Friends, Lovers...And Babies! (The Baby Bet #2)

by Joan Elliott Pickart

  She picked it up and held it at eye level. “Isn’t it pretty? I bought it at that new gift shop that opened down the block.”

  Ryan frowned as he looked at her. “It has butterflies on it.” Just like in the dream, that damnable dream.

  “Well, um, yes, I noticed that myself. I think butterflies are lovely. You know, delicate and beautiful, especially considering they started out as caterpillars. I think that whole process is rather magical.” She paused, then put the mug back on the counter. “Ryan, is there a reasonable reason why you’re glaring at my coffee mug, or are you just basically strange?”

  “What?” He snapped his head up to meet her eyes again. “Oh. I wasn’t glaring at it, I was studying it because it’s attractive. Yes, that’s what I was doing. It’s a great mug, very nice.”

  “Whatever. Would you like some coffee?”

  “No, thank you. What do you prefer to do about the bid?”

  “I’ll look it over now, if you have the time. Why don’t you browse through the store while I’m reading this? Then if I have any questions we can tackle them while you’re still here.”

  “Okay. Sure. I’ll just look around.”

  Deedee watched as Ryan wandered off, admiring his physique shown to perfection in dark slacks and a pale blue dress shirt open at the neck.

  My stars, she mused wistfully, that man truly does have a marvelous tush.

  In the next instant she blinked, picked up the file folder and told herself to behave.

  Ryan flipped absently through a book he’d taken from a shelf, not really seeing what he was looking at.

  Butterflies on Deedee’s coffee mug, he fumed. He’d come across like an idiot when he’d seen those butterflies, but they had blindsided him, caught him totally off-guard.

  Lord, that was eerie. He’d dreamed about Deedee being captivated by beautiful butterflies, only to discover that she actually was enchanted by them enough to have bought that mug.

  And then there had been that woman who had come into the store and asked for a book about butterflies at the exact same time he was standing there.

  Very eerie.

  Deedee Hamilton was a witch, a spell weaver, a…

  MacAllister, knock it off, he admonished himself. Deedee was not a witch. She was a woman. She was an especially pretty woman this morning in a soft pink sweater and navy blue slacks. He liked her hair, the way the curls fluffed around her head and cheeks. And that nose. That nose with the cute-as-a-button freckles got to him every time.

  Yeah, he could feel it, the coiled heat low in his body. Deedee had pushed his sexual buttons again, right on cue. So be it. He had a plan of action to put an end to this nonsense. Deedee Hamilton’s days of turning him inside out were numbered, by damn.

  Fifteen minutes later, Ryan went back to the counter. Deedee had assisted two customers during his wait, but had now closed the file and given it a pat.

  “You write a very clear and understandable report, Ryan,” she said pleasantly. “I expected this bid to be so full of technical jargon I wouldn’t be able to grasp it at all.”

  He shrugged. “I could have written it that way, but it serves no purpose, because I’d have to turn right around and explain it in layman terms. This is more efficient in the long run.”

  “How did you know enough about this type of equipment to open a security systems company right after leaving the police force?”

  “We study security systems at the police academy, so I knew the basics. Then I borrowed a stack of textbooks from a buddy of mine who teaches this stuff in a trade school. I crammed for several weeks. Once I investigated who the best suppliers were, I was ready to go. Now I’m on mailing lists that provide me with the information on the new systems being produced. It’s not all that tough.”

  “Well, I’m impressed. It must be challenging to come into a home or business and decide what is needed.”

  No, he thought dryly, it was boring as hell, to him, anyway. But he wasn’t about to divulge that news flash to Deedee.

  “Challenging.” He nodded. “Yep.”

  “I think I understand what you’re recommending. The cabinets with the rare books will be on a silent alarm connected to the police department. The wiring will be dropped behind the walls so it won’t be unsightly, and I’ll press a button hidden under the counter to activate it when I leave, and turn it off when I arrive.”

  “Right. Or you can have a numbered code activator, which is safer, but more expensive. The sheet is there on that one, too. I recommend the code type because you’re running the risk of a thief finding the hidden button and—bingo—he’s home free. The chances of him getting lucky and hitting your code are about as good as winning the lottery. In other words…zip.”

  Deedee nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I see. I want my rare books protected, Ryan. Dealing in these editions had been a dream of mine for a long time. I can remember having lunch with Jillian the day the first cabinet with the wired glass was being built. I was so excited I could hardly sit still.”

  She swept one arm through the air.

  “Now? I have four cabinets and over two hundred rare books. If anything happened to them, I’d be devastated. I want the coded system, Ryan. There’s no doubt about it in my mind.”

  “All right. Just sign those papers accepting the bid, and I’ll order the supplies.”

  “Will I be able to add to the system in the future as my inventory increases and I have more cabinets built?”

  “Good question, and the answer is yes.”

  “Wonderful,” she said, smiling.

  “It’s a pleasure to see someone enthused about what they’re doing with their life,” Ryan said quietly. “Your eyes are sparkling and…Well, I’m happy for you that you get such a rush from what you do.”

  Deedee’s smile faded and she cocked her head slightly to one side.

  “Don’tyou, Ryan? What I mean is, you did say that you found your work challenging.”

  “Well, let me put it this way. There are jobs, and there are careers. What you have here at Books and Books is a career. MacAllister Security Systems is my job.”

  “I understand,” Deedee said softly, looking directly into his eyes, “and I’m sorry. You should have more, you deserve more.”

  Damn it, Ryan fumed, unable to tear his gaze from Deedee’s. Why had he said that, revealed something so deep and personal? She was doing it to him again, this spell weaver of a woman, making him act out of character.

  He was in worse shape than he’d thought in regard to the effect Deedee Hamilton had on him.

  He shifted his eyes to the folder, then pulled a pen from his shirt pocket. He handed the pen to Deedee, while looking at her chin.

  “If you’ll sign that, I’ll get out of your way. After I talk to the supplier and check the job schedule at the office, I’ll give you a call and let you know when we can start.

  “You can be thinking about whether you want the work done during regular business hours, or after you’ve closed. There’s drilling to do, which is noisy and creates dust, which you might feel is too disruptive to your customers who like to take their time in here.”

  “Not only that,” Deedee said, pointing one finger in the air, “there’s also the fact that if a would-be crook comes in while you’re working, he’ll be able to see exactly what you’re installing. He might not be able to figure out the code, but he could determine a way to cut the wires inside the walls.”

  Ryan chuckled. “It’s a thought, but I think you read too many mysteries.”

  Darn him, Deedee thought. She really wished he wouldn’t make that sexy sound. It created instant desire that swirled within her, thrumming low and hot.

  “Well, Deedee, “ Ryan said, “whatever you want is fine with me.”

  Deedee’s eyes widened as she had the irrational thought that he’d read her mind.

  “What?” she said.

  “If you want the work done after-hours, that’s when we’ll do it.” />
  “Oh. Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll give it serious consideration and let you know.” She signed the paper. “There you are.”

  Ryan picked up the folder and accepted his pen that she extended toward him.

  Do it, MacAllister, he told himself. Put your plan into action.

  “Listen,” he said, “are you still going to Mario’s tonight for pizza, and to witness Forrest’s defeat as the champion of The Baby Bet?”

  “Yes. I’m looking forward to it. It should be a fun evening.”

  “Why don’t I pick you up and we’ll go together? That will be one less vehicle trying to park in Mario’s lot, which isn’t all that big.”

  Not a chance, mister, Deedee thought. One of the stipulations she’d made to herself while Ryan was running the course of the common cold was that she mustn’t be alone with him. Having him there in the store didn’t count, because people kept popping in and out. But allow him to pick her up at her apartment and go with him—alone—to Mario’s and back? Not in this lifetime.

  Ryan took one of his business cards from his shirt pocket and set it on the counter.

  “I know which complex you live in because Andrea pointed it out to me once, but why don’t you write your apartment and phone number on the back of that?”

  “Oh, well, I don’t think—”

  He interrupted her, his voice very low, very rumbly and very, very mesmerizing.

  “Six-thirty, Deedee. That should give us plenty of time. All right?”

  “Yes,” Deedee heard herself say.

  Chapter Five

  Deedee flicked a brush through her curls, then her hand stilled as she glared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

  She was so angry with herself, she was beyond having any kind of rational inner dialogue. She just fussed and fumed, and called herself uncomplimentary names for allowing herself to be in the predicament she was in.

  Per the usual routine, one of her part-time employees had arrived at Books and Books at five-thirty to take charge of the store until closing at eight o’clock.

  Deedee had driven home, taken a lilac-scented bubble bath, then dressed in jeans, a chocolate brown sweater and tennis shoes.

  Her hand had hovered over the padded hanger holding a lovely peach-colored sweater with lace inserts, the action causing her to purse her lips in self-disgust.

  She’d joined the MacAllisters for pizza before and knew they came to Mario’s in very casual clothes. The peach sweater was meant to be worn to a fancy outing, not to a rustic pizza parlor. The fact that the image of Ryan had flitted into her mental vision as she’d hesitated over the peach creation did nothing to improve her mood.

  That the brown sweater she’d chosen to wear was the exact shade of her eyes was coincidence she was hereby ignoring, having dismissed it as unimportant.

  Deedee smacked the light switch in the bathroom and marched into the living room, where she plunked down on the sofa.

  Oh, that Ryan MacAllister was a slick son of a gun, she thought, narrowing her eyes. He knew, lady-killer that he was, that suddenly speaking in that low, sexy voice made women putty in his hands. He no doubt had practiced aloud until he’d perfected the rich, rumbly sound, then laughed himself silly every time it worked on some unsuspecting woman.

  What she couldn’t fathom was why he had done it. His entire family was going to go nosy-nuts when she and Ryan showed up together at the restaurant.

  Andrea had nearly raced across the room to get to Deedee at the twins’ birthday party after Ryan had left, all because Ryan had smiled, for Pete’s sake. Simply smiled!

  That Ryan had suddenly pushed some kind of emotional button and changed back into who he had been before Sherry’s death was a ridiculous thought. The walls around him were solidly in place, and even if he chose—which Deedee didn’t believe—to emerge from behind them, it would take time and effort to accomplish that goal.

  No, the real Ryan was still closed and aloof. The tricky Ryan, who was due to arrive in ten minutes, was up to no good. He was trying to accomplish something, was using her as a pawn to do it, and she was rip-roaring mad.

  Deedee tapped one fingertip against her chin.

  She was not one to play games and was always honest with the men she dated. But, by gum, Ryan was playing some kind of game with her and he was definitely not going to get away with it.

  So, yes, she’d succumbed to that diabolical voice he’d whipped on her, but she now saw it for the farce that it was. He was probably overflowing with nauseating smugness as he drove to her apartment at that very moment.

  There wasn’t time to even begin to attempt to figure out why Ryan had insisted they go to Mario’s together. Male minds were such messes it often took hours to decipher the whys and wherefores of what men said and did. That puzzle solving would have to go on hold.

  “However,” Deedee said, getting to her feet, “I can give as good as I get.”

  Ryan had started this game-playing fiasco, and she intended to finish it. The cocky, arrogant side of Mr. MacAllister that had surfaced in her store was in for a shock when he got to her apartment.

  A knock sounded at the door and Deedee spun around.

  “You asked for it, bub,” she muttered, then crossed the room.

  Flinging open the door, she immediately stepped back and swept one arm through the air.

  “Come in, Ryan,” she said. Jeans and a black sweater. Nice, very nice. Oh, who cared? She was furious with this man, and he was about to get his comeuppance.

  She closed the door and turned to face him.

  “Good evening, Deedee,” Ryan said pleasantly. “Are you ready to—”

  “Oh, my, yes,” she said. “I certainly am.”

  She moved forward, slid her arms around his neck, molded her body to his and kissed him.

  Ryan stiffened and his eyes widened in shock at Deedee’s unexpected actions. But in the next instant, heated desire exploded within him, consuming him. He wrapped his arms around her slender body, parted her lips and returned her kiss in total abandon.

  He was lost, swept away by passion’s rush as he savored her taste, her flowery aroma, the exquisite feel of her body pressed to his.

  Yes! his mind thundered. Oh, yes, he wanted this woman. He wanted to make love with Deedee Hamilton now. Right now!

  Dear heaven, Deedee thought hazily, this kiss is ecstasy.

  This kiss should never end.

  This kiss was something she’d been waiting for for a very long time without even realizing it.

  This kiss had been a terrible mistake!

  With every ounce of willpower she could muster, she tore her mouth from Ryan’s, then wiggled out of his embrace. She took two steps backwards and wrapped her hands around her elbows as she drew a deep, steadying breath.

  Ryan blinked, shook his head slightly, then frowned.

  “I assume…” he started, then cleared his throat, “there’s a reasonable explanation for your behavior, Ms. Hamilton?”

  Damn, he thought, she was beautiful. The sweater she was wearing was the exact color of her incredible brown eyes. He ached for her, wanted her with an intensity he could not remember experiencing before. His plan of overkill had been a good one. It had been well thought out. But she’d blown his program to smithereens.

  And he was mad as hell.

  “Well?” he said. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  That did it.

  Deedee was thoroughly shaken by her total response to Ryan’s kiss, by the desire still thrumming low in her body. She felt out of control, vulnerable, and she hated that truth. Mentally scrambling for a safe hold, something to grab on to, she found her anger beneath the smoldering passion.

  “My behavior?” she said, none too quietly. She splayed one hand on her chest. “Mine? Oh, look who’s talking. It doesn’t sit too well when the tables are turned, does it, Mr. Macho?”

  Ryan narrowed his eyes and matched her volume. “What in the hell are you talking ab
out?”

  “Don’t play innocent with me, mister. I fell for your oh-so-sexy voice when you were saying what time you’d pick me up tonight. Score one game-playing point for you, MacAllister. What happened when you walked in here was a dose of your own medicine. My point.”

  “Oh,” he said quietly.

  “Yes, ‘oh.’ I don’t play games, Ryan MacAllister, but you forced me to by your own actions. Why you wanted us to go to Mario’s together, I have no idea, nor do I care. I won’t be used. Is that clear?” She lifted her chin. “I’d appreciate it if you’d leave my home.”

  Ryan looked at her for a long moment before he spoke.

  “No,” he said finally.

  “No?” She pointed to the door. “Go.”

  “No. I want to apologize for what I did to convince you to go with me tonight. You nailed it—it was calculated and finessed. I must be losing my touch from lack of use, because you’re the first woman to figure it out.”

  “I happen to be extremely intelligent,” she said with an indignant little sniff.

  “Okay. That’s easier to take than my having lost my touch.”

  “Oh-h-h,” she said, rolling her eyes heavenward, “you’re despicable. Go away.”

  “Not until you accept my apology.” He paused. “Then I’ll accept your apology, and we’ll have a clean slate again.”

  “My apology? What on earth for?”

  “You’re yelling again, Deedee.”

  “Damn straight I am. Why would I apologize to you? You’re the one playing games here.”

  “Which you could have verbally accused me of when I arrived. Your method of addressing the issue was…”

  Ryan stopped speaking as memories of the sensuous kiss shared with Deedee slammed against his mind.

  “No, forget it,” he said. “You don’t owe me an apology. That kiss was sensational. I don’t care if you did it for revenge or whatever, it was still sensational.”

  “Yes,” Deedee said softly, “it was. It was supposed to be my way of…but then…oh, dear.”

  Their eyes met, held and neither moved, or hardly breathed. The embers of desire within them still glowed and began to grow hotter, threatening to burst into raging flames.