Naturally Naughty (19 page)

He wished he had been. He hated like hell to think of anyone hurting her. Ever.

“It was a long time ago, Jack. And you know, being back here has made me remember some of the better times, too. I guess I should be thankful for that. I’d been angry for a long time and let that anger color my memories. It’s good to have some of those nicer moments back.”

He believed she meant it. Hopefully, no matter what else happened, Kate wouldn’t regret this time spent in Pleasantville. Seeing the town through adult eyes had evened out her feelings, much as it had his. “So you think you might come back someday? For a visit?”

She shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”

Before he could reply, they heard the sound of crunching gravel. The bright sheen of headlights washed through the windows of the SUV.

“Oh, my God, someone else is here,” she cried.

They scrambled for their clothes like a couple of kids caught making out by their parents. He tossed her the magical little red underwear she’d worn at the party, watching as she shimmied into her dress. She was giggling hysterically. “Please be the cops and not a guy with an ax and a hook.”

“You got your wish. It’s the cops,” he replied.

Jack was having as hard a time containing his laughter as Kate appeared to be. His first time going parking in more than a decade and they get caught by the town sheriff. Thank heaven it hadn’t been ten minutes before or he doubted they’d have even noticed the approach of the other car.

He’d just zipped his pants when he heard a knock on the driver’s side window, Thankfully, it was tinted. Recognizing Sean Taggart, with whom he’d gone to high school, he slid into the back seat, then opened the door. “Hi, Tag,” he said as he jumped out. He shut the door behind him, giving Kate more time.

“Jack,” the other man said with a nod. Tag pushed his sheriff’s hat up on his head with the tip of one finger, trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin. “You out for a late-night drive?”

“Yep. Enjoying the view over the lake.”

“Well, I can see why you felt the need to take off your shirt. Musta been awful hot with all that steam on the windows.” He glanced at the lake. “But wasn’t it hard to see the view considering you’re parked facing the road, instead of the water?”

Before Jack could reply, Kate stepped out. “Hi, Sheriff,” she said, her face awash with color.

Tag’s eyes widened as he obviously noticed her crooked dress, bare feet and wildly tangled hair. “Kate, isn’t it? Cassie’s cousin?” When Kate nodded, Tag said, “Where is she? I heard a rumor she left town for a few days, which I couldn’t believe since that’d be so incredibly stupid.”

Sensing Tag knew about whatever trouble Cassie was in, Jack waited for her answer, as well. When Kate admitted her cousin had gone to New York for the weekend, and would fly home the next day, Tag swore under his breath. “When does her plane get in?”

“She’s supposed to call me and let me know when she’s leaving New York so I can go pick her up at the airport.”

“Tell you what,” Tag said, his calm tone not hiding his obvious anger. “You call me in the morning and tell me what flight she’s on so I can go pick her up, and I won’t arrest you both for public indecency.”

“We weren’t exactly in public,” Jack said.

“Maybe not. Then again, I’ve just heard an interesting rumor about some mighty strange behavior by the two of you at the mayor’s party, which was
very
public. Now, do we have a deal?”

Kate nibbled on her lip, then finally nodded. “Cassie’s gonna kill me.”

“Not if I kill her first,” Tag muttered as he turned on his heel and strode away. He got into his car, but before leaving, he rolled down his window. “Next time, cut your lights before you pass by old lady Millner’s place. She’s a quarter mile up the road and calls every time a car comes down here late at night.”

Then he drove away, leaving them standing alone.

“Sounds like he’s speaking from experience,” Kate said with a chuckle.

“Tag never had much problem with the girls back in high school.”

“With those looks and that body? I can definitely see why he’d cause a sigh or two.” She gave him a look out of the corner of her eye that screamed mischief.

Okay, Kate wanted him jealous. No problem. He grabbed her arm and tugged her close. Lowering his voice, he whispered, “I’m surprised you can sigh, or even talk at all, considering the way you were screaming ten minutes ago. Your throat must be sore.”

Then he caught her mouth in a hot, wet kiss designed to drive the thought of any other person on the planet out of her mind. Her gentle moans and pliant body told him he’d succeeded.

When they parted, she sucked in a few deep breaths. “You’re definitely scream-worthy, Jack,” she said. “And you certainly know how to show a girl a good time.” She started to giggle, then to laugh out loud. “Oh, my gosh, if Tag tells Cassie about this, she’ll never let me live it down. We made a pact to never go parking with guys when we were in high school. We pinky swore and everything.”

“You mean I was good enough to break a pinky swear for?” he said with a pleased grin. “Wow. I don’t know if anyone’s ever broken a pinky swear just for me.”

She lightly elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t go getting a swelled head.” She leaned back against the car, crossing her arms and letting out an audible sigh. “I’m going to be dead meat when I’m not the one who shows up tomorrow to pick Cassie up at the airport.”

“Something’s going on between your cousin and the sheriff?”

“I think so.”

“Tag’s a nice guy. And a patient one, which is good,
since I suspect your cousin could try the patience of a saint.”

“Good thing that doesn’t run in the family,” she said, giving him a deceptively innocent look. When he raised one skeptical brow, she rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay, I guess I can be a pain in the butt, too.”

“Nah,” he said with a deliberate shrug. “In spite of a deplorable lack of sweetness, you’re not so bad.”

Her grin widened. “Do you know how nice it is to be with someone who doesn’t expect me to be sweet?” She straightened, stepped away from the SUV, and put her arms out to her sides. Spinning around, she almost yelled, “God, tonight was
fun
. Outrageous and naughty, and definitely not sweet!”

“Yeah, it was,” he admitted, remembering how aroused he’d been by her at the party. He loved watching her again now as she almost danced in the moonlight, her hair swinging wildly around her face. “But I hate to break it to you, babe. I suspect you really are kinda sweet, deep down.”

She stopped. “Keep that up and you’ll be walking home.”

He jiggled his pants’ pocket. “I’ve got your keys.”

She stepped closer, laying her hand flat on his bare chest and giving him a limpid look. “Wanna place a bet on how fast I can get into your pants and get them back?”

He shook his head. “I think we’ve already proved you hold the world’s record on getting into my pants, Kate.”

“Ditto,” she admitted, trailing her hand across his bare chest to his stomach. “So does that make us both cheap and easy?”

“Only with each other.” He swallowed a groan as her hand moved lower, brushing across the front of his pants.

“Fair enough.”

Jack liked the humor on her face and the sparkle in her
eyes. He liked seeing Kate happy. He’d seen her that way much more often lately. The angry, mistrustful woman who’d come back to Pleasantville for revenge had been erased.

He hoped he’d had something to do with that. Because there was no question in his mind Kate had changed him. For the better. He doubted she’d believe it, he had trouble believing it himself, but he was falling in love with her. Falling hard and fast.

He’d started the slide the first time he’d laid eyes on her across Magnolia Avenue. Making love to her that same day had strengthened the feeling. Every day they’d spent together since then had been better than the one before.

“Come on,” he said, tugging her by the hand. “Let’s go down to the lake.”

Though she wore an obviously expensive dress, Kate didn’t hesitate. They walked hand in hand down to the edge of the lake, moving across the cool sand until they reached the shore. The warm water, lit by the bright, star-filled sky, lapped at their bare feet in a gentle rhythm. Not caring about his pants, he pulled her in deeper, until they stood almost knee deep. He tugged her close, sliding his arms around her waist. She came into them easily, curling against his chest, tucking her head beneath his chin.

“I used to come up here to swim late at night,” he said as he gently slid his fingers into her hair.

“It’s warm enough,” she replied. “But I don’t really want to swim.”

“Me neither. I’d rather stay just like this.”

With Kate wrapped securely in his arms.

That seemed to be exactly what she wanted, too.

T
HE NEXT DAY
, before Armand left to go back to Chicago, Kate asked him if he’d had a good time at the party after
they’d left. He’d simply smiled and said, “It was a night that won’t be forgotten for a long time.”

Thanking him for the panties, she’d admitted she felt the same way.

The night before had been magic. Not only the party, not just the frantic sex in the back of her car. But standing there, wrapped in Jack’s arms as they stood in the moonlight, simply enjoying each other’s closeness. They’d exchanged long, languorous kisses, sweet, delicate touches. They hadn’t talked much, nor had they made love again. Somehow, though, the night felt like the most intimate one they’d shared.

At some point Kate had even been able to admit the truth to herself. Not only did she no longer distrust Jack, she was falling in love with him.

Not intentionally, probably not wisely, but there it was. She loved the son of the man who’d broken her mother’s heart.

“Maybe it’s fate,” she told herself. “Maybe we can have the happy ending in this generation.”

She told herself not to hope too much. After all, she’d gone through most of her adult life not believing she could ever trust someone enough to experience real love. Somehow, though, he’d worked past her defenses and captured her heart. She was simply unable to help it.

Cassie called Monday morning, and, to Kate’s complete surprise, didn’t even scold her for not picking her up from the airport. She did act very strange, though. Something had obviously happened between her and the sheriff after he’d picked her up, but Kate wasn’t about to pry. After all, Cassie didn’t question her about being caught having sex up at the lake with Jack. Kate had to figure it was because Tag hadn’t told her. Cassie would never have let something that juicy go without comment if she knew. She’d instead been much
more interested in hearing all about the Bunko party and the mayor’s reception, seeming surprised to hear about the friendliness of so many of the women Kate had met.

When her cousin called again at noon, Kate instantly knew Cassie was in one of her wild moods. She sounded ready for something to happen. From experience, she figured that meant Cassie wanted something
dangerous
to happen.

Still, she had to admit, Cassie’s idea was a good one. “You’re saying we should have a pre-opening, private party for women only in the store tomorrow night?”

“Think of it as a very naughty Tupperware party.”

It sounded ridiculous, outrageous and impossible.

And Kate loved the idea.

Their store would open in exactly one week. How better to test the waters than to invite some of the women Kate had met recently for a test run? They’d seemed modern and open about sex and relationships, and also starved for the type of products the store would carry. Deep down, she suspected they’d welcome Bare Essentials. The party would be the perfect time to find out.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t a nervous wreck. She liked these women, she really did, and she hated to imagine how she’d feel if they couldn’t look past the titillation factor and see the potential for the store.

She wanted them to like Bare Essentials.

More importantly, she didn’t want them to
dislike
her.

Kate did not pause to wonder when her goals had changed—she only knew they had. She no longer wanted only to cause controversy. Damn it, she wanted to succeed. She wanted the women of Pleasantville to be glad the Tremaine cousins had come back.

Thirty-six hours later, standing in the middle of a crowd of laughing women, she realized she needn’t have worried.

“Oh, my God, Kate, no wonder you know so much about seduction!” Viv said as she greedily dug through the racks of erotic movies in the store.

“I never thought I’d say this, but these might be even better than Dr. Martens.” This from Josie as she stood in front of a mirror, holding a jade-green silk teddy up against her body.

Diane went for the sex toys. “Anyone know which end is up?”

Crossing her arms and nodding in satisfaction, Kate met Cassie’s eye from across the room. They exchanged a long, knowing look, each realizing that in spite of the way they’d started out, they were witnessing the birth of a bona fide success.

Who’d have ever believed it?

Soon the store was overflowing with chattering women. All the Bunko players came, and they brought friends. Cassie had also invited one woman, Stacie, who was a relative newcomer to town herself and seemed thrilled to meet all the others. Cassie and Kate could barely keep up with the sales, chatter and laughter. They passed around wine and hors d’oeuvres, and as the evening wore on, the sales added up.

“Well, all I know is, I want to buy whatever it was Kate had on under her dress at the party Saturday night,” Diane said, fisting her hands and putting them on her hips. “Come on, show me. No cheesecake in the world is that good.”

“Sorry,” Kate said with a rueful shrug. “It’s still in the testing phase. Armand is working on it, though, and I’m sure the store will be carrying them before too long.”

“Armand,” Diane said with a snicker. “He cracked me and Will up the other night. I don’t know what he said to Darren and Angela, but I thought they were going to shit bricks.”