Instinct

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Instinct ISBN 9781419911842 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Instinct Copyright© 2007 Denise A. Agnew Edited by Sue-Ellen Gower. Photography and cover art by Les Byerley. Electronic book Publication August 2007 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 443103502. 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 authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS AGENCY:

INSTINCT

Denise A. Agnew

Denise A. Agnew

Chapter One

Crescent Resort and Spa Denver, Colorado “Ohhh, baby. That’s it. Oh. Mmm.” Mina Carling couldn’t help it. Her ears perked up. What the hell? She sat up in bed, blurry-eyed, her ears assaulted by the sound of a woman finding orgasmic satisfaction. Oh, please. Not again. Last night she’d suffered through Ben Darrock and his wife Ellie Sterling-Darrock making love in the next hotel room. Okay, she hadn’t suffered exactly, but they’d made just enough noise at the end of their climactic finish that she’d winced. She figured they didn’t know they’d been groaning and moaning that loudly. Embarrassment, then amusement had filtered through her. After all, she liked her coworkers. They were great people. She smiled. Now she understood why Ellie had a special glow. Any woman with half a brain found Ben attractive, but the toe-curling ecstasy in Ellie’s voice last night…well… Mina flushed. No, it didn’t bear thinking about too much. Not if she wanted to find sleep tonight. She couldn’t imagine one more sleepless night, since Ben and Ellie had switched to another room in a different part of the hotel just today. Something about a leaking toilet. So when that caterwauling started a few minutes ago in the other room next door— Well, damn it. Blame it on the men at Special Investigations Agency. Damn them all for having an undeniable aura of sexuality that seemed to come naturally to some men who worked in dangerous professions. Gorgeous, rugged, simmering sensuality ruled many of the men at the SIA, including the one next door. “Oh God. Yeah. That’s it.”

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Ahem. Yep, the infuriating man was enjoying some wall-banger sex. Fuck. Literally and figuratively. She sighed and closed her eyes as the paper-thin walls of the Crescent Luxury Resort allowed the sound of SIA soldier Lucas Sloan humping a woman into oblivion to filter through. A carnal image of Lucas’ hard body on top of a woman, his large cock sliding in and out of the woman’s pussy, popped into Mina’s head. Okay. So she didn’t know if he had a big package. Yet somehow she felt instinctively he did, and that when he made love he guaranteed a mind-altering experience. “Oh yeah. Oh my God!” the female shouted. Holy crap. This woman was either the biggest faker on earth, or Lucas really was fucking the living daylights out of her. She so didn’t want to hear this or imagine what he was doing and how he was doing it. The last thing she needed was a reminder of sex. Especially not after yesterday and that phone call from Patrick. The two-timing—fuck that—the four-timing greaseball slimer. Fate, however, seemed against her as the woman next door released a breathy, excited moan. Damn Lucas Sloan. As the sounds of Grade A sex continued to emit from the next room in stereo sound, she sighed. That did it. If it had been anyone else doing the hunka chunka, she could have ignored it. Maybe. But it burned her cookies to visualize Lucas rubbing naked bodies with a woman. Despite her steady dislike for the man, she couldn’t banish her gnawing awareness of him as a male force. Though she’d never seen him undressed, he couldn’t hide all that musculature, no matter what type of attire he wore. Not that he’d compete with Mr. World for muscle-bound looks. She imagined he

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possessed a long, lean, powerful physique built for warfare. Blame it on his secret squirrel military training and an obvious desire to succeed in whatever he did. She closed her eyes as a man’s low, throaty groan of satisfaction echoed into the room. “Yeah. Yeah. Come on my cock.” To her secret mortification, her nipples tightened and her lower stomach hummed with sensual awareness. A sharp, undeniable spiral of heat penetrated her core and shot straight through her. A rush of dampness between her legs prevented her from denying what she felt. She hadn’t come around a cock in so long she didn’t think she remembered what it felt like. But Lucas…oh, Lucas would slide deep, sure, a hot, thick bar of steel straight to her womb. Her vaginal walls contracted with a hard pulse at the thought of him pushing his way inside her. Oh Lord. She had lost it. How did she know what he’d feel like? For all she knew he was a man who didn’t know how to turn a woman on, to bring her to breath-stealing orgasm. Maybe in every way he’d resemble Patrick. Um. Yeah. Right. If the screaming next door gave any indication… She remembered, with startling clarity, the last time she’d made love months ago with Patrick. She hadn’t come. Hadn’t felt much pleasure as she’d realized their relationship had slipped down a never-ending rat hole with no hope of crawling back up. Anger surged to the forefront. She recognized the now-familiar sting of regret, humiliation, and need to purge feelings she didn’t want to acknowledge. “Oh baby, yeah. Come on my cock.” She frowned. The man’s voice was husky but not particularly sexy. Not like she’d expect Lucas to sound when he made love. Huh. The special agent wouldn’t make love. Nothing that gentle, that slow and easy could be applied to the rugged man. She imagined his technique as fast, exotic. Something wild and free like a feral animal.

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Fucking. Plain and simple. Another rush of heat liquefied her insides, bringing the burgeoning heat within her to a steady boil. Mina’s imagination took over. Lucas’ cock invaded her thoughts, drilling her pussy with furious strokes that demanded surrender, asked for her completion. After all, his sexual technique must equal that no-holds barred intensity that seemed to permeate his being. Okay, so her imagination refused to portray Lucas as a lousy fuck. What did that say about her? Soft moans of ecstasy pierced the night, and she gritted her teeth. Oh great. No, she had no intentions of enjoying this hump fest vicariously. She needed sleep. She tossed the covers to the end of the bed and switched on the lamp. Heat seemed to shimmer under her skin. As she dressed in slip-on flats, jeans and a halter-top, Mina tried to rein in a secondary sensation. Built-up anger. Hanging around Lucas Sloan would do that to a person. She’d seen him date and drop several women since she’d started working with the SIA a year ago. She’d entered the Science Division and run into Lucas at several of the potluck events during the year. From his accent she’d quickly learned that he hailed from Scotland. Lucas had transferred from Scotland after a successful career as a Royal Marine. Unfortunately, he’d kept the hard mien of a military man, and Mina didn’t care for his edgy, know-it-all attitude. The intelligence conference finished in two days and be damned if she’d let him ruin one more night of sleep. She grabbed her key card and stuffed it in her jean’s back pocket and left her room. Brimming with indignation, she hurried to his door and rapped on it. She heaved a deep breath. The sound of a woman being fucked out of her mind stifled immediately. A scenario ripped through her mind. He’d come to the door with a towel around him and the woman he diddled would probably call out “Who is 7

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it, honey?” Distaste burned in her stomach, a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction and something more insidious she refused to acknowledge. The door snapped open and he stood in the threshold, wearing nothing more than immaculately tailored dark blue dress pants. No shirt. No shoes. No socks. She never fantasized about a man wearing dress pants. But oh, oh, oh. He looked… Everything female inside her stood up and took notice. An obvious erection tented his pants. At least, the beginnings of one. She swallowed hard and looked back to his face quickly. Heat burned her cheeks. Oh great. Great. Don’t look at his cock. About six-two, he gazed down on her five-foot-five frame, his amber-brown eyes glinting with an animal intensity. Once this man caught her gaze, he mesmerized. She hated how out of control, how hot he made her with one glance. She already felt a little breathless and out of sorts. Tousled hair the color of a copper penny fell over his forehead, and a thick five o’clock shadow covered his upper lip and jawline. His face, a mixture of hard angles and intriguing planes—the slashing eyebrows and hard mouth, his nose a blade of determination—didn’t qualify as handsome. He scowled better than anyone she knew. One frown from dour Lucas Sloan scared the shit out of law-abiding and not so lawabiding citizens. He was the walking, talking poster boy for repressed sexual energy. Okay, Mina. When you return home, you might want to start dating again. Anything to take your mind off Lucas Sloan. After all, he isn’t even personable. No. Lucas had a medieval, carnal handsomeness that qualified as gut-wrenching, knee-melting gorgeous. As she took in her view of the tall, broad-shouldered man’s chest, she gulped. Holy… Lightly tanned, muscular chest was sprinkled with russet hair across his pecs and down over his rippling stomach muscles. His arms were carved, hard sinew. Oh. Oh

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man. A shivery, hot sensation wended through her body and pooled low in her loins. Just like it always did when she saw him. Just like it always did when he stood too near, like now. No. No, I won’t allow him to do this to me. I won’t react like the silly women at the SIA who are constantly gushing about Lucas as if he were some heartthrob in the movies. His gaze traveled with hungry interest over the stretchy, snug material of her flaming red halter and form-fitting jeans. His attention lingered over her full breasts for a few seconds before he jerked his gaze back to hers. Her nipples peaked, tightening against the material. His nostrils flared, a sigh parting his lips. Okay, so this wasn’t the first time he’d given her the once over, looking at her like he would love to dine on her rather than with her. Yet she put little credence in the gesture. He probably looked at other women like this all the time. One corner of his mouth turned upwards until his lips curved in a heart-stopping grin she hadn’t seen often. “Hey, Mina.” His voice sounded rough, gravely with sleep, and oh-so-sexy deep. Women at the SIA constantly made comments on how much they loved his Scottish accent. All except her, of course. So what if he had the sexiest freakin’ accent and voice she’d ever heard? “It’s one in the morning. What are you doing up?” he asked. Her glance flicked to the room and with a start of surprise saw his bed was made and not a woman in sight. “Uh…did you have…I mean there was a lot of noise coming from your room. I thought I heard…” He cracked another grin, this one sly and knowing. His voice lowered yet again, the velvet and thousand-proof whiskey quality filling her with a slow, maddening heat. “Ah, bollocks. Sorry about that. The walls are thin in here, aren’t they? Yeah, I was watching a movie preview on television.” He crossed his arms over that magnificent chest and his biceps bulged. “I just came in from a meeting with Ben Darrock about twenty minutes ago. Did I wake you?” 9

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Her gaze landed on his exquisitely carved chest, and she had to force her eyes back to his. “Yes. Most definitely. What on earth were you doing meeting with Ben at this time of night?” He didn’t speak for a second then he reached for her upper arm and tugged her into the room. “Come inside and we’ll talk.” “But—” “This can’t wait until morning.” “But—” “Have a seat.” He gestured to the couch near his king-sized bed. Somehow she felt too vulnerable, so she stayed standing. Here she was, standing in Lucas Sloan’s hotel room, and he was so sinful-looking she wanted to lick him. Damn. Double damn. No. She didn’t want to lick him. Scratch that erotic image right now before it balloons out of control. She crossed her arms. “Thanks, I’m fine like this.” As he often did, he closed the gap between them until he invaded her personal space. Only six inches separated them, and she inhaled the delicious scent of man and musk. He smelled wonderful. She stood her ground. “Okay, what’s so important?” His gaze turned serious and hard, humor no longer sparkling in his eyes. “There’s a problem here at the hotel, and Ben wanted to keep it under wraps.” “So why are you telling me?” He put his hands on his hips. “I was going to wait until morning but I’m glad now that you’re here. This situation is too bloody dangerous to keep secret. I told Ben I wanted to tell you, and I explained why.” His jaw muscles clenched. “He understood.” She squinted at him. “Dangerous? What’s new about that? You’re always traipsing off to far distant lands to play soldier. This is just a conference. You can relax.” 10

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Instead of relaxing, his gaze went razor sharp. “This is different and it isn’t funny. You could be in danger. Serious danger.” Unlike the seductive tone in his voice before, now he sounded harshly, deadly serious. The hair on the back of her neck prickled. “Me? How? From what?” “We received a lengthy report from Dorky back at headquarters that informed us there’s a rogue werejaguar from Puerto Azul that plans revenge on me for two things that happened on two different assignments there.” She frowned, worry sending a knife into her heart. “When?” “From the trip when I helped that village leader get his woman back.” He didn’t say it with arrogance. Just plain, simple confidence and the sign of a man who understood his abilities. He turned away from her and headed to the mini bar. He opened it and drew out two mini bottles of whiskey and a couple of glasses. “Want one?” She nodded without thinking, and before she knew it he’d placed a glass in her hand. She took a sip of the liquid and winced as the fiery drink burned a path down her throat. “But the werejaguars aren’t enemies with the SIA. Why would one want to hurt you?” “Even werejaguars have bad seeds. They drove this one out of the tribe after he sided with the weredemons.” “It’s a dangerous world you live, Sloan.” “It’s my job, love.” Love. She ought to brain him. Every once in a while he’d slip in that endearment, and she knew it meant nothing. Yet the way he said it…heaven save her, it sent tendrils of heat coiling into her stomach and tightening inside her pussy. Whether she wanted it or not, Lucas had become an itch she couldn’t scratch.

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She couldn’t keep her mouth shut, and sarcasm leaked through her next words. “His woman? Isn’t that a little primitive?” He tossed back his whiskey in one gulp, and then placed the glass on the desk. He approached again, his loose-limbed, confident walk causing his muscles to ripple. “That’s the way the man sees it. He’s a modern man but he’s also steeped in traditions that are hard to ignore.” Deep inside a warning sounded. Whether he’d admit it or not, Mina had a notion that Lucas believed in primitive notions too. Deep, seductive, animal notions a woman would find overwhelming if she delved too far into his mysteries. Lucas’ woman? What would it be like to be possessed by this man, to have him claim her as his? Everything feminist within her threatened to revolt. She allowed the rest of her drink to slip down her throat then walked past him to place her glass near the ice bucket. “Apparently this werejaguar wants to dropkick my arse all the way to Loch Ness,” he said. Goosebumps prickled her arms. “He wants to fight?” He shook his head. “More. He wants to make me dead.” The thought of Lucas hurt…dead…well, she couldn’t think about it more than a couple of seconds before it sent raw hurt straight to her center. Once more he stood in front of her, and his big, warm hands clasped her shoulders. His eyes glittered like jewels, a depth of hunger inside them that shocked her. “Stay here with me tonight,” he said.

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Chapter Two Floored, Mina opened her mouth to retort and nothing escaped. When she didn’t speak, Lucas shook his head. “I’m afraid this werejaguar will take revenge by hurting my coworkers. You need to stick close to me.” “Oh.” Oh? Was that all she could manage? “Well thanks, but I can take care of myself.” His mouth went tight and grim, and his hands swept up to her shoulders and squeezed a little. “Not against this wanker, you can’t. You need my protection.” The fierce demand in his words and in his intense eyes put her on guard. That, and his touch made her crazy. He’d never touched her this possessively before. Ever. “You can’t protect all your co-workers by fitting us in this room with you. Besides, I would think I’m one of the last people you’d volunteer to protect.” “What?” He looked at her like the cheese had slipped off her cracker. “We don’t exactly get along, remember?” He snorted. “I bloody well remember.” “We get under each other’s skin way too often.” His fingers gentled and his grip turned almost comforting. One of his eyebrows quirked. “Is that what you’re calling it now?” She inhaled deeply. “Absolutely. Remember when we first met at that potluck? It started downhill from there and has been rolling steadily downhill since.” His fingers caressed her bare skin, and his gaze dropped to her breasts. “Is that what you think?” “It’s what I know.”

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Once more his warm fingers pressed, then rubbed over her shoulders. Tight spirals of desire teased her stomach. How much longer could she take this? After all, she was practically pressed up against the most virile man she’d ever met. Sure, she could admit that, even if he did drive her nuts. “You don’t like me, Sloan. So there’s no reason to pretend you want to keep me safe.” “Damn,” he said softly, edging closer. “Is that what you really believe?” She sighed. “You know it’s true.” His eyes hardened. “That’s ridiculous. It’s you who hates me.” Hate. “That’s too harsh.” Way harsh. “Yeah, right.” He turned away, stuffing his hands in his pockets. His wide, strong shoulders could shelter a woman…just not her. “Look, maybe I should go.” “Yeah, maybe.” His cool dismissal shouldn’t hit quite so hard but it did. She shouldn’t care that the fire within her wasn’t extinguished one iota by his disregard. He swiveled to look at her again. His gaze slipped with slow, sensual attention from her lips, to her neck, then down to her breasts. Mina felt devoured as her nipples tightened against the silky smooth fabric. Her breath came a little too fast as his attention concentrated and turned molten. His gaze stayed on her nipples, and they hardened with arousal until she bit her lower lip. She couldn’t help the wave of gratification that he found the breasts on her thirtyfive-year-old body appealing. After all, she wasn’t a spring chicken anymore. She managed to keep fit with strenuous exercise but she didn’t possess a perky twenty-yearold ass and super-bountiful breasts. Nope, time had begun to show on her, whether she wanted it to or not. Mina knew Lucas was about thirty-five himself, and the small lines

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around his eyes attested to it. Lines of experience that begged for discovery, that teased her with a desire to understand and ask. “And I don’t hate you,” he said. “Not by a long shot.” His voice lowered, the huskiness sending warm pulses through her belly. “And the way you react around me, I’m pretty damned certain you actually like me more than you let on.” “That’s arrogant,” she said, anger twisting inside her. “You think because half the women at the SIA believe you are totally fuckable that I’d drop at your feet and beg for it?” There, she’d said it. She didn’t often blurt out her innermost thoughts, and yet this big Scot had a quality that dared her to speak. His gaze challenged, demanded a response. One of his damned brows tweaked upwards again, but this time another smile flashed over his face. Instead of cool and detached, his face held genuine amusement. Holy Toledo, when he smiled, his gorgeous factor reached a thousand degrees Fahrenheit. “Fuckable?” he asked, tone laced with disbelief. “And how do you know half the women at the SIA feel this way?” His cocky grin returned and he folded his arms. “I mean, it’s flattering as hell if it’s true. But I have a hard time believing it.” She shrugged as a blush tinged her cheeks. “Yeah.” She flipped her long hair over one shoulder in attempted nonchalance. “I’ve heard the word tossed around the SIA. Fuckable with a capital F.” He grinned. “Most of the women I work with give me a wide berth. Like they think I’m totally mental.” Hmm. Was that the slightest hint of insecurity? “Maybe because you’ve always got that…” She waved one hand. “Poker face. You know. Brooding. Mysterious. Unapproachable. They’re probably scared spitless of you.” “Why aren’t you?”

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Good question. “Well, maybe…” He tilted his head to the side, a penetrating stare she imagined worked well during an interrogation. “Yeah?” She fumbled for an answer. “I sometimes wonder what’s hiding behind all that cool, clammed-up and rigid exterior.” His fists clenched at his sides, and delicious muscles in his chest and arms flexed. “Humph. It never stopped you from approaching me.” “That’s because I don’t intimidate easily.” His biceps bunched, and Mina’s mouth went dry. Her gaze skipped over his muscles quickly, refusing to linger too long. If she spent too much time examining his wide shoulders, sinewy arms and strong chest, she’d drool. She had an insane desire to slide her hands over his washboard stomach. He didn’t look like a bodybuilder exactly—a man who spent hours and hours in a gym. No. He possessed tight, full muscles from working hard at his job. Hell, she wanted to explore him from head to toe as if he were one yummy dish destined for her palate. “Why are you curious about me?” he asked. Indeed, why? “I’m not,” she said. Disbelief flickered through his eyes. “Right.” Unwilling to allow him to continue down the same path, she said, “Maybe if you tried smiling more, women wouldn’t think you’re arrogant.” She shrugged and rammed another barb home. “Besides, you overestimate your lady-killer effect.” He unfolded his arms and took one step forward. “I’ve never put any thought into trying to impress a woman.” “Right.” “You know, I don’t remember you being so hostile. Detached, maybe. Repressed, perhaps. Never this ready to cut off my balls.”

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“Repressed?” Outrage filled her to overflowing. She felt hot and ready for a fight. “Repressed?” One of his brows tweaked upwards. “Is there an echo in here?” “No. You—I—you’re the most…” “Infuriating man you’ve ever met. Yeah, I know. That’s good. Now I think we’re getting somewhere.” Good sounded like “guid” in his irrepressible accent. He sauntered forward until his body towered over her. A dangerous thrill pulsed and tingled in her body, touching her belly with sweet, forbidden longing. “What’s going on in that head of yours, Mina? Something happened recently to make you this edgy. Does it have to do with a man?” The heat in his eyes tempered with genuine concern, something she didn’t anticipate. It shocked her down to her utilitarian cotton briefs. She took the only defense she could think of. “My personal life isn’t your business.” He stood inches away, and she tilted her head to look up at him. She wanted to run, yet the intense way he watched her kept her pinned to the spot. “That’s it.” He tilted his head to the side. “Some guy treated you like hell and now you’re taking it out on all men.” Anger flared inside her. “Don’t be ridiculous.” An arch smile twisted his mouth. “That’s what has you twisted up in knots.” She made a sound of disbelief. “Right. And this is where you say that any lesbian can be turned straight? She just hasn’t met the right man yet?” His gaze narrowed. “That’s shite. I don’t believe that any more than you do. Besides, you’re not a lesbian.” She sighed. “I didn’t say I was. I was making a point. This discussion started off simple. You were making enough noise to wake the dead, and I wanted it stopped so I could get some sleep. End of story.”

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“The porno flick was making the noise. And if I’d have known the bloody walls in this so-called luxury hotel were rubbish, I would have turned down the sound earlier.” His indignation actually served to amuse her—she’d obviously lost her mind somewhere. “This conversation isn’t going anywhere but down a rat hole fast,” she said in defense. He shook his head, denial filling his eyes. “Conversations are like that. Sometimes they start with shite and end with the truth. Your anger toward me isn’t about arrogance, it’s because some wanker treated you badly and you haven’t recovered yet.” His flash-bang statement stunned her, though she should have expected his sharp mind would catch onto the truth sooner or later. Chap his tough hide. She hated when he was right. “You think?” she asked on a growl. She didn’t know how to answer him anymore unless she spilled thick scorn. She’d never encountered a man other than Lucas who could send her into battle frenzy so fast without so much as a by-your-leave. She shook her head. “Don’t push it, Sloan. I’m not up for it tonight.” His glance flicked to her breasts. “What are you up for?” His gaze roved over her in a wave of appreciation. She felt his attention like a touch, her breasts heaving up and down once as she took a deep breath to calm her heart. Her lips parted as fresh ire washed over her. “I never knew you were this…this…” He drew even closer. “That I’m what?” Again, she shook her head. What could she say? He’d flummoxed her to the point she didn’t know which way pointed up. “Confusing as hell,” she said. “I do my best. But here’s what I know for certain. Something’s eating away at you, and I’ll find out what it is.” 18

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“You won’t have a chance.” She headed for the doorway. “Wait.” The urgency, his husky tone, forced her to stop. She turned and watched him warily. As he walked with slow deliberation toward her, her heartbeat kicked up a notch and her breath shortened. Tall, panther-like in his grace, he packed a heady combination of lethal masculinity and confidence. Whether she wanted to or not, the attraction inside her went molten. “What do you want?” she asked, defensiveness ripe in her voice. “Like I said earlier, Ben wants me to watch out for you while the conference is on. You’re not going anywhere without me. Get your things.” Her mouth fell open. “Get my things—” “Pack up. In fact, I’m coming with you to transfer your things to my room.” She put one hand up. “This doesn’t make sense. You said that this guy is after you and that you think he’ll harm your coworkers. If I’m with you, aren’t I in danger because I’m with you?” He nodded. “Conceivably. But I don’t plan on letting the motherfucker get close. And the thought of you being hurt…” When he trailed off, she waited, dumbstruck by his last words. Okay, so maybe he did care a bit. “You’d feel guilty if something happened to me?” His eyebrows drew together, and he nodded. “Bloody hell. Yeah, I’d feel guilty, but it’s more than that. You don’t get it, do you? Your safety means a lot to me.” No. No, she couldn’t imagine it. “That’s such…” “Bullshit?” Contempt edged his voice. She grinned at his choice of words. “Yes.” Unfortunately he didn’t seem to recognize the humor in her expression. “Are you beating yourself up because you didn’t leave the bastard soon enough? Did you live with him?” 19

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His quick change in direction took her off guard. Words escaped her too quickly. “No. We…he said we shouldn’t move in together. That it ruined the romance.” Lucas made a noise of derision. “You’re kidding? And that didn’t make you suspicious?” His voice turned husky as his gaze took her in from head to toe. “A man doesn’t think of romance like that…not when he can think of nothing but crawling in your bed and sinking deep inside you.” His hand came up and his fingers tangled in the hair at the back of her neck. He leaned in closer. “When he was with you, could you tell when he wanted you? Did he touch you like this?” Her mouth popped open but this time a steady, blossoming arousal torched her ability to speak. Was he insinuating what she thought he was insinuating? His insight threw her off guard one more time. His perception shouldn’t keep surprising her but it did. One of her hands came up in defense, as if she could push him away. Instead, when her fingers touched his muscled chest, she found herself edging closer. Then she came to her senses and exerted pressure on his chest. He released her but didn’t step away. “No, he didn’t touch me like this. You’re right, okay?” Maybe if she told him a little he’d stop twenty questioning her once and for all. “Patrick was my last boyfriend. I broke up with him six months ago after I caught him in bed with my friend Teresa. For the fourth time. I should have figured it out after the first time—” “Hey, hey. Stop.” He cupped her shoulders. “Love, you made a mistake, okay? Stop trying to put his infidelity on your shoulders. Not to put too fine a point on it but he was an arse-wipe. You’re better rid of him.” She groaned. “Move on, right? Stop wallowing.” Once more that charming, full-blow grin made him devastatingly attractive. Whoa. “It’s okay to slip up. We all do it.” She snorted. “Do you?” “All the time.”

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“Hmmm. That’s interesting. I see you as a perfectionist. A man with few openings for faults.” He grunted and released her shoulders. “Except for the arrogance and the—what did you call it—poker face?” He pulled another smile from her. “That was it.” “So maybe you don’t hate me that much. Maybe this grumpy woman act is a ruse for what you honestly feel for me. Because you’re afraid I’ll hurt you.” Her heart did a thump, then started to race. Okay, now she did need to escape before he spoke one more ounce of unsettling truth. “You know what I think, Mina? I think if you didn’t feel anything for me you’d stop needling me so damned much. I dinnae like it, but I’ve let it go this far.” She pointed at her chest. “Me needling you? That’s a trick. You’re the king of insulting quips.” His frown deepened. “Insults? I’ve never insulted you. I’ve always talked you up to the powers that be at the SIA. They love your work. And I admire the hell out of what you do.” Amazed, she couldn’t think of one thing to say for a solid thirty seconds. “Most people think my forensic work at SIA is deadly boring. And they think PhD definitely stands for piled high and deep. I rarely find someone at the office I can talk with in a casual manner. Most people want ‘just the facts ma’am.’ They want my expert opinion on contagions. Nothing social. That’s it.” “Then they’re fucking idiots,” he said. Mina stared at his cranky countenance, surprise firing her blood as much as the high-wire tension strung between them. Oh, God. The ship is sinking fast. Time to cut and run before this entire scenario ventures any further. “You mentioned that I have feelings for you. You’re right.” His eyebrows winged up and satisfaction filled his eyes.

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“But they’re not what you think. I’m not wandering around the office mooning over you or fantasizing.” Liar. “For months you’ve been pretending you don’t notice me. That there isn’t something between us.” She shrugged. “So? We’re professionals. There isn’t anything between us. Besides, if there was, why wouldn’t you say something about it?” “Because we work together. It’s not appropriate.” “What’s a little lust between friends?” she asked, deciding to be flip. Hell, she had to be or she’d do something impulsive and stupid like jump his gorgeous ass right now. “Huh. You’re not as bloody ambivalent as you’d like to believe.” Was he a mind reader too? His scent teased her nostrils, and she drew a deep breath. Oh, God. He smelled fantastic. Earthy. Delicious. Male. “Sloan, you’re full of yourself. Why would I ever be interested in you?” His voice lowered into a huskier, sexier rumble. “Because we’re so alike. Mouthy. Opinionated. Hard working and tough.” “Not exactly an explosive combination for romance. Maybe hard-core lust, but—” Lucas’ hands cupped her face, and Mina shivered with a fine thread of desire. His eyes drank her in, his hard expression melting as his heated glance devoured. “Oh, love, I think hard core lust is on the menu.” Before Mina could speak, Lucas’ mouth came down on hers. Wild, hot, incredible sensations darted through her at the first touch of his lips. She expected ravenous, devouring kisses. Instead he tasted her with soft, exploratory touches that sent wildfire licking along her veins. His touch gentled, taking her to gossamer heights as he lingered and soothed. He didn’t force more intimacy. His tentativeness blew her away, especially since he’d proven insistent about so many other things.

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Caught up in his tantalizing touch, she responded with equal tenderness, her body awakening to a riot of sensations. Her knees felt weak in that fairy-tale, unbelievable way she’d never realized existed. Her body heated, a moist delight aching high in her pussy’s hot core. No man had ever turned her on like this big Scot. Not in her wicked dreams, and not with Patrick. Face it, Mina. Not with any man you’ve met before Lucas. He drew back long enough to gaze into her eyes, and what she saw there startled the hell out of her. Hot, undeniable desire, a man wanting to explore everything with her. “Does that feel like lust to you?” Automatically, she answered in defense. “That’s all it is. Nothing else.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re right. Maybe you need me to explore that lust. No strings attached. A hard, fast release. A fuck with no repercussions. No emotions.” A spiral of hot, teasing desire shot straight up into her pussy and settled in her lower belly with a pulsing, tingling heat. She could give in to his suggestion so easily. Just to see what he was like. To feel his hands on her breasts, his fingers teasing her pussy lips, his cock ramming up her core until she splintered into a million pieces. But no. That was a fantasy that didn’t have a basis in reality. He’d never make her feel like that. No man ever had taken her that far, that hard, with total abandon, and made her come. She clasped his wrists with both hands. “Oh? You think I’m just going to jump into the sack with you? I could grab my pocket vibrator and slake the need.” When his gaze burned even higher, even brighter with desire, her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. The excitement inside Mina took a serious leap, drowning out the caution she’d worked so hard to create. “Oh yeah. I’d like to see that,” he said. His intensity started to frighten her. Not that he’d harm her in any way—she understood with a woman’s instinct that Lucas would never physically hurt her. Yet she refused to answer his tantalizing last words, to fall deeper into the fantasy he seemed determined to create. 23

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“Is it more than this dirtball who cheated on you?” Confession tumbled from her. “I have this penchant for becoming attached to men who are emotionally unavailable.” His thumbs caressed her cheeks, and understanding lit his eyes from within. “Before the last creep there was another one?” “Four other ones. I’m not exactly a babe in the woods. I’ve logged some time in the dating wars.” He released her, and for a moment she thought he’d morph into one of her old boyfriends—cool, detached, unavailable. Instead, his gaze sharpened with curiosity. “You think I’m like those other guys.” Before she could rein back the words, she blurted, “Well, aren’t you?” His gaze hardened, and she received exactly what she feared. Hard. Unfeeling. The man she thought she knew. The imperious, cold Scot returned. “Pack up and—” he started to say. “No.” “Damn it, Mina—” “I can take care of myself.” Before he could say another word, she left the room and closed the door.

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Chapter Three Lucas wanted to dine on Mina Carling. Not with her. On her. He watched her from the hotel restaurant, his coffee halfway to his lips. Christ, she was delicious. As she crossed the lobby of the hotel, her body moved with a liquid grace. Today she wore a turquoise number that flowed along her body as closely and sensually as a river along a bank. The sleeveless turtleneck top hugged her full breasts with intimate attention, and the matching skirt showcased her lush curves. Her shoes were white— small heels that gave her an extra inch in height. Still, when he’d held her shoulders, cupped her face in his hands, he’d recognized how delicate she felt. It caused tremendous protective instincts to roar up inside him. She was curvy, yeah. Not too slim, not too plump. To Lucas, she represented damn near perfection. She shifted and brushed a long length of chestnut hair over her shoulder. It fell in thick, curly waves he wanted so damned badly to sink his fingers into, to bring the long strands up to his nose, sniff their soft scent. His cock jerked to attention as he imagined those strands circling around his cock. Hell, if he could, he’d wrap her up and carry her somewhere safe. She needed protection, and by God, he would provide it. She was in danger, and he knew it. Lucas felt intuition take over—he didn’t explain how he knew what he knew to any other employee of the SIA. Whether Mina took his warning to heart last night, he didn’t know. He’d lain awake half the night worried about her, thinking he should knock on her door and demand she allow him in the room. Then again, she might have called security, and then he’d for certain be out of range if she needed him. Instead he’d kept his senses on alert all night, aware of any unusual sound coming from her room.

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After taking a deep swig of caffeine, he placed his paper cup of black coffee back on the table. He licked his lips as he watched her. He didn’t mess with covertness—he didn’t give a fuck if anyone saw him devouring her with his gaze. Lucas’ imagination went on overtime as his attention wondered over her breasts, her waist, her thighs. He could easily imagine parting her thighs and drinking in the scent of her liquid heat. Licking, pushing his tongue into her hot, wet slit and absorbing the musky taste. Eating her out until she writhed, begged for him to fuck her. Then he’d slip his cock straight up into her pussy. He gritted his teeth. His cock twitched, and a muscle in his jaw ached. Fucking hell, it didn’t come any worse than this. He took a deep breath, but it shuddered through his lips. Didn’t she realize how hot she looked? Mina nodded at two ladies she apparently knew, and stopped to have a conversation. Two geeky men sitting not far from him in the rotunda watched her. Their chunky black glasses just might be fogging over. Lucas’ attention, already ratcheted into the stratosphere, flared higher with a vengeance. He didn’t like the way those guys ogled her. Clear sexual interest caused their mouths to hang open and gave them the slack-jawed appearance of teenage boys on the hunt for fresh meat. He didn’t sense a threat from them—at least not to her physical well-being. But if even one of them approached her, he’d land on the creep like flies on carrion. He couldn’t afford to take anything for granted when it came to her safety. When she left the ladies, she strolled out of sight down a hall. Fuck. He picked up his coffee and headed across the lobby floor. He felt like a paranoid stalker—damn it, if she realized how much he watched her, she’d come unglued. “Mina, you have no idea what a pain in the arse you are,” Lucas said under his breath.

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He chugged the last of his coffee and tossed it in a trashcan on the way down the hall. Long strides ate up ground as he strived to reach her. “Mina!” he half shouted, half whispered her name. “Mina!” She visibly started, then turned toward him swiftly. “You.” Her emphasis on the word made it a curse. Looking ready to eat alligators for breakfast, she planted her hands on her hips. He plastered on a smile, even though it felt forced. “Had breakfast yet?” he asked. “No. I’m not hungry.” He reached for her arm. “Good, then you won’t mind when I eat in front of you. Come on.” She tugged her arm away. “Has anyone ever told you, Lucas, that you have all the subtlety of a shark in a tank with a helpless bit of chum?” “You used my first name.” Genuine pleasure made him smile easily. She rolled her gaze toward heaven for a moment. “Give me a break. You asked me to. Remember?” “I remember. I just didn’t think you’d do it. You seem particularly resistant to do anything I ask.” He reached out and brushed the thick, silky waves of her hair away from her face. Last night it had fallen around her shoulders in a bed-head look. Today it gleamed as overhead light fell upon her. Her eyes reminded him of pools of dark water, their depths mysterious and almost haunted. They held golden depths that reminded him of a cat’s cunning stare. He stayed near—he loved her warm, subtle feminine scent. He inhaled deeply. “What do you want?” she asked. “Before the first session starts we need to get a few things straight between us.”

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“There’s nothing to straighten.” She held up one hand and ticked off points. “One, I don’t need your protection. Two, we aren’t compatible in any way, shape or form. Three…” She stopped and put her hands down. “Three I don’t remember.” He smiled at her rueful tone. Her brow creased, and before he could reply, she said, “You’re looking unusually chipper this morning. I don’t think I’ve seen you smile this much in the entire year I’ve known you.” Right. Little did she know. “I’ll admit it. I’m feeling confident. I think I can make you understand what’s at stake here if you give me half a chance.” “You explained last night about the werejaguar. What else is there?” Clasping her upper arm once more, he headed for a small room on one side of the hallway. He flipped on the light, then tugged her into the room and slammed the door. He locked it. “What the hell—?” Her indignant cry filled his ears as he shifted her away from the door and backed her up against a wall. He caged her between his arms. “That’s how easy it would be for a werejaguar to capture you. You’d be helpless in two seconds flat and in serious trouble.” She scoffed. “A werejaguar will prance right up to me and shove me into a room?” “It’s more than possible. Remember, they can look like you or me. There isn’t any way you could fend them off because you won’t know until it’s too late.” Her eyes widened, almost innocent in surprise. “I know that but—” “No buts about it, love.” Her proximity, the way her eyes warmed as they perused him, made heat twist in his groin and his heart pick up speed. New emotions grew inside, and they worried him. He was becoming too damned attached to her, worrying like a mother hen over every move she made. Damn, but he couldn’t turn away from her or pretend he didn’t care what happened.

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Mina’s mouth twitched in a half smile. “You’re staring, Lucas.” God, her voice set him on fire. She had a sexy-as-hell voice. “Damn right I am.” “Why?” Crap. Women always twenty-questioned a man when he kept his speech vague. He should know better than to try and keep her in the dark. As quick-witted as she was, Mina couldn’t be fooled. He sighed. If he understood his own feelings, he’d tell her. Other than gut-wrenching lust, what else did he feel for her? No, he wouldn’t go there. Too fuckin’ scary. One of her hands came up, and to his surprise, she touched his jaw and rubbed her fingers with an exquisite brushing of skin against skin. His insides quivered, his whole body reacting with slam-dunk force to the unexpected touch. He couldn’t recall the last time a woman had touched him this gently—other than her, of course. He decided to brush away his reaction to her tenderness. “I need you to listen. I don’t want you hurt. I’m not doing this to annoy you or cause you trouble. Get that through your beautiful, stubborn head, all right?” “Beautiful?” She sounded and looked incredulous. “A man has never told you how pretty you are? Are all the men in Colorado bloody blind?” Her cheeks turned pink. “You’re embarrassing me.” “Yeah?” “Yes.” Her voice was hushed and disconcerted. So, she honestly didn’t know that men found her that attractive. “You are so beautiful.” His voice went deeper, and he winked. “Fuckable.” A smile slid over her mouth, and when her lips parted, he fixated. He wanted in that mouth again, his tongue plunging inside. His cock encompassed by her fingers. Her lips. “Thank you. Even if I think you’re nuts,” she said. 29

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He never stopped gazing at her mouth. His hands dropped to her waist and he moved in a little closer. She tempted him to do something drastic. Desire hummed and twitched at the surface, demanding release. Her lips parted and color flooded her cheeks. The soft, rosy blush made his whole body hum with awareness. She looked delicious. Edible. The hunger inside him wouldn’t stay leashed any longer. Her chest heaved once with a sigh, and those plump breasts caught his attention. His hand slid upward over her ribcage on the way to her breasts. Lucas leaned in close on the verge of tasting those lips. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Sloan?” she asked breathlessly. Aw shite. Back to using his last name again. Placing his hands down on the wall on either side of her head, he leaned in close. “I’m not doing this for fun.” “Oh no? What would you call it? Manhandling?” He looked down at her upper arm where he’d gripped her, and real concern spiked through him. “Did I hurt you?” He watched her throat work as she swallowed. “No. No, you didn’t.” Still not convinced, he said, “Look, nothing I’ve done or said in the last few hours is a bloody joke. When Ben told me about the werejaguar, and that he’d hurt anyone close to me…well, I thought I could do two things to keep those people safe. One, I could pretend no association with them. But I know the werejaguar isn’t dumb. He’d discover who those people were. Two, I could keep the people I care about close to me.” Her eyes widened the slightest bit, going round and surprised. “People? Your family?” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have spoken in plurals. My mum and dad died several years ago. I don’t have any family. That leaves my buddies in the SIA and…” His throat tightened. “You.”

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He could see he’d flipped her light switch. The color in her face blossomed, and her lips parted. “I…you…” “You’re the only one I care about other than my teammates.” He drew back from her enough to give Mina room to contemplate his meaning. He hated relenting, but he had to. “I promise not to dog you the rest of the conference as long as you promise to be careful. Don’t go anywhere alone.” She sagged against the wall, as if her knees might be weakening. “Well, there are a lot of women at this conference. If I have to go to the bathroom, I can always ask one of them to go with me.” Amusement overran him. “Yeah, I’ve seen how you women run in packs everywhere.” Once more exasperation flooded her face. “Is that all, Lucas? I have a conference to finish.” “No, that isn’t all. I may not sit right next to you in a workshop or lecture but I’ll be nearby the whole time. Watching you.” Her eyes flickered with something he couldn’t identify. “That’s comforting.” Another overwhelming protective surge made him say, “I want you to feel safe. Here’s my business card. Put my cell phone number on speed dial. If you ever need me, don’t hesitate to call.” He reached inside his suit jacket and retrieved one of his white, utilitarian business cards. With a grin, he did the impulsive. Her shirt had a keyhole opening in the front that looked like it had enough space. As his fingers slipped the card into the keyhole and into her cleavage, she gasped and placed her hand over the keyhole. “Lucas.” Her voice sounded almost hoarse. He smiled again, unable to hide his amusement. Once again he caged her between his arms. “What?”

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“Don’t act innocent with me.” She retrieved the card and slipped it into the pocket of her shoulder bag. “God, you’re incorrigible.” “Thank you.” Fuck but she looked tasty. He wanted to eat her up. He leaned in closer and drank in her rose scent and the delicate line of her nose. Something burst loose inside him and he had to taste her now. This second. “I need just one taste,” he said softly. Before she could react, he clasped her face gently between his palms, leaned in and took her mouth.

Mina started, her heart pounding as he kissed her. He didn’t ease her into his kiss this time. It reflected everything he was—brash, bold and ready to catch on fire. Her hands landed on his forearms instinctively. While his kiss moved softly yet passionately over her mouth, his hands slipped down to trap her waist. Explosive sensations darted into her skin, tingling, aching for completion in his arms. He slipped his arms around her, and brought her up against his body. Hard and sturdy, his chest and arms cradled her with a snug but not bruising hold. One kiss turned into two as he came at her from another angle, his mouth twisting over hers. His breath became rapid, his searching hands slipping down until they cupped low, almost touching her ass. His tongue found hers, plunging deep with an aggressive thrust that caught her off guard. With any other man the dive right into the ocean would have pissed her off. With Lucas, well, she combusted right on the spot. As his tongue stroked, she moaned into his mouth. Yes. Yes. God yes. Before she knew it, his arms embraced her more tightly, and her arms went around his neck. Palming her back, he caressed her at the same time his kiss explored with a hunger that made no apologies. His tongue danced with hers, and her nipples tightened into sensitive nubs against his fortress-like chest. Allowing his searching kiss to venture deeper, she whimpered into his mouth. He 32

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pressed her tighter to him, and she felt the long, hard bar of his cock come to full attention against her belly. She shifted and her hips rubbed his cock. He drew back from her and gazed into her eyes. “Mina, this is crazy.” She quivered in his arms. “Crazy, but hot.” Humor danced in his incredible eyes. No longer steely and cool, he radiated staggering heat and hungry desire. His hips moved against hers, and she couldn’t help her irreverent comment. “Is that a woody in your pocket, Mr. Sloan?” His gaze pinpointed on her lips, and she felt that thrill all the way down her spine. He pressed a light, searching kiss to her mouth. Lucas took one of her hands and pressed it firmly over his massive erection. “Does that feel like a mere woody to you?” Before she could do more than measure his hard length with her curious fingers, he kissed her. He shivered under her touch and gasped into her mouth. His mouth worked hers, his tongue a relentless invader she didn’t want to escape. She broke the kiss. “Wait.” He buried his lips in her neck, nuzzling, tasting. Driving her nuts. “Mmm?” “Why are we doing this?” All her inhibitions returned. His lips continued a relentless exploration of the ultrasensitive skin on her neck. “Because we’re hot for each other.” She couldn’t argue with that. A wash of amazement and delight filled her heart. She didn’t want to be attracted this fiercely to him but she couldn’t resist, couldn’t deny any longer. Then he kissed her forehead, her nose, her chin with consuming, incredibly soft kisses so tender. “Come to my room tonight.” Raspy and filled with longing, his voice teased and demanded. God, she wanted to. But she shouldn’t. “No.” 33

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“Give me more of that lust you’re talking about. If all we have between us is lust, let’s do something about it.” His voice went huskier, his accent thicker. “I want to feel it. Dinnae hold back from me.” Right in this moment he could have asked her to make love with him, and one part of her didn’t know if she’d refuse. “I’m not playing this game,” she said, keeping an edge in her voice. “What?” His question edged into darkness. A harsh sound in the quiet room. “I’m not playing games with you, Lucas. I don’t play helpless little woman to any man. It’s never been my style, and I’m not changing now.” His lips twisted. “You’d rather risk getting dead than let me protect you?” “Yes.” Incredulousness filled his eyes. “Why?” She rolled her gaze to the ceiling for a moment. “What have I just been saying?” “Absolutely nothing that explains why you really hate my guts so much you’d put yourself in mortal danger.” “I don’t hate you.” Her throat tightened, her voice trembling with emotion she couldn’t define. “What I feel when I see you…when I’m with you…” “Yeah?” Dark and hard, his voice rasped along her nerves. “What do you feel, love?” She swallowed hard. “You’re maddening. You make me think about things I’ve been trying to avoid since my bastard ex-boyfriend cheated on me.” “Such as?” “You’re so damned intense. My blood boils because you make me angry. Then you smile at me or you do something else crazy and I’m turned on.” A flush heated her entire body, a flame of pure lust and mind-boggling attraction. She wanted him—denying it wouldn’t work any longer. His eyes burned with genuine concern, genuine male desire. 34

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“Just because we have an attraction doesn’t mean we should act on it,” she said in last defense. “Do you always just jump right into bed with a woman when you want her?” Damn, she wished she hadn’t asked, because she didn’t want to hear his answer. His lips hovered near hers as he said softly, “No. But I’ve wanted to kiss you like this…make love to you for months.” His words fired everything within her—hot wanting and amazing desire. She allowed her fingers to slip up over his shoulders, and her arms to twine about his neck. Mina drew in a breath, and the moment lengthened as she became aware of the relative silence around them and the solid comfort of his embrace. Her fingers played along the hair at the back of his neck. “We can’t do this here.” His hips nudged, reminding Mina his body still wanted her. She couldn’t ignore the hard bar of male flesh demanding her acceptance. He smiled, that insinuating, delicious grin that flickered over his lips and disappeared with lightning speed. Instead of releasing her, he drew her even closer to his stalwart chest. His lips trailed over her chin, slipped stealthily with warm, soft touches until he reached her earlobe. “Tell me you don’t feel anything. You kissed me back.” His hot breath on her ear, the slightly gravely tone in his voice, all sent excited shivers straight to the most private, liquid heat in her center. “I don’t feel anything.” She quivered as his tongue caressed her ear. “Not a thing.” “Push me away. Call me a sodding wanker. Anything to prove you don’t want this.” Her head fell back as Lucas drew his mouth with excruciating slowness across her jawline and down her neck once more. “Tell me, Mina. Tell me to let you go.” His knees bent, his hips dipped, and then his cock was wedged between her legs and rubbed against her clit.

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She gasped as hot excitement filled her body and a pulse warmed her lower stomach. Her fingers gripped his shoulders as she shivered and shook inside with an overwhelming arousal she’d never experienced before. Sweet, soul-deep, I-need-tofuck-him-now desire. She stopped wondering and let all her inhibitions start to melt. As his mouth lowered to hers, she tangled her fingers in his hair and enjoyed the silky, cool sensation. He moaned softly, and she savored the excitement of his tongue against hers. His fingers measured the narrowness of her ribcage until one hand closed gently over her left breast. Her breath rasped in her throat as a tingle tightened her nipple. He plucked at her flesh, and she gasped into his mouth as pleasure shot through her. Time and place blended and disappeared under his talented, intense touch. “You’re trying to make me crazy.” His breath puffed between his lips as he pushed her gently up against the wall with his hard, muscled body. “Trying to make me confess it.” “What?” She didn’t know what he wanted to hear from her. “I don’t know…” He licked a path down to her collarbone, and his hand shoved up under her skirt to cup her ass. As his hot palm slipped over her sensitive skin, she gasped. Flames of mind-melting, heady desire rocked her to the roots, to the core of every sexual desire she’d experienced before. Nothing compared to how he touched her, or the wildfire need building like a hurricane in her blood. “Please…” “Please what?” he asked, his breath feathering along the sensitive skin of Mina’s neck. “Please touch you? Please taste you?” He did exactly that. Without another moment’s hesitation, he slid down until he settled on his knees in front of her. He parted her thighs. Before she could ruminate on what he intended, his hot, big fingers slipped under the top part of her black string bikini and peeled it straight down over her thighs until it puddled at her high-heeled

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ankle-strap pumps. She felt wanton. A shocking thrill echoed inside her as she remembered their location. If they got caught… “Oh God. Stockings. I love stockings.” His voice held a rough, yet tender tone that tightened the knot of desire within her. He stroked her thighs and she shivered. “Open,” he said softly. “Let me…” She didn’t need more direction or urging. She parted her thighs, and the hot, warm glide of his touch over the naked skin of her upper thighs made Mina’s breath catch. His tongue dipped between her folds, across wet, sensitive skin, leaving her aching for completion. She wanted this. She had to have it. Without another word, he set to work. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, her palms flat against the cool wall as she savored immediate pleasure. His tongue was a skillful invader, licking, tasting, lapping her juices as she became wetter and wetter. Her hips twitched, her heartbeat quickening, breath increasing under the relentless sexual torture. Lucas slipped two big fingers inside her wet pussy, gliding softly and slowly. She gasped. “Lucas.” “Yeah?” Her pussy walls clenched, trembled around his fingers. “We shouldn’t…what if…” His tongue swept over her clit. “Someone knocks?” She groaned. “Yes.” “They can wait.” His fingers glided in and out, stroking, and his tongue set to work manipulating her clit. Over and over his tongue flickered, danced upon her flesh and the fire raged inside Mina. She fell into the pleasure, her mind wiped clean of bothersome details and worries. Only pleasure remained. Even the sounds they made were erotic—his murmurs of enjoyment as he lapped up her arousal. She was so wet, so hot to have him inside her she wanted to scream for him to take her here and now despite

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consequences. Out of her head with need, she only knew an animal requirement for fulfillment. While he finger-fucked her well-lubed channel, Lucas dined on her as if she were a fine meal. He sucked her clit then licked, the rapid movements increasing until the ecstatic burn rushed upward in a dramatic finish. She stifled her cry behind her palm, body shaking as blistering pleasure racked her. White-hot satisfaction warmed her skin as reality came back to roost. Panting, he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and cleaned up. The he drew her panties back over her thighs and settled them into place over her hips. He cupped her face and kissed her softly. She tasted herself on his breath, and it sealed the reality of what they’d done. “Fuck, that was beautiful,” he said in a husky whisper, his eyes burning into hers. “I’m so hard, I’ll need a minute to calm down.” “I can’t believe we…” “Yeah, we did.” A knock on the door broke their embrace and they sprang apart. For a few seconds they stood stock-still. Lucas smiled, his gaze fiery and filled with temptation. She knew he wanted to ignore the voice and continue, just the way she did. But no. They couldn’t. After one more penetrating look, he turned toward the door. He unlocked it while Mina frantically ran her fingers through her hair and made sure her clothes weren’t unbuttoned or otherwise gave away what she’d done. As soon as he unlocked the door and opened it, the disapproving voice stopped. Anna Karkorova, a somewhat stick-in-the-mud accountant from the SIA stepped through the doorway. “What’s going on in here? We’re starting a session in here in thirty minutes.” “Sorry, Anna,” he said. “Business meeting.”

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Anna’s gaze held curiosity and disapproval. “Is that what they call it these days?” With a wink, he said to Mina, “Remember what I said.” “How could I forget it?” Mina asked without thinking, her cheeks feeling flushed and her body still reeling from their embrace. He left her with Anna’s granite-hard expression and enough conflicted feelings to guarantee she’d have difficulty sleeping tonight.

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Chapter Four Mina knew she’d gone blinking mental, as Lucas would say, when she walked into the hotel bar and grill for dinner later that day. She’d agreed to meet Rich Culpepper, a prominent representative in one of the military contracts that assisted the SIA with some of the latest satellite hardware. Not because she had business with him, but because he liked her. A lot. Besides, she’d vowed to start dating once more—anything to stop her mind from traveling a dangerous path that included Lucas and his serious sex appeal. Visions of what happened between her and Lucas that morning ran through her head. She remembered his kiss with delicious clarity, the exciting press of his cock, his fingers brushing her nipple with shocking intimacy. His fingers and tongue bringing her to mind-exploding orgasm. God, if she didn’t stop repeating their embrace in her overly vivid imagination, she’d lose her mind. Taking a deep breath, she tried to live in the moment. She smoothed her fingers down the staid navy suit jacket and skirt. She figured tailored gabardine pinstripe blazer and skirt would have to do. Halfway through the day she’d spotted blonde bombshell administrator Eleanor Harpenger flirting with Lucas while they sat two rows in front of her during a presentation. And Lucas appeared as if he enjoyed every minute. When he’d patted the woman’s shoulder, Mina had spilled a mocha latte straight down her front. She’d headed back to her hotel room so she could change and not pay attention to the tête-à-tête. In retrospect, the mishap was a blessing in disguise. She turned her focus to the hotel restaurant—the place was about as nondescript as it could get. Chrome and glass modernized the décor and kept it from feeling cozy. It

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had a starkness that screamed impersonal to Mina. She didn’t care for the icy modern décor filled with stark whites. So much for warm luxury. Mina spotted Culpepper loitering near the front, and she conjured her brightest smile. When he saw her, he started forward with a confident stride. She wondered if his grin felt as plastic as hers. Sure, she wanted to see him—yet she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about her earlier encounter with too-hot-to-handle Lucas. Culpepper didn’t swagger, his confident, cultured handsomeness reminding her of James Bond sophistication. Shouldn’t be too hard to forget Lucas’ rough edges under Culpepper’s blinding good looks. Yeah. Right. Culpepper stood six-foot-two easily. Stylishly cut ebony hair gleamed and curled around his ears, and his blue eyes held an ocean’s depth of devilish secrets. Carved to perfection, his nose would make a Roman emperor proud, and the sheer beauty of his countenance made women sit up and take notice without effort. He looked about thirty, but she didn’t know his true age. Under that starched exterior she wondered what he might be like. So why didn’t the sight of such a fine male stir needs inside her? He reached for her hand with the professional politeness she expected. His wellmanicured fingers wrapped around hers. He shook firmly. “Mina, great to see you.” “Great to see you. You weren’t waiting long I hope?” He winked. “’Course not. I’m late myself. Was Sloan keeping you hostage again?” She blinked, surprised. “Again? What? No. Why do you say that?” “I saw him chasing after you in the hallway this morning and dragging you into a room.”

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Her mouth twisted in a frown, but she didn’t answer because the hostess led them to a table right away. Once they settled and they’d both ordered a merlot, he continued. “There’s something I have to know.” He sounded grave. Expectant. And that made her nervous. “Ooookay.” Over the flickering flame of a taper candle on their table, his lips went hard. “Do you need help with Sloan?” Her eyebrows went up. “Help?” “Is he bothering you?” “No.” Yes, but not the way you’re thinking. “We work together on our current project but sometimes we get on each other’s nerves. Nothing earth shattering.” “What I saw didn’t look innocent. He appeared adamant.” All righty then. He wouldn’t drop this anytime soon. “He had something to tell me, and he was over-enthusiastic. He loves his work.” Culpepper dwarfed the table—he leaned in and shoved his plate to the side to make room for his elbows. “But he’s interested in you?” She sighed and leaned back, easing into her upholstered chair. She folded her hands in her lap. “We’re colleagues.” “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you.” She rolled her gaze to the ceiling, then back to his intent expression. “Define like.” “He wants to uh…” To her surprise, his cheeks went pink. Interesting. “Oh, okay. And since when does like define lust?” she asked. Culpepper’s gaze slid over her with ill-hidden male appreciation. “Come on, Mina. He obviously knows a smart, funny, pretty woman when he sees her.” She laughed gently. “Thank you, but you’re presumptuous, aren’t you?”

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“Me?” “Don’t look surprised I asked, Culpepper. You’re being nosy.” “Do you mind?” “Yes, I mind. It’s none of your business what’s going on between Lucas and me.” “You said nothing was going on.” “Nothing is.” Anger started to rise inside her. “And if you want this date to continue, you won’t ask me about it anymore.” His beautiful eyes flashed. Before he could speak, the waiter brought their merlot and asked if they’d like to order. She decided on salmon. He selected prime rib. “What if I said I wanted to know about you and Sloan because I’ve wanted to date you for months?” Utter surprise held her still. Finally she found her tongue. “Honestly?” He shrugged. “Yes.” The shrug hacked her off, and she didn’t know why. Yes. Yes, she did. Uncertainty said Culpepper couldn’t commit. Instinct told her so, even if all logic said she had no proof. “If you wanted to date me for months, why didn’t you ask me out before?” He looked down at the table. “Sheer terror.” Mina laughed—she couldn’t help it. “That’s not something I’d expect in a million years.” “Why not? I’m a man with rejection issues like any other.” “Still, I’ve always seen you as extraordinarily confident.” He leaned forward, his gaze capturing hers and holding. “In many areas I am. Just not the dating scene.” “So what made you take the plunge?” “Desperation.”

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She laughed again. “Have I been insulted? You’re desperate for a date, or you were desperate to date me?” His mouth twisted into a bashful smile. “I’m sinking here, aren’t I? Any more snafus and you’ll dropkick my ass right out of this restaurant.” She crossed her arms and put on a mock frown. “Possibly.” “You’re damned hard to get to know, Mina. All icy. Remote. And a guy thinks he needs an ice pick to chip away at that surface.” Completely surprised, her frown turned genuine. She couldn’t speak. “Ah hell.” He picked up his wine glass. “I’ve pissed you off. I can tell.” She closed her eyes for a second and tried for control. She could wait a little longer—learn more about this sinfully handsome man before she condemned him. She fiddled with her salad fork. “No one has ever said that to me before. I’m…I’m…” “Mad?” “No. Sad if it’s true.” She continued, the words flowing, “Plus, you want to know if there is competition. That shocked me.” He swallowed a sip of wine then smiled archly. “Astute.” Did he have competition? Damn, why did the thought of Lucas keep pushing her buttons? “Lucas and I are coworkers. We aren’t dating.” A broad smile broke over his face. “Good.” Their meals came soon, and she enjoyed the ease with which conversation flowed. Smooth music filled the air as a man took to the piano at one side of the room. The salmon was surprisingly delicious—she wasn’t used to hotel restaurants coming up to par. Culpepper kept shoptalk down to a minimum, and that impressed her as well. “I wasn’t kidding about Sloan,” he said. Wary, she asked, “What do you mean?” 44

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“If he makes moves on you, let me know.” “I can take care of myself. He isn’t a bother.” Well, he was, but Culpepper didn’t need to know that. “I don’t need a man safeguarding me.” He shook his head and took a bite of roll. He chewed and swallowed before speaking. “You know men. We like to play knight on a white horse sometimes. Helps our ego.” She fiddled with her cauliflower. “I don’t pander to men’s egos either.” He tilted his head to the side a little and grinned. “You’re a tough one.” She sighed, a bit appalled at her rush to convict him. “I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but I’m a single woman without ties. I go where I want with whom I want. Brawny soldiers do not direct my life.” He tilted his head the other way. “All right. But if you’re involved with another man…that can be messy. I want to know if some jealous guy is going to try and punch my lights out.” She made an unladylike snort. Words slipped out that she knew weren’t one hundred percent honest, but they were the only ones that she could force past her lips. “I’m sure he isn’t that interested in me.” He nodded and didn’t speak about it again. Less than five minutes later, just as their conversation had turned obliging and without strained overtones, Lucas walked in with Eleanor. The hair prickled on the back of Mina’s neck. She couldn’t help but feel this way every time she saw Eleanor, even if the woman wasn’t hanging out with Lucas. That did it. She refused to give the man one more thought. When he placed his hand on Eleanor’s lower back to guide her as the waitress led them to a table, Mina swallowed hard and turned her gaze back to Culpepper. Her gut went sour, and she pushed her plate to the side, half finished. She took a healthy gulp of her wine.

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“You okay?” Culpepper asked, his wineglass halfway to his lips. “I’m full. Guess lunch was too much.” “Know what you mean.” He flashed a know-it-all smile. “I made the mistake of eating a cheeseburger.” “Oh, yeah. You look like you eat one maybe every decade.” She allowed her gaze to coast over his broad shoulders. “I doubt you have an ounce of fat on you.” He flexed one blazer-clad arm, a sardonic gleam in his eye. “I try to keep in shape.” Culpepper finished a bite of prime rib and moved to his garlic mashed potatoes with a refined, smooth movement. Hmm. Interesting how he not only looked elegant, he ate that way too. In contrast, Lucas dug into his food with a gusto apparently held by many a soldier, as if his meal might disappear at any moment and he’d never receive another bite. Culpepper placed his fork down on his plate and chewed thoughtfully and without rush. Conversation went toward their interests, his literary, hers pithy. She also, to her shame, missed half the conversation. She spent too much time noticing the flirtatious glances Eleanor threw Lucas and the grins he tossed the younger woman’s way. The piano turned romantic a few moments later, and soon couples moved to the central dance floor to sway and have slim excuse to explore each other. Come on, Mina. You’re becoming disgustingly cynical. Lighten up. Within a few seconds Eleanor and Lucas appeared on the floor. Mina’s attention riveted on them. Crap. Would you look at that? Eleanor shifted close to Lucas…or was it Lucas shifting his body closer to Eleanor? The dreamy, happy expression on Eleanor’s face sent Mina into a blue funk she didn’t want. No, she couldn’t do this. The man had a life of his own—Mina didn’t care if he decided to fuck the administrative assistant in the next hotel room tonight. She shook her head and glanced at her table partner. “And here I thought this hotel was too old fogie for this type of dancing.”

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“Are you a snob?” he asked. “Of course not. Just surprised.” “Uh-huh.” He flashed a grin. “No. Really.” “Uh-huh.” She threw an exaggerated smile at Culpepper. Seconds later the piano player left, and within a few moments the dancers had drifted away. Culpepper turned and saw where her gaze was pinned. Lucas and Eleanor had left the dance floor. Mina felt an insane desire to jump ship as well. Watching Lucas and Eleanor slow dance, no matter how innocently, didn’t sit well with Mina. After Culpepper paid the check—insisted on paying, actually—they left the table. Unfortunately, he swung by Lucas and Eleanor’s table. She didn’t want to follow but how could she refuse and not look rude as hell? Lucas looked up, not a hint of amazement to see Mina. “Hey, good to see you. Enjoying the conference?” “Immensely,” Mina said with a half-formed grin she could barely force past her lips. Eleanor gave an icy smile. Her brilliant blood-red lipstick making her full lips look like lethal blades. “Good evening. Fancy seeing you two here.” Her British accent formed cultured and crisp. She patted Lucas’ arm. “Darling, isn’t it nice to see them here?” Darling? Mina almost blurted the word like a curse. Instead she raked Lucas with a swift, hard glance. “Nice to see you too,” Mina said in clipped tones. Part of Mina wanted to make something of the hard-core feelings charging around inside her. Instead she kept a firm upper lip. No way. She wouldn’t feel this…this whatever it was burning a new hole inside her.

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From this angle Mina saw Eleanor place her hand on one of Lucas’ firm thighs. Heat filled Mina’s face, but she tried to pretend she could care less the calculating female had found intimate knowledge of Lucas’ leg. Maybe Eleanor had been fucking Lucas already. “I’m heading over to the bar. I may do a little drinking and dancing. See you both tomorrow.” She kept her voice cool, though for some reason she didn’t feel steady. Culpepper’s strong arm slipped around her shoulders. “Sounds like a good time, honey. Let’s go.” Mina stiffened under Culpepper’s grip. Though he didn’t hold her too tightly, she didn’t want his arm around her. Mina saw Lucas’ gaze turn sword sharp. He perused the other man’s possessive stance, and Lucas’ mouth solidified into a thin line. Jealousy? Nah, she doubted it. Lucas would never feel jealousy over her…or maybe he never felt that way about any woman period. She couldn’t leave fast enough. She pulled out from under Culpepper’s grip and headed away. Before Culpepper could do much more than sputter his goodnight, Mina slipped out the door. Culpepper caught up with her at the nearby entrance to Scooner’s, an intimate bar with better music than what came from the piano next door, and a party atmosphere that guaranteed occupants a fine time. Good. She needed a fine time. A way to forget what she’d seen this evening and the unwanted feelings generated. “Where’s the fire?” Culpepper asked as he intercepted her at the doorway. Inside the subtle throbbing beat of a saxophone filled the air. “I’d be insulted,” he said, “but I don’t think you were running away from me.” “You’re absolutely right.” She didn’t wait to elaborate, heading inside with purpose.

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Culpepper remained silent as they went inside, and she headed for a small, high table with barstool-type seats near the entrance. “This work for you?” he asked. “Splendid.” She heard the sickeningly sweet tone in her voice and almost winced. God, she sounded like an A-number-one bitch. Why was she channeling this venom? She needed to get a grip before she alienated her co-workers and the SIA sent her in for a psyche evaluation. She sank onto the barstool and he said through the slightly loud music, “I’ll get us drinks.” As he strolled away, her imagination superimposed Lucas’ straight, very athletic build on Culpepper’s retreating figure. While Culpepper’s walk certainly didn’t qualify as girly, it didn’t have the confidence of Lucas’…that something extra that drove Mina’s libido into insanity. She practically creamed her panties as she thought about what Lucas’ body felt like pressed to hers. As she took in her surroundings, she decided she liked this bar better than the restaurant. It lacked the stuffy quality of next door, and the palpable energy coming through the speakers made her blood pump to a new, almost excited beat. A short time later the music switched to an old favorite of hers. A sultry love song purred over the airwaves, silky and stirring her senses. Lights stayed low and intimate, encouraging liaisons. An illicit thrill ran through her. The dark wood interior lent itself to seclusion. She sighed, feeling a sense of relief now she didn’t have to watch Lucas schmoozing Eleanor. When Culpepper arrived with a glass of merlot for him and a whisky for her, she thanked him and took a generous swallow. “Hey, this place plays nothing but seventies and eighties songs,” he said and winked. “My kind of music.” 49

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He chuckled. “What? You don’t like seventies and eighties music?” she asked. “People tease me about it, but considering it’s back in style to listen to eighties music, I don’t know why they find it amusing.” “I’ll admit, I’m a nineties guy.” She nodded. “Right. You’re a little younger than me, I think.” “I’m thirty.” “I’m thirty-five. That explains it.” “You’re saying we have a generation gap?” “We might. Somewhat.” Impatience streaked across his face and removed the lightheartedness she’d become used to seeing. “Are you searching for ways to make us too different?” Oh, hell. Maybe she was. “Just pointing out differences. Dating couples spend time exploring each other’s likes and dislikes, don’t they?” His gaze narrowed the slightest bit. “True.” “Then I think we’re on the right path.” Just keep telling yourself that, Mina. They lingered over their drinks for a time, and the music changed to a sexy song that would have fit in any era. The saxophone made love to her ears. A hand landed on her shoulder. She gasped and jumped in surprise. “Can I have this dance?” “Lucas,” she said in surprise.

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Chapter Five Heat spread through Mina like a wave crashing into a beach. Lucas leaned down to speak in her ear. “You look like you need to unwind.” “I’m perfectly relaxed.” When she swung her attention back to Culpepper she saw he was talking with Eleanor. Culpepper said, “Eleanor wants to try dancing to this song.” And he was up and away. Wonderful. A mutinous partner. What did she expect? “Come on,” Lucas said as his strong hand enclosed her smaller fingers. “Before the song turns to a fast one.” Energy pulsated around them in a primitive, sexual flow. She loved the song, and decided to abandon her immediate indignation for fun. F.U.N. She’d had a friend once who said fun spelled fucked up now. If so, she wanted to experience that proverbial fuck. Good. Hard. Deep. Before reality slammed into her. Without further adieu, she allowed him to lead her away and onto the busy dance floor. Couples swayed, their sensual movements combined with the silky music tones. Sweet, hot sensations streaked through her belly at the anticipation of slipping into his arms. Nothing around her was as important as feeling him, responding to his strong yet gentle touch. As they found a small space on the crowded dance floor, she glided into his arms. He didn’t bring her into a casual

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embrace but an intimate, knowing one. He snuggled her against him, and her arms twined with familiarity around his neck. Oh yeah. This could become too addictive, too fast. She decided to stop fighting her attraction to Lucas for the moment, her mind wrapped in the seconds that seemed to last a lifetime. Lucas’ arms were hard, promising security, strength and delights she could only imagine. He smelled masculine and delicious. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply, as if he found her scent equally wonderful. She shivered in delight as his warm breath touched the sensitive lobe. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “You sailed out of the restaurant like you were trying to find a lifeboat on the Titanic.” “Good analogy.” She sighed, trying to pull sanity into her head and apathy into her heart. “Eleanor gets on my nerves. I spend as little time as possible around her.” “Right. You weren’t running from Eleanor as much as you were running from me.” Gotcha. How did she escape this one? “Wrong again, soldier. It might surprise you to discover my world does not revolve around who you date.” His hands trailed a slow, torturous path up her back, and she wanted to groan and sigh at the wonderful feeling. He pulled back to look at her but kept close enough she could hear him. “Hey, I thought maybe there was something else wrong too. You feeling all right?” The genuine concern in his voice and in his eyes touched her. “All I want is a good night’s sleep, and everything will look different in the morning. At least that’s what they say.” He didn’t seem convinced, but after a second, he danced her to the edge of the dance floor and into a dark alcove away from the tables.

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When his hands continued a subtle exploration over her back and lowered until he almost cupped her ass, she drew in a startled breath. Lightning zinged over her senses, her nipples tightening into aroused buds. Tingling, heated desire pooled in her deepest core, her pussy clenching. Sweeping sexual desire made her pussy clench, release, clench. Hot need swamped her. For a minute she considered whispering a suggestion in his ear. Temptation hovered. She’d ask if he wanted her to suck his cock, to feel her lips tugging and her tongue licking. She shivered as she closed her eyes and imagined how he’d taste. She didn’t think she could handle another minute of this out-of-control desire without grabbing Lucas and taking him back to her room for a fast fuck. That would be the only contact he’d want—a superheated body-to-body tackle designed to melt their minds and explode their flesh in otherworldly orgasm. His gaze captured and held Mina’s a few seconds before his mouth crashed down on hers. His tongue invaded, slipping inside to caress and tangle. The man was ruthless in his passion, his hands slipping down to cup her ass. Good thing it was dark in this alcove, or they’d fall into the “get a room” status. His cock pressed, fully erect, against her stomach. He drew back from the quick kiss. “I can’t stand this. I get near you and my cock won’t listen to reason.” She couldn’t hold back a smile. Quivering on the edge of throwing away all common sense, she drew back from his embrace. “I need to crash. It’s a long day tomorrow.” “I’ll walk you to your room.” She glanced around for Eleanor and saw her clenched tightly in Culpepper’s arms. Lithe body to lithe body, the couple moved as one, and they appeared to be having a damn good time doing it. So good a time, their lips were locked. Well, okay. She deserved that. She’d been too uptight. Too censuring. She’d wanted her date with Culpepper to fail. So why did she feel so damned messed up and useless? 53

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“Goodnight. I’ve had enough for tonight,” she said around the rising lump in her throat. He slipped his arm around her shoulders as they headed for the exit. “Not without me.” “I thought you were on a date with Eleanor.” “I thought you were on a date with Culpepper.” He had her there. She didn’t argue the point, allowing him to guide her into an elevator. By the time they reached her room, the tension coiling between them had reached megatons on the detonation scale. He stopped at her door, rather than his, and she threw a questioning glance at him. “You could have stayed and danced with other women. Why the escort service?” “You know why.” She stepped closer to him, at once hacked and curious and tired of playing extraordinary mind games. “I feel a dimness coming on. Enlighten me.” “You’re takin’ a piss.” He smiled. “What?” “Sorry. You’re kidding me, right?” Oh yeah. He had that intrigued gleam in his eyes that said if she let him, he’d come inside her room. He moved closer, and his heat unraveled her moment by moment. “You know why I came with you. But you’d rather pretend there’s nothing happening. What screwed you up so badly, love? What compels you to gnaw on a man until he shakes you off his leg in pure frustration? You think if you do that to me long enough, I’ll walk away?” Fear and something hollow sang through her. “I know you will.” He came nearer, so near only a few inches separated them. Lucas’ voice lowered to a deep rumble that sent tingles of awareness over her skin and stirred longings inside. Once more his voice was raw. God, she loved it when his accent thickened. 54

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“You’ve kissed me, and I can feel what’s between us. You dinnae push me away— you kissed me back. You’ve got the bloody aptitude to tear me a new one, but instead you kissed me like you dinnae want me to leave. Well, I’ll make you a deal, Mina. One that will satisfy both of us. You can think about it overnight and give me your answer during breakfast tomorrow.” Was the man nuts? What kind of deal could he imagine— “We both want to shag,” he said. “Scratch an itch. You do me and I’ll do you until we can’t stand upright. A no-strings good time, then we’re through. No regrets. No clinging. Just full on, headboard-rattling fucking. After that, we go our separate ways.” Man, the guy didn’t pull punches when he wanted something. Fear spiked through her at the same time as mind-melting lust. “Is that all you want? Sex?” She saw it, wild in his eyes. Evidence. Hot male need. And she grasped onto it as if she was drowning. “No. I want more than sex. I want you writhing beneath me, Mina, opening your body to mine. I want you to give in to what you really want. But you’re not ready to take that jump, are you?” Down deep she wanted to say yes, but she couldn’t force the word past her throat. It freakin’ scared her spitless even when she desired him with a lust that twisted her into knots. Disappointment entered his eyes, but he stifled it and became a wise guy once more. He winked. “I’ll be right next door. You need me, you know how to reach me.” He turned away and headed to his room. He didn’t look at her as he used his key card to open the door. Taking the hint, she entered her room, locked it, and immediately prepared for bed. Yet she felt mechanical, going through the motions. Hell, she couldn’t seem to think, her brain a fog. As she took a shower, Mina’s mind turned time and time again to Lucas’ words, to his promise that they could have a no-promises, no-entanglement sexual relationship. Like lightning, the thought burst through her mind and felt good. Convenient. She could sleep with him once, see that his sexual 55

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prowess didn’t rank up there with mythical proportions, and that he didn’t care about her any more than Patrick had. Curiosity about Lucas would find satisfaction once and for all if she slaked her desires. She could turn away, an indifferent co-worker. Her body still sizzled from the orgasm he’d given her, from the rawness he’d displayed. Face it, Mina. You aren’t hot for Culpepper, and you are hot for Sloan. Mind made up, she left the shower and hurried to dress in a fire engine-red, balconet bra and matching lacy bikini panties. She stood in front of the tiny hotel closet contemplating her clothing choices. What to do? She hadn’t brought anything extra sexy with her for outer garments. Mina settled on the one thing Lucas Sloan would never expect. Her simple black pumps and black trench coat. As she tightly belted her coat, her stomach trembled with nerves, and she sucked in a deep breath to find her equilibrium. God, she’d never felt this ridiculously nervous in her life. Then she smiled wickedly. She had one more thing to do before she could meet up with Lucas and give him—them—what they both wanted. She slung her small wallet purse over her shoulder and left the room. As she walked, the cool trench coat fabric whispered over her almost nakedness. A sweet shiver coasted along her skin and started goose bumps. When had she last experienced this wild thrill? Only with Lucas, damn it. Only with him. She smiled, well aware that her silly grin approached Cheshire cat status. She slipped into the ladies room to grab a few condoms. As soon as she stepped inside, though, she almost turned around and left. “Mina. Hallo, how are you?” Eleanor’s voice was crisp and cool as she stood by a sink washing her elegant long-fingered hands. Hands that had touched Lucas’ thigh. Jealousy swept through Mina. She swallowed it. Yeah, okay. Jealousy. That’s what it is. If she wanted nothing more than a sexual relationship with Lucas, she’d better jettison that inconvenient emotion fast.

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“What happened?” Eleanor asked before Mina could retreat. The Brit looked extraordinarily happy for some reason. “Why did you and Lucas run off so quickly?” Mina’s throat and brain locked up and she couldn’t think of a reasonable reply. Nothing that would cover her ass anyway. “I’d rather not discuss it.” Then, because she really, really wanted the condoms and—let’s face it she didn’t like Eleanor—she fished coins out of her purse and fed them into the condom machine. She bought six—fire engine-red and cherry flavored. Mina winked at Eleanor, who stood with her mouth hanging open. “Later.” Oh, this was just too good. She’d fly straight to hell for this one, and she knew she’d enjoy the trip. Eleanor had a rep for gossiping. No doubt someone would hear about her trip to condom land. Before she could lose her nerve, Mina started back down the corridor. Back on her floor, she headed for Lucas’ room. If she didn’t hurry, she might lose her bravery for good. Wait. The bottle of champagne she’d won in a SIA raffle today was in her room. Maybe she’d pour it over him and lick it off. She groaned. Oh yes. She inserted the key card in her door. As she pushed open the door it flew open, and she saw a flash of dark hair on a towering man’s frame. She started. Lucas? The man grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside, closing the door with a definitive slam. “There you are.” Under the dim light from the bedside lamp, she could see the man clearly. He wore a black tuxedo with blue cummerbund, as if he’d just arrived from an elegant affair. He cornered her next to the doorway, his arms down on either side of her. When Lucas pinned her like this, it didn’t frighten her, but now she had something to worry about. “Who the hell are you?” she growled out the question, anger making her voice shake. “A nightmare, darlin’. I think Sloan would call me a werejaguar.” “You.” She barely choked out the word. “You’re the—” 57

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“Angus McDevil. At least that’s the name I registered under.” “If you’re a Mc anything, I’m Miss Universe.” She snorted. “McDevil.” His yellow-green eyes flashed, his handsome, hard mouth slowly curling into a smile. His dark hair hung in a tousled mess around his head, his olive skin accentuated by dark stubble on his jaw. If he weren’t the enemy, he’d be gorgeous as hell. Damn her luck. The one man who had her right now happened to be a badass, evil shapeshifter. It wasn’t until then she had became scared spitless. “What’s you’re real name? You’re from Puerto Azul, aren’t you?” “That’s right.” He dropped the fake American accent and Latin liquid tones filled his beautiful baritone. “My true name is Alejandro San Juan. And you will help me bring Lucas Sloan to his knees.” Her mind raced for a way out of this dangerous situation. “Why would I want to help you?” “Because I say you will.” “I won’t help you to hurt him. I won’t.” He laughed, the sound sensual, purring along her nerves in languorous waves. She didn’t feel quite steady. “Oh, you’ll help me. Because you won’t resist.” His fingers trailed over her neck, and her entire body shuddered in unwelcome sexual response and dread. Shame speared her. How could she feel anything other than solid revulsion? The man—jaguar if you will—planned to do God knows what to Lucas. And she plain refused to assist this beast with his plans. “Give it up now, kitty-cat,” she said with as much contempt as possible. “I’m not helping you with a damned thing.” He brushed his fingers over her jawline and up to her temple. “You will watch your lover die.” “No.” The thought tore into her core with painful dread. “Please don’t.”

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All right, maybe she’d beg. She wished she’d listened to Lucas. She wished she’d taken him up on his offer of protection. Way over her head, Mina recognized one horrible fact. She couldn’t fight worth shit and didn’t know hand-to-hand combat or how to handle weapons. Leaving herself in such a vulnerable position ranked as one of the stupidest things she’d ever done. Good going. Never knew I’d be on the lunch menu for a cat. Distraction. That’s what she needed. She reached for her belt and stripped open her coat. Give the asshole an eyeful. “Is this what you want?” She forced herself to touch his face, to caress his jaw in a mimic of what he’d done to her. A purr left his throat, and those mysterious eyes turned golden, the fury only a wild creature would possess. Inside she fought severe doubts. Fear threatened to overwhelm until she thought of Lucas. This creature wanted to destroy Lucas and if she didn’t save herself, Lucas would feel hell-bent responsible and fight to the death. She knew it. And that couldn’t happen. “Damn you, woman.” The werejaguar almost growled the words, and she shivered in reaction. “Red underwear. You on the way to a party? With Lucas Sloan?” “None of your business.” She diverted the conversation. “If you hurt me, Lucas will hunt you down.” He laughed again. “Hurt you? Who said anything about that? How much do you know about werejaguars? We aren’t soulless bastards like weredemons who possess human body after human body to live forever. We aren’t immortal. We can be hurt. And Lucas Sloan deserves to die.” “Why?” Alejandro chuckled, and this time she saw how cold his eyes gleamed, how insensitive and greedy was his soul. “Because he fouled up my plans. The werejaguar chief’s woman would have been mine if Sloan hadn’t interfered.” 59

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She sniffed. “Right. That’s pretty ballsy to think she wanted anything to do with you.” His intense gaze sharpened, and she didn’t see desire brimming there—he wanted to make her pay. “I can take revenge so easily without mussing a hair on your head.” With that, he ducked down and took her mouth with his. She expected repulsiveness. A horrid kiss. She didn’t find it. Warmth spread over her in a heat wave. Oh, no. No. She’d heard this about werejaguars. They could control the sexuality of their prey. Torment them into wild sexual frenzy against their will and sometimes that person could expire from never reaching sexual peak. A rape by manipulation of the mind. Death by unfulfilled sex. His hands landed straight on her bra-clad breasts without so much as a by-your-leave. Oh hell no. She so did not go for that approach. She jerked back. “Bastard! Didn’t anyone ever tell you never, never to go for the breasts first thing?”

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Chapter Six Lucas bolted straight up in bed, fully awake. Not that he’d been asleep, lying in the dark aching to go to Mina and slake this gut-burning lust. Huh. Right. She’d have him fuckin’ arrested if he acted like the Neanderthal he felt like at this moment. More than that drove him to action. And damned if he’d climb in the shower and jack off to relieve this pressure on his dick. Damn her infuriatingly beautiful hide. If he closed his eyes, visions of her dancing for him, doing insanely erotic acts spilled into his thoughts. “Bastard! Didn’t anyone ever tell you never, never to go for the breasts first thing!” What the fuck? Mina’s angry voice shouting from the next room brought him clean out of his contemplation. Mina needed him. Everything inside him sprang to full-on, rigid attention. He flipped on the bedside lamp, grabbed his jeans, and shoved into them commando-style—no underwear. He jammed his feet into his athletic shoes then reached for his weapon on the bedside table. Caution slowed him down, but he stalked toward the connecting doors to their rooms. He didn’t give a shit if she watched a porno flick and had turned the volume up too loud. Maybe that’s where the shout had come from, but he wouldn’t take chances. He wouldn’t alert anyone he was coming through, either. He tried the door handle slowly. Locked. With a massive kick, he put all his power into the connecting door. With a crack, the frame split, the door flew open, and he charged into the room with his weapon up and ready. Several sights greeted him in a blink. Mina was plastered against a wall, a black trench coat open to reveal red underwear and nothing else. A dark-haired bloke 61

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hovered over her. Before Lucas could react, Mina gave a fierce cry and rammed her knee straight up into the man’s groin. Air whooshed out of the nutter’s lungs as he groaned and doubled over. She launched her knee straight upward again and cracked the guy in the chin. He fell like a stone. Instinct sent Lucas forward, ready to tap the guy to the head if he so much as twitched in her direction. Mina was trembling, her gaze pinpointed on the werejaguar out cold on the floor. “The fuckin’ twat. It’s Alejandro.” He kept the weapon poised on the werejaguar. “That was great work, Mina. You totally took him off guard.” He couldn’t help but smile. “And you did it all in red underwear. Get away from the asshole.” His direct order snapped her from the daze, and she stepped over the threat and hurried toward Lucas. Automatically, his arm slipped around her shoulders and squeezed tight. She pressed her face to his shoulder a moment then looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes. He hated to see her traumatized in any way—he’d be buggered if he’d ever see it again. “Took you long enough.” Her voice held a broken flutter he didn’t want to hear. Her hand brushed over his chest, and fierce possessiveness filled him. “Did he touch you?” he asked as he smoothed his hand over her shoulder. She snorted a laugh. “I’ll say. He was in the process of kissing me and feeling me up when you came in.” Suddenly she glanced down at her open coat. Her face went as red as her underwear, and she rapidly re-belted the coat. “I ought to kick in his teeth—” He started toward the werejaguar. She grabbed his arm. “No. Don’t we need to call someone about this?” He nodded. “You’re right. Get my I-Doc communicator. It’s on the dresser in my room. Call Ben Darrock and let him know.”

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When she walked away, Lucas took stock of her attire again. Why was she wearing a trench coat? Had she met Alejandro earlier and decided to have hot sex with him? The thought burned a hole in his gut. Whatever. He didn’t have time to wonder right this minute. First, he needed to get this asshole on the floor taken care of. Several minutes passed while she made a report to Ben Darrock. When she walked back into her room, she stalked past him to the closet and pulled out jeans and sweatshirt. “Can I use your room a minute to dress? I don’t want to walk by him to reach the bathroom.” “Be my guest.” When she returned a few seconds later wearing the jeans and sweatshirt, he said, “Doesn’t do any good you know.” Confusion marred her pretty face, her brows scrunched and her lush mouth tightened in a frown. “What?” “I’m still seeing that red bra and panties.” Her cheeks went pink again. “Don’t ask.” “I’m going to ask again later.” She stuffed her hands into her front pockets and stared at the werejaguar. She squared her shoulders. Silence hung around them while they waited for backup.

Two o’clock in the morning came and went, and Mina figured her mind should be on meltdown stage. Instead, watching Ben Darrock and Ellie Sterling-Darrock process the scene, deal with local authorities and the resort staff, was poetry in motion. She’d answered numerous questions, but now, the incident finished, she wanted her room back and to fall into bed. The seduction she’d planned was blown all to hell. Nothing for it now but to forget she’d even considered sleeping with the big Scot standing in the corner watching the proceedings. Embarrassment filled her every time she thought about what he must think.

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She really shouldn’t give a rat’s ass. “We’d find you a new room, Miss, but the hotel is booked solid,” the hotel manager said, her lined face even more creased with worry. She probably imagined a lawsuit coming. “I’m fine here,” Mina said, giving the tall, thin woman a nod of reassurance. Ben and Ellie followed as the group of two agents from SIA took the shackled Alejandro from the room so he could be transported back to the SIA holding cells. Ellie smiled and winked at Mina, and Mina gave a weak smile back. Ben and Ellie had already complimented her on her takedown of a werejaguar. She’d brushed off the praise, understanding that pure dumb luck had made the werejaguar underestimate her. When she’d seen the bristling Scot in the corner come bursting in the room, she’d never felt more relief in her life. After the door closed on the mayhem, she sighed. “That’s that.” “Is it?” Lucas unfolded his arms and strode toward her, not giving away anything. As he usually did, he stopped with only a few inches remaining between them. “Why were you wearing the trench coat and underwear? I have to know.” Something pushed her to taunt him. “Why do you want to know?” The single question appeared to push him to the edge. He cupped her face between his big warm hands. “Because I’m fuckin’ jealous, that’s why. Who were you going to see when Alejandro interrupted you?” “Does it matter now? I’m embarrassed—” “Embarrassed because you’re a warm, sexy woman who needs a good shagging?” She clasped his wrists. “No…because you saw the red underwear in the wrong context, because…I wanted it to be a surprise for you and now that’s ruined.” His drew in a sharp breath. “Bloody hell.” He stepped back and started to pace the room, his hands on his hips. “I’ve been a total wanker, Mina.”

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Surprised, she couldn’t say a word at first. She finally discovered her voice. “Oh? You’re just now getting that?” He laughed. A good, hardy laugh that ended with an almost bashful look on his features. “Yeah. Just now. I realized a few more things too. When I charged in here, I was scared shitless. I thought that bastard had hurt you, and it scared me so badly my weapon was shaking. That is not a good thing, Mina. If Ben and Ellie knew how shook up I was, they’d take me in the next room and seriously question my coolness under pressure. The thought of you in danger has always bothered me.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “But this time I just…” He stopped talking, his face almost crestfallen as she stared at him. Finally he managed his next words. “I can’t believe how I’ve treated you. Yeah, I want you so much I can’t see straight. But it’s more than that. I want to spend time with you. Get to know you.” He closed his eyes. “All I can do is hope that you’ll forgive me.” A sense of wonder came over her. Slowly she walked toward him, her determination to have him renewed. His confession made her desire him even more. She smiled. Well, she could make him suffer a tiny bit longer. She reached him and cupped his face. “You think that is going to make me want sex with you?” His mouth popped open. “Well, no. I—” “Finish what you were going to say, Sloan. What did you feel when you thought the werejaguar was harming me?” His face relaxed, and he slipped his arms around her. Lucas nestled her against his body, and all the hardness left his face. Sincerity and genuine concern filled his gaze. “I was frightened. If anything happened to you I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’d lose my mind. It made me realize immediately that what I feel for you is more than lust.” She couldn’t help her wicked, satisfied grin. “I feel the same way about you. And there’s nothing to really apologize for. I’ve been a total brat. I was too scared to tell you

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how I’ve been feeling. And I did think that if I confessed to you that I was more than attracted to you that you’d hurt me. Now I know you wouldn’t.” Heat blazed in his eyes. “Thank God.” Without a warning, he took her mouth with a deep, tongue-stroking kiss, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. Slowly, with a sensual thoroughness that took her breath, he released her from the kiss. His possessiveness set off a chain reaction inside Mina. Sweet, hot lust and a melting sensation she knew singled one thing. Around all the physical attraction, more grew between them. “Make me a promise, Mina.” “What is it?” “Next time I tell you that you’re in danger—God, I hope there isn’t a next time—but if I ever say it again, will you listen?” She winked. “Well, I’ll think about it.” He kissed her. “Brat.” “Now that’s something I don’t think I’ll ever change. Can you live with it? I mean, a little bit of a brat sometimes?” “Sure. As long as you can put up with a hard ass sometimes.” His palms ran over her shoulders, down her back, the soft flow of caress after caress seducing her. His gentleness overwhelmed her inhibitions. She never imagined Lucas like this, so tender, so genuine and caring. Yet his raw passion stimulated her to move, to want him with a desperation she couldn’t deny. “I want you,” he said, “but you know that already. What do you want? What do you feel?” This was it. “You’ve been driving me crazy for months, Lucas Sloan. Whenever I’m around you, I feel all fluttery inside. Girly. And it drives me crazy. Because I’m scared shitless.”

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He smiled but it wasn’t a cocky, arrogant smile. It was almost sweet, and deeply warm. “Love, I like the sound of that. Girly and fluttery, eh?” “Yes. And don’t dare make fun of me.” His eyes smoldered as he tangled his fingers into her hair and tilted her face up to his. His lips hovered close over hers. “I’m serious. I like it because every time I see you, I get a hard-on I can’t control. I want to fuck you, but I want more than that. I want a long-term, things-could-get-serious relationship. Hell, things are serious.” He covered her mouth with his for a sweet kiss. “You mean so damned much to me.” He’d said the right words. More than the right words. She plunged into the next kiss wholeheartedly. Kiss after kiss drew her deeper into passion. Again and again, he plundered her mouth, tasting her in ways she’d never been tasted before. The gentle way he cupped her face made her crave more kisses, more touches, more of everything they could have together. When she pulled away, she said, “Don’t go away.” She went into his bathroom and returned with a huge smile. The violent red underwear and trench coat graced her body. “You want it, you have to come get it. You have to seduce me, Lucas.” “Damn, you’re beautiful.” His fists clutched at his sides, and with the muscles bunching under his t-shirt and the outline of his hard cock against his jeans, she understood how much he wanted her, and how far he’d go to have her. He stalked toward her, his fluid grace taking the floor in a few strides. He reached for the belt on her coat and undid it. With a snap, he ripped it out of the coat loops. She gasped, startled but excited. He gripped the lapels on the coat, and for a moment she wondered if he’d tear the coat right off her body. A wild quiver ran through her limbs at the thought. Instead, he pulled her toward him, enveloping her in a tongue-tangling kiss. His lips kissed a tender path down her neck, while his hands worked on the coat buttons. Before long the coat gaped open. His lips skated over the high mounds of her breasts, the bra cradling them, lifting her breasts for his touch. He 67

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nibbled delicately, and the feathery sensations started a wild fluttering in her stomach and down to the aching emptiness between her legs. She wanted him inside, stroking out his need until he extinguished the fire inside her. He made short work of her bra, undoing the hooks in the back. He moved back to slide the coat and bra down her arms, and they tumbled on the floor at her feet. His gaze smoothed down over her skin like a touch, browsing over her breasts. Her nipples were taut with arousal, and her breath coming faster as his admiring attention never wavered. “You’re beautiful.” As if he couldn’t stop himself, Lucas reached out and cupped her breasts, his big hands holding her as if she were a rare jewel. She kept her gaze pinned to his face and watched his anticipation grow. He clasped her nipples between thumb and forefinger and pinched lightly. She gasped, and the tight pleasure shot straight to her pussy and increased the already unbearable ache. He allowed his hands to drift down and cup her hands and bring them to his chest. She reached down and grasped the edge of his t-shirt. She drew it up and over his head. Mina tossed it aside. When she pressed her palms to his pectorals and threaded her fingers through the hair on his chest, he moaned softly. She teased his nipples, enjoyed the way they beaded beneath her fingers and the way he gasped under her touch. God, he is so gorgeous. Warmth spilled over her as she drew him closer. Lucas made short work of his jeans, disengaging himself from her hold long enough to undo the fly. When Mina saw he didn’t have on underwear, a flare of sexual awareness heightened to an unbearable pitch. He didn’t stop there. He discarded his athletic shoes and jeans. She took in his body just as he did hers, noticing each sinew, every bulging muscle and the washboard strength of his stomach. His thighs were long columns of steel, his legs the type that belonged in a kilt. Heavens above, his entire body screamed warrior, from the broad cut of his shoulders, to the stalwart build of his chest. His cock, long and wide, sprang from a thick bush of hair much darker than the hair on his head. He grinned when he caught her gaze bouncing from place to place as she analyzed him.

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“Do I pass inspection?” he asked. “Do you ever.” She managed to mutter the words, but just barely. Her pulse quickened as she decided on her next move. She wasn’t that bold…not that experienced in the wilder ways of sex. He didn’t seem to care—the fact he didn’t rush this surprised her. With only the slightest hesitation, she grasped his cock and went down on her knees. As her lips surrounded his length, he groaned softly. His fingers plunged into her hair. “Ah God. That’s good. That’s it.” His head fell back as he closed his eyes, and she returned her full attention to letting herself go and finding a rhythm that belonged only to them. “Lick it. Yeah.” His voice deepened, his accent thickened. “Lick it again.” She teased with tiny brushes of her lips, long strokes of her tongue, strong sucks with her entire mouth. She learned his musky scent and his salty taste. A pulse of pre-cum entered her mouth, and he groaned. “No more. You’re gonna make me come.” He pulled her to her feet, and then swung her up into his arms. She squealed in surprise then laughed. “What are you doing?” He lowered her to his bed then knelt by it to help her remove her sandals. “These look like fuck-me sandals, did you know that?” “The high heel made me think you’d probably like them.” “Red. Sexy. High-heels. What is there not to like, love?” He shoved her shoes away. Then hooking his fingers under the tiny bikini waistband, he slid it down and off and threw it over his shoulder. When he smiled, she returned the grin, knowing deep in her heart this man would take her to heaven and beyond.

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He crawled between her legs and brushed his fingers lightly through her warm, wet folds. She gasped at the sudden touch. “Mmm, wet,” he murmured in satisfaction. His voice roughened, his accent thickening. “So soft.” He slipped his fingers within, first one, then two, caressing her ultrasensitive passage. She wiggled, her hips writhing as she enjoyed the slick, sweet thrust. He covered one nipple and sucked hard, and the quick, bold caress sent new tremors through her pussy. She ached so high up inside, she knew his fingers wouldn’t be good enough. She needed his cock, and she needed it now. “Please, Lucas.” “Please?” “Please do it now.” “Mmm.” He licked her nipples, going between first one and then the other as he tongued them into sharp, aroused points. “I don’t think so. Come for me.” She struggled, her desires pounded hot and tight within her core. She wanted and needed to extinguish the fire between her legs so much she couldn’t take anymore. “Hurry. Get the condoms out of my coat pocket.” His eyebrows went up but he did as she asked. He tossed the red foil packets on the bed. “Hmm,” he said. “Interesting.” “Put one on,” she said. Her demand galvanized Lucas into action. Within seconds he’d suited up, and not even the transparent red color could deter her from her goal. “Love, I’ve been waiting for you a long time,” he said, hovering over her, his arm muscles bulging. “I wanted to take this slow.” “Do it hard and fast. We can take our time later.” With a deep chuckle that sent fine tendrils of heat into her pussy, he lowered his hips between her thighs and fitted his cock tip to her folds. She closed her eyes and 70

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allowed sensations to slip over her. He was so hard, so blunt, a male intruder she welcomed. He braced on his forearms above her, tilted his hips, and pierced her slowly. She arched to his penetration, gasping. “Please,” she whispered. His smile, cocky and oh-so familiar, drew her higher into arousal. She squirmed, wanting to be impaled and taken. Primitive, raging needs roared to the surface of her desire. He kissed her. As he dipped an inch inside her, she moaned into his mouth. Each tantalizing silky stroke fired her need. His languid pace undid her defenses. As if she had any left under the seduction he promised. She drowned under his touch, each tentative thrust unlike any lovemaking she expected from his bold nature. He teased her bit by bit, moment by moment. Dizzying pleasure consumed her. Finally, he thrust deep. She tensed and cried out, and he stopped. His gaze held serious concern. “Did I hurt you?” “God, no. It just feels so good. So…please don’t stop.” He grinned, and started the dance.

Lucas sighed with relief and staggering pleasure. At last he was inside her, and it was the best damned feeling he’d ever had. Taking this slow, teasing her until he thought he’d lose control, tightened his cock until he thought he’d burst with the next stroke. No. He’d hold on, give her more fuckin’ pleasure than she’d ever experienced. Fuck, just looking at her pussy swallowing his cock, taking him in as he made shallow thrusts, about blew his head off. She was wet, tight and so hot he didn’t think he could take much more. Still, he moved slowly, stroked with the full length of his cock. He pressed deep until he touched her cervix then drew back to his cock tip. She rocked, each movement sinuous, sensual beyond his most blatant fantasy. She was fire and ice in his blood.

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Mina thrashed and sobbed against him as his thick manhood speared and retreated with a slow pace. She couldn’t take this anymore. She clasped his naked buttocks and squeezed, arching her hips with his thrusts, demanding as she bucked. A growl left her throat. “Fuck me, damn it.” He laughed softly, the husky sound only adding to her torture. “Yeah, how bad do you want it?” “More. God, just do it.” She was desperate now, her senses super heightened. The contrast of his hard body against her softness, the hair along his thighs brushing her inner thighs, the hair on his chest brushing her nipples, the steel hardness of his cock caressing the walls of her pussy, sending her into a frenzy. With a growl he released control, plunging into her fiercely. He fucked her with abandon, as if it might be the last time he’d ever feel her nakedness surrounding him. Suddenly she clutched him violently, her pussy spasming around his pistoning cock. She cried out in stunned pleasure, shattering beyond control. He erupted and spilled into her with loud groans, shafting her again and again until he collapsed. Lucas gathered Mina into his arms. She reveled in his strength as he held her and loved how it felt to be enveloped in his arms. Silence lengthened, and she almost thought he’d fallen asleep. Lucas’ fingers slipped through her hair, caressing as his hand slid down until he cupped her breast. When he pulled gently on the nipple, she gasped. “God, that feels…” “Yes?” “That was…the whole thing was so incredible. I can’t tell you how I feel right now.” “Then don’t tell me how you feel. Just enjoy.” His fingers continued to caress, to spread over her narrow ribcage and tease her hipbone. She did as he suggested and refused to analyze the moment. “Giving in to pleasure has never been easy for me.”

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“I guessed that,” Lucas said as he leaned over her and took one nipple into his mouth. She pressed his head nearer. “Oh God. God, that feels good.” He didn’t answer, just continued to plunder her nipples, sucking and tasting with long sweeps of his tongue. Soon his fingers found the wetness between her thighs. He touched her clit, and she moaned. He brushed her clit until it tingled in renewed arousal. Her nipples went hard, and her touch traveled over his body wherever she could touch. The breadth of his muscled shoulders, the contrast of soft but masculine skin stretched over warm, wellconditioned sinew. Suddenly he smacked her butt, and she squeaked. “Hey!” He slipped away from her and gestured toward the bathroom. “Come on. Let’s take a shower.” She yawned. “Mmm. Sounds great.” He grabbed two condoms off the bed stand as he walked toward the bathroom. Hmm. She liked his optimism. She loved the shower—a big rusty clay marble square with double showerheads. Decadent and steamy. That’s how she hoped this shower would turn out. A few moments later, after the water steamed, they stepped into the shower together and enjoyed the spray. She didn’t expect to feel so relaxed after a turbulent time in his arms. She turned around and around, loving the gentle waterfall trickling over her shoulders and back. He started to sing some silly song, totally off key, that made no sense. She laughed and turned into his arms as a cheeky grin spread over his lips. He took the bar of soap and rubbed it between his palms and worked up a thick lather. Watching his hands work with the creamy lather sent Mina’s anticipation meter straight into the sky. He turned her in his arms so that she faced away from him.

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As his big hands slid across her back, Mina closed her eyes and enjoyed. The water cascaded across his shoulders, spilling over hers. As the shower heated, so did her body. His hands glided over her shoulders, down her arms. She knew nothing but sensation piled upon sensation. Few moments in her life had ever been this good, and few things brought joy to her soul. She ached, she burned, she couldn’t think as he located her breasts. Mina wanted everything he could give her and accepted it with fiery need. Silky touches feathered over her nipple and her clit. She writhed, ready to come unglued with one more teasing flicker. Heat stung her senses as he touched between her buttocks. She gasped. When she didn’t balk at his intimate approach, and when one finger breached her intimately and sank deep, the pleasure surprised her. His finger fucked her tight hole slowly, sensuously. He whispered in her ear, his accent thick and sexy. “Is this all right?” “Feels good,” she gasped out the words. Through long moments, he worked her body, her clit and asshole treated to stimulation so exciting she moaned and gasped continuously. He reached over to turn off the water. Within seconds he sheathed his condom and then she felt his cock nudging her anus. He worked her slowly, easing a tiny increment into her tight entrance. Dazed with anticipation, she waited as he initiated her into this sex act she’d never considered doing with any other man. As he thrust a short distance into her ass, she gasped. Back and forth he teased, his hands ceaseless on her clit, her nipples. Soon he pushed again, more relentless but so tender and considerate and—oh yeah. He was deep in her ass. With a steady rhythm his hips pumped, sawing his thick cock in and out. Her belly contracted, her pussy tightening and releasing as the unaccustomed sensation of his cock tunneling into her ass battled with the pleasure streaking through her. God. Oh yes. She knew Lucas’ lovemaking. Finally. With a sense of heart-rending vulnerability, with a wild abandon she couldn’t restrain, Mina groaned loudly. Hard. 74

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With no regret. She pushed back against his steady movements as he slipped in and out of her with quickening thrusts. It was coming. Coming in a steady rush so beautiful and filled with bliss she— Came. Hard. Fast. He growled and thrust one last time. As he shuddered against her, his cock still deep within, she sighed.

***** Mina woke up the next morning and rolled over onto her right side. The bed felt cold. She listened and discovered it was too quiet. She rolled over onto her back and that’s when she noticed Lucas’ absence. “Lucas?” Not a word or sound other than the obnoxious squeaking of a maid’s cleaning cart as it rolled past down the corridor. She glanced over at the bedside clock and sat up with a curse. “Damn it.” It was ten a.m. Great. She had a flight out this morning and didn’t have her act together yet. She should have woken hours ago. Lucas must have turned off the alarm clock. Lucas’ suitcase was still in the room. She hunted around for a note, but he hadn’t left one. Curious about why he hadn’t awakened her, she headed into the shower. As water cascaded over her head and face, she closed her eyes and relived the hot sex she’d experienced with him. Fire streaked straight down over her breasts and into her stomach. Their lovemaking had taken her outside anything she’d experienced before. Patrick certainly hadn’t drawn such feelings or needs from her. She felt way too vulnerable. Aching with half-formed fears and doubts. 75

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Yes, she believed that he cared about her a lot…but hell. There was the rub. She wanted more. “Wonderful,” she said. She understood in that moment that her feelings for him had deepened. If she wasn’t already in love with him, she was at least halfway. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him with declarations of undying love. After she finished her shower, dried her hair and headed toward her suitcase to grab underwear and clothes, the door sprung open. She started and gasped. In walked Lucas carrying some sort of food bag and a holder with two large coffees. A shit-eating grin crossed his face when he saw her naked. He put the food down on the small table by the couch. This morning he wore a white t-shirt and jeans. He whistled. “Fuck me. Look at that.” She decided not to cover up. Not like he hadn’t seen it all before. She put her hands on her hips. “Look at what?” He winked, and before she could shriek in protest, he gathered her up in his arms, swung her around, and kissed her. His mouth devoured hers, his tongue ravenous as he tasted her. When he set her on her feet, he cupped her butt cheeks and squeezed. He sighed in apparent pleasure as he released her mouth. He kept her nestled securely in his arms. “Damn, but you taste good. I brought breakfast.” “I see that. Why didn’t you wake me?” “I tried. I’m ashamed to say that kissing your breasts and even your pussy didn’t wake you up.” Her eyebrows shot up. “No. You didn’t.” “I did. But now that you’re naked and—” “Let’s eat breakfast and then talk.” He winced. “Ah, bollocks. I’m in trouble now.”

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“You think?” “I know.” He sauntered over to the table and started unpacking their breakfast. She headed for her suitcase. “Are you putting clothes on?” he asked. She frowned. “Of course. Why?” He gave her a cockeyed grin. “I was hoping you’d stay naked.” She snorted a laugh. “No,” he said. “Really. Stay naked.” With a silly grin she sat on the couch and started eating. He sat next to her and did the same. Once in a while, she caught his heated gaze devouring her. A slow inferno burned within her body as she enjoyed his admiration. It felt damned good to have a man this appreciative of her. She’d never felt sexier. More ready to take on whatever this man wanted to dish out. And by the hot and hungry look in his eyes, it would be substantial. They stayed silent during the meal, eating quickly. She wanted to ask him what he planned for the rest of the day, when he had to leave the hotel. She needed to keep honest with Lucas. After last night’s revealing statements, she couldn’t fall back into an old habit of keeping clammed up. When he finished his breakfast burrito in what seemed like a few manly gulps, she realized she couldn’t eat another bite. She needed to know something now. “Where do we go from here, Lucas?” He wiped his hands on a napkin and turned to her. His arms slipped around Mina and drew her tight to his body. “Where ever we want.” He brushed back her hair, allowed the strands to trickle through his finger. “There’s nothing I want more right now than to be with you.” His voice went husky with desire, his eyes intent. “Spend the weekend with me. We’ll fuck like bunnies and talk and fuck some more.”

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She laughed. “Okay, it’s a deal. But there’s one thing I have to tell you. If it scares you too much…” She swallowed hard. “If it scares you and I’m coming on too strong, let me know.” “Deal.” “I’m falling for you. And I mean falling hard. Last night was…” His grin was wide and infectious. “Fuckin’ terrific?” “Yes.” His fingers traced her spine, his touch so erotic and gentle, she shivered with delight. His lips were against her ear when he whispered, “I can’t deny it any longer. I’m falling for you too. What do you say we take this discussion to the bed?” She smiled. “Sounds like an excellent plan, Sloan.” “So are you going to call me Sloan every time I’m in trouble?” “Oh, you’re definitely in trouble now. Hurry up and fuck me again, Sloan.” He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.” She reached for his belt buckle and before she knew it, Mina had opened his pants and exposed his erection. She ached to have him inside her, and the smoldering need in his eyes said it all. He kissed her as she settled her pussy over the base of his shaft and rubbed against him in anticipation. “I need you now,” she said. “Condom,” he gasped. She ran into the bathroom and returned with protection. It didn’t take him long to sheathe his cock, then lift her by the waist and settle her slowly, smoothly down his hot staff. She moaned in delight as his hardness pierced deep, parting her folds, nudging up against her cervix. She wriggled, stretched tight around him and aching with a pounding desire to come. She threw her head back. He drew her tighter to him and lifted his hips. She gasped. 78

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“Ride me,” he said, his hips starting the motion. At his command she rode him hard, furiously excited and ready to come with just a few thrusts. She hovered near insanity as each pounding thrust drove her higher. She fell into sensation as his hardness parted her folds, rammed upward again and again. The burn built steadily, rising higher and higher until she could no longer contain the panting moans that left her throat. She locked eyes with him, and the animal desire there grew into a fire so extraordinary she couldn’t contain it. He growled, his body rippling with heat, his muscles powering his cock deep into her with ever increasing strokes. “Come for me.” With one more hammering thrust, he lit her fuse. She came with a quivering moan of pure bliss. His shout of completion filled the air as he shivered against her. As she snuggled into his arms, breathing hard and loath to move, he said, “Stay with me.” “As long as you want,” she said, smoothing her hands over his hair and smiling into his eyes. “How about for the next fifty years?” he asked. As her heart grew with a newfound happiness, she whispered. “Sounds wonderful, Sloan.” And he kissed her to seal the deal. The End

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About the Author Suspenseful, erotic, edgy, thrilling, romantic, adventurous. All these words are used to describe award-winning, best-selling novelist Denise A. Agnew’s novels. Romantic Times Magazine called her romantic suspense novels Dangerous Intentions and Treacherous Wishes “top-notch romantic suspense.” With paranormal, time travel, romantic comedy, contemporary, historical, erotica, and romantic suspense novels under her belt, she proves her gift for writing about a diverse range of subjects. (Writing tales that scare the reader is her ultimate thrill.) Denise’s inspiration for her novels comes from innumerable sources, but the fact she has lived in Colorado, Hawaii, and the United Kingdom has given her a lifetime of ideas. Her experiences with archaeology have crept into her work, as well as numerous travels throughout England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Denise currently lives in Arizona with her real life hero, her husband.

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

Tell Us What You Think We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].

Also by Denise A. Agnew By Honor Bound anthology Dangerous Intentions The Dare Deep is the Night: Dark Fire Deep is the Night: Haunted Souls Deep is the Night: Night Watch Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis II anthology Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales From the Temple IV anthology Jungle Fever Men To Die For anthology Special Investigations Agency: Clandestine Special Investigations Agency: Hideaway Special Investigations Agency: Impetuous Special Investigations Agency: Over the Line Special Investigations Agency: Primordial Special Investigations Agency: Shadows and Ruins Special Investigations Agency: Sins and Secrets Special Investigations Agency: Special Agent Santa Treacherous Wishes Winter Warriors anthology

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

www.ellorascave.com