Although she was tired last night, nothing had satisfied her. Shed run a bubble bath when she got home, dumping a generous portion of lavender bath salts in. Between the warm water and aromatherapy she shouldve been out like a light. Nope. Shed tried reading a book. Not interested. Nothing on television. Shed popped in Pride and PrejudiceA&Es Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, thank you very muchbut not even P&P struck a chord for her.
Shed finally admitted to herself that she was sexually keyed up and taken matters into her own hands. It was a rather sad fact, but the truth of the matter was that not all orgasms were created equal. Shed had her orgasm but shed still felt all empty and achy and needy inside.
Masturbation simply didnt mimic the nuzzle of Beaus mouth on her neck or the delicious pressure of his hand and mouth on her breast. And the very thought of his mouth between her wet thighsYeah, that had been the fantasy that sent her right on over the edge to hollow satisfaction. Kissing him had been analogous to playing with fire. She hadnt gotten burned, but she was definitely singed. How could a man so wrong, so different from what she wanted in a man, turn her on so thoroughly, so completely?
And it didnt matter. This, too, would pass. Shed finally gotten him out to Belle Terre. Now all she needed was the schedule from him, which she could most likely go through his secretary for, and she was done with Beau Stillwell until she had to see him again at the rehearsal dinner. Months. Woohoo.
How was your Sunday? Natalie asked as Cynthia put away her purse and beelined for the hot water in the back. Natalie wandered into the stockroom behind her and leaned against the doorjamb.
I spent most of the day parked on the sofa reading a romance novel, just to remind myself there are decent men out there, and eating popcorn. But I didnt cry. Not even once. Cynthia measured out loose English breakfast tea leaves into the stainless steel ball.
Natalie wouldve hugged her, except Cynthia wasnt the hugging type. The last couple of months had been tough for her assistant. Cynthia had been expecting a proposal from her live-in boyfriend, Josh, after two years together. Instead, shed gotten the news that Josh was going to be a daddythe sticking point being that Cynthia wasnt the mommy. And hed even robbed her of the pleasure of kicking him to the curb. Hed moved out and sent her a text message breaking both pieces of news while Natalie and Cynthia had been in the middle of directing a rehearsal. Bastard.
Good, Natalie said. Thats real progress. Double good because hes so not worth it.
Tears shimmered in Cynthias eyes but she squared her shoulders and raised her chin. But enough about me. Did you get the remodel schedule down? What was the race like? She cocked her head to one side and assessed Natalie, her lips pursed. And whats different about you this morning? You definitely look different.
We got the remodel list made. We didnt get as far as the schedule. The race was, believe it or not, kind of exciting. And I suppose this is what I look like when Im losing my mind.
Cynthia dropped the tea ball into the hot water. Why do I get the feeling were not talking about your standard garden-variety lose-your-mind?
Natalie brought her up to speed on most of the day while Cynthia opened a Pop-Tart and dropped it into the toaster. His pieces arent quite fitting together. His crew member tells me the guy can remember stats from two races ago but I have to schlep along behind him like a hired hand, taking notes. That doesnt add up.
So what are you saying?
I dont know. See, thats the problem. I cant think straight. There. Shed admitted it. He was messing with her head.
So, call Shelby up and grill her about this guy. That girl loves to talk.
It was true. Her younger foster sister was a motormouth, which was great considering the quiet, withdrawn kid shed been when shed shown up as a thirteen-year old. Natalie was adaptable and she got along well with almost all the kids her parents took in, but she and Shelby had really bonded. Shes never met him.
It doesnt matter, Cynthia said, stirring a spoonful of sugar into her tea. Theres no way Caitlyn didnt talk about her home life, about him. Find out what Shelby knows.
Shelby had had plenty to say about how overprotective Caitlyns big brother could be, but that was simply from overhearing conversations and Caitlyns complaints.
I dont want her to think Im Natalie hesitated.
Youre what?
Natalie crossed her arms over her chest. You knowinterested. She gave a one-shoulder shrug. Personally or anything.
Cynthias spoon clanged against the side of the cup and her mouth dropped open. Oh my God, you are, arent you?
Definitely not. So not my type. And hes obnoxious. And he wastes my time. And I made out with him. She buried her face in her hand.
Sheep shit on a stick. You made out with him? Define made out.
You know, he kissed me. Then later I kissed him. She left out the part about masturbating to the thought of him going down on her. Some things were just better left unsaid.
Im totally confused. I thought you said hes obnoxious.
He is.
They left the stockroom.
And you were kissing him, why?
To prove a pointand he is obnoxiousin a hot way. I mean, not hot according to my standards but hot according to a lot of other standards. Natalie dropped back into the chair at her desk and Cynthia perched on one of the two chairs on the other side.
Right. That just clears everything upnot. Exactly what point were you proving by making out with him?
It had made sense at the time. Its complicated.
Apparently. I cant wait to meet him. Hes the first man Ive ever seen get you all discombobulated.
I am not discombobulated. Okay, well, maybe a little. And she didnt want to think about him anymore. Shed already thought about him half the night. Make that three-quarters of the night. She was now desperately trying to adhere to out of sight, out of mind before she got to just plain old out of her mind. Sara Gastoneau is coming in this morning
Natalies cell phone interrupted with the instantly recognizable Mendelssohns Wedding March from A Midsummer Nights Dream. Her clients loved that ring tone and so did she. The traditional recessional signaled yet another wedding completed and the start of a new life together as husband and wife. Caller ID flashed Caitlyn Stillwells name.
Natalie! You are such a doll.
Hi, Caitlyn, Natalie said with a smile. Caitlyn Stillwell possessed an infectious enthusiasm. Hows life on the road and why am I a doll?
Caitlyn offered a dreamy sigh at the other end. Life on the road is wonderfulmostly because Im with Cash. But were getting some great video footage. That had been a biggie among many challenges in planning their wedding. Not only was it on short notice, but the bride-to-be was touring the country by bus with her fiancé and shooting video footage for what they hoped would be a reality show or documentary. Natalie had never planned a wedding before with the bride out of town. And youre a doll because I just got off of the phone with Beau. You are the best.
Why did that have an ominous ring? Im glad you think so but Im not sure Im following you here.
He told me about you helping him out at Belle Terre.
No problem. Sometimes her business called for a little white lie. I was more than happy to help. Hed wasted several hours of her time. And sometimes it was a whopping white lie.
I bet no other wedding planner would do what youre doing. Even Cash is impressed.
Yay! This was exactly the response she wanted, exactly what she wanted Caitlyn to put out to the public. Once Caitlyn and Cash were married, Caitlyn would be Nashville royalty.
Thats why Im here. I dont want you stressing about the wedding. I just want you to have fun and look forward to it.
Caitlyn laughed on the other end. Ill admit I was stressing a little over the renovations, but now that youre personally assisting Beau with the remodel and building
What the hell? She wasnt personally assisting him with anything now that theyd made that list. He swears hed never be able to get the project done in time for the wedding if you werent willing to come out and help him with the project, Caitlyn steamed on. Cash and I think youre the best.
Shed already said that once. Natalie forced a smile into her voice, Well, Im not sure how much
Caitlyn interrupted. Dont be modest. Beau said not many professionals would be willing to go that extra mile of meeting him at Belle Terre at six-thirty in the morning and then again in the evenings to work around your other projects. He was impressed with your flexibility.
Coming from him that means a lot. She couldnt help her dark sarcasm. And it was better than screaming. What was he up to? Because he was definitely up to something. Theyd no more discussed her squeezing renovation help into her already packed schedule than she had monkeys flying out her tush. Hel-lo. It was high wedding season. She was busy. But she couldnt say that to Caitlyn. Hed pretty much manipulated Natalie into a tight spot.
Hey, can you hold on a minute, Natalie? On the other end, someone was talking to Caitlyn. YeahOkayRightIm just wrapping up here. Hey, Im back but Ive gotta go. Call me if anything else comes up. Otherwise, Ill talk to you later.
The phone clicked in Natalies ear. She turned to Cynthia, whod eavesdropped unabashedly. Not that she blamed her for that.
I guess it would be counterproductive, Natalie said, to kill him before the renovation is done and hes walked her down the aisle, huh?
It was sheer annoyance at his blatant manipulation that had Natalies heart pounding and not the thought of being in close proximity to his wickedly distracting mouth and hands and his big, hard body.
No, that particular thought was responsible for her now-damp panties.
Chapter 6
BEAU WHISTLED UNDER his breath as he made his way back to his truck, satisfied his roofing crew was set on the new subdivision job hed contracted between Nashville and Dahlia. Urban sprawl was both a bane and a blessing, but right now it was a damn fine morning in Dahlia. The sun was shining, he had jobs lined up in a less-than-stellar economy and he had Natalie Bridges right where he wanted her.
He leaned against the cab of his truck and checked his wristwatch. Hed finished up the conversation with his sister about forty-five minutes ago. He figured hed get a call anytime now. Actually, depending on how long Caitlyn kept Natalie on the phone, it could be another couple of minutes.
Natalie. Her sweet, hot mouthher velvet tongueClassy. Sexy. Fiery. True enough, hed started out with the intent to shut this wedding down and that remained his primary goal, but hed discovered two things in the last day. One, he realized hed never had to chase a woman before. From the earliest time he could remember women just seemed to like him. But Natalie brought out the hunter in him. Two, he wanted her. Shed told him yesterday in no uncertain terms he wasnt her type. Bullshit. She wouldntcouldntkiss him that way if she didnt want him.
He scrolled through his cell-phone options. Natalie deserved her own ringtone and he deserved to be forewarned when she called. He downloaded and waited.
He didnt have to wait long. His phone trilled the opening chords of AC/DCs Highway to Hell.
I just spoke to Caitlyn, she said without preamble.
A fly buzzed past him and the sounds of the guys hauling up shingle bundles and recounting weekend exploits filled the background. Great. Im sure its important to stay in close contact when youre planning her wedding.
He climbed in the cab of the truck, cutting off the background noise. He couldve sworn on the drive from his office to the work site that hed caught the occasional whiff of her scent from last night.
You know, press-ganged servitude is out of vogue these days. Of course, I have only myself to blame. She paused and sighed heavily on the other end. I shouldve never kissed you.
What angle was she working? Women never regretted kissing him. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Ill have to say youve lost me there, sweet thing. He picked up the take-out coffee cup from the dash cup holder. Empty.
Obviously I drove you beyond the point of desperate when I kissed you, she announced on a smug note. It goes without saying Id never go out with you, so youve resorted to manipulating me into indentured servitude.
Shed never go out with him, as if he were some substandard species? The hell, she said. The hunt was definitely on. He chuckled.
Indentured servitude? Well, hell, that just brought a whole bunch of things to mind. Her on her knees in front of him, her mouth on hisa little light bondage with silken cordsDoes that mean you want me to tie you up?
You wouldnt dare. Well, well, well. She sounded far more breathless than outraged. Just what was going on in her pretty little head? And can you say sexual harassment?
No. And neither could she. Am I writing your paycheck, baby? Do I have the authority to fire or promote you? Think again. If you find yourself all tied up, its strictly because thats what you want.
I think you have a pretty accurate idea of what I want right now and its not that. No man with a brain would trust that sweet note.
Im certain I know what you want, you just need to decide how you want it.
Since you seem to be calling all the shots at this point, you tell me. When do you want to start?
Im sitting on ready. Youre the one with the rushed time schedule. Lets start this evening.
What time?
Six. That ought to have her sitting through Nashville rush hour. The idea, after all, was to push her to her limits.
Perfect.
Perfect? Ha. She was probably ready to gnaw on wood. And just to thoroughly piss her offAnd dont be late. Id hate for us to get behind schedule because youre not punctual.
He could all but feel her kiss-my-ass radiating over the phone line. Perversely, he was looking forward to 6:00 p.m.
AT PRECISELY four-thirty, Natalie pulled into a parking spot on Dahlias picturesque town square. There was no way she was going to sit through rush-hour traffic heading out of the city. Plus, shed seen Beaus face when Scooter told her to replace her outfit at Stillwell Motors Racings expense. Two could play his game, and she was more than willing to hit below the beltat least, thats where she assumed he kept his wallet.