Because I Love You (9 page)

Boom
. The revelation fell between them like a brick wall. What did he say to that? “You dated a man who was engaged to someone else?”

“I did. I didn't know he was engaged. I was a naïve, second-year associate when we got together and blissfully out of the office gossip network. Little did I know what they were saying about me.”

“Good God. I can only imagine.”

“It was more than my affair with Doug. It was me, and I had no clue. My parents had a house on Nantucket for a few summers, and I'd go there on weekends, spend time with my sister and brother. Well, some of the other associates must have planned a weekend, and I ran into six of them in town. They were staying in this great little inn nearby. We had a nice enough conversation and I invited them to the house for drinks and dinner.”

“And they got to see what I'm sure was a fabulous home, your lovely siblings, some staff, perhaps . . .”

“It was a showplace. A classic New England-style home, five bedrooms, decks, French doors and walls of windows, cedar shakes, a rolling lawn to the beach, and yes . . . staff. I loved summering there.”

“Who wouldn't?” he replied. She'd described an idyllic existence. “I assume the situation went downhill after that?”

“You wouldn't believe how fast. I became the rich bitch. The woman who thought she was entitled to a partnership. People were digging up information about my family, like we were connected to the mob or something. And then everything hit the fan with Doug.” Leah pulled away and turned to face him, her face set, angry. “His fiancée found out about us, went to her father, who called us both in, and Doug, that rat bastard, threw me under the bus. He said I chased after him and seduced him, that I was relentless, that I knew he was engaged. God, it was pathetic. He lied like it was nothing and he got away with it. I was asked to tender my resignation, and if I didn't I'd be fired and they would make sure I wouldn't even be able to get legal aid work. If I went quietly, no problem. That was a lie, too.”

“Christ. The man has no honor. Is that when you came home?”

“No, actually. It turns out, I landed another job in Boston pretty quickly. I was a couple of weeks from my start date, and guess who turned up on my doorstep?”

“You can't be serious? Does the man have no shame?”

“Apparently not, because there was Doug. He said he wanted to talk, but what he wanted was to sleep with me, and he tried threatening me to get me to give in. Promised to ruin my life. He warned my new firm about me, you know. I was ‘a conniving, home-wrecking bitch.'”

Disgusted, she rose, restless and angry from the retelling. She started pacing the room. “I never started at the new firm. I was told the position was
eliminated
. So I left Boston. Came back home. Didn't tell my family anything. They don't know exactly what happened and I have no intention of telling them. Amy knows, but that's all. Until you, I've told no one else. A major screwup on my part, and I have no intention of repeating it.”

“So you found a new position, built a life, and left that nightmare behind. How is that screwing up?” Tris stood and walked to her. Leah looked up, her eyes awash with unshed tears, and Tristan felt like his heart was in a vise. He wanted to help and he didn't know how. “You've rebuilt your life, your career, and you did it all on your own.”

“Everywhere I go, I worry something is going to happen to dredge it up again. So I keep my head down and work my ass off. I'm horrible to people sometimes because it's safer that way, you know? If I don't let anyone in, no one can hurt me.”

Nate mentioned that Leah had grown hard over the years, that something happened after law school that changed her, and the family was in the dark. But she'd confided in him. Trusted him, and he didn't take it lightly. “Don't dwell on it. Just
think about what you've done to get past it.”

Reaching out, Tris pulled her close, feeling her body stiffen and then relax. “You were young. Did you make a mistake? Yes. But don't keep flogging yourself over it. Let it go.”

“It's not that easy.”

“No, but think of it this way—I'm not your boss and I'm not engaged to anyone. I'm worth a damn fortune, I'm reasonably good-looking, and I find you very . . .” he kissed her. “Very . . .” he kissed her again. “Attractive. I think you've rebounded alright.”

Leah's face broke into a grin, as she dropped her forehead against his chest. Her mass of red curls tickled him under his chin, and he pulled her closer so he could draw in her scent. It was light and flowery, reminding him of the wildflowers that grew in a field behind the school where he was raised. He wanted to tell Leah all of this. How much she meant to him. How her care, her kindness, her friendship made the recovery from his fall that much easier.

He had missed seeing her since his brother left. He just hadn't told her how much, and it wasn't until that moment that Tristan really understood the depth of what he felt for her.

She was right. They were turning a corner. This was the point where Tristan usually stepped back and made his exit. Letting his fingers thread through her hair, he kissed the top of Leah's head.

This time, he wasn't walking away.

*  *  *

After dinner, they were back on the couch, fully sated with food and wine. However, Leah's confession about her past, and why she was so gun-shy, was still on Tristan's mind.

This friends thing had taken its toll on both of them, forcing them to dance around each other and play games. She was scared out of her mind, that was obvious, but he wasn't Doug and he never would be. It was time for Leah to make a decision and go after what she wanted. God knew that's what he planned to do.

His brother opened his eyes to the fact that he couldn't wait for a perfect moment. That there was no such thing. Love meant you took the leap of faith regardless of the timing. He'd been so damn jealous when Nick took Leah to dinner he was insane with it.

“So how did the follow-up with the doctor go?” she asked.

“I'm fine. Still a little sore, but I could be feeling the ribs for a couple more weeks.”

“Oh, hmmm. Darn.” She looked up at him, the dim light in the apartment making her skin shimmer like gold.

“‛Darn'?” He smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Why ‘darn'?”

Leaning into him, Leah kissed him lightly on the lips. “I was thinking we could both use a little, um, exercise, but I don't want you to overdo it.”

Tristan almost let out a cheer. “I don't think that's going to be a problem. What do you have in mind?”

“Are you sure this won't be too tough for you and all your bruises?” God, she was practically purring when she put her hand at his crotch and squeezed him.

Bloody hell. Looked like she had made up her mind.

“I'll manage. Ancient warriors plundered ancestral villages with fatal wounds. It seems to me I should be able to conquer one headstrong Celt in my condition. Otherwise, I'm shaming my ancestors.”

She laughed, full and rich, and it made him want her all the more. Grabbing the remote and turning off the television, Leah then proceeded to nudge his legs open.

“You're going to conquer me? Is that it?” she asked teasingly.

“I think it's a good plan.” The rush of blood in his ears was deafening, a sign that he was rapidly losing control. What was she doing? The muscles of his thighs tensed as she started to work his belt. “What are
you
doing?”

“Me first.”
Damn.
Before he could say anything, she was encouraging him to lift his ass so she could work his pants down. With a thud and a wince, he dropped back onto the sofa, with his erection in full view. When she went to her knees and ran her hands up and down his thighs, he said a prayer of thanks to whoever had sent him this wonderfully passionate woman.

“Think you could handle a little personal attention?” she cooed.

“I'll soldier on.” He swallowed hard, nodded. “You're a dream, Leah. A damn dream.”

She said nothing, but simply smiled as she took him in her mouth, gently at first and then with increasing pressure. He loved how she teased him, how she trusted him enough to allow this level of intimacy, but as the pressure increased, all he could feel was the warm wetness of her tongue and her lips. Flashes of light exploded behind his eyes. His hands threaded through her hair, holding her, helping her set a pace. He pumped his hips, touching the back of her throat, and she moaned with pleasure. Pure pleasure. Heat shot through his cock and he knew he was going to come soon, she had to be feeling it, but she kept going until finally, he pulled her up. “Fuck, Leah. Oh, my God.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, but I want you with me. We need to come together.”

Looking into her molten eyes, she was about to wriggle off her panties when he rose, and swept her into his arms.

“I'm taking you to bed. Let me make love to you.”

“Tris?” She was confused and he had to think carefully how to explain it to her.

He wasn't sure if he had it in him to love a woman like her. One who was strong, smart, and made him reach for the best part of himself. What he discovered over the past month was that there was no halfway with Leah. He had to be all in, or not drag her along for a pointless ride.

“You're always giving, always thinking about everyone else. Let me take care of you for once.”

“I'm fine.”

“You will be, I promise you that.” The things he wanted to do to her.

“Ready to conquer the Celt? Is that it?”

Tris nodded. “I've been more than ready.”

But carrying her into the dimly lit room was no hardship when he was able to see her body backlit by the moonlight coming from the large windows. Lowering her onto the bed, she eased the dress over her head and shed her underwear; she was a vision. More slowly than he would have liked, he undressed, and went to her, not knowing where this was all going to go. Her eyes were glowing in the light, sparking like emerald-green fire.

Climbing onto the bed, he turned her so they faced each other. Easing her into the deep, plush mattress afforded him a perfect view of her face. Tris was moved by the changes he was experiencing. For so long he'd avoided connections and commitment, but this amazing woman made him believe his life would be better if he took the chance with her. He had no idea what he was doing or how this was going to work out between them, but at that moment, everything in him was about loving Leah. He didn't want to conquer or plunder . . . not that he could when she already owned him so completely.

Tristan kissed her, and she must have sensed the change in his mood, because she too softened, her hand reaching up and pushing his hair back.

“This is a little scary,” she choked out.

“It is, but we'll take it slow. I won't hurt you.”

It sounded like they were talking about sex, but they both knew this was about their hearts—hearts that were untested and unsure, but were crying out for a chance.

Tris was ready to take a chance.

He hoped she was, too.

Tristan was still learning all the nuances associated with baseball, but he had to admit, he did love the game. There was something very rhythmic about the play on the field, and it was all about numbers. He appreciated the mathematical aspects of the game more than most, he suspected.

The most entertaining aspect of the game, however, wasn't on the field. It was in the seat next to him in the person of one crazed, redheaded Mets fan. Leah went all out. She was rabid about the game and her team, wearing a favorite jersey and screaming wildly at the play on the field.

“Are you kidding, ump?” she blurted out. “He was out by a mile!” Elbowing Tristan, she scowled. “Did you see that? He was out. I don't know where the ump was looking, but it wasn't at the play.”

“Maybe you've missed your calling,” Tristan said. “You should have been a baseball umpire.”

“Pssht. That's a long way from happening. There are no women officiating in this league.”

She took a pull on her bottle of beer and Tristan thought about the past couple of weeks. Since their heart-to-heart at her apartment, they'd spent a lot of time together. He either slept at her flat or she slept at his, and after being alone for so long, it wasn't as much of an adjustment as he thought it would be. He liked seeing her gorgeous face at the end of a workday. He liked waking up next to her every morning, her sweet breath teasing his skin. They laughed a lot. Talked about everything and anything. There was no topic, he thought, that was off-limits.

But when he tried to get more information about the man who had betrayed her, she changed the subject or went quiet. Tristan wanted more information about the man, he wasn't sure why, but he felt if he had information he would be better able to protect Leah from more heartache.

Her career was important to her. The woman had accomplished a tremendous amount in a very short span of time. Yale Law was only the tip of the iceberg. She had her law degree and her MBA, worked long hours, and was advancing at her firm. If she hadn't been forced out of her first job, he could only imagine where she would be. She was bitter over it, that much was obvious, and he wished he could help her. He wondered if blocking it out helped her deal, but it had given her an edge. He imagined in business it made her lethal, but it made personal relationships difficult.

Suddenly, she was on her feet, along with the rest of the stadium, cheering a spectacular inning-ending catch. The outfielder nearly went over the wall to make the play. Leah was beside herself and Tris loved seeing her so happy. His goal now was to make sure she stayed that way. He'd run interference with her brother more than once. It seemed Nate was pretty bent about them being together, but if Leah was happy with him, that was all he was interested in.

“Thank you so much for bringing me to the game,” she gushed and kissed his cheek. Harper had come through with the seats at the last minute. Tris had tickets to watch the game from a friend's luxury box, but Leah liked to sit in the stands. The tickets were hard to come by since it was the league championship, even Kevin couldn't guarantee seats for all the
family members who wanted them, but when Harper called he jumped at the opportunity since he knew Leah would love it. He hadn't been wrong about that.

“You're welcome. I'm glad we could do this.”

“I know I'm kind of a maniac. Is it fun for you?” She squeezed his hand before leaning into his shoulder.

“Seeing the rabid fan gives me a whole new insight into you.” He kissed her nose. “I'm having a grand time.”

Her eyes flashed and before he had a chance to enjoy the warmth of her next to him, she was up again, screaming like a banshee. “You're not going to have a voice tomorrow.” His words of warning were met with a shrug as she dropped back into her seat.

“You know, you might be having a good time, but you're kind of a stiff. I'm surprised you and Owen don't get along better.”

Tris grunted. Owen drove him up the bloody wall. Of the three partners, Jason Campbell was the most laidback. Nate was somewhere in the middle. Owen? The man was a hardass. “Please don't say that. If I ever become that inflexible, you might have to do me in. I don't think I could stand it.”

“Owen's not so bad, you know. He's focused and a total badass, but deep down he's a pussycat.”

“A pussycat? He's barking mad. I fear for my life when he and I are at odds, and that's saying something.”

Leah laughed and leaned into him again. “I guess he doesn't intimidate me because I knew him when he was short and had pimples.”

“He was short?”

“Oh, yeah. He was the last one of the three of them to have a growth spurt. It happened once he went to the Naval Academy. He came home for Thanksgiving and he was two inches taller than Nate and Jason rather than four inches shorter. And his skin cleared up. I was thirteen and fell in love. That uniform.” She exaggerated a sigh just to tick him off.

“Hmmm. Right. Well, it's nice to know he was human . . . once.”

Leah smacked his arm. “Be nice. The man has given a lot for his country. He's entitled to his surliness.”

Tris had to admire her loyalty. She was right, of course. He'd heard about Owen's last tour and the rocket attack that could have killed him. The man was actually a marvel. Tris just had to get used to his style. And it seemed some push back might be in order. Tristan might not have been a marine, but he hadn't earned his own billions being a pushover.

“I can't believe the connection you have to all these people. Jason and Owen and their families. Your family is a wonder. You're quite blessed.”

Leah grinned. He knew she didn't always feel blessed, but he could tell her, while his family was quite nice, he and his siblings led their own lives.

“My family is pretty spectacular, and I do love them. I only wished they trusted me to run my own life. I think I'm doing okay. Now.”

“Is everyone coming to terms with Amy's announcement?” Her sister had filled in the rest of the family on her plans to
move across the pond only a few days before, and apparently, it hadn't gone well. With their mother's health still questionable and Jenna and Nate's baby on the way, Amy's timing couldn't have been worse.

“My mother is crushed, but she won't say anything because this has been Amy's dream. My father, on the other hand, isn't holding back. I should probably thank her. I'm sure he'd be tougher on you and me if he didn't have Amy in his sights.”

“Well, I don't need anyone being a shield. I think we're okay. I mean it's still new with us.”

“True,” Leah responded. “It is new.”

The game had settled into a simple rhythm of pitches and hits. The Mets were comfortably ahead, and they rarely lost when they went into the latter third of the game in the lead.

While his arm was stretched across the back of her seat, his fingers made tiny circles on her shoulder. “Has your sister said anything else to you about the discussion you had at lunch that day?”

Immediately, Leah tensed. Tris knew she didn't want to talk about it, but Amy's words burned and he hated seeing Leah hurt. “She's going to have her own life. I don't know that there's much else to say.”

“I suppose I was hoping she'd rethink some of the things she said to you.”

Leah's eyes locked with his, and Tris couldn't do anything but smile. Hurt as she might be, he could still see a twinkle, mixed with a bit of mischief and fairy dust, dancing in the emerald depths. Leah's spirit was alive and well, and he knew if she could do something she would.

“I don't think there's anything that can undo what she said.” Leah chuckled and looked away before facing him again. “And people think
I'm
the bitch.”

“I really wish you would stop referring to yourself that way. It's not at all the case.”

Leah kissed his lips sweetly. “Thank you. But you do know you're in the minority in that regard?”

“I know, and it's such shit.” Dammit all if he wasn't grumbling, but he hated this image she had of herself and how people so readily labeled a strong woman with such a derogatory term. Leah was one of the sweetest women he'd ever met. Sure, she pulled no punches, but that wasn't a bad thing. She was straightforward, and she was no one's doormat. However, he didn't see how that classified her as a bitch. “Don't refer to yourself like that, please. Just because you speak your mind does not make you a bitch. Clear?”

Leah rested her head on his shoulder and once again Tristan felt a ping ricochet through him. A signal that he either had to pull back from her now, or he had to see this through. That could mean one of two things . . . hurt feelings if it all went to hell, or something lasting.

The latter was scaring the shit out of him.

*  *  *

Leah loved going to the game with Tris. No matter what she threw at him, movies, dinner, baseball, horses—
her family
—he handled everything without a second thought. And he really cared about her so much he was starting to drive her a little
crazy. But she loved it and she'd be forever grateful. The way he defended her, even from herself, was sweet. And no one had ever taken the time to be sweet with her.

This thing between them was unfolding in a way neither of them expected. Once they decided to see how things would go, even hard things, like negotiating family politics, weren't the nightmare they could have been. There was something very settled about Tristan. Something sure. Leah didn't have to worry about him bolting for no reason at all, and that was the biggest turn-on of her life.

She'd found a guy who wasn't an asshole, and that was a rare beast these days.

The Mets had won the game and she was walking hand in hand with the man who could very much be the right fit for her. Things were pretty much perfect.

“Would you like to grab a drink or go right home?” His question was so simple, but had such meaning. She knew he meant they should go home together. But which home was he talking about?

“Just home—my apartment or yours?”

Tris never had a chance to answer her question.

“Leah!”

The booming male voice came from behind them, and Leah turned, shocked to see one of the senior partners of her firm approaching with two teenage boys in tow. The firm's partners shared season tickets. A nice perk, to be sure.

“Tad! How nice to see you here.” It wasn't really, but what was Leah going to say? The guy was a pompous ass who was the master of false modesty and name-dropping. Thaddeus Carr, better known as Tad, tried to affect the air of the wealthy prep-school boy, when in reality he'd worked to climb out of a small, poor town in upstate New York. Honestly, Leah found that part of him admirable and heroic. That he wanted to bury his roots under a veil of pretense pissed her off.

But there he was, with the two teens she recognized as his sons, and they looked about as interested in being with their father as Leah felt about talking to him. Jesus, the guy wasn't very popular.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek and then extended his hand to Tris. “You're Tristan Wade. I recognized you from a seminar you gave in London a few years ago. Tad Carr.”

“A pleasure, Tad. Small world. How do you know Leah?”

“Tad is a partner in my firm,” she responded. “He does a lot of work with the SEC.”

“Ah,” Tris said. “Lovely people at the SEC.”

Leah grinned. The SEC had thrown roadblock after roadblock at Reliance's IPO. Tris rarely cursed . . . unless he was talking about the SEC.

“How do you two know each other? Leah tells us nothing of her personal life. I'm curious.” The creep. He'd hit on her at least a half a dozen times since his divorce was finalized. He'd been subtle about it, nothing overt, but she still thought he was a creeper.

And now he was looking for information about her personal life.

“Through Leah's family,” Tris said, without flinching. His hand, which had been tightly gripping hers, shifted and was now firmly on her back. “Her brother introduced us.”

That wasn't quite the truth. They'd met at the barbecue, but not directly through Nate. Although he did invite Tris, so Leah was going to give her brother all the credit. He may not have been thrilled with them dating, but the introduction was totally his fault. She'd have to remind him of that the next time he gave them grief.

“Isn't that nice. I guess the rich guys really do get all the perks.”

Leah was known for her blunt personality, but she was floored by Tad's declaration, as well as the way his eyes skimmed over her. She was ready to ask his kids if one of them could drive home because the only thing that could possibly explain him being so crass was that he was drunk.

“I don't know exactly what you mean by that, mate, but to imply a woman like Leah has to wait for someone like me is pretty off the mark.”

“Right. Well, money talks,” Tad said.

“But it doesn't buy class, does it?” Tristan's gaze was lethal. If he could have gotten away with it, Leah imagined Tris might have thrown a punch. Instead he let the words fly.

“I beg your pardon? No offense, Leah, but would you date this guy if he didn't have billions? I mean, that's quite a nest egg. How did you make that money, Wade?”

Shit. That was a shot across Tristan's bow. There was nothing that pissed off a man like him more than someone like Tad insinuating he'd made his money illegally.

She had to get Tristan to the car before anything else was said. He should have just ignored Tad, but no . . . Tristan had to engage the idiot.

For the first time since they'd gotten together, Tristan's cocksure attitude was anything but attractive.

With a break in the conversation, Leah tugged at his sleeve because she'd heard enough. It was time for Tris to shut his mouth. “It was good to see you, Tad. 'Night, boys!” She waved cheerily at his sons, and dragged her dumb-ass date toward the exit.