The Seduction Game

by Maltezos, Anastasia

  Did that mean he was, at the very least, entertaining the thought that he may have been too quick to pass judgment on her?

  Downstairs, she found him standing in front of her wall unit, staring at three miniature wooden castles encased in glass. A similar engraving was below each one. Love, Joey, 2007. Love, Joey, 2008. Love, Joey, 2009. A smile sprang to her lips.

  Sensing her presence, Adam turned around. “An admirer?”

  “A nine-year-old admirer. Joey Billings. A little boy I met a few years ago. He builds me a castle every year.”

  She expected him to ask her why, but he didn’t. He turned back to look at the castles. “They’re quite good. This boy’s talented.”

  “Yes. And he’s a sweetheart.”

  Adam’s face was unreadable when he faced her again. Kate had the sneaking suspicion he knew more than he let on. Had this been in the private investigator’s file on her? Kate couldn’t help feeling exposed.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  She nodded. They decided to take his car to the restaurant. They drove in silence and Kate wondered why he seemed brooding, intense.

  At the restaurant the host ushered them to their table. There were quite a few people at reception and Adam placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her away from the milling crowds. Kate tried to ignore the intense heat on her back where his hand touched her gently.

  She was relieved when they finally reached their table and he drew back her chair.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking her seat.

  He sat down, shooting her a frown. “I suggest you lose the scowl.”

  Kate’s brow rose. “I’m not scowling.”

  “You’re scowling,” he replied, reaching across the table to still her hands. “And stop fidgeting. You look like you’re ready to sprout wings and fly away.”

  His touch thrilled her senses and she withdrew her hand sharply, her gray gaze clashing with his. Adam’s expression hardened and he drew back in his seat and gave her a long look.

  “I suggest,” he began through tight lips, “you at least try to act like you have some feelings for me. Ed wants us to make up and having you cringe back in horror at my touch isn’t going to cut it.”

  Chapter 9

  Adam ordered a bottle of Chardonnay while they waited for Edward to arrive. Kate was nervous but she managed to carry on an agreeable conversation. They discussed the weather, the menu, the city, mundane topics, but agreeable nonetheless as their earlier tension melted away.

  At one point he said, “I thought we could start on your research tomorrow night. We could go to Fantasies at nine and you could represent the nice girl.”

  Kate’s stomach did a peculiar flip flop. “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes, tomorrow. There’s no reason to wait, is there?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at eight thirty.”

  “Fine,” she replied uneasily.

  An attractive blonde woman wearing a white slinky dress rose from her seat nearby and passed their table. Kate caught Adam giving the woman a quick glance as she sauntered by his side.

  Her stomach dropped.

  “You’re scowling again. What is it?” he asked with a raised brow.

  “Nothing.”

  He frowned. “It’s not nothing. You’re fidgeting again.”

  Her gaze travelled to the blonde sauntering away. A few moments later she returned and Adam gave her another brief glance.

  Kate was irked and she frowned again, wrestling with the daunting knowledge that she was…jealous? Her heart thudded.

  “You’re still scowling, Kate, and I see Ed at reception. You need to play your role.”

  “Oh? Well, I think you need to do likewise.” Adam’s brow knotted questioningly and Kate took a deep breath. “It won’t do having you stare at every beautiful woman who passes our table.”

  “What beautiful woman?” he asked, clearly puzzled.

  “The blonde wearing the white dress,” she replied, motioning over her shoulder. “But don’t worry. I understand. Men are susceptible to feminine wiles, and you are, after all, just a man.”

  “I see,” he said quietly, his gaze going over her shoulder to the blonde a few tables away. “Mm, yes. I can see what you mean about feminine wiles,” he remarked with deliberate ease. “She does seem to have an abundance of wiles, but you are mistaken,” he added, returning his gaze to Kate. “I didn’t stare at her.”

  “You did.” His face darkened and she wished she would shut up.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re jealous.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Her face felt like it was flaming.

  “Is it? And could that be the reason your scowl reappeared?” He seemed to be enjoying this and Kate wanted a hole to appear and swallow her up.

  “If accusing me with petty jealousy will appease your already bruised ego, then so be it. I will not discuss this any further.”

  His face turned a dark shade of red. “Bruised ego?” He glowered. “God, you’re cold, bringing up using me as an experiment.”

  Kate gasped. That’s wasn’t what she meant! She felt a twinge of remorse. “I…I was referring to my refusal to have dinner with you yesterday and…and the roses you sent me. I…I never thanked you. I didn’t mean—”

  “Save it,” he said. “It’s curtain time.” Unexpectedly, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Shocked, she watched his expression soften as he kissed her fingers. “Ed’s right behind you and closing in fast,” he murmured beneath her hand. “At least, act like you’re enjoying this.”

  She was about to say something, but Ed’s voice stopped her. “Ah, it does an old man’s heart good to see you two have patched things up.”

  With deliberate ease, he kissed her hand again and laid it on the table. He rose to greet Edward.

  “Good to see you, Ed. I took it upon myself to order a bottle of Chardonnay. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Nonsense. You know that’s my favorite.”

  Kate rose and turned around to receive the hug Ed always greeted her with.

  “Kate, my girl. How are you?”

  “Fine,” she said, smiling. Kate had grown to love the old man. “It’s good to see you, Ed.”

  “It’s good to see you, too, my dear, especially when you look so lovely. I’m afraid my old ticker may not be able to stand such loveliness all evening.”

  She resisted the urge to look at Adam. “You’re a sweet liar, but I love you anyway.”

  Edward glanced over at the silent Adam. “What do you say, my boy? Isn’t our Kate the perfect blend? Keen intelligence, compassion, loveliness?”

  Adam’s gaze met Kate’s. “Yes.”

  The older man swatted him on the back. “Of course. That’s why you love her.”

  Guilt and something else settled heavily in her stomach. Guilt for making Ed believe they were a couple, and something else she couldn’t quite define that made her feel dismal. Disappointment? The realization unsettled her. Adam didn’t even like her.

  Flustered, she tore her gaze away from Adam’s, and took her seat.

  Ed’s eyes twinkled. “You two remind me of myself and my sweet Helen, rest her soul.” His eyes clouded over briefly and Kate’s heart swelled. “I miss her so much. If it wasn’t for her in my prayers and in my dreams, I would have given up on Ellie a long time ago. Have I ever told you two that child is the spitting image of Helen, minus my wife’s sense and sensibility, of course.”

  “Yes, you have,” Kate replied softly, placing her hand over his. “And you’ve done a fine job looking after Ellie.”

  “Thank you, my dear,” he said. He patted her hand and they exchanged a warm look before he directed his attention to Adam. “My boy, love is what’s important in life. Never forget that. You can have all the money and fame in the world, but without love, it’s meaningless.” He smiled at them. “Helen used to complain we had too much money. She wanted me to work less so we c
ould spend more time together. Our best times were at our cabin in Maine. It’s a small, rustic place that gave us so much peace. I still have it, but haven’t been up there since…since she passed.” His smile sobered. “You know, I should give you two the keys. It’s just wasting away. You could spend next weekend there.”

  “I couldn’t—”

  “No, I don’t—”

  Kate snapped a sideways glance at Adam.

  “I thought you two patched things up,” Ed said, frowning.

  Adam took Kate’s hand. “We have. Isn’t that right, darling?”

  He was smiling at her with a challenging glint in his eyes, his thumb rubbing her palm. All she could do was nod and offer him what she hoped resembled a smile. His touch thrilled her.

  “Ed, I appreciate the offer for the cabin, but Kate and I have made plans next weekend.”

  The waiter arrived at that moment, opened the Chardonnay, and poured everyone a glass before he took their orders. For the next hour Adam seemed to have a truce with Kate as they ate, drank, talked and had a surprisingly good time. Kate relaxed and even managed to laugh a few times at a couple of stories Adam recounted of his days as a youth.

  “How long have you two been together?” Ed asked as the coffee and dessert was served.

  “A few weeks,” Adam replied. “We met through Dana.”

  “And I’m sure it was love at first sight,” Ed said, giving them each a warm smile. “Can’t blame you, son. Kate’s one in a million. Joey Billings can attest to that.”

  “Joey Billings?” Adam asked casually.

  Kate cleared her throat. “Ed, I think Adam would much rather hear another one of your stories.”

  Edward’s gaze went from Kate to Adam and back to Kate again. “You haven’t told him, have you?” She shook her head and Ed began to tell Adam all about Kate’s help with Joey Billings.

  Her mind travelled back in time. She remembered the day like it was yesterday. She’d been at the hospital visiting Lindsay, who was recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia. Kate spotted the three-year-old boy who sat in a wheel chair in the corner of the triple occupancy room. He had soft brown eyes and little lips trembling with suppressed emotions as he watched his tearful mother and his equally distraught father.

  Kate overheard his parents murmur things like, “We can’t afford that.” “What are we going to do?” “The bank will never give us credit.”

  An overwhelming urge to help prompted her to see the nurse running the ward. The nurse explained the little boy’s parents had just received news that the only treatment that could cure their son would cost them more than they could ever afford.

  Kate had listened with a thick knot in her throat and realized what she could do to help. Her first book, The Other Woman Syndrome, was a phenomenal, nationwide sensation, and it was turning her into quite the wealthy woman. She marched up to the distressed parents and announced with a crack in her voice, “I can help you.”

  Now, sitting in the restaurant with Adam and Ed, she wasn’t surprised at the errant tear that slipped from her eyes. She couldn’t help it. Whenever she thought about Joey and how frightened and helpless his parents looked she got emotional.

  Self-consciously, she brought a hand up to her face to wipe her cheek, but Adam intervened. He rubbed his thumb gently along her cheek. She gave him a startled look, her heart thudding at his dark, intent gaze fixed solemnly on hers.

  “Joey Billings is every parent’s dream,” she said. “He’s intelligent, sweet, and wants to grow up and be a carpenter like his father. He loves building castles and every night before he goes to sleep he prays all the sick children in the world will get better.” She drew in an unsteady breath. “Every year, on the anniversary of the day I met him, he builds me a castle. I have three.” Her lips trembled and she reached blindly for her coffee, praying she wouldn’t burst into tears.

  “The ones in your home,” Adam said gently.

  “Yes.”

  “And you’ll get many more,” he offered quietly.

  “I hope so,” she whispered.

  She felt her breath catch at the tender look in his eyes. In that moment, she forgot Ed was there. Adam’s compassion was palpable and she felt the back of her eyes prick with tears again.

  “I could never understand why Kate was single,” Ed said gruffly. “Now I know why. She was waiting for you, Adam.”

  * * * *

  Adam tore his gaze away from Kate’s. The stark flash of sadness on her face had almost unmanned him. He swallowed hard, placing money on the check the waiter had just deposited on the table.

  A powerful emotion rose in his chest and he realized then and there that Kate Moore was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  “Adam, about the contract. I’ll sign it now,” Ed said, breaking into his thoughts.

  Adam hadn’t thought about the contract all evening. “Come by my office tomorrow,” he said .

  * * * *

  They drove to her house in silence. She gave him a quick, sideways glance and noticed his tense mouth and knotted, dark brow. He seemed pensive.

  Another car cut in front of him and he muttered a curse as he hit the brake. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s all right. I have my seatbelt on.”

  They drove the rest of the way in more silence. The evening hadn’t been a total disaster. They’d actually gotten along for the most part, so why did he seem so…so dark? It couldn’t have been the contract, she reasoned. Ed had mentioned he wanted to sign it tonight and Adam had just brushed it aside.

  Kate shifted uncomfortably in her seat and kept her gaze fastened before her as he turned and swung the car back to double park. Without saying a word, he got out and came to her side before she had time to undo her seatbelt.

  He held out his hand and helped her out. Kate murmured a polite thank you and walked stiffly up her path, feeling his strong, solid presence behind her.

  At her door, she turned around and faced him, her heart not quite beating its regular pulse. The moon cast a glow on her quiet street, the only sound the sporadic clicking of crickets. She held her breath as she stared up into his handsome face.

  A warm evening breeze caught a strand of her hair and settled it on her arm. Adam reached out and played with a lock of her hair.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured. His gaze met hers. “You’re beautiful. What are you doing to me, Kate?”

  She felt a thrill of excitement. Her mind reeled at the look on his face. “Nothing. We just met,” she whispered, realizing that was the crazy part. They had just met.

  “I know,” he replied. “I-I can’t believe I—” He broke off suddenly.

  “What?” Kate asked, afraid and exhilarated at the same time. She knew she was falling for this man. She also knew she shouldn’t because he would never commit to her, never commit to any woman. He was attracted to her, but how long would that last? “What can’t you believe?”

  His hand fell away from her hair. “Nothing.”

  Her face was warm and she withdrew from him, embarrassed. “Thank you for dinner, Adam.” She hadn’t known what she had expected him to say, but it hadn’t been that.

  “It was part of the deal.”

  Kate tensed and tried hard not to show him how much that comment hurt. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” And he turned around and walked away.

  She fumbled in her purse for her keys and was about to unlock her front door when she realized she hadn’t heard his car start. Slowly, she turned around and saw him standing next to his car, holding his door open, watching her. Even in the evening light she felt his intense gaze on her, his coiled tension, his warring thoughts. She gasped softly when he slammed his door shut and strode towards her. As he neared, she could see determination on his handsome face.

  She exhaled a shaky breath as he drew near. His hands reached out for her, and his mouth descended on hers.

  His mouth was warm and firm as he coaxed and nudged her lips apart, a
nd she melted. Before the kiss even started, it ended as he lifted his head and let her go.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since this afternoon. I should be sorry, but I’m not, even if you’re still in love with your ex-boyfriend.”

  She wanted to deny what he’d said, that there wasn’t another man between them, but she couldn’t. She knew a brief fling with Adam would ensue and she would end up nursing the worst case of a broken heart in the history of the world.

  But he likes you, a nagging voice persisted. You, not Katrina.

  “Kissing wasn’t part of our deal,” she managed to say.

  He took a step back. “It won’t happen again. Good night,” he said and turned on his heels and left.

  This time Kate didn’t wait to see if he left. Hurriedly, she unlocked her door and went inside. She shut the door behind her and placed her hand on her lips and closed her eyes.

  She didn’t have time to contemplate Adam’s kiss because her phone rang and she went to answer it.

  “Why haven’t you called me? I haven’t heard from you in two weeks.”

  Her mother. “Sorry, Mom. I’ve been really busy. How are you?”

  “Never mind how I am. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t nothing me, young lady. I’m your mother. Now tell me why you sound like you’re ready to fall apart.”

  Kate sighed wearily. “Mom, I said it’s nothing. Bad day at the office.”

  “It’s ten o’clock. You left work five hours ago. Now tell me what’s bothering you. Were you out tonight?”

  Kate shut her eyes, trying to block the image of Adam’s face from her mind. “Yes.”

  “With a man?”

  “Yes.”

  “A date.”

  “Sort of.” Her mother was the one person in the world she couldn’t hide anything from.

  “I take it that it went sour.”

  “You could say that. Mom, please, it’s late and I really have to go to bed.”

  There was a pause on the phone. “You’ll find him, Kate. The right man is out there for you.”

  Kate laughed but it sounded hollow to her ears. She thought of Adam and how she hadn’t felt this strongly for a man in years. He had awakened something in her she thought had died, but the knowledge came with the sad realization that physical attraction alone wasn’t enough. Kate wanted love. She wanted what her sisters had.