Better Than Before (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (23 page)

She moaned at the loss.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you want me to throw you on the floor and ravage you.”

She kept looking at him.

“You have to say aloud you’re ready to make love, Annie. I’m not taking the risk of making another mistake.”

“I’m readier than I thought,” she joked.

“Perfect timing, when I have to leave town. But hold that thought. I’ll call you from New York. We can talk on the phone and maybe when I get back, you’ll be sure.”

Leaning over, he kissed her hard, not gentle, not coaxing, then he walked out the door.

Chapter 12

“Hi, honey.”

Her son was stretched out on the couch in the playroom, dressed in Gap pajama bottoms and a T-shirt, reading a book. She took a chair across from him and noted the title—
Old Yeller
. Annie had cried when she’d read the novel at his age and when she’d seen the movie as an adult.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Are you enjoying that story now as much as you did when you were younger?” His class’s English assignment had been to pick a book they’d read as a child to see how they responded to it as a middle-schooler.

“It’s different. But cool.” He gestured to the dog sleeping on the floor. “What’s wrong with Jake tonight?”

“Why? Is he sick again?”

“No. He’s been moping since I got home.”

She thought of his response to Spence this afternoon. “Actually, I was thinking he’s been better lately.”

“It’s like he’s looking for somebody.” Alex eyed her suspiciously. “Was somebody here today, Mom?”

She’d never blatantly lied to her kids. And maybe it was time to test the waters, especially if she was going to take her relationship with Spence to the next level. “Yes, I had a friend over for lunch.”

Her son’s eyes widened. “A guy?”

She hoped he didn’t object. With all that was going on, she didn’t want to upset him. “Yes. A guy. Does that bother you?”

“Not really. Dad has Belinda.”

“And you like her, right?”

“She’s okay. Dad says she tries too hard with us.”

“He should give her some leeway.”

“She says he’s too interested in your welfare.”

No way was she going there with her son. But she liked that he was opening up instead of making her probe. “You didn’t answer the question about me having company. His name is Spence, by the way.”

“I’m down with it.” Alex seemed genuinely interested. “You never dated before.”

“Maybe it’s time.”

“How come Jake liked him so much?”

Annie chuckled. “Spence surprised us with a visit to PetPlay.”

“No fair! Me and Hope wanted to take him there forever.”

“Maybe we all can do that together. Now, back to you. School go well?”

“M-om!”

“I’m going to keep asking, honey, but you seem better.” She stood, crossed to him and kissed his head. “Don’t stay up too late with that.” She thought about telling him not to go on the computer. There was a connection to what was happening at school and his online visits, she was sure of it, and cyberbullying was rampant. But she bit her tongue. He’d said he needed privacy, so she walked out without extending the caveat.

She’d already tucked Hope in so she went to her bedroom to wait for Spence’s call. Like a high school girl, she’d kept her cell in her pocket all evening long. She closed the door, tossed the phone on the bed and had just gotten off her skirt when the cell rang.

A deep voice said, “Hi.”

“Hi.”

“Are you alone, Annie?”

She had to clear her throat. Even the timbre of his words warmed her. And more. Unbuttoning her blouse, she shrugged out of it, too. “Yes, I was undressing.”

“Are you naked?”

“Nope, in my underwear.” She added mischievously, “It’s navy blue and skimpy.”

He groaned. “I’m not sure I can take this. Change the subject. Stay undressed though. I’m enjoying the image.”

Easing onto the bed, she lay back against the pillow. “I told Alex about us.”

There was a loud clatter on the other end.

“Spence?”

A moment, then, “I dropped the phone. How did that come about?”

“He asked why Jake was so morose. I told him about PetPlay.”

“Jake’s morose?”

“Since you left.

“I’m glad somebody misses me.”

“I miss you. Anyway, Alex had a fit we went to PetPlay without him. Like I told you, the kids have wanted to take the dog there.”

“Say the word and we can do it when I get back.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Hmm. That’s progress.”

“So’s this call, Spence, don’t you think?”

“I do, sweetheart. I do.”

It was fun—the teasing, the flirting filled with innuendo. They hadn’t done that online. In some ways, they were getting to know each other all over again. It was new and heady and made Annie want him even more.

o0o

The next day, Spence had to work hard to concentrate on his morning meetings with three of his clients. A company he’d bought two years ago was expanding, another losing money and a third needed some intense revamping of their current budget. By late afternoon, he was anxious for the day to be over. As he waited for the Hendersons to arrive, Spence let himself think about his talk with Annie last night. She’d told Alex about them, which was a huge deal. And she’d more than hinted she was ready to make love. Spence wanted this woman with an intensity that frightened him.

The Hendersons interrupted his ruminations when they entered the room.

“Sorry,” Eli said. “We stopped for coffee.” He handed Spence a cardboard cup, and for a minute, Spence was touched by their thoughtfulness. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Thanks, and no, I got here right before you did.”

As he dropped down in a chair, Eli sat forward eagerly. “Wait till you see what I’ve got. I think you’ll be happy, Spence.”

He gave Spence the revised business plan for AllGreen. Using Spence’s name, and thus his influence, Jacob had targeted well over fifty companies that required uniforms: ones that Global had taken on as clients or businesses those clients had connections with. The Hendersons had contacted each one, and twenty-five were willing to talk to them about changing over their substantial and, better yet, renewable orders for clothes made by AllGreen. Fifteen weren’t interested at this time—they were most likely waiting to see how the uniforms initially fared—and the rest were still on the fence.

“Which ones are on board so far?” he asked.

“I visited the first five last week.” Jacob smiled. “They’re willing to sign up.”

Spence asked Eli, “What about you?”

“Um, none yet.”

Surprised, Spence went on alert. “I would have thought you’d have gone after some by now, like Jacob. Having ten companies on board for this meeting would be very impressive.”

Jacob started to explain, but Eli interrupted. “I’ll do this, Dad. You’re right, we should have more orders by now. We planned to, actually. But my trips were delayed because my wife is at the end of a high-risk pregnancy and had to be hospitalized.” Eli lifted his chin and there was intense emotion in his expression. “I chose to stay in town with her. But I’m starting the trips tomorrow. By the end of next week, my father and I will have visited all twenty-five.”

“Well, that’s better.”

“We’re only a week behind schedule,” Jacob put in.

“We won’t let you down, Spence.”

“How’s your wife doing now?” Spence surprised himself by asking.

“Mary’s fine. We’re having twins.”

Congratulations were offered, and after the Hendersons had left, Spence sat in the office and thought long and hard about what had transpired in the meeting. In the past, Eli’s missed opportunities would have been a deal breaker. Spence never would have given an extension like he had to Eli. Personal problems were no excuse for dropping the ball, especially under these circumstances. But if Annie became ill now and needed him, he knew what he’d do. He’d stay with her and the business be damned.

And that notion, when it formed in his head, was a shock to his system. When was the last time anybody outside of his family had taken precedence over work? Unnerved, he went back to the hotel, fixed himself a Manhattan and, stretching out on the bed, dialed Annie’s cell. He needed to talk to her.

She answered on the first ring.

“Waiting for me, huh?” he asked. His voice pitched lower of its own accord.

“You betcha. I put on a pink silk teddy; I bought it to wear tonight when you called.”

“Damn it, Annie, what are you going for? A record of how fast you can turn me on?”

“Oh, I like that.”

God, he loved her flirting with him. He made a few semi-bawdy comments, then declared, “Enough. How was your day?”

“I got called for two job interviews.”

“That’s terrific, sweetheart. What are the positions?”

By the time the conversation ended, Spence knew the difference between teaching kindergarten and second grade, why the size of a class mattered and how testing varied among the districts in Rockland.

“It sounds exciting,” he said wistfully because he still wasn’t sure if he’d be around to share the joys of any job she got for the fall.

Nope, he wouldn’t think that way. He was going to make this work!

o0o

Annie sat on the floor of her mother’s spare bedroom, sorting through the boxes she’d dragged from the closet. Her mom planned to turn this space into a yoga room—go for it, Norma!—and Annie had decided to sort the stuff they’d saved from her school days.

 She started to pack her high school yearbooks in a To Keep box, but ended up opening one to her senior picture. Under it was written, “Friendliest.” Funny, she’d forgotten that her classmates had given her that senior superlative.

In another box, she found a plaque for Employee of the Month at a diner where she’d worked throughout high school. The owners had adored her and she’d returned the sentiment. She hadn’t remembered that either.

Other successes were unearthed from college—secretary of her freshman class, president of Future Teachers of America, glowing student-teaching reports.

Norma came to the doorway. “Going down memory lane?”

“Yeah. I forgot all about these accolades from when I was in high school and college.”

Her mom dropped down on the floor with her. “The insecurities you developed happened after you met Keith. Before that, you were happy, popular, successful in whatever you tried.”

“Interesting what we forget.”

“Or what we let others convince us of. Keith never built you up. He tried to change you into what he wanted. That’s why I never liked him.”

“To be fair, I did my share of contributing to my negative self-image.”

“I’m not sure I agree.” She sighed. “I’m worried Spence Wickham will bring those old feelings back. He already did some of that when he tricked you.”

“He’s really sorry he lied to me, Mom.”

“But not for who he is.”

“No, he’ll never be sorry for that. But he is showing his softer side.” She recounted his encounters with Jake. “The dog actually plays with Spence.”

“Then he can’t be all bad, if Jake likes him. Still, it’s not enough.”

“I know. We’re getting there, though.”

“Just be careful not to lose yourself again in your insecurities. Or in his life.”

“I won’t Mom, I promise.” She gazed at the stack of books on a shelf. “Now let me get back to this so you can start doing some Downward Dogs in here.”

But as Annie finished her task, her mother’s warning stayed with her. Probably because what Norma had voiced was the greatest fear she had about her and Spence’s relationship. She was determined to give it her best shot, but she knew better than most that there were no guarantees in love.

o0o

He came bearing gifts. Not jewelry or champagne, which would impress most women, but the kind Annie would like—a Blizzard from Dairy Queen containing several different candies, chopped up and blended with vanilla ice cream. His treat was plainer, but he’d discovered if he didn’t eat with her, her enjoyment of food diminished.

He’d flown back from New York early, canceling his Friday ticket, paying an exorbitant amount to snag a seat on the Thursday commuter plane. He simply had to see her. He hadn’t phoned to tell her his change in plans, but she’d told him she’d be home waiting for his call and the kids had changed their night with Keith, so he knew they weren’t around, either.

Feeling more nervous than when he’d negotiated his first million-dollar deal, he rang her doorbell, wondering if he should have gone to his condo first and changed. He was still in a suit. He hadn’t brought any casual clothes to the city.

She answered right away. “Spence! I was waiting for your call. Worrying why you didn’t.”

“Can I come in?” He held up the cups with DQ plastered across them.

“Oh, wow. Blizzards.”

As she let him in and shut the door, he took note of what she wore. A pink top with thin straps, tight so he could see every one of her curves. The matching Capri bottoms were a little looser but showed off her bottom as she walked ahead of him to the kitchen. Her long, unbound hair swayed with the gentle rhythm of her hips. He prayed for strength to keep from grabbing her, but his body had kicked into high gear at the mere sight her. And at her scent, which was something flowery, like bubble bath.

In the kitchen, she got out spoons and sat at the counter with him. “It was so sweet of you to bring me this.” She took the first bite and…moaned.

“Oh, God. You look as if you’re having an orgasm.”

She laughed and the sound shot through his whole body like an electric current. As if he needed more stimulation.

In between bites—he had to force himself to eat his—she said, “You weren’t coming home until Friday.”

“I worked long hours and got a flight out tonight. You said the kids were with Keith, so there was no danger of bumping into them.”

“Tell me about AllGreen.”

He gave her an outline of what the company was doing but didn’t tell her that he’d broken one of his cardinal rules—never let personal problems interfere with business. He wished the Hendersons hadn’t told him about Eli’s wife. But good guys like them didn’t cheat or lie. Still, his acceptance of their putting the job second bothered him. A lot.