Page 49 of Playing with Temptation

“I don’t know, you were a pretty good kisser back then, too.” She grinned. “Aside from that incident when you nearly chipped my tooth.”

“My bad.” He grinned, his gaze on her sensuous lips as he leaned toward her. “Is it too late to ask for a do-over?”

“Hey, Dad, I’m hungry. Can we get pizza?” Kai skated toward them on the carpeted surface.

“Absolutely, champ.” Nate did his best not to sound as disappointed as he felt, but Kendra seemed relieved not to have to answer his question.

* * *

Kendra exhaled, thankful Kai had interrupted them before she got caught up in the nostalgia of strolling down memory lane with Nate.

It was the first time they’d both let down their guard, been themselves and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

She’d missed that. The laughter, the silliness, the fun and the love.

She wanted that again, but it wasn’t that simple. His career and her family’s past made it complicated. And she wouldn’t hurt him again.

Between working together and her promise to allow Nate to be more involved in Kai’s life, she’d have to learn to keep it together. Starting now.

Needing to talk to Maya, Kendra stood and turned to head to the other side of the rink, but she crashed into a woman.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“No worries. It’s Kendra, isn’t it?”

She took in the tall brunette, whose dark eyes carefully assessed her. Stephanie Weiss, the reporter who orchestrated the video.

What the hell is she doing in Pleasure Cove?

“You know exactly who I am, Stephanie.” Kendra folded her arms. “Here to dig under rocks for more dirt?”

“Guess Nate didn’t give you the best impression of me.” She almost sounded hurt, but her sarcastic expression indicated otherwise. “That’s not my intention. I’m only here to get the real story behind Nate’s comments that night. Something beyond that canned speech he served up the other day.”

“So why approach me?”

“You’re his media consultant. Your client wouldn’t consider my offer to give him a chance to explain himself, so I thought I’d make my pitch to you. Perhaps you can make him understand why doing so is in his best interest.”

“I’m aware of your offer, and I don’t believe it is in his best interest. So if you’d excuse me…”

“It was a peace offering.” Stephanie’s tone grew sharper. She pressed her lips into a hollow smile. “One I’m extending again to you.”

“No, thank you, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from me and my client. Neither of us has anything else to say to you.”

“Suit yourself.” Stephanie laughed bitterly, then turned to walk away. She paused, then turned back, a devious grin lighting her eyes. “Did Nate tell you he and I dated?”

“Of course.” Every muscle in Kendra’s body tensed. “I also know how the relationship ended and that it killed your career.”

Stephanie’s expression grew bitter for a moment, but then she smiled. “I’m sure that’s what he told you, but the truth is, we’ve known each other intimately since his rookie year with the Marauders.” She looked beyond Kendra, to where Nate stood, holding a tray of food. Kai stood beside him. “But I’m sure you’ve told her all about that. Right, Nate?”

“Stephanie, what the—” Nate started, then looked down at Kai watching him with wide eyes. He cleared his throat, seething. “I told you to stay away from me. I didn’t think I needed to tell you that includes my family. Do I need to take legal action for you to get the point?”

A grin spread across the woman’s face, her gaze shifting from Nate to Kendra. “Sounds like a man with something to hide.”

Kendra’s blood grew cold. Her fists clenched and her nails dug painfully into her palms as Stephanie flipped her dark brown extensions over her shoulder and sashayed away in red-bottomed heels.

“Who was that lady, Mommy?” Kai asked, clenching his huge plastic cup of frozen lemonade.

“No one you need to worry about, little man,” Nate said quickly. “Mommy and I need to talk, so let’s get you set up at the table with Auntie Maya and the girls. Mommy and I will be over when we’re done.”

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