Reveal Me

Reveal Me Cari Quinn

Alana MacGregor craves excitement, but when her sometimes lover dumps her at a popular sex club, she wonders if she’s outgrown her live-fast-and-recover-later lifestyle. The last thing she expects is to run into the nerdy guy she rebuffed in high school—or for him to rock her world in ways no other man ever has. Hot on the trail of a story, Carter Nicholas can’t believe his luck at encountering the one woman he’s never forgotten. He’s come a long way from being a wall-hugging geek. Now he gets all A’s between the sheets. But can he convince Alana he’s her sure ticket to an unforgettable night—and maybe much more?

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Reveal Me ISBN 9781419931277 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reveal Me Copyright © 2011 Cari Quinn Edited by Jillian Bell Cover art by Syneca Electronic book publication January 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

REVEAL ME Cari Quinn

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Aerosmith: Rag Doll Merchandising, Inc. Graceland: Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Ivory: Procter & Gamble Co. Patron: Caribbean Distillers Corporation, Limited

Cari Quinn

Chapter One “Is this some kind of sick joke, Ramon? You’re dumping me?” Alana demanded, staring up at her pathetic excuse for a boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend now. “Keep your voice down.” “I texted you. Left voicemails.” The voice he’d warned her to keep down rose plaintively over the thumping bass of the music. Not her fault they were having what should be a private conversation on the dance floor of Kink—Ely, Maryland’s hottest sex club. The best part? His new bleached-blonde arm candy watched from a few feet away. “You knew I took my vacation to coincide when you were on leave,” she added when he didn’t respond. “Huh?” He leaned closer. “Can’t hear you. Look, Alana, I’m sorry this didn’t work out. But Caycee and I are in love.” Sure. And those doll eyes and surgically enhanced lips have nothing to do with it. “Ha.” She laughed to keep from kneeing him in the groin. “The only thing you’re in love with is the mirror shoved in your back pocket.” “Ram, are you almost do-one?” “Ram?” Alana shuddered. “Oh my God.” He grinned and winked. To think she’d once gazed longingly into those puppy dog eyes. “Querida, I wish you well. Maybe someday you will find your own—” “Screw off,” she said, fumbling for her cell phone. No, she would not find her own, because she wasn’t looking. From now on, she was putting her love life on lockdown.

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Ram and Caycee left the dance floor and headed upstairs. Probably to the steam room. Her ex-lover had a fondness for sweat he didn’t have to generate. Lord knows he didn’t believe in anything but penetration while simultaneously rubbing her butt. As if she didn’t know what that meant. Lucky for him he’d never gone any further than rubbing. “Not in this life or any other,” she muttered. Alana propped her hands on her curvy hips and took a deep breath. What a freaking pisser. She’d already risked the wrath of her best friend by leaving her the minute they’d arrived at Kink. Now this. She hadn’t meant to abandon Kelly. Her mistake had been veering off to yell at Ramon after catching him dancing with Caycee. By the time Alana looked back, Kelly had disappeared. With growing dread, Alana had done a quick search of the club for her friend. Admittedly, she hadn’t looked for Kelly very hard. All she could think about was finding out what was going on with Ramon. Now she wished she didn’t know. Had he no shame? For that matter, did she? What kind of best friend lured you to a club like this then took off? “Once boy-crazy, always boy-crazy,” her stepfather often said. Her relationship with a musician had landed her in Virginia last year. They’d been history before the ink dried on her lease. Then she’d met Ramon on one of her many visits home, which had only made her miss Maryland more. But she’d been determined not to run back to safety so soon. Not when it would remind everyone how much she’d screwed up by leaving in the first place. At least she still had her pride. At the moment, all she had was pride. She headed to the bar and called Kelly while the bartender served her drink. No answer. Maybe she should go look for her again. God, she felt so horrible about leaving

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Kelly alone. Served her right she’d been dumped. Even if her best friend sorely needed some sex she hadn’t pre-scheduled, what Alana had done—intentionally or not—wasn’t cool. But hell, maybe Kelly would have some fun. The place wasn’t that bad. Kink wasn’t necessarily the fantasy image of a club designed to facilitate sex. The décor was simple since the club frequently had to change locations to avoid police interest. Each room had a different theme. The lounge upstairs was more casual, with couches and art on the walls. The steam room, well, that was pretty much a naked meat market. The dance floor took up most of the bottom level, bordered on one side by the bar. Just as many people came here to hang out and dance as they did to have sex. It was a fun social spot, where you could also drop your drawers if you felt so inclined. Alana didn’t analyze the hows and whys, she just enjoyed. Same way she lived her life—at least until tonight. It was high time she acknowledge the truth. A sex club probably wasn’t the best place to meet someone who wanted more than a fuck. Yet she kept coming back. Dammit, she hated questioning herself. And now she had to eat a liberally spiced serving of crow. She texted Kelly frantically, her thumbs moving as fast as the two shots of Patron she’d sucked down in record time would allow. Buy u flwrs. Pay 4 ur dinner. Let u kick my ass. I’m a fuck up. So sorry! The saddest thing was, this wasn’t the first—nor would it likely be the last—time Alana had flaked out on her steady-as-a-sunrise pal. Sometimes she wondered why Kelly put up with her mood swings and her man-craziness and her inability to stick with a job longer than six months. At least the last part was no longer true. She’d been at The Edge—Roanoke, Virginia’s, leading alternative newspaper—for eleven months. When she’d been hired,

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they’d told her she’d be able to take the kind of shots she loved. People, places. Life. But what had she been doing for weeks? Taking pictures of sex toys for a series on the newest innovations in pleasure. Edgy, maybe, but she hadn’t gotten a degree to photograph a dildo from a 360-degree angle, that was for damn sure. Alana slammed down her drink and pushed her way through the crowd to the exit. She needed some air. She’d just go sit in her car and call Kelly again. Maybe her friend had returned to the vehicle anyway. An hour later, she stormed back into the club, hot and sweaty from helping two muscular guys push her car to the street to wait for the auto club. She not only had a flat, but her engine was dead. And she was not about to explain to her mechanic why her car had been at a flipping sex club when it had conked out. Some night this had been. She’d lost her best friend, she had no way to get home and her ex-lover was probably grunting through his tenth climax of the evening. “Excuse me.” Alana stared fixedly at her cell. Kel, where are you? “Hey there.” The voice near her ear moved closer, warm breath gliding over the bare skin revealed by her off-the-shoulder peasant blouse. She’d opted not to wear one of her usual cleavage-baring tops and all it had done was left her high and extremely dry. “Is it really you?” She glanced up, about to tell the guy to buzz off. Men were not currently on her list of preferred companions. As soon as she found Kelly, she was outta there. But inquisitive green eyes intensified by the blue wash of light from the bar lingered on hers and dissipated the rude remark on her tongue. Once again, thoughts of her best friend fled her mind. Yeah, she was going to hell. At the rate things were going, she wouldn’t even get an orgasm first. “Do I know you?” Please let me know you. I could so use a friend right now. Please let this shitty night have something redeemable.

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“Alana MacGregor, it’s been a long time.” He crossed his arms over his chest, flexing impressive muscles under his black T-shirt. He stared at her, his fingers digging into his delicious biceps. “Middlemarch High,” he said after a moment. “Remember?” Her interest plummeted. Sexy guy or not, she had no desire to take any ill-advised trips down memory lane. High school reminded her of when she’d done anything to fit in. She’d told herself she’d changed so much from that insecure girl, but hadn’t she just been dumped by a guy whose idea of commitment was a date at the Double Burger? Clearly she hadn’t changed one iota. “Mac?” he pressed, clearly waiting for an answer. Ignoring him, she motioned to the bartender. Jack sidled over and gave her a slow smile. “Need more Patron, sweetheart?” “Yep. Hit me, babe.” “I’ve got it.” Her new friend slipped a ten by the glass placed in front of her. Jack grabbed the cash and headed off to fill more orders. Shrugging, she downed the shot and snapped the glass on the bar. The burn made her wince, but damn did it feel good when the liquid reached her belly. “Tastes the same no matter who pays.” “Same old Mac.” She squinted at him when he shook his head. Shaggy reddishbrown hair dipped into his eyes and was thumbed back. “Guess I hoped you were different now.” “Can’t say the same, since I don’t have a clue who you are. Nor do I want to.” She wasn’t a nice drunk, and tonight wasn’t the night to change her ways. She couldn’t even claim to be really inebriated. Three shots just gave her a nice, subtle buzz. Besides, it wasn’t this guy’s fault she’d had such a craptastic evening. Hell, if he’d gone to Middlemarch High, he might have been a friend. Surely she’d had a few of those, other than Kelly.

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Right? She leaned on the bar and stifled the urge to brush the hair off his forehead. His eyes narrowed and hers widened as a memory teased her mind. But she couldn’t grab it, any more than she could keep from sliding her feet apart on the rung of the barstool. She knew he noticed the subtle invitation from his deep exhale. Alana rubbed her lips together, savoring the last of the tequila. “Listen, maybe we got off on the wrong foot.” She blinked as he stepped closer and infused her personal space with his unusual scent. Crisp aftershave and…faintly, ink. Weird. But also irresistible. No wonder she always got into trouble. Her addiction to men knew no bounds. He slid one muscular thigh between hers and her knees fell open like the gates to Graceland, granting him instantaneous admission. She was surprised she managed not to whimper fuck me like the eager, uh…beaver she knew she must look like. “Did you like the drink?” His voice rumbled along her nerve endings, the deep baritone vibrating straight into her pussy. “Patron’s my favorite.” Her phone went off in her hand, but she couldn’t quite coordinate her arm to lift it to her ear. Whether she was buzzed, desperate or just horny, she didn’t know. Right now her overactive libido couldn’t differentiate. “I want a taste.” He leaned down and she leaned back, giving herself a little room to think. This wasn’t smart. Rebound flings never worked out. Celibacy was where it was at. Problem was, she wanted him. Wanted someone. She wasn’t like Kelly, who could go ages without sex. It had already been several months since Alana last touched Ramon. She was overdue. Overripe. She needed the thrill of an appreciative man’s touch as much as she needed her morning jolt of java. And he was here, ready, willing—her fingers brushed the thick hardness behind his zipper—and more than able.

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So what was she waiting for? Maybe crying suited some women, but she’d always been one to hop right back on the horse. Preferably bareback. She closed the space between them and, forgoing subtlety, dove in for the mother of all kisses. Mmm. Heat punched into her—a quick, swift jab that left her reeling. She gasped and clutched his T-shirt, clamping her lips over his again before more sounds escaped. His tongue invaded her mouth, hot and all-consuming. Want. Need. Bad. Everything inside her opened and liquefied, her body seeking his warmth and the unyielding strength his muscles promised. Her hands slid along his hips to grab his denim-clad behind. He had a nice butt and she’d always had a weakness for a good ass. Weakness for everything… “Tastes good.” He licked the corner of her lips then nuzzled the underside of her jaw. “This a regular hangout of yours?” “Not regular enough apparently.” That made him smile. And what a smile it was. Slow, sure, sexy. While they gazed at each other, he cupped her breast. Obviously he no longer expected her to stop him. “Where can we go?” Her nipple pushed into his palm, stiff and yearning. He rolled the tip between his thumb and forefinger and she arched, fresh arousal soaking her panties. She’d never been ready this fast with Ramon. Or anyone. With tantalizing slowness, she reclined against the bar and arched her hips. “Right here.” Indecision wavered in the taut lines of his face. He looked around them at people talking and laughing, his ruddy hair haloed in blue. The spill of light made him look younger somehow. Almost innocent. The strangest tightening sensation seized her chest. No. A trick of the light. He didn’t really look like him. Nicky hadn’t been this direct. For God’s sake, when he’d

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kissed her at the homecoming dance, he’d been shaking. She hadn’t looked back to see what he’d done after she fled like a coward, but she imagined he’d gone off to cower in a corner. Such a bitch. Thinking of homecoming was the last thing she needed tonight. She’d never been a saint, but using a guy like Nicky—who she’d known had a long-standing crush on her—to make her high school boyfriend jealous remained her lowest point. A small part of her had cared he would be hurt by her actions. The rest had wanted what she wanted. Her boyfriend had swiftly dumped her and Nicky hadn’t talked to her again after that night, except at graduation when he’d left his phone number in her yearbook. She’d never called, but she’d thought of that number over the years. Wondered what would be waiting for her on the other end of the line. She almost asked him his name. Could it be possible? Then he looked back at her and her guilt fell away, right along with the panties he reached under her skirt to remove. Nicky never would have done that. It couldn’t be him. She could’ve asked who he was and put an end to the mystery, but the mystery was half the fun. Besides, if she was just kidding herself about his identity, she’d rather not know. Not yet. She wanted sex. Not more reasons to drown in recriminations. “Right here,” he murmured, confusing her until his hand dropped to the fly of his jeans. The temptress smile she put on as easily as she breathed curved her mouth. “Condom? Preferably several condoms?” He patted his pockets and, coming up empty, smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. Didn’t expect to need any.” Alana tossed back her wild curls and reached for the bowl of latex on the bar. Way better than peanuts.

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“Who comes to a sex club and doesn’t expect to get lucky?” She gave him a thorough up-and-down that turned up the sizzle between her thighs. Very nice. “You’re not ugly.” “Same goes.” Still smiling, he tucked the foil package she offered in his pocket then pulled her against him again. Strong lips feathered over hers. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever been kissed tenderly before—and at Kink, the idea was a bit of an oxymoron—but his gentleness had her melting in his arms like Alana-flavored sherbet on a sunny day. “No more talking, Mac.” She trembled as his thumb kneaded the underside of her breast. “No more talking.” Distantly, she heard her phone. Sorry, Kelly. Again.

He was about to fuck his dream girl in a sex club. In full view of heaven knew how many people. Carter Nicholas tangled his hands in Alana’s thick black curls and lost himself in the alluring flavor of her mouth. Tequila, salt and lime, with an overlay of strawberries. He focused on cataloguing each of her tastes and scents—something floral with a hint of Ivory soap—rather than the unrelenting ache in his cock. Maybe then he’d last long enough to make her come first. Imagining Alana caught in the throes of an orgasm ratcheted up the pressure but he couldn’t stop the image from forming—her depthless eyes glazed, her plump red lips parted. Sweet juice pouring over his hand. His dick. He groaned and ripped his mouth away but she didn’t give him time to recuperate. As if no one but the two of them existed, she shimmied her skirt up enough to show off her toned thighs.

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God. He’d envisioned seeing her golden skin bare years ago, back when the idea of getting his hands on breasts like hers was no more than a teenage boy’s wet dream. She wasn’t some skinny, insubstantial thing he couldn’t hold on to. Alana actually had hips and an ass he couldn’t wait to squeeze while he pounded into her. But here? Where such an important moment in his life would be no more than one interlude out of many, and worse, possible grist for someone else’s arousal? If someone had asked him a month ago, he would’ve said he’d forgotten her. He’d had his share of girlfriends and by nature, he wasn’t a piner. Alana had always been out of reach. The one time he’d tried, she’d smacked him back soundly. So he’d relegated her to the back of his mind, assuming he’d probably never see her again. If he were honest, he hadn’t been sure he wanted to see her again. She’d hurt him, even if he’d known he should have expected no less. She needed the limelight, he liked being behind the scenes. But she also had a wicked sense of humor and a deep, abiding concern for the people she loved—like Kelly Crossman, who had been important to both of them—and an amazing eye for detail. For two years, her photographs had landed on the front page of their school paper. Everyone had agreed Alana MacGregor was going places. And here she was, at a sex club. Somehow this seemed like just one more attentiongrabbing antic. She couldn’t even have sex in private. So why did just one look into her eyes make him feel seventeen and stupidly in lust again? Even though she didn’t realize who he was yet, he had to believe she’d give him a chance—a real chance this time—once he’d softened her up with really good sex. He glanced down at his hard-on then back up at Alana. The best sex of her life. Hopefully. “Getting nervous? Because I’m only getting wetter the more you stare at me.” Carter steeled his spine. “Who’s nervous?” “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” She leaned toward him until the generous swells of her breasts peeked over her white cotton top. “Do you want to see these?” She

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traced her nipples. “I know you do. I can see it all over your face.” His breathing quickened as she shifted her hand to his erection. “And I can feel it, right here.” Her smoky laughter snaked through his system as her fingers rode up and down his length, stuffed so painfully into the unforgiving denim. He knew he shouldn’t have worn new jeans tonight, but he hadn’t wanted to wear his usual khakis to Kink. Now he was paying for it. As she playfully pulled on his zipper, barely tugging it down, he threw back his head to stare at the pinprick lights dotting the ceiling. They matched the stars shooting off in his brain when her nails skimmed his shaft through his jeans. Thank God she hadn’t fully unzipped him yet. He was afraid he’d go off like a rocket when her fingers touched his bare skin. Dammit, not here. “Why don’t we take this somewhere else? I only live a couple miles away.” “You really think I’ll go home with a stranger?” Stranger, my ass. “But you’ll fuck one?” Her mouth pinched. “Got a problem with that, stud?” Carter glanced down at her, some of his lust ebbing. She’d always been a party girl and her penchant for trying anything once had held a big allure for a guy who’d spent most weekends in front of his computer. Alana was go, go, go, always moving, always looking for the next good time. But the glimpses of the softer side she hid beneath endless bravado had always intrigued him. Tonight he couldn’t see anything but the sharp edge of her need. Apparently any dick would do. Maybe sleeping with Alana now wouldn’t change anything, because the girl he’d fantasized about had been just that. A fantasy. He relaxed his shoulders as she cupped his balls. God, it had been a while. Not too long, as he’d made sure to make up for all the years his hand and an image of Alana

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naked had been his only company in bed. But long enough that her touch scorched straight through to the base of his spine. Alana’s touch. That was the part he couldn’t stop thinking about. And that was what kept him from walking away. Fate had brought him here tonight and she’d been waiting. Maybe not for him, but just the same. He wouldn’t waste the opportunity he’d been given. He’d come a long way in the eight years since high school. People changed, but that didn’t mean the qualities he’d once loved in her didn’t still exist. For all he knew, the sweet, soft Alana was buried deep and needed encouragement to come out and play. Only one way to find out. “No problems here,” he said quietly. “Didn’t think so. Especially since I’d like to take these in my mouth, slide them right over my tongue. Bet they’re soft and pink, just like your cheeks.” She released him and teasingly toyed with his zipper. “Ever been with a girl like me?” He had a feeling she was referring to her heritage, which he remembered was part Cherokee along with about ten other nationalities, but he answered another question entirely. “No. But I’ve always wanted to.” “You just want to see if my nipples are the color of milk or dark chocolate.” His lips quirked. How would she respond if he said he already knew? “Actually, I—” “Fuck! Cops are coming!” That was the last distinct phrase he heard before pandemonium broke loose.

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Chapter Two Alana gusted out a sigh and pushed down her skirt. Figures. Here she had a chance for some action but nope. Why should she expect the end of this night to be any better than the beginning? While people ran around like screaming maniacs, she called Kelly. Still no answer. Maybe Kelly was finally letting loose. For all she knew her friend had could’ve had six orgasms by now, while she hadn’t even had six drinks. “Uh, Mac,” her new acquaintance whispered against her temple. Or at least it seemed like a whisper in comparison to everyone else’s shouting and the sound of pounding feet. “Shouldn’t we be going?” “In a minute.” She’d been through one of these raids before. The cops never got here that fast. The patrons weren’t who the police wanted anyway. They just wanted to shut the place down for a while, maybe nab a couple of the proprietors in the process. They didn’t pick up the customers unless they caught them mid-fuck. “Alana, come on. Seriously. Whoever you’re calling can wait.” She planted her feet when he foolishly attempted to lay hands on her person. Sex was one thing. But to drag her off as if he were a caveman and she some simpering female? No sir. “My friend may still be here somewhere. She’s my first priority, not you.” He didn’t glower at her. That she would’ve expected. Instead he flashed a full-on, devastating grin. “Not the tune you were singing a couple minutes ago.” She fought the urge to smile back. “Take off, okay? Don’t want you to get in trouble on my account. I gotta see if I can find Kelly.”

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“Kelly Crossman? Not her too.” His grin faded. “She must be here thanks to you. She’d never go for a place like this.” “Whoa. You’re sounding mighty self-righteous for someone with a glow-in-thedark condom in his pocket.” “Why haven’t you asked who I am?” Because I know. She cleared her throat. She didn’t know, not really. He wasn’t Nicky. No way. He’d carried books of poetry in his back pocket, for cripes’ sake. This guy just smiled like him. And somehow, he knew how to defuse her anger, just as Nicky had. One of the many reasons he’d scared her so fucking much. “I have to look for Kelly,” she said, pushing past him and shoving her way through the crowd. He followed her upstairs, shadowing her through the lounge and steam room. Finally, when she’d examined every crevice to no avail, he gripped her hand. “Let’s go.” Arguing seemed futile. Kelly was nowhere in sight. Sighing, she led the way to the back stairs, relieved the club had mostly emptied. At least she wouldn’t be trampled to death. “We should split,” she said once they stepped out into the sultry night, though she didn’t hear much shouting anymore. Back here, the voices seemed fainter and she certainly didn’t hear any sirens. She wasn’t sure if a raid at a sex club warranted bringing out the big guns. Truthfully, she wasn’t in a big hurry to go. He’d stayed with her even when leaving had seemed smarter, and he hadn’t rushed her. He’d even helped look for Kelly. Then there was what they’d started inside… “Not yet.”

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He leaned down, kissing her hard enough to scatter the last remaining marbles of sense in her head. His height dwarfed hers but she inched up on her tiptoes to devour his mouth. And the rest of him. His lips, his chest under her stroking fingers, the long cock she couldn’t stop brushing against like a cat seeking an eager hand. Patron had nothing on the liquid warmth this guy set ablaze in her belly. Perspiration trickled down the backs of her knees. God, she was incinerating and it wasn’t due only to the scorching heat index. She plastered her body to his and absorbed the feeling of his heartbeat against hers. Knowing he wanted her made her crave him more. “I have to be inside you,” he whispered, his hot breath wafting across her lips. “Where can we go?” Alana waved a hand at the short embankment behind the club. She didn’t particularly want to lie down in the grass in the dark—who knew what squishy things could be creeping about?—but she wasn’t about to go home without more of where that kiss had come from. He didn’t balk. His earlier reservations seemingly gone, he pulled her deeper into the shadows. They were completely alone, their only company the mosquitoes buzzing around the weak spotlight above the back door of the club. Crickets chirped and she smelled ripe, warm earth. Slowly, he traced a fingertip down her cheek. The reverent way he touched her destroyed her reservations. Despite the heat, she shivered as he tugged her top down her shoulders. The more skin he revealed, the more her shivering grew. His gaze stayed steady on her breasts, encased in red satin, and her nipples pebbled under his inspection. His look was as potent as a touch, and everything inside her drew achingly tight. Tonight was going to be the acting job of her life. Even if she managed to convince him she was just out for another good time, she’d never convince herself.

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Too soon he slipped away from her to sit on the low-rise hill. The sound of his zipper opening broke the heavy silence and she almost panted at the idea of his fingers brushing his cock as he freed himself. She’d done that to him, made him so hard and hot. From the moment he’d first glanced at her in the club, he’d only looked her way. She knew this wasn’t about some random fuck with him. Maybe she didn’t fully understand what made her special, but she couldn’t turn away now. “Come ride me,” he murmured, his husky voice whispering erotically along her skin. She yanked her shirt back up onto her shoulders and joined him on the grass. Coming sounded excellent. Even the threat of cops just added to the thrill. Besides, she’d been caught bare-assed before. Back when she’d really been all about having fun, not just pretending to be a carefree party girl. Before her conscience could weigh in—and surprisingly, it didn’t have as much interest in orgasms—she tugged up her skirt and stood over him. Hungrily, she eyed the definite rise of pale, hard flesh in the moonlight. Her breath caught, releasing in a laugh as he donned the blue condom and lit up his erection. “Handy.” Alana grinned. “Very.” She placed a knee on the hard-packed earth on each side of his hips and moved into position. Dew coated the grass and the blades tickled her skin. He bit off an invective when she gripped his thick length, her other hand aiming for the wetness between her thighs. “How does it feel to touch yourself?” She still couldn’t see his eyes clearly and his voice was husky with need. So sexy. She could pretend she was with anyone, touching anyone. Even Ramon.

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But it was Nicky’s face that formed in her mind. His eyes half-closed as he lowered his face to hers while Aerosmith played in the background. His grin tonight when he dispatched her bitchiness with a wisecrack. Again, she almost asked him. Is it really you? But did she honestly want to know? “Like not enough,” she whispered, silencing her internal questions with thorough swipes of her fingers along her slit. She knew how to make herself come fast. Four years spent sharing a bedroom with two younger sisters had meant learning to take the edge off in a hurry. Her other talent was a soundless climax. Some guys didn’t like that she didn’t whimper or beg, but she made up for her lack in some areas with other talents. “You’re wet.” “Oh yeah.” “Your clit’s swollen.” “And pounding.” She danced her sopping fingers over his length. “There’s a little hint of what you’re missing.” He cursed, long and low. “You’ve got two seconds. Either you take me inside you or I’ll forget I’m a gentleman and flip you on your back and get you all dirty.” She rubbed him in firm strokes from the crown of his cock to the base, nestled in a thatch of wiry hair. She almost wished he hadn’t suited up so soon because she wanted to feel that little trickle of precum on her palm. “I like it dirty. I also like that you’re so fucking hard.” He practically growled. Tormenting him was fun. His rough exhales definitely encouraged her mischievous side. Maybe she’d have to take him home after all. Easing forward, she crawled up his body to explore. She started with long licks of his stubbled throat, butterfly kisses along his jaw, quick nips of his earlobe. He had a tiny mole near his collarbone, and a wet kiss there made him groan. His aftershave was

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subtle, just a hint of alpine that fit the woodsy scents surrounding them. Even the crisp aroma of his shampoo ignited her lust. He drove his hands in her hair and dragged her face back to his. His tongue took possession of her mouth, his tempo slow and unhurried despite the rigid shaft trapped between their stomachs. The kiss went on forever. She hadn’t been consumed like this in years, if ever. These were soul-searching kisses, the kind long-term lovers shared. His hands didn’t wander her body but just the sensual movements of his mouth wet her thighs. She massaged his cock while the nails of her free hand dug into his chest. He grabbed her wrist, lifting her fingers to his lips. “Give me a taste.” His satisfied groan rang out as he sucked her finger deep. “Oh sweetheart. Chocolate ice cream has nothing on you.” Laughing felt so damn good, even when she ached so much she wanted to scream. “You like it creamy, huh?” “Hell, yeah. Your cream especially.” Still smiling, she slid back and impaled herself, engulfing all of him in her snug wet sheath. Her smile disappeared quickly as delirious tremors racked her body. “Fuck, yes.” She hissed out a breath. “Yes.” She shoved up his shirt, needing to feel his bare flesh under her palms. Then she started to move, taking slow trips up and down his cock while he steadied her with his hands on her hips. Alana triumphed at the flash of his teeth in the darkness. Ramon who? “That’s it. God.” He matched her pace effortlessly. “Baby, you’re so good.” Her breasts tingled and as if he knew it, he reached up to tug sharply on her nipples through her shirt. Her core clenched in time with his pulls. “Harder.” He twisted his fingers on her sensitive peaks and she arched, taking him deeper to show her appreciation. “You take direction well.”

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He let out a pained half laugh. He filled her perfectly, and better yet, he let her control the show. That he gave her the reins so easily increased the slow burn of arousal cramping her belly and fed the steadily increasing moist heat that clasped his shaft as she rocked them both into heaven. “I can’t wait.” His whisper seemed almost conspiratorial. “Sweetheart, come with me.” Baby, sweetheart. She wasn’t normally one for endearments, but she liked his. They made her feel treasured. She squeezed her inner walls, needing him to go over more than she needed to follow. His body tensed and the rise and fall of his hips became more erratic. She loved making a man lose control. Even if she didn’t come, his orgasm would make her feel good. Already her pussy was tightening in anticipation. If necessary, she’d take care of herself later. “Tell me you’re close.” His seductive voice combined with the electric pulls on her breasts juiced her up even more. “Go ahead,” she murmured, quaking around him. Her permission was all he needed. With a hushed cry, he powered deep inside her. His cock jerked as he found his release, and she couldn’t hold back a stunned sigh as he lost himself. Alana closed her eyes, breathing in the scents of the night. Of sex. It seemed important she remember this moment. For reasons she didn’t care to identify, she’d never before felt so linked to someone. And she hadn’t even climaxed. Yet. He took a moment to recover, his harsh pants breaking the stillness. Just as she was about to rise, he touched her pussy. She startled from her relaxed pose astride him as his thumb zeroed in on her clit. A sudden bolt of pure sensation traveled through her system, jolting straight to her sore nipples. More moisture dripped down around the shaft still buried inside her.

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He groaned. “You’re going to come for me, sweetheart, or we’re going to be here all night.” Taking him at his word, she inched forward and rubbed against his hand. She did it again and again until her gaze swam with bursts of light and her skin sheened with sweat. That he hadn’t taken off after getting his own increased her excitement. She’d never been with a guy that concerned about her orgasm before. She could get addicted to this. To him. “Get my hand wet. More.” She bit down on her lip when his fingers moved faster and he drew her down onto him harder. Each squelching slide of his fingers announced her arousal, but it only turned her on more. He knew just how to touch her to make her writhe. What would he be like in a real bed? Would he suck on her nipples for hours? Eat her pussy until her vocal cords ached from her screams? Could he make her scream? For real? Was that even possible or were whimpers as good as it got? She had to find out. “There,” she gasped, bearing down as the climax roared through her. The knots of tension in her belly loosened and hot streaks of pleasure singed her nerve endings. His grunts of praise soothed her as he drew out her climax with gentle flicks of his fingers. He didn’t stop until she nudged him away with another sigh. This man couldn’t be real. How she felt about him definitely couldn’t be. She rubbed the back of her hand over her cheek. Her heavy ringlets clung to her neck and her peasant blouse wilted against her skin. “I’m soaked.” “Mmm hmm.” His lazy satisfaction made her grin. “You sure were.” With a resigned sound, he pulled out of her and removed the condom. “Hard to hide this evidence, huh?” he said when he noticed her watching him.

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“Badge of honor around here.” “Yeah.” He stared at her, his gaze weighty once again. “You come here frequently?” Hadn’t he asked that before? “When I need an itch scratched. But the guy I was scratching it with found someone he likes better, so I’m done here for a while.” “Can’t say I’m sorry the asshole moved on. It’s probably a good idea you steer clear, what with the cops and all.” “There were no cops. Hear how quiet it is? I don’t think they ever showed.” “That happen a lot?” She shrugged. “People get spooked easy when they’re treading the line of the law.” “Treading? People were openly fucking in there.” Smirking, she climbed off him. “You mean like we were openly fucking out here, Mr. Prim and Proper?” He stood. “That’s different.” She would’ve sworn she heard a blush in his voice. “Right.” How had someone so vanilla wandered into a place like Kink? She’d been shocked he’d even wanted to have sex out here. “Silly me.” She snatched her panties out of his pocket—though it would’ve amused her to see him strolling around with that bit of scarlet lace dripping down his thigh—but before she could put them on, he grabbed them again. “No need for those.” Her heart fluttered in time with her pussy. “Is that so?” “It’s so.” He zipped up and dropped the condom in a nearby trashcan. “You’re coming home with me, Mac. And this time, I’m going to make you beg.” He returned to her and razed his teeth over her lower lip. “Okay?” Saying no would’ve been stupid. She wasn’t stupid. “Okay.”

*****

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Carter still hadn’t wrapped his mind around what was happening by the time Alana entered his house. His bedroom. How his desire to finally break free of his mold at the paper had led him to the one woman he couldn’t stop wanting was beyond him. She looked right in his space. Huge heavily fringed dark eyes took in everything as she skimmed her fingertips over the sleek black and chrome bedroom set then along the footboard of his bed. “Sweet digs. I guess you’re not a serial killer.” He laughed. “Why? Because I have an attractive home?” She shrugged and her innocent white top slipped lower off one shoulder. A glimpse of her dark red bra through the cotton made him imagine her breasts naked, bouncing as they surrounded his erection. God. In a minute he’d need an ice-cold shower. “You seem normal. Nice.” He surreptitiously rubbed his stiffening cock. “Why don’t you sound pleased by that?” She turned back to him and wet her pouty lips. She’d slicked on more gloss in the car and the sight of her glistening mouth made his balls tighten. “I like bad boys. It’s a sickness.” Before he could make the case for just how bad he could be, she kicked off her heels and padded toward him, digging her plum toenails into the thick black carpet. “But you’ll do in the meantime.” “Thanks. I think.” She leaned up to lick his neck as her hands cupped his ass. Her touch was firm, bordering on abrupt. “Hope you’re more prepared here than you were at Kink.” He didn’t answer. His brain had already started heading for that blissful state of mindlessness that had led him to take her behind a sex club for a quick fuck. He was ready to set up camp on that particular island but first, he had to clear some things up. Namely, who he was.

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“Mac,” he groaned when she stroked him through his jeans, the friction pressing the teeth of his zipper into hot flesh. “Wait.” “No worries, I have some. I’ll just—” “Stop.” He grabbed her arm. “Look at me.” “I’m looking.” Patent boredom filled her tone, but her eyes were wary. “So?” “You know who I am.” “I don’t kn—” “You do,” he said gently. Why did she look so terrified all of a sudden? Was screwing him so horrifying? “Kelly was a good friend. You would’ve been had you ever taken the time to get to know me.” She tensed. “I didn’t come here for a lecture. I came here for some fun.” “Life’s not all about fun. Some things are serious.” Like how I felt about you. Like how I feel about you right now. Fantasy or reality, maybe she was both. And maybe he didn’t care any longer. “You remember. I see it all over your face.” Alana slipped away from him but she didn’t head for the door as he’d feared. Instead she threw herself down on his king-sized bed. “Fine. I know who you are. I couldn’t really believe it but there’s no denying it in this light. Look at all your damn red hair. Least you ditched the braces.” “It’s more brown.” He’d always been sensitive about his hair. Old holdover from when red hair, braces and freckles—most of which had thankfully faded with time— had singled him out as the class dork. She sighed. “So why are you hanging out at Kink, Nicky? Trying to make up for lost time?” He pushed aside the pillows and sat against the headboard. With her gorgeous golden legs inches away, he was having a hard time focusing. Even her freaking kneecaps turned him on. Worse, he knew exactly what lurked under her ridiculously short skirt, bare and waiting. And wet.

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She lifted her brows. “Well? I know it was your first time.” When he gaped at her, she laughed. “Not that first time. At Kink. So why were you there? The Nicky I knew wouldn’t have deigned to step into such a classless environment.” “Lack of class wasn’t what worried me. I’d rank diseases and the possibility of arrest much higher.” Her eyes smirked at him. “Let me guess. You’re writing a story. An exposé on the seedy underbelly of Ely, Maryland.” It never occurred to him to lie. He wasn’t hardwired that way. Besides, if he wanted to continue this with her, she had to know who he really was. “Not an exposé. Just a piece for the Lifestyle section of the Tribune.” The more he talked, the wider her eyes became. “I won’t use your name.” “Good God, you’re really narcing on the club?” “I’m not narcing. I’m reporting. Vital difference.” “You know full well what will happen if there’s press coverage. My friends go there. What if Kelly gets caught because you decide to try to win a Pulitzer?” He didn’t know whether to laugh or sneer. “You really think they hand out Pulitzers for articles about traveling sex clubs? And you said in the car it was Kelly’s first time there tonight. At your request.” He shook his head. “She was always smart, except when it came to you. You could’ve led her off a cliff and she would’ve jumped eagerly.” “She’s my best friend. I love her. I wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt her.” “Except leave her alone in a sex club while you ran after your lover.” Sexy dark eyes flashed warningly. “You obviously haven’t changed one iota since high school.” He shrugged. Baiting her was fun. Who knew? “Looks like you haven’t either, sweetheart.”

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She jumped off the bed but before she’d taken a step, he snagged her wrist and pulled her back. This time her seat was his lap. “We’re not finished here.” “That’s what you think.” She blew a thick curl in his face as she fought to break free. Her generous curves obviously hid strong muscles. “Dammit, let me go. Or you’re going to be singing soprano in about two seconds.” “Nah.” He finally wrestled her arms behind her back. “Pretty sure you’d rather take advantage of me again before you render me useless.” “Don’t flatter yourself.” “I have to. God knows you won’t.” The more she struggled, the harder he got. All her wriggling definitely wasn’t helping. “Besides, we both know you’re just getting wetter the more you fight.” When color fired on cheeks he’d doubted ever blushed, he knew he’d hit his target. “I’m just horny. It’s not you. It could’ve been anyone.” He smiled pleasantly. “What makes you think it’s not the same for me?” “Because we both know it’s not. You had this stupid thing for me. I don’t know why. You and Kelly, now that would’ve made sense. You could’ve climbed into a book together and made a dozen little bookworm babies and lived happily ever after.” His heart pounded erratically against his ribs. So much for playing his feelings close to the vest. “Ever heard that saying ‘opposites attract’?” “Fuck opposites. We’re like warring countries. Different planets. Whole frigging sol—” His mouth covered hers. Kissing her was the only way he knew to shut her up. Her anger flavored the kiss, but the wild slashes of her tongue against his didn’t exactly douse his flames. He released her wrists and drew her arms over her head until her breasts strained against her cotton blouse. She held the pose all on her own while he trailed his hands down her sides. Suddenly she stiffened. A little ticklish, maybe. And a whole lot sexy.

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Watching her, he tugged her top down with his teeth, pulling until the fabric exposed the swell of her breast. He nuzzled her skin, sucking gently while her hisses softened into barely audible whimpers. “You’re going to have to wear something a little less revealing for a few days.” Anticipation roughened his tone. “Since I’m going to leave marks all over you.” “What kind of marks?” “Ready to see my whip?” He got perverse enjoyment from the trepidation in her gaze. “Red marks. From my lips.” “Oh.” He gripped her shoulder and slid his free hand under her shirt to fumble with her bra clasp. Two tries and it held fast. By three, she was laughing. “Let me.” “Gonna run if I take my hands off you?” “No.” Her lips curved. “Because I want them right back there.” Oddly touched, he eased away as she dragged her top over her head. Her bra was next. Smooth caramel latte skin glowed in the lamplight, her large brown nipples puckered and infinitely arousing. “Milk,” he said, itching to touch. “Definitely milk.” “Sometimes they’re dark.” She cupped her hands under them in offering. “See for yourself.” Carter dipped his head and swirled his tongue over the tight peak, spurred on by her nails weaving through his hair. He couldn’t be rough with her, though he suspected she’d be amenable. He’d waited too long, built this moment up too much. The lightest skim of teeth brought on a long shiver, the slight roll of his thumb and forefinger elicited a muted gasp. He lifted her and laid her back on the bed, pleased to see her already working her skirt down her hips. When she was bared to him, her soft landing strip of curls already damp, dark lower lips gleaming with sensual promise, he 31

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dragged his fingers through her moisture and brought them to his lips. Only then did he think of the panties in his pocket. He tugged them out and tossed them onto his pillow. “You won’t be needing those.” She watched him silently, big brown eyes tracking every movement. Her lashes swept down as he drew his wet fingers into his mouth, the sooty fringe lifting when he extended his hand. She took it and sucked his fingers hard, the pull of her mouth acting as a blowtorch to his simmering lust. In her expression, he saw everything she wanted to do to him, things she’d never admit. Delicious things he’d never dared to wish for when it came to Alana MacGregor. But it wasn’t enough. He might be seriously infatuated, but he’d learned to deal with that emotion years ago. He needed her to accept who he was. To accept what she wanted and who she wanted it with. He tugged his fingers free and let them wander her shapely body. Along the curve of her breast, over her flat stomach, around her cute navel. He’d seen so many bellybutton rings he’d almost forgotten how provocatively innocent untouched skin could be. Her back arched and she shuddered under his fleeting touch, thrusting her round breasts high. His throat tightened but not nearly as much as his cock. She was incredible. More beautiful than the picture he’d kept in his nightstand for years could do justice. When he reached her pussy, he spread her lips slowly, drinking her in with his gaze before he arrowed his tongue into her quivering flesh. A quick cry pierced the silence, cut off as if she were shocked she’d made it. He smiled and circled the swollen pearl that budded so eagerly against his mouth. “Do you know,” he began, delighting in her frustrated half laugh, “that the clitoris is the only part of the woman’s body designed entirely for pleasure?” He flattened his tongue, bearing down until she squirmed. “God, Nicky…” 32

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“Never liked that name. I always thought you were trying to dismiss me.” He slid his finger inside her, rotating slowly. Her abundant liquid granted easy passage, so he added another and studied the frantic buck of her hips. “You’re not dismissing me now.” “Want me to call you Carter?” Alana rose on her elbows and glared at him. “I’ll call you whatever you want as long as you fuck me.” “Such a romantic.” Since he was currently finger-fucking her with the speed of a finely tuned drill, he wouldn’t quibble. “It’s not about romance. I want your cock, not sonnets.” “What if you get both?” He drew his hand away from her sex and her breath hitched. Her neck bowed when his wet fingers grasped her nipple, which he followed with the slippery suction of his mouth. “Let me explain how this is going to work.” Light streams of his breath caressed her areolas. “I’m going to make love to you my way. Slowly, thoroughly. No man’s ever paid as much attention to your body as I’m going to tonight. We have hours.” His gaze stayed direct even as his pulse kicked up enough to make him lightheaded. “More, if you’re willing to give us that. In the meantime, your body is my playground. You won’t rush me. And if I want to compose a goddamned sonnet, then I will. Got it?” She started to argue, then clamped her lips shut and nodded. “Good.” He grinned and slid his finger back into the hot, tight channel that welcomed him so readily. “Now where was I?” “Making me crazy.” “Right.” He curved the digit inside her before inviting a friend. Two fingers scissored back and forth, building the pressure until she thrashed under his touch. “Only fair since just looking at you does that to me.” “You just like my breasts.”

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“Yeah, I do. I can’t wait to see them bounce while you ride me. But first,” he bent his head and sucked the swollen bud distended above where his fingers were lodged inside her, “I’m going to taste your cum.” “You already—” The words were lost in her series of rapid exhales. Not moans, not gasps of “Fuck me, you stud,” but they were awfully close to pants. Then her juice was flooding his fingers, coating him in the essence he lapped at as she flailed against his mouth. And flailed was the word. She rode her climaxes as if they were broncos and this was her first rodeo. God, she was incredible. When her breathing leveled, he nibbled his way up her body to her mouth. Kissing her with his mouth still damp from her pussy made his cock lurch, especially when she closed her hand around him, dragging his erection that much closer to her breasts and their hard brown tips. “Sure you don’t wanna ride me first?” she whispered. She also clearly knew what he wanted most, because she quickly rolled him on his back. His head hit the pillow an instant before she crawled on top of him and snatched the condom he produced from the nightstand. Before he could blink she’d sheathed his straining length and taken him all the way in, leaning backward with her hands on his bunched thighs to give him the view of his life. “Watch,” she breathed, sliding her pussy up and down, enveloping his shaft then wetly sliding free until his balls ached as much as his clenched jaw. Fuck, he was going to explode. Considering the delight in her wicked brown eyes, she knew it too. Alana rocked faster, swiveling her hips so that her sex twisted around his dick in the most erotic, mind-blowing ways. He’d never been inside a woman so perfectly hot and snug, never seen one so at ease with her sexuality. His breath hissed out as he

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reared up and she fastened her lips onto his. He could still taste her there. So sexy. She ate at his mouth while he tensed, pausing only seconds before his seed blasted into the condom. And unlike Alana, he didn’t muffle his shout. She laughed softly when residual spasms racked him. Enjoying her, he resumed pumping into her until her pussy began to clench around his newly hardening shaft. Soon her eyes were glazing with the look he knew meant she was about to come. Again. Thank you, Jesus. “Every time you laugh, I’ll make you pay,” he teased warningly, driving deep once more. Now she did gasp. And giggle. “God, please do.”

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Chapter Three Alana rolled over in bed and stared at the swirling chrome pattern of the headboard. Her head felt fuzzy, as if she’d had too much to drink. But that wasn’t the problem. A post-orgasmic haze shouldn’t last hours, but he’d been sleeping for at least two and she still felt tingly. How the heck could Nicky, the boy who’d actually read all the assigned books in English—who’d actually enjoyed them—be the only man who’d ever really rocked her world? Her cell went off and she reached out blindly, dragging it to her ear before Nicky woke. The guy needed his sleep. He’d been inside her enough times during the night he deserved his own personal access code. “Yeah?” “Hello to you too.” “Kelly.” Relief tumbled through her as she glanced back to make sure she wasn’t being overheard. Right now her lost night with Nicky was hers alone. If he knew she was talking to Kelly, he’d probably ask for the phone. Hell, they’d probably have a nerdgastic reunion. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, no thanks to you.” After offering Kelly a profusion of hushed apologies, Alana listened to her friend tap dance around her own whereabouts. Since she had no desire to be any more forthcoming, she let it slide. But when Kelly finally got to the point of the call, Alana couldn’t answer quickly enough. “I can’t come pick you up. I don’t have my car. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, Kel.”

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Wait a second. Wasn’t she supposed to be changing her ways and not only thinking of herself? Too bad for her if she wasn’t ready to face reality yet. The reality was she’d slept with Nicky, a guy she’d once used to make another man jealous. The man she’d wanted to love, one who was socially acceptable. It was sobering to recognize how attuned she was to public opinion, but she was. Or she had been. Alana’s attention-deficit disorder, her stepfather had called it. Except hers meant she couldn’t stand to be ignored for a nanosecond. If that wasn’t enough, she’d craved acceptance. She’d intended to date the captain of the football squad, not the president of the chess team. But seriously, did any of that matter anymore? They’d graduated eight years ago. Wasn’t it time she grew up? By now some of the popular crowd probably needed hair replacement therapy. So what if Nicky didn’t yearn for excitement? There was more to life than seeking thrills. He was a decent guy with an incredibly enthusiastic cock. He didn’t even mind that she was a bit of a drama queen. What more could she ask for? Kelly had yet to stop pleading on the other end of the phone, oblivious to Alana’s mental anguish. “Kel, I can get my…friend to come pick you up. Let me wake him—” “You know I can’t stand Ramon. I’ll find my own ride.” “But—” “You owe me, Lan. You promised me a great time and you reneged.” “So we’ll go back to Kink tonight and try again. Okay?” “But there was a raid last night.” Alana tsk-tsked, saying only, “The raid never happened. Don’t worry. We’ll have fun.” Would Nicky come with them tonight to do more “research”? And how far would he take that research exactly? She couldn’t see him making love to her in public. 37

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Though if she were honest, the Nicky she’d dismissed in high school hadn’t been one to fuck women outdoors either. Last night, he hadn’t even cared about grass stains. His starched-and-polished mother would’ve been horrified. After Kelly affirmed she had money to pay for a cab, they hung up. Maybe she should’ve informed her friend she wasn’t with Ramon, but total piety wasn’t achieved in a single day. Alana rolled onto her stomach, rousing as firm, warm lips brushed the small of her back. She shivered. She couldn’t help it. Around him she was a squirming mess, and hell if she understood why. “Cold?” His silky voice shot straight into her straining nipples. “No. Used to it. I turn my A/C way down at night.” She sent him a provocative smile over her shoulder. Even rumpled from sleep, his cat-green eyes were already on high alert. “Though I don’t usually sleep naked.” “No?” He resumed kissing her back with long, slow sweeps of his mouth. “What do you sleep in?” “Flannel jammies. Even in the summer. I like soft things.” He gathered her hair in his hands as if examining its texture. The bed shifted again as he straddled her, balancing so she didn’t take the brunt of his weight. Leaning forward, he scraped his teeth over the side of her neck, his cock rubbing slowly against her back. “And hard?” “Definitely.” She basked in the sensuous feel of his cotton sheets, in contrast to his erection and the soft weight of his balls on her back. Her nipples were sore from his endless sucking the night before, the sensitive skin abraded from his stubble. He slid his hands beneath her to cup her breasts. “Your tits feel so good in my hands.”

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She blinked. “Did you just say tits?” “Mmm hmm.” He trailed his fingers down her sides and she wriggled. She hated being so ticklish. “Next I’m going to say pussy. Is that okay with you?” “Um, yeah.” She pushed down against the bed to relieve the ache between her thighs. Dirty talk turned her on. And dirty talk from Nicky? Just hearing the word pussy in his silky voice had her dripping. “You may not believe this, but I know all those words. I’ve actually used them. Even during sex.” His mock gasp made her grin. “My parents, my mother in particular, may have overprotected their only child, but I assure you my mind was busy even when my body wasn’t.” “I don’t doubt it. Your mind’s always busy,” she said dryly. The mention of his parents brought back more unpleasant memories of the homecoming dance where he’d attempted to kiss her and she’d run off to the sounds of his mother’s screeching. He’d been seventeen but his mother, the warden, hadn’t cared. Why he’d chosen to make his move when his mom was chaperone, she had no clue. Not that she’d have kissed him back anyway. Her friends had nicknamed them the Chic and the Geek. Her response had been to denounce Nicky right and left, lest anyone believed she might actually—gasp!—like him. God, she was such a bitch. Still was. What could he possibly see in her? Nice tits, remember? Right. As if Carter Nicholas was shallow enough to simply care about her body. No, that was her department. She was the one who compared her lovers’ girths unflatteringly to fruits and vegetables. Nowadays the only friend she reported to was Kelly, who usually laughed and refrained from sharing any details of her own. Other than Kel’s odd little sex list, noting who she wanted to sleep with and how they ranked, she was remarkably discreet. She just hadn’t found Mr. Right yet.

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Then again maybe Kelly’s Mr. Right was right here, stroking his cock against Alana’s back. Kelly deserved Carter. Not Alana. She belonged with Ram, who hadn’t wanted her for more than a few public screws. At Kink, everyone could hear her faked moans from his “stupendous” lovemaking. In private, he hadn’t been interested. She closed her eyes and pressed them against her arm. To her horror, they were wet. “What’s wrong, Mac?” He sounded so concerned. She wanted to yell at him, to pick a fight about something stupid so she could return to her normal life. But God, she couldn’t stand the idea of leaving. Little had she known that stepping into the past would be a hundred times worse than she could’ve guessed. Because she wanted another chance. “Let me up,” she murmured, hating the thickness in her voice. The damn weakness. He climbed off her immediately. She sat up and shoved her tangled curls out of her face. He was sprawled beside her, his eyes radiating worry. Instead of speaking, she leaned down and took his mouth, kissing him hard enough to evaporate her tears. She drove her hands in his hair and he skimmed his down to her ass. He gripped her flesh roughly enough to bruise, completely unlike the way he’d been the night before. Maybe he sensed her desperation. Reveling in it, she rolled with him across the bed, swallowing his grunts as she undulated against his long, wiry frame. The geek he’d been had disappeared inside a leanly muscled body but he was still Carter. Her Nicky. He’d changed. Even if he hadn’t, she would’ve seen him through new eyes. He cared about her, had somehow cared all these years. Some parts of himself he’d worked on, true. She could do the same.

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And her internal makeover started now. “Your cock.” She flung the words at him between long, drugging kisses. “I want it in my mouth.” If she’d expected him to look shocked, she didn’t get her wish. He didn’t kneel in front of her but rose to stand at her side. Nicky had a platform-style bed, putting him at just the right height for her to accept him this way. She shifted until her head neared the edge of the mattress, giving her a choice view of his erection. Oh yeah, this would be fun. He shifted behind her and finger-combed her hair, stroking her scalp. What hands he had. A sigh escaped her as she closed her eyes and let her mind empty. By the time he nudged his cock against her lips, her body was loose and soft. She didn’t take much at first. He was stiff and ready, fat droplets of fluid dampening his slit. She licked those off first, savoring his slightly almond flavor. She scooted backward, eager for more. Once she’d situated herself for maximum pleasure for him—and imminent head rush for her—she opened her mouth all the way. Most of the guys she’d been with would’ve dived for gold, but he waited for her to relax her throat enough to take him comfortably. He didn’t rush her. His fingers sculpted her breasts as she sucked, using every ounce of technique she had to make it good for him. Lots of saliva, lots of hard pulls designed to push him over as fast as possible. She had to stop a few times to catch her breath and get her bearings. Her skin slickened with perspiration despite the A/C and when she rubbed her cheek against his tensed thigh, she realized he was sweating too. At least she had some skills. She didn’t have a math degree like Kelly and she wasn’t a reporter on a secret assignment, but she knew how to take award-winning photos of glass dildos and give great head. Tipping her head back, her lips enveloped him again. His hard length filled her throat and his low groans ricocheted around the room. And when she released him to suck his balls into her mouth? He nearly bellowed her name. 41

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“Mac, enough.” She barely heard him over the roar in her ears. Her inner thighs were sticky, her clit achingly swollen. He pinched her nipples, using the distraction to pull the lower half of his body out of her reach. “Dammit, I wasn’t done.” His quick grin shot right into her belly and reverberated distinctly south. “Me either.” She rejoiced when he crawled across the bed and latched his mouth onto her streaming center, his hands holding her thighs wide open. Without reservation she lifted her hips from the bed, planting her heels and opening herself to his remarkably thorough explorations. She knew he was as hard as the chrome headboard that reflected the strong line of his back, but she sure couldn’t feel it in the way he lapped at her pussy. Slow and methodical, his mouth worked her up to the brink, then he backed off until she was writhing in bedsheets damp from the heat they’d made. “Do you know,” he asked in a muffled voice as he pumped his finger in and out and alternately tantalized her clit with his tongue, “that an orgasm releases as many endorphins as an opiate high?” Alana pushed her fisted hands against her eyes. “Let me have one so I can find out.” His laughter rumbled against her tensed belly, setting off new ripples of desire. “I like that you don’t shave your pussy,” he continued in that same conversational tone. “You’re nice and neat but not artificial. I like seeing your lips pout under these silky little curls…” He bent his head and used his teeth to tug at one of them. The resulting hot bolt of pleasure jolted her off the bed as she let out a loud moan.

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Shocked into stillness, she dropped her hands and stared at his grinning face. “Did I make that noise?” “Pretty sure it was you.” Two fingers slipped easily into the portal that had just held one. As her body relaxed, he used three. He kept the pace easy, and all the while his tongue toyed with the bud that pulsed with each lick. “Do it again.” Now and then, she’d faked moans for lovers. Ramon, in particular. Guys had fragile egos, and in bed if nowhere else she aimed to please. But she wouldn’t have to fake anything now. Her inner walls had swollen to the point the friction of his fingers felt like bliss and her core coiled in anticipation. She cupped one breast in her hand, scraping her nail over the tight peak as he glanced back and nodded his appreciation. With an impish smile, she leaned over and sank her teeth into one sexy flexed cheek of his ass, soothing the burn with her kisses. “Nicky, I want.…” You. She finished the statement in her head but didn’t know if she spoke aloud. He finally relented and buried his tongue deep in her pussy. In seconds, she was coming. She closed her eyes as her climax swept through her, taking her vision and her hearing in one blow. She wasn’t sure if she screamed for real but she sure as hell screamed in her head. Her thighs and her heart clenched in tandem as she swallowed and tasted him. She’d never forget tonight, no matter what happened. She’d never forget him. “I never took drugs but I still like to drink now and then,” she said breathlessly. “That orgasm felt ten times better than any buzz.” He rolled over and tugged her until they were lying lengthwise on the bed, facing each other. His head dipped but he didn’t kiss her, only outlined her mouth with his tongue. They savored each other, lips rubbing, hands roaming. Her skin felt so sensitive, so deliciously primed for his every touch.

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While he spread her legs and swirled the blunt head of his cock through her juice, she searched for lucidity. “Condom?” “Mmm hmm.” He skimmed his teeth over her collarbone and her nipples tightened. Again, still. She wasn’t sure if she’d come down from the first high yet. “I’m not into music, but the rhythm method sounds awfully good right about now.” She laughed at his corny joke, not much different from the dozens of similar jokes he’d unleashed on her and Kelly years ago. Except now she knew exactly how stupid she’d been back then to roll her eyes and, yes, dismiss him, just as he’d accused her of last night. “I never play without a raincoat.” “Smart girl.” He shifted away and dug under the pillow behind him. When he came back to her, he had a fistful of latex. “Smarter boy.” “No wonder you earned all As,” she said as he donned the condom and dragged her leg high on his hip. “My average dropped to Bs once I discovered the joys of these,” he suckled her nipples, “and this.” One sure plunge later, he was deep inside her. “I… What?” She grabbed a hank of his hair. “You were fucking girls then?” “Making love sounds more poetic.” He swiveled his hips and sank deeper, angling so that he hit her G-spot with each stroke. She fought not to gasp. Score one for smart boys. “Fine, you made love with other girls while you wanted me?” Even as his body ruled hers with unhurried thrusts, he smirked. “Maybe I made love to my hand while holding your picture in the other.” Alana winced at the memory. His dare to expose all during photography class, the snapshot she’d taken in the ladies’ room while everyone else studied light composition. She’d given him the picture to tease him. She’d liked knowing he had blue balls as far as she was concerned. Hell, she’d encouraged it. “You really jerked off to my photo?”

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His smiling lips rubbed against hers in concert with the leisurely glide of their hips. “Sweetheart, I could jerk off to your voice.” “Did you?” “No.” She tightened around him and his breath faltered. “I didn’t need…a picture. You were in my head, Mac.” “Oh.” Then as soft fingers found her clit, she murmured again, “Oh.” He touched her gently but her core tightened just the same. He nuzzled her neck, his hand slipping in her wetness as he worked her. God, she was soaked. In the silence, their heavy breathing and the liquid noises as he moved in and out of her body sounded decadent. On the verge, she gripped his shoulder and met his hot green gaze. She loved the subtle hardening of his flesh inside her, stretching her. It felt so good having him deep within her body. So right. So…much. He quickened his movements. Perspiration dotted his forehead and the muscles in his arm bunched as he lifted her thigh to give him more room. Her slick inner walls tensed but she bore down against the impending sensations. She wanted him with her, ached for him to know everything she was experiencing. But there was no stopping her climax. Or her feelings for him, feelings he’d somehow managed to bring back to life in just one night. A strangled cry left her lips when he pressed on her clit. Drenching heat washed over her and she gave in, losing herself in an orgasm that didn’t seem to end. “Keep coming,” he urged as his cock unerringly sought her entrance. Shuddering spasms claimed her body but he kept on until he slammed deeply home. Her rippling pussy engulfed his cock as his shouted climax drowned out hers, the sound strangely triumphant. Touchdown.

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Who needed the captain of the football team? She had a world more right here. When she could breathe normally again, she opened her eyes. She caught Nicky staring, his breathing uneven, his gaze sharp on her face. So much for enjoying the afterglow. “Do you still take pictures?” Leave it to him to start right in with questions. “Yeah. I’m a photographer, actually. Though I never thought I’d be doing what I’m doing now.” At his quizzical expression, she filled him in about her job at The Edge. She finished just as the alarm went off beside the bed. He winced and patted her butt. “The hard-bitten world of journalism calls. Even if I’d much rather stay here in bed with you all day.” “Would you?” Suddenly she felt shy and unsure. The whole night had been a miracle. She felt as though if she looked at herself in the mirror, she’d see the changes inside herself as clearly as the sun peeking through the bedroom curtains. There was no going back. “Of course.” He kissed her sweetly as his cock stirred inside her. “Can’t you tell?” “Guess I can.” “Have lunch with me. And bring your portfolio.” As if sensing her hesitation, he kissed her again, with the same internal reaction. “I won’t make it through this day if you won’t.” “Okay.” C’mon, Alana. Honesty’s another part of losing your bitch cred. She smiled. “I’d love to.” “Yeah?” He smiled back. “And your pictures? You’ll bring them?” “Yes.” She rubbed his scruffy jaw, already missing him. “Now go get ready for work.”

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He reluctantly slid away and she watched him go. Her brief melancholy disappeared in a laugh when he pumped a fist in the air before heading into the bathroom. Grinning, she did a fist pump of her own.

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Chapter Four That evening, Alana returned to Kink as promised. When things between her best friend and some random guy got hot and heavy, she left Kelly to her business and aimed for the dance floor. She probably had an hour to wait before Nicky showed—if he showed—so she might as well pass the time dancing. Watching her best friend fuck some stranger wasn’t exactly her idea of fun, and she certainly wasn’t out to score some action. What she wanted most was to see Nicky again, to watch his eyes light up at the sight of her as when they’d met for lunch. How strange. She’d spent one night with him and today, even waiting until lunchtime to see him again had seemed too long. And the hours since? A lifetime. She smiled, remembering their kiss goodbye. He hadn’t palmed her ass or shoved his tongue down her throat like Ramon used to do. He’d kissed her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Maybe he felt as she did, that any hours spent apart increased the likelihood their dream would end. Any minute now she’d wake up to realize her life didn’t consist of anything more than The Edge and waiting for Ramon. Before she’d even stepped onto the dance floor, she heard an unwelcome voice. ”Baby, you came back.” Her heart picked up speed. Uh oh. She turned her head, startled to see Ramon lounging against the arm of the couch beside her. He clearly needed the support. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Each word was slurred. “Aren’t you gonna dance with me?” Panic tickled her throat as the strobe lights of the club seemed to shine directly in her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been relaxed and anticipating Nicky. Now she couldn’t breathe. “Where’s Caycee?” 48

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For an instant, she had the horrifying thought he’d say “Who’s Caycee?” Then she’d know she’d imagined last night completely. Nicky hadn’t been here with her. They hadn’t been together outside and she hadn’t made love to him all night in his very plush bed. He hadn’t pored over her photographs with appreciation in his eyes at lunch and they hadn’t embraced like long-term lovers when parting for the afternoon. She hadn’t been given a chance to redeem herself. She was Alana, the unlovable bitch, and she always would be. “Yo!” Ramon lurched close enough she could smell the beer on his breath. “You ignoring me?” “Where’s Caycee?” she repeated a little desperately. His lip curled in disgust. “Who knows?” Thank God. She hadn’t dreamed any of this. Nicky was real. How he made her feel was real. “Women like her live to dick a man around. But not you.” He leered. “You give it all up, don’t you?” Not to you. Never again. “Why don’t you go sober up?” “C’mere, sweetness. Give me a little of that brown sugar.” When his hand closed around her breast, she didn’t think. She bunched her fist and swung her arm, her blow landing right on his chin. His yelp of pain was immediately followed by a demented squeal. Alana’s eyes widened as Caycee hustled over. She cradled Ramon’s head against her ample chest and glared accusingly at Alana. “I know you’re heartbroken he’s moved on but how could you strike him?” Obviously Caycee had missed her lover’s boob grab. “You two deserve each other,” she muttered, prepared to stalk outside to wait for Nicky rather than remain anywhere near these two.

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But when she turned away, she looked straight into the face that had dominated her thoughts all day long. “Nice job, killer.” Nicky’s voice wrapped around her as warmly as the arms he linked around her waist. “I was going to step in when things got dicey,” he aimed a narrow-eyed glance at Caycee and Ramon, who were cooing to each other like wounded birds, “but you don’t need my help.” Alana cupped his cheek and brought his gaze—and his mouth—front and center. The relief that poured through her when his lips touched hers was overwhelming. “Wrong answer.” He returned her kiss but she felt his hesitation. Finally she eased back and sighed. “Is the honeymoon over already?” “Did we get married and I slept through it?” His fingers brushed her cheek. “Wouldn’t surprise me. You wore me out last night.” “And this morning,” she added. He glanced over as Ramon and Caycee slunk away. “Yeah.” She struggled not to panic. He’d probably just had a rough night at work. It wasn’t that he’d reconsidered everything. Reconsidered her. “What’s wrong, Carter?” His eyebrows rose. “I don’t think you’ve ever called me anything but Nicky. Well, except that one time at the dance, when you asked me to please get away from you.” She turned her head away. Would the stench of her past behavior ever stop shadowing her like moldy garbage? No. Not until you fix it. She couldn’t have this conversation here. Not where half-naked people gyrated five feet away while others did a whole different kind of bump-and-grind entirely. Alana leaned up to stroke his jaw, savoring the prickle of stubble against her palm. She’d never ached for a man the way she wanted him, and that was saying a lot since guys were pretty much her favorite dessert. “Can we go somewhere?”

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Even in the shifting strobe lights, she saw his shoulders tense. “The steam room you mentioned?” “Would you go up there for your story? Or for me?” “I have enough for the piece. It’s just an overview of one hot new club in town and exactly how hot it gets. I’m not looking to get this place shut down.” “So take the story out of the equation. If I wanted to go all the way in front of everyone, are you game? I know this isn’t exactly your scene.” “If it’s yours, I’ll give it a try.” He released a strained chuckle. “Not like I won’t get something out of the deal, right?” She bit her lip at the quiver in her chest. If Carter Nicholas were any more of a keeper, she wouldn’t have a chance at convincing herself he belonged in her life. Or worse, convincing him. “Let’s go outside,” she said. “I want to talk to you alone.” He gripped her hand to lead her through the booty-bumping crowd. Longingly, she glanced at the bottles of alcohol as they passed the bar. If only she could down a little liquid courage first. Kelly was nowhere in sight. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not—or what had gotten into her best friend tonight—but she’d be sure to question her in detail tomorrow. First she had to stake her claim. They stepped into the humid, airless night. She gripped Nicky’s hand as they walked behind the club. She was fine, good even, until she glanced at the spot where they’d…come together. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t some love-struck chick. She just liked sex. Making it more in her head was a recipe for disaster. She swallowed to relieve her tight throat. Besides, her vacation was over in a few days and she’d be going home to Virginia. Far away from Nicky. 51

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Far away from love. Her family’s, her friends’. His. As soon as she stepped into the shadows, he pulled her into his arms. This kiss wasn’t slow. Or gentle. His tongue swiftly separated her lips and swept inside, teasing her senses with the subtle flavor of crisp white wine. He must’ve stopped by the bar on his way to meet her. Had he needed some courage of his own? She wound her arms around his neck as she strained against the erection nudging her stomach. Hot and hard, that unyielding flesh only made her feel softer and wetter. She ached to be spread open in front of him, giving instead of just taking. Finally he tore his mouth away. “I’m sorry. I know you want to talk, but one look at you and I can’t think.” “I know.” “Do you?” “Yeah.” She pressed her fingertips against her kiss-swollen lips. Catching herself, she let out a halfhearted laugh. “I’m not sure what I’m doing. Am I supposed to just enjoy how this feels right now? Am I supposed to exploit the hell out of your very attractive body,” she ran a hand down his muscled biceps, “while pretending that’s all I feel?” “I want you to be honest.” Only because she’d already become so in tune to the nuances of his reactions did she hear the little give in his voice she recognized as nerves. “Nicky, I live in Roanoke.” “I know.” “Long-distance things usually don’t work too well. I tried one with Ramon and look how that turned out.” “We aren’t you and Ramon. And we’ve been building toward this ever since the first time I saw you punch out that kid who tried to steal cookies off your lunch tray.” 52

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She laughed and covered her face with her hands. Soon the laughter turned to tears and she didn’t know where they’d come from or how to make them stop. He gathered her in his arms and held her, supporting her until she could breathe without making completely inelegant snuffling sounds. She rubbed her cheek against his chest. “Your shirt’s all wet.” “It’s worth it that I got to be the one who comforted you while you cried.” Alana closed her eyes. At least they were dry now. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch in high school.” “It’s okay.” His quiet understanding almost made her start to cry again. “No, it’s not. I liked you or I could’ve gotten to like you if I’d let myself. Kelly told me to give you a chance, but I couldn’t get past who you were.” “And who I wasn’t.” “Yeah.” “I thought I’d moved past all that. It was eight years ago. But tonight when I saw your ex with his hand on your breast,” his gaze dropped to her cleavage and her nipples tightened, “I couldn’t help remembering James.” “And you wondered if I was using you to make Ramon jealous like I did back then.” He shrugged. “No.” She gripped his chin until he looked at her. “Ramon was drunk. I don’t want to make him jealous. I don’t want him, period.” “What do you want, Mac?” It would be so easy just to admit everything whirling around inside her head. And her heart. But that wouldn’t be fair to either of them, not when she had a home to return to a long way away from here. “I care about you.” “Care.” He smiled, but his posture stiffened. “That’s nice.” 53

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“A lot. I know it’s quick but you matter to me. A great deal.” She kept talking to try to alleviate the frustration she felt pouring from him. “If I lived here—” “What?” He grabbed her elbows then loosened his grip until his fingers barely encircled her arms. “What would be different then?” “We could try seeing each other. See what happens.” “We know what’s going to happen. It’s happening already.” He let her go, then threaded his fingers through her unruly curls. “I talked to the assistant Lifestyle editor at the Trib today.” Fear and excitement trickled through her. “Why?” “I showed him your website and some of the shots you took for The Edge. He’s interested to see what else you can do. He wants to see your portfolio.” “If I want a new job, I can find one myself. I don’t need you pulling strings.” “I didn’t say anything except I’d known you years ago and we reconnected. Your work said the rest. What does it hurt to contact him?” “It doesn’t.” Excitement started to win out over fear, at least until reality sank in again. She had a lease. She couldn’t just move, even if the job worked out. Besides, she’d vowed never to chase after another man and here she was, lacing up her running shoes. “I don’t know.” “Just talk to him. That’s all I’m asking.” She smiled faintly. “That’s all?” “No. I want to be with you. No doubts, no hesitations.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m also asking if you’ll spend every spare minute of your vacation with me. We’ll figure out the rest later.” Could it really be this easy to fall for someone? Maybe if you’d started falling almost a decade ago it made things simpler. She leaned up to cradle his cheeks in both hands. “I want to be with you too.”

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His chest swelled against hers, as if he couldn’t get enough air. She knew how he felt. “I’m so glad you’re an exhibitionist,” he said finally, and she laughed. “I’m not sure if I am. Maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m secretly shy.” “Somehow I doubt that.” He smiled. “I just want you to be you. The real you. Whoever that is.” “Me too. It helps to have someone who sees me.” Her voice wobbled. “Just me.” “I see all of you,” he whispered, his voice taut with emotion. “I see you too. Well, I will, once we’re inside again. And damn, baby, you look good.” She arched up to lay her lips gently on his. The kiss deepened until he let out a soft noise of defeat and clasped her shoulders to draw her back. “I planned on taking you home to bed.” Alana giggled—such a freeing sound—and palmed his erection. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you bed’s where you make it, Nicky?” His crooked smile caused her panties to dampen and her heart to race. “I have a feeling you could teach me plenty, minx.” “Wanna sign up for some lessons?” “Yeah. Book me for the rest of your life. And let’s get started now.” He grinned and pulled her down to the grass.

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About the Author Award-winning, multi-published author Cari Quinn wrote her first story—a bible parable—in 2nd grade, much to the delight of the nuns at her Catholic school. Once she saw the warm reception that first tale garnered, she was hooked. She attempted her first romance in junior high, long before she’d ever read one. Writing what she knew always took a backseat to what she wanted to know, and that still holds true today. Cari’s genres of choice include contemporary, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, urban fantasy and paranormal. Recently she discovered erotic romance. Oh, how far she’s come.

Cari welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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