Dreaming Of You (14 page)

Her heart melted the more she saw them together. Shane acted like such a wonderful parent, so loving and attentive. It was certainly different than what Tori had told her many years ago. But the more Katelyn thought about it, Tori would have reason to dislike Shane. After all, Tori had been the bombshell in college, getting any man she could. Yet, Shane had married Tori’s younger sister. Knowing the selfish woman Tori was probably bitter about that.

For the millionth time, Katelyn felt like such an idiot. How could she have believed Tori’s lies? Why was Katelyn willing to believe the worst in men anyway? Then again, she hadn’t dated enough to compare.

After the ride, Shane led them to a concession stand and bought everyone a drink. The kids sat together at one table, while the adults gathered at the next closest table. As Elaine explained to Katelyn why her husband was out of town for the weekend, Katelyn could feel Shane’s gaze upon her. Giddiness expanded in her chest and her skin tingled with delight. She couldn’t stop remembering how nice she felt to be in his arms. No, nice wasn’t the right word. She’d felt
wonderful.
Complete.

She glanced at Shane a couple of times, and his lazy grin made butterflies dance in her already nervous stomach. By the way he stared she wondered what thoughts lingered in his mind. Perhaps it was best if she didn’t know.

The children grew silent, and Katelyn looked back to see what was wrong. All four of them looked like they would fall asleep at any moment. A wave of disappointment washed over her when she realized she’d have to tell Shane and his kids’ goodbye.

“Are you going to the Parade of Lights?” he asked her, bringing her attention back to the table.

“Well, I wanted to, but the boys are tired. I really should get them back to the hotel room and rest.”

“What hotel are you staying at?”

“Disneyland Resort.”

“So are we,” he exclaimed.

“I have an idea,” Elaine spoke. “Since I don’t want to see the light show, I’ll take the kids back to the hotel while you two go see the show.”

Katelyn shook her head. “Oh, that’s not necessary—”

“They’ll be just fine,” Elaine continued. “I’ll rent a movie and we’ll watch that while you two are gone. If the boys fall asleep, Shane can carry them to your room after you come back.”

Katelyn glanced at Shane whose teasing expression had turned into a look of pleading, and she really did want to see the light show. She smiled, and his expression changed again to one of happiness.

She swallowed the hard lump of excitement rising in her throat. Looking back at Elaine, Katelyn nodded. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind. You forget that I work at a school. I love kids.”

After Katelyn told her nephews about their plans, it surprised her to see how excited they were. Even Cori and Casey were elated. Katelyn hugged her nephews before leaving with Shane. Now that they were alone, it seemed awkward, and the silence stretched between them.

Suddenly everything he did made her nervous and she wiped her moist palms on her jeans. The movement must have pulled Shane’s attention back to her, because he took hold of her hand and kept it in his until they reached a place on the side of the road to watch the Parade of Lights. The warmth from his hand made her tremble, and he chuckled before stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Is this better?”

His hot breath against her neck made her quiver again, but she was far from being cold. “Yes.”

“You’re nervous, aren’t you?”

She forced a laugh. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re suddenly shy. You haven’t met my eyes once since we left the kids.”

She shrugged, but didn’t answer.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” he whispered near her ear. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

She swallowed hard. “What makes you think I want you to do anything in the first place?”

His chest shook with silent laughter then he brushed his lips just below her ear. “You forget that I’m holding you close. I can feel how nervous you are, sweetheart.”

She turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. He wore his teasing grin again, but his eyes was browner than before, and she didn’t think the evening’s shadows had anything to do with it.

“Okay, I’ll admit, you make me nervous.”

“See, that wasn’t so hard.”

“Maybe not for you.”

He chuckled again, then dropped his head and swept his lips against hers briefly. “For right now, all I want to do is watch the Parade of Lights. After that, it’s up to you what happens. Agreed?”

Katelyn nodded, her heart jumping in her chest at the mere thought of having control. She already knew how crazily her body reacted to him. Dare she go on her instincts and let this incredible man kiss her again?

Chapter Ten

The lower the sun dropped from the sky, the cooler the breeze became. Katelyn shivered, and Shane tightened his arms around her. Although the heat from his body did a more-than-adequate job of warming her, his breath blowing on her neck was making her insides quake.

“I should have brought my jacket.” He rubbed her arms. “Then I could wrap you in that, too.”

She chuckled. “I didn’t think it would be this cool tonight. Lately, the weather has been warmer, so I thought it would be warm now. I guess I should have brought a blanket.”

“Um, a blanket sounds nice,” he said huskily. “Should we run back to the hotel room and get one?”

“No. The parade will start soon, and by the time we got back, it’ll be over.”

“True.” He rubbed her arms again then settled his hands back around her waist. “I guess we’ll just have to share each other’s body heat.”

“You’re doing a great job right now.”

“If I could cuddle you any closer I would.”

His warm breath blew on her neck. She loved it, yet she knew she shouldn’t. Thank heavens they couldn’t get personal with so many people around.

Dreamily, she smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying their closeness. Strange to think she didn’t have to daydream now, because everything was real!

Shane chuckled. “You know,” he said, “if you had told me a few weeks ago I’d be cuddling with you as we watched the parade, I would have thought you insane.”

Nodding, she laughed. “I couldn’t agree more. We started out on a bad foot, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” He winked and cuddled her closer. “But I like it better this way.”

“As do I.”

I need to tell him the truth.
Worry escalated inside her chest, just like it’d had always done when she thought about confessing the real reason she’d wrote about him in her first book. Yet, now things were different between them. No more did Shane act like he wanted to take her to court and sue her. Maybe…just maybe, this would be the perfect place to say something. They were both happy and enjoying each other’s company. If she told him now, he wouldn’t hate her. She hoped… No, she had to be positive. She would tell him tonight after the parade.

She glanced around them and noticed the many groups of families. Too bad the children were tired tonight. They would have enjoyed the parade. But then, with the kids around, she didn’t think Shane would be so affectionate—or she might have not
allowed
Shane to be so affectionate.

The middle-aged woman standing not too far away caught Katelyn’s attention, probably because the woman kept turning to look at Shane. Jealousy struck, and Katelyn suddenly wanted to tell the woman to look at her own husband.

Then the woman reached into her carrying bag and pulled out a paperback. Katelyn’s first novel,
Ladies’ Man
! The same book she’d used Shane’s real name. The woman turned the book over to study the author’s pic.

Inwardly Katelyn groaned and her heart plummeted. She hoped the woman didn’t say anything.

The music began, and all eyes turned toward the first float moving slowly down the street. Unfortunately, the woman standing next to Katelyn wasn’t paying attention to the parade. When the woman finally met Katelyn’s gaze she smiled, so Katelyn returned the greeting with a forced smile of her own. The lady moved toward Katelyn and her heart dropped.
Please don’t say anything about the resemblance between the man on the cover of the book and the one holding me.

“Excuse me,” the lady said, “I have an extra blanket if you’d like to use it.”

Katelyn sighed with relief. “You’re so very kind. Thank you.”

Shane took the blanket and thanked the woman, then wrapped the covering around both him and Katelyn. The lady turned and went back to her family to watch the parade. Katelyn breathed easier now.

Shane kissed her ear again. “This is so much cozier.”

She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. “It is. That lady was very thoughtful, wasn’t she?”

“Yeah. It surprises me, because I usually don’t run into such kind people here at Disneyland.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Yes, last year.”

“I bet the kids loved it.”

He shrugged. “The kids loved it, but I couldn’t wait to get home. Their mother argued with me nonstop and made the trip unbearable.”

“I’m sorry.”

He tightened his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. “It’s in the past, and I like the way my future is looking. It’s definitely promising.”

“Shane? Tell me truthfully—was running into you a coincidence today or did you plan this?”

His teasing grin said it all. “Will you call me a stalker if I said I’d planned it?”

Her heart softened. “No.”

“Promise not to hate me?”

“I promise.”

He nodded. “I planned it. Cori told me you’d be here, so I pried the information out of your sister. Let me tell you, she’s a tough cookie to get the facts from.”

Katelyn laughed. “I’m glad she gave in and told you.”

“I think she likes me.” He wagged his eyebrows.

Katelyn laughed harder, but settled herself comfortably in his arms. She suddenly realized how much she enjoyed being this close to him. “Actually, I think my sister likes Patrick more.”

“Who is Patrick?”

“Her husband.”

Shane smiled and tightened his arms around her. She kept her attention toward the parade, even when her thoughts were under the blanket wrapped around her and Shane. His hands slid up and down her arm, continuing to warm her. When his hands wound around her waist, she linked her fingers through his. This was so cozy. Dare she wish Shane could be the man in her dreams after all?

All during the parade, Shane remained so tender and attentive. He acted as if he enjoyed holding her this way.

When the parade was over, Katelyn grudgingly handed the blanket back to the nice woman. “Thank you again for your kindness.”

The woman’s smile stretched. “I was more than happy to help.” She handed the blanket to one of her children, then reached in her purse and pulled out Katelyn’s novel. “Now can I ask a favor from you?” She brought forth the book. “Can I have your autograph, Chelsea Mitchell?”

Katelyn’s heart sank, but she took the book and the pen from the lady. She quickly opened to the right page and signed her name.

“May I also ask something else?” The lady glanced at Shane. “Are you the man who posed for the cover on this book? You look just like him.”

Silently, Katelyn groaned. The evening was ruined for sure!

* * * *

Shane stared at the older woman who gazed at him with adoring eyes. He’d almost forgotten about Katelyn’s book, yet wasn’t that the reason he was here? Wasn’t he supposed to be getting closer to her to find out how she knew about the intimate details of his life? Funny to think, but the past few hours he’d enjoyed Katelyn’s company so much he’d forgotten about his main goal.

Katelyn’s body had stiffened, but then so did his. She held her breath, probably waiting for him to answer the woman.

He gave the lady a smile. “As much as I’d like to take credit for that, I’m afraid I didn’t know Miss Mitchell when she wrote this book.”

The lady shrugged. “I’m sorry for the mistake.”

“No need to apologize. In fact, I’m quite flattered.”

The lady mumbled a few more words, took the book, and then left with her family. Katelyn still remained stiff in his arms.

He stepped beside Katelyn and linked his fingers through hers, heading back toward their hotel. Not a word was said. To Shane, this confirmed his suspicions. Katelyn had known before, and she had used his identity without his permission.

As they entered the hotel, Shane glanced at the beautiful woman by his side. Her sad expression pulled at his heart and his chest constricted with an unfamiliar feeling. Right now all he wanted to do was take her back in his arms—the place where she felt perfect.

He squeezed her hand and she looked at him. He smiled, which brought a smile from her. “Shall I walk you to your room?”

Her smile widened, which made her blue eyes twinkle like gems. “Is this a date?”

He grinned. “Of course. Would I have held you the way I did if we weren’t on a date?”

“You must have forgotten the time in your truck.”

They stepped in the elevator and he pushed the button to the fourth floor. The doors closed, leaving them alone again. He pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. “How could I forget about that?” He kissed her just below the ear. “I’ve thought of nothing since.”

“Shane?”

He straightened and met her gaze.

“Shouldn’t we go to your sister’s room first to get my nephews?”

“Not yet. I want to be with you alone a little while longer.”

Her cheeks bloomed with color, and her smile wavered. “Shane, I—I want to apologize for making you uncomfortable tonight.”

He chuckled then stroked her cheek. “When did you make me feel uncomfortable?”

“When the lady thought you were the model on my book cover.”

“Oh.” Once again, the doubt crept back into his head, and he dropped his hand from her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. If you recall, I made the same mistake when we first met.”

“Yes, I know, but I feel bad, nonetheless.”

The elevator bell dinged and the doors opened. They stepped out and she handed him her room card. Taking her hand back in his, he walked her to her room and opened the door. He followed her inside while she switched on a few lamps. Behind him the door closed by itself. He remained by the wall and waited to see what her next move would be.