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The helicopter hovered over eastern Pennsylvania, landing on a helipad next to the lake, and what looked like a compound. A man approached the helicopter and took the luggage. Leo jumped out and helped Calista onto the ground, moving swiftly toward a vehicle waiting on the drive.Moments later, they pulled into the back driveway of a three-story luxury mansion that sat directly on the lake. “Good for a little break, don’t you think?” he asked as he led her into the huge house.
“Or longer,” she said, taking in the polished wood floors and beautiful furnishings. More evidence that the con man had done very well for himself. He guided her to the room facing the lake and she stared out at the beautiful blue water and could have almost happily died from the serene view of the sunset.
“This is so beautiful. How do you tear yourself away?” she asked. “The view is just—” She broke off without adequate words to describe it.
“I get restless if I’m in one place too long,” he said. “Plus, business can be very demanding.”
“Hmm,” she said and met his gaze. “If you say so.”
He chuckled. “I bet you don’t stay still for long either,” he said.
She didn’t, for other reasons, though. “Maybe, but this could tempt me.”
“Good,” he said, gazing at her through hooded eyes. “Dinner will be waiting for us on the terrace. Steak and lobster.” A woman approached them. “Denise will show you to your room while I make some calls.”
Denise led her to a beautiful room furnished with a queen-size bed, furniture upholstered in a soft pastel palette and Monet prints. The result was so soothing Calista could have happily closed the door and lived there the rest of her existence if she didn’t have other responsibilities. She sank into a chair next to the window. Drinking in the peaceful reflection the moon cast on the lake, she felt her tension fade away. For a few sweet seconds, she felt safe.
A knock sounded on her door and the feeling disappeared. She must not forget that she was here for a reason. Calista stood and answered the door. “Yes?” she said to Denise.
“Mr. Grant invites you to join him for dinner,” the woman said.
“Thank you,” Calista said and grabbed her sweater. Peace was an illusion. She needed to continue with her strategy. “I’m ready now.”
Denise led her to a porch that featured an outdoor heater. It was a clear night and she felt surrounded by the stars. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
“Yes it is,” Denise said. “Mr. Grant will be here momentarily.”
Sitting down next to the heater, she listened to the lap of the water against the shore. It didn’t get any better than this.
Leo appeared and she met his gaze. “This is heaven. I don’t care what your work demands are. I still can’t comprehend how you can leave this place.”
“You like it?” he said with an approving smile.
“What’s not to like? Beautiful scenery, comfortable living conditions.” She sighed.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said.
“And have you noticed the stars?” she asked, looking up at the sky.
“No, but I would expect you to,” he said. “See anything interesting up there?”
“It’s more than interesting,” she whispered.
“I may have to get a telescope so you can show me how interesting it is,” he said.
A staff member appeared with a tray of food and served both of them. “It looks delicious,” she said.
“No more than you,” he said.
She bit her lip and looked down at her food. “What made you decide to build a lake home here if you fight staying here?”
“Something about it was irresistible,” he said. “I missed the water. I miss the ocean too,” he said. “I’ll address the ocean another time.”
“How can you miss the water? Haven’t you spent your whole life in Philly?”
He paused. “No. I have vague memories of visiting the sea. I can’t explain it. I just do.”
She frowned, taking a bite of lobster. “But you said you had no childhood.”
“Exactly,” he said in a crisp voice. “Like I said, I can’t explain it. It’s like it’s from another life. One of the few irrational things about me.” He took a bite of steak.
She sensed he didn’t want to discuss it further. Despite her desire to ask more, she delayed giving in to her curiosity. She had another job to do. “Thank you for inviting me. After the prom drama of the day, this is a huge relief.”
He smiled. “How did that go?”
“Mostly good,” she said. “My sisters are total opposites. Tami can be a trial, but she was good today.”
“How often do you see them?” he asked.
“Almost every week,” she said. “The love of my life.”
He slid his hand across the table and covered hers. “Is that why you’re not married?” he asked.
“It’s more complicated than that. I guess I haven’t found the right man yet,” she said.
“Describe the right man,” he said. “Similar backgrounds? Shared passage on the Mayflower? Same schools?”
“No,” she said, laughing at the Mayflower comment. “Good head, good heart and crazy for me.”
“That list doesn’t sound that difficult,” he said.
“You’d be surprised,” she said. “What about you? Describe your right woman.”
“Someone classier than I am to conceal my rough edges,” he said. “Beauty doesn’t hurt. Complete honesty. I’m not sure marriage is necessary, though.”
“Many men don’t,” she said in a dry tone, her stomach tightening at his reference to honesty. How could he expect that of someone when he’d been the consummate liar?
“You disagree?”
“I believe in family. Marriage is part of family.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know much about family.”
She gave a shrug in return. “Maybe you should learn.”
He paused as he lifted his beer. “Is that a challenge?”
“I’ll let you decide that,” she said with a light laugh.
After dinner, they took a walk along the long dock that led out to the lake. His cell phone beeped and he glanced at the caller ID. “Excuse me, I need to take this. Won’t be a minute. I’ve had a few blips with the China deal.” He put the phone to his ear. “Leo Grant,” he said and listened.
Calista walked further down the dock, torn between her next step with Leo and the sound of his voice.
“So our shipping agent in Hong Kong tried to charge more after we’d already loaded the merchandise for transport? Fine. Pay the surcharge this once, then call our second choice. After delivery is confirmed, cut the first guy loose and tell him we will be reporting his behavior to everyone in the shipping and merchandising business.”
The ruthless tone in his voice made her throat tighten.
“That’s my final word,” he said. He turned off his cell and looked toward her. “That’s done. We shouldn’t have any more interruptions this evening,” he said and moved beside her, sliding his arm behind her back.
“Why do I get the feeling that a guillotine has just fallen on some very foolish guy in Hong Kong?” she asked.
Leo shrugged. “He should have stuck to the deal. If someone tries to cheat me, they’re history.”
She felt a chill and a sliver of bitterness at his hypocrisy. How many times had his own father cheated people? How many times had Leo been a part of his father’s schemes?
“Have I frightened you?” he asked. “There’s no need as long as you’re honest with me,” he said, drawing her against him as he leaned against the small building at the far end of the pier. “Now let me make you forget about that unpleasant phone call.”
His warmth surrounded her as he slid his hands down her back to her bottom and slid one of his hard thighs between her legs. A stab of sensual shock raced through her. “Leo,” she began.
He dipped his head to her throat, rubbing his lips over her skin. “I bet every inch of you tastes delicious,” he muttered, sliding his tongue over a sensitive spot. “I knew you would from the first minute I met you. Give me your mouth,” he said and coaxed her lips into meeting his. Skimming one of his hands upward, he touched the side of her breast.
He emanated pure masculine strength and sexuality and gave her the unmistakable message that he wanted to possess her. The primitive drive seemed to throb just beneath his clothes. Despite every reason she had to detest him, she was drawn to him like no other man. Here, she sensed, was a man with a will to match her own. Without conscious thought, she responded to him, sliding her arms up behind his neck, arching against him.
He took her mouth and she took his, drawing his tongue into the recesses. Heat scored her from the inside out, and her body called to his. His touch was tender, edged with roughness that only turned her on more.
He gave a low, carnal growl. “Let’s go back to the house. I want you in my bed.”
His words threw her into a maelstrom of confusion. She drew back from him catching her breath, trying to catch her sanity. She wanted to be with him intimately. She wanted him. But she had a plan. This relationship wasn’t for her pleasure. It was for something far more important.
She inhaled another deep breath, reaching down deep for her conviction. “I want—” She broke off when she looked into his dark needy gaze and her mouth went dry. She couldn’t look into his eyes at this close range. His gaze reflected the ache she felt inside her. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. “I’m afraid you’re not going to understand this.”
“Understand what?” he asked.
She forced her eyes open, but turned her gaze to his right shoulder. His strong, broad shoulder. “I want to go to bed with you.”
