The Fairest of Them All

The atmosphere in the room grew thoughtful.

Daniel cleared his throat. “You’re trying to tell us something.”

“Nothing you don’t already know,” Russ said gently. “Carly’s a woman. She still needs you, but not in the same way she used to.”

Troy shifted his stance. “But if we don’t look after her, who will?”

Russ wanted to say that he would, that they needn’t worry. But that wouldn’t solve the problem. She didn’t want to be taken care of. “I think Carly wants to look after herself. If she doesn’t get some space, she might decide she needs to prove herself. And you don’t want that.”

They all muttered their agreement.

The men grew uncomfortable with the serious discussion and found excuses to leave the room. Garth, however, hung back and when the others had left, he turned to Russ.

“You want her,” he said bluntly.

Russ’s lip curved grimly. “You know me well.”

Garth shook his tousled dark head and sighed. “I don’t know if she’s ready for this, Russ.”

“I’m not waiting any longer. I’ve been planning this for two years.”

Garth’s eyes widened in surprise. “Two years? I guess this isn’t just one of your flings, then.”

Russ understood the question. After all, when they had roomed together in college, Garth had seen the number and variety of females that had paraded in and out of his life. “I mean business,” Russ assured him. “Cut me some slack. Between you and your brothers and Carly’s drive for independence, this summer is going to be pure hell.”

Garth chuckled and gave Russ a commiserating pat on the shoulder. Russ shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed. He was determined to remain clearheaded and objective. With painful accuracy, he recalled the one time he’d acted impulsively and the disastrous results. He’d made a complete fool of himself during his brief ill-fated marriage, and it wouldn’t happen again. Russ prided himself on his ability to extricate himself from emotionally volatile situations. As a matter of fact, he’d given Carly’s brothers a tip or two on the subject.

Shaking his head, Russ thought back to Carly’s parting comment. He hadn’t counted on the full scope of her feminine pride. He’d tried to make his request as nonthreatening as possible. In trying to reassure her, he’d obviously botched his plan. Now he had to figure out how to get things back on track.

The next morning, Carly was late for church. She scooted in the last wooden pew, not wanting to draw attention to her tardiness. It was those crazy erotic dreams. She’d tossed and turned a good part of the night, then overslept this morning. And it was all Russ Bradford’s fault.

The ushers took the offering, and the choir sang a soothing hymn. The quiet setting had just begun to calm her when Russ appeared beside her pew. Carly tensed, but moved over.

She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead at the pastor, although she couldn’t hear a word he said.

Russ leaned over and murmured in her ear, “To err is human.”

She remained silent.

“Are you ever going to speak to me again?” he whispered.

Giving up her pretense of paying attention, Carly sighed. “I haven’t decided. I’m torn between wringing your neck and apologizing for telling you to go to—” She broke off, remembering she was in church. Even though God knew what she’d said to Russ, she didn’t think she needed to refresh His memory.

“Let me take you to lunch,” Russ murmured.

She cut her eyes at him and started to shake her head.

“No strings,” he whispered.

The older woman in front of them turned around and frowned. Carly pointed at Russ. The woman’s frown turned to a smile. Carly looked at the ceiling.

“Lunch,” he murmured again.

“Be quiet,” Carly said.

“Lunch.”

Carly was caught in a dilemma. She wanted her easy friendship with Russ back, but she had to get rid of this new awareness first. It was making her do crazy things, think crazy thoughts.

“It’s not like I’m asking you to go to bed,” Russ whispered.

Her heart jumped. Shocked, Carly’s head whipped around. He couldn’t possibly know she’d dreamed that very scenario this morning.

She studied him carefully. His brown eyes held the same lazy humor as always. His body appeared relaxed, with one ankle propped across the opposite knee, and one arm resting behind her on the top of the pew. If she were just a little closer, his big hand might be on her shoulder or back. Her stomach fluttered.

Something about the set of his mouth told her he wasn’t going to give up.

“Will you be quiet?” she asked in her softest voice.

“Lunch.”

“Yes,” she whispered tersely.

Chapter Two

Carly was relieved Russ didn’t begin a discussion about the pastor’s sermon. Since she’d spent the rest of the service mentally rehearsing all the logical reasons why she couldn’t be his summer escort, she could only guess what the pastor had talked about.

Russ had suggested the Davy Crockett Diner. She politely agreed. He ordered steak. She ordered chicken.

She expected him to begin negotiations any minute.

Russ loosened his burgundy-print tie. “I met your new assistant last night. She told me you’re looking for new entertainment.”

Carly nodded and relaxed. “For the cruises with meals. I think it would draw more customers, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money.”

He smiled at the waitress as she served their iced tea and tossed salads.

“Have you thought about a disc jockey?”

“Yes, but they’re so loud.” Carly took a sip of her drink. “I don’t know what I want. Just something different.”

“Why don’t you let your waitstaff pull double duty? Maybe they could serve drinks and dessert, then do some kind of musical comedy act.”

Carly considered the idea and felt a spark of excitement. “That’s wonderful. I could hire some community college students. Their schedules would be flexible.” She beamed at him. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Carly took a bite of her salad and made a mental note to contact the community college tomorrow. After a moment, she noticed that Russ was still looking at her. She felt a curious tugging in her stomach.

“So you think the idea will help?”

“Yes, thanks for sharing it with me.” She had a niggling feeling he expected something besides thanks from her. Then the light dawned.

“Exactly how much is this idea going to cost me, Russ?”

Russ raised his hands. “Hey, I’m on your side. Consider it a token of my friendship.”

Carly nodded and went back to her salad.

“Of course, if you found it in your heart to return the favor…”

Glancing back up at him, she noted the guileless expression on his face. His eyes, however, were pure temptation. She gave up on her salad. “I don’t suppose you have any ideas about how I could return the favor?”

“Well,” he said, slowly rubbing his chin, “since you brought it up, there is one thing.”

“Uh-huh,” Carly said.

He bobbed an ice cube with one of his fingers.

“What I need is a beautiful, intelligent woman who will let me take her out to dinner and community functions for the next few months.”

He glanced back at her. “I find I have a preference for a tall, leggy riverboat owner with short, dark hair and violet eyes. And a smile a man would kill for.”

His warm gaze fell on her eyes, then her mouth. Despite reason, Carly’s heart fluttered. Her cheeks heated. She felt charmed and flattered. She almost believed the snake. It was on the tip of her tongue to accept. What woman would turn away this delicious, undivided attention from such a sexy man?

Then she came to her senses. “Have you considered the personal ads?”

A reluctant grin tugged at his mouth as he shook his head. “Carly, this is no way to treat a buddy.”

That was the problem. She didn’t see Russ as just a buddy. She saw him as a desirable man. Although his teasing was intended as innocent fun, she could easily envision herself getting hurt under the constant onslaught of his brand of masculine attention. Everybody knew Russ Bradford changed women as often as a college freshman changed majors.

She risked an assessing glance at him. Since his brief disastrous marriage, no woman had ever touched Russ’s heart. When things got sticky, Russ extricated himself from the situation. He had the ability to hold his emotions aloof. After her childhood, Carly needed a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.

Just then, the waitress set their steaming entrées on the table, and Russ led the conversation in other, less volatile directions.

They talked about her new brochure. She asked about his mother who had moved to Florida after Russ’s father’s death.

One of Carly’s clients, Francine Granger, and her husband stopped by their table. “Carly, you’re just the person I’ve been wanting to talk to. We need to confirm my reservation for our anniversary party on your riverboat.” Francine gave her balding husband an affectionate squeeze. “Norman and I have been married for twenty-five years, and we want a big celebration.”

Carly smiled at the effervescent Francine and long-suffering Norman. She’d bet money that Norman would be happy with a quiet dinner at home, but she wouldn’t quibble. Francine’s anniversary party promised to be as extravagant as the woman herself.

“Russ, you will be able to play the piano for us, won’t you?” Francine continued.

Carly’s stomach sank. She and Russ still hadn’t resolved the issue, and she didn’t want to lose Francine’s business.

The middle-aged woman, who happened to be a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, fixed an appraising eye on Russ. “You know, Russ, my daughter Caroline will be visiting from graduate school soon. She’ll need someone to take her around. Do you think you could—”

Russ cleared his throat and threw a meaningful glance at Carly. “As far as my playing for your party, that’s totally up to Carly.”

She could have killed him. He’d boxed her in. Francine and Norman were waiting for her reply. If she refused, she might lose the business. If she accepted, she’d be obligated to Russ for the entire summer.

Slowly, as if the words were squeezed from her, Carly said, “Russ will play for your party.” Then her mind snatched another idea. The corners of her mouth turned up into a bright smile. “As for Caroline, Russ is—”

“Completely booked,” Russ interjected smoothly. He shot her a grin that somehow mixed triumph and sensual promise. “I’ve got all sorts of plans for this summer.”

The Grangers murmured goodbye while Carly glared at Russ. “That was dirty,” she hissed after they left.

Russ shook his head. “That’s negotiation. I give you something you want.” His warm gaze lingered on her lips. “You give me something I want.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. Carly knew his explanation was pragmatic, but that didn’t explain her dizziness. She cleared her throat. “And what do you want?”

“I’m attending a banquet next Saturday where I’m supposed to present an award. I need you to go with me.” He shrugged. “Natalie’s been hinting about rings I won’t be buying her.”

Carly felt a stab of disappointment. Ever practical, Russ sensed when a woman was getting too close and preferred to take care of it in an expedient way. She sighed in defeat. Grudgingly, she asked, “What time?”

“Five-thirty,” he said as they stood to leave. “And heels would be nice, Carly.” Russ ignored her startled expression. He’d thrown in that last request as a test. She hated wearing heels. Opening the door, Russ stifled the urge to let out a victory yell. His plan was working.

It hit Carly late one night when she was going through some correspondence at the office. She shoved aside the bills and thank-you notes from the local police and senior citizens group.

Carly almost tossed the form letter announcing the opening of Central Tennessee’s Women and Children’s Center. One of the support groups, however, struck her as if she were an unarmed soldier.

Children who have lost a parent.

She should be past it, but her memories were ruthlessly vivid. She remembered a five-year-old girl struggling with the death of her mother, crying alone in bed. How many nights had she called for Mommy or Daddy and neither had come?

She rubbed her cheeks, surprised to find them damp. She remembered the stuttering. She remembered reaching out to her daddy only to have him turn away. It had gotten worse when her stepmother, Eunice, entered the scene. Looking back, Carly realized she’d lost both parents at the same time. While her stuttering had inspired her brothers’ protective nature to epic proportions, her father had become more distant.

Carly had spent the first part of her life trying to reach an unreachable man. A man who kept his emotions to himself. She wouldn’t do it again. She’d tried hard to please her stepmother when her stepmother didn’t want to be pleased.

An uneasiness settled deep in her stomach at the thought. Although Russ was kind, he scrupulously avoided emotional involvement. Could she spend the summer pretending to be his romantic interest and remain unaffected?

Carly thought of Russ’s sexy mouth and shuddered. You’re dead meat.

Disgusted with her weakness, she thumped her desk. She would just have to remind herself that Russ would never be serious about her. Russ liked to play. When things got emotional, he tended to leave. She needed a man who could handle the tender side of a relationship.

With that plan in mind, Carly felt comforted. She looked at the letter again. She couldn’t volunteer. It would hurt too much. She could, however, offer a cruise as a special outing for the children. Going with her instincts, she wrote a letter to the center and sent it off.

At twenty-nine minutes after five on Saturday night, Carly was tearing through the bottom of her closet in search of heels. She pulled out a pair of pink fuzzy bedroom slippers, tennis shoes and black patent-leather flats. She felt hopeful when she found a white sandal with a real heel, but she couldn’t find its mate.

The doorbell rang, and she cursed. “Just a minute,” she called. What was wrong with her? This was just Russ, for Pete’s sake. She took a deep breath and stood. Smoothing the little black knit dress over her hips, she attempted to regain her composure.

She glanced into the mirror and approved the contrast between her freshwater-pearl choker and the black jewel neckline. After ruffling her hair and applying red lipstick, Carly scooted into the black patent flats and went to open the door.

Russ stood there, bigger than she remembered, rendering her temporarily shy. He wore a brown nubby silk sport coat that accented his broad shoulders. His dark red hair was brushed back, but part of it fell attractively over his forehead. Sexy, she thought. Then she clamped her teeth into her lip before it could quiver.

As the silence continued, a grin played around the edges of his brown eyes, but not his mouth. Carly felt like a gawky adolescent again, and she didn’t like it one bit.

Russ gave her just enough time to become uneasy, then said, “You look good.” He touched one of her dangling earrings. “Pretty. Are you ready?”

Carly breathed carefully. “Yeah.” Then she laughed at herself and closed the door behind her. “I never asked you who’s sponsoring this banquet.”

“The chamber of commerce. You might be able to drum up some business while we’re there.” He glanced pointedly at her feet. “No heels?”

“High heels hurt my feet. You’re such a practical man I’m surprised you like them.”

He looked her over once again. “Every man has his weaknesses. Why don’t we skip the banquet and go back inside? I’ll tell you all about mine.”

An instant surge of heat sped through her veins. He wasn’t serious, she reminded herself. But the image of Russ, naked and aroused, giving and demanding, robbed her of speech. She cleared her throat. “You need to present an award,” she reminded him, walking toward his car. “And I’m hungry—”

“So am I,” Russ said in a sexy growl behind her.

Carly spent the short drive telling herself not to wonder what kind of hunger Russ was talking about and exactly what breathtaking methods he would use to appease that hunger. By the time they arrived, she was gritting her teeth with the effort.

She and Russ entered the hotel banquet room where rows of tables dressed in white tablecloths and candlelight created an elegant mood. They were seated across from Natalie Conner and her date, Bob Miller, the new electronics company representative.

A voluptuous blonde with sexy, reproachful brown eyes, Natalie had been the darling of Beulah County High School when Carly had been an awkward nobody. Natalie was the kind of woman who somehow always seemed to make Carly feel less confident. It wasn’t just Natalie’s appearance. It was her manner. Even now, Carly had to resist the feelings of inadequacy the other woman’s presence generated.

“Russ, honey, when will you be taking your catfish to the processor again?” Natalie asked with an adoring smile.

“In another two months,” Russ answered simply.

Carly took another sip of her wine, swirled it around in her mouth and wondered if it would taste better as the evening wore on.

Russ went to the podium to present the award for best new business contribution to the community, and Natalie finally acknowledged Carly. “That’s a cute little dress you have on, Carly. I wouldn’t have thought someone with your height could wear that style.”

While Carly tried to decide if that was a compliment or not, Russ returned to the table. Dancing began, and Natalie immediately pulled him onto the floor.

A furrow of irritation crossed Russ’s face, and Carly felt unexplainably consoled. She noticed his warm gaze returning to her throughout the dance. It made her feel attractive, desirable… Carly rolled her eyes. What she really felt was crazy.

“Would you like to dance?” Bob asked.

“Why not?” Carly said with forced enthusiasm.

They shuffled along to the lovelorn song the band played. “She’s kind of overwhelming, isn’t she?” Bob asked.

“Natalie?”

“Yeah. She works for my boss. I didn’t understand why she gave me the big rush about coming to this banquet at first. Now I do.” Bob pushed his tortoiseshell glasses up on his thin nose.

Carly attempted to think of something kind to say about Natalie Conner. Glancing over at Natalie and Russ, she saw the woman press her well-endowed body into him and run her red fingernails through his hair. Carly gave up on saying something nice and switched the subject. “Have you been with National Electronics long?”

“Several years.”

She’d just suggested National Electronics hold their next company social on Matilda’s Dream when Russ cut in.

“You’re not holding up your end of the bargain,” Russ said in a no-nonsense voice as he took her into his arms.

Carly blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re supposed to act like you’re happy to be with me instead of hustling Natalie’s date.”

“Well, Bob’s been a little more accessible. The way Natalie plastered herself against you, I’d have needed dynamite to blow you two apart.”

Carly felt his shoulder muscles tense beneath her hand, but she continued anyway. “Besides, you didn’t say anything about me fawning over you when I agreed to come to this banquet.”

Russ’s voice became very quiet. “If I wanted fawning, I could have Natalie.” His arms tightened, drawing her even closer. “I know it’ll be tough, but for the next few minutes, pretend you find me attractive.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. She wouldn’t have to pretend, she realized. Intellectually, she’d always known that Russ’s body was hard and firmly muscled, but she’d never noticed it as a woman would. In her present position, with her breasts heavy against his chest, her stomach fluttering against his abdomen, and his powerful thighs twined with hers, she was fully, femininely aware of him.

“Attractive,” she repeated in an unsteady voice.

Russ raised her hand to his cheek and nuzzled it. “Pretend you feel possessive about me.” When he lowered his mouth to the vulnerable skin just below her ear and made that same nuzzling motion, her heart jumped into her throat.

“Pretend we’re lovers,” he whispered into her ear.

His words hit her with such force, she would swear both the walls and the floor of the banquet room rocked and trembled. Her knees felt like Jell-O, and her head was cloudier than the sky during an electric storm.

For one brief moment, Carly stared into Russ’s eyes and saw the eyes of a hunter, hungry and predatory. She looked at his mouth and felt an achy emptiness inside her.

Then someone jostled her, and she came to her senses. Heat scored her cheeks. This was Russ.

“Have you lost your mind?” she asked breathlessly. “If you wanted Natalie to back off, you should have picked someone more believable. She’s never been threatened by me.”

“She is now,” he said mildly.

“Oh, yeah?” Carly couldn’t keep the disbelief from her voice. “Why?”

“You’ve got me.”

Carly opened her mouth to retort, but to her consternation, no clever words came to mind. She frowned.

The music stopped, and Russ caught her off guard, bringing her hand to his warm mouth. He kissed her bandaged finger. “What’d you do this time?”

A quiver danced through her. She slowly released the breath he’d stopped. “Boo-boo of the week,” Carly said and took another breath. Where had all the oxygen gone? “I had an argument with a paring knife, and it won.” She smiled and removed her hand from his, eager to put some space between them.

Russ guided her back to the table. “I think we can leave now,” he murmured, allowing his lips to brush her ear. “Unless you want to stay?”

Carly resisted the urge to rub away the effect of that distracting caress. Instead, she shook her head.

After a perfunctory goodbye to Natalie and Bob, Russ nudged her toward the exit. When they reached the car, she slumped into the leather seat with a sigh. “Well, tonight won’t have been a total loss if National Electronics starts giving me some of their business.”

Russ revved the powerful engine and backed out of the parking space. “I’m sure Bob will be calling you,” he said none too happily, recalling the interested expression on the other man’s face.

“Good. I’ll be that much closer to my goal,” Carly mumbled and closed her eyes.

Russ’s ears pricked up. “What goal?”

Carly sighed again. “I want to buy out my—” She broke off abruptly and sat up straighter.

“Buy out my what?” He looked at her. She was almost squirming in her seat. “Is it a secret?”

A long silence followed. “I guess it is.”

He didn’t push. From past experience, Russ knew that pushing her was a mistake. “If it’s important to you, then I hope it works out.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her relax slightly.

“It is important. Maybe even vital. And I’ll make it happen or die trying.”

Russ steered the car into a vacant parking space in her small apartment complex. He placed a hand on her delicate shoulder, loving the feel of her warmth and softness. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to kill yourself,” he said with a lazy grin. “But let me know if I can help you out.”

She wavered. It was only a few seconds, but he saw it in her eyes before she straightened and set her chin.

“I’ve got to do this myself.” She softened the statement with a smile. “But thanks anyway.”

Russ resisted the urge to pull her into his lap and kiss the resistance out of her. He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Time for all hardworking ladies to get to bed. Will you share yours with me? I’ve got a long drive back to the farm.”

He heard her soft gasp. Then she hooted with laughter.

“Give me a break, Bradford. When it comes to meaningless flirtations, you wrote the book—and sold it to my brothers. A woman would have to be crazy to take you seriously.” Carly smiled and poked his chest. “If you’ve got such a long drive, you’d better get moving.” Then she opened the car door and got out.