Marriage of Convenience (7 page)

Caroline studied the outfit and accessories she’d placed on the bed earlier. She would be wearing a black lace overlay dress with a scalloped neckline. A halter dress, the design would accentuate her slim shoulders. The dress wasn’t flashy, but it was eye catching. Deliberately so. She’d decided on a dress that Malcolm would notice and conclude that she had the style and presence to match his own. If he couldn’t imagine her as a match to his own thoughts of himself, there would little chance that he could see her as his wife.

With less than twenty minutes before Malcolm was to arrive, Caroline was standing in front of the mirror in her walk-in closet studying her finished look. She tilted her head back, liking the way the earrings dangled from her lobes. She often chose her favorite pair by Badgley Mischka when she was going for a confident, sexy look. Sparkling with diamonds, their large flat tear drop shape allowed them to spin and twist, catching moonlight as well as they did sunlight. She’d gone back and forth between a matching necklace and no necklace at all. She’d decided one wasn’t needed to draw attention to her subtle cleavage. She wasn’t well endowed, but she was proportional and perky. The push-up demi did the rest.

Sighing deeply, Caroline glanced at the clock on the mantel. Malcolm would be arriving any moment. She felt ready. When she left Malcolm that night she wanted to be sure she left him with a few things to think about. She could match him success for success and money to money. But she had to convince him she was also wife material. Her dreams depended on it.

Caroline saw the Rolls Royce pull to the curb. Hers was a quiet neighborhood with few cars on the street. Even if it hadn’t been a gorgeous classic car, it would have been hard to miss. She watched Malcolm step from the rear of the car. She had prepared herself to see him again. Or so she thought. She knew he was sexy, but the man climbing her front steps was so ridiculously sensual that her entire body began humming. She had planned to meet him at the door, but she was rooted to the spot, helpless to do doing anything but stare.

She felt her heart nosedive to her stomach. Maybe this wasn’t her best idea. There was risk, and then there was fear. And this fear, the kind that wrenched her stomach muscles, had her thinking that perhaps she should have skipped that second glass of wine. He was wearing a tailored light gray suit and French blue shirt that fit him with precision.

She bit her lip and stared, drinking in each feature. God, he was gorgeous. She imagined the hard lithe body under that tailored suit and went weak in the knees. She closed her eyes, lost in the possibilities. What would it be like to hear a rumble of desire rise from his chest and feel his hard body pressed intimately against her core? Her breathing quickened, and for a moment she was sure she could actually hear his breathing, labored from exertion. She could feel the touch of his fingers as he ran his hands through her curls. She swore she could hear him murmuring in her ear, telling her how soft she felt beneath him, how much he wanted to stroke her skin, explore her body, cup her curves, and make her his.

His gaze caught hers through the front window. His stare was penetrating as though the wall that separated them was made of cellophane. Heat rushed through her. How was she going to keep her wits about her and sit through a meal when she already felt this vulnerable to his presence? Caroline licked her dry lips and then swallowed hard, pushing the erotic thoughts from her mind.

Giving herself a quick mental pep talk, Caroline reminded herself of the goal. I can do this. She sucked in a deep breath and expelled it through a smile. She forced back her doubts and thought about how wonderful it would be to hold her child in her arms. If all went well, her plan would be on the fast track, and she’d have little time to think about regrets. Her hand on the doorknob, she straightened her dress, and swung the heavy door open as Malcolm reached the other side.

****

His nose noticed her sweet scent even as his eyes registered her dress. Her perfume was soft and sensuous but with a fruity punch that made his thoughts temporarily scatter. The dress highlighted her slim shoulders, and as she turned to close and lock the door behind her, he noted her bare back. Lightly tanned and smooth, the expanse of exposed skin begged to be touched. She turned back to him, her smile 1000 watts bright, showing off small gleaming teeth.

He was overwhelmed and fighting for control.

“Malcolm.”

His name on her lips seemed to warm him from inside.

“Caroline, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.” He offered her his hand.

She looked at his hand. Taking it, she turned it slightly to the side and used it to leverage herself closer to him. Her lips touched his cheek softly, and he felt his warmed insides begin to melt.

“Not at all,” she said. “You know us ladies. We try to keep our preparations to a minimum, but as they say: the best laid plans….” She smiled as her voice trailed off.

Malcolm smiled in return. “You look lovely. So rest assured, your plans paid off in the end.”

Caroline giggled lightly. “Well, thank you so much. I’d hate to disappoint.”

Malcolm couldn’t imagine she’d disappointed many people. “Shall we?” He gestured to the car. Geoffrey was standing at the rear, holding the car door open.

Malcolm offered his arm to Caroline, and they walked side by side to the waiting driver.

Caroline sank into the butter soft, cream-colored leather, and Malcolm settled beside her.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I do need to make a stop along the way. I’d hope to be able to take care of this before, but…”

“Please, don’t worry about it. The City is beautiful this time of the evening. Let’s enjoy the drive. Where are we headed?”

Nice, thought Malcolm, she’s flexible. Post one point under winner.

“The Empire State Building, actually.”

“No kidding? I’ve never been there.” Caroline laughed. “People say when you live at the beach, you never go to the beach. I guess as a native to the City, you never do the tourist attractions.”

“You’re kidding. It’s an amazing building. Did you know it was built at the beginning of the Great Depression and wasn’t profitable for more than twenty years?” Malcolm’s eyes lit up as he asked the question.

His excitement about the old building was catching.

“That’s interesting. Why’d they even build it then? I guess they must have conceived of the project prior to the crash.”

Malcolm was encouraged by Caroline’s question, even if she had answered it herself.

“You got it. For years it was called the ‘Empty State Building’.”

Caroline laughed and waved her hand as if to suggest he must be kidding.

****

The car pulled to a stop. Caroline was surprised at how quickly they’d covered the distance between her place and the famous building.

“Come up with me.” Malcolm opened the door and leaned back inside to offer her his hand.

“Really? Will they let me?”

“I just need to drop this off on the 57th floor. I’ll meet you on the Upper Observation Deck.”

“Where are you going?

“I’m dropping off a donation to support the renovations to the lower deck. I won’t be a minute. Go on up. You’ll love it.”

Curious and encouraged by his enthusiasm, Caroline took his hand and allowed herself to be guided out onto the street. Though it was late, a doorman held the door open. Did he lock it behind them? She looked to Malcolm to ask, but was sidetracked with the arrival of the elevator and his caution to watch her step over the threshold.

It was the longest elevator ride of her life, Caroline thought, as she tried to look at everything other than Malcolm. He was standing beside her, and she felt tension grip her stomach. Although she knew they had much in common, she didn’t feel like engaging in pleasant conversation just to pass the time. She was a woman with a plan, a mission. But being this close to him, she could smell his cologne, his soap. It was intoxicating.

“I can wait for you here,” Caroline said as the car slowed to their first stop.

“No, please, go on. Depending on who’s in the building, I may get a little sidetracked. But I’ll be up in no time. I promise.” Malcolm kissed her hand as he stepped out. Before she could protest, he was gone, walking swiftly down the hall. Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. She had managed not to jump on him this time, but she wasn’t sure she could be in that close proximity again and not let her hormones get the best of her.

The doors closed silently, and Caroline felt her stomach fall slightly as the car continued its upward journey. A bell tinkled as the doors slid open once more. She stepped out of the car and was surprised to see uniformed waiters silently hustling back and forth along the deck. Two of the waiters stopped and took up positions on either side of the door leading to the deck. She smiled uncertainly and wished them good evening. They smiled, bowing slightly and held the exterior door open. Leaving the comfort of the elevator interior, Caroline walked out onto the deck and stopped.

The sun had fallen, casting a shadow over part of the deck. Nevertheless, the view was unbelievable. Caroline walked to the edge and looked out over the City. Amazing.

Following the walkway, she walked around the building, gazing not at the architecture of the walls holding her up, but out to the expanse of City the view provided. She loved New York City, and this view only enhanced her love. She’d spent time all over the City as a girl with her nanny running errands, as a teenager looking for something to do, as a college student always on the lookout for a quiet coffee shop, and as an adult loving the park, the people, and the culture. She brought her gaze back to the buildings immediately surrounding the Empire State Building and mentally visualized her location. If Times Square was over there, and that way was south … and yes! Her favorite building in the City was the Flatiron. Often called the Wedge, the 5th Avenue building was once considered a groundbreaking skyscraper. Gloria had refused to share Malcolm’s most intimate secrets, saying that she should look forward to finding them out. That didn’t go both ways, apparently.

Continuing around the side to get a better view, Caroline stopped and raised her hand to her mouth to cover her involuntary gasp of surprise. Set up in front of her was a dining table complete with candles and flowers. She stepped lightly to the right, hugging the wall, not wanting to intrude. Though she was disappointed not to see the Flatiron from this vantage point, she was hesitant to disturb the couple whose romantic evening was probably just getting started.

“What are you doing?” Malcolm whispered into her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood up straight, and she clapped her hand over her mouth to smother a scream.

Flattening her back against the building, she closed her eyes and caught her breath.

“You scared the heck out of me!” she whispered loudly, her eyes still closed.

Malcolm chuckled and leaned in closer to her. This close to him she could smell his cologne. It was a warm spicy scent that reminded her of exotic getaways and seductive dances.

“Sshh!” Caroline drew her pointer finger up in front of her mouth and pursed her lips, eyes wide. “Something’s going on over there. Let’s turn around.” She slid under his arm and began tiptoeing away.

“Wait, what is it? Let’s go see.”

“What? No! It’s so sweet that we shouldn’t interrupt.”

“We don’t have to interrupt. Just show me what you saw.”

Taking his hand, Caroline led him back to the wall, and together they crept around the side ‘til the table came back into view.

“Isn’t it sweet? A candle-light dinner, under the stars, looking out onto the City. It’s very romantic.” Caroline’s voice was wistful.

“I’m glad you like it. Shall we eat?”

“You planned this?” In shock, Caroline whispered the question. She hoped he didn’t find her response insulting.

“It hadn’t occurred to me when I thought of having dinner here that you wouldn’t have been here before. That was just an added bonus, it seems.”

Caroline took the arm he offered and let him lead her to the table. She was a little overwhelmed. Dinner on the high deck, flowers, candles? If he meant to impress, he’d succeeded. She’d expected dinner, obviously, but this required thoughtfulness, resourcefulness, and a certain dedication. Not that he didn’t have a lot riding on it. But a lot of men she knew would have simply let their money do the talking and assumed she’d be bowled over. This was different. This was deeper. This was commitment. Wow. That c-word. If she wasn’t careful, she’d lose sight of her plan and get dragged into this. Play it interested, but watch your heart, she warned herself.

Malcolm pulled her chair out and waited for her to sit before going to the other side of the table. The table had been raised so that they had a full view of none other than the Flatiron.

Caroline eyed him over the table, while smoothing a cloth napkin over her lap. “And I suppose you didn’t know that was my favorite building?” Her eyebrow rose, and she looked skeptical.

“The Flatiron? Fantastic, isn’t it? Actually, I chose this spot because it’s one of my favorites, and I wanted to share that with you.”

“So Gloria didn’t tell you that it was my favorite?”

“No, I swear.” Laughing, Malcolm held up two fingers. Scout’s honor.

“Really? So you know that when it was completed in 1910 it was the tallest building north of 14th Street?”

Malcolm smiled at her across the table.

“Nice try. You and I both know that it was completed in 1902, and yes, it was the tallest building in what was considered the divide between downtown and uptown.” Take that.

“Hhhmm. Okay, maybe she didn’t betray me.” A smile played on her lips, and Malcolm thought, Another point under winner. I am on a roll!

She smiled wider as her stomach rumbled and asked “So what are we eating tonight, Doc.?”

Malcolm liked her playfulness. He was happy he’d put so much effort into planning the evening. She was responding well, and he felt a warmth for her already.

When he’d left his place earlier that evening, he’d asked Geoffrey, his driver and butler, to make his way slowly over to 72nd street. Malcolm had enjoyed the ride, and the streets that far north were tree lined. Central Park was only a few blocks away. He’d been excited about the evening, but given his last date, he’d been on edge.