Free 24 1/2 Kisses (A Bashir Family Romance) by Kennedy Claire Page A

half-hoped it was Ashley, Dev’s assistant, asking me to meet him in some odd place to finish the interview.
    It was from Eric.
     
    Dinner with me tomorrow night?
     
    He’s nice, Scarlett. Go out with him…
     
    I typed into my phone as the elevator descended.
     
    You’re exactly what I need right now, Eric. Yes.
     
    There has been no one else since Dev. Maybe that was my problem. I resolved that night I would just get it over with.
    I would sleep with Eric.
     
    The next evening I made myself a cup of tea and searched my closet for the perfect dress, one that would make me irresistible to Eric.
    And then I found it.
    The red dress.
    I hadn’t worn it since Annika picked it out and practically forced it on me; it was a dangerous dress on my ample hourglass curves. I held it up to my body in the mirror and imagined what he might think when he saw me in it. I definitely looked like a woman on the prowl… for sex .
    That’s what you want, right?
    I fished out the matching red bra and lace panties. If this wouldn’t get him into bed, then nothing would.
    It had been so long since I felt a man’s body next to mine, but I wondered if it would be as good as it was with Dev. Could anyone make me feel the way he did? I had to at least give Eric a chance.
    I pulled the tight dress over my head and smoothed it out to its length which was four inches above my knees. The back was open and haltered around my neck leaving not much to the imagination. I glanced at the time—Eric was going to pick me up in ten minutes. I rushed to get my red lipstick on and spray a little perfume in all the appropriate places.
    When I opened the door to him I knew I had picked the right dress for the job.
    “I’m speechless. You look incredible.”
    He was dressed in a sports jacket and clutched a bunch of red roses in his hand which he held out like an offering to the goddess of love, mouth slightly agape.
    “Thank you, Eric. They’re pretty. Would you like to come in?” I purred.
    “I think I would.” He stepped in, his eyes never leaving my red dress.
    “I’ll put these in water. Please have a seat.” I gave him my most seductive smile and then brought the roses into the kitchen. In a moment, he was there leaning casually against the entryway and watching me carefully.
    “I don’t think I adequately expressed how completely breathtaking you look. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from staring tonight.”
    As I arranged the flowers in a vase, I met his sparkly blue eyes and said seductively.
    “We don’t have to go out.”
    I was determined to make this happen.
    The sooner you sleep with Eric, the sooner Dev will be but a distant memory.
    Eric read my cue and moved in closer. He put his hands around my waist and pulled me to him. He smelled like pine and clean soap…and the outdoors. He kissed me slowly before responding to my suggestion.
    “If the lady wants to stay in, then we’ll stay in. Aren’t you hungry though?”
    “Yes. But not for food per se.”
    I returned his kiss and willed myself to melt into the moment.
    It was decided.
    He pulled me with him to the couch, his kisses steadily increasing in passion and frequency, his hands moving with purpose over my body.
    We found the couch and he sat me down and leaned into me, his body now in control. When he kissed me deeply, exploring my mouth with his tongue, I started to feel something…that familiar warmth radiate through my body. And if I closed my eyes, I could almost believe he was…
    Stop it, Scarlett. Be with Eric. Forget Dev.
    I opened my eyes and watched as he kissed down my neck. Better to get this over with or be haunted by Dev forever.
    “Eric, make love to me.”
    He looked up suddenly and met my eyes assessing my sincerity, and then he grinned like a hungry bear offered a gallon of ripe berries.
    “Is that what you want?”
    “Yes.”
    Before it could go any further, my cell phone rang. I wasn’t going to answer it but I could see from the