Surrender to Temptation (16 page)

He got online and checked his e-mail. The e-mail from LASEK, Lambert’s security firm, was succinct. He followed the link and used the password Ken had provided.

The video started. The footage showed a typical hospital hallway with doctors, nurses, and orderlies moving back and forth. Then a man appeared in the hallway. He wore an expensive trench coat, tailored pants, and wing-tipped shoes. He knew high-end tailoring when he saw it. The man had a strange walk, and the recording kept shifting to different angles in a disjointed way as though Lambert’s people had combined different footage taken by different cameras.

Chase had never seen the man before. On his way out the door, the man wasn’t walking slowly anymore, and he kept his head down. His limp was more pronounced. Just before the tape ended, he pulled his right hand from the pocket of his trench coat and tried to cover his face. His right hand was wrapped in gauze.

Chase watched it again. Then he redialed Lambert’s number. “His right hand was burned, and I’m sure his leg was, too.”

Ken chuckled. “We don’t know that, cowboy. All we know is his arm was bandaged in that video and that he walked with a limp. Do you know him?”

“Nope. Never seen him before. Who is he?”

“We don’t know, yet, but he might be the man you heard.”

Chase narrowed his eyes. “Find him, Ken.”

“We are on it. You know what this means?”

“That I was right,” he said. “And you, my friend, are about to exonerate my
sous chef
of all wrongdoing. I knew she couldn’t have tried to hurt me or destroy my restaurant. She was by the door, too far away to have hit me.”

“Do you still need us to keep an eye on her?” Ken asked.

Chase thought about it. “Yeah. I want to know when she comes out of the coma. Since I’ll be in L.A. next week to keep an appointment, I can swing by San Diego and check on her.”

“So you did have a thing for the little lady after all,” Ken teased.

Chase chuckled. No, he had a thing for a leggy, curvaceous brunette living under his roof, and tonight, he was going to do something about it. “I take care of my people just like you do yours, Lambert. Doesn’t mean I want to get in their pants.”

“What about your ex?”

“What about her?”

“It is obvious there’s a connection between her and the man. We’ve started digging into her background. He could be an ex-boyfriend or a stalker.”

“Or someone she pissed off. As a food critic, her review can make or derail a young chef’s career.”

“Already looking into that, too. We’re going through archived articles she’s written and trying to find out if she destroyed someone’s career.”

“I’ll see what I can do to help. Call me as soon as you find something.”

“Will do. I won’t be sending Ms. Marshal’s pictures after all. We went through them searching for the same man, but he wasn’t in them. Of course, the fact that he hadn’t visited her also makes us think they don’t know each other. We checked surveillance footage from the hospitals in L.A. and San Diego. I’d still like to check her e-mails before eliminating her completely.”

This was why he’d gone to Ken. The man was thorough and thought outside the box. An idea popped into Chase’s head as soon as he hung up the phone. The more he thought about it, the more he liked it. He sent an e-mail, then spent the next hour going through his inbox. He had close to a thousand messages, some from his former employees. They all wanted to know how he was doing. He shot back responses until his head started to pound.

He hadn’t had a headache since Nikki arrived at his ranch last week, and he’d like to think it was because he avoided straining his eyes. The truth was her presence was the reason. He’d been too busy focusing on her to think about anything else. She was fun, unbearable, witty, snarky, and outrageously cocky. At times he thought she knew how she affected him, and at times she seemed completely oblivious to him. Sure, he worked hard at covering his cravings with casual banter, but that didn’t stifle them. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted her.

As he crossed the foyer, fresh flowers on the table caught his eyes. He grinned. Fresh flowers were becoming a fixture in his house. He pushed the door to the kitchen and found Nikki with her head in the fridge.

He moved and stood beside her. When she turned and jumped, he grinned and steadied her, his hand going to her waist. He tugged gently until she was leaning against him. His body showed its appreciation.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to find something to go with this.” She showed him a bowl of baked corn chips. “I have this crazy craving for something tangy.”

“I’ll prepare something for you.”

“No, you don’t have to—”

“But I insist.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, led her to a chair, and pressed a finger on her lips. “In fact, count yourself lucky I’m taking time from my busy ranch duties to cater to your needs.”

She grinned. “You do know I’m not twisting your arm.”

“No, but you are a guest in my house, and I’m duty bound to feed you.” He walked back to the fridge and started removing things. All he needed were a few ingredients—frozen, cooked shrimp, cream cheese, unflavored gelatin,
horseradish
,
Worcestershire sauce
,
celery, and a medium-sized onion. From the pantry, he got unflavored gelatin and a can of condensed tomato soup. He started with the onion and glanced up when Nikki got up and moved closer to the kitchen island, where he was peeling the onion.

“What are you making?” she asked, leaning against the counter.

“A tangy dip as per your request.”

“Can I help with anything?”

“No. I work better without distraction. But you can talk to me.” He chopped the onions.

“About?”

“Anything.”

He
pushed the onions aside and started on celery sticks. “Uh, your sister. Tell me about her.”

“Uh, she’s younger than me. We used to be close.”

It didn’t sound like she wanted to talk about her sister. “What happened?”

“We just drifted apart. The last time I saw her we had a big fight. Really senseless. I just want her to be, uh, okay.”

He pushed the chopped celery aside and paused to study her. She was always so strong it was hard to hear the pain in her voice. No wonder she’d seemed so distraught about her sister. “What kind of surgery did she have?”

“Reconstructive. She had an accident, but she’ll be okay. She has good doctors and my parents and me to help her. Uh, I’m starving, Fitzgerald. When is the dip going to be ready?”

He chuckled. “Ten more minutes. It should be chilled, but I’m modifying it a little. Tell me about you parents.”
He blended everything
while she munched on the chips and talked. He scooped and offered her a sample of the mixture. “What do you think?”

Her gorgeous lips closed around the tip of the wooden spoon, the simple gesture so sensual Chase swallowed. But when she closed her eyes and hummed, the sound shot heat to his groin.

“Oh my. I’ve died and gone to food heaven.”

It hurt to act nonchalant, to reach out and wipe the drop on her chin instead of licking it with his tongue as he so badly wanted.

“Chilled is better.” He placed half of the blend in a mold and put it in the fridge to set, and poured the other half into a bowl. He offered it to her. “For your enjoyment.”

She carried the bowl to the side counter. “This is amazing. How can you give up cooking?”

“I haven’t.” He paused by the table and ran a hand along her jaw. She looked up. He ran a finger along her lips. “I prefer to do it now for a select few.” He leaned down slowly, giving her a chance to pull back. She didn’t. He slipped a hand along her nape, angled his head, and pressed a kiss on her lips. Pure sweetness. Lush. She gasped, and he took advantage, running his tongue along her lower lip, tasting her sweetness and the tangy traces of the dip.

“Do that outside my kitchen,” Mrs. B admonished.

Nikki stiffened, but Chase didn’t let her pull back. He gently held her jaw and looked into her eyes, which had softened to liquid gold. “Later.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He stole another quick kiss. Then he walked to Mrs. B, leaned down, and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You’ll always be my first love, Mrs. B.”

“Oh, away with you, you naughty boy.”

***

Nikki tried not to laugh as she watched them. She was still trying to catch her breath from the whisper of a kiss she and Chase had just shared. She licked her lower lip, tasting him. If Mrs. B hadn’t interrupted…

“Well, look at this mess,” Mrs. B said, studying the jars and vegetables Chase had left out. She shot Nikki a stern look. “Did you do this?”

Nikki shook her head. Since she couldn’t talk with food in her mouth, she pointed at Chase, who chuckled and disappeared outside. Mrs. B stared after him with amazement.

“Did he use the stove?” she asked.

“No, just ingredients from the fridge.” Nikki waited for her to say more, but she just sighed and started to clean up. “What’s wrong?”

“I should be happy he made something. It’s going to take a long time for that boy to recover.”

Intrigued, Nikki stopped munching on the chips.

“That silly girl stole so much more from him than anyone would ever imagine.”

Her appetite gone, Nikki got up and moved closer to the cook. “What do you mean?”

“He doesn’t cook anymore, you know. Even the sight of fire makes him break out in cold sweat. The doctors call it a panic attack. He doesn’t think I notice how he avoids the kitchen when I’m cooking or that he freezes with a haunted look in his eyes whenever he sees fire.” Mrs. B’s voice trembled. When she swiped at her face, Nikki realized she was crying. “It just breaks my heart. I don’t believe in capital punishment, but the girl who did this to him…” She shook the stalk of celery. “Deserves to be punished.”

 
Nikki’s heart squeezed. She had no idea Chase didn’t cook anymore. The way she’d pushed him to talk about his restaurant and the fire came back to haunt her.

“That’s so sad,”
Nikki said slowly.

“Now don’t go feeling sorry for the girl,” Mrs. B said sternly, wagging the celery in Nikki’s face. “Chase has suffered enough because of what she did. Cuts to his face. Messing his perfect skin. Nearly destroying his eyes. The doctors gave up on him seeing again, you know.” She laughed, but her tears kept flowing. “They didn’t take into account his stubbornness. He proved them wrong, didn’t he? I know the girl is in the hospital, but I believe people should take responsibility for their actions. That boy has suffered and still continues to suffer because of her.”

Too devastated by what she’d just heard to comment, Nikki led the older woman to the chair, sat, and gripped her hand. “I wasn’t feeling sorry for the girl, Mrs. B. I meant it is sad he doesn’t cook anymore. He is gifted.”

“Oh, you have no idea. He makes food for kings. I try to use his recipes, but it’s not the same.” She patted Nikki’s hands. “But this is a start, my dear. He actually made something. Encourage him to do more. Maybe, just maybe he will go back to his first love.”

“I’ll do what I can.” Nikki sat up. “Now, why don’t you stay here and try his amazing shrimp dip while I clean up the mess he made. I insist,” she added when Mrs. B opened her mouth to protest. “He wouldn’t have turned your kitchen upside down if it weren’t for me.”

“Thank you, dear. I knew you’d bring changes to this house the minute I saw you.”

What was going to happen the minute she found out the girl responsible for destroying Chase’s life was her sister? Nikki shuddered. All she could do now was finish the website and head home before the truth came out. Maybe leading him back to the kitchen, to his first love as Mrs. B called it, would make up for her deception.

When she finished in the kitchen, Nikki headed to the den to see the photographs Dean had left behind. Even though the cowboy had shown interest in her work and mentioned the possibility of doing his website too, she doubted she’d ever come back to Montana. She doubted any Fitzgerald would want to have anything to do with her once the truth came out.

CHAPTER 11

Chase walked to the deck and headed straight for the hot tub, two martinis in his hand. Dinner was going to be late, Mrs. B had informed him. She must have told Nikki, too, or she wouldn’t be in the hot tub.

Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back. The water was no longer churning, so her lush body, covered by a modest swimsuit, was visible. Chase’s body reacted.

“Want to join me?” she asked without opening her eyes.

He chuckled. “How did you know it was me?”

Her eyelids lifted languidly. She turned her head and smiled. “I just know. How’s Philly doing? Winston said you were worried about her and Wind Dancer is sick, too.”

He offered her the glass, grabbed one of the stools, and leaned against the edge of the hot tub. “Wind Dancer has a yeast infection we’ve been treating. Until it’s cleared, I can’t take her to a breeder. Philly is getting closer to her due date and has started waxing.”

“What is waxing?” She sipped the drink, leaned closer, and crossed her arms on the edge of the hot tub.

“When her udders swell at night and release colostrum, then drop in size during the day. The colostrum is—”

“I know what it is, cowboy,” she said, chuckling.

He’d completely forgotten she was a nurse and had dealt with pregnant women and mothers with newborns. Like humans, mares produced the special, yellowish milk before the regular white milk. “The colostrum dies on her teats and forms what looks like wax.”

“Is that bad?”

“No, but it means she could go into labor anytime.” He ran a finger along her arm. The shiver that shot through her didn’t surprise him. “Mrs. B said dinner won’t be ready for another thirty minutes. Do you want me to tell her to hold off a little longer?”

“No, I’m done here. My back muscles were knotted from hunching over the computer for too long, and since I left my massager at home, I needed this.”

“I’ve been told I’m a good masseur,” he said. “Feel free to use my services.”

“Maybe I will,” she teased and stood.

Whatever he was about to say died on his lips. He held his breath as the water flowed off her body an inch at a time, caressing her skin. His eyes shifted to her face, which was free of makeup and perfect.

“You’re breathtaking,” he whispered.

“Thank you. Can I have that?” She indicated the robe on the pole of the gazebo.

The expression on her face held his attention. There was vulnerability in it that surprised him. He put his glass down, picked up the robe from where she’d dropped it, and held it out for her.

She stepped out of the tub, came down the steps, turned, and slipped into it. Instead of letting the robe go, Chase crossed the front and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his cheek against her damp hair. When she leaned against him and her hands rested on his arms, he knew he had to kiss her again.

He turned her around and pushed wet strands from her cheek. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, and her eyes darkened. He’d never wanted a woman like this—with every breath he took and every inch of his body.

“Uh, my drink?” she said, reaching for her martini.

“The drink can wait.” He caught her wrist, pressed it against his chest, and caressed her cheek. “I want you, Nikki. And you want me.”

“I know.” She rubbed her cheek against his hand, her eyes not leaving his. She released a shaky breath. “It doesn’t mean we have to do something about it.”

“Why not?”

“There is so much we don’t know about each other.”

“I know enough. If you’re scared about where this might lead us, talk to me. You can trust me, Nikki. I’d never hurt you.”

She smiled. “I’m not scared. Don’t you remember what I said to you earlier in the week? I can handle anything...”

He pressed a thumb to her lips.

“Can you handle this?” He replaced his thumb with his lips, nipped her lower lip, and soothed it with his tongue when she gasped. Her lips were soft, her mouth sweet and intoxicating. His tongue slipped into her mouth to taste her, inviting her to explore his desire.

They moved from warm to blazing hot in a fraction of a second. She didn’t hold back and neither did he. He gripped her shoulders and pulled her body up and against his, his arousal pulsating and demanding to be released. She pressed closer, seeking more contact.

The kiss that had started as a lesson backfired on Chase as he groaned his need. He wanted much more than a mere kiss from this woman. He wanted to devour her, brand her, and make her his. He drank from her.

She tightened her hold on his back as she rubbed and kneaded his muscles, her nails digging into his skin. His lips moved from their hot dueling mouths and traveled along her jaw, while moaning her name.

“Chase,” she whispered.

“I’m here, babe.” His tongue seared the satiny skin of her neck, savoring the texture and the sweet sexy scent that was pure Nikki. The raw, untapped passion sent adrenaline rushing through him. His body on fire, he pressed her closer while his other hand moved to caress the swellings on her chest. Her nipples responded, her breath catching. “Don’t ask me to stop.”

For days, he’d wondered if she could fill his palms. He was now confirming it in the most intimate way. He sighed in contentment as he played with a tight nipple. A satisfied groan escaped his lips when she moaned and arched her back, giving him better access.

Her cry of passion fanned his responses. His hands moved lower and caressed her flat, hard stomach, the skin on her side left bare by the cut of her swimsuit. Her muscles contracted. He wanted to devour her right here next to the hot tub. Wanted her writhing under him. He didn’t care that he couldn’t make her any promises or that in about ten days he would watch her leave. All he cared about was the moment. Easing his hunger for her body. His thirst for her heat. His ache for a piece of heaven.

He pulled her toward the wall of the gazebo and pinned her to it. His knee pushed hers apart, and she moved closer, riding his thigh. His breath caught and held.

Hell and damnation, he could feel her heat. It seared through their clothing and singed his skin. The muscles on his body tensed painfully. He imagined burying himself inside her moist interior, taking her hard, fast and furious, her muscles squeezing and caressing him, the moans of her passion filling his ears until he gave them release.

He groaned and moved his hands to her rounded backside and pulled her closer.

***

Fire rippled through her veins, the position arousing Nikki’s senses to a level she’d never known before, the swimsuit offering no barrier to Chase’s jean-clad leg. It felt like he was already touching her in the most intimate way possible.

Nikki never knew a kiss could be this consuming, this devastating to the senses, and so unsatisfying. Pressing herself closer and tighter to his hot body, she wanted to absorb him, seeking satisfaction that only he could bring.

When his hand pushed the robe down, she helped him shrug it off, wanting to feel his hands on her skin. The feel of cool air on her shoulder was soon replaced with the heat of his palm as he sought her collarbone and touched her with reverence and passion. She arched her back as his fingers caressed her breast, as he pulled the fabric across the sensitized buds and shamelessly used it to heighten the sensation. His fingers tormented her, teasing her nipples until the buds became pools of sensations. Waves of spiked heat rushed through her and settled on her belly, making her hot, tingly, and wet.

When he reached lower and traced the edge of her swimsuit, she jerked. The ache in her stomach intensified as his scent overwhelmed her nostrils and his body leaped at her touch.

“I want you, Nikki,” he growled in a heated voice.
 

Nikki tensed. Was this what she wanted? Her body was crying for fulfillment, but her mind argued with her body. Could she have an affair with a man while keeping secrets about why she was at his ranch? But could she walk away, knowing she’d finally met someone who could mean something to her?

“I need you, Nikki,” Chase growled in a heated voice.
 

“Please…” She begged, her body becoming more pliant.

“You have no idea how I’ve longed to touch you. Kiss every inch of you. Hear you sigh my name.” Each word was punctuated with hot caresses on her face and neck, stamped by the rough hands kneading her flesh.

Convulsions raked her body. Her hands held him tight even as her mouth was denying them satisfaction. He groaned in response, moved his lips to hers, and gave her a hard kiss as if to convince her that what he wanted was right. He rocked their bodies together, showing her what tune they could be dancing. “Lord, you’re exquisite. I need you, baby.”

“We must stop,” she begged with a trembling voice.

He paused and looked into her eyes as though to confirm she meant what she was saying. She moved, and he let her go, muttering a curse under his breath.

Nikki reached for her martini and downed it in one gulp. One kiss. What was wrong with her? One fiery kiss and she’d wanted to rip his clothes off. Even now, she remembered how his rippling muscles had felt and her body throbbed with unfulfilled needs.

After what seemed like an eternity, she whispered, “I guess, it wasn’t a great idea, huh?”

Chase shook his head. “Except for not finishing what I started, I find absolutely nothing to regret about it.”

She shook her head at him. “Chase...”

“Don’t say anything, not unless you want me to kiss you again, Nikki,” he warned with a determined look.

She glared at him. “There will be no more kissing, Chase.”

He studied her then smiled. “Okay.”

Nikki frowned. He surrendered too easily and too fast. “What do you mean ‘okay’?”

“I accept your terms.” Then he added, “For now.”

Her eyes widened. “No, Fitzgerald. This is not negotiable. No more kissing. I came here for a job, and that is all I intend to do.”

“What if you decide to kiss me? I won’t have qualms taking you up on it.” He grinned at her astonished face. Smiling cockily, he moved away from the Jacuzzi. “Now, I need a very cold shower. Would you like to join me? In the shower, I mean.”

Nikki opened her mouth and then closed it. He wasn’t getting a response from her, she vowed.

“Don’t worry, there will be no kissing, just touching. I’ll scrub your back and you do mine, although I wouldn’t mind my front being scrubbed, too.”

His words created images in her mind that were downright sinful. Once again, she refused to respond.

Nikki waited until he disappeared toward the barn before she hurried inside the house. Fifteen minutes later, after a near-cold shower, she was pacing back and forth.

What was she going to do about Chase? And how was she going to forget the kiss they’d just shared? What was it about him that set her on fire? She’d kissed her share of men, yet none ever made her burn with need. Even now, thinking about it made her skin tingle and areas that hadn’t throbbed in months pulsate with need.

She wanted to be in his arms again, to feel alive and desirable. But he was Chase Fitzgerald, and she was here to gather information. Worse, her sister was responsible for nearly blinding him and destroying his dream.

Damn, damn, damn!

She went downstairs for her laptop, opened her list of downloaded music, and sang along with Lade Antebellum. Music always brought her peace of mind, but after that kiss, she had to work extra hard to be absorbed by it.

Like most girls growing up in her town, she’d wanted to become a country singer. So she’d learned to play a guitar and sing popular country songs. Singing had been a way out of marrying some local boy or working at the local store for most girls. Her parents had wanted more for their girls.

A knock on her door interrupted her singing. Nikki jumped off the bed, opened the door, and smiled at the housekeeper. “Hey, Mrs. B. Have you been knocking for long?”

“No, child. I just got here. Was that you singing?” the housekeeper asked.

Nikki chuckled. “Singing along.”

“You have a very beautiful voice. Do you know some of the oldies—the kind country folks like? Tucker plays the guitar and Winston has his harmonica. With your voice, we can have some fun. Beats all the arguments and the sports they watch most evenings.

“Okay. If they are common songs, I might know them.”

“You sing something, and the boys will follow along.” Mrs. B clapped her hands. “They are sure going to love this. It is a perfect send-off for Little Joe and Big Joe. They are leaving tomorrow.”

This should give her an excuse to finish her dinner fast. The less time she spent in the company of Chase Fitzgerald the easier it would be to resist him.

Mrs. B looked at her with gleaming eyes. “Come on.”

Downstairs, Mrs. B disappeared in the kitchen. Nikki had changed into a casual summer dress and sandals Amelia had sent. Chase stood as soon as she entered the room. The smile he gave her was downright wicked, the raw hunger in his eyes sending something hot and primal through her. The man didn’t play fair.