Chapter 1
Olivia blinked hard, trying to bring the words into focus. She’d read the same line four times. Conceding defeat at last, she closed her computer. As she arched her back and stretched her arms overhead, she examined the ornate ceiling in the reading room of the New York Public Library. A loud rumble from her stomach gave a rude reminder of the lunch she’d skipped, but luckily, most of the people within hearing distance had already vacated the library as the eight o’clock closing time approached.
She startled at a chuckle from the table behind her. “When I heard that deafening growl, I expected the source to be a vast beefy gentleman.”
I recognize that voice. Deep, velvety, chill-inducing…Collin Sterling!
She turned to glare, but her breath caught in her throat when she locked gazes with him. Flecks of gold sparkled in his deep green eyes as his mouth twisted in a half-smile. A lock of sandy brown hair fell across his forehead, somehow looking as if it had been placed there for a photo-shoot. With a few days’ growth of beard adorning his strong, masculine jaw, she found herself fighting a sudden urge to run her fingers along it.
What am I thinking? He’s not really attracted to me. Dating is nothing but a game to him. Gathering her resolve, she painted a fake glower on her face.
“It’s called borborygmus, and the volume isn’t dependent on the size of the person or their gender.” Olivia used her strongest, don’t-even-think-about-flirting-with-me voice, daring him to argue with her.
“I must say you’re fortunate your borborygmus just began, lest the complaints of the other library goers would’ve had you ousted from the premises.”
Olivia glanced around the room, empty but for the two of them, suddenly suspicious of her stomach’s eavesdropper.
“What are you doing here, anyway, Collin?”
“Haven’t I as much right to be here as you? Or is this room reserved only for medical students? I must have missed the sign.” He used the stuffy phrasing he preferred whenever he teased her.
“You have a right to be here, the same as me. But it’s Tuesday night. I would expect to find you in some nightclub with a beer in hand and a woman on each arm. What brings you here?”
“Your assumptions are not only stinging, but wholly inaccurate. Firstly, I am a one-woman-at-a-time sort of man. Secondly, not a drop of alcohol has touched my lips in more than a year. And thirdly, I came here tonight seeking a quiet place to study for my constitutional law class. I thought I’d found the perfect spot, until the roar of your stomach interrupted my concentration.”
“You’re in law school?” It wasn’t the only surprise revealed in his speech, but it was the most astonishing.
“Why is that so shocking? Are you one of those female chauvinists who believe men shouldn’t be attorneys?”
“Surprises me that a rich playboy would be willing to do the work required for law school.”
“I’ve got more surprises where that one came from.” He grinned, waggling his eyebrows.
Olivia let out an exasperated groan, trying to hide how his flirting made her stomach flutter. “I’d rather remain in ignorance, if you don’t mind.”
“Ignorance is bliss, so I can see why you’d seek to remain there.” He leaned closer, his half-lidded eyes sending a warming streak into her system. “But I could offer you an even greater bliss, if you’d only give me the opportunity.”
Her muddled brain couldn’t form a proper comeback, so she glared at him, calling him a bad name under her breath.
“I didn’t quite hear you, though I promise I’m properly wounded by your cunning rebuttal.” His lips twitched, and laughter lurked behind his eyes. “But if looks could kill, you’d need a good defense attorney.”
“Well, it certainly wouldn’t be you.” Olivia lifted her chin. “I’ll hire Charlie to defend me.” Charlotte Best, aka Charlie, was one of Olivia’s best friends and a step-cousin to Collin. Collin had done his level best to break up her engagement. Somehow, Charlie had forgiven him, but Olivia couldn’t bring herself to trust the guy. Though sometimes… like tonight… she wished she could.
“I’ll have you know Charlie and I attend the same law school. She is, however, a year ahead of me. And I’ll admit, despite my considerable talent, I might not be able to handle a murder trial in which I was both the defense attorney and the victim.”
“Lucky for you, there are too many witnesses here. It appears you will live to torment me yet another day.”
Collin had been hounding her to go out with him at every opportunity for the past year, even showing up on occasion at the hospital where she’d worked as a registered nurse in the emergency room. But with the start of medical school in August she’d had to give up her long exhausting shifts at the hospital, so she hadn’t seen him for a couple of months. As much as he drove her crazy, she rather missed their sparring sessions.
“If you’d only give me an opportunity, you might find my company is not as distasteful as you think. Just go out with me, one time. What can it hurt?”
“Even if I wanted to—and I don’t—I haven’t got time to go out with you. I’m in med school, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“I’m in law school. I study all the time as well. Even if you’re busy, you still have to eat. I’m only asking you to dinner.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, and she resented him for making her notice them.
Olivia buried her face in her hands, mostly because it was so hard to resist his pleading eyes, especially when a hint of dimples played at the corners of his mouth. “How many times do I have to tell you? How many different ways can I say it? I’m not interested in you, Collin.”
Strong hands peeled her fingers away, forcing her to look at his sad puppy-dog pout.
“Look at me, Olivia. How can you say no to a face like this?”
She felt her resolve softening. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go out with him just one time. Surely, if they spent a few hours alone together, he’d have to admit they were simply too different. Like oil and water, they could never mix.
His enticing lips stretched into a smile as the hope grew on his face. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss those lips—just one time. To have those strong arms wrapped around her, pressing her against his iron chest. What am I thinking? I can’t let that happen. I can’t afford to fall in love with a guy who’s not right for me. One who would drop me like a rock as soon as I expressed any interest.
“No, Collin, you have a face only a mother could love. Do I look like your mother?”
He winced like she’d hit him in the face, and her heart sunk into her stomach, knowing she must’ve hit a touchy subject.
“No, Olivia. You’re nothing like her. At least, I didn’t think you were.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as if he were swallowing something painfully large.
“I…I didn’t mean to—”
“Pardon me, Olivia.” He stood abruptly, scraping the chair on the floor with a screech. “Though I never meant to offend you, it seems I can do nothing else.”
No sooner had he spoken the words than he slung his backpack over one shoulder and strode away, his footsteps echoing in the nearly empty reading room. Shocked, she watched his retreating form, while her mind grasped in vain for a proper response. He disappeared, never turning to look over his shoulder.
Her throat constricted as a surge of guilt propelled her to her feet. She knew Collin’s dad was single and always assumed his parents were divorced. What if his mother was dead? How could she be so stupid? She snatched her laptop bag and hurried after him, still composing an apology in her head. She had to sound sincere, but not too encouraging. She didn’t want Collin to think she liked him. Even if I kind of do like him a little.
On her way to the main lobby, a reflection flashed in an ornate mirror. She halted, gasping at her disheveled appearance. Her long brown curls hung in a mass of tangles, blown about by a heavy north wind during her earlier commute. She rubbed at the smudge of mascara under one eye, apparently all that remained of the limited makeup she’d applied before breakfast. She hurried on, running her fingers through her hair.
Pivoting, she joined the throng of patrons exiting the library. Though she had a good vantage point, standing five feet nine inches tall, Olivia couldn’t spot her target among the mass of people. Just as she was about to give up hope, she saw a tall man in a brown leather coat slip out through the door. I think that’s him.
Darting around her fellow library patrons, Olivia pushed through the exit into the chilly night air. She wrapped her scarf around her neck, lunging after the brown coat, which moved with the crowd into the darkness at the bottom of the massive concrete steps. Breathing heavily from her efforts, she descended the stairs and caught sight of Collin making his way down the sidewalk.
Grateful for her comfortable boots, she shuffled behind him, watching for ice.Ducking her head against the bitter cold wind, she turned to follow in the direction he’d gone, spotting him a half block ahead, moving at a rapid pace. With long strides she attempted to gain ground, but as he disappeared around the corner, she realized she’d have to run to catch him. She noticed the sidewalk was practically deserted in this direction, and the streets were rather dark. A prickle of apprehension set the hairs on the back of her neck at attention.
Trotting around the corner, she spied the tall coat-clad man fifty yards away, descending the stairs across the street into a subway station. She thought to abandon her quest, when she heard the rapid clomp of a man’s footsteps behind her, echoing in the urban canyon of tall buildings and concrete, and recognized her precarious situation.
What am I doing out here? I know better than to walk alone on a deserted street at night.
Deciding the subway was her closest safe refuge, she jay-walked—or jay-ran—as fast as she could, across the street, angling toward the subway entrance.
Almost there.
A shout sounded behind her, and she picked up the pace.
Then she was in the air, hurtling toward the street, before it even registered that her boot had slipped on the ice.
Pain flashed in her back. In her head. She saw stars on her eyelids.
The patter of footsteps was louder, as her pursuer drew closer. She tried to get up and flee, but her body wouldn’t obey her brain. Groaning, she lay still. Helpless. Waiting.
“Olivia—are you okay?” A warm hand lifted hers, patting her palm. “Olivia?”
Blinking her eyes open, she saw Collin’s face looming over her, his forehead wrinkled with concern.
“Did you change coats?” Olivia accused. “You were wearing a brown one a minute ago.”
Collin glanced at his cobalt blue parka and then tilted his head, studying her with knotted eyebrows. “I think you may have a concussion. Did you hit your head?”
“No, I didn’t hit my head.” She pushed up on one elbow and probing the tender back of her head with her fingers. “The street hit my head.”
“Ah, of course! Pardon my inaccurate blunder. I meant to ask if your head had impacted with the concrete.” The moonlight illuminated his face, sporting a smirk, despite his pretense at concern.
“I’m perfectly fine. I think my back took the brunt of it.” She struggled to sit up, wincing at the raw spot on her spine. Even buried beneath a sweater, an undershirt, and a thick coat, the pavement had done a job on her.
Strong arms slid under her armpits from behind, lifting her to her wobbly feet. As he propped her up, the earthy smell of his cologne wafted into her nose.
“What are you doing walking all alone at night on a street like this, anyway?” he scolded, his breath tickling her ear in a tingly sort of way.
“I was following you.” Desperate to escape his overwhelming nearness, she whipped around to glare at him, a motion that set the streets spinning, until his hands reached out to steady her.
“Following me?” His eyebrows lifted, widening his eyes. “How could you be following me when I was following you?”
“Why were you following me?” Her confusion was masked by sudden suspicion.
“Because you obviously don’t have the common sense God gave to a tadpole, alone at night in a totally deserted area, running on the ice.”
“It’s not totally deserted,” she defended, a swing of her chin indicating two men exiting the stairs at the subway station.
One eyebrow lifted, practically screaming his skepticism. “Fine. You were alone on an almost deserted street.”
“You still haven’t explained why you were following me,” she accused, mostly to throw him off while she thought up a suitable answer.
“Why were you following me?” he countered.
“To…” What can I say? I can’t tell him I was going to apologize—not now. “To give you a message to give to Charlie tomorrow. Don’t you see her every day at law school?”
“I usually do, but why can’t you send her a text?” Collin released her arm, standing poised as if she might topple over at any moment.
“I could text her, but I want to be sure she gets the message.”
“Okay. What do you want me to tell her?”
His intense gaze seemed to penetrate her mind. She felt a bead of sweat on her forehead, despite the frosty air, while she scrambled for something of import to pass on to Charlie. Collin bent to pick up her bag, scooping the spilled contents back inside. Thankfully, it gave her more time to think.
“Tell Charlie I won’t be at lunch tomorrow. Big test coming up, and I need to study.” It was true, although Olivia had already sent a text, canceling with her lunch mates. The technical truth of her statement didn’t prevent her from heaping a double scoop of guilt into her cup.
“Ah yes. Your weekly Wednesday lunches with my cousin and your sister.” His smile faltered for an instant, and when it returned it didn’t reach his eyes.She glanced at him as he stood holding her satchel out, waiting wordlessly while her mind wandered around like a nomad.
“Thanks.” She took the bag from his outstretched hands, tucking the strap over her shoulder.
“I see you still attack your poor defenseless fingernails with your teeth when you’re stressed.” Collin cocked his head to the side, his lids drooping as his eyes perused her form in a leisurely inspection that brought a flush to her face. “Perhaps you shouldn’t skip your lunch tomorrow—you look a bit thin.”
His brows furrowed as he stared like he could see through her bulky layers to her protruding bones. True, between work and studying, she hadn’t exactly had time to eat healthy.
“Thanks so much for the body critique, but that’s none of your business.”
She waited for his snarky retort. “I’d certainly like to make it my business.” Or maybe, “If you don’t want me to critique your body, I’d be glad to do something else with it.”
Silence.
Though he didn’t move a muscle, she felt him withdraw.
“You’re right, it’s not my business. I apologize for interfering.” His jaw flexed as if he were biting back further words.
She couldn’t help wanting to see him smile again. “I guess I should say thanks for helping me up, even though I wouldn’t have fallen if you hadn’t been chasing me.”
A single dimple winked at her. “That was a rather convoluted way to express your gratitude, but I’ll take it.”
Despite the cold, warmth spread inside her, all the way up her neck to the top of her forehead. She tugged her scarf up, hoping the flush on her face wasn’t visible in the mottled street light.
“You’re a long way from your subway station. Why don’t I walk you back, so I can be certain you get there safely?”
Finding no good reason to protest his offer, she answered with a nod, turning on her heel to retrace her steps.
As she tromped down the sidewalk, now cognizant of the shiny spots where ice had formed, he walked beside her, maintaining a respectful distance. And a civil silence.
Dialoguing in her mind she worked up the courage to voice her apology. She swallowed a dry lump of air and blurted out, “I’m sorry.”
“What?” There was no mistaking the genuine shock in his voice.
“I bet you never expected to hear that word from my lips.”
“Definitely not,” he agreed, “Unless it were part of an insult, as in, you’re a sorry scoundrel.”
A furtive glance revealed the dimple peeking out beside an almost-smile. It only made him look that much more attractive—a fact that piqued her frustration. But this time she held it in check.
“The truth is, I was following you—or I thought I was following you—to apologize for speaking so thoughtlessly. It’s just that….”
“Just that what?”
“You bring out the worst in me.”
“And how do I accomplish this formidable task, bringing out the worst in someone so nearly perfect?”
“I know I’m not perfect, Collin. I never claimed to be. But I seem to lose control when you’re around.”
She realized her mistake as soon as the words left her lips, even before the grin popped onto his face.
“That’s what I’ve been hoping for.” His eyebrows danced on his forehead. “Let’s roll with that and see where it goes. First dinner, then drinks, then losing control—”
Shoving sideways, she pushed him off balance, but it didn’t stop his merry laughter.
“Look, Collin. I’m sure lots of girls fall swooning at your feet when you look their direction.”
“Literally dozens,” he agreed, flippantly. “Every day. I simply sweep them into a dust pan and toss them in the refuse pile.”
“Then why do you want me? I think it’s just a game with you, and you can’t stand losing.” Her voice cracked. She’d come dangerously close to revealing how much she wished it weren’t simply a game. “Don’t you think you’d be happier with one of those other women? One who’s in your social circle?”
She missed his smile the moment it vanished.
* * *
Would I be happier with someone else?
The women who moved in Collin’s social circles had proven themselves as witless as they were beautiful and flirtatious. That had never bothered him before. Not until he started comparing all of them to Olivia.
Tall and slim, with huge brown eyes you could fall into, her hair hung in long curls down her back on the rare occasion she didn’t have it tied back in some form or fashion. She was beautiful, no doubt. But he was most attracted to her sharp tongue, even though she customarily used it to tear him to shreds. He’d already forgiven her thoughtless comment about his mother. She couldn’t have known the subject was raw for him.
She accused him of pursuing her simply because she’d turned him down. Was she right? Why was he so drawn to this girl? They had almost nothing in common, save their mutual friendship with Charlie and a propensity for exchanging droll jibes. And she seemed to despise him, most of the time.
In many ways, she was an enigma to him. Throughout the time he’d known her, she’d volunteered as a nurse at the free clinic, though she had little time or money to spare. Last year, she’d arrived late to a Christmas celebration his Gram had thrown because she was delivering gifts to some of the clinic families she now considered friends.
Collin had never stepped foot in a subsidized clinic, a soup kitchen, or a homeless shelter until Olivia came into his life. And though he teased her about her volunteerism, he envied those destitute people who had somehow earned Olivia’s attention and respect. His own volunteer efforts, which began as a ploy to spend time with Olivia, impacted him more than he would’ve ever imagined. He almost laughed out loud to think how he’d volunteered at a food station last Thanksgiving in order to avoid the farce of celebrating with his own family, and in the process met someone he now cared for a great deal more than his blood relatives, a motherly figure named Martha.
Jolted back to the present when Olivia’s foot slipped, he instinctively reached a steadying hand to her elbow, pleased that she didn’t flinch away. Rather than push his luck, he withdrew his supportive touch when she seemed steady on her feet.
She cast a furtive glance his direction. “Listen, Collin. I’m sure you’re a great guy, but—”
“Yes. Yes, I am.” He wiggled an invisible cigar, Groucho style. “I’m glad you finally see the light.”
He succeeded in making her smile. But she gave her head a shake, forcing a sober expression. “It doesn’t matter how great you are, Collin. The problem is I can’t relate to someone who’s had it so easy their whole life.”
“Ha!” He laughed in genuine shock. “You think my life has been easy?” Thoughts of his painful childhood invaded for a moment before he shut them away again, where they belonged.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. You always short-circuit something between my brain and my tongue. How do you do that?”
“Perhaps my animal magnetism interferes with your electrical circuits.” He bent down, catching her gaze, attempting to distract her with bouncing eyebrows.
Her lips tightened, but the corners twitched upward.
“I do think of you as a bit of an animal, though not a magnetic one. Something like a skunk, perhaps?” Her nose wrinkled.
“As you remind me of a porcupine,” he quipped. “However, both animals can be quite docile if domesticated.”
“Fat chance of that happening.”
“You intend to remain a wild animal, dear Olivia?”
“I was referring to you, dear Collin.”
“Of course. And you believe it’s my easy life that’s turned me into a malodorous animal?”
She huffed out a long sigh that was almost a groan. “What I mean is you’ve never had to worry about money. I was brought up to be careful and frugal. To work hard and save. To pay my own way.”
“I think that’s an admirable trait. I don’t see any conflict between us because you’re prudent.”
“You have no idea what it’s like to work your way through school. I’m starting med school at twenty-seven because I did it the hard way.” Olivia marked each word with an emphatic swipe of her arms as if she were directing an orchestra. “I went to nursing school first and worked as an RN to save money. Now that I’m in medical school, I can’t afford the studying time I lose working those long shifts in the emergency room, so I’m working part time in a department store.”
“A department store? Which lucky establishment has hired such an over-qualified employee?”
“Bergman Fifth Avenue. But only because they need extra help at Christmas. I don’t know what I’ll do after that. I have loans up to my—” She stiffened and looked down, stuffing her hands in her pocket. “Forget it. You wouldn’t understand.”
“But you’re poor by your own choice. I have money to spare, and I’d gladly pitch in a bit to help with your expenses.”
The anger that flashed in her eyes made him regret his hasty remark. “You think I’m that kind of girl? Like you can buy me?”
“Of course not! Why do you interpret everything I say in the worst possible way? I offered to give you some money so that you wouldn’t have to struggle so much. No need to bite my head off for being nice.”
“I know you mean well.” She licked her lips, distracting him from the conversation. For a moment, he could only think of tasting those delectable lips. He forced his mind to reality as she continued her tirade. “But I don’t want your money. Can’t you see how insulting it is to offer?”
No, I can’t. “I know Charlie and Josh have offered to help, too. Did you find their offer as insulting as mine?”
She didn’t answer, but he could almost hear her grinding her teeth. She’s probably planning a way to kill me and dispose of the body. He decided to make another attempt to comprehend her objections.
“Explain this to me, Olivia. I know you don’t have a lot of money yet. But so what? When you finish school, you’ll be rich to a certain degree, like me. Why does the unfortunate situation of my birth into a wealthy family make you so irritated with me all the time? You don’t strike me as the envious type.”
“I’m not. At least, I hope I’m not.”
Doubt slid onto her face, pushing her eyebrows together. She probably would’ve been biting a fingernail if both hands weren’t buried in her pockets. He took pity on her, prodding her side with a gentle elbow jab. “Don’t beat yourself up. I’m certain you’re not jealous of my money. I believe the only thing you covet is my superior wit.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “Sounds like wishful thinking to me.”
“Where you’re concerned, there’s always wishful thinking going on.”
“Stop it,” she scolded, as her shoulder rammed into his arm, pushing him off balance. “You need to accept we’re from two different worlds.” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “You’re twenty-nine and you haven’t worked a day in your life. I imagine your dad is paying for school, and you haven’t taken out a single loan for law school. Good grief, Collin… you’re a billionaire!”
“No, my father is a billionaire, not me. And he’s not paying for school,” he responded, bursting with indignity. He’d thought she would be impressed that he was going to law school, but now she’d turned it against him. “I pay for it myself, out of my salary.”
“You work?” Skepticism rolled off her tongue.
“Of course. I’m on the board at my father’s company.”
“Interesting. How many hours a week do you work? What are your responsibilities?”
“It’s, uh, excuse me a second. Someone’s messaging me.” He pulled out his cell phone and tapped the keyboard, darting through his messages to stall for time. Of course, being on the board was a name-only position, as it had been since the day he turned eighteen. Someday, he would be involved in the decision-making process, as would his younger brother, David. He slid the phone back into his pocket. “It’s all very complicated. You know, secret board stuff.”
“Right. Secret stuff. Stuff I can’t comprehend.” He could see the whites of her eyes when they rolled up in her head. “Like I was trying to explain, I don’t understand your way of life, and you don’t understand mine. Have you ever shopped the discount racks?”
“One doesn’t have to shop at a discount rack to understand the process. I could walk in any store right now and chose to shop the discounted racks.”
“Yes, but I don’t shop the discount racks simply because I have to. I shop them because I think it’s a waste of money to pay full price for most clothes.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. So unless something happens and your father disowns you and you get kicked out on the street and have to work to support yourself, you’ll never really understand me. So I can’t ever communicate with you. Not really. Not about anything that matters.”
“Money’s not that important.”
“You can say that because you have it. Come back and say that to me again when your only monetary support is an hourly wage at a low-level job.”
“And what about the fact that you’ll be wealthy one day?” he pointed out, a bit miffed to be shamed by the wealthy circumstances of his upbringing, over which he had no control.
“I still think my whole attitude about money will always be different from someone who grew up rich.”
“So you’re saying you might like me if I was poor?”
“Arghh! You’re putting words in my mouth.” She paused, breathing in deep. “I’m very careful and deliberate about every decision I make—I’ve always been that way. I mapped out my entire life in middle school, and so far, I’ve stayed on track.” She pursed her lips to one side. “The only thing that doesn’t fall in line with my plans is I thought I’d be married by now.”
Her lips squeezed together, and her eyes got huge, as if she hadn’t meant to share such personal feelings. Indeed this was an interesting tidbit, perhaps one he could utilize. He thought of a dozen flirtatious rejoinders, but resisted the urge to tease her about it.
“You’re only twenty-seven. You strike me as a career woman who wouldn’t marry until she was in her thirties.”
“You see, that shows how little you know about me. I want a career, but I also want a husband and a family. Since I’m twenty-seven and that hasn’t happened, I don’t have time for frivolous dating any more. I’m not going to go out with anyone I wouldn’t be willing to marry.”
“And I’m not marriage material?”
“Not for me.”
Although he shouldn’t have been surprised, her words stung. One minute, I would swear she was attracted to me. The next I’m convinced she despises me. They trudged ahead for fifteen seconds in silence until the pressure of her hand on his arm caught his attention.
“Listen, Collin.” Her voice held a timbre of repentance. “I’ll admit I’m impressed you’re in law school.”
“But I’m still not good enough for you?”
“I’m not rejecting you, not really. It can’t be rejection if the offer isn’t genuine.”
“Believe me, when I offer myself to you, body and soul, there is no pretense involved.”
“I don’t think you’re pretending. I think you’ve even fooled yourself into believing it’s real. Think about it, Collin. Are you truly attracted to me? Or are you simply refusing to accept the fact I turned down your offer?
He didn’t respond. Her words skirted dangerously close to the truth. His initial attraction to Olivia had been in the vein of competition—not wanting to lose their undeclared war of words and wit. But he soon realized she was different from the kind of women he usually dated, and that difference made her a prize worth fighting for. Those other women could never give him the kind of relationship he now desired. And her declaration about wanting a husband and a family only made him want her more.
Collin wanted a marriage like Josh and Charlie had, full of love and devotion. Since he’d seen firsthand what a healthy family could be like, he now wanted that for himself and knew he wouldn’t settle for less. He wanted a wife who loved him for who he was, not for his money or potential earnings. A woman who believed in commitment. The kind of woman who would never desert her husband, and especially not her children.
He wanted Olivia.
But she didn’t want him. She didn’t respect him. She saw him as self-centered and spoiled. The worst part is, she may be right.
* * *
Olivia ploddedon in the uncomfortable quiet following her explanation, with Collin sulking beside her. She didn’t know how to discourage him without hurting his feelings. She could hardly admit she found him so physically attractive she had to fight herself not to respond. That kind of information was too powerful for a man like Collin to possess. Thank goodness he didn’t realize he was like a magnet to her steel-coated body. She had to keep reminding herself how unsuitable he was. If she forgot, for even a moment, she’d be falling into his arms.
She should’ve objected when his hand rested on the small of her back as they crossed the street, but she enjoyed the reassuring pressure of his fingers.
Pop would kill me if he knew.
Collin had sealed his fate his first meeting with Olivia’s father almost two years ago at Gram’s Christmas party. Collin and his brother, David, had flirted with every female at the table, single or not, including Olivia’s mother. But her mom had taken his comments as compliments, intended to flatter and amuse. Olivia later learned her mother’s interpretation of his objective was accurate, though she didn’t excuse him for acting inappropriately. None too pleased at Collin’s flirtation, her father had barely remained civil.
Though Collin scaled back his flirtation at last year’s Christmas party, the disapproval on her dad’s face might as well have been a neon sign. No doubt, he would be apoplectic if Olivia announced she was dating Collin.
Why couldn’t she be drawn to someone her father would approve of? A man with all the qualities she needed in a mate? Someone polite. Of like faith. Someone who didn’t worship money or take wealth for granted. Someone who understood commitment and sacrifice. Someone who understood the true meaning of love. Why not someone who would make her as happy as Charlie and Josh? Or her sister, Grace, and Brad? Or her brother, Spencer, and Emily?
They’ve all found their soulmates. Why can’t I find mine?
Approaching a well-lit main street, the solitude of their silent walk was invaded by a steady stream of pedestrians, who accompanied them on their trek. As they reached the subway station entrance, Collin said, “Wait, Olivia.”
His hand gripped her arm, tugging her into the shadows against the building. Backing her against the wall, his arms stretched on either side, caging her inside.
“What are you doing?” The butterflies in her stomach knew exactly what was happening, yet she couldn’t find the will to protest.
“Before I let you go, I need to know something.”
He was so close, she could smell his minty breath. His nearness made her skin prickle, and her heart thudded against her chest, like the heavy pounding when Olivia and her sisters had trapped Grace inside a closet.
“I think I’ve said everything there is to say.” Olivia rasped, her mouth so dry her tongue stuck to her cold teeth.
“I don’t want you to talk.” His gravelly voice sent a ripple up and down her spine.
His hands moved, cupping her face, as his head dipped down and his mouth descended toward hers.
I can’t let this happen. I should stop him.
But she didn’t. She stood still, her hands paralyzed at her sides, her feet frozen to the pavement beneath, heart hammering against her ribs.
His lips touched hers, sending sparks throughout her nervous system. With gentle pressure he teased her shocked mouth. Her hunger built, and she tilted her chin higher, seeking more. It was all the invitation he needed. The tender brush of his lips transformed to a forceful kiss, ravenous and greedy. He was a predator. She was his prey. It felt even better than she’d imagined, all those times when she tried not to think about kissing him.
He wrenched away, his chest heaving with rapid breaths, while she panted as if she’d finished a marathon. She covered her mouth with her fingers, the tingle of his kiss lingering on her lips.
I should be upset. Right? Maybe I should slap him for being so aggressive. Is it hypocritical to act offended after I kissed him back?
“I apologize for my reckless behavior,” he said, with a hint of a grin tickling the corner of his mouth. “But I thank you for answering my question.”
“What are you talking about?” That kiss must have made my brain fog up.
“Olivia, I hope one day I’ll be able to give you an explanation that brings a smile to those luscious lips of yours. But for now, I have work to do. I promise, I won’t be bothering you anymore.”
“Okay.” The word came out breathy, and she cleared her throat before continuing. “That’s good, I guess.”
“Will you do me a favor? One tiny favor?”
“What do you want?” She didn’t bother to hide her suspicion.
“Please, take care of yourself. Show a bit of caution.” He waggled an accusing finger in front of her face. “The first part of caution is to stop walking alone in a deserted areas. In fact, I’d much prefer you didn’t walk alone anywhere at night, but I know that’s asking too much.”
She started to complain that he had no say in any decision she might make, but as she opened her mouth, his silencing finger touched her lips.
“Don’t argue, Olivia. Can’t help worrying about you. I asked nicely. Even said please.”
Gentle fingers rose up, ensnaring her face. She couldn’t swallow because her heart was in her throat, blocking the way. Bending down, his lips pressed to her forehead in a chaste kiss that left her craving more. A lot more. But it never came.
“Farewell, Olivia.” Flashing a wobbly smile, Collin lifted his fingers to his temple and tipped an invisible hat.
And he was gone.