Free Hands On by Debbi Rawlins Page B

afterthought. “Shall we go? Everyone else is seated for dinner.”
    â€œI’m right behind you.” Cassie didn’t even try to fake a smile. She stared after the two of them, wanting very much to kick Mary Jane’s perfect little butt. Wasn’t the twit supposed to be helping bring couples together?
    And Dalton. He was worse. Great husband, he made.
    â€œSo tell me, this cook, does he or she make all the meals?” Dalton asked.
    â€œYes, Tasha is Russian and doesn’t speak much English, but she’s a terrific cook. And pastries. You’ll love all of her pastries.”
    Cassie came up alongside them in time to see Mary Jane pat Dalton’s stomach.
    â€œOoh. You can eat all you want and not have to worry one bit.” She gave Cassie a smile. “We have a treadmill in the exercise room you can use.”
    Cassie blinked in astonishment. Had she just been insulted? Mary Jane looked so innocent, yet…
    The startled amusement on Dalton’s face cinched it. He turned his head, and she knew it was to keep from laughing. Cassie pried his arm away from Mary Jane. “Excuse me, but I’d like to speak to my husband. Alone.”
    â€œBut dinner…” She gestured to the open dining room. Everyone was already seated and looking at them.
    â€œTough” teetered on Cassie’s tongue. “Go ahead. We’ll be there in a moment.”
    â€œOh.” Mary Jane cast a helpless glance at the others. “Okay, but I’m going to let Tasha start serving.”
    â€œGood idea.” Cassie took the arm she’d absconded and steered Dalton down the hall a few yards.
    â€œI’m flattered that you’re jealous but what the hell are you doing? I was trying to find out about the guy outside.”
    â€œHe’s the gardener. I saw him carrying rakes and a leaf blower to an old pickup.”
    â€œI kind of figured, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.”
    â€œI didn’t think we were, but I bet he doesn’t speak much if any English. The cook is Russian? Please. How many people speak Japanese or Russian around here?” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one had approached. “Sounds like they’re covering their tracks both ways. The staff doesn’t understand and the guests can’t talk to them.”
    Dalton stared at her, the corners of his mouth beginning to lift. Warmth flooded her. The look of approval he gave her made her knees weaker than his sexy smile did.
    â€œNice deduction, Cassie.”
    She lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug even though her heart pounded like crazy. “I’ll ask MaryJane some gardening questions and get around to finding out how much English the gardener knows.”
    He held her wrist when she started to leave. “What did you bring me out here for? Was that it?”
    â€œI—yes, I think so. I don’t really remember.”
    â€œYou know that when I pay attention to Mary Jane it’s all acting.”
    â€œWhy would I care that you pay attention to her? Or if you were seriously interested?”
    â€œWe have to appear vulnerable so that Robert approaches you.”
    â€œThis conversation is totally unnecessary.” She tried to twist out of his hold.
    â€œWait. The thing is, it would be better if you didn’t act jealous.”
    She gasped. “I’m not acting jealous.”
    His eyebrows rose. “It’s not an act?”
    â€œYou know what I mean.”
    He smiled. “If it looks like you don’t care who I sniff around, Bask will think you’re easy pickings.”
    â€œSniff around? What a charming way to put it.”
    A sheepish look briefly crossed his face. “It wouldn’t hurt if you did a little flirting yourself.”
    â€œThese men are all married.”
    â€œI said flirt, not jump their bones.”
    â€œYou really need to work on your vocabulary.”
    â€œHey, you