FLOWERS and CAGES by Mary J. Williams Page A

desperate criminal reference sailed over Dalton's head. He didn't think of himself that way. Neither did anyone he knew. Colleen's mother was the least of his worries. It was the other part that gave him pause. The way Colleen said it, Dalton was certain she was kidding. However—just to be safe—he had to ask.
    "Virgin?"
    Laughing, Colleen patted his arm. "Relax. I was a bit of a wild child. Not exactly indiscriminate. But I didn't wait around for a guy to put a ring on it."
    Relieved, Dalton took a deep breath while he looked out at the lake. He had seen larger, grander, and more luxurious. But at this moment, he didn't think any of them could rival here and now. "What's the source?"
    "I have no idea. I never asked because I don't care. I like to think of it as an Arizona miracle."
    Colleen tossed her shirt onto the grass. The bra—and how she looked in it—almost made Dalton swallow his gum. Wisely, he spit it into his hand before she removed her shorts.
    "There is a garbage can by the picnic table." With a flirty smile, Colleen pointed over his shoulder. "And thank you. It's been awhile since a man choked on his bubble gum because of me."
    "It's been awhile for me, too." With perfect aim, Dalton tossed the gum into the barrel. "Maybe never. Do the bottoms match the top?"
    "Is that akin to asking if the carpet matches the drapes?"
    "No." Grinning, Dalton shook his head. "And they say men have dirty minds."
    " They would be right." Unbuttoning her shorts, Colleen kept her eyes on his as she slowly lowered the zipper. "The bra is yellow, the panties are white, with red polka dots. As to my carpet and the drapes?"
    "I already know the answer to that, Colleen."
    She shimmied the shorts over her hips until they lay at her feet. In one motion, she kicked them to the side along with flip-flops.
    "Do you now?"
    "Yes. You're a redhead head to toe. Skin like that doesn't lie."
    Playing catch up, Dalton pulled his shirt over his head. It did his ego good to see Colleen's eyes widen with appreciation. When she licked her lower lip, Dalton let out a groan. Damn. When he called Colleen, the plan hadn't been for things to go this way. He had promised her the truth, and Dalton thought it best if she had all the information before they had dinner with the Cline family. A swim had sounded like a great way to cool off.
    Now, Dalton's mind traveled to thoughts of more than a quick dip and straightforward conversation.
    "Last one in is a rotten egg."
    "Really?" Dalton hadn't heard that one since he was a kid.
    Sticking out her tongue, Colleen raced down the dock. At the last second, she turned.
    "What are you waiting for, drummer boy?"
    Not a damn thing. Removing his shoes and socks, Dalton tossed his jeans on the pile of clothing. In nothing but a pair of dark blue fitted boxers, he chased after Colleen.
    "It isn't every day a woman is lucky enough to have a scantily clad rock star chase her down a dock."
    Two feet away, Dalton asked, "Am I going to catch you?"
    "Depends. How fast can you swim?"
    Colleen dove into the water, Dalton right on her heels. He stayed underwater, marveling in the touch of the cool water sluicing over every inch of his body. As he broke the surface, pulling air into his lungs, he found Colleen just a few feet away.
    "I need one of these," Dalton sighed, relaxing until he floated on his back—boneless.
    Colleen mimicked him, her hand innocently brushing his. "A man-made lake outside of Midas?"
    "A lake, period, smartass. I'm going to call my realtor and get her to start sorting out properties."
    Hearing Colleen's less than delicate snort, Dalton frowned. "What?"
    "I love how you casually talk about your realtor and sorting properties. We are from different worlds, Mr. Shaw."
    Different. Dalton supposed it was true, yet he never thought of his life that way. It wasn't that he took the money and all it gave him for granted. More like it wasn't on his mind every day of every year the way it once was. When one was