Page 85 of Impulse

“I love seeing you in my shirts, but I have something better.”He lifted her up and dumped her on the bed unceremoniously, then grinned when Jillian sputtered with indignation.He disappeared into his walk-in closet and came out holding the blue dress she’d worn to his mother’s party.On his other hand were the silk panties she couldn’t dry that night.With her ankle boots and leather jacket, she could make the outfit work.Too bad she couldn’t master enthusiasm to go with it.

“Well?”Lex asked, placing the dress on the bed by her side.

After all he’d done, she owed him.“I guess we’re going shopping.”She extended her hand for the panties, but he shoved them in his pocket.“What are you doing?”

“I’m keeping these for now.”

Jillian was not in the mood for games.“Lex.”

“Come on, breakfast is waiting.”He whistled as he left the bedroom.

She glared after him.Cruising commando was something she did when she was in a playful mood or feeling frisky.Sex was the last thing on her mind.

She showered and pulled on the dress.Then she remembered her other clothes.She’d left them near the tub on Thursday evening.Jillian checked every cupboard and drawer in the bathroom and came up blank.

“Where are my clothes, Alexander?”she asked, entering the kitchen, and saw Douglas.Warmth rushed to her face.“Morning, Douglas.”

“Morning, Miss.Jillian.How are you feeling?”

“Good.”She hadn’t seen him since Thursday.He looked better.“And you?”

“Well rested.Breakfast will be ready in five minutes.”

“Oh, thanks.Have you seen a pair of jeans and a turquoise shirt?I left them by the tub, but they’re missing.”

“They are in the washer and won’t be ready for another hour.”

Jillian blew out air.She could either get her panties from Lex or go without.That man.She could kill him.“Where is he?”

Douglas’ expression didn’t change at her tone.“Mr.Fitzgerald is on the patio.”

She thanked him and left the kitchen, but Lex wasn’t on the patio.Water splashing drew her attention, and she headed toward the pool.Where were the pants he’d worn earlier?They were nowhere near the pool, and he hadn’t changed in the bedroom.Was there a changing room near the pool?He’d never got around to giving her a tour.

She marched to the edge of the pool and watched him.He was swimming freestyle, his strokes perfect.Was there anything he wasn’t good at?

Jillian tilted her head as she studied him.He swam the way he made love.Precise.Effortless.Warmth pooled low in her stomach.It had been days since they’d had sex.She missed the taste of him.The way he made her feel when they kissed and touched.She imagined pulling off her dress and joining him in the pool.

Lex pulled up to the edge and looked up.“Ready already?”

“Where are my panties?”

He grinned.“You mean my souvenir?”

She rolled her eyes.“I can’t walk around in broad daylight without panties in this dress, Lex.”

“Buy a pair at our first stop.”He floated backward, looking boyish and carefree when she wanted to neuter him.“You’ll thank me later.”

“How about we forget about shopping and I join you in the pool?”She reached down and pulled off a boot.

“Why not?I’m sure Douglas is going to enjoy the view.”He rolled over and continued toward the other end of the pool.

Jillian growled.He could be so annoying sometimes.She grabbed her boot and stomped back into the house, imagining all sorts of painful, humiliating torture on Lex’s perfect ass.

“Is everything okay, Ms.Jillian?”

She made a face.“Nope.I want to strangle him.Have you seen the sweatpants he wore earlier?”

Douglas didn’t crack a smile.“No, but they might be in the laundry or the changing room.”He pointed at the short hallway off the kitchen.