Bernie stepped closer to the monitor, her gaze following the sculpted angle of his cheekbone, then sliding down to the sensual curve of his mouth. Even at the distance the camera was pulled back, there was no doubt about it.
It was Jeremy.
Bernie remembered the last time she’d seen him dressed like this. Then undressed. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to drive the memory back to her subconscious where it belonged.
No such luck.
“Mmm, mmm,” Lawanda said with a swooning sigh. “I do love me a man in a tux. Makes him look all James Bond and everything.”
Bernie swallowed hard, trying to keep her cool. Given the fact that Jeremy attended events like this one all the time, she’d always known the possibility existed that someday she’d see him on one of these screens, likely with a beautiful woman or two.
She just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
She’d even imagined how she’d react. She would just shrug and move on to the next camera view as if he meant nothing to her. He did mean nothing to her, at least in that way. But if that were true, why were tingles spreading across the back of her neck like tiny fireworks exploding?
Lawanda pulled the camera back a little. Bernie saw the woman Jeremy was with, because of course there had to be one. It was Madeline Rayburn, the museum’s new development director, one of those tall, gorgeous, genetically blessed women Jeremy was always drawn to. Without a doubt, he’d be taking her home, because women didn’t say no to Jeremy. The party would start in the back of his limo, then continue all the way to his four-poster bed.
“Shit,” Lawanda said. “He’s with that new chick at the museum. Little hussy.” Lawanda lifted her chin. “I’m twice the woman she is.”
Pound for pound, Lawanda was twice the woman most women were, but Bernie didn’t bother pointing that out.
She knew this was dangerous. She knew she should just walk away, but for some reason she was mesmerized by the sight on the screen, her feet glued to the spot where she stood. She knew a woman’s worth had nothing to do with her appearance. So why, when she looked at Madeline, did she feel pea-green with envy?
She watched the way Jeremy was smiling at Madeline. When Bernie had been with him, there had been no smiles. Passion, yes, but only the kind fueled by anger. Lust, absolutely, but as primitive as it got. Hearts and flowers belonged to women like Madeline. Bernie was the kind of woman men like Jeremy denied having had sex with to their dying breath.
Of course, given her pregnancy, he’d have a hard time denying it now.
“I can see by your reaction that you’re thinking about fighting me for him,” Lawanda said, shaking her finger at Bernie. “But let me warn you. You may have your black belt and all that, but being pregnant will slow you down. And even though I’m short, I’m scrappy.”
“You’d beat up a pregnant woman?”
“Honey, for that man I’d beat up a pregnant nun.”
Bernie nodded toward Madeline. “Forget me. She’s the one you’re going to have to go three rounds with.”
“Ha! That skinny bitch? I can take her in a heartbeat.” She turned back to the screen. “Wonder who he is?”
“Jeremy Bridges,” Bernie murmured. Just the sound of his name passing her lips made another little shot of fireworks sizzle between her shoulders.
“Jeremy Bridges? Wait a minute. That’s the guy you used to work for, isn’t it? The really rich guy?”
Bernie tore her gaze from the screen. “I have to get home.”
Lawanda rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right. You already know the guy, which gives you first dibs. But the next sexy rich man is all mine.”
“Rich men are a pain in the ass,” Bernie said, hoping her words would counter her thoughts and Lawanda wouldn’t see the hot flush inching across her cheeks. “You can have all of them.”
“Well, then,” Lawanda said. “I’d be a fool to turn that down, wouldn’t I? But don’t you forget that I did offer to share.”
“And don’t you forget to check out the other thirty-five cameras,” Bernie said.
“Hey! You think I can’t multitask? Multitasking is my middle name.” She gave Bernie a smile and a wink, then turned her attention back to the monitors.
Bernie slipped out the door and started down the hall, feeling as if she were walking in a daze. She decided she’d leave through the door that was as far away from the atrium as possible, then circle around to the parking lot at the back of the building. She’d get in her car and go home, where she’d spend the rest of the evening as she always did, with the TV remote and something bland for dinner, and then endure an irritatingly chatty telephone call from her mother before she finally went to bed and got up to do it all over again. The thought of it actually made her sick to her stomach.
No. I can’t do it. I can’t.
She doubled back, ducked into the ladies’ room, and sat down on the sofa, letting her backpack slide to the floor. She dropped her head to her hands, feeling breathless. Hopeless.
Manless.
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t go home alone to the painful silence of her apartment, where all night long she’d picture Jeremy with Madeline and wish to God he was with her instead.
What’s wrong with you? Shake it off. Did you really think he wasn’t spending the past few months with every other woman in the Dallas metroplex?
This was stupid. Stupid. She knew what kind of man Jeremy was. That he’d decided he might like to experience a little fatherhood didn’t mean he had any feelings for her. So why was she acting like a lovestruck fool?
Enough was enough. She was just feeling sorry for herself. She didn’t want Jeremy. She was just feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated and fat and ugly and pregnant while he was out there living it up. But that was his life, not hers. And it never would be.
Jeremy had assumed that Madeline would be working the room like the fundraising professional she was, so it might be a while before he could steer her into his limo for a night on the town, followed by a trip to his bedroom. But even as she greeted one guest after another and chatted it up with the philanthropic crowd, she used every opportunity she could to touch his arm, move in closer, and laugh softly at anything remotely funny he happened to say.
They’d be out of there sooner than he expected.
“So you’re an art history major,” Jeremy said. “This pre-Columbian exhibit must be very exciting for you.”
Madeline looked left and right, then spoke quietly. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course.”
“I hate pre-Columbian. I’m more of a modern art girl.”
“But because of your position, you have to make nice about the exhibit?”
“Exactly.” She leaned in so close he could feel her breath on his ear as she spoke. “The sculpture garden is more to my liking. Have you seen it?”
“A time or two,” he said.
“There are a few new pieces. Would you like to take a look?”
“I’d love to.”
“Follow me. I know a shortcut.”
They dropped their glasses on a passing waiter’s tray, and Madeline led him on a circuitous route through the atrium, around an exhibit of semiprecious gems, and finally through a door that led to the sculpture garden. Max followed at a deferential distance, taking up his position at the window beside the door and turning statuelike once again.
The sun had dropped below the horizon, bathing the garden in a dusky glow. The landscaping was beautiful. The sculptures weren’t, but Jeremy pretended to admire the latest addition—a few gigantic iron pieces twisted around each other. It looked like the wreckage of a 747.
“It’s from Carillo’s Warrior series,” Madeline said. “What do you think?”
“What I think,” Jeremy said, “is that it takes a trained eye to appreciate something of this quality.”
“You’re a very diplomatic man,” Madeline said with a smile. “I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
They strolled over to another sculpture that Madeline described in glowing terms. Jeremy thought it looked like a giant garbage can with a weather vane on top.
“How do your patrons feel about these new pieces?” he asked.
“They’ve generated some excitement,” she said. “Unfortunately, in this economic climate…”
“Everybody’s a little strapped for cash.”
Madeline sighed. “Yes. You have no idea how tiring it can be spending all day every day smiling and making nice with potential donors.”
“Donors like me?”
Madeline moved closer, the evening breeze tossing her blond hair over her shoulder. “If you’d like to write a great big check, I certainly wouldn’t turn it down. But trust me when I tell you—my interest in you has nothing to do with a donation to the museum.”
Her subtle flirting had vanished, replaced by a blatant stare that let him know exactly what she was thinking.
“If you’ll let me know when you’re tired of smiling,” he said, “maybe we could slip out of here. Hop in my car. I could show you a little bit of Dallas. The city lights—”
“I’m tired of smiling.”
As she looked at him expectantly, clearly offering everything he thought he wanted and more, he actually felt disappointed. Was there any woman left on earth who was hard to get?
Truth be told, though, he wasn’t sure he wanted to get this one.
No, you idiot. Of course you want her. She’ll get you back in the swing of things where you belong. Do it now.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, intending to call Carlos to bring the car around. Then he heard a door open across the garden. He turned automatically and saw a woman emerge from the building.
Bernie?
For a few seconds, he just stopped and stared at her. It was the wrong time. He knew for a fact she worked the day shift.
But there she was.
“Stay here for just a minute,” he said to Madeline, and started walking in Bernie’s direction.
“What? Where are you going?”
“Just stay put,” he said over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He strode down the flagstone path behind Bernie. He called out to her. She turned around, looking surprised. She was dressed as she always was. T-shirt. Jeans. No makeup. Straight, dark hair tucked behind her ears. He’d always thought of her as the kind of woman who faded into the wall the moment a woman like Madeline entered the room. Why, then, was he having a hard time even remembering what Madeline looked like?
“Hey, Bernie,” he said, stopping in front of her. “What are you doing here? I thought you worked the day shift.”
“Uh… I usually do, but I had to stay late tonight.”
And suddenly he realized he didn’t have a thing to say. So why had he even walked over here? For reasons he couldn’t imagine, his heart was suddenly beating like mad.
“So…” he said finally, “how’s the job?”
“Good. It’s good.” She glanced at the tux he wore. “Looks like you’re here for the event tonight.”
“Yeah.” He smiled to himself. Okay. Here it came. For God’s sake, will you tie that tie? When are you ever going to grow up and dress like an adult?
“So how do you like the Pre-Columbian exhibit?” she asked.
Jeremy frowned. What kind of question was that? She couldn’t possibly be interested in his opinion of the exhibit. Why was she making stupid small talk as if they barely knew each other?
“To tell you the truth, it sucks.” He glanced over his shoulder at Madeline, then lowered his voice. “Honest to God—only a moron would think that crap is art. And it’s not just the new exhibit. Look around this garden.” He pointed to one of the sculptures. “That one looks like somebody slashed a gigantic piece of aluminum foil with a machete.”
She shrugged offhandedly. “I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Jeremy winced. Wasn’t that what Madeline had said? What kind of response was that from Bernie, who once told him the painting in his foyer looked like two pigeons fighting over a ketchup-covered French fry?
“And speaking of beauty,” Bernie went on, “it looks as if you met the new development director.”
“Uh… yeah. Phil Brandenburg’s wife is on the museum board. She introduced us. She thinks we’d make a perfect couple.”
“She’s right.”
Jeremy blinked. “She is?”
“Of course. What more could you possibly want in a woman?”
Jeremy was growing more confused by the moment. “Aren’t you going to tell me it’s time I stopped dating blond bimbos?”
“No bimbo there,” Bernie said. “I hear she has a master’s degree from Vassar. Frankly, it’s about time you dated a woman who’s your intellectual equal.”
“Intellectual equal?” he said. “When’s the last time I chose a woman based on her intellect?”
“Never. But clearly you’re branching out.” She smiled sweetly. “Good for you.”
Jeremy felt as if he’d landed on another planet. Stop not being Bernie. I hate it.
Then he had a thought. Maybe she was uncomfortable seeing him with Madeline like this, and it impaired her sarcasm. He wouldn’t have thought that was possible, but what other explanation could there be?
“I know this must feel strange to you,” he said.
Bernie’s brows drew together. “Strange?”
“Seeing me with another woman.”
“Why would that be strange? I’ve been seeing you with other women for years.”
“You know what I mean. Me dating other women when you’re… you know.”
“Pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“With your babies?”
“Yes.”
“So you think it upsets me to see you with another woman?”
“Does it?”
Bernie laughed. “Of course not. No more than it would bother you to see me with another man.”
Jeremy raised his eyebrows. “Another man?”
She smiled. “The fact that we’re having children together doesn’t mean we have to step on each other’s personal lives, does it?”
“Uh… no. Of course not.”
“Which means it’s time for you to get back to Madeline.” She paused. “And I’ll get back to Dave.”
Jeremy snapped to attention. “Dave? Who’s Dave?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Just someone I’m spending the evening with.”
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”
“Actually, I’ve been seeing Dave quite a lot lately.” She looked at her watch. “And look at that. I’m late, and he’s waiting for me.” She nodded across the garden. “And Madeline is waiting for you.”
Jeremy glanced over his shoulder to see Madeline pretending to look at one of the godawful sculptures even though she was clearly watching him and Bernie.
“Uh… yeah,” Jeremy said. “I guess I’d better go, too.”
With a tiny wave of her fingertips, Bernie started back down the flagstone path to the gate. As she walked away, he noticed—maybe for the first time ever—what a truly nice ass she had, filling out her jeans in a way that would get the attention of just about any man alive.
Jeremy frowned. It had obviously gotten Dave’s attention, anyway. He’d never even met the man, and already he didn’t like him.
He watched as Bernie went through the gate and out to the parking lot. He watched as she flicked open her car door with her remote. He watched as she got inside. He watched as she started the car. He watched as she—
“Jeremy?”
He spun around to find Madeline behind him.
“Do you know her?” Madeline said.
“Uh… yeah.”
“From where?” Madeline said, as if she wasn’t quite believing him.
“She used to be my bodyguard.” Which was the only relationship to Bernie he cared to mention to Madeline.
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“Hmm,” Madeline said as she watched Bernie drive away, “now that you mention it, she does seem a little rough around the edges.”
“Rough around the edges?”
“You know. As if a day at Elizabeth Arden would benefit her greatly.”
For some reason, that irritated the hell out of Jeremy. He had a better idea. Maybe a day at boot camp would benefit Madeline greatly.
She sidled up next to him with a seductive smile. “Are you ready to go?”
A few months ago, he wouldn’t have hesitated a single second. But now, as he looked at her, all he could think about was Bernie.
“Something’s come up,” he said suddenly.
Madeline drew back. “Excuse me?”
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to take a rain check for tonight.”
Madeline looked positively astonished. She was clearly a woman who wasn’t used to fighting for a man’s attention. Jeremy sensed her weighing her options, trying to decide if risking a little humiliation was worth it.
“Of course,” she said coolly.
Evidently it wasn’t.
“Maybe we can get together another time,” Jeremy said.
Madeline’s eyes swept over him slowly, and she raised her nose a notch. “If I’m free in the next week or two, maybe I’ll give you a call.”
“That’d be great. Thanks, Madeline. It was very nice to meet you.”
Evidently that was an even quicker dismissal than she’d expected. Astonishment flashed across her face, but she erased it as soon as it appeared. With a dismissive look, she simply turned around and walked away. Jeremy knew he was going to catch hell from Alexis for this, but he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.
A few minutes later, he and Max were in the limo, and Carlos was driving them back to his house. For once, Jeremy didn’t mind that Max was mute. His thoughts were so consumed with Bernie’s apparent plans for the evening that he wouldn’t have been able to carry on a conversation with anyone. He sat back in the seat, his arms crossed, irritation eating away at him.
Dave? Who the hell was Dave?
That question loomed larger in his mind with every moment that passed. Also looming was the image of another man touching Bernie at that very moment. Logically, there was nothing wrong with that. He had no hold on her. This was a new century. That a couple had a baby together didn’t mean they had say-so over each other’s lives.
So why was it driving him straight up the wall?
He tried to get a grip. Tried to tell himself that he had no business getting in the middle of Bernie’s relationships. Then again, didn’t he have a right to know who she was dating? What if she hooked up with some guy who would be a bad influence on his children?
Once they were born, anyway.
And they grew up enough to be influenced.
But the day would come when it would be critically important that she associate with the right men. The more he thought about that, the more he decided that he was well within his rights to ensure that the mother of his children wasn’t roped in by a guy who might not be good for her or the babies. He definitely needed to find out more about him.
“Max?” he said.
“Yes, sir?”
“Does Bernie know anybody named Dave?”
Max paused, presumably thinking about it. Jeremy hoped he hadn’t suddenly forgotten how to speak altogether.
“Not to my knowledge, sir.”
There it was. Proof positive that whoever this guy was, he wasn’t somebody who’d been in Bernie’s life for very long. Which meant that she’d probably just met him, which meant she was in that danger zone where a guy could be Mr. Perfect or Mr. Serial Killer or a hundred questionable things in between, and there was no way to know which one. Under normal circumstances, Bernie could take out any guy who might be a problem, but she was pregnant. Sometimes she didn’t feel well. And the more the babies grew, the more off-balance she was going to be. As he’d told her once, pregnant women made excellent targets.
This could be a very serious situation in the making.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to his house. Carlos and Max left, and Jeremy went inside, grabbing his phone from his pocket and dialing Bernie’s number. For a moment he thought she wasn’t going to pick up, but after six rings, he finally heard her voice.
“Bridges? What do you want?”
She sounded a little snippy, which meant he’d definitely interrupted something. Evidently she and Dave were already in the middle of… well, whatever they’d planned to be in the middle of.
Don’t think about that. Just make sure it comes to a halt. “We have some business to discuss.”
“Business?” Bernie said disbelievingly. “What kind of business?”
“The kind we need to talk about right now. Can you come to my house?”
“Now? Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you with Madeline?”
“No.”
“She’s not there?”
“No.”
“I thought she went home with you.”
“I told you something came up,” Jeremy snapped. “And I need to talk to you.”
“No way. I’m right in the middle of something.”
No. She wasn’t in the middle of something. She was in the middle of someone. “I know. You have a date. But—”
“Why don’t you just tell me what this is all about?”
“I can’t discuss it over the phone.”
“I told you I’m busy.”
Jeremy didn’t like the way that sounded. “But you have to come over right now,” he said. “This concerns…” What the hell did it concern? “Creekwood Apartments.”
“Creekwood?” When the pitch of her voice went up a couple of octaves, he knew he had her attention. “Is something wrong?”
“Will you just come over here so we can talk about it?”
“Bridges?” she said, skepticism creeping into her voice. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you everything when you get here.”
“Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”
“I’m sorry to break up your date, Bernie. But I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it weren’t important.”
He heard her let out a heavy sigh. “Okay. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”
Jeremy felt a flood of relief. Take that, Dave.
Then he heard something in the background. A man’s voice? Yes. That was exactly what it was. Well, it didn’t matter now. Bernie was coming to his house, which meant that for this evening, anyway, the owner of that voice was out of luck.
As Bernie hung up, at first Jeremy felt victorious. Then a little underhanded.
Then a little clueless.
He needed some reason for dragging her over here. Something to talk to her about. Then he could work in questions about this guy she was seeing who had come out of nowhere who was only going to make her miserable.
He only wished he knew what that something was going to be.