Devil in Texas

by Calista Fox

  He climbed in beside her and pulled her against his body so that they were spooning, with his front to her back.

  “You’re staying,” he said, sounding a little surprised.

  Liza’s body stiffened. “You don’t mind, do you?” After that incredibly intimate experience, she couldn’t even imagine returning to her own big, empty bed.

  “‘Course I don’t mind.” He nuzzled the crook of her neck, his lips brushing the dewy skin. “Guess I half expected you to run off.”

  “Hard to do when you make me weak in the knees. I’m not even sure I can stand at this point.”

  He chuckled again. “Good workout?”

  “The best kind. Those meatballs didn’t stand a chance against you.”

  Jack’s arms tightened around her. “More than happy to work off your calories anytime you want, darlin’.”

  “I just might take you up on that, considering we have dinner at Pietro’s tomorrow and I have a lunch date with Ginger there on Monday.”

  He shifted behind her and she instinctively rolled backward so she could look up at him.

  “You’re having lunch with Ginger?” He grinned at her, making her very happy she’d taken an interest in the shop owner and that Jack approved of it.

  “Yeah. We’re going to brainstorm some marketing ideas and talk about building a website for her to go global.”

  “Liza,” he said, looking shocked and pleased at the same time. “That’s nice of you.”

  “What?” she laughed. “Just because I’m from New York I can’t do something nice for someone?”

  “I didn’t say that.” And that wicked glint flashed in his beautiful blue eyes. “You’ve done some damn nice things for me. To me,” he amended with a lift of his brows.

  She was sure her cheeks turned bright pink.

  Jack laughed. She might be letting go of the prim and proper prude she’d once been, but clearly Jack could still make her blush.

  “Ginger is a sweet kid,” he said, “and I’m sure she could use a friend like you.”

  “Kid? How old is she?”

  “Twenty-four.” He eyed her a minute, then said, “I’m thirty. How old are you, darlin’?”

  Liza grinned at his slick fishing expedition. “Twenty-eight this past January.”

  “Hmm. Twenty-eight and never been kissed.” His hand slid between her legs and his fingers rubbed her clit.

  “Jack! Not everyone has your extensive sexual experience.”

  “I read a lot of books,” he said as he winked at her.

  “Yeah, sure.” She pushed his hand aside and rolled back over. Jack snuggled up close to her again. “I don’t think Playboy counts.”

  He laughed again as he reached over her to snap off the bedside lamp. “I don’t have a subscription, darlin’, I promise.”

  “Just a creative imagination?”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” he whispered in her ear. And a thrill of excitement shimmied up her spine. “But I’m happy to share my thoughts with you.”

  As his arms wound around her, one of his large hands cupped her bare breast. She was just about to call him insatiable, but the thumb that toyed with her nipple sparked yet another fire in her pussy. Damn, she was nothing but a powder keg around this guy.

  “How about you share them with me in the morning?” she suggested as she stifled a yawn. “You’ve worn me out.”

  “I could use a few winks myself,” he said. “But I’ll tell you, sweetheart, it’s damn hard to lie next to you and not want to make love to you.”

  “Come up with something creative and try it on me in the morning.”

  “Oh how you challenge me.”

  “And you rise to the occasion.”

  He chuckled at her double entendre. “I’ll be sure to nudge you when I come up with something worthy of waking you.”

  Her stomach fluttered. “You really expect me to be able to sleep after a comment like that?”

  His warm lips brushed her shoulder and he said, “I’d keep you up all night long, darlin’, but you have to work in the morning, remember?”

  Liza groaned. “Shoot. I picked a fine time to stumble into a job.”

  “You’ll be a huge help to Jess. Ever since she inherited the shop, she’s been in over her head. I suspect she’s just now turning enough of a profit to be able to afford some help.”

  “I hope I don’t disappoint her.”

  Jack was quiet a moment, then asked, “Why would you say that?”

  Liza shrugged. “I don’t know anything about the flower business.”

  “Hmm, well…” he mused in a devilish tone. “You were new to oral sex too, and look how well you took to that.”

  “Jack! You are so bad.”

  “So are you,” he murmured in her ear before nipping at her lobe, sending lightning bolts to the heart of her.

  “Behave,” she gasped, wondering if she could follow suit.

  She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on sleeping. Being wrapped in Jack’s embrace, reveling in the warm, strong cocoon he created, made it difficult to think of anything but turning in his arms and persuading him to make love to her again.

  But tomorrow loomed too close and she had no idea what she was up against with her latest adventure.

  * * * * *

  Indeed, dawn came too early.

  The thin slivers of sunlight that penetrated the partially opened slats of the white Plantation shutters covering Jack’s bedroom windows raced across the room, reaching the bed. Liza squinted against the glittery rays and burrowed a bit deeper under the covers. It was a little shocking that the sheet and duvet were still on the bed, given the heat that surrounded her from Jack’s full embrace. But the A/C helped to cool the room and she really did like the comfortable little haven they’d nestled into overnight.

  Her shifting, however, made sharp stabs of pain target a few key areas of her body. She groaned without even realizing it, inadvertently waking Jack.

  “What’s wrong?” he muttered into her ear in a groggy, though extremely sexy, tone. He was still obviously just coming awake, but his erection already pressed against her backside.

  “Nothing,” she whispered. “Go back to sleep.”

  He snuggled against her and his hard cock seemed to find a cozy home between the cleft of her ass. She sighed as her newly overactive libido shifted into high gear once more.

  When had she become this obsessed with sex?

  Oh yeah. The moment she’d laid eyes on the Devil in Blue Jeans.

  Who was also a devil sans clothing.

  Jack’s palm eased up her side to cup a breast. But she had to lift his hand away from her aching nipple. In fact, her entire body was sore.

  Apparently coming fully awake, he propped himself up on his elbow. She peered at him over her shoulder and smiled. He truly was gorgeous.

  “Morning,” she said.

  “Yeah, right back at ya.” He studied her a moment, his eyes dark and questioning. Then he asked, “Didn’t sleep well?”

  “Out like a light,” she said in all honesty. She’d been exhausted from her long day…and wild night.

  Despite her words, Jack’s brow furrowed. “You’re stiff as a board, darlin’. What’s wrong?”

  Liza couldn’t help but laugh. “Would you believe I’m sore? Like…every inch of me.”

  He didn’t see any humor in her revelation. Instead, he scowled at her. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “Sooner, when?” she countered. “It’s sort of like a great workout you don’t feel until two days later—or the morning after, in this case.”

  Jack shifted on the mattress and she instantly protested. “Where are you going?”

  He tossed the covers off his deliciously naked body and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

  “Oh hell,” she said, suddenly getting it. “Not this again? How many times do I have to tell you? You didn’t break me. I’m just sore.” She rolled toward him and sat up. Cu
rling her arms around his broad shoulders, she added, “And wasn’t I the one begging you to fuck me harder?”

  He shot her a dour look. “Liza…”

  “Jack,” she countered and nipped his earlobe for good measure. “Stop worrying about me. A hot bath and maybe a massage later and I’ll be good as new.” She wagged her brows at him.

  His smile was a reluctant one, but eventually, the dimple told her he found her amusing.

  “I’d let you work out the kinks now,” she said, “But I have to get to work.”

  She dropped a kiss on his set jaw, then climbed out of bed. She didn’t make it far, though. Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him so she stood between his legs.

  And what a nice view that gave her!

  “What?” she asked, the smile teasing her lips. Liza was this close to toppling him and asking him to make love to her. Her aching body might have something to say about it at first, but something told her she’d forget all about the pain as the pleasure ensued.

  Jack’s fingers grazed the spot between her breasts that had held a soft purple tinge last night, hinting at a bruise. But it’d already cleared up.

  “See? I told you it was nothing,” she said. “Not the big deal you made it out to be.”

  His eyes lifted and locked with hers. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said in a solemn voice. “Ever.”

  “You won’t.” She kissed his forehead. “But you might get me fired if you keep staring at me like that. I’m tempted to blow off my job altogether for another three or four orgasms.”

  Jack’s grin was a sexy, devilish one, his features finally easing as the tension left his face. “Let’s give your body a rest.” He released her hand.

  Reluctantly, she took a step back. “Doesn’t have to be a long one, you know?” She winked at him, feeling uncharacteristically flirty.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” The heated look he gave her started the thrumming in her pussy all over again. Too bad that was her sorest spot.

  She slipped away from him and gathered her clothing. Dressing, then collecting her shopper’s bag, she headed toward the door.

  “Have fun today,” he said.

  She glanced at him over her shoulder just as he stood up. She really wished he hadn’t done that. She melted, needing the doorframe for support. “Jesus, Jack,” she groaned. “You put the statue of David to shame.”

  He grinned that adorable, lazy grin. “Get to work. I’ll pick you up at six-forty for our double date.”

  “Don’t be late.” She turned on her heels and glided across the hardwood floor, bouncing down the stairs and out the front door.

  Her stomach was already growling in anticipation of whatever wicked creation Mike had planned for this evening’s special at Pietro’s. And whatever creative sexual adventure Jack might come up with afterward…

  Chapter Fourteen

  Unfortunately, her bliss was short-lived.

  Carrying the lingerie bag into the cottage, Liza ascended the steps that led to the kitchen and went into the bathroom, consulting the clock along the way. She’d left Jack’s early enough that she could highlight her hair before showering and heading into town to meet Jess. She fished out the drugstore bag from the larger one and set the highlighter kit on the granite counter. She opened the box, then retrieved the instructions. She read them carefully and deduced, once again, this wasn’t rocket science. It didn’t take a Cosmetology license or a degree from the Vidal Sassoon Academy to apply some chemicals to a few strands of hair.

  Positioning the plastic cap on her head—certainly not her best look—and using the clever little hook provided to pull through the strands she wanted to color, she strategically selected the best location for the highlights. Then she mixed the chemicals according to the directions, slathered them on with the little spatula and wondered why on earth she’d paid a stylist nearly six hundred dollars every five to six weeks for a cut and hair weave.

  Frowning, she realized that she could use a trim too, but her style was still intact, so it would really just be a matter of snipping here and there. And as for the color, the chestnut was natural and, obviously, she was proving that giving herself some flattering highlights wasn’t nearly as complicated as renowned stylist Miguel Delgado had always made it seem.

  Hell, she’d sit in his chair for nearly four hours each session. But according to the chart on the outside of the highlighting kit, she didn’t need more than twenty minutes to achieve the look she wanted.

  Feeling particularly pleased with herself, she spent her twenty minutes setting out the few knickknacks and books she’d brought with her and tidying up the cottage. When the timer she’d set on the stove started to beep, she turned it off, removed the plastic cap and stepped into the shower.

  It was actually very liberating to be living such a simple life. She’d saved five-hundred-and-ninety-dollars-plus-tip on hair care. At least a hundred dollars on lingerie. The rent she’d paid on the cottage was a quarter of what her apartment had cost in Manhattan. And Ruby had bought her lunch yesterday. That put her a few steps ahead of the game.

  Smiling as she shut off the water, she towel-dried her hair, then wrapped the material around her body. She swiped a hand over the mirror that hung above the vanity.

  And screamed bloody murder at the vision before her.

  Holy shit!

  What had she done?

  Liza stared at her reflection—and the vibrant copper streaks that ruined her six-hundred-dollar hairdo.

  She gasped again.

  “No, no, no!” she cried, wiping away more of the steam on the mirror and staring closer at the mess that once was a very chic coif. “Oh. My. God!”

  Her so-called highlights weren’t the warm golden color the box had promised. They were a glowing copper that made her look like a punk rock star!

  “Fuck!”

  She tossed the box and its second application into the trash.

  She was totally screwed. Because the only one who could help her correct this horrific mistake was the one woman in town who loathed her.

  Lydia Bain.

  Damn it!

  Grumbling as she reached for the blow dryer and brush, she cursed Lydia’s name over and over again. How could her luck be so bad that her nemesis was Wilder’s Queen of the Coif and… She doesn’t like me!

  After drying the wildly mismatched hair, she had no choice but to pull it up into a high ponytail in order to hide most of the highlighted strands that made her look like a rebellious teenager. Several thick streaks of copper still showed and there wasn’t a damn thing more she could do about it.

  She dressed and left the cottage. She drove into town and pulled up in front of the flower shop just as Jess was climbing out of her sedan.

  “Hi,” Jess said with a cheery smile. She didn’t seem to take note of Liza’s hideous do-it-yourself highlighting job, for which Liza was grateful.

  “Good morning.” She followed Jess into the shop, excited about what the day in the Land of Flora might hold for her, despite her debacled ‘do. “So what are we working on?”

  Jess gave a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness you’re so enthusiastic. I was kind of worried. I mean…” She shrugged as she rolled her hazel eyes. “I thought you were just being nice last night when you expressed interest in the job.”

  Liza’s heart plummeted. “You do still want me, right?”

  “Of course!”

  “Oh!” she said, the excitement coming back full force. “Then tell me what to do!”

  Jess really did look relieved. “I asked George after we left the saloon if I’d somehow inadvertently pushed you into agreeing to help me.”

  “Not at all.”

  “Good. Because I really would love to work with you. I bet you’ll have some incredibly creative ideas for the shop.”

  “Well,” Liza said, suddenly a little overwhelmed by her new employer’s great expectations. “I don’t have any floral experience, remember?”

 
“Yes, but I imagine you can think on a grander scale than me. I inherited this place several years ago and, I’m sure Jack told you, it was in the hole.”

  She crossed the display area, where she had floor plants and coolers full of elaborate arrangements available for immediate purchase, and moved past the service desk and computer on the left to the work area on the right.

  An enormous workbench surrounded by tools of the trade awaited them as Jess came to a halt by the table.

  “Luckily,” she said, “I’m the only florist in town.”

  Liza’s stomach sank. That likely meant Lydia was the only hairstylist in town.

  “So I’ve got the monopoly on business in the area,” Jess continued. “But I only get so many orders from the townsfolk, as you can imagine. I mean, I do get a lot of special requests,” she was quick to add. “Like the Junior League’s monthly luncheon and several of the other meetings our town organizations hold. Funerals, of course. Birthdays, baby and bridal showers and the like. But everyday orders?” She shook her head.

  “Not a lot of romance in Wilder?”

  “Not so much,” she said on a sigh.

  “We’ll have to do something about that.”

  She smiled, then pointed to a pallet that housed a dozen or so potted plants with flowers Liza couldn’t even begin to identify.

  “Orchids,” Jess said, as though reading the confused look on her face. “A favorite of the Junior League. What I do is wrap the pots in this colored foil and tie a satin bow around them.” She demonstrated and it didn’t look too difficult. “Also, there are centerpieces in the cooler that go on the table at the Elks Lodge. I have the white linen tablecloths and napkins all packed up. You can take the van out back in the alley.” She handed over a set of keys. “George had these made this morning. They go to the front and back doors and to the vehicle.”

  She was just handing them over like that? This would never happen in New York.