Читать книгу How To Seduce An Heiress: The Reluctant Heiress / Pride After Her Fall / Project: Runaway Heiress - Heidi Betts, Lucy Ellis - Страница 12

A car was parked at the gate of Garrett’s estate. As his lights shone on it, the door opened and Edgar stepped out, patiently waiting.

Garrett’s heart dropped. He knew why Edgar was waiting for him.

He put the car in Park and stepped out to walk to Edgar. His mind raced. Had Edgar already told Sophia? Was he here at Sophia’s request or because of his own anger over Garrett’s duplicity?

The gatekeeper stood in the doorway of the gatehouse. “I tried to reach you on your cell,” he said.

“It’s all right,” Garrett said. “I know Mr. Hollingworth.” He turned to shake hands with Edgar, relieved slightly to see Edgar offer his hand.

“Sorry, Garrett,” Edgar said. “I know this is a late hour, but I want to talk to you in person. This isn’t something to deal with over the phone.”

“That’s fine. Come up to the house and we’ll talk. You can follow me in.”

“Thanks.”

Garrett returned to his car to drive through the gates. Edgar turned in behind him. At least he had been civil, which was a hopeful sign. More than he expected from Sophia when she discovered the truth about his connections.

At the house, he led Edgar into the library where a decanter of brandy and small crystal glasses sat on a mahogany table.

“Would you care for brandy?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Shedding his jacket, Garrett poured two brandies although he had no interest in drinking. He handed a glass to Edgar.

“You’re more than CEO of a Houston property management firm,” Edgar said. “You’re CFO of Delaney Enterprises in Dallas. I assume the property management business here is a sideline of yours.”

“It actually was started by my dad,” Garrett said. He looked at Edgar, waiting for the rest. When Edgar didn’t continue, Garrett asked, “Have you told Sophia yet?”

“No.”

“I’ll tell you what I’m doing here and why I haven’t told her about my connection,” Garrett said, proceeding to run through his history with the Delaneys and his purpose in meeting Sophia.

“I intended to get to know her so she would at least let someone talk to her about meeting with Will Delaney. So far, she won’t even talk to their lawyer, much less to any of them. Edgar, I don’t know what details she’s told you, but she stands to lose an enormous inheritance and cost the Delaney brothers theirs. They are as innocent in this as she is.”

“I know,” Edgar said, swirling his brandy in the snifter and then looking up to meet Garrett’s gaze. “She’s told me. That’s why I’m here. First, I don’t want her hurt.”

“I don’t want to hurt her either. I hate keeping this secret from her. I’ve come to care very much about Sophia. To be honest, I’ve thought about resigning, but I have deep obligations to the Delaney family.”

“Don’t resign. I want you to succeed. I want Sophia to get her inheritance. It’s absurd for her to toss aside that kind of money. I came to see you to learn what you intend and to make certain you’re not going to hurt her. I feel like a father to her.”

“I will try in every way I can to avoid hurting her.”

“Sophia is very cautious with men. Therefore, she’s rather naive. As far as the Delaneys go—I hope to heaven you succeed in making her listen.”

“They want to know her and want her in their family. But they didn’t even know she existed until the reading of Argus’s will.”

“Why am I not surprised. That man was arrogant.”

“There’s one grandchild, Caroline Delaney, who is five years old. This will hurt her, too,” he said, pulling out his phone and touching it. He crossed the room to show a photo to Edgar.

“Great heavens!” Edgar exclaimed, taking the phone to stare at the picture. “Except for the curly hair, she looks like Sophia. Actually, Sophia and this half brother bear a strong resemblance.”

“Yes, they do.”

“Does Sophia know about the child?”

“She has to because Caroline is in the will. There’s a trust for her. Caroline’s mother walked out when Caroline was a baby and the oldest brother, Adam, was her father. When he was killed in a plane crash, Will became Caroline’s guardian. Caroline has lost enough in this life.” Garrett put away the phone, retrieved his brandy and sat again.

Edgar sipped his brandy. “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t keep her from looking you up. I’m amazed she hasn’t already. She must like you and take you at your word.”

“I think she’s been reassured because Jason Trent knows me. She knows I have a business here and you had already met me. I’ve had her to my house and now we’ve spent a weekend together.”

“Believe me, that’s unlike her. She’s very cautious and I’m sure she’s already told you why.”

“Argus again and his treatment of her mother. I’m not Argus or even close, and not one drop of his blood runs in my veins.”

“True. I hope you can talk some sense into her for her own sake. It’s absurd for her to toss aside that fabulous inheritance. She doesn’t have the kind of money to be so blasé about it.”

“Thanks for letting me try to work this out. I just want her to talk to Will and to think about what she’s doing to them and herself.”

“If I can help in any manner, let me know.” Edgar took another long sip of brandy and set down his glass. “I’ll go now. I’m relieved to hear your purpose and I hope you succeed. I’ll stay out of this until I’m asked to do otherwise.”

He offered his hand and they shook again. “Thanks, Edgar. I appreciate it. I intend to tell her soon and I hope that doesn’t end her speaking to me.”

“I can’t help you much if it does. Sophia has a mind of her own and is quite independent. She grew up that way.”

At the front door, Garrett walked out on the porch. “Take care, Edgar. The gates will be open.”

“Good luck. I will try to get her to listen to reason. Sooner or later she will tell me when she learns the truth about you.”

As Garrett watched him drive away, his cell phone rang. It was Will Delaney.

“How did the weekend go?” he asked.

“It was fine. But suppose you had called in the middle of a moment when I would not have wanted to talk to you?”

“You wouldn’t have answered your phone,” Will said with a laugh.

“I’m actually glad you called. I’ve been thinking about it, Will. I don’t want to accept any pay for this.”

“What the hell? Is there something in the water in Houston that makes people not want money? She won’t take her inheritance. Now you don’t want your pay.”

“Just accept that I am off the payroll on this. I’m doing the Delaneys a favor. It’s free, gratis,” he said, feeling a faint degree better that he wasn’t taking money for keeping his purpose from Sophia. But he still hated being secretive.

“I’m not going to argue with you. You’re a big boy now and if you don’t want money, okay. We can renegotiate your salary.”

“Don’t push me, Will,” Garrett said. He knew Will was teasing and being flip, but he didn’t feel like horsing around.

“Sorry, Garrett, if this has turned sour for you. Okay, no pay. We’re all grateful as hell, as usual. So it went well?”

“Yes, it went well. I’ll call you when I have something solid to report. Night, Will.”

He clicked off. His thoughts shifted to Edgar and then to Sophia. Tomorrow night he had to tell her the truth. Would the intimacy they had shared this weekend be a strong enough bond to keep her from despising him? He couldn’t answer his own question.

Sleep eluded him again. He mulled over the fact that she had been a virgin. He was the first man in her life, which shook him. She had strong feelings about intimacy and had avoided it all these years. He hadn’t expected that and now, not telling her his connection to the Delaneys seemed even worse.

Why had she changed her mind this weekend? How deep did feelings run between them? Were they deep enough to withstand the shock she was going to receive?

Could she forgive him? If she did agree to meet the Delaneys and give them a chance, would it mean that she was willing to give her relationship with him a chance? Garrett clenched his fists. He was anxious to tell her while at the same time, he dreaded the moment. The fact that she had let him make love to her made him feel a bond with her that he hadn’t experienced before. Thinking about making love last night, his thoughts shifted and memories flooded him until he had to get out of bed and do something physical because he couldn’t sleep. The prospect of flying home and resigning still tempted him, yet he couldn’t do that either. Obligations to the Delaneys, to Will, to memories of his father’s wishes were all too strong. Now the Delaney legacy made him sink even deeper into his obligations to them.

He had to stay and confess his ties to the Delaneys to Sophia.

Not one thing about meeting Sophia had turned out the way he had expected. The most certain thing he knew, though, was that he wanted her with him. He missed her and wanted her in his arms and in his bed right now. He conjured up the memory of her spinning around in the snow, big flakes on her silky black hair and lashes and coat, her smile, her bubbling enthusiasm and zest for life. He ached to hold her again and he would remember the weekend all his life.

Would the truth destroy his budding relationship with Sophia? Or could he make her see how much he wanted to be with her even though he had kept this secret from her?

He had basically lied to her about who he was. How could he make it up to her? Would she even let him try?

Sophia tossed restlessly in bed. She missed Garrett, but she was annoyed with herself for reacting in such a manner. The weekend still dazzled her, memories bubbling up constantly that enveloped her and carried her away. Garrett had changed her feelings about intimacy. Had her feelings for Garrett become so strong, she was changing her basic views of life?

They would be together again in less than twenty-four hours. He would have stayed tonight if she had let him. Those two things made her wonder: Was she rushing headlong into a life like her mother’s? Had Garrett so easily demolished all the barriers she kept around her heart?

Realizing that she needed a distraction from thinking about Garrett, she switched on a light and got up to paint, losing herself in her task and driving all thought of him away until morning came.

Monday night she dressed eagerly, trying various outfits and finally selecting a red crepe blouse with a low-cut rounded neckline and straight skirt that had a slit on one side. She pinned the sides of her hair up, letting it fall in the back.

Her pulse raced with anticipation and she was impatient to see him.

When she greeted him, he stepped inside and swept her into his arms. Words were lost as he kissed her. She locked her arms around him and kissed him in return.

Finally she stepped back. “Another minute and I won’t look presentable to go out to dinner.”

“That’s impossible.” He held her waist and stepped back to look at her. “You’re beautiful, just perfect.”

“I think you’re the perfect one,” she said, thinking his charcoal suit made his gray eyes appear darker. “I’m ready.”

“So am I,” he said in a husky voice, referring to more than just dinner.

“We’re going to dinner. You promised,” she reminded him.

“Yes, I did. We’ll go eat and then we’re coming back here and I’m going to kiss you the way I want to.”

His words made her tingle and she smiled at him.

He took her arm to escort her to a sleek black sports car. She was surprised it wasn’t his chauffeur and his limousine, wondering why he preferred driving. Was it because he expected to stay at her house a long time tonight when he took her home?

She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about that, despite the desire for him that had been burning through her since they’d last made love.

They drove through posts and a wrought-iron fence, winding up a drive past splashing fountains and tall pines with lights high in the branches. As they stopped in front of a canopied walk and he gave the keys to a valet, he took her arm. Lights twinkled in all the bushes and over the restaurant, creating a festive atmosphere.

Inside, a large bouquet of four dozen red and yellow roses in a sparkling crystal vase on a marble table stood in the center of the entryway. A maître d’ met them, talked briefly to Garrett and led them to a table in a secluded corner that overlooked the dance floor on one side and a terrace on the other. Beyond the terrace were sloping grounds to a well-lit pond with more lights in the trees. Soft piano music played and a few couples were already on the small dance floor.

“I’ve never eaten here before, Garrett. I’ve heard of this place, but just haven’t been here. It’s lovely.”

“The food is great. I think you’ll like it.” A candle flickered in the center of the linen-covered table. Garrett reached across to take her hand. Candlelight was reflected in his gray eyes and her gaze dropped to his mouth. “The weekend was special,” he said in a husky voice.

“It was for me, you know that,” she replied breathlessly, studying him as he watched her. He had one of the most interesting faces and she wished he would let her paint his portrait. The only problem was that she would want to keep it, and that was the last thing she needed in her house right now, especially if she was trying to slow things down.

“I brought you something to remind you of the weekend and to let you know that it was special for me,” he said, handing her a small package.

Surprised, she looked up and smiled. “How sweet you are. You know you didn’t need to do this.”

She untied a silver ribbon and then unwrapped blue paper on a small box. When she opened it, another velvet box was inside. She removed it and took out a thin gold filigree bracelet.

“Garrett, it’s beautiful,” she said, touched and surprised. She looked up at him and then took it out to slip it on, turning her wrist as the candlelight highlighted the gold. “Thank you. It’s lovely and I’ll treasure it.”

“Enjoy it, Sophia, and remember the fun we had.”

“Of course I will,” she said, picking up his hand and leaning forward to brush a light kiss across his knuckles. He inhaled, his chest expanding while desire burned in the depths of his eyes.

All through dinner and later as they danced, desire kept her tingly. Dancing with him was as much fun as everything else. She enjoyed the fast dances; the slow dancing was sexy, tantalizing, making her want to love again. When they stopped and she looked up to meet his gaze, he appeared to be thinking about the same thing she’d been thinking about.

Garrett had a thick steak while she had lobster tail with white wine. Her appetite fled as she watched him in the flickering candlelight. Garrett had ensnared her heart. There was no way she could keep things light with him or hold to her resolution to avoid a relationship. He was important to her and he turned her insides out just looking at him.

By ten, when Garrett asked her if she was ready to leave, she nodded.

At her house, she invited Garrett inside.

“You’ve had the tour, so would you like a drink—a cup of hot chocolate, soda?”

“If you have iced tea, I’ll take that.”

“Two iced teas it is,” she said, heading for the kitchen. She crossed the room to get out glasses.

“Have a seat and I’ll get our drinks. We can go where it’s more comfortable.”

Garrett moved closer and turned her to face him. “Sophia,” he said in a husky voice, and her heart skipped. He leaned down to kiss her while his arm held her waist tightly.

The moment he touched her, her insides clenched and her pulse jumped. She hugged him tightly in return while her intentions to say no to making love vanished.

Nothing seemed as important as kissing and loving him.

“Now you’ll have to show me a bedroom,” he said, kissing her throat.

“There’s one down the hall on this floor,” she said, taking his hand to lead him to the bedroom where he stood her on her feet as he continued kissing her. His hands moved deftly over zippers and buttons, and her skirt floated to her ankles where she stepped out of it.

“This time we’re taking it nice and slow,” he said, taking time to shower kisses on her. He loved her with deliberation, trying to pleasure her and heighten desire every way he could until she was writhing beneath his touch, aching for him.

“Garrett, come here,” she whispered, reaching for him.

He slipped on a condom and lowered himself, slowly filling her, withdrawing and entering again while she arched beneath him.

His loving was slow, a sweet torment that fanned the fires he had already ignited.

He was beaded with sweat, trying to maintain control until finally he let go and loved furiously.

She cried out as she climaxed and in seconds he shuddered with his release.

Gradually her heartbeat returned to normal and her breathing grew quiet. They helped each other up and went to shower together, drying each other off only to return to bed. He pulled her into his embrace, holding her while he combed her hair with his fingers.

“Garrett, I didn’t know it could be this way,” she confessed. “I couldn’t say no to you.”

“I hope you never can,” he whispered, kissing her temple while he held her against his heart with his arms wrapped around her. “This is perfect, Sophia.”

“You might as well stay tonight. There’s no reason not to.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I’m surprised you asked me.”

“I surprised myself, but it seems logical. And my bracelet is beautiful. Thank you again.”

“Just remember our weekend together.”

“I will always. There’s no way I can forget it.”

He gazed into her eyes. “I hope you don’t. It was special to me.” He kissed her lightly. Though he’d told her many times before, his words thrilled her. She ran her hands over his shoulders, relishing being with him.

At two in the morning, he partially sat up. “I’m ready now for that cup of hot chocolate you offered. Is it still in the offering?”

“Of course. You have to wait a minute because I’m putting on a robe.”

“That takes away the fun.”

“Otherwise, we’ll never get to the hot chocolate.”

“True enough.”

She stood, wrapping herself in a comforter and going to get a robe. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

He grinned and waved, his gaze roaming over her as if mentally peeling away the comforter.

“You look gorgeous.”

“It’s my beautiful gold bracelet,” she replied, holding out her arm and letting the bracelet catch glints of light. Smiling, she left to go upstairs and get her best robe, a black velvet robe with a silk lining. She brushed her hair and went down.

When she entered the kitchen, Garrett already had mugs with steaming cocoa on the table. Dressed in his white shirt and slacks again, he gazed at her, then walked to meet her and place his hands on her waist. His white shirt was unbuttoned halfway and she wanted to run her fingers through the hair on his chest. He had turned the fancy French cuffs back and he looked sexy.

“You look far too gorgeous for that to be called a bathrobe. And far too sexy for that to not be for the benefit of some man.”

“You know absolutely there hasn’t been a man—until now. It’s my best warm and comfy bathrobe.”

“I’m glad you said ‘until now’ and I hope it stays that way.”

“Garrett, I’ve warned you about that from the beginning.”

He leaned down to kiss her long and hard. Her heart raced as if it were the first time. She couldn’t get enough of him. Fighting an inner battle between what she wanted and what she thought she should do, she shifted away.

“We’re going to drink hot chocolate, remember?” she said breathlessly, placing her hand against his chest.

He still held her. “Sophia, you’re important to me.

I know we haven’t known each other long, but that really doesn’t matter. You’re essential and I want you in my life.”

While her heart drummed, his words held her enthralled. “Saturday night wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been very important to me.”

“I’m glad. Don’t forget what I’ve said.”

“Garrett, you’ve said that to me before. What am I missing?”

“Before we sit to drink our hot chocolate, I want to talk to you and I hope you’ll listen to everything I have to say.”

She looked at him and realized that whatever it was he was about to tell her, it wasn’t good. “What is it, Garrett? Go ahead and tell me what’s troubling you,” she said, puzzled, wondering what he wanted to talk about.

“We’ve become friends, haven’t we?”

“Yes, of course. But more than friends, Garrett. Lovers.”

“Good. I want to keep it that way.”

“What are you getting at?” she asked, growing chilled. What had he been keeping from her that might change her feelings for him? “What do you want to talk about?”

“I want you to promise me you’ll listen and keep an open mind.”

“I’ll listen and I’ll try to keep an open mind unless you’re going to tell me you’re married with a family,” she said stiffly. Suddenly, all her fears about rushing into intimacy with him came back to her. All her life she had been cautious, but she threw caution to the wind when Garrett came into her life. And she had a feeling she was about to find out that she’d made a terrible mistake.

He shook his head. “Nothing like that.”

Relief was slight because whatever he intended to tell her, it was serious. “I’ll try to keep an open mind,” she said, though she could already feel the walls closing down around her heart. “But I can’t make any promises.”