Part 17 (2/2)
Jason cleared his throat to hide his smile. ”At her house, I believe.”
”The time?”
Jason glanced at Brenda, who was doing her best to look innocent. ”I think she said around noon, but I can't be sure,” she said.
Tyler turned on his heel and headed out, not bothering to say goodbye. He didn't see the smug grin on his sister-in-law's face.
Jason pursed his lips. ”I thought you weren't going to interfere.”
”Of course I wouldn't!” Brenda gasped. ”I gave Carlie my word.”
”Then what was this little scene you just enacted?”
”A slip of the tongue?”
”Clever. Just what I love in a wife!”
On his drive home, Tyler formulated his plan. It was Friday evening-he'd gone to his brother's house, frustrated after another unsatisfying attempt to gain Carne's attention during the practice. She was getting very good at ignoring him. And after practice, she had to hurry off for her cla.s.ses. He had no doubt they'd been planned just to thwart him. It annoyed the h.e.l.l out of him.
But he could be just as devious as Carlie. Since he had no intention of giving up on Carlie, he had to overcome her obstacles.
And he had a secret weapon-his own project he'd been working on for some time. He'd planned to surprise Carlie with it. Now it would prove invaluable. But first he needed to get her alone for a bit. He hadn't missed her response the day he'd held her only briefly. But he had been stymied by the fact that she seemed to find it so easy to walk away. She hadn't even looked back as he'd willed her to do. Stubborn wench.
At least she was never boring. He remembered the way she had held him so tight when he'd entered her, how she told him she cared. Not a little, but a lot. He had to believe that. She still cared, and she would get over her anger. He'd help her. h.e.l.l, he'd insist upon it.
Tyler planned his arrival perfectly, even to the point of driving around the block twice, waiting for the strange car to show up in front of Carlie's house. He parked and got out, whistling, a sheath of papers in his hand.
He knocked on the door, then waited, doing his best to hide his smile. Carlie answered, dressed in her usual distasteful clothes. This time, it was a long skirt, hanging below her knees. Her slim calves and ankles were hidden by boots, the skirt topped by a large sweater which had no waist or any other defining lines. It was ugly as sin.
”You look beautiful today, Carlie.” He spoke loudly enough for her company to hear. She glared at him, but he knew he had her. She was forced to be polite when a member of the school board was in earshot.
”h.e.l.lo, Tyler. What brings you here today?”
He quickly shouldered his way inside before she could tell him she was busy. ”I have some things to discuss with you about your project.”
”The team?”
”That's right. I had some ideas to go over with you.”
A man entered, dressed in a business suit and looking every bit as stuffy as Brenda had claimed he was. He didn't so much as glance at Tyler. ”Is something wrong, Carlie?”
She looked hara.s.sed. ”Ah, no.” Then she grudgingly made the introductions. ”Tyler, this is Brad Shaw. Brad, meet Tyler Ramsey, the man I told you about. He's proving to be a big help with the after-school basketball program.”
The men shook hands. Tyler smiled with devious innocence. ”I'm sorry, Carlie. I didn't realize you had a date tonight.”
She didn't disappoint him with her reaction. He grinned as she turned beet red. Tyler had the feeling it was mostly due to anger. ”Brad is a member of the school board. We were going to discuss a new fundraiser.”
”Is that right? Maybe I could help. I'm always willing to help support the schools.”
It was obvious he'd gotten Brad's interest. He may have wanted to be alone with Carlie, but apparently he also wanted financial aid. He opted for the money. ”Won't you join us, Mr. Ramsey?”
He grinned. ”Tyler, please. I'd be delighted.” Then he turned to Carlie. ”But I do need to discuss a few things with you, also.”
”Of course. We have the afternoon free.” Brad was being very charming. ”Isn't that right, Carlie?”
With a strained, slightly malicious smile, Carlie nodded. ”Certainly. Tyler knows how interested I am in doing what I can for the school.”
Tyler watched her, satisfied. He made certain she was aware of his intent in visiting. He wasn't planning to be devious-yet. That would come later. Maybe after he'd lulled her with false confidence.
”Would anyone like anything to drink?” Carlie headed for the kitchen. Tyler watched her, knowing she was only using the excuse to fume in private. He gave her thirty seconds, then left Brad looking around an empty living room so he could ”give Carlie some help.”
She had her back to him, setting gla.s.ses on the counter and filling them with iced tea. Silently, he moved up behind her, then bent and kissed her exposed neck.
Carlie jerked, nearly knocking over one of the gla.s.ses. Tyler caught it, set it back on the counter, then met her outraged gaze. ”I've missed you so much, sweetheart.”
”Don't you ever do that-”
Tyler quickly covered her mouth with his own. Her startled gasp was held suspended somewhere between them.
Her lips were soft and moist, and she tasted delicious. Using all his experience, he seduced her mouth, nibbling at her soft lips, licking gently, reclaiming her, urging her closer.
”Carlie.” He forgot his purpose. It seemed so long since he'd kissed her. Without really intending to, his hand came up to cup her breast.
Instinct alone saved him. Ducking and catching her open palm just inches from his cheek, Tyler chided her. ”Sweetheart, if you hit me, how will you explain it to your date?”
Through set teeth, she growled, ”He's not my date, you a.s.s!”
”Shh. Do you want him to know what we're doing?”
”I'm not doing anything! You're the one... !”
He watched with interest as her chest heaved angrily. Then he smiled. ”You don't have to do anything. I read the morning paper and I want you. My secretary, who must be going on eighty, brings me coffee and I want you. I see you standing at the counter pouring tea and I positively throb.”
Carlie closed her eyes in exasperation. ”What are you doing here, Tyler?”
”I had to see you.”
She turned away, picking up the tray. ”Now you've seen me. Will you please go home?”
”And leave you here alone with Casanova? No way.”
Carlie started out of the kitchen. Tyler took the tray from her. ”He's only an a.s.sociate,” she said.
Tyler sent her a doubtful look. ”With higher aspirations.”
She snorted.
<script>