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Madeline inhaled a deep breath, the touch of his finger on her lips causing a serious rush of awareness to move through her body like a dam being breached. “You ... you don’t need to do that.”
His voice became low and husky. “I want to.”
“But ... it’s wrong of me to expect you to do that. I mean, I’d be using you for my own devious purposes.”
He dropped his finger, but he held her with those enticing eyes. “I won’t mind, not one bit.”
And then she saw it. He’d turned the tables on her. “Oh, I get it. You’ll enjoy using me right back, huh?”
He slanted his head and leaned close. “Why not? It’s just for a weekend and ... it’ll liven up things and get me in the mood to make a really good toast.”
“Yeah, I guess that might work.”
What had she done? Now she’d have to follow through with this farce and Evan would probably see right through it and ... she didn’t care about getting even with him anymore, anyway. She only wanted Sam to touch his finger to her lips again.
“This is like one of those movies I watch on Sunday afternoons when it’s cold and rainy,” she said.
“Is that good or bad?”
“Depends on the ending.”
“It ends when the wedding is over,” he said, his voice low and whisper-heavy, and full of such sweet promise.
“But ... you don’t seem like the type to be used.”
“And you don’t seem like the type to care about your stupid idiot of an ex.”
“I wasn’t. I’m not. I was angry and frustrated, but I don’t know what came over me.”
“Me either,” he said, his eyes going warm. “But I’m willing to explore the possibilities.”
“I don’t want us to make a mistake.”
“We won’t,” he said, leaning his head back against the headrest. “It’s for a few days and what can it hurt? I mean, I was shocked at first and ... insulted. But the more I thought about it, the more I could see that it’s no big deal. Let’s just have some fun and call it even.”
Well, when he put it like that ....
“Okay,” she said. “Deal.”
He took her hand. “Let’s shake on it.”
But he didn’t shake her hand. Instead, he stared at their joined fingers. “You have nice hands.”
“We sell this lotion....”
He grinned. “You’re funny.”
“Yes, a laugh a minute.”
Spike squirmed and barked. “He probably needs a potty break,” she told Sam.
“Let’s go walk around the park.”
“You said it was too cold.”
Then he leaned so close, she could see the forest in his eyes. “Yeah, but ... it’s getting kind of warm in here. I need some air.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
They got out and he came around to the front of the car. “It’s a nice night.”
“Yes. It was so warm for a few days and then that front came through. Rain and now a chill.” She breathed in the cold chill. “Mild for February.”
He took her hand, which surprised her. They were alone. No need to pretend. But she didn’t pull away.
“Tell me about Spirit,” he said, his breath making a mist that fascinated her.
Madeline relaxed, the warmth of his big hand bringing her comfort. Spike ran ahead and surveyed things. “It’s a true turn-of-the-century town, started by oil money. It was once a thriving, rich place, but now it’s just a sleepy little village north of Shreveport.”
“It’s different here from New Orleans,” he said, his gaze moving over the white gazebo in the middle of the square.
“Yes. Most people think all of Louisiana is like New Orleans, and we do have that same pride and spirit. But we’re more country here upstate. We have the river and flat pastures and fields, lots of lakes and swamps, and farming and livestock. Some beautiful ranches. Just good hard-working people.”
His eyes held a faraway darkness. “Nothing wrong with that.”
She wanted to ask him about his life, but Madeline had to remember this situation was only temporary. They didn’t need to get all tangled up with each other. Maybe it would be better if she kept things light. If she didn’t even think about getting all tangled up with him.
“We do have our own Mardi Gras parade,” she said. “It’s this Friday night—early for the kiddies. One reason we had the big party for Brodie and Michelle tonight, since the streets tend to get crowded.”
“So Mardi Gras is a big deal?”
“Oh, yes. But not as wild as New Orleans. More of a family-type atmosphere but still so much fun. You’ll see. We’ll walk up here for the parade on that afternoon.” She stopped and shook her head. “I mean, if you want to do that.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Do you ... like fun?” she asked.
“Do I look like I like fun?”
“No. You look ... intimidating and scary. I’m trying to imagine you standing behind a bar, making drinks and listening to people’s troubles.”
“I do that just about every day.”
“You were good to Michelle when she ran off to Florida. I’m grateful for that.”
“She was in a bad way,” he said after they sat down on a bench that faced the river. “All I did was listen when she needed to talk and give her some space when she didn’t want to talk.”
“And you fed her. She looked healthy again when she came home.”
He put one arm on the back of the bench. “Can’t take credit for that. Brodie gave her that pretty glow.”
“They are so crazy in love.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of cute considering what a player Brodie used to be.”
“Ah, but not anymore.”
“No. He’s settled and solid now. I’m glad for him. He’s been through a lot.”
“I guess I can be happy for them, too,” she said on a sarcastic note. “I’m just a bitter old divorcee.”
“Not so old and not too bitter,” he said, glancing over at her. Staying there. “You seem to be doing okay, all things considered.”
“Yeah, I’m great. I’m sitting here with a man I just met a few hours ago, plotting all the ways I can use him for a few days.”
“Hmm. What kind of ways?” he said. “Care to demonstrate?”
The heat in his eyes told her he expected this little charade to look real. To get real.
Madeline was all in for some fun, carefree flirting, but she wasn’t ready to take things to the next level.
“I ... uh ... I mean ... you don’t have to put on an act here, Sam. We’re alone. No one’s watching.”
“I know,” he said, shifting her close with one powerful tug. “Even better.”
Madeline stared into his amazing eyes, the pull stronger than a river current. It would be so easy to give in to that pull and just ... be taken under.
But she jumped up and away from the bench.
“It’s late and I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow. We can ... uh ... work on your speech for the toast.”
She took off toward her apartment.
He stood and called after her. “Hey?”
Closing her eyes and taking a breath, Madeline braced herself for another onslaught of tempting manpower.
But he didn’t do anything to make her break out in a cold sweat. Instead, he said, “Let me walk you to your door.”
And then he took her hand again and did just that.
After he’d made sure she was inside, he stood there smiling at her. Then he bent over and rubbed Spike’s wiry, white hair. “Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ve got a lot to do.”
“Yes. Right. Tomorrow.”
He gave her a little salute and turned and hopped down the stairs. Probably glad to be away from her since she was acting like a buffoon.
He hadn’t tried anything. He hadn’t made any moves on her.
She was glad for that. She was also sad for that.
He’d probably be a good kisser. The best.
Madeline went to the window to see if he’d left.
The crouching car was still down there.
Then she heard the engine fire up and roar to life. He did a U-turn in the street and stopped.
Madeline stared down at him, the glow of the street lights muting his features.
He rolled down the window and waved to her.
And then he took off into the night on full throttle.