Unzipped (Harlequin Romance)

by Lori Foster

  Her frank, innocent way of speaking made his head spin. “Oh?” He winced at his own croaking tone and the weakening of his resolve. “Like what?”

  She seemed to touch him everywhere, her fingers dragging through his chest hair and gliding innocently over his nipples, sliding downward to explore his hips and thighs. “This time, I want you to tell me where to touch you. And where to kiss you. And where to suck—”

  Her words broke off as he devoured her mouth, and he thought, Tomorrow. I’ll confess all tomorrow.

  But for tonight he would drown her and himself in pleasure. And with her moving beneath him, urging him on, it seemed like the very best of plans.

  JOSIE KNEW THE SUN was coming up by the way the light began to slant in though the slatted shutters. It might become a beautiful fall day, but she wouldn’t mind spending it inside this very cabin, with this very man, doing exactly what they’d done throughout most of the night.

  Poor Bob. He slept like the dead, but no wonder, considering the energy he’d expended all night. The bed they rested on was very narrow, and not all that comfortable. Of course, out of necessity, she’d spent most of the night resting on him, her head on his shoulder, her breasts against his wide hairy chest, one thigh over his lower abdomen. The man was so sexy, she could spend all night, and the whole day, just looking at him, trying, without much success, to get used to him.

  How long this fantasy could last was her only troubling thought. She wasn’t the woman he’d made love to repeatedly last night, the woman who threw caution to the wind and lived for the moment.

  She was a sensible woman, with a responsibility to her job, to those who relied on her—to her sister. She led a quiet life in a quiet condo, had an understated wardrobe and tidy hair. Her car, a small brown compact, was paid for and got good gas mileage. She had a sound retirement plan at the local bank. Other than last night, she’d never been in a nightclub. She bought Girl Scout cookies religiously, and kept emergency money in an apple-shaped cookie jar at home. Most of her social life was spent in the nonthreatening company of people over the age of sixty-five.

  The wild woman who’d indulged in the outrageous night of sex would have to confess sooner or later to being a complete and utter fraud.

  Her palm drifted over his chest, feeling the crisp dark hair, the swell of muscle and the hardness of bone. Let it be later, she silently pleaded, not wanting it to end, not wanting to own up to her own deceptions. Knowing she should let him sleep, but unable to help herself, she pressed her cheek against his throat and breathed his delicious, musky, warm-male scent. It turned her muscles into mush and twirled in her belly. Possessiveness filled her, and she wanted to scream, He’s mine.

  Instead, she pushed reality away and continued to explore his undeniably perfect body.

  Heat seemed to be a part of him, incredible heat that seeped into her wherever she touched him, heat that moved over her skin when he looked at her or spoke to her in that sexy deep voice. She hadn’t needed a blanket last night, not with him beneath her, giving off warmth and securing her in his arms. She inhaled again, and marveled at the scent of him. His skin was delicious, musky and inviting, stretched tight over muscle and bone, covered in sexy places with dark, swirling hair.

  His nipples, brown and flat and small, hid beneath that hair. And his stomach, bisected by a thin line that grew thicker and surrounded his penis with a perfect framework, drew her fingers again and again. She’d never really looked at a man before; she’d never been this close to a naked man.

  She could have looked at Bob forever.

  Curiosity drove her to bend over his body, examining that male part of him in some depth. Thick and long and rock hard when he was excited, but now merely resting in that dark nest of hair, it looked almost vulnerable.

  Her chuckle woke him and he stirred. To her fascination, it took only a split second before he changed, before he grew erect, filling and thrusting up before her very eyes.

  Her gaze shot to his face and was caught by the intensity, by the seriousness of his stare.

  “I died and went to heaven last night, right?”

  His voice was thick with sleep, his midnight black hair mussed, his jaws shadowed by beard stubble. He was a gorgeous male, and she suddenly wondered how awful she might look after a night of debauchery.

  He lifted a hand to her cheek and his fingertips touched her everywhere—her nose, her lips, her lashes and brows. In that same, sleep-roughened voice, he whispered, “You have to be an angel. No woman could look this beautiful first thing in the morning.”

  Josie blushed. She wasn’t used to hearing such outrageous compliments, or seeing such interest in a man’s eyes. His fingers sifted through her hair, feeling it, dragging it over her shoulders, then over his chest. He lifted a curl to his face and inhaled, smoothed it over his cheek.

  “Come here.”

  Ah, she knew what that husky tone meant now. She’d heard it many times last night. She’d be dozing, enjoying the feel of him beneath her, when suddenly his lips would be busy again, touching and tasting whatever part of her skin he could reach. His large, wonderfully sensitive hands would start to explore, innocently at first, then with a purpose.

  He’d roused her several times in just that way throughout the long night. And each time she’d look at him, he’d say those words. Come here.

  She wanted to hear him say them every morning, for the rest of her life.

  Still holding a lock of her hair, he tugged her down until her lips met his, until he could steal her breath with a kiss so sweet, it brought tears to her eyes. He shifted, prodded and urged her body until she was arranged to his satisfaction—directly on top of him.

  “Mmm. You’re the nicest blanket I’ve ever been covered by.” His large, rough hands held her buttocks, pressing her firmly against him. His stubbled cheek rubbed her soft cheek, giving her shivers. “And you smell good enough to be breakfast.” His voice was thick with suggestion as he nuzzled the smooth skin beneath her chin.

  Thoughts of the things he’d done to her, the shocking way she’d responded, made heat rush to her cheeks with the mixed meanings of his words. The bold things he said, and the way he said them, made her body pulse with excitement.

  She kissed the bridge of his nose and wondered how to begin, how to start a confession that well might put an end to the most wonderful experiences she’d ever imagined. She had no doubt he’d tell her not to worry, that it wouldn’t matter. At first. But when he got to know her, when she was forced to revert back to Josie Jackson, home-care nurse, community-conscious neighbor and responsible sister, he’d lose interest. She couldn’t be two people, no matter how she wished it. And the woman he’d made love to all night would cease to exist because despite the isolation of it, she loved her job and cared about the people she tended.

  She opened her mouth to explain, to try to find the words to rationalize what she’d done, the insane way she’d behaved. But he forestalled her with his questing fingers, tracing the space where her thigh met her buttocks, then gently pushing between. She should have been shocked, and hours ago she would have been. But no more, not after the pleasure he’d shown her. She trusted him to do anything he wished, knowing she’d enjoy it. And she did.

  If the sound of quickened breathing was any indication, he liked touching her as much as she liked being touched.

  With his free hand at her nape, he brought her mouth to his again so that words were impossible anyway. And unwanted.

  When again she lay over him, so exhausted and replete she could barely get her mind to function, much less her limbs, he said, “We need to talk, honey.”

  True enough. They hadn’t had too many words between them last night. She pressed a kiss to his heart and lifted her head until she could see him. His expression was worried. And serious. Very serious.

  She started to wonder if he’d already realized she was a fraud, when she was distracted by the loud hollow thumping of footsteps on the pier. Bob turned his head,
his brows now knit in a frown. A voice broke the early-morning stillness and they both jumped.

  “Nick!” Pounding on the wooden door accompanied the shouting. “Damn it, Nick, are you in there?”

  Josie stared at Bob, dumbfounded. In a whisper, she asked, “Does Nick use your parents’ boat, too?”

  With a wry grimace, he said, “All the time. But he never brings women here. Remember that, okay?” He lifted her aside. “Stay still, honey. And be real quiet. I’ll be right back.”

  She was treated to the profile of his muscled backside and long thighs while he stepped into his jeans, zipping them, but not doing up the button. He looked sexy and virile and too appealing for a sane woman’s mind. When he turned back to her, his gaze drifted over the length of her body. He grabbed up the sheet and reluctantly covered her. More pounding on the door.

  “I know you have to be in there, Nick!”

  “It looks like our magical time is up, sweetheart.” His sigh was grievous, but he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Promise me you won’t move.”

  “I promise.”

  “Nick!”

  He closed his eyes briefly before shouting back, “Hold your horses, will you?”

  He was out of the cabin, the hatch shut firmly behind him, before Josie could form a second thought.

  Chapter Four

  AS SOON AS NICK stuck his head out the door, Bob pounced. “I’ve been hunting all over for you.” He looked harried and unkempt, very unlike Bob who prided himself on his immaculate appearance. Nick had a premonition of dread.

  “Shh. Keep it down, all right?” He took Bob by the arm and led him down the pier toward the parking lot. He kept walking until he was certain he’d put enough space between Bob’s booming, irritated voice and the boat. He didn’t want Josie to overhear their conversation. A cool damp breeze off the river washed over his naked chest and he shuddered. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

  Bob stared at him, disbelieving for a moment. Then his expression cleared and he barked, “What’s wrong? What do you mean, ‘what’s wrong?’ I want to know what you did with Josie Jackson!”

  It was a fact that Bob, even though he was a grown man, was much too naive to actually be given the full truth. Besides, what he’d done with Josie was no one’s business but his own. This time Nick didn’t mind lying in the least. “I haven’t done anything with her.”

  Without seeming to hear, Bob paced away and back again. “Susan’s almost hysterical. She’s been phoning her sister all night, and finally she called me this morning to see how our damn date went. She thought I’d done something with her! I didn’t know what to say.”

  Though the morning sun glared into his eyes, Nick decided it was way too early to have to deal with this, especially since all he wanted to do was get back to Josie. The image of her waiting for him in bed made his muscles tighten in response. “What exactly did you tell her?”

  Bob’s face turned bright red. The wind whipped at his light brown hair, making it stand on end, and he hastily tried to smooth it back into its precise style before stammering a reply. “—I told her business caused me to cancel at the last minute.”

  “Damn it, Bob—”

  “I couldn’t think of a better lie! And I couldn’t just come out and tell Susan she’s the one I’d rather be seeing, that I canceled because of her.”

  “Why not?” When Bob had first suggested Nick break the news to Josie for him, and why, he hadn’t been overly receptive to the idea. He’d imagined Josie would be a lot like Susan, and he hadn’t wanted another confrontation with an irrational female. Susan had disliked him on the spot; he remembered being a little condescending to her, just as Josie had related, but he’d had provocation first. The woman was rigid, snobbish and demanding. Not at all like Josie.

  Bob had hit it off with Susan right from the start. To Nick, it was obvious they were kindred spirits, the way they formed such an instant bond. So he’d tried not to be too judgmental, and he’d done his best not to cross her path again.

  But his largesse was limited. He hadn’t wanted to do her any favors by meeting her wallflower sister.

  Thank God he’d changed his mind.

  “I’ve told you a dozen times, Bob, Susan will likely be flattered by your interest. You should give her the benefit of the doubt.”

  Susan’s like or dislike of him no longer mattered to Nick, though her disparaging him to Josie had been tough to accept. Nevertheless, the desire to defend himself had been overshadowed by the need to keep Josie’s trust.

  And after last night, he considered any insult he’d suffered more than worth the reward. He owed Susan, so maybe he’d give her Bob.

  “Ha! I’ll be lucky if she ever speaks to me again. She was outraged that I would cancel on her sister.” Bob rubbed both hands over his face. “I told her Josie had mentioned spending some time alone, and suggested she maybe wasn’t up to talking right now. Susan decided Josie was depressed because I cancelled the date, and that made her even angrier.”

  Nick’s grin lurked, but he hid it well. Poor Bob. “Josie wasn’t depressed.”

  “Obviously not. But I never dreamed you’d bring her here and keep her all night.”

  “What makes you think she’s here?”

  Bob clutched his heart and staggered. “Oh, Lord, she is, isn’t she? If she’s not with you, then where would she be? Susan will never forgive me, I’ll never forgive myself, I—”

  Nick grabbed Bob and shook him. “Will you calm down? Of course she’s here. And she’s fine.” More than fine; Josie Jackson was feminine perfection personified. He thought of how she’d looked when she’d promised not to move, and he wanted to push Bob off the pier.

  He hastily cleared his throat and fought for patience. “The thing now is to get Susan interested in you.”

  Bob was already shaking his head, which again disrupted his hair. “She’s convinced I’m perfect for her little sister. She won’t stop until she pushes us together.”

  “Trust me.” Nick kept his voice low and serious, determined to make a point Bob wouldn’t forget. “You and the little sister will never happen.”

  Bob blinked at what had sounded vaguely like a threat. “Well, I know that.” He waved a hand toward the boat and added, “The fact that she’s here, after meeting you just last night, proves she’s isn’t right for me—”

  He gasped as Nick stepped closer and loomed over him. “Careful, Bob. What you’re saying sounds damn close to an insult.”

  “No, not at all.” He took a hasty step back, shaking his head and looking somewhat baffled. After a moment, he smoothed his hands over the vest of his three-piece suit and straightened his tie. “I only meant…well…” He looked defensive, and confused. “You’re acting awfully strange about this whole thing, Nick. Damn if you’re not.”

  Nick made a sound of disgust. Behaving like a barbarian had never been his style, and he certainly didn’t go around intimidating other men. Especially not his friends.

  And he usually didn’t feel this possessive of a woman. This was going to take a little getting used to.

  He clapped Bob on the shoulder and steered him toward his car. “Forget it.” When they reached the edge of the gravel drive, Nick stopped. He was barefoot after all, and in no hurry to shred his feet. Not when he had much more pressing issues to attend to. “Now my advice to you is this. Give Josie a little time to call her sister. I’ll let her use my cell phone. Then go see Susan. She’ll want someone to talk to, to confide in. She’s been worried all night, and you can play the understanding, sensitive male. Pamper her. Try to let her know how you feel. Ease her into the idea. But don’t tell her Josie was with me.”

  Bob had been nodding his head in that serious, thoughtful way of his, right up until Nick presented him with his last edict. Then he looked appalled. “You want me to lie to her?”

  “You’ve already lied to her.”

  “When?”

  Nick shook his head at Bob’s affronted expression. �
��You allowed her to believe you did her ad campaign when I’m the one who did it.”

  “She wouldn’t have worked with us if she’d known you were doing it. She doesn’t like you much, Nick.”

  Bob acted as though he were divulging some great secret. “You also lied to her when you told her why you didn’t meet with Josie. What’s one more lie?”

  “But last night she was so upset, I just drew a blank. I didn’t mean to lie. Now it would be deliberate.”

  Nick’s patience waned. “Do you want Susan or not?”

  “She’s a fine woman,” Bob claimed with nauseating conviction. “Dedicated, intelligent, ambitious, with a good head for business.”

  Nick made a face. “Yes, remarkable qualities that could seduce any man.” She sounded like any number of other women he knew. Driven and determined. “She’ll take over your life, you know.”

  Frowning at Nick’s cynicism, Bob protested, “No, if I’m lucky, she’ll share my life. And that’s what I want.”

  “It’s your life. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Damn it, Nick—”

  “Okay then.” Bob wasn’t an unattractive man, Nick thought, trying to see him through a woman’s eyes. He was built well enough, if not overly tall. He wasn’t prone to weight problems and he didn’t drink to excess or smoke. He still had all his hair, and at thirty-six, he might be overly solemn, but he wasn’t haggard. He was tidy and clean.

  Susan would be lucky to have him. “I’ve got a deal for you.”

  Eyeing him narrowly, Bob moved back to put some space between them. “What sort of deal?”

  “Will you quit acting like I’m the devil incarnate?” They’d often been at odds with each other, both personally and professionally, due to the differences in their life-styles and outlooks on things. But in business and out, they managed to balance each other, to deal amicably together. They were friends, despite their differences, or maybe because of them, and for the most part they trusted each other. “I want to help you.”