Hurricane (4 page)

“Mommy loves you, Rissa, and you are my life. Thank you, God, for letting me stay with my baby.” She sobbed softly, imagining what could have been.

Holding Rissa, she went to sleep.

Julianne reached for the file. She stifled a curse at the aches that made themselves known. Leaning back against her chair, she breathed out—the pain was better than it had been. She’d been browbeaten to stay home. Then again, it hadn’t actually taken that much convincing. She had been feeling out of sorts since her near miss, but spending time with Rissa had got her back to feeling normal again. After two days, she had told her family and friends she was going in to work. Julianne laughed softly. Actually, it was Rissa who had told her she needed to stop hovering and get back to work. Julianne had conceded to let someone drive her.

The buzzer sounded on her desk. “Yes, Andi, I’m taking it easy.”

“I know that’s a lie. If you were, you’d be home resting, as everyone has been telling you that you should be doing,” Andrea Palmer, her assistant, replied.

Julianne refused to rise to the bait. She’d heard she was being stubborn enough—everyone had decided it was their business to tell her so. Her partners had even taken over the events she had scheduled. Their assurances that she could use the time to catch up on paperwork and other things hadn’t pleased her. But she would go along with it, at least for now.

“Is there a reason that you’re calling me?”

“Yes, oh grumpy one. Margo at main reception has informed me that there is a Fire Marshal Keenan Callaghan wanting to speak with you. Are you available?” Andrea asked.

Julianne hadn’t heard from him since he’d interviewed her at the hospital a few days ago. The rest of her partners had mentioned he was very nice and had been easy to talk to when they had spoken with him. Reid and the others who had also talked to him agreed. With all their comments, she had wondered why he’d acted so rudely when he’d interviewed her.

“Sure. Send him in,” Julianne said.

“Will do.”

A few moments later, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.” Julianne stood, coming around the desk.

Andrea came in first. She frowned, glancing at Julianne pointedly. Julianne ignored her. She walked over to meet Keenan, extending her hand. “Mr Callaghan.”

“Keenan, Miss Locke.” Keenan took her hand, shaking it briefly, then let it go.

“Call me Julianne. Can we get you something to drink?” Julianne offered.

She led him to the round table and Keenan pulled out a chair for her. Julianne sat.

He’s a gentleman. Wonder how gentlemanly he would be in bed?
Julianne stilled at the thought.

The first time, in the hospital, she had dismissed it as just an acknowledgement of his attractiveness, just seeing a man who captured her attention, but knowing she would not act on it. This thought took it further. It wasn’t something she
ever
thought of.
Not since…
She cut off the train of thought and focused on Keenan, who had taken a seat next to her. She was grateful the table was mid-sized so he wasn’t too close to her. Yet, that didn’t stop his scent from reaching her. It was fresh—herbal mixed with musky, and ever so tempting. Julianne put her hand in her lap and clenched the fist.

Get control of yourself.

“No, I’m good.” Keenan’s deep tone brought her attention back to him.

It took a second for Julianne to understand what he was referring to.

Once she did, she replied, “And nothing for me, Andi. Thanks.”

Andrea left, closing the door behind her.

“Have you finished your investigation?” Julianne asked.

“Yes. It was an accidental fire. From what I could determine, it was due to some faulty wiring.”

She nodded. His confirmation of what she’d suspected was both a good and bad thing. Good that they could move on with the project. Bad because Reid and Sampson would be pissed off and on the warpath with their subcontractors, which could possibly delay the completion date. Not that she wasn’t peeved, too, and wanted whatever carelessness had caused the fire to be dealt with. But ultimately she needed the building work finished so that the events they already had scheduled wouldn’t have to be changed.

“Well, that’s good to know. I didn’t think it was arson.”

“You’d be surprised how many times I’ve heard that,” Keenan replied.

“I probably would.” Julianne imagined that would be the case, since she’d seen a few stories on the news that stated a fire was an accident then later changed to arson or suspicious circumstances.

“Anyway, you can let your builders know the site is now cleared, so they can continue building.” He paused briefly then spoke again, “I did want to apologise for my being abrupt the day when we talked.” Keenan’s look was intent.

“It’s okay. It was late.”

“No. That didn’t have any relevance to my behaviour. I’m usually not so gruff.” Keenan smiled widely.

Julianne’s breath caught. The smile made him seem boyish and more relatable. She hadn’t expected him to apologise. That he had both surprised and impressed her. Attraction to him she could handle and even dismiss, but respect was something that would lead her down a path she did not want to go. Holding him in high esteem would make her vulnerable to stronger feelings and that she could not…
would
not dare let herself experience.

“If that’s all, Keenan, I have some work that needs my attention.”

Keenan didn’t move, his smile widening further. “I didn’t expect to find you at work.”

“Then why did you come to see me?”

“I was visiting Harmon when he mentioned you’d returned to the office. So, I decided to swing by.”

Julianne nodded. She’d heard that he and Harmon had grown up together, but lost touch. Their history proved that it was a small world. Singleton felt like a mix of big city and small town, even though they were in New York. The number of people living there wasn’t as much as in some of the other New York towns, but people could still go without running into others they knew, unless seeking them out. The mix was why she loved Singleton so much, and it was the reason most of the Locke family still lived and had businesses here. Even those who weren’t able to live here full-time had homes on the family estates.

“Well, it’s good you all have gotten to reconnect with each other.”

“Yep. Harmon and I were close. Got to make sure we don’t lose touch again. You all have quite a set-up here.”

Julianne inclined her head. “We do. It works out well.”

Julianne was pleased she and her partners had managed to build such a great place for their business, with room for everything they could need and more. Moments had the most space on the property and they were farthest from the entrance of Kindred Place. The two-floor antebellum mansion design had been built to their specifications, and the lush scenic grounds, also. The combination made them a sought-after venue for many upscale events, as well as more intimate gatherings. The sweeping staircase at the front was a favoured spot for pictures. The inside was set up splitting the house similar to how Moments Deuce was laid out. Not having other events interfering with each other was a high priority for them.

The entire property all the businesses on Kindred Place occupied surprised people who hadn’t seen it before. All the building and maintaining of the property were in-house, which was the best advertising for the interior design, architectural, landscaping and security firms on the property. Each business had its own style based on various structural designs of homes, thus making it seem more like you were visiting someone rather than going to a business. The individual companies were on their own space, making it so that they didn’t interfere with each other’s business.

“You all must be doing well. You have a lot of partners in Moments, don’t you?” Keenan commented.

“And you’re curious…why?” She smiled.

“I get that there are eight of you handling various things. But not the ‘why’ behind the arrangement.”

“It used to be just me and Regina, at first, but then it got too much for us. And we wanted to expand, so we asked some of our friends—well, they’re more like family to us—to be a part of our business. Regina and I handle the actual event planning and meeting clients. Then we let the other partners who are in their own sections know what we need in the form of photography, flowers, food, pastries, staffing for events and security. Having separate people for that works. You’d be surprised how much work can go into the smallest event. Is there a reason you are asking about our set-up? Do you have an event you’re planning?”

“No. Just wanted to know more about you.”

Julianne controlled her expression, not wanting him to see her shock. Keenan’s smile, that same damn affable one, made her know that he was aware he’d unsettled her. She didn’t like it one bit. His hands rested on the table. Her mind flashed, imagining his fingers on her skin. Julianne stiffened.

“Well, now you know a bit. I would offer you a tour of the place, but I really need to get to work.” Julianne stood.

She gasped as Keenan moved to hold out her chair for her. For such a big man, he was fast.

“Thanks. Let me see you out.” She strode towards the door and reached to open it.

His hand on her arm stopped her. Julianne held in the shudder at his touch. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them she’d blanked her face into the business persona she used with a difficult client. It kept them at bay and offered her a shield of control. She glanced at him with a cool look. “Is there something further?”

“Trying to put up a barrier against me won’t work.”

“I don’t have any idea what you mean.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily.

Internally, she cursed. She was usually blunt and able to handle things.

“You do. It was the same reason that I was so rude at the hospital when I spoke with you. There’s a spark between us, Julianne.” Keenan’s smile was gentle and his look knowing.

The sound of her first name in his sexy voice was almost her undoing. Julianne refused to let him affect her—she pulled her arm away from his. Keenan stroked her skin before her released her.

“All we have is business. And, since that’s done, we have nothing further to say,” she replied.

“We
had
business. I didn’t want to pursue anything while I was doing my investigation. Now that it’s complete, there’s a lot for us to discuss. I want to get to know you better, Julianne. Have dinner with me?” Keenan’s light green gaze was intent.

“I don’t date,” she said, firmly.

“Why?” he fired back.

Julianne gritted her teeth. It figured he would push the issue and question her. “None of your business. Even if I did date, I don’t like aggressive men.”

“That’s good to know, since I’m not aggressive.” Keenan grinned affably.

“Could have fooled me,” Julianne muttered.

“I do go after what I want,” he said softly.

Julianne was caught by the look in his eyes. It was tender and possessive. She clenched her fist. He had no right to have such an expression. They didn’t know each other.

But you want to
, her inner voice goaded.

No, I don’t
, she countered.

Keep lying to yourself. You want to go out with him
, the infernal voice said.

No, I do not. He’s already driving me to talk to myself. I don’t need the hassle,
she told herself firmly.

Julianne wrenched open the door, gesturing for him to leave. Keenan took her silent urging and passed her. Julianne followed. He turned suddenly, crowding her. Gasping, she stepped back instinctively before she caught herself and stood her ground. Scowling, Julianne glared at him.

“I unsettle you.” His grin was smug.

“You startled me,” she retorted.

“Deny it all you want, but you’re intrigued by what there might be between us. I’m a patient man. I can wait until you come around. You have my number. Call me when you change your mind.” Keenan shrugged, turning, then strode away.

Julianne followed behind him. She waved Sid, the private receptionist she shared with another of her partners, back to his seat. Julianne followed Keenan down the hall. She fumed at his arrogance, that he would believe she would change her mind about going out with him. Unconsciously, her gaze lowered. The jacket he wore covered his ass, but she imagined what it would be like to cup it—firm, probably, and she flexed her fingers.

Stop that. You don’t date
, she reminded herself. Julianne moved forward so she walked beside him as they crossed the lobby area. Close to the front receptionist’s desk, she paused.

“Thanks for coming by.” She put out her hand.

Keenan studied her before sliding his hand into hers. She locked her legs and controlled the shiver.

“I’ll be waiting for the call,” he said softly.

Julianne frowned at him.

“Mom?” a young voice said.

Julianne looked towards the front door at Rissa and a smile curled her lips. Rissa stood with Reid, who had gone to pick her up from school. She wore a pale yellow dress, the same colour as the one Julianne wore. Rissa loved clothes, just as she did—clothing that both looked good and was comfortable. Julianne turned back to Keenan.

“She’s the reason you won’t be getting a call. My life is all about my daughter. I don’t have time for anything else.” As she went to pull her hand away, Julianne knew she was lying to him about the real reason and refused to contemplate or acknowledge even to herself what it was.

Keenan held it firmly, yet gently. “You won’t make time. Think about it, Julianne.”

He released her.

“There’s nothing to think about. Rissa is all I need to weather any hurricane. Now goodbye, Keenan,” Julianne snapped.

She walked away to meet her daughter. Hugging her, she led her back to her office, ignoring the man watching her.

“Who was that man, Mom?” Rissa asked.

“The fire marshal,” she replied.

At the hall leading to her office, she glanced back. Keenan hadn’t moved. He tipped his head at her. Julianne followed her daughter.