Whatever You Like (14 page)

Lena smiled, and felt her appreciation for him go up a notch. So far, Zandra hadn't told her anything that would send her screaming for the hills.

“When I say Roderick has impossible standards, I'm talking about relationship matters. He brings his own rigid set of expectations to the table, and if they're not met, he can get turned off quickly. He's very stubborn—”

Lena snorted. “
That's
an understatement.”

“—so it's not easy for him to compromise. He's been known to break up with girlfriends over things that could have been easily resolved, if only he'd been more willing to give and take.” She shook her head in exasperation. “It's like he has this idealized version of the perfect woman, but I'm not even sure
he
knows what he's really looking for. He just knows he hasn't found it yet, and he puts women through hell in the process.” She paused, frowning. “His brother's the same way.”

“The twin?”

“Yeah. He told you about Remy?”

Lena nodded, wondering if Zandra knew about Remington Brand's feelings for her.

A shadow crossed Zandra's face. Or maybe it was just a cloud of steam. A moment later she blew out a deep breath and said, “Look, the bottom line is that I think you and Roderick could be good for each other. That's why I set you up on a date together. Honestly? I was hoping you two would hit it off and start seeing each other—gradually.”

Lena eyed her speculatively. “You really
don't
approve of our arrangement, do you?”

Zandra grimaced. “I don't, to be perfectly honest
with you. But it's not my place to approve or disapprove. You guys are mature, consenting adults with healthy libidos. Believe me, I totally understand that. But I just want to make sure you both know what you're doing. This arrangement of yours could get pretty complicated. Dangerous.” Her voice gentled as she regarded Lena. “I just don't want to see you get hurt. Either of you.”

Lena swallowed hard, then nodded. “Thank you for being so honest with me, Zandra.”

“You don't have to thank me. Since I'm the one who introduced you to Roderick, I just felt it was my responsibility to give you a heads-up, woman to woman.”

“I really appreciate that,” Lena said sincerely. She hesitated, then added, “If at any time I think I'm getting in over my head with Roderick, I'll call the whole thing off.”

Zandra gave her a soft, intuitive smile. “Hopefully it won't be too late by then.”

A
fter leaving the spa, Lena drove to Lakeview Manor for her Saturday afternoon visit with her grandfather. She'd been there for an hour when Morgan arrived, the heels of her stiletto boots barely touching the ground as she floated across the terrace to reach Lena and Cleveland.

“Hey, you two!” Morgan kissed her grandfather's cheek and hugged her sister before dropping into the vacant chair at the table and sighing contentedly. “What a beautiful day!”

Lena and Cleveland exchanged knowing glances and chorused, “What's his name?”

Morgan laughed, her cheeks flushing prettily. “What're you talking about?”

Cleveland guffawed. “You know what we're talking about.”

“Who's the new guy who has you floating on cloud nine today?” Lena added.

Morgan grinned. “I can't get anything past you two, can I?”

Lena chuckled dryly. “Not when you show up here practically levitating off the ground. So who is he?”

Morgan sighed again. “His name's Isaiah. I met him this morning when I was waiting in line at the bank. He's an attorney at one of the top law firms in Chicago.”

Cleveland arched a snowy brow. “An attorney, huh? That's quite an upgrade from your last boyfriend, who was always between jobs.”

Morgan scowled. “Which is the main reason he wanted me to move in with him—to help pay his rent. Good riddance to
that
loser.”

“Amen,” Lena and Cleveland agreed.

Morgan laughed. “Isaiah's nothing like Jason, I can tell you that. He's taking me out to dinner tonight—someplace fancy. Jason
never
did that.”

Lena grinned. “So what does Isaiah look like?”

“Girl, he's fine,” Morgan gushed. “He's about six-one, brown-skinned, with bedroom eyes and a gorgeous smile.” A sly grin curved her mouth. “Of course, he's not as mouthwatering as Roderick, but since
he's
already taken…” She trailed off pointedly.

Lena's face heated. “Roderick's not ‘taken.' Not by me anyway.”

Morgan and Cleveland traded dubious glances. “He sure looked taken to me,” Morgan countered.

“Me, too,” Cleveland agreed.

“Then you're both mistaken,” Lena told them.

Before either could argue, Margaret Jacobs appeared on the terrace. The sixty-year-old nurse was petite and
slightly stocky, with smooth skin the color of maple and dark eyes that twinkled with warmth and humor.

Reaching the table, she clucked her tongue and draped a thick afghan around Cleveland's shoulders. “I knew you'd be out here with no coat on. You know better than that.”

“I don't need a coat,” Cleveland asserted, waving off her concern with his good hand. “It's a perfectly nice day. No wind in sight.”

Margaret shook her silvered head in mild exasperation before turning her attention to Lena and Morgan. “Hello, girls,” she greeted them with a warm smile. “It's good to see you again.”

“Hi, Nurse Jacobs,” the sisters chorused. “How are you?”

“Got my health and sanity, so I can't complain.” She winked, drawing more smiles out of Lena and Morgan.

Like their grandfather, Margaret Jacobs was widowed, having lost her husband to prostate cancer several years ago. She had three grown sons but no daughters, so she'd unofficially adopted Lena and Morgan as her own. It was no secret that Cleveland was her favorite patient at the retirement home. She doted on him so much that Lena often wondered whether Margaret returned Cleveland's feelings.

“So,” Margaret began conversationally, smiling at Lena and Morgan, “do you girls have any special plans this evening?”

Morgan grinned broadly. “I have a date with an amazing guy I met this morning.”

Margaret's smile widened. “That's wonderful, baby. I'm so glad you got rid of that other young man you were seeing. He wasn't right for you at all.”

Morgan grimaced. “That's what everyone kept telling me. I wish I'd listened a whole lot sooner.”

“Better late than never,” Margaret and Cleveland said in unison, then grinned at each other.

Lena and Morgan shared a knowing glance.

“So what about you, baby girl?”

Meeting her grandfather's inquisitive gaze, Lena asked cautiously, “What
about
me, Poppa?”

“Do you and Roderick have any special plans tonight?”

She shook her head. “Roderick's been very busy—”

Cleveland frowned with displeasure. “He'd better not be too busy to make time for you. The two of you just started dating. How are you supposed to get better acquainted if you hardly spend any time together?”

Lena blushed, wondering what her grandfather would say if he knew just how “well acquainted” she and Roderick were.

“That reminds me,” Cleveland said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully on hers. “You never did tell me how you and Roderick met.”

Lena darted a furtive glance at Morgan, hoping she would come to her rescue again. But her sister was preoccupied with sending text messages on her cell phone. Lena was on her own.

“We, uh, met at a party, Poppa.”

“Really? I didn't realize the two of you had the same acquaintances. I've read magazine articles about Roderick hobnobbing with Oprah and the Obamas.” He grinned teasingly. “Are you leading a double life I should know about?”

Lena choked out a laugh. “Of course not, Poppa! What a crazy thing to say!”

Margaret clucked her tongue at him. “Why don't you
leave the poor girl alone, Cleveland? She's almost thirty years old. She doesn't need you interrogating her about her love life.”

Lena gave the woman a grateful smile as she briskly continued, “Anyway, the reason I came outside was to take you on your daily stroll through the gardens. Are you ready?”

Cleveland's eyes lit up. “You'd better believe it.” He always looked forward to spending quiet time with Margaret as she wheeled him around the property's lush, labyrinthine gardens.

Lena rose from the table, eager to escape just in case he decided he'd rather continue his interrogation. She bent, kissing his cheek and smiling at him. “I'll see you tomorrow, Poppa. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.”

He grinned. “Don't worry. Margaret will keep me in line.”

She chuckled. “
Somebody
has to.”

As Margaret positioned herself behind Cleveland's wheelchair, Morgan glanced up from her texting and peered around the table. “What'd I miss?”

Everyone just laughed.

L
ater that evening, Lena was walking back to her apartment after making a trip to the neighborhood drugstore. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a dark SUV pull up alongside her. No stranger to being hassled on the street by leering, obnoxious men, she kept moving, intending to ignore the driver. But when the passenger window rolled down and the opening notes of “Stormy Weather” drifted out to her, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart lurched, and a foolish grin spread across her face before she could check it.

“Hey, beautiful,” came the deep, sexy drawl she'd been expecting—hoping—to hear all week.

Schooling her features into a neutral mask, Lena turned slowly to find Roderick seated behind the wheel of a gleaming black Escalade. His mouth curved in that slow, lazy smile that always took her breath away.

She swallowed. “Hey, yourself.”

He looked her over, taking in her white V-neck T-shirt worn beneath a cropped blazer and skintight jeans tucked into black knee-high stiletto boots. His eyes glinted with appreciation. “Get in.”

Lena shook her head. “No, thanks. I can walk the rest of the way.”

“Let me give you a ride.”

“I'm good. Really.”

As she continued down the sidewalk he pulled up ahead, double-parked and climbed out of the truck. And then he was right there, blocking her path, smelling and looking too damn good in a black sweater, black jeans and black Timberland boots. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw, giving him a rakishly sexy look. All he needed was a gold hoop in his ear and a sword dangling at his side, and he'd be transformed into a swashbuckling pirate.

He cupped her chin, brushing his thumb across her lower lip. “Did you miss me?”

“No.”
God help me, YES!

Laughing softly, he slid his hands under her blazer and into the back pockets of her jeans, pulling her closer. “Okay,” he murmured, smiling into her eyes. “I'll say it first. I missed you.”

She hated that her heart flipped over and her insides melted. “You could have called,” she said, instantly wishing she could snatch the words back. She sounded petulant. Worse, she sounded needy.

“I was trying to give you some space,” Roderick drawled, bending his head to nuzzle her neck. “Isn't that what you asked for this week? So you could look after your grandfather?”

“Y-yes,” she stammered, shivering at his touch. “I wasn't complaining. I was just pointing out that you could have called to set up our, ah, next appointment.”

“Appointment?” He smiled against her throat. “We'll have to come up with a better word.”

Forcing herself to pull away, Lena threw a self-conscious glance up and down the quiet, residential street. She blushed when she met the amused stares of a young white couple walking toward them.

Roderick chuckled, enjoying her discomfiture. “Told you you should have gotten in the truck.”

Lena shot him a dark look. “It'd serve you right if you got a ticket for double-parking.”

“Wouldn't be the first time. How's your grandfather doing?”

“Much better. But I'll have you know that I spent the whole week dodging questions about you and our relationship.”

Roderick grinned. “Have you gotten any better at thinking on your feet?”

“Let's just say I benefited from the constant flow of visitors into his room and an act of mercy by his nurse.”

Roderick laughed. Gently skimming his knuckle over her cheek, he asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

“No.” She smiled. “And you still owe me dinner and a show, remember?”

“I know. We're going on Monday night. I've already got the tickets.”

“Really? To what show?”

“You'll find out Monday.” He smiled softly. “What do you want to eat tonight?”

You,
she thought wickedly.
I want to dip you in honey and sop you up with a biscuit.

Aloud she said, “Let's eat someplace casual, where we can just go as we are. I don't feel like getting dressed up.”

“I know just the place. Ever been to Michael's?”

“Nope, never heard of it.”

Roderick gave her a look of grave disappointment. “You're not a true Chicagoan until you've developed an appreciation for a good hot dog.”

Lena laughed. “I hoof it practically everywhere I go. Doesn't
that
make me more of a Chicagoan?”

He grinned. “Naw, sunshine, it's all about the dog.” He took the plastic bag out of her hand and started toward the truck, asking over his shoulder, “What'd you buy? Anything that needs to be refrigerated before we go?”

“Naw.” She grinned. “Just some feminine products.”

Wordlessly he passed the bag back to her, and she laughed.

 

Roderick took her to a place called Michael's in Highland Park.

Lena agreed to try a char dog, then had second thoughts when she got an eyeful of the monstrosities that were brought out to them. The hot dogs were nestled between poppy seed buns and loaded with chopped onions, sport peppers, mustard, neon-green relish, tomato, pickles and celery salt. They were appallingly fattening—and surprisingly delicious.

Lena, who'd always made a practice of sitting face-to-face to her clients, didn't bat an eye when Roderick joined her on the same side of the booth. They sat close together, their thighs brushing under the table as they shared a plate of cheese fries, dabbed mustard from the corner of each other's mouths and laughed as Roderick showed Lena how to eat the messy hot dog without having it fall apart.

It was the most fun she'd had since…well, since the
previous Saturday at Mackinac Island. She thoroughly enjoyed being with Roderick. Whether they were having a romantic candlelight dinner aboard his luxurious yacht or gorging on overstuffed franks in some outdated-looking diner, every minute spent in his company made her crave more. So when he suggested going to the Navy Pier to walk off their meal, Lena jumped at the chance to prolong their evening.

They held hands as they strolled along the scenic pier, which was packed with tourists and abuzz with noise and bright lights. They took a ride on the Ferris wheel, which swept them high into the air and dazzled them with spectacular views of the city. It wasn't Lena's first trip to the Navy Pier, nor was it Roderick's, who'd been coming here since he was a child. But when they looked at each other and smiled, Lena knew she wasn't the only one who thought the place had never seemed more magical.

When they weren't holding hands, she loved the warmth of Roderick's palm at the small of her back as he guided her through the crowds, the way he pulled her protectively against his side whenever someone strayed too close. Although the evening had cooled, the heat of his touch kept her skin tingling, her body humming with sexual awareness.

Before she realized it, he was leading her toward the back of the pier. Away from the bright lights and—more importantly—away from the crowds. Once they'd turned a dark corner and ducked behind a deserted boathouse, Roderick hauled Lena into his arms and kissed her.

As their hungry lips meshed and parted, she whispered, “Don't tell me.”

“Tell you what?” He licked into her mouth, sensually twirling his tongue around hers.

She shivered. “You used to sneak back here every summer and make out with girls.”

His grin was a flash of white. “How'd you guess?”

“Mmm,” she purred, arching back as his mouth fed on her throat. “You're such a naughty boy.”

“And you love it.”

She did. Thoroughly.

He reached between their bodies. She heard the soft rasp of a zipper, followed by his muffled groan of frustration. “Why'd you have to wear jeans today?”

She laughed. “Sorry. You've gotten spoiled.”

“That's okay. Where there's a will—” He yanked the tight jeans just past her hips, taking her panties with them. She felt the cool air on her skin, then the heat of his hands as he cupped her bare bottom. A soft moan escaped her.

She unfastened the button of his jeans, dragged down the zipper and wrapped her hand around his hot, pulsing erection. He groaned.

Slipping his fingers between her legs, he stroked her slick folds. “You're so wet,” he murmured approvingly.

She smiled. “I
stay
wet for you.”

He made a sound—a deep, rough sound that bordered on a growl. And then he removed his hand and nudged his penis between her thighs, rubbing back and forth against her clitoris until the tantalizing friction made her moan. She curled her arms around his neck and widened her legs as far as her jeans would allow. Roderick lifted her slightly off the ground, then slid into her wetness. She gasped sharply.

He began thrusting upward, strong, steady thrusts that sent stabs of pleasure slicing through her. Unable
to wrap her legs around him, unable to really move, she could only clench her teeth to keep from screaming as her body began to convulse.

They came together, crying out just as fireworks exploded in the night sky.

Lena raised her head from his shoulder and they grinned at each other, their faces illuminated in bright flashes of color.

“Talk about perfect timing,” Lena murmured, and they both laughed quietly.

Roderick lowered her feet to the ground, and they quickly composed themselves before returning to the noise and the crowds. Lena was flushed, her legs feeling as wobbly as if she'd been guzzling tequila.

Roderick smiled down at her. Tightening his hold around her waist, he leaned close to murmur in her ear, “That was just a teaser. Wait till I get you back home.”

A delicious shiver of anticipation ran through her.

“Lena?”

At first she didn't recognize the voice.

She stopped and turned around, her gaze sweeping the crowd to identify the owner.

And that's when she saw him.

The man who'd callously used and humiliated her three years ago. The one man she'd hoped and prayed she would never see again.

Glenn Donahue.

As he separated from the crowd, her heart nose-dived.

“You know him?” Roderick murmured, a subtle edge to his voice.

Lena nodded tightly.

As Glenn approached, she briefly catalogued skin the color of toasted almond, attractive features and a trim physique outfitted in a beige sweater and blue jeans.

“Lena,” he greeted her with a warm smile. As if he hadn't looked right through her the last time they ran into each other. “I
thought
that was you.”

“Glenn.” Her smile was cool, detached.

“You look beautiful. But that's nothing new.”

“Thanks,” Lena murmured. “Glenn, this is Roderick—”

“Brand,” Glenn finished, his smile broadening as he grasped Roderick's hand. “Glenn Donahue. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a huge fan.”

Roderick inclined his head, coolly sizing Glenn up. Lena also couldn't help comparing the two men. Roderick was at least three inches taller and fifty pounds heavier. And in terms of who exuded more virility, there was no contest—Roderick won by a landslide.

As Glenn stood there grinning at him, Lena suddenly understood why he'd gone out of his way to speak to her tonight. He'd wanted to meet Roderick, not catch up on old times with
her.

As if to confirm her suspicion, Glenn told Roderick, “The next time you're undertaking an expansion project, be sure to look up Donahue Development. That's my company. I'm now one of the largest real estate developers in Chicago.”

“Congratulations.” There was a hint of mockery in Roderick's voice.

Glenn's smile faltered. As he divided a speculative glance between Roderick and Lena, she saw a malicious gleam enter his eyes a moment before he asked innocently, “So, Lena, are you working tonight?”

Heat rushed to her face. Just when she'd thought
Glenn Donahue couldn't humiliate her any more than he already had, he proved her wrong.

Beside her, Roderick stiffened. If he'd suspected that Glenn was just an old boyfriend, he now knew better. And the truth was just as embarrassing, just as damning, as it had been three years ago.

Summoning every ounce of dignity she possessed, Lena smiled sweetly at Glenn. “Working tonight? Oh, no. I'm just enjoying the company of a handsome, wonderful man who knows how to show a woman a good time.” She sighed. “If only
all
my dates worked out that way.”

As Glenn's face tightened at the veiled insult, she felt a small surge of satisfaction. But it didn't matter. The damage had already been done.

“Are you here alone, Glenn?” she inquired, glancing around curiously.

“No,” he said quickly. “My date's in the restroom.”

Lena smiled. “I hope you're both having as good a time as we are. Now if you'll excuse us,” she said smoothly, “Roderick and I were just leaving. Nice running into you again.”

“You, too,” Glenn muttered sourly.

Lena could feel the tension rolling off Roderick's body as they left the Navy Pier and made their way to where he'd parked his truck. He didn't speak, and neither did she.

As they headed onto the JFK Expressway, the tense silence stretched between them, straining her nerves to the breaking point. When she couldn't take it anymore, she drew a deep breath and blurted, “I'm sorry. I know that was awkward—”

“He was one of your clients?” Roderick's voice was brittle.

“Yes.” Lena swallowed with difficulty. She knew what was coming next.

“You slept with him?”

She averted her face to the window, closing her eyes. “Yes.”

She knew what he was thinking. He was recalling every hypocritical speech she'd given him about not becoming sexually involved with her clients. He was remembering the way she'd reacted with such shame after they made love that first night, as if she'd never crossed the line before. As if he and he alone had caused her downfall.