A Tangled Web (A Books We Love Erotic Romance) by Summer Jordan Page A

him. After all, she didn't want to confirm his worst thoughts.
    She'd dressed carefully, donning a black lace-trimmed thong and matching bra under her modest little black dress. Joey's pendant, hanging from its delicate silver chain, nestled between her breasts, slightly exposed by the scooped neckline. She'd found a pair of earrings in her jewellery box that Joseph had given her years ago, tiny twists of silver with a touch of jade that she'd nearly forgotten owning. She'd been delighted with the discovery.
    She didn't want to appear so dressed up that Derek would think he had to take her somewhere special, but she didn't want to look as if she planned to spend the evening at home, giving him grounds to think she was planning or hoping for just sex.
    The doorbell rang and she took a quick look in the foyer mirror before opening the door. He was checking his watch when she said, "Hello, Derek." She paused, expecting him to apologise for his tardiness. When he didn't, she motioned and added, "Come in."
         He stepped inside and looked around. "This is quite a house. Do you live in this huge place alone?"
    "My son lives with me, but it is big for two people." Actually, it had been large for three, but Joseph loved owning the biggest and best of everything. "However, Wives-R-Us is located on the property so I wouldn't want to part with it."
    The June night was balmy and moonlight washed across her lawn behind Derek as he stood inside the still open door. "I couldn't decide where to go or what to do," he said, "so I brought some wine and thought maybe we could just stay in, if that's okay with you."
    With the sleeves of his black and white pin-striped dress shirt rolled up to his elbows paired with black trousers, he looked extremely handsome and as sexy as the devil himself. "I brought a tie in case you preferred to go out." He yanked at the black silk slung over his shoulder.
    "I'm fine with your plan. I didn't know what to suggest we do either."
    A smile broke across the planes of Derek's face. "Where shall we hold our little party then?"
    Stepping back outside the door, he produced a picnic basket, and she laughed in delight. The way he hoisted that hamper, he must have brought a lot of wine.
    "It's so pleasant outside, why don't we hold it on the back patio? It's enclosed by bushes and quite private." The house sat on a large grassy corner lot and was visible from cars passing on the streets and neighbouring houses, except for the veranda.
    Erin led Derek through the living and dining rooms and into the kitchen which opened onto the patio. A door in the solarium also led outside, but she wanted to pick up wine glasses on the way.
    "No need for those unless you prefer glass," Derek said as she opened a cabinet door. "I brought plastic."
    Following him through the back door, Erin stood fascinated as he produced a bottle of champagne, one of red wine, one of white and stemmed, plastic glasses. After setting those on the glass-topped table, he pulled out two kinds of cheese and crackers, two varieties of olives and paper napkins.
    Arranging everything neatly, he explained, "I didn't know what you'd like to drink or eat, so I brought choices."
    He reached into the basket again and drew out pâté, hard rolls and grapes. The final touch was a small bunch of daisies in a vial of water. "For a centrepiece," he said, smiling at her like a small boy who'd brought home a report cart with excellent marks. After placing the bouquet in a champagne glass where it tilted to one side, he pulled out a chair for her.
    "How sweet!" Erin clasped her hands to her chest. "You thought of everything. How did you manage to get all this and arrive here only a few minutes late?"
    Seating himself across from her, he took the flowers out of the vial, poured its water in the glass and became occupied with arranging them. "I shopped before I went to work and set the whole basket in the cooler."
    He was so virile, his hands so strong and