Jared’s excitement and sincerity were hard to ignore. What would her mother say when she returned home in a new outfit and a different hairstyle—one she could handle on her own.

Or better yet, what would Sullivan say?

Would it make a difference? Would he find her attractive? Someone he wouldn’t mind taking to bed?

“All right,” she said, her attraction to Sullivan influencing the crazy decision.

“Great. Let’s get started.”

The first stop was a dress shop, where Jared took an active part in choosing a new wardrobe, one with bright colors that set off her green eyes and showed off more of her body than she’d otherwise been comfortable revealing.

The last purchase was a green silky top that hugged her waist and a formfitting black skirt.

“Can she wear that out of the store?” Jared asked.

“Certainly,” the happy sales clerk said. “I’ll cut off the tags.”

“Thank you for doing this,” Lissa said. “It’s been kind of fun, actually.”

“My pleasure,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed watching you blossom. Now let’s go to the salon.”

Lissa glanced at her watch. It was getting late. And she probably should head back to the office, where Sullivan would be waiting for her. “That’s not necessary.”

“Indulge me,” Jared said, green eyes shimmering.

Oh, what the heck. “All right.”

Two hours later, Lissa sat before a mirror in the beauty salon, unable to believe the change in her. Of course, she’d sometimes had two people working on her at a time, but she’d managed to squeeze in a manicure and a pedicure.

Antoine, the male stylist, had used a henna rinse to bring out the natural color of her hair. He trimmed the ends and talked her into some layering that created a full, flowing effect, insisting that one of her most attractive features, other than the big green eyes, was her waist-length hair.

The talented stylist had created a miracle, leaving Lissa with a sensual look she’d never expected.

“You can still twist it and braid it,” Antoine said, “but wear it loose whenever you want to make an impression on people, particularly men.”

Do you ever let your hair down? Sullivan had once asked her.

A burst of confidence bubbled forth. What would he say, when she returned to the vineyard? Would he be pleased? Aroused?

And if so, then what?

Would she have the courage to flirt? To actually offer herself to him?

She turned her head, watching the strands flow gracefully down her back like a long, silky veil.

Funny, but she didn’t feel vulnerable or exposed now. Not at all.

“Renee,” Antoine called the makeup artist who’d been waiting nearby. “We’re ready to add the finishing touch.”

When Renee finished instructing her in the art of makeup application, as well as adding lipstick, blush and mascara, Lissa couldn’t believe her eyes.

She looked like a new woman.

Heck, she even felt like a new woman.

A beautiful woman.

Lissa couldn’t wait to see the look on Sullivan’s face when she knocked upon the cottage door and asked if he’d like to share a glass of wine and watch the sunset.

And if he appeared impressed?

Who knew what else she might ask him to share?

Chapter Six

Before climbing from her silver Honda Prelude, Lissa couldn’t help but take one last look at her reflection in the rearview mirror.

For the first time in her life, she saw a stylish woman gazing back at her. The light application of sage-colored shadow and dark-brown mascara highlighted the green of her eyes. And a feathered layering of the hair at the side of her face softened the plain, yet harsh style she’d worn before.

Jared had been right.

The makeover had done wonders for her appearance. And it raised her confidence level to an all-time high.

She slid from the car, then tugged at the short, black skirt, making sure it hadn’t hiked up, revealing a pair of thong panties the sales lady insisted all the young women were wearing.

“I don’t want Shawna ever learning I bought you those,” Jared had said with a smile. “She’s growing up too fast as it is.”

Well, it seemed as though Lissa had grown up overnight. Or rather, during the course of an afternoon in town with her biological father.

They’d driven to Valley View Clinic, which housed an annex lab of Portland General Hospital. A technician drew the necessary blood for the preliminary testing, and Lissa signed a form allowing the results to be divulged to Jared.

After giving Jared a hug, Lissa promised to come to Portland soon. Meeting with him had answered a lot of her questions about her origin and her feelings of abandonment.

Jared hadn’t been ready to marry a girl he hardly knew, a teen who refused his calls. And although he’d wanted to provide for Olivia and her baby, Olivia had shut him out.

It was anyone’s guess what would have happened had Lissa’s birth mother lived.

But one thing was certain. Lissa’s life would have been dramatically different from the one that she knew. And to be perfectly honest, she couldn’t imagine not having Ken and Donna Cartwright as parents. Or Eileen as a sister.

In many ways, Jared still seemed like a stranger, but she sensed they could become friends. Or maybe something more—given time.

Once in her car, she picked up the cell phone and called home.

“I was so worried,” her mother said. “Mr. Cambry looked like a decent sort, but you never know.”

“Actually, he was very nice, Mom.”

“Will you be seeing him again?”

“I may drive into Portland and meet his family later in the month, but I have too much going on even to consider it until after the reception next week.”

“I’m making a pot roast for dinner,” her mom said. “Your favorite. If you see Sullivan, tell him I’m setting an extra plate.”

“Will do. I’m going straight to the office when I get back, since Sullivan and I still have a lot to get done today.”

“You work so hard, honey. I wish you would take more time for yourself.”

Lissa planned to take her mom’s advice as soon as she got back to the vineyard, if everything worked out. Because even though she and Sullivan had a lot to discuss, her first order of business was gauging his reaction to the new Lissa.

When she arrived at the vineyard office, she found Sullivan and Barney gone, so she headed to the cottage, where she assumed he and the puppy would be. As she strode across the small suspension bridge in a brand new pair of high heels, she realized even her walk had changed since the afternoon makeover.

Had she acquired a swivel-hipped swagger like Gretchen’s? Amazing. And she didn’t feel the least bit klutzy.

Yet, as she approached the deck in front of his house, a brief wave of nervousness swept through her tummy. But she managed to get a grip on it.

For goodness’ sake, it’s not like she was going to seduce the man. All she really needed to do was get an idea of how he might react to the idea of making love to her. She could always broach the subject another day.

Or change her mind completely.

This was merely a little sexual experimentation. She certainly didn’t intend to pounce on Sullivan before dinner.

She’d probably start by asking about Barney. Then she’d thank him for encouraging her to meet with Jared. And if that went well, maybe she’d suggest a glass of wine on the porch.

Of course, she wasn’t sure how far she’d go with a sexual proposition. She’d have to play that by ear. Asking a man to be her one-time lover might be awkward, but she was determined not to be a virgin the rest of her life.

And that meant taking control of her destiny, even if she took a tumble. What was that they said about falling from the horse? Well, she’d just climb right back on.

With her new confidence riding high in the saddle, Lissa rapped soundly upon the door.

Cowgirl up.

Moments later, Sullivan answered, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white T-shirt. Gorgeous, as usual. But it wasn’t his casual, playboy stance that tickled her arousal. It was the expression on his face.

“Lissa.” His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “I…uh…wow.”

She’d caused him to stutter. Imagine that. And it was a good kind of stutter. His eyes swept over her, and, without a doubt, she knew he liked what he saw.

His reaction was empowering.

Lissa had never evoked that kind of wide-eyed effect on anyone, let alone a man she found so darn attractive. Her confidence soared, and she felt like singing “Yippee-Ki-Yay.” But there was no reason to let him think she’d had a makeover with him in mind.

“I went shopping for an outfit to wear to the reception and decided to have my hair done while I was in town. Since Virgin Mist is so much a part of me, I thought we both needed a fresh package. Do you like my new look?”

“Like it? It’s great. You look great.” He raked a hand through his hair, then seemed to regroup. He opened the door and stepped aside. “Come on in.”

Before she could ask about Barney, she spotted the pup curled up on the sofa, chewing on one of Sullivan’s socks.

“Thanks for babysitting.”

“No problem,” he said, his eyes still scanning her from head to toe and back again. The heated gaze caressed her, causing her heart to flutter, her blood to warm, her courage to soar.

She placed a hand on her hip, feeling the sleek green fabric that outlined her shape. “I’m glad you suggested I talk to Jared. It did me a lot of good.”

“I can see that,” he said, his eyes following her hand movement. “It must have been one hell of a conversation.”

It was working. She’d caught his interest. So why not push the envelope a little further? “How about a glass of wine before dinner?”

“Yeah. Sure.” Sullivan went to the kitchenette, pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge, then fumbled through the drawers, looking for a corkscrew.

Was he nervous?

Because of her?

That was encouraging—to say the least.

“Let me,” she said, entering the small, confined area. The dinky kitchen was barely large enough for one, let alone two. But she liked the idea of rubbing elbows with Sullivan, of bumping him with her hip, brushing her shoulder against his upper arm.

He must have liked it, too, because he just stood there with a mesmerized look on his face.

Merely inches apart, neither of them moved. Their gazes locked, and she could almost hear his heartbeat, feel him breathing. He reached out and took a lock of her hair in his hand, fingering the silky strands. “I’d wanted to see it loose like this.”

As her hair slid through his fingers, his eyes darkened, and his expression sobered.

Lissa had read about that kind of heated reaction in romance novels and had seen it on the big screen at the movie-theater in town. But she’d never experienced it firsthand.

A woman could sure get used to seeing desire brewing in a man’s eyes, to seeing the hunger. Especially if that desire and hunger were for her.

According to the books she’d read and the movies she’d seen, Sullivan should take her in his arms and kiss her about now.

Was he thinking about it?

Or did he need a cue?

Lissa didn’t want to be part of the audience any longer. Nor did she want to let life—or rather a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—pass her by. She placed a hand upon his jaw, brushed a thumb across the faint bristle of his cheek, felt her body coming alive.

He did nothing to stop her, nothing to let her know she’d overstepped her boundaries. So she slid her hand to the back of his neck and drew his lips to hers.

And just as she’d seen lovers do on the silver screen, she closed her eyes, waiting for the world to spin out of control.

And boy howdy, did it spin.

Sullivan had no idea where his business ethics had run off to, but when Lissa pulled his mouth to hers, he’d nearly come unglued at the seams.

This was crazy. Foolish. But he couldn’t seem to stop the kiss. Nor could he keep from dipping his tongue into her willing mouth, exploring the wet, velvety softness that opened for him.

Her hair flowed around them like a sensual veil. And desire shot right through him. He pulled her flush against a demanding erection and caressed her back. But that wasn’t enough. He wanted to touch more of her, to experience all she had to offer.

His hands sought her breasts, and all the while, his tongue explored her mouth.

Had any other woman tasted so sweet?

Just hours ago, he’d found her interesting. Admirable. But how in the world had this beautiful, sexy woman mystically evolved from a mild-mannered, levelheaded businesswoman?

Ah, man. Business.

What had Lissa done to him? And where was his body taking his mind?

With reluctance, his hand withdrew from the fullness of her breast, and he ended the kiss, trying to break the spell that had clouded his mind and turned him inside out. “I…uh…don’t know what got into me. I make it a point not to mix business with pleasure.”

“What can I do to change your mind?” she asked, her voice husky. A red flush on her neck and chest told him the startling kiss had aroused her, too.

“I shouldn’t change my mind,” he said. Shouldn’t. But he sure as hell wanted to.

The minute she’d entered the guest house, he’d lost sight of anything but the stunning woman who’d made a swanlike transformation. The change had unbalanced him, and he struggled with fascination, with attraction—not to mention a mind-boggling case of lust.

“I realize a full-blown affair might make things sticky,” she said. “But what about a one-time fling? If we kept it a secret between the two of us, no one would ever need to know.”

She was asking him to make love to her?

The suggestion both startled and aroused him. He probably ought to decline, but for some reason, the words didn’t form.

As her fingers fiddled with the top button of her blouse, he found it even more difficult to speak.

Her hands dropped to the next button, and he realized she was undressing. Or was she just teasing him?

Two buttons undone.

She took it slowly, as if it was her first time taking off her clothes in front of a man. The act of innocence taunted him, tempting him to distraction. But she knew exactly what she was doing, had probably done it many times before. And it was working on him. Big time.

Hell, he’d been so busy these past couple of months that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had sex. Maybe that’s what had gotten into him, pumping his blood, making his hormones take control of his body.

Three buttons.

Her slow, sensuous efforts revealed a black satiny bra.

Sullivan liked the feel of satin, liked the look of black underwear on fair skin. But he also liked to avoid commitment-bound women looking for a husband.

Of course, Lissa was a career-minded woman, not a nester. And right now, she was behaving more like a player.

Four.

Only two more to go. She wasn’t going to stop, was she?

“Lady, you’re driving me crazy. And making it difficult to keep my mind on business.”

A smile tickled her lips, revealing that she knew exactly what she was doing to him. And that she was well aware of the blood-pounding effect it was having on him.

Put a stop to this, his conscience demanded. But a rebellious erection refused to listen.

As the last two buttons bit the dust, Sullivan sucked in a breath. What he wouldn’t give to reach inside her open blouse, touch her skin, tease her the same way she was toying with him. But she’d set a striptease in motion, and for the life of him, he couldn’t stop the show.

She slid the green, slinky material off her shoulders and let it slip to the kitchen floor. Next came the formfitting skirt. She unzipped it at the side, then pushed it down her hips. When it dropped to the linoleum, she kicked it aside.

Her hair hung over her shoulders and to her waist, but it couldn’t hide the black bra and…oh, wow…a skimpy pair of black thong panties.

And to think, she’d been hiding that beautiful figure behind dull, baggy clothing—which was a real shame, as far as he was concerned.

As she silently offered her body, he sensed a slight hesitation, a gaze seeking his permission. Her sensual act of innocence enflamed his libido.

“Ah, Lissa.” Her name slipped out of his mouth in near reverence.

She unhooked her bra and let it slide away, revealing two near-perfect breasts with taut nipples begging to be touched, stroked, kissed. And as she removed the little black panties, he was lost in a swirl of heat and desire.

“You don’t make it easy for a guy to be ethical,” he said, entranced by her beauty, by the gift of her body.

Like Lady Godiva, she stood before him, awaiting his acceptance with springtime-green eyes that promised renewal and awakening.

“I want you to make love to me, Sullivan.”

Unable to fight the blood-pounding arousal any longer, he took her in his arms and claimed her mouth as his own. The kiss deepened, with tongues mating, hands seeking. Passion ignited and burned out of control.

A groan sounded low in his throat, as he tried to remove his clothes without taking his mouth from hers, without removing his hands from her silky skin, from her beaded nipples, her full breasts.

Finally, he had to pull away, his breath coming out in pants. “Did you bring any protection?”

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. “You don’t have any?”

“I came here for business purposes,” he said, hoping and praying he still had a spare condom in his shaving kit. He’d thought about tossing it out ages ago, but for some reason, had left it there. For an emergency like this, he supposed.

He took her hand and led her into the bathroom. As he fumbled in the black leather bag, his fingers struck pay dirt, and he let out a sigh. “We’re in luck.”

Then he withdrew the worn foil-wrapped treasure, and took her to his bed.

He supposed there was time to back out, to change his mind. But better judgment be damned. He’d deal with the repercussions later.

After quickly shedding his clothes and shielding himself with the condom, he urged her onto the bed, then quickly made up for lost time. His hands slid along her silky skin, appreciating each gentle, womanly curve. He kissed her throat, her chest, her belly.

He ought to take it slow, savor her taste. But he was ready to explode. And if he didn’t bury himself deep within her soon, he’d die from want of her.

Passion brewed in those big green eyes, begging him to love her thoroughly. Had it been that long for her, too?

He hovered over her. “Are you sure about this?”

She nodded. “More sure than you’ll ever know. I want to feel you inside of me.”

And that’s just where he wanted to be. But as he entered her, she caught her breath.

Was she a virgin? She must be. She was so tight, ready but unyielding.

Damn it. And she hadn’t told him, warned him. He started to pull back, to withdraw.

“Don’t stop,” she said, holding him close. “Don’t you dare stop.”

“It’s your first time,” he said. “And it’s going to hurt.”

“I don’t care.” She tilted her hips, making her needs and desires known.

Sullivan didn’t think there was a man alive who could have reined in his passion and heeded his conscience at a time like this, so he thrust forward, breaking any resistance and completing the act she’d set into motion.

So tight, so willing.

He increased the tempo, and she arched up to receive each of his thrusts until he reached a mind-spinning, body-trembling climax. When the last wave of pleasure had passed, he continued to hold her, afraid to face the moment of truth.

In a way, he felt honored, as though he’d been given a gift he didn’t deserve. But he also felt trapped.

He’d never made love to a virgin before. Wasn’t there some kind of responsibility or obligation a woman’s first lover was supposed to assume?

Sullivan didn’t have a clue, although he felt some kind of moral responsibility that put a guilt trip on him.

And to make matters worse, he’d always prided himself in knowing the lady in his arms had enjoyed lovemaking as much as he had. There was no way it had been good for her, so in effect, he felt like a failure.

He was drowning in guilt and remorse. Fear, too.

Because he wasn’t sure what she’d expect from him now.

As Sullivan rolled to the side, taking Lissa with him, she was caught up in a whirl of feelings she hadn’t anticipated.

Making love had been better than she’d expected. Yes, there’d been pain. But there’d also been a rush, a feeling of power, of entering the realm of womanhood. And she’d experienced heat and desire, things she’d only read about before.

And once wouldn’t be enough—especially with Sullivan working so closely with her for the next few weeks.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?” he asked.

Had she not measured up? Had he found her less desirable? “Would my virginity have made a difference?”

“I would have been more careful.” He placed a hand on her hip, caressed it softly. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She offered him a smile meant to absolve him from guilt. “It really didn’t hurt much. And it should feel better next time.”

“Next time?” he asked, his expression growing serious. “I thought this was a one-shot deal.”

“Of course,” she said, trying hard not to show her disappointment. “But I intend to have a next time.”

He didn’t answer.

Okay, so she desperately wanted to make love again. With him. But she’d only asked for a one-time fling, and she needed to let him off the hook.

She swallowed her disappointment and tried to save face. “I don’t expect this to affect our business relationship.”

“I won’t let it,” he said.

“Good.” Then she rolled away from him and climbed out of bed.

“Where are you going?” he asked, still lying amidst rumpled sheets.

“To freshen up. Mom’s having pot roast for dinner. And she’s setting a place for you.” She tossed a strand of hair over her shoulder, then went to retrieve her clothes from the kitchen.

She hoped her carefree departure left him with the idea that their lovemaking hadn’t fazed her in the least. God forbid he got the idea that it had turned her life upside down. Or that he suspected she’d wanted to stay in bed with him until tomorrow morning. And maybe the next.

Or that he knew how badly she’d wanted him to ask her not to leave yet.

She freshened up in the bathroom and tried to put herself back together so her mother wouldn’t suspect what they’d done, wouldn’t lecture or—worse yet—start thinking about another wedding in the family.

A quick glance in the mirror revealed a red rash on her cheek, where his beard had chafed her. Great. Well, there wasn’t much she could do about that. Maybe her mom wouldn’t notice.

Lissa conjured a light-hearted expression before leaving the bathroom. She found Sullivan sitting in the living room. He hadn’t put on his clothes. She supposed they no longer had any reason to be modest.

“I wish it had been better for you,” he said. “But for the record, it was good for me.”

She offered him a smile. “I’m glad. And believe it or not, it was good for me, too.”

“Tell your mother I’ll be up as soon as I shower and change.”

Lissa nodded, then picked up Barney from behind the recliner and walked out the front door.

Originally, she’d hoped to lose her virginity. Nothing more. Nothing less. But now she realized there was more to her game plan.

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