The Doctor's Valentine Dare. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ psychologist, who’d been smiling down at Josie, turned. His gaze shifted from Noah to Josie then back again. “Too bad. I’m not ready to give her up.”

      “You don’t have a choice.” Noah lifted Liam’s hand from Josie’s shoulder and pulled her into his arms.

      “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked in a throaty whisper as he whirled her far, far away from the astonished psychologist.

      “Being a pirate.” Noah flashed a sardonic smile. “We see what we want and we take it.”

Chapter Three

      As the minutes ticked down to midnight, Noah experienced a surge of regret. Spending time with Josie and playing their ridiculous pirate game had made the evening fly by.

      The band finished the set and took a break, no doubt gearing up for the playing of “Auld Lang Syne” when the clock struck twelve.

      “That is the strangest cake I can recall seeing.” Noah cocked his head and scrutinized the multilayered monstrosity that would soon be cut and served with champagne.

      Jet-black layers alternated with pristine white ones and caught the eye first. A crooked clock on the front made one take a second glance. The glittery mirror ball made it difficult to look away.

      “It’s so creative.” Josie’s tone was filled with awe. “I wonder who made it?”

      “That would be me.”

      Noah and Josie turned in unison.

      A slender woman with wavy hair the color of burnished copper and eyes that appeared violet in the light held a glass of champagne. Like most in attendance, she still wore a mask. Edged in gold, the deep purple color matched her cocktail dress. Although flattering, the cut of the dress reminded Noah of something from an earlier generation.

      The woman extended her hand to Josie. “I’m Sylvie Thorne. My business, The Mad Batter, is all about creating unique cake designs.”

      They’d barely exchanged introductions when Josie’s gaze returned to the cake.

      “I adore it,” Josie exclaimed. “It’s so unique. Do you do catering for smaller events?”

      “Absolutely.” Sylvie took a sip of champagne. She appeared cool and collected but Noah saw the eager gleam in her eyes. “What do you need?”

      “I have an event next week. I promised to bring the dessert. I need something that will serve thirty.” Something in Josie’s tone told Noah she wasn’t excited about the event. “I’d love to take one of your cakes.”

      Noah held silent while Josie and Sylvie discussed details and made plans to connect on Monday.

      Sylvie strode off after giving them both an impromptu hug.

      A smile lifted Josie’s lips. “Sylvie and I are going to be good friends.”

      “The two of you just met.”

      “Sometimes you just know.” Josie gave a little laugh. “We have a lot in common. For example, we’re both new in town.”

      “You grew up here,” he reminded her.

      “That was a long time ago. The friends I used to have are married now. Some with kids. They have their own lives, different interests.” She lifted a shoulder in a light shrug. “You know how that is.”

      He did understand. Almost everyone he associated with since moving to Jackson Hole was married or dating someone. At most gatherings he felt like a fifth wheel. He realized that was why tonight had been so enjoyable. It’d been nice having a fellow pirate at his side.

      The thought made him smile. “Have you thought any more about my proposition?”

      “You’re certainly persistent,” she said mildly.

      “It’s a pirate thing.” He lifted his glass in a mock toast. “Whether searching for sunken treasure or convincing a beautiful woman to join forces with me, determination is key.”

      “Well, Cap’n.” She looped her arm through his in a companionable gesture. “The answer is still no.”

      Noah stiffened. “I don’t understand why—”

      “Ten.” The crowd roared as the countdown to midnight began.

      By the time shouts of “Happy New Year” rang out in the mountain home, he’d covered her mouth with his.

      When her hands rose to rest on his shoulders, Noah realized he wasn’t going to give up. Eventually she’d agree to help him. For now, he could think of no better way to end one year and begin a new one than kissing a beautiful masked woman.

      * * *

      After the kiss ended, Josie had taken a shaky breath and willed her fingers to remain steady as she removed her mask. When she’d told Noah she needed to meet Pauline at half past midnight, he’d insisted they had time to share a piece of cake and a glass of champagne.

      She hadn’t realized how erotic it could be to actually share a piece of cake with a man. When his lips closed over that bite of cake and those glittering blue eyes met hers, she’d imagined that mouth closing over her nip—

      Josie shoved the memory aside and refocused on her conversation with Pauline. After arriving home they’d taken seats in the parlor, a warm, inviting room where flocked wall coverings and rugs of the same deep green hue were accentuated with burgundy furniture edged in walnut.

      Outside, snow continued to fall. Inside, the room was cozy with a fire blazing in the hearth. Pretty floral bone china cups held Pauline’s favorite blend of tea, African Autumn. The cranberry-and-oranges flavor of the herbal rooibos made for a soothing drink, especially with the addition of a dollop of honey. Josie felt the last of her tension ease as she took another sip.

      The conversation on the drive to Pauline’s home had been laden with amusing anecdotes about the people her employer had interacted with over the course of the evening. Not once had Noah’s name come up.

      When Pauline asked for a report on her evening, Josie chose her words carefully. “It was difficult to recognize people, because of their masks.”

      She went on to tell Pauline about Liam and Sylvie, about running into her brother and Poppy. But when Pauline gazed at Josie over the top of her teacup Josie knew the moratorium on Noah Anson had ended.

      “You’ve mentioned everyone but my grandson.” Pauline’s gaze turned sharp and assessing in the golden light of the richly appointed parlor.

      “I ran into Noah. He was helpful. He pointed out several women and men who I wouldn’t have recognized because of the masks.”

      It was a simplistic explanation but Josie had no intention of explaining something she didn’t understand herself...why she’d shared two very hot kisses and most of the evening with a man who was not her type.

      “Did he ask you to help him reconcile with Daffy?”

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