The Ultimate Romance Box (6 Bestselling Romance Novels)

by Eckhart, Lorhainne

  Drew muttered an obscenity. “Either I’m nuts or else going through some kind of over-thirty crisis. I met this woman only twice, we barely spoke, and already I have this thing for her.”

  “So? You’re always getting hot on some new woman till you’ve had her for a week or two.” Keith reached out his left hand.

  Drew knew exactly which wrench to pass him. He’d done this routine a thousand times since the days when he was a kid learning all about his dad’s business from the ground up. “More than that going on here. Not sure what, but it kind of freaks me out.”

  “Watch out. Could be love at first sight.”

  “Oh, come on. That’s pure bunk.”

  “Who is she?”

  He described Casey, telling about their little tiff over Josh’s ballet classes and his confusion after seeing his son’s bold performance on stage. “I was so emphatic in the things I said to her. I can’t just turn around on everything now. Make a fool of myself.”

  “Getting just like your old man. Never admit when you’re wrong.”

  Drew scowled. That was the second time in two days he’d been compared to his dad. Not a good sign.

  Keith walked toward him, wiping his hands on an oily rag. “I told you about the night I first met Lizzie?”

  “Many times.”

  “Knew right away she was the one.”

  “A rare exception to the rule.”

  “How’d you ever get to be such a cynical young man? I got one leg, smoke riddled lungs and a whole lot of bad memories from the war, and I still got an outlook that’s a helluva lot brighter than yours.”

  That gave him pause, since it came from the one person in his life who always told him the truth no matter what. But Drew had a difficult time swallowing the idea of some sort of magically destined romance. He believed in hard work, shrewd, aggressive business tactics and plenty of hot sex with women who couldn’t get their claws into you.

  “That reminds me, I won some free psychic readings in a raffle. You want them? Maybe Lizzie would like talking to Madame Lumina.”

  “Why give them away? You’re the one who needs them.” Keith let out a laugh that turned into a cough. He was a relentless chain smoker. Drew had begged him for years to quit. But all he’d get would be a wry wink and playful puff of smoke blown his way from the corner of the grizzled old grease monkey’s mouth.

  “Don’t tell me you believe in this stuff, too?”

  Keith’s tone sobered, “While I lay wounded and bleeding in Nam I went through some experiences I don’t tell most people about. Things that would make your hair stand up and your feet tingle. There’s a lot in this freaking world that can’t be explained. And what makes a man fall in love with a woman is one of them.”

  “Zheesh. Now you’re turning mystical on me.”

  “You just call up that Madame Lumina and ask her about this girl. And while you’re at it, see if she picks lottery numbers.”

  ***

  Casey finished teaching her intermediate level jazz class at seven-thirty. By nine p.m. she’d eaten a bowl of pasta, showered and slipped into a comfy sleep tee. Setting a cup of Earl Grey on her night table, she sat cross-legged on her bed with Natalie’s notes and the tarot cards spread out in front of her on the daisy print quilt.

  She’d gotten a call from the raffle winner that afternoon on the cell phone Natalie had given her. He’d scheduled a nine o’clock appointment. Now she waited, nervously going over the tarot cards, Sugar Boy snoozing on her left, leaning his warm, black-and-white fur against her thigh.

  At the cell’s shrill ring Casey took a breath and dropped into her role, making her voice deeper and matronly. “Hello. This is Madame Lumina.”

  “Hi. We spoke this afternoon. I’m the person who won the free psychic readings at the North Cove bazaar.”

  “Yes. Your name please?”

  Silence. Then, “Let’s skip that.”

  “You can make one up if you prefer to remain anonymous.”

  “That’s what you do, right? You don’t expect anybody to believe Madame Lumina is your real name.”

  “No.”

  “Okay. Uh, Dionysus.”

  “All right, Dionysus, any particular subject you’d like advice on?”

  “Yeah. A woman.”

  Spreading the deck face down across the bed, she pulled a card: the Queen of Swords. “I see a woman.”

  He let out a smug chuckle. “Is there an echo in here?”

  “What I’m saying is that the card I just turned over has a woman on it. So, I’d say we’re in tune here.” Casey figured that sounded good. She told herself not to panic as she shuffled quickly through Natalie’s crib notes. Queen of Swords, where are you? Aha. “She has dark hair, a keen intellect, a fondness for dancing.”

  “Hey, you are good.”

  “I am? I mean, uh, yes. I am.”

  “She runs a dance studio. My son goes there. Or used to.”

  Her skin prickled. No, it can’t be. She listened closer to his voice. Was it familiar? “So your son goes to her dance studio…”

  “Just the other day I went in and yanked Josh right out of her ballet class.”

  Josh? Casey gasped. “Ohmigod.” It was Drew Byrne.

  “No, no, no. Take it easy. It wasn’t all that bad. Nothing violent. I just led him out of the studio with this hot, leggy dance instructor on my heels making a fuss. And that’s when the problem started. There we were. Me and this sexy bitch — pardon my language — fighting about my son and who did I think I was and my interrupting her class. And the whole time it’s happening I’m picturing the two of us…well. Anyway, I can’t stop thinking about her.”

  “Really?”

  “Which is interesting considering the number of women I’ve got on a leash. You’d be amazed.”

  She suppressed a groan. “I’m sure.”

  “But there’s something different with her. Not only that she’s poles apart from the top of the line high rollers I usually date. Although I think she’s just as beautiful. But that’s not it. I can’t put my finger on what’s happening. I don’t usually get caught up like this. Feel like a stupid kid with a crush. So what do I do?”

  Stunned, Casey croaked out a feeble, “Good question.”

  But then with a giddy sensation she began to enjoy the moment. He said she was beautiful. And that he had a crush on her. Whoa. And here I sit behind the control panel. I mean, what are the odds?

  “Why don’t you ask her out?” The second the words slipped out of her mouth Casey balked. Did she really want to get into anything with Drew Byrne? He was such an obnoxious egomaniac. Meanwhile, she hadn’t wanted to jump a guy’s bones this badly since that Puerto Rican boxer she’d met back in Manhattan.

  “Ask her out? I’m way too uncomfortable for that. Feels too weird considering this mess around my kid and the dance classes. But I was thinking of this other thing. And ironically it could also be a compromise my ex will go for around my son.”

  “Around your son being taken out of his dance classes. I’m seeing that your ex doesn’t like it.”

  “Right again. But I found this poster. It’s for a summer program this woman is teaching. It might be a way to just—”

  “Hold it.” She couldn’t resist. “I’m getting some letters: F-A-M-I…”

  “That’s it! Family Fitness. You really are unbelievable.”

  Casey flopped back onto her pillow, her lips clamped together holding back giggles. When she got control of herself she said, “I see that this would be a good way to make contact with her if you take part. I also see that your son will like this.”

  “Think so? I’ve been trying to get closer to him.” His tone softened. “It isn’t easy. And it’s my own fault. I waited too long. Got all caught up in my business and my indulgent pastimes, and before I knew it the baby turned into a boy I hardly knew. One who probably doesn’t like me too much. And I don’t blame him.” He sighed.

  Casey’s heart melted when she heard t
he tenderness and regret in his tone. She’d observed him with Josh at the bazaar and remembered feeling a little bad for Drew. She could see the awkwardness between him and his son and how hard Drew was trying. She sat up and without the cards said, “The signs show that it’s not too late. Keep at it with your son. My advice is to try and get to know him, to understand who he is, not just who you want him to be.”

  He asked a few questions about his finances. This time Casey did pull cards for him. And if they were right, this guy was as rich as her brother had implied. She wondered what he did with it all.

  The time went by quickly, and at the end of the session Drew said, “Gotta be honest, Lumina. I didn’t think I’d go for this psychic twaddle. I’ve never done anything like this before. But you’ve really been spot on.”

  “Thank you…Dionysus.”

  “How about we make my next appointment a week from now? Same time?”

  “I’ll check my calendar.” A little background noise for realism, Casey mussed up the paper notes on her bed. “Yep. That works. Good luck with your beautiful dancer. You did call her beautiful, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah, but there is one thing that turns me off about her looks.”

  “Oh?” Why had she opened her big mouth? Concealing the urgency in her voice, she asked, “And what’s that?”

  “She’s so damn pale. And if there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a woman who looks like she never gets out in the sun.”

  “But people don’t go out in the sun anymore. It’s not safe.”

  “There’s always tanning cream, right?”

  After they signed off, Casey reached for the notepad on her night table and jotted down: pick up tanning cream. Large tube. Am I insane? What am I doing? This is like walking into a lion’s cage.

  But by the time she went to sleep Casey decided she’d made the right decision because little Josh would still be getting a good workout.

  Chapter Five

  The noisy echo of kids shouting in the North Cove High gym brought back memories for Drew. He’d been a star athlete in high school and played college ball at University of Southern California. Josh seemed nervous about joining the Family Fitness class, but he brightened when he saw Miss Casey.

  So did Drew. Except his reaction was more like a fire he couldn’t control. Blood rushed to his groin at the sight of her butt in tight, black bicycle shorts and her breasts pressing against a pink, form-fitting tank top that read Zombies Hate Fast Food. To put him in even more pain, her smooth, taut skin had great color tonight, like she’d been playing volleyball on the beach or something.

  Looking around, Drew felt like he was part of a giant board game. A pattern of blue exercise mats checkered the floor next to different kinds of equipment: kettle bells, dumbbells, medicine balls, jump ropes, and push-up bars. Pull-up bars, step-up stools and an upright boxing bag on the perimeter.

  He also scanned the room to size up the competition. Some of the dads and moms seemed in all right shape, others in serious need of this program. But none of the men had the buff arms, chest and abs Drew had worked years to achieve.

  Correction. A ripped block of granite with a buzz cut and steel jaw swaggered into the room and sidled up next to Casey. Had to be Trevor Barton, the other instructor, the football coach listed on the poster.

  “Okay, everybody, now listen up.” The husky jock with the booming voice stood at the front of the room and spoke into his wireless headset. “For all you newbies, I’m Trevor Barton and this is Casey Richardson. Welcome to our annual Family Fitness Bootcamp. Who’s here for the first time? Let’s see some hands.”

  Drew panned the crowd. At least a dozen answered the call with a show of hands. Drew hated being part of a crowd of followers of any kind. It ruffled his feathers to be anywhere but in the lead. While Josh raised his hand, Drew refrained. No way would he raise his freakin’ hand so this turkey could talk to him like a fifth grader.

  “I can still see some new faces out there. Come on now, don’t be shy. Give it up so we can get to know you.” He stared right at Drew, who cricked his elbow, lifting a hand.

  Being coerced into taking part in an embarrassing session of introductions, only to be followed by Trevor Barton’s cringing attempt at motivational speaking, Drew almost wanted to leave. But then they got started with the actual program. And watching Casey’s muscular legs and her beautifully defined arms as she demonstrated exercises made it all worthwhile. Except the hulky Mr. Barton stuck so close to her, Drew immediately decided he couldn’t stand the guy.

  “We’ve divided you up into four groups,” Trevor said.

  Then Casey said, “You’ll each rotate to a different station and perform the activity required in the time allotted.”

  Trevor said, “Remember, when you complete the circuit return to the recovery zone in the center of the floor.”

  Casey said, “Trevor and I will circle the room and be available to monitor you at all times.”

  Drew shook his head. Oh, aren’t they adorable. They even take turns speaking.

  As he and Josh moved through the circuit Drew got caught up in helping his son, who seemed to be enjoying the workout. Several exercises required partnering between parent and child. Like the one-legged lunges where Drew held Josh’s back foot off the ground while the boy bent and straightened his standing knee.

  Wobbling and fighting for balance, Josh nearly fell. But just as Drew was about to drop the foot and catch him, Casey trotted over. Josh seemed to glow when she took his arms and steadied him, offering encouraging words.

  Drew admired the way she managed to be aware of everyone in the room and what they needed. He was so used to people with their own agendas, with an angle to push or sell, or something they wanted to get out of you. But as he watched Casey he suspected she might actually be genuine, a person with a truly kind heart. Something he was surprised he even noticed on this sexy-as-hell woman with a bedroom soft voice.

  “Doing great, Josh. Now pick one place and keep your eyes focused on it. Think of it like an arabesque plié. Good! See if you can crank out two more.”

  Josh glided through them, Casey smiling, his dad cheering him on.

  “Nice work.” Casey turned to Drew. “You’re turn.”

  “Only if you’ll help out.”

  She smirked. “As if you need any. Judging from your build you could zing through any obstacle course.”

  Drew grinned at her compliment. He was used to getting noticed for his build and athletic prowess. After all, he did physically embody someone who’d spent years training as a competitive athlete. Hearing it from Casey ignited that fire again. He didn’t understand why some part of his ego wanted so badly for her to acknowledge he was in different league from everyone else.

  But that couldn’t compare with how badly he wanted to touch her. “Actually I do need help. I’ve got some old nagging injuries.”

  A tiny smile formed at the corners of her mouth. “Your wrestling shoulder again?”

  “My football knee.”

  Casey reached out her arms, palms up, and Drew stretched his forearms along hers the way Josh had. As soon as he touched her all kinds of fireworks went off inside him. She smelled like vanilla and looked like heaven. He wanted to nibble her beautiful collarbone, to stick his tongue into the crack between her breasts and lick the creamy, bare skin above her tank top. Then move up her throat and taste that sweet rosy mouth.

  He lifted his back foot for Josh to hold. His upper body tipped forward, bringing his head so close to Casey’s he was tempted to turn his face slightly just to feel her forehead on his cheek. But he didn’t.

  Drew concentrated on his balance and sank into his lunges, grateful that he had the strength to pull them off with finesse. He looked down on the top of Casey’s head, wondering if she was really watching the path of his bending knee or merely avoiding looking into his eyes. So at the sixth rep he said, “Are my shoulders in the right position?”

  Casey looked up. Drew met h
er gaze and noted her startled blush. It was a split-second decision on his part to let his balance waver. He fell forward. She reached for his torso to catch him. Drew slid his arms around her. Josh let go of his foot with a hoot of laughter.

  Drew and Casey held each other for a moment of breathless silence, their faces only a kissable distance apart.

  Out of the blue, Trevor Barton appeared next to them. “Casey, you’re needed over at station six. Wendy and Lana Cutzman would like your assistance. I’ll handle the newbie.”

  Casey pulled away from Drew. She glanced from Drew to Trevor, opened her mouth as if to say something, but seemed to change her mind. As she walked away Drew made a point of letting his eyes follow her, knowing it would annoy Mr. Barton. They exchanged a not-so-amiable look.

  “Show me what you got, big guy.” The challenge in Trevor’s voice made Drew bristle.

  No way was Drew going to give this ass the satisfaction of calling the shots over him. “We’re done with this station.”

  “Fall over and you decide to bail?” Trevor shook his head. “That’s not setting a good example for your son.”

  Drew walked closer until they were nose to nose. Remaining calm and quiet, he said, “I didn’t come here to argue. And you leave my son out of this.”

  He turned, put his hand on Josh’s shoulder and headed for the next station.

  When the class ended, Drew left Josh shooting hoops with a friend and ambled toward Casey who stood center floor saying goodbye to her regulars. Once her fan base thinned out, he noticed the upbeat smile she gave students throughout the class had changed to a worried look.

  Drew meandered up to her. “Why the long face?”

  “Sorry. I didn’t realize it was that obvious,” Casey said.

  “You had a big turn out. Should be feeling good.”

  She waved the notion away with her hand. “It has nothing to do with our program. I’m having a battle with my landlord, and it just keeps getting worse.”

  “I own quite a bit of property. Maybe I could give you some advice. Why not tell me about it over a drink tonight? I’m dropping Josh at his mom’s. I could pick you up—”