She was tired of feeling like the family failure, tired of backing down, of changing everything about herself, only to find she would never be good enough. It was exhausting.
She’d intended on saying good-bye to Cal and Jules, but she was too upset. Then she heard the door slam behind her. Assuming Allie was following her, Monica continued walking to her car.
“What is it, love? What happened?” Cal’s sandpapery voice soothed her.
Monica turned around and let her shoulders droop. “Allie and I just had a blowout. It’s been a long, shitty day.”
He padded down the stairs and loped toward her. When he stood before her, Monica leaned her head back to look up at him.
“I’d take you home and fuck it all better, but I think I should stay with Jules for a while. Your twin nephews have roped her into a game of hide-and-seek. I think she’s a bit out of her depth with them.”
Monica smiled. “They’re a handful.”
Cal placed his hands on the curve of her hips. “I don’t know what I would have done without you today. You were brilliant.”
“Thanks. I’m glad I could help.” Monica spread her hands on his upper arms, tightening them to get another feel of those biceps.
“I’m sorry our plans didn’t work out tonight, but I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.” He swayed toward her and lowered his head. His lips were only a whisper away. “I’ll pick you up at the office. Six thirty work for you?”
“What about Jules?”
“I think she needs a dose of Trevor’s company. She’ll appreciate me a little bit more after a few hours with my cousin.”
Monica started to laugh, but Cal captured her mouth with his own. As his lips moved over hers, he grasped her possessively. Monica’s arms found their way around his neck, where her fingers dove into the short layers of hair above his nape. His heat, his kisses, his rough touch left behind a trail of desire. Monica wanted him again. But too many obligations kept getting in the way.
Cal’s hand softened and trailed down to cup her ass. Then he lifted his head. “Damn it, why do we keep doing this out in the open? Come on, let’s go have that shag in the garden.”
Great suggestion. But his sister. Her sister. “Not practical.” Another difference between now and five years ago—back then, Monica wouldn’t let anything stand between her and what she wanted.
“Practicality is highly overrated.”
She leaned forward and placed a kiss in the center of his sturdy chest. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Be ready,” he said. “I’ll have something special planned.”
“I thought you didn’t make plans.”
“You’re an exception to my rules, Monica Campbell.”
She raised one brow. “Rules? I thought you didn’t believe in those either.”
“Perhaps you’re reforming me.”
* * *
Monica sat at her desk and rolled her crystal pen between her thumb and forefinger. She should’ve been working, finishing up cost projections for the next board meeting, but she didn’t have it in her. Cal would be here in half an hour, and she couldn’t wait to see him.
She needed a reprieve from another hectic day. Although Monica hadn’t received any unexpected visitors, Ryan had called, thanking her for coming to the hospital. He’d wanted to talk longer, drag out their conversation, but Monica had cut it short. Then his flowers showed up. A dozen red roses—so…expected compared to Cal’s colorful, over-the-top arrangement.
Maybe Cal was right and Ryan wanted a reconciliation. That wasn’t going to happen, but she hoped he’d come to that conclusion on his own.
And Monica hadn’t heard from Allie, either. She felt pretty awful for the way she’d lashed out, but Monica had tried reasoning with Allie before. Her sister never listened. Maybe Al was finally taking her seriously, allowing Monica to handle the day-to-day operations of the foundation. Or she could just be giving Monica the silent treatment.
After fifteen minutes, Monica gave up the pretense of working and shut down her computer. Grabbing her purse, she walked down the hall to the bathroom. She was the last person in the office, as usual. In the mirror, Monica primped a little bit, fluffing her hair and applying a coat of lip gloss, then trekked back to her office.
She’d just tossed her purse in the bottom drawer when she heard the outer office door creak open, and a moment later, Cal walked in. “Hello, love. Did you have a good day?”
Would she ever grow accustomed to looking at him? That first glance always stole her breath away. As her gaze slid over him, she sauntered to the front of the desk. “It’s getting better.”
He wore dark slacks and a navy shirt. Her eyes were drawn to the V at the center of his collarbone. She slid her gaze up his throat to the tilted grin. When she looked into his eyes, they crinkled in the corners, causing her heart to pound. “How was your day?”
“Long. Jules talked nonstop as I worked on the Mustang. My ears are still ringing.” He yanked on his earlobe.
“So did you really plan a date, or are we winging it tonight?”
“I have something very special planned.” He rubbed his hands together and gave her a wicked smile.
“Dinner? A movie? You’re going to let me drive your car again?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Cal strode forward, his thigh muscles flexing as he moved.
She wanted time to explore those thighs, run her fingers up and down his legs and slowly feel her way to his long, thick shaft. Monica had a few plans of her own.
Her gaze trailed over him, all the way down to his feet. Instead of work boots, he sported loafers. “You have tassels.”
Cal stopped and glanced at his shoes. “Do you have something against tassels? Because I rather like them. When they’re attached to nipples, they’re even better.”
She kept staring at his feet. “They’re cute.”
He walked another couple of steps until he stood in front of her. “Cute?” He reached out and fingered the collar of her black blouse edged in lace. “Is this from the Italian Widows collection? Quite fetching.”
She tried to smack at him, but he caught her hand and brought it to his lips. His eyes remained on hers as he kissed her palm.
“I actually wore a skirt today, instead of pants. I should get credit for that.”
Cal glanced down at her legs. “It falls well past your knees. Are you trying to seduce me with your ankles?” He pulled her toward him, causing Monica to lose her balance and grab his upper arm for support.
“Cal.” Her smile fell away when she saw the heat in his eyes. Their one night together had been at the forefront of her mind for the last two days. The Mustang, his fresh, clean scent, his hard dick inside her…it replayed in her head over and over.
Cal leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “I want you right now.”
Monica nodded. “I’ll grab my stuff and we can get out of here.” She tried to pull her hand out of his grasp, but he wouldn’t let go.
“Right now.” His gravelly demand caused her stomach to flutter.
Monica’s gaze flew around the room. “We can’t. Not in my office.”
“Everyone’s gone for the night. The place is shut down tight.”
“No. Not here.” Tugging her hand back, Monica shook her head.
With an indifferent expression, Cal shrugged. “Of course. We’ll go back to mine, assume the missionary position, and keep the lights off. Very good.”
He was playing with her. She knew he was playing with her, and yet she couldn’t leave it alone. That damned last-word thing. “Just because I don’t want to use my desk doesn’t mean I do boring sex. And I didn’t notice you complaining the other night.”
Cal raised his brows. “Who said anything about the desk?”
That left her speechless for a moment. “Then where?” Curiosity overrode her sense of propriety. “I’m for sure not doing it on this floor.” She winced at the industrial gray carpeting. Looked scratchy.