Page 42 of Risk Assessment
So much for her hopes for another kiss. Maybe later tonight when they were back in the cabin. That thought sent so much heat through her body that she missed his next words. “Sorry. What did you say?”
He smiled. “I was asking about your plans for the afternoon.”
“Oh, I have to work on the piece I’m writing, and then I want to really focus on the stalker situation. There must be a way to narrow the field from everyone here at the resort. Proximity helps, but there are just too many people here I know.” She focused on him. “And you? What are you going to do?” She got distracted by his chest, remembering how good it had felt while she was pressed against it.
He smiled knowingly at her. “I’m going to spend the afternoon watching over a pretty lady friend of mine. Make sure she’s safe.”
She was in trouble. Her stomach flip-flopped. She had to get away from this man before she jumped him right here in the gazebo. “Ah, well, I’m going to head back now,” she croaked.
His smile broadened. “Would you like some more water?” Yeah, he knew exactly how he affected her.
She narrowed her eyes. “I wouldn’t be so smug, Mr. Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” She grabbed her laptop bag and stuck her tongue out at him as she strolled out of the gazebo. His laughter followed her down the pathway.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
They wandered back to the pool, area. Images of Dylan in various stages of undress filled her brain, so distracting she didn’t even notice Calvin Clark sitting in the chair until she was practically on top of him.
“How are you this afternoon, Ms. Ross?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Clark. And yourself?”
He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Raleigh, it’s Calvin, please. I was wondering if you could join me for a moment? Alone.”
Dylan moved to step in front of her but she stopped him. “Sure Mr. Clark.” She looked up a Dylan and gave a small nod. She couldn’t afford to piss off Clark. He was close to the Harrises and he was a big deal in Bedford Hills.
“I’ll be at the bar.” Dylan gave Clark a hard look and then strode off to the bar.
“He’s rather protective, isn’t he?” Clark smiled. “What are you up to this afternoon?”
Not that it was any of his business. Raleigh gave a silent sigh. “I have to finish up a piece I’m working on and review some prelim notes I made for tonight’s barbecue.”
“I see. Well, it should be a good time.” He smiled again. His white teeth bright against his deeply tanned face. “You’ll have to save me a dance. I understand there’ll be a good band playing.”
“I’m sure it will be fun,” she said, side-stepping his invitation altogether. Calvin Clark had been nothing but polite to her in the past, but she was getting a strange vibe from him now. Maybe it was all her imagination because of her stalker situation, but she didn’t think so. “I can’t imagine Lydia would allow anything less.”
Calvin chuckled. “Yes, she sure does know how to throw a party, and she has impeccable taste.”
Calvin stood up and dragged his chair closer until he was almost on top of her.
She ground her teeth and tried to plaster a semblance of a smile on her face. The bad vibe pitched into high gear. “So how goes the run up to the electoral race?” she asked, hoping to distract him.
“Oh”—he forced a chuckle—“you know politics. It changes like the weather. You need a good compass and a strong hand at the tiller to guide you.”
“I guess so. Do you think it will be hard to beat the incumbent? She’s still quite popular.”
“Well, that’s true, but you just don’t know how things might change. Lots of time yet before election day.” A triumphant smile slid across his face, and his eyes practically gleamed.
Something was definitely up. Her spidey-sense started tingling again.
The waitress came by with a couple of drinks on her tray. Calvin smiled up at her. “Ah, here we are.” The waitress handed one to Raleigh and then started to hand the other to Calvin, but she accidentally sloshed a bit of it onto his lap.
“I amsosorry,” the woman said in a rush. “I can’t believe I did that!”
Raleigh caught the look of fury on Calvin’s face as the waitress apologized and handed him a napkin.
He started to say what was most certainly going to be some sort of reprimand but caught himself in time. His politician’s smile slid back into place. “No problem. No, no, it’s quite all right.” His smile was totally forced, and his teeth were gritted as he accepted another napkin from the waitress. “It’s fine. Thank you,” he snapped as she apologized one last time.
The waitress and Raleigh exchanged a look before the woman scurried away.
