Nerds Are From Mars (20 page)

“Why so serious?”

“Just thinking.”

“That’s okay. Thinking is one of your two best skills. That’s why you were invited to . . .” Her expression changed dramatically. “Nolan! What time is it?”

“I have no idea. My cell phone’s in the other room and I can’t see the clock from here. It doesn’t matter, anyway.”

“The hell it doesn’t!” Flinging back the comforter, she scrambled over the end of the mattress and consulted the first clock she came to, which happened to be an alarm clock sitting on the bedside table. “It’s
eight-fifty-six
!”

“So? Do you have an appointment?” He didn’t think so. She would have mentioned it at some point.

“No, this isn’t about me. You’re an important person at this conference. You should be down there mingling. The first session is about to start.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know that it matters all that much, and I’d much rather mingle with you.”

“You can do that any time.”

“I can?” That was news to him. He hoped it was true and not a throw-away line.

“Of course! But there are people who came to the conference expressly to see you. Are you going to lie in bed all morning and disappoint them?”

“
You
came to this conference expressly to see me. How about if I concentrate on not disappointing you? Come on over here. Let’s see what I can accomplish without giving you whisker burn.”

She propped her hands on her hips. Because she was standing in front of him without a stitch on, it was an arousing sight. “Have you no professional pride? You represent the future of humankind. You need to be there, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, filled to the brim with enthusiasm for your Mars project. You provide people with excitement and hope. You can’t let them down.”

“Hang on a minute.” Irritation pricked his bubble of contentment. “I will bet you fifty bucks that Blackstone is not down there generating excitement and hope. I guarantee he’s sleeping in, probably with the redhead he brought to the cocktail party. That fact notwithstanding, his team has an excellent chance of getting to Mars before my team does.”

“They won’t.”

He gazed at her and could guess why she was saying that. Her intuition was telling her so. But he was in possession of computer printouts that said the Sterling team headed by Blackstone had solved rocketry problems that Nolan’s team continued to struggle with.

He took a deep breath. “I wish I could agree with you, but the evidence points the other way. I’m going to work damned hard for the next six months and see if we can catch up. It’s even possible that Blackstone is using hunches to make these impressive strides. He might be doing exactly what you’ve advised me to do, follow his intuition.”

“I don’t think that’s what he’s doing.”

He blew out a breath. “Okay, what
do
you think?”

“I’m not sure what to make of it. I’m not an astrophysicist. I can only tell you that something about Sterling’s operation doesn’t feel right.”

He appreciated her support, but he couldn’t dismiss Sterling’s claims because they didn’t feel right. “I’m afraid you’re influenced by your affection for me and your distaste for Sterling’s approach, which is based on money to be made instead of scientific information to be discovered. I understand that, but –”

“So I don’t have scientific proof that something’s fishy. I know that must stick in your craw, but my main point is that if you attempt to copy Blackstone’s behavior in any way, you’re lowering yourself to his level, and it’s a nasty level, indeed.”

“Hey, there’s a
huge
difference between me staying up here with you and Blackstone playing hooky with the woman he brought as a date last night. Huge difference.”

“Really?” She folded her arms across her breasts.

He stared longingly at those breasts, the very ones he’d hoped to fondle while he made use of another condom. That didn’t seem likely, now. “Yes. Big difference.”

“You’ll have to explain it to me, Dr. Bradbury, because I’m totally missing the point you’re trying to make.”

“Blackstone’s acted this way ever since I’ve known him. The rules don’t apply to him, whereas I’ve followed the rules like a damned robot. So if this once I choose to take some time for myself, is that so bad? He’s been doing it for years, and apparently it’s working for him, because his team is kicking our butt.”

“So you think maybe if you act more like him, you’ll get his results?”

“I don’t know! Maybe! But the good-guy routine doesn’t seem to be getting me anywhere, so why not try his approach for a change?”

She regarded him quietly for several long seconds. “Because it’s not you.”

“You were the one who told me to start using my intuition. What if my intuition tells me that I need to be up here with you instead of down at the conference? Because I do have that feeling, Darcie. I’m worried that if I turn my back . . .” He decided to stop talking before he revealed every damn one of his insecurities to her.

“What?”

He gazed at her wordlessly.

“Please tell me.” Her expression grew tender as she walked over and knelt by the bed. “Tell me what you’re afraid will happen if you turn your back.”

“That . . . that you’ll disappear.”

“Oh, Nolan, I’m not going to disappear. In fact, you’ll have to work really hard to get rid of me.”

He reached for her hand. “Then come back to bed. We’ve had a great time in this bed. Let’s –”

“No.” She shook her head. “I understand that you think it’s unfair that Blackstone gets away with being a bad boy and you don’t. But you’re not a bad boy, Nolan, and you never will be. I wouldn’t be here if you were.”

Bill’s theory about women looking for a steady guy filtered through his brain. It wasn’t a flattering idea, but he’d take it if that meant Darcie was planning to stick around. “So if you’re not coming back to bed, what’s your plan?”

“To go downstairs to the conference. With you.”

“That makes sense. I’m not going to throw on my clothes and head down there without you. Talk about rude.”

“Well, sure, but I meant I’d be
with
you.”

He frowned. “Right, you said that. What am I missing?”

“
With you
as in we’d act like a couple.”

“
Oh
. You mean holding hands and stuff?” That sounded promising.

“If it’s okay with you. I don’t want to tarnish your professional reputation, but I’d love to be open about our relationship. I mean, Bill already knows, but I’d like everyone to know.”

He didn’t realize he was grinning like a fool until she started laughing.

“I take it that big old smile means you like the plan.” She tugged on his hand. “If that’s the case, you’d better move it, Bradbury. Your public awaits.”

“It’s
our
public now.” He cupped the back of her head and pulled her down for a very quick kiss. He still didn’t want to give her whisker burn. “Don’t forget to bring a bunch of your cards.”

She drew back. “I hope you don’t think I want to go public so I can drum up more business.”

“God, no.” That grin just wouldn’t go away. “You want to go public because I’m smart, funny, and incredibly, undeniably hot.”

She laughed again. “Exactly. Now hit the showers.”

A mere forty-two minutes later, because he timed it, they were on the ground floor headed for the conference area. That was another thing about Darcie that thrilled him, and the list was growing. She could get ready in a jiffy. They coordinated as if they’d been following a routine for years.

A couple of times they’d almost lost concentration, which was understandable. They’d had to get cleaned up and dressed in a hurry, which had made naked collisions inevitable. Those collisions could have turned into wild sex, but they hadn’t. Damn it.

Mostly it had been Darcie’s stern reminders that had kept them on track. He recognized that she might be the more disciplined and practical when it came to postponing sex. If so, they had a beautiful little system in place. The woman who tempted him to abandon everything for the sweet pleasure of her body was the same woman who’d rein him in when he needed to focus on other things. He was a big fan of symmetry.

But he already missed the privacy of that room. He had late check-out privileges, but he doubted they’d be going back there for the same kind of activity they’d enjoyed last night. That particular party was over, and he still worried about how they’d transition to the next stage of their relationship.

He was encouraged that she’d wanted to appear on the conference floor as a couple. Holding hands as they walked down the hallway made him feel terrific. The first session had just let out, and attendees, both costumed and not, stopped to talk to him.

That meant he got to introduce Darcie to conference folks who didn’t know her. She ended up giving out several cards.

As they headed for a lecture they’d both decided sounded interesting, he glanced down at her and smiled. “I like walking around holding your hand. Just so you know.”

“I like it too. And although I didn’t think of that when I suggested it, walking hand-in-hand with you is good for my career. I have the Dr. Nolan Bradbury stamp of approval.”

“I’m glad if it helps your career because it’s doing wonders for my reputation as a hot nerd. I –” He was interrupted by one of the conference organizers, a harried-looking man who stopped them on their way into the lecture room.

“Have either of you seen Dr. Blackstone?”

“Nope, sure haven’t.” Nolan wasn’t surprised the guy was AWOL. “Did you try his room?”

“We did, and there’s no answer. We have him scheduled on the last panel of the morning, and we’re switching rooms for that one because we have some issues with the sound system. I wanted to let him know, but he’s not down here or in his suite, and he’s not answering his cell. I thought you might have seen him.”

“Sorry. I haven’t.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure he’ll pop up. But if you do run into him, would you tell him the room is now Garbo A instead of Bogart B?”

“Sure will.”

“Thanks.” The man hurried away.

“See?” Nolan said in an undertone. “Told you so. He could be strolling on the beach with that redhead by now.”

“Or maybe he’s in the bathroom and didn’t hear his phone.”

“Maybe, but something tells me he’s boogied out of here.”

Darcie laughed. “
Something
? Would that be your intuition, by chance?”

He thought about that. “Yes, I suppose it is. I’ve been feeling great ever since we came down here, which I think is mostly due to you, but it might also be because Dr. Aaron Blackstone has left the building.”

Chapter Seventeen

Darcie had started the conference not knowing anyone besides Nolan. She’d recognized the movie stars, but she couldn’t say that she
knew
them. By the end of Sunday’s luncheon, which marked the end of the conference, she’d been introduced to several of those stars and had collected many new clients, both from the Hollywood group and, amazingly, from the scientists.

She was convinced that having Nolan vouch for the detail and scholarship involved in her work had made a big difference to his colleagues. They might not be ready to believe in astrology, but they were curious. Like people everywhere, they wanted to find out what a professional astrologer could tell them about themselves. Once they’d learned that she’d read Nolan’s chart, the barriers had come down.

After lunch, several scientific types suggested going to the bar to talk with her and learn more. Apparently she was a hit. She agreed to spend some time in the bar since she’d already checked out. Her stuff was still in Nolan’s room, and he had a later checkout time.

Outside the banquet room, Nolan drew her aside. “We need a plan.”

“Right.” She turned and called out to the group heading for the bar. “Go on ahead. I’ll be right there!” Then she faced Nolan again. “I hope you don’t mind that I agreed to continue the discussion in the bar.”

“Are you kidding? It’s great!” He looked inordinately pleased with himself.

“And it’s mostly your doing.”

“Some, but not most. You’ve impressed them with your knowledge and dedication to this field. They respond to that kind of professionalism.”

“I’m so glad. Talk about bridging the gap between astronomy and astrology. This sort of interaction can actually do that.”

“It sure as heck can, but you don’t need me hanging around. This is your deal. I’ll go pack up everything in the suite and bring it down to the lobby. Then I’ll come into the bar and find you. If I sense you’re being held hostage, I can remind you of your appointment to go see my lab, and we can vamoose.”

“That sounds like a good idea, although I hate to make you do my packing.”

His smile brought out his dimples. “It’s for the best if only one of us is up there, if you know what I mean.”

“I do.” She returned his knowing smile. The suite was filled with memories of great sex, and if they walked back into it together, they’d want more of that. Now wasn’t the time.

“So go dazzle them. I’ll be back in a little bit.”

“Make sure you don’t forget the hematite.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out the black stone. “Right here.”

“I’ll be darned. I thought it was still in the pocket of your tux pants.”

“I transferred it this morning while we were running around trying to get ready. I wanted to be prepared in case I ran into Blackstone again. Did you notice he never showed up?”

“I did. I heard some grumbling about it, too. He won’t always get away with that kind of behavior, Nolan.”

“Maybe not. Anyway, I had the hematite ready, even though I didn’t need it. I told you I planned to keep it close.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips. “I plan to keep you close, too, lady. See you soon.”

“Can’t wait.” After he left, she stood very still and savored the moment. Two days ago Nolan had been opposed to anything metaphysical, and now he was encouraging his colleagues to have their charts done. He carried a piece of polished hematite in his pocket because she’d asked him to. And he’d told her he planned to keep her close.