He remembered when she’d glanced up and caught him staring at her while she played the piano. Instead of looking away, she’d held his gaze while she continued playing. Intense heat had curled his insides as their gazes connected, held, locked. On top of that, he’d felt his body’s most primal urges kick in, reminding him just how long he’d been without a woman. Too long.
He could blame his celibacy on his workload, but he knew it was more than that. Even the woman from the dating agency, although attractive in the photos and meeting all his specifications, wasn’t the woman he dreamed about when he went to sleep at night. The woman he longed to make love to. The woman who’d become his fantasy girl.
That woman was Regan.
Just thinking about how much he desired her had a hard hum of lust rushing through his veins.
There was no way she hadn’t felt something, as well. He’d known the exact moment her nipples had hardened into buds and pressed against her blouse. And the pulse in her throat had thumped erratically, a clear indication she wasn’t immune to what was taking place between them.
And something was taking place, and not just on his end.
The question he needed to ask was whether or not this attraction between them was something he wanted to incite. If so, why? And if not, then why not? There was no way he would let her go work for another company without putting up a fight. She was a vital asset to his company—someone he depended on, someone he trusted. Then, on a more personal note, she was someone who stirred his insides and fired up his desire without even trying. No other woman had done that since Karen. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
Why was he even trying?
He knew one good reason without even thinking about it. Franklin.
Regan’s father meant the world to him. Garth admired the man and highly respected him. In some ways, he had a closer relationship with Franklin than with his own father. Bart had been hard to deal with at times. He still was. But Franklin had always been Franklin. He’d been the one Garth had gone to for advice or when he needed an ear during those times he’d had to take on Bart.
Franklin had always been the voice of reason. The one who seemed to understand Bart to the point where he’d begged his sons to try to understand him, as well. Garth was certain Franklin was privy to secrets regarding Bart that Franklin wouldn’t divulge. Like the reason Bart refused to acknowledge his relationship with the Westmorelands.
“I’m back.”
He glanced up and released a deep moan, hoping Regan hadn’t heard it. She was wearing the same outfit and her hairstyle was the same. So why had he gotten such a gut reaction upon seeing her again? That didn’t make sense.
“I was hoping I had time to set the table before you returned,” he said, trying to figure out why his attraction to her was more intense at this moment than ever before.
“Since I’m here, I can help you.”
Her help was the last thing he wanted because that would put her too close for comfort. However, there was no way he could turn down her offer. “Thanks. I’d appreciate it.”
* * *
“Do you think I can kidnap Paulo and get away with it?”
Garth grinned. “You want to kidnap Paulo?”
“Why not?” Regan asked, licking her lips.
Garth fought the heat curling in his gut every time Regan did that with her mouth. Watching her eat was arousing. She would do well to keep her tongue inside her mouth. Every time she licked her lips he was tempted to show her the proper way it was done. On further thought, it would be the improper way. Definitely indecent. Why did indecent appeal to him?
“For starters,” he said, shifting slightly in his chair to relieve the tightness in his crotch, “there is the matter of a wife, five kids and a grandchild.”
She lifted what he thought was a cute brow. “Do you think they could be bribed?”
He grinned again. “Possibly. But wouldn’t it be less of a criminal offense and a hell of a lot cheaper if you ask him for the recipe?”
She pretended to give his suggestion serious thought. “Only problem is that I don’t follow a recipe worth a damn, Garth. You of all people should know that.”
Yes, he should. He recalled that time years ago when she’d been fourteen or fifteen and had gotten a recipe from him to prepare her father a batch of cookies. Franklin had nearly broken his tooth when he’d bitten into one. He’d told Garth—behind Regan’s back of course—that he would use the things for target practice.
“That was years ago,” he said. “I would hope you’ve gotten better.”
She chuckled. “Nope. I hate to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me, Regan.” Although she might not be the greatest cook, she definitely had other talents—like playing piano, speaking several languages, walking with perfect posture and flying a plane.
He pushed his plate aside, inwardly admitting his cousin Jared hadn’t lied. Paulo was the best. Garth had eaten other veal dishes, but nothing like the one he’d eaten tonight. Paulo had roasted the veal with potatoes in some special sauce. The same sauce that had Regan licking her lips.
He had to stop himself from licking his own lips.
He glanced back at Regan. She was licking her lips again and looking blatantly sexy while doing it. She gazed over at him and smiled. “Now for the dessert.”
* * *
The dessert Paulo had made looked delicious, but the man sitting across the table from her looked delectable. Regan leaned back in her chair and smiled. Sharing both lunch and dinner with Garth had brought back pleasant childhood memories, reminding her of how much they’d been a part of each other’s lives.
She recalled Bart always being distant, at least until Charm arrived. And she knew he wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. He and his sons had clashed a number of times. Regan had once asked her father how he could work for a man who at times seemed so detached. Her father had simply said he understood Bart. There were things that had happened in Bart’s life that he was still trying to work through. Her father never said what those things were and he would not have said, even if she’d asked.
Regardless of Bart’s moody ways, because of her friendship with the Outlaws, she’d had a fun childhood. But that didn’t mean there hadn’t been periods of loneliness as the brothers got older and before Charm arrived. Being an only child had been tough, especially during those times when her father traveled a lot. But whenever he came home, Franklin Fairchild made sure she’d known just how much she was loved and wanted.
“Which one of these you want to try first?”
A smile spread across her lips when Garth held up the platter of delicious-looking treats. “Um, I think I’ll try that strawberry twist,” she said, leaning up to get it off the platter.
When Garth’s gaze dipped to her chest, she realized how much of her cleavage he was seeing. She quickly sat back down. “Ah, could you pass the tray to me?”
“Certainly.” Instead of passing it, he stood and walked it over to her.
Regan’s heart thudded while watching him. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Anything else you want while I’m up?”
She nervously shook her head. “No. That’s all.”
She then studied him as he returned to his seat, appreciating every step. He had such a nice backside. Could she fault him for taking a peek down her blouse when she was definitely drooling over his rear end?
“I think an evening walk is in order.”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
He smiled. “After all we’ve eaten today, I think we need to walk off the calories.”
Regan took a sip of her wine. “Taking a walk sounds like a good idea.”
She bit into her pastry and glanced over to see his eyes were on her. Specifically, her mouth. “Is something wrong, Garth?”
“No. Is it good?”
She smiled as she licked a crumb that clung to her lower lip. “Very much so. You ought to try one.”
“I might later.”
Regan noticed he was still staring at her while she ate her pastry. What he was thinking? Could Simone have been right? Was he attracted to her, even a little? “Are you sure you want me to take a walk with you?”
His gaze held hers when he said, “I’m positive. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Don’t you remember what happened the last time we took a walk together?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment and then a smile spread across his face. “Oh, yes. That was the time you were to keep me occupied while Charm tried sneaking that cat with all her kittens into the house. You pretended you needed to interview someone for one of your classes.”
She grinned. “I did have to interview someone for one of my classes. I didn’t lie about that.”
“Whatever you say.”
She tilted her head to look at him, unable to hide her smile. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t believe me?”
He smiled at her. “Because I don’t. So, eat all the sweets you want so we can take that walk.”
Six
After Garth and Regan changed their shoes, they left the château. They’d seen a trail earlier and intended to find out where it led. It had been a gorgeous day that turned into a beautiful evening. Although the sun had gone down and the winds coming off the ocean were brisk, she was enjoying the mild temperature.
At first they walked side by side, not saying much. Then he started off the conversation as they continued walking down the path. “Are you missing Fairbanks?”
She glanced over at him. “Not really. The only thing I look forward to this time of year is the first snowfall and the northern lights. They’re beautiful.”
“Yes, they are,” he agreed.
It felt odd taking the time to give a woman his undivided attention. Bottom line, he was enjoying Regan’s company in spite of one unnerving problem: being around her was stirring his libido like crazy. Like now. And at dinner, when she’d caught him staring down her blouse.
Instead of talking about work, he discussed Maverick’s latest escapades. She had known the family long enough to know that of all his brothers, Maverick always managed to live up to his name. He liked thinking outside the box. Maverick was the one Garth could count on to come up with innovative ideas.
Although she laughed, not surprisingly, in the end she came to Maverick’s defense. Since he was closer to her in age than the other brothers, Regan and Maverick had spent more time together and had always gotten on well together.
They talked about worldwide events and music and the books she’d read. And he tried to keep his concentration on their discussion while studying the beauty of her eyes, the texture of her skin and the shape of her lips.
When he fell silent, she shifted the conversation again. “I like your cousins, the Westmorelands. I especially liked talking to Ian. It seems the two of you have a lot in common.”
He knew what she was referring to. Although Ian owned a casino in Lake Tahoe, he was also big on astronomy like Garth. Ian had graduated from Yale University magna cum laude, with a degree in physics. After graduation he’d worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Although he no longer worked there, he hadn’t given up his love of astronomy.
Garth’s own fascination with science had begun with the northern lights. He’d kept up the interest through high school, at the University of Alaska in Juneau and into the Marines. His degree was in Transportation and Logistics with a minor in Physics and Astronomy.
“Yes, Ian is a swell guy. It would have been nice to have known him years ago. Then I wouldn’t have felt like the only geek in the family.”
“You weren’t a geek.”
He shrugged. “For a while Bart thought so.” And that was putting it mildly.
Bart had been disappointed to discover transportation wasn’t foremost in his oldest son’s mind when he’d left for college. Although Garth knew he would work for the company, he’d seen nothing wrong with getting a minor in a subject he loved.
He decided to ask Regan something he was more than mildly curious about. “Are you still seeing Craig Foster?”
She slowed her pace. “How did you know I was dating Craig?” she asked while pushing a lock of hair back from her face.
“Franklin mentioned him. Maverick and Sloan did, as well.”
She nodded. “And I guess Dad also mentioned that he didn’t like him.”
“Yes, he did say something to that effect.”
She shrugged. “There was nothing wrong with Craig other than that he was military. Dad never cared for me dating a military man for fear I would end up marrying one and moving away.”
“Yes, there was always that possibility. I’m sure you would have moved to wherever your husband got stationed, right?”
“No. I would never have left Dad.”
He wondered if that was her way of saying those military guys she’d dated were not serious involvements. “You would not have?”
“Nope. But then Dad left me.”
Just like she’d come to Maverick’s defense, he came to Franklin’s. “The cold weather was getting to be too much for him, Regan. Surely you understood that.”
“Yes, I understood it, Garth. But the decision to move to Florida happened so unexpectedly. I dropped by one day and he told me his mind was made up.”
He smiled. “You know as well as I do that Franklin has never been one to procrastinate about anything.” Then, to get back to his earlier question, he asked, “So, what’s the deal with you and Craig Foster?”
She sighed. “Craig and I aren’t seeing each other anymore. It was a mutual decision to go our separate ways.”
“I see.” He couldn’t help wondering why. She was right about Franklin not liking the guy. But not for the reason Regan assumed. Franklin was a good judge of character and sensed Foster was the overly jealous type. Garth hadn’t met Foster, but Maverick and Sloan had. Not surprisingly, they hadn’t liked him, either.
“So, what’s the deal with you and the woman you were to meet here for two weeks?”
Garth figured she had every right to ask, since he had inquired into her business. “We’ve known each other for a couple of months and decided to get together here. Something came up at the last minute and she couldn’t make it.”
That wasn’t totally true, but it hadn’t been an outright lie, either. The dating service had provided him with details a couple of months ago and the mix-up in dates had been discovered at the last minute. He figured there was no need to tell Regan they’d met through a dating service.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?”
He glanced over at her and hoped his plans were her plans. He would make sure of it.
“We have a private tour of the island scheduled for tomorrow.”
“A private tour?”
“Yes. The driver will pick us up and bring us back afterward. It’s a four-hour tour with a number of interesting places for us to see.”
They had come to the end of the walking path at a cliff overlooking the sea. “This place is beautiful,” she said. “I bet it’s beautiful at night, too.”
He bet it was. He could just imagine how the stars would look over the ocean. “Ready to head back?”
A smile touched the corners of her lips and his breath suddenly caught on a surge of yearning.
“Yes, I’m ready to head back.”
* * *
“What time do we leave for the tour tomorrow morning?” Regan asked when they returned to the château.
He glanced over at her as he closed the door behind them. “If we leave here by ten, we should be fine. And I plan to prepare breakfast before we leave.”
“Panca
kes?”
He chuckled. “Yes, pancakes. I suggest you get up by eight.”
“Need help?”
A grin touched his lips. “You know better. Cooking is therapy for me. I like doing it myself.”
She saw he was leaning against one of the gigantic pillars. It was one sexy pose, and for a minute she envisioned him as a Greek god. “I was just thinking how when we were kids, you liked cooking for us. We got to play cards or board games while we waited. You guys had a lot of them.”
He chuckled. “And if I recall, Scrabble was your favorite.”
She was surprised he remembered. “Yes, I loved Scrabble.”
“You would challenge Sloan because the words he came up with were never real words.”
“Yes, and he figured I was too dumb to figure it out,” she said, laughing. “He was so arrogant.”
Garth joined in her laughter. “Was? He still is.”
Her shoulders shook again in laughter. “I have to admit, playing that game definitely enhanced my vocabulary.”
“That was the plan.”
Regan sighed deeply. “You were always the mature one. Very responsible. Looking out for everyone. Taking care of us, with Walker’s help of course.”
He grinned. “Of course. I was the oldest and Walker was my sidekick. Someone had to keep you guys out of trouble.”
“And then you and Walker left for college.”
He nodded. “Yes, however, we didn’t go far and came home practically every weekend.”
But still, she thought, it hadn’t been the same. Things had gotten interesting when Charm had arrived. By then, Garth and Walker had returned home for a year before going into the military. That was all the time needed for Garth to take a firm hand to Charm, then leaving it to his brothers to do the rest when it became apparent Bart wouldn’t.
“I think I’ll go take a shower now,” Garth said.
“I’ll take one, too, and get into bed early to make sure I’m up at eight.”
“I’m sure all that shopping wore you out,” Garth said, chuckling.
The Wife He Needs Page 5