Free Joker's Wild by Sandra Chastain Page B

man. When her arms tightened behind his head, she never intended to lift her lips to meet his. But she did, and when they touched, it seemed very right. She knew that she’d been waiting for him to kiss her all evening. There was nothing urgent about his touch; it was just a gentle examination of her mouth. His mustache feathered her upper lip with a teasing motion. His kiss was wonderful, she thought, as she gave herself over to the sensation.
    “Ah, Beauty, I think we’d better stop meeting like this. I mean, a guy could get the wrong idea, standing in a woman’s bedroom while she ravishes him with sexy kisses.”
    “Thank you, Joker,” she whispered softly. “For a minute there I almost believed you. You make me feel as if I’m very special. You’d be so easy to take advantage of.”
    “Take advantage,” he pleaded seriously. “I can handle it.”
    “I’m sorry I was such a witch. I know you’re just being nice to me, and to Gran.”
    “Just being nice? You can tell my body that, lady, but it won’t believe you.” He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and deposited her on the bed. “Get undressed, and I’ll be back to massage that knee.”
    “No!” her reply was too quick. The last thing she wanted was for him to touch her again. Every time he held her, she felt as if she were floating. He was definitely addictive. She wanted him to hold her, but she was afraid to let him.
    Joker made a rough sound and lowered his head to kiss her again. If she let him kiss her, she’d lose complete control. She had to think about what had happened between them.
    “I mean,” she blurted out, holding up her hand in rebuff, “I’m so relaxed that my knee isn’t even hurting. I think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. But thank you, Joker. Good night.”
    “Good night, Beauty,” was his reluctant reply.
    “Joker, I wish you’d stop calling me that. I’m no beauty, and you’re no beast.”
    Joker paused in the doorway and turned back to the woman who was showered with silver moonlight as it poured through the window. “Oh, we’re Beauty and the Beast all right, darling. But then you know what happened to them, don’t you?”
    “No, I don’t remember. Tell me.”
    “Beauty turned her back on her past. Then they fell in love and lived happily ever after.”
    “I think you left out part of the story, didn’t you? Falling in love can hurt. Love isn’t that simple.”
    “I guess not. But then nothing important ever is. Beauty and the Beast was a fairy tale about two make-believe characters. You and me? We’re real.”
    “Love is the fairy tale, Joker. And I’ve quit believing in it.”
    “I know. I’m going to have to teach you to believe again. Good night, Beauty. Sleep well.”
    The door closed and she was alone in the moonlight—and she didn’t want to be.
    By ten o’clock the next morning Joker had gotten Allison’s doctor to phone in her prescriptions to thePretty Springs Pharmacy, and her exercise schedule was being forwarded to Sandi Arnold, the physical therapist at the nursing home.
    Now that the Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Center was fully operational, Joker was beginning to hear the resident athletes’ own testimonials about the results of taking the mineral baths. None of the Vandergriffs had believed in the healing power of Pretty Springs when they’d started building the Golf and Tennis Club Retirement Community. The Cherokees had known of the natural mineral springs. According to the information Joker had read in newspapers in the Josey study, people all over the world had believed in the medicinal properties of the springs back in the late 1800’s. Doctors in London and New York had prescribed the lithium waters for assorted illnesses with great faith in their success. And the nursing home people swore by them.
    He’d get Allison in those waters one way or another. Sandi had said that Allison’s therapy schedule was pretty tough. He’d have to get Allison into the proper