You want a glass of wine? He took her hand and led her to the big sitting area at the far end of the huge, rectangular room. A big, bay window overlooked the river and the moon hung high above the mountains. It was a clear night, with layers of stars twinkling deep into space.
Wine sounds good. She perched on one end of the couch.
We can talk, he said as he moved to the wet bar, stopping to turn on some soft music, before returning with two glasses of red wine. Merlot okay? I can order something else if youd like.
She accepted the glass. Thisll be fine.
He sat down at the opposite end of the couch, leaving a wide space between them.
She leaned back, and their gazes locked for a long, breath-robbing minute. The air seemed to sizzle, and her skin broke out in goose bumps while her heart sped up, throbbing deep in her chest.
Tell me about Chicago, she managed, hoping to keep from throwing herself at him for at least five minutes.
What do you want to know?
Where do you live? She took a sip of the robust, deep-flavored wine. It danced on her tongue, then warmed her extremities as she swallowed. Or maybe it was Calebs presence that warmed her extremities. It was impossible to tell for sure.
I have an apartment. Its downtown. On top of a thirty-five-story building.
So, its a penthouse? That shouldnt have surprised her. But she found it was hard for her to get used to Calebs level of wealth. Though the fact that he owned a jet plane should have made it clear.
I guess you could call it that, he answered easily. I bought it because its close to our head office. The plants are all in industrial parks in the outskirts of the city, but it makes sense to have the head office downtown.
You dont have to apologize to me for having a downtown office.
He chuckled. When Im talking to you, it feels a little extravagant. Truth is, most of our international clients stay downtown, so its for convenience as much as anything else. Im not trying to impress anyone.
I wouldnt think youd have to try. She imagined people would be impressed without Caleb having to lift a finger in that direction.
He gave a mock salute with his wine glass. Was that sarcasm?
Truthfully, it wasnt. Though I am struggling to picture you with a list of international clients.
Thats why Im forced to wear a suit. It helps them take me more seriously.
She smiled at his joke and drank some more wine, feeling much more relaxed than when she first walked in.
Weve had inroads into Canada and Mexico for quite some time, Caleb elaborated. Our first expansion of a plant outside of the Chicago area was Seattle. With the port there, we had access to the Pacific Rim. It turned out to be a really good move. So, now, we have buyers from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, as far away as Australia. Thats when we bought the jet. We started doing trade shows over there. In many Asian cultures, status is very important. So that meant I had to go, as president of the company. Otherwise, we couldnt get the right people in the room for meetings. He paused. Do you have any idea how long it takes to fly from Chicago to Hong Kong?
I havent a clue.
Long time.
Is that why theres a bathroom in the jet.
And why the seats turn into flat beds.
Not to brag, she put in saucily. But I went as far as Denver this year.
Youre lucky. If I could do all my work in Chicago, Id never travel at all.
Mandy didnt like the idea of Caleb not traveling. The only way shed ever see him in the future is if he traveled to Colorado. The jet seemed pretty comfortable, she noted.
So, you see my point.
Your point being, why fly commercial when you can take your own Gulf Stream?
Okay, now that was definitely sarcastic.
It was, she admitted with a grin.
He sobered. Its funny. What looks like luxury and unbelievable convenience that ninety-nine percent of the population cant access, is really just me trying to survive. He set down his wineglass and shifted closer to her. I dont know if Im saying this right. But money and success arent what you expect. The responsibility never goes away. You worry everyday. Literally thousands of people depend on your decisions, and you never know whos your friend, whos using you and whos out to get you. The risks are high. The stakes are high. And you go weeks on end without an opportunity to catch your breath, never mind relax.
Mandy thought she did understand. Are you relaxed now? she asked.
He nodded. Amazingly, at this moment, yes.
Thats good.
Its you.
It was her turn to toast him, keeping it light. Happy to help out.
He tapped his fingers against his knee. You know, I believe youre serious about that. Its one of the things I like best about you.
Im relaxing? She wasnt sure whether to take that as a compliment or not. Relaxing could also be boring. And she couldnt possibly be anywhere near as exciting as the women he usually dated.
Dated. She paused. Was this a date?
Youre not thinking about what I can do for you, said Caleb. Youre sitting over there, looking off-the-charts gorgeous, enjoying a rather pedestrian wine, without a single complaint.
She glanced at her glass. Should I be complaining? Do I have poor taste in wine?
Im definitely not saying this right. You care about how I feel, about what you can do for me. Do you know how rare that is?
Do I really have bad taste in wine?
Caleb laughed, picked up his glass, toasted her and drank the remainder. It tastes perfectly fine to me. He stared softly at her for a long moment. But I know you know what I mean.
She fought an impish grin, going with the impulse to keep joking. I figure its a toss up between you saying Im boring and you saying Im unsophisticated.
He deliberately set down his empty glass. Moved so he was right next to her and lifted her glass from her fingers. You, Mandy, are anything but boring.
But I am unsophisticated.
He opened his mouth, but she kept talking before he could say something that was complimentary but patently untrue. Im a ranch girl, Caleb. Ive barely left the state. I havent even seen my own sister at Liberty in New York.
Caleb blinked in obvious surprise. You havent seen Katrina dance?
Oh, Ive seen her dance a few times, during the last years she was at college. Mandy thought back to the experiences. She is incredible. But I havent been to New York since she joined Liberty. I havent seen her perform at the Emperors Theatre as a principle dancer.
You need to do that, he said decisively.
I do. And maybe I should take in a wine-tasting class while Im in the city. Clearly, my palate needs some work.
Your palate is perfect. He kissed her. Better than perfect. He kissed her again.
She responded immediately, arms going around his neck, hugging him close, returning the kiss with fervor, reveling in the feel of his strong body pressing itself up against hers.
Im taking you to New York, he whispered against her lips.
Now?
Not now. His warm hand covered her knee, sliding up her bare thigh, beneath the red dress. Right now, Im hoping to take you someplace else entirely.
She smiled against his mouth. I can hardly wait.
He drew back to look at her. But after this, Mandy. Whatever happens with He seemed to search for words. Whatever happens with all the stuff thats around us Afterwards, I am taking you to New York. Were going to watch your sister perform, drink ridiculously expensive wine and stay in a hotel suite overlooking Central Park.
Is that before or after you take me to Rio for a manicure?
Your choice.
His fingertips found the silk of her panties, and she groaned his name.
Oh, Mandy, he breathed, kissing her deeply, lifting her into his arms.
He stood, striding toward the king-size bed, flicking the lights off as he passed each switch.
He set her on her feet next to the bed, threw back the covers, then gently urged her down, following her, stretching out, his gaze holding hers the entire time.
He gently stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, smoothed her hair, ran his fingertips along her collarbone, pushing down the straps of her dress. I am so very glad youre here.
She kissed his mouth, ran her tongue over the seam of his lips, then opened wide and kissed him deeply and endlessly. Theres nowhere else I want to be.
He took it slow, gently and tenderly lingering over every inch of her skin with his kisses and caresses. Mandy had never felt so cherished. And when they were naked, and fused together, she curled her body around him, holding him tight, gasping as his slow deliberate strokes took her higher and higher.
Reality disappeared, and she clung almost desperately to lovemaking that went on and on. When she finally cried his name, they collapsed into each others arms. She was certain shed ended up in Heaven.
Her heartbeat was deep and heavy. Her lungs worked overtime. And she inhaled Calebs musky scent, clinging tightly to him, fighting sleep and willing the rest of the world away for just as long as possible.
Ten
The next day, Caleb couldnt seem to bring himself to let go of Mandy. He held her hand, occasionally pulled her sideways against him. Shed put up with it for a short time, but then she kept freeing herself, obviously not comfortable with the intimacy around her family. Caleb didnt care who saw them, as they wandered through the grounds of the Lyndon Regional Rodeo. It was opening day, and everyone agreed it was worth staying to watch.
The rodeo had always been a fun, lighthearted, family affair, and Caleb was astonished to see how much it had grown since hed last attended. Hed rode bucking broncs that year. He was seventeen and too young to realize he was mortal.
He hadnt finished in the money. But Reed had won the trophy for steer wrestling. Cocky, reckless and in high spirits, theyd spent his five-hundred-dollar prize on beer and flashy new boots for both of them. Now, Caleb found himself wondering if those boots, barely worn, were still stored in his bedroom closet, and what Reed had done with his pair.
He and Mandy made their way through the midway, toward the main arena. The announcer was pumping up the crowd for the first event. Children ran from ride to ride, shrieking with excitement, sticky cotton candy in their hands and balloon hats on their heads.