It Had to Be You Read online

  “Why not? I mean it’s not as if I have a life of my own. Right? I live my life on the off chance that I might somehow one day be of some small service to you.”

  “Oh, Annie!” Deb laughed, covering her face with a hand. “Don’t try to give me a guilt trip. Please. You know it won’t work because I’m totally shameless.”

  She laughed. “Okay. Go and enjoy, Deb.”

  Chapter Six

  A soft, warm hand brushed the hair off Reed’s damp forehead before cupping his cheek. The touch was feather–light, soothing. He pressed his cheek closer. In response, gentle fingers touched his lips. A whiff of a light, fresh smelling perfume filled his nostrils.

  A feminine voice hummed Down The Aisle. He could happily stay just as he was. Forever.

  “Are you tired of playing possum?”

  The voice was low, sultry, and sent a tingle along his nerve endings. Annalise.

  He smiled and kissed the fingers still moving lightly against his lips. Then, fearful that he was dreaming, he opened his eyes.

  She straddled a kitchen chair pulled close to his bed. Her hair hung around her face in a sleek, dark cloud. Her brown eyes smiled at him. She wore that slow, irresistible smile that always made him feel surrounded with love.

  “Are you really here or is this a dream?”

  Her eyes twinkled and her smile widened. “Are you in the habit of dreaming of me, Reed?”

  “No. Not often. Just every other night or so.”

  “You are so...” Her smiled wavered and vanished. Her hand on his face stilled. “I’m sorry I was so rude at the park.”

  He turned his head to kiss her hand again. “Did I do something to upset or anger you?”

  “No. I was just...no.”

  “Were you annoyed because I followed you? Did you think I was going to proposition you?”

  “Were you?”

  “No.”

  “But you did ask me out to dinner.”

  She’d done them both a favor by refusing his invitation. “Why were you so...unfriendly that day?”

  “I wouldn’t say that I was exactly unfriendly. It was more like—”

  “Take it from the guy on the receiving end. You were unfriendly with a capital U.”

  “Well, it was just...one of those days.”

  “Which days?”

  “Oh, don’t be such a pain in the neck!”

  “Pain in the neck or not, I want to know which days you’re talking about,” he insisted.

  She sighed. “Days when I don’t feel like being pursued by another woman’s man. Satisfied?”

  “You make me sound like a stalker. I was not pursuing you!”

  “Fine. You weren’t stalking me, but you were pursuing me. And you do belong to another woman. Don’t you?”

  His reluctance to admit he belonged to Taylor ashamed him. Although he’d never asked her not to see other men, he knew she didn’t and they had discussed marriage. So even without actually asking her to marry him, he’d obligated himself to her.

  “Well? Don’t you?”

  He nodded curtly and looked around the room lit by his bedside lamp. The moonlight shone into the open window.

  The last thing he remembered was crawling back into bed that morning. Had he slept all day? He glanced at his bedside clock. Ten o’clock! He bolted up, felt dizzy, and eased back against his pillows. “This is still Saturday?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where are the kids?”

  “They came in to kiss you goodnight and say their prayers holding your hand about two hours ago.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  “You were tired and still hot then. You haven’t told me how you feel.”

  His pajamas felt damp and sticky and he needed a shave and a shower. “I’m dizzy, my mouth is dry, and I’ve lost a whole day. I’ve had better days. How are you?”

  “Me? I’m just Jim Dandy. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m thirsty.” He licked his dry lips. “I didn’t expect to see you here again. Especially not in my bedroom.”

  She glanced away from him for a moment, biting her lip. “Does that mean I’m not welcomed?”

  “No. It doesn’t mean that. I just thought after Wednesday that...well, you made it plain that...”

  “I didn’t like you?” she asked helpfully, smiling again.

  Instead of intriguing him, her smile irritated him. She’d sent him back to his office with his tail between his legs. What was there in that to smile about? “You enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

  “Enjoyed what?”

  “Humiliating me.”

  “I didn’t. Wednesday was one of those days.” Her eyes narrowed and she stabbed a finger in his direction. “And you’re a fine one to talk about humiliation! How do you think I felt that night on the porch when you...just don’t you talk to me about humiliation, Reed.”

  He stared at her, longing to tell her that humiliating her had been the last thing on his mind that night. But that admission would only serve to deepen the emotional hole he’d already dug for himself.

  “So it was tit for tat then?” He challenged.

  She threw up her hands. “Oh, what’s the use? I told Deb you wouldn’t want me here.” She sprang to her feet and started away.

  He reacted instinctively, reaching out to catch her hand on his. He saw the surprised look on her face when she turned back to face him.

  He squeezed the hand resting in his very gently. “Unfortunately, I’m very glad you’re here.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes. I am.”

  “Oh. Well...good. Good. Because...I am here.”

  He smiled. “So I see.”

  “Yes, well...” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

  “Where is Deb?”

  She hesitated so long he thought she wasn’t going to answer. “Deb’s spending the weekend in Philly at my place. She has a lot to do for the wedding and needed a break. So I said I’d come stay for a few days to take care of you.”

  He liked the idea of a woman wanting to take care of him. No one had since Maria died. While Taylor had many great qualities, she wasn’t a nurturer. He couldn’t imagine her sitting by his bed, watching over him as Annalise had apparently been doing.

  Oh, yeah, he liked the idea of a woman wanting to take care of him. But not just any woman. This particular woman with her laughing eyes and enchanting smile and a knack for making him long for things he shouldn’t.

  “It’s more than all right.”

  She smiled again. “Good.” She nodded to the nightstand on the other side of the bed. “Because I bought you flowers as a peace offering.”

  He turned his head. A vase filled with what looked like white carnations with a red rose in the center sat there. As he looked at them, he was aware of a rush of warmth spreading through him. No woman had ever sent him flowers.

  “Well? What do you think?”

  He turned to look at her. She wore another over–sized sweat suit. Did she ever wear anything that fit properly?

  She seemed tense. Bouncing on her toes as she waited for his answer.

  He smiled, wanting to put her at ease. “I think you must be very...they’re very nice. Sweet. I’ve never had flowers from a woman.”

  She put her head on one side and frowned at him. “But you’ve had them from a man?”

  He laughed. “Okay, Ms. Cutie, let me rephrase that. No one’s ever given me flowers.”

  “And?”

  “And receiving them is nice. Thank you.”

  She grinned and curtsied. “I aim to please.”

  “And I’m sure you do.”

  He meant it as a compliment, but seeing the look of indecision in her eyes, he wondered if she thought he was being facetious. Or worse, that he was flirting with her. Which was exactly what he was doing. “Annalise—”

  “I’ll get that lemonade and a glass of water.”

  “What lemonade?”

  “I made some especially
for you. Tart with ginger ale. Ria said that’s the way you liked it.”

  He stared up at her. “Do you care what I like, Annalise?”

  “Not in the least!” She tossed her head, sending her hair cascading around her face in a glorious dark cloud.

  Everything about her whetted his increasing appetite for her company. Reminding himself that he had no right to her company was useless. Suddenly full of a need to touch her, he recaptured her hand, rubbing his palm over her fingers. Then, still not satisfied, he buried his mouth in her hand, covering her palm with warm, eager kisses. It wasn’t enough. “Annalise…”

  “Yes?”

  He tugged at her hand. When she lost her balance, he pulled her onto the bed beside him.

  She scrambled onto her side, staring at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Can’t you tell?”

  “Reed—”

  “Shh.” His thoughts turned to their encounter at the park when she had placed his hand on her waist. It had taken a superhuman effort not to allow his palm to stray over her body to explore the curves she kept concealed from him. Those curves were now within caressing distance.

  He pushed her onto her back.

  “Reed…we…”

  She had such beautiful skin…warm, dark, and so close. He brushed his fingertips along the side of her neck.

  She shivered, her lips parting.

  It had been so long since he’d been so close to a woman who excited his passions and his emotions as she did. He was lonely and hungry for a taste of the physical intimacy he and Maria had shared. And Annalise was so near…so exciting…so irresistible.

  He leaned over her to touch his mouth to her neck.

  “Reed…”

  Her skin felt soft and so warm. He kissed a path up from her neck to the corner of her mouth.

  “Reed…I don’t think we—”

  Determined to taste the lips he’d wanted to kiss from the moment he saw her, he licked her lips. Delicious.

  “Oh...Reed…”

  He silenced her by pressing his mouth against hers.

  After a moment of resistance, her mouth opened under his. He kissed her slowly, savoring the taste and feel of her soft, sweet lips before he swept his tongue into her mouth.

  Her lips moved against his in response.

  That was nice but still not enough. Hungry for more, he lay on her. With his eyes closed, he took a moment to enjoy the heady sensation of feeling her body under his. Then he slipped his arms around her. Holding her close, he devoured her lips, his senses intoxicated. The need to consume her overwhelmed him.

  “Please…” He reached down to put her hand on his thigh. “Touch me,” he whispered.

  “Oh…Reed, we…”

  Rolling onto his back, he slid his hands under her sweatshirt. Her skin felt soft and warm. He moved his hands down her back to her—

  “No!” She dragged her mouth away from his and shoved against his shoulders. “Reed, no!”

  No? She wanted him to stop when his need for her was so great?

  “Reed! Stop!”

  Stop. He released her.

  She scrambled off the bed and grabbed the back of the chair, staring at him.

  He stared back. This was not how a man involved in an exclusive relationship should behave. It wasn’t fair to Annalise or to Taylor. He couldn’t change his behavior but maybe he could mitigate the damage he’d just done.

  He focused his gaze on the flowers. “I don’t see a card.”

  “What?”

  She sounded as if she thought he’d lost his mind. Good. Maybe she’d think he was delirious. In a way, he was and had been since they met. “Where is it?”

  She touched her mouth. “You just…you want to know about a card?”

  He nodded. “What did it say?”

  “Since I was bringing the flowers with me, I didn’t see any need for a card.”

  What would a card from her to him have said? “Oh.”

  “But it would only have said I was sorry. And I’ve already said that.”

  “Nothing else?”

  “What else would you have wanted it to say?”

  What else indeed? If he weren’t careful, he’d stray into even more dangerous waters. And if he kept staring at her, he would drown in her beautiful gaze. But what a way to go. “I’m still feeling feverish. Sorry works just fine for me.”

  “Feverish? Oh. I guess that explains what just happened?”

  “I’m sorry about that. I…”

  She shook her head. “Never mind. It was just a few meaningless kisses.”

  Meaningless? She knew how to hit a man where it hurt.

  “When I come back I’ll sing you to sleep.”

  He laughed, feeling the tension between them dissipating. “I don’t think so.”

  “What? Do I sound that bad?”

  He remembered the sound of her voice singing Down The Aisle. Sultry, enchanting, intriguing. But definitely not bad. “You have a very...charming voice. But I’ve just spent the last fourteen and a half hours sleeping. I am not going back to sleep anytime soon.”

  “Then I’ll keep you company until I’m sleepy. How’s that?”

  “That’s probably not a good idea, Annalise.”

  “Oh…you’re probably right. Okay.” She pointed toward the door. “I should go.”

  He nodded. “Yes. You should go. Now.” Before he lost what was left of his mind and pulled her back onto his bed again.

  “I…good night.”

  “Good night.”

  He watched her leave the room before he slipped back down into a reclining position. Have you lost your mind? Why did you touch her?

  Annalise woke just after seven. She lay in the big bed on the third floor of the Phillips’ house, hugging her pillow to her and thinking of Reed. Reliving the feel of his lips on hers…the weight of his body…

  Stop it, Annalise. Just stop it. He was feverish and didn’t know what he was doing. Or he thought you were his one woman, Taylor. If he remembers last night, you’re going to be the last person he wants to see this morning.

  But she’d worry after breakfast. She slipped out of bed and walked over to the window. The bedroom windows looked out over the backyard where Reed had designed and built a small play area for the kids. Beyond that was a fenced in in–ground pool that she meant to spend at least an hour in before the day was over.

  She took a quick shower then she threw on a pair of sweats. She caught her hair in a ponytail and left the bedroom without putting on any makeup. She would do that later when she dressed for morning service.

  On the second floor landing, about to continue down to the first floor, she paused. The house was quiet. Maybe too quiet? She turned away from the stairs and moved toward the bedrooms.

  She opened the first door and looked in. Ria slept on her stomach, a large stuffed dog at her side. The next bedroom was Deb’s. In the third room, RP sprawled on his back with several small, action figures lying on the pillow next to his head.

  She paused outside the front bedroom. Should she check on Reed or wait to see if he came down to breakfast? She tapped lightly on the door. After several moments of silence, she slowly pushed the door open.

  He slept on his stomach with his face turned toward the wall. His breathing seemed even and easy. There was no reason for her to linger in the doorway of his bedroom. Nevertheless, she walked into the bedroom, as if drawn forward by an invisible cord. She kept going, even when he rolled over onto his back. Standing over him, watching him, she decided that his face seemed a little flushed. That gave her an excuse to touch his cheek.

  Two days worth of stubble felt abrasive against her hand. She laid a hand against his forehead. His skin temperature felt normal.

  Resisting the urge to caress his cheeks, she straightened.

  His hand shot out, closing around her wrist.

  She stared down into his blue eyes. Horrified. What must he think of her coming into his bedroom again?

&nbs
p; He spoke first. “Hello.”

  She tugged at her hand, but his grip only tightened. The only way to free it was to engage in an undignified struggle, which she’d win only if he allowed it. And she had a feeling he wasn’t going to release her until he was ready.

  “Oh. Hi.” She forced herself to smile down at him. “I...I was just...”

  “Caressing my face? Yes, I noticed.”

  By a supreme use of willpower, she managed not to blush. “Don’t be ridiculous! I wasn’t caressing your face,” she said in as close to a normal voice as she could manage. If she got out of this with any pride or dignity intact, she would keep her distance from him. Forever.

  “No? It felt like a caress.”

  “Hey, well, that’s only because you’re...” Her voice trailed off. He wasn’t buying it. That was plain from his look of obvious skepticism.

  “Because I’m what? Please. Go on,” he urged.

  “You have a mean streak a mile wide,” she accused.

  “Because I’m what?” He insisted. “Feverish? Delusional?” He sat up slowly, retaining his grip on her hand. “I’m neither and you know it. I know when I’ve been caressed. Want to try again?”

  “Oh. I see. You’re paying me back for that day at the park. I guess that’s fair. You think I was rude and now you’re being rude to me. Returning evil for evil.”

  “No, I’m not. That day’s forgotten and forgiven.”

  “Then what are you doing now?”

  “Trying to find out if you intend to caress me awake like this every day. I readily acknowledge that it’s an undeniably...delightful way to start the day. Still, you’ll have to admit that you’re doing this every morning would tend to make our being friends rather difficult. Don’t you think?”

  Twin tides of hot blood flashed into her cheeks. Why, oh, why had she come into his bedroom? She’d brought this humiliation on herself. He clearly didn’t remember pulling her onto his bed the previous night and kissing her breathless.

  “What are you going on about? I already told you I wasn’t caressing you!” she said, trying not to sound as desperate as she felt. “What don’t you understand?”

  He shrugged, grinning up at her. “Oh, I don’t know. If it looks like a caress and feels like a caress, I’ve got to believe it’s a caress.”