Hot Spot (5 page)

"I'm back and bearing gifts—oops, sorry—I didn't know you were busy." Megan's voice faded away, and she came to an abrupt stop in the doorway. "I brought you some food. Why don't I just put this plate down, and I'll see you later."

"No, stay." Stella drew in a deep breath, feeling as though she'd been jerked back from the brink of disaster. "Come, meet a customer of mine. Megan, this is—" She met his dark gaze and lost her train of thought.

"Danny Rees," he smoothly supplied. Not sure it was safe to stand, considering the libidinous direction of their interrupted conversation, Danny held out his hand and smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Megan. Please, join us."

"If you don't mind," Megan murmured, giving Stella a sideways glance. "I left the kids watching cartoons in the lounge."

"We don't mind. Megan's running for the state senate," Stella explained, offering Danny a bland smile, her impetuous desires under control, thanks to Megan's opportune arrival. "We handed out campaign literature along the parade route."

"That's why we're dressed like this," Megan said, with a sweeping gesture at her pantsuit. "By the way, the woman overboard has been rescued. Crisis averted."

Danny's brows lifted marginally. "Kirsty likes spectacle."

Speaking of spectacle
, Megan thought, trying not to stare at the paragon of male mojo seated opposite her. If this was the guy who'd come into Stella's store—and the description she'd heard over the phone was pretty much on target—she was going to sit Stella down and straighten her out just as soon as they left this boat. One did not turn down a body—er—man like that. There wasn't a reason in the world not to sleep with a to-die-for stud like him. Rules be damned.

"So tell me," Megan said, politely, "what comics do you collect?" She knew what comic people liked to talk about. The same things motor heads or china collectors did. Their obsession.

As far as setting Stella straight.

That would require privacy.

Megan nodded her head thoughtfully as Danny replied, giving the impression she was actually listening.

Because Stella was, she didn't have to.

She could plan her strategy instead.

Really, they were perfect together.

He was tall, dark, and handsome. Stella was tall, blonde, and beautiful.

They both adored comic books—not a match that came along every day of the week—or month or year, for that matter.

Why would Stella even
consider
saying no to a man like that defied all logic.

Luckily, she was here to dispense some straight-talking advice.

BUDDY REAPPEARED A SHORT TIME LATER, SAT down, and participated in the comic book discussion with the enthusiasm of an aficionado. Ruthie and Joey came up searching for their mom and more slushies; a dripping-wet woman sauntered onto the scene looking dazzling—drenched hair and all—her teeny, tiny bikini and voluptuous body offsetting any possible bad hair day. Zeroing in on Danny, Miss Pink Bikini dropped down behind him on his chaise, draped her arms around his neck, and pressed her double-D boobs into his back. "Where have you been hiding, darling?" she purred.

Definitely an unsubtle this-man-is-mine signal, Stella thought. She almost felt like saying, "Relax, we're not competition." Instead, she said in a voice perhaps not entirely devoid of pettiness, "We probably should be getting along. The kids have been waiting to see the carnival."

Kirsty smiled smugly—as in victory.

"But I don't
want
to go to the carnival," Joey whined. "Buddy
promised
to take out the boat, didn't you?" He swiveled toward Buddy, looking hopeful.

"And I always get sick on the rides," Ruthie unhelpfully added. "Then I barf up all the cotton candy and pop and—"

"That's enough, sweetie," Megan interjected, taking her cue from Stella and coming to her feet. "Come, children. We've imposed long enough."

Disregarding the children's pouty expressions, Stella slid on her sandals and smiled at Buddy. "It was a pleasure to see your boat. Thanks for everything."

"Don't tell me you're going to disappoint Joey." Buddy nodded at the youngster. "Not when my twin engines can top 45 knots."

"See, Mom, see. I told you." Joey tugged on Megan's arm. "He
said
he'd take us out."

"I don't know," Megan equivocated, glancing at Stella.

She could be an ogre to a six-year-old boy, Stella thought, or she could suck it up and watch Kirsty rub against Danny Rees or maybe do worse during the time it took to show Joey top speed on Buddy's yacht. Was she an adult or what? With an inward sigh, she capitulated. "If the kids would rather stay on the boat, I'm fine with that."

"Awesome!" Joey grinned from ear to ear. "Tommy's gonna be
so-o-o
jealous!"

"Can I have another piece of cake, then?" Ruthie asked.

"Sure you can," Buddy replied, not above having an agenda of his own. "Come on kids. Anyone else wants to steer this baby, follow me," he added, rising from his chair. "And Kirsty, no diving when we're out in the river," he warned. "The traffic's too heavy. I wouldn't want you cut in half by a power boat."

"Yes, sir, captain," Kirsty replied, sultry and low. "I'll stay right here and keep Rees company." Tightening her grip on Danny's shoulders, she leaned forward and nibbled his earlobe.

Stella's stomach lurched.

A totally unwanted lurch.

Abruptly turning away, Stella followed Buddy and the children below. Not that she should take issue with whatever little Kirsty did with Danny Rees, who she couldn't possible entertain as a date anyway. Not that she should be feeling any resentment whatsoever over what he did or didn't do with the girl in the teeny, tiny bikini.

Danny Rees was outside her dating pool.

If she had a dating pool—which she did not.

So there. Case closed. Have another drink and think of more realistic possibilities than dating Danny Rees. Like world peace or saving the whales.

As it turned out, neither altruistic endeavor stood much of a chance against her strange craving for Danny Rees—who unfortunately was rarely out of sight during their entire high-speed jaunt down the river.

Stella did take small comfort though—when she shouldn't have been concerned in the least—that he seemed less interested in Kirsty than she was in him. She took even more comfort after the yacht docked once again and she saw him leave the boat alone and get into his pick-up truck. Call her bitchy, but women like Kirsty pissed her off. They were too
undressed
and too glossily beautiful. And too damned sex-kitten retro for the real world.

So, she was sour-grapes bitchy. So sue her.

* * *

"IT WAS A fun day, wasn't it?" Megan said a short time later after they'd said their thank yous and good-byes to Buddy and were strolling through the riverside park toward Main Street.

"You betcha it was! The
best
ever!" Joey proclaimed, eyes shining. "I didn't know a boat could go so
fast
!"

Megan smiled, her son's glowing face warming her maternal heart.

"Buddy said we can come again anytime," Ruthie piped up. "He really likes us."

"He does seem very nice, doesn't he?"

Stella turned to glance at her friend, not sure Megan's tone might not suggest something more than mere politeness.

"Don't look at me like that," Megan said under her breath. "Buddy
is
nice, and it's not as though I go on a yacht every day."

Stella's brows rose, and she half smiled. "Did he ask you out?"

"Not exactly." Megan shrugged. "He said he was going to the street dance tonight, and if I was there, he'd like to dance with me."

Stella grinned. "So are you going?"

"I might."

Stella's grin broadened. "Need a baby-sitter?" Buddy's taste in comics aside, he was about as normal as a comic book collector could be. And what the hell, she wouldn't turn down kinky sex with the right guy—Danny Rees coming to mind big time when she should know better.

"I already have a baby-sitter. The kids are going to my mom's."

Stella winked. "Then all you need is your dancing shoes."

"It's definitely a thought. Care to join me?"

"Probably not. I was up late last night," Stella lied. Danny might be with Buddy, and she didn't care to take that chance after having to beat down her lustful desires all afternoon. When he was in close proximity, she apparently lost whatever reason she liked to think she had. So she'd play it safe and stay away. Danny Rees was her chocolate cake, and she was on a diet. She couldn't have him.

"If you change your mind, give me a call. I won't leave until dark."

"Will do. I think we garnered a few more votes for you today," Stella added, preferring a less sexually charged train of thought. "And next week I'll design that new campaign sign so the date of your debate in the fall will be in clear view on everyone's lawn."

"What if I actually—as in the impossible dream—get elected?" Megan blew out a breath. "Just think. That would mean the Deloitte family loses their district."

"It's about time," Stella pronounced. "What's it been? Eighty years?"

"Ninety-two, but who's counting?"

"Jeez Louise. Maybe we should put
that
on the signs and say TIME FOR A CHANGE in eye-popping caps."

"Maybe we
should
."

And on the way up the hill to Stella's place where Megan had left her car, they discussed the possibilities of pointing out the Deloitte family's stranglehold on local politics. Indifferent to adult conversation, Joey and Ruthie entertained themselves by hitting each other with the foam rubber Twins baseball bats Buddy had given them. A good time was had by all.

As they parted on the sidewalk in front of Stella's house, Megan said, "If you change your mind, I'll be downtown about nine-thirty."

"Maybe. I'll see." How was that for bland evasion? "Say hi to Buddy for me if you see him."

With Megan's taillights disappearing down the street, Stella climbed the stairs to her house. Entering her store, she waved at Amy who'd come in to take her place for the day. "Thanks for holding down the fort. I expect it was quiet with everyone down at the parade."