Page 33 of The Playboy (Chandler Brothers 2)
“Please don’t explain,” Charlotte said. “Considering Raina’s in the other room, I’m certain you were just looking for privacy.”
Kendall laughed, but Rick wasn’t amused because he wanted to be alone with her now. He nodded at his brother and Charlotte. “We’re leaving.”
“How’s breakfast tomorrow?” Charlotte asked Kendall as Rick led her down the hall.
“Good for me.”
“Nine A.M.,” Charlotte called, her voice trailing off on a laugh, Roman chuckling along with her.
Rick didn’t look back, not stopping until they’d reached the street.
“You were rude to Roman and Charlotte,” Kendall scolded him as soon as the door to Norman’s closed behind them.
“They’re newlyweds. They’ll understand.” He squeezed her hand tighter, his gaze never leaving hers, desire throbbing through his body.
He wanted her and she knew it. What would she do about it?
A slow, sexy smile lifted her lips. “Lead the way.”
* * *
Raina glanced around at the familiar birdhouse decor adorning the walls and the people she called friends talking among themselves. Meanwhile she remained in this chair. Alone. “Darnit,” she muttered.
She hated sitting still while life went on around her. Right under her nose, Rick dragged Kendall out of Norman’s, obviously anxious to be alone. Looks like they didn’t need Raina’s interference or matchmaking. So why was she faking a heart condition, a charade that left her unable to mingle and be in the center of things?
“Anything wrong?” Eric joined her, pulling up a chair. “It’s about time you worked your way back here,” Raina grumbled. Eric wasn’t just her beau, but the town doctor. To her frustration, he’d stopped to talk to each friend and patient, while Raina who waited in the back of the room had to come last. She’d wanted to run up to him and capture his attention, but she couldn’t, not without calling attention to herself and the vitality she was unable to express.
He let out a hearty laugh. “Feeling constrained by your antics? I told you no good could come out of pretending to be ill.”
“Spoken as my doctor or as . . .” her voice trailed off. She wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.
“Spoken by someone who cares about you.”
His words warmed her heart, capturing the same thing she felt for him. Reaching out, she placed her hand over his and studied him, once again struck by his distinguished appearance. His salt and pepper hair and weathered features gave him a ruggedly handsome look and made him stand out among Yorkshire Falls’s single older men. For the first time in years, Raina’s heart beat faster at the sight of a man and she wanted the freedom to act on her feelings.
“Isn’t it time to end the charade?” he asked.
“I’ve been thinking that myself.” Because of all the emotions rioting through Raina, guilt was paramount. Guilt over deceiving her sons and allowing them to worry about her for no real reason. Although, she reminded herself, her supposed illness had brought Roman and Charlotte together.
Then there was her middle child. Rick’s prospects, which just last week had seemed hopeless, now blossomed with possibility. Raina had given every eligible female she could think of a nudge in her middle son’s direction, but no sparks had resulted. Until Kendall arrived in town.
Yet they’d hooked up without Raina’s matchmaking. “Maybe you’re right.” She sighed. “I could confess . . .”
“And we could start more openly dating instead of sneaking around,” Eric said.
“You have no idea how wonderful that sounds.”
“Then do something about it.” His words sounded like a dare.
“I’ll have to find the right time.” Would there ever be a right time to tell her sons she’d betrayed them?
“They love you. They’ll forgive you,” Eric said, reading her mind.
“I hope so.” But she wasn’t as sure.
“Would you come over later tonight? I rented some DVDs.”
She met his warm gaze, enjoying his interest. “I’d love to. Pick me up so my car isn’t seen parked outside your house?” She tapped her fingers restlessly against the table, unable to believe she was plotting like a teenager who’d been forbidden to go out with her boyfriend. But as a woman recently diagnosed with a weak heart, she had no business driving to Eric’s and remaining there for a good part of the night.
“I’ll pick you up anywhere.” He leaned over and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek. “But why don’t I just take you home from here and drive you back later?”
“Sounds like a good idea. I’ll just tell Chase he’s off duty.”
“And that puts me on call.” Eric grinned. “I like the idea.”
Raina smiled, the pleasure overwhelming. If Rick and Kendall were feeling as warm and fuzzy as she felt, Eric was right. It was time to confess because they didn’t need her help at all.
* * *
Rick held Kendall’s hand in a heated caress. She stepped into his apartment and immediately felt surrounded by his essence. With every inhale, she took in his masculine scent, stirring her already aroused senses.
