Seducing Simon (10 page)

Why
are
you going out with Starla?”

“I just want some answers.” That and he wanted to get his mind off of Toni. It was getting ridiculous. He was dreaming about her. Fantasizing about her. If he didn’t get himself in control soon, he’d do something he’d regret.

What he’d done is pissed her off, though he couldn’t quite understand why. But then she’d always been a little overprotective of him and the other guys. Like a mama lion protecting her cubs. Heaven help the girl that ever trod on them.

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Maya Banks

He grinned. Perhaps he ought to explain to her why he was even speaking to Starla. But then it wouldn’t be as fun to see her all riled up.

And he couldn’t exactly tell her the main reason he was getting out of the house with another woman. He could well envision the shock on her face if he told her about the vivid fantasies he was having about her…naked.

Why was he seeing Starla again? Was he a masochist? Or maybe he wasn’t as torn up about her betrayal as he’d let on. It had obviously upset him enough that he indulged in something he never did—drinking.

Toni flopped onto her bed in disgust. Contending with Starla was not a kink she’d planned on having to deal with. It was hard enough just to try and get him to notice her without having to compete with another woman. A woman who had held Simon’s heart before.

Her hopes sank a bit further. Starla was everything she wasn’t.

Beautiful, confident, and most importantly, she wasn’t pregnant.

She glanced down at her belly and rubbed absently. If it came down to it, she’d have to confess to Simon. She couldn’t allow him to commit to another woman without knowing he had a child.

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Seducing Simon

Wednesday and Thursday, Toni stewed about Simon’s non-date with Starla. She avoided going to the station even though she normally was a regular visitor during their forty-eight hour shifts. In a way, she didn’t want to know anything about his relationship with Starla, but on the other hand, she was going to die if she didn’t find out.

Friday morning, she left the house before the guys got home anxious to get the day over with so she could feel Simon out that evening. She fidgeted all day, watching the clock in a sick vigil. She hadn’t had an appetite ever since skipping dinner the night of Simon’s date.

At three forty-five she was ready to bang her head on the desk in front of her. She tapped her pencil in a steady staccato and watched the seconds tick by.

“Why don’t you go on home before you drive me insane,” Doc Johnson muttered from behind her.

She whirled around, a guilty flush on her face. “Sorry.” He gave her an indulgent smile. “Go on home. You’ve been antsy all day. I only have one more animal to see, and Marnie can help me with that one.”

Her lips split into a wide grin as she hopped down from the stool. She kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Thanks, doc. I’ll see you Monday.” He waved her out the door, and she made a beeline for her jeep. A few minutes later she pulled into her driveway, and to her disappointment

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saw Simon’s truck was gone. If he was out again with Starla, she was going to hurt someone.

“You’re early,” A.J. remarked, as she walked into the living room.

“Hello to you, too.”

He patted the spot beside him on the couch. “Wanna sit?” She slid onto the sofa. “Where’s Matt and Simon?”

“Simon’s running errands, and Matt is getting ready to go over to Stephanie’s.”

She barely controlled the sigh of relief.

“Something bothering you?”

“No, not at all,” she said airily. “Just glad to be home.” She sat in silence for a moment not concentrating on the cop show A.J. was watching. Glancing sideways at him, she said nonchalantly, “So what was the deal with Simon’s date with Starla?”

“Ahhh so that’s what’s bothering you.”

She growled under her breath. “No, it’s not bothering me. I was merely curious.”

“Uh huh. I hear you.”

“Well? Do you know anything or not?”

“He was closed mouthed about the whole thing. Didn’t stay out late, but wouldn’t say a word about what’s going on.” She frowned. “What on earth is he thinking?” A.J. shrugged. “Got me. He must have rocks in his head.”

“What am I going to do, A.J.?” she asked softly.

He gave her a sympathetic look. “I don’t know, but you better get on the stick.”

She leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t compete with her.” She turned slightly to look at A.J.

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“Please,” he said giving her an incredulous look. “She doesn’t have anything on you.”

“I can think of at least one thing.”

“At the risk of pissing you off again, I have to ask, because if I’m right, you’ve been hung up on Simon for a long time, and yet you got pregnant just a few months ago.”

“Yeah, it’s twisted, I know,” she said bleakly. “Do you think I’ve ruined my chances?”

“Tell you what,” he said suddenly sitting up. “Matt is going over to Steph’s in a few minutes, and Simon is due back shortly. I think I’ll head out for the evening so the two of you are alone for a few hours. Make the most of it, okay?”

He got up and ruffled her hair as he walked by to his room. At the doorway he paused. “It wouldn’t hurt to wear one of those cute little tops.

I never knew you had such an impressive bosom.” He winked and disappeared through the door.

Toni rolled her eyes and laughed. Why couldn’t she have fallen for A.J.? He, at least, found her attractive. Well, if she hoped to make Simon forget all about Starla, she better get up and shower. Right now she smelled like a wet dog.

Foregoing her usual shower, she drew a tub full of water and submerged in the fragrant bubbles of her favorite bath liquid. An hour later, she stepped from the tub, wrapping a towel around her and securing the ends under her arm.

She opted for the white T-shirt and gym shorts, and once again left off the bra. She towel dried her hair, leaving it slightly damp and curling rebelliously. She ventured back into the kitchen, and looked out the window to see Simon’s truck in the drive.

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Maya Banks

The combination of her erratic eating habits over the last two days, and the prolonged warm bath was making her feel lightheaded. She needed to eat something. She rifled through the cabinets, deciding on a can of soup.

Taking out the can opener, she started to remove the top when Simon’s voice startled her.

“Hey, Toni.”

She whirled around and instantly regretted her actions. The room spun crazily out of control, and she swayed as she attempted to right her equilibrium.

Simon rushed forward, catching her just as her knees buckled. “Toni, what’s wrong?” His voice was urgent as he swept her up in his arms and strode to the couch.

“Do you need me to call an ambulance?” he asked as he gently laid her down.

His worried face came into focus as the room stopped spinning.

“No. No, I’m fine,” she hastily assured him.

“You don’t look fine,” he said doubtfully. “Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”

“I just need to eat something. I haven’t eaten anything today.”

“Why not?” he demanded, his face becoming stern. “What the hell are you thinking?”

“I know. It was stupid.”

“Don’t move,” he ordered. “I’ll be right back with some soup.” He hurried back to the kitchen, leaving her lying on the couch. A few minutes later he pressed a warm cup in her hands and put an arm around her shoulders to lift her up.

She sipped at the soup, feeling its warmth trail down her throat to her stomach.

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“You’ve got to start taking better care of yourself,” he said reproachfully.

He took the cup when she was finished and set it on the coffee table then eased her back onto the couch with the arm that was still supporting her back.

She reached a hand up and placed it on his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.

His face was so close to hers, his lips hovered just out of reach. This was the perfect time. She ached from wanting to feel his lips on hers.

Nervously, she moistened her lips and inched closer. His eyes darkened, and was it her imagination, or did he move toward her?

She closed her eyes, preparing to revel in the taste of him when they were both jarred by the telephone ringing. Simon blinked in surprise and shook his head slightly.

The moment was gone. She could see the retreat in his eyes.

Slipping his arm from beneath her, he reached over to pick up the phone off the coffee table.

“Hello?”

She saw a frown cross his face. He looked almost worried. He stood up, seeming to have forgotten her presence on the couch. Turning away, he walked toward his room.

“No, I’m off tomorrow, Starla. I can come by in the morning,” she heard as he disappeared down the hall.

What the hell? Anger. Disappointment. There weren’t words to accurately portray how she felt at the moment. At least she hadn’t kissed him.

With a sigh, she swung her legs over and stood up, testing her legs.

They weren’t wobbling, thank goodness. And Simon certainly wasn’t around to catch her this time.

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Maya Banks

She picked up the cup she had drank the soup out of and padded into the kitchen. As she rinsed it out in the sink, she heard a tap on the glass of the kitchen door. Looking up, she saw Mike standing outside.

In relief, she hurried over and threw open the door. “Am I glad to see you.” In truth, she would have been glad to see anyone. She was ready to crawl into a hole, and she had no desire to face Simon once he finished his tete a tete with Starla.

Mike grinned. “Now that’s a nice welcome.” He gave her a hug. “How you doing, cutie?”

She glanced back toward Simon’s room. “Not so great,” she said, expelling a deep breath.

“Uh oh. Did I come at a bad time?”

“Not at all. You’re timing is impeccable. Come in for Pete’s sake.” She gestured him in and shut the door behind him. “What brings you over?”

“I’d rather hear what’s bothering you. Anything I can help with?”

“Not unless you’re willing to take out a certain brunette with bad timing,” she muttered.

He laughed. “She still bugging Simon?”

“Want a beer?” she offered, reaching for the refrigerator handle.

“Sure.” He settled onto one of the barstools and leaned his elbows on the bar.

She popped the cap and slid the beer over to him then sat down across from him. “I’m not so sure she’s bugging him at all. He doesn’t seem to mind her sniffing around.”

Mike’s face softened. “Damn. Sorry to hear that. But maybe what I came over to ask will help.”

She lifted an eyebrow.

“Wanna go to the barbeque with me next weekend? I know you’d probably end up coming with the guys, but it could be a chance to piss

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Simon off some more.” He winked at her as he took a long swig of his beer.

“I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “I’m not so sure he gives a flip who I’m going out with.”

Mike laughed. “Oh it’ll drive him nuts. He already crawled my case at the station.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait a minute. You haven’t told me about this.

What happened?”

She straightened as she heard Simon close his door, and she put a finger to her lips as she heard him walking down the hall.

“Toni, I’m sorry. Are you all right now?” He stopped dead when he took in the two of them sitting at the bar. “Mike? What are you doing here? And Toni, you shouldn’t be up.” He frowned and continued to walk over. He stopped beside her and laid an arm over her shoulders. Then he glared at Mike.

Mike managed to look amused, his eyes twinkling. “Hey Simon. How’s it going?”

Simon ignored him and turned concerned eyes to Toni. “You shouldn’t be up. Why don’t you go lie back down on the couch, and I’ll fix you some more soup.”

“What’s he babbling about, Toni?” Mike asked with a frown.

Toni fought her annoyance and overwhelming confusion at Simon’s peculiar behavior. He’d all but forgotten she existed when Starla called, yet he was practically snarling at Mike. “Oh, nothing. It’s no big deal.” She fidgeted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of both guys.

“The hell it’s not,” Simon growled. “You nearly fainted.”

“That true, Toni?” Mike asked, concern settling into his eyes.

“It’s nothing a little fresh air wouldn’t cure. You want to step out on the deck with me?” she asked Mike sweetly.

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“Sure,” he said, sliding off the barstool. “Let me help you.” He walked around and took her elbow to help her up. She nearly laughed aloud at Simon’s expression and Mike’s blatant exaggeration of her circumstances.

“You should be resting more,” he lectured, as they walked toward the door, leaving a scowling Simon behind.

As they closed the sliding doors behind them, Toni giggled. “Okay, you can drop the act now.”

“Did you really almost faint?”

“Yeah. No biggie though.”

He frowned slightly but didn’t pursue it.

“Have a seat,” she said gesturing to one of the deck chairs. “Then you can tell me what Simon jumped on you about at the station.” Mike smiled and opted to lean against the deck railing instead. “He doesn’t like me seeing you.”

She rolled her eyes. “And did he offer an explanation why?”

“Not in so many words. He did threaten to kick my ass though.” She sighed and leaned back beside Mike. “I don’t get it, Mike. I thought tonight was the night. I was so close to kissing him. And I think he wanted to kiss me. But then psycho bitch called, and he dropped me like a hot potato.”

“Methinks our boy is a bit conflicted,” Mike offered.

“Well damn it. I don’t want him conflicted. I want him to want me.”

“Give it some time,” he said soothingly, moving his hand to rub her back. “Let’s see what happens this next weekend at the barbeque. If I know Simon, this will all but put the nail in his coffin.” She remained silent. She wished she had Mike’s optimism, but she was afraid that the truth of the matter was, Simon had zero interest in her in anything beyond the capacity of a little sister.