“What else do you have planned?”
He looked mysterious and very satisfied with himself. “You’ll see. Only good surprises, I promise.”
“My favorite kind. So, do you really have x-ray vision?” she teased and was rewarded by the flash of his smile.
“Nope. Your secrets are safe from me.”
“Good, because I couldn’t fit that lingerie under this costume.”
“What lingerie?”
“The new black lace lingerie I wore to our dinner date the other night.”
He grimaced. “If you’re trying to make me feel guilty, you don’t have to try. I already do.”
“No, I was trying to flirt with you. Don’t you like lingerie?”
Pierce thought about it as she watched him. “I usually like what’s inside the lingerie better,” he said, his gaze darkening. “But if it makes you feel good, that works, too.”
“Can you leap tall buildings in a single bound?”
“Sadly, that didn’t come with the tights.”
“Stop a speeding bullet?”
“Working on that.”
Jacquie eyed him. “Have you ever been shot?”
Pierce grimaced. “This is how you flirt?”
She laughed. “You’re right. I’m just curious.”
He spared her costume an appreciative survey. “No jokes from me about the lasso, but if you feel inclined...” His expression turned wicked.
“I’m not sure the lasso of truth works on Superman.”
“We could find out.”
“We could. It might be interesting to compel you to tell the whole story.”
“Which particular whole story?”
“Any one of them.”
“Careful what you wish for,” he warned, his tone ominous.
Jacquie leaned closer. “What do you wish for, Pierce?”
He smiled down at her, his arms tightening a little around her waist. “I want you to be my kryptonite tonight.”
“Does that mean I have to break Aphrodite’s Law and submit to your authority?”
“Absolutely not. Superman is susceptible to magic, you know, and you’ve already cast your spell over me. I’m curious to learn what you have in mind, Mrs. Smith.”
“How long do we have to stay here?”
“You said midnight.”
“Twenty whole minutes.” She sighed as if that was an eternity. “What if I changed my mind?”
“It’s a woman’s prerogative.”
Jacquie stretched up and touched her lips to his ear. She felt Pierce go taut. “How about now?”
“Now works for me,” he said decisively and spun her from the dance floor. Their capes swirled as they headed for the doors.
“I have to go through the lobby and get my bag,” Jacquie said. “I left it in the office.”
Pierce grinned. “Planned spontaneity?”
“Exactly. I didn’t want to go home like this in the morning.”
“I’ll get a cab and meet you outside.”
“Two minutes,” Jacquie promised and kissed him quickly. Pierce made a little groan when she broke their kiss and she smiled, feeling sexy and excited.
Two minutes came and went. Pierce stood outside the cab at the curb, fighting to keep from tapping his toe. He wasn’t going after Jacquie. He was going to stand and wait. He was going to trust that his plan was unfurling perfectly.
He checked his watch again, wondering. Once again, there was one detail that could go wrong. He didn’t care that the meter was running. More people were arriving at the dance club and the sidewalk was thick with costumed crusaders. He’d called the hotel and moved up the arrangements that he’d made for midnight and they’d assured him that everything would be done in time.
Then Jacquie emerged from the club with a big purse and a bigger smile. Pierce swept open the door of the cab and she got in. He went around the other side and slid in beside her, capturing her hand in his. She was pressed against him, almost vibrating with an anticipation that he shared.
It took forever to wind through the traffic and get to the hotel. Fortunately, he’d already checked in, so they went straight to the elevators, running across the lobby hand in hand. More than one person turned to watch them.
“I always knew those two had a thing going on the side,” someone commented and Pierce exchanged a smile with Jacquie.
They had the elevator to themselves and once he slid in the key, choosing the secured floor, the elevator smoothly moved upward. Jacquie backed him into a corner and kissed him, showing her usual lack of reserve in letting him know exactly what she wanted. He caught her around the waist and lifted her against his chest, deepening his kiss. He felt like he’d been waiting a thousand years for this, and wanted to take it slow, but her passionate response made him fear he’d lose control.
The elevator pinged and bounced lightly when it reached their floor, then the doors slid open. Jacquie stepped back, her eyes sparkling, and Pierce took her hand, leading the way down the quiet corridor.
“You don’t mind when I take the initiative,” she whispered.
“I like that you tell me what you want,” he said. “It’s very sexy.” He gave her a simmering look as he slid the key into the lock and she smiled at him. Pierce swept open the door, relieved that everything was exactly as he’d specified.
He heard Jacquie catch her breath. It was a suite, and the view from the windows was almost as amazing as the setting itself. Hundreds of candles lit the large living room and the bedroom beyond, their flickering flames reflected in the window glass. The city was spread at their feet, the lights of other buildings and traffic piercing the darkness of the night. Pierce touched a button near the door and shades descended over the windows, filtering the view but not obliterating it.
There was a large arrangement of red roses on the coffee table, so dark that they were almost burgundy. Pierce could smell them, too. There was a bottle of champagne on ice with two glasses at the ready, and a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries on the coffee table.
“Welcome to the fortress of solitude,” he said when she didn’t speak.
Jacquie dropped her bag on a chair by the door and turned to survey it all. Her surprise was obvious—as was her delight. Pierce touched the control for the speakers and Rod Stewart began to sing about tonight being the
