Blushing Pink

by Jill Winters

  She probably hated him. She had to hate him.

  Judging by the cold, withering look she was giving him now, and the iciness in her pale green eyes, he'd say his instincts were dead-on.

  "Hi, Reese," he said.

  "Hello," she said crisply, averting her eyes abruptly to look at her computer screen. Busily, she dragged and clicked her mouse. After a moment she demanded, "Can I help you with something, sir?"

  So they were back to square one. "No," he replied, coming closer and resting a hand on the desk. She eyed it for less than a second, then focused back on her monitor. "I just wanted to stop in and say hi," he supplied lamely.

  Who had he been kidding? He thought they could simply go back to being friendly acquaintances now? After the raw passion that had exploded between them? Psfft. He could barely even look at her without his gut hollowing out, and his dick throbbing.

  "Okay," she said curtly. "Hi." Then she began fooling with the same papers he'd seen her straightening before he approached.

  He scrambled to think of something else to say.

  She whipped her head around, no longer avoiding his eyes, but burning a hole right through him. Angry and impatient, but so goddamn beautiful. He struggled to slow his heart and get his brain back.

  Meanwhile she snapped, "What do you want?"

  "Nothing... I mean—"

  "Well, I'm working here, sir, so, if you don't mind—"

  "I'm looking for a book," Brian said quickly.

  Squinting at him suspiciously, she challenged him with a sassy tilt of her head.

  "It's true, I am," he insisted.

  Finally she shrugged, and asked coolly, "Fine, what book?" as she poised those soft, kind hands on her keyboard. Time to improvise, and fast.

  "Um... it's... a book... about... engineering," he said brilliantly. "Its, uh, one of those idiot's guides, or imbecile's guides, whatever." God, he was becoming a pathetic bastard, doing anything he could to drag out this encounter. And to what purpose? Hell if he knew.

  "Okay, I see a listing," she said sharply. "Come on."

  With that, she exited the customer service area and started charging down the nearest aisle, not even making a pretense of waiting for him. He followed, jogging behind to keep up.

  He was too depressed to even enjoy seeing that curvy butt move. Looking at it only made him ache worse, and feel emptier. He looked anyway, of course.

  When they got to the business reference section, Reese hooked a quick right, and Brian almost collided with her because she stopped so abruptly to look at the shelves.

  "Oh, sorry," he said, stepping back.

  She ignored him, and focused ahead. Then she squinted—which was cuter than anything—and took a pair of glasses out of her front pocket. Setting them on her face, she started scanning the shelves.

  "Reese..." he started, inching closer to her because he couldn't help it. Instantly she inched away, still not looking at him, but manically reading the shelves from left to right. "Reese, I know you're mad that I just sort of disappeared after what happened...."

  She scoffed, and continued looking on the shelves, muttering something that sounded like, "Right, that's why—creep."

  He opened his mouth to speak again, but she cut him off before he had the chance. "Fine, here it is," she said, reaching for a fat orange book on the top shelf. But she struggled because she was too short; Brian pulled it down for her, because he knew she wouldn't ask him for help. Haughtily pushing her glasses up on her nose, Reese said, "Well, that's it, then."

  "Reese, wait," Brian said softly, and reached out to touch her arm.

  She violently jerked it back. "What do you think you're doing?"

  "Nothing, I'm sorry—"

  "You should be," she said under her breath.

  He sighed with frustration. "Well, I am. Reese, I'm trying to explain myself here."

  "Well, that's very nice, but I'm on the clock." Great, she sounded like she was possessed by her boss now. "Maybe you'd like me to find you something else, though? Maybe something in the bridal section?"

  "Huh?" he said, confused.

  Reese scoffed and rolled her eyes, which appeared to be almost glowing from the way the light reflected off her glasses. Then, lowering her voice to an angry whisper, she said, "Please, Brian, I'm not a fool. I heard all about your engagement."

  "Wha—you mean you know about Veronica?"

  "Yes, I know! Did you think I wouldn't find out? How could you do that to me?"

  "Wait, I don't get it—"

  "What don't you get? The fact that I think you're a complete jerk? Good-bye, Brian," she said, pushing past him. "Have a nice marriage—"

  "Whoa," he said, catching her arm. "I think you have your facts wrong. I'm not engaged."

  "Stop lying," she hissed, whipping back around. "Just stop lying to me, you prick!" Then she kicked him in the shin—hard.

  "Ow! Wait, Reese..." He brought one hand to his shin, and kept the other on her arm, gently holding her in place. "Veronica and I are not engaged. We were once, but we're not now."

  "Oh, please, I heard Ben tell Ally you guys are back together, so don't even bother—"

  "Wait, just wait, please," he pleaded, letting her go, and holding his hands up Joanna-style. Reese crossed her arms across her breasts and waited. On a heavy sigh, Brian explained. "Look, the truth is, Veronica and I were engaged once, but we broke off the engagement a couple of years ago—before you and I ever met." She still stood there, which was a good thing, but she had a grimace on her face as though he were a slug that had just had salt poured on it, which meant he'd better keep talking. "Reese, it's the truth. I swear."

  "Right, I'm sure," she said dismissively. "That must be why you haven't stepped foot in the cafe for weeks."

  "Well..." Christ, how did he explain that?

  Reese must have taken his hesitation for an admission of guilt, because she plowed on. "Now it all makes sense, why you never told Ben about what was going on between us. You probably figured he'd say something to me about Veronica."

  "That's not true!"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Wait a minute, what about you? You never said anything to Ben, either. How come?"

  "I... because... wait, don't turn this around on me."

  "That's not an answer," he pressed.

  She paused and looked over at the shelves. "Maybe I just wanted to figure out what was going on between us before I told anyone." Letting out a humorless laugh, she said, "What an idiot I was."

  "No... you weren't an idiot, or anything else," he said, moving closer. "Look, a few months ago, Veronica and I started talking again. But we haven't gotten back together... not exactly."

  Reese squinted at that, as though mulling it over, then nodded. "Meaning that she wants to, and now you've decided you want to, too. Is that it?" He knew she was a smart little cookie. "Well?" she demanded.

  He didn't know what to say, because that was exactly what had happened. At least, he'd thought so until now. Now he had the feeling that what'd really happened was that he'd made the biggest goddamn mistake of his life.

  Swallowing, Reese murmured, "I guess you just gave me the answer. Good-bye, Brian." She turned and walked out into the aisle.

  "Wait," Brian said, following and nudging her into the finance and fortune section.

  "Hey!" she said, pushing at his chest, which reminded him of how she'd pushed at his chest before—rubbed it, stroked it, clawed at it.

  "Look, it's hard to explain. Veronica is going through a really tough time lately, and I told her I'd think about everything. I told her we'd decide about getting back together after Ben's wedding."

  Reese's jaw dropped. "You're bringing her to the wedding?" Then she shook her head and covered her face with her hands. "Of course you are," she mumbled, definitely more to herself, and Brian moved in a little closer.

  "Reese, the reason I haven't come into the store lately is because I didn't think it would be right. I promised Veronica that I would giv
e the idea of her and me a real chance, and I knew there was no way in hell I could do that if I were around you."

  He set his hands on her upper arms, barely making contact, and finally she lifted her head to meet his gaze. She looked wounded and miserable and tired, and he couldn't believe a selfish asshole like him had done that to her.

  "Why?" she asked softly.

  "Why, what?" he said huskily, and gently rubbed her arms with his hands.

  "Why couldn't you be around me?"

  She knew the answer—she had to know the answer. To him, it was painfully obvious, and one look at his engorged crotch would show her just how painful it was. Sliding his hands down her arms, he lightly cupped her wrists, and bent to brush her temple with his forehead. He inhaled some of her scent, and spoke raggedly. "Because you drive me crazy. When I see you... when I'm with you... it's so good."

  They were so close to each other now that heat was emanating off their bodies. It mingled in the space between them, and made Brian's breath catch. Reese was all soft warmth in his hands. He nuzzled her ear, and whispered into it, "I can't seem to resist you."

  She started to say something, but then he opened his mouth on her ear and tugged her lobe with his lips. She let out a low, throaty sigh. Then he sucked, and her head fell limply forward. His erection was pulsing in his pants. He slid his palm down over hers, locking their hands, while his other palm moved to her waist. Unwittingly, he dug his fingers into the angel-soft material of her sweater, clutching it hard as he licked the spot behind her ear and heard her moan. It was a tiny, strangled little moan, but he'd heard it, and hot blood began coursing through him, flooding his groin, thundering through his veins, and without any rational thought, he cupped her breast. Right there in the middle of Roland & Fisk. And, as if that wasn't bad enough, he squeezed.

  Reese pulled back. She was breathing almost as rapidly as he was, and Brian could feel the starry, aroused glaze in his eyes. Still, he immediately apologized. "I'm so sorry—I didn't mean to do that." Not exactly the truth, but it was the best he could do.

  Reese bit her lip and looked down at the carpet for a moment. She probably wanted to hide her face from him, which was hot pink with... embarrassment? Desire? Or was it ferocious anger, more than anything?

  Stepping back, she lifted her head and adjusted her glasses, which had started sliding down her nose. Then she said, "Brian, stop. I can't do this; I just can't."

  "I know," he said almost hoarsely. "You're at work—I can't believe I totally lost control like that, and your boss could have walked by at any moment."

  Shaking her head, she said, "No, I didn't mean that. I meant this, us. Look, if you picked Veronica once, then you'll pick her again. Being with her is obviously what you're most comfortable with, and that's fine. But please... just keep me out of it."

  She turned on her heel and stormed away—or at least she started to....

  Chapter 22

  She'd only covered about a foot of carpet before she smacked right into someone—a tall, lean man, whom she all but ricocheted off, and when she looked up, she was startled to see the one person she'd never expected at Roland & Fisk.

  What on earth is Kenneth doing here?

  Even though he lived in New York City, he'd never, to Reese's knowledge, come into the store. And frankly, this wasn't the best time for him to try something new.

  Suddenly Reese experienced one of those surreal, jolting moments when life truly felt like a dream, and for a split second she wondered if it was.

  But here she was, sandwiched between Brian and Kenneth, and all she wanted was to get the hell away from both of them. Even dreams weren't that strange. "Kenneth, hi. What are you doing here?" she asked, confused.

  "I came to, uh, see you," he replied awkwardly. Then, in a stiff motion, he raised an unbent arm and set it across her shoulders.

  "Wha—?"

  "Who's this?" Brian asked, sounding annoyed.

  Reese turned to face him again—not an easy feat, considering Kenneth's straight arm had all but locked her into position. With a cricked neck, she managed to reply coolly, "None of your business."

  Brian narrowed his eyes at Kenneth, and then nodded. "You're right," he said quietly, "I guess it isn't my business." Yet he didn't make any move to leave.

  Meanwhile Reese tried to jerk her shoulders free from Kenneth's perverse attempt at demonstrativeness. Unsurprisingly, he missed the nonverbal cues, and tightened his hold. Maybe the boy should stick to what he knew best—namely, aloofness, nosy questions, and throat clearing. "Hello," he said to Brian. "I'm Kenneth Peel. Reese's boyfriend."

  WHAT!

  What the hell was he talking about? Had he gone completely loco?

  He most certainly was not her boyfriend! Although, admittedly, her protests were ironic, since only a few months ago she had wanted him to be just that. She had also wanted him to show more initiative, and now he was oozing with it. So why was she so creeped out?

  Still, she didn't want to embarrass him in front of Brian. Okay, fine, so maybe she also didn't mind having Brian think she had a little more game going on than sitting and pining for him all day long.

  "What, did you two just meet recently?" Brian asked.

  "No, Reese and I have been an item for quite a while now," Kenneth replied, and bent his lead-weight arm just enough to draw Reese closer. Abruptly, he planted one of his trademark dry smackers on her cheek, and Brian jerked his head back a little. His eyes bore into hers, giving Reese a dry throat and a thick, clogging tongue. Yet she couldn't tear her eyes away for a second. She gulped almost painfully.

  Of course, a big part of her wanted to shove Kenneth off—to ask him if he was on medication, and if so, it was certainly about time—but she just couldn't do it. She had to be tough, she had to be strong, she had to be a "woman of the millennium" and all that. Anyway, didn't Brian deserve to feel as misled and disillusioned and hurt as she had?

  Well, she didn't know if he felt all that, but she did see his eyes darken, and his expression change from annoyed to jealous. And he was starting that pissed-as-hell, slow nodding again. "Well, I won't keep you any longer, Reese," he said.

  She had the distinct feeling that Brian meant the words literally, and that twisted her stomach into a painful knot.

  "Take care," he finished curtly, and turned and walked away.

  As soon as he was gone, a gigantic lump of sadness and loss rose to the top of Reese's throat. It stayed lodged there, making it hard to swallow, hard to breathe, until she finally gulped it down, and immediately felt the burning sting of tears in the backs of her eyes.

  More than anything, she needed to go somewhere to be alone, but she couldn't because she was still on the clock, and Darcy would sniff her out in no time.

  Plus the fact that she had Kenneth weighing down her shoulders, which would need a little more leeway if she were going to cry.

  "Um... Kenneth?" she said, trying to tug herself out from under his arm.

  Kenneth was slow to get the point, so Reese yanked away harder. As soon as she broke free, she moved a few feet back as a preventive measure. Kenneth left his arm hanging stupidly in the air for two or three seconds before he cleared his throat and set it back at his side.

  "You still haven't told me what you're doing here," she said. "And how did you know where to find me in the store?"

  "Oh. A woman at the customer service desk pointed in the northwest direction, so I came searching for you."

  "Okay... but..." Jeez, there was just no tactful way to say this, but she absolutely had to clarify something. "How come you said you were my boyfriend? I mean, we're not really dating exclusively, are we? Um, or at all?"

  Kenneth began fiddling with the zippers on his jacket pockets, and Reese forced herself not to backpedal to try to save him. They had never discussed being boyfriend/girlfriend. And, not that she was trying to be a stickler, but weren't boyfriends and girlfriends supposed to touch each other—like, frequently?

  "Well, I
was hoping we could spend more time together," he said unemotionally. "You're right, I spoke too soon about us having a, uh, relationship. However, I'd like, uh, you to—ahem, ahem—stay open to said possibilities. Let's begin with lunch today. My treat."

  Okay, a gold star for taking some major initiative; a demerit for doing it way too late, after Reese had lost interest and fallen for another man. Couldn't Kenneth see the writing on the wall? They were not couple material. Reese really couldn't believe it had taken her so long to realize it.

  "Oh... well..." she stammered lamely, "I'm just not looking for a relationship right now... and unfortunately I can't do lunch, either, because I already took a break earlier."

  Expressionless, Kenneth nodded. "Well, I should get going," he said tonelessly.

  "Okay... um, thanks for coming by," she said, overly cheerful.

  "Yes, certainly," he said. Before he left, he looked back and asked, "But I will still be escorting you to your sister's wedding, won't I?"

  "Oh, sure, yeah, uh-huh, great!" When she felt guilty, she babbled—and loudly.

  Kenneth disappeared around the bend, and Reese just stood there, taking in all that had happened in a matter of minutes. The last thing she had expected was a confrontation with Brian today. She was sure the lying pig would never set foot in the store again. Or maybe that he would wait awhile, and then come in acting like he couldn't quite remember her.

  Wait, hadn't that been her plan before all this had started?

  What she really couldn't believe was that she had kicked him. Thinking about it, it made her smile. Hell, it almost made her laugh. She truly hadn't planned to do it, but she supposed like all great poetry, it had been pure inspiration.

  She didn't let herself think about how Kenneth was starting to weird her out; she only knew that he seemed to be there to stay. But since she wasn't interested in him anymore, that could not possibly be a good thing. Basically, when she put it all together, her romantic horizon was looking bleak once again.