Beauty Queen (30 page)

Theyre dumps, Rebecca clarified at Matts quizzical expression. People dump their dogs in the country when they dont want them anymore. Weve had as many as five dogs at once.

That sucks, Matt said, his smile fading. That really sucks. You wonder why people get a dog in the first place.

Rebecca nodded her complete agreement.

Bean came first, Grayson said. He bumps into things.

Rebecca laughed, told Matt about Beans arrival, how disoriented he had been, walking into walls and lying on his food bowl, and before she knew it, she had launched into a tale of all the dogs that had sought refuge with her. Matt didnt interrupt he seemed genuinely interested, appalled by the behavior of man, amused by canine antics, and shaking his head as she described how shed wash them, feed them, and then pull the ticks from their coats. How she would take them to the local grocery in Ruby Falls and try and give them away, but how the worst of the lot like Frank and Bean were hard to place.

She told him how many animal shelters were full of dogs just like Frank and Bean, and probably Tater, too, how no one wanted throw-away dogs.

Its worse when theyre kids, Matt said, and told her that he served on the board of a nonprofit organization, Childrens Aid Services. The organization tried to find services and clothing for children placed in foster homes. He told her a little about how hard it was to find services in general for the unwanted, how he had participated in a couple of clothing and toy drives.

That both surprised her and warmed hershe would not have guessed Big Pants would serve on a board like that. It felt almost as if they shared a feeling of despair about the unwanted, and moreover, from the sound of it. Matt had spent his professional life trying to help lift up people who had hit rock bottom. He confessed sheepishly (and rather charmingly, Rebecca thought) to being in quite

a bit of trouble with his partner for taking on too many pro bono cases. I just cant turn my back on them, he said, running a hand through his hair. They need ... someone. You know what I mean?

She knew. Possibly better than he could ever understand.

When Grayson bored of their adult chatter, Matt set him up in the guest room with a remote and a TV. When Rebecca checked on him a few minutes later, he was fast asleep with Nickelodeon blaring in the background. She returned to the living room Matt was sitting on the leather couch and patted the cushion next to him. I wont bite you, I promise.

Its not you Im worried about, she said, and Matt laughed as she walked forward and gingerly took a seat on the couch.

He playfully grabbed her hand. By the way, he said, speaking of the unwanted I cant thank you enough for the Dennard referral. I always wanted to get involved in shoe insert patents.

Rebecca laughed roundly. Serves you right for busting vacuum cleaners and being so mean all the time.

Me? Mean? Matt playfully protested, and Rebecca laughed again, looked down at her hand in his. It felt nice. Human.

I dont get you, Matt Parrish, I really dont, she said. Youre so charming...

And you think Im charming? he asked, shifting a little closer to her, his hand sliding around her wrist.

But youre so . ..

So what? he asked absently as he leaned forward to take in her scent.

So full of yourself. Im afraid youll float off at any moment.

Matt laughed, turned her hand over and traced a line down her palm and up her wrist, his fingers moving lightly on her pulse. He lifted a brow. Your pulse is racing, Mork.

Yeah, and her heart was about to come out of her chest, too. But she shrugged. Ice cream does that to me.

Matt looked skeptical. Well, whatever it is, if Ive been mean to you, Im sorry, he said, sounding sincere, and the little smile that turned up the corner of his mouth began to fade. And if Ive been charming, I hope you can tell me when that was so I can figure it out. His hand moved slowly to the crook of her elbow, a long, nonchalant stroke of her arm that caused another tremor to shoot straight to her heart. But Id be lying if I didnt admit there is something about you that makes me feel. ..

Bossy? she murmured.

No ... He thoughtfully shook his head. A little confused. And a lot good. He lifted his gaze to her then; the smile was gone. Matt was not kidding around, he was speaking from his heart; she could see it. Actually, you make me feel so good that I want to do the protect-and-defend thing; you know, be a man, he said sheepishly and shifted closer, dropping his hand to her bare knee, caressing it. The Gods honest truth is that I cant remember a time I ever felt... like this, he muttered.

The headiness she was suddenly feeling was not relieved with a sharply drawn breath. Oh man, she uttered, uncertain what to say or do. I thought... I thought we werent going there?

Yeah. He flashed a lopsided smile. Remind me why, again?

Funny, but she couldnt think of her many good reasons at the moment. Because its not a good idea?

Right, he said, nodding, lifting his hand to her temple, another molten stroke as his gaze roamed her face, studying her features. And why isnt it a good idea?

Ah ... Im coming back to bossy, she said with a little smile.

Thats right. And youre stubborn, dont forget that.

Rebeccas smile widened; she reached for the bottom of his tie, flipped it around with her fingers. Is that all?

No. Youre uncommonly horny, too, he murmured.

That she could hardly deny, and blushed, tugged on his tie a little. See what I mean? Charming, then full of yourself.

Ill try and be less full, he said with a soft smile, and brushed a loose strand of hair from her temple. But do I get any extra credit for the fact that I cant take my eyes off you when youre around? Or when I go to bed, your image follows me into sleep?

God, but he made her feel sixteen all over again, alive and vibrant and worthy of a mans dreams. But she wasnt sixteen, she was thirty-two. Come on, Matt, youre just saying that.

You think I am? he asked, dipping his head a little to look directly into her eyes. Well, then, I guess you didnt see the pictures in the paper.

I saw them, she admitted as heat filled her face.

Did you see how I was looking at you? Because if you didnt, youre the only one in Austin.

She had seen the way she had looked at him, too.

Shit. This is the point Id usually make a joke, but its true, Rebecca. I just never seem to be able to stop looking at you. Like now, for instance.

Oh. Ooh. .. What was that she heardthe distant sound of a freight train headed right for her? His gray eyes seemed to darken; the way he was looking at her made her believe he could see inside her, could see the desire raging, could see how much she wanted him to look at her.

I look at you and think of the Rebecca thats beneath that gorgeous exterior, the one who steals quesadillas and takes in stray dogs and buys a vacuum cleaner for her son and befriends crazy senior citizens.

Her blush was fire now, racing through her veins, licking at her heart.

And I say to myself, dude, this isnt you. You dont fall all over yourself for a woman. But I have, Rebecca, and I want to know you, I want to be with you, and I am hoping like crazy that you want to know me, too.

His admission startled hershe couldnt think, couldnt answer, and unthinkingly touched her face, felt the cool skin of her hand against the heat of her cheek.

I... I dont know what to say, she started, but Matt silenced her by touching his lips to hers. It was enough to

paralyze her with outrageous desire. Matt kissed her, right there on the leather couch, with passion, deep and thirsting, as if he was actually trying to reach the Rebecca beneath. He cradled her face; his finger stroked her brow, her temple, and fluttered to her neck. Shaky, Rebecca grabbed his wrist, was holding on so tightly that she could feel his pulse, pounding in rapid rhythm with her own dangerously explosive pulse.

And then she was sliding, drifting down and down, Matt with her. His hand was on her knee, then her thigh, slowly sliding up, his tongue dipping between her lips as his fingers brushed against her panties.

A warm, liquid lust surged through her. Her hands were suddenly around his neck, her lips moving across his, urgently feeling and tasting them, then her tongue inside his mouth, feeling his teeth, the smooth skin of his mouth. When his finger slipped inside the silk of her panties, dipping into the damp cleft, she gasped into his mouth, and her hands fell to his shoulders, clinging to them, then his muscular arms, and his waist.. . and his erection.

Rebecca was heedless of anything but his body, his strong, hard body. Matts hand tangled in her hair at the nape of her neck; his other thrust inside her panties, stroking the wet heat between her legs. Purely sexual instincts took holdshe couldnt think, couldnt feel anything but the longing for him to be deep inside her. And she was just moments away from feeling that very thing, because in the fog that shrouded her mind and all common sense, she felt Matt drawing her panties down her leg as he pressed his erection against her

Mommy!

Rebecca jerked away, gasping for air. All.. .just a minute, honey! she called as she frantically clawed her way up and from underneath Matt. He fell away from her, melting into the couch, straightening his clothing and dragging a hand across the back of his mouth as Rebecca quickly pulled up her panties.

Ive got to go, she whispered, fixing her blouse as she hurried back to the guest room.

But she felt as if she was moving in a blind fog; her mind was awash with risky thoughts and confusion. She did not trust herself when it came to matters of the heart; she felt that in some respects she was still too raw, and perhaps too weak and when she saw Grayson sitting on the edge of the guest bed, she felt a huge wave of guilt. The kid was having such a difficult time coming to terms with his parents divorce how could she ignore that? But then ... it had been so long since someone had cared for her that Rebecca was afraid to let go of itshe felt a primal desire to cling to Matt, to feel his need and his want for as long as she could.

Fortunately, her maternal instincts took hold, and she kept moving, gathering Graysons things. When they returned to the living room, Matt had collected himself, and he picked the boy up when Grayson complained. Grayson put his arms around Matts neck, his head on his shoulder. Safe and sound Grayson felt it, too.

They made their way down to her car, where Matt put Grayson in the back seat, then got in the front passenger seat. As Rebecca started the Rover, he reached across the console, put his hand on her knee. Maybe we should quit trying not to go there and at least check it out, huh? Maybe you and Grayson could come to dinner sometime next week.

Maybe, Rebecca said, smiling softly, thinking that would be really nice, thinking that maybe she could even feel something again after being so numb for so long.

So Ill give you a call, okay? he asked as she pulled away from the curb and headed for the campaign offices.

Okay, she said.

They came to a light; Rebecca slowed to a halt, debated telling Matt that she really wanted to try, but before she could, he said, Before you drop me, offthat fund-raiser thing you are doing for Tom? Not a good idea. Just let it drop.

Her warm, light feeling evaporated. Let it drop?

Its not a good idea. The party has all the big ticket events lined up, he said amicably. Rebecca couldnt help

itshe looked at him, tried to fathom how he could go from such a passionate speech and dangerous kiss to telling her what to do again.

Lights green, he said.

It was green all right, and she punched the gas pedal, bucked Matt and Grayson into their seats. Tom wants this fund-raiser, she reminded him.

Right, Matt said as he reached for the overhead hand grip. But Ive been talking to the party leadership, and they arent going to be able to squeeze it in. I mean, every moment of this election is wired.

Ive already lined up the Three Nines Ranch

I, ah ... theres the turn, Matt said, motioning toward the offices.

Rebecca made a hard right.

Look, Ill admit you did a good job with the bingo thing, he said, as if that was some anointment from the gods of social events. And Im sure you would with this deal, too, but thats not what we want to do. If you want, I can hook you up so you can help out with some local events.

Help out. Help out. Like she was some little assistant, pouring coffee and helping out.

Hey... are you going to stop? he asked carefully, and Rebecca realized she had just blown past his car. She hit the brakes.

Mo-om! Grayson complained from the back.

Sorry, honey, she muttered, threw the car into reverse, and punched it backward, braking to a stop behind Matts car.

He looked at her a little wide-eyed and a lot puzzled. Are you all right?

Matt, please listen to me for once, will you? Tom asked me to put together a big gala fund-raiser, which I am happy to do. I think if you dont want to do it, then you should speak directly with him.

Matt nodded. Fair enough. Ill do just that. He opened the car door, slid out, then shut the door and indicated Rebecca should roll the window down. He popped his head back in and looked at Grayson. Later, kid.

Bye, Matt! Grayson called.

He looked at Rebecca. So about that dinner

Ill have to see about our schedules, she said automatically.

Oh, he said, a frown darkening his face. Your schedule. I see.

No, he didnt see at all, and that was the whole goddam problem.

Just one questionshould I take it from your current demeanor, which seems to change almost as often as the damn clock, by the way, that you are doing the fish thing again?

I really dont know what you mean, she said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

The fish thing you know, where you bump up against the side of the fishbowl where I am, then swim like hell in the other direction.

Youre not making any sense I have no idea what you are talking about, she said calmly.

Oh, yes you do, Rebecca you know exactly what Im talking about.