Anything but Love

by Celya Bowers

  “Does it show that bad?”

  Cole sighed. “Man, you do realize that you’re not in a position to have feelings for anyone but your wife?”

  “Yes, Cole. I haven’t acted on anything. She has no idea of how I feel, and I plan to keep it that way. Besides, I don’t want to lose her friendship over something that could turn out to be nothing.”

  Cole wished he had that kind of control. “That’s why you’ve been drinking so much.”

  “No, my wife is my reason for my drinking. But I’d rather not talk about her, if you don’t mind.”

  “Got it.”

  Max laughed. “What I would like to talk about is how you’re going to approach Kendall when we get to the club.”

  Cole had figured he was being set up, and his new best friend had just confirmed it. He was headed for trouble, he knew, but he was going to take Kendall down with him.

  * * *

  “He’s just a man,” Kendall chanted to herself as she walked to the table in Arlington’s hottest place to be seen. “He’s just a man.”

  In her first effort to bond with the nurses and other members of her staff, Kendall was in the one place she’d always thought she’d never return to. Larry’s Ribs and Blues was the place where she’d caught her ex cheating on her the first time. She hadn’t been inside the place since.

  But that was the old Kendall. The new Kendall was trying to make a change in her life. The new Kendall was going to face her demons from now on, and that included one Coltrane Highpoint. She approached the table, plastered a smile on her face, and greeted her co-workers. Of course everyone but Jami and Max looked at her as if she were definitely in the wrong place. Cole was staring at her until she returned his gaze. She instantly realized he was looking at her attire.

  Okay, staring or gawking would be a better word. Exactly the effect she’d hoped for after Jami informed her that Max was bringing his new best friend. She decided to make the best of a semi-awkward situation by greeting everyone. “Hi, guys, thanks for inviting me.”

  Cole tried his best to hide his nervousness behind his glass of Scotch. Kendall looked hot! He’d never in all his days seen a woman so beautiful. He couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to her cleavage until Max cleared his throat.

  “You’re gonna blow it,” Max whispered. “Quit looking at her chest. She hates when men do that.”

  Cole knew Kendall would be a challenge even if she hadn’t dressed in a revealing blouse. He took a swig of Chivas Regal scotch, feeling the drink warm his soul. “Please sit down, Kendall. I promise I won’t bite.” He nodded to the vacant chair next to him.

  Kendall sighed, took the seat, and hung her purse on the back of the wooden chair. Cole didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to feel the tension at the table. He felt it from Kendall, too, and there was only one thing to do to relieve it. He leaned closer to her and whispered, “Let’s dance.”

  Kendall shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  “Do you disapprove of me that much? It’s just a freaking dance, not a proposal of marriage.”

  She turned to him with a look of anger that made Max gasp. “I don’t dance,” she said just above a whisper. “My ex-husband said I’m stiffer than cardboard.”

  He’d stuck his foot in his mouth, of course, but he’d fix it. He reached for Kendall’s hand and stood. She’d never make a scene, so he felt pretty secure that she’d follow him to the dance floor.

  She did. Suddenly, he realized that now Kendall was at least an inch taller than his six feet, one inch. How tall were those stilettos?

  As the band settled into a slow number, Cole pulled Kendall closer to his body. She did move rather stiffly, but he would soon fix that. His hands settled around her waist. She was a perfect fit.

  “See, this isn’t so bad, is it?”

  Kendall shook her head, glancing around the room, obviously waiting for the dance police to arrest her.

  “Kendall, this is supposed to be fun. If you don’t relax, I’ll be the only enjoying the sensations of one body rubbing against another,” Cole teased, hoping to put her in a better mood. “Why don’t you take a deep breath and relax? This is a slow number, and no one is watching you.”

  “Liar. The whole table is watching me. I told you I couldn’t dance and you still dragged me onto the dance floor. Are you trying to humiliate me in front of my staff?”

  He heard her voice tremble. “Kendall, no one is trying to embarrass you. I’m trying to get you to melt that block of ice around you so someone can get in.” He looked into sultry brown eyes that were now moist. Surely she couldn’t be on the verge of tears? “What’s this really about?”

  “Nothing. I thought we were going to dance,” Kendall said. “I mean, I can feel your body against mine, but I don’t think we’re dancing.”

  “Sorry, you just get my body all excited. I can’t control it, Kendall. You’re a beautiful woman and you’re really working that outfit.”

  “Are you always such a smooth talker? I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  “Oh, you got jokes. I’ll just have to show you what I mean.” Cole knew this was a mistake, but he couldn’t deny himself one more second. He kissed her on the lips softly. He was determined to go slow, to savor her like a glass of fine imported wine. He tasted her lips with his tongue and gently bit her bottom lip. He felt her surrender as her hands encircled his neck, bringing his face closer to hers.

  Cole was too engrossed in the kiss to realize that the music had ended until he heard the applause from their table. Kendall would definitely think he was out to embarrass her now. Gradually, he ended the kiss. “Sorry, I got carried away. I was just trying to relax you.”

  Kendall looked up at Cole. She should be furious, but the kiss had felt too good. “I know. But you know what they say about paybacks.” She grabbed his hand and led him off the dance floor, enjoying the look of shock on not only Cole’s face, but everyone else’s at the table as they took their seats.

  Jami laughed. “Kendall, when you let your hair down, you don’t mess around.”

  “I’m just making up for lost time.” Kendall signaled for the waiter. She’d let her hair down, all right. She had been seen sucking face with the man least likely to return her feelings. Her heart would be the victim again. But she could prevent Cole from stomping on it. She just had to beat him at his own game.

  The waiter approached her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Scotch on the rocks. Make it a double.”

  The waiter nodded and left the table. Max voiced his concern from across the table. “Kendall, are you sure? Remember what happened the last time?”

  “That was an isolated incident.” She didn’t want to dredge up the past. She already felt exposed with Cole’s hot kisses heating up her body.

  Max nodded, not believing her. He grabbed Jami’s hand and led her to the dance floor. There was something tender in the way Max held Jami close to his body as they swayed to the music. Kendall wished she could be that free.

  “How are things at InfaCare?” Cole whispered in her ear.

  That brought her back to the present with a jolt. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about your hospital. How are things? I was thinking of making a donation.”

  Kendall’s head started buzzing. How did he know it was her hospital? “We can always use a donation. What were you thinking of?”

  The waiter returned with her drink. Before she could reach for her wallet, Cole paid for it. “I’ll get it.”

  “T-thank you, Cole.” Kendall grabbed the drink and took a long sip. Initially, she’d thought the liquor would put out the fire in her body, but it only added fuel to the inferno.

  “Hey, you better slow down. That’s some strong stuff.”

  Kendall took another long drink. “I hate to tell you this, but I’m capable of making my own drinking decisions.” She downed the remainder of the liquor in one swallow to prove her point.

  Which was not the
smartest thing she could have done. The burning liquid left a trail of fire from her throat to her stomach. She closed her eyes against the pain.

  “I bet you’re regretting that little cowboy-at-the-bar moment,” he drawled. He shook his glass, making his ice clink like a bell. “Scotch is like kissing you. It should be done slowly, so one can savor the flavor.”

  Kendall’s eyes popped open and she looked at Cole. “What did you say?”

  “I was asking you about your hospital.”

  He was lying, she knew it, but decided against calling him on it. “What about my hospital?”

  He set his glass on the table and faced her with a smile so mischievous that he reminded her of one of her nephews when they were naughty. This was not going to go well.

  “I would like to make a donation to the hospital, and there’s only one condition.”

  Kendall needed another drink. Anytime anyone wanted to do something for her or to her, there were always conditions. “What is it? You want your name on the hospital?”

  “No, I’m not that vain. I was thinking I could present the check to the hospital next month at the Arlington Annual Charity Gala and you can be my date.”

  “I can be your what?”

  “You heard me.”

  “You can just make a donation anonymously,” Kendall countered. She had no intention of going to the city’s one charity event with this man. It would look too much like a date.

  “I want to present the hospital with a check. I know you are close to going into the red, and I do believe in your cause.” He signaled the waiter. “I don’t think even you would refuse a large donation.”

  “How large?”

  He smiled a smile so masculine that it could only mean more trouble. “Magnum.”

  She had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about his charitable donation. “Dollar amount?”

  The waiter interrupted their conversation. Cole ordered another round of drinks. “You want another Scotch? Or have you had enough of the rugged manly drink?”

  “Another scotch.”

  The waiter nodded and left the table. Kendall watched as the members of the table headed to the dance floor. The band had picked up the tempo of the music and had started playing old school music.

  Cole cleared his throat. “Would you like to dance?”

  Kendall shook her head. If she danced with him, he’d probably try to kiss her again, and she didn’t have her wits back yet. “No, thank you.” She coughed. “You were saying something about donating to the hospital?”

  He winked at her. “Yes. I will donate one million dollars on the condition that you attend the charity gala with me as my date.”

  “Why do I have to go as your date?” Kendall picked up her glass, then put it back down when she realized it was empty.

  “Maybe I enjoy your company.”

  The waiter returned with their drinks and placed them on the table. After the young man was gone, Kendall took a quick sip of courage, then asked, “Why?”

  Cole took a long drink of his Scotch and set the glass on the table. He picked up Kendall’s hand. “Whether you believe me or not, I think you’re a very attractive woman. I would love to be in your company. Kendall, I don’t know why you hate me so.”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “You don’t like me,” Cole pointed out.

  If he only knew the truth. “I like you fine,” Kendall said quietly.

  “Oh, yeah, I can tell you really mean that. Your ex really did a number on you, didn’t he?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Cole took another sip. “It’s clear that you see me as the enemy, but you treat Max like a dear friend. You treat him differently. But me, I can feel the tension between us.”

  She felt it too. It was tension, but not the kind Cole thought. It was the kind Kendall couldn’t ignore much longer. “Cole, it’s not what you think.” It was a billion times worse.

  “Why don’t you tell me?”

  Kendall shook her head. “You just had your tongue down my throat. Now you want me to tell you all my secrets.”

  Cole studied her for a short moment. “Actually, I want to kiss you again and again. Until you can’t breathe or think. But for now I will settle for a date to the charity dinner.”

  Kendall pondered her situation. That donation which she knew was nothing for Cole would go a long way toward setting the hospital up for at least the next year. Maybe she could open the cancer wing sooner than she anticipated. She had only one answer. “Looks like you just bought yourself a date for one million dollars.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Exactly four weeks later, Kendall stood in front of her floor-length antique brass mirror laughing uncontrollably. It was almost as if she were sixteen again and her prom wish had come true: Coltrane Highpoint was her date for the evening.

  Okay, back to reality. Cole was escorting her to the charity gala for one reason, and one reason only: It was part of the deal he’d struck with her nearly a month before. So technically it wasn’t even a date.

  But tell that to her teenaged heart.

  Kendall took one last look at her attire and nodded approvingly. The pink bias-cut sequined gown accented her curves, and the v-neck hinted at her full cleavage. However, she wasn’t particularly fond of the front slit that ran from mid-thigh. It exposed the length of her legs each time she took a step. Tonight she’d find out exactly what kind of man Cole was. Most men’s eyes automatically focused on her breasts, then slowly they made eye contact; others stared at her legs. Was Cole a breast or a thigh man?

  She glanced back at Jordan as he lay on her king-sized bed, watching her. “What do you think?”

  Jordan barked once.

  Kendall looked in the mirror and finger-combed her shoulder-length hair. “I take it you’re still mad at me for not taking you out tonight?”

  Jordan barked twice.

  Kendall nodded. “You think I’m going to way too much trouble for Cole, don’t you?” She exhaled. “So do I. But my mother, sister-in-law, and best friend will not let me do otherwise.”

  Jordan raised his head and his little ears perked up. He cocked his head to one side, telling her he didn’t believe one word of her previous statement. He was right, because Kendall didn’t believe it herself.

  “Okay, you got me,” she confessed. “I bought this very expensive dress to knock Cole’s socks off. That will show him.” Was that her sounding like a bitter woman? “Let it go, Kendall. That was almost twenty-five years ago. This is a new day,” she told herself. “You’re just gonna blow his pea brain, accept that check, and not let him put those sweet-tasting lips anywhere near yours.”

  She slipped on her pink stilettos and sat on the bed next to Jordan. As usual when something bothered her, she talked it out with Jordan. He was an excellent listener. Like now, when Jordan was listening to her insane ramblings about the one man she was genuinely attracted to.

  “Okay, even I don’t believe that. To be honest, Jordan, I could really go for one of Cole’s sweet kisses right now.”

  * * *

  Cole wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he rang Kendall’s doorbell. But once the door opened and he took one look at her, he knew that definitely wasn’t it. He was expecting the uptight doctor to be dressed in some traditional black tasteful gown for the evening. Never in his wildest and most lustful fantasies would he have imagined this form-fitting pink number.

  Instantly remembering Max’s warning, Cole averted his gaze from her breasts. It wasn’t easy, especially since he was a breast man, but he did it. He maintained eye contact and hoped and prayed the lower part of his body didn’t get a mind of its own.

  “Are you just going to stand there gawking or are you coming inside?” Kendall stepped aside to let him inside her house.

  Hoping to God he didn’t voice the retort on the tip of his tongue, Cole nodded and stepped into the foyer. He watched her every graceful move. “You look beautiful, Kendall,” he mumb
led. “I wasn’t expecting such a lovely dress.”

  She smoothed her hands over the dress, tracing the outline of her gorgeous figure. “My mom picked this out. Can you believe it?”

  Cole did, and would have to thank her for her contribution. “It’s lovely and complements your complexion.”

  She picked up a small pink evening bag and smiled at him. “Really? I thought it was a little out there, but I’m glad I let Mom and my sister-in-law talk me into it.” She walked toward him. “Ready?”

  Cole heard the pad of four paws on hardwood as Jordan trotted in from another room. Cole kneeled down to greet the canine wonder, but Jordan wasn’t having it. He trotted past Cole and sat at Kendall’s feet and whined. This was definitely a woman’s dog, Cole thought.

  “No, Jordi, I can’t pick you up. I’ll ruin this dress. I’ll be back soon and we’ll go for nice long run,” Kendall promised.

  Jordan scampered off in the opposite direction. Kendall laughed. “He’s mad. He’s going to sulk in the garage.”

  Cole stared at her. She was smiling like a proud parent. “I take it that happens quite a bit.”

  Kendall started to walk toward the door. “Usually, if I’m going out on a date or something. It’s a wonder he didn’t try to bite you. That’s what happened the last time I had a date.”

  He wanted to ask how long ago, but that wouldn’t be proper…or would it? “Well, thank goodness he didn’t draw blood tonight or we’d never get to the ball.” He opened her front door and waved her outside. “Your carriage awaits, Cinderella.”

  “Why did you say that?”

  He noticed the change in her tone, almost accusatory. “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, Kendall.”

  She took a deep breath, fighting off whatever was rolling around in her head. “It’s okay, Cole. I guess I’m just a little on edge about this evening.”

  * * *

  Unfortunately, Kendall’s disposition only got worse. The minute she and Cole arrived at the Arlington Annual Charity Gala, everyone was treating them as if they were a true couple. She hated it, but Cole loved the attention and quickly fell into character by calling her “honey” at appropriate times in front of the Gala president. They were photographed and placed at a discreet table in the corner of the large ballroom in the Hilton Hotel.