Carly Phillips - Body Heat

The store was a feast for all the senses, making her wonder why she’d never ventured in here before. The obvious answers were money and time, two things she’d never had in abundance. But she did now, and she took in the selection of garments around her. The beautiful matched sets and vibrant colors put her utilitarian cotton panties to shame. She fingered a violet-colored teddy, cut low, and high, in all the right places. The silk slid between her fingertips, soft and sensual, like Jake’s touch. She trembled, realizing just what was in store should she be willing to release all her inhibitions.

Slow and easy, he’d said. Seductively. He was letting her know she could set the pace, and here she was taking the plunge. The fire in her cheeks matched the heat outdoors, but she’d come too far to turn back now. When the bells on the door tinkled and her exuberant friend walked inside, Brianne knew her fate had just been sealed. Kellie wouldn’t let her back out even if she wanted to. She didn’t.

Kellie waved, the silver bracelets on her hand jingling aloud. Kellie was a classic blond beauty with huge, blue eyes, a porcelain complexion and a body only every day in a gym would provide. No matter what she wore, men turned their heads and looked twice. Today she had on black jeans and a white fitted T, held together by a row of hooks up the center. It was time Brianne, too, acted more like a woman who intended to make an impression.

“Getting started without me?” Kellie gave Brianne a brief squeeze hello. “It’s only been one night, but the place isn’t the same without you.”

Brianne grinned. “I can’t say I miss the long hours on my feet, but I did miss you, too.”

“As if you even gave me a thought, with you and the new guy living under the same roof.” Kellie rolled her eyes and laughed, obviously not the least bit offended. “So what’d you find so far?” She spread her arms, gesturing to the undergarments around them.

“I just walked in.”

“Okay, then, what’s this guy’s taste run to? The classic or the kinky?” Kellie shook her head. “Never mind. If he’s fallen for you, it’s classic.”

“Are you calling me boring?” Brianne asked, feigning insult.

Her friend shook her head. “You’re gorgeous. You just don’t take the time to make the most of it. Maybe this new job will give you more time for yourself.”

“That’s the idea.” The money would pay off her brother’s tuition, and when the summer was over, her free hours would belong to her alone. There’d never been a time in her adult life when she’d had the luxury of sitting down, taking a breath and saying, What do I want to do now?

“The first rule of thumb is if you wear sexy, you’ll feel sexy. So what do you have beneath those jeans?”

“Underwear, of course.”

“White, I suppose?” She didn’t wait for Brianne to answer. “High-cut and basic? I won’t even ask about the bra.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me.” She grabbed Brianne’s hand. “Come on.”

An hour later, Brianne had splurged on the kind of lacy, racy undergarments she had never before given a thought to wearing. She’d even left a set on beneath her clothing when she’d walked out of the store. Practice, she’d decided.

And the idea had worked. With the silk brushing her skin as she walked and the knowledge that she wore sheer, sexy panties and a matching bra, Brianne noticed she felt more feminine and attractive. Her stride quickened and she lifted her head, glancing around as she walked. Men met her gaze. One leered, his lascivious stare lingering long enough to make her uncomfortable.

But long after they’d left Bloomingdale’s behind-bathing suits and a couple of sexy, on-sale outfits bagged and ready to go-Brianne held her shoulders back a bit more, her confidence boosted. All things she could thank Jake for calling her attention to. Not that she’d tell him. The man’s ego was healthy enough. But she had to admit, freedom felt good.

“Have time to grab an iced latte?” Kellie asked.

Brianne’s throat was parched from the heat and all the walking they’d done. “Sounds great.”

“Good.” Kellie nodded approvingly, and they walked in silence the few blocks to the nearest Starbucks. In the doorway, Kellie grabbed Brianne’s hand and turned toward her. “Clothing and underwear were the hard part. Now we can sit down and talk about sex.”

Brianne started to cough, but instead forced a casual shrug. What the heck? she thought. It had been so long since she’d had any, she could probably use all the advice she could get. Her sexual history was minimal. A lukewarm relationship in college squeezed in between her classes and work, and a couple of other guys who’d given up when they realized her brother and her jobs had to come first-and that was it. None of those men had left a lasting or lingering impression. None had eased the loneliness.

But the idea of sex with Jake aroused every nerve ending in her body. Her nipples puckered beneath the new silk, a warm heaviness settled in the pit of her stomach and desire dampened her panties. Though no one could look and know what she was feeling, she knew. The intimate, illicit longings were unfamiliar to a woman used to being consumed with work and worries. Being consumed with Jake was a novelty she intended to enjoy.

She shivered in the air-conditioning, but the tremor had nothing to do with the recycled air. Shaking off the sensation, Brianne placed their order while Kellie found a table by the window where they could look out on the nearly empty streets of New York. As it wasn’t yet lunchtime, most smart people were inside, away from the oppressive outdoor temperatures instead of enduring the heat rising off the pavement.

No sooner had Brianne carried the drinks to the table and settled herself into a chair than Kellie pulled a box of condoms out of her purse.

Brianne glanced down and swept them under the table. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you cover all your bases. I know you’ve had little time for anything lately since you work all day and night-”

“You manage to fit in plenty of extracurricular activity,” Brianne said wryly.

“What can I say? I’m resourceful.” Kellie grinned. “Not to mention, I don’t work nine-to-five during the day. I’m serious. You can’t be too careful these days.”

Brianne shook her head. “Of course I know that.” She glanced down at the box in her hand, shaking them. “There’s a lot of those suckers in there,” she muttered.

Her friend glanced at her too innocently over her iced coffee. “So, use them.”

Brianne’s skin prickled at the thought, a renewed awareness and memories of Jake’s kiss and searing touch arousing her all over again. And he was so good at that, she thought, mentally transported back to last night.

“Hello?” Kellie waved a napkin in front of Brianne’s face. “I take it you plan to? Use the condoms, I mean.”

Brianne blinked, focusing on her friend. “Are you sure you don’t want them for yourself?” A smile tugged at her lips.

Kellie laughed. “Don’t need them. I’ve got my own collection at home. They’re latex and the best protection on the market. Plus they’re made for extra sensitivity and have lubrication. Believe me, you want to give one a shot.” She wiggled her eyebrows enticingly.

Brianne glanced out the window, her thoughts on exactly what her friend had alluded to-making love with Jake. “Did I tell you the place where I’m staying has a private rooftop whirlpool?” She took a sip of the frothy, cold drink, hoping to douse the flame of desire.

“No, but wow. You are in for one awesome summer,” her friend said.

“Mmm.” One group of people, then another, walked past the window. Apparently lunchtime had come for the working people of New York, Brianne thought idly. But she wasn’t paying much attention-her thoughts were on herself and Jake on that rooftop.

Suddenly a figure caught her attention, then just as quickly slipped out of sight behind some people exiting a building across the street. The figure wasn’t too familiar, since she’d only seen the man once before. It had been this morning, after she’d walked out of Victoria’s Secret. He’d been the leering one-the one whose gaze had lingered too long, as if he could see through her clothing to the new underwear she was wearing beneath. She’d brushed it off earlier, but what were the chances of her seeing him twice in one day?

A shudder of uncomfortable awareness and revulsion rippled through her.

“What’s wrong?” Kellie asked, following Brianne’s line of vision outside.

“Did you…” Brianne started to ask her friend, then stopped. What was she going to say? Did you see that guy twice today? And if she had, so what? Victoria’s Secret was only a block or two from here. The fact that someone had seen Brianne two times that morning didn’t make him someone to watch out for.

She shook her head and laughed. “Forget it.” Shadowy figures and fear. Brianne had to admit she rarely suffered from anxiety anymore, but sometimes it appeared in ridiculous ways. Her parents had died in a risky situation, a violent storm, but they’d always indulged in some situation or other that put her nerves on edge. She was so unlike her parents, she’d have thought she was adopted if she didn’t know differently.

But she was their child and sometimes, as a result, her anxieties resurfaced. “Free-floating anxiety,” an analyst she’d seen at the hospital had explained to her. Amorphous anxiety with no basis in the factual situation going on around her now. So what if she’d seen a man twice? That didn’t make him a stalker.

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

Brianne nodded. “Absolutely. Now, what were you saying?” Shaking off the feeling completely wasn’t easy, but with even breathing and a change of subject, Brianne was able to at least feel some semblance of control over her feelings. And that was enough to steady her.

Kellie shrugged. “I said you’d also mentioned a mirrored exercise room in the penthouse. I think you’re set, Brianne. You’ve got all you need for a darn good summer. All you need to do is let yourself go.”

She inhaled deeply. All you need to do. As if it were so simple, when she’d been single-mindedly focused on her job and her brother for so long. Buying the sexy garments wasn’t the same as actually wearing them. She knew that now. And buying the revealing underwear definitely wasn’t the same as having Jake see her in them. She thought of Kellie’s words again. Let yourself go. Yes, it was time to concentrate on her needs for a change.

Her needs and Jake’s. That was all she needed to do.

SHE’D SEEN HIM, Louis thought. She’d looked into his eyes and known he’d been admiring her. How could he not appreciate a babe who was into sexy duds? How could he not consider the possibility of screwing such a hot creature-and screwing Lowell at the same time?

Now, that he couldn’t resist. He took a drag, then ground the butt on the pavement with his heel. He didn’t think she’d noticed him when he’d walked past the coffee place, but he’d have to be more careful next time. And there would be a next time. Because Lowell had been snooping around, asking questions again. Louis had known within minutes, something Lowell probably knew would happen.

Cat and mouse, Louis thought. So let the games begin. And those games both started and ended with Brianne Nelson. Detective Lowell’s woman…but not for much longer.

JAKE HADN’T DONE surveillance detail in too long. After an afternoon watching a gourmet shop with nothing to show for his effort, he was stiff and frustrated. The only reason the place remained open and hadn’t been closed down for good was the lack of proof that linked the pills to the restaurant. They’d gotten a warrant and searched the place based on the circumstantial evidence at the scene, but they’d come up empty. No surprise there, Jake thought. Ramirez was good, and once those kids ODed, he’d clean out fast. But Jake believed the crook was arrogant enough to resume business later.

In theory, the drugs could have come from anywhere. Nothing connected the recent OD to Ramirez-at least, not yet. They were awaiting the toxicology report.

On his way home, Jake had stopped by Frank’s place for a visit. He’d played street hockey with Frank’s son and shared coffee with Iris, his wife. When Frank was alive, his time with them always reminded him of his failed marriage and all he’d missed out on-kids, a wife who understood him. Since the shooting, the visits had become an emotional ordeal, and all he felt was guilt.