Chapter 14
The very last thing Merva Goode-Klein expected when she arrived at the Tea Room was to see her daughter already there.
What took her aback was the fact that she was with none other than Landry Crenshaw.
She had a reputation for being extra early and controlling the room.
They had taken one with a door that prevented curious eyes from looking in.
She didn't like that one bit. She was further surprised to see her son already there.
“What is this then?” she inquired as soon as she was escorted in.
“Mother.” Kyle rose along with Landry, then came over to pull out her chair. “You're looking lovely as usual,” he said smoothly, before going back to his seat.
“We have an announcement.” Kady took Landry's hand as soon as he sat back down. “Would you rather we did it now or after the meal?”
“Now, of course.” Merva glanced at the linked hands, her curiosity aroused.
“We're getting married next Saturday.”
Unhurriedly reaching for her glass of sparkling water, Merva took a fortifying sip before responding.
“What's the hurry?” She aimed an icy look at the man sitting next to her daughter.
“It's only been what? Fifteen years?” She swung her gaze back to her daughter.
“What lies has he told you to get you to agree to this insanity?”
“Mother-”
“No.” Landry squeezed her hand gently. “Mrs. Klein, what I'm about to say to you has to be kept in the strictest confidence. I would like to explain everything before you say anything. Would you afford me that courtesy?”
Merva had to admit that the young man had manners and being rich as Croesus did not make him out to be arrogant and entitled. And he obviously adored her daughter. “Go ahead.” She waved a hand as she took another sip of her water, her interest piqued.
At first, she showed only mild interest, but as he went into detail, she stared at him with shock in her eyes and could hardly wait until he was finished.
“I hurt your daughter.” Lifting her hand, he kissed it before pressing it to his cheek.
The gesture was so intimate and poignant that the other two at the table felt as if they were excluded.
“Unwittingly. Even back then, I would have cut off my right hand to prevent that from happening. But I made a promise to her and to myself that I would never hurt her that way again.”
Merva had no doubt that he meant every word and for a moment, she felt the pang of longing for someone to look at her like that. Her husband had loved her, but theirs had been a quiet kind of settled love. What she was looking at now was heated and scorching. It was as if the two were as one.
“And this Massey asshole, no sign of him yet?” Kyle spoke for the first time. “Has he been in contact with anyone else?”
“Kathy,” Landry said quietly.
“I see.” It took all of his willpower not to react.
He had not heard from her in a couple of days and decided not to get in touch.
Meanwhile, her life was in danger. It was a hell of a situation he found himself in.
Because for the past two days, he found himself longing to hear her voice. “Is she all right?”
“Yes.” Landry sent him a grateful smile, and Kyle decided that he wasn't such a jerk after all.
And the proof of the man's love for Kady was there for all to see.
The naked adoration on the man's face was astounding.
“We're doing all we can to find out where he's holed up.” He brought their joined hands to his lips in an automatic gesture that was profoundly touching.
“But we're not willing to wait on any of it to get married.” He turned his head and, for a minute, simply stared at the woman who held his heart in her hands. “We want to begin our lives together.”
“How can I get in the middle of that?” Merva's eyes glistened. “I wish you all the best.”
“And I'd say congratulations are in order.” Leaning forward, Kyle kissed his sister on the lips. “You're happy, that's all I ever wanted for you.”
“You're next,” she told him with a grin.
“Bite your tongue,” he shot back lightly, feeling his chest tightening. “Would you excuse me for a bit? I have some calls to make.”
***
“Meet me somewhere,” he said without preamble as soon as she answered the phone.
“Who's this?”
“Don't play games with me. You don't want to test me right now.” He was sitting in his car, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. “You could not find the courtesy to tell me your life was in danger? Am I just a sex toy to you? An itch to scratch?”
“Damn you to hell!” Her soft voice had gone steely. “You would dare talk to me like that after two whole days of complete silence?”
He had the grace to feel ashamed. “The phone works both ways,” he muttered.
“You said it's just sex.”
“You said the same thing,” he shot back. “Look, can we meet or not?”
“There will be guards.”
“So bloody bring them. I want to see you.”
“For sex?” she taunted.
“Kathy-”
“Give me half an hour.”
Hanging up, he sat there drumming his fingers on the wheel.
So, he had feelings for her; it wasn't just the spectacular sex.
When he heard she was in danger, he felt the tightness inside his chest and the urge to run to her rescue.
This wouldn't do. His sister was already involved with one member of the family, and they were very happy.
Kathy Crenshaw was a whole different kettle of fish.
She was spoiled, entitled, and accustomed to having her own way.
She was also a damn heiress. He wasn't too shabby in the finance department himself, but his bank account would appear paltry compared to hers.
Lifting a hand, he rubbed the back of his neck and wondered what the hell to do.
***
“That went well, I think.” His voice was amused and indulgent at the same time. “I don't think she hates me half as much as she did when she first walked into the room.”
They were safely tucked inside his apartment after they had both decided to call it a day and not go back to their offices.
Linking his arms around her waist, he drew her back against him and felt the pleasure blossoming.
He wondered if he would ever get used to the idea of having her in his arms. For years, he had thought it was all over for him.
“Are you kidding?” Tilting her head back, she laughed up at him. “She was practically eating out of your hand by the time we finished lunch.”
“Your brother disappeared.”
“I think it had something to do with the hospital.”
He turned her to face him, his face sober. “I want them to like me. I knew I messed up before-”
“Through no fault of yours,” she reminded him swiftly, hating to see the look of guilt on his handsome face.
“Nevertheless-” He lifted a hand to cup her cheek. “Am I forgiven, darling? Truly?”
“Don't piss me off by asking me such a stupid question.”
His grin flashed. “All right. Point taken.” He trailed a finger down her cheek. “I've asked Leonora to stop by. She has some ideas.”
“We have to include your mother and mine as well as your sister.”
He winced at that. “I'm going to ask to be excused from all of that planning.”
“You were the one who wanted to get married in a week.”
“Too soon?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I cannot wait to be your wife.”
Emotions stormed through him and left him weak. “I adore you,” he whispered hoarsely.
“Show me,” she demanded.
***
He was pacing the living room floor when she walked in.
His heart slammed inside his chest, and he had to forcibly restrain himself from rushing over and hauling her into his arms. “You're fifteen minutes late,” he said instead.
Quelling the urge to walk into his arms, Kathy shrugged out of her jacket and draped the cashmere carelessly over the single sofa. He had lit a fire, which gave the room a cozy warmth. “I had to do some tap dancing with the parents. They're intent on keeping me close. Well? I'm here.”
“Cut the crap.” He was dangerously close to having a slow boil. “Just cut it out. You're in danger.”
“Yes.”
“From some asshole your mother was involved with.”
She strolled over to stand in front of the fire. It would not do for him to see how much she wanted his arms around her. “I see you've been well informed. By my brother, no doubt.”
“Yes.” Making a decision, he marched over and grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around.
He wanted her with a fierceness he was finding alarming.
“I wanted to sink my fist in his face when I first saw him. But after he explained everything, I resisted the urge to rearrange his pretty face. He loves her.” Letting her go, he paced to the window.
He could see the guards outside, and it made him uneasy.
“You doubted that?”
“Yes. He ruined her. When he left, she was broken and it took a while for her to recover.
She's my bloody sister and whatever hurts her, hurts me. But he loves her.” He turned to face her, eyes skimming over the figure-hugging wool she had on.
Her hair was loose and flowing down her back. He wanted to devour her whole.
“What do you want from me?”
The abrupt change of subject startled her. “I imagine it's the same thing you want from me.”
“And what exactly do you think I want from you?”
“Sex, that's what you told me.”
His face was inscrutable, even though his heart was pounding. “Is that all you want?”
Kathy felt frustration and anger vying for supremacy. “If that's all you're prepared to give.”
“What do you want? And don't give me that crap about wanting what I'm prepared to give. For once, be honest.”
“Aren't I always?” she asked archly, her brittle mood collapsing at the look on his face.
“I want more.”
“How much more?” He was crossing the room and coming towards her.
“So much more.” She took a deep breath when he stood in front of her.
“You've been married two times. Why did they not last?” He had to know, God help him, he had to know.
Lifting her chin, she met his eyes squarely. “I was foolish and acting out.”