Tempting as Sin (Sinful, Montana Book 2)

by Rosalind James

  It wouldn’t be new for them, no. It wouldn’t be the first time, but it would still be good. It would still be pleasure, even if it were only the pleasure of wearing beautiful things for yourself, the way it was for Lily. And surely there wasn’t enough pleasure in the world.

  Five. Maggie Howden, who did real estate law, taking an early lunch and checking out the best stuff. “Hot date tonight,” she was telling Lily now, pushing back a curly tendril that had escaped her knot of auburn hair. “At least I hope it’s hot. Date number four, and so far, he’s been too much of a gentleman, as far as I’m concerned. I’d think he wasn’t interested, except that he is. Four dates in two weeks interested. The saddest, kindest eyes you ever saw, and he kisses like he means it. He held my face.” She sighed and stroked a hand down a deep-purple chemise, then put it back. “Why is that so hot? And I can’t decide what kind of thing would work best. Help.”

  “Tell me more about him,” Lily said. “What’s he like?”

  Maggie was looking at a pale blue camisole-and-tap-pants set, and rejecting it. “He’s forty-seven, he’s a rancher, his wife died of breast cancer after a hard fight four years ago, and he’s just starting to get out there again, because it broke him up so badly. The man belongs in a country song, and I’m not kidding. He’s taking me dancing down in Kalispell tonight, and if he doesn’t make the big moves, I’m doing it myself. He’s been alone long enough. If he does happen to slide his hand up my leg all on his lonesome, though, I want him to be glad he did. These colors don’t quite work, do they?”

  “Hmm,” Lily said. “I’m thinking black, I’m thinking push-up bra, and I’m thinking lace. He sounds like a traditionalist. We get you in some wispy little black cobwebs, and he might stop being such a gentleman.”

  She got busy. Maggie would look spectacular in black, with her auburn hair, curves, and creamy fair skin. Lily thought about that, and not about seeing Rafe today for the first time since Wednesday, when she’d had the ridiculous idea that she could out-casual him. She wasn’t made for casual. Witness her abject failure at making the big moves herself, probably because she didn’t want to make them. She wanted that anticipation, that flutter low in her belly. She wanted to stand there, raise her eyes to him so slowly, and say what he’d told her to. “Maybe you could kiss me again, take off my clothes, and touch me nice and slow, so I’d know for sure.” In a whisper. And then she wanted to wait, barely breathing, for him to do it.

  Except he wouldn’t. The bastard.

  Consent is a thing, she reminded herself. For men as well as women. You asked. He said no. Just like he backed off twice before, when you said no. Damn it.

  Six. Bailey, who wasn’t technically occupying the shop. She was in the back room drinking a smoothie that Lily had brought from home in a thermos, keeping Chuck company, and reading a book about Australian animals.

  “He’s probably nervous, and starved, too, because he couldn’t even have breakfast,” Bailey had told Lily when she’d arrived this morning to find the girl already waiting. “I bet he knows something’s going to happen. He probably thinks we’re going to kick him out again.” She’d dressed in her new sky-and-stars-patterned tee and gray drawstring fleece shorts and was looking cute at last, except for her haircut. Even the faded black Converse sneakers with their white toe caps looked better, like it was a look and not the only choice.

  Lily had to do something about the haircut, though. About laundry, too. She just hadn’t figured out how to make it seem accidental. She was also going to have Bailey make herself another T-shirt and pair of shorts this afternoon. After that, she’d work on the rest.

  As for Chuck—Lily didn’t think “nervous” was in his emotional repertoire, but having Bailey back there with him meant he wasn’t barking.

  Six people, plus two. She was doing the job she loved, helping women feel beautiful, keeping her eye on everything and everybody, pulling out garments for Maggie. Nothing too out there, but maybe an Adorable push-up demibra in black lace that would offer her breasts up in a way her rancher would never, ever be able to resist. She picked that up, then a Natori set, and along the way, she straightened a nightgown here, a stack of lace thongs there.

  That was what she was doing when Rafe and a tall, lean man with a bony, interesting face walked through the door and brought the count up to ten.

  “Whoa,” Maggie said. “They’ve either got the wrong store, or the right one. Hello, sailor. That is one good-looking man.”

  “I thought you were crazy about your rancher,” Lily said, fighting the urge to (a) fuss with her hair, or (b) wipe her hands on her skirt. There were beads of sweat forming around her hairline, she was sure, and her hair felt too hot even piled on top of her head.

  “I am,” Maggie said. “Looking’s not a crime. And, yes, he’s too young for me. Do I know him? I swear he’s familiar. I never forget a face. I can’t afford to. But…”

  “New in town,” Lily said, glad that Rafe was still wearing his sunglasses, plus a blue-and-white plaid shirt that hid some of his musculature. And yet he still pulled her as if he had some kind of tractor beam, the same way he’d gathered an entire room full of people into his orbit during their karaoke night. He was more there than everybody else, and it was more than looks. It was star power.

  One of the Sinful Inn women came out of the back, accompanied by Hailey with a most comforting armful of garments, the margin on which would be paying the lease for a while. Lily told Maggie, “Let me put these into a fitting room for you,” and then said to Rafe, “Hi. I’ll be out in a moment.” He’s here for Chuck, she told herself. That’s all.

  It took more like five minutes, but Rafe and his friend were still there when Lily came back again. Standing near the front of the shop and not seeming a bit put out by their surroundings, or by the curious glances of the customers, either, whom Hailey was ringing up one after the other. Lily had been right about the twentysomething girls. Two pairs of underwear, their daring indulgence. They’d chosen well, though. Hailey held one up to fold it, and Rafe stared at it like he was mesmerized.

  “Hi,” Lily said, coming up to join him. “What?”

  “Uh…” Rafe said, and nodded towards the register. “I’m trying not to be sleazy, as you know, but what is that?”

  “Ah. I’ll show you.” Lily took them over to the far wall and pulled a garment off the rack. The black briefs weren’t cut low in any way, although they were cut high in the legs. They’d look reasonable otherwise, though. From the front. At the back, they laced in a criss-cross pattern all the way up, and that lacing wasn’t intended to close up any gaps at all. “You get a major vee of derriere here, see?” she told Rafe. “Right up the middle. What do you think? The laces tie in a bow. I know how much you like bows.”

  Should she not be flirting with him, still? Too bad. He wanted to be casual? This was her casual. It was her job. The other guy just looked mightily amused, and anyway, she recognized him for what he was. Hollywood assistant, and good at it.

  “Yeah,” Rafe said. “I think I’ve got it. Holy hell. Another experiment?”

  “Yes, in fact,” she said. “They’ve sold well, though. Not un-classy, just a nice little surprise when she turns around, right? Also, good job on the ‘holy hell.’ Much better at staying in character.” She smiled at him in a most professional way and hung the garment up again, then offered the other man her hand. “Hi. I’m Lily. I’m guessing you’re Martin.”

  “That’s right,” he said. “I’m the dog wrangler today, since the werewolf here is keeping a low profile. Besides, the vet might try to give him a rabies shot. He is half animal, after all. Probably why his horse hates him. And you look exactly like your sister. It’s a little eerie. I finally met her last week, did she tell you? Funny lady. Scary lady. That way she looks at you, like she could take you down with no trouble at all, so you’d better watch your step.”

  “Mm,” Lily said. “Paige is pretty awesome. How did the werewolf do today? He looks a little d
usty again.”

  “Hey,” Rafe said. “The werewolf is standing right here. And, no, I did not fall off. I may be uncomfortable, but that’s not because I fell off.”

  “Oh?” she asked. “What did you do?”

  He was scowling. Too bad it looked good. “I cantered. The horse bounces.”

  She laughed out loud, and Hailey looked over. “Yes,” Lily said, “it does. A little uncomfortable?”

  “You cannot imagine,” he said, and Lily laughed again.

  Oh, she remembered. Maggie. Whoops. She headed back there. Her head may have been spinning a little. Breathe, she told herself. This was her new life, and she was the only one in charge of it.

  “How are you doing?” she called in to Maggie. “Need another size?”

  Maggie opened the curtain a crack. “These are those last ones you chose. What do you think?”

  “I think your rancher’s going to think it’s his lucky day,” Lily said. “If he’s a breast man, he is gone.” Because—yes. Demibra, and Maggie’s white breasts pushed up to the max and showing themselves off? Her new man would have his hand there, and then he’d have his mouth there. You bet he would.

  “Let’s say I’ve caught him looking at the girls a time or two,” Maggie said. “I’m taking them off and coming out. Is Mr. Wonderful still out there?”

  “Yep.”

  “Is he yours?”

  “Nope.”

  “Huh.” Maggie eyed her too shrewdly. She’d handled Lily’s latest real-estate deal, and probably knew her too well. “We’ll see.” She handed out her discarded garments and shut the curtain again.

  Lily hung the discards on the rack for later and headed out front again, feeling like a ping-pong ball. Two new browsing customers, the others having paid and left, bringing the count to eight. Hailey chatting with Rafe, who was laughing and looking absolutely relaxed. Clean-shaven, still, because his beard would have grown in black. She missed the scruff, and the hair. A lot.

  The door chimed, and everybody looked around. Another man. One she knew.

  If Rafe had to act casual for much longer, he was going to explode. Today, Lily was in a flippy little flowered skirt that started out snug and ended up ruffled, not very far down her thighs at all. Plus canvas wedge sandals in colorful stripes reminiscent of deck chairs, red toenails, a scoop-necked, deep-red T-shirt, too much smooth leg for his comfort, her hair piled on top of her head, and the same absolutely delicious body. When she’d shown him that laced-up pair of undies, he’d had another one of those out-of-body experiences. The kind where his mind had already gone there, and he’d had to pretend to still be here.

  Martin, of course, hadn’t missed it. He’d opened his mouth to say something that Rafe was sure would be absolutely inappropriate when two things happened. The redhead and Lily came around from the fitting rooms, and a man walked in the front door. Maybe forty-five, dressed in jeans, boots, and a black T-shirt showing a lot of long, lean muscle, lines of humor around his eyes and mouth, and hair cut as short as Rafe’s, but sticking up and silver. And Martin sighed.

  “Hi there,” Lily said with absolute delight, going to the bloke and giving him a one-armed hug that he returned with a cuddle of his own, a kiss on the cheek, and a sparkle from bright blue eyes. Rafe hated him already. Lily went on, “Aren’t you supposed to be preparing to emasculate my dog? I want your best effort. Oh. This is, uh…” She looked like she’d blanked.

  “Clay Austin,” Rafe said, holding out his hand. “And Martin Avondale.”

  “Ezra Hamill,” the bloke said. He was looking at Martin, not at Rafe. “Vet. And no, Lily, I don’t need to meditate to prepare to snip the gonads off a dog. It’s not gelding a horse. Ten minutes, and those troublemakers are gone and he’s sewn up again.” He smiled, which Martin clearly thought was a good look on him. “Yeah, I saw both you guys flinch. You get used to it. You also become very thankful to get to keep your own. It’s about reducing the bad behavior. Fortunately, we’re exempt.”

  “So you do horses too?” Martin asked.

  “Oh, yeah,” Ezra said. “I’m all about the large animals.” A slightly-too-long look, and then he told Lily, “I’m here, though, because I was heading out for lunch, and I remembered that I wanted to let you know that we’ve had some stock killed up high. As far out of town as you are—don’t let your goats wander during the day, and get them into the barn by sundown, OK? Those tender little goats are pure bear snack.”

  Lily lost the flirty look and got serious fast. “Grizzly?”

  “More than one,” Hamill said. “Coming across the mountain from Glacier, obviously. I’m guessing a female in heat, here for the huckleberries ripening lower down, and she’s drawing the males. They aren’t quite close enough for the state to get involved, but they sure aren’t far off.”

  “Neutering a grizzly, maybe?” Martin asked. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah,” Ezra said. “No, thanks. More like shooting them with a tranquilizer gun and relocating them back to Glacier. I won’t be volunteering for the job. I saw a set of tracks out there that had to be from a nine-hundred-pounder at least. You don’t want to meet that bad boy around a corner. Are you two visiting?” He looked between Rafe and Martin. “Working?”

  “Here to learn to ride a horse, for me,” Rafe said. “Call it my vacation project.”

  “Huh,” Ezra said, and looked him over. He hadn’t missed the stiffness in Rafe’s step, because his next words were, “I only have doggie Advil, unfortunately, because I’d say that calls for pharmaceutical help. And probably a bag of peas to the affected area. Try to sit back more. You want to be on your sitting bones, not your crotch.”

  Rafe said, “I think I’m getting that, thanks. Learning the hard way. At least I stayed on today. I’m doing my first trail ride tomorrow. Week Two, we take it out of the paddock.”

  “The paddock, huh.” Ezra’s expression turned quizzical. “That’s a word I don’t hear a lot. I don’t know about tomorrow. Storm coming for sure, and your first trail ride won’t be any easier in the mud and rain. But when you do go, you should take Lily here along. She’s got a very nice seat on a horse. Well worth watching.” He must have caught the look on Rafe’s face, because he smiled, then looked at his watch. “Time to go. No rest for the wicked. See you soon, Lily.”

  “Actually,” she said, “you’ll see Martin. He’s doing me a favor and bringing Chuck in for his gonad-snipping.”

  “Better and better,” Ezra said, with a one-sided smile. “I’m off to grab lunch while I can. See you, Martin. I’ll bring you in for a word after the surgery, how’s that?”

  “Oh,” Martin said, “that works for me.”

  The bells on the door tinkled again, and Ezra was gone.

  The redhead took a black-and-white-striped shopping bag from Hailey, the two browsers left the shop, and Lily gave a start and said, “Oh! I’m sorry, Maggie. I got a little distracted.”

  The redhead said, “Well, that’s understandable. All these interesting things going on.”

  “I think,” Hailey said, “that we may have just seen the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

  “Which one?” Maggie asked. “You should ask him about kayaking,” she told Martin. “Ezra’s into the whitewater stuff. Very heroic. But he’ll take a boat out onto the lake at sunset, too. He says it helps him think. Sunset on the water. Always romantic.”

  “Does everybody in this town know everybody?” Martin asked. “And everything? I’m a Minneapolis boy myself. It’s some serious Mayberry, R.F.D. out here.”

  “Just about,” Maggie said. “But then, it’s my job. In fact, I did the legal work when Ezra bought his place. He’s got the nicest piece of property up on a hill, and the sweetest Labrador Retriever, too. You can tell a lot about a person by how he treats his animals. Too nice a man to stay single, I’ve always thought. I’ve wondered if there’s a sad story there. I asked him when he came here, why Montana? And he said, ‘Social life, you mean. I guess Montana’s like that
guy you know you should quit. Too beautiful to leave, even if it breaks your heart to stay.’ There you go. That’s Ezra. I almost want him.”

  Martin said, “So where’s all the homophobia? I was told there’d be homophobia.”

  Hailey spoke up now. “Oh, honey. You shouldn’t believe everything you read. We’re just like everybody else. Larry and I have lesbians on our block.”

  Rafe laughed out loud, then said, “Sorry. Sounded funny, that’s all. Like you have mice.”

  Maggie looked at her watch. “Whoops. Got to go.”

  “Thanks for coming in,” Lily said. “Report back.”

  “I will,” Maggie said. “Hopefully not too early.” And left.

  “What?” Hailey asked Rafe when the door closed behind Maggie. “I didn’t say it right, about the lesbians? Is there a new name now? I never know. All I know is, they have the sweetest little boy you ever saw, and they take good care of him, too. I’ve seen plenty do worse. I say people should mind their own business more. If nobody’s getting hurt, what do I care what people do in the privacy of their own home? If we all did a little less judging and a little more loving, the world would be a better place.”

  Lily made a little noise, then went around the counter, put her arm around Hailey, and said, “You know what? I love you. I really do. You make the world a better place. I was just thinking that yesterday.”

  Hailey patted her arm and said, “Well, thanks, hon. Right back at you. And,” she told Rafe, “I’m going to go on and say this. If you’re supposed to be hiding, you’d better think about that some more, because it’s not working.”

  “Pardon?’ he asked.

  She waved a hand. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I might not have known that Paige wasn’t Lily, but I’m not getting fooled this time, and I’m not even the one you have to worry about. Louise Harward has you as her screen saver, for heaven’s sake. Without a shirt. You can wear your sunglasses inside all you want, but we all know that face. And I’m not even going to talk about your rear end.”