He’d seen a Price Mart store on the highway just outside of town and headed back to it. Kel parked the car in the busy lot, then reached into the backseat for a baseball cap. He pulled the brim low, hoping his sunglasses and the cap would obscure his identity. Had he been shopping for a toaster, he might not have been so concerned, but condoms were a different matter.
Soft music played in the background as Kel walked past the elderly man who greeted him at the door. He went directly to the pharmacy and searched the shelves, but eventually was forced to ask the pharmacist. The man gave him an odd look, as if he might recognize him, then pointed Kel to the correct aisle.
As Kel studied the selection, he found the absurdity of the situation amusing. It took him back to the days of his youth, sneaking around, trying to hide what he was doing with his high school girlfriend. Still, that wasn’t far off. With Darcy, everything seemed so new and exciting. When she touched him, he felt exactly the way he had when he was seventeen and he’d first experienced a woman’s body.
How long would that last between them? Would the thrill eventually wear off, or could he count on it to endure for a lifetime? Kel had never considered inviting a woman into his future, but he could imagine inviting Darcy.
He drew a deep breath, then reached out and grabbed his usual brand. And the last moment, he took an extra box, one that promised “increased pleasure” for his partner.
When he got to the checkout, he grabbed cash from his wallet, intending to rush through as quickly as possible. But a young mother with a cartload of disposable diapers stood in front of him, searching her purse for coupons. He glanced over at the adjoining checkout line, then groaned inwardly.
The woman standing in that lane worked at The Delaford. He recognized her from her occasional stints behind the front desk. Amanda, if he recalled correctly. Her gaze fell to the boxes he clutched in his hands, her eyebrow quirking up in amusement.
Kel turned away and dropped the boxes on the conveyor. He managed to make it through the checkout process without anyone else recognizing him, but Amanda was waiting for him once he’d collected his purchases.
“Big night planned?” she asked.
“How is that your business?”
“I’m Darcy’s friend.” She held out her hand. “Amanda Taylor. Don’t bother introducing yourself. I’ve heard all about you.”
“You have?” he said, shaking her hand.
“Would you like to grab some lunch, maybe have a little chat?”
Kel shrugged, then followed Amanda to the lunch counter located near the exit. She bought two hot dogs with the works, then handed him one, before settling at a small table in the corner of the café.
“Thanks,” Kel said.
She nodded as she took a bite of the hot dog. “So, Mr. Baseball, what are your intentions regarding Darcy? I mean, I know you two plan to have as much sex as possible until you leave. She told me that. But beyond the sex, what are you thinking about?”
“You and Darcy talk about me?” Kel murmured.
“We’re best friends. We discuss everything.”
“And what does she say about me?” he asked. “How does she feel about what’s happening?”
Amanda leveled him a look. “You want me to rate your performance in the bedroom?”
“No!” Kel said. “Well, not unless you feel qualified. I mean, if Darcy has made comments, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to know.” He shook his head, cursing softly. “No, I don’t want to know about my performance. But I would like to know how she feels about me.”
Amanda leaned forward, bracing her arms on the table. “I’m not sure I should get involved.”
“Hey, you’re the one who invited me to lunch,” he countered.
Amanda took another bite of her hot dog, studying him. “I don’t think Darcy knows what she wants. And having wild, fantastic, mind-numbing sex every night isn’t going to help her figure it out. Maybe you ought to give her a little space.”
Mind-numbing? Were those her words or Darcy’s, Kel wondered. “I suppose I could do that,” he said.
After all, he’d already decided to buy the property on the lake. That meant their relationship wouldn’t necessarily end in a few days. There’d be nothing to stop him from playing a quick round of golf at The Delaford now and then. And while he was there, he’d stop by and visit with Darcy. “But it’s difficult to stay away from her,” he added.
“Why is that?”
“Because I really enjoy being with her. And it’s not just the sex, because if it were necessary, I could do without that, at least for a while. I just like talking to her and looking at her and holding her hand.”
“You’re not falling in love, are you?” Amanda asked.
“No!” Kel said. But as soon as he answered, he realized that wasn’t entirely true. “I don’t know. It’s kind of difficult to tell since I’ve never felt this way before. I’m usually…in control.”
Amanda sent him a wary look, then grabbed her shopping bag and stood. “I want you to know that if you hurt her, I’ll break both of your arms. Not personally, but I know some guys who could. So watch yourself.”
“I will,” Kel said, certain that Darcy’s friend didn’t make empty threats.
“Somebody has to watch out for her,” she muttered.
Kel nodded as he watched Amanda walk out of the store. Someday, maybe he’d get to be that person. But if he was going to fall in love, it certainly wouldn’t happen after just a few days with a woman. Even he knew that it took a lot longer than that.
DARCY TURNED off her desk light and quickly tidied the files she’d been reviewing. She’d spent the entire day in her office, trying to keep her mind on work and failing miserably. Her father was due to arrive in a few days and she hadn’t yet figured out how to broach the subject of her future with Scott Hotels and Resorts. In truth, all she’d been thinking about was her present.
The prospect of another evening with Kel brought a nervous flutter of anticipation to her stomach. When they were together, she felt so alive. She’d thought spending time with him would wash away the memories, but instead it had only created so many more. She’d come to crave his touch, the taste of his mouth, the feel of his skin against hers. When they were apart, Darcy found herself lapsing into wild fantasies about the erotic pleasures they might share next.
He had total control over her willpower, making her happily do whatever it took to please him. Yet his pleasure always seemed to be hers as well, and vice versa. When she looked into his eyes as he buried himself inside her, Darcy saw the surrender, the vulnerability, of a man who had carefully dismantled all barriers between them.
But there were also times when Darcy looked at him and wondered if she were perhaps coloring his reactions with her hopes instead of his realities. He seemed to genuinely care for her. They spent hours in each other’s arms talking and teasing, learning all the intimate details that lovers needed to know. But in the end, he’d leave and all this would fade into the past.
A knock sounded on her office door and Darcy looked up, expecting to see Kel standing outside. Instead, Amanda strolled in, a dripping wet rag in her hand. “I thought you ought to see this,” she said.
Darcy wrinkled her nose. “What is it?”
“It’s your swimming suit. Jerry found it stuck in the water intake for the pool filter. Would you like to explain how it got there?”
“It must have fallen off when I was swimming the other night,” Darcy said with a soft giggle. “When Kel and I were swimming.”
Amanda sat down in one of Darcy’s guest chairs, draping the wet suit over the arm of the other. “So I gather it’s going well?”