Authors: Hailey North
“You know, go somewhere else, as in you and me, out and about?”
He’d leaned forward as he asked the question and Daffy swore not two inches separated his face from hers. What was she thinking? She’d spent all her time dwelling on Hunter and not once scoping out the women at the party who might be dwelling too much on Jonni’s husband. She muffled a breathy sigh of anticipation, and said, “What did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking of trying Vegas.”
Vegas. For someone who covered the social scene, keeping on top of all the nighttime hot spots and new restaurants was second nature to her. But the name didn’t ring a bell. “Is that new?”
He grinned. “Compared to New Orleans, I guess it is.”
Daffy drew back. “Vegas? As in Las Vegas?”
He nodded. “As in Nevada. Tonight.” He tapped his breast pocket. “Come with me?”
Daffy started to laugh. “You can’t be serious.”
“I can’t?” He touched her then, the lightest of strokes on her bare upper arm. If he’d suckled her puckered-up nipple, she wouldn’t have reacted more strongly. Desire built in her like a wave about to smack the beach, and Daffy said, somewhat breathlessly, “How could I just up and go to Vegas? With you?”
He cupped his chin in his hand and said slowly, “On an airplane?”
“Be serious.”
“Oh, I am. And don’t worry. We have time before the flight to swing by your place for you to pack.”
“You think of everything, don’t you?” She was torn between admiration and amazement.
He took her in his arms, his hands on her shoulders, his body closing on hers. “I promise you won’t regret it.”
Daffy swallowed. She wanted him. Tonight. Last night. Now. No, she wouldn’t regret that part. But would she regret this feeling that threatened to take over her reasoning self and push her into his arms? Slowly, she realized they were dancing and he wasn’t holding her shoulders but had slipped his arms around her, and they were moving cheek to cheek, as the three-piece string trio Jonni had hired slipped into “Crazy.”
She snuggled against him. Dancing didn’t mean she was going to Vegas with him. But it did mean she didn’t have to talk while her brain whirled through the possibilities.
So much for dancing. She had barely made two circles around the small dance floor set aside on the rear patio when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Unwilling to let go of Hunter, Daffy pretended to ignore the interruption. Then she realized Hunter had stopped moving.
It was Jonni, standing next to her husband.
“Hey, sis,” Daffy said, looking from her twin to her brother-in-law. On the surface, things looked just like always. David dominated; Jonni stood by. But something about the overly bright sparkle in Jonni’s eyes hinted to Daffy that all was not as it appeared.
“We wanted to meet the famous Hunter James,” David said, practically looking down his nose as he said the words.
Jonni extended a hand and said, “Thanks so much for escorting Daffy.”
Daffy bristled. She wasn’t some object of pity who had to have an escort arranged for her. She was a hot property—unfortunately, so hot that none of the guys who moved in her circle knew how to handle her. But she quickly picked up on Jonni’s statement. Jonni didn’t want her husband to know that she’d already met Hunter.
“You’re welcome, Mrs. DeVries. Your party is lovely. And, Mr. DeVries, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Have you?” David preened, and Daffy was willing to bet he wanted to ask for details.
“My lawyers do a lot of business with your firm.” Hunter rattled off the name of another one of the city’s old-line law firms. Daffy restrained herself from making a sour face; of course, Hunter, with Aloysius as his partner, would have retained the Carriere family firm.
“We’ll leave you two to talk business,” Jonni said lightly, drawing Daffy by the hand to the side of the cluster of dancing couples.
“Well?”
Daffy smiled. “He’s great.”
Jonni sighed. “Oh, Daffy, of course he is. I told you that the other day.” Jonni clasped one hand with the other. The magnificent diamond bracelet on her wrist glittered as it caught the light. David had given it to her as an engagement present. “I’m sorry I bothered you with my moodiness last night, but I’m glad you could come to our party. I hope you’re not peeved with me for inviting Hunter, too.”
Daffy patted her sister’s hand. “This is one matchmaking effort I actually appreciate,” she said, her gaze resting on Hunter. He smiled at her across the several yards that separated them.
David, however, did not glance their way. Daffy noted his attention seemed pinned on a couple seated on a bench beside the pool. Even as she observed this fact, the man rose from the bench and drifted off. David excused himself from Hunter and headed for the bench. She’d been having such a good time flirting—because surely that was all she’d been doing—with Hunter that she hadn’t been investigating the other women at the party.
Hunter headed toward her and when he reached them, Daffy took his hand and placed it in Jonni’s. “Dance with the hostess,” she said. “There’s someone I need to see.”
C
areful to keep out of her brother-in-law’s range of vision, Daffy circled toward the bench near the pool. It would be nothing. Her sister’s husband was the most rule-oriented man she knew. As guided as he was by convention, he surely wouldn’t stray outside his marriage.
Or would he?
Stationed behind a convenient bush, Daffy overheard David say, “Wednesday at two. Nothing will keep me away.”
The slender young woman—younger and even slimmer than Jonni—grasped David’s hand, then quickly let it go. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said.
David rose. With a brief smile, he said, “Words aren’t necessary.”
Yeah, right, Daffy thought. There were other ways to spell thank you. As quickly as he’d appeared beside the woman, David moved off. Daffy waited a beat, then edged around the bush. With a friendly smile, she pointed to the space next to the woman and said, “Do you mind if I join you? My feet are killing me!”
The woman nodded but didn’t glance up. She was maybe twenty-six, Daffy decided. Simple black dress, no jewelry to speak of, no wedding band. Her blond hair was fashioned into a loose French knot, recalling sharply to Daffy’s mind the image of her twin on her wedding day. But after the baby, Jonni had cut her hair. Well, at least David was running true to type. Then she reminded herself not to jump to conclusions.
“I’m Daffy,” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“N-no, I don’t think so.” Casting a shy glance upward, the woman said, “My name’s Nina.”
Nina. Daffy filed that away. “Have you worked at the firm long?”
“I’m an intern.” Nina straightened and spoke with a bit more confidence. “I’m learning to be a paralegal.”
Daffy nodded, indicating she was impressed. An intern. It was just like David to find a young, impressionable woman to mold in his image. He’d been doing that to Jonni since the day they’d met. “So who’s your supervisor?”
“David DeVries. He’s terrific.” Nina couldn’t hide the glow in her eyes. For the first time, Daffy began to worry. “I’ve only been there six weeks and already I’ve learned more than I did in school. Dav—I mean Mr. DeVries—says paralegal school can’t teach the real world. But I’m going to finish anyway, because I’m almost done. Where do you work?”
“Different floor from Mr. DeVries,” Daffy adlibbed. “That’s probably why we’ve never met. So how much longer is your internship?” Translation: when will you be out of my sister’s life?
“Only three more weeks,” Nina said, her sigh speaking volumes. “But I might have a chance of being hired there when I finish. Mr. DeVries said he’d put in a good word for me with the personnel director.”
I just bet he will, too. Daffy forced another friendly smile and said, “It’s a great place to work.” She leaned closer and, every inch the conspirator, said, “Especially if you like to have a good time.” Daffy threw in a wink and then gazed around the patio. “There are some sexy guys at this firm.”
Nina blushed and said, “I’m not exactly in the market right now.”
“No?”
“I’m actually just going through a divorce.” Daffy didn’t like that bit of news at all. “I bet Mr. DeVries has been very supportive.”
“He’s been super. It must be nice to be married to a man like that.” Nina’s tone was wistful.
“Ask my sister,” Daffy said, sharpening her claws. “She’s his wife.”
“Oh!” Nina’s eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean anything by my comments.”
“Of course not,” Daffy said, all sweetness. “You were complimenting your boss. Anyone could tell that.”
Nina stood up, tugging at the form-fitting skirt of her black dress. She didn’t have a spare ounce of flesh on her hips. Give her five years, Daffy thought, then rose. “Good luck with your divorce,” she said.
“Thank you,” Nina replied.
Daffy moved off. For now, she’d say nothing to Jonni. On Wednesday, she’d follow David to his two o’clock assignation with Nina.
“Hey,” Hunter said, his voice low and confident, and also concerned. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”
“Am I that transparent?” Daffy said the words lightly, but as she prided herself on her ability to maintain a poker face, she was surprised Hunter could tell that yes, she was upset.
Hunter flicked a stray hair back from her cheek. “Probably not to anyone else.”
“There you go again, overestimating yourself.” But she smiled as she teased him.
Putting an arm lightly around her shoulders, he drew her back toward the pool, then past the length of it, to a bench exactly like the one she’d occupied with Nina, only this bench was set at the very back of Jonni’s spacious yard. The sounds of the trio found them there, but more gently, joining in an evening chorus with the springtime cicadas and a few birds that had stayed up past their bedtime.
“I haven’t known you very long, have I?” Hunter said the words almost as if he were thinking aloud.
“No.” Daffy settled beside him, arm brushing arm, thigh skimming thigh.
“So why is it I can read such a range of emotions on your face?”
“If I had to guess,” Daffy said, “I’d say you’re smarter than the average bear.”
Hunter grinned. One of the things he’d noticed about Daffy was how she was able to be serious and yet humorous, all wrapped up in one bright and beautiful package. “I’m smart enough to know a fantastic woman when I meet her.” Turning, he tipped her chin up so that he could, even in the dimly lit yard, devour her with his eyes. “I want you to come to Vegas with me, but first I’d like to help with whatever’s wrong.”
She lowered her lashes. Geez, even those were beautiful, thick, and heavy, like only cover-girl models were supposed to possess. Reluctantly, he let go and dropped his hand. Daffy wasn’t a fence to be rushed.
“Isn’t Vegas a bit of a jump for a first date?”
“Fourth.”
She opened her eyes wide. “How do you calculate that?”
He ticked off on his fingers. “Coffee. Jazzfest. This party. Not to mention we first met at the Orphan’s Club fund-raiser.”
“Those weren’t dates.” She tossed her head back as she spoke. One skinny strap of her cocktail dress slipped over her shoulder blade. Hunter eyed it, biding his time. Soon, with any luck, he’d be easing the other strap off her other shoulder. He could picture her, half naked beneath him—
“Well?” She interrupted his mental image.
“Whatever you say,” Hunter said, quite un-characteristically for him. “Then let’s make this our first date. I promise you’ll never forget this weekend. We’ll leave tonight and be back by Monday morning.”
Daffy pursed her lips. He could tell she was tempted.
“No pressure,” he said softly.
“What do you mean?”
“You say the word and I’ll get separate rooms. We’ll dance, we’ll stay out all night, we’ll gamble, see some shows. Have fun getting to know each other.” So help him, Hunter slipped one hand behind his back and crossed his fingers.
Daffy grinned and leaned around him before he knew what she was doing. Tapping on his crossed fingers, she said, “You are hard to resist.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I hope so. Now, do you want to tell me why you’re sad?”
“Not sad exactly,” Daffy said. She cupped her chin in her hand. “It’s complicated and involves my sister, and I can’t share her secrets, but I’m left wondering what the meaning of loyalty is and whether fidelity exists. I mean, is it an impossible thing to maintain happy and satisfied monogamy?”
“I hope not,” Hunter said, his own intensity surprising him. For a guy who’d been quite the playboy, he still held out the ideal. He just hadn’t figured out how to attain it.
Daffy nodded. “Me, too,” she said, and the wistful note in her voice tugged at Hunter’s gut. After all the horror stories he’d heard about her from Aloysius, it seemed incongruous that she was searching for the same ideal that he sought. But perhaps she’d put all that craziness behind her.
“Anyway,” Daffy said, much more briskly, “this is a party, not a wake. If we’re doing this crazy thing, what time do we leave?”
“If?” Hunter let the query hang in the air. Behind them, a bird trilled.
He didn’t want her hesitant; he wanted her wholeheartedly with him.
Daffy watched him watching her, rather like an attentive cat beneath its favorite bird’s nest. Was it safe to say yes to Hunter James?
Safe for whom? Daffy was the one who always hurt the guy. What would happen if this man got under her skin and then turned the tables on her?
So stay home and be safe. Stay home and write another column of advice to lovers, she mocked herself. Write about what you’re afraid to experience. Fix everyone else’s love life and leave your own in limbo.
She gazed across the pool. Jonni stood side by side with David. Nina and a man Daffy didn’t recognize stood next to them. The four were chatting amiably. Let go, she told herself. Don’t use your worries about your sister’s life as an excuse to avoid living your own.
Turning to Hunter, she held out her hand. “Count me in,” she said.
He grinned like a guy who’d just won the Powerball.
Daffy rose. “Just remember, my going on this wild date with you in no way indicates you’ve won your bet.”
“Oh, that!” Hunter stood with a lazy grace and, smiling down at her, said, “Forgive me that boast?”
“After the month has passed.” Daffy wasn’t letting down her guard—not all the way. Hunter was pure charm, but she needed to protect her interests here. He was used to wooing and winning any woman he wanted. No doubt all she represented was one more notch on his belt.
“And what a month it will be,” he murmured.
“I need to talk to my sister before I can leave,” Daffy said.
“Shall I make myself scarce?”
“Yes. No.” Oddly enough, he made her feel safe, standing close and warm beside her.
“Dare I ask if that’s your final answer?”
Daffy groaned. “Not that worn-out line!” She held out her hand and he accepted it. She clasped it gratefully. Two calluses on his palm rubbed against her skin. A guy’s hand. Daffy liked that.
They threaded their way back into the midst of the party. Nina, Daffy noted, remained talking with Jonni and David, but the other man had moved off. Perfect. Picking up her stride, she practically swooped down on the threesome, Hunter in tow.
One test of David’s innocence wouldn’t hurt.
“Sis,” she said gaily, “I’ve been looking for you. And David, too, of course.” Then she paused and said to Nina, “Didn’t we just meet by the pool?”
Nina nodded. Daffy could have sworn David glanced sharply at the sweet-faced intern.
“Hunter and I are going out on the town,” Daffy continued. “Yesterday we went to Jazzfest together. Skipped out on a Friday afternoon. Can you imagine?” Jonni was looking at her as if she’d gone nuts. Daffy knew she was rattling on like one of those airheads Hunter detested, but she had her purpose.
Hunter tightened his grasp on her hand and smiled down at her. Catching on somehow, he said, “Best time to go is when almost everyone else is at work.”
“David wouldn’t know about that, would you?” Daffy watched carefully. If he had gone yesterday, now would be the perfect time to fess up. All he had to say was, actually, I got a hair up my butt and did the same thing yesterday.
Nina parted her lips. Before she could speak, David said, “Well, that’s very well for you freewheeling types but us hardworking lawyers have to bill, bill, bill.”
Nina had cast her eyes toward the floor. Daffy’s heart sank. Well, she wasn’t going to ruin her sister’s evening. She’d do some more investigating on her own, then report. But if the skunk was cheating on Jonni, she’d find a way to make him pay.
Jonni was smiling now, happy with her husband’s response, believing David over whoever had answered the phone at the office the evening before. Daffy said, much more slowly and in her own normal voice, “I’ll call you Monday, Jonni. Thanks for inviting us.”
Her sister gave her a hug, and then bestowed one on Hunter, too. “You two have fun,” she said, slipping her hand around David’s elbow.
Daffy was pleased to hear Nina joining in with her own good-byes. Good-bye and good riddance, Daffy added.
By the time their plane landed in Las Vegas, Daffy felt very much like Cinderella at her own private ball. Only it was way past midnight and there was no clock poised to strike the hour.
A waiting limousine driver collected them and shepherded them through the gleaming airport’s maze of casino displays, slot machines, and advertisements for the hottest shows on the Strip. To her surprise, Daffy had fallen asleep early during the flight and Hunter said he’d done the same.
“Which is a good thing,” he said, handing her into the sleek car and sliding in next to her, “because it’s a shame to waste time sleeping in Vegas.”
Then he smiled and pointed to a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. “Toast to our fourth date?”
Alive with anticipation, Daffy nodded. The limo moved smoothly into traffic as Hunter popped the cork and filled the two waiting glasses. She almost pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. What a dream date!
She accepted a glass from Hunter. His knee brushed hers as he settled the bottle back into the ice bucket, then turned to face her. The dim interior of the plush car, lit only by discreetly placed lights along the carpeted floor, added to the intimacy of the moment.
Hunter watched her watching him. He lifted his glass to hers and murmured, “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Thanks for asking me,” she replied, meaning it. “Though I thought you were kidding when you first mentioned it.”
He smiled. “Naturally. But there are some things I never joke about.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “To the serious things in life: you and me.”
Daffy clinked her glass against his, but his comment made her nervous. “I thought we were here to have fun,” she said, trying for a light note before sipping her champagne.
“Fun is also one of the things I never joke about.” Hunter sat back against the cushions, one arm draped along the back of the seat above Daffy’s shoulders. Again he did that not-quite-touching trick that drove her wild with anticipation for the moment he would touch her.