Secret Identity (3 page)

But he'd had his friends and that's all he’d ever needed. Even now, holidays were spent with them, a tradition they’d started in high school. It was just common knowledge that no matter where they were, they'd come together and be there for one another.

He smiled at Eve as they entered the elevator. She'd been like a sister to him, until she hadn't. He supposed it was all his fault, really. That kiss had been rolling around in his head for years before he'd acted on it. Since then, their relationship had changed. Not by much, but things were different. He couldn't really put his finger on it, but the sexual tension had tripled between them, especially after her break up with Steve. He knew she'd tried dating shortly after the breakup, each time ending badly. She'd come to her friends for support, and eventually turned to her work to fill the emptiness. A lot like he'd done over the course of the years while she'd been engaged.

He'd tried dating as well. Lisa, for example. Each time had ended just as badly as Eve's relationships had. Actually, now that he thought about it, this was the first time they were both single at the same time.

He watched Eve as she chewed her bottom lip and knew she had something on her mind. “What?” He leaned against the elevator wall.

“
What?” She looked at him, trying to fake innocence in her eyes.

“You can't pretend nothing is on your mind. You're dying to get something off your chest.” The elevator door opened on their floor. He picked up their bags and they walked out together. He'd arranged it so his room was right next to hers, so when she entered her door, he tried to follow her in.

She slapped her arm across the door and glared at him. “I can take it from here.” She held out her hand for her bag.

“I know you can, but seeing as you have something you want to get off your chest, we might as well hash it out now.”

She looked at him and he could see her change her mind, her eyes soften a little. Smiling, he ducked under her arm and walked into her room and set her bag down.

E
ve watched Carter walk in and felt her heart flutter. She was nervous. It was stupid of her, but she was nervous. This was someone she'd always known, had been best friends with forever, yet she didn't know how to say what she wanted. She hated feeling this way.

So she took her time closing the door and setting down her purse and briefcase. When she looked, he'd made himself comfortable on the couch by the window, his suitcase and bag lying on the floor next to him. She removed her coat and sat across from him at the table. Her hands were sweaty and she really wished Mitch was here as well.

“I've looked over the paperwork.” She took out the large stack of papers he'd given her on the plane. “And I think everything looks good, with the exception of a few items.”

Carter leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he waited.

“I'd like to stick with my initial buy-in price.” She held her breath. Her buy in was important to her. It secured her spot as an equal partner in the agency, something she demanded. The paperwork he'd given her had a much lower buy-in rate. She was determined to win this argument.

“It's not necessary. Mitch agreed with me on the amount and the lawyers have already drawn up the paperwork.” He leaned back and crossed his foot over his knee.

Taking a deep breath, she tilted her head and looked at him. “Carter, you know as well as I do that paperwork can be changed. My buy-in amount stays the same.”

He smiled and shook his head. She knew another way to get his opinion to change and decided to pull out her ace.

“There is one more item I'd like to discuss.”

He waved his hand for her to continue.

“I'd like to change the name from Kovich & Edwards Agency.” She bit her lip waiting for the explosion she knew was coming. It was an old conversation they'd had many arguments over. Mitch had even taken her side at one point.

“What?” He jumped from the couch and walked towards her. “You've got to be joking.” He looked down at her and she saw the humor that was there a few seconds ago drain from his eyes.

“No. I think we need to bring the agency into this century. Using last names is very old fashioned.” She crossed her legs and watched him get even more flustered. She knew how to control his moods, just like she knew how to play Mitchell and all of her clients.

Carter was a lot easier since he was easily distracted. All she had to do was lick her lips or cross her legs, and he'd lose his thoughts.

“What do you suggest?” His teeth were clenched as he leaned closer to her, his hands on the table in front of her.

“Well, I've been suggesting Creative Ad Agency for years. Now that we are making a major change by adding me on as partner, I see no reason not to go through with the name change as well.”

He leaned closer to her. “Ever since you first mentioned it, I've made it clear how I felt.” He was so close that she could see the light dusting of freckles on his nose. She smiled and relaxed back in her chair. “Choose. I will have one or the other.”

He stood up and threw his hands in the air.

“Then it's settled. My buy-in amount changes and the agency name will remain the same.” She handed him back the paperwork.

He took the stack of papers and picked up his bags, then walked to the door. “I have a feeling you got exactly what you wanted.” He walked out without another word and even though she'd gotten everything, there was an empty spot in her chest.

Later that evening, after she'd showered and dressed for dinner, there was a knock on her door. When she’d opened it she'd expected to see Carter, but instead Simon Thomas stood outside her door in a very expensive suit. The smell of his cologne hit her like a brick wall and she almost gagged on the musky scent.

“Oh, I'm sorry, Simon. I'm afraid I had to cancel our dinner tonight. I left a message with your secretary.” She bit her lip.

Simon Thomas was tall, had wonderful blond, curly hair and piercing blue eyes. He looked like the all-American boy from next door, but she knew he had a mean streak in him. She'd heard all about it from some of his ex-clients that she'd signed on to K&E. Still, their business relationship was hanging by threads and she didn't want to burn any bridges she might have to use later on.

“I got your message. Pam is a very efficient secretary.” He walked past her into her room without her invitation. She stood in the doorway, her hand still on the doorknob, trying to figure out how to get him out of her hair. “I thought maybe you'd change your mind again. I know how women are, always saying one thing and then regretting it. Besides, I really wanted to talk to you about…”

There was a cough behind her, causing her to jump. She spun around and saw Carter leaning against the door jam. “I didn't mean to interrupt; I must be coming down with a cold.” Carter cleared his throat again and walked into her room.

Now she had two uninvited guests in her room. She leaned against the door, knowing it wasn't going to be a pretty scene.

“Simon.” Carter nodded his head and held out his hand. Simon had a look on his face like he'd seen something foul, but then he shook Carter's hand. Eve could see the men struggle to overpower each other with firm grips.

“I'm sorry, Simon. I've made other plans tonight.” She tried to paste a sincere smile on her face. Truthfully, she just wanted to curl up and study her notes for tomorrow's meeting with Tom Russell. She really needed this client and didn't want to go anywhere that would take her mind off tomorrow's big meeting.

“Yes, I can see that.” Simon walked towards the door. “If you change your mind about meeting with me while you're in town, you know how to reach me.” Simon nodded towards Carter and then walked out the door.

Eve gently shut the door behind him and leaned her back against it. “Well, that went better than I thought it would.”

Carter laughed. “Yeah. Well, what you need now is some beer and pizza. Shall we go?”

“Listen, Carter. I think I'll just order in. I've got a few things I need to go over before tomorrow's meeting.” She started walking towards the table and her laptop.

“Oh no.” He grabbed her arm and steered her towards the door, picking up her purse and coat as they walked by them. “You are not making any lame excuses to me. I promised you pizza and beer and I'm going to deliver. Besides, I thought we were celebrating our new partnership.”

She allowed him to help her on with her coat and grabbed her purse from him. “Fine, one beer and a slice of pizza. Then I need to get back here so I can catch up before the meeting.”

“Good.” He smiled and held her arm as they walked out together.

Carter was right, what she needed was a beer and pizza. Not to mention laughter. Carter was really entertaining when he put his mind to it. Sitting across from him in the dark booth, a large slice of some of the best cheese pizza she'd ever had in her hand, she remembered why she thought of him as one of her best friends.

She remembered all the fun times they had with Mitchell, the three of them growing up together. All the laughter. Even some of the arguments she looked back on fondly. Carter and Mitchell are what mattered most to her. Every time she thought about heading back to the hotel, Carter would order another drink for her. Finally, just after midnight, she pushed her empty glass away and kicked him under the table when he tried to order another drink for her.

As they were walking out, he grabbed hold of her arm to steady her and she leaned against him for support. She didn't usually drink this much and the feel of his arm around her caused her to let her guard down for a while. They walked back to their hotel, which was only a few blocks away, with her leaning heavily on him.

The chill in the air caused her to pull her coat closer, and she could see her breath in the night air. “I always liked this time of year up here. It reminds me of visiting your grandparents’ place for Christmas.” She looked at the row of lights that lined the street. If she squinted, she could just imagine them as Christmas lights, lining the road.

“I miss your grandparents.” She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. When he wrapped his arm around her more tightly, she closed her eyes for a second.

“Hmm. Me, too. Do you remember the last time we were all up there together?”

“Yes, the party.” She stopped and turned to look at him. His face was shadowed in the street light that shined behind his head. “The kiss.” She looked at his lips now and wondered if it would feel as good now as it had then. Maybe she'd built it up in her mind over the years? Maybe he wasn't as great of a kisser as she remembered?

She hadn't realized that she'd leaned into him until his arms came around her shoulders.

“
Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that.” He frowned a little and she watched his mouth, thinking of how soft his lips would feel next to hers.

“Did you ever notice that we talk too much about everything?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.

She was right; his lips were soft and warm and felt like heaven. She moaned and pushed her hands through his thick hair. His hands flexed on her hips before they journeyed up her back as he pulled her closer. She could feel his heart beat against her chest and mentally cursed the layer of clothing between them.

“Eve?” Carter pulled back and rested his head on her forehead. “It's starting to rain.”

“Mmm.” She looked up into the dark sky and realized she felt alive. Pulling away from him, she did a quick spin, only to end up back in his arms when she almost toppled over. She was laughing as she looked up into his face. “I like the rain. I like Chicago. I like kissing you. Can we do it again?”

He laughed and pulled her along the sidewalk. “Sure, let's get out of the cold first.”

She walked next to him and at several points along the short walk even closed her eyes as she leaned against him.

When they walked into the lobby of the hotel, the warmth hit her and she felt a little steadier on her feet. Her mind kicked into gear and when she got into the elevator, she stood with her back against the wall as Carter hit the buttons. She closed her eyes, leaned her head against the cool glass, and took a couple deep breaths.

“Eve?” When she opened her eyes, Carter was standing right in front of her. “I can see you're already regretting the kiss.” He smiled down at her.

She shook her head lightly. “Not regretting, just questioning.”

“Questioning what?” He moved closer and put his hands on her hips, pulling her up and closer to him. When he touched her, it was like her brain refused to think again.

“You. Me.” She looked at his mouth. Somehow, now, it was worse knowing what he could do to her with his mouth. Why did he have to be so good at kissing?

“I thought you said we think too much?” He leaned towards her, stopping just before their lips met, giving her time to pull away or say no. She didn't want to say no. She wanted to go on kissing him, feeling his hands on her. When his mouth touched hers, she moaned and relaxed into the feeling of him kissing her thoroughly. Somehow, her back ended up against the wall again as his hands roamed over and under her coat. Silently cursing all the layers between them again, she plunged her hands into his wet hair, enjoying the softness.