One To Win

Dana shrugged her slender shoulders. “I don’t know if he’ll be there for the entire month. I can only stick around for the first week.”

Belinda raised her hands. “I’m there for two, but Jesse will come back to the center after one week. And, yes, I’m making him attend. He might as well see us in all our glory if he’s going to be a permanent part of this family.”

“Oh my gosh, did he propose?” Dana asked, while Fiona screamed with joy.

“No. Don’t rush us. But we are truly committed to each other. I haven’t been this happy in a long time.” Belinda’s voice dipped with a tender note.

The two cousins had stopped their excited outbursts, but they grinned at Belinda’s declaration.

“I’ll stay as long as you all are there.” Fiona loved seeing her cousins immersed in their loving relationships with the special men in their lives.

Love had played the chasing game with all of them, but now her cousins had nabbed their perfect soul mates. She tried not to wonder when she’d get so lucky. Or maybe the reality was if she would get so lucky. The thought of falling in love without a safety net, revealing the inner private side of her life, caused a queasy, weak-kneed reaction in Fiona. Not her thing. She’d rather convince herself that the tender side of life, where soulful sighs and sensuous cravings resided, wasn’t a high priority.

“I suspect that you’ll stay as long as Leo is there,” Dana teased in a singsong voice.

“He means nothing to me.”

“Don’t toss that out so fast. You’re not fooling us. I know you sampled those gorgeous lips when he was an intern at Meadows.” Belinda took up the baton of teasing and echoed Dana with a series of exaggerated kissing sounds.

“Who’s got gorgeous lips?” A familiar deep male voice interrupted the noisy exchange among the cousins.

Silence. Then the women erupted into fits of giggles.

“You, baby.” Belinda opened her arms in invitation to Jesse. Without hesitation, he stepped into her embrace, where she locked him to her chest. No complaints came from him as Belinda planted a wet, sloppy kiss before releasing her man.

Fiona and Dana groaned and made a show of shielding their eyes.

“On that note, Dana, let’s go. Take me home. I think the lovebirds are not going to wait for us to leave before the scene turns into Mature Audiences Only. And I’m too young to see any of this.” Fiona grabbed her cousin’s arm for their quick goodbye. “Besides, I’m sure your love muffin is also home waiting for you.”

“Now you sound like you’re hatin’. But yeah, Kent is home. Tomorrow he’s heading back to England to be a coach for the executive staff of an airline. Fingers crossed that he’ll be back in time to spend a few days at the Hamptons. We both need the time off.”

Fiona nodded. How would she survive being surrounded by couples madly in love?

As they walked to Dana’s car, her cousin playfully bumped Fiona’s shoulder. “Thinking about the owner of those wicked cheekbones and that chiseled jawline? I remember when those females at Meadows Media were salivating every time he arrived. Emails would whip through the office with the announcement. Yet you were the only lucky one from the company to road test those lips. Maybe more than that?” Dana aimed the car remote at her Audi and popped open the locks. She leaned against the car and continued, “And that’s my dose of encouragement for you to look forward to the Hamptons. In two days, your secret nighttime thoughts and the sexy reality can become one.”

“And that’s what I’m afraid of,” Fiona mumbled as Dana got into the car.

“I’m rooting for you.”

She took a moment longer than Dana to get in the car. Her imagination wasn’t waiting for the darkness of her bedroom to go to work. If the embarrassing memories of those hot kisses kept up, tonight she’d suffer a sleepless night, tossing and turning in her bed from reawakened delicious torment.

On the ride home, she was mostly silent. Along with recalling the unusual passionate response to Leo’s touch, she also couldn’t ignore the thought that she’d ultimately rejected him three years ago. Back then, her fear of love and all its side effects was more potent and undisciplined. Now the fear had become ingrained like a habit that could be relied upon in other relationships, but one that provided zero comfort to her soul. A year and a few days with Leo as a friend and lover had changed her life, her outlook and what she desired in her heart. She’d never moved on, knowing that she’d made a huge mistake. All she’d wanted was to let him go so he could fulfill his dreams of being a top-notch lawyer without the added stress of an unlikely romance. All around her, women—her mother, aunts, even grandmother—had life stories where career and romance were two colliding forces that demanded their time and energy. Their men seemed the exception to the rule of finding that precious balance, without setting conditions on their partners. Fiona didn’t ever want to force sacrifices or obligations on anyone. In an impulsive move, she’d taken a stance and lived to regret it.

In two days there would be a chance for a do-over or maybe a continuation of this unresolved episode between them. The possibility of an amended ending, however, didn’t hold any promise of a change of heart. There still would be no commitment. She didn’t believe in surrendering every part of her soul into the heady mix of deep emotions; love would eventually get ripped apart, either because a couple grew distant and fell out of love or because the randomness of life had a way of snatching someone away. Her job taught her that one, while her childhood with an emotionally distant mother and emotionally constrained father left her unsure of what was best when it came to opening up and being vulnerable and in love.

On the other hand, Leo had been so hurt by her rejection that he’d probably moved on to someone who appreciated him. Someone who didn’t live life with that undercurrent of fear guiding important decisions.

By the time Fiona climbed into bed for the night, she toyed with the thin sliver of a chance that she would have a change of heart. Dare she entertain the possibility? Was she up for a second attempt with Leo Starks? She hugged her pillow and closed her eyes. His face filled her memory. A small smile curved her lips. She could hear the unique cadence of his voice in her head. And he was the best kisser...ever.

A vacation at the Hamptons suddenly had great appeal.

* * *

What to do when Grace Meadows sent an invitation that was really a command? Leo knew his response would be clear in two days when he arrived at the family’s eleven-acre vacation estate in the Hamptons.

“Leo Starks, you are the man.” His coworker collapsed into the nearest chair in his office.

Leo ignored Eric, although he knew that wouldn’t stop the envious jabs thinly disguised as ribbing. Working on anything related to the Meadows Media business was not just a perk but a guaranteed career boost at Grayson, Buckley and Tynesdale.

Although Grace Meadows was no longer leading Meadows Media, she had a sizable net worth that required her to have the best legal counsel. His firm had served both the personal and public sides of the Meadows family for two decades. Now the next generation of lawyers was being groomed to smooth the transition as staff retired. To be selected for that esteemed position took hard work and long hours, the savvy to navigate the sharklike office politics, and, of a more personal nature, a passion for looking out for the rights of his clients.

All of that didn’t matter if Grace was unhappy with any part of their service. Heaven help the person who ticked off the indomitable woman with error or incompetence. That lawyer might as well voluntarily banish himself to the darkest, coldest and most wretched place in the world.

“Not too many of us mortals have visited the palatial digs in Water Mill. I could put four of my condos in that house and still have room.”

“It’s not a vacation, Eric. And imagine working under Grace’s scrutiny for an unknown number of days.” Leo tried to dim his excitement. Plus there was the potential to see Fiona. As far as he knew, the entire Meadows family was expected to show up. The grain of hope for a meet-up with his ex had steadily expanded to the point where his gut now reacted under the flurry of what-if scenarios.

“Come on—cough up the details. What are you working on with Meadows? Another company in the mix? Will she need more lawyers working on a project?” Eric fired his questions at Leo without a breath between each piercing inquiry. His colleague’s easy smile faded into a mask of intensity.

“Aren’t you on the Van Buren files? That’s a hot new opportunity.” Leo did his best to push Eric back into his own lane. His connection to the Meadows family, whether because of his work or because of his romantic past with one of the granddaughters, wasn’t going to be part of any discussion with his colleague.

“Yeah, they’ve come into new money.” Eric shrugged, clearly unimpressed by the recently acquired wealth.

“Still, it pays the bills. Yours.”

“Yeah. But I’m going for the big guns.” Eric scooted his chair closer to Leo’s desk. “So, like I said, if they need additional lawyers, don’t forget to play nice and share the toys.” His gleaming white teeth were bared in a fake grin.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Leo pushed back his chair and stood. This conversation was over. He deliberately used all of his six-foot-five-inch frame to dominate his annoying colleague. “It’s time for me to get out of here.”

“Okay.” Eric rose out of the chair and took a step in retreat. “Coming with the guys to the usual hangout?”

Leo shook his head. “I have to pack. Enjoy a drink on me.”

“Cool. And I’ll text you about what hot babes I landed for the weekend. You know they are suckers for us lawyers.” He slid his hand along the side of his head. His sleek black hair was always in place, trimmed, a ready magnet for the women.

Leo accepted that he was a nerd. Nothing about his looks stirred a stampede of women toward him. According to his male colleagues, he needed to loosen up and stop scowling. The women who showered him with their suggestions for improvement shared the belief that his eyes were too serious and intense for someone his age. His short last relationship ended with her saying that he was too young to act so old. Apparently, his speedy retreat from her surprise weekend trip to a nudist camp for swingers in Oregon did them in. Some things, he couldn’t unsee.

“Here’s my last bit of advice. Don’t get in the tabloids with the Meadows granddaughters. Now, that would be a threesome to end all threesomes.” Eric grinned and slipped out of Leo’s office whistling a nameless tune.

“What an idiot,” Leo remarked in the empty office. He got his briefcase and suit jacket and headed out of the building.

The oppressive heat walloped his face with its humidity. He hurried to his car, grateful to set the air vents on a cold maximum blast. The car’s interior took its time cooling while he sat with his hands clenching and unclenching around the steering wheel. His thoughts wouldn’t let up on the barrage. What would happen when he crossed paths with Fiona Reed?

Their mismatched hookup had been kept a secret from most. The reactions and snide comments had hit their mark: a young lawyer dating an older woman had raised a few eyebrows, caused a few jokes at his expense. An intern dating his employer’s eldest granddaughter had prompted whispered warnings to be careful because it was career suicide. A man who’d fallen hopelessly and secretly in love with this woman. A woman who refused to see him as more than a casual boyfriend. A painful memory that he carried with him, and a heart that had suffered the way she’d trampled over it during her departure from his life.

Leo headed for home. He had a lot to do before he got on the road. Fate had a way of paving the path with opportunities. But opportunities weren’t always a good thing; they were merely a chance to make a decision. A part of him, where feelings, emotions and possibilities resided, craved the idea of a second chance.

His feelings, however, were hung up on his first fall into real love. The tumble was hard and the wounds ran deep. Frustration that he’d let go so easily drew bitterness. And disappointment certainly had a way of following him through his life. After his heart was broken by Fiona, he’d understood the lesson—to avoid any more strong emotional entanglements. But his mind wouldn’t let go and he hated to admit that his heart hadn’t moved on.

He turned into his driveway, activated the garage door to open and eased his car into the space. To his right was a spot for another car. His empty house had enough rooms for a large family and pets. Everything was in place, except the woman who’d torn his heart in two. He’d lived a rough and poor life as a child where forgiveness was a sign of weakness and trust was not to be given so easily. His lessons had been learned the hard way. And no matter how his defenses could crumble at the sight of Fiona, his head was in charge for this go-round.

Pride, resolve and the bitter taste of rejection had more power than the desire to cave in and be grateful that he’d be sharing the same space with her. He shook his head in response to his weakening resolve. There would be no second chances.

Chapter 2

Fiona didn’t wait until Sunday to drive to the Hamptons. Her nerves wouldn’t allow her to reach a relaxed state to wait out the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, she was in her car heading south on the highway. The long drive gave enough time for her to mentally prepare for the arduous tasks of dealing with her grandmother, enjoying a vacation forced by her boss and holding field advantage for Leo’s arrival. The last item held the most importance.

To be held in those arms, tight against his chest, close enough to hear his heart beat its deep, pulsing rhythm—she sighed over her fantasy. Anticipation grew as she gazed at the mileage signs toward New York City that steadily decreased as she neared her destination. Her foot pushed on the gas pedal in a coordinated effort with her desire to hasten her arrival.

By nightfall she’d reached the family estate. It felt good to have her feet on solid ground.

“Good evening, Miss Fiona. Welcome back. Hope you had a good drive.”

Fiona nodded and entered the house. “Thank you, Mrs. Finch. The drive had some teeth this time. Heavy traffic. Roadwork.” Fiona torqued her body to work out the kinks along her back and hips. Seven hours and then some, driving over and through the mountains with tractor trailers for company, did challenge her reflexes. She looked forward to a long soak in the pool-sized bathtub in her room to find her Zen.

“Your room is ready. Denton will park the car and take up your luggage. Don’t worry about a thing. Will you be dining in your room?”

Fiona nodded with an apologetic scrunch of her nose. “I hate to be a pain.”

“Grilled cheese with bacon. Tall glass of milk. Two chocolate chip cookies.” Mrs. Finch’s rosy cheeks bunched with the wide smile.

“You know me so well.” Fiona hugged the house manager, whom she’d known since she was ten years old. “Anyone else crashed early?”

“Mrs. Grace and Mr. Henry are here. They arrived on Thursday. After a full day in the vegetable garden today, they both headed up early.”

Despite the brilliantly lit entry room, the sitting rooms on either side of the area were dim. A comfortable silence hung over the house. Well, all of that would change when her cousins invaded the castle walls.

“And my parents?” Fiona looked toward the staircase that stood as the prominent fixture in the middle of the black-and-white-marbled entryway.

“They haven’t arrived. But their room is ready for whenever they do.”

Fiona didn’t expect her mother to show up tomorrow. If Fiona felt reluctance to come to the vacation home, her mother experienced dread, an emotion that she barely concealed, and the source was a fairly new annoying mystery. If Grace was the cause, there was no evidence to prove the case. When Fiona asked her mother if she was okay or invited her to share why she was troubled, she was usually pointedly ignored. Yet Fiona couldn’t pretend that she didn’t care if her mom showed up. They were all in this family reunion, for better or worse.

“You look like you need a good night’s rest. Go on to the room and I’ll have your dinner sent up.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Finch. Can’t wait for those cookies.” Fiona left the car keys with her to pass on to Denton to park the car. Then she ran up the grand staircase that curved off to the left and right. Its polished walnut banister accented the crisp white stairs. Her hand glided along the wood with appreciation for the perfect slide it had made back in the day for her and her cousins. The prohibited activity was also the reason for her many time-outs when she was caught by Mrs. Finch or, worse, by her grandmother. She smiled at the memories.

Fiona opened the bedroom and entered her personal space. All three cousins would stay on the same floor in side-by-side rooms. The aunts and uncles and her parents would stay in the other wing on the same level. But she wondered where Leo would lay his head. How hospitable was Grace feeling? The house was large enough for him to stay in one of the many guest rooms, but there was also the cottage off to the side of the property that could be used.

A knock on the door interrupted her reacquaintance with the room.

“Come in.”

A maid entered with the tray. “Hi, Miss Fiona, I’m Shawna. I’m new here.”

“Hi, nice to meet you. I’ll take the tray.” She crossed the room and retrieved the platter with all the tasty indulgences that Mrs. Finch had promised. She put it down on her bed.

As soon as the maid left, Fiona stripped off her clothes, grabbed the tray and headed for the bathroom. In no time, Fiona prepared her bath. The water steamed the mirrors and the suds were pleasantly thick, filling the room with a wonderful vanilla scent. After a bit of maneuvering, she had the tray set on a small table next to the tub.

Fiona sank down into the tub until the water covered her breasts. Her sigh was loud and full of her satisfaction. She reached for the sandwich first and bit into the warm bread and welcomed the gooey cheese. No doubt she’d be spoiled by Mrs. Finch’s staff before her two weeks ended.

Her phone rang. She gingerly pushed the talk button with her pinkie finger.

“Fiona? Where are you?” Dana’s question had a shrill edge.

“In my favorite bathtub. Eating my favorite sandwich—”

“I can’t believe you headed out early. And didn’t tell us. You’re wrong for that.” Dana carried on with her complaints.

“It’s not as if we were riding together.”

“Yeah, but you’re in that fab house. And I’m eating a Chinese dinner by myself. I miss Kent.”

Fiona took another bite of her sandwich. “Stop whining. Just come out early in the morning.”

Dana mocked her by echoing her statement.

“Uncalled for. And I’m about to hang up.” Fiona eyed the other half of her sandwich, which she wanted to consume in peace.

“Wait. I’ve got some details about your guy.”

“Not my guy.”

“Then you don’t need to know. Never mind.”

Dana’s teasing irritated Fiona’s resolve to maintain indifference under her cousins’ scrutiny.

“What’s going on?” Fiona gritted her teeth over Dana’s laughter.

“The reason for him being at the Hamptons is definitely a big secret.”

“You are really messing with my vibe.” Fiona put down the sandwich that she’d just picked up and waited for her annoying cousin to cough up information. “So Grace told you why Leo will be there?”

“I did ask and was told that it didn’t concern me. When it was the appropriate time, she would tell me. Then I got the dial tone.”

Fiona chuckled. “I give you points for going straight to Grace. But that’s not really clarifying anything.”

“I didn’t say that I was done. I asked Grandpa Henry.”

“So now you’re ready to get him kicked to the couch.” Fiona reached for a cookie instead. This conversation was getting better.

Dana laughed. “Grandpa knows how to handle his wife. Anyway, he said that Grace was meddling in stuff that she shouldn’t be. He also said that we’d need to remember that we are a family.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“He looked worried, but I’d say that he was more...um...introspective, and a bit sad.”

Fiona didn’t like secrets. The burden to hold them close could be unbearable. And her grandmother was the perfect type to have a bank vault of secrets. The Meadows matriarch was a planner and oftentimes a manipulator, but she was also a woman who’d had to work her way up in a man’s world. No doubt Grace had probably seen and done her share of the unmentionable.

“And what has that got to do with Leo?” Fiona didn’t bother to shade her curiosity with subtlety.

“Is he good with secrets?”

Fiona didn’t have to ponder the question. She had firsthand knowledge of their secret relationship and how Leo had done everything to keep it under wraps. He was always so concerned about his career and doing something to mess with his plans to fast-track the career ladder. “Good luck with trying to find out anything from Leo.”

“That’s why you’re the one to pry it from him. This is important.” Dana would not let her interrupt. “I’m not doubting Grandpa Henry’s feelings. Whatever is going on sounds as if it involves the family.”

Fiona felt a momentary pulse of panic. “I don’t need you giving me a job while I’m here. I’ll probably barely see Leo. And we don’t know when he’ll arrive.”

“Grandpa Henry clamped his mouth shut when I pushed about Leo. Can’t tell if he likes the man.”

“What’s there not to like?” Fiona blurted with a heavy dose of defensiveness.

“I don’t know, Fiona—tell me. You walked away from him.”

“My bathwater is cold. Time for me to get ready for my comfy bed. Enjoy the drive.” Retreat was a wiser choice.

Dana sucked in a breath. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to pinch your nerve. See you tomorrow, cousin.”

“Drive safely.” Fiona hung up.

Her mood, like her once-heated water, had cooled, turning stormy and restless with what was to come. Instead of wondering how her first meeting with Leo would turn out, now she was wondering more about why he had been invited to the family retreat. If Grandpa Henry was troubled, then the problem had to be a doozy.

“Leo Starks, what have you gotten yourself into with the Meadows family?”

After dressing for bed, Fiona parted the thick drapes at the window with her hand and peered out into the inky darkness that blanketed the wide expanse of land. The house sat recessed from the main road with its backside close to the bay. Tomorrow she’d catch up with her grandmother. Then she could take a quick walk around to see what had changed or been updated. But she hoped that here, at her perch, she’d have the ideal view to see everyone pull up to the front door. Staking her position at this perfect lookout gave her a smidgen of confidence for the eventual meeting between her and Leo.

* * *

“Well, damn, and well, damn.” Leo slowed to a stop and shifted the gear to Park.

He needed a moment to take in the sight in front of him. Not only was the sunrise a vivid fusion of color and brilliance, but its position just over the rooftop created a postcard effect. The house was something out of a movie. If he didn’t think Eric would lose his mind and do something idiotic, he’d take a photo with his cell phone and send the image to his coworker for the sheer pleasure of witnessing his ugly fall into deeper envy.

Leo’s own admiration had nothing to do with jealousy. The architecture soaked up his appreciation, thanks to a youthful pastime of studying the great builders in history. Though this impressive home had all the modern amenities and an expansive structure, he recognized the basic design from the 1920s, when industrialists flaunted their wealth from the blossoming American industrial economy with opulent family homes.