Page 6 of High Seduction
“What’s the problem, then?” Alisha asked.
“Don’t let me make a fool of myself with him,” Erin begged.
Her friend’s confusion was clear. “And is that something that’s likely to happen? I mean, Erin, face it. You’re on my list of ‘least likely to act the fool,’ if I’ve never told you that before.”
Erin paced the length of the room and back, nervous energy pouring out of her like she’d sprung a leak. “If anyone could do it, it’s him.”
“Wow, that’s some kind of endorsement.” Alisha raised a brow. “I can’t wait to meet this master of men.”
The phrase made Erin cringe. More than that, though, there was something very wrong with the little voice in her head that was pleased that Alisha was already involved with Devon, and thus couldn’t be targeted by Tim.
Jealousy was another emotion she rarely felt, and she didn’t enjoy experiencing it now any more than when she had years ago. “It’s up to Marcus, I suppose. If he gives Tim a shot.”
“I guess. But yes, I promise to kick some sense into you if I see you acting stupid around him.” Alisha eyed her curiously. “Unless you decide stupid is something that you want.”
“Right.” Erin drawled.
Alisha folded her arms. “Don’t snap to any final decisions. I mean, Devon makes me crazy at times, but I love the guy, and in the end that’s the part that counts. Maybe this Tim of yours screwed up, but it was years ago. People change. Sometimes for the better.”
Erin couldn’t argue with logic, but the idea that Tim had changed alarmed her even more. If she’d found it difficult to resist him then, how would she stop herself now?
She chatted with Alisha for a while longer, then found a reason to leave before Devon returned. She couldn’t handle any more of the two of them and their perfect, sweet relationship. No matter how vigorous their sex lives, it was still sweet, and Erin needed a dose ofnot sweet.
Good thing she already had plans to deal with that itch.
CHAPTER3
The rooms he’d rented were large enough Tim should have been unpacking and relaxing, but restlessness dragged him down like the barometer falling before a nor’wester. Seeing Erin had ripped through his hard-fought-for calm more than he’d thought possible, and he took the time to settle himself. To go through his agenda and get back on track.
Working with Marcus’s team at Lifeline was only one option. If he got the job, great. If not, his plans still required him to stay in Banff, so he pulled out his phone and started through his contact list.
Jobs were always available if you had the skills and knew where to look.
He left messages with a few people and lined up an interview for the following day. A name went past on his phone as he scrolled through and he paused, wondering if he should bother.
The temptation to track down his old friend was too strong to resist. He put through the call and waited for a response.
“Phillip here.”
“Phillip. Timothy Dextor from St. John’s calling. First Street Fire Division. How are you?”
A low laugh carried over the phone. “Timothy. I’m doing well. I haven’t seen you in years. Are you in town?”
“I am.”
No hesitation. “If you’re free, drop in for a visit. Have you seen the club?”
“Not yet, although I’ve heard good things.” While Tim didn’t plan on being a regular there, curiosity was one thing he rarely resisted. “I would love to join you. What time is good?”
“Come by about eight. I’ll leave your name with the doorman.” Phillip paused. “You want to play or watch?”
Tim had no intention to play sexual games with anyone in Banff except Erin. “You can show me around, but I’ll be observing.”
“That’s fine. Looking forward to seeing you.”
From outside his window a series of coloured flashes shone in and lit the walls. Tim paced over to discover a police cruiser driving slowly past. The blue-and-red lights on the roof reflected off the windows of the second– and third-storey apartments and the ground-level restaurants and shops. People wandered the sidewalks, traces of dirty snow piled to the side along the street edges and stacked waist deep over the grass in the park kitty-corner to his upper-floor suite.
Quiet for a tourist town. It was off-peak season still, and he’d selected a street away from the action, but how peaceful the location was surprised him in a good way. The kind of excitement he was looking for wasn’t found in crowded bars. Not anymore.
