Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
T wo nights later, Marti found herself spending an inordinate amount of time getting ready for her date with Caleb. She wore the LBD she’d bought when she purchased her red-and-black patent leather shoes. The dress was a sleeveless sheath with a neckline that covered everything in front. The back of the dress, however, was basically non-existent. It was cut so her back was bare down below her waistline to just above her buttocks.The dress reached mid-thigh and showed off her legs.
She’d purchased a special necklace to be worn with the dress. A long chain hung down the back, ending in a gold heart with a diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire on it.The emerald represented her May birthday, and the diamond represented Sophie’s April birthday. The ruby and sapphire just made it prettier in her estimation.
Then she put her hair up in a simple chignon. For her makeup, she applied sparkly emerald eyeliner shaped in a barely-there cat-eye, three coats of mascara, and a light-pink lip gloss. She didn’t want to go overboard, though she thought about doing a smoky eye, with dark eyeshadow and the whole bit. But she thought Caleb, being a pretty straightforward kind of guy, might like something more natural.
Why am I trying to please him? This is just part of the operation—his mission. Tonight was only for show, not an actual date. Do I want it to be a real date? I’m very attracted to him…maybe I do. Regardless, I need to appear to be someone he would really go out with, and I don’t think he’d go for a makeup maven. She’d see in a few minutes.
After letting out a deep breath, she headed downstairs.
As she walked down the stairs, Marti held the banister. The last thing she wanted to do was break an ankle. If she slipped while wearing her four-inch stilettos, that was exactly what she could see happening.
She heard the whistle before she saw Caleb. Lifting her gaze to his, she saw he was pleased.
“You look beautiful. You clean up nicely, Ms. Parker.”
She reached the bottom of the stairs and let her gaze travel up and down. He wore black jeans, a black dress shirt, a red tie, and a black sport coat. His hair was combed back and was still damp. It curled on the ends and appeared black.
“You do, as well, Mr. Malone. You’re very handsome. I’ll be the envy of every woman there tonight.”
“As I will be every man.” He held out his arm. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” They walked to the kitchen and into the six-car garage. “Um, are we taking the Yukon? I’m not sure I can climb into it with these shoes and this dress.”
“I thought we’d take the Ferrari tonight.”
Marti’s mouth dropped open. “Ferrari? You have a Ferrari? In Montana. I’ve never seen one before…anywhere.”
“I don’t get to drive it much though. I used it to impress my dates, which I don’t have many of, by the way.”
Their camaraderie was easy as they walked to the car. “Join the crowd. I haven’t had a date, since before Sophie was born, and I don’t call going to dinner with my ex-husband at an all-you-can-eat buffet a date…just so you know.”
He chuckled. “Got you, no all-you-can-eat buffets.”
“That’s right, mister.”
He pointed to the car parked in space four.?
They walked toward it.
He stopped before the very low, candy-apple red car. It sparkled in the overhead lights.
“She’s beautiful.”?
“She certainly is.”
Marti turned her gaze toward him.?
He was looking at her. His eyes had darkened, and they held no merriment. Instead, they were filled with need.??
She hadn’t been single for so long that she’d forgotten what attraction looked like in a man. Her cheeks blazed, and she broke eye contact. “Well, um, shall we go?”?
Caleb stepped in front of her. “Here, let me get the door.”??
She slid into the seat, doing her best to keep from exposing herself. Her dress wasn’t that short, but getting into the car caused it to rise several inches.?
Caleb didn’t comment.
But she saw him raise an eyebrow as he closed the door.?
He went around the back of the car and slid behind the wheel.
“I’ve never seen this color in the car magazines.” Her face felt red hot. “I mean, I see them at the tire store…the magazines…and they’re never old, so I think people drop them off regularly.”
“I’ve seen them. You know, there is no shame in being a gear head.”
She shrugged. “I just look at the magazines for something to do when I get new tires. I’m hardly what you’d call a gear head.” Marti laughed.
Thirty minutes later, Caleb pulled up in front of The Place.?
The valet came to the driver’s side of the car. “Mr. Malone, I’d be thrilled to park your car.”?
Caleb grinned at the blond young man. “Hi, Ronny. I didn’t know you worked here. How’s your dad?”
“He’s doing great. He gets his cast off on Monday. He said he can’t wait because the itching is driving him crazy.”
Caleb smiled as he held the keys.
Ronny couldn’t take his gaze off the car.
“Well, tell him I said hi. Here are the keys. Don’t take it for a joy ride, ya hear?”?
“Yes, sir…I mean no, sir. I’ll just park it and in a good place, so it doesn’t get scratched.”?
“Thanks, Ronny. We’ll see you in a couple of hours.”?
“Yes, sir.”?
Caleb went around the car and opened the door for Marti. Once she was out, he held out his arm. “Shall we go in?”?
“Yes.” She took his arm.??
A dark-haired man in his early twenties held the door open. “Welcome to The Place.”?
“Thank you.” Marti dropped her hand from the crook of Caleb’s elbow.
He placed a hand at her back as they entered the nightclub.?
Her skin felt scorched where he touched her. With her heart racing, she found she had to concentrate on every step, lest she stumble in her ridiculously high heels.?The music was light jazz and quite pleasant to listen to.
They stopped at the host station.?
“Two for dinner. Malone is the name.”?
A young redheaded woman with a piercing through her brow staffed the station. “Yes, Mr. Malone, we’re expecting you. We have the VIP room reserved. I think you’ll find it satisfactory. If you’ll follow me?”?
He’d kept his hand at her back, slowly flexing his fingers where they rested.??
She doubted he even realized he was doing it. But the motion sent shivers up and down her spine.?
As they walked through the nightclub, Marti couldn’t help her mouth dropping open. The inside of the club was beautiful. All the tables had white tablecloths except those that surrounded the dance floor. Those were red and matched the artwork that graced most of the walls. It was stylized and very modern, with splashes of red and black on a perfectly white canvas.
All the chairs were padded and upholstered in the same red color as the tablecloths.
The bar was long, made of dark wood, and polished to a high shine. The wall behind the bottles of liquor was lit with soft lights behind opaque glass. It added a certain ambience without being glaring.
The hostess took them to the elevator to the second floor, where she showed them to a private alcove. From there, they could watch the dance floor and remain secluded.
Marti knew these rooms were perhaps also meant for couples where one of the pair was stepping out on a spouse. She wasn’t na?ve enough to believe there were that many people like Caleb who wanted to keep their lives completely private. However, that wasn’t what this night was for. This was so that it wouldn’t seem strange for her and Caleb to spend so much time together.
Caleb held her chair.
She sat as gracefully as she could in the fancy dress. She would definitely wear something else for their next excursion, though she did love the feel of Caleb’s hand on her back.
“Have I told you I love your dress?”
Marti felt like her cheeks were suddenly on fire. “No, you hadn’t mentioned it.”
“Well, I do. It’s got to be the sexiest dress I’ve seen in a long time.” His eyelids fell to half-mast. “As is the woman wearing it.” He held out his right hand. “Dinner can wait. You’re not starving, are you?”
“No, I’m not.” She took his hand and stood.
They made their way to the elevator and then to the dance floor.
Caleb took her into his arms and swayed to the music. He held her close.
She found it hard to breathe. The touch of his hand on her bare back sent more shivers up and down her spine and butterflies in her stomach. I’m much too attracted to him. Can I continue to keep it professional?
“I love that you don’t have a back on this dress.” He whispered in her ear. “I like feeling your bare skin. You’re so soft.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m definitely enjoying it.” He moved his hand lower on her back.
She wanted to pant; her body came alive under his fingertips, even though he was touching her lightly. His touch made all her feelings head south to a place she hadn’t even thought about since before Sophie was born. Now, his spicy scent surrounded her, and she couldn’t think of much else, except what it would be like to be made love to by Caleb Malone.
The song finished, and yet Caleb kept dancing, swaying to music only he could hear.
“Caleb.”
“Hmm?”
“The music has stopped.”
“Uh-huh. So, it has.”
“We’re still dancing.”
“So, we are.”
“Shouldn’t we go back to our table?”
“Another song will start.”
As if he’d conjured the sound, a new song played.
“There. See? We’re dancing to music again.”
Unable to help herself, she laughed. “I never realized you were such an optimist.”
He grinned. “I’m nothing but an optimist. For instance, I think that tonight I’m going to kiss you, and you’ll kiss me back. How’s that, for starters?”
Marti gazed up at him. His jaw was square and strong. He had the five o’clock shadow that was currently popular with men.
He had a small smile when he looked at her. “So, am I going to get lucky?”
“I’d say there’s a very good chance of that as long as it’s a kiss.” She placed a hand around the back of his head and pulled him down to her. “How about now?” She connected with his firm lips. Her lips tingled as the kiss deepened.
He pulled her closer and took control, kissing her hard before pulling back. “Shall we go to our table? I’d like to continue this in a more private setting.”
She wanted to touch her lips; sure she’d find them swollen. “Yes, I’d like that, too.”
They made their way off the dance floor and to the elevator.
Caleb kept his hand on her the entire way, as though he was loath to let her out of his grasp.
When they got back to their little alcove, he pulled her into his arms rather than sitting. His mouth was hot on hers, his lips firm and yet soft. The kiss wasn’t tender or gentle; rather, it was hard. His tongue met hers as she gasped. He invaded her mouth like he did her senses. He was all there was, all-encompassing. He owned her…and he knew it.
His hands slipped from her back to her shoulders and tugged at the shoulders of her dress, trying to pull it down.
The movement was like a bucket of ice water. Marti pulled back and looked up at him. “Caleb? What are we doing?”
He pulled her gently back. “I don’t know. This wasn’t how I envisioned this night going. I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry?—”
“No.” She shook her head. “You don’t get to be sorry. I’m not ashamed for kissing you. I like it, and I’m not about to let you take that away by saying it is all part of the job. What we were doing was not part of the job.”
He pulled her to him. “No, this is definitely not part of the job. I’m attracted to you Marti, more than I have been to any woman for a very long time.”
Her pulse raced, and she was thrilled that he reciprocated her feelings. “I feel the same way. So, what do we do now?”
“Now, we have a nice dinner and then go home. Although…” his mouth turned up at the corners. “I might have to have another dance or two with you.”
Marti smiled up at him. “I think I’d like that.”
“Good.” He kissed her forehead and then let her go but kept his hand on her back. “Have I told you how much I love this dress? I think I’ll love you even more out of it.”
Her heart pounded. Hadn’t she just wondered what it would be like to make love to him? Knowing he felt the same way should have eased her worry, but she knew nothing could come of it. “Caleb. We can’t. You know that. We must think of the kids. They are the best of friends now, but what if something splits us up? The kids would be devastated.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know you’re right. And we’ve given them all something to gossip about tonight. Let’s enjoy our meal and then go home.”
“That sounds good.” She indulged in another kiss, pulling his head down to hers and softly taking his lips. “For luck with our mission.”
He smiled. “For luck, but I most assuredly want to revisit this situation when our mission is complete. I’m not ready to give up before we’ve even begun.”
“Are you sure? I don’t have anything to offer you.”
He tilted his head and touched her jaw with his knuckles. “You have you and Sophie. That’s more than enough for me.” He held out her chair for her.
She sat. “That’s nice to say, but everyone is going to think I’m with you for your money. Doesn’t that bother you?”
He shrugged. “No, because I know better and so do you. We can’t let the thoughts of others rule how we live our lives.”
She nodded, agreeing with him, but she wasn’t sure she could ignore the whispers when they started. “I know you’re right and if you really want to revisit our relationship after this is over…I’m all in.”
Caleb grinned. “That’s my girl.” He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the side of her mouth. “Later tonight, I’m going to kiss you like I really want to, but I think we’ve given them enough of a show tonight. Don’t you?”
“I agree. Let’s eat, I’m starving.”
“So am I.” Caleb lifted his arm.
A waiter appeared. “Are you ready to order, Mr. Malone?”
“Yes, I’ll have the porterhouse, medium rare, baked potato with the works and salad with bleu cheese.”
“Very good. And you, miss?”
“I want the filet, medium rare, baked potato with the works and salad with ranch dressing, on the side.”
“Very good. And on your potatoes, is cheese, bacon bits, chives, butter and sour cream acceptable?”
“Yes,” said Caleb.
“Yes,” said Marti simultaneously. She laughed. “Ditto you owe me a Coke.”
The server laughed, then turned and left to put in their order.
Caleb chuckled. “I’ll give you more than a Coke…when we get home.”
“Oh! Caleb! You can’t say that.”
He laughed as he glanced around. “You Ms. Parker have a dirty mind. I meant I’d give you ice cream for a float. Nothing nefarious in that.”
Marti’s cheeks were blazing hot, and she was sure she resembled a ripe tomato. She was thankful the lights were low so he wouldn’t be able to see how embarrassed she was.
Caleb chuckled. “I know you’re blushing.”
“I…I am not.”
He laughed. “And now you’re getting pinker and pinker.”
She ducked her head, but she smiled. “How do you know that? You can’t see me. I know you can’t.”
He tapped her on the end of the nose. “I have a very good imagination, which was just proved correct.”
Realizing she’d just been caught giving him confirmation, Marti laughed. “All right, you got me that time.”
Dinner came, and they enjoyed it immensely.
“How about one more dance before we go?” asked Caleb.
“I think that is a good idea. We want everyone to believe this is a real date.”
Caleb frowned for a moment. “Right. Exactly. Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
He stood and helped her out of her chair, then held his arm out.
She placed a hand in the crook of his elbow.
He covered her hand with his free one and then moved his arm to pull her close.
Surprised, Marti stumbled.
Caleb held her so she didn’t fall.
“Stupid shoes,” she muttered.
He chuckled. “I like those shoes. They might be tough to walk in, but they make your legs look long and make my eyes bug out.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. All men like stilettos for those very reasons.”
“Yes, we do. We are cavemen in our heart of hearts.”
They reached the dance floor, and Caleb took her into his arms.
He always seemed to pick a nice slow song so he could hold her close. His fingers splayed over her bare back.
She shivered, and her heart raced. How could a simple touch make her feel so turned on?
“What will we do now? Just go back to the ranch?”
He nodded. “Then we’ll wait for the gossip tree to begin.”
The next morning, Marti walked downstairs for breakfast. She’d slept in. Apparently, Sophie was too excited about her riding lessons to bother waking her mother like she usually did.
She poured a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table with Caleb.
He was reading a newspaper.
Who does that anymore? Print is dead. The Internet is where the money is, at least, for reporters.
“Did you hear any gossip yet?”
He shook his head. “It won’t be long. I have feelers out, and we’ll hear from them this morning, as soon as?—”
His phone went off. He put the newspaper down and answered it. “Yes, that’s true. Thanks for calling.”
Marti took a sip of her coffee. “Well? Was that the gossip tree?”
Caleb grinned. “Yes, and they said a friend of theirs saw us at The Place last night and wondered if I was dating Marti Parker, the journalist.”
Her eyes popped open. “How did they know me?”
“It was Mrs. Barnes.”
“The kids teacher?” Marti started laughing. “Well, I guess it worked. You know, of course, we’ll have to go out more than once if we want people to believe it.”
Caleb nodded. “I plan on us being seen together and with the kids as often as possible, but we still must work on this other problem together. That was the reason for being seen as if we’re dating.”
“Exactly. I wish I had heard from Rocket by now. I don’t know what to do until then.”
“Let’s concentrate on the kids. How about a trail ride today? There is a little swimming hole and stream about an hour’s ride from here. I think Sophie rides well enough that we can take it as long as we don’t gallop, she’ll be okay. Bethany said she’s improving dramatically with each lesson.”
“Yes, but she’s only had one lesson, well two now since she had one today.”
“We’ll walk the horses. It won’t be a problem and if it turns out she can’t do it on her own yet, she’ll just ride with me. What do you say? Can you ride?”
“I can. When I was growing up one of Dad’s brothers kept a couple of horses and I got to ride them all summer with my cousins. I miss it. I never had to care for the horses, but I know how to ride. You don’t have to worry about me.”