Notorious (3 page)

 

N
OAH HAD BEEN
in tight spots in his life and he'd always managed to come out okay. He clung to that hope as he followed Keely around the store and tried not to think of the scent of raspberries.

That scent had drawn him to her dad's porch on the night she'd mentioned. Dressed in cutoffs and a halter top, she'd stationed herself on the creaky old porch swing with a bottle of that damn lotion. To get near her, he'd made up some excuse about checking the area for snakes.

Keely wasn't the type to run off screaming at the mention of a snake, so while he'd swung a flashlight beam around and pretended to scout for rattlers, she'd nearly driven him crazy smoothing that creamy, fragrant stuff over her bare legs. They hadn't talked much, but he remembered crickets chirping and the rhythmic squeak of that swing, which could have passed for the sound of bedsprings. To this day he couldn't smell or taste raspberries without hearing that steady creak and seeing her hand slowly massaging the tender skin of her inner thigh.

That might have been the first time she'd discovered the stuff, but after that she'd used it constantly, trailing the scent of raspberries wherever she went. He'd come to dread that aroma, because it never failed to give him an erection, no matter how
inappropriate the moment. More than once she'd glanced at his crotch and smiled, as if thrilled with her new power.

Then, a few weeks after she'd turned sixteen, she'd waylaid him in the barn. And she'd smelled exactly like a bowl of fresh raspberries. She'd tasted like that, too—juicy and moist, bursting with ripe sweetness.

He often wondered if she'd been a virgin then. If so, he'd bet she hadn't stayed one long after he'd turned her down. He'd probably given up the chance to be her first lover that night. Saying no hadn't been easy, considering she didn't look or act like any sixteen-year-old he'd known before or since.

But somehow in the midst of that hot, wet kiss, he'd remembered she
was
sixteen, and all the lust in the world wouldn't change that. He'd left the barn in a hurry, followed by the angry insults she'd hurled after him. At the time he'd thought she was furious. Now he wondered if she'd been more hurt than angry. He hadn't been particularly sensitive about ending the embrace.

Sensitivity hadn't been on his mind. Self-preservation had been all he could think about. God, how he'd wanted her. But giving in would have meant angering and disappointing two men he cared about—his father and hers.

Shortly after that he'd gone out on the rodeo circuit, figuring escape was the only answer. During his brief trips home over the next three years he'd noticed that Keely had gone overboard to become the sex symbol of Saguaro Junction. But innocent or wild, she turned him on like no one else. How ironic that he hadn't wanted to be her first lover, but later on he hadn't wanted to be the next one in line, either. With great difficulty he'd kept himself in check.

He was much older now and should have better control. But as he watched her scan the shelves looking for her raspberry lotion, he wondered if he'd changed at all where Keely was concerned.

All of a sudden she pounced on a bottle. “Look! Here it is!”

“Looks like it.” He groaned to himself.
Wouldn't you know.

“Okay, now a toothbrush.” She moved quickly to that aisle and grabbed a red one. “What kind of toothpaste do you use?”

He told her.

“That'll be fine. We can share, if that's all right with you.”

“Uh, sure.” He was aware of another customer, a matronly woman, giving them both the once-over.

“Great. The hotel shampoo will do for a couple of days, but I'll have to buy deodorant. I don't want some bracing, manly smell on my body.”

His mind spun wildly as he followed her to the antiperspirants. What in God's name had he been thinking, proposing this scheme? How was he supposed to keep a level head while they shared the same shower, the same sink, and squeezed from the same toothpaste tube?

Dark red hair bouncing around her shoulders, she stalked through the rest of the store as if looking for something.

And like an idiot, he had to ask. “Is there something else you need?”

“Condoms.”

He choked. “Why?”

“I'm surprised you would say that. Really, Noah, I'm beginning to wonder what kind of sex life you have. Ah, there they are, the little devils. Here, hold my stuff for a minute so I can look these puppies over.” She shoved her lotion, deodorant and toothbrush into his hands.

Panic swelled within him. “Look, you don't need those things. I'm telling you, we are not—”

“Oh, these aren't for
you
.”

“They're
not?
” The conversation had gone from bad to worse.

She studied the packages hanging on the display rack. “Not unless you change your mind.”

“I won't, so let's just go, okay?” He glared at a teenage kid
who was lingering nearby, obviously enjoying the show. The kid grinned and left. Noah lowered his voice. “Come on, Keely. Forget this stuff.”

She ignored him. “These prices are really reasonable. Maybe I should stock up. You'd think men would look for inexpensive stores like this, but no. They like to be spontaneous, which usually means paying top dollar because they're in a rush. Or worse yet, suggesting we skip this step. Ha. As if.”

He tried again. “All things considered, I don't think you really need to worry about—”

“I make it a habit to have some on hand in a couple of sizes, for emergencies. And we're here, after all. I really can't imagine a better bargain coming along anytime soon.” She took a package from its hook and began reading. “‘Ultra-comfort. Unique shape for more freedom.' I wonder what that means?”

“Keely.”

“
Noah
,” she mimicked. “Hmm. Maybe these are better.” She unhooked another package. “It's so hard to know which ones are the best, with all these great descriptions—‘shared sensation, enhanced pleasure, ultimate feeling.' Oh, look. Here's one with a larger tip, and then there's the ribbed kind. Which do you think is the best?” She turned to look at him, a package of condoms in each hand, and devilment shining from those green eyes.

He ground some more enamel off his back molars. “Keely Branscom, you are doing this on purpose.”

“Of course I am! I always budget money for a package of condoms.”

“You're trying to get me going, is what you're doing.”

“From the way you're breathing, I'd say I've succeeded.” She grinned. “I really am buying the condoms, Noah. At least two packages of extra-large. And I'm giving you a chance to tell me which kind you like.”

His jaw was clenched so tight his teeth seemed welded together.
“We are not going to need them.”

“Maybe not. But that's the thing about condoms. The
packages are small and they store well. And there could be a time when you will thank me for planning ahead. Now give me my stuff. It's time to check out.” She took her items from him and sashayed down the aisle with her lotion, her deodorant, her toothbrush and two kinds of extra-large condoms.

She obviously expected him to be wearing them before the weekend was over. It was a classic case of damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

K
EELY HAD JUST LAID
her purchases on the checkout counter when her cell phone rang from deep inside her shoulder purse.
Damn
. She'd forgotten about it.

She wheeled away from the counter, startling the young male clerk. “Forgot something!” she called over her shoulder to Noah, who, fortunately, was trailing her by a few paces. She figured he was embarrassed for the clerk to notice that she was buying condoms so he'd hung back from approaching the counter. Good thing. Maybe he hadn't heard her cell phone.

It rang again as she made a mad dash for the aisle labeled Feminine Products. If Noah had been schizy about the condom display, he surely wouldn't follow her there. Once she was safely surrounded by rows of tampon and sanitary-napkin boxes, she dug in her purse and took out the phone.

When she put it to her ear she heard the familiar voice of her editor. “Keely, sweetheart. Good news.”

“Hi, Carolyn,” she murmured softly. Trust her editor to call at the exact wrong moment.

“Why are you whispering? Are you in a movie theater or something?”

“No, but I can't talk loud. Or long.”

“That's okay. This will be quick. Remember you mentioned expanding this article by interviewing some dancers in Reno, but I wasn't sure we should bother?”

“I remember, but can I call you back on this?” She glanced nervously behind her to make sure Noah wasn't there. “I—”

“I'll only be a sec. The publisher loves the Reno angle. I've lined up a couple of interview subjects for you there. You have a seven-forty flight out of Vegas on Monday morning. Got a pen? I'll give you the confirmation number.”

“Carolyn, I—”

“Ready? Here it is.” Carolyn rattled off the number.

Keely grabbed her notebook out of her purse and wrote down the number, but all the while she was thinking that this cell phone could blow her cover in no time this weekend. Carolyn expected her to keep the phone turned on while she was on assignment.

“Got it?” Carolyn asked.

“Got it, but Carolyn, you're fading out.” Keely pressed the disconnect button a couple of times. “Carolyn? I think the phone's going on the blink. It's—” She broke off and ran the phone up and down the edge of a box several times, hoping the noise sounded like static. Then she put it back to her ear to gauge Carolyn's reaction.

“Keely? What's going on? Keely, can you hear me?”

“Barely,”
Keely whispered. “
I think it's
—” She dragged the phone around on the boxes some more before turning it off. Maybe she'd convinced Carolyn that the phone was dead. Keely buried it in the bottom of her purse again before heading back toward the checkout counter.

Looking extremely uneasy, Noah stood by the counter next to her items, which had been set aside while the clerk rang up another customer's purchases.

Keely smiled sweetly as she walked up to Noah. “Those prices weren't as reasonable, so I decided not to bother.”

His eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What was that funny sawing noise?”

During her wild teen years, fast thinking had saved her more times than she could count. “I had an itch in the middle of my back. I used the corner of a box to scratch it.” She gave a little wriggle. “All better.”

He gulped. “Oh.” His voice was strained as he attempted to sound casual. “That explains it.”

Somehow she kept from laughing. One wriggle and he was gulping for air. She didn't remember him being so suggestible years ago. Apparently she had the advantage this time…so long as she kept her heart out of the equation.

“I can ring you up now, miss.” The clerk, who couldn't have been more than eighteen, regarded her with adoration.

“Fabulous.” She winked and sent him a high-wattage grin. “You have a very nice store here…” She paused to glance at his red plastic name tag. “Chad.”

Chad grew as red as his name tag. “Thank you very much,” he mumbled, and then he concentrated on punching the right numbers into the register. He had to clear his throat before he could tell her the amount. His gaze kept drifting to her chest and then he'd pull his eyes back with an obvious effort.

She opened her wallet and removed the money as quickly as she could. Her press pass was in there along with a gold card, but Noah would have had to be paying close attention to see either of them.

Chad took the money and handed over her change. “Do you, uh, live near here?” he asked eagerly. “I mean, would you like to be on our mailing list for…um…future sales?”

“Thanks, but I'm currently between addresses.”

“Oh.” Chad glanced over at Noah, then back at her, as if trying to decide if they were a couple. “Well, uh, feel free to stop in anytime. We always have specials.”

“Thanks. I'll remember that.” Picking up the plastic bag containing her purchases, she looked at Noah. “Ready?”

He gave a curt nod.

“Bye!” Chad called. “Come back anytime!”

She turned and smiled at him. “Bye.”

Noah held the door for her as they left the store. Judging from the set of his jaw, she didn't think he was very happy.
From all signs, he was a wee bit jealous—of a boy barely old enough to shave. Amazing.

Once upon a time she'd turned herself inside out trying to arouse Noah's jealousy, to no avail. Now it seemed that she'd done it with one hand tied behind her back. She decided to test the waters. “He was a nice kid,” she said as they walked along the street.

“The way he was drooling I thought he might flood the store.” Noah sounded quite irritated. “I think with a little more encouragement he would have asked you out, even though you're old enough to be his—”

“Big sister? He wasn't
that
much younger.”

“Hell, he probably got his driver's license yesterday.”

“He looked more like eighteen or nineteen to me. And by the way, men date women who are ten years younger than they are and nobody says boo.”

He stared at her. “Don't tell me you're interested in him?”

She wasn't, not even slightly, but a jealous Noah was something she'd waited years to experience. She wanted to savor the feeling a little longer. “Well, he was very sweet, and he had the cutest dimple in his chin.”

“You're putting me on.”

“Okay, maybe I am. But, for the record, I don't think it would be the end of civilization if I happened to be interested in him. Some of my friends have deliberately taken younger lovers.”

“Probably so they can lead them around by the nose.”

Oh, this man had some things to learn, and she was just the gal to educate him. “I don't think that's the part of their anatomy they care about. A younger guy is usually so eager to please, and he generally has more…staying power.”

Noah snorted. “Yeah, if you're into quantity instead of quality.”

She pitched her voice lower, so it came out a sultry purr. “Quality can be taught. And young men are
so
coachable.”

The sound that came from Noah bordered on a growl.

“What was that? I didn't quite understand you.”

“Nothing.”

She didn't think it was nothing. She thought it was the sound of a male animal whose masculinity had been challenged. From her experience, a man so challenged would be looking for opportunities to prove his prowess. Even if he hotly insisted otherwise.

Before long, Noah would beg to make love to her, and that would go a long way toward healing the hurt he'd inflicted, knowingly or not, when he'd rejected her sixteen-year-old advances. Maybe a few words of desperate need from him were all she needed to finally get him out of her system.

 

I
T WAS ALL
coming back to him now. Not only had he been tortured with feelings of lust where Keely was concerned, he'd also been ready to kill every guy who so much as looked at her. Leaving Saguaro Junction to follow the rodeo circuit had kept him away from Keely, but it had also saved a lot of cowboys from having their jaws busted.

Apparently he hadn't changed in that regard, either. The drugstore clerk was a mere baby, but when his hormone-driven attention had settled on Keely's breasts, Noah had been ready to take the kid apart. He'd have to work on that reaction, because men weren't going to stop looking at Keely during the next three days. Men were
always
looking at Keely.

The worst part was that he couldn't understand where his protective instincts were coming from. Maybe because he'd grown up with Keely, he had some big-brother feelings going on, but she'd never acted like a shrinking violet in need of male protection. The males probably needed protection from Keely, when it came right down to it.

That might be the heart of the matter, he realized with sudden insight. He hadn't been willing to face that his childhood friend had become an extremely sexy woman. Every drooling guy who hung around emphasized the very thing he didn't want to
admit, so the answer was to keep them away from her. Knowing that she'd never tolerate that kind of protectiveness had been one of his major frustrations in life. The safest course had been to stay away himself, which had the added benefit of protecting him from his own sexual feelings for her.

He should have continued on that course today. But he couldn't have left her at the topless bar, knowing she'd have a job in no time and be dancing there by tonight, probably. The way things were going, the bachelor party really would end up at that exact bar and he'd have to watch his buddies and a host of strangers ogling Keely. The centerfold spread had been torture enough, but at least it hadn't been firsthand torture.

“Where are you staying?” she asked as they arrived at the Strip and turned left.

“The Tahitian.” He'd been floored by the prices, but he had to admit the rooms were nice.

“That new place? Cool! I've been meaning to check it out. The cliff-diver show is supposed to be awesome at night. And don't they have an actual beach with surf in the courtyard?”

“I guess. I haven't seen it yet.”

“You haven't? Everybody talks about it—white sand, saltwater waves lapping at the shore, palm trees swaying—the whole nine yards. I guess your room must not look out on that, or you'd have noticed.”

“Nope. Mine overlooks the parking lot.” He had a vivid mental picture of Keely lying at the edge of that lapping surf, the foam curling over her naked breasts and licking at her smooth thighs. Oh, boy. He was in trouble. He'd been denying her sexuality for years, but denial wasn't working anymore.

“In fact, considering you're staying at such a premier resort,” she said, “I'm surprised you didn't want to hang out right there and soak up the atmosphere instead of wandering around in the heat on a basically boring side street.”

“Well, the thing is, I—”

“Noah Garfield, were you planning to actually go into that
bar? Don't tell me that you're secretly a voyeur who pays to look at naked women?”

He winced as several people on the crowded sidewalk turned to stare at him. Taking Keely by the arm, he leaned down. “No, I am not a secret voyeur, but now several people in this city think I am.” He released his grip on her arm before the soft warmth under his fingers gave him even more ideas.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “You know I always tend to speak my mind.”

“I do remember that. Obviously you haven't changed.”

“Obviously you haven't, either. Still worried about what the neighbors think.”

She was baiting him. He knew that, but still she got his dander up. He wondered if he had any chance at all of changing her attitude this weekend. Probably not, but he had to try. He'd keep reminding her of her roots and see if that helped the cause. “Where you and I come from, you'd better stay chummy with your neighbors if you expect to make it in the ranching business.”

“Well, I have no interest in making it in the ranching business.”

She scored another hit with that one. He loved his life as a rancher and took negative comments about it personally. “I think you made that perfectly clear when you took the deal with
Macho.
”

“You noticed that.”

“Everybody noticed that.” And that was the other big reason he'd better get his mind off the lovely body of Keely Branscom. He'd never been the kind of guy who could have sex for the hell of it. With him, a physical relationship with a woman needed to be going somewhere. With Keely, it could go nowhere. She didn't want what he could offer.

“Noah…about that centerfold…” She sounded hesitant, which was unusual for her.

Surprised at the sudden shift in her manner, he glanced over at her.

She cleared her throat. “It was my ticket out.” Her gaze slipped up to his face, but her expression was disguised by her dark glasses. “Can you understand that?”