LITMIR.BIZ

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to a high school faculty position.

      “I had to take a leave of absence for the rest of the year when the accident happened.”

      He sobered completely now, stepping close enough to run a hand over her hair. She’d worn it loose tonight. “You’ve been through a hell of a lot,” he said softly, their bodies almost touching. “But things will get better.”

      She smiled wistfully. “Somedays it seems as if nothing will ever be the same.”

      “I didn’t say it would be the same.”

      For some reason, the words struck her as a threat. She looked up at him, their breath mingling. “What do you get out of this? Why did you agree to back up an impulsive lie by a woman you haven’t seen in ten years?”

      “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”

      “Tell me why you agreed. I was ninety percent sure you’d throw me out of your office on my fanny.”

      “I can be kind on occasion.” The sarcasm was impossible to miss.

      She searched his face. It hurt knowing that it was as familiar to her as if they had parted yesterday. “There’s something more,” she said slowly. “I can see it in your eyes.”

      His expression shuttered. “Let’s just say I have my reasons.” His tone was gruff and said more loudly than words that he was done with the conversation.

      He was shutting her out. And it stung. But they were little more than strangers now. Strangers who had once made love with passionate abandon, but strangers nevertheless.

      “I have to go.”

      He didn’t argue. He ushered her in front of him until they entered a pleasant room outfitted as a den. Ana, despite her years, was down on an Oriental rug playing with a sleepy Deedee.

      Hattie rushed forward to scoop up the drowsy baby and nuzzle her sweet-smelling neck. “Did she nap for you at all?”

      Ana stood with dignity and straightened the skirt of her floral cotton housedress. “She slept about forty-five minutes … enough to keep her awake until you can get her home and in bed. Your daughter is precious, Ms. Parker, an absolute angel.”

      “She’s not my daughter, she’s my niece … but thank you.” Did the housekeeper think Luc had brought his love child home for a visit?

      Her host grew impatient with the female chitchat. “I’ll walk you out, Hattie.”

      Sherman waited respectfully by the car door, making any sort of personal conversation awkward. Luc surprised Hattie by taking Deedee without ceremony and tucking her expertly into the small seat.

      She lifted an eyebrow. “You did that well.”

      He touched the baby’s cheek and stepped aside so Hattie could enter the limo. “It’s not rocket science.” He braced an arm on the top of the car and leaned in. “I’ll look forward to seeing you both again soon.”

      “You’ll call me?”

      “I’ll get Marilyn to contact you and set up a meeting. It will probably only take a couple of days. You need to go ahead and start packing.”

      “Packing?” She was starting to sound like a slightly dense parrot. What had she gotten herself into? Luc was helping her, but with strings attached. She had known his every thought at one time. Now he was an enigma.

      His half smile made her think of a predator anticipating his prey. “You and Deedee will be moving in here as soon as the wedding is over.”

      Three

      Two days later, Luc tapped briefly at his brother’s office door and entered. Leo, his senior by little more than a year, was almost hidden behind piles of paperwork and books. A genius by any measure, Leo masterminded the financial empire, while Luc handled R & D. Luc enjoyed the challenge of developing new products, finding the next creative venture.

      Leo was the one who made them all rich.

      It was a full thirty seconds before his brother looked up from what he was doing. “Luc. Didn’t expect to see you today.”

      The brothers met formally twice a month, and it wasn’t unusual for them to lunch together a few times a week, but Luc rarely dropped by his brother’s sanctum unannounced. Their offices were on different floors of the building, and more often than not, their customary mode of communication was texting.

      Luc ignored the comfortable, overstuffed easy chair that flanked Leo’s desk and instead, chose to cross the room and stand by the window. He never tired of gazing at Atlanta’s distinctive skyline.

      He rolled his shoulders, unaware until that moment that his neck was tight. He turned and smiled. “What are you doing on May 14?”

      Leo tapped a key and glanced at his computer screen. “Looks clear. What’s up?”

      “I thought you might like to be my best man.”

      Now Luc had Leo’s full attention. His older sibling, though still a couple inches shorter than Luc’s six-three, was an imposing man. Built like a mountain, he looked more like a lumberjack than a numbers whiz.

      He escaped the confines of his desk and cleared a front corner to lean on his hip and stare at his brother. “You’re pulling my chain, right?”

      “Why would you say that?”

      “Three weeks ago I suggested you bring a date to Carole Ann’s party, and you told me you weren’t seeing anyone.”

      Luc shrugged. “Things happen.”

      Leo scowled, a black expression that had been known to make underlings quake in terror. “I can read you like a book. You’re up to something. The last time I saw that exact look on your face, you were trying to convince Dad to let you take the Maserati for a weekend trip to Daytona.”

      “I have my own sports cars. I’m not trying to pull anything.”

      “You know what I mean.” He changed tack. “Do I know her?”

      Luc shrugged. “You’ve met.”

      “How long have you known her? It’s not like you to go all misty-eyed over a one-night stand.”

      “I can assure you that I’ve known her for a very long time.”

      “But you’ve just now realized you’re in love.”

      “A man doesn’t have to be in love to want a woman.”

      “So it’s lust.”

      “I think we’ve gotten off track. I asked if you would be my best man. A simple yes or no will do.”

      “Damn it, Luc. Quit being so mysterious. Who is she? Will I get to see her anytime soon?”

      “I haven’t decided. We’ve been concentrating on each other. I don’t want to spoil things. Just promise me you’ll show up when and where I say on the fourteenth. In a tux.”

      The silence was deafening. Finally, Leo stood up and stretched. “I don’t like the sound of this. When it all goes to hell, don’t come crying to me. Your libido is a piss-poor businessman. Be smart, baby brother. Women are generally not worth the bother.”

      Luc understood his brother’s caution. They had both been burned by love at a tender age, but thankfully had wised up pretty fast. What Leo didn’t know, though, was that Luc had a plan. Revenge was a strong word for what he had in mind. He didn’t hate Hattie Parker. Quite the contrary. All he wanted was for her to understand that while he might still find her sexually attractive, he was completely immune to any emotional connection. No hearts and flowers. No protestations of undying devotion.

      He was no longer a kid yearning for a pretty girl. This time he had the power. He would be calling all the shots. Hattie needed

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