A Seductive Kiss

by Francis Ray

  He was as stiff as a board. She glanced at him through her lashes. A muscle leaped in his jaw. She waited until they were in the car before asking, “Are you angry at me or Roscoe?”

  “I fight my own battles,” he said. “I don’t use my family connections.”

  “I’m sorry.” She sighed. She should have known. “I forget that your family and in-laws are different.” Her family and a lot of the people she was around tossed influential names about like confetti. “If you won’t be mad with me, I promise not to forget again.”

  The corners of his mouth kicked up. “I never could stay upset with you for long.”

  She relaxed against the seat. “You’ve had practice. Ruining the rim on your bike, letting your hamster out, leaving your favorite book of poetry out when it rained. I could go on.”

  “You were trying to put up my bike when I left it outside. It wasn’t your fault I was careless, or that the bike was too heavy for you and it fell,” he said, watching her face. “You were trying to feed Charlie. The weatherman forecast sunshine.”

  She stared at Alex. Was there another man who understood her as well?

  “We’re here,” Alex announced as the car pulled up at the curb of her apartment.

  Taking his hand, Dianne got out, nodding to the doorman on duty. Crossing the opulent lobby, they went to the bank of elevators. The apartment was another perk of being “The Face” of the House of Harrington. There was also an apartment in Paris. They were silent on the ride in the elevator and the walk to her door.

  Opening her door, she stepped inside. “Please come in.”

  Alex seemed to hesitate for a moment before entering. He looked around. “Very nice. You’ve changed things since I was here last.”

  She wasn’t surprised Alex had noticed. “Cosmo had a spread on where I live several months ago and Granddad thought the place needed to be redone,” she told him. “The company hired a decorator. Luckily, she and I agreed on the changes.”

  Worry crossed his face. “Is this place in your name on the lease?”

  “Don’t worry, Alex.” She tossed her clutch on the sofa. “Would you like something to drink?”

  He took a step closer. “Just the answer to my question. Why did you want me to go to a party that you obviously didn’t want to go to?”

  “I’m not sure I can explain,” she said.

  “Try.”

  She gazed up into his patient eyes. “Perhaps a demonstration would be better.” Closing the short distance between them, she circled his neck with her arms and plastered her body and lips against him.

  Alex saw her moving toward him, could have stepped back or stopped her, anything to avert what he knew would be his downfall. Or was it his forbidden fantasy come true? At the moment her mouth touched his, he was still thinking. That all changed when the tip of her tongue slid inside his mouth.

  His body went on full, greedy alert. Hands that hadn’t known what to do reached for her, pulling her even closer, deepening the kiss. The taste of her was rich, exotic, just like the perfume that had grabbed him by the throat two seconds after he’d seen her. With her lush breasts pressed against him, her incredible body flush against him, he ceased to think. His hands and mouth took over while his brain took a vacation.

  She was soft—everywhere. The slim back, the slender arms. His hand cupped her hips to bring her incredible softness closer still. She moved seductively against his rigid hardness. The top of his head almost exploded.

  This woman, Dianne, was all that he had ever wanted, desired, and she wanted him, too. He stilled as the brain on vacation decided to return. He tried his best to push the thought Why now away, but his brain was having none of it. He’d always been inquisitive and sought logical answers. Dianne kissing him like she wanted to crawl into him wasn’t logical.

  Lifting his head, he broke the kiss, stared down into her face flushed with desire, watched her eyes full of unquenched need. He cursed his brain and locked his arms to keep from lowering his head and damning the reason she had finally seen him as a man and not as the brother of her best friend.

  “Why?”

  “W-what?” she murmured, still looking a bit dazed.

  Alex struggled not to be peacock-proud that he’d put that look on her face. Answers. “Why me? Why now? Why the party?”

  Her head lowered until her forehead rested on his chest. “Your heart is beating fast.”

  “Dianne,” he said tightly. He might go to the mat for her, but she also knew he liked straight answers.

  Her head lifted. Desire still shimmered in her incredible light brown eyes, but there was also something else there.

  Vulnerability.

  He started to pull her back into his arms, but she pushed away. Standing there with her back to him, she looked alone. She’d had few people in her life who really loved her.

  “Dianne,” he said, softly, reaching out to lightly touch her shoulder. At least that was what he’d intended, but it turned into a caress. His hand clenched. He wondered if they could ever go back to before the kiss.

  She turned and stared at him. The look direct. There was nothing vulnerable about her now. “I thought it would be kind of obvious what I want from you.”

  His body hardened. Down boy. “Perhaps you should tell me so there are no mistakes.”

  “Sounds like a lawyer.” She smiled, tilted her head flirtatiously, then threaded her fingers through the lustrous mane of long black hair that he’d dreamed of seeing on his pillow, stroking his chest. “Alexander McCall Stewart, I want you to be my first lover. Is that plain enough?”

  Chapter 5

  Alex was stunned. He simply stared at Dianne.

  He wasn’t stupid enough to think the kiss or the straight-on request had been teasing. Dianne wasn’t the teasing or impulsive type.

  He was still hung up on first. He stared at the beautiful and desirable woman before him and couldn’t reconcile this with the fact that she hadn’t been intimate with anyone before. “You haven’t—” He couldn’t go on. There were too many nights that he’d tortured himself with thoughts that she was in bed with another man.

  She gazed up at him through a sweep of long black lashes. “Mrs. Stewart and Catherine’s doing.”

  “Mother and Catherine?”

  Sighing, she waved him to a side chair in the great room, then took a seat on the mile-long white sofa. She’d barely settled before she picked up a blue silk throw pillow, hugged it to her stomach, and wrapped her arms around it. “When your mother was giving talks to Catherine about the birds and the bees, and the hormonal, sex-driven cravings of young boys, she included me.” Dianne shrugged. “Guess she knew my parents weren’t going to do it. Early on Catherine decided to wait to be intimate until she was married, and since I loved her and wanted to be like her, I decided to wait, too.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Then that no-good jerk broke off their engagement because Catherine found out after her operation that she couldn’t have children. I wanted to knock his head into a brick wall,” she finished angrily.

  Alex’s eyes fired. “I went looking for him, but the cowardly bastard had left town. Dad made me see that putting him in the hospital wouldn’t help Catherine get over the pain of his desertion.” He rubbed his fists. “It sure would have made me feel better.”

  “She’s happier with Luke.”

  “And that’s the only reason I didn’t beat him to a slimy pulp when I ran into him in Boston a couple of months ago when I went there on business.” Alex settled back in his wing chair. “What changed your mind about waiting?”

  She cut him a look. “Redirecting the witness, counselor?”

  He leaned forward. He had to know. “Yes.”

  Dianne bit her lower lip, picked at the fringe tassel on the pillow. “Don’t you think it’s time?”

  “What do you think?”

  Her eyes lanced up to him; the pillow followed. He caught it, then tossed it on the chair next to him. “Your body. Your decision.”


  Dianne blew out a breath, then leaned her head back against the sofa. “You’ve always understood me better than anyone, even Catherine. I’m hoping you’ll understand this time as well.”

  “I’m listening.” And jumping for joy on the inside.

  She came upright, wrapped her slim arms around her waist, and paced. “You already know what I’m about to say although we’ve never discussed it out loud.” She stopped and looked at him. “My parents use me when convenient and forget about me the rest of the time. My maternal grandparents died when I was small. My daddy’s parents were seldom in my life since they lived in New York and we lived in Boston.”

  She swallowed. “Once my paternal grandmother died, I went to live with Grandfather because my parents thought if I did, they wouldn’t have to be worried with an awkward, overweight, unwanted disappointment of a daughter.”

  Alex shot to his feet. “Don’t.”

  She held up her hand. “Please. I’m not feeling too sorry for myself. There’s a point to this.”

  He took his seat.

  She sent him a wan smile. “I was Granddad’s hope for the House of Harrington to continue. Dad had no interest in the firm except the monthly deposit to his checking account. I worked hard, but I couldn’t create from nothing. I could see how to enhance, but my grandfather didn’t think any of my designs were marketable.” She smiled, this time for real.

  “He was so conscious of hurting my feelings, so patient, so supportive. A lot like you and your family. When I suggested a line for women my age, and ideas, he was over the moon.”

  “So you did have what it took to design, and now you’re famous.”

  “And alone.” She folded her arms. “I took you to the party because I wasn’t sure about asking you to be the one. I wanted to see if the little zaps that happened to us at Sabra’s party were an accident, see if you were attracted to me.”

  “What did you decide?” he asked with more calm than he felt. He burned for her. Her parents were selfish idiots.

  “They weren’t accidents, but I forgot an important part of my decision.” Her face softened and her arms dropped to her sides. “At Sabra’s party, I saw something else. Unconditional love. The couples there had that in abundance. They’d go the ends of the world for each other. I want that before I die—if only for a little while.”

  He’d love her for a lifetime and beyond if she let him. He came to his feet and started toward her. “I accept with pleasure.”

  She swallowed. Both hands came up this time. He kept walking. Her trembling hands flexed on the fine wool of his suit jacket. “I guess it’s sort of late, but are you seeing anyone, or do you have a girlfriend?”

  “No girlfriend and not seeing anyone,” he answered. “I wouldn’t have kissed you if I were.”

  “Somehow I knew that, but I had to ask,” she said softly.

  “Understandable. Any other questions or concerns?”

  “I just want you to know that I don’t expect it to last.” He frowned and she rushed on. “Ground rules first. One, we stay friends afterward. I won’t risk that for an affair. You’re too important to me.”

  Easy. He had no intention of letting her go. “Agreed.”

  “Rule two. You don’t pretend.” Her voice shook, then firmed. “I want to know how it feels when a man looks at me as if I’m his world. I’ve been told too many lies or ignored in the past. If you don’t feel it, please don’t fake it.”

  Easy again. “Agreed.” His hands settled at her waist. He stared into her uncertain, wistful eyes. Love. She wanted love when that was all he’d ever wanted to give her. His lips brushed against hers. Her breath hitched. Her hands clenched. “I could kiss you forever.”

  Sighing, she leaned into him. “No one has ever made me feel this—this edgy way—when he kissed me before.”

  His hand tightened. Her eyes widened.

  “What?”

  “Rule. I don’t want to hear about you kissing or anything else with another man,” he said, aware of how Neanderthal and unfair he sounded.

  A slow smile curved her beautifully shaped mouth upward. “You’re jealous.”

  “I’m glad I can entertain you.”

  Her arms went around his neck. “Alex,” she breathed, and her voice hitched. “No one has ever cared enough to be jealous.” She leaned back. “I’m glad it’s you.”

  He kissed her. He couldn’t help it. She was so lovable and thought she wasn’t. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting the sweetness. “I’m glad you chose me, too. I care about you. If I didn’t, I would have never agreed.”

  “Do … do we do it now?” she asked with a mixture of uncertainly and excitement. “I put candles and fresh flowers in the bedroom in case you said yes.”

  He kissed her trembling palm. “We’ll save them for another time. How about we get to know each other again, date and have fun first.”

  “It’s Tuesday. I leave in a week.” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Some things shouldn’t be rushed.” He wanted her to know when they made love that it wasn’t an obligation, but a pleasure.

  “All right. You’re the experienced one in this,” she said.

  He found he didn’t want to think of the other women before Dianne. He started to enact another rule, then changed his mind. There might have been women before Dianne, but she would be the last. “People falling in love can’t wait to see each other. So how about breakfast in the morning?”

  The quick smile faded. She tucked her head.

  “What?” His finger lifted her chin. “Tell me. They also talk and are honest with each other.”

  She looked at him as if she knew he lied and remained silent.

  “Do you think if Catherine had a problem, Luke wouldn’t move heaven and earth to solve it?” he asked. “The ones who make it work are honest and talk things out.”

  “The weight thing,” she whispered.

  If that René guy ever showed up in New York, Alex was going to have a strong talk with him. “Many restaurants have light or low-cal menus. What time is good for me to pick you up?”

  “Whenever,” she told him. “For the first time I’m not scheduled for any interviews or fittings. My time is my own. You, on the other hand, are always booked for weeks.”

  “You’re usually all over the place when you’re here,” he said.

  “I know. I mentioned that to the PR rep at Harrington in New York and she said they wanted to give me a chance to relax after the last fashion show,” she told him. “It seems we have perfect timing.”

  Alex wasn’t so sure, but he let it slide. “Is eight all right? I’m usually at the office by nine.”

  “Fine. Despite what you might have heard about the lazy life of models, we work hard and often get up pretty early for morning shoots or to start preparing for a fashion show,” she said. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Good.” He kissed her, then went to the door. “Good night, beautiful.”

  “Good night, Alex.” On impulse, she lifted on tiptoes to brush her lips against his. His arm curved around her waist, dragging her to him. His mouth ravished hers, then she was free.

  Dianne opened her eyes to see him striding down the hall. He stepped in the elevator and turned. Even from this distance, she felt the burning desire in his eyes. He wanted her. The doors closed.

  Stepping back into her apartment, Dianne shut and locked the door. The building had twenty-four-hour security and a doorman, but her grandfather had taught her to always use the extra lock because she traveled so much.

  Dianne started for her bedroom, but her shaky legs had other ideas. She plopped down in the same chair Alex had vacated.

  We’re going to be lovers.

  Knowing it was really going to happen was vastly different from just thinking about it. Pushing up from the chair, glad her legs supported her, she went to her bedroom, untying the sash as she went. In front of the ten-by-four-foot mirror, she tossed the dress on the bed. In a red
demi-bra and thong, she tried to study her body impartially.

  Nothing jiggled except her breasts. She couldn’t pinch an inch at her waist. But René thought she needed to lose ten pounds.

  He’s an idiot.

  Dianne chuckled on remembering Alex’s incensed words and firmly turned away from the mirror. Alex thought she was beautiful. Tonight, that was enough.

  * * *

  Alex was pensive on the car ride to his apartment. Dianne wanted a no-strings affair; he wanted a lifetime. How to get her from what she thought she wanted to where he wanted them to end up was the big question. After paying the driver, he got out, spoke to the doorman, and went to the elevator. Inside, he punched his floor.

  The chrome-and-glass enclosure climbed swiftly to his destination. Getting off, he went to his apartment. Sin lived one floor up; C. J., one floor down. Inside, Alex went straight to his bedroom and undressed. He thought better in the shower.

  Moments later he stepped naked beneath the sixteen jet streams. Dianne needed to be courted and loved. She needed to know that she was smart and worthwhile. It made him mad as hell that she didn’t think she was. It scared him spitless that she might have gone to some other man. He shook the disturbing thought away.

  She hadn’t. He dealt in facts. He just had to remember that.

  The hard fact was that in the coming days he had to bind her to him with love, with sex if he had to. When Tuesday came, she wasn’t walking out of his life again. She was his life. But she wasn’t ready to hear that.

  She wanted them to be lovers and friends, with emphasis on friends. She didn’t expect the relationship to last. Her parents hadn’t been there for her so she didn’t think anyone else would be. He was going to show her how wrong she was.

  Shutting off the water, he stepped out of the open travertine enclosure and reached for the fluffy white towel on the heated rack. He’d been handed his dream; now all he had to do was make sure he kept it.

  It stood to reason that Dianne wanted and deserved the whole courtship package. She wanted to feel as special as she was. He’d give her memories to last two lifetimes.