Manhattan Merger Read online

  Relieved to hear that news, Rainey let go of the breath she’d been holding.

  “For your information I had a call from Mr. Wallace a few minutes ago. If it’s convenient, someone will be coming by your apartment within the hour for your paintings of Mr. Sterling. I wanted to make certain you were home.”

  “I’ll be here. Tell them to buzz me from the foyer so I can let them in. I’m on the third floor.”

  “Good. I’ll call you next week. We’ll go out for lunch.”

  “I’d like that.” Grace was a fascinating personality.

  “So would I. Talk to you soon.”

  The minute they clicked off, Rainey walked over to the paintings and removed them from the wall. After dusting the frames off, she placed them next to the door.

  It was a wrench to have to give up the one for Manhattan Merger. Not that she couldn’t do another painting of him from memory. But it would be different the second time around because she’d seen him in person.

  If she did do any new sketches, they would show a man embracing his wheelchair-bound fiancée. His eyes and rugged features would reveal intense suffering…

  While she waited for the runner from Mr. Wallace’s law firm to arrive, Rainey opened the manilla envelope. It appeared she was to design a series of cards that said “Goodbye—Enjoy your trip!” in various languages.

  Having lived in Italy, she reached for her sketch pad and began playing around with some ideas that immediately sprang to mind. Soon her hillside in Tuscany began to come alive like the pieces of a patchwork quilt.

  She drew in one of those charming farmhouses with the tiled roof. No one could see inside it, but her imagination allowed her to dream of two people madly in love. They stood at one of the windows overlooking their own spot of heaven. Twilight revealed two bodies entwined.

  As Rainey stared into space, she realized she’d been envisioning herself in Payne Sterling’s arms. It wasn’t the first time this had happened. She feared it wouldn’t be the last.

  Disturbed by thoughts she had no right to entertain, she threw down her pencil and got up from the desk.

  It was a good thing all physical evidence of him would be gone in a few minutes.

  But not from her mind.

  An overwhelming compulsion to look at him one more time drove her to the door of her apartment. She reached for her favorite painting.

  The more she studied it, the more she realized the person who’d gone down the Colorado with her brother seeking adventure bore little resemblence to the man she’d faced in the courtroom.

  Rainey finally put it back with the others.

  How tragic to think the woman he’d fallen in love with could no longer run into his arms. Talk about cruel.

  She tried to imagine herself in his fiancée’s place. How hard it must be for her to want to do everything for him, to share everything with him when she—

  The buzzer sounded from the foyer, interrupting her tormented thoughts. She spoke through the intercom. When she’d ascertained it was the runner, she told him to come up.

  A half minute later there was a rap on the door. She opened it expecting to see a college-age person. Her greeting stuck in her throat to find a huskily built man blocking her exit. He was in his late thirties and wore casual clothes.

  “Ms. Bennett?”

  “Yes?”

  He looked beyond her to the apartment itself, as if he were casing the interior. Sensing something wasn’t right, she was about to close the door when another man came up behind him dressed in a business suit.

  “I’ll take it from here, John.”

  The second Rainey saw who it was, the breath rushed out of her lungs. Maybe she was hallucinating.

  The all-seeing blue eyes of Payne Sterling seemed to take in every detail of her face and body before their gazes locked.

  “I’m here for the artwork, Ms. Bennett, but I’d like to talk to you first.” His cultivated male voice permeated her bones. “May I come in?”

  Rainey couldn’t believe this was happening. Thank heaven she’d done her housecleaning earlier that morning.

  “Yes. Of course.”

  Once he’d stepped inside and shut the door, he dominated her tiny studio apartment.

  “Would you like to sit down?” Even to her own ears she sounded breathless.

  His glance darted to the sketch on her desk. “I can see that I’ve interrupted your work, but I don’t plan to be here that long. I’ve come to ask a special favor of you.”

  Rainey gulped. “If you’re worried about the other paintings, I’ll phone those authors who purchased them. When they hear what happened, they’ll send them back to me.”

  He shook his dark head. “Forget them. My concern lies in making my niece and fiancée feel secure. They’re the ones who panicked when they saw my likeness on the cover.”

  His hands went to his hips, underscoring his compelling masculinity. “I’d like them to meet the artist. Between you and me, I’m confident we’ll be able to dispel their fears that you’re a threat to me or anyone else.”

  She was stunned by his request.

  For one thing, she’d never imagined seeing him again. For another, it brought home the fact that she’d unwittingly terrorized two innocent people who loved him and needed reassurance.

  No matter his reasons for asking this favor of her, somewhere in Rainey’s psyche she knew she should say no for her own self-preservation.

  What was it she remembered about the cycle of temptation?

  First you allowed the thought to enter your mind. Then you began to fantasize about it. From there you started making plans. Finally you found yourself acting on those plans.

  The man she now knew as Payne Sterling had been in her thoughts for two years. Since court she’d entertained certain intimate fantasies about him. If she agreed to his request, it meant crossing that precarious line into the “making plans” phase.

  What really shocked her was how much she wanted to make plans with him, even though it meant meeting his fiancée. Was she some kind of masochist?

  Clinging to one last thread of common sense she said, “They’re welcome to come here to my studio.”

  “It would be easier for my fiancée if I take you to them.”

  Of course. The apartment didn’t have an elevator. What was the matter with her?

  “I’d like to surprise them with good news,” he continued. “It’ll be the best medicine of all.”

  But not for me Rainey’s heart cried. Help—what should she do?

  “When were you thinking of us meeting?” She fought to keep the tremor out of her voice.

  “As soon as possible. Perhaps this evening after we’ve both finished work for the day.”

  This evening?

  A shiver of excitement passed through her body.

  “I see.” She bit her lip remembering it was Friday and she had a date with Ken.

  “By your hesitation I assume you’re not free.”

  His eyes held hers. She could sense his urgency and the accompanying disappointment.

  “I—I’ll change my plans,” she stammered. “After the pain I’ve put you and your family through, it’s the least I can do.”

  Ken would forgive her when she told him it was a legal matter. He above all people would understand.

  The only person who didn’t feel right about the whole situation was Rainey. Not when her attraction to this man was so intense.

  “Thank you, Ms. Bennett. Have you ever flown in a helicopter?”

  Her pulse started to race. “Yes. My brother’s friend runs a helicopter service in Las Vegas. He’s flown me over the Grand Canyon several times.”

  “Good. I’ll send the limo for you at four o’clock. We’ll leave from my office as soon as you arrive. Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

  “Work—” she blurted, throwing herself a lifeline. “I’m behind becau—”

  “Because I forced you into court,” he finished for her. “Bring it with you an
d anything else you’ll require for an overnight stay, including a bathing suit.”

  Oh no.

  Rainey averted her eyes. She was terrified he would see how excited she was at the prospect of going anywhere with him…of spending time with him.

  And his fiancée, a little voice nagged. Never forget that, Rainey Bennett.

  When she felt recovered enough to meet his glance, she discovered him studying her prized serigraph of the Nantucket Lighthouse painted by Thomas McKnight. It hung next to her own paintings, the few that hadn’t yet been purchased by the authors of those books.

  He suddenly turned in her direction, catching her staring at him. She didn’t look away, but heat scorched her cheeks.

  “Would you bring your dog’s picture when you come?”

  She shouldn’t have been surprised he’d seen the small framed photo perched on her desk. He noticed everything. What intrigued her was the reason why he’d made the request.

  “All right.”

  Their eyes held for a brief moment. “I’ll see you later.”

  In an economy of movement he gathered the paintings and went out the door. Unable to help herself, she watched until he and the same security man named John disappeared from view.

  After shutting the door she leaned against it, wondering if she was in the middle of one of her dreams about him. But six hours later she knew everything was real when John and another security man appeared at the door. They helped her to the limousine with her bags.

  Insulated by glass that allowed her to look out without being seen, she enjoyed being chauffeured to the Financial District even though it was rush hour. Once they arrived in the underground parking of the Sterling building, she was whisked by private elevator to the penthouse.

  When the doors opened to Mr. Payne’s office suite, Rainey couldn’t control the gasp that escaped her throat. It was like walking into her own painting.

  Her dark-haired hero looked up from his massive oak desk and said, “Since seeing the cover on Manhattan Merger, I’ve had the same reaction as you every time I’ve walked in my office.”

  Rainey stood there speechless.

  Her gaze darted from the small framed photo perched on his desk to the painting of a ship passing a lighthouse.

  “No,” she whispered in disbelief.

  It hung on the only wall not made of glass, just the way she’d set things up in her painting.

  And then there was the dynamic billionaire himself.

  Dressed in the expensive-looking blue suit he’d worn to her apartment earlier, it could have been the same suit she’d put on him in the painting. Behind him loomed the Manhattan skyline, astonishingly similar to the one she’d painted for the cover.

  Still in shock, she watched as he got out of his swivel chair and brought her the small picture from his desk.

  “I’m afraid to look,” she confessed in a shaky voice as he closed the distance between them and handed it to her.

  One glance at it and her green eyes flew to his. “This dog—the face—it looks like Winston!”

  He nodded. “Meet Bruno, my trusty bullmastiff.”

  “I don’t believe it,” she murmured, starting to feel light-headed. The picture slipped to the lush carpet.

  Suddenly she felt a hard-muscled arm go around her. He ushered her to the nearest leather chair.

  Their faces were almost touching. She could see the alarm in those unforgettable blue eyes, feel his breath on her cheek. “You went so pale just now. I’ll get you some water.”

  In the next instant he’d returned and put the cup to her lips.

  She drank every drop hoping he would move away from her, but to her consternation he hunkered down next to her after she’d finished.

  He was too close— He smelled too good— She couldn’t think, let alone breathe.

  “Better now?” The concern in his deep voice was too much.

  “I—I’m fine. Thank you.” She stood up abruptly in an effort to separate herself from him.

  The picture was still lying on the floor. Needing something physical to do in her chaotic state, she walked over and picked it up. To her relief the glass hadn’t broken. At last she had the answer to why he’d requested she bring her picture of Winston along.

  She put it back on his desk before turning to him. “Mr. Sterling—”

  “Surely we’re beyond the formalities,” he broke in.

  No! We aren’t! We can’t be!

  “My name is Payne.”

  I know. I don’t dare use it.

  Her body was trembling. “I swear I’ve never been in your office before!”

  Lines marred his rugged features. “After your testimony in court and the way you almost fainted just now, you think I don’t know that?”

  She put a hand to her throat. “I don’t see how I could have painted everything so true to life! There’s such a thing as coincidence. But this is something else…”

  “My feelings exactly.”

  Rainey shook her head. “I’m not one to believe in an out-of-body experience that brought me to this office.”

  “Nor I.”

  She stared at him once more. “I’m frightened. How do you explain something like this happening?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck before eyeing her through narrowed lids. “The judge said it. Some things can’t be explained. You just have to accept them.”

  “But your fiancée probably won’t believe I haven’t been stalking you. I wouldn’t!” Warmth rosied her cheeks.

  His expression grew solemn. “That’s why I want you with me when we tell her and Catherine the true situation.”

  “Your niece?”

  “Yes.”

  “How old is she?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Are you two close?”

  “Very,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have favorites, but when you meet her, you’ll understand why.”

  Rainey moaned. “I have to assume they’ve both been to your office.”

  He nodded. “Catherine, many times.”

  “When they saw the cover, they must have been petrified. I’m so sorry—” Rainey blurted.

  “Don’t you think you’ve beaten yourself enough?” There was an edge to his tone that silenced her. “Let’s agree it’s been a hellish week for everyone concerned and get out of here.”

  By now he’d reached the elevator and stood there a male entity of barely suppressed energy waiting to break free of the confining walls of his office.

  Her heartbeat accelerated to a sickening pitch. Since coming to this office, being touched by him, she felt a stronger connection to him than ever.

  This was wrong, all wrong. Yet she found herself taking one step, then another, toward him.

  Her conscience screamed at her to beg off with some excuse before it was too late.

  Still she kept going.

  The doors closed, sealing her inside with him. So much for listening to the nagging voice that told her she would live to regret this.

  They rode to the roof where his helicopter sat waiting.

  She should stop this madness now, before things went any further. But the temptation to go where he led was greater than any force she’d ever known.

  He walked to the helicopter with her and helped her get in. The security man she’d drawn in the courtroom for the judge followed them at a short distance. He climbed in behind her.

  After fastening the seat strap, she realized she’d become an eager participant in a plan that could lead to her destruction. Yet one look at Payne Sterling sitting in the co-pilot’s, so alive and vital, and no power on earth could tear her away.

  The whir of the rotors drowned out the last death gasp of her conscience. There was liftoff.

  Rainey was being carried beyond the point of no return.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  AFTER court, Payne had decided to spend the night at the penthouse working. In phone calls to both Catherine and Diane, he’d told them they could stop worrying. Al
l would be explained when he arrived at Phyllis’s on Friday evening.

  He’d made arrangements for Diane to be picked up and driven to his sister’s home where they’d have dinner. The two women had no idea he was bringing a guest.

  Catherine would be delighted.

  Diane would be disappointed the two of them weren’t going to be alone. But her relief when she met the artist and found out Rainey was no stalker would go a long way to help make up for it.

  More aware of the woman seated behind the pilot than he wanted to be, Payne let Mac do the honors of orienting her during the flight. But they were nearing Crag’s Head now.

  He turned his head in her direction. “We’ll be putting down shortly. From there it’s a short drive to my sister’s house.”

  Rainey nodded her well-shaped head whose hair gleamed a silvery gold in the late afternoon rays of the sun. He could tell she was loving every minute of the ride. Her eyes were drinking in everything.

  So were his.

  He couldn’t seem to get enough of her charming profile or the mold of her body in the attractive yellow sundress with the white short-sleeved jacket she was wearing.

  On impulse he told his pilot to circle Crag’s Head before landing. The stark whiteness of the remodeled lighthouse against the vivid blue of the ocean never failed to thrill him. He wondered what her artist’s eye would make of the view.

  Her reaction wasn’t long in coming.

  When the helicopter dipped toward his property, she cried out in awe, turning her head every which way to keep it in sight. The pilot swung around, giving her the full treatment.

  “Oh—” she exclaimed again in what sounded like absolute delight. “It resembles Le Corbusier’s chapel at Ronchamps I once visited. Yet it’s a lighthouse too. The integration is pure genius. It’s the most fabulous thing I’ve ever seen!”

  Her shining green eyes fused with his. “Is it a museum? Can you go inside?”

  Her ecstatic response pleased him in ways he didn’t dare contemplate. “I think it could be arranged.”

  The comment produced a grin from his pilot who circled lower to land on the pad.

  “You mean we’re going to go inside now?” She sounded incredulous and so excited he could feel it in every atom of his body.