Unzipped (Harlequin Romance)

by Lori Foster

  Josie Jackson didn’t stand a chance. She might think things were all over—damn her and her ridiculous Dear John plant—but she was in for a rude awakening. She’d started this game with her short sexy skirt and taunting smile and unmistakable come-on. She could damn well finish it. But this time they’d play by his rules. No more holding back, and no more being called by another man’s name. He’d find out exactly why Josie had showed up in the bar looking like an experienced femme fatale, when in truth she was as innocent as a lamb. He’d find out why she’d chosen him, of all men, to be her first lover. And then he’d take over.

  That had been his first mistake, giving up control. He’d let her think she was calling the shots and hadn’t been up-front with her. Things had gotten way out of hand. But no more.

  He went back to the inner offices, collected his plant with the big bow and colorful flowers and saluted Bob on his way out.

  He left the Ferguson file behind.

  EVERY NEIGHBOR in the complex had come to stare at him sometime during the day. But he hadn’t buckled under, he simply stared back. They had the advantage, though, because most of them, he figured, had to be myopic—being stared at wasn’t as personal for them, or as unsettling. That’s if they could see him at all. Some of Josie’s neighbors wore thick glasses, most of them had watery eyes of a pale shade.

  Not a single one of them was under seventy.

  At first he’d loitered around Josie’s door, waiting, wishing he could peek in through a window, but not willing to risk having the neighbors converge on him in righteous indignation. But she hadn’t come home. So he wandered around outside, looking at the neatly kept grounds, the symmetry of each building. He’d drawn too much attention there, so he’d waited for a while in his car. That got too hot, causing his frustration to escalate.

  Where the hell was she? Mrs. Wiley, that little old white-haired grandma who wanted to advertise her Golden Goodies home parties for seniors, hadn’t minded in the least if he waited. In fact, she’d wanted him to wait with her while she explained her home-sale ventures. He’d made a red-faced escape, unable to discuss with any dignity the prospects of advertising her product. She’d managed to press a colorful catalog on him before he got out, but he hadn’t really looked at it yet. He couldn’t quite work up the nerve.

  Mrs. Wiley had seemed innocent enough, pleasantly plump in a voluptuous sort of way, with neatly styled silver-white hair and a smile that had probably melted many a man in her day. She’d used that damn smile to get him to agree to work on an advertising plan for her. Something simple and cheap, she’d said, and he’d known she was using her age to her advantage, trying to look old and frail. Nick had fallen for the ploy, hook, line and sinker. But how the hell did you advertise seductive novelties for the elderly?

  He was sitting on the front stoop, staring out at the sunset and still pondering the issue of Mrs. Wiley’s problem, when Josie finally pulled into the parking lot. He almost didn’t recognize her at first, not in her small dull-brown car, with her hair pinned up and no makeup. She looked like a teenager, young and perky, not hot and sultry. He gawked, knew he gawked, but couldn’t do a damn thing about it. In no way did she resemble the male fantasy that had turned him inside out last night.

  He quirked a brow. In many ways, he admitted, she looked even better.

  Josie Jackson made one hell of a good-looking frump.

  He cleared his throat and stood. She hadn’t yet noticed him. Stepping back from her car in her jeans and white sneakers, her arms filled with grocery bags, she looked like a typical homemaker. Not a sex symbol.

  His muscles tightened. “Josie.”

  She stopped, but she couldn’t see over the bags. Motionless for several moments, she finally lowered one of the bags enough to glare at him. Her expression didn’t bode well. “What are you doing here?”

  “Setting things straight.”

  Her cheeks colored and her beautiful eyes narrowed. “Didn’t you get my message?”

  His nod was slow and concise. “I got it. But I’m not letting you dump me with a damn plant.”

  The bags started to slip out of her arms and he made a grab for them. “Here, let me help you. We need to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  He took the bags despite her resistance. “Yes, there is. And we might as well do it inside rather than out here entertaining our audience.”

  Audience referred to three older women hiding behind some bushes and two men who pretended to be chatting with each other, but were keeping a close watch. Josie didn’t seem to notice any of them. She looked blank-faced and flustered and hostile. After she closed up her car, she lifted one hand to her hair, but curled it into a fist and let it drop to her side. She seemed equal parts confused, angry and embarrassed.

  “Josie?”

  Her shoulders stiffened. “You’ve, um, taken me by surprise.”

  He grinned. “So I have.” His voice dropped to an intimate level. “I missed you, honey. You look wonderful.”

  She snorted at that and started off for the condo at a brisk marching pace. He kept up, enjoying the sight of her backside in tight jeans, her exposed neck and the few stray curls that bounced with her every step. By the time she reached her door, a spot now very familiar to Nick, she had slowed to a crawl. She stood facing the door, not speaking, not looking at him.

  His heart thudded and his determination doubled. “Unlock it, Josie.”

  Still with her back to him, she muttered, “The thing is, I really don’t want you inside.”

  Brushing his lips against her nape, he felt her shiver. “I like your hair up like this. It’s sexy.” He kept his tone soft and convincing, reassuring her. “Of course, you could wear a ski mask and I’d think you were sexy.”

  A choked sound escaped her and she stiffened even more. “You’re being ridiculous. I look like a…a…”

  “A busy woman? Well, you are. Nothing wrong with that.”

  Her shoulders stiffened as she drew a deep breath. “I don’t want to see you again.”

  The bottom dropped out of his stomach, but he pressed forward anyway. “I think I can change your mind. Just give me a chance to explain.”

  “You’re not going to go away, are you?”

  It was his turn to snort.

  “Oh, all right.” She jerked out the key and jammed it into the lock. “But don’t say I didn’t try to discourage you.”

  He stayed right on her heels in case she tried to slam the door in his face, and almost bumped into her cute little behind as she bent to put her purse on an entry table. He remembered that bottom fondly, petting it, kissing the soft mounds, gripping the silky flesh to hold her close.

  He stifled a groan and followed her into the kitchen to put the bags on the counter. Josie stood with her arms crossed, facing him with an admirable show of challenge.

  He looked around the condo, then nodded. “Waiting for my reaction, are you?”

  She lifted her chin and tightened her mouth.

  Her home was interesting. Domestic. Neat and well organized and cute. Everything seemed to be done in miniature. The living room had a love seat and a dainty chair, no sofa. The dinette table was barely big enough for a single plate and there were just two ice-cream parlor chairs, which looked as if they’d collapse under his weight.

  The wallpaper design was tiny flowers and all the curtains had starched ruffles. A bright red cookie jar shaped like a giant apple served as a focal point.

  “In a way I suppose it suits you.”

  Josie rolled her eyes. “You don’t even know who I am, so how can you possibly make that judgment?”

  He stepped close until mere inches separated them. Slowly, with the backs of his fingers, he stroked her abdomen. “I know you. Better than any other man.”

  Her eyes closed and she trembled. His fingers brushed higher, just under her breast. He was losing his grip, but couldn’t stop. “Josie?”

  She bit her lips and then caught hi
s hand. “You have to listen to me, Bob. Yesterday was a mistake.”

  “No.”

  “Yes, it was.” She waved a hand at the kitchen and beyond. “You see all this, and you think I’m as domestic as Susan, as conservative and contented as she. But I’m not content. I wanted—”

  She broke off as he tugged her close, ignoring her frantic surprise. He tilted her chin and kissed her hard, without preamble or warning of his intent. When he thrust his tongue inside, he groaned at the same instant she did. Sliding his hands down her back, he cupped that adorable bottom and squeezed gently, lifting her up to her tiptoes and snuggling her close to his growing erection.

  “You feel so good, Josie.” Before she could object, he kissed her again, more leisurely this time—tasting, exploring, seducing her and himself. When he pulled back, she clung to him. “And you taste even better. Sweet and hot.”

  Slowly, she opened her eyes, then shook her head as if to clear it. “This will never work.”

  He saw the pulse racing in her throat. “It’s already working.”

  “No.” She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. “I want freedom, Bob. No ties, no commitments. I have no interest in marriage or settling down or starting a family. I—”

  “Neither do I.”

  She frowned and her mouth opened, but he cut her short.

  “And I’m not Bob, so please don’t call me that again. I hate it.”

  Her expression froze for a single heartbeat, and then she jerked away. She stepped around the small table, putting it between them and glared at him in horror. “What are you talking about?”

  He decided to take a chance on one of the little chairs. Tugging it out, he straddled it and then smiled at her. “I lied. I’m not Bob. I’m his partner, Nick.”

  She blinked, her lips slightly parted, her face pale.

  “Thanks for the plant, by the way, but I refuse to get dumped. It’s an experience I hope never to undergo.”

  “You’re not Bob?”

  “Naw. Bob is hung up on your sister. That’s why he visited her this afternoon. I’m his evil partner, the no-talent, no-brain reprobate your sister took such an instant dislike to.”

  Her mouth fell open, but then instantly snapped shut. “You lied to me deliberately?” Her hands trembled, but it wasn’t embarrassment causing the reaction. “All night last night, you let me believe you were a different man!”

  “I hadn’t intended to.” He watched her eyes, fascinated with the way they slanted in anger, how the green seemed to sparkle and snap. Her cheeks were no longer pale, but blooming with outrage, making her freckles more pronounced. Her mouth was pulled into an indignant pout. He wanted to kiss her again; he wanted to devour her.

  “Josie, I’d only gone to the bar to break the date for Bob because he wants Susan, not you. But when you showed up, looking so damn hot and sexy, my brain turned to mush and I just went for it. A typical male reaction. I’m sorry. It wasn’t my most sterling moment, but it’s the truth you threw me for a curve.”

  She took a menacing step forward. “You lied to me deliberately.”

  “Uh, I thought we already established that.” He eyed her approach, wondering what she would do. “I’d like to get to the part about your little deception.”

  She came a halt. “My deception?”

  “That’s right. You led me to believe you were experienced when you were a virgin.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “The way you looked, the way you spoke? No one would have guessed you could be innocent. Then you led me to believe you simply hadn’t had the time to indulge your inclinations. You gave me that long story about being too busy studying and setting up your business.” He looked around the condo again for good measure. “But it seems to me like you’re some sort of Suzy Homemaker. I bet all your towels match and your shoes are lined up neatly in your closet. Am I right?”

  The flush had faded from her face. Now she just looked angry. And determined.

  Nick settled himself in to learn more about her.

  She sent him a wicked smile that made his abdomen tighten in anticipation. “There was no deception, not really. You see, I was busy. Too busy. But I’ve decided to live on the wild side for a time. I want to be free, to date plenty of men, to expound on the realm of sensuality we touched on last night. Yes, I’ve led a quiet life, and it suited me for a while, but that’s over now. I want fun, with no ties.”

  He spread his arms, benevolent. “Perfect. My sentiments exactly.”

  But Josie slowly shook her head, her smile now taunting. “You were just my starting point, so to speak. The tip of the iceberg.” She tilted her head back, looking at him down her nose. “I intend to branch out.”

  He couldn’t tell if she was serious or not, or if she only meant to punish him for lying. Women could be damn inventive in their means of torturing a man. They seemed to take great pleasure in it. He’d learned that little truism early on in life.

  When she continued to smile, not backing down, he came to his feet and pushed the chair away. He’d intended to take control, and it was past time he got started. “Like hell.”

  “You have no say over it, Nick.”

  “Like hell.” He sounded like a damn parrot, but nothing more affirmative came to mind. She was mad and making him pay, and doing a damn good job of it. When he thought of another man touching her, a pounding started in the back of his skull, matching the rush of blood through his temples. It filled him with a black rage. Never in his life had he been jealous over a woman. He didn’t like the feeling one bit.

  Then finally salvation descended on him and he developed his own plan. He stared at her, working through the details in his mind, expounding on his idea. He nodded. “I’ll make you a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?” She leaned against the counter, the picture of nonchalance—until he started toward her.

  Holding her gaze, he stepped close until no space separated them. He could feel her every breath and the heat of her. She might be angry with him, but her body liked him just fine.

  With the tips of his fingers he stroked her face, watching her, waiting for her to bolt. But she didn’t even blink. His lips skimmed her forehead, then her jaw. His words were a mere whisper in her ear. “This is the deal, Josie. Are you listening?”

  She gave a small nod.

  “I’ll show you more excitement, more sensual fun than your sweet little body can handle, honey. Every thrill there is I’ll give to you until you cry mercy.”

  His fingers slid over her buttocks, then between, stroking and seeking before he nudged her legs apart and nestled himself between them. He levered his pelvis in, pinning her, pushing his erection against her soft belly in a tantalizing rhythm that made heat pulse beneath his skin and his muscles constrict. “I can do it, Josie. You already know that. I can show you things you haven’t even imagined yet, things we both know you’ll love. I can make you beg, and enjoy doing it.

  “But it has to be exclusive. Just me. For as long as we’re involved, for as long as we’re both interested, there’s no other men. You want something, you want to experiment or play, you come to me.”

  He held his breath, waiting, his body taut with lust, his mind swirling with a strange need he refused to contemplate. He didn’t share, plain and simple.

  She touched his chest, then her hands crept around his neck. With a small moan, she said, “I think we have a deal.”

  Chapter Six

  WITHOUT EFFORT, Nick lifted her to the top of the counter. Josie felt his fingers on the hem of her T-shirt, tugging it upward, and she shivered. This was insane, outrageous, but she didn’t stop him, didn’t change her mind.

  “Nick?”

  “Finally.” A rough groan escaped him and he squeezed her tight. “You don’t how bad I hated being called another man’s name.” His mouth closed over her nipple through her bra and she dropped her head back, gasping. The gentle pull of his mouth could be felt everywhere, but especially low in
her belly. When he pushed her bra aside, she knew she had to stop him before she was beyond the point of caring.

  Panting, she managed to say, “I have a stipulation.”

  He surprised her by saying, “All right.” Then he added, “But tell me quick. I’m dying here.”

  He lifted his head to look at her and she saw that the tops of his cheekbones were darkly flushed, his eyes slumberous but bright with heat. He looked so incredibly sexy, she almost forgot what she wanted to say. But it was important. He had lied to her and made a fool of her. When she thought of how she’d gone on and on about his partner Nick, she wanted to crawl away into a dark hole. And he’d let her discuss him as if he hadn’t been sitting right beside her. He’d let her make a fool of herself.

  She’d tried bluffing her way out of the embarrassment by claiming a determination to experiment, to experience life—and men—to the fullest. Only, he’d called her on it and made a counteroffer she couldn’t possibly refuse. She knew how easily he could fulfill his end of the bargain, and knowing made her want him all the more. When he left, it would hurt; she didn’t fool herself about that. But now, for at least a little while, she could have everything she’d ever dreamed of—all the excitement and whirling thrills. If she didn’t grab this opportunity for herself, she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

  But if she was going to play his game, then she had to have control, to make certain he would never again be in a position to deceive her. She’d take what he freely offered—but on her terms, not his.

  Nick toyed with the snap on her jeans. “Is this your idea of foreplay, honey? Making me wait until I lose my mind? Believe me, with the way I feel right now, the wait won’t be too long. After what I’ve been through today, insanity is just around the bend.”

  His teasing words brought her out of her stupor. “I have to be in charge.”

  He lifted one dark brow and his fingers stilled. “In charge of what?”

  What kind of question was that? She tried to keep her chin raised, to maintain eye contact, but his slow grin did much to shake her resolve. “Things. What we’re doing.”