The Harder They Fall (10 page)

He
was who he was. The women knew that going in, and he’d never felt the need to
apologize for it or justify it. He had never lied to any of them about what he
wanted from the relationship. Neither had Colleen, and Blaine now realized that
was part of her attraction. She was like a female version of him.

So
what would happen if she knew his thought processes right now? Would she bolt?
The idea of that didn’t sit well with him. Losing her would leave him sad and
lonely. Blaine was stunned once he’d pinpointed the emotions, but he knew they
were true. He didn’t want to lose Colleen.

“Fuck.”
His whispered comment was soft. Even if someone had been standing in his office
they wouldn’t have heard it.

He
stared at his Internet phone. He should call her. He wanted to see her, and he
didn’t want to wait for Friday. They’d likely spend the weekend together, but
he wanted more. He needed her, physically and emotionally.

Would
she think this was too much? She hadn’t once called him, texted him, or asked
to get together during the week, aside from this morning. He knew her job kept
her ridiculously busy, but so did his. And now this mess with Sam was hanging
over their heads.

There
was only one way to find out how she’d react to his asking to see her twice in
one day. Blaine picked up the phone and punched the button that would connect
him to her Internet phone.

Chapter
Twelve

Colleen
was knee deep in a mess at work, arguing on the phone with someone who wanted
to build an office complex less than one mile from Blaine’s land. She had
explained in countless emails to this man that Blaine had a hold on the land
surrounding his current markers, in twenty-acre increments around the
perimeter. She couldn’t release any of that land for five years.

“In
other words,” she impatiently explained for the third time to this nobody she
had never heard of, “Blaine Parker has five years to purchase that additional
land and apply for permits to build on it before anyone else can claim it.”

They
had allowed people who had made land purchase deals before 2118 to add holds on
land in this way, realizing how difficult it would be to work the land at
first. This morning had been a prime example of that. Blaine told her he and
Townsend had a heck of a time getting the equipment up to the surface.

But
it wasn’t only the equipment they’d all need. The AFSR had recognized that some
of the land would be unsuitable for building due to extensive damage from the
storms. They hadn’t thought it would be fair for land owners who had waited
eight years to build on the surface again to realize they couldn’t work their
own land due to conditions beyond their control. So they had added this
provision in the hopes it would prove fair to those who had been waiting this
long.

The
man on the other end of the line didn’t care about fairness, and clearly his
disdain for Blaine Parker was influencing his anger, because this was the sixth
time in twenty-two minutes he’d accused Colleen of playing favorites for her
boyfriend.

That
was hard to get used to. Hearing Blaine referred to that way. It was almost as
disconcerting as seeing her picture online every day, either hanging on his
arm, holding his hand, or laughing with him. Where did these people hide? She’d
never been comfortable in the spotlight, and now the added element of this
relationship spilling over into her work made her wonder if this was the right
move for her.

Her
Internet phone rang twice while she was on the call. The second time she
glanced at it, and realized it was Blaine. Since he hardly called her during
the week, and considering she’d been with him less than three hours ago, she
grew concerned. Had something happened?

Colleen
bordered on giving the man rude responses now so she could get off the call.
Once she finally did, she called Blaine back. “Sorry. I was on the call with a
man who didn’t want to listen to reason. Is everything all right?”

“Yes
and no. Can we have dinner tonight? At my apartment. I’ll have Nick make
anything you like.”

Colleen
hesitated, not because she didn’t want to see him, but because his voice had an
odd quality to it. Like he was desperate to see her. “Sure, but tell me what’s
going on. You sound off.”

He
sighed. “It’s a long story, and unfortunately I don’t have all of it yet. I
just miss you and want to see you, but I don’t want to wait for Friday.”

Those
words almost made her giggle. A wide smile graced her face, and she hoped no
one was watching her too closely. Her pussy grew wet, and shivers ran down her
spine. “Well then, I’d love to come over for dinner.”

“Great.
Thanks. I’ll see you around six.”

“I’ll
be there.” After they disconnected the call, Colleen set her phone to go to
voice mail and walked out of the building. She wished right now she was back on
the surface, because she desperately needed to feel wind and sun on her face.

What
the hell had that been about? Her traitorous mind had flashed back to the time
she was thirteen and in seventh grade. Manny Fowler had been her first real
crush, and he’d played her like a well worn Stradivarius. He was the most
popular boy in their class, as well as the rising star on their school football
team. He had more girls hanging around him than most of the other boys put
together.

But
he’d asked
her
to the first school
dance of the year, not the others. Colleen had walked around in a pink haze for
weeks, enjoying extra attention from him in class. She’d read the silly notes
he wrote her over and over, until the edges of the paper became dog-eared.

When
he dumped her a week after the dance for an eighth-grader, her heart had been
broken. And from that moment on, she’d vowed never to fall that easily for a
boy again. Colleen slumped against the building, falling to her knees. Then she
sat on the pavement as she realized what was going on.

Her
palms were damp, and she found it difficult to take a full breath. She hadn’t
felt this giddy about a man since Manny’s first wink in science class. She’d
dropped her beaker on the floor, and the entire class laughed, except for him.
He’d helped her clean up the mess, and then asked if she wanted to grab
something to eat after school.

But
when he broke her heart, she’d retreated into herself again, devoting her
energy and time to her schoolwork. These days, she devoted everything to her
career. She hadn’t allowed any boy or man to get that close again. Not until
now. Not until Blaine Parker had tipped an imaginary hat at her on the surface,
three weeks ago.

Holy fuck.

She
couldn’t deny it. It was useless to try. Now that she’d admitted the truth in
her mind, it was real. What had been seen could never be unseen.

Colleen
Newton had done the unthinkable. She’d fallen for a man again. And not just any
man. One of the damn Weathermen. And not just
fallen
for him. This wasn’t a middle school infatuation. This was
a grown-up adult physical relationship, with no strings attached, that had just
become way,
way
more than that.

At
least for her. Not for him. He’d made that crystal clear from day one, and she
had no reason to believe he had changed his mind.

She
had fallen in love with Blaine Parker.
Holy
crap.
What the hell was she supposed to do now?

****

Colleen
found it difficult to make small talk for the first time since she’d started
seeing Blaine. Dinner was fabulous. Nick had made them a chicken and pasta dish
that rivaled anything she’d ever tasted. The wine was wonderful, Blaine had lit
candles, and soft jazz music filled the air. It was another perfect, romantic
atmosphere. But her mind was filled with the growing realization she felt way
more for him than she wanted to, and it was clear he was preoccupied as well.

“What
happened this morning?” she asked, for the third time. “I mean after we both
left the groundbreaking ceremony.”

The
first two times she’d asked, he’d told her it was nothing. Just other
work-related stuff that had he’d have to deal with. But since then, he’d
received four phone calls that he had stepped out of the dining room to take.
Each time he’d returned, his concentration on dinner had diminished from the
time before.

She
thought at first he was going to lie to her again, but then the expression on
his face changed as he leaned forward. “If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone
else. Especially not your aunt.”

“Why
can’t I tell her? Blaine, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

He
looked so conflicted she rose and stood beside him. He glanced up at her,
giving her a tender expression that surprised her. When he took her hand and
placed it against his cheek, her heart raced. What the
hell
was going on with him tonight?

“I
shouldn’t tell you this.”

“Then
don’t.” She wanted to know, but not if it compromised him at work.

“I
have to. Obviously it’s affecting this date.”

“Don’t
worry about that. We both have demanding jobs. Shit happens at them that’s
bound to affect us outside of work.”

He
sighed and pulled her onto his lap. “This is more than that.”

She
put her arms around his shoulders. “All right. Then tell me. I won’t say a
word. I promise.”

His
expression became serious. “This is really important, Colleen. No one can hear
about this from you.”

“They
won’t. You have my word.”

“All
right.” His phone rang again, so Colleen stood. “I’m sorry. I have to take
this.”

“Go
ahead.”

She
finished as much of her dinner as she felt would not insult Nick. When Blaine
returned, she refilled his wine glass and handed it to him. He shot her a
grateful look and drained it. Colleen scooted her chair over so she could sit
next to him.

“All
of us, the Weathermen that is, received an email this morning from Brad Sykes.
Do you know who he is?”

“Of
course I do. He’s the AD of HCS. He and my Aunt Charlene dated for a while,
years ago.”

Blaine
didn’t seem surprised by that, but considering it had been all over the
tabloids for months, she imagined not too many people were unaware of the
connection.

“He
told us that Sam Preston, the fifth hacker we’ve been searching for, came to
him with reports of dirt he’d dug up on us, and that he wanted immunity for
prosecution if he gave HCS the information he had on us.”

Colleen
was certain he’d misunderstood the email. “That makes no sense. Unless whatever
Sam alleges he has on all of you violates one of the laws that HCS enforces,
what the hell would they care about it?”

“Thank
you. Exactly.”

“And
why does
that
even matter? Sam broke
all kinds of laws, the same as the other hackers did. Why isn’t he in prison
along with them?”

Blaine
reached over and pulled her into his arms. “You have no idea how relieved I am
to hear you mirror our thoughts on this.”

“Have
you spoken to Brad to find out what the hell is really going on?”

He
released her. “No. He won’t return our calls.”

“Oh,
really
?” Colleen moved out of his
embrace and pulled over her bag. She dug out her phone. “We’ll see about that.”
She was about to place the call, but Blaine put his hand over hers, stopping
her.

“You
said you wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“But
I can get through to Brad for you. All I have to do is call my aunt.” He looked
really conflicted right now, and she suddenly understood. “Oh my God. You think
she’s involved.”

“I
don’t know. You have to admit it’s possible.”

She
shook her head. “No, it’s not. I know that for a
fact
. She disassociated herself from any dealings with Brad before
she took office. In fact…” If she told him this, she’d be breaking a promise.
“Okay. My turn to swear you to secrecy.”

“Absolutely.”

“He’s
under investigation. He has been for months. My aunt initiated it after some
disturbing things crossed her desk about things going on at HCS.”

“So
wait. She’s no longer involved with Brad, as in dating him?”

“No.
Not at all. That part of their relationship was over years ago, no matter what
the tabloids say from time to time. Like I said, she’s the one who initiated
the investigation on him.”

“Are
you aware of the rumors that Brad is pushing for the open Cabinet position on
your aunt’s staff?”

She
shook her head. “No. I hadn’t heard those. But honestly, Blaine, I find it hard
to believe my aunt would want someone on her staff that she’s having
investigated
. I mean think about it.”

“He
might be planting those stories.”

“I
agree. He probably is.”

“Are
the Weathermen involved in those disturbing things you mentioned at HCS?” His
voice shook, and that frightened her. She couldn’t imagine Blaine Parker afraid
of anyone or anything.

“No.
Not directly. Let’s just say the mess with Dave Perry and Bonnie Clough didn’t
help, but no one in her office suspects any of you of foul play.”

He
sighed and then glanced at the table for a few seconds. “That’s good to know.
I’m serious. Thank you for telling me.”

“Look,
I know you two have a history, but think about it. If she wanted to cause
trouble for you—for any of you—she’s had ample opportunity.”

He
nodded slowly. “You’re right. That’s a very good point. Colleen, how do you
think we should proceed here? We have to let your aunt know what’s going on,
but I don’t want to put you in a bad position with her, and I don’t want to
violate a confidence to my friends.”

“Can
you trust her?”

He
finally met her gaze. “I have no choice. If what you say is true, she would
want to know about this email from Brad.”

“I
agree. Blaine, I swear to you she is not involved in this. She will be very
upset to learn the last hacker has been talking to Brad without anyone’s
knowledge. What I don’t understand is why he sent the email to all of you. Was
it a threat?”

“More
like a heads-up.”

“May
I see it?”

“Yes.
I think you should.” Blaine picked up his phone. “But I have to tell the others
first. I hate to end this evening on such a downer, but are you up to a video
chat with them?”