by Beth Andrews
“We have practice tomorrow. So unless you make Austin jump out of the car at the road, while it’s still going, you’ll probably see me.”
“Right.” Brushing her bangs out of her eyes, she crossed her arms. Then uncrossed them. Cleared her throat. “I’m supposed to work the concession stand during the first game. The tall blonde, the pretty one, is going to show me the ropes.”
“Tracy?”
Faith nodded. Nick guessed Tracy was pretty enough, and she’d come a long way since she’d been called string bean in high school. But tall and thin had never been his type. He cast a surreptitious, and appreciative, glance over Faith’s curves.
Maybe he could learn to like tall and thin.
“Are you and Tracy…dating?” Faith asked.
“What?”
Faith shifted, then straightened her shoulders. “She made a few comments about you that made me think…”
“Made you think we were together?” That was weird. He’d known Tracy practically forever and she’d never been the type to tell tales before.
“More like she was interested in you two being together. She’s interested in you,” Faith clarified.
His neck warmed and he rubbed the back of it. “Even if I was interested in Tracy—which I’m not—she was married to my cousin, so anything between us would be awkward as hell.” Why Nick felt the need to clarify, he couldn’t say for sure.
Something that could have been relief crossed Faith’s face. “Oh, well. I guess she doesn’t agree.” Faith nibbled on her thumbnail, then dropped her hand in disgust when she realized what she was doing. “If you’re not seeing her—or anyone else—maybe you’d like to do something Saturday night.”
Her words came out in such a rush, Nick wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. “What did you say?”
“Never mind.” Her voice sounded strangled. “Forget it.”
He rounded the desk and caught her before she made it through the back door. “I don’t want to forget it. What I want is for you to say it again.”
Her pretty mouth turned down, but for the second time she shocked the hell out of him. “I asked if you wanted to go out Saturday night.”
Please say yes. Please, please say yes.
FAITH ATTEMPTED to swallow but felt as if she had a peach pit stuck in her throat. She’d had no idea this would be so hard. How did guys get up the nerve to ask a woman out, to face possible rejection? Honestly, she had a whole new appreciation for the men who braved this.
When Nick had taken hold of her elbow, she’d automatically latched on to his arm for balance, but now she couldn’t let go. Under her fingers she could feel his tension. He stared down at her, his dark eyes intent. He was trying to read her. To figure out what she was up to.That made two of them. After her talk with Tracy at the field the other day, Faith knew she needed to pick up her game. Or give up her plans of getting Nick to be her unsuspecting savior. Besides, she’d hated the idea of Nick being with Tracy.
Okay, that last part was probably her regressing back to the woman she used to be when she’d viewed every female as competition. It had nothing to do with the queasy feeling in her stomach when she thought of Nick taking Tracy and her daughter out for pizza. Or him kissing Tracy good-night on her front porch.
“You want to go out,” he said, letting go of her and stepping back. “On a date. With me.”
She nodded, then felt light-headed and realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled. “We could go to dinner or—”
“What’s going on, Faith?”
“What do you mean?”
“Last week you were upset to think people would see us together at the pizza place. You obviously don’t trust me with your son. And now, all of a sudden, you want to go out? Do we have to leave the state to make it happen?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, forcing lightness into her voice. She should’ve figured he’d question her. Question her motives.
Which was probably a smart thing, considering her intentions were anything but honorable. Or honest. He enjoyed playing rescuer. So be it. She’d give him someone to rescue.
She needed to get him to care for her and Austin. Enough that he’d be willing to do whatever it took to keep them safe. “I enjoyed our dinner together the other night and I thought you did, too. Besides, I thought it’d be nice to get out. Take a break from being just a mom for an evening.”
She stepped into the back room and he followed her. “So you want what, adult conversation? Why me? Why not Britney? Or another friend?”
Faith picked up a clean towel from the laundry basket and folded it. What could she say? That she didn’t have friends? That she’d closed herself off as much as Austin had to keep from being hurt? To stop the regret and pain of leaving someone she’d come to care about?
“If you don’t want to go,” she said churlishly, “just say so.”
“I didn’t say that. But I am curious as to your motives.”
“I asked because I like you,” she exclaimed, throwing the towel on the shelf.
“Two weeks ago you didn’t like me.”
“I changed my mind,” she mumbled. “And I…I thought you were attracted to me.”
His eyes narrowed. “What are you looking for?”
“I don’t know.” The other day, when Tracy had made her interest in Nick clear, Faith had felt…possessive. Which was crazy. Nick didn’t belong to her. But damn it, he’d kissed her.
She might not deserve it, but she couldn’t pretend she didn’t want someone like him in her life. Just once. Even if it wasn’t real.
Before she could change her mind, she took two steps, closing the distance between them. Placing her palms on his chest, she felt the rapid beat of his heart. It gave her confidence to realize she could still make a man’s heart race.
That she could make this man’s heart race. This strong, honorable man.
No matter how much she wanted him to take control, to make the next move, he remained still as stone.
She forced herself to speak the truth—even though admitting this was harder for her than any of the lies she’d ever had to tell. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
She wanted to, though. She didn’t want this…this attraction to him. This pull. But it was there and she would use it to her advantage.
He bracketed her wrists with his hands but didn’t push her away. “Didn’t I already tell you not to play with me?” he told her fiercely.
She shivered at the strength of his rough fingers. Had she thought him nice? Safe?
“I’m not playing,” she told him in a whisper, unsure at that moment which of them she was lying to.
Then she kissed him.
CHAPTER NINE
NICK’S MOUTH REMAINED hard and unyielding. For a moment. Then he yanked her against him, leaning back against the salon’s dryer, and took over the kiss. Hot and slow, he simply glided his tongue against her lips. He tasted sweet, like the chocolate she’d seen him sneak from Britney’s hidden stash in the desk drawer. And when his big hands went to her rear and pulled her even closer, so that she was nestled against his hips, Faith melted.
She slid her hands up his chest, over the buttons on his uniform and the shiny badge that declared him to be one of the good guys, until her fingers dived into the soft strands of hair at his nape. The stubble of his beard scratched her cheeks, the sensation a delicious contrast against the softness of his lips. He was warm and solid, and for the first time in way too long, she felt safe. For the first time ever, she felt like Faith Lewis, the woman she wanted to be.Panicking, she tightened her grip on him. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. Not for her.
But she had to make him believe it was.
Rising to her toes, she pressed even harder against him, her breasts crushed against his chest.
He broke the kiss and moved her away. He was breathing heavily as he shoved a hand through his hair, his confusion and frustration evident. Almost as evident as the bulge behind his zipper.
He wanted her. The knot in her chest loosened and Faith shut her eyes against the rush of relief.
“Saturday night,” he growled. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Then he walked out, his strides long, his back stiff. As if he couldn’t wait to get away from her. The door slammed and she flinched before slumping against the dryer to try to catch her breath.
She rubbed a hand over her pounding heart. It had worked. She’d gotten what she’d wanted.
God help her now.
NICK WIPED THE BACK OF his hand against his mouth as he dashed out into the warm evening air, but he couldn’t wipe away the taste of Faith. The feel of her.
He stalked down the street toward the station, where he’d left his car, hoping the short walk would help him get rid of his arousal. And his anger. She was messing with him and yet he still hadn’t been able to resist her. Now, suddenly, she wanted to spend time with him? Ignoring the startled stares of an elderly couple, he crossed a street against the light.Who would’ve guessed that underneath that timid, nervous exterior was a woman who excelled at playing up to a man? He’d thought that after she’d offered herself to him like some damn virgin at his altar last week, she’d back off. That she’d scurry back to being timid, mousy Faith Lewis.
He’d been wrong.
But he wasn’t wrong about it being an act. Not all of it, he thought with a frown, as he slowed, nodding at a young mother and her toddler son. Nick didn’t think Faith had been pretending with that kiss, or when she’d admitted she’d been thinking about him. That she liked him. The way she’d touched him, kissed him, had held elements of truth. But not the whole truth.
He clicked the button on his keys to unlock his car door. Once inside, he leaned his head back. She obviously wanted something from him and it wasn’t dinner. Or at least, not just dinner. And it sure as hell wasn’t sex, even if that kiss had suggested sex wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
He wouldn’t deny he wanted to sleep with her. But more than that, or at least as much as that, he wanted the truth. Wanted her to come to him for help with whatever demons she was fighting.
Sitting up, he eyed the police station thoughtfully. Since Faith didn’t trust him with her secrets, maybe it was time he figured them out on his own.
“UH…ARE THESE ALL THE clothes you have?” Britney asked early Saturday evening as she stared into Faith’s closet.
Sitting in front of the cherry antique vanity she’d stripped and refinished, Faith applied blush before glancing in the mirror to Britney. “Of course.” Although she had to admit, the one thing she did miss about her old life were the shopping sprees. “Or did you think I’d stashed half my wardrobe under the bed?”“I was hoping,” Britney mumbled. She gave up on the meager contents in the closet and crossed to the large pile of clothing she’d carried in and dumped on the bed when she’d arrived, announcing she wanted to help Faith get ready for her date with Nick. “Luckily, Andrea’s your size. And unlike Marie, she isn’t stingy with her clothes. Wait until you see what I brought…here it is. What do you think? Isn’t it perfect for you?”
Faith tipped her head to the side and studied the simple coral, sleeveless dress. “It’s lovely. But I…I wouldn’t feel right wearing it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s…too short.”
Britney held the dress up to herself. The hem almost reached her knees. “It’s a brave new century. Women can show their ankles and everything.”
But Faith didn’t want to wear the dress. It was bad enough she hadn’t been able to convince Britney she wanted to get ready on her own. Now her boss wanted her to borrow her sister’s clothes? Nick’s sister’s clothes? Faith had spent the past two nights tossing and turning thanks to her secrets and lies. Trying to get close to Nick for all the wrong reasons. She didn’t need Britney and her sisters adding to her stress by being so generous and kind, as if she was one of their friends—and not someone they shouldn’t trust.
“But I don’t even know where we’re going,” Faith said.
“Which is why you should wear this. It’s not too dressy. Not too casual. And look at the back.” She flipped it around to show Faith the wide, crisscross straps. “These give it a hint of va-va-voom. Like I said, perfect.”
Faith set her blush brush down. “I don’t want va-va-voom. Tonight’s just…a friendly dinner. Nothing more.”
At least she hoped it would be friendly. From Nick’s expression when he broke their kiss two days ago, “friendly” was the last thing on his mind. Throttling her was probably the first.
“Try it on,” Britney urged, flipping the dress into Faith’s lap before heading back to the closet. “Ooh…these are perfect for it,” she said, holding out a pair of silver strappy sandals.
Faith sighed. The dress was soft and cool in her hands and those sandals really would look fantastic with it…. “Okay. I’ll try it on.”
She stood and, since Austin was downstairs using an hour of video-game time, shut the door before getting undressed. A few moments later, she studied herself in the mirror. The dress clung to her, showing off her ample breasts, and the bright color enhanced the light tan she’d acquired over the past few weeks watching baseball practices. Britney had been right about the shoes, too. For the first time in years, Faith looked and felt…pretty.
Sexy.
Ignoring her horror, she smoothed the skirt of the dress and twisted for a side view. It wasn’t as if she was turning back into the person she’d been. She had too much respect for herself now, too much pride. Too much to lose. But, God, she resembled that woman.
But that didn’t mean she had to act like her. There had to be a way for her to look like this and still be Faith Lewis.
“Wow, you are hot,” Britney said from where she was sprawled on her stomach on Faith’s bed. “And way too good for Nicky.”
Faith lifted a hand to her hair. “Are you sure it’s not too light?” After the salon’s last appointment earlier, Britney had added more honey highlights to Faith’s hair, then trimmed and styled it.
“I wish you would’ve let me add more.” Britney swung around to sit cross-legged. “The blond warms your skin tone.”
That was why she’d spent the past few years as a brunette.
“I’ve always wanted to go blond,” Britney said, wiggling her eyebrows, “just to see if it’s true they have more fun.”
“You wouldn’t really go lighter, would you?” Faith asked as she squeezed lavender scented lotion into her hand and rubbed it on her bare legs. “You don’t have the coloring to pull it off.”
Britney scrunched up her face. “Yeah, you’re right.” Grinning widely, she stood and picked up Faith’s jewelry box before settling on the bed again. “But it would almost be worth it to see the looks on my brother’s and sisters’ faces. Oh,” she said, digging into the front pocket of her jeans and pulling out her cell phone, “I’m vibrating.”
As Britney took her call, Faith rubbed lotion onto her arms.
“That was Gene,” Britney said, referring to the salesman who handled their account with the local beauty product supplier. “Good news—we’ll be getting our supplies from J. H. Thompson on Tuesday.”
“That’s great.” After Britney had failed to pay, the company had threatened to cease any further deliveries, and they were starting to run low on shampoo for color-treated hair.
Britney dug through Faith’s jewelry, holding up a silver heart on a delicate chain before wrinkling her nose and putting it back. “Yeah, Nicky talked to Gene and worked everything out.” She handed Faith a pair of silver earrings with three teardrop links hooked together. “Here, try these.”
Inserting an earring, Faith looked at Britney in the mirror. “But I thought you were going to talk to Gene?”
She shrugged. “I was. But we were so swamped yesterday, and after you left, I took a walk-in customer. Nicky took care of it for me….” Her cell phone vibrated again, making a faint buzzing sound. Glancing
at it, she bounced to her knees. “It’s Michael! Hi, baby,” she crooned into the phone as she fell onto her side.
Shaking her head, Faith twisted to get a better view of herself in the mirror. In her experience, people were treated a certain way because they acted a certain way. And since Britney acted helpless, people around her were more than happy to jump in and give her a hand whenever she needed one. Faith hoped someday the younger woman matured enough to handle things on her own instead of relying on her brother to take care of her.
Instead of trying to get Nick to rescue her, as Faith was doing.
She broke out in a cold sweat. That was not what she was doing. She didn’t need a man to take care of her. Hadn’t she taken care of both herself and Austin these past few years? And done a damn fine job of it, too, thank you very much. This…thing tonight with Nick was different from when she’d been on the prowl for a wealthy man.
The woman she’d been before might look similar to the woman staring back at her from the mirror, but she’d left that person behind the moment she and Austin had walked out of their town house in New York. Since then she’d had many different personas, disguises and names.
When she’d transformed herself into Janice Capshaw, she’d chopped off her hair, colored it red and wore contact lenses that changed her eyes from misty green to bright blue. Working as a bank teller, she’d told everyone she was a recent widow who’d moved to Cincinnati to be closer to her husband’s family. For Ellen Jensen, she’d become a frumpy, brown-eyed, never-married single mother, had moved to Serenity Springs and started doing hair again. She’d ditched the colored contact lenses and continued to let her hair grow out when she’d moved to New Hampshire and became Lisa Risk, the black-haired wife of a marine stationed overseas.
Staring at her latest reincarnation, she felt her throat burn. She didn’t know who she was anymore. But she knew one thing for certain. She’d never be Lynne Addison again.
