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Not sure how to handle her, Sabrina cleared her throat, then came around the counter, and reached futilely toward the woman. “I don’t…I don’t have a young man.”
“No? Maybe…that’s…because…you…don’t do…the dance.” The older woman’s rasp intensified and her breathing became labored. “Gets the…blood pumping.”
“Libby…please, why don’t you sit down and rest a minute? I think I get the gist of it.”
“No…no…you must!”
Sabrina frowned. The woman looked ready to have a stroke and seemed determined enough to keep at it until Sabrina joined in. “Okay,” she said, raising her arms and swaying. “Just for a minute.” She glanced around again to ensure no one saw.
“More…hip.” Libby’s hips pivoted in exaggerated circles.
Sabrina chewed her lip in concentration. After a few moments, her muscles warmed and she smiled. The music flowed over her. Her body moved in tune with the sax’s sultry strains. “There. I think I’ve got it.”
“Oh, you’ve got it all right,” a deep masculine voice sounded from behind her. “The question is, are you giving any of it away?”
Embarrassment flooded Sabrina as she swung around to face a tall stranger. He stood a few feet inside the shop’s door. The light breeze ruffled his dark hair. His eyes, as black as coal, shone with undisguised admiration. His gaze ran over her hips, then up, pausing a long moment at her breasts, before rising to meet her eyes.
A shiver ran through her. Men had noticed her before—more often than she’d cared for—but their attentions normally had little effect on her. This man’s gaze sent butterflies flurrying in her stomach. His lazy smile showed he hadn’t been fooled by her simple cotton dress.
“See, you caught one.” Libby nodded in the newcomer’s direction. “Not bad for your first time out.”
The man chuckled and headed toward them.
Heat spread up Sabrina’s neck and across her cheeks. She’d never been more mortified.
He moved with the grace and precision of a panther. Sleek. Sensual. His gray suit draped him as if it were tailor-made, his broad shoulders and tapered hips filling its precise lines.
“So, are you?” His voice rumbled through her.
Another shiver struck her, this one in the pit of her stomach. The dancing must have made her dizzy. “Excuse me?”
“You go on!” Libby swatted his arm. “Sabrina doesn’t give a thing away.” She eyed Sabrina. “Maybe that’s the problem.”
Sabrina stared at Libby. Words refused to form on her tongue.
The man in turn stopped short. He drew up straight. “Sabrina?” He stared at her with disbelieving eyes.
“Yes.” She offered her hand, grateful to have found her voice, though it held a strange, breathless quality. “Sabrina Walker. Was there something I could help you find?”
“Well, actually…” He sandwiched her hand between his big palms. “I came to find you.”
“Me?” She blinked. Her heart beat triple time, as the warmth of his hands melted into hers. A little tremor ran from her fingers up her arm. She fought the alarming urge to lean into him. What could a gorgeous man like this want with her?
“That’s right.” Releasing her, he spread his arms wide. “I’m Noah Banks. I work with your brother.”
Bewilderment swirled through her. “Noah? Oh, my…this is a surprise. Cliff’s told me so much about you.” Like how she should run the other way if she ever chanced to meet him.
Noah’s eyes shone. “I can just imagine. Probably only half of it was true.”
“I don’t know. I have a feeling he wasn’t too far off the mark.” She’d always doubted Cliff’s stories about his college roommate’s sexual prowess. Until now. Cliff had been right to warn her. Noah emanated danger…and excitement.
She stepped back and nearly knocked over Libby. “Goodness, I’m sorry. Where are my manners?” Sabrina gestured to the woman. “This is Libby Conrad, my most valued customer. Ms. Conrad, Noah Banks, lady-killer.”
Noah put a hand to his chest. “You wound me!” He took Libby’s offered hand, kissing it with a flourish. “I always leave a woman smiling, and very much alive.”
“I’ll bet you do.” Libby snatched back her hand. “You’re a handsome rascal, but I’m afraid I’m spoken for. My Henry’ll be here any moment and he’s the jealous type.”
Sabrina’s heart gave another squeeze.
Noah darted a look over his shoulder, as if he were afraid of encountering the elderly woman’s lover. “Henry?”
“Henry Thomas Watson, of Decatur, a real man’s man.” With shaky fingers, Libby extracted a golden locket from between her breasts. She flipped it open and held it toward him.
Despite herself, Sabrina crowded beside him to catch a glimpse of the infamous Henry. Two tiny portraits, one of a young woman with flaming red hair and a familiar smile, the other a wavy-haired man, handsome, but serious, stared back at her. She sighed. They must have been terribly in love.
Noah straightened, releasing the locket and brushing against her. “A hell of a lucky man, your Henry.”
“Damn right.” Libby dropped the locket back into her cleavage.
Sabrina swallowed and tried to calm the hundreds of butterflies that had stormed her stomach at Noah’s accidental touch. She had to get a grip. He was just a man.
An available man.
She drew in a breath and let her gaze drift over his broad shoulders, trim waist, then lower. That fluttery feeling spread. He cleared his throat. Her gaze flew to his. Though he stood ramrod straight, the heat in his eyes pierced her.
So, this was desire.
“Listen, I’m going to get out of your way and let you two get acquainted.” Libby patted Sabrina’s arm. “Live a little.” She winked, then wandered off after Toby.
Noah shifted beside Sabrina. Her brother had to be wrong. No way was she a virgin, not with the way she moved, or the way she looked at him with her hungry eyes. Her body had called to his with her siren’s dance and her throaty voice alone was enough to do a man in.
“Cliff has kept you such a mystery, he’d gotten my curiosity up. I’ve been trying to figure out how to meet you.” His gaze swept the crowded rows of books. Somehow, he couldn’t look at her and tell his half truth. “I was grilling Tiffany, at the office, about what to get him and Mona for a wedding gift and she mentioned that I should ask you.”
He glanced up and was again caught in her blue gaze. “So, here I am, come to humbly ask your advice, and to check out the mystery woman, of course.”
She cocked her head. “Does Cliff know you’re here?”
“Uh, no. I didn’t announce where I was going.”
She smiled and her eyes lit with pleasure. “Well, I won’t tell him if you won’t.”
“My lips are sealed.”
Her hair shone deep mahogany in the sunlight slanting through the open door. He knotted his fists to keep from reaching out to touch the lock draped over her shoulder. “You don’t look like your brother, except for your hair color.”
His traitorous hand rose. His fingers threaded through her dark strands. Satin and silk. He leaned forward and caught a whiff of wildflowers. His pulse kicked up a notch.
“Um…wedding gift.” Her voice floated to him, soft and hesitant.
He met her wide gaze. Clear and bright, her eyes pulled him in, until he felt he was drowning in them. They held a purity he’d never known.
With a mental shake, he dropped his hand and straightened. It was true. She was a virgin. Innocence radiated from her. A confirmed bachelor who didn’t believe in fairy tales or happily-ever-after had no right going near her.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat, attempted to clear the haze from his mind. “I know they’ve got a registry going, but I was thinking I’d like to get them something different.”
“Different,” she parroted, as her brows drew together in concentration. “Let’s see.” She tapped her fingers against her chin, then suddenly brightened. “I know. Mona likes that new gallery in Buckhead, the one with the stick figures out front. Contemporary art. The owner knows her. She can help you pick something.” Her mouth twisted in a wry curve. “As long as you please Mona, Cliff’ll be happy.”
“Well, great. Contemporary art.” He nodded. He knew the place. That done, his palms moistened. He had to ask her out for Friday night, but his usual confidence and finesse had fled. He stood like a schoolboy ready to ask out his first crush. What if she said no, or worse, what if she was seeing someone?
He grimaced. He’d never before concerned himself with details.
“So, I’m glad you stopped by. It’s interesting to compare the myth to the reality.” Her eyes sparkled.
Noah fisted his hands. For some inexplicable reason, he hated that she knew of his exploits. “Funny how reality can sprout into such tall tales.” His voice ground out rougher than he’d meant, but she smiled, nodding thoughtfully.
A moment of silence fell. She glanced over her shoulder as a new customer entered. “I guess I’d better get back to work.”
He gritted his teeth. His tongue felt too thick for his mouth. When had he ever had trouble asking a woman out?
She turned toward the counter, stopped, then faced him again. His gut tightened. Her cheeks flushed. “Maybe we could get together sometime,” she said.
“Friday night…” He shook his head, then tried again. “Could I take you to dinner…Friday, this Friday night?” His heart pounded. “I mean, I just thought that since you’re Cliff’s sister and all, and with the upcoming wedding, it wouldn’t hurt for us to get to know each other…” He snapped his mouth shut. Why was he babbling?
“Okay.”
“Okay?” His heart lifted and he wanted to smack himself for the relief flowing through him.
“Yes.” She raised her chin. Her eyes gleamed. “I’ll go out with you Friday night.”
“Great. About seven then?”
“Seven’s good. Here, I’ll give you my address.” She moved to the counter, scribbled something on a piece of paper, then handed it to him. “My phone number, too, in case you need it.” A spark lit her eyes. “I’ll be looking forward to Friday.”
Her voice held a sultry tone. As he grabbed the paper her fingers drifted over his. He swallowed hard and crammed the paper and his fist into his pocket. With supreme effort, he kept from turning tail and running. What in God’s name was wrong with him?
With a mumbled farewell, he stepped back, then strode toward the door. He forced himself not to look back, but the weight of her intense gaze followed him all the way to the sidewalk.
Once out of sight, he stopped to wipe the sweat from his brow. He hadn’t had much exposure to virgins. It made sense that he’d suffer some adverse reaction. That sense of happily-ever-after and white picket fences that seemed to hover around them just didn’t sit well with him. He was allergic, that was all. He blew out a breath and relaxed. Surely in the three days to come he’d regain his composure.
One evening, a few short hours. He could manage that long with Cliff’s sister. Once he got her to the party, he’d be done with her.
Then he’d claim his prize.
He smiled, forcing Darcy’s image to replace Sabrina’s in his mind. Dinner with Sabrina would be a walk in the park. He just had to remember to avoid her eyes and not touch her. A dark cloud passed over the sun. He frowned and hurried to his car.
2
MUSIC PLAYED SOFTLY overhead as Sabrina fingered the price tag of a clingy black dress. She sighed and glanced at Bess, her shopping companion. Thank goodness her friend had come along to help. Nothing in Sabrina’s assortment of flowing skirts and dresses would do for her date with Noah. She needed Bess’s discerning eye to pick just the right outfit.
She pulled the black dress from the rack, then draped it over her front. “Sexy. That’s what I want. No flowers, no pastels and no ruffles.”
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day.” Bess laughed. She held up a wine-colored sheath for Sabrina’s inspection. “Sexy I can help you with.”
Sabrina nodded. Bess added the dress to the pile on her arm. “So, tell me more about Mr. Tall, Dark and Gorgeous,” Bess said, shaking her head. “I still can’t believe you’re considering taking the big leap. You are going to get to know him first, make sure you like him, right?”
“Oh, I like him all right.” Sabrina drew in a long breath. Her gaze drifted over the colorful racks. “He has these dark eyes. They’re so intense, like he’s looking into my soul, and his voice sent shivers up my spine. And that mouth of his—”
“Listen to you. I’ve never seen you like this.”
Sabrina met Bess’s gaze. “I think he’s The One.”
A small crinkle formed between Bess’s brows. “Oh, hon, I hope so. No one deserves to be happy more than you, I just…”
“You just don’t want me over-romanticizing this.” Sabrina laughed. “Just because you don’t believe in love at first sight doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Plenty of studies have documented the physiological changes associated with love. All it takes is the right mixture of pheromones and bang!”
She smiled at her friend’s wry expression. “Don’t give me that look. This could be it. This could be the real thing.”
Bess gave her a worried glance, then held up a pantsuit, turning it to reveal a nonexistent back. “How’s this?”
“Definitely sexy, but I’m betting Noah’s a leg man.” Sabrina added one more dress to her stack, then glanced over the number Bess held. “This should do for starters. We’ll be here all night at this rate.”
“No problem.” Bess sighed. “When I left, the girls were fighting, and Tom was glued to the TV, oblivious!” She frowned. “I wonder if they’ve noticed I’m gone.”
An all-too-familiar empathy filled Sabrina. Shaking her head, she followed her friend past a row of faceless mannequins to the dressing area. Though motherhood had proven a blessing for Bess, who loved her children, a certain wistfulness sometimes filled her eyes. That look tore at Sabrina.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” Bess handed her several items from her pile as they reached the changing area. “It’s about time you decided to dress like a woman.”
“What does that mean?” Sabrina hung up the garments. “I dress like a woman.”
“Yes, everything you own is feminine, in a flowing kind of way, but in this…” She picked up a plum-colored dress with a plunging neckline. “In this you’ll be all woman.”
Sabrina snatched the dress, then closed the dressing room door.
She turned to the full-length mirror gracing one wall. Frowning, she surveyed her long, loose blouse and black leggings. Bess was right. One dress wouldn’t be enough. Sabrina’s wardrobe needed an overhaul. She sighed. Her life needed an overhaul.
She slipped out of the blouse and leggings. She’d had to dig deep into her drawer to find the matching black panties and demi-bra she now wore. The satiny fabric caressed her as she reached for the plum-colored dress. She slid one hand over the curve of her breast, rounded by the push-up bra. Tingles of sexual awareness shot through her and she sighed. Her cotton underthings had never made her feel this sexy. It was as though her encounter with Noah had freed her to explore her sensual self.
She bit her lip as the memory of his heated stare washed over her. How would he react to seeing her in her scant lingerie? Warmth spread through her. Her heart quickened the way it had when he’d threaded his fingers through her hair. That one innocent gesture had sent her hormones tripping. What would happen if he really touched her?
He filled her mind with fantasies that grew more stimulating with each passing day. She flushed at the memory of waking in a sweat that morning, the sheets tangled around her legs, and the dream of Noah’s lovemaking fresh on her mind.
With a groan, she cupped her breasts and squeezed, while pressing her thighs together. The sexual ache only intensified. Could she make love with Noah?
She turned and her dream Noah, golden skin gleaming in all his natural glory, grinned his sexy grin. “Have you missed me, my sweet? Do you ache for me again?”
He moved before her, so close his warm breath fanned her cheek. “Here, allow me.”
She let his hands replace hers on her breasts. His palms cupped and squeezed her, while his fingers teased her taut nipples through the lace. A moan worked its way from her throat. His hot mouth covered the lace. He suckled her long and hard, the pleasure so intense she bit her lip to keep from crying out.
The ache between her thighs had become almost unbearable. She gasped as he pressed her to the wall, then wedged his knee between her legs, urging her to straddle him. He claimed her mouth, his tongue hot against hers, his hands coaching her hips to ride him, sending more pleasure burning through her.
Once she’d caught her rhythm he continued to kiss her, while rolling her nipples between his fingers, pushing her to a faster and faster pace.
“Yes,” she murmured as the tension peaked inside her. “Yes, yes, yeeesss…”
Sabrina slumped against the dressing room wall. These fantasies were getting more intense. She needed to make love with Noah. She peered again into the mirror. She didn’t look so innocent now wearing her sexy lingerie and flushed cheeks. Doubt assailed her. She may not look innocent, but she was. She’d never measure up to Noah’s more experienced partners.
Setting aside her misgivings, she put on the plum-colored dress, then turned to the mirror. “Oh.” She stared in wonder.
If possible, the dress proved more provocative than her lacy underwear. The fabric floated over her, skimming her curves and drifting in a silky sheen over her thighs. The scooping neckline exposed cleavage nonexistent without the demi-bra. As she slowly turned, confidence blossomed in her.
In this dress, Sabrina was all woman.
“Sabrina?” Bess called, then knocked on the door. “How’s it going? I’m dying to see…”
Sabrina swung the door open, smiling at her friend’s slack jaw. She stepped out and moved toward a three-sided mirror.
“Oh my.” Bess stood beside her. “Sexy definitely works on you.” She rubbed the satiny fabric between her fingers. “Did they have one of these in my size?”
Laughter bubbled from Sabrina’s throat. “I don’t even feel like me. I feel so…so exhilarated!” She spread her arms and spun. When she stopped, she grinned at her reflection. Her eyes sparkled and pink flushed her cheeks. “I almost feel like I could do anything in this dress.”
“Like win the heart of a dedicated playboy? I know that look of yours, Sabrina—”
“Stop.” Sabrina held up her hand. “I refuse to listen to any dire warnings.” She caught Bess’s eye in the mirror. “I’m a big girl. I’m tired of waiting for my life to happen.” She squared her shoulders and turned her gaze back to her own reflection. “It’s time I made my life happen.”
“Honey, believe me. With that dress, things are going to happen. The question is, are you really ready? And can you do this without being emotionally involved?”
Sabrina stilled. The thrill of those few moments with Noah had sustained her for days. If she closed her eyes, she could see the appreciation in his dark gaze, feel her heart race and her soul lift with an instant recognition. It was as though meeting him had jolted her into awareness.
“He’s The One, Bess.” She let the quiet statement settle over them, then she turned with a smile. “You know, with the weather heating up I could use a new swimsuit and a sundress or two. So, let’s see what else we can find. I think we’re onto something here.”
THE SUN FILTERED through the garden window of Sabrina’s compact kitchen, showering light on her assortment of begonias and miniature roses. A curl of steam drifted up from her big coffee cup. She glanced up and frowned at the date on her kitchen calendar. Friday the thirteenth, her big day. She lifted her mug in salute. “Happy birthday to me.”
Ignoring a vague sense of impending doom, she focused on the night to come. The wall phone rang beside her. She swallowed the hot brew and lifted the receiver. “Morning, Mom.”
“Happy birthday, darling. You aren’t moping about, are you?” Gabriella Walker’s voice held its usual note of censure.
“Actually, no. I was just toasting the grand occasion.”
“Sabrina, it’s nine in the morning. Surely you’re not drinking?”
“Just coffee.”
“Decaf?”
Sabrina grimaced. “No.”
“That caffeine will age you, dear, mark my word. You’re such a beauty now. And young. Oh, to be young again. To have your figure, your skin. I’d take good care if I were you, I would. Unfortunately, men notice the package first, you know.” In spite of her nagging, warmth laced Gabriella’s words.
“You’re still a beauty, Mom. I know Dad thinks so. You’ll always be his Buttercup.”
A short silence stretched across the line.
“Mom?”
Her mother cleared her throat. “Yes, dear. Our other line is beeping in. I’ll have your father call later. You enjoy the day. Close that shop of yours. Take some time off. I love you, Sabrina, my girl.” Her voice trembled with emotion.
“I love you, too. Is everything all right?”
“Fine.” She sniffled. Though her mother was all the way in West Palm Beach, Florida, Sabrina could almost see the tears in her eyes. “Gotta go. We’ll see you next week.”
Sabrina hung up and stared at the phone. Her mother had been practically sobbing. Sabrina shook her head. It was just like Gabriella to get all choked up over Sabrina’s birthday.
She rinsed her cup, then grabbed her purse. Well, it was a special day. A smile tilted her lips. And tonight…tonight would be a night to remember.
ARE YOU REALLY READY? By late Friday afternoon, Sabrina had had plenty of time to mull over Bess’s words. She pinched some brown leaves from a fern hanging by her bathroom window. Earth tones accented the pedestal sink and spacious garden tub that had sold her on this apartment.
She’d pamper herself, taking time to get ready. As she soaked in a lavender-scented bath, she closed her eyes. Her fantasy Noah came to her, his eyes glowing with desire.
“Ah, Sabrina, you mustn’t keep me away so long.” He stripped off his shirt, then knelt beside her. The muscles of his torso rippled as he leaned toward her. “Mmmm…” While nuzzling the tender spot behind her ear, he ran his fingertips along her collarbone. “Your sweet scent drives me wild.”
His palm slid down to cup her breast. Her heart sped in anticipation as he lowered his head. He ran the pointed tip of his tongue over her nipple, then covered it with his mouth and suckled her long and hard. She moaned as the sensation swept through her, igniting that intimate ache between her thighs.
As he moved to lave her other breast, he swept his hand down into the scented water, over the trembling curve of her stomach. She raised her hips and parted her thighs as his strong fingers sifted through her thatch of curls, to the hidden folds of her femininity.
Her blood pounded in her ears. Heat engulfed her. “Noah!”
The pealing of the phone brought her upright with a start. Water sloshed over the tub’s edge. Grumbling, she stepped from the bath, then wrapped herself in a fluffy white towel.
She grabbed the antique phone beside her bed on its third ring. “Hello?”
“Sabrina?” Noah’s unmistakable baritone sent goose-flesh skittering up her arms.
“Noah. Hello.” She stopped, frowning. He was supposed to pick her up in less than an hour. Why was he calling?
“Hey. I wanted to let you know I’m running a little late.”
“Oh.” Relief swept over her. He wasn’t canceling their date. “No problem.” Heat rose in her cheeks as she glanced at her towel-clad figure. She’d spent too much time in the tub. “Take as long as you need. I’m not quite ready myself.”
After confirming the directions to her apartment, she hung up, then raced to get ready. A little over an hour later, she touched up the lipstick that was shades darker than her usual hue. An unprecedented boldness filled her as she stood before her full-length mirror.
Cliff and Mona were out of town and no one else knew of this special day. Other than that call from her mother, and a subsequent one from her father, Sabrina’s birthday had gone unremarked. But rather than wallow in her earlier depression, she savored the coming night.