Seducing the Photographer (At First Sight) (8 page)

“That long.” Allie pulled her hand free. “A week will be long enough to let her stew.”

“I’m not going after her until this cast is gone. You can help. Just remind her of my existence. Say once a day.”

“I can do that.” She stepped back. “Call if you need anything else. See you.”

* * *

Meg was going to kill her sister except Allie wasn’t close enough to touch. The phone call had interrupted Meg’s storm of tears and she refused to admit either anger or disappointment. “I’m fine.”

“Do you want to know how Steve is? I saw him this afternoon. He had an interesting reaction when he learned you left.”

“Why would I care?” Meg sank on the couch. “I did the family thing and picked him up at the airport. I felt sorry for him so I stayed until Simone arrived to claim her rights.” She drew a deep breath. Had she managed to show the indifference she didn’t feel?

“She isn’t at his place,” Allie said. “He kicked her out.”

Meg felt a jolt of hope bubbling to the surface. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Think.”

“The weekend didn’t matter. I explored something of interest.” Her inner voice screamed.
Liar, liar.
“I broke my rules and paid the price.” Even if he’d booted Simone out he would find someone else. He had heard her confession of love and dismissed her words as false. Steve had no desire for a permanent connection with her or anyone else.

“I think he cares about you.” Allie said.

Though her sister couldn’t see, Meg shook her head. “Think again. What he cares about is hot sex.”

“How was it?”

“Allie!” Meg felt her face burn bright.

“Call him. I’ll give you his number.” She recited a string.

“I’m not listening.” But she was. “Enough. I have things to do. I’ve great ideas for the February issue and I have to work while they’re hot.”

“That’s a switch. You usually wait for a team conference and make your plan at the last moment. Give me a hint so I can coordinate Good Eatin’ with yours. Maybe we can convince the brothers to slant their issues.”

Meg sank onto a chair. “Are you alone?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I don’t want a hint to escape, especially since Simone was snooping around.”

“So what? Greg’s here. He certainly won’t be speaking to her. Now, give.”

“A feast for the senses starting with a spread about Peek-A-Boo and the lingerie.” Meg sighed. “I spent a fortune there. Could you have Greg prepare a menu with recipes the average cook can handle?”

“Will do.”

Meg yawned. “Let me go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up and reached for paper and pen. She jotted ideas using the five senses. Tomorrow she would speak to the writers and ask for feedback. She would have the staff find products to feature,

A new rule popped into her thoughts.
When disappointed in love find an absorbing project.

A week passed and then a second. Thoughts of Steve hovered at the periphery of her mine. Allie’s constant updates about his condition and living arrangements didn’t help with expunging her memories or sooth the raw places of her heart. Meg pushed herself to complete the plans for February and to check the progress of the upcoming issues.

At times she reached for the phone to call him. What could she say?
I think of you every day. My body recalls the way you touched me and yearns to feel your hands on my skin.

She reached for the phone and dialed the number Allie had recited. The phone rang once. She hung up. What was the use? If he wanted her in his life he would have called. How would he act when he returned to work?

On Monday of the third week, a package appeared on her desk. She opened the card and found a crystal ball with a red rose inside. She opened the card and read the message. “These are everlasting.”

Had Steve sent them? The card wasn’t signed and she’d never seen his handwriting. If she called to thank him and he denied being the sender she would feel like a fool. A bud of hope formed. Would it bloom?

On Tuesday a box of chocolates arrived moments before Allie popped in to discuss several future issues of Good Eatin’ so they could coordinate. Meg pocketed the card.

“Chocolates,” Allie said. “Are you opening them?”

“Not just any chocolates. They’re called Silken Savories.” Meg opened the box and took one. The creamy chocolate held a hint of spice.

Allie moaned and reached for a second. “They’re wonderful. Where did you find them? Are they going to be featured in the February issue?”

“Maybe.” If she could discover where they could be bought. If Steve had sent them what had he written on the card? Did his thoughts go beyond I want you? “How’s the lover’s menu developing?”

“Greg’s working on menus to make them easy to follow.” Allie grinned. “We’re been eating savory menus lately. You should have them soon.”

“Good. If I can handle the cooking anyone who can read shouldn’t have a problem. “Did you speak to Mark and Matt?”

“They’re thinking.” Allie took a third piece of candy.

Meg laughed. “Do you want the box?”

“They’re yours.”

“Have you chosen the colors for the wedding yet?”

“Silver and gold. We’re heading to Europe for the honeymoon. We’ll be gone for a month.”

Meg looked away. Not a good idea to let her envy show.

Allie rose and walked to the door. “See you.”

Meg opened the card. “How and sweet like your kisses.”

Had to be Steve. Should she call or wait to see what he planned? What if she called and learned this was an elaborate way to tease her? She wanted forever. She wasn’t sure he was a man to grant that wish.

On Wednesday a basket filled with scented creams and lotions appeared on Meg’s desk. Before she removed the card Allie snatched and held the envelope out of Meg’s reach.

Allie danced away. “Silken Moments. Imagine my hands smoothing your skin with these.” She laughed. “So that’s what he meant. Steve’s sending these gifts. Told you he likes you.”

Memories stormed Meg’s body. Remember and imagine. She hadn’t been about to forget the weekend. “The cards aren’t signed. Could be someone else.”

“My money’s on him. I’d say he’s ready to be plucked.”

“Could be just another way to tease me. The events of last weekend could be the biggest mistake of my life.”

Allie arched a brow. “Tell me more about what went on.”

“Not happening.”

“Heard a rumor that he’s healed faster than the doctor in Alaska thought. He’s scheduled for a meeting on Monday with Mark to talk about a new assignment.”

Meg shrugged. How could she guess what the gifts meant? If he intended a seduction ending in a fling she had to walk away. No matter how much she regretted the decision. New rule two.

Do not fall for seduction.

She looked up. “What’s new on the wedding plans?”

“I have a great idea.”

“Since I’m your maid of honor, tell me.”

Allie laughed. “I turned all the boring details over to Greg’s mom. Our step-mother likes fussing. We’ll close the restaurant and have the reception there.” She opened a folder. “Sketches of the dresses.”

Meg studied the pictures. “Mind if I make some changes. Remember I studied design.”

Allie grinned. “Why else would I show them to you? Put your degree to work. See you in a few days. I’m off to Atlanta to visit several restaurants.”

On Thursday an Oriental silk painting arrived. Meg’s cheeks burned. The painted couple were posed in an erotic position. She opened the card. “Tonight when you’re falling asleep dream of the couple being us.”

Did that mean she would see him before Monday? Thoughts of his suggestion of workplace encounters flowed freely. For a few moments the images appeared. She clenched her hands to stem the urge to touch her body in places where he had.
Enough. To work.

When she reached her apartment she spent the evening hoping and waiting to hear an announcement of a visitor. She fell asleep on the couch.

On Friday no package appeared on her desk. Meg's spirits drooped. She plunged into work and concentrated on planning new issues of Good Lookin’. When she finished a final note she realized everyone had left. She grabbed her bag and hurried to her apartment.

The doorman waved. “I had to sign for a package.”

Meg stopped, took the box and headed to the elevator. “Thanks.”

Inside the apartment she stared at the park. Was Steve there? Was this another tease? She opened the box and pulled out a sheer black silk nightshirt. A dragon had been painted on the front. She recalled the briefs she had seen at Peek-A-Boo.

She opened the card and read.
Wear this tonight. Expect a guest at seven. We need to talk.

Meg laughed. Talk? While wearing that? She glanced at her watch. Six thirty. Barely enough time to shower and dress.

* * *

Steve stood outside Meg’s apartment door. After he’d shown the doorman the ring he planned to slip on her finger there’d been no problem allowing him to go up without and announcement. He held a carrier with the recipes and food Greg had given him. He smiled. Would she wear the dragon shirt that matched his briefs? He rang the bell.

“Who?”

“Steve.”

He heard the clicks of locks. “Come in.” Her husky voice flowed like honey. He set the container on the floor and closed the door with his foot.

“You’re looking good,” she said.

As he moved closer the aroma of one of the lotions he’d sent wafted toward him. The silk scroll hung on the wall. The sheer black shirt she wore enticed him to touch. When he reached for her she held a chocolate to his lips. “Saved this for you.”

He took the candy and her fingers into his mouth. As he sucked she moaned. “Tastes about as good as you,” he said.

“You are wearing too many clothes.” She unbuttoned his shirt and smoothed her hands over his skin. Heat spiraled from the touch. “The bruises are gone.”

“And the cast.” He slipped off his shoes and socks. He lowered his slacks. He pointed to the wall. “Stand over there and watch.”

“Want some music.” She hummed.

“Don’t make me laugh.” His slacks moved over his hips. “Keep your eye on the dragon.” He tossed the slacks aside. As he walked toward her his erection rose.

“We match,” Meg said.

“Let’s say we compliment each other.” He braced his hands on either side of her head and brushed her mouth with his. He teased the contour with his tongue and slid his hands beneath the black silk to touch her smooth skin. She made a sound that spurred him. He wanted to rush but they had all night. He planned to enjoy every moment.

The heated kiss brought a sizzle to his nerve endings. Tongues tangled. He growled. She purred. She gripped his shoulders and met his tongue with thrusts in her own exploration of his mouth.

He sucked in a breath. Her face flushed and he knew her skin changed color with desire. Over the melted blend of their aromas he smelled desire. “I want you.”

Her hand stroked his dragon. “That’s evident.”

He opened the buttons of her sleep shirt to cup her breasts. He tasted each one with his tongue then sucked. She growled. The sound flowed over and through him. The sleep shirt gathered at her feet.

She slid her hands into his briefs and caressed him. His shaft throbbed. She tugged them down. His cock sprang free. He grasped her hands. “This time is mine.”

“But I want to pleasure you.”

“You have and you will.”

He rained kissed on her face and clasped her waist. He ran his tongue over her chin and along her collar bone. The slight salty taste of her brought a desire for more. He fondled one of her breasts, ran his tongue over the nipple and lightly nipped. The way she rocked against him stirred his wish for more. With fingers and teeth he removed the black thong. He ran his tongue over her cleft and swirled around her clit.

She was ready for him. He rose and lifted her. As she wrapped her arms around his neck he slid home. “You are so tight and so ready. Bedroom?”

“Down the hall.”

As he carried her the subtle movements made his growl. He would soon explode.

* * *

As Steve lowered them to the bed Meg tightened her legs around his hips. He followed and remained fully seated. She ran her fingers through his hair. This was bliss. Had he meant to call her love or had the words been born of the passion? She wanted to believe he’d meant his words but feared he didn’t. Would this intensity remain when the afterglow ended?

He rose to his knees and began to move. Their mouths joined and tongues repeated the rhythm. As he thrust harder and faster the burn began. She dug her fingers into his shoulders.

No matter what happened she would love him forever. The burn grew more intense and flowed from their journey to reach fulfillment. The sounds he made filled her with the need to join her voice with his. He threw his head back and released her mouth.