Chapter Four

“This is almost as pathetic as the time you made me eat worms just so I could play with you and the guys.”

He smirked and leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb. “No one’s making you do this; it’s your own sense of pride forcing you to flash me.”

“Flash you, huh?”

Her T-shirt slid slowly upward revealing a wide swath of bare skin. It was toned but still soft looking. Nothing he hated worse than a woman with harder abs than his own.

His libido kicked into overdrive and he forced his expression to remain neutral. If this was just the actress in her, he would be damned if he was going to lose it in front of her.

She lifted the shirt a tiny bit more.

The tuxedo pants were impossibly tight. Why the hell hadn’t he changed? Of course, if he’d been in his sweat pants, she’d be seeing exactly what his reaction to her was.

A tiny bit more and the T-shirt edge rested below the swell of her breast.

Susan tipped her head and lifted her gaze. “Do we place a bet on the outcome of this?”

Teddy couldn’t speak. His mouth had gone dry and he swallowed hard, trying to choke out a snappy response. “What do you want to wager?”

As she considered it, her hand stilled and he bit back a groan of frustration. Her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips and it took everything in him to remain still.

“Loser has to cook breakfast tomorrow,” she declared.

“There’s no food in this house. And all you’ll do when you lose is order take out.”

“Your choice.” She inched the T-shirt up a little more revealing the tiniest hint of the undersides of her tantalizing breasts.

Teddy’s pulse raced. She was doing this on purpose, dragging out the anticipation to make him pant like a dog. The kicker was, he had no clue why he was playing along and standing here as if he was one of her little lapdogs dying for a scrap of attention. His gaze warred with hers. Did she truly think she was holding the power cards here?

Somehow he needed to get control back, or at least let her believe he had it back. He’d been trained to control his body with his mind, but even dredging up his feud with her failed to tamp down his arousal. Maybe he needed to change tactics, imagine her as someone else. Who was that blonde he’d dated last month? Kelly-something from the bakery. He tried to conjure up her face, but the T-shirt was moving up again and his mind went blank.

“It doesn’t matter what we bet. I’ve won.” Suddenly, she shoved the entire shirt up and two glorious breasts popped out from underneath.

The milky-white, firm globes were luscious with darker circles around the extended tips. Her nipples were peaked and ripe for the touching.

Teddy’s groin jumped hard in his pants. It was all he could do to look as if he wasn’t affected. Again, he did his best to call on his military training to keep his facial features from revealing his inner hell.

Then they were gone as she dropped the T-shirt back into place.

“There. See. There’s nothing wrong with them. And trust me, they are the same ones in that movie.”

His eyes widened. “Well, I’ve never seen the movie. Besides, a quick peek like that can’t possibly give me enough to go by. I’d need to have a longer time, maybe a closer look to really make an accurate decision.” He took a step toward her, his body aroused and wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and down on the couch.

She gave a harsh laugh. “Not happening. Not unless you get lucky…”

His gaze flew to hers. What did she mean by that? His body, already on edge and way too aware of her, jerked at her words.

With an evil smile on her face, she tossed the remote at him. “Unless you get lucky and the movie is on.” With that, she spun on her heel. Her bedroom door soon closed with a firm click behind her.

For a few minutes, Teddy didn’t move. Then he smirked. The girl always did have guts. But then, none of the Sampson girls had ever backed down from a challenge, and he and his brothers had certainly tested that over the years with all of them.

In the spare room, he stripped the tux from his body and hung it up before stepping into the shower. He hadn’t spent this much time with Susan, alone or otherwise, in over ten years. He hated admitting even to himself that he wasn’t hating it. Even though his insides still twisted and his anger piqued when he thought of her backstabbing, a tiny niggling thought kept at him that the past was the past, and maybe this would be a good time to get over it.

He grimaced as he stepped into the icy water. It was definitely getting tougher to ignore the chemistry that zinged between them. Over the years, he’d been able to pretend it was gone with her deception and avoid her at all costs, but being here, this close to her twenty-four-seven, he hated to admit it was as strong as ever.

Teddy shoved his head under the water and closed his eyes. Today wasn’t the first time he’d seen her without a top. But there was no comparison between the pretty, seventeen-year-old breasts that he’d almost been afraid to touch and the voluptuous curves he glimpsed tonight.

And he’d never been teased like that before. Well, maybe as foreplay, but there had been plenty of satisfaction afterward. Never had a woman got him all hot and bothered and left him to suffer. Not that Susan cared, and not that he wanted her to satisfy him, but still—it was nothing short of cruel. Then again, what did he expect? Did he really think she had changed in all these years?

It was time to get his head back in the game and stop thinking about Susan’s body or anything else about her. There was a job to do, and that was what he needed to focus on. Once that was over, they would go back to the way things were—he in Texas, her in New York and hopefully not cross paths.

The feud between them was much easier territory for him to focus on. Remembering back to the day he learned the selfish thing she had done brought the old familiar anger rolling through him. Much better. Anything was better than imagining going into her bedroom and learning first hand just how amazing those breasts were.

****

Susan set the blow dryer down on the vanity and critically studied her hair. Lifting it off her neck, she tipped her head at her reflection. Lately, the only way she liked it was pulled up into a ponytail.

Dropping the dark mane back into place, she picked up a large clip and secured it. At least it wasn’t as casual as the elastic loops she would have chosen at home on the ranch. Mascara wand in hand, she set about her makeup.

Teddy had been in New York almost a week and there hadn’t been any more stalker issues since the sheet incident. All things considered, she thought he’d adjusted pretty well to his new surroundings. Although, she’d never say he belonged in New York City, the reality was he had adapted pretty quick to the completely different way of life. Last night, they’d dined out at her favorite restaurant with some of Broadway’s biggest stars and he’d had no problem holding his own in conversation. The only time he’d given a hint of his distaste was when they brought his meal.

“Does no one in this city believe in having a real meal? Where the hell are the meat and potatoes under this green stuff?”

A poke from her quieted him, but she knew from the way he picked at the food on his plate she’d be finding a Mcdonald on the way home or her entire night would have been brutal. But, other than the restaurant food, and the fact that he’d forced her to actually grocery shop, he’d done his best to fit into her world. While she’d been adamant the first day about them not appearing to be a couple, Teddy, as usual, had ignored her and, while not touching her, he’d made it very clear to anyone they were with that they were indeed living together. She eventually quit arguing with him; it just made her look as if she was trying to hide something. And truthfully, if he thought it would keep the wacko at bay, then she was willing to let the world believe Susan Sampson was bedding down with a handsome cowboy.

Unfortunately, he made sure everyone knew they’d grown up together, which made the relationship seem even more intimate than it truly was. If only the tabloids having a field day publishing photos of the two of them knew the truth: it was all an act—every smile, every intimate touch. She knew, deep down inside, Teddy Weston would never forgive her for what he deemed to be her deceit. Whether or not she was an innocent victim, he blamed her and was never going to let her forget it.

Hating her deep thoughts, she headed to her walk-in closet. There were only two appointments on her list today; after that, she hoped to show Teddy a few of New York’s famous attractions. It would be a crime if he went back to Texas and hadn’t truly experienced all the important parts of New York City.

Dressed in a summer skirt and short-sleeved sweater, she opened the door and started down the hall toward the living room. Hearing him on his phone, she turned around to go back to her room. She figured she’d give him some privacy—until she overheard some of his conversation.

“That’s my baby girl. It’s wonderful, sweetheart; I’m so proud of you. When I get back to Texas, maybe you can give me a private show.”

Teddy laughed and Susan rolled her eyes.

“Well sure, if you want to do it with Maria that’s even better. The two of you together are amazing. Of course I don’t mind, why would I?”

Oh, my God. Susan’s hand slid across her stomach as it lurched at his words. What kind of women were these? There wasn’t a man alive she would even consider sharing in that way, especially not with any of her sisters. No way. She swallowed hard.

Frozen to the spot, she couldn’t get herself to move away to avoid listening to any more, and yet she didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping.

“Honey, I wish I could be there,” Teddy continued. “But I’m taking care of some important business here. Yes, with Susan. Well, sure I could bring her along if you like.” He chuckled. “Yeah, it won’t be a problem to get an autograph for you. Probably even a copy of her new CD, if you want. Nah, she owes me, don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. Yep, one for each of you.”

Susan’s eyes narrowed and, without giving herself time to think, she strode down the hall to the living room. Teddy was sprawled on the couch, one arm lounged over the back and jean-clad legs thrust out in front of him. Cell phone glued to his ear, he watched her but didn’t seem to have any problem with her listening to his phone conversation. He raised one eyebrow as she glanced at her watch.

“Okay, princess, I gotta get going, duty calls.”

Susan glared and picked up her purse. It wasn’t as if she wanted him here either. He should blame Cord for not being able to wake up on Saturday morning sprawled between his two twin lovers instead of on her couch.

He flipped his cell phone closed, but he didn’t make a move to get off the couch.

Impatient to get going, she all but tapped her foot. “You ready?”

Teddy frowned. “I’ve been waiting over an hour for you, and now you’re ready to go so I should jump?”

He pushed to his feet, but when she thought he’d move toward the door, he detoured to the kitchen.

Closing her eyes, she counted to ten for patience. Why the hell did she have to deal with him? “Fine. I’ll go without you.”

Susan marched to the door and unlocked it. As she moved to open the door, his large, tanned hand slammed it firmly back in place.

“Don’t,” he cautioned.

His face was so close she could smell his aftershave, but her annoyance with his highhandedness overshadowed any pleasure she could get from the scent.

“I’ve got a light day today and I’m not wasting it sitting around here.”

“Fine. Let me have a sandwich and then we’ll go.”

Was he seriously kidding? He sat talking on the phone when he could have been eating. “You had an hour to eat lunch!”

“Don’t whine, SusieQ.”

“Quit calling me that.” She pushed away from him and the door. “Get your snack so we can go.”

Teddy raised his eyebrow. “SusieQ annoys you? Wow, who’d have guessed?” He laughed. “So, tell me, then, what do most guys call you? I mean the guys who know you intimately.” His gaze raked her slowly from head to toe, lingering on her breasts.

Susan’s face flamed along with her temper. Why was he trying to make it seem like a bad thing if she had an active sex life? “Most men I’m involved with have respect and call me Susan.”

Teddy leaned his shoulder against the door and studied her. “Even in bed? Seriously, when things are all hot and heavy and his fingers are dancing up your inner thigh?” He reached out one hand and stroked her bare arm. “Don’t tell me even then, when he slides your knees apart and looks into your eyes, that he’s not using some casual nickname?”

Tamping down the hot licks of desire that raced through her at his touch and his softly drawled words, Susan lifted her chin. Drawing on her acting abilities, she traced her mouth with the very tip of her tongue, enough to draw his attention where she wanted it. Dark eyes went even darker and she caught the slightest hiss of his breath. “At that point in time, most men are too busy praying.”

He crinkled his forehead and jerked his head back. His fingers dropped from her arm. “Praying? What the hell kind of men do you sleep with?”

Susan leaned in and settled her palm against his chest. Curling her fingers into his T-shirt, she gazed up from under her lashes. “Praying…as in, ‘Oh, God, please don’t stop.’”

His mouth dropped open.

Susan placed her fingers under his chin and snapped it shut. “Let’s go, we can buy you a hotdog from one of the street carts.”

While he was still standing there, probably trying to think of some snappy comeback, she grinned, pulled open the door and headed to the elevator.

Watching her climb into the small box, Teddy had no option but to pull the apartment door closed and follow. Within seconds, they were thankfully out of the thing and on the street. The now familiar sounds surrounded him. How the hell did she live here with so much noise, pollution, and people everywhere?

When her cell phone rang and she answered it, he turned his attention to the people around them, watching the crowd for any sign of someone out of the ordinary. The sheer volume of people made him nervous; he wished she had agreed to taking the car rather than walking. But, she had declared that her appointments were only a few blocks away and she wanted to get some air, which was probably the wackiest thing he’d ever heard; there was certainly no fresh air in this congested city.

As they reached a crosswalk, he grabbed her arm as she continued to yak on about the color of gowns and hair clips. Honestly, the conversations she could have about nothing amazed him. A few minutes later, she finally clicked off.

“We only have to go two blocks this way to get to the new spa I need to check out.”

From behind his sunglasses, Teddy turned to stare at her. “Spa? We’re going to another spa?” This would make the fourth in five days.

“I told you, I’m thinking of opening my own line of spas and I need to do some research.”

“Are you going to serve biscuits and gravy in there? Because if you open some fancy health club for women and tout healthy products and then go home and chow down on cornbread and barbecue, aren’t you doing them a bit of a disservice?”

“The reason I can eat like that at home is because I work out so hard when I’m here. That’s the message I would want a club of mine to carry—real life. You should be able to indulge in what you truly love once in a while—as long as you live a healthy lifestyle the rest of the time.”

Not sure how to respond to that, he grunted. It made sense. Nothing made him crazier than women who starved themselves thinking that looking good was the most important thing in life. He much preferred an active woman who knew how to eat a steak. “Whatever. But first find me a hotdog cart.”

Several hours and two more spa visits later, his patience was running thin when she turned around and declared they were getting a cab.

“Fine.” A ride with one of the New York crazy cab drivers was preferable to another block of walking.

Settled in the back of the car, he listened to her give the address to the driver without paying any attention. All the streets blended together for him and he had no idea where they were headed. Frankly, he didn’t even care enough to ask. “Where are we eating tonight?” That’s what he really cared about.

Susan flounced back against the seat and he watched her send a text message—about the hundredth today. “I don’t have any plans—do you want to eat in or go somewhere?” She didn’t look up at him as her thumbs flew over the keys.

He’d like to go somewhere—but the somewhere he’d like to go was on the other side of the country and cooked the best steak on the planet. It was Saturday, and right now at home, he’d be thinking about his gig tonight at the LoneStar. His mood went from bored to dark as the cab continued to move through the streets.

Susan continued to text and seemed to pay no attention to the fact that he hadn’t even answered her.

She didn’t look up until the cab stopped. Susan reached forward to pay the driver while Teddy looked out the window at the buildings. The neighborhood they were in was pretty far from her side of town.

“Why are we here?” He opened the door gingerly, not at all pleased at the surroundings.

Susan followed him out of the cab. Standing with her hands on her hips, she looked up at what appeared to be an old theatre and smiled. “I thought you’d like to see where I sang in my very first show when I came to New York.”

Teddy shoved his hands in his pockets. “Looks deserted.”

She brushed her hair back and walked toward the gated entrance. “It is, but I know the security guard.” She pushed a button on the fence. “Hey, George? It’s Susan.”

“Hey there, Susan. You want to come in?” an old voice responded from behind the intercom.

“I have a friend with me, do you mind?”

“Not at all, you know that.”

The buzzer sounded. She grinned at Teddy and pushed opened the gate. “Come on.”

Stepping into the old lobby, Teddy was astounded by the sheer beauty of the mosaic floor and the murals on the walls. He scanned what had to have been the grand lobby and was impressed with the architectural details. They certainly didn’t design buildings like this anymore.

The gray-haired man at the desk stood up and came around to embrace her.

“Hey, George,” she smiled warmly.

“Miss Sampson, you just get more beautiful every time I see you. Who’s this young fellow with you?”

Teddy stepped forward and held out his hand to the guard.

“Teddy Weston, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Teddy is a friend of mine from back home.”

“Ahh, Texas. Susan speaks fondly of her family’s ranch. What is it they say, you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl?”

Teddy nodded and rocked back on his boot heels. “That’s what they say.”

George’s gaze was on Susan as if she hung the moon. “We’re pretty proud of our girl here. Made it all the way from here to Broadway; not too many can claim that.”

Susan smiled. “I wanted to show him the theatre. Would that be okay?”

The security guard waved his hand toward the elevators. “Hell, anytime somebody can appreciate this old girl, I’m thrilled to let you. I did rounds about an hour ago and all is quiet. You got this big guy with you. I’m not worried. I’ll hit all the lights for you.”

Susan crossed the lobby and pulled open a small door. “Thanks, George. We won’t take long.”

“Thanks, George,” Teddy repeated.

Susan marched to the small door she knew would lead her down the long hallway to backstage. Turning, she waited to see Teddy’s reaction. This theatre was as much a part of her history as growing up in Texas. This was where her career began, and she always felt as if she was coming back home when she walked through the old building. Touched to see Teddy looking around with open interest at the details on the wall, she knew he couldn’t help but be impressed, too.

Pushing the button for the elevator in the back, she bit her lip, knowing he’d balk at using it. “I need to show you something really special.”

Eyes wary, he ignored her comment to ask, “Has this thing been inspected?”

Susan stepped into the metal car and turned to look back at him. “George wouldn’t let us use it if it wasn’t safe.”

Still he hesitated.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m going up with or without you, so make up your mind.”

Teddy tossed her a glare as he stepped across the threshold. She pushed the button for the roof and the car began to rise.

For several floors, it climbed easily. Then it began to shudder. The creaking noises sprouting from the ceiling were ear-piercing.

Teddy’s brown eyes narrowed at the lit buttons indicating the floors they were passing. Feet braced apart, he looked as if he was readying for an attack of some sort. As she watched, he swallowed hard.

All of sudden the car jerked to a complete stop, throwing her against the wall in its force.

“Oh,” she gasped, her gaze flying to his face.

“What the hell!” Teddy swore, his gaze darting around wildly. “Why isn’t it moving?” he demanded as if she had an answer.

“Give it a second. Sometimes it sticks.”

“Sticks? What the hell do you mean it sticks? This thing should be condemned.”

“Relax, it was just inspected in”—she read the certificate on the wall and frowned—“well, seven years isn’t that long for an elevator. I’m sure it’s fine.”

Sweat broke out on his brow and she heard him hiss a breath. She moved away from the wall toward him, but he shook his head violently to the side.

“Don’t move!”

“Why not?”

“It’ll shake it. Stay perfectly still,” he ordered.

Susan ignored him and moved closer. “Relax, it’s fine. I’ve been stuck in this elevator before, it’s no big deal.”

“You knew this thing could break, and you put me on it?” He stared at her with a mixture of disgust and shock.

“Not on purpose. I forgot it sticks; I haven’t been here in a while.” She shook her head. “That’s pretty low, you know, thinking I would do that.”

His gaze narrowed to the now darkened numbers. “You’ve done worse.”

Susan reached past him and hit the alarm. “George will get it going in a minute. Just relax.”

Moving back to the wall, she sank to the floor and pulled her legs up, tucking her long skirt around her. George would notice that there was a problem and get it moving again. It wasn’t that bad, but then, she wasn’t afraid of elevators like Teddy.

“I wonder how long the air lasts in these things.”

“What are you talking about?” She almost laughed, but caught herself at the last second, knowing it would only fuel his temper more.

“The air in here; we could suffocate.”

“We’re not going to suffocate. This is an old building, drafty and all that. It’s far from airtight.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. I think we should take precautions.”

Susan’s eyebrows rose. “What do you suggest?”

“I think that when I breathe in, you should breathe out and we should regulate it that way. If we’re both breathing in at the same time, it’s not going to be enough.”

Susan stared at him in complete disbelief. Big, tough cowboy was a pile of misery in this environment.

With a sigh, she slid up the wall and stepped toward him. She reached for his hand, but with a scowl, he jerked away from her touch.

“I promise you, we’ll get moving soon. We won’t run out of air or crash to the ground or anything else. We’re just stuck. Honest, everything’s fine.”

“This is all your fault. You and your half-baked ideas! You didn’t need to go here for any reason other than you wanted to waste my time.”

“I could have gone alone, you know. You don’t have to follow me everywhere.”

He snorted. “Yeah, well, I’m still on duty.”

“I’m so sick and tired of you calling me that. I am not your duty.” She put her hands on her hips. “In fact, you’re fired. I don’t want you with me every second anymore.”

He snorted and shook his head.

“I mean it. As soon as we’re out of here, I want you on a plane to Texas. Get the hell away from me.”

“Oh, honey, believe me, if only I could.”

“Nothing is stopping you.”

“You’re my obligation. We both have to deal with it.”

“Your obligation?” she shrieked.

“Calm down. Your theatrics aren’t doing my nerves any good.”

“Ohhh, I could just pound you.” She clenched her fists, stalked away from him to the far side of the elevator and leaned her back into the corner. She glared, took an exaggerated deep breath and then let it out in an attempt to calm down.

Though he scowled, a thin sheen of perspiration broke out on Teddy’s forehead. It wasn’t hot in the elevator, kind of the opposite, getting cooler. His lips began to move and it took her a few minutes to realize he was praying.

He was really ridiculous. How many deaths happened each year in elevators? Any? She certainly never heard of any. Watching his discomfort grow as the minutes ticked on, she began to feel bad. She’d done it again, gotten him into another mess with her dumb ideas. Knowing the reputation of this old elevator, she shouldn’t have taken a chance. But now, how to get out of it? Or at least get through it until George woke up from his nap and realized the elevator was stuck.

Should she start singing? Chewing her bottom lip, she immediately dismissed that idea; it wasn’t enough. Times like this called for drastic measures.

Her gaze raked him from his boots to his dark brown hair. He was still the sexiest man she’d ever known. Just staring at those muscular thighs through the denim was enough to make her pulse race.

A weird idea began to gel in her brain and her tummy fluttered with the thought. No, she couldn’t do that—could she? Would he even let her?

His evident agitation pushed her to realize she had no choice. She got him into this so she had to do whatever it took to help him get through, even if her own pride suffered. Besides, it wasn’t as if distracting him in the way she was thinking was going to be a hardship.

Before she could talk herself out it, she tipped her head and looked at him. Making her voice husky and low she asked, “You know what I’ve always wondered.”

Teddy didn’t pay any attention or even indicate he’d heard her.

Susan swallowed hard and pushed forward. “I’ve often wondered if all those stories I’ve heard about you are true.”

He turned his head and pinned her with a glare that made all her confidence completely disappear. “What stories?”

Drawing on every bit of her acting ability yet again, she thrust herself into the role. “The stories that say you’re the best kisser in all of Texas, maybe even the entire Southwest.”

He grunted. “I can’t help it if women kiss and tell.”

She could only hope the tilt of his lips was a slight grin. “I don’t really believe it to be honest.”

He shrugged. “Whatever.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that I doubt it?”

“Not especially. Your opinion stopped mattering to me a long time ago.”

Ouch. That stung. She swallowed back the lump that rose in her throat at his harsh words. “You’re never going to forgive me for that, are you?”

“Nope.” He went back to staring at the numbers, and his lips moved once more.

“You know, I’ve kissed a lot of leading men on Broadway and in Hollywood. I’m a pretty good judge of a man’s kissing abilities.”

Tipping his head to the side, he regarded her. “Are you trying to make me prove I can kiss better than some pretty-boy actor?”

“I’m just saying that I can tell a good kisser from a bad one. I could give you my honest opinion.”

“You want to be kissed that bad, do you?”

Oh, he is obnoxious at times! Here she was doing this out of the goodness of her heart, and he had to be nasty. She drew a deep breath. “No, I don’t want to be kissed by you. I was just thinking we have all this time on our hands and nothing else to do. I figure why not take advantage and experiment. I showed you mine, remember?”

“I suppose if I were to die today in this metal hell, it would go better if you had to admit I was the best there is.” He took one careful step across the elevator until he stood in front of her.

“Oh, really?” She tipped her head up and tried to keep her emotions in check. There was no reason he had to know how much his nearness affected her. She placed her palms against the cool wall of the elevator on either side of her.

“I’m assuming that you’ve kissed those men on stage while playing a role, which would make the kiss not a real kiss but a fake, trained one, right?”

Susan shrugged. “Some were choreographed, but I’ve dated a few leading men, whom I kissed outside of business.”

“I think it would be hard to separate fantasy from reality if you kissed once on stage and then out on a date; how could you know what was real?”

She’d never really thought about it before. Her mind whirled, thinking of the times she’d kissed her leading men in a casual setting versus on set or stage. Were the kisses any different? “It’s different. I can’t explain it.”

“I don’t think it could be. For example, when I kiss a woman, it’s one hundred percent real. Every time. There’s no well-timed movements, no director telling me how to kiss her or how to touch her.” His voice dropped and he moved even closer. “It’s all from the heart and the soul…and everywhere else.”

His large hands reached to cup her cheeks. Calloused thumbs, hardened from years of strumming a guitar, were rough on her skin, serving to make her insides quiver. Her breath shortened and her chest constricted. His gaze fell to her lips and his eyes darkened in the dim light of the elevator. When his thumb brushed across her bottom lip, her mouth slipped open on its own, and simply standing became a chore.