just didn’t know.
A smile curved Zach’s mouth. “No problem.”
“I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“Oh, Katie.” He planted a long, warm kiss on her damp mouth. He drew back, his grin wide as he smoothed her hair. “My hopes have been up for quite some time now.”
She gave in to her desire for him, tipping her head and giving her lashes a few flirtatious blinks. “And what exactly are you hoping for?”
“You. Naked.”
She made a show of glancing at their bodies. “I’m liking your chances.”
“In my pirate’s lair.” He kissed her neck once more, then her jawline, her cheek, working his way to the corner of her mouth.
“Piece of advice, Zach?”
“Speed things up?” he asked hopefully, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“For future reference, that line will probably be a lot more successful if you refer to it as a castle instead of a lair.”
His hand closed over her breast, peaked and sensitized in the cool, damp air.
She gasped at the sensation.
“Lair,” he repeated on a growl.
“Fine. Yes. Whatever.”
Three days later, Dylan’s parents arrived, back from their business meetings in Chicago. And, as usual, they brought company.
Zach was happy to see them. David and Darcie were two of his favorite people in the world. After his parents died, they’d become even more important in his life. David was a brilliant businessman, while Darcie was the most loving and compassionate honorary aunt Zach could have wished for.
Still, he knew this meant the end of his interlude with Kaitlin. Dylan would never have a woman stay at the house with his parents there, and it was past time for Zach to get back to Manhattan.
“You weren’t kidding about them having a few friends over,” Kaitlin observed as they drove the golf cart the last quarter mile to the Gilbys’ house. Music wafted from the open windows, and it was easy to see groups of people circulating on the deck.
“What are the Gilbys like?”
“David’s savvy, hardworking, a great guy to go to for advice. Darcie’s friendly, gregarious. You’ll like her.”
“What will she think of me…?” Kaitlin’s voice trailed off on the half-finished question.
He put his hand over hers. “We can let her think whatever you like.” He paused, but Kaitlin didn’t step in and offer a suggestion. “How about a business associate and a friend?” he asked.
Kaitlin accepted with a smile.
Zach fought a shot of disappointment, but he let it slide. He didn’t want people to think Kaitlin was his business associate. He wanted them to think… He paused. What? That she was his lover? His girlfriend? His wife? His hands gripped tighter on the steering wheel. He was going to have to figure it out. Not right this minute, of course. But soon.
“Lindsay will probably stay at my place for the night,” he told Kaitlin. “When it’s only Ginny, well, she’d never notice. But with his parents, Dylan doesn’t…”
“I understand,” Kaitlin said, nodding easily.
Zach hoped Lindsay would react the same way.
Then again, that was Dylan’s problem. Zach’s problem was figuring out where things were left with him and Kaitlin.
Would they continue seeing each other in Manhattan? He had quickly grown used to waking up with her every morning. He liked having her around for breakfast, reconnecting over dinner. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he wanted to sign the damn divorce papers anymore.
Of course, that was ridiculous.
Luckily, that decision was months away.
He glanced at Kaitlin’s profile, taking in her pert nose, those gorgeous green eyes, the spray of freckles that had come out in the sun. And, of course, her wild, coconut-scented auburn hair that he buried his face into every chance he got.
At the top of the driveway, he pressed the button to open the garage door, pulling the golf cart inside, unable to shake the feeling that something precious had just ended.
He stepped out and rounded the vehicle. Then he took Kaitlin’s hand, leading her to the three steps and the doorway that would take them into the house and the party.
Unable to help himself, he stopped her there, cradled her face in his hands and kissed her thoroughly.
She responded, like she always did, soft lips parted, a light touch of her tongue meshing with his. Her breasts pressed up against his chest, and she came up on her toes to meet him partway. He loved that about her.
His arms tightened around her slender waist.
This wasn’t goodbye, he told himself. She worked for him, with him. They’d both be in Manhattan. They would see each other at the office every day.
Hell, they were
She pulled back. “You keep this up, and they’re never going to believe we’re business colleagues.”
“We’re husband and wife,” he said gruffly.
She grinned and playfully swiped her index finger across the tip of his nose. “We’re pretty much faking everything here, aren’t we, Zach?”
He opened his mouth to protest, but she turned away, skipping up the stairs, opening the door and ending the moment.
He quickly trapped the door with his hand before it could swing shut. Music chimed from the sound system, while chattering voices spilled from the deck into the great room. All the staff members were working, impeccably dressed and serving drinks or circulating with appetizers.
Zach knew the kitchen would be a hive of activity. He also knew Ginny would be in her element, visiting with guests into the evening until she gave in to exhaustion. He saw Kaitlin heading toward Lindsay on the deck and started after her.
“Zach,” came David’s booming voice. “Great to see you at home, son.”
“Welcome back, sir.” Zach shook his hand.
“You remember Kevin O’Connor.” David gestured to a fiftyish gentleman with a three-olive martini in his hand.
“Swiss International Bank,” Zach acknowledged, shaking again, checking for Kaitlin out the corner of his eye.
“Kevin has a client,” David began. “He’s out of Hong Kong, and he’s got mining interests in Canada and South America.”
“I see,” Zach said, dutifully focusing his attention. Mining companies were massive shippers; ore was both heavy and voluminous. And a Hong Kong client likely had access to the mainland China market. Zach’s personal life would have to go on hold for a moment.
The moment turned into half an hour. A drink was put into Zach’s hand, and a third man joined them, a friend of Kevin’s with an interest in manufacturing.
By the time the conversation wound down, Kaitlin was nowhere to be found. Neither was Lindsay.
He managed to track down Dylan, who was with Ginny, then he was rewarded when he heard Kaitlin’s voice from behind him.
“You must be enjoying the party,” she offered breezily to Ginny, who was decked out in chiffon and diamonds, a folded, lace fan in her hand and her dogs at her feet in rhinestone collars.
“And who is this young lady?” Ginny asked in an imperious tone. She leaned toward Kaitlin. “Are you here with my grandson? He’s a catch, you know.”
Zach turned in time to see Kaitlin’s surprise morph into obvious disappointment.
