Page 9 of Double Obsession
“I know. I couldn’t help myself and bought three. Wouldn’t they be gorgeous over a sexy little cami?”
It took all of Jenna’s discipline not to say,WTF? Sexy?She clenched her lips tight.
While Kylie caressed luscious fabric, Stacie flashed Jenna an inconspicuous palm. “Do you want one of them?”
“Yes. Can I have the green one?” Kylie asked.
“Sure. The shade would be gorgeous with your hair.” Stacie handed the shirt over. “Do you want the purple one too? It brings out the blue in your eyes and would look super cute with jeans and ankle boots.”
“Yes!” Kylie said with the same enthusiasm she possessed before puberty set in. “Thanks, Aunt Stacie.”
“Why don’t you go change into one of them, and then you can help me take your brother and sister to dinner? Just throw it on over that bra. I need you to watch Lisa so I can keep Ethan from unleashing World War Three onto the world.” Stacie put an arm around Kylie’s shoulder. “There’s a new guy making pizza at Gino’s. He’s super hot. We could test out the shirt on him.”
Jenna bit her lip.
“Are you going to wear yours?” Kylie asked.
Stacie shook her head. “Nah, I’d look frumpy next to you.”
Kylie’s smile reached both cheeks. Then her long legs strode up the steps two at a time.
“See? I got it under control,” Stacie declared.
“How much did those shirts cost?” Jenna asked.
Stacie waved her off. “No worries. I used my work discount. But if you want her to cover up, you have to offer her something that makes her feel sexy.”
Retrieving a purple unicorn from the ground, Jenna halted mid-bend to glare at her sister. “Why does a fifteen-year-old need to feel sexy?”
“Christ, how do your characters have great sex when you’re such a stick in the mud?”
“Nobody’s having sex right now.” Jenna heaved the stuffed animal into the toy chest. “Not me, not my characters, and sure as hell not my teenage daughter.”
While Jenna tramped around the living area, tidying up, her sister hefted Lisa into her arms. “Ready for your brother?”
The chubby ball of pink lace played with a strand of her aunt’s hair as the two of them danced to the stairs.
“Ethan, time to go. Grab your sword and eye patch,” Stacie hollered.
He bounded down the stairwell with all his pirate gear in tow.
Five minutes later, Kylie strutted into the room. The luscious green shirt flowed over her shoulders and was knotted around her waist. She spun around in a circle.
“Lookin’ good, girl,” Stacie declared. “All aboard! Dinner and a visit to Pappy’s house for ice cream.”
“Yeah!” screeched Ethan.
Like ducklings following their mother, Jenna’s children scooted out the door, chatting and smiling away.
Half a second later, Stacie stepped back into the foyer. “Jenna, I’m expecting nothing less than a masterpiece.” She was almost out the door a second time when she called, “While the kids are away, a mom must play. Please take some time to leer at the model that trips your trigger.” She lowered her voice to keep the older kids from hearing. “Seriously, get out your vibrator and play.” The fingers of her non-child-carrying hand performed a mini wave. “Bye-bye, writer’s block.”
Jenna tossed a throw pillow at the closing door.
****
Jenna’s study was all lush upholstery and rich woods. She set her coffee on her desk before switching on a Tiffany lamp and lighting a cinnamon-scented candle. She opened her writing journal and turned on the computer. Three clicks later, her suck-ass manuscript stared back at her from the screen.
She flipped through her journal, studying useless sketches of flowers, clouds, and frowny faces. She sipped at her coffee, then picked up a pen.
