A Decent Proposal (13 page)

Against his mouth she whispered, “Someone is going to walk by and they might not say it out loud, but you can bet they'll be thinking we should get a room.”

His smile was wicked. “As luck would have it, I already have one.”

“That is lucky.”

He moved back a step, then grabbed her hand. “I don't think we want to go through the lobby. Let's take the back way.”

She was trapped in a sensuous haze and let him lead her to an elevator in a more discreet location. He pushed the up button and almost immediately the doors opened. They got in and rode to the top floor of the lodge, where he pointed to the end of the hall and the double-door entry of his suite. It seemed far away, too far, but with him holding tightly to her hand, she matched her steps to his long stride. After inserting his key card, he opened the door and let her go inside first.

Behind her there was the sound of a click and then the entryway's overhead light went on. In front of her was a sitting area with a couch, chairs and tables. A flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall. On the far side of the room was a formal cherrywood dining table and six chairs.

She turned to look up at Burke. “I've never been in a suite before.”

“What do you think?”

“Rich people really are different.”

“Not that much.” He took her hand and they walked to the right, stopping at the double doors.

He opened one to reveal a king-size bed, sitting area with a plush love seat and French doors leading to a balcony that overlooked the mountains. The only light was drifting in from the other room and that made erotic shadows in this one.

“Be it ever so humble...” He took off his suit jacket and tossed it on the tufted, cream-colored bench at the foot of the bed. Then he loosened his silk tie, undid the button at his neck and slid it from under the starched collar of his white dress shirt.

Burke removed her small evening bag from her fingers and gently put it by his coat. Then he looked down at her and said, “Where were we?”

She stepped out of her heels and felt even shorter than usual when looking up at him. “I think this is where we left off.”

Moving closer, she started undoing the buttons down the front of his shirt before tugging it from the waistband of his slacks. After spreading wide the sides, she rested her palms on the muscular contours of his chest. The dusting of hair tickled her fingers as she slid them down, exploring the feel of him to her heart's content.

When she reached his rib cage, just above his belt, she must have hit a very sensitive spot judging by his sharp intake of breath.

Burke caught her wrist in a strong yet gentle grip. His breathing was harsh and uneven. “My turn.”

There were no buttons on her top, so he gripped the chiffon and camisole together and pulled them up and off as she lifted her arms to assist.

His gaze caught fire when he saw her black bra and he shook his head regretfully. “As much as I like the way you look, that has to come off.”

Without a word, she turned her back and let him undo the clasp. His hands settled on her shoulders and brushed the satin straps down until the wispy garment fell at her feet. He circled an arm around her and nestled her back against his front then used both hands to cup her bare breasts.

He kissed his way down her neck and with thumb and forefinger toyed with her nipples. She tried to hold it in, but a moan slipped past her lips as the exquisite torture went on and on until she was sure she wouldn't be able to stand it. While she was occupied by the intense pleasure of his touch, he reached down to her waistband to undo the button and lower the zipper of her slacks. The silky material slid easily down her legs and she stepped out of them.

He splayed one big hand over her middle and slid the other down between her legs, cupping her there. His ragged breathing stirred the hair by her ear and his voice was even more ragged as he whispered to her what he wanted, what he yearned to do with her.

The next thing she knew he'd yanked down the bed's comforter and blanket and bared the sheets beneath. He scooped her up into his arms then settled her in the center of the big mattress. Not taking his eyes off her, he set a world record removing his clothes. The expression in his eyes turned dark and intense as she shimmied out of her black panties. Then he slid into bed beside her, reaching out and pulling her against his warm, bare skin.

He brushed his wide palm over the indentation of her waist, over the swell of her hip, then flattened on her abdomen. This time when he caressed between her legs there was no wisp of lace blocking the touch. He rubbed a thumb over the bundle of feminine nerve endings and she believed it a very real possibility that she could go up in flames.

Before she could tell him what she wanted, what she'd craved for so long, he reached into the nightstand and pulled something out. Through a lovely daze, she realized that he'd opened a condom and put it on. Then he gently eased her to her back, braced his forearms on either side of her to take most of his weight and slowly entered her.

Feminine muscles wrapped around him and nerve endings wept at the glorious intrusion. She pulled her heels up higher on the bed, making the contact even more exquisite. Moments later, pleasure blasted through her in a nearly spontaneous explosion.

Burke pushed into her one more time, then went still and groaned, finding his own release. For a long, lovely moment they just held on to each other as shock waves turned to ripples and their breathing slowed to something resembling normal. Truthfully, the meaning of normal had forever changed for her.

He rested his forehead to hers. “That was...”

“Nice,” she said.

He lifted his head and even in the dim light his wry expression was visible. “You couldn't think of a more enthusiastic adjective than
nice?
”

“Awesome? Amazing? Spectacular? Great.”
She shrugged and the hair on his chest rubbed her breasts, sending tingles up and down her spine. “They're all clichés.”

“What we just did rates a better description than
nice,
” he said.

Sex with Burke Holden was so awesome and amazing that she would swear it rocked her soul. And that was a scary thought. She figured he wouldn't appreciate knowing that and she didn't want to make herself that vulnerable by saying it out loud.

“Yes, it was better than nice,” she agreed.

“Are you okay, Syd?”

“Of course.” But she didn't lift her gaze any higher than his collarbone.

“I'll be right back.” He rolled away and the bed dipped and rose as he left it. “Don't move.”

Her body felt boneless and she couldn't move if she'd wanted to. Syd put her forearm over her eyes, but still sensed when a light went on nearby and heard running water. How she wished that she was better at hiding her feelings. She had wanted this almost from the first time she'd seen him drive into McKnight Automotive.

And now she couldn't shake the sensation that it had been a mistake because it had been so awesome, amazing, spectacular and great. But the last thing she wanted was to be that type of woman, the one who wanted it until she got it and then played hurt.

Why couldn't a girl know she was going to have second thoughts before jumping into the deep end of the pool?

The light went off and seconds later Burke was back, pulling her into his arms. “Okay. Talk to me. What's going on in that mind of yours? And please don't say you're fine, because I know you're not.”

It took several moments for her to figure out what she wanted to say and he let her take the time.

“I guess I want you to know that casual sex isn't what I do. One-night stands aren't my thing.”

He nodded his understanding. “And if I thought it was your thing, I wouldn't be here.”

She rested her cheek on his chest and settled her arm over his flat belly. “You wouldn't?”

“No.” He kissed the top of her head. “I like you, Syd. A lot.”

“I feel the same about you.” Maybe more than like.

“And that's why I want to be completely honest with you.”

“Oh?” This was where he said what she'd been thinking, that it was a mistake they shouldn't make again. She braced herself.

“I want you again.”

“You do?” She wished it was possible to see his face, but he'd rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Yes. And I hope you want me. This isn't casual for me, but I also can't make any promises.”

“I don't expect any.” She knew how he felt about commitment. He'd been completely up front about that.

He raised up on an elbow and looked down, studying her. “Can we take this one day at a time? That's the smart play.”

“It is,” she agreed.

God help her. She was far gone enough to take whatever he could give, but there was a part of her that longed for a promise of forever.

Chapter Thirteen

“T
his is fun, Dad.”

Liam kicked the soccer ball somewhere in Burke's general direction and he jogged over to get it. They were in Sydney's backyard on a beautiful Sunday afternoon while she was inside cooking dinner for them.

“It is fun.” Not in the same league as what he and Syd had done in his bed the other night. But it really wasn't fair to compare the two. Bonding with his son was a blessing he honestly had never expected to have. Physically bonding with Syd had been mind-blowing.

If he was being honest it was more than physical. There was a connection and it was more than he'd anticipated. He liked women; he dated. And he walked away. But there was something about Syd that he couldn't put into words, qualities that drew him. Things that had nothing to do with what she looked like. Not a single woman he'd dated had come close to the wonder that was Sydney McKnight.

It had bothered him a little when she didn't push back on his declaration that he couldn't make any promises. But then, she'd once expected promises from a guy and he'd made them to someone else. Still, that was a long time ago and he wondered what she wanted now.

Liam stood across the yard, hands on hips. “Hey, Dad. You gonna kick the ball or stand there and think about it?”

It was an interesting experience hearing your own words coming out of your child's mouth. He hadn't even been thinking about kicking the ball. Images of Syd in black bra and panties? Yes. Kicking the ball? No. His concentration was messed up because pretty much what he wanted to focus on was her. But that wasn't fair to his son.

“Okay, kid. Comin' at you. Get ready. Think you can handle it?”

The boy grinned. “No problem.”

Burke kicked it pretty hard and Liam concentrated, judging the path, moving a little to his right. He stopped the ball with his foot, nudged it to the side, then sent it back.

“You're getting pretty good, son.”

“Thanks. I've been practicing with Todd. He said maybe I could join his soccer team. The season's already started, but there might be an opening. Do you think that would be okay? I know we have to go back to Chicago, but I was thinking maybe in the meantime?”

The kid was making a thorough case for it as if he expected to be turned down. “I don't see why not. I'll get the information from Todd's parents and check in to it. Let's see if we can make that happen.”

“Cool.”

The ball came to him and Burke stopped it with his foot, then picked it up. “We should probably have something to drink. Syd went to all the trouble to make lemonade and leave it out here for us.”

“I am kind of thirsty.” Liam ran across the yard to the patio table holding a pitcher and two glasses.

“Here you go.” Burke held out a full glass after pouring the sweet, cold liquid into it.

“Thanks, Dad.”

They sat down side by side in the padded chairs and guzzled lemonade.

“This is pretty good stuff.” He watched his son drag his forearm across his mouth to blot the excess liquid. Then the boy seemed to realize what he'd done and glanced up, waiting to hear what he'd done wrong.

Normally Burke would have called him on the breach of good manners, but two things stopped him. Number one: they were alone and this was a guy moment. No ladies present to be offended. And, number two: he didn't want to spoil this father-son moment with a lecture that usually ended by saying Liam wasn't being raised by wolves. There were teachable situations, but this wasn't one of them.

Syd was the one who'd made him see that you picked your battles. It was a parent's responsibility to make sure his child knew what was and wasn't acceptable in polite society. But the chances were pretty good that someday when he took a girl out for dinner Liam wouldn't use his sleeve for a napkin. Or he would only do it once and get an advanced degree from the school of hard knocks.

“Dad?”

“What, son?”

“I'm sorry I was such a dork when I first got here.”

Burke couldn't have been more surprised if an alien ship landed in the yard and an extraterrestrial said “take me to your leader.” Finally he was able to say, “Don't worry about it. I understand. It was hard for you, leaving your friends and everything that's familiar.”

“Yeah.” The boy looked down frowning, as if remembering the experience.

“I'm sorry you had to go through that. The good news is that Mary will be okay after rest and recuperation. She's retiring, but we'll figure things out. At least you'll have your house, yard and friends back.”

“Yeah,” he said again, a little uncertain. “And I'll have to leave the friends I made here. I thought it was boring at first, but I really like Blackwater Lake.”

“Good. It's a nice place. And since work will keep me here for a while, I'm glad you like it.”

“You know what the best part is?” The boy looked up, a vulnerable expression in his blue eyes.

“What?”

“I get to hang out with you a lot.”

“Really?” Burke felt a tightness in his chest. “You like doing stuff together?”

“It's awesome.” Liam nodded eagerly. “We don't even have to do stuff. I like just hanging out or watching TV together.”

The tightness in his chest squeezed a little more. This was one of those moments that he wished you could hang on the wall and look at when life kicked you in the teeth. But it also pricked his guilt. For a long time he'd been making excuses to justify pushing off his son on the housekeeper, when the truth was that he could adjust other things in order to spend enough time with his child. And he hadn't. It took Blackwater Lake to make him see that things could be different. He could be different.

“I'm sorry, too, Liam.”

“What for?”

“I haven't been a very good father to you. I'm always busy. Not around. Blaming it on work.”

“Mary says what you do is important. That a lot of people wouldn't have jobs if not for your company.”

Even his housekeeper was making excuses for his parenting—or lack thereof. “The truth is that I could have done better as a dad. I love you and I love spending time with you. And I'm making a promise that from now on we'll hang out a lot more.”

“Cross your heart?”

Burke made the sign over his heart and held out a closed fist. His son bumped it with his own. This gesture was more sacred than a handshake and again one of those unspoiled moments that stand out in a father's mind.

“You know, Dad, if you don't keep your promise Syd wouldn't like it.”

“No, she wouldn't. I've never seen her mad and don't ever want to.”

“Me, either,” Liam agreed.

They sat there for a few moments and Burke basked in the glow. Everyone he talked to in town said that it would be winter soon, but so far the only sign was that nights were colder. This Indian summer weather fit his mood perfectly, he thought. If he had to give the feeling a name, he would call it contentment. It was noteworthy that he recognized the sensation since it had been in short supply most of his life.

“Dad, when we go back to Chicago, do you think she can come for a visit?”

The words yanked him back but he wasn't sure which “she” his son meant. “Who?”

“Syd. Do you think she could come and see us?” The boy looked up hopefully and his feelings were there for the world to see. He was going to miss her.

“It's all right with me,” Burke said. “I hope she'll visit. I'll ask her.”

“Then I'm sure she will.”

“Why do you think so, son?”

“Anyone can see that she likes you a lot. Do you like her?” Liam asked.

“I would say we're good friends.”

Who slept together. But of course he wasn't about to tell that to his eight-year-old son. If Burke was being honest with himself, he would admit that Syd was more than a friend, but how much more?

“Todd is my friend. Do you think I could ask him to visit in Chicago?”

“Of course. But that's up to his parents.”

Burke realized that Liam wasn't the only Holden wearing his emotions in plain sight. He'd grown accustomed to seeing Syd almost every day. The frustrations that were constant in his work on a daily basis didn't seem so bad when he knew that night he would spend time with her and talk about it. She was an excellent listener and often had good advice.

Sydney McKnight was a goodbye he wasn't yet prepared to handle.

Hell, the other night after dinner he hadn't been ready to say good-night. That's one reason he'd taken her up to his room. And making love to her was nice.

The word made him smile as he pictured her saying it. Once wasn't enough; he wanted her again. It was another in a growing list of reasons for not wanting to say goodbye to her.

Part of his job involved solving problems. This one was personal and more delicate. But an idea popped into his mind that could fix everything.

* * *

Sydney walked from the service bay to the office, where her father was working, and poked her head in. “Hey, Dad. I'm all caught up.”

“So you're done for the day?” He looked at his watch and his eyebrows rose. “Before quitting time. Are you that good? Or just motivated to get out of here early because you have a date with Burke?”

“I'm that good,” she said with a grin.

There was no date, but a girl could hope. Still, it was Monday and therefore a school night. She completely respected the restrictions that put on Burke's social life.

Alone time with him was precious, but she'd enjoyed hanging out with father and son yesterday. She liked watching the two interact and Liam was just a sweetie. The sullen child she'd first met had disappeared, thanks to whatever Burke was doing.

Syd heard her father's voice and realized she'd been lost in her own thoughts. “I'm sorry. What was that?”

“I said, Loretta and I are going to the diner for dinner. You and Burke and Liam should join us.”

“I'm free, but I don't know about the boys.”

That's how she'd started thinking about them. The boys. While in the kitchen cooking, she'd glanced out the window and noted identical serious expressions on their faces, indicating a serious discussion underway. Burke had never mentioned what they'd talked about.

But he'd been really attentive afterward. While eating dinner, he'd caressed her thigh underneath the table and stolen kisses when his son was out of the room. There was something different about him, an intensity and focus that were fine-tuned and firing on all cylinders. It was exciting, if a little unsettling. She didn't know what to think. Was he making the most of every moment because the time was fast approaching for him to leave town?

“If I hear from Burke, I'll let you know.”

“You could call him,” her dad pointed out.

“Guess I'm a little old-fashioned.” And maybe a little insecure. A call from him meant he really wanted to see her. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Not yet,” he answered. “I'm going to finish ordering the parts for Floyd Robinson's truck since I have time to kill before meeting Loretta.”

“Okay, then. 'Bye, Dad.”

“See you, Syd.”

She'd just walked outside when her cell rang, making her heart skip. It was like being a teenager again, waiting to hear from that special boy.

She looked at the caller ID and smiled when she recognized that special boy's number. “Hi, there.”

“Hey, Syd. It's Burke.”

“I knew that.”

“Right.” His voice was clipped, distracted. “Where are you?”

“Just left the office.” She'd just mention dinner. What the heck? He'd called her. “Dad and Loretta are going to the Grizzly Bear Diner. If you and Liam want—”

“There's something I need to talk to you about. Are you going home?” He sounded weird.

“Yes. On my way there now. Why?”

“I'll meet you.”

“Burke, what's wrong?” There was no answer and when she looked at the phone it said,
call ended.

Suddenly her heart wasn't skipping but her stomach was, and not in a happy way. She didn't want to face him in work clothes and needed time to change. It was a challenge to drive as fast as she could and still be just under the speed limit.

After squealing into her driveway, she parked the car, unlocked the door and raced up to her room. She pulled off work pants and shirt then grabbed black jeans and a long-sleeved pink T-shirt. After brushing out her hair, she left it loose around her shoulders, then put on tinted lip gloss.

As she was considering whether or not to put on makeup, the doorbell rang and she scrapped the idea. How she looked wouldn't matter since what he had to say wasn't going to be good. Being a pessimist was a downer but it was better to be realistic and prepared.

She raced downstairs and opened the door. There he was on the porch and the sight of him made her heart swell to the point of aching. His white dress shirt was rumpled and the sleeves were rolled up to mid-forearm. The expensive gray-and-black silk tie was loosened at his throat. Five-o'clock shadow made him look incredibly sexy. If he hadn't said he needed to talk, she would have grabbed that tie and tugged him upstairs.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.” She shook her head to clear it, then stepped back and pulled the door wider.

“Thanks.” He walked past her and stopped in the entryway.

“Would you like a beer?”

“Not now.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “There's something I need to talk to you about.”

“So you said.” She braced herself for the brush-off. “What's up?”

“I think we should get married.”

The words started a roaring in her ears, but his expression was intent and sincere. “I'm sorry. We should do what now?”

“Get married.”