KISS

by Catherine Chernow

  "I have, but I'm not sure that MegaMart is the way to boost this town's image. This is a family-owned business—has been since my great-grandfather started it in 1904."

  "I'd keep it exactly the same—all sixty-two flavors."

  "I don't know,” Fred stated thoughtfully. “I'd like to run this by Kat."

  Jared's interest piqued. Ah, so here indeed was another one of Kat's ‘friends.'

  "You know Kat a long time?” he slanted Fred a glance.

  Fred smiled shyly. “We go back a long way."

  Jared felt a small spark of envy ignite inside him. The MegaMart fortune usually came between Jared and any ‘friend’ he could possibly make. Moreover, most women were enthralled by it, that's usually what they saw first when they looked at Jared Martin, except for Kat. She didn't seem impressed by his wealth.

  Kat ... Kat ... Kat!

  He imagined her dressed in that peek-a-boo gown he saw at KISS before. He wondered if she modeled those designs she made. Maybe she'd model that peek-a-book gown for him. He would see just a hint of her soft skin underneath, yet she'd be covered up enough to make him wonder what lay beneath the opaque fabric...

  Jared's cell phone rang, breaking his lust-filled reverie. “Will you excuse me?"

  "Sure,” Fred said easily. “Take a seat in one of the back booths. You'll have more privacy."

  "Thanks, I'll be right back."

  Jared strode to the back of the store and eased his tall frame onto the cool vinyl seat in one of the booths. He answered the phone on the fifth ring.

  "Jared, where in hell are you?"

  "Hello, George."

  "There's a picture of you kissing Kat Sullivan in today's paper."

  Jared sat up a little straighter in the seat. “Really?"

  "Yes, really. Jared, I don't know what you're doing, but..."

  "I'm winning Summerville over."

  There was a moment's pause on George's end. “Including her?"

  "That was a ... victory kiss. We were at a sporting event.” Jared winced, fully expecting lightning to strike for the lie he just told. It might have been a mistake on Kat's part, but not on his. Her wide, generous mouth was soft, warm ... and he had felt her lithe frame mold to his ... she fit perfectly against him.

  George sighed. “Jared, you're supposed to be cinching this deal. You've got three openings to attend in a few days and another store under construction. You need me there."

  Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. Sometimes George could be one, big pain in the butt.

  "You haven't called in days."

  "I've been busy. Kat's team had to win a soccer game. I've got to set up a meeting with the historical society—"

  "You're really losing it—a kid's soccer game?"

  "It's called community relations.” And it's the most fun I've had in ages, went unsaid. Lately, his life revolved around sitting at his desk analyzing figures or attending one opening after another. It felt good to interact with people as he did at that game.

  It felt even better doing that with Kat ... and sharing that kiss. Oh, why couldn't he stop thinking about that kiss?

  "And why in heaven's name are you meeting with the historical society?"

  "I'll get a better idea on construction and design of the new complex,” Jared replied.

  George didn't.

  "George?” Jared heard a long, drawn-out sigh.

  "Yes, I'm here, Jared. I'm ... thinking."

  Jared's lips thinned. “I don't pay you to think."

  "Well, someone has to because you're obviously not. Or maybe you're thinking with your—"

  "Enough,” Jared muttered through clenched teeth.

  "Look, there's a better way to change Ms. Upstart's mind. Remember what we did with Plasticmate?"

  Jared shifted in the seat. “They were trying to cheat MegaMart. That's different."

  "Yes, but we proved that people always have something to hide, Jared. Remember what we found out about the CEO of Plasticmate?"

  Jared massaged the back of his neck to relieve the knot of tension there. “Yes, I do. I threatened to use that little fact if he dared to go to the media about my father, but he backed off in the end."

  "You see? You could do the same thing with Ms. Upstart. She's the problem here, Jared. Why not make it her problem if she doesn't give in and sell out to you? Let's dig up some dirt on her."

  "No."

  "Jared—"

  "Forget it,” Jared snapped. “I'm not doing that. I'll handle Ms. Up ... I mean, Kat."

  "Oh, so now it's ‘Kat,’ is it?"

  Jared clenched his jaw. “Just let me handle this. Stay out of it. I'll call you before I leave Summerville."

  "When will that be?"

  "When I'm good and ready."

  Jared ended the call. He stared at the phone for quite some time. Maybe George had a point. Some things didn't add up when he thought about Kat. How come she stayed in a small town like Summerville? Her talents and abilities could take her far.

  The nightshirt he bought for Dawn suddenly popped into his head. He had left the box at KISS. Jared glanced at his watch. One-thirty p.m. Kat said she'd be busy for lunch, but maybe KISS opened again by now and he could get the box.

  He rose from the seat and walked back to the counter.

  "It was nice talking to you Fred,” Jared shook his hand.

  "Same here, Jared."

  "I'd like to attend the next civic association meeting. I think you'll like what I'm going to propose."

  "All right. Let's give it a shot. We'll hear you out."

  Jared slanted him a glance as he took out his wallet to pay for the ice cream. “Will Kat be there?"

  Fred grinned. “Of course. She doesn't miss a civic association meeting."

  "Okay, then, what do I owe you?"

  Fred held up a hand. “It's on the house."

  Jared shook his head and handed Fred a ten-dollar bill. “Here, I insist."

  "You helped Allie—you helped Kat and her team win that game. You gave your time, it's the least I can do."

  Jared smiled thinly. “Like I said, you're giving away the profits."

  "Are you always so cynical?” Fred cocked his head at him.

  Jared's smile faded. He squared his shoulders, looking Fred right in the eye. “I'm a businessman. It's the bottom line with me."

  Fred shook his head. “Making money isn't the only thing in life, Jared. Sometimes, it's the least important thing."

  Jared smiled thinly again. “I guess we can agree to disagree."

  "Well, maybe we can.” Fred replied. “I'll see you at the civic association meeting. It'll be in a couple of weeks."

  "See you then."

  Jared walked out into the bright sunshine. These past few days, he felt as though his life back home was Kansas and Summerville was Oz. Here, he could forget his responsibilities to MegaMart and his father. He glanced in the direction of KISS and strode towards it, intent on retrieving Dawn's gift. With Dawn's help, he could travel and do business without the constant worry about his father.

  Making money isn't the only thing in life, Jared. Sometimes, it's the least important thing.

  Jared slowed his pace. Of course making money was important. Keeping the family business alive was important. His dream of teaching physical education had been important, too...

  Jared felt that twinge of resentment he always felt when he thought about that lost dream.

  He looked up to see a clear blue sky—another glorious summer day. It hadn't rained once since he'd been in Summerville and wondered if that's how the town got its name. He picked up his pace as he neared Kat's store.

  Kat ... Kat ... Kat ... he couldn't stop thinking about her.

  A breeze tickled his skin. People passed him, they smiled and said, ‘hello.’ He saw a bright yellow parrot in a cage. It hung in the window of a store called ‘Noone's Nest.” Jared could hear its ‘caw.’ Then it started to sing:

  In the summertime when the weather
is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.

  Jared smiled when he heard the bird's song. Yes, that's what it felt like to be in Summerville, he thought. You wanted to reach up and touch that clear, blue sky...

  That's not all he wanted to touch. He wanted to hold Kat again. He wanted to feel her body pressed up against his.

  When the weather's fine, you got women, you got women on your mind.

  Summerville was definitely reeling him in.

  Or was it Kat?

  * * * *

  Jared stopped in front of KISS’ Victorian façade, painted in a soft shade of pink. He thought about the pink box containing Dawn's nightshirt. Leave it to Kat to match everything just so, including her storefront.

  He also noticed the sign hanging on the door. ‘Closed. Back In An Hour.’ Jared frowned and peered through the window into the dark interior. He pressed his ear up against the pane when he thought he heard voices coming from somewhere in the back of the store.

  He walked around to the back of KISS and stood near the rear entrance marked ‘Deliveries Only.’ He placed his ear against the door. One voice definitely sounded like Kat's, the other sounded like a man's voice. The he heard another woman. Laughter erupted from all three then died down. He saw the door open a crack, so he sprinted behind the dumpster and watched in fascination as Kat opened the door wide. Her eyes swept the small parking lot in front of her.

  "Its all clear,” she smiled as a man and woman exited the back of KISS.

  The young woman turned and gave Kat a hesitant look.

  "Go on,” Kat shooed her away. “You're going to do fine."

  The woman had tears in her eyes, “I—” she started.

  Kat just shook her head. “Go on, Bill's waiting for you."

  Jared couldn't believe his eyes. The young woman's sleek brown pageboy just cleared her chin. She wore heavy makeup, and stiletto heels and her outfit! He whistled through his teeth. A denim miniskirt just cleared her bottom cheeks and outlined her trim hips and round fanny. Topping it off was a low-cut, bright pink tank top edged with lace.

  The man and woman got in a car and drove off, but not before Jared saw the woman blow Kat a kiss through her passenger side window. He swore the man winked lewdly in Kat's direction, too.

  Kat stood there for a moment. When she turned, Jared saw tears pool in her eyes. The sight of them made his chest grow tight. She wiped them away with the back of one hand and made her way toward the delivery entrance.

  That's when Jared made his presence known.

  * * * *

  Kat had her hand on the delivery door when she heard a deep male voice from behind, “So, this is how you spend your lunch hours.” She whirled around the find Jared standing there.

  "Wh-what are you doing here?” The breath whooshed from her lungs. Her heart raced.

  "That's a question I should be asking you."

  She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?"

  He walked to her. “The sign in the front of your store said, ‘Closed. Back in an hour.’”

  "So?"

  Jared raised his brows. “But you were in the store, Kat."

  "I—” she started then stopped when she realized Jared was staring at her. “What?"

  "It's just that,” he cocked his head. “I don't know ... there's something different about you."

  She sucked in a breath as his eyes traveled over her.

  "There's nothing different about me. You're imagining things.” Kat shifted her stance. “Did you want something?” she asked.

  He smiled, a sheepish grin lighting his face. “I, uh, forgot the box."

  "What box?"

  "That nightshirt I bought for my sister."

  "Oh that!” she gave a nervous laugh. “Yes, I noticed you did. You must have put it down while we were talking and ... what now? What's wrong? Why do you keep staring at me?"

  Jared shook his head. “Nothing."

  "Okay, fine, if there's nothing else you want, then I'll just be on my way. I'm busy."

  Kat started to walk away, but Jared grabbed her arm. “No, don't go yet."

  She turned to face him.

  "There is something else. Who were those people that just left?"

  "Customers,” she blurted.

  "I didn't know that customers use your delivery entrance."

  Kat sighed. “Look, if you've got nothing better to do than question me about my business practices—"

  He held up a hand. “You're right. It's none of my business. Yet."

  She paled. “What do you mean ... yet?"

  "Just that. You can have your secrets for now, Kat, but when I buy your store, and I will buy KISS, you'll have no more secrets from me."

  Her mouth hung open. “Of all the—"

  Jared closed the small space between them and grabbed her shoulders. Then he kissed her. He let his lips linger then slid them across hers, the tip of his tongue tickling the soft inside of her lower lip. Kat moaned with each pass of his lips and tongue. In the next instant, she kissed him back. He cradled the back of her head in his large, tanned hand and circled her waist with the other, pulling her flush up against him. Kat's head spun. This man's mouth possessed some kind of magic. Each time his lips met hers, the world tilted on its axis.

  "Kat,” he whispered. “Kat..."

  She felt his racing heart, heard his sharp intake of breath. Kat pulled away. “You'll never get your hands on KISS, never."

  * * * *

  He watched her walk away, her hips and fanny swaying seductively, her determined voice ringing in his ears.

  "We'll just see about that, Ms. Upstart,” he whispered. “We'll just see."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Four

  Kat entered the back of KISS and slammed the delivery door. Bracing her back against it, she took a deep breath and prayed that her racing heart and pulse would slow. Eyes closed, she pressed shaking fingers to her tingling, kiss-swollen lips. What a fool she had been to respond to Jared's kiss! She groaned in frustration. Lilith had said be nice to him and Kat felt as though she crossed a dangerous line. Her powerful attraction to Jared would be her downfall.

  Her eyes popped open. Kat glanced at her watch. Two p.m. In another few minutes, Miss Emma Ritter's personal shopper was due at KISS. Emma Ritter bought Kat's exquisite designs for her many nieces. Usually that ‘something’ turned into several purchases. Emma didn't bat an eyelash at the bill, usually four figures.

  The bell above the door to KISS jangled in warning. Kat smoothed a hand over her hair as she hurried down the corridor, past her office, her reaction to Jared's kiss weighing heavily on her mind. A primitive urge to kiss him back had overtaken her body ... and her good sense.

  As she approached the front of the store, Kat spotted Patrice Larkin, Emma's personal shopper, gazing at a black silk and mousse line baby doll chemise and matching thong. Embroidered with Chantilly lace, the baby-doll style chemise hung to mid-thigh. The matching thong had the same delicate lace edging all around.

  Patrice looked over and smiled. “This is beautiful."

  Kat walked over to her. “Hello, Patrice. Thank you."

  "I'm thinking Miss Ritter's niece will like this. It's exquisite.” Patrice ran her hand over the chemise again then turned her attention to the retro-style panty Kat had shown Lilith just a few days ago. “And these are wonderful!” She held one up to the light. “Just look at that detailing. Very unique. I think I'll take a dozen of these, as well. Do they come in any other colors?"

  "Yes, of course.” Kat did a mental calculation. The chemise and thong cost eight hundred and twenty-five dollars. Twelve of those panties would be seventeen hundred dollars. Miss Emma Ritter had to be buying for her favorite niece, Arnya. She always spent a little more on Arnya.

  "What's the occasion?” Kat inquired as she rounded the counter and pulled several panties in colors of cream, pink and black from the display case.

  Patrice lifted one dark, thin brow. “Arny
a's getting married. It's for her bridal shower."

  "How wonderful,” Kat replied. “Miss Ritter must be thrilled."

  Patrice shook her head full of short, cropped hair. The jet-black strands stood out at odd angles. On anyone else it would have looked horrific, but on Patrice, with her perfect oval face and high cheekbones, it looked stylish and fashionable. “Just between you and me,” she leaned in and lowered her voice. “Emma's not too thrilled."

  "Really,” Kat folded the panties and placed them in a box lined with KISS-imprinted tissue. “Why not?"

  "Arnya's marrying the heir to the Plasticmate fortune."

  Kat's ears perked up at the mention of Plasticmate. She schooled her features. “Why isn't Emma pleased with that?"

  Patrice shrugged a thin shoulder, her long, silver earrings bobbed in unison. “She feels that Graham Waters, Plasticmate's sole heir, isn't good enough for Arnya."

  Kat tied some ribbon around the box. Excitement coursed through her. Maybe she could use this information. “They are uh, wealthy aren't they?"

  Patrice smiled thinly. “Not as wealthy as they once were. Jerome Waters, Graham's father, is Plasticmate's CEO. He lost a bundle when some discount store chain who carried his products decided to discontinue them."

  Kat made quick, mental notes of everything Patrice said.

  "There were rumors of ... blackmail ... and other unsavory things happening between Plasticmate and,” Patrice chewed her lower lip. “You know, I can't seem to remember the name of that discount store."

  Kat looked up. “MegaMart,” she replied, her tone curt.

  "Yes. That's it. Jerome really has this thing against that discount store chain. He says they tried to blackmail him because they wanted a bigger piece of his profits. In the end, MegaMart refused to carry his products anymore. He's supposedly very bitter."

  I would be, too, Kat thought.

  Blackmail.

  The ugly word swirled through her mind. Had Jared tried to pressure Waters with blackmail? When Waters approached Jared with the price increase, had Jared tried to make Waters give him a bigger cut? She shuddered at the thought, and vowed to be more careful around Jared Martin.

  Kat grabbed the baby-doll chemise and thong off a pink-padded hangar. “This is a small, I'm sure it will fit Arnya."