“My pleasure,” he said. And it was. He enjoyed Kendall, her quick wit and sense of humor. He preferred her to any other woman he’d spent time with, lurking Lisa included.
A quick glance over his shoulder told him Lisa had disappeared. No doubt she’d gone down the next aisle, planning to meet up with him at the far end. In that instant, Rick formulated his plan. If he anticipated running into her and acted before she came up to him, Lisa and her marriage aspirations could be a distant memory—leaving him with one woman down and a town full to go, but he’d make a start.
“Dinner.” Kendall grinned and tossed a package of hot dogs into the cart, basketball style.
Dinner. “Dammit.” His mother and Chase were expecting him—he glanced at his watch—over an hour ago. He wasn’t surprised neither had tried to reach him. When out on a call, his family had learned to wait out his often long delays.
“I admit they’re not gourmet, but they boil quick and they’re not too expensive. Perfect bachelor’s food, so why the expletive?” Kendall studied him with large eyes.
“I forgot I was supposed to be at my mother’s for dinner.”
“And instead you’re busy with me.” She reached out and touched his arm.
The sparks crackled between them, making a mockery of her words and cementing the notion that his idea to get Lisa to back off would work.
“I’m sorry to have held you up,” Kendall said.
“I’m not.” He’d enjoyed hanging out with this woman who amused him, aroused him, and yet wanted nothing from him except what he was willing to give.
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pulled up his favorite numbers, hitting his mother’s name with his finger and, waiting until Raina’s voice sounded on the other end. “Hey, Mom. Sorry about the delay. I got sidetracked.”
“Your new bride?” She chuckled, sounding lively and not at all like her out-of-breath, usual self.
Ever since his mother had been diagnosed with a weak heart a couple of months ago, he worried about her health. Both he and Chase alternated checking up on her, making sure she ate regularly and didn’t overdo. Since their father had died, the three Chandler brothers looked out for Raina constantly. “I hope you’ve eaten?”
“Chase and I ate,” she assured him. “He got called back to the paper but I’m keeping yours warm for you. And I saved my dessert to eat so I can keep you company. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your recent marriage.”
He rolled his eyes. Rick knew his mother didn’t believe the gossip, but the story had obviously already spread. A glimpse at the other end of the aisle told him Lisa was just where he figured she’d be, lying in wait and no doubt trying to figure out who he was with. Rick needed to give Lisa a firm and final reason to believe he didn’t return her interest. At the same time, he needed to provide his mother with a female to focus on instead of the hoards who drove him crazy.
“I appreciate you holding dinner, Mom. I’ll be there in . . .” He glanced at his watch, calculating how much time they needed to finish up. “About half an hour. Oh, and I’m bringing a guest.”
Beside him, Kendall shook her head. “You don’t need to do that,” she whispered. “I’ll be fine.”
He waved away her objections and caught the end of his mother’s question.
“Female company, Mom, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Before his mother could begin the interrogation, he ended the call and tucked it back into his pocket.
“Now that was stupid.” Kendall glared at him.
He stepped closer, mindful Lisa was snooping around the corner. “A little ungrateful considering I saved you from boiled hot dogs and dust for dinner.”
“You just got through telling me your mother is out to marry you off. Everyone in town probably thinks we’ve done the deed, and now you’re bringing me home for dinner? Are you insane?”
“Probably.” He met Kendall’s shocked gaze and treated her to a grin. “I have a plan. A quid pro quo of sorts and you need to hear me out before you say no.”
A hint of wariness flashed in her eyes, making him think she’d nix the idea before he got the chance to propose it.
She perched her hands on her hips and faced him. “What makes you think I’d say no?” she asked, surprising him with a challenge instead.
He figured she was out to prove she could handle anything he dished out and after that kiss, he wouldn’t mind proving the same thing.
“So what kind of exchange did you have in mind?” The wariness in her voice hadn’t changed.
If he wanted a chance of convincing her to go along with his plan, he needed to alter her attitude. He propped an arm on the glass door behind her head, bracketing her between his body and the frozen food case in an intimate position. One any observer couldn’t mistake, and one meant to lower her defenses and make her his. “I’m proposing a housecleaning of sorts.” His voice dropped a deeper octave, spurred by her nearness and the sizzling awareness raging through his veins. “I’ll clean your house if you’ll clean mine.”
She shook her head and light laughter bubbled from deep inside her. “You aren’t talking literally.”
“About your house I am. My house I’m not.” On impulse, he reached out and grabbed a strand of her hair and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger, liking the sensual feel of the strands against his skin. “I’ll help you get your aunt’s place in shape to sell, and you’ll help me get my house in order. My personal house.”
What more could he say by way of explanation? Be my fake girlfriend, Kendall? His skin prickled with awareness and his body trembled. In words and fact, all felt right. She felt right.
“Quit beating around the bush and tell me what you have in mind.”
Drawing a deep breath, he opted for the unvarnished truth. “I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend. Keep the tongues in town wagging and the women off my doorstep.” His eyes bore into hers. “What do you say?”
A nervous tick pulled at her mouth. “What I said before. You’re crazy,” she said as her huge eyes stared into his.
Was it his imagination or did hurt flash in the green depths before she masked the emotion. “Not crazy,” he corrected. “I’m just a man who’s had it with unwanted female attention. I also happen to enjoy your company and this arrangement would benefit us both.” Didn’t her body tell her what his already knew? That they were a perfect fit waiting to be soldered together?
He shook his head, reminding himself he’d suggested a fake relationship. But his body wasn’t listening as she bit down on those generous lips.
“I don’t know.”
“You said you’re short on cash. Can you afford a carpenter?” He grasped for the facts necessary to convince her he had what she needed. He was what she needed. “A painter?” he continued. “Anything else that house needs?”
Kendall exhaled a whoosh of air. “Probably not.” Definitely not, she thought. Even if she worked on her jewelry in between fixing up the house, she still couldn’t guarantee enough income to pay for the repairs. Rick was offering to do them—for a price. A price she’d paid before with Brian and had ended up in a wedding dress.