His Secret Temptation

by Cat Schield

  “Is that what you think? That I’m afraid of hard work? Because I’m not.”

  “Maybe when it comes to your business, but relationships require a different sort of energy like dealing with things that might be difficult or painful.”

  “This is about Dane, isn’t it? You think I should tell Dane about Francine and cope with the drama it would create.”

  She shrugged. “Chances are the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be. He deserves to know the truth before he makes a huge mistake.”

  Resentment rolled off Simon in waves so tangible, Caroline felt compelled to put a little more distance between them. He didn’t want to hear her lay out the facts and she had no right to blast him with her opinions.

  “Why did you bother to come with me if you feel so strongly about telling the truth?”

  He made a valid point. She should explain that she wanted to see how a real family celebrated Christmas, but hated to admit how much she hated spending the holidays alone. Instead, she drew on her stubborn nature and forced herself to be strong.

  “That’s a mistake I made that I will have to live with. It’s been worse than I thought it would be to meet your family and lie to them. They are all really nice and deserve better.”

  They continued walking side by side in silence. What business did she have telling Simon what to do? It wasn’t as if she were perfect. She said she believed in telling the truth, but she’d agreed to participate in this farce in exchange for his help with her tuition. She shouldn’t have taken the easy way out. So what if she didn’t finish law school until next year?

  But if she had refused, she never would have gotten to know Simon or experienced the heady rush of his arms around her. She wouldn’t have met his family and been freed from any trace of loneliness. For the first time in her life she had the chance to experience what it would be like to be part of a loving family. If she was honest with herself, refusing the opportunity to spend Christmas with the Holcrofts would have been a huge mistake.

  Simon was the first to break the silence. “The only person that gives it to me straight like that is my mother.”

  What did that mean?

  “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn,” she muttered, regret dimming the joy she’d felt before their disagreement. “It’s really not my business.”

  “But you feel very passionate about it.” He eyed her for a moment before staring straight ahead once more. “And I know you’re probably right. But my relationship with Dane has been so bad for so long. And in the last year, since Mom’s been sick, it’s gotten a little better. I didn’t want him to blame me for Francine and have her come between us again.”

  “I get it,” she said, grudgingly surrendering to understanding. “Now that I’ve met your family, I can see why it’s so important for you to preserve the harmony long enough to celebrate Christmas. I don’t approve of your methods, but I can get on board with your motivations.”

  “Thank you.” He reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

  The simple gesture tugged at her heart. “Maybe we could break up because I took a fabulous job in Boston and you can’t move your business.”

  “That won’t work. I could move my operations anywhere. I have salespeople and warehouses all over the country.”

  “Then why don’t you have your business here?”

  “I chose Atlanta because I wanted some distance between me and my parents.”

  “Why? They’re wonderful.”

  “So wonderful that not one of their children stayed in Savannah.” Simon grimaced. “That’s not really fair, I guess. Dane left to join the military. Hannah left because she met Sarah and decided to move to Charleston. I left because I wanted the excitement of the big city.”

  “But you all left.”

  “There’s a lot of pressure being a Holcroft in Savannah. Both sides of the family tree have a history of overachieving. I think all three of us wanted to succeed or fail in relative obscurity.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever move back?” She posted the question in a light tone but held her breath awaiting his answer.

  “I don’t think so. My life is in Atlanta.”

  “Well, I think Savannah is charming. As a matter of fact, I could see myself living here.”

  “Really?” He sounded surprised. “Now that you mention it, I think I could see you living here as well. The city would suit you. It’s graceful, enchanting and tranquil. I think you’d fit right in.”

  Such poetry struck her mute. She had grown so accustomed to being blasted by his high-wattage smile and charming personality, a glimpse of a lyrical soul stunned her.

  “It would be a place to make a fresh start. I don’t think I’m cut out to be a big-city girl. I’ve been in Atlanta for almost ten years, but it doesn’t much feel like home.”

  “And Savannah does?”

  She cocked her head and let the heart and soul of her surroundings settle into her. Beautiful squares, each with their own personality, where children played and lovers strolled. The historic homes that whispered stories of elegant parties and turbulent times.

  “I haven’t even been here twelve hours, but yes.”

  “Did you know that ‘Jingle Bells’ was written in Savannah?”

  “No.” She laughed, grateful that he didn’t resent her for speaking her mind, and pounced on the change of subject. “Wait, let me think about this for a second. Doesn’t the song start with, ‘Dashing through the snow’?”

  “And you’re wondering where the snow is, right?” Simon gestured at the grass and trees surrounding them. “The song was written by a Massachusetts native by the name of James Pierpont. His brother was a pastor here in Savannah back in the 1850s.”

  “What a fabulous tour guide you are,” she teased, bumping against his side. “Why ever did you leave Savannah? You could have made a fortune telling that story to tourists.”

  “You know, if being a lawyer doesn’t work out, you could always become a stand-up comedian.” He bumped back, making her laugh.

  Their stroll had carried them in a circle back toward the Holcroft home. Caroline recognized the stately red brick front and the marble portico. Without realizing it, she shortened her stride. Simon noticed the change in pace and slowed them down further. It was like walking through deep beach sand, each step forward a struggle. Halfway up the driveway, Simon stopped and turned her toward him. Caroline could feel his intense focus on her face, but she was too afraid of what he might see if she met his eyes.

  “Listen, Caroline, about tonight.”

  The heat of his hand against hers made her attention wander to other areas she’d like him to touch her. Already her limbs threatened to liquefy. If she didn’t stop indulging her overactive imagination, he would discover her wretched weakness for him.

  “Yes?” Thank goodness she sounded less shaky than she felt. She exhaled softly and wrapped her fingers around the edges of his coat for stability as the spicy male scent of him swamped her senses.

  “I haven’t been able to get the idea of sharing a bed with you out of my mind all evening.” He spoke with little inflection.

  “Really?” Sheesh, did she have to sound so hopeful? Did he feel a similar tug of attraction for her? His next words dashed her spirits.

  “You don’t think I can tell you’re dreading having to share a bed with me?”

  “Was I so obvious?” Yes, she was dreading it, but not for the reasons he thought. What a fool she was to be disappointed that the only thing bothering him was her comfort level.

  “I’m sorry my mother put us in the same room. If I had any idea that my relatives would show up and take over the house I wouldn’t have proposed this crazy plan.”

  She forced a laugh and let go of his coat, taking a much needed step backward to clear her head. “Oh, so now it’s a crazy plan?”

  “It’s always been a crazy plan. What was I thinking?” Simon raked his fingers into his hair and looked heavenward.

&
nbsp; “You mentioned something about keeping your future sister-in-law off your back so you could have a peaceful Christmas.” It helped to remind herself why he’d brought her. Stop fantasizing about what can never be.

  “That’s right.” He smiled down at her, oblivious to her disappointment and self-recrimination.

  She summoned up a matching smile. “We’ll just make the best of it.”

  “That we will.”

  * * *

  Simon suspected she was trying to put a good spin on their predicament, and he appreciated her brave front. If the tables had been turned and he’d been in her shoes, he wasn’t sure he would have been so agreeable.

  “This is such a beautiful night. I could walk for miles.” She grinned sheepishly at him. “This is usually the only time I have to study. I’ll probably be up half the night.”

  Simon cursed silently at the provocative pictures dancing through his mind. Knowing that she wasn’t trying to be suggestive only made it worse. Not one of the women that he dated in Atlanta would have blushed if he’d kissed their palm. They would have sunk their fingernails into his back and pressed themselves into his arms. He was enjoying his sensual discovery of what perturbed Caroline.

  “There’s always more Scrabble,” he offered.

  She peered up at him through her lashes. “You’re terrible at it. Maybe we should try something easier, like Go Fish.”

  “Crazy Eights? Kings in the Corner?” The repartee helped dispel some of the tension knotting his gut.

  “Hearts?”

  Oh, she was testing his sanity tonight. What would she do if he hauled her into his arms and kissed her senseless? Simon blew out a harsh breath and reminded himself that she was off-limits.

  “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

  He escorted her into the foyer and gestured for her to precede him up the stairs. Dim light guided them to the second floor. The house’s stillness pressed in on Simon, recalling other nights when he’d sneaked home late after a party.

  At the door to the bedroom he hesitated, abruptly uncertain what would happen if he stepped across the threshold. He’d proposed a walk to defuse the sexual tension building between them. Instead, she’d engaged his emotions and stormed his defenses. For a man accustomed to being in charge he didn’t appreciate how easily she’d turned his awareness upside down.

  “You know,” he muttered, backing away before he did something stupid like kiss her. “I think I’m going to head downstairs and check some emails.”

  Was that relief on her face? The hall was too dark to tell. He would have turned and left her then, but her hand on his arm stopped him. Before he could wonder what she was about, she lifted on tiptoes and brushed her soft lips against his cheek. He caught her just above the elbows and held her off balance, her upper body resting against him. Her soft breasts flattened against his chest with intoxicating results. She relaxed, her body leaning into his, and lingered cheek to cheek to whisper in his ear.

  “Thank you for a wonderful couple of days.”

  His whispered back, “Thank you for helping me out.”

  He felt more than saw her smile as he let go of her arms. Simon kept perfectly still until she disappeared through the bedroom door and closed it behind her. The last two days had been full of surprises, not the least of which was the incredible woman he had just let slip through his fingers.

  Tormented by thoughts of lingerie-clad Caroline, Simon descended to the first floor and headed to his father’s study, where he planned to work until he was too tired to act on the impulses twisting his body into one big tangle of need. Something that promised to take all night.

  * * *

  Caroline came awake at the quiet snick of the door latch. In the predawn light only the outline of the furniture was visible. She lay on her side, her back to the door, facing the middle of the bed, one arm extended into the empty space beside her. The covers appeared undisturbed. Apparently Simon had slept elsewhere.

  She closed her eyes as a floorboard squeaked. He was making an effort to move quietly, but she tracked his progress around the room. When the door to the bathroom closed, she opened her eyes once more. Why hadn’t he come to bed last night? Was it in consideration of her? That was sweet, but if his family caught him spending the night downstairs it would raise questions.

  At the sound of water running in the shower, she drew her hand back across the soft sheets. Had she reached for him in the night? After he’d left her at the door, she’d dressed in one of her nightgowns. A sexy, delicious nightgown she’d purchased before she knew they would be sharing a room. The peach silk had called to her. Its seductive voice made resisting it impossible. She’d never owned anything so decadent and never expected anyone would see her in it.

  Tucking her hand beneath her cheek, she recalled the heat in Simon’s eyes when he had found her in his bed. Last night, those same memories had kept her sleepless for hours, wondering if he would act on that attraction. At two, she’d given up waiting for him. Surely no man intending to seduce a woman would leave her cooling her heels for over two hours.

  The same butterflies that had attacked her stomach last night returned. She bent her knees and curved her body around the anxious flutters while she waited for Simon to emerge from the bathroom.

  The water ran for a long time. An even longer interval of silence tightened Caroline’s muscles into humming knots of wary anticipation. But when the door opened at last, it proved well worth the wait.

  Simon stood framed in the doorway for a moment, clad in nothing more than a towel. The day had crept toward dawn during his occupation of the bathroom and the light from the window highlighted his lean, athletic body with light and shadow. Caroline watched him from beneath her lashes, confident that he would not know she was awake. He spared a quick glance toward the bed before walking to the wardrobe that held their clothes. Caroline watched as he selected what he would wear that day, then almost gasped aloud as the towel dropped to the floor.

  The pure artistry of his body could have been cast in marble. His shoulders were wide, without the bulk of a body builder, and tapered down to a narrow waist and flawless, tight buttocks. His thighs were long and lean, but strongly defined. Hard muscles flexed and flowed as he opened a dresser drawer and selected a pair of underwear.

  “You’re awake, aren’t you?”

  His voice cut through the deafening thunder of blood through her veins. It seemed difficult to draw breath into her lungs. Had she made some noise that alerted him that she was watching? She prayed it hadn’t been a moan.

  “Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She could hear his resigned sigh all the way across the large room.

  He stepped into his underwear and pulled them up to hide his gorgeous derriere. Slacks and a pale blue shirt followed in quick succession before he turned to regard her over his shoulder. She tugged his unused pillow beneath her head and bent her knees to push herself a little higher. Her gaze never left him.

  “Where did you sleep last night?” she quizzed, proud that she sounded so unaffected by the sucker punch of his flawless physique.

  “There’s a couch in my father’s study.”

  She swept her hand over the mattress beside her. “You could have come back here.”

  He turned his whole body toward her then and she saw the state of his arousal. “You seem to have a distinct effect on me,” he said roughly. “How long were you watching?”

  “Since you came out of the bathroom.” Although she controlled her smile, she couldn’t keep the laughter out of her voice.

  “Do you think this is funny?” He picked up the towel and threw it at her. Plush and damp, it didn’t make a good missile and fell short of the mark, landing on her legs rather than in her face, where she believed he’d aimed. “I’m trying to be a gentleman, and you could tempt a saint.”

  “Don’t make me remind you whose idea this was in the first place.”

  With a disgusted snort he sat down on the bed beside her an
d stole his pillow back. Setting it behind him, he stretched out his long legs and crossed his ankles.

  “Made your bed, now lie in it? I suppose that’s what you’re referring to.”

  Despite his relaxed pose, there was tension around his eyes and mouth. He looked tired, and she wished she had the courage to reach out and soothe him, to pull him down beside her and encourage him to sleep.

  “Something like that. I hope you don’t plan on sleeping on that couch every night. If you got caught it would ruin your plan.”

  “I didn’t realize you were so eager to have me in your bed.” He was trying to bait her.

  “I think you mean our bed, don’t you?” she countered, enjoying the way his eyes widened at her bold feint.

  “Remind me not to play word games with you in the future.”

  “Does that include Scrabble?” she teased, noticing that the tension flowed out of him immediately. Was it possible she learned enough about his temperament and moods in such a short time that she could affect them? It was true that she felt a connection between them, but she had put it down to their shared subterfuge. Could it be something different? Something more?

  “That definitely includes Scrabble.” He brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. “Are you interested in getting up for coffee or do you want to laze in bed a while longer?”

  Instantly they were back to that dangerous dance of desire. Caroline felt the air thicken between them. As if they were caught in a slow-motion film, each beat of her heart seemed to highlight and define what her body craved. It was barely five-thirty. No one would expect them to be up and about for hours. They were supposed to be an engaged couple. There would be no need for explanations.

  “I’m ready for coffee,” she answered, her courage failing. She slid off the bed. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

  “Are you going to let me watch you this time?”

  His gaze leisurely toured her body in the peach silk. Caroline felt her nipples harden beneath his regard. If there had been a languorous pulse in her loins before, it now became an insistent throb.

  A pillow was in her hand and arcing toward his face before she gave it a second thought. She heard his laughter as she raced toward the bathroom, aware that all her clothes were in the bedroom. If he lingered, he would indeed get a chance for revenge. She stepped into the shower with a small smile.