56
“Congratulations! You are the fiftieth woman to join us for Strike a Match Night at Grocery Town, and you’ve just won a date to see the Broadway hit musical Cats, and dinner at Francois’ restaurant. How do you feel?”
Cassie Warner stared blankly at the jubilant man with the microphone. A date to see Cats? Then, as she saw the banners advertising the Singles’ Strike a Match Night posted around the grocery store, she groaned in comprehension. As a gimmick, the store had arranged a night for singles to meet each other, complete with prizes of dates or free groceries. Why couldn’t she win the groceries?
“Your date is over there, too.”
“She’s speechless!” The radio DJ motioned her over to a table. “You go right over there, doll, and give them the pertinent information.”
Cassie started to protest as she pointed at her legs. “But, I just wanted to buy some pantyhose. My friend Anne, the bride-to-be, wants her bridesmaids to wear them. We’re also wearing head-piece Fascinators. I don’t—”
The announcer interrupted, giving her a gentle shove. “I know you’re excited. But we’ll take care of you. Just go on over to the table, honey.”
Chafing under his pushy attitude, she glanced over her shoulder at the DJ with narrowed eyes. Doll. Honey. But he’d already begun babbling at some other unfortunate soul.
Sighing, she walked over to the table where a woman waited expectantly. She really needed to get this cleared up or she would be late for her friend Anne’s wedding rehearsal. And though she’d love to see Cats, she wasn’t the least bit interested in a blind date.
The woman at the table wore an expression of envy. “Boy, are you lucky,” she said. “You got the best-looking hunk here tonight. He doesn’t want to go on the date, but maybe you’ll be able to talk him into it. Let’s get your name, address, and telephone number so you two can set up your meeting time.”
Cassie began to protest again, but stopped when she heard a deep masculine voice tinged with frustration.
“There must be a hundred guys here tonight who’d love to have a prepaid blind date. I’m not one of them. You’re the store manager. Can’t you bend die rules a little and give this prize to someone else?”
Though she agreed with his argument, she felt affronted by the way he’d said the word prize, as if his date would be just the opposite.
Cassie turned to look at him and caught his gaze. He strode toward her and held out his hand. “I’m Joshua Daniels. Are you my date for CatsT?”
She automatically shook his hand. “Yes, but I have almost as much interest in blind dates as you. I’ve just been trying to persuade these people to bestow this prize on someone else.”
His keen dark eyes wore an expression of measured concentration, as if after seeing her he was reconsidering his options. Dressed in a navy suit, he looked like the all-American success story: about six feet tall, thick curly brown hair, nice square jaw, and a cleft in his chin.
The only thing she didn’t like about him was the way his dark brown gaze was traveling down her legs with masculine appreciation. He looked like the intense kind who couldn’t resist a challenge, and Cassie instinctively avoided intense men. She carefully selected a more laid back type of man for her platonic dates, and this man looked anything but laid back.
She turned from him to the woman at the table. “There’s been some mistake. I only came here to buy a pair of—”
The woman shook her head firmly. “Oh, there’s been no mistake. You’re the fiftieth single woman to walk through that door tonight. There were two people counting. Now, what’s your name?”
Sputtering in protest, Cassie opened her mouth, only to have him pull at her hand.
Joshua held her hand firmly in his own and she had to resist the urge to jerk it away. Her skin seemed acutely sensitive to his touch.
In a low voice, Joshua nonchalantly negotiated with her. “There’s no convincing them you’re not interested. I’ve already tried. We could end up being here all night.” He pointed to her dress. “And, you look like you have other places to go.”
Wary at his change in attitude, she said, “But I thought you didn’t like blind dates.”
He smiled and shrugged. “It’s not a blind date, anymore. We’ve met.”
When he smiled, Cassie got her second indication that this man was genetically designed to destroy a woman’s natural defenses. She purposely removed her hand from his.
Still, he appeared reasonable enough, and it was only one evening. . . . Cassie studied his face once more. A practical man. Probably not an axe murderer. Turning to the woman, she said, “When is this date?”
“Next Saturday. I need your name, phone number, and address.”
Cassie sighed. She truly hated blind dates, but she didn’t have time for a debate right now. Perhaps she could find a way out of it later. Rapidly, she said, “Cassie Warner, 555-1010, 203 Maple Lane. Can I go now?”
Writing furiously, the woman nodded. Cassie turned and heard Joshua Daniel’s amused voice call to her. “See you next week, Cassie.”
Snatching the package of panty hose, Cassie slammed her car door and raced to the back of the church. She would have liked to linger over the spring foliage, but she didn’t have time. She barely noticed the blooming azaleas and lilies so common to North Carolina.
She peeked through the backdoor. Pleased to find the hall empty, she hurried to the ladies’ room and slipped off her shoes. Hopping on one foot, she stretched on the new pair of stockings.
Taking a deep breath, she looked in the mirror. She brushed her shoulder length blonde hair, attached her Fascinator hat, smoothed lipstick onto her mouth, and rolled on a dab of perfume. Eyeing her reflection critically, she raised an eyebrow. It would have to do. Cassie knew she was flushed and rattled. But she wasn’t the bride, so no one would be looking at her anyway. If she hadn’t been so unnerved at the prospect of being in this wedding, she would have been on her toes enough to find a way out of that silly blind date she’d committed herself to.
She left the bathroom and quietly opened the sanctuary door. A group of men laughing among themselves sat in the front pews. She walked in the direction of the bridesmaids sitting on the other side of the church.
In the front pew, Joshua Daniels smiled wryly at his two longtime friends’ laughter. He’d been set up. His first night back in town, and these two clowns had conned him into picking up a few necessities from the grocery store. The guys had wanted to play a practical joke on Tom, the groom. Oblivious to the singles madhouse inside the grocery store, Joshua had volunteered to get the supplies and found himself snatched by the ecstatic DJ upon entering the door.
The only saving grace was the woman. When she’d fixed him with a suspicious glare from those aquamarine eyes, he’d practically bitten the inside of his cheek off to keep from laughing at the whole situation.
“Was she as big as a barn, Joshua? What’s her name?” Fred teased.
“No, she wasn’t as big as a barn. To tell you the truth, I should probably thank you for sending me in there.” Joshua smiled benignly.
“You’re kidding,” Fred said in astonishment. “You got a peach? What’d she look like? What’s her name?”
“Honey blonde hair, blue-green eyes,” Joshua paused. “Nice, long legs. Oh, and her name is Cassie something.”
“Cassie,” Jack choked. “Cassie Warner?”
Joshua frowned as he surveyed the surprise written on his friends’ faces. He wondered what he’d gotten himself into this time. “Yeah, I think that’s her name. Why? What’s wrong with her?”
Jack blew out a stream of breath. “Nothing’s wrong with her. As a matter-of-fact, just about every male over the age of eighteen in our fair city of St. James would give his right arm for a date with Cassie Warner.”
Joshua relaxed and smiled. “So, what’s the problem?’ ’
Jack and Fred exchanged a knowing look and Fred replied, “Cassie’s a beautiful girl . . . with a very annoying habit.”
Stumped, Joshua tried to imagine what could possibly be annoying about Cassie Warner. “Okay, I give. What annoying habit?”
“Whenever Cassie senses that a man is getting too, uh, interested in her, she fixes him up with a friend.” Fred grinned sheepishly. “I speak from experience. I went out with her a few times. When I started calling her every day, she fixed me up with Kim. Not that I have any complaints about Kim. We’ve been seeing each other for six months. Cassie did me a real favor.”
Jack nodded. “Same here. Only she fixed me up with Marie.”
Tom smirked at Fred and Jack. “You should have seen the way these two clowns practically stumbled over themselves when they were dating her. It was pathetic. And Cassie hardly noticed them.”
Joshua frowned. “She sounds a little snobbish.”
“Actually, that’s not part of the problem,” said Jack. “She’s as nice as she is beautiful. It’s kinda hard to hate someone for rejecting you when she makes it seem like it was your idea.” He looked over at the latest arrival and cocked his head. “Speaking of Cassie, she just walked in.”
Surprised and confused, Joshua asked, “What’s she doing here?”
Jack shrugged. “She’s a bridesmaid. She’s good friends with Anne, the bride.”
Joshua watched the lovely woman smile and talk with her friends and felt a challenge rise within him. She exuded a natural sensuality that she probably didn’t even realize she possessed. “Thanks for the tip, boys. I hope Cassie has run out of available friends because she won’t be passing me off on any of them.”
The wedding director clapped her hands together and told everyone to sit down while she explained the order for the service. Cassie had relaxed with her friends’ warm conversation. She admired the hats they had all chosen to humor the bride-to-be’s interest in British royalty. Glancing around the room, she mentally named all the occupants until her gaze fell on him. Him! Apprehension made her nerves taut. She nudged Kim and whispered, “Who’s the new guy beside Fred?”
Kim glanced affectionately at Fred, then whispered, “Joshua Daniels. Isn’t he a hot one? He grew up in St. James. He’s been living in Raleigh, but I hear he’s moving back to open up his own business. He’s got this bad boy reputation, but Fred says he’s come back so everyone can see what a success he is.” Kim smiled impishly. “Can I fix you up?”
Shaking her head, Cassie answered dryly, “I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
The director waved the women to the back of the church and positioned the men in the front. Smiling at Anne’s shining eyes, Cassie squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’m so happy for you and Tom.”
“I am, too. We’ve only been engaged for three months, but I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever.” The petite bride-to-be hugged Cassie. “And I love all of you for making me feel like royalty with your stockings and fascinators.”
When the organ played the procession and the bridesmaids walked down the aisle, Cassie steadfastly ignored Joshua Daniels’ eyes. She felt embarrassed about their first encounter and off balance at being involved in this wedding, so she wasn’t her natural, friendly self. She needed time to figure out how to handle Joshua. But time wasn’t on her side. And before she knew it, she was being escorted back down the aisle by him.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he murmured in that deep voice. “I’ve known these people for ages. Where have they been hiding you?”
Momentarily distracted by his nearness, she smiled. “I could ask you the same question.”
Two points. She’d given him a smile, though he could tell she felt awkward by the way she drummed her free hand against her thigh.
Among other things, Joshua was . . . curious. It was completely puzzling to him why such an attractive single woman would have no interest in romance. Never having been able to resist puzzles, Joshua knew he would have to figure Cassie out. Inhaling her enticing floral fragrance and feeling her soft hand on his arm, he predicted the experience could be quite enjoyable. He glanced down at her legs. “I see you finally got your nylons.”
Nylons. Date. This was a perfect opportunity to get out of the date. “Yes, and that’s the most I’ve ever gone through to get a pair of stockings. I thought I’d never get out of there. Joshua, about that date, I don’t think—”
Cutting her off, he said, “Don’t worry about it. We can work out the arrangements later.” Then, he lowered his voice in a conspiratorial manner, “Can you keep a secret?” He watched her nod with a curious expression on her face. “I was picking up materials for a practical joke we’re playing on Tom tonight. All three of us owe him for something he did to us during a softball game eight years ago.”
She frowned. “Yes, but the date …” Then, sidetracked, astonishment played across her features. “You’re paying him back for a joke he played on you eight years ago.”
“With vengeance,” he said emphatically. “The experience of itching powder in my underwear is etched in my memory for life.”
She laughed at that, a delicious sound that rippled along his skin. The sensation of her nearness was wonderful and he resolved to experience it again. He tried to think of how to prolong the moment, but the wedding director shooed the ushers up to the front once more, and Cassie slid her arm from his.
The rest of rehearsal passed smoothly, and the group bade friendly farewells to each other as they departed. It wasn’t until she dressed for bed that Cassie realized she hadn’t managed to break the date. When she slept that night, a man’s face invaded her dreams. A handsome face with laughing brown eyes, strong bones, and cleft chin.
***
The next evening, Cassie slipped into the aqua off- the-shoulder gown Anne had selected for the bridesmaids. Animated chatter and nervous giggles filled the room the women used for dressing. Cassie’s nervousness came from memories of a similar time in her life.
Being jilted the day before her wedding at age nineteen by her high-school sweetheart had left her with a feeling of terror about wedding ceremonies. The humiliation had been overwhelming. Although her mother had phoned the guests with the news, Cassie had returned every single gift, and bore pitying glances with each visit. News that her fiancé had eloped with someone else traveled fast.
That’s when she decided to move to St. James. And St. James had been good to her. She’d finished college here, opened her store, and formed a circle of close friends. No great shakes in the romance department, but that was fine with Cassie.
Even after six years, the idea of a wedding still brought a clammy feeling to her skin. Cassie would rather be sitting in a dentist’s chair, getting a root canal, than be a part of this wedding. But Anne had been a wonderful friend and college roommate, and she would have been crushed if Cassie had refused to participate in the wedding.
“Cassie, are you okay?” Kim studied her. “You look pale.”
Cassie forced a smile and placed a hand to her cheek. “I guess I need more blusher. How’s our bride holding up?”
Kim looked at the bubbling bride in front of the mirror. “I’d say the question is how do we keep her on the ground. She’s like a rocket ready to blast off.”
At that moment, the wedding director peeked through the door and gave a five-minute warning. The anticipation in the room was palpable as Cassie blotted her lipstick. When a messenger delivered a last-minute gift of pearls from the groom, Cassie watched her friend dab at tears of joy. Banishing a trace of envy at the sweet gesture, Cassie fastened the necklace at Anne’s neck and gave her a hug.
The old church looked dressed for the wedding with flowers on the pews and the altar. The only illumination was candlelight.
Taking her turn down the aisle, Cassie studied the faces at the front of the church. The groom looked tense, yet resolute. Fred and Jack attempted a serious countenance, but their grins escaped.
Then, there was Joshua. Dashing in a black tux, his natural tan contrasted nicely with the stiff white shirt. He looked solid and steady. Their eyes met and held. Cassie tensed at the absorbing way he watched her. His gaze remained steady. He had strong, expressive eyes. For one wild moment, she wondered what they looked like when they were warm with desire, glazed with passion.
Now, where did that thought come from? She was satisfied with her life. She attributed her wayward thoughts to the occasion and dismissed them. Weddings always stirred up a myriad of emotions within her. Drawing a fortifying breath, she took her place at the front.
The sweet ceremony passed in a blur. When Joshua escorted her to the back of the church, she was acutely aware of his closeness. Her pulse increased, and she found the sensation both pleasant and disturbing. His arm was strong beneath her hand, but she felt confused by the intensity of her reaction to him and quickly moved away.
After much clowning from the bridal party, the photographer took pictures, and everyone left for the reception at a nearby inn.
As Cassie danced with Anne’s father, she looked longingly at the delicious spread of food on the tables. She’d been too busy at her shop to eat anything since lunch and if her stomach growled much louder, she’d be competing with the band. Just when the song ended, she turned to the food, only to have Tom’s father ask her to dance. Not wanting to be rude, she chatted with him while he spun her around the room.
Joshua watched Cassie’s hungry gaze repeatedly return to the tables of food. He grinned at her dilemma of hunger competing against politeness, and an idea came to mind. He filled a plate with everything he could possibly fit on it, lifted a glass of champagne punch from a passing waiter’s tray, and waited for the end of the song. Hiding the plate behind his back, he approached her.
Cassie looked at Joshua with resignation. “I suppose you want to dance.”
Nodding, Joshua presented her with the food. “After you eat.”
She smiled and took the plate as they walked to the chairs. “You must have heard my stomach growling.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, your eyes gave you away. I was sure you were going to eat some poor man’s boutonniere if you didn’t get food soon.”
She laughed, eyeing the food ravenously, then noticed he didn’t have a plate. “Don’t you want something?”
“I’ve already had mine. You go ahead.”
Needing no further encouragement, Cassie tasted and savored the various hors d’oeuvres Joshua had piled on her plate, occasionally commenting on a particular delicacy.
He would have been content merely to watch her. The silky aqua dress she wore fitted her curves lovingly, emphasizing her tiny waist. Still, it was her bare, satiny shoulders that drew his attention. She reminded him of a beautiful package all wrapped up in ruffled pastel.
And he wanted to unwrap her. Joshua shook his head at his thoughts. If she knew what he was thinking, she’d probably throw that plate in his face and run. When he asked her about her job, she gestured to her full mouth and he laughed.
“How about if I take a rain check on your life history, and give you mine while you’re eating?” Joshua asked.
He acknowledged her enthusiastic nod. “I was raised in St. James. But I went away to college in Chapel Hill. While I was working on my M.B.A., a fraternity brother and I decided to start up a business servicing the university and small businesses—sort of a hodgepodge of copying and mailing services. It was so successful that we’ve opened two other stores. St. James has the perfect market for our business, so we’ll open our fourth here.” Cassie appeared interested so he continued. “The key to our business, like many, is location— downtown, yet still close to the college.”
Cassie swallowed her last bite. “Good luck. It sounds like a great idea, but I’m sure you know downtown property is at a premium, unless you want to buy.” She watched his satisfied smile. “You want to buy?”
“I closed this week. And the current renter will be moving out soon.” He looked down at her empty plate in amazement. “Where’d you put all that food?”
Cassie laughed, “It’s nine o’clock and I haven’t had anything to eat since lunch. I’ve had a very high metabolism since I was a teenager.” Her eyes twinkled when she solemnly informed him, “My father had to get a second job to pay the grocery bill when I turned fourteen. At least, that’s what he would tell you. Of course, he’d leave out the fact that he had two six-foot teenage sons who played football.”
He whistled softly. “Were you the baby and the only daughter?” He watched her nod. “I’ll bet they dressed you in pink ruffles and scared your dates to death.”
“That’s right.” Cassie gave her plate to a waiter. “I took ballet until I grew four inches in one year. Then I ran track.”
“Track?” Joshua puzzled.
“When you’ve got two giants for big brothers, you’ve got two choices: You’re either very strong or very fast.” She looked at him curiously. “So, what about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
Shaking his head, he wore a pained expression. “No. I’m the only child … of a minister. By moving to Chapel Hill, I spared my parents the embarrassment of witnessing my college years. But I don’t think they’ve ever recovered from the amount of time I spent in the principal’s office in high school.”
“I bet they’re proud of you now, and thrilled that you’re moving back to St. James,” she said.
His smile faded. “My mother is. My father died three years ago.”
“Oh.” Cassie’s eyes reflected her sympathy. “I’m sorry. I’m sure it’s difficult. I’ve never lost anyone who was very close to me.”
He studied her intently, comprehending why most men would want a relationship with her. She was shy without being coy, and she was funny, tender, and knock-your-socks-off sexy. Listening to the slow tune the band was playing, he held out his hand to Cassie and grinned lazily. “I didn’t take ballet, but I think I can handle a few turns around the dance floor. Are you ready?”
Cassie hesitated. He’d been a perfect gentleman, no sly innuendos, no groping. Still, there was something about the way he’d looked at her a few moments before; the same way she’d looked at the plate of food he’d given her. Hungry. The expression in his eyes had been so fleeting she may well have imagined it. Chastising herself for her imagination, Cassie gave him her hand. For Pete’s sake, the man was just trying to be friendly. Her earlier impression of him must have been a delusion based on her distress over being in this wedding. Furthermore, she could use the dance as an opportunity to tactfully bow out of the scheduled date.
He held her closely with one hand on the small of her back and his other hand clasping hers near his chest.
Now she understood why she’d been hesitant. Their swaying movements occasionally allowed her body to brush against his, heightening her awareness of his body. She sensed a restrained strength about him.
His large hands held her firmly, yet gently. This preacher’s kid may never have taken ballet, but somewhere along the way, he’d learned how to dance in a way that made a woman feel wholly feminine.
Inhaling deeply, Cassie realized that he took over her senses. Even the way he smelled was compelling; the combination of his clean scent with just a hint of cologne. Keeping her head averted, she felt her blood race through her veins and her breasts tighten. An ache settled low in her belly. She couldn’t let him see her face; her surprising arousal would be too apparent. He’d neither done nor said anything suggestive, yet she felt seduced. Lord, how long had it been since she felt this way?
Sweet agony, thought Joshua. Holding her body a breath away from his was sweet agony. Her soft hair tickled his chin, and her soft hand was warm within his own. Sucking in his breath, he felt her breasts brush briefly against his chest, then move away. He couldn’t hold his breath for the entire song, so he released it slowly.
Studying her averted head, he wondered if she felt the same way. Or was he the only one enduring the torture of their nearness? Joshua was way past curious about Cassie Warner. The song ended. And when she lifted her smoky eyes to his, he knew with certainty that Cassie would be his greatest exercise in restraint. He kept one of her hands folded in his own. “May I give you a ride home tonight?”
Cassie swallowed, breathless with the intensity of his gaze. “No. I brought my own car. But, thanks.” She tried to think of something else to say, but his closeness seemed to have impaired her mental abilities.
He studied her again. “That’s okay. I’ll call you about our date next week.”
Slipping her hand from his, she nodded yes when she should have been shaking her head no. She felt both relieved and bereft as his warmth was separated from her. Though she couldn’t physically feel his touch, she still felt it emotionally. This man’s effect on her was dangerous.
Panicky over her loss of control, she decided she must leave. There was more to Joshua Daniels than what met the eye. Although what met the eye wasn’t that bad either. She spoke huskily, “I’ve got to go help Anne. She’ll be leaving soon.”
“I’ll call,” he said. He watched her leave quickly, almost as if the hounds of hell raced after her.
After toasts to the bride and groom, the newlyweds prepared to go. Tom tossed the garter to a group of joking men. When Anne gathered all the unattached women around to catch her bouquet, Joshua noticed Cassie’s reluctance. They practically had to drag her into the group. She folded her hands behind her back. And when Anne’s bouquet landed at Cassie’s feet, she shuffled backwards to let some other eager woman grab it. Joshua’s curiosity was aroused again. This woman allowed no pretense of commitment to a man in her life. Now, if he could just figure out why.