Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 13

  “So, you did get all of that. You’ve been avoiding me so much, I thought maybe there was some other Dahlia Sinclair in Denburg who got all those things.”

  “I want you to stop it.”

  “I know. Did you like it? The gifts and the food?” She sighed. “What does it matter?”

  “It matters to me.” He smiled. “You did like it. I can tell in your eyes.”

  “You seem to see a lot in my eyes.”

  “They talk to me when you won’t. Emily Dickinson calls eyes the windows to the soul. I see your soul, Dahlia. I see you.”

  “What you see is what you want to see.” She rubbed her forehead and expelled a sharp breath. “I’m tired of talking about this. I’m leaving.”

  He grabbed her hand, feeling that familiar spark pass between them. Their eyes met and held, the attraction between them palpable. Dahlia snatched her hand away and stormed off. Norris followed. He wouldn’t let her get away that easily.

  They hadn’t gotten very far before being stopped by the happy couple and Reese.

  “I’m glad I caught you two together,” said Gail, sliding her hand into that of her new husband. Norris liked Ben. He showed himself to be a stand-up guy who clearly loved Gail and Reese a great deal. “We’re about to leave, but we wanted to stop and talk for a minute.”

  “You don’t have to worry about Reese, Gail, she’ll be in good hands,” Dahlia assured her.

  “I know that.” Gail brought Reese’s hand to her lips. “It’s still hard. We’ve only been away from each other a few days at a time. My conventions and her weekend slumber parties, but never six months.” Tears filled her eyes and slowly trailed down her cheeks. “I don’t know how I’m going to make it without my baby for that long.”

  “Mom, I don’t want you to go, and I can’t pretend I do, but I understand why you need to,” Reese said, glancing at Norris and then turning back to Gail. “I’m going to be okay, and you have Ben. I know he’s going to take good care of you.”

  “I haven’t even left you and you’ve already grown up so much in the last minute.” Gail pulled Reese into a hug. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

  Reese sniffled as she clung to Gail. “Me, too.”

  Norris watched the tearful goodbye, becoming more aware of what it meant for him. Gail and Reese shared a closeness he and Reese did not, and even with six months, he wondered if they could get anything near that. Reese was willing to try, but would missing her mother, who was leaving specifically to give them time alone, lead her to resent him for making Gail feel the need to leave?

  Reese ended the embrace and wiped Gail’s tears. “It’s going to be okay, Mom. We’re going to email each other every day, and you’re going to call whenever you can, right?”

  Gail nodded. “That’s right. And Norris and Dahlia will be on you just like I would. So you’ll hardly miss me.”

  “No, I’ll miss you, but I get the point.”

  Ben checked his watch. “I hate to break this up, but we need to get to the airport. The flight to New York is leaving in less than two hours.”

  “It’s true dedication for you all to set aside a honeymoon to help the less fortunate,” Norris said. “I like to think I’m magnanimous, but I don’t think I’d be willing to do that.”

  “We’ll have years together, we just want to make sure the people in Uganda get another day. And our flight to Africa leaves tomorrow morning, so we’ll have a few hours.” Ben’s dark eyes lit up and his full lips turned into a bright smile. “Just being in Gail’s presence is a honeymoon in itself.”

  Norris’s gaze cut to Dahlia as Ben gave his new wife a kiss. He envied Ben in being able to show his love for the woman he loved, and not have her get upset about it. Dahlia averted her gaze. Norris sighed. Dahlia’s stubbornness tried his patience, but he refused to fold. He saw this as a challenge he could meet. The prize was worth it.

  Hugs abounded as the happy couple said their final goodbyes. While Ben chatted with Monroes and Dahlia, Gail took Norris by the hand and led him to a quiet corner.

  “Are you ready for this, Norris?”

  “I’m ready to know my daughter. I understand this is hard for you, Gail, but you don’t have to worry about her.”

  “I’m not so much worried as I am at a loss. I hate leaving her.” Her voice wavered and new tears filled her eyes. Gail expelled a breath. “But I know I need to do this, and I will be doing a lot of good while I’m away.” She squeezed Norris’s hand. “Now you. Are you sure you’re all right with Reese staying with Dahlia?”

  “I was a little hurt to find out she wouldn’t be living with me, but I’m okay with it. Like I told Reese, I want her to be comfortable. If there’s strain between us, we won’t get close, and I want us to get close.”

  “There seems to be a little strain between you and Dahlia. What’s up with that?”

  “We have different opinions on some things, but we both agree when it comes to Reese’s best interests, so don’t worry about anything.”

  “A mother always worries.”

  “That may be, but in regard to Dahlia and me, you have no reason. Try to enjoy your short honeymoon and concentrate on helping the people of Uganda. Reese will be fine.”

  “And you and Dahlia? I know you love her.”

  “Gail . . .” he groaned.

  “All right, I won’t press.”

  “And you won’t discuss this with Reese?”

  “I haven’t and I won’t. You just take care of my baby.”

  “Our baby,” Norris reminded her. “And I will.”

  Chapter 13

  Dahlia kicked off her clear pumps and tossed her purse to the couch. With Reese sleeping over at Diana’s, she could curse the girl’s father without having to answer a million questions.

  A workout was what she needed, but a bag of chips what she wanted. She padded to the kitchen and rifled the cabinets for the box of single-size packs she kept for emergencies. She reached far in the back and found the box empty. She shouldn’t have been surprised. Norris had provided plenty of emergencies lately with his calls, gifts, and general sweetness. She’d have to make a run to the store.

  Sliding the pumps back on her feet, Dahlia pulled open the door to find Norris standing on the other side. “My, you’re in a rush,” he said.

  Dahlia demanded her wobbly knees stop shaking. Norris always had an amazing effect on her, but in the light beige suit and white linen shirt, he looked even more delectable than usual. Might explain why Mai couldn’t keep her hands off him.

  “What do you want, Norris?” she asked, finding the strength to meet his hypnotic eyes.

  “It’s your house, and I know Reese isn’t here. It should be obvious. You going to invite me in?”

  “No.”

  “Thanks, I’d love to,” he said, pushing his way in. “You’ve got to stop doing this.”

  “Dahlia, if I believed for one second you didn’t want me here, I wouldn’t be here.” He moved to the couch and sat. “I won’t stay long, but there are some things I need to say.”

  “I didn’t imagine you would stay long.” Dahlia grunted. “I’m sure Mai is waiting.”

  He grinned. “Most women are waiting for Norris to enter their lives, so she’s in good company.”

  Dahlia rolled her eyes. She’d walked into that one. “What’s on your mind?”

  “A few things.” He patted the space on the couch. “Sit.”

  “I’d rather stand.”

  “You insist on being contrary, don’t you?”

  “Is that why you’re here, to give me a tongue lashing?”

  “A tongue lashing?” Norris’s lips curled into the sexy smile that tossed more kindling on the fire he burned in her. Maybe she should have sat. At least then she could look straight ahead and not be drawn in by his male prowess and devastating good looks. “Something about giving you one sounds rather appealing,” he said.

  “Norris, please, just get to it.”

  “Okay, fine.
You made a couple of digs about Mai. That gives me hope. Confirms what I already know— you care about me. Why do you have such a problem admitting that?” He held up his hand. “Don’t answer, I know why. It’s your divorce. I can’t imagine how that hurt, especially when you believed everything was fine, but I don’t want you to give up on love and happiness because of Jonah.”

  “You don’t want me to give up. That’s just it. This is not for you to decide. I liked us the way we were, and you want to change it.”

  “For the better, Dahlia. What we have could be so much better if you let it be.”

  “How do you know it can be better?” Dahlia thought of the days and nights she and Norris had spent together laughing, talking, watching movies, and being in each other’s arms. It was heavenly. “Was it so bad before?”

  “No. It was wonderful. The most wonderful time of my life. It made me fall in love with you.”

  Dahlia whipped her fingers through her hair. Why does he keep saying those words? “Norris, damn it!”

  “We’ve got to deal with this, Dahlia. Watching you in some other guy’s arms today drove me crazy. On the one hand I wanted to punch his lights out, and on the other I wanted to be him. I wanted to be the guy you were dancing with and laughing with in front of everyone at that reception. I wanted them to see you were there with me. But I didn’t get that. He did. I’m in love with you and we have never once gone out on a date.”

  “That’s just it, Norris. We don’t have a dating kind of relationship. We didn’t want it, remember?”

  “Is that my punishment? Being without you because I happened to fall in love with you?”

  “You don’t have to be without me.” Dahlia moved to the couch, taking his hand in hers. She wanted Norris, but it had to be on her terms. She was being selfish and she knew it, but being selfish kept her in control, and admitting to her feelings would make her lose all control. She couldn’t do it. “Norris, I miss you. I miss your company, your voice, your touch, your scent, I even miss your vanity. You make me laugh. I want that back, I do, but I don’t want a relationship with you.”

  “Dahlia, what do you think you just described?”

  “What makes us good,” she answered without hesitation. “Norris, we are good together.” She nuzzled his neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent, feeling the pulse points pound furiously against her. “I excite you.” She kissed his jaw. “You excite me.” She kissed his nose and straddled his waist. The bulge in his slacks pressed against her panties. A roll of her hips elicited a deep groan from him. His hands palmed her backside, holding her against his throbbing arousal. She didn’t have to speak her feelings, and she was more than willing to pretend he didn’t. He just had to want it, too. “Let’s forget about emotions and think about needs for a while.”

  Her lips covered his in a deep, urgent kiss. Their lips parted as eager tongues explored. Norris’s hands moved up her back and around to her breasts. His thumbs teased her taut, sensitive nipples, sending shivers throughout her body. Blissful moans fell from her lips when he buried his head in the valley of her breasts, sliding his warm tongue along her cleavage. She closed her arms around his head, rocking her hips in time with his moving pelvis. Norris’s moans grew deeper, stronger. But all of a sudden his sounds ended and his movements ceased.

  Dahlia struggled for breath as she gazed at him, confused. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t do this, Dahlia,” he said between haggard breaths, sliding her back to the couch. “I love you. I love you too much to settle for half of you. As much as you know and can feel I want your body, I want your heart even more.”

  She pressed her kiss-swollen lips together as she fought the threat of tears. “I’m sorry, Norris, you can’t have it.”

  “No, I’m sorry, because I disagree. You love me, I know you do, you’re just not ready to say so. That’s something I can’t help you with, and I’m not going to force you to say it. But what I will do is wait for however long it takes for you to finally say those words to me. In the meantime, I want to amend our arrangement.”

  “You’ve already amended it.” She glowered at him. “That’s the problem.”

  Norris shook his head, grunting. “Again, I’m not going to argue with you about that. Here’s my suggestion. We’ll still see each other, but instead of meeting for romps, we have dates. We go to the movies and out to dinner. We go dancing, we go to the beach, and take walks in the park. We get to enjoy each other’s company outside the confines of our homes and bedrooms. I want to court you.”

  “What does Norris Converse know about courting a woman?”

  “Nothing. But I want to learn with you.”

  Norris seemed sincere, and Dahlia believed he loved her, but she also knew Jonah had loved her once, too. She’d thought Jonah was true, but he’d cheated with her sister. Norris had an affinity for the ladies, which was a big part of the reason she was drawn to him. She liked that he found her attractive, and she enjoyed the idea of being with him without the situation being clouded by feelings. He couldn’t hurt her because she wanted what he wanted—no ties. Norris used to be safe, and now he wasn’t.

  He was a lifelong playboy. Sure, he loved her now, but how long would his love last? Her wounded heart didn’t buy into longevity. And as much as she loved Norris, she didn’t think she could trust her heart to him, and doubted she ever would.

  “I’m sorry, Norris, but I don’t want to be the guinea pig in your dating experiment. I suggest we forget our previous arrangement and this dating idea and keep things all business. You’ll handle my audit and I’ll be guardian to Reese. You’ll still have complete access to her, but not to me. That’s the way it has to be.”

  Norris stood and shrugged. “Okay.”

  Okay? That was it? No protestations? “I’m not going to change my mind,” Dahlia said, waiting for more from him.

  “All right,” he said, heading for the door. “I’d like to have lunch with Reese tomorrow, if that’s okay.”

  She nodded without saying a word. Of all the responses she’s gotten from Norris when they talked about this relationship he wanted, this was the strangest of all. Had he really given up on her? Dahlia followed him to the door.

  He pulled the door open and turned around. “Dahlia?”

  “Yes,” she answered quickly, certain he was about to offer his last ditch effort.

  “I’ve been reviewing your paperwork, and I should have a report for you in a couple of days.”

  “Th-thank you.”

  “No problem. Take care.”

  “Yeah, you, too.”

  Dahlia closed the door behind him, needing those chips more than ever.

  * * *

  Norris returned to his condo, feeling particularly happy considering Dahlia had shot him down yet again. But this brush-off gave him hope. He’d changed his game plan, and it appeared to be working. Be accommodating. He would give Dahlia what she thought she wanted, and in the long run he’d get what he wanted, a long and happy future with her.

  He tossed his suit coat to the couch and clicked on the television. Norris Converse at home alone on a Saturday night. He dropped to the couch and flipped through the channels. He’d thought last week was a fluke, but two weeks in a row presented an unlikely pattern. He’d worked late last Friday, had dinner with Ryan and Lara last night, but another Saturday night found him watching cable news. He groaned. Dahlia had to get past her issues soon.

  Thirty minutes into a special on the economy, Norris heard a knock on his door. He smiled, feeling a strong sense of validation. Dahlia had come to her senses quicker than he’d expected. He moved to the door and pulled it open. “I knew you would . . .” He stopped abruptly. “Mom.”

  “You remember me,” she said, walking past him and into the living room. “You might want to close the door, son. Those horrible bugs that fly around the light fixtures might find their way inside.”

  Norris closed the door and gazed at his mother, who was getting way too comf
ortable on his couch. Genevieve Converse was a woman who liked things her way, and when she didn’t get it, she wasn’t happy. From an old-money Greek family, the sixty-three-year-old socialite was a curt, overbearing snob. And that was on her good days. “What are you doing here?”

  “Don’t you check your messages?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you know I said I was coming for a visit.” Genevieve sniffled, probably from the painful-looking extra-tight bun she had her dark hair pulled into. “Your father and I are having problems,” she said, dabbing at misty gray eyes.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Mom,” he said with as much feeling as he could muster, “but you won’t be able to fix them when you’re here and he’s . . . Where is Dad?”

  “The Riviera, the last I heard. Probably lying on the beach with some naked tart at his side.” She shook her head, as if clearing the image from her mind. “We are officially separated, and times like these I need my children.”

  “You have two other children,” Norris reminded her, none too pleased with being the chosen child on this occasion.

  “Yes, but Lane is out of the country on business and your sister is . . . I don’t know where your sister is. I always know where you are. It’s the one good thing about you living among commoners in South Carolina.”

  “Commoners. Weren’t you and Dad the ones who insisted Lane, Julia, and I live amongst the ‘commoners’ as we grew up?”

  “No, no, no, that was not my idea, it was your father’s. Had I my druthers, you and your siblings would have stayed in Greece with my family and the power and position you deserve.”

  “You had no say in it, huh?”

  “I was raised to respect my husband’s wishes.”

  “So, this separation is Dad’s idea and you’re just going along with it?”

  Genevieve sighed. “Norris, really, I don’t need this from you right now.”

  A horn sounded outside.

  “That’s the taxi driver,” Genevieve explained. “I don’t have any cash, so could you take care of that for me and bring in the luggage?”