Wait Until Dark (5 page)

6

LINDSEY'S UNEASINESS WAS TEMPORARILY SIDETRACKED
by nature in all its magnificence.

She stood on the Cliff Walk, leaning up against the fence, taking in the spectacular view of the ocean and inhaling the salty air. She tilted her face up to the sun, shutting her eyes and letting the breeze waft through her hair.

"You were right," she informed Nicholas. "This is amazing."

"Um-hum." He joined her at the rail, gazing out across the water with a look of pleasure and pride. "And this is just the Memorial Boulevard section of the walk. The view gets better and better."

Lindsey's eyes opened, and she shaded them from the sun as she peered down the coast as far as she could see. "How long is the Cliff Walk?"

"It starts where we came in and runs south along the coast for about three-and-a-half miles. The terrain changes along the way. In some spots, navigating can get tricky."

"Really? It seems tame enough."

"Where we're standing now it does," he clarified. He pointed south as the paved footpath rounded the bend and disappeared from view. "It gets rougher as you go along. The hike becomes much less civilized and a lot more dangerous. You need good shoes and a good head on your shoulders. In some sections, the vegetation runs right up to the edge of the cliffs. The drops are steep. Wandering off the path without knowing what you're doing could be fatal."

Nicholas stared off in that direction, a fine but distinct tension coming over him. "I've seen a few close calls," he continued, his tone and expression grave. "People get careless. Or foolish. They put their lives at risk."

Lindsey shuddered at his somber words, the image they conveyed. "How horrible. Remind me to stay away from those sections."

"Why?"

"Why?" she repeated. "I think that's obvious. I'm not big on risking my life. I'd assume most people feel the same way."

"They do. So they keep their wits about them. But that doesn't keep them from exploring."

"They're not dissuaded by the danger?"

"Actually, they're enticed by it." Nicholas's entire demeanor changed. He turned toward her, taking a step closer, those probing eyes fixed on her face, heated sparks glimmering in their depths. "The wilder sections of the Cliff Walk are exquisite, Lindsey. They take your breath away. They make you feel alive and vibrant. They ignite your senses. What would life be like without that kind of cutting edge excitement?" He reached out, brushed a strand of hair off her face, then let his knuckles trail lightly across her cheek.

A tiny shiver rippled through her. "I'm not an expert on cutting edge excitement."

"Then let me introduce you to it."

Lindsey was well aware they were no longer discussing the Cliff Walk and, instinctively, she stepped back, breaking the contact. "Another time," she replied, averting her head and taking in the jagged edges of the cliffs that sloped down to the beach. "Today's not the day."

"When is? Pick it and it's yours."

"I don't know," she returned pointedly. "I've learned to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar and dangerous situations. Otherwise things get out of hand. And, as you just said, that can lead to disaster."

"In certain cases, yes. In others, where the stakes aren't as dire and the possibilities are limitless, the pleasure is well worth the risk." It was clear Nicholas had heard Lindsey's message loud and clear - and that he meant to ignore it.

She cleared her throat. "Is it always so quiet here?" she blurted, changing the subject abruptly.

"Nope." He shook his head. "That'll end in a few weeks when vacation season gets under way. Then this area will be crammed with walkers, joggers, sightseers - you name it." A knowing grin. "Why? Looking for safety in numbers? If so, you don't have to wait for Memorial Day to explore the Cliff Walk. There's a two-hour tour given here every morning. We can take it. Although, frankly, I'd rather be your private tour guide. We can explore on our own, going at whatever pace makes you comfortable."

"You don't let up, do you?"

"Not when I want something, no."

Lindsey blew out her breath. "It's a moot point anyway. I'll be tied up with contractors all weekend, remember?"

"I remember." Nicholas paused, staring out over the water again, his expression nondescript. "Once the renovations get started, you'll be overseeing them, I assume?"

"Of course. I oversee all my projects. And in this case I own the house I'm restoring. I'll be out here for as much of the work as possible."

"What about your mother? Will she be driving out with you?"

"No, she's leaving for Paris in ten days to start the trip of a lifetime. As for me, I've got almost a month of vacation time saved up. I plan to spend it out here."

"Really?" Nicholas propped his elbows nonchalantly on the fence. "Where will you be staying?"

Lindsey's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "We passed three or four inns on our way here. Any one of them will do."

"Not if you haven't made reservations by now, they won't. They'll all be booked for the summer."

She frowned. "I never thought of that. Fine, I'll stay outside Newport and drive in."

"You don't have to."

"Why? Do you have a better suggestion?"

"Um-hum." He gave her a lazy smile. "My first choice would be to ask you to stay with me. But I suppose that wouldn't fly."

"No," she retorted, shooting him a sideways look. "It wouldn't."

"I've got a huge place."

"One of many, I'm sure."

"This one's just a ten minute drive from the manor. Or, if you prefer, I've got a yacht right down there." He pointed. "We could use that."

"I get seasick. And I'm a lousy roommate. I snore."

Nicholas chuckled. "That I doubt. But, okay, I'll move on to my next suggestion - one I think you'll find more to your liking. You take my house. I'll take the yacht."

She gave an incredulous laugh. "Just like that."

"Just like that."

"That's a very selfless offer. Tell me, how often will you be dropping by, unannounced?"

"Never."

Her eyebrows rose. "Why don't I believe that?"

"Believe it. The house will be yours. No strings." Once again, Nicholas reached out, his knuckles brushing her cheek. Abruptly, he shifted, his thumb tracing the curve of her lips, first in one direction, then the other. The action caught her off guard, and Lindsey felt her body react before she could steel herself.

Nicholas felt it, too. "I'm not going to manipulate you into bed, Lindsey," he murmured, his gaze darkening as it followed the path of his caress.

This time Lindsey didn't pull away.

"If we make love, it will be because you want it as much as I do." He tipped up her chin, slid his palm around to cup the nape of her neck. "Do you believe me?"

Her nod was shaky.

"Good." He drew her close, lowered his head, and covered her mouth with his.

The kiss was electric, and Lindsey felt its effects like a jolt of adrenaline slamming through her system. Nicholas wasn't slow or tentative. His lips opened hers, and his tongue claimed hers in a hot, deep caress that told her exactly what he wanted. Her response came with a will all its own, her hands gripping his lapels as she leaned up, met his kiss head on. He didn't stop until she was kissing him back with the same intensity, until he knew it was her desire and not his seduction that was propelling her.

Then, he raised his head.

"Have dinner with me," he demanded, his eyes smoldering.

Lindsey swallowed, trying to steady her senses. "Just dinner," she qualified. "Then, I'm going back to my hotel - alone. I'm not ready for breakfast."

"Fair enough. I can wait."

She searched his face, trying to determine how seriously he was taking her. "I mean it, Nicholas," she said, forcing herself to be honest even if it meant coming across like a sheltered child. "Don't push me. As it is, I'm out of my league."

An odd expression crossed his face, and Lindsey got the feeling he was struggling with an unexpected conflict. "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing."

7

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE DIDN'T SELL? You spent the whole damned weekend with her!"

Stuart Falkner paced across Nicholas's office, regarding his friend with a mixture of incredulity and apprehension.

"Exactly what I said. She didn't sell." Nicholas leaned back in his leather desk chair, deceptively calm as he fiddled idly with a paper clip. "And I hardly spent the whole weekend with her. Most of the time, she was lining up contractors." He leveled a hard stare at Stuart. "I don't know why you're so stunned. You told me yourself she was dead set on keeping the manor for her mother."

"Yeah, but you were supposed to seduce that idea right out of her head."

"No, I was supposed to convince her to sell," Nicholas corrected, his tone as hard as his gaze. "I tried. It didn't work."

"How could that happen? Did you forget how important this is?"

"I didn't forget anything. Obviously, you overestimated my powers of persuasion. You also underestimated Lindsey's commitment to her mother. She wants that manor. If I look at it objectively, I can understand why. You should be able to, also. You're trying to protect your family. She's trying to protect hers. Unfortunately, those goals conflict. Someone has to lose."

"Well, that someone can't be me." Stuart stalked over to the sofa, and dropped onto the cushion. "My mother won't survive."

"Camille is stronger than you think. You just finished telling me she was well enough to leave Rolling Hills yesterday."

"That was for a drive. Not to hear news that would tear her apart. She can't handle this, Nick. You've got to do something." Stuart raked frustrated hands through his hair. "When's Lindsey heading back out to Newport?"

"Her workmen are starting next week. She'll be here then."

"Did you at least make plans to see her again? Maybe change her mind before it's too late?"

Nicholas stared at the paper clip he was holding. "Actually, she'll be staying at my place."

Stuart's head shot up. "What?"

"Don't get too excited- We won't be roommates. She'll be staying alone. I've been relegated to the yacht."

"Right." A flicker of hope registered in Stuart's eyes. "That arrangement will last about an hour. Especially after you show up on her -
your
- doorstep, and pull out all the stops. Taking her out to dinner is one thing. Arranging it so she's sleeping in your bed is another. Even a woman as virtuous as Lindsey Hall won't be able to resist your charms. Not under those circumstances. I don't care what our private investigator's report said about her girl-scout lifestyle. Good. Some cause for hope."

Nicholas didn't reply.

"Nick." Stuart gripped his knees, lines of tension tightening his mouth. "Don't let me down. I don't know how you got Lindsey to agree to stay at your place, and I don't care. It gives us another shot at making things right. Do this any way you have to. Get her into bed and keep her there long enough to delay the start of her renovations. Use that time to soften her resolve. Then, when she's feeling more compliant, persuade her to sell you the manor."

Slowly, Nicholas unfolded in the chair, leaned forward. "I'll take care of things at my end. Now let's talk about
your
end. Back off. Tell Tracy to back off. Neither of you has the slightest idea how to handle Lindsey. You think dangling dollar signs in front of her eyes will do the trick, and Tracy thinks she can browbeat Lindsey into giving up the house."

Stuart shifted slightly, looking more than a little uncomfortable. "What does that mean?"

"You know damned well what that means. First, you drive out to her apartment in Connecticut and try buying her off. Then, Tracy goes to Leland's office and lies in wait like some predator ready to strike, ripping into Lindsey and trying to shove ten million dollars down her throat."

"Lindsey told you all that?"

"Urn-hum. Friday. Over lunch, and not happily. What you did was stupid and counterproductive. Here's a news flash. Lindsey doesn't take well to being exploited. She's got every bit of Harlan's pride and backbone. She stands her ground. She's not impressed or scared off by the Falkner wealth and power. She wasn't raised on a diet of business hardball, but that doesn't mean she's a pushover. What Tracy pulled backfired completely. If she thought Lindsey would be intimidated by that verbal assault, she was wrong. All she succeeded in doing was pissing Lindsey off enough to intensify her resolve."

"I hear you." Stuart nodded, making a steeple with his fingers and resting his chin atop them. "And, yes, Tracy can be overbearing. Especially now, with this situation making her crazy. I'll talk to her. We'll both back off. But Nick, I want that manor."

Nicholas's brows rose.
"You
want it? I thought you wanted
me
to have it."

"That's what I meant." Stuart came to his feet. "The important thing is that Lindsey
doesn't
have it." He glanced at his watch. "I've got a meeting. Then, I've got to run out to Rolling Hills, do my daily damage control. I've got to make sure no word of this reaches my mother."

"Sounds good." Nicholas studied him thoughtfully, his expression neutral. "I have a phone call to make, anyway." He picked up the receiver, began punching in a number. "Send my regards to Camille."

"Will do. And, Nick - keep me posted."

Nicholas gave a terse nod. "When there's something to tell."

Preoccupied, Stuart left the office, headed straight for his Jaguar XKR convertible. He climbed in, turned over the motor, and pulled out of the parking lot. He'd go straight home. Tracy would be there, waiting for him. They had to think this through, revise their strategy. Buying Lindsey off hadn't worked. Neither had threatening her. And so far, Nick hadn't managed to charm her into selling.

They needed a new plan. And they needed it now.

Behind his desk, Nicholas waited for the sound of Stuart's Jag zooming out of the lot. Then, he finished pressing the digits of the private line, leaning back in his chair as the number rang through.

"Hello?"

"Leland, it's me," Nicholas said without preamble. "We need to talk."