Holdin' On for a Hero (87 page)

Their eyes met and something she could not identify, something that affected every nerve ending in her body, took hold of her. It was as if for a moment, the laws of the universe were suddenly in flux and she along with them.

Tearing her eyes from his, she was able to stop the flood of sensation. Alarm bells rang in her mind but she ignored them. Never before had she experienced such a reaction. It was like she had fallen into her fantasy. But things like that didn’t happen in real life. Did they?

It dawned on her that the man hadn’t spoken or moved. Maybe he didn’t know she was there about the interview. All at once she felt uncomfortable, not just because she felt the need to explain her presence, but because of her reaction to him. She told herself to stop looking at him and then immediately ignored her own directives.

“Hi, I’m Nikki. Nikki Morgan. I’m here to interview for the job. Mr. and Mrs. Weston just went to find their son and asked me to wait here.”

A series of expressions seemed to dance across the man’s face. Nikki watched curiously, wondering why he didn’t speak and why he kept staring at her. But then she was just as bad, staring at him.

She heard voices in the hall. The man must have heard them too. He dashed across the room and through the French doors that led into the garden.

Nikki completely forgot about the Westons. Her eyes were glued to the man as he hurried from the room. He stopped after he stepped through the threshold and looked back at her for a split second before he closed the doors and disappeared into the garden. As before, the look made her heart leap, her breath quicken and her nerve endings do an electric dance.

“Please forgive us,” Richard Weston said from behind her. “It appears that Maxwell is indulging in one of his favorite games. Hiding.”

“Huh?” Nikki turned, hoping her face didn’t show a flush from the warmth she felt. “Oh…well, well, that’s okay. I guess I can meet him another time. If I get the job, that is.”

Richard and Helen exchanged a look. Helen gave a short nod and Richard looked at Nikki with a smile. “The job is yours.”

“What?”  I mean that’s wonderful, but are you certain I’m capable of doing this?  Does your son have special needs, is he autistic or does he suffer from Down’s syndrome? I’d love to have the job. I really need it, but I don’t know the first thing about dealing with children with…special needs.”

“Our staff is fully qualified to service Maxwell’s special needs,” Helen replied. “Your primary function is to be a companion. Play video games with him or go swimming. You’ll be given a pager and should anything arise you do not feel you’re equipped to deal with, you have only to page Osgood.”

If they already had staff capable of handling everything, why did they need her? Nikki was starting to think this whole situation was a bit bizarre. As much as she needed the money, maybe this wasn’t for her. What the heck did she know about dealing with a child who wasn’t exactly normal?

And why did the Westons seem so damn eager to pawn their kid off? She was feeling a bit apprehensive, but financial needs and the temptations Gaspar had filled her mind with made her willing to shove the misgivings aside.“ Well, thank you. When do I start?”

“We leave Friday morning,” Helen answered.

“Oh, okay. So I should be here what time on Friday?”

“We leave very early,” Richard said. “It would probably be wise for you to be here at least a couple of days prior to our departure to familiarize yourself with the estate and the staff.”

Nikki noticed he did not mention anything about meeting Maxwell.  In fact, they didn’t seem too eager for that to happen, which made alarms go off in her head. What if the child hated her? Or what if he had too much of a handicap for her to deal with? There were a lot of ‘what if’s’ floating through her mind. So why the heck wasn’t she asking them instead of nodding like some trance victim? Was money really that big of an allure?

“Okay. Should I call in advance?”

“That won’t be necessary. Simply announce yourself at the gate. I’ll have a card made up for you.”

“A card?”

“A security card for the gate, dear,” Helen said.

“Oh, yeah, right. Thanks. Well, it shouldn’t take me long to get my things settled, so I’ll see you in a couple of days?”

“That will be fine.” Helen nodded curtly and started for the door. “Richard, be a dear and show Ms. Morgan out.”

Richard gestured in front of him. “Shall we?”

Nikki shrugged and accompanied him to the front door. “Thanks again, Mr. Weston.” She extended her hand.

“Thank you.” He grasped her hand in both of his. “May this be the beginning of a long and satisfying relationship.”

She didn’t know how to respond to that comment. She was only there for a summer job, after all. Disengaging her hand from his, she gave him smile. “Well, I guess I’ll see you soon.”

“I look forward to it.”

Nikki went to her car. As she opened the door, she paused to look at the mansion. What a strange turn of fate today had provided. First, she was handed a clue to a tantalizing possibility, got offered a job making more money than she had ever dared to dream, and then she saw him. The man whose face had inhabited her dreams for nearly a year.

What did he do for the Westons? Butler…cook…gardener…pool boy? It made no difference to her. She just hoped she’d have a chance to spend more time with him. For the first time in her life, she had experienced something she believed was only a wishful fantasy, and she had been bowled over at first sight.

Slow down
, she told herself as she got in the car. Just because you want him to be the man of your dreams doesn’t make it true. Coincidence happens. He has the face, and the body, but that doesn’t prove anything. But even her advice to herself couldn’t erase the hope in her heart.

As she pulled away, it occurred to her that she still had no idea what Maxwell Weston was like. Hopefully she had not taken the job of tending some spoiled demon of a child. But she wasn’t really worried. After all, how much trouble could one child be?

Had she turned and looked back at that moment, she would have seen the man who watched from the window high on the third floor.

Chapter Two

Instead of returning to her apartment, Nikki drove into the city. She had to talk to Catherine, her best girlfriend and ex-roommate.

Cat was a CPA with a prestigious group, a junior partner, thanks to her father’s influence. When Nikki arrived, the receptionist informed her that Cat was with a client. Nikki opted to wait. Luckily, she didn’t have to wait long.

“Hey, what a surprise.” Cat smiled as Nikki entered her office. “What brings you uptown?”

Nikki flopped down in the chair before the desk. “You won’t believe what happened to me today.”

Cat took one good look at Nikki and grinned. “Oh my god, you met someone!”

“Not just someone,” Nikki sighed. “The one.”

“No way! You?”

Nikki laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it. I didn’t think it was possible.”

“So spill—and don’t leave out anything.”

Nikki didn’t tell Cat how she found out about the job opening or about her meeting with Gaspar de Troyes. She quickly laid out the meeting with the Westons and the fantastic salary offer, and then took her time relating the meeting with the handsome stranger.

“So, you think he works there too?” Cat asked.

“Apparently. He was there and this isn’t a place you just walk into by mistake. It’s like Fort Knox with all the electric gates and security cameras and all.”

“Well it’s sure bizarre. I mean who would’ve thought a baby-sitting job would bring you face-to-face with Mr. Right?”

“Tell me about it. God, Cat, you should see him. He’s…”

Cat touched her index finger to the tip of her tongue then to the back of her hand, making a sizzling sound.

“Yeah, that’s pretty close.”

“Well, watch out, Nik, anything that hot’s bound to burn.”

Nikki sighed. “It’s more than that. It’s…I can’t explain it. It’s like when I looked in his eyes I saw…” She trailed off. She couldn’t tell Cat about the dreams. “I saw something I’ve been looking for all my life.”

Cat got up to walk around the desk and take a seat in the vacant chair beside Nikki. “Listen, I don’t want to throw ice water on your fire or anything, but as a friend, can I just say one thing?”

“Sure.”

“Be careful, okay? I mean, it’s not like you to go off the deep end for a guy, no matter how fine he is. And to be honest, I’ve never seen you like this. You’re always the one who plays it so safe in the men department, never allowing yourself to be fooled or misled. This…well this time it’s like you threw caution to the wind on just a look. I’m not saying you’re wrong. Hell, you’re usually more right than any of us about people, but I just don’t want to see you set yourself up to get hurt.”

Nikki knew Cat’s words came from caring and she didn’t take offense. She took Cat’s hand. “Thanks. I love you too. And I know I probably seem like some starry-eyed fool. I kind of feel that way to be honest. And maybe I’m setting myself up for an enormous fall, but Cat, I swear to you that when I looked in his eyes I felt something so strong it was physical. Nothing like that’s ever happened to me, but it’s like it’s something I know or recognize. I can’t explain it, but I know this guy is someone I was meant to meet.”

“Sounds like our little scholar has been delving into too many medieval romances to me.”

“I guess it does sound that way—especially coming from me.”

“Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe he is Mr. Right. How the hell would I know? Damn, the first time I saw my Mr. Right I was scared shitless of him.”

She and Nikki both laughed at the memory. Cat’s phone buzzed and she got up to answer it.

“Sorry, next appointment’s here. Want to meet later for dinner?”

“Not tonight, thanks. I need to get packed. Maybe this weekend?”

“Sure. Let me know.”

“Okay.” Nikki blew her a kiss. “Thanks for letting me bend your ear.”

“Any time. Keep me posted on Mr. Wonderful.”

“Will do. See ya!”

Nikki left the office, glad to have been able to talk to Cat. Admitting her feelings about the handsome stranger relieved some of the anxious excitement. To her surprise, it had also made her evaluate what she was feeling a little more, and it was something of a shock for her to realize that for the first time in her life, she was completely spellbound by a man.

It was both exhilarating and intimidating. She was scared that when she saw the man again, she’d realize she’d been wrong about him. That he wasn’t the man from her dreams. Then again, what if he was and he had no interest in her?

For the first time, Nikki felt as if she was walking on foreign soil. She was always in control when it came to affairs of the heart. What was so different this time? And did she really want to find out?

* * * * *

Twenty-four hours after she’d accepted the job, Nikki arrived back at the Weston estate to pick up her gate card. Osgood Gaynor, the butler, had called and left her a message that she could pick it up any time. Eager to see if she would run into the handsome stranger again, she called and told Osgood she would come on over and pick up the card.

Osgood greeted her at the door. “Ms. Morgan, good day.”

“Hi, I thought I’d drop by and pick up that card.”

“Yes, please follow me. Mr. Weston asked that I notify him when you arrived.”

Osgood left her waiting in the library while he went to tell Mr. Weston she was there. Nikki looked at the massive bookcases, filled with expensive leather-bound editions on a wide variety of subjects.

“Nikki, hello, my dear.”

She turned at the sound of Richard Weston’s voice. “Hi, I hope I’m not bothering you. Mr. Gaynor said I could stop by and pick up a gate card.”

“Yes, I have it right here.” Richard pulled what looked a lot like a credit card from his pocket.

“Thanks.” Nikki looked at it. “So, I just swipe it through the thing at the gate?”

“Yes. Tell me, when do you estimate you’ll be moving to the estate?”

“I thought maybe tomorrow or Thursday.”

“Excellent.”

At that moment, Helen walked into the room. “Richard, have you seen—” She fell silent for a moment when she saw Nikki. “Ah, Ms. Morgan. I didn’t expect you.”

“I came to pick up a gate card.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Something you wanted, darling?” Richard asked.

Helen cut a look at Nikki before answering. “Actually, I wanted to know if you had seen Maxwell.”

“No.”

Helen blew out her breath in exasperation. “Honestly, sometimes that boy tries my patience to the very brink.”

At that moment, Osgood appeared at the door. “Excuse me, Mrs. Weston. I’ve located Maxwell.”

“Well it’s about time!”

He disappeared for just a moment then reappeared in the doorway, holding onto someone’s arm. “Come, Maxwell, your mother wants to speak with you.”

Nikki thought she was going to faint when instead of a young boy, her dream man stepped through the door.

“Holy shit!” she breathed without thinking.

Helen and Richard both whirled around to look at her. She didn’t even notice. All she could see was the man she’d been fantasizing about. His eyes met hers and she felt like someone who was free-falling through space.

The whisper of sheets sliding across bare skin and a breath of cool air from the opened window had her tingling. Moonlight fell in shafts across the room, casting harsh contrasts between darkness and light.

He stood at the foot of the bed, watching. She could not see his eyes. With his back to the window, he was silhouetted against the light. She extended one hand to him and he came to her, crawling onto the bed and stopping when he was poised above her.

His eyes gleamed in the dim light. She reached up to run her hand along the side of his face and into his thick hair. Fisting the silken strands, she pulled his face down to hers. He came to her willingly, lowering himself down on her, supporting the weight of his upper body on his forearms.

Her tongue flicked at his lips and they parted, allowing her to explore the sweet depths of his mouth. But only for a moment, then he assumed control, rolling over and taking her with him so that she lay on top him, her breasts pressed into the firm swell of his chest.

His hands moved down her back, cupping and squeezing her rear, fingers questing into the cleft to caress her anus and move lower, teasing the lips of her sex.

She shivered in delicious anticipation and pushed herself up, hands braced on either side of his shoulders.

He captured one breast in hand and mouth, hand squeezing as his tongue traced the puckered areola, drawing a moan from her.

Fantasy faded as Osgood pushed the man further into the room, breaking their eye contact. Nikki’s legs nearly gave out. She’d been moments from climax. But thoughts of herself vanished at the sight of emotions dancing across Maxwell’s face. It was like watching an emotional kaleidoscope.

“Maxwell, get in here and sit down this instant,” Richard barked.

Nikki was surprised by the change that came over Maxwell when he looked at his parents. The swirling eddy of emotion vanished. It was like a carved, expressionless mask had been dropped over his face.

“Please. “ Richard gestured for Nikki to sit as he ushered Helen to the divan.

Nikki took her seat, keeping her eyes on Maxwell who remained rooted in place by the door.

Richard looked over his shoulder. “I said now, Maxwell.”

Maxwell started slowly across the room, his movements like those of a person who has to think about the act of walking. Nikki noted the movements and lack of facial expression, but also the emotion that blazed from his eyes. She wished she could read it. He stood in front of the divan, facing Nikki, with his back to his parents who were seated on the divan.

“Maxwell, this is Nikki Morgan. Nikki, this is our son, Maxwell.”

Nikki was still in shock. From the way Richard and Helen had talked, she’d expected to see a nine- or ten-year-old boy. The person standing in front of her definitely was not nine or ten, nor was he a boy. He was a grown man. A very handsome, well-built, grown man who was easily in his mid-thirties. And the man she’d been dreaming of for the last year.

Oh god. This is not good, not good at all. Get a grip. Come on. Okay, he’s not what you thought. But you can deal with it. Remember, he’s not normal. He’s not a beautiful, well-built normal man, he’s a kid trapped in that gorgeous body. He’s not the man you dream about. He’s…oh god, he saw the way I looked at him.

Trying to compose herself, she looked up at Maxwell. It was a big mistake. His eyes were like wells of emotion. She immediately fell into those endless wells and could do nothing but submit to captivity. At length he released her from his gaze to move his eyes over her. Freed for the moment, she did likewise, studying him. His face was like a living screen on which emotions danced in rapid-fire abandon. What was it she saw? Hurt, anger, confusion, nervousness?

What’s wrong with you, Maxwell Weston?
He didn’t look mentally handicapped, or slow. What exactly was his problem? 

As she looked back into his eyes, it happened again—a sensation that nearly overwhelmed her. She didn’t know what it was, but she did know it was coming from him, from his eyes.

Abruptly, words she had spoken to Cat came back to haunt her, proclamations of how her dream man was the stranger she had met at the Westons’. No, it couldn’t be. She was not destined to have her heart held captive by a man who was emotionally and mentally little more than a child.

Maxwell slowly extended his hand to her. She took it and tried to smile naturally. “Hi Maxwell, it’s nice to meet you.”

The smile she received was so swift and unexpected that it was gone almost before it registered. Then the mask was back. Maxwell released her hand and moved stiffly to take a seat off to one side.

Nikki looked from him to his parents. They were watching her. She looked back at Maxwell, whose eyes were locked on her. Nikki felt they were all waiting for her to say something and she had no idea what it was supposed to be. Forcing back the knot in her throat, she smiled at Maxwell. He didn’t return the smile but she saw a change in his eyes. It was almost a calculating look, as if he was weighing or judging her.

Richard broke the silence. “We’ve invited Nikki to spend the summer here while your mother and I are in Europe.”

Something in Maxwell’s eyes told Nikki he was surprised at the news. She felt the need to let him know that she didn’t want to be intrusive.

“If that’s okay with you, that is,” she added quickly.

Maxwell’s eyes seemed to change expressions but nothing registered on his face. Helen leaned forward, speaking to him as if he were either hard of hearing or stupid.

“Nikki is going to be staying here to keep an eye on you, Maxwell. I want you to be on your best behavior and not test her patience. Do you understand?”

Maxwell did not react in any way to his mother’s words, but Nikki thought his eyes seemed to convey resentment at the condescending tone. Then again, she could be wrong. Maybe she was projecting her feelings onto him. She wouldn’t want to be spoken to or treated in such a way, and maybe she just imagined she saw a look in his eyes that indicated he felt the same way. But surely, he had to be embarrassed? Then again, maybe not. If he needed a baby-sitter at his age, he couldn’t be normal.