Seduced

'You're making this way too easy on me, Matthews,' she commented lightly. And now that they had the details nailed, there wasn't any reason for her to spend extra time with him.

'I think you learned your lesson about giving up safe and practical for variety. As well as the value of compromising.'

She stuffed her party planning notes into her tote bag and glanced his way, seeing a glimmer of the Ryan she was used to dealing with in the teasing tone of his voice. 'Okay, I knew this was coming,' she said, reading a deeper meaning into his comment. 'You're gloating.'

'I am not,' he replied evenly, still maintaining that relaxed, blase composure.

His expression was completely impassive, but she was beginning to read Ryan well enough to suspect he was feeling too confident inside. 'Are too.'

His long fingers burrowed into Camelot's soft fur as he rubbed her back, and he tipped his head inquisitively at Jessica. 'What do you think I'm gloating over?'

As if he didn't know. 'The fact that you proved me wrong about the cakes.'

His shoulder lifted in a casual shrug, and the corner of his mouth eased into a sexy grin. 'I thought it was a lesson well learned.'

A lesson in seduction.Heat and desire curled through her, and she fought valiantly to shake the sensation.

'And speaking of lessons,' he continued in a deep drawl. 'There is one more thing I want to discuss with you before you leave.'

She sent him a curious glance. 'What's that?'

'Have you bought your gift for Brooke and Marc yet?'

She capped her pen and dropped it into her purse. 'I picked up a few of those extra-big bath towels at a sale yesterday, but I still need to find the other items I wanted to get them.'

He worked his jaw as he thought about that for a few seconds. 'Are you still intent on buying your own gift for them, instead of going in together on our individual ideas?'

She sighed. So, they were back to that issue. 'Yes. I still believe that my gift idea is more-'

'Practical and sensible,' he finished for her, his tone indicating what he thought of her way of thinking- boring.

She straightened defensively. 'It's whatI'd want for a gift.'

A dark brow lifted. 'Really?'

The challenge lacing his voice and the glimmer of deviltry in his gaze sparked something deep within her… an illicit excitement and forbidden thrill. 'Yes,really.'

He blinked lazily, and resumed lavishing attention on Camelot. 'Have you ever sat in a big bathtub with a man?'

She tucked a swath of hair behind her ear, hating that her answer would show too much of her inexperience. 'No.'

'Then you have no idea what it feels like to have your back scrubbed, or to have someone else soap up your body, slowly, leisurely…'

She resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. The mesmerizing huskiness of his voice and his calculated words caressed her, finding and touching all those secret warm places of hers. She watched his big hands stroke over the cat, and desire and need tightened her belly.

With effort, she flashed him a sassy grin. 'My loofah works just fine, thank you very much.'

He chuckled softly. The sound wrapped around her, as intimate as an embrace. Suddenly, everything about him had taken on sexual overtones.

'But it's not nearly as much fun as two slick bodies sliding against each other,' he murmured. 'And then there are the body paints I was telling you about, and the silky feel of fingers gliding over sleek skin as you draw funny, sexy pictures on your lover's back, then lick them off.'

Her pulse skittered wildly at the image that popped into her mind. Nowthis was the Ryan she knew, taunting and teasing her with words. He wasn't physically touching her, but his words had a powerful effect on her body.

She glanced away from his direct stare, but her feminine nerves continued to tingle with awareness. 'I'll have to take your word for it.'

He nudged Camelot off his lap, and the feline jumped down and sauntered over to her food bowl. Ryan scooted back his chair, stretched out his long, muscular legs, and folded his hands over his flat stomach. 'If you have no idea what any of that is like, how can you be so sure that you'd prefer towels and a hamper and a vanity set over more sensual pleasures?'

Indeed.His question was legitimately inquisitive, and she wished she had a better answer for him than the one that fell from her lips. 'I suppose I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it, but what can I say? Iam practical, always have been.' And she suddenly wondered what she'd missed as a result of having grown up being so careful and prudent.

Slippery, sensual, erotic sex.

'And you're too damn proud of that fact.' There was no criticism in his tone, just warm amusement. Standing, he held out his hand to her. 'Come on, Jessie, I want to show you something.'

Not budging, she eyed his outstretched hand dubiously. 'Said the spider to the fly.'

He laughed. 'But you're curious, aren't you?'

Oh, more than he could ever know. She was tempted beyond reason, and she struggled to hold tight to her more reserved nature. 'Why can't you just tell me what it is?'

'Because it would be much more fun toshow you.' He waggled his fingers, enticing her. 'You can either take my hand, Jessie, or you can leave. It'syour choice and I'll go with whatever you decide. But if I know you, it'll drive you nuts all the way home, thinking about what I wanted to show you, wondering what I had in mind…'

A tiny shiver rippled through her. Hedid know her. And it would drive her crazy not knowing where he'd planned to lead her. While her heart told her to bolt for the door and put as much distance as she could between her and Ryan, her traitorous body tended to gravitate toward the promises in his gaze.

Telling herself she only meant to appease her interest and would only spare a brief glimpse at his surprise, she stood and placed her hand in his. Immediate warmth engulfed her as he entwined their fingers. Without hesitating, she allowed him to guide her up the spiral staircase and into his master bedroom. She caught a quick hint of bold, masculine colors of hunter green and navy blue, and dark oak furniture, before he tugged her closer to the king- sized bed and the big basket sitting in the center nearly overflowing with ingredients of a sensual variety.

She took quick inventory of the items, finding bottles of bath products, candles, a bottle of wine with two crystal glasses, and a rich, purple, velvet chenille robe tucked to the side. There was more, but she'd seen enough to catch the gist of Ryan's gift.

'Okay, I get the idea,' she said, meeting his warm, chocolate-brown gaze. 'But I still think Brooke and Marc will find my gift more useful.'

'This isn't for them. This is lesson number two.' He released her hand, and grinned wickedly. 'My sensual versus your practical.'

It took a moment for his meaning to sink in, but when it did, her eyes widened incredulously. 'You wantme to take a bath withyou?'

'In a matter of speaking, yes.' He spoke as though his suggestion was nothing out of the ordinary. 'Since you're so skeptical about my gift idea, I thought we'd give practical application a try to convince you otherwise.'

Too easily, she recalled his cake test, and his creative, provocative way of convincing her that variety was a very good thing. Just remembering what had transpired in her kitchen, on her table, made her feel weak in the knees, breathless, and flushed with shameless anticipation.

She shoved those thoughts from her head. 'Ryan, what you're suggesting is…'

'Tempting?'

Oh, yeah.Knowing the state of ecstasy he could so easily bring her to, she was definitely inspired to accept his invitation. 'How aboutoutrageous?'

'Aw, come on, Jessie,' he cajoled. 'Since you've never had this particular experience, I want to show you how fun sharing a bath with someone can be. Then you might have a better appreciation for my gift.'