Tingle All the Way (3 page)

“Exciting night.” He chortled and moved closer.

The fresh scent of soap and a woodsy
cologne touched her nose. She inhaled slowly before nearly choking on the
memory of what Hector had told her. Sex with Barry. Her cheeks heated and she
could only imagine the color in her face rising.

“Ohmygod. I don’t know what to say.”

“Good morning,” he suggested. “Are you
hungry?”

Hungry? Was he kidding? Kayla had just made
the biggest mistake in her career and he was thinking of food. So like a man.

“I don’t think I could eat a bite.” At
least that was the truth. Just the thought of food made her stomach roll.

“Then how about some coffee? I could make
you a Bloody Mary, it might help.”

“No. I think perhaps I should just go
home.” And bury her head in the sand, because if Barry wanted paybacks for what
she’d done to his father, spilling the beans of their night together would be
perfect retribution. Her stomach pitched and it wasn’t from the alcohol. She
had to get out of here.

Kayla threw back the covers, remembering
too late her state of undress.
What the hell.
According to her
three-inch subconscious, Barry had seen far more of her than her bra and thong.

As she wiggled into her skirt, fastening
the back, she chanced a look in Barry’s direction. He was staring at her. His
eyelids gaped and, judging by the tent in the towel, he was aroused.

Talk about wanting to kick herself—the one
time she goes out on a limb and screws the man of her dreams and she can’t
remember a damn thing. Her gaze stroked his chest once more. What a shame.

Slipping her arms into her white silk
shirt, she fastened the third button and then paused. “Uh. Barry, I trust that
what we did last night and the things I revealed won’t go beyond this room.”

His brows dipped. “What we did last night?”
His expression turned heated and he smiled. “Maybe you should tell me exactly
what you don’t want me to reveal?”

Damn him. Of course he would want her to
spell it out and go through that embarrassment once again. Paybacks were a
bitch. Okay. If he wanted to play games she had no alternative except to go along,
but she wasn’t happy about it.

“The sex. Tying me up. The spankings. And,”
she bit her bottom lip, “the thing about me fantasizing about multiple
partners. You know I was just joking, pulling your leg.”

Barry coughed several times. His face
turned beet-red and it looked as if he were choking.

For a moment she thought of running over
and slapping him on the back, helping him. Instead she stayed put. Maybe he
would choke to death, and then she wouldn’t have to worry about everyone at the
office and in the court system knowing her deepest, darkest secrets.

But when he continued to cough, she asked,
“You okay?”

Clearing his lungs, he took a deep breath.
“Yeah, I think I am.” He stepped closer. “So let me get this straight. No one
is to know we had sex last night. That I tied you up and spanked you. And by no
means that you fantasize about being taken by two men at once?”

“Is that too much to ask? I mean, it might
gain you stud status, but it would destroy my credibility.” Not to mention Dan
and Tom would have a field day with the information.

“Miss Jones—”

“I think after all that has happened you
should probably call me Kayla.”

“Kayla—” He hesitated.

Kayla wasn’t sure, but it appeared that he
was fighting another grin, because the dimples in his cheeks deepened.

“I’m not completely sure how to tell you
this, Kayla, but nothing happened last night.”

“Excuse me?” Her voice pitched high as her
eyelids rose so quickly she swore they touched her eyebrows.

“Honey, I wish I could say differently, but
much to my dismay there was no sex, no ropes or handcuffs, and no naughty
spankings.” Then he did smile. “However, I wouldn’t mind making all your
fantasies come true.”

Before Kayla gave thought to her actions,
she growled, “When I get my hands on you, I’ll pluck your wings off one at a
time. I swear I will.” She realized too late what this might look like to
Barry, but someone had set her up.

Concern darkened his eyes. “Kayla, maybe
you should sit down.”

“Sit down?” Furious, she pinned her
narrowed gaze on him. “Did your dad put you up to this? Who told you about my
fantasies?”

“My dad?” Barry didn’t know whether to
laugh or call 9-1-1. “Honey, you must have gotten some really bad alcohol last
night.”

“Honey?”

“Kayla, calm down.”

She did the opposite. Pacing the room, she mumbled
something about finding the responsible person. Barry wasn’t sure, but he
thought she said something about murder. On her next pass, he grabbed her by
the hand and pulled her to a stop.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s going on or
how my father came into the equation, but think about it. Did I say anything
about us having sex? You mentioned that. And if I remember correctly, I asked
you
to tell
me
exactly what you didn’t want me to reveal?
You
provided the information. I really had no idea what you were talking about.”

“But—” She snapped her mouth shut. Her head
lolled back as she stared at the ceiling. “Ohmygod.” Once again, Kayla drew her
gaze back to him. “I don’t know what to say. You must think I’m crazy.”

“No. It sounds like maybe you had a bad night.
I think it would be prudent if I take you to the hospital, have your blood
tested for drugs.”

“Drugs? Of course, that has to be it.
Someone must have slipped me something.” A breath of relief left her in a rush
before she continued, “Thank you. I mean. Well. I’m so glad you were there to,”
she pinched her lips together against a grin, “um, save me. I guess you’re my
hero.”

Barry liked the sound of that. Now that she
wasn’t in the mood to yank off wings, squash something like a bug, and possibly
unman him, maybe they could have a sensible conversation.

He still had her warm hand in his when she
realized that her shirt gapped open. Jerking her hand from his, she pulled the
two sides together, and with trembling fingers she fastened her buttons.

“Did you have to do that? I was enjoying
the view.”

“You know this places me in a very awkward
situation. Being here with you. The things I said. If any of this got out it
would destroy me.”

“Kayla, I would never do that. I prosecute
people who perpetrate such heinous crimes against others.” In fact, he was
madder than hell. Thank God he had been there. The thought of someone taking
advantage of this amazing woman made him sick. “You’re the victim. But I still
think a blood test is in order, and filing a police report.”

Her shoulders rose and fell. “It would be
senseless. You know as well as I do that nothing will come from going to the
hospital, or for that matter reporting it. O’Malley’s was packed. If my drinks
sat on the bar any time at all, anyone could have spiked them. I’m just
thankful I’m not losing my mind.”

Barry had never seen her appear so lost, so
fragile. Moisture filled her eyes and for a second he thought she might cry,
but she held it together. His heart broke to see her this way.

“You really should eat something. Maybe
some toast, at the very least a glass of soda. You need to rest and let that
stuff work out of your system. I can call a friend of mine and you can file a
report while you eat.”

“I’ve already put you out enough. I’ll take
care of it when I get home.” Slipping her heels on, she picked up her pantyhose
as her gaze rose to meet his. “Is my car still at O’Malley’s?”

“Yes. But I’m not sure you should drive.
Please. Stay. It really is no imposition. The only plan I had was going over to
my folks’ later tonight.” Damn. He didn’t want her to leave. “Hey. Why don’t
you join me? Well, unless you have something else planned.” After all it was
Christmas Eve. “My parents have an open house each year that I’m expected to
attend. People come and go at will. There’s lots of delicious food and plenty
to drink.”

She cringed, pulling a face. “Your parents
wouldn’t want me there. Besides I’ve had enough alcohol for the holidays.”

Damn. The woman was absolutely adorable.

“Check.” With a single finger, he made the
symbol in the air. “No alcohol. But you’re wrong. My parents would love it if
you attended.”

“Really?” She squirmed, tugging at her
skirt.

“Of course, why wouldn’t they?”

Kayla cocked a brow.

Before she could come up with another
excuse to shoot him down, he continued. “Say you’ll come. I hate to go to these
things alone.” Although it wasn’t exactly true that he’d be attending alone,
Stan had agreed to meet him there later in the evening but that hardly counted.
“Besides you’d make my mother happy. Maybe then she’ll stop parading a slew of
women before me as potential marriage candidates.” When Kayla still didn’t
respond, he added, “You’d really be doing me a favor.” Barry could tell by the
reluctance in her expression she was about to say no. “Call it returning a
favor.”

“Oh. You’re smooth, Mr. Allred, real
smooth. I believe that is called blackmail.”

“Barry.” He reminded her they were on a
first-name basis. Besides, what he had planned was entrapment, not blackmail.
Because if things went as he’d like, she would be locked in his arms tonight.
“Those who make the laws know how to break the laws.” He chuckled and then grew
serious. “Say you’ll come with me?”

She hesitated a moment longer. “Fine. I’ll
go with you, but it doesn’t mean anything other than me repaying a debt.”

If she wanted to look at it in that light
he didn’t care. Besides he had all day to chip away at the Ice Queen.

Barry started for the door. “Great. Shall
we have some breakfast?” When he didn’t hear her footsteps behind him again, he
turned back around.

With a smirk, she slid her gaze over him
from head to toe and back again.

His cock answered with a rise.

“Maybe you should get dressed first.”

Well, shit.
Nothing like showing his cards and desire in one fell swoop. If forgetting he
had no clothes on was any indicator, she now knew he was beyond excited. He was
elated.

“Either that or you can get undressed
again, so I won’t feel so awkward.”

Shaking her head, she laughed. “Yeah. Like
that’s going to happen. You had your chance, buddy. Um. Do you have a spare
toothbrush?”

Was that a joke or had she meant it? Did he
really have a chance with her?

He took a deep breath to calm himself.
“Down the hall, the first door on the left is the bathroom. You’ll find what
you need in the medicine cabinet. Wait.” He went to his dresser and pulled out
a t-shirt and sweats. “If you’d like to freshen up you could wear these until
we can get you something more comfortable to wear.”

Accepting his offering, her eyes twinkled
as her gaze skimmed his body once more, and then she walked past him out the
door.

In seconds he was alone but kicking
himself. Why hadn’t he thought of giving her a pair of boxers so he could feast
on those beautiful long legs during breakfast?

Chapter Three

Kayla set the borrowed clothes on the
commode. Either Barry knew nothing about the case between her and his father or
the Allreds were a forgiving bunch. She quickly dismissed the first thought,
because surely father and son spoke of business issues, especially one that
would reduce their family profits. Maybe they were of the mind business was
business, and personal issues were personal. How refreshing.

Opening the medicine cabinet, she found
several toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and even a hairbrush and comb
right where Barry said she’d find them. What she hadn’t expected when she
glanced down was to discover Hector sitting on a soap pump by the sink,
swinging his tiny legs.

“Shit!” The curse burst from her mouth as
she stumbled backward, striking the door. “I’m hallucinating again.” Her pulse
throbbed as she willed herself to pull it together.

Moving forward, she turned on the faucet
and began to splash her face with cold water. Blinking, she looked back at the
dispenser, but the little faery remained.

“Now as I see it, you can have a wonderful
holiday season. Of course, that is if you don’t mess it up.” Hector jumped down
from his perch to the sink, a burst of sparkles surrounding him. “You know that
red dress you have in your closet with that racy lingerie? The clothing you
bought on impulse, but have never worn? It would be perfect for tonight. I
think the white fox stole would accent it perfectly and pearls—can’t forget the
pearls.”

Kayla rubbed her eyes. “You’re not real.”

Dammit.
Her
head was starting to hurt as her stomach pitched, forcing her palms against the
sink. She bent over, swallowing several gulps of air in an attempt to gather
her control.