No Ordinary Fortune Read online

  She hadn’t thought about that. She should have, though. Yet for some reason, it really didn’t matter. It wasn’t like they were naked. Not yet, anyway.

  Carlo took her hand and led her to his king-size bed. If their kisses meant anything at all, making love with him was going to be unimaginable. Amazing. Magical.

  Everything about this night felt so good. So right. She was about to tell him that when he caught her jaw in his hand and brought her mouth to his in another earth-spinning kiss that stole her thoughts, her words and, quite possibly, her heart.

  * * *

  Carlo couldn’t get enough of Schuyler. As his hands slid along the curve of her back and down the slope of her hips, a surge of desire shot clean through him. He pulled her hips forward, against his erection. She must have realized how badly he wanted her because she whimpered into his mouth and arched forward, rubbing against him, making him grow even harder.

  She was driving him crazy, and by the time he thought that the urge to make love would turn him inside out, she tore her mouth away from his, ending the kiss.

  Her passion-glazed eyes locked onto his, capturing him and holding him hostage. He ought to run like hell. Instead, he didn’t dare move. In fact, if she had any requests, he’d promise her damn near anything.

  She slowly turned around, revealing the back of that alluring red dress. “Unzip me. Please?”

  “My pleasure.” He did as she requested, then watched as she pushed the fabric over her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

  She stood before him in a skimpy black bra and a matching thong. When she turned to face him, a sexual flush revealed her arousal, her readiness to join him in bed.

  Her body, petite yet lithe, was everything he’d imagined it to be and more. He couldn’t help marveling at her perfection.

  She reached up, removed the clip from her hair, then shook out the thick, glossy strands in a move that was almost his undoing.

  While she unhooked her bra, tossed it aside and removed her thong, he unbuttoned his dress shirt and shrugged it off. Once he’d taken off his shoes and the rest of his clothing, he eased toward her, his heart pounding, his blood racing.

  She skimmed her nails across his chest, sending a shiver up his spine and a rush of heat through his veins. He couldn’t wait any longer. He filled his hands with her breasts, firm and round, the dusky pink tips peaked and begging to be touched, to be loved and kissed.

  As he bent and took a nipple in his mouth, she gasped in pleasure. He lavished first one breast, and then the other. All the while, she gripped his shoulder, her nails pressing into his skin.

  “I don’t know how much more I can take,” she said, her words coming out in slow, ragged huffs. “I need to feel you inside me.”

  Happy to oblige, he lifted her in his arms and placed her on top of the bed. Her luscious blond hair splayed upon the azure blue pillow sham while her perfect body stretched out on the comforter. She lifted her arms toward him, silently urging him to lie with her.

  He paused for a beat, drinking in the angelic sight, then he reached into his nightstand drawer and removed several condoms from the box. Something told him they’d need to have plenty of them handy tonight.

  With that taken care of, he joined her on the bed, where they continued to kiss, to taste and to arouse each other until they were both eager to become one.

  He tore open one of the packets and rolled the condom in place. As he hovered over her, she reached for his erection, opened for him and guided him where he needed to be. The moment he entered her, joining their bodies, a burst of pleasure shot through him. She arched up, meeting each of his thrusts.

  This was unbelievable. Staggering, yet in the most surprising sense of the word. He tried to tell himself it was only sex. That it was the same lust that had driven him to propose to Cecily. But nothing he’d ever experienced, ever felt, compared to this. And after tonight, he didn’t want to experience it with anyone else.

  As Schuyler reached a peak, she cried out and let go. That was all it took to send him over the edge. He shuddered, releasing with her in a sexual explosion that had both his heart and his head spinning.

  But as his climax ebbed, realization dawned, and he had to face a startling truth, one that shook him to the core and knocked him for a loop.

  He was falling for Schuyler, a woman who claimed to be a romantic tumbleweed, just as he’d once been. And that scared the hell out of him. Schuyler Fortunado had the power to break his heart in two.

  They’d both entered this thing—whatever it was—because they thought it might be “fun.” But feeling this way about her wasn’t fun, and falling in love wasn’t a game.

  Still, as they lay in the afterglow, Carlo pulled her close, spooning with her in his bed. She seemed to be taking it all in stride. Wasn’t she the least bit worried about what was happening? Or did she consider it all fun and games?

  He damn sure wouldn’t ask. He couldn’t face the fact that he’d fallen for a woman who didn’t love him back.

  For now, he would hold her until the last wave of pleasure subsided, wishing it would never end and knowing it would. Like it or not, it was just a matter of time till Schuyler got a wild hair and moved on to something or someone else.

  * * *

  It was nearly dawn. Schuyler was lying in Carlo’s bed, wrapped in the comfort of his arms. Yet it only made her antsy, eager to run away, and she hadn’t slept a wink.

  She’d spent the last hour reliving each heated touch, each tantalizing kiss. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined how good their lovemaking would be. Nor had she realized that she’d end up wanting to spend every night with him. Not just while she was in Austin, but for the rest of her life.

  How was that for bad luck?

  For as long as she’d been old enough to date, she’d sworn that she didn’t want a serious relationship with anyone. And then she’d met Carlo, and she’d begun to reconsider that belief.

  At first she’d told herself that her fondness for him was due to the fact that he was fun to be around. And since he felt the same way about commitments that she did, he didn’t threaten her independent spirit. But now she realized there was a lot more to it than that. He wasn’t the threat. She was.

  She’d fallen hard for him, head over heels, heart over brain. And now she had no idea what the morning sun would bring.

  He kept a box of condoms handy, within easy reach of his bed. Undoubtedly he had reason to use them often. So what happened if she pushed for something more serious with him, something that might require a commitment from him, if not a ring?

  He’d run for the hills. She had no doubt of that. And where would that leave her?

  She’d be out of a job, one she really liked and the first she’d ever had that allowed her to shine on her own merits. And worse than that, Carlo’s rejection would break her heart.

  He lay next to her, his breathing soft and steady, clearly at peace and oblivious to her worries. She glanced at the clock on the bureau. It was nearly five o’clock. If he hadn’t brought her here, if she hadn’t left her car back at the winery, she would have slipped out of bed quietly and driven home. But she was stuck.

  Oh, God. What a mess. And she had only herself to blame. She should have known better.

  She rolled to the side. Carlo hadn’t yet told her that all good things came to an end, and her heart was already battered and aching. She needed to talk to someone. The only one who’d ever truly understood her was her grandmother, but Glammy was gone. There was one other person she could call. Someone wise and kind. Someone who’d offer her compassion and guidance without judgment.

  Of all her brothers and sisters, Everett was the one she looked up to, the one whose judgment was always sound. He was also the one she went to when she was confused or her feelings were hurt.

  Everett had made the perfect career choice whe
n he went to medical school. He was a born physician, a healer in every sense of the word. And he’d always been able to put things back to right.

  But not this time. She didn’t think he could help her straighten out the mess she’d made of her life. Nor could anyone mend her broken heart.

  Still, she’d call him the first chance she got. In the meantime, she carefully slipped out of Carlo’s embrace, trying her best not to wake him. Then she picked up her discarded clothing and tiptoed to the bathroom.

  By the time she’d showered and done her best to freshen up, the sun had finally risen. And Carlo had woken up.

  “Good morning,” he said. “You’re up early.”

  “I...um...need to check on the puppies. I called Dottie last night and told her I’d be late coming in and that I’d get them in the morning. But I don’t want to take advantage of her, especially when I might need to leave them with her again.”

  Carlo threw off the covers, revealing his long, lean sexy body in all of his masculine glory. “As soon as I shower, I’ll fix a quick breakfast.”

  Her tummy clenched at the thought of food and after-the-lovin’ small talk at the dining room table. But she couldn’t surrender to the urge. “That’s okay. I’m not hungry. And I rarely eat before nine.”

  “How about a cup of coffee to go? Or a glass of orange juice?”

  She tossed him a breezy smile, hoping he wouldn’t see right through it. “I’d better take a rain check.”

  He nodded. “Sure. No problem. Next time.”

  Only there wouldn’t be a next time. She couldn’t allow herself a luxury like that. Not when her emotions were spiraling out of control.

  Again, she feigned a smile. “Thanks for a great evening.”

  “Don’t thank me. It was my pleasure.” He nodded toward the bathroom. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll take you to your car.”

  True to his word, he was dressed and ready to go within minutes. He hadn’t taken the time to shave, which gave him a rough-and-rugged edge, one she found appealing.

  On the drive to the winery, neither of them said much. Those fake, carefree smiles had been hard enough to manage. She wouldn’t have been able to fake a happy-go-lucky conversation.

  Heck, she couldn’t even glance across the seat to check out his expression. She was too afraid of what she’d see—and how badly it would hurt.

  He pulled into the parking lot and stopped next to her car, but he didn’t turn off the engine. No doubt, he was eager to be on his way. Gosh, it hurt just to think about it.

  “Thanks again,” she said, trying her best to be upbeat. “It was a great party. And last night, at your house, was amazing. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

  How was that for breezy and carefree?

  “You got it.” His brow furrowed. “Are you having regrets?”

  “About what? Last night?” She waved off the thought with a limp hand. “No, not at all. It’s what we both wanted. Right?”

  “Yeah.”

  She lifted her fingers to her lips and blew him a kiss. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Yeah.”

  She grabbed her purse and headed for her car.

  Love. Ha! No wonder she’d been so determined to remain single. But even sarcasm didn’t take the edge off her ragged feelings.

  Carlo didn’t drive away. He waited until she got behind the wheel and started her engine. Then he continued to watch until she backed out of the parking space and headed down the driveway.

  She’d barely reached the highway when she dialed her brother’s number. She usually called him at the office, but not today. He’d still be home.

  When he answered, it took her a moment to gather her thoughts and to blink back her tears.

  “Hey,” she finally said. “What’s for breakfast, Doc?” She’d meant her comment to sound normal, as if she wasn’t about to burst into tears. But she couldn’t squelch a sniffle.

  “What’s wrong, Schuyler?”

  Darn it. He always knew when something was off, even though she rarely cried.

  “I...well, I think I’ve screwed up.”

  “Didn’t I tell you not to chase after the Fortunes?”

  “It’s not them. I’ve met quite a few, and all of them have been nice. It’s just that...” Her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to blink them back.

  “Are you crying?”

  She sniffled again. “It’s just allergies.”

  “You don’t have allergies.”

  “I do now. I’m allergic to tall, dark and handsome men.”

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “I’m in Austin.”

  “Still? When are you coming home?”

  “I don’t know. I’m...” Her voice waffled, and her eyes welled once again. Dang it. She never cried. Well, rarely. She blew out a sigh. “Okay, here’s the deal. I’ve fallen in love with a guy who’s determined to remain single the rest of his life.”

  “You met a man with the same philosophy you have?”

  “Yes, that’s about the size of it. Only I seem to have changed my mind about weddings and a home in the suburbs with a swing set in the backyard. And it’s killing me to feel this way.”

  “And you’ve only been in Austin for two weeks? I knew your impulsivity would get you in trouble eventually.”

  “So it happened fast. But it’s real. And it hurts. What should I do, Doc?”

  “Pack your things and come home.”

  “Just like that? I can’t. I’ve got...responsibilities.”

  “Like what?”

  “A job for one thing, although I probably need to quit. It’s at the Mendoza Winery, and Carlo—that’s the guy I’m dating...well, was dating. Anyway, he’s the vice president.”

  “If you don’t feel comfortable around him you should leave.”

  “That’s the problem. I’ve never felt so comfortable around a man in my life. But he’s a heartbreak waiting to happen. And it’s tearing me up to think about it. I don’t want to stay, but I can’t leave... I’m so confused.”

  “Have you talked to him about any of this?”

  “Heavens no. I don’t want him to flip out. It would ruin our working relationship. But then again, it’s practically ruined already.”

  “Listen, Schuyler. I’ll need to shift some appointments around and change a meeting, but I’m coming to see you in Austin within the next day or so. Hang tight. We’ll work through this. And hopefully, by then, you’ll be ready to come home.”

  It was nice to know she had someone in her corner. “Thanks, Doc.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  She gave him the address. “But call first. By the time you get there, I could be at the winery. Or at the dog park.”

  “Why in the world would you be—” He paused. “Don’t tell me you adopted a dog.”

  “Not one. Two. And they’re puppies.”

  “Do you think that was a good idea?”

  “Probably not, but my landlord, who’s also my neighbor, has taken a real shine to them. And she looks after them for me sometimes. I guess you could say we’re sharing custody at the moment.”

  When he didn’t respond, she said, “Oh, come on, Everett. Don’t tell me I’m too irresponsible to be a pet owner, let alone...” She left the rest unsaid.

  “I’d never say that, Schuyler. One of these days, when the right man comes along, you’re going to be an amazing wife and mom. And you’ll get that home in the suburbs.”

  “You have no idea how much I appreciate your saying that.”

  “I mean it.”

  She knew he did. Everett never minced words or tromped on hearts. “I love you, Doc.”

  “Hang in there. It’ll all work out—one way or another.”

  She wanted to believe him. But something tol
d her that her current problem was one that even Everett couldn’t fix.

  Chapter Eleven

  Twenty minutes after ending her telephone conversation with Everett, Schuyler arrived at her temporary home. She’d told Carlo she needed to check on Fluff and Stuff, and that was on her to-do list. But first she had to get inside her studio apartment before Dottie spotted her wearing the same outfit she’d left in last night.

  Not that it mattered. It wasn’t anyone’s business what she did. At least, that’s what she’d always told herself when defending one of her choices in the past.

  She’d no more than entered her small digs and kicked off her heels when her phone rang. She assumed Everett had forgotten to tell her something, but when she grabbed her cell and saw Carlo’s name on the lighted display, her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.

  As her eyes began to well with tears, she nearly silenced the darn thing. If just seeing his name could set off that kind of visceral response, what would the sound of his voice do to her, let alone the words he might say?

  Still, her fingers froze, and the blasted phone continued to ring. If she didn’t answer pretty soon, the call would roll over to voice mail before she made the decision to take it or not.

  What was wrong with her? She hadn’t always made the best choices in the past, but she’d never been indecisive.

  Get a grip, Schuyler. What would Glammy do if this were happening to her? She certainly wouldn’t put her tail between her legs. She’d take the call.

  Schuyler swiped her finger across the screen to answer, just as the ringtone stopped. Great. Now what?

  She cleared her throat, shook off her apprehension and returned the call.

  When Carlo answered, she let out a nervous little chuckle. “Sorry about that. I couldn’t get to my phone in time.”

  Okay, so that was a lie. And even though it was just a little one, guilt still warmed her cheeks.

  “I called to see if you got home okay,” Carlo said. “You seemed a little...off when I dropped you at your car. Are you all right?”