His sexy lips turned downward in a frown. “Some people don’t know their own worth.”
He stared into her eyes, almost willing her to believe until beneath his compelling gaze, she almost felt beautiful. The compliment warmed her, even as warning bells sounded in her head. “You flatter me, but I have a hunch you’re awfully good at that,” she said in an attempt to distance herself from her rampaging emotions and growing feelings for Rick Chandler.
“I’m good, period.” He grinned, letting her know he was kidding. “Which of my attributes are you talking about, specifically?”
She rolled her eyes. “Your ability to flatter all women, Officer Chandler.”
“As of now, only you.” His hazel eyes danced with delight and he exuded charm even the most jaded female would be hard-pressed to resist.
“I remember.” She licked her dry lips. “So, do you make it a habit of stopping by the hair salon?” She sought to change the subject.
“Only when a certain red car is parked outside.”
“You came to see me?”
He winked, then brushed a kiss over her lips, taking her completely off guard. “Course I did. You’re sitting in gossip central. What better way to get those tongues wagging?”
Her mouth tingled from his touch and the delicious hint of spearmint on his breath, but disappointment settled in her stomach. “Of course. That makes sense.” Play out the charade, Kendall thought. How could she have been stupid enough to forget for even one second?
Now that her attention was properly refocused, she realized silence had once again descended in Luanne’s as the gossips tried in vain to hear their whispered conversation.
“Smile.” He reached out and touched one corner of her mouth, pulling her unwilling lips upward. “We have an audience.”
She forced a grin, then reminded herself she had no reason to be upset or disappointed. They had a bargain. She didn’t want anything real with Rick Chandler any more than he wanted a relationship with her. But those sexual sparks wouldn’t be denied and Kendall’s gut told her they were both headed for trouble.
“Did you meet everyone here?” His hand swept around the shop in a grand gesture.
She shook her head. “As your . . . significant other, by reputation anyway, they didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat. Except for Pam. She’s wonderful.”
“Pam’s a sweetheart. But you’re telling me the rest of these women weren’t friendly?” He frowned. “I never intended for you to suffer because of our agreement.”
His serious expression did nothing to detract from his sex appeal, to Kendall’s unending dismay.
“Hey, everyone,” he called out, turning away from Kendall and toward the room at large.
“Rick . . .” She grabbed for his arm but missed.
“I want you all to meet Kendall Sutton. I know you all loved Crystal and you’ll extend your friendship and sympathies to her niece.”
Kendall noticed Rick didn’t ask anyone to do him a favor, but his meaning was implied. Too bad Kendall didn’t want friendships based on the fact that Rick asked people to be nice to her. Nor did she plan to stay here long enough for it to matter, she reminded herself.
He turned back to Kendall. “Mission accomplished.” He treated her to a flirty wink. “I’ll see you later.” Another kiss, this one thorough and mind-blowing and then he was gone.
But his impact remained. Long after he’d walked out the door, her head still spun and her heart beat furiously inside her chest. She let out a long, slow exhale, trying to regain equilibrium.
“That’s some guy you’ve got yourself.” Pam’s sigh echoed Kendall’s previous one.
She bit the inside of her cheek. “You can say that alright.”
“Ready to be washed?”
Kendall nodded. Once Pam had her settled in the sink, head tipped backward, lukewarm water rinsing down her scalp, Kendall realized she had her chance to talk potential business without anyone overhearing. “I have a proposition for you, Pam.”
“Hmm. Sounds intriguing.”
“Have you thought about setting up a jewelry or accessory area inside the store? Either where you walk in at the entrance or near the back wall?”
“No, but the concept sounds intriguing. What do you have in mind?”
“My designs. Wire jewelry and stones. I’m thinking if you let me leave some pieces here, we’ll see if they generate interest. If things sell, I’ll give you a percentage of the sale. It’s a win-win situation.” Kendall needed extra money badly right now. The cleaning supplies for the house alone put a dent in her wallet and her budget had been shot to hell and back.
“Hmm.” Pam put the final conditioner in Kendall’s hair. “I love jewelry and I hate turning down an offer like that, but you might be more successful talking to Charlotte about putting your pieces in her store.” After rinsing her scalp with cool water, Pam wrapped a towel around Kendall’s head, blotting her hair as she helped her rise.
Blood rushed to Kendall’s head as she sat up, but the dizziness quickly subsided. Too bad the rush left by Rick’s visit hadn’t disappeared as easily. “Who’s Charlotte?”
Pam walked in front of her so she could meet Kendall’s gaze, then perched her hands on her hips. “Just how well do you know your boyfriend?”
“Well enough. Why?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Because Charlotte is Rick’s sister-in-law. She’s the first woman in this town to nab a Chandler man. And I’d think you would know that.”
Kendall swallowed a groan. Rick’s car had been parked outside her guest house through most of his days off. He’d arrived at six in the morning and stayed past ten most nights. They’d scrubbed, cleaned, and given everyone the impression they were new lovers, so head over heels for one another, they couldn’t bring themselves to give up their private time just yet. And lovers quickly learned intimate details about one another, including details about their families. Too bad she and Rick hadn’t taken that into account before letting Kendall loose on her own.
“You were holed up in that house for days on end, but you obviously didn’t spend much time talking.” Pam grinned, giving Kendall the solution she needed.
Latching on to Pam’s suggestiveness, Kendall nodded. “We spent enough time together to learn plenty.” She wiggled her eyebrows provocatively. “But I just spaced for a second. Of course I knew which Charlotte you meant.”
Pam eyed her as if she didn’t believe a word and she was right. “Okay, well, if Charlotte isn’t interested, just come ask me again and we’ll work something out.”
“I’ll do that.” Next time she saw Rick, she’d ask him about his sister-in-law, what she was like and if she’d be willing to consider taking in jewelry on consignment. “Thanks for the suggestion.”
Pam led Kendall back to the chair and began combing out her now blond hair. “Like it?”
She gave Pam a truthful smile. “Very much.”
“Good. Now let’s cut!” Pam lifted the scissors and started snipping.
* * *
Rick kicked his chair back at his desk and fired off a rubber band at the bridal picture again. But this time, it wasn’t the bride he was pissed at, it was himself. When he’d concocted his plan to make the town and his mother think he and Kendall were together, he’d screwed up. Twice. He’d never meant to duplicate Kendall’s painful recent past and he sure as hell had never meant to isolate her in the process. He’d never given the possibility a thought.