Together Again: Book 3 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance) Read online

  She was sure as hell in no hurry for Thursday to arrive.

  But arrive it did. As they got to the meeting room where they were scheduled to present, she hesitated outside the door. “I’m nervous about pulling this off, Tony. We’ve really only had two run-throughs of the whole thing. That’s not a lot of practice.”

  He opened the door and waved her into the room. “It’s show time, counselor. You’ll do fine.”

  They began with Tony.

  “Working with Deputy District Attorney Keyes to get this presentation organized was a pleasure. Although she’s now in Portland, Oregon, we grew up next door to each other here in Philadelphia. We’ve always had great personal and professional respect for each other so … ”

  The blast of a whistle interrupted.

  Tony turned in the direction of the sound. Margo was sitting at the end of the table, a Police Athletic League lanyard around her neck and the whistle at the end of the lanyard in her mouth. “Margo,” he said in a stage whisper, “what are you doing?”

  She took the whistle from her mouth and smiled sweetly. “You told me to be timekeeper. Your time’s up.”

  He looked at his watch. “But we have ninety minutes.”

  “Didn’t you get my memo about this?”

  “A memo?”

  “Yeah, you know, paperwork.” She pulled a three-inch thick sheaf of papers out of her messenger bag. “You said you should go first because that’s how the system works — we bat cleanup after you guys have done all the hard work — and I could be the timekeeper. It’s all in here.” She pushed the stack of papers toward him and he picked it up.

  “This is your memo?”

  “Well, the memo is the first three pages. The rest is my presentation.”

  He threw the pile of papers onto the table in front of him. “Lawyers and their damn paperwork,” he said with disgust.

  She joined him at the podium. “Cops who fly by the seat of their pants,” she said and rolled her eyes.

  When the laughter died down, they began the real presentation, focusing on how to make the relationship between the two halves of the criminal justice system more productive. They were a hit, mostly because they talked about what worked well and emphasized how to effect change in their own organizations. And the introduction making light of the stereotypes of each of their professions had entertained everyone.

  At the end of the session, after an extended round of applause, they were about to leave when a woman approached and put her arms out to Margo for a hug.

  “Margo Keyes! Who knew you were such a good actress?”

  Margo returned the gesture. “Beth Dahl. I thought that was you in the back of the room. It’s been ages.” She started to introduce her co-presenter, but was interrupted.

  “Hey, Beth,” Tony said. “How do you two know each other?”

  “Law school,” the two women said at once.

  “And how do you know each other?” Margo asked.

  “DA’s office,” Tony and Beth said in unison.

  Tony looked across the room. “You two have a mini-Berkeley reunion. I see someone I want to say hi to before I leave. Walk you back to your hotel, Margo?”

  “Sure. Just give me five minutes.” She watched him walk across the room then turned her attention back to her classmate. “How long have you been in the DA’s office here?”

  “Two years. Been a great experience for a kid from Kansas.”

  “I imagine.” She looked over Beth’s shoulder at Tony, deep in conversation with two uniformed police officers. “Have you heard from anyone … ?”

  Beth interrupted. “Margo, do you know about the Blue Flu?”

  Surprised at the change of topic, Margo looked quizzically at her classmate. “You mean cops calling in sick when they want to protest?”

  “We have another disease here. The Alessandro Virus. It infects women exposed to Tony. It’s practically epidemic. Or is it endemic? Pandemic? Whatever, it looks like you have a bad case of it.”

  Margo protested, “We’re just old friends.”

  “Not from what I’m seeing. You look at him like he’s some chocolate dessert and you haven’t had sweets since the beginning of Lent.”

  “Really, just long-time friends. Honestly.” Margo wondered if her nose was growing.

  “Do long-time friends have insights into why a straight, gorgeous, smart cop who has no problems working with women doesn’t ever get personally involved with one?”

  “Maybe Nicole burned him worse than I heard.” She hastened to explain. “She’s the ex-fiancée who left him for another guy.”

  “Stupid woman.” Beth cocked her head and smiled. “There couldn’t be somebody, maybe not in Philly, who’s standing in the way of local talent getting his attention, could there?”

  Margo looked her classmate in the eye. “Sorry, Beth, I don’t know.”

  “Yeah, I bet.” Beth was smirking and Margo was trying as hard as she could to keep her expression neutral.

  The subject of their conversation returned and they moved on to safer — at least in Margo’s opinion — subjects. After promising to keep in touch, Margo hugged Beth again and headed to the elevator with Tony.

  “So,” he said, “you know Beth. She’s built a good reputation in a short time.” He punched the button to call the elevator.

  “Of course she’s good. You get great lawyers from Berzerk-ly.”

  “What were you two talking about so intently? Didn’t know law school gossip was that interesting.”

  “Nothing much. Just what she was doing here.” She hit the button a couple more times. Unable to get the elevator to provide a diversion, she changed the direction of the conversation. “We kicked ass in our presentation today.” Margo put up her hand for a high-five. “We were much better than any of the other speakers I’ve heard this week.”

  He touched the palm of her hand with the flat of his. “I’m shocked, counselor, shocked to find out you’re so competitive.”

  “Yeah, it’s a recent development in my personality.”

  Tony laughed. “But you said you were nervous. If that was nervous, I hope to hell I never have to work with you when you’re confident. No one would notice I was in the room.”

  “Thanks.” She looked up at him. “That was a compliment, wasn’t it?” Before he could answer she said, “Never mind, I’m taking it as one.”

  The elevator arrived and he held the door open for her to enter. “Have dinner with me at our table tonight?”

  “I promised Danny Hartmann and Greer Payne I’d join them.”

  “Who’re they? I’ve never heard you talk about him — her — them before, have I?”

  “Both are shes. Danny’s a Portland detective, a good one, and Greer’s another deputy DA. Also a good one.”

  “At least let me walk you back to the Convention Center.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” The elevator stopped and they went out into the late afternoon sun. When they reached her hotel, they agreed to meet in the lobby at six.

  Once in her room Margo took advantage of the time difference to call Portland and catch up on how her cases were doing. Just before she was due to meet Tony, she exchanged the tailored jacket of her black suit for a white camisole and black and white silk kimono jacket, the bottom of which she tied loosely around her waist. She put on silver hoop earrings and the Manolo Blahniks. A few minutes before six, she went down to the lobby.

  He was waiting for her in a re-run of the Saturday night before, down to the Italian loafers and the spicy cologne he’d splashed on after shaving again. And like that night, he took her breath away. If only the week wasn’t just about over.

  The unexpected reception they got at the cocktail party was as close to rock star level as either of them was ever likely to experience. Word of their entertaining presentation had apparently spread to those who hadn’t been in the room and multiple hugs, handshakes and words of congratulation were offered.

  Then Greer Payne arrived
. As was always the case, when Greer walked into a room, all eyes — at least the eyes of all the males — turned to her. No matter how many times she saw it, Margo felt all the air go out of her tires when it happened.

  It’s not that Margo didn’t respect her colleague’s skills. She did. The way she felt about Greer was more personal. There was Greer’s laugh that was so completely, flawlessly ladylike; the sound of a crystal bell, really. Then there was the perfectly coiffed blonde hair, the carefully manicured nails, the stylish clothes that always looked impeccable. Greer could make Margo feel rumpled and grubby simply by walking into the room.

  As she did tonight. She wore a black linen, V-necked, sleeveless sheath, emphasizing every curve in her well-toned body, with not one wrinkle in it. Didn’t the woman ever sit? A fine gold chain dangled a tastefully sized but-still-large-enough-to-make-you-look diamond just above her cleavage, which could be described exactly the same way.

  “Margo, there you are.” Greer had worked her way across the room, fending off drink offers and dinner invitations. “I heard good things about your presentation today. Jeff will be happy he picked you to sub for him, won’t he?”

  “Thanks, Greer. I hope he will, yes.”

  Greer raked Tony from head to toe with her big, green, artfully made-up eyes, like a cat eyeing a tuna steak. She put her hand out. “Hello, I’m Greer Payne.”

  Margo finished the introduction.

  “Oh, you were Margo’s partner today, weren’t you? No wonder she did such a good job. She must have wanted to impress you, too.”

  “She did that a long time ago,” Tony said. “When we were kids she learned to ride a bike before I did. Impressed the hell out of me.” He grinned at Margo who smiled at the memory.

  “You’ve known each other that long? Isn’t she lucky?” Greer had yet to release Tony’s hand. Without breaking eye contact with him, she said, “Are you ready for dinner, Margo? They’re asking us to move to our tables. Please join us, Tony.”

  “Thanks, but I’m committed. And Margo, can we finish what we were talking about before you go?”

  Margo waited until her colleague had left then said, “What were we talking about?”

  “Nothing. But I wanted to ask you to have a nightcap with me at your hotel when this is all over.”

  “I’d love to. I’ll even buy to thank you for waiting until Greer was gone to ask. Otherwise I’d be buying for her, too.”

  “Is she that close a friend that she’d expect to be included?”

  “Oh, yeah. She’s a big fan.” She paused for a beat. “Of good-looking men. I bet she could describe what you’re wearing down to your socks and underwear, but wouldn’t have any idea what I have on.”

  Tony cocked his head and furrowed his brow. “I’ve never heard you talk about another woman like that.”

  “When I’m around her I feel like changing everything about me and putting her in some kind of plastic bag.”

  “Don’t do either. I like you the way you are and if you got caught stuffing her into a body bag I’d have to come see you in prison. I don’t like visiting people in prison.”

  She smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Following the predictable-but-not-too-boring speeches, Margo said good night to her dinner companions and headed for the back of the room to wait for Tony. Before she got there, she felt a hand at the small of her back. She didn’t bother to look around. “Where is it, Tony?”

  “Where’s what, Margo?” It sounded like he was suppressing a laugh as he said it.

  “I don’t know — GPS? Cell phone tap? You must have something on me to know when I left the table.”

  “Sorry, it’s on a need-to-know-basis. And you don’t … ”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don’t need to know.”

  Chapter 6

  Margo ordered a Brandy Alexander and Tony a Tuaca. When the drinks arrived, Tony lifted his glass. “Salute. It’s been a great week.”

  Margo touched her glass to his. “It’s been fun doing this with you. Thank you.”

  “And thank you for ordering a drink in my honor.”

  She shot him a puzzled look, then got it. “Oh, right. Brandy Alessandro. This is my favorite after-dinner drink. Never made the connection with your family.”

  “Sure it’s my family?” He leaned closer to her, his brown eyes almost black in the dimly lit bar, and took her free hand with his.

  She smiled. “I wouldn’t think you’d have to stoop to angling for a compliment. Don’t you still have to beat women off with a stick?”

  “Funny how that works. The one you want to hang around moves a continent away. The ones who stay, you don’t care about.”

  Greer Payne materialized at the table, interrupting what was working into an interesting conversation, a man in tow who she failed to introduce. “Hello, Tony, nice to see you. And Margo — are you staying here, too? I thought you’d be home. With your mother.”

  Margo pulled her hand away from Tony and moved a bit to put some space between them. “Portland’s home, Greer, and, yes, I’m staying here.” She took a deep breath and tried to be more pleasant. “I didn’t have a chance at dinner to ask if you’ve gotten out to see much of Philly.”

  “A little bit. What would you recommend I see, Tony?” The green eyes she turned to him seemed to shine in the dim light, as did the gold in her hair.

  “You really shouldn’t miss the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.” He finished his drink. “I hate to recommend and run, but we were just about to leave. Do you and your, ah, friend want the booth?”

  “Thanks, but we’re meeting people. Do you have to leave? I was hoping you’d join us.”

  “We’d like to but I have an early morning tomorrow,” Tony said as he stood up. He put out a hand to assist Margo in getting out of the booth.

  It took all of Margo’s considerable determination to keep from laughing as they left the bar. She gave into it as soon as they were out the door. “The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall? Jesus, Tony, how obvious could you be that you were brushing her off?”

  He flashed a wicked, conspiratorial grin. “And she didn’t even break stride when I did it. It was time to get out of there anyway so I could walk you to your room.”

  “You don’t have to … ”

  “Are you using your skills at brushing men off or shall we grab an elevator?”

  She looked up at him as she linked her arm through his and could tell from his expression he knew what her answer was.

  The elevator arrived and, when they got on, he draped his arm around her shoulder. She moved close to him, nestled in the circle of his arm, waiting for the kiss she was sure was coming. Instead, he said, “I’m not ready to end the evening. Okay if I come in for a while?”

  “I’d love it.” She put her hand on his chest.

  The door closed and she got the kiss she wanted. Her hands went to his shoulders; his slid down her back and pulled her close. His mouth sweet from the Tuaca, he tasted better than anything she’d ever had and she sipped her fill. As his tongue made love to her mouth, expertly exploring every inch of it, she began to lose control of her breathing and her legs got all rubbery.

  The elevator door opening interrupted them. She backed away from Tony as if hit with a cattle prod. A man got on, nodded good evening to them and punched the button for the sixth floor. With a distinctive English accent he said, “May I assist with the button for your floor?”

  Embarrassed they’d forgotten, Margo said in a weak voice, “Eight, please.”

  In silence, they rode up to the sixth floor. When the door opened, the Englishman nodded and said, “Have a good evening. Although I rather doubt you need my encouragement to do so.” Margo burst into laughter as the door closed.

  She was still laughing when they reached the eighth floor. Tony laced his fingers through hers as they walked to her suite. She’d never imagined how sexy handholding could be but walking with her hand wrapped in his stronger, bigger one as he slowly
rubbed his thumb over hers was almost as exciting as having him hold her in his arms.

  As she dug in her purse for the key card, he said, “This has a vaguely familiar feel to it. That summer, after graduation, we’d come home from the shore, sit in that old car of my dad’s down the block making out for a while, then go up to your house, like we just walked down the hall. You’d fish out your keys, like you’re doing now. Your mom was always waiting for you.”

  “Ah, there’s the difference,” she said. “No one’s waiting inside here. I’ve outgrown the need to have someone protect my virtue.”

  “I’m in luck, then.” Tangling his fingers in her hair, he drew her mouth to his. The kiss was soft but it lingered, suggesting he wanted more. When they separated, she tried to get the door open but her hand was shaking. He took the key card from her, unlocked the door and pushed it open. She went to the bar, turned to ask what he wanted to find he was only inches away, his hands reaching for her.

  “I don’t want a drink,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. “And I’m done with conversation for the evening. I’m looking at what I want.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss into the palm. She swore she could feel the kiss in every part of her body. “The money question, sugar, is what do you want?”

  Circling his neck with her arms, she brought her mouth to his. She left the sweet kiss in the hall. Distilling a week of touching him, having his arm around her, his eyes on her into one kiss, she made a blazingly passionate connection with his mouth and his body. She tasted every inch of his mouth then teased his lips open so she could play hide and seek with his tongue.

  “Are we on the same page?” she asked, pulling back from him and looking into his chocolate eyes, now dark with desire.

  “I’m not sure. Let’s try that again.” He pulled her back to him and returned the kiss with equal urgency, demanding a response from her mouth, from her body, making her dizzy with longing. “I think we’re okay,” he said in a husky voice. He ran his hands around to her back, pulled her hips tight against him. The hard length of his erection pressed against her and her body responded to his with a wave of warmth that centered low in her belly. She wanted to rub herself all over him, purring, like a cat.