Yep, the Princess. Quinn Oswald was the finest girl in our class. Nobody here scored with her then, and nobodys scored with her since she moved back to Little Creek. From Joes expression that wasnt for lack of trying on his part.
Tension shot off Xander like bullets from a gun. Nothing pissed him off more than seeing someone disrespecting a lady.
We dont bet on sex, Zane said, laying one hand on Xanders arm before he could throw the punch his scowl promised was coming.
Not sex, Joe said, backing up with his hands in the air. A date. Just a date.
To the reunion dance, Kyle added. Last night of the event, everyones wearing clothes. Nothing rude about that, right? Itll be like prom night all over again.
If Zane recalled, there had been a lot of not wearing clothes on prom night. But maybe thatd just been him and Cait Carson.
Just a date? Xander asked in a chill tone, despite the tension Zane still felt shooting off him.
A date with Quinn Oswald to the reunion dance. Lets make it easy on her and keep the choice between the two of you. Mike looked from Xander to Zane and back again. Challenge issued.
The brothers eyes met.
There was something in Xanders that Zane couldnt read. He hesitated, but didnt ask. Not here in front of everyone.
Its better than raw eggs, he pointed out instead.
Yeah. Brow creased, Xander looked across the room at Quinn again. Sure. Why not.
Challenge accepted, Zane said after a second, his eyes still on his brothers face. Something was definitely up. But he knew he wouldnt get anything out of Xander that Xander didnt want to share.
Zane grinned. Hed make him share later.
For now, he had a pool game to win.
And win he did, playing all comers over the next hour. Hed just accepted Lennys tequila challenge, and the offer of the guys couch since it meant Zane only had to walk across the street instead of driving, when Kyle sidled up next to him.
Dude, Xander is getting a step up on you, Kyle muttered, adding an elbow to the ribs as emphasis.
Zane glanced over to see his brother at the bar with the Princess and shrugged.
Theres plenty of time, he said, grabbing his shot glass and toasting Lenny. And fairs fair. Xander got there first, its his shot.
Zane was drinking his.
But Zanes thoughts werent on the challenge, the reunion or even sexy princesses when he walked out of the bar. Not at closing, as hed figured, but at half-past ten. Because, apparently, everyone had to work in the morning.
What the hell?
Wondering when theyd all gotten so old, he turned into the alley between the bakery and the coffee shop, heading for the stairs that led to Lennys place.
And rammed into a wall.
A tall, blond, curvaceous wall that cussed like a sailor when her feet went flying out from beneath her.
Sorry, he muttered, making a grab and catching only fabric. He snagged her arm at the last second, holding her there, teetering on high heels.
Whoa.
His smile spread wide and wicked at the sight of the gorgeous blonde. She looked like a forties movie star with her side-swept bangs, sloe eyes and Cupids-bow lips. She didnt look happy, though.
Probably because hed ripped her blouse, leaving her standing in a body-skimming black skirt that hit her shapely knees, stiletto heels and, if the dangling fabric was any indication, a lace demi-cup bra.
Hello, gorgeous.
4
WHAT THE HELL? Vivian cursed, yanking herself free from the jerk thatd rammed into her.
One arm pinwheeled as she tried to keep her balance, the other clutching the box of her latest creations close to her chest. For one second, she thought she had a chance as the stiletto heel of her sandal found cement.
But she was no match for gravity.
She hit the ground.
The box hit the air.
It rained chocolate. Freshly molded confections flew high in the air before gravity brought them down, too. Squealing, Vivian threw out her hands, trying to catch as many as she could from her prone position.
Dont let them she huffed hit the ground.
Groaning as they did just that, Vivian dropped three pieces shed rescued into her lap, then shoved at the hair curtaining her face. The better to glare as she cursed the man whod knocked her on her ass.
That was when she got a good look at him.
Oh.
Vivians breath caught in her chest. She was pretty sure there was some surprise mixed in there, but mostly what was running through her system was pure lust.
Zane? Zane Bennett?
Damn, sorry about that.
He didnt sound sorry, though.
He didnt look it, either.
He looked sexy. So, so sexy.
Those dark eyes, the chiseled jaw and, oh, baby, that bad-boy smile of his. It was enough to melt what was left of Vivians chocolate.
Hi, she breathed as he helped her to her feet. Realizing she soundedand probably lookedlike a wide-eyed groupie, she cleared her throat and found her pride. Its great to see you again.
Do we know each other? he asked, his eyes narrowed as if he were trying to remember where from. Vivian bit her lip instead of answering. She didnt want him seeing her as Mikes little sister. Something about that designation had always seemed to make her invisible in the past.
And invisible was the last thing she wanted to be around Zane.
So she took a deep breath, thrust out her breasts and offered her sexiest smile.
Weve never actually been introduced, she said truthfully. But everyone in town knows who the Bennett brothers are.
Is that so? he murmured, his voice dropping one sexy decibel.
Thats so. Vivian cocked her hip to one side and lifted one hand to tick them off, one by one. The Bennett brothers facts. Twins. SEALs. Football heroes reputed to have scored even more off the field than on.
His grin widened.
The Bennett brothers can never refuse a dare, never back down from a challenge. Xander holds the Little Creek RBI record, but you, Zane, won three pink slips racing your Chevelle on Old Marsh Road. Nobody has ever broken your doughnut-eating record, but one of this years graduates got within touching distance of taking Xanders role as chug-a-lug champ.
As always, our reputation precedes us. His laugh faded into a wince as he looked at the mess at their feet. Ive got to say, this is the first time Ive plowed into a gorgeous woman so hard that she lost her... He glanced down again with a frown. Is that candy?
Sexy-lingerie bridal shower candy, as a matter of fact.
At her silence, he knelt down to help her gather her ruined chocolate. After scooping up a few, he glanced at them and laughed.
Is this a bikini top?
Actually, it was a bra. It went with a thong. Vivian bit her lip to keep from blurting that out.
Sure, she said, since bikini was easier to explain than lingerie to a gorgeous man who made her breathless with need. Vivian scooped fast, snagging tiny chocolate nighties, baby dolls and corsets. It wasnt that she didnt want Zane to see her undies, but maybe not here on the street.
I had no idea Little Creek Bakery was quite so imaginative, he said, grabbing another piece, lifting it high to see the details in the streetlights. Whoa, is this a garter belt?
Hoping the cloak of night hid her embarrassment, Vivian wet her lips and fought the urge to grab the candy out of his hands.
How many styles have you got here? he wondered, bending down to scoop up another handful. Instead of tossing them into the box like she was, though, he took time to inspect every one of them. Im impressed. There might be some here I didnt know existed until now.
Yeah, right. She was willing to bet that Zane Bennett knew just about everything there was to know about womens sex wear.
If rumors are anything to go by, though, you have plenty of personal experience to call on. Maybe I should ask you for advice for my next batch?
Sweetheart, I wrote the book, he teased. You want suggestions, Im your man.
Vivian was proud of herself. Her breath only shuddered a little and she managed to keep her moan of delight in her head.
So whats the deal? He lifted another piece of candy, this one a little bigger than the others, and frowned. A chocolate homage to Victorias Secret?
Theyre an experiment, she explained. Um, theres this bridal shower and after making the cake, I had this idea for party favors.
And I ruined them, he realized, not looking the least bit sorry. Guess youll have to make another batch. You want help?
Oh.
Vivians mind went blank. Mouth dry and heart racing, she could only stare. She wanted to think there was a double entendre in that offer, but the dim light wasnt enough to judge his expression.
Do you have any experience? She waited a beat, long enough for his eyes to meet hers. The look in those dark depths made her want to squirm. Oh, yeah. He had plenty of experience. She took another moment to steady herself before adding, With making chocolate?
Making...chocolate? He smiled suggestively. What do you think?
Oh, God.
She tried to come up with a witty comeback. Or, hell, shed settle for a lame one if she could just get the words out of her mouth. But how was she supposed to think with all this lust pounding through her system?
Chocolate is tricky to work with, she babbled. Its better to do favors like these at night when its cooler.
And when the bakery was empty.
A lot of things are better made at night, he murmured.
He was flirting with her.
Vivian wondered if it was bad form to do a butt-wiggling victory dance in the alley this late while surrounded by chocolate lingerie.
Youre melting.
What?
Howd he know? Before she could figure it out, Zane angled the hand he captured up so the streetlight shone on it. Her heart pounding at the feel of his fingers on hers, Vivian caught a glance of the streak of chocolate.
Um, yeah. Its warm, she started to say.
Then he shifted her hand to his lips.
And sucked on her finger.
Delicious.
Desire, hot and needy, coiled tight in her belly, making Vivian want to moan.
Oh. My. God.
She didnt know shed spoke the chant out loud until a wicked smile flashed over Zanes face. Not sure if she should be embarrassed or grateful for the invitation in that smile, Vivian reluctantly pulled her fingers away from those tempting lips.
Do you live nearby?
Oh, yeah.
Her arm was in the air, ready to point toward the stairs that led to her apartment over the bakery. Inside her apartment was a bed. A big, comfy, private bed.
But something made her freeze midgesture.
Dozens of stories ran through her head. Stories about Zane Bennett and his legendary skill with women. The only thing more legendary was his inability to refuse a challenge.
Ding.
Vivian lowered her hand, letting it rest on his shoulder, her fingers tracing little circles on the back of his neck to buy time as her mind raced.
She took a step closer, so their bodies nearly brushed, but not quite. Then she gave him her sexiest smile. She sighed, deep, so her breasts skimmed over his chest. And watched his eyes blur.
Good, she thought as she stepped back enough to let him miss the contact. She had his attention.
I have some damage control to do here, she said, lifting the box of ruined chocolates and giving it a shake. Why dont we meet somewhere tomorrow?
Somewhere? he repeated, his eyes boring into hers as if he could see all the way to the depths of her soul where her secrets were hidden. Where did you have in mind?
Oh, so many possibilities came to mind.
A hotel. A motel. Hot Tub Heaven. A mattress store. The back room of the bakery, where there was an ample supply of chocolate to pour over his body, then lick off.
Drinks, she said, shoving the words out fast before any of those other ideas could escape. We could get a drink.
A drink sounds good. She had to give him credit. He didnt look upset about being put off. Does Carvellos still have great appetizers?
Shed figured on meeting at the pub, with her thoughts on easy access to her apartment. Vivians breath caught, delight pouring through her. With its moody lighting, private booths and piano bar, Carvellos was the go-to spot for romantic dates.
And he wanted to take her there.
Oh, my.
They still have an amazing appetizer menu, she said, blaming the giddiness in her voice on the fact that he wanted to romance her. Romance. Her. That was worthy of another oh, my.
Vivian bit her lip, her gaze shifting toward the stairs and her apartment. No, she scolded herself. Stick with the plan. She wanted his attention for more than one night. Now she had it, along with an invitation for drinks at the swankiest spot in town. Is six okay?
Perfect. His smile was like a magnet, pulling her closer. Vivian didnt object when he reached out to slide one hand over her hair, his fingers tangling in the strands as he cupped the back of her neck.
Staring into her eyes with that hypnotic gaze of his, Zane slowly lowered his head until his mouth was a breath away from hers. Vivian was sure her heart stopped. She was pretty sure the world stopped. She tried to tell herself to keep her expectations somewhere in the realm of realistic. Just because shed spent years dreaming about Zanes kissing prowess didnt mean itd be like shed imagined.
Then his lips slid over hers.
A soft, gentle glide just a hint stronger than a whisper.
Her breath released in a slow shudder as she sank into the sweetness of it. Almost as sweet as her Bavarian cream. She started to relax, some of that tense anticipation drifting away as he shifted angles. Just the tiniest shift.
His tongue caressed her bottom lip. So, so sweet.
Then he nipped, a scrape of teeth over the full softness of her mouth. Desire shot, sharp and hot, through Vivians belly, sparking a desperate need.
She gasped.
His tongue plunged.
It swept over hers, coiled and danced. Vivian melted. She straight-up melted into a puddle of desire as he took the kiss from hot to incendiary with his magic tongue. She might have kissed him back; she wasnt sure. Everything became a tangled blur of desire, edgy need pounding through her body, settling deep in her belly. Her breasts swelled, nipples beaded with passion.