Simply Sex Read Online Free Page B

brunette, and more intense than tense. She seemed to have gathered the loose energy around them, like reining in wild horses, turning them into a team in her hands.
    “Deborah was called away to London, Cole. Gail will reschedule when Deborah returns and I just want to apologize on Janie’s behalf for the mix-up and the delay.”
    A cell phone tinkled. She lifted a finger, smiled apologetically, then whipped the phone out and to her ear. “Candee?” She turned slightly away for privacy. “I made it, but barely. Watched them load it myself. It’ll make the Sunday circulars and ValuPak drops… Mmm-hmm… That’s why I get the big bucks. Send four-dozen Dagwood glazed for the crew at Sun Print, please. Thanks.”
    She smelled good, too, he noticed. Something light, not sweet. Sporty, he thought, was what the magazines called it. No wedding ring. She’s not Deborah, he reminded himself.
    “Gotta run. I’m at dinner… No, as a matter of fact, I’m not alone.” She glanced at Cole, then dropped her gaze. “I do too have a life. Say goodbye, or I’ll ruin yours.”
    She put the phone away and he couldn’t help watching her breasts move beneath her jacket. “Sorry. My secretary. I had a last-minute thing to take care of.” Catching him mid-ogle, she glanced down at herself. “I’m a mess.”
    He cringed at getting caught drooling, though she’d had the grace to pretend he was noting her grooming. Classy lady.
    “Never drink and drive. Or at least, not a mint milkshake.”
    “You look fine,” he said. Good enough to eat. He changed the subject. “Sounded like your secretary was surprised you weren’t alone.”
    “I’m more or less a workaholic and Candee cuts me no slack.”
    “Me, too, but all attorneys are workaholics, so no one cuts anyone slack.”
    “And we know you carved out time for this date, Cole. Janie deeply regrets the error and we’d like to treat you to dinner.”
    “That’s not necessary.” He had a frozen pasta thing in his freezer and the Littlefield work in his briefcase.
    “I insist.”
    The stubborn flicker in her eyes intrigued him and made him say, “Only if you’ll join me.”
    “Of course.” He could tell she’d half hoped he’d let her escape with just the bill. “Janie would never forgive me if I left and some beautiful woman snatched you up before Deborah gets back.”
    “That’s not likely.”
    “Sure it is. You’re a very attractive man.” Sexual interest flared again in her face, sparking a pointless heat in him that he enjoyed immensely.
    She looked at his empty martini glass. “Gin, vodka or something more elaborate?”
    “Gin, neat, olives.”
    “Ah. A traditionalist.”
    The waiter appeared on cue and she ordered another for him and one for her before Cole could object.
    Not that he wanted to. He intended to work when he got home, but how could he pass up the sting of gin while looking over a frosted glass into this woman’s shiny eyes? “I’d arm wrestle you for the check, but something tells me I’d lose.”
    She jammed her elbow onto the table, braced for forearm battle. “Want to try me?” Her tone held mischief and challenge. Go for it, big guy.
    “Too many men watching you. My ego couldn’t take the hit if you beat me.”
    “Come on.” She seemed to think he was just flattering her.
    “I’m not kidding. Every man in the room is sneaking glances.”
    She blushed, which had the effect of making her eyes look greener. “They can’t believe I haven’t been kicked out as a transient.” She brushed at her stained jacket.
    “Trust me, that’s no problem. But you do have a little…” He brushed at his cheek to show her where a smudge remained.
    She scrubbed the spot. “Gone?”
    “Not quite.” He reached out a finger, then thought better of it and dampened his napkin in his water glass to wipe her cheek. Their eyes locked. Energy surged between them.
    “Thanks.” She dried what remained of the water with a finger and they both