Vowing not to let the Archers intimidate her, no matter how old their money, Mei slid from her car. Even at that, she dragged in a deep breath as she approached the imposing nine-foot-tall, carved wooden doors.
The bell she pressed sounded muffled by distance. No surprise there. What she didnt expect was to have the door yanked open by a freckle-faced, red-haired woman probably in her mid-fifties. Racing back and forth behind the harried-looking woman was a gap-toothed boy in bathing trunks, dripping water all over the marble entry. A second child, this one a pigtailed girl, also in swim wear, screeched in a high-pitched voice, Freda, shut the door! Mopsys gonna escape!
The woman grabbed Meis elbow and jerked her inside just as the boy chortled triumphantly and dropped a brightly colored bathing towel over a huge white rabbit. The girl fell to her knees and scooped up the squirming bundle, forcing Mei to leap aside once again. The children looked almost alike, except that the boy had short-cropped hair and the girl had soaking wet braids that stuck out at odd angles.
Phew! The adultthe housekeeper from what Mei could deducescraped wisps of hair off a perspiring forehead. Im not even going to ask which of you rascals opened that rabbits cage this time. You have ten seconds to put her back before I have a chat with you-know-who. The woman rolled her eyes elaborately to the left, and the children, faces decidedly guilty, ran up a wide curving staircase amid protests and giggles.
Mei watched their progress. She saw first one, then two long white ears and a twitching pink nose peek out from under the towel both children fought to carry.
Excuse our chaos, Freda murmured. Follow me please, Lieutenant. Ill take you to Mr. Archer. Hes in his office and said to show you right in.
The woman dashed off, deftly avoiding a pile of little olive-green men Mei identified as toy soldiers. As she walked, Freda pushed aside a doll carriage and then a big red fire engine. Mei picked her way through various rooms and hallways, noting as she did how incongruous the toys were among well-lit, clearly locked cases containing Samurai swords. On a wall, she spied at least two Renoirs. Scattered among overturned toys were pedestals on which stood Chinese vases that appeared to be the real thing.
In Meis childhood home, as she and her brother were growing up, neither wouldve been allowed to leave toys within sight of guests. She and Stephen had had a room designated for play. Even there, her mother expected order at all times.
Because the man shed come to see was on the phone when Freda opened his office door, Mei had a chance to assess him.
Cullen Archer glanced up and rose politely while attempting to end his call. Cloris, Ill fax you a list of the people we invited to the Villareal showing last year, okay?
Fredas gesture toward Mei Lu appeared to suffice as an introduction. Archer acknowledged her presence with a nod. But then Mei Lu felt abandoned by the housekeeper, who left her standing awkwardly in front of a total stranger.
And when she took a second look at Cullen Archer, Mei suffered a little punch to her stomach. Not easily rocked by a mans looks, she found it odd that her heart beat noticeably harder. Granted, he was tall, rangy and casually but expensively dressed. An abundance of black hair glinted silver at his temples.
He was distinguished, yes. But Mei had expected a much older man. Even after seeing the children, shed presumed her host had grandchildren visiting. These homes typically belonged to Houstons long-established residents.
Clearly, the western-cut shirt Archer wore didnt come off any rack. Nor did his gray slacks, one leg of which had caught on the upper edge of rich-looking, hand-tooled cowboy boots. It wasnt until he stepped around his desk and pulled out a chair he obviously intended for her that Mei drew near enough to glimpse his eyes. They were indecently long-lashed and a shade lighter than his slacks. She felt pierced through as his gaze ran the length of her body, and in a more leisurely manner cruised up to her lips, where his incredible eyes lingered.
Mei flushed, wondering if in her haste she hadnt put her lip gloss on straight. Reluctantly, she dropped into the chair, discreetly tugging down the navy skirt that slid up to mid-thigh. Clutching her purse atop her notebook, she sat statue-straight instead of letting her shoulders touch the brown leather chair back.
ONCE HIS GUEST had taken a seat, Cullen circled behind his desk again, all the while attempting to wind down his call. Listen, Cloris, I know youve had a hard time corralling the committee members for a meeting. Ill find an hour to discuss the glitch in the program this week. Right now I have a scheduled appointment.
Cullen turned then and stared squarely at said appointment. Heat crawled up his spine. He didnt know what hed thought a Houston police lieutenant would look like. Not, he decided, like the woman seated across from him as still and regal as a princess. For a fleeting moment, he wondered what it had taken her to reach a lieutenants rank.
Hed expected from the name Mei Lu that shed be Asian. The police chief, whom hed never personally met, had assured him the lieutenant fluently spoke and read Chinese. Cullen had just never imagined his interpreter would be so slender, so tall or so attractive. Standing, shed barely had to look up to meet his eyes, and he was a solid six feet. Her sleek hair was imprisoned in a knot a millimeter or so above a starched shirt collar; Cullens fingers itched to loosen the bonds holding the shiny black mass. Or maybe it was her blouse with its severe front tucks and pointy collar that made him feel an uncharacteristic desire to muss her up a little. More than a little, he realized, then deliberately turned and paced as far from her as the phone cord allowed. Itd been a long time since hed been attacked by such immediate lust.
Stretched to the end of his tether, Cullen wheeled again and noticed that the womanthe lieutenanthad beautiful skin. A pale saffron. As shed taken the chair he pulled out, Cullen had detected a faint hint of sandalwood mixed with something sweet. He found the scent a pleasing combination. Too pleasing.
Cloris. I have to go. Im keeping my guest waiting. Yes, Ill call Robert and Caroline. Well coordinate for Tuesday, I promise.
Absently dropping the receiver in its cradle, Cullen drew a hand through his thick hair. Sorry about the wait. May I offer you a beverage before we begin? I believe we have coffee, tea, or bottled water in various flavors.
Thank you, but no. Mei wanted to get down to business. The intense way this man studied her left her feeling at a disadvantage.
I hope you dont mind if I pour myself a cup of coffee. That was this years chairwoman of an art showing were trying to put together. Cloris Gaston has a way of talking on and on without taking a breath. I find I need some caffeine.
Mei relaxed a little. In that case, Ill have a cup of tea.
Cullen rounded the desk and strode toward a corner of the room Mei now saw held a coffeepot, microwave and minibar. Hed just set two cups on a tray when one of the children Mei had seen earlier, the girl, tore into the room, sobbing loudly. Cullen stepped out from behind the counter and swung the child up in a tangle of bare arms and legs.
Mei noticed that the childs bathing suit was wetter now than it had been before. A damp stain spread across the front of Cullens shirt and dripped down his gray slacks when he abruptly sat, placing the girl on his lap.