Page 42 of Hot to Trot

Yes, he wanted Scarlet. But he couldn't have her.

To take what he wanted from Scarlet would be unethical. Misconduct. And even if no one found out, those actions would only lead to disaster. Better to imitate his mother's approach tolife. Close eyes and ignore what's right in front of you. Don't acknowledge. Don't respond. Do nothing. Life is easier that way.

Even as he thought about avoiding truth, he knew it was no way to live. At least, no wayhewanted to live.

Scarlet was braver than he was. She'd said what she felt, what she knew to be true. He denied and ran. He didn't feel too proud of himself, even though the final result was what he'd been after. He and Scarlet were totally platonic and they had to remain that way.

His phone buzzed as he opened the door to his cruiser. He pulled it from the holder clipped to his belt. No ID.

"Hinton."

"Oh, Adam, you answered," the voice said with a nervous laugh.

"Yes."

"This is Sophia. Sophia Waters, Mayor Waters's daughter."'

"Of course. What can I do for you, Miss Waters?"

Another nervous laugh. "Well, this is going to sound very forward. I wondered if you had a date for the Labor Day picnic next weekend? I haven't met too many men in Oak Stand. Or should I say single men. Um, single men who are nice men. Jeez, I'm so botching this-"

“You're not botching anything.”

“Yes, I am." She gave a self-deprecating laugh. This time it didn't sound as nervous. "I'm not really good with being aggressive with guys. Oh, Lord, that came out wrong. What I mean is I usually don’t make the first move.” She paused. "I called to ask you to attend the picnic with me. I make a good lemon pie, and I'll even be naughty and sneak in some wine if you don’t tell the city council.”

What could he say? Sophia was the right kind of woman. She'd said so herself. With bright blue eyes, subdued makeup, and nicely padded bra, she was exactly the sort of girl he shouldbe dating. Sophia taught Sunday school at the Methodist church, she whipped up brownies for the firefighters' bake sale, and she painted her fingernails the lightest shade of pink. Everyone said how nice she was, how polite, how pretty. Sophia was everything a man could hope for in a partner.

"I'd love to go with you, Sophia. I have Labor Day off, so I can lose the uniform and wear jeans."

Sophia laughed again. "That sounds wonderful. And, please, call me Sophie."

"Okay, then, Sophie, shall I pick you up?"

"Well, sure. I guess. If you'd rather not, I can meet you there."

Adam thought she sounded as if she'd rather him make it an official date and pick her up. "The picnic starts at noon, so I'll pick you up at eleven forty-five."

"Great. See you then," she murmured. He could hear pleasure in her voice. Something about it made him feel uneasy. The way he'd felt at the dozens of debutante balls his mother had forced him to attend when he was in college. He felt... hunted.

"See you," he said, pressing the end button and returning the phone to its holder.

He ducked inside the cruiser, firing the engine as Scarlet appeared on the porch. She stood, one hip cocked, arms akimbo. She watched him for a moment before raising her hand and wiggling her fingers, which he took to be a wave.

Sheer desire sank its teeth into him, much like those fangs she wore on her soap opera. Oops, drama.

Damn it.

He didn't wave as he reversed out of the gravel parking area and turned toward the highway that would take him to the town he served. He wasn't being rude. Simply childish. Damn Scarlet for making him want her so much. Damn her for making Sophie Waters seem like taking a bath with his socks on.

Then it struck him. What he faced was a test. Nine months ago, he'd left Houston and all that it represented. He'd left behind being his father's son. Left behind Angi and a failed marriage. Left behind using his name to get ahead. He was done being Adam Hinton, heir to a large fortune, ne'er-do-well, seduced by big-breasted women in honky-tonk dives. Instead he set out to be who he'd always wanted to be. An enforcer of laws. A citizen. A friend. A neighbor. A regular Joe.

So the desire Scarlet Rose evoked in him was a test.

Would he revert back to his old ways?

Or stick to his guns about being a changed man?

Much depended on holding to the latter. He had no choice. He had to ignore the lust humming in his blood and look toward a future with someone who would stay in Oak Stand. Who would have his children. Who would balance a checkbook. Who would head a committee. Who would conduct herself in an orderly fashion.

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