Chapter Three

Rick couldn’t believe his good luck in asking Cathie to the gala. By managing to get the door open to Herbert so quickly, she had achieved more than he’d dreamt possible. She’d been perfect. The cream on the top was the fact he found her so appealing. He’d had no idea he’d be so hot for her.

They were in the car on their way down the residential street away from the mansion when he made a sharp turn into a less busy one and pulled to the curb.

Cathie gave him a curious look. “Is there something wrong?”

“Nothing, except I’ve not said thank you properly.” Putting a hand behind her neck, he tugged her toward him, his mouth finding hers. Her full lips were moist and inviting. She tasted sweet. There was a moment of hesitation on her part before her hand came to his shoulder and she leaned closer. He deepened the kiss, running the tip of his tongue along the seam of her mouth. He was rewarded with her moan. His manhood stiffened. Yes, he wanted her.

The flash of headlights from a passing car drew him out of the pleasure induced bubble Cathie had built around him. Even in the dim light he could see the dreamy look in her eyes. He wasn’t going to let this evening end here. “It’s still early. How about we stop for some dessert? I know this little bakery that makes great pecan pie. We can take it to my house.”

There was a short hesitation before she said, “Okay.”

While he drove, Cathie made small talk about places they passed. He pointed out a few buildings he’d been involved in refurbishing or constructing. She acted impressed. He couldn’t deny his ego was boosted. At the bakery, he went in to order and soon returned.

As they neared his home she said with awe in her voice, “You live in Virginia Highlands?”

“I do.”

“I love these old homes. This is my dream place to live.” Her focus remained fixed on the houses.

“I bought mine a few years back. It needed a lot of repair but I finally have it livable.” He made the turn onto his lane.

“Even a shack would be wonderful in this neighborhood. I’m so jealous.”

Rick chuckled. “When I bought mine it was little more than that. The bath was even falling in.”

“That wouldn’t have kept me away.” She sounded like she meant it.

More than one woman had said she had no intention of staying the night at his place because of the shape it was in at the time. Lauren wouldn’t have even stepped foot in it. To find someone like Cathie was rare. Pulling into his brick walled drive, he turned off the car. She was sitting on the edge of her seat staring out the windshield.

“It’s wonderful, Rick.”

Gratification filled his chest. Much of the work he’d done himself and had closely supervised what he couldn’t do. He was proud of his accomplishment. “Thank you. Would you like to see it?”

She grinned and opened the door. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He shouldn’t like her this much. He’d made a major mistake in the past, he had no intention of repeating. Slowly was what he needed to go. He didn’t really know Cathie. And he was determined, no woman would be allowed to use him again.

Rick grabbed their takeout bag. Together they went up the walk. He assisted her over the three short steps to the porch. Automatic lights flickered on.

“Do you come out here and have coffee in the morning?” she asked with a wistful note.

“No.” Her face fell as if he had disappointed her. “I have a small brick patio out back. I usually have it there when the weather’s nice.”

The light returned to her eyes. “Sounds like a great way to start a day.”

“Come on in. I think it has cooled down enough that we can eat our pie out there.” Rick unlocked the door, threw his jacket on a chair and headed for the kitchen. The sound of Cathie kicking off her shoes then the padding of feet slowly coming in his direction told him she wasn’t missing a single detail of his home.

“You have excellent taste. The floors are gorgeous and the arched doorways are to die for.”

“I’m glad you like it. I warmed the pie. Let’s eat it while it’s still that way. I’ll show you around later.” It was nice to have someone as interested in architecture as he was. When he’d invited her out he would have never guess that about her. She had seemed like all the other women he’d known, always wanting the newest and best. Lauren certainly had. She had refused to live in a ‘fixer-upper’. He’d bought this place the week after they had broken up.

Cathie took the chair across from him at the small table. He handed her the plate with the pie on it. Her hand brushed his as she took it. His heart skipped and warmth rippled through him straight to his lower region. When had he last reacted so openly to a woman’s touch? Even now he needed to adjust his pants. With her hand gone his skin cooled. He wanted it back.

While they ate, Cathie questioned him about what had led him to buy his home, how he had done one of the treatments in the living room, even the age of the place.

“If I had known you’d react to my house this way I would’ve brought you here instead of taking you to the gala.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Really? I thought the whole idea of inviting me out had to do with showing me off to Herbert.”

He shrugged. “You’re right. I’ve already apologized for that but I’ll do so again. I’m sorry. How about I show you around to make up for my self-serving ways?”

“I thought it was more about exploiting, but I’ll accept your apology. Again.” She lifted her dress before she stood. Her bright pink painted toes winked at him.

Rick couldn’t remember seeing anything sexier. He wanted to whisk her up into his arms and carry her upstairs but he was afraid to push too far, too fast. What if she didn’t share his desire? He couldn’t ruin his chance. He could already tell Cathie was special. He wanted to explore what might be between them.

He grinned. “You’re going to keep making me pay, aren’t you?”

“At least until I’ve gotten to see every detail of your house.”

He held the door for her to enter the kitchen. “Then I’d better get started with the tour.” Over the next fifteen minutes they walked around the lower level of the house. On their way up the stairs he asked, “Where did you learn so much about construction?”

“My father was a contractor.” She looked back at him. “I used to spend my summers riding around with him.”

“That makes things a lot clearer. You’re not what I expected.”

“You keep saying that. You don’t think a woman who works in a lawyer’s office can be interested in something besides papers?” Her hand slowly ran over the banister.

“No need to get defensive. I’m just trying to figure you out.”

A stricken look came over her face before she turned away and headed the rest of the way up the stairs. He watched her climb, appreciating the gentle sway of her hips. So caught up in the view he almost bumped into her when she stopped at the top of the stairs.

She said softly, “People aren’t always what they appear.”

Lauren had certainly proven that. Maybe he was being too cautious. Needed to take her at face value instead of judging her by the standard Lauren had set. It was time to start enjoying every discovery of Cathie, not be hunting for a hidden agenda.

Her hand continued to skim over the wood that he’d taken such pains to refinish to a glow. What would it be like to have her touch him with such reverence? Would she wish to if she had the chance?

“Yes, it’s original to the house. I redid it myself.” He answered the question without her asking.

Her eyes lowered and she murmured, “That must have taken hours.”

Rick watched her closely. Had that been an innuendo? “Some things deserve time and attention.”

“Yes, they do.” She started down the hall toward the two extra bedrooms.

“Let’s just say I had the time and energy.”

She stopped and looked at him. “It sounds like there’s more to the story.”

He didn’t make a habit of talking about his break-up but something had him saying, “To keep an ugly story short, I had just discovered my fiancée was more interested in what I could give her instead of me. I bought this house just after we broke up.”

Carrie stepped into the room he used as a study. “So, you worked out your frustration with dirt and sweat.”

“Something like that.” He stepped in beside her.

She considered the room. “Some people are hard to understand.”

He studied her. “Now, it’s my turn to believe there’s more to the story.”

Cathie’s body straightened. Her attention remained on the room. “Some men can be jerks.”

Rick brought his hand over his heart. “Thank goodness for the qualifying ‘some’ or I might take that personally.”

She gave him a wry smile. “I’m not including you in that group.” She shrugged. “At least not for now.”

“Then I’ll make every effort not to join the ranks of the jerks.” For reasons he couldn’t put a name to, he wanted her never to see him as a jerk. “As you can see this is my study. The next room is a guest bedroom.”

They walked further down the hall and Cathie paused to look in the room. Done, he led her back toward the stairs.

“I’m guessing the only room left to see is the master.” She gave him a questioning look.

“It’s this way.” He directed her down the landing to the other side of the house. He stepped inside his bedroom and flipped a switch turning on a lamp beside the bed.

She stood in the doorway. “If I had a bedroom like this I’d think I had died and gone to heaven. The woodwork is amazing, the large windows must catch the morning sun and the antique bed is perfect for the space. You have excellent taste.” Her voice had turned breathy.

Would she stay if he invited her to? Rick was getting hard just thinking about having her. Searching for something neutral to say, he settled on, “I reworked a closet and made the bathroom larger and modernized it. Would you like to see?”

“Sure. I don’t want to miss anything.” She stepped further into the room.

He chuckled. “If we’d known each other longer, I might believe you liked me for my house.”

Cathie turned and faced him in the middle of his bathroom. She said softly, “I’ve found more than your house to like about you.”

That statement was a balm to his injured ego. He stepped closer. “Like what?”

“Now you’re looking for compliments.” She met his gaze.

His hand skimmed her arm from shoulder to elbow. “More like reassurances.”

“I can’t imagine a man like you needing any self-image building, but here goes, if I must. You’re handsome, honest,” she hesitated over the word but quickly moved on, “generous. I saw the amount on the check to hospital. Ambitious, and a hard worker. And so far, not a jerk.” She paused then said, “And a good kisser.”

Rick moved into her personal space, his focus on her parted mouth. “You think I’m a good kisser?”

There was a catch in her voice when she answered, “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I might have gotten carried away.”

“You’re saying I’m not a good kisser?” He teased, watching her closely.

Her eyes flickered up to meet his. “I, uh—”

Whatever else she’d been about to say ended with his mouth finding hers. Her lips were just as flawless as he remembered. Her arms circled his neck as she leaned into him. His tongue met no resistance when he requested entrance into her mouth. She eagerly welcomed him as their tongues touched then tangoed.

Moments later he pulled away. His heart was beating too fast. He wanted her too desperately. He searched her face. Her lips were wet and her eyes wide. She looked so desirable he almost forgot what he was doing and nearly hauled her out to the bed. But he didn’t want to make a mistake. How she felt about what they were doing was more important. He needed to make sure they sought the same thing. “I’ve been wanting to do that again for too long.”

“So…why stop?” She sounded unsure about what she was asking.

“I don’t want you to think I’m a jerk afterwards.”

“I’m willing to take that chance.” She smiled. “Just for tonight.”

“On me being a jerk?”

She pulled his head toward hers. “Yes. But only for tonight. It can’t go beyond that.”

“I’ll except those terms.”