He couldn't spare the time to make her feel as special now as she deserved, and he would have to make it up to her later for leaving. She deserved it. But Corinne had given him an excuse to run now and he grabbed the chance.
Because Joe's scare came at an opportune moment, at a time when Colin needed space.
He was a man who always left before things became intense, and he didn't know what to do with his craving to be closer to Rina now. He felt crowded by his emotions because never in his life had he connected with a woman on such an elemental level.
Rina humbled him. He'd had more invested than just sex in that one encounter, all the while knowing he'd hurt her in the end. Hurt himself, as well, since losing her was inevitable.
For himself, it was better he build in some emotional distance now. For Rina, it was better she know up front that she couldn't count on him for the long run.
RINA ACCEPTED another glass of punch from the server and turned to the good-looking man who'd approached her, then proceeded to talk about his portfolio for the last fifteen minutes. He bored her to tears but at least he was paying attention to her.
Unlike Colin, who'd ditched her. He could have waited and told her about Joe himself or taken her with him to the hospital. He could have done many things. Instead, he'd opted to leave her at the party alone. His actions spoke volumes about something she'd known all along. Colin Lyons was the love-'em-and-leave-'em type. As hurt as she was, she reminded herself she'd wanted a fling and Colin had just proven he was the right man for the job.
Rina squared her shoulders, determined to make the best of the party and gather information for her column. "So tell me," she asked Edward Worthington III. "Is your portfolio really as large as you claim?" She leaned in closer and batted her lashes.
He leaned closer. "Come home with me and I'll show you," he said, his implicit meaning obvious.
"Rina already has a ride home," Emma said, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her away. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Research. And tonight I've discovered that men like outgoing, friendly women."
"Men like to think they'll get lucky, and Edward is out to prove himself ever since his fiancée ditched him because his mother took over their wedding plans. Now wave goodbye and let him move on to someone who's really interested."
Knowing Emma had a point-she always did-Rina waved goodbye to Edward. She'd only been flirting to take her mind off Colin anyway. The column was the last thing on her mind.
"Research my patootie," Emma muttered. "You're sulking because Colin left, and that's completely unbecoming."
Rina agreed with the unbecoming part, but since she refused to enlighten Emma as to what had transpired in the bathroom, she clenched her jaw shut tight and followed the older woman into the foyer.
"My driver is ready to take you home," Emma said, patting her hand. "We'll talk more tomorrow when your head is clearer."
"Nonsense. I'll drive Ms. Lowell home." Stan Blecher stepped up beside them. "I heard you tell your driver where she lives and it's on my way home."
"Eavesdropping's rude," Emma muttered.
"So is your attitude, but you don't see me complaining," the older gentleman said.
Rina had never seen Emma put in her place before and bit the inside of her cheek to contain her laughter. "If you're sure you don't mind, I'd appreciate the ride," she said to Stan.
"Of course not. It's been ages since I had someone as young and beautiful as you in the seat beside me." He glanced at Rina and winked. He obviously wanted to make Emma jealous.
"I told you he was a lecher." From the sulking pout on the other woman's face, his tactic had obviously worked.
"He's a gentleman, Emma," Rina said softly.
"Then let him take you home. I don't give a fig if I ever see him again." With a haughty raise of her chin, Emma pivoted around and walked away. But not before adding, "Colin's a little boy at heart, Rina. Give him the chance to explain."
Rina rolled her eyes because she didn't see her friend giving Stan any chances at all. She met Stan's gaze and shrugged, unsure of what to say now that Emma had taken her leave.
Stan grinned. "Emma lies. Within a week she'll be putty in my hands."
"I hope so." Rina meant her words even more after Stan drove her home.
On the way, he'd told her about the death of his wife, how much he and Emma had in common and how he just wanted companionship in his later years. Emma, with her outspoken attitude and bubbly personality, suited him fine. Rina agreed. Though she hadn't met Judge Montgomery, only caught sight of the stuffy man from across the room, she didn't think Stan fell into the other man's league. No way would Stan side with Judge Montgomery against Emma. Relieved, she hoped Emma would give in and find the happiness she tried to give others.
Twenty minutes after arriving home, Rina stepped out of her own shower, free of the champagne but not free of Colin or the memory of him bringing her to climax. Alone.
Men. What woman could possibly understand them? At this rate, her series would probably never answer the question.
What did men want? Darned if she knew.
Towel drying her hair, she glanced at Norton. As soon as she met his gaze, he whined and rolled over onto his back. "At least your needs are simple, boy." She leaned down to scratch his belly, when the doorbell rang.
Norton scrambled to his feet and Rina rose, following him to the door. "Coming," she called.
It was 1:00 a.m., late by most standards but early enough for Frankie to stop by for some chocolate-chip ice cream and a chat after her Saturday-night date. This was the first time Rina could contribute to the dating part of the conversation and she needed her friend's advice. "Am I glad to see you," Rina said as she swung the door open wide.
"Well, at least someone is."
Rina winced. "Bad date?"
"The worst." Frankie stomped inside and made herself at home on Rina's couch, propping her cowboy-booted feet so they hung off the armrest without touching the furniture. "How about you? How was your first date since arriving in this quaint New England town?"
Rina closed her eyes and remembered Colin's touch, his warm mouth and his heady scent.
"That good, huh? Care to tell me your secret?" Frankie grinned.
With her straight inky-black hair, olive skin and good heart, Frankie shouldn't need anyone's help to find a man. They should be banging down her door. Only they weren't, which made the opposite sex and their desires that much more of a puzzle.
Rina sighed. "No secret to share."
"So was this a good date or a bad date?"
"Both. I can't say he used me because he certainly didn't get any satisfaction and I did, but he left me at the party and"
"Whoa. Back up and start over." Frankie's wide-eyed gaze was filled with curiosity.
Rina blushed, realizing what she'd revealed. "Emma spilled champagne on us and we went upstairs to clean up. Let's just say Colin and I had a moment and leave it at that. But when I arrived back downstairs, I found out he'd received an emergency telephone call and he left immediately for the hospital."
Frankie frowned. "So is he, or isn't he, a jerk? Tough call."
Rina laughed. "No kidding. He did arrange a ride home for me," she said in Colin's defense.
Frankie shot her a knowing look. "So how interested are you in this guy?"
"He makes me feel good." Rina paced the floor in her living room, adrenaline making it impossible for her to relax.
"Which is what you said you wanted in a first time-out fling."
"Right. Unfortunately he also really gets to me in here." She tapped her chest, over her heart. "His parents died when he was young and he's got scars that haven't healed."
"So he's afraid of being hurt and so are you. Not a bad thing considering you aren't looking for a serious relationship, right?"
When Rina remained silent, Frankie pinned her with a stare. "Right?" she asked again.
"Right. Right," Rina said, hoping by verbalizing the words she'd feel them a bit more. "It's just that he-"
"What?"
She winced. "I feel like I'm being disloyal when I say this, but Colin arouses feelings inside me that Robert never even touched. Physical and emotional." Rina walked to the window and looked out into the snow-covered night. "And that scares me."
"Why?" Frankie asked. "Because if a man did it for me like this Colin guy does it for you, then let me tell you, nothing could keep me out of his bed." She cleared her throat. "I mean life. Nothing could keep me out of his life."
Rina rolled her eyes, but unfortunately, Frankie's point was dead on. "You know what scares me so much? The guy is a guaranteed wanderer. He'll go when this is over." She turned back to face her friend. That fact, which had originally made Colin the perfect man, now put Rina in a frightening situation.
"That just means you have to keep things shallow."
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't be craving chocolate-chip ice cream, now, would I?"
"I thought you'd never offer." Frankie jumped up and headed for the freezer. "Ice cream is a girl's best friend." As she loaded up two bowls, she continued. "There's no problem that I can see. From what you told me, it's been two long years since you've indulged and you're due for some male company. Keep things strictly superficial and you'll be fine. No heartache, no hurt involved."
Exactly what Rina had been telling herself. Unfortunately, everything about Colin was complicated and involved so much more than surface feelings. Before Rina could reply, the jarring ring of the phone startled her. No one ever called at this hour and Rina immediately thought of her parents in Florida. "One sec" she said to Frankie, then grabbed for the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey, Rina."
"Colin." Relief settled over her that this wasn't bad news.
"Mmm. Now this is where the night gets interesting," Frankie said.
Rina kicked her in the shin. "Shh," she whispered.
"Hi, honey. Listen, I needed to talk to you," Colin said, his deep voice pulling at her in inexplicable ways.
With his use of the endearment, Rina's mouth grew dry and her nerves kicked in. She lowered herself onto the couch beside Frankie, her legs suddenly unable to support her.