by Jan Springer
“Sold! To the gentleman with the bills!” the announcer spat in a flurry of excitement.
Oh my God. Chance was using his winnings to buy her pie and get a date with her? Was he nuts?
She didn’t miss the scowl on Skip’s face or the stunned silence of the people as Chance strolled casually up to the stage. He handed the one thousand dollars to the announcer, and then asked Emily politely, “The pie and a date with you, right?”
She nodded, still reeling from what had just happened. Shifting the pie off the table into his large hand, he placed his other hand against the back of her waist. His palm burned heat through her, making her breath hitch. He spoke in a low voice so only she could hear.
“The date starts now. We’ll eat the pie when we get home.”
Her heart pounded a mile a minute as he smiled at her, and amidst hushed whispers, he ushered her off the stage, past the startled onlookers, past a shocked Skip and straight into the dusky evening.
* * * * *
“How about the Haunted House?” Emily shouted with excitement and pointed to the two-story spooky building complete with outside displays of realistic white-boned skeletons whose eyes glowed blood-red and jaws opened and closed to the beat of the earsplitting screams floating from inside.
A familiar icy shiver scrambled up Chance’s spine. He sure as heck didn’t want to go in there. The screams sounded too real and reminded him of the screams he’d heard in his past. Some of them his own.
When a chain-driven roller coaster rumbled out of the creepy building, he jumped. The vehicle was loaded with wide-eyed, ashen-faced adults and excited children who imitated the screams from the house. Emily touched his arm and he jumped again.
“Whoa there! You’re not one for haunted houses, are you?”
Chance’s breath caught at the concern slicing across her face. Was he that obvious? He’d better keep a tighter lid on his emotions or she’d start asking serious questions.
“Let me see. If I remember this correctly,” Emily giggled, “for someone who doesn’t like roller coasters, you’ve insisted we hit every roller coaster except this one at least once, the Ferris wheel twice, not to mention how you took over the shooting galleries like a man possessed until you won this—” She held up the giant, furry red lobster and he was glad they’d brought the pie back to the boat before returning to the fair to browse around. As she looked at him, her pretty smile widened to the point where he could barely control himself from reaching out and brushing aside the stray wisp of velvet blonde curl covering her right sweet dimple.
His mind whirled for a plausible answer for not going onto that particular ride.
“I’ve discovered coasters are fun, but we’ve just eaten hot dogs, candy apples and cotton candy and look at those people coming off the Haunted House coaster.” He pointed to the stragglers stumbling down the wooden ramp. “I think I’ll sit this ride out.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re right,” she said cheerfully. “I’ve never been too good at handling roller coasters with a full stomach. I do, however, have another idea.”
Her eyes twinkled mischievously, and at the same time Chance heard soft music float out of a nearby tent. He knew instantly what she wanted.
Before he could protest, she grabbed his wrist. Her hand was a soft, sizzling handcuff he didn’t want to escape from and he allowed her to pull him toward the giant tent.
* * * * *
“I’m a bit out of practice,” Chance apologized.
Another slice of pain ripped through Emily’s toes as he stepped on her right foot for the third time in as many dances.
“You’re doing fine,” she encouraged as she moved with him to the gentle rhythm of Shania Twain’s “You’ve Got a Way”. There was something hauntingly familiar about the way his body glided with hers, and she tried her darnedest to figure out why she’d think she’d ever danced with him before. Another burst of pain sliced across her toes.
He frowned. “Sorry. In all the excitement I forgot to ditch the safety boots from the contest and I’m afraid I forgot to pick up my shoes too.”
“Don’t worry. Buzz will bring them to the lost and found. We can head over there later and trade them in.”
He stepped on her toes again, making her wince.
He swore softly. “Sorry, again. I guess I’m going to have to buy you some steel-toed dance shoes.”
“Then I can join in with you at next year’s lumberjack contest?”
She warmed when he smiled with amusement. “You think you got the muscles to take me on?”
“I can take you on any time, Chance Donovan. You name the place and the time, I’ll be there.”
“You’re on.”
His eyes darkened and she swore his look of amusement turned to a look of fierce desire. He would be a wild lover, she could see that in his hot eyes. In the way he looked at her with sexual intent. In the bold way he pressed his cock against her lower abdomen, the hot knot of his cock feeling steel-hard and very big. The possessive way he held her.
She found herself responding. Found herself licking her lips, wetting them for him. His gaze drew to her motion, to her mouth and she could read the intent in his eyes. Could feel the whimper of need yearning through her body with the same kind of desperation she’d felt last night during her fantasy dreams about him.
She held her breath as his head began to lower toward her.
Oh God! He was going to kiss her? No, way! He couldn’t be about to kiss her? Not here. Not on the dance floor. Suddenly she felt overheated. Tense.
She knew his lips would be hot and rough. Knew he would kiss her as if she belonged to him. How? She had no idea, but she just knew it.
Amidst the whirling disbelief that yes, indeed, it really looked as if he might do just that, right here, on the dance floor, a total stranger, kiss her, she couldn’t stop the excitement as it flared through her like an explosion. In eager anticipation, she parted her lips.
“May I cut in?” Her fiancé’s deep voice intruded into their dance.
Oh God! Skip!
Chance’s body tensed like a coiled spring against her and she just about jumped out of her skin. The fierce sexual look Chance held for her turned into ice as he glared at Skip. It was the same cold stare he’d thrown at him when Skip had kissed her earlier at the Timber Sports competition.
Oh my goodness, was Chance jealous? How could he be? They’d just met, for heaven’s sake. Despite him being a stranger, she found herself wishing Chance would say no to Skip’s request. She ached to stay in his arms, needed to be kissed by him. Craved to be touched by him. Fucked by him.
The naughty thoughts rocked her and made her step on Chance’s foot. He threw her an odd smile that shot sparkles of enjoyment through her. It was as if he were sending secret signals that he’d meet up with her in just a bit. When he slipped out of her arms and backed away from her, she almost groaned out loud at the loss.
“Go ahead,” he said to Skip. His words were calm, a total contrast to the turmoil she read in Chance’s eyes.
Before Emily could stop him, Chance had disappeared into the nearby crowd of dancers.
Chapter Five
“I see the way he looks at you, Emily,” Skip said as he took her into his arms for the dance.
She noted immediately there were no sparks between them, no body chemistry. He seemed to hold her more as if he were a concerned brother rather than a fiancé. The realization angered her.
“Oh Skip! For heaven’s sake. You’re overreacting.”
“I’m not.” His sharp reply captured Emily’s entire attention. “There’s something about him. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t trust him. I want you to get rid of him and come back to New York City with me, tonight.”
“Good grief, Skip. I don’t think so.”
“Emily, I’m simply warning you.”
“He paid a thousand dollars for my pie and a date with me. I’m not cutting out on a date because you don’t trust him.�
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“C’mon Emily. One thousand dollars? Who in their right mind pays a thousand dollars for a pie or a date? I was so floored I couldn’t even come up with a counteroffer.”
As he spoke, a shiver of unease scrambled up her spine. She’d sensed something about Chance Donovan last night, and now Skip was telling her he sensed something too. She tried to ignore the worry in his eyes and gave him a quick peck on his warm cheek.
“You’re so sweet to worry.”
He shifted uneasily and she almost laughed at the hint of a blush crossing his cheeks as he quickly glanced at his watch.
“I get the feeling you have somewhere you need to be,” she said. “You don’t want to miss your plane. I’ll see you at the end of the month.”
“In your wedding gown?”
“In my wedding gown,” she said, realizing she had way too many doubts about marrying Skip Cole. She should tell him she was getting cold feet. Tell him right now. But he looked excited. She couldn’t tell him she wasn’t sure of anything. Not at the moment. Not right here in front of so many people. And she couldn’t take him back to her place because she had Chance staying with her.
Okay, she wouldn’t do anything right now. She would talk to him again when things calmed down and she could think straight again. Maybe then she’d feel differently?
“The dress is almost finished. Did you know? Just needs that final fitting.”
She found it hard to smile at what should have been welcome news.
“I didn’t know it had come in,” she replied. They’d purchased the dress at the wedding shop and the saleslady had said it would be tight getting the dress ordered and into the store at such short notice.
“Helena’s going to surprise you by taking you into town for that final fitting. Act surprised when she shows up, okay?”
Emily nodded.
Helena. Steve’s old boss and still Skip’s boss. She was a nice older lady. Over the years they’d kept in touch and lately she’d been pushing Emily and Skip together. She even insisted on footing the bill for their wedding.
“I still can’t believe she’s paying for the wedding planner and this whole wedding. She’s extremely generous, don’t you think?” Skip asked, and awaited her answer. God! He was way too excited about this wedding. It made her nervous.
Again Emily nodded.
His face fell into a concerned frown. “Email me tonight when you get in. I need to know you made it home safe.”
“I will and I’ll fill you in all the gory details about what happened tonight on my date.” She thought her little attempt at humor would bring a smile to his lips, but Skip remained serious.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said, and gave her a quick brotherly peck on the cheek.
So do I, Emily thought as mixed emotions began running over her like a Mack truck. Should she follow Skip’s instincts and ask Chance to leave? Immediately she caught herself.
Why should she?
Aside from the way he entered her home in the middle of the night, he hadn’t done anything else wrong. She was reacting to Skip’s suspicions not her own. Chance was okay. She sensed it and she always went with her instincts.
Well, actually almost always. If she went with her instincts she would tell Skip about her sudden wedding jitters. At that moment the dance ended and before she could gather her nerve to talk to him, Skip made his excuses and left.
The minute he vanished, Chance appeared at her side.
“Miss me?” he teased, and her breath hitched as his masculine scent warmed her.
Before she could answer, a spear of sadness clutched her heart as the next song sliced through the air. “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion. It was their song. Steve’s and hers.
Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them back. She was about to tell Chance she preferred to sit this one out, but his large hand splayed across the back of her waist and he gently pulled her against his hard length. Heat radiated off him and to her surprise, he didn’t grind himself against her as he’d done earlier. He held her gently, tenderly, almost as if sensing she needed space this time around.
“This dance is ours,” he whispered as his other hand nestled along the curve of her hip.
Ours?
Stunned disbelief screamed through her. How could he pick the same song as Steve’s and hers? Confusion made her stiffen in his arms, but her confusion only lasted a few seconds as she began to react to how nicely his body fit against hers.
Her knees literally grew weak with the erotic sensations of his warm body pressing so agreeably against hers. She barely noticed the curious glances the other dancers threw their way as Chance held her close. As she stared into his eyes, the music faded into the distance.
They were shadowed, uncertain eyes and an unsmiling mouth. Yet everywhere he touched, the searing heat caressed her body. She wanted to reach up and run her fingers along his strong jaw and trace the dark shadows beneath his haunted eyes.
His sweet, cotton-candy-scented breath flowed softly against her cheeks and, God help her, she ached to curl her arms around his neck and kiss him. As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, his head began to lower once again, his mouth opened and she felt his warm breath caress her lips.
“Emily!” a familiar man’s voice hailed her.
Chance cursed softly, quickly putting distance between them. Emily turned away from Chance’s heated look to find Dr. Baker peering curiously at them. He stood not more than two feet away and had a concerned look on his face.
“What happened to your wrist?” the doctor asked.
“My wrist?”
“I couldn’t help but notice you have a nice-sized gauze on your wrist. Thought I’d better check if everything is okay.”
“She burned herself on the metal of her teakettle,” Chance explained.
The doctor’s green eyes slid to Chance and she noted curiosity in his gaze before he returned his attention back to Emily.
“Perhaps I should take a look.”
“I’m fine. Chance told me to keep it moist with ointment and covered.”
“He’s quite correct.” He turned to Chance and smiled. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Oh, please accept my apologies,” Emily said as she quickly made introductions. Both men shook hands.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Donovan. I couldn’t help but notice you paid a thousand dollars for a date with Emily and a go at her pie. Do you two know each other well?”
“Actually we’ve just met,” Chance replied with a friendly grin.
“You in town for very long?”
“No. Not long.”
A jolt of sadness speared through Emily at Chance’s answer. The thought of maybe never seeing him again never entered her mind. But of course he wouldn’t be here long. He’d only hired on for a few days. Somehow she’d forgotten that fact. Chance was temporary. Skip was permanent. She didn’t know this guy. He was a stranger and she was only using him as an excuse not to marry Skip because she had cold feet. Right?
“Don’t let me keep you two from your dance.” The doctor returned his attention to her. “Emily, if you think your burn needs attention, please drop into my office anytime, or I can come for a visit. Mr. Donovan, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope you enjoy your stay and your date with Emily.”
Chance nodded politely and Dr. Baker quickly slipped into the crowd. When the doctor was gone, Chance threw her a curious look that read “What’s going on with the nosy doctor?”
“Small town.” Emily shrugged. “He’s been here about a year and already he’s just as nosy as the rest. He’s not the first who asked about you.”
Chance frowned and she wondered if that was worry lurking in his eyes? No, he was probably shy, just like Daniel had said.
“You were quite a hit with the older ladies over at the baked goods tent,” she teased.
His frown only deepened. “We should go check the lost and found for my shoes and go home. It’s getting crowded i
n here.”
She scanned the smoky interior of the warm tent and realized that, sure enough, the dance floor had gained quite a few more dancers. Gosh, she hadn’t even noticed. She’d been too busy staring into Chance Donovan’s gorgeous eyes. Hopefully, she hadn’t made a fool out of herself. By the way the onlookers were watching them, Emily knew she had given people something to talk about for days. If Doc Baker hadn’t interrupted when he did, she would have added even more fuel to their gossip. She bit her lower lip and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s get out of here.”
* * * * *
Hugging the cuddly stuffed animal lobster Chance had won for her, Emily stood at the stern of her fishing boat Sweet Lies. She pretended to study the flickering, colorful harbor lights of the main island as they disappeared into the steel blue horizon behind her, but her thoughts were on him. While they’d been at the lost and found getting his shoes, she’d seen a pair of red slippers some child had lost and it had struck a chord through her, reminding her of the Wizard of Oz movie and the theme of the story about there being no place like home. It reminded her of what Chance had said earlier.
When he’d purchased a date with her, he’d said they’d eat the pie at “home” and then after they’d chatted with Dr. Baker, Chance had once again said “let’s go home”.
Why would he consider her lighthouse his home?
Her tummy hollowed in disbelief at her next thought. Unless…he planned on buying it? Was that the reason her in-laws had sent Chance over here? To buy her little lighthouse? The familiar sadness wrapped around her whenever she thought about leaving. She knew she’d have to let go of her place because she’d be married and living in New York City and having the babies she’d always wanted.
So, why wasn’t she thinking happy thoughts about her future husband? Instead she was reliving how Chance’s body moved so perfectly against her on the dance floor. Missteps not included of course. Why would she react so intimately to a stranger? Only one other man had made her react with such ecstasy and she’d married him without a second thought.
Emily frowned. A lot of good that had done her.