Wise Folly (26 page)

“You’re speaking from experience, aren’t you?” Jessie’s voice was quizzical. “But you’re right That
is
what
I'
ve been doing.” They were silent for a moment, each lost in her private thoughts.

“You must love Noah very much,” Jessie said softly, surprising Dianna.

“He’s been wonderful to Tabby and me, and
I
don’t want to hurt him.” She chose her words carefully, still wrapped in Jessie’s past and her own revelations.

Jessie shook her head at Dianna’s evasive answer. “Nonsense
.
That's only the surface of the
iceberg
story
.”

Dianna laughed with her
and finally spoke the truth aloud
. “Yes, I love him
.
Very much,” she stated simply.

As they exited the restaurant to go their separate ways, Dianna felt Jessie’s hand on her arm. “Dianna? I didn’t really mean to talk your ear off. I’ve never done it before—I just don’t know what got into me. But if you ever need anything, please call. I’m awfully
glad
to have you for a friend.”

“Thanks, Jessie. I appreciate that
. And I needed to hear your opinion, too. Can we do this again, sometime? I think what I need most is a friend."

A gleam came into Jessie’s eyes. “
Of course!
And remember that Noah’s your man. Don’t let anyone push you around
.
You’ve got first claim!”

Dianna laughed. “Right!”

After hugging, they each went their own direction.  Dianna
walked
the two blocks
back to the Wescomp building, waving Jimmy and
the
car back. She had too much to
think about
and walking would help clear her thoughts. Suddenly she wanted Noah with her. She wanted his arms around her, holding her tight enough to block out all the doubts that were assailing her. She loved him so much! And her love had always been for him, although it had taken her a long time to acknowledge it, even to herself. Catherine had a fight on her hands if she tried anything. . .

The elevator carried her up to the top of the building.

She debated about stopping at Noah’s office but thought better of it Tonight would be soon enough to tell him of her love. They would have dinner by candlelight out on
the
terrace, put on some soft music, and let nature take its course. She smiled. Funny how things could be so
right
!

Once inside the condo, s
he was too preoccupied with her thoughts at first to realize there was someone in the living room with her. Placing her purse on the chair, she turned toward the unexpected sound of tinkling glass. Her look of anticipation at Noah’s early arrival instantly turned to one of stunned surprise.

“Don’t look so shocked, Mrs. Weston. I know this apartment better than you do. Until two weeks ago I expected to be
here
permanently.”

Catherine continued to stir the tall glass wand around the edge of a crystal martini pitcher, her ice-blue eyes defiantly challenging Dianna. “And as soon as your short reign is over, I’ll be back.” She took two glasses and poured the mixture equally into both, coming forward to hand one to Dianna. She accepted it without question, not even realizing she was holding it
.
Catherine gave a mock salute with her drink. “The first one’s for you and the second one’s for me.” There was a malicious smile in her baby-blue eyes and suddenly Dianna remembered what Jessie had said.

“Are you telling me you’re staking a claim for seconds?”

“Of course.”

“That shouldn’t take more than a forty- or fifty-year wait”

Catherine’s eyes narrowed. Her usual barbs were not working. “I want Noah, and I’ll get him.”

Dianna smiled. 
“It’s a shame it isn’t Christmas. You could ask
Santa," she
said sweetly. She continued to stand in the middle of the living room, her untouched drink in one hand. “If I know Mrs. Frank at all, she’s called Noah and he should be here any minute. She’s not one for divided loyalties, our Mrs. Frank.” Catherine’s eyes flickered toward the doorway before she shrugged her shoulders and turned away, her pale- yellow dress hugging the curves of her body as she sat back on the couch, looking more at home there than Dianna.

“Why do you want Noah? For his money?” Dianna asked, suddenly curious about what motivated a woman like Catherine.

Catherine nodded. “It helps, honey. But that isn’t
the
only reason, as
I'm s
ure you’ve
found out.

“Then why?”

“He’s what I've always wanted.” She glanced down, frowning, but when she looked up at Dianna again, there was a bright light burning in the slyness of her big blue eyes. “
But you
must know as well as I do that
,
as a lover
,
he’s superb
;
s
o uninhibited, so free with himself, so . . . masculine.”

Silence echoed in
the
room, charging it with electricity as the two women sized each other up. The petite blonde shook her arm and let a small platinum-and-diamond bracelet edge over her wrist to cover the top of one perfectly manicured hand. “Did you see my latest trinket? Your husband sent it to me on your wedding day.
I
think he wanted to tell me that although he married you he still wants me.”

“Really?” Dianna’s eyes widened in innocence. “
If that's what he wanted to say, he'd say it. But that little bauble?
To me it looks more like the perfect payoff for som
e
one who can be bought”

Catherine stared, her facade slipping to expose the hate lurking beneath. “What do you think you’ve got that can hold a man? My looks are just as good as yours— even better. I’ve got youth on my side, too.
I've
even got talent” She stood and slowly walked toward Dianna, stopping to stare at her with hatred in her eyes.

“But
I've
got Noah. What else would I need?”

“A hold over him. The kid maybe?” She had finally struck home. She watched with delight as the venomous words hit Dianna, leaving her white and then a bright red. “So that’s it
! I
should have known!” She spoke softly, her eyes lighting with sparks of fire. “Is she Noah’s? Is that it?”

“Get out” Dianna ordered coldly, quietly.

“Yes, I think I will
.
The
company
stinks.” Catherine pricked up a small bag by the bar and walked slowly across the room, only stopping when she reached the doorway. She turned and looked Dianna up and down. “I didn’t give up a year of my
life
to lose Noah now. I’
ll
get him back. Give me a few days and I’ll be snugly nestled in his arms again.” Then she was gone.

Dianna sank on to the couch, her legs refusing to hold her anymore. Reaction set in and she trembled all over.

“
Dianna
? Mrs. Frank called ...” Noah stood in the doorway, his black brows furrowed together in a frown. He looked so dear, so concerned, so—she began crying, but there was a smile on her lips. Within seconds he was holding her in his arms, cradling her with all the tende
r
ness she had craved earlier. His hand rubbed the back of her neck, curving up to remove the pins from her hair and let the ebony tendrils filter through his fingers. A heaving sigh came from deep within his throat as he pressed his cheek to hers, feeling
the
slippery dampness of her tears. When he pulled away, her eyes were wide, her bottom
lip
betraying the tumult of emotions in her breast

She finally spoke.
“Catherine was here.”

“I hope you said good-bye to her. You’ll never see her again.”

“She, she ...”

“She’s gone now, darling, and whatever she said that tore at you
like
this, it was a lie. There is nothing that Catherine could say to you that would upset you.”

“But
. . .

“Shhhh,” he murmured as his lips came down to claim hers, his hands stroking away frightening images. Slowly her trembling ceased, only to be replaced by another need.

"Hold me close, Noah. Take away the chill."

His hands sought the curve of her breast
,
fingers cupping to
feel the weight of them.
Her pulse hammered and he could feel the heavy heartbeat in her chest
. She took his hand and walked him to the privacy of the bedroom. She looked into his eyes.  "Be with me.
Noah?”

He sat on the side of the bed, his hand holding hers. There was a dark flickering of light in his eyes that died quickly as he turned away. “You’ve been through enough this afternoon. I

“And I want you in bed with me, not holding my hand.”

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly, his voice husky and low.

She smiled. "
I’m sure.”

They both undressed, neither speaking except with their eyes. His usually gentle touch had turned into a passionate demand, willing her to respond as she had never before. The thought of losing him was still uppermost in her mind, and she clung to him all the more, holding him closer, wanting to make him a part of her so that he would never be able to leave. She cried in her pleasure, and he
kissed
the tears away, his own need reaching
the
heights of hers. The momentum increased until she cried out for release, clinging to him as if she
w
ere
drowning and he was her rock. Afterwards they lay in each other’s arms, content with the silence.

Finally his voice invaded her thoughts, his tone soft as velvet “Dianna?” He stroked the long hair that flowed over
the
pillow, his eyes searching, waiting for something. An answer to which question? She knew.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, nibbling at his lower Hp. “I love you, Noah Weston. I love you so much I want to burst”

He sig
h
ed, catching her close to him again and putting her head on his chest as she adjusted his body to hers. “You’re everything I’ve always wanted
.
Good, sweet with just a touch of devil fire and spunk in you to add spice to my dull life.” She glanced up to see him grin and he returned her look with love in his eyes. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve loved you for such a long time, baby. Longer than you’d believe.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because I wanted you to admit you felt the same.” He let his head fall back on the pillow. “It was like pulling teeth to get you to admit anything! I couldn’t even get you to agree on the weather!”

“We’ve wasted so much time.” This was home, this was where she belonged. Right on Noah’s chest with his arm around her body, holding her close, his less-than steady heartbeat
thumped
in her ear. She smiled.

“What’s so funny?” He tilted her head up to his view, noting how her hazel eyes glinted with merriment “I just decided I want to spend the rest of my life like this, but I don’t think your secretary would take too kindly to the idea, to say nothing of your
business associates
.”

He chuckled in response before turning serious again. “Dianna, I want to explain about Catherine.” His arms gave a light squeeze, keeping her where she was when she would have moved. “I helped her with her career and she helped me by being around when I needed a woman. I had no commitments and didn’t want any. She knew that
.
Then, a few months ago, she started getting possessive. I realized what she was doing and told her it wasn’t going to work, but she’s persistent if nothing else.”

His hand reached up to soothe her back, absently rubbing her skin like a talisman. “Until the night of the cocktail party, I used her as a shield against other women. I knew it and she knew it but I guess she felt complacent about it
. U
ntil you came along. She knew immediately that she was
through and
there was nothing she could do except try to get at me through you.”

“I know,” she whispered softly, with the conviction of a woman loved.

“You do?” His smoky gray eyes looked down at her, showing his surprise.

“Um-hm. I might have done the same thing in her place. Who knows?”

A muffled laugh rose hi his throat “No, you wouldn’t
.
You’d have run for cover, pronto!” He turned serious again. “I wanted to be fair with her, offer her a share in the record company. But after tonight she’ll be gone. She’ll never bother either of us again.”

“What are you going to do, have her done away with?’