Guilty Pleasures: A Collection (7 page)

Yep, that was his practical, sensible Alyssa, all right.

Seriously, though, he was probably the only guy in a hundred mile radius that thought she looked down right enticing in a plain pink pajama top and a pair of striped drawstring pants that were warm ad soft and as functional as night clothes were supposed to be. There was nothing provocative about what she was wearing, but it was the whole sleepy, mussed hair, I-just-rolled-out-of-bed concept that did it for him in a major way.

“So, what brings you by at such a gawd-awful hour in the morning?” she asked, then licked the sugared glaze from her fingers in that sensual way of hers.

Heat pooled in Shane’s belly, and lower, and it was all he could do to just sit there and watch her tend to her sticky fingers, instead of taking over the job for her with his own lips and tongue. He took a drink of his strong coffee, hoping for a much needed jolt of caffeine before giving her an answer in a voice that was hopefully steadier than he felt.

“I figured out what my New Year’s resolution is going to be.”

“Yeah?” She glanced up at him, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. “Do tell.”

He inhaled a deep breath, hoping like hell that the idea he’d concocted didn’t backfire on him in any way—because her agreement to help him hinged on the success of his entire plan to make her view him as something more than just a best friend. “Seeing that you’re ready to open yourself up to the possibility of a serious relationship, I figured it’s time that I did the same thing.”

Surprise flashed in her eyes, along with another emotion he couldn’t fully define. “Really?”

He shrugged, doing his best to keep his demeanor casual and relaxed. “Actually, there’s someone I’ve been interested in for a while, but the timing hasn’t been right until now.”

A small frown formed between her brows. “Oh,” she said quietly. “Why didn’t you tell me this before now?”

Since they discussed just about everything, he’d been prepared for that question and his answer came from his heart. “This woman isn’t even aware of my interest in her, and I didn’t tell you about this because I didn’t think it had a chance of developing into anything significant.”

She searched his features, for what, he wasn’t sure. “And now you do?”

“I honestly don’t know, but it’s time I put myself out there like you’re going to do and find out where things stand between us,” he said, choosing his words carefully so he didn’t give anything away—like the fact that she was the woman he was after. “If it’s not what I thought it was and the feelings aren’t reciprocated, then at least I know I tried.”

She nodded and glanced away, instead of offering him her opinion on the matter like he’d given her last night at his restaurant when she’d told him about
her
plans for the New Year. Instead, a strange silence descended in the room as she took a drink of her coffee. He wished he knew what was really going through that mind of hers. Normally he could read her expression fairly well, but not so today, and that lack of insight frustrated him to no end.

Setting her paper cup on the end table beside the couch, she pulled apart a chunk of her Danish, popped the piece into her mouth, then cast him a speculative glance. “So, who is this mystery woman?”

He paused, but knew there was no easy way to answer that question, either. “I’d rather not say. At least not yet.”

Her delicate brows arched high, but not before he’d witnessed the spark of hurt that flashed in her gaze because he wasn’t willing to share something so monumental with her. “That serious, huh?”

“No. Not at all,” he said gently. “I just want to get used to the idea of finally making my feelings known to this woman before I tell anyone who she is.”

“I understand,” she said, but he could tell by her quiet tone and the way she wouldn’t meet his gaze again that she didn’t understand at all. Because she wasn’t just
anyone
.

God, he hated being so secretive with her, but it was necessary. In a few days she’d look back on this conversation and realize his reasons for being so vague and hopefully forgive him for being so closed mouth about the woman in question.

“Now that I’ve decided to go for it, so to speak,” he went on, attempting to add some humor to break up the odd tension between them. “I need your help with something.”

“Sure. Anything. You know that.” She gave him only a semblance of her normally sunny smile.

“This woman is going to be at Drew and Cynthia’s New Year’s Eve party, and I really want to make a good impression since that’s when I plan to let her know how I feel about her.” Again, Alyssa glanced away, focusing more on the Danish on her lap to keep from looking at him. Or so it seemed. “I was hoping you could help me spruce up my image a bit. You know, make me look more like one of those clean-cut executives you date.”

That snagged her attention, and she cut her gaze to his. “Is that what she’s into?”

“Seems to be.” He spread his arms out wide, indicating his casual, every day attire. “Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to give my current wardrobe an overhaul so I look more presentable for the party, like trading in my jeans for a pair of nice slacks or khaki’s, and my cotton tee’s for some dress shirts and ties. And my hair could definitely use a trim.”

When she didn’t reply, he stretched his arm along the back of the couch and brushed back the hair that had fallen over her shoulder, loving the way those soft strands wrapped themselves around his long fingers, ensnaring him in more ways than one. His knuckles grazed the side of her neck, and he felt her shiver from his touch.

Something was very wrong. He didn’t know exactly what, but he could
feel
her subtle withdrawal. More than she’d ever displayed with him before, and he got the distinct feeling that her emotional retreat ran deeper than just the issue of him not telling her about this “other woman” before today. There was more going on in that beautiful head of hers, he was sure.

He squeezed her shoulder affectionately. “Are you okay, Alyssa?”

As if realizing how silent and pensive she’d become, she shook off her mood. “Of course. I’m fine. Just great.” Her voice rang with false, unconvincing certainty, and did nothing to reassure him. “This just seems so sudden, that’s all. But of course I’ll help you out. We could even go shopping for new clothes today and hit some really good after Christmas sales, and I’ll see if my hair dresser can fit you in for an appointment for a cut and trim sometime tomorrow.”

“That would be perfect.” He smiled, relieved to have finally gained her cooperation, because convincing her to help him had been iffy there for a while. “Consider me yours for the next two days.”

She shoved the last bite of Danish into her mouth, and a large crumble fell on to her t-shirt, coming to rest right on the upper swell of her breast. She seemed completely unaware of the mess she’d made, until he reached over and picked up the morsel for himself. He deliberately let his touch linger on the soft, voluptuous curve of her breast a bit longer than was
friendly
, and his fingers lightly grazed the nipple that had automatically tightened from that forbidden caress.

Her eyes grew round at the intimate contact, her sweet, moist lips parted, and she sucked in a startled breath.

Pleased and fascinated that he’d gotten such a promising response out of Alyssa, he popped the piece of Danish into his mouth and winked at her. “Ummm, good stuff,” he murmured huskily—and could have been referring to the pastry, or the way her soft breast had felt against his fingers. Like pure, unadulterated heaven.

What had just transpired between them could have been construed as innocent fun—he’d certainly touched her before in playful situations—but much to Shane’s own surprise he watched her cheeks flush and her eyes darken with
desire
. His own body responded with a jolt of sizzling awareness. Time seemed to stand still as he slowly dropped his gaze to her lush, kissable mouth, and thought of all the erotic pleasure to be had between those soft, tempting lips.

Abruptly, she stood, shattering the intimate moment and leaving him to wonder if he’d just imagined the liquid heat in her gaze, the wanting . . .

But then she turned around to face him, and he saw the residual longing still remaining in her eyes and the pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat, and knew what he’d seen and felt between them had been
very
real.

And it was just as obvious to him that she wanted to pretend like it never happened.

Self-consciously, she tugged at the hem of her pajama top, which only served to stretch the cotton fabric tighter over her peaked nipples—which he was sure she hadn’t meant to do. Then she shifted anxiously on her feet, her gaze darting from him, to something over his shoulder. Anywhere but at him.

“I’m, uh, going to go and take a shower and change, and then we’ll go shopping.” She bolted from the room as if the devil himself were nipping at her heels.

Once she was gone, Shane dropped his head against the back of the sofa, closed his eyes, and exhaled hard and deep. Who would have thought that he and Alyssa could generate such hot chemistry together? He could only imagine what would happen if it was ever fully ignited—spontaneous combustion was what came to his mind.

With a touch, a look, he’d managed to prove that there was definitely something going on between him and Alyssa that neither one of them had been willing to acknowledge until this morning—even if
she
wouldn’t admit it, or face the attraction that was simmering beneath their friendship.

But she would, soon.

He’d crossed a few boundaries with her and had been rewarded with a glimpse of what could be. He grinned, fairly certain he was going to cross a few more lines with Alyssa before the week was through.

#

Alyssa stripped off her pajama’s and stepped beneath the shower head, praying that the hot water would dispel the crazy, wild fluttering in her stomach, and the tingling in her breasts. Butterflies, that’s what they were—and it had been forever since she’d experienced that light, tickling sensation in the pit of her belly that occurred when she connected on a physical, sexual level with a man.

And today, that man had been Shane.

She groaned in dismay and tilted her head back to douse her hair. What in the world had happened out there in the living room? They’d gone from having a teasing conversation about her grumpy morning mood, to a more serious discussion about Shane wanting to improve his appearance for some woman he was interested in, to her getting turned on when he’d accidentally touched her breast and nipple. From there, things had escalated into a far more sensual moment, taking her completely by surprise.

Her body still trembled deep inside, her mind was spinning like a top, and she could hardly process all that had just transpired. She was confused and appalled and, if she was honest with herself, she was still bothered over the fact that Shane was interested in someone, but didn’t feel inclined to share who. At least not yet.

She snorted at that as she washed her hair with shampoo, silently berating herself for having double standards where Shane was concerned. It wasn’t as though she’d come right out and told him about her secret admirer, either. So, in truth, she really didn’t have the right to be so upset with him.

But, dammit, she was. Not to mention envious and jealous, too. And those were emotions she wasn’t used to dealing with.

The thought of losing Shane, her best friend, to another woman sent a shaft of panic racing through her, because she feared if that happened, he’d no longer be there for
her
when she needed him the most. Or that possibly another woman wouldn’t understand, or tolerate, their close friendship.

Maybe her fear of losing Shane was the reason why she’d allowed her deeper feelings for him to surface this morning—like the desire and attraction she’d managed to keep buried for so long. It
had
to be a subliminal thing that had coaxed those intimate yearnings out into the open now, but whatever the reason, she didn’t plan on letting it happen again!

She finished up with her shower, and by the time she’d blow dried her hair and changed into jeans and a blouse, she was ready to face Shane and the day ahead with a new attitude and outlook. Even if that meant helping Shane to impress another woman.

Shane stepped out of the dressing room and into the private viewing area where Alyssa was waiting for him to model one of the outfits she’d selected for him.

“Well, what do you think?” he asked.

“Wow, you clean up pretty well, Mr. Witmer.” She walked up behind him and smoothed her hands along his broad shoulders, then turned him to face the three-way mirror that gave him a better, overall view of his new appearance. “But the real question is, what do
you
think?” She bit her bottom lip expectantly.

Shane glanced at his reflection and was instantly pleased with the new, sophisticated image he saw staring back at him. The long sleeved, burgundy suede dress shirt and black double pleated slacks Alyssa had picked out for him was something he never would have chosen for himself, but he had to admit it made him look hip and much more sophisticated than his jeans and shirts ever had. She’d also accessorized him with a thin, leather belt with a small silver buckle and a comfortable, and very expensive pair of Italian loafers that looked and felt fantastic on his feet.

He met her waiting gaze in the mirror and gave a nod of approval. “I like the entire package. A whole lot.”

“Good.” She came around to stand in front of him and straightened the black tie with a swirling burgundy pattern on it, her fingers absently grazing his chest as she smoothed the strips of silk down along his torso. “This outfit will be perfect for the New Year’s Eve party.”

Shane liked having her fuss over him. He liked her hands on him even better. “You think so?”

Taking a step back, she eyed him critically one more time, then smiled. “Absolutely. You can also wear the shirt open at the collar and without a tie if you want to go for a more casual look instead, so you have a few options.”