Twelve Nights of Temptation

by Barbara Dunlop

  “I could stay,” he offered in a soft voice.

  She jumped an inch off the bed and her voice rose an octave. “What?”

  “I don’t have to rush off.”

  “Yes, you do.” She looked around for her clothes, realizing she needed to get out of the bed right now. “You can’t stay here. It’s the staff quarters. You need to get out while it’s still dark, before anybody starts work.”

  He didn’t look happy. But he also seemed to understand. “I know. This isn’t exactly discreet. But I don’t want to leave you.” He reached for her.

  She evaded his grasp. “If you don’t. If somebody sees you, then it’s trade school all over again. Only this time I had a one-night stand with the teacher.”

  His brow went up. “How am I the teacher?”

  “You know what I mean. You’re in a position of authority. It’s worse than sleeping with a peer. I lose any and all credibility. Everybody’s reminded that I’m not one of the guys.”

  “They respect you, Tasha. And who says this is a one-night stand?”

  “Who says it’s not? So far that’s exactly what it is.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing, Matt. The mathematical odds that this leads to something, I mean something besides a fling based on chemistry alone, are, I don’t know, maybe five, six percent. The mathematical odds of this leading to the dismantling of my credibility and reputation are around ninety. What would you do if you were me?”

  “Where did you come up with five or six percent?”

  “I did a quick calculation in my head.”

  “That’s insane.” He reached for her again, and she backed to an ever safer distance.

  She didn’t want him to leave. But he had to leave. He had to leave now before she weakened.

  “Please, Matt,” she said.

  He hardened his jaw. “Of course.” He threw back the covers and came to his feet.

  She didn’t want to watch him walk naked across the room. But she couldn’t help herself. He was magnificent, and the sight of him brought back instant memories of their lovemaking.

  Her skin flushed. Then goose bumps formed. But she had to be strong. She would force herself to let him leave.

  * * *

  With Noah Glover’s electric expertise to guide them, Matt, Caleb and TJ had spent the day installing the new security cameras. Now as a thank-you, Matt was hosting dinner for Caleb and Jules, TJ and Jules’s sister, Melissa, along with Noah.

  Watching Caleb with Jules, and Noah with Melissa, Matt couldn’t help thinking about Tasha. She’d made herself scarce all day, while he’d spent most of it watching for her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He’d lain awake half the night thinking about her, wishing he could have slept with her. After their mind-blowing lovemaking, his arms felt completely empty without her.

  “I hope the extra cameras do the trick,” TJ said as he joined Matt by the dining table.

  Matt was setting out plates and glasses, since Jules had all but kicked him out of the kitchen.

  “I don’t care what it takes,” Matt responded. “I’m catching this guy and throwing him in jail. His last stunt could have caused a fire. People could have been seriously hurt, or worse.”

  “Your competition?” TJ asked, gazing through the glass wall to the marina below.

  “I talked to all of them at the gala last night. Waterside Charters is expanding, and Rose and Company bought a new seventy-five-footer. Both would be happy to steal business from me. But I don’t see them doing it this way.”

  “Then what?” TJ asked.

  “If I have my way, we’ll find out soon.” Matt took in the overview of the marina, his gaze settling on the staff quarters. Tasha was there.

  Giving up fighting with himself, he extracted his cell phone. “I’ll just be a minute,” he said to TJ, then moved down the hall.

  He typed into his phone: Dinner with Caleb and Jules at my place. Talking about the new cameras. Can you come?

  He hit Send and waited. It was a stretch of an excuse, but he didn’t care. He wanted her here with him.

  Jules and Melissa were laughing in the kitchen. TJ’s voice blended with Caleb’s and Noah’s. Everybody sounded happy. It had been a good day’s work. It was a good night with friends. Matt should have felt terrific.

  His phone pinged with Tasha’s response. Just leaving. Meeting some people for drinks.

  Disappointment thudded hard in his stomach. He wanted to ask who. He wanted to ask where. Mostly, he wanted to ask why she’d choose them over him.

  “Hey, Matt?” Noah appeared and moved down the hall toward him.

  “Hi. Thanks again for your help today.”

  “Sure.” Noah looked nervous.

  “What’s up?” Matt asked.

  Noah glanced down the hall behind him. “You mind if I hijack dessert tonight?”

  “You brought dessert?”

  “No, no. I brought a bottle of champagne.”

  Matt waited for the explanation.

  “And this,” Noah said, producing a small velvet box.

  There was no mistaking the shape of the box.

  “Are you serious?” Matt asked, surprised.

  Noah flipped it open to reveal a diamond solitaire. “Dead serious.”

  “Are you sure?” Matt lowered his voice. “I mean, not are you sure you want to propose, Melissa is amazing. Are you sure you want to do it in front of us?”

  Noah gave a self-conscious grin. “You’ve all been fantastic. You’re all family. I really think she’d want to share the moment.”

  “That’s a bold move. But you know her better than the rest of us. Well, maybe not better than Jules. Does Jules know?”

  “Nobody knows.”

  “Okay.” Matt couldn’t help but grin. He had to admire Noah for this one. “Dessert’s all yours.”

  Noah snapped the ring box shut and tucked it back in his pocket.

  Matt slapped him on the shoulder as they turned for the living room. “I thought you looked a little overdressed tonight.”

  It was rare for Noah to wear a pressed shirt, jacket and slacks. He was more a blue jeans kind of guy.

  “Everything’s ready,” Jules called out from the kitchen.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” Melissa added.

  Matt and TJ took the ends of the rectangular table, with Caleb and Jules along the glass wall, and Noah and Melissa facing the view.

  Matt lit the candles and Caleb poured the wine. Caleb had the best-stocked cellar, and he always brought along a few bottles. Matt had long since given up trying to compete.

  “Why haven’t you decorated for the holidays?” Jules asked Matt, gazing around the room. “No tinsel? No tree?”

  Caleb gave a grin as he held the baked salmon platter for Jules. “Our place looks like Rockefeller Square attacked the North Pole.”

  “You don’t even have a string of lights,” Melissa said, helping herself to a roll.

  “There’s not a lot of point.” Matt wasn’t about to put up the decorations he’d shared with Dianne. And he didn’t care enough to go shopping for more.

  “Is it depressing?” Jules asked him, looking worried. “Being here on your own for Christmas?”

  Depressed was the last thing Matt was feeling. Relieved was more like it. The last Christmas with Dianne had been painful.

  “I’m fine,” he told Jules. “I’m just not feeling it this year.”

  “Well, I can’t stand it,” Melissa said. “We need to do something. You do have decorations, right?”

  “Whoa,” Noah said. “That’s up to Matt.”

  “No big deal,” Matt was quick to put in. The last thing he wanted was for Noah and Melissa to get into an argument toni
ght.

  “He needs new stuff,” TJ said. “That’s what I did. Well, I waited one Christmas.” He sobered as he added some salad to his plate.

  The table went silent, remembering the loss of TJ’s wife.

  He looked up at the quiet table. “Oh, no you don’t. It’s been two years. I’m all right, and I’m looking forward to Christmas this year.”

  “You’ll come to our place,” Jules said. “You’ll all come to our place.”

  “We can figure it out closer to the day.” Matt didn’t want to hold her to the impulsive invitation.

  It was her first Christmas with Caleb. And Noah and Melissa would be engaged. The two sisters were working through a rocky, although improving, relationship with their father. They might not need a big crowd around them.

  Matt’s thoughts went back to Tasha. He wondered to what she’d done last year for Christmas. Had she gone home for a few days? Had she celebrated here with friends? He didn’t know. He was definitely going to ask.

  Conversation went on, and it was easy for him to coast. He laughed in the right places, made the odd comment, but his mind wasn’t there. It was with Tasha, where she’d gone, what she was doing, whom she was doing it with.

  As they finished eating, Matt cleared away the plates while Jules cut into the chocolate hazelnut layer cake. He couldn’t take any credit for it. A local bakery, Persichetti, had delivered it earlier in the day.

  “I love Persichetti cake,” Melissa said with a grin. “Do you have whipped cream?” she asked Matt.

  “Coming up.” He had it ready.

  “A man after my own heart.”

  Matt couldn’t help but glance at Noah. But Noah just grinned and rolled his eyes. He was clearly confident in his relationship. Matt couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy. He couldn’t remember ever being that content.

  When Matt sat down, Noah rose.

  “Before we start,” Noah said.

  “No.” Melissa gave a mock whine.

  “Hold tight,” he said to her, giving her a squeeze on the shoulder.

  Then he went to the refrigerator and produced the bottle of champagne he’d squirreled away.

  “We need the right beverage for this.” Noah presented the bottle.

  “Oh, my favorite,” Melissa said, clearly mollified by the offer of champagne.

  Matt quickly moved to get six flutes from his cupboard.

  “Nice,” Caleb said. “What’s the occasion?”

  “Good friends,” Noah said as he popped the cork. “Good family.” He filled the flutes and Matt passed them around.

  Then Matt sat down again.

  Noah took Melissa’s hand. He raised it and gave it a gentle kiss.

  Something in his expression made her go still, and everyone went quiet along with her.

  “You accepted me from minute one,” he said to her. “All of you.” He looked around at the group. “Every one of you welcomed me in, without judging, without suspicion.”

  “I judged a little,” Caleb said.

  Jules reached out to squeeze her husband’s hand.

  “You were protecting Jules,” Noah said. “And you were protecting Melissa. And you were smart to do that with my history.”

  “You proved me wrong,” Caleb said.

  “I did. And now, I think, I hope...” Noah drew a deep breath. “Melissa, darling.” His hand went to his pocket and extracted the ring box.

  When she saw it, Melissa’s eyes went round, and a flush came up on her cheeks.

  Matt quickly reached for his phone, hitting the camera button.

  Noah popped open the box. “Marry me?”

  Melissa gasped. Jules squealed. And Matt got a fantastic picture of the moment.

  Melissa’s gaze went to the ring, and she leaned closer in. “It is absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Not as gorgeous as you.”

  She looked back to Noah. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  His grin nearly split his face. Everyone cheered.

  Her hand trembled as he slipped the ring on her finger. Then he drew her to her feet and kissed her, enveloping her in a sheltering hug. He looked like he’d never let her go.

  Matt took one more shot, finding his chest tight, his thoughts going back to Tasha. He’d held her that tight and more last night. And, in the moment, he’d never wanted to let her go.

  * * *

  Tasha had to get away from Matt for a while. She needed to do something ordinary and find some perspective. Their lovemaking last night had tilted her universe, and she was desperate to get it back on an even keel.

  She and Alex had taken a cab to the Edge tonight. They’d started with a couple of tequila shots and danced with a bunch of different guys. Then James Hamilton showed up and commandeered Alex for several dances in a row.

  Tasha moved from partner to partner, and by the time she and Alex reconnected at the table, she was sweaty and on a second margarita. The drinks were bringing back memories of Matt, but she’d stopped caring.

  James was talking to a couple of his friends across the room, leaving Alex alone with Tasha.

  “So, are the two of you an item?” she asked Alex.

  Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. I like him. He seems to want to hang out a lot. Why?”

  “Does it worry you?” Tasha asked. “Dating a mechanic. Do you think you’ll lose your credibility? I always worried about dating someone in the business.”

  “It’s a risk,” Alex agreed, sipping some ice water through a straw. “But so far all we’re doing is dancing.”

  “Oh.” Tasha was surprised by that.

  “You thought I was sleeping with James?”

  “You left together the other night.”

  Alex laughed. “I wonder if that’s what everybody thinks. And if it is...” She waggled her brows. “What’s holding me back?”

  Tasha felt terrible for making the assumption, worse for saying it out loud. “I didn’t mean to judge, or to push you in any particular direction.”

  “You’re not. You won’t. You need to stop worrying so much. We’re here to have fun.”

  “That’s right. We are.” Tasha lifted her drink in a toast.

  As she clinked glasses with Alex, a man at the front door caught her attention. It was Matt. He walked in, and his gaze zeroed in on her with laser precision.

  “No,” she whispered under her breath.

  “What?” Alex asked, leaning in to scrutinize her expression.

  “Nothing. Do you mind if I dance with James?”

  “Why would I mind? Go for it. I can use the rest.”

  Tasha slipped from the high stool at their compact round table. As Matt made his way toward her, she went off on an opposite tangent, heading straight for James.

  “Dance?” she asked him brightly.

  He looked a little surprised, but recovered quickly. “You bet.” He took her hand.

  The dance floor was crowded and vibrating, and she quickly lost sight of Matt, throwing herself into the beat of the music.

  The song ended too soon, and Matt cut in. James happily gave way.

  “No,” Tasha said to Matt as he tried to take her hand.

  “No, what?”

  “No, I don’t want to do this.”

  The music was coming up, and she had to dance or look conspicuous out on the floor. She started to move, but kept a distance between them.

  He closed the gap, enunciating above the music. “We’re going to have to talk sometime.”

  She raised her voice to be heard. “What’s the rush?”

  “You’d rather let things build?”

  “I was hoping they’d fade.”

  “My feelings aren’t fading.”

 
; She glanced around, worried that people might overhear. The crowd was close, so she headed for the edge of the floor.

  Matt followed.

  When they got to a quieter corner, she spoke again. “Give it some time. We both need some space.”

  “Can you honestly say your feelings are fading?”

  Her feelings weren’t fading. They were intensifying.

  “If nothing else, we work together,” he said. “We have to interact to get our jobs done. And besides, beyond anything else, I’m worried about you.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about.” She paused. “Okay, but that thing is you.”

  “Very funny. I’m watching for anything unusual.”

  “So am I.” She’d been working on the sabotage problem all night.

  “What I’m seeing is a guy.”

  Her interest perked up. “At the pier?”

  “Not there. Don’t look right away, but he’s over by the bar. He’s been staring at you. And it looks odd. I mean, suspicious.”

  “What’s that got to do with your yachts?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe nothing.”

  “Probably nothing. Almost certainly nothing.”

  “Turn slowly, pretend you’re looking at the bottle display behind the bar, maybe picking out a brand. Then glance at the guy in the blue shirt with the black baseball cap. He’s slouched at the second seat from the end.”

  “That sounds needlessly elaborate.” She felt like she was in a spy movie.

  “I want you to know what he looks like. In case he shows up somewhere else.”

  “This is silly.”

  “Humor me.”

  “Fine.” She did as Matt suggested, focusing on the bottles, then doing a quick sweep of the guy Matt had described.

  He looked like a perfectly normal fiftysomething, probably a little shy and nerdy sitting alone having a drink. He wasn’t staring. He was likely people watching and just happened on Tasha when Matt walked in.

  She turned back to Matt. “Okay, I saw him.”

  “Good. You need a drink?”

  “I have a drink.”

  Matt looked at her hands.

  The truth was Tasha didn’t normally leave her drinks alone. She’d done it now because Matt had thrown her when he walked in. She hadn’t been expecting him, and she’d taken the first opportunity to get out of his way. She might be in a low-risk environment, but it wasn’t a risk she normally took.