Debra Webb - In His Touch Box Set (Here To Stay, Up Close, Tempting Trace, Basic Instincts) (58 page)

Jake was sweet, kind, considerate, and completely amazing to look at. Why hadn’t some woman snagged him already? The thought was followed immediately with a slashing jab of jealousy. Meredith closed her eyes and leaned back against her seat. This wasn’t possible. How could she feel so strongly for a man she barely knew? How could she know with such certainty that she could spend the rest of her life just being with him?

Her eyes opened wide and her heart pounded. This was it: the pivotal moment when a woman knew she might fall deeply in love with a man. Though she had never experienced this particular emotion before, Meredith recognized it with complete clarity. She could love Jake very easily. The two of them were poised on a precipice, both ready to fall with the slightest push or loss of balance.

She swallowed hard. But it was wrong.

Everything Jake believed about her was a lie. Their whole relationship was nothing but one fabrication on top of the other. Her scientific, logical nature wouldn’t let her forget that. But she had to see this through. How could she come this far and run away? She couldn’t. She had to follow the basic instincts that were urging her toward impulses she had never felt before.

Although she had to draw the line at a certain point: their relationship could not be consummated. It would be wrong. She wouldn’t hurt Jake like that. And she wasn’t even sure her own heart could take getting that close to the man. He already had her thinking about the future—a future with him in it. Which was impossible, and she fully understood that cold hard fact. Jake would despise her if he ever found out the truth. No matter how much she cared about him, it wouldn’t change the way he would perceive her purely selfish motivation.

“This is it,” he said softly, drawing her attention from her worrisome thoughts. “The Landry house.”

More like a mansion, she thought. They drove through the grand gate and down the long, curving drive that culminated in a large circle around an elaborate fountain, allowing a full view of the estate. Whatever Mr. Landry did for a living, he was obviously very successful.

Jake parked and a valet opened his door. He handed over his keys, thanked the man and hurried to Meredith’s side of the vehicle. When he took her hand to help her from her seat, electricity coursed between them. She recognized the startled look in Jake’s eyes as mirroring her own.

She drew in a deep, calming breath and produced a smile. “Thank you.” When his palm flattened at the small of her back another tiny gasp tightened her throat. The slightest innocent touch from the man shook her completely. Meredith was certain she would never grow accustomed to it—not even if she spent a dozen lifetimes in Jake’s company.

But a few weeks was all they would ever have. Gloom draped her like a cold, wet blanket. When her research was complete and she returned to New York, she would never see Jake again. The prospect made her want to weep. She blinked back the abrupt emotion and forced herself to take in her surroundings as they climbed the spectacular steps leading to the double entry doors.

Jake paused at the door and turned to her, his warm hand resting at her waist. “Before we go in,” he said in that deep husky baritone that sent shivers of awareness up her spine, “I wanted to tell you how glad I am that you agreed to come with me tonight.” He drew her closer, his strong fingers sinking into her flesh through the silk of her dress. “I couldn’t have waited another day to see you,” he added in a gentle whisper.

Something warm and sweet soared inside her chest at his words. Before she could stop herself, Meredith reached up and stroked his chiseled jaw. “You never cease to amaze me, Jake Brandon.” She smiled wistfully. “Don’t ever change.” Some woman was going to be extremely happy with him as a life mate one day. Sadness enveloped her once more. If only—Meredith halted that line of thinking.

Jake deserved someone special... but it wouldn’t be her.

Everything about her—the way she looked, the name she used—everything was a deception.

But she ached to make it real.

~*~

He couldn’t have stopped his body’s sway into hers if his life had depended upon it. Jake touched his lips to hers and closed his eyes at the burst of feelings that exploded inside him like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Dan’s words rang inside his head and Jake drew back before all good sense deserted him. Her eyes were still closed, her full, pink lips still slightly parted. He recognized, without a doubt, at that precise moment that he felt things for this woman he had never felt for any other. She made him yearn for something he couldn’t quite label... something that felt entirely too much like forever. The thought should scare the hell out of him, but ironically it didn’t.

The sound of another car coming to a stop jerked him from the spell Merri seemed to cast on him without even trying. Her eyes fluttered open in a heart-stopping show of blue and his gut clenched.

Before he could do anything utterly stupid like grab her and kiss her again in full sight of the new arrivals climbing the steps only a few feet away, Jake pressed the doorbell and faced the night before him. The door opened instantly and they were ushered inside.

The Landry mansion was a billionaire’s showplace. But at the moment, he felt like the richest man in the world. He glanced toward the woman at his side. And Merri was the reason. Not only was she the most beautiful woman there, she was classy. Old man Landry and the rest of his guests were charmed. Merri seemed able to speak intelligently on most any subject. Everything about her indicated an excellent education—and money. Jake’s brow furrowed into a frown. Why hadn’t he noticed that already?

He suppressed a sigh. He hadn’t been able to look past her beauty and the powerful attraction between them to notice anything else. He suddenly wondered what she did for a living. She’d gotten the grand tour of his construction business, but Jake had no clue what Merri did to support herself. Considering her looks, charm, and intelligence, he’d bet she could do anything she wanted.

He watched the naturally feminine grace with which she moved, listened to the soft lilt of her voice, and he knew he was doomed. For the first time in his life he wanted a woman to belong to him in every sense of the word. He wanted to know all there was to know about Merri Lang.

He wanted
her.

Just thinking about it aroused him. Dan was right. Jake was hooked. And he had never felt so helpless before. He blinked and a smile tugged at his lips when she laughed at something Landry said. He could listen to that sound forever and never grow tired of it. Her gaze met his and Jake actually felt his earth, and all it entailed, move.

~*~

Meredith fought back the urge to shiver when Jake touched the small of her back and guided her toward the dining room. The cavernous room held a long table set for twenty-four, surrounded by intricately carved mahogany chairs. A massive crystal chandelier illuminated the table and its damask tablecloth and glossy white china. Jake pulled a chair from the table for her. She sank into the red velvet upholstered seat and smiled her thanks. He took the seat directly opposite her.

Her hand trembled when she reached for the long-stemmed wineglass. Meredith drew in a deep breath and ordered herself to calm down. But sitting directly across from him for the duration of dinner was not going to make it easy. The sound of linen napkins rustling snapped her back to attention and Meredith placed hers in her lap as the first course appeared.

She stared at the soup and tried to decide why she had no appetite when the creamy concoction looked and smelled exquisite. She darted a glance at Jake, who seemed to be having the same problem. When his eyes met hers, Meredith couldn’t prevent the startled little gasp that stole her breath. The smile that lifted his lips was so masculine and so sensual that she felt certain that another breath would be impossible.

The woman sitting next to him asked a question and Jake answered without ever taking his eyes off Meredith. Her pulse tripped and skittered, and her heart fluttered. She slowly licked her lips, all the while watching him watch her. The flash of desire that lit his dark eyes kindled a fire deep within her as well. He looked away for a moment, but it was no use. He’d started a fire and nothing either of them could do at the moment would quench it.

Meredith tensed when his foot slid against hers, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she slipped hers from the black stiletto pump and rubbed his ankle. His back went rigid and a muscle in his jaw started to move rhythmically. A sense of power she had never known possessed her. His reaction to her simple caress filled her with boldness. What would he do if she...?

She smoothed her arch along the muscled length of his calf all way to his knee. She watched his nostrils flare as he began to breathe faster. Her own breath quickened. Another wave of courage rushed through her as she moved her bare foot along his inner thigh as far as she could reach between his legs. The fingers of his right hand splayed over her foot, then closed around her ankle. Liquid heat rushed to that tingly place between her thighs. He pulled her closer, pressing the sole of her foot against his solid erection. Meredith’s fingers tightened around the stem of her wineglass. Desire, hot and fierce, throbbed insistently, making her want to squirm in her chair. His gaze was so intent on hers that the clink of silverware against china, the removal of soup bowls, their replacement with salad plates and the hum of quiet conversations faded into the background. There was only her and Jake and the tantalizing movement of his hand.

His thumb slid slowly over her arch, then again, only this time harder. And harder still. His fingers encircled her foot, holding it against his thigh, while his thumb repeatedly stroked the sole. She could just feel his arousal with her toes, and the size and hardness made her burn with need. His fore-finger slid between her toes, in and out, while he caressed her foot with his thumb. His sensual massage put her in mind of something very different—but no less pleasurable. Lost to the feel of his skilled hand, she closed her eyes as her desire for him spiraled beyond any hope of control.

Jake let go of her foot. Meredith pulled herself back to reality, losing her grip on the wineglass. The glass tumbled to the table in a spray of red over crisp white linen.

“Let me take care of that,” someone said from beside her.

She looked up to find the man who served the salad only moments before hovering next to her.

“Sorry,” Jake mouthed silently.

Meredith tried to gather her wits and get out of the man’s way so that he could clear the mess she had made, but she couldn’t quite decide what she was supposed to do. Complete silence had fallen over the table and all eyes were fixed on her. Heat climbed her throat, and spread over her cheeks like the wine staining the expensive table linen.

She cleared her throat and patted her chest. “My,” she said lightly, “I almost choked on an olive.” She offered an apologetic smile and hoped like hell those staring at her bought it.

“Good God,” Landry blurted. “Dexter, get Miss Lang another goblet of water, for Heaven’s sake.”

Weak with relief, Meredith downed half the goblet of water the moment the man set it before her. Whatever had possessed her and Jake to fool around like that? She glanced right and left and breathed easier when she saw that all the other guests had resumed conversing and eating.

~*~

Later, Dan stalked Jake to the bathroom.

“I only want to hear one thing,” he said, “that you weren’t playing footsie with Merri under Landry’s big fancy table.”

Jake cleared his throat. “Well, she put her foot in my lap—”

Dan held up a hand in protest and shook his head. “I don’t want to hear this.”

Jake plowed his fingers through his hair again and blew out a disgusted breath. “I don’t know what came over me. I just couldn’t... stop.”

“Thank God Merri’s a quick thinker,” Dan said with clear irritation. “I think most everybody believed her story that she choked on an olive.” He shook his head in disappointment. “You,” he glared at Jake “ought to have more self-control.”

Jake shook his head. “Look, it started out innocently but I got carried away. It was my fault.”

Dan held up both hands to stop him from saying anything more. “That doesn’t matter right now. The only thing that matters is making sure the rest of this night goes smoothly.” He gave Jake a level look. “If you blow this deal, then the company’s going to have a long, slow winter. I’ve got a baby on the way and I need my job.”

Jake nodded his agreement. “You’re right. I’ve got to focus on business. I’ll just keep my attention on Landry and off Merri.”

“When dinner is over and you walk out that door, whatever happens is between the two of you, but right now you have to keep your eyes and your brain on the game. Got it?”

Jake nodded again. “Got it.”

Satisfied, Dan turned to open the door.

Mrs. Landry was right outside. She stepped back and so did Dan. “Pardon me, Mrs. Landry, we were just on our way out.”

Mrs. Landry stared, aghast at Dan, then over his shoulder at Jake. “No hurry,” she replied, her voice a little high-pitched. “I’ll use the one in George’s office.” She whirled in a flash of lavender and flew down the hall.

Thoroughly humiliated, Jake followed Dan into the hall. Tonight was turning into a regular circus. He was afraid to wonder what would happen next.

“Well, at least we no longer have to worry about the Landrys suspecting what really happened between you and Merri,” Dan said disgustedly.

“What do you mean?”

Dan glared up at him with renewed annoyance. “I’m quite certain Mrs. Landry suspects we’re gay.”

The picture the two of them must have made exiting the guest bathroom snapped into vivid focus in Jake’s head. He swore again, whether from fear or anger, he couldn’t say. He only knew that they were royally screwing up this deal.

The rest of the evening proved decidedly uneventful. Jake relaxed a little when the final after-dinner drinks were served. He had carefully positioned himself away from Merri. He only looked at her when absolutely necessary. When he did catch her eye, it was obvious that she was feeling as uneasy as he was. Deal or no deal, getting through this and saying goodnight would be a monumental relief. Jake wasn’t sure how he would survive driving Merri home, but he would just have to get through that, too.