down where it didn’t belong. Above all that, a speck of dust would die a lonely
existence in the multi-million-dollar home. Liza hadn’t even been allowed to wear
brand-new Jimmy Choos into the house. She’d had to leave them in the foyer.
She wondered now how Jack would feel if she wore her sandals inside. Would it
bother him? Should she leave them outside the door?
Should she even pass through the door?
Ugh.
She stared down at the key in her hand, then glanced back up at the entrance and
peered through the glass inset. She didn’t feel one hundred percent comfortable being in his house alone. But she’d promised him she’d be here when he came home, waiting
for him. Liza didn’t relish the idea of disappointing him. Or missing out on another
incredible lovemaking experience. She really didn’t know how many more she’d get
with the Devil. He could be done with her any time now.
Best to not pass up the water when the well could run dry at any moment, right?
With this in mind, she inserted the key in the lock and flicked her wrist. She
stepped into the lit foyer, set the bag in the corner and promptly removed her sandals, just to be on the safe side. She left them next to the door. Stepping into the living room, she found the switch on the wall and flipped it so she could see what the main part of Jack’s house looked like. Downstairs boasted a large living room with a stone-trimmed fireplace, a formal dining room that sat twelve, an enormous kitchen—in solid white
with black-and-silver speckled granite countertops and a breakfast nook—and a den
that Jack had turned into his home office.
She ascended the sweeping staircase trimmed with rich cherry wood, carrying her
shopping bag with her. Along the way, Liza debated her nightgown color options,
trying to peg which one the Devil would like best as she surveyed the upstairs rooms.
One was a neat and tidy guest bedroom. The other was a room he’d converted into an
impressive workout facility. Which he obviously used religiously.
The third one she came to was the master suite. The white walls and wainscoting
were as crisp and immaculate as the rest of the house, all looking freshly painted. Pride of ownership shone through and Liza was glad she’d decided to leave her shoes
downstairs. It seemed like a respectful thing to do.
The accent color in Jack’s bedroom was dark blue. The comforter on the cherry
wood four-poster bed—and the drapes that framed the wall of windows, adorned with
white Plantation shutters—were the richest blue she’d ever seen, aside from Jack’s eyes.
Setting her package on the matching plush bench that ran the length of the king-size
bed, she debated her lingerie options again.
Midnight was out since it would clash with the royal blue of his room.
Red might be too obnoxious against the duvet.
Hot pink wasn’t really to her liking.
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Black might work, but…
Champagne would stand out against the blue. A perfect complement to the décor.
Pulling the tissue-wrapped nighties from the bag, she selected the one she wanted
and also grabbed the matching panties. Slipping into Jack’s bathroom, she felt an
unexpected thrill over primping in his private space. It was so minimalistic by way of decoration and supplies she had to smile. A hammered-silver tray sitting on the counter contained the very basics a man needed—shaving cream, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste,
hair gel, deodorant, dental floss, mouthwash.
Bingo.
The latter was exactly what she was looking for. But a comb would also be helpful.
Searching the top drawer of his vanity, she found a brush and ran it through her hair, fluffing the natural curls, ignoring the dull, grown-out highlights. Because that would lead to more dismal thoughts about Lydia Bain.
She changed into the lingerie she’d bought earlier and returned to Jack’s bedroom.
Other than the toiletries, she hadn’t noticed any personal effects in the entire twenty minutes she’d been inside his house. No photos on the fireplace mantle or the bedside tables. Nothing significant hanging on the walls to give any clues about Jack’s private life. Though the house was organized and inviting, it was decidedly devoid of anything warm and fuzzy that might give Liza additional insight into who Jack Wade really was.
Luckily, she had her own experiences to draw upon. And it occurred to her that she
didn’t really need any outside influence because she’d already come to her own
conclusions about the Devil in Blue Jeans. He was sexy as hell. An amazing lover. A
responsible business owner. A good friend to those he deemed worthy.
He was also a mystery she couldn’t solve in such a short amount of time.
There was nothing in Jack’s house that would reveal his true identity. The only way
she’d ever figure that out was by letting Jack be Jack, while she was…Liza. Simple and carefree Liza. No more pretention. No more trying to please people who only wanted to take advantage of her. No more clawing her way to a top she’d never reach.
She had a new life now. With some new people in it, a new job and a new, seriously
hot boyfriend. Regardless of how temporary the latter might be, she and Jack were
clearly an item right now and she intended to enjoy every minute she got to spend with the hunky cowboy.
She could see their association for what it was—the hot and sweaty sex she’d come
looking for. And that was okay for now.
Smiling to herself for being in control of the situation and anticipating the rest of the night ahead of her, Liza settled under the thick, dark blue duvet that covered Jack’s enormous bed. The A/C and ceiling fan kept the room reasonably cool, though she
knew that wouldn’t last long. As soon as Jack arrived, they’d be steaming the place up.
She could hardly wait. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, as though pulling in
the very essence of him here in his bedroom. She realized she felt more at home here
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Calista Fox
than she ever had in Peter’s apartment. This place was cozy and simple. Manly in some respects, but again, inviting. It was just right for this Goldilocks.
When the doorbell rang, Liza practically bolted out of bed as excitement shot
through her. She raced down the stairs, slowing her pace as she reached the door, so as to appear more composed than she felt. She flipped the deadbolt and turned the knob.
Her heart jumped into her throat as the door opened. “Damn,” she said on a lusty
sigh as she propped a hip against the doorframe and took Jack in from head to toe. “I just started to get settled in and here you are…completely unsettling me.” His dark eyes roved her body, making her insides flutter. She added, “You can make me wet just by