Bad Kitty

Supposedly, Julie had picked the perfect disguise. Nikki just had to listen to Jules lecture her before she got to actually see it.

“Yeah, it means we all have to go out and party or else everyone will think we’re boring couch potatoes.” Because that assessment made her skin prickle uncomfortably, Nikki feigned a yawn. “Can I see the mysterious item of mystery now? I need to know if I’ll have to go home and cut holes in a sheet.”

Jules rolled her eyes. “You could try planning ahead for a change, Nik. Flying by the seat of your skirt gets old when you’re pressing thirty and—”

“I’m twenty-eight. And you may not live to thirty if you insinuate otherwise.”

“Testy, testy.” Julie set aside her meticulously organized inventory checklist and lifted a cinnamon brow, as if she were surprised by Nikki’s vehemence.

Apparently, she didn’t realize the extreme provocation it took to get Nikki to a Halloween party. And that was before one took into consideration what had happened at the last Halloween party Nikki had attended.

By all accounts, it had gone well. She’d even had sex. Dirty, wild sex with a man who not only didn’t call after but never acknowledged her existence beyond asking, “Would you like me to grab you a latte?” when he occasionally stopped by to visit his brother.

Patrick had been out of town a good chunk of the year working on some big construction project with a friend in North Carolina. But he’d been back for a couple months, and every time he sauntered past Nikki’s desk, she wanted to grab his arm and demand some damn answers.

Why he hadn’t bothered to contact her since last Halloween? Was it just because he’d been busy? Or had he lost his fleeting interest in her shortly after he’d left her all-too-willing body?

Whatever the reason, the time had come for her to find out once and for all.

“Now you’re sulking,” Julie said with a sigh. “Not sure you’re going to pick up any flies with the kind of honey you’re putting out there, Nik.”

Nikki frowned. She was straddling a thin line, and Julie was about to cross it. Especially when she looked so damn flawless every minute of the day. Never mussed, never harried. Her brown hair matched her brows, offering just the right tonal balance to her blue contacts. She didn’t leave a whole lot to chance, including her hair and eye color. Pretty much the opposite of Nikki’s black frizzy hair and muddy green-brown-gray eyes, both natural.

Naturally boring was how she’d rolled for years. But not tonight. A Halloween costume party was her chance to go for it, to let her inner bad girl have free reign for an entire, regret-free night. If she didn’t cut loose and let out some steam, she was going to lose her ever-loving mind.

Last year, she hadn’t expected to have sex at the party. This year, she planned on it. Well, not necessarily at the party, but she didn’t mind the idea of a repeat…

“The second stall is open for you,” Julie said with a sigh. Apparently she’d given up on convincing her best friend to change her tiresome ways. “It’s on the back of the door.”

Finally. Nikki marched into the dressing room, prepared to be disappointed. Julie didn’t know what she was looking for. How could she? She definitely didn’t know what had happened last Halloween. She only knew Nikki as her reliable best friend. Somewhat scatterbrained, a lot impetuous.

Little could Julie guess how those traits had once raged out of control along with some choice others, before Nikki had gotten serious about the kind of life she wanted.

She flung open the door to the second stall and slipped inside, scrunching her eyes closed as she turned. Oh God, if this wasn’t right, if it wasn’t sexy or unusual enough or worthy of making Patrick Nolan take a second glance—and hopefully a lot more—what the hell was she going to do?

She shouldn’t have waited so long. What was there to be afraid of?

Only everything.

She’d thoroughly changed from the bad girl she’d once been. What if seizing a slice of the naughty life she’d lived turned her back into that woman? She was happy with what she had now. She just wanted more.

She wanted him. It was now or never.

Heat washed over her body. God, Easton’s party last year had been unreal. She would’ve known Patrick’s rough, workman’s hands anywhere. She let out a shaky breath and laid a hand over her rampaging heart. She ached all over but especially between her legs. Just thinking of him made her wet. Made her want to beg.

Gorgeous men dressed like pirates and warlocks were just what her wavering libido didn’t need. But he’d broken her twelve months ago and she’d been fighting her needs ever since. She’d also been waiting. The annual Nolan Halloween bash held sentimental meaning for her, but tonight she’d make all new, sizzling memories.

Gathering her courage, she opened her eyes.

A black bodysuit hung on the hanger, made of the kind of fabric that poured through your hands and skimmed flesh like a whisper. She touched the plunging neckline reverently, her fingers tracing the large glimmering crystal that held it together at the navel. She’d need some double-sided tape for sure.

More crystals, black this time, studded the arms and thighs. The legs tapered down to mid-calf, the right length to show off the black lace-up stilettos Julie had placed in front of the mirror.

She didn’t know what the costume was supposed to be, but she didn’t care. It was hot. This material wouldn’t hide anything. Every part of her would be on vivid display.

Nikki shivered, imagining herself wearing the outfit. Patrick would be able to see every bit of her. And then, when she had him alone, she’d show him even more.

She squealed, absolutely beside herself with joy. How had Jules known exactly what she needed?