In Forbidden Territory

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“The company is at a crossroads at the moment. Either we undertake a costly expansion which will include physically moving the location of the business to much larger facilities in order to meet our potential, or we scale back so that we continue to maintain what we have. It’s the results of Mac’s design project that will pretty much make that decision for us. If the design he’s working on is successful, then we can move into the arena of the design and construction of larger sailboats in the luxury yacht category. We already have some of the ancillary support systems in place such as the computerized interior design enhancement I showed you this morning.”

This bit of information leaped out at Angie. Everything about the interior design system had fascinated her. Perhaps that was the area where she should concentrate her efforts, something that would fit nicely with her education and work experience in industrial design. Her excitement over this new facet filled her with questions.

“Would this interior design work be done primarily outside the company or is it something you plan to keep in-house as a department of the newly expanded operation?”

“It’s too soon to say. We’re taking it one step at a time, and right now the step we’re handling is the completion of the design Mac is working on. I’ve already done my preliminary work. I’ve talked to clients and business associates and have determined that the potential business is available. Our bankers have assured me they’re interested in providing the needed capital for the expansion. But until Mac finishes the design and we successfully test it, everything else is only speculation.”

“What clients do you have who would be interested in purchasing a custom-designed luxury sailboat? You said you’d need to move the facility to another location. Would you still remain in the Seattle area? Do you think—” She saw the look of caution dart across his features. Had she gone too far? Was she pushing too much? The look of caution slowly turned to a stern gaze, tempered slightly by the wry twinkle in his eyes.

“If I didn’t know better I would swear you were an industrial spy trying to pump me for information about our development projects and the names of our clients.”

She felt the heat of embarrassment sear across her cheeks. His accusation shocked her. Well, it wasn’t really an accusation as such, but more of a half serious, half teasing observation. But it was serious enough that it made her realize she had pushed him too hard in her zeal to gather information.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like that. It’s just that I’m interested and Mac always talks in such general terms. He probably thinks I wouldn’t understand what he was talking about even though I keep reminding him that I have a degree in business and industrial design plus three years of practical work experience at an industrial design firm.” She offered a confident smile, hoping it would help sidetrack Ty’s sudden concerns. “Maybe I should wear a sign around my neck stating that I’m an adult and don’t need to be patronized.”

Ty’s response was a measured but easy laugh. “I don’t think a sign will be necessary.” His smile slowly faded as their gazes locked in a heated moment of desire. “You certainly look all grown up to me.”

She silently berated herself for being too aggressive in her questions. She would need to be more subtle in enlisting Ty’s help. If only Mac hadn’t laughed at her six months ago when she had first worked up the courage to express her desire to work for his company. It would have made things so much easier for her now.

Ty would be a good conduit for swaying Mac’s initial reaction to her working for the company, but that wouldn’t make Mac realize she was no longer a child to be patronized and protected. It was a dilemma she knew she would be wrestling with again and again just as she was now wrestling with her intense attraction to Tyler Farrell.

After lunch they walked along the waterfront area. Each time he touched her—placing his hand at the small of her back to help guide her through a crowd, innocently draping his arm around her shoulder as they walked along the sidewalk, tugging on her hand to stop her when he wanted to point out a specific sight—a tremor of excitement rippled through her body followed by a warm sensuality that settled inside her.

But oddly enough, the excitement was tempered with a feeling of closeness. It was a special combination she had never experienced with anyone else, but one she found appealing and very comfortable. A hint of concern tried to work its way into the warmth surrounding her, a warmth that suddenly felt far too comfortable. She couldn’t afford to lose sight of her goal.

“How about a harbor cruise?” Ty’s question broke into her thoughts, jerking her back to the moment at hand.

“Sounds like fun.” Her words said one thing, but reality was something else. She knew spending more time with Ty could only lead to complications in her life, complications she didn’t want or need at this time.

A few minutes later they boarded the boat for the tour of Elliott Bay. The ocean breeze ruffled through her hair. The crisp air tickled her senses. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, held it for several seconds, then slowly exhaled. “I love being on the water. It always makes me feel so relaxed.” A cloak of calm and serenity settled over her.

Ty watched as a slight smile turned the corners of her mouth—the same delicious mouth he had sampled the previous evening. The same mouth that tasted of more and held the promise of tantalizing pleasures yet to be. He tried to clear his head of the ill-advised thoughts, of desires that could only lead to trouble. She was his best friend’s sister…his business partner’s sister…someone who should logically be off-limits. Yet he felt drawn to her on every level as he had never been with anyone before.

She definitely pushed every lustful button he possessed. His blood rushed hot and fast each time he came into physical contact with her. It was a sensation he wanted to pursue even though he knew it was forbidden territory. But there was more than merely wanting to get her into his bed for a night of unbridled passion—for many nights of unbridled passion. There was something else about her. Something that would not crystallize into a clear thought. Something he couldn’t seem to put into words—something intangible that scared him more than anything else ever had.

Three

The next night Angie and Ty strolled hand in hand up the walkway to Mac’s front door. Her enthusiasm showed in her voice. “Thank you for the play. I love theater and really enjoyed this production.”

“It was my pleasure. I’m glad you were able to go with me.”

The house was dark, but they could see Mac’s car through the garage window. Ty gave her hand a little squeeze. “Mac’s probably asleep. He’s been putting in long hours for the past several days.” He indicated the two chairs on the porch. “Let’s sit here rather than going inside. Our conversation out here won’t wake him.”

Angie sat down. Ty scooted the other chair next to hers before sitting. She pursed her lips as if concentrating on something, then cocked her head and stared at Ty for a moment with her brow furrowed in thought. “I think he works too hard. Perhaps what he needs is some sort of personal assistant…an administrative assistant. Someone different than a secretary, with completely different duties. Someone with the expertise to comprehend his design projects and know how design works, someone who has the knowledge to understand conceptually how what he does relates to the business end.”

She knew she was grasping for straws, trying to pull the proverbial rabbit from the hat. She wanted to establish as many possible career opportunities for herself as she could. Surely one of them would capture Mac’s attention and be something she could build on in her pursuit of a solid career move.

Ty squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. Once again she had turned their conversation to the company as she had done on several occasions over the past three days and he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t know exactly how to respond. “Well, that’s an interesting description of a job.”

She flashed a sparkling smile, one she hoped appeared more casual than it felt. “Perhaps that’s something to keep in mind when you get down to serious discussion of your expansion plans.”

A soft chuckle escaped his throat, one that belied the caution in his eyes. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear you were putting in your bid for a job with the company. But, of course, that would be ridiculous. If you want a job all you need to do is tell Mac and I’m sure he’d hire you.”

“Well…now that you brought it up…”

Her words faded from his mind. A tightness pulled across his chest as the heat rose in his body. The streetlight provided just enough illumination to highlight her delicately sculpted features. He put a stop to any further discussion of company business, or anything else for that matter. He pulled her into his arms and captured her mouth with a kiss that quickly exploded with the passion that seemed to always be simmering just below the surface whenever he was close to her.

Her taste was as addictive as any narcotic. No matter how many times he kissed her, he knew it would never be enough. He ran his fingers through the silky strands of her hair, caressed her shoulders, then pulled her from the chair and onto his lap. A warning tried to push through his sensually fogged mind, but he shoved it away. At that moment he didn’t want anything to interfere with his pursuit of the captivating Angelina Coleman.

His breathing quickened. He knew exactly where he wanted this to go. He tightened his embrace, pulling her body closer to his. He felt her breasts press against his chest with each breath she took. He brushed his tongue against hers, reveling in the texture and the intimacy of the action. The kiss deepened as the level of sensuality surged through his body. The tingle of excitement rippled across his skin when she brushed her fingers against the back of his neck, then ran them through his hair.

More than anything he wanted to whisk her away to his house and spend the night making passionate love. But as much as that was what he wanted, he knew it couldn’t be. It was a topic he did not want to delve into any further, an internal battle he feared would be his undoing. He had any number of women who had been in his bed and would willingly be there again. All he needed to do was pick up the phone and dial. But that wasn’t what he wanted. Not one of them could measure up to Angie.

He reluctantly broke the kiss, but couldn’t stop himself from lingering a moment longer with his lips brushing softly against hers. He knew he had to leave before it was too late and he did something he would end up regretting.

He fought for control over the desire and emotion he feared would show up in his voice. “Angie…” He brushed another kiss against her lips, allowing his hand to slip from her back and come to rest on her hip. He suppressed a sigh of resignation, not wanting to show how much he didn’t want to say what he knew had to be said. “It’s getting late. I have an early-morning breakfast meeting in Seattle with the client who cancelled yesterday’s lunch meeting. I think I’d better head for home so I can get some sleep. I need to be bright and alert first thing in the morning.”

He had never felt so out of control with what he wanted and so attracted to what he knew he couldn’t have. An image of Mac’s warning look popped into his mind, unwanted and unwelcome. He felt as if he was walking a tightrope stretched between his desires on one side and his loyalties on the other side, without a safety net to catch him if he made a misstep. No matter which direction he went, he would end up losing something special and important. And like it or not, he had to admit that Angie was someone very special and with each passing hour was becoming more important to him.

Angie stood up and took a step back to distance herself from the magnetic pull of Tyler Farrell. Her hand involuntarily went to her kiss-swollen lips, the heat of his passion still searing her. She had never been kissed the way Ty kissed her, had never experienced that type of toe-curling excitement. If they gave prizes for kissing he would possess every trophy available. Her thoughts strayed to what it would be like to have Ty make love to her. It was not the first time that notion had popped into her mind and she knew it wouldn’t be the last. She also knew it was not a very wise idea regardless of how exciting a prospect it would be.

He grasped her hand as he stood up, sending a sensual flow rushing through her body. She stepped closer to him, resting her other hand against his chest. “Yes, it’s getting late.” She didn’t like the breathless quality of her voice. It betrayed far more than she wanted to show. “That early-morning breakfast meeting will be here before you know it.”

“We’re scheduled to meet at seven o’clock.” He glanced at his watch with a self-conscious smile. “And that’s a little earlier than I like.”

She took a step toward the door, allowing her hand to remain in his grasp a little longer. She didn’t want him to leave. She didn’t want to lose the warmth of his touch. “I know what you mean. Seven o’clock isn’t that early but to be up and ready, catch the ferry for that thirty-five-minute ride to Seattle, then drive to the restaurant in time for your meeting is another matter entirely.”

He squeezed her hand. “Exactly. So, I’d better say good night.” He brushed his lips softly against hers. “Will I see you tomorrow night?”

“Yes, if you’d like.”

“I’d like that very much. I’ll call you tomorrow morning after I get back to the office.”

The look in his eyes told her he didn’t want to leave any more than she wanted him to. She stood on the porch and watched until his taillights disappeared down the street, then she went inside.

She felt the frown wrinkle across her forehead. He had done it to her again. As soon as she tried to talk to him about the company expansion plans and what type of job might be available for her, he had changed the subject. This time, however, instead of changing the topic of conversation, he had enfolded her in yet another one of his spine-tingling kisses that literally took her breath away.

Perhaps she was being too subtle and he wasn’t understanding what she meant. Maybe the best thing was to come right out and tell him she wanted his help, why she needed it and exactly what she wanted to accomplish. She shook her head. She wasn’t at all confident about how to proceed with her plan…or whether she should.

Angie went inside, moving quietly through the house so she wouldn’t wake her brother. She undressed and climbed into bed. Even though her eyes were closed she could not turn off her thoughts, especially the new one that said Ty probably suspected what she was up to and had been diplomatically avoiding the conversation. Perhaps his teasing comment about her being an industrial spy was less tease and more serious than she had first thought.

She turned over and shoved her pillow into a different shape. Why was she feeling so troubled and unsettled? It was true that the situation had become more complicated than she had intended, especially where Ty was concerned. All she had been looking for was someone who would be fun without any pressure for her to fit into a preconceived role or a need to impress, and Tyler Farrell certainly filled those initial requirements. She laughed when they were together. She enjoyed the fun, carefree activities. Everything with him was open, easy and stress-free.