She made love the same way.
He woke up several times last night, just to watch her. She reminded him of a slumbering tigress, a woman whose passion lay dormant during the day, but at night, she became a wild, sensual creature, attune to his every desire. He had made love to her in the early morning hours to brand her so there'd be no question in her mind regarding his driving need for her.
He grew hard thinking about it. Glancing at the pan of sizzling butter, he removed it from the heat source and placed it on the back burner. The last thing he wanted to do was screw up Kat's breakfast.
Kat. Just thinking about her dressed in that corset set his world tipping on its axis. He shut his eyes, imagining how she looked last night. He smiled at the thought of her performing the way she did for him. Kat Sullivan was sensual fire ... and he should be careful playing with her. What he had hoped to find underneath all Kat's layers was her sensual core.
He found what he sought.
Now, he only had one problem...
One night with Kat Sullivan just wasn't enough.
* * * *
Kat sailed into the kitchen to find Jared rummaging around in her refrigerator. She skidded to a halt at the entranceway and stood there, drinking in the sight of him as he bent his tall frame and reached in, extracting a container of milk. Her eyes traveled down the length of him, stopping at his long, bare, feet. He wore the shirt from the previous night, the tails hanging out of his trousers. When he turned, she noticed his shirt wasn't buttoned. Catching sight of his bare, bronze chest, she decided he looked deliciously rumpled and sexy and...
Like he belonged in her kitchen.
Her sworn enemy had made himself at home. She narrowed her eyes. The nerve! How dare he...
The delicious coffee odor wafted toward her again, cutting into her thoughts. Her stomach growled, its noisy gurgle echoed through her kitchen.
He turned and glanced her way. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said softly. Placing the milk container on the counter, he walked over to her, his eyes scanning her silk and lace clad form. Kat swallowed hard, suddenly realizing that she had nothing on underneath but a pair of panties. She felt naked, though the robe covered her from feet to chin.
She didn't know how to answer his greeting. He stood before her, smelling of that deliciously spicy-citrusy cologne. Kat noticed his beard-shadowed chin. It made her blush clear down to her toes. She remembered the feel of that chin when his mouth and hands had worked their magic on her breasts—and every other part of her.
Her stomach growled again, this time, even louder.
"Dinner was apparently the last thing on our minds last night,” he said.
Dinner? She had a vague recollection of going to Harry's, of dancing with Jared, of being held in his arms and...
"So, I figured I should feed you this morning, my lovely opponent.” He grinned at her.
Kat felt tongue-tied. She had to will her lips to move. “You're still here,” is what finally came out.
He narrowed his eyes. “Of course I am."
Oh, Kat, you're an ass! Can't you think of something better to say?
Jared shook his head. “What kind of men do you keep company with that would walk out on you in the morning?"
Arthur. He walked out on me! He left me for another woman ... for brighter, greener, younger pastures...
"They're fools, Kat, all of them."
She blinked once. “Who?"
Jared leaned down to kiss her. His warm, soft lips tasted of coffee as he nipped and sipped hers.
"You're not much of a morning person, are you?” He grinned down into her face and brushed some stray, fiery strands of hair from her cheek and neck. He trailed his fingers across her throat, down her collarbone.
"The coffee ... the smell got to me."
"Coming right up.” He moved to the counter and reached into a cabinet for a mug. She noticed the one he already had filled with steaming coffee on her kitchen table. He seemed to know where everything was...
...Just like, he seemed to know every single, sensual, sensitive, spot on her body.
"Y-yes, I think coffee would be a good idea.” She plunked down into a chair, her legs suddenly wobbly.
Damn! Why did the morning-after thing have to be so awkward?
He placed a mug full of steaming coffee in front of her. “Sugar?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes, please. Two."
Kat sat there and watched his long fingers open two packets of sugar. He sprinkled them in her coffee and stirred. “How about milk?” he queried.
"I like it ... light."
Just like I like the light touch of your fingers on my...
Kat shook her head to clear it of her wayward thoughts and took a sip of coffee. It's heady, mocha-vanilla flavors acted as an elixir for her muddled thoughts.
"Now, onto breakfast.” Jared walked over to the stove and moved the skillet to the front burner. He lit the pilot light underneath then turned his attention to the bowl on the counter, whipping the eggs into a creamy froth.
Kat took another sip of coffee. Eyeing him over the rim, she asked, “Is this the part where I'm supposed to say, ‘Gee, he cooks, too!'?"
Jared threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, Kat, you are a delight."
She blew out a pent-up breath, relieved to break the tension that permeated the air. It irked her no end that he didn't seem the least bit tense or ... confused.
Kat plunked down her mug. “Just for the record, this doesn't change a thing."
He lifted a brow in her direction as he poured the eggs into the sizzling butter. The odor got to her, making her stomach growl again.
"I'd say it changes things quite a bit,” he replied as he grabbed a spatula from a nearby hook and pushed the cooked portion of egg into the center of the pan, letting the wet, uncooked batch swirl around the outside. He tilted the pan to make sure it all leveled out. “It means I have to make sure that we eat dinner next time before we ... play.” He drew out the word ‘play’ suggestively and grinned.
The lunatic! Did he honestly think there'd be a next time? She didn't think she could stand the sweet, exquisite torture. Besides, they were enemies ... and Summerville's future was at stake. She couldn't forget that—wouldn't forget it.
"Look, I think we should..."
"Cheese?” he asked her.
"I ... cheese? What about cheese?"
"In your omelet. I want to know whether you like cheese in your omelet."
"Oh, well, yes. Lots of it."
He walked over to the fridge and rummaged around inside, withdrawing a cellophane packet of shredded cheddar cheese. Then he looked back inside the fridge. “Must be one of your weaknesses."
"What is?” Oh, if he ever knew how weak in the knees she felt every time he looked at her, she'd be in big trouble.
"Cheese. You certainly have quite a collection of it.” He angled his head toward her refrigerator. “But then again, as I said last night, you're aptly named. Cats like milk, don't they? And cheese and..."
She sighed. “I wish you'd stop referring to last night."
He opened the cellophane pack and sprinkled a liberal amount of cheese over the center of her omelet then folded it over and lowered the burner under the pan. Jared turned to face her. “Why should I stop referring to last night?"
"Because it was—” she stopped, taking in the dark look he aimed in her direction.
He plated her eggs. Opening the oven, he extracted another plate bearing another fluffy, cheesy omelet and brought both of them to the kitchen table. He set his plate down, then hers. Kat's nerves were strung tight, she felt the pull of tension again as she watched him amble around her kitchen as though he didn't have a care in the world. When two pieces of perfectly browned toast popped out of the toaster, he grabbed them and tossed them on a plate, buttering them liberally.
He set the toast in front of her and grabbed a pitcher of orange juice from the fridge. Jared didn't miss a beat as he walked passed
her cabinets, pulling one open and taking out two small juice glasses.
He plunked them all down in front of her, aiming another hard look in her direction.
Her breath caught in her chest when she glanced up at him as he reached down and nudged her chin up with his long fingers. His coffee-colored eyes bored into hers. “Whatever you do, Kat, don't say last night was a mistake because it wasn't. We both got what we wanted, but I want more. You're a beautiful, sensual woman.” He released her chin and sat down in the chair next to her. He grabbed the saltshaker, sprinkling his omelet liberally then stabbed a piece of it with the tines of his fork.
Summerville's enemy—her enemy—sat in her kitchen, eating breakfast with her and spouting nonsense. Beautiful? Sensual? How many women had he said that to, she wondered? Kat speared a piece of egg, the cheese sliding downward. She dipped the ends of her fork and caught the small mass of cheese, then popped it into her mouth, savoring the richness of the melted cheese and the buttery, light fluffy eggs.
"I'd still like to know what kind of man would walk out on a woman like you.” Jared shook his head full of dark hair in disbelief and took a sip of his juice. “Are the men in this town stupid?"
She glared at him around a bite of toast. “Don't you dare call anyone in this town ‘stupid.’”
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, they must be.” He took a healthy bite of his eggs and asked, “Who was it? The dentist?"
Kat slammed her fork down on the table. “Who I see is not your damn concern."
He shook his head, completely ignoring her outburst. “No, it couldn't be him—he doesn't have the balls for much of anything, let alone to walk out on a gorgeous, smart, creative woman like you."
She wanted to smack him, but a little voice in her head told her what he said about Summerville's dentist was the absolute truth.
Jared swiveled his gaze in her direction. “Was it Fred?"
"You know, I could be asking you these same questions."
"Go ahead.” He replied around a bite of toast and a sip of coffee.
Kat took another bite of her eggs and put down her fork with regret. She looked down at the eggs with longing. Okay, so he could cook. Big deal! “How about the blonde?"
He beetled his brows. “What blonde?"
Kat leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her breasts. “The blonde you've been photographed with ... I saw the picture in People magazine."
He sipped his coffee, lost in thought for a few seconds. Suddenly, his eyes grew wide. “You must be kidding me. Her? I told you before, she's the daughter of an old family friend."
"Right...” Kat stabbed another piece of her omelet. “I'm sure she's somebody's daughter."
Jared held up a hand. “Now hold on just one minute..."
"It's good to know you're such a gentleman that you don't walk out on your lovers ... even if they're uh, quite young."
"Kat,” his eyes turned stormy. “You're treading on dangerous ground."
She sat up straight, pushing her plate aside. Leaning her elbows on the table and cupping her chin with her hands, she asked, “What is she ... twenty? Twenty-five?"
"She's twenty-eight, and for the record, I happen to like women my own age."
"Uh huh,” she replied, her tone disbelieving.
He shook his head. “It's a real pity that whoever walked out on you took a piece of you with them."
She shot up from the table and grabbed her plate. Turning to face him she said curtly, “Thanks for breakfast.” Kat marched over to the sink and dumped her plate into it.
She turned on the water to rinse the remnants of egg from the dish when she felt Jared move behind her.
"Don't let him get the best of you. You're worth more than that."
She whirled to face him. “Yes. I know.” Kat assumed a thoughtful pose. “What did your letters from MegaMart corporate office say? Fifty-thousand?"
He winced. “That was before I knew you. That was before I knew what KISS was all about."
She paled suddenly. Did he know what was going on behind KISS’ closed doors? Is that what he meant? Had he been spying on her?
He moved closer. “What's wrong?” he asked softly. “Why are you so pale?"
She let go of a pent-up breath. Maybe he didn't know what was really going on at KISS, or ... he was lying. Be careful, Kat, be very, very careful.
"Nothing's wrong. Look,” she told him. “Last night was—"
He grinned. “Incredible."
"Yes, well, be that as it may, I'm still not selling out to you and I'm not changing my mind about MegaMart. You're not right for this town ... and neither is MegaMart."
He reached for her then and took her in his arms, lifting her high against his chest. She struggled in his hold, but he wouldn't release her, and sat down on a chair with her cradled in his lap.
"God I love fighting with you,” he murmured as his lips descended upon hers. Her body ignited and her head spun. She pushed against his chest. The more she pushed, the more intense the kiss became. He drove his tongue inside her mouth and battled with hers, sliding the tip of his tongue down and around the sides of hers. Kat moaned once as his kiss became more urgent. She felt his arousal nudge her bottom through the thin silk of her robe. Soon, she stopped struggling, and settled against him.
He slowed the kiss, and allowed her to control it. She grabbed his face in her hands and nipped at his lower lip, then touched the corner of his mouth with the tip of her tongue.
"That's my wild she-cat,” he said softly. He groaned when she nibbled his chin. “God, Kat, I want to stay here with you today,” he said softly.
Her eyes flew open. “Y-you can't ... I've got to get to work, to KISS."
Jared rested his forehead against hers. “And I've got an appointment this afternoon."
She slanted him a look.
Jared shifted her off his lap and stood. “I've got an appointment with the ladies of the Historical Society at noon.” He glanced her way as he gathered up his plate and utensils. Walking to the sink, he asked, “Want to join us?"
Kat folded her arms over her chest. “Oh, I wouldn't miss that for the world, but ... I have an appointment, too."
"What do you mean, ‘you wouldn't miss it for the world?’”
Kat thought he seemed a tad bit nervous. She shrugged. “The ladies of Summerville's historical society are tough cookies. It's going to take a lot to get them to agree to allowing MegaMart to set up camp here."
He scraped his plate into her garbage then placed it in the sink. “I'll use my extensive charm."
She rolled her eyes and made a face.
"And I intend to show them my ideas. I think they will like it. I wish you'd come,” he gave her a long look.
"I told you, I have an appointment."
Jared cleared the table of the remaining cups, placing them in the sink. He started to wash the dishes, running water over the plates and cups.
She walked up to him. “You can cook me a hundred breakfasts, take me to a hundred dinners ... in fact, you can even try your hand again at seducing me, but I will tell you this—Summerville will never be yours."
Jared shut off the water in the sink and dried his hands. Then he walked to a nearby chair to grab his suit jacket. He shrugged it over his broad shoulders and pulled his keys from his jacket pocket. Walking to her, his movements slowed. His golden-flecked eyes burned into hers.
"Is that a challenge, Kat?” he asked, his voice silky.
"It's not a challenge, it's a fact. I can't be bought."
He reached a hand out to brush some stray locks of hair from her neck, trailing that same hand down her neck and across her breasts. “Everyone and everything has a price."
"That's a very cynical point of view.” She shuddered from his touch, became hot all over.
He shrugged. “Maybe, but what I said is true.” He leaned down and placed a soft, moist kiss to her breast.
Kat closed her eyes for a few seconds, savoring the
feel of his lips against the thin silk of her robe. When she looked down, he had left a wet spot on her right nipple.
"Everyone has a price. Everyone wants something ... what do you want?” he queried softly.
You. That single word almost slipped from her lips.
"I want you to leave Summerville. Leave us alone."
"That's not going to happen."
Kat moved toward him and cupped his balls in her hand. Jared's eyes dilated, his face filled with desire. She massaged his sack with her fingers. “Your theory on buying everyone and everything is an interesting one.” She gave his groin a gentle squeeze.
Sweat broke out on his forehead. Kat noticed him gritting his teeth against her sweet, sensual assault. “But I have a theory of my own,” she purred.
"What's that?” His voice sounded hoarse.
"That everyone has something to hide."
Jared reached down and pushed her hand away. Then he hooked a finger in the neckline of her robe and yanked her forward. “You're skating on very thin ice, Kat. If I were you, I'd watch my step."
She slapped his hand, leaving a bright red mark on his bronze skin. Jared retaliated by wrapping her in a tight embrace, teasing her pelvis with his arousal.
"Are you threatening me?” she asked, emboldened by his obvious desire for her.
"No, but as you said before, I'm stating a fact. Don't mess with me. Don't think you can find out something about me and use it against me. I'll retaliate, sweetheart, and you won't like it."
He finished by leaning down and grinding his lips against hers. She should have been repelled by the action, but the sweet, delicious sensations swirling within her had Kat kissing him back, thrusting and parrying her tongue with his. Jared slid his hand into her robe, lifting a breast, fingering her nipple—it grew hard and peaked from his touch. Kat whimpered from the heat and desire pooling between her thighs. She rode him, rubbing her clit against his hard, hot cock.
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