Like Silk

So much for that plan.

“Hey,” he said, after getting out and watching her exit her sleek Jag and walk toward him. No doubt about it, she was a looker. Tall and model thin, with highlighted brown hair, gray eyes and a full lower lip. That lower lip gave her a petulant look that matched her personality perfectly. If things didn’t go Lana’s way, there was hell to pay. But then, things rarely didn’t go her way. Her daddy saw to that. He had more than his share of money and clout in this country. And he doted on his only child.

Lana smiled back at him, then grazed his cheek with her scarlet lips. “Hey, yourself.”

“What brings you here this time of day?”

She poked him in the chest with a matching nail. “You.”

“That’s nice.”

Lana gave him a suspicious look. “You sure don’t sound like it.”

“Sorry, it’s just that it’s been a helluva day and I’m beat.”

“All the more reason why you’re coming with me.”

“Where?”

“To dinner.”

“Not tonight. I’m only fit for bed.”

She gave an angry toss of her head, then complained, “You’re not being fair. I haven’t seen you in ages. If you won’t have dinner, then at least have a drink with me.” That same long nail made its way slowly and deliberately up and down his chest. “Please.”

Usually such a blatant gesture raised the hair on the back of his neck. Not tonight. Maybe not ever again, he thought with alarm.

“Collier, darling.”

He forced another smile. “Uh, sorry. You name the place.”

“Get in.”

He shook his head. “I’ll follow you, so you won’t have to bring me back home.”

“Maybe that’s exactly what I had in mind.”

He leaned over and kissed her lightly. “I’ll be right behind you.”

A few minutes later they were facing each other in the bar area of one of the nicer hotel restaurants, a favorite haunt of Lana’s and her women friends. For what was considered happy hour, the place was fairly deserted, Collier noticed, perusing the area. He was glad. He wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with anyone.

“I’ve missed you,” Lana said, her voice dropping to a husky pitch as she laid her hand on the back of his.

“Me, too.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “You sure?”

He sighed, withdrawing his hand. “Of course, but like I told you, it’s been crazy at the office.”

“Well, things will change after you become a federal judge.”

“You’re awfully confident.”

“Daddy says it’s going to happen.”

Collier gave her a lopsided smile. “And that makes it so, huh?”

“You can make fun all you want, but you know better. Once Bill Frazier makes up his mind about something, it’s a done deal.”

“You won’t hear any complaints on my part. Sitting on that bench would be a dream come true for both me and Mason.”

“Good.”

He took a sip of his drink and watched her over the rim, thinking he could do a lot worse than Lana. Yet…

“So?” she asked.

“So what?”

“When are we going to set a wedding date?”

Collier’s stomach suddenly bottomed out. “I don’t think this is the time to talk about that.”

“I think the timing’s perfect.”

“Lana—”

She ignored him. “Daddy wants that, too. For us to get married soon, I mean.”

“I thought we might wait until I’m either in or out of the running for the judgeship. My name could be scratched any day. Besides, I’ve taken on a case that could eat my lunch. I don’t need to be distracted.”

She leaned her head to one side and smiled coyly. “Are you saying I’m a distraction?”

“You betcha,” he declared with forced enthusiasm.

“Mmm, maybe I’ll let you off the hook a bit longer, but only if you’ll promise not to neglect me like you have been lately.”

Collier finished his drink in one swallow and signaled the bartender for a refill. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Collier Smith.” Lana reclaimed his hand, then pressed another of those long, blood-red nails into his palm.

He winced.

“Just don’t wait too long,” she added with false sweetness. “Daddy wouldn’t like that, not one iota.”

“Are you threatening me?” Although he kept his tone light, the steely edge was there.

Flushing, she said, “You know better than that.” She paused and gave him her most engaging smile. “So do you want to talk about your case?”

“You know I can’t do that.”

She smiled. “Good. That stuff’s boring anyway. Let me tell you about my latest charitable project. I know it’s going to be a huge success.”

Collier sipped his drink and listened.

A short time later, his torture finally ended. He accompanied Lana to her Jag, then looked on as she took off, full speed ahead, the way she did everything. Whenever he left her, he often felt as if he’d been caught in a whirl-wind.

He headed for his condo. Once there, he grabbed his briefcase and made his way inside, only to stop in his tracks. For some reason, spending an evening alone no longer interested him. In fact, the emptiness ahead made him feel like a stranger in his own home.

Suddenly he whipped around, and got back into his Lexus, knowing that what he was about to do would merely make matters worse.

Still, he cranked the engine and backed out of the driveway.

Another day without Rupert walking through the door.

Lately that was how Brittany had come to measure the success of her days at the agency. She knew that was absurd and no way to live, but she couldn’t help it. Every time the door opened, her heart lodged in her throat until she peered from under thick lashes and saw who it was.

The flowers were what kept her on edge.

They continued to arrive. The smell and the thought were both sickening. She’d always loved flowers, but at the moment she wouldn’t care if she ever saw another one again.

How dare he think he could win her over with flowers after what he’d done to her? Just the thought made her furious.

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