Читать книгу Soon To Be Brides: The Marrying Macallister / That Blackhawk Bride - Barbara McCauley - Страница 10

Chapter Five

The hours until the group was to meet at the airport Sunday morning were filled with a flurry of activity for Caitlin.

Very early on Sunday morning Caitlin received a telephone call from Matt suggesting that he pick her up, as there was no point in both of them leaving their vehicles in long-term parking. To Caitlin’s self-disgust she could not think of a reasonably reasonable reason why that wasn’t a good idea and agreed to Matt’s offer, reminding him that they’d have to put Miss M.’ s car seat in his SUV.

When the group gathered at the designated gate at the airport, with everyone being much earlier than they needed to be, they were a very excited, emotional and exhausted bunch of people.

Elizabeth Kane, the director of the adoption agency, laughed when she saw them and said not to fear, because they were facing a fifteen-hour nonstop flight, which would give them plenty of time to catch up on their sleep. “And you’d better do just that,” she said, beaming at them all, “because leisurely naps and undisturbed nights are soon to be a thing of the past.”

“Oh, I know,” one of the women said. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

After what seemed like an endless wait, they boarded the plane, Matt having been assigned the seat next to Caitlin. Since Matt was to be Caitlin’s extra pair of hands, Elizabeth explained, she thought by seating them together it would give them a chance to get to know each other better.

When the engines rumbled and lifted the huge aircraft off the ground, Caitlin closed her eyes.

“Are you afraid of flying?” Matt said, glancing over at her.

Caitlin opened her eyes and smiled at him.

“No, not at all. I’m just savoring the fact that we’re on our way, actually on our way at long last.” She paused. “Did you accomplish everything you needed to do at the hospital?”

Matt nodded. “It was down to the wire, but I did it. I haven’t gotten more than a few hours’ sleep in the last three nights, though. But as Elizabeth said, I can catch up during this flight. Fifteen hours. Man, that is grim. I plan to sleep, sleep, sleep during this trip. If I snore, just poke me.”

“I certainly will,” Caitlin said, laughing.

Do not, Caitlin told herself, dwell on the image “poke me if I snore” evoked in her mind. Too late. She could feel the warm flush staining her cheeks.

During the flight the international dateline was crossed, and by the time the plane landed in Hong Kong in the early evening, no one was certain what day it was or how far off their physical clocks were.

They were transported to a nice hotel by a waiting van, checked in as a group by Elizabeth and arranged to meet again in the lobby in an hour to go out to dinner.

“We’ll be going to a restaurant a few blocks from here,” Elizabeth said, “so we can walk, and I’ve made a reservation, so they’re expecting us. My groups always eat there during this stopover in Hong Kong.

“I took the liberty of ordering for all of us, and there will be a multitude of dishes on a lazy Susan in the center of the table. You’ll have the opportunity to sample all kinds of delicious offerings.”

On the third floor, where the entire group had been booked, Caitlin used a plastic key card to open the door to her room, settled her suitcase on the luggage rack, then snapped on a lamp. She frowned as the bulb remained dark. Moving carefully in the darkness she tried another lamp with the same result.

She inched her way back to the door and opened it to allow the lighted hallway to cast a dim glow over her room, then frowned.

She would, she supposed, have to find the telephone, wherever it was hiding in there, and call down to the desk to tell them the electricity wasn’t working.

The door directly across from her opened suddenly and Matt appeared, his room brightly lit behind him.

“Problem?” he asked.

“I apparently don’t have any electricity. None of the lamps work.”

“Do you have your key card?”

“My…yes.” Caitlin held up the card that was still in her hand.

Matt took it and slipped it into a slot on the wall by the door beneath the light switches. The lamps Caitlin had fiddled with immediately lit up.

“Let there be light.”

“For goodness’ sake. How did you know that was what to do?”

“I read the material the airline provided while you were playing what must have been over a thousand games of gin rummy with the others.”

“Oh.”

“May I see what kind of view you have from your window?” Matt asked. “I’m staring at the rear of the building behind us.”

“Oh, well, sure, of course, go right ahead.”

As Matt crossed the room, the door closed and Caitlin stared at it for a long moment.

Dandy, she thought. Now she and Matt were together in her room with the door closed. What if the others saw them come out when it was time to meet in the lobby? She’d spent as much time as possible, when she wasn’t sleeping on the airplane, playing cards and visiting with the others instead of sitting by Matt as though they were a couple. The last thing she wanted was for rumors to start about a possible romance between her and Matt MacAllister.

So far she hadn’t been aware of any speculative glances or sly smiles directed their way, but exiting her room with Matt would not be a terrific idea. She was hoping that the group would continue to remember that Matt was simply stepping in to help her out.

She had no intention, Caitlin thought, of using up any mental or emotional energy that should be directed toward her daughter denying queries about what was taking place between her and Matt. Especially since nothing was taking place between her and Matt. Nothing at all.

So what if she’d been aware of how peaceful he appeared when he slept, yet still had that aura of blatant masculinity emanating from him?

So what if she thought it was so endearing the way he rubbed his eyes with his fists like a little boy when he first woke up?

So what if there was a rugged earthiness about him that sent shivers down her spine when he needed a shave?

None of that was important. It didn’t mean a thing.

“Las Vegas,” Matt said from over by the window. “That’s what Hong Kong reminds me of. Lots of neon lights, people crowding the sidewalks, noise, cars, the whole nine yards. Come look at this, Caitlin. See if this view doesn’t remind you of Las Vegas.”

“I’ve never been to Las Vegas,” she said, staying by the door.

“Oh, well, come take a look anyway.”

With a silent sigh, Caitlin crossed the room and joined Matt at the window. He slipped one arm across her shoulders, then pointed toward the street below.

“See? You’d never know you were in an Asian country. That is due, madam, to the fact that Hong Kong was under British rule for many, many years before once again being claimed by mainland China, and is very westernized, if there is such a word. However, when we arrive in Nanjing tomorrow, then later go on to Guangzhou, you will experience the real China of today.”

“Do tell.” Caitlin managed to produce a small smile.

Matt had nestled her close to his body, she thought frantically. His big, strong, oh-so-warm body. Such heat. It was weaving its way from him into her, swirling within her, then pulsing low and hot. He was being so nonchalant about having his arm around her, acting as though it didn’t matter, just happened to be where it had landed. Well, she could match him sophistication for sophistication, by golly. Unless she fainted dead out on her face first.

“I am telling you,” Matt said, chuckling, “so pay attention, because people pay tour guides beaucoup bucks for information like this.”

“I’m etching it all on my weary brain. I even got a bonus because now I know what Las Vegas looks like back in the States.” She cleared her throat. “Well, thank you for solving the mystery of the electricity. You were a hero to the rescue of a damsel in the darkness.”

Matt turned his head to smile at her, but his smile disappeared quickly as he realized that Caitlin was only inches away. His gaze swept over her delicate features, lingered on her lips, then he looked directly into her dark eyes.

“I don’t think,” he said, his voice husky, “that I’d be off base if I kissed you, Caitlin. After all, we have slept together.”

Caitlin blinked. “We…we what?”

“Slept together. On the plane. Right there, side by side, we both were sleeping. So, therefore, we slept together. Sort of.”

“That’s the silliest—”

“No,” he interrupted, lowering his head slowly toward hers, “it’s not. And there is nothing silly about how much I want to kiss you, how long I’ve waited to kiss you, or about the fact that I’m about to kiss you.”

And he did.

Caitlin stiffened as Matt brushed his lips lightly over hers, then shivered when he repeated the sensuous journey. He encircled her with his arms and pulled her close to his rugged body as he intensified the kiss, parting her lips to slip his tongue into the sweet darkness of her mouth.

Caitlin’s hands floated upward to entwine behind Matt’s neck, then her lashes drifted down as she savored the taste, the feel, the aroma of Matt.

She’d fantasized about this kiss, she thought hazily, dreamed about it, had been waiting, as Matt had, for it to take place.

Nothing more should, nor would, take place between them, she silently vowed, but this kiss was theirs to share, the memories of it to do with as they each desired.

Matt lifted his head just enough to draw a quick, sharp breath, then his mouth captured Caitlin’s once again in a searing kiss.

Oh, Matt, Caitlin thought as she trembled in his arms. He had picked the perfect place for this to happen. Hong Kong was…was sort of in limbo, a place of bright colors and surging crowds, a mixture of cultures, the old, the new, creating an otherworldly aura.

It wasn’t the reality of Ventura, nor of the China where her daughter waited. What happened between her and Matt here in Hong Kong was separate and apart from what truly existed. So be it.

Matt broke the kiss, took a rough breath, then eased Caitlin gently away from his aroused body.

“I should apologize for doing that,” he said, his voice gritty with passion, “but I can’t because I’m not sorry. I’ve wanted to kiss you from the moment I saw you, Caitlin. Before you decide to be mad as hell, remember that you shared these kisses, held nothing back.”

“I’m not angry,” she said, her voice unsteady. “I wanted that to happen as much as you did, Matt. The sensual tension between us has been building and building and… But that’s over, now, done. Nothing like this is going to take place between us again.”

Matt frowned and dragged a restless hand through his hair.

“I don’t understand. We just shared kisses that were sensational, unbelievable. We also get along great together, have fun, laugh, talk. Something is going on here, Caitlin. Don’t you want to know what it is?”

She took a step backward and wrapped her hands around her elbows. “No, Matt, I don’t.”

“Why in the hell not?” he said none too quietly.

“Because,” she said, dropping her hands to her hips and matching his volume, “I am on this trip for one purpose. One. My daughter. She is all I’m focusing on. I certainly don’t intend to fit a short-term affair in around the edges of my busy schedule over here. No, I’m not sorry about the kisses, but nothing else is going to… No.”

“You’re making whatever this is between us sound cheap and tacky, Caitlin. I resent that.”

“Well, excuse me to hell and back,” Caitlin said, plunking down on the edge of the bed. “Okay, you don’t like my short-term-affair description. Fine. What would you call it if we continue, end up in bed together?

“Tell me, Matt. Have you been struck by Cupid’s arrow, fallen head over heels in love with me, intend to not rest until I agree to marry you?”

“Oh. Well, no, but give me a break here. That sort of stuff only happens in the movies or those romance novels that women read. Let’s be realistic.”

“I am being realistic. We’re sexually attracted to each other, plus we have fun together, enjoy each other’s company. However, since we’re not in love with each other, taking this further would be nothing more than a short-term affair. I rest my case.”

“I have never in my life,” Matt said, a rather bemused expression on his face, “had a conversation like this one with a woman. Talk about analyzing something to death. I mean, I’m used to just letting things take their natural course and… then… later, down the road it’s…” His voice trailed off.

“Aha.” Caitlin pointed one finger in the air. “Down the road it’s over, ending yet another short-term affair of which I speak.”

“Would you cut that out?”

Before Caitlin could reply, a knock sounded at the door.

“Caitlin,” came Marsha’s muffled voice. “Are you ready to go down to meet the others for dinner? Caitlin?”

“Oh, good grief.” Caitlin jumped to her feet. “That’s Marsha.”

Matt grinned. “Shall I get the door while you freshen your lipstick?”

“Don’t you touch that door,” Caitlin whispered. “Marsha’s busy little mind will go nuts if she finds us in here together.”

“Caitlin?” Marsha called. “Are you in there?”

“Yes, I’m here,” Caitlin yelled. “Go on ahead, Marsha. I’ll be along in just a couple of minutes.”

“Okay. Have you seen Matt? He isn’t in his room.”

“Oh, he’s around somewhere. Maybe he already went downstairs.”

“Well, hurry up, because I am starving to death.”

“I will. I just have to comb my hair.”

“And freshen your lipstick,” Matt said with a chuckle, which earned him a glare from Caitlin.

Caitlin ignored Matt to the best of her ability as she freshened up.

Matt folded his arms loosely over his chest and leaned one shoulder against the wall as he waited. Oh, Caitlin was something, he thought. The kisses they’d shared had been sensational. She was very sensual, very womanly and obviously was comfortable with her own femininity. She had returned his kisses in total abandon and he had been instantly aroused, wanting her, aching for her with an intensity like nothing he’d known before.

And Caitlin when angry? Dynamite. Her cheeks became flushed and her eyes flashed like laser beams. She’d taken him on, toe to toe, and let him know what he could do with any ideas that he might be entertaining of a short-term affair with her.

Matt frowned.

Short-term affair. Caitlin had repeated that phrase like a broken record until he’d reached the point that he’d told her to put a cork in it. The problem was, she was right. He had nothing more than the now ever-famous short-term affair to offer her. He simply wasn’t ready for a commitment to forever, a relationship that would inch toward marriage, hearth, home and Miss M. the baby.

Yeah, sure, he’d said he’d like to know what was happening between Caitlin and him because it was definitely…different somehow from his past experiences where casual dating was the order of the day and no one got hurt. No, there was more depth, intensity between him and Caitlin. But that didn’t mean he was opening the door to a possible permanent future with her and the daughter she would see and hold for the first time tomorrow.

So, where did that leave him? Aching for Caitlin. Wanting to make love with her. Envisioning pulling her into his arms and kissing her senseless at every opportunity, which would no doubt result in her popping him right in the chops.

“Well, hell,” Matt said under his breath.

He had volunteered to stick like glue to Caitlin to be ready to assist her in any way he was needed. He was the extra pair of hands, hands that would not be allowed to touch her again. This trip was suddenly losing its appeal. Big-time.

“I’m ready,” Caitlin said, bringing Matt from his now-gloomy thoughts. “I’ll go first, then you take the elevator after me. That way we won’t arrive in the lobby at the same time and create a scenario ripe for rumor.”

“Ripe for rumor?” Matt said with a burst of laughter. “I can sure tell you write for a living. You certainly have a unique way with words.”

He paused and became serious. “Caitlin, I think you’re making far too much of this business of us being seen together. Everyone is focused on their baby, that little munchkin waiting for them to arrive tomorrow. The last thing on the minds of anyone in our group is whether or not you and I are getting it on or… Well, I could have said that nicer, but you get the drift.”

Caitlin opened her mouth to deliver a retort to Matt’s statement, then frowned and snapped it closed again. A long, silent minute passed as she stared into space, deep in thought.

“You’re right,” she said finally, looking at Matt again. “I’m acting like an idiot. It’s very self-centered of me to think that everyone would be in a twitter over what may, or may not, be going on between the two of us. I should be thinking about my daughter, too, not about how I felt when you kissed me, or how much I had wanted you to kiss me, or how long it seemed that I had been anticipating your kissing me, or…”

Caitlin’s eyes widened and a flush stained her cheeks.

“I didn’t just say all that,” she said, shaking her head. “Oh, tell me I didn’t say all that. This is so embarrassing and… No, this is jet lag. Yes, that’s what’s wrong with me. I’m suffering from a severe case of jet lag. Food. Maybe food will help.”

Caitlin hurried to the door and flung it open.

“Let’s go,” she said. “We’re probably holding up the whole group. I need nourishment so my brain can start functioning like something I recognize again. Where’s my key card?”

“It’s still in the slot to turn on the electricity,” Matt said, crossing the room slowly.

“I knew that,” Caitlin said, pulling the plastic card free.

“You’re sure we should ride down in the elevator together?” Matt said, pulling the door closed behind them. “I’ll do whatever makes you comfortable.”

“Of course we’ll go together,” Caitlin said as they reached the elevator. “You were the one who made me realize how silly I was being about all of this.”

“Mmm.” Matt nodded. “Well, for the record, Caitlin, I felt as though I’d waited an eternity to kiss you, too, and I’m going to remember those kisses we shared. Oh, yes, ma’am, I certainly am.”

As the elevator door swished open, Caitlin said, "The subject is closed.”

“Hold the elevator,” a man called as Caitlin and Matt stepped inside.

Matt pressed the proper button to keep the doors open, and another couple from the group hurried inside.

“Oh, I was so sure we’d kept the whole bunch waiting for us,” the woman said, “but you’re just going down, too. That makes me feel better. We wasted so much time trying to figure out how to get the electricity to work in the room.”

“Really?” Matt said. “I read all about it on the plane.”

“I was totally baffled,” Caitlin said, “if that makes you feel better. I just stood there like an idiot wondering where the phone was so I could call for help. Matt came across the hall and poked the card in the little slot.”

“Came across…” The woman paused. “Oh, that’s right. You’re not a couple, per se. It’s so difficult to keep so many new people straight at the same time. You sat together on the plane and—”

“Honey,” her husband said, smiling, “you wouldn’t keep it straight if you had a scorecard to look at, because you are thinking about the baby, and everything else is just sort of floating on by you.”

Matt looked at Caitlin with a very smug expression. She rolled her eyes heavenward.

The addition of Caitlin, Matt and the couple with them on the elevator completed the group waiting in the lobby to go to dinner, except for a missing Elizabeth Kane.

Despite their jet lag everyone was in fine spirits and the chatter was lively and quite loud.

Marsha and Bud joined Caitlin and Matt and the four agreed they were looking forward to a meal that was not airplane food. Marsha reached up and swiped her thumb over the left edge of Matt’s top lip.

“You should have freshened your lipstick before you came down here,” she said, laughing merrily. “I just removed the last dab. I mean, hey, either wear it or don’t, whatever floats your boat.”

To Caitlin’s amazement and delight, an embarrassed flush crept up Matt’s neck and onto his face.

“Marsha,” Bud said, chuckling, “give Matt and Caitlin a break, would you? It’s none of our business if they… Well, it’s just none of our business.”

“Of course it isn’t,” Marsha said. “But that doesn’t mean I can just cancel being snoopy.”

“Changing the subject now,” Bud said. “I wonder what’s keeping Elizabeth?”

As though she’d heard her name being called, Elizabeth emerged as the elevator doors swished open, and hurried across the lobby to join the others, glancing at her watch when she finally stopped.

“Only ten minutes late,” she said, “but I’ll still apologize for keeping you waiting. I was making my usual telephone call to Dr. Yang in Nanjing to confirm our plans. He’ll notify the director of the orphanage that we’re on schedule and good to go. Dr. Yang will leave a message for me at our hotel in Nanjing informing me of the time the vans will arrive to take us to the orphanage so you can meet your daughters.

“As you’ve been told, you’ll have about an hour’s visit with them tomorrow, then take them with you the next day when we go back to the orphanage to get them.” She paused and laughed. “Uh-oh, there’s no tissue box to pass around and some of you are getting weepy. Let’s head for the restaurant before we flood this lobby.”

Darkness had fallen and more neon lights had come alive when the group left the hotel and began the walk to the restaurant. The name Las Vegas was heard several times from the various conversations taking place.

Caitlin replayed in her mind the moment when Marsha had wiped the lipstick from Matt’s lips and couldn’t curb her smile. She should be totally mortified, she thought, but she wasn’t. Matt had been so endearingly embarrassed, she’d wanted to give him a hug and tell him not to worry about what anyone might be thinking about the telltale clue, and to remember that he was the one who had said that new daughters were the main focus of the entire group, not the doings of Caitlin Cunningham and Matt MacAllister.

Elizabeth was greeted warmly when they arrived at the restaurant, and they were soon settled at a large round table with a lazy Susan in the middle.

Three waitresses appeared and began to place steaming hot, intriguing-appearing offerings of food on the turntable. Plates were soon piled high with the fragrant food, and they dug in.

“Did Dr. Yang say anything about the babies, Elizabeth?” one of the women asked. “Anything at all?”

“Only that they would be ready and waiting for you to see and hold them,” she said, smiling.

“Oh-h-h,” the woman said. “I can hardly wait. I hope the hours between now and then pass quickly. This is torture.” She smiled at her husband. “Just think, Bill. Tomorrow we meet Emma Lin. Tomorrow.”

“Yep,” he said, matching her smile. “In the meantime, eat your dinner.”

“Tomorrow,” Caitlin whispered, staring into space.

Excited chatter erupted around the table centered on the wondrous event that would take place the next day. Matt leaned close to Caitlin so only she could hear him.

“Tomorrow,” he said, smiling at her when she met his gaze. “You’ll meet your daughter. You’ll hold her, look into her pretty eyes and know if she’s Mackenzie or Madison. It will be one of those life-changing memories that will be etched in your mind forever.”

“Yes,” Caitlin said softly.

“And you know something, Caitlin? When I realize that I’ll be right there to witness it all, I can honestly say there’s no place else on this earth I’d rather be.”