The Playboy

by Carly Phillips

  “Hi, Pearl.” Though she should feel imposed upon, instead Kendall realized she was genuinely happy to have company. Another odd sensation for someone who’d always lived alone. “Come on in and sit down.” She waved inside.

  Kendall had already taken the slipcovers and drop cloths off the furniture and Rick had finished the walls in the entry and living area. The smell of fresh paint added to the cleanliness and appeal.

  Pearl joined her in the family room. “Take this. My special brownies for a special girl. You remind me so much of your aunt.” She smiled and the weathered lines in her cheeks seemed much less apparent.

  “That’s such a sweet compliment.” Kendall accepted the home-baked treat, the smell of chocolate making her stomach rumble.

  “Get us something to drink and we can indulge, women-style,” Pearl said, shamelessly taking over and telling Kendall what to do.

  Kendall blushed, knowing she didn’t have much to offer. “I’ve got water,” she said and shrugged. Filtered water had always been her drink of choice. Easy and healthy, she’d always thought but the fact that she had nothing to serve Pearl shamed her a bit.

  Pearl waved a hand in the air, obviously dismissing the idea too. “That’s what I was afraid of.” She dug into her purse and came out with a jar of iced-tea mix. “You can’t live in the suburbs and not have some good old-fashioned iced tea or lemonade with your dessert. Eldin hates lemons, so I buy iced tea for the man. Gotta keep

  ’em happy, but you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, what with a virile man like Rick around?” She walked to the kitchen as she spoke, making herself at home and chattering the entire way. “So what’s with all the painting going on here?” Pearl asked.

  “Well . . . ”

  “Don’t tell me. You and Rick are planning on moving in here after all. I told Eldin so, but he said no, you’d stayed at Rick’s apartment last night and this old guest house wasn’t your style, with you coming from the city and all.’’

  Kendall blinked. She didn’t know what shocked her more, Pearl’s pronouncement that apparently everyone seemed to know where she’d spent the night or the speed and consistency with which she spoke. With Pearl and her mouth in residence, Kendall didn’t have to worry about taking part in the conversation.

  Still, she needed to make sure anything repeated was either accurate or helpful to Rick and his cause. “I’m sure you realize by now Rick and I aren’t married.”

  “Yet.” Pearl popped a chocolate piece of brownie into her mouth, then washed it down with the iced tea she’d made, sliding Kendall’s glass toward her at the same time.

  With a sigh, Kendall shut herself up with a brownie and a sip of the sweet, delicious drink. She was coming to understand what Rick meant when he said not to bother correcting people’s inaccurate assumptions. In such a small community, they believed what they wanted to, evidence or assertion to the contrary be damned. She was shocked to discover she didn’t mind, rather she enjoyed Pearl’s stubborn rosy view.

  “Well, I’m fixing this place up and I’d like to start on the main house too.” On another visit to Pearl’s during the week, Kendall had discovered that though the outside was run-down, the only inside problem seemed to be the paint job. She had no desire to insult Eldin by criticizing his skills or suggesting they redo the walls. There were other ways to refresh a house for resale.

  “Really? Like what kind of fixing?” Pearl asked. Kendall didn’t mind answering the what. It was the whys she didn’t want to get into yet. Why cause Pearl concern over being displaced before Kendall had the chance to look into other relocation options for the older couple? It was the least she could do for Aunt Crystal’s friends. “I thought I’d buy some flowers, Rick said he’d mow the lawn and power-wash the exterior,” she began to explain.

  “You are such a sweetheart.” Pearl lurched over and pulled Kendall into a huge hug. “Why, Eldin and I will be living in splendor in no time. You know we couldn’t afford to do those kinds of fixings on our own. You’re not just as pretty as your aunt, but as sweet too. And of course Eldin and I will help in any way we can.” She sat back down, beaming with happiness and pleasure.

  Kendall didn’t know what to say. How could she destroy Pearl’s illusions and scare her into thinking she’d be displaced, yet how could she let her believe she and Eldin could remain in her aunt’s house? Kendall massaged the sudden pulsing in her right temple.

  “I’ve got to go tell Eldin!” Pearl grabbed her purse. “Keep the brownies and the plate.” The older woman’s excitement was tangible.

  Kendall groaned.

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll come back another time for our chat.”

  Pearl misinterpreted yet again and Kendall didn’t correct her. For one thing she’d already learned the futility and for another Pearl hadn’t given her the chance. She ran off as fast as she could, leaving Kendall speechless, alone with the plate of brownies.

  She glanced around and shrugged, then peeled the foil off the treat and began to drown her problems in chocolate.

  Hours after Pearl’s excited departure, the kitchen sparkled inside and out. After practically inhaling the entire plate of brownies, Kendall decided to work off the calories. By the time she finished, anyone who inspected the deepest corner of the cabinets would find nothing but cleanliness and empty space. The closets came next and all were empty anyway except the walk-in in the entry-way. By the time she’d tackled that project, Kendall had enough junk accumulated for a garage sale.

  Exhausted but still ambitious, she got to work on her bedroom. Since she’d asked Brian to include her bedding and other items in the shipment from New York, from dresser top to inside the closet, the small bedroom now had a homey, lived-in feel. Stepping back, Kendall walked from room to room, admiring the huge improvements.

  She’d taken out the day’s frustration on something constructive, but she felt guilty that the reason she wanted to fix up the house was so she could sell—right out from under Pearl and Eldin.

  Guilt swelled up inside her. “Darnit.” That’s what Kendall got for letting herself grow fond of people. But how could she help it? These were her aunt’s friends and she liked them, as much as she enjoyed it here in her aunt’s house. But the time would soon come when she walked away.

  Not wanting to dwell on leaving yet, Kendall decided to think productively. She glanced at her watch, then tried phoning her sister. Once again, no answer. Either she was out of her room or the little twerp was screening her calls which was the most likely scenario. Other than the brief phone call the other day, Hannah hadn’t returned Kendall’s gazillion messages.

  She rolled her tense shoulders and tried to relax. At least she knew that her sister was safely at school right now. There wasn’t anything Kendall could do about Hannah’s situation for the time being. But there was plenty she could do about her own.

  Rick hadn’t been far from her mind all day. His husky voice, his lean, hard body, and the tender way he’d made love to her came back to her at odd, vulnerable moments during the day. She’d find herself zoning out and when she came back to reality, she’d have a dust rag in hand but her body would be tingling as if Rick’s lips or mouth had been roaming over her sensitive skin. Even now she trembled at the memory of his hands gliding along her naked body and wanted a repeat of the event.

  His shift would end soon and she knew exactly how to entice him after a long day. After a quick shower, she picked up the phone and called Chase for a little more insight into Rick, the man. What was his favorite food? Music? The basics in life. Armed with answers, she headed to his apartment.

  As she’d seen firsthand, he was a man who worried about everyone yet rarely thought about himself. She intended to turn the tables on him. Tonight she planned to take care of him for a change.

  Rick dragged himself up the back stairs to his apartment. Exhaustion warred with hunger and he didn’t know how he’d find the energy to find something to eat in his refrigerator. He’d have stopped downs
tairs for a bite, but at Norman’s conversation was as much a staple as food and Rick wasn’t in the mood for talking. Not after his last few days. Working a ten-hour shift, having the impromptu family party at Norman’s, and then spending the night with Kendall only to wake up and haul another ten-hour shift had wiped him out.

  Grateful for the solitude, he let himself into his apartment and tossed the keys on the counter.

  “Well, no one can say you aren’t a creature of habit.” He recognized that soft voice and didn’t give a damn that his solitude had just disappeared. “Kendall?”

  “That’s me.” She called to him from inside, beyond the hallway.

  He walked into the living area to find her sitting on one of his bar stools at the kitchen pass-through area. She looked casually sexy in white fitted leggings and a black tank top, a glass of wine in her hand and a sultry look in her eyes.

  His body, which had been begging for sleep seconds earlier, awakened with a roar. “How’d you get in?”

  She laughed. “Ever the cop. Forget, I’m glad to see you, Kendall and go right for the interrogation. But to put your overworked mind at ease, I spoke to Chase and when I explained what I had in mind, he confessed to having an emergency key. He let me in and here I am.” She spread her arms wide, gesturing around the apartment.

  For the first time, Rick noticed the pizza box on the counter and the delicious Italian aroma that surrounded him. She’d obviously gone to a lot of trouble on his behalf and the knowledge helped to lift his lingering weariness.

  He stepped forward and leaned an elbow on the counter so they were face-to-face. “Did I mention I’m glad to see you?”

  She shook her head with a smile showing off her dimples.

  “Well, I am.” He’d inched closer and as he spoke, he moved his mouth over hers, tasting the fruity wine and tasting her. But unfortunately, his stomach chose that moment to growl loud and clear.

  She laughed and moved back, breaking the physical connection. “I take it you’re hungry?” A naughty grin tipped her lips.

  “Hell yes. I’m hungry.” For more than just food, though he knew he’d have to eat first if he wanted the stamina to devour later.

  “I brought you pepperoni pizza.”

  He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “My favorite. I take it that’s what you had to discuss with Chase?”

  “Among other things.” She served him a cheesy slice of pizza, then walked to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of his favorite beer, popped the top, handing him the bottle. “To . . .” She paused.

  “Us.”

  “Tonight,” she said at the same time he spoke.

  “To us tonight.” He grinned and clinked their glasses together.

  She pushed a plate toward him and patted the stool beside hers. “Come eat. You must be running on empty by now.”

  Her concern warmed him in places long forgotten, reminding him of dreams he thought he’d given up on, of having someone to come home to at night, and maybe even a family of his own one day. Dreams Kendall had already told him she wouldn’t, couldn’t make come true.

  Yet this skittish woman brought those very hopes back to life anyway. It was that skittishness he had to nurture and he had to admit her presence here now was a good sign. “So what have you been doing with yourself during the day?” Keeping things light seemed to be his renewed mantra with Kendall.

  “I had a business breakfast with Charlotte.” She took another sip of wine.

  “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  She blushed, red staining her cheeks. “I already did. A full plate of Pearl’s brownies, but that’s another story,” she said, laughing.

  “And one I want to hear. But first, what did you accomplish with Charlotte?” he asked, then took a welcome bite of pizza.

  “She’s going to take my jewelry in to sell.” Pride and pleasure tinged her voice. “On consignment.”

  “That’s amazing! So we’re celebrating tonight too.” Her work was obviously important to her, for reasons Rick sensed went beyond her financial needs.

  Kendall nodded. “I guess we are celebrating but I hadn’t thought of it that way. I wanted tonight to be about you.”

  Gratitude flowed through him. “Well, indulge my curiosity. That’s the same as catering to me. So tell me about your jewelry.”

  She frowned at his obvious attempt to put a wrench in her plans. “I’d rather hear about what you do.”

  He laughed. “Okay, I’ll humor you. Me first.”

  She glanced down and realized he’d finished one slice and she put a second on his plate.

  He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “My day was typical. The usual paperwork, patrol, questioning, and some training at the high school.”

  “What kind of training?”

  “DARE training for the teachers. Drug Abuse Resistance Education.” He explained the acronyms she’d heard but never knew exactly what they stood far. “I’m the DARE officer at the school.”

  “Mmm. Lucky kids getting to learn under you. Something tells me a good-looking guy like you definitely holds at least female interest,” she said jokingly.

  “Kendall,” he said, warning her. Though he joked about many things, DARE wasn’t one of them.

  “I’m serious. It’s so important to keep kids aware. I hope they’re doing half as good a job at my sister’s boarding school as I’m sure you’re doing. And with teenage girls’ minds turning toward the opposite sex, if you do hold their interest, who cares if the reason is your looks? They’ll listen to you and you’ve accomplished a huge goal for those kids, their parents, and for society.”

  She spoke passionately about a subject close to his heart and her words dispelled his earlier misgivings. Rick could have kicked himself for thinking she’d belittle something so important. He knew her better. That she could relate to him on this level proved something his gut already knew. They were good for one another in many ways.

  “What about the guys in the program?” she asked. “How do you keep their interest?”

  “It’s not as easy. But based on your description, getting the girls’ attention has to help. They want to be where the action is.” He laughed, amazed her perspective made enough sense that he now planned to use it in the future.

  “So what was today’s meeting about?”

  “Since it’s summer we’re working on teacher training for September.”

  “Did it go well?” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands.

  “As well as it could with Lisa Burton there,” he muttered.

  “Lisa.” Kendall said the name with obvious dislike. “You’ve met her?” Rick asked, wary. Who knows what the jealous teacher had done or said to Kendall, Rick’s supposed girlfriend. He caught himself, realizing that Kendall was no longer his pretend anything.

  She was real. Incredibly, beautifully real.

  Kendall sighed. “I didn’t meet her exactly. She was one of the women at the hair salon who pretty much snubbed me. Not that I care.”

  He could read the lie in her eyes. She’d been hurt and he couldn’t believe how badly he wanted to not just protect her but take away any slight or pain. “Lisa’s not worth worrying about. Just a jealous woman who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.”

  “She’s one of the ones after you?”

  He almost said they were all after him, that’s how overwhelming the barrage had been. But true to his plan, now that the town thought he was with Kendall, no one had ambushed him in days. “If Lisa bothers you, let me know.”

  Kendall raised an eyebrow. “So you can what? Arrest her for rudeness? Please.” She waved away his protective concern. “Honestly I’ve been to many new towns. Not everyone likes everyone and that’s the way life is. I can handle her. But if she puts so much as a hand on you, then I can’t be held accountable for my actions.” She grinned and finished the last of her wine.

  “Possessive thing, aren’t you?” He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.

 
; “What’s mine is mine.” She shrugged easily.

  The wine had obviously relaxed her defenses and though she spoke jokingly, there was a hint of seriousness in her tone that pleased Rick. To his never-ending surprise when it came to Kendall, he didn’t mind being claimed.

  “Finished?” she asked.

  He glanced down, once again shocked he’d eaten not just his second slice but a third without being aware. The conversation and company were too stimulating for him to concentrate on food.

  “I sure am. I’m stuffed.” He started to rise, but her hand on his shoulder stopped him.

  “You worked all day. I’ve got the cleaning. Finish your beer and relax.” She gathered the paper plates and her empty wineglass and headed into the kitchen.

  Because of the open pass-through area between the kitchen and the family room where his bar stools were, Rick was able to continue conversation—and watch Kendall while she worked. She had an amazing body and her outfit outlined every curve, arousing his baser male instincts despite the earlier exhaustion.

  Though he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her narrow hips and firm behind—he was male after all—her heart and inner spirit interested him most right now. “So tell me about your jewelry.”

  She’d tossed the paper plates and wrapped the extra slices. “Refrigerator or freezer for these?” she asked him.

  “Refrigerator. I’ll live on those tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I have two different styles of jewelry,” she said as she got back to work. “I hope to learn newer techniques in Arizona especially working with turquoise, but right now, I do wire jewelry with beading. I also have another idea but I haven’t tried it out yet. I only have sketches and I’d have to show you—” She obviously and deliberately cut herself off. “That was silly. You wouldn’t be interested in female jewelry.”

  In a heartbeat he stood and strode into the kitchen, catching her between the counter and his body. “I wouldn’t presume to know what interests me, if I were you.”

  She licked her lips. “Why’s that?”