Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger (28 page)

Read Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger Online

Authors: Lori Copeland

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #General, #Contemporary, #Westerns, #test

BOOK: Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger
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Page 18
the same man who rode up with her on the elevator! He was smiling down on the sexy woman, his even, white teeth flashing brightly in his tanned, rugged face, thoroughly engrossed in something ''Red Satin" was saying to him. The deep tone of his amused voice reached Chandra as she glanced down suspiciously at her watch. It was exactly seven o'clock. Surely Cecil hadn't arrived yet and it was just a strange coincidence that the snob on the elevator was standing there talking to that woman at the appointed time. Chandra slid back on the small settee, trying to fade into the dark blue upholstery. Another five minutes passed before "Red Satin" reached up and touched "Blue Eyes" on the face seductively, murmuring something low and suggestive. Chuckling softly he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it lightly while winking at her sexily. With a promising look she left his side to make her way across the floor, leaving him standing alone by the punch bowl. Chandra noted the time again, biting her lip in exasperation as she saw that it was now seven minutes after seven.
The brown-haired man at the punch bowl looked down at his watch, a small frown on his forehead. He seemed to be waiting for someone now as he turned around and filled a small cup with the fruit punch from the sterling silver bowl.
Chandra closed her eyes in hopelessness. It was no useTHAT was Cecil! It didn't matter to her what he would think when he found out who she was, but she did hate to embarrass Darrell. She had no doubts Cecil would make a point of telling her brother that he had met her on the elevator "boozing it up" before she even made it to the party.
With a sigh of defeat she rose and started walking toward the punch bowl, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. As she sauntered toward him she studied her intended target intensely. Darrell had said Cecil was painfully shy around all women, finding it hard even to ask one out for a date.
That just goes to show you how dense a man can be at times,
she thought snidely as the picture of "Red Satin" staring up at him invitingly a few minutes ago invaded her mind. Maybe "poor Cecil" had gotten
 
Page 19
lucky, but she seriously doubted it. The man standing before her gazing at the dancing couples looked about as shy as a dog in mating season. No, Chandra knew his type all too well. He was used to calling the shots with women, and with his looks they wouldn't mind at all. Well, he might fool Darrell but he certainly couldn't pull the wool over her eyesor anything else!
Sorry, Cecil ole man,
she mused delightedly,
party's over for you and your little satin playmate, tonight. Your ''wife" has just arrived!
 
Page 20
Chapter Two
Chandra reached the punch bowl at the same time Cecil's satin lady was making her way back from the other side of the room. Taking a deep breath Chandra walked up to him and took hold of his arm possessively. ''Hello, darling. I'm sorry I'm late." She smiled sweetly up into his guarded face.
When he had seen her approaching him, his body had tensed, and his eyes had grown instantly defensive. When Chandra had reached out and taken his arm, he had stepped back momentarily, surprised at her actions. "Late?" he now asked blankly, wondering what this dippy broad was up to now.
"Red Satin" finally reached them, her eyes hostilely surveying Chandra's arm looped casually through his. "I wasn't aware you knew anyone at this party," she told him coldly.
"Oh, do you know my
husband
?" Chandra smiled brightly, her hold tightening on the man next to her. "You didn't tell me you had met anyone, darling. Shame on you!" She grinned smugly up at her "husband." It felt good to let some of her apprehension drain out of her. If her brother and this man. wanted a good show, she'd be more than glad to give them one. It was worth her time and trouble to see Cecil's hope for a little action" on the side go down the drain for the evening!
"Wife! Is this some joke? You certainly never mentioned having a wife!" "Red Satin" was becoming angry, her voluminous breasts heaving in agitation.
"Well . . . I . . ." The man's blue eyes widened as Chandra moved in closer, taking one large hand in her small one.
 
Page 21
''He must have blanked out temporarily," she said icily. "He does that once in a while."
You would think the woman would take a hint,
she thought nervously, wishing that this fiasco were over and done with.
"Well, really!" "Red Satin" turned on her heel and flounced angrily away. The man's blue eyes regretfully watched her walk across the floor.
Turning to face him Chandra said in a low voice, "Look, I'm sorry I didn't know who you were on the elevator. I hope you don't find it necessary to mention that silly champagne incident to Darrellbut if you do, I want you to know that it wasn't my wine. I was holding it for someone."
"Of course," he agreed dryly. "Now, would you mind telling me what the hell's going on?"
"Well, I really don't know," Chandra admitted, glancing around the room thoughtfully. "I suppose the best thing for us to do is to get this over with as quickly as possible. Why don't you introduce me as your wife, then we'll sort of play it by ear from then on."
"Introduce you as my wife!" He looked at her blankly again. "To whom?"
Chandra glared back up into his handsome face. "To whom! Why, to the man you're trying to get the job from, I suppose! Do you have a different plan?"
"No, I really can't say that I have a
different
plan, but whatever we do I want to warn you I only have one suit with me. I'd appreciate it if you would put that glass of champagne down and leave it there for the rest of the night," he said sarcastically, eyeing the drink she was still clutching in her hand.
"Oh . . . yes, I forgot about that." Chandra sheepishly set the glass down on the serving table.
"Now let me get this straight. You want me to take you over and introduce you to John Rhodes as my . . . wife? Right?" he asked grimly.
"If that's the man's name you're trying to get the job from. Why are you asking
me
. for heaven's sake! Isn't that what you
 
Page 22
and Darrell said to do? I thought the plan was to make him think you were married so you would have a better chance at the job.''
"Hey, now took, Rhodes couldn't put that sort of requirement on this job. In case you haven't heard of it that would be called 'job discrimination,' lady," he answered tightly, removing her arm from his roughly.
"Look! I'd be more than happy to leave right now, mister, so you don't have to be so . . . so . . . cocky about this! All I know is Darrell said the man would be more favorably impressed if you were married. Now do you want to go through with this or not? Personally, I think the whole idea stinks!" Chandra was getting fed up with his superior attitude.
The tall, dark-haired man looked thoughtful for a moment, then let out a long, low whistle. "Darrell said that, did he?"
Chandra looked up at him in exasperation. "I thought you guys had worked this all out?"
He looked at her, flashing her a questioning grin that made her knees turn to water, 'his white teeth sparkling brightly in his tanned face. "Well, lady, you better be a good actress because the curtain's going up. Turn around and put your prettiest smile on because you're just about to meet the big man himself!" His mood had changed from defensive to agreeable in a matter of seconds.
Chandra caught a glimpse of a large, expensively dressed man threading his way through the crowd, a lovely, silver-haired lady on his arm. Chandra felt light-headed as her companion pulled her close with one arm resting possessively around her waist.
"Mr. Rhodes, how are you tonight?" The young man extended his right hand and firmly shook hands with the older gentleman.
"Fine, Morganson, and how are you this evening?"
"Couldn't be better, sir, and Mrs. Rhodes, you look lovely as usual."
Mrs. Rhodes smiled and took his hand. "So happy to see you again." Her eyes looked questioningly at Chandra.
"Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, I'd like you to meet my beautiful wife
 
Page 23
. . . uh . . .'' He looked at Chandra helplessly. "Uh . . . Mrs. Morganson," he finished lamely.
"So happy to meet you, dear." Mrs. Rhodes took Chandra's hand in hers. "We were very impressed with your husband this afternoon at the meeting." She turned to her husband. "You didn't say anything about Mr. Morganson being married, John."
"To be honest, Sara, I was under the impression that he was a single man. There must have been an error on your application blank, Morganson." John Rhodes took Chandra's hand and pumped it vigorously. "You don't know how happy this little piece of information makes me, son."
"A single man?! Well, I'm afraid you're very much mistaken," Chandra said merrily, snuggling in closer to the large man at her side. She felt him pull away slightly as if she were a pesky fly that had landed on his arm. Determined to make a go of this mission she glared at him sweetly and moved even closer. "Isn't that right, darling?"
His clear blue eyes had turned as cold as sheets of ice, but his voice was calm and cool as he replied hesitantly, "That's right, Mr. Rhodes. We are a happily married couple." He subtly took her arm from his and shoved it back down to her side.
Chandra looked at him in surprise, but kept her arm to herself. If the dodo wanted to blow his chances at this job, that was his problem.
"Well, well, well, this is encouraging. I was just telling my wife that it was hard to make a decision from the field I have to choose from, but this may make my choice a little easier. I have always liked my men to be married and settled down, not that that would necessarily be the deciding factor, but"Mr. Rhodes smiled assuringly"it sure isn't going to hurt anything. No sir, it sure isn't going to hurt
your
case at all, Morganson."
"I wasn't really aware you were looking for a married man, sir. I figured a man's qualifications would speak for themselves."
Chandra glanced up dumbfoundedly at the man beside her. Why was he saying he didn't know they were looking for a
 
Page 24
married man when that was the only reason she was here at this moment!
''Oh, don't read me wrong, Garrett. My decision
will
rest upon the man's qualifications alone, but it would just be an added bonus for me if the man is married."
Garrett? Chandra looked at Mr. Rhodes sympathetically. Didn't the poor man even know which one of his prospects he was talking to?
"I have always said that a good woman is the key to a successful man." Mr. Rhodes patted his wife lovingly. "Without my Sara, I would not have come through life so easily. Oh, we've had our rough times, but we made it together, always able to overcome the obstacles together. Yes sir, a good woman stablizes a man!"
"That may be true for some men, sir, but not necessarily for all men." The blue-eyed. man standing rigid beside Chandra spoke tensely. As far as Chandra was concerned he was making a terrible impression, practically telling his potential boss that he didn't much care for marriage. Mercy! She wished the floor would open up and swallow her, she was so embarrassed!
Giving him a swift jab in his side she tried to change the topic of conversation. "Darling, I'm really getting thirsty. Could I have something to drink?"
"That's a good idea. Let's find a table and sit down for a chat." Mr. Rhodes steered the small group through the crowd to a quiet table in the corner of the room. "What's everyone drinking, Morganson?"
"A beer would be fine, sir."
"Coke for me," Chandra replied as her "husband" seated her next to Mrs. Rhodes.
"One beer and two Cokes, John," Mrs. Rhodes told her husband.
"Coming right up." John Rhodes disappeared happily into the noisy crowd and was back in a few minutes carrying a tray with four drinks on it. Setting it down on the table he took the chair

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