Triplets Found: The Virgin's Makeover / Take a Chance on Me / And Then There Were Three

He was drowning in guilt and remorse. Fear, too.

Because he wasn’t sure what she’d expect from him now.

As Sullivan rolled to the side, taking Lissa with him, she was caught up in a whirl of feelings she hadn’t anticipated.

Making love had been better than she’d expected. Yes, there’d been pain. But there’d also been a rush, a feeling of power, of entering the realm of womanhood. And she’d experienced heat and desire, things she’d only read about before.

And once wouldn’t be enough—especially with Sullivan working so closely with her for the next few weeks.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?” he asked.

Had she not measured up? Had he found her less desirable? “Would my virginity have made a difference?”

“I would have been more careful.” He placed a hand on her hip, caressed it softly. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She offered him a smile meant to absolve him from guilt. “It really didn’t hurt much. And it should feel better next time.”

“Next time?” he asked, his expression growing serious. “I thought this was a one-shot deal.”

“Of course,” she said, trying hard not to show her disappointment. “But I intend to have a next time.”

He didn’t answer.

Okay, so she desperately wanted to make love again. With him. But she’d only asked for a one-time fling, and she needed to let him off the hook.

She swallowed her disappointment and tried to save face. “I don’t expect this to affect our business relationship.”

“I won’t let it,” he said.

“Good.” Then she rolled away from him and climbed out of bed.

“Where are you going?” he asked, still lying amidst rumpled sheets.

“To freshen up. Mom’s having pot roast for dinner. And she’s setting a place for you.” She tossed a strand of hair over her shoulder, then went to retrieve her clothes from the kitchen.

She hoped her carefree departure left him with the idea that their lovemaking hadn’t fazed her in the least. God forbid he got the idea that it had turned her life upside down. Or that he suspected she’d wanted to stay in bed with him until tomorrow morning. And maybe the next.

Or that he knew how badly she’d wanted him to ask her not to leave yet.

She freshened up in the bathroom and tried to put herself back together so her mother wouldn’t suspect what they’d done, wouldn’t lecture or—worse yet—start thinking about another wedding in the family.

A quick glance in the mirror revealed a red rash on her cheek, where his beard had chafed her. Great. Well, there wasn’t much she could do about that. Maybe her mom wouldn’t notice.

Lissa conjured a light-hearted expression before leaving the bathroom. She found Sullivan sitting in the living room. He hadn’t put on his clothes. She supposed they no longer had any reason to be modest.

“I wish it had been better for you,” he said. “But for the record, it was good for me.”

She offered him a smile. “I’m glad. And believe it or not, it was good for me, too.”

“Tell your mother I’ll be up as soon as I shower and change.”

Lissa nodded, then picked up Barney from behind the recliner and walked out the front door.

Originally, she’d hoped to lose her virginity. Nothing more. Nothing less. But now she realized there was more to her game plan.

Making love to Sullivan had merely been the first step. Reaching an orgasm would be the next. But she couldn’t imagine experiencing that with anyone other than Sullivan.

And she wondered what he’d do if she went back on her word and tried to seduce him again.

Chapter Seven

From the moment she and Sullivan entered the main house for dinner, Lissa acted as though nothing had happened between them. And Sullivan followed her lead.

It hadn’t been an easy pretense, especially when her mother nearly dropped a bowl of mashed potatoes onto the carpet when Lissa walked into the dining room.

Mom stood near the table, the china bowl now clenched safely against her chest. “Oh my goodness, honey. You mentioned getting your hair done and buying a new dress, but you’ve…you’ve…blossomed.”

“I thought that the wine and I could both use a fresh new look.” Lissa offered her mother a smile. It took all she had not to glance at Sullivan and check out his expression.

Was she afraid of what she might see? Or of what she might reveal?

Their lovemaking had touched her on a very personal level, making her complete. Making her feel like a desirable woman.

Had it been a positive experience for him, too?

“I can’t get over it,” her mom said, turning to Sullivan. “Lissa is absolutely beautiful. Don’t you agree?”

So much for avoiding eye contact with the man who’d sent her senses reeling, who’d helped her touch the moon and reach the stars.

Maybe it was her imagination but, for a moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of emotion in his eyes. But it quickly disappeared, as if it hadn’t been there at all.

“She looks great,” Sullivan said, sincerity in his gaze and truth in his tone. But not a hint of anything more.

It would have been nice to know what he was thinking or feeling, but he’d rolled back any evidence of his thoughts or emotions, tucking them way out of sight.

Well, what did she expect? She’d told him it would be their secret. And that she only wanted a one-time fling.

Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t allow their lovemaking to interfere with business? And hadn’t she agreed to do the same?

But Lissa hadn’t realized how difficult that would be. She couldn’t seem to get the smile-provoking memory of her first sexual encounter out of her mind.

The physical intimacy made her realize she wanted a man in her life, a lover. Not that the man had to be Sullivan, but that’s who came to mind.

Could another lover replicate Sullivan’s heated caresses and knee-buckling kisses?

She didn’t think so.

And as much as she hated to admit it, her feelings had been affected by their lovemaking. In what way, she couldn’t be sure.