KISS

by Catherine Chernow

  She shook her head to clear it of her crazy thoughts. She was thinking about him as though they shared a future together. Stupid. Where had that crazy idea come from? In her heart of hearts, Kat knew she had no future with any man, especially someone like Jared. He was Corporate America at its best and brightest ... a man who would swallow her whole and spit out the pieces, just like Arthur had done.

  "How goes it with Jared?"

  The sound of Lilith's voice broke Kat's reverie. “I, uh, haven't seen him for a few days."

  "Yeah. Heard he left town pretty quick.” Lilith grinned at her. “Did you scare him off?"

  "No,” Kat told her. “I did not scare him off."

  "Good,” Lilith popped another piece of cheese in her mouth and wiped her hands on a napkin. “Hear him out over this MegaMart thing. He's a nice guy and he's ... nice for you.” She took another sip of champagne, eyeing Kat over the rim.

  "Always the matchmaker."

  Lilith grinned and toasted her with her champagne glass. “That's me!"

  Kat smiled at her. “And Fred should see you in that."

  Lilith looked down at the gown she wore. Her face turned pink at the mention of Fred. “Fat chance of that happening."

  "Oh, I don't know about that ... I see that hot look in his eyes whenever he's around you, Lilith."

  Lilith shrugged her shoulders and blew out a breath. “He's still the same tall, quiet guy he was in high school."

  Kat patted her shoulder. “I know one thing, everything changes. You'll see, he'll come around."

  As the evening progressed, Kat continued to help the three young women who were the focus of the night's activities. She went into her office to grab another cup of coffee when she heard the buzzer, and what sounded like furious pounding at KISS’ front door.

  Lilith peeked her head into Kat's office. “Want me to see who it is?"

  "No,” Kat shook her head and put her mug full of coffee down on her desk. “I'll do it. You stay in the back here with everyone."

  Kat walked to the front of the store and glanced at her watch. Nine-thirty p.m. Who could possibly think she'd be open at this hour?

  The pounding on the front door increased. The doorknob rattled. Kat slowed her approach when she heard someone shout her name.

  "Kat!"

  The banging intensified. The door rattled against its frame.

  "Kat, open this door, I know you're in there!"

  Jared!

  She flipped on some lights, then ran to the door and peeked through the slats of the blinds to see Jared's tall frame on the other side. Kat unset the alarm and deadbolt then opened the door a fraction of an inch. The last thing she needed was for Jared to see what was going on in the back of KISS. The three ladies she had promised to help she swore she'd do with the utmost confidence and anonymity. Aside from her close friends present at tonight's ‘lingerie party,’ no one else knew. It was always their motto, ‘aide with anonymity.'

  She peered at Jared and sucked in a breath. He looked rumpled and handsome and sexy and...

  Furious.

  "I want to talk to you,” he ground out. “Now."

  She bristled at the command.

  "Now is not a good time."

  In the next instant, he pushed the door open wide, causing Kat to step back. One look at his angry face had Kat's heart skip several beats.

  He shut the door behind him with a resounding click, and stood there, arms folded across his chest. Though he appeared calm, a muscle jumped in his cheek. Kat's eyes lowered to the bulge between his legs, outlined by his trousers. The angry, aroused male animal. She felt her panties grow damp at the sight of him.

  "I want to know how you found out about my father.” He stepped closer, his pace slow, measured. The gold flecks of his eyes burned brightly.

  She was going to kill Dawn! She sighed inwardly. No, Dawn wasn't to blame for this. She had taken it upon herself to visit Jared's father and now, she'd have to shoulder the aftermath. If only Jared would listen, if only he would understand that she did not intend to use this against him.

  "Kat, I'm warning you ... I'm this close,” he pinched the tip of his thumb and index finger together. “To giving you the beating you deserve."

  She moved forward. “Look, I know you're angry. I had asked Dawn not to say anything to you about my visit with your father today and..."

  He laughed—a cold, snide laugh. “Well, of course you did, why wouldn't you? You used our relationship to get on Dawn's good side this afternoon."

  "I...” she shut her mouth. He was right. She had used their relationship. She had counted on Dawn knowing about her, had hoped Jared had mentioned something to his sister about her, and then used it to gain entry into Sam Martin's residence at Riverdale. “I did,” she admitted. “But, this isn't what you think, Jared. I-I wouldn't do anything to ... to hurt you."

  "Get your things,” he said through gritted teeth. “You're coming with me, now. I want to know exactly how you found out."

  "I will,” she held up a hand. “I promise, just not ... now."

  "Kat, I'm warning you...” he moved until he stood directly in front of her, crowding the space between them. His knees bumped hers, causing her to step back. “I'm out of patience."

  Kat was slowly losing patience with him. There was no way she could just leave the ladies in the back of KISS by themselves. She folded her arms and angled her chin. “I told you, I'll tell you everything, but not now, I'm busy."

  He glanced around KISS, but his eyes didn't stray to the lingerie forms. “It's way past closing time here, and way past time for you and me to have a reckoning."

  She didn't like the tone of his voice. It sounded flat ... devoid of emotion.

  "If you don't come with me willingly, I will drag you out of KISS bodily."

  "Why you..."

  "Yeah. I know. I'm a real bastard.” He moved with lightning speed and reached out for her. “But you haven't seen anything yet, lady!"

  Kat cried out when he snagged the waistband of her skirt in his hand. She managed to break free from his hold and ran to the back of the store with him hot on her heels. She flew by a lingerie form, knocking it over in her haste to put distance between them. When she got to the back of the store, she rounded the corner of the counter by the cash register. Kat managed to lock the small door that barricaded the counter from the public just as Jared skidded to a halt nearby. She stood there, breathing hard, trying to anticipate his next move.

  "You think hiding back there will keep you from me?” He strode forward. Kat watched as he hoisted his body up onto the counter top. In all her born days, she had never seen anyone so angry. Even when their lovemaking had become fevered and frenzied, and turned him into the wild, passionate, sensual creature she knew him to be, he hadn't harmed one hair on her head.

  As she gazed into his furious face and watched him rise up on the counter on those muscled forearms which still bore the marks of their last heated encounter where they both now stood, Kat wasn't so sure of anything. In fact, he seemed capable of just about anything in that moment. She looked around for something she could use as a weapon. Suddenly, her eyes lit upon a box of lacy bras stashed underneath the counter's edge. She reached under, grabbed a handful of her sexy, lacy creations, and hurled them at Jared.

  She heard him growl low in his throat and looked back once as she wrenched the small door open and ran out from behind the counter. The bras covered his face and chest, one dangled by its strap from around his earlobe. She would have laughed, if she didn't see his face turn white with fury. He wrenched the bras away then turned to face her.

  Kat's pulse raced—so did her mind. There was only one way out, and that was to run past him. Her feet never moved so fast as she flew by in her attempt to escape Jared's wrath.

  In the next instant, his arm snaked out. Jared grabbed her around the waist, wrenching her forward. She felt the air ‘whoosh’ from her lungs as something hard dug into her diaphragm. For just a minute,
she was completely disoriented. The room spun as blood rushed to her head. When she could catch her breath, she managed to open her eyes. The sight of KISS’ pink and white geometric-patterned floor greeted her.

  "Put me down!” she shouted when she realized what happened. Jared had hoisted her onto his shoulder. He grabbed the back of her calves and jostled her once, the bony end of his shoulder digging into her gut. Kat's stomach roiled in response.

  "Jared ... please, I'm getting nauseous."

  He ignored her plea.

  "Put me down!” she shouted.

  Again, he ignored her, his hold tightening on her calves. He slid a hand up her silk-stocking legs, all the way up to her thighs, pushing her skirt up to reveal her delicate, lacy garters. Awareness of her vulnerable position shot through her, her blood heating in response. She heard Jared's low chuckle, felt the vibration of the laugh that rumbled through his shoulders and back.

  His hand slid over the garters and the top band of her silk stockings. “Do you like this Kat?” He patted her fanny. “Anyone could walk in here and see you like this ... it's exciting isn't it?"

  A thrill of dark desire swept over her as Jared displayed more of her silk-adorned body. When cool air swirled over her backside, anger mushroomed inside her, too.

  "You like this, don't you, my little she-cat.” His deep, husky voice washed over her, just as passion took hold, causing a hot, aching need to build between her legs.

  Damn him!

  She made a fist and punched him on his back. This time, she heard his breath leave his body on a ‘whoosh."

  She cried out when she felt her backside leap into flames.

  "If you hit me again, I'll paddle your ass black and blue right here.” His voice echoed through the confines of KISS’ interior.

  "You deserve it, you bastard!” She shrieked when his hand connected with her bottom again. “Animal!” Again, he pummeled her bottom cheeks. Twice. Tears sprang to her eyes. “You son of a..."

  "Kat?"

  She groaned. It was Lilith.

  Jared swiveled his body toward the sound of Lilith's voice, exposing Kat's silk-and-lace clad bottom. Kat had to look at her upside down. Her head spun in a thousand different directions.

  "Having fun?” Lilith angled her head, waggling her fingers at Kat.

  Kat managed to pick up her head. She saw Lilith and everyone else. “I'll, uh ... I'll be with you all in a second."

  Jared turned and slipped her from his shoulder. Kat landed on her feet with a hard bounce, her head reeling. He didn't bother to steady her when she swayed. She clutched the end of a counter for support until her head stopped spinning then straightened her skirt, her face a heated mass of rosy color.

  When she looked at Jared next, he was staring at the group of women, dressed in her exquisite creations, each one looking sexier than the other.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jared's gaze slid over the women clustered in front of him. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off Lilith. Her magnificent violet-colored eyes matched the deep purple-blue of the gown she wore. The cowl neck dipped low, highlighting her deep décolletage. Glittery rhinestones highlighted the tips of the flowers on the gown's floral print. They shined in the soft light that glowed from above. The gown had tiny side openings and a wispy, handkerchief hem, the uneven tips whispering across her knees and calves. His eyes slid to her feet, encased in a pair of purple satin, low-heeled sandals, adorned with the same glittery rhinestones as her gown. When he looked up, it was to see her blue-black hair, piled in an artful array of curls atop her head. Her shiny locks bore the same, sparkly rhinestones that lined her dress and shoes.

  Lilith's beautiful, deep-violet eyes zeroed in on his face. She opened them wide, her mouth parting sweetly, revealing the deep pink gloss lining her full, lush lips. Lilith had been transformed into an enchanting creature, a dark, fairy-goddess from another world.

  She looked down at her gown then her eyes opened wider, revealing even more of their deep violet depths. “Oh my, ladies ... come on! Shoosh!” She turned and shooed them all back, away from his prying eyes, but Jared got a good look at her rounded backside.

  Holy shit, he thought. No wonder Fred Meyers was smitten. The last time Jared had stopped into Summerville's Sweet Shoppe, he had seen Fred and Lilith involved in a conversation, and all Fred seemed to be able to do was ... look and pant.

  Now, he knew why.

  It was the sight of the other women assembled in the back of KISS that got his attention, too. Each one looked sexier and more beguiling than the other. A tall, thin woman, a head taller than them all met his eyes from where she stood. A feeling of vague awareness ran through him. He got the oddest feeling that he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't place her. Her fine-boned features and head full of shiny, blonde hair screamed sex and sensual pleasure.

  But, it was the three young women standing near her that grabbed his attention the most. They seemed too young to be a part of whatever was going on that night at KISS. Dressed in short, knee length, lacy gowns, their skin glowed in the light, the silk of their short gowns outlined their every curve. Innocence. Their large, round, made-up eyes spoke of virginity and sexual innocence.

  He watched until they all disappeared into the back. A lovely group of fairy-nymphs, ripe and ready for love.

  What in hell had KISS done to him, he wondered. Had Kat and her stunning creations finally snared him? He seemed to lose all his common sense when he walked into KISS.

  He looked down into Kat's angry, sea-green eyes, their blue depths sparked, reminding him of the bluest, hottest part of the flame. In the next instant, her hand shot out, her palm extended toward his face. Jared caught it deftly before it made contact with his left cheek.

  "Don't,” he grasped her wrist. Kat struggled in his hold. He was keenly aware of the fine, delicate bones he held. She continued to struggle, but he held on, subduing her angry outburst. “Stop it, now, Kat, you're not going to win this one."

  For just a second, guilt snagged him as he looked down on her angry face, but the light of surrender shone in her eyes. He had never hit a woman in his life, and here, at KISS, he had struck his fiery she-cat several times. Jared was positive he had left hand prints on her beautiful backside. He told himself it didn't matter. He told himself that's the least she deserved.

  He leaned down until they were nose-to-nose. “You've got ten minutes to get your things together. I'll be outside waiting by my car. If you're not out there in ten minutes, I'll come back in here and make such a scene ... you won't be able to hold your head up in this town for months."

  Kat's magnificent chest rose high—her eyes shot blue fire at him. She didn't move, didn't say a word. The air grew heavy with the charged electric current that seemed to flow between them.

  He didn't say another word, but turned on his heel and strode out KISS’ front door, relishing the thought of doing battle with his fiery, sexy, she-cat.

  * * * *

  Kat hurried toward the back of KISS. She stopped when she saw her assembled group of women holding their sides and laughing.

  "Did you see the look on his face when he saw us?” April flopped back in the chair she occupied, one hand covering her mouth. Tears sprang to her eyes as laughter bubbled up to the surface.

  "Lilith, he had his eyes on you, honey!"

  Kat's shoulders sagged at the sight of Lilith, dressed in what Kat called her ‘floral-silk burnout gown.’ She leaned against the doorjamb for just a few seconds and watched her friends and the three young women she had promised to help, giggle with what was now turning into, high-pitched squeals.

  Lilith spotted her and walked over, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes as she made her way toward Kat. Kat glanced at her watch. She had five minutes. Five minutes to go outside and try to reason with Jared, otherwise, he'd make good on his ... threat.

  She grabbed Lilith by the arm and dragged her into her office. When they we
re inside, she shut the door. “Do you think you and Annabelle and Evelyn could lock up for me? I-I've got to ... to ... go to a ... a-a meeting."

  Lilith's eyes danced. “A meeting, is it? A meeting with Jared Martin?"

  Kat's mouth opened in denial, but she quickly shut it. What would be the use in lying? They had all seen Jared march in like a dark, avenging angel tonight.

  "Oh, Kat,” Lilith intoned. “Stop looking so serious, will you? You go on with Jared and have your ‘meeting,’ we'll take care of cleaning up and closing up for you, don't worry."

  Kat grabbed her bag and jacket. “Thanks, Lilith. You're a doll."

  She walked over to the door and placed her hand on the knob. Jared. God, he was so damned angry. She'd have to channel the anger that emanated in waves from his lean, hard, body. There was only one way she knew that would do it ... making love to him.

  Her palms grew moist just thinking about it. She had her hand on the doorknob when Lilith said from behind, “I'll bet you can't wait for him to get his hands on you."

  Kat looked over at her friend. Lilith winked at her and blew her a kiss.

  As Kat sailed out of her office, she thought about what Lilith said. Her bottom stung a little with each step she took on her journey toward Jared.

  He'd have his hands on her all right, but for once, she didn't relish the thought of what he was capable of. She hurried out the door of KISS, her feet, encased in her blue high heels, clicking and tapping on the steps.

  She stopped when she saw Jared lounging against the Jag, his tall form outlined by the light from the street lamp above. The night air had grown hot and sticky. Kat felt a bead of sweat trickle down between her breasts. She swiped at the tendrils of hair that had escaped her fancy up-do, as she watched him, his arms folded across his chest, feet crossed at the ankles, the light of battle shining in his magnificent, gold-flecked, dark eyes.