by Cindy Kirk
Kate couldn’t imagine how she’d feel if Joel was dating someone now, while she was sleeping with him.
“Per the terms of our arrangement, Travis was free to date. He just couldn’t sleep with anyone.”
“We didn’t have sex,” Kate hastened to reassure Mary Karen, just in case there was any question in her mind.
“I know that.” Mary Karen leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “What kind of arrangement do you and Joel have?”
Zing. Kate hadn’t seen that one coming. Heat rose up her neck even though she managed to keep her tone offhand. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You told Lexi that you’re just keeping Joel company while Chloe is out of town. Two friends simply hanging out.” Mary Karen brought the glass of wine to her lips. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“That’s right.” Kate spoke through suddenly dry lips.
“I don’t buy it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I see the way he looks at you,” Mary Karen continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
“And, um, how is that?”
Mary Karen’s lips curved up in a sly smile. “Like he could eat you up.”
A flush of pleasure washed over Kate even as she shook her head. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.”
The look in Mary Karen’s blue eyes told Kate she hadn’t been convincing. At least not enough. Still, Mary Karen didn’t press for a confession and Kate was grateful for that.
“When I first suggested to Travis that we give the friends-with-benefits thing a try, I was all for it.”
Kate blinked. “You were?”
“I’d been in love with him since I was sixteen.” Mary Karen’s eyes took on a faraway glow. “We dated for a while when I was in college and he was in residency.”
The two seemed so perfectly matched that Kate was having trouble figuring out why they hadn’t married back then. “What happened? Why did you break up?”
“He didn’t want children,” she said simply. “I did. I couldn’t see how a marriage between us could work.”
Kate had heard bits and pieces of this story before but couldn’t recall all the details. “So you married someone else, then had the twins—”
“Then got divorced when I was pregnant with Logan.” Mary Karen paused. “Actually I got pregnant, then got married.”
“Really.” Kate didn’t know what else to say.
“My sister-in-law, July, got knocked up, too,” Mary Karen said with a rueful smile. “Only, my brother loved her as much as she loved him and was thrilled about the baby. I wasn’t as lucky with Steven. But I did hit the jackpot with Travis.”
Mary Karen laughed at her own joke, obviously recalling her whirlwind Vegas wedding.
It was mind-boggling to realize that three of her friends, all beautiful, educated women, had faced unplanned pregnancies. But unlike her, they’d kept their babies. Two had married.
“Lexi never married Addie’s father,” Kate murmured then stopped. Lexi hadn’t said the information she’d shared was in confidence, but what if it was? Kate pressed her lips together, but it was pointless because the words had already slipped out.
“It’s okay.” Mary Karen patted her hand. “That’s old news.”
“I don’t like to gossip—”
“Well, I do, but only in the nicest way.” Mary Karen grinned. “The fact is, nothing stays a secret in Jackson Hole for long. So if you’ve got some deep dark secret, might as well spill now.”
Kate let a laugh be her reply. But then, because Mary Karen was looking at her as if she expected something more, Kate lied through her teeth. “I’m afraid my life is an open book.”
Except, of course, for that one chapter years ago.
“You know, Kate—” although they were the only ones on the deck, Mary Karen’s voice lowered to a confidential whisper “—there’s no reason for you and Joel to hide your relationship. Granted, he lost his wife, but that was a couple of years ago now. If you two are a couple, we’ll all be happy for you.”
Kate fought a surge of frustration. It hadn’t even been one day and Mary Karen—and probably Lexi, too—had seen through their act.
Reaching over, Kate removed the ice from her foot and considered her options. She could continue to deny everything. Unfortunately she feared that would only encourage Mary Karen to keep on digging until she found out exactly what was going on. Or she could take Mary Karen into her confidence and ask her to convince the others there was nothing between her and Joel.
She pinned Mary Karen with her gaze. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
Mary Karen blinked and Kate saw that whatever her friend had expected to come out of her fishing expedition, it wasn’t a confession.
“Could I tell Travis? I’d swear him to secrecy. You can absolutely trust his discretion.”
Kate hesitated. One more person who might slip up.
“The only reason I ask is, Travis and I don’t have any secrets. Really, you could trust him with your life.”
A laugh bubbled up inside Kate. “Well, what I’m about to tell you isn’t that serious.”
Mary Karen remained silent, her eyes watchful. Kate sensed she wouldn’t press. If Kate decided to walk away from this conversation, that would be okay. Still, because of Mary Karen’s experience with Travis, she should understand.
“Joel and I are simply at the beginning of a two-week affair, which will terminate when Chloe returns.” The words tumbled from Kate’s lips. “At that time we’ll go back to being social friends.”
Mary Karen didn’t look surprised at the admission. Of course, with five small children—four of them boys—it probably took a lot to shock her.
“Sounds like a fun interlude,” Mary Karen said in an easy-breezy tone. “Travis and I never made love when the kids were in the house, so I understand that part. But why hide your relationship from your friends?”
“It’s not really a—” The words died in Kate’s throat. “Joel, is everything okay?”
He was back. Kate’s heart gave an excited leap even as guilt sluiced through her veins. Here, she’d insisted he not tell a soul, yet what was she doing? Blabbing to Mary Karen.
Two lines of worry appeared between his brows. His gaze dropped to the ice bag next to her ankle and he cocked his head. “Why isn’t the ice on your foot?”
“I had it on, but removed it a few minutes ago.” Kate was surprised he was so worried. She wondered if his concern had anything to do with his wife’s illness and subsequent death. She’d heard rumors that Amy Dennes had delayed going to the hospital when she’d become ill. “Ice isn’t meant to be on an injury continuously. Just for fifteen minutes or so.”
“How’s the game going?” Mary Karen glanced at Joel. “We’ve been too busy gabbing to notice.”
“The kids are now playing ball,” Joel said with an indulgent smile. “Your Connor is quite a slugger.”
Mary Karen sighed. “He’s very active. And any of his siblings can attest to his ‘slugging’ abilities.”
Joel smiled but his eyes remained on Kate.
“I’m feeling much better,” Kate assured him. Okay, it was a bit of an exaggeration, but she wanted him to enjoy the day.
“That’s all I need to know.” He shot her a wink and headed back to the field.
“Now, where were we?” Mary Karen said once he was out of earshot. “Oh, yes. You were about to tell me why you and Joel decided to keep your relationship a secret.”
Mary Karen, Kate decided, was the perfect woman to be blessed with five children. She had a memory like a steel trap and could zero in without notice.
“Because we don’t have a relationship.” Kate emphasized the word. “We’re only together for the sex.”
“Only together for the sex? Ooh, this sounds interesting.”
Kate looked up and stifled a groan.
Lexi pulled up a chair and took a seat. Her amber eyes snapped with curiosity. “Back up. Tell me e
verything. Well, the interesting parts anyway.”
After swearing her to secrecy, which was beginning to seem rather pointless considering soon their entire group of friends would be under the Code of Silence, Kate caught her up to speed. “When you interru—er, walked up, I was telling Mary Karen that Joel and I have no relationship, it’s just about the sex.”
Mary Karen and Lexi exchanged a glance.
Lexi’s brows pulled together in confusion. “I thought you liked Joel.”
“I bet it’s his first wife.” Mary Karen shifted her gaze to Lexi. “You think he’s still hung up on her.”
“Well, yes,” Kate said, “but that isn’t—”
“Don’t you want it to be about more than sex?” Mary Karen asked.
“M.K.,” Lexi said, rather sharply, “isn’t that a little personal?”
Mary Karen lifted her hands. “Just wondering. No obligation to answer.”
“Of course we already know you think he’s hot,” Lexi mused.
Mary Karen tilted her head. “We do?”
“Yes.” Lexi gave a decisive nod, then focused on Kate. “You must like him somewhat. If you were simply in the mood for a fling, you’d have shagged Ryan. I’m sure he’d have happily obliged.”
Mary Karen shook her head. “C’mon, Lex, we all know Ryan would never have been satisfied with a fling.”
Lexi thought for a second. “You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.” Mary Karen’s self-satisfied smirk faded. “But I’m also confused.”
Kate knew she’d regret it, but she opened her mouth anyway. “Confused about what?”
“Do you want to be Joel’s girlfriend?” Mary Karen tilted her head.
Kate couldn’t tell them about Chloe, so she tried the simple approach. “For reasons I prefer not to go into, we both knew the boyfriend-girlfriend thing wouldn’t work for us. Because this will be only a two-week thing, why get everyone confused?”
“Makes sense,” Lexi said slowly.
Mary Karen shook her head. “I’m worried.”
“That our secret will get out?” Kate asked.
“No. That your heart will get broken.” Mary Karen leaned forward, resting her hands on her thighs. “In theory your plan makes perfect sense. But trust me on this one, when you’re sleeping with a guy you like and admire, keeping your emotions out of the equation is very, very difficult.”
“It won’t be a problem for me.” Kate gave an emphatic nod. And it wouldn’t. She had no choice. She couldn’t fall in love with Joel Dennes.
Chapter Fourteen
Joel’s eyes shone dark with concern. “Are you sure you’re up to staying for the firework display?”
“Absolutely.” At least, Kate would be once she got her hands on a glass of water and popped a few more ibuprofen. “Besides, the way I look at it, my foot will feel the same whether I’m here or at home.”
They stood off to the side in a darkened corner of Mary Karen and Travis’s large deck. Joel had appeared surprised when moments earlier she’d told him she was tired of sitting and wanted to take a stroll. It had felt good to stretch her legs and mingle.
But by the time they drew close to the doors leading inside, her toes had begun to make known their displeasure at the increased activity. She’d moved to the rail without comment, not wanting to complain, concerned if she did that Joel would insist on taking her home.
Kate inhaled the pungent scent of pine and let the cool mountain air caress her face. A CD from the patriotic musical George M! played in the background. She found the music, mixed with the soft hum of conversation, as soothing as a bubbling brook. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
The words had barely left her lips when Mary Karen burst onto the deck, her husband mere steps behind her. She hadn’t gone three feet when she stopped and whirled.
“You knew better than to give him that juice,” Mary Karen hissed, her voice tight with anger.
Joel glanced at Kate. She shrugged.
Mary Karen’s shoulders were rigid. The spunky blonde’s eyes flashed blue fire. “There’s an ugly purple stain all over the rug.”
“Logan was thirsty, M.K.” Travis’s calm voice was in sharp contrast to his wife’s. “He wanted grape juice.”
By now the two had attracted the attention of everyone on the deck, including Ryan, who’d arrived only minutes earlier.
“Logan knows he has to sit at the table when he has grape juice.” Her voice shook with emotion. “You know that, too, Trav.”
“Cut him some slack, Mary Karen,” Ryan called out. “You have four boys. Spills go with the territory.”
“Shut up, Harcourt.” Mary Karen pinned him with her gaze. “When you have kids, you may offer your opinion. Until then, mind your own beeswax.”
Mary Karen turned back to her husband. “Lexi’s grandmother made that rug.” She angrily swiped back the tears filling her eyes. “Now it’s ruined.”
“Ah, honey, don’t cry.” Travis tugged his wife to him, holding on tight despite her efforts to pull away. “I’ll take it to the cleaners on Monday. They’ll work their magic and it will be good as new.”
Kate told herself this was a private moment. But her gaze remained fixed on the couple.
“I’m sorry,” Travis whispered, planting a kiss at the corner of his wife’s lips. “So very sorry.”
Only when Mary Karen’s arms wrapped around his neck and their mouths melded together did Kate look away. It wasn’t nearly soon enough. The raw emotion and sexual energy given off by the two was like an incendiary device. A smoldering heat ignited in her belly. It sputtered, then flared, fueled by the testosterone rolling off Joel in waves.
“Get a room,” Mary Karen’s brother, David, yelled.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kate saw his wife, July, swat him in the arm. Everyone laughed.
Travis turned toward his openly staring guests, a big smile on his face. One arm remained around his wife’s waist. “Thanks for the suggestion, bro. If we disappear, you know where we’ll be.”
Two bright patches of pink dotted Mary Karen’s cheeks, but Kate noticed she pinched her husband’s backside before she stepped forward to mingle.
“My dad used to kiss my mom like that,” Kate mused. “My sister and I thought it was gross. In retrospect it was rather sweet.”
“I’ve never seen my parents kiss.” Joel leaned against the rail. “I’m extremely thankful.”
“Not even under the mistletoe?”
“Not even then.” He sounded amused.
Although Kate had attended many Christmas parties, she’d never once been kissed under a sprig of berries and leaves. Perhaps that’s why it still seemed like the ultimate romantic gesture. “If I asked, would you do it?”
He studied her for several seconds. “Because it’s barely July, I doubt we’ll be encountering mistletoe anytime soon.”
He was right and she wasn’t about to push further. Besides, her relationship with Joel would be over long before Christmas, so it scarcely mattered.
Instead of saying more, Kate changed the subject. Movies, television shows, tastes in music and wine kept the conversational ball rolling.
As they talked, the fire inside Kate continued to build. Each time Joel touched her arm, her skin sizzled. From the way his gaze kept dropping to her mouth, she wasn’t the only one feeling the heat.
The evening breeze kicked up, sending the light floral scent of her perfume wafting in Joel’s direction. He inhaled deeply. Big mistake.
Keeping his passion for the pretty brunette under control tonight had been harder than Joel expected. It didn’t help that their lovemaking this morning had been off the charts. He could still feel Kate’s soft skin against his and hear the soft mew of pleasure when he touched her in key spots. The taste of her mouth was permanently seared on his lips.
When Travis had kissed Mary Karen, Joel wanted to say to hell with their agreement and kiss Kate until they were the ones needing a room. But he didn’t.
That wasn’t him. He kept his emotions under control.
He glanced around the increasingly crowded deck. One thing for sure, there was no privacy here.
They could go back to his house, but he hated for Kate to miss the display over Snow King. What he needed was somewhere with a great view where they could be alone… .
His lips curved up in a smile.
“I know the perfect place to watch the fireworks,” he whispered in Kate’s ear. “Interested?”
“A better spot than here?”
He dropped his gaze to the vee of her shirt. “More private.”
“Well, if I can’t have mistletoe—” Kate heaved an exaggerated sigh, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her away “—I’ll settle for private.”
* * *
When Joel turned the truck into the circular drive in front of the abstract-looking home in the mountains, Kate was certain he’d taken a wrong turn. Then he pulled to a stop and hopped out.
The fact that the home was completely dark inside didn’t appear to concern him. He flung a blanket over his shoulder and tucked a pillow under each arm. In his left hand he carried a high-intensity flashlight.
Kate glanced around the professionally landscaped lawn. “Who lives here?”
“It recently sold.” Joel took her arm and led her down on a rock path that curved around the side of the large home. “The new owners won’t arrive until after the first of the year.”
Kate stepped onto the back flagstone patio and motion sensors flooded the manicured lawn with light. Her breath caught in her throat. She looked up. And up. And up. At the far end of the yard, a steel observation tower soared forty feet into the air. Metal fencing encased a large deck area at the top.
Joel looped an arm around her shoulders and lifted his gaze. He smiled. “The perfect place to watch the fireworks.”
“I’m sure it is, once you get up there.” Kate stared at the zillion steps that appeared to wind all the way to the heavens. “Please tell me there’s an express elevator.”
Joel’s smile disappeared. “If you think climbing the steps will be too much—”
“I was just kidding. It’s not a problem.” Even though Kate knew the climb would put stress on her toes, if she was careful to lead with the ball of her foot she should be fine. She had no doubt the view would be worth the effort.
