A Night to Remember (17 page)

His girlfriend. Joshua stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had nearly forgotten about that little white lie.

“That gleam of mischief in your eyes is making me very nervous, Joshua.” Eleanor slowly lowered the large calendar she was clutching. “You aren't going to put any conditions on this favor, are you? Like having me pretend again that we're dating?”

He hadn't thought anything of the kind. His father already knew the truth about them, but Joshua realized he had never told Eleanor about the conversation he'd had with his dad before they'd left North Carolina. He could very easily tell her that now.

But the words remained unsaid. Maybe, just maybe, if he could get Eleanor to let her guard down for a few hours, he'd have a chance at penetrating that wall she had erected between them.

“You don't have to pretend about anything, Eleanor,” Joshua said. “I'll simply tell my father and Rosemary the truth about us. I can't, however, vouch for how they'll react. Especially my father. You've witnessed firsthand that stubborn temperament of his.”

Joshua's answer couldn't have been any more ambiguous. Frankly, he felt twice as shocked by the words he had spoken as she looked. But he didn't refute them. He picked up the stapler on her desk and idly toyed with it, letting her take her time, hoping desperately she would draw the wrong conclusions and thus make the decision he intended.

He knew he had her firmly on the ropes by the conflicted expression on her face and the way she kept tapping her chin with the tip of her finger. Feeling only a twinge of remorse, he moved in for the score.

“It's your call, Eleanor. Do you want me to tell them the truth about us?”

“N-no.” The tapping ceased. “I don't want you to lie to your father or Rosemary, but then again there's no need to reveal all of the ugly truth.”

It was hard not to gloat, but Joshua somehow managed. “Fine. When they come north, we'll be a couple again. I'm sure I'm just stating the obvious, but you do realize you'll probably have to spend some time with me entertaining them? They'll expect it. I promise to try and keep the activities to a minimum. I certainly don't want to impose on your time.”

She glanced suspiciously at him and he realized he was probably laying it on a bit thick. Eleanor might be gullible, but she wasn't stupid. “Do you have those dates handy?”

Distracted, she returned her attention to the calendar, but her expression remained mildly suspicious. The minute he had the list safely secured in his pocket, he jumped to his feet. “Better get back to work. There's a pile of books and an eager helper waiting for me.”

He hurried over to the bookshelf, feeling oddly guilty that he was being so deceptive and not experiencing much remorse. He smiled ironically, remembering that he had made an offhand comment to Eleanor about all being fair in love and war. With surprise, Joshua realized he had absolutely meant every word of it.

“What exciting things have you two been doing lately?” Rosemary asked Eleanor, once they were all seated at a quiet table in the restaurant.

Eleanor gave her a vague smile and deliberately turned toward Joshua. As much as she feared his outrageous answers, she was very uncomfortable with the notion of lying or even exaggerating the truth to either Rosemary or Warren.

“It's been a rather hectic time at work for both of us, so we haven't had the usual free time available to indulge ourselves,” Joshua replied, draping his hand possessively over the back of Eleanor's chair. “We manage daily phone conversations and weekend dates, but that's starting to frustrate us both. Isn't that right, sweetheart?”

“Mmmm,” Eleanor mumbled, deliberately pushing a large portion of the warm bread that had been placed on the table into her mouth, reasoning that it was better if Rosemary and Warren thought she was very hungry or had appalling table manners. Anything to avoid furthering the lie that she and Joshua were involved in a romantic relationship.

Eleanor had been greeted like a long-lost family member by the older couple, with hugs and kisses and genuine smiles. It made her feel awful. Even though she had agreed to attend this dinner, she vowed right then not to do anything that would encourage the lie that she and Joshua had a serious future together.

Although there
had
been moments over the past three weeks when Eleanor had questioned her feelings toward him. After returning from North Carolina she might have realized that she had fallen in love with a mere image of the man she believed him to be, but recently discovering aspects of the man he truly was now forced her to revise her opinion once again.

He was still dictatorial and demanding and could on occasion be downright rude. But he also had a wicked sense of humor and possessed the rare ability to laugh at himself. He also had an abundance of charm, intelligence, and incredible wealth.

After being fired from the firm, she had felt so strongly that a relationship between her and Joshua was an impossibility. Yet that certainty had been tested more than once over the past few weeks.

She never believed he would return to do additional volunteer work after his disastrous first afternoon. But he did, every Saturday morning, coaxing her into a lunch date before he left. Those days had been punctuated with flirting, teasing, sometimes arguing, but they were never dull afternoons.

Often he would make comments that bordered on the improper, letting her know in no uncertain terms that he found her desirable. That always gave her a secret thrill, yet left her feeling the most confused, the most unsure.

He had followed up immediately on his promise to ask Rosemary to come to the library. Her writing schedule could only accommodate an immediate visit and Joshua had performed nothing short of a miracle to get everything ready. He had even arranged for some local press coverage, which would be beneficial to both the library and Rosemary.

“Work is important, but don't forget to take some time out to play,” Warren said. “If you two ever need a place for a quick getaway, don't hesitate to come visit us. We're only a short plane ride away. Since it's summer, the weather is still hot, but it starts cooling down nicely in autumn. Nothing more romantic than a stroll on the beach in cool weather. Perfect excuse to cuddle.”

“Warren, stop it.” Rosemary patted her husband's hand. “You're embarrassing Eleanor.”

“Thanks for the invitation, Dad.” Joshua smiled at his father. “We might just take you up on that offer when things settle down.”

Eleanor shifted uncomfortably in her chair, saying nothing. In the face of their generous hospitality she felt like even more of a fraud. She fiddled with the stem of her water glass, hovering on the brink of confessing the truth, when the waiter arrived with their menus, followed by the wine steward with the wine selections.

Warren and Rosemary began a detailed discussion with the steward. It was clear they were connoisseurs and the steward was obviously pleased by their knowledge and eager to share his own expertise.

Normally Eleanor would have been fascinated by the discussion and pleased at the opportunity to gain some firsthand knowledge on a subject that she knew very little about, but had always been interested in. Yet she found she had trouble concentrating on the details.

Halfheartedly, she took a sip of each of the three wines that had been suggested and decided they all tasted the same. Expensive and bitter.

“Have you decided on your dinner entree?” Joshua asked, leaning close.

She risked a frown at him, since Rosemary and Warren were occupied with the wine steward. “How about liar's delight?”

Joshua looked as if he was about to say something, but he must have changed his mind. “Try the salmon. Or the lobster. All the seafood is excellent here.”

With a petulant expression, Eleanor scanned the menu. Maybe she should order something spicy. If anyone noticed her lack of conversation she could always say her mouth was on fire from the food.

She turned the page on the large menu and hit upon the perfect choice. Pepper-crusted beef fillet, pan-seared in garlic butter. When the waiter asked, she devilishly ordered the dish to be prepared with extra garlic, deciding that the first time Joshua stepped out of line she was going to breathe on him. Heavily.

The moment their hands were free of the large menus, Eleanor felt Joshua fumbling under the linen tablecloth. There was a bump against her leg and then his palm came to rest possessively on her upper thigh. She fidgeted in her chair, trying to scoot away. It was a spacious table, but there wasn't much room to maneuver.

The hand moved fractionally. A delicious quiver worked through her and she almost forgot to be annoyed with him. She glanced over at him, but his head and attention were centered on his father and the conversation they were having. Deciding to be magnanimous, Eleanor concluded that Joshua's touch was accidental.

Yet his hand stayed on her leg, putting her nerve endings on full alert. Eleanor grew increasingly uncomfortable, dismayed at how easily he could get her flustered. It took enormous self-control not to respond in a big way, but she was very aware of Rosemary and Warren. Had they noticed the gesture? Mortified at the thought, Eleanor sat up straighter and pulled back, as far away from Joshua as she could, trying not to seem too obvious.

Finally, he glanced in her direction. She immediately narrowed her eyes and glared. Joshua grinned down at her, shrugged his shoulders, and noisily moved his chair closer to hers. His hand remained where it had been, inappropriately perched upon her thigh.

“... so I told the guy there was no way—” Warren abruptly ceased talking and glanced at them suspiciously. “Is something wrong, Joshua?”

“No, Dad. Finish your story.” The moment Warren resumed speaking, Joshua's hand glided further up Eleanor's leg and started a journey toward her inner thigh. Her skin broke out in goose bumps. She gritted her teeth and clamped her knees together tightly, trapping his fingers.

She heard his startled curse and smiled. Feeling triumphant at finally thwarting him, Eleanor smugly glanced his way, disappointed to discover only a hint of strain about his lips.

“How's the golf game, Dad? Is Rosemary still beating you?”

Rosemary grinned with delight. “Two out of three times. He starts out strong, but usually runs into trouble on the back nine. And he grumbles about it all the time.”

“I grumble because you make me walk the course,” Warren insisted. “Zaps my strength and takes us twice as long to play a round.”

“There is nothing wrong with your stamina.” Rosemary winked slyly at her husband. “Do you play golf, Eleanor?”

“No.” Eleanor squeaked out her answer. Joshua's hand was now firmly wedged in between her thighs and she couldn't figure out how to get him to remove it without causing a major commotion. “Golf looks like a fun sport. I've always wanted to learn how to play.”

“I didn't realize you were interested in golf. I'd be happy to teach you,” Joshua offered with a charming smile. He shot her an assessing look and wiggled his fingers.

Eleanor nearly groaned out loud. The heat from his hand was starting to send shivers of sensation throughout her body. Her eyebrows rose in alarm. Was he actually going to try and carry on a polite conversation with his hand wedged between her legs?

The thought alone was enough to make her break out in a cold sweat. Thankfully, the arrival of the salad course saved Eleanor from having to make any further conversation. As the waiter expertly wielded a large pepper mill, she began wickedly imagining what she would do if she held a golf club in her hand right now. Perhaps bash Joshua over the head with it?

Eleanor shifted in her seat. To her great consternation, the movement gave Joshua better access to her sensitive flesh. He wiggled his fingers again and the light, fluttery movement nearly made her jump out of her chair. She speared a piece of lettuce forcefully, took a small bite of her salad and tried desperately to ignore the warm, glittering sensations his touch evoked.

It wasn't easy. With each slow, circular stroke it felt like her insides were melting. Joshua next slid his hand downward, confining his caresses to the soft, vulnerable spot on her inner thigh just above her knee. It drove her nuts.

Eleanor seized the opportunity the moment the waiter appeared and started clearing away the salad course to tilt her head near his and hiss in his ear. “What in the world do you think you are doing?”

“Being friendly?” He actually had the nerve to sound affronted by her question. There was still a hint of strain about his lips, but no other sign of distress.

She flinched away from him. “I ordered steak for dinner and I'm sure it will be served with an extra sharp knife. You'd better behave, or else it might end up in a most indiscreet part of your anatomy.”

“Your occasional nastiness I can learn to live with, but a violent streak really intrigues me.” He lowered his voice to that sexy, sultry pitch she found so irresistible. “Have you ever fantasized about being tied up on a bed and ravished?”

Eleanor nearly sprayed her mouthful of wine all over the table. A coughing fit ensued and by the time it was over her face was the same color as the lovely burgundy wine—deep red. But Joshua's hand was also gone.

Eleanor stifled a smile. He might be shameless, but he was incredibly inventive, too. Dinner arrived and the conversation between the four adults resumed. Eleanor deliberately took her time eating, cutting the delicious steak into tiny pieces so that every time she was asked a direct question by Rosemary or Warren, she could give a very brief reply and then fork in a bite of food. That left Joshua to carry the bulk of their side of the discussion.

She was pleased to note that he seemed far more comfortable around his father and Rosemary than he had been in North Carolina. As Joshua launched into another story, she realized that she was the center of several of his anecdotes, always emerging in a positive light.

When he finished one particularly outrageous tale about her and some of the children at the library, he grabbed her hand and lifted it to his lips. She snatched it back before he had a chance to kiss it and gave a small cough, letting him know she wasn't going to put up with any more of his manipulation. She generally was slow to anger, but something about the way Joshua was acting tonight seemed to get her blood boiling in record time.

They placed their orders for dessert. When fifteen minutes had elapsed without any additional antics, Eleanor finally began to relax. Apparently Joshua had declared a moratorium on his juvenile behavior. Yet just when she thought she had herself—and Joshua—under control, she felt a light caress against her leg. Her head swung immediately toward Joshua, but his hands were in plain view. She had almost convinced herself she had imagined it, when it happened again.

Thinking fast, Eleanor pushed the linen napkin off her lap.

“Oh, I've lost my napkin,” she announced softly, to no one in particular, ducking her head under the table. Even in the darkness it took only a second to see that it had been the tip of Joshua's shoe intimately caressing her calf.

Eleanor's patience snapped. Without another thought, she sat upright in her chair, pulled her knee up, and kicked him in the shin as hard as she could.

Joshua's barely muffled curse let her know she'd scored a direct hit. It was a small, petty, infantile act and it made her feel ten feet tall.

“Was that your leg, Joshua?” Eleanor asked in sweet innocence, bestowing her best facsimile of deep concern and worry upon him for Rosemary and Warren's sake.

“That's okay,” Joshua gritted out. “I have another one.”

“How clumsy of me. I'm so sorry.” Eleanor kept her gaze directly on Joshua, certain there were wicked lights of devilment flashing in her eyes as she gazed at him.

He raised his snifter of brandy toward her in mock salute. She drew her knuckles to her mouth to prevent a full-blown laugh from escaping. She didn't think either Rosemary or Warren had realized she'd kicked him. Eleanor almost wished they had, deciding it might be amusing to watch him try and explain why his
girlfriend.
was acting so oddly.

Eleanor took a sip of her coffee, deciding to hold onto her cup with both hands, lest it leap out, dumping its contents into Joshua's lap. If the situation weren't so completely ludicrous she might succumb to the absurdity and burst into laughter.

Miraculously they finished the meal without further incident. Eleanor was relieved when the waiter finally presented the bill. The strain of the evening was really starting to wear her down, so much so that she barely tasted her beautiful chocolate soufflé.