Read Online Hands On by Debbi Rawlins - Free Book Online Page B

whispered. “You’re supposed to be my wife.”
    â€œNo one heard.” She sipped the sherry Mary Jane had given her and made a face. “This stuff is nasty.”
    â€œCome on. Let’s get a real drink and then go for a walk outside.”
    â€œWe can’t just leave now. This is supposed to be the social hour.”
    â€œI don’t think anyone will miss us.” He motioned with his chin. Zelda and Kathy just sat there looking miserable, while Simone held center stage with the men. Except her husband. He stayed near the bar scowling as he worked on his scotch.
    â€œI can see this is going to be a terrific week.” Cassie gave him a wry look. “What’s really scary is that you’re starting to look good.”
    â€œKeep it up and all this sweet talk is going to go to my head. Come on.” He grabbed her hand. Miraculously she didn’t balk, and he skipped the bar and guided them out the sliding glass doors into the garden.
    Cassie set down her sherry on one of the patio tables and they took the stone path flanked by fragrant rose bushes with yellow and pink blooms.
    â€œMary Jane will probably follow us.” Cassie led the way, which didn’t bother Dalton one bit.
    â€œLet her,” he said, enjoying the gentle sway of Cassie’s hips, the way her jeans snuggly cupped her rounded backside.
    â€œWe’ll have to be careful.”
    â€œThat goes without saying, but if we find a place out in the open, we’ll be able to see anyone coming.”
    â€œI think we might be headed in the direction of the pool. There’ll be a good place to sit there. It’s wide-open.”
    â€œGood thinking.”
    She gave him a quick smile over her shoulder that got him wondering about her, about the way she responded to even the slightest praise about her work. Someone had apparently done a number on her in the self-esteem department. Which was ridiculous. He liked to tease her but could see she was pretty and bright and gutsy. A lot of women would have refused to help him with this case. Not Cassie. She’d jumped in with both feet.
    They wound through a maze of white daisies and red geraniums and ended up at the large gazebo near the pool’s diving board. Constructed of intricate white lattice and stocked with a bar, the gazebo could comfortably seat six people.
    Cassie, walking a foot ahead of him, passed it up and headed for a chaise longue. He’d have done the same but he doubted for the same reason.
    â€œDon’t you think it would have been more comfortable in the gazebo?” he asked as they both settled in their respective chairs.
    â€œProbably, and I doubt it’s bugged, but I figure it’ssafer to be out here.” She stretched out on the chaise, her tummy nice and flat, her breasts round and high.
    He felt a tug at his groin. “Yeah, good thinking.”
    There was that pleased smile again. “I’m starting to worry about this place.”
    â€œYou think it’s an orgy waiting to happen.”
    â€œIf Simone had her way. And Zelda’s husband. Can you believe that?”
    â€œBecause he has the good taste to find you attractive?”
    She blinked, and then looked away as her cheeks turned pink. “He was the one chasing Simone when we arrived earlier.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYes. Didn’t you recognize him?”
    â€œI wasn’t exactly looking at him. ”
    Cassie sighed. “I guess not.”
    â€œNot that Simone’s anything to look at, but I was startled.”
    â€œYeah, right.”
    â€œWhat?”
    She glanced heavenward. “Not that Simone’s anything to look at? Please.”
    â€œShe’s okay.” He shrugged. “Just not my type.”
    Cassie looked as if she wanted to say something more but kept her mouth shut.
    â€œSo what do you think?” he asked finally.
    â€œAbout?”
    â€œThis whole situation. These couples all