My Burning Temptation

by Melissa Devenport

  There was something in those green depths, something so wounded, so frightened and a spark of hopeful longing that gave Clayton the courage he needed to ask his next question.

  “Have you ever been to Santa Cruz?” He could tell that he’d startled Charlene. It took her a few long moments to answer.

  “California,” she breathed out. “No,” she finally said. “I don’t believe I have.” She started walking again and Clayton fell in easily and far too naturally beside her.

  “Would you like to?” He asked after a couple paces.

  Charlene whirled, pausing again. One hand went to her hip and her eyes flashed fire. Clayton couldn’t help but admire the angry stance. “Maybe this walk was a mistake. Maybe you’re right. You shouldn’t have come. If all you’re going to do is play games”

  She turned angrily but Clayton reached out and caught her arm. The heat of her skin burned up his arm. Clayton felt the shock waves in every single part of his body. He relaxed his grip, astonished at the effect she had on him. She was half his age, the daughter of a man who had once been his best friend. He should just go and leave well enough alone. Slowly, he dropped his hand back to his side and she eyed him warily.

  “I’m not playing games Charlene. I have a home in Santa Cruz. I would like you to see it. I just didn’t know how to ask you. It’s hardly the right time or place I know that. I just think, well, if you could use some time away from the house, a few quiet weeks to sort out your thoughts then I’m offering you my home.”

  One blonde brow arched as Charlene studied him. A jogger dressed in tight, neon green spandex shorts and a matching shirt, ran by. Clayton made a mental note never to take up the sport. He seriously doubted he would look any less ridiculous dressed like that than the guy who had just passed by did.

  “You’re offering your home?” Charlene questioned incredulously. “Just like that? You show up here after ten years and offer to whisk me away like some conquering hero on a white horse? What do you even know of me? And what would you expect in return?” Her eyes flashed like she already had him figured out and Clayton winced. His heart hammered because she hit far too close to the truth for even his liking. He’d always been so careful to control all his emotions. The only time he’d ever been free was in his fantasies.

  “Not what you’re thinking. I have a house on a private beach. It’s very secluded and beautiful. I’ve heard it said that there’s no better place for reflection… or escape.”

  “Escape? Is that what you think I need?”

  “I have no idea what you need Charlene.” Why was this escalating so out of control? Where the hell was his normally unflappable composure? “I’m just offering you a few weeks to decompress. I know your father’s last few months couldn’t have been easy.”

  “Watching people die never is.” Her voice was soft and contained no trace of bitterness. Her eyes also softened and her face lost the hard planes of anger.

  “I’d heard you had become a nurse. I can imagine it as you’ve always been so caring, so tender and kind.”

  “I have a hardness too. A determination that you never got the chance to see.”

  “You’re wrong there. I’ve always known that you had an unbreakable spirit.”

  Charlene studied him, her gaze raking over him intently for a few seconds. What did she see when she looked at him? Someone twice her age or a man, still fit, still handsome, hardly changed from the time she had known him last?

  “I have no money to get there,” she finally confessed on a long exhale. “I quit my job to care for my father and I used up almost all of my savings to pay for the funeral expenses. Until the will is settled in a few weeks… I’m afraid that I’m hardly even going to be able to make the mortgage payments on the house.”

  Clayton smiled softly. “Don’t worry about the money. I can take care of that. I’ll lend you some if you need it to cover the payments and the bills until you come into your own. Your father didn’t have life insurance?”

  “No. It was always so expensive. We just never got around to it. No one expects to die when they’re middle age.” Her voice was sad, her eyes deep pools of sorrow.

  “Say you’ll come,” Clayton almost begged. “I’ll take care of everything. You’ve been so strong. It’s time to let someone else shoulder the burden.”

  Shaking her head furiously, a small smile turned up Charlene’s full lips. “That’s a stupid thing to say.” Her voice was soft and her words weren’t harsh.

  “Charlene… just for a week. Come just for one week. At the very least it will get you out of the house. I can’t imagine you want to stay there by yourself now. Not at first.”

  Her delicate shoulders slumped in defeat. “You’re right. I don’t.” She eyed him for another long minute and Clayton stood rigidly, breath caught somewhere between his lungs and his too tight throat. He thought she was going to deny him despite her obvious reluctance to be alone. He was shocked when she stepped forward and leaned into him.

  All her lush curves hit his hard planes, her seductive, womanly body pressing into him with the sweet innocence of full trust. Clayton closed his eyes and willed himself to keep his shit together. He exhaled slowly, trying to focus his mind anywhere but on what Charlene was doing to his body.

  Slowly, carefully, Clayton wrapped his strong arms around her slight shoulders. He dipped his head and inhaled the floral scent of her shampoo or hairspray, he wasn’t sure which. He kept telling himself she saw him as an old friend. Someone to comfort her when she was alone in the world. It was nothing more than that. It could never be more than that. He could never allow himself to take advantage of her.

  Charlene pulled back and Clayton reluctantly let her go. His pulse spiked, his heart hammering furiously in his chest. He waited for her answer though he knew by the softness on her face that she was not going to deny him.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll come for a week. On one condition.”

  “What is that?” Clayton asked, hardly daring to hope.

  “That we keep it strictly professional. How my father would have wanted.”

  Her father wouldn’t have wanted Clayton anywhere near her. Wasn’t that the reason he had spent the past ten years hearing about his old friend through mutual connections? He’d missed Charles terribly. Her innocent sixteen year old crush had been the death of their friendship. It stung Clayton, even now, that Charles had thought he wouldn’t have composed himself nobly. How could he have thought that Clayton would do anything to encourage Charlene?

  “Of course,” Clayton responded smoothly. He kept his face perfectly neutral, searching for and finding his usual composure.

  Was it his imagination or did Charlene almost look disappointed? He almost threw in the caveat that it was her decision if their relationship should ever be anything more but he remained silent. There was no way in hell he was going to utter such foolish words.

  “When should I be ready to leave?”

  “In two days.”

  She arched a brow and shot him an accusing look. “I thought you said you were in town for a little while?”

  Clayton grinned, feeling suddenly very much like his old charming self again. “I was planning on it but now I don’t have to be. I’ll arrange everything. Can you be ready?”

  Charlene nodded, her features tightening though it was hard to decide whether it was from anxiety or anticipation.

  Two days. He had two days to prepare for Charlene’s arrival. He wondered how many days it would take her to change her mind about keeping him at bay. Clayton almost hoped she remained steadfast in her resolution. Charlene Penticton was the only woman on earth who had ever shaken him. She was the only woman on earth who could never be his.

  Chapter 4

  Traveling in Style

  When a shiny black limousine pulled up in front of the house, Charlene wondered what they could possibly want with her. Then she realized, with a start, that this was the car Clayton had said he would send for her.

>   A limo? Her mouth opened in shock. She stepped back, letting the drapes fall back into place before picking up her small suitcase by the handle and heading for the door.

  Charlene stepped outside onto the small porch. She turned and slid her key into the deadbolt, satisfied at the sound of it sliding into place. She paused, her hand on the doorknob.

  Was she insane? She’d asked herself that no less than a million times during the past few days. She shouldn’t be going to Clayton’s house in Santa Cruz. Not only was it half way across the country, he was paying her expenses. It was shameful for someone who had always prided herself on her independence and capability to see to her own needs. She felt the heady need of indebtedness though she knew Clayton expected nothing in return.

  Was it just because she longed to make amends for what happened that she agreed to go? Her stupid teenage crush had parted two life-long friends. No, she knew it was more than that. She only felt that she owed Clayton something because she wanted to feel that way.

  The night after her father’s funeral, Charlene had been unable to sleep. She was lonely and filled with grief but she was unable to sleep for the fact that she kept wondering what on earth she had agreed to. Half of her wanted to go and half of her knew she shouldn’t. She had made Clayton promise that he would act like a gentleman but what happened when she lost her senses and begged him not to?

  What had once been a crush had grown into something so much deeper over the years. She’d thought she was safe, inserting Clayton into her most secret fantasies. She never imagined that she’d see him again. When she’d found out he was married, her hopes had sunk irrationally. It was the only bit of news about Clayton her father had ever shared with her.

  Regretting fully her impulsive decision to give in to years of longing, Charlene tried to back out of the trip but Clayton had called her early the morning after she’d seen him to confirm he’d made her travel plans. He said he would send a car and that there was a plane ticket waiting for her at the airport.

  How had he arranged everything so soon?

  Noticing her on the step, the limo driver got out and walked quickly up the sidewalk edging the driveway to help her with her tiny suitcase. Though she easily could have handled it herself, Charlene turned it over. Up close she could see that the man was much older than she’d first thought. His hair was gray under his cap and his face was lined with wrinkles. He was almost a full head shorter than her and his eyes were kind. A myriad of laugh lines crinkled the corners.

  She was unsure what to do next so she followed the silent driver. He put the bag in the car’s trunk then went around to the side and held the door open for her.

  “It should only be a twenty minute drive to the airport ma’am.” The driver touched the brim of his hat and Charlene nodded, sliding into the backseat. He closed the door behind her. She was relieved the black glass partition between them was up. That way maybe the driver couldn’t see how flustered, inexperienced and confused she was.

  If Clayton wanted to impress her he’d certainly succeeded.

  The surprises only kept coming. At the airport, the driver steered the limo right in through a secured area and onto the tarmac.

  “What the hell?” Charlene stared out the window, expecting to see a flock of security personal come rushing at them any second. No one came. The whole place looked deserted.

  Her door opened and the driver eyed her curiously. “The jet ma’am. It’s right there. I’ll get your bag and you can board as soon as you wish.”

  “What jet?” Charlene hated the lostness in her own voice. She inched backwards, closer to the car than the open door.

  “Mr. Ellison instructed me to see you to the private jet. I thought he would have informed you.”

  Charlene pasted a smile onto her face. “I’m sure it was just a surprise.” She finally climbed out of the car and stood waiting while the driver got her bag. Once he did she followed him over to the large plane clearly waiting for her.

  What the hell? How could Clayton afford this? Why did he have a private jet at his disposal? She wanted to ask the driver her questions and get some answers but she didn’t dare. She didn’t want to seem any more ridiculous than he probably thought she was already.

  “The stairs are over there. Feel free to enter and find whatever seat is best. The pilot is already waiting inside and there is a stewardess to assist you with any needs you might have.” The driver touched the brim of his hat again. “Enjoy your trip to San Jose. There will be a car waiting to take you to your destination after you arrive. Have a safe flight.”

  “Thank you,” Charlene said woodenly but meaning what she said. The man nodded. She wished she had something to give him for a tip but she figured the five dollar bill in her purse would be more insulting than anything.

  Turning, she faced the giant plane. Holy shit. This was really for her. She was really going to get on that thing and fly half way across the country to meet a man she obviously knew nothing about. Her sixteen year old self would have leapt for joy and applauded her good luck and bravery. Her older self, the woman who had seen her father grow sicker and die was far more cautious.

  As she climbed the steps to the plane’s entrance, Charlene wondered what other secrets of Clayton’s she’d discover.

  Chapter 5

  Entering a New World

  Charlene’s eyes widened when the car that had taken her from the San Jose airport to Santa Cruz pulled up at what could only be Clayton’s house. She gasped when she’d first set eyes on the sprawling mansion with the private beachfront. The house had that ultramodern design that she wasn’t quite sure if she’d ever been a fan of but she had to admit it was impressive. It was done all in white and looked like five squares of varying height all joined together.

  There was a pool in the back even though it was right on the ocean. Charlene couldn’t see it but she was willing to bet money that it was there. A three tier fountain with an angel on top spouted water in the front yard. The grass that ran past the driveway and into the front yard was lush and green and immaculately cared for. Perfectly trimmed shrubs bracketed the house and lined the walkway.

  The driver, a younger man who always kept his eyes focused on her face as though awaiting instruction, came to open her door for her. Charlene was ready. She purposely didn’t look around her like a lost puppy. As she walked up the long driveway towards the front door, the driver right behind her, wheeling her small bag. She couldn’t help but pause for a second and stare out past the house to the endless blue expanse of ocean.

  The beach was beautiful. It wasn’t the white sand variety but it didn’t need to be in order to be breathtaking. She could imagine putting on her bikini in the heat of the day, rushing across the hot sand and diving into the cool ocean waters.

  Her thoughts helped distract her until the driver reached past her and knocked gently on the ornate front door. It was wood and rose likely eight feet tall. Glass partitions stood out beside the door but it was impossible to see into them as the glass was fogged for privacy.

  The door opened and Charlene almost expected a butler but it was Clayton. He smiled when he saw her and it transformed his face from serious and hard into one that looked at least twenty years younger. He was dressed much more casually than the last time she’d seen him. He was wearing dark wash jeans and a tight fitting black t-shirt that outlined his muscular chest and arms. Unbelievably enough his feet were bare, as though he’d just come from the beach or outside.

  Good lord, Clayton was likely in better shape than she was. Was it any wonder that the sixteen year old version of herself had been madly in love with him?

  What about the twenty-six year old version?

  Charlene swallowed hard. Clayton thanked the driver and the man turned, doffed his hat and left. She was alone, on Clayton’s doorstep, wondering for the millionth time if it was crazy that she had agreed to come.

  “Charlene,” Clayton finally said, breaking the awkward silence. “Come in. Pleas
e.”

  “Thank you.” She stepped through the entrance and couldn’t help but emit a strange, strangled, impressed sound when she looked around. “This is amazing,” she finally said, because she had to say something.

  Clayton’s face remained impassive. If he was pleased that she liked his house, he didn’t say so. She had a thousand questions but she kept them to herself.

  “I can show you where your room will be. You could put your bag in there and then you could tell me what you want to do.”

  “No itineraries?” Charlene joked. Clayton had the kind of house that told her he was a scheduled type of person. She tried hard to keep her eyes away from him but they kept straying back.

  As impressive as the house was with its massive staircase made of wood planks and glass railings, the huge, spacious living rooms with the hardwood floors, and the even more impressive kitchen… it couldn’t hold a candle next to Clayton himself. How the hell was he so fit?

  She knew he was divorced. She’d been devastated to learn about his marriage though she was careful to hide her sorrow. When she found out through mutual friends that he was getting a divorce, ironically enough she’d been sad. She didn’t like to hear of broken marriages or people getting hurt.

  “No itineraries,” Clayton confirmed, grinning to reveal perfectly straight, white teeth. Charlene starred when she noticed that the front two were no longer slightly crooked. How could she have missed that when she’d first seen him again? Did she even know Clayton at all anymore? “I thought you might like to see the beach though. The tide goes out right away and there’s a little cave just around the corner that we could go to. It’s pretty neat if you’ve never been inside of one.”

  “That would be fun.” Charlene cursed herself for sounding like an overwhelmed child but if Clayton noticed he didn’t pay any attention.

  His dark eyes never strayed from her face and finally he turned and she followed him up that impressive staircase to her room. He dropped her bag on the king sized bed. The room itself was sparsely but expensively furnished.