The Playboy Read online

  With both those facts being true, clarity seemed to descend upon her. Why was she fighting the attraction? Why wasn’t she letting herself indulge in what promised to be the most passionate sensual affair she’d ever had? There was no reason not to embrace the opportunity they both wanted.

  She stepped closer. “Friendly isn’t threatening, Rick.” She didn’t want him to feel competitive with his older brother. She inched nearer until she couldn’t breathe without inhaling his masculine scent. She knew without a doubt she wanted their bargain to be a reality. She wanted to be his lover until she left town and she wasn’t just falling into the convenience of their charade.

  No man had ever affected her as deeply or kindled desire in her as quickly as he did. Her previous relationships were like her moves from town to town, quick and distant. Only Brian had gotten closer than most because they’d needed something from each other. They’d grown fond of one another in the process yet intimacy had always been missing. Nothing was missing in her feelings for Rick. The sexual attraction sizzled, the emotional connection was secure and reciprocal.

  He’d been hurt once. She didn’t know how long ago or by whom, but she could help him heal, the same way he’d been helping her. He’d provided a shoulder from the first time they’d met and he gave comfort as much as he aroused a physical need that had been dormant for too long. He obviously cared enough about her feelings to arrange this impromptu gathering. A gesture Kendall believed came from his heart, not from the need to further their facade as lovers. There were plenty of other ways of establishing them as a couple—his performance at the beauty salon being one of them. Not once had he attempted any overabundant display of affection or attention.

  Until now.

  She no longer worried about using him to get over a rough patch in her life, not when he obviously wanted the same kind of relationship she did. Short and sweet, but one that would build memories and good feelings to carry with her always. They seemed to be two kindred souls seeking the same thing. And he seemed to read her mind as he grabbed her hand and dragged her into the back hall.

  Rick enjoyed women, and jealousy was a foreign emotion. Possessiveness was even more alien. But seeing Chase deep in conversation with Kendall and her hand on his arm set off an intense burning in his gut. Without stopping to think further he pulled Kendall down Norman’s back hall.

  “Rick?”

  He ignored her for now. He had plenty to say, but not in front of an audience. He expelled an annoyed groan and pushed open the nearest door, which turned out to be an empty ladies’ room. Thank God.

  “Rick, talk to me—”

  He cut her off, pulling her into an embrace and sealing his mouth over hers. Her warmth melted the hours of frustration he’d endured in favor of making sure she was accepted in his small town. She stirred carnal needs he’d ignored for too long. Or maybe he’d never felt this much before, but he was damn well feeling now. His heart beat fast and furious in his chest and his groin pulsed hard against his rough denim jeans, and all the while he made love to her with his mouth, his tongue mimicking the act his body desperately craved.

  She kissed him back, matching him move for move, her mouth hard and demanding against his. Her eager submission dissolved his earlier annoyance and frustration, while the fire in his gut burned hotter. The flame she ignited didn’t just smolder, it burst into a raging inferno he could barely control. But a small semblance of rational thought remained, enough for him to take advantage, flipping the lock on the bathroom door.

  He needed to get her alone and cement where things stood. For the time she remained in Yorkshire Falls, he wanted to know she was his. He’d lost one woman in his life because he’d worn blinders. He wasn’t about to screw up his short time with Kendall.

  For the moment though, talk could wait. He slipped his tongue inside her moist mouth and placed his arm around her until he cupped her bottom in his hand. She groaned and wiggled closer, her body molding perfectly to his, making him want to ease those leather pants down her long legs and bury himself deep inside her willing body. And he had no doubt she was willing.

  She lifted her head suddenly, her eyes bright, her lips moist and damp from his kiss. “We need to talk.”

  Though he’d thought the same thing minutes earlier, now he was hard and aching, wanting nothing more than to slip inside her moist heat and claim her as his own. Not that he’d act on their hunger here. When he made love to her, there would be no phones, no people, no distractions.

  Right now, despite the glazed desire in her eyes, concern furrowed her eyebrows and Kendall looked distracted. And that wasn’t the emotion he wanted her feeling. “What’s wrong?”

  “I think we should clear the air.” She licked her already moist lips. “You know. Set parameters.”

  “Okay.” He’d dragged her back here for the same reasons.

  “I’m leaving when the house is ready to go on the market.”

  “I know that.” It was the source of his churning gut. Rick had been in a relationship where he’d been caught off guard by a wife who’d left him for another man. Since then he’d kept his distance from women, telling himself that way he wouldn’t get hurt again. But now, seeing his overwhelming reaction to Kendall, he realized he hadn’t had to work hard at keeping other women at a distance. None had affected him this strongly before.

  And damned if she didn’t have one foot out the door before their relationship ever really began. Well at least this time he could say he was forewarned. He should be grateful Kendall chose to be honest with him now, before he fell hard for an impossible dream. But knowing how easily she drew him in, he’d realized he’d have to work harder at building those walls and keeping her out of his heart.

  Starting now. He forced a casual shrug. “I’m not into long-term relationships anyway,” he told her. And his stomach cramped harder. Not a good sign.

  At his words, emotion flickered in her gaze. Good, Rick thought. Maybe she was more affected than she wanted him to believe. At least then they’d be on even footing.

  “So we’re in agreement. A short-term affair.” She bit down on her lower lip.

  Another sign of vulnerability, he thought. This conversation wasn’t easy for her either and he sensed she was forcing the issue.

  For both their sakes, he’d go along. “What else could we have? I’m the town playboy,” he said lightly.

  She flinched at the term and he took a perverse pleasure in the fact that his exaggerated status bothered her. Still he didn’t want to drive her away, but bring her closer, taking what he could get while he could get it.

  If she was going to leave as promised, he wanted all the time he could squeeze into her visit and intended to tell her so. He stroked a hand down her soft cheek. “But while you’re here I’m all yours.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, her body easing closer to his. Awareness shimmered between them. Her lips beckoned and he lowered his head for another deep drugging kiss but before his mouth touched hers, a loud banging noise sounded from outside the door.

  Kendall jumped back, knocking her head against the air dryer on the wall. “Ouch.”

  He reached out, running a hand over her newly cut, shaggy hair. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “One second,” she called out to the person on the other side of the door. Then she turned to Rick with wide, inquiring eyes. “What now?”

  “Do you mean what do I want? Or is that a rhetorical question?” His heart pounded hard in his chest and his body told him not only what he desired but what he needed. Rick was the master of glib answers but right now, only the unvarnished truth would do. “I want to take you home.” Her home, his home, he didn’t care as long as the place had a bed. He held out his hand.

  Kendall placed her palm in his. “I’m hoping that’s an invitation.” A smile tilted her luscious lips.

  “A very private, personal invitation,” he said in a deliberate drawl.

  Her cheeks heated to a flushed pink. He grabbed for t
he doorknob. Once outside, he planned to orchestrate a quick thank you and good-bye, then make their way to the street. They never passed the hall. The minute he stepped out of the bathroom, they were ambushed.

  “Rick!” His sister-in-law Charlotte grabbed him in a huge embrace.

  “Well, this is a surprise,” he said into her hair, since he couldn’t untangle himself from her bear hug. “I thought you were in D.C.”

  “We were.” Roman’s voice sounded from behind Charlotte.

  Rick’s brother and sister-in-law commuted between Yorkshire Falls where Charlotte owned her business and Washington, D.C., where Roman had a job as an Op-Ed columnist for The Washington Post.

  Charlotte released her hold, mostly because Roman pried her arms free, then glared at her husband. Rick would have laughed at his brother’s proprietary actions as he had in the past, but having dealt with his own reaction to Chase and Kendall, Rick understood his little brother better now.

  “We heard there was a lot going on at home and we came as soon as we could.” Charlotte grinned.

  “Raina summoned you,” Rick guessed.

  “No, she just said she thought we’d like to come meet your new lady friend. Her words,” Roman said. “I assume this is her?”

  Rick glanced at Kendall in time to see her head ping-ponging, attempting to follow the three-way conversation.

  Before he could begin the introductions, Kendall interrupted. “I’m her.” She shook her head. “I mean I’m she. I’m Kendall Sutton.”

  Roman grinned. “Nice to meet you.” He extended a hand and Kendall shook it.

  “Likewise,” Kendall said.

  Charlotte took her turn next. “Did you know Roman kissed me for the first time in this hall? Remember?” Charlotte turned to her husband and devoured him with her eyes, making Rick, Kendall, and anyone within viewing distance feel disposable and irrelevant.

  There was a time when Rick would have rolled his eyes and laughed. And there was also a time, pre-marriage and divorce, when he’d wondered if he’d ever feel that unique pull with another person. Like his mother had shared with his father. Like Roman now shared with Charlotte. Post divorce he’d spent more time running from relationships and commitment than pondering them. But now, watching the newlyweds, Rick felt a brand-new emotion—envy. Because he wanted Kendall to look at him that same covetous way.

  He recalled the time he’d taken a look at his pregnant wife and seen more than a friend in need. And believing she was his by law and by word, he’d allowed himself to let down his guard, never once thinking Jillian would walk out on him, leaving him alone.

  What he wanted from Kendall now transcended anything he’d desired from Jillian then. And this time Rick knew beforehand she had no intention of sticking around. Shit.

  Rick glanced from Roman, who looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, to Charlotte, who possessed an amused grin, to Kendall, who just looked confused.

  “We were just leaving,” Rick said. He wanted to get Kendall out of here and pick up where they left off. He wanted to get lost in the physical and forget the emotional pull she exerted—because around his close-knit family, emotions and the past were always too close to the surface.

  “Now?” Charlotte asked. “You can’t run out when we just got here.”

  “We made damn good time too,” Roman added. “The least you could do is hang out awhile.”

  “He only got stopped by one cop.” Charlotte sounded proud, then glanced at Rick. “I mean he only got stopped by one police officer doing his duty. And he had a very valid reason for pulling us over.”

  “Sitting in Roman’s lap while he was driving?” Rick asked.

  Charlotte blushed. “Something like that.”

  “We can stay awhile.” Kendall tugged on his shirt. “Can’t we, Rick? You wanted me to get to know your family and besides I’ve heard so much about Charlotte’s shop. I’d like to talk to her.”

  “And she really wants to get to know you too. Besides, I’d like to catch up with my brother.” Roman grinned.

  Rick groaned. Catch up? Bullshit, he thought. Roman knew damn well they’d spoken on the phone last night. But being the pain in the ass Rick had always loved, Roman was knowingly putting a wrench in Rick’s plans to be alone with Kendall. And damned if he wasn’t obviously enjoying it.

  But Rick had no intention of letting his brother win. They’d have plenty of family time tomorrow while Rick had no idea how much longer he’d have with Kendall. And he both wanted and needed her tonight.

  “I’m sure Charlotte’s exhausted after flying into Albany and driving for over an hour.” He met his sister-inlaw’s gaze, pinning her with his stare and hopefully reminding her she owed him a favor.

  When the panty thief business had been going on and Roman was the prime suspect, Charlotte had discovered Samson, the town eccentric, was responsible for the thefts. His reasons had been benign—the older man had some misguided notion that he was somehow helping Charlotte by drawing attention to her store. Charlotte had informed Rick, but refused to speak on the record and swore she’d deny any knowledge if Rick arrested the man. Rick had let the old man’s crimes go, marking the file unsolved. So Charlotte owed him and he now intended to call in the debt.

  He held her gaze until she blinked first. Then she yawned, stretching her arms out beside her. “You’re right, Rick. I’m beat. Can we have breakfast tomorrow instead?”

  Roman exhaled an exaggerated groan. “Fine. I’ll take my wife home for some R and R, and you two can get back to whatever you were doing before we arrived.” He gave a meaningful glance back at the ladies’ room from which they’d escaped.

  Kendall sighed. “This doesn’t look good, but I swear to you . . . ”

  “Please don’t explain,” Charlotte said. “Considering Raina’s in the other room, I’m certain you were just looking for privacy.”

  Kendall laughed, but Rick wasn’t amused because he wanted to be alone with her now. He nodded at his brother and Charlotte. “We’re leaving.”

  “How’s breakfast tomorrow?” Charlotte asked Kendall as Rick led her down the hall.

  “Good for me.”

  “Nine A.M.,” Charlotte called, her voice trailing off on a laugh, Roman chuckling along with her.

  Rick didn’t look back, not stopping until they’d reached the street.

  “You were rude to Roman and Charlotte,” Kendall scolded him as soon as the door to Norman’s closed behind them.

  “They’re newlyweds. They’ll understand.” He squeezed her hand tighter.

  His skin was as warm as her body was hot.

  “I live upstairs.” He pointed toward an alley on the side of what was Charlotte’s Attic.

  She glanced around the corner. “I knew you lived in town. Just not where.”

  He nodded. “When Roman and Charlotte got married, I moved into her apartment and they bought a small house in the new subdivision.”

  Though he made small talk, Kendall knew his intent was anything but trivial. He said no more, waiting for her to make the next move. He lived up those stairs and wanted to know if she’d go home with him. Sleep with him. Make love to him. A tremor started slow and worked through her body, a long, leisurely vibration that began as a low twisting in her belly and ended with a distinct throbbing between her legs.

  His deep eyes met hers and she swallowed hard. She’d never been more aware of a man or his interest in her as a woman. She’d never enjoyed the attention quite so much or reciprocated the pulse-pounding need. Never wanted a man in her bed and inside her body the way she desired Rick now.

  Kendall was impulsive, but this time she’d thought things through. She smiled at Rick. “Lead the way.”

  Raina glanced around at the familiar birdhouse decor adorning the walls and the people she called friends talking among themselves. Meanwhile she remained in this chair. Alone. “Darnit,” she muttered.

  She hated sitting still while life went on around her. Right under her nose, Rick
dragged Kendall out of Norman’s, obviously anxious to be alone. Looks like they didn’t need Raina’s interference or matchmaking. So why was she faking a heart condition, a charade that left her unable to mingle and be in the center of things?

  “Anything wrong?” Eric joined her, pulling up a chair. “It’s about time you worked your way back here,” Raina grumbled. Eric wasn’t just her beau, but the town doctor. To her frustration, he’d stopped to talk to each friend and patient, while Raina who waited in the back of the room had to come last. She’d wanted to run up to him and capture his attention, but she couldn’t, not without calling attention to herself and the vitality she was unable to express.

  He let out a hearty laugh. “Feeling constrained by your antics? I told you no good could come out of pretending to be ill.”

  “Spoken as my doctor or as . . .” her voice trailed off. She wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.

  “Spoken by someone who cares about you.”

  His words warmed her heart, capturing the same thing she felt for him. Reaching out, she placed her hand over his and studied him, once again struck by his distinguished appearance. His salt and pepper hair and weathered features gave him a ruggedly handsome look and made him stand out among Yorkshire Falls’s single older men. For the first time in years, Raina’s heart beat faster at the sight of a man and she wanted the freedom to act on her feelings.

  “Isn’t it time to end the charade?” he asked.