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Upon her return, Rose raved about both the trip and Todd Winslow. Gushing over the courteous way he’d treated her and hinting broadly to Kate that he was perfect husband material. Kate had seen Todd on the show and agreed. He was even more handsome now than he had been in high school. With her mother’s glowing recommendation ringing in her ears, Kate had made an impulsive decision to invite him to the anniversary party. She’d been shocked when he’d accepted the invitation. Especially since he would have to travel over eleven hundred miles from Los Angeles to attend.
Todd had sent his RSVP via e-mail, and they’d been corresponding that way ever since. His messages were both funny and flirtatious. Kate had never thought that she could attract a man like Todd—but now she had the skirt. The altered skirt.
How could she find out if it still worked? The sound of a jackhammer pounding the pavement outside gave her the answer. She’d stroll the sidewalk and see if the construction workers noticed. Of course, a few of them had made catcalls and whistles when she walked into the house so it might be hard to tell. But it was still worth a shot.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and opened her bedroom door, running straight into the man who stood on the other side of it. Lurching back, she screamed as he reached out and caught her by the shoulders.
“It’s all right. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s me. Brock Gannon.”
Her heart beating wildly in her chest, she took a deep breath, trying to subdue the adrenaline rush. “Brock?”
It simply couldn’t be him. Brock Gannon was a skinny teenager with a black leather jacket. This man wasn’t skinny. And he wasn’t a teenager. He stood well over six feet tall and his broad shoulders almost spanned the doorway of her room.
“Brock,” she said again. “Is it really you?”
He nodded. Then his gaze dropped down her body, rising ever so slowly again until his gun metal-gray eyes met hers once more. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He just stood there, staring at her with a look of stunned disbelief on his face.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her mind whirling. Brock hadn’t been in the house for over a decade. At one time, he and her brother Tony had been inseparable, sharing a love of fast cars and even faster women. He’d certainly never given Kate, a chubby teenager with pigtails, a second look.
But she’d been a little wary of him anyway. He’d always dressed like a tough hood, with clothes that never seemed to fit his gawky body. He’d never talked much either. And she knew he’d gotten into his share of trouble. It all culminated when he got in a fight his senior year in high school—with Todd Winslow of all people—and had been expelled. Brock had joined the Navy the next day and she hadn’t seen him since.
How ironic that the boy he’d beaten up was the man she’d been fantasizing about just a few minutes before. She wondered if Brock even remembered Todd Winslow, or knew how well he’d done for himself. But judging by his expression, Brock didn’t even remember her.
Then a slow smile curved his mouth, transforming his face into one of the most handsome she’d ever seen. “Katie the Pest? Is it really you?”
She took a step closer to him, surprised to feel a slight wobble in her knees. She held out her hand. “It’s just plain Kate now.”
“Hardly,” he breathed, grasping her hand and pulling her toward him for a hug.
Kate sucked in her breath at the hard strength of his body. Brock Gannon had definitely grown up. She felt the scrape of his whiskers against her cheek and the contour of his finely honed biceps beneath her fingertips. At last, she stepped away from him, a blush warming her cheeks. From the way he was staring at her, she wasn’t the only one disconcerted by the unexpected reunion.
Then it hit her. Brock was looking at her like that because of the skirt. It obviously still worked. But rather than relief, she felt a twinge of disappointment. Brock probably wouldn’t have given her a second glance except for this skirt. The adrenaline rush she’d felt at his arrival began to fade away and the question she had when she first saw him standing outside her bedroom door came back.
“How did you get into the house?”
He hesitated a moment. “The door was open.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe I forgot to lock it.” She must have been so excited about trying on the skirt that it had completely slipped her mind.
“I just walked right in.” He smiled. “I guess old habits die hard.”
She knew her parents’ house had once been like a second home for Brock. His own home life had been less than ideal, according to her brother Tony. The tiny apartment he shared with his mother was in a seedy part of town, most of their furniture and clothes secondhand. His mother worked nights as a cocktail waitress, leaving Brock to fend for himself. Which was why he’d spent most of his time at the Talavera’s house.
But that was over a dozen years ago. She found it a little odd that he had just walked right in and up the stairs to her bedroom. “What brings you to Seattle?”
He hesitated a moment. “I came for the party.”
“Oh.” She’d sent an invitation to his mother, asking her to pass it along to him, but hadn’t heard a word from either of them. “I never got your RSVP, so I just assumed you weren’t coming.”
“I hope it’s not a problem.”
“No, of course not…” The sound of voices emanating from the living room made her grab his arm. “It’s Mom and Dad! They can’t see you here.”
His brow furrowed. “Why not?”
She pulled him into her bedroom, then swung the door shut. “Because then they’ll know something is up. I’m throwing them a surprise anniversary party. If you suddenly show up after all these years, I know they’ll suspect something.”
“Do you want me to climb out the window?”
“You’ll break your neck if you do. I’m on the second floor. Just stay in here until the coast is clear.” A knock at the door made Kate jump.
“Katie, can I come in?” Rose Talavera asked from the other side of the door.
“Just a minute, Mom.” Kate whirled toward Brock. “Get under the bed!”
“How about the closet?”
“There’s no room in there.” She pushed him down toward the floor, then watched him scoot under the bed.
Her father’s voice emanated from the hallway. “Why are you standing out here, Rose? Where’s Katie?”
“She won’t let me in,” Rose replied.
“Are you all right in there, Katie?” Sid Talavera called through the door.
“I’m fine,” she shouted as she straightened the bed ruffle to conceal the six feet, two inches of male hiding underneath. Then she sat down on the edge of the mattress. “Come in.”
The door opened and her mother and father entered the room. Sid was a building contractor, his burly frame a testament to his profession. Rose was a head shorter than her husband, with full, pink cheeks and a ready smile.
Rose looked around the bedroom. “I thought I heard you talking to someone.”
“Just myself.” Kate stood up and twirled around. “Thank you for fixing the skirt, Mom. It’s perfect.”
Sid frowned. “It’s a little short, isn’t it?”
Rose smiled. “So, some men like to see a bit of leg. What’s wrong with that?”
“All I’m saying is that there’s not very much material there. And I don’t know why both of you have been so excited about this skirt. I was expecting to see sequins or something a little more dazzling.”
“It’s subtle.” Rose reached out to brush at a small spot near the hem. “Men like subtle. And they like legs. It’s a good combination.”
“I still say my Katie doesn’t need some magic skirt to win a man. They should be falling at her feet like flies.”
Kate’s cheeks burned as she thought of the man currently laying in the proximity of her feet. She never should have told her parents about the skirt. Or it’s effect on men. But she couldn’t worry about that now. She had to find a way to get Brock out of the house without her parents seeing him.
“Well, some men need a shove before they will fall,” Rose said, rising to her daughter’s defense. “And if the skirt can help give them that shove, what’s the harm?”
Sid still didn’t look happy about it. “So what exactly are you planning to do, Katie? Stand around in shopping malls and cruise the aisles of Safeco field during a Mariners game looking for men?”
“A Mariners game?” Rose shook her head. “Baseball season doesn’t even start for two months. I think she should strike while the skirt is hot. She’s been a bridesmaid in two weddings since Christmas, thanks to this skirt. Now it’s our Katie’s turn to be the bride.”
“Don’t worry, Dad,” Kate assured him. “I don’t plan to go trolling for men. I’ve got one picked already.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “Who is it? Do I know him? What does he do for a living? Does he come from a nice family?”
Kate held up both hands. She’d already said more than enough. Certainly more than she wanted Brock Gannon to hear. “I know you’ll like him, Mom, but that’s all I’m going to say for now. He may not be interested in me.”
“If that’s the case,” Sid replied, “then he’s too stupid to be my son-in-law.”
“I need to change now,” Kate said, glancing at her watch.
Sid and Rose moved toward the door. Her mother turned on her way out. “Let me wash that spot out of the skirt. I was making cannoli while I was mending it and must have spilled a little dab on the hem.”
“That’s okay. I’ll take it with me and wash it out later. I’ve got to get back to work.”
Rose looked disappointed. “I was hoping you could eat lunch with us.”
“Sorry, Mom. There’s a big meeting of investment bankers scheduled later this afternoon and I need to check in and make sure everything is ready.”
Sid rubbed his hands together. “So that means more cannoli for me.”
Rose tutted under her breath as she followed her husband out of the room. “You get one cannoli, Sid Talavera. I mean it. And don’t try to sneak one past me like you did last time…” Her voice trailed off as they moved down the hallway.
Kate walked over to the door and closed it. “Okay. You can come out now.”
Brock slowly slid out from under the bed, his dark hair slightly tussled. “It’s been quite awhile since I’ve hidden under a girl’s bed.” He smiled. “Makes me feel seventeen again.”
His smile made her stomach feel funny. “Glad to know I’m not your first.” She held out her hand to help him to his feet, her heart skittering at the way his big hand closed around her fingers.
“Thanks,” he said, straightening to his full height.
“You’re welcome,” she replied, automatically reaching up to brush the dust bunnies out of his hair.
He took a step closer to Kate as her fingers rippled through the short, silky strands of his hair. She suddenly realized how intimate it was and drew her hand back as if she’d been burned. “Sorry.”
“Me, too.” He said huskily. “I’m sorry you stopped.”
She swallowed, then turned around. “I need to change clothes, then I’ll find a way to sneak you out of the house. Do you have hotel reservations somewhere?”
“Every place I checked was full. I was hoping I might stay here.”
She turned to face him again. “That won’t work. Not if I want to keep this party a surprise. And you’re right about the hotels. February is a busy convention month is Seattle. I work as a meeting planner at the Hartington.”
“So I heard.”
She nodded, aware that he’d heard every word of the conversation with her parents. She wondered why he hadn’t asked about the skirt yet. After all, even she would admit it was a little bizarre to believe a skirt could find you the man of your dreams. She’d still be a doubter if she hadn’t seen the effects for herself. On the other hand, maybe Brock was used to desperate women and wanted to steer clear of the subject.
“Most of my time at the hotel is spent coordinating business meetings and conferences, but I also organize parties and receptions. That’s where my parents anniversary party will be held.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Which is still two weeks away. What do you plan to do in the meantime?”
He shrugged. “See the sights. Take a trip out to Whidbey Island. Reacquaint myself with the city…” His gaze lingered on her. “And old friends.”
It was the tone of his voice more than his words that made her skin tingle. It’s the skirt, she sternly reminded herself. Brock didn’t really want her, he was just reacting to the skirt’s magnetic qualities.
“I might be able to squeeze you into a room at the Hartington,” she said, quickly changing the subject. “We usually have one or two last-minute cancellations.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Good. Then I’ll just change clothes and we can be on our way.”
“Need any help?”
Kate blushed, a little surprised at the obvious strength of the skirt’s seductive powers. “I’m old enough to change clothes all by myself now, Brock.” She gathered up the linen pantsuit on the bed and headed toward the door. “But thanks for offering.”
She opened the door, then closed it again. “Can you believe it? My parents are still out there arguing about the cannoli.”
He moved up behind her. “I can see Sid’s point. Your mother’s cannoli is incredible.”
His warm breath caressed her neck, sending a delicious tingle throughout her body. She swallowed hard, then peeked again through the crack in the door. “They just disappeared into their bedroom. Their door is closed. Now is your chance to make your escape. I’ll run interference if they come out before you make it to the front door.”
“Okay,” he said, moving into the hallway. But his gaze was still fixed on her.
“Go,” she cried, giving him a shove. “Before they see you. I’ll meet you this evening at the Hartington Hotel on Yesler Way.”
He smiled. “I’ll be waiting.”
3
BROCK FOLLOWED Kate into the lobby of the Hartington Hotel, his eyes glued to the sexy sway of her hips. She wore a pantsuit now instead of that skirt, but he could still envision the long, slender line of her legs. The way the silky fabric of the skirt had molded to her sweetly curved rear end. He imagined himself fitting his hands there, her body moving against him…
He mentally shook himself. Brock had been attracted to women before, but he’d never let it affect his mission. And his mission was simple. He had to get his hands on the skirt. Unfortunately, it looked as if he’d have to get close to Kate to do it.
That wasn’t part of his plan.
Whenever possible, he tried to avoid contact with people during a mission. It tended to make things too unpredictable. And potentially dangerous. His normal routine was to research the object he’d been hired to recover, map out a strategy for obtaining it, then leave the vicinity before anyone was the wiser.
Only nothing had gone right with this particular mission from the start. His research hadn’t turned up an address for Kate, so he’d decided to search the Talavera house for information. Picking the lock on the front door hadn’t been a problem, but the last person he’d expected to find inside was Kate.
Especially since she was nothing like he remembered.
When had she turned from a sweet, chubby kid with a crooked smile into a sweet, sexy woman with a luscious mouth that could drive a man wild? Not to mention her big brown eyes, generous curves and legs that went on forever and a day.
The sight of her had turned him from a coolheaded professional into a man who could barely think straight. He’d almost blown the mission and now found himself in deeper than he ever wanted to be.
It was time for a new strategy.
Kate conferred with a clerk at the front desk, then turned to face him. “Looks like we’re full tonight, but there should be a room opening up tomorrow. So I guess that means you’ll have to stay with me.”
His pulse picked up a notch at the implied invitation. Business, Gannon, he reminded himself sternly. Keep your mind on the mission. He took a deep breath. “Are you sure that won’t be too much trouble?”
She smiled. “Not at all. I’m in one of the employee suites, so there’s plenty of room.”
It was a perfect setup. He’d be in the same room with the skirt. As soon as Kate was asleep tonight, he could grab it, then hop on the first airplane out of Seattle. Except…
She would know he was the one who stole it.
Usually Brock didn’t give a damn about what people thought of him. But somehow the idea of her believing he was a thief, as well as a liar, unsettled him. When he thought of Kate telling the rest of the Talaveras the story, his blood turned cold.
But what choice did he have? If he didn’t take the skirt, someone else would.
He followed Kate to the elevator, which took them to her third-floor suite. The door opened to a tasteful sitting area with a computer desk and fax machine in one corner. A small kitchenette graced the other corner of the room, complete with small refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and sink. Another door led to a bedroom in the back and a luxurious bathroom lay in between.
“This is nice,” he said, setting his suitcase next to the door.
“It’s been home for the past couple of months. We’ve been so busy at the hotel, that I’m working most of the time anyway, so it’s handy.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Where do you want me to sleep?”
To his surprise, he saw a pretty pink blush steal up her neck and settle in her cheeks. Was it possible that he wasn’t the only one having erotic fantasies about that king-size bed in the next room?
“On the sofa. It might be a little lumpy, but it should be long enough for you. I can have some extra linens and pillows sent up.”
“Sounds good.” Not as good as sharing a pillow with Kate, but a man couldn’t have everything.
She glanced at the computer. “Do you mind if I check my e-mail, or do you want to go straight to bed?”
“I think I’ll hop in the shower if you don’t mind.” He didn’t tell her it was going to be a cold one.
“Go right ahead.”
Once Kate was alone in the sitting room she phoned housekeeping, then hurried over to the computer desk and sat down. It only took a few moments for the computer to come to life and begin downloading her e-mail.
Most of the messages were related to upcoming conferences and meetings. But two of them made her sit up in her chair. They were both from Todd Winslow. Kate heard the shower running in the bathroom and did her best not to picture Brock standing under the stream of pulsating water. A naked Brock.
She took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the computer, clicking on Todd’s first message. The opening line made her smile.
Dear Kate,
It sprinkled here in Los Angeles today and I thought of you and that lovely Seattle weather. I’ll have to buy an umbrella sometime in the next two weeks. You wouldn’t believe all the things I have laid out to pack for my trip. It’s almost like I’m moving back home. Hey, maybe that’s not such a bad idea.
Fondly,
Todd
It was a typical e-mail from Todd. He made it a point to e-mail her every day now. Sometimes just to say hello. Once in awhile he sent along a joke or told her about a problem he was having at work. Over the past few weeks, his messages had become more personal. He’d mentioned several times how anxious he was to see her again.
Kate just hoped he had the same reaction as Brock when he saw her in the skirt. Just thinking about that flare of heat she’d seen in Brock’s gray eyes made her heart skip a beat. If the skirt could affect a man as implacable as Brock Gannon, it could work on anyone.
She clicked on the next message, surprised that Todd had broken his routine and sent her two e-mails on the same day. She was even more surprised when she read it.
Kate,
I’m normally not an impulsive person but it’s late and I’ve been thinking about you and I’m going to ask you before I chicken out. Will you go out to dinner with me when I get to Seattle?
Hopefully yours,
Todd
Kate stared at the computer screen, unable to believe her eyes. He’d asked her out. Todd Winslow. High school golden boy. Owner of one of the most successful home shopping networks on cable television. She planted both palms on the computer desk and took a deep breath. It was happening. It was really happening.
And he hadn’t even seen her in the skirt yet!
Once he did…anything could happen. Chelsea and Gwen were proof of that. In a few short weeks, it could be Kate walking down the aisle. She closed her eyes, picturing the moment. The glow of happiness on her bridegroom’s face. Her eyes flew open when she realized the man waiting at the altar in her imagination was not Todd Winslow.
It was Brock Gannon.
Flustered, she stood up at the same time a soft knock sounded on the door to her suite. She let the housekeeper in, then helped her make up the sofa. There was a perfectly logical explanation for confusing Brock with Todd, she thought to herself as she plumped a feather pillow. She hadn’t seen Todd in person for over a decade, just his image on television.
While Brock was in the next room. Naked in the next room. And she had to admit he’d turned into a strikingly handsome man. Okay, handsome might be an understatement. Just looking at him made her long for steamy nights and silk sheets. But any woman would be having fantasies about him. It was perfectly natural.
“Will there be anything else, Ms. Talavera?” the maid asked.
“No, thank you, Marva,” Kate replied, handing her a tip. “Wait a minute, there is one more thing.” She walked into the bedroom and pulled the skirt out of the closet. “Could you make sure this gets to the drycleaner for me? It has a small spot near the hem and I’m afraid to wash it.”
“Certainly,” Marva said, taking the hanger out of Kate’s hand. “It should be back on Friday.”
“I’m going to call the drycleaner tomorrow morning and give him special instructions, so I’ll probably make arrangements to pick it up myself.”
“Very well, Ms. Talavera.”
As soon as the maid left the suite, Kate marched over to the computer and sat down to accept Todd’s invitation. This was not a time for second thoughts. Not when her dream was about to come true.
She knew Todd was perfect for her. He was bright, articulate and successful. They’d practically grown up together. Not that she’d spent a lot of time with Todd back then, since they had run with different crowds. In fact, more than once she’d gotten the feeling that he went out of his way to avoid her. But she’d probably just been paranoid about her weight. Besides, they were both older now. More mature. She’d dated enough Mr. Wrongs to know a Mr. Right when she saw one.
Although, she hadn’t actually seen him, except on his television show. And she’d only recently begun corresponding with him. Seeing Brock again reminded her how much a person could change. He definitely didn’t seem like the same recalcitrant boy who had been in detention as regularly as he’d raided their refrigerator.
Kate smiled to herself, remembering how intrigued she’d once been by him. At fourteen, she’d just discovered gothic romances and in her mind, seventeen year old Brock Gannon had embodied the perfect gothic hero. Dark. Brooding. A little dangerous.
There was still an aura of danger around him, although it didn’t scare her. Just the opposite, in fact. Brock Gannon exuded a primal sensuality that was both daunting and exciting. It was in his stormy gray eyes and the set of his square jaw. The way he carried himself, with a cool confidence that made other men seem insignificant in comparison. Kate couldn’t deny that she found him fascinating.
“What am I doing?” she muttered to herself when she realized she was thinking about Brock again. Focusing her attention back on the computer screen, she hit the send button before she had time to talk herself out of it. Todd Winslow was the right man for her.
He had to be.