What's Cooking? (7 page)

"Why?"

"I think we've established that," he reminded her. "I intend to get to know you."

"Outside of bed?" she asked skeptically.

He laughed, even though he could see that to her it wasn't a joking matter. "And in."

Unfortunately, there was no spark of amusement in Maggie's eyes. Obviously she was in no mood to be taunted.

"Okay," he relented. "It's more than that, but I'm not sure I can explain it, Maggie. I have no idea what you expect me to say."

"To be honest, I don't know what I want you to say, either," she admitted, gazing at him plaintively. "Do you think we could spend an entire week together here without sex?"

He gave her a horrified look. "Why would we want to?"

"Because sex is not the only thing that counts in a relationship. People have to be able to communicate in other ways, too. They have to have things in common, enjoy spending time together."

He could see she was totally serious. When he recalled what she'd told him at the beginning, that she'd

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taken a break from all relationships, it finally dawned on him why she was so gun-shy about the way things were between them. "Is that what happened to your other relationships, Maggie? They cooled down and then they died? Did that convince you that the only thing you were any good at was sex?"

She seemed startled by the question. "Where did you come up with that idea?" she asked defensively.

"Added up a few comments," he said. "Am I right?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," she admitted with obvious reluctance. "I seem to have this part down really, really well. The rest is usually a disaster. I'm not even sure I can carry on an intelligent, stimulating conversation with a man anymore."

Rick laughed until he realized that she was serious. He sobered at once. 'Trust me, sweetheart, you can. In fact, that was one of the first things that attracted me to you. You came into that photo shoot knowing exactly what you wanted, and you didn't hesitate to tell me."

"Well, of course, I did," she said, dismissing it as if it were noming. "That's my job."

He grinned at her confidence. 'True, but a lot of people tend to be intimidated when they deal with me for the first time. Some expect me to be temperamental, so they tiptoe around me. Others simply let me call the shots, because they figure that's why they're paying me the big bucks."

"Because you're the internationally famous photographer?" she asked, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, I can see how that might intimidate some people."

"More than a few."

"But they're die client," she protested. "Besides, you

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mostly do fashion work. I knew we got you at the last second to do this food layout only because you owed a favor to a friend. I figured you'd welcome some pointers."

He laughed. "You gave more than a few pointers, Maggie," he said, his expression wry. "You never shut up. Most clients don't have a clue what they're talking about. You did. I liked that. You challenged me every step of the way, and I liked that, too. We made a good team. The proof of that is in those pictures."

"I was fairly certain at the time that you thought I was being a pain in the butt," she admitted.

"I did, but a fascinating pain, just the same. Why did you think we wound up in bed that night?"

"Chemistry," she said simply. "That and the fact that it's what you do. You meet a woman you're attracted to, and you get involved for a bit."

"That's fairly insulting," he pointed out, then sighed. "But unfortunately, true. This time is different."

She looked doubtful. "How?"

"I don't know, but I can tell you that you are the first woman I've chased to the middle of nowhere."

'This is not the middle of nowhere," she retorted, even though that was hardly the point. "You found a cafe that serves lattes, didn't you? Isn't that civilized enough for you?"

"The only thing that kept me here, I assure you," he said, enjoying the quick flags of color that burned in her cheeks. "Well...and you, of course."

"Of course."

He met her gaze. "Do I get to stay?"

She looked surprised by the question. "Is it actually up to me?"

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He made up his mind that this would never work if she was having second thoughts. He met her gaze and took a chance. "I want to stay, but if you still want me to go, then I will. So. yes, it's up to you."

She hesitated for what seemed like an eternity, then said firmly, "You can't stay here. That would pretty much destroy the whole starting over slowly thing."

"Deal," he said, relieved. He could play by those rules, for a while at least.

"And when you're bored out of your mind in the middle of nowhere and with me, you'll just say so, right? You won't feel compelled to stay or take off without a word?"

"Not going to happen, but okay."

"Then you can stay." she relented.

Something told him, though, that she wasn't entirely happy about it. He had a hunch it was the sex thing, that she didn't trust herself?or him?not to fall back into that old, apparently self-destructive pattern of hers. Maybe a week would give him enough time to convince her that what they had was unique.. .in bed and out.

Even though Rick had agreed to her ground rules, even though he was staying out of her path as they cleared up the dinner dishes, there wasn't an instant when Maggie wasn't fully aware that he was close by. The hairs on her arms all but stood up and did a little dance each time they brushed by each other, no matter how innocently.

She had to get him out of here soon, before she weakened and broke one of those vows she'd made him agree to respect not ten minutes earlier. How pitiful would that make her look?

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When the doorbell rang, she raced to answer it, then realized she should have ignored it when she found Mel-anie and Mike on the doorstep. She had a hunch their arrival while Rick was here wasn't strictly happenstance.

"Go away," she told her sister.

Melanie simply laughed. "Don't want me to meet your company?"

"No, and how do you know he's here, anyway?"

"Mike heard it from a friend, who heard it when he went to pick up coffee this morning. I believe Rick was buying lattes and bear claws for two. I called Ashley, who knows everything going on in this family, and picked up a few more tidbits about the intriguing Mr. Flannery."

Maggie groaned. "Is there any little detail you've missed?"

"I don't think so, but I definitely feel out of the loop, since I haven't even gotten a peek at this hunk who chased you all the way from Boston. I am your sister, after all."

Maggie turned a beseeching look on Mike. "Can't you take her home? Isn't it time to pick up Jessie or something?"

"Jessie's over at Pam and Jeff's, playing with Lyssa," Melanie retorted. "She'll be fine for another hour or so."

"You're going to stay, aren't you?" Maggie muttered with a sigh of resignation.

Mike gave her a sympathetic look. "Was there ever any doubt?"

Melanie pushed past her. "Where is he? Hidden away in your bedroom?"

Maggie flushed to the roots of her hair. "Mel!"

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Her sister grinned. "Ah, I hear the rattling of pans in the kitchen. Don't tell me you have a man who does dishes. Marry him now."

"I don't think marriage is on the table," Maggie said. "Come on, let's get this over with. Say hello, get a good long look at him and then go."

Melanie breezed by her and headed for the kitchen. "Oh, it smells wonderful in herfc. What did you make for dinner, Mags?"

"Rick cooked," Maggie said tightly. "Rick, this is my sister Melanie and her husband, Mike Mikelewski. They won't be staying."

Rick's expression went from dismay to relief in a heartbeat. Maggie could relate.

"Would you like some wine?" he asked.

Maggie groaned as Melanie immediately brightened.

"Sure. I'd love a glass," she said at once, pulling out a chair and settling at the kitchen table. Mike shrugged, then straddled the chair next to her.

Maggie remained standing. As Rick poured the wine, she gave him a surreptitious what-were-you-thinking look. He ignored her and sat down with the others.

"I didn't know Maggie had a sister living in the area," he said.

"Actually I lived in this house when 1 first came down from Boston in March," Melanie said. "Then I met Mike, and we got married a few weeks ago."

Pack's eyes widened. "Really? That fast? Maggie'd mentioned a whirlwind courtship, but that's faster than i'd realized."

Melanie nodded happily. "I think it had something to do with this cottage. When we were girls and our

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grandmother lived here, we always thought it was magical. It certainly seemed to work that way for me. I came here miserable and, voila, I met Mike and his little girl, and now we're deliriously happy."

Maggie kept her gaze on Rick's face as Melanie related the story. She was pretty sure he turned a little pale at the implication that Rose Cottage was somehow responsible for Melanie's marriage.

"I see," he said, then looked to Maggie for an instant, his expression quizzical. "Do you think this place has magical properties?"

"Actually, I think my sister is a bit of a romantic with an overly active imagination," she said flatly.

Melanie laughed. "Wait and see."

Maggie gave her a daunting look. "Do you honestly think Rick will stick around now that you've all but warned him that he's doomed to marry me if he spends another minute in this house?"

"You could always make it a dare," Mike suggested. "Men can't resist a dare."

Rick shot him a disbelieving look. "Hey, man, whose side are you on?"

Mike chuckled. "Melanie's, of course. I have to go home with her."

"And the sooner the better," Maggie snapped.

Her sister beamed at Mike. "I think our work here is done," she said cheerfully. "We've checked out the situation, planted a few seeds, now we can wait to see how they grow." She winked at Rick. "That's what landscape designers like my husband do, you know. That way it escapes being labeled 'meddling.'"

"I doubt Rick's mind is fertile enough for an idea like

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that to grow on him," Maggie said dryly. "You're wasting your time."

"It's never a waste of time to look out for one of my sisters," Melanie insisted.

Maggie scowled at her. "I imagine you'll be reporting in to Ashley tonight, too."

"Of course."

"Why wasn't I cursed with brothers, instead of sisters?" Maggie inquired of no one in particular. "Surely they wouldn't meddle?or whatever it is you're calling this untimely visit."

"No, a brother would just bust in here and demand to know Rick's intentions toward his sister," Melanie said. "Be grateful for what you have. 1 haven't asked him a single question."

"Why is that?" Maggie asked.

Melanie grinned. "Because the answer's already written all over his face. The man is smitten. That'll do for now."

' Before Maggie could rally, her sister and Mike were gone, leaving her to face Rick.

"I am so sorry," she said, mortified. "Melanie may have expectations, but I assure you I don't."

"It's not a problem," he assured her, even though he looked a little shell-shocked. "I think I'd better take off, though."

"Probably a good idea," Maggie concurred. "For all I know, she's out there peeking in the windows and taking notes so she can report back to everyone in Boston."

She walked Rick to the door, feeling oddly out of sorts and fearful. Had Melanie's frank analysis scared Rick silly? It had certainly terrified her. She wouldn't

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blame him if he headed to Boston?or maybe Timbuktu?first thing in the morning.

When they reached the door, Rick tucked his hand under her chin and tilted her face up till their eyes met. "See you tomorrow."

"Really?" There was an annoying hint of relief in her voice.

"You don't think a five-minute visit with your sister is going to scare me off, do you? We have a deal."

"You made it before you realized what you were going to be up against. I wouldn't blame you for taking off."

"Not going to happen."

"Why?" she asked, honestly bewildered.

His lips curved slightly. "Haven't you heard? I'm smitten."

She watched as he strolled away, her heart in her throat. Oh, boy, she thought a little desperately. That little revelation was far more dangerous than he realized, because she was apparently more than a little smitten herself.

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Kick cursed himself for being far too eager to see Maggie the next morning. Then again, with any luck, maybe he could convince her to postpone the start of the ground rules for another day. He'd spent a very long night missing the feel of her in his arms.

As soon as the scheme entered his mind, he told himself to forget about it. He'd made a promise and if Maggie really was hung up on the shallowness of her past relationships, having him turn up first thing today trying to get her into bed would only add to her conviction that it was all she had to offer. He needed to spend a couple of hours otherwise occupied before he saw her. Maybe that would take the edge off his desire.

Though the bed-and-breakfast where he was staying offered a morning meal, he was feeling too uptight to stick around and wait for it. Besides, he wanted some-

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thing more substantial than the continental spread they put out. He'd seen a diner in town the day before that looked promising.

When he walked in, he immediately spotted Maggie's brother-in-law and another man in a booth. Mike saw him and waved him over. Despite the potential minefield joining Maggie's brother-in-law presented, Rick knew there was no choice. He crossed the room and dragged a chair over to sit at the end of the table.

"Jeff, Rick Flannery," Mike said. "Rick, this is Jeff, who owns the nursery in town."

Rick gave Jeff another look. After years in photography, he had an eye for faces. He recognized this one. "You're the blabbermouth," he said at last, more amusement than condemnation in his voice. "You were in the cafe when I was getting coffee yesterday."