Page 32 of The Playboy (Chandler Brothers 2)
“We heard there was a lot going on at home and we came as soon as we could.” Charlotte grinned.
“Raina summoned you,” Rick guessed.
“No, she just said she thought we’d like to come meet your new lady friend. Her words,” Roman said. “I assume this is her?”
Rick glanced at Kendall in time to see her head ping-ponging, attempting to follow the three-way conversation.
Before he could begin the introductions, Kendall interrupted. “I’m her.” She shook her head. “I mean I’m she. I’m Kendall Sutton.”
Roman grinned. “Nice to meet you.” He extended a hand and Kendall shook it.
“Likewise,” Kendall said.
Charlotte took her turn next. “Did you know Roman kissed me for the first time in this hall? Remember?” Charlotte turned to her husband and devoured him with her eyes, making Rick, Kendall, and anyone within viewing distance feel disposable and irrelevant.
There was a time when Rick would have rolled his eyes and laughed. And there was also a time, pre-marriage and divorce, when he’d wondered if he’d ever feel that unique pull with another person. Like his mother had shared with his father. Like Roman now shared with Charlotte. Post divorce he’d spent more time running from relationships and commitment than pondering them. But now, watching the newlyweds, Rick felt a brand-new emotion—envy. Because he wanted Kendall to look at him that same covetous way.
He recalled the time he’d taken a look at his pregnant wife and seen more than a friend in need. And believing she was his by law and by word, he’d allowed himself to let down his guard, never once thinking Jillian would walk out on him, leaving him alone.
What he wanted from Kendall now transcended anything he’d desired from Jillian then. And this time Rick knew beforehand she had no intention of sticking around. Shit.
Rick glanced from Roman, who looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, to Charlotte, who possessed an amused grin, to Kendall, who just looked confused.
“We were just leaving,” Rick said. He wanted to get Kendall out of here and pick up where they left off. He wanted to get lost in the physical and forget the emotional pull she exerted—because around his close-knit family, emotions and the past were always too close to the surface.
“Now?” Charlotte asked. “You can’t run out when we just got here.”
“We made damn good time too,” Roman added. “The least you could do is hang out awhile.”
“He only got stopped by one cop.” Charlotte sounded proud, then glanced at Rick. “I mean he only got stopped by one police officer doing his duty. And he had a very valid reason for pulling us over.”
“Sitting in Roman’s lap while he was driving?” Rick asked.
Charlotte blushed. “Something like that.”
“We can stay awhile.” Kendall tugged on his shirt. “Can’t we, Rick? You wanted me to get to know your family and besides I’ve heard so much about Charlotte’s shop. I’d like to talk to her.”
“And she really wants to get to know you too. Besides, I’d like to catch up with my brother.” Roman grinned.
Rick groaned. Catch up? Bullshit, he thought. Roman knew damn well they’d spoken on the phone last night. But being the pain in the ass Rick had always loved, Roman was knowingly putting a wrench in Rick’s plans to be alone with Kendall. And damned if he wasn’t obviously enjoying it.
But Rick had no intention of letting his brother win. They’d have plenty of family time tomorrow while Rick had no idea how much longer he’d have with Kendall. And he both wanted and needed her tonight.
“I’m sure Charlotte’s exhausted after flying into Albany and driving for over an hour.” He met his sister-in-law’s gaze, pinning her with his stare and hopefully reminding her she owed him a favor.
When the panty thief business had been going on and Roman was the prime suspect, Charlotte had discovered Samson, the town eccentric, was responsible for the thefts. His reasons had been benign—the older man had some misguided notion that he was somehow helping Charlotte by drawing attention to her store. Charlotte had informed Rick, but refused to speak on the record and swore she’d deny any knowledge if Rick arrested the man. Rick had let the old man’s crimes go, marking the file unsolved. So Charlotte owed him and he now intended to call in the debt.
He held her gaze until she blinked first. Then she yawned, stretching her arms out beside her. “You’re right, Rick. I’m beat. Can we have breakfast tomorrow instead?”
Roman exhaled an exaggerated groan. “Fine. I’ll take my wife home for some R and R, and you two can get back to whatever you were doing before we arrived.” He gave a meaningful glance back at the ladies’ room from which they’d escaped.
Kendall sighed. “This doesn’t look good, but I swear to you . . .”
