His Secret Temptation

Although her point was valid, he wasn’t ready to abandon her to her own devices. He’d enjoyed remaking her into someone his family would approve of, outfitting her from head to toe. He’d just assumed he’d also dress her from the skin out.

He liked the idea that she would wear the scraps of satin and lace he bought for her. Lingerie he chose with an eye toward what would enhance her charming curves.

Shifting his weight, Simon tilted his torso forward into her space. For a long moment they stood motionless. Caroline glared at him, her delightful chin thrust forward, her color high. Simon noted the way her pupils expanded, a sure sign that she recognized the strong pull between them.

Although instinct told him to argue that she would benefit from his expertise in this department, he reminded himself she was coming with him to his parents’ house as a partner in crime. He’d promised nothing more intimate than a few kisses. And a promise was a promise.

Simon stepped back and cast an impatient glance at his watch.

“Half an hour. You’ll need this.” He pulled a credit card from his wallet and handed it to her.

He spent the time buying her some new luggage, a dull and tedious task when he visualized her browsing the racks of silk and lace. Half an hour later she awaited his return wearing a satisfied smile and holding a medium-sized bag of mysterious items wrapped in tissue.

Curiosity took big bites out of his normally even temper. What had she purchased that pleased her? Silk underwear? A lace teddy? A peek-a-boo nightgown that would show off her long, slender legs? Telling himself he had no business wondering didn’t banish the itch of not knowing.

“Where to now?” she groaned as he guided her out of the department store and along the downtown Atlanta street.

“It’s a surprise.”

She frowned. “I don’t like surprises.”

“Why not?”

“Because they mean trouble. Like when your car doesn’t start and you’re late for class. Or when you get to work and find out someone called in sick and you’re short staffed. Or when your friend convinces you to go out for a drink and you end up at a karaoke bar—”

“I get it.” He broke into her litany and laughed. “Does anything good ever happen to you?”

“Sometimes.”

He wasn’t sure he believed her. “Well, I promise you nothing but good surprises.”

Despite his assurances, he could tell she remained skeptical. That’s why, when she found out he’d arranged an appointment for her at an exclusive spa where they would massage her, cut her hair, manicure her nails, and transform her into someone new, Simon felt more pleased than he expected to have successfully overcome her doubts.

While the spa staff swept Caroline away for three hours of pampering, Simon headed down a couple of blocks to his favorite jewelry store. His family would expect her to possess a few trinkets given by him for various occasions. He had always enjoyed giving women jewelry, and buying for Caroline was especially easy.

His first choices took little thought, a string of Mikimoto pearls with matching earrings and a pair of diamond earrings. Next, he lingered over the display cases, searching for something a little more unusual. At last, he decided on a diamond and emerald heart pendant.

The last purchase took him the longest, her engagement ring. He rejected his first impulse, a one-carat diamond in a filigree setting that looked antique despite being brand-new, and settled on a three-carat solitaire with flanking diamonds. The stone was bigger than the one Dane had given Francine. It was a whopper of a ring, guaranteed to make everyone ooh and aah.

With a pleased grin pulling at his lips, Simon returned to the spa and found Caroline finishing up. He’d expected a change because although she seemed pretty enough, her hairstyle did little to enhance her appeal.

What stood before him stole his breath.

Her blond hair, while a gorgeous blend of corn silk and wheat, had been blunt cut and lacked flair. She preferred to pull it back away from her face, a look that flattered her bone structure but limited her sensual appeal. His mother would not believe he’d date a woman without some evidence of latent fire.

Now with her hair expertly trimmed to coax awake the natural wave, she’d come to life. No longer the overworked law student, her eyes sparkled with confidence as she shook her loose hair and dipped her chin toward her shoulder in a flirtatious pose.

“Why can something as simple as a haircut make a girl feel like a million bucks?” she asked, preceding him toward the door, a bag with the spa’s logo dangling from her finger.

Simon followed after a heartbeat, his long legs enabling him to catch up in time to push the door open for her. She slipped past him, her slim form brushing against him with disturbing results.

By the time he

recovered, he had to stretch his stride to draw even with her. She flashed him a playful sidelong glance. Despite all her protests and refusals, she’d enjoyed herself today. How long since she’d had any fun? He thought about the notes they’d exchanged. All work and no play, he’d teased, not realizing just how serious things were with her.

As he escorted her back to the car, she hid a huge yawn behind her hand. “Sorry. I had no idea shopping was so exhausting. And I still have to pack everything. What time did you want to leave tomorrow?”

“Midmorning. I have some things I need to do in the office before we leave.”