Slow Burn: Seducing Mr. Right / Take Me. Cherry Adair
dumped a pile of file folders on Christy’s desk. Catherine winced. “What are you looking for?”
“The Stockton bids.”
“It’s in the file room in the blue file cabinet.”
Nick glanced up. “It is? How’d you know that?”
“Because all bids go in the file room in the blue file cabinet. Nick? Could you stop scrounging around for a sec?”
Catherine tucked one foot under her and eased back on the stiff horsehair sofa, spread her soft skirt over her knees and picked up the cup and saucer from the table beside her. She’d acquired a slight tan at the beach a couple of days before, and the scoop-necked, butter-colored linen dress showed it off to advantage. The linen jacket hung neatly over a nearby tapestry chair. She cradled the saucer.
“In the last three weeks Luke’s interrogated every single guy I’ve gone out with as if he’s Don Corleone,” she told Nick, exasperated. “He’s still acting like my brother. I want him to see me as a sexy, desirable female, not his kid sister. I don’t know how to make him see me as an adult woman.”
“You look all-woman to me, Catherine. Trust me,” Nick said dryly. “There wasn’t a guy at the party who didn’t sit up and take notice.”
Catherine shot a wary glance at the etched glass panels in the oak front door before turning back to Nick. “I don’t care about other men, Nick. I want Luke to love me.”
Nick gave her a searching look, then said softly and with regret, “Will that really be enough for you, Catherine? Having him return your love? Luke’s a great guy, but we both know he’s got some serious hang-ups about commitment. Those fixed ideas he has about tying up his emotions too tightly. Can you accept that he’ll never marry you?”
“Having him reciprocate what I feel will be enough.”
“For how long?”
She looked him dead in the eye. “For as long as it lasts.”
“Really?” Nick asked skeptically. “Then why did you ask him to find you a husband?”
“To throw him off the scent. Don’t look at me like that. It’s a given that marrying Luke would be a dream come true. But I know that will never happen. I know him, remember? I’m a lot more realistic than you give me credit for.”
“Why do you love him, Catherine?” Nick asked. “Because you’ve known him almost your whole life? Because he represents security to you? Because you’re alone now that your dad’s gone?”
“No...maybe. Possibly that’s part of it. A small part,” she added quickly. “I love Luke because he’s honest, and strong and ethical. Because he’s got a sense of humor I understand. I love him because when I’m with him I’m...a better me. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah,” Nick said with a smile. “It makes perfect sense. Okay, gorgeous, you have a master tactician at your disposal.” He grinned, looking charmingly rakish. “Between us, he doesn’t stand a chance.”
“I want him, but not at the risk of destroying what we have now. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Luke’s right.” Nick smiled. “You are a little crab. You’ve got to keep advancing here, Catherine. No retreating allowed.”
“You’re sure, positive, no doubt about it, I have a chance?” Catherine hated her own insecurity. She fought it every day, but sometimes that feeling of abandonment would creep up on her unexpectedly and she’d find herself poised for flight. “If you’re sure I’m not making a total fool of myself...”
Nick came to sit next to her on the sofa and took both her cold hands between his. “You want Luke to see you as a woman, right? Then you have to make him stop seeing you as The Kid.”
Like she hadn’t been trying for the last decade. “And how do I go about doing that?”
Nick’s blue eyes lit up devilishly as he released one hand to brush her mouth with his finger. “You dare Luke to teach you the art of seduction.”
Catherine, in the process of lifting the delicate china cup to her mouth, almost choked. Her eyes went wide. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. Luke knows you don’t have vast experience. Ask him to teach you.”
Catherine carefully set the cup and saucer on the small fern table beside the sofa. “No one is that naive!”
“Luke thinks you are. Pretend, if you have to.”
“I’m a lousy actress, Nick. Jeez-Louise, I’m not even a good poker player. How am I supposed to pull this off?”
“You’ll figure it out.” Nick, still holding her hand, looked up as the door opened and Luke walked in.
“Ah, here’s our meal ticket.” He rose, tugging Catherine up beside him, then wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “About time you made it back, old son. Catherine and I are starving, and you’re buying lunch.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
THEY ATE AT a small French restaurant tucked away on a side street. San Francisco was full of small, interesting restaurants off the beaten path. Luke, who loved to eat as much as he loved to cook, knew them all.
It was fascinating to observe how people, men as well as women, were ogling her two escorts. Luke wore bright yellow suspenders over a collarless blue-and-white pinstripe shirt, navy Dockers and boat shoes, no socks. Nick was decked out in a double-breasted charcoal suit. Both looked hunky and gorgeous. Catherine felt like a thorn between two roses.
“Don’t look now, Nick.” She did an “over there” jerk of her chin. “But there’s a sultry blonde at the table near the pillar who’s about to fall out of her seat trying to get your attention.”
“Actually—” Nick grinned without looking “—she’s had my attention. It’s Luke’s attention she’s trying to attract now.”
Catherine’s heart pinched. “How lovely. You share girlfriends. It must make life so much easier when you can give each other insider tips.”
Luke shot a sidelong glance across the room.
“Want an intro, old son?” Nick murmured.
“Maybe later.” Luke picked up his water glass, drank deeply, then turned to Catherine. “What do you have planned for this afternoon?”
To see you in the middle of the day. “Shopping.”
“What kind of shopping?” Nick asked. “If it’s clothes, I’ll go with you.”
“Would you? That would be terrific, Nick, I’d lo—”
“You have an appointment at two, remember?” Luke reminded him. Nick looked blank. “You told me you were seeing...can’t remember who it was, but someone.”
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Someone. Right.”
“If you want company, Cat,” Luke offered, “I’ve got the afternoon free. I can show you some good places to shop.”
The fact that Luke, who loathed shopping, wanted to accompany her, and had outmaneuvered Nick, was grounds for celebration.
“I’d love you to come with me, Luke. I want to look for a couple of pairs of sandals.”
She took a sip of coffee and caught Nick’s eye over the rim of her cup. Those deep blue eyes challenged her.
“And underwear,” she added casually.
“Underwear?” Luke repeated.
“Yeah, you know. Lingerie. The slinky stuff.”
Nick rose, tossed his napkin on the table and stood behind Catherine’s chair, his hand