Chapter Nine

Waking from a hazy down-memory-lane dream, Christina’s eyes fluttered open. She squinted, focusing on the unfamiliar surroundings. The bedroom, containing an ivory love seat located by the window, a massive mahogany dresser and matching nightstand, was larger than the whole lower level of her apartment. The four-poster, king size bed she rested on took possession of the room with its Egyptian silver duvet and feather down pillows. For a moment she forgot where she was. How had she come to be in this exquisite bedroom?

Her head rested heavy against a soft pillow. She sighed as her body fought exhaustion. The all-too-familiar symptoms she had experienced many times before brought back the memory of an earlier migraine that pierced her temple. The afternoon’s events then returned, flooding her thoughts.

She remembered the flight, Tanya and Brian picking her up at the airport, and the humidity in the air on the drive to Brian’s parents’ house. Christina recalled the breathtaking view of the gardens as she arrived and the luxurious foyer. Then Brian introduced his parents. The rest was pretty fuzzy.

Hearing a squeak on the floorboard outside the door, Christina turned to watch the clear crystal handle twist and the door slowly open.

“Thank goodness, you’re awake.” Tanya sat on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on Christina’s forehead.

“Where am I? What happened?” She blinked, letting her closed lids linger before opening.

“You’re in Ottawa. Brian and I picked you up earlier today.”

That, Christina remembered. “What time is it?”

“At little after six.”

She squirmed to a sitting position against the headboard.

Tanya plumped a cushion behind Christina’s back.

“I’ve been out all afternoon?” She sighed.

“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well? You scared the heck out of me. Not to mention the fright you gave Brian’s parents. His mother went as white as snow, and his father thought you were having a stroke when your hands started trembling.”

Tanya’s chatter droned on and on. Her sister, the master of sweet nagging, could drag a short explanation into a long-drawn-out lecture. Christina quickly learned how to block out the unnecessary stuff.

“Thank goodness, Steven reacted instantly. If not for him, you would have been face-first on the floor. I’ve never seen anyone move so fast. You barely teetered and he had you in his arms. He picked you up like you were a feather. Something right out of a movie. You have to let me tell this story at the reception…”

“Whoa.” Christina held up her hand. “Reel it back a bit.” She didn’t recall that part. “Who the heck is Steven?”

“Brian’s brother. He’s in town for the weekend. Promptness at family gatherings isn’t Steven’s thing, so we were all quite surprised to see him arrive early. We didn’t expect him to arrive until tomorrow.”

Christina covered her hands over her face, rubbing her forehead with her fingertips, urging the clouded memory to return.

“You don’t remember any of it? Steven carrying you up the stairs and placing you on the bed?”

She peeked at Tanya through her fingers and shook her head. “There’s something there, but the events are foggy. I remember turning and seeing someone. I think I know him. His voice was familiar.”

“Steven has the sexiest voice, deep and throaty. I can’t wait for you to meet him. You’ll get along famously. He’s just your type, a lawyer. Nose to the ground, all professional. Wait, maybe you have met him. Steven travels quite a bit on cases, but also works for a firm in town. What’s the name of that firm? Campbell? No, that’s not it.” Tanya frowned. “Carter?”

“Carvers Firm?” Christina’s breath caught in her throat. Her hands fell to her lap.

“Yes, that’s the one.” Tanya smiled.

The memory was returning. The voice she recognized through the migraine-induced fog. He was here and carried her to this room. “Who the hell is Steven?”

Tanya’s eyes widened. “Brian’s brother. We just had this conversation. Do I need to call the doctor?” She stood, lips pressed tight and furrowed brows creasing the top of her nose.

“I’m fine. My head’s a little confused, that’s all.” A true understatement for sure. “You didn’t tell me Brian had a brother.”

“And what, have you accuse me of setting you up? Been there, tried that, and you made me promise to stop.” Tanya tilted her head. “However, Steven is single, and...”

“Please don’t. I’m too tired right now.” She had enough to think about, and warding off her sister’s matchmaking would consume energy she didn’t have.

“You’ll soon see for yourself. Steven is a sweetheart. You won’t be able to resist him.”

Closing her eyes, Christina rested her head back on the pillow.

“Brian’s mother asked the cook to hold dinner. I’ll let them know you’re resting.” Tanya tapped Christina’s hand and then walked to the door. “Your bag is by the dresser, if you want to change.” She pointed to the door across the room. “And a private bath is through there.”

“Please extend my apologies. I’ll be down shortly.” Christina didn’t want to be an imposition. She had already caused enough commotion.

“You need to rest.” Tanya crossed her arms over her chest and glared.

“The pain is gone and I’m feeling much better. All I need is a quick shower.”

Frowning, Tanya gave her the once-over. “Okay, but take it easy. I’ll return when dinner is ready.”

Once the room was empty, Christina swung her legs to the edge of the bed. She rested her elbows on her knees, taking a moment to think. To process what might be. Could Steven really be here? And what connection did he have to Steven Peterson, other than sharing the same first name?

When the answers wouldn’t come, she undressed and stepped into the shower. She stood under the warm water, letting it cascade down over her. Her mind released the confusion. Was it possible Brian’s brother, Steven Peterson, was Steven Mitchell?

How would she tell Tanya her wonderful brother-in-law was the same man who had Christina fired five years ago? She had only supplied her sister with a few details of the man who had used her—got what he wanted and tossed her aside like trash. Tanya had wanted to confront Steven and give him the hell he deserved, but Christina stopped her...just barely. Her little sister despised that Steven almost as much as Christina did. If she told Tanya the evil swine from her past was Brian’s brother, the discovery could possibly upset the wedding. That’s the last thing she wanted.

When she emerged from the shower, Christina made a decision not to tell Tanya. Her sister would never make a connection from Steven Mitchell to Steven…whatever his full name was.

“I’ll pretend I don’t know him.” She brushed her hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. But how would she do that? How could she pretend not to know the man she despised more than any other?

Her past had stepped into the present and she had no idea what to do next. She needed time to think. So much had transpired over the last forty-eight hours—too overwhelming to comprehend in a mere couple of minutes.

****

Steven swallowed a mouthful of bourbon, not flinching as the burn traveled downward. His sour mood didn’t entail sitting in the library for idle chit-chatter with his family. He purposely arrived early this weekend to talk with Christina to rehash their past. He wanted answers only she could provide. While his family talked among themselves, he let his thoughts fade to that fatal day when everything right went terribly wrong.

His whole life had changed the moment he spied Christina from his office window—a vision of beauty, parking her sad car in the company parking lot. Her first day with Carvers Firm, and his last day of commitment-phobia, though he didn’t realize that at the time. His first instinct was to swoon her with his irresistible charm, but after dating Christina only a week, Steven wanted more than a fling. She was intelligent, business-minded, and damn gorgeous. He wanted her the first night they met, but she wouldn’t be had so easily. A spit-fire, she saw right through him and challenged him. He could actually have an intellectual conversation with her, which was rare with most of the women he had dated. Making Christina happy made him happy. She triggered emotions that were new, exciting, and, if he admitted so, scared the hell out of him.

Their first night together had been more than he imagined possible. He fell hard and wanted more. When he awoke and found her gone, Steven’s heart nearly tore in two until he spotted her note. He had promised not to get involved with her application in the open position at the firm, but he did the opposite. Just a small recommendation wouldn’t hurt. Ignoring her request to stay out of her business, he went to the office while she fetched breakfast.

Her familiar soft-spoken voice caught his ear when he stepped out of his office. His stomach knotted as he followed her voice. He didn’t expect to find Christina here. She probably suspected he’d poke his nose where it wasn’t wanted and applied for the job before he added his two cents.

He rounded the corner of the hallway and saw her, his smile quickly fading from his lips. A lump filled the back of his throat and his stomach lurched. Christina was in the arms of another man! Ben’s hands were wrapped around her small waist and held her close, as two lovers would embrace.

Steven stumbled backwards, turned, and raced to the elevator. When the doors closed, Steven finally let his breath escape. He slumped against the wall, gripping the railing as a heavy pressure slammed his chest.

He should have stayed and demanded to know what was going on, to give her the benefit of the doubt, but what he saw didn’t require an explanation. His woman in the arms of another man. Did their relationship mean nothing? Had she been playing him all along?

Bitterness soared like wildfire within him and a confrontation wouldn’t be wise. Christina’s betrayal sent him into an emotional upheaval. Betrayal was new to him and he didn’t know how to react.

Only riding three floors down, Steven felt his hurt and confusion subside, and anger quickly won. When the elevator doors opened, he didn’t get out at the lobby as planned. Instead, he jammed a finger on the Door Close button and headed upward once again. Revenge had required immediate action.

At that last thought, he swallowed the remains of his bourbon. His clever plan of action had been more an act of jealousy than revenge. His impulsive—completely stupid—reaction had Christina dismissed from her job. Her genuine shock and embarrassment had slapped him harder across the face than any physical connection. Regret anguished his mind the minute she had left the building. Could she have been innocent of his charges and not sleeping her way to the top? Had he misinterpreted what he saw? He should have retracted his statement, but the damage had been done.

The glare of insult and rage she had cast him before leaving now tormented his nightly dreams. He made a too-quick judgment that cost him the love of his life and sent him on a course with no destination…until now.

Steven forced a half-wide smile at his mother, who had been eyeing his silence with a raised eyebrow. His family could never know about his scoundrel actions, especially his mother. She would disown him for treating a woman the way he did Christina. He had a new plan, one he’d been master-minding the past five years. But first, he needed Christina’s silence.