"If she doesn't, I don't think it will be to protect our secret, but to protect her heart," Caroline said wisely. "Ashley knows deep down that telling Sean will be the end of it all. She won't risk it. She loves him too much."
"Love makes you do crazy things."
"That's true," Caroline said with a laugh. "Your basket is next, Kate."
Kate couldn't help stiffening as her basket was handed to the auctioneer. She hadn't seen Tyler all day, nor had she even hinted to him the night before that she'd be participating in the auction. There was no way in this crowd, even if he was here, that he would know which basket to bid on. She should be happy about that. No long evening of avoiding tense questions. No heart-stopping, spine-tingling moments that would make her consider acting in a reckless manner. Thank heavens.
The bidding began slowly, gathering steam as new parties entered into the auction. She had almost relaxed when she heard Tyler's voice. She couldn't see him, but she knew it was him. Her heart stopped and her spine tingled, just as she'd anticipated. How had he known? Did he know? Maybe it was a coincidence.
But when the bidding stopped and she walked forward to meet her date, she knew without a doubt that, like everything else in their relationship, this was no coincidence.
* * *
"We were supposed to have a picnic on the beach or in the park," Kate said as she led Tyler into her house.
"We already did that. And, since I paid for this date, I get to choose the location."
She turned on the hall light and set her purse down on the table. She felt tense and nervous and couldn't quite believe she'd agreed to bring him home. It would have been much safer to picnic someplace where the crowds would have prevented them from talking seriously or acting foolishly.
"You lied to me," she said abruptly, wanting to let him know from the start that she was on to him. "You told me you were dropping the story, but then you went to Ashley and asked her for pictures."
His smile faded and his expression turned somber. "Yes, I did do that."
"Why?" She silently pleaded with him to tell her the truth.
"I went to Ashley to get some photos of the Castleton from last year, but when I got there I started thinking about your family again, and Ashley didn't seem to realize that I'd dropped the story, so I asked some questions.”
"To see what she would tell you.”
"Something happened to you during that race, Kate. Something that you and your sisters can't tell anyone. I have an instinct for a story, and I know there's one you could tell me if only you would. I can see in your eyes that I'm right."
"What you see is anger that you're invading my privacy."
"That's not what I see at all." He took a step closer, and she took a step back.
"Don't," she said, putting up a hand.
He didn't say anything for a moment. "Why don't we just have our picnic and save this discussion until later?"
"I won't change my mind."
"Then you won't," he said simply.
She hesitated. "All right, fine. We'll eat. Then you'll go." She started to head toward the kitchen, but he caught her by the arm.
"Let's eat in the living room."
"There's only a coffee table in there."
"We'll eat on the floor. You'll spread out a blanket, and we'll pretend this is a grassy park."
She rolled her eyes. "Is this part of your seduction strategy? I just told you—"
"I heard you, believe me. But I paid for a picnic supper, and you owe me one."
"You're a very annoying man."
"So I've been told."
She led him into the living room, and he set the basket down on the coffee table. "I'll get the blanket," she said, but he followed her down the hall. "This isn't exactly a two-person job, you know."
"I want to check out your house."
She opened the linen closet and waved her hand toward the neatly stacked piles of towels and bedding. "This is where I keep the sheets. Excited?"
"Actually, sometimes sheets do get me excited."
She reluctantly smiled. He was a hard man to dislike. "That's a very bad line. And you, a writer, should be ashamed." She tossed him a blanket. "Everything else we need is in the basket."
"Are you sure there isn't anything in your bedroom that we need?" he asked, stopping to peer through a half-open door.
Kate grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "Bedroom tours are not part of the picnic auction.”
"They should be, for the price I paid."
She ignored that, returning to the living room where Tyler spread the blanket out on the floor.
"How about a fire?" he asked.
"It's not that cold."
"I heard there might be a storm coming in this weekend. The racers will not be happy."
"Actually, most sailors love a good storm. It's the calm that makes them crazy."
"So they'll race even if it's raining.”
"If there's a good brisk wind, you bet. The boats will run even faster." She paused. "Are you still going out with my father tomorrow?"
"That's what he said."
"I hope it's before he gets drunk."
"So do I," he said.
"Tell me again why you're sailing with him?"
"To get some firsthand experience on a boat. It will make my story more realistic."
"Yeah, whatever story that is—if there even is a story." She paused. Had Tyler just flinched? Maybe there wasn't a story. But he was a reporter. She'd already checked that out.
"Of course there's a story," he said quickly. "There's always a story."
"You can probably find one anywhere, can't you?”
"Yes. It's just a matter of simple curiosity and a sharp eye."
"What about your story, Tyler? What if I said I was going to write an article and tell the world about your father stealing you away from your mother? Would you want that revealed to the world? Or would you be protective of your family, maybe even of your father, who you probably have a lot of mixed feelings about?"
Tyler met her questioning gaze with a small smile. "You're very good, Kate. Very perceptive. Smart. Beautiful. Sexy. A deadly combination."
Beautiful? Sexy? Smart? Did he really think she was all those things? Kate shook her head and cleared her throat, realizing he'd successfully sidetracked her once again with his unending charm. She sat down on the blanket. "Let's eat. You can serve me. I did all the cooking."
"Is that part of the date? I thought you would serve me. In fact, I thought you would feed me."
"Not likely." She slid across the blanket, resting her back against the coffee table. Tyler made the same move a second later, his shoulder touching hers, their legs stretched out in front of them.
"I'm not that hungry yet, are you?" he asked.
"Not really," she admitted. Although, if they didn't eat, they'd probably have to talk or, worse yet, they'd find something even better to do.
For a moment they just sat. Then Tyler said, "Is everything okay, Kate? With your sisters?"
"Why would you ask that?" She turned her head so she could look at him.
"You seem preoccupied. A little down, not your normally cheery self."
"Is that the way you see me? An overly perky woman?"
"I think you try to be cheerful, even when you don't feel like it. You're big on putting up a front. A don't-let-anyone-see-you-sweat kind of girl."
"You're the same. You hide what you're thinking behind those unreadable eyes."
"You mean you can't read my mind right now?" His eyes had darkened, and his gaze focused on her mouth. Her lips tingled. She felt as if he were kissing her, yet he hadn't even touched her.
Tyler put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close until her head was resting against his chest. She should have pulled away, but it felt too good.
"This is better," he said
"I can hear your heart beating."
"Thank God for that."
Kate slipped her hand inside the ne
ck of his polo shirt. "It's beating faster new."
"Want to see how fast it can go?"
"Tyler—"
"Shh." He pressed her head back against his chest. "Did I tell you what I did today?"
She relaxed a bit at the casual question. Maybe they could just sit and talk. "Besides grill my sister? No.”
"I stopped at the drug store."
Her body tensed again. So much for just talking. She knew what was coming. What she didn't know was what she would do about it.
"Like a good boy scout, I'm prepared," he added lightly.
"That will be nice for whatever girl scout you run into."
"I don't want a girl scout, I want you."
"I thought we just agreed..."
"I think the only thing we agree on is that we both want each other."
She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. "That's true, but—"
"No buts." He paused, his eyes very serious. "I know there are a hundred reasons why we shouldn't do this, but I can't stop thinking about you. This kind of feeling doesn't happen every day of the week, you know. I can't make any promises. I can't offer you my heart and my soul, because, in truth, I don't know what's left of my heart. It took a big hit a long time ago when my father ripped my family apart. I don't really know how to love."
She was touched by the admission. "You knew how to love once," she reminded him.
"It almost killed me."
"I understand."
"I know you do. That's why we keep coming back to this place."
Their eyes met in a moment of deep connection.
"I can't stop thinking about you, either, Tyler, but I've never been one to leap without looking. And I'm afraid to look where you're concerned."
"I think there was a time when you could leap. Then you got hurt, and you grew wary, and safe seemed better than sorry."
"It still does," she admitted.
"We're a lot alike."
"In some ways."
"Whatever happens between us tonight is separate from everything else," he said. "There's no past, no future, just tonight. I want to make love to you, Kate. You and me, nothing between us, no clothes, no secrets, no questions, no lies, no memories, no ghosts. Just the two of us."
She drew in a breath and slowly let it out. She was tempted, but it was madness. They couldn't escape the reality of the morning, could they? And how would she feel then?
His hand stroked the side of her face, a gentle, tender caress that made her heart skip a beat. What was coming was inevitable; she'd known that when she'd brought him home.
She leaned forward and touched her mouth to his with a deep sense of relief. Closing her eyes, she let him take over and allowed him to deepen the kiss, sweeping her away from all conscious thought. Her brain shut down and her senses took over as she tasted his mouth, ran her hands through his hair, around his neck, down his shoulders.
No matter what happened, she wouldn't regret this night. There were plenty of things in her life she could feel sorry about, but this wouldn't be one of them.
She broke the kiss and put her finger against his lips when he started to protest. "Is that boy scout kit of yours handy?"
"As close as my pocket."
"Good, because I'm going to show you how a girl scout makes a fire without any matches." She ran her tongue along the edge of his ear and heard his swift intake of breath. "I think I just got a spark."
"I'll show you a spark," he growled, tumbling her over so she was flat on her back.
She waited for his kiss, but he didn't move for a long second; he just stared at her, stripping her bare with his eyes, looking right into her soul. Could he see everything that she was hiding? It was both terrifying and thrilling.
"Touch me," she said softly, putting her hand on the back of his neck and pulling him down to her. She closed her eyes as his mouth trailed along the side of her face, her neck, down to her collarbone. "Don't stop."
"I won't," he promised, and then kissed her on the mouth.
She ran her hands up under his shirt, loving the play of the taut muscles in his back. He was a strong man, a solid man, but he was complicated; he had hidden motives and secret agendas. In some ways he reminded her of the ocean—deep, mysterious, dangerous. It was part of his appeal, and she couldn't resist. She wanted him, wanted to see his control snap, wanted to feel the power in his body, wanted to get closer to him than anyone ever had and fill that emptiness in his heart.
She helped him off with his shirt, then slipped her sweater over her head as he removed his pants and helped her slide out of her jeans. It was a blessed relief when his naked body covered hers. There was nothing left between them. They were breast to breast, hip to hip, toe to toe, mouth to mouth.
Tyler shifted slightly, taking his weight to one side as his hand cupped one full breast, his fingers caressing, pulling, tugging. His mouth followed suit in the most delicious, wicked manner until her nerves were screaming and her breath was coming in rapid gasps of pleasure. His hands and his mouth were relentless, marking every inch of her body with passion and purpose until she was begging him to finish it.
He was in her head, in her heart, under her skin, but it wasn't enough. She pulled him on top of her body and welcomed him inside. She was finally home. And, Tyler might not know it yet, but so was he.
Chapter Twenty
She'd told him she wouldn't ask him for anything, wouldn't beg him to stay the night or make promises he couldn't keep. But Kate was still disappointed to find Tyler gone when she woke up Thursday morning. A quick glance at the pillow next to her showed nothing but a single strand of dark hair, no note, no rose, no silly sentimental anything. She smiled at her own foolishness. It was just sex, not love, not romance. But she picked up the pillow, took a deep breath and sighed. She could still smell the musky scent of his body. And, if she closed her eyes, she could see him in her mind, could feel his hands on her body, those wonderful, magic hands.
A wave of heat ran through her. She had been a fool to think one night would be enough. At least not for her. Tyler, on the other hand, had taken off at first light. Maybe it had been enough for him. With that disturbing thought, she stretched her arms over her head and forced herself to get out of bed. Her body felt deliciously sore. Muscles she'd forgotten she had were aching, but it was a good ache, a satisfied ache. It was pointless to look for a note from Tyler, but, after putting on her bathrobe and slippers, she managed to check every table between her bedroom and the kitchen. There was nothing.
Coffee, she decided; maybe some breakfast, then off to work like it was any other day, like all the days that would come next. She didn't miss him. And she wouldn't miss him. Not today, not tomorrow... Well, maybe for just a few days. Then she'd move on.
They had no future together. Tyler didn't belong here. And she couldn't be anywhere else.
Kate shivered. The house seemed colder this morning. Was this the way it would feel from now on, as if someone or something was missing, some heat, some magic? She should never have brought Tyler home. It wasn't smart to have a casual affair at home. She should have kept it separate, gone to a neutral location, a place she wouldn't have to visit every day. She was sure those rules were in a book somewhere, a book on how to have a love affair without breaking your heart.
Like Tyler, she'd thought she didn't have a heart left to break, but there was a distinct ache in her chest. Had her heart somehow reawakened when she wasn't looking? Maybe when Tyler had arrived in town? Tyler, who had all the things she wanted in a man: strength, humor, compassion, and a body to die for. She smiled at that thought—a silly little smile that she would make sure never crossed her face when anyone was looking. She'd keep her feelings for Tyler a secret, just like she kept all the other secrets.
That thought immediately sent her smile packing. No matter what she felt for Tyler, there were still secrets between them. They'd both acknowledged that fact, made no pretense of believing that they were being totally honest with each other,
but it had felt honest last night. It had felt like love. But how could there be love without trust?
She was doing exactly what she'd promised herself she wouldn't do: rethinking and regretting. It had to stop right now. Whatever happened from here on out, she'd have last night. She'd know that somewhere out in the world was a man who could touch her heart even if she couldn't touch his.
The phone rang and Kate reached for it, feeling a surge of ridiculous hope.
"Katie?"
The line crackled with static, but she could still make out her father's voice. "Where are you?" she asked. "I can barely hear you."
"I'm at the pay phone on the dock. I'm about to take that reporter friend of yours out for a sail. I need to know if you've changed your mind about racing on Saturday. Rick is pressuring me. If you don't race, then I can't race."
"I already told you—"
"K.C. is spreading rumors, talking trash about us, smearing our name."
Rumors or memories? Kate hoped it was the former.
"Your mother is probably turning over in her grave," Duncan continued. "You have to change your mind. We need to pull together as a family. I need you, Katie. Don't let me down. Say yes."
Kate closed her eyes as her hand gripped the phone. How many times had he said those words to her? How many times had she gone along with him? She'd always supported him, always run interference if she could, always been his backup, but he was asking for too much.
"I can't," she said finally. "I can't race with you." There was nothing but static now, his silence as potent as any argument.
"Good-bye, Katie," he said with a finality that alarmed her.
"Wait, Dad." Her only answer was a dial tone. She stared at the phone for a moment, then dialed the number of the hotel where Tyler was staying. Maybe he'd stopped there to change before going down to the docks. She wanted to tell him...
What did she want to tell him? Don't go. Don't talk to my father. Or, take care of my dad. He's depressed. He's not getting what he wants, and he's dangerous when that happens.
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