“Because of his previous marriage?” she asked, speaking the words before thinking them through. She doubted the oldest sibling would discuss his brother’s past.
Sure enough, his eyes narrowed. “Rick told you about that?”
Kendall wouldn’t lie, not even in the name of getting information she’d rather have come from Rick himself. She shook her head. “No, he intimated as much.”
Chase nodded, understanding smoothing the lines in his forehead. “Well, let’s just say once a man’s been dumped by his wife he tends to be more cautious in the future.”
So that was the story. Kendall had sensed as much and a vise clamped her heart at the thought of Rick being hurt by anyone. Especially by a woman.
Chase gave her a steely-eyed stare, as if assessing her character and gearing up for more to say.
“And?” she asked, not wanting him to hold back or censor himself. Though she had a hunch this newspaper-man would always state the cold, hard truth. Whether she liked it or not.
“Don’t count on him giving his heart to any woman. Especially one just passing through.” His voice eased as if attempting to soften the blow.
She’d liked Chase from the start. Now she respected him too. But her heart sank anyway. Sank unreasonably she knew, since she wasn’t giving her heart any more than she was capable of settling down.
“Is that right?” she asked Chase in an attempt to play it cool.
He tipped his head to one side. “Yes, it is. You see, I deal in facts.”
“Spoken like a true journalist,” she said wryly.
“I am what I am.” His mouth lifted in a half smile. “I’m curious about something though. There’s got to be a dozen women in this town banging on your brother’s door. Do you give them the same speech?”
“No, ma’am. My mother cared for your aunt, so by extension that makes you like family.”
There was that word again. Family. The Chandlers tossed it around so easily, but for Kendall things weren’t so simple. Not when it came to family, the one thing she’d never had. Her throat swelled. Glancing at Chase, she managed a grateful nod.
He lifted her chin in his hands. “I’m just trying to help. So consider this conversation my welcome to town gift, okay? Maybe you’ll even thank me one day.”
Perhaps she would. In the meantime, she grappled to get her feet cemented on the floor and fix Chase’s notion that she was the one about to be hurt. “Journalists don’t work on assumptions, do they?” she asked him.
“Nope. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re assuming I’ll be the one to fall hard for your brother.” She leaned toward Chase and whispered in his ear. “News flash: I’m not sticking around long enough to worry about being hurt or dumped. But I’ve been known to make a pretty big impact on a guy.” She hoped her words would be prophetic. No falling, no heartache, not for her. “So maybe it’s your brother who needs this warning, his feelings you need to worry about. Not mine.” She forced a grin.
Chase let out a loud laugh. His first full smile of the night tilted his lips, giving Kendall a glimpse at the sexier side a woman could fall for. Another woman, she thought wryly. She’d already fallen for Rick.
“You know I can see why Rick likes you. You need anything while you’re in town, just give me a call.”
“Thank you.” On impulse, Kendall touched his arm.
“Ahem.” The sound of Rick clearing his throat interrupted the moment.
Kendall’s heart leapt at the sight of him. She hadn’t realized she’d missed his presence, but now she was glad he’d been able to get away from police business, the phone, and the people demanding his attention. Glad he’d come to stand by her side.
Uh-oh. She recalled Chase’s warning, and issued a strict reminder to tread carefully while she was here. But her pulse tripled and her mouth grew dry, the attraction stronger than rational thought.
“What’s going on?” Rick’s steady gaze settled on their physical connection.
She’d been so caught up in the joy of seeing him, she’d forgotten her hand lingered on Chase’s arm and she jerked her hand back at the same time Chase let out his second laugh of the evening.
“Jealous?” he asked Rick.
“If you hadn’t taught me to be a gentleman in front of a lady, I’d tell you to shut the hell up.”
Kendall stifled a chuckle, though she liked the possibilities inherent in Chase’s suggestion. Despite her better judgment.
Chase turned back to her. “The one fact I forgot to mention during our conversation earlier was that during the time he’s with you, he’s possessive.” He gave her a meaningful glance, then slapped his brother on the back and walked away, shaking his head and chuckling as he left.
“What was that all about?” Rick asked, a scowl on his handsome face.
Kendall shrugged, not really certain whose interest Chase had been looking out for, hers, Rick’s, or both. “Your brother was just issuing me a friendly warning.”
“A little too friendly if you ask me.” Rick’s jaw ticked, tight with tension, tempting her to reach out and smooth the razor-stubbled skin and ease his muscles until he relaxed under her touch.
Her stomach curled with unexpected excitement. Could Chase be right? Could Rick be jealous? At the possibility, she took a mental step back to examine her own feelings. Impulse would be deadly now and she forced herself to think clearly. Jealousy would indicate interest. Interest she already knew existed after their encounter in the house earlier. But the surprise here was the realization that the emotion didn’t have to pose a threat to Kendall or her heart. How could it when even Chase, who knew Rick better than anyone, admitted his brother would run before committing to anything serious? Just like Kendall would be gone before she could get hurt or attached?
With both those facts being true, clarity seemed to descend upon her. Why was she fighting the attraction? Why wasn’t she letting herself indulge in what promised to be the most passionate sensual affair she’d ever had? There was no reason not to embrace the opportunity they both wanted.
She stepped closer. “Friendly isn’t threatening, Rick.” She didn’t want him to feel competitive with his older brother. She inched nearer until she couldn’t breathe without inhaling his masculine scent. She knew without a doubt she wanted their bargain to be a reality. She wanted to be his lover until she left town and she wasn’t just falling into the convenience of their charade.
No man had ever affected her as deeply or kindled desire in her as quickly as he did. Her previous relationships were like her moves from town to town, quick and distant. Only Brian had gotten closer than most because they’d needed something from each other. They’d grown fond of one another in the process yet intimacy had always been missing. Nothing was missing in her feelings for Rick. The sexual attraction sizzled, the emotional connection was secure and reciprocal.
He’d been hurt once. She didn’t know how long ago or by whom, but she could help him heal, the same way he’d been helping her. He’d provided a shoulder from the first time they’d met and he gave comfort as much as he aroused a physical need that had been dormant for too long. He obviously cared enough about her feelings to arrange this impromptu gathering. A gesture Kendall believed came from his heart, not from the need to further their facade as lovers. There were plenty of other ways of establishing them as a couple—his performance at the beauty salon being one of them. Not once had he attempted any overabundant display of affection or attention.