Instruction in Seduction (4 page)

“Believe me. You were.”

Nick watched her and then laughed again.

“Well, I’ll be blowed.”

That hair down gesture thing blew him away and he was still reeling from the revelation. Now that he recalled a pair of unforgettable tight suit trousers and a long ponytail sprang to mind like some weird jigsaw. Big spectacles and a very shy girl who was the most organised temp he’d ever known.

He experienced a brief memory replay featuring short skirts one hot London Summer and him having to work to keep his gaze averted. Girlish fruity perfume that wafted as he visited her desk.

But back then he’d been too busy sorting out the crazy minefield of his life. An ex-girlfriend with no designs on a future with him; a baby bump surprise. The scary reality of no strings sex.

Another reason why he now erred on ultra safe. He’d learned it the hard way.

Ailsa watched him, green eyes cagey. “Now you think I’m an idiot. Nice New Year surprise. You’re welcome to come back to the house and call a cab or whatever. Maybe you just want to spend the night drinking with your pal Andy?” She didn’t meet his gaze and instead she just stuffed her hands deep into those pockets. The ones she’d held his hands in. And the memory of that brief, heated, exciting intimacy made something inside him melt and feel bad that their brief dalliance fizzled into nothing.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like her.

He just liked her too much to treat her like a throwaway good time. She deserved better. And so did he.

In that look Nick knew he definitely couldn’t do it. Sleeping with her tonight was not on the cards. These days he didn’t do crazy impulse sex; as much as his loins might beg otherwise.

If he’d learned something from back then it was when sex didn’t have strings, it usually wasn’t worth the risks.

How did he keep his distance back then? How was he to resist Ailsa now?

Especially when he’d been deprived of good sex in a long time. A seven-year-old son living with him tended to spoil opportunities and add an extra barricade to such endeavour.

But Nick wasn’t just sure he wished things were different with Ailsa, he was more sure than he’d ever been of anything. He wished he really could cast it all aside and just say yes.

“Ailsa, I’d like to take you out to dinner,” he told her. Voice calm, tone sensible.

She reminded him of Sally his sister too because the brave stuff was an act. And right now Sally, the reason he was here in Edinburgh at all, was back in her hotel room alone. Sally probably spent the evening curled up with an extra large box of Kleenex littering the bed in giant moist paper snowballs. Pining for a waste of space husband who’d left her and their business falling apart and ready to rip at the seams.

He’d pull her through, sell the restaurant and ultimately he’d get her back on course.

And now he was out on a frosty Edinburgh street trying to convince himself not to have fantastic throwaway sex with a women who’d once unwisely worshipped him.

“Sorry Ailsa. Please say yes to dinner instead.”

Her eyes slashed him to shreds. “Thanks for the ego smash. But no.”

He held up a hand. “Let me finish. As much as I appreciate the offer, as much as I’d like to stay tonight. And I really would. It’s just bad timing and I can’t.”

Her face was a conundrum of emotions; all of them negative. Red hair framed it beautifully.

Nick added, “My ethics would crash and burn. And I have obligations that make spending the night with you tricky.”

And he saw in Ailsa’s eyes that her forced sense of sexually liberated courage had already taken a sure route to the scrap heap. All because of him. He’d have to do something about that.

Even the way Ailsa Murray looked at him was trouble. She was too good looking and yet she played it down. He took a last look at those full, expertly crafted lips and then pushed himself away.

“I have to go. Can’t I call you? Andy will give me your contact number if I ask him.”

“Forget it,” she answered. “The opportunity’s lost.” Ailsa stared at him like he’d just stolen her purse then asked her to sign his left buttock.

He’d blown this already and he may as well just walk away while he was ahead. But he couldn’t. Something about Ailsa hooked Nick flailing like a trout on a line. It felt like some force was guiding him; spurring him on not to take no for an answer.

Nick walked up to her, caught up her fingers in his and put his face where she could no longer evade him. His gaze speared hers. Seconds later he stole a kiss from her. The barest softest kiss. Then he pulled back then stole another kiss. This one an atomic version that plundered and demanded and made her kiss him back harder.

Still he kissed Ailsa, persuaded with his mouth. Cajoled and pleaded. His tongue did the work for him and he didn’t utter a word. And she responded with a touch of resistance. Then fleeting hesitation that fast turned to gentle submission followed by full on consent and approval.

Her hands grasped his jacket.

Her tongue told him she needed this too.

Her eyes were ghosted shut when he pulled away and her lips were bee stung. He’d never wanted her more.

“Let’s have dinner and do this whole
you fancy me and I fancy you thing
properly? Tomorrow I’m free all night long and I want to spend it with you. See where this goes but take it slow and steady. Enjoy the ride without the fast-track.”

She opened her eyes and stared at him. He smiled hoping for kindness and a reprieve on the mess he’d made.

“Yes,” she answered. “Tomorrow. One last chance.”

Chapter Three

But even as Ailsa told Nick Palmer she’d give him another chance, she waivered. Even though her body screamed to accept his promise of an alternative date for desire; even though she badly wanted to agree, Ailsa Murray couldn’t say yes.

She had to stay firm.

Her sister decreed this was exactly how she was going wrong;

letting others take the lead was compounding past errors. Nick Palmer had just turned her down. Hadn’t Kirsty’s letter taught her anything?

Ailsa firmed her resolve then stood back a pace and forced her eyes to stay firmly on Nick’s. “Actually, tomorrow’s out for me,” she said slowly. “I’ve remembered I have other commitments. So this window of opportunity has evaporated. Sorry but there it is. Goodbye.”

She turned on her boot heels and left him behind. Feeling like Anne Robinson after a gripping round of The Weakest Link and Nick Palmer was the one doing the walk of shame.

Inside Ailsa was punching the air. Knowing that this is what Kirsty would have done. She’d finally done it right. She needed to be in control and it was even more rewarding because Nick looked completely blind-sided at her words.

Ailsa really needed to quash the urge to relent. Especially when she saw the dawning disappointment on Nick Palmer’s handsome features. But this time she suppressed her ‘Doormat Ailsa’ leanings.

Nick caught up, then caught her arm. “Really?” Nick asked, his eyes looking meek. He was adorable this way. “You can’t not see me again. I won’t let you.”

“I’m sorry but you’re just not the one with the casting vote here,” she answered sharp as a school mistress with pique. “Perhaps you need to realise that?”
A tiny secret feeling of power curled inside Ailsa.

Was Kirsty right all along?

And my but this felt empowering and fantastic.

“Please reconsider, Ailsa,” he asked with a husky voice and searching eyes.

“Sorry too late, Nick.” She shrugged off his hand.

“But I meant what I said.” His hand was tousling his hair now. His face looked spooked. “I have to see you.”

“Then you’re going to have your work cut out,” Ailsa answered back. Feeling that if she’d known Kirsty’s advice could have this much impact she’dve tried this years ago. Maybe she’d be dating Johnny Depp by now?

“I’m going to need a lot of persuasion and proof that you’re worth it,” she answered. “Plus if I have to cancel my arrangements then I expect you to live up to my hopes.”

“Hopes?” he asked tentatively.

Ailsa stuck her chin out. “Not just a date. We spend the night together and I’m in charge. That’s my deal, take it or leave it.”

How could she possibly become an expert in seduction and getting what she wanted if she started taking orders now? She had to take the reins and keep the power fully harnessed.

Ailsa vowed to stay firm. Even when he looked shocked. Even when he stood back and shoved his hands deep in his pockets.

But Kirsty’s instructions said she needed to seize the offensive. A whole new approach of assertiveness with men.

She thought back to Kirsty’s letter, stored in her memory.

“
Dear Sis,

You know I love you more than any fantastic best friend I could ever hope for, but I have something to tell you that’s hard to say to your face.

You’re smart but you’re uncertain. You’re beautiful but you’re shy. You have a great figure you never show because you opt for baggy over brazen. And you badly need to start taking the lead and harnessing your Inner Diva of Desirability now. Or you’re going to end up single and suppressing your true potential and that would be the biggest waste of all.

So here’s what I want to tell you - you need to realise how great you are and start living life like you mean it. Take tonight; we went out for pizza and the waiter gave you ‘interested signals’ but you didn’t even look at him. When he handed you a napkin with his phone number you assumed it was meant for me. This has to stop! You need to take the lead with men. Be assertive and confident and hard to please, take control. Insist on being Numero Uno. And start harnessing your inner vamp.

Men want to work hard for the chase. So I’m sending you a list; it’s time to begin your Instruction In Seduction. I want to help you find the man you deserve and who brings out your sexy and wild side. You’ll love it when you realise that being the one with the power feels liberating. I want you to find men who worship you and know how good that feels.”

So this time, with Kirsty’s mantras on her side, Ailsa said with conviction, “You lost the chance to take the decisions when you turned me down, Nick. You didn’t give me a good reason for cancelling. So you accept my terms or it’s off. Now I really have to go.” Ailsa turned and swiftly stalked off.

His voice sounded puzzled when he answered, “I do have good reasons for tonight; family matters. Your terms are accepted but you need to have faith in me.”

Ailsa was trying not to smile but she didn’t even look behind her. “I’m going home. It’s late and your lines are getting tired.”

She didn’t dare turn around. Kirsty’s instructions were spinning fast circuits around her head. Playing the ‘won’t back down vamp’ might be empowering but it was also unsettling like strong wine and too much dancing on stilettos.

Nick moved fast; like a panther. He sprinted to her and pulled Ailsa to a stop then forced her to look at him. She gasped at the touch and the speed of his movements. He was so close he could kiss her with ease. And what would she do if he did? Buckle?

“Sofa Girl,” he whispered, eyes glinting. “Don’t run out on me with a crushed ego until you hear why I’m saying no to the best good time of my life. I want our time to be as special as it can be. And if that means promising you a night now rather than seeing how things go, then yes. I agree.”

Rewind. Had he said that?

“So you know about the Sofa Girl thing; you and half the country.”

“Andy told me about your fame as sofa queen; the femme fatale of soft furnishings. I’m only going tonight because I don’t think spur of the moment impulse does credit to either of us. I don’t want to have to walk out and leave either. And I honestly can’t stay. So tomorrow we’ll meet - have dinner like calm, rational grown ups not hormone crazed teenagers. And yes we’ll spend the night together as you wish. Want me to sign something?”

As much as Ailsa resented backing down, he was right. He did make her feel like a hormone-crazed adolescent and perhaps her ‘I want you tonight’ line wasn’t her subtlest tack.

“We’re done then,” she said trying to remain as aloof and vampish as she could even though he was almost making her shake in a heady mix of the cool night air and the proximity of a red hot man. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Aren’t you going to give me your number first?” Nick took his phone from his pocket. After punching in her number Nick re-pocketed the phone then watched her with a gaze that turned her muscles weak. “I intend to take you somewhere special tomorrow. I have a lot of sucking up to do since I’ve upset you so much. There’s only one way to convince you I’m worth cancelling for and that’s pull all the stops out,” Nick put her hands around his neck. His Adams apple bobbed as again he pulled her to him. “Just happens I’m good at doing that.”

Nick’s fingers propelled her forward, his arms encircled her shoulders, fingers trailed up to her neck. He smelled of clean shirt, shower fresh male and warm hot hormones wrapped up to keep out the Scottish chills. She found she liked it.

He then placed a kiss on the edge of her lip. Sparks went off anew. It was a kiss hotter, sweeter than syrup on a tin plate in a heat wave.

He reached down to take her lapels and kissed her again, mouth opening against mouth, tongue seeking, affirming, underlining just how great in bed he’d be. His kisses ignited. Sending sparks off at tangents, coursing through her veins and filling her abdomen with warm darts of pulsating pleasure. Her sex swelled, the heat mounted. Climbing, promising a great view from the summit.

He had impact on her physically there was no denying it. And surely she couldn’t be imagining this much chemistry in action? Surely he felt it too?

“Still not interested?” his voice was rusty.

Nick Palmer could kiss like a ninja-trained hit squad put on the job as an urgent priority assignment.

Was this what Kirsty talked about?