Night Whispers - Leslie Kelly [31]
When Brian cued her, she leaned forward and said, “Welcome back to Night Whispers on WAJO. I’m Lady Love and tonight we’re going to explore that intoxicating feeling of just wanting someone. Let’s not muddy the waters, we’re not talking about lifelong love. When you find your one and only, the desire changes, it becomes more meaningful, more fulfilling. That’s another topic for another show. Instead, let’s focus on that spine-tingling sensation you get when you’re around someone who you just know could give you immense physical pleasure.”
Sultry images flooded her mind, but Kelsey forced herself to keep focused on what she was doing.
“Have you felt it? Do you feel it now?” she asked, her voice challenging her listeners. “Can you close your eyes and picture every inch of the person you want?”
She had. She did. She could.
“Sometimes the person we want isn’t right for us, or doesn’t feel the same way. But that doesn’t stop the need. Pure, undiluted desire. We’ve all experienced it. Now let’s talk about it.”
“HOLY HELL!” MITCH MUTTERED. He kicked a pile of papers out of his way as he stalked across the living room and punched the off button on his stereo. Still not satisfied, he reached behind it and yanked the cord out of the wall. He didn’t know what demon had made him tune in to begin with.
“Shut up, Kelsey. Just leave me alone,” he muttered aloud in the empty room.
But she wouldn’t. Kelsey would not leave him alone.
He glanced at the notes he’d been writing before her show came on. It wouldn’t do any good to try to get back to work. Every time he tried to concentrate, thoughts of Kelsey intruded.
For the past week, while he’d struggled to avoid her, she’d turned up everywhere. When he went outside to change the oil in his car, she came out in a pair of very tight, torn jeans and a T-shirt to wash hers. The water had splashed her, making the shirt stick to her skin. He’d been paying so much attention to her that he’d forgotten what he was doing and neglected to tighten the filter. When oil came spilling out on the driveway he’d had to dive back under the car, getting his clothes black and sticky. She’d rushed over to help him clean up, dabbing at the stains while he sucked in gulps of air and tried to look everywhere but at her totally wet, nearly transparent shirt.
When he pulled a load of clothes from the dryer, he bumped into her coming up the basement stairs, and had to lift the laundry basket high over his head while she scooted past. As she slid by, he’d swear she purposely brushed her entire body against his, saying, “We’re just supposed to nod, right?” He stared down at her, watching her descend, as her light, flowery scent hung in the air. She hadn’t even looked back at him standing mute on the stairs.
When he went out to cut the grass, he found her pulling weeds in the garden. Yesterday, when he got home, he found her baking sweet-smelling cinnamon rolls in his kitchen. For several minutes, while he put away his groceries, he had to watch her slowly licking sticky, sweet icing from her fingers.
And all the while she smiled and batted her lashes and played the role of temptress as though she’d invented it.
“You’re not going to get away with this, Kelsey,” Mitch said aloud as he walked to his office and flipped on his computer.
He knew he was being played like an instrument. Kelsey was trying to make him admit they could never be mere acquaintances, or housemates. She didn’t like him criticizing her job, but then, when he’d come up with an ideal solution, she didn’t like that, either.
Tonight she must have suspected he’d listen to her show. She seemed to be speaking directly to him. Telling him she wanted him. He didn’t know whether to be flattered or just plain frustrated.
At this particular moment, he was opting for frustrated.