STORY EXCERPT

He propped up on his elbow and smiled at her. “I’m keeping you up.” He patted the couch, tilting his head flirtatiously. “Come sit with me. I’ll hurry if that’s what you want.”

If memory served her correctly, the man didn’t know what hurry meant.

“I’m getting the idea you are a loose cannon hustler.” She yanked the top of her robe together. “And, you probably don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Whoa, mama.” Sam got up, looking directly at her. “Antigua knows Sanchez. That’s the reason I’m here. “

She mulled over his words, the reality calming her anger. “That’s all you had to say in the first place.” Getting to her feet, Lana wanted to leave on a better note. “Please don’t hide things from me. We’re supposed to be working together.”

He stood and led the way to the door. “I’m glad you’re feeling better about our relationship.”

His cologne took her back two years, and her body reacted as it had then, warming, quivering, and panting to get him in bed.

“We don’t have a relationship. We’re partners on a job, Horn. Nothing more.” There, she had set him straight.

“Well, hell.” He caught her arm in his long-fingered hand and pulled her close.

She tried to turn her head to avoid looking into his eyes, nearly melting from the nearness of his body. “Is this a new maneuver, Horn?”

His mouth covered hers in a soft, deep kiss, and her body rocketed into a frenzy of pleasure. He tasted the same, the firmness of his lips teased and warmed her senses to a remembered, delicious agony.

Don’t you dare moan. Don’t you press to his body like you already are.

He was hard, and his heartbeat came through her robe to encourage hers to join in the game. He let her go.

“Just testing.” His chin touched her nose, and even that was an aphrodisiac.

She steadied her breathing, hoping to sound calm. “I know I’ll regret asking, but testing for what?”

“I had to know if you could still sizzle my blood.” He opened the door, standing aside like a true gentlemen.

“Well?”

He grinned and touched her collar. “Nothing.”

ADULT EXCERPT

How could she have denied herself so long? The flames washing around her, the feel of his hard, conditioned body. His heart pounding against her breasts, taking her out of reality to where only he could take her. She jumped with delicious anticipation when he lifted the nightshirt over her head, tossing it onto the bed with his jacket.

Naked and eager to be his, Lana tried to unbutton his shirt, yanking it open in her impatience. He tugged the shirt off, touching her hands while she unbuckled his belt and unzipped his slacks. She hooked her fingers in the elastic of his shorts, pushing them down his muscled thighs.

He stiffened and inhaled sharply when she touched him, curling her fingers around his cock He covered her lips in a deep kiss, the plump warmth of his lips creating a scorching flame that sizzled around her.

She had no will of her own now with his tongue teasing her lips. He tasted her mouth with gentle, probing, playing, quickly firing hot desire into every nerve of her body. He smelled so good, fresh and male, and her lungs couldn’t take in enough of him. He was the same, warm and strong and eager to please her.

He kicked off his shorts, pulling her against him, moaning at the touch of her hands on his tensed glutes. “Let’s wrinkle the sheets, my lovely Lana.” He picked her up, helping her wrap her legs around his waist. “God, Pearly, you don’t know how much I want you.”

The tip of his erection pressed to her butt, and she gasped with pleasure, moving her hips against him. “Oh, I think I know, Sam.”

A rush of cool air accompanied them as he carried her to their bed, and the scent of spicy woods heightened her senses. He placed her on the king-size bed, where she stretched out, waiting to hold him in her arms, wanting to hold him forever. He dropped down between her legs, sliding his hands under her shoulders, his lips brushing soft seduction along the length of her neck and over her shoulder. The touch of his lips and tongue on her nipples built into an inferno in the places she’d ignored for so long.

Her foot touched something, and she kicked at the object. “My darling,” she teased him, “what did you bring me?”

He reached down and dug into the pocket of his jacket, bringing out a box of condoms. “I thought maybe they would gain favor with my lady.”

“I like the pink one, Sam.” With steady hands, she ripped open the box and took the pink latex out, ripping the foil off. “I know I’m going to love it.”

She held the condom in her hand, gasping with delight when he blew his warm breath on her stomach, then on the soft curls between her legs. She lifted her hips and clutched at his thick hair, taken by delicious surprise at the swiftness of her approaching climax.

“Sam.” She reached down to touch his face. “Up here with me this time.”

“You always know the right thing to say, my Lana.” He braced his weight while she rolled the condom on his rigid length and then pulled her legs up to his waist.

He pushed his hips forward, breathing hard, and slid into her, lifting her hips up to join him as he pressed inside her.