Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut (21 page)

The lights clicked off downstairs and a moment later, Rick leaned in my open doorway. Nestled in my window seat, I pretended to read a romance novel I'd borrowed from Alex's rare collection of paperbacks.

"If you actually turned a page, you might find out how the story ends." He stepped inside my room—a sure sign of another discussion. "Mars, if you still want out of The Program, I'll talk to Chuck. We'll find a way to make it happen."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Believe me I've thought about it, but things are better for everyone if I stay."

"What? Are you remaining a candidate for me?"

After Daniel died, I worried Dad would resent being stuck with a teenage girl. Daniel went to Ohio State football games with him, hockey tournaments, and even played on his bowling league. I never doubted Dad loved me. I just couldn't be his
son.

Nor could I shake the fear I served as a reminder of Mom's betrayal and the guilt he shouldered for not protecting me from the consequence. If I stayed in The Program, Dad's future was secure. It was my way of making up for all the bad by trying to do something good.

"And Mom. She keeps her job if I stay."

"Marli! I don't need The Program's money. And your mother..." He stopped, pursed his lips. "Best not say what I'm thinking, but trust me, even she wouldn't want you suffering this heartache on our behalf."

"What about Grandma? If it wasn't for The Program, she'd be dead now. The government would never have let her to live this long."

"Your grandmother is my concern, not yours."

Dad joined me on the window seat. "Honey, forget everyone else. Do what makes
you
happy." He kissed my cheek. "Life's too short and you're too young...
waaayy
too young."

I waited until I heard the muffled sound of the viewing screen behind Rick's closed bedroom door, before sneaking outside to call Jesse…to thank him for his gift...and hear his voice.

He sounded sleepy and talked through a long, wide yawn. "Hi. How was graduation? Did you wow them with your speech?"

"I don't think it will be forgotten anytime soon."

After suffering through an embarrassing recount of my fainting in front of the entire assembly followed by Jesse's teasing, I thanked him for the tickets.

"I can't wait see you." His voice quieted. "I miss you, Mars." He yawned long again. "Forgive me, babe, but can we talk later? I just got in a couple hours ago and need to get some serious
ZZZ's
before heading to the island tomorrow."

The island? "You're going to the island?"

"I've got to take some supplies to the house for the summer and check the place out to see if anything needs to be fixed, you know—the usual maintenance stuff. I'm hoping I can get some help from my elusive brother. Speaking of which, have you seen Jordan lately?"

At that point, I tried to end our conversation, but Jesse became surprisingly alert and suspicious. Jordan wasn't the only intuitive one. I confessed about Jordan coming to my graduation, but quickly explained he didn't stay long. Why, I don't know. I didn't owe Jesse any explanations.

"Why didn't Jordan stay? Did something happen?"

I tugged a weed growing next to the steps. "Jordan despised your present."
And the note—the hickey, and presently…me.

"He doesn't want you alone with me."

"No secret there. Jess, I've never seen Jordan so upset. He hates me."

"I don't believe that for a second." Jesse yawned again. "Sorry I caused so much trouble."

"You live to cause trouble."

"Not for you. I don't want you caught in the middle."

"Too late on all counts," I said. "I'm in the middle, I'm in trouble, and I'm coming to your concert."

After we said goodnight, I remained on the porch steps a while longer, listening to the crickets chirp their nighttime lullaby. I closed my eyes, imagining what night sounded like at the beach house. The way things ended with Jordan, I'd never know.

Didn't matter, I told myself. In two days I would be in Alaska with "tall-dark-and-handsome" from behind
Door Number 3.

13

HIDE AND SEEK

A
pair of long, denim covered legs with expensive looking boots peeking beneath the hem, leaned against the taxi shuttle sign. My gaze traveled upward to a gray shirt, sleeves rolled to below the elbows, exposing well-defined forearms. A pair of large hands held a makeshift sign—"5846?" There, propped against the post, stood
Door Number 3,
Douglas Peterson, in the flesh. Toned. Tight. Flesh.

When I shrugged, he unfolded and sauntered toward me. "Number 5846, I presume?" he asked in the same low timbre I'd heard on the pod.

I extended my hand."My friends call me Marli Davis for short."

He drew my hand to his lips in a gentleman's kiss. "A sense of humor. I like you already." A disarming grin appeared on his face."Welcome to Alaska, Marli Davis. I'm Doug Peterson, your personal tour guide
.
" He took my suitcase and led me a few short feet to where a little black sports car glistened in the sun.

"No way! A Lotus?"

"And she knows her cars. Impressive."

"Surprised. I pictured you driving some large mountain crawler with a snow plow on the front."

He slid behind the steering wheel. "You did not just use an ancient cliché of Alaska?"

I repressed a giggle at his attempt to appear offended. "I don't get out much."

Doug's laugh sounded melodic. I was in serious trouble. "Coming here from Ohio completely contradicts that statement, you know. Let's hope after this weekend, your opinion changes." He touched the ignition panel with his finger. A low, whirring sound replaced the powerful roar I expected and my eyes widened. "A hybrid," he explained.

"You're joking."

"I take it you were expecting something else…again?"

"I'm going with 'unexpected' from now on where you're concerned."
Hmm
purred in the back of his throat and my cheeks warmed in response.

Doug pulled onto Egan Drive and headed for downtown Juneau. Majestic mountains blanketed with pine trees formed a wall on one side of the highway, while indigo water edged the shoreline on the other. We passed under a canopy of gray clouds that settled over the city, winding our way through small streets lined with souvenir shops as we got closer to where the cruise ships were docked.

Doug touched my knee, sending a surprise jolt of electricity up my leg. "Hotel first? You probably want to get settled before I dazzle you at dinner?"

I pretended to be unaffected, brushing his hand away."I doubt you can top the Lotus."

A penthouse suite at the new Marriott hotel was beyond my expectations. An infrared beam zipped across my eyes before the security lock released. The door opened automatically and once inside, I turned immediately to make sure a deadbolt existed. Doors magically opening in the middle of the night would freak me out.

Past the entry in a small sitting room, a low table with a hammered brass caldron full of fresh yellow long-stemmed tulips stole my attention. My finger caressed a velvet petal.

"Tulips?"

Doug handed me a bottle of water. "Your favorite, if I'm not mistaking. Sorry, I couldn't find pink ones, but I believe yellow is one of your favorite colors?"

"You know about pink tulips? And my favorite colors?"

"Favorite colors were easy, but the pink tulips took some serious investigating." He reached for my hand. "Come. I'll give you the VIP tour
.
" He towed me through a set of double doors. "This is your bedroom and to the right is the bath, complete with a whirlpool tub and steam shower. There's also a laundry room off the kitchen."

I wandered into the bathroom. Exquisite tile work and marble covered the floors and a raised platform surrounding what could pass for a small swimming pool. A glass partition separated the tub from the steam shower. Large mirrors hung over the sinks and a wide full-length one covered the far wall.

"I may need a lifejacket to keep from drowning in the tub. This place is fantastic. Headquarters will love the bill."

Doug pressed me against the doorframe. His hands slipped inside my jacket and clamped my waist. "There isn't a bill."

I sidestepped, leaning against the opposite side of the doorjamb.
Too close, too fast.

"Why not?"

He didn't move, his gaze moving a slow roll over my body. "My family owns the hotel. This penthouse is mine."

Crap.

"What do you mean
your
penthouse?"

In one step Doug caged me, pressing his hands on the woodwork to the side of my head. A sly smile crept on full lips—lips close enough to touch mine.

"Don't panic. I'm staying at our house on Douglas Island."

My loud gulp echoed. "Please tell me Douglas Island is not named after you."

"No, only a nephew." He pushed back, raising his arms as if an outlaw facing the barrel of a gun. "Now you've spoiled it. I have nothing left to talk about at dinner. I guess I'm forced to spend the time interviewing you."

"You?" I asked, surprised he even suggested it. "But I thought that wasn't allowed."

"I'm not letting someone else decide who's 'qualified' for me to spend my life with, and first impressions are too important." He stopped in the bedroom doorway. "I'll pick you up at eight for dinner. Dress casual. I'm taking you where they make the best fish and chips, and the atmosphere is always fun." He laid a key card on the dresser. "This is a security card so you don't have to do the eye thing. I'll let myself out."

I followed, catching him at the entry door. "Hang on. I want to know. My first impression? Good or bad?"

His arm reached around me, drawing me against him. "Your first impression? Scary as hell. I'm still trying to catch my breath." He kissed my surprised mouth and disappeared out the magic door.

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe...and I wanted to kill Alex.

Mango scented bubbles billowed around my body and each tiny pop against my skin stole a worry. Lulled into a slumbering haze, I slithered deeper into the warm water. When my cell receptor rang on the floor beside me, I jerked awake and snorted perfumed water up my nose. A wave of water cascaded down the tile step, carrying the receptor away in the current. I stumbled from the tub and glided across the wet floor. Frantic, I wrapped the receptor in a towel and rubbed it dry. The face lit up and I checked the missed call. Jordan! I swiped the screen, but nothing worked.