Playing with Temptation

by Reese Ryan

  Nate surveyed the landscape in the backyard. It was a valid concern. One he shared.

  Even if he could get Kendra to give them another try, could he trust that she wouldn’t walk away from him again?

  He closed his eyes, a shudder moving down his spine.

  God, I hope so.

  Chapter 15

  Kendra paced in the green room of the late-night show. Nate was scheduled for taping in less than half an hour and he wasn’t answering her calls.

  A wave of sadness rolled over her. The way he’d taken off after the panel this morning...had he gone to see someone else? Was he with her now?

  She shook her head to clear it. Who Nate Johnston was with was none of her business, as long as he wasn’t doing anything that would further tarnish his brand.

  There was a giggle in the hallway, followed by a deep chuckle. Kendra recognized both laughs. The giggle was that of an intern who’d been hovering, hoping to meet Nate. The chuckle indicated she’d finally found him.

  Kendra opened the door, and they both looked at her abruptly. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten how to answer your phone.”

  There was a gleam in Nate’s eye. He smiled and signed the back of the T-shirt the intern was wearing before slipping past Kendra into the green room.

  She inhaled, taking a moment to calm herself. “You were supposed to be here half an hour ago.”

  “You know how traffic is in LA. Besides, I called the studio on my way here. A quick touch-up in the makeup chair and I’m good.”

  He’d called the studio, rather than calling her? She gritted her teeth, placing a fist on her hip. “And you’ve been drinking.”

  He adjusted his tie. “Relax. I had a couple of beers over lunch. Besides, you’re my media consultant, not my mother.”

  Heat crawled up her neck and exploded in her cheeks. She folded her arms and exhaled, straining to keep her voice even. “But it is my job to dig you out of the PR hole you created for yourself and to make sure you don’t dig it any deeper.”

  Nate narrowed his gaze at her. “Your concern is noted, but everything is fine. So just take a deep breath. Your dog and pony show will go on as scheduled.”

  Despite her blood boiling, she didn’t acknowledge the dig.

  Nate was trying to get a rise out of her. He was obviously hurt and angry about her decision to pull away.

  Kendra silently counted to ten, her fists clenched. She bit back the angry words she wanted to say, her tone neutral. “Our plane leaves in a few hours. I thought maybe we could grab a bite while I catch you up on the appearances scheduled for the next few weeks.”

  “Actually, I may have other plans after the show.” His gaze held hers.

  “Oh, well, maybe on the plane—”

  “I was hoping to catch a few winks on the plane. It’s been an exhausting few days.” He folded his arms tightly against his broad chest. His head tilted as he assessed her. Nate was being a world-class ass, but there was something in his warm brown eyes that still melted her heart. Made her want to kiss him.

  “Kara will email the updated itinerary to you along with my notes.”

  “Great.” Nate shifted his gaze toward the door. A wide smile spread across his face when the intern peeked her head in to let them know that makeup was ready for him. He indicated he’d be there shortly, then turned back to Kendra. “Anything else?”

  She shook her head, overwhelmed with a growing sense of envy. Wishing he’d look at her the way he looked at that intern just now. Her stomach dropped to her knees. “Have a good show.”

  Something in his demeanor softened. He headed across the room, turning back to look at her over his shoulder. Sadness lurked behind his dark eyes as he opened his mouth to speak, but then he turned and left instead.

  Kendra fought back the tears that prickled her eyes, her heart thumping against her chest.

  * * *

  Nate closed the green room door behind him and exhaled.

  What an ass.

  He’d only meant to be distant. Maybe make her jealous by appearing to eat up the attention of the far-too-young-and-shallow intern. Instead he’d come off as bitter and angry, and he’d been a total jerk.

  She maintained her cool, and he was left feeling worse than ever. That’s what he deserved for playing childish games.

  He wanted to be with her and Kai. Couldn’t she see that he was sincere?

  Nate tried to shake off the melancholy that settled over him when he saw the pain in Kendra’s eyes, despite her forced smile.

  He forced a smile of his own as he made his way through a quick turn in the makeup chair, then a brief meeting with the producer and the host of the show.

  He fought his way through filming, sporting the broadest smile he could muster. It took a few takes, but finally everyone was satisfied with his performance and he was on his way back to the green room.

  “How’d it go?” Kendra greeted him warmly, as if he hadn’t been a complete jerk less than an hour ago.

  “Pretty well.” He grabbed a bottle of water off the table and opened it, ignoring the urge to apologize and admit that he had no interest at all in the intern. “Should get a laugh.”

  “Great.” Her smile rose no higher than the edges of her mouth. Not even close to her genuine smile. The one that rounded the apples of her cheeks, lit her brown eyes and went straight to his heart. “Guess I’ll grab a bite, then meet you on the plane.”

  “Wait, Kendra, I was thinking about your suggestion that we get something to eat and go over things...”

  “Yeah?”

  “How about we grab dinner, but leave the shop talk at the door. I think we both deserve a break from it, don’t you?”

  One side of her mouth curved, her eyes dancing. “Are you asking me out to dinner, Nate Johnston?”

  “Yeah, I guess I am.”

  A genuine smile lit her face. “Thought you’d never ask.”

  * * *

  “That was incredible.” Kendra finished the last bites of her London broil and creamed spinach and then put her fork down.

  Nate, who had already finished his culotte steak and lobster tail, leaned back against the booth and grinned. “Told you you’d love this place.”

  “I had my doubts.” The iconic Koreatown steak house looked like a throwback to the 1950s. Dark wood paneling on the walls; comfy, lived-in red leather booths; and crisp white tablecloths lent to the feeling of being transported to the set of an old Rat Pack movie. “But you were right. Thank you for dinner.”

  “Hate to rush you away after such an amazing meal.” Nate stuffed some bills inside the vinyl guest check holder and thanked their server. He helped Kendra into her coat. “But we’ve got a plane waiting for us.”

  “No, it’s fine.” Kendra smiled. “But this was really nice. Much better than the sandwich I had at the commissary.”

  “About that...” Nate extended his elbow and Kendra slipped her arm through his. “I was a jerk earlier. It won’t happen again.”

  “It’s forgotten.” She gave him a small smile. After they were both settled in the car, she added, “Hope you had a nice lunch date.”

  “I did.” Nate held back a grin. She was fishing for information about who he’d spent those missing hours with. “Jase Hernandez invited me out to his place for lunch.”

  “Oh, well, that sounds nice.” She sounded relieved. “And on the subject of invitations... I have one for you. Maya and I are taking the kids to the Pleasure Cove roller-skating rink tomorrow.”

  “Are you kidding me? Is that old place still out on the edge of town?”

  “Yeah, and I’m pretty sure there is still gum stuck underneath the benches from when we were kids.”

  “Don’t look at me, it was Q who had the fascination with
sticking his gum everywhere,” Nate chuckled, referring to his youngest brother, Quincy.

  “So?” She looked at him expectantly, her eyes beaming. “What do you say? I know you can’t get out there and skate, especially while you’re in the middle of contract negotiations, but you can keep me company while I cheer Kai on from the sidelines. That’ll give me an excuse to stay off the skates.”

  “Well, when you put it that way, how can I possibly refuse?” He grinned. “Just tell me the time and I’ll meet you there.”

  “Great. And I know it’s my weekend with Kai, but after skating, he can spend the rest of the weekend with you, if you’d like.”

  “I would, thank you.” A sense of warmth and gratitude filled his chest. “He’s been dying to show off his new swimming skills.”

  “Perfect.” She opened her portfolio.

  “Hey, if you don’t have any plans this weekend, you’re welcome to stay, too. We could make it kind of a family thing.”

  “I don’t know.” Head tilted, she assessed him, then exhaled. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to spend the night, but I wouldn’t mind coming over after the skating rink. I’ll even cook. After all, I owe you dinner.”

  “Sounds nice.” It wasn’t what he’d hoped for, but at least it wasn’t a flat refusal. “But I’ve got one more request.”

  “Okay.” She regarded him warily.

  “This temporary moratorium on discussing business...let’s maintain it until Monday morning.” He turned toward her. “I’d like to relax, enjoy our time with Kai and forget about the rest of the world. Just for the weekend.”

  “I know this has been a lot to deal with.” Her smile radiated warmth and understanding. “So barring any crisis, you’ve got yourself a deal.”

  It was a small victory, but one he savored. The first step to winning Kendra back.

  Chapter 16

  “Look at me, Dad!” Kai called out gleefully, zipping past Nate and Kendra as he circled the roller-skating rink ahead of his Aunt Maya and cousins Sofie and Ella.

  “You’re doing great, son!” Nate cheered Kai on, wishing he could join him. The smell of rental skates, stale popcorn, burnt hotdogs and frozen pizza made him nostalgic for the old days.

  “Watch where you’re going, honey!” Kendra called after him, leaning over the carpeted half wall that separated them from the rink.

  “Relax, Dray. He’ll be fine.” Nate massaged the tension in her shoulders. “Remember how much fun we had out there as kids?”

  “It was the place to be on Saturday nights. Every teen in town was here. Oh, and remember the all-night skates?”

  “We were dead on our feet by the end of the night.” Nate grinned.

  The DJ played “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll” by Vaughan Mason & Crew and they both cheered, dancing with their hands in the air.

  “This song is older than we are.” Kendra laughed.

  “And it’s still the reigning champ of roller-skating songs.” Maybe he couldn’t put on skates and get out on the wooden floor, but he could dance to his heart’s content with his feet on solid ground.

  “Every time I hear this song, it’s like I’m fifteen all over again.” She moved her hips and rocked her head.

  “You’re showing out now, girl. I need to step up my game.” He threw in some popping and locking and added a spin for good measure. “Get it, Dray!”

  “Oh, it’s on.” She pursed her lips, going old school.

  “You did not just go TLC on me with the Bart Simpson. Okay, I got one for you.”

  “Old-school running man!” She laughed. “All right now. How about this?”

  They challenged each other with every old-school dance move they could remember: the Humpty dance, the Roger Rabbit, the Cabbage Patch.

  “Okay, time to bring it home.” He launched into the Kid ’n Play and she joined him until the song finally ended and they collapsed on one of the carpeted benches, both laughing.

  “That was so much fun.” She panted, catching her breath. “But now I need a rubdown, a soft pretzel and a nap, in that order.”

  “I can help with all three.” He wriggled his eyebrows and laughed.

  Watching Kendra grind her hips to the music sped up his pulse far more than the physical exertion had. He surveyed the space. The walls had been repainted in a cobalt blue and new carpeting covered the floor and walls, but the place was essentially the same.

  “We had so many great times in this building, but what I remember most is the first time I kissed you right over there.” He pointed to a dim corner of the rink. “Remember that?”

  “How could I forget my first kiss?” Her gaze was soft as her eyes met his.

  Nate smiled and leaned in closer, whispering in her ear. “Hopefully, I’m a much better kisser now than I was back then.”

  “I don’t know, you were a pretty good kisser back then, too.” She grinned. “Aside from that incident when you nearly chipped my tooth.”

  “My bad.” He grinned, his gaze on her sensuous lips as he leaned toward her. “Is it too late to ask for a do-over?”

  “Hey, Dad, I’m hungry. Can we get pizza?” Kai skated toward them on the carpeted surface.

  “Absolutely, champ.” Nate did his best not to sound as disappointed as he felt, but Kendra seemed relieved not to have to answer his question.

  * * *

  Kendra exhaled, thankful Kai had interrupted them before she got caught up in the nostalgia of strolling down memory lane with Nate.

  It was the first time they’d both let down their guard, been themselves and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

  She’d missed that. The laughter, the silliness, the fun and the love.

  She wanted that again, but it wasn’t that simple. His career and her family’s past made it complicated. And she wouldn’t hurt him again.

  Between working together and her promise to allow Nate to be more involved in Kai’s life, she’d have to learn to keep it together. Starting now.

  Needing to talk to Maya, Kendra stood and turned to head to the other side of the rink, but she crashed into a woman.

  “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  “No worries. It’s Kendra, isn’t it?”

  She took in the tall brunette, whose dark eyes carefully assessed her. Stephanie Weiss, the reporter who orchestrated the video.

  What the hell is she doing in Pleasure Cove?

  “You know exactly who I am, Stephanie.” Kendra folded her arms. “Here to dig under rocks for more dirt?”

  “Guess Nate didn’t give you the best impression of me.” She almost sounded hurt, but her sarcastic expression indicated otherwise. “That’s not my intention. I’m only here to get the real story behind Nate’s comments that night. Something beyond that canned speech he served up the other day.”

  “So why approach me?”

  “You’re his media consultant. Your client wouldn’t consider my offer to give him a chance to explain himself, so I thought I’d make my pitch to you. Perhaps you can make him understand why doing so is in his best interest.”

  “I’m aware of your offer, and I don’t believe it is in his best interest. So if you’d excuse me...”

  “It was a peace offering.” Stephanie’s tone grew sharper. She pressed her lips into a hollow smile. “One I’m extending again to you.”

  “No, thank you, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from me and my client. Neither of us has anything else to say to you.”

  “Suit yourself.” Stephanie laughed bitterly, then turned to walk away. She paused, then turned back, a devious grin lighting her eyes. “Did Nate tell you he and I dated?”

  “Of course.” Every muscle in Kendra’s body tensed. “I also know how the relationship ended and that it killed yo
ur career.”

  Stephanie’s expression grew bitter for a moment, but then she smiled. “I’m sure that’s what he told you, but the truth is, we’ve known each other intimately since his rookie year with the Marauders.” She looked beyond Kendra, to where Nate stood, holding a tray of food. Kai stood beside him. “But I’m sure you’ve told her all about that. Right, Nate?”

  “Stephanie, what the—” Nate started, then looked down at Kai watching him with wide eyes. He cleared his throat, seething. “I told you to stay away from me. I didn’t think I needed to tell you that includes my family. Do I need to take legal action for you to get the point?”

  A grin spread across the woman’s face, her gaze shifting from Nate to Kendra. “Sounds like a man with something to hide.”

  Kendra’s blood grew cold. Her fists clenched and her nails dug painfully into her palms as Stephanie flipped her dark brown extensions over her shoulder and sashayed away in red-bottomed heels.

  “Who was that lady, Mommy?” Kai asked, clenching his huge plastic cup of frozen lemonade.

  “No one you need to worry about, little man,” Nate said quickly. “Mommy and I need to talk, so let’s get you set up at the table with Auntie Maya and the girls. Mommy and I will be over when we’re done.”

  Nate escorted Kai to where Maya sat, looking worried. She’d obviously witnessed the exchange between them and Stephanie Weiss.

  He quickly returned to her side. “Babe, I’m sorry about that. You shouldn’t have to deal with her.”

  “Don’t call me babe.” Kendra’s hands shook and her pulse raced.

  Nate frowned. “You don’t actually believe that bull, do you?”

  Kendra met his gaze, but didn’t respond.

  “She’s a notorious liar. You said so yourself.”

  “I never said she was a liar.” Kendra spoke slowly, her voice soft. “I said she was untrustworthy. She’ll use any means necessary to find out the darkest, ugliest truths about people. Anything that will advance her career, no matter how devastating it is to the person. Like what she reported about your friend. It wasn’t untrue, it was just something private that he preferred the rest of the world not know.”