The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake: The Cinderella Scandal / Man Beneath the Uniform / Sin City Wedding

‘‘No.’’ Rachel pulled her hand from Jason’s, then looked at Reid. ‘‘We didn’t mean to involve you. I’m sorry.’’

Tears shining in her eyes, Rachel quickly followed after her mother. Jason started after her.

‘‘Jason.’’ Tina touched his shoulder and shook her head. ‘‘Please. Not now.’’

Jason stopped; a muscle jumped in his jaw. Shaking off Tina’s hand, he turned on his heel and stomped out the side garden gate, slamming it behind him.

Tina slowly released the breath she’d been holding. That had been close. Too close. Forcing a smile, she turned to Reid. ‘‘Thank you. You have no idea what kind of disaster you just diverted.’’

‘‘Why don’t you tell me?’’

Though her first impulse was to hold back, Tina reminded herself he had helped, after all. She supposed she at least owed him the truth. ‘‘Jason and Rachel are in love.’’

The look he gave her said, ‘‘Duh.’’

‘‘Rachel doesn’t like confrontation,’’ Tina explained. ‘‘She knows my parents wouldn’t approve of her dating Jason, so they’ve kept it a secret.’’

‘‘Why wouldn’t they approve?’’

‘‘For one thing, he’s an employee. That’s always been absolutely forbidden.’’

‘‘So why doesn’t he just quit?’’

‘‘It’s not that simple.’’ Tina sighed. ‘‘He’s also the lead singer in a band called Controversy.’’

‘‘The struggling musician,’’ Reid said thoughtfully.

‘‘A double whammy,’’ Tina said with a nod. ‘‘Even if he quit the bakery, my parents still wouldn’t approve. And Rachel won’t let him quit the band. She knows how much his music means to him.’’

‘‘Is he any good?’’

‘‘Rachel says so.’’ Tina hugged herself when a cold breeze swirled leaves around her feet. ‘‘But it’s a tough business.’’

‘‘You’re cold.’’ Reid shrugged out of his suit jacket and dropped it over her shoulders. ‘‘Here.’’

‘‘No, really, I’m fine, you don’t have to—’’

When he took hold of the lapels and tugged her closer, Tina’s protest died on her lips. She could feel his warmth inside the jacket, could smell his masculine scent on the brushed wool. When he tugged her closer still, her pulse skipped, then raced.

‘‘When I came out here tonight,’’ he said, gazing down at her, ‘‘I thought you were the woman Jason was kissing.’’

If she’d had any air left in her lungs, Tina might have laughed. ‘‘Me?’’

He nodded. ‘‘I thought you two were involved.’’

She did laugh now, though it was such a throaty, deep sound that she wondered where it came from. ‘‘That’s why you asked me about Jason earlier, after—’’ She stopped, felt her cheeks heat up.

‘‘After you kissed me,’’ he murmured.

‘‘I kissed you?’’ Lifting an indignant brow, she angled her head and met his dark gaze. ‘‘That’s not the way I remember it.’’

‘‘Yeah?’’ His gaze dropped to her mouth. ‘‘How do you remember it?’’

Ignoring the voice in her head that told her to run, Tina placed her palms flat on Reid’s chest and leaned into him. She felt the steady thud of his heart under her fingertips and the heat of his skin through his cotton dress shirt. ‘‘Remember what?’’

Smiling, he lowered his mouth to hers.

It was the same as before. The same wild rush. The same build of heat.

The same insanity.

His lips moved over hers, gently at first, barely tasting. Certainly not a kiss that should overwhelm or overpower, she thought dimly. Nothing that should make her knees weak or her mind numb.

But it did all of those things. All that and more.

A lot more.

He changed the angle of the kiss, traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, then dipped inside to meet hers. Her breath caught, quickened. He tasted like coffee, dark and rich and hot. His hands slid inside his jacket and around her waist, pulling her body flush with his. His thumbs brushed over her rib cage, no more than a whisper from the underside of her breasts. Desire shot through her like an arrow, hummed deep in her throat.

Afraid she might sink to the ground if she didn’t hold tight, Tina slid her hands upward. His shoulders were wide and strong; she felt the ripple of muscle as she circled his neck with her arms.

A tiny part of her brain fought to regain control of reason. This could go nowhere, could lead to nothing but heartache, that tiny voice screamed at her. She’d be way in over her head with a man like Reid. But it seemed that her body had a mind of its own, determined to enjoy the moment, consequences be damned.

When he deepened the kiss, when the tips of his thumbs barely brushed the curve of her breasts, even that tiny voice shut up. She heard the sound of her own soft moan, but was too immersed in the sensations swirling through her to be embarrassed. His touch thrilled her, consumed her, and she knew she was lost.

Reid felt the shudder roll through her body into his. He was no stranger to desire, to need, but this was something different, something stronger, deeper, than anything he’d experienced before. The urgency grew like a storm, dark and swirling, heavy. His pulse pounded in his head, in his body.

Lifting his head, he gazed down at her, watched her slowly open her eyes. Passion smoldered there. Her lips, swollen and moist, enticed him to dip down and taste her again.

‘‘So sweet,’’ he murmured against her lips. ‘‘So soft.’’

Desperately he wanted to drag Tina upstairs to her aunt’s apartment and finish what they’d started here, but the faint sound of laughter from inside the building reminded him where they were. Frustration had him tightening his hold on her, then mentally cursing his lack of timing.

With a willpower he didn’t know he possessed, he pulled away, then pressed his forehead to hers.

‘‘We should go back inside,’’ he said with a sigh.

She blinked. ‘‘What?’’

‘‘My father will be arriving any minute,’’ he explained. ‘‘They’ll wonder where I am.’’

‘‘Oh, yes, of course.’’ She stepped back, slipped his jacket from her shoulders and handed it to him. ‘‘Thanks.’’

‘‘Tina—’’

‘‘It’s no big deal, Reid.’’ She tilted her head and smiled. ‘‘We got a little caught up in the moment, that’s all. It happens.’’

It happens? Annoyance tapped at his pride. ‘‘Twice now, if you’re counting,’’ he said dryly, and she at least gave him the satisfaction of appearing embarrassed.

‘‘I…I’m sorry.’’ She dropped her gaze and folded her arms. ‘‘I’m not handling this well at all. I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression, that’s all.’’

‘‘And what impression was that?’’

‘‘That I—that we—’’ She shifted awkwardly. ‘‘That this would go anywhere.’’

‘‘So what you’re trying to say is,’’ he said, keeping his voice even, holding her gaze and watching her eyes widen as he stepped close to her, ‘‘you aren’t going to sleep with me.’’

She drew in a slow breath. ‘‘No.’’

‘‘No, you aren’t trying to say that?’’

‘‘No—I mean, yes.’’ Flustered, she shook her head. ‘‘I’m not going to sleep with you.’’

‘‘The thing is, Tina.’’ He touched her earlobe with his fingertip, heard her soft intake of breath. ‘‘I haven’t asked.’’

Thoroughly satisfied at the surprise in her eyes, Reid dropped his hand.

‘‘See you inside,’’ he said casually, then wished to God he could see the look on her face as he strolled away.

Five

Saturday afternoon, with her shift finished and the bakery closed, Tina made her way up the stairs to her aunt’s apartment. All day she’d been dreaming of a quiet evening at home. Alone. In her mind she’d planned an hour-long bubble bath, with scented candles and a glass of white wine. Next came her favorite sweatpants, a cotton tank top, soft slippers and the mystery novel she’d started two weeks ago.

And maybe, just maybe, she might even get some sleep, instead of tossing and turning all night thinking about Reid.

Her cheeks still burned every time she remembered what he’d said to her last night before he’d walked away. I haven’t asked.

She’d managed to get through the rest of the evening, had even smiled and held her voice steady when her mother had dragged her over to meet Abraham Danforth. It was like looking at an older version of Reid. The same piercing deep-blue eyes, the same thick, sable-brown hair. The same charm. Like Reid, he exuded power and masculinity. And like Reid, the women, young and old, couldn’t take their eyes off him. Suddenly Tina completely understood why Reid hadn’t asked her to sleep with him.

Because he didn’t have to.

He had his pick of any woman he wanted. Anytime.

Tina knew she was no femme fatale. Men might have shown an interest in her from time to time, but they weren’t exactly dropping at her feet.

So the question she’d asked herself repeatedly since she’d met Reid was, why is he interested in me?

Still mulling that thought over, she slipped her key into the lock and opened the door.

In front of her eyes, Tina’s dreams of a quiet evening dissolved like sugar in water.

‘‘Tina, it’s so wonderful.’’ Rachel met her at the door and dragged her inside the apartment. ‘‘You won’t believe what Sophie’s done.’’

Rachel glanced at Sophia, who was sitting on the sofa, making an old pair of jeans and oversize white tunic top look like high fashion. She had an incredibly smug look on her face. ‘‘Swallowed the canary?’’

‘‘No, silly.’’ Excitement danced in Rachel’s eyes. ‘‘She got Jason’s band booked at Steam. Tonight!’’

Tina stared wide-eyed at Rachel, then Sophia. Steam was the newest, hottest, most-difficult-to-get-into blues dinner and night club in Savannah. Though Tina had never been there herself, she knew that Sophia went often, that she’d even done some interior designing in the owner’s office.

Tina also knew that it took nothing short of a miracle for a band to get a booking there. ‘‘And how, pray tell, did you manage that one?’’

Sophia casually shrugged a shoulder, but there was a twinkle of a smile in her eyes. ‘‘The band booked for tonight had to cancel. The owner owes me a favor.’’

Tina lifted a curious brow. ‘‘What kind of favor?’’

‘‘Not that kind, dear,’’ Sophia said with a pretty tilt of her head. ‘‘Though Clay Crawford is quite a catch. We just decided we’d make better friends.’’

‘‘Could we please not discuss Sophia’s love life for once.’’ Rachel took hold of Tina’s hand and pulled her to the sofa. ‘‘We have to talk about what we’re going to wear.’’

‘‘We?’’ Tina swiveled a look at Rachel.

‘‘Of course ‘we,’’’ Rachel said. ‘‘I told Jason we’d all be there. And this is the perfect night for us all to go out with no questions from Mom and Dad.’’

Saturday night was her parents’ date night out to Buddy’s Buffet and Bingo on the waterfront. Unless one of them was sick, they never missed it. It was the perfect night for her and her sisters to all go out and not have to worry about any inquisitions. Tina’s fantasy of a bubble bath began to pop, one scented bubble after the other.

‘‘Just think.’’ Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. ‘‘Jason, my Jason, singing at Steam! You have to come, Tina.’’

The happiness on her sister’s face disintegrated the last of Tina’s resolve. ‘‘Of course I’m coming,’’ she said, surprised at her own sudden rush of excitement. ‘‘I wouldn’t miss it.’’

‘‘I love you both so much!’’ Laughing, Rachel threw her arms around Tina and Sophia. ‘‘This will be the best night of my life!’’

Maybe this was exactly what she needed, Tina reasoned. She hadn’t been out with her sisters like this in a long time. A little music, a little wine. It would be fun. Maybe she’d meet someone nice. Someone who could make her forget about Reid Danforth.

Who knows, she thought, maybe this would be her lucky night.

Starting at nine every night of the week, Steam featured only the best in live blues music. On a Saturday night, without a reservation or a connection, it was nearly impossible to get in either the posh second-floor restaurant or the trendy club on the first floor.

Unless, of course, your last name was Danforth.

‘‘Are you dining this evening, Mr. Danforth?’’ The hostess, a pretty brunette in a black cocktail dress smiled at Reid. ‘‘Or would you like a table in the club?’’

‘‘In the club.’’ Smiling back at the woman, Reid slipped her a bill that made her eyes widen. With the skill of a magician, the money disappeared. ‘‘I’m meeting my brother.’’

‘‘Thank you, sir. Just give me one moment to find the best seat for you.’’

While the hostess scribbled on a seating chart in front of her, Reid took in the decor of the large, dimly lit reception area. Deep-red velvet draperies hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows; the walls were pale gray, with thin red stripes. A lavish Oriental rug in hues of red, gray and black graced the highly polished, dark mahogany floor. Behind the hostess, a large mahogany staircase led to the restaurant upstairs. To the right, the bar area vibrated with conversation and laughter.

‘‘Right this way, sir.’’

Still not certain why Ian had insisted on meeting him here tonight, Reid followed the hostess through an entrance to the left which led to the stage and dance area. ‘‘Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About’’ blasted from the dj’s speakers and bodies moved on the dance floor in rhythm to Bonnie Raitt’s raspy tune while cocktail waitresses in black slacks and button-down red blouses hustled through the crowd, balancing trays and taking orders.

Settling in at a stage side table, Reid ordered a beer then munched on a spicy mix of pretzels and nuts the waitress had left him. Since his college days, he’d spent very little time in night clubs and bars, but some things never changed. And though Steam was much too high class for the average college frat boys, the draw was still the same: music, food, drink and, of course, the women.

He glanced around the packed room at the slinky dresses and low-cut tops. A great deal of skin and cleavage were on display, and he’d have to be dead not to notice it. Still, other than a mild flicker of appreciation, he wasn’t interested in engaging any of the glances a few of the women were sliding his way.

It irritated the hell out of him that he couldn’t get Tina out of his mind. Frustrated him to no end that since he’d kissed her, all he could think about was kissing her again.

And more.

At least he knew now it was Rachel, not Tina, who was involved with Jason. And while Tina hadn’t exactly waved a green flag, it also helped to know he was the only car on the course at the moment. He had the feeling there would be stop signs and detours, but he was determined that sooner or later he’d encounter a yield sign.

He hoped like hell it was sooner.

‘‘So what do you think?’’ Ian asked over the hum of noise as he sat in the chair across from Reid. ‘‘Nice place, huh?’’

Reid nodded. ‘‘And we’re here because…?’’

‘‘Sophia invited us.’’ Ian gestured to the waitress that he’d have the same as Reid.

The bottle of beer in Reid’s hand paused halfway to his mouth. ‘‘Sophia Alexander?’’

Ian grinned. ‘‘You know, the sister of the woman who’s ‘not on the menu,’ as you put it.’’

‘‘When did you talk to Sophia?’’

‘‘I called her today to see if she was busy tonight. She said she was coming here and suggested I stop by.’’

‘‘You said she invited us.’’

‘‘She’s bringing Tina.’’ Ian’s grin widened. ‘‘Ah. I thought that might get your attention.’’

It more than got his attention. Carefully Reid set the bottle back down on the gray marble tabletop and scanned the room. He didn’t see Tina or Sophia at a table or on the dance floor. Scanning the crowd again, he spotted Rachel walking into the room through an exit door behind the stage. Sophia came next.

Then Tina.

The black, Mandarin collar dress she wore emphasized her long neck and heart-shaped face. The knee-length hemline was conservative, the short sleeves demure. Nothing that should make his pulse jump or his mind stutter.

And yet it did—she did.

Keeping his gaze on Tina, he watched the sisters hurry to a front-row-center table as the dj announced that Controversy, the performing band for the evening, would be out in five.

Controversy. That was Jason’s band, Reid remembered. So that’s why Tina was here. Lifting the bottle of beer, Reid took a long pull, then sat back and waited for the show to begin.

‘‘Stop fidgeting and relax.’’ Tina handed Rachel a glass of ice water. ‘‘And breathe, for heaven’s sake. It won’t help Jason if you’re passed out on the floor.’’

‘‘You’re right. I know, I’m sorry,’’ Rachel said in a rush and sipped at the water. ‘‘But did you see him? Did you see how handsome he looks in his black satin jacket? And his hair, all that wonderful blond hair, loose around his shoulders.’’

‘‘I saw him,’’ Tina said. They’d just come from backstage where the band was waiting to come out. ‘‘He looked very handsome.’’

When the lights dimmed, Rachel turned white. ‘‘Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick.’’

Rolling her eyes, Sophia dipped her fingers into the ice water, then flicked Rachel’s face.

Rachel gasped, then scowled at Sophia. ‘‘Hey!’’

‘‘Got you breathing, didn’t I? Now be quiet, sit still and let’s see what your man can do.’’

But even Tina held her breath when the dj announced the band. Five men strolled out, everyone wearing sunglasses, looking very cool and very hot at the same time. They took their places, paused a moment, then the drummer tapped his drumsticks and said, ‘‘One, two, three, four!’’

The lead guitar started solo, strong and loud, the drums rolled in a moment later. The sound was hard-beating southern blues. Like a living, breathing entity, the heavy bass and keyboard joined in, pulsating through the crowd, pulling them to their feet and moving them to the dance floor.

Then Jason stepped to the microphone.

‘‘Tell me why…’’

His voice trembled through the room, a smoky, raspy sound that was uniquely his own. A sound that echoed a hundred years of soul and sorrow, all the life of every blues singer who’d stepped on that stage before him. He sang of deception and lies, lost love and heartache. Passion flowed like lava from his words and set the room on fire.

This was Jason? Tina thought in stunned amazement. She’d never heard him sing before, had never dreamed he was this good. The audience and dancers moved to the beat, and Tina couldn’t stop herself from moving with them. He was better than good, she thought. He was terrific.

Tina glanced at Rachel, saw the love shining in her eyes, and felt her chest swell with happiness for her sister. To be that deeply in love with someone, and to have them love you back, was a dream come true. Of course, in this case, the dream came with a few difficulties. But surely, Tina thought, when two people were that deeply in love, there was no difficulty that couldn’t be resolved.

Tina could only hope that someday she’d find that kind of love, too. That someday there’d be a man who’d look at her the way Jason looked at Rachel.

Remembering Reid’s kiss yesterday and the way he’d looked at her made Tina’s stomach flutter. She knew it was just physical between them, but that didn’t seem to discourage her thinking about the man constantly. If anything, it simply fueled the fire he’d lit inside her. Made her wonder what it would be like if he’d done more than kiss her, more than lightly brush his hands against her breasts. Her breasts ached just thinking about it, her skin felt tight and hot, and—

The room exploded with applause and cheers at the end of the band’s first song. Thank goodness, Tina thought, shaking off the tingling sensation that had been curling through her blood. That kind of thinking was only going to lead to more sleepless nights.

While the applause continued, Rachel grabbed Tina’s hand and squeezed. To say that Controversy had been well received was a bit of an understatement.

‘‘Isn’t he wonderful?’’ Rachel shrieked over the noise. ‘‘Isn’t he?’’

Laughing, Tina and Sophia hugged Rachel, then Sophia said, ‘‘I have to go say hi to someone. I’ll be back in a little while.’’

Jason started his next song, a slower, soulful tale of forbidden love. Couples melted together on the dance floor, swaying gently to the music. Tears in her eyes, Rachel leaned forward in her chair and kept her eyes on Jason. Why he hadn’t received a recording deal already amazed Tina, but she knew it was a tough business, that even the most talented singers and groups were often passed by. She hoped this would be Jason’s chance to make his dream come true.

At the touch of a hand on her shoulder, Tina glanced up. A man flashed dimples and a diamond earring stud. His build was lean, his biceps the size of tree trunks. He nodded toward the dance floor.

She hesitated, though for the life of her, she didn’t know why. She was at a club, for heaven’s sake. A nice-looking man was standing here asking her to dance. Didn’t she tell herself she was going to cut loose and have a good time?

So why was she so…uninterested? ‘‘Uh—’’

‘‘Sorry, pal, she’s with me.’’

At the sound of the deep, familiar voice, Tina snapped her head around.

Reid?

Maybe this wasn’t her lucky night, after all.

She watched the man who’d asked her to dance move away. Frowning, she looked back at Reid.

‘‘I am not with you, and that was very pushy.’’ She sipped from her water glass, wishing it were the wine she’d passed on earlier. ‘‘Maybe I wanted to dance with that man.’’

‘‘Did you?’’

Oh, why pretend? She was a lousy liar, and coy simply wasn’t her style. She shrugged. ‘‘Not really.’’

Grinning, he sat in the chair Sophia had vacated. ‘‘Hi, Rachel.’’

‘‘Hi, Reid,’’ Rachel replied without taking her gaze off Jason. She had a dreamy, faraway look in her eyes.

‘‘The wine you ordered, Mr. Danforth.’’ A cocktail waitress set a bottle of wine and three glasses on the table, then filled the glasses. ‘‘Can I get you anything else?’’

Tina didn’t miss the suggestive tone in the waitress’s voice. Or the lack of response from Reid when he shook his head.

‘‘What are you doing here?’’ she asked him when he handed her a glass of wine.

‘‘Same as you, watching the show.’’

She lifted a dubious brow. ‘‘Why do I have the feeling there’s more?’’

Reid slid a second glass of wine across the tabletop to Rachel, who didn’t notice. ‘‘Sophia invited Ian.’’

‘‘Really.’’ Why did he have to look so handsome in his black leather blazer and sage-green T-shirt? And why did her pulse have to do somersaults every time she saw him? Gathering her wits, forcing her hand to stay steady, she took a sip of the wine. ‘‘And you just happened to come along?’’

‘‘Actually, Sophia told Ian to bring me.’’

Wine nearly sloshed out of her glass when her hand wobbled. My own flesh and blood conspiring against me. Wondering where her dear sister had disappeared to, Tina scanned the crowd, then spotted Sophia standing with Ian at the back of the room. When Sophia waggled her fingers and smiled knowingly, Tina glared back.

The band slipped into another fast number, and with the music so loud, it was easy to avoid any kind of serious conversation for the next few minutes. What she couldn’t avoid or ignore was the proximity of Reid’s body. His aftershave was woodsy, masculine, and she resisted the animal urge to slide closer and draw the intoxicating scent into her lungs.

When the music shifted back to a slow number, he leaned in, making her heart skip when he brought his mouth to her ear.

‘‘With a voice like that,’’ Reid said, nodding at Jason, ‘‘why’s he working in a bakery?’’

‘‘The hours leave his afternoons and evenings free for writing and practicing with his band.’’ His warm breath on her ear made it hard to think. ‘‘Mostly, he stays because of Rachel. They can see each other every day, and manage to sneak in a little private time, too, especially when my mother’s not there.’’