After the Dawn (15 page)

They'd come a long way, as the saying went, and the journey wasn't over yet.

A knock sounded on the closed office door. The nights she worked late, one of the mechanics always stayed with her, then followed her home. She'd long since given up trying to convince Dillon it wasn't necessary.

“Come in, Billy,” she said, a smile forming on her lips. Happily married with a darling two-year-old little girl, he was probably wondering how much longer she expected to work. The door opened. Her smile slid away.

Roman stood in the doorway, his hand on the knob, his startling black eyes staring at her.

Shivers raced through her. He closed the door.

She wasn't afraid. All she had to do was scream, but she already knew that wasn't necessary. Roman wouldn't force a woman. Dillon wouldn't associate with a man like that. The thick, lustrous gray hair mixed with black made him look even more compelling. Instinctively, she knew he was a man who knew how to savor a woman.

She opened her mouth to ask what he wanted, but she already knew the answer. She had to be smart about this. She probably presented a challenge to him. “The garage is closed.”

“That's not why I'm here, and we both know it.” He didn't stop until he stood directly in front of her desk.

“We had this conversation.” Folding her arms, she leaned back in her chair, distancing herself from what she hadn't thought about in years, a man who, despite her best efforts, excited her.

“One-sided, if I remember.” He braced both hands on her desk. “I've been married once and don't plan to try it again. We might not like each other well enough to have an affair. I'm asking you to have dinner with me and we'll see where that leads.”

She already knew—straight to a bed.

“It's not happening.” She placed her hand on the mouse. “Please show yourself out. I have work to do.”

“Was he that good or that bad?”

The question had her sharply lifting her head. “My personal life is none of your concern. Now leave.”

Straightening, he stared at her. She stared back.

Touching one long finger to the brim of his baseball cap, he turned and left.

The door closed quietly behind him. Marlene let out a breath, then closed her eyes. Hopefully, he wouldn't be back. The man really got to her. It wasn't just the body; it was the way he looked at her, as if she were the only thing that mattered.

Aware that her emotions were too muddled to allow her to get any work done, she powered down the computer, grabbed her purse, and stood. She hadn't thought he'd give up so easily.

After a brief knock, the door opened again. Her heart leaped. “Yes.”

The door opened. “You ready, Ms. Montgomery?” Billy asked.

She shouldn't be disappointed on seeing Billy. She liked her life calm and uncomplicated. A man like Roman would muddle it up. “Yes, I was just coming out.” She set the alarm, locked the front door, and they walked out together.

Billy would go home to his wife and daughter, and she would go to an empty house. She pushed the melancholy away. She had a good life, a full life. Dillon was coming home tonight.

But eventually he would leave and she'd be alone again.

“Your family is waiting for you,” she said, digging in her bag for her keys. “There's no need to follow me home tonight.”

He grinned. “You might be right.”

Frowning, Marlene turned to see what Billy was looking at over her shoulder. She couldn't believe what she saw.

Roman with a teddy bear, a box of Godiva chocolates, a yellow balloon, and a summer bouquet of flowers coming toward her.

“I'll go wait in the truck.”

Roman stopped and held the things out to her. “I figured I'd better bring it the first time. I wasn't sure I'd get another chance.”

Marlene wanted to take the unbelievably sweet offerings, but she folded her arms around her purse instead. “Thank you, but the answer is no.”

“Why can't it be yes?”

He certainly liked to push. “I've already explained my reasons to you. Now, if you'll excuse me…”

“I can't do that.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”

“You know I didn't mean I'd keep you against your will or try to manhandle you,” he said in disgust. “Or at least, I hope you do. I'd never lay a finger on a woman no matter the circumstances.”

“Then how do you propose to keep me from walking off?” she asked.

He took a step closer. “A kiss might do it.”

Like a match to kindling. Her body caught fire, yearned. Her gaze went to his sensual mouth. She bet he knew how to use those mobile lips to woo, to seduce.

“But you might punch me and I'd never get a chance for us to get to know each other better.” He held the offerings closer. “Please. I'm really not a bad guy. Dillon wouldn't have hired me or call me a friend if I were.”

True. Only Dillon had ever sent her flowers. Despite everything she'd been trying to tell herself, she was flattered and tempted. There had been few dates since Dillon was born. She hadn't missed men … at least until Roman had come into her life.

“Dinner and conversation. I'll follow you to wherever you want. You can leave when you get ready,” he offered.

“This won't lead to anything.”

“I'd like for us to be friends. Can we start there?” he asked earnestly.

A sensible request. She'd tried to lump Roman with A. J. because for the first time in years, her body had reacted to a man's. That had been wrong of her. She went to Billy's truck. “You won't have to follow me home, and if you mention this, I'll stop bringing food for the crew.”

He pulled his two fingers across his lips. He started the truck then backed up and stopped briefly by Roman, before continuing on.

“What did he say?” she asked Roman.

“If I wanted to keep a certain part of my anatomy, I better act like a gentleman.”

Her crew was almost as protective of her as Dillon. “You still want to go out?”

“More than ever. You lead, I'll follow.”

“You get one chance. Blow it, and there won't be another.”

“I figured as much.” He held out the offering once again. “My arms are getting tired.”

She reached for them, and he pushed them toward her. The backs of his fingers brushed against her breast. She stepped back, but the damage was done. Her nipples hardened. Need pulsed through her.

“That wasn't intentional,” he quickly said. “Why don't I follow you to your car and put them in the passenger's seat.”

Marlene nodded and started for her car on trembling legs. She'd been right to avoid Roman. If she'd spoken, he would have known how much the simple touch had fired her blood. She could never allow him to know how much he got to her.

Tonight would be their first and only time to go out together. She would be a fool to go out with him again. Once was enough to last a lifetime.

*   *   *

Thirty miles outside of Elms Fork on Interstate 45, Dillon could breathe without desire clawing at him. He'd even slowed to the speed limit. Sitting beside him, Sam hadn't said one word when the speedometer reached ninety. She'd simply looked at him, then the gauge.

The gesture had been so like his mother's that he'd automatically eased off the gas pedal. Guess Sam, like his mother, knew that he didn't take orders well. It would be laughable that she understood him so well, and he'd reacted to the silent reprimand as if he didn't want her more than his next ragged breath.

“I have to agree that this car looks better than mine.”

“We're even, because you look better than I do.”

She tossed him a quick look of pleasure. “Thank you. Any idea how we play this tonight?”

“Straightforward.” Dillon shifted gears and took the ramp to I-35 to downtown Dallas. “The development of the new intercooler system should keep him interested enough to want to take a look once it's designed.”

“I'll let you do the talking and I'll entertain his wife,” she said, staring straight ahead.

He thought he heard a bit of condescension in her voice. “You're on the consultant team. Speak up if you find an opportunity.”

She turned toward him. “Really?”

She seemed so pleased that he wasn't about to tell her he hoped she'd leave it to him. “Like I said, you're on the team and you
have
made a lot of notes.”

“Are you teasing me?” she asked, smiling.

“Wouldn't dare.”

“Yes, you would, but that's all right because we're partners. Like Marlene said, Granddad had faith in us.”

Dillon glanced at Sam's shapely legs, then took the Oak Lawn exit, no longer unsure how he felt about Abe's decision.

*   *   *

Marlene drove to Chili's on the outskirts of town. It was the only national casual chain restaurant in the city. It benefited from the interstate passing by and the town's only two hotels across the street.

She parked between cars close to the entrance, got out and walked to the double glass doors. She planned to say good-bye there as well, so he wouldn't need to walk her to her car. This would be quick: in and out.

Roman stepped into the light spilling from the high beams of the parking lot and the twin black brass lanterns. Marlene felt the impact of his eyes. Despite herself, she appreciated the easy movement of the muscled body, the ground-eating gait. In a tan shirt and slacks, he exuded confidence and masculinity.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to find a parking spot.” He took her arm.

Her skin heated. Tingled. Perhaps she should have kept saying no. With his free hand, he opened the door and ushered her inside.

“Welcome to Chili's,” the hostess greeted them, picking up two menus. “Table for two?”

“Yes,” Roman answered. “A booth if possible.”

“Certainly. This way.”

Roman followed with a silent Marlene to a two-seat booth. She quickly took her seat and put her purse on the outside. She wasn't taking any chances.

“Your waiter will be here shortly,” the young woman said as she handed them their menus. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Marlene?” Roman asked.

Without lifting her head from the menu, she said, “Sweet iced tea.”

“The same,” Roman said, wondering how long Marlene planned to hide behind the menu.

“I'll get those right out.”

As soon as she walked away, he braced his arms on the table. “Regrets already?”

After a moment, the menu lowered. Her beautiful black eyes were wary. “Yes.”

Roman would have gladly kicked the butt of the man who made her afraid to trust her emotions or another man. Despite the rumors that Abe was Dillon's father, Roman didn't believe it. Marlene obviously was fond of the man and held no animosity toward him, even though he'd fired Dillon. He wasn't the man who had hurt her. Roman felt strongly that it was Dillon's father.

“You're staring.”

“I like looking at beautiful things.”

Up went the menu again.

He reached over and pulled it down. “I don't lie. You can trust me.”

“Your drinks.” The woman placed the glasses on the wooden table. “I'm Cindy. You folks ready to order?”

“Marlene?”

“Spinach salad with house dressing.” She handed the waitress her menu.

“You, sir?”

Roman stared at Marlene. So she wanted to eat and run. Not happening. “We'll have the triple dipper appetizer out first, then I'll have the chicken-fried steak with a loaded baked potato, and brownie sundae with two scoops of ice cream for dessert.”

“Wow…” The woman chuckled, accepting the menu. “A man who knows what he wants.”

“I certainly do,” Roman said, staring at Marlene.

The waitress's interested gaze bounced between the two, then she walked away smiling.

“Wanting isn't always getting,” Marlene said.

“I know, but I'm hoping I can wear you down.” He picked up his tea. “I've been on my own for the past five years. When I take a job, I put my social life on hold until I finish. I don't want my concentration splintered. This time I can't do that.”

Marlene glanced down at the tea, picked it up, then put it down. “I don't want this.”

“I can tell.” He took another sip of tea. “I'd ask you why, but I don't think you're ready to tell me yet.”

Lips that he wanted to press his own against tightened. “Always ready with the smart answers.”

“Hardly. I've made my share of mistakes, but the one thing that I've learned is to take each day and live it to the fullest.” He leaned back as the waitress placed the appetizer in front of them. He picked up a cheese stick. “That's why when I finish a job I take at least three weeks off to take it easy, visit my two kids in D.C. where they're working.”

Her body stiffened. “How long were you married?”

The question wasn't asked idly. He placed the cheese stick on the small white plate. He didn't like talking about his marriage, but he realized Marlene was backing away from him as fast as she could. He had only one chance.

“Twenty-three years. I thought we were happy. I worked long hours. Old story, so I won't bore you with the details. I learned she was having an affair.” He briefly tucked his head. “I filed for divorce and got custody of Amy, who was a senior in high school. Jonathan was a sophomore at Yale at the time.”

“That must have been hard on all of you.”

“You have no idea.”

“No, I wouldn't.” She glanced away.

Roman shoved his hand over his head in frustration. “You're wrong. You know what it is to want the best for your child. To make the hard decisions to give it to them. Dillon is the man he is because of you. Being a single parent has to be one of the toughest jobs in the universe. But mine were old enough to take care of themselves, and I had money. Don't ever sell yourself short.”