Negligee Behavior (9 page)

“Or just a guy.”

“Okay–or a guy. But, what’s with the doughnut then?”

At the mention of the sweet treat, he picked it up and licked a bit of chocolate from the side.

“I mean doughnuts are so…” Her words trailed off and her gaze slid to his mouth as he licked the doughnut again. “Sweet.”

Interesting. Was she still a bit hot and bothered this morning? He allowed a slight smile. It’d be nice if she was, so they would be on the same level.

“Comfort food,” he finally answered. “When I was a kid my dad used to bring us doughnuts for breakfast every Saturday morning.”

“Ah, that’s sweet. I was given protein shakes by my nanny.”

He saw the flicker of sadness in her eyes before she looked down at her plate. What had her childhood been like? What had Brandy been like pint-sized?

“Do you have any brother or sisters?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. Just me. Which is why I’m the…” She bit her lip, obviously deciding not to finish what she’d been about to say. “It’s just me. How about you?”

“I have a younger sister.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Her expression turned wistful as she ate the last bit of her waffle. “That must’ve been great.”

“It was.”

It had been great in some way. His family had been close, but then they’d lived in a two bedroom apartment in the bad part of town. Money had been tight.

He drew in a slow, unsteady breath and closed his eyes for a moment. God, he missed them. The need to see his dad and sister again came on so strong that it replaced every other urge. But he tapped it down. Just like he always did.

It just wouldn’t happen. Things had changed when he had. When Marco had told them what his future plans were, the disappointment in his dad’s eyes had said it all.

“You know, I almost want another waffle.”

He lifted his head, tearing his thoughts out of his painful past. “So go grab one. Get your money’s worth.”

She patted her stomach and grimaced. “I’d better not. I’m pretty much full. Besides, later today I want to try one of those burgers at your place.”

“Yeah, you sure as hell do,” he agreed, finishing off the rest of the doughnut and then grabbing his last piece of bacon.

Good thing he didn’t always eat like this. He’d be the poster child for heart disease by the time he hit twenty-nine in a few months.

“So what do you have to do in Vegas today?” she asked, sipping her tea.

“I promised I’d drop off the last paycheck to the waitress who just quit.”

“That’s awfully nice of you. You’re such a good boss.”

“Careful, you’ve only worked for me for one day. And I wasn’t nice to you for most of it. Let’s see if you’re still saying that in a week,” he teased, even though he knew the chances of her being there in a week were slim.

“Are you ready to head out?” she asked a few minutes later. “Or were you going to get more to eat?”

“I’m done.” He tossed his napkin on the table and stood up.

“Thanks for breakfast. That was probably the best waffle I’ve had in my life,” she said as they walked out of the casino and moved down the Strip.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I did. I—oh my God!” She gasped and turned around, grabbing his shirt. “Hurry and kiss me.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” She tugged on his shirt, pulling him forward as her mouth slammed against his. “Gordon.” The word came out muffled between their tightly-pressed lips.

Surprise rendered him immobile. It took a second for him to realize she hadn’t been calling him Gordon, but warning him that the man was nearby.

But even that took a lot of thought. It was hard to focus beyond the caress of her soft lips against his.

“Grab my hair. Bunch it up in your fist so it isn’t recognizable,” she whispered against his mouth.

He complied, eagerly delving his fingers into her soft curls and tugging her head back. The move gave him deeper access to her mouth, and the soft little moan she made had him silently applauding her acting skills.

Her tongue seemed hesitant as it slipped into his mouth, but her arms were confident as they slid around his back to clutch him to her.

He took over, deepening the kiss. The sweetness of her mouth was beyond tempting. The taste of strawberries and syrup was intoxicating against his tongue.

The kiss may have started as a way to disguise Brandy, but it turned into something completely different. It was the hottest kiss he’d experienced in God knew how long.

He wanted to slide his hand up her shirt again. Touch that lace bra. But damn they were in public.
Again
.

Tonight. After work, he’d have her. No more excuses or denying it. They wanted each other, so why the hell fight it anymore?

“Brandy.” He lifted his mouth slightly, but didn’t pull away from her.

“Mmm.” She didn’t open her eyes, instead brushed her lips against his more.

“I think he’s gone.”

“What?” Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked around. Her cheeks turned pink. “Oh, yes. Yes, he is.”

He knew he should release her and step back, but somehow it seemed so right having her in his arms, holding her like this. Even if they were standing on the sidewalk in the middle of Las Vegas. Hell, worse sins had probably occurred.

“You need to talk to him, Brandy.”

He wanted to kick himself the minute the words were out. The last thing he wanted was for her to chat it up with the reality star ex-fiancé.

“You don’t know Gordon.” She shook her head. “He’s too persuasive. He’s got the charisma of a snake charmer. He’d have me saying
I do
before I know what I really want.”

“How long were you engaged?”

She laughed and pressed a hand against her forehead. “Like three hours.”

Interesting. “Spontaneous Vegas wedding, huh?”

“To say the least.”

He let go of her hair and her arms unwound from his waist. He immediately missed the warmth of her soft body against him.

Christ, she was so sexy. A ball of fire and passion, an untapped, undiscovered treasure of a woman buried beneath some profoundly bad clothing.

And I found her
. Never had he considered himself romantic, but tonight, he wanted it to be special. He’d bring home a bottle of wine, maybe put on some Kings of Leon—

“Sorry about that,” she said and then sighed. “I don’t mean to drag you into all this.”

“You’re fine.” He smoothed a stray curl off her forehead. “Don’t worry about it. Anyway, we should go. We’ve got a lot to do today.”

She nodded, disappointment flickering in her eyes. Did she think he wasn’t interested? He bit back a grin. Wouldn’t she be surprised tonight?

Watch it, buddy, you’re acting like a teenage boy with a crush on his teacher.
Which, in a way could be kind of an adequate description. She was older, barely, and she did teach.

He stepped back and drew in a deep breath. “Let’s head out.”

Gordon sped walked down the sidewalk, his manicured nails biting into his palms. Sweat beaded his forehead and he shook his head.

Goddamn it, nothing had helped. Going on the local news had produced no results. It was like Brandy had upped and disappeared off the fucking planet.

A second ago, he’d almost been convinced she’d been across the street. Making out with some tattooed guy, but then he’d realized he’d just been seeing what he wanted to see.

She’s gone. And you have to find out where.
Obviously she was a bit traumatized after seeing him with the hooker, but hell, he hadn’t thought she’d go into hiding this long.

Her cell phone had been turned off and she hadn’t gone to her parents’ house. He’d driven back to L.A. and passed by their house multiple times. No sign of her there or at her own place. And he’d gone to her place—used the key she’d given him and searched for any trace that she’d been there. Had even hit redial on her phone to see the last person she’d called. It had only been the local library. Boring little bitch.

The last thing he wanted to do was get her parents involved, but hell, if he couldn’t find her soon he just might have to. Unfortunately, Brandy’s parents had never been one-hundred-percent thrilled by his presence in their daughter’s life.

Smart parents. Too damn smart. But then that was why they were billionaires and he wasn’t.

Like it or not, though, he was going to have to employ them for help in finding her. He’d still keep the details of what had preceded her running off quiet. There’d be no mention of the attempted wedding, or the shitty events that had unfolded in the hours after.

They’d go straight to the media, and maybe if she saw her parents on television she’d come up for air.

And when she did…fuck. He’d think of something. But he’d get her down the damn aisle if he had to carry the fat bitch.

“Are you hungry?”

Brandy looked up from the bar stool and frowned. “Didn’t we just eat?”

Marco wiped down the counter with a rag and checked the time.

“Three hours ago. And you just had that waffle.”

“Give me a few more minutes to get my stomach up to speed again.”

“Whatever you want.” He moved to the other end of the bar, organizing and cleaning.

Hmm, she still had five hours before her shift. What was she going to do? Shopping had been on her agenda originally.

If she had to wear this recycled outfit one more day, she was going to chuck it into the nearest trashcan. And this was her favorite shirt, so it would have killed her to do it.

But then part of her was more than content to just sit and stare at Marco for those five hours. Just being in his presence made her palms a little damp and her knees a little weak.

No, she’d be perfectly content to just sit and stare at the man who had her heart and hormones going into overdrive. Of course she hadn’t confessed that last part to him. Though he’d have to be blind not to have realized it.

What had happened last night had been a first for her. The desire she’d felt when he’d touched her, kissed her. Even being beyond exhausted by the end of the night, she’d lain in the marijuana-scented bedroom of Marco’s roommate and thought about Marco and those amazing moments on the bike.

She snapped out of her reverie and watched Marco walk around the bar checking in with the few customers that were there.

It was barely noon and there weren’t many of them. Just a few that came in for the lunch more than the alcohol.

Brandy swung her feet against the stool she sat on at the bar, watching as he walked back towards her.

His expression turned surprisingly gentle. “You didn’t have to come in this early with me, you know.”

“I know. You told me last night and again this morning. And as I told you before, I don’t mind hanging out. So long as you don’t mind me here,” she rushed to add.

He gave a soft laugh. “I don’t mind in the least. I’ve kind of gotten used to having you around.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“Not at all.”

Her blood warmed ridiculously with pleasure. “Okay. I’ll take that burger now.”

He smiled and shook his head. “I’ll have Dave whip you up one. You want cheese on it?”

“Yes, please, and lots of mayonnaise.”

“All right, princess. Be back in second.”

He disappeared into the kitchen and she braced her elbows on the bar, humming along to an old Steve Miller song that filtered out from the speakers in the bar.

The front door to the bar swung open, letting a band of light in. A woman was silhouetted for a second in the doorframe. She stepped inside and the door slammed shut behind her. She strode across the floor with a purpose, and Brandy stared at the woman with open amazement.

She had a Bettie Page-style haircut, only it was dyed purple. Her nose was pierced and she wore the shortest excuse for a dress Brandy had ever seen. The lace neckline somehow managed to make it look demure and crass at the same time. She was like a slutty Stepford Wife.

“Hello,” Brandy called out.

The woman stopped for the briefest second to say hi and give her a curious look. Then she continued walking and disappeared behind the bar and into the back.

Hmm. Who was that? Could it be that Valerie girl they’d been talking about? Somehow when they’d said the name Val, she’d gotten more of a cute little coed image. But this worked too. In fact, it was a whole lot more interesting.

The back door swung open again a minute later and the punk girl came back out, sitting down on the bar stool next to her.

She looked Brandy straight in the eyes. “I’m Val. I hear you’re working here now?”

She couldn’t have been more than twenty-three, and the girl had more confidence than Brandy had ever possessed.

“Hello. I’m Brandy, and yes, I just started yesterday.” She smiled. “I hope you’re feeling better today.”

“Feeling better?” The girl raised a pierced eyebrow that Brandy just now noticed.

“Yes, they said you had food poisoning yesterday?”

“Oh yeah.” Her eyes danced with amusement as she leaned close. “I didn’t really have food poisoning. I was just having the best fuck of my life with my boyfriend, if you know what I mean. But don’t tell the boys. They love me, but I know that’d piss them off to no end. Especially if they realized I was getting some and they weren’t.”

Brandy pressed a hand to her chest. Okay, so her parents owned a lingerie chain, but the people who ran in her circles just didn’t talk like that.

“Ah, shit. I shocked you. Sorry, kid.”

Kid? She was calling
Brandy
the kid?

“Nice shirt, by the way, it’s almost retro.”

Retro? “Oh, umm, thank you. I need to go shopping. I have no clothes.”

“No clothes? Damn, now that is a problem. When are you going?” Val blinked and popped a mint into her mouth. “I don’t work until five, can I come?”

Shopping with Val? She looked again at the dress the other girl was wearing. Was that such a good idea?

“I can help you pick out some cute outfits.” Val narrowed her eyes. “How’d you do on tips last night?”

“Oh…” She mentally counted the amount on two hands. “About eight bucks.”

“Eight bucks? Total?” Val shook her head. “You poor kid. I’ll help you pick out some outfits that’ll get you an eight dollar tip with one customer.”

The kitchen door swung open again and Marco came out holding her lunch.

“What’s going on?”

“Val wants to go shopping with me.”

Marco stared at the other woman with obvious concern. “You should be taking it easy, Val. You were just sick yesterday.”

“Ugh. I know, it was pretty horrible.” She pressed a hand to her stomach and made a face. “But I feel a ton better today. I think it’s all out of my system now.”

Brandy blinked in astonishment. The girl was a great actress. If Val hadn’t confided in her that she’d been getting fu—er—making love, she’d have believed the girl had actually been sick.

“Well, don’t push yourself.” Marco shook his head and set down the burger in front of Brandy. “Do you want something to drink with that?”

“I’ll just have a diet cola, if that’s okay?” Brandy picked up a fry and took a bite. “Thank you, Marco.”

Marco filled up a cup with ice and then went to the soda machine. Brandy never took her eyes off him, thinking about that kiss last night while eating one fry after another. God, when was the last time she’d eaten so much junk food? She never indulged.

“He’s pretty hot, huh?” Val asked quietly next to her.

“Hmm?”

“Marco.”

Brandy opened her mouth to answer, but Marco turned around just then and made his way back toward them.

“One diet soda. I’m going to run some numbers in the back. Let me know if you need anything.”

She waited until he’d disappeared behind the kitchen doors and then sighed.

“Yes, he’s a hottie.”

“He’s single, you know.” Val stole a fry and gave her a pensive look. “Are you?”

“Umm. Sort of?” She wasn’t about to go into the details of running away from her wedding two days ago. “But I’m not really his type.”

Val laughed and stood up, walking behind the bar. “You’d be surprised just how much his type you actually are.”

What? What did she mean by that cryptic remark? How could a guy like Marco possibly be her type? Brandy shot Val a disbelieving look as she picked up her burger.

“Don’t give me that look. You’ve known the guy for, what, a few days?”

“Two.” She took a bite of the burger and closed her eyes.
Heaven
.

“Right. And I’ve known him for over a year. So trust me on this one.” Val poured herself a soda and then came back to the bar stool. “Hurry with that burger, Brandy. I’m getting the urge to max out my credit card.”

“Oh. Is that wise?” She’d never maxed out a credit card in her life. And not because her parents had given her one without a limit, but because she never shopped. Never made big purchases.

Well, besides her Lexus. That was the only time she’d dropped an obscene amount of money. And every now and then she had major twinges of guilt on that one, and considered trading it in for a Ford.

“Wise? Hell, you’ll never hear me claiming to be wise. But I’m a damn good shopper.” Val looked around the bar. “Did you meet Sebastian yet? Was he here last night? He’s our resident Brit.”

“Yes, he was here last night. He’s very…charming.”

“Charming?” Val snorted. “The guy flirts with anyone who has breasts. But he’s a good guy.”

“Yes, he is a bit of flirt.”

“He’s single, too, or soon to be. But has a big ol’ mess of a love life. The guy should open a luggage shop, he’s got so much baggage.”

Marco had hinted about something along those lines as well. What had happened to Sebastian? She finished off her burger and considered the possibilities.

“You ready? Here I’ll take it to the back.” Val stood up and reached for the basket of food.

“Thanks.” Brandy grabbed one last fry before she could take it. “Let me use the bathroom and then we can go.”

Marco was shutting down his computer when Val came into the back.

“Hey, try and be back by four if you could, around when the rush hits.”

“Yeah, we’ll be back by then.” She sat down on the edge of his desk, crossing one skinny leg over another. The familiar scent of patchouli oil followed wherever she went. “I figure we’ll hit some thrift shops.”

“Thank God. See if you can get her to burn the cat shirt.”

“Ah, don’t you like pussy, Marco?”

He sighed, used to her crude behavior by now. “I like it fine, Val, just not on a T-shirt.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I’ll pick her out something cute.”

He waited for her to say something more, or maybe get off his desk, but she just kept looking at him with an amused little smile.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit. I know that look on you and you’re hiding something.”

She chewed on her lip and narrowed her eyes. “You have absolutely no idea who she is, do you?”

“Who? Brandy?”

“Yup.” She folded her arms across her chest.

“She’s a bride who ran from her wedding.”

“Okay, maybe so. But do you know
who
she is?”

Should he? He stared at Val, his brain whirring through the past twenty-four hours and all the little things Brandy had said.

“Think lingerie.”

Lingerie? What the hell did lingerie have to do with anything?

“Damn it all, Val, just tell me already.”

“Oh no. This is too great.” She slid off the desk and shook her head, laughing outright. “She’s been sleeping in your house for two days and you had no idea she’s—”

“All right.” Brandy pushed through the swinging doors and came into the back. “Are we ready, Val?”

“Sure, Brandy.” Valerie closed her mouth and her smile widened.

Christ, Val was just going to leave him hanging like this? Without telling him who the hell Brandy was? She was loving it too, judging by the blatant delight on her face.

“We’ll see you in a few hours.” Valerie winked and headed for the swinging doors.

“Thanks for lunch,” Brandy murmured. She stayed behind, even after Val went up front. Offering a shy smile, she twisted her hands in front of her. “You were right, it is the best burger I’ve had. I’ll be sure to spread the word.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” He didn’t want to hear about the burgers now, he wanted to know who the fuck she was.

He couldn’t imagine her being anyone but a badly dressed choir teacher who could somehow tie his hormones and emotions into a knot.

“Okay, guess I’d better go shopping. You’re probably as tired of this outfit as I am.”

More so. He smiled and lied, “I don’t even notice what you’re wearing.”

Her expression fell slightly and hurt flickered in her eyes. Shit, he’d just unintentionally insulted her.

“That came out wrong. I’m—”

“I’d better go. Val’s waiting for me.” She gestured behind her, and then spun around and practically ran out of the back office.

The door swung shut behind her and he sighed.
Damn.

She’d rushed out before he could even apologize. Not like it would have helped much once the words were out.

He slammed his fist on the desk.
Who the hell was she
?

“I’m going to have a smoke. Want one?”

Brandy wrinkled her nose and shook her head. Her feet hurt like crazy from all the walking and shopping they’d done.

“I’ll go back and grab an iced tea at the coffee house we just passed.”

“Cool. Meet me inside the shop across the street when you’re done,” Val grinned and pulled out her pack of smokes. “I saw the cutest corset in there I think you should try on.”

Brandy swallowed hard and tried not to wince. “Right. A corset…sure.” She forced a slight smile, craving that tea now. “See you in a few.”

Inside the shop, she let out a sigh of relief for the small respite. She’d just accepted her iced tea from a perky barista, when a hand closed over her shoulder.

She turned, expecting Val’s face to swim into view.

“You owe me one hell of an explanation.”

Brandy stumbled backward as she eyed Gordon in shock.
Damn. Double damn
.

“Gordon.” Her fingers crushed the plastic cup, and the cold beverage leaked a bit over the side onto her hand.

Her gaze darted to the door, seeking a way out. The urge to run just as prominent as it had been on Friday. Maybe even more so.

He must have sensed her intent, because he wrapped long fingers around her wrist in a move that guaranteed he had no intention of letting go until they talked.

She licked her lips and tugged on her hand. “Gordon…”

“Why don’t we go somewhere private to talk?” He jerked his head toward the door. “I’ve got a rental car parked just down the street.”

Her pulse jumped and she tugged at her hand, but he made no move to loosen his grip.

She leaned forward and said in a low voice, “Gordon, I need time.”