by Nina Croft
“But why?”
“That’s something else you’ll have to ask him. I didn’t take it seriously, but the guys warned me to keep my hands off. Dave reckons the boss fingerprints you at the end of each day.”
She wasn’t sure she liked the way the conversation was turning. “I—”
“No more,” Steve interrupted. “I’ve said enough. More than enough. I want to keep my job.” He crossed the room but paused at the door and grinned. “Good luck.”
Was she going to need it?
Kim considered showering and changing first, but she felt too worked up; she wanted answers, and she wanted them now. Everything seemed to be falling apart. And now it looked like Steve was well and truly out of the running as potential itch-scratcher—thanks to Jake.
Why the hell would he warn the guys off her? She reckoned it was his protective streak. At least she hoped it was, because another, even less welcome, option nagged at her mind. She had a flashback to that almost-kiss, the one she’d convinced herself had never nearly happened, and she shook her head to dispel the image. No, it was definitely a protection thing, and it was time he learned that she could stand up for herself.
With that in mind, she squared her shoulders, marched through the swinging double doors, and jammed her finger on the elevator button.
Margie was leaving as Kim arrived.
“He’s expecting you,” she said, giving Kim’s outfit a small smile. “Sure you don’t want to change first?”
Her workout clothes were quite revealing—she’d bought them for that reason—but she doubted Jake would notice. His door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open and stepped inside.
Jake stood by the window with his back to her, hands shoved in his pockets. He didn’t turn as she entered, but she could sense waves of tension radiating from him.
She crossed the room silently and came to stand beside him. Finally, he swung around to face her, and a slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Glancing down, she realized her feet were bare, and for a second she wished she’d taken the time to change.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“That?”
“With Steve?”
“Shouldn’t that be my question? I don’t expect to trip over giggling, groping employees every few minutes.”
“I was not giggling.”
“So you admit you were groping?”
“Maybe.” She needed someone to talk to, someone to advise her, and after all, Jake was her role model in all things of a sex-related nature. He was the obvious person. She took a deep breath. “Can I talk to you about something?”
“Go ahead.”
Trouble was, now she didn’t know where to start. She studied her bare toes while she got up the courage to continue. “You know there hasn’t been anyone since Michael?”
“I know.”
“Well, I haven’t wanted anyone, and I’d sort of gotten used to the idea that perhaps I’m just not attractive to the opposite sex. And then—”
“Then what?” Jake interrupted, his face reflecting the utter amazement in his voice.
He wasn’t making this easy for her. “Listen. I’ve gotten used to the idea that men don’t fancy me. I’m obviously not sexy.”
“Where the hell did you get the idea that you aren’t sexy?”
“Well, Michael never wanted anything to do with me like that.” Not after the first time, anyway.
Jake stared at her incredulously once again. “Of course Michael didn’t want you. He was gay!”
She gasped, shock numbing her brain. “What?”
“I presumed you knew. You mean all this time—”
“Michael? Gay?” She flopped in the chair behind her. “Are you sure?”
But even as she spoke, the pieces of a particularly difficult jigsaw puzzle fell into place, as though this amazing fact should have been clear all along. She sat for a few moments and reviewed her past.
Her marriage wasn’t a subject she liked to dwell on. She’d been eighteen when she met Michael, home from boarding school and desperately unhappy. Holidays had always been a problem; since her mother’s death eight years earlier, she’d found it impossible to connect with her father. She loved him, but they invariably clashed, and she felt as though she intruded on his orderly existence.
Also, looking back, she acknowledged that after seven years in an all-girls boarding school, she’d been a very immature eighteen-year-old and unprepared for real life.
Then she’d met Michael. Michael had been completely outside her experience. Considerably older, smooth, sophisticated, he had swept her off her feet in what she now realized had been an orchestrated campaign to break down her defenses. The one thing he hadn’t done, she reflected wryly, was seduce her. Now she understood why. During the courtship, he’d kept both his drinking and his temper under wraps, which proved he could do it if he wanted to. Once married to her, he hadn’t cared.
“You mean you didn’t know?” Jake asked.
She shook her head. “But how did you?”
“Because I had him investigated, of course. The first time we met, you had a sprained wrist and a split lip. I needed to know what else that bastard was capable of.”
“But why did you bother?”
“Do you think I would have left you with him for a moment if I thought he was abusing you in bed?” She widened her eyes at the ferocity in his voice. “It was bad enough letting you go back to him at all, but I told myself you had to leave of your own free will.” He shook his head. “Why did you marry him in the first place? I could never understand it.”
Why exactly had she married Michael? “Because he told me he loved me,” she replied at last. Despite how pathetic the confession made her sound, it was the truth. But not all the truth. “Of course, there was also the fact that my father ordered me not to marry him.” She shrugged defensively; she wasn’t particularly proud of being so contrary. “You know me—I was never good at taking orders.”
“Still aren’t,” Jake muttered. “You probably get it from your father.”
“You know my father?”
“Our paths may have crossed once or twice.”
Kim frowned but stored the comment away for future consideration. Her brain still reeled from his earlier revelations—both that Jake had bothered to investigate Michael and that her ex-husband was homosexual.
“I can’t believe it. Michael was gay.” She shook her head again. “Well, actually that’s not strictly true—it all makes sense now. But why did he marry me?”
“At a guess—family pressure.”
“Oh. So it wasn’t my fault. It really, truly wasn’t me. He would have been the same with any woman. I thought I must be ugly, that there was something missing. I thought… Wait a minute. That explains why Michael didn’t want me. However, it doesn’t explain why, in a building full of girl-crazy guys, not one of them has so much as looked in my direction.” Except according to Steve, Jake had warned them all off her. Jake watched her, his blandest expression on his face, giving absolutely nothing away. If she wanted to find out anything more, it would have to be a full frontal attack.
She leaned toward him and stared him straight in the face. “Did you tell them all to stay away from me?”
Jake smiled, a slow curve of his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “I may have suggested that it was more than their jobs were worth.” He paused, the smile becoming positively feral. “That combined with the promise to break most of the larger bones in their bodies seemed to be effective.”
“But why? Why did you think you had to protect me from them?”
“Because you needed time to get over your marriage, that’s why. I was damned if anyone was going to pick you up on the rebound. You’ve obviously got no sense where men are concerned. It’s a big, bad world out there, and you’ve been protected whether you knew it or not.”
“Whether I like it or not, you mean. I’ve felt so safe over the last few years and it’s all been a lie.”
&nb
sp; “Isn’t that what I promised when I helped you leave Michael, to keep you safe?”
“Yes, but…” She hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words. “I thought at last, I was strong, that I could stand up on my own.”
Jake waved a hand as if her independence was unimportant. “So, you’re telling me that you’d like someone to show some interest in you?”
“Well, why wouldn’t I?”
“And you’ve picked that half-wit Steve?”
“He’s not a half-wit. And besides, I didn’t pick him for his brains. I’m looking for sex, not intelligent conversation.”
Jake leaned back on the edge of his desk, arms folded across his chest, and she squirmed under the penetrating scrutiny.
“That’s it? You want sex?” He gave her a slow, lazy smile. “And you didn’t think to come to me?”
Chapter Four
Had Jake just suggested she come to him for sex?
Kim decided she needed to be very clear before she stuck her foot in her mouth and made a complete idiot of herself. “Come to you for…?”
“If you want sex, I’m here for you.”
“I’m not sure I want it that much,” she muttered.
For a second, the muscles tightened in his jaw, and then he visibly relaxed. “I’ve sorted out every other aspect of your life—why not sex?”
“Because you’re my friend.”
“And friends can’t have sex?”
Could friends have sex and stay friends? She pushed out of her chair and paced the room as she tried to come up with a valid argument.
“But you’re going out with Nadia.”
“I told you—she’s history. Besides, I never slept with Nadia.”
Her brows knit together. “You didn’t? That’s not what she said.”
“She lied.”
Kim jerked to a stop and stared at him, her eyes widening. “Hey, don’t tell me you’re gay. Not that that’s a problem or anything. I mean—you can be as gay as you like.”
He pursed his lips. “No, I’m not gay.”
She paced some more. What did she think about getting up close and personal with Jake? Frankly, the idea terrified her. With a start, she realized the reason she’d picked Steve was because he reminded her—physically at least—of Jake, though the similarities were superficial. While both men were tall and dark-haired, there was a raw, almost overwhelming masculinity unique to Jake.
What would it be like to have that focused on her?
He still leaned on the edge of the desk, arms folded across his broad chest. As usual, he wore all black: black pants and a black linen shirt open at the collar—Jake never wore ties. She could see the triangle of golden skin revealed at his throat. His legs were long, his hips narrow, shoulders broad. Her gaze skittered over his groin, then darted away; she wasn’t quite ready to reexamine that particular part of his anatomy yet.
Why would he offer himself as a sex partner now? For years, he’d never shown the slightest interest in her sexually, rarely even touched her. No way did she want him to make love to her out of misguided pity. That would be too embarrassing to live down.
She forced herself to continue her inspection, finally reaching his face, and the muscles in her stomach clenched. He was so beautiful. His short hair, midnight dark. His eyes, brilliant blue over sharp cheekbones. His long jawline was shadowed with dark stubble—he must have come straight from the airport.
He watched her, waiting with the stillness of a predator.
“Why me?” she asked.
“Because I’ve wanted you for a long time.”
“You’re kidding me.”
He had the most beautiful mouth. She tried to imagine him kissing her. And couldn’t. Some things were beyond the ability of the brain to manufacture.
Instead, she dropped her gaze to his hands and tried to imagine them touching her. He had elegant hands with long, tanned fingers.
She’d never experienced pleasure with Michael. He’d hardly touched her during their short marriage. She wasn’t a virgin, but she was the next best thing. Maybe she was frigid. Maybe she’d be a huge disappointment.
She chewed on her lip. She had to get out of there. “I’ll think about it.”
“Kim?” His voice stopped her before she’d taken a step.
She turned back slowly.
“Come here,” he ordered.
She didn’t want to. But her feet wouldn’t take her to the door. Instead, the traitorous things took a step toward him. He unfolded his arms and pushed himself away from the desk.
“Don’t you want something to think about?” His voice was a low, husky purr. He’d never sounded like that before, and it sent shivers over her skin. “A…sample to help you make your decision?”
She shook her head but couldn’t get any words out.
He was so big, not only tall, but broad at the shoulder.
Suddenly, she felt woefully underdressed. Totally inadequately covered as his cool gaze wandered over her. He lingered on her breasts, and for the first time in her life, she felt them tighten. Glancing down, she saw her nipples clearly visibly under the thin Lycra.
She took a deep breath. “No.”
His lips quirked. “You afraid?”
Oh yeah, she was afraid. Afraid of where this might lead. Or rather, how it would threaten the relationship they had now, if things went too far. “Of course not.”
“Prove it then.”
She could do this. This was Jake, her friend. Besides, she never backed down on a dare.
Her gaze flickered to his mouth and her own went dry. She swallowed and took a step closer. Now she had to tilt her head to look up into his face. His eyes were half-closed, gleaming behind his thick lashes. He didn’t make any move toward her, just waited for her to come to him, and she took the final step. Now, she could reach out and touch him.
“What sort of sample were you thinking of?” she asked.
“A kiss?”
For a moment, she thought he meant her to kiss him, and she didn’t know if she could. Then he curled his hand around her neck and tilted her head up to him. He stroked his other hand down her cheek. She couldn’t have moved now. Not for anything. With one long finger, he traced her lower lip, and the skin tingled under his touch.
She kept her eyes open as he lowered his head to hers, her stare fixed on his mouth. At the first gentle touch of his lips, something inside her twisted up tight. The muscles of her belly locked.
“Relax,” he murmured against her skin. “This won’t hurt at all.”
Then he slanted his mouth over hers, and unbelievably, Jake was kissing her. She kept herself very still. He nipped at her lower lip, and then soothed it with his tongue. “Open your mouth, Kim.”
“Oh.”
As her lips parted on the word, he pushed his tongue inside like hot, wet velvet stroking her, and the knotted muscles in her belly unraveled. How could she feel a kiss low down in her body?
His hand on her neck held her in place as she started to kiss him back.
She wanted more. She didn’t know what. Well, she did—she wasn’t that naive—but she didn’t know how to go about getting it. Or even if she should. This was still Jake. Her friend. But his kiss felt so indescribably good. As though his mouth had connections with the rest of her body, awakening nerve endings she hadn’t known existed.
When he pulled away slightly, she barely managed to hold back her groan of dismay. She stared up at him blinking. “Wow.”
He chuckled. “More?”
He stepped away as if to give her space to think, but she was beyond thinking. And they were only kissing. What harm could it do? Even if in the end, she did the sensible thing and told him no, a few little kisses wouldn’t hurt.
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
He stepped toward his desk. Leaning across, he pressed the button to lock the door. She heard it click, and her heart fluttered like a trapped hummingbird.
His eyes gleamed as he move
d his hands to the buttons of his shirt. He flicked one open, and her breath caught.
He didn’t need to take his shirt off to kiss her, did he? But she couldn’t get any words past the breath lodged in her throat. Instead, she stared as he slowly unfastened his shirt, baring vast amounts of smooth golden skin. She’d seen him work out in the gym wearing little more. There, she’d been able to objectively appreciate him. Here, locked in the office, just the sight sent heat flooding through her body. “Is this more of the sample?”
“Well, I don’t think you can get an idea of what it will be like between us unless you touch me.” He picked up her limp right hand and rested her palm against his chest. His skin was hot and smooth, and his heart thudded against her hand. She stroked him with her fingertips, scraping over one flat male nipple, and his breath hitched. Intrigued by the response, she repeated the action.
Unbelievably, her touch affected Jake. She trailed her hand down his chest to where the thin line of black silky hair bisected his lean-muscled belly. When she reached the waistband of his pants, she lost her nerve.
Sliding both hands back up his chest, she rested them on his shoulders. She wanted him to kiss her again and tugged him down. This time her mouth opened beneath his straightaway. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, tasting him, hot and slightly spicy.
Her body trembled against him, and he smoothed his hands over her back, soothing her, exciting her. Then he flicked open the fastener of her sports bra. He achieved his objective with obvious skill and without breaking the kiss and eased the straps down her shoulders, peeled the material from her breasts, and dropped it to the floor between them.
She was naked from the waist up. In Jake’s office.
With Jake.
There was something definitely wrong with that, but her brain couldn’t process what.
Just a little more. Then she’d stop him, and go away, and consider the implications, and make an informed decision…based on the sample.
In a little while.
But her whole being smoldered with anticipation. Waited for his next move.
His kiss slipped from her lips, down the line of her jaw, her throat, the spot where her neck met her shoulder, so sensitive she trembled under his touch. Then he kissed the tops of her breasts, his dark head bent over her, and her breasts ached with need. He had to touch her there, and soon, or she might spontaneously combust. Finally, he slid his hands around and cupped her in his palms. Her small breasts fit easily. She couldn’t take her eyes from the picture—her skin so pale against his dark hands. The nipples tight with need. He grazed the pads of his thumbs over them, and the sensation resonated at her core.
