Devil in Texass(50)

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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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