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 . . .”
“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
