Unzipped (Harlequin Romance) Read online

  Bob was sedate. Hell, Bob was almost dead, he was so sedate. He was Bob. Cautiously he asked, “What else did your sister say about…me?”

  “That you were dependable.”

  They reached the edge of the floor, and he snorted. “Dependable? Makes me sound like a hound.”

  Her soft laugh made him change his mind about the corner and lead her to a balcony door instead. It was chilly enough in early September, with the damp breeze off the river, to deter other dancers from taking in the night air. As they stepped out, he released her and she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth.

  Below the balcony, car lights flashed as traffic filled the parking lot and navigated the narrow roads around the bar. Boat horns echoed in the distance, and a few people loitered by the entrance door, waiting either to come in or go out. Their voices were muted, drowned out by the music. He turned to face Josie, seeing her eyes shine in the darkness, that red hair of hers being lightly teased by the wind. He reached out and caught a long curl, rubbing it between his fingers.

  “Are you disappointed that I’m not dependable?”

  “You’re not?”

  “No.” He owed her some honesty, and his outlook on life was something he never kept from a woman, any woman. Not even one that he wanted as badly as he did this one. “I’m safe. Trustworthy. You don’t have to be afraid of me.” She grinned and he tugged on her hair until she stepped closer, then he released her and looked over her head at the night sky. “I’m a nice guy. I’m secure. But I’m not the type of man you want to depend on, Josie.”

  She lifted a hand to brush her hair from her cheek and studied him. “Are you fun?”

  The epitome of temptation, she stood there looking up at him, her eyes huge in the darkness, her body so close only an inch separated them. He touched her cheek and felt her softness, the subtle warmth of her skin. “Do you want me to be fun?”

  She stepped away, moving across the balcony and bracing her hands on the railing. Eyes closed, she leaned out, arching her back and letting the wind toss her hair. Turning her face up to the moon, she said, “Yes. I think I deserve to have fun. I want to do things I haven’t done and see things I haven’t seen. I want to put work aside and enjoy life for a change.”

  Looking at her, at the way her stance had tautened her bottom in the snug skirt, her legs braced with the high heels putting her nearly on tiptoe, her hair reaching down her back… He couldn’t resist. He stepped up to her until his legs bracketed hers, his groin pressing into her smooth buttocks. She would feel his erection, but he didn’t care.

  With a soft push, he acknowledged her shock, her surprise and her interest.

  Leaning down, he kissed the side of her neck, her ear. He spoke in a soft, intimate whisper. “I can show you lots of ways to enjoy yourself, Josie.”

  There was a split second when he thought she’d draw away, and already his body grieved. But then she leaned her head back to his chest and tipped it to the side to give his mouth better advantage. He tasted the sweet heat of her skin, his tongue touching her, leaving damp kisses behind that made her shiver. He flattened one hand on her abdomen and his fingers caressed her. His heartbeat drummed, the pleasure twisting, escalating.

  “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.

  Chapter Two

  “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 high-handed 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 wa
s 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.”

  “Someplace 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 tall 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 mort
ified. 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.