Tender Kisses (4 page)

“I have to go, Justin.”

“You're not going to answer my question?”

“No, I am not,” she whispered. “Goodbye.”

“I'll talk to you later.” Justin drummed his fingers on the desk. He had no idea what possessed him to flirt with her that way. His common sense seemed to take a hike each time he heard her voice. Canceling the date would be the best thing, but he didn't see that happening, either.

Chapter 4

S
iobhan clutched the phone to her chest and drew in a deep, steadying breath. Hearing Justin's smooth-as-velvet voice brought back everything his kisses made her feel with vivid clarity—feelings she had spent the past three hours trying to forget. Why hadn't she declined that second date?

“Siobhan, are you planning to bring that mac and cheese to the table sometime today, or are you going to stand there daydreaming?”

She whirled around at the sound of her mother's voice and shoved the cell into her jeans pocket. “I'm coming right now.” She grabbed the dish and rushed off to the dining room.

“Is everything all right, honey?” her mother asked, following behind Siobhan and placing a platter filled with sliced prime rib, turkey and ham on the table. “You looked a little troubled after that phone call.”

She shifted uncomfortably under her mother's scrutiny. “I'm fine. Just talking to a friend.” She glanced back at the table laden with all manner of food. “I think that's about it. I'll go let everybody know.”

Lively chatter commenced as her family gathered around the table. There was a brief pause in the conversation while her father blessed the food, and then it started up again as everyone filled his or her plate.

“Siobhan, that's all you're eating?” Siobhan's only sister, Morgan, asked. “Usually, three-fourths of your plate is covered with macaroni and cheese.”

Siobhan glanced down at her half-empty plate. Macaroni and cheese was her absolute favorite food, but thoughts of Justin still had her stomach in knots. “I'm just not that hungry.”

“Did you eat with your friend earlier?” her mother asked.

Brandon turned her way. “What friend?”

Siobhan rolled her eyes. “I just met a friend for coffee.”

“It wouldn't happen to be one of the men I saw you dancing with last night?”

“Really, Brandon? All those men wanted to pitch their latest product. I don't know why they didn't just talk to you or Daddy.”

“In case you haven't noticed, Dad's a little intimidating, and you're way prettier than Brandon,” Khalil said with a chuckle.

“Whatever,” she said.

“Does that include the guy you danced with twice and who walked you out?” Brandon asked mildly after taking a sip of his tea.

She leveled him with an angry stare. “I can't believe you. What, were you following me or something?”

“Just answer the question.”

“None of your business,” Siobhan snapped.

“Brandon, leave your sister alone,” her mother interrupted. “Was he a nice young man, Siobhan?”

Siobhan groaned inwardly. DeAnna Gray was on a mission to see all of her children happily married, and with Siobhan being the oldest, her mother thought she should set the example. Siobhan shrugged. “He was nice enough, but as I said, they all just really wanted an in to the company.”

“You know, there was this one young man I met last night,” her father started. “He had a great idea. I told him to call the office and get on my schedule.”

“Did you recognize him, Dad?” Brandon asked.

“No. He said his name was—”

Her mother held up her hand. “All right, all right. That's enough. There will be no business talk at the dinner table.” The rule had been in place as far back as Siobhan could remember.

Her father nodded. “You're right, Anna.”

The conversation shifted to Malcolm's upcoming vacation. He usually took a monthlong retreat in the spring before he had to start football training camp in late summer. “I'm looking forward to getting away for a while. And I've never been to Belize, so it should be fun.”

“Too bad we're getting ready for the new product release. I'd really like to go with you,” Siobhan said.

“Me, too,” Morgan added. “I haven't had time to even think about a vacation.” Morgan worked in the company's legal department, joining right out of law school two years ago.

Malcolm smiled. “Vonnie, I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind giving you two a few days off. Brandon, on the other hand...” He shook his head.

Everyone burst into laughter. Siobhan put in hours well above what was considered normal, but Brandon was a true workaholic.

Brandon waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever, boy. At least I have a real job, instead of running down a field with a ball and working less than half a year. And I take
plenty
of time to play.”

The usual argument ensued about who worked harder, drawing Khalil, a former model turned fitness buff, into the discussion. Siobhan and Morgan shared a smile, shook their heads and resumed eating.

Later, while putting food away, Morgan asked, “So, you met a guy at the fund-raiser last night?”

“I met several. One was older than Grandpa, two were trying so hard to impress me that they stuttered and babbled like idiots, and one had bathed in some foul-smelling concoction that was supposed to be cologne, and it was all I could do not to pass out. They all tried to ask me out and pitch their idea in one breath. Lately, those are the only men I seem to attract.”

Morgan laughed. “Sounds like you had a fun night. I'm glad I didn't go. Which one was the guy Brandon mentioned? The one you danced with twice and walked you out. What was his angle?”

“Neither. Actually, Justin and I just danced.” She spooned the remaining potato salad into the container and put on the lid. “I met him at a café downtown this morning.”

“Ah. So that's why you rushed me off the phone. How'd it go?”

Siobhan shrugged. “Okay, I guess. He asked me out again, but I don't know.”

“Was he a nice guy?”

“Yeah. He seems nice enough, so far.” She recalled the three hours they spent talking and laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she had spent so much time simply sitting and talking with a man. And enjoying it.

“If he's nice, go for it. You deserve someone better than Arthur.” Morgan wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something bad. “I couldn't stand him. I wish you had let the brothers kick his butt like they wanted to. He had it coming after what he did to you. Did you ever get your money back?”

Siobhan cringed at the mention of her ex. “Only some of it. He had already invested five thousand in the scam that went belly-up, and he wasted the rest. Getting my money back would've meant filing a suit, a public battle and more people in my business. I just wanted it all to go away.” It had taken her two years of dedication to grow her savings account again.

Morgan placed stacked containers into bags for each of them—her mother insisted—and the others into the refrigerator. “Well, hopefully Justin doesn't turn out to be a jerk. I assume since he was at the banquet last night that he's in the safety business.”

“He said he has a couple of products on the market, but we didn't really talk about it. We talked mostly about growing up with annoying siblings.”

“Hey!” Morgan said with mock outrage. “I was
not
annoying.”

Siobhan laughed. “Not too often. And you were my only ally against the boys.”

“Tell me about it.”

Malcolm came into the kitchen. “Uh-oh. What are you two in here plotting?”

“Nothing, big head,” Morgan said and handed him a bag.

“Thanks. You ready to leave?”

“Yep.”

Siobhan shook her head. “You rode with him on that motorcycle?”

Morgan grinned. “But of course. You should try it.”

“No, thanks. I prefer having a little more metal surrounding me.”

Malcolm kissed Siobhan's cheek. “It's fun, and I'm a safe driver. Whenever you want to ride, let me know. I'll go extra slow.”

“I'll pass.” Siobhan and Morgan hugged. “Be safe, you two.”

“We will,” they chorused.

She smiled at the twins as they exited. Morgan had always been a daredevil, just like her twin, and thought she should be able to do anything Malcolm did, including playing football. Good thing it wasn't allowed in the NFL; otherwise Morgan might give him a run for his money. Siobhan finished up in the kitchen, said her goodbyes and headed home.

She put in a couple of hours of work before going to bed, and she was up and in the office by six thirty the next morning working on the press kit for the new pressure-distribution mattress the company would be unveiling in two weeks. The test subjects had raved over the comfort, usability and ease of care as compared to other same type of mattresses, and the marketing team had done a great job generating public interest.

Siobhan spoke with the production manager to make sure the mattress would be ready as scheduled, checked with the marketing manager for copies of the new brochure and the website designer to make sure it had been updated. At nine, she made her way one floor down to the conference room for the weekly staff meeting. She greeted those already seated, placed her folders on the table and went to get a cup of coffee. Siobhan didn't drink coffee often, but since they had purchased a Keurig Brewing System, she allowed herself one cup of Mocha Swirl each week.

Minutes later, her father called the meeting to order. Siobhan listened to the announcements and updates. She nearly jumped out of her skin when her cell buzzed in the pocket of her suit jacket. In her haste to get to the meeting, she had forgotten to put it on Silent. She pulled it out and her hand froze midswipe. She knew she should just turn it off until the meeting concluded, but seeing the text from Justin piqued her curiosity, and she clicked on the message.

When I woke up this morning, you were the first thing on my mind. I hope you're thinking about me, too. I'll call you later to discuss our first date. I can't wait to see you again.

She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the excitement that raced through her. The last thing she needed was to let a simple text message get under her skin.

“Siobhan?”

Her father's voice broke into her thoughts, and her eyes snapped open. The woman next to her whispered that it was Siobhan's turn to give an update. Siobhan pulled herself together and presented her information, but for the remainder of the meeting she couldn't keep her mind off Justin. After the meeting, Brandon cornered her.

“You okay, sis?”

“Fine. Just focused on making sure we're ready to go public with the new mattress.”

He nodded. “I heard you've been here from early morning to late at night. You need to delegate.”

“No. This is my job and I'm not going to let Daddy down.” One of her greatest fears had always been disappointing her parents. As the oldest, Siobhan felt it was her responsibility to set the example. Her stomach constricted with the memory of the one time she'd slipped.

“Delegating isn't letting Dad down. It's keeping your sanity. Take it from me. I know.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Stop trying to do it all. I'll see you later.”

She watched him go, then gathered up her belongings.

“Mr. Cohen never had to be called twice in a meeting.”

Siobhan slowly turned to face Gordon Samuels. The fortysomething-year-old man worked in her department and made it no secret that he didn't think Siobhan could handle the PR director position. He had voiced on several occasions all the reasons he should have been appointed to the position when Mr. Cohen retired a year ago, including the fact that he had worked for the company three years longer than Siobhan. She took in the rumpled suit that looked as if it had been slept in, the crooked tie that didn't match anything he had on and the grease stain on the front of his white shirt. She wanted to stand him in front of a mirror. While Gordon came up with some good ideas, there was no way she'd ever allow him to be the face of her family's company. Image was everything, and his... She shook her head.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” Siobhan asked.

“The only reason you're in this position is because your father owns the company. That job should've been mine,” he gritted out.

“Whatever you say, Gordon.” Rather than stoop to his level, she just shook her head and walked out. She had more pressing things to deal with, like finding a way to decline that date with Justin. With Gordon gunning for her job, she had to stay on her toes. And that meant not being distracted by the mahogany Adonis.

* * *

Justin poured a second cup of coffee, hoping it would give him the jolt he needed, and took it outside to sip while sitting on the back deck. He'd lain awake for most of the night thinking about Siobhan and how much he wanted to kiss her again. Even his morning run had done nothing to clear his mind. He had sent her a text, but she hadn't replied. Not that he thought she would.

Even though she had seemed to enjoy their time together, she kept the ironclad control wrapped around her like a protective armor. Did she ever let her guard down enough to have some fun? And what would she be like if she let go? Downing the last of the liquid, he stood and went back inside to call Gray Home Safety. With any luck, he'd be able to get on the schedule by the end of the week. Justin retrieved the card from his office desk and punched in the number. Minutes later, he hung up, disappointed. The earliest appointment wasn't for three weeks. In a way, it was a good thing since he still had a few things that he needed to work on. Now that the fog surrounding his brain had lifted, he went to work.

Justin's focus held for the first hour, but thoughts of Siobhan slowly crept into the forefront of his mind. She had probably started her workday, and if her job was as hectic as she said, he didn't expect to hear from her anytime soon. Pushing the speculations aside, he shifted back into work mode, alternating between typing codes and testing the sensors. By the time he looked up again, more than three hours had passed. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. He had been staring at the computer screen for so long the letters and numbers started to blur. Justin rubbed a hand across his forehead and rose to his feet. His cell rang in midstretch. A smile creased his face when he saw Siobhan's name on the screen.