The Playboy (Chandler Brothers #2)(28)
Author: Carly Phillips

She sighed, obviously enjoying his touch. “Name them.”

“Huh?”

“Name those assets you say I’ve got. Prove you’re not just using that Chandler charm to get into my bed.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong but you’re already in my bed.”

She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Okay, using that charm to get into my pants—so to speak.”

“Again, correct me if I’m mistaken but I’ve already been there.” At the thought, his groin hardened and he rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath him.

“Yes but if you want to be there again, you’ll list those so-called attributes of mine.” She met his gaze and grinned.

Laughter and pure enjoyment bubbled up inside him. When was the last time he’d enjoyed a woman in bed, her personality not her body? “I have a hunch you’re avoiding discussing you and your future plans, but I’ll humor you for now.”

“Go for it.”

He planned to. “First off, you’re beautiful. Count it as an attribute or not, but you are.

Second, you’re bright.”

“And you know this by what? My getting stranded by the side of the road in a wedding dress, Mr. Charmer?” Her eyes glittered with amusement and desire. She was enjoying their easy banter as much as he.

“You’re warm and compassionate and before you ask, I know this by how you act with my meddling mother, my family and friends.”

“So you like me, huh?”

His groin pulsed against her soft body in response. “Yeah,” he said in a husky growl. “I do. Now quit evading questions and tell me what I want to know.” No matter how much he wanted to be inside her now, he needed her to confide in him more. He needed to know his growing feelings weren’t one-sided and cementing that emotional connection was a start.

For years he’d told himself he refused to get emotionally involved with a woman, believed he was denying himself the ability to get hurt again. But the truth was, Rick didn’t have any control over what he did or didn’t feel. He never had. Since meeting Kendall, he felt like he’d been mowed down and damned if he didn’t need her to feel the same way. Though he doubted bonding would make him feel any better when she drove off in her little red car, he couldn’t control the compulsion to learn more.

So while she tried to keep her plans to herself, Rick figured if he got her to reveal them, it would be like giving a part of herself. Something his ex-wife had never done, he realized now. And something he needed from Kendall.

With his legs, he pushed her thighs aside and nudged his erection between her moist, feminine heat. “Now talk.”

“Police interrogation at its finest.” Her voice grew deep with wanting. “I figured I’d go west to Arizona. Sedona. Someplace artistic where I can learn more about design, and where I can perhaps make a name for myself by selling my work.” She sighed and the admission seemed to cost her. As if by revealing her innermost dream, she risked it not coming true.

And though he knew he’d hurt when she was gone, he responded to her need now. “If you want something badly enough, I’m sure you’ll make those dreams come true. After all, how long do you really think it’ll take us to get the old house in selling condition?”

He encouraged her to leave even though his heart betrayed him now by wanting her to stay.

“Working together we’ll finish it in no time.”

Rick figured he imagined the wistful note in her voice. Obviously he was destined to pick women who chose to leave. For Kendall, anywhere U.S.A. would be preferable to staying in Yorkshire Falls. Well, hell, he didn’t want a serious relationship anyway, wasn’t that what he’d always told himself? And until Kendall, he’d believed it.

“I’ll make sure you get to Arizona, Kendall.” He stared into her glistening eyes and thrust deep inside her. Her damp heat contracted around him and she let out a soft moan of need, bringing him to the edge in a matter of seconds. “But until the day you leave, you’re mine.”

CHAPTER SIX

Kendall walked into Norman’s the next morning trying to act like she hadn’t spent the entire night in Rick Chandler’s bed. But her body still tingled with the aftereffects of making love to him and the memories lodged deep in her heart.

She caught sight of Charlotte sitting in a back booth, pencil tucked behind her ear as she perused magazines, catalogues, and brochures. With her raven-dark hair and green eyes, Charlotte was the epitome of exotic and Kendall could see how Roman, the traveler, as Rick had described him to her last night, had fallen for her and chosen to settle down.

“Hi.” Kendall dropped her purse on the inside of the booth and slid in across from Charlotte.

“Hi yourself.” She closed the magazine she was reading and pushed it aside. “Just keeping up on the industry,” she explained. “So welcome to town.”

Kendall smiled at the other woman’s warmth. “Thank you,” she said and settled in more comfortably.

Charlotte narrowed her gaze, studying her. Finally a smile tilted her red lips. “You’re glowing.”

“And you don’t pull any punches.” But Kendall’s instincts told her to trust Rick’s sister-in-law and she leaned across the table. “I suppose I am.”

Charlotte laughed. “It’s the Chandler charm. Once they turn it your way, you’re a goner.”

Maybe so, Kendall thought. But she was out of here soon regardless and Charlotte ought to know the truth. “We’re only temporary,” she said softly. “Rick needs a woman to divert the masses.”

“Ah, yes. Raina’s army of bachelorettes.” Charlotte shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for Rick.”

“Because he’s got legions of women flocking after him? That’s not really a hardship,”

Kendall said wryly. But she knew that was jealousy speaking and Rick hated being bombarded by the unwanted attention.

“Legions is going too far. But there are enough to give him a swelled head. I’ll agree to that.”

“And he hates it.”

“You know him well already.” Charlotte sobered, her eyes wide and serious. “You’re a wonderful person to go along with his plan. Roman told me all about it.”

“Rick told him?” What else had Rick shared with Roman, Kendall wondered.

Charlotte shrugged. “There isn’t much the brothers don’t share.” Those green eyes studied her as if she could read Kendall’s mind. “So what do you want for breakfast?”