Simply Sexy

CHAPTER SIX

I WAS JUST ENTERTAINING a friend. A day later, the comment still stung. After leaving Rina at a party, Colin supposed he deserved the barb. He didn't think she was entertaining a man, but his jealousy had been aroused anyway. Which had probably been the point. He cursed himself good for letting himself take the bait.

He had an agenda regarding Rina, but it had been pushed to the back burner by real feelings he hadn't anticipated. Jealousy? Damn.

He picked up the phone and called some smaller companies who advertised in the Times and was assured they'd continue to place ads. Then he made preliminary calls to add state and more in-depth national information to the wire service the paper already received. As it was, Corinne was printing what she called "need to know" headlines on an inside section of the paper. Colin jotted notes to contact Bloomberg for financial news and the possibility of acquiring national sports from the AP. Separating man from his sports? It was no wonder Corinne had lost much of her audience. From his perspective, everything was ready to go-should he be able to convince Corinne in time.

Of course, Colin's changes would cost money, but he'd have to spend something to rebuild readership. Some of that cost could be recouped in Rina's and Emma's salaries, he thought guiltily.

"Good morning, Colin." Emma strode into the office, too perky and happy for a Monday morning. Especially this Monday morning.

"Morning, Emma. I take it you spent yesterday resting up from your Christmas bash?" He folded his hands behind his head, happy for the distraction.

"Oh yes. I soaked in a tub, pampered myself and read a good book. I'm feeling completely refreshed, thank you. How was your weekend?" She put her purse in her bottom desk drawer as if she'd been here all her life and sat down in her seat.

"I spent yesterday with Joe." And Corinne, but he wasn't in the mood to even think about that now. He was starting to have conflicted feelings toward Corinne, brought on by her constant attention to Joe and his needs.

"Corinne tells me his prognosis is good. I'm so glad." Emma clasped her hands to her chest. "No man should have to spend such a long time in a hospital. I think we should throw him a welcome-back party when he's ready."

This from the woman whose column was on the line and didn't know it. Colin groaned, needing a reprieve from guilt, pressure and his own thoughts.

"Delivery," a male voice called, pushing through the doors and entering the offices.

Colin turned to see a man, arms loaded with seasonal flowers.

"I'm looking for a Rina Lowell?"

A low growl escaped Colin's throat at the same time a knot settled in his stomach. Had she had a man in her apartment after all?

"Oh, how exciting. Right here," Emma said, pointing to Rina's desk. Once the flowers were placed on the blotter and the delivery man gone, Emma turned to Colin. "You shouldn't have."

"I didn't," he said through clenched teeth.

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear."

Before he could suggest peeking at the card and embarrass himself completely, Rina waltzed inside, a smile on her face, a flush on her cheeks and her hair tousled from the wind. He got a damn hard-on just looking at her.

"Morning, all." She strode to her desk. "What's this?"

"Flowers, of course," Emma said.

Rina's gaze darted Colin's way for a brief second before she jerked her stare back to the bouquet. But he didn't miss the hopeful glint in her eye and was able to relax. He stepped near her desk and leaned closer so only she could hear. "Sorry, babe. They aren't from me."

"I didn't think they were." She unwrapped the card and read silently, putting the small white envelope in her desk drawer when she was finished.

"So?" Emma asked. "Are you going to share the identity of your secret admirer?"

"They're from Jake and Brianne. Congratulating me on my series starting." Rina didn't meet Emma's gaze when answering, a sure sign something was wrong. But Emma didn't pick up on it.

"That's so sweet. Family's wonderful. Speaking of relatives, I need to make a call and then get to work!" Emma swiveled in her chair, leaving Rina to get settled.

She moved the flowers to the side of the desk, dropped her purse into a drawer and began to unbutton her wool coat. Colin didn't buy for one minute that her brother and his wife had sent those flowers, but she'd hid the identity of the sender more from Emma than him, which made no sense. He wondered about it for a minute, but when she slid her jacket off her shoulders, the world tilted and all rational thought fled.

Because beneath the oversize coat she wore a black blouse, saved from conservatism by a plunging neckline and a microminiskirt that emphasized her slender legs, which were covered only by sheer, nude-colored panty hose. At least he hoped they were panty hose, because if he caught a hint of a lace garter, he'd pass out on sight.

He strode over to her desk, grabbing her hand. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"Coffee break," he muttered, pulling her through the double doors to a stairwell. It wasn't exactly prime office space, but it afforded the only means of privacy he could think of.

Not even the dank smell could dampen his desire or his need to get inside her, body and soul. Once alone, he backed her against the wall, propping one arm over her head. "Who really sent those flowers?" he asked, his baser male instincts coming through.

"You care?"

He rubbed his knuckles down her cheek. "I may have one hell of a way of showing it, but I do."

"Stan Blecher sent the flowers," she admitted.

"What the hell does the old man think he's doing?"

"The obvious. Trying to make Emma jealous by paying attention to me."

"And you don't want to help his plan?"

Rina rolled her eyes. Men could be dense when it came to matters of the heart. "Of course I do. But I don't want to hurt Emma. She's not just independent by choice, but rather by necessity. She's afraid her son will put her in a home. If she lets herself get close to a friend of his, she fears the same result."

"She said that?"

Rina shook her head. "Insinuated it. And I don't want to be the one to push her into something she's not ready for. Stan admitted he just wants Emma's companionship, but until she can trust him, she's not going to give an inch." Which pretty well summed up any female who'd been hurt or disillusioned by a man, Rina thought.

"So you're looking out for her."

"That's what friends do," she murmured.

"That's what special, caring people do." His blue eyes bore into hers, causing warmth to blossom in her chest.

After working at her computer all day yesterday and late into the night, finishing this week's column, Rina had had it with sweatpants. She'd had it with being alone and she no longer wanted to make Colin sweat. Not in a bad way, anyway. Saturday night was over, and so was her overreaction to Colin's defection. Joe had been in the hospital. Case closed.

So this morning, she'd dressed with Colin in mind, seeking to grab his attention and not let it go. It had been a girlish impulse and she'd accomplished her goal. But as usual, Colin had more insight than she'd counted on. He'd looked beyond the physical, deeper than the packaging. He'd seen the woman beneath and obviously admired her.

He tangled his hands in her hair, the erotic tugging sensation rippling through her veins. His admiration and perceptiveness took her off guard. She wanted to keep her barriers high, but resisting him was impossible. And when he lowered his head for a deep, leisurely kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

His lips were warm and provocative, taking possession and immediately setting her on fire. No big surprise there. Her tongue met his, swirling, seeking, demanding as much as he gave. And then his hands slipped to her thigh, his large palm branding her. "Do you have any idea what that short skirt does to me?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

"Looking at those long legs makes me hard." He deliberately brushed against her thigh, giving her tangible proof.

She sucked in a breath, her body reacting to the knowledge he wanted her. Here, now, in the dark stairwell, Colin Lyons wanted her. His body backed up his claim and hers went into heated overdrive. Dampness slicked her panties and a rush of desire swamped her.

"And wondering what's holding those things up is driving me insane." Without awaiting permission, his fingers traveled upward until they came in contact with the elastic-rimmed lace that held the stockings up on her thigh. His fingertips hit bare skin and he let out a sharp, harsh breath. "Damn."

She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "These are more comfortable."

"For whom?"

She laughed. "For me. Panty hose cuts into my stomach."

"What happened to the baggy clothes?" A muscle ticked in his jaw and Rina knew her new look was getting to him.

But far from enjoying the knowledge, it made her uneasy. Because she wanted to know for sure that Colin was attracted to Rina Lowell, the woman. And though he showed interest in the many facets of her personality, she couldn't deny he was enjoying her transformation.

So had Dave from the coffee shop, who'd turned persistent, and Rob who'd delivered her pizza last night. She could have had a date with a number of men, including the wealthy Edward Worthington III. But not even in the interest of research could Rina bring herself to go out with anyone other than Colin.

"And what's beneath the skirt?" Colin asked. "What's warming you during this cold, winter weather?"

She was tempted to tell him that she didn't need clothing, not when the heat in his voice could do the trick instead. "Good old-fashioned underwear, Colin, what else?"

An upward sweep of his fingers over her silk-covered mound assured him she was telling the truth. But that same motion set off fireworks inside her brain and triggered mini-explosions, the equivalent of minefields in strategic areas of her body. Her nipples peaked, aching for his touch, and a dewy heaviness pulsed between her legs. "You don't play fair," she whispered.

"Dressed like that, neither do you." His mouth hovered over hers.

Her lips parted, craving another kiss, but he gave more than she asked for as his finger found the pulse point between her legs. Arousal washed over her, and she jerked her hips forward, seeking to deepen the pressure of his fingertip.

"That works for you, huh?" Resting his cheek against hers, he leaned his body forward, thrusting his hand harder against the tiny pearl of desire begging for release.

"Oh, yes." Her lips lingered against his skin as she inhaled his masculine scent and her desire peaked higher.

This game they played would drive her to distraction if she wasn't careful. She squeezed her thighs together, allowing one last tide of arousal to sweep through her before ducking beneath his arm and gaining space. She needed more time.

He seemed to understand and let her go, studying her in the darkened stairwell, as if he could read what she was feeling in her expression. Rina knew exactly why she'd put distance between them. She wasn't willing to verbalize her thoughts just yet.

While writing her column on attitude, she'd come to a major realization. Looking good meant nothing if a woman didn't feel good about herself. A woman couldn't attract a man, let alone keep him happy, if she wasn't happy within herself.

Translated into her own life, once she'd quit work and given in to Robert's choices in decor and friends, among other things, spunky Rina Lowell had all but disappeared. She no longer threw on a T-shirt and ripped denim shorts and walked through New York City street fairs, nor did she shop the Village for unique but cheap jewelry that would stand out because of its flair. She quit going to the happening clubs where she'd nurse a drink and dance until her feet hurt. Instead, she got old before her time, giving up her fun friends in favor of her husband's staid ones, exchanging nights out on the town for fund-raising galas. She'd even altered the way she dressed in order to gain Robert's nod of approval.

She may have looked good in her designer clothes, but she'd slowly lost her inner spark and drive. No wonder he hadn't taken her seriously when she'd expressed interest in writing or doing something outside the confines of their marriage. She'd been the perfect Stepford Wife.

Robert thought a credit card would keep her happy, and eventually she stopped doing anything to convince him otherwise. Because he was giving her a dream life. Too bad it hadn't been her dream. She loved him, but she was beginning to doubt they'd have had staying power. The lesson she'd taken away from her latest article, "Strut Your Stuff," was that she now respected herself too much to settle for a man who didn't believe in her, her goals or her dreams.

Not even for a brief affair. She already knew Colin approved of her work. He'd hinted as much at Emma's party. But before she'd give in to his seductive charm completely, she had to know he accepted everything about her.

"Come dancing with me," she said on impulse. "Friday night."

He leaned against the wall, still holding her gaze. "Dancing?"

"Are you game? I thought I'd check out the Boston nightlife." She needed to recapture the fun she'd been missing and she wanted Colin to be part of it.

He shrugged. "Why not? Someone has to watch out for you." His lips twitched as he held back a grin.

"I don't need a keeper."

He shook his head, amusement and seriousness warring in his expression. He ran his hand down her neck and dipped his finger into her cleavage, causing her blood to run hotter.

"Something tells me your brother wouldn't agree."

"Low blow." Accurate, she thought, but low. "Jake's a reasonable guy."

Colin's eyes held a wealth of certainty. "Even when it comes to his baby sister?"

"Even then," she lied, and crossed her fingers behind her back. "So? Do we have a date? Or am I flying solo?" She wasn't looking forward to nursing a drink and either fending off men or uncomfortably wondering why none approached her. Neither option held any appeal.

Spending time with Colin, however, that prospect appealed to her greatly.

He met her gaze, studying her in an unnerving way. "Why do I feel like you're testing me?" he asked. "And how do I know if I'll pass muster?"

She was testing herself, Rina mused. Her reactions, her judgment. "You'll know," she said, her voice husky with anticipation.

"Then we have a date. Since I know the roads, how about I pick you up? Actually, how about we bring Logan and Cat along?"

"As chaperons?" she teased, liking the idea of spending time with his friends.

He grinned. "For fun."

"Sounds good to me."

A loud knock sounded on the other side of the stairwell door. Colin shot her a regret-filled look and stepped toward the door. Freedom, she thought, and sighed.

"Rina Lowell, you get out here now." Emma's distinctive voice called to her.

"Some matchmaker," Colin said wryly.

Rina grabbed for the handle. "I'll go out ahead. That will give you some time to calm down," she said with a pointed look at his pants.

He shot her an annoyed look. "Very funny," he muttered, but he didn't argue when she let herself back into the hall.

"What's wrong, Emma?"

The older woman waved the white florist card under her nose. "You're being wooed by the lecher." Emma perched her hands on her hips and stared, daring Rina to disagree.

"You mean Colin?" she asked too innocently.

"You mean Colin?" Emma parroted. "Very funny. Stan's sending you flowers. I told you the man was a lecher. Proclaiming his interest in me one minute, showering you with roses the next."

"They're wildflowers, not roses."

"Same difference."

"Not in price," Rina said. "And you were snooping." She snatched the card out of Emma's hand.

"And your lipstick's smudged, which means you were fooling around. How many men are you juggling, anyway?" The older woman sniffed and Rina stifled a laugh.

Placing an arm around Emma's shoulders, Rina led her back inside and to her chair before easing her into her seat. "You, Emma Montgomery, are jealous. J-E-A-L-O-U-S. Because Stan's showing interest in someone else after you turned him down."

"Ridiculous."

"Correct," Rina challenged. "And you know good and well Stan's a smart man. He knows you work beside me, knows you can't keep your eyes or ears to yourself. And he knows you'll find out he sent me flowers and work yourself into a frenzy. Which you did." She clucked her tongue at her elderly friend. "Tsk, tsk, Emma. You shouldn't be so predictable. Men need a woman to be fickle and impulsive." Unable to help it, Rina burst out laughing. "Come on, Emma. Just go out with the man."

"What if it's a setup?"

Rina understood what her friend meant. What if her son, the infamous Judge Montgomery, had asked Stan to keep an eye on Emma? And what if she was her usual, capricious, whimsical self and her son used it against her? "I can't imagine a son of yours could be so underhanded."

Realizing how many stunts Emma had pulled in the name of matchmaking, Rina shook her head. "Scratch that. But I can't imagine he'd be that cruel. Besides, Logan wouldn't let that happen." She patted Emma's hand. "The man's a lonely widower. And you're in need of the same companionship."

No matter how old Emma was in years, she was young in heart and spirit. And she deserved to have some happiness in her later years.

"Give Stan a chance," Rina said.

"If you do the same," Emma challenged, a gleam in her warm, blue eyes.

"Excuse me?" Somehow Emma had caught her unprepared.

"You open your mind to Colin and I'll do the same for the lecher."

"His name's Stan and you'd better remember that before you call him that horrible name to his face."

Emma shook her head. "Quit changing the subject."

"Which is?" Rina asked.

Emma leaned closer, whispering so only Rina could hear. "It's simple. You trust, I'll trust." The older woman shrugged.

Colin chose that moment to reenter the room. Both her body and her heart reacted, proving that when it came to Colin, nothing was simple. Everything was up for grabs. Including, she feared, her heart.

IN ANOTHER ATTEMPT to initiate changes at the Times, Colin sat in Logan's office, located on the waterfront overlooking the ocean. Even in the wintertime, the view took his breath away. The weather had been cold, snow covered the ground and ice replaced the formerly frothing and churning waves.

"Sorry, I had a phone call that ran long. How are you?" Logan strode into his office and shut the door behind him.

"Surviving." Colin clasped his friend's hand and sat back in his chair.

"So, my secretary tells me this is a business visit. What can I do for you?" Instead of sitting behind his desk, Logan joined his friend in one of the guest chairs. His down-home charm was what the world loved about Logan Montgomery, Colin thought. He shook his head. "You would have made a fine politician, you know."

"And made myself miserable in the process. Nothing's worth that, my friend." Reaching over, Logan grabbed for a picture on his desk and turned it facing them. "Now, this is what gets me up in the morning."

A picture of his wife, Cat, their son, Ace, and infant daughter, Lila, on a beach blanket stared back at Colin. "You are one lucky son of a bitch."

Logan inclined his head. "Find the right woman and you will be, too."

Colin shifted in his seat. He wasn't in the mood to discuss women, not when he was bound to hurt the one he wanted most. The other day, in the stairwell, he'd felt Rina moist and damp, her dewy essence on his hand. He'd wanted to be inside her body and let the intense friction they'd created make them both come. He'd wanted to look into her eyes and see that overwhelming sense of trust and goodness. Thank God she'd ducked out on him first. Two days later and he was still thrown, torn by obligation and a growing sense of caring he hadn't expected.

"I need a legal opinion," Colin said, changing the subject.

Logan inclined his head. "Shoot."

"If I were to challenge Joe's power of attorney, the one leaving Corinne in charge of the paper-which is about to turn into a sinking ship-as Joe's adopted son, can I win?"

Logan exhaled loudly and leaned one foot against his desk. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Any reason why I should?" Colin ran a hand through his hair in aggravation.

"What about Joe's wishes?" Logan asked.

No one knew Colin or understood his relationship with Joe better than his former college roommate. Without stepping on Colin's toes, Logan wanted to know if Colin had dealt with the fact that Joe had deliberately and purposefully bypassed his son in favor of his wife. "Until I hear otherwise from Joe, I'm going to assume Corinne got to him in some way."

"Brainwashed?" Logan asked wryly.

"Used sex to get what she wanted. As far as I'm concerned, it's the same thing."

He nodded. "Well, you've already nailed your primary legal problem. Unless you can prove that Joe's power of attorney was signed under duress or that he wasn't aware of his actions at the time of signing, Joe's wishes stand."

"So I don't have a legal leg to stand on?"

Logan shook his head. "Not unless you want to go head-to-head with Corinne in a nasty, expensive court battle."

"That neither the paper nor I can afford." Frustration washed over Colin, along with the first vestiges of anger at Joe, for all purposes his father, for betraying him. Anger he hadn't accepted or dealt with just yet. How could he, when doing so would cut himself off from the only family he had?

As it was, Colin fought the urge to run from the situation and let Corinne cope with the consequences on her own. For the first time, his feelings kept him someplace instead of driving him away. His feelings for Rina.

"I think it's time you and Joe talked. Is he up to it yet?" Logan asked.

"After that second stroke, they want to keep him stress free. But he's doing well and should be up to talking soon."

"Well, whenever you get the green light from his doctor, I suggest you do just that." Logan leaned forward in his seat. "As a friend, I'm going to put myself out there on this one."

"Go on." Colin waited.

"I understand that Fortune's is breathing down your neck and if you don't get Corinne back on track, the paper will fold. But I've known you for years, and my gut tells me there's something else going on. Something more personal between you and Joe." Logan raised an eyebrow Colin's way.

He flinched because Logan had hit a nerve. "I was always grateful I didn't have a pain-in-the-ass brother."

Logan laughed. "Then you met me. You're talking to the expert on parental grief and aggravation. All I'm saying is that I think Joe's betrayal is bothering you a hell of a lot more than Corinne's change in format." At Colin's glare, Logan added, "Or at least equally as much. Talk to Joe. Then if you still want to go ahead with any kind of lawsuit, you know I'm on your side. It's just that it'll get messy and probably destroy your family."

"Thanks," Colin muttered. Knowing his friend meant well, he stowed Logan's advice in the back of his mind. "And you don't have to worry. I'll make sure Emma has a job no matter which direction this mess goes." The least he could do was guarantee Emma a return to her desk job, even if she did have to lose her column.

Logan slapped Colin on the back. "Thank you. You know if she's at loose ends, the Judge will go back to plotting her relocation to an old-age home."

So Rina's hunch was right, Colin thought. Another reason weighing against him. His head pounding, Colin rose, ready to go over to the hospital.

"How's Rina?" Logan asked, taking him off guard.

"Who?" Colin asked, but a grin came easily despite the gut-churning circumstances. Dammit all, the woman made him smile, regardless of what was going on in his life.

"That answers that question. But it doesn't deal with what'll happen to her column if you have your way."

Unwilling to deal with that yet, Colin focused on a more immediate issue. "Are you and Cat busy Friday night? You could get a sitter for the rugrats and come clubbing with Rina and me."

Logan rubbed his hand over his eyes. "It's been forever since we've gone out like-"

"Single people?" Colin asked. But despite his ribbing, a part of Colin envied what Logan had. A wife he loved, kids, a family.

Colin's childhood had been shattered when his parents died. And though Joe and Nell had given him everything, a part of him had always felt as though something was missing, something that would fill an empty part of his soul.

He'd traveled far in search of that elusive thing, to no avail. Now he'd come back home and was faced with a telling question. Was it possible one woman could complete him? He shook his head, knowing he sounded as if he was parroting the movie Jerry Maguire. But the question remained. Could one woman provide his solution?

It was a tall order for anyone to fill. As tall as saving Rina's job and Joe's paper.