Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut (23 page)

The Red Dog Saloon pulsed with bodies dancing, eating, and lounging at the bar. Sawdust and peanut shells covered the timber plank floor and fishing nets crisscrossed each other overhead. Country music twanged from a small band in the corner, and servers balancing trays holding pitchers of beer dodged the occasional enthusiastic patron.

The fish and chips lived up to their reputation and I inhaled my food as if I hadn't eaten for days. After dinner, we walked down by the water. Streetlights offered a faint glow along the boardwalk, more for effect than light, because the sun never completely disappeared this time of year.

We found a bench on the far end of the docks, near the water. In the distance, a cruise ship, lit up in carnival lights, headed for the open sea. I leaned into Doug's shoulder. "Is it weird to have it light all night?"

"You get used to it. It's not as bad as when it's dark all day."

Waves lapped against the side of the pier and a faint fishy odor lingered on the cool night air. A light breeze blew off the water and I welcomed the warmth of Doug's arms when he folded them around me.

"Marli, why did you accept my invitation? To be honest, it surprised me you were still available."

"I won't be eighteen for a few weeks, which is something my dad insists on. He thinks that's even too young. He wants me to go to college for a couple of years before deciding anything permanent in my life."

"Is that what you want?"

I began to think this conversation was my interview. "Yes. I mean, I'm not opposed to a relationship, but I'm not ready for anything permanent." I wasn't sure, however, how I'd answer this same question if Jordan asked.

"But if you wait, that makes you twenty."

"So? Twenty isn't ancient."

Doug pursed his lips and stared at the water. Something ghostly skittered through me. An unknown. He looked back at me, a forced smile on his lips. The haunting feeling remained, but I dismissed it when he drew a tender line along my face and my heart rate hitched for a different reason.

I turned sideways out of his embrace and took the conversation in a different direction. "What about you? What's your plan for the future?"
Besides me.

"I'll probably stay in Alaska and finish my pharmaceutical training. I've even thought about pursuing medicine. If I do so through The Program, the pay proves to be worth the hassle of meeting all their requirements.

Jordan talked about the strict rules he worked under required by The Program so I understood what Doug meant.

We discussed Doug's family. His younger sister was also a candidate and he jokingly described her as "fifteen going on eighteen." I told him about Rick and Muffy. Guardedly, I touched on Daniel's death and the fact I was now an only child. When he asked about my mother, I rationalized her mysterious whereabouts as a matter of national security, avoiding anything personal.

Doug played with the fingers spread over my knee. "I'm sorry about your brother and the fact you and your mother aren't close. That must be hard for you."

"Thanks, but my dad's the one I've always been closest to. After the divorce, I wanted to live with him. Honestly, I'm content with my life."
Or used to be.

A cool gust of air caused an involuntary shudder. Doug opened his arms and I nestled within his embrace against my better judgment. His head dipped, his lips close and waiting acceptance.

An internal war erupted. I cared for Jordan…maybe loved him, but for whatever reason, he didn't want a permanent relationship. Jesse was off limits—forbidden. But Doug wasn't anything. Technically, I broke no rules by getting involved with Doug, even if just for the weekend.

Our lips pressed, my mouth giving passage to a deeper, spearmint
-
tasting kiss. After a few minutes of sensuous oblivion, we heard steps clomping toward us on the boardwalk.

"You two coming up for air anytime soon?"

A mischievous grin promising of more to come, eased onto Doug's mouth.

The docks' security guard loomed over us. "I hate to break up you lovebirds, but it's getting late and this isn't the best place for a young lady. I suggest you move it somewhere safer, and with the steam rising off the two of you, separate places might be best."

The jeep rumbled up the hotel driveway, stopping under the bright lights of the canopied entrance. All of a sudden, I became nervous. Should I invite him upstairs? I walked new territory here. I'd never stayed alone in a hotel, or been so far from home. And I didn't know Doug. What if—

Doug's voice startled me. "Sorry I kept you out so late. You must be tired."

I released a nervous breath. "A little. Mind if we call it a night?"

He leaned closer, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. His eyes dropped to my mouth, parted and already releasing heavy anticipated breaths.

"Can I kiss you goodnight at least?"

I nodded and he placed a long, heady kiss on my lips. I sucked a deep breath, catching his sexy fragrance.

"Mmm, you smell good. Your whole penthouse smells like you."

Doug curled his fingers into my hair and pressed another kiss on my mouth "So my
scent
drives you wild? Guess I'll bathe in it before I see you tomorrow."

I pulled away. "Tomorrow?"

"My parents are hosting a barbeque for some friends and I want to bring you as my date, if you don't have other plans. My little sister is dying to meet you."

A little knot coiled in my stomach. "Hmm, dinner with the family? What if they don't approve of me?"

"I'll adopt a new one."

The lights of the city and shadowy sun lent a soft glow to my room. The clock on the dresser said 11:30 PM. Back home it would be 3:30 AM—too late to call Jordan. I logged in a message for him to find when he woke.
Miss you.

I slipped into the silky black and pink polka-dot pajamas Brittany talked me into buying, suggesting I needed something more appropriate than boxer shorts and a camisole. The tinkling sound of my phone ringing on the dresser pulled me way from the balcony doors.

"Doug?"

"Do you have everything you need before turning in?"

"Yes, thanks." I paused. "I had fun tonight."

"Me too. Can I ask a favor? Have breakfast with me in the morning? I'll have room service deliver say around ten o'clock?"

"A girl's got to eat. See you then." I disconnected and another call beeped in—Alex and Brittany?

"Why are you two up this late?" I knew why they'd called, but I drew out the anticipation, if for no other reason than to torture Alex.

"We have to know the details! Is he as gorgeous in person? Did you kiss him?"

"Slow down," I chuckled. "Yes, Doug's even more handsome in person and very nice. Sorry I haven't called, but I just got back to his penthouse."

"
His
penthouse?" Both picked up immediately on the little detail.

"Marli? You can't stay with him. That's against the rules."
Now
Brittany worried about rules. Where was her concern when Alex opened the red envelope?

"I'm not staying with him. His parents own the hotel. Doug's staying at their house outside of town."

"You didn't answer about the kiss, Marli. Did he kiss you?"

"Nichols, you're like a dog with a bone. Yes. Doug kissed me. Yes
,
it was amazing. Satisfied?"

"What about Jordan?" Brittany squashed my seductive fantasy and reinforced the guilt I struggled against.

"We're dating
,
remember? He called earlier. He knows where I am." They gasped, surprised. "You were right. This interview had to happen. Jordan wants to talk when I get back." I purposely left out his declaration of love. Some secrets belonged only to me.

"Be careful, Davis," Alex warned. "Don't blow it this time."

Light filtered through the slit in the heavy drapes drawn over the windows, and my mind slowly became conscious of a blaring alarm. On the ceiling overhead, 8:30 A.M. blinked in neon green. Breakfast would arrive shortly.

I showered and washed my hair, amazed at how I could pass through a wall of hot air and come away dry, with my hair flowing in shiny loose curls. If we had a drying halo at home, I could shave an hour off getting ready for school.

I squeezed into an ivory tube top, slipped a nutmeg colored sweater with the baggy neck pulled off one shoulder, over a short denim skirt. A wide leather belt, buckled loosely around my hips, finished my look.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Miss you too. Come home. NOW!!

A smile snapped on my lips. I rather enjoyed being in the power seat for a change. My fingers deftly entered a teasing response.
All in good time. –M.

I purposely shut off the receptor, reminding myself Jordan shouldered part of the blame for my being in Alaska, and payback was due.

I'd barely finished making the bed when the doorbell rang.
Showtime
. Yanking the drapes open to let the morning light into the rooms, I made my way to the door as a second impatient buzz sounded.

"Coming!"

A muffled reply sounded from the other side. "Not fast enough."

I paused before disengaging the lock. "Did you bring breakfast? I'm only opening this door to handsome guys with food."

"Next to Pedro here, I'm very handsome and I have enough food for an army." I heard someone, I guessed Pedro, mumble something and Doug laughed.

I opened the door and Pedro pushed a cart of silver covered dishes into the dining area. Doug twirled me under his arm, "Unbelievable. You're more beautiful than yesterday."

My cheeks flushed. I wasn't used to compliments and since Jordan, Jesse, and now Doug were generous with spoken praise, my cheeks constantly burned.

"Do I look okay to meet your parents? I'm so nervous."

"You look perfect. Stop worrying. They're going to love you."

Doug sat across from me, dressed in jeans and a blue striped cotton shirt. Today however, the sleeves buttoned at his wrists and his hair, slicked back, gave him a polished, formidable look.

I popped a grape from the fruit bowl into my mouth. "You're right. You're better looking than Pedro, but it's a close call."