Awakening Beauty

“We could really use extra help,” Laura McKay said.

“She thinks that’s what parents are for.”

Lane pinned Tyler with a hard look. “I can speak for myself, thank you.” She looked at Laura as she came around the edge of the cappuccino bar with two froth-filled mugs. “I hope you understand that I really don’t want to spread myself so thin when I’ve just opened the store this year and I’m running it alone.”

Laura sipped her cappuccino, licking froth from her lip. “This is fabulous. No wonder Di takes refuge in here.” She set the cup down and looked at Lane. “I can understand that your business comes first. It should. However—” she paused, giving Lane a sweet smile “—we just need a few extra pairs of hands. The parents are helping as much as they can, and Tyler is in charge of making the sets.”

Lane’s gaze slid to his. “Volunteered or arm twisted?”

“A little of both,” he said, lifting his cup and licking the froth off the top.

Lane watched him, biting the inside of her mouth and wondering if he knew what she was thinking, feeling. One look in his eyes said, oh yeah. Every womanly instinct to outright flirt with this man screamed through her, telling her to get close enough to learn if that smiling mouth tasted as good as it looked. Another part of her brain was busy reminding her that she was alone for a reason. Another man had wanted something from her and hid it under the guise of friendship, then love.

Now there was Tyler. And people wanted her to work with him?

As if he knew her thoughts, his eyes darkened and seared her with a strange heat. Oh, so not good.

“Please, Lane,” Laura said softly. “The way you’ve decorated this house proves you have talent for design.”

“Thank you. It’s a hobby.” Lane almost choked. She hated lying, especially to this nice woman. She felt herself caving in. It was as if she had to pay for the lie, although the lie was to protect her.

Now that was twisted.

She surrendered to the guilt. “How long would you need me?”

Laura smiled again, pleased. “Just a couple of hours in the evening. The festival starts next week and we must be finished in time for the opening children’s show and play.”

“All right. A couple of hours after I close up shop for the night.” She ignored the grin spreading across Tyler’s face. “Do I need to bring anything?”

“No, the local businesses have contributed materials. Say seven o’clock at the theater?”

Lane agreed.

Laura said a quick goodbye and was out the door. Tyler stayed behind. Picking up his coffee again, he said, “The first session is tonight.”

“A promise is a promise, McKay. I’ll be there.”

He looked at his watch.

“You have to go? What a shame,” she said. “Take that car when you leave.” When she reached for his mug, Tyler latched onto her wrist.

Lane felt warmth burn through her skin to her blood. He let go, sliding his hand under the sleeve of her sweater and pulled her near.

Lane’s heart did a wild dance and she could barely swallow. “McKay.”

“Your skin is so soft,” he said.

“Good lotion.” His fingers played over her bare skin, and it was silly, it was just her arm, but Lane felt as if they were playing somewhere else entirely. And if he didn’t stop, she was going to yank him into the back room and try a kiss on for size.

He searched her gaze. “I don’t know what it is about you that’s driving me nuts, Lane Douglas, but I’m willing to wait to find out.”

“There’s nothing to learn, so it’ll be a long wait.”

He leaned closer, tipping his head, and Lane thought, Come on, kiss me.

“I’m a Southern boy.” She felt his warm breath on her lips. “We’re long on patience.”

“Tell that to the back end of my car.”

The alarm on his watch went off, and he clucked his tongue and eased back. He stared at her for a second longer, then releasing a heavy sigh, made an about-face and headed to the door. She looked down and saw the car keys on the counter.

“McKay, take these keys.”

He ignored her and reached for the knob.

“Tyler!”

He flashed her a look over his shoulder that said triumph. Then he was out the door and sliding into a matching black SUV.

“Talking to that man is like talking to wood,” she muttered, then picked up the keys. They were still warm from handling. She pocketed them and did what she did best. Ignored them. Ignored him.

It lasted all of ten seconds, and she dropped into a chair, plucking at her clothes and letting the buildup of steam in her system escape.

Oh, yes, that man.

Definitely dangerous.

Because Lane knew that she could fall for him, and there would be no getting back up this time.

Three

The lights in the town theater were almost blinding. Adults and children were scattered across the stage and the wide area meant for the orchestra, each small group working on different projects.

Lane had made her way down to near the stage when Tyler came through the outer doors, carrying a stack of two-by-fours on his shoulder. He stopped short when he saw her, and a grin spread across his handsome face, warming her right down to her toes. His gaze dropped to her boots and he made a face, shaking his head. She stuck out her tongue at him.

“I knew you’d show.”

“Don’t gloat, McKay. I knuckled under matriarchal pressure, nothing more.”

“Good to know something gets to you.”

You do, she thought when he gave her a long, heated look that said more than she wanted. Why was he so interested in her? She’d have to check her appearance, dowdy it up a bit more, she thought, watching him trot off. Well, more specifically, she watched his behind in tight, worn jeans, the toolbelt rocking low on his hips.

Lane found the chairperson, Diana Ashbury, easily. The woman was short and dark-haired, with a porcelain complexion that reminded Lane of her own mother’s. Lionetta Giovanni, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead volunteering for a children’s pageant. She’d much rather throw money at a charity so she could attend the parties in one of her daughter’s designs. Diana, on the other hand, was hip-deep in coordinating tasks, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, both covered by an apron bulging with craft supplies.

“Thanks for coming, Lane.”

“Two hands, ready and willing,” Lane said.