TANTALIZING Read online

  "Yes."

  The word was caught in a moan, and Nick closed his eyes, not sure he'd heard it. "Josie?"

  Turning in the tight circle of his arms, the railing at her back keeping her from putting any space between them, she flickered a nervous, uncertain smile and said again, "Yes. Show me."

  Excitement mushroomed. Already his body throbbed with sexual heat. Slowly he leaned down, keeping her caught in his gaze, letting the anticipation build. He heard Josie drawing in choppy breaths and knew she was as turned on as he. His mouth touched the softness of hers and she made a small sound of acceptance, her hands curling over his shoulders.

  Her lip gloss tasted of cherries, and he licked it off, slowly, savoring her every breath, her sighs. She tried to kiss him, but he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling, until her lips were lusciously full from his administrations, begging for his kiss.

  Her tongue touched his and he covered her mouth, unable to resist a moment more. She was so hot, so sweet.

  And it took him about thirty seconds of incredible kissing to figure out she was damn innocent, too.

  She didn't return his kisses, or his touches. She only accepted them, clinging to him, a sense of wonder and expectation swirling around her. He led, but although she was willing, she didn't quite follow. In fact, it seemed almost as if she didn't know how.

  With a groan, he pulled back, dragging his gaze over her body, so sexy, revealed in the short tight skirt and low-cut blouse, her hair wild and free, her smile shy but inviting. Inviting what? His heart threatened to punch through his ribs, and he silently cursed in intense frustration.

  Josie Jackson was a little fraud. Despite all the packaging, despite the seductive words and gestures, she was probably more suited to Bob. But that idea made Nick half-sick with anger and he swore to himself Bob would never touch her. He wouldn't allow it.

  He knew women, had been studying them since he'd first become a teenager. He knew the good in them, the gentleness and pleasure they could offer. And because of the feminine members of his family, his stepmother and his mother, he knew the bad, the ways they could manipulate and connive.

  This little sweetheart was up to something. But then, no one had ever accused Nick Harris of turning down a challenge – especially not one this tantalizing. Mustering a grin, he let his fingers fan her cheek, her temple. "We both know what we want, honey, so why don't we get out of here and go someplace quiet?"

  He waited for her to refuse, to call him on his outrageous bluff. Then she'd explain, and he could explain, too, and they could start over, taking the time to get to know each other. And for a second there, she looked like she would refuse.

  Instead, she knocked him off balance by nodding agreement, and whispering quietly, shyly, "You can lead the way."

  Oh yeah. He'd lead the way all right. Right into insanity. He wasn't in the habit of rushing women into bed, certainly not only minutes after meeting them. He wasn't an idiot. But all the same, he took her proffered hand and started back toward the exit. Excitement rushed through his body with every step.

  Excitement and the sure knowledge that he was about to make a huge tactical mistake, one he'd likely live to regret, but he was helpless to stop himself.

  ~ 2 ~

  "DID YOU DRIVE?"

  "No, I, ah, took a cab." Because her car was as sensible and plain as she was, and would have given her away. Her plan wouldn't have worked, she would have lost this opportunity. She closed her eyes on the thought.

  "I'll drive, then."

  "Okay." Josie could hardly speak for the lump of excitement in her throat. She'd started out acting a part, and now she was going to get to live it. With this gorgeous, sexy man ... her sister had found? Incredible. Maybe Susan was finally starting to understand her better. She'd have to thank her... No, she wouldn't. She still didn't want people meddling in her life and setting up blind dates. It was past time she put an end to that highhanded habit. Besides, if her sister knew how incredible Bob Morrison was turning out to be, she wouldn't want Josie to see him anymore. She certainly wouldn't approve of them slipping off together to do...all the wonderful things she'd never dared to dream about.

  Josie wasn't even certain she approved of herself. Things like this just didn't happen to her. Men didn't notice her, and she'd always accepted that. But now everything felt so right, so instinctive. She'd never considered herself impulsive, but then, she'd never had the attention of a man like Bob. And it wasn't just his sexy looks. It was his smile, a tilting of that sensual mouth that made her feel special, and the fact that since they'd first met, he hadn't taken his eyes off her. He held her gently, and she'd felt a trembling in his hands that proved he was affected by the madness too. When he spoke, his voice was deep and husky, his words persuasive, telling how much he wanted her.

  She had only to look at him and her stomach took a free fall, as if she'd just jumped from a plane and didn't care where she landed. All her life she'd been cautious and circumspect, first pleasing her parents, and after their deaths, trying to please her sister. Susan took Josie's failures personally, so Josie had made certain to always succeed. She made Susan proud with her respectability and propriety, her overachiever attitude. And she had found a measure of happiness in the structured stability of that role.

  But now she had a chance to taste the wild side, to sow some wild oats and experience life. And it was so exciting, being spontaneous for a change. Nature summoned, sending all her hormones into overdrive, making her hot and shaky and anxious. For once, she was going to let nature have its way.

  "Don't you even want to know where I'm taking you?"

  Josie paused, stung by his apparent irritation. From one second to the next, he'd gotten quiet and surly. When he turned to look at her, she saw that his dark thick brows were low over his eyes, his mouth a thin line. So far, that mouth had done nothing but smile at her and give her the most incredible, melting kisses imaginable, but now he was angry. She took a cautious step back. "What's wrong?"

  He held her gaze, then with a growl of disgust, raked a hand through his midnight hair, leaving it disheveled. "Nothing. I'm sorry." He reached his hand toward her, palm up, and waited.

  Josie bit her lip, uncertain, but the feelings, so many different feelings, were still curling inside her, demanding attention. It felt new and wonderful wanting a man like this, knowing he wanted her, too. After the blow of losing her parents, she'd drawn into herself and let Susan, with her natural confidence and poise, take over her life, direct it. And as the big sister, Susan was determined to give Josie every advantage, to protect her. She'd helped Josie through high school and then college, giving up her own education so Josie could have the best. She'd helped Josie start a career, and now, evidently, her goal was to help Josie get married to a suitable man.

  If it hadn't been for Susan, Josie would have been alone in the world. The knowledge of what she owed her sister was never far from her mind. But she didn't want to settle down with some stuffy businessman. She wanted all the same things other women wanted – romance and excitement and fun – only, she was a little late in recognizing those desires.

  He'd said he was a safe man, trustworthy. And she had to believe it was true, because Susan never would have set her up with a man who couldn't be trusted. Susan's standards were high, nearly impossible to reach, so he had to be a very reliable sort, despite his comments to the contrary. She smiled and put her hand in his.

  His fingers, warm and firm, curled around her own, then he lifted her hand to his mouth, his gaze still holding hers, and kissed her knuckles. Just that small touch made her tummy lurch and places below it tighten. His tongue touched her skin, soft and damp, dipping briefly between her middle and ring finger and she felt the touch sizzle from her navel downward. She almost groaned.

  The look he gave her now was knowing and confident, hot with his own excitement. "Come on."

  Josie licked her dry lips. "You haven't told me yet where we're going."

  "Som
eplace quiet. Someplace private. I want you all to myself, Josie."

  Prudence made her pause again. He wanted control of the situation, but this was her night, the only fantasy she was ever likely to indulge in. "I'd like to know, exactly, where we're going."

  He looked down at her, then his large hands framed her face. He seemed almost relieved by her questions, like he'd been waiting for them, expecting reluctance. "Scared?"

  "Should I be?" She wasn't, not really, but that didn't mean she held no reservations at all. She'd led her life on the safe side, never even imagining that such a turmoil of sizzling emotion existed. It would take a lot to make her turn away now, especially since Bob was the first man who'd ever tempted her to be so daring. The ruse she'd started was over. Now she was only doing as she pleased, being led along by her feminine instincts. And enjoying every second.

  His thumb touched the side of her mouth, moved over her bottom lip and then ran beneath her chin, making her shudder, her breath catch. He tipped her face up, arching her neck and moving her closer to his talk strong body at the same time. "Open your mouth for me, Josie."

  She did, parting her lips on a breath. His mouth brushed over hers, light, sweet, his tongue just touching the edge of her teeth, coasting on the inside of her bottom lip. "Don't ever be afraid of me."

  "I won't." She clutched at his shirt, wishing he'd do that thing with his leg again, pressing it against her in such a tempting way. "I'm not."

  He smiled, his look tender. "Not afraid, but I can feel you shaking."

  Quaking was more like it. Her legs didn't feel steady, her heartbeat rocked her body and little spasms kept her stomach fluttering. His mouth came down again, his teeth catching gently on her bottom lip, nipping, distracting. Josie closed her eyes, wanting him to continue. He couldn't know that this was all new to her, so she confessed, "I'm not afraid. I'm excited."

  "By me."

  Two simple words, so filled with wonder – and with confidence. "Yes. I...I want you." Saying it made her skin feel even hotter, and she tried to duck her head, knowing she blushed. But he wouldn't let her hide. Catching and holding her gaze, he gave her an intense study, as if trying to figure her out. Josie wondered how much more obvious she could be.

  The wind blew, damp and cool, and it ruffled his thick, straight hair. When she shivered, he broke his stare to gather her close, holding her to his warm chest and wrapping his arms tight around her. Being held by this man was a singular experience. She'd never imagined that anything could feel so safe. Or that she needed – wanted – to feel that way.

  "You might not be afraid, Josie, but I am."

  That startled her and she pushed back from him again. "You're not making any sense, Bob." He flinched and she took another step back, separating their bodies completely. Frowning with possibilities, with hurt and embarrassment, she whispered, "If you don't want me, just say so."

  That got her hauled back up against him, his mouth covering hers and treating her to a heated kiss the likes of which she hadn't known existed. His tongue stroked; he sucked, bit, consumed. It made her toes curl in her shoes, made her nipples tighten painfully. She gasped into his open mouth and pressed her pelvis closer. The thick, full bulge of his erection met her belly, making a mockery of her notion that he might not want her.

  As if he knew how her body reacted, she felt his thigh there again, giving pressure just where she needed it. One palm gripped her hip, keeping her from retreating, and his other slowly covered her breast, caressing, dragging over her nipple then gently stroking with the edge of his thumb. He made soothing sounds when she jerked in reaction. She couldn't bear it, the feelings were so wildly intense. She moaned and clutched at him.

  "Damn." His head dropped back on his shoulders, his eyes closed while his throat worked. He kept Josie pinned close and his nostrils flared on a deeply indrawn breath. "Let's get out of here before I lose my head completely."

  He showed no more hesitation, moving at a near run, making Josie hobble in her high heels trying to keep up with him.

  He led her to a shiny black truck and opened the door. But the minute she started to step up into the thing, she realized she had a definite problem. "Uh, Bob..."

  He made a sour face that quickly disappeared. "Hmm?"

  "I, ah, I can't get into your truck."

  Reaching out, he tucked her hair behind her ear, cupped his hand over her shoulder, caressing, soothing. "I've told you I won't hurt you, Josie. You can trust me."

  A nervous giggle escaped her and she was mortified. She never giggled. "It isn't that. It's, well, my skirt is too tight."

  His gaze dropped, then stayed there on the top of her thighs. She saw his broad shoulders lift with a heavy breath. "Looks...good to me. Not too tight." He swallowed, then added, "Perfect, in fact. You're perfect."

  Perfect. Josie knew then, there was no changing her mind. No man had ever told her she looked perfect. No man had ever given her much attention at all. Of course, she'd never given them much attention, either, or dressed this way before. She'd only done it now to discourage Bob from liking her, thinking him to be another prig, a suit with an image to protect and a family-oriented goal in mind. But seeing as he did like her like this, she vowed to be more flashy every day, because she liked it, too. It made her feel feminine and attractive and... She still couldn't manage to get into the dumb truck.

  "Bob, I can't step up. And your seat's too high for me to reach."

  He blinked, his gaze still lingering southward, then he chuckled. "I see what you mean. Allow me." He picked her up, swinging her high against his chest with no sign of effort. He hesitated to set her down inside.

  "Bob?"

  He groaned. "Don't... Never mind. I think I like holding you. You don't weigh much more than a feather." He pulled her close enough to nuzzle her throat, her ear, to kiss her mouth long and deep before reluctantly putting her down on the seat and closing the door.

  When he climbed behind the wheel, Josie decided to be daring again. "So you like small women?"

  "I never did before."

  Leaving her to wonder what he meant by that, he started the truck and drove from the lot. "I was thinking, why don't we go to your place? We could drink some coffee and...talk."

  Uh-oh. Josie shook her head. There was no way she could take him to her condo where her functional life-style and boring personality were in evidence everywhere. In her furniture, her pictures, her CDs and books. Nursing magazines and pamphlets were on her tables. Nostalgic photos of her deceased parents, along with photos of her and Susan together, decorated her mantel. He'd see her with her hair braided, her turtlenecks and serious, self-conscious mien.

  That wasn't the woman he wanted, and she couldn't bear it if he backed out on her now.

  "I don't think that's a good idea."

  He glanced at her curiously as he wove through the traffic. "Why not?"

  Why not? Why not? "Um, my neighbor, in the condo complex, was planning a big party and I bowed out. If she sees me, she might be hurt, or insist I come to the party after all." It was only a partial lie. Most of the condo owners were nice, quiet, elderly people, living on retirement and Social Security. They were her friends, the only people she felt totally comfortable with. They loved her and appreciated whatever she did for them, no matter how insignificant. For them, she didn't have to measure up, she could just be herself.

  Until recently, there had never been parties at the condo. Now, with Josie's encouragement, Mrs. Wiley was known for entertaining – but hers certainly weren't the type of parties Josie would be comfortable taking Bob to. Mrs. Wiley could be affectionately referred to as a "modern" grandma.

  Bob nodded his understanding, his brow drawn in thought.

  She squirmed, then suggested, "Why don't we go to your place instead?"

  "No." He shook his head, shooting her a quick look. "Not a good idea."

  "Why?"

  "I, um... You know, I hesitate to suggest this, because I don't want to insult you."
>
  "Suggest what?" Her curiosity was piqued. And she couldn't imagine any suggestion on his part being an insult, not when they both knew what it was they wanted, what they planned.

  "My father has a small houseboat docked on the river, not too far from here. It's peaceful there. And quiet. Just like home, only smaller. And floating."

  How romantic, and how sweet that he feared insulting her. "I think it sounds like heaven, but...I thought Susan told me both your parents were dead."

  "My..." He turned his face away, his hands fisting on the steering wheel.

  "Bob?"

  Now he groaned. When he did finally look at her, he appeared harassed. "They are. Gone that is. Deceased. But they left me the boat and I guess I...still think of it as theirs?"

  He'd ended it on a question, as if he weren't certain, which didn't make any sense. Unless he was still dealing with the loss of them. She herself knew how rough it could be. It had taken her months to get over the shock of her parents being gone, and by the time she realized how selfish she was being, Susan had just naturally taken control, cushioning Josie from any other blows. Even though Susan was older, it had still been a horrendous thing for her to deal with on her own.

  It was obvious Bob had a difficult time talking about it. Josie sympathized. "My parents died when I was fifteen. Susan took on the responsibility of being my guardian. It hurts sometimes to remember, doesn't it?"

  His gaze seemed unreadable. "Does it hurt you?"

  "Yes. I still miss them so much, even though it's been ten years. And...I feel guilty when I think of everything Susan gave up for me. We have no other relatives, and because she was nineteen, she was considered an adult and given legal custody." It wasn't as simple as all that, but Josie didn't want to go into how hard Susan had fought for her, the extent of what she'd given up.

  He reached for her hand. "I doubt Susan would have had it any other way. She seems...determined in everything she does."