Page 3 of Grounded
“Well, since you’re not here with another wolf, I think this means we are meant for each other,” he said, raising his eyebrows in feigned sincerity.
Annie laughed at him, but something deep within her stirred at his words. It was as if there was a magnetic field around him and she was helpless to fight the pull. His convincing green eyes, laughing one minute and piercing the next, reshaping her belief on the spot that love at first sight was possible.
“Let’s go to the bar. We can talk there.” He put a hand gently on her back and guided her out of the room. She helped him remove the silly pieces of fur from his face while they talked, telling each other their life stories, right up to how they ended up on that night in that place. The attraction had been seismic.
Annie was so lost in the memories, she didn’t hear the lock click and the apartment door open until Chester jumped off the bed to greet his master.
Stuart filled the doorway of the bedroom, one arm behind his back. He was tall, tan with dark blond hair that curled naturally. When he entered a room, it was as if he owned the entire block of buildings, so strong was his confidence.
“Wow, you look great. I missed you,” he said, his eyes taking in her whole body and opening his arms for her. Annie responded with a warm and lingering kiss, inhaling the smell of his cologne mixed with the white roses he held in his hand.
“I missed you too,” she said. She forgot her irritation at having to come to his apartment. All that was important now was being with him.
“Let me look at you again.” His green eyes moved appreciatively down her body. “You are stunning.” He handed her the flowers and kissed her again.
“Thank you! I’ll put these in water.”
He loosened his tie and followed her into the kitchen. “You are never going to believe who I went to lunch with today.”
Annie reached for the scissors and pointed them at him. “If it’s a rich, young heiress, I’m not sure I want to hear about it.”
He grinned and moved behind her, hugging her from the back. “I think it is safer back here.”
“Okay, now I’m in suspense. Who?” Annie carefully snipped the ends of each stem diagonally, as her grandmother had taught her to do.
Stuart poured a Scotch for himself and a Chardonnay for Annie.
“Jack Carney.” He waited for Annie’s reaction.
“Carney the developer? The one who did the big project over in New Jersey?”
“That’s him. We hit it off, Annie. He’s into poker, loves golf. We couldn’t be more alike. I need to work the relationship, but I think he’ll invest with me.”
“That’s great!” She placed the last rose into the vase.
He handed her the wine. “Did you miss me?” she asked.
“Bad. Chester was even worse. He unwound a whole roll of toilet paper then shredded it on the bathroom floor while I was at work.”
“You’re joking?”
“No, I’m serious. Vera was not happy about the extra work, and believe me, she let me know about it.” Annie remembered the first time she met Vera. The older woman made sure Annie knew she worked for Mr. Henderson and no one else. No girlfriend would be giving her orders.
Stuart took her hand and pulled her over to the couch. “I don’t know why I ever let that client talk me into taking that cat. But I did get a good sale out of the deal.”
“That’s why you’re so successful—anything for the customer.”
Stuart looked at his watch. “I better hop in the shower. I have a car coming at seven-thirty.” The dimple in the cleft of his chin deepened with his smile as he leaned in for a kiss. “This is a special night for us. I’ve got a surprise.”
Gino’s was known as a restaurant where lovers, both illicit and legitimate, could meet discreetly. The wine list was first-rate, the service excellent and the lighting dim. Like the director of a play, Gino himself attended to the details, giving cues to his staff with a raise of his dark eyebrows or a small hand gesture. Stuart was a regular, bringing clients and friends, and Gino showed his appreciation by giving them the best corner table.
Stuart ordered an expensive bottle of wine. After the waiter poured the glasses, he lifted his to Annie’s. “Happy belated birthday!” They clinked glasses and drank.
When he leaned in, Annie thought he was going to kiss her and closed her eyes. Instead, he whispered: “This Jack Carney connection could be huge. He is estimated to be worth half a billion. His friends could be worth even more. He asked me down to Miami this weekend to play golf.” Stuart reached for Annie’s hands. “I know we were going to spend the weekend together, but this could be the biggest meeting of my life.”
Annie leaned back, disappointed. This was the first weekend they could spend together in two months because of her work schedule. As a ten-year flight attendant, she was fortunate to do the overseas flights, but she generally only got the weekend flights, even though she always tried bidding for the weekday, just in case. Occasionally she got it.
“No, that’s okay. I know it’s important,” she said.
