Tempting by Susan Mallery Page A

something?
    She leaned back in the booth. “Okay, this is all crazy and happening way too fast. Let’s start at the beginning. Some sleazebucket coerced Bailey into telling him about me. So the press knows and the story is out. What now?”
    â€œNow we deal. You’re going to be hounded by the press, at least for a while.”
    She’d been afraid that was what he was going to say. “Can we define both ‘hounded’ and ‘a while’? Are we talking days, weeks or do I need to move to Borneo?”
    â€œMoving isn’t required, but it could take a while for the story to die down. Do you live in a house?”
    She nodded. “A rental. Nothing flashy.”
    â€œIt’s not going to offer enough protection. You might want to think about staying with a friend until all this is over. Preferably one who lives in a secure building.”
    She didn’t know anyone who fit that description. “I hate the thought of being forced to leave my home because of a story in the paper.”
    His gaze was steady. “There’s having principles and there’s reality. The press can make your life hell, at least in the short term.”
    â€œAnd I’m not even Paris Hilton.”
    â€œWho?”
    She laughed. “You’re such a guy.”
    â€œGood thing. Otherwise, I’d be in the paper.”
    â€œAn interesting headline. Senator’s Oldest Son Secretly a Woman. That would be a complication.”
    His gaze dropped to her mouth. “In more ways than one.”
    Was it her or had it just gotten hot in here? She shifted on her seat.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said. “I never meant to make a mess of everything. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to find my father.”
    He reached across the table and took her hand. “This isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    His fingers were warm. She was sure he meant his touch to be comforting, so she couldn’t blame him if she wanted to stretch and purr and have him stroke her all over.
    â€œSo you don’t hate me anymore?” she asked.
    â€œI never hated you.”
    â€œYou came really close. There was a little hate in your heart.”
    â€œI didn’t trust you. There’s a difference.”
    â€œAnd now?”
    â€œNow I think you’re who you say you are.”
    â€œWhat changed your mind? My sparkling personality?”
    He released her hand. One corner of his mouth turned up. “What else could it be?”
    Before she could answer, she caught sight of her watch and groaned. “I’m late,” she said. She tossed five dollars on the table as she slid out of the booth. “Thanks for coming to talk to me.”
    He picked up the money and tucked it into her jacket pocket. “I’m always up for a good rescue.”
    Â 
    D ANI OPENED Penny’s front door without knocking and burst into the house.
    â€œI’m late, I know,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
    Penny stood and hugged her. “What happened? We were getting worried.”
    The “we” in question was Penny; Lori, Reid’s significant other; and Elissa, Walker’s fiancée.
    â€œI have the best excuse ever,” Dani said as she handed Penny the newspaper she’d brought with her. “I was chased by the press. I had to call Alex and tell him what was going on. Apparently I’m a story.”
    Penny scanned the headline, then held out the paper so Lori and Elissa could see what it said.
    â€œIt could be worse,” Lori told her. “You could have been abducted by aliens.”
    â€œGood point,” Elissa teased. “No one wants all that anal probing.”
    Dani laughed, then shrugged out of her coat and collapsed on the sofa next to Elissa. “You’ve managed to put my life in perspective. Thank you.”
    Penny sank onto the floor and pulled out a notepad. “So what happened