“Hello, Maggie. This is, um, Rick. I mean, Richard . . . Rule. I’m interested in renting a vacation home for a week or so. Do you have anything available?”
Rules of the Game
“W
ELL, I HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS,” RESPONDED THE
pleasant voice of Maggie McMillan. “Several bed-and-breakfasts, a newly remodeled lodge located near the marina, or I have a very nice secluded log cabin down by the river. I also have some furnished condos that we usually rent by the month, but I happen to know at least one is available by the week. It’s within walking distance to the baseball stadium and has a river view.”
“Interesting,” Rick said. The sound of her low-pitched, sultry tone was somehow soothing—a good thing, since he was in a helluva bad mood. “Can you tell me some details about the cabin?”
“Sure, just give me a minute to get to my desk and pull up the information.”
Finding out that his own publicist had started a rumor that Rick had been having an affair with his son’s fiancée would put anybody in a foul mood. When he’d confronted his now former publicist, the jackass had said that Rick needed to ramp up his bad-boy image if he wanted to have a shot at another world tour. To make matters worse, Garret refused to deny the accusations, since he’d landed a role on a
Big Brother–
knockoff reality show and wanted to boost the ratings.
Rick had been fond of Addison Monroe and wanted to assure her that he wasn’t a part of this fiasco. But Garret refused to give him Addison’s phone number, so Rick had decided he would track Addison down and personally apologize for whatever damage he’d done to her reputation—if she wanted, he could even make a public statement denying everything. The tabloids were going to have a field day with this sordid lie. Rick couldn’t believe that Garret wouldn’t do the right thing and squash the rumors and it made Rick furious. Unfortunately, firing his publicist led to the man spitefully mouthing off to the media that rock star Rick Ruleman was going off the deep end.
Screw the world tour, and shame on Garret.
Unfortunately, Addison had disappeared a week ago and no one seemed to know where she was hiding out, not that Rick could blame her. Rick had his manager do some serious digging and he’d turned up a Facebook post by Addison’s cousin Mia Monroe saying that she was superthrilled to have her cousin in town for a visit. Mia lived in Cricket Creek, Kentucky. Bingo.
“Mr. Rule?” asked the pleasant voice.
“Yes?”
“You’re in luck! The log cabin is indeed available weekly. It’s spacious, with cathedral ceilings, a stone fireplace, and lovely furnishings. The wraparound porch has a river view and there’s a hot tub to relax in. In a word, it’s gorgeous.”
“Sounds like it.”
“Oh yes, and you have the privacy of the wooded location, but the drive up into Cricket Creek is fairly short, so you have the best of both worlds. I can send you the information along with pictures. If you like it, I can hold it for you. I’d just need a credit-card deposit and some information.”
Damn . . . he didn’t want her to know his real identity. If word got out he was heading to Cricket Creek, he’d blow Addison’s cover and have paparazzi crawling all over the place. He’d have to wait until tomorrow and have his manager book it for him. He gave her Phil’s e-mail address. “Thanks. I’ll check it out and get back to you.”
“Sure thing. Let me know if I can be of any other help.”
“I will. Thanks a lot.”
After ending the call Rick leaned back in his leather office chair and blew out a long sigh. He ran his hand over his scruffy signature beard and then shoved his fingers through his shoulder-length hair, artfully cut to frame his face. He had a small gold hoop earring in one ear and wore black leather almost every day. More often than not he had a young, busty blonde on his arm whenever he went out on the town, which was just about every night.
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. Living the life of a rock legend was damned tiring. He’d been ready to head out for the night when a picture of him and Addison embracing flashed across the television screen. Rick remembered when the embrace happened . . . on the night his son had announced his engagement to Addison. But clearly some hotshot pop-news reporter had dug it up to throw fuel onto the rumor that Rick was responsible for his son’s broken engagement.
Rick sighed again and looked down at the big combat boots he almost always wore. They were heavy. The buttery-soft black leather pants were clingy and hot. His beard itched. And his long-ass choppy hair was ridiculous. But the long hair, bearded face, and leather were part of his brand, his style. Who he was . . .
Or was it?
“Hell, no.”
Was it ever?
Rick clenched and unclenched his fists, thinking, brooding. Wondering how his life had come to . . . this. Pretending until he didn’t even know who the hell he truly was anymore. He started humming the slow, soulful
original
version of his first breakout hit single, “Jagged Edge.” But his record label had wanted hard rock, and at eighteen who was he to argue? After “Jagged Edge” went platinum, his future was set. He’d had to work harder at a style of music that didn’t come as naturally and often felt as if he were playing a role instead of living his life. But money and fame were difficult to turn down.
Was Garret’s flippant, unconcerned attitude about life a result of being Rick Ruleman’s son? The answer was easy: of course. How in the hell could Rick expect his son to be responsible when he himself still lived off of his glory days, refusing to grow up? What had Garret’s mother called it when she’d shouted that she’d wanted a divorce? Oh yeah: the Peter Pan syndrome. He’d laughed in her face and walked out the door, never really thinking she’d have the nerve to divorce him or go for sole custody of five-year-old Garret. But she did, calling him an absentee husband and father. And he didn’t fight it because he knew she was right. But instead of letting Becca know that he was devastated, Rick had acted as if he didn’t care.
But he did care then and he cared now. . . . He just sucked at life.
Rick looked down at the combat boots. And so he played the role of badass rock star, but now that he was in his midfifties he was stretching it a bit. Thinking he needed a stiff drink, he pushed to his feet and headed for the liquor cabinet in the dining room. Except for drinking to excess now and then he had at least stayed away from drugs and preached against them. He did have that to be proud of. He’d seen too many of his friends go down that sorry-ass path to ever become a user. And to his knowledge Garret never touched the shit either.
After pouring two fingers of bourbon over cracked ice, Rick plopped down on the sofa in the great room. He took a deep swallow, letting the smooth, cold bourbon turn to fire in his belly and numb his brain. He leaned back, holding the crystal glass loosely in his fingers, willing his body to relax. It was early. He could still go out, but the thought held little appeal. He suddenly decided that for once he’d turn in early, get a good night’s rest. In the morning he’d head to Cricket Creek, Kentucky, to do some damage control.
And then the doorbell rang.
Irritated at the interruption he headed for the front door, thinking it would likely be Frank, who knew the code to open the front gate. But when he opened the door it was Caitlyn. Caitlyn . . . Hell, he didn’t even remember the last name of the twentysomething starlet who was his latest arm candy. Caitlyn was wild and insatiable in bed . . . making it damned difficult for a fifty-five-year-old to keep up with her. Before Rick could think of a plausible reason to send her packing, she pulled her skintight, super-short red dress up and over her head.
And stood there completely naked.
“Now!” was all she said, and when Rick failed to move she walked over on her impossibly high heels, pushed him up against the wall, and kissed him.
Rick resisted for a moment, easing her away from him. “Caitlyn . . .” he began, but she put a fingertip to his lips.
“Shh, no talking,” she demanded, and cupped his cock through the leather. “Ohhh, not ready, huh? I’ll have to take care of that little problem.” She gave him a slow smile as she unbuttoned his shirt and raked her nails down his chest just hard enough to almost cause pain.
He felt his cock respond. “Baby, I was born ready,” he said automatically.
“Me too.” She planted her high-heel-clad feet apart and then guided his hand between her thighs. “See, babe? Do me right here against the wall. I want it hard and fast.” She reached for the snap on his pants, undid the zipper, and boldly reached for him.
“God, you’re big. So sexy,” she purred, but Rick wondered if it was true. Yeah, he worked out, ran, lifted, but he was twenty-five years older than her. . . . Was he really sexy, or was it who he was that made him sexy to her? Would she give him the time of day if he wasn’t famous?
No.
Hell, no
. The answer was like cold water on his ardor.
“Caitlyn . . .”
“What don’t you understand about not talking?” she asked, and then covered his mouth with a deep, hungry kiss. She pushed her big breasts into his chest and moved slowly up and down, letting her nipples tease and taunt. With a groan, Rick gave in, cupping her bare ass, pushing her against the wall. “Yeah, here, and then take me in front of the fireplace,” she pleaded. “Over and over again. First, I want to straddle you and ride you hard. Then I’m going to get on my hands and knees while you give it to me from behind, going as deep and fast as you can.”
Knowing the floor would play havoc on his knees, Rick shook his head. “No, baby. I want you in my bed.” He took her hand and led her across the room, but when a shaft of setting sunlight illuminated her face she suddenly looked so very . . .
young
. Rick swallowed hard. This was wrong.
He stopped in his tracks.
“Caitlyn, I think you should go.”
When she reached for his cock again Rick pushed her hand away. She pulled a pout. “Really?”
“Yeah, really,” Rick repeated this time with an edge to his voice. And in that moment he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he had to get his sorry-ass excuse for a life under control. “And you should think more highly of yourself.” He picked up her dress and tossed it to her. “I’m sorry.”
“Is this some kind of role-play? Because—”
“No, Caitlyn. As a matter of fact, I’m tired of playing a role. It’s time to get real.”
“What’s wrong with you? Are you tripping on something?”
“I don’t and never will do any of that crap.” Rick all but pushed a sputtering and protesting Caitlyn out the door. “Seriously, better yourself.”
He headed to the bathroom and stared at himself in the mirror. “Time for a makeover, beginning with the beard.”
Honky-Tonk Heaven
“S
ULLY’S IS FUN!” ADDISON TOOK ANOTHER SWALLOW OF
her martini, called a Redneck Sunset. She and Mia sat at a high-top table near the back of the bar by flat-screen televisions showing a variety of sporting events. The event getting the most attention was two men in a cage grappling with each other until one tapped out. “How’s your Honky-Tonk Heaven?”
“Delish,” Mia replied with a chuckle. “It tastes a little bit like a Washington Apple but less tart. Even though Pete pokes fun at posh restaurants with fancy martini names, he’s an amazing mixologist. He knows the importance of chilling the glasses, and you’ll never see any shards of ice floating in one of his martinis.”
“Excellent.”
“It was Pete’s son, Clint, who actually came up with the funny names, but don’t be fooled. He only uses top-shelf liquor.”
“I can tell.” Addison nodded with appreciation and then lifted her glass. “And it packs quite a punch but tastes good enough to be dangerous.”
“Hey, if we get hammered we can walk to my condo from here, so no worries. We’re celebrating, remember?”
Addison felt another tingle of excitement. “I can’t really believe I’m opening a bridal shop, of all things. Everything is happening so fast! But Mom crunched the numbers with me and she thinks the shop will do well.” She tapped her toes to the country music blaring from the jukebox and looked around. She’d never been fond of going to clubs, much to Garret’s dismay. Unlike happy hours Addison was used to at piano lounges, where subtle music played in the background and hushed conversations buzzed at a low hum, accented by the muted tinkle of glasses, this bar was loud and hopping. Two couples played a lively game of pool at the far end of the bar. Darts were being tossed in the corner and an old-fashioned pinball machine dinged and flashed with enthusiasm. Music, laughter, shouted greetings, and friendly wagers mingled together in a loud blend of fun.
“Tonight is trivia night.” Mia picked up a sheet of paper lined and numbered for answers. “Want to play?”
“I have a lot of nerdy, useless knowledge,” Addison admitted with a grin. “We should put it to good use.”
“Let’s do it!” Mia picked up the pencil and turned the sheet of paper over. “For now, let’s brainstorm names for your shop.” She tapped the pencil against her cheek. “How about the name Happily Ever After?”
Addison snorted.
“Now . . . now. A bridal-shop owner can’t have that jaded attitude,” Mia warned in a low tone, but gave Addison a sympathetic smile and then raised her eyebrows. “Any other suggestions?”
“Wedding Bell Blues?”
“Addison . . .”
“Okay,
okay
.” Addison took another sip of Redneck Sunset and then nibbled on the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know. How about Wear White Anyway?”
Mia laughed.
“Third Time’s the Charm?”
Mia chuckled again but then sobered. “Listen, your prince will come along someday. Maybe when you least expect it. Trust me, if it happened to me, it can happen to you.”
“Mia, I already told you. I’m taking a break from men.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Too bad, because guess who just walked in.”
“Adam Levine? Because I’d make him an exception to my new rule.”
“No, not quite. But that hot guy from Wine and Diner just came in, looking pretty fly in faded jeans and a blue button-down shirt.”
“Reid Greenfield?” Addison’s pulse quickened, and it was hard not to turn around for a look. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that I met him while you were on the phone.”
“You did? So he talked to you?”
“Well . . .” Addison rolled her eyes. “Yeah, after I ran into him, spilling tea all over his white T-shirt. Not my finest moment.”
Mia laughed. “Well, I spilled ice water onto Cam’s lap the first time we met, so believe it or not, this could be the start of something good.”
“Mia . . .” Addison warned in a low voice.
Mia raised her hands upward in surrender.
“I’m not starting anything with anybody.”
“I know . . .” she said glumly. “Oh . . . he is coming closer, at the tub of iced beer behind you.”
“Again, I’m not interested in starting
anythin
g except for a business,” Addison insisted, even though the urge to turn around got stronger when she heard Reid’s smooth, sexy voice asking for a Kentucky Ale. The fact that Reid was standing fairly close made her skin feel warm and tingly. “But as a matter of fact, Reid
was
interested in me. In hiring me as a consultant, that is.”
Mia took a sip of her Honky-Tonk Heaven. “Really? For a wedding?” She pulled a pout. “Is he getting married?”
“No, actually, he wants me to dissuade his sister from renovating a barn on their property to use for wedding receptions. He doesn’t think it’s a good way to invest her retirement money.”
Mia shook her head. “Well, Reid might just be wrong. Barn weddings used to be popular only among farmers, but it’s recently come back in vogue. I’ve been doing research for my own wedding and barn weddings are pretty cool. I even pinned a couple to my wedding wish board in Pinterest.”
“So you like the concept?”
“Yeah, I like intertwining something rustic and earthy with elegance. It’s not like it’s something new, but barn weddings are gaining mainstream popularity. It has the earthy appeal that everyone’s going for these days. And weddings are big bucks. She might be on to something lucrative, and you should talk to her about it.”
“But Reid wants me to talk her
out
of it.”
Mia tapped the table with her fingernail. “But as a consultant it would be up to you to change his mind if your research proves otherwise.”
Addison didn’t think that would go over too well, since he was pretty much dead set against his sister taking a risk, but she nodded. She’d definitely want to do a lot of research and look at the property and numbers before presenting her case to him. “I suppose so.”
“Well, guess what. Reid is heading over here right now.”
“He is?” Addison swallowed hard and suddenly felt a flutter of nervous anticipation. A moment later he was standing at their table, smiling. Addison felt her cheeks grow warm and the flutter remained. “Well, hello, Reid,” she managed, a bit embarrassed that her voice sounded breathy.
“Hi, Addison,” he said in that slow Southern way, and nodded to Mia and offered his hand. “I’m Reid Greenfield. I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Mia Monroe.” Mia smiled. “Nice to meet you, Reid. Would you like to join us?”
Addison narrowed her eyes slightly at her cousin, who gave her a look of pure innocence.
“Sure, I’ll join you for a drink. Would you ladies like a refill?”
Knowing she shouldn’t have another martini, Addison felt her head nod up and down, anyway.
“Mia?” Reid asked, but Mia’s phone beeped.
“Oh my gosh,” Mia said as she looked down at a text message. “Cam’s game got canceled and he has tomorrow off. He’s coming home for the night! He said he’ll be home in an hour or so.” Mia bounced up and down in her chair.
“Oh, Mia, that’s awesome!” Addison exclaimed, but then frowned. “Oh, hey, listen. I’ll stay somewhere else tonight.”
“No!” Mia protested. Her bouncing stopped. “I can’t let you do that.”
“I insist. Didn’t you say that there’s a furnished condo up for grabs? Let’s go move my stuff from your guestroom now before Cam arrives.”
“Addison, I don’t want you spending your first night here alone. We can hang out together. I want you to meet Cam.”
“Mia, how long has it been since you’ve seen your fiancé?”
“Ten days, three hours, and five minutes,” she said with a small smile.
“Exactly.”
“I’ll get Addison home safely,” Reid offered, causing both women to look his way. “If you’d like to stay, that is.” He gestured toward the paper. “I’m pretty good at trivia.”
Before Addison could answer, Mia said, “I’ll get the keys from the front desk before they close. Do you have spare car keys?”
“Yes, but—”
“Super. Give them to me and I’ll put the instruction packet and keys in your car, in case you wind up staying here late. I’m pretty sure the condo will be on the ground floor. They keep a few of those open for families who come in to visit baseball players.” Without giving Addison a chance to protest Mia held out her hand for the keys. “Cam will most likely have to leave in the afternoon, but let’s get together for breakfast. Not too early, though.”
Knowing it was pointless to argue and not really sure that she wanted to anyway, Addison put her spare key in Mia’s palm.
“Great, I’ll see you in the morning. Nice to meet you, Reid,” Mia said as she scrambled from her seat. “Take good care of my cuz, okay?” She hurried toward the door without looking back.
“Did you just get railroaded into this?” Reid asked with a slight grin.
“No . . . I . . . well, kinda,” she admitted, but gestured toward a stool. “But since you’re so good at trivia, have a seat.”
“I might have embellished that statement a little,” he admitted as he sat down.
“That’s okay. I probably have enough useless knowledge for the both of us.”
“I doubt that there’s anything useless about you . . . I mean, your knowledge,” he added, and then raised the bottle to his lips. Addison tried not to be a bit fascinated at the strong column of his throat as he swallowed, or the fact that the first three buttons of his blue shirt were undone, giving Addison an enticing view of tanned skin and a peek at dark chest hair. Most California men shaved their chest and Addison found the masculine sight sexy as hell.
“So what should our team name be?” Addison asked, and picked up the pencil. “We have to turn our answers in with a team name.”
“How about City Girl and Country Boy?” Reid suggested with a grin that caused a cute dimple to dent his left cheek. When he leaned back a little his shirt gaped open wider, making Addison wonder what he looked like shirtless. She remembered how his tea-stained T-shirt had clung to his chest and decided he would look pretty amazing. “Don’t like the idea?” he asked when she failed to respond—well, at least not in a verbal way.
“Oh, um, no, it’s a good name.” Feeling her cheeks grow warm she dipped her head and wrote the name down and tried to cool off with the last sip of her drink.
“Oh, I forgot to order you a refill. What are you drinking?”
“A Redneck Sunset.”
Reid laughed, and just like his voice, his laughter was deep and smooth, and Addison decided that she liked the sound. “I’ll go up to the main bar and get you another one. It’s too busy to wait for a server.”
“Thanks,” Addison said. She pushed the glass his way just as he reached for it. Their fingers briefly brushed together in an accidental way, but Addison felt a warm awareness. What was it about Reid that made her feel like a lovestruck teenager? She watched him walk across the room, drawing female attention, and when a woman walked over and embraced him Addison felt a flash of jealousy. She wanted to slap her hand off Reid’s forearm, and suddenly felt foolish. She decided that she was suffering from some sort of postengagement-breakup syndrome that was making her react this way. And then she remembered what Mia had said in answer to how you knew when love was the real deal.
The kiss.
What would it be like to kiss Reid?
Would it feel different from when she kissed Garret? Garret had been a good kisser. She’d always enjoyed kissing him. Really, could a mere kiss be anything mind-blowing?
Addison decided that for the sake of curiosity she needed to find out.
A text message from Mia said that she was in the process of moving Addison’s suitcases into condo 129 and the keys would be in her car. Addison smiled at the message. There was no way she was going to intrude on Mia’s night with Cam. The dreamy look on Mia’s sweet face told the story. Her cousin was deeply in love and it showed. Addison wondered if her moment of realization that she was truly, deeply, madly in love would ever come.
“From This Moment!” she said with a snap of her fingers.
“From this moment . . . what . . . my little city girl?” Reid asked as he leaned in close and placed another Redneck Sunset in front of her. Deep in thought, Addison turned in surprise as he straightened. Their lips came just shy of brushing together. The moment was brief, but her heated response lingered.
Feeling a little bit rattled, Addison waved a hand through the air, nearly knocking over her martini. “Oh, I’m just thinking of names for my shop. I kind of like From This Moment,” she said a bit shyly.
“Like the Shania Twain song?”
Addison frowned. “I’m not sure . . . Wait. I think I know the song you’re talking about.”
“Not a country music fan?”
“No, you’re wrong. I love all kinds of music, country included. But that’s from a while ago, right? Still, I bet I know it. Can you hum a little bit?”
“I’d sing it, but all of that talent went to my brother Jeff. I think they have it on the jukebox. Pete Sully is a big Shania fan.”
“Oh, will you play it?”
“If you dance with me.”
“Oh . . .” Addison opened her mouth to decline dancing, but yes came tumbling out.
“Great, I’ll go select it now. It might be a while before they play it.”
Addison nodded mutely and then took a sip of her Redneck Sunset. As she watched Reid walk over and put coins into the jukebox she reminded herself that she was taking a break from men. But the devil on her shoulder whispered that this was just one night.
One dance.
One kiss.
Addison was simply having fun. What was the harm? She’d give herself tonight to kick back and forget about her mistakes. Tonight she’d simply go with the flow. No big deal. End of story. And Mia had a big imagination where kissing was concerned. Seriously, a kiss was just a kiss. . . .
Right?