A Decent Proposal

One corner of his mouth curved up. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“Just that you have buckets of money, expensive clothes, a car that most people drool over and you’re concerned about the way people look at you?”

He shifted on the seat. “When you put it like that...the correct response would be no.”

“That’s what I thought.” The glint was back in his eyes and she much preferred that. “So we could have met at the movies.”

“Is that plausible for you?”

“I go alone all the time. It’s relaxing after a marathon shopping spree. For the record no one pities a solo shopper.”

“Good to know.” He nodded. “I’m guessing we’ll need to explore explanations for why no one has seen us around town together.”

“That one is easy.” She leaned forward. “People in this town talk and we just wanted to keep it quiet. Just for us.”

“Very romantic,” he commented. “That works.”

“Sure does. It’s the explanation I got from my dad about why he kept his romance with Mayor Goodson under wraps. A lot longer than what you and I are talking about.” She was still irked about his secrecy. This small charade with Burke might be a little bit about payback. And her comment that she was made of sterner stuff wasn’t just hot air. She could have handled the news about his new relationship. “I’m too old for him to give me the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ line.”

They discussed things and tossed questions back and forth until he held up his hands in surrender. “I feel as if I should be taking notes.”

“You’re right.” She nodded. “Kiss rule.”

“Excuse me?” One eyebrow rose questioningly. The look in his blue eyes turned a little sharper, a little sexier and a lot interested.

“K-I-S-S. Keep it simple, stupid.”

“Ah.” His gaze never left hers and the intensity level escalated.

“You were thinking something else?”

“Yes. And before you judge, remember this is logical.”

“Enlighten me,” she said drily.

“We may be forced into kissing. After all this—you and me as a couple—needs to be convincing.”

Their burgers were delivered, breaking the sensuous spell. But all through dinner she had a hard time not staring at his mouth and wondering what his lips would feel like against her own. Was he a good kisser? She would put money on it.

Sydney found she was looking forward to “dating” Burke Holden and was intrigued at the prospect of kissing him.

Chapter Three

Two days after his strategy session with Sydney at the diner, Burke was sitting in the five-star restaurant at Blackwater Lake Lodge nursing a Scotch while waiting for her to join him with her father and the mayor. He was watching when Tom McKnight and Mayor Loretta Goodson walked in with a stunning, dark-haired woman wearing a little black dress. He recognized Sydney, but...holy shoot, it felt as if all the blood drained from his head and proceeded to points south of his belt. Fortunately muscle memory and manners took over so he was able to not embarrass himself and politely stand up as the trio approached.

Burke held out his hand to the older man and said, “It’s good to see you again, sir.”

“Likewise.” Tom McKnight looked at the older woman beside him. “I think you already know Loretta?”

“We’ve had a number of meetings about the resort.” Burke shook her hand. “Madam Mayor, it’s always a pleasure.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Burke.” Loretta Goodson was a very attractive brunette and probably looked a whole lot younger than she actually was. All those meetings had proved that she was a tough negotiator who cared deeply about her town.

Syd smiled up at him. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” He slid his arm loosely around her waist and bent to kiss her cheek. It wasn’t the way he really wanted to kiss her for the first time, but appropriate for the situation. “Why don’t we all sit.”

“Good idea,” Syd agreed.

The Fireside Restaurant service was impeccable and tonight was no exception. When the newcomers were seated, their waiter appeared to take drink orders, then promised to give them time before bringing over dinner menus.

“So, where did you two meet?” Tom didn’t waste any time and had come right to the point.

Since the man was looking directly at him Burke fielded the question. “I’m something of a movie buff and when you’re alone in a new town it’s an entertaining place to kill a couple of hours.”

“Syd likes movies, too.” Fortunately her dad jumped to the implied conclusion. “But how is it you managed to keep secret the fact that you’re seeing my daughter?”

“Come on, Dad,” Syd admonished. “Isn’t that a little like the pot calling the kettle black?”

“She has a point, Tom.” Loretta’s voice was quiet but firm. “We’ve been seeing each other for months. I know some of that was about protecting your children, but part of it was about keeping it just for us.”

Burke looked at Syd who had an “I told you so” expression in her eyes. She’d definitely called that one.

The waiter brought their drinks, then came back with menus when Burke gave him the signal. It was quiet at the table as everyone scrutinized the choices. He’d eaten here enough in the last few weeks to know what he wanted and would much rather have looked Sydney over. Tonight she’d pulled her hair off her face and back into a messy side bun, leaving her neck bare.

The urge to taste her skin just below her ear was very powerful and if the two of them were alone at a quiet table in the shadows, that’s exactly what he would have done. The strong attraction he felt certainly helped to pull off the pretense of having an interest in her because it really wasn’t a pretense.

He was interested.

When everyone was ready the waiter took their orders. As it happened, he and Sydney chose almost the same things. Fireside chopped salad, although she asked for it without blue cheese crumbles. Filet mignon, medium rare. Baked potato with sour cream, butter and chives on the side.

Syd gave him a look that was half saucy, half surprised. “You have good taste.”

Tom’s expression was still just this side of skeptical. “He hasn’t brought you here before?”

“If he had, you would have known about it,” his daughter reminded him. “Camille owns the place and is normally the soul of discretion when it comes to lodge guests. But family is a different matter entirely. She couldn’t keep something like that from you.”

“It’s a good quality in a daughter-in-law.” Tom leveled his gaze at Burke as if to say he’d better have equally good qualities.

“Toast.” Loretta raised her glass of white wine. “To new beginnings and happy endings.”

They all touched glasses then took a sip of their respective drinks. When he glanced at Syd, he noticed a guilty look on her face and questioned whether or not he would have recognized the expression if he wasn’t in on this scheme of hers. It made him wonder about her growing up and who better to ask than her father.

“What was Sydney like when she was a little girl?”

The older man looked fondly at his daughter. “Stubborn. Determined to get her way. She didn’t like dolls the way other little girls did, but that could be from having two older brothers.” He grinned. “Of course, she had me wrapped around her little finger.”

“You did a wonderful job raising her,” Burke said and sincerely meant it.

“She raised herself.”

Loretta shook her head and put her hand on his arm. “You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit, Tom. I know how difficult that time was for you, suddenly losing your wife. Then you were thrown into the deep end of the pool with two young boys and an infant daughter to bring up by yourself, while running your own business. The McKnight kids didn’t get to be successful adults without your guidance and being a steady role model for them.”

“You’re making me blush.” He took Loretta’s hand in his own and smiled tenderly at her.

“I could go on torturing you,” she teased. “I know how you hate to have anyone singing your praises.”

Burke watched the older couple banter and laugh, comfortable with each other and clearly in love. From what Syd had said and Loretta had just corroborated, he knew Tom McKnight had had a rough go of it and had been alone for a long time. Burke realized how much his daughter loved him. She wanted him to be happy and was going above and beyond so that he would take the next step in his relationship.

A small deception. Wrong thing; right reason. Theirs was a close and loving relationship forged by his being there day after day. It made Burke feel even more guilty than usual about the long stretches of time he spent away from his own son.

Dinner was really pleasant and surprisingly interrogation-free, right up until the dessert menus arrived.

Syd looked hers over. “I’d love some coffee and just a few bites of something sweet.”

“Order it and just eat what you want,” Burke suggested.

“That’s so wasteful,” she protested. “And, unlike my leftover steak, dessert can be pretty unappetizing the next day.”

“We could split something.”

“I’m not sure we could agree and I don’t want you to compromise for me.”

“I’d be happy to compromise for you,” he said. “But what if we do agree?”

“Okay. Tell me what your favorite is.” She tilted her head to the side, making her neck look longer and even more tempting.

Quite possibly a nibble right at the juncture of her neck and shoulder could be his favorite, but that wasn’t what she’d meant. So he answered honestly. “The mile-high chocolate cake. I’ve been all over the world and it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. Anywhere.”

“What do you know?” She smiled as if he’d given her the moon. “That just happens to be my all-time favorite, too.”

“Then the deal is sealed.”

When the waiter returned they ordered coffee all-around, one piece of cake and four forks. It was definitely enough for the whole table to share.

“Speaking of deals...are you two getting serious?” Tom glanced at Burke, then at Sydney.

“Dad!” She looked mortified. “Inappropriate.”

“Not for a father,” he insisted.

“Are you asking me what my intentions are?” Burke questioned.

“Sounds old-fashioned when you put it like that, but I guess that is what I’m asking.”

This potential line of inquiry hadn’t come up in their planning session. He looked at Sydney, wondering if she wanted to tackle that one, but she still looked shocked and speechless.

“Well, sir, for now we’re taking things slow. Just getting to know each other. We both agree that’s the best idea. Then we’ll see what happens.”

Tom mulled it over, then nodded. “Seems wise to do that.”

Burke had to conclude that they’d passed the first hurdle. He’d done his best to answer everything honestly and still keep his word to Syd. But he realized that he liked her a lot and that was another topic they hadn’t talked about. What if he actually wanted to date her?

In fact, tonight was their first official date and he was seriously considering taking things to the next level.

* * *

Sydney watched Burke charge the dinner-for-four to his room at the lodge and she was incredibly appreciative of the gesture. He and her father had done the masculine tug-of-war over the check that men always do, but Burke, as they said, was younger and faster. Although thanks had been expressed, she made a mental note to thank him again for his generosity the next time she saw him. And offer to split the bill with him.

The four of them stood and walked toward the restaurant exit, her father and Loretta in the lead. Burke leaned over and whispered close to her ear, “How do you think we did?”

It was difficult to form a reply, what with her unexpected breathlessness at his nearness. But she managed to recover. “We did pretty well,” she admitted. “Loretta jumping in for backup was unexpected, but certainly strengthened the narrative we were promoting.”

“Good. Apparently I played my part adequately, then.”

“Adequate sets a very low bar for what you did. Your act was perfect.”

Before she could say more, the couple in front of them stopped and waited. They were standing by the rustic stone fireplace in the lodge lobby with the registration desk nearby. Leather sofa and chairs formed a comfortable conversation area.

Tom extended his hand. “Burke, thanks again for dinner. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“Same here, sir.” He looked at the mayor. “I believe we have a meeting this week.”

She nodded. “We need to discuss local concerns about the resort.”

“I’ll be there to answer any and all questions.” He didn’t look the least bit concerned and his superior confidence was incredibly attractive.

“Are you ready to go, Syd?” her dad asked.

“You’re leaving?” Burke put his hand at the small of her back.

“I rode into town with Dad and Loretta. So...” She shrugged.

“Stay for a nightcap.” His eyes had just the right amount of intensity for a smitten man who didn’t want to say good-night yet. “I’ll drive you home.”

She wanted to protest that this wasn’t part of the plan, but that would blow their cover for sure. “You must be tired after a long day. I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

“If I can spend more time with you, driving you home is not going out of my way.” Now a definite challenge joined the intensity in his eyes.

Syd wasn’t sure what game he was playing and was wary of jumping in with her “come and get me” high heels. She’d picked this particular dress on purpose, knowing it was a little dangerous. The point had been to prove that she’d been dressing for a man’s approval. This was an inconvenient time to realize it had done the job maybe a bit too well. When push came to shove she really had no choice.

She gave him her most brilliant smile and said, “I would love to stay. You don’t mind, do you, Dad?”

“Of course not. As long as you make it to work on time in the morning.”

She kissed his cheek while her own was flushed with the implication that she’d spend the night with Burke. “I won’t be late tonight.”

“But don’t wait up,” Burke said. “When Syd and I start talking, we lose track of time.”

“Take good care of my girl.” Her dad had that protective expression on his face.

“I will, sir. Good night.”

When the older couple was gone, Burke took her hand and tucked it into the bend of his elbow before turning toward the lodge bar, where she’d first met him to propose this unlikely collaboration. Somehow the situation had slipped from her control and having a drink could further fuzzy her faculties on top of what her attraction to him did. Instinct was telling her she should stay sharp.

She looked up at Burke. “What about a walk instead?”

“In those shoes?” He took one step back and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile as he leisurely studied the four-inch pumps and her legs, all the way to where the hem of the dress stopped above her knees.

She shivered at the male approval clearly etched on his face. “I’m tough. Have you ever heard that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in heels?”

“I have actually. But I’m not quite sure what your point is since we’re not dancing.”

Says who? she thought.

“I’m not quite sure I had one,” she admitted. “But as you probably know, there’s a lighted walking path on the lodge grounds with benches here and there. If my feet can’t take it, we can stop.”

“A walk sounds good. It’s a beautiful evening.”

Burke put his fingers over hers, trapping her hand on his arm as they walked out the rear exit. To anyone observing them, they were a couple. Body language to support the story.

The evening air was cool, but not cold. As they strolled slowly down the cement path she noticed the moon peeking through the pine trees scattered over the grassy area.

“Did you know there was a full moon tonight?” she asked.

“No.” He looked up. “But now that you mention it, this one is more beautiful than it is in Chicago.”

“It occurs to me that the stage is perfectly set for romance. It’s just a darn shame this is all going to waste on us.”

“How do you mean?”

“We’re just playing at it.”

“That’s the rumor,” he answered mysteriously.

“And speaking of starting rumors...” She’d intended to express her gratitude for dinner the next time she saw him but hadn’t realized she’d be alone with him quite so soon. But now was as good a time as any. “I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate what you’re doing for my dad. I didn’t expect you to buy dinner tonight and I appreciate that so much. If you’d like I can reimburse you—”

“Of course not. Why would you think that?”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. And I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’re doing me a favor so I feel as if I should take the financial responsibility.”

“No.” He shook his head. “For so many reasons. But I sincerely meant what I said about it being my pleasure. I like your father. And he’s a lucky man. Loretta is a wonderful woman. So I’m happy to give their happy ending a nudge.”

How sweet was that?

She leaned into him just a little. “And I mean it when I say how appreciative I am for your participation.” She thought about his moves from the moment he stared at her when she walked in, the kiss on the cheek, meaningful glances through dinner. Meeting his gaze, she said, “You’re very good at this. The pretending, I mean. Should I be worried?”

“I’m getting whiplash. You went from appreciative to worried in a nanosecond.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m thankful for your talent but it makes me think you have practice.”

“No.” He laughed. “Just chalk it up to negotiating skills put to another purpose. I pay attention to details. I’m results-oriented and logistics are my strong suit.”

“Well, you’re playing your part to the hilt. That’s really unexpected.”

“Call me an overachiever.” He stopped suddenly and looked down at her, something dark and exciting drifting into his eyes. “But consider this—did it ever occur to you that I’m not playing?”

She wasn’t able to completely absorb the meaning of his words before he lowered his mouth to hers. The touch was soft and sweet. Seeking and seductive. His hand moved over her back, fingers brushing the bare skin. Shivers slid up and down her spine and her nerve endings started to dance. Heat balled in her belly when he put his arm around her waist and settled her more firmly against him.

It wasn’t supposed to happen, but she kissed him back. She couldn’t stop herself, didn’t want to. Had she unknowingly given off vibes? Somehow let him know how attractive she found him? Whatever the reason, she was enjoying the heck out of this.

When he pulled back and looked at her, she could hear and see that his breathing was unsteady. She would have taken a great deal of satisfaction from that fact except hers was ragged, too. That wasn’t good.

They stared at each other for several moments and she knew she had to say something. Keep it light, she thought. “That was a nice touch. Like I said, acting is your strong suit. But I’m surprised that you kissed me.”

“The fact that you’re a beautiful woman doesn’t explain my motivation?”

Oh, how she wanted to be flattered, but it wasn’t wise to go there. “It would, except that you’ve been seen with some of the world’s most beautiful women.”

“But none of them can keep the engine in my car purring like a kitten. And I don’t mean that as a double entendre. You are a rare, unusual and special woman.”

“Thank you.” With every fiber of her being she wanted to believe that. “But remember we have to keep our eye on the ball. There are lofty goals at stake.”

“It’s never far from my mind.”

“Good. Then you understand when I say that you can’t be kissing me for no reason.”

“Maybe I had one.” He indicated the light just beside them that made their every move visible to the people milling around the lodge patio not far away. A member of the staff was straightening the outdoor furniture.

“So we could be seen. It’s what a man dating a woman would do.”

How silly was she to be even the tiniest bit disappointed to learn that he didn’t mean it? Later she would give herself a stern talking-to about how ridiculous her reaction was.

“Yes. And speaking of dating, we have to plan our next move. Your father’s remark about looking forward to getting to know me better was his way of letting us know he’s watching.”

“I got that, too.”

And she got something else from tonight. A warning that her control regarding Burke Holden was nothing but an illusion. He was a strong man, a powerful man accustomed to getting his own way. She’d dated guys and broken up with them and never looked back, but she had a sneaking suspicion that this could be different.

That didn’t make her happy, but unfortunately she was stuck.

Chapter Four

On his way to the county buildings on the other side of Blackwater Lake, Burke drove past McKnight Auto and glanced over. Several cars were lined up waiting for service orders to be written up, but there was no sign of Sydney. He hadn’t realized how much he’d hoped for a glimpse of her until he didn’t get one. If she hadn’t approached him with her unorthodox proposal, would he have asked her out?

On his part the attraction had been instantaneous so there was a better-than-even chance he would have. But after dinner with her father and the mayor the other night, it was crystal clear that if he’d followed his usual pattern of avoiding a woman he would have missed something...exciting? Special? Life-changing?

Maybe all of the above. But whatever happened, this thing could never be permanent. When it came to his personal life, permanent and forever weren’t part of the vocabulary.

He turned left onto Mountain Street and drove a couple of blocks. The city and county government offices were on the right. He knew where the mayor’s office was, having been there several times, and the construction-permits office was somewhere under the same roof.

He parked in the rear lot and walked through the heavy glass doors into the lobby. There was a directory on the wall and Burke saw that the building inspector’s office number was located on the second floor. There was an elevator, but he found the stairs and headed up. Too many hours behind a desk could add weight to his midsection. He worked out daily at the lodge fitness center but never missed an opportunity to move more.

When he was home, Liam frequently asked him to play ball, any kind. Baseball, football, soccer. Too often Burke had to say no because of work commitments. He wished he could delegate a lot of details and be home more, but he’d tried that a few times and there was no one he trusted enough. Things got missed, delays resulted and when that happened it cost the company millions. Burke was building an already successful business with his cousin Sloan and someday it would be Liam’s. He felt an obligation to leave it more profitable than he’d found it.

Burke located the office and went inside. There was a waiting area with a couch, chairs and a coffee table. A high desk was situated on the left and he walked over. A blonde woman somewhere in her late thirties or early forties was standing there.

“Hi. I’m Burke Holden.”

“Sally Gardiner,” she said, introducing herself. “I’ve heard about you.”

“Really?” He in no way meant to flirt, but what was a guy supposed to say to that? Just be friendly. “I hope it was positive.”

“You’re the fella who’s building that new resort up on the mountain. You’ve got a flashy red sports car. And you had dinner with Sydney McKnight and her dad and the mayor at the Fireside the other night.”

“News travels fast. And it’s all true,” he said.

“Generally stories being passed around town are factual and details aren’t made up or exaggerated.” She grinned. “Folks here in Blackwater Lake take pride in the integrity of our rumor mill.”