His By Design (19 page)

“You could have told me they were here,” Amanda groused.

“I-I couldn’t seem to get a word in.” Zoe sounded apologetic but the mischievous sparkle was back in her eyes. She started to laugh. “You were just tooo good. I had to let you run with it.”

They went to the kitchen to get ice and water for the guys and themselves. It was only water but instinctively she and Zoe turned to each other and clinked glasses.

“To A to Z Enterprises,” Amanda said.

“Hear, hear,” Zoe responded with a grin.

Amanda glanced at the wall clock. “Oh my, look at the time. We’d better get up to the big house before guests begin to arrive. I’ve got a final checklist to run through.”

“Of course you do.” Zoe laughed. “You are such a Girl Scout.”

They walked across to the big house, each tiptoeing to avoid sinking their heels into the soft ground. As they approached the steps to the wide porch, Zoe watched as Jeff gave directions to the two college kids who’d be parking cars. “You go ahead, Mandy, I need to talk to Jeff for a minute.”

She waited until Jeff finished, then tugged on his shirtsleeve. “Jeff, I’m sorry for the way I reacted back there. I’m just nervous.”
And I was hardly expecting a marriage proposal.

He glanced at her quickly, then looked away. “No problem, babe. You know me, always acting the fool.”

Zoe stepped in front of him so he’d be forced to look into her eyes. “I do know you, Jeff. The real you. The man you hide from everyone else. The sweet, thoughtful, caring man you work so hard to conceal.” She caressed the side of his face with trembling fingers. “You just took me by surprise, saying those things in front of Mandy. I thought you were . . .”

“Being my usual smartass self?”

She nodded. “You never let the real you surface when other people are around, and I was afraid to take you seriously.” She searched his eyes for the truth. “What you said, back there, was it the truth?”

He tilted her face up. “It was for real, sweet cheeks. I love you.” He leaned down to kiss her just as they were caught in the headlights of the first arriving car. He straightened quickly. “Guess I’d better get to work.”

Zoe’s heart expanded in her chest. She felt light enough to float away. How ridiculous was it to be declaring their love in the midst of all this chaos? She caught his arm to keep him in place. Then brought his head down to meet hers for a quick kiss, not caring if anyone saw them. She smiled broadly and felt moisture gather in her eyes. “Gotta run. I’ll catch up with you later.”

She hurried inside to find Amanda. “You were right, Mandy,” she whispered, trying to keep the happiness bubbling up inside her contained behind a professional façade.

Amanda raised a brow and rolled her eyes toward heaven. “Finally, she sees the light.”

“Don’t act so smug. I could make a few comments about your love life, too, you know.”

Amanda gave her a quick hug. “I’m sure you could, partner, but let’s stick to business for now.”

Zoe looked around at the people beginning to gather at the tables and chat. Conversation was lively and the mood appeared upbeat as the guests mingled and drank champagne. “Okay, I’ll start making rounds down at the pavilion. You make sure the caterer has enough of everything. It looks like everyone Mrs. Wyndham invited showed up.”

Amanda nodded. “Right. Keep circulating and I’ll meet you back in the kitchen later.”

Zoe melted into the crowd as the band began to play. No one was on the dance floor yet, although several couples lined the railing in the pavilion to enjoy the moonlight on the water. She’d make sure a waiter came down here with more drinks and some of the hors d’oeurves. She didn’t want a single glitch to ruin this perfect night.

She went back up to the deck where the guests enjoyed the music along with the food and drinks. She overheard several compliments to Mrs. Wyndham on the decor which added to the glow of satisfaction warming her heart. As she checked the buffet in the dining room, she admired the ice sculpture Jeff had done of Admiral Wyndham’s new boat. Russell had it right. Jeff’s talents as a sculptor were impressive, perhaps even more awesome than his skill as an artist. She was still amazed that one person was so adept at both mediums. The man was a creative powerhouse. A modern-day Michelangelo.

Not that she’d let her personal feelings for the man influence her evaluation of his artistic talents . . .

Chapter 18

Jeff stared at the ceiling, one arm behind his head, the other supporting Zoe’s head. He sighed in contentment, still half-asleep after the long hours at the Wyndham’s party followed by a tender, lingering session of lovemaking.

They had barely made it up the stairs to Zoe’s apartment before they’d begun to attack each other’s clothes. The first episode of frenzied kisses and heated touches brought them so quickly to the edge of orgasm, Jeff had barely enough time to find a condom and cover himself before Zoe straddled him and sheathed his rigid shaft in her delicious warmth. She rode him mercilessly, refusing to listen to his pleas to slow down, taking him so deeply inside of her that for the first time ever, he lost control and came before her. She followed within seconds, grinding against his still hard shaft as he fingered her clit and suckled each breast in turn. Her cry of pleasure brought an expression to her face that was beautiful to behold and as she collapsed onto his chest he enjoyed the smaller aftershocks of her orgasm while her breathing slowly returned to normal.

The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is actually in bed with me.
His declaration of love hadn’t made her run for cover. Jeff marveled at his good fortune and prayed it would withstand the revelation of his real connection to the paintings downstairs. Jen’s next operation was scheduled for the week after Memorial Day. They had set the earliest possible date Jen’s surgeon would agree to and hoped enough money would come in at the gallery’s grand opening to cover the expenses. Russian roulette would have been less stressful. He wanted to end this charade with Zoe, introduce her to Jen and then . . . and then, what? Ask Zoe to marry him? Yeah, he admitted to himself, he wanted to claim her as his forever lover, partner and friend. Without her his future would be bleak, indeed. But, proposing? That would have to wait until he gave her the news about Jen.

He studied Zoe’s face, relaxed in sleep, her dark lashes fanned across delicately arched cheekbones, her lovely lips slightly parted and still plump and swollen from his kisses. Skeins of dark hair spread across her pillow, the faint scent of tropical flowers still noticeable when he buried his nose behind her ear and inhaled deeply.

“Mmm, good morning, Studley.” Zoe snuggled against him and dropped kisses on his chest.

“Good morning, sweet cheeks.” He captured her mouth and nibbled on her lips as his cock responded to her touch.

“Mmm.” She sighed into his mouth and slipped her hand lower to feather teasing fingers along his rapidly hardening shaft.

He reached across her to dig for a condom in the nightstand.

“Oh no,” she exclaimed, pushing against his chest. “Look at the time. It’s already nine-thirty. We have to get back to the Wyndham’s and clean up from the party. The guys we hired to help do the take-down will be there by ten.” She shoved at him again.

“We don’t want to get there too early and disturb the Wyndhams, babe. Last night was a late one for them and they’re probably still sleeping off all the champagne.” He nuzzled her neck and tweaked a nipple that had peaked despite Zoe’s protestations.

“No. No. Stop that!”

She smacked his butt hard enough to tell him she meant it, so he sighed and gave up.

“Besides, I want to be there first for a change and tease Amanda for being late. “I’ve got to shower, dress and be there before she shows up.”

“I’ll put on some coffee then meet you in the shower.” He wagged his eyebrows.

“Not a chance, Studley. Work first, then we can play.” She grabbed clean underwear out of the drawer and hurried to the bathroom.

He watched her shapely derriere disappear through the bathroom doorway and ordered Jeff junior to stand down. A command his smaller head was reluctant to obey.

So. Dev and Amanda. A happy couple. He’d definitely ask Dev for pointers today. Because he couldn’t handle one more day with the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room every time he made love to Zoe. Last night he told her he loved her. Tonight, after they finished the take-down at the Wyndham’s, he’d tell her about Jen, about the paintings that were hers and the reasons for his subterfuge. This charade had gone on long enough. Just making the decision to come clean lifted his spirits. By tonight there would be nothing in the way. He’d ask her to marry him and he hoped she’d say yes. He whistled on the way to the kitchen.

The last overnight guest
s drove away as Zoe and Jeff rode by the big house. They parked his bike at the old house and Jeff headed over to the Wyndham’s to see if any of the hired help had arrived.

Zoe went inside and found Amanda stuffing table linens into plastic bags. “Damn. You beat me. I wanted to gloat when you got here late and all dreamy-eyed after last night’s lovemaking with Dev.”

Amanda looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen. She jammed another tablecloth into the bag. “No lovemaking last night. We’re over.”

“What?” Zoe’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.” She spied a trash can full of tissues and shook her head in confusion. “Oh, honey, what happened? I thought . . . I thought . . .” She went over and threw her arms around her friend. Amanda hung on to her and sobbed.

“I thought so too.” Amanda sniffled and grabbed more tissues. “But . . .” She blew her nose. “. . . I was mistaken.” Tears slid down her face and she mopped at them with another wad of tissues.

Zoe frowned. “I can’t believe that. Mandy, seeing him around you . . . It’s obvious he cares for you.”

Amanda shook her head. “You want it to be that way, because you have stars in your eyes for Jeff, and you want us both to have what you have.” She blew her nose again and added to the pile of soggy tissues. “Oh god, and look at me, sucking all the joy out of your new relationship with him. I’m so sorry, Zo.” She forced a smile. “In spite of my current mood, I am really happy for you. Jeff is a great guy and you two are so good together.” She gave Zoe another hug of congratulations. “Now, enough of my sad story.” She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Don’t talk about this with Jeff until after we’re done here and you guys go home. Otherwise, one kind word and my waterworks will start up again.”

“Okay, sweetie, but if Dev shows up here, I’m going to kick his butt into the bay.”

He didn’t show, though, much to her disappointment. The three of them and the crew they’d hired worked until after noon setting the house to rights, taking down the tents and lighted garlands, rolling up the carpets on the deck and restoring the furniture to its original places.

Mrs. Wyndham offered them drinks and sandwiches. She was in high spirits after the success of her party and added a big bonus to the remainder of her bill. “Ladies, you were everything I could have asked for and more in event planners. If you ever need a recommendation please don’t hesitate to use my name. I’ll be delighted to give you a five-star review.” She studied Amanda’s face. “You don’t seem as pleased about your success as I expected, Amanda. Is there a problem I’m not aware of?”

“Not at all, Mrs. Wyndham, I’m just tired after last night. Thank you so much for your generous bonus and for recommending us to your friends.”

Normally willing to let Amanda do all the talking, Zoe spoke up to shift their client’s attention away from Amanda’s blotchy face. “Yes, ma’am, word of mouth is worth far more than paid advertising for new start-ups. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your kind words.”

“Well, you deserve it, ladies. I am especially impressed by how quickly and efficiently you and your staff returned my home to its normal condition.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Wyndham. Here is the key to the small house. The rental company will be here tomorrow morning to collect the tables and chairs.” Amanda dropped the key into her hand.

“Don’t let me keep you any longer, dear.” Mrs. Wyndham patted Amanda’s arm. “You do look like you could use a good nap.”

Zoe walked Amanda to her car and hugged her again. “Mrs. Wyndham is right. Get some rest, sweetie. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Amanda nodded and drove away. Zoe had taken Jeff aside early on and warned him not to say anything about her friend’s sad eyes and down-turned mouth. “I’ll tell you all about it, later. She’s hanging on by a thread right now and we don’t want to snap it.”

“Yeah, but I thought . . . I mean, I—never mind. We can discuss it later.”

She loved Jeff all the more for his concerned gaze that followed Amanda’s car. She rubbed his shoulder. “C’mon, let’s go home. We can grab takeout from Donatelli’s and I’ll tell you what I know about it.” She wrapped her arms around Jeff on the ride home and prayed he’d never take back those three big words he’d said last night.

Jeff parked in front of his unit and took off his helmet. He w
ondered if Jen was in the studio. Usually when she heard his bike she expected him to at least poke his head in the door and say hi. See if she needed anything. But right now he didn’t have the energy to put on a ‘happy face’ and chat with his sister.

Zoe had shared the details of Amanda and Dev’s break-up over dinner last night and the news cast a pall over them both. It put Jeff’s plan to tell all on hold. Indefinite hold. Zoe’s scathing comments about Dev’s stupidity in keeping secrets from Amanda convinced Jeff to keep his own secret a while longer.

Their usual lovemaking was tinged with urgency, a need to reassure them both that their love could withstand any assault life would throw at them. As Zoe snuggled against him in bed later, he sensed the distress over her friend’s situation would not soon fade.

This morning he used his caretaker job as an excuse to get away and think about his own situation. He got the feeling that Zoe was equally glad to have a bit of alone time.

He let himself into his room and tossed his keys on the dresser, then stretched out on his bed and stacked his hands behind his head. Although they hadn’t hit it off right away, when Dev had asked for his help with the renovations to Amanda’s cottage, he didn’t hesitate. The one day spent working together had shown him a lot about the other man, whose career as a jazz pianist died on the same day as his friend. One arm and hand was covered with burn scars, his fingers no longer facile enough to play the music he loved, but he didn’t bemoan his fate or cut himself any slack while they worked. Being her employer wasn’t the only reason Dev helped Amanda. He loved that woman.

Jeff had used their relationship as a kind of bellwether for himself and Zoe. Now he had second, third, and fourth thoughts about how their own affair would work out. What had seemed a good idea when he’d first met Zoe, now didn’t seem so smart. Now he knew her better. Much better.

Hell, now he loved her.

When she found out about Jen, and the lies he’d told her all these months, would she react the same way Amanda did? Kick his ass to the curb and walk away? He wouldn’t blame her. He prayed that wouldn’t happen, but if that was the price he’d pay for Jen to return to the land of the living, then so be it.

Oh yeah, he understood Dev’s feelings all too well. Jeff had been the driver when Jen was hurt and the fact that the accident hadn’t been his fault wasn’t the issue. As his mom lay dying, she had asked him to look out for Jen, and he had sworn he would.

But he’d been late picking her up from dance class and had to get her home and himself to work. Instead of his usual route along the back roads, he’d taken the beltway.

In the rain.

At rush hour.

Jeff squeezed his eyes shut as the scene replayed in his head for the thousandth time.

He’d seen the jackknifed tractor-trailer five hundred yards up the road and congratulated himself on managing to stop in plenty of time to avoid the other cars that hadn’t been so lucky. They were in the high-speed lane by the guardrail and as he turned to Jen to make sure she was okay, he saw the panel van coming up behind them start to skid on the wet pavement. Saw the driver frantically spinning the steering wheel to regain control. There wasn’t enough time to do anything but yell as the van barreled into them at forty miles an hour. Jen’s door crumpled and glass spewed inside as the passenger-side air bag ballooned. It kept her from hitting the dashboard but unfortunately also held her in position just long enough for the panel van’s side mirror to come through Jen’s window and lay open her face from temple to chin. She’d turned to look when he yelled and her face, hip, and leg had taken most of the impact.

That was the last day his sister danced, or walked unaided. The last day she let anyone but him and his dad see her face. He hoped, when the time came, Zoe would understand Jen’s refusal to be seen and the reason for his deception.

Please, God.

But after today’s revelation about Amanda and Dev, his hope was fading fast.