Hands On

by Debbi Rawlins

  She clung to his shoulder as he lay back, bringing her with him. Too many rocks made it uncomfortable to stay in that position, but he didn’t budge, enjoying the weight of her breasts on his chest too much to care.

  When they finally both came up for air, she laughed softly. “I thought we were supposed to be having second thoughts.”

  “Yeah, I know. Trouble is, I’m in bad shape, honey.”

  She lifted herself off him and wouldn’t cooperate when he tried to bring her back. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve got you on the brain. All those wicked thoughts are slugging it out with the second thoughts. They’re making me crazy.”

  She laughed and sank back against him.

  “Thanks for your concern.”

  Her smile broadened as her hand traveled toward his fly. “I bet I could relieve some of the pressure of those wicked thoughts.”

  He intercepted her hand just in time. “I bet you can.”

  “Playing hard to get, huh?” Cassie wiggled her wrist to no avail. He kept a firm hold. “Anyway, I figure I’m safe out here.”

  He stared at her a moment, waiting for the telltale smile, or mischievous twinkle in her eye. She wasn’t kidding. “My, my, but you’ve lived a sheltered life.”

  “I have not.”

  “What makes you think you’re safe out here?”

  “Because it’s too—it wouldn’t be—would you please let go of me?”

  “Would you please not change the subject? I’m genuinely interested in your opinion about outdoor…sports.”

  “You should be more interested in what I found out from Zelda.”

  “Touché.” He let her go, and she made a show of rubbing her wrist. Hell, he hadn’t held her that hard. She obviously didn’t want to talk about outdoor sex, which made him all the more interested in the subject. And determined. “However, in my defense, I did figure that if you’d gotten anything significant out of her, you would have blurted it out by now.”

  “I don’t blurt, and I did find out something important, if you care to hear it.”

  Dalton sighed. He’d done it again. Allowed his thoughts to get sidetracked. “Let’s hear it.”

  She relayed her conversation with Zelda, impressing him with her terrific memory. She hit the high points, remembered names and time frames, most of it interesting, though not a lot they didn’t already know or could use. Except now he knew to keep an eye on Zelda. He hadn’t figured her for a candidate but the way Cassie described her weird kind of fascination or reverence for Bask, that made her vulnerable.

  “Oh, and the pièce de résistance.” She looked pleased with herself. “Did you know that Bask operates a charity?”

  “A charity, as in soliciting donors?”

  She nodded. “Guess what he calls it.”

  “I hope that question is rhetorical.”

  Cassie smiled. “The R. Bask Scholarship Fund.”

  Dalton drew his head back. “Son of a bitch. What’s he doing, funding the next generation of crooks?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s got people working the fund and contributing.”

  “I’ll be damned.” Nothing in his file indicated that kind of information. “Any idea when he came up with that particular brainchild?”

  “At least two or three months ago according to what Zelda told me. But I could probably find out more. I did tell her I might be interested in volunteering so it wouldn’t seem odd if I had more questions.”

  “Hold off for now.” He lapsed into thought while Cassie unwrapped her sandwich.

  “Here.” She offered him half.

  “What happened to mine?”

  “It’s right here, a ton of sodium along with it.” She chuckled when he looked skyward in disgust. “Let’s each have half the ham and half the turkey.”

  “But you wanted the turkey.”

  She shrugged, looking embarrassed suddenly. “Yeah, but I don’t want you croaking on me. Just eat the damn half a turkey, okay?”

  “Knock it off, Cass, or I’m going to start thinking you care.” He accepted the sandwich, and gave her a teasing grin in return. But damn if his heart wasn’t pounding like crazy.

  A SHRILL WHISTLE split the silence. Mary Jane’s signal that it was time to regroup and head back. Cassie slowly opened her eyes to clear blue sky. She caught Dalton out of the corner of her eye just as another blow of the whistle sent birds flying everywhere.

  Amazingly he still slept. The whistle hadn’t fazed him.

  She hated to wake him. They’d both had too little sleep in the past three nights. But if she didn’t, Mary Jane was sure to send the hounds after them.

  “Dalton?” Cassie touched his shoulder. “Dalton, you have to get up.”

  He murmured something incoherent and then rolled onto his side.

  Cassie inched closer and molded herself to him spoon fashion, her mouth close to his ear. “Dalton, if you don’t get up I’m leaving you here.”

  He groaned and stretched his neck, but wouldn’t open his eyes.

  “Come on, Dalton.” She brushed aside the hair from the back of his neck and was tempted to plant several small kisses there. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

  “Is it time to go?” he muttered.

  “Yep.” Taking advantage of his dazed state, she put her arms around him and pressed her breasts against his back. He was so broad and strong, and he felt too damn good.

  He yawned, and reached a hand around to cup her bottom. The move seemed so familiar and comfortable it made her shiver.

  Mary Jane let out another ear-splitting whistle. It seemed closer this time.

  “Shit. I’m going to take that thing and wrap it around her neck.”

  “I’ll help.” Cassie made no move to get up. The sun’s warmth and still feeling a little drowsy herself, made her want to wrap herself around Dalton and stay just as they were until the sun set.

  “I can’t believe I dozed off.”

  “I can. We both needed the sleep.”

  “You fell asleep, too?” He twisted around to look at her.

  She nodded. “A second after you did.” Not quite true. She’d stayed awake a while, turning over all of the details of the case in her mind.

  Dalton didn’t say anything more. Just kept staring at her.

  “What?”

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “Dalton, are you high?” She pulled away and scrambled to her feet.

  “Nope. I haven’t been high in ten years.” He got up and dusted his hands together. “Don’t tell me you aren’t used to men telling you that all the time.”

  “Of course not.” She didn’t get flustered often but he’d really taken her by surprise. “Don’t just stand there, grab that bag of trash and your water bottle.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She set her own water bottle aside and pulled off her T-shirt.

  His boots skidded on the rocks as his gaze riveted to her blue-silk-covered breasts. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing exciting, believe me.” She turned the T-shirt inside out.

  “You worry about sodium in my diet and then try to give me a friggin’ heart attack.”

  “Oh, please, how many women have you seen in a bra before?” She pulled the shirt back on, inside out.

  “Probably a couple hundred or more.”

  She slid him a sideways glance as she retrieved her water bottle.

  He grinned. “But none of them as beautiful as you.”

  She shook her head. “You’re starting to sound as slippery as Bask.”

  “Low blow. And here I was about to compliment you on your new fashion statement.” He paused and gave her a considering look. “Actually, pretty good thinking.”

  “Mary Jane kept turning around and eyeing Zelda and me. I doubt she thought we were doing anything other than idly chatting, but it won’t hurt for her to think we’d followed her instructions.”

  “And were so involved, we had to dress quickly.”

&nbs
p; “Exactly.”

  “Nice touch.”

  “Thank you.”

  “By the way, I like that bra you’re wearing.” He followed her down the slope. “The color suits you.”

  She laughed. “You’re a piece of work.” A sudden sharp incline made her move faster. She got to where it was level again and turned to wait for him. “Let’s hope Bask agrees with you.”

  Dalton frowned. “About your bra?”

  Slowly she nodded. “I made an appointment for a private counseling session with him tomorrow night.”

  “YOU’RE TOO UPTIGHT.” Harvey and Zelda faced each other in the front of the room later that afternoon while the rest of the group observed without interrupting. “Too worried about what’s proper and how it will be construed,” Harvey said, his tone more resigned than angry.

  “You don’t understand my social position. You never have.” Zelda spoke softly, reluctantly. Occasionally her gaze would stray toward Bask, who’d give her a reassuring nod. “My family name has a certain responsibility attached to it.”

  “I’m not talking about social situations. I’m talking about us. In the bedroom.”

  Zelda drew back, crossing her arms protectively against her chest. “That’s not what this discussion is supposed to be about,” she whispered, her gaze going again to Bask, who remained stone-faced.

  “Of course it is,” Harvey said. “It’s about everything that has to do with a healthy marriage.”

  Zelda sat in silence, a flush crawling up her neck.

  Everyone else in the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Dalton glanced at Cassie. She sat spellbound by the drama unfolding. Empathy was all over her face and he felt a tug in his gut he didn’t want to analyze.

  “I just wish—” Harvey passed an agitated hand down his face. “I wish you were more adventurous like Simone.”

  Zelda’s arms fell to her side, and her eyes blazed with hurt and anger. “Don’t you dare compare me to anyone else. Especially not to that…woman.”

  The way she said woman pretty much let everyone know what she thought of Simone. But in a much more subtle, dignified way the rich seemed to have down pat. Still, Dalton felt for the older woman. That someone as refined and genteel as her could be manipulated by Bask made him despise the guy all the more.

  “I’m sorry,” Harvey said gently, reaching for her hand. “You’re absolutely right. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I only meant—”

  Dalton cringed. Didn’t the guy know when to shut up?

  “Never mind. Please accept my apology.” Harvey kissed her hand, and Zelda relaxed a little. She still didn’t seem too pleased but at least she stayed put and listened patiently as, with Bask’s coaching, Harvey continued.

  The whole thing was giving Dalton a headache. Hell, relationships were too damn complicated. But Zelda and Harvey weren’t his problem, and he was a fool for investing so much as an emotional second in them. He strove for simplicity. In the relationship department, he had no problem. No wife. No complications. He liked his life that way. This retreat just proved he was right.

  His gaze went involuntarily to Cassie. She watched the couple from the edge of her chair, her heart on her sleeve.

  She was a rookie. She’d learn not to become emotionally involved.

  After another ten minutes of listening to Harvey and Zelda beat a dead horse, Bask stood and hugged both of them. Dalton snorted. If Bask tried hugging him, he’d need a plastic surgeon real quick.

  “You did great,” he said in that smooth oily voice of his. “Did you notice how your tones changed toward the end?” He looked out at the group. “Did you all hear it?” Kathy was the only one who nodded. “It means you’re starting to learn to refine your communication, be more respectful of the other person. You did a fine job.” He motioned for them to reclaim their seats in the audience.

  They’d gone first, no telling who’d be called up next. Dalton hunched down and avoided eye contact with Bask.

  “Let’s see.” Bask’s gaze scanned the group. “How about if we hear from Dalton and Cassie next?”

  “Shit.”

  Cassie shot him a disapproving look as she left her chair. No one else apparently heard him. He pushed himself up, preferring a root canal to what he was about to go through.

  As he approached the appointed chair, Bask gave him an encouraging smile that Dalton wanted to smash off his face.

  They sat down and faced each other just as Zelda and Harvey had done. Cassie seemed nervous, too. Or maybe it was an act. She amazed him with her poise and wit under pressure.

  Someone had noticed Cassie’s shirt being inside out right away that afternoon, and they both took some good-natured ribbing all the way back to the house. He had to admit, she was good. Sometimes it was the little details that made or broke a case.

  “Who would like to start?” Bask asked when neither of them uttered a word.

  Cassie moistened her lips but didn’t volunteer.

  Dalton cleared his throat. “I think Cassie should go first since the last time I left abruptly without giving her a chance.”

  She narrowed her gaze just enough for him to get the hint. She was going to strangle him later.

  “Cassie.” Bask gestured to her and then reclaimed his seat off to the right.

  “Okay.” She took a deep breath, and then stared blankly for a moment. “Let’s see…” She took another deep breath and then froze.

  “Maybe I can help you out here,” Bask said, his voice calm, soothing…annoying as hell. “Why don’t you start where Dalton left off?”

  Dalton groaned. “I thought that subject had been put to rest.”

  “Cassie hasn’t had her chance at rebuttal, if you will.” Bask clasped his hands together and sat back. “Cassie, go ahead.”

  Dalton sank down and hunched his shoulders, and stared at his outstretched legs. Shit. At least he wouldn’t forget what the story was.

  “Dalton? I think it would be better if you looked at me.”

  Slowly he lifted his gaze. She looked serious. Too serious. She’d better damn well better remember this was playacting.

  “I’m glad we’re starting at this point. I have to admit, what you said yesterday has been bothering me.”

  She wanted eye contact? She got it. He stared intensely into her eyes, trying to get the warning across. Anything she said was not really supposed to be about him. He silently willed her to stick with their act.

  “Marriage is a partnership,” she said, “at least that’s the way I see it. The way I want my marriage to work. It’s not solely up to you to provide for me, or our eventual family. We need to do it together.”

  She blinked, and then stared down at her hands. “I’m not just a hood ornament, incapable of being anything except decoration.”

  “Cassie, keep eye contact with Dalton,” Bask said quietly.

  She stiffened but lifted her chin. The earnestness in her eyes made Dalton’s chest tighten. “It’s not about money or ego or anything else,” she said softly. “It’s about two people respecting and trusting each other enough to share the responsibility of making a marriage work, the responsibility of earning and managing money in order to raise a family. It’s being a shoulder to lean on or cry on when the road gets rocky.”

  After an uncomfortable silence, Dalton said, “Easier said than done.”

  “Trite but true.” Cassie lips curved a little. “Sometimes it’s really hard to push bias and ego aside. But when you do, the bond strengthens. We become a team. And when the next crisis or disagreement arises, it’s easier to overcome.”

  “You’re doing great, really terrific,” Bask said, “but try to get specific, Cassie, so Dalton fully understands how this all pertains to him.”

  “I’m sure he knows what I’m talking about,” she mumbled.

  “Come on, Cassie, don’t backpedal now,” Bask urged, his voice becoming more hypnotic. “You’re making progress. I can see it on Dalton’s face.”

 
; Right. Dalton bit back a remark and consoled himself with the satisfying thought of arresting Bask’s ass. If they couldn’t dig up anything to give a prosecutor soon, they could at least put him behind bars for passing himself off as a marriage counselor without a license, while they dug deeper.

  He just hoped Cassie remembered that this therapy stuff was bullshit, that what she was saying didn’t apply to him. He watched anxiety build in her eyes as she mentally prepared herself for the next round.

  “I don’t want to be in competition with your job, whether it be charity work or managing our portfolio.”

  Good girl. He relaxed.

  “Nor do I want your job to compete against me. There are times when a deadline or a project will keep you busy for hours, maybe even days, or a week. I understand. The same applies to me. I may not be able to give you the attention you want all the time. But that doesn’t mean the connection is gone. It doesn’t mean I won’t be waiting for you with open arms. You can be a good husband, and eventually father, and still be a good breadwinner, too.”

  Dalton stared at her with mistrust. He knew she’d checked him out, but had she somehow gotten into his personal file? Nah, it wouldn’t matter. This kind of stuff wasn’t in there. But how could she hit so close to home?

  “You’re still not being specific, Cassie,” Bask admonished.

  Dalton stood. “This is bullshit,” he said and in a replay of the last session, headed for the door

  But unlike yesterday, Simone burst into tears and ran out ahead of him.

  13

  DALTON TRIED Frank’s cell phone number. Four-fifteen. The old buzzard was probably taking a break at Mario’s coffee and doughnut shop. Dalton hoped so. It would be easier for Frank to talk about anything he might have found outside of the office.

  As the phone rang, Dalton’s thoughts went back to Cassie and the therapy session. Some cooling off time away from her had cleared his head some and he realized now that she couldn’t have known she’d hit on his and Linda’s main problem.

  Cassie might have guessed from the last session or from parts of their private conversations, but the earnestness in her eyes made him think her words were more from the heart, possibly from her own experience.