She’d told him they’d met years ago in school, but he only vaguely remembered the girl she’d been then. The fact that they’d met before explained the sense of déjà vu he’d experienced the evening they’d examined the wine list together, though. It was the way she’d told him that disturbed him. And the timing.
She’d said it the night after they’d made love as he’d dropped her off at her house, almost like a “so there” parting shot. She’d never mentioned it again.
“You’re still just appreciating the view,” she said. “Piper didn’t spoil the mood, did he?”
“I like to look. The same way you like to say my name.”
He thought she blushed.
“Go ahead. Say it.”
“No, you can’t make me now.”
“I’ll bet I can.”
“You’re on.”
She said his name a dozen times with as many inflections over the next hour. He loved his name on her lips, loved her hair, adored the sounds she made when he brought her pleasure. He even loved her creaky bed.
Spent, Riley lay on his back, his skin damp with perspiration, and felt her heartbeat against his ribs. She drew lazy circles in the hair on his belly with one finger. He loved everything about being with Lisa Martin.
And he wanted to tell her.
“Lisa.”
“Hmm?”
“I love you.”
Her finger stilled. The sound of her ticking alarm clock filled his ears. He shouldn’t have said it. He shouldn’t have thought it. What had he expected her to do? Return the sentiment?
Initially yes, he had. He’d thought it would be an easy task to ingratiate himself and make himself invaluable. He hadn’t planned to feel anything. He hadn’t planned to care. Hadn’t planned to mean it.
“I have a feeling that you’ve loved a lot of women,” she said at last, her tone light.
He bit back an argument.
“Like you love your Jag and you love blackened steak a little rare. Like you love a really good vintage wine.”
He didn’t say anything, but his heart hammered.
She scooted upward on the bed with a creak of metal and sat with the sheets held against her breasts. The hair at her temples had turned to corkscrews.
“Tell me that’s what you meant, Riley, because I don’t want anything to happen to our relationship. We have to see each other at meetings, and you’re contracted as my advisor. What we’ve already done is probably unwise and unprofessional…but I don’t want it to be a big mistake.”
He managed an easy smile that he didn’t feel. “Of course that’s what I meant. Actually you’re better than wine, but my Jag? I’ll need more time to think about that.”
Lisa eased back against the pillows.
He’d passed off the uncomfortable moment with a stab at humor, and she seemed appeased. He should have his head examined. He should have his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. He should not be letting feelings get in the way.
“Will you show me the way out to the cabin tomorrow?” she asked. “That is, as long as it’s still okay for me to stay there for a while.”
“Of course it is. Let me know when you’re ready.”
“I’ve had a couple of calls for interviews since the People thing. Did you see it?”
“Marge showed me. Are you accepting them?”
“No. I really just want this to blow over. I don’t want to be on television.”
“Maybe one big interview would satisfy the curiosity.”
“That’s what we thought about the locals, too.”
“Your picture hasn’t been in the Nugget for a couple of days now.”
She picked at a thread on her bedspread. “I’ll think about it.”
“Lisa, did we graduate together?”
“No, I was a sophomore when you were a senior.”
“A sophomore coaching me with chemistry? That hurts.”
“A young sophomore, too,” she added with a grin. “I skipped a grade in elementary school.”
“Double ouch. Do you have any yearbooks?”
“Somewhere.”
“Can I look at them?”
She got up and opened her closet, where she snagged a thick chenille robe and pulled it on. Then she pushed aside clothing and pulled out a couple of boxes. Inside the second one she found three volumes of the Thunder Canyon High yearbook and carried them back to the bed.
Riley reached for the lamp on the night table and switched it on before sitting back against the piled pillows.
“What do you want to see?” she asked, laying the books beside him.
“You.”
“Oh, come on.” She reached to take back the books, but he spread his hand on the top one and held the pile fast.
He glanced at the dates and covers and recalled having one the same. The volume was from the year he graduated. Opening it, he saw none of the youthful writings and scribbled good wishes that littered the pages of his. He quickly found Martin, Lisa J. in the directory and noted the three pages where her picture would be found.
In the first snapshot, sixteen members of the chess club smiled for the camera. He scanned the faces without recognition, then read the names listed below and found her. The same wild hair she’d had only a month ago, a concealing sweater and long skirt.
The second picture showed the library volunteers gathered around a display of presidential biographies. He picked her out this time, noting her shy expression and the way she stood behind someone else’s shoulder.
“Which one has your graduation picture?”
“You’ve already seen it on TV.”
“I’ll find it myself.”
“That one.”
He opened the book she’d indicated and located her picture. Yes, he’d seen the picture on the news, but he hadn’t known then that they’d met before. He studied the photo now.
Like a blurry image coming into focus, memories of Lisa watching him in the cafeteria, on the football field, in the library became clear. This was the quiet girl who had tutored him? He’d like to think he’d been too focused on learning the concepts and passing the class to get to know her. As the memories returned, the sting of conscience bit him.
“You worked in the cafeteria.”
“Yes.”
How had he not noticed her? Had he been that busy? That full of himself? So caught up in his social activities that a sophomore outside his circle was invisible?
“Don’t try to figure it out,” she said, as though reading his mind. “I worked at not being seen.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “A lot of reasons. The Lily thing was part of it—not wanting to draw attention. I didn’t have clothes that were in style or hair like the other girls. I just didn’t fit in and eventually it became my identity.”
Lisa blushed and looked away as though she’d revealed too much of herself.
“And now? Who are you now?”
She took the yearbooks and moved them to the night table. “I’m not ashamed of Lily anymore. And I guess I can have all the clothes I want, huh?”
“What about guys? Boyfriends?”
“I can have all of those I want, too, huh?”
She’d deliberately sidestepped his question, not to mention implied that he wasn’t her only option. The insinuation made a fist of anger rise in his chest. Anger. Possessiveness. Things he shouldn’t be feeling. He had something to ask her and he was going to have to ask soon.
Her reaction to his hastily spoken declaration had been his warning to tread softly, however. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off. This wasn’t a sure thing yet.
“I’ll just have to prove I’m enough.” He slid a hand inside the robe and stroked the warm, soft skin of her waist and hip. “Think it’ll take much convincing tonight?”
“Definitely. I’ve been having recurring thoughts of Orlando Bloom.”
“Who?”
“Never mind. Convince me.”
Riley wa
s so large, he took up more than half the space in the bed. She woke in the dark with her body conformed to his. A glance at the luminous dial on her clock told her it was only a little after four. Lisa had never slept beside a man. She’d never shared a bed with anyone except her dogs, and the thought of them being closed out of the room gave her a twinge of guilt. She couldn’t let them in now, not with Riley in the bed.
Getting up, she found her robe on the floor and tiptoed to the door. Piper lay in the hall as though guarding her room. At her exit, he scrambled to his feet. She pulled the door shut behind her, not risking the chance of another confrontation.
“Hey, boy.” She bent to pet him before moving on down the hall and descending the steps.
Joey had been sleeping on the pile of blankets beside the sofa, and she told him what a good dog he was for sparing her furniture. Both dogs padded behind her into the kitchen.
She poured fresh water into their bowls and got herself a glass of milk. “Hope you’re not taking this personally.” She sipped her milk and glanced at their accusatory expressions. “I know having him here is out of the ordinary. But there’s a lot to be said for new experiences. Ordinary can really suck.”
Joey lay down with his chin on his front paws and blinked up at her. Piper glanced toward the doorway, as if he knew who she was talking about and didn’t like being kicked to the curb one bit.
“It’s not forever, guys, trust me. Please don’t begrudge me this one thing for as long as it lasts. I had to know. I had to do something for me just this once.”
Plumbing in the upstairs recesses of the house clanged. He was awake.
“C’mon, boys, outside.”
They scrambled to the back door, which she unlocked before ushering them out.
“What are you doing up so early?” Riley entered the kitchen wearing his black trousers and carrying his shirt and shoes. His dark hair was endearingly messy.
“I just woke up.”
He set the clothes on the seat of a chair. “I guess I’ll head out.”
“Want to stay for breakfast?”
“I couldn’t eat this early. And I should be out of here before daylight.” He slipped on the wrinkled shirt.
“Okay.” She leaned back against the counter. “I’ll pack a few things, buy groceries and be ready to go by this afternoon.”
“Why don’t you just drive out to my place when you’re ready? I’ll show you the way from there.”
She was planning to spend time alone and knew better than to add complications, but she found herself asking, “Will you stay to have dinner with me tonight?”
A smile creased his cheeks as he sat to pull on his socks and shoes. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll help you fix it.”
Lisa stepped forward and cradled his head against her breast. Riley wrapped his arms around her hips and hugged her tight.
She backed away then and he stood, finding his suit coat and fishing in his pocket for his keys. She walked him to the front door and stood watching as he headed down her street on foot in the dark. Several minutes later she was still watching from between the parted lace on the front windows when his Jaguar rolled by slowly. The taillights disappeared in the darkness.
Lisa was beginning to frighten herself with the thoughts and feelings she had difficulty controlling. The fact that Riley was pursuing her for the gold mine and that she was only turning the tables on him for her own satisfaction was getting harder and harder to remember.
He’d been her first crush, and as that had existed only in fantasy and dreams. All these years later he’d become her first lover. And the reality—the physicality of the man—was becoming her undoing. Physical pleasure and blooming friendship had combined with her new self-confidence to fling all those years of loneliness and emptiness in her face.
She didn’t want to let go.
She didn’t have to just yet.
She hadn’t wanted him to move things forward, hadn’t allowed him to take his scheme to another level. When he’d mentioned love, her foolish heart had wanted to hear the words, but her sensible head had warned her it meant the end. As soon as he made a move she couldn’t counter, she would have to end this.
Originally, selfishly, she hadn’t thought past that first night. But after she’d made love with Riley—after it looked like the game could continue a little longer—she’d had to rethink her strategy and strengthen her defenses.
The deception felt wrong, but she justified her actions with the fact that he’d been the first to deceive. She’d been staying a step ahead of him all along, but now it felt as if she had to run to do that.
Lisa let the dogs in and climbed the stairs with them at her heels. They sniffed every corner of the room as well as her bed before climbing up beside her where she lay. She still had a couple of hours before she had to get up, and now she could sleep without Riley’s presence disturbing her.
She didn’t sleep, though. When daylight broke through her curtains, she was still awake, reliving their night together and hoping for more time.
Thunder Canyon was more quiet than usual for a Sunday afternoon, maybe because the sun climbed high and hot and baked the little town, chasing residents indoors. Lisa appreciated it, because no one seemed to pay her any interest.
Once she had her supplies loaded into the Blazer, she ushered the dogs into the back and cranked the air-conditioning. She checked the rearview mirror continuously, but no one followed her. She arrived on the Lazy D and at Riley’s home without unwanted attention.
She rang the bell and waited.
Riley opened the door. The T-shirt he wore was damp with sweat and his face was flushed, his hair wet. His attention immediately focused on the length of her legs in the first pair of shorts she’d worn since she was a kid. “Wow.”
Lisa’s cheeks warmed at his appreciative reaction.
He grinned and gestured for her to come in. “I just finished riding and putting up a horse. Can you wait for me to take a quick shower?”
“Sure. I have to bring in the dogs out of the car.” She led them in on leashes and cautioned Piper when he growled at Riley.
“Living room’s that way. Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”
She ushered the dogs into the room he indicated. Sleek modern sofas and chairs, nickel-finish tables with glass tops and track lighting defined the room. Everything was plain and cold looking. “You guys would have to shed…and we’d need some real furniture to feel at home, wouldn’t we?”
The dogs sniffed around, apparently finding nothing of interest because they just sat and panted.
Lisa tested a chair and then the sofa. “Not so bad, really, if a person didn’t want somewhere to rest their arms.” None of the pieces had armrests. “Probably cost a fortune, too, if I know Riley’s taste.”
True to his word, Riley returned in a matter of minutes, smelling like soap. His black hair was damp and combed into place. “Ready?”
Piper stood and growled.
“Sorry,” Lisa said.
“It’s not as big of a deal today, now that I have my pants on,” he told her.
She ignored that comment. “Does this stuff really reflect you? Or do you have a decorator?”
He glanced around, seeming a little surprised at her question. “Well…I did have a decorator.”
“For some reason I feel a little better about that.”
He gave her a look that said he thought she was a fry short of a Happy Meal before turning away. “I have to get something from the kitchen.”
She took the dogs outside ahead of him and loaded them back into the Blazer. Riley carried a small cooler out to his Jag.
Getting to his cabin took a little over a half hour, and she tried to remember the landmarks along the way so she could find the place on her own again—or so she could leave and return.
She parked in the double garage beside Riley and he led the way up the stairs. “Don’t let that dog get too close,” he called over his shoulder.
“I know, just don’t let that dog get too close.”
“I don’t know why he growls at you.”
“He’s going to like me tonight.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I’m good at convincing.”
She couldn’t argue with that. She hadn’t had a thought about Orlando Bloom all day.
After being released from their leashes, the dogs checked out every room.
“Do I have to take them down through the garage to do their business every time?”
“No, look here.” He showed her into an enormous suite where double glass doors led to a balcony. “You can use any room you like, but this side of the house is set against a hill. Those stairs lead up to the top, where there’s a wooded area and a great view. C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Lisa called and the animals tagged after them.
Riley took the stairs first and Lisa followed. The dogs took some coaxing, but Piper came first and then Joey.
They came out on a flat expanse of land surrounded by woods and a sharp decline on one side.
“Can anyone get to the house this way?”
“No, it’s too high above the roads and there’s no path except deer trails. You’re safe here.”
“What about wild animals?”
“I’m sure there are some, so stay close to the steps if you have to come out at night. There’s a flashlight beside the sliding doors. There’s a cell phone plugged in on the kitchen counter, too.”
Piper and Joey had taken off into the underbrush and returned with leaves clinging to their fur. She knelt and cleaned them off.
Joey brushed up against Riley, pausing to sit at his feet.
Riley scratched the retriever’s head. “This looks like a fun hangout, doesn’t it? Wait till you see what I have planned for supper.”
After that they made several trips with Lisa’s belongings and the groceries. Riley carried in the cooler and took out steaks and a familiar white take-out box.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That’s your bribe. The steak is theirs.”
“It’s chocolate-raspberry truffle, isn’t it?” She reached for the box.
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