by Lori Foster
She laughed. “I dunno about that. You’re pretty close.” She reached down and encircled his penis, which was thankfully at ease for the moment.
“Physically.” He bit the bullet and added, “But you know I want more.”
She again looked up at him. “Really?” At his nod, she looked very satisfied—and a little shy. “You think there’s something about that porn shop that brings people together? I mean, look at Asia and Cameron, and then Becky and George.”
“And me and you?”
“I do like you, Ian. Everything about you. Most especially your honesty.”
His stomach twisted with dread. “My honesty?”
“That’s right. You told me up front what you wanted and why. If it wasn’t for you being so honest about the whole thing, I think I would have bailed out on you.”
He couldn’t bear the thought that he might have missed this special time with her. “Erica, honey …”
“I suppose I should be honest too, huh?”
His admission died in his throat. “I’d love for you to trust me enough to tell me about yourself.”
She nodded, causing the silky weight of her hair to glide against his ribs. “You were right about why I don’t open up to men. I’ve never told this to anyone before. Not even Becky or Asia. But my mom … well, she was confused. And weak. She always thought she needed a man around and there was always one willing to hang on her. They used her. For sex, for money. She took care of them, playing house and pampering them—until they walked away.”
Ian rubbed her scalp, kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry. But you have to know I’m not like that.”
“I do know it.” Again, she twisted to look up at him. “I kind of think you’re the type who would resent relying on a woman for anything.”
“Not true. I’m relying on you to keep me happy.” He caught her chin on his fist and lifted her face more. “You’re fast becoming a requirement in my life.”
She grinned, but didn’t look like she believed him. “I grew up with men hanging around the house. I hated it When they were there, my mother thought she had to be perfect She’d get up early to put on her makeup and fix her hair because otherwise she’d get complaints and insults. It made me so damn mad, but the more I tried to convince her that we didn’t need them, the more distant we got with each other. She never relaxed, never let herself just kick back and enjoy life.” Erica shook her head. “She tried to get me to do the same, but I fought her every inch of the way.”
“You’re your own person, Erica, not a replica of your mother.” He kissed her temple, hoping to reassure her. “She made her choices and you make yours. That’s how it should be.”
Erica lowered her face and hugged Ian. “There was another reason why I refused to primp for them.” She took a deep breath. “When I was about sixteen, the men started looking at me difierently.”
Ian stiffened with a mix of disgust and rage. “They didn’t—”
“No.” She gave him a teasing pinch, deliberately lightening the mood. “I wouldn’t have allowed that and you know it.”
Ian squeezed her so tight she gasped. Erica just didn’t realize how susceptible she was as a woman. She considered herself tough, but from her toes to her eyebrows, she was feminine and soft and certainly weaker than the majority of men.
She’d spent more of her life building bravado than any female should ever have to. “You’re sure no one ever …”
“I’m sure. When I was seventeen I moved out.”
Startled, Ian tipped her chin up. “Seventeen?” She’d been so damn young.
Erica shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I spent a year working, staying with friends, moving around a lot. I eventually landed here, and after working my way through a two-year technical college, I started at the factory as an office assistant.”
Ian gave a mental salute to the divine hand of fate for delivering her into his path. He’d always be thankful for that. “How are things with your mom now?”
She was silent for a long moment. Her fingers teased at his chest hair, and Ian felt her press a soft kiss to his side. “She died when I was twenty-two. Ovarian cancer. I hadn’t seen her for a long time, and I didn’t know she was sick until it was too late.”
“Jesus, Erica, I’m so damn sorry.”
She crawled on top of him, kissed his chin, the bridge of his nose, then his mouth. “You have nothing to be sorry for. But thanks.”
“Do you ever see your dad?”
“Never met him. Mom told me he didn’t know she was pregnant, and by the time she was showing, he was long gone. Soon after I was born, she’d moved on to a new man.”
“And so you’ve always been fiercely independent.”
“It’s not just that, you know.” She propped her pointy elbows on his chest and put her head in her hands. “Guys in general are pigs.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep. They work hard at pretending they care just so they can get you into bed, but then spend the mere two minutes they need there to get off.”
“Not always true.”
She grinned. “So I’m learning.”
He hated to think about it, but he said, “You’ve picked some losers, haven’t you?”
Instead of getting angry at that observation, she nodded. “Yeah, and I was beginning to think I was like my mom, that all I could pick were losers.”
“Wanna hear my theory?”
“I don’t know. Do I?”
He swatted her delectable behind. “Yeah, you do.” Both hands now holding her bottom, he said, “Because of your mother’s choices, you’ve always thought you had to control everything to prove you were different, independent and able to do your own thing. That naturally meant you chose guys who’d let you have control.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I still have control.”
“Over yourself.” He squeezed her butt. “That’s all anyone should want to control. I don’t want to control you, and you don’t need to control me.”
“Because you’re not going to use me?”
He nodded. “And because I love you, I don’t ever want to see you hurt.”
She went still. “That’s the second time you’ve said it.”
“Keeping count?”
“Maybe.”
“Want me to say it about a dozen more times?” With Erica lying naked atop him, it was getting difficult to carry the conversation. He could feel her pubic hair on his belly, the soft cushion of her breasts on his abdomen. “It’s true, you know. And I think you care about me too.”
She didn’t admit it, which bugged Ian, but he knew she needed time. “You’re a strong, intelligent woman, Erica. You need a strong man, not a weak-kneed ass.”
Her shoulders started shaking, and seconds later she burst out laughing. Ian rolled her beneath him, spread her legs, and settled against her. Her laughter died.
“You know I’m right.”
Breathless, she said, “I’m willing to admit it’s possible.”
“Because you care about me too?” Damn it, he was pushing her after all.
“Because you drive me wild.” She grabbed his ears and took his mouth. Her kiss was meant to get him off track, and it damn near did. But he was used to her tactics and he wanted to clear the air once and for all.
“Shh. Erica, wait.” He stroked his fingers through her hair, spreading it out over his pillow. “Let’s finish talking first, okay?”
“Talk?” She sent him a mock look of surprise. “Did I finally wear you out?”
He couldn’t resist kissing her. “Never. I could make love to you for a lifetime and not be done. But this is the first time we’ve really talked about personal stuff, and there are things I want to tell you.”
She sighed theatrically. “All right. Spill your guts and I’ll try to be attentive.”
“You’re such a generous woman.”
She laughed. “Quit stalling.”
He was stalling, but Erica’s reactions were unpredictable
. She was as likely to walk out on him as she was to understand. But damn it, he did love her. That had to count for something. And he knew she cared for him too, even if she hadn’t admitted it.
Somehow, he’d get her to tell him. She could get mad, but before she left his apartment, they’d have an understanding.
Ian drew a deep breath, and said, “I set the whole thing up.”
She didn’t explode, but only because she didn’t yet understand. “Set what up?”
“Our meeting at the porn shop.”
“I know. You overheard George and Cameron and …”
“No, sweetheart.” He rubbed her arms, trying to prepare her. “Like I told you, almost everyone at the factory knows about the deal you three ladies had. I knew you’d be next and there was no way in hell I could stand the thought of you playing sex games with some other man. I wanted it to be my turn.”
She stiffened beneath him. “Your turn?”
“You kept shying away from me,” he growled. “I wanted a chance to prove to you how good we’d be together.”
“What did you do?”
The time for truth. “I approached George and Cameron and they agreed to help me.” She didn’t comment on that, so he continued. “I knew just showing up at the right time wouldn’t work with you, Erica, not the way it had with Becky and Asia. You wouldn’t have a single qualm about ignoring me or telling me to get lost so that you could choose some spineless jerk to play with instead. So I challenged you.”
Erica didn’t speak, but like a volcano ready to erupt, he felt the tension building in her.
Damn, her silence hurt almost as much as the lethal look in her eyes. He held her shoulders and gave her one firm shake. “I lied about overhearing George and Cameron. I confronted them, convinced them to go along with my plan, and they … well, they did.”
“I see.”
Ian didn’t trust her soft tone. “Don’t be mad at them, Erica. They made me swear I wouldn’t hurt you. Hell, they dogged my heels like two mother hens, worrying about you.”
“What a lovely image.”
“Your sarcasm is misplaced. I told you I love you—”
“And you told me you lied, and that my friends all know it. One big joke on Erica. I bet they thought you’d teach me a lesson, huh? That you’d turn the tables on me—and you did. Did they laugh about it?”
“No.” He hadn’t expected her to be hurt, but judging by her tone and the dampness of her eyes, she was exactly that. It made him feel sick and helpless.
“Have you been giving them blow-by-blow reports on your progress?”
Ian’s own temper started. “You know better.”
Her eyes were solemn, her gaze direct. “Right before you confessed, I was thinking how little I knew. About men, about myself. Now I’m doubly sure that I’m an idiot.”
“The hell you are! You’re an intelligent woman, damn it.”
“Would you mind getting off me?”
Ian drew a breath and reached for control. “Yes, I would mind. I want you to understand. I want you to tell me that you care about me.”
Erica opened her mouth, but a furious pounding on the front door interrupted what she might have said. Ian twisted to stare out toward the hall, cursed, and refused to budge.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?”
“No.”
“Then I will.” She tried to slide out from under him.
“No.” If he let her get away now, she’d go back to avoiding him. He just knew it. “Erica—”
The pounding on the door increased. It sounded like there were a dozen fists hitting it. “God damn it!” Ian exploded, and then to Erica, “I don’t suppose you’d stay put while I go see who’s trying to break down my door?”
“Yeah, right.”
Sounding very put upon, he muttered, “That’s what I thought.” He pushed himself away andwatched as Erica scrambled to her feet. In a show of temper, she snatched up the sheet and wrapped it around herself.
Ian sighed, opened a drawer to pull out boxers, and stepped into them.
Erica hustled up beside him when he started out of the bedroom. “You’re going to answer the door in your underwear?”
They went through the hall and into the living room. “No, I’m going to tell whoever it is to get lost in my underwear.”
And then he heard George call out, “Better open up, Ian, before the female battalion knocks it down.”
Ian and Erica looked at each other in surprise.
“Erica! It’s me, Asia. Becky’s with me. Let us in.”
Erica slugged Ian in the stomach, making him grunt. “You told them all we’d be here?”
He scowled right back at her. “Of course I didn’t. They probably figured if you weren’t at home, you must be here. We did have a detailed discussion in the break room, if you’ll recall.”
Looking sheepish, she said, “Oh, yeah.”
Ian jerked the door open. “Did someone plan a party and not tell me?”
Asia gawked at him, her gaze moving over his naked chest and down his body until Cameron cleared his throat. Becky started to look too, but George quickly covered her eyes. He glared at Ian. “Good God, man, put some clothes on.”
“Why? You’re not staying.”
Somewhat flustered, Asia shoved her way past him. “Erica, we had nothing to do with this. George and Cameron didn’t tell us. I can’t believe Ian had them lying to us.”
Ian rolled his eyes while Cameron barked, “I did not lie to you, damn it. I just didn’t tell you about it.”
“A lie of omission!”
Ian gestured to George, who still had Becky’s eyes covered. “Looks like you might as well come in too. I’d like to shut the door to spare my neighbors all this drama.”
George, still blinding Becky, hustled her in and kicked the door shut.
“George?” Becky asked.
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“What am I missing?”
He kissed her temple. “Just Ian in his underwear.”
She tried to pull his hand from her eyes.
Erica had gone back into the bedroom, Ian assumed to get dressed. Instead, she returned with a pair of his jeans and a T-shirt. “Try for a little decency, okay?” She tossed them to him.
“You wouldn’t like me decent.” She scowled, but when he winked at her, she actually flushed. Maybe, just maybe this would prove a timely interruption. God knew he’d been floundering on his own.
Ian stepped into his jeans just as Becky got George to turn her loose. “Well, heck. I miss everything.”
“I’ll get naked for you just as soon as we finish this misguided mission.”
Becky turned to George, smiled, and said, “Promise?”
Asia cleared her throat. “Can we all remember why we’re here?”
“I know why I’m here,” Erica said, keeping thesheet tight around herself. “But no one told me we were planning an orgy.”
“Damn,” Cameron said to George, “I don’t think we’re dressed for an orgy.”
Asia elbowed him. “Becky and I were worried all along about you getting tangled up with him. “ She glared toward Ian. “And it looks like we were right.”
“You were?”
Asia leaned closer, and in a stage whisper said, “Erica, he set the whole thing up.”
“Yeah, I know.” Erica crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “He told me.”
Asia drew back. “He did?”
Ian threw up his hands. “What do you have against me?”
Very matter-of-factly, Becky said, “You’re big.”
George choked, making Becky blush and swat at him. “George! I didn’t mean that.”
Rubbing his eyes, Ian asked, “God knows I probably shouldn’t ask, but what’s wrong with being big?”
“You’re dictatorial too,” Asia claimed.
They were worried about him being heavyhanded with Erica? He shook his head. “Yeah, so is Erica and you like her.”
“People are nervous around you,” she insisted.
“Not Erica.” Ian turned to her. “Are you, sweetheart?”
“Certainly not.” Erica sat down on the edge of the sofa, making certain the sheet covered what it should. “I don’t see why you and Becky are all up in arms. It’s not like this is anything new. Cameronlied to hook up with you, pretending he hadn’t overheard your fantasy about spanking.”
Ian’s head jerked around so fast, he almost knocked himself over. Spanking? Asia and Cameron?
He stared, fascinated. The newlyweds both flushed, and said almost in unison, “That was a misunderstanding.”
“And Asia, you hand-picked George when you found out Becky was into bondage.”
Bondage! Ian eyed Becky with new insight. And here he’d always thought her to be shy and innocent. Maybe he needed to reevaluate.
“Erica,” George growled while shoving a giggling Becky behind his back. “One of these days …”
“Oh, give up, George. Becky’s not fine china. You’re perfect for her, just as Cameron is perfect for Asia.”
Ian stood right in front of Erica. “And I’m perfect for you.”
She peered up at him. “You lied to me.”
Frowning, Asia sat down beside her. She no longer looked so certain in her mission. “But as you said, Cameron lied to me, and I still love him.”
“Yeah. I’m working that part of it out in my head.”
Becky sat on her other side. “George lied to me too, but only for a little while. He admitted to me that it was a setup. And you know what? I remember he said he would help set you up with the perfect guy too. I just didn’t know he’d think Ian was perfect.”
George stepped forward. “I didn’t, but Ian did. And why not? He’s crazy about her. How much more perfect can it get?”
Cameron added, “We are talking about Erica here, remember. She scares most guys to death.”
Erica tossed a throw pillow at him. “I never scared you.”
That’s because I knew Asia would protect me.”
George nodded.
“It’s heartwarming that you’re all so concerned about her. Really.” Ian looked at Erica. “But I think we can work things out on our own.”