Naturally Naughty (18 page)

He knew what she wanted and how she wanted it. Faster. Harder. Mind-numbing and scream-inducing.

Kate didn’t want sweet. Kate wanted hot.

He complied with a groan, tugging one of her legs over his shoulder and plunging harder than before. Her eyes flew open.

“Good?”

“God, yes,” she muttered through choppy indrawn breaths. “I want you so deep inside me that I don’t know if I’m feeling your body or my own.”

“Oh, I think I can guarantee you’re going to know it’s mine,” he said with a chuckle as he ground against her.

She hissed and met his every move, smiling as he gave her what she wanted.

He watched as she moved her hands up her legs, reaching for her own breasts. She plucked at her nipples with her
fingertips, sexy little pants still coming from between her lips. “Four hands might be good right now,” she said.

Remembering her incredible sensitivity right there, and wanting to give her everything she desired, Jack slid out of her.

“What are you…”

“Shh,” he whispered, giving her a smile that said
Trust me
. She watched, wide-eyed as he reached for her hip and gently rolled her onto her belly. He heard her moan into the pillow, obviously realizing how he wanted to take her.

“Oh, yes, absolutely,” she said as she lifted her curvy bottom and hips, offering herself. The most tempting offer he’d ever had.

“Up, baby,” he whispered, pulling her to her knees.

She complied, rising to all fours, moving back to meet him as he slid into her from behind, then leaned forward until his chest touched her back.

Perfect. The position left his hands free to pleasure her, to tweak her sensitive nipples, to stroke the curves of her breasts and the soft flesh of her belly. Then lower, to play with her sweet little clit as he rocked into her until she came close. Damn close, judging by her cries.

“Now,” she ordered.
“Now.”

He knew what she wanted—she wanted him to come with her. Straightening, Jack took her hips in his hands and drove into her with a few powerful, body-draining thrusts.

“Now,” he agreed.

The moment she screamed in climax, his own overtook him and they both collapsed to the mattress. He instantly rolled onto his side, tugging her close to nestle against his chest. He pressed a kiss to her brow, then to her cheek. Then to her mouth, still open and panting.

“That was amazing,” she finally managed to whisper between deep, shuddery breaths.

He nodded.

“But, you know, Jack, now you’ve got me spoiled.”

He lifted a brow.

“I suddenly want two of everything.”

Smiling, knowing by the way his body began to react to her all over again, he whispered, “Let’s not set any limits, okay? Why stop at two?”

He caught her mouth in a deep, slow kiss as they began all over again.

O
N
S
ATURDAY
, Armand took Pleasantville by storm, chatting easily with each person he met and seeming to really enjoy the small-town atmosphere.

He raved over the shop, and gave Kate some good suggestions on layout. He also helped her straighten up the dressing room area, asking once why there were crotchless tights strewn all over the floor. Thankfully, he hadn’t questioned her blush.

Nor did he tease her too unmercifully about the thinness of the walls at the duplex, other than to say he’d heard some wild animals howling in the middle of the night, and wondered if there were coyotes in Pleasantville.

Later, during lunch at the Downtown Deli, he’d met Diane and Josie, charming them both completely. Josie had enough innate street sense to recognize his preferences in spite of his sexy charm. She seemed to like him all the more for it.

But the real highlight of the afternoon came when they walked out of the deli and straight into a couple, who stood exchanging heated words on the sidewalk.

“Angela and Darren,” Kate whispered, instantly recognizing Jack’s sister. “The banes of my teenage existence.”

Surprised she hadn’t run into Jack’s sister before now,
she forced herself to take a deep breath and to remember that she was completely over any childhood hurts.

“High school tormentors, hmm?” Armand whispered as they walked within a few feet of the two.

“Hi, Kate,” Darren said. He looked at Armand, then stood a little straighter. Armand, with his height and elegant sophistication, had that effect on men.

Angela’s face turned red as she stared at Kate, her mouth opening but no sound coming out. She looked not only flustered by Kate’s appearance, but also annoyed at the interruption of her conversation with Darren.

“Hello, Darren. Angela,” Kate replied, her voice sounding much calmer than she’d have expected.

Darren gave her a big, friendly smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to talk to you much the other day. It’s great to have you back, Kate. I’m really glad things have gone so well for you.”

Surprisingly, he sounded sincere.

Angela didn’t speak to her; she was too busy glaring at Darren as he talked to Kate. Then, when the other woman finally noticed Armand, an appreciative expression lit up her face.

Funny, when she actually smiled, Angela didn’t look quite so much like a cast-iron bitch.

“Introduce us to your friend,” she murmured.

After the introductions Armand stepped into his role as if it had been created for him. He flirted with Angela until the woman was practically melting into a puddle on the sidewalk. Once or twice Kate tried to tug him away, knowing he was trying to get a little payback on her behalf by stringing the other woman along. He’d probably be dashing off some scathing rejection at any moment now. The second time Kate tried to hurry him away Angela shot her a dagger-
sharp glare.
Well, to hell with helping you, lady!
She stopped trying to lead Armand away.

“So, you’re here visiting your
friend
Kate?” Angela asked.

Armand shrugged. “We’re business partners. We own a store together on the Miracle Mile in Chicago.”

Angela’s eyes widened. “Really?” She glanced at Kate.

“Is it the same kind of store you’re opening here?” Darren said, stepping not-so-casually between Angela and Armand. Kate noticed and wondered if things were heating up again between the ex-spouses. It would explain why Darren looked anything but pleased about Angela’s interest in Kate’s partner.

“Yes, but now, we really have to go. I have things to do before tonight’s party.”

Angela frowned. “The party at city hall? You’re coming?”

“Yes.” Kate couldn’t resist adding, “As Jack’s date.”

The other woman’s face paled. “How…nice.” Turning toward Armand, she said, “And you must come, too.”

“Will you be there?”

Angela nodded.

“Then I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, lookingat her with a sexy, promising grin.

Kate kicked his ankle.

“Okay, I guess it’s time for us to go,” he said with a grimace. If he bent to kiss Angela’s hand or anything, Kate swore she’d shove him in front of the next oncoming car.

As soon as they were out of earshot of the other two, Kate said, “That was really bad of you.”

“Oh, come on, I know something about high school tormenters, babe. You’re telling me you never fantasized about getting a little payback?”

If only you knew!

“Just don’t, okay? Angela is Jack’s sister!”

Armand whistled. “Whoops.”

When they got back to the duplex, Armand insisted on helping pick out something for Kate to wear. She’d brought a few nicer dresses and was now glad she had.

“Red,” Armand said as he pulled out a tight spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress with a band of glittering sequins right above the breasts. “Perfect. And it’ll match. Wait here.”

When he returned, he was carrying a bundle of tissue paper. “My latest design. Here you go.”

Kate opened the packet, seeing a tiny pair of red, lacy panties. She dropped the paper and held them up, looking for the trick. No zipper. No slit. Not a thong. And they had a crotch.

The only thing unique about them was their weight. They felt heavier than they should, given the minute amount of fabric.

“Very pretty, and you’re right, they will match.”

He rolled his eyes at her lack of enthusiasm. “Go into the bathroom and try them on,” he said, shooing her out.

Following his orders, she went into the bathroom and took her shorts and underwear off. As she pulled the new underpants up, she noticed the extra weight seemed centered in the crotch area. When she pulled them into place, she realized why.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered with a shocked laugh.

The panties were padded with a spongy, soft middle, covered with a feathery fabric that cupped her private area quite deliciously. A firmer, ridged section toward the front pressed against her clitoris. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she yelled.

“Walk in them,” Armand ordered through the door.

The bathroom was too small, so she wrapped a towel
around her waist and walked out into the hallway. Armand stood there, waiting for her reaction. As she walked, she had to admit it, the little ridge felt pretty damn good. Not to mention the soft middle, which made it feel like wispy, downy kisses were being pressed all over her opening.

“Nice?” When she nodded weakly, he practically bounced on his toes. “Try the stairs.”

She did. “Oh, very nice,” she admitted, almost purring at the pleasure of it.

“Good. You’re wearing them tonight. And every time some pissy small-town matriarch wrinkles up her nose in your direction, you stroll right by her with a secretive, delighted smile on your face.”

Sounded like a pretty good plan to her.

A
S HE PULLED
K
ATE’S
SUV
into the parking lot outside city hall, Jack could tell by the look on her face she was still uncertain about this evening’s party. She wasn’t frowning, but she looked deep in concentration, as if thinking of something else. Every once in a while, she even wriggled in her seat. “You okay? You’re awfully fidgety.”

From the back seat, he heard Armand snort a laugh.

She gave Jack a quick guilty look. “Uh, fine. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

He shrugged. “You just seem distracted.” Taking her hand, he squeezed it and said, “But you also look amazing.”

She did. Her body turned the red fabric of her dress into pure solid sin. Though petite, Kate had curves men dreamed about. Curves
he’d
dreamed about many nights since they’d met.

Not to mention the fullness of her lips, the sparkle in her deep brown eyes. Her confidence, intelligence and attitude appealed to him even more now than the day they’d met. Especially since they’d become so intimate.

He got the shakes just thinking about the things they’d done together the night before in her bed.

He simply couldn’t get enough of her. Kate was the woman he’d been casually seeking and had never really thought he’d find ever since he’d left home fifteen years
ago. How funny that he found her right here in Pleasantville, the very place he’d been trying so hard to escape.

She’d pulled her hair back, letting cascades of curls drop over her bare shoulders. The dress was not too short, ending a few inches above the knee, but below it her legs were bare. Her strappy, red high-heeled sandals had caught his eye several times during the short drive from the house.

“I’m fine. Now, who is going to be at this thing? Should I have worn body armor?”

He shook his head. “My mother’s not coming. She wasn’t feeling well. Frankly, I think it’s driving her insane to give up the title of First Lady of Pleasantville. She doesn’t want to see her replacement holding court.”

Kate chuckled. “But your sister will be here.”

“Yeah.”

“Ah, your sister, such a charming little thing,” Armand murmured from the back seat.

Jack saw Kate shoot her friend a warning glare, but didn’t have time to question it.

They made their way into city hall, blending into the crowd of people in the atrium. In a far corner a band played jazzy music and an area had been cleared for dancing. A bar had been set up on what was usually an information desk. Armand immediately beelined for it, offering to get a round of drinks, leaving Kate and Jack to circulate.

He felt her tension, the stiffness of her body. Her hands were like ice, though she maintained an expression of complete calm. Jack wondered again what it must have been like for her growing up here, if it could still make her so anxious all these years later. But she never flinched, never let anyone see a single sign of nervousness, not even when one of his mother’s cronies glanced at her, sniffed rudely, and turned away.

He saw Kate’s face grow pale. Leaning close, he brushed
a kiss against her temple and whispered, “Ignore the old bat. Did you know she wears a wig?”

At Kate’s surprised expression, he continued. “My mother told me years ago. Seems she’s got a nervous habit and pulls her own hair, so she thought it would be easier—and less painful—to just buzz-cut it and wear wigs.”

Kate giggled. “That’s her story and she’s sticking to it, huh? I think she was rude to the wrong person and someone just snatched her bald.”

“That’s my girl.” Right there in the middle of the crowd, he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. Her tension seemed to ease as he took her arm and continued to lead her through the crowd.

Finally they came face-to-face with the new mayor and his wife. Kate’s eyes widened in shock. “Mr. Otis?”

The elderly mayor, who, Jack remembered, used to teach drama at the high school, squinted and looked at her more closely. “Why, Kate Jones, how you’ve grown up!”

The mayor then proceeded to sweep Jack’s date in his arms and give her a tight hug. “You’ve gone off to the big city and done quite well for yourself, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have. I had no idea you were mayor. I figured you’d retired from teaching and were off fishing somewhere.”

“Fishing for trouble at city hall,” he said with a wink.

While Kate and Mr. Otis chatted, Armand returned, carefully balancing three drinks. Jack took his beer, and Kate’s wine, holding one glass in each hand.

“By the way,” Armand said, speaking in a near whisper, “I meant to give you something before we left the house.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Armand removed what looked like a small black box from his jacket pocket. “You don’t have
the hands, I’ll drop it in your pocket.” He did so, then said, “Just something fun to ease Kate’s tension.”

Since Jack’s hands were still full with the drinks, he couldn’t reach in to see what Armand had put there. “You going to explain this?”

Armand shook his head then grinned. “Remember, roll the dial slowly and never take your eyes off her.”

Then he strolled away, leaving Jack very curious.

Kate had never actually conceived of enjoying this evening, but as she chatted happily with her favorite high school teacher—now interim mayor of Pleasantville—she realized that she might. When she spied Diane walking around with a tall, red-haired guy who tugged at the collar of his suit as if it was itching him, she felt more certain of it.

“Well, I suppose I have to mingle,” Mr. Otis finally said as someone tried to lead him away for a photo op. “It’s so nice to have you back here, Kate. I hope you’ll visit more often.”

“Wow,” she said to Jack when they were once again alone in the crowd of elegantly dressed people. “I never imagined Mr. Otis would be the new mayor.”

Diane and her husband joined them. “He’s been on the city council for a few years,” she explained. “So’s Will.” She introduced her husband. Kate instantly liked the man, who looked as though he’d rather be anywhere but here, dressed in anything but his plain brown suit.

Jack, on the other hand, looked delicious in his dark blue one. Elegant, expertly tailored, it showed off his hard, lean form to perfection. With his thick, blond hair, vivid green eyes and sexy grin, he had the attention of every woman in the place.

He fit in with this crowd easily. But he was just as at
ease with Will and Diane, who obviously lived far from Lilac Hill.

Throughout the next hour Diane introduced them to several other newer members of the town’s business community, all of whom went out of their way to tell Kate how happy they were about her opening a new store in the downtown area. Kate began to feel torn. Yes, she’d decided to open the store as revenge. But if that were the case, she’d be punishing these nicer people she was meeting, too.

Or maybe not. Ever since last night at Eileen’s house, she’d had to wonder if maybe her store wasn’t exactly what this town needed. New, fresh, daring—like a lot of these younger people circulating amid the old highbrow set.

The highbrow set increased by one when Mrs. McIntyre walked into the room. Kate, standing close to the door, had turned to throw away her cup, and nearly ran into her.

The woman’s face went rigid enough to crack. She made a sound that was a cross between a groan and a harrumph before she turned her back on Kate and walked away.

Taking a deep breath, Kate glanced around to see if anyone had noticed the snub. Jack stood several feet away, pretending to listen to an older woman chatting his ear off, but his attention was focused directly on Kate. His sexy smile was conspicuously absent, his eyes tender and concerned. She felt his silent support as though he’d put his arm around her.

She gave him a little nod, trying to assure him that she was okay, knowing he’d never believe it. He murmured something to the woman, who walked away, then gave Kate a slow smile. His green eyes shone with interest as he reached into his suit pocket.

Before she could step closer to see what he was up to, Kate’s panties came alive. “Oh,” she said with a sharp gasp.

She froze, her mouth falling open as she focused on the sudden, completely unexpected sensations in her private area.

“Good Lord,” she said with a breathy sigh.

Armand had outdone himself.

The spongy middle slowly undulated against her rapidly swelling and quickly aroused mound, while the harder nubbins began to flicker against her clitoris with incredible friction.

She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, quite unable to move. Around her, the crowd chattered. Someone asked her a question, and she nodded dumbly. Someone else handed her a drink. She lifted it to her lips and gulped without even looking at it, only realizing it was champagne when she felt a tickling sensation in her nose and throat. Of course, that couldn’t match the tickling sensation between her legs.

The slow vibration picked up its pace, increasing in speed. She even swore she could hear a tiny hum and almost gasped as she wondered if anyone else heard it. As she cast a quick glance around to see, she met Jack’s eyes. His pleased, boyish grin told her he was responsible for what was happening. “More?” he asked, though she couldn’t hear him. She read the word on his lips.

She shook her head and gave him a scolding look, unable to believe he was doing this to her in a huge crowd of people.

The look in his eyes as he reached into his suit pocket could only be called wickedly anticipatory. She shook her head again, not able to take any more, but not able to stop it. His hand kept moving, slowly, as he dragged out the tension. And, if she were to be honest, the anticipation.

Kate shot a quick look around the lobby where the party was being held, gauging the distance to the ladies’ room. Too far. No way could she make it when her legs were
already weak, her breaths choppy and her heart racing out of control.

Jack’s hand had finally reached his pocket and as it slipped inside, she sent him one more pleading glance. At this point, she really couldn’t have said what she was pleading for.

If the vibrations got much stronger, she’d go right over the edge and have a shattering orgasm in the middle of this crowd of elegantly dressed people.

If they stopped, she’d die.

The heat in Jack’s stare as he cranked up the pressure was almost enough to make her come anyway. She shuddered as the intensity of vibration rose yet another notch. Reaching blindly for support, she found herself grabbing the corner of an information desk and her fingers sunk into some creamy substance. A quick glance down told her it was a slice of cheesecake topped with strawberries, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

The waves of pleasure began to roll through her, signaling her climax, and she leaned her hip against the desk. She heard someone say her name, but couldn’t even turn her head. Her eyes were glued to Jack’s and he nodded with encouragement, knowing even from several feet away that she was close.

“Yes,” she whispered, closing her eyes as an intense bolt of pleasure shot through her. Her hands clenched, oozing strawberries and cheesecake between her fingers. Dropping her head back, she gasped for breath as the orgasm sent electric pleasure racing through her body.

Finally the vibrations between her legs slowed, then stopped. When she opened her eyes, she saw Jack watching her, looking hot and ready, as if watching her reach her climax had pushed him close to the edge, too. She was about to walk over to him when she heard Diane’s voice.

“Good God, I’ve eaten cheesecake I’d consider orgasmic, but I never got off just from
touching
one.”

“T
HAT WAS REALLY BAD
of you,” Kate whispered as Jack curled her tighter in his arms in the back of her SUV an hour later.

They’d escaped the party as quickly as they could, after ensuring Armand could get a ride home with Diane and her husband. By silent consent, they’d avoided going back to the duplex, instead driving up to a popular lake on the outskirts of town. Their clothes had come off a minute after Jack had engaged the parking brake and they’d barely made it over the back seat into the cargo area before he was inside her.

They’d been frenzied and ravenous. Now they lay quietly, exchanging slow, lazy kisses and caresses that were going to lead to sweet, long lovemaking. Jack didn’t know how he could want her again, already, but he did.

“I thought it was your fantasy,” he finally answered.

“My fantasy?”

“Being made helpless. Having to accept pleasure because you are powerless to stop it.”

She laughed. “Yeah, but I meant something more along the lines of being tied to the headboard, not being brought to a shattering orgasm in a room filled with a hundred people. I can’t imagine what Diane must have thought.”

“I think she went to look for the chef to ask for the recipe for that cheesecake.”

She giggled. “Maybe we should sell it at Bare Essentials.”

He stretched to work a kink out of his neck. “I haven’t had sex in the back of a car in years.”

“This is my first back seat experience ever.”

“Uncomfortable, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “But exciting. I keep picturing a cop knocking on the window and telling us to get our clothes on.” She arched closer, sliding her arm around his waist. “Or an ax-maniac with a hook. You know, the kind who always slaughters the teenagers when they run out of gas on lover’s lane?”

“I’m fairly certain the parents of a teenage girl made up that story the night before her first date.”

“So, was this your make-out spot when you were a teenager?”

He shook his head. “No way. Everyone in town knew my father and I never dared to bring a date out here.”

He felt her tense in his arms at the mention of his father.

“I know what it’s like to have everyone in town know your family,” she admitted.

Leaning down, he pressed kisses on her temple, her cheekbone, then her lips. He kissed her lazily, gently coaxing her mouth to open. When it ended, he whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t know you then. I’m sorry I wasn’t around to stop it when you were being treated so badly. By my sister or anyone else.”