A better friend would help her win back the man she loved without picturing her naked. No, Im a selfish hedonist. But the benefit of having no shame is that I dont let it bother me.
Her lips twitched, and she raised her glass. To shameless pleasure.
Ill drink to that.
* * *
PHOEBE LEANED BACK against the cool leather of the couch, her feet tucked beneath her while her sandals lay askew on the floor. Dinner had been yummy and their discussion hadnt been quite as charged as shed feared. After what shed revealed earlier, she hadnt known what to expect and had experienced a moment of apprehension when they sat down together.
Almost as if sensing her nerves, Heath had kicked off an innocuous conversation about how theyd tweak the Braves lineup if they had the power to trade players. Later, when shed brought up wanting to add some new savory pastries to Jamess menu, Heath had waggled his brows and teased her about experimentation. But, by Heath standards, hed behaved. Now she was enjoying the nighttime view through the window while he washed dishes, which hed insisted on doing himself. The city lights twinkled, combining with the two glasses of wine shed had to make her feel utterly relaxed.
Liar.
If she were honest with herself, shed acknowledge the buzz of awareness that crackled beneath the surface of mellow contentment. When Heaths green eyes landed on her or he moved close to refill her glass, it was not relaxing. She felt tensenot in the stressed-out, frazzled kind of way, but high-strung just the same. All her senses were on full alert, and her skin tingled. It was a reaction that had caught her off guard when she arrived earlier and continued to take her by surprise, even though one would think shed have adjusted after the first time. But it was disorienting to react so strongly to Heath. Sure, he was attractivemaybe one of the best-looking men in Atlantabut he always had been. Theyd worked together for over a year and shed never felt this way.
Of course, that had been before he kissed her. What had she told Gwen? That it hadnt been a real kiss? Please. If that kiss had been any more real, you would have exploded in a fiery blaze of spontaneous combustion.
Mentally and emotionally, Phoebe was in a vulnerable place right now, and she wasnt sure what she wanted. Physically, she was less ambivalent. Her body had responded to Heaths kiss with a swift, primal certainty she was having trouble forgetting. She drained the last of her wine, although what she probably needed was to splash some cold water on her face.
Want any more wine? Heath asked from the edge of the kitchen. Finished with the dishes, he padded into the living room, moving with deceptively lazy grace. Although he projected a carefree vibe, shed seen him hustle on busy nights and bust his ass to fix disasters.
Like your love life?
Id better not, she said. If I have a third glass, Ill have to sleep here on your sofa.
He sat next to her, his grin devilish. My beds more comfortable.
She kicked him in reprimandor, more accurately, she nudged his thigh with her bare foot.
He captured her toes in his hand, and she tried to pull away, suddenly alarmed. She was so unbearably ticklish that even sitting through pedicures was torturous. After a short-lived tickle fight in college, which had ended abruptly when her shrieks had brought the RA running, shed wondered if the reason her skin was so sensitive to touch was because she was so unaccustomed to being touched. There hadnt been a lot of hugs and kisses in her household.
But there was nothing ticklish about the way Heath cupped her foot and applied firm pressure on the arch. He rotated his thumb with just the right force, and she nearly moaned. Her job required hours of standing, and even though she was smart enough to wear practical shoes to work, her feet still got sore. This was heaven.
You are so good at that, she breathed.
Practice makes perfect.
Her eyes were closed, so she couldnt see his expression, but she heard the seductive smile in his voice, hinting at skills far beyond foot massage. The mans middle name was probably Innuendo. He could talk about menu fonts and find a way to turn it into temptation.
Swinging both of her feet to the ground, she sat forward. How do you make it sound like youre thinking about sex all the time?
By thinking about sex all the time. He grinned. Well, and food. Sometimes I think about ways to incorporate the two.
Im serious. Women throw themselves at you. His appeal wasnt just limited to the opposite sex. People in general were drawn into his orbit, with Gwen being the exception that proved the rule. If Heath had been a waiter instead of the restaurants managing partner, hed make more tips than the rest of the staff combined. You have
Irresistible sex appeal? Raw animal magnetism?
She rolled her eyes. Charisma. Can that be taught? I need a charisma coach.
He considered that. I think its more something you discover than learn. But I know for a fact it can be honed. What colors your bra?
Excuse me? She crossed her arms over her chest as if he suddenly had X-ray vision.
Im going for a metaphor-type thing here. You want people to see you as an exciting seductress, right? The kind of woman who might wear, I dont know, red lace. Or leather bondage gear. But do you see yourself as that woman?
I... Hearing the word bondage come out of Heaths mouth short-circuited too many neurons for her to immediately respond. Oh, the mental images! Um. What was the question?
He leaned close, his eyes glittering with humor and something more predatory. Her stomach clenched with the same anticipation shed felt on every roller coaster Gwen had ever made her ride. She recognized the way her lungs tightened at the top of the hillbefore the adrenaline-spiking, heart-clutching plunge over the edge.
His fingers stroked up her arm to her shoulder, the touch electric. The question, Phoebe, was about your bra. Hooking his index finger beneath her tank top, he tugged on the slim bra strap beneath. Then he sat back with a nod. Black cotton. Not a bad start.
She stood, feeling suddenly restless and defensive. Im sure youve had experience with many bras, but I dont think you can actually tell that much about me from
It has nothing to do with my opinion. No judgment, remember? Its about your self-image. Charisma is confidenceor at least being able to fake confidence exceptionally well. Getting to his feet, he held out his hand. Come with me.
Were not going lingerie shopping, are we? Most stores would be closed, but there was always online retail. Besides, shed bet next months rent that he could charm a female manager into keeping a store open late for him.
No. Although, if you want an expert opinion the next time youow. He made a show of rubbing his ribs where shed jabbed him. Was that really necessary?
She gave him a sunny smile. It really was.
Brute. He walked to the opposite side of the room and at first she thought he was heading down the hallway. Toward his bedroom?
Her heart fluttered wildly, and she couldnt pin down whether the reaction was panic that Heath might make a move on her, or hopeful excitement. She knew he would never try to talk her in to something she didnt want to do. The problem was, she didnt know what she wanted. A wicked inner voice whispered, Rebound fling. Wasnt that a time-honored response to breakups? But flinging with a longtime friendone who was Cams business partner, no lesswould be fraught with complications she didnt need.
Then she realized Heath wasnt going into the hall. Hed stopped in front of a large oval mirror in a gold-leaf frame that hung in the corner of the living room.
She raised an eyebrow. Full-length mirror in the living room. Narcissism?
He laughed. Good feng shui, supposedly. It was a gift from an interior decorator I briefly dated.
Naturally. If Phoebe had a dollar for every woman hed briefly dated, she could open her own bakery in Paris.
Motioning her closer to the mirror, he changed the subject. Did I tell you Im one of this years Over-Under honorees?
It was an annual list of five people in the citys restaurant industry playfully deemed overachievers under thirty.
No! I cant believe you havent mentioned it until now. She was thrilled for him, but a little embarrassed theyd spent so much time on her issues that it hadnt come up. Congratulations, thats fantastic news.
He hitched one shoulder in an uncharacteristically modest shrug. I appreciate the free publicity for Piri, but this award has always felt a bit like a popularity contest. Its not the most valid recognition out there.
Of course youre blasé about popularity contests, she teased. Youve probably been winning them since kindergarten.
Ha! Shows what you know. I He frowned. His abrupt halt was unlike him. In the event that he lost his train of thought, he was usually smooth enough to cover it.
You what? she prompted.
He flashed a brief smile. Ive been winning them since preschool. Now focus. His hands settled on her hips all too briefly as he slid her to his right so that she took up most of their shared reflection. The reason I brought up being an honoree was because I wanted to tell you about the beautiful woman Im asking to the awards luncheon.
Oh. Disappointment left a sour taste in her mouthso much for his being willing to curtail his romantic activities long enough to let people think they were dating.
He tapped a finger against her forehead. You, Mars. Take a look and tell me I wouldnt be the luckiest guy there if you went with me.
His words melted away the disappointment, yet left a tiny kernel of guilt in its place. Despite his dismissive comment about popularity contests, the Over-Under luncheon was considered prestigious in their community. He should take a real date, not just someone trying to make an ex jealous. Her gaze flew to his. Are you sure you
How did you manage culinary school? You dont follow instructions. He stepped behind her, cupping her shoulders and turning her back toward the mirror. Youre supposed to be looking there.
I feel silly. That was only half true. When she concentrated on her reflection, like she was supposed to be chanting a mantra of Im good enough, Im pretty enough, she did indeed feel silly. But when she concentrated on how close Heath was standing, on how good he smelled and the warmth of his strong fingers curving over her bare skin...her pulse quickened, and longing sizzled through her.
This was more tangible than the shivery tingles shed felt earlier; now it was a full-on craving and she couldnt stop herself from slightly leaning into him. The movement was small, so barely perceptible he might not have even noticed. But then his eyes arrested hers in the mirror, his pupils dilated, his gaze intensified. He noticed.
His voice was a soft growl in her ear. What do you see in the mirror, Phoebe?
An incredibly hot man more than capable of giving her a sexual adventure.
Thats probably not what he means.
With their bodies so close, could he feel the quiver that went through her? She was turned on, and the longer they stood together, the more the ache of arousal intensified. She was tempted to shut her eyes, as if that would provide some escape, yet she couldnt look away from the picture they presented. He was broad shouldered and tall, but not enough to loom over hera good height for kissing without craning her neck or having to stand on her toes. His naturally tan skin was a strong contrast to her pale complexion; their bodies tangled together would be like caramel-swirled cheesecake. Not that she planned to say any of that out loud.
She gave herself a mental shake, trying to regain her composure. Heath was giving her his time and effort to help her develop sensual confidence, and whether she thought this was the way to go about it or not, she owed him her cooperation. She obediently studied her reflection. I see an attractive
Beautiful.
Her lips twitched. I thought this was about what I see.
Well, since your vision is obviously fuzzy, Im helping. Like glasses or contact lenses. Try again.
I see a beautiful redhead with light brown eyes
Your eyes are like antique gold, treasure capable of making men lose their minds.
Oh, for pitys sake, she muttered, but it was difficult not to smile at his extravagant words. Was there any truth to them, or was all of the embellishment strictly to elevate her self-image? She looked hard at the mirror, attempting to view herself the way he described, to block out the chipped nail polish on her toes and the five extra pounds she didnt need and the way her bun had been knocked crooked from resting her head on the couch.
She reached for the rubber band that held her hair back. I should have worn my hair down.
He caught her fingers. I would normally agree with youyou have great hairbut you have a graceful neck, too. As he spoke, he trailed his knuckles across the curve of her neck. Gives a man ideas. About doing this.
Transfixed, she watched him lower his dark head toward her, anticipation coiling tighter until his teeth grazed an excruciatingly sensitive spot below her jaw. Her legs buckled, and his hands came to her hips, holding her steady. The woman in the mirror was flushed, her lips parted, her hardened nipples visible through the silk of the tank top. The skirt shed judged as practically conservative earlier in the evening now seemed like a tantalizing length. She couldnt help imagining Heath dropping his hands to the hem, inching the fabric upward so that his fingers could skate over the delicate flesh of her inner thighs. She trembled. He turned his head, his gaze momentarily meeting hers in their reflection, then he trailed openmouthed kisses down the slope of her neck, stirring pleasure inside her that was almost dizzying in its intensity.
Her eyes slid shut, her total focus on the dual sensations of his mouth hot on her skin and the rock-hard erection pressed against her. She shifted her hips, unable to resist rubbing against him. His grip on her tightened, and he sucked in a breath before nipping at her collarbone. She might not be an experienced seductress, or the type of woman who had leather in her lingerie drawer, but shed sure as hell aroused Heath.
You and how many other women?
The unwelcome thought chilled some of her ardor. Wait. Her eyes opened, and she swayed forward, not quite moving out of his embrace, but no longer subtly rocking against him. It wasnt that she disapproved of Heaths affairs; his love life was between him and the women whod eagerly shared it. She just wasnt sure she was ready to become one of their number.
His hands fell to his sides, and he rested his forehead lightly on her shoulder, not meeting her gaze in the mirror. She was grateful. She felt too raw to face him just yet.
But she couldnt stop herself from asking, Wh-why did you do that? Even though shed asked for his help, she didnt want those kisses to be an act of charity. I know were pretending to date, but theres no audience here.