“If this is awkward for you—” he began but Kelly quickly interrupted him.
“No. I’m glad you’re here.”
By the intensity in her gaze, he wondered if it might be true. “Uh . . . this is the first chance we’ve had to talk alone.”
“You mean since the shower scene?” Her eyes twinkled with mirth.
“About that.” He glanced down to the bottle he held in his hand and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I thought Dennis was in there. I never meant to embarrass you.”
“I think we both were embarrassed.”
“Yeah.” He snorted. “After I stood there like a frozen statue.”
Kelly giggled, a delicious sound that walloped him in his gut. He couldn’t believe she was letting him off the hook so easily.
“Hey,” he said softly, scanning her face. “I really am sorry.”
“You know, it was kind of funny.”
“Funny? You didn’t appear to be laughing at the time.” He shifted in the booth. He wasn’t used to being in such an awkward situation and it was damned uncomfortable.
“I was in shock.” She rewarded him with a smile. “And the look on your face? Priceless.”
Craig shifted in his seat again. “I’m glad you can laugh about it. Any other female would have screamed and gotten her revenge.”
“I’m not any other female.” She gave him a wink that sizzled down to his toes.
He’d noticed. Kelly was gorgeous, and a temptation that could land him in a heap of trouble. He couldn’t allow a woman to come between him and his buddy.
“What about you?” she continued. “You looked horrified. Most guys would have thoroughly enjoyed having a naked woman in front of them, and more than likely taken advantage of the situation.”
Naked limbs and sensuous curves flashed in his mind, causing him to grip the bottle in his hand. No matter how much alcohol he drank, that image would never dull. Yet she’d thrown his words back at him, letting him know she could take care of herself. Strong, opinionated, and if she saw him as no threat, that only confirmed she was loyal to Dennis. The pressure of guilt eased. No longer worried that he might step out of line, he relaxed.
“I can only imagine the look on my face. I don’t believe in taking advantage of any woman. Although, if you could have read my thoughts at the time, you might have difficulty believing me.”
“Hmmm.”
“Don’t think too hard on that.” He turned up the bottle and downed half.
“You have to admit,” she said, humor coating her voice. “It wasn’t a typical first meeting.”
“Far from a normal introduction. I’m sorry I invaded your privacy.”
“Apology accepted.” She cocked her head. “For a few moments there, you seemed to be thoroughly examining me.”
Just like that, the self-reproach was back. But when he glanced over, her facial expression implied she was teasing. He liked a girl that could take an embarrassing situation and have fun with it.
“What can I say?” He shrugged. “I’m a man. Any man would take notice. You have curves in all the right places.” He hoped he hadn’t gone too far.
“I was too shocked to move.”
“I’m glad you’re not angry. You are a very beautiful woman.”
Her lips lifted in a smile. Damn if he didn’t want to kiss her.
“Even with my clothes on?”
Her teasing lightened the mood, shoving all thoughts of seduction away—for all of two seconds. “Are you fishing for compliments?”
“No.” She answered too quickly.
“If you are, I would have to oblige.”
Her expression changed from playful to one of interest. In the back of his mind, he knew pursuing this path could lead to disaster. But he couldn’t help himself. And a few flattering words wouldn’t hurt. Would they?
“Beautiful, spirited,” his voice lowered, “golden eyes that mesmerize, make promises.”
Her face flushed. “What kind of promises?” She tried to hide the catch in her voice, but he heard it. Hell, she leaned closer, her arm brushing his. One touch. One brush of her body and his leaped to attention.
A shout from the crowd drew him from the haze that fogged his brain.
Remember Dennis. She’s here with him.
Forget her.
That’s exactly what he should do. Forget her luscious curves. Forget her seductive eyes and sensual lips. Forget how, being this close to her, his mouth had gone dry and his pulse quickened.
Damn.
Chapter 4
Kelly lifted her arms over her head and stretched, feeling the bones in her back pop. She hadn’t slept that well in ages. Whether due to the large comfortable bed or the alcohol, she thanked whatever contributed to a divine night’s sleep. Not one to linger in bed, she snatched a pair of running shorts and a T-shirt from Dennis’s chest of drawers and headed for the shower, wondering if she would ever again be able to step inside without thinking about Craig and his practical joke.
That day, she’d been enjoying the hot water rolling over her shoulders when a blast of ice and cold lambasted her head. The shock from the freezing water had sent an instant chill to her bones and she’d screamed. Fighting to get away from the bitter cold was instantaneous. As a reflex, she had jumped out. At some point, her mind registered someone had dumped the ice. A predictable conclusion as to the guilty party, of course, had been Dennis.
Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined it to be someone else. She’d been astonished her intruder was a stranger. Disbelief had frozen her, rendered her unable to move, unable to jump back into the stall, or grab a towel before the attractive man had gotten an eye full. Although, his startling blue eyes also had a lot to do with keeping her rooted in place.
Not twenty-four hours had passed and she couldn’t get the guy out of her head. She rushed through her bath, finished her morning ritual, then followed the smell of coffee. She found Dennis leaning against the counter with a mug in his hand.
“Have a good time last night?” he asked, before bringing the cup to his lips.
“Funny you should ask. Although you wouldn’t need to if you hadn’t deserted me.”
“I was there.” He darted a quick glance over his coffee.
“You took me to a bar to make me feel better and ignored me.”
“You weren’t alone. You were surrounded by people.”
“Your friends, while you caroused. I’m your guest.”
“You’re family.”
“I know where your loyalty lies. With a pair of double Ds.”
“Impressive, isn’t she?” he said with a playful grin.
“If you’re into the Dolly Parton look.”
“What’s wrong with big boobs? You’ve got a nice rack yourself.”
“At least when men talk to me they look up here.” She pointed to her face.
“That’s what you think.” He took another mug from a cabinet and filled it with the black brew Kelly longed for. She took some milk from the fridge.
“You don’t need to lower my opinion of men. It’s rock bottom right now”
“Kelly, don’t let one guy—”
“I thought I could count on you,” she interrupted. “And you dumped me on Craig.”
Dennis didn’t look the least bit ashamed, not with his devilish countenance and his mocking grin. “I’m sure he didn’t have a problem with that.”
“Guess again.”
“He’s one of the good guys,” he said and gave a shrug. “Looked to me like you and Craig got along just fine.”
“Yes. I want to thank you for that. For giving us some time.”
“Women.” Dennis rolled his eyes. “It’s like flipping a switch. I gave up long
ago trying to keep up with your thought process.”
She climbed onto the barstool at the island and sipped her coffee. “Mmmm. Perfect. Craig and I had a chance to talk, but you still ignored me.”
“I knew you’d like Craig if you two ever got together.”
“How come I haven’t met him before?” she asked, thinking of black hair and sizzling blue eyes.
“His job keeps him on the road a lot. He’s CEO of several companies.”
“Isn’t his main office in San Francisco?”
Dennis swallowed and nodded his head in answer. “That’s his home.”
“What’s he doing here?”
“One of his companies is in Charleston.”
“South Carolina?”
“Yes. He drove up from there yesterday. Whenever he’s on the East Coast, we try to get together. If he’s close, he comes here.”
Kelly listened with half an ear. Her mind wandered off to last night and her attraction to Craig. He’d sparked something in her she’d never felt with another man. An instant connection which baffled her. The instant pull between them she could handle, but being spellbound wasn’t like her. Since the first glimpse into his searing gaze, she’d been drawn to him. His magnetism held her, as if she couldn’t break free, and didn’t want to. It was mystifying, confusing, even frightening. But at the same time soothing.
She’d lost it. Only two days ago, she’d sworn off men. Now she was daydreaming about a man she’d just met. A guy who intrigued her, shook her normally controlled world.
“I expect to see smoke any minute.”
“What?” she blinked. For a moment, she’d forgotten where she was.
“Lost you there for a bit. Thought smoke might pour from your ears with all the concentration going on in there. And those lines, right here.” Dennis pressed his thumb to her forehead. “Why the frown?”
“Sit down.” She used her feet to push out the chair beside her.
“Uh-oh. Is this going to be some heavy shit?” He put on a grumpy face and ambled to the tall chair.
“I can still talk to you, right?”
His face grew serious as he sat down. “About anything, Kel.”
“You know I love you as the brother I never had.” What made him wince?
“Brother, yeah, right.”
“What’s with the attitude?”
“Just never thought about it. Thinking of you like a sister, that is. I know there’s never been anything sexual between us, but I don’t think I could share with a sister the things I do with you. I mean, I’m a guy. I don’t want a sister knowing stuff.” He took her hands in his. “I wouldn’t trade what we have for anything in the world.”
“Me either.”
“Now,” he said, letting go of her hands. “What is it?”
“I need to know about Craig.”
“What about him?”
She trusted Dennis and needed his advice, yet still held back the shower incident. “I know I only met Craig yesterday, but I’m really interested.” She quickly held up her hand, palm out. “Before you say anything, I know I came crying on your shoulder only two days ago, swearing off men.”
“I figured it would take longer than one day for you to regain your senses. Craig works fast.”
She shook her head. “I thought he was interested too, but he never made a move.”
Dennis shifted back in his chair. “I thought the air sizzled between you two.”
She placed her hands around the coffee mug, seeking its warmth. “One minute I thought he was into me, the next he was pushing me away.”
“Doesn’t sound like Craig.”
“Does he have a girlfriend?”
“Not that I know of. Never heard him talk about one.” He scratched his head. “Showing up here unexpectedly doesn’t mean anything, but I did sense something off yesterday. I thought you two were hiding something, but I guess it could have been business.”
Kelly held her breath, not wanting to confess how close Dennis had come to the truth.
“It could be a female. What happened last night?”
“Not much. Everyone treated me like I was one of the gang.”
“Is that what you’re upset about? I can’t imagine Craig treating you like one of the guys. You’re too hot.”
“Tell your friend.”
“He’s got eyes.” Dennis smirked as he took a sip of coffee.
“He’s hard to figure out. These strange vibes were coming off him. I sensed he held himself back.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find out.”
“For God’s sake, show some tact. Don’t tell him I’m the one—”
“What is it with women? If you’re interested, give the guy a break. Just say so.” He shoved back from the table and returned with the coffee pot. “Women. They have to play their little games. A man can’t read a woman’s mind.” He poured coffee into his mug, then hers. He took milk from the fridge for her.
“Tell me more about him.”
Dennis propped his hands on the countertop. “Remember when I went to New York a few years ago?”
“You were working on a new design.”
“Yes. Craig was there. He’s top in his field, well respected by a lot of people. The company I work for made him an offer, so did several others. Instead of working for someone else, he started his own company and relocated the headquarters to San Francisco with his mom’s company.”
“On the other side of the country. But you say he’s a good friend and he visits. How come I’ve never met him?”
“Last time you were here, he was in San Fran. Time before that, he was out of the country. Like I told you, he travels. A lot. And yes, he is a good friend. Not married. Doesn’t talk about his family. I get the feeling there’s a story there, but I never asked. I guess he’s a good catch. Almost as good as me, if you’re wondering.” Dennis tilted his cup to his lips while keeping a straight face.
Kelly laughed. “I am.”
“Guess you’re not carrying a torch for Robert?”
“Not unless it would be to torch his ass.”
“If you do it with the same enthusiasm as the day I came in here to find you ripping up paper over the trash can, the guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.” Kelly blew on the hot liquid in her cup. “So, you and Craig were buddies in college? He the same age as you?”
“A year older, but he started college the same time I did. He’d worked and saved money for his first year, to pay for his books. His mom had money, but he wanted to do it on his own. You really get to know a guy when you spend four years together.”
“Student loans, like the rest of us?”
Dennis nodded. “He’s a good guy. And smart. He’s made enough money to pay his college loans ten times over. He’s down-to-earth, solid, never acted the part of a rich guy. Hang around a while and get to know him. Take a leave of absence.”
Dennis reminded her she’d have to drive back to Virginia before Monday. She wasn’t ready to do that. She had vacation coming. She could stay.
“I just took off. I haven’t thought about work. Tomorrow is Sunday, but I can call my boss. Or my secretary can notify him. I suppose I could stay maybe two weeks.”
“Stay longer.”
“I can’t. I only have three weeks’ vacation.”
“What about Shitbird? He would still be around. As a matter of fact, why don’t you relocate?”
“Relocate?”
“What’s holding you in Virginia? Move here. Move in with me.”
That sounded way too tempting. She’d like to take a month or two and hide. If she never saw that jerk, Robert, again it would be just fine with her. When she went home, he was bound to show
up at her door. She’d left quite a scene when she’d stormed off. Robert was not a man who would let her get away with humiliating him.
Wouldn’t it be nice to pick up, leave all her worries and start fresh someplace else?
“You can barely stand me for a week. I’d need to look for another job. Unless you want to keep me.” She wiggled her brows and batted her eyelashes.
“Thought you were interested in my friend.”
Craig. Blue eyes, the color of island waters in the Caribbean, with pools so deep the sheer magnificence beckoned her to sink into their depths. Damn. She had to be realistic.
“It hardly matters when I’ll be gone soon.”
“Like I said, you don’t have to leave. And Craig travels. You could work fast.”
“Just what I need. Another man. The last one turned me off men.”
“Right.” Dennis snorted. He stared at her over his coffee cup as he took a swallow. Then he stepped to her side and leaned his hip against the kitchen island. “If I know Craig, and I know Craig, it won’t take long.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s not a womanizer—”
“Nothing like you, you mean.”
“Smart mouth. No one’s ever called him Casanova, but the ladies like him. I saw the way he looked at you. He’s attracted.” Dennis gave her a long searching look. “You know, there’s something here I think I missed.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Dennis studied her with keen interest. When he got that look on his face, she knew he was trying to solve a mystery. Right now, he thought the mystery was her.
“Something smells like fish.”
“I hate the smell of fish,” she said to throw him off. “And if this kitchen smelled—”
“Right after your first day here, the morning I took your car, I came home, Craig was in the kitchen and you were in the shower.”
She didn’t like the way Dennis was adding things up. He was too darn clever for her. “Why bring that up?”
Instant Enticement Page 5
