Hands On

by Debbi Rawlins

  “I’m happy riding the rodeo circuit.”

  “You can’t do it forever. You’ve already broken both legs and dislocated your shoulder, and next month you’ll be thirty-two.”

  He gave a harsh sigh. “Quit trying to make me into something I’m not.”

  Kathy’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m not. I just don’t want you to get hurt. I want to grow old with you.”

  Cassie sniffed. It was difficult to watch. Simone and Grant had already had their turn but the only feeling they inspired in Cassie was annoyance. She wanted to give each of them a swift kick.

  Kathy and Tom were a different matter. Cassie’s heart ached for them. They obviously loved each other, but sadly, money and pride were getting in the way of their relationship.

  “Hey,” Dalton said quietly, reaching for her hand. “You okay?”

  She nodded quickly and felt a tear slip down her cheek. She dabbed it away, unaware she’d gotten misty-eyed. God, how embarrassing. She chanced a peek at Dalton. He had such a tender, sympathetic expression it made her want to weep.

  He leaned closer to her. “Maybe this is what Tom and Kathy need. Better to air out their feelings than to blindside each other later.”

  “I know. I just wish they had qualified counselors helping them.”

  “When this is over, how about we make sure they get it?” he whispered.

  Surprised, Cassie turned to him. His mouth was just inches from hers. His breath touched her lips. “That would be great.”

  He smiled. “You realize we’re up next.”

  “Yup.”

  “I’m not looking forward to it either.” His gaze went to Bask who sat to the right, facing the couple, with a notebook on his lap.

  He had all the moves down, from the concerned expression to the intermittent scribble of notes. Cassie couldn’t think of anyone she despised more. The way he played with people’s lives for profit. The reminder helped her get in the acting mode.

  At Dalton’s suggestion, they’d decided to ad-lib. Cassie only hoped there wouldn’t be a lot of long silent moments. She turned her attention back to Tom and Kathy, warmed by Dalton’s suggestion that they steer the couple toward a legitimate counselor.

  Every once in a while she saw a soft side to him that made her melt. Like the way he’d paid special attention to Zelda at breakfast when Harvey had acted like a jackass toward her, or when he’d carried the heavy dinner tray into the kitchen for Tasha last night.

  He certainly had his good qualities. But she was better off not thinking about those right now. She checked her watch. In five minutes, Tom and Kathy would be finished, and it would be her and Dalton’s turn to air their dirty laundry.

  Tom and Kathy wrapped up their session with tears and kisses, and an appointment for private counseling with Bask. The thought of the two of them, vulnerable and desperate, opening up to the sleazeball made Cassie’s blood boil.

  “Okay.” Bask stood and faced the audience as Tom and Kathy reclaimed their seats beside Cassie.

  Impulsively she leaned over and squeezed Kathy’s hand. The other woman smiled shyly and squeezed back.

  “I think that went quite well.” Bask’s oily smile had Cassie clenching her teeth. “We all have a feel for the difficulties facing Tom and Kathy. As the week goes on, you’ll all be able to contribute your observations. Now, we’ll hear from Dalton and Cassie.”

  Cassie hesitated. She didn’t get up until Dalton stood and offered her a hand. Her knees went a little weak and she kind of hobbled alongside him toward the two chairs vacated by Tom and Kathy.

  She knew she looked nervous, but that was okay. Everyone else had appeared the same way except for Simone. As usual she simply looked bored.

  As soon as they were seated and facing each other, Cassie realized that Dalton wasn’t thrilled to be up there either. In fact, he seemed pretty agitated. That surprised her. He’d been relatively calm until now.

  “All right, let’s see.” Bask frowned. “Who should go first?”

  They exchanged looks, neither of them offering.

  “I think Dalton should go first,” Simone said, showing the first sign of interest all morning.

  Bask nodded. “If that’s okay with you two, let’s get started.” He reclaimed his seat and picked up his notebook and pen.

  Dalton cleared his throat, pushed his fingers through his hair. “You all should know I didn’t want to come here.” He glared at Cassie. “I’m being blackmailed into it.”

  “Address your wife, not us,” Bask said.

  Dalton exhaled sharply. “I think the marriage is just fine. I do what I’m supposed to do. Work hard. Make a living. Prepare for a family…”

  What is he doing? Cassie thought frantically. He was blowing it. Cassie stared him in the eyes, trying to get him to wake up. We’re supposed to be rich, not hardworking!

  “Yeah, it takes time and energy. That doesn’t mean I love her any less—”

  “Dalton.” Bask drew his attention. “Remember to address Cassie. Don’t speak about her like she’s not here.”

  Dalton frowned, and looked confused for a moment. “Right.” He glanced at the others, and then focused on Cassie. And said nothing.

  “Try to relax,” Bask said. “Expressing your feelings doesn’t mean you’re right or wrong. Remember, you’re fighting to save your marriage. Let it all out.”

  “Shit! I don’t want to do this.” Dalton stood suddenly, nearly knocking over his chair.

  “Dalton.” Taken aback, Cassie didn’t know what to say at first. If she didn’t know better, she wouldn’t believe he was acting. She touched his hand. It was clammy. “You promised, honey,” she said, holding his gaze captive.

  He stared back for a long silent moment and then sat down again. “Okay.” He took a deep breath that made his chest visibly rise and fall. “I guess the trouble is, roles are blurred nowadays. Maybe I’m a little old-fashioned but I want to provide for my family. I want—”

  “Ha!” Cassie cut him off before he totally blew their cover. “Your mother pays the bills.”

  “Cassie,” Bask interjected in a warning voice. “You’ll have your turn.”

  Dalton straightened. Cassie breathed a silent sigh of relief that Dalton seemed to be back on track. “My trust fund pays the bills, but it’s not like I don’t work. I have a job, managing our finances and making sure our investments are yielding the highest dividends possible. I dabble in the family business. Hell, I earn my keep.

  “You’re the one who seems to think life should be all fun and games, that my every waking moment should be centered on you. It doesn’t work that way. A man has to prove his worth, provide for his family. All I’ve ever asked is that you be there for me.”

  Cassie tried to look bored the way Simone had, but it was hard to ignore the passion with which he spoke. She got the feeling he wasn’t acting. The way he fisted his hands and clenched his jaw, the grim expression on his face, it was all pretty unnerving.

  “You can’t have it both ways, Linda. Either we work as a team or—”

  Cassie gasped. Part of it was pure reaction. “Wrong wife,” she managed to say.

  He frowned, clearly confused. “What?”

  “Let’s see…” She pursed her lips as if in thought when her heart was ready to leap from her chest. “Was Linda number one or two?”

  He paled, and then glanced at the others when someone giggled. “Okay, that’s it.” He stood, and there was no mistaking the finality in his face. “We’re done for today.”

  “Cassie hasn’t had her turn,” Bask said calmly.

  She quickly stood, too. “If he isn’t going to finish I’m not saying a word.”

  “Suit yourself,” Dalton said, and walked out of the room without a backward glance.

  EVERYONE TURNED to look at him as he sat down for lunch. He couldn’t meet Cassie’s eyes. She had to be wondering what the hell had happened to him. He’d already made up a story for when they had some privacy. The truth w
as, he needed to drive. Alone. Clear his head. Get rid of the old tapes.

  Man, he couldn’t believe he’d reacted that way. He honestly didn’t think about Linda much. They’d been divorced for two years and she’d already remarried. Which had been no surprise. She’d been seeing the guy the last two months of their marriage.

  He finally had the guts to meet Cassie’s gaze. She looked worried. The others were busy digging into their Caesar salads. Not Simone, though. She watched them with predatory interest.

  “After lunch we’ll take about an hour break to have showers or naps or whatever.” It was obviously Mary Jane’s turn to baby-sit. Bask was absent. “Then we’ll meet by the pool for our massage instruction.”

  “Shall we wear swimsuits?” Kathy asked, her nervous gaze darting to her husband.

  Mary Jane nodded. “If you like.”

  “What’s the alternative?” Zelda rarely spoke, and turned pink when everyone stared at her.

  “Anything that makes you comfortable.” Mary Jane smiled. “However, in order to get a proper massage, you will need your back bare.”

  Zelda openly shuddered. “I don’t remember a massage lesson the last time we were here.”

  “You were sick that day, darling.” Harvey picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “One of your migraines kept you in the room all day.”

  The tender gesture surprised Dalton. The guy was like a chameleon, a weasel one minute, and charming the next.

  Zelda gave him a wan smile. “I guess I could wear a swimsuit.”

  “That’s the spirit.” He kissed her hand again and then laid it down on the table, his predatory gaze going immediately to Cassie.

  She gave him a dirty look and turned her attention to Mary Jane. “Why out by the pool?” she asked. “That doesn’t sound practical.”

  “Oh, you’ll see. We’ll be all set up for it.”

  “I hope we’re having more than salad for lunch,” Tom said, his plate already clean. “No way is this enough until dinner.”

  “Tasha will be bringing out some fruit shortly.”

  Tom made a face. “Fruit?”

  Mary Jane gave him a patronizing smile. “You don’t want to get too full for this afternoon. Trust me.”

  Cassie darted Dalton an accusatory glare and then concentrated on her salad. As if he’d orchestrated the afternoon. He wasn’t so thrilled about disrobing and getting massaged either.

  That was a lie. He was getting hard just thinking about Cassie running her hands over him.

  Shit! Not good. Not good at all. He hadn’t been kidding about not needing the distraction.

  “Here’s our dessert now.” Mary Jane and her perky attitude was starting to get on his nerves.

  Tasha carried in a large glass bowl filled with colorful chunks of melon and grapes and whole straw-berries. It looked pretty good but Dalton was with Tom…he wanted real food.

  “As soon as you finish, take the hour to relax and do whatever you need to do.” Mary Jane had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when Tom and Grant both pushed away from the table.

  Grant looked at his watch. “At the pool by one-thirty, right?”

  “Well, well, aren’t we anxious?” Simone sipped her mimosa. Everyone else had non-alcoholic drinks, but Simone had insisted on the orange juice and champagne.

  Grant ignored her and left the dining room with a look of disgust. Dalton decided he’d hate to be on the receiving end of either of their massages. Simone was probably capable of scratching like a wildcat, and half the time Grant looked as if he could cheerfully wring her neck.

  What the hell kept those two together? Watching them made him glad he was divorced. At least he and Linda hadn’t had time to get to the sniping stage. She’d taken up with their divorced neighbor while Dalton had been in New York on assignment. She complained that he never had enough time for her, and she left. Moved to Seattle. Just like that.

  He realized Cassie had gotten up from the table while he’d been lost in thought. The way she stared at him with intense curiosity made him wonder what his expression had revealed. He stood and followed her out of the dining room, leaving the others to chat with Mary Jane.

  “You going to the room?” he asked, but she wouldn’t turn around. Probably still pissed at him for leaving like he had earlier.

  Instead of heading for the stairs, she slipped out the French doors into the garden. He followed close behind and when they got a few yards away from the house, she spun around, her eyes shooting daggers.

  “What the hell was that about?” Anger radiated from her.

  “Could you be more specific?”

  “Damn you.”

  “I suggest you keep your voice down.”

  “Ah.” Her lips curved in a humorless smile. “You almost blew our cover by spewing garbage about working for a living and needing to provide for a family, and you worry about me raising my voice.”

  “That isn’t garbage,” he said quietly.

  A thoughtful frown drew her brows together and she studied him more closely. Immediately he regretted his words. They weren’t really talking about him, it was all supposed to be an act, and anyway, he didn’t want her poking around his personal business.

  “Come on, Dalton. What was all that about Linda?”

  “Nothing. Why all the questions?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “Aren’t I supposed to know about my husband? And I might remind you, I wasn’t the one who added another layer of back story. So don’t get huffy with me.” She placed her hands on her hips. “And where did you run off to without telling me?”

  “I went to call my ex-partner to run a check on Mary Jane.”

  “And?”

  “She looks clean so far.”

  “And?” The stubborn glint in her eyes told him he wasn’t going to get off that easy.

  “All right already.” He muttered a curse. She was getting the wife role down a little too pat. “Yes, Linda is my ex-wife. We’ve been divorced for two years.”

  “Any kids?”

  “God, no.”

  She frowned. “You don’t like children.”

  “I love kids. I’m just glad we didn’t have any to drag through a divorce.”

  “Nasty, huh?”

  “Not really.” Man, he did not want to talk about this. His ego had been bruised enough.

  “What happened?”

  “That you don’t need to know.”

  Cassie made a face. “So long as you don’t spring any more surprises on me.”

  He sighed. “One day I came home from an assignment and she basically said ‘see ya,’ and that was that.”

  Cassie gasped. “How awful.”

  He shrugged. “Meant to be, I guess. Someone in my profession has no business getting married anyway.”

  “You don’t believe that.”

  “Why not? I’m living proof, aren’t I?”

  “Marriages go bad for a lot of different reasons. Why are you so willing to accept the blame because of your job?”

  “Look, not that I don’t appreciate your concern, but save the psychoanalysis for the others.” Shit, he wouldn’t have followed her out here if he knew she was going to start digging into his personal life.

  Cassie wasn’t fooled by his attempt at nonchalance. He’d been hurt by the breakup of his marriage. It was in his face, and clearly in the way he’d reacted this morning. The thought that he might still love his ex-wife made Cassie a little melancholy. She didn’t know why. It just did.

  “Okay,” she said finally, “we don’t have to talk about it anymore. Just don’t spring any surprises on me. Deal?”

  He winced. “This morning wasn’t kosher. I apologize for that.” Something caught his attention behind her. He frowned and she started to turn around when he said, “Kiss me.”

  “What?”

  “Just kiss me, dammit.”

  No chance to respond after that. He pulled her roughly against him and used one hand to hold her by the back of the nec
k while he pressed his lips to hers. She couldn’t catch her breath and tried to break away.

  “Bask.” Dalton broke contact long enough to murmur, “He’s headed toward us.”

  This time when he kissed her she responded, kissing him back, teasing him with her tongue across his lips. He made a low growling sound and plunged inside her mouth. Her breath faltered and she sank heavily against him when his hands roamed her back and then dug into the curve of her buttocks.

  “Looks as if this morning’s session wasn’t a total waste.” Bask’s amused voice cut through the haze.

  Slowly they parted. Dalton looked as dazed as she felt.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Bask sidestepped them on the path, motioning with his hand. “Please, continue.”

  Cassie smiled sheepishly, her heart racing out of control. They waited until Bask was a good ways down the path and out of earshot before they even looked at each other.

  “Well, we blew that.” Cassie’s hand shook as she shoved the hair out of her face, and she quickly lowered it.

  He narrowed his gaze. “How so?”

  “We’re supposed to be disgusted with each other and now it looks as if we were hiding in the garden making out.”

  “So? That’s the way married life works. You fight and make up, fight and make up. You don’t necessarily have to be getting along.”

  Cassie made a face. Was he teasing? “That doesn’t sound very enticing at all.”

  Amusement lifted one side of his mouth. “You think it should be all bliss? The white picket fence. Dinner together every night at six.”

  She thought for a moment. “No, those things don’t have anything to do with a marriage. They’re external aspects. Marriage is more about friendship and loyalty and support and, of course, love.”

  The way he looked at her with such odd intensity made her uncomfortable. Did he think she was being sappy? She didn’t care. Better than being cynical.

  “You asked,” she said in her own defense. “So what if I’ve never been married. That’s what I want, and I won’t settle for less. Even if I end up being a spinster.”