Naturally Naughty - Leslie Kelly [77]
“So, you’re here visiting your friend Kate?” Angela asked.
Armand shrugged. “We’re business partners. We own a store together on the Miracle Mile in Chicago.”
Angela’s eyes widened. “Really?” She glanced at Kate.
“Is it the same kind of store you’re opening here?” Darren said, stepping not-so-casually between Angela and Armand. Kate noticed and wondered if things were heating up again between the ex-spouses. It would explain why Darren looked anything but pleased about Angela’s interest in Kate’s partner.
“Yes, but now, we really have to go. I have things to do before tonight’s party.”
Angela frowned. “The party at city hall? You’re coming?”
“Yes.” Kate couldn’t resist adding, “As Jack’s date.”
The other woman’s face paled. “How…nice.” Turning toward Armand, she said, “And you must come, too.”
“Will you be there?”
Angela nodded.
“Then I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, lookingat her with a sexy, promising grin.
Kate kicked his ankle.
“Okay, I guess it’s time for us to go,” he said with a grimace. If he bent to kiss Angela’s hand or anything, Kate swore she’d shove him in front of the next oncoming car.
As soon as they were out of earshot of the other two, Kate said, “That was really bad of you.”
“Oh, come on, I know something about high school tormenters, babe. You’re telling me you never fantasized about getting a little payback?”
If only you knew!
“Just don’t, okay? Angela is Jack’s sister!”
Armand whistled. “Whoops.”
When they got back to the duplex, Armand insisted on helping pick out something for Kate to wear. She’d brought a few nicer dresses and was now glad she had.
“Red,” Armand said as he pulled out a tight spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress with a band of glittering sequins right above the breasts. “Perfect. And it’ll match. Wait here.”
When he returned, he was carrying a bundle of tissue paper. “My latest design. Here you go.”
Kate opened the packet, seeing a tiny pair of red, lacy panties. She dropped the paper and held them up, looking for the trick. No zipper. No slit. Not a thong. And they had a crotch.
The only thing unique about them was their weight. They felt heavier than they should, given the minute amount of fabric.
“Very pretty, and you’re right, they will match.”
He rolled his eyes at her lack of enthusiasm. “Go into the bathroom and try them on,” he said, shooing her out.
Following his orders, she went into the bathroom and took her shorts and underwear off. As she pulled the new underpants up, she noticed the extra weight seemed centered in the crotch area. When she pulled them into place, she realized why.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered with a shocked laugh.
The panties were padded with a spongy, soft middle, covered with a feathery fabric that cupped her private area quite deliciously. A firmer, ridged section toward the front pressed against her clitoris. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she yelled.
“Walk in them,” Armand ordered through the door.
The bathroom was too small, so she wrapped a towel around her waist and walked out into the hallway. Armand stood there, waiting for her reaction. As she walked, she had to admit it, the little ridge felt pretty damn good. Not to mention the soft middle, which made it feel like wispy, downy kisses were being pressed all over her opening.
“Nice?” When she nodded weakly, he practically bounced on his toes. “Try the stairs.”
She did. “Oh, very nice,” she admitted, almost purring at the pleasure of it.
“Good. You’re wearing them tonight. And every time some pissy small-town matriarch wrinkles up her nose in your direction, you stroll right by her with a secretive, delighted smile on your face.”
Sounded like a pretty good plan to her.
12
AS HE PULLED KATE’S SUV into the parking lot outside city hall, Jack could tell by the look on her face she was still uncertain about this evening’s party. She wasn’t frowning, but she looked deep