Notorious (3 page)

“Okay. Let me go mix up some color, and I’ll be back.” Lisa patted her shoulder and headed toward the color mixing area.

They both worked at a hair salon, their booths were right next to each other and they did each other’s hair. They were also good friends. Keith got Lisa’s husband Todd a job and the two men worked together as well.

Which made for a bit of awkwardness between the two now, but Stacy knew they could overcome it.

That was the reason she couldn’t tell Lisa about her experience with Eric in the alley. She couldn’t take the risk that Keith might find out because damn it, it was none of his business.

Really, she couldn’t tell anyone. She had her work friends, but again, she didn’t want Lisa to know about it. And she couldn’t tell her best friend because well, her best friend used to go out with Eric. Had a sort of relationship with Eric and Eric’s boyfriend, which Stacy had found strange and twisted and sick and she’d felt so judgmental at the time when Alexa told her. Thinking Alexa was crazy for embarking on a relationship with not just one but two men.

Not that Stacy had any room to talk. Not with her panty-wearing, eventual cross-dressing boyfriend she was trying to push into marriage. She’d been so desperate to be married she would’ve done anything. Including convincing herself Keith would make the perfect husband for her.

He might make someone a perfect husband—or perhaps wife if he went through the sex change thing. But he certainly wasn’t going to make her a perfect anything.

Stacy grabbed a tabloid magazine and flipped through it but the bits of celebrity gossip didn’t distract her. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Eric. The way he slammed her against that wall and pinned her there with his big, sexy body. His mouth on hers, delicious and decadent and making her head spin as his tongue swept against hers. How he’d touched her breasts, caressed her thigh, said such wicked things. It would’ve been so easy to give in. To say yes and let him flip her skirt up, tear her panties off and take her right there against that rough brick wall, it would’ve been good. She knew that without a doubt.

But she’d stopped him because she didn’t want to be used. No matter how much she would’ve used him right back she couldn’t let it happen. She had too much respect for herself to give in. Yes, it would’ve been amazing but she’d rather feel good about herself than experiencing amazing, mind-blowing sex for one stolen night.

Stacy slapped the magazine shut and closed her eyes, hung her head. She was a damn fool. She totally should’ve jumped at the chance to have amazing, mind-blowing sex with a man she’d most likely never see again. Right there in an alley where anyone could walk up on them, where anyone could see them. Just to say that she did it.

She’d let him slip through her fingers, and now she regretted it. See what being a good girl got her?

Absolutely nothing but sweet, hot memories of fevered kisses and stolen touches. A few blissful moments that amounted to the hottest sexual experience of her life. And they hadn’t even had sex.

Crazy.

Lisa came back in minutes and began applying the color and the foils, chattering all the while. Stacy nodded and answered where she was supposed to, still too distracted to really pay attention to exactly what Lisa was saying. She loved her friend, really she did, but she knew Lisa was uncomfortable with the stuff that just happened between her and Keith. The fact that he’d declared himself a cross-dressing gay dude worried her.

Not that Stacy blamed her. His revelation had done something to her too. Like ruin her life for a few days until she realized it was better to find out now rather than a few years down the line. When they possibly could’ve been married and had children.

“Todd talked to Keith,” Lisa said once she was finished, as she cleaned up the small mess she’d made.

“Oh?” Stacy kept her voice deliberately nonchalant. She didn’t want to hear what Lisa had to say about Keith. Not at all.

“He feels really bad about what happened.” Lisa paused, her gaze meeting Stacy’s once again in the mirror. “He told Todd you wouldn’t take his calls.”

“I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t think there’s anything left to say.” Stacy shrugged her shoulders, heard the foil crinkle against her neck. She hated this part, sitting around with the color on her head, waiting while it set.

“You guys went out for almost two years. You really believe there’s nothing left to say?”

Stacy threw the umpteenth magazine she’d been flipping through onto the counter in front of her. “Lisa. We broke up. He’s not interested in me. I gave him back his ring, I cried a little bit, and now I’m done. End of story.”

“Is it really that simple? I mean, aren’t you still hurting over what happened? I would be devastated if Todd did that to me.” Lisa shook her head.

“I really don’t want to talk about this right now. I’m trying to move on,” Stacy said firmly.

“But…”

“I mean it,” Stacy interrupted. She offered Lisa a smile. She knew her friend meant well, but she didn’t want to dwell over the breakup. There wasn’t any point to it. “I appreciate your concern, but it, uh, will start to upset me if we talk about it too much.”

“Oh. Yes, of course. I’m sorry, Stacy. I just—I wanted you to know if you need anything, want to talk, whatever, I’m here for you. I mean, I know I’ve already said that, but I just wanted to tell you again. Todd and I, we worry about you. You’re our friend.”

“That means a lot to me, your offer. Really it does.” Stacy reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”

Stacy watched as Lisa went to the back, then heaved a quiet sigh of relief. She was so sick and tired talking about Keith. Reiterating everything that happened two weeks ago now. Yeah, it wasn’t that long ago, but she couldn’t linger over it. It was pointless.

If she was being completely honest she had to admit their relationship had hit a rocky point probably a year ago. Even before she discovered him in her underwear. She’d pushed for the engagement because she was afraid of being alone. He’d gone along but she’d felt an undercurrent of reluctance. And just as soon as he slipped that ring on her finger, they’d grown even more distant. To the point where she rarely saw him.

Because he was too busy living a completely different life that didn’t involve her.

The receptionist hurried toward her, a confused expression on her face. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Who?” The only reason she had Lisa do her hair was because they both had a free two hours. She had an appointment at five but it was a quick haircut and it was only three-thirty. No way had he shown up yet.

“Some guy, I have no clue who he is. Said he wanted you to cut his hair.”

“Did you tell him I was unavailable?”

“He insists on seeing you.” The receptionist bit her lower lip nervously. “I didn’t book an appointment on accident, I swear. I have no idea who this guy is.”

Stacy reached up and touched her hair. She looked like a freak. “I’m not about to go out there and talk to him. I mean, look at me. Tell him to make an appointment and come back then.”

“I’ll try,” the receptionist said with a forlorn sigh as she turned and headed back toward the front of the salon.

And that’s when Stacy saw him. That hard, lean body propped against the front counter of the reception area, looking as gorgeous as he pleased. Even better in daylight, she couldn’t help but think, wearing perfectly worn jeans and a white T-shirt that clung to his muscular chest. His hair was stylishly spiked up just at the front, his mouth curved into a charming smile as he spoke to the poor, dumbstruck receptionist and then his gaze lifted. Met hers and his smile grew.

Just like that, her panties did that strange melting thing again and the air lodged in her throat. She glanced around in a panic as he started toward her, wishing there was somewhere she could hide but it was no use.

He was too close, and she looked way too ridiculous.

“I thought you did hair.” He stopped just in front of her chair. “Looks like you’re getting your hair done.”

“Uh, yeah I had some free time.” She reached up, ran a self-conscious hand over the foils. She must look an absolute mess.

“Gotta look good for your clients, right?”

“Exactly.” She nodded, watched him warily. “How did you find me, Eric?”

Again that devastating smile and again her panties melted. “I have my ways.”

“
Why
did you find me?” Her heart thumped madly and she breathed deep, tried to calm it. He’d actually sought her out. After she walked away from him, here he was.

What did that mean?

“I wanted to apologize.” His face grew solemn, and his gaze locked on hers. “For what happened the other night. I was an asshole.”

“Well, you did warn me.”

His brows lowered. “What?”

“You warned me you were an asshole,” she reminded him, wanting the moment to be easy, not all heavy and downtrodden. She was sick of the heavy and the serious. She was in the mood for light and fun. “And I accept your apology.”

“I’m glad.” He was still serious when she really didn’t want him to be. “I never wanted to push you into anything you didn’t want to do.”

“I never said I didn’t want to do it.” Her mouth clamped shut the moment the words left her. Oh boy. She was asking for it, playing with fire when she barely knew how to light a match.

His eyes lit with a wicked spark, and he smiled. Sexy and charming without saying a word. “Come to dinner with me tonight.”

His request shocked her. He wanted to spend more time with her? “Tonight?”

Eric nodded slowly. “Tonight.”

She didn’t even have to think about it. “All right. But on two conditions.”

He cocked a brow. “Name them.”

“I’m in the mood for Mexican food.”

“Done.” He chuckled.

“And no drinking tonight. No beer, no margaritas, nothing.”

Eric frowned. “No drinking,” he repeated.

“I want you sober.” She wanted him rational and coherent and not drowning his sorrows in booze. Because she knew that was exactly what he was doing and she didn’t like it.

Even if he didn’t want her to, she was going to take care of him. Make him see that he allowed his past to still shadow his life.

“Fine. Mexican food and sober Eric, I can do it.” He smiled again, but this time it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Perfect. I have a client coming in at five. Want to meet me at the restaurant?” She named a local place not far from her work. “Around six-thirty?”

“Sure.” He shrugged, sent a welcoming smile to Lisa when she approached. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Lisa studied him curiously, then slid a glance in Stacy’s direction.

“See you at six-thirty, Stace.” He offered her a little wave and then walked out.

Lisa whirled on her the moment he was out of hearing distance. “Who is that?”

“An old friend.” Stacy shrugged. It wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t exactly the truth either.

“He’s really good looking.” Lisa turned, watched Eric exit the salon. “How do you know him?”

“Through Alexa.”

“Oh.” Lisa’s voice revealed all. She knew about Alexa’s exploits. Yet another reason she should never mention exactly who Eric was.

“He’s a nice guy, just a friend, nothing more.”

“Be careful, Stacy. You’re vulnerable. Guys like to take advantage of that.” Lisa crossed her arms in front of her chest, all motherly concern.

“He would never do that to me.” Oh, now she really lied. He was all over her like white on rice. Eric wouldn’t have one problem taking advantage of her in her vulnerable state.

Funny thing though, he was in a vulnerable state as well.

He just didn’t realize it yet.

Chapter Three

Eric learned three things about Stacy while sitting with her at dinner. First, she loved guacamole so much it probably bordered on an obsession. Second, she had no problem drinking Diet Coke continuously while all he wished for was a little bit of Jack in his Coke. And third, she had a really easy, sweet laugh. One he wanted to listen to again and again.

Oh yeah, and she was easy to talk to. He felt comfortable with her, and he couldn’t remember the last time he felt comfortable with anyone. He had a hard time letting his guard down.

With Stacy, he found he wanted to reveal things to her. Things he revealed to no one else.

Her hair was extra blonde, blonder than the last time he saw her and it looked good on her. She dressed stylishly, probably because of where she worked and he couldn’t stop staring at her lips.

Yeah, that was his real problem. He was fascinated with her mouth. When she first came into the restaurant, it’d been perfectly glossed. Shiny pink with the tiniest bits of glitter catching the light, that mouth drew his eye right away. But, as the night wore on and she chomped on endless tortilla chips heavily laden with guacamole, the lip gloss wore off. Until all he saw was the bare, pink, succulent flesh of her mouth.

A mouth he’d kissed. A mouth he’d licked at with his tongue. He knew what she tasted like. He knew how she kissed back. Hell, he knew the horny little sounds she made in her throat when she particularly enjoyed a kiss and damn it, he wanted to kiss her again. Maybe even have those pretty plump lips wrapped tight around his cock while he stood over her and fucked her mouth. She would kneel in front of him and take him because she wanted to. Because she needed him.

Yeah, like that was going to happen.

But he sat there and made nice. Teased her and talked to her without revealing too much for fear she’d freak out. Gripped his irritatingly plain Coke and wished like crazy he had some booze in him to give him strength. Give him confidence. Just watching her dazzled him a little bit. She was rather hypnotic—her energy, the way she paid total attention to him when he spoke.

He liked it. He liked
her
.

The thought threw him a little off balance.

“Is there something on my face?” she asked out of nowhere.

Eric realized yet again he’d been staring at her mouth, only this time, he got caught. “What?” He pretended he didn’t know what she talked about.