The Playboy

by Carly Phillips

  She’d always been the displaced child that no one wanted. And though Brian had desired her, he’d never given back emotionally. Their relationship had been a bargain. He’d gotten her the modeling jobs she needed to pay for her aunt’s care and she’d pretended to be his girlfriend to help him through a transition period after a breakup. Though their fake relationship had turned into a real one, she’d never connected with Brian.

  Not like she had with Rick. One kiss and she’d felt more than a physical pull. Enclosed in the small bathroom with Rick had been a confinement of a different kind. A sensual kind. The kind she’d like to explore further. Why not? The surprising thought flashed through her mind.

  So did the answers. She’d ended her engagement to Brian and a huge phase of her life just a few short hours ago. Though she hadn’t been in love with him, the whole ordeal had been traumatic. Though the dizziness had already passed, she splashed cold water on her face, then she shook her head and wrapped her icy, wet hands around the back of her neck for shock value.

  She couldn’t be thinking clearly, not if she was tempted to indulge in a romantic interlude with a virtual stranger. Yet he felt like anything but. After all, she’d seen the desire in his eyes, felt the tremor in his calloused fingertips. Kendall wasn’t normally into affairs or quickies with men she barely knew, but Rick Chandler, his goodness and strength, his openness and giving, not to mention his sexiness, tested her resolve.

  She changed out of the dress and reached for her casual clothes, leaving the bridal trappings on the floor in a discarded heap. The wedding was in her past. The open road awaited her in the future. Though it’d be wonderful to indulge in some T.L.C. and though Officer Rick Chandler might seem like the perfect man for the job, it wouldn’t be fair to him.

  She couldn’t use him that way, no matter how good he made her feel. A man who lived in one place, who valued stability, and who was a family friend, was hardly the man to pick for an affair, assuming she was ready for one. Which she wasn’t, she assured herself.

  Too bad her body made a mockery of that promise. She straightened and started for the other room, steeling herself against the chemistry she couldn’t control or deny.

  Rick paced outside the bathroom so he could hear the thud if the heat got to her again and Kendall passed out cold on the floor. He was thankful when minutes later the door opened and she walked out, but gratitude evaporated when he got a good look at her newest getup, taken from the small suitcase he’d brought in for her earlier.

  A pink floral cutoff T-shirt showcased her flat, bare stomach, while a pair of frayed cutoff white shorts hugged her hips and revealed her rounded curves and long legs. She was perfectly proportioned, making him want her more than he had before. Something he hadn’t believed possible.

  But as spectacular as she appeared, it wasn’t her body he couldn’t take his eyes from, but the frilly garter still hugging her thigh.

  “What’s wrong?” She glanced down. “Oh. Oh!” She blushed an amazing shade of pink that matched her hair. “I was rushing and forgot.”

  She bent down to remove the accessory, sliding the elastic over those long legs. Legs he could envision wrapped around his waist as he made love to her over and over again.

  “Got it.” She lifted her head and met his gaze. “You seem fascinated by this thing. Want to see it up close?” She dangled the blue and white lace midair.

  And according to tradition be the next to marry? “Hell no.” But he was too late. She’d already tossed the garter through the air, leaving him no choice but to catch it or let it drop onto the dusty, hardwood floor. Resigned, he grabbed for the offending object.

  “Good catch!” She clapped her hands in approval. “I’m impressed.”

  “Just tell me tradition doesn’t work if the bride never said I do.”

  A wry smile touched her lips. “You’re afraid.” She let out a loud laugh.

  “I’m a cop. I’m not afraid of anything,” he said. But if that was true, then why was his heart hammering hard in his chest and his breath coming in short, uneven gasps?

  “Okay, no fear. But you do look like you’re about to be sick.” She came up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Her touch shot straight through him and he enjoyed the feeling more than was prudent.

  “Anything I can do?” she asked.

  He eyed that damn garter. “You can answer the question.”

  “Since I never got married and technically I’m not a bride, I’m sure the garter is harmless. Feel better?”

  Hardly, he thought. Her fingertips still touched his shoulder, searing his skin through his department-issued navy T-shirt. His gaze dropped to her incredible body again. “You look a lot more comfortable,” he said, changing the subject.

  She grinned. “Amazing what getting rid of that albatross of a dress will do for you.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “A woman who shares my views on marriage? Impossible.” He couldn’t imagine a female who’d shake at the sight of a wedding dress. But this was Kendall and she was unique. No wonder she appealed to him.

  “Are you telling me you’ve never met an independent woman before?”

  “Not in this town. They all seem to be on the marriage plan.”

  Her eyes grew wide, her curiosity evident. “There have to be some women who want to remain on their own. Free to do what they want, when they want.”

  “Is that your M.O.?” he asked.

  Kendall nodded. Rick had pegged her well. “I’m a transient,” she said with a grin.

  “Why?”

  The answer lay in her past. By moving from place to place, she didn’t allow herself to become too attached to anyone or anything. But she didn’t think Rick needed or wanted to know her personal hangups, so she shrugged lightly and said, “It’s all I know.”

  “Your childhood.” He obviously remembered hearing of her past. “But there’s no need to move around now. Did you ever consider putting down roots?”

  “Not in this lifetime.” She’d been there, she’d done that, Kendall thought. “I just spent two years in New York City to be with Aunt Crystal and cover her nursing home bills. It’s time to put me first.”

  He nodded in understanding.

  “Why don’t we sit?” she suggested.

  “This is the best you’ve got.” He gestured to the couch with drop cloths covering it as well as the other furniture in the guest house. It had been so long since anyone stayed here that she obviously had her work cut out for her—even for just a temporary visit.

  She joined him on the beige-covered sofa. “Sorry I can’t offer you a better, cleaner place to sit.”

  He shrugged. “No big deal.”

  “So tell me about the Stepford wives.” She changed the subject back to him.

  He chuckled. “It’s really not that bad. It’s just that my mother’s been ill and she’s got this notion that it’s time for her sons to settle down and give her grandchildren.” He sobered at the mention of his mother’s health. “Now she’s launched an all-out campaign and the single women in town are only too happy to participate.”

  She recalled Pearl’s words earlier about his mother lamenting her grandchildless fate. Obviously there was more to it than that. “Poor man. All the women in town throwing themselves at you.” She clucked her tongue, though a part of her was actually jealous she wasn’t the only one who found this guy incredibly sexy. Not that she had any desire to marry and settle down, but she could see why those women who did found him the perfect catch.

  “Trust me it’s a lot tougher than it sounds considering I’m not interested.”

  “I’m surprised you’re telling me about it.”

  “Oh, you’d hear about it soon enough. Especially after Pearl gets through letting everyone know about you and your grand entrance.” He ran a hand through that gorgeous, dark hair. “You’ll be branded.”

  Kendall started to laugh, remembering how Rick had carried her over the threshold to the tune of Pe
arl’s humming “Here Comes the Bride,” in between chiding Eldin and using his back as an excuse to avoid marriage. Kendall would have mentioned that Eldin seemed anxious to put a ring on her finger, but she sensed Pearl had a mind of her own. Just like Rick’s mother, apparently.

  But Rick wouldn’t find this situation amusing, so she clasped her hands and tried for sincerity. “No one could possibly believe you’d gotten married without letting anyone know.”

  “They just might considering it’s happened before.” His eyes clouded over, memories obviously pushing at him and making him uncomfortable.

  He’d been married. Eloped, it seemed. No wonder he resisted his mother’s marriage push now. She leaned forward, surprised beyond belief. “Do tell.”

  “Not in this lifetime,” he said, quoting her. He rose from his seat. “So what are your plans?” He tossed the volley back to her.

  Apparently they both had emotional walls they didn’t want to let crumble. Much as she was dying to know more about him, he’d shut her down. Since she didn’t want to share any kind of closeness that would bond them, not when she planned to leave soon, she had to respect his privacy.

  He wanted to know her plans and she assumed he meant short term. She took in the dusty trappings around her, and recalled all the things that appeared to be old and decrepit in the main house. She rubbed a weary hand over her eyes. “For tonight I guess I’ll clean the room where I’ll sleep and maybe the kitchen.” She crinkled her nose at the thought of all that dust swirling around her. “Tomorrow I’ll get started on getting the house in shape. Oh, and I suppose I should contact a realtor and see what my possibilities are, even though I know now I need to finish fixing before I can show the place.”

  He nodded, hands shoved in his back pockets as he, too, surveyed the damage. “I’ll help you clean.”

  His offer touched her but she couldn’t accept. “You don’t need to do that. Honestly, I can get one room in decent shape by myself.”

  “With what? You’re going to need supplies and if the weather forecast is correct, an A.C. unit. No way will you be able to sleep in this place without air.”

  She tried to inhale but choked instead. Rick was right. The air was stagnant and oppressive. Concern and a wave of depression settled over her. “Oh, geez. I really didn’t anticipate all these extra costs.” She mentally calculated the money in her account. Unfortunately she’d need more than she had in the bank just to live the next month or so here.

  “I take it you thought you’d arrive, list the house, sell, and be on your way?”

  Kendall nodded. “A little overly optimistic, huh?” “A little.” He grinned. “But I like your attitude. Why deal with problems until they crop up?”

  “You’re just being nice to me. You don’t want to call the new girl in town a ditz or an impulsive idiot.”

  His sexy grin turned into a scowl as his lips took a downward turn. “Hey quit being so hard on yourself. You’ve been through a lot. Now do you have an immediate plan?”

  For money, she did have her credit cards, and Brian would be more than happy to overnight her jewelry and supplies. If she could find a store to place them on consignment, maybe she could scrounge up some extra cash. Okay, so she had a plan. Of sorts. She glanced at Rick. “Just point the way to town and I’ll . . . ”

  “Fly there on your magic carpet?”

  She let out an exhale and added fixing the car to her list of expenses. “I don’t suppose I could bum a ride?” She bit down on her lower lip, realizing that for a man who was tired of women who wanted something from him, Kendall was probably more trouble than she was worth.

  “I’m heading toward town myself. And before you ask, yes I can give you a lift back home afterward.”

  Home. Had she ever really had one? Not wanting to delve into deep thoughts right now, she flashed him a grateful smile instead. “You’re a regular knight in shining armor, Rick Chandler.”

  He grinned. “What can I say? I never could resist a damsel in distress.” A mixture of humor and unexpected sadness touched his voice despite the sexy outward smile. Was the sadness related to his past marriage, she wondered.

  Once again, when it came to this enigmatic man, Kendall wondered why. What made him tick, what happened in his past that drove him to avoid another marriage yet make it a habit of rescuing women in need? Knowing his pull and effect on her, she was glad she wouldn’t be around long enough to find out.

  CHAPTER THREE

  An hour later Rick had shown Kendall through Herb Cooper’s General Store, helping her pick out household necessities. More than once as they walked the aisles, Rick had the sensation he was being watched. But each time he glanced around, the aisles were empty.

  He’d chalked it up to too many hours on call when from behind a jostling noise startled him and he turned in time to see Lisa Burton. She lingered at the end by the cheese and cracker section, staring when she thought he wasn’t looking. He groaned and jerked away before she could catch his eye. He didn’t need another confrontation with the oversexed schoolmarm.

  “You’re quiet all of a sudden.” Kendall spoke into the silence. “I’m almost finished and I appreciate your taking the time to wait around while I shop.”

  “My pleasure,” he said. And it was. He enjoyed Kendall, her quick wit and sense of humor. He preferred her to any other woman he’d spent time with, lurking Lisa included.

  A quick glance over his shoulder told him Lisa had disappeared. No doubt she’d gone down the next aisle, planning to meet up with him at the far end. In that instant, Rick formulated his plan. If he anticipated running into her and acted before she came up to him, Lisa and her marriage aspirations could be a distant memory— leaving him with one woman down and a town full to go, but he’d make a start.

  “Dinner.” Kendall grinned and tossed a package of hot dogs into the cart, basketball style.

  Dinner. “Dammit.” His mother and Chase were expecting him—he glanced at his watch—over an hour ago. He wasn’t surprised neither had tried to reach him. When out on a call, his family had learned to wait out his often long delays.

  “I admit they’re not gourmet, but they boil quick and they’re not too expensive. Perfect bachelor’s food, so why the expletive?” Kendall studied him with large eyes.

  “I forgot I was supposed to be at my mother’s for dinner.”

  “And instead you’re busy with me.” She reached out and touched his arm.

  The sparks crackled between them, making a mockery of her words and cementing the notion that his idea to get Lisa to back off would work.

  “I’m sorry to have held you up,” Kendall said.

  “I’m not.” He’d enjoyed hanging out with this woman who amused him, aroused him, and yet wanted nothing from him except what he was willing to give.

  He pulled his cell phone from the array of equipment hanging around his waist and punched in numbers from memory, waiting until Raina’s voice sounded on the other end. “Hey, Mom. Sorry about the delay. I got sidetracked.”

  “Your new bride?” She chuckled, sounding lively and not at all like her out-of-breath, usual self.

  Ever since his mother had been diagnosed with a weak heart a couple of months ago, he worried about her health. Both he and Chase alternated checking up on her, making sure she ate regularly and didn’t overdo. Since their father had died, the three Chandler brothers looked out for Raina constantly. “I hope you’ve eaten?”

  “Chase and I ate,” she assured him. “He got called back to the paper but I’m keeping yours warm for you. And I saved my dessert to eat so I can keep you company. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your recent marriage.”

  He rolled his eyes. Rick knew his mother didn’t believe the gossip, but the story had obviously already spread. A glimpse at the other end of the aisle told him Lisa was just where he figured she’d be, lying in wait and no doubt trying to figure out who he was with. Rick needed to give Lisa a firm and final reason to believe he didn’t r
eturn her interest. At the same time, he needed to provide his mother with a female to focus on instead of the hoards who drove him crazy.

  “I appreciate you holding dinner, Mom. I’ll be there in . . .” He glanced at his watch, calculating how much time they needed to finish up. “About half an hour. Oh, and I’m bringing a guest.”

  Beside him, Kendall shook her head. “You don’t need to do that,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine.”

  He waved away her objections and caught the end of his mother’s question.

  “Female company, Mom, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Before his mother could begin the interrogation, he hit the STOP button, flipped his phone closed, and rebuckled it into the holder.

  “Now that was stupid.” Kendall glared at him.

  He stepped closer, mindful Lisa was snooping around the corner. “A little ungrateful considering I saved you from boiled hot dogs and dust for dinner.”

  “You just got through telling me your mother is out to marry you off. Everyone in town probably thinks we’ve done the deed, and now you’re bringing me home for dinner? Are you insane?”

  “Probably.” He met Kendall’s shocked gaze and treated her to a grin. “I have a plan. A quid pro quo of sorts and you need to hear me out before you say no.”

  A hint of wariness flashed in her eyes, making him think she’d nix the idea before he got the chance to propose it.

  She perched her hands on her hips and faced him. “What makes you think I’d say no?” she asked, surprising him with a challenge instead.

  He figured she was out to prove she could handle anything he dished out and after that kiss, he wouldn’t mind proving the same thing.

  “So what kind of exchange did you have in mind?” The wariness in her voice hadn’t changed.

  If he wanted a chance of convincing her to go along with his plan, he needed to alter her attitude. He propped an arm on the glass door behind her head, bracketing her between his body and the frozen food case in an intimate position. One any observer couldn’t mistake, and one meant to lower her defenses and make her his. “I’m proposing a housecleaning of sorts.” His voice dropped a deeper octave, spurred by her nearness and the sizzling awareness raging through his veins. “I’ll clean your house if you’ll clean mine.”