Twice Tempted (Holland Springs)

by Marquita Valentine

  “I’m perfectly content with my snobbery and the knowledge that I will never, ever live in a place like this,” Sasha said. “Want to go cow tipping this evening? I hear it’s all the rage ‘round these here parts. Maybe if you bring Zoe the prized heifer she’ll know you’re totally serious.”

  “Job security has never been a worry of yours, has it?” Christian fiddled with the out of date radio, glancing down for only a moment.

  “Brakes.”

  Christian slammed on the brakes, coming to a stop mere inches from a parade of ducks and their goslings. The mothers of the group squawked at the Suburban. At the very end a black cat trotted after them, nudging the last baby duck in line with its nose.

  The cat stopped in the middle of the road, staring at them with eerie blue eyes.

  He felt rather than saw Sasha stiffen. “This has got to be the strangest place we’ve ever been.”

  “Even weirder than Madam Flower’s?” Christian asked, referring to the week they’d spent in Monaco and in the company of some very talented women. Well, if you could call their depraved specialties talents.

  Christian tapped the horn and the cat sauntered away, flicking its tail. He pressed the gas, relieved to see the sign for the town after ten minutes of driving

  “A great big emphatic yes,” Sasha said. “No more of that kind of thing for you. Unless you can talk Zoe into putting a—”

  “Alexander,” Christian said with a warning note in his voice. “You know, I cannot wait for you to meet the woman that makes your life a living hell.”

  “Because being controlled by my uncle, your father, isn’t enough?” Sasha had him there. “By the way, I was the one who slipped your ring in your pocket. Brennen thought he was playing a fantastic joke on you, but I was trying to make it up to you both.”

  Christian grinned. “I knew there was a reason I kept you around.”

  “My brilliant conversation skills aren’t enough?”

  Christian made a left onto Ivy Lane, pulling into an empty parking spot. He turned to his cousin and punched him in the shoulder. “God love you, Sasha.”

  ***

  After leaving the apothecary shop on Ivy, Christian peered at his cousin who was unusually quiet. “Have all my packages arrived?”

  “Uh-huh,” Sasha replied, staring out of the passenger window.

  Christian stopped for a red light. “When will my piano be delivered? I would like to start playing again.”

  “Uh- huh.”

  What the hell was wrong with him? “I’ve decided to quit acting and take up quilting.” Again, his cousin answered with the same tone. “You’ll join me of course. Collecting scraps, sewing edges. Shaving dogs for the stuffing.”

  “Uh—what?” Sasha’s lips rose on one side. “Have you gone mental?”

  “No, but I think you have. Anyway, what’s the status on my things?”

  Sasha pulled out his blackberry and touched the screen. “Quite a few have already arrived and are waiting for you at Chesson House. The rest should be here by the end of next week.”

  The light turned green and Christian drove to the town’s one grocery store. “Fantastic. The sooner Zoe sees I’m here to stay, the better.”

  “Uh-huh,” Sasha said, once again distracted by something. Or was it someone?

  Rose Holland, one of the owners of Carolina Dreams, had had an uncommon effect on his cousin. Sasha had been virtually silent as soon as he saw her, then rude. To a woman he’d never met before.

  Christian had apologized profusely to Rose before they left, but it didn’t look like that had helped. Rose had fixed Sasha with a look so cold that even he had shivered. Almost as if the room had dropped about thirty degrees. At one point he could have sworn he saw his breath coming out.

  “Rose got your tongue?” Christian teased.

  Sasha rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s got more than my tongue.”

  “You know her?”

  “Not really,” Sasha said, then tapped his fingers against his thigh. “Let’s get the rest of your honey-do list over with. I need to fly back to London this evening.”

  “Summoned by Vladimir?”

  “What do you think?”

  Well, that was that. “Have you found out any more information about who’s scooped the pictures of me? Currently, my agent and I aren’t speaking.” Martha hadn’t bothered to answer the last three emails Christian had sent her either, but she hadn’t ended their business relationship. Yet.

  “The two bloggers that have it are holding out until confirmation. Perhaps this can be contained after all? Why don’t you let me put out a statement about you and the wife. Generate some buzz.”

  The second and last stop light at the town’s only major intersection changed to red. Christian slowed the SUV to stop. “Absolutely not. I’m not using her for personal gain.”

  “But this could be the end of everything,” Sasha protested, but Christian could tell his cousin’s heart wasn’t in it.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Christian said. He’d find a way to keep B.T.S. funded, without them knowing about it. He didn’t need their approval anymore, only his wife’s.

  His cousin clapped him on the shoulder. “Proud of you, mate.”

  “Quite sentimental of you, Alexander.”

  “Don’t get all watery; I think you’ve completely lost it.”

  The light turned green. Christian slammed down on the gas pedal, laughing as Sasha was unceremoniously thrown back against the leather seat. “I hope to God I never find it.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  It had taken Christian longer than he’d like to get all of his errands accomplished and by the time he’d returned home—yes, he was most definitely calling Zoe’s house that—it was almost four in the afternoon.

  He’d dropped off Sasha, who was still moody as hell, at the airport before driving like a bat out of hell, keeping his eyes peeled for any animals on parade.

  Once again, he took some time to check out his new digs. The two-story home had gingerbread lattice work and large porches on the front and back. The siding was painted a bright white while the trim was a deep black with matching shutters. Spring flowers bloomed in wide flowerbeds along the front and side of the house. A large pecan tree sat off to the side with a sturdy branch hanging low enough for a tire swing.

  He would push his children on that swing. Hear them laugh and play. And he would never pit them against each other. Never tell one that he or she was worthless. Never abuse them.

  The thought of children startled him, but why shouldn’t he think about the future with Zoe? He’d done it all, seen it all (thanks to the duck and cat parade), and had it all.

  With that thought in mind, he grabbed some of the bags from the back of his SUV and headed in the house. After unloading everything and still no sign of Zoe, he headed out the sliding glass door to look for her. Her black Camaro was sitting in the driveway, so she hadn’t gone that route. But anyone could have come and gotten her. She was surrounded by a family that loved her, and, most likely, wanted to murder him.

  Which made them rise in his estimation.

  He found her, sitting on a large quilt under a flowering tree with her hands over her face. She had flowers and ribbons sticking out of the loose braid she wore.

  Zoe’s shoulders shook. The straps of her pink sundress had fallen down to rest on the each side as she trembled. It was the same dress she’d worn when they’d gotten married. Dammit, she was crying. Again. If he wasn’t the biggest ass on the planet, he didn’t know who was. He could have taken her with him instead of needing to prove himself to her. He made a move in her direction.

  She jumped to her feet and yelled, “Ready or not, here I come.”

  He stopped short and looked around. A little girl’s giggle sounded to the right of him and he could just make out the blonde curls that were visible over a green bush with yellow flowers. A bright pink bow wobbled at the top as the toddler moved.

  He stayed hidden o
n the porch, watching as Zoe chased her niece around the back yard, flowers falling with each step. High pitched shrieks punctuated the air until Zoe captured her in a big hug.

  “I hungry, Aunt Zoe,” the little girl said.

  He studied the child. She had to be SmithAnn.

  “Me, too.” Zoe grabbed the child’s hand, walking to the back porch. “I have all your favorite things in my pantry.”

  So his wife hadn’t needed the groceries after all. Or she thought she was sending him off on a wild goose chase. It didn’t matter, because if that’s what it took to earn her trust, then that’s what he’d do.

  He shoved his hands into his pocket and waited, a big grin on his face. The wind lifted the bottom of Zoe’s dress. She had the loveliest legs and the most tempting thighs. He sucked in a breath and thought of football. Of his agent. Of any damn thing that could put his mind to non-carnal thoughts.

  Zoe opened the screen door, her eyes widening. “I didn’t think you’d be back...” her eyes flicked down to SmithAnn. “So soon.”

  He bet she didn’t. He grinned at his new niece and got on his knees. “Hi, I’m Christian.”

  SmithAnn’s brown eyes mimicked her aunt’s, but for an entirely different reason. “It’s you!” She threw her arms around him, nearly over toppling him. “Prince Ian!”

  Zoe grabbed her niece and pulled her away. “What in the world are you talking about?”

  “I show you!” The little girl tugged on her arm, then placed a chubby hand on Christian’s. “I show you.”

  As her niece led them into house, Zoe couldn’t stop glancing at her husband. He was back. Seriously in the flesh back and had brought groceries. Bags of food covered the island in her kitchen. Suitcases were piled up by her front door. He really was serious about moving in with her.

  “Mind if I put my things in your closet?”he asked.

  She frowned at him.“Do I have a choice?”

  SmithAnn let out a cheer and did what all almost three years old could do. Turn on the flat-screen and work the DVD player. “Prince Ian and Uni!”

  Zoe smacked her mouth with her hand, laughing as Christian appeared on screen. He wore a gold crown and brandished a sword at a cartoon fire-breathing dragon. The perky sparkling unicorn, Uni, appeared by his side. They worked together to rescue the princess. However, the princess ended up saving them from her pet dragon who had only needed a nap to be less cranky.

  “I have you know that’s some of my finest work as an actor.” Christian’s voice was in her ear, hot breath caressing as his hands touched her hips. “Want to be my princess? I swear I’ll put something harder and larger than a pea in bed with you.”

  “Only you could take a children’s fairy tale and make it lascivious.”

  “Only you could say the word lascivious and make me want to bend you over the dining room table.” His hands slid lower, cupping her bottom. “Have I told you how lovely your ass looks when I’m taking you from behind?”

  She elbowed him in the stomach and he grunted, his hands falling away. “Not while my niece is here.”

  “When our niece leaves then.”

  “SmithAnn is spending the night.” That should fix his royal horniness.

  SmithAnn ran back to them and tugged on his shirt. “Come watch with me. Please?”

  Perfect. Let him have to be around a two year old for the rest of the day and night. He’d be out the door before dessert was served. She started toward her office.

  “Where are you going?” he asked, eyes widening as panic set in.

  “I’ve got work to do and as my husband it’s your job to entertain our niece while Melanie and Carter have a date night.” Striding down the hall, she grinned in satisfaction. “Let’s see how long you last.”

  Every twenty minutes Zoe would stop writing and sneak a peek at her niece and husband. At first Christian sat stiffly on the sofa beside her, apparently unsure of how to deal with a toddler. But after the third check, he and SmithAnn were having a tea party on the floor.

  His face was caked in makeup while barrettes made his hair stick out in odd places. A child’s dress up hat perched on the front of his head while a feather boa wrapped around his broad shoulders.

  “My tea and biscuits are quite delicious, Princess SmithAnn. I’m so delighted you invited me.” He leaned down, pressing the back of his hand against one side of his mouth. “However, I would appreciate if you’d tell the hippo with the wonky eye to stay home next time. Can’t hold his tea and keeps hitting on Miss Kitty. Bad form, I say.”

  SmithAnn giggled, clearly enchanted with him.

  Frowning, Zoe leaned against the wall. It didn’t look like he was in any mood to leave.

  “Uncle Christian, how long you staying?”

  Pale blue eyes met Zoe’s, pinning her to the wall with the emotion behind them. “Forever.” Despite the makeup and silly wardrobe he wore, she’d never felt more attracted to him.

  Or as in love.

  She could barely form the words, “Time to clean up for supper.” She struggled to maintain a semblance of control. Lightheaded, she tried breathing deeply. After a few measured breaths, she pulled out pots and pans, filling them up with water and a vegetable mix that she planned to stir-fry.

  Christian stood, picking up SmithAnn and following her to the kitchen. All the groceries had been put up and the kitchen was sparkling clean.

  “You did this?”

  “SmithAnn and I did, didn’t we?”

  Her niece nodded in agreement. The sparkly tiara she wore tumbled to the counter. Zoe picked it up, examining the headpiece. The gems looked real. Her eyes flew to Christian. He was busy seating his newest fan at the kitchen table and providing art supplies.

  “Be right back. I need to wash up. And here you go, my lady,” he said with a flourish of his hat.

  SmithAnn giggled as the yellow and green concoction was placed on the table beside a familiar wooden bowl of fruit. He’d actually kept that? Her heart flipped in her chest.

  “Did you buy this for SmithAnn?” she asked.

  “Yes, it came today,” he said and walked away, all masculine grace.

  She eyed the crown again, turning it around and around as the facets caught the light. “Are the real sapphires?”

  He turned and cast a smile at her. “Perhaps,” he said with a wink. He disappeared down the hall.

  “That’s so not funny. You can’t give a two year old real jewelry.” The bathroom door shut. “Christian?” She set the pretty tiara on her own head and sneaked a look at herself in the mirror hanging over the buffet in the dining room.

  “Totally fake,” she said as she pulled it off. She walked back to the kitchen and set it on top of her fridge.

  He returned a few minutes later, face freshly washed and golden hair free of her niece’s artistic hair skills. He placed a kiss Zoe’s cheek, then wandered over to her iPod dock.

  Soft strains of Colbie Caillat’s old hit “I Never Told You” filled the air. Water bubbled in the pot, cooking the noodles for a macaroni and cheese dinner that Melanie never let her daughter have, but at Aunt Zoe’s what momma didn’t know…

  “Dance with me,” he said, capturing her hand.

  “I guess I could, but only for twelve minutes.”

  His smile brightened the room.

  They danced. Slowly. Pressed together with his hand riding low on her back, but there was nothing sexual in his embrace. Nothing that would be inappropriate in front of her niece as she drew pictures of castles and butterflies.

  “She’s a very sweet little girl.”

  Zoe closed her eyes and leaned against his broad chest. “Thanks for letting me get my work done.”

  A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Mmm-hmm. I got your number, love.”

  Glancing over at the table to make sure her niece was still occupied, Zoe lifted her chin to look at the man holding her. “No, you don’t. I changed it, remember, and I’m not giving it out.”

  “Really?” he murmu
red and pulled her close again, his breath hot against her hair. “You know, I actually like the whole family thing we’re doing.”

  “I do this a lot. As in all the time.”

  “Trying to scare me away?” He stroked her cheek. “I’ve endured worse than a loving family bent on keeping their sister safe.”

  The reminded of just how loving his family could be, had her sucking in a breath. She pushed at his chest. “Let me go.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “Never. And I want a family. Kids. The white picket fence which you already have and a muscle car in the drive.”

  “Are you being cruel on purpose?”

  He put his mouth to her ear. “No, I’m trying to tempt you to stay with me. So I can give you what you want.”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t mean a word of it.”

  “While I’m completely serious.”

  “Me, too,” SmithAnn shouted, wriggling between them.

  Christian laughed, let Zoe go and scooped the toddler up in his arms. “Okay, Me Too. Let’s dance.”

  Hands shaking, Zoe tried to concentrate on dinner, but all she could think about was his words, seemingly sincere.

  Utterly deadly to her resolve.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “Bullshit.” Carter looked pointedly at Christian. He took a quick swallow of beer, setting the glass down on the table and leaning back his chair.

  Muttering under his breath, Christian grabbed the large pile of cards in the middle of the table and added them to his hand.

  This was getting bloody ridiculous. They were playing with two decks and he held the majority of the cards. “How in the hell did you know that I was lying? I make my living from acting.”

  Carter gave him an enigmatic smile. “I have my ways.”

  “Your turn, Z.” Melanie said.

  Zoe pulled some cards and placed them face down on the table. “Three sevens.” She took a sip of water, elbowing Melanie in the process. “Sorry.”

  “Watch those bony things!” Melanie quickly put down her own. “One eight.”