“Maybe not, but you don’t have to be so obvious about it. You know I’m right about the day care problem. You should look into it.”
She was right, dammit. Even more frustrating, he wasn’t pissed anymore. How had she done that?
“You’re a strange woman, Annie McCoy.”
She smiled. “Part of my charm.”
It was more than charm, he thought, reaching for her hand. He laced his fingers with hers, then pulled her close. She came willingly, leaning across the console. He stretched toward her, then pressed his mouth to hers.
Annie had never experienced makeup sex, but she’d heard it was terrific. If the fire shooting through her the second Duncan’s lips touched hers was any indication of what it could be like, it was something she was going to have to look into.
Her body was energized from their argument. She’d enjoyed battling with him, knowing she could stand up for herself. While he could easily overpower her physically, emotionally they were on equal ground. And they would stay that way. A feeling in her gut told her Duncan fought fair.
She tilted her head, wanting more from the kiss. He tangled his free hand in her hair and parted his lips. She did the same, welcoming his tongue. He tasted of Scotch and mint. Heat from his body warmed her. She leaned closer and wrapped her arm around his neck.
They kissed deeply, straining toward each other. She ached inside-her breasts were swollen and there was a distinct pressure between her legs. If the car console hadn’t been between them, she would have had a tough time keeping herself from pulling off his jacket and tearing off his shirt.
But instead of suggesting they take this somewhere else, he straightened, putting distance between them.
In the dark, she couldn’t see his eyes and wasn’t sure what he was thinking.
“You’re a complication,” he said at last.
Was that good or bad? “I’m also a Pisces who enjoys long walks on the beach and travel.”
He laughed. As always, the sound made her stomach tighten.
“Dammit, Annie,” he muttered before kissing her again. When he pulled back, he said, “I’m taking you home before we do something we’ll both regret.”
Regret? She had no plans for regrets. But not being sure of his response, she stayed silent. Wanting Duncan was one thing. Wanting Duncan and having him flat-out say he didn’t want her back was more than she was willing to take on.
Courage was a tricky thing, she thought as she fastened her seat belt. Apparently she needed to work on hers.
Annie survived the next two parties fairly easily. She was getting the hang of meeting businesspeople and explaining that yes, she really did teach kindergarten and loved what she did. She’d made friends with a couple of the wives, which was nice, and had met several more business reporters. The world of the rich and successful was less intimidating than it had been at the beginning, as was Duncan himself. The only regret she felt was that he hadn’t kissed her again.
She told herself it was probably for the best and in her best moments, she actually believed it. Duncan had made it more than clear that theirs was a business relationship. Anyone who didn’t listen only had herself to blame if it all ended badly. She had been warned.
“What’s in the box?” Duncan asked, after they’d left the marina hotel and were driving back toward her place.
She’d brought it out with her on the date and had told him she wouldn’t discuss it until after the party.
“Christmas decorations,” she said. “For your place. A small thank-you for all you’ve done.”
He glanced at her. “What kind of decorations?” he asked, sounding suspicious.
“Nothing that will eat you in your sleep. They’re pretty. You’ll like them.”
“Is that an opinion or a command?”
She grinned. “Maybe both.”
“Fine,” he said with a sigh. “Come on. I’ll even let you put them where you think they should go.”
Before she realized what he was doing, he’d gone north instead of south on the freeway. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into underground parking at a high-rise condo building.
Annie told herself to stay calm. That his bringing her home didn’t mean they’d gone from a fake couple to a real one. They were friends, nothing more. Friends who pretend dated. It happened all the time.
She followed him into the elevator where he pushed the button for the top floor. A penthouse, she thought, feeling her stomach flip over. She shouldn’t be surprised.
The elevator opened onto a square landing. There were four condo doors. Duncan walked to the one on the left. He opened it and flipped on a light, then motioned for her to step inside.
The space was large and open, like the lofts she’d seen on the Home and Garden channel shows she liked. There were hardwood floors, a seating area in the middle, a flat-screen TV the size of a jumbo jet, windows with a view of Los Angeles and a kitchen off to the right. Her entire house, including the backyard, would easily fit just in what she could see. No doubt his place had more than one bathroom. Maybe she could send the twins over here to get ready on Friday nights. There would be a whole lot less screaming for the mirror at her place if she did.
Duncan closed the door, then glanced at her.
“It’s nice,” she said, taking in the neutral beige walls and taupe sofa. “Not a lot of color contrast.”
“I like to keep things simple.”
“Beige is the universal male color. Or so I’ve heard.”
She followed him into the sitting area. Or great room. She wasn’t sure what it was called. The leather furniture looked comfortable enough and there were plenty of small tables. She put her purse on a chair and set the box on the table next to it. Duncan walked into the open kitchen.
“Want some wine?” he asked.
“Sure.”
He looked back at her, his eyes bright with humor. “It’s not in a box.”
She laughed. “Lucky me.”
While he poured, she brought out her decorations. There were three musical snow globes with different holiday settings. Two flameless candles that sat on painted bases. Some garland, a snowman liquid soap dispenser and a nativity scene. The last was still in the box, the small porcelain figures protected.
She glanced around the room. The candles and the garland could go on the dining table. The snow globes fit on the windowsill. Duncan didn’t seem to have any blinds to get in the way. She spotted a hall bathroom and put the soap there, then set up the nativity display on the table under the massive TV. When she was done, Duncan handed her a glass of wine.
“Very nice,” he said. “Homey.”
“Are you lying?”
“No.”
She couldn’t tell if he meant it or not. “I wanted to bring a tree, but wasn’t sure you were the type.”
“My housekeeper would be unamused.”
She wasn’t surprised.
“Want to see the rest of the place?” he asked.
She looked around at the open room, the tall ceilings, and resisted the need to say “There’s more?” Instead she nodded.
Next to the half bath she’d noticed was a guest room. It was bigger than any two bedrooms at her house, but that no longer surprised her. On the other side of the bath was a study. The walls were paneled, a big wood desk stood in the middle, but what caught her attention were the trophies on the built-in bookcases. There were dozens of them, some small, some large. A few were of boxing gloves, but most were figures of a man boxing.
“You won these,” she said, not really asking a question.
He nodded and sipped his wine.
She crossed the carpeted floor to read a few of the engravings. Each trophy had his name. There were dates and locations. She also saw medals in glass cases.
“I don’t get it,” she said, facing him. “Why do people want to hit each other?”
