“If I have a vicious wit, as you claim, I’ve not used it to end relationships. I’ve traveled a great deal in years past, and if I’m away at Christmas, or miss a girlfriend’s birthday, she usually finds someone else to keep her entertained.”
“You ought to find a woman with her own business so she’ll have plenty to keep her occupied when you’re out of town.”
Griffin slid his fingers through her hair and then gently mussed it. “I thought I already had.” When Darcy failed to respond, he dropped his arms, but she surprised him by remaining seated in a graceful curve across his lap.
“I’m in no rush,” he assured her, and he gathered her into a fond embrace. “We have plenty of time to get to know each other.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” Darcy admitted softly, “and I don’t even know where to begin.”
“I’m not so different from the next guy. I was born in Atlanta, and my parents still live there. My father’s an attorney, and my mother gives piano lessons. If I visit them for more than a week, I begin to sound like a Southerner again rather than the cultured artist I was trained to be.”
Darcy refused to admit she’d never been able to resist a Southern accent for fear he would use it to his own advantage, and he already possessed too many. “Did your mother teach you to play the piano?” she asked instead.
“Yes. She thought it was cute that I was so fascinated by the music she played, and she began giving me impromptu lessons. By the time I was five, she realized I was the most talented student she’d ever had. When she’d taught me all that she could, she found me a more accomplished teacher, and then another. I completed the last of my training in Europe, although, of course, there will always be more to learn.
“I could have begun a successful concert career in my teens, but I wanted to meet musicians my own age, rather than totally miss the fun of growing up, and so I came home to attend Juilliard. It proved to be a wise choice, for when I began winning international competitions, I was old enough to handle the pressure and deal with the instant fame.”
“You never wanted to do anything else with your life?”
“No. This is what I was born to be. I know it as surely as you knew the day you saw Kate Sessions’ work and decided to landscape fabulous gardens.”
Darcy turned to look up at him. “How did you remember her name?”
“Why are you surprised? I remember everything about you.”
When he inclined his head, Darcy welcomed his kiss, and in the next breath she welcomed whatever his loving might bring. The cost would surely be a broken heart, but not to know such a remarkable man would be an even greater tragedy.
Griffin kissed her until they were both dizzy and then pulled away. “We’ll have to do something about your schedule. When you work seven days a week, there isn’t much time for us to be together.”
Darcy tried not to scream in frustration, but she hadn’t even slept with the man, and he was already trying to run her life. She considered his criticism misdirected, and her posture stiffened.
“Christy Joy and I thought once we got the business running well, we’d each be able to take off a couple of days every week. Unfortunately, neither of us owns a crystal ball, and we didn’t foresee having to move in the fall. That means there won’t be any time off for anyone anytime soon. So before you complain about my frantic schedule, stop to consider why I’m so damn busy.”
Griffin moaned in mock pain. “I’d like a truce on that subject too.”
“How convenient, but if we avoid the inevitable conflicts, all we’ll have is bland co-existence. That won’t leave much room for the passion you pour into your music.”
“My God, Darcy, are you this tough on all the men you date?”
Darcy bowed her head slightly. “No, only the ones I really care about, and you know I’m right.”
Griffin hugged her. “I wish I’d never leased you that damn building.”
“Then Christy Joy and I might not have gone into business together. I’d not have moved here from LA, and we’d never have met.”
“So you see this real estate disaster as a good thing?”
“Yeah, in some strange twisted sort of way, it is.”
With a gentle hold, Griffin picked her up and set her on her feet. “Finish your dinner, and then we can negotiate some ground rules.”
Darcy sat in her chair, but left the broccoli untouched. “Everything was delicious, but I’m full.”
“Fine, but I’m still hungry.” Griffin scraped the carton to slide the last bit of walnut shrimp onto his plate, then added some fried rice. “I was afraid I’d not brought enough, but you didn’t eat very much.”
“I’m not even half your size, Griffin, it’s only natural that I’d eat less.” She sipped her tea and watched him eat. He had as fine manners as she’d expected and didn’t once lick his fingers.
When Griffin finally finished, he tossed Darcy a fortune cookie. “I hope it says you’ll meet a tall, dark and handsome stranger.”