Business Affairs (3 page)

“Can you come in here for a minute?” he asked when she answered. He replaced the receiver, then took his seat behind his desk. Jennifer walked in moments later and he could see the curiosity in her eyes as she sat across from him.

“What's in it?” she asked when she saw the envelope.

He shrugged. “I don't know. I thought you'd want to do the honors.” He handed it to her, then sat back.

Jennifer bit her lip as she tore open the envelope, her anxiety kicking up a notch. Between wondering what kind of date they were supposed to go on and reliving Alex's kiss, she'd hardly slept last night. She took the papers out and briefly scanned them.

“Oh, no, this can't be right!” she practically wailed. She looked up at Alex, stunned. “It's a date for an entire weekend!”

“A weekend? Where?” Alex asked, surprised to learn their date involved more than just one evening. “My aunt never said I was obligating myself to a weekend when she roped me into the auction.” He was a man who planned his life, and he hadn't planned to spend any more than a night with the woman who'd won him. Of course, he'd made that decision before he'd learned the woman was Jennifer.

The thought of sharing a weekend with her changed everything. He could spend an evening taking her to dinner and manage to keep his hands off of her. But a weekend alone with her? Alex wasn't so sure.

“Oh, my goodness!”

“What is it? Does she have us climbing Mt. Everest or something?” He wouldn't have put even the wildest stunt past his aunt.

“Something just as ridiculous,” Jennifer replied, her voice shaking as she looked at pictures of a cozy ski lodge. There were huge beds and fireplaces in the rooms. “Here.” She handed the brochures to him. “It's for a ski weekend in Vermont.”

“Really? When?” Alex couldn't suppress the excitement racing through him. He loved to ski, but living in Virginia Beach where it rarely snowed meant traveling to the mountains. Last winter he hadn't taken the time for even a day trip. The idea of going to a ski resort—and especially going with Jennifer—turned his whole attitude toward being obligated into anticipation. He could see them having dinner in front of an intimate fireplace, her eyes beckoning him with desire that no man could resist.

“
This
weekend,” she stated, pulling him from his fantasy.

“Do you ski?”

She looked at him. “What?”

“Do you ski?”

“Now wait just a minute.” Holding her hands out, she sat forward. “Don't even think about it.”

“It's a simple question,” Alex noted. “Just answer it.”

Eyeing him cautiously, she shook her head. “No. I've always wanted to try it,” she admitted reluctantly, “but I've never learned.” Oh, no, she thought, watching his eyes widen. She wished back her words.

He took the packet from her when she held it out to him. “Then you're in luck. I'm an expert skier and I can teach you.”

“I don't think so.”

“Why not?” Alex asked, already thinking about sliding down the slopes and perhaps stealing a kiss or two.

“Well, for one thing, we both have to work,” she reasoned, hoping their work schedule would be enough to discourage the sparkle in his eyes.

Alex studied the itinerary for the trip, then looked at Jennifer. “We'd only have to miss this Friday. I think the company can live without us for a day.”

“Alex—”

“I'm the boss,” he stated, his tone firm. “And I say we can both take off.”

“It's not just the time off.”

“What is it, then?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I just don't think it'd be right,” she insisted. “Um, you know, spending a weekend together. I wouldn't want to jeopardize our working relationship. And what would everyone else here think?”

Alex shrugged. “They don't have to know, do they?”
he reasoned. “And why should it affect our working relationship? We've traveled together for overnight business meetings before.”

“An intimate weekend skiing is different,” she insisted, thinking of the romantic setup of the brochure.

“It doesn't have to be intimate, Jennifer.” Feeling a little guilty, he pretended interest in the brochure. It had obviously been designed to entice couples to stay there. And he'd already been thinking along the lines of kissing her. Now he'd have to make damn sure he didn't step over the boundaries of their relationship and lure her into his bed. Holding a paper out to her, he said, “It states right here we have separate rooms. I don't see a problem.” Alex said the words. He just wasn't sure he believed them.

Darn! Jennifer was trying to do the right thing here! She didn't want to take advantage of Alex. Especially while they were spending the weekend together. If she did, she'd be tempted to do more than keep things between them platonic.

But would Alex even want to? she wondered. He'd kissed her as if he'd enjoyed it, but one hot, lusty kiss didn't mean anything, did it? Maybe she
was
making too much of this. If he wasn't really attracted to her, then she had nothing to fear from spending time alone with him, did she?

Or did spending time with him scare
her?
Because if she went to bed with him and conceived his child, she would have to leave him—forever.

O
n Thursday, despite her efforts to leave work on time, Jennifer was running late. As she thought of all she had to do at home, panic set in. She hadn't packed the first thing for the trip to Vermont, which meant she was going to be up half the night getting ready. Until today, she'd believed she could figure out a way to get out of going.

Fat chance. Once she'd agreed to go, Alex had been so excited about the trip he'd insisted on taking her shopping. By the time they'd left the ski store on Tuesday, she'd been completely outfitted for the weekend.

Though trapped into going, she'd done her best to put thoughts of seducing Alex out of her mind. Until lunch with Casey yesterday, she'd done a good job. Her friend had encouraged Jennifer to stop fighting her feelings for Alex and to live for the moment.

Just think of the fun you could have. And if you're lucky, a passionate weekend could solve your maternal dilemma,
her friend had said.

Jennifer had immediately put a stop to Casey's musings. She wasn't anything like Casey. She couldn't just make love with Alex, then forget what it was like to be with him. To convince herself she was serious about keeping their relationship professional, she'd gone ahead and contacted a fertility clinic to begin the process of being artificially inseminated. Though it was an impersonal way to become pregnant, it would solve her problem with little risk to her job or her heart.

Money wasn't a problem. Alex paid her well, and with little time to enjoy spending it, she'd wisely invested her savings. Her obstacle was a lot more difficult than money.

There was no one special in her life.

For the past year she'd felt an emptiness inside, felt as if something vital was missing. Every day she listened as co-workers shared exploits from their lives. About their husbands. Their children. They recounted stories of first walks, ball games and dance recitals. They talked about problems, too, but Jennifer always heard the love in their voices.

She needed something more. Having grown up in a large, loving family, she'd always felt anchored. Until now.

Her mother's call earlier in the day had only added undue pressure. Her sister was pregnant with her third child. Jennifer was happy for Lil, really she was, but she was jealous, too. Her sister already had a beautiful two-year-old daughter and a precocious five-year-old son.

Jennifer wanted a baby of her own.

She tucked a strand of her hair back into the twisted bun behind her head. Without a man in her life, it wasn't going to happen. When was the last time she'd even had a date? Or sex? Sheesh, she couldn't even remember! Her work demanded the majority of her time. She didn't meet many men outside of the office.

Artificial insemination had seemed the perfect answer.

Until she'd kissed Alex.

Then, foolishly, she'd wanted forever.

Stop it! It was just a kiss! Don't build it up to be anything more.

She started gathering papers and stuffing them into her briefcase when an idea struck her. She'd bring her laptop along. Alex knew she was working on a project for the Baker sisters. Their deadline was looming. She'd insist she was too busy to ski. He could ski and she'd remain in her room.

As far away from Alex as possible.

But even as she picked up her briefcase and started out of her office, she knew the memory of Alex's kiss would always be there, taunting her, making her wish he cared for her as more than just a friend.

As she pushed the button for the elevator, she heard another door down the hall close. The office was deserted. She'd thought everyone had left earlier.

Everyone except Alex. Her heart gave a little jolt when she saw him walking toward her. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile to her lips. “Hi. I thought I was the last one leaving.”

Alex shrugged into his coat as his gaze met Jennifer's. “I took a call that lasted longer than I'd planned.” He straightened his collar. “Are you all set for tomorrow?” he asked, still a little concerned she was going
to try to back out. Earlier in the week she'd suggested he go alone, insisting he didn't need her with him. Alex had put an end to that idea as soon as she'd come up with it. He was looking forward to skiing, but he had to admit his main motivation for going was to spend some time with Jennifer, learning more about her.

This had been the longest week of his life. He'd made up his mind to keep his hands off of her, but fate had been dealing him a hard time. They'd had meetings scheduled together every day. Now that he knew what it was like to kiss her, all he could think about was making love to her. And if making love came close to the intensity of her kiss…

“I haven't packed a thing,” Jennifer confessed. “I'll be up half the night.”

Drawn from his musings, Alex glanced at the briefcase in her hand. “Don't even think about bringing your briefcase with you,” he warned. “This isn't a working trip.” He wanted her to have a good time. She wouldn't if she thought about work while they were there.

“But I—”

“No buts, Jennifer.”

His warning came with a good-natured wink, but there was no doubt he meant what he said. “All right,” she replied grudgingly. There went her idea of making it a working date.

“This is time off,” he reminded her. “For you and me. We're going to relax and enjoy ourselves.”

Only not as much as he wanted. During the week he'd caught himself imagining what it would be like to feel her soft skin beneath his hands, to be inside her when she cried out his name. Each time his thoughts had wandered, he'd had to rein them back in. Still, he
couldn't see the harm in a stolen kiss or two. His gaze lowered to her mouth and his body tightened. But what if she accepted his kisses? Wanted more?

The
ding
of the elevator car arriving jarred him back to reality. He'd told himself all week he could go through with this date and still keep his hands off of her.

Hell, he was in trouble.

 

Jennifer's doorbell rang at five the next morning. Her pulse raced in anticipation of seeing Alex.

So much for being able to control her attraction to him.

Hurrying to the door, she opened it. Alex stood in front of her, casually dressed in jeans, a shirt and a thick jacket, his dark eyes full of excitement.

“So you're not a morning person?” he commented, taking in her sleepy eyes and the mug of coffee in her hand. He'd never have known. By the time he saw her at work each day, she was dressed for business, her shoulder-length hair twisted in a fancy knot behind her head. Even when they'd attended a conference or an out-of-town meeting, she'd been alert and eager to get down to business by the time he saw her in the morning.

Jennifer groaned. “You are?”

“How can you not enjoy the start of a brand-new day?” he asked cheerfully, his gaze taking in the way her jeans gloved her body. Her white sweater was fitted and hugged her breasts, making Alex appreciate the designers of the fashion industry. They must have had Jennifer in mind when they'd created that sweater.

“I do enjoy it,” she quipped, “from my bed.”

His mouth went dry. Alex had struggled all night long to keep thoughts of taking Jennifer to bed out of
his mind. In an instant his control snapped and his mind reeled with images of her lying next to him, her long legs intertwined with his. He cleared his throat. “I get most of my planning done between five and seven, usually when I'm jogging.”

Rolling her eyes, Jennifer waved him inside. She'd known he was a jogger. It kept his body in excellent shape. Her gaze slid over him, taking in his lean shoulders, slim torso and long legs. Her awareness of him kicked into high gear. “I believe in exercise, but only after I've had coffee. Would you like a cup?”

“Hmm? Uh, no,” he answered, distracted by the mental vision of her in bed, coming awake slowly, her hair spread around her shoulders. He didn't need the caffeine. Just thinking about spending time alone with her had his adrenaline already pumping through his veins.

Stepping into the room, Alex checked out her living room. He'd never been here before, but it definitely reflected Jennifer's touch. Stylish with a French country theme, every item was in its place. Then a wall across the room caught his eye. It held frame after frame of pictures. Most likely her family. One in particular caught his attention. “Are these your parents?” he asked.

She smiled. “Yes, although it was taken a while ago. This one's more recent,” she said, pointing to another picture. The woman and man were of middle age, both smiling happily, as if they hadn't a care in the world.

“You're close with them?” he asked.

“We're a tight-knit family.” She took a swallow of her coffee.

“Where do they live?”

“In Norfolk.”

“Do you see them often?”

“I talk to them several times a week and visit a few times a month.”

He found it interesting that she enjoyed spending time with her parents. “Siblings?”

She smiled even more. “Two brothers and a sister.” Jennifer knew Alex was an only child. He never had the advantage of siblings to play with so he probably couldn't comprehend what her childhood was like. “I used to be a tomboy.”

Alex tried to imagine the polished woman in front of him as a child tussling with her brothers. He noticed a family portrait on her wall. It looked to have been taken fairly recently. “What do they do?”

“We had this taken for my parents' anniversary.” She pointed to her older brother. “This is Tony. He's a doctor.” Tapping the glass, she continued, “This is Greg. He's the youngest, and he works in television.” She named the cable network her brother worked for. “He lives in Atlanta.”

“Greg Cardon is
your
brother?” Alex asked, realizing he'd never made the connection with their names. The youngest news anchor of one of the major cable networks, her brother had made a name for himself covering military operations overseas during a crisis in the Middle East.

Jennifer nodded. “Yes. We're all proud of him.”

“Is this your sister?” he asked, noticing a woman who looked remarkably like Jennifer.

“Yes, that's Lil. She's married and lives in Norfolk.”

“What does she do?” Apparently, Jennifer had come from a family of overachievers. He wondered if they were still competitive, if being competitive with her
siblings was why she was so ambitious. Or was something else driving her?

She smiled. “Well, Lil was an architect until a few years ago.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Was?”

“She met the man of her dreams.” She pointed to Robert, her sister's husband. “She decided to quit working when she had her first child.” Picking up another frame, she held it out to him. “Her children are adorable. This is Brian, and this cute little one is Kimberly. I see them every couple of weeks.”

“So you're close with them, too?”

“Very. She's pregnant again.”

Alex studied her. Had he imagined her wistful tone? “I can't imagine what it must have been like growing up with siblings,” he commented. “I was alone most of the time.”

His admission surprised Jennifer and her heart went out to him. He must have been lonely growing up. “Did you have cousins to play with?” she asked as she headed for the kitchen.

“Yeah, but I rarely saw them after my parents split up. They stopped taking me to birthday parties and things.” He followed her and stopped in the doorway, leaning against the jamb.

Jennifer couldn't understand how adults could ignore the needs of a child. No wonder Alex was so detached. He'd loved his parents, then they'd let him down, hadn't been there to support him. “Do you see your cousins now?” she asked.

“Not very often.” He attended an occasional family gathering, but often felt out of place. Most of his cousins had married and started families, and without a family of his own, he had little in common with them.

“Once a month, our entire family gets together. We have a lot of fun, especially now that Lil has children. I love her kids. Sometimes I take them for a weekend to give my sister and her husband some time alone.”

“Really?” Alex was surprised. The image of two little kids crawling all over her was more appealing than he'd expected. “Here?”

Rinsing out her cup, she chuckled. “I have had them over here, but most often I stay at their house where they have their toys and things.”

Alex saw the love in her eyes when she talked of her niece and nephew. She obviously cherished them. Did she want children of her own? Like him, she seemed to live to work. Or had he always told himself she did because it made him more comfortable? “Why haven't you married?” he asked, wondering.

Jennifer nearly dropped the cup she was drying. “What?”

“You seem to like children. Why haven't you ever married and had kids of your own?”

She met his gaze. “You know better than anyone that my job requires the majority of my time.”

His lips twisted as he digested her comment. He'd believed she was as ambitious as himself. But the hint of hollowness in her answer made him rethink his assumption. “I guess I hadn't realized how much I demand of your time.”

She gave him a brief smile. “Don't think it's your fault, Alex. I chose my course in life.” And eligible bachelors weren't exactly knocking down her door.

“Do you want it all?” he prodded. “Like your sister? The family and kids?”

She couldn't out-and-out lie. Alex was an expert in
reading people, and she knew it would have shown in her expression. “I've thought about it. I'll be thirty soon. I don't want to wait too long, then find out it's too late for me to have children.”

Alex started at her response. It was disconcerting to learn she thought about marriage and babies. She'd told him there was no one special in her life. What if there was? What if she met someone, got married, then left work to pursue the all-American dream of a house, a picket fence and children?