by Debby Conrad
“Yes.”
“Uh, huh. Where’s he taking you?”
“Not that it’s any of your business,” she answered smugly, “but Tyler’s going to cook dinner for me—at his place.”
“Well, that didn’t take long. Of course, you sure poured on the charm last night. You probably got the guy so hot and bothered, he’s liable to attack you as soon as he lays eyes on you. No wonder he wants to take you to his place. That way, as soon as dinner is over—if he waits that long—you’ll be close to a bed.”
Rusty’s mouth fell open. “First of all, I did not pour on the charm. I was being friendly, that’s all. And secondly, Tyler Richman seems like a perfect gentleman. Just because your perverted mind thinks up ways and opportunities to lure women into your bed, doesn’t mean that every man thinks like you.”
Luke slapped his thigh. “Ha! Like I said yesterday, you’re pretty damn naive. When a man invites a beautiful woman to his place, there’s only one thing on his mind. And it’s not to show her how good he is in the kitchen.”
His intense olive eyes burned into hers. She quickly retreated into silence. That was the second day in a row he’d said she was beautiful. Well, he hadn’t actually come out and said so, but he’d made his thoughts clear. Not that it mattered to her what he thought.
They stood looking at each other for several moments, then Luke broke the strained silence with a long sigh. “Rusty,” he said is a hoarse whisper. “You don’t have to do this.”
The man could act like such a jerk one minute and so concerned the next. She’d never understand him. He was too complex, too sullen, and moody. Definitely moody. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she looked away. He made her skin tingle just by the way he looked at her. She was determined not to let him get to her, not to let him change her mind. She had a feeling he was used to getting his own way. Finally she locked gazes with him. “Yes, I do.”
His eyes narrowed and a muscle in his jaw twitched. With a trace of bitterness in his voice, he marched past her and said, “I’m going out for a ride.” She watched his long, muscled, jeans-clad legs until they disappeared around the corner. “C’mon, Jack,” he said. The dog got up from his resting place and followed his master out the door. Only then did she release the breath she’d been holding.
Maybe she was crazy, but she didn’t think so. She’d never considered having a child because she’d never planned to marry. But during the last few days, she’d been thinking about motherhood and had to admit she was looking forward to it. The thought of carrying a child in her womb, giving birth and shaping that child’s life was overwhelming, but she’d never wanted anything more. She had all the money anyone could possibly want and yet nothing mattered more to her at the moment than having a child. Not just for Sam, but for herself.
She wondered if she was being selfish. People wanted things all the time, but they didn’t always get what they wanted. Why was she any different? What made her wants any more important than someone else’s?
She truly believed with all her heart that she’d be a good mother, and a good wife to the right man. A man she could respect, a man who respected her. Had Natalie once believed that, too? Rusty had asked her once why she’d divorced so many times, and Natalie had answered, “Because I always grew bored.” Would she, too, grow bored? Was it somehow hereditary?
Rusty didn’t think so, but the thought still scared her. She sometimes believed that whatever had affected Natalie’s relationships would somehow affect hers, as well. Or maybe it was just that Rusty had never met anyone with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life. Someone who would never bore her. Someone she could trust and respect, and, of course, love. Someone who would keep her on her toes, and make her feel loved and desired.
But she’d given up on those ideas. Hadn’t she just admitted to herself that she was willing to settle for respect, rather than love? Was there something wrong with that? Was it possible to fall in love after the fact? Or did love always come first?
Well, whatever the answers to her questions, she didn’t have time to dwell any longer on the subject. She had to get ready for her date.
As she thought about seeing Tyler that evening she wondered why she wasn’t more excited. He was handsome, polite and a gentleman. He had a respectable career, and no criminal record, that she knew of. And he didn’t leer at her.
And why in the world was she comparing him to Luke Galloway? she wondered, biting her bottom lip.
As Luke dismounted the bay and unfastened the saddle, he spotted Tim Hinkle, one of the stable boys. “You want to rub him down for me?” he called out.
“Sure thing, Luke. Be right there.”
Luke carried the saddle to the tack room and hung it on the wall. He’d kept busy at the stable all afternoon before saddling the bay. He’d ridden long and hard, but it hadn’t done a damn thing to clear his mind of Rusty. She was driving him crazy. The little fool.
Did she actually think she could simply set her sights on a man, explain she wanted to get pregnant—quickly—and then expect him to go along with it? To marry her then and there? A man would have to be a complete moron to do something so stupid.
He climbed into his truck and started the engine. As he headed back to the house, he thought about Tyler Richman. He’d always liked the man, although Luke had once thought that he was a fool to have married Beth. The woman had been hot to trot. How could Richman not have seen that in her? And then again, maybe he hadn’t cared. He’d loved her, married her, and then watched her die. So, maybe a man foolish enough to marry a woman with that kind of reputation was foolish enough to marry a woman he barely knew and give her a child. Especially a woman who had fifty million dollars besides. And especially a woman as gorgeous as Rusty.
Although, he’d never known Richman to give a damn about money. He was pretty frugal considering he made a decent income. The more Luke thought about him, the more he started to dislike the guy. And the fact that Rusty planned to spend the evening with him—at his house—didn’t help the situation. Well, if Luke had anything to say about it, there was going to be a slight change of plans. Rusty would thank him for it later. At least, he hoped so.
Luke let himself in the back door, stopped in to chat with Sam for a few minutes, then headed upstairs to shower. When he got to the top of the stairs, he noticed Rusty’s bedroom door was ajar. Quietly, he made his way down the hall and poked his head in the crack.
She sat with her back to the door, staring at herself in the mirror. She gathered her long, red curls and lifted them from her neck, then let the heavy mass drop back to her shoulders. She’d repeated the process several times before noticing him in the mirror. Before he had a chance to slip away, she said, “Did you want something?”
Luke took a deep breath, pushed the door open and stepped inside the room. Tapping at his wrist watch, he said, “It’s almost seven.”
“Thank you. I can tell time.” She was dressed in a champagne colored sweater and matching silk slacks.
He looked at her for what seemed like forever. “You look … nice,” he said finally.
She seemed surprised by his compliment. Her fingers toyed with the ends of her hair. “Thank you.”
That nagging pain returned to his neck, and he reached a hand around and massaged it. “Well, have a nice time tonight.” He turned around to leave, but her voice stopped him.
“Can I ask your honest opinion about something?”
Honest? Luke pivoted around. He wanted to laugh. He’d been anything but honest with her since the first day they’d met. “Sure.” Maybe she was going to ask him if she should cancel her date with Richman. In which case, he’d have to say, “Yes.” She was making a big mistake, and he wanted to tell her so.
“Do you think I should wear my hair up or down?”
Swallowing hard, he studied her thoughtfully. She lifted her hair off her neck the way she’d done moments earlier when he’d watched her in the mirror. He loved it down. Loved the smell of it. Loved to think abo
ut running his fingers through the thick, silky tresses. Which is why, of course, he said, “Wear it up.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely,” he lied with conviction.
“Thank you.”
She turned her back on him, picked up her hairbrush and began wrapping her hair around one hand when the doorbell rang.
She jumped at the sound and glanced over her shoulder at Luke. “That’s probably Tyler. Would you mind getting the door while I finish getting ready?”
Luke shrugged. “Sure, why not?” Underneath his facade, he gloated with malicious pleasure. It was just the opportunity he needed. He’d wanted to speak with Richman alone, and now was his chance.
He bounced down the stairs, threw the front door open and put on a happy face. “Hey, Richman. Come in. Rusty’s almost ready.” Luke threw an arm around Richman’s shoulders. “Let me buy you a drink while you wait.”
Luke led the way into the study, grabbed two glasses from the sidebar and filled them with ice. “You know, Rusty’s a little anxious about tonight.”
“I’m a little nervous myself,” Richman admitted.
Luke looked at the man over his shoulder. He did seem a little fidgety. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon and poured a generous amount into each glass.
“Do you have any ginger ale to mix with that?”
“Sure.” When he finished mixing the drink, he handed it to Richman. “Have a seat.” He gestured toward a leather chair in front of the fireplace. Richman sat down, but Luke remained standing. After taking a healthy swallow of his drink, he asked, “Do you really think it’s a good idea to take Rusty to your house on a first date?”
Richman’s blue eyes widened. “I assure you I have only the best intentions. I just wanted to show her what a good cook I am. Pasta primavera.”
He was definitely starting to hate this man. “The only reason I mentioned it was that I know Rusty would feel more comfortable in a public place. Until maybe your eighth date or so.”
“Eighth?” Richman took a sip from his drink and grimaced. “You think maybe we should go out to a restaurant instead?”
Luke nodded and rested his hip against the mahogany desk. “Yeah, I think that would be a little more appropriate. I mean, she’s upstairs right now worried sick that you’re going to try and put the moves on her. You know what I mean? And with Beth just recently dying and all, well, Rusty would probably lose a lot of respect for you. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
“Well, no, but …”
“Good. Because I tried to convince her you weren’t like most guys. That you weren’t going to try to get her into bed until after you were engaged for maybe a year, maybe two.”
He sat up straighter in his chair. “Jeez, Luke, I never realized you were quite so old fashioned.”
“Yeah, well. I just don’t want to see anything happen to Sam’s daughter. She’s like a sister to me. We’re close. In fact she tells me everything.”
“Really?”
“Yep. As a matter of fact, you know what she told me right before you got here?”
Richman looked slightly uncomfortable. “No, what?”
Luke chuckled. “First, promise me you won’t tell her I told you.”
“Sure, I promise.”
Nodding, he said, “She said what she’d really like to do tonight is go bowling. And then maybe out for a good greasy burger and some French fries.”
“Bowling? I didn’t think Rusty looked like the bowling type.”
Luke threw back his head and laughed. “That’s Rusty, she’s full of surprises. She loves to bowl. But she was too embarrassed to suggest it to you. It’s not the type of sport a woman like her normally engages in, so don’t be surprised if she says she’s never bowled in her life.”
Richman regarded him skeptically.
“Hey, if you don’t believe me …” Luke shrugged. “I was only trying to help.”
“I believe you. It’s just that—” At the sight of Rusty entering the room, Richman quickly got to his feet.
“Rusty,” Luke greeted her with enthusiasm. “How about a drink before you leave?”
“No, thank you,” she said coolly. “Hello, Tyler.” She offered the man her brightest smile.
“Hello, Rusty. You look ravishing.” At Luke’s scowl, Richman quickly amended his words. “I meant lovely.” His face deepened to a bright crimson.
“Thank you, Tyler.”
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yes. I just need to get my coat.”
“I’ll get it,” Luke offered. He went to the hall closet and pulled out her full length mink. Her housekeeper had kept her word and sent more of Rusty’s things. They’d arrived the day before and among them was the mink.
In the hall, he helped Rusty shrug into the fur, then opened the front door. “Well, you kids have a great time.”
Rusty turned around and stared at him, a pensive look in her green eyes. Luke smiled easily and winked at her. After a moment, she walked out onto the porch and was led away by Tyler Richman.
Luke slammed the door shut just as Richman opened the car door for Rusty. “That little prick!”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“YOU’VE BARELY EATEN ANY of your burger, and you haven’t touched your fries,” Tyler said. His blue eyes implored Rusty’s from across the booth. “If you don’t like your meal, I can order you something else.”
She smiled politely. “No, it’s delicious,” she lied. “Really.” She stabbed a grease soaked fry with her fork and placed it in her mouth, trying not to gag as she chewed and swallowed. Quickly, she rinsed it down with a gulp of lemonade. “I’m just not very hungry.”
“You’re not a very good liar,” he said. The tenderness in his expression touched her. Tyler moved her plate to the side. “You don’t have to eat it.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I don’t eat red meat, and I’ve never cared much for fried foods.”
“That’s interesting. I wonder why Luke told me you loved greasy burgers and fries?”
“He said that?”
Tyler nodded, placed his arms on the table in front of him and leaned back in the booth. “Yes, he did. I’d planned to cook pasta primavera for you tonight, but since you felt uncomfortable about going to my place …”
Rusty’s spine stiffened and she felt her neck and cheeks flush. “Who told you I felt uncomfortable? Mr. Galloway?”
“Look, I don’t blame you, Rusty. I didn’t even think about how that would make you feel. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date. I assure you, though, I never meant to be disrespectful in any way. Nor did I have any intentions of trying to take advantage of you. Please believe me.”
Reaching across the table, she touched his hand briefly. “Those thoughts never crossed my mind, Tyler.” It had been Luke Galloway’s dirty mind that had thought those things. “And I would have loved to try your pasta primavera.”
Smiling, he said, “Really?”
“Really,” she confirmed with a smile of her own. Something made her wonder if Luke was the one to suggest Tyler take her bowling, but she refrained from asking. Her thumb and elbow still throbbed with pain from throwing that heavy ball. Not to mention that she’d felt like a fool. She supposed she wasn’t much of an athlete. Although Tyler hadn’t seemed to mind. He’d been extremely patient with her and had even offered advice on where to stand and how to hold the ball.
“Why don’t we get out of here? The grease is so thick in this place it’s starting to plug my sinuses.” He threw some money on the table and slid out of the booth. “Why don’t we take a walk and then I’ll drive you home.”
“That sounds nice.” Rusty stood and reached for her mink, but Tyler was quicker. “Here, let me help you. I love the feel of this thing. And I love the way it looks on you. It’s classy, just like you.”
“Thank you,” she said as they walked outside. Tyler was such a nice man and he was easy to talk to. She already considered him a friend.
Neither of them spoke much on the drive home. They simply enjoyed the moonlight and the CD as it played. Tyler loved classical music, too.
It was after eleven when they pulled into the drive. The lights were on downstairs, which meant Luke was still up. She wondered when the man slept. He never went to bed before midnight, was always up before the crack of dawn, and gone and back before Rusty lifted her head from the pillow each morning. In the afternoons, he usually worked in his study, handling the books and making calls. Then after dinner, he would disappear for several hours. Yet working sixteen hours a day didn’t seem to wear him down any. He still had plenty of aggression at the end of a long day. It was as if he saved it up to use on her.
“How’s your thumb?” Tyler asked, putting the car into Park.
“I’ll live,” she said, looking at the swollen digit. “I had no idea those balls were so heavy.” She hadn’t dared mention the ache in her elbow. He’d seemed so excited about taking her bowling.
He looked at her funny. “You were telling the truth when you said you’d never bowled before, weren’t you?”
“Why would I lie about something like that? I bowled a forty-two and a forty-seven. Surely you didn’t think I was a pro, did you?”
“No, of course not. But I think Luke has been trying to tell me something.”
Rusty sucked in her breath. “Tyler, let’s not talk about Luke Galloway. I’m not very fond of the man. In fact, he repulses me.”
He turned more fully toward her. “I thought you two were close.”
Rusty laughed. “We barely tolerate one another.”
“It all makes sense now,” he said, rubbing at his chin. “He’s interested in you. I think he’s been trying to stake his claim.”
“His claim? What does that mean, exactly?”
“He’s been trying to tell me to back off, without coming right out and saying it, of course.”
Rusty laughed again. “Oh, Tyler, surely you’re mistaken. Luke despises me almost as much as I despise him.”
Tilting his head to the side, he studied her in the dark car. “You’re sure?”