TANTALIZING

by Lori Foster

  Nick looked across the room and found so many eyes boring into him, he flushed. With the music playing, no one could hear their conversation, but he had the feeling every one of them knew he'd just been chastised, and why.

  How the hell had he gotten himself into this predicament? And how could he tell his grandfather that he didn't know what his plans were because he didn't know what Josie's were? She had insisted their time together be temporary, no strings, simple fun. Of course, he'd never betray her by saying so.

  He ran a hand through his hair and silently cursed. He didn't like being bullied, not even by his grandfather. "Right now, my plans are to find Josie and tell her hello. So if you'll both excuse me...?"

  He stepped away and heard Mrs. Wiley say, "Youth. They can be so pigheaded."

  Jeb laughed. "He reminds me of myself at his age."

  Mrs. Wiley cooed, "Oh, really?" There was a great deal of interest in her tone.

  Nick finally found Josie in the kitchen. Once again, she took him by surprise with her appearance. He'd seen the sexy, femme fatale, the disheveled homemaker, the harried working woman... Now she was the sweet girl next door. She wore a long tailored plaid skirt and flat oxford shoes. Her short-sleeve sweater fit her loosely.

  She looked like a schoolgirl.

  He grinned at the image and wondered what games he could come up with using that theme. She hadn't noticed his entrance. She seemed preoccupied, though she wasn't serving any particular function that he could tell. She stood at the counter, surveying the items Mrs. Wiley had laid out in a large display. Without disturbing her, Nick looked, too. There was an assortment of fancy bottled lotions, scented candles in various sizes, pink light bulbs and music meant to entice. He thought of the advertisement he had planned and felt good. He hoped Josie would be pleased.

  He slipped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. "Thinking of buying anything?"

  She jerked against him and gasped. "Nick, for heaven's sake, you startled me."

  He could feel her tension, her immediate withdrawal. His jaw tightened. Trying to dredge up an air of nonchalance, he asked, "What do you think I should buy?"

  "You don't have to buy anything. You didn't even need to show up."

  She'd shown so much reluctance to have him there, he'd perversely insisted on attending. And to ensure success, he'd gone to Mrs. Wiley. He didn't like being excluded from parts of Josie's life. Usually, women tried to reel him in, not push him away. He didn't like Josie's emotional distance; it made him almost frenzied with need.

  "Of course I'll buy something," he said while searching her face for a clue to her thoughts, but she was closed off to him. "Besides, I needed to be here to try to get a feel for the market I'll be appealing to. And I think I've come up with just the thing."

  Slowly she started to pull away from him. He pretended not to notice. "Josie?"

  Her smile was dim. "Tell me your plan."

  He kissed her nose, her cheek. He couldn't be near her without wanting to touch her. He couldn't wait to get her alone. "I don't think so, not yet. I'll run my idea past Mrs. Wiley first. If she likes it, I'll let you know."

  "I hate it when you're secretive."

  She sounded so disgruntled that he kissed her again. He didn't want to stop kissing her, but he heard the sounds of the party in the other room and pulled back. Josie would be embarrassed to be caught necking in the kitchen. "How long do we need to stay here?"

  If possible, she looked even more uncomfortable. "I'll be here till late. I want to help clean up afterward."

  "I can help, too."

  "No!" She looked at him then backed away. "No, you should head on home. I don't know how long it will take and there's no reason to waste your entire night."

  Waste his night? His teeth nearly ground together as he pulled her close again. He tried to sound only mildly curious. Teasing. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

  Her head thumped against his breastbone, which offered not one ounce of reassurance.

  "Hey," he said softly. "Josie?"

  "The thing is," she said, her face still tucked close to his throat, "I'm a little indisposed tonight."

  "Indisposed?" She was giving him the brush-off? Had she already found another man to experiment with? Anger and a tinge of fear ignited. He ignored the fear, refusing to even acknowledge it. "What the hell does that mean?"

  He could almost hear her thinking, and it infuriated him. "Damn it, Josie, will you look at me?" It seemed so long since he'd seen her, anything could have happened. Her sister could have gotten to her, or his grandfather. Hell, it seemed all the odds were against him. His blood burned and he knew there was no way he'd allow her to go to another man. Not that he had any authority over her, but...

  "I can't have any fun with you tonight."

  She blurted that out, then stared at him, waiting. He had the feeling he was supposed to understand, but damned if he did.

  Josie rolled her eyes. She turned her back on him and began straightening the items on the counter, even though they were already in perfect alignment. Nick thought she wasn't even aware of what she did. He felt ridiculous.

  "Honey, I'd really like an explana—"

  "I'm not pregnant, okay?"

  He stilled, letting her words sink in and slotting them with everything else she'd said so far. Realization dawned. On the heels of that came a vague disappointment that he quickly squelched. "You're on your period?"

  She gave him a narrow-eyed glare that could have set fire to dry grass.

  "Josie, honey, for crying out loud, I'm thirty-two years old. I understand how women's bodies work. You don't have to act like it's some big embarrassment." He knew he sounded harsh, but in the back of his mind had been the possibility that she'd be tied to him, that he might have compromised her and in the process produced some lasting results. He'd never even considered such a thing before, and he hadn't really consciously thought about it until now. But he couldn't deny the damning truth of what he felt: disappointment.

  "Well, then, given your worldly experience, I'm sure you understand that there's no point in us seeing each other tonight." She started to march away, but he caught her arm and swung her back around.

  These overwhelming emotions were new to him, and he held her close so she couldn't see his expression or wiggle away. "I'd still like to see you tonight."

  She forced her way back to look at him. "You're kidding?"

  "No, I'm not kidding, damn it." He'd never had to beg for a date before. He didn't like the feeling. "I can settle for a late movie and conversation if you can."

  She looked undecided and his annoyance grew. After what seemed an undue amount of thought, given the simplicity of his suggestion, she nodded. "All right."

  He propped his hands on his hips. Her compliance had been grudging at best and it irked him. "Fine. And in the future, don't be so hesitant about discussing things with me. I don't like not knowing what you're thinking."

  He waited to see if she would question his reference to the future. Their time together, according to her preposterous plan, was limited. At first, he'd been relieved by her edicts. But now, whenever he thought of that stipulation, his body and mind rebelled. Every day he wanted her more.

  "I'll try to keep that in mind" was all she said. She picked up the tray of drinks and started for the door. Nick took one last peek at the display, decided his ad plan would be perfect and went in search of Mrs. Wiley. If everything worked out as he hoped, not only would Mrs. Wiley be able to expand her client list, Josie would also get some freed-up time.

  Her dedication to the elderly who'd become her friends was admirable and he'd never interfere with her friendships. He wanted to support her in everything she did, everything she ever wanted to do. But now he wanted her to have more time for him, too. A lot more time.

  The thought only caused a small prickle of alarm now. He was getting used to his possessive feelings. She would get used to them, too, despite her absurd notions of sowing wild oats. She
could damn well sow her oats with him.

  He caught up with her in the living room just as she finished handing out drinks, and when two older men scooted over on the couch to make room for her to sit, Nick wedged his way in, as well. The men glared at him and he smiled back, then leaned close to Josie to gain her attention and stake a claim. Ridiculous to do so when he was the only man in attendance under the age of sixty-five – besides Bob, who sure as hell didn't count. He felt the need regardless.

  "Your grandfather seems smitten with Mrs. Wiley." Josie had leaned close to his ear to share that small tidbit of gossip. Her warm breath made him catch his.

  "Smitten?"

  "That's his word." She took his hand and laced their fingers together. "Mrs. Wiley went with me the other day to visit him, and when I was ready to leave, he asked her to stay. He said he'd call a cab for her when she had to go home."

  "That smooth old dog."

  Josie laughed. "I think he's adorable. And a fraud. Do you know, there isn't a thing in the world still wrong with his hip. He was limping around dramatically right up until he spied Mrs. Wiley, then he looked ready to strut."

  Nick laughed at the picture she painted. "His hip still gives him a few pains in the nastier weather, but he gets around good enough. As long as he doesn't try climbing the stairs too often."

  "Mrs. Wiley told him he needed a condo like hers, instead of that big house. He's been considering it."

  Shocked, Nick turned to look at his grandfather. Not only Mrs. Wiley had made note of him. He was surrounded by women, all of them fawning on him. But he kept one arm around Mrs. Wiley. Nick snorted. He'd never have swallowed it if he hadn't seen it himself. "I do believe he's fallen for her. In all the years since my grandmother died, back when I was too young to even remember, I've never seen Granddad put his arm around a woman."

  "Mrs. Wiley won't take no for an answer."

  Nick stared at Josie's upturned face, her neatly braided hair and her small smile. He decided it might be a good rule for him to adopt.

  By the end of the evening he was the proud owner of new boxers he planned to gift wrap for Bob, and richly scented bubble bath for Josie. What she might have bought, he didn't know. She'd kept her order form hidden from him.

  He and his grandfather helped the two women clean up, and he presented his plan to Mrs. Wiley. She was thrilled.

  "Advertising to the elderly in the retirement magazines! It's a wonderful idea. I can travel to their residences and put on the displays, or they can order directly from me."

  "I checked around, and almost all of the retirement centers have a special hall for entertaining and events. We could call it Romance for Retirees. And each class of gifts will need a catchy name. Like I thought maybe the scented oils could be classified under Love Potions #99."

  Jeb laughed. "And the silk boxers and robes could be listed, Rated S – for Seniors only."

  Josie jumped into the game, her grin wide. "What about Senior Sensations for the candles. And the wines could be Aged to Perfection."

  Nick looked down at her, one brow quirked high. "You're pretty good at this. You missed your calling."

  Pride set a glow to her features, and that look, so warm and sweet, caused Nick's heart to thump heavily. He wanted to kiss her, to...

  "Finish up the telling, boy, then you can see her home."

  Roughly clearing his throat, Nick brought his attention back to Mrs. Wiley and his grandfather. "I thought you might want to make the parties a monthly event, open to all newcomers. That way more people would be inclined to join in and some of the retirement homes might be persuaded to make it part of a monthly outing."

  Mrs. Wiley clapped her hands and gave him a huge grin. "That's wonderful! I love it."

  "I can work up the ads later this week, then get them to you for approval."

  Mrs. Wiley put on a stern face. "I'm overwhelmed. And I insist on paying you something. I can't possibly let you go to all this trouble for free."

  "'Course you can," Granddad insisted. "Let the boy do what he wants. He usually does anyway."

  "That's right. Stubbornness runs in the family." Nick looked pointedly at his grandfather, then continued. "I'm thinking there's probably a lot of small, local publications where placing an ad won't be too costly, along with the insurance and retirement periodicals that go out. I'll call around on Monday and see what their advertising rates are."

  Granddad took him by the arm and started leading him to the front door. Josie followed along, grinning. "You do that, Nick. Get right on it, Monday."

  Mrs. Wiley was still thanking him when Jeb practically shoved him out the door. Josie cozied up to his side. "I think we need to get going, Nick."

  "I think you may be right." As he finished speaking, the condo door closed in his face and he heard his grandfather's laugh – followed by Mrs. Wiley's very delighted squeal.

  ~ 9 ~

  WHEN THEY REACHED Josie's condo, Nick offered to get the tape. "It's been a long day. Why don't you take a quick shower and get comfortable while I run down to the video store?"

  Josie blinked up at him. "How do I know you'll pick out a tape I like?"

  "Trust me." He tucked a wind-tossed curl behind her ear, struggling with his new feelings. He wanted to hold her close, keep her close. It was distracting, the way she made him feel complete with just a smile. "Give me your key and then you won't have to let me in."

  To his surprise, she handed him the key without any hesitation. "I'll see you in just a little bit, then."

  He rented two tapes, bought popcorn and colas, and returned not thirty minutes later to find Josie in the bathroom blow-drying her hair. She was bent over at the waist, her long red hair flipped forward to hang almost to her knees. Nick stared, mesmerized. She looked so young, with her face scrubbed clean and her baggy pajamas all but swallowing up her petite body.

  She also looked sexy as hell.

  Remarkable. No matter what she wore, what persona she presented, he found her irresistible. He wondered if she hadn't been dressed so sexily the first time he saw her, would he have reacted the same? It seemed entirely possible given the way his body responded to her now.

  He stood there watching her for a good five minutes, wanting to touch her, to wrap her beautiful hair around his hands. Her movements were all intrinsically female and he loved how her bottom swayed as she moved the dryer, how her small bare feet poked out at the end of the pajama bottoms. Ridiculous things.

  In such a short time, she'd come to occupy so much of his thoughts, and his thoughts were as often sweet, like Josie, as they were hot and wild like the way she made him feel when he was inside her.

  She cared about people – her sister and her patients and even his grandfather whom she hardly knew. He hoped she cared for him, but he couldn't tell because she was so set on having a purely physical relationship. He'd encouraged her in that regard, but no more. Tonight would be a good place to start.

  She turned off the dryer and straightened, noticing him at the same time. A soft blush colored her face. "Um, I didn't realize you were back." She started trying to smooth her hair, now tossed in wild profusion around her head.

  Nick grinned, bursting with emotion too rare to keep inside. "You look beautiful."

  "Uh-huh."

  He crossed his heart and held up two fingers. "Scout's honor. I wouldn't lie to you."

  She put away the discarded towel and started out of the bathroom around him. "You were never a Scout, Nick. Jeb would have told me if you were."

  He followed close on her heels.

  "True enough, but the theory's the same." He could smell the clean scent of her body, of flowery soap and powder softness. And Josie.

  She headed to the couch, but as she started to sit, he pulled her into his lap, relishing the weight of her rounded bottom on his groin. The new position both eased and intensified the ache.

  He caught her chin and turned her face toward him. Before he could even guess at his own thoughts, he heard himsel
f ask, "Are you relieved you're not pregnant?"

  He saw her chest expand as she caught her breath, saw her tender bottom lip caught between her teeth.

  She looked down, apparently fascinated with his chin. After a moment, she whispered, "It's strange, really. I'd never before given babies much thought. There's always been a succession of priorities in my life that occupied my mind. Getting past my parents' deaths, getting through school, finding a job and then starting my own business. I suppose I'm fairly single-minded about things."

  "But?"

  Her gaze met his briefly, then skittered away. "There's really no room in my life right now for a child. But still, in my mind, I'd pictured what it would look like, if it would be a boy or a girl..."

  He pictured a little girl who looked like Josie. An invisible fist squeezed his heart.

  "Oh, good grief." She threw up her hands and forced a smile. "Luckily I'm not pregnant and so that's that. We've got nothing to worry about." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

  She was always so open with him. Yet he'd done nothing but be secretive and withdrawn. He'd manipulated her at every turn, even as he worried about her trying to control him.

  Ha! Josie was unlike any woman he'd ever known. She wasn't like Myra, trying to run his life, or his mother, rejecting him, or any of the other women he'd known who'd tried so diligently to mold him into a marriageable man. No, Josie hadn't tried to change his life, and he'd been too busy trying to change hers to notice.

  He was a total jerk. A fool, an idiot.

  He'd lied to her from the start in order to get his way. Then he'd continued to lie to try to keep her interested, claiming he agreed with her short-term plan, when even at the beginning he'd known something about her was special. He'd even done his best to alter her job, just to make more time for himself. He'd forced his way in with her friends, but never introduced her to his. He didn't deserve her – but damned if he was letting her go.

  Pulling her close and pressing his face into her hair, he asked, "Can I spend the night with you, Josie?"

  She tensed, and he hugged her even tighter. "Just to sleep. It's late and I want to hold you."