Once she was gone, Shane dropped his head against the back of the sofa, closed his eyes, and exhaled hard and deep. Who would have thought that he and Alyssa could generate such hot chemistry together? He could only imagine what would happen if it was ever fully ignited—spontaneous combustion was what came to his mind.
With a touch, a look, he’d managed to prove that there was definitely something going on between him and Alyssa that neither one of them had been willing to acknowledge until this morning—even if she wouldn’t admit it, or face the attraction that was simmering beneath their friendship.
But she would, soon.
He’d crossed a few boundaries with her and had been rewarded with a glimpse of what could be. He grinned, fairly certain he was going to cross a few more lines with Alyssa before the week was through.
#
Alyssa stripped off her pajama’s and stepped beneath the shower head, praying that the hot water would dispel the crazy, wild fluttering in her stomach, and the tingling in her breasts. Butterflies, that’s what they were—and it had been forever since she’d experienced that light, tickling sensation in the pit of her belly that occurred when she connected on a physical, sexual level with a man.
And today, that man had been Shane.
She groaned in dismay and tilted her head back to douse her hair. What in the world had happened out there in the living room? They’d gone from having a teasing conversation about her grumpy morning mood, to a more serious discussion about Shane wanting to improve his appearance for some woman he was interested in, to her getting turned on when he’d accidentally touched her breast and nipple. From there, things had escalated into a far more sensual moment, taking her completely by surprise.
Her body still trembled deep inside, her mind was spinning like a top, and she could hardly process all that had just transpired. She was confused and appalled and, if she was honest with herself, she was still bothered over the fact that Shane was interested in someone, but didn’t feel inclined to share who. At least not yet.
She snorted at that as she washed her hair with shampoo, silently berating herself for having double standards where Shane was concerned. It wasn’t as though she’d come right out and told him about her secret admirer, either. So, in truth, she really didn’t have the right to be so upset with him.
But, dammit, she was. Not to mention envious and jealous, too. And those were emotions she wasn’t used to dealing with.
The thought of losing Shane, her best friend, to another woman sent a shaft of panic racing through her, because she feared if that happened, he’d no longer be there for her when she needed him the most. Or that possibly another woman wouldn’t understand, or tolerate, their close friendship.
Maybe her fear of losing Shane was the reason why she’d allowed her deeper feelings for him to surface this morning—like the desire and attraction she’d managed to keep buried for so long. It had to be a subliminal thing that had coaxed those intimate yearnings out into the open now, but whatever the reason, she didn’t plan on letting it happen again!
She finished up with her shower, and by the time she’d blow dried her hair and changed into jeans and a blouse, she was ready to face Shane and the day ahead with a new attitude and outlook. Even if that meant helping Shane to impress another woman.
CHAPTER THREE
Shane stepped out of the dressing room and into the private viewing area where Alyssa was waiting for him to model one of the outfits she’d selected for him.
“Well, what do you think?” he asked.
“Wow, you clean up pretty well, Mr. Witmer.” She walked up behind him and smoothed her hands along his broad shoulders, then turned him to face the three-way mirror that gave him a better, overall view of his new appearance. “But the real question is, what do you think?” She bit her bottom lip expectantly.
Shane glanced at his reflection and was instantly pleased with the new, sophisticated image he saw staring back at him. The long sleeved, burgundy suede dress shirt and black double pleated slacks Alyssa had picked out for him was something he never would have chosen for himself, but he had to admit it made him look hip and much more sophisticated than his jeans and shirts ever had. She’d also accessorized him with a thin, leather belt with a small silver buckle and a comfortable, and very expensive pair of Italian loafers that looked and felt fantastic on his feet.
He met her waiting gaze in the mirror and gave a nod of approval. “I like the entire package. A whole lot.”
“Good.” She came around to stand in front of him and straightened the black tie with a swirling burgundy pattern on it, her fingers absently grazing his chest as she smoothed the strips of silk down along his torso. “This outfit will be perfect for the New Year’s Eve party.”
Shane liked having her fuss over him. He liked her hands on him even better. “You think so?”
Taking a step back, she eyed him critically one more time, then smiled. “Absolutely. You can also wear the shirt open at the collar and without a tie if you want to go for a more casual look instead, so you have a few options.”
He propped his hands on his hips and slanted her a curious glance. “Would an outfit like this on a guy turn your head?”
Her gaze traveled from his chest, all the way down to his shoes, and up again. “Yeah, I’d definitely give you a second glance,” she admitted with a playful grin. “You look hot.”
And that’s all Shane needed to hear to make his decision—because ultimately it was having her eyes on him that mattered the most. “In that case, I’ll take everything I’m wearing.”
She laughed and quickly stepped away from him. It wasn’t the first time he’d noticed how she was trying to keep things between them low key after that intimate moment in her living room that morning, and he let her have her way because he didn’t want her to feel threatened by all the new feelings developing between them.
“That’s only one outfit,” she said as she skimmed through the other clothes she’d selected for him, which were hanging on a wire rack against the wall. “You need a few more coordinating pants and shirts for other things, like an evening out with friends, or when you go out on a date with . . . well, with the woman you’re interested in.”
She stumbled over that last part, but quickly recovered, which he was glad to see. Pulling a tan shirt with an abstract design on it from the rack, she turned and showed it to him. “What do you think of this one?”
Again, it was a far departure from what he would have picked on his own, but he liked the colors and style. “I can’t say until I try it on. Do you have a pair of pants to go with the shirt?”
“Hey, I’m impressed,” she teased as she selected a pair of tan, casual looking khaki’s to go with the short sleeved shirt. “You’re catching on to the whole concept of coordinating your clothing. Who would have thought you’d even want to do such a thing?”
“Yeah, imagine that,” he said dryly. “Are you going to let me buy at least one pair of jeans today, just so I don’t feel totally out of my element?”
“Sure.” She paused thoughtfully, then grinned. “Just so long as there are no rips or tears, or faded patches and spots. I think a pair of Diesel jeans in a dark blue indigo could work for either casual or semi-casual occasions, if paired with the right kind of shirt.”
“Diesel jeans?” He’d never heard of the brand, but they sounded expensive. “Why do I get the feeling that’s the only compromise you’re going to allow?”
“You’re a smart man, Shane.” She patted his cheek playfully. “You’re the one who asked for this make-over, not me.”
“Alright, alright,” he conceded, and disappeared into the dressing room to change into what ended up being the second of at least a dozen different coordinating pants and shirts.
By the time they were done shopping, they were both loaded down with department store bags filled with clothes and accessories for him, and he’d spent a small fortune. Not only did he now have a new wardrobe fit for an execut
ive, but Alyssa had also taken him over to the cologne department and had him purchase a brand new men’s fragrance that she insisted would drive any woman crazy with desire.
The only one he was interested in driving crazy was her, and the cologne seemed to do the trick on her, as well. She’d spritzed his wrist with the woodsy scent, inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes and moaned like a woman in the midst of an orgasmic experience.
And that’s all it took for him to plunk down his credit card and buy a large bottle of the stuff.
They reached his SUV and tossed the bags into the back of the truck. After climbing behind the wheel, and with Alyssa in the passenger seat, he pulled out of the mall parking lot and headed back onto the freeway.
He’d had such a great afternoon with her, and he hated for their time together to end. “Would you like to come back to the restaurant with me and get a pizza or pasta dish?”
She shook her head. “Actually, I can’t. I have a bunch of party favors for a client’s New Year’s Eve party that I need to pick up and deliver before five today.”
He took the turn off the freeway that led to her apartment. “Okay. If you change your mind or want to stop by The Pizza Joint after your errands, I’ll be there.”
“I think I’ll pass tonight.” She softened the rejection with a genuine smile. “I had a great day with you, though. It was tons of fun dressing you up. And tomorrow, you get your hair cut.” She reached across the console and ruffled the unruly strands with her fingers.
He admitted to having a few reservations about her stylist messing with his hair. Usually he went to a barber, and he had no idea what to expect tomorrow. “By the way, no buzz cuts.”
“Giving you a buzz cut would be a crime. You have gorgeous hair.” She ran her fingers through the thick strands again, this time seemingly measuring the length in different places. “A bit of layering on the top and a trim around the ears and neck, and you’ll be good as new. And it’ll be painless, I promise.”
Amused laughter escaped him, and he brought his SUV to a stop in front of her apartment complex. “Are we still on for our date tomorrow night?”
She looked at him in confusion. “Date?”
“The annual Twilight Zone marathon, remember?”
She groaned. “I can’t believe I let you sweet talk me into watching all those creepy reruns with you every year. You know how much I hate scary movies and shows.”
But he loved the way she inevitably curled up to him on the couch while they watched the shows because she was spooked or frightened. “Hey, it’s become a tradition. You can’t back out on me now.”
She released an insufferable sigh. “Alright, I’ll be there. Can we do Chinese take-out for dinner?”
He’d give her anything she wished. “You got it. Chinese take-out it is.”
She leaned over and kissed him quickly on the cheek. “Consider it a date then,” she said, then got out of the truck and headed up the walkway to the complex.
Shane sat there in his truck to make sure she made it into the building safely—while enjoying the backside view of her curvy hips swaying provocatively every step of the way.
#
Alyssa sat at her computer that evening, searching the internet for the best pricing on floral arrangements for an upcoming fiftieth wedding anniversary party one of her clients was hosting for her parents. The woman wanted bouquets of Cattleyas orchids and white roses in the center of each table, and they certainly didn’t come cheap.
She went through her normal sources, trying to find the best cost she could for her client, and after an hour of Instant Messaging back and forth with a floral designer, she finally nailed down a price she was happy with.
She typed up an estimated cost sheet for her client and emailed it off, then leaned back in her chair and extended her arms over her head to stretch the kinks from the muscles along her shoulders and back. The day had been a long one—from Shane’s early morning visit, to their shopping spree, to the last few hours she’d spent in front of her computer getting work done.
She thought back to her afternoon with Shane and the drastic changes he was willing to make for this woman he was interested in—which was a first for him. Over the years he’d dated plenty of women on a casual basis, but she’d never seen him so intent on making such a significant impression on any of them. And the fact that he was so willing to change his image to catch a woman’s eye now led her to believe that it had to be very serious for Shane.
Her stomach knotted with envy, just one of the many emotions she wished she had more control over. The others were more of the seductive, tempting variety, and even though she’d tried to act like everything was normal between them today after this morning’s fleeting but very sensual encounter when his hand had brushed across her breast, there was no denying her escalating feelings for Shane. The desire was becoming more pronounced when she was with him, and she could sense it pulling at her more and more often, in a way that was getting increasingly difficult to resist.
Blowing out an upward stream of breath, she pushed away from her desk, frustrated at herself and the whole entire situation. Her feelings for Shane couldn’t develop into anything sexual—no matter how physically attractive she might find him, and she’d do well to keep that reminder first and foremost in her mind. Years of friendship were at stake, not to mention that she’d probably shock the hell out of Shane if he knew that he’d become the object of some of her most tantalizing fantasies.
Standing, she headed into the kitchen to make herself a late night snack, hoping that would help snap her out of her current funk. She poured Rice Krispies into a bowl, added milk, and headed back to her office. She’d eat her cereal, play a game of Free Cell, then shut down things for the night and go to bed. Except when she glanced at her computer screen, there was an Instant Message waiting for her.
TheOne4You: Hi beautiful.
Her secret admirer. She’d been so wrapped up in her search for orchid and rose arrangements, then her troubling thoughts of Shane, that she’d forgotten they’d agreed to chat again tonight. Smiling at his flirtatious greeting, and welcoming the distraction, she set her bowl of cereal aside, and typed out a response.
IshopForYou: Hi, yourself. How are you?
TheOne4You: Great, now that I’m talking to you. How was your day?
IshopForYou: It was good. I was out most of the day shopping with a friend. He ended up buying himself a new wardrobe, which is a rarity for him.
TheOne4You: This is a *guy* friend?
She raised her brows at his question as she ate a bite of her cereal. Was he jealous, she wondered, and found that notion amusing.
IshopForYou: Yes, a guy friend.
TheOne4You: Do I have to worry about him being any kind of competition for me?
She laughed out loud and shook her head.
IshopForYou: No, he’s been my best friend since I was five. He’s a great guy. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
TheOne4You: You sure about that?
IshopForYou: I’m sure. He’s interested in some other woman, which is why he spent a fortune on new clothes today, so he can impress her.
TheOne4You: And do you think he will? Impress her, I mean.
She mulled over that question as she ate another spoonful of Rice Krispies, recalling the various outfits Shane had tried on, and bought. He’d looked sharp and gorgeous in designer duds, literally head-turning, but she had mixed reservations about him changing his image for another woman, when being a metro-male wasn’t at all who he really was. If she had the choice, she preferred the laid back, jeans and t-shirt Shane over the polished style he was so adamant about incorporating into his wardrobe.
IshopForYou: I think that my friend’s personality is what will win this woman over, not what he’s wearing. He can be very charming and charismatic when he wants to be.
TheOne4You: Enough about your friend. Let’s talk about you for a while.
IshopForYou: Okay. What would yo
u like to know?
TheOne4You: What are some of the traits you look for in a guy?
Her mind filled with images of Shane. He was the epitome of what she considered the perfect guy—inside and out.
IshopForYou: Honesty is a biggie. He also needs to be interesting and entertaining, and it’s always great if he’s fun and likes to have a good time. Being spontaneous is a good thing, too.
And just because she was feeling a bit impetuous, she tossed in her other requirement when it came to dating a man more than once.
IshopForYou: He also needs to be a good kisser.
TheOne4You: Hmmm. That’s good to know. What do you consider a good kiss?
She bit her bottom lip, debating on how far to take this particular conversation, which had the potential of becoming very personal and risqué—but only if she allowed it to go in that direction. In the scheme of things it really was a harmless question, and she supposed it wouldn’t hurt for her admirer to know what she preferred.
IshopForYou: I like warm, soft lips and slow, sensual kisses. Though deep, passionate kisses definitely have their time and place, too, LOL. I think any good make-out session should start with those leisurely kisses, and build from there.
TheOne4You: I agree. Kissing is the best part of foreplay, and I don’t like to limit kissing to just the mouth. There are just so many other sensitive, erotic spots to enjoy with your lips and tongue and teeth.
IshopForYou: Like where?
Oh, Lord, had her trigger-fingers really typed that? His instant response confirmed that she most definitely had!
TheOne4You: A woman’s neck is my favorite place to nuzzle and kiss, so is the upper curve of her breast, and her belly right below the navel. And then there’s the soft, tender skin of her inner thigh.
Alyssa squirmed in her chair as she read his arousing comments. Oh, wow. The man had a way with words that affected her not only mentally, but physically as well. Warmth surged through her, her pulse had quickened, and she felt restless and breathless and very, very hot all of a sudden.
Guilty Pleasures: A Collection of 3 Super Sexy Novellas Page 6
