“Oh, um. Yeah, for a little while. You’ll be in charge of the remote.”
Risk already had it in his hand. He turned on the TV and began channel surfing. “Ah, here it is.”
April relaxed into the cushions of the sofa, the wine taking the edge off. She eyed Risk, who was also settling in. He appeared at ease. They’d never done this before...just be. Like a regular couple.
She couldn’t stop the warm exciting thrill traveling the length of her body.
Was it the wine? Or was it Risk?
Whatever it was, she liked the way she was feeling right now.
* * *
The next afternoon April and Clovie had just finished a quick lunch at the diner and were walking the two short blocks back to the office when Clovie nudged her arm. “Don’t look across the street,” she said quietly. “And keep walking, unless you want to be photographed again.”
April put her head down and did as her friend said. “Why, what’s happening?”
“Looks like Shannon and...uh, your fiancé are together outside the bank. Shannon’s speaking to a bunch of reporters swarming them.”
April slid a glance that way and saw for herself. She had no idea what was going on. Risk was like a magnet to the woman. She seemed to seek him out, finding ways to insinuate herself into his life. It hadn’t bothered April before, and it shouldn’t bother her now, but Risk had been so kind to her last night. She didn’t remember him leaving, but she’d woken up on her sofa around midnight, tucked cozily into the one blanket throw she hadn’t brought to the lodge. The TV was off, the door was locked. And this morning, she’d found his note.
Hope you slept tight.
Take care of those pretty knees—
we have dancing to do.
I’ll pick you up at 6 p.m.
Risk
The note was a welcome sight and had put her in a good mood this morning despite being sore and achy. She’d almost called Risk to thank him for taking care of her. But he was with Shannon now, out in public, and April wanted no part of it. She had enough going on in her life. She’d been asked to do a local radio show, a segment on her heroism saving Lottie Brown, which she politely turned down. And there were photos of the whole thing and articles written on the internet and in the Tribune.
The only positive coming out of this was that the Adams Agency was getting a load of good publicity, and that never hurt. But she wasn’t sure if that one positive could overcome all the negatives.
Their engagement was a big fat fraud.
And her fake fiancé was busy spending the afternoon with his ex-girlfriend.
* * *
Risk straightened his collar and brushed lint from his stitched dark gray sports jacket as he stood outside April’s door, ready to knock. After dealing with Shannon for most of the afternoon, he was looking forward to a night out with April. He wouldn’t say his fake fiancée was low maintenance after all the trouble she’d caused, but she sure as hell was a lot easier to deal with than his superstar ex.
He knocked, and it took her a while to answer the door. But when she did, it was well worth the wait. “Wow.” He liked her in red, and this dress fit her to a tee, accentuating the curves he found so damn appealing. Her hair was down, the curly tendrils framing her face. “You look gorgeous, April.”
“Thank you,” she said. “It’s not too much? I have no idea where we’re going, but your note mentioned dancing?”
He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. “You got my note. Good. Yes, dancing if you’re up to it. The family rented out Aunt Lottie’s favorite restaurant for the evening—not one our family owns, for a change. The Garden House.”
“I’ve heard about it. All good things.” April opened the door wider and let him inside the apartment. She went about picking up a black clutch and sweater from the sofa arm.
“How are your knees?” Her dress was covering them, which he assumed was a deliberate move on her part.
She frowned. “They’re not pretty.”
“Let me take a look.”
She flinched, her eyes opening wide.
“I have a vested interest, since I was your Florence Nightingale last night.”
“Not by choice.”
She tested him time and again, and he could easily lose patience, but he held himself in check. “April, please.”
She gave him a look as if to say this was above his pay grade as her fake fiancée, but he didn’t care. His uncanny concern sort of baffled him, too, but he was determined to see how she was healing. They stared at each other a few seconds, and finally she shrugged.
“Oh, okay. It was nice of you to help me last night,” she admitted, though it sounded like she had to force the words out of her mouth. She lifted the hem of her dress a few inches and showed him her injuries.
To gain a better view, he bent and cupped the back of her right leg, which was a big mistake. She was soft there and firm all at the same time. Touching her flesh sent a pang of desire shooting down to his groin. It was instantaneous, and crazy. She’d been on his mind lately. He couldn’t help wondering if he’d misjudged her. Wondering if she’d been caught up in something bigger than the both of them. He glimpsed her left knee and then took a hard swallow. “They, uh, they look much better.”
“You think so?”
He rose and met her gaze, taking in the warm blue glow in her eyes. “Yeah...you’re healing fine.”
“Thanks, Dr. Boone.”
They both chuckled, easing the tension in the room, but then her gaze landed on him again and she laid one hand on his chest, to keep him near or to keep her distance—he wasn’t sure. Whatever it was, heat rushed to his chest where her palm rested. “Risk, I saw you today...with Shannon. I suppose I’ll read all about it in tomorrow’s newspaper.”
Risk looked away, mentally cursing. He’d been the one harping on April to keep up this pretend engagement while Shannon seemed intent on derailing it. “It isn’t what you think.”
“I don’t know what to think, but you’re the one who needs the world to believe we’re engaged. And you keep showing up with your ex. It puts me in a bad position.”
“I know, I know.” He blew out a breath and shook his head. “Shannon wanted to make a sizable donation to the Boone Foundation. It’s a charity my parents started when Mason was born, and all proceeds go to underprivileged children in Boone County. She asked me to meet her at the bank, and as we were walking out together, reporters were there for the story, most likely summoned by her. I should’ve expected it, since this was always Shannon’s MO. Doing a good thing is a trade-off for the positive publicity she gets.”
“Is that all it was?”
“That and lunch at the Farmhouse.”
April blinked. “You had lunch with her again? After all the warnings you’ve given me about being careful. I’m sorry, Risk, but that wasn’t—”
“You’re not jealous, are you?” Risk’s chest swelled at the thought of her being jealous, and that confused the hell out of him. Both Shannon and April had played him. So why in hell was he humming inside? And looking at April differently tonight?
“I am not jealous,” she said defiantly, her face turning a shade of pink, “so let the air out of that balloon, Risk.”
He smiled. She was jealous.
“I’m...concerned. But if you don’t mind blowing your cover, then it’s on you. I’m holding up my end of the bargain.”
“Right, okay. Got it. Are you ready? We can’t be late for Aunt Lottie’s surprise party.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” She rolled her eyes adorably, and Risk had to rein in his emotions. He was starting to like April Adams again. He couldn’t seem to help it.
She headed for the front door. “Let the show begin.”
Risk only smiled at that and took her hand as he led her to his car.
* * *
Risk didn’t think the surprise party for Aunt Lottie could go any smoother. Her dear friend Wanda, who lived in Willow County, had brought her to the Garden House, and as soon as she’d walked into the restaurant, the roomful of twenty-five of Aunt Lottie’s good friends and family members shouted, “Surprise!”
Aunt Lottie jerked back, tears welling in her eyes as she looked around at all the people who mattered in her life. She seemed genuinely surprised. “I wasn’t expecting this,” she declared to everyone.
“Tell me you didn’t think we’d forget your birthday?” Drea stepped up and hugged Lottie. “This time, we wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you certainly did.”
Mason put his arm around Aunt Lottie’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “My fiancée gets all the credit for this. You know she’s an expert at planning parties.”
“Drea is the best,” Lottie said, love entering her eyes. “And this place is just right. Thank you all for coming.”
Mason and Drea looked good together. Risk’s older brother was totally in love, and he’d never been happier in his life.
Risk glanced at April standing beside him, and a sharp pang hit him in the gut. He’d vowed not to get involved with her again, and he was trying to stick to that, but it was getting harder these days. After her deception, at first they hadn’t liked each other, but that was hardly true anymore. He was beginning to like her too much, not only because she’d sacrificed herself for his aunt’s safety, but because she was hardworking, dedicated, sweet.
Sweet? Oh man, he wanted April.
Their eyes met now, hers brilliant blue and sparkling with life. He liked her curly hair bounding past her shoulders, her lush ruby-red lips matching the hot dress she wore.
April was no longer persona non grata in his family. She was a superhero, and that worked on his conscience. He’d called her a lot of horrible things in the past, hated how she’d played him for a fool, but he hadn’t exactly been perfect, either. The first time they’d been together, he’d walked out on her, and she’d deserved more than that.
She smiled at him, and his heart did a little flip. Somehow, he didn’t think it was a phony smile meant to please onlookers. This smile was real, meant for him.
He took her hand and smiled back at her, then led her over to Aunt Lottie and kissed the older woman’s cheek. “Happy birthday. What are you, thirty-nine again?”
Lottie placed her palm on the side of his face. “I’ll never tell. And neither will you, if you know what’s good for you.”
The three of them laughed. “This is such a wonderful surprise,” she continued. “I thought I was having a quiet dinner with Wanda. And now, you and all my favorite people are here to help me celebrate.” She turned toward April, taking her hand, her eyes soft and sincere. “I’m so touched that you’re here, April. It means a lot to me.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
She nodded, glancing from April to him, a sweet smile on her face. “You both look wonderful tonight. A real handsome couple.”
Then Lottie was whisked away by Drea and her father. Drew was being a bit of a sourpuss tonight. He seemed to be going through the motions for the family’s sake but he’d been grumbling a lot about Lottie nearly getting herself killed running after that dog.
Those two always seemed at odds.
Formally dressed waiters came around with trays of appetizers. Risk and April took a few and walked around the restaurant. April was fascinated by the lush gardens groomed to perfection inside the dining rooms. Palms and greenery along with flowering plants and vertical gardens of ivy, moss and trailing vines made up the perimeter of the room. A five-piece band stood at the ready on a small stage in front of a dance floor.
“Hmm, this is so good,” she said taking a bite out of a miniature beef Wellington. “The pastry is so light.”
He’d already swallowed down two. “Sure is.”
He liked that April enjoyed food and wasn’t shy about it. He’d been on dates with women who’d eat nothing but salad. In Texas, that wasn’t a meal—it was barely a side dish—and April seemed to feel that way, too. “Not as good as peanut butter and cranberry muffins, though.”
She glanced at him. Uh-oh, was that also a memory she didn’t want to rehash?
“No,” she said, her voice breathless. “Nothing’s better than our survival food.”
“Yeah, about that. I’ve never thanked you for taking good care of me when I was injured.”
“I know.”
He’d been too angry when he’d found out about her lies that he’d ignored the care she’d given him. Care that he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge until recently.
“I’m thanking you now, and I mean it, April.” He spoke straight from his heart this time.
“I believe you do.”
“Seems you’ve saved two members of my family this month.”
“Is that why you’re being nice to me?”
“It’s not just that.” He paused for a second and then gave her the honest truth. “Maybe you’re easy to be nice to.”
“Maybe, huh?”
The lights dimmed, a spotlight finding the band as they started playing, and all Risk could think about was holding April in his arms. He put out his hand. “Dance with me?”
She looked around as others were heading to the dance floor, including Aunt Lottie with his brother Luke. “It’ll make Aunt Lottie happy,” he added.
“Well in that case, for the birthday girl,” April said, taking his hand.
Fortunately, the band played a slow love song. As they reached the dance floor, Risk drew April into his arms, her sweet scent wafting to him. She moved fluidly with him, her body limber and easy to lead. They touched often, her breasts brushing his chest, and he had trouble staying focused on the music. His heart beat hard; his body was revved up. She laid her head on his shoulder, her silky blond locks teasing his nostrils.
“April,” he whispered, lowering his hands onto the small of her back and drawing her closer. She was too much of a temptation for him, too close for his sanity. His instincts taking over now, he bent his head and claimed her lips in a soft kiss.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Are there reporters here?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Is it for the others, then?”
He shook his head. “What others? I only see you.”
She smiled and so did he, and then he pressed his lips to hers again.
After the song ended, he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. The dewy, soft way she was looking at him stirred him up inside.
Luke walked up to them, interrupting their moment. “Mind if I cut in, Risker?”
Hell, yeah, he minded. His brother had to choose this moment to break in? It was bad timing, but it was also Aunt Lottie’s night and he wasn’t going to cause a scene, though he hated letting April go. He gave his brother a warning look and then relented. “Sure enough, Luke boy.”
Luke grinned at that. “We’ll never live down our nicknames,” he said to April.
“I think they’re great. Does Mason have one?” she asked Luke.
“Nah, he wouldn’t have it. If we called him Masey, he’d get his drawers in a knot. He’s just plain Mason.”
“Got it.”
The music began again and Luke took April into his arms, leaving Risk to walk off the dance floor. He took a place at the back of the room, watching April smile at Luke as he danced her around the parquet floor.
Mason walked up and stood beside Risk. “Here you go,” he said, handing him a bourbon on the rocks. They stood quietly for a while, sipping the liquor, Risk’s gaze focused on April.
“You know, you’ve got it bad,” Mason said.
He sipped his drink. “Do I?”
“Man, Aunt Lottie nearly a
pplauded when you kissed April right there on the dance floor.”
“She likes April.”
“So do you. A whole lot.”
“Maybe.”
“There’s no maybes about it. You care for her. Either that or you ate some bad food, bro. You’re turning green watching her with Luke.”
His stomach squeezed tight. Was he ready for this? For opening up his heart again?
“Just saying, after this fake stuff is over, she’s bound to move on. Maybe find another guy. Are you ready to face that?”
Picturing April with another man tied him up inside. “Is your sermon over?”
“Yep, all over. I think I got my point across.”
Mason walked away smiling. He found Drea, the woman he was to marry soon, and gave her a giant kiss. Mason was in seventh heaven, totally committed to the woman he loved.
Risk had never been more envious of anyone in his life.
* * *
Her hand locked with Risk’s, April walked dreamily to her apartment door. She’d had fun tonight, enjoying Lottie’s birthday surprise and how the woman’s face lit up as her loved ones gathered to celebrate her birthday. At the end of the evening, after a delicious dinner and dancing, Lottie had given a little speech, mentioning April’s selflessness and heart, and had proposed a toast in her honor. Lottie had been sensitive enough not to put April in the spotlight, or drag out her thanks, but rather kept it light and cheerful.
Now, as the night came to an end, April was filled with a warm, wistful glow inside. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said to Risk, laying her head against her door. “It was a beautiful night.” Risk had been attentive, thoughtful, the perfect date.
“I’m glad.” The huskiness in his voice, the deep penetrating look in his eyes, gave her heart a rattle. “I had a nice time, too,” he said, running his index finger down her cheek. The slight touch sizzled on her skin and brought her gaze to his. “I liked holding you, dancing with you, kissing you,” he whispered.
“You did?”
“Oh yeah.” Then his hand was in her hair, playing with the curls.
Stranded and Seduced Page 13