Your Room or Mine?

Six

Maddie sat on a bar stool and took a sip of her wine and tried not to feel conspicuous. Engaging in a one-night stand with a hot, handsome fireman sounded great in theory, but now that the moment had arrived to actually set her plan in motion, she wasn’t so sure. She could almost hear Emma making chicken noises, but she’d never actually ventured into a bar alone. Evenings at clubs were either a date or an outing with girlfriends.

The Casa di Lago’s bar was crowded with both men and women, but a quick glance made it clear that the women outnumbered the men by about two to one. Clearly, she wasn’t the only female who knew the resort was crawling with firemen this weekend. The air buzzed with laughter, conversation, clinking glasses, and muted jazz.

A more leisurely perusal of the crowd confirmed that there were indeed some very attractive men in the room. All she had to do now was pick out one she liked and hope the feeling was mutual. No problem. She could do this.

“Hi,” said a male voice next to her. “May I buy you a drink?”

She turned. A tall, muscular, good-looking man with light brown hair and an attractive crooked smile regarded her through eyes that expressed unmistakable interest.

“I already have one,” she said, so quickly the words ran together. She grabbed for her wine. “But thanks anyway.” She buried her nose in her wineglass.

“Uh, sure. Have a nice evening.”

He faded away into the crowd, and Maddie blew out a long breath. Okay, that didn’t go particularly well, but hey, she was nervous. Next time she’d do better.

Next time arrived several minutes later in the form of another handsome, muscular man. Jeez. What did they feed these firemen that they were all so attractive? No wonder so many of them posed for calendars.

“Hi,” he said, flashing her a flirtatious smile. “I’m Dave.”

Something akin to panic fluttered in Maddie’s chest. “Hi, Dave. Nice to meet you, but I’m waiting for someone.”

He flashed her another smile. “Oh, well. Take care.” He melted away and Maddie mentally thunked herself on the forehead. What was wrong with her? Both of those men were handsome and personable. Why hadn’t she given either of them a chance?

Because even though you’re lonely and horny, one-night stands are not your style, her inner voice informed her.

Well, hell. Much as she wished it were otherwise, she simply didn’t have Emma’s daring or extroverted personality. And rather than turning her on, the thought of sex with a stranger turned her into a nervous basket case. As good-looking as Dave and the other man had been, neither of them had inspired the slightest sexual tingle.

“Time to abandon this sinking ship,” she muttered to herself, reaching for her wine. One last sip and she was outta here. Just then her gaze locked with that of a tall, good-looking blond guy. He stood across the room, at a small round table with a quartet of equally attractive men, all of whom held beer bottles. The blond man smiled at her, showing off perfect teeth. He really was ridiculously handsome, but for reasons she couldn’t fathom, just like the others before him, he didn’t light a spark in her.

Not wanting to appear rude, she offered him a return smile, yet immediately regretted it when he picked up his beer and looked as if he were about to leave his group to make his way toward her. But then his gaze shifted to a point over her shoulder. He hesitated, then shot her what seemed like an apologetic look and returned his attention to his friends.

What the heck? Before Maddie could figure out what had just happened, someone squeezed in next to her. Then a familiar voice said, “Bet your date isn’t going to appreciate you smiling at that blond dude.”

Maddie turned and stared at Jack. Jack, who’d buttoned up his shirt and pants-darn it-and whose presence annoyingly made her heart perform some weird swooping maneuver. No longer nervous and now concentrating on her annoyance, she treated him to a glare meant to reduce him to ashes. Instead of taking the hint, he calmly ordered a beer from the bartender then turned to her and asked, “So where is your date?”

Maddie narrowed her eyes. Was it possible he hadn’t read Emma’s note? She highly doubted it. “Not that it’s any of your business, but that ‘blond dude’ might have been my date if you hadn’t happened along. But since you opened my suitcase, I’m sure you already knew that.”

For several seconds his gaze seemed to burn into hers. Then he said, “Okay, I know. I didn’t mean to read the note, but in my own defense, it was just there. Right on top.”

Well, at least he’d admitted it. So now she was officially mortified, which heartily irked her. She had no reason to be embarrassed.

He took a quick glance around. “Based on the number of men in this bar you won’t have any trouble.” His gaze flicked over her dress. “Especially in that dress.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong with my dress?”

“Not a thing. You look… um, swell.”

Maddie nearly choked on the laugh that bubbled into her throat. “Gee, thanks. Your shocked tone that I might look um, swell lends that compliment just an extra bit of flash. Now, if you don’t mind moving along, your hulking presence is kinda cramping my style.”

Clearly the man was either deaf or immune to being asked to scram, because he leaned against the bar and continued to study her, as if she were a puzzle he was trying to solve. “Now at least I understand the lingerie.”

Heat suffused Maddie’s face, which only served to irritate her further. “My lingerie is none of your business.” She made a great show of looking around. “So where is your date? Surely she’s missing you.”

“What makes you think I have a date?”

“The room service cart with two glasses and enough covered dishes to feed an army was a good clue.”

“Sorry, Sherlock, but all the food was for me. Cheeseburger, chili fries, cole slaw, and a frosted brownie.” He rubbed his hand over his flat stomach. “Delicious.”

“Sounds bad for the arteries.” Not to mention the hips.

“Yeah.” He flashed a smile. “But good for the soul.”

Okay, why did this man’s smile make her pulse misbehave in a way the handsome blond guy’s hadn’t? From a purely technical standpoint, the blond guy was actually more handsome than Jack. But for some inexplicable reason, Jack was the one who had her hormones in an uproar. Probably because of that accidental chest peek she’d gotten. No doubt the blond guy’s chest and abs were just as nice.

We don’t care, yelled her hormones. We like Jack.

Oh, boy. This was not good.

Plus, we already know Jack, her hormones urged. Better to take on the devil you know.

“Shut up,” she muttered.

Jack raised his brows. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Sorry. I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Oh? Who were you talking to?”

Might as well tell him. If he thought she was crazy maybe he’d get lost. “The annoying little voice in my head.”

Instead of backing away as if she were nuts, he nodded. “I’ve got that same little voice.” Something she couldn’t decipher flashed in his eyes. “I’ve been telling mine to shut up a lot recently, too.”

Curiosity pricked her, but before she could question him, the bartender handed Jack his beer. He raised his drink and said, “To our bet. May the best man win.”

She tapped her wineglass against his long-necked bottle. “Especially if he’s a she.”

After he took a swallow, he leaned back against the bar and again studied her. “May I be perfectly honest with you?”

“I’d prefer if you’d be perfectly absent.”

Instead of looking annoyed, he smiled. “And here I thought women just wanted honesty. Except for that ‘Does this make my butt look fat?’ question. So… may I be honest?”

“Why not? Honesty from a man would be a refreshing change.”

His gaze wandered down her body then back up again. “You’ve surprised me. Or rather, the contents of your suitcase surprised me.”

“I could say the same about the contents of yours.”

“Oh? What’s surprising about sneakers and sweats?”

She recalled the size of those sneakers and felt her cheeks flush. “I meant your reading material.”

“Says a woman with Fifty Ways to Please Your Lover tucked into her bag. That’s much more interesting than anything in my suitcase.” He nodded toward the blond guy. “You were planning to try out one of those fifty ways on him?”

“Again, none of your business.”

“I know. But I’m curious, and not averse to tossing out the brutal truth. So here it is: From day one you struck me as a prim, proper, uptight, rigid schoolmarm type. What I saw in your suitcase, coupled with your obvious intent to meet someone in this bar tonight, blows all my theories about you out of the water.”

“I see. Well, in light of your brutal truth, I’ll return the favor. From day one you struck me as the fast-and-loose, girl-in-every-port playboy type I loathe. What I saw in your suitcase makes me wonder if you might not be quite as loathsome as I thought.”

“Thanks. I think.” His gaze searched hers for several seconds, then he said, “Gavin sent us here to bond, so rather than waiting for tomorrow morning, how about we start now? Since at least some of our preconceived notions about each other seem to be wrong, I vote we start all over. Not as feuding CFO and consultant, but just as… you and me. At work we’re at odds with each other, but we’re not at work now.” He held out his hand and smiled. “Hi. I’m Jack Walker.”

Suspicion instantly filled her. She knew damn well Jack didn’t like her, yet here he was, pouring on the charm. Why? He had an ulterior motive, of that she was sure. But what?

Yet along with her suspicions came a heated awareness. Of him. Of the way he was looking at her. As if he were seeing her for the first time. As if he were really interested. And curious. Just as you’re curious about him. He was undoubtedly playing some sort of game. He had to be. So why not play along? At least her curiosity would be satisfied. And if he could temporarily set aside their work-related enmity, then so could she.

She extended her hand and gave his a firm, businesslike shake. But there was nothing businesslike about the tingle that shot up her arm as his big, warm hand engulfed hers. She had to swallow to locate her voice. “Hi, Jack. I’m Madeline… Maddie Price.”

He continued holding her hand, again looking at her with that I’ve-never-seen-you-before expression. She slipped her hand from his, then quickly picked up her wineglass so she didn’t give in to the unnerving, overwhelming urge to touch him again. To see if another tingle would zing through her.

Deciding her best defense was a strong offense, she said, “So tell me about your reading material regarding raising a four-year-old. I didn’t know you had a child.”

He shook his head. “I don’t. But I have a four-year-old niece. We spend a lot of time together and, well, kids don’t come with instruction manuals, so I figured I’d buy one.” He hesitated then asked, “Would you like to see her picture?”

Surprised, by both his answer and his offer, she said, “Sure.”

He withdrew his wallet from his back pocket and slipped a photo from the black billfold. “Her name is Sophie,” he said, handing her the picture.

Maddie looked down at the image of an adorable blue-eyed sprite whose grinning, dimpled face was surrounded by a halo of bright copper curls. “What a cutie,” Maddie said, smiling at the photo. “She looks like a red-haired angel.”

“Thanks. But don’t let that angelic face fool you. She’s a sweetheart, but she also has the temperament to go along with that red hair, believe me. Totally takes after my sister.”

“She’s a fiery redhead?”

“No, just fiery tempered. Sophie got the red hair from her dad.”

She handed him back the photo. “They live in Atlanta?”

“Sophie and Claire do-Claire’s my sister.” A shadow fell across his features. “Claire’s husband, Rob, died last year. Killed by a drunk driver.”

Sympathy filled Maddie, and without thinking she reached out and touched his arm. “A close friend in college was the victim of a drunk driver. I know how painful it is. How helpless and angry you feel. I’m so sorry.”

He stilled and looked down at where her fingers rested against the sleeve of his white dress shirt. It felt to Maddie as if electricity ran between them. Did he feel it, too? Several long seconds passed, then he reached for his beer and her hand slipped from his arm. After swallowing, he said, “Thanks. It’s been tough on all of us, but especially on Claire. She and Rob were a perfect couple-really in love-and she’s still floundering. Our dad is career army and currently based in California, so our folks are far away, and Rob’s family all live in Texas. I’m the only family Claire and Sophie have here.”

“So you spend a lot of time with them,” Maddie said, her heart hurting for his sister who’d lost her beloved husband, and that adorable, fatherless little girl.

“As much as I can. Claire’s gone back to teaching at the private school where she worked before Sophie was born. Sophie and I have a lunch date every Wednesday at her preschool daycare, and Friday nights the three of us share a family dinner. I think having a constant male figure in her life has helped Sophie a lot. At least I hope so.”

Understanding struck and Maddie’s hand froze with her wineglass halfway to her mouth. Long lunches on Wednesdays… leaving at five every Friday…

A sensation she couldn’t name filled her. She lowered her glass, then murmured, “That’s why you don’t work late Friday nights.”

He nodded. “I explained the situation to Gavin before agreeing to take the position with Java Heaven.”

The realization that she’d made a mistake-a big mistake-slapped Maddie square in the face. One she felt it only fair to admit to. “May I be honest with you?” she asked, repeating his earlier question to her.

“Sure. Hit me with your best shot.”

“Between you coming come back to the office with your tie askew after your long Wednesday lunches and leaving at the stroke of five every Friday… well, that’s why I pegged you as a player. Which, for all I know, you may be,” she added quickly. “But at least in those two cases, I misjudged you. Sorry.”

“Accepted. As for the askew tie, those preschool playgrounds can get rough.” He grinned, and she thanked God she was sitting down because her knees seemed to melt at the sight of that devilish smile. “Between that and the finger painting, I’m lucky to get out alive sometimes.”

Finger paint… she recalled the red smear on his collar this past Wednesday. Finger paint. And she thought she’d known lipstick when she saw it. Clearly she didn’t know much. Especially about Jack Walker, whose character she’d obviously grossly misjudged.

“I haven’t heard any gossip about this at the office,” she said.

“I haven’t told anyone, except Gavin. All my energy has been spent basically in accounting triage-stopping hemorrhaging, getting the department stabilized, hiring a new controller. I haven’t had the time or opportunity yet to forge any real personal relationships with the employees.” He looked at her over the edge of his bottle. “Guess that’s going to change during this bonding weekend.”

“Yes. That was the point.” She felt all her opinions about him shifting rapidly, like sand during a windstorm, and she wasn’t sure she was happy about it. Disliking Jack had been uncomfortable, but she was accustomed to uncomfortable work situations. No, she greatly feared that liking him would prove even more problematic. “It was good that you and Gavin came to an agreement. I know from experience that not all bosses are so accommodating to a personal schedule.”

“It was a deal breaker for me.”

She raised her brows. “You would have turned down a CFO position?”

“Yes. I turned one down before I accepted Gavin’s offer. Having my thirty-year-old brother-in-law-who also happened to be one of my best friends-die made me reexamine, reevaluate my life. My goals. What was important to me. For a long time my career came first. Looking back, I see I was driven to the point of letting everything else slide. After Rob died, well, everything changed. Including me.”

There was no doubting his sincerity, and she could actually feel the ropes that had anchored her aversion to him slipping from their moorings. “I… I think it’s great that you’re helping your sister and are so involved in your niece’s life.”

“Thanks. But not all women would agree with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have a couple of ex-girlfriends who weren’t very understanding of the fact that I would take a long lunch on a weekday for a four-year-old but not for them. Or that I was unavailable Friday evenings. And sometimes on weekends as well, if Sophie had something going on at her school, or if we’d scheduled a family outing. We’d all planned to visit the zoo this weekend then catch the latest Disney flick, but I had to bow out because of the team building.”

Maddie recalled the phone calls she’d overheard him making and she inwardly winced with shame for the conclusion she’d jumped to. He’d been canceling a zoo/movie outing with his sister and niece-not erotic dates with hot babes.

“And what do your current dates think?”

He gave a short laugh. “As soon as I find someone willing to take me on, I’ll let you know. I can understand the frustration of not being included, and I haven’t asked any women to join us on our family outings. But on the other hand, I haven’t wanted to introduce anyone into our little circle until I was sure she was going to be around for a while. The last thing Sophie needs is a revolving door of ‘aunts.’ ” He took a swallow of beer then continued, “I guess you’d be apt to take the women’s side on that issue.”

She shook her head. “Actually, I agree with you.”

He slapped his hand over his heart and staggered back a step. “Call the paramedics. I think I’m about to keel over from shock.”

She laughed. “Surely we’ve agreed on something before now.”

He screwed up his face in an exaggerated ponder then shook his head. “Sorry. Can’t think of a single time.”

Maddie thought about it for several seconds and realized she couldn’t think of an occasion either. They’d butted heads pretty much from moment one. “Well, clearly there’s a first time for everything. I think it’s very admirable that you’re putting your niece’s interests before your own.”

“Thank you. Although you sound very surprised that I’d do anything admirable.”

“I suppose I am surprised,” she said, feeling as if she owed him both honesty and an apology. “My mom died when I was in fifth grade. It took my dad several years before he even went on a date, but once he finally started dating, he kept that part of his life separate from me and him. He didn’t want me to meet someone who he might only end up dating a few times and have me wondering-or worrying-if she might become my stepmother. Now that I’m an adult, I can appreciate that he wanted what was best for me and didn’t introduce me to a bunch of transient dates.”

“Has he ever remarried?”

She smiled. “Yes. In fact, as we speak, Dad and Yvonne are on a two-week European cruise to celebrate their tenth anniversary.”

“So happy endings are possible.”

“In some cases, yes. Is that why you’re reading How to Find Your Soul Mate-to find a happy ending?”

She’d asked in a slightly teasing voice, but when he answered, his gaze remained serious. “After Rob’s death and my reevaluation of my own life, I realized I want to find what my sister had with Rob. What my parents have shared all these years. That special connection with one person. I’m tired of games and drama and the singles scene. After my last relationship ended, I sort of went into hibernation, and frankly, between the new job and helping out my sister, I haven’t had much free time. Nor have I met anyone who interested me enough to make the effort.” He drained the rest of his beer. “And I’m sure that’s more than you ever wanted to know.”

As recently as two hours ago, she would have sworn she knew all she wanted to know about him. But that was based on her own incorrect assumptions and wrong conclusions about him. Now she felt as if she didn’t know nearly enough. As if she could sit here and talk to him for hours.

She cleared her throat. “You said that I surprised you, but I have to say… you’ve surprised me.”

“Because you thought I was an arrogant, heartless prick.” He said the words without rancor. Indeed, he appeared amused.

“An arrogant pain in the ass,” she corrected. “Which, as far as work goes, I still think you are. But in keeping with our apparent détente, I also think you’re intelligent and an excellent and fair boss to your staff.”

“Thank you. As far as work goes, I think you’re a nit-picking, uptight micromanager. But in keeping with our apparent détente, I also think you’re intelligent and a good organizer. And that you look pretty damn amazing in that dress.”

His words surprised her, but then he utterly shocked her by reaching out and brushing his fingers over the back of her hand. It felt as if a lightning bolt zoomed up her arm and spread all the way down to her toes.

“I told you all about me and the mysterious contents of my suitcase,” he said, his gaze searching hers. “So now it’s your turn. What’s a nice girl like you doing looking for a one-night stand?”

She hiked up a brow. “Nice girls can’t have one-night stands?”

“Sure they can.” He studied her for several seconds, and she would have given a lot to know what he was thinking. “But I somehow don’t think it’s your usual style.”

“Obviously because of the ‘be brave, don’t chicken out’ note.”

“Only partly. Even without benefit of the note, it just doesn’t seem like you.”

“It’s not.” The words slipped out before she could even think, followed by a nervous laugh. “Would you believe me if I told you I’m actually sort of shy?”

He nodded slowly then said, “Yes, I would. Not in your job, in things that you’re sure of. There your confidence shows. But outside the business realm… yes, I can image you’re often shy.”

His answer surprised her. “No one believes me when I tell them I’m shy,” she found herself saying. “That social situations make me nervous. That I’ve had to train myself not to just stand in the corner and remain silent. Force myself to talk to people I don’t know. Ever since my mother’s funeral, with all those people crowding around me, talking to me…” A shudder ran through her, one she turned into a shrug. “I was painfully shy then. The out of control curly hair, thick glasses, and railroad-track braces didn’t help.

“But the year after my mom died, my dad gave me a camera for my birthday. It was the greatest present he could have given a shy girl because it gave me a way to communicate with people without having to make conversation. I could hide behind the lens, but still be sociable. It enabled me to fit in at school, where I joined the yearbook and newspaper staffs and photography club.”

“A camera… that’s a great idea. One I never would have thought of. Sophie isn’t shy with people she knows, but she doesn’t like crowds. It took her a long time to adjust to preschool. I’m going to look into a kid version of a camera for her. You didn’t want to make photography your career?”

She shook her head. “I’m too practical to contemplate being a starving artist. Photography’s a passion, but it’s just my hobby.”

His gaze skimmed over her with such unmistakable male appreciation it was all she could do not to fan herself with a cocktail napkin. “And your collection of sexy lingerie… is that a passion as well?”

“More of a weakness.”

He shifted closer and her knee brushed against his hard thigh. “Any other weaknesses?”

Yes. Apparently tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed men. “Rocky road ice cream. Lemon meringue pie. Spicy salsa.” Good lord, was that breathless sound her voice? “Not all at the same time.”

He chuckled. “That’s a relief. That combo wouldn’t be good for the arteries or the soul.”

“Or the stomach.”

He casually took her hand and lightly played with her fingers. Soft strokes of his fingers over hers that made her catch her breath. “You never answered my question,” he said softly.

“Question?” If he was going to keep touching her like that, he’d never get an answer. Especially since she couldn’t even recall what he’d asked her.

“Why are you looking for a one-nighter? No boyfriend to take the edge off?”

Pride made her ease her hand away, and she immediately missed the sensation of his fingers on hers. “If I had a boyfriend, I wouldn’t be here,” she said stiffly. “You might think me a nit-picking micromanager-an assessment I disagree with by the way-but I don’t cheat. I’ve had an unfaithful boyfriend and it’s not a pain or humiliation I would subject anyone else to.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were stepping out on someone.” He cleared his throat. “Your Honor, I’d like my last remark stricken from the record and I’d like to rephrase my poorly worded question.”

She relaxed and gave a solemn nod. “Permission granted.”

He nodded his thanks. “So why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“My last few relationships were with men who proved to be lacking in either morals, integrity, honesty, or all three. My last few first dates proved to be awkward or boring. A few months ago, I got disgusted with the games and grind of dating and basically threw in the towel.”

Understanding and unmistakable interest flared in his eyes. “I see. After a few months alone, you’re feeling… lonely. Not enough to take on a relationship with another man who’ll probably just disappoint you, but enough to want a one-nighter to take the edge off the sexual frustration.”

She could try to deny it, but doubted if she’d be convincing, especially when he’d nailed it so exactly. “Do you read minds?”

“No. I just guessed that’s how you’d feel because it’s exactly how I feel. How many months has it been for you?”

She debated lying, but in the end told the truth. “Six months. Six months, seventeen days, fourteen hours, and”-she consulted her watch-“nine minutes. Not that I’m counting.”

“Well, it’s been eight months, five days, twelve hours, and…” He lightly clasped her wrist, sending her pulse into overdrive. After checking her watch, he added, “And four minutes for me. Not that I’m counting.”

Maddie opened her mouth to dispute his claim, but one look at his face, at the intensity in his eyes and the words died on her lips. Unless Jack was giving an Academy Award-caliber performance, he was telling the truth. His sexual drought was even longer than hers. Considering the fact that she felt as if her skin were too small, she had to wonder how he was faring. She moistened her suddenly dry lips. “That’s a long time.”

“A damn long time.” He clasped her hand and lifted it to his mouth. With his gaze steady on hers, he pressed his lips against her palm. She pulled in a quick breath. His mouth looked and felt positively sinful against her skin, and oh, God, was that his tongue that just brushed over the pad of her thumb?

“I think we should fix that, Maddie,” he said, his warm breath teasing the sensitive skin of her inner wrist.

The way he said her name, in that soft, deep, intimate tone, struck a chord deep inside her. One that hadn’t been played in a very long time. “What do you suggest?”

He lowered her hand to his chest. The heat of him seeped into her fingers and his heartbeat thumped hard and fast against her palm. His heart was beating nearly as fast as hers. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck with his warm lips. She actually felt her eyes glaze over.

“You’re looking for a one-night stand, and I’ve been out of commission even longer than you have,” he whispered against her ear. He straightened and looked into her eyes. The fire burning in the depths of his scorched her. “I suggest we be each other’s one-nighter.”