Read Online Trouble In Triplicate by Barbara Boswell - Free Book Online Page B

that?" Juliet asked doubtfully.
    "Scout's honor."
    "You were a boy scout?"
    "An eagle scout. Didn't you know?"
    She shook her head, and Caine flashed a sheepish grin. "Sometimes I forget that you aren't well-versed in Saxon history." His grin turned decidedly rakish. "Lots of women are, you know."
    "I'm sure. No doubt they have to take a course in it before they're framed and mounted on your wall."
    He stared at her quizzically for a moment. "Are you referring to the photographs in the restaurant?" he asked. "You don't think Grant and I had affairs with all the women in those pictures, do you?"
    Juliet shrugged and said nothing. A pang of pure jealousy surged through her at the thought of Caine with all those glamorous beauties.
    "Good grief, you do!" He gave a short laugh. "Honey, I hate to shatter your illusions, but not even Superman could have made it with all those women and played professional football too."
    "You didn't play football all year long," she retorted.
    "True. But I did work during the off-season. I was a color commentator for the Pittsburgh Pirates on a local TV station there. That kept me fairly busy."
    "But the Pirates are a baseball team. I think," she added uncertainly.
    "They are. I happen to be as familiar with baseball as I am with football. I played both all through high school and college, and had a hard time choosing between them when it came time to turn pro."
    "More Saxon history, hmm?"
    "Pay attention. You're going to be tested on it at the end of the evening." He smiled at her. "Will you have dinner with me, Juliet? There is one table available and it's already reserved for a Saxon and a Post."
    She was hungry. And she was dressed for the luxuriously appointed dining room, even if he wasn't. "Since the table is reserved for a Saxon and a Post, it might as well be us," she conceded.
    "And am I forgiven?"
    She stared at him. "Forgiven? For what?"
    "For not asking you to dinner in the first place. I should have, of course, but—"
    "You were under no obligation to ask me to dinner," she interrupted coolly. "And you still—"
    "As I was saying." It was Caine's turn to interrupt, and his voice was just as cool as hers. "I should have asked you to dinner, but I was determined to keep my distance and not become involved with you."
    Juliet was totally nonplussed. How was she supposed to reply to that? "Well," she began cautiously, "I certainly don't..."
    "But so much for my determination. We're already deep into the second quarter, aren't we?"
    "Do you always talk in incomprehensible football metaphors?" she asked shakily. The way he was looking at her made her feel weak. She quickly turned to follow the bustling Mrs. Castle to their table, a cozy corner one on the far side of the room.
    Caine followed closely behind her, laying his big hands on her shoulders as they walked. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight, Juliet?" She was stiff with tension, and his strong fingers began a gentle massage. "When I saw you in that dress, I—"
    "Yes. you—you told me," she replied quickly. She took a deep breath. "Caine, tonight we're simply using Randi and Grant's dinner reservation. You don't have to go through your standard dating bantei with me."
    "I don't use some kind of preplanned, standard banter on my dates!" he protested. "And you do look beautiful." He drew out the chair for her and seated her on it, hovering over her for an extra moment to lightly brush his lips against her glossy dark hair. "You wanted to dress up for me tonight, didn't you, Juliet? You wanted to knock my eyes out."
    His perception—and his frankness—made her blush. She shifted away from him and immediately began a thorough study of the menu.
    Caine sat down opposite her at the small table. "Juliet." He reached across the table and took her hand in his. Automatically, her eyes lifted. He was staring at her face, which was illuminated by the flickering candlelight. "You succeeded admirably. I'm dazzled."
    No man had ever