by Maya Banks
Simon watched her in silence a frown marring his handsome face. Finally he said, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“This coming from a guy who was talking to his ex-girlfriend on the phone last night?” She arched an eyebrow. “The same girlfriend who cheated on you.”
His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. She turned and walked out of the house, her keys jingling in her hand.
She drove the familiar route to the station house and parked beside Mike’s truck. Collecting the small cooler, she walked to the door and stuck her head in. She was greeted by a chorus of hellos, and she waved in response.
Mike got up and hurried over. “Hey, how are you?”
“I’m good,” she said with a smile. “I brought you a sandwich.”
“Thanks. That was sweet.”
She handed him the wrapped sandwiches and a bag of chips. She looked inquisitively at him as he dug into the food. “Is there a place we can talk privately?” she asked, placing emphasis on the word private.
He glanced around at the other occupants of the room then motioned her out into the garage where the fire trucks were parked. After wiping his mouth and swallowing the last bite of his sandwich, he looked back up at her. “What’s up?”
She shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you know I’m in love with Simon.”
He nodded.
“Well, uh, I want to try and get him to notice me. As something more than a friend. A sex kitten would be a step above the whole best friend/little sister thing,” she said in disgust.
He gazed thoughtfully at her. “Well then you ought to go after him.”
“If I knew how, I’d do it,” she said dryly. “That’s where you come in. I hope.”
He stared inquisitively at her. “Me?”
She ducked her head in embarrassment. “This is humiliating. Look, Simon was the first guy I uh…well…”
“You’re telling me he’s the first guy you’ve ever slept with?” he asked gently.
She nodded, her cheeks flaming.
“And you have no experience in getting a guy to notice you.”
“Right. I mean how many dates have you ever seen me go on,” she muttered.
“So, you need to seduce him. Make him fall in love with you. But do it subtly. Make him see you as something other than a little sister.”
Again she nodded. “If it’s possible.”
“You’re hot, Toni. Show him that.”
She looked at him in astonishment.
“I’m serious. Use what you have to your advantage. He already knows what an awesome heart you have. It’s time to let him see what a hot chick you are.”
“Have you been sniffing ammonia?”
He laughed. “Okay, here’s what you do. Wear a white, thin T-shirt with no bra. It’ll drive him nuts. Guaranteed. It’ll work better than if you walked around naked. Guys love the subtle. The hint of the forbidden.”
She gaped at him then burst into laughter. “Oh my God. I can’t do that!”
“Sure you can. Here’s what else. Buy one of those slinky camisole sets to sleep in and wear a robe over it, but let the robe fall open just enough to give him a glimpse.”
“You are so bad.”
“Wear a low cut shirt and lean over him. Touch him with your hand.” He took her hand in his. “You have awesome hands. Small and dainty.
The perfect size. Place one on his arm, his chest. Touch him when you talk to him. It’ll drive him mad. You do all this and I guarantee he’ll live with a hard on.”
She burst into peals of laughter. “You kill me, Mike.”
He gave her a wounded look. “I’m serious. Try it. I guarantee he’ll notice. All of this is the lead up to the kiss.”
“The kiss?”
“Yeah, the kiss. Torment him for a week or so then kiss him. Choose your moment and lay a good one on him. I’d bet a months pay he’ll be putty in your hands.”
Suddenly remembering Simon’s phone call from Starla, her smiled faded.
“What’s wrong?” Mike asked.
“I’m afraid it’s too late. Starla is calling him again, and he clammed up when I asked him about it.”
“Well then, you better get started. Seriously, girl. Don’t let go without a fight. That’s not the Toni I know.”
She smiled again. “You’re sweet.”
“Wait until I have my next say before you decide whether I’m sweet,” he warned.
“Oh?”
“I said all this because you and Simon belong together. He’s the father of your baby. I know this isn’t any of my business, but he deserves to know. I understand why you’re afraid, even embarrassed, to tell him, but he has the right.”
“I know,” she murmured. “But I can’t do it yet. I have to know if he cares for me independent of any obligation he has to the baby.”
“Well he would be an idiot not to fall for you, and I don’t think he’s an idiot. But just in case, we’ll throw in a few dates.” He winked at her. “We
can go baby clothes shopping or something, and it’ll drive Simon bonkers.”
“I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “Do I want him to think I’m interested in someone else? I’d thought more along the lines of throwing myself at him.” She grinned slightly at the thought.
He smiled indulgently at her. “It’s obvious he takes you for granted. Not in a bad way, but let’s face it. How many guys have you dated? He’s got no competition. Fastest way for a guy to sit up and pay attention is for another guy to come sniffing around.”
She chewed her bottom lip. Would it work? It seemed so far-fetched.
“What have you got to lose?” Mike asked staring pointedly at her.
She smiled ruefully. “Good point. Thanks, Mike. I’m going to think about everything you said.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you later. And thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said with a smile. “Lord help Simon. I think he’s going to need it.”
She laughed and spun away, hurrying back to her Jeep.
A surge of excitement raced up her spine as she drove back home. Would her crazy plan work? Was Mike right in that Simon just needed to see her outside the role as best friend and little sister? The idea of him seeing her as a living breathing, lusty woman had merit. Provided she could pull it off.
There were only two problems. Well three actually. She didn’t have a white T-shirt. She didn’t have anything resembling a frilly camisole set. And she didn’t own a robe. Hell she didn’t even have any revealing shirts.
On a whim she turned her Jeep out of town and headed toward the neighboring city twenty miles away. Beaumont sported all the things Cypress didn’t. Like a mall. A place to buy the things she’d need in her quest to seduce Simon.
