“Well, here’s the thing…” Sirens went off inside her head. Avoiding eye contact, Vance fiddled with the red rooster pitcher sitting on the table. “I need you to take them so I can get back to work.”
“Wait—”
“It’s the Methodist church right off Main Street. It’s not hard to find. They need to be there by eight thirty.”
“You’re not going?” Katie hoped she had disguised the panic in her voice. She didn’t have anything against attending church. She’d been meaning to get back into the habit. But not in this small town, which made her uncomfortable since everyone seemed to know her name.
“Sorry. Didn’t get as much done last night as I would’ve liked. Noticed you were up kinda late too,” he said, jolting her back to her sleepless night.
“How’d you know I was up late?” Images of him lurking outside her bedroom window should’ve angered her, but kinda didn’t. Hollywood harlots. She was losing it.
“Light was on. For a long time. Couldn’t sleep, could you? What were you doing, K-K-Katie?” he asked, as if he knew she’d been fantasizing about him and his big, bad naked self bathing in the copper tub…with her. Eep.
Mother of Miley Cyrus! Katie wondered when she’d become so transparent. She lived around actors 24-7. You’d have thought she’d have picked up some acting skills by now and could hide her feelings.
“Unpacking. Oh, and talking to my dad. He wanted to know if I’d found a location.” All true. No point admitting the whole fantasy thing.
Vance shoved his fists in his jeans pockets. “What did you tell him?”
Placing her dirty mug in the dishwasher, she said, “That I’d found a location. And you were signing the contracts today.”
“Right.” He straightened the chairs around the table. “But first the kids go to Sunday school.”
Katie recognized avoidance when she saw it. She tensed at the setback. Between Vance’s obvious reluctance and the pressure from her dad, she had a big challenge ahead.
“Okay. Under one condition. When I return, you and I are gonna talk, got it?”
No one was messing with Katie McKnight. Especially big, sexy tomcats up to no good.
Vance crossed the kitchen in two long strides. “Thanks, Kat, you’re a lifesaver.” Relief flooded his face. He hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her in for a long, hard kiss. Katie resisted by pressing her palms against his rock-hard chest—well, resist might be a bit strong. More like, she pressed herself against him and looped her arms around his neck for closer contact. The kiss deepened as he backed her against the kitchen cabinets. His rough hand moved to her throat, making her pulse jump. She savored the flavor of his mouth…coffee and forbidden wickedness. He nibbled on her lips, and the kiss softened. Katie reveled in his warmth and strength. She knew she should stop, but…not yet. As if he could sense her surrender, he crushed her closer and deepened the possession of her mouth.
“We…you…have to…stop,” she said in between nips and licks. This time she did push against him, and his head lifted.
“Why?”
Katie blinked, trying to clear her kiss-befuddled head. One hand heated the small of her back; the other rested precariously close to her already excited breast. “B-because. I have a boyfriend.”
Vance looked at her as if she’d spoken Swahili. “Boyfriend?” His hold tightened, and he swooped down for another brain-dissolving kiss, as if to wipe thoughts of her boyfriend from her mind. Which he did. Quite nicely, too. Making her knees turn to wet noodles, unable to refuse—okay, refuse might be wrong, more like surrender to burning desire.
“What’s his name?” he murmured, nibbling her lips as if they were made of sugar drops.
“Hmm?” Katie loved the texture of his firm mouth and the way his tongue swirled around hers. “Who?”
“The boyfriend.” Vance sucked her bottom lip.
“Er, oh. Hmmm,” Katie moaned, weaving her fingers through his long, thick hair. Vance rained nibbling kisses around her jaw, down her neck, and back up to her begging mouth.
“T-Tom.” Kiss. Kiss. Nibble. Kiss. Pop went the sound as Katie unlatched her lips from his. “I mean, Tad. His name is Tad.” She shook her head. Katie made an effort—weak at best—to move from the circle of his arms, but he refused to release her, staring with unreadable dark eyes.
“Tad? That’s not a name. I’ve never heard of it. What’s his last name?”
She cast her eyes down and examined their feet entwined on top of the black-and-white-checkered tile floor. She’d never been a big fan of Tad’s name. It always sounded juvenile, but when coupled with his last name, ugh…even worse.
“I’m not buying this relationship you have with Tad whoever. You don’t even remember his name.”
Her head popped up. “Yes…yes, I do. His name is Tad Poole, and he’s a wonderful guy,” Katie lied. He used to be wonderful when they first started dating, but as soon as he started working at McKnight Studios, he changed. He became obsessed with work, shamelessly sucking up to her dad at every opportunity. When Tad started lecturing her about her career choices, Katie felt betrayed. He’d barely been with the company a month, and he’d already gone over to the dark side.
“I’m sorry, but did you say Tad Poole, or Tad Pole?”
No pulling one over on this guy. He made his living with words. “Poole. He’s Tad Poole the Third. He comes from a very prominent family in Los Angeles. And—”
“You mean there’s a Tad Pole first and second? Do they come from a prominent family of frogs?”
“Yes. And since I’ve had the great fortune of kissing him and turning him into a prince, I will soon be a princess when we marry.” She gave her head a regal toss.
Vance moved back. Katie missed his closeness and hated herself for it.
Pointing a blunt finger at her face, he said, “Marry? You didn’t say anything about getting married. Your tadpole, frog-kissing days are over. Mark my words.”
Katie gave a nervous laugh. “This is a ridiculous discussion and has no bearing on why I’m here.”
Vance curled his hand around her neck. “I’d like to change that. Maybe we should go back to what we were doing before you brought up tadpoles.”
She pushed him away with force this time. “No. No more kissing.”
“Never?”
“No. Never. I’m here on business and business only. Well, that and babysitting. Business and babysitting. Kissing and groping are not part of the deal.”
He grinned down at her. “Sure I can’t change your mind?”
Maybe. Yes. No. No! She had a brief desire to punch him in the stomach, because she wanted to put kissing back on the table. Damn him.
“Vance Kerner, you are a black-hearted pirate with no scruples, and you should be thankful I’m going to church to pray for your soul.” Katie pushed past him and stomped out of the kitchen.
“Don’t run off. Where are you going?”
Katie wanted to press her palms over her ears to block out his boisterous laughter. “To shower. You can get the kids dressed for Sunday school.” If he didn’t stop laughing, she’d make him take the kids too.
“May I—”
Katie whirled around. “Don’t say it. Don’t even think it.” She shook her finger at him. “No. You may not join me.”
Chapter 7
“Hey, Miss California. Hold up a minute.”
After one and a half hours, church had let out and Katie was in the parking lot wrestling Danny into her booster seat inside the back of Vance’s truck. That was right. She was driving a beat-up, black Ford pickup truck to church. A first. Vance had to practically haul her up in it because the running board was missing on the driver’s side. He took great pleasure in placing his hand on her bottom while boosting her up and brushing her breasts while reaching for the seat belt. And her traitorous breasts properly
saluted him, putting a devilish grin on his face. She had a long four weeks ahead of her, if her body continued to misbehave and act like a Hollywood Boulevard slut.
She pulled her head from inside the cab after buckling Danny’s seat belt. “Yes?” A woman with platinum-blond hair, revealing electric-blue knit dress, and silver-studded pumps approached, followed by a much-thinner older woman with gray helmet-head, wearing a matching floral skirt and tucked-in top, along with beige Easy Spirit shoes.
“Dottie Duncan here.” The blond extended a hand sporting long orange nails and gold rings on every finger. “And Miss Sue Percy.” She indicated Helmet-head.
“Katie McKnight.” She shook hands with the women. A crowd was beginning to form in the parking lot as curious onlookers inched closer to hear the conversation.
“You’re Vance’s new girlfriend, aren’t you?” Dottie asked, narrowing her heavily made-up blue eyes.
Surprised at her bluntness, Katie stammered, “Oh, well, um…no. I’m a location scout and—”
“Katie’s going to marry Uncle Vance,” Donald announced loud enough from inside the truck for the growing crowd to hear. Katie cringed, squeezing her eyes shut. She’d known sleeping in the town gigolo’s house would somehow come back to haunt her.
“Yay, Kay-tee marry Uncle Pance,” Danny chimed in, clapping her hands.
“She’s sleeping in his bed.” Beautiful, blue-eyed, dark-haired, innocent Dover, who may not live past today, had sealed her doom.
“I told you Vance was shacking up with some California gal, Sue,” Dottie said to her companion.
“Only temporarily. I mean—! Um…we’re not shacking up. I’m here on business—”
“Well, if you’re not shacking up…it’s only a matter of time, dear.” Miss Sue Percy wore a pleasant but you-can’t-fool-me smile.
“Hey, you the girl from California?”
“You ever been on Wheel of Fortune?”
“When do auditions start out at the Kerner place?”
Katie grabbed the open door for support.
“Honey, you’ll get used to our ways soon enough.” Dottie gestured to the crowd. “Herman, Lois…y’all give our guest here some breathing room. They’ll be plenty of time for auditions later.”
The church crowd dispersed, waving their good-byes, leaving Katie alone with Dottie Duncan and Miss Sue Percy.
“You kids hungry?” Dottie asked, peering inside the truck.
“Yeah!” they all three chorused.
“Well, come on over to my place. Geraldine’s making hotcakes, with country-fried steak and grits.”
“Hotcakes too hot,” Danny said, shaking her head.
“Nah, taste just like pancakes. I’ve got lots of maple syrup.”
“Dottie, thank you for the invitation, but I should probably get the kids—”
“Nonsense. My grandkids are coming over, and they’ll make good playmates. How old are you?” she asked, pointing to Donald.
“Seven.”
“Perfect. You’re right between Jason and Bobby. You like to swim?”
“Sure.” Donald nodded.
“Go on home and get your swimsuits. Pool’s heated, even though it’s supposed to climb to the eighties today. Hannah, my granddaughter, is thirteen, and she can help with this little one here.” Dottie chucked Danny under the chin and then pulled a card from her bright yellow handbag and handed it to Katie. “Here’s my address. I’m a few blocks over on Chestnut Street. Vance can tell you.”
Katie stared at the card with a glamour shot of Dottie wearing a red boa around her neck; the business name Toot-N-Tell was inscribed at the top. She hesitated. “I should check with Vance first.”
“Don’t worry about that no-good playboy. He’ll be glad to have the peace and quiet.”
Probably. And not have to face Katie and her contract. One more delay. A nervous jolt kicked her stomach. She dreaded calling her dad with any more disappointing news.
Dottie nudged her friend. “Come on, Sue. I know you can use another cup of coffee and some delicious hotcakes.”
“Hurry, Katie. We wanna go swimming,” Donald said with the impatience of a seven-year-old.
“Don’t be late. Geraldine will have breakfast on the table in thirty minutes,” Dottie said in Katie’s ear. “You and me have some talking to do.”
They did? About what? If Dottie Duncan had some hidden talent she wanted Katie to critique, she might have to shoot herself.
* * *
Katie stood on the gray stone pavers outside Dottie Duncan’s ornate, three-story Mediterranean mansion, which looked out of place in small-town Harmony, and watched the boys horse around in the pool with Dottie’s grandkids. Young Hannah entertained Danny near the swim-out, flanked by two huge gilded dolphin fountains.
Katie sipped her fourth cup of coffee of the morning, wondering if her stomach lining would rebel from the abuse. Geraldine’s breakfast had been delicious, and Katie’s first taste of homemade grits had been surprisingly…good. A surge of guilt swamped her after consuming her third buttery hotcake with warm maple syrup. If her mother had been present, information on high body fat, bad cholesterol, and weight gain would’ve been dispensed with a direct, lethal hit. Katie frowned into her coffee. If her mother had been here, Katie would not have eaten at all.
Earlier, Vance had been too eager to shove her and the kids out the door with their swim gear stuffed in bags. He had appeared frazzled and strained around the eyes. Katie gave a resigned shrug, knowing it wasn’t the best time to bring out the contract. Preoccupied with his writing and all. Not that she knew him. She’d barely met the guy. But yeah, she kind of knew him, sleeping in his bed aside. This time when he hoisted her back into his truck he didn’t even cop a feel. And Katie had never been more relieved. Ha! Who you fooling, girl? She’d been flattered by all the attention Vance had paid her.
Especially when they’d locked lips. She’d managed to forget everything, including her judgmental dad, self-absorbed mother, and her now ex-boyfriend, Tad.
Initially, Tad had been charming and kind. But once he’d starting working for her dad, the bloom on their relationship had quickly faded.
Katie released a shaky sigh. Tad loved his job with McKnight Studios and had visions of following in her dad’s footsteps, since her brothers worked the legal end of the business. Guilt twisted like a sharp knife in her stomach. Something had to be seriously wrong with her if her family and boyfriend found her so lacking.
Katie’s cell chirped, jerking her from her disturbing thoughts. She didn’t need to look to know who was calling. It was as if he could read her mind.
“Hello.”
“Katie? Where’ve you been? I’ve been texting all morning,” Tad said, sounding exasperated.
Katie moved away from the pool for privacy, next to the large stone planters filled with blooming rose bushes. “Sorry. I was in church and had my phone off. Is everything okay? You sound upset.”
“You haven’t sent the pictures for your latest loca—church? What were you doing in church?”
“It’s a long story.” Something she would tell on a need-to-know basis only. She didn’t want her babysitting job getting back to her dad until she’d nailed down this location.
“Kathryn, your dad wasn’t happy with the previous places you showed him, and there’s been nothing new for the last four days. What have you been doing besides attending church?”
The bossy tone he reserved for her rubbed Katie wrong. She had to take it from her dad. She didn’t have to take it from Tad. “Did he tell you to check up on me? I already talked to him last night, and I’ve found the perfect place. He’ll be getting pictures today. What’s this all about?”
“Of course I’m checking up on you. Our getting back together hinges on your ability to do this job. Remember? I need you to work at this career and s
how me that you’ve got what it takes to stick.”
Katie ground her back teeth. How many nagging parents did a girl need? Part of the reason she took this scouting job was to get away. Away from the pressure. And now that she thought about it, away from Tad. Katie took in her surroundings: lush blooming garden, green lawn sprinkled with play equipment, sparkling blue pool filled with laughing, happy kids.
In Harmony, North Carolina.
A small town far, far away from Hollywood, California. If it weren’t for cell phones, she could disconnect completely. She sighed. That dream held merit.
Tad was still rambling on about her responsibilities when Katie interrupted, feeling irritated and cranky. “Last time I looked, you weren’t my father. And I have a few conditions of my own. Like stop checking up on me. Our getting back together hinges on that.”
“Katie, honey, I know you don’t mean that. My checking in with you is based on true concern. I only want what’s best for both of us. You must be tired from traveling. I’m sure you’ll be back to normal as soon—”
“Donald, Dover! Don’t!” Katie yelled.
Aaaeeeeeeeeooooooowwwww! Splash went the pool water, and droplets hit Katie in the face and chest. The boys’ cannonballs knocked little Danny with their wake. “Tad, I’ve gotta go. The boys are drowning Danny…”
“Wait. What boys? Kathryn, what the hell is going—”
Katie pushed the End button and shoved the phone inside the pocket of her khaki shorts. She stood on the edge of the pool. “Don’t make me put you in boot camp. Stop trying to drown your sister.” She wagged her finger at the rambunctious boys, who all wore sheepish grins before they ducked beneath the water. “Hannah, you doing okay with Dana Sue?” she asked the sweet teenager who seemed to have an unending supply of patience.
“Yeah, we’re diving for pennies.”
Katie nodded. Good. Maybe they’d all go to bed early and sleep like the dead tonight and give her a chance to pin down the elusive Jack Sparrow—disguised as Vance, the master of evade and avoid.
Dottie emerged from the house with a large glass of iced tea. “Katie, come sit with me beneath the umbrella.” She’d changed into a red maxi dress with blue rhinestones spelling flirty across her massive chest. Miss Sue followed, the only one who remained buttoned up in her church clothes.
Sweet Southern Bad Boy Page 8
