Kitabı oku: «Deception», sayfa 5

Chapter 6

Clint had just hung up the phone when his secretary buzzed him on the intercom.

“Yes, Pat?”

“Mr. Steele, there’s a Ms. Powers here to see you.”

Clint’s heart stirred with excitement. “Send her right in.”

Quickly he stood up and put on his navy blue blazer and straightened his blue paisley tie. He approached the door just as Terri entered.

His full lips curved into an unconscious smile and widened in silent approval as he took in her regal, dark beauty. Her hair was swept away from her face, held in place by a wide headband, highlighting those large earthy brown eyes. The winter-white cashmere coat was flung open, revealing the flowing dress that gently brushed her curves.

He ached to take her in his arms, but his smile slowly dissolved when he saw the shadow of despair hovering in her eyes.

Immediately he crossed the room to where she stood, ready to do battle with whoever had crossed her.

“Terri, what is it?”

She took a deep breath. “May I sit down?”

“Sure.” He pulled up a high-back chair for her, one for himself and sat down in front of her, his arms braced on his muscled thighs as he leaned forward.

She looked across at him, hesitant at first, but then decided to plunge right in. “I fired Mark today, along with the accountant,” she said in a monotone.

Briefly Clint lowered his head, nodding in a way that let her know he understood. He looked up, his gaze holding hers. “I’ve had to fire my share of employees over the years, and it’s never easy, especially under these circumstances. You not only feel guilt, you feel betrayed,” he added softly.

Terri felt the weight slowly ease from her chest. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she needed him to understand and not see her as weak and ineffectual.

“I take it Mark was the man behind-the-scenes all along?”

Terri nodded, a feeling of humiliation whipping through her, but her face remained resolute.

Clint easily saw through the facade of control. Once again he felt the overpowering need to take her in his arms, to protect her. But he sensed that wasn’t what she needed or would accept. At least not now. That was one thing he was gradually learning about her—she did things in her own way, in her own time, without fanfare.

“Is there anything that I can do?”

She looked across at him, a weak smile tugging at her polished lips. “You could accept my apology.”

His thick brows knitted. “Apology? For what?”

“For misjudging you. For doubting your sincerity. It’s not like me to doubt people.”

“Don’t lose that part of yourself, Terri,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “That’s what makes you the wonderful woman that you are.”

She looked away as though searching for words, then chuckled mirthlessly. “That’s part of my problem. Being too trusting at the wrong times.” She sighed deeply and Clint waited, knowing that she needed this time to come to a decision. One that would change the direction of their relationship. Then, as if a dam had sprung a leak, she slowly began to reveal bits and pieces of her failed marriage, her retreat from relationships as a result of Alan’s infidelities and her recent revelations about Clint.

The one thing that she left out was the loss of her baby, Clint noticed, a subject that must still be too painful to discuss. In time, he thought. In time. For now, he would treasure this small gift of trust that she’d given him.

“…I was so wrong about so many things, Clint. And I always believed myself to be a fair-minded person. I let my own personal prejudices overshadow practical good sense.” Her eyes leveled with his. “That was unfair to you. And when I did trust someone, it was the wrong person.”

Warily Clint reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, and Terri swore that if he said anything sweet she would burst into tears.

“Thank you for that,” he said, his voice a silken caress. “Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me. Just don’t blame yourself. You had every reason to believe the things you did about Mark and about me.”

“That doesn’t excuse my behavior.” She looked away, then turned to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What?” He knew what she was fishing for but refused to rise to the bait.

“About what you really do? Why do you allow the papers to print such trash about you? They have you portrayed as this vulture that would walk over anyone to get what he wants. They never print the positive results of your business endeavors and the good that you do for struggling black businesses. It’s despicable.”

Clint lowered his head, then looked across at her. He shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose I want to keep that part of my life private. My reputation as a hard-nosed businessman has allowed me the financial flexibility to make those contributions. Let the public think what they want about me. Inside—” he pointed a finger at his chest “—I know what I’m about. That’s what’s important.”

Terri nodded in understanding, pressed her lips together and slowly rose. She felt totally vulnerable now, having shared some of her darkest moments and being witness to a side of Clint that she’d believed could not exist. The combination of new emotions crumbled her fragile sensibilities. She began to question her sudden spontaneity with him, realizing that it was brought on in a moment of weakness. Instinctively her defenses locked into place and she turned the subject to neutral ground. “My main concern right now is getting the company back on solid financial footing. I owe that to my staff.”

Clint stood in front of her, catching a delicious whiff of her scent. He looked down into her upturned face. “How bad are things?”

Her smile was empty. “Bad enough.”

“Listen, I could loan the company enough funds to get you over the hump.”

Terri vehemently shook her ebony head, her locks swinging behind her. “No way. I got myself into this mess. I’ll get myself out.” Her voice softened, and her fingers splayed and stroked his arm. “But thank you. I appreciate the gesture.”

He nodded and his admiration for her grew.

Terri pulled her coat around her and picked up her purse. “We’re pretty close to clinching a deal with Viatek Studios. I feel very confident about it.”

“I’m sure it will work out.” His smile embraced her as he took a cautious step closer. “With you behind it, Viatek should consider themselves lucky.”

She didn’t trust herself to speak, feeling the heat of his nearness engulfing her. Instead, she eased away and moved toward the door.

Clint checked his watch. “Can I take you to lunch?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve got some things to take care of and I’m meeting a friend in about an hour. Maybe another time?” Her question was hopeful.

“I’ll call you—soon.”

She smiled. “All right. Goodbye, Clint.” She turned to leave.

Clint’s voice held her in place. “Terri.” She looked up at him, expectantly. “I’m glad that everything is out in the open. I hope that we can move on from here.”

She nodded in silent agreement.

But even as he said the words, the ache of his own hidden pain and buried truths burned his guilty conscience. He needed so desperately to open the doors to the feelings that raged within him. It had been so long since he’d shared the deepest part of himself with anyone. He wasn’t sure if he still knew how. For now, all he could do was watch her walk away.

Terri picked up her glass of sparkling cider and took a sip.

“So what are your plans for the company?” Lisa asked over lunch. In all of the ten years that she’d known Terri, she’d never seen her so distraught. Terri was one of the most decent people that Lisa knew and the best friend she’d ever had. Terri was the last person who deserved the things that happened to her.

Terri took a deep breath, twirling the delicate glass between her fingers. “Well, the first thing is a total review of all of the files and a revamping of the staff. Stacy will take over Mark’s responsibilities as of tomorrow. I plan to make an announcement in the morning. And of course I’ll have to hire a new accountant.” She gave a halfhearted grin.

Lisa nodded as she took a forkful of sautéed shrimp. “About Mark,” she began slowly, “do you plan to press charges?”

Terri tossed the salad in her plate. “I thought about it, Lisa.” She sighed. “But what’s the point? Mark has dug his own ditch. Word travels fast in our circles. He’ll never be trusted again. He’s finished. That’s enough punishment.”

Lisa was unconvinced. “If you want my opinion, I’d say to press charges against the crummy bastard. Cutting him out of the club isn’t enough,” she added vehemently.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lisa doubted that Terri would have a change of heart. Terri may not have been good in displaying her feelings, but she never wanted to see anyone hurt, no matter what they may have done to her. Terri kept her feelings bottled up inside, and Lisa didn’t know what, or who, would ever make her change.

“So what’s the progress with the advertising campaign for Viatek Studios—moving on to a more pleasant topic?”

“I’m positive we’ll pull this off. If we do get it, I’ll have to go to L.A.”

“You don’t sound too enthusiastic about the possibility.” Lisa took another mouthful of her shrimp, her gaze full of question.

Terri hesitated a moment. “I was informed that Alan is being considered as the photographer.” She had painstakingly tried to keep Alan in the recesses of her mind. She and Lisa had agreed after the divorce that any mention of Alan was taboo, and she regretted that the door was pried open once again.

The fork stopped midway between Lisa’s mouth and the plate. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I were.”

“Can’t Stacy handle this one?”

Terri shook her head. “No. Not really. Something this big I’d be required to deal with. There are contracts involved, and Stacy is not experienced enough in that area yet.”

“So how does Alan fit in? He’s not part of your package. You have your own photographer.”

“I know. But Viatek has him as a subcontractor. He’s worked with them before. And it seems that he’s made quite a name for himself in L.A.”

When was this woman gonna get a break? Lisa swore under her breath but gauged her words carefully.

“I know this may not be much of a consolation, but you’ve moved on with your life, Tee, and I’m sure that Alan’s moved on with his.”

“I’m sure he has,” Terri said, her voice dripping with sar casm. “Alan was always good for taking a situation and working it to his advantage…with someone.”

Lisa took a deep breath. “Terri, what happened between you and Alan is a part of the past. There’s no point in beating yourself to death about it because it didn’t work out.” Lisa cringed, remembering the countless warnings she had given Terri before she married Alan. He was a womanizer and as selfish as they came. But Lisa would never add salt to Terri’s still-open wounds by saying, “I told you so.” She had enough heartache to deal with.

“It didn’t work out because of me,” Terri said sadly. “Maybe if I’d been able to see past my own life and open up to accepting Alan completely in it, we’d be together today. And he wouldn’t have had to go searching for what I couldn’t give him.”

“Don’t be absurd! Alan was the consummate playboy, before and after you married him.”

Lisa’s temper rose as she fought to control the irritation that lifted her voice. She’d never told Terri that Alan had tried to make a play for her, too. That would have been too devastating for Terri to handle. She’d dealt with Alan herself, in no uncertain terms. She had the connections to cut the cords of his success with just one phone call. And she made sure that he knew it. It was months before he would even stay in the same room with her for more than a minute.

“My God, Terri, he had a part in it, too. A big part.”

Lisa saw the veil of hurt descend over Terri’s eyes.

“Listen, I’m sorry if I sound callous, but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. I’m your friend, and I’d do anything in the world for you. I can’t sit quietly by and see you tear yourself apart—especially over an SOB like Alan Martin.”

Lisa reached across the table and took Terri’s hand. Her voice lowered to a soothing whisper. “You’re a wonderful person and when the time is right, that special someone is going to see it. Believe me.”

Terri tried to absorb the veracity of Lisa’s words. She knew Lisa was right. Alan was a bastard. But she’d loved and trusted him. She’d almost had his child. That wasn’t something that you could just forget because someone told you so. Over time it had gotten easier, she had to admit. And maybe a special someone would be there to help her forget completely. A secret place in her heart hoped that the someone would be Clint.

Moments of silence passed with both women absorbed in their own private thoughts. Lisa desperately wanted to share the news of her recently discovered pregnancy with Terri, but deep inside she felt that the news would only add to Terri’s misery rather than make her happy for her friend. She’d discussed it with her husband, Brian, and he’d advised against telling Terri, at least right away. Reluctantly Lisa had agreed. This was the first time in the ten years that she and Terri had been friends that she kept something this special from her. The feeling left her empty and a little melancholy. She searched for something to say to ease the tension-filled silence.

“Were you able to use the information I gave you on Clinton Steele?” Lisa asked finally. She instantly noticed the faraway look that passed across Terri’s face and the faint smile that tugged at her lips. Interesting.

“Yes. Thanks,” Terri said softly.

Lisa’s brown eyes creased into a taunt as she leaned forward and ran a hand through her mop of auburn curls. “Come on, tell…tell.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Don’t give me that. I’d know that little smirk of yours any day. So?”

“All right, all right. Just don’t beg,” Terri teased, itching to tell her friend about Clint.

She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. She began slowly. “Well, at first, I had real misgivings about him. Everything that I had ever heard or read was negative. Hightower Enterprises was notorious for buying up smaller companies, and that’s how he built his fortune—along with very wise investments in the stock market and profits from the companies.” She laughed a self-deprecating laugh. “Little did I know that Mr. Steele never took control of the companies, but helped to rebuild them for the owners. And when they were back on solid ground, Clint turned the reins back to the original owners if they decided that they wanted them. A lot of them didn’t, of course, preferring to put that part of their lives behind them—”

“It’s a shame,” Lisa interjected, “that the media never tells that part of the story. They only publicize the buyouts, but not the positive end results. If you hadn’t asked me to investigate him, I wouldn’t have known myself. He actually started out as a runner on Wall Street. He’s a remarkable man, Terri. Huge amounts of his profits go to the black colleges, universities and community organizations.”

“I know. The worst part is that I fell right into step with the bad press, eating up every word. And he never said a thing to me. He just let me believe those things about him, too proud to tell me anything different. He said he preferred to keep that side of his life private.” Terri sucked on her bottom lip, disappointed in herself.

“So—where do things stand between the two of you now?”

A slow smile lifted Terri’s lips. “Well, I never thought I’d be interested in anyone again, Lisa.” Her eyes roamed off into the distance. “But there’s just something about Clint that reeks of stability, honesty and a magnetism that I can’t shake.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if to gather the warm feelings closer to her body. “He’s very intense and I know very protective of his private life. He presents this rough, macho exterior to the world, but I’ve seen the vulnerability in his eyes. I’ve heard the gentleness in his voice. I think he’s just afraid to show anyone that he has any weaknesses, as if it could be used against him somehow. In that way we’re a lot alike.” She turned to look Lisa fully in the face, a radiant glow illuminating her features.

“It sounds as if it may be a lot more than that,” Lisa gently probed.

Terri’s gaze drifted away. “There are still so many things I have to work out, Lis, before I could even consider a real relationship again.” She took a breath. “In the meantime, I still have my company and my career. That’s what’s important now.”

Lisa heard the hollow lack of conviction that permeated Terri’s voice. Her painful marriage to Alan had changed her. And Lisa slowly realized that the company and a career were no longer enough to fill Terri’s life.

The only sounds that could be heard were the grunts and groans of the two men and the crack of the ball as it hit the racket.

Clint slammed the tiny black sphere against the wall with all of the force of a speeding train, whizzing it past Steve on its return. Steve lunged for the ball with his racket and slapped it back with equal force.

The game had been going on for nearly an hour, and the two men were drenched in sweat. Clint’s rock-hard thighs bulged and tensed as he jetted back and forth across the marble court, playing like a man possessed. With each swing he tried to annihilate his frustration and rid his mind and body of Terri.

Terri.

That’s all he could think about nonstop since she’d left his office a week ago, he realized grimly as he darted after the spinning ball. She seemed to creep into his subconscious when he least expected it. Like now. And he couldn’t stand it. He hadn’t called her or tried seeing her to maybe give her some space, and she’d made no attempt to contact him. The stalemate bruised his male ego and frustrated the hell out of him.

The ball spun past him on a return volley from Steve, and the game ended.

“Whew! How did you let that one get away from you, man?” Steve gasped, trotting over to Clint and patting him on the shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Clint grumbled, snatching a towel from on top of his bag. He roughly wiped his face, his breathing barely noticeable.

Steve reached for his own towel and draped it around his neck. He faced Clint, puffing hard. “You want to tell me what’s buggin’ you?”

Clint grabbed his gym bag and strode across the court toward the exit, ignoring Steve’s question. “I’m going to the steam room,” he threw over his shoulder. He stomped away, pushing through the swinging doors.

The two friends sat shoulder to shoulder in the steam-filled room, watching the ghostly images of the health club’s patrons sitting in various positions. Steve knew Clint well enough to know not to push him. He’d open up in his own time. He always did. And Steve would be ready to listen.

Clint lowered his head, trying to form the words that were causing chaos in his life. Steve was the one person that he had confided in about his growing feelings for Terri. Periodically he grudgingly had to admit that he respected Steve’s opinion. It was several long moments before Clint began to talk.

“It’s hard to let go again, Steve,” Clint began, his voice heavy with old guilt. He lowered his head. “Ever since Desiree, I just—”

Steve cut him off. “There’s no way that you could have prevented what happened to Desiree. It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was my fault.” He shook his head, pressing his palms against his eyes as the old wounds seeped open. “It was because of me.”

“You don’t know that.”

Clint shot up from his perch. “Of course I know. Desiree took those pills because of me.” He slapped his hand against his bare chest. “She got behind the wheel because of me!”

Steve looked up at his friend and saw the marks of guilt sear a path across Clint’s face. “So your answer is to block out everything and wallow in a life of martyrdom? Is that supposed to make it right?”

Clint sliced hardened eyes toward Steve. “It’s the only way I know how to be.”

“It’s the way you want to be. Haven’t you learned anything?”

The question tore at Clint’s gut. He visibly flinched but said nothing.

Steve continued to speak, but with a patience and wisdom that astounded Clint. “You’ve lived with this self-imposed guilt for three years, and I’ve watched it turn you into someone I hardly know. You’ve let it affect your relationship with your own daughter, man!” Steve’s usual mild manner shifted to anger.

“Ashley doesn’t understand that it hurts you to be around because she reminds you of Desiree. She’s just four years old. A baby. Your baby! And Jillianne is no substitute for you, even if she is Desi’s sister.”

Steve took a long calming breath, searching for the words to shake some sense into his lifelong friend.

“For the first time in those three years I’ve finally seen you really care about someone again.” He let out a breath. “Not many of us get a second chance. Don’t blow it. If Terri is the one you want, you have to let her know, and stop playing these macho power games with her. The only person you’re fooling is yourself. And by the looks of you, you haven’t done too good of a job at that, either.”

Slowly Steve rose from the bench and clasped Clint on the shoulder, leaving him in the steam-filled room to sort out his turbulent thoughts.