Trace’s time at Raven’s Nest was coming to a close. At first, Diana had hated the fact that they had to share a house together, but now she couldn’t imagine him not being there. The anger she’d felt at the reading of the will, the feeling that John had betrayed her by leaving half of Raven’s Nest to Trace, seemed so long ago and unimportant.
It was a warm Sunday afternoon. Diana and Trace were having lunch outside on the circular terrace. Raven’s Nest was like a city unto itself. It had a breathtaking four stories. White pristine Italian marble columns guarded the front of the house. Bordering the length of the terrace were rose bushes and flower gardens that encompassed the exterior of the mansion, and swaying weeping willow trees ran the length of the house, like guards protecting it from strangers. A huge man-made waterfall and pond graced the middle of the huge lawn, giving it the look of paradise. Her breath caught at the sheer beauty of her surroundings.
Diana sat back in her seat, closed her eyes, raised her face to the sun, and inhaled deeply. She felt at peace. Feeling Trace’s gaze upon her, she opened her eyes. “What?”
“Nothing. I was admiring the view.”
“I know. I’ve lived at Raven’s Nest for five years, and it still takes my breath away.”
“I was admiring another view altogether.”
“Are you getting romantic over chicken salad, Mr. Montgomery?” she inquired with a smile.
“Is it working?” He returned the smile.
She laughed heartily. “You should finish your lunch. You’ll need your strength to play golf this afternoon.”
“The execs can wait. Or I could cancel the outing?” he suggested.
“Uh-uh. Isn’t that what you did the last time?”
He grinned. “I believe I was otherwise occupied.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. You promised you would play golf. I’ll not be the one to distract you again.”
“Rosa and most of the staff are doing their daily chores. I’m sure we could slip upstairs for a while.” He shot her a sexy smile. “How about it?”
Diana’s eyes widened with mock surprise. “Mr. Montgomery, do you want the staff to think that’s all that we do?”
He chuckled. “Why not? You’re young and healthy. I’m approaching forty and have to use every opportunity, while I have the energy, to make love to you.”
“You make yourself sound ancient. You’re in your prime.”
His grin was wicked. “You’re the one who knows it for sure.”
Diana laughed. “You’re crazy.”
A serious look entered his eyes. “Yes. I’m crazy for you.”
The laugher left her face. “Saying things like that will make me believe in fairy tales,” she quipped.
“Then believe in them.”
Diana was silent for a moment and finally said, “Maybe I’ll take a chance.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “Close your eyes.”
She did.
“Now I want you to make wish. I promise, if you let me, I’ll do everything in my power to make it come true.”
Diana’s eyes flew open. “You’re truly my hero.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
She sighed and picked up her fork. “Now I know it’s time for you to finish eating.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said cheekily as he returned to his salad. He speared his fork into the greens and took a bite. He chewed and looked at her.
“What are you thinking about?” he said.
“I was going over the final details of the company picnic in my head.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No, the caterers have been hired. Everything is on scheduled. Besides, Rosa and I have it under control.
“We don’t have to have the party here at the mansion. We could set up tents and have it on the grounds of the Pisano office complex. It’s large enough.”
“I know, but it’s more intimate to have it here. I think everybody looks forward to coming. I know I look forward to giving it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. We’ve had a little over four hundred responses.”
“Wow.”
“Wow is right. It’s going to be a wonderful day with lots of food, music, entertainment, and games for everyone.”
“I see the glint in your eyes. You’re enjoying it.”
“I am. Mama and Daddy came from large families. We always had a party going on. Whether it was a birthday, family reunion, or a holiday, we would gather at one of the relatives’ houses to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other until our hearts were content. It was great.”
“You had something I never had, a wonderful childhood.”
There was a silence. Crispina needed to be crucified for neglect, Diana thought. The woman gave motherhood a bad name. Finally, she cleared her throat. “Yes, I did. I have beautiful memories. With both sets of grandparents gone, I’ll always remember those times with joy, but a little sadness, too.”
“This year will be even more special,” Trace said.
“Why is that?”
“Because I’ll be with you.”
Diana was silent as she pondered his statement. At the rate they were moving—which was fast—it was only logical for him to assume they had a future together.
“Trace, about us…”
“What about us?
“I think we need to take it one day at a time.”
“Why?”
“We need to try…” Seeing the closed look on his face, she stopped in mid-sentence, knowing she had offended him. “I can tell I have annoyed you.” She pressed her palm to her temple to ease the sudden rush of tension. “This isn’t a good time to discuss anything. You have to go and I need to really cement the plans for the party.”
“I told you I’m crazy about you. That’s something I’ve never told any woman. I’m not going to let you pretend what has happened between us is of little importance.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Yes, you are. You’re running scared.” He was silent for a moment. “I didn’t coerce you. You made the decision to be with me.”
“I know that.”
“Why do you keep running from me, Diana? Sometimes you are with me, and then sometimes, in the midst of a conversation, I see you slipping away.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“Am I?”
“I don’t want to get hurt, Trace. We’re moving too fast.”
“You believe I would hurt you?”
“Yes…no…I don’t know. And I don’t want to find out.” She stopped, lowered her eyes, and absently fingered the white linen napkin in her lap. Taking a deep breath, she tried to explain. “I want to be in control this time. When and if you walk away I’ll be strong enough to survive.”
He would have no trouble and plenty of opportunities to indulge himself with any woman who caught his fancy. Although selective, she was sure he would have no problem finding a replacement for her…quickly.
He pushed his empty plate aside and pinched the bridge of his nose. He reached across the table and engulfed her hand in his. Diana’s body reacted through instinct to the electric tension they created by just touching each other.
“I never left you the first time. Remember, it was you who left me,” he said softly. Diana dropped her eyes and tried to pull her hand free, but he wouldn’t let go.
Trace released her hands and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Diana, I want you in my life. This is real. Dammit, I’m not playing a game. It’s not an impromptu request I’m going to retract. You’re my lover and my friend. I have never wanted a long-term relationship with anyone but you. This isn’t something I take lightly.”
The man had stolen her heart long ago, and he still held it in his grip. Could she trust her instincts and give him another chance? She believed he wanted her, but she wanted him to love her. Granted, she’d never said the words, either, but she needed to know if he did. She couldn’t commit herself to him without him loving her, could she? Did she have enough love for the both of them? She still had Nicky to think about; her son was her number one priority. Trace wanted answers as to why she left him. The last thing she wanted to do was rehash the pain. He extended his hand. Without hesitation, she placed her small hand into his huge one. He gently closed his hand around hers and pulled her from her chair. He held her loosely in his arms.
“Do you see how good we are together?”
“Mmm.” Her skin tingled in remembrance of their lovemaking the night before and today. “I don’t think it’s something I could forget, even if I tried.”
“Why even try?”
“Give me a little time, Trace.”
“Your time ran out five years ago, Diana.”
“I—”
He interrupted her. “Not discussing what is evidently between us and what happened to make you run from me won’t make it go away. I want to be with you, and I know you want to be with me,” he said.
She moved out of his arms and he let her go. She walked to the thick marble railing and looked out over the gardens. She wrapped her arms around her body. Trace followed her and moved up behind her, circling her with his arms.
“You’re a stubborn and strong-willed woman. I like and admire that about you. It was one of the things that attracted me to you. But I won’t let you run from this, it’s too important.”
“I need you to understand what I’m feeling, Trace. You came back into my life after a long absence. I thought you would fulfill the terms of the will and leave. I didn’t plan or want to get involved with you.”
“But you are involved. From the first moment years ago when I walked into my uncle’s office and you looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes, you and I were connected. I’ve never ever had it with another woman. I know I can’t let you go.”
“Maybe we should rethink this….”
Trace turned her around so she was facing him. He blocked her from leaving by placing his hands on the rail and leaning into her.
“Don’t think about running away this time, Diana. I’d search the corners of the earth and bring you back to me.”
“Trace…”
“You trusted me enough to give me your innocence. I know you wouldn’t have done that with just any man. I never told you, but I was honored to be your first lover. I don’t understand why you married my uncle. I’m not going to lie, it still bothers me. I thought we had something strong and good. I know something happened to drive you from me, but I’m not going to press you to tell me…for now.”
Diana opened her mouth to speak, but Trace laid his fingers on her lips. He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her, then again deeply. She leaned into him. His BlackBerry rang. He then leaned forward and gave her another hard kiss.
Cupping her face lovingly, he said, “Finish your lunch.”
For a moment, it seemed as if he wanted to say something else. He kissed her again and walked away.
She wanted to pretend this was the ideal world, she and Trace enjoying lunch, happy and content. She forced herself not to think about what would happen if he uncovered her secret. Her heartbeat escalated. He wouldn’t let her go this time without a fight.
This time she was afraid she didn’t have the strength to walk away.