Marriage of Convenience (8 page)

To relax, he’d opened a bottle of red wine as he’d made last minute adjustments to the evening’s plans. Upon reflection of his first experience, he’d determined that he’d left too much to chance. He wanted to get to know the woman as authentically as possible, but he’d realized that an organic process would simply take too long. He had to force the experiences and circumstances and see what response resulted. He wouldn’t do anything out of the ordinary, something the woman couldn’t expect of him later, but he’d have to provide an opportunity for them to see each other in as many ways as possible. Tonight he had been going for surprise, romance, and gratitude.

When the car had stopped in front of a Queen Anne townhouse Malcolm had taken the front stairs slowly, thinking that if this was his last first date, he wanted to relish the nervous feeling and feed on the flurry of anticipation in his stomach.

So far he was anything but disappointed. He smiled across the table at her and waved to the waiter.

To answer her question, one of the uniformed waiters appeared with serving tray in hand. A lid was lifted revealing a steaming dish.

“Tonight we offer Penne a la Vodka Sauce. The sweet and salty pancetta was lightly sautéed in butter, then cooked in vodka, tomato sauce, and cream to make a rich and flavorful sauce for the al dente penne. Enjoy.”

The waiter disappeared as quietly as he’d appeared.

“I should have asked before making the menu for tonight if you’re allergic to anything.”

“No, I’m not aware of anything. And I eat for a living, so to speak, so I think we’re safe.”

“Great. Are you comfortable talking over dinner?”

****

Caroline looked across the table and suddenly felt a heated rush. She reminded herself this was like a business meeting over dinner, yet she had to get Malcolm to see her as an asset, how together they could be something special to each other. She knew she had one shot at it, and she was determined not to waste the opportunity.

“Of course. I’ve had a lovely time already. You’re full of surprises. I love it.”

“I’ll admit that I’m relieved. I was hoping you’d be open to a little adventure and like surprises.” Malcolm took a sip of wine. “So, Caroline, tell me why you accepted this invitation, understanding the situation I’m in and what it potentially means for us.”

This is what he wanted to talk about? No small talk? No more getting-to-know-you? He had caught her off guard. She hadn’t expected the question, or at least not at the beginning of the evening. She’d thought it might be something that he’d want to talk about as they parted, leave them something to ponder as they considered the possibility of a second date.

Caroline put her fork down beside her plate and swallowed a sip of wine. Here goes.

“Well, to be honest, I’m not completely convinced. I know probably what every other person knows about you. I’m not against marriage, and I want a family one day.”

“But surely you’ve had other options? Other dates, other men, men you’ve known longer, deeper and with whom you would probably, at least according to conventional theory, have a better chance of building a lasting relationship with?”

“I’ve had several,” she said, leaning back into her chair. The night stars were twinkling above, and the noise from the street was almost nonexistent. With the wine, the warm food, and a handsome dinner partner she wondered if it could always be like this. “But I don’t have the most successful track record when it comes to choosing a partner, so I didn’t see how this would be any more challenging than what I’ve already experienced.”

“But it’s something you’d consider?”

“You’re someone I’d consider,” she said in a warm tone. “You have all the characteristics I look for in a man and those I’d be interested in passing on eventually. I don’t see what I have to lose in coming to dinner.”

****

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Her response to his last question had sent a little zing of excitement through him. She might have had bad experiences in the past, but she was willing to try again. With him. Only him? He didn’t see the need to push his luck here, but he thought her follow-up had alluded to the answer. He did have a lot to offer.

“But I do understand that you may have plenty of options yourself, and so I am prepared to be put to the test, if you will.”

He took a sip of wine, thinking that he didn’t have many options. Like her, he’d been around the block a few times and always ended up where he started: intelligent, wealthy, caring, but alone. In recent months he’d all but stopped thinking about it completely. He’d figured he’d continue with his professional goals, and his personal ones would either fall in to place or not. He wasn’t big on religious or spiritual philosophy, but in the case of his love life, he was prepared to accept that certain things just weren’t meant to be.

“I can appreciate that with more time and the right circumstances, we’d both experience some level of success at this relationship thing. But given certain … personal matters, I don’t have that time.” Malcolm took another sip of wine. Caroline waited.

“Without putting too fine a point on it … we know what I’ll be bringing to the relationship, Caroline. What will you bring?”

He didn’t intend to pressure her, but to his thinking they both should be prepared for the question. She was allowing him to lead this interview process, perhaps because it had been his idea, his situation that led them to this dinner. But he thought that since they’d both be living with whatever decision was made, they had equal stakes in the process. If he beat to her to punch in asking, it wasn’t because he wasn’t prepared to answer it himself or wouldn’t review his assets with her if she asked for details.

Sitting across from her, he had little doubt as to what she’d bring in certain areas of their new life. He could smell her perfume from across the table, and it was playing havoc with his concentration. She was fully dressed, but he could see her naked as he made love to her. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt the sort of sexual tension that had been building over the last hour. He intended to find out where it would lead.

“Well certainly I’d bring respect, loyalty, and partnership. I’d bring professional success to match your own and personal financial security. I’d like to think that eventually I’d bring love for you and our family.”

Malcolm absorbed her words and let his eyes lose focus as he gazed on the City below. He liked that she didn’t throw herself at him and allowed that real love would take time to develop. “And what if we’re not … compatible?”

Caroline chuckled. “Seriously?” His gaze met hers, and he could see the incredulity in her eyes. Given the feelings he’d been experiencing since picking her up, he thought the notion absurd himself, but he wasn’t taking chances. He wanted to hear and see her response.

“You’re a beautiful woman. I’ve found it difficult not to touch you all night. You’re intelligent; we have shared interests; you’re playful and charming. I have little doubt that you are what you say you are and everything Gloria described. But first impressions aside, how do we know we’re attracted enough to take the next step?”

Caroline blushed at his compliments.

“Trust me. This won’t be an issue for us.”

“Prove it.”

Malcolm eased back into his seat, uncrossed his legs, pushing his chair out slightly as he did so, and rested his arms on the armrests. The gauntlet thrown, he’d have to wait to see the results. He’d been thinking the words, but he hadn’t realized he intended to say them out loud until they were out. And the look on her face told him that it was too late to retract them. Surprised, yes. Interested? Definitely.

Caroline must have heard the challenge in his words. Malcolm watched her deliberate movements. She set her glass down gently and pushed away from the table and stood. She walked around the table and seemed to contemplate his position. She quirked a brow and flashed a small smile, but said nothing.

Malcolm pressed his lips closed as she braced her arms on the chair. Then she placed her knee to the outside of his thigh, and raised herself up to straddle his lap. She eased herself onto him and wiggled herself comfortably into place. The move brought them face to face, only inches apart.

Malcolm nearly lost his breath. This was not what he’d expected. His heart thudded heavily against his chest. His nerves were shot.

“I would never consider myself an expert on chemistry,” Caroline said huskily, “but I think the way I’m feeling right now eliminates any doubt that we wouldn’t be compatible.” Before Malcolm could speak, she cupped her hands under either side of his cheeks and brought his mouth to hers.

Despite being taken off guard, the surprise gave way quickly to pleasure. Malcolm teased her lips apart and slipped his tongue inside the warm cavern, stroking, exploring, the tang of wine mixing with her sweetness.

Her tongue stroked his, and he became aware only of the intensity of the heat they were creating. Malcolm felt his body react to her manipulations, and he fought to maintain control. His body began to ache. He moved his hands to grip her bottom as he relished the sensations zipping through his blood.

Plunging his tongue into her mouth, he stroked her sensitive upper palate, the inner surfaces of her lip, absorbing the essence of her. He withdrew, and she followed, exploring his mouth more tentatively. He touched his tongue to hers, encouragingly. Growing bolder, Caroline teased his tongue and caught his bottom lip gently between her own and sucked gently.

She slowly pulled back, releasing his lip as she did so, and he was immediately aware of the loss of warmth their kissing had created. Her mouth still close to his, she whispered, “Are we compatible?”

Malcolm struggled to clear his head. He released her bottom, but didn’t remove his hands from her completely. He smoothed his hands up her back and up over her shoulders. They came to rest on either side of her neck. He could feel her pulse pounding rapidly, and he was relieved to know that she was just as affected by their kiss as he was. Her lips, slightly parted, were swollen. He’d kissed a number of women, but none had affected him like this. His response to her was as genuine and thorough as he could have ever thought possible.

Malcolm drew in a deep breath and shifted his eyes from her lips to her eyes. “Yes,” he said huskily. “I can see your point.”

Caroline stared out the window of the Rolls Royce, not seeing as she became lost in her own thoughts of the kiss she and Malcolm had shared. Malcolm was standing just outside the car, talking quietly on the phone. With his cell phone snuggled between his ear and shoulder, he was scribbling notes on a piece of paper held against the side of the building. His pager had sounded as they’d untangled themselves. He was on call, he’d explained, and needed to check in with the hospital.

Flushing at the memory once more, Caroline refused to believe she’d taken on more than she could handle. He was a man, yes, a full-blooded-knock-your-socks-off man, but still just a man. She’d known this would be a challenge. Perhaps she just hadn’t considered all the consequences of what his masculinity could produce. Enjoy the moment, but don’t lose sight of the goal, she admonished herself, shaking her head and looking away.

She traced her lips with her tongue, tasting him there. She hadn’t counted on not being in control, but the kiss had lasted longer than it should have. This was not her first time around the block, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember a single other kiss.

Ridiculous, she thought. One kiss was the same as another. Mouths touched; lips tasted; tongues engaged. The difference, she surmised, must have something to do with those people involved in the kiss. If there was something deeper, more meaningful between them, realized or not, did the kiss change? Did it then go beyond mere physical activity to a mental and an emotional connection that created such an intense reaction that the physical connection was thereby also increased?

She definitely hadn’t counted on a connection, physical, mental, or emotional. The desire that had radiated through her had caused a slow meltdown of any doubt or plan or defense she may have created. She wished she could claim that it was just because of restless energy or a build-up of sexual tension. But she knew that was not the case. Even now she could imagine his hands on her, stroking her naked skin, his lips tasting every inch of her body, and their bodies connecting intimately.

“Sorry for the interruption.” Malcolm closed the car door softly and turned in his seat to look at her.

“Nothing too serious, I hope.” If she’d asked herself before the date if she’d hoped for an early night, she probably would have thought about her work schedule and said yes, but now….

“No.” Malcolm smiled, obviously pleased she’d shown some interest in his work. “It was just an update I’d asked for before leaving this afternoon. The patient is in full recovery after surgery.”

As he spoke, Caroline allowed her eyes to roam over him. She liked the way his muscles filled out the suit. She could see them ripple as he turned toward her and then away again to reach for his seat belt.

“That’s great. I’m sure that’s a relief for the family and for you.”

“Yes, definitely.” Malcolm turned to her once again and reached out, running the back of his hand along her cheek. He let his hand fall to the space between them and took her hand in his own, holding it firmly. “I didn’t plan much more than dinner knowing it was a work night and not knowing what your schedule would be like tomorrow.” He hesitated, but continued when she didn’t comment. “But I’m open to a drink and a movie or conversation at your place or mine.”

Squeezing his hand in response, her pulse raced faster than the calm tone of her response would have indicated. “Actually, when Gloria called she indicated that we might see each other tonight and tomorrow. So I took tomorrow off, thinking I might need the morning to plan something as spectacular as you did this evening.” She smiled. “So … I would love a drink. And a movie depends on the depth of your collection.”

“That sounds like a challenge,” Malcolm said, smiling.