Sugar and Spice, page 6
* * *
—
“Hello, Mark.” Jayne greeted him with a warm smile. “I’d like to introduce my friend Gloria.”
“Hello, Gloria.” Mark stepped forward to shake Gloria’s hand, then held it far longer than necessary. His eyes caressed her face until Jayne noticed the pink color in her friend’s cheeks.
“It’s nice meeting you.” Gloria pulled her hand free. “But I have to be going.”
“No,” Jayne objected. “Really, Gloria, stay.”
Gloria threw her a look that could have boiled water. “No. You and Mark are going out. Remember?” The last word was issued through clenched teeth.
“The more the merrier, I always say.” Mark was staring at Gloria with obvious interest, or what Jayne assumed was interest. She couldn’t really tell without her glasses.
“No, I have to go,” Gloria insisted.
“That’s a shame,” Mark said.
There was another knock at the door, and three faces glared at it.
“I’ll get that,” Jayne said, excusing herself. The few steps across the floor had never seemed so far. It could only be a neighbor, yet she wasn’t expecting anyone. Least of all Riley.
“Riley.” She breathed his name in a rush of excitement.
His gaze flew past her to Mark and Gloria. “I stopped by”—he paused, suddenly realizing he had to come up with a plausible excuse for his unexpected arrival—“to get the recipe for the casserole you made the other night. It was delicious,” he said.
“Of course. Come in, please.” Jayne stepped aside, trying to disguise her reaction, and Riley strolled past her.
“Riley Chambers, this is Mark Bauer and Gloria Bailey.” Somehow she made it through the introductions without revealing her pleasure at Riley’s unexpected visit.
“Pleased to meet you,” Mark said stiffly, and the two men shook hands.
“Gloria.” Riley nodded in the direction of Jayne’s friend.
“Riley lives down the hall from me,” Jayne felt obliged to add. “Gloria and I work together,” she explained.
Riley nodded.
“I’ll get you that recipe,” Jayne told him.
“I’ll help,” Gloria said hurriedly, following her into the kitchen. “What’s going on?” Gloria whispered the minute they were out of sight.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t really think he cares about that stupid recipe, do you?”
Jayne thought back to all the times she’d been with Riley. He bewildered her. He’d come to the library intent on harassing her, then had looked after her when she was ill. Most surprising had been his willingness to teach her to dance—which had turned into a scene that wouldn’t soon be forgotten by either of them. “With Riley, I never know.”
“He’s here to check out Mark.”
Jayne’s eyes widened with doubt. “I have trouble believing that.”
“Trust me, kiddo, the guy’s interested.”
“Two men at the same time? The girls of St. Mary’s would keel over if they knew.” Two men interested in her was a slight exaggeration. The minute Mark had met Gloria he couldn’t stop looking at her.
“What are you going to do?” Gloria wanted to know.
“What do you mean?”
“From the look of things, Riley isn’t leaving.”
Jayne bit her bottom lip. “What should I do, invite him along?”
“Invite us both.”
“But what will Mark think?”
“It won’t matter. The way Riley’s giving him the evil eye, Mark’s not likely to risk life and limb by asking you out again.”
“Oh, I can’t believe this.”
“Where’s that cookbook?” Gloria whispered, glancing into the living room.
There wasn’t any point in looking. “I returned it last week.”
“Then tell him that, for heaven’s sake!”
* * *
—
Back in the living room, Jayne found the two men sitting on the sofa, staring at each other like angry bears. It was as if one had invaded the other’s territory.
Riley stood. Slowly Mark followed suit.
“I’m sorry, Riley, but I returned that book to the library. I’ll see if I can pick it up for you, if you’d like.”
“Please.”
Gloria stepped forward, linking her hands together. “Jayne and I were just thinking that since the four of us are all here, maybe we could go out together.”
Jayne nodded. “Right,” she said boldly. “We were.”
“Not dancing.” Riley categorically dismissed that.
“There’s a new movie at the Lloyd Center,” Gloria suggested.
“A movie would be fun.” Jayne nodded, looking at Mark. After all, he was supposed to be her date. “We could always eat later.”
“That sounds fine,” Mark agreed, with little enthusiasm.
For that matter, eagerness for this impromptu double date was remarkably absent. The silence in Mark’s car as they drove to the shopping complex grated on Jayne’s fragile nerves. But she knew better than to even attempt a conversation.
At the theater, Mark and Riley bought the popcorn while the two women found seats. The place was crowded and they ended up far closer to the front than Jayne liked.
“This isn’t working,” she whispered.
“You’re telling me. The temperature in that car was below freezing.”
“I know. What should I do?” Jayne could hear the desperate appeal in her own voice.
“Nothing. Things will take care of themselves.” Gloria sounded far more confident than Jayne felt.
The two men returned, and to Jayne’s delighted surprise, Riley claimed the seat beside her. Mark took the one next to Gloria. The women glanced at each other and shared a sigh of relief. Apparently, Mark and Riley had settled things in the theater lobby.
For his part, Riley wasn’t pleased. His instincts told him Jayne was going to be hurt by this guy. He’d seen the looks Mark was giving Gloria. Three minutes in the lobby, and the two men had come to an agreement. Riley would sit with Jayne, Mark with Gloria. If Jayne was out to find herself a decent man, he thought grimly, Mark Bauer wasn’t the one. She should look elsewhere.
The theater darkened, and after the previews the credits started to roll. Jayne squinted, then pulled her glasses out of her purse. It was ridiculous to pretend any longer. She doubted Mark had even noticed.
Before they’d entered the theater, Jayne hadn’t paid much attention to the movie they were about to see. She soon realized it was going to be filled with blood and gore. She swallowed uncomfortably.
“What’s wrong?” Riley whispered, and grinned when he noticed she’d put her glasses back on.
“Nothing.” She couldn’t think of a way to tell him that any form of violence greatly upset her. She detested movies like this where men treated life cheaply and grotesque horror was all part of an intriguing plot.
At the first gory scene, Jayne clutched the armrests until her fingers ached and closed her eyes, praying no one was aware of her odd behavior.
“Jayne?”
Riley’s voice was so low she wasn’t even sure she’d heard him. Opening her eyes, she turned to look at him. “Are you all right?” he asked solicitously.
With a weak smile, she nodded. A blast of gunfire rang from the screen, and she winced and shook her head.
“Do you want to leave?”
“No.”
Watching her, Riley wasn’t surprised that she was troubled by violence. It fit with what he knew of her—all part of the innocence he’d come to like so much, the goodness he’d come to count on. He didn’t want to fall for her, but he knew the signs.
His interest in the movie waned. Her hand still clenched the armrest in a death grip, and with a gentleness he hardly knew he possessed, Riley pried her fingers loose and tucked her hand in his, offering her comfort. She turned to him with a look of such gratitude that it took years of hard-won self-control not to lean forward and kiss her. He didn’t like this feeling. Now wasn’t the time to get involved with a woman, especially this woman. It was too dangerous. For him and possibly for her.
* * *
—
Thursday morning, Gloria was waiting for Jayne on the front steps of the library.
“Morning,” Jayne muttered, feeling defeated. She’d been standing at the bus stop when Riley drove past. He hadn’t even looked in her direction, and she’d felt as though a little part of her had died at the disappointment. “How did everything go with Mark?” Jayne’s original date had taken Gloria home.
“Fine…I guess.”
“Did he ask you out?”
“Yeah, but I’m not interested.” Gloria wrapped her arms around her waist and shook her head. “I finally figured out what’s wrong. Mark reminds me too much of my ex.”
“Mark’s off my list, as well.”
“I would think so. Riley would probably skin him alive if he showed up at your door again.”
“I don’t understand Riley,” Jayne murmured. “He barely even said good night when he dropped me off. He wouldn’t even look at me.” And men claimed they didn’t understand women! For all her intelligence, all the reading she’d done, Jayne was at a loss to explain Riley’s strange behavior. She had thought they’d shared something special during that horrible movie, and then the minute they got outside, he treated her as though she had some contagious disease.
“Who would you rather go to the reunion with? Riley or Mark?”
Jayne didn’t need to mull that over. “Riley.”
“Then you need to change tactics.”
“Oh Gloria, I don’t know. You make this sound like some kind of game.”
“Do you want to attend the reunion or not?”
“I do, but…”
“So form your plan and choose your weapons.”
Jayne might not have needed to ponder which man interested her most, but tactics were something else. She liked Riley, and she sensed that her feelings for him could grow a lot more intense. But the opposite side of the coin was the reality that if she chose to pursue a relationship with this man, she could be hurt.
That evening, still undecided about what to do, Jayne was surprised to receive a call from Mark, asking her out again. Apparently, the man didn’t scare off as easily as Gloria and Riley seemed to think. Or it could be that Mark had noticed Riley’s lack of interest following the movie. It didn’t matter; she politely declined.
When she didn’t see Riley the following day, either, Jayne was convinced he was avoiding her again. Only this time she was armed with ammunition and reinforcement from Gloria.
That evening, Jayne made another casserole from the Mexican cookbook—which she’d taken out again—and delivered it to Riley’s door.
Surprise etched fine lines around his eyes when Riley answered her knock.
“Hello.” Jayne forced a bright smile.
He frowned, obviously not pleased to see her.
“I brought you dinner.” It had all sounded so simple when she’d discussed her plans with Gloria earlier in the day. Now her stomach felt as though a weight had settled there, and her resolve was weakening more every minute. “It’s another casserole from the same cookbook you asked about the other night.”
His hand remained on the door. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“I wanted to.” Her smile was about to crumple. “You mentioned it the night Mark was by…You do remember, don’t you?” He still hadn’t asked her into his apartment. She wasn’t any good at this flirting business. Chagrined, she dropped her gaze to the floor. “I can see you’re busy, so I’ll just leave this with you.”
Reluctantly, he stepped aside.
Rarely had Jayne been more miserable. Things weren’t supposed to happen like this. According to Gloria, Riley would appreciate her efforts and gratefully ask her to join him.
She moved into his kitchen and saw the box from a frozen microwave dinner sitting on the counter.
After setting the casserole on the stove, she removed her oven mitts. “Don’t worry about returning the baking dish.” She didn’t want him thinking she was looking for more excuses to see him. She had been, but that didn’t matter anymore. Embarrassed and ill at ease, she gave him a weak smile. “Enjoy your dinner.”
“Jayne.” His hand on her shoulder stopped her, and when she raised her eyes to his, he pulled away, thrusting his fingers into his hair. “I wish you hadn’t done this.”
“I know,” she said, and swallowed miserably. “I won’t again. I…I don’t know what I did to make you so upset with me, but your message is coming through loud and clear.”
“Jayne, listen. I saw those books you’re reading. I’m not the man for you. I told you already—I’d make a terrible husband.” He took a step toward her.
“Husband!” she spat. “I’m not looking for a husband.”
“Then what do you want?” He knew his voice was raised, he couldn’t help it. Jayne did that to him. He saw the tears in her eyes and watched as she tried to blink them away. “Why are you reading those ridiculous books?” he asked.
With her fists clenched, Jayne met his glare. “I have my reasons.”
“No doubt.” The proud tilt of her chin tore at his heart. He didn’t know what Jayne thought she was doing, but if she was serious about a relationship with him, the timing couldn’t be worse. The dangers of this undercover assignment were many and real. He had enough to worry about without having his head messed up by a woman. But Jayne wasn’t an ordinary woman. He’d known it the first time she’d flared back at him. She was genuine and sweet and, yes, naïve. She was also smart, and he sensed the passion beneath her demure exterior.
“What you think of me is irrelevant,” she said, flexing her hands at her sides. “If you must know, all I really want is to attend my high school reunion. And I’m going even if I have to hire a man to go with me.” Her voice rose with every word. “And furthermore, I’m going to learn to dance, and if you won’t help me, fine. I’ll find someone else who will.”
“So that’s what this is all about? And the casserole is in exchange for dancing lessons?” No way was he addressing the issue of a hired companion. But at least she hadn’t mentioned Mark Bauer.
“Yes.”
“Fine.” He walked across the room and flipped on the radio. Soft music filled the apartment. “Come on, let’s dance, if that’s all you want.”
The invitation held as much welcome as cold charity. Jayne’s first response was to throw his offer back in his face, but she managed to swallow her pride. After all, finding a way into his arms was exactly the reason she’d come here tonight.
When she walked into his embrace, he held her stiffly. His tense muscles kept her away from him, so there was only minimal contact.
“You didn’t hold me like this the other day,” she protested.
Gritting his teeth, Riley brought her closer into his arms. Eyes shut, he breathed in the scent of her hair. She reminded him of springtime, fresh and eager and so unbelievably trusting that it frightened him.
His hands sought her hair. Silky, glorious, just as he’d known it would be. He let down her bun. His fingers tangled with her hair as a tenderness for the woman enveloped him.
The music changed to an upbeat song with a bubbly rhythm, but their steps remained unchanged. Dancing was only an excuse to hold each other, and they both knew it.
Riley wrapped his arms around her. Their feet barely shifted as the pretense lost its purpose.
Jayne’s arms were tight around his neck. She didn’t dare move, for fear her actions would break this magical spell. There was something strong and powerful about Riley that she couldn’t resist. Her mouth found his neck, and her warm breath left a film of moisture against his skin. Lightly, she kissed him there.
Riley stiffened, his whole body tensing at her seemingly playful kiss. “Jayne,” he breathed. “What are you trying to do to me?”
“The same thing you’re doing to me,” she answered. Her own voice was weak. “I’ve never felt like this before…”
The only response he seemed capable of was a groan.
“Riley, kiss me,” she said urgently. “Please kiss me.”
He angled her head to one side and slanted his mouth over hers with a desperate hunger that burned in him like a raging fire.
He kissed her again with an intensity that drove him beyond his will. His mouth sought hers until they were both weak and trembling.
“Jayne,” he whispered harshly, “tell me to leave you alone. Tell me to stop.”
“But I like it.”
“Don’t say that.”
“But, Riley, it feels so good. You feel so good.”
“Jayne,” he pleaded, wanting her to stop him. Instead, she arched into him, her mouth on his.
“I want to kiss you forever,” she whispered.
“Don’t tell me that,” he said, fighting with everything that was in him and losing the battle with every breath he took.
Instinctively, she moved against him, and Riley thought he’d die with the pleasure and pain. He lowered his hands to her waist. “No more of that. Understand?”
“I don’t think I do. I never dreamed anything could feel this wonderful.”
Riley didn’t even hear her as he pressed his mouth to her cheek, her ear, her hair, anyplace but her lips.
“Jayne,” he said a moment later. “We have to stop.” He pressed his cheek to hers. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was labored as he struggled within himself.
Jayne moved so that her mouth found his, tasting, licking, and kissing him until Riley feared she’d drive him mad.
“No more,” he said harshly, breaking the contact. He held her away at arm’s length, clasping her shoulder. “What’s the matter with you?”
