Twice the Temptation. Cara Summers

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СКАЧАТЬ to breathe yet, and her knees felt weak. Those incredibly blue eyes held her captive, but she still noticed the handsome face with the warrior cheekbones, the strong chin. It was a wonder that the modeling industry hadn’t snapped him up and made him a media star. His dark hair looked mussed as if someone had just run her hands through it.

      Her hands? Even as her palms tingled, Reese felt heat rush through her—the same kind she’d felt each time she’d let herself think about the boy toy fantasy.

       Her fantasy! Where was it?

      “My … things.”

      She pulled away, dropped to her knees and glanced frantically around for the envelope. Spotting it just behind him, she reached for it at the same time he did.

      When she jerked it away, she ended up with the envelope and he the message.

      Panic and embarrassment raced for first place when she saw him glance down at it.

      What would he think? What could she say? Her first impulse was to get to her feet and run. But she was through with that.

      “Here.”

      She didn’t have the courage to meet his eyes when she took it from his outstretched hand. But she hadn’t run. “Thanks,” she managed as she stuffed it into the envelope and crammed both into her pocket. Then she scrambled to her feet.

      “You’re sure you’re all right?” he asked as he handed her the duffel.

       No.

      She drew in the first full breath she’d taken since she’d run into him. “Absolutely.” One way or another, she was going to face head-on what life dealt her. Lifting her chin, she met his eyes.

      Relief flooded her when she read nothing in his gaze. No laughter, no questions, not even curiosity. Perhaps he hadn’t read the words, after all.

       It’s not disappointment I’m feeling. Really.

      “Reese, my darling girl.”

      Even more relief flooded through her when she saw Avery hurrying toward her. He’d called her my darling girl from the first moment that her sister Jillian had introduced him to her, and the endearment never failed to warm her.

      When she ran into his arms, he scooped her up and swung her around. “You’re early.”

      “Only a day.”

      “Well, you’ve made mine! I can definitely use your help. I just booked the last room to one of Ian MacFarland’s old buddies from his CIA days, Cody Marsh. You remember him?”

      “Of course. He helped Ian save Jillian’s life. And he has a gift for sensing and often seeing ghosts, right?”

      “That’s him.” Avery grinned at her. “He’s been anxious to get back here ever since he saw Hattie’s lover on the cliff walk. I think the Singles Weekend will provide him with a few more sightings.”

      Reese’s stomach clenched. “You’re expecting Hattie to play an active role, then?”

      “It’s her fantasy box.”

      Perhaps Hattie had already gotten involved. As she let Avery draw her farther into the lobby, Reese couldn’t prevent herself from taking a quick look over her shoulder.

      Blue Eyes was just walking out the lobby door. As she ran her gaze over the broad shoulders, the narrow waist and those long, long legs, she felt a pull. For an instant, she was so tempted to run after him that she nearly pulled her arm out of Avery’s grip.

      Then he was gone. And this time, she couldn’t deny it was disappointment she was feeling.

      “Reese? Is something wrong?”

      She glanced up at Avery and managed a smile. “No.”

      Holding her at arm’s length, he let his eyes roam over her. “It amazes me that you can always manage to look elegant in jeans and a T-shirt.”

      Reese made a snorting sound. “Don’t you start in on me. Now that Jillian has influenced Naomi into dressing more stylishly, they’re both telling me I need a new wardrobe. And I don’t. Why bother when I practically live in a chef’s coat, anyway?”

      “Because you’re a bit of a workaholic.”

      Reese’s eyebrows shot up. “And you’re not?”

      “The difference is I know how to play. And you need to do more of it. Molly Pepperman, who runs the boutique in the village, is going to be a guest this weekend. I asked her to talk to you about clothes designed more for play. Just a few special pieces.”

      “Molly’s coming as a guest?”

      “Yes, she is. She’s talked her grandmother into coming and taking over the store for the weekend. Miss Emmy Lou Pritchard, our local librarian, is also a guest. She and Molly each want a shot at making a secret fantasy come true.”

      Nerves danced in Reese’s stomach as the image of Blue Eyes filled her mind. If anyone fit the description of a boy toy, he did.

      “People are coming from all over for this Singles Weekend. In fact, there’s even someone who’s come a long way to see you. He claims he’s an old friend.”

      “Who?”

      “Can’t spoil the surprise,” Avery said as he drew her along through the archway into a courtyard that served as extra dining space when the weather permitted.

      “There he is over by that pillar.”

      When Reese glanced over to where Avery was pointing, she saw a tall man with his back toward her and a shorter woman in a wide-brimmed straw hat. “Who is it?”

      “Charles Dutoit,” Avery said. “He claims the two of you were very tight five years ago in Paris.”

      Charlie? Nerves tightened in her stomach. Could it be? But as the man began to turn toward them, recognition trickled in. He wore his hair close cropped to his head now. When she’d known him in Paris, he’d had to tie it back from his face with a leather thong. His face was leaner, too, the angles more pronounced, his jaw more firm. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. He had the same charming smile he’d had five years ago when she’d fallen in love with him.

      She wanted to hold back when Avery drew her forward. But she made herself put one foot in front of the other and murmured in a low voice, “Of all the gin joints in all the world—”

      Avery’s crack of laughter turned heads and gave Reese the courage to meet Charlie’s eyes as he moved to take both of her hands.

      “Reese. You’re as lovely as ever.”

      Relief streamed through her. It was Charlie all right. There was that same intent look in his eyes that had captivated her in Paris, but whatever spell he’d had over her when she’d been nineteen had been broken. She felt nothing but a vague curiosity as she returned his smile.

      He kissed the СКАЧАТЬ