Carly Phillips - Simply Sexy

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Just Jake, and believe me, having a cop for an older brother makes up for any other watchful eyes. You try making out on the doorstep after a date while your older brother plays unwanted bodyguard."

Colin laughed and she was grateful to hear the sexy sound. "Something tells me you've been a handful for him."

His teasing words, along with the rebirth of his light, flirting tone, reminded her she was on a mission. A professional mission to test Colin's awareness of any changes, and a personal one to tempt him into being the man with whom she'd begin her affair.

In favor of getting to know Colin and easing his obvious pain, she'd almost forgotten her agenda, and as a result, she'd grown closer to him. Emotionally closer, something that hadn't been part of the plan.

But now that he seemed back to his teasing self, she intended to control her feelings better, too. "I've given Jake a run for his money a time or two," she said, keeping things light.

"I just bet you have." He turned her way at last.

She let out a flirtatious laugh before pursing her heavily glossed lips. Like a magnet, his gaze zeroed in on its target and the temperature in the room soared upward. Mission accomplished, she thought. He'd noticed her, though she wasn't certain exactly what had drawn his attention.

Continuing simple conversation wasn't easy with the awareness simmering between them but she managed. "There was the time I took a vacation," she mused, pretending to concentrate solely on her story. "Then I left him to apartment-sit and neglected to mention I'd invited someone else to join him."

Remembering how Jake and Brianne had gotten together sent shivers of happiness through her. They were proof that two different people could join on an equal footing. Jake allowed Brianne the freedom to be herself, while Brianne put up with her brother's macho demeanor without giving up any of her independence in the process.

"Good thing he's a cop. At least he's trained to keep a step or two ahead of you." Lightness shimmered in his expression, in complete opposition to his earlier black mood.

If she'd brought him out of his funk, she was glad.

"Jake's got an edge over us poor civilians who you manage to take off guard," he continued.

"I'm easy enough to read."

His gaze roamed over her, settling again on her face. "Oh no, you're not. Something's different." He studied her, deliberately taking his time and playing her game, a grin on his face. "Same glasses, same type of large, comfortable sweater." He shook his head and Rina held her breath.

She wanted details. What did he notice? What did he like best about the subtle changes? Dammit. She shouldn't care so much. At the very least she should view him as another means to document results for her column. But unlike the guy at the coffee shop, she did care what Colin thought.

And her body tingled with anticipation and hope that he'd like what he saw. "Come on. You're a reporter. I'm sure observing is your specialty. So what do you see?"

He raised an eyebrow, then lifted his finger to her cheek, his touch gentle as he glided over her skin. He turned his hand toward her to reveal the combination of foundation and blush that had transferred onto his skin. "What I see is that you look pretty, Rina. Then again, you always do."

The compliment, one that encompassed yesterday's Rina, too, sent nervous flutters to her stomach and a ridiculously pleased rush to her heart.

"But you don't need makeup to enhance what's already beautiful." Male appreciation flickered in his gaze as he leaned forward, those delicious lips a kiss away. "But I have to know. Was the change for me?" he asked.

"You wish," she teased. "I'm experimenting for my column. Just call yourself one man with brilliant powers of observation, that's all." She hoped she sounded nonchalant, though she felt anything but. She had thought of him when applying the light shades of color and fixing her hair. Rina swallowed hard. "I already know the guy in the coffee shop downstairs reacted. I just wanted to see if the rest of your species gets as high a grade."

He raised one eyebrow. "You're going to make me compete for your attention?"

"Any reason why I shouldn't?" she asked, deliberately playful. The ability to flirt had returned, Rina thought. And she was enjoying it very much.

"Because I'm not a man who shares easily." His deep gaze told her he was serious.

And now her insides were quaking. He didn't care whether or not she altered her appearance with makeup. He was attracted to her anyway, and considering he'd always stared hard and seemed interested, she knew he wasn't lying. But he was screwing up her results for her column and wreaking havoc with her body and her brain.

"Come with me to Emma's Christmas bash Saturday night," he said, changing the subject.

His words surprised her. "As colleagues or something more?" She wanted the rules spelled out, no misunderstandings allowed.

"Call it what you want," he said in a determined voice. "I'll pick you up at eight."

She wanted to go with him, but something about the way he'd ordered her around didn't sit well with her. "If I show up with you, I can't mingle with other men, and the opportunity to research is lost." She treated him to a pout for effect.

"That's the point." Biting back a grin, he folded his arms over his chest. "I want you to myself. Besides, you said yourself you're alone for the holidays."

Actually, she'd only said her brother lived in New York. He was coming to visit next weekend for Christmas Eve, but that didn't seem relevant right now.

"With Joe in the hospital I'm solo, too. Are you going to make me spend the holidays alone?" Colin's eyes twinkled as he obviously played his trump card.

He knew it, so did she. How could she turn down a man she'd seen in real pain over his father's stroke and the changes Corinne had brought to the office?

"Come on, Rina," he said, resorting to shameless pleading. "Emma's grandson was my college roommate. I know from personal experience the Montgomery-family bash is enough to brighten anyone's holiday. It's an event you have to see for yourself. But not alone," he quickly added, before she could jump in with that very suggestion.

She eyed him warily.

"If I promise to leave you alone long enough to work your wiles on the unsuspecting men there, will you let me pick you up at eight?" he asked, giving her a choice.

She expelled a breath of air. Until that moment, she hadn't realized she'd really been about to say no. Because his pushing, no matter how flirtatious, made her feel cornered when she wanted to make her own decisions. His insistence, she acknowledged now, had reminded her of Robert, of the times he'd wanted to go to a legal benefit of some sort and she'd preferred to stay home. Back then, there had never been a compromise. Her husband's way had always prevailed.

The realization surprised her and she rubbed her hands over her arms, shocked that Colin had provided a parallel to her marriage. An unflattering one at that. But Colin had offered her a real choice now. He honestly cared about her feelings.

Which allowed her to say yes. Pleased and suddenly excited, she met his patient stare, letting her smile grow before she spoke. "Okay. Eight's fine."

His eyes widened. Apparently she'd surprised him. "I'm glad," he said.

"You'd better be prompt." The night would give her even more opportunity to implement changes and ply her charms on the upper crust of Ashford society. As well as on Colin, she thought with yearning and anticipation.

He grinned. "I wouldn't miss one second of our time together."

Neither would she, and she wondered what other surprises the holidays had in store. "I need to get back to work."