Excerpt:
Karly made sure
to keep her head down, wanting to avoid another run-in. Her gaze skittered over
fallen leaves and flagstone tiles. Through the corner of her eye, she spotted a
man in a suit and a few servers. Her fingers tightened around her key chain
with every step, wanting to be far from the chaos of the evening.
She was almost
to the main street, when she bumped into a solid wall of muscle that threatened
to knock her on her ass. Her keys flew from her hands as she began to fall
backward. Before she hit the ground, two strong hands reached out and caught
her around the waist. She glanced up and into the gorgeous face of the god
she’d seen earlier.
Up close, he was
even more stunning and taller than she’d calculated. He exuded strength and
masculinity, and when he focused that intense magnetism on her, all the air
left her lungs, along with her ability to speak.
Genuine concern
flashed in his whiskey colored eyes. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” His voice was
like warm chocolate, melting her insides. When he dropped his hands, Karly
could still feel the imprints on her skin.
“Y-yes, I’m
fine. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I wasn’t paying attention to where
I was going.” Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. The man smelled
incredible, like sandalwood and clean laundry.
“No need for
apologies. Maybe you should sit down for a minute and have a drink with me.”
There was elegance in the way he spoke that made her think of old money and
private school.
For a moment Karly
thought about taking him up on his offer, but she wasn’t in the frame of mind
to pull off light conversation or flirty banter at this point. “Thanks, but I
have to pass. This night, well, it didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped so I think
it’s my cue to go.” She did her best to school her features, but inside she was
feeling raw and vulnerable. The only thing she wanted to do was go home, soak
in a hot bath, and lick her wounds.
His searing gaze
swept over her and made butterflies flutter in her stomach “Perhaps I can make
it better. Stay and have a drink with me.”
Karly glanced at
his jacket for his nametag, but like her, he wasn’t wearing one. “I’m guessing
you’re in either sales or politics, and if this is all for a campaign donation,
I’m sorry, I already gave at the office.” Immediately she got a vibe telling
her he was his own boss, which wasn’t hard to figure out. The man exuded
confidence and power.
The throaty
sound of his laughter raised goose bumps on her flesh. “So you’re funny and
beautiful that’s quite a rare combo, Miss….?”
His words slid
over her like a warm caress. A flush spread across her cheeks. She shook her
head, a little dazed by the compliment. It would be hard not to succumb to his
charms. If she was honest, his scent alone was driving her crazy. No, the man
spelled danger. “I’m sorry. I should go. Good night and uh, nice running into
you.” She sucked in a breath, turned and took a step toward the street.
“I don’t think
you’ll get far without these,” he said in a bone-melting voice that forced her
to turn around. He held up her keys in his hand.
“Right. Thanks.”
She’d become so dazzled by his looks, she’d completely forgotten about them
flying out of her hands
“My pleasure.”
The way he said the word pleasure conjured images of their bodies tangled
together, rolling around in satin sheets. The air sizzled with sexual tension.
Slowly, he closed the distance between them and placed the keys in her hands.
She purposely avoided touching him, but his fingers grazed hers, sending a spark
of awareness up and down her arm.
“Don’t go,” he
whispered.
“Why?” Karly was
curious to hear what he’d say next.
“I can’t let you
disappear into the night without telling me your name.” The words were spoken
in a commanding tone that normally would've irritated her, but for some reason
when he said them they hit every one of her buttons. “You can give me that much
can’t you? It’s not every day I meet someone that captivates me and you have,
quite thoroughly I might add.”
The scorching
heat in his gaze made her shiver. She swallowed and tried to regain her
equilibrium. It’d been a long time since a man had looked at her with such
blatant desire. “I’m impressed— that’s quite a pick-up line. I’m curious, does
it usually work?”
His smile was
pure sin. “I’m not using a line on you. I just want the chance to talk to you.
Give me five minutes, that’s all I ask.”
What happens
after that?” His charisma began to melt her resolve. Karly stole a glance at
his clothing. His sweater looked like cashmere and his suit jacket was
perfectly tailored and cut to fit his body, only adding to his commanding
presence.
“You decide. If
you want to continue the conversation, I get your number, if not, then we part
ways. No harm done.”
How could she
say no when his approach was so refreshing “Nothing like cutting to the chase.”
A guy that looked like him probably had women falling all over themselves to
get his attention. It didn’t take a psychic to glean the man was a player. He
was too smooth to be anything else. “Five minutes is all you get.”
“Five minutes is
all I need.” He was persuasive, not to mention cocky as hell and yet for some
reason she couldn’t seem to say no where he was concerned. Besides, his vibe
was positive and cool with no warning signs.
“You’re pretty
sure of yourself. Do you always get what you want?”
and has written a number of short stories that have published in various publications including Canadian Stories and Downhome magazine.
. Other books in the series include The Body on the T, Beneath the Surface, A Twist of Fortune and A Long Ways from Home.
is the newest book in the series.
