Charade
Page 1
Love isn’t always what it seems in these two timeless tales from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster
IMPETUOUS
When grade school teacher Carlie McDaniels trades in her frumpiness for an exotic harem girl Halloween costume, it’s so long, spinsterhood—and hello, tall, dark and handsome Tyler Ramsey. But even after the best night of their lives, Tyler hasn’t guessed the identity of his harem hottie…and Carlie plans on keeping him in the dark. After all, a gorgeous guy like Tyler would never fall for his smart-talking best friend. And Carlie’s not sure what would happen if he ever unveiled the naked truth!
OUTRAGEOUS
Judd Sanders couldn’t believe it when the beautiful, wide-eyed woman he’d rescued from some drunk hoodlums started poking her gorgeous little nose into his business. She was obviously a menace to herself—not to mention to his libido. Worse, she’d blow his cover. For little did Emily Cooper know that Judd was really a cop—whose feelings for Emily left him a little too uncovered for his liking.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
LORI
FOSTER
“Count on Lori Foster for edgy, sexy romance.”
—New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz on No Limits
“Emotionally spellbinding and wicked hot.”
—New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh on No Limits
“Storytelling at its best! Lori Foster should be on everyone’s auto-buy list.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon on No Limits
“Foster’s writing satisfies all appetites with plenty of searing sexual tension and page-turning action in this steamy, edgy, and surprisingly tender novel.”
—Publishers Weekly on Getting Rowdy
“Foster hits every note (or power chord) of the true alpha male hero.”
—Publishers Weekly on Bare It All
“A sexy, believable roller coaster of action and romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Run the Risk
“Foster rounds out her searing trilogy with a story that tilts toward the sizzling and sexy side of the genre.”
—RT Book Reviews on Savor the Danger
“Steamy, edgy, and taut.”
—Library Journal on When You Dare
Also available from Lori Foster
and Harlequin HQN
The Ultimate series
No Limits
Hard Knocks (e-novella prequel)
Love Undercover
Dash of Peril
Getting Rowdy
Bare It All
Run the Risk
Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor
What Chris Wants (e-novella)
A Perfect Storm
Savor the Danger
Trace of Fever
When You Dare
“Ready, Set, Jett”
in The Guy Next Door anthology
Other must-reads
Back to Buckhorn (e-novella)
Up in Flames
Turn Up the Heat
Hot in Here
Animal Attraction (ebook anthology)
Love Bites
All Riled Up
The Buckhorn Legacy
Forever Buckhorn
Buckhorn Beginnings
Bewitched
Unbelievable
Tempted
Bodyguard
Caught!
Heartbreakers
Fallen Angels
Enticing
And don’t miss the next book
in the Ultimate series,
coming soon
Holding Strong
LORI
FOSTER
Charade
CONTENTS
Impetuous
Outrageous
Excerpt
Dear Reader,
I very much hope you enjoy this 2-in-1 reissue that includes the first two stories that started my writing career, Impetuous and Outrageous. As you read them, please keep in mind that these originally came out in 1995 and 1997. I hope you find that they withstand the test of time!
Although I now write many connected stories, both of these stories stand alone.
You can see all my books with their new and original covers, and a brief description, on my website at www.lorifoster.com/bookshelf.
All my best,
www.LoriFoster.com
Impetuous
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter One
“YOU CAN’T BE a coward forever.”
Carlie chuckled, despite her nervousness. “Quit pushing, Bren. You’re not going to provoke me into rushing out into the party dressed like this.”
“Rushing? You’re already ten minutes late.” She had parked in the back of the house, away from the main flow of human traffic entering the party. Small, twinkling lights surrounded the pool and pool house, even though the weather was too brisk for swimming.
“And that’s your fault. What were you thinking, to pick me a costume that was so...so...” Carlie couldn’t quite find the words to describe the skimpy harem outfit her best friend had chosen for her. If she had to go to Brenda’s stupid Halloween party at all, she would have preferred to be a pumpkin or a witch. Anything that was less revealing.
“So...what? You look fantastic. What’s wrong with that? I want you to have fun tonight. I want you to loosen up a little and try socializing. Talk to people.”
“You mean men, don’t you?” Carlie shook her head. “I’m not a hermit, Bren. I have my students and more than enough school activities to keep me busy.” Then she glanced down at herself. “What were you thinking?”
“You said you didn’t have time to pick out an outfit yourself.” Brenda lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Besides, you make a very sexy harem girl. All the single men here tonight will drool. It’ll do you good to realize how attractive you can be when you aren’t hiding behind those hideous suits.”
Carlie winced. She was feeling far from attractive. Exhibited, displayed and downright exposed was more accurate. She was pretty certain she looked ridiculous more than anything else. “Which single men, exactly, did you invite?”
Brenda waved her hand in dismissal. “You’ve met almost everyone, I think. Some of Jason’s associates, a few neighbors, friends...Tyler.”
Carlie went perfectly still for a heartbeat, then frowned at Brenda. “Tyler Ramsey at a costume party? I didn’t think your notorious brother-in-law would bother with something so—”
“Don’t make fun of my party, Carlie.”
“I wasn’t. I just thought fancy banquets were more his speed.” Carlie couldn’t imagine Tyler dressed in a costume. He always seemed so...suave. And he always had a very sophisticated, very elegant woman on his arm.
“Tyler came because Jason asked him, and he would never let his brother down. You know how close they are.” Brenda shook her head and added, “You know, you and Tyler actually have a few things in common.”
Carlie turned away. “You’re dreaming, Bren. We live in different worlds.”
“You just don’t understand Tyler. He had it pretty rough growing up, too.” Then she touched Carlie’s arm. “But at least Jason was always there for him.”
“My brother had his own life,” Carlie said. “And he was right, my problems were my own.”
“Jason would never turn Tyler away if he needed help.”
“Jason’s a terrific guy. But he and Tyler are nothing alike.”
“Not now, maybe, but they used to be,” Brenda said with a grin. “But then, Jason met me. I think Tyler will be the same. When he finds someone he cares about...”
Carlie narrowed her eyes and stiffened her shoulders. “That will be a little hard for him to do when his relationships rarely last long enough to get to know a woman.”
Brenda stared at Carlie, her eyebrows raised. “You seem to be keeping pretty close track of my young brother-in-law.”
“He’s not that young.” But Carlie flushed at being caught. “I mean, he’s a grown man. He must be in his early thirties...oh, never mind.”
“Tyler’s a good guy, Carlie. He may change dates a lot, but that’s because the women he usually hooks up with are only impressed by his status in the community and his expanding financial portfolio. Tyler thinks he wants a no-strings attachment, but he’s never satisfied with it.”
Carlie had a feeling it was Tyler’s looks and outrageous charm that really attracted women, but she kept her mouth shut. She certainly didn’t want Brenda to get the idea she had a crush on Tyler Ramsey.
Good grief. A crush! No, she didn’t. Certainly not.
Carlie was shaking her head at her errant thoughts, even as she said, “You don’t have to defend Tyler to me, Bren. What he does is no concern of mine.”
“Fine. Then if you’re done stalling, can we get back to the party now? I think it’s about to rain.”
Carlie glanced up at the dark sky and smelled the moisture thick in the air. “You go on, Bren. I think I’ll just wait a few more minutes.”
Brenda hesitated, then she nodded. “Don’t be too long.”
Too long? Carlie wondered if another hour or so would be too long. She truly didn’t relish the idea of going inside, not that anyone would recognize her. Dressed so differently, no one would see her as Carlie McDaniels, grade-school teacher and spinster extraordinaire. Her persona this evening was as far from her usual self as a woman could get. Even her hair and eyes were different, thanks to the wig that came with the costume, and the colored contacts she was wearing.
She was a coward, true, but it had been two long years since her divorce, and though that had been enough time for her to gain her independence and put some order to her life, it hadn’t been time enough to repair her confidence in herself as a woman. Brenda claimed Carlie was attractive and appealing. Carlie’s ex had made an entirely different claim.
Shivering, she forced her mind away from the disturbing memories, mustered her courage and started toward the door. She could make Brenda happy by mingling for an hour or so, then she could make her escape. The thought of her small, tidy, empty house seemed very nice all of a sudden.
* * *
Tyler Ramsey hated parties.
Looking around in mild amusement, he tried not to appear bored. Everything was the same—the ritual, the games. There were several women, alone and obviously on the hunt, who had been eyeing him since he’d entered. A Cleopatra, an elf, an Indian maiden—they all were playing their phoney roles to the hilt. They were drawn to his reputation, he knew. The funny part was, most of it wasn’t even true.
Turning away, he wondered why he’d allowed Brenda to talk him into coming. True, he’d been bored for a while, at loose ends with himself. He needed a spark; he needed someone who could make him laugh.
His brother laughed a lot these days.
Not that Tyler wanted to settle down. He hadn’t met a woman yet with whom he could consider spending the rest of his life. Jason was lucky to have found Brenda; she was the best. But women like her were rare. Glancing around the room again, Tyler realized just what a find Brenda was. The house was filled with females, but none of them held his attention. They were all...the same. Laughing, flirting, drinking. They stood poised to best advantage, their gestures predictable.
He’d been told more than once now how dashing he looked in his pirate costume. Everyone knew it was him. He wasn’t wearing makeup as some of the other guests did. His only concession was an eye patch, worn rakishly over his left eye. A billowing white shirt that he found extremely comfortable, and tight black trousers completed the costume. His belt—wide, with a huge brass buckle— held a scabbard, with a sword resting inside it. His black boots came to his knees.
He sat in a chair, observing the crowd dispassionately. Immediately, a blond Valkyrie, brass breastplate shining in the glow of party lights, came to perch on his knee, and gave him a sly smile. He recognized that smile. It belonged to his ex-companion, Valerie. It was a smile that signaled her intent, and he used to respond to it appropriately. All he felt now was irritation. She leaned close, and he forced a polite expression to his features. They’d shared something brief, and by her insistence, with no strings attached. The outcome had been predictable.
She’d wanted a man who knew the score, who could afford the best, who moved in certain circles—her circles. She liked his sports car, his professional connections, and sex. In that order.
And he’d needed someone to help him fill his time, to give him something to think about other than his legal cases and the fact that his personal life was basically...empty. But it was over.
He knew it. Why didn’t she?
“Don’t you recognize me, Tyler?”
There was no place to put his hands, so he rested one on her back, the other on her naked thigh. “Of course. You’re a beautiful Norse goddess.” His legendary innate charm surfaced through his impatience.
Valerie chuckled throatily. “You make a very believable pirate. Have you made any plans to plunder the party and steal away with female captives?”
He didn’t feel like playing, so he conjured the lie without hesitation. “Actually, sweetheart, I have.”
She pouted, and ran her fingers through his hair. “You look so dashing, Tyler.”
He barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. He thought of going home to his empty house—and the thought no longer seemed so unappealing.
He glanced up, and saw his sister-in-law, Brenda, standing by the kitchen door, talking with a man dressed as a Roman general. Tyler was just deciding to go home and nurse his discontent in the privacy of his own home, when Brenda turned toward the kitchen with an expectant look on her face. She gave a wide smile, and the Roman nearly dropped his glass of liquor.
Tyler felt anticipation for the first time that night. He stared, waiting. Brenda suddenly appeared to be very delighted, and he wondered why. She seemed every bit as impish as the fairy she was dressed to be.
Slowly disengaging himself from Valerie’s clinging hold, Tyler stood, his curiosity swelling. He was so intent on watching Brenda, he didn’t hear Valerie’s complaints. His eyes were glued to the kitchen doorway.
And then he saw her.
His knees locked and he felt his thighs tense. The woman stood uncertainly by Brenda, apparently oblivious to the stares she was drawing. She was magnificent.
Long, dark curly hair fell to her shoulders, and her costume left little to the imagination. Lush, was the first thought to come to mind.
She wasn’t slim, but her curves were in all the right places. Her long legs were beautifully shaped, lightly muscled, teasingly displayed in the wispy, transparent harem pants. Her waist was trim, her navel a soft shadow in the gentle swell of her belly. Her shoulders, straight and broad for a woman, were held proudly, despite her obvious reluctance, and her pale breasts were very full, firm and high. She was wearing an ornate mask, that covered her face from her nose to her hairline. He didn’t care.
She bent and whispered something in Brenda’s ear. Brenda lost her smile, and looked around the room as if seeking encouragement. Her eyes passed over Tyler, then seeing his rapt stare, she turned to the harem girl. Her eyes soon followed.
He caught her gaze, literally. Even from the distance that separated them, Tyler could feel her nervousness. She seemed startled by his awareness, and displeased. She was poised for flight.
He didn’t smile. He pulled off his eye patch and started toward h
er. She seemed unable to move, her eyes widening. As he came closer, he saw that she was very pale and that her eyes were a startling, unnatural shade of vivid blue. Contacts? As part of her costume?
He was intrigued.
With only a few feet separating them, he was pulled to an abrupt stop by Valerie.
He glanced at Valerie with stark impatience. “I have to go.”
“Tyler, wait! I wanted to talk to you.” Her hand slid up his arm to grip his shirt. Her voice lowered to a purr. “I need a date tomorrow. For a banquet. It will be...fun.”
He didn’t have time for this. Valerie always came around when she wanted something from him. He had no doubt she needed him to gain entrée into the charity banquet. With plates going at a thousand dollars apiece, she knew there would be influential people there.
He wasn’t interested.
Shaking his head, he turned back toward the woman in the harem costume...but she was gone. He moved to the kitchen in time to see her ducking out the back door. A hundred thoughts flew through his mind.
She was exquisite, exciting, and she was evidently running. From him?
He didn’t want to lose sight of her, didn’t want to take the chance that he wouldn’t be able to find her again later. It was ridiculous, really, the urgency he felt, but he acted on it, anyway.
Brenda caught his arm as he tried to go past her.
“Tyler!” Her grip was firm, effectively stopping him. “Aren’t you going to say hi?”
“What?” His question was a bark, filled with impatience.
Brenda stared at him. “What’s the matter with you?”
“Who was she?”
Her eyebrows arching, Brenda looked behind her. “Oh...just one of the guests.”
Tyler narrowed his eyes. “She’s leaving already?”
“No, she...” Brenda shook her head. “She’s a little shy. I had to talk her into coming tonight and now she’s having second thoughts.”
“I think I’ll go get some fresh air.”
Her smile slipping, Brenda seemed startled by his abrupt statement. “It’s starting to rain, Tyler. Why would you...?”