not going to get involved with her, no matter how much he was tempted. He’d even been relieved when she suggested they talk. Words were safe, easy to control. He could choose them carefully, even shut them off if he felt she was probing too deeply into things that didn’t concern her.
And yet, lying beneath the covers with her, darkness closing in around them, he’d found himself telling her things no one else knew. About his father. About growing up in California. How was it possible for two people to be so intimate, both physically and mentally, when they couldn’t even see each other’s face or lie in each other’s arms?
The experience left him shaken. How long had it been since he’d felt that…that close to anyone? That alone should have made it easy to put an end to whatever they’d started.
Instead he was like an addict who’d had his first hit of a heady drug. All he could think about now was how much he wanted more. If last night could be so mind-bending, what would happen when they had actual intercourse?
“Are you listening to me?”
“Huh?” He turned to find Carl frowning at him. “Sorry. I spaced it for a minute there. What did you say?”
“I said you and Erica have done a great job. I appreciate you showing her the ropes.”
He shrugged. “She’s great. A natural, really.” His eyes drifted to where Erica, still in the black lingerie, was talking with a couple of furniture store employees, laughing, her head thrown back, her throat white and smooth above the black filmy fabric of her top. What would it be like to put his lips right there…? He shook his head. “Uh, the listeners seem to really like her.”
“What about the two of you? You get along okay?”
“Yeah. Sure.” More than okay. He usually took his time getting to know people, letting them reveal their true colors. After the fiasco with Bonnie, this applied double to women. But since the first day he’d met Erica he’d had trouble keeping her at arm’s length. She was so easy to be with, he ended up letting down his guard. That was asking for trouble, but he had a hard time fighting his attraction for her.
“We’ll have to find a way to use her more often,” Carl said.
The main showroom door burst open and a tall, wild-haired man in a loud checked suit strode into the room. The two workers who’d been talking with Erica scattered as Mattress Max himself breezed past. “Look alive, everybody!” he called. “This place is going to be filled with customers in the next hour. Let’s get ready to sell some furniture.”
Hand outstretched, he zeroed in on Carl and Adam. “Husack! What do you think of my promotion idea now? Am I a genius or what? Business is up sixteen percent over an average weekend. And did I read right? Over ten thousand for Sally’s Army? The public loves it.”
“It was a great idea,” Carl said. He turned to Adam. “Have you met Adam Hawkins? He’s one of the jocks participating in this fund-raiser.”
Max pumped Adam’s hand. “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed, son?”
“Um, just taking a break.” Adam set aside his coffee cup and looked at Carl. “Are we about ready to go on air?”
“Not so fast,” Max protested. “I want to see the other half of the team. Where is she?”
“Erica, come over here and say hello to Max.” Carl motioned Erica over.
Conversation ceased as the three men watched her approach. Why hadn’t Adam noticed before how small her waist was, and how round her hips? Or was it just that the low-slung pants she wore accentuated those features? She still held a coffee cup, pink-polished nails pressed against the white foam. All he could think about was the way she’d held him last night.
“My, my, my, you certainly are a lucky dog, Mr. Hawk, or whatever your name is. Three days in bed with that.”
Max’s voice was low, but Adam was sure everyone around them heard the remark. He glared at the man, but the furniture store pitchman didn’t even notice. He was too focused on Erica. Adam resisted the urge to elbow him in the ribs.
Carl didn’t seem to notice. “Max, you remember Erica. Erica, Max wanted to say hello.”
She smiled and offered her hand. “So nice to see you again.” Except for the way she was dressed, she might have been at a corporate cocktail party.
“The pleasure is mine.” Max kept