Chasing Temptation

by Lane, Payton

  She glanced up, and her smile held no joy. “It is. I've had this quilt for quite some time. We're a small town, but I make some of these especially for a niece, nephew, or an old neighbor.” She patted the top of the box. “I made this one for one of my former students. Back when I was a teacher. Told her she'd make a wonderful mother some day. Probably scared her to death, but I was right. She just gave birth to a baby girl. So not sad, reflective.”

  “You used to teach?” He nodded. “It fits.”

  She laughed. “I was the worst teacher at Valley City Elementary. I never had a school plan, and if I happened to make one, I never stuck to it. I was personable and the children loved me for it. I lasted about two years before getting the boot. By then I had enough saved to rent this space and open my store.”

  Her gaze sharpened. “But I don't think you're here to listen to my story. What do you need?”

  He stuffed his hands into his suit pockets. “It's my understanding that you're the hub of information in this town. You also frown on anyone who starts a bet that your husband's bound to lose. In that sense you do damage control. I figured I should come to the source for all the above reasons.” He paused, watching the wheels turning in the woman's head. “First and foremost, you need to understand I'm not placing a bet.”

  Her eyes lightened with humor. “I do damage control, yes, but the proper procedure is to say...” She shook her head. “Well, there's no point to in telling you proper procedure if you don't intend to stay.”

  Her not-so-subtle question made him shift on his feet. “I've decided to keep this particular chain of Craine Fashions. I'll have to change the name, since I sold it as part of a package, but I'm here to stay.”

  “With or without a certain person?”

  “If the person you're referring to is Lynne, then I believe you'd like to hear that there'll be a certain situation transpiring, with your help, of course. A situation in which you'd be able to do damage control when your husband makes a bet.”

  She narrowed her eyes, but Nate had her. The woman, if nothing else, was smart. “And the wager?”

  “The better question—what is the situation that will guarantee your ability to do damage control?”

  Her eyes now narrowed to slits. “And what's the situation?”

  “I'm going to get her to stand in the middle of the street during a work day and kiss me. In about two days. Time is unknown.”

  “Sucker's bet. There's no way you're going to get her to stand right there in the middle of the street. What is it of my husband's you want?”

  “Told you, I'm not betting on this. I'm creating something for the community to bet on. I'm all about a steady flow of money into the economy. Gets people in my store when they have a pocket full of it.”

  “So, it's all for indirect gain of money?”

  Nate heard the disapproval, and he smiled. “It's about getting Lynne to kiss me.” And it was. It also didn't hurt he'd drive her crazy before they did kiss. “No one can tell her of the bet, though.”

  The woman finally smiled at him. “And that would bring her to my door to find out.” The smile turned into a grin. “You're sharp.”

  “I'm a businessman.” He spread his hands out. “So, will you be able to help me?”

  “What do I have to do?”

  “Let everyone know of the bet. Let them know the exact circumstances. If anyone speaks of it to Lynne they have to pay the current pool of money to everyone in on it.”

  By tomorrow the pool would be at least a grand. The other woman laughed. “Oh, you are good, but I say you only get twenty-four hours. From now until this time tomorrow you have to get her to kiss you. And I say the odds are in my favor that she will.”

  Nate checked his watch. It was 4:30 p.m. Cutting it close, but he knew Lynne. That woman worked on the I-need-to-know basis. Curiosity would get the best of her and she would come to Lorelei's shop to get the goods.

  Not to mention the reaction of the townspeople would raise the chances. She'd know something was going on when her usually friendly neighbor, grocery clerk, or barkeep wouldn't even bother to say hi.

  Nate said, “If you get on the phone right now, I say agreed.”

  The older woman started to move to the counter. “This is going to be too fun.”

  Nate just needed it to work. He'd prepared to win her heart because she already had his. “Once you're done, I'd like to buy some quilts for my mom. It gets cold where she lives.”

  *****

  Lynne had cornered Sylvia and found out Nate had breezed back into town sometime the day before. He hadn't called or come by. Walking home from work she hadn't even seen him in the store, hocking his wares. His M.I.A. status was slowly driving her insane. How was she supposed to lose the battle he planned to put in place?

  So she blamed his incognito status when she asked Bobby if he was still milking the rich guy for rent each week. The man got all flustered and said he couldn't talk about it.

  If that had been the end of the strange behavior, she might have let it go, but everyone seemed to get flustered when she asked them a direct question. Sometimes she hadn't even asked about Nate. Dani had power walked away when she asked about the newest puppy's health.

  People would come into the store, see Lynne standing at the counter, and would walk back out. Lynne had had enough. She needed to know what was going on. She left Jeremy in command and stepped outside onto the street.

  Townspeople milled about with no real destination. Some people had crates sitting on the edge of the street. Lynne bypassed all the familiar faces—they wouldn't talk to her anyway—and walked into Grannies. If no one else would tell her, she'd have to get the information out of one person. Even if it meant placing a bet on the current wager.

  “Something smells rotten in Denmark,” she said to Lorelei.

  The woman removed her hand from the telephone and leaned against the counter next to the register. “Last week it was your disposition, but you seem okay now. What can I do for you?”

  “I want to know the local wager. Don't try to put me off; I know it has something to do with me.”

  Lorelei straightened. “The one with the most wagers is that as soon as the baby starts to show, your Pa is going to make Nate marry you.”

  Lynne waited a moment. “I'm proud of you, Lorelei. I wouldn't even have been able to say Pa with a straight face.”

  The other woman grinned at her. “I've got more. Sylvia and Jeremy will be married, shotgun, by the end of next month. Two days ago they were making lovey-dovey faces in the bar.” She snapped her fingers. “By next week Suzie is going to go back to being a vagabond, but I think that one’s a sucker’s bet. Anyone with eyes can see the dog is fine now.”

  Lynne sighed heavily. “About me? What's the real wager surrounding me?”

  “Well, I can't tell you, because I decided to place a bet of my own, and there was this contingency.” Lorelei stopped. “I'll just say you're getting your comeuppance in the next few minutes.”

  “Why?”

  Lorelei gestured outside. Nate stood on the other side of the street.

  Lynne crossed her arms as the realization settled in. “I played right into this scheme, didn't I?”

  “Yes, but you had it coming.”

  Lynne huffed. “I'm not going out there.”

  “Don't ruin the wager because you're mad. It's the town's best-kept secret ever.”

  Lynne chuckled. “People started to act funny yesterday evening. Sooner or later someone would have broken.”

  “But you still didn't hear about the bet. That's a record. And you still don't know what's going to happen.”

  This was the battle. Another showdown. “I should make him sweat a little,” she said more to herself than Lorelei.

  The woman let out a frustrated sigh. “You've been toe-to-toe with him since the man came to town. You gave as good as you got. Plus, I think he feels downright sorry.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “How much did he p
ay you to tell me that?”

  “He bought some quilts for his mama. A man who buys things for his mama, and it's not her birthday or Mother's day, is a keeper.”

  Lynne squinted to see what Nate was doing. He had placed Suzie on the ground. Lynne checked the street for oncoming cars. There weren't any, so she let out her breath.

  “Why would he tempt that dog?”

  “Why don't you just go outside? I told him you would break around three.”

  “I did not break. I got curious.”

  “Admit it when you've been licked.”

  “Not to you,” Lynne shot back, “you meddler.”

  “Takes one to know one. It's a quarter till three. My husband bet on 3:15 p.m. Don't give him more encouragement than he needs.”

  “He doesn't need any.” Lynne turned to face the door.

  Her heart was beating hard. She had no more excuses for not going outside, so she sighed and left the store. She didn't cross the street. Too much like doing the right thing even though she planned to lose.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “You gave up the fight.”

  Nate placed his hands in his pockets. “Didn't see any other way.”

  “You could have just said, ‘I've changed my mind. Don't want your store anymore. Sorry for the inconvenience'.”

  “I could have.” He checked down both sides of the road, then back at her. “Are you going to keep talking to me from across the street?”

  She didn't want to cross because that would mean she would be able to smell him. To touch him if she reached forward. The man was still sin on two legs.

  “Yup,” she said. “Staying right here until you leave again. We have nothing else to talk about.”

  “I'm not done.”

  She knew what he was referring to their relationship. “You have more to say to me? Then go for it.”

  “I was sitting on my mother's couch, and I realized how much I liked this strange town. Then I started to consider making Valley City my home.”

  Nate stepped out into the street. “It still didn't feel right.” He paused. “Guess what I was missing?”

  “You know, you're standing in the middle of a very busy street, and a car could come by.”

  “You were what I was missing. Lynne, you're my home and hearth.”

  At the words she glanced down in order to blink really fast in hopes of not making a ass of herself and crying in front of the man and the entire town who now stood outside watching the byplay. Jeremy shared popcorn with Sylvia in front of Hart and Style. She sucked in another breath, but the tears still threatened.

  Nate said, “I love how I can tell your mood by the color of your nail polish. I could make a list and say a lot of sappy things right now, but I love you, Lynne. Just you.”

  She had to bite her lip now. “I loathe the very being of you.” She stepped out into the street, giving up the fight like she planned to all along. “You're arrogant. A know-it-all.” She stopped a few feet in front of him. “Do you always wear a three-piece suit when you're out in public?”

  “My mom says I should marry you before you realize the work it's going to take to make me personable.”

  “Marry you?” It sounded right. Everything settled inside of her at the thought. “You must be daft and deaf. I loathe the very being of you.”

  “Daft?” He grinned. “I’m already rubbing off on you.”

  And then he was kissing her, his hands cupping her cheeks. She held onto the lapels of his jacket. She could feel herself slipping. Lynne had sold her soul and lost her heart to this man.

  He let his head rest on hers. “I know we may have to do that every now and again so we can have a coherent conversation.”

  She looked into his eyes and the shadows weren't there. The last of her resistance, if they had ever been any, disappeared.

  “You won't take no for an answer, will you?” she asked.

  A smile started in the corner of his mouth. “I want you, Lynne. I can't promise I won't ever be arrogant, or an ass, but I promise to love you. I never make a promise I can’t keep.” He ran his hands through her hair. “Do you still loathe the very being of me?”

  “It's slowly swinging to its ugly stepbrother, love.” She sighed. “You really gave up the store for me?”

  “I gave up an incredible location. A place full of potential.”

  She gave him a deadpanned stare, and he finally said, “I stopped trying to make Hart and Style a shrine to my father. I'd spent the last eight years doing that, and it had made me into a very unhappy person.” He sighed. “So, I'll say it again. I love you, Lynne.”

  “You don't have to sound so smug about loving me.”

  He chuckled. “But I do. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm damn lucky.”

  Her throat tightened, but she pushed out, “Oh, God, I love you Nate. I love you.” She exhaled and let the happiness wash over her. “We are going to end up killing each other though. We're both so stubborn.”

  He grinned. “Kiss me again, and we can worry about the details later.”

  Lynne lifted to the tips of toes and kissed him. He still tasted like sin, but better because now he was hers.

  Forever.

  BIO

  Payton Lane is a lifelong lover of romance novels. So it only made sense to pen a few herself when she got to the bottom of her TBR pile one day. Years later it's still the best job she's ever had.

  Lane writes sweet-ish contemporary romances. She lives in California with her children, and painfully adorable dog.

  Where to find her online:

  http://paytonlane.com

  To sign up for her newsletter and get the latest news on releases:

  http://eepurl.com/bJjLm3

  OTHER TITLES BY PAYTON LANE

  When Megan Hartfield comes home for her mother's wedding, she's not looking to rekindle the flame with her high school sweetheart, but time and past mistakes haven't lessened the chemistry between them.

  Aiden Blake knows it's a misguided idea to start an affair with Megan. The woman has itchy feet and can't wait to leave once her mother's wedding is over.

  Then they touch and the spark between them is not like old times, it's so much better.

  She must go back to her life, her home and business, and he refuses to ask her to stay for him...again.

  *This is the first book in the CHASING LOVE series. Available to read on Wattpad or you can sign up for my newsletter to receive a fully formatted copy of this novel.

  You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bJjLm3

  COMING SOON

  Prince Uncharming Series

  Once Upon A Diamond

  Prince Uncharming

  Happily Never After

  Just One Kiss

  ONCE UPON A DIAMOND

  CHAPTER ONE EXCERPT

  Gregory Woods glared up at the jewelry store's sign. The name Glitter was showcased in a pink cotton candy shade, and he'd bet money that at night the sign sparkled. What kind of crappy name was that for a jewelry store? Should have known better than to trust his I'm-going-to-die-a-bachelor cousin.

  But Greg's should-have-known-better list was getting about a mile long and it was slowly turning him into a dick.

  He tried to stuff the irritation down. Really he did, but...He shifted his hard stare to Drew. “What the hell is this place?”

  His cousin threw his hands up in surrender at the sharp tone. “You've bitched and moaned about the engagement ring for almost a year. So instead of having to listen to you rant one more damn time, I found a solution.” He stuffed his hands in his jean's pockets and shrugged. “Sell it. Rip off the Band-Aid and move the hell on.”

  Selling the ring punctuated the end of his failed engagement. If he walked through those doors, he would have to accept he got down on one knee, had asked the supposed love of his life to marry him, she had said yes and then months later, as the actual wedding had approached, changed her mind.

  Maybe
if he was the kind of guy to say screw her and her future children's children this would be easier, but he wasn't. Most days. He also didn't want her back. That train had left the station. He...just wanted his world to make sense again.

  Since that wouldn't happen anytime soon, Greg glowered at the store's windows in hopes he'd find another obvious reason to not walk through those doors. The displays were made from what looked like everyday items—old bookshelves, shadowboxes and high heels outfitted to hold rings. Someone had put serious thought into creating a welcoming but elegant appearance. The owner had put their best foot forward and pushed him into a corner he could only punch his way out of.

  “They probably won't have the money to buy it,” Greg muttered, falling back on his background as a financial analyst. Numbers were much easier to rely on and understand than people.

  From the way Drew rocked on his heels without replying, numbers were also a crappy excuse to hide behind. Finally his cousin said, “Right now you're making zero money on your investment. You don't have the woman and you can't or...won't sell the ring.”

  He scowled at the cotton candy pink sign. Greg had never thought he'd be standing here. Suck it up. You're starting to sound like a wuss in your own damn mind. “We'll have drinking money after this. 'Cause I'm going to need a drink after this.”

  “The golden boy of the family wants to get trashed. I approve. And McNally's happy hour is all day today.” His cousin patted him on the back and then pushed him closer to the entrance. “Until then I'm heading down to the cell phone store. Text me when you're done.”

  That announcement transformed Greg's scowl into a frown of confusion. “What?”

  “It's a Saturday afternoon. Too many people I know could see me in there. Nope.”

  He should have known. “You bastard,” Greg said but couldn't stop the laugh.

  Drew grinned and it was hard to hate him. “There are some journeys a man has to take alone. One of them is going into a jewelry store that looks this girly. Someone could see me and I don't want to give anyone any ideas.”