She cleared her throat to catch Ryan’s attention, lifting out a sheer purple lace teddy. She watched the emotions play across his face, knowing that the same longing was in her eyes. When he seemed to drift into a daydream, she called out to Harry for some help.

“Harry, can you take off this waist chain for me? It’ll get caught if I try this on.”

Cierra lifted her white tank top to show her waist chain to Harry. Suddenly the hands on her waist weren’t from Harry, but from behind. Ryan whispered in her ear. “You said I would be the only man to remove this from around your waist. Why would you ask Harry to do this?”

Whispering back, while motioning Harry away from them, Cierra responded, “Because I said it would be when we were making love. Since we aren’t making love, it’s null and void.”

Ryan rubbed his groin against her ass. She felt his erection straining to burst out of his faded jeans. Biting back a whimper, Cierra acknowledged to herself that she wanted him so badly she could barely stand it. She knew she had to, but she didn’t want to. There was the bet to think about. That and the fact that they didn’t realize she and Sharyn owned Nyght Fantasy.

“You want me, Cierra. You can’t hide your reaction from me. I can feel the heat between your thighs, the way your nipples are hardening under my gaze. I bet if I slid my hand down your shorts, I’d find you wet for me. Only for me,” Ryan growled as his hands encased her waist. He rubbed against her again, proving how much he desired her as well.

“Damn you, Ryan. I want you, I always have. But I won’t let that override the fact that you didn’t believe in me. Not when it mattered. That trust is more important than sexual need. I wanted to show you that we’ve never lost that attraction, but this time it’s based on the here and now, not on a game. This isn’t about power. In fact, nothing was ever about power. It was about us.”

Before she could move away, he pulled her close. Tilting her chin up, he lowered his mouth over hers, claiming her lips. The taste of him filled her mouth as she parted her lips to accept him. She wanted him so much, needed him, and this soft kiss was more than she could have hoped for. Ryan kissed her deeply, claiming her mouth and at the same time showing her the feelings he couldn’t always put into words. When he finally broke the kiss, he brushed the pad of his thumb over her swollen bottom lip, his eyes filled with desire and something more that she couldn’t quite name. “Oh, baby, what can I do to show you I’m sorry?” His voice sounded husky and shaky to her hearing.

“Undo my waist chain. I want to try this on. Please. It’s something I’ve always wanted to wear. Something filmy and very decadent.” She smiled at him. “And I’ll forgive you the kiss, though technically it means you lost the bet.”

“I couldn’t even think of the bet when I saw the chain. I don’t think you did either.” He moved so he could help her as she asked.

Lifting her tank top shirt, Ryan undid her waist chain. His hands caressed her skin. She felt the instant heat from his large, knowing hands. She wanted him with a passion that surprised her. She gasped and looked into his deep blue eyes. His need was as great as hers, if not greater. The chain dangled from his hand. She watched as he licked his lips, giving her a feral look filled with desire.

Cierra turned and rushed into the dressing room. Quickly, she stripped off her street clothes and tried on the erotic clothes she’d chosen. She stared at her reflection. The deep amethyst color contrasted nicely with the light tan she’d acquired while outside the past two months between jobs. Her shoulder length black hair curled on her shoulders like a lover’s caress. Her eyes looked darker, sultry with this outfit on. Her nipples were hard and poked against the lace outfit, trying to break free. She needed this outfit, if only to make her feel desirable to herself. This was an outfit meant for fantasies. Definitely not a work outfit. Nope, not one bit. She reluctantly slid out of it and redressed in her tank top and shorts. As she exited the dressing area, she noticed the rest of the group had returned. Sharyn held a large Frederick’s of Hollywood bag and sported an even bigger grin on her face. Cierra was sure she didn’t want to know what Sharyn was smiling that big about. She tilted her head and watched her cousin chuckle huskily. Did she really want to know? No, well, maybe, but no, not really. It wasn’t that important to know what was happening. She went to the counter to purchase the lace outfit. Ryan came up behind her again. He quietly lifted her tank top and placed the cool silver chain back around her waist. Her body shivered with the lust and desire she possessed for him. What she wouldn’t give to really believe that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. His mouth should be registered as a dangerous weapon. The joy he could bring with only his mouth could be deadly.

Cierra turned to Ryan. He knelt still, causing her heart to pound in her chest. His sexy smile made her heart flutter. She gave him her hand to help him up. He stood in one fluid movement, reminding her of his catlike grace. A feral, possessive look crossed his face, causing an answering shudder to course through her body.