Irresistibly Played

by Victoria Pinder

  Hannah walked over to the desk she’d transitioned into a work station with bobby pins, elastics, and hair brushes all spread out. “So, you’re starting to like Roy?”

  The hum in her head stopped suddenly and her lips pursed. “I don’t think so.”

  Hannah laughed and opened the makeup kit on the desk. “But you’re nervous about your hair and makeup? I remember when you swore off makeup last year.”

  Last year Caitlyn had been miserable and needed a change. She’d clearly run too far, too fast but life was good now. Helping the police against Jensen had seemed like a way to get her life back on track, though part of her felt like she was betraying the Bentleys. The police insisted that she keep her communications secret. Not once had there been anything criminal to report.

  She joined Hannah at the work station. “I’m not running anymore. Roy and I are going to your brother’s wedding and my parents are going to be there.”

  Hannah set some makeup brushes on the desk. “I’m glad Harry talked to you about that.”

  “He talked to Roy.” Caitlyn’s face felt hot and she hoped she wasn’t too red as her strawberry blonde hair and brows made her look sickly when she blushed. “I had to explain to him that I’ve been avoiding my parents.”

  “Well, I’ll be there, too.” Hannah gestured to herself, then Caitlyn, and back to her.

  But Hannah would be in the wedding party. Caitlyn glanced in the mirror and pulled her hair up, unsure how to style it. “You’ll be busy for most of it.”

  Hannah tapped her shoulder to get her to sit which Caitlyn did. Then, just as they had when they were girls, Hannah began to do Caitlyn’s hair. “I’m standing in the front for the first hour. After the ceremony, I can run interference with your parents. What did your husband say?”

  “Roy agreed to have my back,” Caitlyn admitted. The thought of kissing Roy softly appeared like a mirage in her imagination.

  Hannah pinned a piece near the front as she said, “You like him. It’s okay to admit it. Roy is handsome.”

  Hiding her feelings from Hannah was impossible. Caitlyn looked up from her hair and pushed her head way back. “Fine. He’s not a horrible person or anything. And yes, he’s easy on the eyes.”

  Hannah laughed and tugged on some hairs to get Caitlyn to sit straight. “Easy on the eyes? The Bentley brothers are hot as sin and you’re tempted.”

  Caitlyn smiled, busted.

  “How is he treating you?”

  Roy hadn’t been very nice the day they’d married or in the weeks after. He’d only started being polite once she’d volunteered to help with his mother’s health. “We’ve agreed to try and be friends. It’s good you’re still happy after falling in love so fast.”

  “I am.” Hannah finished and then showed her a crystal hair piece. Caitlyn nodded yes—she needed to feel good tonight. Hannah pinned it to the top. “Roy will want more than friends once he sees you like this, which is what you want too, right?”

  “I don’t know.” He could have any woman in the world. Caitlyn wasn’t sure who she was…although she was very clear about who she wasn’t.

  “Try to know what it is you want.” Hannah stepped back and crossed her arms. “Now head downstairs and be confident. You used to be the hottest girl in high school.”

  Caitlyn paused. The only reason she’d been sort of popular was because she’d been dating Harry then, not because she was anything special. She carefully shook her styled head. “No. That was never me.”

  Hannah walked with her toward the door. “And you seriously still deny it. Get going, Caitlyn. Someday you will see what I see when I look at you.”

  “Thanks for our help.” Meeting with Roy meant she’d have a chance to at least befriend him. She didn’t really feel one hundred percent comfortable living with him as his wife because the energy between them was potent and she wasn’t sure what to do.

  She took the elevator down a floor and then slipped into her room without seeing him. He must still be in his office.

  She changed into the royal blue dress with the crystal trim that matched the clip Hannah had put in her hair, and then double-checked her makeup.

  Satisfied with her appearance, she headed out to the living area.

  Roy was in the kitchen, his back toward her. She called out, “Hey Roy. Are we cooking…”

  He turned, and his serious expression became one of surprise as his eyes widened. Her body temperature rose in response. “What’s wrong?”

  He walked out of the kitchen and took her hands when they met in the living area and said, “You look great.”

  His admiration made her hot, and her pulse spiked. If she couldn’t think near him, again, then she’d be in trouble. She patted her styled hair. “Hannah convinced me to put my hair up.”

  He tugged on his navy blue t-shirt and pointed out his blue jeans. “You outclass me tonight.”

  He turned like he’d leave, but she held his arm so he didn’t go to his room and change. “I like your jeans. I swear you wear your suits for breakfast half the time.”

  He stopped, but then nodded. “I’ve been working on our cases.”

  She glanced behind his huge shoulders, curious as to what he was doing in the kitchen. Her stomach was in knots and she hoped it was because she was hungry and not because she wanted Roy, as that might ruin the small peace they’d formed. And besides, she was clueless about tonight. He’d made all the plans and she hadn’t eaten since the tea which wasn’t much food. “I’m not judging—relaxing is important too.”

  He pointed her toward the balcony door that overlooked the ocean. “I ordered dinner out on the balcony.”

  The nicest of the balconies in this condo. She never used hers as it overlooked other high-rises, though she could see the Intracoastal.

  They walked outside where stringed lights curled around the bars of the balcony and the door behind them. She turned and noticed pink and red roses set in vases, as if ready for romance. Had to be her imagination. She studied the glistening ocean. “I see that. The lights and the moon make this scene breathtaking beautiful.”

  He stared at her profile and said, “You being here does that.”

  If only “they” were possible. She gazed into his eyes. “Compliments are new.”

  He motioned toward the table and held out a chair for her. She slipped into the seat and fixed her napkin while he took the seat next to her.

  Roy pointed toward two bottles and asked, “White or red?”

  “White,” she said fast.

  He held out the bottle for inspection. “Pinot Grigio good for you?”

  He’d gone all out, and almost seemed nervous, so she stroked his arm and said, “Yes. Thanks.” No boyfriend had been this thoughtful in a long time, if ever. Harry’s crowning event might have been prom night and that was years ago. She’d always been the one to organize everything, even then. She smelled the platter without lifting the silver cloche. Rosemary? “What did you order?”

  “Lamb chops.” He showed her the savory meat and then made a plate for her.

  His taut muscles indicated nerves. How strange. Roy was sexy and clearly could have any woman he’d want by just winking at her to come hither. She needed to lighten the mood so she raised her eyebrow and teased, “What if I said I was a vegetarian?”

  He sat down with a half-smile. “I’d laugh as you made me chicken for dinner.”

  Good. She let out a small sigh like she was upset though she wasn’t at all. “So living with you has disadvantages.”

  His gaze sharpened, and his tightness meant she’d said the wrong thing as he asked, “What are those?”

  Drat. Flirting wasn’t her forte. But she tried to push forward again and hoped she was clearer in her meaning. “You can call me out.”

  He sipped his wine and then scooted closer. “Ignoring you is getting harder for me.”

  Goosebumps grew on her arms. She hadn’t expected him to say that. She hadn’t expected Roy to be attracted to her. The im
age of kissing him right now was tempting. He smelled of a woodsy cologne that she now loved. “Really? I think I’m pretty forgettable.”

  “Impossible.” He brushed his arm against hers.

  The spark that grew inside her went off the chart. She couldn’t think until she moved her hand. She reached out and took a small sip from her wine, which was sweeter than she remembered. Once she could think, she said, “Harry moved on fast and found someone new. My parents never bothered to track me down when I left. You and I married and didn’t speak to each other for weeks.” Forgettable.

  He didn’t blink at her list. “And I’m apologizing about that.”

  “Are you?” She narrowed her gaze until all she could see was him. It was like they were the only two people in the world tonight. She sipped her wine again and imagined for a moment actually being his wife and not just in name only. “I didn’t realize that’s what dinner was about.”

  He waited for her to put her glass down and then folded his hands on hers. “It’s not the only point of dinner. I am sorry that I ignored you because you’re the kind of woman I was not looking for.”

  She froze and tried to understand what he meant by that. “And what kind of woman is that?”

  He kissed her hand and her entire body jumped in excitement. “Nice. Kind. Sweet.”

  Caitlyn pulled free because if he continued to touch her, she’d melt and not be able to think coherently. She adjusted her earring and said, “I sound like an old lady.”

  Roy sat back. “You are a classy lady.”

  Classy still didn’t mean desirable and for once in her life, she wished she wasn’t just the salad dressing on the side of the plate in his life. She let her ear go before she looked completely silly. “So what were you looking for?”

  He cut off a piece of tender lamb and chewed thoughtfully. For a few seconds she feared he’d not answer at all. Her heart deflated like a popped balloon and she took a few bites. At last he put his fork down. “Before getting jailed for a crime I didn’t do?”

  She finished her bite and nodded. “Yes.”

  He wiped his fingers on his napkin. “Before that I wasn’t looking for a lady to settle down with. I wanted a mild distraction at the end of the day.”

  Her mind swirled, wondering exactly what distraction meant. Was that his word for attractive or desirable? She sipped her wine. “What does that mean? What was this woman like?”

  He finished his glass and picked up the wine bottle to refill them both as he said, “She was the kind that didn’t leave me wondering about her in the morning. With you, I think about what you might be doing during the day. Wonder how your day is going when I don’t see you.”

  He confessed this without flinching. He wondered about her? That made no sense. She lowered her lashes as she hoped her cheeks weren’t too red. “But you know exactly where I am and what I’m doing.”

  He placed his hand on hers and squeezed it. “You helped care for my mother, so I owe you for more than I can ever repay.”

  Ah. This was friendship and politeness on his end. She knew better and shouldn’t have hoped for more. She took a deep breath. “Going to the hospital with her wasn’t hard. It was nice having one patient instead of countless beds where I walked the halls, checking charts at night.”

  “What did you do as a nurse before you helped my mom exactly?”

  “I worked in the ER mostly and I was always per diem, which meant I worked long hours and was never full time with benefits.”

  “Why did you work like that?”

  “It was all I could get, honestly, which was super humbling. I thought nursing was going to be my ticket to freedom and not a one-way ticket to another life disaster.”

  “Like our wedding.”

  “No! Marrying you was a needed change.”

  “Well, Caitlyn, I’m more attracted to you now than the day we married.” Roy’s words made every hair on her body stand at attention and crave his touch.

  She peered into his brown eyes that made her swoon. “And I wore white and everything that morning.”

  “You were beautiful, but I didn’t trust you. How could I?”

  Wait. He thought she was beautiful! Her heart lifted higher in her chest as she asked, “You trust me now?”

  “That’s what this dinner is about.” His voice went deeper and her skin electrified at every word. “I didn’t want to be attracted to you.”

  She stroked her neck, wishing he’d touch her. This wasn’t good. He was attracted to her, but didn’t want to be—just as she was attracted to him, and didn’t want to be. “I see.” She cleared her throat. “Well Roy, I know you’re one of the good ones. But you’re going to have to kiss me a few times so we look comfortable at the wedding.”

  He gently caressed her face, sending heat that scorched right through her as he said, “You fascinate me, Caitlyn Cooper.”

  “Caitlyn Bentley. I changed my name.” She closed her eyes. She refused to be her parents’ pawn.

  Roy’s lips met hers and she melted. He kissed even better than she imagined.

  The sun shone outside Roy’s office window. He didn’t have a direct path from his office to the sun because the sun was over the ocean, but the southern view still had plenty of light. Caitlyn’s hair was mostly blonde on those rare occasions he’d seen her outside, in the sunshine.

  He twirled his pen in his hands while he sat in his leather chair, slightly rocking it on its wheels.

  His brother tapped on the bamboo desk. “I need you focused, Roy.”

  Roy blinked. This was stupid. His lips shouldn’t tingle from Caitlyn’s kisses. Last night had been a mistake. He slammed the pen down harder than he meant to as he said, “Sorry. I was distracted.”

  “Adam Lepour is from Hoshkell.” Dylan pushed his tablet toward him.

  Good. His brother was clearly a cooler head than he this morning. “I figured he’d changed his name, like we did. What else?”

  Dylan flicked the page and a passport photo was blown up as he said, “This is his picture.”

  “I don’t recognize him.” Dark hair and eyes, could be from anywhere. Roy shook his head and handed the tablet back. “What else do you have?”

  Dylan opened another file on his tablet. “He was in the same office building as our parents, at the same time the FBI said our father supposedly transferred the first wire of a billion dollars to an unmarked account.”

  Roy picked up his pen and twirled it. Perhaps they’d finally found a hole in the seemingly perfect set up his family had endured. “Then he was stupid, being in the building. Electronic transfers can be done from anywhere.”

  Dylan nodded. “So why was he there? Why take that risk?”

  Roy held back on tapping the pen, a nervous habit that always annoyed his family, but the impulse hit him. He put the pen down and his mind settled on the question. Finally he said, “Unless he wanted to see our father that day—and Dad didn’t know he was being double-crossed by someone he knew.”

  “This would be the first act of hubris…” Dylan trailed off.

  Again the sunlight and Caitlyn’s hair played in his mind.

  Dylan coughed and asked, “What are you thinking?”

  Wow. He was out of it. He massaged his temples and refused to mention Caitlyn as he said, “Sorry. Nothing. I was distracted.”

  The front door opened. Caitlyn was home.

  Dylan turned his head toward the closed office door and then back to him as he asked, “By your wife?”

  “Yeah.” Roy’s face felt hot. He’d never really talked about one particular woman for long in his family as he never brought one to anything more than once.

  Caitlyn was different.

  Dylan put his tablet back in his leather bag. “I’m still taking Lois out of town. I’m sure Harry’s wedding will be a good way to get to know more about Caitlyn.”

  Perhaps the doubts that clouded Roy’s thoughts might dissipate when he finally saw Caitlyn around Harry. Would she be upset
at the wedding? Or just fine, like she’d insisted all along? And when he met her parents—that would be telling. He picked up his pen again as he said, “The wedding tomorrow will be interesting.”

  “Interesting?” Dylan commented as he stood. “That doesn’t sound like happiness.”

  Roy rose as well and crossed his arms. “I’m not a fool. Caitlyn married me to prove she was over Harry.”

  “Did she tell you that?” Dylan adjusted his bag.

  The opposite. Caitlyn claimed she felt nothing, but something in her story didn’t add up in his mind. He trusted Caitlyn with his family, but the facts kept ringing in his ear that he’d missed some pertinent piece of information that she didn’t share. He lowered his head to confide in his brother, “No, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. She’s hiding something, mostly using her parents to deflect.”

  Dylan put his bag down and kept his voice low. “So you don’t trust her. Could she be the spy?”

  Absolutely not. This wasn’t about her hurting his family. Caitlyn wasn’t that. He shook his head. “I don’t think she’s the spy in our midst, no.”

  Dylan shouldered his bag. “But you don’t trust her.”

  Roy dropped his arms. Last night he’d told the truth that he was attracted to his wife. He walked with his brother to head out as he said, “I do trust her.” Mostly. “But there is something that doesn’t add up in her story on why she married me.”

  “Oh…” Dylan stopped near the door. “This could have nothing to do with her. You don’t want to be like our older brothers Ollie and Logan. Are you missing your old life? Afraid of being tied down?”

  Oliver had been with Rachel almost as long as he remembered, and Rachel was the closest to an older sister he’d ever had. Logan and Hannah seemed to have genuinely found love. Roy reached for the door. “Yes and no. I miss my law firm and acting like the CEO.”

  Dylan followed with a snort. “I meant your faceless women.”

  Roy’s head flipped back and forth while he searched for Caitlyn in the hall, or the living area. The kitchen? Empty. She must have gone to her room. “No, I don’t miss anyone.”