Free Anything but Love by Celya Bowers Page B

remember seeing at least four of my books on your bookshelf. So even if you don’t read, thanks for at least buying them.” He took another bite of steak. “Why don’t you quit trying to fight it? Things would move much faster if you’d just admit defeat and fall into my arms.”
    She leaned forward, making sure he had a good look at her cleavage, and whispered, “Cole, the only way I’d fall into your arms would be if I stumbled and lost my footing.”
    He knew it was a lie, but said nothing. “Here’s to whoever is on the bottom.” He picked up his wine glass and toasted her. “You know, it doesn’t really matter who falls first, as long as the end result is the one we both want.”
    “Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to do with sex?” Kendall felt herself growing warm at his mere suggestions. What was she going to do when she could no longer resist his innuendos?
    Cole signaled the waiter for another glass of wine. “I think you might want to rephrase that question.”
    * * *
    A couple of hours later, it was time for Cole to present his check to Kendall for the hospital. He stood, walked to the podium, and pulled out his prepared speech. Kendall knew nothing about this part, of course.
    “Good evening,” Cole began. “I’ll make this short and sweet.” He glanced in Kendall’s direction. She was smiling back at him. Whether it was the wine or genuine interest, he didn’t know, but as soon as he could he would find out.
    “As most of you know, I was raised right here in Arlington, Texas. While New York was very good to me, I couldn’t seem to get my hometown out of my head. I returned here last year and can honestly say I’m very proud of the changes that have taken place. One in particular is InfaCare. It’s refreshing to know that there’s still a place where the less fortunate can take their children and not have to worry about how they’re going to pay for quality healthcare. Being from a single-parent household, I can understand the need for it. I would like to present my check for one million dollars to Dr. Kendall Matthews for the InfaCare Hospital.”
    Kendall was shocked at his speech. Okay, she hadn’t remembered he was from a single-parent household until he said so, and it touched her heart. Cole was very good with words, she reminded herself as she rose from her seat. She walked to the podium, accepted the check, and made her speech.
    “Thank you, Mr. Highpoint. Our president says he will leave no child behind in education. At InfaCare that’s also our motto. No child should be left behind when the system fails them. No parent should have to worry when their child needs medical care and they don’t have health insurance because they’ve been laid off. With your generous donation we will be able to keep our doors open. Thank you for helping us serve our community.” She started to walk off but Cole caught her hand.
    “We have to pose for more pictures,” he told her.
    Before she could think straight, flashbulbs were going off in front of her eyes, blinding her. Kendall reached for Cole’s hand for a little security as the sea of press photographers began to eat them up.
    “See, it’s not so hard to lean on someone else, Doc.” Cole led her to the safety of his car.
    After they were settled in the car, Kendall began to wonder how safe she really was. Being so close to this man was a mistake, but what could she do? She was as helpless as the infants at the hospital.
    “I was thinking we could take a little drive since you’re all dressed up,” Cole suggested. “There’s something I want to show you.”
    “Is this anything like showing me etchings?” Kendall laughed. “Really, Cole, I would have thought you’d have something better than that lame line. After all, you do write for a living.”
    Cole joined in her laughter and headed to the southern part of Arlington. They were headed to Arlington Lake, she realized. What on earth were they going to do