by Francis Ray
She’d been with Shane for almost an hour and, while he was a charming dinner companion, she’d learned little more than his name. She wasn’t even sure what he did for a living, only that he would be in Santa Fe for two days to “escort” her anyplace she wished. He wasn’t handsome, but there was an edge, an intensity, about him that would draw and intrigue most women.
Halfway through her medallion beef cooked to perfection, she glanced up. Her heart fluttered. Her problem was solved.
Discreetly she leaned over the small, intimate table in a quiet corner of the elegant restaurant and whispered, “Brandon’s here.”
Shane smiled like a cat in front of a birdcage with an open door. His large manicured hand covered her free one. “How jealous do you want to make him?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want him jealous.”
“You’re sure?” He lifted her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.
Faith’s intake of breath was sharp. She jerked her hand back.
“You all right, Faith?” Brandon asked, towering over them.
Faith swallowed, then moistened her lips. Shane had done that on purpose. Blade had warned her that he was unpredictable. “Hello, Brandon. What are you doing here?”
“I think you know the answer to that,” he said; his voice carried an edge she hadn’t heard before.
It was one thing to want Brandon to think of her as desirable, quite another for him to treat her as brainless and in need of his macho protection. “I’m fine, as you can see.”
Brandon’s hard gaze drilled into Shane. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
After a long, tense moment Shane momentarily lifted his gaze and said, “No, we haven’t,” then went back to his rare prime rib.
Faith saw the swift change in Brandon’s face and knew if she didn’t act quickly, one of the men might do something stupid. She recalled that Blade had said Shane could be dangerous as well. “Excuse me,” she said, standing.
Shane lazily unfolded himself and came to his feet as well. “Certainly, but only for a moment or I’ll get lonely.”
Throwing Shane a “behave yourself” look, she took Brandon’s arm and led him outside into the patio. Lights flickered in the lanterns. Flames danced in the kiva fireplace. “What are you doing?”
“When did you meet him?”
“Brandon, that is none of your concern.”
“That might be if you hadn’t asked me to help you—”
Her hand covered his mouth. She knew it was a mistake immediately when his warm breath licked her skin; his firm lips enticed, making her wish she could replace her hand with her lips. She jerked her hand away. “I’d rather we not talk about that.”
“You’re going to get in trouble if you keep this up.”
Her chin lifted. “As I said, it’s about time and I can handle it. Thank you for your concern, but I need to return to my guest and you have a restaurant to run.” With her head held high and her knees shaking, she returned to her table.
Shane stood and reached for her chair. “Should I kiss you on the back of your neck?”
Faith gritted a smile. “Do so at your own risk.”
Chuckling, he took his seat. “I almost feel sorry for him.”
Entering the door of the Red Cactus, Brandon admitted that he had crossed the line . . . again. The fault wasn’t his . . . not entirely. He just wasn’t meant to live a celibate life. Why else would he react so strongly every time Faith touched him? Weaving his way through the tables, he decided it was time to begin dating again.
He spotted Elizabeth Jackson with her younger sister, Willie, and started toward them. Elizabeth was sophisticated enough not to become emotionally involved in a relationship. It would just be two consenting adults enjoying each other for as long as it lasted.
“Hello, ladies. Is everything all right?”
“Hello, Brandon,” they said, watching him as if wishing he were on the menu.
“Looks like you’re ready for dessert. Please let your server know that it’s on the house,” he said, his gaze lingering on Elizabeth.
“That’s so sweet of you, Brandon,” Elizabeth cooed.
“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” he said.
A slow smile crossed Elizabeth’s face. Propping her arms on the table, she leaned over, causing her ample breasts to threaten to spill out of her scoop-necked top. “I hadn’t thought you noticed.”
“I noticed. Would you like to go out sometime?” There was no sense in waiting.
“When?” Elizabeth asked, excitement in her voice.
“Tomorrow night . . . if you don’t mind dining here again. Say around eight.” He’d had more first dates than he could count at the Red Cactus.
“I’ll be here.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Brandon strolled away, wishing he were thinking more of the coming date with Elizabeth than what Faith and her date were doing.
She’d looked different, softer somehow, and every bit as enticing in the dress as she had in the silk nightgown. Both drew his attention to her full breasts and made his hands and mouth ache to touch, to taste. Brandon stopped. If that man touched her, he would—His fists clenched. There was nothing he could do. The thought wasn’t comforting as he continued to the kitchen.
The next night Faith didn’t try very hard to talk Shane out of taking her to dinner at the Red Cactus. She’d chosen another of the new outfits Sierra had helped her select. This time it was a sheer blue multicolored printed top that bared one shoulder, and linen capri pants.
She felt a little flirtatious in the Gypsy-inspired creation and heeled sandals until as she and Shane were on their way to be seated she saw Brandon and Elizabeth sitting side by side in one of the booths.
Faith’s heart stopped, then pounded furiously in her chest. For a moment she was afraid she’d faint. She was unable to take her eyes from them. Their shoulders touched. Their heads were so close together their breaths probably mingled.
Her time was up. Misery almost took her to her knees.
“Faith?”
“Shane. I-I’d like to leave,” she managed to say.
Shane followed the direction of her gaze and cursed softly under his breath. His hand moved from Faith’s waist to curve around her shoulder. “We’ve changed our minds,” he said to the hostess, then whispered to Faith, “Hold your head up.”
Somehow she managed to do so. And then wished she hadn’t. Brandon chose that inopportune moment to look up. Their gazes met. Afraid he’d see the anguish in her face, she turned away, burrowing closer to Shane as she allowed him to steer her outside.
“Cry if you must, but it won’t change one thing.”
Her throat and eyes stung. “I don’t guess you’ve ever lost anyone you loved.”
Shane’s eyes, a startling gray, chilled her. “No, and I don’t plan to.”
Taking her arm, he helped her into the black luxury sedan. Getting in the driver’s seat, he started the motor. “I’ll take you back.”
“Thank you,” she managed. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
“Helping a friend is never a waste of time,” he said as he pulled into the narrow, congested street.
“Blade,” she said, more as a statement than a question.
“That’s a man who has been to hell and fought his way back.” Shane zipped around a car, reminding her of Cameron, who claimed he wasn’t an impatient driver as much as he was one who didn’t like wasting time getting to where he was going.
“How did you meet Blade?” she asked.
“You wouldn’t want to know.” Shane pulled up in front of the hotel, exited the car, and came around to the passenger side.
Faith got out of the car when the door opened and studied the man standing in front of her. Like Brandon, his shoulders were wide, his body muscular. But there the similarities ended. Brandon’s eyes were warm, caring. She couldn’t begin to imagine the secrets behind Shane’s unblinking stare. It was small wonder he and Bl
ade were friends. Both had secrets that would probably break lesser men.
“Sometimes talking helps.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Shane’s face. His hand lifted, one long calloused finger brushed her hair back. “Blade said you were a pushover.”
Her chin lifted defiantly. “I’m not.”
His hand fell. His face became shuttered once more. “Rio is up tomorrow night. Your friend should be careful. Rio doesn’t have my sense of humor.”
Faith wondered if she had imagined the tenderness. “It won’t be necessary. Brandon has another woman in his life now.”
“So?”
“He’s not the type of man to play around. It’s over,” she said, the words difficult to utter aloud. “Thank you.”
“So you’re giving up?” There was no mistaking the derision in his voice.
“I can’t compete against Elizabeth.”
“Why? You’ve got everything she’s got.”
“Twice as much,” Faith said, trying to be flippant and failing miserably.
“I guess Blade was wrong about you. Good night.”
“Wait!” she cried. “What do you mean?”
He stopped at the driver’s side of the car. “He said you were the most courageous woman he’d ever met. Never known Blade to be wrong, but there’s a first time for everything.” Opening the door, Shane climbed inside and drove off.
Faith went inside the hotel, speaking to the valet attendant and doorman as she passed. Risking her life was one thing; her heart, quite another.
It wasn’t going to happen.
Five minutes after joining Elizabeth in the booth, Brandon knew the spark he’d hoped to stoke into a roaring flame wasn’t going to happen. He’d stayed because it was the gentlemanly thing to do and counted the minutes until he could leave.
“Why don’t you come over to my place after you’ve closed?” she said, snuggling closer.
“Not tonight.” He glanced around the restaurant and saw Faith. He tensed. For a long time they stared at each other; then she turned, snuggling up to the guy she’d been with the night before.
“Brandon, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” He watched them leave. Faith probably didn’t want him interfering again.
“That about sums it up,” Elizabeth said.
His attention came back to Elizabeth. “What?”
“You’re about as interested in me as I am in that cactus in the corner.”
He didn’t know what to say, so he remained silent.
“What I can’t understand is why you asked me out.”
He’d always prided himself on honesty. “Because I was hoping it would click.”
“Me, too,” Elizabeth said. “But I’ve been in enough one-sided relationships not to want to be in another one.”
“Sorry,” he said. “You’re a beautiful and desirable woman.”
She shook her head of auburn curls. “Neither of which seems to help me get and keep a man.” She tilted her head to one side. “Perhaps I should hire your mother.”
Brandon winced. “Please, don’t joke about that.”
“I’m not,” she said. “I’m ready to get married.”
Brandon stiffened; his eyes bugged.
Elizabeth went into peals of laughter. “You should see your face.” She sobered. “But I won’t settle for less than a man who’s crazy about me.”
“You’ll find him,” Brandon told her.
“I know. In the meantime, you owe me dinner.” She picked up the menu. “Iceberg salad with blue cheese dressing, filet of beef tenderloin with portobello mushrooms, asparagus spears, chocolate cheesecake, and a bottle of your best chardonnay.”
Brandon’s tense shoulders relaxed against the back of the leather booth. “You’re making me pay.”
Closing the menu, she placed it on the table. “If I can’t get the man, I can at least tell all the women who are going to ask me tomorrow that I had a fabulous meal,” she joked.
“That you can.” He stood. “I’ll go put your order in.”
“You’re coming back, aren’t you?” she asked a bit anxiously.
Brandon didn’t have to look around to know they had drawn the attention of several customers, mostly women. “You couldn’t keep me away.”
He was halfway to the kitchen before he recalled one of Faith’s dates saying the same thing. Brandon scowled.
Somehow Faith managed to keep the tears at bay for the two hours it took her to conduct business for the hotel. Now, as she sat on the padded wooden bench in her private courtyard, tears pooled, then rolled down her cheeks.
When she and the landscape designer had worked together to create the lush flowering garden Faith had foolishly thought that one day she might share the sight with Brandon. That wouldn’t happen now. Faith sniffed, then brushed a tear away with the soggy tissue in her hand. It would take more than bringing out Brandon’s protective instincts or a new wardrobe to get him to take a romantic interest in her.
“Faith?”
She jerked around to see Brandon at the gate. She’d been so caught up in her misery that she hadn’t heard the gate open. Straightening her spine, she wiped her eyes. “Brandon.”
He crossed to her, his eyes narrow as he studied her face. “Did that guy get out of line?”
“No. Sad movie.” Sometimes lies were best for all concerned. “You’re home early.”
He hunkered down in front of her. “Guess neither of our dates worked out.”
“There’s always the next time.” But for her there would not be a next time. Her days of trying to make Brandon see her as a desirable woman were over. Dating others only made her ache for him more.
His black eyes narrowed. “I suppose you want to get married like Elizabeth.”
Faith’s sharp intake of breath hissed through the air. “She asked you to marry her?”
Shock crossed his face. “No. She just told me she wanted to get married and is looking for a man who’ll be crazy about her.”
“That’s what every woman wants,” Faith said, unable to keep the ache and loneliness out of her voice.
“So, that’s what this is all about.” Brandon came to his feet. “You’re looking for a husband, too.”
“No,” she told him. “That would be hoping for too much.”
Frowning, he sat beside her. “Why?”
She might tell Shane, but she didn’t want Brandon comparing her to other women. “Too busy. I’d settle for a man I could trust to be faithful and caring.”
“Why should you have to settle?” he asked, annoyance in his voice.
“It’s just the way it has to be.”
Brandon stared at her a long time. “No, it isn’t. You win.”
“Win what?” she asked, completely baffled.
“I’ll teach you how to get a man.”
Once she would have given anything to have Brandon’s undivided attention. Now she couldn’t imagine anything worse than to be around him and know he could never be hers. The ache would be so much worse when he was gone, and the pretense would break her heart. “I’ve changed my mind. I apologize for putting you in that position.”
“I said I’d do it, and I will,” he said a bit adamantly. “You deserve to be happy. I might not want to settle down now, but I will one day, so I understand.”
Yes, and it won’t be me. Faith felt tears well up in her eyes again. She stood. “All that crying has given me a headache. I’d better go take something.”
He came to his feet as well. “Do you really have a headache or are you putting me off?”
“I really have a headache,” she answered truthfully, and went to her door. “Good night, Brandon.”
“Night.” He brushed strands of her hair behind her ear, causing her to shiver, a marked contrast to when Shane had done the same thing.
“You’re cold.” His hand went to her forehead. “It’s eighty degrees tonight. I hope you’re not catching anything.”
Nothing th
at your love wouldn’t cure. “I just have a headache. Good night.” On impulse she kissed Brandon on the cheek. It might be her last opportunity to do so. Opening the door, she escaped inside.
Brandon stared at the closed door and flexed his hand; the impact of the shiver that had raced through him lingered. Why Faith? The question had no more than formed before he had his answer. She was safe. She wasn’t looking to drag him to the altar, so he could fantasize about her. Catherine wasn’t the only one in the family who could figure things out.
Faith was the kind of woman a man could depend on, could trust with his innermost thoughts. A woman like that deserved a man to love her completely.
Brandon started walking slowly back to his room. He didn’t like seeing Faith unhappy. He’d always had a special affinity for Cameron’s little sister, probably another reason that his body reacted to hers so strongly. Trouble was, as he’d seen this week, Faith could be as stubborn as Sierra, and that was saying a lot. He’d just have to take things into his own hands the way he had for Faith’s dances in high school.
Brandon had never understood why boys, then men, didn’t ask her out or, if they did, didn’t continue to ask her out. Apparently the men she’d dated this week were out of the picture.
He was caught between happy they were gone and angry with them for leaving. Faith was great just the way she was. She didn’t need to change to attract men.
What she did need was for her confidence to be boosted. He was just the man to teach her. As for the little blips, he’d just have to live with them. Faith’s happiness was important. Somehow he’d get Faith to let him help her or go down trying.
10
The next morning Faith had just fastened the chandelier earrings on her ears when she heard a knock at the door. She’d decided that there was no reason to let the new clothes or jewelry go to waste. She almost felt sexy with the brush of cool metal against the sides of her face.
She had to admit as she gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror in her bedroom that the open lightweight sage cardigan over an oyster embroidered dress formed a layered look that suited her better than the pieces she usually picked out for the same effect. Sierra knew clothes.