All He Needs (All or Nothing) (18 page)

“Open your eyes, babe.”

Jeez, had she dozed off? Although after countless orgasms in bed and her recent one for the road, maybe she had an excuse.

A calm, measured look. “Do you want coffee?”

She shook her head, forced herself into the present. “I’ll have a rum and Coke later. If your sister has rum.”

“I’m sure she does. So?” Dominic held up two pairs of shoes. “You chose.”

She smiled. “Really. You think I can handle it?”

He grinned. “A limited choice, baby. Your fashion sense is appalling.”

“I believe I’ve said this before. I don’t care. Either one.”

“These then.” He swung a pair of black suede, ankle-strap shoes with gold studs down the chunky heels. “Unless you’d rather not wear heels.”

“Those are fucking high.”

“Depends how much you drink.”

She lifted her brows.

“Something less elevated then.” He dropped the ankle-strap shoes, knelt at her feet, and slipped on a pair of black glittery ballet flats. “These are safer. As I recall in Amsterdam, you weren’t too steady in spike heels.” Smoothly coming to his feet, he took her hands and pulled her up.

She looked up and grinned. “Maybe I was just hitting on you.”

“Lucky me.” He pulled some earrings out of his pocket—small gold hoops with single emerald teardrops. He’d told his jeweler to keep it simple.

“I probably
was
hitting on you,” she conceded. “Subconsciously at least.”

“While I was fully conscious of wanting to nail you on the spot.” He slipped on one earring, since he hadn’t gotten any grief.

“That would have raised a few eyebrows.”

“I doubt it. I pay their salaries.” He slipped on the other earring.

“Whoa… two things. First—not an image I want in my head. And second—don’t do that I’m-master-of-the-universe crap. It pisses me off.”

“Naturally, I apologize.”

She gave him a squinty-eyed look. “As if.”

He shook his head. “Haven’t you noticed yet, babe? My recent freak-out aside, I pretty much do whatever you want. You’re calling the shots. I’m just here to serve and assist.” He held out his hand. “We really have to go. I’ll introduce you to the part of my family I care about. You okay with your hair—need a brush?”

“You tell me.”

“Nah—that FF look is hot.”

“FF?”

He smiled. “Freshly fucked.”

“And you’re saying it’s okay in public?”

“We call it messy curls or artful disarray in public. You’re good. Let me get you a jacket. It’s trying to rain again tonight.”

She clamped her mouth shut when he walked out of his closet with a flower print, short, swingy, silk raincoat, the
background green, multicolored flowers in every color of the rainbow lighting up the fabric—the kind of making-a-statement raincoat you saw only on Paris runways.

“Arms out, babe. Ah… perfect. Now that’s a good fit,” he said calmly, as if none of the other clothes had fit. “Jeez, have you shrunk?” He sliced the air above her head, then drew the edge of his hand to his chest. “Must be the shoes.” He grinned. “Stay close. I’m going to have to keep you from being trampled tonight.”

It was impossible to be angry with him. Why was she even putting up a fight? All too soon, she’d be missing him.
So smell the roses while you can.

“Do you like the coat?”

He was smiling at her. “It’s perfect. Thanks.”

“Melanie’s going to love you, baby. Come on.” He grabbed her hand. “I can hardly wait to show you off.”

She put up her hand. “I’m not your newest toy. You know that—right?”

“Jesus, I don’t
want
you to be.” His voice dropped low. “I just want you to be
mine
.”

Something in his voice at the end made her nervous. “No scenes, okay?”

Mild puzzlement. “As in?”

“As in you getting hot about the men I talked to in Hong Kong.”

“Then don’t talk to other men.” A blunt, uncompromising command.

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re kidding.”

Seeing the flush flood her cheeks, he quickly rectified his error. “I was out of line. Sorry.” He blew out a small
breath. “I’m just so fucking jealous. I wish I weren’t. But”—he smiled faintly—“since I’m a control freak, I should be able to exercise a little self-control. So no scenes. I promise.”

Sometimes she caught a glimpse of the boy inside the mighty, overachieving, hard-ass global magnate. “Thanks,” Kate said. “I appreciate your understanding. And I’d rather be with you than anyone else, so there. We’re both on the same page.”

The warmth in his eyes brought a lump to her throat.

He dipped his head and lightly touched her lips. “It feels as though all the stars are aligned tonight,” he whispered against her mouth. “The first time ever for me.” He raised his head and smiled. “Crazy—hey?”

“Everything we do is crazy.” Aware of the shift in his tone, she was careful to keep her voice light. “Why stop now?”

They left Dominic’s home and walked outside to the sidewalk, where he pulled her to a stop. “Just a minute,” he murmured.

A second later, Leo, Danny, and two other men came out of the shadows of the adjacent yard—the houses separated only by their driveways.

Kate glanced up at Dominic. “They stay next door?”

“I like my privacy.”

“Is security really necessary?”

“It’s just a precaution.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just what I said. Evening, guys. How’s everyone?”

After greetings were exchanged, Leo and Danny took
up positions in front of them, the other two men fell in behind. Taking Kate’s hand in his, Dominic started walking east.

“You have to explain these four guys to me,” she hissed.

“There’s nothing to explain. I generally travel with security.”

“There wasn’t anyone with us in Hong Kong or Singapore.”

“We’re only walking a block tonight. It’s kinda hard for them to stay out of sight.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s all there is to it. There’s Melanie’s place up ahead,” he said, wanting to shut down this conversation. “Don’t feel as though you have to remember all the children’s names. They don’t care.”

W
hen they reached Melanie’s, Dominic and Kate went inside while the security crew checked out the perimeter of the house before coming in.

Dominic hung up Kate’s coat in the entrance hall closet, picked up the shopping bag that had been brought down from his house earlier, and gestured in the direction of distant voices. “We’ll find them in the kitchen. Family birthdays at Melanie’s are pizza since the kids got old enough to holler. It’s good pizza though. But save some room. The adult party has a better menu.”

When they reached the large kitchen at the back of the house, a wild whoop went up the moment they appeared in the archway. And a second later a wave of screaming young children powered toward them.

“Hey, hey, watch it, guys,” Dominic warned. “I have a guest tonight. Don’t knock her over.”

All but the youngest girl came to a skidding stop in time. The little blond toddler with curly hair grabbed Dominic’s leg and tried to climb up, shrieking, “Unka Nicky, Unka Nicky, hold me!”

Dropping the shopping bag, he swung her up in his arms and gave her a kiss on her chubby cheek. “Ummm… peanut butter.”

“We got a puppy! We got a puppy!” The little girl banged
on his shoulder with her half-eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Wanna see?”

“Give me a sec, sweetie. Eat your sandwich. I want to introduce my girlfriend.”

By this time, Melanie and Matt had come up, along with a stout, five-foot-nothing older woman who was smiling broadly enough for her kohled eyes to crinkle at the corners. With Birkenstocks on her feet, tie-dyed pajama pants, and brilliant henna-colored hair, she was, head to toe, a member of the hippie generation.

“Hi, Mrs. B.” Dominic moved forward to kiss her cheek, holding the sandwich-wielding toddler well away. “Are you keeping the ship running smoothly?”

“Of course.” She squinted at him with her snappy black eyes as he stepped back. “Are you still being a bad boy?”

“Uh-uh. I’ve got myself a girl. She’s keeping me in line.” He took Kate’s hand. “Katherine this is Mrs. B. She’s been helping around here for, what?”

“Seventeen years. Pleased to meet you, Miss Kate. You’ve got your hands full with him, I’ll tell you that.”

“I’ve noticed.” Kate glanced up at Dominic, her gaze mischievous. “We’re working on his manners.”

The housekeeper gave Dominic an approving smile. “She’s not afraid of you, Nicky. That’s good.”

Dominic dropped his head and gave her a quick grin. “I’m afraid of
her
, Mrs. B. Katherine’s one tough cookie.”

“It’s about time you’re afraid of someone.” She surveyed him with an examining gaze as good as any psych-ops interrogator’s. “Don’t want you to think you really do own the world.”

“As long as I have you to slap some sense into me that won’t happen.”

“Good thing I’m here then.” Her delivery was blunt, but she looked at him with tenderness.

“Still on your mission from God?” A half smile, a lift of one brow. “Who’s winning, Mrs. B?”

She snorted. “Have you ever seen me lose? Another thing,” she briskly added. “Tell your people to leave my kitchen spotless when they go. Last time I had to clean up after them.”

“You won’t even know they were here, Mrs. B,” Dominic said with a respectful dip of his head. “They got the message.”

She started untying her apron. “You kids have fun then. Nice to meet you, Miss Kate. I’ll see the rest of you in the morning.” Whipping off her apron, she smoothed her Grateful Dead T-shirt over her generous bosom, handed her apron to Melanie, and walked away like she was a member of the Olympic power walking team.

Kate found it fascinating that everyone deferred to the housekeeper, including Dominic. Even the little toddler had viewed the conversation in silence.

“Now that the warden’s gone,” Dominic said under his breath, a smile in his voice as he turned to Kate, “let me introduce everyone.” Holding Kate’s hand, he ran through the names: Melanie, Matt, Nicole, Isabelle, Keir, Dante, Rafe, and Ellie, who waved what was left of her sandwich when she heard her name. Melanie gave Kate a big hug, Matt did too, and all the children smiled warmly. “I told Katherine she doesn’t have to remember all your names right away,”
Dominic added, with a nod at the children. “So be polite, okay?”

“Can we see our presents now?”

The young girl Kate had seen at Dominic’s office in Palo Alto was speaking. Nicole was dark like Dominic and very beautiful, while Dominic’s sister was blond, delicate, warm, and welcoming, a younger, friendlier version of their mother, Letitia.

Dominic gave Melanie and Matt a sideways look. “It’s up to your parents.”

Melanie briefly surveyed her young brood. “As long as you remember your manners.”

Dominic grinned. “A few years too late for that.”

“At least they have
some
manners, unlike you.”

“You got me there, sis,” Dominic noted blandly. “Although Katherine’s trying to whip me into shape—aren’t you baby?”

Kate turned bright red.

“She blushes,” Dominic said with his best bad-boy grin. “Isn’t that sweet?” he said like a botanist might, showing off a newly discovered orchid from the deepest jungles of Indonesia. Leaning over, he pulled her close, even though Kate was giving him warning glances. “And while Katherine’s trying to teach me manners, I’m trying to teach her not to give such a shit about what people think. We’ve got a little work to go there though”—another teasing glance—“right, babe?”

“Good God, Nicky, stop,” Melanie ordered. “She won’t want to stay. Ignore him, Katherine. He can be spectacularly impudent. Go,” Melanie said, pointing in the direction
of the family room. “Get out of here, Nick. Katherine’s staying with me.”

Dropping a swift kiss on Kate’s cheek, Dominic turned to the sea of expectant, youthful faces. “Come on, kids, I’ll show you what I found in Singapore.” Bending to pick up the shopping bag, he glanced at Kate. “You okay if I leave?”

“Of course she is.” Melanie took Kate’s hand and looked at her brother with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m going to entertain her, tell her all your deep, dark secrets.”

Coming upright, Dominic’s eyes held a brief unease, quickly stifled. “Don’t believe anything she says, baby. And if you scare her off”—Dominic gave his sister a mock threatening look—“you’d better run.”

Melanie patted Dominic’s arm. “Now why would I want to do that when you’ve found someone so nice?”

His sister’s conciliatory response, her gentle hand on his arm, softened the set of Dominic’s mouth and Kate understood what a moderating influence she was in his life. Kate was grateful he had her. Dominic was, in so many ways, a man alone. Private, withdrawn, living an isolated life within the narrow confines of his privileged world.

“The pizza will be done in fifteen minutes though,” Melanie cautioned, giving her husband a warning look. “Show Nick your boat pictures later. Mrs. B won’t forgive us if we let her pizzas burn.”

“Don’t worry, sis. Your kids can rip open packages in no time flat. We’ll be done in plenty of time for pizza.” Dominic shot a look at his restless nieces and nephews, who were trying to control their impatience. “Ready, kids?” He nodded toward the family room. “Come on, Matt, you
can help me gear up some of this stuff.” A grin for the children. “First one seated has a chance to beat me at chess later tonight.”

As the thundering herd raced off, Melanie waved Kate toward a seating area off the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?”

“I would. I can make it though.” Kate could see a small bar against the far wall.

“Please, sit. I’ll get it. What would you like?”

“I’d like a rum and Coke, lime if you have it.”

“That sounds good. I’ll make two.”

A few minutes later Melanie carried over two ice-filled glasses, handed one to Kate, and dropped onto the sofa with Kate.

“Lovely view.” Kate indicated the window wall, lights sparkling on the other side of the bay.

“It is lovely, isn’t it?” Casually dressed in a pastel blue sweater and jeans, Melanie kicked off her shoes, tucked her legs under her, and leaned back against the arm rest. “Matt found the house for us before Nicole was born.”

“You have a wonderful family. Dominic’s lucky to live nearby. He was telling me he helped babysit Nicole and Isabelle when they were young.”

“He did. He’s great with kids. All the children absolutely adore him. He spoils them, of course, but I don’t mind. He needs family in his life.” Melanie smiled. “To remind him there’s another world beyond making deals. Although you seem to have coaxed him away for a few days, at least. Roscoe tells me Dominic is actually on vacation. I’m pleased you were able to do that. He’s never taken a vacation before. You must tell me your secret.”

“I’m afraid I didn’t have anything to do with his decision. Dominic doesn’t ask for advice—at least not from me. I ran into him in Singapore and the next thing I knew, we were on a plane, coming here.”

“Say what you will,” Melanie said with a cheerful lilt to her voice, “if not for you, I very much doubt Dominic would have cleared his calendar. You didn’t know that? Roscoe called me to see if I could talk some sense into Nick. I told him, ‘Not on your life.’ ” Melanie paused and gave Kate a warm smile. “I can tell he likes you.”

“He’s very likable as well,” Kate said, blushing, then quickly changed the subject. She wasn’t about say that Dominic was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her. “I hope I’m not imposing tonight. Dominic says no, but then he tends to overlook other people’s opinions.”

Melanie laughed. “You’ve noticed. I could pretend Nick’s presumption is a result of his success in business, but”—her mouth twitched into a lopsided smile—“Nicky’s been telling people what to do most of his life. I just ignore him. I suggest you do the same. As for imposing—you’re not in the least. It’s a pleasure to have you join us. Nick has never brought a friend over to any family occasion.” Her smile faded and, looking down, she ran a finger around the rim of her glass. A brief silence fell before she looked up. “Do you mind me asking you how you feel about Nick, other than liking him? Forgive me,” she softly added, seeing Kate’s sudden unease. “I know I’m overprotective. But I worry about Nick. He’s been through a lot.”

Kate hesitated a moment then said, “The death of his wife you mean.”

“Yes, that too.”

Melanie glanced away, lost for a moment in the obscure misery of Dominic’s youth. Then she blinked and reclaimed the present. “I can’t help but notice,” she said, then stopped. “Well—how Nick’s so cheerful with you, vital—even joyful. I’m so grateful to see him like that, smiling, happy. You see, Nick normally doesn’t relate well to people… with any intimacy, I mean. Although,” she added with a small smile, “he can be very charming if he wishes.”

“I know,” Kate said, indelibly conscious of Dominic’s many virtues. “I’ve seen Dominic’s charm in action… in Amsterdam and again at a charity event in Hong Kong. He’s amazingly charismatic. Every woman was captivated, and the men liked him as well. He raised a lot of money for Max’s wife that night.”

“How nice for Liv. I haven’t seen her since Conall was born.” Melanie paused, as though debating her next remark, before she said, “I understand you met my mother when you were in Hong Kong. You may have noticed that she and Dominic lack… er—a certain—rapport.”

That was a nice way to put it.
Since Melanie had brought up the subject of their mother, Kate gave in to her morbid curiosity about the life and times of Dominic Knight. “Dominic told me a little about his childhood.” She watched Melanie’s face in the event it was a forbidden topic. “He mentioned the therapists.”

Melanie’s head jerked up. “He did?”

“Forgive me,” Kate said quickly. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. Really, it’s none of my business.”

“No, please, it’s not that. I’m just surprised.” Melanie
was barely breathing, visibly pale. “Nick never speaks of those days.”

“I may have pressed him… just a little,” Kate replied, softly apologetic. “Although he didn’t seem to mind.”

“Obviously, if he told you what he did.” Melanie gave her head a little shake, as if settling the dust from those undecipherable years. “It seemed like the nightmare would never end,” she said so softly it was barely audible. “Although it was so much worse for Nick.” She dragged in a breath. “It was really hateful.”

“I can imagine… actually I can’t,” Kate said bluntly. “He was so young. I can’t fathom… all those years of”—she didn’t know where to look when she wanted to say,
All those years of torture.

Melanie sighed, set her glass aside, clasped her hands together, and kept her gaze on her tightly clenched fingers. “I was too young to do more than offer him comfort. I wish I could have done more. I felt so helpless.” She looked up, unclenched her fingers, smiled a tiny desolate smile. “But Nick wasn’t completely defenseless even then. He was always very strong. Iron-willed. Determined.”

“I don’t know how strong you can be at six. I mean… six, Jesus—oh, hell, sorry. It’s not your fault.”

“You’re right to be appalled,” Melanie said, her voice very small, her brows drawn together as though recalling the anguish. “I’ve always felt that Nick should have been born into a different family where… well—just a different family. One that celebrates independent children.” Her sudden smile was fragile, strangely touched with humor. “Although, from the very beginning, Nicky was remarkably… active,
actually activist—like a one-baby revolt. He was unbelievably demanding. He never cooed or gurgled, he screamed the house down through four nurses and two au pairs. I was the only one who could hold him, make him smile, silence his screams. I’d sit beside him and read to him while the nurses fed him or he wouldn’t eat. So I was taken out of school and privately tutored until Nick entered preschool at three.”

“Jeez.”

She laughed softly. “You see what you’re in for? Nick’s always been very willful. It’s how he survived. And since he had so little control as a child, his need for control now is huge. He treats my family as a special case—as his special dispensation. But in general”—she rolled her eyes—“watch out.” A smile flickered across her face. “Now I hope I haven’t frightened you away. Really, Nicky has very nice manners.”