Bare It All. Lori Foster

shook her head, unable to admit the truth. “The important thing is that I did get freed, and now...I don’t know. If I’m hesitant, it’s because I haven’t felt like a woman for a very long time, and I haven’t been that aware of men except to avoid them.” She studied his strong profile and whispered, “Until you.”

      “And my dog.”

      Humor wormed its way in past her bleak memories. “Yes, and your dog.”

      “Thank God for Cash.”

      That sentiment nearly brought tears to her eyes. “I’m sure he feels the same way about you.” After all, Reese had rescued Cash from sure death. But she didn’t want him to rescue her from her self-imposed isolation and uncertainty.

      She would rescue herself.

      Putting her shoulders back, she faced him. “I might need a little time to adjust, but I want to give you whatever you want from me.”

      He accepted that with a nod. “I want everything.”

      Her mouth opened twice before she managed to squeak out, “Oh. Okay, then.”

      “While we get things back in order, I’m going to stay with you.” He pulled up to a stop sign. “I want to have sex, Alice, that’s a given, but I also want you to want it.”

      Never had she imagined this conversation. But then, never had she imagined wanting a man again. Not after everything else that had happened in her life. “Okay.”

      “While you’re being so agreeable...” He pulled the car away again. “I don’t want anything to do with Pam or Nikki or, currently, any other woman. So, get that out of your head.” He gave her a hard glance. “And I don’t want you involved with any other guys either.”

      That struck her as hilarious, and the laugh bubbled out before she could stop it. When he looked more murderous, she pursed her mouth to hold in the humor.

      “Promise me.”

      “You have my word.”

      “Good.” The car slowed again. “We can work on everything else, take it one step at a time. Starting with that deeper kiss. Sound good?”

      Better than good. Her breathing hitched. “I... Yes.”

      He stopped the car, turned in the seat to face her. His gaze went all over her, narrowing on her breasts, her belly. Reaching out, he touched her cheek, smoothed back a hank of damp hair.

      Breath bated, she waited for the promised kiss.

      “Alice?”

      “Hmm?”

      “It sucks, believe me, but we’re here.”

      “Here?” She looked up, and sure enough, he’d pulled into the drive of an impressive house, right up next to an expansive three-car garage. Only a few feet separated her from a nice overhang.

      She’d forgotten where they were going!

      “Buck up, sweetheart. We won’t stay long.” And then, while the rain continued to pound down, Reese took the umbrella from the floor, opened it as he left the car and circled around to her side.

      CHAPTER SIX

      LEAVING THE UMBRELLA by the door, Reese allowed Pepper to usher them along the foyer to the living room, but drew up short at the sight of Logan sitting on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table, a pillow behind him and a throw over his lap. He knew Pepper had likely arranged his friend there, exactly like that, and he laughed.

      Logan scowled. “I’d hate to see you have to turn around and leave again in this storm.”

      “Surely even Pepper wouldn’t be that cruel.”

      Pepper said, “Ha-ha,” at the same time Logan promised, “No, but I would.”

      “He doesn’t like being sick,” Pepper explained.

      “I’m not sick, damn it.”

      “Wounded, then,” Pepper snapped right back. “You heard what the doctor said. You have to take it easy.”

      “I’m seeing a whole new side to her personality.” Logan pushed the throw away from his legs. “She didn’t want to let me out of the bed even for company.”

      “And you’re complaining?” Reese tsked. “From what I remember, that’s where she always wanted to keep you.”

      Pepper cracked a smile. “He’ll be more agreeable to that again after his arm is healed.”

      “No doubt.”

      “I’d be agreeable now,” Logan grumbled, “if you’d only—”

      Pepper smashed her fingers over his mouth. “Behave.”

      Stepping out from behind Reese, Alice said, “Thank you for allowing us to visit.” She slipped off her shoes and placed them at the edge of the foyer rug. “I’m relieved to see you both in such good spirits.”

      Logan’s attention shifted to her and locked there.

      Even though Reese already knew what he’d see, he looked at Alice, too. The visual packed quite a punch.

      Her usual persona was starched and standoffish, prim and proper.

      But getting drenched had taken care of that.

      With pink cheeks, tangled hair and dewy skin, her sweet summer dress outlining every understated curve on her willowy body, she resembled the woman from his dream.

      No way around it, she was sexy as hell.

      And damn it, Logan saw it, too.

      “You might want to go dry off some,” Reese told her. “Bathroom is all the way at the end of the hall, past the stairs and the entry to the kitchen, last door on your right.”

      “Of course.” She put a hand to her hair. “There’s a towel in there I can use?”

      Logan continued to stare, so Alice shifted her attention to Pepper.

      Belatedly Pepper shook off her surprise. “Sorry. I’m new here myself, so I’m not sure where everything is.” She nudged Logan.

      He still looked thunderstruck but managed a reply. “In the linen closet across from the bathroom.” His gaze dipped over her once, then shot back to her face. “Help yourself to whatever you need.”

      Reese understood why both Pepper and Logan stared. Did Alice have any idea of the picture she presented?

      Doubtful, since she smiled without a care. “Thank you.”

      As she walked off, they craned their necks to stare after her.

      Annoyed, Reese toed off his own soaked shoes and strode over to Logan. “Knock it off already.”

      Logan blinked. “Damn, man, seeing her so wet—”

      Every muscle on Reese’s body clenched. He leaned toward Logan. “If you weren’t already injured, I’d—”

      In the middle of his threat, Pepper reached past Logan’s bandaged arm to pop him in the other shoulder.

      “Ow!” He jumped and then sucked in a breath at the pain it caused. “Damn it.”

      Devastated over what she’d done, Pepper petted him. “I’m sorry, but you were ogling her.”

      Logan gritted his teeth, then just as quickly tried to remove the discomfort from his expression.

      Reese winced for him. Sure, Logan was manning up, trying not to make a big deal out of being shot, but any movement hurt, no two ways about that. He rubbed his own thigh in remembrance.

      After a few metered breaths, Logan caught Pepper’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “I wasn’t ogling, honey, just making