The Seduction Game Read online

  If he felt the same awareness for her, he made no signs of it. “Please, allow me. It’s the least I can do after you expected a nice dinner at Ricardo’s tonight.”

  It perturbed her how cool and collected he appeared. “Thank you.”

  A few minutes later they were eating pizza in front of the coffee table.

  “You were right,” Adam said appreciatively after he devoured his first slice. “Mama’s Pizza does make the best pepperoni and double cheese in town.”

  Kate smiled. “Mm. It’s too good, I’m afraid. I had pizza for lunch with Lindsay.” She made a face. “If I keep this up, I’ll have to join a gym.”

  He ran a deliberate gaze over her body, until it came to rest on her flushed face. “You look fine to me. Contrary to what women think, most men do not find skinny women appealing.”

  “Oh,” Kate said in a small voice. Was he telling her he found her attractive? The realization should have pleased her, leaving her no doubt a man who cavorted with bad girls could find a nice girl attractive, but right now it only alarmed her. Her gaze wavered under his.

  “If, however, you would like to get more into shape with cardiovascular routines and weights, I can recommend a good gym.” He gave her the name of a reputable health club in the city. “I’m there every Sunday with Kyle, a very good friend of mine. Best time is the afternoon. Two o’clock. Less traffic then.” He reached for another slice. “If you show up tomorrow, you’ll find me on the racquet ball courts.”

  What a perfect opportunity. She could show up as Katrina, the bad girl. She tried to contain her excitement. “Mm. That could be a possibility.” This evening was going better than planned. For one, he expressed appreciation for her nice girl persona, and two, she had the perfect venue for presenting her bad girl persona.

  He glanced at the DVDs in Barbara’s wall unit. “I see you’re something of a movie buff.”

  “Actually, I’m more of a book lover. I have quite a collection at home,” she replied without thinking. She froze as his dark brows went up. This was supposed to be her home. “It’s funny how I still think of my mom’s house as my home. She…she doesn’t mind my little library over there, though. She says it makes her feel like I still live there.” She took a sip of her soda. “It was the strangest thing. I sent away for ten free movies last year and they keep sending me four titles every month.” Adam’s mouth quirked and she cleared her throat. “Dana said it’s been just the two of you since she was eight years old,” she rushed on, grabbing the first thing from her mind. “What happened to your parents?”

  A shadow darkened his handsome face. “They died in a boating accident. I was eighteen, barely out of school, and I had to learn to grow up pretty fast.” He leaned back on the sofa and sighed. The sound touched a remote part of Kate’s heart. “Sometimes I wish I had done things a bit different. I wish I could have spent more time with Dana. She was forever getting into trouble and I never realized until later in life she only wanted my attention.”

  “You did what you could, Adam, with remarkable results. If Dana’s any indication how you will be as a parent, I think you’ll make a fine father one day. Do you want to have children one day?” She was filled with an inexplicable need to know.

  He wiped his hands on his napkin, the movement rough and quick. “My job takes me away a lot. I wouldn’t want to be a father who’s never home.”

  “Is that what happened to you?”

  “Close enough.”

  “You mean when you were a little boy, your father never—”

  “Look, my father, my parents, are not people I want to talk about.”

  “Maybe this is something you should talk about,” she offered gently.

  His lips curled sardonically. “Are you one of those people who think all the world’s problems can be solved with talking?”

  “It doesn’t hurt. It’s not healthy to keep things bottled in.”

  “This coming from a woman who shuts herself away at the mention of an ex-lover.”

  Kate stiffened. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t you? Come on, Kate. I used your bathroom, remember? The place is littered with men’s toiletries. Unless you mean to tell me that aftershave on the sink is yours, my guess is some guy hurt you so bad you run away from anyone who threatens your safe little world.”

  Kate froze. Ben’s things! How could she have forgotten Barbara’s apartment was littered with his things? She swallowed hard. “There…there was someone, but it was over a long time ago.”

  “And you still keep his bathrobe behind the door?”

  “I…I haven’t gotten around to clearing out his things, yet.”

  His eyes darkened. “Kate, why did you respond to my personal ad?”

  “I was looking for someone special, someone loyal, kind, considerate, and…and I liked what your sister said about you wanting to meet a nice girl.”

  “You were looking for someone you could trust.”

  “Yes. What about you, Adam? What are you looking for?”

  He shrugged. “I never thought about it like that. I take my love life one day at a time. I only have one rule.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Honesty.”

  “Oh.” She looked away from his piercing gaze and starting clearing off the table. His deep voice made her go still.

  “Have dinner with me tomorrow evening.”

  Dinner was a more personal invitation than recommending a good gym for her. He wanted to see her again. On a date. She felt a mixture of pleasure and regret. “I’m…I’m sorry. I can’t.”

  “Why not? I don’t think we’ll be short on conversation. Yes, we did get off to a rocky start, but we’ve had a pleasant enough evening.”

  “Yes, but I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

  He frowned. “This is crazy. We’re attracted to each other. You can’t deny there’s something between us, Kate.”

  She recalled what he’d said about honesty and her stomach tightened with shame. He didn’t even know what she did for a living. And she was using him, she thought with remorse.

  “I…I do like you, Adam,” she offered carefully, avoiding his eyes, “and we did have a nice time, but I don’t see how this can evolve further. We want different things.”

  “I’m not one to make promises, Kate. I was being honest with you when I said I take my love life one day at a time.”

  “I know. And I appreciate your honesty. I just don’t think we should put ourselves in a position where we’ll end up saying goodbye. I’ve had too many good-byes in my life and I don’t want more.”

  His face darkened and he looked like he was going to say something when the phone rang and the machine picked it up.

  “Hi, honey. I just called to say I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow. I miss you. Sleep well, hon.”

  Adam’s body went glacier-like as Kate stifled a gasp. She watched him slowly withdraw from her. “I…I can explain.”

  But what could she say? Did she even want to explain? This was her way out. She knew where he would be tomorrow and she could meet him as Katrina, the bad girl.

  “Are you going to tell me that was a wrong number?” he asked coldly. She didn’t say a word. “I didn’t think so.” His black gaze skimmed over her flushed cheeks, her wide eyes, her lower lip caught between her teeth. “What was it, Kate? Were you looking for a quick roll in the hay while your boyfriend was out?” He clenched his jaw. “Are you married?”

  “No!” Kate was mortified.

  He laughed suddenly, but the sound held no amusement. “I must admit you had me fooled, Kate. I thought you were…” He paused, swallowing. “Never mind what I thought. Goodnight, Kate.” He rose and went to the door.

  Kate panicked, watching him leave, even though every bone in her body was telling her to let him go. Her research on the nice girl was done. He was attracted to her. He wanted to see her again. What more did she want?

  She didn’t want him to leave thinking
ill of her. It mattered to her what he thought. She followed him quickly to the door.

  “Wait. Adam, please.”

  With tense shoulders, he turned around and faced her. The expression on his face was distant, remote, and if it hadn’t been for the telltale muscle working along his jaw, she would have thought he didn’t care.

  She drew in a breath and exhaled a rush of words. “I know that message sounded incriminating, but I can explain. That was Ben, Barb’s fiancé. She’s…she’s staying with me until her place is fumigated. She’s visiting mom tonight and…and should be back soon.” Her research was turning her into a good liar, and she didn’t like this revelation.

  “I see.”

  She took an involuntary step forward. “I’m not…I don’t sleep around, Adam.” She blushed furiously. “There hasn’t been anyone since…for a long time.”

  “You don’t owe me any explanations, Kate.”

  “I want to explain.” A rush of feelings welled in her throat and she realized with stunning clarity how much she cared what he thought of her. “I…I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of me.”

  And with that, his tension melted away, and his expression softened. “You never struck me as that kind of woman.”

  She touched his arm. “So are we…are we still friends?”

  He glanced down at her hand. Kate could feel his muscles bunch beneath her fingers and she gazed up into his handsome face.

  Slowly, he nodded. “All right,” he said. “We’re still friends.”

  And with that he gave her a small, mocking bow. “Good night, Kate.”

  * * * *

  Friends. Adam grimaced as he took the stairs two at a time. If he had stayed, he would have kissed her again and shown her how friendship was the last thing on his mind. The thought of kissing her almost made him turn back. Instead he left the building and marched to his car.

  He’d believed her when she’d explained the phone message. He’d also believed her when she said she didn’t sleep around, which was precisely why he couldn’t see her again. They lived on opposite poles. She was family-oriented and serious about commitment and he wasn’t. His parents had shown him at a young age how marriage destroyed you. He wasn’t willing to take that risk. Passion and love died, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake, and he wasn’t about to have the same life his parents had.

  Love. His face darkened. Love was for dreamers. He wasn’t a dreamer. Adam believed in facts, in data and truth, in reality. That’s what made him such a whiz in the world of computers.

  Once, a long time ago, he almost believed in love, but that relationship had soured before it even began, and once again he’d been faced with the knowledge that love wasn’t for him.

  Besides, a relationship with Kate would never work, even though he was attracted to her. He genuinely liked her, and he didn’t want to be the guy who’d set her up for another break-up. He gripped the wheel tightly, his knuckles white. He would have to put her out of his mind.

  Adam cursed under his breath. The hell of it was, if he’d met her a few years ago, before he’d become cynical and cold in matters of the heart, he would have pursued her in an instant.

  Dana and her shrewd perceptiveness at choosing Kate popped into his mind and his mouth curled sardonically. He had to give his sister more credit. Not only did he find Kate attractive and interesting, he’d been stunned at the surge of jealousy he’d felt when he heard Ben’s message.

  It scared him.

  Actually, Kate Moore scared him.

  Chapter 5

  The sound of the phone the next morning jarred Kate from her restless sleep.

  “Doc, I’m sorry I’m calling so early, but I need to see you.” Ellie sobbed. “I told my grandfather I want to get an abortion and he said he’ll never forgive me if I do.”

  It took Kate a few seconds to register Ellie’s words. She’d been in the middle of a strange dream where Simon and Miranda were having boisterous sex on a desk in a classroom full of children, and a maitre d’ donning a mask was shouting, “Bravo. A+!” while Kate sat in the corner of the room wearing a white dunce hat. In the distance, past the schoolyard, there was Adam, garbed in medieval finery, galloping towards the school on a white stallion.

  “Doc, you up? Please, I need your help. I don’t know what to do.”

  The dream faded as Ellie’s words registered. Kate sat up and rubbed her eyes, glancing at the clock on her nightstand. It was eight o’clock in the morning.

  She cleared her throat. “Can you meet me at my office in an hour?”

  “Yes. Thanks, Doc,” the teen replied gratefully. “I’ll take a cab. Grandfather had to go out this morning.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you soon.” She would have liked to talk to Edward privately, as she always did when he drove Ellie to her appointments. She’d have to call him later.

  Within forty-five minutes she was parking in front of her office a few blocks away.

  She saw Ellie standing outside the building, and Kate felt a strong tug of compassion for the girl. She greeted her warmly and led her inside.

  After listening to Ellie, Kate came to sit by her on the couch, and placed an arm around the girl’s frail shoulders.

  Ellie’s grandfather, Edward Ryerson, hadn’t known how to deal with his problematic grandchild, and had sent her to Kate for help. He’d heard about Kate through a family friend and had booked the first appointment in a gruff, desolate voice that had touched Kate deeply.

  Ellie was a textbook case. She hadn’t been prepared for her parents’ deaths. The news of their plane going down had devastated her and after she went to live with her grandfather she had nothing but anger and despair in her heart. Kate had made a lot of progress with the young girl in the past year, but every once in a while, Ellie back-stepped and Kate had had to step in for damage control. In this case, Ellie had gotten involved with a seventeen-year-old boy who got her pregnant, and left.

  Ellie left after an hour and as Kate walked out to her car her cellphone rang.

  “Where are you?” Barbara cried. “I’ve been calling your place all morning.”

  “I’m leaving my office. I had to see someone. It was urgent.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, but I’ve been trying to reach you the past couple of hours, and it’s pretty urgent, too.”

  Kate felt a rush of alarm. “My cellphone was turned off. What is it? Is it the kids? Mom?”

  “No, no, don’t panic. It’s Adam Tyler.”

  Kate froze. Adam? “What about him?”

  “I’ll tell you what about him, but first, why did you leave last night without so much as a good-bye to me?”

  “You were sleeping and I didn’t want to wake you. So I called a cab, picked up my car, and went home.”

  Kate felt a twinge of guilt, especially since Barbara had been so accommodating. She made her way to her car. It was a clear, bright morning, and she hoped the weather was a good sign. Her meeting with Adam at the gym this afternoon was looming closer, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

  “Well, I must say I think you made quite an impression on Adam Tyler,” Barbara began dryly. “I’m staring at two dozen long-stemmed roses sitting on my table.”

  Kate stopped in her tracks. “He sent me flowers?”

  “Uh huh. And a card. Want me to read it to you?”

  Kate pictured the smug grin on her sister’s face and squeezed her eyes shut. Adam had sent her flowers! She couldn’t ignore the pleasure flowing through her. But why did he send her flowers? God, she was confused. She didn’t know what to feel. Elated, nervous, suspicious.

  “Read it to me,” she said, trying to keep the flutters in her stomach under control.

  “Let’s start over. 555-1256. Your friend, Adam.”

  Her hand trembled as she opened her car door. “I’ll…I’ll pick them up when I have a chance.”

  “Kate, what happened last night? And why did he sign the c
ard as your friend?”

  “Nothing happened. I told him we should just be friends.”

  There was a long pause before Barbara spoke. “Kate, friends don’t send each other two dozen long-stemmed roses. What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing,” she replied tautly. She wasn’t ready for the third degree she knew was coming from her sister. “Look, I have to go. You know I don’t like to drive and talk on my cell at the same time.”

  “Then don’t drive.” Barbara made an exasperated sound. “Aren’t you even going to call him to thank him?”

  Kate shut her door and leaned her head back on the head rest. “No, maybe. I…I don’t know.”

  “I’ve never known you as someone who lacked manners.”

  Kate sighed as she started the car. “Barb, it wasn’t a real date, remember? It was pretend. I’m really sorry, but I have to go now.”

  “What are you doing today?” her sister asked suspiciously.

  “Nothing. I’m going out later.”

  “You never go out. Oh my God! You’re going to meet him as the bad girl, as Katrina, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. I’m hanging up now, Barb.”

  “Fine,” her younger sister snapped, “but I warn you, if you don’t come clean with him soon, I’m bringing in the reinforcements.”

  Kate groaned, trying to ignore the alarm her sister’s words invoked. “If you tell mom or Gail any of this, I swear I’ll never speak to you again.”

  “Fine. And you can forget about my help with your Katrina disguise. I refuse to take any more part in this.”

  As Kate drove home, she thought about what her sister said and admitted Barbara was right. Kate should end the research and explore her feelings for Adam and his feelings for her, but Barbara didn’t have all the facts.

  For one, Adam was every woman’s dream. And two, Kate wasn’t every woman. She was scared. Worse, she didn’t know if she was even capable of intimacy with a man after what she had experienced with Simon. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Adam was different.

  Before she met him, she had wanted to analyze his reaction with her two personas. Now, she just wanted to analyze the man. So much about him interested her, but it was all moot in her eyes now.