Bright Tomorrow Read online

  "Strange, I've always felt comfortable with Mark, but with Dan…" Lisa's voice trailed off, as she remembered her response to Dan's kisses.

  "Yeah," Debra sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "Just when we think we have them eating out of our hand, they turn around and fool us. Men!"

  As the week progressed, Lisa's calm demeanor threatened to crack more and more often. Her restless nights left her with dark circles under her eyes and taut features. By Thursday afternoon, she felt ready to scream if someone said one wrong word to her. Glad that Dan was out of the office for the afternoon, she kept her mind occupied by concentrating on her filing.

  "Hello, Lisa."

  From her kneeling position in front of the file cabinets, Lisa looked up to find Mark standing in front of her desk. "Mark, I thought you were in Seattle until the middle of next week," she said, flashing him a warm, welcoming smile. She had missed him, even if she knew he could never be more to her than a friend.

  "I finished early." He gazed at her with evident concern. "Are you feeling all right? You look awfully pale."

  "It's been a hectic week," Lisa replied, rising gracefully, and absently smoothing the front of her tan skirt, where a long slit revealed a shapely leg. She sat down at her desk.

  "Have dinner with me tonight," Mark urged. "We haven't had a chance to talk in a long time. Not since the night of the shower."

  Lisa studied him, no longer seeing a man she had once thought she could fall in love with. "Mark, I—" Her carefully started refusal was abruptly cut off by a crisp voice.

  "I'm afraid Miss Winters will have to refuse your polite invitation, since she'll be working late this evening." Lisa looked up into angry blue eyes. Before she could think how to reply, Mark scanned Dan's grim features.

  "I see," Mark said. "Then good night, Lisa. I'll see you tomorrow."

  Lisa waited until Mark was out of earshot before she turned her temper on Dan. "I don't know why you think you have the right to—"

  With a quick turn of his wrist, Dan jerked Lisa out of her chair and pushed her none too gently into his office, slamming the door behind him. "Oh, Lisa, I can't care how angry you are at me," he groaned, putting one hand on each side of her as he pressed her against the door. His mouth closed hungrily over hers, giving her no chance to protest. And as his kiss deepened, he lifted Lisa's arms to encircle his neck, pulling her even closer against him. "You've been horrible to me all week," she said, out of breath, when Dan finally lifted his head, letting his lips move along her jawline and up to her ear. "I thought you had decided last weekend was a mistake."

  "If I felt anything was a mistake, it sure wasn't last weekend," Dan said wryly, before his lips moved downward again to reclaim her mouth in a sweet, searing kiss. His breathing was ragged when he finally lifted his head.

  "Then why the iceberg act?" she asked in a soft voice.

  "Reasons," he said lazily, letting his thumb rub sensually along Lisa's ear before he bent his head to nip her earlobe. "Before I decide to make love to you here and now, why don't you invite me over for dinner tonight?" Dan's breath was warm.

  Lisa was still curious to learn the reasons behind his coldness toward her, but she couldn't seem to concentrate on her anger when he stood so close to her. "You'll have to take pot luck," she murmured.

  "I'll even bring the wine," Dan said huskily, again moving his lips over her skin in a sensual caress that sent shivers down her spine.

  "Oh, all right."

  Dan slowly released her, although one arm still loosely encircled her waist. "Does that mean I am invited to dinner?"

  A smile curved her lips. "Seven o'clock?"

  "I'll be there," he promised, pressing a hard kiss against her mouth. "Now get out of here so I can finish some of my work. I see I have to give my secretary plenty to do to keep her out of mischief."

  Lisa laughed as she turned to open the door. Although Dan still hadn't explained himself, she felt better than she had all week.

  Debra had left a note saying she would be out all evening, and after reading it, Lisa quickly started to boil water for the spaghetti and to get the sauce simmering on the stove. Then she hurriedly showered and refreshed her make-up. Next she twisted her hair up on top of her head in a loose knot and donned a silky pants and tunic outfit, golden beige edged in dark brown. She had just freshened her perfume when the doorbell rang.

  Taking a deep breath, she walked back into the living room and opened the door for Dan, now dressed casually in a cream-colored silk shirt and dark green slacks. His eyes darkened as they took in the seductive picture Lisa presented.

  "Very nice," Dan said deeply, pulling her into his arms for a lingering kiss. "It's a good thing you don't wear anything this sexy to the office, or I'd never be able to concentrate on my work."

  "I have an idea that if you wanted to concentrate on your work badly enough, you could, no matter what I wore." She linked her arms around his neck.

  "I brought a contribution for dinner." Dan stepped back and proffered a bottle of red wine. "Though I would prefer to stay right here, skip dinner and curl up with your very lovely body."

  "That's you," Lisa teased. "All talk."

  "Oh, there's action, too," Dan added wickedly. "At the right time."

  Lisa turned to go into the kitchen, and Dan followed, offering to lend a hand as she put the finishing touches to their dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread and tossed salad.

  Conversation was limited during their meal, though Lisa was aware that Dan's eyes never left her. Flustered by his unnerving gaze, Lisa drank more than usual. By the time their dinner was finished, Lisa's world had become a rosy haze.

  "I'll help with the washing up," Dan told her, as she rose to pick up the dishes.

  "Oh, no," she protested. "They won't take long at all. Just go on into the living room and make yourself comfortable."

  Lisa hurriedly rinsed off the dishes and stacked them in the dishwasher. She could hear the sounds of the radio, tuned to a station with soft, seductive music.

  When Lisa soon joined Dan in the living room, he was seated in an easy chair across the room. The look he flashed her was one of pure sensuality; then he rose lithely, halting long enough to switch off one of the lamps to give the room an intimate glow. Then he approached her.

  "Dance with me, Lisa," he said throatily, slipping his arms around her waist to pull her against his lean body.

  Lisa slipped her arms around his neck, letting herself be caught up in the slow, sensual music. She marveled at how well their bodies fitted together. Their dancing was no more than a rhythmic swaying, as Dan's lips hovered near hers. Feeling the heat rise in her blood, she raised her face, inviting his kiss.

  "Lisa," Dan groaned, crushing her against him.

  The wine, combined with Dan's seductive caresses, was enough to open the battle against Lisa's defenses. Dan's lips traveled along her throat to her shoulder, where he pushed aside the neckline of her top to trace a fiery trail along bare skin. But Lisa's mind was still working overtime. After a week of seeing Dan as a cold, almost ruthless man, this change in his personality was too much for her. Moaning softly, she twisted away from him. Wrapping her arms around her own body, Lisa stood with her back to Dan, trying to control the clamoring emotions within her.

  "No." She shook her head. "You can't act the tyrant all week, then come here and make me forget your actions with a few kisses."

  Lisa was unprepared for Dan to slip his arms around her waist and draw her back against him. "Kisses?" Dan murmured in her ear.

  Lisa tried to twist out of his arms, but without success, as Dan's hold only tightened, turning her to face him. With scant effort, he picked her up in his arms and carried her over to the wide couch. He lay her down and stretched out beside her, one leg over hers. Lisa's arms curled around his neck in surrender, pulling his face down to hers.

  "You taste good," she murmured against the slightly rough skin of his jawline.

  "You taste better." Dan's tongue trac
ed the neckline of her tunic top as his fingers deftly dispensed with the buttons. Lisa gasped, half in shock, half in pleasure as he teased her bare breasts. She unbuttoned Dan's shirt, letting her palms slide over his muscular chest and shoulders. Lisa moaned softly, arching her body against his.

  Shuddering, Dan lifted his head to rest his forehead against Lisa's, his eyes closed. His ragged breathing was proof of her effect on him. "This is dangerous, Lee," he muttered thickly. "Right now, all I want is to make love to you. To keep you in bed for a week."

  Unconsciously, Lisa wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. She was surprised that Dan's warm body was not heavy, but lay upon her as a blanket might. Her emerald eyes glowed with passion, and her body ached for a fulfillment that only Dan could assuage. As her fingers fiddled idly with his hair-roughened chest, she laughed. "I never could think of you as some stodgy old lawyer. You look at my legs too much when you give dictation."

  "Um, you do have very nice legs." Dan buried his face in her hair, as his fingers pulled out the clips, letting the heavy golden tresses tumble free. "Makes me wish that mini skirts were back in fashion again, except then I doubt I'd be able to get any work done."

  "Are my legs nicer than your previous secretary's?" Lisa's fingernails idly scratched his skin.

  "Stop it," he moaned, grabbing her wrist to still her action. "I'm not made of steel." Smiling wryly, he buttoned her top. "Too much temptation." He straightened up, cradling Lisa against his chest.

  "Well, are they?" She asked.

  "Are what?"

  "My legs," Lisa persisted. "Are they nicer than your previous secretary's?" She twisted her head to get a better look at his face.

  "Carolyn had very nice legs," Dan mused, rubbing his hand over his jaw. "Great legs, in fact." He paused deliberately. "Especially for a woman of fifty-eight, with seven grandchildren at last count."

  "Oh, you!" She punched him playfully. "Can't you ever be serious?"

  "The last time I was serious was when I took my bar exam, hoping and praying the entire time that I would pass it."

  "It seems to me that you didn't have anything to worry about," Lisa replied. "You've done very well for yourself in the relatively short time you've been in practice."

  "It's called being in the right place at the right time. And I've worked hard every step of the way, and I still have a long way to go."

  Lisa could almost hear the words he left unspoken, words telling her that he would have precious little time for anything or anyone else in his life until he reached his desired goals. It was as if he was warning her, as with the suspended lovemaking, not to become too involved with him.

  "What would you do if your roommate decided to up and get married?" Dan asked suddenly.

  "I don't know," she replied honestly. "Probably find myself a new roommate."

  "You're a good cook, right?" He bent his head to nuzzle her ear.

  "Yes."

  "Know what a washer and dryer look like? And how to work them?"

  "Of course." She was puzzled by the odd line his questions were taking.

  "Well, then, you could always move in with me," Dan said softly. Then, muttering under his breath, he quickly pushed her away. "I shouldn't say things like that. How about some coffee?"

  "All right." Lisa rose, combing her fingers through her tousled hair. She walked into the kitchen, and within a few minutes, she had the coffee pot perking. She set out a tray with two cups, a creamer and a sugar bowl.

  "As usual, done with complete efficiency." Dan's voice from behind startled her. He stood in the doorway of the kitchen, leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "On which side of the family are you and Debra cousins?" he asked curiously.

  "Our mothers are identical twins." Lisa said, glad for an excuse to keep busy, what with Dan's tall figure in such close proximity. "Deb looks like our mothers and I took after my father."

  "Then there's a chance you could have twins," Dan murmured, his eyes on her slender figure.

  Lisa's pulse quickened as her mind's eye pictured twin boys with dark blond hair and steady blue eyes. The thought was not at all unpleasant. She silently shook her head free of such thoughts. "We have some brandy if you'd like some with your coffee," she said hoarsely, turning away to pick up the tray.

  "No, thanks; the coffee alone is just fine." He came forward to take the tray from her hands, and he carried it into the living room.

  Seated on the couch, Lisa poured two cups, handing one to Dan. She added cream liberally to her own, reflectively watching it swirl in the dark coffee. "You never did say why you decided to join the firm," she said casually.

  "They wanted a liberal to grace their ranks," Dan told her, as he sat back, stretching his long legs out in front of him. "And the idea of working with a group of lawyers, rather than alone, appealed to me." He paused. "They also made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

  "Such as a partnership?"

  Dan's head turned, his eyes piercing. "Either Connors told you that, or you're much smarter than I thought," he said coolly. "I have an idea it's the latter, too."

  "I am very perceptive, yes. And you don't seem the type to join a firm, so I wondered about it." A smile curved her lips. "Besides, would you have told me about the offer?"

  "No," he said without hesitation.

  Lisa was hurt by Dan's reply, and she ducked her head to hide her expression. His hand lightly touched her chin, propelling it upward to face him.

  "Poor little Lisa," Dan murmured. "Your face is like an open book, or rather, your eyes are. Those days when you were angry at me, even when you seemed so sweet and appealing, were quite a revelation. Those eyes would spit smoke and fire at me while that very lovely mouth would smile politely and phrase polite words. I used to think that you were sitting out there just hoping I'd make a mistake so you could inflict a horrible torture on me."

  She laughed, surprised by his perception. "I had hoped, when you first came, that we'd open an office in Siberia so you'd be put in charge," Lisa confessed.

  Dan set his coffee cup down, took hers out of her hand and set it down, as well. He reached over, pulled her across his lap and cradled her in his arms. "If so, I would have insisted that my very capable secretary go along with me," he growled. "The nights are long and cold up there. Not to mention lonely." Lisa couldn't hold back her giggle. "This is the way it should be," Dan told her, resting his head against the back of the couch. "We don't need to fight all the time, do we? This is much more enjoyable, isn't it?"

  Content, she silently nodded, as she rested against his chest. Lisa had no idea how long they sat there in each other's arms.

  "Much as I hate to break the mood, I better go," Dan finally murmured in her ear.

  Lisa nodded, as she sat up and rose from the couch. At the door, Dan rested his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her upturned face. "Thank you for a lovely evening and a very good dinner," he said quietly. "I guess I'll see you in the morning."

  "Bright and early." She smiled up at him.

  Dan left after giving her one last lingering kiss. Lisa put the coffee cups on the tray, carried them back into the kitchen and rinsed them out. Glancing up at the clock, she was surprised at the hour. She thought briefly that it was unusual for Debra to stay out so late on a week night. Finishing her chores, Lisa went into the bedroom and, surprisingly, fell quickly asleep.

  Chapter Four

  Both women overslept the next morning and had to hurry to get ready for work. "No use in looking beautiful for a bunch of animals." Debra grinned, gesturing toward her jeans and T-shirt. "Lucky you, with good-looking men in and out of your office all day." She eyed Lisa's mint green, soft cotton dress appreciatively. "See you tonight. Or are you going out with Dan?" Lisa had told her about her evening with Dan as they had hurriedly drunk their morning coffee. "Not that I know of." Lisa said, stopping in front of the mirror for one last look. She looked different. She couldn't put her finger on what the change was, but s
he knew she wasn't the same person she had been a few weeks ago.

  Lisa was glad to have a quiet day at the office, since Dan was in court until at least late afternoon and might not be coming in at all. She was surprised when Mark stopped by her desk to ask her to have lunch with him. The pleading expression in his eyes forestalled her refusal, and she found herself agreeing to be ready at twelve-thirty.

  Mark chose a well-known Chinese restaurant not far from the office. Lisa always enjoyed going there for its excellent food and subdued oriental atmosphere.

  "Your boss seems to be extremely possessive concerning your free time," Mark said casually after their food had arrived.

  "No, he just has a very heavy workload right now, and he wants to be able to count on me," Lisa said cautiously, as she spooned sweet and sour shrimp onto, her plate. "You know how sticky that case for Mr. Jamison is. I have to be there to handle all of the minor problems that crop up."

  "You may be a dedicated secretary, Lisa, but you've never been that dedicated." His tone was derisive. "A beautiful young woman like you needs much more. And you won't find it in an office. Or in Dan Nolan's arms."

  "I don't intend finding anything in Dan Nolan's arms, Mark," she snapped, angry with the sudden overt twist the conversation had taken. "I do my job, no more. Don't think you see something that isn't there."

  Lisa was spared saying anything further, when she spied a familiar figure across the dining room. Morgan Grant, followed by a gray-haired man in his fifties, walked toward them, and she flashed Lisa a cool smile.

  "Well, what a surprise, Miss Winters." Morgan-stood beside their table, the older man standing quietly behind her.

  . "Miss Grant," Lisa said in an even voice, "I'd like you to meet Mark Connors, one of the senior associates of the firm. Mark, this is Morgan Grant, a friend of Mr. Nolan's." The words seemed to stick in her throat.

  Mark's look was openly appreciative as he gazed at the cool, well-groomed blonde.

  "Mr. Connors." Morgan held out a well-manicured hand decorated with mauve-polished nails. "It seems that our table is now ready. It's nice to see you again, Miss Winters. Please give my regards to Mr. Nolan." Without introducing her companion, she glided away.