STORY EXCERPT

“Okay, Malcolm,” she said to her car. “I have to get there. I can’t walk in these shoes, and no one’s using this road. That leaves me with one option. I’ll just have to fix your wonky engine.” She spoke with considerably more confidence than she felt in her ability to deliver. “How hard can it be?”

The clouds of billowing steam had settled into an occasional rebellious kiss. Cautiously, she opened the hood, stepping aside so she didn’t get sprayed with anything questionable. She peered down at the engine and sighed. No obvious clues as to the cause of the problem presented themselves. She might just as well be glancing at a book written in Swahili.

“All that steam must be something to do with water,” she muttered, pleased with her reasoning. “Cars have radiators. There must be a leak. If I can find the damned radiator—”

She cautiously touched a hose leading to what had to be the radiator. It was still red-hot. She burned her finger and jumped back, swearing as she sucked it into her mouth to cool it down. Water spurted from the hose she’d just touched, drenching the front of her white interview blouse.

“Shit!” She pulled the fabric away from her body before the water scalded her. “Damn it to hell and back!” She stamped her foot, so angry that she even forgot about the welfare of her shoes. “Of all the days to do this to me. Malcolm, if you know what’s good for—”

“Need any help?”

Justine almost leapt out of her skin but made do with straightening up and bashing her head on the car’s open hood.

“Ouch, shit!”

She rubbed her scalp and glanced at the man who’d caused her to almost knock herself out. Then she glanced for a second time. Even with a dented head, aching feet, and dirty water splattered all over her, she still recognized a hunk when she saw one. How come she hadn’t heard him? She’d been looking out for approaching cars, but the moment she got distracted, one obviously came along. A shiny BMW sat just behind Malcolm, engine running smoothly and quietly, as though to highlight Malcolm’s shortcomings.

“Sorry,” the man said. “Didn’t mean to creep up on you and scare you.”

“It’s okay.”

He could scare her any time he liked. She might have sworn off men whilst she nursed a broken heart, but there was nothing to say she couldn’t window-shop. Over six foot of hard muscle, wearing jeans that looked as though they’d been sculpted on, and an open-necked denim shirt, this guy had a smile that was as sexy as get-go. Sparkling blue eyes assessed her from beneath a thick fringe of brown hair, as though he found what he saw amusing. She could only imagine what she must look like, so she couldn’t really take exception.

“Know what the problem is?”

She wanted to say that the damned engine had conked out, but curbed her tongue. She needed his help, and sarcasm probably wouldn’t cut it.

“Lots of steam,” she said vaguely, putting on the helpless female bit. Whatever it took. Besides, she was helpless. “I thought the radiator.”

“Let’s have a look.”

His head disappeared beneath the hood, and Justine got treated to an up-close view of a very neat butt. Suddenly, her day had just gotten a whole lot better.

“Yep,” he said, reemerging and catching her eyeing his ass. She was furious when she felt colour flood her cheeks. “It’s the radiator hose. Got any duct tape?”

“Er…no, sorry.”

“Not to worry.” He strode toward the Beemer. “Don’t go anywhere,” he said, flashing a grin over his shoulder.

Like she could!

He came back clutching a roll of tape and a bottle of water. He made the repair, filled the radiator with the water, and shut the hood.

“Try it now,” he said.

Justine slid behind the wheel, turned the key, and the engine sprang to life. She could have wept with gratitude. Now, if she really hurried, she would hardly be late at all.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said to her saviour.

He treated her to another sexy smile. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll think of a way.”

Justine froze. She’d been so uptight about the car that she only just realized the guy had an American accent.

“Please tell me your name’s not Wendell.”

He shot her a strange look. “No, actually it’s Cody. Cody Stowell.” He offered her his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Justine Trent,” she supplied. “And trust me, the pleasure’s all mine.”

“Where you headed?”

“A big house called Grantham Park. Apparently, it’s a bit further along this road and I can’t miss it. Do you know where it is?”

“I’m passing that way myself. Shall I lead?”

“That would be great. Thanks.”

She was sorry he hadn’t wanted to take it further. He did say he’d think of a way for her to thank him, but he obviously didn’t mean it. He pulled out ahead of her and a short time later indicated right. She followed him and called yet again on her endless supply of swear words. He’d swung into the driveway of what looked like a mansion. Iron gates in need of a coat of paint stood open, and she followed Cody’s car up an unkempt gravel driveway. The house loomed in the distance like something out of a horror movie—all gables, windows in impossible places, peeling paintwork, and atmosphere.

Yes, definitely atmosphere.

All it needed was a bit of curling mist rising from the ground and it could have come straight from a Hollywood set. Even so, there was something strangely peaceful about its state of neglect. Justine was a city girl through and through, but even she could appreciate the serenity of this place.

Cody needn’t have driven in. She could have found her own way from the gates, but he seemed to want to make sure that his temporary repair held. Well, at least he cared about Malcolm, she thought, trying not to feel too miffed that she didn’t qualify for the same level of concern.

“Thanks so much,” she said, climbing out of the car at the front steps and buttoning her jacket so that it hid the worst of the stains on her blouse. “I really appreciate this.”

“No problem. You need to get that hose fixed properly soon, though. It won’t hold like that for long.”

“Yes, I know. Malcolm’s a man, so he needs a lot of TLC.”

“Malcolm?”

“My Mini,” she said, indicating her ancient car with an affectionate wave, having forgiven him for blowing…well, whatever it was that he’d blown. She glanced at her watch. “Ten minutes late. It could have been worse.”

“You here for an interview?”

“Yes.” She was too preoccupied to wonder how he knew. “Wish me luck.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Her lush body pressed against his as she slid her hands around his neck. She kissed him now like she never intended to stop, tangling her tongue with his with a sense of urgency that was infectious. Her large breasts were squashed against his chest tightly enough to make him think they didn’t want to miss out on all the fun. Damn it, she was hot! All the reasons why they really shouldn’t take this any further tumbled through Zac’s head. He’d only kissed her because she was upset. Fucking her hadn’t really been on his agenda, had it? If he didn’t put an end to this now then there would be no pulling back.

He tried to do the right thing and break the kiss, but Justine was having none of it. She clung tighter still, her butt deliberately, he was sure, gouging painfully against his erection.

“Justine,” he said, finally wrenching his mouth away from hers, “I’m not gonna be a substitute for the jerk.”

“You’re not,” she said breathlessly. “You started this.”

“True, but you’re vulnerable and—”

“No strings, I promise. I don’t cling.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

“Do you always try to talk women out of fucking you?”

Her language took him by surprise. He hadn’t expected it from her, and it was a huge turn-on.

“Don’t try to distract me.”

“Seems to me,” she said, grinding her butt against his aching cock, “that you’re already distracted.”

“No question what I want. It’s your objectives that are less clear.”

“As long as you don’t mind seeing me naked then we’re on the same page. But be warned, it’s not a pretty sight.”

Damn it, she really seemed to believe what she said. Either that or she was cleverer than he’d realized. Whatever, she’d just made up his mind for him. Not that the outcome had ever been in serious doubt. His half-hearted attempt to save complications in his business life didn’t stand a prayer when compared to the fierce attraction he felt toward his newest employee. He recalled the brief discussion he and Cody had had about her on the day of her interview. In retrospect, they probably both knew even then that they were in big trouble. The sort of trouble they tended to major in with the females that crossed their paths, unless they employed them, of course.

“Let’s see, shall we?”

Zac pulled her shirt from the waistband of her jeans. She herself tugged it over her head and threw it aside. Her breasts were encased in a pretty, lacy bra. Zac groaned as he reached out and gently traced one through the flimsy fabric. Her nipples were rock hard and clearly sensitive. She flinched when he pinched one.

“Did that hurt? Sorry.”

“No, quite the reverse. Don’t treat me gently. That’s not what I like.”

“Then what do you like?” He nuzzled her neck, kissing his way down its column. She had a very long neck, and he liked to be thorough, so it took him a while. “Tell me what turns you on, babe.”

“I like it hard and…well—” She glanced up at him, then lowered her lashes demurely. Did that mean what Zac hoped it meant? Was that why Cody and he had connected with her so quickly? “I like to be dominated.”

Zac grinned. “Sweetheart, you’ve come to the right place.”

“I thought I might have.”

“You like to be spanked?”

“I love it, but only if it pleases you.”

Zac’s cock had swollen so much that it was causing him extreme physical discomfort. He lifted her from his lap and set her on her feet.

“Unfasten your jeans.”

She did as he asked without question and stepped out of them. Her thong matched her raspberry-coloured bra. Zac took a moment to study her almost-naked body and let out a soft whistle of appreciation. As he’d imagined, she was pretty nigh perfect. Yes, she was heavier than was fashionable, but that was fine by him. All that additional weight in her tits, in her slightly rounded butt did things for him. He was pretty sure a butt like that would be able to withstand a good spanking, and he didn’t intend to waste too much time before putting that theory to the test. Her legs were long and her thighs weren’t fat. The slight excess of flesh round her tummy was compensated for by a surprisingly small waist.

“What?” she asked nervously. “I did warn you that I wasn’t perfect.”

“Then you lied.”

Zac stood up and stripped everything off. He then faced her, fisting his cock so she’d get a close-up view of the goods on offer. She licked her lips with the tip of a very pink tongue, offering her approval without the need for words.

Zac reseated himself. “Come here.”

She scampered over to him and then waited, just like a well-trained sub should. Zac had a horrible thought.

“Did the jerk teach you all this?”

If she said yes, then Zac doubted whether he’d be able to see the act through. He hated the man, not only because he’d treated her so shabbily but because she’d once loved him and perhaps still did.

“No, he was too much into himself to think about what I wanted.” She paused. “Come to think about it, he never once asked and it didn’t occur to me to mind. I knew someone before him that was into the life.”

“Then welcome back.” Zac smiled at her. “Over my knee,” he said abruptly.

When she was in position, he softly massaged the globes of her butt with one hand. “Any time you want to stop, just say the word.”

“I don’t want to stop. I want to start. I want to feel again, really feel.” She lifted her head and met his eye. “Will you help me to feel, Zac? It’s been a long time.”

He chuckled. “My pleasure.”

He brought his hand down fairly hard over her ass. She flinched and then sighed.

“Okay.”

“Yes.”

He spanked her again, a little harder, one hand reaching for a breast and pulling it out of her bra cup. The next time he brought his hand down he also pinched her nipple, eliciting a groan of approval.

“You like that?”

“I adore it. Punish me more. I’ve been really naughty.”

“Get on the floor then. On your hands and knees.” Once she was in position, he pulled on his pants again and headed for the door. “Don’t move. I won’t be a moment.”

He returned almost immediately, packet of condoms in his hand.

“Now, where were we?”

Condoms weren’t the only thing he’d brought with him. He pulled her thong aside and squirted lube over her ass. She giggled, presumably because it was cold.

“Know what I’m gonna do now?”

“A butt plug, I hope.”

“Right.” He eased a finger into her anus to open her passage. She didn’t resist him, and the plug slid in easily when he replaced his finger with it. “Comfortable?”

She wriggled her backside. “Glorious.”

“Now, about your punishment.”