Bare It All by Lori Foster Page A

So...intimate.”
    “Intimate?” Reese kept his gaze on the road.
    If he wanted to discuss it, fine. “Talking about children
usually suggests a committed, caring relationship.”
    A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I like talking with you about
anything.”
    Could that possibly be true? She couldn’t miss the stiff set of
his shoulders, how his hands gripped the wheel. Something wasn’t right, but
unlike with most people, she often had difficulty reading his moods and
thoughts. “You’re upset?”
    “What? No.” He shifted, trying to relax.
    Alice studied him. “Would you fib to me, Reese?”
    The seconds ticked by. It almost felt like he held his
breath—and then he admitted, “If necessary, yeah, I would.”
    His honesty pleased her. She smiled at him to let him know.
    Confused, he worked his jaw. “You want me to lie to you?”
    “I don’t think you would, not about anything important.” She
tipped her head. “You say you’re not upset?”
    “I’m not.”
    How wonderful would it be to totally trust another man? Did she
dare? “Then what’s wrong?”
    His laugh was short and rough. “Nothing.”
    Something. Maybe she needed more information to figure him out.
“Reese?”
    “Hmm?”
    “You’ve kissed me a few times now.”
    “Yeah.” His voice went deep and dark. “And you liked it.”
    Such confidence, and such knowledge of women. Could a man be
any sexier? “I did,” she admitted. “I hope you’ll want to kiss me again.”
    “Count on it.” He glanced her way. “But next time, it’ll be
more.”
    He said that with so much heat, it stole her breath. “The thing
is...I’m not sure I’m ready for more than that. Not yet, anyway.”
    He shook his head. “No, I meant... The way I kissed you was
hardly a kiss at all.” Again he glanced at her, then down over her body before
giving his attention back to the slick road. “I want to really taste you, Alice.
I want to feel your tongue...” He inhaled, shifted. “I want more of a kiss.”
    “Oh.” The damp dress suddenly felt restrictive, especially over
her breasts. She had the awful suspicion that Reese could see the outline of her
stiffened nipples. “Yes, I’d like that.” A lot.
    “Good to know.”
    Thinking about it now, she wondered why steam didn’t rise in
the car. She plucked at the material of her dress, trying to rearrange it a
little, but it was a futile effort, so she gave up. “I need you to understand,
though. If you want to sleep with me—”
    “No way can you have a doubt about that.”
    Her heart swelled. No, she didn’t really have any doubts.
“Thank you.” Her eyes rounded after she uttered those absurd words. Had she
really thanked him for wanting her? Oh, God, yes, she had.
    Reese grinned. “You’re welcome.”
    She had to clear her throat twice before speaking again. “The
thing is, I’ll need some time. I’ve already made it clear that I’m
interested—”
    “You are? Great. I thought so, but I appreciate the
confirmation all the same.”
    Worse and worse. Get to the point,
Alice. “I didn’t want to confuse things, or lead you on.”
    “Okay.”
    His easy compliance only rattled her more. “I’d understand if
you’d rather not wait for me. For me...to be ready, I mean.” With every word,
she sounded more ridiculous. “I don’t know how long it’ll take me, if it’ll be
tomorrow, or next week, or maybe even a month from now—”
    All humor fled his expression. “Alice.”
    “—and I know you have other options. Pam and Nikki made that
clear enough. You’re obviously a very...sexual man.”
    “Like all men, sure. But that doesn’t mean—”
    Unwilling to hear him make excuses for her, she rushed on. “I
don’t mean to make things uncomfortable. I wish I was different, but I’m
not.”
    “Alice.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
    Lacing her fingers together in her lap, she stared out the
windshield and tried to get it all said. “Even though you seem to have