Part 8 (1/2)

She finished getting ready quickly, going with the dark, glittery red dress. While she usually stuck with softer, spring colors, tonight she wanted to stand out, to be as vivid as a flame. To look like someone who should be on the arm of a man as good-looking as Sean.

Remembering the confusion in Sean's voice when he'd asked about the program, Annie grabbed the page she'd torn out. The comment he'd made about baseball a few minutes ago-not the s.e.xual innuendo, but the actual game-made her wonder why why he would offer a woman a date to a Cubs game. It just seemed so out of character. he would offer a woman a date to a Cubs game. It just seemed so out of character.

Something wasn't adding up. Intending to ask him about it over dinner, Annie folded carefully folded the page and tucked it into her purse.

When she walked back into the other room five minutes after she'd left it, her clothes were changed, her pulse was back to normal, and her freshly changed panties were completely dry.

Though, if they stayed that way all evening, she'd be shocked.

”Okay, I'm...” Her words trailed off as she noticed Sean holding something curled up like a baby in his arms.

It was Wally. And he was purring. purring.

Shock made her jaw drop. ”You drugged him. Like in that movie Something About Mary. Something About Mary. He's He's never never this friendly.” this friendly.”

”Are you kidding? He's a big softie.” He scratched the cat under his chin, and Wally rubbed his furry head against the man's hands. His very talented hands, as she knew well.

Maybe it wasn't so strange that Wally was being nice to someone else for the first time in his life. Sean's hands could make a grown woman purr...why not a cat?

Shaking off the memory of those hands on her body, she said, ”He also sheds badly. Your jacket will be a mess.”

Shrugging, Sean lowered the cat to the sofa, then began to pick the fur off his previously immaculate suit coat. Pus.h.i.+ng his hands away, Annie did it for him, suddenly struck by the cozy intimacy of such an act. Like they were a regular couple, going out on a regular date.

It was...nice.

A little confused and suddenly feeling awkward, she stepped back. ”That's better. I guess we're both ready.”

He looked her up and down. ”I didn't know women were capable of getting dressed so quickly.”

”I shouldn't be. It's not like I wear clothes like this very often. But I'm a pro at yanking on a new s.h.i.+rt to replace one that's got baby formula or strained peas on it.”

He grinned. ”Hazards of the job.”

”Yep. But it's nice to do something different. Now, at least if my mother asks me if you've taken me anywhere special, I can honestly say yes.”

His grin faded, and she immediately regretted reminding him of how they'd met and why they were together. So much for being a normal couple. It had been lovely to pretend for a moment...but it wasn't true.

Maybe it was good to be reminded of that. She needed to remember that whether or not they had an official ”third date”-and everything it entailed-this wasn't going to go anywhere. How could it? She knew almost nothing nothing about this man. Not where he lived, where he worked. Not where he was headed after this weekend. She only knew how he affected her. about this man. Not where he lived, where he worked. Not where he was headed after this weekend. She only knew how he affected her.

Isn't that enough? that reckless inner voice whispered. A fling with a gorgeous man was probably just what the s.e.x doctor would order after the Blake fiasco. that reckless inner voice whispered. A fling with a gorgeous man was probably just what the s.e.x doctor would order after the Blake fiasco.

It was definitely something to consider.

”Have you been telling your family about a new boyfriend?”

Annie jerked her head back, wondering if he saw the guilt in her eyes. She quickly glanced around the apartment, looking for some telltale sign that she'd been seeing someone recently. Blake had only ever been inside her place a few times, so she had no idea what it could be.

”Because, I imagine they think he's someone special if you're bringing him home for a family event like this.”

Of course. He wasn't overly suspicious, just asking a natural question. ”Uh...yeah.”

”Do I have a name?” He sounded resigned. ”Please say it's not somethin' stupid like Pierce or Todd.”

”Blake,” she whispered.

”Ugh.”

”I haven't given any details about looks, personality, age or anything,” she quickly added. ”They just know-er-believe, that I've been seeing someone.” that I've been seeing someone.”

And thank G.o.d for that. Maybe not telling her family anything about Blake-including the fact that he had a son-had been an indication that, deep inside, Annie had known something was wrong with the relations.h.i.+p. That same instinct might have kept her from actually having s.e.x with him.

So perhaps she ought to give her instincts a break. They'd served her well in that much, at least.

”I should have known, given the mumbling you were doing at the auction the other night.”

She'd forgotten about that.

”All right, I suppose we can work with that. But, oh, woman, did you intentionally set yourself up to have your brothers hara.s.s you? Why on earth did you pick such a girly-man name?”

She bit her lip, preventing a quick laugh. Oh, would she love to see Blake's expression if he heard those words coming out of this incredibly hot man's mouth.

No. Actually, she wouldn't. She never wanted to see that man again, never wanted to think about him or even remember she'd once let herself believe she was falling for him. Actually, she wouldn't. She never wanted to see that man again, never wanted to think about him or even remember she'd once let herself believe she was falling for him.

He was the past. Who might be in her future, she couldn't say. But for her present-for this weekend-there was only Sean.

”Just a lapse in judgment,” she admitted softly, both to him and to herself. ”It was a simple mistake, one I need to forget about.”

Starting right now.

5.

SEAN HAD BEEN grabbing taxis while in Chicago for this trip. But since he had wanted Annie to get the full ”auction date” package, he had hired a limo for the evening. When they walked out of her apartment building and she saw the long, s.h.i.+ny black vehicle standing at the curb, her eyes widened in delight. grabbing taxis while in Chicago for this trip. But since he had wanted Annie to get the full ”auction date” package, he had hired a limo for the evening. When they walked out of her apartment building and she saw the long, s.h.i.+ny black vehicle standing at the curb, her eyes widened in delight.

”Thank you,” she murmured as he escorted her to the door, where the driver stood waiting. ”You went all out for tonight, when you didn't have to. I'm sure you spent way too much money.”

He could certainly afford it, but didn't say that. Annie hadn't asked him about his job, how he lived, what he lived on. He wanted to keep it that way a little while longer. ”Who says I didn't have to? You put out a lot of money at the auction...”

”For this weekend,” she clarified as they got into the car. She slid across the leather seat, making room for him to sit beside her. As he did, her long, slim leg brushed against his, and Sean had to tug his stare away by sheer force of will. He hardly heard her as she continued. ”And you're paying me back in full by helping me out with my family.” She waved a hand, gesturing at the inside of the car. ”This...was definitely over and above the call of duty.”

His smile wolfish, he asked, ”Does that mean you want to go back upstairs and give me a piece of pizza for date two?”

Laughing softly, she shook her head. ”Not on your life.”

During the ride to the restaurant, she checked out every inch of the car, peeking into the minibar, tapping her nail against the rim of a gla.s.s to test the crystal. She didn't go so far as to open the sunroof and pop up through it, but otherwise, seemed to enjoy every typical bit of a standard limo ride. He suspected she'd never been in one.

Sean wasn't the limo type. He much preferred taxis to get around cities he was visiting, or his own cars when he was at home. But it was fun to watch her. Considering the small apartment, her simple clothes, her understated jewelry and her salt-of-the-earth background, he suspected Annie didn't indulge in luxuries very often.