The Man Tamer

“I guess there’s nothing that says you can’t enjoy yourself while you’re at it,” Moira said. “After all, Garret Kelly is awfully sexy. If you like the big, brawny type.”

The memory of Garret’s mouth wrapped around her fingers made Rachel squirm in her seat. “Yeah. He’s all right.”

“All right? Girl, you should have seen the women drooling over him at Denton’s party. And he asked about you.”

She blinked. “He did? What did he say?”

“I mentioned that I was your friend and he said you were very interesting. But he said it in a way that meant he was interested in getting to know you better.”

“Well, that’s good. It should make my job easier.” If she could keep from getting distracted by her own rampant lust.

“So, are you just going to walk up to him and announce that you’re the Man Tamer, here to transform him?” Moira asked.

She shook her head. “No. Denton’s decided pairing the two of us will make a great publicity stunt. The Wild Man and the Man Tamer—get it? Part of his plan to gain as much press as possible for the Dallas Devils and his new star player.”

Getting Garret to go along with the scheme might be a little tricky, but if anyone could do it, Denton could. The man was a master manipulator. He’d play up the publicity angle and Rachel would pretend to go along. If Garret was like most men, he’d have no clue she was working to tame him. It was part of the beauty of her techniques and one reason they were so successful.

She took a bite of salad and chewed thoughtfully, then, anxious to move the conversation away from her impending transformation of Wild Man to Perfect Boyfriend, she asked, “How are things with you and Dave?”

Moira slumped in her chair. “The man is addicted to hockey, basketball and now lacrosse. There’s some game on almost every night, and of course he has to watch them all. I’d get more attention from him if I painted my body like a scoreboard.”

“Hmm. Maybe he’s taking for granted you’ll always be there. Have you tried ignoring him? Purposely staying away?”

“Would that be ‘withholding affection’?” Moira asked.

“Exactly.”

“I’m afraid he wouldn’t even notice. And where would that leave me?”

Better off? Rachel thought, but she didn’t say it. “Then do you love him enough to resign yourself to being a sports widow?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” Moira fiddled with her fork. “I do love him. And I think deep down, he still loves me. But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being taken for granted this way.”

“Then maybe it’s time to punish his bad behavior,” Rachel said.

“How do I do that? Disconnect his cable?”

Rachel smiled. “That’s one alternative. But I was thinking of bringing another man into the picture. Make Dave jealous.”

Moira’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not? If Dave’s deserted you for professional sports, you can give him a taste of his own medicine by paying attention to someone else.”

“Right.” Moira looked around. “And where are all these men vying for my attention?”

“They’re out there. You haven’t noticed them because you’re giving off ‘taken’ vibes. You just have to make yourself available and someone will show up.”

“Spoken by someone who hasn’t had a steady boyfriend in two years.”

“It’s only been a little over a year. And I didn’t have trouble getting dates before my column became so high profile.” At least, Rachel hoped that was the reason. She hated to think men avoided her because of something in her personality.

“Speaking of high profile, did you know your sister’s on the front page of the Lifestyles section of today’s Morning News?”

“What is it this time?” Rachel said. “The Children’s Hospital fund-raiser or the Junior League tea?”

“She’s the hostess with the mostest for the Winter Fantasy Costume Ball. Apparently it’s a big honor.”

“And so much more socially acceptable than a tacky daytime television show or bestselling magazine column.” Rachel wrinkled her nose. “Well, whoopee for her. I’ll have to call and congratulate her.”

“Don’t let her get to you, Rach.” Moira stabbed at her salad. “You know you wouldn’t trade places with her for anything. I can’t imagine anything more boring than spending your days in meetings and planning sessions with a bunch of other society matrons.”

“The money she has would be nice, but you’re right—I wouldn’t trade places with her.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t envy you,” Moira said.

Rachel laughed. “Oh, you’re wrong there. Rhonda is exactly where she always wanted to be. Why would she envy me?”

“Maybe because you’re younger, cooler and free to do pretty much anything you want—including date hot guys like Garret Kelly.”

Rhonda, envious? The idea was absurd but cheering. “I guess I do have it pretty good,” Rachel said. “Not that Garret and I are dating.” Yet.

“But you are going to be seeing a lot of him,” Moira pointed out. “I take it the two of you are supposed to make public appearances and stuff?”

“Something like that.” Rachel poked at her salad, searching for a chunk of avocado, a shred of cheese or a candied walnut—something besides greens. “Apparently, Garret’s contract obligates him to do publicity for the team, and I’m just going along for the ride.”

“Except you have an ulterior motive.”

She nodded. “Except for that. But Garret doesn’t have to know that. It will probably make it easier on me if he doesn’t. Then he won’t be trying so hard to resist my techniques.”

“What about you? Are you going to resist his techniques?” Moira laughed. “I’m thinking you shouldn’t try too hard.”

“Very funny.” There was no denying the sparks that had passed between her and the hunky athlete at Denton’s party. Who was to say she shouldn’t use that attraction to her advantage? This was serious business, but no one said she couldn’t have fun in the process.

GARRET WAS JUST getting off work Tuesday when his phone rang. “Hullo, mate,” he said as he flipped open the phone.

“Is this Wild Man Kelly?” a feminine voice teased.

“The one and only,” he said, playing the hale-and-hearty chap despite his wariness that some fan had got hold of his private number.

“This is Rachel Westover. We met at Denton Morrison’s party?”

He grinned, uneasiness fleeing. “As if I’d ever forget. Need help with any more chocolate?”

“Um, no. But I was hoping to get together soon.”

The knowledge that she’d remembered him, and sought him out, pleased him no end. “How about tonight? I’m just getting off work, so I’ll need to clean up a bit, but I could meet you at say—” he checked his watch “—six-thirty?”

“Work? Do you mean, practice?”