled. “Kate, I’m kidding. Now eat. Your food’s getting cold.”

I took that to mean the discussion was closed. I found it strange how long I’d known him but never heard him mention work. It would have bothered me more if I wasn’t so preoccupied with wanting him. I wasn’t ready to go when the waiter brought him the check.

“Let me take that.” I reached for the check. “I can expense it as a business lunch. My treat… for the carpet.”

“I’ve got it,” Cooper said and immediately slipped some cash into the folder and handed it back to the waiter. “This is your punishment for the carpet, remember?” He grinned.

“You have a funny way of punishing someone.”

“I’m sure I could come up with more intriguing ways, but I’d need some time to plan.”

I could think of more intriguing ways too, but I pushed that thought out of my head and promised myself I would pay next time. I laughed. I was already planning a next time.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, tilting his head to one side.

I wiped the stupid grin from my lips. “Nothing. I was just thinking.”

“That’s hardly fair. You tell me you’re thinking, but you won’t tell me what you’re thinking about?”

“Silvia. That’s who I was thinking about.” I told myself I wasn’t lying because I actually had thought of Silvia several times during lunch.

“What about Silvia?” His eyebrows drew together, but he was still smiling.

“I can’t wait to see her face when she gets her flowers. She’s likely to become quite smitten with you.” I laughed.

Cooper took my hand as we walked back to the car. He held the door open for me again and waited until I was settled in before closing it.

“That’s all it takes?” His unexpected question caught me off guard, and when I didn’t answer, he angled his body toward me and leaned in closer. “
Is
that all it takes?” he asked again.

I could taste his peppermint breath as it washed over me. “Hmm?” I wondered how his breath could smell of peppermint when he’d just eaten pasta.

“Flowers… to make someone smitten with me? Because if that’s all it takes, well…”

He was unbelievably close, and I was having a hard time reminding myself I needed to breathe. I managed to answer with a weak shake of my head, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his upturned lips.

He tilted his head at the same time he put a warm hand against my cheek, and I couldn’t have stopped the kiss if I’d wanted to. I didn’t want to. His lips were every bit as exquisite as I remembered. His kiss was tender. I could tell he was holding back, which was a good thing because my resolve was dangling by a thread.

He broke from our kiss and wound his arms around me, pulling me against him in a hug. The third hug in less than two hours.

“Thank you for letting me punish you,” he murmured.

“Any time.” I breathed the words out before I could stop them.

I dropped into the driver’s seat of my Toyota Prius, shaking my head clear of the memories. The engine didn’t make much sound, and I needed a little noise to block the thoughts floating around in my head. I pushed a CD in and dialed up the volume to a ridiculous level. Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” blasted out of the speakers. Nothing like a good symphony to settle the nerves. Right. Bad choice. But it was all I had.

Why hadn’t I just stayed home Friday night and read a book? Things would have been much less complicated. I’d be his banker and wouldn’t be swathed in his unforgettable scent or still tasting the peppermint on my lips.

I was a creature of habit… most of the time. Or maybe I was developing new habits? Like kissing Cooper Maxwell. Was that really such a bad habit to get into?

Yes. It was. I had to put a stop to… whatever we were doing. He had his usual appointment at ten thirty the next morning. It was silly to think he would cancel just because he’d seen me today. At least I hoped he wouldn’t.

I drove straight home and immediately took a shower to wash off any traces of Cooper. I didn’t want to think about how much of him had worked its way under my skin.

Trying to wash that away was futile.