Whispered Promises (11 page)

She found the item she'd been looking for and closed the refrigerator door. In a way she felt awful that she'd completely forgotten Dex had a company to run—a company he was neglecting while being here with her.

When she heard Dex let out a loud whoop, she swung around quickly, almost dropping the carton of juice out of her hands. Nervously she placed it on the counter. Before she could ask Dex what was going on, he rushed across the room and captured her in his arms, giving her a big bear hug.

“Dex, what in the world is going on?” she asked, staggering to keep her balance when he released her.

“We got it!”

“Got what?”

Dex laughed exuberantly as he gave Caitlin another crushing hug. “Madaris Explorations has been offered a chance to handle this big project for Remington Oil. I don't have all the specifics, but according to Trevor, we may be talking megabucks. This is a dream come true. It's more than I could have ever hoped for.”

Caitlin smiled, sharing his happiness and excitement. “Congratulations, Dex. I'm really happy for you. You know, it just occurred to me just how little I know about what you do now that you're in business for yourself. When we first met, you were working for Remington Oil.”

Dex's gaze was drawn to Caitlin's legs when she reached down to pick up an item off the floor. She had beautiful legs, long, smooth and shapely—majorette legs. He didn't think he would ever tire of seeing her in any outfit that showed them. He forced his mind away from her legs and back to the comment she'd just made.

“To be quite honest with you, Caitlin, I should thank you for Madaris Explorations.”

Caitlin's brow raised as she looked at him. “Thank me? Why?”

Dex sat on a stool at the counter. His gaze fixed on hers. “While in Australia trying to get over you, I became a workaholic. I took on jobs other geologists weren't interested in. Sometimes, I worked from daybreak to sundown, weekends and holidays. My work became my life. I learned all sorts of new jobs, and I met a lot of interesting people. They were people who didn't mind my eagerness to learn, and people who didn't mind sharing their knowledge with me. By the time I left Australia to return to the States, I was ready to start my own explorations company. It's something I wanted more than anything.”

Caitlin glanced down at the floor, unable to meet his gaze any longer. The idea that she had driven him to such a state didn't make her feel good at all. “I'm glad at least something worthwhile was happening for you then.”

Dex nodded. “And I also have Clayton and Justin to thank. No man could ask for better brothers. Without as much as blinking an eye, the two of them provided the financial backing I needed to begin my company. They proved just how much they believed in me.”

Caitlin nodded. She'd known the three Madaris brothers were close but their gesture of love to Dex had proved just how close they actually were. She'd never had any siblings to share such special closeness with.

She walked across the room to the window. A group of kids were playing a game of kick ball in the street. They seemed to be having so much fun being part of a group. She knew from experience that being an only child could be lonely. She wondered if Jordan would be the only child she and Dex would ever have together.

She glanced around when she heard Dex move off the stool. He came to stand beside her.

“Justin and Clayton are really special, Dex,” she said softly. “In fact, I think your entire family is. That's the main reason I couldn't contact them when I found out I was pregnant. They were so kind to me when you took me to meet them, especially your parents.”

Dex smiled warmly. “Yeah, Mom and Dad are super people. My father has always been there not only for his sons, but for practically every fatherless boy who lived in our community when I was growing up. During my teen years Dad was the principal at our high school. He used to always stress the importance of getting a good education. He drilled it into our heads that we couldn't just give one hundred percent in what we did, we had to give one hundred plus.”

Caitlin nodded. She could just imagine the older Mr. Madaris trying to prepare his sons for the harsh realities of life. “What about your mom?”

Dex chuckled. “Mom was just Mom. Also being an educator, she was just as tough on us as Dad. Justin, Clayton and I participated in a lot of sports while in school, but Mom's top priority for us was a good education. And she strongly encouraged us to learn as much about our heritage as possible. During the summer months, all of us were required to read a certain number of books written by black authors. She believed that the more you knew about yourself, the more you would be able to love and appreciate not only yourself, but also those around you.”

Caitlin's eyes twinkled. “Your mom's a smart woman.”

“No argument from me.” Dex couldn't help wondering if their discussion about his parents had made Caitlin think of her own. He knew the pain of losing her father was still fresh. When she turned to look back out the window his gaze played over her profile.

What sort of future were they bound to have together? She had hurt him deeply once, and he knew he would never give her the chance to do so again. That meant he would always be on his guard around her. That also meant that he would never be able to share a really close relationship with her, not even for Jordan's sake.

“I'm sure the people at Remington Oil want to meet with you. When will you be leaving?” Caitlin asked suddenly, her dark eyes darting up to him.

“They want me in Austin by Friday to brief me on the project,” he said hesitantly. “But Trevor can go in my place.”

“I'm sure they'll prefer discussing things with you personally, Dex. If you really need to be there, then there's no reason why you shouldn't be.”

Dex caught Caitlin's chin in his fingers and tilted her face up to his. He smiled slightly, his eyes falling to her moistened lips and then back to her eyes. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Caitlin?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “No, of course not. I just don't want you to feel like you have to stay here because of any obligation to me and Jordan. We'll be fine.”

He withdrew his hand from her face. “And how will you explain my leaving to Jordan?”

“I'll tell her the truth. That you had a job to do and you'll be coming back.”

Dex frowned thoughtfully. A part of him didn't want to leave Caitlin and he wondered why. Could it be because the last time he'd left her behind in San Antonio, he had ended up losing her? He quickly reminded himself that at the time, he'd been deeply in love with her. But now she was a woman he no longer loved and could never love again.

“Are you sure you'll be all right?” he asked, taking a step back.

“I'm positive. I've accepted Dad's death. I'll miss him deeply, but I have to get on with my life.” Caitlin studied Dex's features. His eyes appeared clouded, making it difficult to tell what was going on behind them. She had no idea what he was thinking.

“How about if we go out to dinner tonight to a really classy restaurant and celebrate my good news.”

Pleasure grew within Caitlin with the thought that he wanted to take her out to celebrate.

“Oh, Dex, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm sure Ms. Logan wouldn't mind watching Jordan for a few—”

“Jordan's coming with us.”

An embarrassing tint spread across Caitlin's features. “Oh. I thought it would be just…” She quickly looked away. “Nothing. It's not important. My mistake.”

Dex touched her hands and she looked up at him, meeting his gaze. “You thought it would be just the two of us,” he finished softly. His eyes filled with absolute understanding after she hesitantly gave a slight nod.

“There will be other times for us. Tonight I want the three of us to celebrate together as a family.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Caitlin, I—”

“No, you don't have to explain. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions.” She racked her brain for an excuse to flee from his presence. There wasn't any need hanging around and making another complete fool of herself. “I better go check on Jordan.”

She turned and quickly left the room.

Corinthians pulled off her reading glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. She'd been working on a report since early that morning, unintentionally skipping lunch. And now it was three o'clock already. The report would be the one presented to Dex when he met with them on Friday. It would be so good seeing him again.

She smiled as she pushed herself out of the chair and stood staring around her plush office. She had come a long way since that day eight years ago when Adam had escorted her from the personnel department and up to the tenth floor. There he had shown her her working area or, more precisely, her space. It hadn't been much larger than the smallest closet in her apartment.

Corinthians left the office to get a drink of water from the water cooler in the reception area. Darcy, Adam's personal secretary, was still at it, typing furiously, trying hard like everyone else to get prepared for Friday's meeting.

Returning to her office minutes later, Corinthians went to the window and stared out at downtown Austin. She wrapped her arms around herself, a habit of hers whenever she was happy about something. She wondered if Dex was as happy as she was. He wouldn't be told the full extent of the Leabo Project until the last piece of land had been purchased. Only then would he realize just what a very lucky man he was.

Walking away from the window, she had seated herself behind the desk again when the buzzer sounded. She reached over and pressed the button on her intercom. “Darcy, I thought I asked you to hold all my calls for the remainder of the day.”

“I know, Ms. Avery, but Dexter Madaris is on the line. Before he left, Mr. Flynn told me to put Mr. Madaris through to you if he called.”

“Yes, of course,” Corinthians said, drawing air deep into her lungs. The mere thought of talking to Dex made a warm feeling pass through her. “Please put him through.”

“Dex? Hi. This is Corinthians. How are you? You're right, it's been a long time.”
Too long.
“I understand congratulations are in order.” She smiled as she slipped off her shoes and snuggled deeper into the comfortable chair.

“Yes, I know all about the project,” she said, grinning, deciding not to tell him just how much she actually knew and how close she was to it. “And no, I'm not telling you a thing about it. My lips are sealed. But I will tell you this, Dex, it's big. Bigger than anything you could imagine.”

Corinthians laughed. “When will you be arriving? Not until Thursday afternoon?” She tried to keep her voice from exposing her disappointment. She'd hoped he had planned on arriving sooner.

“I have an idea. How about if I go ahead and make reservations for you to save you the trouble.” She looked only slightly sheepish. “No, it won't be any bother at all, in fact it'll be my pleasure.”

Corinthians's smile widened. “All right, I'll see you when you get here. 'Bye, Dex. Take care.”

She had barely hung up the phone, then she jumped up from her desk and wrapped her arms around herself. Moments later she picked up the phone to call the hotel. Her solemn expression didn't mask the sparkle in her eyes.

Dex wouldn't know what hit him until it was too late.

“D
o I look pretty, Daddy?”

Dex tossed aside the magazine he'd been reading. Jordan stood on the next-to-the last stair dressed in a pink dress trimmed with ruffles and lace. Pink and white ribbons were in her braided hair and small pearl earrings were in her pierced ears.

A proud smile tugged at his mouth. He reached his hand out to help her down. “Yes, sweetheart, you look very pretty.”

Jordan gave him a dazzling smile, obviously pleased with his response. She leaned closer to him. “As pretty as Mommy?” she whispered.

“Yes,” he admitted with a soft chuckle. “You look as pretty as your mommy.” Dex glanced up the stairway. Caitlin was coming down and look absolutely gorgeous dressed in a tailored pantsuit. The scent of her perfume seduced him. He inhaled it and recalled the first time he'd met her and how even then, that same fragrance had captured him.

When Caitlin reached them, Dex extended his hand to her. “I'm a very lucky man to have two such beautiful ladies with me tonight.” He took Caitlin's fingers and pressed a light kiss on them.

“You can kiss my fingers, too,” Jordan exclaimed, presenting her hand to him.

Dex gave in to a low laugh before leaning down and kissing his daughter's hand. “Are you ready?”

Jordan bobbed her head excitedly.

Dex chuckled. “Then let's go.”

Dex had taken Caitlin and Jordan to an elegant restaurant where both the food and the service had been outstanding.

On the ride back, the car's interior was quiet except for the soft music playing on the radio. He glanced back in the rearview mirror and saw that Jordan had fallen asleep.

When he stopped the car at a traffic light, he glanced at Caitlin. She was sitting beside him with her eyes closed. The car was flooded with moonlight, and he could see the perfection of her features. Her brown skin glowed like smooth satin, and a few strands of her hair whipped around in the wind coming through the car's window. He couldn't help staring at her lips, thinking how good they looked and knowing just how good they tasted.

Dex turned his gaze back to the road when the traffic light changed to green. But he couldn't stop the outpouring of memories that hit him—memories of that night long ago when, thanks to Clayton, he'd had to admit to himself that he loved Caitlin.

After hiring her to work at his uncle's ranch, he'd kept his distance, especially after discovering he was attracted to her in a way he'd never been attracted to any woman before.

Dex fought back a smile. He'd been doing a pretty good job avoiding her until Clayton had shown up. Even now, he could remember that short conversation with his brother in his uncle's barn as though it had been yesterday….

“Dex?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you, um…” Clayton looked at him speculatively. “Is something going on between you and Caitlin Parker?”

“No,” he replied tersely. “Why?”

“Because.” Clayton smiled faintly. “If you're not interested in her, I'm sure I can be.”

He gave his brother a hard glare. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Clayton laughed. “Don't be dense, Dex. You know how attracted I am to beautiful women.”

He caught Clayton's arm in a hard grip. “Stay away from her. She's not that kind of girl.”

Clayton raised a brow. “Give me less than a day and I'll find out just what kind of girl she is.”

For the first time in his life, he wanted to beat his womanizing baby brother to a pulp. Instead he gave him a hard look that spoke volumes. He tightened his grip on Clayton's arm. “I mean it. Stay away from her.” He released Clayton and with fury in his eyes, he walked out of the barn…

Dex shook himself, bringing his thoughts back to the present. These insistent memories were making his life a living hell, he thought, pulling the car into the driveway of Caitlin's father's home.

He never got the chance to find out if Clayton would have heeded his warning, because from that night on, Dex stopped avoiding Caitlin.

Dex looked over at her when he brought the car to a stop. No woman should be this beautiful, he thought, letting his gaze move over her. She looked so damned desirable, he'd do just about anything to make love to her again.

“Caitlin, wake up. We're here.”

Dex's voice sounded oddly tender, Caitlin thought, slowly opening her eyes. Her gaze locked with his. The look in his eyes made her breath catch. It was the same look of desire she'd seen in them last night and the night before that.

Somehow she managed to tear her gaze from his and straighten in the seat. “Sorry, I didn't mean to snooze on you,” she said, unbuckling her seat belt. “I guess I wasn't much company was I?”

“You were a lot of company,” he said, reaching across and caressing the side of her face. “Asleep or awake, you're all the company I need.”

Caitlin didn't want to read more into his words than was actually there. “Why? Because we're celebrating tonight?” she asked in a whisper, not even daring to look at him. She was too afraid to do so. When he didn't answer her immediately, she took a chance and looked at him. He'd been waiting for her to do just that, she thought, because he was looking intently at her.

His gaze held hers for a long, taut moment, warm and sensuous. Then he smiled and Caitlin was aware of nothing but his gaze, his smile and the irregular beat of her heart.

Dex's fingers, which had been caressing the side of her face, moved to her lips. Slowly, tenderly, he outlined her upper lip with his thumb, then moved down to her lower lip.

“No, it's not because we're celebrating.” When he'd finally answered her question, she had to think hard to remember just what she'd asked him.

“It's because I want you,” he continued, leaning toward her. “Plain and simple.”

Her lips parted when she saw the deliciously male mouth slowly coming toward hers. She felt the delicate tip of Dex's tongue touch her. She took it into her mouth, joining it with hers. He continued to kiss her slowly, thoroughly. Instinctively her hands reached up and touched his shoulders, then curled around the back of his neck.

Dex finally drew his mouth from hers and brushed back a wisp of hair from her face to gaze into her eyes. “I think we should go inside, put our daughter to bed then finish this. I don't like the idea of giving the neighbors something to talk about, sweetheart.”

“I know,” she said softly, tracing his handsome face with her eyes. It had completely slipped her mind as to where they were. “Kissing in a parked car while our daughter is asleep in the backseat is kind of crazy, isn't it?”

“Depends on how you look at it,” Dex whispered. And then he was kissing her again, more passionately than before.

“I think we'd better go inside,” Caitlin murmured against his mouth a minute or two later. Her gaze was pinned to his lips that were still hovering close over hers.

“Yeah, I guess we'd better,” he said, slowly pulling away from her. “I'll carry Jordan inside. Just remember what I said, Caitlin. This is far from finished tonight.”

He got out of the car whistling the old Temptations' tune, “Get Ready, 'Cause Here I Come.”