Seducing Simon (7 page)

She looked suspiciously at him.

He held two fingers up. “Scout’s honor.” He wasn’t the first person she’d choose to confide in, but he was right. She had no one else to talk to, and it would feel good to tell someone. Anyone.

“All right, but you tell anyone and I’ll kill you.” A few minutes later Mike sat back in his seat, a stunned expression lighting his face. “Jesus, Toni. What a mess!”

“You’re telling me,” she muttered.

“And he has no idea you two had sex?”

“No. He thought I was Starla.”

“Ouch,” he said sympathetically.

“Yeah, ouch.”

“How long have you carried a torch for him?”

“Oh pretty much forever,” she said in a low voice.

“Damn. That sucks. Well if it makes you feel better, he is a damn fool. I know one thing. If you and I ever went to bed together, you can be sure I’d remember it.”

She laughed when he winked at her. “Thanks, Mike. It did feel good to talk about it.”

“No problem. And don’t worry. I’d never say anything. I know we all tend to run off at the mouth at the station, but it’s about non important things, you know?”

“Thanks. You’re not a bad friend.”

He sighed and keyed the ignition. “Well I guess that means I won’t be getting lucky tonight,” he said mournfully.

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She punched him in the arm. “You’re lucky I don’t kick your ass for that remark.”

He grinned. “You ready to go home? I wouldn’t want to keep you out too late. If I know your roommates, they’re waiting to pound me into the dirt.”

“They won’t have to. I might beat them to it.” But she grinned over at him. “You know, you’re not near as bad as Simon says you are.” He arched an eyebrow. “Don’t be so sure of that, doll. I happen to like you more than most women, and then there’s the little matter of three men who would cheerfully rearrange my face if I didn’t walk a fine line with you.”

“If you say so,” she said innocently.

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Maya Banks

“So how was the date?” A.J. asked as she walked into the kitchen and laid her purse down on the counter. He was standing close to the fridge in a pair of cutoff shorts and a T-shirt. Vintage A.J. fashion. And barefooted of course. She was convinced he should have been a west coast surfer.

“It was okay,” she said with a shrug. She looked warily around, expecting Simon and Matt to appear any moment.

“Going to go out with him again?”

“Don’t know. Maybe.”

He leaned back against the cabinets and studied her. “You aren’t very talkative tonight.”

“It went okay. Really. I’m just a little tired. Where’s everyone?” she asked changing the subject.

“Matt’s over at Stephanie’s and Simon is in his room.”

“So why aren’t you out on a date? Surely it isn’t because of lack of interest,” she teased. He was one guy who never had to look far for an interested party.

A peculiar look crossed his face. “I uh, well, I cancelled at the last minute.”

She arched an eyebrow and gave him a mock look of shock. “You cancelled with Mindy Sue? The hottest chick to ever throw herself at the feet of the Adonis A.J?”

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“Stop with the sarcasm already. I had other things to do.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Nosey wench aren’t you.”

“Ahh, holding out on me. I’ll remember that.” She chunked a dishtowel at him, and moved past him into the living room. “I’m going out on the deck. Want to come?”

“I’ll pass. Think I’m going to turn in early.” She gave him a small wave and pulled on the sliding door. Closing her eyes as the gentle breeze tugged at her hair, she eased into the patio chair and leaned back. She gazed up at the clear, starlit sky, picked the brightest and made a wish.

But wishing wasn’t going to get her what she wanted. She needed to get Simon to notice her. As horribly ignorant of dating and the general act of getting a guy to fall at your feet she was, it wasn’t likely going to happen without some serious guidance. Help. That was it!

The ringing phone interrupted her mulling, and she got up and went to the door. She saw Simon walking toward her room with the cordless phone and tapped on the glass to get his attention. He looked at her and waved the phone.

She let herself in and tried hard not to stare at his muscular frame clad only a pair of gym shorts. Even his bare feet looked sexy to her. His unruly hair curled damply at his neck attesting to a recent shower.

“It’s Mike,” he muttered, shoving the phone at her.

He turned and walked back to his room, leaving her to wonder about his odd mood.

She shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention to the phone.

“Hey Mike. What’s up?”

“Hey Toni, hope you haven’t gone to bed yet.”

“No, not at all, in fact I was just going to call you.”

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Maya Banks

“Really? Was I that irresistible?”

She laughed. “Um sure, if it makes you feel better. I have a favor to ask, Mike. It may sound crazy, but I could really use your help.”

“I start a forty-eight tomorrow morning, so why don’t you come by the station around noon and we’ll talk about it.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you then.”

She hung up then stared at the phone in her hand for a long moment. “Or you could make a monumental fool yourself,” she mumbled to herself. She set the phone on the bar. It was Simon’s phone, but she didn’t want to disturb him to return it. He didn’t seem like he was in the best of moods tonight.

Well at least she wouldn’t sit around tomorrow and be tortured by the sight of Simon. He and the others were off this weekend, so she’d be tripping over him the whole time.

Before she took two steps toward her room, the phone rang again.

With an exasperated sigh she yanked it up and said hello.

“Is Simon there?”

Toni froze. She knew this voice. Was quite familiar with it. Starla.

What the heck could she want?

“Just a minute,” she mumbled. She should have lied and said he was out on a date and maybe the twit would back off.

She crossed the living room and walked down the hallway to Simon’s room. Tapping lightly, she waited for his response. Any other time she would have opened the door and gone in. But that was before.

He opened the door, surprise written on his face as he saw her standing there. She shoved the phone at him. “For you.” She turned and walked back down the hallway, not wanting to hear any part of their conversation.

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Toni stood in the kitchen throwing in all the ingredients for a crock pot soup when Simon sauntered in rubbing his eyes.

“Late night conversation?” she asked nonchalantly.

“Yeah, sorta.”

“So what did she want?” “Just wanted to talk,” he replied, going to the refrigerator and taking the milk out.

He obviously wasn’t going to tell her. She frowned and began picking up the mess she’d made. What could that nitwit have wanted? And why wouldn’t Simon tell her? They’d never withheld anything from one another. Well if you didn’t count the fact she was pregnant with his child.

Suppressing her irritation and undying curiosity, she concentrated on cleaning the kitchen. She checked her watch and saw it was almost time to meet Mike at the station. She just had time for a shower and change then she’d pack the lunch she’d prepared and head out.

Twenty minutes later, she walked back into the kitchen and began packing the sandwiches into a small cooler.

“Where you going, Toni?” Matt called from the living room where he and the others were watching TV.

“To the station to see Mike.”

She could have heard a pin drop in the ensuing silence.

“Date went that well?” Matt asked as all three turned around on the couch to look at her.

“I’m just going to bring lunch.”

“Yeah, sure,” A.J said with a grin. “And you said maybe when I asked if you’d see him again.”

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Maya Banks

Simon watched her in silence a frown marring his handsome face.

Finally he said, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“This coming from a guy who was talking to his ex-girlfriend on the phone last night?” She arched an eyebrow. “The same girlfriend who cheated on you.”

His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. She turned and walked out of the house, her keys jingling in her hand.

She drove the familiar route to the station house and parked beside Mike’s truck. Collecting the small cooler, she walked to the door and stuck her head in. She was greeted by a chorus of hellos, and she waved in response.

Mike got up and hurried over. “Hey, how are you?”

“I’m good,” she said with a smile. “I brought you a sandwich.”

“Thanks. That was sweet.”

She handed him the wrapped sandwiches and a bag of chips. She looked inquisitively at him as he dug into the food. “Is there a place we can talk privately?” she asked, placing emphasis on the word private.

He glanced around at the other occupants of the room then motioned her out into the garage where the fire trucks were parked. After wiping his mouth and swallowing the last bite of his sandwich, he looked back up at her. “What’s up?”

She shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you know I’m in love with Simon.” He nodded.

“Well, uh, I want to try and get him to notice me. As something more than a friend. A sex kitten would be a step above the whole best friend/little sister thing,” she said in disgust.

He gazed thoughtfully at her. “Well then you ought to go after him.”

“If I knew how, I’d do it,” she said dryly. “That’s where you come in. I hope.”

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Seducing Simon

He stared inquisitively at her. “Me?”

She ducked her head in embarrassment. “This is humiliating. Look, Simon was the first guy I uh…well…”

“You’re telling me he’s the first guy you’ve ever slept with?” he asked gently.

She nodded, her cheeks flaming.

“And you have no experience in getting a guy to notice you.”

“Right. I mean how many dates have you ever seen me go on,” she muttered.

“So, you need to seduce him. Make him fall in love with you. But do it subtly. Make him see you as something other than a little sister.” Again she nodded. “If it’s possible.”

“You’re hot, Toni. Show him that.”

She looked at him in astonishment.

“I’m serious. Use what you have to your advantage. He already knows what an awesome heart you have. It’s time to let him see what a hot chick you are.”

“Have you been sniffing ammonia?”

He laughed. “Okay, here’s what you do. Wear a white, thin T-shirt with no bra. It’ll drive him nuts. Guaranteed. It’ll work better than if you walked around naked. Guys love the subtle. The hint of the forbidden.” She gaped at him then burst into laughter. “Oh my God. I can’t do that!”

“Sure you can. Here’s what else. Buy one of those slinky camisole sets to sleep in and wear a robe over it, but let the robe fall open just enough to give him a glimpse.”

“You are so bad.”

“Wear a low cut shirt and lean over him. Touch him with your hand.” He took her hand in his. “You have awesome hands. Small and dainty.

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Maya Banks

The perfect size. Place one on his arm, his chest. Touch him when you talk to him. It’ll drive him mad. You do all this and I guarantee he’ll live with a hard on.”

She burst into peals of laughter. “You kill me, Mike.” He gave her a wounded look. “I’m serious. Try it. I guarantee he’ll notice. All of this is the lead up to the kiss.”

“The kiss?”

“Yeah, the kiss. Torment him for a week or so then kiss him. Choose your moment and lay a good one on him. I’d bet a months pay he’ll be putty in your hands.”

Suddenly remembering Simon’s phone call from Starla, her smiled faded.

“What’s wrong?” Mike asked.

“I’m afraid it’s too late. Starla is calling him again, and he clammed up when I asked him about it.”

“Well then, you better get started. Seriously, girl. Don’t let go without a fight. That’s not the Toni I know.”

She smiled again. “You’re sweet.”

“Wait until I have my next say before you decide whether I’m sweet,” he warned.

“Oh?”

“I said all this because you and Simon belong together. He’s the father of your baby. I know this isn’t any of my business, but he deserves to know. I understand why you’re afraid, even embarrassed, to tell him, but he has the right.”

“I know,” she murmured. “But I can’t do it yet. I have to know if he cares for me independent of any obligation he has to the baby.”

“Well he would be an idiot not to fall for you, and I don’t think he’s an idiot. But just in case, we’ll throw in a few dates.” He winked at her. “We

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can go baby clothes shopping or something, and it’ll drive Simon bonkers.”

“I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “Do I want him to think I’m interested in someone else? I’d thought more along the lines of throwing myself at him.” She grinned slightly at the thought.

He smiled indulgently at her. “It’s obvious he takes you for granted.

Not in a bad way, but let’s face it. How many guys have you dated? He’s got no competition. Fastest way for a guy to sit up and pay attention is for another guy to come sniffing around.” She chewed her bottom lip.
Would it work? It seemed so far-fetched.

“What have you got to lose?” Mike asked staring pointedly at her.

She smiled ruefully. “Good point. Thanks, Mike. I’m going to think about everything you said.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you later. And thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a smile. “Lord help Simon. I think he’s going to need it.”

She laughed and spun away, hurrying back to her Jeep.

A surge of excitement raced up her spine as she drove back home.

Would her crazy plan work? Was Mike right in that Simon just needed to see her outside the role as best friend and little sister? The idea of him seeing her as a living breathing, lusty woman had merit. Provided she could pull it off.