by Lori Foster
“You make fun sound like a dirty word,” Nick muttered, but there was no heat in his comment. He was too distracted for heat. Did Bob really see him as reformed? The idea was totally repellent. For most of his life, certainly since Bob had known him, he’d avoided any attempts at serious relationships. Not because he was still troubled over his parents’ divorce, or his father’s remarriage. And not because his psyche had been damaged by his mother’s rejection. Mostly he’d avoided attachments because he hadn’t met a woman yet who didn’t want to change everything about him. They’d profess unconditional love, then go about trying to get him to alter his life. His stepmother had been the queen of control, but at least she hadn’t ever tried to hide her inclinations behind false caring.
No, he’d had enough of controlling females, and his life was as he wanted it to be. He didn’t intend to change it for anyone. But he did want Josie, and he’d have her—on his terms, not Susan’s.
Not about to explain himself to the sister, he halfheartedly addressed Susan’s sputtering outrage, going on the offense. “You don’t really understand Josie at all, do you?”
“She’s my sister!”
“Yeah, but you would have hooked her up with Bob.” He warmed to the subject, seeing Susan’s face go red while Bob blustered in the background. He’d been coaching Bob for the better part of a week, getting him to send cards, to make phone calls late at night. To whisper the little romantic things women liked to hear. Susan appeared to be melting faster than an iceberg in the tropics. Though she hadn’t as yet admitted it. According to Bob, all her considerable focus was still aimed at getting Josie settled. Damn irritating female. Josie didn’t want to settle, and that suited Nick to perfection.
He grinned, feeling smug over the way both Susan and Bob glanced at each other. “I’m sure you realize now what a mistake that might have been, for both Josie and Bob.”
Susan thrust her chin into the air. “So she and Bob wouldn’t have worked out. That doesn’t mean I want her seeing you.”
Softly he said, “But that’s what Josie wants.”
Susan bristled. “Josie is just going through a phase.”
Damn right, he thought. A sensational stage of discovering her own sexuality, and he’d been lucky enough to be there when she’d decided to expand her horizons. He kept his expression serious. “She’s discussed that with me, Miss Jackson. Josie and I understand each other, so you have no reason to worry.” Nick not only understood, he encouraged her.
Agitated, Susan paced away. When she faced Nick again, her look was more serious than aggressive. “You think you understand, but you can’t know what Josie’s been through. When our parents died, everything changed. We lost our house, our car. There was never enough money for her to do the things most girls her age were doing. She didn’t shop with her friends for trendy clothes, attend dances or school parties or date. At first she just became withdrawn. It scared me something fierce. But then she started college, and she put everything she had not just into succeeding but excelling. She’s worked very hard at shutting out life, and now that she’s ready to live again, she deserves the best.”
“And to you, that means someone other than me?”
“Josie needs someone sensitive, someone who’s stable and reliable.”
His chest felt tight and his temples pounded. Susan was determined to replace him, but he wouldn’t let her. For now, Josie wanted him, and that was all that mattered. “I won’t hurt her. I promise.”
“Coming from you, I am not reassured!”
Surely he wasn’t bad for Josie, he thought with a frown. He was an experienced man, capable of giving her everything she wanted, and right now that meant freedom and excitement and fun, not love everlasting. He wasn’t prudish and he wasn’t selfish; he hadn’t lied when he said he enjoyed giving her pleasure.
Susan assumed she knew what Josie needed, but Josie claimed the opposite. She’d made it clear she didn’t want attachments, so he’d assured her there would be none. That had been her stipulation, but he’d gone along with the idea, even emphasized it, to keep her from backing out. Josie wanted a walk on the wild side, and he was more than prepared to indulge her. Especially if it kept her from seeking out other men, a notion he couldn’t tolerate.
Susan was still glaring at him, and he sighed. “I’m really not so bad, Miss Jackson. Just ask Bob.”
Bob nodded vigorously, but Susan ignored him. “Bob is sincere in what he does. His intentions are always honorable. But I’m finding he can be rather biased where you’re concerned.”
At that particular moment, Nick wanted nothing more than to escape Susan’s scrutiny. But he had no intention of walking out on Josie now, so gaining her sister’s approval might not be a bad thing. He sifted through all the readily available remarks to Susan’s statement, none of them overly ingratiating, then settled on saying, “Bob is the most ethical and straightforward man I know.”
Susan made the attempt, but couldn’t come up with a response other than a suspicious nod of agreement.
“And yet he keeps me as his partner and his closest friend. Can you imagine that? Surely it says something for my character that Bob trusts me? Or is it that you think Bob is an idiot?” He waited while Susan narrowed her eyes—eyes just like Josie’s, only at the moment they were filled with rancor rather than good humor. Bob sputtered in the background.
Through clenched teeth, Susan replied, “It might show that Bob is too trusting for his own good.”
Nick almost laughed. Susan wasn’t a woman to give up a bone once she got her sharp little teeth into it. Finally she sighed. “Though I don’t think you’re at all right for Josie, I’ll concede the possibility that you might have a few redeeming qualities, Mr. Harris.”
He gave her a wry nod. “I’m overwhelmed by your praise.” Truth was, Susan had him worried. If she decided to harp on his shortcomings, would Josie think twice about seeing him? And if Susan kept marching marriage-minded men in front of Josie, would she one day surrender? He knew Susan had some influence on her—after all, Josie had been a twenty-five-year-old virgin!
He was distracted from his thoughts of being replaced, which enraged him, when Susan cleared her throat.
“Before I leave, Mr. Harris, I do have one last question for you.”
He noted that Bob had begun to tug at his collar. Nick raised a brow, then flinched when Susan produced the damn catalog Josie’s neighbor had given him.
She held it out by two fingers, as if reluctant to even touch it, and thrust it at his face. Her foot tapped the floor and she stared down her nose at him. “If you’re truly as reformed as you claim, why do you have this floating around the office?”
She looked triumphant, as if she’d caught him with a girly magazine. Obviously she hadn’t looked at the catalog or she’d have realized how innocent it was.
For a single heartbeat, Nick thought he would laugh. But he glanced at Bob and saw how red his face had turned. He grinned. “Bob’s birthday is next month, you know. I was trying to find him something special. If you need any ideas on what to get him, feel free to look through the thing. I believe he might have dog-eared a few pages.”
Susan stared at the catalog, stared at Bob, then amazingly, she flipped to the first bent page. Nick knew what she would find. After all, he was the one who had cornered the pages while searching for a hook on an ad campaign.
There was nothing even slightly offensive displayed on the pages, but Susan’s eyes widened and she dropped the catalog on Bob’s desk. “I…uh, hmm.”
“Find anything interesting?” Nick asked with false curiosity.
Susan made a small humming sound. “Ah…possibly.” With a weak smile and a hasty goodbye, she made an unsteady exit.
“I’m going to kill you.”
Nick slapped Bob on the shoulder. “Did you see her face? Sheer excitement, Bud. Take my word for it. She’ll think about that damn catalog, and your romantic tendencies all night. It’ll drive her wild.”
Nick raised his eyebrows, chuckling. “Real silk by the way. I was thinking of buying a pair.” He turned to go into his own office. “But they’ll look much cuter on you.”
He barely ducked the catalog as it came flying past his head. Seconds later, he heard Bob cross the floor to pick it up again.
It seemed his efforts to bring Susan and Bob together were finally paying off. Maybe Bob could distract Susan from her campaign to marry off Josie. He didn’t want Josie married. He didn’t want her exploring elsewhere, either.
He decided he needed to ensure his position, and he could do that by driving her crazy with pleasure. After he finished, marriage and other men would be the farthest things from her mind.
Chapter Seven
“TELL ME IT’S NOT TRUE.”
Josie had barely gotten the door open before Susan wailed out her plea.
“Uh—”
Susan pushed her way in and closed the door behind her, then fell against it in a tragic pose. “He’s not Bob, Josie. He’s not a man meant for a woman like you.”
Josie didn’t know if she should laugh at Susan’s theatrics or wince at the unwelcome topic. “I take it we’re talking about Nick.”
“Yes!” Susan pushed away from the door. “Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing him? Oh, this is all Bob’s fault! If he hadn’t stood you up in the first place, none of this would have happened.”
“Then I’m glad Bob didn’t show!”
They had both resorted to shouting, and that rarely happened. Susan blinked at Josie, then sank onto the edge of the couch. “Oh, God. You’re infatuated with him, aren’t you?”
Infatuation didn’t come close to describing what she felt. But it wouldn’t do to tell Susan that.
“Josie?”
Glancing at the clock, Josie realized she only had a little time left to get ready before Nick arrived. She wanted tonight to be special, for both of them.
She settled herself next to Susan and took her hands. “Susan, I know you mean well. You always do. But I’m not going to stop seeing Nick. At least, not as long as he’s willing to see me.” Susan shifted, and Josie squeezed her hands, silencing her automatic protest. “And yes, before you say it, I know what I’m getting into. Nick has been very up-front with me. I know he’s not the marrying kind, and I can handle that.” She would have to handle it; the only other option was to stop seeing him, which was no option at all.
“Can you?” Susan’s smile was solemn. “When he walks away, do you have any idea how you’ll feel?”
She had a pretty darn good idea, but she only smiled. “It’ll be worth it. Even you have to admit, Nick is exactly the type of man any red-blooded woman wants to enjoy, with or without a wedding ring. And I plan to do just that, for as long as I possibly can.”
Susan’s blush was accompanied by a frown of concern. “You’ve always lived a sheltered life. You don’t know his kind the way I do. They’re arrogant and insufferable. They want everything their own way, and they don’t care who they hurt in the process.”
“Nick is different.”
Susan snorted, causing Josie to smile.
“He may not want any permanent ties, but he’s the most charming man I’ve ever met. If you got to know him, you’d probably like him. He’s sweet and funny. He listens when I talk and he understands the priorities of my work. He doesn’t pressure me, but he’s so complimentary and gracious and attentive. He acts like I’m the only woman alive. He’s…wonderful.”
“Ha! He’s a wolf on the prowl, so of course he’s attentive. None of what you’ve said surprises me. It’s just his way of keeping you hooked.”
Josie knew it was true, knew Nick probably behaved exactly the same way with every woman he had an intimate relationship with. But for now she felt special, and almost loved. “Susan…”
“I don’t want you to romanticize him, Josie. You’ll only get crushed.”
“That can only happen if I let it. But I know what I’m doing.” Josie had at first been torn by mixed emotions. She wanted Nick, the excitement and the romance and the sexual chemistry that seemed to explode between them whenever they got close. It was so thrilling, making her feel alive and sexy and feminine. But she knew she wasn’t the type of woman who could ever hold Nick for long. Her life was mundane and placid. She was a very common woman, while he was a wholly uncommon man.
But at the same time, the very things that made her and her life-style so unsuitable to him were things she wouldn’t want to change. The friendship and kindness she received from working with the elderly, knowing she had made a difference in their lives, letting them make a difference in hers. All her life, Susan had been playing the big sister, taking care of her. But with the elderly, Josie got to be the caring one, the one who could give. They welcomed her into their homes and their hearts. They didn’t judge her or frown on her conservative life-style. They didn’t expect anything she couldn’t give.
And there was the fact that Susan would never approve of Nick. But Susan had given up her own life for Josie, without complaint or remorse. She was the only family Josie had left, and she loved Susan dearly.
“I know this is all temporary, Susan. I won’t be taken by surprise when Nick moves on. I have no illusions that I’ll overwhelm him with my charms and he’ll swear undying love.”
“And why not? Nick Harris would be lucky to have you!”
Emotion nearly choked her. Though at times Susan could be abrasive, Josie never doubted her loyalty. “I know you can’t approve, but will you please try to understand?”
Her sister’s sigh was long and loud. “I do understand. Maybe I wouldn’t have before meeting Bob, but now I know what it is to get carried away. Bob is very special to me.” She grinned. “I have to admit, I’m glad you didn’t settle on him.”
Josie laughed out loud. “So you two are getting along?”
Susan shook her head. “No, right now I’m furious with him. I do understand how you feel, honey, but I can’t help worrying anyway. And I know if Bob hadn’t lied to me from the start, if he’d gone to see you himself instead of sending Nick, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
Though she had promised Nick, Josie thought it was time to clear the air. She made her tone stern while she gave Susan a chiding look. “Do you even know why Bob lied?”
Susan lifted a brow.
“Because he cares about you. Bob did everything he could think of to keep you around. He even…” She hesitated, wondering if Susan would understand Bob’s motives.
“He what?”
With a deep breath, Josie blurted, “He even told you he was the one who created your ads, just because he knew you didn’t like Nick.”
Susan’s nostrils became pinched and her expression darkened. “Are you telling me Nick Harris is responsible for my advertisements? Are you telling me he’s the one I should be grateful to?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m telling you. Rather than let you go, Bob contrived to keep you around. And Nick, whom you seem to think is a total cad, let you revile him even though he could have taken credit all along.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. You can ask Bob, though I imagine it would embarrass him to no end.”
Susan jerked to her feet. “I will ask him. But I have no doubt that damn partner of his is behind this somehow! That man is nothing but trouble.”
With that, she stormed out of the condo, and Josie winced in sympathy for Bob. She hoped Susan wouldn’t be too hard on him, but she had a feeling it was Nick who would feel the brunt of her anger.
Josie looked around her apartment, thinking how quiet it seemed without Susan there shaking things up. Her apartment always seemed empty, but somehow lonelier to her now. Before meeting Nick, she’d enjoyed her solitude and independence. But now, too much time alone only served to remind her of how she’d wasted her life, what
a coward she’d been. She knew, even though Nick would never love her, she was doing the right thing. Her time with him was precious, and it filled up the holes in her life, the holes she hadn’t even realized were there until recently. When he went away, she’d still have the memories. And for now, she had to believe memories would be enough.
An hour later, when the doorbell rang again, Josie was in front of her mirror, anxiously surveying herself. Knowing it was Nick, she pressed a fist to her pounding heart. She felt so incredibly nervous, this being the first time she and Nick would have extended time alone since that first night.
Moreover, it was the first time she’d dared to dress to please him. Though he hadn’t said they’d be going anywhere except the boat, she had plans for the night, and her clothing played a part in it all.
The flowery dress was new, sheer and very daring, ending well above her knee. In the wraparound fashion, it buttoned at the side of her waist on the inside where no one could see. One button, the only thing holding the dress together other than the matching belt in the same material, which she’d loosely tied. Getting the dress off would be a very simple matter.
She’d left her hair hanging loose the way Nick preferred it. And this time, she had chosen red, strappy sandals with midhigh heels so she could walk without stumbling. She’d even painted her toenails bright red. She’d set the stage the best she could.
Beneath the dress, she hadn’t bothered with sexy garters or nylons; they would have been superfluous in this case. Other than her panties, she was naked.
She rubbed her bare arms, gave her image one more quick glance and went to open the door.
Nick lounged against the door frame. At least, he did until he saw her. Slowly, he straightened while his gaze traveled on a leisurely path down the length of her body and back up again. Without a word, he stepped forward, forcing her to back up, then kicked the door shut behind him.