Heat Waves

by Janelle Denison

  "That was a rotten trick," she said when he finally stood in front of her, larger than life and more seductive than in her dreams. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled a subtle but warm and woodsy scent emanating from him.

  He gave a one-shouldered shrug, and even that nonchalant gesture was overwhelmingly sexy. "You certainly made Barry's evening." His voice was familiar and rich, making her burn deep inside.

  This man, without a doubt, was Ian.

  A smile teased her lips. "It made your night, too, judging by that devious pleasure I see twinkling in your eyes." Incredible bedroom eyes. The kind that could undress a woman in a single, calculated glance.

  He didn't deny her claim, making it obvious that he'd enjoyed the mix-up.

  "Thank you for the roses," she said, motioning to the bouquet in her hand. "They're beautiful. I can't remember the last time someone gave me flowers." She licked her bottom lip, feeling another bout of nerves swell within her.

  "You're welcome." His gaze dropped to her lips, caressing them as intimately as her tongue had, then slowly lifted back to her eyes. "I can't remember the last time I gave a woman flowers, and I wanted to make sure I made a good first impression."

  She laughed softly at that. "Considering who you sent to deliver them, you made an impression I'll never forget." She extended her right hand for him to shake. "It's nice to finally meet you, Ian Carlisle."

  "Likewise." He slipped his hand into hers. His palm was large, his fingers long, his grasp engulfing her in startling heat. "Your publicity photo doesn't do you justice. You're beyond beautiful."

  Then he leaned forward and brushed a warm, chaste kiss on her cheek, giving credence to the romance he'd talked about on her show. Oh, and the seduction, too. She was halfway there, melting with every touch and every word he spoke.

  "Oh, wow," an unfamiliar female voice exclaimed from somewhere behind Erica, bringing her back to the present with a jolt. "If he's starting the date with a kiss, I can only imagine how the date will end!"

  "Tune into tonight's show on WTLK to find out," Carly said cheekily, stirring interest for Heat Waves and taking advantage of the free publicity while she could.

  Dan joined them, and introductions were made all around. Barry ushered them inside and away from the eager fans wanting Erica's autograph or a glimpse at Ian. The manager insisted on seating them at one of the tables that was tucked into a corner and away from most prying eyes. As they followed Barry through the dim restaurant, Ian rested his fingers at the base of her spine to guide her. The gesture was polite and gentlemanly, without any sexual connotation whatsoever, yet his touch instigated a conflagration of excitement to flow through her veins.

  And that's when she knew she was in big, big trouble. Could she resist this man who made her crave long pent-up desires? And did she really want to? The feverish question preyed on her mind.

  After sitting down and agreeing on the Chicago classic deep-dish pizza, the four of them eased into a relaxed, casual conversation about the radio station and the hype surrounding tonight's get-together. The verbal exchange between her and Ian was light and lively, and surprisingly without the reserve or awkwardness that normally accompanied a first date. She'd known him for a month, but it felt as if she'd been with him for years. While there was no denying the mutual chemistry they'd both wondered about, there was also a mental connection between them that transcended their physical attraction.

  The arrival of their dinner created a pause in conversation. After a few bites and appreciative murmurs over the delicious flavor, Carly looked across the table at Ian.

  "So, Ian, how long have you lived in Chicago and what do you do for a living?" she asked, her inquiry direct and blunt.

  Erica nearly choked on the bite of pizza she'd been swallowing, mortified at Carly's not-so-subtle ploy to pump information out of Ian. "Geez, Carly, Ian's not here for an interrogation."

  Dan smothered a grin, used to his girlfriend's outspoken ways. Carly blinked at her innocently as if to say "what did I do?" but Erica knew better than to fall for the act. Carly wanted the goods on Ian to size up his suitability.

  Erica glanced at the man sitting next to her, who looked more amused than annoyed at Carly's third degree. "You don't have to answer those personal questions."

  "I don't mind," he assured her easily, and swiped his napkin across his mouth. He met her gaze and smiled. "A first date is all about getting to know each other, isn't it?"

  There was something about his statement Erica wanted to argue. Maybe it was the subtle suggestion that if he shared something, she should offer a bit about herself in return. Intimate details and secrets. That would give depth and insight to who she was underneath the radio personality.

  She wasn't ready or willing to give him a glimpse into her soul, that part of herself she'd kept private and secure for the past three years. "You already know what I do for a living," she said, keeping things superficial. "And I've been in Chicago for three years."

  He tipped his head curiously as he reached for another slice of pizza, feeding a healthy appetite. "Where did you live before that?"

  Finished with her piece, she pushed her plate aside. "Southern California."

  His brows rose incredulously as he chewed a bite. "You left year-round warmth and sunshine for freezing cold winters and hot, humid summers?"

  She laughed and stirred her straw in her drink. "You can't imagine how many times I've asked myself the exact same thing when the wind-chill factor has hit below zero. I'm not a winter person at all. But the trade-offs were worth it."

  What those trade-offs were she wasn't willing to divulge out loud. She'd been searching for independence and freedom, and a chance to prove herself in her career. Putting miles between the people in her life who didn't understand her drive and ambition had been one of the first steps in gaining what she'd sought.

  "So, where do you work?" she asked, redirecting the questions back to him.

  "I'm an investment broker and the CEO of Winslow Financial Investment."

  "That's impressive," Carly cut in, sounding suitably wowed, by his profession and his position.

  Erica silently echoed her friend's sentiment. Until today, she had no idea what to expect of Ian professionally. An investment broker fit his image. He looked the part with his cleancut appearance and the aura of self-assurance that surrounded him. There was a keen intelligence and warmth in his eyes as he spoke of his business that no doubt soothed a client's concerns or fears about parting with their money.

  "It's a job I enjoy," he continued, glancing across the table at Carly and Dan, who listened with interest to his story. "I started investing and socking away money when I was a teenager. And when I was old enough I started playing the stock market. I had a knack for hitting when it was hot and making decent money out of a buck, and it all progressed from there."

  There wasn't an ounce of conceit or pretentiousness coating his words, but Erica got the distinct impression that Ian was very wealthy and his business did well. Whether or not he came from money she didn't know, but there had been something in the depth of Ian's gaze when he'd mentioned saving money as a teenager that led her to believe there was more struggle to his success tale. And that was something she understood all too well, since she was still struggling to make her mark in broadcasting.

  "Are you from Chicago?" she asked, her fingers playing along the cool condensation on her glass.

  "I've lived in Illinois all my life, but moved to Chicago when I was seventeen. I've been here ever since."

  He made no mention of his family, which Erica found as interesting as her own omission of the mother and sister she'd left behind in California. Had he moved here with or without his family, and where were they now? Curious questions she wondered about but didn't ask – she wasn't ready to delve into more personal territory. With Ian, or herself.

  He placed his napkin on his dish and sat back as their waiter cleared their table. His gaze unerringly found Erica's again in the dim lightin
g. "Chicago is a great city. Full of history and life and plenty of sex appeal."

  Erica had never considered Chicago as seductive or alluring before and found his comment intriguing. "You really think Chicago is a sexy city?"

  His lashes fell half-mast as a beguiling grin curved his mouth. "I suppose a person's perception of Chicago being a sexy city has a lot to do with who you're spending your nights with."

  Erica's heart thumped in her chest as awareness shimmered between the two of them. The meaning behind his words was unmistakable, He was spending his nights with her, on the air with the city of Chicago listening as they debated hot and provocative issues…

  "He does have a point," Carly chimed in, reflecting Erica's private thoughts. "The two of you on Heat Waves have made Chicago a very sexy city."

  Erica cast Carly a direct look that relayed the silent message for her to not pursue the issue at hand. She could almost see the wheels in Carly's mind churning, trying to figure out an angle to capitalize on Ian's comment and put an "on the air" spin to it.

  Dan cleared his throat, seemingly in tune to Erica's wish for someone to change the subject. She certainly couldn't depend on her friend to look out for her best interests when Carly was so intent on exploiting the situation in any way she could to help out the station's standing.

  "Dessert anyone?" Dan asked.

  "Not for me." Erica quickly jumped on the opportunity to put a damper on any intentions Carly might have had. "I'm stuffed." She glanced at her watch, shocked to see that two hours had passed and it was a quarter after nine. "In fact, we'd better leave pretty quick so I don't miss my shift."

  Dan nodded in agreement and motioned to the waiter for the bill. Carly propped her elbows on the table, rested her chin on her clasped hands and smiled very charmingly at Ian.

  "You know," Carly said, injecting an appropriate amount of persuasion into her voice, "I think it would be great if you came back to the station and reported live about the date."

  Erica exhaled hard. She was going to strangle her friend, no doubt about it. "I'm sure Ian has better things to do than spend his evening down at the station."

  "Actually, I don't have anything better to do," Ian said. "I was just going to head back home and wait for your show to start. I think it would be fun to discuss our date together in the studio. What do you think, Erica?"

  He'd loaded the simple question with an irresistible challenge, which matched the daring light dancing in his eyes. She looked away and breathed slow and deep. She could hear Carly's voice chanting in her mind: ratings, ratings, ratings.

  But this wasn't just about ratings. Not for her. And especially not since she'd met Ian in the flesh and was more attracted to him than ever. There seemed to be something more personal at stake, and she felt threatened by the powerful emotions he evoked after such a short time. Need and desire surged through her and left her feeling too weak and helpless to resist him.

  Having him in the studio with her after their date would be a logical progression to their evening together, she told herself. Her listeners would relish their one-on-one interaction. She'd put her own misgivings aside. For tonight. For an hour. No more.

  "All right," she agreed.

  Carly's eyes gleamed with excitement as she sent Ian another engaging smile. "And if you could stay late tonight, maybe the two of you could discuss tonight's topic on the air, too."

  Which was all about orgasms. Oy.

  Erica abruptly stood before Carly enlightened Ian on the evening's subject matter. "While you're taking care of the bill, Dan, I think Carly and I will visit the ladies' room." She grasped Carly's sleeve and pulled, giving her friend no other choice but to come along or end up with a tear in her outfit. "We'll meet you out front in a few minutes."

  Erica was silent on the way to the rest room. Surprisingly, Carly remained quiet, too, but the surreptitious glances she kept sending Erica's way told Erica that her friend knew what was coming and was awaiting the outburst.

  Erica washed her hands and waited for Carly to emerge from her stall. Once she did, Erica got down to business. "What in the hell were you doing out there?"

  Carly soaped up her hands and didn't meet Erica's gaze in the mirror. "Just trying to take advantage of a good thing."

  Unfortunately, Erica felt taken advantage of. "This is my show, Carly."

  "And I'm the program director, and my job is to make sure all the shows on WTLK are as appealing as possible," she stated simply. After drying her hands on a paper towel, she dug into her purse for her lipstick and applied a slash of red to her mouth. "Imagine the response you're going to get having Ian live in the studio with you. The two of you are going to literally heat up the airwaves – more than ever before."

  Erica was feeling set up with Ian and resented being in such a vulnerable position. "Regardless, I don't appreciate you interfering in my private life."

  Carly stopped fluffing her hair and lifted a brow at Erica. "Who said anything about your private life, sweetie?" Her expression softened, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. "You like him, don't you? You really, really like him, and that's what really has you so on edge, isn't it?"

  Yeah, she liked Ian. Too much. There was no denying the plain truth. But it wasn't only their extraordinary attraction that had her shaken and confused and on edge. Going out on a date with him was one thing – taking him back to the station with her was another. It was an act she found as intimate as inviting him back to her apartment.

  He was going to invade her private territory. That small, confined space was hers alone and one she'd never shared with anyone. It was a sacred place where she felt safe and secure and was able to hide secrets and reactions behind a microphone.

  Now he'd see the real Erica behind the radio personality, and there would be no concealing anything from him. Certainly not her response to him, or her expressions that always gave away too much. Would he look at her while she addressed her audience and be able to tell just how little she really knew about orgasms?

  At that disturbing thought, Erica averted her gaze and rummaged through her purse for her roll of mints. She popped two into her mouth, too aware of how close she and Ian would be sitting next to each other in her studio.

  Carly touched the tips of her fingers against Erica's back in a comforting gesture. "Why can't you just enjoy this wild ride for what it is?"

  She applied a slick coat of her cotton-candy lip gloss and sighed. "I don't know what it is anymore," she admitted.

  "It is Ian," Carly informed her. "And he's a gorgeous hunk of a man, and he wants you as much as you want him, so take advantage of that rare chemistry – on the air, and off."

  Erica mulled over Carly's suggestion as they headed out of the restaurant to meet up with the guys, still having no idea where this one date would lead her. Having no idea if she had the courage and nerve to pursue an affair with the irrepressibly sexy Ian.

  They ran into Barry at the front door and Erica thanked him for his hospitality. As they exited the restaurant, the sultry night air clung to Erica's skin, increasing the restlessness within her.

  Dan and Ian waited on the sidewalk, talking companionably. Her date was holding the flowers she left at the table, and this time he handed the bouquet of roses to her. "Can I drive you back to the station?" he asked, obviously assuming nothing.

  Wisely, Carly didn't butt in like she'd been doing all night and left this decision up to Erica. She took a huge leap of faith. "Since we're now heading to the same place, sure."

  The four of them walked back to the parking lot together, and Ian directed her to a two-door, champagne-colored Lexus coupe. He opened the passenger side for her, and she slid inside. Once he closed the door and she was enveloped in the enticing scent of leather and man, she realized her mistake. She was well and truly all alone with Ian, and they still had one unresolved issue between them.

  How would their date end?

  ~ 4 ~

  "MAKE A LEFT HERE AT THE light, and you can park by the ba
ck entrance where the guard is."

  Following Erica's directions, Ian pulled into a slot next to Dan's vehicle. Before turning off the ignition, he glanced at the clock glowing on his light display to gauge the time. It was 9:35 p.m. Twenty-five minutes before Erica had to be on the air.

  Unbuckling his seat belt, he turned toward his date. He rested his forearm on the back of her seat. Within touching distance, but he refrained from indulging in that luxury for now. The outside streetlight illuminated her profile and added shimmering golden highlights to her silky-looking hair. After how well their evening had gone at the restaurant, she now seemed reserved and quiet – so unlike her bold, sassy, on-the-air persona.

  "Did you have a good time tonight?" he asked.

  She smiled at him as she absently stroked a rose petal from the bouquet resting in her lap. "Yeah, I did." Her tone was candid and honest.

  Relief unraveled the tightness and uncertainty that had gathered in his chest. "I'm glad, because so did I."

  Their date had been without pretense. Whether she realized it or not, he'd given her more than he'd offered another woman in eight long years – a glimpse of the down-to-earth man he was beneath the wealthy exterior. And it had felt great to just be himself and truly enjoy the company of a beautiful, fun woman.

  A tapping on Erica's window made her jump in her seat. Pressing a hand to her heart, she glanced to the right and found the guard standing there. Ian rolled the window down a few inches for her.

  "You okay, Erica?" the middle-aged man asked gruffly, narrowing his gaze at Ian in a very protective manner.

  "I'm fine, thanks, John," Erica assured the guard. "This is Ian Carlisle."

  John eyed Ian again. Deciding that Ian wasn't a threat, John gave a nod of acceptance, then went back to his post by the back door of the building.

  Ian sealed the window closed again, and Erica released a long, slow breath. "Umm, maybe we should go inside."