After Sundown (11 page)

Chapter T
hirteen

Lavender scented bubble bath filled the
old
porcelain
bath
tub. Transparen
t bubbles, glistening with miniature
rainbows, bobbed erratically
, encircling the puckering rose-
colored nipples
that peaked
above the
bathwater. Resting
her head along the rim of the tub, Kit's toes escaped the water and wiggled in the cool air. One wet hand reached out and captured a wine glass
sitting
on the bathroom floor
next to the tub
.
Bringing the glass to her lips, she downed the merlot in one gulp.
Kit
squeezed
her eyes shut and ordered her
stomach
to
cease
its pe
rsistent twisting and churning.

It was Saturday. Sarah was spending the night with Susan and Brandon.
Cole expected Kit to arrive at his house in less than two hours.
Cole
offered
to pick her up, but Kit
wanted to take her own car, so she could leave when she wanted. She wasn’t sure how the evening would progress, yet she had a good idea.
It wasn't as if Cole had asked her to dinner
, o
r to a movie
, or
bowling. No, their age
nda was clearly defined -
o
ne night of sex.

She set the empty wine glass back on the floor.
Kit stood up, grabbed a towel from a nearby towel rack and stepped from the tub. She'd shaved, even her
pant
y
line,
for heaven's sake!
Earlier,
she'd neatly trimmed her toenails and completed the
pedicure
with a light shade of pink. Would Cole even notice her toes? Some men had a thing about feet. From past experience with Cole, Kit imagined he'd be
spending
more time with her nipples than her toes.
Hastily,
she rubbed unscented lotion over her body, and then gave herself a little spray of her favorite perfume.

Standing
nude
before her open wardrobe
,
Kit contemplated the choices for this evening's attire.
Just what
does
one wear to a man's home for an evening of sex? Perhaps I should simply toss on an
overcoat
.
The thought made her wince. Whatever outfit she chose would be coming off. That realization sent a shiver down her spine. Was it a shiver born of yearning or apprehension?

Cool sun
dresses - easy to go on and easy to come off - were dismissed. The temperatures of autumn had slipped far from summer and were sinking into the promises of winter. Although denims were appropriate for the current weather, when the tightly fitting slacks eased off Kit's full
bod
y,
they left red ridges across her waist, an unpleasant testimony to her extra weight. Her sloppy, unfeminine jogging suits mimicked sexless pajamas. In spite of the - easy on - easy off - quality of the jogging suits, Kit would sooner wear
the lone overcoat. At least that outfit
might arouse
sexual curiosity
, and that was the theme for the evening- satisfying sexual curiosity.

Kit
decided to embrace her
grandmother's favorite maxim:
if
you’re
going to do something, do it right.
Do it all the way.
Kit let out a deep sigh before giving her head a little shake to clear the cobwebs of indecision.
Why
not?
She asked herself, gaining more confidence. If she was going to do this thing, why not do it right?

It was unlikely she would ever again agree to something
so
cold hearted and carnal, as plotting a night of se
xual
discovery with a man who offered no promises, no future and no tomorrows. It was understood that after this one night of lust, they would forever close that door and she would be nothing more than his daughter’s caregiver. In spite of all that, Kit was determined to make the most of this evening.

Snaking her arm into the wardrobe, Kit's hand snatched a satin covered hanger holding a midnight blue
silk
dress. Simple lines, the dress' low neckline would offer a tantalizing display of cleavage
;
its slightly flared s
k
irt would compliment Kit's full figure w
hile flattering her toned, well-
shaped legs.

Turning from the wardrobe, Kit tossed the dress across her bed and went to the dresser. Rummaging through her lingerie drawer, she came across a pair of black silk stockings. Freezing for a moment, Kit held the unopened, unused pair of nylons.
Suddenl
y,
she remembered the long ago costume party. She'd purchased two pairs of black nylons - an extra in case of a run. This was the extra pair. Never used, the package
was
never opened
, almost
forgotten. They weren't pantyhose. Flipping the package of black nylons to the bed, Kit hastily pulled the drawer from the dresser and unceremoniously dumped the contents across her quilted bedspread, spilling a jumbled array of tumbling satin, silk and lace.

Sorting through the
various
pieces of undergarments, she found the once used garter belt. Holding the bit of black lace and satin, a sly smile crossed her face.
Why not?
Flinging the bit of decorated elastic
onto the
bed, Kit resumed her search.
It
ended with a black laced bra, purchased
long ago from
Victoria
's Secret
, yet rarely worn.

Before
looking
for the matching panties, Kit stopped herself. If she wore
underpants
, the garter belt would
have to come off before the panties. She rather liked the idea of wrapping her silk clad legs around Cole. One
option was wearing the panties over the garter belt
, yet that would look strange.
Another option was to wear
no panties. Kit began to
chuckle
. Cole teased her about going braless
. Tonight she would wear a bra, yet no panties.

A half an hour later, Kit stood pro
udly before the bathroom's full-
length mirror. Pivoting from side to side, she critically scrutinized the end result. She felt a bit like an exotic dessert, especially prepared for consumption.
She wore her hair loose, falling to her shoulders
.
Her wedding
and engagement rings were in
her jewelry box.
It was the first time she’d
taken them off since going to After Sundown, and she planned to put them back on the next day.
Gold hoop
earrings
were the only adornment, leaving nothing to distract from the elegant lines of the
classic
dress
.

Enormous blue eyes
with dark spiky lashes
looked back
at her
from
the
reflection in the mirror. Kit's tongue
moved over her
glossed lips
as she attempted to ease the wild beating of her
heart. She was squeaky clean, her limbs lotioned, and the familiar fragrance
of her favorite perfume
was barely noticeable
. She slipped on a pair of black high heel shoes and gave herself a final
glance
in the mirror.
Without taking a second look back, Kit hastily turned from the room, switched off the lights, and snatched up her keys and purse.

Ignoring the temptation to phone Kit, Cole paced his living room nervously. Would she show up? He doubted it. Cole fully expected Kit to beg off. Why not, it was an outrageous proposal.
She
was Megan's sitter, for god's sake! As much as he hated to admit it, Cole sincerely liked and respected Kit Landon. True, he had not always harbored such feelings toward
her
. Initially he had believed she was
just
another fast living woman, moving restlessly from bed to bed. As the weeks unfolded, he discovered a
person
whose life centered on the welfare of her only child.

She was willing to share her affections with his daughter, making Megan feel welcome and loved within the Landon household.
How
had he repaid Kit for her loving generosity, and gentle spirit? He seduced her at every turn, seizing every opportunity. Even he was shocked at his own behavior. The desire to claim Kit's body had become an obsession. Hell, he was continually pawing and groping the poor woman. Guilt washed over Cole.
Restlessl
y,
his
fingers
combed
through
his dark hair.

Minutes
late
r,
the doorbell rang. Coming to a decision, Cole flung open the front door and looked into the wonderful blue eyes of Kit Landon. Moments seemed to stretch into minutes. They simply stood there, neither saying a word
-
Kit standing on the front porch, Cole at the edge of the tiled entry hall.

"Are you going to ask me in?" Kit asked softly, mischief spark
l
ed in her eyes.

"Before I do," Cole began, his voice low and ragged. "I need to say something." Kit's eyes widened in interest, she was listening.
Tilting
her head to the side
,
she seemed to sa
y
go on, say it
.

"Kit, I want you. I've wanted you since the first moment
I saw you
. I know I've been relentless and unfair. If you don't want to be here, just turn around and walk away. I still want you to care for
Mega
n,
but I promise to never bother you again." Cole held his breath, waiting for an answer and cursing himself for giving Kit a way out.

Without
say
in
g
a word, Kit stepped through the
doorway
. Cole moved backwards several feet further into his house, allowing Kit room to enter. Gently,
she
shut
the door behind
her and
leaned against
it
, as she looked questioning into Cole’s dark eyes.

They stood there for a moment, neither one saying a word, when finally Cole spoke. “Come here, Kitten,” Cole growled as he reached out and pulled Kit into his embrace. She went willingly, wrapping her arms around his neck, fitting her body against his, as she stood on tiptoes to accept his kiss.

Taking inventory, his hands swept down her shoulders,
along her waist and over the curve of her hips. They dipped under the hem of her dress, moving over the satiny texture of her thighs. His intimate touch sent shivers up Kit’s spine, causing her to squirm a bit and press against Cole.
She could feel the hardness of his erection.

His
hands slid
farther up her legs, finding
the
bare skin of her upper thighs
. He liked that she was wearing a garter belt. 
When his hands reached their
ultimate
destination, Cole froze. Moving abruptly away from the kiss,
his
eyes searched Kit's befuddled expression as his hands firmly cupped the bare skin of
her
firm bottom.

"Holy shit!" Cole fairly groaned
;
his hands gently squeezed the soft cheeks.
That she came to him without any panties he found extremely sexy.
Giving Cole a half smile, Kit dipped her blushing face into his shoulder and nuzzled
it
affectionately, breathing in the spicy scent that was uniquely Cole's. R
ewarding Kit with an exuberant
hug, Cole breathed deeply.