Two Rivals, One Bed, page 8
“I’m really sorry. You’re right. My body’s here but my mind has been on...other things.”
“Want to talk about it?”
She shook her head. “Work stuff, which at this party to celebrate my parents is the last thing I should be thinking about.”
Standing, she reached for his hand. “Want to dance?”
“I don’t know...”
“Come on. Please!”
Normally, she wouldn’t beg anyone to boogie, but his hesitant pouting was well-deserved.
“Oh, okay.”
She led the way to the middle of the dance floor and forced herself to get lost in the loud dance music flowing from the speakers. She managed to almost forget about Victor’s skilled fingers and lethal kisses, and was actually able to give her date the attention he deserved. She laughed with her mom, joked with Reign and her brothers, danced with her dad and joined what appeared to be everyone at the celebration as they swarmed the floor to do the Electric Slide. At the end of the night, she and Matthias made comfortable small talk as they waited for the town car to make its way to the lobby doors in a circular drive now crowded with limos, Bentleys, Maybachs and other luxury rides. Finally, their car reached the doors. They dashed into the cold and scurried inside its warm confines.
“That was awesome!” Matthias said, settling against the car’s supple leather back seat.
“I agree. Tons of fun. My parents deserved every minute.”
“Looks like you did, too.” He reached over and grabbed her hand. “You always were a workaholic.”
Maeve removed her hand from his and made a show of adjusting her coat as though that were the reason. From the look on Matthias’s face, he wasn’t fooled.
“Tonight was proof that I need to change that. There are a couple heavy cases on my plate but I’m definitely going to add a lighter workload to my New Year resolutions.”
The town car made its way through the maze of vehicles and finally reached the road. Matthias checked his watch. “It’s a bit late but can I interest you in a nightcap? My flight leaves early tomorrow.”
His expression was hopeful. Maeve felt like a jerk, but she couldn’t lead him on. Not with the imprint of Victor’s fingers still fresh on her sex.
“I’m sorry, Matt, but Mom and Dad are leaving tomorrow, too. They’re going away on a fourteen-day cruise. I’m sure she’ll need my help with last-minute packing.”
Matthias’s back straightened. His smile disappeared.
“Matt, you and I have always been great friends. I hope that never changes.”
“What if I’d like to be more than friends?”
“That’s not possible,” she said with a shake of her head. “Especially now. Work is taking up all of my time, plus some I don’t have. There’s no room for a relationship.”
“I hope this isn’t about Lionel. What he did to you was awful. But I always thought you were much too good for him. Forgive me for being blunt, but I think it’s past time for you to move on with your life. I’d love to be the man on that journey.”
Her cell phone rang. She reached into her clutch and checked the screen. Victor! Darn it. Talk about bad timing. She silenced the ringer and dropped the phone back into her purse.
“Work-related?” Matthias asked with a skeptically arched brow.
“Family. I’ll see them soon.”
Hearing the words she’d spoken out loud did funny things to her gut. A part of her considered a world where Victor was family. All of her wanted to see him again, the sooner the better. Only in court, she told herself. Seeing him again in private would be the worst thing she could ever do.
That’s what she planned to reiterate when the car dropped her off, and once undressed and settled into bed, she rang Victor’s number. That he answered on the first ring had her all out of sorts.
“Still thinking of me?” was his cocky greeting.
“Just returning your call.” Adding a yawn couldn’t have made Maeve’s greeting sound more nonchalant, but she did so anyway.
Good girl.
“What did you want?” She knew it was the wrong question to ask before the words had left her mouth.
“You.”
“Not happening.”
“You can honestly say that you don’t want me, after what we experienced tonight.”
“With every fiber of my being.” Her honesty was as liberating as it was surprising. “But we don’t always get what we want.”
“We’re two consenting adults who want to enjoy pleasure together. What’s wrong with that?”
“I can think of a million reasons.”
“Name one.”
“Lillian Duberry.”
“You can’t separate work from your personal life?”
“By turning down your continued invitation for amazing sex, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“So you admit the sex would be amazing, huh?”
His voice was low, almost hot, in her ear. Her pelvic muscles contracted. She shifted, squeezed her legs together and demanded her body behave.
“Obviously, you’ve got skills. Now wipe that smug smile off your face.”
He laughed, which sent shots of warmth tumbling into her belly.
“Damn right, I’m smiling. I want to rock your world, girl.”
Maeve slid down and adjusted the pillows. She loved talking to a manly man like Victor. She was also überaware that if he were as persistent a lawyer as he was a potential lover, she was in deep trouble, and would have to bring her A-plus game to win the company’s case.
“Come see me.”
Desire dripped off the three simple words, now infused with a trace of the Caribbean lilt she found hard to resist.
She resisted.
“No, I can’t. I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“On top of the reasons I’ve already told you, repeatedly, a visit isn’t wise.”
“Even at this late hour?”
“Especially now. Chicago may look big but it’s a small town. Everyone knows me and each building has eyes.”
“Then come home with me. To Costa Rica. Away from professional obligations and prying eyes. Maeve, baby, let’s stop fighting the inevitable. Life is short. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Let’s give ourselves a chance to experience something amazing.”
“Now is not the time for a vacation.”
A lame-sounding response even to her own ears. Really, chick. That’s all you’ve got?
“You can’t be planning to work through the holidays. Even flourishing companies like Eddington Enterprise have to close their doors sometime. Thanksgiving is a time for family but what about Christmas? Or leaving the day after and celebrating the New Year there? We could bring it in with our own fireworks. Pack a bag. That’s all. I’ll handle everything else. Or bring nothing but your beautiful self and I’ll add a shopping spree to our plans.”
Maeve flopped on her back. “I’ll think about it,” she finally said.
“I fly out next week, so you’ll have the space to do so.”
“Okay. We’ll talk later.”
“Good night, beautiful.”
Maeve turned out the light. Sleep was elusive. Join him in Costa Rica? That man has gone crazy!
She thought this, but somewhere deep in the recesses of her traitorous mind Maeve was already packing her bags.
* * *
“You’re thinking about going where, to do what?”
It was the morning after her parents’ anniversary celebration. The standard brunch with friends had been canceled. The siblings were on their own. Desmond and his wife, Ivy, had used the opportunity for a quick “day away” to Memphis for blues and barbecue. Jake was spending the day with his girlfriend of the week. Maeve decided to chill and do nothing. She was happy when little sis, Reign, decided to join her. So much so that she’d just blabbed about an idea she’d not planned to share with anyone.
“I probably won’t,” Maeve continued, around a bite of perfectly cooked root vegetables highlighting the season that the chef had thoughtfully included in a brunch basket delivered a short while ago. “But it has been a while since I’ve taken a vacation and so far I have no plans for bringing in the New Year so...”
She shrugged and took another bite of food, chasing it down with cranberry-flavored sparkling water.
Reign’s eyes gleamed as she eyed Maeve over a glass of champagne. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to pass up all that sweet chocolate. You should go and you should celebrate. Every day and in every position—”
“Sister!”
“I mean every way imaginable. Seriously, Maeve. Not only is Victor an eligible bachelor but in either Celsius or Fahrenheit, he’s off-the-scale hot! I’d do him in a New York minute.”
Maeve scowled.
Reign hurriedly continued. “If he were interested, that is, which he clearly isn’t. At least not in me.”
“But what about professional protocol? To say dating opposing counsel is unethical is putting it lightly.”
“What’s unethical about spending time with a guy you find interesting? Are you going to use your wiles to blackmail him into dropping the lawsuit? Do something professionally unseemly behind his back? No. You’re going to go to Costa Rica to get the cobwebs blown out of your hoo-ha and I for one say it’s about damn time.”
Little sister was right, Maeve reluctantly admitted. The following week, she sent Victor a text.
Regarding Costa Rica, offer accepted.
* * *
On the morning of December 26, Maeve woke with mixed emotions. A part of her felt alive in a way she’d never experienced. The other part felt uncomfortable with not being in total control. Victor had invited her to Costa Rica, but when questioned about what to pack or their planned activities, his descriptions had been vague.
“You won’t need much in the way of clothing,” he’d boldly predicted.
Maeve had argued to the contrary, even as her traitorous kitty purred.
She packed for a seven-day stay and included an assortment of workout clothes, a variety of bathing suits, a few sundresses and a silky semi-formal, wide-legged jumpsuit with crystal beading that felt as good as it made her look while in it. She thought of wearing it, five-inch pumps and nothing beneath it, and then after a night of dancing, shedding it to step into Victor’s waiting, well-defined arms. Her body hummed and moistened as visual images filled her mind.
She had breakfast with the family, who thankfully hadn’t drilled her about the “old friend” she was flying out to visit. Only Reign knew the identity of said college chum. Desmond drove her to the airstrip for the private plane Victor had chartered. By the time the Bombardier Global 7500 sailed beyond the snow-filled cloudiness that covered Point du Sable into the sun-filled sky beyond them, Maeve was more thrilled than terrified, more curious than cautious about the decision she’d made. Two flutes of Dom Pérignon mimosas later, she decided to for once try to turn off her logical mind and go with the Costa Rican flow.
When they landed, Victor was the first sight she saw. One for sore eyes. One that could make a blind woman see. He was the kind of fine one thought couldn’t get better but when he greeted Maeve in all-white casual linen, Maeve swore his handsome meter had gone higher than the tux in Chicago, and the meter that night had gone off the charts. He literally looked good enough to eat, like the chocolate fudge bars she used to get from the local ice-cream truck wrapped in shiny white paper—gooey, dripping goodness, waiting for her willing and salivating tongue.
Just like back in the good old days, said tongue was now willing, salivating and wanting to lick a big chunk of chocolate. Thank goodness for the shades that hid the lust she was positive showed in her eyes.
“Happy holidays!” he greeted, planting a luscious kiss smack dab on her lips as he picked her up and whirled her around.
He slid her—slowly, firmly—down the length of his hard, chiseled frame.
Maeve stepped away, looking around suspiciously as soon as her toes touched the ground. “Stop! Someone might see us.”
“Relax, sweetheart,” Victor replied, keeping his arm securely around her shoulder as he directed a nearby worker to gather her luggage. He reached for her hand and led them toward a gleaming white Jeep.
“This is a private airstrip on private land. Mine. Every eye watching is on my payroll and maintains the strictest of confidences. Although I’m sure they’re gawking and I must admit... I’d have it no other way. You’re much too gorgeous to hide.”
The comment left the very womanly Maeve feeling all girlie inside.
“Thank you for inviting me to your country. What I’ve seen so far is amazing.”
He stopped, suddenly. “Don’t tell me this is your first trip to Costa Rica.”
“Guilty as charged,” Maeve managed with a coy smile. “My parents and brothers have been here, though, and were duly impressed. I’ve planned to visit for a long time.”
“What stopped you?”
“Work, mainly.”
They reached the Jeep. The worker placed Maeve’s luggage in the back while Victor opened the passenger door before getting in on the driver’s side. Once buckled in and on the road, the conversation continued.
“When is the last time you had a vacation?”
“This past summer, I spent a weekend in Sag Harbor. And sometimes I add a day of leisure to business trips.”
“I’m talking about a real vacation, like this stay is going to be.”
Maeve furrowed her brow. “A couple years ago, maybe? Honestly, I can’t remember.”
“You’ve heard the cliché all work and no play.”
“I try and maintain balance in my life. Admittedly, the past six months have been busy but by the time summer gets here, things should slow down. The spoils of war from winning the Duberry case will afford me a luxurious and much-needed vacation.”
Victor expertly guided the Jeep with one hand while giving Maeve a once-over. “War? Is that what you call it? Is that how you define our relationship?”
“We have no relationship.” Maeve paused, pulled a scrunchie from her purse and tamed her wind-whipped curls. “You’re opposing counsel, nothing more.”
Victor’s laugh wrapped around her like an old well-worn sweater.
“You may not know it yet, pretty lady, but I’m much more than that.”
Maeve tilted her head as she looked at him. “Are you always so cocky?”
“Only when warranted.”
“And you believe that now is one of those times?”
Victor slid his hand down her arm and rubbed his thumb along her wrist. Maeve tried to remain calm but couldn’t hide the rapid heartbeat he’d surely felt.
His knowing smile confirmed her thought. “I’ll do my best to make it so and let you be the judge.”
Yeah, right. That oh-so-sexy Victor Cortez would do his best was exactly what Maeve was afraid of.
Twelve
Victor turned down a palm tree-lined path with an automated security gate that opened upon his arrival.
“Bienviendos to Cortez Castle,” he announced with a sweep of his arm. “Mi casa es su casa.”
“Where is it?”
After ascending up a mountain and rounding a final curve, Victor’s twenty-three-thousand square foot, multi-leveled, multi-building residence came into view.
“Jeez!” Maeve’s eyes widened. She pushed designer shades from her face to her forehead. “You call that a castle?”
“What would you call it?”
“Ginormous!”
“Ha!”
Victor’s chest swelled with pride. It had taken him five years, two construction companies and seven different interior designers to complete the home of his dreams. The white stone and steel exterior gleamed in the sunlight and contrasted with the turquoise blue ocean below it. Horses lazily grazed in the distance. Palm and fruit trees dotted the landscape—coconut, banana, lemon, apple, avocado. It was an architectural masterpiece, a work of art and, outside of work, his greatest accomplishment. That it impressed someone of Maeve’s caliber meant everything.
“Oh, my God, is that a chicken?”
Victor slowed to let the mother hen leading a row of chicks pass. “Free range, organic,” he explained. “Most of the food I and the staff eat is grown right here.”
“Victor Cortez, you’re full of surprises.”
He wriggled his brows suggestively. “How do you Americans say it? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
They passed three one-bedroom guesthouses before reaching Victor’s seven-bath, ten-bedroom open-air estate. Maeve was full of compliments regarding his home, exclaiming over each state-of-the-art this and luxurious that. Victor had spent millions having this estate built. Maeve’s reaction made it worth every penny.
They reached the third-floor landing. “I had Hasina prepare two guest rooms. One has a mountain view, the other faces the ocean.”
“What? No room with both?” Maeve mocked.
“Only mine.”
He watched Maeve’s throat move as she visibly swallowed.
“You’ll see it later.”
For once, she didn’t argue. There was a first for everything. Score one for me!
“Considering you might be tired from traveling, I thought tonight we’d enjoy a simple dinner and perhaps a swim at sunset. The rest of the days can be as full or as relaxed as you’d like. The island holds much to see and do.”
“It was a trek to get here. Simple sounds good. Also, I can see mountains in Chicago, so I’d love the room with the ocean view.”
“Hasina will have your luggage delivered there. Would you like some time to rest, or freshen up? I’d love to give you a tour of the property but will totally understand if you’d rather unwind.”
