She’d have to settle for Red Hot Secrets.
Besides, she wasn’t even sure she remembered what to do in bed with a naked man. Bending over the tub, she flipped the stopper in place and then turned on the water. A generous amount of bubbles followed. A floral-smelling bath was one of the few luxuries she allowed herself on a regular basis. And even then she bought the bargain brand rose petal smell when she really wanted the brand-name version.
A few minutes later, she reached in her purse and grabbed her phone, expecting a call from her best friend, Zoe Marks. She placed her cell on the edge of the tub and stepped inside. Immersing herself in the water, she sank back. The soothing warmth did nothing to ease the dull throb of her body. A one-night stand was a great fantasy but it wasn’t her style. A long-term man would only be a distraction. So where did that leave her?
Beside her, the phone rang. Lucy sat up, wiped her hand on a towel, and reached for it. “How’s the new advertising exec feeling?” Zoe asked.
Lucy smiled into the phone and leaned back once more. “I’m only an intern. Very low on the totem pole.”
“You’ll be an exec in no time. You’ve worked two jobs for years. With one, you’ll shine. So, let’s celebrate in style and go to the Red Apple Club.”
“What is the Red Apple Club and why do I know it will cost way more money than I have?”
“I have this contact that told me this is the ‘it’ place for advertising people, which means it’s where you should be.”
That Lucy had a contact wasn’t a surprise. As a reporter of the New York Times, she was well connected. She was also rich. Something that despite their friendship often made Lucy uncomfortable.
“Like I said, sounds like money I don’t have. No. I don’t think so.”
“Don’t get on the money kick again. This is on me and I won’t argue with you about it. And before you say you have nothing to wear, borrow from me. You’re already raiding my work wardrobe. Grab something fun and sexy while you’re at it.”
“Zoe—”
“Stop Lucy. Do as I say. You have a key to my place and use it. We’re going out. Besides, I hear the Red Apple is packed with prime men. Lord knows you need one.”
“I do not need a man,” she lied.
“Okay, sex. You need sex, and don’t lie.”
“There is a difference between want and need,” Lucy said, but she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Zoe or herself.
“Not when it’s been as long as it has for you,” Zoe retorted. “You’re damn near a medical emergency.”
“Enough about my sex life—”
“You mean lack of,” Zoe said, cutting her off.
Lucy rolled her eyes. “Stop already. I’m in the bath and my water is getting cold.”
“Say yes to tomorrow night and I’ll hang up.”
“Fine. Yes.”
Zoe laughed. “Talk to you tomorrow. Love ya, sweetie.”
And then the line went dead. Lucy frowned at her phone as she disposed of it on the edge of the tub. Why had she just agreed to a night out? The question and possible answers ran through her mind for the next thirty minutes. Finally, dressed in her boxers and t-shirt, she sat on the edge of the bed and hit the play button on her VCR remote control.
The first thing she heard was, “I want you, Tara.”
For the next ten minutes, Lucy stared at the television as one of Tara’s admirers did a delicious job of stripping her naked. Lucy pulsed with desire. Her nipples tingled and she could feel the dampness of arousal between her legs.
And she knew, she had to do something about this burn her body had created. She needed her own red-hot secret.
Chapter Two
A hint of a smile played on Lucy’s lips as she walked down the sidewalk in the midst of the Fifth Street hustle and bustle. She wasn’t immune to the heads she turned. In fact, she reveled in the aftermath of each glance. When had she ever felt this amazing? Dressed in one of Zoe’s sexy little numbers, a light blue figure-hugging skirt and matching skintight, silk tank she felt more woman than she had in, well, maybe her entire life.
A night on the town pretending to have no obligations felt incredibly, marvelously liberating. Bubbling with energy, her feet felt no pain from the slightly too-high, incredibly sexy sandals gracing her almost perfectly manicured feet. She had never been great at painting between the lines, but her efforts had resulted in the bright pink toenail with a hint of sparkle.
Stepping into the lobby of the high-rise hotel that housed The Red Apple, the cool air soothed her warm skin, enticing a sigh of relief from her mouth. At the height of summer, the temperature outside had reached the one hundred degree mark. Just inside the entrance, Lucy eyed her surroundings with interest and blew a long strand of hair out of her eyes. An elegant chandelier hung up above, and marbled tile literally shined beneath her feet. She glanced at her dainty silver watch, a graduation gift from her mother, and noted the time. Exactly eight. Zoe should be here already or arriving any minute.