“Did she claim him?”
Law shook his head. “She allowed Walter to hold her for all of five seconds, then wiggled down. The last I saw her, she was sniffing out the kitchen. She’ll get an afternoon snack.”
“Foxie will look for a place to hide.”
“Then Walter will spend the day seeking her out.”
“Your assistant won’t get much work done.”
Law started the SUV and drove out of the garage. “He’s already answered my mail, paid my bills, and laid out my schedule for the next three months. He’s put in hours on the phone, calling every costume shop in the city, but has yet to locate Wonder Woman. He’s frustrated,” Law said as he drove to Satin Angels, which was located in the Westwood Mall. “The man needs a break.”
“Maybe the costume was homemade.” Cat sought to throw him offtrack. “Or maybe Wonder Woman’s from out of town.”
“All possibilities,” he agreed. “No matter her situation, I will return her Lasso of Truth.”
The man was determined.
Cat was even more so. James Lawless would never locate his fantasy woman.
She kept silent for the remainder of the drive.
Westwood Mall stood four stories high, a massive octagon of glass and shiny steel beams. The stores inside were boutique and high-end. Two supervised playgrounds allowed children to work off steam while their parents shopped. Three movie theaters offered family entertainment.
Law and Cat took the escalator to the second floor. Once there, Satin Angels attracted customers to a corner boutique. The lingerie shop gave Victoria’s Secret a run for its money.
French sexiness flirted with innocence in the display window. Against a backdrop of virgin-white sheets, a fuchsia brocade bustier with turquoise garter straps straddled a pair of black silk boxers.
The display was hot, arousing, and quickened Cat’s pulse. She’d been in the shop several times over the years, but never accompanied by a man. Entering with Law gave a whole new meaning to temptation and seduction.
The manager, Romely Evans, greeted them at the door. The brunette looked sleek and peek-a-boo provocative in a cutout vinyl catsuit in vivid citrus green. She was the perfect advertisement for playful, flirty, and bedroom naughty.
Catherine introduced Law. Romely didn’t shake his hand; instead she skillfully took him by the arm and turned him into the store—his new tour guide. Which was fine by Cat.
While Romely walked Law through the floor plan and inventory, Cat took a moment to look around. Designer fashion seduced in silk and satin, Swiss lace, and glittering gemstones. There were no terry cloth robes or bunny slippers in the shop. The sexy cover-ups were pure eye candy, see-through and meant to entice.
She noted the hosiery, from fishnets to classic black with rhinestones decorating the back seam. A woman would pull on the stockings and her man would roll them down. The pleasure would be twofold.
“See something you like?” Law came to stand behind her—very close behind her. She was both surprised and relieved he’d returned to her so quickly. Romely seemed more his type, sexy and forward. Willing.
Cat felt small, vulnerable, and unable to breathe with Law at her back. His body heat was tangible, his maleness raw, uncut, carnal. She dipped her head, fighting for nonchalance. “The lingerie is gorgeous, but I’ve—”
“No one to appreciate it?” His words were as soft as his breath against her neck.
“I could wear it for my own pleasure.” Frugal was Cat’s middle name. She shopped sales. “Have you looked at the prices?” she asked. “You’d have to wear the same baby-doll every night for a year to justify the cost.”
The huskiness of his laugh resonated through her body. “Sometimes it’s good to splurge and feel spoiled, sweetheart.”
Cat hadn’t felt pampered for a long, long time.
“I’m going to buy you something sexy.” Law’s tone brooked no argument. “You can choose or I’ll make the selection.”
“There’s no reason for you—”
“A man never justifies his gift.”
She turned slowly and found herself flush against his big, hard body. Close became a new dimension. A breath of air separated them.
Neither stepped back.
Time hazed, and they were suddenly as alone as two people could be, and so into each other nothing else mattered. Attraction laced them as tightly as a strapless corset. Neither could fight it.
“Your favorite color?” he asked.
“Basic black.”
He shook his head. “You’re not a spinster.”
“I like cotton and flannel.”
“Fabrics for sleep, not for sex.”
“I need six hours of sleep to function.”
“Sex invigorates. Plus you wake up happy.”
“You weren’t smiling this morning.” Cat recalled the hard set of his jaw, the tenseness in his shoulders.
“I slept alone.”
There’d been more to his angst than he was willing to admit. Catherine didn’t push him further.
Law let his gaze drift over her. “You’d look hot in—”
“A peach teddy or maybe a red chemise and matching thong?” Romely Evans’s suggestions broke their private moment. She swiveled the hangers for Law’s inspection.
“Too flashy,” he said. “Cat would look best in teal-green satin, a long nightgown that strokes between her thighs when she walks.”
Cat’s eyes widened.
Romely sighed, a near-orgasmic moan.
And James Lawless smiled to himself.
He loved to touch. A hot woman in cool satin did it for him. He loved to watch his lovers prepare for bed. He appreciated the tease and anticipation. Ribboned corsets were easy to untie; tiny hooks and eyes frustrated a man. Naked was the goal. The friction of skin on skin climactic.
He wanted Catherine May. If he could have her sexually and without sentiment, he’d go for it. Yet she was a woman who’d mark a man’s heart. Once bedded, she’d linger on his sheets and invade his dreams. He wouldn’t be able to shake her.
A little flirting went a long way. He’d embrace her with satin. He’d purchase a nightgown so sensual that whenever she slipped it on she’d think of him. That should make for a few sleepless nights.
Romely returned with a long satin nightgown, so sleek and fluid it took on a life of its own. Law knew immediately the gown was meant for Cat. He could picture her in it. From the wispy lace straps and the modest lace inset to the thigh-high slits, the fabric would slide over Catherine’s body like a man’s hands.