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A HAZE OF CIGARETTE SMOKE hung over the noisy crowd at Vics Sports Emporium, a popular watering hole near Fishermans Wharf. The blare of big-screen televisions, all tuned to different sporting events, mixed with the chatter of voices and occasional cheers. Distractions were plentiful at Vics. Even so, Pete noticed the woman the instant she walked in. Determined to keep his mind on the Giants game, he wrote off his interest as an instinctive reaction born of so many years on the make.
But his eyes were inexplicably drawn back to her, a slender, raven-haired beauty in a form-fitting black dress. Maybe it was the way she moved, the subtle sway of her hips, the gentle arch of her neck, the oh-so-cool expression. Something about her captured his attention, and he couldnt help but stare. She didnt belong in Vics, that much was certain. Vics was a beer-and-pretzel kind of place, and this woman was champagne and caviar all the way.
The clues were nearly imperceptible, at least to anyone who didnt bother to look beneath the surface. But Pete had come across a lot of women in his dating days and he could tell real class when he saw it. Her dressno doubt, designer labeledfit her perfectly, hugging every curve of her body, yet coming nowhere near vulgar. It revealed only enough to tantalize: a glimpse of shoulder, a hint of cleavage, and just enough thigh to prove she had incredible legs beneath that skirt. No, she didnt need to advertise her assets. For this woman, a guy could certainly use his imagination.
But there was morethe way her gaze drifted around the room, never resting on one subject for long. Shed caused a minor stir as she made her way to the barmen turning to watch her pass, jaws slack, eyes slightly glazedyet she didnt notice her effect. Had her Mercedes broken down outside? Or had she somehow wandered out of a Nob Hill soiree and become lost in the fog? There wasnt a guy in the place who wouldnt give his right arm to help her. But they knew enough to keep their distance, not willing to risk an icy rebuff in front of friends.
Before shed wandered in, Pete had been casually watching the ball game on one of the three televisions above the bar, nursing the same beer hed bought during the first inning. It was only after she sat down at an empty spot midway down the bar that he realized shed walked in with a companion, a woman he recognized instantlyEllen Kiley! Pete grinned and picked up his beer. He hadnt come to Vics to socialize, but maybe hed consider changing his plans.
First, he was mildly curious why Ellie was out without Sam. Second, he thought it strange that Sam had never mentioned this beauty, never tried to set the two of them up. Maybe that was because Pete usually didnt go for the high-society type. But after spending the first half of the ball game bothered with thoughts of Nora Pierce, he needed something or someone to get his mind off the Heralds uptight little etiquette columnist.
All night long, his thoughts had constantly wandered back to their encounter in her office earlier that afternoon. Pete had known a lot of women in his life, and they always fell into one of two categories: lovers who had become friends, and friends who had become lovers. Hed learned by experience that the two were mutually exclusive. A woman couldnt be both at the same time. Pete figured if he ever found a woman who could, hed have to marry her.
But where did Nora Pierce fit in? She didnt want to be his friend. And she certainly had no interest in becoming his lover. Hell, he wasnt even sure she liked him! All he was really sure of was that, from the moment he had touched her, something had sparked between them, an attraction that was both irresistible and irrational. Every instinct he possessed told him to put Nora Pierce out of his head, but that was easier said than done.
Pete ordered another beer and watched Ellie from across the bar. He raised his hand to wave, but she quickly turned away, as if she hadnt seen him at allor didnt want him to see her. Frowning, he grabbed his beer and slowly pushed away from the bar, determined to find out what she was up to. But as he neared the spot where they sat, she slipped off her bar stool and headed in the direction of the ladies room. He nearly followed, but then decided to wait at the bar with Ellies beautiful friend. After all, she couldnt stay in the ladies room all night.
He put on his most charming smile, even though, in truth, he wished Ellie had walked in with Nora Pierce. Then he might have had a chance to talk to her outside the restrictive atmosphere of the office, to figure out this strange fascination he had with her, to melt her icy facade. He stood beside Ellies stool and set his beer on the bar.
Hi, there. Mind if I sit down?
The woman gave him a brief glance, then coyly turned away, avoiding his gaze. The direct approach had always worked like a charm for him, but obviously not tonight. And not with this woman. Jeez, maybe he was losing his touch.
My friend is sitting there, she said, her voice low and throaty. Shes gone to the ladies room. She really wont be long.
She risked another quick look up at him, and it was then that he caught a whiff of her perfume, an exotic floral scent he recognized immediately. His mind raced to put a face to the scent, flipping through images of old lovers and even maiden aunts. But one face kept intruding, and it was only then that he realized hed experienced the scent just that afternoon, when hed touched Nora Pierce.
Pete leaned over the bar and caught a brief glimpse of her profile, proof positive that beneath the dark wig and artfully applied makeup, the lush red lipstick and kohl-rimmed eyes, lurked none other than Prudence Trueheart. He was tempted to blow her cover right off, but she was trying so hard to avoid detection that he decided to play alongat least for a little while.
So there was no Mercedes or Nob Hill party. Then, what had brought Prudence Trueheart to Vics? Was she here to police bar etiquette, ready to shut the joint down for the lack of cloth napkins beneath the drinks and silver-plated toothpicks in the olives? Or had she come for the same reason other women came to Vicsto meet men? Prudence Trueheart on the make, he mused. The night was about to get interesting.
Can I buy you a drink? he asked.
May, she murmured, her voice cool. May you buy me a drink. And, no, thank you, I have a drink. She picked up her club soda and took a delicate sip, then forced a smile. My friend is coming right back.
Ill just sit here until she does, Pete replied. Had she been any other woman, she might have blown him off with an acidic phrase or an arctic look. Instead, she gives him a grammar lesson. He grinned and slid onto the stool next to her. A gentleman might have taken the hint and retreated. But Pete Beckett wasnt going anywhere.
His gaze drifted along her body. The dress hugged every delicious curve, clinging to perfect breasts and a tiny waist, and making his palms itch to touch her again. There was only one reason Prudence Trueheart would slip into a slinky little number like that. She was out to seduceor be seduced. And his appearance had just thrown a wrench into the works. Pete frowned. And what the hell was with the wig? He preferred her hair the way it was, pale gold and filled with light and framing her pretty features.
I should go find my friend, she said in a breathless tone. She grabbed her purse and slid off her bar stool, but he reached out and took her wrist, stopping her escape. Her skin felt like warm silk beneath his fingers, the sensation of touching her again sending a flash of heat through his body so intense it made his head swim. He wondered what it might feel like to let his hands just wander, to make her breath quicken and her pulse race, to press his palms into the soft flesh of her breasts and to span her waist with both his hands. Already, the feel of her skin had been imprinted on his brain, and he craved more, like an addiction that wouldnt go away.
Dont, he murmured. Stay and have a drink with me. Just one drink.
He thought shed refuse, but then she looked him squarely in the eyes and waited for what felt like a long moment. Neither of them said a word; they simply stared as if sizing each other up. And then she released a tightly held breath and resumed her spot next to him. She wasnt going to admit who she was, Pete realized. Prudence was going to go along with her little game, as long as he did. As far as she was concerned, they were complete strangers.
Pete had played more than his share of games with women, both in bed and out. Head games or bed games, hed become quite adept at both. Then why did he feel so clueless now? Maybe because Nora Pierce didnt seem to be the type to engage in risky flirtations with strange men. But then, he wasnt a stranger, was he. Maybe he was just an available patsy, an unsuspecting dope who was about to get dumped, all for a tale that could be told over the office water cooler. This could all be payback for the black eye.
Pete cursed silently and raked his hand through his hair. Well, two could play at her little game. As long as it meant he could spend a few more minutes with her, hed just play along. He motioned the bartender over. Champagne, he said. Your best.
Nora sent him a questioning look. Champagne?
Im having a drink with the most beautiful woman in this place. I think champagne is in order, dont you?
Her gaze fixed on her wrist where his fingers still rested. There are a lot of beautiful women in this place, she said, pulling away.
Pete glanced around. Yeah, I guess there are. The bartender popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass. Pete picked up a flute and handed it to Nora. But none more beautiful than you.
That brought a reluctant smile, as she took a sip of her champagne. With a line like that line, maybe I should invest in champagne futures.
Naw, Pete teased. There wouldnt be much money in it. I gave up women a few months back.
She gave him a suspicious look, leveled at him over the rim or the champagne flute. Then why are you bothering me?
He reached out and ran a finger slowly down her bare arm. Maybe this little game wasnt so bad. At least it gave him free rein to touch her whenever he felt the urge. Believe me, youre not a bother. In fact, youre the first woman in nearly a year who has made me regret my decision.
This time she laughed out loud, tipping her head back and letting loose with a musical giggle as bright as the bubbles that sparkled in her glass. In earlier days, he might have been insulted. But her delight captivated him, and he laughed along with her. Pete set his glass down, then braced his feet on her bar stool, his knees on either side of hers, trapping her in front of him.
Her giggle died in her throat as he stared into her eyes. Hed never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Nora Pierce. Not at that moment, not ever. But he knew hed need to proceed cautiously, because behind the wide eyes and flushed features was a lady playing a dangerous game.
Gently, deliberately, he wove his fingers through hers, then pressed his lips to the back of her hand. So, why dont we start with introductions? he murmured, his words warm against her skin. My names Beckett. Pete Beckett. Whats yours?
He glanced up at her and sent her a charming grin. The game had begun, and hed just upped the ante.
NORA TOOK A LONG GULP of her champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose and going right to her head. But no matter how muddled her mind became, one thought screamed from within. Run away, run as fast and as far as you can from this man whose mouth is teasing at the inside of your wrist, whose words have the capacity to render you defenselessthis man whos demanded to know your name.
Her big night out was supposed to be a simple experiment, a chance to dip her toe into the dating pool without risk of being swept away by the tide. But sitting here next to Pete, she felt as if the water were rushing up around her neck and the currents were threatening to pull her under. She wanted to blurt her name out to the entire barNora Pierce or Prudence Trueheart, what did it matter? This little charade had to end!
But something held her back, a curiosity that needed to be satisfied, an undeniable magnetism that made all common sense vanish. Why not just see where the evening might lead, alter the experiment just a bit? She wasnt doing too badly. Except for her impromptu grammar lesson, shed managed to hold her own in conversation without sounding too uptight.
And it felt so good to stand in someone elses four-inch spike heels, to become the kind of woman shed never beensexy, provocative, irresistible. It wasnt that hard to step outside herself. Besides, she could walk away at any time, couldnt she? Nora stifled a long sigh. Perhaps that was easier said than done.
It wasnt the mental aspect of her charade that was so difficult, but the physical reactions she was having to endure. The shock of Pete Beckett turning up beside her had temporarily stolen the breath from her lungs. And then hed touched her, and her heart had begun to somersault in her chest, beating a crazy rhythm. Every thought in her head became fixed on the mesmerizing way his fingers skimmed over her skin and warmed her blood. At once afraid and exhilarated, she had tried to keep one foot in reality, but she kept slipping into a realm that until now had been pure fantasy.
Why hadnt he recognized her? Could her disguise be that good? Earlier in the day theyd spoken, come face to face in her office. Surely she couldnt be that forgettable, could she? Nora brushed aside the notion. Hed had a few too many beers, that was it. Or maybe he hadnt yet noticed the faint bruise below her eye, barely concealed by her makeup. Or perhaps the thought of Prudence Trueheart hanging out in a sports bar, wearing a black wig and seduce me shoes, was inconceivable.
Whatever the cause, she didnt want these wonderful and alarming sensations to end. A secret thrill shot through her, and she grew more determined to take her pleasure where she could find itin the suggestive way he looked at her, in her shameless reaction.
Well? he asked. Arent you going to tell me? Or do you want me to guess?
Nora knew the proper etiquette for introductions at any occasionexcept when trying to preserve ones anonymity beneath a sexy disguise while drinking champagne with a handsome co-worker at a bar. A shiver ran up her arm and a moan slipped from her throat. A handsome co-worker who was intent on sucking her fingertips! That one would surely befuddle even Emily Post.
One bit of advice did come to mind. When a lady finds herself in an uncomfortable situation, said lady can always make a polite retreat to the ladies room to regroup. She reached for her purse, reluctantly tugging her trembling fingers away and forcing a smile. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Beckett. But I should go. My friend is probably waiting.
Your friend can wait. Why dont you want to tell me your name? he asked, his smile seductive, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. Are you married?
Nora gasped and brushed his hand away. How dare he believe shed engage in an extramarital flirtation. Shed been brought up better than that! Of course not, she said, keeping anger from her voice.
His brow arched teasingly. Engaged?
She shook her head.
Involved?