KISS Page 6

  "Oh my, yes. That'll do fine,” Patrice told her. “And we may as well look at some bridal lingerie. Emma wants Arnya to have the traditional white bridal set."

  "Of course,” Kat replied. “Come this way."

  They walked to the bridal section of KISS. Patrice's dark-blue eyes lit upon an ankle-length, white satin gown, the bodice trimmed in delicate, shirred tulle. “Oh my, Kat ... Arnya would look stunning in that."

  "It ties in the back,” Kat told her. “And the shirring of tulle goes all the way around, too."

  Patrice rubbed the satin material between her fingers. “My, it shimmers,” she said, with just a touch of awe in her voice.

  "I'll wrap this, too, then.” She brought the gown to the counter and reached for a long box. As she folded it and placed it gently on the tissue, she asked Patrice, “So, why is Miss Ritter going along with Arnya's choice of husband?"

  Patrice sighed. “You know Emma Ritter. She's a crafty one. If she tries to throw up roadblocks in Arnya's way, she says Arnya will find a way around them.” Patrice chuckled. “Emma says she'd rather have Graham Waters where she can keep her eye on him. She doesn't want Arnya embarrassing the family and doing something rash like eloping."

  Emma Ritter was always a bit of a snob, Kat thought. An heir to a plastic fortune just wasn't good enough for the Old Money, Gold-Coast Ritters.

  "Here you go,” she handed Patrice a large, pink shopping bag bearing KISS’ trademark logo. Three boxes peeked over the top.

  "Thanks for everything, Kat. I always know I'll find something for Miss Ritter's nieces at KISS."

  "Anytime,” Kat replied. She walked Patrice to the door.

  They passed a display. Patrice's eyes lit upon a deep, chocolate-colored ‘Marilyn-style’ chemise.

  It would look stunning on her, Kat thought, as she gazed at the stretch-satin and mesh, ankle-length gown. Small diamante crystals studded the bodice, below the mesh.

  Patrice turned and shook Kat's hand. “Send Miss Ritter the bill promptly. You know how she is about paying you—she never wants you to wait."

  "I'll send it out in the next few days."

  "So long, Kat."

  Kat laid a hand on her arm. “Will you wait just a minute, Patrice?"

  "Sure."

  Kat walked over and grabbed the ‘Marilyn-style’ chemise from the hangar. She quickly boxed and wrapped the gown, then grabbed a matching push-up bra, thong and panty. She wrapped those as well and placed all the boxes in a KISS shopping bag. Kat handed them to Patrice.

  "What's all this?” Patrice asked her.

  Kat smiled thinly. “It's for you."

  Patrice's dark blue eyes widened. “For me? But..."

  Kat held up a hand. “You bring me a great deal of business."

  Patrice narrowed her eyes. “Really."

  "Yes, and well, I have a favor to ask."

  "I figured.” She sighed. “All right. What's the favor?"

  "I need you to keep me posted about Arnya and Graham Waters."

  Patrice angled her head. “Why?"

  Kat folded her arms and leaned against a counter. “Let's just say, I have a keen interest in the Plasticmate-MegaMart war, and Arnya and Graham."

  Patrice shrugged. “Is that all? Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a war but, okay. I'll let you know how things go."

  Kat walked over to her. “I'd like to know, well, more of Jerome Waters’ side of the story with MegaMart."

  "Sure, I'll try to find out."

  "I'd appreciate it, and, let's just keep this between you and me, all right?"

  Patrice slanted Kat a look. “That's fine by me.” She checked her watch and grabbed her bags. “Mercy, I've still got some more shopping to do.” She grinned. “It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. So long Kat. I'll talk to you soon ... and thanks."

  "Bye!” Kat waved from the doorway as she watched Patrice's tall, lithe frame disappear down the street. She closed the front door to KISS.

  Kat spotted the box Jared had forgotten sitting on the far counter. He was so sure of himself. He thought he had KISS in the palm of his hand...

  And Summerville.

  Kat spent another few hours at KISS. Some tourists came in and browsed. Kat grew antsy, couldn't wait for them to leave. She felt unsettled inside ... jittery. She blamed Jared, and that kiss they shared earlier. He awakened dormant feelings of desire Kat thought had disappeared long ago, along with her ex-husband.

  She closed up KISS at exactly six p.m. As she walked down Summerville's main drag, she passed Noone's Nest. Inside, one of the large, yellow parrots sang a rendition of Hello Dolly.

  If Nancy sold out to Jared, where would he put her prized, rare birds—next to the garden tools in his stupid MegaMart? She beetled her brows. No, he'd probably stick them next to her exquisite lingerie. She wondered how Nancy's colorful parrots would look displayed on a rack. Knowing Jared Martin, they'd be the ‘blue-light’ special of the week.

  "Hey there, Kat,” Fred called out to her.

  Kat stopped in front of Meyer's Sweet Shoppe. “Hi Fred."

  He bent his tall frame and locked the front door then turned to face her. “Saw Jared Martin today."

  Kat stiffened. “Really?"

  Fred ambled toward her. “He's a nice guy."

  "He's a shark. Don't let him fool you."

  Fred smiled. “Well, be that as it may, he's coming to the next civic association meeting."

  Kat's eyes widened. “Why?"

  "It's better that everyone hears him out in a public forum, don't you think?” Fred's usual, happy, face hardened into grim lines. “You and I have done all right over the years. I mean, we had our rough spots, but some of these stores, Kat, well, you know how it is. Some people got hit pretty badly with lots of stuff. Look at Nancy, what with her husband dying in 9/11 and well, Doris and Fred have had it rough at Country Crafts with her medical bills and—"

  She held up a hand. “Fred, you don't have to remind me,” she snapped. His face fell. “I'm sorry,” she softened her tone. She laid a hand on his forearm. “It's just that, there's got to be a better way than bringing Jared Martin and his MegaMart into Summerville."

  "I say we hear him out, that's all. Give the community the chance to decide."

  She looked down at the box in her hand. Tonight, she'd stop by the Pink Lily Inn and give Jared what he bought for his ‘sister’ and then...

  Kat swallowed, her throat convulsed.

  She'd take him to dinner and find out something about him that she could use to ruin him. The time for procrastinating was over.

  "Will you come to the meeting?"

  Fred's voice cut through her thoughts. Kat looked up at him. She squared her chin, determination stamping her features. “You bet I will. Everyone's going to hear what I have to say in a public forum, too."

  Kat stalked off toward her car, the pink box clutched tightly to her chest. As she got in and started the engine, she gazed in her rear view mirror at her swollen lips.

  Damn Jared Martin, anyway.

  She had no idea how she would get through dinner with him that night—if he agreed to go. Well, she'd do her best to see to it that he did ... no matter what it took.

  Kat pulled her car away from the curb and drove down Main Street. Stopping at a red light, she thought of how she'd maneuver him into dinner...

  The kiss they shared popped into her mind. Twice she kissed him, and twice she felt the force of his desire. Jared Martin definitely desired her. If she could play on that, use it—make him want her as much as she wanted him...

  She lifted one hand to her burning right cheek. Glancing in the rear view mirror, she noticed her face had turned scarlet. Her breathing quickened, her mind raced with all sorts of images of her and Jared, entwined, making love.

  The blare of a car's horn shook her from her reverie.

  The light turned green. Kat shook her head and gunned the engine. Her car shot forward.

  Seduction.

  Cou
ld she do it, she wondered? Could she manipulate Jared Martin, get close enough to him that he would come to trust her?

  She had to. Before that next civic association meeting.

  Kat had to find out more about Plasticmate and Jared's role in their downfall. If she didn't, he'd steal her beloved Summerville. Her haven. She'd do anything she could if Nancy and the other store owners didn't have to sell out to him.

  Even if it meant kissing him again. She'd kiss him a hundred times, if it meant saving her beloved hometown.

  Those were her last thoughts as she pulled her car in front of The Pink Lily that evening. As she walked up the flower-lined walkway of the charming, Victorian home, her legs trembled. She hated deception. Seducing Jared was nothing more than a deception on her part, but wasn't he doing that to Summerville? Seducing everyone—making them think that his MegaMart would stimulate economic growth and create more jobs? She imagined Doris and Harvey working in MegaMart, wearing those silly blue aprons and smocks Jared had his employees wear.

  Ridiculous.

  He'd probably insist that she design them!

  Kat opened the front door and walked into the lobby of the Pink Lily. Betty Horan spotted her immediately. Her plump, round face lit with a smile.

  "Why Kat, how nice to see you."

  Kat had to fight the urge to turn around and flee.

  * * * *

  Jared paced the confines of his room on the second floor of the Pink Lily. His feet sunk into the plush pile carpet as he walked and pondered why he acted so rash around Kat earlier. Raking the fingers of one hand through his dark hair, he realized he lost all his good sense when he kissed Kat Sullivan. Twice. Okay, so the first time, she kissed him. He wouldn't accept the blame for that heat-of-the-moment kiss, but the second time...

  He wanted to brand her with his lips, to seal the memory of that kiss on her brain ... and his. He wanted to kiss her until they both fainted from the exquisite torture. His blood beat in his veins, in perfect rhythm with his heightened breathing. Just the thought of kissing Kat again made him hot, aching and hard.

  He paced some more and stopped by the window. Looking out over the lush grounds, he marveled at the vast amount of pink trumpet lilies lining the walkways. Jared opened the window and inhaled. He shut his eyes and breathed deep of the lilies’ heavy, sweet odor.

  He thought of his father. Sam Martin would be appalled if he ever found out Jared's latest plan—to seduce Kat Sullivan. When they kissed, her wide, generous mouth parted sweetly, softly—she had let him in. Now, he intended to stay. His father wouldn't approve. Sam would lecture him about morals and good business sense and the bottom line and...

  Jared sighed. Sam would do no such thing. Not now, not ever. He had lost all interest in MegaMart months ago. Jared inhaled again, hoping the sweet odor would wash away the resentment he felt each time he thought of his father's circumstances. He had forced Jared to surrender his dream of teaching. Now, Jared had the pressure of staying on top. Companies like Big D for Discount and Bargain Bonanza gave MegaMart some healthy competition, forcing MegaMart to build twenty stores a year. Now, Jared had to concentrate on this store here in Summerville. But, this one would be different. Unique. His vision of what MegaMart should be. If he had to give up his dream of teaching, if he had to give up his vision of what his life should be, he'd at least make MegaMart into what he wanted it to be.

  He opened his eyes again and gazed out.

  A car pulled up near the main walkway. Jared blinked to clear his vision when he saw Kat get out. She strode up the lily-lined path to the main entrance. In her hand was a pink box bearing KISS’ trademark logo.

  He had been so caught up in that kiss he shared with Kat earlier, that he had forgotten the box ... again. He grinned, slow and cat-like, as he watched Kat shift the box and press it against her magnificent chest...

  ...And nearly tripped in his rush to get to the phone when he heard it ring.

  * * * *

  Betty Horan rounded the counter behind the front desk and approached Kat. “Oh my, Kat, this is a wonderful surprise."

  "Actually, I'm here to see one of your guests.” Kat prayed her voice sounded professional—and steady!

  Betty angled her head. “Really? Who?"

  Kat cleared her throat. “Mr. Martin. He left a package in my store earlier. I'm just here to deliver it."

  Betty grinned. “Why, that's no problem. Let me buzz his room."

  Kat's hands grew icy. She blamed it on the cool, air-conditioned air blowing across her bare arms. It snaked across her shoulders, down her upper arms and elbows then traveled to her fingers. She watched as Betty reached for the phone. Maybe Jared wasn't there. Her heart raced when she heard Betty speak, grinning the entire time during her one-sided conversation.

  "He'll be right down, Kat."

  Great. Wonderful. Okay, so she'd hand him the box then leave. No! She couldn't run away like a coward. She had to stay. They'd have dinner together and then...

  She swallowed—hard. The thought of what they would do after dinner sent hot and cold shivers down her spine.

  "Well, hello."

  Kat looked toward the wide staircase when she heard Jared's deep voice. He descended—his step lithe and quick.

  "Hello,” she squeaked in response. Damn, but that couldn't be her voice that sounded like a mouse! The closer Jared came to the bottom step, and her, the more she realized he resembled a sleek, black, panther intent on its prey.

  At the bottom of the steps, he stopped. Kat's heart skipped several beats during the few seconds his dark eyes scanned her slender form. As he walked, she noticed his dark silk trousers outlined lean trim hips. The casual white shirt he wore outside the waistband of the trousers looked crisp, yet ... relaxed.

  Far different from what she felt at the moment.

  He stopped in front of her. She inhaled the spicy, citrusy scent of his cologne. Her head swam as Jared filled the small space between them.

  He shook his dark head. “I'm getting very forgetful lately,” he murmured. Jared plucked the box from her hands. “Thank you, Kat. I appreciate your bringing this over.” His dark, gold-flecked eyes roamed her face and settled on her mouth.

  Kat's lips grew dry. “Of course,” she swallowed, her throat closing. She felt like shattering into a million pieces from his hot look.

  Jared didn't take his eyes from her face. “Mrs. Horan, would you get us a bottle of that chilled Cabernet Sauvignon you told me about earlier?"

  Betty Horan grinned from ear-to-ear. “Right away—Jared."

  Kat shot him a look.

  He shrugged. “See? Everyone else has no problem calling me ‘Jared.’”

  Kat wanted to huff in response. She pasted a smile on her face.

  "We'll be in the solarium, Betty,” Jared called out.

  He grasped Kat's elbow and steered her in the direction of the solarium. Kat felt as though she was being herded. He led, she simply followed, or rather, had no choice but to go in the direction he went. For the second time in a matter of minutes, Kat's mouth felt as dry as the desert. Would he take charge in the bedroom, too, she wondered? If her plan to seduce him met with success, would he be this ... commanding and compelling ... in bed, too?

  Her face grew hot when she realized the direction of her thoughts. If she didn't gain a foothold soon, she'd lose this battle.

  She removed her elbow from his fingers and sailed ahead of him into the solarium. Late afternoon sun streamed in through the windows. Wheat-colored whicker furniture mixed with cream-colored, antique wood furniture decorated the Pink Lily's main solarium. Kat took a seat on a chintz-lined sofa, resisting the urge to scoot into the corner.

  Betty Horan followed Jared in, with a bottle of wine and two hand-painted wine glasses on a silver tray. She set it on the small table in front of the sofa.

  "Such a pretty room, isn't it?” she winked at Kat.

  Kat wished the sofa would simply fold up and swallow her.

  "Yes, it is
,” Jared replied easily. “I'm enjoying ... the view."

  Although he faced the wide windows looking out onto the flower-lined grounds and ponds, his eyes strayed to Kat.

  Kat's body flushed in response. She felt hot everywhere, and had a feeling it had nothing to do with the sun streaming in through the windows.

  Betty grabbed the bottle of wine and placed the corkscrew over the top.

  Jared removed it from her hands. “I'll do that. Meanwhile, could you bring us an assortment of cheese and fruit, please?"

  "Of course. I'll be right back."

  Jared waited until Betty left. “I think we should talk, don't you?” He uncorked the wine, set the bottle on the tray to let it breathe. He eased his tall frame into the seat next to Kat. “You and I need to come to an understanding,” his voice grew soft.

  Kat angled her chin, hoping to dispel the jitters in her belly. “Yes, we do."

  Jared didn't speak for some time, gazing down at the bottle of wine. Finally, he lifted his dark eyes to hers. “I'm not going to apologize."

  She blinked. “Excuse me?"

  He shook his head. “What I meant was I can't say I'm sorry I kissed you."

  "I see,” she murmured. Jared shifted his weight, the sofa dipped in response.

  "I'd like to again. In fact, I'd like to right now."

  Kat caught a glimpse of the bulge between his legs. Her body leapt to attention, a pounding ache pulsed between her legs. If he kissed her now, she'd crumble.

  "But...” His expression grew rueful. “Unfortunately, we need to iron out some things about MegaMart and KISS."

  Kat narrowed her eyes. “Like what?"

  He slid his arm across the back of the sofa, behind her head. “Let's just say, I'd like to call a truce."

  Kat leaned back and crossed her arms. “After your earlier statement, how can I trust you?"

  He picked at a thread in the cushion. His eyes met hers squarely. “I had no business saying what I did about KISS—about owning your store."

  Betty came in with another tray full of cheese, fresh fruit and cookies.

  "Thank you,” Jared tore his eyes from Kat's face for just a second. “That's a very nice tray, Betty."

  Kat turned her head and rolled her eyes when Betty practically simpered.