Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (46 page)

His head snapped up. “How so?”

“Your plan. The Marriage Pact. It's perfect. There's no chance of you risking anything. You can satisfy your inner logic of never letting a woman entangle you the way Veronica did without the burden of complications.”

“That's not what this is about,” he protested.

“Are you sure?” Teddy raised her eyebrows, giving him an inquiring look. Her heart was beating so fast, she didn't know if she could speak, but she understood everything now. She knew there was more to this deception than just eluding his mother's attempts to have him find a bride. He'd built a wall around his heart and Teddy was the temporary guard who would keep the wall intact for a while. Then he'd move on to the next guard or retreat into his overseas connections as a method of keeping himself free of risks.

“What do you think this is about?” he asked.

“That's a loaded question. Are you sure you want the answer?”

His face wasn't exactly blank, but Teddy could see he was trying to keep it free of expression. He nodded. “I'm a big boy. I can take it.”

Teddy uncurled her feet and stood up. Taking her wineglass, she walked about the room. “A decorator did this room, didn't she?”

Adam frowned. She knew he didn't understand the question.

“Veronica has never been here,” he said.

“I didn't think it was her,” Teddy told him. “It's a beautiful room. I could see it in one of the glossy magazines.”

“But,” he prompted.

She came back to him. Faced him. She sat on the huge coffee table that held only a glass vase of flowers, her knees only an inch from his.

“There's nothing of you in this room. There's nothing of you in the entire house. Not even in the bedroom.” She paused, giving him a long look. “Maybe the flowers are your reflection, which are surprising since most men would never think of flowers, especially fresh ones. Few would buy them or replace them when they died.”

“Or drive home to get a single red rose?”

Teddy smiled remembering the mug on her kitchen table the first time they made love. The thought nearly undid her. That warm blanket began to settle, but she pushed it aside. She needed to stay on track. Allowing thoughts of their lovemaking would send her soaring in a different, although wonderful, direction.

“That, too,” she said. “Only the flowers say you have a heart, much less want to risk it.” She took his hand. He didn't pull it away, but it had gone from warm to slightly cold. “I'm sorry your don't like what I'm saying, but you did ask. I hope you see that, like your brother said, without risk there is no love, and without love, you'll have a very lonely existence.”

Adam pulled her up from the table and onto his lap. “So you believe I should let go of the past and open my heart?”

Her own heart was beating a drum in his ears. She nodded.

“Are you also saying I should approach Veronica and see if what I thought we had in the past could be rekindled? Bring the fire back to life?”

Teddy forcibly controlled her urge to move out of his arms. “If that is what you want,” she whispered.

“That's not what I want.”

She raised her eyelids and stared directly at him. She knew she shouldn't ask, but she had to know. “What do you want?”

“Right now? Right this very moment?”

“Yes,” she said, drawing the word out as if it had several syllables.

“I want you.”

* * *

“I want you” wasn't the same as “I love you.” Adam knew that. He wanted to say it, wanted to let Teddy know that she meant more to him than any woman ever had, but he couldn't get the words out. So he retreated, retreated into what any man would do in his situation.

He kissed her.

Teddy didn't protest. She was pliant in his arms. He wanted her there, wanted to tell her everything she wanted to know, but he'd been burned before.

* * *

It was hard to think there was hunger in the world when Teddy looked at all the food on the tables in Dr. Sullivan's dining room. She said “tables,” since there were at least three. They were covered with turkey, salads, sweet potatoes, green bean casseroles, corn bread dressing, pies, cakes and even more dishes, all smelling delicious and making her stomach growl.

Just as both mothers were trying to get their offsprings married, both mothers were outdoing the other with the amount of food they cooked and delivered. Her sisters Sienna and Sierra brought their signature dishes. Emory, her brother, was exempt since he'd proven years ago that cooking wasn't something he would excel at. Teddy arrived with a dish of macaroni and cheese.

“Who do you think will win?” Galen whispered in Adam's ear.

Adam glanced at the football game on the big-screen television, but he knew his brother wasn't speaking of the game.

“You don't even want to go there,” Adam said. “It could get bloody.”

“Just remember,” Quinn joined in. “Everything is delicious. Nothing is better than the other.”

“They are all equally great,” Adam and Galen said in unison.

“Obviously you three have gone through this routine before,” Teddy said.

Quinn nodded. “And we learned early not to play favorites.”

“Remember that time everyone made the green beans and wanted all the cousins to judge them?” Quinn asked, laughter in his question.

Galen frowned. “That year I was sure someone would die.”

They were all laughing at a shared memory. Teddy knew from her own family that the rivalry was all in good fun. She hadn't made a green bean casserole. Her dish was macaroni and cheese, which sat on a warming plate in the dining room. Teddy was free to join the others and enjoy the game. Dr. Sullivan had already refused any additional help in the kitchen.

“So,” Galen said, looking at Adam, “when are you two getting married?”

The room went quiet. Everyone stared at Galen.

“What?” Galen asked, spreading his arms in innocence, one of them holding a beer. “You've been going out for months. This is the second family dinner you've appeared at.” He glanced at Teddy. “It must be time for marriage.”

“We'll set ours when you set yours,” Teddy told him.

“Me?”

“Yes, I have a sister and I see how you look at her.” Teddy checked that her sister Sienna couldn't hear her. “I'll point that out to your mother. Then all we'll need is one more dinner and it can be a double wedding.”

Again, the room stared at the youngest Sullivan son.

Finally Quinn laughed and, pointing at his brother, said, “She got you.” Everyone burst into laughter.

Obviously embarrassed, Galen was the first to stand up when his mom announced the meal. The dining room didn't have the same dimensions as the restaurant where their anniversary dinner was held. Instead of a U-shaped arrangement, two parallel tables had been set up. Adam steered her to one the farthest from both their parents.

For the next twenty minutes, food was passed around, plates were filled, and the only sounds in the room were those of the dinner forks and “Mmm, mmm” of appreciation.

“Overwhelmed yet?” Adam asked.

“I'm actually enjoying myself,” Teddy told him. And she was. “How about you?”

“I love my family. We don't get together often enough.”

“I know. Despite our parents' meddling, we have so much to be thankful for.”

Adam gave her one of those looks, the one that said so much but told her so little. It was confusing, making her wonder what he was thinking. What was behind the look? And what did it mean?

“My brothers really like you.” He took a moment to glance around the table. Teddy followed his gaze. Everyone was eating and talking, smiling, making comments on how good the food was. Galen sat next to Teddy's sister Sienna, and the two seemed to be hitting it off.

“You have a nice family,” Teddy said.

“Even my mother?”

“Especially your mother. She's only looking out for your best interest.”

Adam's eyes opened wide. “Who are you and where have you hidden Theresa Granville?”

She laughed. “Every parent wants their children to be happy.”

“And they want grandchildren.”

“That, too,” Teddy agreed.

“But most of them don't size up dates for them,” Adam said, keeping his voice low enough that no one else could hear him.

Before Teddy could answer, Dr. Sullivan announced dessert. The groan of being too full to take another bite came up like the roar of a football goal.

“I'll have some later,” Quinn said.

“Then I guess we can fill our glasses with wine. And you guys can clean up the plates,” his mom said.

En masse, the women left the room and by mutual agreement, the guys cleared away the dishes. By the time they finished and joined the group in the great room, the first game was almost over.

“Wine?” Adam asked, coming to stand by Teddy. Teddy nodded, handing him her glass. Instead of him leaving, he squatted down beside her. “Anything happen while I was gone?”

She shook her head. “Everyone was really into the game. I see your mom is a big fan.”

“She is now.” He glanced at her. “My father recruited her, and when she was the only woman in a house of men, it was conform or be left out.”

Teddy watched him smile. He really loved his family. She liked that about him. When they'd first met, she'd classified him as a loner, someone you assumed sprang full grown without the aid of parents. But in the past weeks, Teddy had come to know the man inside and she was falling further and further in love with him.

“What's that look for?” Adam asked.

“What look?”

“The one on your face. It's an I've-got-a-secret face. Like you know something no one else does.”

“I might,” she answered honestly, but couched it behind an impish grin to throw him off. Then she leaned over and kissed him quickly. “That's my secret.”

“Not anymore,” Adam said. “My mother saw that.”

“Good,” Teddy whispered. “Let's give her a show.” Her mouth was only a shadow away from his. “Just a short comedy, not a Broadway musical.” She kissed him again, a slow sweet touching of lips. Adam slid his tongue between the seam of her lips. Lightning strikes thundered through her blood. She moved back before a production number started and she was unable to stop.

“I'll get that wine now.”

Chapter 7

T
he last bottle of wine on the table was empty. Adam took it to the kitchen and dropped it in the recycle bin. Getting a new bottle, he pulled the cork out. Ann Sullivan entered the kitchen as it popped. She took a seat on one of the high stools in front of the large center counter. The food from dinner sat in myriad plastic containers stacked at the end closest to the refrigerator.

“Did I hear you talking about setting a date earlier? Was that a wedding date?”

His mom didn't begin with small talk. She went right to the subject on her mind.

“Mom, don't go jumping over the horse.” Adam poured wine in the two glasses. Teddy's glass had her lip print arched on the delicate crystal. He had the urge to drink from that glass, placing his mouth on the exact spot where hers had been.

“I'm not, but my hearing is excellent.”

“It was a joke. Galen was teasing Teddy. Did you hear her reply?”

Ignoring his question, she said, “All teasing aside, the two of you have been seeing a lot of each other. And from what I saw in there, you both seem to only have eyes for each other. Is this arrangement exclusive?”

“We've never discussed that specifically, but I'm not seeing anyone else at the moment. I'm sure Teddy isn't, either.”

His mom smiled, obviously pleased. Then her face became serious again. “You'll never guess who I saw yesterday while I was running some last-minute errands.”

Adam moved to the seat next to his mother. He slipped into the chair and looked directly at her. “Let me guess. Veronica Woods.”

She raised her brows in surprise. “You know she's back?”

“She's not back. She says she's here to do a job based in Philly. She was only here visiting.”

“Where did you two meet?”

“I ran into her outside of Varrick's and before you ask, there is nothing left between us. We've been done for some time now.”

“Varrick's? Varrick's Jewelry?”

“One and the same,” Adam said. “But I'm sure you already know this. Veronica isn't one to keep information to herself if she can use it.”

“You were looking at rings.” It was a statement.

“I was out for lunch and looked in the windows. I wasn't shopping.”

“So you didn't buy Teddy a ring?” Adam's mother's voice went slightly up at the end of the sentence in hope that he'd tell her he had bought a ring.

“Isn't it true that the woman should always be there to pick out her own ring?”

She nodded. “Are you in the market for a ring?”

“Do you think it's too soon? We've only known each other a few months.”

She shook her head. “I don't think it's too soon.” Ann Sullivan slid down from her chair and folded Adam in her outstretched arms.

After a second, Adam pushed her back “You're not just saying that because you want grandchildren, are you?”

“Of course not.” She feigned hurt. “You know I want grandchildren, but I also want you to be happy. You
are
in love with Teddy, right?”

There it was, Adam thought. He'd walked right into that question. And it had to be answered. If he were a lawyer, he would never set himself up for a question he didn't want to answer. But Adam wasn't a lawyer. And he'd drawn the question.

“Yes,” he said. The word came lowly as if he was talking to himself. He did love Teddy. He only realized it this minute. When had that happened?

“Are you going to ask her to marry you?”

Adam was having difficulty processing this newly discovered information, but his mom's question penetrated his brain. “Mom, slow down. Let me do this in my way. Teddy may not feel that we've known each other long enough. She may not feel the same way about me.”

“From what I saw a few minutes ago, her love is something you should have no doubt of.”

“In any case, I'll tell her when the time is right,” Adam said.

“Of course. You know I would never interfere.”

Adam picked up the two wineglasses and howled.

* * *

A loud shout punched the air in the family room as the supported NFL team scored a touchdown. Hands slapped in the air. Calls of success, as if they were the actual player, filled the airspace from floor to ceiling. It appeared the Sullivans and the Granvilles had bonded. Teddy's brother and sisters were in the mix of Adam's family, comfortable and easy as if they had been friends for years.

Teddy looked over her shoulder for any sign of Adam. He came out of the kitchen first. His mother followed. Teddy watched, hoping to find something in his expression that would tell her what his mom thought of their demonstration before he left to get her wine. Adam's face was unreadable, but his mom had a smile on hers and a gleam in her eyes.

Teddy got up and met him near the dining room door. “What happened in there?” she asked as soon as his mother passed out of earshot. He set the wineglasses on the table and the two took seats. She had her back to the room. Taking a sip of the wine, she felt she might need fortification.

“She wanted to know about Veronica.”

“What about her?”

“She asked if I still had any feelings for her.”

“And...” Teddy wanted to know the answer to that, too.

“You're not jealous, are you?” He smiled at her and took her hand.

Teddy understood he was teasing, and she
was
jealous. But she couldn't tell him that. “Of course I'm not jealous.” She paused, both hands cradling her glass. “We already discussed this and resolved it. I don't think your mother was really interested in Veronica,” Teddy said.

“You weren't even in there. How could you know?” Adam asked.

“She was probing you for information about us.” The look on his face told her she'd hit the mark. “What did you tell her?”

“That I was in love with you and planning to ask you to marry me.”

Teddy laughed. “Sure you did.”

“You don't believe me?”

“If you'd told her that, she'd have come out of that kitchen singing your praises.” She stopped him from responding by going on. “I know because it's what my mother would do.”

Behind her, Teddy heard a commotion. Her mother was making a beeline for her. Teddy stiffened, understanding that something was about to happen. Teddy glanced at Adam. “You didn't,” she said.

“Teddy, is it true? Why didn't you tell me?” her mother said. She was excited, her color heightened and a smile on her face like George Bailey's when he realized it really was a wonderful life. “I should have been the first to know.”

“What?” Teddy asked. She felt Adam's hand tighten on hers. She looked at him, but his eyes were piercing his mother's as if she had also betrayed him.

Teddy's mother looked at Adam. “I believe Adam has something to ask you.”

Teddy swung her gaze from Adam to her mother. She saw his face fall.

“Mom, I asked you—”

“I'm sorry, Adam. I didn't think Gemma would rush over and spill the beans.”

“I don't understand,” Teddy said, but apprehension gripped her.

“Go on, Adam,” his mom prompted. “The cat's out of the bag now.”

Teddy looked at the room. The television commentator continued his play-by-play. The field of bulked up men scrambled and ran for a goal line, but no one in the household watched them. All eyes were trained on her and Adam.

Adam curled his hand in hers. “This isn't how I pictured it,” he told her. “I thought we'd have a romantic evening and then I'd ask you.”

“Ask me?” There was a warning underlying Teddy's question. He couldn't be about to do what she thought he would do. This was not part of the plan.

“Will you marry me?”

Collectively, the room held its breath. Teddy held hers, too. Her hands went ice-cold. Adam felt it, but he didn't take his gaze away from her. She had to answer. She couldn't wait too long or her mother would begin to worry or she'd answer for her.

Teddy looked at him. An unexpected film of mist blurred her eyes. “Yes,” she said.

The breaths were exhaled.

Adam got up and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her. And then hugged her to him.

“You are so going to pay for this,” Teddy whispered into his neck.

* * *

Adam held on to Teddy. He didn't want to push her back. However, this time it wasn't because he loved holding her. He didn't want to see the look in her eyes. She had tears in them and while the others would interpret them as those of a blushing bride, Adam knew they weren't happy tears. He'd just been forced into a corner, behind a web of lies that was tightening with every day and every step they took.

Pandemonium broke out. Teddy was pulled away from Adam and hugged by her mother, then her brother and sisters in turn. Adam's mother and his family followed. Everyone was congratulating them.

The wine was exchanged for champagne, and toasts to the happy couple were shared. Adam kept track of Teddy. He wanted to get to her and explain, but something or someone stopped him.

“This is great, Adam,” Quinn said. “Now Galen and I will be released from the pressure chamber.” He laughed and slapped his brother on the back. “Seriously, though, I like Teddy. I'm sure the two of you will be happy.”

“When are you going to get the ring?” Adam's mother asked.

“I have an idea.” Teddy's mom cut in. “I have to return that painting to the gallery in New York. Why don't we go up there next week? I can return the painting and get the right one. You two can go pick out a ring and we can all have lunch at The Gaslight.”

“No,” Teddy said. Her voice was a little more emphatic than Adam knew she'd expected it to be.

The two mothers stared at her.

“I'm sorry,” she apologized. “This has been a little overwhelming. Adam and I need a little time to discuss things.” She reached for Adam's hand and he immediately took it and pulled her into his side.

“Of course,” her mother said. She came forward and hugged Teddy again. “We can talk about this later.”

Gemma Granville turned back to Adam's mom. With all the excitement of a bride herself, she said, “Ann, we're going to have a wedding in the family.” The two women hugged and jumped up and down like children.

Adam closed his eyes and wondered how this had gotten so out of control.

* * *

Snow! The white puffy flakes should have surprised Teddy when they left Adam's parents' house and headed back to Princeton, but she was in no mood to care about the weather. Her life was falling apart. Both families were still celebrating, hugging them, waving goodbye, wishing them well as if they had already married and were off for their honeymoon.

Teddy's parents and three siblings were staying with her. She knew they had taken a turn about the house looking for evidence that she and Adam were living together or at least leaving clothing and various grooming items around.

While Adam had spent the night several times, he'd left nothing behind, no toothbrush in the bathroom, no forgotten clothing in the closet or drawers. If he had, Teddy would have found and returned them before her family descended. She'd given the place a good cleaning. Although neither her mother nor any of her siblings were white-glove people, Teddy always cleaned like a mad woman when they were planning to stay over. Now she wouldn't be going back there tonight. She and Adam had a lot to talk about, if she could even begin to talk.

“What were you thinking?” Teddy attacked him the moment they were in the car. “This was not part of the plan. We never talked about getting engaged, never discussed an engagement. This...this sham is supposed to be over by Christmas. Now what are we going to do?”

Adam glanced at her and sighed heavily, but he said nothing. In fact, the two of them remained quiet for the duration of the twenty-minute ride. When he made the turn that led to her house, Teddy spoke. “Don't take me home,” she said. “I'm not going there tonight.”

Adam turned the car around and headed for his house.

“My entire family is staying with me. There's no telling what I'll admit if I have to continually be hugged and congratulated,” Teddy said. “And believe me they will want every detail that a newly engaged person should know.”

“I apologize,” Adam said as they walked into his house. He turned the light on in the living room and Teddy went in.

Nothing about their situation was black-and-white. There were too many shades of gray, too many shadows that hadn't been lighted.

Teddy sat down heavily. Adam came to her and sat facing her on the sofa table. He took her hands.

“I'm sorry,” he apologized again. “I never told my mother we were engaged.”

“Then where did she get the idea?”

“We were talking about Veronica like I told you. Remember where we were when you and Diana met us that day?”

Teddy thought a moment, wondering how that could matter. “It was on Nassau Street near the sandwich shop.”

“We were standing in front of Varrick's Jewelry.”

Teddy frowned. “So?”

“Veronica told my mother I was looking at wedding rings. She jumped to conclusions. Then everything got out of hand.”

“What are we going to do now?” Teddy asked. “An engagement wasn't part of the deal.”

“It doesn't change anything. We know we're not really engaged.”

“Adam, it changes everything,” Teddy said in frustration. “Don't you see? Our parents are so happy. We made them happy with this...” she faltered “...with this false engagement. It's going to break their hearts when we split. If we'd just been going out together, even exclusively, the split doesn't have the same impact. But someone you're engaged to, someone you pledge your heart to enough to want to walk down the aisle with, that's a completely different level.”