CHAPTER 8

“I’M SO GLAD you’re coming, too, Grandpa,” Mel said, her breath tickling the back of Kyle’s ear as he maneuvered his Jeep past the gates that marked the entrance to Emerald Cliffs. She was sitting in the back seat, having deferred shotgun to her grandfather. She was leaning forward so that she could talk to both of them.

Gregory Tanner cleared his throat. “I’m still a little surprised Miss Emily invited me. We haven’t…well, we haven’t really seen much of each other these past few years.”

“That’s probably why she invited you,” Kyle said. “To catch up on old times.” He braked at a stop sign, then turned to face the older man. “I should probably warn you, though, that I think she’s a bit enamored with your reputation. The Cat, I mean. Don’t be surprised if she wants to hear all your stories.”

“Not all of them, I hope,” Gregory said. “Melissa told me how you two first met. I certainly don’t want to share that escapade with your grandmother.”

Kyle laughed. “No, you’ve got a point. Probably best to keep any stories you tell limited to the old days.”

Gregory smiled. “That I can do.”

Kyle met Mel’s smile in the rearview mirror, her gaze reflecting her thoughts—they hadn’t told her grandfather everything. Kyle had picked them up at seven, easily finding Mel’s house in Mission Viejo, a more inland community about half an hour from his house in Laguna Beach and a few million dollars from Miss Emily’s palace in Emerald Cliffs.

“Don’t worry,” Kyle said, as they got close to the house. “Mel or I will rescue you if Emily starts to be too overbearing. She can be that way.”

“Yes,” Gregory said. “I know.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, I remember.” He smiled, his mustache curving with his lips. “And thank you for looking out for me. You’re a good man. So nice of you to bring me along on your date with Melissa.”

Kyle sneaked another peek at the rearview mirror, this time to see Mel roll her eyes. “I told you, Gramps, it’s not a date. I’m working for Kyle now. Security consultant. It’s a great job.”

She met his eyes in the mirror, hers dancing. He’d brought business cards when he’d picked her up, and the delight on her face as she’d run her fingers over the embossed type still amused him.

“Ah, yes. That’s right. I thought perhaps you two were courting?” he said, turning the statement into a question.

“‘Courting’?” Mel laughed. “Is it my imagination or did we just drive through a time portal?”

Gregory didn’t say anything, and neither did Kyle. After a moment Mel sat back in her seat. “This isn’t a date,” she repeated. “And we’re not courting.”

And even though Kyle had known all along that she’d say that, he still felt disappointment kick him right in the gut.

* * *

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT BRIDES was apparently true. Kyle’s cousin Lucy glowed. No, more than that. If someone had cut the lights, Mel was certain that Lucy alone would illuminate the room.

It was a completely fabulous party, and Mel was clinging to Kyle for dear life. “I didn’t realize there’d be so many people,” she said. “Just how many relatives do you have?”

He frowned, then started counting on his fingers. “There’re Emily’s kids—my dad, his two sisters and his brother. They’re all here, of course, except Mom and Dad.” He gestured across the room to some people she’d met about a half hour earlier. She’d already forgotten their names and she told herself it didn’t matter. She was here as Emily’s guest and Kyle’s employee, not because she was auditioning to be part of the family.

Kyle was still counting. “And, let’s see, I’m an only child, but I don’t think any of my cousins are, and there’re five—no six—cousins. And then there’re all of Frances’s kids and Lucy’s brothers and sisters and—”

She pressed her fingers to his mouth. “Never mind. I get the drift. Big family.”

“I told you.”

She sighed. “I know. I just didn’t realize how big.” Actually, it was kind of nice. She’d been expecting another Emily Radley Affair with a capital A, but this was more of a laid-back party. There were even toddlers—somehow related to Kyle, though she couldn’t keep track of how—racing around the halls.

All in all it was loud and wild and, except for the fact that she couldn’t remember anyone’s name to save her life, she really was having a good time. “Your family’s really nice,” she said.

He smiled. “Yeah. They are. I hardly saw them when I was a kid—too much traveling—but they’ve always been around.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

“I am,” she said. And she meant it. “Gramps is, too.” She nodded toward the couple in the corner. He and Emily were chatting like old friends over by the fireplace. “Guess they’re catching up, huh?”

“I’m surprised they haven’t kept in touch. Knowing my grandmother, Gregory is exactly the type of man she’d want in her life. She always did have an adventurous streak.”

Mel shrugged. “I don’t know. But it’s nice they’re together now.” She took his hand, thrilled when he twined his fingers through hers. “I guess it’s a good thing Gramps rushed me to that job interview. I’d never even worked with Betsy before.”

“Rushed?”

“Mmm-hmm.” She explained how he’d dragged her out of bed and got her moving.

“Betsy’s the daughter of one of Emily’s best friends,” he said thoughtfully.

Something in his voice made her look up, and she noticed his expression, a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

“What?”

“Matchmaking,” he said.

She shook her head, not following.

“I’ve been wondering why Emily suddenly quit trying to fix me up with every woman in Orange County. She didn’t quit. She just got sneakier.”

“Kyle, you’re not making sense.”

But he was hardly paying attention to her now. “I know how to find out. Are you okay on your own for a few minutes?”

“Of course, but—”

She never got the question out. He planted a quick kiss on her cheek and then he was gone. Mel frowned, watching him go, then turned to find a waiter. Apparently, this evening required a glass of wine.

She snagged a glass of merlot, then headed in Lucy’s direction, wanting to offer congratulations one more time to her and her fiancé, Jack.

“Thank you so much,” Lucy said, after Mel found her. “And I’m so glad you came.” She squeezed Mel’s hand. “I’m even more happy that Kyle’s found someone.”

Mel’s cheeks burned. “Oh, we’re not—I mean, I just work for Kyle. We’re just friends.”

Lucy, however, looked dubious. And, honestly, Mel wasn’t too convinced herself.

* * *

KYLE WAS HEADING for Frances when Jack caught up to him and gave him a hefty slap on the shoulder. “Congratulations, buddy. It feels nice, doesn’t it?”

Kyle frowned. He didn’t know Jack all that well, certainly not well enough to follow the man’s train of thought. “What?”

“The ball and chain. Being off the market. Snubbing your nose at the singles scene.”

“There’s nothing going on between me and Melissa,” he said, the words automatic because he knew that’s what Melissa would want him to say. “She works for me. We’re just friends.”

“You are so full of bull.”

Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. He pointed to the beer in Jack’s hand. “How many of those have you had, man?”

“Who knows? Who cares? I’m engaged. I love it. Should have done it years ago.” A wide grin split his face. “Of course, your cousin’s the only woman who could entice me, and I didn’t know her years ago.”

Kyle just shook his head. “Keep her happy.”

“I will,” Jack promised. “You do the same.”

“I told you—”

But Jack cut him off with a wave of his hand, managing to splash beer on Kyle’s suit in the process. “Come on, my friend. I can see it in your eyes. Hers, too. You guys are smitten with each other.”

Kyle just stared, and Jack laughed, then slapped Kyle on the back one more time.

“Glad I’m not the only one head-over-heels for a woman.” He lifted his beer. “To the girls,” he said.

And because he didn’t know what else to say, Kyle repeated the toast.

Jack took that as vindication. “Mel seems great,” he said.

“She is.” He said the answer without thinking, and he meant it completely. What the hell? Why not tell Jack how he felt? The man would be family soon.

They chatted for a few more minutes until Kyle noticed that Frances had moved away from two of his cousins and was heading toward the kitchen. He said goodbye to Jack and intercepted her just outside the room.

“What gives?” he said.

For just a fraction of an instant, comprehension showed on her face. Then her expression shifted, becoming blank and innocent. “I’m sorry, Kyle, honey, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on, Frances. Tell me the truth. Did Grandma and Gregory Tanner set Mel and me up?”

The color that rushed to her cheeks was answer enough. Kyle shook his head and rubbed his temples. “How?”

She explained the elaborate ruse to him, her voice barely a whisper as she went over the plans for the necklace and then explained how Emily had to call in the temp agency when it became apparent that he and Mel hadn’t hooked up after Frances’s house.

“Is the necklace even an heirloom?”

Frances shook her head. “Oh my, no. Emily bought it last month. It was my idea to add my initials. Don’t you think that was a good touch?”

He grimaced. “The best.”

She beamed.

He sighed. “Why didn’t they just introduce us?”

Frances waved the question away. “Don’t be foolish, my dear. Would you have stood still for yet another woman foisted on you by Emily?” She didn’t bother to wait for an answer. “Of course not. This way was perfect.”

“Except that we’re not together.”

“Pshaw. I’ve seen you two. You will be.”

Kyle silently hoped she was right. And as he headed back into the party to find Mel, he realized that, this time, his grandmother really had played the matchmaking game perfectly. He’d fallen for Mel, all right.

Finally his grandmother had won.

* * *

“THEY SET US UP?” The party had finally wound down, and now they were in Kyle’s Jeep, heading away from Mission Viejo after dropping Gregory back at the house. “It was all some sort of scam?”

“Yup. You’ve got to hand it to them, actually. It was a pretty intricate plot.”

“I don’t have to hand anything to them,” Mel said. “I don’t appreciate being manipulated.”

Neither did Kyle as a rule, but in this case he had to admit he didn’t mind too much.

They drove in silence for a while, him trying to remember the way to Doug Bryant’s house and her seething in the passenger seat beside him. Bryant, a high-end client with a system nearly identical to Driskell’s, had agreed to let his house be used as a test case. Since they didn’t have time to spare, Mel and Kyle had decided that they’d do the initial run tonight.

“So they’ve known each other a lot better than they’ve let on,” Mel said.

Kyle frowned, taking a minute to follow the conversation. “Yeah,” he finally said. “I got the impression from Frances that Gregory and my grandmother were actually quite close. Probably would have gotten together if the head of the studio hadn’t discouraged Emily from getting serious. Then your grandpa went and got married and—”

“And back in those days you didn’t stay friends with someone you’d once had the hots for.”

“Or still did have the hots for,” Kyle added.

“You thought so, too?” She shifted in her seat to look at him more directly. “The way they were talking in the corner, I really got the impression that there were some serious sparks between them. And now that I know all of this…” She leaned forward, clearly excited. “Well, I think they’re the ones who need a matchmaker. Not us.”

“No kidding,” he said.

“Let’s do it.”

He took his eyes off the road long enough to turn to her. “Do what?”

Her eyes were bright. “Turn the tables on them.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

She shook her head, color rising in her cheeks. She was eager and excited and completely beautiful, and her energy captivated him. “It’s perfect. We’ll pretend like we’re dating. And then we’ll arrange to do all these family things.”

“Pretend we’re dating,” he repeated.

“Sure. They’ll be thrown together over and over. Eventually they’ll crack. I know they will. I saw how they were looking at each other at the party.”

“Why not just actually date?”

She turned away, facing out the side window, her finger tapping on the window control. After a few minutes she lowered the window a tiny bit and the fresh, cool ocean air blew in. “No illusions, remember. No strings. No commitments.” She turned to him. “You agreed. Remember?”

“I remember. Things can change.”

“No. That’s not what I’m looking for with you.”

With you. Her words twisted in his gut. “Why?”

Her eyes darkened. “Because I want a fresh start. I need one. Hell, I deserve one. And you’ll always see me as a thief. You know my secret, and there’s no way around that.”

“I’m not proposing marriage, Mel. I’m simply suggesting we date. See how this thing between us pans out. Because there is something between us, sweetheart. No matter how hard you try to deny it.”

“I’m not denying it,” she said. “I’m just saying we can’t go there. I can’t go there.”

He fought the urge to bang his head against the steering wheel. The woman exasperated him. “How can you ever get involved with some other guy if you’re going to keep secrets from him?”

“That’s not your problem.”

Her words hit him with the force of a punch, and he turned to face her. “Dammit, Mel, have I ever looked at you like you were a thief?”

She met his gaze dead-on. “Of course you have, Kyle. Or have you already forgotten why you wanted to hire me in the first place?”

And then, because she was absolutely right, Kyle couldn’t do anything more than shut up and drive.

* * *

MEL CROUCHED in the shrubbery, her binoculars trained on the Bryant house as she tried not to think about dating Kyle or sleeping with Kyle or anything at all about Kyle. Unfortunately, he was sitting in a Jeep Grand Cherokee not twenty yards away, and even with that distance between them, she could still feel his presence and she sure as hell wanted to feel his touch.

By they time they’d traveled ten miles up the Pacific Coast Highway, the silence between them had dissipated and they’d agreed to turn the tables on their grandparents. Which meant that Mel was now officially dating Kyle Radley in a purely pretend sort of way. And it was only pretend. Mel had insisted on that, and in the end Kyle had caved. But even so, just knowing she was going to be spending all that up-close-and-personal time with Kyle made her body tingle.

She’d had to draw on deep wells of willpower to keep from jumping at his proposition to try dating for real. The man fired her senses. He was funny and kind and sexy as hell. If it wasn’t for her—her past, her failings—she’d grab him tight and hold on for dear life. Lord knew she wanted to.

But she also knew that he’d never see her just as her, just Melissa. His perception would always be colored, and she simply couldn’t live with that, no matter how hard she might be falling for the man.

She stifled a sigh, forcing herself to concentrate on the Bryant house. Time enough to think about Kyle after she did her job.

Mr. Bryant had readily agreed to help out Kyle, and the deal was that he had no idea when the break-in would happen. The next day, the next month. No clue. He’d given Kyle the code for his alarm system so that Kyle could arm and disarm as necessary. And Kyle had agreed that he or Melissa would inform Bryant when a break-in was underway—after Melissa got inside—to reassure him that a real burglar wasn’t at work.

They’d decided to do two runs. The first with the alarm system turned off, like a control group in a science experiment. That way, she could get a feel for how hard or easy the place was to get in when it was unprotected. Plus, she and Kyle could better gauge the strength of the protection once it was in place.

For each run, her mission was to get into the wall safe in the study and remove an item. Once she made a successful run with the alarm off, she’d turn around and do it again with the alarm on.

All in all it was nowhere near as useful as breaking into the Driskell mansion would be, but it was a close second. Plus, since Driskell had been adamant that no one break in while he was on vacation, they simply had no other option.

From Mel’s perspective, it made little difference. It was the job itself that mattered, the job itself that fired her senses and made her tingle with anticipation—getting past the gate, getting past the locks and getting into a house she didn’t own and where she simply didn’t belong.

It was a familiar thrill. But it wasn’t a thrill she should want anymore. And that disturbed her even more than her growing feelings for Kyle.

* * *

KYLE WATCHED FROM THE VAN as she moved slowly toward the Bryant house. The sun was dropping behind the foothills, and she seemed to dissolve in the shadows. His pulse beat in his throat. Even though they were doing nothing illegal, adrenaline still surged through him. Excitement filled the air, and he knew why someone would do this; why they’d take the risk. The thrill. Like skydiving or bungee jumping.

He shook his head, banishing such foolish thoughts. He wasn’t here to get cheap thrills. He was here to try to save his business.

A few minutes passed as his eyes scanned the perimeter, trying to find any sign of her. No luck. He pressed the button on the microphone and whispered. “Mel? Melissa, do you copy?”

“Loud and clear.” Her whispered tones filtered back through the speaker he’d set up on the dash.

“I lost visual. Where are you?”

“What do you mean where am I? I’m right where I’m supposed to be. In Bryant’s library, staring at his wall safe.”

He blinked, then looked at his watch. No way. He must have heard her wrong. “You’re where?”

She laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised, Radley. Did you forget why you hired me? I’m one of the best.”

“You mean, you were among the best. Don’t you keep telling me you’re retired?”

“Right,” she said. “Was the best. What are you, the verb police?”

He chuckled. “I’m not even the real police anymore, sweetheart. But if you can get into the safe just as fast as you got into the house, I promise I’ll give you some sort of performance bonus when you get back out here.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

He made a show of lowering his voice. “Trust me, sweetheart. I’ll make it worth your while.”

Her laugh rang out over the speakers. “Mind out of the gutter, Radley,” she said. He chuckled. His mind wasn’t in the gutter. Hell, he almost wished it was. Gutter thoughts about Mel he could handle. But the thoughts he was thinking were hardly dirty. No, they were pure. Love. Commitment. Kids and family.

Scary thoughts for a bachelor, but for some reason these thoughts weren’t scaring him at all. That’s what scared him. Because she was convinced that she was the wrong woman. And Kyle wasn’t sure what the hell he would do if he couldn’t convince her otherwise.