Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) (20 page)

“Good morning, Caitlyn.” I heard
Apolo’s
low, seductive baritone, shaking me back to reality. I jerked around to see the
two men standing.

“Oh, good morning. Have the two of you eaten already?”

“Yes,” my father replied. “
Apolo
and I had quite a lovely breakfast downstairs in one of the restaurants.”

“Good.” I eyed them both suspiciously. Only because they
were smiling. Too early for that sort of cheerfulness. “Is there coffee, or do
I need to make some?”

“There should be a fresh carafe on the table,”
Apolo
answered, walking toward me.

The hair on my arms immediately stood on end as he
approached. As he neared, I caught a whiff of his cologne. He was dressed
casually. Casual for him, at least. A pair of black slacks and a golf shirt. No
jeans here.

“Let me help you. You look as though you’re still half
asleep.” He kissed me on the lips and turned me back toward the living room. I
complied, finding a chair and sitting down. My father was still grinning.

“What is it with you two this morning?”

“Nothing. It’s just good to see you happy and content,” my
father replied, still grinning.

“And you?” I asked, as
Apolo
handed me a steaming mug. I gingerly took it from him, taking a careful sip.

“Ditto what your father said.”

“
Hmmmph
.
So, what are we doing today?”

“Well, your mother and I leave for home tomorrow evening. We
thought we would go do some sightseeing together. The only thing I’ve gotten in
has been the Smithsonian.”

All of a sudden, it dawned on me what he had just said. “Wait
a minute. Did you just say mother’s going back to Ireland with you? Why? And
what brought this on?”

“We’re going to try to spend some time together. See if we
can’t work this nonsense out.”

“Good for you, Pop.
Apolo
? Do you
have anything going on?”

“I’ve got nothing. My parents indicated that they wanted to
spend the day quietly. I imagine they’re still recovering from their long trip.
So, our day is wide open. I did, however, take the liberty to arrange for us to
look at a couple of places. Are you up to it?”

“Yes, of course, I am. I’ll just need to shower and get
ready first.” Taking a long swallow off my black coffee, I finished it off. “I’ll
just get another cup and get started.”

“Do you want me to order you something to eat?”

“No, thanks. I’ll be fine until we eat lunch.”

Sometime later, we met Max Turner, in the Wesley Heights
section of DC. An aggressive, young real estate agent, he knew Washington like
the back of his hand and was known for his uncanny ability to match clients to
properties. He didn’t disappoint with the third.

The property was once again a penthouse. This time, however,
it was eight thousand square feet on the top floor with floor to ceiling
windows that beckoned with the most spectacular views. Far more room that we’d
ever need or use, still, the size did not intimidate
Apolo
.
We walked through the apartment together, commenting on the exquisite taste the
current owner had.

“Oh, my God,
Apolo
! This place is
magnificent. Huge, but magnificent.”

“The property comes either furnished or unfurnished,” Max
announced as though he knew what we were thinking.

“Everything?” I asked curiously. It was, after all, a loaded
question, with a great many possibilities.

“Right down to the sheets and towels, if so desired,” he
coyly replied.

Apolo
, who had been ignoring us,
fascinated by a painting that appeared to be by some old master, turned in my direction.
“I like it, Caitlyn. It’s move-in ready. You wouldn’t have to fuss about a
thing. You could take your time putting your touch on it.”

“Well, if you like it. You’re sure you don’t want to look at
a house or town home?”

“No, this is it. If I decide to go beyond these two years,
we can revisit that. No, the view is spectacular. Everything we need is here.”

I shot Max a dumbfounded look. Though I don’t know why, I
should be used to
Apolo’s
quirky ways by now. “You
heard the man. He wants this place.”

Quietly, I turned and left the room, leaving the two men to
discuss the particulars of such a purchase. I needed to take it all in. The
place wasn’t one hundred percent to my taste, but I could make do. And
Apolo
was right, I would slowly begin to add my own
personal touches to each of the rooms and make it into
our
place. In two years, if he decided he wanted to run for
reelection, we could discuss perhaps purchasing a house. But for now, this
would do.

Wow
! So much was
happening, it almost made my head spin. But that was
Apolo
…full
steam ahead. The next thing I know he’ll want to discuss us getting married.
Ha! He has to ask me first, though. This is quicker than I wanted, but I
understand the mechanics of Washington. Us living together would not wash with
the older, more established set here. Even in the twenty-first century. Not
that I mind, not really.

“Everything okay?” I heard his deep voice behind me.

“Yes, of course. Why?”

“You just had a far-away look in your eyes, that’s all.”

“If I did, it’s because there is a lot to take in, Mr.
Choice. When you make up your mind to do something, you’re full steam ahead. It
can throw a girl off balance.”

“Really? I would have thought nothing would throw you off
balance, Caitlyn. Anyway, Max is going to stop by with the papers after a while
so I can sign them and we can put our offer in.”

“You’re sure you’ll be happy here?”

He sighed. “Yes, Caitlyn, I’m sure. Are we going to resort
to those sort of couple games now?”

“What games, Choice? I love the place. I just wanted to make
sure. After all, it’s a lot of money, and it’s you spending it.”

“The money is the least of my worries. It’s your happiness I
want to be sure of.”

“Well, worry no more.”

“Then, if you’re ready, I suppose we ought to be going. I’d
like to spend some quiet time alone with you.”

“There you go, then. All in a day’s work, huh?”

“Nothing is work where you are concerned Caitlyn.”

I felt his lean body pressed against me from behind. Knowing
Apolo
as well as I did, it would be a fair guess he
had a massive erection. The man loved sex. It seemed all I had to do was speak,
and he was aroused. I entwined my hands in his and turned to face him. “I
suppose we don’t have time to grab lunch before young Mr. Max meets back up
with us, do we?”

“That’s not what I had in mind, but yes, we have plenty of
time to stop somewhere for lunch.”

“Good, because if you remember, I nixed breakfast this
morning.”

“That’s right. I remember now,” he loftily replied. “Let’s
go. I know of a little café not too far from here. We don’t want the press
saying you’re too thin, now do we?”

“I thought you didn’t care what the press had to say,
Choice?”

“I don’t when it’s me they’re talking about. You, you’re
another matter entirely, my love.”

Somehow, I believed him, too. I was sure I would see that
protective side of
Apolo
come out of the shadows more
and more.

* * * *

The café was a small out-of-the-way place. Somewhere I could
imagine we might come in the future. Once we moved here. I saw it as being
perfect. Perfect for those quick getaways like this. The décor reminded me of
places I had eaten at in Paris.

We were quickly seated at a secluded table. I began to order
a salad, but quickly changed it to something more substantial when I noticed
Apolo’s
eyebrow raised in disapproval. Instead, I took his
lead and ordered a half sandwich and a bowl of soup.

“Well,” he began. “We have a place to live. With any luck,
we should be able to move in around the same time we return.”

“I really like it,
Apolo
. A bit on
the large size, but I’ll get used to it. Perfect for entertaining.”

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?”

“Hmmm, with that view of the Washington skyline, it will be
perfect at night.”

Then, blunt as usual,
Apolo
brought up the marriage subject. “Not to change the subject, but it is all
intertwined. I guess we need to begin making marriage plans, don’t we?”

I glanced across the table at him, just as the waiter
brought our soup and sandwiches. I waited until the young man left. “Yes, we
better. Unless you want my mother doing the planning for us. What do you have
in mind,
Apolo
? I know you well enough to know you
have an idea of how you want this played out.”

“Caitlyn, I will submit to whatever you decide. I’ll leave
the planning to you.”

“
Hmmmph
,
somehow I don’t see that happening. I envision what you have in the back of
your mind is something elaborate. Ever the politician,
Apolo
.
You’ll want the world to be part of our special day.”

“I get the feeling you don’t share my enthusiasm, sweet.
Care to expand?”

“For starters, you haven’t even asked me. You simply assume
I’ll marry you.”

“Ask you? I didn’t think you were that old-fashioned.”

“I believe I might have mentioned once I expected to be
proposed to properly.”

He put his soupspoon down and patted his lips with a cloth
napkin. “Ah yes, you did.” He winked at me. “That detail aside, what would you
like to do?”

“A very important detail,
Apolo
.”

“Yes, Caitlyn, I get your point.”

“I want the whole enchilada. I want the formal wedding.
But
, I only wish our families to be
invited. No press. Perhaps a few close friends, like
Izzie
and perhaps Renee. After that a reception, which we will both plan, and you can
invite whoever you wish. The Queen of England would be welcome, but the wedding
is private.”

“Done.”

I stared at him for a brief second. “Done? You mean I can…”

“Whatever you want Caitlyn, as long as we do it in Atlanta
before we return to Washington. That officially gives you two months to pull
together not only a private wedding, but the biggest bash the state of Georgia
has ever seen. Can you do it?”

Inside, I was secretly terrified by what I had proposed and
what he had agreed to, but never, ever would I let him know that. “Of course I
can, Choice. We’re going to have a wedding reception the likes of which no one
has ever seen. Just don’t forget what I said about the proposal.”

“I shall enjoy that to the fullest.”

“What about a budget? I need to know what my boundaries are,
or should I say, my mother needs to know.”

“Hopefully, she will be with your father in Ireland for most
of the planning. As for budget, you have free rein, my love. Whatever you want.
Just don’t let your mother know that little fact.”

“No, that’ll be our little secret. However, once she learns
you have proposed, and we’re planning our wedding for before we move here, she
will be on the first plane back to Atlanta.”

He chuckled. “I have no doubt she will. If she even goes to
Ireland at all.”

I put my sandwich back down on my plate. He was right. She’d
never leave for Ireland once she heard the news. I was going to have to suck it
up and deal with her and her ways. “She won’t leave. The second she hears, she’ll
be off planning on her own.” A thought crossed my mind that might save both me
and
Apolo
a lot of grief where my mother was
concerned. “
Apolo
, would you mind if I hired a
wedding planner? Someone to take care of the details and oversee stuff?”

“‘Stuff,’ meaning your mother?” He grinned. “I think that’s
a marvelous idea. It will free you up for more important things. Let someone
else worry about the details. Do you have someone in mind?”

“No, but I’m sure Renee can help me find some to interview
post haste.”

“I’m sure she can. In fact, why don’t you give her a call?
Just ask her to discreetly line up three or four for when we return.”

“Perfect! Now, I think I’ll be able to enjoy the planning a
lot better, knowing my mother will be stifled at her attempts to take over the
event.”

“Glad I was of some assistance, my dear. If you’re ready, I
think we need to get back to the hotel.”

“Yes, I’m ready. Oh, do me one favor tonight?”

“What might that be?”

“Let’s not tell my parents about the wedding just yet? I
want my mother to be in Ireland when she hears the news. Besides, Choice, you
haven’t proposed.”

We arrived back at our hotel suite with time enough for me
to make that call to Renee about finding a wedding planner on such short
notice. Renee, however, did bring up a good point—that they would be crawling
all over each other once they knew who the client was. She assured me she would
set the meetings up beginning in two days, giving me time to get home to
Atlanta and organize myself. She was excited about her boss getting married at
long last.

While I was in the bedroom talking with Renee,
Apolo
was in the midst of paperwork with Max for the condo.
I was quite sure we would find ourselves the proud owners sooner than most
couples.
Apolo’s
name could move mountains.

Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I made a mental
note that my mother should be calling. I was sure she would want to do
something with us this evening. Her last evening before she and my father left
for Dublin. Though I should feel bad for having to be deceptive about our
wedding plans, I really didn’t.

I stood up from the bed, padded over to the door, and
listened. Not hearing any conversation coming from the other side, I opened it.
I walked into the salon, only to find
Apolo
sitting
in a chair, laptop on the table in front of him. He didn’t hear me, deeply
involved in whatever it was he was typing.