Her face cleared, and a wide smile flashed. With an impish look, she raised a brow and dropped her gaze to the zipper of his jeans. Already semierect, his d.i.c.k reacted as if she'd run her hands, instead of just her eyes, over it.

"You know how to play, if that makes sense. To laugh and not take every little thing seriously."

"Why bother? Life is too short to be all uptight. I'd much rather play, as you put it. Have a good time, enjoy myself. As long as I don't hurt anyone else, why shouldn't I do whatever makes me happy?"

d.a.m.ned if he didn't want to see what he could do to make her happy. Desire, never far from the surface when he was with her, engulfed Jesse. He reached out to grip her hips, his hands smoothing over the silky skin along the edge of the waistband of her jeans.

Intrigued by her body decorations, he traced his index finger over the gold chain settled in the curve of her waist. He glanced up to meet her eyes. They had a soft, bidding look in them that invited him to enjoy himself.

And she was involved with one of the nastiest crime rings in the state?

It didn't compute. This woman, with her freewheeling-but-hurt-n.o.body-else philosophy, just didn't seem like a criminal. For all her bad girl image, Audra really wasn't hard enough. Which meant she was just entering the criminal life.

He bit back a sigh and ignored the bad taste in his mouth. If he could get her to turn evidence on Davey and the triad, he could get her out of the picture fast, solve the case. Then maybe ask her out for real.

With that promise to himself, he forced himself to stop playing with her belly chain and let go of her hip.

"So, you know, in the name of physical stimulation, are you into p.o.r.n?" he blurted out.

Audra's mouth dropped, her eyes growing huge. Like he'd asked her to have a threesome with a goat.

Lucky for him, she recovered with a shake of her head, and rolled her eyes. "I know some people really get into it, but it's not my thing. Who needs to watch someone else get off? I'm selfish. If there's any moaning going on, I want it to either be me, or because of me."

Jesse frowned. His informant was sure Larson had been lured in by the triad through his p.o.r.n obsession. The guy had even hinted that the hot babe Larson made the handoff to dabbled a bit in movies herself. That had purportedly been the clincher-the opportunity to be face-to-face with one of the women he fantasized about.

"Then you probably haven't done any films like that, huh?" he asked. As soon as the words were out, Jesse wanted to slap himself in the forehead. So much for subtle investigation.

"Films? You mean p.o.r.n? As in starred in a skin flick? Me?"

"Yeah. I mean, I hear that's a hot turn-on for some people, doing it on film."

"I know a few who are into taping their personal encounters for their own viewing pleasure, if you know what I mean. But even that's a little much for me. I'm not shy, I've just never felt the need for a souvenir."

She squinted at him, a bemused smile on her face.

"What?"

"Nothing, really. I just wouldn't have taken you for one of those guys."

"What guys?" Jesse asked blankly.

"A guy with a p.o.r.n fetish. You seem more into making your own moves than watching someone else's."

"You think I meant I...? No, I mean, sure I have, but I don't. I have, of course. That is, you know, bachelor parties and stuff. But not like date replacement or anything. I don't, um, you know, watch it for s.e.xual aids or whatever."

Jesse wondered if he babbled long enough, whether he could distract her with bulls.h.i.+t so that she wouldn't notice the color heating his cheeks. He hadn't blushed this much since p.u.b.erty. And that had probably been because of p.o.r.n, too.

Audra gave a husky laugh. She curved the back of her hand over one of his still warm cheeks, then stepped closer. She leaned into his body, just the barest brush of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest. Before Jesse could moan, she'd pressed a soft, friendly kiss to his other cheek and stepped back.

"And you said I I was cute?" was cute?"

She turned away to lean over the counter, giving him a sweet view of her denim-clad b.u.t.t. Turning back around, a set of keys dangling from her fingers, she winked.

"I have to lock up. Then I'll be happy to give you that show you asked for."

s.h.i.+t. Now what was he supposed to do? The plan had been to get her to tell him what p.o.r.n link she'd used to hook up with Davey. He'd figured he could use that to make his own connection with the guy, then lure him in. But it seemed she was somehow unconnected. Or one h.e.l.l of an actress. But why would she bother to hide something like that? It would be pointless.

Since the p.o.r.n thread had gone nowhere, he should tug on the gang affiliation. He needed a few names, maybe an idea of what other pies the triad had their sticky criminal fingers in.

He could hardly ask her if she was in a gang. Not after his rookie p.o.r.n questions. So he'd go along with the fas.h.i.+on show and wait for the opportune moment.

And maybe if he told himself often enough that she was a suspect, seeing Audra in a few dozen slinky, s.e.xy outfits wouldn't make him explode with desire.

6.

AUDRA USED the time it took her to lock the boutique door and shut the blinds to catch her breath. She'd met a lot of different guys in her Wicked Chick days. Maybe, sometimes late at night, she might admit to herself that some of those men she regretted. But with all her experience, she'd never before met a guy like Jesse. the time it took her to lock the boutique door and shut the blinds to catch her breath. She'd met a lot of different guys in her Wicked Chick days. Maybe, sometimes late at night, she might admit to herself that some of those men she regretted. But with all her experience, she'd never before met a guy like Jesse.

There was something special about him. She wasn't sure what it was, exactly, but she'd have to watch out for it. After all, he'd actually had her opening up about her past. And that was something Audra never did. Especially not c.r.a.p about CPS and the endless stress dodging them had brought to her teen years. Other than her endless truancy reports, her only real run-in with the law trying to spring a dog from death row. Of course, the cops had always hara.s.sed her anyway, just because they thought she looked like the type to be trouble.

It was all a part of her life she was more than happy to lock the door on. The only information she shared with guys was the turn-them-on, keep-them-guessing kind.

Then again, Jesse wasn't her average kind of guy.

He was an intriguing mixture of sweet and s.e.xy, shy and sensual. The way he flirted was a major turn-on for her. In her considered opinion, he could definitely deliver on the promise of that flirtation. After all, she hadn't been able to get the memory of his talented fingers and delicious mouth out of her head all week.

How many guys talked p.o.r.n in such a cute, un.o.bnoxious way? Audra had a strict personal policy to only do what brought her pleasure, what felt good to her. If a guy was into a form of kink she didn't like, she'd say so, straight up. Like she'd told him, she wasn't into watching s.e.x. She was more a kinesthetic, hands-on kind of girl.

Having closed the boutique for the night, she turned to face Jesse. He stood there, all s.e.xy male confusion, fingering a purple silk chemise.

Yum.

"So you never answered my question. What's your pleasure?" she asked him.

His gaze shot to hers and he grinned, a boyish flash of white teeth.

"Such a leading question," he returned.

"Isn't it, though? The real question is, do you want to do the leading or be led?"

"I think I'd like both, depending."

Audra sauntered over to where he stood, the purple silk between his fingers. His obvious sensual appreciation for the tactile fabric was a good sign. One she wanted to explore. Enough of this chitchat prelim c.r.a.p; it was time to rock and roll.

"Why don't we take turns? I'll start." With that, she looped her arms around his neck and gently pulled his head down to meet her hungry mouth.

Mmm. Delicious.

She traced his lips with her tongue, reveling in their soft texture and the hint of something hot and dangerous just beneath the surface. Impatience, with its rough, edgy bite, ripped through her. She wanted more. Wanted to taste him, see how fast and far he could take her.

So she did. With teeth, tongue and lips, she gave herself over to desire. At her a.s.sault, Jesse groaned. He gripped her hips in his hands and pulled her tight against him. Pleased to feel evidence that he was as into the kiss as she was, Audra rubbed herself against the hardening flesh behind his zipper. Need, already coiled tight, sprang loose to spiral through her. From her avid mouth to the wetness between her legs, she was ready for him.

"Now," she gasped. She pulled back from his mouth just long enough to make the demand before trailing kisses over his rugged jaw and down the smooth flesh of his throat.

"Lingerie," he mumbled, one hand roaming her back while the other gripped her hip as if it were a lifeline.

"Huh?"

"Show. You said you'd show me your designs."

Audra pulled back to look into Jesse's eyes. He wanted a show? Now? Instead of s.e.x? A woman with less faith in her s.e.xuality might worry that he wasn't interested. Given her track record this week, Audra's own faith in her s.e.xuality was teetering on a fine line. But she knew the signs. Not just the woody pressing into her belly, but his dilated pupils, slightly labored breathing and the way his fingers smoothed over the small of her back as if it were a precious jewel.

She narrowed her eyes. Was he playing a game? He stared back. There was nothing in his eyes except desire. So why was her bulls.h.i.+t meter sending her caution signals?

Audra's breath caught as she tried tamp down the panic at the idea that she wasn't the s.e.xy, hot chick she defined herself as. If she'd lost her ident.i.ty-her s.e.xual mojo, to quote Suzi-to ambition, what the h.e.l.l did that leave? Her self-image was so wrapped up in her s.e.xuality that without it, she was lost.

"You'd rather see my designs than get hot 'n' heavy with me?" she asked.

"h.e.l.l, no," he exclaimed. "But I want to see those designs. You intrigue me. I want to get to know you better. You know, things besides what will make you scream in ecstasy."

Letting herself be soothed out of the panic-inducing ident.i.ty crisis, Audra considered him. When had she become so cynical and jaded that a guy looking for an actual relations.h.i.+p would have her so suspicious? Was she stupid enough to walk away from someone who might want more than just s.e.x from her? Because he wanted to get to know her?

To quote Jesse, h.e.l.l, no. h.e.l.l, no.

"As long as I don't lose out on those screams of ecstasy, I'd be happy to show you my stuff."

Audra looked around the boutique, hoping something would spark inspiration. The guy wanted to get to know her? Maybe she could get to know him, too. She'd never spent as much time wondering about a man as she had Jesse. Why not get a few of the answers to her musings? As the idea took hold, the odd feeling of rejection she'd barely admitted fell away and she started to get excited.

If nothing else, finding out what lingerie he preferred would be an interesting peek into his s.e.xual fantasies. What would prime his pump? Stir his juices? It'd be fun to find out.

"As the guest of honor at this evening's private showing of Simply Sensual Lingerie, I'd like to invite you to peruse our wares. Choose as many outfits as appeal to you."

"Anything?"

"Sure. It's all pretty tame, to be honest. Simply Sensual caters to the upscale, ladylike s.e.xual fantasies. I'm hoping to change that soon, though."

"Really?" Jesse's intrigued glance, and the clear interest in his voice, encouraged her to open up.

"I'd like to bring in some naughtier stuff," Audra said with a laugh. "Something more adventurous. You know, the exotic and erotic, the leather, the merry widow, the role-playing-styled lingerie. Fun stuff aimed at s.e.xual fantasies of the wilder kind. I've got a few things in the works that I figure will make all my dreams come true."

He shot her a weird look, a deep frown creasing his forehead, but all he said was, "Sounds like that promotion is going to bring some interesting changes here, huh?"

She sure hoped so.

Audra watched Jesse take his time, carefully inspect each outfit on each rack. Every time he seemed interested, he stopped to rub the fabric between his fingers, then looked at her as if gauging how it would feel with her in it. Since her shopping MO was based on the thrill of impulse buys, this was killing her. Or maybe it was the ever-tightening thread of desire that curled through her. After all, she was going to be getting next-to-naked with this guy soon. If he'd just hurry up.

Finally, he'd chosen a half-dozen outfits. Audra cast a quick eye over them and grabbed a few accessories as well as boots from the shelves, tossed them in a wicker shopping basket then winked.

"It's showtime." She gestured to the hall. "Shall we?"

Jesse shot a confused look at the flowing letters over another hall marked Dressing Room. "Where are we going?'

"A few months after I started working here, I realized we were missing out by having those tiny dressing rooms up front. They're fine for women shopping alone, but it can be a major turn-on lingerie shopping with your man along. You know, letting him be a part of the fun."

He followed her down the short hallway. There were two doors, the second being her and Natasha's office. They stopped at the first one. The interior had been fitted as a comfortable waiting area.

A manly leather couch offset the overt femininity of the rest of the boutique. A low table in front of it to hold a drink or for a guy to put his feet up while he waited, with an array of magazines, including Car Craft Car Craft and and GQ, GQ, spread over the smooth wood surface. The corner had been fitted as a dressing area, with deep burgundy curtains for privacy. And in front of the small, mirrored wall was a pedestal, perfect for modeling purposes. spread over the smooth wood surface. The corner had been fitted as a dressing area, with deep burgundy curtains for privacy. And in front of the small, mirrored wall was a pedestal, perfect for modeling purposes.

"It's not just about couples. We get brides in here wanting to try on their trousseau for their entourage. Sometimes girlfriends have fun putting on a group show. But the couples seem to appreciate it the most."

"Nice," Jesse said, taking it all in. He gestured to the couch. "That'd probably put a guy at ease, huh?"

"It does, yes. And guys at ease tend to hang out longer, buy more."

"Smart business." He sauntered over as if he was going to sit down, then hesitated. "Maybe this is a tacky question, but don't you worry the privacy, combined with the sensual atmosphere, might...you know?"

Faint color washed his cheeks. d.a.m.n, he was cute. Audra couldn't help but tease him.

"You know? What? Try on more lingerie?"

"No. You know, this place, the clothes, you. It's all so s.e.xy. A guy comes in here, he's gonna be thinking s.e.x. He gets back in this room, he's gonna be tempted to have s.e.x. Some guys even get off on the semipublic aspect of it. Just knowing customers are a few feet away, it adds to the excitement."

"Do you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you get off on the semipublic aspect of it? You were asking about p.o.r.n earlier. Is this another form of voyeurism?"

Jesse swallowed audibly.

"Yeah. In a way, I guess it is. I mean, I'm not into p.o.r.n. Like you, watching isn't my thing. But I can see where there might be an added edge, an extra element of spice, to doing it in a semipublic place. Kinda like the other night in your car? Public parking lot, dark night. It was...Well, it was s.e.xy as h.e.l.l."

His voice gruff with emotion, combined with the look in his eyes, made Audra catch her breath. The memory of that night, of his fingers on her-in her-made her s.h.i.+ver with desire.

Had she ever wanted a man like this? What was it about him that had her at war with herself, wanting equally to get to know him better and to rip his clothes off and get him naked?

"It was was s.e.xy, wasn't it?" s.e.xy, wasn't it?"

Spying the bra.s.s rack, Jesse hung the lingerie on the bar and turned toward her. He took the basket from her hands, set it on the low table and faced her again. Excited by the antic.i.p.ation, the wonder, she tensed. Her entire focus centered on him. On what he'd do next.

He stepped close, so close she could feel the heat off his body, smell the subtle spice of his shaving cream. Without actually touching her, he flicked the tiny stars dangling from her belly b.u.t.ton, watching their movement with heated eyes.

"That night was about the s.e.xiest experience I've ever had without an actual o.r.g.a.s.m," he told her. "Everything with you seems to have that extra edge. A special something that takes it past anything I've ever felt before."