Tempting Faith

by Susan Mallery

  If he’d felt awkward before, now he just felt as low as a snake’s belly. He wanted to ease the hurt in Faith by telling her most relationships weren’t as wonderful as she made them out to be. Love wasn’t real. It was an excuse for sex. He’d never loved a woman in his life. But if he told her the truth, he would make her feel worse. He stood up and grabbed the stack of plates. Better for her to believe what she wanted. Easier for both of them.

  As he passed her on his way to the kitchen, she reached up and touched his arm. “Cort?”

  “Don’t, Faith. Don’t say a damn word.”

  She nodded once, then drew her hand away.

  He could feel the hurt radiating from her. It burned in his gut and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. This was why he preferred to travel single, he reminded himself. Relationships always got in the way.

  *

  “Oh, sit still,” Faith told Sparky.

  The black leopard glared at her, his yellow eyes little more than slits.

  “You can bring down a good-sized deer. Why are you afraid of a little water?” She raised the bucket up to rinse off the suds.

  Sparky made a choking sound low in his throat, then flattened his ears as the water cascaded off his back.

  “He doesn’t look happy,” Cort said as he strolled across the compound and stopped next to her.

  “He isn’t. He hates getting a bath. It’s not being wet, but the fact that he doesn’t smell of mint and dirt anymore.”

  Cort crouched down and patted the cat’s face. “Could be worse, pal. I have to wear a tux tonight.”

  Sparky looked unimpressed.

  Faith unhooked his chain from the telephone pole at the center of the compound. “Hold this,” she said, handing the end to Cort. When he took it, she stepped back about fifteen feet.

  He looked puzzled. “Why do you want me to—” Sparky rose to his feet and braced himself. Cort glared at her. “Why, you little—”

  Faith started to laugh. “Too late.” She yelped and turned away as Sparky started to shake. Water flew everywhere. When she looked back, Cort was drenched and Sparky was licking his front paws.

  She walked over and took back the chain. “Thanks.”

  Water dripped from Cort’s face. The front of his blue shirt clung to him. Drops formed a pattern on his jeans. The devilish light in his eyes promised retribution.

  “You could have warned me,” he said, wiping his face.

  “And spoil the surprise?” She tugged on the chain. “Come on, Sparky. I don’t want you rolling in the dirt and getting muddy.” The big cat slowly followed her.

  “What about me?” Cort asked, holding his arms out to his sides.

  “I don’t want you rolling in the dirt, either.”

  He jogged after her, his limp barely noticeable. When he reached her side, he placed an arm around her neck and squeezed gently, before releasing her. “I should have done you in when I had the chance.”

  “Try it. I’ll sic my watch cat on you.”

  Their eyes met and they both smiled. She was glad they could still be friends. The first day A.K.—After Kiss, as she thought of it—had been awkward, but she’d forced herself to behave normally around Cort, however funny she felt inside. She still had trouble looking at him without remembering how incredible he’d been standing naked, or the feel of his mouth on hers, but if she concentrated, she could push the memories aside. The upcoming fundraiser had really helped. With a thousand details to take care of, it was easy to get lost in her work. In the last couple of days, she and Cort had slipped into a kind of teasing relationship that made her wonder if she was going to feel lonely when he was gone.

  “When do the rest of the security people get here?” she asked. A team of four had arrived yesterday.

  He checked his watch. “Within the hour. The cubs will be in the office and under guard at all times. Only you or I will be allowed in that part of the building.”

  “Be sure to tell the guards not to try to play with them. The cubs will be upset enough by the noise from all the cars pulling in.”

  Cort grinned. “I’ll do better than that. I’ll show them my bites. That’ll keep them in line. What about you? Are you ready for tonight?”

  They reached the main building. He held the door open for Faith, then stepped in after her. She walked into her office and led Sparky over to the blanket she’d stretched out on the floor. “As much as I can be. The caterers finished setting up this morning. The flowers are in place and most of the food is prepared.” She grabbed a towel from the stack on the chair and knelt in front of the leopard. “Your favorite part, Sparky.”

  The leopard crouched down and closed his eyes in anticipation.

  “Want some help?” Cort asked.

  “Sure. Grab a towel. I rub him dry. It adds a nice shine to his coat and keeps him from going to roll in the mint.”

  Cort settled on Sparky’s other side, picked up a towel and began rubbing the big cat. “You seem a little nervous,” he said, glancing up at her.

  “It’s the party. They always make me crazy.”

  “Why?”

  She leaned forward and took one massive paw on her lap. Wrapping the towel around his foreleg, she pressed out the moisture. “Anything can go wrong. I worry about a guest getting drunk enough to want to provoke the cats. I don’t like playing hostess. I’m not great at small talk with people I don’t know. It was easier when Edwina was alive.” She patted Sparky’s head and looked into his bright yellow eyes. “We miss her, don’t we fella?” The leopard nudged her hand and made a purring noise low in his throat. She moved to Sparky’s side and rubbed his shoulder. “Our donors are seriously rich.” She smiled. “We don’t have a lot in common.”

  “The cats,” Cort said, brushing the towel across Sparky’s flank.

  “That’s true. So I smile until my cheeks hurt, and answer questions about panthers and leopards. And I remind everyone how big cats are losing more and more natural habitat every day, and they write me checks.” She wrinkled her nose. “The worst part of it is that I’m going to have to do even more fundraising if I start the snow-leopard project.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “If?”

  “The jury is still out on that one.”

  “You can do it.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  Sparky stiffened suddenly and Faith looked up. One of the security guards, a tall bald man in his late forties, stood in the doorway.

  Faith wrapped the towel around Sparky’s neck like a collar. His neck wasn’t dry enough to put his leather one on yet. “Sparky, you remember Andy,” she said, keeping her voice low and pleasant. “Andy, crouch down and hold out your arm.” She didn’t bother looking at the man, but kept her eyes on the leopard.

  Nothing happened. Before she could repeat her request, Cort walked over to the man. “Do it,” he growled. “Unless you want to be lunch.”

  Andy obeyed. Sparky sniffed the offered hand, then turned away in disinterest. The man rose. Faith released the leopard and Sparky began grooming.

  “What do you have to report?” Cort asked.

  The older man looked a little shaken. “Jesus, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that thing roaming around here loose.” He grinned at Faith. “Great watchdog. You think when this is over I can get a picture of me and him to show my kids?”

  “Sure thing,” she said.

  The man was as tall as Cort, but heavier. He pulled a walkietalkie out of his utility belt. “This is for you, Boss. Frequency is all set. Every unit has been tested.” He turned to Faith. “The planking is all in place over the dirt part of the driveway. Two guards are posted there. They’ve been logging in the catering people. All the extra lights are strung and working.” He looked back at Cort. “So far, no surprises.”

  Cort took the walkietalkie and stuck it in his pocket. “Let’s keep it that way. When do your kids arrive?” he asked Faith.

  The three part-time employees were working t
he party. They were responsible for bringing the cats up to the main house and showing them to the guests. “Any time now.”

  “And the guests start arriving when?”

  “About seven.”

  “Then I guess we’re all set,” he said.

  She followed the two men from the office and closed the door behind her. “I’m going to go up to the Big House,” she said. “I have to check on the food and then get ready.”

  “I’ll see you at the party.”

  She left the men and drove up to the house. People swarmed over the main floor, taking care of the last-minute touches. The house glowed from its recent cleaning. The crystal chandeliers glittered. Bright flowers lined the mantel. She spoke to the woman in charge, made sure everything was going well, then escaped upstairs to her room.

  She stared at the contents of her closet, at the dressy clothes hanging there. These nights were the only ones when she became like other women. When she wore makeup and curled her hair. The expensive gowns and jumpsuits made her fit in with her guests. In the past she hadn’t cared what she looked like, as long as she was presentable. But this night was different. She wanted to be special. A foolish dream, she told herself. Cort wasn’t for her. He wouldn’t care what she dressed in, because he saw her as little more than a co-worker. But there was nothing wrong with pretending, even for a night.

  *

  Cort adjusted the gun at the small of his back, then shifted the walkietalkie to his left jacket pocket. The house was quiet. The catering staff had returned to the back rooms to change into their uniforms. None of the guests had arrived. As it always did at the start of any mission, a calm came over him.

  A whisper of sound caught his attention. He turned and looked toward the staircase. Faith stood poised at the top. If he wore a tux, it made sense that she would be formally dressed, as well. But he wasn’t prepared for the transformation.

  The cream jumpsuit clung to her curves, outlined her generous breasts, narrow waist and slender hips. Sequins sparkled from the padded shoulders and angled down toward her midsection. The sleeves puffed out at her upper arms, then fitted snugly from her elbows to her wrists. Cream suede boots hugged her calves.

  As she walked down the stairs, his gaze reached her face. Makeup accentuated her blue eyes and highlighted the shape of her mouth. Sparkling earrings dangled almost to her shoulders. She wore her hair swept up and away from her face. Curls tumbled down her back. She was beautiful.

  When she stood on the last step, he moved close to her. She tried to smile, but trembled too much.

  “I’ll take your silence as a compliment,” she said, twisting her hands together. “If you hate the way I look, please don’t tell me. I’m nervous enough.”

  “You look terrific,” he said, not quite believing the transformation.

  “Really?” She flushed. “Thanks. I’m so nervous.”

  He took her hands in his. “Don’t be. You’ll do great.”

  She looked down at herself. “I think this color might be a mistake. What if I spill something? And I’m going to get cat hair all—”

  He cut her off. “Faith?”

  “What?” She looked worried. “What’s wrong? Is it my hair? You hate—”

  “Do you have more of that lipstick?”

  She frowned. “Of course. But why do you—”

  “Because I’m about to smear it.”

  He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he felt the familiar heat throbbing in his body. He was about to draw her close to him when he heard the faint scuffing of shoes on the front porch. He stepped back.

  Faith looked dazed. She touched her fingers to her lips. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, then grinned at the lipstick he’d brushed off. Ken opened the front door and stuck his head in the door.

  “They’re here,” he said. “Show time.”

  Chapter 8

  William Thomas tapped his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel of his dark sedan. He was next in line. The limo in front was waved through. He eased his foot off the brake and the big car rolled up to the guard posted at the open gate.

  “Good evening, sir,” the armed guard said, and took his invitation. He scanned the thick, creamy paper. “And you are.?”

  “Johnson,” Thomas said. “Mark Johnson. From K-NEWS.”

  The reporter and his producer, Mark Johnson, had been invited to the event. A quick call to the station had confirmed Johnson was out of town. It was unlikely any of the guards would know who the man was. Safer to impersonate him than a well-known newscaster.

  “May I see your driver’s license?” the guard asked.

  Thomas pulled out the forged ID. He loved Los Angeles. You could buy anything you wanted if you knew where to go. The driver’s license was genuine, if stolen. The picture had been taken that morning.

  The guard looked from the photo to his face, then smiled and handed back the ID. “Just follow the driveway up to the main house, sir. Enjoy your evening.” He checked Mark Johnson’s name off the list.

  Thomas waved and pressed on the gas. The sedan with its tinted rear windows rolled along the planking, then onto smooth asphalt. As he moved up toward the main house, he glanced over his shoulder. The big collapsible cage he’d purchased was completely covered by a dark blanket. He patted the gun concealed under his jacket and allowed himself a small smile. It was almost over.

  *

  Faith greeted her guests as she circulated through the room. She resisted glancing at her watch. Last time she’d checked, only fifteen minutes had passed. The evening was crawling by. Her forced smile became genuine. Why was she surprised? These evenings were always long and awkward.

  She stopped by the bar and ordered another glass of club soda. As the bartender poured, she leaned against the brass railing and glanced around the room. Quiet conversation filled the huge parlor, competing with the tinkle of glasses and cutlery. The excited buzz was already starting as it grew closer to the time when they brought in the cats. Jewelry sparkled, expensive fabrics gleamed. All in all, a beautiful scene.

  The bartender handed her the drink, and she nodded her thanks. Across the room, a pair of broad shoulders caught her eye. Cort. Before tonight, she’d only seen him in casual clothing. Or nothing at all. She’d liked him best in the latter, but the tux he wore came in a close second. The black wool emphasized his strength and lean grace. He moved through the room, watching, nodding when noticed, but mostly staying in the background. She tried to catch his eye, but he was intent on his work and hadn’t once looked her way. Gone was the passionate man who had kissed her until she trembled. In his place was a handsome stranger intent on doing his job. There was an air of danger about him that made women look twice and men step back to let him through. She felt safe knowing he was around.

  “Faith, darling, you look fabulous.” An older woman swept across the room and stopped in front of her, kissing the air next to her cheek. Her husband trailed behind.

  “Margaret, Milton. How good of you to come.”

  Margaret was a carefully preserved woman of sixty who still looked to be in her late forties. Her purple silk dress showed off a figure that had defied gravity. Milton didn’t resist aging as strongly. His white hair hung down to the collar of his expensively tailored formal wear. They could be difficult at times, but Faith had always liked the couple. They were two of Edwina’s oldest friends and had always looked out for her.

  “Where are those lovely cubs we’ve been hearing about?” Margaret asked, then sipped from her champagne.

  “I’m afraid they’re not on display.”

  Margaret made a moue of disappointment. “Oh, I did so long to see them.”

  “We have them under guard. They would be upset by all the people. They’re still babies.”

  Milton nodded sagely. “Sensible. Don’t want any trouble. You bringing out Sparky?” The old man had a soft heart for the leopard.

  She smiled. “Of course. He sho
uld be ready. Why don’t I take you in the study now, so you can spend a minute with him?”

  The older couple glanced at each other. “We’d love to,” Margaret said. She leaned forward and whispered. “Milton has done very well in the foreign market. There’s a little extra in your check tonight, dear.”

  Faith squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”

  She led them to the study and ushered them inside. Sparky sat on a blanket, trying to chew the red bow around his neck. Samson, the bobcat, quivered with excitement. An older panther lay on a sturdy metal table in the corner.

  Margaret rushed over to Samson, who greeted her like a long-lost friend. Milton let Sparky smell his arm before patting the leopard he’d known since the cat was a cub. Faith backed out of the room and closed the door behind her. She looked at her watch and decided she’d slip away and check on the cubs.

  The road from the way station wound around for almost a mile, but there was a narrow path that cut through the woods. It was about a ten-minute walk. Lights had been strung from the trees and all the overhanging brush had been cut back. Later, she would lead the group over to the compound to unveil the two new habitats paid for by some of the guests.

  “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Cort asked from behind her.

  Startled, she spun to face him. “Where did you come from?”

  “I saw you leave.”

  “But I didn’t ever see you looking at me,” she blurted out, then wished she could call back the words.

  Cort didn’t seem upset. “I’m good at my job. You’re not supposed to see me watching you. Where are you going?”

  “To check on the cubs. I want to tell the guards that we’ll be bringing people over in about a half hour. A few will wander into the main building. I wanted to warn them to be firm but polite.”

  Cort took her arm and turned her around until she was facing the Big House. “I’ll do that. You go back to your guests.”