Hands On Read online

  Grant stood near the bar, tall, black hair with a touch of gray at the temples, very distinguished looking. And either inebriated or pissed at his wife.

  Dalton caught Cassie’s eye. She wasn’t happy.

  “Grant.” Dalton extended his hand and moved toward the guy when it appeared he wasn’t going to budge. “Been here long?”

  He gave Dalton a firm shake. “This time or the first time?”

  Dalton just kind of grunted.

  “Next.” Mary Jane was just too damn perky.

  “I’m Kathy, and this is my husband, Tom.” A pretty strawberry blonde with big blue eyes smiled shyly. “We’re from Austin, and this is our first time here.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” Cassie said. “It’s our first time, too.”

  “And last,” Dalton added, which got Tom’s attention.

  The guy nodded his blond head in agreement, his narrow tanned face pinched in disgust. Even sitting down he looked tall and lanky. It wasn’t just the championship rodeo buckle he wore, or the worn cowboy boots, but the guy looked like a bona fide cowboy. Interestingly, his wife looked and smelled of money. A perfect target for Bask.

  “I’m Harvey,” the man sitting beside Simone announced, “and that is my wife Zelda.” He actually stood and approached Dalton with his hand extended, his expression formal, as if this were a business meeting. “We just got here yesterday.”

  The guy had a weak grip, which always annoyed Dalton. He smiled at Zelda. In her mid-fifties, she looked to be a good ten years older than Harvey. Or maybe it was just the old-fashioned hairstyle she wore, one thick black braid wrapped around the crown of her head. A liberal sprinkling of gray contributed further to an older appearance.

  Zelda smiled back and then took a sip of whatever was in her brandy snifter. A large diamond that had to be at least five carats flashed on her ring finger.

  “Well, now that we all know each other a little, let’s all just mingle before dinner.” Mary Jane planted herself at the bar and started pouring more drinks.

  “Where’s Robert? I thought he’d be here tonight,” Simone asked with that practiced pout.

  “Mr. Blankenship had a social engagement tonight. He’ll be here first thing in the morning. In plenty of time for your group session.”

  “Uh, group session?” Dalton glanced from Mary Jane to the others. Tom looked as pleased as Dalton.

  Mary Jane tilted her head to the side and in a teasingly scolding tone, she asked, “Didn’t you read the week’s activity sheet I left in your room?”

  “Apparently not.” Maybe Cassie was right. Maybe there was a little more swing to this encounter group than he’d expected. He met her widening eyes, and they both asked at the same time, “What group session?”

  Mary Jane laughed. “I’m not sure what you two are thinking, but all we do is sit around and discuss general attitudes about marriage, and then we get down to specifics about each couple.”

  “I know exactly what they’re thinking,” Simone said with a predatory smile, “and it would be infinitely more fun.”

  “For God’s sake, give it a rest, Simone.” Grant drained his drink.

  “What’s the matter, dear? Afraid you won’t measure up?” Simone looked directly at Dalton and blatantly sized him up, and then smiled again.

  Grant drew everyone’s attention with a few choice words for his wife. Cassie leaned closer to Dalton and chuckling, she said, “Looks like you passed the test, big boy.”

  “So did you.”

  She drew back, frowning in her confusion.

  He kept his gaze level with hers. “Harvey looks like he’s ready to eat you alive,” he explained.

  She swung her head around to look at the older man. He winked at her.

  It was Dalton’s turn to chuckle. “Smooth, Cassie, really smooth.”

  “Shut up, Styles.”

  “Don’t call me that,” he whispered. “You’re supposed to be my wife.”

  “No one heard.” She sipped the sherry Mary Jane had given her and made a face. “This stuff is nasty.”

  “Come on. Let’s get a real drink and then go for a walk outside.”

  “We can’t just leave now. This is supposed to be the social hour.”

  “I don’t think anyone will miss us.” He motioned with his chin. Zelda and Kathy just sat there looking miserable, while Simone held center stage with the men. Except her husband. He stayed near the bar scowling as he worked on his scotch.

  “I can see this is going to be a terrific week.” Cassie gave him a wry look. “What’s really scary is that you’re starting to look good.”

  “Keep it up and all this sweet talk is going to go to my head. Come on.” He grabbed her hand. Miraculously she didn’t balk, and he skipped the bar and guided them out the sliding glass doors into the garden.

  Cassie set down her sherry on one of the patio tables and they took the stone path flanked by fragrant rose bushes with yellow and pink blooms.

  “Mary Jane will probably follow us.” Cassie led the way, which didn’t bother Dalton one bit.

  “Let her,” he said, enjoying the gentle sway of Cassie’s hips, the way her jeans snuggly cupped her rounded backside.

  “We’ll have to be careful.”

  “That goes without saying, but if we find a place out in the open, we’ll be able to see anyone coming.”

  “I think we might be headed in the direction of the pool. There’ll be a good place to sit there. It’s wide-open.”

  “Good thinking.”

  She gave him a quick smile over her shoulder that got him wondering about her, about the way she responded to even the slightest praise about her work. Someone had apparently done a number on her in the self-esteem department. Which was ridiculous. He liked to tease her but could see she was pretty and bright and gutsy. A lot of women would have refused to help him with this case. Not Cassie. She’d jumped in with both feet.

  They wound through a maze of white daisies and red geraniums and ended up at the large gazebo near the pool’s diving board. Constructed of intricate white lattice and stocked with a bar, the gazebo could comfortably seat six people.

  Cassie, walking a foot ahead of him, passed it up and headed for a chaise longue. He’d have done the same but he doubted for the same reason.

  “Don’t you think it would have been more comfortable in the gazebo?” he asked as they both settled in their respective chairs.

  “Probably, and I doubt it’s bugged, but I figure it’s safer to be out here.” She stretched out on the chaise, her tummy nice and flat, her breasts round and high.

  He felt a tug at his groin. “Yeah, good thinking.”

  There was that pleased smile again. “I’m starting to worry about this place.”

  “You think it’s an orgy waiting to happen.”

  “If Simone had her way. And Zelda’s husband. Can you believe that?”

  “Because he has the good taste to find you attractive?”

  She blinked, and then looked away as her cheeks turned pink. “He was the one chasing Simone when we arrived earlier.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Didn’t you recognize him?”

  “I wasn’t exactly looking at him.”

  Cassie sighed. “I guess not.”

  “Not that Simone’s anything to look at, but I was startled.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “What?”

  She glanced heavenward. “Not that Simone’s anything to look at? Please.”

  “She’s okay.” He shrugged. “Just not my type.”

  Cassie looked as if she wanted to say something more but kept her mouth shut.

  “So what do you think?” he asked finally.

  “About?”

  “This whole situation. These couples all fit the bill. One or both of the spouses have money. The women are all wearing rocks on their fingers. Simone’s diamond earrings probably cost more than my car.”

  “I noticed. What do you think the story i
s with Kathy and Tom? They’re the oddest pair of the bunch.”

  “My guess is that Daddy owns the big ranch worth millions and Tom was one of the hands. He loves her but isn’t comfortable having a rich wife. He wants to be the one to take care of her. Thus, their problems.”

  Cassie wrinkled her nose. “That’s so old-fashioned.”

  “A man wanting to be able to take care of his wife?”

  “What difference does it make where the money comes from?”

  Dalton shook his head. Some women just didn’t get it. Like Linda…his ex thought marriage should be all fun and games. She didn’t understand a man’s need to prove his worth, to know he could provide for his family no matter what. “It makes a big difference, trust me.”

  “How?”

  “Didn’t you pay attention to your history lessons?”

  Cassie laughed, which really annoyed him. “I can’t wait to hear this explanation.”

  “Let’s get back to the present problem.” Dalton was in no mood to spar with any of her feminist notions. “I’m going to need some time to snoop around. Tonight might be good since we know Bask isn’t here.”

  She studied him curiously, her gaze probing and irritating. “You feel strongly about a man being head of the household, don’t you?”

  “It’s not about that. Look, don’t get off track. Tonight after dinner, see if you can get Mary Jane to show you more of the house. Tell her you used to be an interior decorator, or that you’re interested in nineteenth-century houses, whatever.”

  “And what will you be doing?”

  “I’ll go with you, just to get more of a feel for the place, but then I’ll excuse myself and you keep her busy. I have a feeling the others will be too busy to notice.”

  “Yeah, either smashed or playing footsies.”

  He smiled. It was kind of cute when she sounded more Southern.

  “What?”

  He shrugged. “I agree.”

  “What’s that grin for?”

  “Have you lived in Texas all your life?”

  She nodded tentatively, looking as if she thought it was a trick question.

  “I like your accent.”

  “Oh.” She moistened her lips. “I don’t hear it, of course.” After a brief hesitation, she said, “We still have to talk about tonight.”

  “We just did.”

  “I mean, tonight tonight.”

  “Tonight.” He had no idea what she was talking about.

  She made a growling sound. “Don’t play dumb. We haven’t decided on sleeping arrangements.”

  “Ah, that tonight.”

  “You think this is so funny.” Cassie adjusted the neckline of her T-shirt. As if that did any good. Her breasts strained against the thin stretchy fabric, driving him crazy. “It’s obvious what kind of women you hang around. But I’m not like that.”

  “Glad it’s obvious to somebody.” Sighing, he locked his hands behind his head and stared at the sky. Staring at her did him no good. “It’s been so long since I’ve ‘hung around’ I can’t remember.”

  She gave a startled laugh. “Right.”

  “I wouldn’t lie about a thing like that, honey. Too painful.” After a long silence, he glanced at her.

  She stared at him with a puzzled frown. “Why?”

  It was his turn to laugh.

  She blinked, and looked down, her cheeks filling with color. “Sorry. None of my business.”

  “Hey, I’m flattered you find my state of celibacy so hard to believe.” He grinned when she rolled her eyes. “I work a lot. I don’t have much time to meet women.”

  She pursed her lips, appearing to consider the information. “So marriage is out of the question?”

  “Been there, done that. It doesn’t work.”

  “You’ve been married?” Her eyes got huge.

  “Yeah, for almost two years. That so hard to believe, too?”

  “It’s hard to picture you as a married man,” she admitted. “Do you have any children?”

  He shook his head. “Let’s figure out tonight before Mary Jane sends the dogs after us.”

  Cassie nodded, but he could see she had a whole load of questions. Shit! He didn’t want to talk about his personal life, especially not about his failed marriage.

  “Frankly,” he said. “I think it’s ridiculous to worry about sleeping in the same bed.”

  She folded her arms across her chest and glared.

  “Unless you think you’d have trouble keeping your hands off me.”

  “Yeah, that’s it.”

  He smiled. “If it’s any comfort, I don’t mix business with pleasure.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he raised his hands, palms out in supplication. “I’m telling you, I don’t drink on the job, only enough for show, and I don’t screw around. It’s a distraction I can’t afford.”

  “Oh, well, okay.”

  Damn, she looked a little disappointed. Dalton shifted in his seat, his blood starting to migrate south. Maybe he should point out that after the week was over they could boink like bunnies. Nah, being that blatant would piss her off.

  “So, that’s settled. Nobody has to take the floor.”

  She chewed her lower lip with misgiving. “We’ll at least try it tonight.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll try to remember to at least keep my boxers on.”

  Her jaw slackened, her lips parting in indignation.

  He laughed. “Kidding.”

  A noise came from the shrubbery behind them. Cassie jerked upright. Dalton swung his gaze around. The leaves rattled as if someone or something moved the branches.

  Dalton started to get up to investigate when a short Oriental man with a brown weathered face and toothy grin stepped out of the bushes. He stomped debris off his boots at the edge of the pool deck and then gave them a slight bow before he walked toward the path leading to the house.

  Cassie pushed off the chaise. “Who the heck is that?”

  “I have no idea.” Dalton stood, as well, as did the hair at the back of his neck. “I’d like to know how much he heard.”

  6

  “THERE YOU ARE.” Mary Jane put her hands on her hips. “I was about to go look for you two.”

  Cassie forced a smile. “We just went for a walk.”

  “Private time is good. We encourage it.” Mary Jane had changed into a short sleeveless white dress that showed off her tanned legs and arms and plenty of cleavage. “But it is dinnertime and we like to be punctual so the cook can go home.”

  Cassie caught Dalton’s eye just as she was about to inform the other woman that this wasn’t kindergarten, and ask her if she knew how to buy the right size bra. The way she busted out all over the place made Cassie cringe.

  Dalton didn’t seem to mind, although Cassie would give him an A for effort. He tried so hard to keep his gaze above Mary Jane’s shoulders that he looked like a robot.

  “So there’s a chef here, huh?” Dalton gave the other woman one of those heart-stopping smiles. “You look like a woman of many talents. I thought maybe you did the cooking, too.”

  Mary Jane giggled and linked an arm with Dalton and started toward the dining room. Obviously she wasn’t immune to the smile, either, which really ticked Cassie off. It shouldn’t, but it did. After all, he was supposed to be acting like her husband.

  “If I had to cook, you’d be eating nothing but yogurt and cottage cheese.” Mary Jane glanced over her shoulder as if Cassie were an afterthought. “Shall we go? Everyone else is seated for dinner.”

  “I’m right behind you.” Cassie didn’t even try to fake a smile. She stared after the two of them, wanting very much to kick Mary Jane’s perfect little butt. Wasn’t the twit supposed to be helping bring couples together?

  And Dalton. He was worse. Great husband, he made.

  “So tell me, this cook, does he or she make all the meals?” Dalton asked.

  “Yes, Tasha is Russian and doesn’t speak much English, but she’s a terrific cook. And pa
stries. You’ll love all of her pastries.”

  Cassie came up alongside them in time to see Mary Jane pat Dalton’s stomach.

  “Ooh. You can eat all you want and not have to worry one bit.” She gave Cassie a smile. “We have a treadmill in the exercise room you can use.”

  Cassie blinked in astonishment. Had she just been insulted? Mary Jane looked so innocent, yet…

  The startled amusement on Dalton’s face cinched it. He turned his head, and she knew it was to keep from laughing. Cassie pried his arm away from Mary Jane. “Excuse me, but I’d like to speak to my husband. Alone.”

  “But dinner…” She gestured to the open dining room. Everyone was already seated and looking at them.

  “Tough” teetered on Cassie’s tongue. “Go ahead. We’ll be there in a moment.”

  “Oh.” Mary Jane cast a helpless glance at the others. “Okay, but I’m going to let Tasha start serving.”

  “Good idea.” Cassie took the arm she’d absconded and steered Dalton down the hall a few yards.

  “I’m flattered that you’re jealous but what the hell are you doing? I was trying to find out about the guy outside.”

  “He’s the gardener. I saw him carrying rakes and a leaf blower to an old pickup.”

  “I kind of figured, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.”

  “I didn’t think we were, but I bet he doesn’t speak much if any English. The cook is Russian? Please. How many people speak Japanese or Russian around here?” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one had approached. “Sounds like they’re covering their tracks both ways. The staff doesn’t understand and the guests can’t talk to them.”

  Dalton stared at her, the corners of his mouth beginning to lift. Warmth flooded her. The look of approval he gave her made her knees weaker than his sexy smile did.

  “Nice deduction, Cassie.”

  She lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug even though her heart pounded like crazy. “I’ll ask Mary Jane some gardening questions and get around to finding out how much English the gardener knows.”

  He held her wrist when she started to leave. “What did you bring me out here for? Was that it?”

  “I—yes, I think so. I don’t really remember.”