Sex Appeal

Exasperation crowded out the more unpleasant emotions. “Shadow…”

Laughing, she raised her hands. “I meant your new home, of course! Woodbine Haven is positively extravagant!”

Brent shook his head in mock reproach. “As soon as I can manage it,” he warned softly, “you’re going to view the rest of my assets, firsthand.”

She attempted to hide her grin and failed miserably. “Well, in the meantime, how about filling out the entry form? Please.”

With a dramatic sigh, Brent agreed. “If you insist.”

Shadow stood to clear away the remains of their lunch, and it was then Brent realized she hadn’t removed her coat yet. It wasn’t cold in the office, but he’d at first assumed she wore it to ward off the chill caused by her trip to the coffee shop. He asked her now, “Planning on going somewhere?”

Shadow gave him a puzzled look as she threw the trash in the can. “No.”

“Then why don’t you take your coat off?”

Heated color rushed to her cheeks, but she lifted her chin. “I don’t want you to see my dress.”

He sat back, prepared to be amused again. “Why not?”

“It…well…”

“Stammering, Shadow? This is different.”

Her mouth tightened, then she said, “It seemed kind of cute this morning when I first dressed, but now I’ve decided it would be better if I kept it under wraps.”

Predictably enough, Brent’s gaze went to the coat concealing her dress. “Now you’ve intrigued me.” He stood and moved closer to her. “Take it off.”

It wasn’t an order, more like a coaxing suggestion. Shadow shook her head. “You’ll think I’m being suggestive again.”

With infinite care, Brent reached out and began to undo the buttons of her soft, down-filled coat. When Shadow didn’t object, holding her breath instead, he continued. She began to babble.

“It’s silly, really. Just one of those joke items I’ll be selling this holiday season. I wouldn’t wear it anywhere but the shop, but I was in a holiday spirit this morning, and not really thinking about how it might look if someone separated me from the items I sell.”

“Hush.” Brent was busy giving his eyes free rein over her body. Damn, she was fine. More than fine. He had only to think of her and his muscles tensed, heated. He wanted her, and he’d have her. Soon. He parted the coat.

The dress ended well above her knees and was made of dark green knit, soft and clinging to the dips and swells of her upper body, but with a full skirt. The front, imprinted with a glitzy, decorated Christmas tree, caught and reflected the office lights off the many small sequins and buttons and beads. Brent knew it was the message printed above the fancy tree that Shadow was now feeling timid over.

Deliberately, he read it out loud. “There’s Something Special under my Tree for You.”

Since her body was under the tree, branches reaching across her breasts, the base ending at the notch of her thighs, Brent could understand her shyness. That she looked unbelievably enticing in the dress would only add to her dilemma. Brent skimmed the coat completely off her shoulders and down her arms, then tossed it onto the chair he’d just vacated. His hands went to her shoulders, straight and broad for a woman, emphasizing the tiny span of her waist.

“I don’t ever want you to be embarrassed with me, Shadow. Promise me.”

Nearly speechless, Shadow whispered, “I promise.”

He caught her face in his hands. His thumbs stroked over the softness of her cheeks and chin and jaw, his fingers delving into her dark, loosely curling hair. So incredibly soft, so warm. For an endless moment he stood there like that, enjoying the differences in their sizes, the light, feminine fragrance of her, the way she watched him, her thoughts now transparent without her speaking a word. Then he released her and stepped away. “You’ll have your phone number changed tomorrow?”

Shadow cleared her throat, then took several deep, openmouthed breaths. Finally she said, “Yes. I think it might be best. I’ve already told Kallie not to accept any more packages for me, to send them back if more should come.”

“It’s probably nothing to worry about, but be careful. Don’t go to the parking lot alone, and keep your door locked at home.”

Her slim brows lifted. “I do that anyway,” she answered, obviously annoyed. “I’m not careless.”

Not careless, but she was independent. “Fine.” The last thing Brent had meant to do was insult her. “Let’s get that damned entry form filled out then, if you really think it’s necessary.”

Shadow didn’t give him a chance to change his mind. She hustled back behind her desk, picked up the form and smiled at him. “I’ve already filled in your name. Now I need your exact address.”

It took only a few moments to fill out the top portion of the form. When they got to the next section, Shadow didn’t bother hiding her anticipation.

“You said you’re not married?”

“Am I disqualified if I say yes?”

“Availability is not a requirement for entering,” Shadow said stiffly, glaring at him.

Brent chuckled. “I didn’t lie. I’m not married now, nor have I ever been.”

Tilting her head, Shadow asked, “Engaged? Or otherwise involved?”

“That’s on the form?”

“No. It just seemed prudent to ask.”

Again he laughed. “I already told you I was here alone, remember?”

“But that was when we’d just met. I thought it might be good to verify it.”

His low laugh rumbled. “No. No engagement, no involvement.”

Nodding, she glanced at the form, then asked, “Ever been engaged?”

“Let me guess,” he said, eyeing Shadow lazily. “That’s not actually on the form, either.”

She shook her head, unrepentant. “Curiosity.”

Brent took his time deciding whether or not he wanted to answer. Finally he figured what the hell. She may as well know how he felt about marriage. “Up until a few months ago I was engaged, but it’s over now. And that was enough for me.”

“Oh.” The papers were laid on the desk, forgotten. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up bad memories for you.”

“You didn’t. I knew I was being married for my money. I expected that. But then she informed me she didn’t want children because it would ruin all her fun.”

Shadow winced.

“Since having kids was the main reason I had wanted to marry, I ended it. And I’m not sorry that it’s over. Just the opposite.”

“How does she feel about it?”

Brent shrugged. “She still makes a nuisance of herself on occasion. When she found out I was moving, she took it as a sign that I was too heartbroken to stay in the same area with her.”