Free Seducing Simon by Maya Banks

knee-length robe and tied it loosely around her waist. Then she arranged the lapels so they bared about a four inch strip of the nighty. A flush suffused her face as she looked back into the mirror and saw that the peaks of her breasts were clearly outlined. One thing about pregnancy, her nipples were taut and stiff on a twenty-four hour basis now.
    “You can do this,” she said firmly to her reflection. “It’s time Simon saw you as something more than a comfortable friend. It’s time he saw you for a sexy, desirable woman.”
    With a determined nod, she turned from the mirror and went over to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and took a deep breath. Let the operation commence.
    She walked into the kitchen, thankful for once that her room was on the opposite side of the house from the other three bedrooms. She’d taken her parents room while the guys had taken up residence in the
    -70-

    Seducing Simon
    three bedrooms that had served as hers and Matt’s bedrooms when they were kids.
    The setup had worked well. She had her own bathroom while the guys shared a bathroom on their end of the house. The living room and kitchen separated them. There was a formal dining room as well, but it had been turned into a computer room since they always ate at the bar.
    She could hear Simon on the computer and wondered if she should venture in there or wait for him to come into the kitchen. Finally she decided to go to the door and ask him if he’d eaten breakfast. If not she’d cook and lure him into the kitchen. But first she’d give him a taste of her outfit.
    With a grin, she walked to the computer room and cleared her throat at the doorway. “Good morning.”
    “Morning,” he mumbled, not taking his eyes from the computer screen.
    “Had breakfast yet?” She put one arm against the doorframe in what she hoped was a sexy pose.
    He finally glanced up. “No.” He turned back to the computer then jerked his head back up, his eyes widening in surprise. “Uh no.” His gaze was riveted on her, and she fought against the urge to blush and smile triumphantly all at the same time.
    “I’m cooking if you want to eat.” She slowly dropped her arm and turned to walk back into the kitchen.
    He followed right behind her and sat down at the bar. She began taking out the skillet and the ingredients for pancakes. She felt his gaze on her the entire time, but when she would look up at him, he’d immediately look down or away. Anywhere but at her.
    As she mixed the batter with a large wooden spoon, the motion loosened her robe and it fell completely open baring the plunging
    -71-

    Maya Banks
    neckline of her camisole. Acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, she set about pouring the batter into the skillet then leaned back against the counter to wait.
    “So why didn’t you go to the car show with Matt and A.J.?”
    “Not my thing,” he said barely meeting her eyes.
    “What’s your schedule this week?” It was an innocent enough question, but she wanted to be sure and plan for the days he’d be home.
    “Twenty-four Monday, off Tuesday, and forty-eight starting Wednesday. Off Friday and Saturday and a twenty-four Sunday.” So she had today and tomorrow to make an impression then she’d have one day out of three where she’d see him a few hours in the evening. Might be good for him to stew for a while.
    She turned and flipped the pancakes then settled her attention back on Simon. Her tongue felt tied. She’d never had any problem talking to him, but at the moment she felt as awkward as a girl on her first date.
    When the pancakes were done, she stacked them on a plate and set it in front of Simon. He stood up and got utensils for them then retrieved the butter and syrup from the fridge. She poured glasses of milk then settled onto the barstool across from the bar from him. After all, he wouldn’t be able to see her chest if she sat beside him.
    An awkward silence ensued as they ate their breakfast.