Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) (6 page)

“Mistake?”

His face fell slightly and Lake’s stomach plummeted towards her feet.  Just there, when he’d let his true emotions flicker across his face, Lake snapped out of her fog of irrational fear.  He’d allowed himself to be vulnerable.  Josh Adams embraced his tough reputation and didn’t put himself out on a limb, not for woman.  What would Chuck think if Josh relayed this little scene and mentioned Lake’s erratic behavior?  Chuck had become like a second father to her over the past few years.  Redemption took precedence and courage started to rise again from the ashes.  Taking a deep breath to further strengthen her resolve, she looked him straight in the eyes and gave him her most dazzling smile while holding out her hand.

“Hi, I’m Lake.  Can we start over?”

****

J
osh laid in bed later that evening at his dad’s house thinking back to his conversation with Lake on the hotel patio. 
Man, that woman’s wound tighter than baling wire
.  He wondered how long it had been since she had been laid by someone who knew what they were doing. 
Probably never. 
If she found him so repulsive, why did she bid on his date?  After his talk with his dad, it had to be his presence and not her normal personality and that didn’t set well with Josh.  He wasn’t comfortable making a woman uncomfortable. 

He replayed her every word in his mind, searching for the slightest clue as to her strange actions.  It had been an innocent enough conversation.  They’d talked about the charity, his dad and their impending date.  At first, he’d worried she would dive headlong into the bushes when she’d referred to making a horrible mistake.  Once she’d spoken a few more words, she’d seemed to loosen up and she’d graced him with a few smiles that made his breath catch.  Obviously, those smiles weren’t given to just anyone.  They had to be earned.

A radiant energy had coursed up his arm like a sizzling jolt of electricity when he’d taken her hand in his.  Something else had lingered; something he couldn’t vocalize.  Lake wasn’t his normal type.  The chemistry was there, at least on his side.  He hoped she had noticed it too.  Lord knows, the woman was put together.  Her chest had looked spectacular in that green dress she’d had on and her charming and warm nature had finally come out after she’d lifted the drawbridge.  He wondered what it would be like to storm the castle.

In those rare moments when her green eyes weren’t hiding behind the fortress she’d erected, they pierced straight through him.  He would have to make sure she didn’t detect the whisper of loneliness behind his upbeat exterior.  Maybe she would be worthy of getting to know better and maybe not.  After tomorrow, he’d have a good idea.  Barring any further confidence defiling disasters, this would turn out to be a good weekend after all.  Her reticence intoxicated his senses and he wanted to breach her defenses.  More than that, he might want
her
.  The fact that he didn’t understand her yet made the need to unravel the mystery even greater.  Josh sighed and shut his eyes, letting sleep carry him away.

“Y
ou’re recent behavior
has
been a little peculiar, boss, and now I know why.  I’m not thrilled that I found about this Trashman strategy the night of the auction.  Why didn’t you tell me about it in advance?  I would have warned you right away to keep this tall but promiscuous drink of water at arm’s length.  Chuck Adams, or no Chuck Adams.”

Lake held the phone tight to her ear as she used her left hand to wipe the marble countertop in her master bath with a cleaning cloth.

“Summer let me have it at the photo shoot and after her lecture, I was afraid to tell you.  I didn’t want to hear it again.  Lance, I had hard time remaining upright on the patio last night when I talked to him.  A Xanax might be necessary with the effect his presence has on my body and my sanity.  If I could only wear a blindfold, I’d be okay.”  Lake planned to conjure up a mental image of Josh with his latest supermodel each time she felt insecure.  Josh had a type and Lake didn’t fit.  She didn’t feel sophisticated enough to hold her own.  Lake didn’t possess Chicago style or a statuesque figure.  Suddenly, she felt short, dowdy and completely out of her element.  What had she gotten herself in to?  He was going to wish he’d never flown to Phoenix after ten minutes with her.

“If he discombobulates you with his massive hotness, stare at his shoes.  Cancel that, I changed my mind.  His feet are probably huge and that’s just going to scare you.  Just don’t over-analyze everything.  Stay in the moment and try to have fun.  He’s going to be so relieved you’re not seventy five, he’ll be thrilled to have you with him.  I’m surprised you didn’t want me for hair and make-up.  What did you decide to wear?”

“I picked some black pants and an emerald green angora sweater.  Besides, he saw me looking my best last night.  It would look ridiculous to be that made up for ice skating.  I’m praying that I don’t make an undignified fall on my butt.  For some reason, I can’t stand the thought of looking like an imbecile in front of him.  A size zero, willowy, auburn haired goddess didn’t magically appear in my mirror today.  I do have to admit, though.  After I relaxed on the patio, I found he had an easy going personality, just like Chuck.”

“You’re gorgeous and you’ll be fine.  Maybe he’d like to change it up and date a spinner.  You’re petite, curvaceous figure makes you a perfect choice.  Call me tomorrow.  Love you.”

“OMG, enough with the sex references.  His reputation freaks me out and I won’t be his latest one night stand.  That being said, you mean the world to me and I love you too.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

After ending her call with Lance, Lake gave one final critical inspection to her reflection in the bathroom mirror.  She’d left her wavy hair curl of its own accord and highlighted her features with blush and mascara.  She lifted her hair up above her ears as she sighed and then let it fall back down her back.  She loved wearing her hair up before the scar.  Now, she didn’t want strangers asking embarrassing questions.  Lake was blessed with long and thick eyelashes so it didn’t take much to make her presentable.  Besides, does a woman truly need assistance for a possible date with disaster?

Lake expected Josh to pick her up at 4:00 PM and the clock read 3:45 so she made her way towards the living room where the crackle of the intercom would note his arrival.  She would have to buzz him in through the security gate.  With hundreds of thousands of dollars in horse flesh on the premises, the security system didn’t allow cars through the gate without an access code.  Lake ran her palms down the front of her pants to make sure there were no wrinkles and pulled on medium heeled black leather knee high boots with silver ankle buckles that Summer had talked her into purchasing.  Summer said they had a sexy edge.  In spite of that, they were still comfortable and a wise choice as she didn’t know how much walking would be required.

Maria rustled in the kitchen as she prepared lunches for the week.  When Lake and Lance worked in the office, they liked to grab something healthy and homemade for a quick meal.  Startled out of her thoughts by the noise of voices over the intercom, she steeled her resolve.  It was time to face reality.  Before she could grab the receiver, she heard Maria pick up the kitchen phone and push the release button to swing the gate open.

“Yes, Mister Josh, we expect you.  Come up, come up.  Okay.  Bye, bye.”

“Miss Lake.”  Maria’s broken English and familiar voice soothed Lake’s hyper sensitive nerves.  Maria was an exceptional cook and house manager.  Her family had come from Mexico back in the late eighties and had made a successful new life for themselves.  Maria took great care of her own five adult children.  Now, Lake and Lance were like extended family.  As a result, they both loved and adored her.  She and her husband, Juan, both lived in Lake’s guest house.  Juan used his handyman skills around the farm where something always seemed to be broken.  “Mister Josh coming.  You two have fun skating on ice!”

With a final quick shake of her arms from the elbows to settle her nerves, Lake threw open the front door and stepped out onto the front patio.  Josh pulled up the driveway piloting a black Mercedes E-Class that belonged to Chuck.  The sight of the familiar vehicle put Lake’s mind at ease.  Nothing untoward could happen to her in Chuck’s car, could it?  Surely, Josh would be on his best behavior?

He unfolded himself out of the vehicle and stood to his full height to stretch his long legs.  Lit by the afternoon sun, he appeared sculpted in waves of light and shadow.  Michelangelo couldn’t have chiseled the stone any better than God had made this man.  The navy blue pants and shirt stretched across his body in the right places.  He smiled at her and there were those dimples again with their slight indentations all the more appealing in stark contrast to the sexy scruff that spattered his chin.  Lake liked the edge the day’s worth of beard growth gave to his face, although, if she cared to admit it, the danger that edge presented unsettled her quiet resolve.

Lake braced her quavering emotions and moved towards him, time to start focusing on his shoes.

****

J
osh approached with caution and grabbed Lake in a quick hug.  It was selfish, but he wanted to touch her right away, hopeful the benign move would jump start the break-down of her defenses.  He wanted her to relax and let him show her a good time on their date.  The electric shock ripped through his body again.  Good grief, where was that ungodly tingling coming from?  He felt it shoot through his upper body and head straight south towards his groin.  A long time had passed since he’d noticed anything similar from a brief and platonic touch.  Normally, he didn’t notice any swelling in his pants until there were fewer clothes involved.  Lake’s classy style allowed her to stay in control of herself and he wasn’t used to it.  Since she hadn’t thrown herself at him, his subconscious mind viewed her as out of his league. 
That had to be the reason
.  Lord knew, he never backed down from a challenge.  Also, that damn lecture from his dad kept flashing through his brain.  He pictured his dad along on this date like Lake’s guardian angel perched atop his shoulder.

“Hi Lake.  You look wonderful.”

“Thank you.”  She blushed and cast her eyes at the ground as if it pained her to look into his face.  She seemed to be hyper focused on his shoes.  He glanced down and critiqued his black loafers.  He didn’t think they looked bad or out of style.  They were from Nordstrom’s famous shoe department.  Josh hoped the weird footwear fascination reflected her shyness and not that he looked like ass as he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them from reaching for her again.  He’d never been known for his fashion sense but he’d showered and he’d thought his clothes looked presentable when he’d left his dad’s house.  Maybe she wanted to measure up the size of his feet.  It was hard not to smirk as he discarded that thought.  That couldn’t be it, although, if a gale force wind came up and ripped his pants off, she wouldn’t be disappointed.

“This is quite a place you have here.  We have a few minutes before we need to leave and I’d love to meet your horses.  Dad has mentioned them several times.  I haven’t spent much time around horses up close and personal but I’ve always admired them from afar.  They’re so strong and powerful.” 
Like me
.  The errant thoughts were unstoppable. 
Why don’t you notice it like every other red blooded female
?  This woman lacerated his ego with her reserved nature.  He wished she were more of an open book so he’d be sure of her true thoughts.  He felt like Columbo trying to read her face for clues. 

From the car, he’d noticed a stunning chestnut mare trotting around a large paddock.  He found her beauty compelling and he wanted to reach out and touch her.  He simply couldn’t stop his one track mind from going to that place again. 
Kind of like someone else that I’d like to reach out and touch
.

“That would be great.”

They walked towards the paddock where the shiny mare had stopped moving and stood like a statue to observe their approach.  She put her tiny, pricked ears forward at Lake’s low words of encouragement and came right over to place her chiseled head over the top rail and right into Lake’s hands.  The horse nickered to Lake as she nuzzled further in to her chest.  Anyone could see they shared a deep bond.

“Josh, this is Lily.  She’s the dam of my futurity contender for this year’s Nationals and the foundation mare of this farm.  She’s had some incredible and very successful babies for us.  If it wasn’t for her, my farm would be nothing.”  With the words, she stroked the horses muzzle and Lily shut her eyes, content to let Lake continue her soothing strokes.  “Don’t let any of the others hear this,” her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper.  “She’s my favorite.”

“She’s really remarkable and refined, like a sculpture done in bronze.”  His eyes rested on Lake’s long fingers as they brushed up and down Lily’s face.  Her fingers were elegant and light as they moved over the horse.  Seeing them work their magic, he imagined what it would feel like if they were caressing him.  He pictured those same fingertips running down his shoulders, moving across his chest, his stomach muscles and lower.  Would her touch be like silk on his skin?  Would she stay frozen like an impenetrable ice figure the entire time or would his passion melt through and turn her into a fiery seductress capable of a rough touch?

Christ, if he didn’t stop these thoughts right now he’d be hard pressed to hide an embarrassing personal problem.  For a fleeting moment, he allowed the fantasy to run its natural course and imagined her lush and naked at his whim then jolted himself from the erotic image. 
Focus Adams
, he chided himself.  She’s just another gorgeous girl petting an animal and not touching you.  It’s obvious she doesn’t want to and the very thought has never crossed her mind.  His certainty that Lake hadn’t slid down into the same gutter where he currently resided didn’t stop him from wanting her.  He had to get his mind focused on the task at hand and make sure she enjoyed their time together.  She’s simply doing a good friend a favor while supporting her favorite charity.