About Last Night... Read Free

The
    matching panties were cut high on the legs, veeing below her navel, and trimmed with more scratchy lace. The black garter
    belts connecting the bottom of the bustier with the top of her thigh-high black hose were drawn so tight, she was sure if they
    popped, she'd be maimed for life. "If I had a feather boa, I could walk onto the set of Gunsmoke."
    Behind her, Marie laughed. "You look awesome! You hide that fab figure of yours. Believe me, Steve won't know what hit
    him. You two will be so exhausted after tonight, you'll have to postpone the wedding."
    Maybe it was the effects of the wine, but she had to admit she was feeling pretty sexy, albeit a little shaky, in her stiletto
    heels. "But what will I do?"
    "I'll drop you off at the resort, and you can surprise him."
    She looked down. "I'll be arrested if I walk into the hotel like this."
    Her sister went back to the closet and returned carrying a black all-weather coat. "Here."
    Janine shrugged into the coat and belted it.
    "See—perfectly innocent," Marie said. "No one will ever know that beneath the coat is a red-hot siren getting ready to
    sound."
    "But what will I do for clothes tomorrow?"
    "Are you serious? You two won't leave that room. Don't worry, I'll come early and bring your outfit for the rehearsal dinner.
    Now let's get going before you lose your nerve."
    Janine grabbed Marie's arm. "I think I'd better call him first."
    "But this is supposed to be a surprise!"
    "But what if he isn't there? I mean, what if the guys stay out late?" She fished a thick phone book from a deep drawer in the
    nightstand.
    Marie checked her watch. "It's after midnight, and it'll take us thirty minutes to get to the resort."
    "But if they went out, the bars are still open."
    Her sister sighed. "Okay, but no talking—if he answers, just hang up."
    "Agreed," she said, dialing. An operator answered after a few rings and transferred her to Steve's room. When the phone
    started ringing, for the briefest second she hoped he wouldn't answer, to let her off the hook. She was a little tipsy, after all, and
    things would most likely make sense again in the morning. Their relationship was strong and their sex life would probably be
    great after they were married.
    But on the third ring, he picked up the phone. "Hello?" he mumbled, obviously roused from sleep.
    A thrill skittered through her at the sound of his smoky voice. He wasn't out at the strip clubs with the guys after all—not that
    she'd been worried.
    "Hello?" he repeated.
    She smiled into the phone, then hung up quietly, considerably cheered and suddenly anticipating her little adventure. They
    would make love all night, and in the morning she would laugh at her fears. She stood and swung her purse over her shoulder,
    then grinned at Marie. "Let's go."
    But while climbing into her sister's car—she practically had to lie down to keep the boned bustier from piercing her—she
    did have one last thought. "Marie, what if this stunt doesn't work?"
    Her sister started the engine and flashed her a smile in the dark. "Whatever happens, Janine, this night could determine the
    direction of the rest of your life."

    * * *
Derek Stillman mumbled a curse and rolled over to replace the handset. He missed the receiver and the phone thudded to the
    floor, but his head ached so much he didn't move to replace it. Just his luck that he'd finally gotten to sleep and someone had
    called to wake him and breathe into the receiver. He lay staring at the ceiling, wishing, not for the first time, he were still in
    Kentucky. There was something about feeling like hell that made a person homesick, especially when he hadn't wanted to make
    the trip to Atlanta in the first place.
    The caller had probably been Steve, he thought. Maybe checking in to see how he was feeling. A second later he changed his
    mind—his buddy was too wrapped up in enjoying a last night of freedom to be concerned about him. He sneezed, then fisted
    his hands against the mattress.