Simply Sexy (Simply 5)

It was 1:00 a.m., late by most standards but early enough for Frankie to stop by for some chocolate-chip ice cream and a chat after her Saturday-night date. This was the first time Rina could contribute to the dating part of the conversation and she needed her friend’s advice. “Am I glad to see you,” Rina said as she swung the door open wide.

“Well, at least someone is.”

Rina winced. “Bad date?”

“The worst.” Frankie stomped inside and made herself at home on Rina’s couch, propping her cowboy-booted feet so they hung off the armrest without touching the furniture. “How about you? How was your first date since arriving in this quaint New England town?”

Rina closed her eyes and remembered Colin’s touch, his warm mouth and his heady scent.

“That good, huh? Care to tell me your secret?” Frankie grinned.

With her straight inky-black hair, olive skin and good heart, Frankie shouldn’t need anyone’s help to find a man. They should be banging down her door. Only they weren’t, which made the opposite sex and their desires that much more of a puzzle.

Rina sighed. “No secret to share.”

“So was this a good date or a bad date?”

“Both. I can’t say he used me because he certainly didn’t get any satisfaction and I did, but he left me at the party and…”

“Whoa. Back up and start over.” Frankie’s wide-eyed gaze was filled with curiosity.

Rina blushed, realizing what she’d revealed. “Emma spilled champagne on us and we went upstairs to clean up. Let’s just say Colin and I had a moment and leave it at that. But when I arrived back downstairs, I found out he’d received an emergency telephone call and he left immediately for the hospital.”

Frankie frowned. “So is he, or isn’t he, a jerk? Tough call.”

Rina laughed. “No kidding. He did arrange a ride home for me,” she said in Colin’s defense.

Frankie shot her a knowing look. “So how interested are you in this guy?”

“He makes me feel good.” Rina paced the floor in her living room, adrenaline making it impossible for her to relax.

“Which is what you said you wanted in a first time-out fling.”

“Right. Unfortunately he also really gets to me in here.” She tapped her chest, over her heart. “His parents died when he was young and he’s got scars that haven’t healed.”

“So he’s afraid of being hurt and so are you. Not a bad thing considering you aren’t looking for a serious relationship, right?”

When Rina remained silent, Frankie pinned her with a stare. “Right?” she asked again.

“Right. Right,” Rina said, hoping by verbalizing the words she’d feel them a bit more. “It’s just that he—”

“What?”

She winced. “I feel like I’m being disloyal when I say this, but Colin arouses feelings inside me that Robert never even touched. Physical and emotional.” Rina walked to the window and looked out into the snow-covered night. “And that scares me.”

“Why?” Frankie asked. “Because if a man did it for me like this Colin guy does it for you, then let me tell you, nothing could keep me out of his bed.” She cleared her throat. “I mean life. Nothing could keep me out of his life.”

Rina rolled her eyes, but unfortunately, Frankie’s point was dead on. “You know what scares me so much? The guy is a guaranteed wanderer. He’ll go when this is over.” She turned back to face her friend. That fact, which had originally made Colin the perfect man, now put Rina in a frightening situation.

“That just means you have to keep things shallow.”

“If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be craving chocolate-chip ice cream, now, would I?”

“I thought you’d never offer.” Frankie jumped up and headed for the freezer. “Ice cream is a girl’s best friend.” As she loaded up two bowls, she continued. “There’s no problem that I can see. From what you told me, it’s been two long years since you’ve indulged and you’re due for some male company. Keep things strictly superficial and you’ll be fine. No heartache, no hurt involved.”

Exactly what Rina had been telling herself. Unfortunately, everything about Colin was complicated and involved so much more than surface feelings. Before Rina could reply, the jarring ring of the phone startled her. No one ever called at this hour and Rina immediately thought of her parents in Florida. “One sec…” she said to Frankie, then grabbed for the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, Rina.”