Pure Temptation

“Oh, Janice, she’s gorgeous.”

“Isn’t she?”

“Cute kid,” Mac said, although he was more interested in the look on Tess’s face than the picture of Janice’s grandchild. As Tess gazed at the photo, her expression grew soft and yearning. Only a fool would misinterpret that expression, and Mac wondered if Tess knew how much she wanted a baby of her own. Hell, that was another thing he’d never connected with Tess, but she’d make a great mother. Which meant she had to find somebody who’d be a great father. The whole idea depressed him.

Janice scooped the picture up and slipped it back in her pocket. “So, are you guys having meat loaf or something else?”

“Meat loaf for me,” Tess said.

“Same here.” Mac hoped he’d feel more like eating when their order arrived.

“The usual on the salad dressing?”

“Yep,” they both said at once.

“Iced tea?”

“Yep,” they said again.

Mac thought about Tess going to New York, where the waiters wouldn’t automatically know she liked honey-mustard salad dressing, coffee in the winter and iced tea in the summer. He thought about her eating alone at a restaurant, or worse, eating with some guy. Some guy who would be having the same thoughts Mac was having right now.

“I’ll be back with your tea and salads in a jiff.” Janice headed back toward the kitchen.

Mac stared at Tess, not sure what to say for the first time in all the years he’d known her. They’d always been able to talk to each other. They’d been able to hang out without talking, too. She was the sort of girl you could take fishing, because she’d sit, her line in the water, and let the peacefulness of the day wash over her. But there was nothing peaceful in the silence between them tonight.

“It was pretty hot today,” he said. Then he rolled his eyes. They’d been reduced to talking about the weather. “Forget I said that.”

She smiled. “Okay.” She leaned forward, which made the pearl shift and dip beneath the neckline of her dress. “Remember the time we put pennies on the train tracks?”

He gazed at the spot where the pearl had disappeared. Then he glanced up again, aware that he shouldn’t be looking there. They were in a public place. Anyone could walk in and catch him at it. One of the Blakely boys, for example. “Yeah, I remember.”

“I never told anybody.”

“Me, neither.”

“That was twenty years ago, Mac. You and I have kept that silly secret for twenty years, because we both have the same sense of honor. That’s why I’m asking you for help. I know you won’t tell.”

“I swear, you two look like you’re hatching a plot,” Janice said as she set down two iced teas, then plopped a salad plate in front of each of them and a basket of rolls in the center of the table. “Aren’t you a little old to be painting water towers and such?”

“My folks’ anniversary is coming up,” Tess said. “Thirty-five years.”

“Aha! And you’re going to give them a surprise party.”

Tess looked secretive. “Could be.”

“My lips are zipped,” Janice said. “But be sure and invite me.”

“I will.”

After she left, Mac leaned closer to Tess. The scent of her cologne worked on him, giving him ideas he shouldn’t be having, but he didn’t want anyone to overhear him. “You see how complicated this can get? Now you’re going to have to give your parents a party to cover your tracks!”

She shrugged, and the straps of her dress moved. “No problem. It’s a good idea, anyway.”

His fingers tingled as he imagined slipping those straps down. Slipping the sundress down. With a soft oath he leaned back against the booth. “I’ll bet you’re freezing in here, right?” He wasn’t freezing, that was for sure.

“Not really.” She reached up with both hands and combed her damp hair back from her face with her fingers. The motion lifted her breasts under the cotton of the dress, and there was no doubt that she was braless.

Mac told himself he wasn’t getting turned on. Definitely not. “Let me get that old flannel shirt I keep in the truck.”

“I don’t need your old flannel shirt. I’m fine.”

But he needed her to cover up. “I could get it anyway, just in case.” He started to leave the booth.

“Mac, I don’t want the blasted shirt, okay? I want to get this project going. So sit down and tell me what you’ve got.”

He stared at her, his mind in turmoil. He should tell her about Mitch and Randy. He really should.

“Meat loaf’s here!” Janice announced. “Goodness, you haven’t touched your salads. Must be some party you two are cooking up.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Tess said. She moved her salad plate to one side. “Just set it down there, and I’ll eat everything together.”

“Me, too,” Mac said, following suit.

“Better clean your plates,” Janice said. “Or no dessert for you. And Sally made fresh peach pie today.”

Mac patted his stomach, which was in no mood for a meal, let alone dessert. “Sounds great. You know I love peach.”

Once Janice had disappeared, Tess leaned forward again. “That reminds me,” she said in an undertone. “I’ve been learning the most amazing things from my reading. For example, the use of flavored oils. Did you know they make peach?”

“No.” His jeans started growing tight. Mind over matter wasn’t working.

“Have you read any books on the subject?”

“No.” He stabbed his salad, determined to get through some of this food if it killed him.

“There are some wonderful ideas in there. You might want to take a look.”

He lost control of his fork and it clattered to the plate. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Men and their egos. I’ll bet even you could learn something.”

He picked up his fork and returned to his meal with a vengeance. “Thanks, but I think I’ll just blunder along on my own.”

“Okay, but this is a perfect opportunity to check the books out without anybody knowing you’re doing it. When I leave, I’ll be taking those books with me and you’ll be SOL.”

“I won’t be likely to forget you’re leaving.”

The light of amusement faded in her eyes. “Oh, Mac. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that. I know you’d love to do the same.”