Tingle All the Way

Chapter Two



Kayla woke with a roar in her head. She attempted to open her eyes, then closed them immediately when shards of light burst through parted curtains. Still, she didn’t need sight to know something was off, especially since she wore only a bra and thong and not her comfortable jammies.

A masculine scent made her jackknife into a sitting position. Vertigo struck with a vengeance. The room spun and her head felt like a globe rotating on its axis as a wave of nausea rose, forcing her back down. Taking slow, deep breaths, she fought to calm the bitter acid rising in her throat.

When she once again had a hold of herself, Kayla opened her eyes. “Where am I?” Glancing around the strange bedroom, she began to reconstruct her evening.

Courtroom and win.

A couple of a*sholes ruining her day.

O’Malley’s, a faery, and too many martinis.

That was it! She’d been at O’Malley’s celebrating and getting her drink on, or was she crying in her drink?

“So how did I get here? What happened?” she whispered to herself.

“Bow chica bow wow.”

Her startled gaze snapped in the direction of the randy reply.

Lo and behold, her imaginary faery lay on his side in the middle of a big, fluffy pillow next to her. Hector’s right elbow was bent. His palm supported his head as he stared at her with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

“You turned his world inside out.”

Oh, thank goodness. If her apparition still existed, Kayla knew she wasn’t awake, or maybe that she wasn’t sober. Yet by the throb in her head, it sure felt as if she suffered from a hangover. She had dry mouth, an explosive stomach, and the last remnant of beer-goggles blurring her vision. The good news was that wherever she was or whatever she did really didn’t matter. It was only her imagination.

Still, she had to ask. “His? Who?”

Hector rolled on to his back, kicking his legs and flailing his arms. “Oh, Barry, do it to me. Harder. Faster.”

Kayla chuckled at the silly exhibition. “Barry Allred?”

It must have been her subconscious revealing the fact she’d give her eyeteeth to have one night with him. And then her laughter died a quick death as more of the evening’s events began to flood her memories. She recalled seeing him sitting at the bar with another man at O’Malley’s.

Had they spoken?

“Nah. It’s impossible.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

They had spoken. The scene of him standing beside her car tore through her memory. Red-hot embarrassment scorched her face. Panic tightened her chest. “I didn’t. We couldn’t have.”

“Oh yeah. It’s possible and you did.” Hector fanned himself with his hand. “Turned that man’s world upside down. Asked him to tie you up and spank you.”


Kayla swallowed hard.

No. No. No.

She would never have lived out one of her fantasies, much less spoken about it, to a stranger. Just the thought mortified her. Then again, if this was a dream, what did it matter? She leaned back against the softness of the pillow and blew out a breath of relief. It had to be a dream—faeries weren’t real.

“But the one that got me hot and bothered.” Hector sat up on the pillow with his tiny legs splayed wide. Before he continued to speak, he leaned forward and placed his elbows on the downy softness, his palms cradling his cheeks. “Was when you told him about your fantasy to have two men at once.”

Kayla gasped on a new chunk of humiliation.

“I didn’t,” she shrieked. “I would never reveal that dark secret to anyone.” Especially Barry, a man she debated with across tables…and then there was that thing between her and his father.

Dammit. She kept forgetting this was a dream. Any minute now she’d awake in her bed and everything would be as it should be.

Hector stood, stretching his wings and bending his legs before he lunged forward. In a flash, he was soaring around the room, a trail of dark-green dust following him. When he landed on the tip of her nose, she raised a hand to swat him.

“Ah-ah-ah.” He began to pull something from his pocket.

As magic—or insanity—would have it, the item just kept coming. The long, thin staff was obviously longer then the shallow pocket housing it.

“If you were dreaming, do you think you’d feel this?” Hector stabbed the thing into her nose.

Kayla jumped. Her eyes crisscrossed as she glared at the three-inch man now hovering just above her nose. At a closer look, the stick he held appeared to be a pine needle, and he had it pointed at her.

“En garde!” He placed a hand behind his back and jabbed the damn thing at her, over and over.

This time she swiftly brushed her hand through the air, missing him when he darted aside, leaving a trail of bright, angry, red glitter in his wake.

“Who are you?” she growled.

“I’m your Christmas faery. I’m here to bring you holiday cheer.”

“Holiday cheer? Are you kidding me? What you’ve done is make me question my sanity. I must be going out of my friggin’—”

“Shhh…” Hector said as he flew straight at her. On his way, he retrieved that errant lock of hair that continually insisted on coming free from her bun. A wisp of air fanned her face as he swept the blonde strand back, pinning it and him in her hair as if he were a barrette.

Before she could reach up and dislodge the irritating little man, the bathroom door opened and Barry strolled out. Naked. Well, except for the towel wrapped low around his hips.

“You’re awake.”

The prosecutor had a beautiful smile and deep dimples that sent tingles up her spine. His wet black hair was swept back in a finger-combed kind of way. But it was his bare chest—broad and muscular—that caught her eye and held her in awe.

The man really was a magnificent specimen. Although it was clear he had shaved, a shadow still remained on his jaw. His eyes were dark blue, hiding a hint of brooding and mystery.

The reality of the moment crawled across her skin. “Are you real?” she asked hesitantly.

“I like to think I am.” He grinned.

Holy shit!

A sinking feeling made her want to die. This wasn’t a dream. Barry Allred stood before her while she lay on what appeared to be his bed. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was losing her mind. Hector must be her version of Jiminy Cricket, her subconscious taking form. But even that explanation made her ill.

Barry took a step in her direction. “You feeling okay?”

Kayla licked dry lips. “Uh. Yes.” She sounded as if she had a mouthful of cotton. Not to mention her stomach felt as if an atom bomb had exploded inside it. And to top it off, she was going stark-raving mad.

“Exciting night.” He chortled and moved closer.

The fresh scent of soap and a woodsy cologne touched her nose. She inhaled slowly before nearly choking on the memory of what Hector had told her. Sex with Barry. Her cheeks heated and she could only imagine the color in her face rising.

“Ohmygod. I don’t know what to say.”

“Good morning,” he suggested. “Are you hungry?”

Hungry? Was he kidding? Kayla had just made the biggest mistake in her career and he was thinking of food. So like a man.

“I don’t think I could eat a bite.” At least that was the truth. Just the thought of food made her stomach roll.

“Then how about some coffee? I could make you a Bloody Mary, it might help.”

“No. I think perhaps I should just go home.” And bury her head in the sand, because if Barry wanted paybacks for what she’d done to his father, spilling the beans of their night together would be perfect retribution. Her stomach pitched and it wasn’t from the alcohol. She had to get out of here.

Kayla threw back the covers, remembering too late her state of undress. What the hell. According to her three-inch subconscious, Barry had seen far more of her than her bra and thong.

As she wiggled into her skirt, fastening the back, she chanced a look in Barry’s direction. He was staring at her. His eyelids gaped and, judging by the tent in the towel, he was aroused.

Talk about wanting to kick herself—the one time she goes out on a limb and screws the man of her dreams and she can’t remember a damn thing. Her gaze stroked his chest once more. What a shame.

Slipping her arms into her white silk shirt, she fastened the third button and then paused. “Uh. Barry, I trust that what we did last night and the things I revealed won’t go beyond this room.”

His brows dipped. “What we did last night?” His expression turned heated and he smiled. “Maybe you should tell me exactly what you don’t want me to reveal?”

Damn him. Of course he would want her to spell it out and go through that embarrassment once again. Paybacks were a bitch. Okay. If he wanted to play games she had no alternative except to go along, but she wasn’t happy about it.

“The sex. Tying me up. The spankings. And,” she bit her bottom lip, “the thing about me fantasizing about multiple partners. You know I was just joking, pulling your leg.”

Barry coughed several times. His face turned beet-red and it looked as if he were choking.

For a moment she thought of running over and slapping him on the back, helping him. Instead she stayed put. Maybe he would choke to death, and then she wouldn’t have to worry about everyone at the office and in the court system knowing her deepest, darkest secrets.

But when he continued to cough, she asked, “You okay?”

Clearing his lungs, he took a deep breath. “Yeah, I think I am.” He stepped closer. “So let me get this straight. No one is to know we had sex last night. That I tied you up and spanked you. And by no means that you fantasize about being taken by two men at once?”

“Is that too much to ask? I mean, it might gain you stud status, but it would destroy my credibility.” Not to mention Dan and Tom would have a field day with the information.

“Miss Jones—”

“I think after all that has happened you should probably call me Kayla.”

“Kayla—” He hesitated.

Kayla wasn’t sure, but it appeared that he was fighting another grin, because the dimples in his cheeks deepened.

“I’m not completely sure how to tell you this, Kayla, but nothing happened last night.”


“Excuse me?” Her voice pitched high as her eyelids rose so quickly she swore they touched her eyebrows.

“Honey, I wish I could say differently, but much to my dismay there was no sex, no ropes or handcuffs, and no naughty spankings.” Then he did smile. “However, I wouldn’t mind making all your fantasies come true.”

Before Kayla gave thought to her actions, she growled, “When I get my hands on you, I’ll pluck your wings off one at a time. I swear I will.” She realized too late what this might look like to Barry, but someone had set her up.

Concern darkened his eyes. “Kayla, maybe you should sit down.”

“Sit down?” Furious, she pinned her narrowed gaze on him. “Did your dad put you up to this? Who told you about my fantasies?”



“My dad?” Barry didn’t know whether to laugh or call 9-1-1. “Honey, you must have gotten some really bad alcohol last night.”

“Honey?”

“Kayla, calm down.”

She did the opposite. Pacing the room, she mumbled something about finding the responsible person. Barry wasn’t sure, but he thought she said something about murder. On her next pass, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to a stop.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s going on or how my father came into the equation, but think about it. Did I say anything about us having sex? You mentioned that. And if I remember correctly, I asked you to tell me exactly what you didn’t want me to reveal? You provided the information. I really had no idea what you were talking about.”

“But—” She snapped her mouth shut. Her head lolled back as she stared at the ceiling. “Ohmygod.” Once again, Kayla drew her gaze back to him. “I don’t know what to say. You must think I’m crazy.”

“No. It sounds like maybe you had a bad night. I think it would be prudent if I take you to the hospital, have your blood tested for drugs.”

“Drugs? Of course, that has to be it. Someone must have slipped me something.” A breath of relief left her in a rush before she continued, “Thank you. I mean. Well. I’m so glad you were there to,” she pinched her lips together against a grin, “um, save me. I guess you’re my hero.”

Barry liked the sound of that. Now that she wasn’t in the mood to yank off wings, squash something like a bug, and possibly unman him, maybe they could have a sensible conversation.

He still had her warm hand in his when she realized that her shirt gapped open. Jerking her hand from his, she pulled the two sides together, and with trembling fingers she fastened her buttons.

“Did you have to do that? I was enjoying the view.”

“You know this places me in a very awkward situation. Being here with you. The things I said. If any of this got out it would destroy me.”

“Kayla, I would never do that. I prosecute people who perpetrate such heinous crimes against others.” In fact, he was madder than hell. Thank God he had been there. The thought of someone taking advantage of this amazing woman made him sick. “You’re the victim. But I still think a blood test is in order, and filing a police report.”

Her shoulders rose and fell. “It would be senseless. You know as well as I do that nothing will come from going to the hospital, or for that matter reporting it. O’Malley’s was packed. If my drinks sat on the bar any time at all, anyone could have spiked them. I’m just thankful I’m not losing my mind.”

Barry had never seen her appear so lost, so fragile. Moisture filled her eyes and for a second he thought she might cry, but she held it together. His heart broke to see her this way.

“You really should eat something. Maybe some toast, at the very least a glass of soda. You need to rest and let that stuff work out of your system. I can call a friend of mine and you can file a report while you eat.”

“I’ve already put you out enough. I’ll take care of it when I get home.” Slipping her heels on, she picked up her pantyhose as her gaze rose to meet his. “Is my car still at O’Malley’s?”

“Yes. But I’m not sure you should drive. Please. Stay. It really is no imposition. The only plan I had was going over to my folks’ later tonight.” Damn. He didn’t want her to leave. “Hey. Why don’t you join me? Well, unless you have something else planned.” After all it was Christmas Eve. “My parents have an open house each year that I’m expected to attend. People come and go at will. There’s lots of delicious food and plenty to drink.”

She cringed, pulling a face. “Your parents wouldn’t want me there. Besides I’ve had enough alcohol for the holidays.”

Damn. The woman was absolutely adorable.

“Check.” With a single finger, he made the symbol in the air. “No alcohol. But you’re wrong. My parents would love it if you attended.”

“Really?” She squirmed, tugging at her skirt.

“Of course, why wouldn’t they?”

Kayla cocked a brow.

Before she could come up with another excuse to shoot him down, he continued. “Say you’ll come. I hate to go to these things alone.” Although it wasn’t exactly true that he’d be attending alone, Stan had agreed to meet him there later in the evening but that hardly counted. “Besides you’d make my mother happy. Maybe then she’ll stop parading a slew of women before me as potential marriage candidates.” When Kayla still didn’t respond, he added, “You’d really be doing me a favor.” Barry could tell by the reluctance in her expression she was about to say no. “Call it returning a favor.”

“Oh. You’re smooth, Mr. Allred, real smooth. I believe that is called blackmail.”

“Barry.” He reminded her they were on a first-name basis. Besides, what he had planned was entrapment, not blackmail. Because if things went as he’d like, she would be locked in his arms tonight. “Those who make the laws know how to break the laws.” He chuckled and then grew serious. “Say you’ll come with me?”

She hesitated a moment longer. “Fine. I’ll go with you, but it doesn’t mean anything other than me repaying a debt.”

If she wanted to look at it in that light he didn’t care. Besides he had all day to chip away at the Ice Queen.

Barry started for the door. “Great. Shall we have some breakfast?” When he didn’t hear her footsteps behind him again, he turned back around.

With a smirk, she slid her gaze over him from head to toe and back again.

His cock answered with a rise.

“Maybe you should get dressed first.”

Well, shit. Nothing like showing his cards and desire in one fell swoop. If forgetting he had no clothes on was any indicator, she now knew he was beyond excited. He was elated.

“Either that or you can get undressed again, so I won’t feel so awkward.”

Shaking her head, she laughed. “Yeah. Like that’s going to happen. You had your chance, buddy. Um. Do you have a spare toothbrush?”

Was that a joke or had she meant it? Did he really have a chance with her?

He took a deep breath to calm himself. “Down the hall, the first door on the left is the bathroom. You’ll find what you need in the medicine cabinet. Wait.” He went to his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt and sweats. “If you’d like to freshen up you could wear these until we can get you something more comfortable to wear.”


Accepting his offering, her eyes twinkled as her gaze skimmed his body once more, and then she walked past him out the door.

In seconds he was alone but kicking himself. Why hadn’t he thought of giving her a pair of boxers so he could feast on those beautiful long legs during breakfast?