The next afternoon, Dennis Noland, the director of human resources, made a rare stop by Sophie’s cubicle. The tall, thin man with graying black hair looked unusually harried as he pulled up a chair.
“This is a nice surprise,” Sophie told him. “Although from the looks of you, I’m not so sure you have good news.”
The man batted a dismissive hand through the air. “It’s nothing about work. My wife has been sick and our daughter is having marital problems. Lanna is six months pregnant and wants to move in with us. Sophie, we still have a twelve-year-old son at home. I don’t want her problems spilling onto him.” He raked a hand through his rumpled hair, then shook his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to walk in here and start pouring out my personal problems. Hell, I’m supposed to be an expert at dealing with this sort of stuff.”
From the moment Sophie had been promoted to Dennis’s assistant director, he’d been like a papa bear watching over his cub. He’d always given her enough rein to build her confidence, yet was never far away if she had any doubts. If Dennis had ever believed she’d gotten the position because of her father, he’d never implied or even hinted that was the case, and she was grateful to him for that.
Reaching over, she gave his arm a reassuring pat. “Forget it, Dennis. You can pour it out to me anytime you feel the need. And as for dealing with people, employees are far different than family members. You’ll figure out how to handle your daughter’s problem in the best possible way.”
He blew out a long breath. “Thanks, Sophie. I hope I can live up to your faith in me. But that’s enough about family matters. I stopped by to see if you’ve finished with the details on the training program for the marketing department. Since it’s supposed to go into effect next week, I’d like to give the employees time to look over everything.”
Thank goodness she’d been working overtime every night, Sophie thought. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been close to finishing this bloated project.
“It’ll be ready in the next hour,” she told him. “I’ll have Reece print and bind enough copies for the entire department. In the meantime, you go get some coffee. Better yet, call your wife. That should make you feel better.”
Nodding, he rose to his feet. “Talking with Aileen always makes things look brighter.” He gave her a wan smile. “How did you know that? You’re not married.”
Not yet, Sophie thought, but if she could steer fate in the right direction, she might be married in the near future. Then everyone would see her as Mrs. Thom Nichols, a smart, mature woman, who was desirable enough to win the most eligible bachelor in Robinson Tech.
“Just a guess,” she said sagely.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve watched your parents and learned that a man and wife need each other to lean on.” He mustered a grin. “So I’m going to go do a little leaning for a few minutes. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
As Sophie watched him walk off, she realized neither Dennis nor anyone would ever guess the truth about her parents. In public they put up enough of a front to make it appear as though they were a normal, loving couple. But she knew if Gerald needed to talk to someone to help brighten his mood, calling Charlotte would never cross his mind.
Just one more reason Sophie was going to make sure that she married a man who loved her utterly and completely and that she loved him just as much. She wouldn’t settle for anything less.
Unbidden, a picture formed in her mind. A memory, really. She suddenly saw Mason and the way he’d looked at her just before he’d pressed a kiss to her cheek. At that very moment, she’d felt a reckless impulse to throw herself against him and lift her mouth to his. If she hadn’t jumped in her car and abruptly driven away, she might have succumbed to the crazy urge.
Dear Lord, something strange was going on with her mind! Mason wasn’t the man in her future plans. He wasn’t the guy she’d been gazing at for weeks and imagining herself walking down a petal-strewn aisle to meet at the marriage altar.
Why was Mason’s image pestering her now with his half-cocked smiles and warm brown eyes? Why did she keep remembering the fondness in his voice as he talked of his family? And why did touching him feel so comfortable and right?
Because Mason is a friend, Sophie. And friends make us feel cozy and happy and relaxed. And most of all, a friend makes us feel loved.
Loved. Yes, strange or not, Mason did make her feel loved.
But she didn’t want a friend. She wanted a companion, a lover, a husband.
She wanted Thom. Didn’t she?
* * *
Later that afternoon, Sophie stood in the marketing department, when Olivia suddenly walked up behind her and said in a hushed tone, “Mr. Sexy is giving you the eye. I think he’s getting impatient because you’ve not spoken to him yet. Just look at him leaning against the wall. He thinks he’s cooler than a grape Popsicle on a hundred degree day with a line of women just waiting to take a bite of him. Really, Sophie, what do you see in the guy?”
“Every female in this room—other than you, that is—would give their eyeteeth to get their hands on him.”
“He’s nothing more than eye candy,” Olivia argued.
“He’s a brilliant marketing strategist. I’ve even heard Dad say that much.”
“Oh, he’s definitely smart,” Olivia agreed. “In the slyest possible way. All I can say is be careful.”
Sophie gave her sister a confident smile. “Don’t worry. When it comes to Thom, I know exactly what I’m doing. What are you doing here in marketing anyway?”
“Checking on some media matters. What about you?”
“Spreading word about a training program soon to go into effect.”
With a little wave, Olivia said, “Better go do your spreading. But if I were you I’d make Thom wait until last. Let him know you’re not easy.”
Darting her sister an annoyed glance, Sophie made her way to Thom’s cubicle. She could feel every female eye watching the two of them. The idea that they might be jealous of her was a heady thought. And yet in other ways it made her uncomfortable. If Thom was that much of a prized possession, how did she expect to hang on to him?
She couldn’t let herself worry about such things now. She had to concentrate on snagging him first.
“Hello, Sophie. I was about to think you were going to ignore me.”
Smiling coyly, she shook back her hair, making her long silver earrings jingle against her neck. “Not at all. I was working my way to you.”
He held up the folder she’d instructed Reece to pass out a little more than an hour ago. “I see the old man thinks we need more training.”
A frown pulled her brows together. “Excuse me? Old man?”
“Yeah. Your father. He’s the boss of this place, isn’t he?”
Not liking the sarcastic tone in his voice, she started to walk away, then decided that would hardly be conducive in creating a meaningful relationship with this man.
“If you’re referring to the new training program, then no. It wasn’t Dad’s idea. It was Ben’s. Why? Do you have a problem with it?”
He must have sensed her displeasure because he suddenly cleared his throat and straightened to his full height. “No. No trouble. I can’t see how anyone expects us to get our work done if we have to stop and attend training classes. Is there really that much new stuff going on in marketing that we don’t already know?”
She got the feeling Thom had to check himself to keep from saying “I” instead of “we.” Well, she did like for a man to feel confident about himself; however, she couldn’t stand a know-it-all. She hoped she didn’t learn Thom was the latter.
“Digital technology has opened up a whole new world of connecting with the consumer. Robinson Tech needs to remain on the leading edge of that connection.”
He reached out and touched a finger to her cheek and Sophie had to fight to stop herself from stepping back from the contact.
“Sorry, Sophie. I suppose if my family owned the company like yours does, I’d be defending its strategies, too. But let’s forget about work,” he said suddenly. “What are you doing Sunday night?”
Eating bread pudding with Mason. Now that would be a nice thing to be doing.
Mentally shoving aside that image, she gave Thom her best smile and tried to feel excited. “What did you have in mind?”
He stepped closer and bent his face next to her ear. “Some special time together,” he said with a purr. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Even though he seemed to be taking her for granted, she decided not to make an issue of his approach. What did it matter how he asked her out? Another date with Thom was exactly what she’d been hoping for.
“Sounds good,” she said, deliberately stepping back to put a respectable distance between them. “Should I dress up? Or will it be casual?”
“Casual. Definitely. I have tickets to a wrestling match at the U of A. It’s going to be a blast.”
She pressed her lips together to keep them from gaping open. Was he serious? “Collegiate wrestling?”
His eyes gleaming, he shook his head. “No. That’s too tame. This is the pro stuff that gets wild and entertaining. Believe me, I had to fork over a small fortune to a scalper for the tickets. The event has been sold out for weeks.”
She couldn’t say no now. Not after she’d already agreed to the date. Yet she was already imagining herself sitting for hours, watching hulking, sweaty men straining to throw each other to the floor. She wasn’t sure she could endure it.
“Sounds interesting,” she said with fake enthusiasm.
His cocky smile grew deeper. “I felt sure you’d like the idea. We’ll drink beer and yell our guts out. I can’t wait.”
Neither could Sophie. She was already wishing the whole evening was over.
“I’ll bring some throat lozenges so I won’t lose my voice.”
“That’s my girl,” he said with a patronizing wink. “You know, this thing with you and me is working out fine. We’re compatible. Just like My Perfect Match.”
That’s because they were destined for each other, Sophie thought, and if she had to sacrifice a little to get the man she wanted, then she could endure most anything. Even overgrown men dressed in tights.
* * *
Later that day, Mason had just stepped out of the men’s room on the top floor of the building when he spotted Sophie emerging from the elevator. Pleasure shot through him as she gave him a little wave and started walking in his direction.
“Mason, how nice to run into you,” she said. “What are you doing all the way up here?”
She was wearing a close-fitting skirt today that stopped just short of her knees. The fabric was a geometric print of greens and blues. A crisp blue shirt was tucked inside while a wide leather belt cinched in her tiny waist. She looked professional yet very sexy and he wondered just how much Thom had taken notice of her since their date together. The man had his pick of women, but even he was probably surprised at having the boss’s daughter interested in him. And no doubt pleased to be given the chance to step into such a famous and wealthy family.
“Believe it or not, I’ve just had a brief meeting with your father. He actually wanted to commend me on creating the Sports & More app.”
Her face brightened. “That’s wonderful, Mason. Dad doesn’t often do that sort of thing. You should feel honored.”
“Actually, I’m feeling relieved. I was quaking when I walked into his office. He’s not the sort of man you have a simple chat with.”
She chuckled. “No. Dad can be formidable at times. But he recognizes good work when he sees it.”
“So what are you doing up here on the top tier?” he asked.
“I’m on my way to speak with Ben. I’m getting loads of grumbling from the marketing department about the new training program. I thought my brother should be forewarned.”
“Oh. Then I should let you be on your way.”
She glanced at her watch, which had a fashionably large face circled by rhinestones. What was he thinking? Sophie had probably never worn a rhinestone in her life. No, those sparklers were most likely diamonds.
“Ben isn’t expecting me for another five minutes,” she said, then asked, “So did you take my advice and ask that special woman of yours on a Valentine’s date?”
The question whacked him between the eyes and for a moment he was too dazed to answer.
Put on your swagger, Mason. She needs to believe women are throwing themselves at you whether they are or not.
As he fumbled for the right words, he straightened the knot of his red and blue tie. This morning when he’d dressed for work, he’d thought the neckwear had given him that sharp businessman look. But the way Sophie was studying him now, he was beginning to wonder if he appeared to be coming down with smallpox.
“Oh, yes, the date. Well, I’m trying to decide which one I want to give hearts and flowers. Most women place a serious romantic significance on Valentine’s Day and I want to make sure I’m sending the right signals to the right woman.”
“I understand. You don’t want to hurt her by giving her false hope and perhaps cause her to believe you’re about to present her with a ring. That’s so thoughtful of you.”
Mason felt like the biggest liar that had ever walked the earth, even though he wasn’t actually fibbing about anything. He did want to send the right signals to the right woman. Sophie just didn’t realize that she was the woman. Yet giving her, or any woman, a ring was something he’d not considered.
When Christa had thrown him over for the rich real estate guy, his self-esteem had fallen flatter than a punctured tire. Even now, after months had passed, he still had to remind himself that everyone made mistakes and he’d made a big one in trusting the flirty blonde with his heart.
“Is that what you’re thinking?” he asked. “That Thom might give you an engagement ring for Valentine’s Day?”
A blush instantly transformed her cheeks to a deep pink, while a sly smile tilted the corners of her lips. “Well, it’s a little early for those kinds of thoughts. But things are definitely moving in the right direction. He’s asked me on another date for tomorrow night. So he must like something about me,” she added with a bat of her eyelashes.
Yeah. He likes your money and everything your daddy can do for him. Aloud, Mason said, “I’m sure he finds you enchanting, Sophie.”
Her brown eyes turned soft and warm as she suddenly stepped forward and rested a hand on his forearm. The simple touch caused Mason’s heart to leap into high gear and even though they were standing in the middle of the corridor and a few steps away from her brother’s office, he wanted to take her into his arms and taste her lips.
“You’re so sweet, Mason. The woman you choose for your Valentine’s date is going to be very lucky.”
He breathed in deeply, then wished he hadn’t as her sweet scent filled his head. He’d be smelling her for the rest of the day and into the night. “Thank you, Sophie. And I hope you enjoy your date tomorrow night.”
“I do, too.” Smiling cheerfully, she turned and entered her brother’s office. “Wish me luck!” she called over her shoulder.
The only thing Mason wished was for the blinders to fall off Sophie’s eyes, so that she’d look right past Thom...and straight at him.
“How about wishing you happiness?” he suggested.
“That’s even better!”
With a little wave she disappeared behind the glass door, leaving Mason standing there trying to gather his thoughts.
It was already the fourth day of the month. That meant Mason only had ten days left to turn Sophie’s head. So far Thom appeared to have missed the mark in the romance department; otherwise, she would’ve been waltzing around Robinson Tech on a dreamy cloud these past couple of days. Mason could only pray her date with Thom tomorrow night was a complete flop.
* * *
This was supposed to be a blast?
For the past hour and a half Sophie had been asking herself that very question while hundreds of spectators around her screamed and clapped and yelled things like: Break his arms! Kick him! Finish him off! And to make matters worse, Thom was one of the loudest.
As though the deafening roar of the rowdy crowd and the sight of men and women wrestlers trying to break their opponent’s bones wasn’t enough to deal with, a fanatical female fan seated behind Sophie had lurched forward and spilled a glass of cold beer down her back. The woman had been very apologetic and had tried to help Sophie sop up the mess with a handful of tissues, but the effort had done little.
Sophie had never been so relieved in her life when the wild event finally ended and she and Thom headed across the jammed parking lot to his car.
“Oh, man, that was the greatest! When Rocco tore off Meteor’s mask I thought the arena was going to erupt!”
“It did,” Sophie said flatly. “I’m still wet.”
Grinning, Thom reached over and curled his arm around her shoulders. “Sophie, honey, I’m so proud of you for the way you handled that little accident. No cursing or catfight. Just first-class all the way.”
Had he honestly dated women who’d resorted to that, she wondered. Oh, God, this just wasn’t working. Thom was turning out to be nothing like she’d expected.
“You know, you’re the first girl I’ve found that actually likes the things I do. That’s why I asked you out again. We seem to click. Don’t you think?”
Sophie had felt a click, all right. Like a light switch being flipped to the off position.
“So what do you do when your dates have different interests than you?”
“Oh, that’s it for me. I drop them. I mean, why waste precious time and effort on something that isn’t going to work?”
Why indeed, Sophie thought, but kept the retort to herself. The guy was clueless, not to mention self-absorbed. “So you never think about doing something the woman enjoys?”
“Not really. If I have to make myself miserable just to make her happy, then things aren’t going to work anyway. It’s just like the My Perfect Match app that Wes and Vivian promoted last Valentine’s Day. A man and woman have to like the same things to make a relationship last.”
She wanted to remind Thom that her brother and Vivian had learned a crucial lesson while they promoted the dating app. They both discovered that it took passion, respect, sacrifice and genuine love to hold a couple together. Did Thom ever think in those serious terms, or was he all about making himself happy? At this very moment she had the sinking feeling that Thom was all about Thom.
“But we don’t have to worry about that,” Thom followed up on Sophie’s silence. “Looks like we enjoy the very same things. Lucky, huh?”
Luck had nothing to do with it. Sophie had put her flirt on and made it obvious to Thom that she was interested in him. Luck hadn’t made her join the endless numbers of women at Robinson Tech who gazed at this man from afar and fell under the spell of his good looks and flashy smile.
She’d heard through the office grapevine that he’d gone through several girlfriends. Yet Sophie hadn’t allowed the talk to scare her off her mission. After all, gossip was rarely accurate, she’d reasoned. But now, she was beginning to think the talk about Thom sifting through a stack of women might be true.
“Yes,” she finally forced herself to say. “It’s fortunate when two people click.”
His arm squeezed her shoulders and drew her closer to his side. Two weeks ago when Thom was only her dream man, the gesture would have sent her flying to the moon. Now, she actually wanted to put some distance between them. Like ten or fifteen miles for starters.
Oh, God, how had her thinking gotten so messed up? What was she doing with this narcissistic man?
“After all the food I consumed during the match, I couldn’t eat another bite. But I’ll take you by a burger place or something if you’re hungry.”
How thoughtful that he’d go to so much trouble for her, Sophie thought wryly. During the wild event, Thom had eaten two hotdogs and a giant serving of nachos. She’d sipped on a diet soda. Along the way, she’d lost her appetite for him and any kind of food.
“Oh, no. I couldn’t eat a bite,” she swiftly declined, then added, “Actually, after all that excitement, I think I’m ready to go home. Monday mornings are always rough in my department. I’d like to get plenty of rest tonight.”
For a moment, her suggestion to end the evening appeared to have taken him aback, but then he smiled and gestured toward his car which now was only a short distance away.
“Sure. I need to run an errand before I go home anyway.”
To buy another mirror so you can sit around and admire yourself, Sophie wanted to ask. Then quickly shamed herself. What was the matter with her anyway? This was only her second date with Thom. She was simply annoyed because she’d had to sit through more than two hours of a raucous sporting event, instead of being treated to a quiet romantic evening with just the two of them.
The drive to the Robinson estate took nearly twenty minutes and most of that had passed without much conversation. Not that talking would have meant that much to him anyway. As soon as Thom had helped her into the car and started the engine, he’d tuned the radio to a satellite sports station and cranked up the volume. By the time he pulled up in front of the house, Sophie had heard all she’d wanted to hear about multimillion-dollar athletes and their legal troubles.
As soon as he cut the engine, Sophie grabbed her shoulder bag and reached for the door handle. “Thanks for the evening, Thom. It was...nice.”
Shifting toward her, he said, “It’s still rather early, Sophie. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to invite me in for a cup of coffee or something?”
She noticed his deep voice had taken on a purring sound that should have caused goosebumps to rush over her skin. Any normal red-blooded woman would be leaning toward him, inviting him to kiss her. Instead, she wanted to stick her head out the window and gulp in several breaths of clean air.
Moments of silence passed as she floundered for some sort of excuse, then finally she said, “Tonight really isn’t a good night. My mother—”
“I’d love to meet your mother,” he quickly countered before she had a chance to finish. “With a daughter like you, she’d have to be a very lovely woman.”
“That’s nice of you, Thom.”
Grinning, he leaned closer until his face was only inches from hers. “I know when I’m looking at a good thing.”
If that was supposed to be a compliment, she wasn’t impressed. “Well, my mother goes to bed early. She wouldn’t appreciate us waking her at this late hour.”
“Hmm. I’m sure with a house this size, we could find a spot far away from her room. She’d never even know we were around.”
“I don’t—”
Before she could finish, he’d planted his lips over hers and Sophie had little choice but to respond with as much fervor as she could muster. But the intimate contact left her as cold as the temperature outside the car and she had to force herself to go through the motions.
She must be frigid! The frantic thought raced through her mind as Thom finally eased away from her and rested his hands on the steering wheel. How could she kiss this man and feel nothing? Except the need to escape. Oh, Lord, if Olivia ever learned of this, she’d be gloating. She’d never quit saying I told you so.
The desperate thought had Sophie impulsively reaching for his hand as she tried to salvage what little was left of their evening. This had to be her fault. She wasn’t trying enough. There had to be a sexy part of her just waiting to burst into flames. She had to find it and fast or Thom was going to lose all interest.
“Thank you for tonight, Thom.”
“Are you sure you really want me to leave?” He squeezed her hand and urged her ever so slightly toward him. “I could still use a drink.”
“Next time, I promise. I’ll see you tomorrow at work,” she said in a rushed voice. “Good night.”
Before he had the chance to make any more moves, she practically leaped from the car and without a backward glance, hurried straight to the house.
By the time she was standing inside the foyer, she heard Thom’s sports car drive away. The sound left her with a feeling of immense relief, coupled with a sense of utter disappointment. A few days ago, she’d been dreaming all sorts of beautiful images of Thom taking her into his arms and kissing her until she was drunk with desire. She’d pictured him sliding an engagement ring on her finger. A ring she could flash to her family and friends to give them proof that she was wanted by one of the most eligible bachelors in Austin. Winning Thom would be proof she was worthy of a man’s love.
Had she been totally wrong about him? Even about herself?
Tears suddenly burned the backs of her eyes and as she closed the lids and waited for the sting to subside, Mason’s face suddenly appeared in her mind.
Mason seemed to understand all the things Sophie was thinking, feeling, even hoping. She had no doubt that if he was standing in front of her now, she could rest her cheek against his chest and he would do everything in his power to comfort her.
Mason. Was he the reason she couldn’t feel anything when Thom touched her? Had Mason gotten into her subconscious and started controlling her thoughts? Or had she unwittingly invited him to walk straight into her heart?
Either way, she had to get a grip on herself and her mixed emotions. Otherwise, her plans for her future with Thom were going to evaporate long before Valentine’s Day ever arrived.
With a heavy sigh, she walked through the quiet house. Apparently her father was out of town again or buried in his study, strategizing on making his next million. The thought had her glancing in the direction of her mother’s bedroom.
A lonely strip of light told Sophie her mother had already retired to her private sanctuary to read or watch TV. She wouldn’t be pillowing her cheek on her husband’s shoulder or cuddling close to the warmth of his body. There would be no good-night kiss or talk of a tomorrow together.
The sad realization was not a new one for Sophie, but tonight it struck her even more deeply. She’d never thought she’d inherited her mother’s traits. Everyone said she had the fighting spirit of her father. But after tonight and that tepid kiss with Thom, she could only wonder if she was going to end up like her mother. Too cold to let herself really love anyone.