Charade

by Lori Foster

  He approached her slowly, then stopped in front of her. She lowered her eyes, unable to meet his probing gaze. He crouched slightly to look her in the face. “Carlie. Don’t sell yourself short. You can’t know how I might react to you.”

  But she could, because she knew how he’d reacted to the mysterious and provocative harem girl. She was simply Carlie. Plain and boring. “You’re used to beautiful women. Tons of them.”

  “Tons, huh? Well, that’s not true.” He wrapped the towel around his neck, holding the ends. “I haven’t had an ounce of experience with any real relationships. In fact, the only relationship I’ve ever had that was worth a damn was with my brother. And now Brenda. But that’s not what we’re talking about, is it? So give me a break here, okay?”

  She stared up at him helplessly, and then he cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her temple. “I like the way we are together, Carlie. We could have a good relationship.”

  She needed some space. With Tyler standing so close, she could see the water drops still clinging to the dark swirls of hair on his chest. His body was moist from the rain, his muscles slick and smooth. Her nipples tightened again and she stepped away. Space. She definitely needed space.

  “Why don’t you tell me what you really want, Tyler.” She walked into the kitchen as casually as possible and pulled two mugs from the cabinet.

  She was filling the glass coffeepot with water, when she felt Tyler behind her. His hands lifted to her upper arms and he pulled her back against his chest. He murmured against her temple, “I’m not sure. I know I like spending time with you. And I know I’m going to want to kiss you again.”

  Carlie closed her eyes. “What about other women?”

  “What other women?”

  “Your masked lady, for one. Are you only wanting to spend time with me until you can convince Bren to give you her name? And if your harem girl wants to see you again, what then?”

  She could feel the added tension in the way Tyler’s hands gripped her. “You’re jumping the gun, Carlie. Hell, I didn’t ask you to marry me. I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment.”

  She pulled away, embarrassment vying with the anger rising within her. He made her sound desperate! “That isn’t what I meant, Tyler. I certainly don’t aspire to tie you down. I don’t aspire to do anything with you. It’s just that I know how you are about commitments, and I’m trying to point out that you would only be using me until something better came along. Right now, I like you as a friend. I’m grateful for the time you donate to helping the children. But if you...that is...if we...”

  Tyler rolled his eyes in exasperation. “If I made love to you. That is what you’re trying to say, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. If we...did that. I’m honest enough to admit my heart might get involved, and then my pride would suffer when you decided to toss me aside. I don’t think I could forgive you, and our friendship, which I count more important than a bit of hanky-panky, would be ruined.”

  She couldn’t look at him after that little speech. Instead, she went about setting out cookies and preparing some coffee. She felt like a fraud.

  Tyler narrowed his eyes in disbelief. “You’re amazing, you know that? I’m surprised you didn’t carry your predictions through to the end of Time. And you forgot to cover a few scenarios. I mean, what if that jerk you told me you used to love suddenly reappeared? Or what if one of your teacher buddies caught your eye? You could ditch me!” He stormed around the kitchen, his hands on his hips, his dark eyebrows lowered in a fierce frown. “I wasn’t talking about some time in the distant future, dammit. I was talking about now.”

  Carlie choked on the sip of coffee she’d just taken. Tyler grumbled and proceeded to pound on her back.

  “All right, all right! Don’t beat me to death.” She sucked in several desperate breaths, then glowered at him incredulously. “You’re wanting to...to...”

  He rolled his eyes again, and sighed loud enough to rattle the windowpanes. “Make love. It’s called making love, Carlie. People have been doing it since the beginning of Time. They’ll continue doing it until the end of Time. It’s a necessary and enjoyable part of life, you know.”

  She gave him her patented snort. “I’m not as cavalier as you, Tyler. I certainly haven’t been doing it.” She realized her slip immediately. Tyler was looking at her curiously, and she stammered an explanation. “It isn’t necessary. Enjoyable, maybe. But not necessary.”

  “God save us from liberated women.” He advanced on her, and Carlie held her coffee cup between them like an insubstantial shield. Tyler took it from her. “Do you care about me, Carlie?”

  “I care about a lot of men. That doesn’t mean I want to sleep with them.”

  He stiffened, and his eyes grew hard. “Who? Who do you care about?”

  “Jason, for one.”

  “My brother?”

  “Yes. And several teachers who I’ve been friends with since I started teaching here. I care about some of the parents I’ve gotten to know, and a few of my neighbors...”

  “Carlie.” Tyler laid his finger against her lips. “There’s caring, and then there’s caring.”

  She nodded. Tyler removed his hand from her mouth, then stroked her cheek. “Tell me you care about me.”

  “This sounds suspiciously like a seduction routine you’ve practiced to perfection.”

  Tyler stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Obviously, I haven’t practiced it enough.”

  Carlie smiled, her first real smile since he’d kissed her. He looked every bit as confused as she felt. “Tyler, be reasonable. I’m not going to jump into bed with you, just because you suddenly find me strange and interesting.”

  “I never said—”

  “I’m different from other women you know, and the main difference is that I’m not trying to wend my way into your bed. You’re just stymied, not really aroused. Go home and take a warm bath and you’ll feel better in the morning.”

  He shook his head, being very precise. “I won’t.”

  Carlie chuckled. “Don’t pout, Tyler. Surely some woman somewhere has told you no before.”

  “Not that I would admit to. And just because you’re not interested right now, doesn’t mean I’ll stop being interested. When you get used to the idea and accept it as a fact, you’ll see that I was right.”

  She looked at him suspiciously. “About what?”

  Quickly, before she could move away, Tyler bent down and kissed her, hard and fast. “We’ll be good together. I’m sure of it. Very good.”

  That was an already proven fact, but Tyler couldn’t know it. She mustered a shaky smile. “Bragging, Mr. Ramsey?”

  “No.” He stared intently into her eyes. “Making a promise.”

  Carlie felt the heat building in her stomach. But then Tyler pulled out a seat at the table and sprawled in it. “In the meantime...” He raised his arms and clasped his hands behind his head. “No pressure. You’re the best friend I ever recall having. I suppose I can be content with that. For a time.”

  Carlie felt relief, and quelling disappointment. “Good. Then we can stop all this nonsense and play some cards.” She pulled a deck from a drawer and sat across from Tyler.

  “What would you like to play?” She looked at Tyler.

  “Strip poker?”

  Carlie started to rise, her mouth drawn in annoyance, but Tyler stopped her. He was laughing. “Okay, okay. Bad jest. Sorry.”

  She nodded grudgingly. “So. What should we play?”

  With a twinkle in his eyes, he asked innocently, “Old maid?”

  She threw the cards at him, then sat there glaring.

  “Well, I suppose that decides it.” He grinned wryly, a card sitting on top of his head, the rest scattered in his lap and on the floor. “Fifty-two pickup it is.”

  * * *

  Tyler tried to keep his mind on the basketball game they were playing, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off Carlie. She was trying to treat him the same as alwa
ys, but he wasn’t going to let her get away with it. Everything was different now, the way he felt when he was around her, the effect her smile had on him. She was doing her best to ignore his attention, but there was only ten more minutes before practice was over. Then he’d be going home with her again. That fact had his stomach in knots.

  When was the last time he’d so anticipated spending time with a woman?

  But Carlie wasn’t just any woman. She wasn’t impressed by monetary things. In fact, she almost seemed disdainful of them. And she wanted nothing from him, other than companionship and help with a group of children who deserved someone better than him.

  He’d thought about that, too, about ways he could help. He’d never given much of himself—money didn’t count, because that wasn’t him. But for Carlie, for the kids...for himself, he was going to try to make a difference. And he had a plan he hoped would work.

  Practice ended, and Tyler found the little boy whose family’s phone had been disconnected. He walked him out to his mother’s car. After discreetly questioning the woman, Tyler discovered that she used to be a secretary. He casually mentioned that he always had papers that had to be transcribed, and would be glad to have her assistance. When he mentioned what he was willing to pay, and that she could do the work at home, she readily accepted. He arranged to start sending her documents next week.

  And in the meantime, he explained a scholarship of sorts he was setting up that would enable her to enroll her children in the extracurricular activities that they’d been forced to drop out of due to lack of funds.

  By the time Tyler finished convincing her to take advantage of his offer, he was feeling pretty good. It was a damned nice thing to know you’d been some small help. But when he came back into the gym, he realized instantly that Carlie was disgruntled with him for having excluded her.

  Well, that was just too bad. He intended to surprise her when things were settled, and not a moment sooner.

  She was ready to leave, her keys in her hand. He realized he hadn’t even changed out of his sweaty shirt yet.

  “I’ll just be a minute,” he said, and started toward the change-room door. She didn’t answer, just stood there, tapping her foot. He chuckled. “I know what you’re thinking. Curiosity is written all over your face.”

  She gave him a haughty look, and he prepared himself, knowing he was going to get an earful. “Actually,” she said, a slight blush on her cheeks, “I was thinking how...sexy you look right now.”

  That stopped him. “Is that so?” He advanced slowly, seeing her struggle to stand her ground. “Enough to warrant a kiss?”

  She leaned toward him, her expression smug. “Nope.”

  Tyler reached for her, but she ducked away. “You’re a terrible tease, McDaniels!” Then he grinned. “I think I like it.”

  She was waiting for him to tell her why he’d been outside so long. He knew, and deliberately kept silent. Her mouth pursed, then she asked, “Are you still coming over?”

  “Only if you’ll give me a kiss. You can’t tell a man he’s sexy, then just walk away.”

  She shrugged. “Sure I can.”

  He grabbed her arm, grinning. “No. You can’t. Besides, you want to kiss me. You know you do. What are you afraid of?”

  Her lips parted, then she drew in a shaky breath, her gaze going to his mouth. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

  Tyler leaned back, bending his knees so he was looking directly into her eyes. Carlie squirmed, and he knew she was feeling much the same thing he was, even if she denied it. Finally, satisfied by what he saw, Tyler held out his arms. “Okay, if you’re not afraid, then give me one kiss. My hands won’t move, I promise.”

  It was a challenge, and he was willing to bet she wouldn’t be able to resist. When she placed her hands on his shoulders, he felt his breath catch. When her gaze dropped to his mouth, his muscles clenched.

  Going up on tiptoe, she lightly, quickly, brushed her lips over his, then settled back for his reaction.

  His mouth twitched with humor. He left his arms outstretched. “Well? Are you going to kiss me or not, honey? Oh, you mean that little wisp of air that blew over my mouth was your kiss? How disappointing. I thought you could do better than that.”

  She blinked at him. “You didn’t...like it?”

  “I have no idea. It was over with before I could decide. Hell, Brenda kisses me better than that. In front of Jason.”

  Her eyebrows lowered and she shoved her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose. Tyler could practically see her mentally hitching up her pants, and he had to fight a smile.

  She tightened her hands on his shoulders, and came up again, this time pressing her mouth more firmly to his. Tyler lightly licked her lips, moving his mouth against hers. She went still for a single heartbeat, then accepted his challenge, and returned the gesture. But once her tongue touched him, he drew her inside, and the kiss became ravenous.

  He heard her soft moan and instantly grew hard. The game was over. He pressed against her, forcing her to step backward until they reached the wall, then he trapped her there with his body. His hips settled against her groin, rubbing insistently. His mouth now took over, eating at hers, his tongue plunging inside, feeling her own tongue move in a way that made him tremble.

  He had to stop. He groaned and raised his mouth. “Damn.” His head dropped onto her shoulder, his face turned inward so he could inhale her scent.

  He could feel her shaking. His body was laid against the length of her own from shoulders to knees. Her legs were open, accommodating his hips.

  His chuckle was wry and filled with wonder. “I asked for that, I suppose.” He lifted away from her shoulder, but kept his body close to her. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I want you, Carlie.”

  She shook her head.

  He pressed his hips closer, holding her gaze. “You can feel how much I want you, sweetheart.”

  She snorted, then pushed him away. “This isn’t the eighth grade, Tyler. So you’re aroused. So what? It’s the same reaction you’d have to any woman you were kissing.”

  He propped his hands on his hips, feeling his lips twitch with amusement again, despite the ache in his body. “Not quite.”

  Carlie waved away his rebuttal. “Are you also going to tell me you’re in pain? That’s next, isn’t it?”

  “I am in pain.” He started toward her. “Your screeching denials are giving me a headache.”

  “I wasn’t screeching! I was only pointing out... Tyler, don’t you touch me again!”

  He took her by the shoulders, and pulled her body roughly against his. With his nose touching her own, he gently demanded, “Admit you want me, too, Carlie. Now.”

  She hesitated only a second. “I do. It’s just that...”

  He released her. “I’m willing to give you all the time you need, honey, but...”

  She snorted, louder than usual.

  Tyler grinned. “Okay, so I’ve been pushing. I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off you. But you know you can trust me, Carlie. I would never try to force you to do anything you didn’t want to do.”

  He waited, all shreds of humor gone, and finally Carlie nodded. “I know that.”

  “Good. Then don’t keep denying everything I feel. Believe it or not, I want you. You, Carlie, not some other woman, not because you’re handy, not because I can’t get somebody else.” He stroked her cheek. “You’re special, sweetheart. And what I feel for you is special.”

  Her eyes searched his, and she asked, “And what is it you feel, Tyler?”

  He should have known she’d ask. “I’m not sure, yet—and don’t snort at me!” He grinned again. “I’m trying to be honest here, Carlie. Be patient with me.”

  Carlie swiped up her gym bag from the bleachers and headed for the door. Tyler trotted after her. “Am I still invited for dinner?”

  She didn’t slow her pace. “If that’s all you want. Because dinner is all you’ll get.”

  “I promise not to
do anything...that you don’t want me to do.”

  He felt smug when her step faltered. But he also felt determined not to rush her. Carlie was worth waiting for, and she evidently needed a lot of reassurance. He could give her time. He could behave himself. It wouldn’t be easy, but... He’d never known women could be so different. He’d never known a woman could be like Carlie.

  And he no longer cared if he found out who the mystery woman was. Carlie, with her bristly independence and concealing wardrobe, was mystery enough to keep his attention for a long, long time. Maybe even forever.

  * * *

  “Hello?”

  “Tyler?”

  There was a pause, then, “Who’s this?”

  “We...ah, met at the party...”

  Another pause. Carlie waited breathlessly, her hand gripping the receiver so tightly her fingers ached. She had deliberately disguised her voice, but it was shaking so badly, it had probably been an unnecessary measure.

  “I didn’t expect to hear from you again. Brenda refused to tell me how to reach you.”

  “I know. I...it has to be that way.”

  “I’ll admit I’m curious to know why.”

  Traitor, Carlie thought. She was huddled in the middle of her bed, her nightgown twisted around her updrawn knees. Her hair was loose, hanging down to shield her face, which, even though Tyler couldn’t see, was burning. “I’m sorry.”

  “You have no reason to be afraid of me.”

  “I know. But...”

  “You ran out on me.”

  “Yes.” Carlie squeezed her eyes shut. This wasn’t going the way she’d planned. She’d convinced herself to call him, hopefully to find out how determined he was to meet the mystery woman or if he even still cared. He claimed to want her...“her” meaning Carlie. But could that be true if he was still intent on meeting another woman? Even if the other woman was herself? But he didn’t know that...so.... It was just too confusing. Her brain felt muddled, and she was willing to try anything that might give her some real insight as to how Tyler truly felt about her.