Handsome Hotshot (Handsome Devils Book 5)

by Lori Wilde

  Yeah. Distance. That should solve the problem.

  “You think Casey needs some help with the decorations?” Al asked.

  Michael glanced up from his cards. They were playing a game called Wild Spud. As far as Michael could tell, there were no rules except those that Al or Tommy made up as they went along. At the moment, he had a six, two tens, and two jacks.

  All he knew about Wild Spud was that whatever was in his hand was bad and whatever cards Al and Tommy held were good.

  “I thought Elmira and Dottie were helping with the decorations.” Michael threw down the two jacks, figuring if he was going to lose, he wanted to feel like he deserved to lose.

  “They are. But there’s not much money in the budget.” Tommy picked up the discarded jacks and put them in his hand. Michael wanted to point out that Tommy now had seven cards but decided what the hell. Tommy would simply make up a new rule that allowed the dealer to have more cards than anyone else.

  “Barrett Software can help with the decorations.” Michael watched in bemusement as Al reached over and took two cards from Tommy’s hand, gave him one, then placed the other card in his own hand. Amazingly, Tommy made no comment. What kind of card game was this? Even Go Fish made more sense.

  With a grin at Al, Tommy said, “Lookee here, I’ve got a Wild Spud.” He spread his cards out on the table. He had a four, a five, an eight, one jack, and a queen. As far as Michael could tell, the man had zilch.

  “Darn your hide.” Al tossed his cards on the table. “You’re the luckiest Wild Spud player I’ve ever met.” Glancing at Michael, he added, “You should go tell Casey about the decorations.”

  “Maybe he’s scared to talk to Casey.” Tommy grinned at Michael. “We couldn’t help noticing how you’ve avoided her ever since the two of you went over to look at Elmira’s car. That car didn’t work a little magic on you, did it, son?”

  Tommy and Al laughed as Michael shook his head. “No, I’m not afraid of her, and no, it didn’t work any magic,” Michael said, knowing he’d now painted himself into a corner and had to go talk to Casey whether he wanted to or not. “I’ve been busy the last couple of days. That’s the only reason I haven’t spoken to her.”

  Al nudged Tommy. “He’s been busy learning to play Wild Spud.”

  Tommy chuckled. “Yeah. Except he stinks at it.”

  “How can you tell?” Al asked with a grin. When both men laughed again, suspicion crept up Michael’s back like a big bug. “There is no game called Wild Spud, is there? You two were yanking my chain.”

  “Just having a little fun, Mike. Nothing personal,” Al said. “We thought it might do you good to relax a little. We’re your friends. Both Tommy and I know men who died way too young by working too hard and being too serious. You’re a good man, but you need to pop a few buttons.”

  Michael laid his cards on the table and looked at the two men. He’d never had anyone care about him before. Not really. It felt nice knowing Al and Tommy considered themselves his friends. He smiled at them and rose to his feet. “Okay, you got me with Wild Spud. And I’ll think about the button-popping thing.”

  “Really?”

  He shot a quick glance at Casey’s office. “But I’m not afraid of Casey.”

  Tommy grinned. “Sure you’re not, Mike. ’Course not.”

  Michael groaned as he headed across the room to Casey’s office. Behind him, he could hear soft chuckling coming from Tommy and Al. But they were wrong. He wasn’t afraid of Casey. No, the lady stirred up all sorts of emotions inside him, but fear wasn’t one of them.

  In a strange sort of way, he wished it were.

  With a flourish, Casey crossed out the final item on her to-do list. She’d finished putting together the proposal for the city council meeting this afternoon and had even remembered to double-check on the cake for Elmira’s birthday celebration.

  Was she good or what?

  Glancing out her open door, she looked over to where Michael was playing cards with Al and Tommy. When she saw him stand and head her way, the now familiar flitter-flutter started in her stomach.

  “You’re like a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl,” she muttered, more than a little annoyed at herself.

  “Got a minute?” Michael asked from the doorway to her office. He had an uncertain smile on his face.

  Casey wiped her suddenly damp hands on her skirt. Sheesh. What a nutcase she was turning into. She picked up her notes for the presentation, needing something to keep her hands busy. “Sure.”

  Michael glanced over his shoulder, then entered her office and shut the door behind him. Suddenly they were surrounded by privacy. Being alone with Michael made her as jumpy as a canary at a cat convention.

  “First, I want you to know I think you’ve done a terrific job with this fundraiser. Really amazing,” Michael said, walking over to her desk.

  “Everyone’s done it together.” Casey fiddled with the pencils on her desk, avoiding eye contact with him. “I’m just part of the team.”

  “Most of the work has been yours.”

  At his gentle words, she made the mistake of looking at him. Aw, drat. His blue eyes held hers with an intense, sexy gaze. She needed to get him out of here. Proximity to Michael was hazardous to her health. Around him, her good sense evaporated.

  “Um, thanks.” She pulled her gaze away from his handsome face and restacked the papers for her presentation to the city council.

  “You know, Barrett Software has a lot of decorations we can use for the party. That should save us some money,” Michael said.

  “Great. Thanks for the offer.” She half held her breath, hoping he’d now leave.

  “No problem.”

  He gave her that lopsided grin she’d come to know so well, and her heartbeat took off at a run. Desperately wanting a distraction, she tugged on the side drawer of her desk, finally giving it a swift yank to force it open.

  “Well, thanks again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a folder for this presentation. I want it to look nice.” Knowing she was prattling, she ducked her head and rummaged through the drawer contents. When no folder floated to the top, she finally started unpacking the drawer. At the very bottom, she found a blue folder.

  “Was that all you needed to tell me?” she asked, but when she glanced up at Michael, he wasn’t paying attention to her. Instead, he stood looking at the top of her desk.

  “What’s this?” His hand snaked out, and he grabbed something from under a stack of papers. The second Casey saw the bright-orange cover, she prayed for the floor to split open and swallow her up. Of all the dumb moves.

  Ignoring the heat she felt rising on her face, Casey reached for the book. But with a smooth motion, Michael moved it out of her grasp. He scanned the back cover, then flipped through the pages, a smile tugging at his lips.

  He glanced at her. His eyes sparkled with humor and more. The humor she could take. The more left her scared breathless.

  A double-dare expression settled on his face, and Casey knew she was in trouble. Why hadn’t she insisted Elmira take the book back? Better yet, why hadn’t she burned that stupid book? Elmira’s granddaughter didn’t need it any more than she did.

  “Is this your book, Casey?” His deep voice rippled over her like warm fudge topping.

  Good Lord.

  “No. It’s Elmira’s.”

  He cocked one dark brow. “Really? Elmira’s interested in seducing men?”

  “No. She loaned it to me because...”

  She snatched at the book again, and again Michael held it out of her range. “This is so childish. Just give me the book. It isn’t mine, and I intend on giving it back to Elmira.”

  Michael scanned the book again. “I don’t think you should. Seems to me this book contains some interesting ideas.” He chuckled. “For instance, Number 72 looks like fun.”

  He turned the book toward her, keeping it far enough away that she couldn’t grab it. Casey frowned at him, but he just laughed again. Then despite
herself, she glanced at the book. Number 72 deepened the blush on her face.

  “Is that possible?” she asked without meaning to.

  Michael turned the book and studied the picture again. For a second, he said nothing, then he gave her a heated look. “I don’t know. We could find out.”

  The thought of being in such an intimate position with Michael made her blood rush like floodwaters. Memories of their kiss a few nights ago flashed through her brain. Funny how she could be so determined to avoid involvement with Michael when he wasn’t around, but the second he came near her, all her good intentions disappeared. Still, she made a feeble attempt. “I’m pretty sure we’ve agreed to just be friends.”

  The softly spoken words didn’t seem to convince him. Rather, Michael moved forward, placing the book on her desk. “Are we? Are you sure?” he muttered, dipping his head.

  “Friends don’t keep kissing each other,” she pointed out, stopping him with a restraining hand on his chest. He felt warm and oh-so-tempting. Reflectively, she contracted her fingers. He sucked in an audible breath.

  Michael’s gaze never wavered from her own. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I no longer want to be your friend.”

  10

  He had the willpower of a sinner. He’d come into this office determined to tell Casey about the decorations, wish her well this afternoon at the city council meeting, and then make a hasty retreat.

  But he’d forgotten everything except his name the second he’d seen that book. Maybe even before he’d seen the book. Around Casey, he had a hard time thinking clearly.

  Was that pathetic or what?

  At this particular moment, he wasn’t thinking at all. He brushed his lips against hers lightly, waiting for her to pull back. Waiting for one of them to have enough sense to stop this nonsense. But she didn’t move away. Instead, she came closer, close enough to fit snugly against him. Her hands ran over his shoulders and around his neck.

  Danger signals flashed in his brain. He needed to exercise some basic self-control. Simple as that. The only problem was he seemed sorely lacking in the precious commodity of control.

  So when she moaned, he tipped his head and deepened the kiss. She met him with an eagerness that filled him with desire. Need curled through him, wrapping around his heart, his lungs. But even as he explored her mouth, he felt something different in the embrace.

  Beneath his desire lay a tenderness he’d never experienced before. Pretty scary stuff. It unnerved him to admit it, even to himself, but he cared for Casey.

  Cared about what she felt.

  Thankfully, at the moment, she felt like pressing against him. She felt so good; the lady should be illegal.

  He moved one hand from her waist and slid it slowly up her torso. She softly said, “Yes.”

  Knowing he affected her deepened the sensations. It felt right holding this woman, which was both frightening and exhilarating. He nudged her toward the desk. He wanted to make love to Casey. Here. The hell with their surroundings. With convention. Need had turned him crazy.

  But noises from the main room drifted through the fog in his brain. Casey wrenched her mouth free from his and pressed her hands against his chest.

  “No, Michael. Not here.”

  He froze as if he’d been tossed into a snowdrift. With effort, he struggled to get his body under control and drew in several deep breaths, willing his rushing blood to cool.

  “Yeah. You’re right.” His arms still held her tightly. “Just give me a minute here.”

  Actually, he probably needed closer to an hour. What was it about Casey that turned him into a man who couldn’t control his own actions? This time he didn’t have a supposedly magical car to blame. This time, the fault was one hundred percent his. He’d always prided himself on his ability to remain emotionally separate from the women in his life. But now, holding Casey, he knew he was fighting a battle he could easily lose.

  That was a scary thought. He dropped his arms from around her and moved back. Getting involved with Casey could really screw things up. She would further distract him from his job, which could derail the career path he’d carefully planned for himself.

  “Um, Michael, I—” Casey got no further. A brisk tap barely preceded the opening of the door.

  “Hi, there.” Nathan Barrett walked in, flashing his usual self-confident smile. With him was another older man.

  Michael groaned. He’d forgotten Nathan had said this morning he might drop by today. Naturally, Nathan would pick right now to show up. And knowing Nathan, he wouldn’t miss a thing. To be honest, the man could have his eyes shut and still know what had just happened in this room. The atmosphere was ripe with tension. Casey looked flushed and mussed and thoroughly kissed. His own appearance probably mirrored hers.

  Well, hell.

  No sense avoiding the inevitable. Michael met Nathan’s quizzical gaze full-on. “Hey, Nathan. Glad you could make it.”

  Nathan strolled into the office, looking straight at Michael. Then he turned his gaze toward Casey. A smile as big as a canyon split his face.

  “Thanks, Michael. I wanted to see for myself all the great things you’re doing here.”

  A soft noise escaped Casey that sounded something like a smothered giggle. Moving farther away from him, she circled her desk, then she extended her hand to Nathan.

  “Hi. I’m Casey Richards, the director of the center.”

  Nathan pumped her hand like a thirsty man working a well. “I’m absolutely delighted to meet you, Casey. This is my father-in-law, Benjamin Montgomery. He’s considering moving to Honey and being part of the center.”

  Michael had never met Nathan’s father-in-law, so he shook his hand. Benjamin Montgomery was tall with snow-white hair. He had a friendly, open smile.

  “This is a great place,” he said.

  Nathan nodded. “When I looked into a charity for Michael, I knew he’d be perfect for this place. Guess I was right. I understand you’re planning a fundraiser.”

  Michael had to hand it to Casey. She looked calm and collected. Still, he couldn’t help thinking Nathan’s interruption had saved him from making a big mistake. He’d been this close to losing control with Casey.

  “We hope Big Band Night will be a success.” Casey’s voice sounded just a tiny bit husky, reminding Michael all too well what they’d been doing just moments ago. “I hope you’ll be able to attend.”

  Nathan laughed and winked at Michael. “She’s a lot like you. She never misses a chance to make a sell.” Turning his attention back to Casey, he said, “I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.”

  Benjamin nodded. “I’ll definitely be there. It sounds like fun.”

  An awkward silence settled on the room, and when Casey picked up a stray paper clip, Michael decided to hustle Nathan and Benjamin out of the office before the innocent clip was tortured.

  “Let me give you a tour.” Michael stepped forward, ushering the men toward the main room. After saying goodbye to Casey, they headed out. Right before leaving her office, Michael glanced back and met Casey’s gaze. When she winked at him, he knew he was standing knee-deep in a big pile of trouble.

  Casey had barely overcome the kiss with Michael when she had to rush off to the city council meeting. Now she sat facing the members of the council and the mayor and wished she’d brought reinforcements. What was intended to be a nice, simple meeting had turned into a fiasco.

  “Look, all I’m trying to do is preview the fundraiser for you. You’ve already committed the money needed to buy the house,” she said, studying their faces. Two of the members, the ones who had assured her repeatedly that everything was fine, refused to look at her. Something was up.

  “We’ve been rethinking the money allocated for the house,” one of the council members said. “There’s only a few days left, and we doubt you can raise the rest of the needed money.”

  Annoyance bubbled up in Casey. Oh, no. They were going to play the chase-their-tails game again. It s
eemed like every time a new council member was elected, everything had to be completely reexamined. Well, she was downright tired of being examined by these people.

  “Of course I can raise the money,” Casey said firmly. “I’ve just shown you our plans. Besides, we have to move. The current building is falling apart and unsafe. And much too small.”

  “Well, maybe we should talk it over again,” another council member said. “It is a lot of money.”

  Sheesh. Good grief. “What’s really going on here?” she demanded, pinning each council member with a hard stare. “Why are you backpedaling?”

  Finally, Drew Charlin said, “We’re not. It’s just this fundraiser you have planned seems risky. What if it doesn’t work?”

  She glanced at the council members then back at Drew. “Then I’ll find another property, and we’ll try again. One way or the other, I am going to find a new location for the center.”

  “Casey, some of the members are new to the council and don’t know that much about the center’s condition,” Drew said. “Why don’t you start back at the beginning?”

  Oh, for crying out loud! Talk about returning to square one. With a sigh, she settled in her chair, knowing she was in for an annoyingly long meeting.

  “Fine, I’ll recap why we need the new center, and what changes we envision to our program,” Casey said. “Then I’ll walk you through the plans for our fundraiser, Big Band Night.”

  “Michael, I knew this would be the perfect place for you,” Nathan said once their brief tour returned them to the main room. “I can see how much influence you’re having.”

  Michael frowned, unhappy with Nathan’s assessment. “I haven’t done anything.” Well, if you didn’t count the hole in the wall. “Casey and the seniors have done all the work for the fundraiser.”

  Nathan dismissed Michael’s words with a wave of his hand. “Nonsense. You got me to agree to holding it at Barrett Software.”