Queen of Diamonds (5 page)

“He doesn’t deserve her,” she said flatly and took a swallow of her coffee.

Before Logan could respond, Dan bustled over, carrying their dishes. The plates clicked against the table as he set them down.

Kendall smiled her thanks. Logan nodded.

He took a bite, chewed and swallowed. “Maybe she wants to know her daddy.”

“She has her granddaddy. It’s not like she doesn’t have a male in her life.”

“He’s not going to live forever, Kendall.”

She half rose, her breasts heaving. “Don’t you say that. Don’t you dare say that.”

“It’s okay, darling.” He reached over the plates and gently tugged her back down. “He looks healthy as a horse and will probably out live me.”

“I doubt that,” she retorted, resuming her seat and looking embarrassed at her emotional outburst. “The good die young.”

“Are you trying to say I’ll live forever?”

“I predict to a ripe old age.”

“Ouch. A hit to the heart.”

She smiled reluctantly.

“Enough about Caroline. Tell me about this mystery man you fly all over the country to sleep with.” It was harder than he expected but he kept his voice light.

She lifted her chin. “You shouldn’t judge him. His wife is bedridden.”

“And that makes it all right?” Her values surprised and dismayed him.

She arched an eyebrow, her expression disdainful. “Oh yeah, like you’d be faithful whether your wife was bedridden or not.”

Her words stung. His lungs constricted and he had to push air into them before he could respond. “Ms. Theron, you can believe what you choose, but I take wedding vows seriously, which is one reason I haven’t married. I’ve yet to meet the woman I’m prepared to make that kind of commitment to.” 

“Very commendable, I’m sure. Funny, I never took you for the moralizing type.”

“And I never took you for a homewrecker.” He regretted the words the minute they were out. Couldn’t figure out why he’d said them and why the idea of her carrying on with a married man bothered him so damn much. Though he was pretty certain, it wouldn’t have mattered if the man she was sharing a bed with was married or not.

Color rode high in her face. “You might find there’s a great deal about me you disapprove of.” The look was a challenge and said only too clearly she couldn’t care less what his opinion of her was. “And quite honestly, I don’t think your own moral fabric can bare that close a scrutiny.”

He beat back the rising anger her words so easily brought to the surface. He’d never realized what a low opinion of him she had. He took a swig of his coffee before setting the cup back carefully on the tabletop. “No doubt you’re right.”

A pretty young blonde sitting two tables over rose and came to the table. “Mr. Hunter, what a pleasure. Would you sign my napkin?”

“Of course.” He smiled at her. “Your name?”

“Sherry. Sherry Ann.” Willing back the tension in his body, he signed the square of paper and handed it back.

“Thank you,” she breathed and fluttered her lashes. She slipped a note under his plate and sauntered out.

Her arms crossed, Kendall stared at him, a knowing expression on her face.

Holding eye contact, he crumpled the paper.

The gesture caught her off guard. She cleared her throat.

Before she could say anything, he asked, “What time’s the poker game tomorrow night?”

“Given the circumstances, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“By circumstances, you mean sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong?”

“Something like that.” She reached for her untouched wrap and took a bite.

“A writer’s prerogative.” He picked his roll up and wolfed it down in three large bites.

“Mr. Hunter,” she began.

“Logan.”  He sipped his coffee and watched her over the top of his cup. “What?”

“Please don’t be obtuse,” she snapped. “I’m a private person. I don’t like you delving into my affairs.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Got more than one going on, huh?”

She put her hands on the table as if to push up.

“Just joking. I’ll behave, promise. Besides, you can’t ask me to break a date with your daughter.  I’m halfway in love with her and I like your dad’s spunk. Let me come over. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

She looked at him in disbelief. “You have no idea what best behavior is.”

“You may be surprised.” He smiled, shooting for charm. Apparently, he failed because her expression remained skeptical.

“I’d hate to disappoint your daughter. I’ll even spring for the pizza.”

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Better bring cookies too.”

Chapter Seven

Kendall stared into the mirror at her reflection. The kelly green Henley she wore over old jeans matched her eyes. Her hair pulled back in a ponytail exposed tiny, silver bell earrings with emerald clappers. “This is such a bad idea.” How had she managed to let herself get talked into it?  Logan was like a bloodhound when his curiosity was aroused and she didn’t need that nose pointed in her or her family’s direction.

And what was that business about writing a sequel to
Jewels of Heaven
?  She needed to nip that in the bud. People were already talking about the similarity of styles between his heroine and the Queen of Diamonds. When she told him three years was too long between sequels, he’d just grinned and waved her away. She’d have to do some research and find a great storyline that would intrigue him.

The front doorbell ringing broke into her thoughts.

“I’ll get it.”  Caroline’s little feet thumped as she ran through the house. Kendall followed at a slower pace. 

She stepped forward as Caroline threw open the door.  Her employer stood on the other side pizza in one hand, a bag from a local bakery in the other. He wore faded jeans, a black shirt with thin blue stripes running through it and looked good enough to eat. A whiff of aftershave that vied with the scent of pizza and chocolate chip cookies had her nose twitching. 

For a moment, her guard went down and she just drank him in.  He had a way about him and charm that couldn’t be trusted. But he certainly was pretty to look at.

He gave her a slow perusal. When it reached her bare feet he smiled.

She should have slipped on some shoes. Oh well, too late now.

“Mr. Hunter, you came.”  Caroline danced up and down on her toes.

He squatted down beside her. “Of course.  I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to join one of your famous poker games.”

Caroline giggled, the ponytails on each side of her head bouncing.

“Won’t you come in.” Kendall stepped back to let him in.

Logan rose and followed her into the dining room. Her dad came out of the kitchen carrying a pitcher of iced tea. “Hello, Mr. Hunter, glad you could join us.”

“It’s Logan. Nice to see you again, Mr. Theron.”

“Call me Bill.”

“Bill.” Logan nodded.

Her dad set the tea on the table and stuck out his hand. Logan handed the pizza and cookies to Kendall and grasped it.

Kendall smiled. It was good for her dad to have another male around. She moved an arrangement of mums and set the pizza in the middle of the table.

“Caroline, grab the paper plates and napkins off the counter. That’s a good girl,” her dad directed.

The foursome wolfed down pizza and chocolate chip cookies then settled down to some serious poker. It came as no surprise to Kendall, or her dad, that Caroline cleaned house and before the night was done had everyone’s poker chips in a pile in front of her.

“Well that’s enough for me.” Her dad threw down his cards.

“You cleaned me out,” Logan said wonderingly.

“Yup.” Caroline gave him a smug smile.

“Time for you to go to bed, Caroline.” Kendall stood up.

“But, Mommy, it’s early yet and we have company.”

Kendall looked at her watch. “It’s your bedtime, young lady. If you scoot on up, you can watch one movie in bed.”

“Done,” Caroline agreed quickly.

Kendall had no doubt her little daughter had been angling for this all along.

“Go on and get ready for bed. I’ll tuck you in in a few minutes.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Hunter.”

“Goodnight, Caroline.” He smiled warmly.

Caroline went skipping off, her teddy bear who’d sat on the seat beside her during the game, tucked under her arm.

“Beat by a four year old.” Logan shook his head. “If word of this gets out my reputation is ruined.”

Bill gave a snort of laughter.  “Your secret’s safe with me.” He rose. “I’ll tuck her in.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Logan leaned back in his chair. He picked up the cards and casually shuffled them. “How about giving me a chance to reclaim my manhood?”

Kendall’s eyebrows shot up.

He shook his head. “Tsk. Tsk. Get your mind out of the gutter. I’d hardly suggest
that
with your dad around.”

“What did you have in mind?” She sensed a trap.

“Just a simple high card draw.”

“What’s the stakes?”
What are you up to?
Suspicion sharpened her senses and tightened her belly. The evening had been fun and unfortunately she’d been lulled into letting her guard down. Now it was back up.

“Just a memento of the evening.”

“What?” She pushed back against her chair, spine pressed against hard wood.

He rubbed the cleft of his chin with his index finger, focused on her. “If I draw the higher card you give me the ribbon holding back your hair.”

The muscles in her neck went loose and her head dropped forward. “Are you insane?”

“I prefer to call it romantic.”

“And if I win?”

“What do you want?”

She grinned. “Anything?”

“Within reason,” he said cautiously.

“Your sports car for a week.”

“My car?” He gulped, his expression dismayed.

“Well, if you don’t want to play…”

“No, no, I can get along for a week without my car. Not that I’m going to lose.” He shuffled the cards, tapped them against the table and put the pack in front of her. “Go ahead.”

She picked up a portion of the deck and turned the card face up and stared at it. “Queen of Diamonds.”  She fought to keep her expression neutral.

He picked his card and turned it face up. “King of Hearts.”

The blood pooled at her feet. Okay, this was getting weird.

He grinned at her. “Anything I could say would be superfluous so instead I’ll just ask for my prize.”

She slid out the ribbon and handed it to him, then fluffed her tumbled hair.

He took it and ran the silky satin through his fingers, his eyes never leaving her hair. “How such a seemingly small gesture can be so erotic eludes me. I have fantasies about that glorious wild mane of yours.” His voice was husky, his eyes heavy-lidded. He exuded raw sexuality. Her nerves pricked like she’d entered a highly magnetized force field.

The reckless side of her nature that she kept tightly leashed rose. She leaned forward and dropped her voice, “Do you now?”

Logan’s eyes dilated and he reached for her.

“I got her tucked in, honey.” Her dad’s voice broke the thick, sensual spell dancing and weaving around them. Logan leaned back in his chair, his hands dropping to his sides.

Kendall straightened and turned to her father. “Thanks, Dad.”

Logan stood up. “Bill, thanks for letting me crash your poker game. It’s been a rare treat.”

“Don’t be a stranger.” He pumped Logan’s hand then left the room.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven.”

While his demeanor was perfectly civil she could have sworn a tiger lurked behind those blue eyes, waiting for the opportunity to pounce. And it was no one’s fault but her own.

“I’m not sure,” she began trying to find a way out of her dilemma.

“Seven.” He gave her an easy smile and motioned her back when she started to get up. “I’ll see myself out.” With a long-limbed, lanky gait he strode out of the room and toward the door.

Her dad grabbed the edge of the table and lowered himself into his chair. “Nice young man. Not at all what I expected. You could do a lot worse.”

“Dad, he’s my employer.”

“And your point being?”

She rolled her eyes.

He ignored it. “You’re not getting any younger, missy.”

Stung, she straightened. “I’m only twenty-eight.”

“Uh-huh, that’s just my point. Your mom and I had been married for eight years by the time she was twenty-seven.”

Kendall slumped forward in defeat but her father gave no quarter.

“Don’t you have a biological clock that’s supposed to be ticking?”

“Dad, you’ve got Caroline,” she muttered, her head in her hands.

“Wouldn’t mind having a grandson.”

“Don’t you want me, Grandpa?” Caroline stood in the doorway, clutching her ragged teddy, looking forlorn.

Kendall jumped up. “Caroline Rose, you’re supposed to be in bed.”

“I wanted a drink of water.” 

Her dad held out his arms and Caroline ran into them. He stroked her hair. “Punkin, there’s no one in the whole wide world I love more than you. I just thought you might like a brother or sister to play with.”

Kendall closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, pressure building behind her eyes.

“What about Grandma?” Caroline’s voice came muffled from her grandpa’s shoulder.

“What about Grandma?”

“Do you love me as much as Grandma?”

“Well, it’s in our marriage vows that I’ve got to love your grandma the most. But you’re such a close second, the lines blur.”

“What about Mommy?”

“You and your mom are tied.”

“What about Mrs. Smith’s sugar cookies or my haystacks?”

“Oh you definitely win out over the sugar cookies, though it’s a tossup with your haystacks.”

She grinned then turned serious again. “So how would I go about getting a brother or sister?” 

The pressure in Kendall’s head began to hammer at her skull. No doubt about it, she was going to have the mother of all headaches.

“You’d have to put in a request with your mom.”

“That’s it?”

“Well, yes and no.”

“Dad, you know there are no yeses and noes with Caroline,” she murmured under her breath.

“Why yes and no?” Caroline asked on cue.

“Well, you can ask that’s a yes. But only your mom can decide whether she wants to get married again.”

“She doesn’t have to be married to have a baby. She had me didn’t she?”

The child’s logic was relentless. Kendall lifted her head and smiled. “That’s right, honey bear. I don’t have to be married to have another baby.” Seeing the trap she’d just laid for herself, she added hastily. “But that’s not to say I want another child.”

“Why not?” Caroline turned to her grandpa. “And why did you say Mommy had to be married?”

“I should say I would prefer it.” Her grandpa responded, pulling her onto his knee.

“Why?”

“Because that way I’d know that both of you would be looked after when I’m gone.”

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere for a long time, punkin. Now let’s get that glass of water and get you back in bed.” He scooted her off his knee and gave her a swat before he grabbed the table and pushed up. He winced as he straightened.

My God, he’s getting old. I’ve lost mom. I can’t bear to lose him too
.
For one moment, grief and terror overwhelmed her.
If Logan was sitting here, I’d grab him, race to Vegas and marriage just to make Dad happy.
The thought made her smile. Logan was too wily for anyone to rush into marriage. He’d been avoiding that particular trap for years. And there’d been plenty set for him too. Lucky for both of them, marriage wasn’t high priority. Though she might reconsider a quick roll in bed with him. Just remembering that sexually-charged moment between them had her squirming in her seat.

Caroline came back in, holding her grandpa’s hand, distracting Kendall from thoughts of dark sheets and smoky candles.

“Goodnight, Mommy.”

“Goodnight, baby.” She gave her daughter a quick hug and kissed the tousled silken strands on top of her head. “Sleep tight.”

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” her daughter replied.

Kendall giggled. She watched the two people, who besides her mom were the most important beings in her world, walk out of the room.  She stood up, stretched and began picking up.

Her dad ambled back in. He grabbed the glasses and followed her as she took the empty pizza container to the trash can in the kitchen. “I can see why Logan’s such a good writer.”

“What makes you think so?” She paused, her hand hovering above the trash can, curious.

“He acts like he hasn’t a care in the world. Doesn’t appear to pay attention to anything, all the while he’s watching everything.”

She shoved the cardboard box into the receptacle. “Oh yeah, he’s observant and too smart for his own good.”
And mine.

“He can play a mean game of poker too.” Her dad set the glasses on the counter.

“Caroline beat him.”

“He let her.”

She whirled around. “What?”

“Yeah, I watched him palm an ace. He let her win.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“His heart’s in the right place. I noticed he didn’t pull those tricks on you or me.”