Envy(27)

The galley kitchen was narrow, even by New York standards. Off the living room, a closed door led to what she assumed was a bedroom. She was making her way toward that door when hands seized her around the waist.

“I thought I told you not to snoop,” Noah said, nuzzling her ear.

“I didn’t know that I was. When are you going to tell me why you leased this apartment?”

“In good time. Be patient.”

“Is my present behind door number one?”

“Let’s take a look.” He walked her toward the door. “You may open it now.”

The room was a small cubicle, but a generous window made it appear larger. It was furnished with a desk, a leather swivel chair, and shelves only partially filled with books. It was further equipped with a telephone, a computer and printer, and a fax machine. A yellow legal tablet lay on the desk beside a metal pencil holder filled with sharpened pencils.

Maris took in every detail, then turned and looked at Noah.

He laid his hands on her shoulders and massaged them gently. “I know you’ve wondered about the late hours I’ve been keeping, as well as the unaccounted-for time I’ve spent away from home and office.”

“I confess.”

“I apologize for causing you to worry. I wanted this place to be completely set up before you saw it. It’s taken me weeks to get it ready. Months, if you factor in the time I spent searching for a suitable space.”

“A suitable space for what?”

“Well, not for conducting the illicit affair you thought I was having.”

She lowered her eyes. “Again, I confess.”

“With Nadia?”

“She topped the list of suspects.”

“Maris,” he said reproachfully.

She tossed her head back and shook out her hair, as though freeing herself of a burden. “God, I’m glad it’s not that.”

“Feel better?”

“Immeasurably. But, if this apartment wasn’t designated as a love nest, what did you lease it for?”

He ducked his head in what could only be described as shyness. “Writing.”

“Writing?” she repeated on a thin breath.

“That’s your anniversary present. I’ve begun writing again.”

For several moments she was too stunned to speak, then she threw herself against him. “Noah! That’s wonderful. When? What made you… You always get so defensive whenever I mention it. Oh, I’m thrilled. Thrilled!”

She rained kisses over his face. He laughed and indulged her enthusiasm. Finally he set her away, keeping her at arm’s length. “Don’t get carried away. I’ll probably fail miserably.”

“You won’t,” she said adamantly. “I don’t believe for a moment that you’re the one-book wonder you fear you are. The author of The Vanquished—”

“Which I wrote years ago, Maris, when I was full of passion, a young man with stars in his eyes.”

“And talent,” she stressed. “Talent like yours isn’t depleted by one book, Noah. It doesn’t simply disappear. On the contrary, I think it ripens with age and experience.”

“We’ll see.” He glanced at the computer dubiously. “In any case, I’m willing to test your theory. I’m going to give it a shot.”

“You’re not just doing it for me, are you?”

“I couldn’t do it just for you. Writing is damn hard work. It’s borderline masochistic. If your heart’s not in it, you’re doomed before you start.” He rubbed his knuckles against her jaw. “This is something I want to do. Very much. And if it pleases you, that’s a bonus.”

“It pleases me very much. I couldn’t be more pleased.” She hugged him tightly, then kissed him with more heat than she could remember feeling for a long time.

As their lips clung, Noah slipped off his jacket. Her heart quickened. The surroundings were unfamiliar and untried. It would feel a shade illicit if they made love in this new apartment, on the sofa, on the rug. Hell, on the desk. Why not? They were grown-ups.

She slid her hands up his chest and began working on the knot of his necktie. But he moved her aside, sat down at the keyboard, and booted up the computer.

“I’m so anxious to get started.”

“Now?”

He swiveled his chair around and looked up at her, grinning sheepishly. “Do you mind? It’s taken me weeks to set up my new playground, but I haven’t had time to play in it. I barely got the finishing touches put on this afternoon before the chef and waiters arrived. I’d like to install my software and maybe jot down a few notes. I’ve been toying with an idea. I’m afraid if I don’t commit it to paper, it’ll vanish. Do you mind if I work awhile?”

She forced herself to smile. “No. Of course not. Not at all.”

There wasn’t to be a romantic conclusion to the evening, and that was disappointing. But, fairly, she couldn’t complain. This was what she had wanted. This was what she had been encouraging him to do for years.

“I’ll say good-bye and leave you to your work.”

“You don’t have to go, Maris. You can hang around if you like.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to be a distraction. Besides, I need to go home and pack for my trip.”