Hidden Pleasures (6 page)

One who put too much emphasis on manners, he thought but didn’t say. She wanted to teach him manners, and he wanted to show her that there was a time and a place for manners, and there was a time and a place
not
for them. “I don’t know. What kind of woman are you?” he responded.

He wondered how long he was going to last, sitting
here engaging in idle chitchat with her when all he wanted to do was take her somewhere and feel her body pressed next to his and indulge once more in the taste of her mouth. He knew he needed to proceed with caution with her, but he was finding it hard to do so.

“I’m a woman who takes life seriously,” she said, frowning over at him.

His gaze automatically went to her lower lip. Seeing it quiver sparked a low burn in his groin and had his erection pressing hard against his zipper. She was annoyed, angry and probably frustrated and her facial features were letting him know it and turning him on in the process. He figured now would not be a good time to ask when was the last time she’d gotten buck-naked and wild in the bedroom. He knew for a fact that that was a good way to release tension and stress.

“I’m a man who takes life seriously, as well,” he said, and from the look on her face, he could tell she doubted his sincerity.

“So what kind of manners do you want me to teach you?” she inquired before taking another sip of her coffee.

“What kinds are there?”

She took another sip of her coffee. “There are the basic manners about not putting your elbows on the table and what fork to use while eating. Then there are the business manners, party and entertainment etiquette, gift-giving etiquette, and the—”

“What about bedroom etiquette?”

He watched her lips tighten and enjoyed seeing that,
too. Anything she did with her lips aroused him. He took a sip of his coffee and noted she hadn’t responded to his question. Had he hit a sore spot with her or something? That possibility called for further investigation.

“Bedroom etiquette?” she finally asked.

A slow smile touched his lips. “Yes, you know, the dos and don’ts while a couple is in the bedroom making love. I’m curious as to what’s proper and what’s not. Surely there are some specific manners governing that sort of thing.”

“I’m sure there are.”

“But those are the manners that you don’t teach?” he asked. He had her swimming in unfamiliar waters—and he was enjoying it. He was good at reading people and he could tell this topic of conversation had her somewhat flustered. Was she one of those women who thought a discussion of sex should only take place behind closed doors and not over coffee in a restaurant?

“Ms. Thrasher?” She had clamped her mouth shut and now he was forcing her to open it again.

“I’ve never done so before, Mr. Steele.”

“Please call me Galen, and why not? Are you saying no one has ever approached you for such instruction?”

She held his gaze and lifted her chin. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You are the first.”

Galen took another sip of his coffee. She was upset with him and her features showed it. In addition to the quivering of her bottom lip, her brows arched in a cute formation over her eyes and her nostrils seemed to flare. Why did seeing all of that make adrenaline
flow through his veins? If that wasn’t insane, he didn’t know what was.

“In that case, I’d love to be your first student, Brittany. I can call you Brittany, can’t I?”

“I prefer you not be my first anything, and yes, you can call me Brittany.”

Brittany took another sip of her coffee. He had turned those green eyes on her and she felt trapped by them. If he was playing some sort of game with her, then he was winning. The man had her tied up in all kinds of knots.

“But I am your first in at least two things that I know of, Brittany. Has anyone ever hijacked a cab from you before me?”

“No.”

“Has anyone ever made a proposition like the one I have?”

“No.”

“Seems like we’re on a roll. We might as well continue.”

She much preferred they didn’t. “Why would you want to learn bedroom etiquette?” she decided to ask, more out of curiosity than anything.

“I might decide to date a real lady one of these days, and I wouldn’t want to run her off with my less-than-desirable behavior behind closed doors. Right now I like to keep things simple, and simple for me is delivering pleasure beyond measure. In a rather naughty and raunchy, hot and sweaty sort of way. The women I’m into now enjoy it, but I need to know how far I can go.”

Naughty and raunchy? Hot and sweaty? She swallowed tightly at the thought of that description given to sex. “I really wouldn’t know.”

His mere words were causing more havoc to her body than Gilford’s touch ever did. She actually felt a heated sensation between her thighs that made her cross her legs.

“If you want me to teach you manners, Galen, I prefer sticking with those areas I’m familiar with,” she said in a clipped tone.

He leaned back in his chair thinking he so liked ruffling her feathers. “Okay. And when will you let me know if you plan to teach me any manners at all? When will I know for certain that you’ve accepted my proposal?”

She placed her coffee cup aside. “You’ve given me forty-eight hours. If you don’t hear from me within that time frame, then you’ll know my decision.”

He nodded slowly. “And if I hear from you?”

“Then we can go from there.” She stood. “Thanks for the coffee. Goodbye, Galen.”

He stood, as well. “Goodbye, Brittany, and I’ll look forward to your phone call.”

She turned and walked away, and he continued to stand there and stare at her, appreciating the sway of her hips with every step she took.

An hour or so later Brittany was pacing her hotel room. Every time she slowed her pace and closed her
eyes for a moment, she could see Galen Steele’s arrogant smile in her mind.

Of all the nerve for him to ask her about bedroom manners. As far as she was concerned, there wasn’t such a thing. What a couple did behind closed doors was acceptable as long as they both agreed and were comfortable with it, even if it meant swinging butt-naked from a chandelier. Of course he’d only asked to rattle her, she was sure of it, and it didn’t help matters that she didn’t have a clue as to what he was talking about. She wouldn’t know naughty and raunchy or hot and sweaty if they came up and bit her on the butt.

A tingle went up her spine at the thought of someone, namely Galen, doing that very thing—biting her on the butt. Why on earth would she think such a thing? She didn’t have a sadistic bone in her body. When it came to sex, she’d always gone for the traditional. Could that be her problem?

There was definitely one way to find out. She sat on the edge of the bed to think about what was at stake here. First and foremost was ownership of her mother’s home. The offer was out there. One week under Galen’s roof and he would sign it over to her, free and clear. Of course she would make sure he put it in writing. And then there was the issue of her not liking sex. Nikki was convinced it was her sex partners and not the sex act itself that was to blame. Or it could very well be the incident that happened when she was thirteen that had turned her off sex completely.

If something was wrong with her, then she owed
it to herself to find out and seek professional help if she needed it. After all, she was twenty-eight and most women her age were involved in healthy relationships with men.

At that moment something clicked inside her mind. A sign, perhaps? Was it a coincidence that the house her mother had left her was now tied to Galen Steele? Had fate brought them together if for no other reason than to fix a personal problem she’d tried ignoring? Was Galen, without his knowledge, being used as a tool to right a wrong?

Okay, that thought might be taking things too far, but then, what were the chances of her crossing paths in Phoenix with the same man she’d met six months ago in New York? And then, not only did their paths cross again, but he had something she wanted. Back in New York, she’d had something he wanted—a cab.

She threw her head back. Maybe she was putting way too much thought into this, trying to find excuses to validate what she needed to do. She would be the first to admit that Galen Steele was different from any man she’d ever met. What was there about his brashness and arrogance that pulled her to a different level? All the guys she’d ever dated had impeccable manners, she’d made sure of it. So why was she now drawn to a man whose manners left a lot to be desired?

She reached up and touched her lips with her fingertips, remembering the exact moment he’d kissed her. It had been short but thorough, and she had tasted his tongue. Sensations had jolted her the moment their
tongues had touched. None of her former boyfriends were much into kissing. They thought it unnecessary foreplay. But she had a feeling Galen took as much time with a kiss as he did with the sex act itself.

Regardless, it was inappropriate for him to kiss her in a restaurant, and maybe that should be the first thing she covered with him—how he should behave out with a woman in public. It was quite obvious that he was used to doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted and wherever he wanted. Her instructions would definitely nip that in the bud.

She felt her heart race at the thought that she had a game plan. Regardless of what he figured he was getting, the only thing she would be delivering to Galen Steele was exactly what he’d asked for, what he definitely needed. A crash course in manners.

And before she could get cold feet, she picked up the phone off the nightstand.

G
alen very seldom went on online for anything other than to check out the competition. But here he was surfing the Internet for information on Etiquette Matters.

A half hour later he couldn’t help but smile. What he’d just read was pretty darn cool. In his opinion, Brittany Thrasher was a highly intelligent woman. With an idea she started in college—pretty similar to how he, Eric and Wesley had gotten started—she had created Etiquette Matters. And over the years it had become a very profitable business. According to her bio, she’d had a fascination with the use of proper etiquette and had been considered an Emily Post wannabe. She’d started off with a small column in her university’s newspaper and later she gave private classes to young women who’d
come from the wrong side of the tracks, had made it to college and were determined to improve their social standing by getting a firm grasp on manners, etiquette and protocol.

She’d found her niche and within a year of graduating she’d hired five people to assist her. Now there were ten in her employ and the business seemed to be doing well. There was always some company or organization that wanted to know the right way to do things. Last year she’d even included a department on international protocol.

She had a waiting list of parents wanting private lessons for their children. And the contract she had snagged with the NFL was definitely impressive. He didn’t have to be reminded that she was a professional. The shocked look on her face when he’d kissed her in the café proved that. Any other woman would have been ready to take it to the next level then and there, and would have thought it was a feather in her cap to be kissed in public by a Steele.

But not Brittany Thrasher. She’d been concerned they’d behaved inappropriately. He’d never forget the look on her face when he’d brought up the idea of her teaching him bedroom manners. It didn’t take much to make her blush whenever he discussed a couple being intimate, which made him wonder about her sexual experience.

He tapped his fingers on his desk, thinking his mother would probably like her because Eden Steele was big into all that etiquette sort of stuff. She thought
the women he was drawn to didn’t have any class. How would his mother react knowing he had the hots for a woman who not only had class but was a master at teaching it to others?

He glanced at the clock on the wall. She had only a couple of hours left to call and he honestly didn’t think she would. If that kiss hadn’t scared her off, then he was certain the discussion of bedroom manners definitely had. The only thing he could hope now was that once she got home and found the package she’d realize the proper thing to do would be to at least call and thank him for his generosity. And when she made that call he would be quick to suggest they get together when she returned to Phoenix to take ownership of the house. From there he’d move things forward.

A short while later, he had finished getting dressed for dinner at his parents’ house when the phone rang. He quickly picked it up because he was expecting a call from Eric. “Yes?”

“I will accept your offer, Galen.”

It took him a full minute to find his voice. He truly hadn’t expected her to accept. “I’m glad to hear that, Brittany.” Surprised, as well.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d have your attorney draw up the papers.”

He lifted a brow. “The papers?”

“Yes. I want it stated in writing just what I’m going to receive after the seven days.”

He pulled in a deep breath. She was concerned with
what she would be getting after the seven days and his mind was already focusing on what he’d be getting
during
those seven days. Horny bastard.

“No problem,” he heard himself say. “I’ll have my attorney draw up the papers immediately.” There was no doubt in his mind he would have to practically kick Eli in the rear end to do it. No matter. Whatever it took.

A part of him—that decent side—figured he should end this farce by telling her that she already owned the house, but something was keeping him from coming clean. Probably the thought of her in his bed.

“When can I come pick you up?” he asked. Already he was feeling aroused. He shook his head. When had he wanted a woman this much? She had him intoxicated. He wished like hell that he could sober up but he couldn’t.

“I think tomorrow morning will be soon enough,” she said. He felt his stomach tighten in disappointment.

“That will give me time to check out of the hotel and shop for a few items of clothes I’ll need. I hadn’t planned to stay in town but a few days.” Then she added, “You don’t have to pick me up because I have a rental car and I prefer keeping it.”

He clamped his mouth shut after coming close to saying he preferred she turn the car back in. After all, there might be a time when he wasn’t available to chauffeur her and he’d never let a woman drive any of his cars. “That’s fine. Here’s my address.”

“Hold on, let me grab a pen.”

Moments later she was back on the phone and he
rattled off his address to her. “If you need directions I can—”

“I don’t need directions. The rental car has GPS.”

“So I can expect you around noon tomorrow?” he asked, trying to keep the eagerness out of his voice.

“Yes.”

“Good, I’ll see you then,” he said.

“All right, and don’t forget to have the papers with you.”

“I won’t. Goodbye.”

He hung up the phone and rubbed a hand down his face. One part of him felt like a total bastard. The other part of him still felt like a total bastard, but a very happy and excited one.

Eli glared at his brother on the other side of his desk. “Whatever you’re involved in, Galen, Brittany Thrasher will end up screwing you.”

Galen smiled. Hell, he hoped so.

“You’re thinking with the wrong head,” Eli went on to add, clearly on a roll. “And don’t be surprised if that head gets smashed with all of this.”

Ouch! Galen couldn’t help flinching at that. Like their old man, Eli had a way with words, especially while reminding you there were consequences for the actions you took.

“Just prepare those papers, Eli. She wants them tomorrow.”

Eli shook his head, still not ready to let it go. “This
doesn’t make sense. She thinks she has to spend a week with you for a house you’ve already given to her.”

“When she finds that out she’ll be surprised and happy, now won’t she?”

Eli grunted and then said, “Yes, but your ass still might be grass. Women don’t like men taking advantage of them.”

Galen rolled his eyes. “And those words are actually coming out of your mouth? You, who have more notches on your bedpost than I do.”

“Yes, but I got them honestly.”

Galen shook his head. Now he’d heard everything. Instead of arguing with Eli, he moved away from his brother’s desk and went to look out the window. The gym across the street had closed hours ago.

He and Eli had come straight from their parents’ home where everyone had congregated for dinner. All six sons had been present and accounted for, grudgingly or otherwise. Over the years he and his brothers had figured their mother insisted on her Thursday-night dinners as a way to show her sons that although their father had once behaved like them when it came to women, after meeting her all that had come to an end. In other words, she was allowing them to see with their own eyes that a man who’d been known for his whorish ways could fall in love one day, marry and be true to one woman for the rest of his days. Like Drew Steele.

It didn’t take long being in their parents’ presence to see just how much in love they were. He and his brothers had always known from the time they were
able to walk and talk that Drew adored his Eden. And after nearly thirty-five years of marriage nothing about that had changed.

But what his mother refused to understand was that in her sons’ eyes, she was one in a million. The woman who’d brought Drew Steele to heel. She was in a class by herself and there wasn’t another woman like her. But most important if there was, the Steele brothers weren’t looking for her at the moment. They enjoyed their womanizing ways. There were benefits to not settling down with one woman, but Eden Steele refused to see that.

“Here.”

Galen turned his head. Eli had prepared the paper and was holding it out to him.

He couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, man,” he said, taking the paper and scanning it. The wording was simple and legal. All he had to do was sign it.

“Whoa, hey, you owe me big. And don’t think you won’t get billed. For after-hours services, too.”

“Whatever.”

“And I’m beginning to question your logic when it comes to women, Galen. Are you sure this woman doesn’t mean anything to you?”

Galen lifted his head and glanced over at his brother. Very funny. She’s a woman. They all mean something to me.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “I’m not talking about
all
women. I’m referring to this particular one. Brittany Thrasher.
The one you signed over a house to. The same one whose name I’ve seen a lot over the past couple of days.”

Galen was silent for a few moments and then he leveled with his brother. “Okay, she’s different, Eli. I can’t put my finger on why, but I need this week with her.”

“To teach you manners?”

Galen smiled. When he’d spelled out the terms of the agreement to his brother, Eli had looked at him like he was crazy. Any son of the eloquent and sophisticated Eden Tyson Steele had impeccable manners. Whether he displayed them or not was something else.

“Manners and whatever else she wants to throw into the class sessions,” Galen replied.

Eli rubbed his jaw. “Hmm, maybe I need a class in manners, as well.”

Galen’s eyes darkened. “Don’t even think it. We’ve never shared before and we won’t be doing it now. If you even make an attempt,
my
head won’t be the one that will get smashed. Yours will. I’ll personally see to it.”

Eli laughed. “Sounds like someone has acquired a jealous streak.”

“Think whatever you want. Just remember what I said.”

A few minutes later, after leaving Eli’s office, Galen got in his car and stretched his neck to work out the kinks. He did not have a jealous streak. If anything he had a protective streak. Who wouldn’t after hearing the tear-jerking story Brittany had shared with that other
woman? He knew the story, although he’d eavesdropped to hear it.

He knew what the house meant to her, her biological mother’s last gift, and although he had a reputation when it came to women, he still had a heart. He could still be compassionate when it came to some things, thanks to having Eden for a mother. So for him to have signed the house over to Brittany made perfect sense. At least to his Eden Steele genes. On the other hand, pursuing Brittany for the purpose of sharing his bed was true to his father’s genes.

Galen knew he and his brothers had been blessed to have their parents. Brittany had never known her mother, and the house was her only connection to the woman. Seeing her come so close to losing it had brought out protective instincts in him. It didn’t matter that he never knew he’d possessed those protective instincts until now. If any of his brothers had been placed in the same position, they would have done the same thing….

Well, maybe not.

The important thing was that he was the oldest and he needed to set good examples for the others to follow. And he’d told Eli the truth. As much as he and his brothers joked around, when it came to certain things, they were dead serious.

Eli thought he was thinking with the wrong head.

Maybe he was. If so, he needed to know why Brittany Thrasher had such pull on not only that part of him but his common sense, as well. He needed to know why
he’d thought about her all evening through dinner, and why he couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow at his home.

The thought that she would be with him for an entire week filled him with an emotion he didn’t understand, and he figured the only way to understand it was to be around her. Spend time with her.

Oddly enough, as much as he wished otherwise, his mind and body didn’t transcend into a sex-only mind-set when he thought about her. He chuckled as he put his car into gear and headed home. No wonder Eli was concerned about him. The bottom line was that he had invited Brittany to his home to be his lover. He knew it and she knew it.

Knowing it made an unfamiliar sensation settle deep within him, and for some reason he welcomed the feeling.

Brittany tilted her head back to gaze up at the house. The sprawling two-story Tuscan-style structure sat on a hill with the mountains for a backdrop and looked like something that would be showcased in a magazine for the rich and famous.

Although Nikki said all six of the Steeles were successful, Brittany didn’t have a clue what Galen did for a living. It was quite obvious that whatever he did paid well.

She glanced around the house and figured it had to be sitting on at least four acres of land. Fittingly, the house had sort of an arrogant look about it. She could see
Galen living here, making this place his castle, his home on the range, his haven against the outside world.

And he was bringing her here to it.

To spend a week with him. Although he claimed she was supposed to teach him manners, she knew what side of the bread was buttered. To get her mother’s house she had to be his lover for seven days.

The thought of that had bothered her until she’d talked to Nikki again. They’d had breakfast that morning. “Remember you’ll be there for therapeutic purposes,” Nikki had said. “No matter why he thinks you’re there, Brittany, you’re going to use this week to find out some things about yourself. You need to know if there’s more to your inability to enjoy sex than what you think.”

With that belief firmly planted in her head, Brittany told herself she was on a mission. She needed to see if there were hidden pleasures in her life and if so, Galen was just the man to find them. She was well aware that he had a mission as well—getting her into his bed. Wouldn’t he be surprised to discover it wouldn’t be as hard as he’d thought? But like Nikki had said, it was only for therapeutic purposes.