Forbidden Fantasies Bundle(104)

Zoë’s heart sank. “I really didn’t expect him to call.”

“But you’re having second thoughts about that. I can tell, and it’s my fault. I encouraged you to go after him.”

Zoë met Sierra’s eyes. “This is not your fault. It was my decision, and I don’t regret it.” Even as she said the words, Zoë realized they were true. How could she ever regret the time she’d spent with Jed?

“Well, I’m going to see if I can get some more information out of Ryder. In the meantime—” Sierra paused to glance around the office “—I think you need a girls’ night out.”

“I don’t know, I—”

“My sisters and I and two of Natalie’s friends are gathering at Rory’s place first. Rory’s fiancé, Hunter, owns this exclusive lingerie shop and Rory is bringing samples from the new line to show us. Jed Calhoun isn’t the only man out there.”

Zoë opened her mouth, but Sierra hurried on. “C’mon. What have you got to lose? There’s nothing like some really sexy underwear to build up your confidence.”

“Sexy underwear?”

“Really sexy.”

Zoë thought about how new underwear had been one of the things she’d intended to purchase before she’d even approached Jed in the first place.

Sierra rose and moved toward the door. “Rory will explain everything. She swears that the main reason she captured Hunter’s heart was a red thong.” Sierra opened the door. “C’mon. It’ll be fun.”

Zoë glanced down. “I’m not really dressed to go out.”

“Rory will lend you something, and afterward, we’re having dinner at the Blue Pepper.” She grinned at Zoë. “Who knows? The love of your life could be waiting for you there right now! That’s where I first met Ryder.”

What did she have to lose? Zoë thought as she rose and followed Sierra out the door.



THE FACT THAT the Blue Pepper was one of Georgetown’s most popular bistros was confirmed for Jed as he entered the restaurant. His gaze followed a waiter with a loaded tray climbing the short flight of stairs that led from the crowded bar to the main dining area. The tables were nearly all taken. A glance to his right told him that the tables on the patio were filled, too. Above the noise of the conversations buzzing around him, he could hear that the band was playing jazz.

George, a gentle giant of a man and one of the owners, was swamped with customers at the bar, and his partner, Rad, a small man with flamboyant taste in clothes and hairstyles, was greeting guests at the reservation desk. The two men were partners in life as well as business, and they seemed to make a perfect team. The waiting area was so crowded with customers that Jed had to elbow his way through them.

He’d been here once before with Ryder and Sierra and her sisters, and he’d gone along with Ryder’s suggestion that he meet Gage here because he was familiar with the place and he could depend on it being crowded. There was a slim chance that someone might be watching Gage, and it was always easier to disappear into a crowd.

When he finally reached the reservation desk, Rad was sweet-talking an impatient-looking customer. Tonight, Rad was a picture in black and white—white hair, black silk shirt and slacks set off with a black-and-white striped tie. The man had a sharp eye for both people and fashion, and a knack for remembering faces. This would be the first test of his disguise, and it would be a tough one.

“…very busy tonight,” Rad was saying. “But I think I can fit you in on the patio in about forty-five minutes if you’d like to wait in the bar.”

“Okay. But don’t forget I’m there,” said the impatient man.

“Never,” Rad promised with a reassuring smile and then scribbled something in the reservation book.

Jed waited for Rad to glance up at him. In the kind of work he’d done for the government, he’d had quite a bit of experience with donning disguises. He wondered what Rad would think of Ethan Blair.

Rad glanced up at him. “Yes?”

“Ethan Blair. I have a reservation for two at eight o’clock. I requested a table near the railing on the upper level.”

Something flashed into Rad’s eyes, and Jed saw with relief that it was interest and not recognition. Rad had an eye for fashion, and his gaze swept over Jed as he grabbed two menus. Jed knew exactly what the man was seeing—the silk shirt and tie, the Italian-designed suit. He’d temporarily dyed his hair black and had it trimmed at the men’s salon at the Woodbridge Hotel where he’d also gotten a manicure. He’d purchased the gold pinkie ring he wore in the hotel’s gift shop. The Woodbridge, the hotel where he’d elected to stay for the next few days, was located close to Georgetown and boasted several exits. He’d picked up the glasses—which Jed felt added the perfect touch to the disguise—at one of those chains that guarantees one-hour service.