Cinderella's Christmas Affair (13 page)

“Easier on who?”

“I don’t know,” she said at last. “Maybe Mom.”

She shivered a little, tucking her muffler up higher on her neck. “Sorry. Not what you were wanting to hear, was it?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know. Ready to head home?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He wanted to spend the night with her, but didn’t know how to ask. And he didn’t want to make their time together too heavy. She was too emotional now, he wanted to lighten the mood.

“Didn’t you say you studied Tae Kwon Do?”

“Yes.”

“Wanna spar?”

“I don’t trust the gleam in your eyes. What exactly do you have in mind?”

“Just a friendly game of strip fighting.”

“Strip fighting? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“No, I’m not. I’ll let you use all your gear. You’re not afraid are you?”

“Of you. Never. Where are we going to have this match?”

“My place. I converted my spare bedroom into a workout room.”

“Okay, are we betting on this match?”

“Oh, yes.”

“What’s up for grabs?” she asked.

“Loser cooks breakfast.”

She watched him carefully. “I’m going to need some sort of handicap. You look a bit stronger than me.”

“Just a bit.”

“Yeah, just a bit.”

“You’re all heart, girl.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

They teased and bantered all the way back home but once he had her in his condo the last thing he wanted to do was spar, so he took her to bed and made love to her all night long until they both fell into an exhausted sleep. But he woke deep in the night and held her tightly in his arms. Held her with a desperation that he’d only admit when no one else could see it. Held her like he’d never let her go.

Ten

F
ive days later, CJ was on the top of her game. Rae-Anne seemed to finally understand how most of their office equipment worked and hadn’t lost any important documents or disconnected any busy clients lately. Butch Baker had called five minutes ago and she was in the elevator on her way up to meet him.

And if the tingling in her gut was any indication she was getting the promotion she’d worked so hard for. She checked her lipstick in the mirrored elevator walls, straightened the lapels on her burgundy suit and tucked up a wisp of hair that had escaped her chignon.

She smiled at her reflection and repeated her mantra. “I’m successful and everyone wants me to succeed.”

The elevator doors opened and she pivoted to exit the car. She entered Butch’s office and his secretary Molly told her to go right in. She squared her shoulders and opened the door.

“You wanted to see me?” She hoped she sounded cool and calm but the pounding of her heart echoed in her ears, so she had no idea how she sounded to Butch.

“Yes, CJ. Come in and have a seat.”

She sank into one of the leather guest chairs in front of Butch’s large mahogany desk. The walls of his office were lined with many of the most popular advertisements of the past ten years. Anyone who entered this office could easily see why Butch was a top executive at Taylor, Banks and Markim.

The credenza showed a different side to Butch though. Pictures of his wife and kids were there along with the Little League baseball team he’d coached for the past five years. They’d won their division championship this year.

“I’m not going to keep you in suspense, CJ. I asked you up here to let you know you’re our newest director. Congratulations.”

CJ smiled calmly and shook Butch’s hand. “Thanks for your confidence in me. I’m going to work hard to make sure you don’t have any regrets about your decision.”

“I have no doubt that you will work hard. That’s one of the things I wanted to mention to you.”

“Working hard?”

“Yes. You almost didn’t get the promotion because you have so few activities outside of the office.”

“I think that would be a good thing,” she said.

“Statistics show that executives that have a balanced life are actually more productive at work.”

“What are you saying, Butch?”

“You’ve worked hard for this promotion and you deserve it. But now it’s time to take care of the other aspects of your life. Take time to date, start a hobby, volunteer in the community. Take some time for yourself.”

Her stomach knotted and she started to open her mouth. To tell Butch that she was engaged. Hell, it was what Tad wanted. But she couldn’t do it. Her job had always been the most important thing to her. Suddenly it paled in comparison to her relationship with Tad. But being with Tad meant taking risks. Risks that she’d never admit to another soul she felt each time she was with him. Risks that were capable of making everything, even this exciting new promotion, seem dull gray.

“I’m not sure I understand, Butch. You want me to get married?”

“Your personal life is your concern. I just want you to do something outside of work. The board likes all their executives married though we can’t make that a qualification for the job.”

“I’m dating someone now,” she said.

He nodded. “Your promotion is effective today and we’ll be moving you to a new office on this floor in January. You’re invited to meet the partners tonight at seven for drinks. Why don’t you bring your friend?”

“I will.” She left his office and made her way back to her own. This wasn’t happening. She’d gotten her promotion now and they wanted her to change her focus.

She entered her office and Rae-Anne glanced up from her computer. “Well, are we celebrating?”

“Yes. You are looking at the new director of domestic affairs.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Rae-Anne,” she said, entering her office.

She should get the staff together for an announcement and have a catered lunch to celebrate the promotion. She’d have to start interviewing to fill her position. There were so many things to be done, she should be making a list of work responsibilities but she couldn’t.

Her mind wouldn’t stop. The pressure she faced doubled with Butch’s words about balance and…
marriage.
She’d known since she was a little girl, since she’d watched her mother staring at her father’s picture every night before she went to bed, that she’d never marry. She’d taken a chance with Marcus and he had left her even though she’d tried to be what he’d wanted in a wife.

Rae-Anne buzzed in on the intercom. “Tad’s on line one.”

“Thanks, Rae-Anne. Call around and see if we can get someone to cater lunch for the staff today. Then get everyone together for an announcement in the conference room.”

“Will do.”

She pressed the button on the phone. “Tad?”

“Hey, Cathy Jane, are you free for lunch?”

“Uh, actually, no. I got my promotion and I’m bringing in food for the staff.”

“Congratulations, you’ve worked hard for this promotion.”

“Thanks,” she said.

“I’ll take you to dinner tonight to celebrate.”

“Okay. Are you free for drinks at seven?”

“I can be, why?”

“It’s this thing with the board and I don’t want to go alone.”

“I’ll be there.”

He sounded so confident and sure of himself, but that didn’t alleviate the pressure inside her. Trusting Tad was the easiest thing in the world because despite the fact he looked like some buff hunk his heart was deep and true. But CJ was afraid to trust Tad. Afraid to trust herself. She hung up the phone feeling like crying instead of celebrating.

The restaurant Tad had selected for their celebration dinner was Gejas in Lincoln Park. They were known for Old World elegance. Tad had heard of the restaurant but had never eaten there. But tonight the secluded booths seemed perfect for dinner with CJ. Their table was along the wall so they could close the curtain and celebrate in private.

He’d stopped by Tiffany’s this afternoon to pick up the ring he wanted to give her when he asked her to marry him. But he sensed CJ wasn’t ready to be asked again. And this time he wasn’t just asking to make his parents happy. This time he needed her to say yes and he wasn’t taking any chances. So he purchased an amber and gold bracelet that reminded him of the amber specks in her dark brown eyes instead. The jewelry box was in his pocket and he wasn’t sure when to give it to her.

He ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate her promotion. CJ had been flushed with success during the cocktail hour with the partners of her firm. Frankly he’d been awed and intimidated by her. He’d suspected she would have turned out smart and successful when he’d known her in high school, but never guessed how far she’d go in the business world.

Butch had been surprised that he was CJ’s date but had been happy as well. And several of CJ’s co-workers had seemed glad to see them together.

The waiter took their order. Gejas was renowned for their fondues. Tad ordered a three course meal for them. Once the waiter poured their champagne he left.

Tad closed the curtain and pulled CJ into his arms. Damn, she felt too right there. And he’d missed her all day. Seeing her for drinks with her co-workers had intensified his need to hold her. There hadn’t been time for anything but a quick embrace before they’d had to mingle. But now they were alone and isolated from prying eyes.

“First a toast,” he said. He’d ordered a plate of strawberries to go with the bubbly beverage.

“And second?” she asked.

Next was CJ warm and willing in his arms. He had the evening planned. Delicious, sensuous food, warm, sexy woman. What more could a man ask for?

“Second…you’ll have to wait and see.”

“What if I don’t want to?” she asked, lifting one of the berries. Her pearly white teeth carefully held the fruit before she took a bite of it. She closed her eyes and he imagined the deluge of juice flooding her mouth. Unable to help himself, he leaned forward. He traced his tongue over her lips, tasting both the berry juice and CJ. Her mouth parted on a gasp and he thrust his tongue inside. He pulled her closer to him. His arm supporting her neck as he savored her mouth.

“Is this my punishment?” she asked.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Make your toast so we can get on with your discipline.”

Tad lifted his glass and stared at the bubbly beverage. He didn’t know if he had the right words to tell her how proud he was to be her man. He wished he had Pierce’s gift of always knowing the right thing to say. But he didn’t have it and he wouldn’t want CJ to think he was someone he wasn’t. Yet she made him want to be better than he was and he knew he’d changed since they’d been friends and lovers.

“Congratulations, CJ. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished with your life.”

He lifted his glass toward her. But she was only staring at him, a sheen of tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Tad.”

“You’re welcome, gorgeous. Now take a sip of your drink. I have more surprises for you.”

“What? You know I don’t like surprises.”

“You’ll like this one.”

“Promise?”

“Just trust me,” he said, wishing she’d trust him on more than this night. Wishing she’d trust him with her future. But knowing he’d settle for her present.

She cupped his jaw, rubbing her fingers over the five o’clock shadow dotting his cheeks. “I’m starting to trust you.”

“Drink,” he said. Her hands on him started a fire that he wanted to put out in only one way. And Gejas, although the booth set up gave couples some intimacy, wasn’t the place for the kind of seduction his pounding body demanded.

She took a sip of her champagne and he did the same. Then he took a bite of one berry and fed her the remaining fruits. Sharing each berry brought a flush of desire to her skin. He was tingling from head to toe. His arousal pressed against the zipper of his trousers and he relished the anticipation. Seduction and anticipation had never felt as good with any other woman.

The waiter brought their first course. And once he left and they were alone again, Tad said, “Tradition says you have to kiss whomever is seated to your left if anything falls off your fork.”

“And you are conveniently seated to my left.”

“Funny how that happened.”

Their meal progressed with a slow steady stream of kisses and sumptuous food. As the second course was cleared away. Tad removed the box from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of CJ.

She stared at the distinctive Tiffany’s box. It was long and narrow, so she had to know it wasn’t a ring, but still she hesitated.

“Oh, Tad. You didn’t have to get me a gift.”

“I know. I want you to do me a favor before you open it up.”

“What?” she asked.

“Take out your contacts.”

“Why?”

“Because you use them to hide from the world. But you don’t need to hide from me.”

She took a small contact case from her purse and removed the contacts. He reached up and pulled the pins from her hair, letting the thick mass curl around her shoulders.

“Do I look better now?” she asked.

“Not yet,” he said. Leaning over he kissed her hard and long. Pulling back only when he knew her lips would be wet and swollen from his kiss. “Perfect. Open your gift.”

Her hands shook as she pulled the box toward her. She opened it slowly as if afraid a snake might spring out of it. But he recognized this vulnerable side of CJ. And it made him want to scold her for not trusting him.

Finally she pulled the bracelet from the box. Tears sparkled in her eyes again and this time fell. “I…oh, Tad. Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said, taking her hand and fastening the bracelet on her. He dropped a soft kiss on her wrist. And saw trust in her eyes for the first time, and he knew that it was time to take her home and make love to her. Time to push harder at the barriers around her heart, which he sensed were already starting to crumble.

CJ unlocked the door to her condo and entered, turning on the hallway light. This day had been a roller-coaster ride of excitement, fear and joy and pressure and Tad’s presence didn’t exactly ease those things in her mind.

Her new bracelet glittered with the reflections of the soft lamp. She still couldn’t believe Tad had given her such an expensive gift. Coupled with her boss’s words earlier, the bracelet applied pressure to her already troubled mind.