Silk, Lace & Videotape. Joanne Rock

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      All of which had driven her to set the fashion world on fire with her own designs—but it had also left her nearly as inexperienced as a virgin at the age of twenty-five. Her one sexual encounter with her college boyfriend in his car had resulted in the man’s hasty departure to enroll in a liberal arts program somewhere in Utah. No doubt, her powerful father had influenced that decision. But Clyde Matthews hadn’t objected to her relationship with his best fabric supplier, Victor Gallagher.

      Maybe once she got closer to Victor, she would consider his repeated offers of marriage. All Amanda had to do was take their relationship to the next level to be sure they were really…compatible.

      And try to ignore studly strangers she bumped into on the street.

      Amanda stood amid the potted palm trees in the lobby, willing away a fierce attack of nerves as his footsteps grew louder, closer. Her feminine radar blinked wildly as he reached her side again. Her skin turned to gooseflesh beneath her coat. The silk lining of the trench coat teased her mercilessly.

      It had to be the lingerie and spike heels making her feel this way, heightening her awareness on the most basic level. She just wasn’t that type of girl. She’d gone to Catholic school, after all. She rarely went out with the party crowds of her father’s fashion world. So far she’d managed to avoid the hubbub of life in the tabloids, preferring to spend her free time close to home.

      And this was the only time in her life she hadn’t worn clothing beneath her outerwear.

      “Going up?” the spiky-haired stranger asked as an elevator door slid open in front of them.

      That smooth voice wrought a tiny shiver. Although she didn’t think gusts of wind would be a threat on an elevator, Amanda decided she couldn’t be too careful at this point and hugged her coat all the tighter.

      Nodding, she led the way inside the small space. Soon she would be safe inside Victor’s apartment and this steamy little interlude would be over. That would be a good thing, right? “Tenth floor.”

      He pushed the button and Amanda noticed he didn’t press another one for himself. Did he live on Victor’s floor, too? Or was he preparing to mug her in the hallway?

      She shook off her suspicion, certain criminals knew better than to wear such memorable clothing. Even if she hadn’t spent her life attuning herself to fashion, she would have known that tie anywhere.

      The ancient elevator lurched its way upward, causing Amanda to waver on her feet just a little. The man’s hand slid under her elbow in a flash, securing her with a quick, sure grip.

      He steadied her on her feet anyway. Her pulse kicked up a notch at his touch, leaving the rest of her feeling more flustered and overheated than ever.

      “Maybe we should have taken the stairs,” he noted, his hand falling back to his side.

      “Not in these shoes.” She was used to heels, but these shoes were made of little more than ribbons.

      She regretted the words the moment she said them, because his blue gaze slid immediately to her feet. Then he eased up her legs, lingering on the short stretch of pale pink stocking exposed beneath the hem of her coat. Finally, he breezed over the rest of her body, his eyes meeting hers again.

      The man had a lazy stare that was far too bold.

      Amanda found herself wanting to show him more.

      He nodded slowly. “You’re right. The shoes present a problem. But that’s a great coat.”

      Amanda stared up at the numbers flashing by as they cruised upward, certain if she met the man’s searing blue eyes he would somehow guess her secret. “Thanks,” she managed.

      “Classy and conservative.” He straightened his tie, drawing her attention back to the colorful cosmic pattern. “Right up my alley.”

      Amanda couldn’t suppress a laugh. “I can tell.”

      The elevator bell chimed as they hit the tenth floor.

      For a moment, Amanda forgot it was her stop. She merely soaked up the warmth emanating from this dynamic stranger, wishing she’d known more people in her life who found it so easy to laugh at themselves.

      Wishing she’d known a man who could make her feel so sexy without even trying.

      “Your floor?” He held the automatic doors open when they began to shut again.

      She gave herself a shake. What had gotten into her? “Yes, please,” she murmured, eager to escape those mesmerizing eyes.

      She walked with leaden steps toward Victor’s door, her enthusiasm for today’s scheme significantly lessened. How could she seduce her boyfriend when a total stranger had just turned her on more in five minutes than two months’ worth of kisses from Victor?

      As she stood in front of apartment 10G, she considered forgetting the whole thing. After nearly overheating in the elevator, Amanda was surprised at the slight chill that tripped over her now.

      Then she recalled all the time she’d spent crafting the secret weapon. She’d created the striptease video so that she could finally learn if she possessed the ability to incite a man to lust.

      Not exactly the Catholic school values she’d been taught, but Amanda needed assurance he was really the right man. Besides, didn’t she deserve just a little adventure in her life?

      Shoving aside thoughts of Blue Eyes, Amanda rang Victor’s doorbell.

      The spiky-haired stranger materialized at her side before her summons was answered. “Hey, is Vic a friend of yours, too?”

      The heated sensations came flaming back to life.

      Was Blue Eyes following her? She needed to put an end to this before she did something she’d regret. Like hustle the man into a broom closet and not come out for a week or two. “Yes. We are practically engaged,” she returned, pretty sure that Victor wouldn’t let anyone call him “Vic.”

      “That’s too bad.” He shook his head. “I didn’t realize you would be here at this early hour or I would have waited to come by.”

      Maybe the man did business with Victor. “It’s okay. I don’t usually bother Victor during his business hours, but—”

      The door to apartment 10G swung open. Only the person standing there was not the man who’d practically begged Amanda to marry him.

      No.

      The person in Victor’s apartment was an exotic dark-haired beauty with bed-rumpled hair, smeared lipstick and a man’s bathrobe.

      Confusion warred with shock. Surely Amanda had the wrong apartment….

      Then Victor’s voice shouted from the back room. “Who is it, Cindy?”

      The woman in the entryway flicked her gaze over Amanda and seemed to dismiss her. She licked her lips while ogling Mr. Necktie, however.

      Cindy didn’t bother to greet them. She turned to shout over her shoulder. “It’s for you.”

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