Hands On by Debbi Rawlins

she wouldn’t believe he was acting. She touched his hand. It was clammy. “You promised, honey,” she said, holding his gaze captive.
    He stared back for a long silent moment and then sat down again. “Okay.” He took a deep breath that made his chest visibly rise and fall. “I guess the trouble is, roles are blurred nowadays. Maybe I’m a little old-fashioned but I want to provide for my family. I want—”
    â€œHa!” Cassie cut him off before he totally blew their cover. “Your mother pays the bills.”
    â€œCassie,” Bask interjected in a warning voice. “You’ll have your turn.”
    Dalton straightened. Cassie breathed a silent sigh of relief that Dalton seemed to be back on track. “My trust fund pays the bills, but it’s not like I don’t work. I have a job, managing our finances and making sure our investments are yielding the highest dividends possible. I dabble in the family business. Hell, I earn my keep.
    â€œYou’re the one who seems to think life should be all fun and games, that my every waking moment should be centered on you. It doesn’t work that way. A man has to prove his worth, provide for his family. All I’ve ever asked is that you be there for me.”
    Cassie tried to look bored the way Simone had, but it was hard to ignore the passion with which he spoke. She got the feeling he wasn’t acting. The way he fisted his hands and clenched his jaw, the grim expression on his face, it was all pretty unnerving.
    â€œYou can’t have it both ways, Linda. Either we work as a team or—”
    Cassie gasped. Part of it was pure reaction. “Wrong wife,” she managed to say.
    He frowned, clearly confused. “What?”
    â€œLet’s see…” She pursed her lips as if in thought when her heart was ready to leap from her chest. “Was Linda number one or two?”
    He paled, and then glanced at the others when someone giggled. “Okay, that’s it.” He stood, and there was no mistaking the finality in his face. “We’re done for today.”
    â€œCassie hasn’t had her turn,” Bask said calmly.
    She quickly stood, too. “If he isn’t going to finish I’m not saying a word.”
    â€œSuit yourself,” Dalton said, and walked out of the room without a backward glance.
    Â 
    E VERYONE TURNED to look at him as he sat down for lunch. He couldn’t meet Cassie’s eyes. She had to bewondering what the hell had happened to him. He’d already made up a story for when they had some privacy. The truth was, he needed to drive. Alone. Clear his head. Get rid of the old tapes.
    Man, he couldn’t believe he’d reacted that way. He honestly didn’t think about Linda much. They’d been divorced for two years and she’d already remarried. Which had been no surprise. She’d been seeing the guy the last two months of their marriage.
    He finally had the guts to meet Cassie’s gaze. She looked worried. The others were busy digging into their Caesar salads. Not Simone, though. She watched them with predatory interest.
    â€œAfter lunch we’ll take about an hour break to have showers or naps or whatever.” It was obviously Mary Jane’s turn to baby-sit. Bask was absent. “Then we’ll meet by the pool for our massage instruction.”
    â€œShall we wear swimsuits?” Kathy asked, her nervous gaze darting to her husband.
    Mary Jane nodded. “If you like.”
    â€œWhat’s the alternative?” Zelda rarely spoke, and turned pink when everyone stared at her.
    â€œAnything that makes you comfortable.” Mary Jane smiled. “However, in order to get a proper massage, you will need your back bare.”
    Zelda openly shuddered. “I don’t remember a massage lesson the last time we were here.”
    â€œYou were sick that day, darling.” Harvey picked up her hand and kissed