KISS Page 2

  Lilith grinned. “I need more customers."

  "Huh?” Kat drew her brows together as she pulled some delicate, lace-trimmed panties out of the box and laid them out on the counter. “What do you mean, you need more customers?"

  "You know how it goes in a small town. People find out you're dating, and they figure the next step is marriage and well, kids. So, they come trotting into my store to buy yarn for booties, sweaters, and blankets."

  Kat shook her head. “You're impossible.” She stacked the panties on the counter in front of them.

  "Oh my ... those are beautiful,” Lilith smoothed her hand over a retro-Hollywood style panty lavished with black lace. “That's different,” she murmured.

  Kat smiled. “I saw an old movie a few months ago from the nineteen thirties with that blonde actress, Carol Lombard."

  Lilith rolled her eyes. “See? You stay home watching all that old stuff on television."

  "I get my best ideas from some of that ‘old stuff’ as you call it.'

  Lilith lifted the panty from the counter. “It is pretty. Is this what that actress wore?"

  "Well, not on the screen, but I researched some of the intimate apparel of the nineteen thirties and came up with this.” Kat pointed to the lacy edge. “See? It has something called ‘eyelash lace’ all around it."

  Lilith's cheeks turned pink, she placed the panty down on the counter. “It makes it look feminine and sexy but yet..."

  "The lace edging all around the top takes away that ‘thong’ look. Here,” Kat handed the delicate panty to Lilith.

  "Oh, no, Kat, I couldn't. They cost a fortune."

  "No, take it.” Kat eyed Lilith. “It'll look fabulous with your black hair and those amazing-color eyes you have. You wear a black lace bra with that, and you'll look dynamite."

  Lilith shook her head. “You're doing it again."

  "What?” Kat tossed the empty box into the trash.

  Lilith crossed her arms. “You're avoiding the topic of men."

  "All right. To prove to you that I'm not avoiding it, just who should I date?” Kat asked, hands on hips.

  "How about Fred Meyers?"

  Kat noticed Lilith's breathing quickened at the mention of Fred. Dear Fred. Sweet Fred. He had a crush on Lilith since high school.

  "Lilith, all Fred talks about are the sixty-two flavors of ice cream in his store."

  "How about Michael Benton?"

  "Our dentist?” Kat moved to the rack behind the counter and lifted a clear plastic bag covering a sheer nightgown she had recently designed. She grabbed the hanger containing the gown and walked to the front of the store. Lily was right behind her. “Lilith, you'd think I was a horse the way he looked at my teeth and carried on about how wonderful I would look if I only tried his new line of veneers,” Kat said over her shoulder as she walked.

  "Oh, Kat!” Lilith laughed. “That's funny."

  Kat sighed as she placed the gown on the molded silhouette of a woman in the front window. Smoothing a wrinkle from the delicate fabric, she replied, “They're nice men, Lilith, but ... not for me,” and not half as good-looking as Jared Martin, went unsaid. She couldn't stop thinking about him. It rankled that a man that gorgeous could be so ... shady.

  "And just between you and me,” Kat lowered her voice. “Our town dentist is just a tad bit, well ... tedious."

  "Jared Martin isn't tedious.” Lilith's violet eyes twinkled.

  Kat blushed. She read somewhere that Jared Martin was a hands-on, risk-taking entrepreneur who never lacked for female companionship. Kat also remembered the picture she saw of him in a magazine, accompanied by a tall, lanky blonde-haired woman.

  "Jared Martin is a rich, spoiled man who thinks his money and looks can buy everything,” Kat stated heatedly.

  "So you do think he's handsome."

  Kat turned angry eyes on Lilith. “He's a phony, and I intend to change his mind about opening that damn MegaMart store."

  "How?"

  "Just wait and see."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Two

  Saturday afternoon Jared snoozed under a shady tree in a hammock on the lush grounds of the bed and breakfast. He daydreamed of Kat ... dressed in a sheer, strapless nightgown he had seen at KISS. She approached slowly, gracefully ... sensually. He saw the outline of her body through the wispy fabric. His eyes traveled up her long, slender legs and settled on the shadowy juncture between her thighs. Jared shifted on the hammock, his blood heating in response to what he saw in his mind's eye.

  Kat's hips swayed in unison with each step she took. Jared caught a glimpse of her glorious red hair as it spilled down her shoulders and back. He could see a smattering of freckles across her nose—and her magnificent chest outlined by the sheer bodice of the gown. The dark tips of her full, round breasts stood out against the see-through fabric. Jared reached out to touch her, to feel the satin softness of not only that gown she wore, but her skin, too.

  "Yeow!” Something cold and wet splashed his face. The next thing he knew, he was looking up at Ms. Upstart. She stood over him, a clear plastic bottle in her hand. Reigning in his temper he said, “I can only hope that's water."

  "I wouldn't dream of ruining that beautiful shirt you're wearing,” Kat replied smugly, looking like a little girl with her hair tucked under a ball cap. “Did you buy that in one of your MegaMart stores?"

  "No,” he replied, his tone clipped.

  She sighed, capping the water bottle and placing it in her bag. “Perhaps you should be thinking of a way to get Ralph Lauren polo shirts into MegaMart. They could be the ‘blue-light’ special of the week. Then again, I don't know how you would make the same offer to Mr. Lauren that you gave me."

  He narrowed his eyes. “You're a regular comedian, aren't you?” Jared turned his head so he could get a better look at her. Schooling his features, he admired the way her tee shirt outlined her lush bosom. He wondered if she were wearing that cream-colored lacy bra again. “For your information, I happen to know Ralph Lauren."

  "Right. Sure you do.” Her expression turned mulish.

  "We sell Ralph Lauren ‘Home’ products in MegaMart. You know, his paint and bedding and..."

  She blew out a breath. “Well maybe you can figure a way to buy Mr. Lauren's exquisite clothing designs in bulk and sell them real cheap instead of just laying there in that hammock like a lazy lump,” she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm.

  He placed his hands behind his head. “You should join me."

  Kat's face heated as she gazed at the hammock.

  Zing! Score one for me, he thought. Jared hoped that Ms. Upstart was considering sharing the hammock with him. It was a glorious day ... perfect for snoozing in a hammock with a woman with her looks and body. Of course, he probably wouldn't do much snoozing, he'd...

  "No, thank you.” She angled her head. “This is the last place I expected to find you,” she pointed at the hammock.

  So much for that idea!

  "It looked too inviting,” he replied honestly. “Besides, I'm practicing my eighth rule for success."

  "Which is?"

  "'Don't take yourself so seriously ... loosen up and so will everyone else. Relax. Remember: You set the tone.’”

  "Well, I'm glad you're rested and relaxed because it's Saturday and that means Soccer."

  "Huh?"

  "Soccer ... you know, that game you play by running and kicking a ball."

  He settled back further into the hammock and scowled. “I know what soccer is."

  "And children. The kids here in Summerville just love to play soccer year-round. Let's see, what did you say to that interviewer on Channel 16?"

  Jared didn't like where this was heading. Ms. Upstart had a glint in her lovely green eyes. Or were they blue, he thought? Maybe it was a combination of the two, like the waters of the Caribbean Ocean.

  "'MegaMart encourages our employees to get involved in the activities the community has to offer young people.’ You repr
esent MegaMart,” she leaned down and poked him in the chest. “You set the tone and you have to help some kids win a soccer game."

  "How am I supposed to do that?"

  "Use all your great ‘people skills,'” she replied. She poked him in the chest again. This time, Jared reached up and grabbed her hand, pulling her down on top of him. The hammock swung from side to side.

  "Oh!” Kat wailed. She tried to move off him but that only made the hammock swing more. “I'm getting dizzy.” She shut her eyes tight and clutched his shoulders. Every swing of the hammock had the lower part of her body brushing against his groin. He gritted his teeth against the sensations he felt each time her pelvis touched him.

  "Wait a minute,” Jared told her, wishing she'd open her eyes. He just couldn't seem to decide what color they were. “Just let this thing slow down.” When it did, he grasped her around the waist to move her off him, but she toppled over the side onto the ground. Jared flipped over, too, landing on top of her. He grinned down into her face as her breasts pressed up and into his chest. “You may have this ‘relaxing’ thing down to a science,” he murmured.

  "Oh you!” She pushed at him. “Get off me,” she shoved again, but he didn't budge.

  "Say please,” he grinned like a lunatic. This had to be lunacy, he thought. Kat Sullivan felt round, firm in all the right places ... and soft in all the others. He really didn't want to move. This had to be the most fun he had in a long time.

  "I-I can't breathe..."

  Her face reddened and her breath whooshed out. Jared felt it puff against his cheek. “Kat,” he said, sprinting up and off her. “I'm sorry.” Once on his feet, he leaned down and grasped her hand, pulling her flush up against him, knocking the hat from her head. Her beautiful, auburn hair spilled over her shoulders.

  Kat bent down to retrieve her cap. That's when he got a good look at her nicely rounded backside, erasing his earlier thoughts of her resembling a child.

  Much to Jared's disappointment, she tucked her hair back under the cap and glared at him. “Y-you had no right to do that."

  He grinned. “Rule Number Nine: Enjoy life at all costs. Take on all challenges with gusto."

  Jared never backed down from a challenge...

  ...Especially one as lovely as Kat.

  * * * *

  A little while later, Kat pulled her car to the curb and parked it on the street outside the park. She grabbed her keys from the ignition and threw them in her bag as Jared slid out his side. The next thing she knew, her driver's side door opened. Jared stood near the curb, grinning.

  He swept his hand out in front of him. “You're team awaits, Madame Coach."

  "Very funny,” she snapped. Kat left the shelter of her air-conditioned car, stepped out into the midday heat, and wiped her brow with the fingers of one hand. She gazed at Jared's happy countenance and shook her head. Why did he have to be so damn cheerful? He chatted nonstop on the way over to the park, asking her a million questions about Summerville ... and her. She answered him, her replies guarded, particularly when it came to her.

  Best not to let the enemy know too much.

  Jared shut the door behind her. As she walked to the back of the car, the sun beat down, causing small beads of perspiration to form on her nose. A drop of sweat trickled down the side of her face, and the jersey shirt she wore stuck to her back. Kat stood by the trunk and glanced over at Jared. He seemed calm and cool. He didn't have a hair out of place, not one strand moved in the slight breeze that kicked up. Kat popped the trunk open, grateful for the wind that wafted by, cooling her hot skin. She leaned in to grab a bag of equipment, swinging it up and onto her shoulder.

  "I'll take that."

  In the next instant, Jared reached out and grabbed it, sliding it down her shoulder and arm. His knuckles grazed her bare skin, leaving a trail of gooseflesh in the wake of his touch. He swung the bag onto a broad shoulder then reached into the trunk for the cooler. With his free hand, he closed the hood.

  Okay, so it did feel good to have some help, but she didn't want to admit it to him. He kept pace with her easily as they walked to the soccer field, his long legs eating up the ground beneath him. A few minutes later, Jared plunked the bag and cooler down near the stands.

  "What's your team's stats?” he asked her.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why on earth would you be interested in my team stats?"

  He shrugged. “How else am I going to help you coach?"

  Kat placed her tote bag on the ground and folded her arms. “You're really going to do this?"

  "Of course."

  "Okay, here's the long and skinny on the Summerville Slammers."

  Jared grinned. “Catchy name. I like it."

  "We're four, four, and ‘O,’ Mr. Martin."

  His smile faded. “Why can't you call me Jared? I called you Kat earlier."

  Kat smiled thinly. “If I call you ‘Jared,’ it would imply we're friends. And we're far from being friends."

  "I'll call you ‘Coach’ today if you agree to call me by my first name."

  She angled her head and frowned. “Is everything a negotiation with you?"

  "That's what life is, Coach, one big negotiation."

  "Look, Mr. Martin..."

  "'Jared,’ I know you can say it. Try it. Jaaaaaaaaared,” he mouthed.

  "I know,” she snapped her fingers. “I'll call you Jared if you agree to get out of Summerville. Now. Today."

  "Uh, uh. No can do. Besides, you need me."

  "And why is that?"

  "Your team is four, four, and ‘O'? That means this game is important. Sounds like you're going to the playoffs."

  "We will if we win."

  "Then it's important to me, too.” He glanced at the kids milling around the stands. “Come on, introduce me."

  Kat hurried after him as he made his way to the team. “This is a small town, Mr. Mar..."

  "Jared."

  "Mr. Martin,” she replied, exasperated. “It's a small town, by now, everyone knows who you are."

  "Rule number 2: Never assume."

  She groaned. “I think you're inventing all these silly ‘rules.’”

  "Not in the least. My father lives by them, so do I."

  As they walked, Kat pulled the brim of her cap down a little further to shield her eyes from the sun's glare. Her nose filled with the fresh fragrance of newly cut grass as it crunched beneath her feet. She slanted a look in Jared's direction, admiring his wide, purposeful stride.

  "He should tell his son that Summerville isn't for sale."

  "My father does not run MegaMart. I do,” he replied, his tone clipped.

  Kat felt as though she scored a point in her favor. It thrilled her no end to know that she annoyed him. “You have quite a large ego."

  "There's no room at MegaMart for ego, just ideas."

  She rolled her eyes and snickered. “Is that another one of your father's corny rules?"

  He kicked a small stone out of the way with the toe of his sneaker, not breaking his stride. “Not really. Ever since my father got—” Jared stopped walking and reached for her upper arm. “Look, let's leave my family out of this."

  "Sensitive are we?” she asked, aiming her chin in his direction. “Then maybe you can understand how deep my feelings run for this town. It's my family.” She shrugged out of his hold.

  He sighed. “I do understand. If you'd let me show you the plans I've got in mind, you'd like what I have to propose."

  "Forget it. I'm not looking at any plans."

  She strode off to her team, Jared hot on her heels.

  "Stubborn,” he muttered in her ear. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as his lips skimmed the outer lobe. Kat shivered in response and turned away.

  Fifteen eager, little, female faces looked over at Jared. One little girl broke away from the group. Her blonde ponytail flipped up and down her back as she strode toward him."I'm the Captain,” she stated proudly. “The name's Jamie,” she wiped her nose with
the back of one grubby hand then extended it to Jared. The only other sound she made came from the large bubble she blew using the wad of pink gum in her mouth.

  Kat bit back a triumphant smile when she saw Jared's face pale.

  * * * *

  Jared swore he'd never seen a dirtier hand ... or face. Did this kid play in mud all day? He stole a glance in Kat's direction. Her green eyes held a challenge. He could either shake the girl's grubby hand or walk away. If he walked away, he admitted defeat and he'd be damned if he'd surrender this early.

  He had caught a glimpse of that fancy lace Kat used on all her intimate apparel. A small piece of it edged up around the waistband of her jeans earlier, when she reached for the bag in her trunk. He wondered what it attached to ... a thong? He imagined Kat Sullivan's beautiful, round, tight bottom encased in a thong. It aroused him more than imagining her naked. Had she done that on purpose, he wondered?

  Time to turn the tables on Ms. Upstart.

  "Nice to meet you, Jamie.” Jared bent down, grabbed the little girl's hand, and gave it a hearty shake.

  Kat's smug smiled faded.

  "Know anything about soccer?” Jamie asked. She dribbled the ball between her feet, then flipped it up with the toe of one cleat and bounced it off her heel. The ball connected squarely with Jared's right shin, and he felt the sting as it bounced off his leg. He slanted a glance in Kat's direction and saw the corners of her mouth kick up. She winked at Jamie.

  "That was impressive,” Jared told the little girl. He squashed the urge he had to lean down and rub his stinging shin.

  He dribbled the ball then slid his toe underneath, lifting it easily then kicking it high. It hit the ground and bounced twice.

  Jamie and the other girls stared at him, wide-eyed. When he looked in Kat's direction, she stood there, her mouth agape. He felt a moment's triumph and male pride.

  "Yeah, well, my dad says you're gonna ruin this town,” one little girl said from behind Jamie. She squinted in the bright sun, wrinkling her pug nose at Jared.

  So much for male pride.