She Who Dares, Wins (15 page)

Was she an idiot? Moving so far away for a relationship with a man?

Yes, she was certifiably insane. Makala was right to question her.

Panic rose in her belly, and she sipped her drink a little faster, praying the alcohol would calm her nerves.

“Hey.” Mar patted her arm. “Take a deep breath. You're going to check things out and get us started up over there. No one says it has to be anything but temporary. Don't freak out.”

“Oh, I know.” Katie pretended to be much braver than she felt. “I was just thinking about everything I need to do before I leave. And I'm excited about the challenge of taking us global, but I'm also worried about the myriad details it'll take to get things up and running.” That was true. Her life would once again be about this job, but this time she hoped Mac could help her keep some kind of balance.

“I'm checking your caseload right now,” Patience said, looking at her phone. “From what I can see, there's no reason you can't leave right away.” She punched a few buttons on her phone. “I've scheduled you for tomorrow noon. You'll have to fly to Dallas, but then it's a straight shot to London.”

Katie stared at her, dumbfounded. Tomorrow? She hadn't even had time to talk about the move with Mac. Could she show up on his doorstep like that? Talk about throwing the poor guy for a loop.

“Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, we can put you to work right away. Chi has a witness who has to sign a deposition, and there's a man she was supposed to meet with next week about an Interpol case.”

Chi snapped her fingers. “That's right. He's in Rome, and he refused to travel here. Katie, you'd be perfect for the job. The other one is getting a simple signature, which will take you no time at all.”

She was going for work. Not just a man. She had to admit this made her feel better. She wouldn't blame Mac if he completely freaked. But it was what she wanted. She'd promised she would do whatever it took, and that meant taking a huge risk on her part.

“Okay, then. London, here I come.”

T
HE CLOSER SHE GOT
to Mac's flat, the more Katie's nerves increased. So much so that she had to keep breathing deeply to keep the nausea at bay.

What if he thinks I'm crazy for moving here? I should have talked to him about it. I'm going to look like a fool if he's changed his mind about how he feels.

Mac had never given her any reason to doubt he cared for her, but this was a big step.

She'd texted him and told him she was traveling for a case, and that she'd be out of pocket for several hours. Stepping onto the elevator, she had a hard time willing herself to push the button for the penthouse level.

Somehow she'd never managed to visit his apartment. They'd spent most of their time at her hotel. She smiled to herself. Those were some glorious days. The memories gave her the courage she needed to finally push the button.

When the doors opened Mac stood there with a suitcase, and a woman next to him. The breath left Katie and her eyes brimmed with tears.

“Katie.” Mac stepped back in shock. “What are you
doing here?” He yanked her off the elevator and into his arms.

He squeezed so tight she couldn't answer.

Pulling away, he put his hand on her cheek and then kissed her, long and hard. For a second she wondered what the other woman must think, but she soon lost herself in Mac.

When he lifted his head, he touched her face again. “I can't believe you're here. Why didn't you tell me?”

Katie wasn't sure what to say. She glanced at the woman and back at him. “I thought it would be a fun surprise.”

He chuckled. “It's a good thing you arrived when you did. This is Kerry—she's married to my friend Peter at the university.” Katie remembered meeting Peter at the party, but his wife hadn't been with him that evening. If Katie remembered correctly the woman was a pediatric surgeon.

Married. So why was she here?

“I'd just given Kerry the key to the flat so she could take care of my plants while I was gone.”

Katie's heart fluttered.

“It's nice to meet you,” Kerry said as she held out a hand.

Mac's arms were still wrapped around her, but she wiggled a hand free. “Hi,” Katie said. Then she looked back at Mac.

“Where are you going?” she asked him.

“To see you,” he said as he squeezed her again. “I finished my paper, and school's finished next week, so I told the dean I needed a break. I gave my students the mid-term exam today, and planned to grade them while
you were at work. I've taken a week off to spend with you in the States during the holidays.”

That made her giggle. He'd been coming to see her. Relief flowed through her body.

“I believe I'll go, since it looks as though you won't be needing that ride to the airport after all,” Kerry said as she handed Mac his keys. “You two enjoy yourselves, and Mac, you bring her to dinner later in the week. That is if you'll be in town then?” she said to Katie.

Katie nodded.

“Thanks, Kerry.” Mac picked up his suitcase and while still holding Katie pulled her to his apartment door.

Inside he set the bag down and took her in his arms again. “I've been wanting to do this for weeks.” He hugged her hard again. “How long can you stay?”

Katie didn't want to, but she moved away from him. “Well, I don't know how you're going to feel about this, but I'm moving here.”

“What?”

She turned to see his confused expression.

Oh, hell.
She'd made a horrible mistake. All the happiness she'd been feeling left her.

“Don't worry. I don't mean here to your apartment. I mean London.” She cleared her throat, as that last word had come out a little squeaky. He probably didn't want her so close all the time, and she couldn't blame him for being shocked. She still wasn't used to the idea herself.

“Why?” he asked, carefully moving closer to her.

“Well.” She bit her lip. “Mar needed someone to open a European branch of the agency and I volunteered.” That was close enough to the truth. How could she tell
him she'd arranged everything so she could be with him? But he'd been coming to see her, so that had to mean something.

“I'm staying at the Dorchester until I can find a place to live and a proper office for the agency. I'm hoping to have everything up and running by the New Year.”

There was a full thirty seconds of silence and Katie's despair only grew.

“The gang at the office thinks it's a good idea to have someone closer to our European clients. I wanted to make a change, so here I am.”

If he didn't say something soon, she'd have to leave. Tears already threatened and she refused to let him see her lose it. She knew he cared about her, but—

“Is that the only reason? The business?” This time he crossed the floor and took her in his arms again.

“What do you mean?”

“Did you only come to London to start a new job?”

She shrugged. “Are you asking me if I agreed to come here because of you?”

“That's exactly what I'm asking,” he said, his tone serious.

Katie couldn't look him in the eyes, but she had to tell the truth. Once she put her heart out there, he would know everything and she would be exposed. It wasn't a place she liked to be.

“Yes.”

His mouth captured hers before she could finish the word.

“So I'm guessing it's okay?” she said against his lips.

“Katie, it's more than okay. I love you. I couldn't stand being away from you for one more day. I was
ready to chuck everything to be with you. I was going to come up with a plan where I told the dean to let me move to the States and continue my research there, or I was done.”

Katie stroked his chin. “Crazy man. You can't do that. There are people depending on you here.”

“I don't care. There is only one person who matters to me anymore, and she's in my arms. I would do anything to keep her there.”

A tear rolled down Katie's cheek. She couldn't stop the damn thing. Why did that always happen around this man?

“I know you don't like to cry, so I'll just get rid of this for you.” He thumbed the tear away. “Now tell me what's wrong?”

Her throat was full of emotion. “You love me?”

“Yes, I do. I love you more than anything. I should have told you before you left, but I wanted to be sure. I've discovered this love thing is like a virulent bacteria—it only grows wilder and stronger as the days pass.”

“Bacteria.” Katie giggled. “You're so romantic.” Her dotty old professor loved her. Katie's world brightened with the realization.

“I love you, too.” She gave a happy sigh. “More than anything. I didn't think twice about leaving everything behind. I wanted to be with you so much it hurt.”

Mac took her hand in his. “Come on. We need to go.”

Surprised, she stumbled after him. “Where are we going?”

“To get your things from the Dorchester. Once I have
you in my bed this time, Katie, you'll never want to leave again.”

And she knew he was right.

Seven months later

“I
S MY TIE STRAIGHT?”
Mac asked Katie. She turned to check it for him.

The woman, his woman, was resplendent in a frothy cornflower-blue dress that fit her body perfectly. She looked good enough to eat and he wasn't sure he should let her go out in public. She was nothing short of a wild distraction.

After fiddling with his tie, she touched his cheek. “You're so handsome.”

Mac wrapped his arms lightly around her, careful to keep from wrinkling her dress. “And you are a gorgeous creature who is sure to upstage the bride today.” He kissed her gently.

She gave him a sweet smile. “Trust me, when you see Mar in her wedding dress you'll change your mind. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and I swear she's almost glowing with happiness.” She glanced at the bedside clock in their hotel suite. “I need to get back to
Mar's room—it's almost time. I just wanted to tell you I loved you.”

“Love you, too,” he said as he followed her out the door. He had to be down the hallway where the other groomsmen were waiting. He'd been honored when Jackson asked him to join the wedding party. The men had become great friends several months ago when he was helping Katie with one of her cases.

Mar had joined him the last two weeks of his stay, and in between their work they'd all spent a great deal of time together. Mac smiled as he entered the room where all the groomsmen had gathered. There were cigars and whiskey being passed around.

Yes, he'd fit in with her friends, and his friends thought she was just as amazing as he did. Their lives had blended quite easily.

He worried Katie had sacrificed too much and she'd eventually regret her decision, but it had been seven months, and, if anything, she was happier than she'd ever been. That made him happier than any man had a right to be.

He noticed Jackson wasn't smoking or drinking.

Mac patted Jackson's shoulder. “You doing okay? Nerves?”

Jackson smiled. “Nah, man. I'm just ready to marry the woman of my dreams.”

“All right, then, let's do this thing,” Mac told him as he guided him out the door.

 

K
ATIE AND
M
AC STOOD
in a large circle of guests as they watched the happy couple during their first dance. The moment made tears brim.

“Your eyes are about to leak again,” Mac warned,
handing her a tissue. He'd kept a steady supply for her throughout the day.

She cleared her throat. “Allergies. I told you that.”

“Uh-huh.” He winked at her.

Mac knew her too well.

“They're so happy. And you know the best part?”

“What's that?” He took her in his arms.

“We have that, Mac. I didn't think I'd ever find it, but I have it with you.”

Mac kissed her long and hard. He didn't care what the other guests might think.

They parted and he lifted her left hand. “So has all this corny wedding stuff changed your mind? Can we finally set a date?”

The man never gave up. “You and my mother. I swear the two of you are conspiring together.” That wasn't far from the truth. Her family had loved Mac as soon as they'd met him. They loved him even more when they heard he'd proposed to her.

Her mind drifted to that moment. He'd taken her to the greenhouse with her rosebush, and proposed to her there. It had been so meaningful. Her eyes had leaked profusely that day, too.

“Hey, we don't have to talk about it tonight, hon. You know I'm just having some fun with you.”

She smiled at him and glanced at the ring on her hand. The sapphire was surrounded by two rows of diamonds. He'd picked a ring that suited her perfectly. “I'll marry you tomorrow if you want.”

Confusion swarmed Mac's face. “Really? That's not just the wedding talking?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I'm serious,
Mac. I'm ready. I've been ready, but you know me. I don't like being pushed into things.”

Mac closed his eyes and squeezed her tightly. “My Katie.”

She loved it when he called her that.

“I want a winter wedding,” she said. “Simple, at my family's church in the Bronx. Maybe we could even do it over Christmas break?”

Mac let out a whoop and twirled her around. The people around them laughed.

“So I guess that's okay with you?”

He kissed her. “Yes. It's your day, Katie. We'll do it any way you want. As long as you become my wife, I don't care about anything else.”

His wife. Those words sounded lovely to her.

And Mac would be her husband. Those words were even lovelier. He'd taught her how to love, and she owed him so much. She couldn't imagine her life without him.

“There's just one thing, though,” she murmured close to his lips.

He pulled back and eyed her cautiously. “What's that?”

“You have to call my mom and tell her.”

Mac started laughing, and before long she had to pat his back.

“It's not funny. I'm her only daughter and the woman loves weddings. You're going to have to keep her in check.”

Mac caught his breath. “I think between your father, grandfather and me we can keep her in check. If that's your only concern, I can handle it.”

Katie wasn't sure he had any idea what he was in for, but she smiled at him.

Mac kissed her again. “I love you, Katie McClure.”

She sighed happily in his arms.

“I love you, too, Professor Douglas.”

He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, for what would be the first in a lifetime of dances.