Seducing Simon (8 page)

There were only two problems. Well three actually. She didn’t have a white T-shirt. She didn’t have anything resembling a frilly camisole set.

And she didn’t own a robe. Hell she didn’t even have any revealing shirts.

On a whim she turned her Jeep out of town and headed toward the neighboring city twenty miles away. Beaumont sported all the things Cypress didn’t. Like a mall. A place to buy the things she’d need in her quest to seduce Simon.

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Maya Banks

An hour later, she walked out of the lingerie shop with a camisole nighty set and a matching satin robe. She then went into a nearby department store and purchased several new shirts and some maternity pants. She may as well make a full-blown shopping trip out of it since she needed the maternity clothes anyway.

She tried on two of the shirts and stared self-consciously into the dressing room mirror. They fit snugly over her breasts and flowed gently from the empire waist. The perfect shirt to highlight what little cleavage she had. And it served the dual purpose of a maternity shirt, so if the seduction failed, at least she’d get some use out of it.

She lugged all her purchases to the Jeep and checked her watch as she climbed in. Damn, she hoped someone had remembered the crock pot.

She pulled into the driveway at shortly after six and rummaged for her bags in the dark. Her hands full, she walked up the path to the front door and nudged the doorbell with her elbow.

Second later the door opened and Simon hastily took the bags from her arms. “You shouldn’t be carrying all of that,” he reprimanded.

“It’s just clothes,” she said in amusement.

“Want me to put them on your bed?” he asked as they walked into the house.

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Hey, she’s back,” Matt declared as she entered the living room.

“One would think I never leave,” she said dryly.

“And how was Mike?” A.J. asked innocently.

“Just fine. I’m sure he appreciates your concern.” He laughed. “Damn girl, you’re on fire today.”

“You guys eat already?” she asked.

“No, we were waiting for you.”

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“What’s the occasion?” she asked suspiciously. She stared between Matt and A.J. Then realization dawned. “It won’t work. I am not spilling my guts about Mike so forget it. There’s nothing to tell.”

“Gee, are we that transparent?” Matt asked in disgust.

“Yes, you are.”

Simon returned and began taking out bowls. Toni stirred the soup in the crock pot and began ladling out portions in the bowls. Simon passed one to Matt and A.J. then took his own bowl and sat down next to them.

She sat down next and concentrated on eating the soup, determined to ignore their curious looks.

Finally Simon broke the awkward silence. “You guys still going to the car show tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Matt replied. “A.J. and I are leaving at seven.”

“The one in Houston?” Toni asked.

“Yup.”

She gulped nervously. If Matt and A.J were going to be gone all day then it would be a perfect time to try her hand at Mike’s suggestions.

Provided Simon was even going to be around.

“You not going with them?” she asked Simon casually.

“No. I thought I’d hang out around the house. Play some computer games.”

Her heart fluttered rapidly in her chest. She lowered her gaze to the soup and spooned it up almost robotically. He was going to be home. All day. A whole day to make him notice her. It sounded so simple, yet so impossible

Well, one thing was for certain. She was going to get to try out her new sleepwear a lot sooner than she’d expected.

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Maya Banks

Toni woke early the next morning. She waited until she heard A.J.

and Matt leave then surveyed her appearance in the mirror. The satin shorts and camisole actually looked
sexy
on her. Well, at least she thought they did.

She ran her hand over her stomach feeling the slightest hint of the swell that was slowly burgeoning. In a few more weeks she’d have a bonafide pooch. Better to do the seducing now.

She pulled on the satin knee-length robe and tied it loosely around her waist. Then she arranged the lapels so they bared about a four inch strip of the nighty. A flush suffused her face as she looked back into the mirror and saw that the peaks of her breasts were clearly outlined. One thing about pregnancy, her nipples were taut and stiff on a twenty-four hour basis now.

“You can do this,” she said firmly to her reflection. “It’s time Simon saw you as something more than a comfortable friend. It’s time he saw you for a sexy, desirable woman.”

With a determined nod, she turned from the mirror and went over to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and took a deep breath. Let the operation commence.

She walked into the kitchen, thankful for once that her room was on the opposite side of the house from the other three bedrooms. She’d taken her parents room while the guys had taken up residence in the

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three bedrooms that had served as hers and Matt’s bedrooms when they were kids.

The setup had worked well. She had her own bathroom while the guys shared a bathroom on their end of the house. The living room and kitchen separated them. There was a formal dining room as well, but it had been turned into a computer room since they always ate at the bar.

She could hear Simon on the computer and wondered if she should venture in there or wait for him to come into the kitchen. Finally she decided to go to the door and ask him if he’d eaten breakfast. If not she’d cook and lure him into the kitchen. But first she’d give him a taste of her outfit.

With a grin, she walked to the computer room and cleared her throat at the doorway. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” he mumbled, not taking his eyes from the computer screen.

“Had breakfast yet?” She put one arm against the doorframe in what she hoped was a sexy pose.

He finally glanced up. “No.” He turned back to the computer then jerked his head back up, his eyes widening in surprise. “Uh no.” His gaze was riveted on her, and she fought against the urge to blush and smile triumphantly all at the same time.

“I’m cooking if you want to eat.” She slowly dropped her arm and turned to walk back into the kitchen.

He followed right behind her and sat down at the bar. She began taking out the skillet and the ingredients for pancakes. She felt his gaze on her the entire time, but when she would look up at him, he’d immediately look down or away. Anywhere but at her.

As she mixed the batter with a large wooden spoon, the motion loosened her robe and it fell completely open baring the plunging

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neckline of her camisole. Acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, she set about pouring the batter into the skillet then leaned back against the counter to wait.

“So why didn’t you go to the car show with Matt and A.J.?”

“Not my thing,” he said barely meeting her eyes.

“What’s your schedule this week?” It was an innocent enough question, but she wanted to be sure and plan for the days he’d be home.

“Twenty-four Monday, off Tuesday, and forty-eight starting Wednesday. Off Friday and Saturday and a twenty-four Sunday.” So she had today and tomorrow to make an impression then she’d have one day out of three where she’d see him a few hours in the evening. Might be good for him to stew for a while.

She turned and flipped the pancakes then settled her attention back on Simon. Her tongue felt tied. She’d never had any problem talking to him, but at the moment she felt as awkward as a girl on her first date.

When the pancakes were done, she stacked them on a plate and set it in front of Simon. He stood up and got utensils for them then retrieved the butter and syrup from the fridge. She poured glasses of milk then settled onto the barstool across from the bar from him. After all, he wouldn’t be able to see her chest if she sat beside him.

An awkward silence ensued as they ate their breakfast. From time to time she felt his gaze on her, but didn’t look up. When they’d finished he walked around and collected her plate. “I’ll wash up, you go get dressed.” She nearly laughed at his directive. So she was getting under his skin a bit. Maybe he wasn’t as immune to her as she thought. Remembering the other part of Mike’s advice, she placed her fingertips lightly on his arm. “Thanks, Simon.”

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He flinched and drew away, piling the dishes into the sink. With a secret smile, she breezed into her room for part two of her seduction plan.

Choosing a pair of sweatpants to go with her sheer white T-shirt, she discarded her nightclothes and pulled the shirt over her head. But when she looked in the mirror, she nearly changed her mind. The dark imprint of her nipples was clearly outlined against the shirt. But he’d definitely notice.

She shuffled back into the living room grateful at least she was comfortable in the sweats and T-shirt. Perfect lounging clothes. And if they happened to make Simon squirm just a bit, all the better.

Simon was still in the kitchen washing up the breakfast dishes so she decided to wander in and get a glass of juice. She watched Simon out of the corner of her eye. When he caught sight of her shirt, he did a double take. He quickly glanced away, but his eyes kept drifting back.

Hiding her smile in her glass, she tilted it back, thrusting out her chest as she drained the juice. She set the glass in the sink and walked back into the living room. “Want to see what’s on TV?” she called back to Simon.

“No, uh, that’s okay. I think I’m going to go play some more games.” Simon walked into the computer room, frantically pulling on his collar. It was damn hot in the house. He switched the ceiling fan on, desperate for some cool air.

She was driving him crazy. When the hell had she gotten so damn sexy? The satin nighty had been torture enough, but the T-shirt that clearly outlined her perfect breasts was just too much.

Pregnancy had been good to her so far. She’d definitely filled out in all the right places. The dusky imprint of her rosy nipples had him dying to get his hands and mouth on them.

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He was having insane urges to sweep her into the nearest bed and make some serious love to her. He was losing it. This was Toni, not some cheap lay. But here he sat fantasizing about kissing her in the most interesting places.

Lately he’d been having the oddest dreams about her. In his bed, writhing beneath him. It was so real he could almost taste her sweet skin, and somehow he just knew she’d taste of honeysuckle. He could feel himself inside her, instinctively knew just how she’d feel. The images bombarded him constantly. Her naked in his bed.

Oh yeah, he was falling apart. He needed to get laid. But for the moment the only woman he could picture in his bed was Toni. And that scared him to death.

The distant sound of the phone ringing broke into his vivid fantasies.

A few seconds later, Toni appeared in the doorway holding out the phone to him. A frown on her face and those perfect, delectable breasts molded to every contour of that T-shirt.

“It’s Starla,” she muttered, as he took the phone from her.

He chanced one last glance at her chest before she turned and stalked out.
Wonder what was eating her
. He sure as hell knew what was eating him.

Sunday morning Toni got up and put on a pair of her new stretch waist maternity jeans and one of the tops she’d bought. Whether it had been bought to gain Simon’s notice or not, she loved the way it fit. It hugged her breasts and outlined their curves then flowed gently from

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underneath the swells. If it was a little lower cut than her normal attire she wasn’t complaining.

After yesterday’s phone call for Simon from Starla, she wasn’t feeling nearly as confidant anyway. But she wasn’t throwing in the towel. Not yet.

Feeling confident she looked her best and maybe even a little sexy, she walked out of her room ready to take on the world. Or at least a six foot-two hunky fireman.

A series of whistles rent the air as she entered the living room where the guys were watching the football pre-game show on TV. Smiling, she struck a fake pose. “You like?”

“Damn, woman. Come here and give daddy a kiss,” A.J. teased.

She burst out laughing and blew him one instead.

“You look great,” Matt complimented. “I like the new stuff.” She looked pointedly at Simon who looked very much like he’d swallowed his tongue. “Well?” she asked him.

“You look nice,” he mumbled.

“Nice? Hell, she looks hot,” A.J. spoke up.

Simon scowled and turned his attention back to the TV.

Feeling very pleased with herself, she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and inserted herself on the couch between Simon and A.J. to watch the game. She made great effort to lean over Simon and reach into the chip bag he held. Finally he handed it to her mumbling something about not wanting any more.

She leaned back, munching calmly on the chips she held. She nearly laughed aloud when Simon suddenly got up from the sofa and left the room.

“What’s wrong with him?” Matt asked in a bored voice.

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She shrugged and glanced over at A.J. who was looking at her in amusement. She arched an eyebrow and looked questioningly at him as if to ask what he was finding so funny.

He emitted a low chuckle and turned back to the TV. “I think Simon may have met his match,” he murmured in a voice only Toni could hear.

“Yeah, Starla’s a real bitch,” Toni said, being deliberately obtuse.

He snickered and swung a cushion at her. “You’re evil, woman. Pure evil.”

She only hoped Simon was taking a cold shower and her efforts weren’t for naught. Tomorrow he was working, and Tuesday was the only other day until Friday that she’d get to work her wiles on him.

She watched the remainder of the game with Matt and A.J. hoping Simon would reappear, but he stayed in his room. Not willing to spend her entire day waiting on him, she decided to take her and her new look out shopping. Her confidence was at an all time high, and damn it, she knew she looked good.