‘You get used to it,’ Missy said. She’d never admit it, but she liked the sensation.
‘Then try it on.’
‘I will.’ She glanced at her friend. ‘What did you find?’
Roma screwed up her nose. ‘They didn’t have any purple.’
Missy frowned sympathetically. Her friend had a thing for colour and, apparently, so did Jake. ‘It would have been hard to match anyway.’
‘So what do you think?’ Roma held up two possibilities. ‘White or black?’
That was an easy call. ‘Definitely black. That dress is dark enough that the white would show like a spotlight if you had any slippage.’
‘My thoughts exactly. Shall we hit the dressing room?’
‘You go. I’m not done looking.’
‘The red teddy?’
Missy felt her cheeks heat. She hadn’t told her friend everything. ‘It was a very specific request.’
Roma rolled her eyes. ‘That man is a machine.’
Missy grinned. ‘From what you’ve told me, Jake can hold his own.’
‘And then some.’ With a flounce, Roma pivoted and walked to the dressing rooms.
Missy turned her attention back to the teal set. The brief coverage of the thong was a bit shocking. It was more of a T shape than a V. The zing in her belly got a little stronger, and she pressed her thighs together hard.
Red. She couldn’t forget the red.
It took a while, but she finally found what she needed. The racier garments were kept at the very back corner of the store, away from where the more timid shoppers might venture. Good thing. The teddy she found not only had a convenient opening in the panty panel, two ribbons held together the fabric covering her breasts. Two little tugs, and Hawk would have access to whatever he wanted.
She’d have to try this one on when Roma wasn’t looking.
The stalls in the dressing room were nearly empty when she walked in, but she knocked on the door where Roma was changing. Her friend opened the door and she slipped inside.
‘What do you think?’ Roma asked. She squared her shoulders and stood up straight. All she was wearing was the black bra, a pair of light blue panties, and the new purple sandals they’d bought to match the dress.
‘Interesting colour combination,’ Missy said as she started to strip.
‘I have black panties at home.’
‘Oh, splurge for once would you, Madam Accountant? How often does your reunion roll around?’
Roma looked at herself in the mirror and bit her lip. ‘You’re right. I’ll buy the panties, too. I think the bra is a good fit.’
She pivoted to and fro, looking at her reflection. The change in her figure was really dramatic. Jake had done a fantastic job of getting her in shape in a relatively short time period. All that remained was a bit of toning work.
Missy wiggled out of her jeans and pulled her top over her head. She glanced at herself in the mirror. She’d been teasing about her figure. She liked the way she looked, and why shouldn’t she? She worked her ass off to get this way.
Reaching back, she undid the hooks of the bra she was wearing and let it fall down her arms. Her breasts weren’t as big as Roma’s, but they had a nice shape. They were full and firm, and Hawk couldn’t get enough of them. She saw whisker burns near her nipple and turned before her friend could see.
She undid the teal bra from its hanger and put it on. Roma helped with the hooks at the back, and they both were a bit stunned as they looked at the effect in the mirror.
‘Wow!’ Roma said.
Missy ran her tongue across the back of her teeth. ‘Wow’ was an understatement. The teal colour was the perfect match for her pale skin and dark hair, but the style…Yowza. ‘I look as busty as you!’
‘And then some. Zheesh, that’s an awesome optical illusion.’
‘Illusion? These are all mine.’ Missy shimmied to see what would happen. Not much movement there. The push-up bra was doing its job, but the demi-cut made it look like it was a frilly nothing.
‘Try on the thong.’
She was already reaching for it. Remembering the store’s rules, she pulled it up and over the black one she was already wearing.
Roma gasped. ‘There’s nothing to that.’
Missy cocked her head. It was a little spare, but she liked the idea of being daring. She’d been so safe for so long. ‘I’m buying it,’ she declared.
She whipped the tiny strip of fabric off, along with her own thong. As long as she was buying it, she might as well try it on for real. She swivelled her hips as she pulled the lacy teal into place. The strips of fabric settled over her hips and into the crevice between her cheeks. It cupped her perfectly.
She stared at herself, amazed at the sensual creature that stared back. She looked so good, she was turning even herself on. By the time she got together with Hawk, she was going to be ready to tear off all his clothes.
Roma joined her at her side, grinning as she stared at their scantily clad bodies. ‘Look at us. Have you ever seen two such hot babes?’
‘Never. And tonight, I’m going to crank up the heat.’ Missy turned and peeked over her shoulder to see how she looked from behind. ‘When Hawk gets home, he’s going to find me lying on the couch wearing nothing but this. He’ll never know what hit him.’
‘Home?’ Roma said, keying in on one little word. Her eyes narrowed. ‘Wait a minute. When did his place become home?’
Oh, damn. Why had she let that slip?
Her friend caught her by the shoulder and turned her so she could look her in the face. ‘Have you moved in with him?’
‘No,’ Missy said defensively. ‘I’ve just been spending a lot of time there.’
‘As in nights?’
‘Maybe.’
‘What about Danny? Has he figured it out?’
She really didn’t want to get into this. Not now. She was having such a good time. ‘Maybe,’ she admitted. ‘I think so.’
‘You think so? What has he said?’
God, what was this woman doing as an accountant? She should be an interrogator down at the police department.
‘Not much,’ Missy mumbled. She adjusted the strap riding on her hip, suddenly uncomfortable.
Only the discomfort wasn’t external.
Oh, God. Here it came. She could feel it bubbling up inside her. She was not good at juggling two men, and she didn’t like doing it. She hated that she was hurting both of them, and she hated even more that she was hurting herself.
Frustrated, she flung her hands into the air. ‘I don’t know what’s going on with Danny. I’ve been with him since I was a sophomore in high school. That’s eight years as a couple, but all he can say when I head out for the night is “later”. See ya later. Doesn’t he care? Isn’t he suspicious? Why doesn’t he at least check up on me?’
Roma took a step back, surprised at the sudden outburst. ‘Where have you been telling him you’re going?’
‘To your place.’
‘My place?’ She blinked. ‘Well, you’re right. He hasn’t called.’
Missy picked up her jeans from the floor and tossed them onto the dressing-room bench. ‘That’s probably because he’s taking advantage of my being gone and heading out with the boys. I swear all he does any more is play poker, watch TV, or hit the bars.’
Roma scowled. ‘How old did you say he was?’
‘Twenty-two. Like me.’ Missy ran a shaky hand through her hair. This had been festering inside her for a while. She’d been racked with guilt for cheating on him, but was it really cheating when the other person had already checked out of the relationship emotionally?
She’d told Hawk once that Danny was her room-mate. It hurt a little to realise she’d been telling the truth.
‘I don’t know what happened to us,’ she said, suddenly angry. ‘We used to be so happy.’
‘Oh, honey,’ Roma said, rubbing her on the shoulder. ‘It sounds like you’ve just grown apart. You were so young when you st
arted dating. You’ve matured, but Danny hasn’t gotten there yet.’
‘He’s not even close.’
‘Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work. Do you have similar interests?’
‘I’m into health and fitness; he’s into being a couch potato.’
‘Well, what about friends?’
‘We don’t have that many in common any more.’
Roma crossed her arms under her breasts. One blonde eyebrow rose. ‘Have you slept with him since you started seeing Hawk?’
And she’s moved in for the kill, Missy thought.
‘No,’ she admitted softly.
She rubbed her hand across her belly. That really was the crux of the matter. Not only had she stopped having sex with Danny, she’d been sleeping on the couch. If you could call it that…It was hard for her to sleep any more without Hawk at her side.
Roma’s voice went soft. ‘Then I think you’ve already made up your mind.’
‘I have,’ Missy said. If she was honest with herself, she’d made up her mind a long time ago. She’d made it up on the night she’d accepted a ride home from a man she hardly knew. ‘Danny doesn’t know it yet, but I’m moving out of the apartment at the end of the month. I’m paid up in rent until then. After that, I’m gone.’
Roma nodded as if that was a good idea. ‘Are you going to move in with Hawk?’
‘No.’ She was a little embarrassed when the word came out so strong.
Her friend held up her hands as if sorry she’d asked. ‘Why not?’
‘Because he hasn’t asked me,’ Missy said with irritation. There were a lot of things he hadn’t asked her. There were a lot of things he hadn’t told her.
‘Have you talked about it at all? Does he know your plans?’
Oh, that was rich. ‘Talk? Please. You know Hawk. He’s more action than words. I hardly know any more about him now than I did when we first got together.’
‘Well…’ Roma said hesitantly. ‘I know a little.’
Missy’s head snapped to the side. She’d been dying to know more about the man she was sleeping with, but there was only so much snooping she could do. ‘Like what?’
‘He builds houses.’
‘He what?’
‘He’s a contractor. Jake told me so.’
She gritted her teeth together. ‘No wonder I got a smile out of him when I told him I liked his house. He must have built it. That pig-headed jerk! Why didn’t he say something?’
Roma rubbed her hands together nervously. ‘It goes both ways. Have you ever asked him anything about himself?’
‘I don’t even know his real name!’ she snapped. ‘How can I be falling in love with the big galoot when he won’t even tell me his name?’
Roma’s mouth rounded into a big ‘O’. When Missy realised what she’d just admitted, she clapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes went wide, and she felt the blood drain from her face.
Roma pointed at her and wiggled her finger accusingly. ‘You said you loved him.’
‘Falling in love,’ Missy quickly clarified. Her shoulders slumped. ‘Oh, who am I kidding? I’m already there.’
She was crazy about the guy; that’s why he made her so upset. He was about as open as a clam, but he was sweet to her in his own way. He kept her car in top condition, made her breakfast, made sure she got to class on time…What really got to her, though, was the way he held her. It didn’t matter if they’d just made love or not. He always held her like he didn’t want to let her go.
Tears started to well up in her eyes. ‘I love the big muscle-headed jerk.’
Roma started to get weepy, too. She waved a hand in front of her face as if that would fight back the tears and sniffed loudly. ‘Well, if you feel that way about him, you need to knock him upside the head. Get him out of his shell.’
Missy smiled weakly. ‘It’s a little late for that. We kind of jumped into the deep end of this relationship. I can’t go back and ask him his name again. God, how embarrassing would that be?’
‘You two,’ Roma said, rolling her eyes. ‘Fine. If you won’t do it, I will.’
‘You’ll do what?’
‘Put that man straight.’
Missy let out a laugh and wiped her eyes. That was a picture. Little terrier Roma nipping at the heels of a Rottweiler like Hawk.
‘But you’ve got to get off your duff, too,’ her friend challenged. ‘Talk to him. Ask him questions. Badger him.’
‘I don’t even know where to start.’
‘I do,’ Roma said. She rubbed her hands together as if the plan was already forming in her head. ‘Simple and straightforward? Ha! Just let me at him.’
Chapter Nine
Roma spotted Hawk the moment she stepped in the gym door on Monday after work. Then again, he was kind of hard to miss. He was doing lateral raises with the free weights on the other side of the room. The scowl on his face was menacing as he stared at his reflection in the mirrored wall in front of him. He was in the zone, blocking out anything and everything around him as he concentrated on his form.
Perfect.
Her eyes narrowed. Her plan was a surprise attack. Get in, make her point, and get out – hopefully before he could catch her in a headlock. Squaring her shoulders, she headed towards him.
Her chances of getting through this unscathed were much higher if he was tired.
Intent on her target, she closed in. He finished the set and began to put the weights down to rest. Now!
‘Haw-’
The ‘k’ was cut off unexpectedly when she suddenly found herself swept up in a kiss. Strong arms wrapped around her, and a hard body pressed against hers. The kiss was hot and sweet. The arms tightened, lifting her until her toes dangled towards the floor. When she was finally allowed to come up for air, she found herself a bit dizzy.
‘Hey, Goldie. Miss me?’
‘Jake!’ she said in surprise. ‘I didn’t see you there.’
‘I noticed. I’m trying not to take it personally.’
She rubbed her lips together. They tingled like crazy. ‘I was trying to talk with Hawk.’
‘Talk with him later,’ he said as he tugged her to the office. ‘Make out with me first.’
‘Well…’ She glanced again at the bodybuilder. She was on a mission, but she wasn’t stupid. ‘OK.’
Together, they stumbled into the office. Roma kicked the door shut with her heel and shrugged her shoulders as Jake pushed off her jacket. Impatiently, she urged him backwards to his desk. He sat down and pulled her between his outstretched legs.
‘God, I missed you,’ he said as he kissed her hungrily.
She struggled to get closer. ‘Not as much as I missed you.’
‘These are new,’ he said as he slid his hands into the back pockets of her jeans. ‘I like them.’
‘Me, too,’ she said as she nibbled on his lower lip. ‘They’re a size smaller.’
‘Congratulations,’ he said. He kissed her soundly to stop her teasing. ‘What did Missy have to use to peel you off the ceiling?’
‘The dress.’
‘The dress?’
She sighed happily. ‘It was a great weekend. It will go down in the annals of shopping history.’
He pulled back. ‘That good, huh? When do I get to see it?’
‘Later,’ she said with a mischievous smile. She wove her fingers through his blond hair. ‘How was your trip to Chicago?’
‘Productive.’
‘Did you figure out all the details like you wanted?’
‘Most of them.’
‘Did you remember to bring something back for me?’
For a moment, he looked panicked – as if he’d forgotten to get her a present. When he saw the expectant look in her eyes, though, he let out a chuckle.
‘You’re twisted,’ he said, shaking his head. With regret, he extricated his hands from her back pockets and reached into his own. He pulled out his wallet and opened it. ‘Most women want jewellery.’
&nbs
p; ‘Receipts, please.’ She held out her hands as he pulled out white slips of paper. She frowned when she saw how folded and crumpled they were, but she took them eagerly. She’d learnt she needed to get information like this out of him quick before it disappeared entirely.
‘Now get back here,’ he said.
She stepped back, nimbly escaping. ‘I told you I have to talk with Hawk.’
‘Can’t it wait?’
She shook her head. ‘I need the element of surprise.’
‘Uh-oh.’ Jake’s eyebrows lowered. ‘I don’t like the sound of that.’
She glanced with interest at his filing cabinet. ‘You don’t happen to have his real name in there, do you?’
‘What do you need that for?’
‘Ammunition.’
‘Oh, God. What is this about?’
She shrugged. She didn’t see any reason she couldn’t tell him. ‘I promised Missy I’d have a talk with him.’
‘A talk about what?’
‘What do you think?’
He turned a bit pale.
‘Goldie,’ he said in warning. ‘Let those two work their problems out on their own.’
She rolled her eyes. Wasn’t that just like a man? ‘And just how are they supposed to do that? They’re humping like rabbits, but neither can work up the courage to talk to the other. Somebody’s got to give them a nudge.’
‘It doesn’t have to be you.’
‘Jake, they’re our friends.’
He let out a bark of laughter. ‘That’s the point. I’d like to keep them that way. Hawk would have my head on a plate if I gave you his name.’
‘Oof. You’re no help.’ Miffed, Roma scooped up her jacket. She hung it on a hook on the wall and circled around to the back of the desk. ‘Where’s your sense of romance?’
‘Standing on the other side of this desk.’
He started to follow her, but she stopped him by pointing at an imaginary line. ‘Hey, stay on your side.’
She put down the receipts. She hadn’t planned on doing this now, but she might as well get it out of the way. ‘Since you’re here and you’re so cold-hearted, we might as well do some business.’
‘Cold-hearted?’ He looked back to the spot where they’d just been engaged in a heated clench. ‘Did that feel cold-hearted to you?’
High School Reunion Page 15