Chapter 9

Kyle still had the unreal feeling he'd walked onto a movie set, all of it so stereotypical. He'd have to pay close attention to every detail while he was here because he couldn't for the life of him imagine why his parents thought this would be a lucrative deal for them. Starting a new division with B&Bs.... Well, there had to be a hundred other spots to choose from. Smaller cities, for example.

Then a thought struck him. Maybe his parents were thinking about retiring here. No, not possible. He couldn't imagine them outside the busy world of Dallas. Of course, stranger things had happened. At least one good thing had come from this trip. He could spend his time here as the fiancé of the very sexy, very smart Pepper Thornton. An unexpected bonus.

Their little walking tour was certainly an exercise in...something. Everyone in Bayview seemed to know Pepper, which was good for business. On the other hand, they all seemed to be all up in her business, giving him the third degree that he supposed was common in small towns like this. Knowing this whole thing was a charade, he felt a twinge of conscience now and then. He was impressed with the way Pepper handled it all with grace and humor and made their escape whenever the questions got too personal or irritating.

"Well, that was interesting." They were back out on the sidewalk after the last stop and quiz session.

"This afternoon, I'll show you the residential area," Pepper told him. "I think I've subjected you to enough third degree for the moment. I can't believe you didn't pop someone in the nose."

He cupped her chin, stroking her jawline with his thumb, unable to keep himself from touching her. And what was that all about? "See, now, that wouldn't have made a good impression on my fiancée's friends, right?"

Pepper shook her head. "How did I get so lucky with you? I throw myself and this whole thing at you out of the blue and you play right along with it."

God, he wanted to kiss her right here on the street. "How many men get to have a beautiful woman show up out of the blue and throw herself at him?"

"Literally, I might add." She giggled. "I can't believe I had the nerve to do that. It's just that - "

"That your family's been driving you nuts," he guessed.

"How'd you know?"

"Mine has a tendency to do the same thing." Tendency? his inner self asked. More like obsession.

"We'll have to compare families," she teased. "But right now, I could use some lunch. How about you?"

He chuckled. "I can always eat. What do you suggest?"

"I'd say the new restaurant over there by the marina, except that's where my folks want to take us to dinner."

And that rang a bell with him. "Weren't you supposed to call your mother about that?"

She frowned. "Yes, damn it."

"Damn it?"

"In spades." She dug her phone out of her purse and read the screen. "Ten missed calls." She shook her head. "I had it on mute so it wouldn't go off while we were in the shops. Mama's probably gonna kill me. This thing's probably been vibrating itself into an orgasm."

Kyle stared at her then burst out laughing.

Pepper stared at him. "What? Didn't you ever hear a lady use the word orgasm?"

He shook his head. "Pepper, you are one unique woman. You'd better make your call, though."

"I know. Listen, before I do, please know I am sorry to subject you to this." She shook her head. "You know there'll be a third degree and all kinds of questions about your intentions. I just wish I had a way to get us out of this. I told you. You'll probably run screaming into the night before it's over."

"I can handle it."

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you." She sighed. "You're already doing me a huge favor. I don't want to impose too much on your good nature."

"I think my good nature can take it. Make your call."

It was interesting, listening to her end of the conversation. He could tell it was an effort for her to keep her voice calm, and she constantly raked her fingers through her hair in frustration. He'd like to rake his fingers through that soft, auburn hair. He wondered if her curls covering her mound were as dark, or maybe darker. And soft. Would they be soft to the touch?

Jesus, Montgomery. Get your head out of her pants.

He was already having trouble controlling an erection that didn't want to die. And he was right out here on the main drag where everyone could see him. Nice impression to make on her friends and acquaintances. This whole trip was beginning to take on a surreal look.

"That's that." Pepper stuffed her phone back in her purse. "We're on for eight o'clock. Sorry."

"No problem. All parents like to meet the intended."

He was only glad his own folks weren't here to see what was going on. They'd have the venue booked and the invitations printed before it was time to go to bed.

"You like to eat late?" he asked.

"Out of necessity. I do wine and cheese at Hibiscus House at five. Then I need time to straighten things up, make sure everyone's taken care of for the evening, and get myself cleaned up and dressed."

The image of Pepper Thornton in the shower, naked, water streaming down her lush, sleek body filled his mind. He'd love to be in there with her, spreading soapy bubbles over her perfect breasts, down the soft flesh of her tummy, and into the core of her between her legs.

Damn!

He was going to be perpetually hard if he kept this up. What killed him was he'd just met the woman. He'd dated plenty of females but never had this instant lust for any of them. Oh, they always played the little game of temptation, each of them knowing exactly how the evening would end. But this? This was way out of his wheelhouse. He couldn't remember a time he stood on a public street, having sexual fantasies about the woman he was with.

"Kyle?"

Pepper's voice again broke into his thoughts. Man, he was really losing it here.

"Right here."

"Are you sure?" She frowned. "You keep drifting off someplace. Listen, I know this is way more than you expected, to say the least. If you want to back out, no problem. I totally understand."

She nibbled on her full lower lip, something he'd like to be doing himself.

"Are you kidding? Who'd turn down the chance to be engaged to a gorgeous woman, even if it's only pretend?"

"I keep telling you, flattery isn't required."

He put his finger beneath her chin and tilted it up.

"And I keep telling you it isn't flattery." He couldn't resist the urge. He lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers, the light touch so electric he was sure the air around them sizzled.

For a moment, Pepper stood there, the kiss connecting them. Then she jerked back with a sudden movement.

"You know we just gave half the town food for gossip for the next week." Her lips curved in a tremulous grin.

"In that case, I need to distract myself with lunch. Lead on. And you can tell me all about why none of the men in this town are smart enough to want you for their own."

"That's not the problem," she told him. "I don't want any of them."

"Okay. This I have to hear."