SEX APPEAL

by Lori Foster

  "Brent, Joan sends her love. She misses you fiercely."

  Brent shook his head, casting a surreptitious look at Shadow. "She misses my money, Mother, not me."

  "You're being uncharitable. Of course she expected you to show a certain amount of affection with gifts and such. That's the way of it." Debra shrugged delicately, expressing her unconcern.

  Shadow asked, "Is this the past fiancée who is making a pest of herself?"

  Brent nodded, watching Shadow for some sign of jealousy. There was none and it annoyed him. "She no doubt expected to see me over Thanksgiving," he told Shadow, egging her on just a bit.

  Debra continued to address Shadow, undaunted. "Brent gave her a beautiful diamond bracelet just before they broke off. She still wears it, poor girl."

  "He's generous to a fault," Shadow agreed, her expression impossible to read. "Just today, he tried to buy me this expensive security alarm system." She sighed dramatically. "But I persevere. Hopefully, he'll catch on soon that I'm not a charity case and I don't want his money." She grinned. "But I do enjoy arguing with him. He's so outrageous."

  Martin laughed, while Debra looked very disapproving. Brent simply sat back and enjoyed himself. Never before had he seen anyone put his mother in her place, and Shadow did it with ease.

  Dinner was certainly different, Brent decided. The food was excellent, of course, but the conversation surrounding the table was a volley of subtle insults from his mother, each of which Shadow deflected with quick wit and candid honesty. Brent realized with some surprise that his father was equally amused, and they shared an indulgent masculine chuckle.

  Shadow ate with perfect manners, but unlike most women of Brent's acquaintance, she had a hearty appetite, and no fear of displaying it. He and his parents had chosen seafood, but Shadow had ordered steak and potatoes.

  After she'd eaten every bite, she leaned back in her seat, patted her belly and sighed. "That was delicious. My stomach was growling all the way over here."

  Debra was appalled. "You have a very bad habit of speaking thoughts that are better left private."

  In a mock-mournful voice, Shadow answered, "I know. I have a lot of nasty habits. Most people do, however. What bad habits do you have?"

  Debra frowned at her. "I have no idea."

  Shadow's grin could be called nothing less than sly, but her tone was pleasant enough. "Would you like for me to help you distinguish a few of them?"

  "Well! I never."

  Brows raised, she said, "You should," then added when everyone grew quiet, "No really. I've always believed we should be aware of ourselves and our shortcomings, just as we should acknowledge our accomplishments and our more favorable characteristics. It's good to know yourself inside and out. That way, no one can take you by surprise with an insult, because you'll already be aware of it—" she tilted her head "—or else know it to be mere malice or spite that provoked them to lie."

  Brent studied her, intrigued anew. She'd said that a lot of people thought her nutty, and he had issued that damn insult as well. He wondered now just how much guff she'd had to put up with from the conformists. His heart swelled with compassion. "All that?" he asked gently. "I had no idea." He reached over to take her hand, unmindful of the attention he received from his parents. "What would you say your own faults are?"

  He didn't mean for her to be overly serious, to lay herself open to criticism from himself and his parents. He'd only hoped to tease her into another smile. But Shadow took his question to heart. "I'm too trusting. And not very perceptive when it comes to innuendo or discreet insults." She grinned at Brent's mother. "Your insults were thankfully plain. But there have been others who thought it was fun to make a fool of me." She shrugged. "I guess I'm an easy mark."

  "That's very hard to imagine," Brent murmured. "You're too smart for that."

  "Smart," she agreed without modesty, "but I also have a very strange perception of people and their place around me. I find humor in almost everything, even when it doesn't exist. It made it rough getting through school, because everyone seemed to think I was slow or simple, even though I made high grades and was on the dean's list in college. Also, as your mama already noted, I'm entirely too candid."

  Brent felt tenderness expand inside him. Squeezing her hand, he commented, "But you're certainly a snappy dresser."

  Shadow laughed. "I like to think so."

  There was a heavy pause at the table, then Debra tossed down her napkin. "Will you have any time off for Christmas?"

  Shadow looked at her curiously. "I'll close Christmas Eve and Christmas Day."

  Debra turned to Brent. "Get her to take some time off so you can bring her home for Christmas." She gave her attention to folding her napkin as she added, "Your grandparents would enjoy meeting her, I'm sure. And it would probably end Joan's pursuit if she saw you with Shadow."

  Enthusiastic about the proposal, Martin said, "That's an excellent idea! We'd be pleased to have you join us, Shadow. Very pleased."

  Amazed by his parents' acceptance, Brent heard Shadow say, "Thank you. I'll see what I can work out." Which Brent knew meant she didn't want or need his interference. He bit back a grin. Her independence was refreshing, even when it annoyed him.

  Brent spent the entire drive to the airport pondering the amazing means Shadow had used to win over his mother: simple honesty. During their farewells, Debra actually told Brent how lucky he was to have found such a levelheaded female. Martin, winking at Shadow, said, "And she's very cute besides."

  Brent thought Shadow to be a bit more than "cute," and plans for the coming night had him ending the send-off with noticeable haste. His parents smiled after him as he turned away, Shadow by his side.

  "Brent, you're being unbelievably conspicuous."

  Without slowing his pace to the car, Brent asked, "About what?"

  "About wanting to sleep with me."

  They were in the parking lot, the night air too brisk, but the wind thankfully calm for once. He stopped and turned to stare down at her. The glow of a full moon highlighted her soft black curls, her pale cheeks, her wide dark eyes. Brent felt nearly overwhelmed with a myriad of sensations and he didn't fully understand a one of them. Except for the need that was both recognizable and unique. Lust, but stronger than lust. He wanted her, right now, this instant. He wanted to be inside her, hearing her cries, feeling the clench of her body around his erection as he went deep, so deep she became a part of him.

  Searching her face, he noted when her lips parted slightly; when her breathing sped up, and he bent to touch her mouth with his own, a light, brief touch.

  "It's true," he said into her mouth, inhaling her scent and the cold crisp evening air. "I want you so much I hurt, sweetheart. More than I can recall ever wanting anything." She trembled and Brent cupped her cheeks gently with his gloved hands. "I'm also willing to wait if you're not ready. I want you to want me, too. I want you to want me as much."

  "I do."

  Her warm breath fogged in the darkness between them. Brent groaned and took her hand again, nearly running to his car.

  They were almost to her house when Shadow suddenly broke the silence, whispering, "Brent? It's been a long time for me."

  He parked the car, then turned to Shadow, seeing the glimmer in her eyes, so huge and filled with anxiety and urgency. He said softly, "You think I'm going to drag you inside and straight to your bedroom? Maybe pounce on you?"

  "I don't know."

  Always so honest, he thought, and laughed softly. "I could probably manage ten minutes of conversation, if that'd help."

  An impish grin, only slightly nervous, flashed across her face. "Are you going to be timing it?"

  "Very discreetly. You won't notice me watching the clock, I promise."

  "All right." She bit her lip, but asked, "Maybe we could warm up a bit with a few more of those kisses?"

  "Oh, there'll be kisses." His muscles tensed with that statement. He'd driven to her home with an erection, with shaking hands
, and part of that was due to thinking of all the places, all the ways, he intended to kiss her. "Plenty of kisses, Shadow. Don't worry about that."

  Once inside the house, Brent reset the alarm code, then deliberately led Shadow to the family room. He needed time to collect himself and garner his patience. She didn't deserve to be rushed, and he wanted her too much to test himself. Shadow watched him with attentive wariness.

  Attempting a casualness he didn't feel, Brent asked, "Would you mind if I lit the fire?"

  She shook her head. "Everything is ready. There should be some matches on the mantel. I try to keep things set up so…"

  "Shadow." He said her name softly, hoping to reassure her, to help her relax. "I'm not going to jump on you. I promise."

  "And here I was so hopeful," she teased, more to herself than anything.

  "That's better." Brent had a warm, blazing fire going in no time. Keeping his gaze off Shadow with an effort, he went around turning off the lamps she had just turned on. When he stopped before her, he said, "That's much nicer, don't you think?"

  "Yes." And then she came to her feet. "Would you like something to drink?"

  Brent smiled at her lazily. "Do you have any wine?"

  "No!" She gave him a dirty look for that. "But I do have some eggnog, and some lemon snap cookies I bought from this little bakery that does them especially well. They always save an extra batch for me at the end of the day. I have a running account. I just grab them from the back room on my way home—"

  Her rambling monologue stopped abruptly. She gulped.

  "All right." Brent didn't want her tense. He wanted her hot, soft. He smiled, but it was a painful smile. "We'll drink the eggnog and eat the cookies. But don't forget, I'm watching the clock."

  They went to the kitchen together. Shadow bustled around, filling their glasses and picking up a good half dozen cookies to put on a plate. Brent was proud of his show of indulgence. Waiting until they had reseated themselves on the sofa and Shadow had stuffed an entire cookie into her mouth, Brent asked, "How long has it been for you, Shadow?"

  Still chewing, she raised her brows in question, so he clarified. "How long since you've been with a man?"

  She didn't choke, she didn't gasp with indignation or look insulted. She shrugged slightly, then swallowed. "Awhile."

  "How long is awhile?"

  With a look that was almost apologetic, she said, "Seven years?"

  "Seven…" Brent stared at her, thoroughly appalled, and Shadow downed another cookie. That made three for her. He himself hadn't touched the things. "Are you telling me you haven't had sex in seven years?"

  Again she had to chew and swallow before she could say, "Don't sound so disbelieving. I told you I'd had terrible luck with men. After my husband, and before I was engaged the second time, I had a few semiserious relationships. They were total fiascoes. I ended up looking like a fool. So I swore off men."

  Damn if his heart didn't expand. He could actually feel it, crowding his chest. "Then you saw me."

  "Just one look, as the song goes." Her admission had the effect of gasoline on an already raging inferno.

  Brent leaned toward her. He studied her soft mouth, now dusty with cookie crumbs, her narrow nose and her stubborn chin and her incredible eyes. "I haven't been able to put you from my mind since that first look."

  Shadow blindly reached for another cookie.

  "Are the cookies really that good?" Amusement warred with impatience.

  Shadow looked at the cookie in her hand. "Uh … I have no idea. I don't think I've tasted a single one." She turned her gaze up to him, her honeyed eyes very sincere and warm. "I always eat when I'm nervous. I'm sorry. Really."

  Brent very gently disengaged the cookie from her hand, placing it back on the plate. "Come here, honey. Let me just hold you for a bit."

  She did. Then she whispered. "I know I'm acting like an idiot, but I want things to be right with you, Brent."

  Because things for her usually went wrong, where men were concerned? He shook his head. "Hush."

  This time it would be different, because he was different. He'd see to it that she enjoyed herself. A lot.

  He'd slipped his suit coat off before he made the fire, and now she snuggled close, pressing her nose into his chest and breathing deeply.

  Sifting his fingers through her hair, he dislodged her ribbon, then laid it on the coffee table with the cookies. With a crooked finger under her chin, he tilted her face up and kissed her.

  She immediately softened against him, relaxed, and he realized he should have kissed her sooner. He licked her lips, teasing and tasting, sliding deep inside, stroking her with his tongue as he'd soon be stroking her body. His erection throbbed and he knew he was going too fast. He pulled back, lightly nipping her throat, her ear.

  "I love it when you kiss me."

  Her words were breathless, hot. Brent intended to show her all the other pleasurable places he would kiss her. Control, he reminded himself. This first time had to be just right. And knowing Shadow, the best way to control the situation would be to let her think she had the control.

  At one time that thought might have been unacceptable; with Shadow, it made his lust more urgent than ever.

  Slowly, Brent began to lean back on the sofa. Following his lead, Shadow ended up sprawled over his chest, her slight weight pressing into him. With each deep breath, her stiffened nipples caressed him. Her arms were tight, her legs restless. Brent couldn't stop the groan from deep in his throat.

  Shadow didn't seem to notice his hands on her hips, aligning her pelvis with his own. She didn't notice the way he slid one leg between hers, opening her to his touch, having her practically ride his thigh. She did pay attention, however, when he began unknotting her tie.

  "Brent?"

  He kissed her bottom lip, tugged gently on it with his teeth. "You could do the same for me."

  "All right." Between their fumbling hands, they soon had their collars open. Brent had quite a few more buttons undone on Shadow's shirt than she had managed to undo on his. He stared at the smooth, creamy rise of her breasts beneath the shirt.

  "You didn't wear a bra. I couldn't be sure at dinner."

  "I wore a teddy."

  Amused, he asked, "You wore a teddy? I thought you preferred fun stuff to the traditional. Teddies are pretty damn traditional."

  "No." She curled a finger in the hair on his chest, not quite meeting his gaze. "I said other things can be equally as sexy. But a good teddy has its place."

  Brent traced his fingertips along the opening of her shirt, touching satin and lace and warm soft skin. He undid a few more buttons, then pushed her suspenders and the shirt off her shoulders.

  "You are so damn beautiful," he murmured, so close to the edge he didn't know if he could hang on much longer. This kiss was different, filled with hunger and possession. He worked the shirt from her body, leaving her back bare to his hands, her throat and upper chest available to his mouth. He nuzzled against her, his lips rooting over her satin-covered breasts until he found a nipple. It was a gentle bite, but Shadow jumped, then groaned when he began to suckle. Her back arched and her belly pressed down, inadvertently stroking his hard-on.

  In a rasping voice, he said, "Let's get out of these clothes."

  Shadow moved, dazed, to Brent's side. She lay there, eyes wide and soft, while he pulled away her shoes and unfastened her trousers. Slowly, teasing himself, he dragged them off her hips and down the length of her legs. He felt so urgent, so hungry, he couldn't take his gaze off her as he stood to jerk free of his own clothes. The teddy was mere decoration, in no way concealing her breasts with the rosy, puckered nipples, or the dark triangle of hair between her thighs.

  His chest rose and fell with his uneven breathing.

  And then she said, "I gather my ten minutes are up?"

  * * *

  Shadow saw Brent go still, but only for a moment. Beautifully naked except for a pair of charcoal-gray, snug-fitting boxers that barely
contained his erection, he awed her. She wanted to touch him, to explore his sex with her hands, but he seemed on the ragged edge as he came to kneel before her. His large hands settled lightly on her thighs. "Don't be shy, sweetheart. Not with me."

  "No. No, I'm not." He was so large and imposing, the width of his muscled chest blocking her view of the fire, which framed his body with a golden glow. "I want to see you," she admitted.

  His smile was heart-meltingly sensual. The warmth of his palms penetrated the skimpy teddy, and Shadow closed her eyes in pleasure as he caressed her hips, down her thighs, over the arches of her feet. Keeping her eyes closed, she grinned.

  "You're ticklish," he observed with rough-toned affection.

  "A little." Her nipples drew tighter, and between her thighs she ached. She needed him.

  Brent pressed his face into her belly and his arms went around her to hold her tight. It was an endearing embrace, filling Shadow with warmth. Moved by his tenderness, she tangled her fingers in his hair, holding him close.

  Any concerns or trepidation she had been harboring evaporated. The things Brent made her feel were too complex to understand or control. Later she would try to figure them out, but for now, she only wanted to experience them fully.

  "Tell me what you feel," he said as he stroked her breasts through the teddy. Her breath sighed out; her body trembled. He alternately watched her face and his hands on her body.

  He grasped her hips and pulled her to the edge of the sofa, snug against his groin. There was only the insubstantial material of the teddy to shield her, and she was aware of every throbbing inch of his erection.

  "You have large hands," she noted as his palms stroked her from breasts to thighs, covering nearly every inch of her body.

  "Yes, thankfully. I can't decide where to kiss you first." He lowered the straps of the teddy, baring her breasts. "Tell me what you're feeling," he said again, then caught her nipples between his fingers, lightly pinching and tugging, rolling her sensitized flesh until Shadow found it impossible to remain still.