Bright Tomorrow Read online

  "No hurry."

  Dan drove toward the outskirts of town, choosing a restaurant reminiscent of an old country inn. After giving his name to the headwaiter, he steered Lisa into the bar.

  Throughout their meal, Dan quizzed Lisa endlessly about herself, yet imparted scant information about his own life.

  "Wait a minute," she finally protested, laughing. "I'm beginning to feel as if I'm on the witness stand. Is this how you're able to win so many cases?"

  "The mark of a good lawyer." Dan leaned back in his chair, studying her closely. "You have beautiful eyes. Liquid emeralds."

  Lisa turned her head away to hide the warmth stealing into her cheeks.

  "Let's get out of here," Dan then said, signaling the waiter for their check.

  The ride to Lisa's apartment was silent once she had given Dan the address and directions. She still felt puzzled at glimpsing this new side of her boss—a less arrogant side, but just as frightening. All too soon, his car pulled up in front of her apartment house.

  "Thank you for dinner and for the ride home." Lisa turned to him with a smile, fumbling for the door handle. "Don't worry about seeing me in."

  "I always see my ladies to the door," Dan informed her crisply.

  At the apartment, Lisa fumbled with her key until Dan took it out of her hand and inserted it into the lock. Before she could open the door, he pulled her back into his arms. "If you pack a picnic lunch tomorrow, I'll bring the wine." His warm breath fanned her cheek as he spoke.

  "Is that a request or an order?" Lisa asked.

  "I'll make it an order. Then I know you'll do it." He was unabashed. "You always follow my orders."

  "So far," she teased.

  "Be ready at nine." Dan pressed a hard kiss against her lips. "I better go before I change my mind and carry you off right now."

  "Would that be so bad?" Lisa asked provocatively.

  Dan gazed down at her face, his expression unfathomable as he studied the emerald depths of her eyes. "I'll see you in the morning." He reached behind her and opened the door before gently pushing her inside.

  Later, lying in bed, Lisa recalled the feeling of Dan's lips on hers and the now familiar warmth spread through her body again, making her restless. It was some time before she was able to fall asleep.

  Chapter Three

  The following morning Lisa was up early, dressing quickly in jeans and a T-shirt. She walked over to the garage to pick up her car, and when she got back to the apartment Debra was already in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee and reading a magazine. She looked up in surprise, since Lisa was not usually one to get going first thing on a Saturday morning.

  "To what do we owe the honor?" Debra asked brightly. "Unless it has something to do with your late night last evening."

  "Dan is picking me up at nine, and we're going on a picnic," Lisa said casually, as she picked up a mug and poured herself some coffee.

  "Dan? Do you mean the Dan Nolan who you constantly curse for making your working life so miserable?"

  "I never said he made it miserable," Lisa said carefully. "Just that he was too arrogant for my taste."

  "And that's why you're going out with him today, I suppose," Debra said archly. "Because you can't stand him. What brought about this sudden change?"

  "We just decided to have a truce," Lisa said, avoiding her cousin's gaze. "That's all. For more amiable working conditions."

  "Hm, and I just bet you did more than shake hands on it, too," Debra said mischievously, noting the flush on Lisa's face. "Aha, I was right! He kissed you good night, didn't he?"

  "He isn't the first man to kiss me," Lisa protested. "And I doubt he'll be the last."

  Ignoring Debra's grin, Lisa concentrated on getting the food ready and packing the picnic basket. She had just finished when the doorbell rang.

  "I'll get it." Debra ran for the front door before Lisa could voice a protest. Opening the door, she looked their visitor over from head to toe. "You don't look so dangerous to me," she said glibly, much to Lisa's embarrassment. "Of course, appearances can be deceiving."

  "True enough." Dan smiled.

  "It sounds like he can be nasty, too," Debra said, turning to Lisa. "You better be careful; he may not have had his distemper shots yet."

  "Deb…" Lisa's voice held a warning.

  "Don't worry, I'm going." Debra looked up with a mock-serious expression on her face as she gazed at Dan. "She's fragile, Mr. Nolan. Handle her with care."

  "I intend to," he replied gravely, adding to the sport.

  Dan turned to Lisa after the bedroom door closed behind Debra. He eyed her jeans and T-shirt with amusement. "Well, well, Miss Prim and Proper," he murmured. "I feel as if I'm seeing you out of uniform."

  "The same holds with you," she said smiling, noting the well-worn jeans and faded T-shirt that hugged his lean frame. "I have everything ready to go."

  "Fine." Dan picked up the basket, but before they left, he stopped her for a fleeting kiss on the lips.

  "What was that for?" Lisa asked, startled.

  "To see if last night had been a dream," Dan said seriously, then grinned. "Come on, wench, let's go."

  It was some distance to Mason Park, in Irvine, but worth the drive. The green grass was lush underfoot, and there were plenty of trees to provide shade. Dan produced a Frisbee, and the two of them were soon spinning the bright yellow disc back and forth.

  "You're not playing fair!" Lisa protested laughingly, after awhile. "You're much taller than I am so you can throw it higher. There's no way I can catch it."

  "It's not my fault you're such a shrimp," he informed her, keeping a straight face.

  "Oh, you!" Lisa aimed the Frisbee at Dan's midriff, shouting gleefully when she hit her target.

  "Oh, so you want to play rough now, do you?" Dan growled, lunging at her.

  Lisa laughed as she nimbly eluded Dan, but he finally managed a tackle by grabbing her at the knees, bringing her down in an ungraceful heap.

  "Ow!" She winced at the sudden contact with the hard earth. "I wouldn't have done that to you."

  "I would have let you," he said huskily, his eyes darkening as he gazed down at her.

  "Sure of yourself, aren't you?" Lisa traced the outline of his lips with her forefinger, and he gently nibbled the tip. "Arrogant."

  "Guilty." Dan's mouth moved along her jawline.

  "Stubborn." Lisa found it difficult to breathe under Dan's sensual caresses.

  "As a mule." His breath was warm against her face.

  "Spoiled," she breathed.

  "Rotten," Dan muttered.

  "Childish."

  "A regular baby." His tongue traced the outline of her ear, sending shivering sensations along her spine.

  "Demanding." Lisa felt a warm mist surrounding her.

  "Oh, yes." Dan tugged gently at her earlobe with his teeth, shifting his weight until she lay underneath him.

  "Autocratic," Lisa whispered. Her mind refused to function. She moved restively under him.

  "Stop it," he muttered thickly. His hand strayed beneath her T-shirt, caressing her softly rounded breasts.

  "Dan," Lisa moaned softly.

  "Say it again," he hoarsely ordered.

  "What?"

  "My name."

  As Lisa's mouth formed his name, he covered her lips with his own. His kisses were long and drugging; she was drunk from his touch. Her hands slid under his shirt, her fingers fanning out over his hard, muscled chest. Abruptly, Dan broke the embrace, jackknifed away from her and sat up, shoving his fingers through his hair in an agitated gesture. His ragged breathing was the only sign of his heightened emotions.

  "Dan," Lisa whispered, confused by his sudden withdrawal, as she reached out to stroke his back.

  "Careful, my sweet," he chuckled, stilling her action with his hand. "You're very soft and warm in my arms. Also very responsive." She flushed at his words. "I suggest we eat before we decide to turn this lovely meadow into a bedroom."

  Sudde
nly ashamed of her wanton response to Dan's lovemaking, Lisa stumbled to her feet and walked shakily over to the picnic hamper. She knelt down, unpacked the contents and set them out on the large cotton tablecloth with wooden motions.

  "Lisa." Dan knelt down in front of her and cupped her face in his hands, lifting it up to him. "I don't want to use or hurt you. If I hurt you, I hurt myself."

  "I—I've never responded to anyone the way I just did to you," she whispered jerkily, keeping her lashes lowered.

  "Then I think it might be a good idea if you feed me, before I decide to have you as the main course instead," he teased.

  A ghost of a smile touched Lisa's lips. Dan released her and sat back, getting out the bottle of wine and opening it. She soon relaxed, listening to his matter-of-fact compliments about the food.

  "Um, you are a good cook," Dan said, munching on a chicken leg. "She can type, take dictation, and cook. What else can she do?"

  "Sew," she replied, echoing his matter-of-fact manner. "And, in a pinch, I can change the oil in my car or a tire."

  "That's dangerous. You could break a nail," Dan murmured, catching hold of Lisa's hand and bringing her fingers to his lips.

  Lisa's breath caught in her throat at the sensual touch.

  When the empty containers had been repacked in the hamper, Dan sat back against a tree, pulled Lisa down beside him and cradled her in his arms. "Just lie quiet." His murmur was husky in her ear.

  Lisa laid her head against his cheek and closed her eyes. The wine from lunch, combined with the warmth of the day, left her drowsy, and the even rise and fall of his chest under her cheek made for a comforting rhythm.

  "Hey, sleepyhead," Dan whispered awhile later, brushing his lips across her slightly parted ones. She slowly opened her eyes, looking up into a teasing face. "You fell asleep on me," he said, grinning.

  "Oh, I'm sorry," Lisa apologized, sitting up and pushing her hair away from her face.

  Dan's hand stopped her, then reached out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "You're beautiful when you're asleep," he said deeply.

  Lisa blushed, realizing he must have been watching her. The question was, for how long?

  "We should be getting back," Dan said with obvious reluctance. He rose and held out his hands, pulling Lisa up. Unsteady on her feet, she swayed toward him. "No, Lisa," he said firmly. After picking up the hamper, he took her hand as they walked back to the car.

  The setting sun brought a chill to the air. Lisa shivered slightly at the change in temperature, as Dan unlocked the car door. Once inside, he switched on the heater, soon warming them up.

  "Do you have plans for this evening?" Dan asked. There was a strange note in his voice.

  "No." Lisa stifled a yawn. "I'll probably wash my hair."

  Dan's eyes momentarily left the road, glancing at her. "You still have grass in it." There was amusement in his voice.

  "So do you." She grinned, turning to brush the green from his hair.

  "Don't, Lisa." His hand gripped her wrist before she could reach her objective. "I don't want to have a wreck out here."

  She sat back, smiling to herself, aware of her power over this man. A moment later, she leaned forward, switching on the radio to a station with soft music.

  "You don't mind, do you?" She smiled at his profile.

  "Not at all." One hand left the steering wheel to curl about the nape of her neck in a caressing motion. "The music is like you."

  "Me?" Lisa looked up with a puzzled frown.

  "Soft and warm." Dan's voice caressed her as potently as his fingers did her skin.

  The rest of the drive passed quickly and Dan was soon opening the door to her darkened apartment. Lisa switched on a nearby light, and she picked up a piece of note paper propped up against a lamp. "Deb's out for the evening," Lisa said, quickly scanning the scrawled words.

  "I'll say good night, then." Dan set the hamper on the table.

  "Would you like some coffee before you go?" she ventured quickly. "It won't take long for me to make."

  Dan walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I don't think it would be a good idea, Lisa," he said gently. "Because we'd never drink that coffee; we'd only end up in there." He gestured toward the open bedroom door.

  "Dan, I've never—I mean—" Lisa stumbled over her words, knowing her cheeks were burning.

  He pressed his fingertips against her lips, silencing her. "I know," he said softly. "That's why I have to leave now. I'll talk to you later."

  Dan kissed her forehead in an unfamiliarly tender gesture before turning to leave.

  Sunday passed slowly for Lisa. She found herself reluctant to talk to Debra about her day with Dan. All she could think of was returning to work on Monday morning, being able to see him again.

  When Monday morning finally arrived, Lisa dressed with extra care, knowing that her teal jersey dress clung to her in all the right places. She brushed her hair in loose curls about her face, pulling one side back with a decorative comb.

  "That's sure to cause a few heart attacks," Debra said dryly, sipping her coffee. "Or is all of this allure meant for just one particular person?"

  "The senior partners prefer the secretaries to wear dresses instead of pants," Lisa said straightforwardly.

  "That's not a dress; it's a declaration of war," Debra pointed out.

  "I'll see you tonight," Lisa responded, ignoring her cousin's teasing.

  At the office, when Lisa sat down at her desk she found a stack of sheets waiting for her. Obviously Dan had been working the previous day. After half an hour, she looked up to see Dan stride past her desk and into his office without a word of greeting to her. The door was slammed shut behind him.

  Lisa sat still, unsure whether to be angry or upset. Taking several deep breaths, she returned to her work. Twenty minutes later, the intercom line buzzed.

  "Yes?" she spoke distantly.

  "Miss Winters, come in here please." Dan's voice sounded cold and remote.

  Lisa picked up her steno pad and pencils and took another deep breath. By the time she entered Dan's office, her face showed no sign of her feelings. She seated herself across from him, opened her pad and looked up expectantly.

  "These letters have to be mailed out this morning," Dan said brusquely, without looking up. Then, barely pausing for breath, he began to dictate rapidly.

  Lisa was drained by the time he had finished. "Will that be all?" she asked politely.

  "Yes, except that Mr. Todd is coming in at two, and I don't want to be disturbed while he's here." He still hadn't looked up.

  "Yes, sir." Lisa spoke crisply as she rose. She didn't know what he was up to, but two could play his game. She'd die before she'd let him see how much pain she was feeling.

  Lisa's afternoon went by quietly while Dan was closeted in the office with his client. Just as she was getting ready to leave for the day, the phone rang. Sighing, she picked up the receiver. "Mr. Nolan's office."

  "Mr. Nolan, please. This is Morgan Grant." The woman's voice was a throaty purr.

  "I'm sorry, Miss Grant," Lisa said insincerely. "Mr. Nolan is in conference with a client, and has asked not to be disturbed."

  "Of course, and he does get what he wants, doesn't he?" The soft laugh was pure seduction. "Would you please have him return my call? No matter how late it is."

  "Of course, Miss Grant. I'll give Mr. Nolan your message," Lisa said smoothly, writing the note on a message pad. She then dropped the note on a tray that held Dan's messages when he was out of the office. Making a face at the closed office door, she picked up her purse and left.

  "You've been a ray of sunshine all evening," Debra commented wryly a few hours later.

  "It was a busy day," Lisa replied, shrugging her shoulders.

  "A busy day or a grouchy boss—the kind you'd like to shoot?"

  "It's hard to say," she sighed. "He barely spoke to me. I doubt that he even knew I was there."

  "Oh, I think he knew you were there,
all right."

  "No, he didn't." Lisa's face wore a puzzled frown. "We're right back to where we started from when he first began working for the firm."

  "Did you ever stop to think that there might be a good reason?" Debra asked reasonably.

  "He probably wishes he hadn't come down from his throne to mix with a lowly mortal," Lisa said sarcastically.

  "You idiot." Her cousin's voice was affectionate. "As usual, you're not thinking with your head. What's his astrological sign?"

  "His birthday is in late January," Lisa replied.

  "Aquarius." Debra looked thoughtful. "Let's look him up in my astrology books. They may give us a hint."

  Twenty minutes later the two cousins were seated on the living room floor, each with a glass of wine, as Debra leafed through several books.

  "Aries and Aquarius are quite a combination," Debra told Lisa. "You're a fire sign; he's an air sign. You think with your heart; he thinks with his head. Aquarians are known to be unpredictable, arrogant, private, brilliant and high-achieving, and to have insatiably inquiring minds. No matter what their professions, they always go far."

  "What does all that have to do with Dan's attitude toward me today?" Lisa asked curiously.

  "I'm just trying to help you understand him better. He's not going to be the type of man to show his true feelings about anything. He might even act the opposite of what he feels."

  "Meaning today he was actually happy as a lark?" Lisa asked doubtfully. "That would be a little hard to believe."

  "No, just that he's always going to be difficult to understand. But no matter what goes on, the two of you will be in tune with each other. You might have clashes, but you'll always go back to each other. You can't fight destiny, Lee," Debra concluded. "And I have an idea your life and Dan's are going to be closely intertwined."

  "I don't want our lives to be intertwined," Lisa protested.

  "Why don't you take some advice? Go in there tomorrow and be as sweet as sugar; act as if nothing ever happened." Debra grinned impishly. "He may be baffling you, but I bet you can baffle him just as much. Give him something to think about. Besides," Debra added, "Mark never instilled those feelings in you."