Seducing Simon(43)

He ran a hand through his hair and started pacing in front of her. “I know I probably hurt you with the way I reacted last time, and I’m sorry.

I honestly didn’t know how the hell to act. I wanted you badly, had wanted you for quite awhile, and suddenly you kissed me. I felt like a toad for taking advantage of you when you were vulnerable. And,” he said after a long pause. “I didn’t want to screw up our friendship.” She stared at him open-mouthed. She knew she must look ridiculous gaping at him like an idiot, but she couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Here was Simon admitting he was attracted to her. He laid a kiss on her that had curled every single one of her toes, and all she could do was stand, speechless.

“Now, I’ve laid my cards on the table,” he murmured, stroking a hand through her hair. “Now suppose you tell me why you kissed me.”

“Couldn’t you kiss me again and forget about talking?” she asked hopefully.

He chuckled and dipped his head to kiss her lips. In between kisses he said, “I have no qualms about kissing you again, but it isn’t going to get you out of answering me.”

“Mmmm,” she murmured against his lips.

He drew away slowly, his eyes half lidded. “Now, talk to me.” Feeling a bit more confident now that she had the man of her dreams showering her with kisses, she cleared her throat. “I’ve had the biggest crush on you forever. I’ve been doing everything I can think of to get you to notice me, and until now thought I’d failed miserably.”

“You little minx. Do you mean to tell me the sexy lingerie, the braless T-shirt, that was all for my benefit?”

She blushed. “Yes. Mike gave me the ideas.” He nearly choked and dissolved into a coughing fit. “Wait a minute.

You mean to tell me Mike was coaching you on how to seduce me?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted,” he said with a shake of his head.

“Well I had to do something,” she said defensively. “I didn’t know how to make you see me as anything more than a little sister.”

“You certainly succeeded,” he murmured. “Now that we have this settled, I have plans for us for the weekend. Starting as soon as you get off from work.”

She looked regretfully at him. “I have to work dispatch tonight.”

“Not anymore,” he said in a smug tone. “I cleared it with Lonnie. You have the night off and you don’t go back to work until next Wednesday.

You need the time off. You aren’t taking care of yourself and I plan to remedy that this weekend.”

Liquid heat curled in her stomach and spread into her chest. A huge silly grin fought to break out of her lips. She had the insane urge to twirl round and round in delight. And once again reality crashed in.

She still had to tell him about the baby.

“Why the frown?” he asked in concern.

“Oh nothing,” she said brightly. “A weekend off sounds heavenly.

What do you have in mind?”

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “You’ll see.” He leaned over to kiss her once more, his lips lingering on hers for a long moment. “I’ll see you in an hour at the house. Don’t be late.” He winked at her and walked out of the door.

Toni sagged against the counter. Holy moly, that man was sex in a jar. A giddy thrill washed through her and she succumbed to the desire to do a victory dance.

She bopped out to the front where Marnie was sitting, a wide grim nearly splitting her face in two.

“What’s got you so chipper?” Marnie asked giving her a speculative glance.

“You just saw the sexiest man who ever lived go through that door,” she said, easing into the chair beside Marnie.

The older woman’s eyes twinkled. “I thought he might have something to do with that spring in your step. It’s about time you landed that young man.”

“Oh, I haven’t landed him yet. But I’ve definitely got him on the hook.

Now if I can just reel him in.”

On the way home she thanked God there weren’t any cops out because she was exceeding the speed limit by a good ten miles an hour.

When she pulled into the drive she saw all three trucks there and frowned. Somehow A.J. and Matt being there hadn’t fit with her expectation of the evening.

When she walked in, she was immediately met by Simon who planted a kiss on her lips. “Hey gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice.

A ridiculously large smile burst forth from her lips.

“Now that’s more like it,” he said guiding her into the kitchen. “I haven’t seen you smile like that in weeks.” Matt and A.J. were in the kitchen doing something that suspiciously resembled cooking. She glanced questioningly at them and A.J. winked at her. “Never let it be said I don’t love you. I’m slaving over a hot stove in your honor.”

“What’s going on?” she asked Simon as he ushered her onto a stool.

“You’ve been overdoing it, and tonight we’re going to wait on you hand and foot. That is if knuckle head over there hasn’t managed to burn dinner.”

“I resemble that remark,” A.J. joked.

Matt set a plate in front of her and a tall glass of tea.

“You guys didn’t have to do this,” she protested.