Summer Heat

A STORM FOR ALL SEASONS 1: SUMMER HEAT An Ellora’s Cave Publication, January 2004 Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc. PO Box 787 Hudson, OH 44236-0787 ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-84360-779-4 Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned): Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML A STORM FOR ALL SEASONS 1: SUMMER HEAT © 2004 JACI BURTON ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Edited by Briana St. James Cover art by Scott Carpenter

SUMMER HEAT A Storm For All Seasons 1

Jaci Burton

DEDICATION To Charlie, for bringing magic into my life for all seasons. I love you for the care you take with my heart, for your support in my writing, and for loving me even on the stormiest of days.

A Storm For All Seasons 1: Summer Heat

Chapter One Aidan Storm strolled down the hallway of the corporate offices of The Rising Storm, his family’s hotel. A now-familiar restlessness made him anxious. Easy solution to that problem. He just needed a little fun. And what better fun than teasing the voluptuous redhead at the front desk. No crowds gathered, and Luanne stood there completely alone. He stepped to the counter and leaned over, tapping his finger on the back of her hand. She looked up and her eyes widened. “Go away, Aidan, I’m working. And the answer is still no, same as it was last time you asked me.” “Come on, Luanne, you know it’s been awhile.” Aidan cast a smoldering look in the redhead’s direction. The sassy front desk clerk wasn’t buying it, judging from her crossed arms and don’t-touch-me stance. “Tough. You know I like you and all, but after that time all those months ago you never called me, never came to chat with me like you used to before we hopped in the sack together.” “I meant to, honey. Work’s just been busy.” “I’m sure it has. Much as I’d love to, no way. Besides, I have a boyfriend now.” “Is he as good as I was?” She raised a perfectly arched brow at him. “Better. And that means hands off.” Aidan looked to his left and right, hoping his omnipresent brother, Logan, wouldn’t catch him trying to get it on with the front desk clerk. He reached across the shiny counter to grab a piece of Lu’s silken hair in his hand, letting it trail through his fingers suggestively. “You remember how good it was between us, don’t you?” Luanne sighed, her face colored a bright pink, and she licked her lips. Aidan had vivid memories of how her wide mouth felt around the tip of his penis. Just the thought of it had the unruly bastard twitching in his pants. Not now, dammit. Like his cock would ever listen to anything he said. He should just leave her alone. She had a boyfriend already. But for some reason he hated to lose. He was the one who usually walked away, not the other way around. So he’d used Luanne then never called her again. She’d been in it for the sex, same as him. And now she had a boyfriend, which meant competition. Aidan’s blood stirred at the thought. 5

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“You know, Lu, we could do it one more time, just for old time’s sake?” Before she could respond, a cold hand squeezed his shoulder. He didn’t even need to look to know who was there. “Hey, Logan,” Aidan said without turning around. “I was just checking something with Lu.” A deep, dark voice dripping with ice responded. “You were checking to see how long it would take until she’d drop her panties for you?” Luanne cringed, offered a shaky smile and scurried off. Aidan turned and looked into the frosty blue eyes of his brother, the CEO of The Rising Storm Hotel. Sometimes Aidan hated that Logan had been born first. “If you gotta know, then yeah. I was about to coax her panties right off her.” “Do it on your own time, not company time.” Logan offered a menacing glare that usually froze the hotel employees into doing his bidding. But after nearly thirty years of having that look turned on him, it held little fear for Aidan. “Merde, Logan. You have the worst goddamn timing I’ve ever seen.” One corner of Logan’s mouth lifted. “You’ll survive without female companionship for a bit longer. Besides, you have work to do.” Aidan glanced at his watch and swore. “That’s right. The Boston woman.” Logan shook his head. “The Boston woman’s name is Melissa Cross, and she’s Director of Marketing for the Chesapeake Casino organization. You know damn well that this dual venture between our hotel and their casino is a big step for us. So don’t fuck it up.” Aidan leaned against the check-in counter and crossed his arms. “Like I would do anything to jeopardize the family business.” “If your dick’s involved, then yeah. What do you think just happened there with Luanne? That’s exactly the kind of management/employee fraternization that could land us in big trouble, Aidan. I know you and Luanne have a history, but she’s an employee and so are you. If she wanted to, she could scream sexual harassment. So keep it zipped. Don’t screw this deal, and for God’s sake don’t screw our new partner.” Aidan laughed at that. Fun was fun, but business was business, and dammit he did know the difference. There were plenty of females to play with. The last thing he needed was an entanglement with some uppity Boston socialite whose touch would probably ice his balls. He preferred his women with warm, willing bodies, and sizzling hot desires. Women who wanted fun and a little excitement, but no entanglements. Just like him. Okay, maybe he liked all women. They were warm, soft, smelled good and eased the perennial ache that burned inside him. If the ones he dallied with

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didn’t challenge him enough to keep them for more than a few episodes of fun in the sack, it was his fault, not theirs. There was no such thing as a soulmate or that one woman he was destined to be with. Destiny and soulmates were part of his mother’s magical mumbo jumbo that he listened politely to and then promptly discarded. “Anyway,” Logan said, inclining his head, “she’s waiting for you over in the sitting area. Maria said she’d stopped at the desk awhile ago, and she doesn’t look happy.” Aidan followed Logan’s gaze to the center of the lobby where a tall, cool blonde stood with her arms crossed, foot tapping and no smile on her face. Still, she was damn fine looking. Nice. More than nice. A surge of heat arced through him, the air tingling with electricity. Interesting. That never happened before when he looked at a woman. Oh, he might feel a little tingle, but not an outright jolt. And the icy blonde was not his type at all. He preferred dark, sultry brunettes, petite and with a sassy fire that lit up the bedroom. This one couldn’t be more different. Long, straight, honey blonde hair was pulled back in some kind of binding, but he bet it would feel like silk once let loose and tangled around his fingers. Or wrapped around his cock, which twitched in recognition of a fine looking female. Her simple navy blue suit shouldn’t have done anything for his libido, but the killer legs and high heels below the skirt had him imagining those long limbs wrapped around his back. He counted backward from one hundred—in French, figuring he’d better tamp down his hard-on before he went to meet Ms. Cross.

***** Melissa Cross stood in the seating area of The Rising Storm Hotel, surveying what she’d been told was New Orleans’ newest and most fashionable addition to the French Quarter tourist area. She tapped her foot and scanned her watch, impatient to get the meeting started. At least she had time to survey the hotel the Chesapeake Casinos partnered with in their latest venture. Primarily a northeastern organization, Chesapeake had recently decided to venture into other prime gaming areas throughout the United States. New Orleans’ popularity with travelers eager to spend gambling dollars on the Mississippi was a great place to start. This was only the beginning. If Melissa played her cards right and this deal came off without a hitch, she could name her price. She’d be a winner. And winning was everything in her book.

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The Rising Storm was an elegant hotel, modern yet still holding on to New Orleans’ historic flavor and style. The minute she walked into the lobby of flowing fountains, brick flooring and wrought iron railings she’d felt transported back to New Orleans of old. And yet the hotel boasted the modern conveniences so popular for travelers today. With the addition of the casino a short walk behind the hotel, The Rising Storm would be a force to contend with in the French Quarter. A winner. Checking her watch again, she heaved a frustrated sigh. This Aidan Storm she was supposed to work with was not a winner in her book. Already fifteen minutes late. Her wandering gaze caught sight of two men standing under the check-in sign at the main counter. Not typically interested in male eye candy, she couldn’t seem to turn away once she’d focused on them. Both tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome, they could almost pass for twins. Considering the suits they wore, they were either at the hotel on business or maybe employees. Although they looked similar, the one on the right caught her eye more than the other. Not that he was more handsome. There was simply something about him. Her heart skidded against her ribs when he made eye contact with her and graced her with a smile that turned her knees to jelly. Wow. Oh, wow. And she was not a wow kind of woman. Men just didn’t rumble over her like a sudden thunderstorm, but for some reason this one did. Maybe it was the way he looked her over, which normally she would find insulting. Instead, her body warmed from the inside out, and considering the air conditioning in the hotel, it couldn’t be the sultry late July heat making her break out into a sweat. If her colleagues back in Boston could see her now, all hot under the collar and nearly drooling over a man, they’d laugh out loud. They called her Frosty Cross behind her back, although she was well aware of the comments they made about her. One of her favorites was that her clothes must be made of ice because no man could melt them off. And many had tried. She’d only allowed one man to warm her, and had been burned so badly she’d never let a man chip through her protective layer again. She’d nearly lost it all and for what? A man? Sex? Never again. Not that she’d never have sex again. But she wouldn’t have it with someone she worked with. That mistake she’d made a few years ago had nearly cost her everything. Now, at twenty-seven, she knew better. Business was her passion. Success was her love. She didn’t have the time or the inclination for involvement with a man. Sometimes she wondered if she simply wasn’t cut out for a relationship. She’d failed miserably at her choices before. Some things were better left alone.

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She blew out a frustrated breath. This type of musing wasn’t good. There was no sense mulling over the past and things that could never be when she had work to do. Work she’d already have started on had Aidan Storm showed up on time. The hot guy turned and strolled her way. She shifted and tried to act cool, feeling stupid for the whirlwind of emotions sailing through her at the thought of the Adonis in a black suit having even the slightest interest in speaking with her. But he certainly was heading right toward her, his gaze determined and a wicked smile gracing his full, sensuous lips. “Melissa Cross?” he asked in a mix of southern and French accents that seemed to settle somewhere between her legs, moistening her in a way that shocked her to her toes. No man did that to her. No man made her wet by saying her name. “Yes.” She fought to keep the waver out of her voice. Holding out a hand, he said, “I’m Aidan Storm. Sorry to be late. I was talking to my brother, Logan, and lost track of time. I hope you can forgive me.” This was Aidan Storm? This was her partner? She slid her hand into his, heat arcing through her at his touch, and knew immediately—she was doomed. “Nice to meet you, Aidan.” He crooked a smile. “No one told me you’d be beautiful.” Now there was a line if she ever heard one. Shaking off thoughts of humid nights, silken sheets, and two naked bodies twined together, she remembered who she was. And more importantly, what she wasn’t. “I think you can drop the pleasantries, Aidan. This isn’t a date and I prefer to keep my professional relationships just that—professional.” “Whatever you say, cher,” he replied in that delicious accent that made her want to lick it off his lips. “Let’s get you settled into your room and I’ll show you around.” She nodded and followed him, trying not to notice his tall, well-built body. The dark suit fit him so well it looked like it had been especially tailored for him. Nor did she want to notice his crisp, clean scent. A man like him didn’t need to rely on cologne—his natural scent nearly had her coming in her panties. Blowing out a breath, Melissa mentally repeated over and over that Aidan Storm was a business partner, not a potential sex mate. Even if her traitorous mind reminded her it had been a very long time since she’d had a man in her bed. After dealing with her reservations and making arrangements for her bags to be delivered to her room, Aidan escorted her through the lobby and toward the elevators.

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“So, you’re from Boston?” he asked as they rode the elevator. Melissa kept her distance, preferring not to court dangerous thoughts any more than she already had. “Yes.” “You like it there?” “Yes.” “It’s cold up there, isn’t it?” “I like the weather in Boston.” Hopefully he’d grab a clue that she wasn’t interested in idle chit-chat. “I like it hot.” Oh, lord. She wished she could slap the side of her head and vanish the heated thoughts his statement had conjured. They arrived at her floor and Aidan led her to her room. “Since you’ll be here for awhile we’re giving you a suite. We thought it might make you feel a little more at home than in a standard room.” He slid the key card into the slot and opened the door, standing aside for her to step in. Like the rest of the hotel, the suite was decorated with Creole antiques and French reproductions. And it was huge. Two large windows looked out over the courtyard below. An expansive living area was populated with brocade covered couches and an oversized work desk. She stepped over to a side set of doors which opened onto a private balcony, complete with a wrought iron table and chairs. “This is way too fancy for me,” she said, ignoring the very tall, very imposing man standing in the center of the room. “A regular guest room would have been fine.” “Nonsense,” he replied, beckoning her into the bedroom. A dark four-poster bed centered the room, with a matching dresser and a makeup table nearby. She followed him into a bathroom any woman would fall in love with. A huge marble countertop and vanity were etched in intricate swirls of beige. The glass shower could fit four people inside easily. Also set entirely in marble, the Jacuzzi tub was wide and long enough for two people. There were those blasted images again, of her and Aidan in that tub filled with scented oils, the jets pulsing a rhythmic beat against them and her naked body resting against his. She let out a shaky sigh, hoping his mind was tuned elsewhere. But when she turned to him, it was quite obvious it wasn’t. How had his sultry amber eyes escaped her before? They darkened and smoldered, capturing her in their warmth. “Like the tub?” he asked. “Yes, it’s nice.” She turned away and fled the bathroom. 10

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“Would you like a few moments to unpack? Change?” “No, I’m ready for a tour of the hotel if you don’t mind.” And to get the hell out of this room that made her think of humid nights and hot sex. Specifically with the man standing in her room. What would it be like to throw caution to the wind and actually act on her thoughts? She’d never been impulsive before. Okay, maybe that one time. But with that man, it had been more of a well planned disaster rather than an impulsive act. Thinking without acting led to trouble, she knew that. But once, just once in her damn life she’d like to do something naughty, something exciting, without thinking of the consequences, without dwelling on the outcome. Do something just because she felt like it. Yeah, right. That would happen the first time someone actually thought of her as a hot, babelicious blonde who exuded sex from her pores. She almost laughed out loud at that thought. With a sigh she smiled politely at Aidan, feeling for all the world like a wilted flower. Her silk suit and blouse clung to her. Visuals of stripping naked and standing under a cold spray of water offered a brief, tantalizing relief from the heat. Maybe what she really needed to cool down was to strip naked and stroke her sexual ache to a blistering orgasm. That would have to wait until later, though. In the meantime, she had to get her mind around business. “Tell me about the hotel,” she asked as they left her room and headed down in the elevator. Aidan led her through the lobby and into the courtyard. Banana and palm trees swayed in the light breeze, providing minimal relief from the oppressive heat. Heat that Aidan didn’t seem to mind at all. He looked as crisp and unwrinkled as if the day’s weather was like a cool, fall Boston day. She, on the other hand, was nearly melting. They sat at a table in the shade, and Aidan ordered mint tea for both of them. “The Rising Storm is the second of my family’s hotels,” he explained. “The first is much smaller and right on Bourbon Street. My parents run it. This one is operated by me, my brother and sisters.” Although she’d done her homework on the Storm family, she preferred to hear it from one of the members themselves. “Why did you build another hotel?” He smiled and her heart trembled. Damn it all, anyway. “Growth. Progress. Plus, we had the idea to add a casino and we can’t do that with the old hotel’s location. Building one near the river’s edge allowed us to plan for a joint venture with a gambling organization.” She nodded, grateful when a smiling waitress brought their tea. She watched the interplay between Aidan and the server whose nametag read Brandy. He

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winked at her and she blushed and scurried off, then turned his gaze back to Melissa as if the flirtatious encounter with the waitress had never occurred. She needed to steer clear of Aidan Storm. The man was a womanizer of the worst kind. And she’d been there, done that, and had the scars on her heart to show for it. “So what do you like to do for fun?” he asked, leaning back in the chair, completely relaxed. For some reason it irritated her that he didn’t run at a frenetic pace like she did. She was anxious to get started on their marketing plan, while he wanted to delve into her personal life. “Let’s keep things between us strictly professional, shall we?” He arched a brow. “Are you sure that’s what you want, cher?” The endearment rolled off his lips and fired her blood, making her ache to slip her hands between her legs and massage the incessant throbbing of her pussy. “Of course it’s what I want.” “Your call. But there might be some magic happening between us. I wouldn’t mind exploring a little.” “I would.” That brought about a grin. “Not much for joie de vivre, are you, ma belle?” She wished he wouldn’t speak French. The language rolled seductively off his tongue and made her shiver. Tapping her fingernail on the glass, she said, “I enjoy life just fine, thank you. But I’m here for business, not pleasure, so if you don’t mind, tuck it back in your pants and let’s get to work.” Aidan threw his head back and laughed. A deep, rich baritone that made her suck in her breath at the stab of pleasure his laughter gave her. Damn, what was it going to take for the female in her to stop being so…so. . .female around him? “All right, Miss Cross, you win. For now. Let’s head to the offices and we’ll take a look at the marketing plans.” Melissa sighed in relief, discarding the brief disappointment she felt at the termination of his suggestive banter. She needed an orgasm to release the tension that had been building inside her. Neglecting her baser urges would only get her into trouble. She’d have to pencil in a self-induced climax for later this evening. Once she’d gotten that out of the way, she’d be much better able to handle Aidan Storm.

*****

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Aidan led Melissa to his office, watching as she unloaded her laptop, presentation folders and notepad, lining them up neatly on his conference table. He resisted the urge to laugh. He’d be lucky to find a pencil somewhere in his office. Having a near photographic memory helped, considering he rarely wrote things down. He had a secretary to enter important dates and information on his computer, not that he’d ever look at it. When it was time to design a marketing plan he’d drag out the laptop and printer and go at it, pulling forth all the vital information he’d stored in his brain. Other than that, he kept it all within handy reach of his memory. Apparently Melissa did things differently. She slid a neatly designed binder in front of him. “Now, if you look at the presentation folder in front of you, I’ve developed a initial marketing plan as a starting point. Open to your suggestions, of course.” “Of course.” He quickly scanned the contents, impressed with her expertise. Then he closed it and looked at her, enjoying the way her green eyes flashed whenever they made eye contact. Melissa Cross might insist she was all about business, but Aidan had a sixth sense about these things. And his sense told him underneath her cool Bostonian exterior beat the heart of a wildcat. The sudden urge to peel her frosty layers away piece by delectable piece had him hardening painfully. “That’s it? You’re not going to look at it any further?” The play of emotions in her expression was priceless. Shock, then indignation soared across her face. Her pert little nose wrinkled and she crossed her arms. “I read it. It’s good. I’ll have more to add. There are a few changes I’d like to make, specifically on page four, paragraph three of the marketing plan. I think we need to play up the background of the two companies more, as well as identify the strategic marketing concepts in a bullet point presentation to make it clear what our primary goals are.” Her eyes widened. “How did you do that?” “Do what?” “You know what. You barely glanced at the binder, which has over 100 pages. And yet you pointed out an exact page and paragraph and knew precisely what it contained.” “I read lightning fast and have a photographic memory. No magic involved.” At her arched brow he nearly cringed. Why did he have to say that? Magic was an intrinsic part of his life, but he rarely mentioned it outside the family. Although the thought of using some magic to heat up Melissa Cross had already crossed his mind more than a few times. In fact, right now might be a good time.

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Maybe a little play and that was all. Just to see how she’d react—gauge if his intuition about her was right. He rubbed his index and middle finger together, the warmth beginning deep inside. The singe of heat lightning was never painful, only a tingling excitement that never failed to arouse him. The air swirled, charged with electricity, centering in his middle like a gathering storm. He opened his hand and let the magic sail across the table. Oh, yeah. An invisible breeze wafted Melissa’s hair and her eyes widened. Her creamy cheeks blushed pink, and she opened the top button of her blouse, shuddering when the warm air crept inside. He leaned back in his chair and felt her, the heat buried deep inside her, and knew right then there was something different about this woman. No one had ever reacted instantly to the slightest bit of magic from him. No one had ever fired the heat waves back toward him, letting him experience exactly what he’d sent out. Hot damn, that was exciting. “Something wrong?” he asked, trying to sound innocent. “Don’t you feel it?” “Feel what?” Blowing out a quick breath, she said, “It just got really hot in here.” “No kidding. I didn’t feel a thing.” She fanned herself with her hand. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess I must be more unaccustomed to the New Orleans heat and humidity than I thought. Mind if I take off my jacket?” “Go right ahead.” Take anything off you like, darlin’. Jacket, skirt, panties and bra, anything. He shifted to accommodate his burgeoning erection, welcoming the heady ache that came with arousal. She stood and headed to the bar against the wall and poured a glass of ice water. Without her long suit jacket he glimpsed a better view of her body. Lithe and slender. Perfectly shaped ass outlined against the well-tailored suit. Her breasts weren’t large, but they fit the rest of her. Sleek, like an athlete, with long legs that seemed to go on for miles. Oh yeah, he’d bet a million bucks she was a runner. Or maybe a dancer with those shapely calves. Damn, he was hard now. Hard and pulsing with the need for release. He briefly wondered what Miss Boston would do if he reached down and caressed his shaft through his pants? Wouldn’t it be fun to shock her just a little more? She took her seat again and sighed. “Feeling better?” he asked, knowing the minimal magic he’d tossed her way only lasted a few seconds.

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“Yes. Sorry. I don’t know what happened. It just got very warm in here.” “Don’t be. Gets hot here. You might want to lose the suits unless we have an official meeting.” “You’re wearing one,” she countered. He slipped off his jacket and hung it on his chair back, then loosened his tie. “A rarity unless I have an appointment. Typically it’s jeans and a polo shirt. Feel free to dress casual around here.” She lifted her chin. “I’m not used to casual at work.” “This is the Big Easy, cher. We don’t get too formal.” She shrugged and mumbled something about different worlds. He’d like to show her different worlds. He’d like to grab hold of this ice queen and really melt her frosty little ass. And if he guessed right, Melissa would be more than eager to have a little warmth. If ever a woman looked like she needed to get laid, it was this one. And he bet she wasn’t even aware of how badly she really needed it. Just the little strike of warmth he’d sent her proved how unfamiliar she was with the kind of heat a passionate coupling could provide. His brother’s warning not to screw with their new partner flickered in the back of Aidan’s mind. Flickered, then snuffed out like rain on a campfire.

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Chapter Two Melissa unpacked and stared into the closet, occasionally glancing at the clock on the nightstand. Aidan offered to take her to dinner tonight, although she’d tried to beg off, claiming jet lag. But he’d sprouted a horrified expression and indicated he’d be shamed severely by his family if he didn’t at least take her to dinner on her first night in town. She’d finally agreed despite the warnings clanging in her head about having anything remotely personal to do with Aidan Storm. Then again, he hadn’t said anything about this being a date, or even personal. Only that it was customary for him to take a business partner out to dinner. With a frustrated sigh she closed the closet door, stepped into the opulent bathroom and turned on the shower. Jets shot out from both walls, the steam rising and clouding up the glass doors almost immediately. Exactly what she needed. A nice shower to whisk away the flight aches and sweat from the humid air outside. She stripped off her clothes and stepped inside the frosted glass enclosure, delighting in the soft spray hitting her on both sides of her body. Lord, she was tired. She closed her eyes and let the jets pound away. They felt good, almost like getting a massage. She leaned back into the spray and the stream on the front side of her angled right between her legs. Mmm, nice. She needed a massage there, too, one of a different variety. Then again, these jets were nice and soft and stroked her clit in just the right spot. She leaned back further until she sat on the overhanging ledge at the back of the shower, and adjusted the spray head on the side wall until it hit her pussy. She shivered, feeling the sweet tension build deep inside, the water pulsing against the incessant ache she’d carried around for most of the day. Ever since she’d laid eyes on that hot devil, Aidan Storm. She moved her hands over her breasts, her nipples pebbling against the palm of her hands. With her fingertips, she lightly caressed them until they tightened, sending shots of pleasure straight to her core. She allowed the surging water to do its job, imagining a man’s head between her legs, his soft, wet tongue licking her pleasure spots. Only it wasn’t just a faceless man. In her mind, amber eyes locked with hers, holding her in his gaze, mesmerizing her until she was unable to look away. It was Aidan she imagined between her legs, doing magical things to her body.

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She lifted her hips to meet his mouth, her body crying out for the release only he could bring. Even in the shower she felt his heated touch, nearly unbearable in its sweet torture. “Please,” she whimpered aloud, knowing no one could hear her. She begged the Aidan of her imagination to take her over the edge, to give her the fulfillment she so desperately craved. He licked the length of her, the double sensations of his tongue and the pulsing water making her quiver with the building storm. When he plunged his tongue inside her she trembled. As he fit his mouth over her clit, she climaxed with a loud moan of pleasure, her orgasm raging through her until she feared she might fall to the floor. She grabbed for the ledge to brace herself, still feeling the aftereffects of an orgasm that nearly blindsided her in its intensity. She blew out a breath and reached for the shampoo with shaky hands. If she didn’t know better, she could have sworn that scene had been real.

***** Aidan smiled up at the ceiling. He lay naked in his bed, fully visualizing Melissa in her shower. His cock was rock hard and nearly ready for release, but he’d wanted her to come first. He squeezed his shaft and stroked the length of it, his hips rising off the bed, his orgasm building. Such a nice surprise to slip inside her thoughts. It was rare when it happened. He’d never gotten inside someone’s mind before outside the family. Not that he hadn’t tried. Too bad he couldn’t visualize her naked body, but his thoughts had merely become mixed with hers, so he could only see what she saw, feel what she felt. His mother would say they had a psychic connection, that there was something special about Melissa. But Aidan didn’t buy into all that magic and destiny crap. The magic he used when it suited him. The destiny and finding your soulmate was something his overly romantic mother tried to drum into all of them for as long as he could remember. No such thing as a soulmate. And Melissa certainly wasn’t special. She was just a woman he had the hots for. Funny that they’d both been masturbating at the same time. When he lay naked on the bed, intending to relieve the hard-on that had tortured him all day, he found himself psychically connected to her. He’d felt her pleasure as the shower jets pulsed against her clit.

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So, his cool Bostonian had a hot side. Not that it surprised him. He’d known it from the second she’d turned her emerald green eyes on him and tried to hide the fact that she was full of passion and fire. Easy for kindred spirits to spot each other. She had as much of a stormy nature as he did. Their only difference was that he recognized it in himself. Melissa, on the other hand, was in deep denial. Too bad her orgasm had broken their connection. If it hadn’t he might be catching a glimpse of her naked body about now as she stood drying herself in front of the mirror. As it was, he’d have to imagine. Good thing he had a vivid imagination. He swirled his thumb over the tip of his cock, rewarded with a pulsing of silky fluid. He was close. Very close. That shower scene turned him on and he could come right now if he wanted to. But he wanted to think about Melissa a little while longer, imagine it was her hand on him, sliding her long fingers around his shaft and squeezing, then stroking the length of him until he was so deep into the moment he’d be fucking her hand. Which is what he did now, his movements becoming faster and harder as his body begged for release. Visions raced through his mind. He and Melissa in her shower together, the jets coming at them from all sides as they touched and tasted every inch of each other. Then, carrying her to the bed and thrusting inside her pussy until he came harder than the shower jets. It was all too much. With a last, frenzied stroke and groan of pleasure he came quickly, hot fluid spilling as the spasm of his climax rolled over him. When at last he relaxed, he felt satisfied but still wanted more. Much more. Melissa Cross was a challenge. Someone who’d made it quite clear she wasn’t interested in him on a personal level. But deep down inside, he knew damn well she was lying to him and to herself. She wanted it so bad she’d allowed a psychic link between the two of them. And now that one had been established, he was going to fire Melissa’s libido up so hot she’d be begging him to fuck her. At least that’s how he hoped it would play out. If he guessed wrong, he might be the one doing the begging.

***** Melissa stood in front of the mirror, not certain whether the outfit she wore was acceptable or not. A brief moment of indecision and she pulled the dress off, flinging it on to the bed where it landed on top of the ten other things she’d already tried and discarded.

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Good thing she hadn’t brought her entire wardrobe with her—otherwise she could be at this all night. Dinner. Casual. New Orleans. August. What was she supposed to wear? And, more importantly, why did it even matter? She’d never obsessed for so long about dressing for a date. Not a date. A business dinner with a business colleague where they would discuss business items. That was as far from a date as one could get. Screw it. She was hot, irritated and had about five minutes to throw something on before Aidan arrived. Hopefully he’d be late again like he had been for their appointment this morning. Grabbing a short cotton and spandex dress, she threw it on and dashed into the bathroom to run a brush through her hair, then placed a clip around the ponytail to hold it in place. Her cheeks were flushed from her one person fashion show, so she certainly didn’t need to add any blush. Besides, anything she wore would just melt off her face in this humidity, anyway. And she thought Boston summers were bad. She looked in the closet door mirrors and assessed her appearance. The dress was a little short but at least it was cool. A mint green, and lightweight so she wouldn’t sweat, with thin straps holding it up. She slipped on her sandals and turned sideways. What exactly are you looking for? And why do you even care how you look? Get a grip, Melissa, it’s just a business dinner! She was dressed, she looked reasonably decent, and she was ready. Enough of the primping in front of the mirror. Good thing, too, because a tap on her door indicated that Aidan was on time. Figured. She walked to the door and opened it, then immediately forgot how to breathe. Attractive as he’d been in his suit, the man standing in front of her dressed in dark blue jeans and a black polo shirt literally took her breath away. Now she could see the body his suit had only hinted at earlier. He had to be six-foot-two or taller. And he was lean, with well-defined muscles, especially his biceps and shoulders, which stretched the polo shirt tight. Her fingers curled in response. She quickly thrust them behind her back to avoid the burning desire to run her palms over his chest and see how hard he really was. Maybe not just his chest, either. “Evenin’, cher,” he said with a smile. “Good evening.” “You look hot.” His warm eyes raked over her. She swore she grew hotter with every second of his assessment.

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Melissa took a deep breath and mentally fought to keep from saying, so do you. “Thanks.” “Hungry?” he asked. She grabbed her purse and walked through the doorway. “Ravenous.” “Just how I like my women.” She turned her head and met his wink. This was going to be one long evening. She really was going to have to watch what she said in front of him. They stepped outside and the blast of hot air nearly knocked her over. “Doesn’t it ever cool off here?” she asked, dampness gathering between her breasts. “Yeah.” He signaled the valet to bring his car. “In December.” The young man in the red vest rolled to the entry in a sleek, silver Corvette. Aidan held the door for her while she slipped inside. He paused before closing her door and she was cognizant of his eyes on her legs as she tucked them inside the low vehicle. At least she’d worn panties. Melissa had no more buckled her seatbelt when the car’s engine roared to life. In an instant, Aidan tore off down the driveway and flew onto the street. She shot a glare in his direction. “You didn’t tell me I’d need to increase my life insurance before getting into a car with you.” He grinned, his eyes masked behind dark sunglasses that only made him look sexier. “I like driving hot cars. And fast.” “Noticing that,” she said, her right hand instinctively gripping the side handle on her door. “And I forgot my helmet, too.” “You won’t need it. Trust me, you’re safe with me.” She believed that one as much as she believed she’d be a brunette in the morning. In very short order they entered the expressway. “Where are we having dinner?” She was surprised that Aidan wouldn’t take her to one of the touristy French Quarter restaurants. “My parents’ house.” Her right foot slammed down on the imaginary brake on her side of the car. “Excuse me? Your parents?” “Yeah. They wanted to meet you. So do my brother and sisters.” Did she get engaged and wasn’t informed? Had she known they’d be dining with his family she’d have chosen a much more conservative dress. Actually, she still couldn’t figure out why she’d worn a dress that clung to her and was way too short for a business dinner. “I’m not dressed appropriately for dinner with your family.” He quickly glanced over at her. “You look great, darlin’” 20

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“I’m serious. I feel awkward about this, Aidan. You should have told me.” “I didn’t know. Mom called me right before I left my apartment and said I was to bring you to dinner. Apparently Logan had told her you’d be spending a month down here working with me and she thinks you need some home cooking. Besides, they’re all curious about you.” Great. An evaluation along with dinner. “Couldn’t we do this another night?” she asked, hoping to stall a family meet-and-greet. She wasn’t certain she could handle a large family like Aidan Storm’s. “You don’t know my mother. She doesn’t take no for an answer. Besides, they’re friendly and easygoing, so quit worrying.” He slid his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze. Somehow his heated palm resting on top of her hand was not comforting. It called to mind other things she’d rather not think about. In short order, her list of acceptable thoughts was dwindling. They drove to what must be an older part of New Orleans and pulled into a driveway that looked like nothing more than a dirt road leading into the woods. Pine trees nearly hid the property from view, but then the road expanded and the trees cleared, giving Melissa a look at the Storm family home. Lovely and understated, the charming, two-story ranch all but blazed a welcome sign out front. A full porch running the width of the house was adorned with hanging plants, their colorful blooms draped almost to the white wood floor. Aidan skidded the Corvette to a stop in front of the house and jumped out, running around to open her door. She smoothed her dress after she stood and inhaled deeply, nervous butterflies ramming against the walls of her stomach. Really, this was still a business dinner, no matter who they were having dinner with. This was simply southern hospitality and nothing more. The butterflies continued to ram, ignoring her attempts at self-calming. “Come on,” he said, holding his hand out to her. Why was she nervous? She was a marketing executive, for heaven’s sake, and had stepped into the lions’ den on more than one occasion. If she could handle a boardroom full of fire breathing CEOs, she could certainly deal with a simple dinner with Aidan’s family. Nevertheless, she instinctively slid her hand in his and allowed him to lead her inside. The spicy aroma of Cajun cooking permeated the front room of the house, and as Aidan pulled her along she heard music and raised voices. Ignoring her pounding heart, she planted her most professional smile on her face.

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“We’re here!” Aidan yelled in his booming voice, dragging her down the hallway into a huge kitchen filled with people. She quickly counted the people and came up with four, who all stopped and turned to her. At least they were smiling. She swallowed. “So, this is Melissa Cross.” A petite, dark-haired woman who she assumed was Aidan’s mother wiped her hands on her apron as she approached. Enveloping her in a warm hug, she added, “Welcome to our home. I’m Angelina Storm.” “Thank you,” Melissa replied, taken aback by the woman’s friendly nature. Maybe she was wrong. This couldn’t be Aidan’s mother. She hardly looked a day over thirty-five. “A right pretty little thing she is, too.” A tall, very burly looking man stepped up and hugged her quickly. His cheeks were ruddy and his smile genuine. “Melissa, this is my father, Galen,” Aidan said, then threw his arms around his father and got a bear hug of his own. “You don’t come around for dinner enough,” his mother said, grabbing Aidan’s chin and planting a kiss on his cheek. “Sorry, Mom,” Aidan replied, snatching a shrimp from a huge plate on the center island in the kitchen and popping it into his mouth. “Hi, Melissa!” A sultry looking woman with long, raven-colored hair embraced her in the same way, then pulled back and smiled. “I’m Kaitlyn, the baby of the Storm family.” Kaitlyn certainly didn’t look like a baby. Full, lush curves identified her as clearly grown. Melissa estimated Kaitlyn to be around her own age. She had a refreshing warmth about her that Melissa liked immediately. Another woman turned from the stove. This one was much taller than Kaitlyn, her hair more a sable color. She also wore a more serious expression than her sister, but still she smiled and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Melissa. I’m Shannon.” Grateful to have a marketing background and used to meeting several people at once, Melissa made mental notes of who all the Storms were so she wouldn’t confuse names. “Where’s Logan?” Aidan asked his mother, pulling his hand quickly away from the shrimp bowl at her don’t-touch-that glare. “That’s for dinner. Not for your snack. And your brother is late. Still working.” “Old news there,” Kaitlyn said with a sigh. “He works entirely too many hours. Life is to be enjoyed, not spent huddled up staring at four walls.”

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“Your brother must find his own destiny, in his own time, ma belle fille,” Angelina said, patting Kaitlyn on the cheek. Aidan handed Melissa a glass of tea and rolled his eyes at her, then whispered in her ear. “Ignore the destiny talk. It’s my mother’s favorite subject.” But a chill had passed through her at Angelina’s statement. Her words, spoken in a voice so melodious and calm, seemed to hold some sort of magic. “Can I help with something?” Melissa asked. Angelina shook her head. “Absolutely not. Sit, have a drink and visit with us. There are plenty here to do the cooking.” And what cooking it was. She was forced onto a barstool next to a breakfast bar in the all white kitchen and watched the Storm women perform magic on the meal. The smells were enticing. Spicy aromas of cayenne pepper and sizzling sausage filled the air, making Melissa’s mouth water. And the food wasn’t the only thing making her mouth water. Aidan stayed close to her side, laughing and joking with his sisters and parents. She shouldn’t like his attention. But she did. Especially when he casually placed a hand on her shoulder and ran his palm down her back. His touch seared her, hardening her nipples and making her wet, which embarrassed her since she was sitting in the same room as his parents and sisters. And she could have sworn he chuckled at the exact time her panties dampened. Coincidence, obviously, but he sure had interesting timing. “Where are you from, Melissa?” Kaitlyn asked. “Boston.” “Oh, how lovely. I was there a few years back. Are you a native of Massachusetts?” “Yes. Grew up there, went to college there, too.” And she’d probably die there. She thought about that, wondering why that popped into her head along with a vague sense of dissatisfaction. The thought of spending her life in Boston had never bothered her before, so why did she get such a pang of emptiness at the thought of spending the rest of her life there? “How do you like living in Boston?” Angelina asked while stirring a pot of something bubbly. “It’s nice, I guess. It’s home.” Well, didn’t that sound boring? That was all she could manage to come up with about the place she lived? What was wrong with her tonight? It had to be fatigue. “Gets cold in the winter,” Galen said, leaning over his wife’s shoulder to peer in the pot. Melissa warmed all over when the two of them kissed. Her

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parents wouldn’t be caught dead involved in public displays of affection. As far as she could remember, she’d never even seen her parents kiss in front of her. How she’d ever been created was beyond her. She’d never seen any warmth between the two of them. Then again, her mother was a busy socialite and her father traveled so often he seemed more a stranger than a parent. Even when he was around he’d never made time for her. Nothing like this family, all gathered together in the kitchen, talking, laughing, even arguing together. “Maybe she likes it cold,” Angelina answered her husband. “Or maybe she likes it hot,” Aidan said behind her, once again firing up her blood until heat crept into her face. His hand on her shoulder burned. How could a man’s touch fire her up so? It was almost unnatural. She shifted, hoping he’d catch the subtle signal to remove his hand. He didn’t, only squeezed her shoulder lightly until she turned her face up to his. Big mistake. If the fire inside her had flamed to life, his gaze revealed a bonfire inside. The oddest thing was, she could swear she felt what he felt, a raging inferno of desire that was quickly reducing her to cinders. Sudden images of Aidan naked flashed before her. His body strong, tanned, his chest covered in a sparse sprinkling of dark, curling hair that glistened like burnished gold. His eyes blazed like molten amber and his huge cock stood erect between a dark tuft of hair between his legs. The vision was so real it was nearly tangible. She reached for him, wanting to step into his arms and feel his strength and fire surround her. Then she heard his husky voice whispering in her mind. “Now isn’t the time, Lissa. But soon, it will be.” Okay, that did not just happen. And yet, Aidan arched a brow as if he knew she had heard him. Melissa had to focus all her strength on breaking eye contact. The vision disappeared and she let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. When she turned back to his family, they all looked at her as if they knew exactly what had just happened. But they couldn’t. They were probably appalled because she’d been nearly drooling over their son in front of them. How could she have behaved so unprofessionally? This was nothing more than a business dinner with a colleague. And his family. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t quite a business dinner, but that was no excuse. She opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could speak Angelina looked at Aidan and said, “Your destiny has revealed itself.”

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The heat vanished and a cold chill crept up her spine. She shivered as if someone had poured ice water on her. What the hell did that mean? And why did Angelina’s gaze flit to her when she spoke about destiny? “Not now, Mom, please,” Aidan said, his hand slipping away from Melissa, leaving her bone-chilled despite the heated kitchen. Angelina offered a motherly smile. “You can’t escape it, mon fils, even if you wanted to. When it’s time, it’s time. When your destiny presents itself, you must face it.” Melissa sucked in her bottom lip and tried to pretend she was invisible. This was all getting way too deep for her. And her body was still vibrating from that weird vision trance thing she’d just experienced. “Hey, everybody!” She turned at the sound of a booming voice, grateful for the interruption. A man even taller and darker than Aidan filled the doorway, dressed in the same style of casual jeans and polo shirt. He was the one she’d seen standing next to Aidan in the lobby of the hotel this morning. His blue eyes focused on her and he offered a polite smile as he approached. “Sorry I’m late. Had a conference call that went on longer than I expected. You must be Melissa Cross. I’m Logan Storm.” She shook a hand that didn’t hold nearly the same warmth as Aidan’s. But, my oh my, was he good looking. Much better looking up close than even she had thought when she’d spied him talking with his brother earlier today. “Hello, Logan. I’m pleased to be here, and anxious to start work on the project. Aidan invited me to dinner here tonight.” She cringed inside, mentally berating herself for apologizing for being in his family’s kitchen. Her professionalism was crumbling by the minute. “Great. I’m glad he dragged you over, although I’ll bet our mother didn’t give him a choice in the matter. And has my family managed to torture you into revealing every personal tidbit about your life yet?” “Logan!” Angelina warned, wiping her hands on her apron and holding out her arms for a hug. As Logan stepped into his mother’s arms, Shannon crooked a wry smile. “Mom’s right,” she said, then winked at Melissa.” How could you even suggest such a thing? Besides, you know we save the inquisition and digging into her personal life until after dinner.” Melissa stifled a groan. It was going to be a very long night.

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Chapter Three Melissa couldn’t believe the plethora of seafood, rice, beans, and breads spread out on the expansive dining room table. The place looked ready for a banquet. Did these people eat this much food every day? Looking at all of them, they must have holes in their feet because not one carried an extra ounce of fat on them. They must burn their calories in exuberant displays of emotion. Aidan’s family was loud, talking over each other, laughing at one end of the dining table, arguing at the other. Shannon and Logan were the arguers. During their discussion Melissa learned that Shannon ran the Public Relations office at the hotel, and she and Logan were currently outlining the PR program for the new casino, each with opposing viewpoints. “Look, you idiot,” Shannon said, frowning at Logan, “you can’t promote one without the other. It has to be a dual venture.” “I don’t see why we can’t do a PR blitz on the casino first to really generate interest, then tie it in to the hotel afterwards,” Logan replied between mouthfuls, seemingly not insulted in the least by his sister’s remark. Shannon sighed and rolled her eyes. “This is why I’m PR and you’re the big picture guy. Because you want The Rising Storm’s name to be what people think of when they think casino. You have to promote the hell out of the hotel at the same time you do the casino.” Melissa watched the interplay, fascinated at how siblings could run a business together. “What do you think, Aidan?” Logan asked, peering down the table toward his brother. Aidan shrugged. “I can see both points. You want to generate interest in the casino without cramming hotel packages down people’s throats, but then again you ought to tie the two together for name recognition. And, frankly, what we really want is more people staying at the hotel while they’re gambling at the casino, instead of booking their rooms somewhere else. But PR? I’m Marketing and we have that angle covered. Public Relations is Shannon’s job.” Smart man, Melissa thought. That’s exactly the diplomatic answer she’d have given. “You’re no help at all,” Shannon said. Then her gaze switched to Melissa’s. “How about you, Melissa? What’s your take on promotion?”

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She swallowed the shrimp caught in her throat. All eyes turned to her. She formed her answer carefully, considering that every member at the dinner table had a vested interest in the success of the hotel/casino venture. “Our marketing plan consists of promotion of the hotel and the casino together. You can start publicizing the advantages right away, and then offer discount packages to your high rollers and frequent gamblers.” No one spoke for a moment. Melissa realized that in giving her idea, she had taken Shannon’s side over Logan. Logan nodded. “You’re right, of course.” Melissa exhaled. “The casino organization works with a master at public relations. He runs his own company and has promoted some of the newer casinos in the northeast. If you’d like, I can make arrangements for him to come down and work with Shannon on a PR plan.” “That won’t be necessary, I can handle PR by myself,” Shannon said, lifting her chin. Logan countered. “Good idea. Have him call me so we can discuss his ideas.” Shannon shot a glare at him. “I told you I can handle this.” Logan wasn’t fazed a bit by his sister’s icy glare, and in fact turned his own frosty gaze back at her. “I heard you. I disagree. I’ll talk to the PR guy…what’s his name, by the way?” “Max Devlin,” Melissa replied. “I’ll call him tomorrow and have him get in touch with you.” Melissa took a swallow of Galen’s homemade wine, fearful that she’d just made an enemy of Shannon Storm. “Then I want to be in on any conversations you have with him. This is my project, and I won’t have some outsider come in and take over,” Shannon said. At Logan’s nod, she resumed eating, apparently nonplussed at being outvoted. “Don’t worry about it,” Aidan whispered in her ear. “One of us is always disagreeing with the other about business. No one here holds a grudge or takes it personally.” To illustrate his statement, Logan stood and headed toward the kitchen, but paused and laid a hand on Shannon’s shoulder as he walked by. She looked up, squeezed his hand and smiled. “That’s amazing,” Melissa said to Aidan. He tilted his head. “Why? Aren’t all families like that?” She laughed. “Hardly. My parents could spend an entire meal not saying one word to each other, or to me. And, if there was a disagreement, it could sometimes last a week or longer.” He reached over and grazed his knuckles against her cheek. She felt the shock, a tinge of excitement that warmed her from the inside.

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“That’ll never happen here. You’re already family here, cher.” Before she knew what was happening, Aidan leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. Her insides sizzled at the brief touch of his mouth. She breathed him in, that essence of male that so mesmerized her. His lips tasted spicy and faintly of wine. She licked at his lower lip, then tugged it lightly with her teeth, shocked at her bold behavior. Their kiss lasted an eternity as he tasted her, licked her lips, gently probed the recesses of her more than eager mouth. Then he pulled away and she realized what had seemed like forever must have lasted only a few seconds. Aidan smiled at her, his eyes blazing desire. She shuddered and tried to clear her head, then realized where she was and closed her eyes against the mortification that washed over her. Once again she’d shocked herself at her behavior. Here she was at the dinner table with Aidan’s entire family, and she’d allowed him to kiss her. Kiss her! A business associate, and nothing more. Appalled at her reaction to him, she opened her eyes, intent on apologizing to his family. She and Aidan were completely alone in the dining room. No way had she been so wrapped up in Aidan’s kisses that she would have missed a mass exodus of people. And yet the room was empty. The dinner plates had been removed and a bustle of activity could be heard in the nearby kitchen. When had everyone left, and how could she have been so immersed in Aidan that she had tuned them out?

***** Aidan could have laughed at the stunned expression on Melissa’s face when she looked around to find his family had left the room. He made a mental note to thank them later for instinctively knowing he wanted those few seconds of privacy to touch his lips against hers. She’d tasted sweet like wine, and spicy, too. A promise of heat and an element of raw passion that shot through him like an electrical current. He’d hardened instantly, realizing how wild they could be together in bed. The thought of taking her right there in the dining room had flashed through his mind, especially when he’d connected with her and tasted her essence. But he also knew that fucking Melissa in his family dining room wouldn’t fly, no matter how liberal his parents were. But he’d been damn tempted.

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Now, watching her wash dishes side-by-side with his sisters, stabbed him with a pang of longing he’d never felt before. He’d never brought a woman home, a fact that wasn’t lost on him. And even though his mother had insisted he bring her to dinner, even though she was only a business associate, it didn’t change the fact that he’d never brought any woman home to meet his family, business or personal. So why Melissa? And what was all that destiny stuff his mother spouted off about him and Melissa? He was well aware of the family history, knew the magic associated with both his parents, recognized the powers he possessed. But destiny? Him and Melissa Cross? Not likely. Then again, watching as she laughed with his sisters, she looked like she belonged there. It felt like she belonged there. With them. With him. Shit. He didn’t need this complication. He had a job to do with Melissa, and that was all they’d be doing. Granted, he’d like to explore a sexual relationship with her, but that would have to be one with no ties. If she was agreeable to those terms, great. If not, he’d go without. Aidan jammed his fingers through his hair and blew out a frustrated breath. “Problems?” Logan whispered behind him. “I wish you wouldn’t sneak up on me all the time, “Aidan said, not even turning around to look at his brother. “I didn’t sneak. I practically stomped in the room. You couldn’t hear me because you were focused on the gorgeous blonde over there.” “Was not.” Logan laughed. “You used to argue the same way when we were kids. As I recall, you always lost.” Aidan turned and found Logan smiling smugly at him, his arms crossed. “You’re full of shit and obviously have a faulty memory. I always won.” “In your dreams, little brother.” Shannon poured wine for Melissa and Kaitlyn. The three heads, one midnight black, one sable brown and the other honey blonde, tilted together like some teen-girl conspiracy was at play. A fit of giggles erupted shortly thereafter, and Melissa cast a glance in Aidan’s direction, her eyes widening before turning back to his sisters and shaking her head negatively. “They’re talking about you,” Logan said. “Shannon’s probably warning Melissa away from you, and Kaitlyn’s no doubt trying to plan your wedding.” Aidan had to laugh at that one. Kaitlyn’s favorite events to coordinate at The Rising Storm were the weddings. She’d get a glow about her that would last for the entire planning period. “You’re probably right.” 29

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“Better run for your life now, while you still have the chance.” “Nah, I think I’m strong enough to resist being dragged down the aisle.” “It’s not a wedding I’m worried about. With you it’s the bedding part. Keep in mind that Melissa Cross is Chesapeake Casinos. Don’t screw up this deal.” “Don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s nothing going on between us. She’s an ice queen. Definitely not my type.” Logan raised a brow. “I might be busy, but I’m not blind. There’s something between you two.” When Aidan started to object, Logan held up his hand and said, “I know, you’re thinking Mom and her destiny stuff. That’s not what I’m talking about. I don’t believe in that crap at all and you know it. I’m just saying there’s some connection between you.” “Like magic?” Aidan loved to tease Logan about the family power. Of all the siblings, Logan was the only one who refused to recognize or use his. “No, not like magic. More like sexual chemistry. It damn near hovered visibly in the air between you two over dinner. No magic in that. Just don’t let it get personal. This deal’s important to the hotel, Aidan. More important than you getting your rocks off with Melissa Cross.” “I’ll try to fight her off for as long as I can, then.” Aidan winked at Logan who shook his head in disgust and walked out of the room. He turned his attention back to Melissa. That dress she wore had nearly reduced him to a puddle of melting testosterone when she’d opened the door to her suite. A bright green that brought out her emerald eyes, it clung to her body in all the right places, making him want to slide his hands over her legs and lift the hem to see what treasures lay underneath. Damn, his cock was twitching again. Even taking matters into his own hands hadn’t assuaged the hunger he felt each time he looked at Melissa. He wanted her. Purely and simply wanted her. Wanted to taste every inch of her skin, touch every secret place on her body, and sink deeply between her legs until his hunger for her went away. Adjusting his now tight jeans, he stood and walked into the estrogen throng. “You ready?” he asked Melissa. She glanced up and smiled, then nodded. “Yes.” Funny, he hadn’t elaborated on what he wanted to know she was ready for. And that thought had him needing to make a quick exit before he embarrassed himself with a huge hard-on in front of his sisters. “I’ll talk to you at work, tomorrow,” Shannon said. Aidan was shocked at the warm smile Shannon bestowed on Melissa. Usually she was much more reserved with people she didn’t know.

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Kaitlyn, as was typical for her, had never met anyone she considered a stranger. She threw her arms around Melissa and told her to stop by the office and see her tomorrow. Melissa smiled genuinely at his sisters, and said goodbye. They found his parents snuggled up together in front of the television. “Thank you so much for having me to dinner,” Melissa said. They stood and hugged her. “You’re welcome in our home any time,” his mother said. She kissed Aidan and told him to behave himself. He got them out of there as soon as he could. Behave himself, hell. He’d have to exercise some serious control to keep from ravaging Melissa right there in the car. “You have a wonderful family,” she said as they drove away. Her voice sounded wistful, almost as if she coveted something she couldn’t have. “Yeah, they are.” “You have no idea how very lucky you are.” He glanced at her, noting her hands folded neatly in her lap, her gaze focused on them. “I know I am.” She went silent again and he let her be, trying not to focus on her long legs, that sexy curve of her collarbone that just begged for his tongue, or the way she licked her lips. He wasn’t confident the ‘vette was big enough for both him and his hard-on. Then he heard her hum, a soft, sweet melody that was some oldie about New Orleans. It made him smile. “You like to sing?” She looked up at him. “Sing? No. Why?” “You were humming.” “I was not.” “Yeah,” he said with a slight laugh. “You were. Just now.” “Really?” “Yes.” “Oh.” She looked out the window for a few seconds, then looked at him again. “I think your sisters fed me too much wine.” “Feeling a little tipsy?” He nearly drove the car off the road when she hit him with a wicked smile. “Maybe more than a little.” “What else do you feel?” he asked. “Warm.” “Not hot?”

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She seemed to consider his question before answering, “Not yet, but I’m sure I could get that way.” Holy shit. She played right into his little game of sexual innuendo without balking. Not at all what he’d expected. Was anything about this woman predictable? Taking a chance, he pulled off the freeway and drove to a nearby park, found a secluded spot and turned off the motor. Then he waited for her to ask, or complain. Nothing. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes, her breathing even and relaxed. “You going to sleep on me?” he asked, almost afraid to make a sound or movement. “Nope. Just enjoying the night and the slight buzz from the wine. I never relax, you know. Always busy, always have to be somewhere, or work on some project. Always going, going, going.” Wishing he’d brought the SUV instead of the ‘vette, he leaned the seat back as far as it would go, enjoying the conversation and the chance to ogle Melissa without her objecting. “Do you wanna relax?” he asked. “Oh yeah.” Then she sat up and opened her eyes, shifting in the seat so she faced him. Her dress hiked up to her thighs and he swallowed, his throat gone dry. “How about you, Aidan? You seem to be the relaxed type. How do you do it?” “Easy. I just enjoy life. It isn’t all about work.” “That’s what I’ve heard. But if you don’t work hard someone will step on you on their journey up the ladder.” He reached for her cheek, loving the silky feel of her skin as his palm caressed her face. “Oh, but you miss so much about life if you don’t take the time to kick back and relax every now and then.” Her gaze focused on his, her green eyes darkening like rich emeralds. “What am I missing, Aidan?” Taking the opening, he leaned over and cupped his hand around her neck, pulling her face toward his. “This,” he whispered, his mouth descending on hers. Electricity swirled around them. Aidan welcomed it, the feeling so familiar it seemed a comfort when it happened. Melissa inhaled deeply, obviously hit by the same sensations. Aidan placed his thumb on her chin. “Open for me, Lissa,” he whispered against her lips. On a sigh she opened her mouth and he slid his tongue inside, her mouth moist and inviting.

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She tasted sweet and hot at the same time, her tongue finding his and swirling together in a passion that heated up by the millisecond. Damn the fucking Corvette anyway! Aidan shifted, dying to pull her into his arms, but knowing there wasn’t enough room. He pulled away, his gaze searching the picnic area. It was late. No one would be around. He closed his eyes and gathered the magic, the cloud cover surging over the brightly lit park immediately, obliterating the moon and casting the picnic table in shrouded darkness. “Come with me,” he said, slipping out his side and hurrying over to hers to open the door and help her out. She wobbled a bit and he steadied her. “Are you okay?” She nodded, her lips curling in a hot smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Are you going to kiss me some more?” Hell yeah he was gonna kiss her. Kiss her and then some. He pulled her to the picnic bench and sat, pulling her onto his lap. The feel of her bottom wriggling against his groin as she settled herself on him nearly had him coming in his jeans. “Look at me, Lissa,” he said. She turned and settled against him, curling her fingers through his hair. “Kiss me, Aidan.” He needed no further encouragement. He dipped her so that her face was at his chest level, and bent down, devouring her lips with his mouth, his tongue probing and searching for hers. The magic followed them out here, swirling around them as a gust of wind picked up and cooled the heat they’d managed to evoke in just a matter of seconds. Damn, she felt good in his arms, cradled against him and giving him access to all of her. His hand swept from the curve of her hip down her thighs, then traveled over the silky legs stretched out on the picnic bench. Her skin was so soft it was like dipping his fingers in water. And he was drowning in the sensations of her mouth on his, her gasps and whimpers urging him on. There was something special about this woman, some magic that— No. Not magic. She wasn’t special. Get the Storm destiny crap out of your head, Aidan. It doesn’t exist, she isn’t the one. There is no ‘one’ woman for you. Forcing himself to stay in the here and now, he pulled away from her eager mouth, loving the way her lips swelled from the force of his kisses, the way her eyes glazed over in passion.

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Her hair tickled his forearm, and he longed to pull the clasp off and let the long strands fall free. But he only had two hands and right now one held her over his arm and the other was busy stroking her firm, silken legs. When his fingers traveled up her thighs and slid a fraction under the hem of her dress, she moaned into his mouth, firing up the storm that rumbled inside him. His erection pressed hard against his jeans, twitching whenever she moved her ass against him. He could barely contain his excitement, but forced himself to maintain control. He didn’t want this to be over in a heartbeat. But, damn, he couldn’t touch enough of her to satisfy him. Leaning her forward a bit, he found the zipper at the back of her dress and slowly tugged it down. She gasped when he slipped the tiny straps off her shoulders, then he paused, waiting to see if she’d object. Her gaze met his, her eyes half-closed and her tongue curling around her lips in a way that excited him like nothing ever had. With his free hand, he pulled the dress down until her breasts were bared. Oh yeah. No bra. Her breasts were small, round like peaches, her pink nipples tightening under his gaze. He swept his palm over one, then grazed the nub with his fingers, watching it pucker and harden further. She gasped when he rolled the tip between his fingers, her eyelids shutting tight. She arched her back against his hand. Then his cool Boston colleague surprised the hell out of him. She reached for his hand and slid it down over her belly and lower, placing it at the hem of her dress. “Touch me,” she whispered, her voice low and breathless and, hot damn, fucking sexy as hell. “Touch you where, cher?” he asked, knowing exactly where she wanted his hand but wanting, needing to hear her say it. “Down there,” she whispered, her eyes closed tight. “Down here?” He swept his hand over her thighs and moved down toward her knees. She frowned. “No, higher.” “Here?” He moved back up and rested his hand against her thigh. “Higher.” Her mix of shy and bold excited him like no other woman had before. “Open your eyes, Lissa.” She sucked in her bottom lip and her eyes fluttered open, dark with passion. “Tell me where you want my hand.” She paused before answering. “Higher.” He smiled down at her. “Be more specific.”

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She didn’t answer. “Do you want me to make you come, Lissa?” Her breasts rose and fell with her rapid breaths, and she nodded. “Yes.” “Then tell me where you want me to touch you.” He could barely contain his desire to slide his hand between her legs, but forced himself to wait for her request. Coaxing her response a little, he moved his hand back up and caressed her breasts. She whimpered and wriggled against him. “Tell me,” he urged again. Her hesitation came through in her stuttered words, as if she had trouble expressing what she really wanted. “Touch my pussy, Aidan,” she finally answered. “Make me come. I’m on fire.” He bent down and took her mouth at the same time he slid his hand under the hem of her dress, his fingers first grazing her firm upper thighs, and stopping at the silk barrier of her panties. Instinctively, she lifted her hips to grant him access. He laid a palm over her mound, feeling the dampness that had soaked through the thin material. He ached to bury his cock in her moist pussy, but wanted to ease her aches first. He rocked his palm against her, rewarded with her sharp gasp of pleasure. Moving further up, he grasped the skimpy bit of silk covering her and pulled it down over her hips and legs, taking them off and placing them on the table. Then he lifted her dress over her hips so he could see the prize. “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, so in awe of this woman lying nearly naked across his lap. Her body was perfectly sculpted, lean and athletic. Her dress was bunched in the middle of her body, and he wanted to take it off so he could see her completely naked. A thatch of moist curls covered her mound and he tangled his fingers in them. Like silken threads, so soft, so inviting. He had to get her completely undressed. But not here, and not now. Now he wanted to pleasure her more than he’d ever wanted anything. The air stilled and the trees stopped waving their branches. The world around them quieted and heated, steamy warmth surrounding them as he placed his hand on her now soaked mound and stroked the length of her with the tip of his finger. “Oh my God,” she squeaked, her voice cracking with the attempt to feel and talk at the same time. “Do you feel that?” He nodded. “Yes, Lissa, I feel it.” Knowing what she was referring to made him smile into the darkness. “It’s like a current of electricity,” she gasped. “God, Aidan, it’s driving me crazy.”

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She was silken honey, pouring over his fingers in a warm rush of liquid that he sucked off his finger while she watched. She tasted like hot passion and sweet desire. Melissa shuddered, her gaze glued to his sucking fingers, “Now slip your finger inside me. I need to feel you inside me,” she said, grasping for his wrist to pull it down between her legs. He let her guide him, loving the feel of her softness as he probed for the opening to her sweet spot. His gaze stayed riveted on her face as he slipped his finger inside her. Her cunt tightened around his finger, giving him a glimpse into how good it would feel when his cock replaced his finger. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she tilted her head back against his arm. He stroked, gently, feeling her contract, her buttocks rising off his lap and then falling again as he started a rhythm with his finger. He searched between the soft folds with his thumb and found her clit, circling the nub until she whimpered and panted. “Yes, oh Aidan, yes, right there,” she cried softly, holding onto his wrist and guiding the tempo of his fingers. Her pleasure dripped over him, soaking him, making it difficult if not near impossible to maintain control as he increased the speed of his thrusts, sensing she was near completion. “Fuck me faster,” she begged, arching her back. He drove in and out of her with quick thrusts until she moaned loudly. She stilled then, crying out as her climax washed over her, her pussy clenching hard around his fingers. Her little whimpers and movements nearly drove him over the edge right along with her. She shuddered as her orgasm continued to arc through her body. He kept his fingers inside her, wanting to feel every spasm, loving how wet she’d gotten, knowing how damn good it was going to be when he came deep inside her. She lay there for a few seconds and he watched her, her breasts rising and falling with her deep breaths, tiny shudders making her body quake in his arms. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him, a satisfied smile gracing her beautiful face. Aidan withdrew his fingers and pulled her upright, keeping her situated on his lap. If he thought about charts, graphs or marketing plans, he might, just might, be able to control the urge to come in his pants. Until Melissa took his soaked hand and licked her juices off his fingers. Riveted on her sucking and the feel of her warm, wet mouth over him, he knew exactly what he wanted from her. But was she willing to give it?

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She pulled his fingers away and licked her lips, then kissed him, sharing the taste of her sweet juices with him. “Damn you’re good at that,” he said. “At what?” she asked, batting her lashes innocently. “At sucking my fingers.” “Does it make you hot?” “Hell, yes.” Her lips curled in a sensual smile that nearly knocked him off the bench. “Do you want me to suck your cock like that?” Holy fuck. She was willing to give him what he craved.

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Chapter Four Melissa trembled at the dark response in Aidan’s eyes, unable to believe what had just happened. Too much wine was the culprit, no doubt. A hazy blanket fogged the common sense from her brain. She shouldn’t be doing what she’d been doing with Aidan. She shouldn’t have allowed him to touch her, to kiss her, to give her that lightning quick orgasm. Remnants of the overwhelming pleasure still burned inside her. She shouldn’t want to reach into his jeans and touch, lick and suck his cock. But she did. She wanted all that. And more. It had to be the wine. At least that’s what she’d decided to blame it on. “Well? Are you going to answer me or not?” she asked, teasing him by licking the last vestiges of her juices from her fingers. A part of her wondered who this wanton woman was who’d just offered to give her new business partner a blow job. The other part of her, the part she never set free, ignored the more reserved side and prodded on. “Do I really need to answer? I think you know what I want.” He showed her by lifting her off his lap and situating himself on top of the picnic bench. He leaned back on his hands, his crotch in perfect position for her mouth. Never before had she wanted to do something so outrageous as sucking a man’s cock in a public place. After all, he was her business partner. But she wouldn’t think of that right now. The wine muddled her brain, melting it like the heated night had melted her inhibitions. She wanted this. Clearly, he did, too. Besides, she wanted to give him the same kind of pleasure he’d just given her. She wanted to make him feel wild and out of control. She stood and stepped between his legs and the bench, her sundress nothing more than a wadded bunch at her stomach. She couldn’t have cared less that her body was bared, nothing more than a fine sheen of perspiration covering it. Who was this wild woman eager to give a man pleasure? Frosty Cross didn’t behave this way. Was it so wrong to want to let go a bit? She’d let go earlier, and Aidan had taken her places she’d never been before.

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Careful, Melissa. Remember what happened last time you let someone in your heart. The last time you lost control, it cost you dearly. But this wasn’t about her heart, wasn’t about relationships and love. Aidan wanted one thing only from her—hot, unbridled sex. What was so wrong about that? She was a healthy woman who enjoyed sex as much as any man. As much as Aidan Storm seemed to. This was what she wanted, and she was smart enough not to involve her heart. Aidan reached for her. “Come here. Kiss me.” She leaned over and fit her mouth over his, still surprised at the lightning shock that shot through her every time she touched him. Her body moistened in response. “Nice,” he murmured against her lips, sliding his tongue against her bottom lip and nipping it lightly with his teeth. She moaned against his mouth, rewarded with his sexy, rumbling laugh. He reached around and grasped her buttocks, pulling her toward his erection. When she rocked against him, he groaned. Unable to resist further, she slid her hands down his shirt-clad chest and over his rigid abdomen, then halted at the waistband of his jeans. “Don’t stop,” he said, breathing heavily. “Tell me what you want, Aidan,” she urged, needing to hear it even though she already knew. He fixed her with a dark and dangerous stare that she read as a man on the edge. Good. Just where she wanted him. Because she intended to take him right over that edge, and then some. “You know what I want. Give it to me.” “Tsk, tsk, such an impatient man.” Her fingers slid a little lower and rested on his zipper. Already she could feel his heat surging through her fingertips, lighting fire to her body. “Don’t fuck with me, Lissa,” he warned. She laughed, a low and husky sound that she couldn’t quite believe came from her. “I thought that’s exactly what you wanted me to do.” “Yeah, and we’ll get to that. Right now, I want you to suck me.” Her nipples tightened, pleasure flooding between her legs. “Oh, I will, Aidan. But first…first I need to touch you.” The torture had lasted long enough. For both of them. Unable to wait any longer, she moved her hand down until she found his erection. Huge, both lengthy and thick, her gaze flew up to his. “Wow.” He laughed. “Thanks.”

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Palming him, still not quite able to believe his size, she pressed in and his erection jumped toward her hand. “Touch it.” Further commands from Aidan were unnecessary. He couldn’t have kept her from her exploration if he’d tried. Making quick work of the button on his jeans, she slid the zipper down, brushing against his straining erection as she did so. Her heart sped up, a sense of urgency enveloping her. She grasped his shaft and pulled it free of his clothing. He helped her by lifting his hips and sliding his jeans and boxers down his legs. His erection sprang up and she stood back and admired him. Long, it had to be nearly nine inches, and incredibly thick. Visions of him pounding inside her had her juices flowing down her thighs. “Stop doing that,” he rasped. “What?” Certainly above average. Would it even fit inside her? For that matter, would she ever have the chance to find out? “Stop looking at it like that. You’re gonna make me come before you ever get your mouth on it.” Her lips curled in a devilish smile. “Oh. We can’t have that, now can we?” She stroked his length, mesmerized when his cock jumped in her hand and burned her palms. Goosebumps popped up on her skin. “Wow.” Aidan let loose a guttural groan. “Lissa, stop.” She let his erection slide away from her fingers. “You want me to stop?” “Fuck no. I want you to touch it with your mouth. Quit teasing me.” If she weren’t so fired up about doing exactly as he asked, she’d have tormented him a few seconds longer. But she couldn’t. She sat on the bench in front of him, grasping his shaft once again in her hands, adjusting to the way it seemed to vibrate with a life of its own. She wanted to touch him all over, to feel where his skin was soft and where it was covered with crisp, dark hair. But not now. Now she needed to taste him. She opened her mouth and captured the tip of his penis. Thunder rumbled somewhere far off in the distance. She licked the salty fluid that spilled onto her tongue. Aidan bucked his hips and more of his delicious cock filled her mouth. “Christ, Lissa!” Her gaze met his and she triumphed at his clenched jaw and heavily lidded eyes. Wanting more, she stood and bent over him so he could watch her slide as much of him into her mouth as she could hold. When he reached for her and caressed her hair, she moved her mouth down until she could go no further. And still, there was more of him she hadn’t tasted.

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When she released his cock he shuddered, his gaze riveted as she alternated stroking his shaft and licking the tip. He tasted like hot, spicy sex, and she loved every second of having him in her mouth. When she moved down and licked his balls he cursed in French and nearly rocketed himself off the bench. Smooth, the twin satin sacs tightened against his body. She laved them with her tongue until he begged her to suck him. From the way he moved, she knew that he wasn’t going to last long, and even that thrilled her, knowing she could take him this close to orgasm in a matter of minutes. “Oh, man,” he mumbled when she sucked him in deep and quickened her movements. He sat up and palmed her face with his hands. She stilled her head and let him fuck her mouth, the sensation unlike anything she’d experienced. Sparks of intense desire shot between her legs, and she instinctively reached down and slid her fingers between her legs. Her pussy was soaked with the juices of her earlier orgasm. She closed her eyes, imagining her body primed to receive his thick cock. Her strokes mirrored his as she pumped her fingers in and out of her pussy in time to the thrusting motions of his cock in her mouth. Tension built inside her like a gathering storm, driving her toward the edge of reason. “Yeah, baby, touch yourself. Make yourself come,” Aidan whispered, now controlling the movements of his cock in her mouth. She went with him, her fingers sliding deep inside her heated core, nearly delirious in her desire to plummet over the edge with him. Listening to his groans of pleasure heightened her own. Then it hit her, suddenly and without warning. She moaned against his cock as the orgasm took her over, and he went with her, a gush of fluid filling her mouth. She swallowed his come eagerly, a swirl of incredible sensations sweeping through her as she climaxed. After she’d licked and sucked him until he started to grow soft, Aidan withdrew his shaft and pulled her up against him, taking her mouth in a deep kiss. She grabbed for his shoulders and held on tight, feeling dizzy and exhausted but more satisfied than she’d ever been before. “Well, cher, that was certainly a great way to end our night,” he whispered against her ear, nipping gently at the lobe until she shivered. “Yes, it was.” She stifled a yawn and blinked twice to force her eyes to stay open. The aftereffects of her orgasms and the wine she’d consumed had finally begun to take their toll. She sank against him, grateful when he wrapped his arms around her, helped her pull up her dress and led her back to his car. The ride back was silent, yet not uncomfortable. Melissa’s wine-soaked brain refused to realize what she’d just done, and she wasn’t about to fight it. Ignorance was bliss, at least temporarily.

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By the time he pulled up to the hotel she was nearly asleep, fighting desperately to focus her eyes. “Do you want me to walk you inside?” She shook her head. “No, I think I can find my room.” He stepped out of the car and went around to open her door. She grasped his hand, grateful that he assisted her. Her limbs felt heavy and all she wanted to do right now was pass out in her bed. When she turned to say goodnight he hauled her into his arms, her chest pressed against his. She looked up at him and the smoldering look in his eyes had her body recharging once again. “I’m going to walk you to your room.” And what? Have a reoccurrence of what she was already trying to forget had happened? No way. “I’m fine. The doorman is right there and it’s your hotel, so you know it’s safe. I’m really okay, Aidan, but I appreciate the offer.” “I insist.” “And I say no. Please.” “All right. I had fun tonight.” “Me too.” Too much fun, she feared. “Goodnight Aidan.” She pulled away and waved him off, then hurried through the lobby doors. The first vestiges of guilt and horror at what she’d done tonight with a virtual stranger were already wiggling their way into her conscience. She wanted to be sound asleep before the full impact of her behavior reared its ugly head. Not that it would matter, she thought as she made her way to her room, throwing her purse on the chair and stripping off her dress. She’d have to face it tomorrow. As she slipped under the cool sheets, her body still simmered with heat from Aidan’s touch. Like a long, hot summer, she worried that nothing could cool the fire he’d flamed inside her.

***** The alarm blared in Melissa’s ears. How could it be time to get up already? She’d just gone to bed. Or at least it seemed that way. Pulling her head from beneath the pillow, she managed to squeeze open one eye to check the time. Damn. Damn, damn, and double damn. It was time to get up. Get up, take a shower, and get ready to face Aidan.

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The flush warming her body as she padded into the bathroom had nothing to do with memories of his electrified touch. This time it was the flame of mortification. What the hell had she been thinking? Better yet, who the hell had she been last night? Certainly not Frosty Cross. She’d never let go like that, never let her inhibitions fly away in a storm of desire. Always cool, calm and in control, the woman she’d become in Aidan’s arms was a complete opposite of the woman she’d thought herself to be. The woman she wanted to be. Poised, professional, crisp and impersonal. Instead she’d been wanton, sexy, molten fire and had melted all over Aidan. Too bad the shower couldn’t wash away the embarrassment she’d have to face once she saw him again. If she were a weaker person she could feign a headache and at least temporarily put off what was bound to be an uncomfortable meeting. But she wasn’t weak, had never been, and wouldn’t allow herself to avoid contact with him. Correction. She had been weak, once. Last night. She soaped her body, aching in places that hadn’t been touched in far too long. Oh sure, she got herself off on a regular basis. After all, masturbating was a great tension reliever, and in her line of work she ended every day stressed to the maximum. But getting oneself off and spreading her legs in the middle of a public park with such wild abandon was an entirely different matter. When she soaped her breasts, she remembered the sensation of Aidan’s hands grasping her softly and gently, tweaking her nipples until shocks of pleasure sailed through her. Slipping her fingers between her legs, she was surprised at the instant awakening of desire. This kind of thing just didn’t happen to her. Refusing to give in to the sexual need growing steadily inside her, she turned off the shower, dried off and faced herself in the mirror. No sense whining about something she had no control over. What’s done was done, and she couldn’t go back and change things, no matter how much she wanted to. She’d just have to keep things cooler between her and Aidan in the future, and to make sure he clearly understood that she was not a hot sex goddess, but a cool, calm, professional.

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***** Damn, she’d been hot last night. Aidan flipped his car keys to Frank, the attendant, bounding up the steps and into the lobby. For the first time in a long time, he was supercharged about going to work. Part of it was the excitement of the casino venture with the hotel. A lot of it had to do with seeing Lissa. His body already craved her again, wanted her touch, wanted to inhale her sweet scent. He had to mentally force down thoughts of fucking her to avoid walking through the hotel with a very visible erection. Never before had a woman fired him up like Lissa had. She’d taken him completely by surprise with her acquiescence to his sexual teasing. He’d only started it because he wanted to rile her a little. He found her cool Boston exterior not only a challenge, but charming. Okay, maybe more the challenge. Then when she heated up like a wildcat, her desires more than matching his own, she’d tantalized him past the point of rational thought. If Logan knew about what happened between them last night, he’d have a fit. Aidan even felt a twinge of guilt that he’d not only done the one thing Logan warned him not to do, but he’d done it the first night Melissa was in town. Considering she’d be here at least a month, trying to keep his distance would be difficult, if not downright impossible. He’d had a taste of her passion, and the storm within him was building. Stronger and harder than anything he’d experienced before. Good thing he could control the magic. Otherwise a hurricane would be blowing through The Rising Storm any day now. His senses perked up as the elevator doors opened. Sure enough…Lissa. Looking cool and professional in her cream-colored business suit and matching high heel shoes, she strode forward with a determined and quick step. Right up until she spotted him. Then she paused for a second, her pace faltered, and she broke eye contact. Interesting. She seemed to be considering something on the floor. Then she lifted her head, straightened her shoulders and headed purposefully in his direction. “Good morning, Aidan,” she said. Gone was the heat wave of last night. In its stead, a crispy Boston breeze. “Mornin’. Sleep well?” “Fine, thank you. Shall we get started?”

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No warmth. Not even a smile. So this was how it was going to be. Ignoring the pang of regret in his stomach, he figured it was for the best anyway. If she wanted to avoid discussion of what had happened between them last night, obviously it hadn’t been as monumental for her as it had been for him. And didn’t that do wonders for his ego? With a sigh, he said, “Let’s go to my office and we’ll start working on the plan.” She turned on her heel and walked silently beside him. With every measured step she took, Aidan grew more and more irritated. Granted, last night hadn’t been moonlight and stardust in a bed covered in rose petals. But it had been hot and stormy. Fierce, passionate, elemental. And dammit, she had loved every minute of it. Today it was like a Blue Norther’ had blown in, soaking and cooling everything in its wake. Cooling his libido, for certain. And definitely blowing his pride to bits. Maybe he hadn’t done as good a job for her last night as he’d thought. She sure as hell had taken him apart piece by piece. Just the memory of her mouth on his cock had him hardening, despite her frosty demeanor. “Now if we could just go over this part of the plan,” she said when they entered the conference room, all businesslike and barely making eye contact. Aidan played along for most of the day, offering his ideas and suggestions as he would with any colleague. By the time late afternoon rolled around he was steaming inside, his thoughts occupied more with how he could have pleased her better. Which pissed him off all the more. He’d never had complaints in the sex department before. Never. In fact, he always got asked for seconds, even thirds. Clearly the fault was with Melissa. She was frigid. That had to be it. It couldn’t be him. Unable to resist, he asked, “Are we going to talk about it?” She looked up from the pile of papers on the table. “About what?” “Last night.” Her face tinged pink and she quickly turned her gaze back on the papers. “Nothing to talk about. It was a mistake.” “Was it?” “Yes. Let’s just forget it ever happened.” Aidan leaned back in the chair and pondered if he really wanted to let it drop or not. Not. “Was it that bad?”

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Her gaze flew to his. “Oh no! It was wonderful!” Then, obviously realizing she’d said too much, she added, “I enjoyed dinner with your family.” He chuckled. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Chin held high, she said, “I’d prefer not to talk about the other.” “Kind of hard not to relive it and talk about it, don’t you think? After all, we did share something intimate last night. We’re going to be working together over the next month. I think we should get it out in the open.” “I’d prefer to leave it buried.” That might be what she thought she needed, but deep down Aidan knew it really wasn’t what she wanted. “You enjoyed it.” No response. “You came. Hard.” Still no reply, but her blush deepened and she shifted in her chair. “You sucked my cock like a woman starving for it.” Her head lifted abruptly. Sparks of anger flared in her eyes. That got her attention. “I had too much wine.” He laughed out loud. “Pretty flimsy excuse, Lissa.” “Don’t call me that.” “What? Lissa?” “Yes. It’s not my name.” “I like it better. Less formal.” “You’re annoying as hell.” He grinned. “I’ve been told that before.” Pushing back from the table, Melissa folded her hands in her lap, her back ramrod straight. “Look, Aidan, let’s chalk up last night to a bad choice on my part. I apologize if I led you to believe there could be something between us, because there won’t be. Ever. What happened with us will never happen again. Now, I’d appreciate if you’d let the subject drop.” “I see.” He scooted his chair so close to hers their knees touched. Melissa pushed back a little further, until Aidan grabbed the arms of her chair and yanked her toward him. “Let’s get one thing straight. Last night was hot. For both of us. I enjoyed the hell out of it, and so did you.” When she opened her mouth to object, he silenced her with a look. “Why you don’t want to enjoy some hot sex between consenting adults is beyond me, but I’ll honor your wishes not to talk about it again unless you bring it up.” “That won’t happen,” she said, lifting her chin. “We’ll see.”

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He pushed her chair back and picked up their marketing plan. At least he’d managed to have his say. Now they could get back to business. “So tonight the plan is to head over to a couple of the competing casinos and check out the action?” He tried to sound as uninterested and businesslike as she had. “Yes. The company wants me to survey their activities, find out what kind of volume they’re doing. I’d like to visit them at various hours on different days to gauge their traffic in the morning, afternoon and evening.” “Works for me. I like to gamble.” Damn. That had sounded almost friendly. He’d have to watch himself. He’d nearly smiled when he said it. She regarded him for a few seconds, frowning. “You don’t have to go with me.” Which really meant she didn’t want him to go with her. Tough. “Yeah, I do need to go with you. I don’t frequent the casinos enough to know exactly what your marketing angles are. You can tell me a little bit about that while we’re there. What the key points are we want to convey to our potential customers.” She seemed to consider it for a few seconds, doubt sailing across her face. Then she nodded quickly. “Fine. We’ll start tonight.” Great. She might as well have just agreed to a root canal. Clearly, she wasn’t thrilled at the idea of spending yet another evening in his company. He’d had about enough of Miss Frosty for one day. He needed some space between now and this evening to gather his composure. He stood, picked up the remnants of his ego and said, “I have another appointment. I’ll meet you in the lobby at eight.” Before waiting for her response, he stepped out of the conference room, feeling at least a little satisfied that he’d managed to get the last word in while walking out on her at the same time.

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Chapter Five Melissa stood in front of her closet once again, unable to believe that she couldn’t find a thing to wear. For someone who’d brought a sizeable wardrobe with her, she sure was having a tough time making choices. Which had nothing to do with the fact she was going to the casino tonight with Aidan. Pangs of guilt hammered her when she recalled his hurt look in the conference room earlier today. So she’d bruised his feelings. So he’d walked out on her. Wasn’t her fault. She’d made no promises to him last night, didn’t reveal any feelings to him. They’d had one episode of pretty intense foreplay, but that was it. And it wasn’t going to go any further. If she were smart she’d pull out her conservative, long skirted business suit and wear it like a suit of armor. Then again the thought of putting on that many clothes in this wet heat made her nauseous. Screw Aidan Storm, she’d wear whatever she wanted. In fact, she’d dress sexy, even provocatively if she wanted to. Just because she wanted to keep things strictly business between her and Aidan was no reason for her to don nun’s clothing. Defiantly, she yanked the gold silk halter dress out of the closet, along with the four-inch heels that matched. That should whet his appetite a little. More than a little, if she made herself up just right. She stopped dead in her tracks on her way into the bathroom. Wait a second, what was she doing? She wasn’t supposed to be dressing to knock Aidan’s socks off. She wasn’t supposed to want him to want her. Damn if he wasn’t doing it to her again. Making her forget who she was and why she was here. She turned and glanced into the lighted closet, the drab gray suit catching her eye. Then her glance drifted back to the sinuous gold silk on the hanger in her hands. Silk or wool? Boston or New Orleans? Hot or really damn hot? No contest. Comfort won out over propriety. In less than an hour she was showered and ready. Ready to kill, judging from her reflection in the mirror.

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It had to be the sultry New Orleans heat making her feel like a temptress, making her choose sexy dresses and dabbing on tantalizing perfume. She grabbed her bag and headed toward the elevator, as perplexed as ever about what was happening to her. She’d heard New Orleans was magical, full of mystical practices that went back centuries. Maybe that’s what had overcome her—the magic of this place. Certainly, it had nothing to do with Aidan Storm.

***** Aidan cooled his heels in the lobby, wondering what kind of reception he’d get from Miss Frosty tonight. Most likely the same one he’d gotten all day today. Spying his sister, Shannon, at the front desk, he strolled over and grabbed her around the waist. She shrieked and turned, a furious glare on her face. “Dammit, Aidan! You scared the hell out of me.” “That’s the idea,” he said with a grin. “What are you doing here so late?” “Finishing up the PR campaign for the French Quarter Business District.” And still looking bright and professional in her little business suit, even at nearly eight. He’d never seen Shannon look anything other than completely put together. “I see.” “And you? You’re never here this late.” “Waiting for Melissa. We’re going to one of the casinos tonight to check out the competition.” Shannon nodded and swept her hair off her shoulders. “You two will be spending a lot of time together, won’t you?” “Yeah. So?” “She’s very attractive.” “Yes, she is.” “And whip smart.” “Indeed.” He already knew where this conversation was going, but enjoyed playing the game with his sister. “Not really your type, though, is she?” Shannon might be able to bat those turquoise eyes and act innocent with someone else, but he’d never fallen for it once. “No, she’s not.” “Kind of cold, isn’t she?” “Uh huh.”

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She pursed her lips and tilted her head. “Bet you’d like to heat her up just a little, though, wouldn’t you?” Now it was time. “Where are you going with all this, petite soeur?” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you little sister me, Aidan. I know exactly what you’re doing with her.” Aidan crossed his arms and arched a brow. “Really. And what is that?” “You’re setting her up for heartbreak.” She laid a perfectly manicured finger in the middle of his chest. “And yourself, too, if you’re not careful.” “I can handle it, Shan.” She snorted. “Famous last words. You’ve been handling women around here for years now. But I think this time you may have met your match.” “Why do you say that?” Shannon shrugged. “I don’t know. Something about her is…different. I noticed it last night.” So, he hadn’t been the only one. “Different, how?” “Not that she’s different,” she replied, looking around and then taking him by the arm to a sitting area where they had more privacy. “She seems to bring out the magic in you.” “Damn, Shannon, not you, too. You sound like Mom.” “I know, I know. Believe me, I’m the last one to think the magic is all encompassing, especially as it relates to destiny. All I’m saying is that as soon as she walked in the door to the house last night, I felt it. It begs a warning for you to be careful.” He nodded and kissed his sister on the cheek. She smiled up at him. “Unless, of course, you don’t want to be careful.” “Huh?” “You are getting up in years there, cher frère. Maybe it’s time you settle down and start raising those grandchildren Mom and Dad are always harping about.” “You first,” he teased. Her eyes widened. “Not on your life. I don’t have time.” “Talk about famous last words,” he said, then stopped cold when the awareness hit him. He turned and spotted Melissa. “Wow,” Shannon said behind him. Dressed in one hellaciously hot dress, Melissa strode toward them. Gold and shimmery, the dress waved around her legs and clung to her like it had been painted on her. “You’re in deep trouble, Aidan,” Shannon said over his shoulder, mirth evident in her warning

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“No shit.” This new Melissa he hadn’t expected. In fact, after today he fully expected her to show up in pants or some garb that covered all of her from head to toe. Not a silk dress cut low in front and showing off her figure. Her long legs looked even longer in those high heels. Ignoring her would be difficult, if not downright impossible. He’d seen the body barely hidden underneath all that gold. And he wanted to see it again. Melissa smiled brightly at Shannon as she stopped in front of them. “How are you tonight?” she asked his sister. “Great,” Shannon replied. “Working late as usual.” Melissa nodded. “You sound like a workaholic, just like me.” “Gorgeous dress, by the way,” Shannon said. “Thank you.” A telltale blush appeared on her cheeks as she glanced quickly over at Aidan. “You two have fun. I’ve got to get this paperwork finished.” Shannon scurried off toward the hotel offices, leaving Aidan and Melissa alone. The quiet was unnerving. And he couldn’t stop staring. The gold dress shimmered against Lissa’s creamy skin, the effect casting a burnished glow over her. Arousal rumbled inside him and he fought for control. Not tonight. According to Melissa, never again. He had to remember that. “Shall we go?” she finally asked. He nodded and led her to his car. She stood at the door to the Corvette. His thoughts gravitated to how she’d look when she slipped into the low car, her long legs swinging over, her dress hiking up to her thighs. Ah, hell. How much torture could one guy endure in an evening? As Melissa situated herself he looked straight ahead, refusing to glance down at her legs and whatever else might be revealed. The night was hot and humid, and as he walked around to his side Aidan pulled the crewneck collar away from his neck, feeling like a noose was tied around there. He’d be happier if he could be sitting at home with shorts and no shirt on, watching sports on television and drinking beer. Instead, he was working. With a gorgeous partner who didn’t want to have anything personal to do with him. Life just sucked sometimes.

*****

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The heat yanked the wind right out of Melissa’s sails. Moist and sticky humidity clung to her in most inconvenient places, and they hadn’t even reached the casino yet. At least Aidan was virtually ignoring her. Which was what she wanted. Although she’d noticed the obvious male appreciation when she’d appeared in the lobby, and couldn’t help smiling at the thought she had at least a few charms to tantalize him with. If she were interested in tantalizing him, that is. Which she wasn’t. She shifted, the cool air conditioning in the car peeling away the heat that seemed to permeate the very air around her. Occasionally she stole a glance at Aidan, but he refused to look her way. As long as he was ignoring her it gave her the opportunity to look at him without giving him the wrong impression. When she’d first seen him in the lobby with Shannon, her heart had hammered against her chest. Dressed in black pants and a beige crewneck shirt that hugged his well developed chest and shoulders, he looked the epitome of cool, classic and outright sexy. He had the most gorgeous head of full, dark hair that waved just the tiniest bit. How had she missed the opportunity to run her hands through his hair last night? That would have been her only opportunity to do so, too. At her own request, of course, since she’d made it clear to Aidan she wanted no part of a sexual relationship with him. He turned his head slightly in her direction as they turned into the driveway of the casino. He had the most perfect nose. Straight, not too long or wide, and a square jaw with just a hint of five o’clock shadow covering it. He looked like a man that a woman would want to sin with. Checking her rapid heartbeat at the door, she entered the casino. The clanging bells, noise and activity made Melissa feel right at home. Bright lights shimmered and pulsed all around her, and cheers could be heard all the way from the back of the huge casino where the craps tables no doubt were located. “What first?” Aidan asked. “Let’s take a stroll around the entire place and get a feel for the setup.” He nodded and let her take the lead. The casino, a national chain, was set up similar to others of its type. Slot machines and video poker were strewn throughout the casino, so that no matter where a customer wandered, there would always be spot for them to pause and put in their nickels, quarters or dollar coins and take their chances on a pull of the one arm bandit. Blackjack, craps, roulette tables, and various card games were strategically placed in high traffic areas. Several restaurants and theaters were located within the boundaries of the casino, ready to feed and entertain their customers no matter what their pleasure. 52

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“How does this place rate versus your casinos?” Aidan asked as they walked the carpeted path. Melissa cast her eye at the craps tables. “Similar. Not as good as ours, of course.” “Of course.” They must have walked the entire casino three times when Aidan stopped her and asked, “Why don’t we play a little?” Aidan could have laughed at the expression on Melissa’s face. She thought something different than what he meant. Good. “Play a little?” “Yeah. You know…poker, blackjack, craps, some of the games.” “Oh, that. I don’t play.” “You work for a casino and you don’t ever play the games?” “No.” “Why not?” “I just don’t.” “So, you suck at gambling, huh?” She lifted her chin and cast him a defiant glare. “I do not. I just don’t like to gamble.” “I can see where gambling would be a problem for you. After all, it’s risky, takes you out of your comfort zone.” Her eyes narrowed and she said, “I’m perfectly comfortable gambling. I’m just…” “Just what?” She hesitated before answering. “Unlucky.” Ah, so there was the problem. “Luck plays some part in gambling. Skill is another and knowing when to walk away a winner and when to cut your losses and leave the table.” “Well, I understand all the games and the concepts, I just can’t seem to ever win, so I don’t try.” “Come on.” He took her by the arm and led her to a blackjack table. “I’ll teach you.” “I don’t want—” “Just consider it research, okay?” Damn, but the woman was difficult to loosen up. He swore she was deliberately being obstinate just to piss him off. But this time she followed along, albeit reluctantly, and sat next to him at a blackjack table. A friendly dealer smiled at both of them.

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“Hi Sandy,” Aidan said after he read the dealer’s tag. The woman nodded politely and began to deal. It didn’t take Aidan long to figure out why Melissa never won. “You’re doing it wrong,” he whispered as she once again stayed when she should have hit. “No, I’m not.” “You have to hit on sixteen. It’s a no win otherwise.” “Not true. I’ve won before.” “The odds are against you.” “I’ll do it my way.” “You’ll keep losing.” She sighed. “That’s what I keep telling you. I’m not lucky.” “Then let me teach you.” She turned her gaze on him, those green eyes of hers melting his resolve to stay impersonal. “Give it your best shot.” He did, and within half an hour she’d won more than she’d lost. Another half hour and chips were piling up in front of her. The more her winnings grew, the bigger her smile. She liked winning. And she definitely did not suck at gambling. Once she’d mastered the basics, she focused on the game, the other players’ cards, the dealers’ hands. He swore he could hear the wheels turning in her head as she calculated her hand versus the house. Gathering up her chips, she said, “This is great! Let’s go play something else now.” He laughed and took his winnings, following her to the craps table. “Okay, teach me how to play this one.” Melissa was a quick study. Her laughter and exuberance at winning rubbed off on the gathering players around her. Before long she was leading the pack in chips and amassing quite a fan club. Unfortunately, many of those were men. Men who ogled her, practically drooled on her, touched her arm and high-fived her when she won. Melissa seemed to enjoy it, her gaze shifting to his every now and then. Quickly she’d avert her eyes and smile up at some guy standing next to her. And Aidan didn’t like it one damn bit. Reminding himself that she wasn’t his woman, he backed away and watched, playing a little bit here and there, but mainly keeping his eye on Lissa. She ignored him completely, concentrating on the game and the men hovering near her. She laughed with them, let them hug her when she rolled successfully, and seemed to be having a great time. 54

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He, on the other hand, was nearly ready for a meltdown. He wrangled his way into the crowd and touched her arm. “You ready to go?” “Not yet. I’m winning, Aidan! Look!” she said, pointing to the large pile of chips in front of her. “I see that. I thought you might want to try another game.” “Come on, pal,” a tall, blond guy said. “She’s our lucky star. Let her stay awhile.” “Yeah,” said a good-looking older man who smiled down at Melissa. “We don’t want to lose our winner here.” Aidan forced back the grinding jealousy that stabbed at him, plastering on a polite smile. “I can appreciate that, guys, but we really need to get going.” Melissa turned and arched a brow at him. “I’m not ready to leave yet. Why don’t you go play at one of the other tables and I’ll find you when I’m done here?” When she turned away and started another roll, Aidan stepped back. Dismissed. He’d been dismissed by her as if he were nothing more than a lackey to carry around her winnings for her. Didn’t that beat all? For years he’d been the one women flocked to, he’d been the one that all the females wanted to spend time with. And now he’d found a woman whose company he really enjoyed, and she’d just given him the brush off. The hell with that. He’d get her attention like no other man could. Starting right now. The energy had already begun to swirl inside him and he didn’t need to work hard to call forth the magic. In fact, it started so strong he had to tamp it down a bit so he wouldn’t knock her off her feet. Then again, maybe that’s exactly what he’d do. No small little quirks here or there, but a full blown big one. Closing his eyes he directed the energy toward Melissa, then waited for the show to begin.

***** The first sizzling jolt hit Melissa without warning, making her instinctively want to reach down between her legs and intensify the pleasure. Recalling she was in the middle of a very public, very crowded casino, she pulled her hand away and reached for the cushioned side of the craps table. Whoa. What the hell was that? A shot of desire unlike anything she’d ever felt, and completely out of the blue. 55

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“Come on, honey, it’s your roll.” She looked up at the blond man standing next to her and smiled. “Sure. Let ‘em roll.” She tossed the dice, hoping whatever it was that had just hit her was an isolated occurrence. “Oh yeah! Won again!” the blond said, hugging her to him. When she moved away from the man it hit her again, this burst of sensation stronger than the last. It was like having a huge, hard penis slide inside her for the very first time—that sweet ache that made her moan out loud. “Did you say something, sugar?” one of the men asked. Oh God, had she really moaned? What was happening to her? She shook her head at the man and smiled weakly, hiding her shaking hands by clutching the dice in her hands. She could barely throw them across the table as another pleasure peak shot through her. Her nipples hardened, becoming more than obvious tips against her silk dress. Hopefully no one would notice. Yeah, right. A man at the other side of the table nearly lost his eyeballs as they bugged out of their sockets. Why hadn’t she brought a sweater? And more importantly, what the hell was going on? No one was touching her, and she’d never felt pleasure like this without caressing herself or being fondled by someone else. Yet she was being touched. She felt it, both outside and in, as if a warm hand gently caressed her breasts, then traveled slowly down her belly and cupped her mound. She shuddered at the nearly unbearable sensations, the dice falling out of her hands as something that felt like a cock slid inside her. But there was nothing between her legs, nothing but a pulsing, pounding pleasure that turned her legs to jelly. She squeezed her thighs together as if that alone would stop the vortex of sensations, but it only increased her pleasure until she had to bite down on her lower lip to keep from whimpering. Someone placed the dice into her hands, but she couldn’t concentrate on what she was doing. A warm, wet heat settled over her clit, pulsing gently, rhythmically stroking. She couldn’t breathe. The vibrations intensified, and if she didn’t know better she could swear she was getting close to— “Oh my God!” she screamed. The dice flew out of her hands and across the table and she gripped the padded sides as an orgasm of epic proportions washed over her. The crowds around her screamed too, but she was in such a haze of pleasure she had no idea why. She shuddered, aching to slide her fingers into her now soaked pussy and enhance the pleasure arcing through her. Thankfully the people at the table thought she’d screamed about the dice, which brought about another stack of chips in front of her. Through their

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whoops and whistles and cries of joy, she managed to ride out her climax until she could breathe semi-normally again. Panting and more than a little wobbly, she breathed in and out steadily, hoping to calm her raging heartbeat. What the hell had just happened to her? No longer able to concentrate, she piled her chips into a plastic bucket and left the table, much to the consternation of the other players. After she cleared the crowd and cashed in her chips she found Aidan leaning casually against a bar stool, a cold smile on his face. He’d been near the craps table the entire time. His eyes had darkened a near stormy black, and he gave her a knowing look as if he knew exactly what had just transpired. But he couldn’t know, could he? As soon as she stopped in front of him, he grabbed her arm. “We’re going outside for a little talk,” he said, dragging her through the doors of the casino lobby.

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Chapter Six Ignoring Melissa’s objections, Aidan all but dragged her outside. He paused for a few seconds, looking left and right, then pulled her to the side of the building, pressing her against the brick wall. When she tried to push away he held her there by placing his hands on either side of her shoulders. Shrouded in the darkness, he couldn’t see her eyes, but her heaving breaths told him she was more than a little perturbed. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. What the hell was he doing? Kidnapping her? Taking her away from the ogling eyes of the men who’d surrounded her? Hell if he knew the answer. But after watching her squirm and feeling the same erotic sensations that she’d felt, he had to get her out of there, had to get closer to her, had to— What? Ravage her right here against the building? In public, outside, where anyone could spot them? Wasn’t a bad idea at that. “I’m tired of you playing games with me,” he said, his body aware of her pulsing heartbeat. Her scent wafted over him, sweet and musky like a woman who’d just enjoyed a soaking orgasm. He was dying to drop to his knees and taste her sweet honey. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You know damn well what I’m talking about. You don’t want to have anything to do with me, but you smile and flirt with the guys at the tables in there, letting them put their hands all over you.” She reached up and pushed against his chest, but he refused to budge. “I did no such thing. I was playing craps.” “Uh huh. You were playing games all right, but the games you played were with me. I’m not stupid, Lissa.” “Are you sure?” she replied, her voice loaded with sarcasm. “And don’t call me that.” Fury boiled inside him until the ground shook with a rumbling thunder. “Call you what? Lissa?” “Stop it.” “Lissa,” he said again, this time lowering his voice, letting it trip seductively off his tongue. “No. That’s not my name.”

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“To me it is.” Although her muscles still tensed, it was tension of a different form. He felt the change in her, the abrupt switch from anger to heated desire. “Melissa is cold and unfeeling. Lissa is hot. Lissa has a few naughty thoughts that she’d like to express but might be a little afraid to.” “No.” He chuckled, knowing she’d already given up the fight. Now he had to convince her of that fact. “Lissa has fantasies.” “I do not,” she shot out. “No, wait. Stop calling me that. That’s not who I am.” “I think you’d like to act on some of those fantasies, but you haven’t found the right man to unleash the wild part of you that aches to be set free.” “And you think you’re that man?” He reached for her, lightly trailing his fingers over her bared shoulders and down her arms until he felt her shudder. God how he wanted to see her face, see her eyes light up with passion, but not here. Here he wanted privacy, darkness, a place where he could hide her away and take a little taste of her. And maybe, just maybe, get her to admit that the passion boiling inside her was for him. “Tell me, Lissa,” he continued, relentlessly touching her skin every place she was bared. She sucked in a breath when he drew his fingertips over her collarbone and stopped just short of slipping them inside the silky dress to caress her breasts. She wanted him to. He knew damn well she wanted him to. “Tell you what?” she said, no longer able to hide her panting breaths. “Tell me what you want to do right now.” Then he did slide his hand inside her dress, lightly skimming the sides of her breasts. They were soft, straining against his hands. She shivered, her breasts rising against his hand. “I want to go back to the hotel.” Moving his hands inside further, he glided his thumbs over her already hard nipples, rewarded when she sucked in a breath. “You want me.” “No,” she whispered, but her protest was weak. He reached down, grasped her hand and placed her palm on the granite hard bulge in his pants. “Feel that?” “Yes.” “I want you. Right here and right now. I’ve been hard for you for hours. Now tell me what you really want.”

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She didn’t answer, but she didn’t remove her hand, either. His cock strained for release. He needed her hands on him. “Come on, cher, tell me what your mind and your body want. Tell me what you’d like at this moment if you could do whatever you wanted.” “I…I can’t.” “Yes, you can. No one’s listening but me.” “Please, Aidan,” she stammered. “I can’t do this.” “Why?” He moved his hand to her hair, loving the feel of the silken tresses gliding along his palm. “Because it’s not who I am. I’m not a hot seductress, I’m not sexually free. I don’t give men blow jobs in public parks at night, I don’t let a man give me an orgasm in the same venue, and I’m not about to fuck you up against this building.” Her body shook with her words, whether from fear, uncertainty or just plain desire he couldn’t tell. “How about you just rub my cock until I come, then?” he teased, trying to lighten the situation. She hesitated, chewing her lower lip. Finally, she spoke in a ragged whisper. “Okay.” “Huh?” “I said okay.” Holy shit. She’d agreed. Thoughts of her stroking him outside the busy building already had his cock straining to be free of his pants. The fact that Lissa was bold enough to agree to it excited him even more. She reached for him, threading her fingers through his hair and pulling him toward her, all vestiges of hesitancy gone. “Kiss me.” He allowed her to pull him hard against her. His mouth swept down over hers and took in her moist, sweet taste, shuddering when the heat passed through him. He let loose the crack of thunder as Lissa seared him with her lips and tongue, unable to control the elements when he couldn’t even control himself around her. “Damn, woman, you make me hot,” he breathed against her cheek. “I can make you hotter,” she teased, reaching for his belt and loosening it so she could grab the button of his pants. Frantically she worked to pop it open and slide the zipper down, quickly reaching inside. She moaned excitedly when she circled his erection with her fingers. He bit back a curse and rested his palms against the hot brick of the building. Lissa pulled his cock free and circled it with her hand, skimming the tip with her

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thumb. He ached to spill his seed all over her greedy little fingers and began to pump his shaft within her enclosed hand. “It’s so hard, Aidan, and pulsing.” “I told you, I’ve been hard for you all night.” “Good.” Whatever had bothered her before, whatever reservations she’d had about involving herself physically with him, seemed to have vanished. Aidan wasn’t about to question her motives, and couldn’t at this moment if he wanted to. The feel of her hands grasping his length and circling, stroking, pumping him, was more than he could handle. Thunder boomed overhead, lightning arcing through the sky for the briefest of seconds, but long enough to capture Lissa’s face in its ethereal light. She grabbed his lower lip between her teeth. Her eyes had darkened, pupils dilated and all but obliterating the sea green orbs. Their eyes met and fire passed between them. Thunder cracked so loud that Lissa jumped, momentarily releasing her grip on his aching cock. “Don’t let go,” he groaned. “It’s going to rain,” she protested, turning her head toward the ramp of the hotel leading into the lobby. “No, it’s not going to rain.” He reached for her wrist and placed her hand over his cock, then folded his fingers over hers. “Do it, baby… make me come.” He kept his fingers on top of hers, loving the sensation of her hand on his penis. He guided her, showed her the rhythm. “Yes,” he murmured, “just like that, cher.” She was wild, her movements increasing as his pleasure heightened. The combination of her innocence in public sex and the wicked thrill of possibly being discovered with his cock exposed did a number on his normal restraint. “Come for me,” she commanded, squeezing his shaft harder, grasping him with both hands now and twisting him into knots as she cupped his balls and tugged lightly. “Come for me now, Aidan.” He lost it. Purely and simply lost it. Fighting to keep from shouting out, he leaned against the wall of the building and shot come all over Lissa’s hands, pumping furiously into her palm and fingers as his climax soared through him. A fierce wind blew against them, the elements sounding out their own pleasures as he fought to rein in the forces of nature threatening to explode around them. Melissa stayed with him the entire time, milking every drop with her hands until he relaxed and touched his forehead to hers. Their breath mingled, hot and spicy and full of arousal. He kissed her lips, tasting the desire that burned within her, knowing that although he’d been satisfied, she was still on fire.

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Melissa gasped for breath, unable to believe what she’d just done. Her body flamed with excitement and if Aidan had shoved his cock all the way inside her at this very moment she’d have gladly wrapped her legs around him and fought for her desperately needed orgasm no matter their location. But reality slowly set in, and once again she struggled for the control she’d so easily lost. He handed her a handkerchief. She was so turned on she could barely manage to stay upright on her shaky legs. Yet she knew she had to put a stop to this before she completely lost herself in Aidan. “Now, cher, it’s your turn.” Aidan slipped his hands inside her dress, scraping his palms over her nipples and cupping her breasts. Her pussy throbbed and spilled with liquid desire. She fought the battle within herself. She wanted his touch, his cock, his mouth on her so badly she couldn’t breathe. But she was losing herself, becoming someone she didn’t even recognize, and she couldn’t, wouldn’t let it happen. “Let me go, Aidan,” she said, trying to shut down the part of her that burned for him. “What?” he asked, his hands stilling against her breasts. Searching within herself for a resolve she didn’t really feel, she blew out a breath and pushed him away. “I said let me go. I want to go back to the hotel.” She heard the sounds of his zipper and belt buckle as he righted his clothing. She inhaled and exhaled a few times to get her damned libido to calm down, until finally she managed to at least appear cool and calm on the outside. Never mind that she boiled to near overflowing within. “I don’t understand.” Ignoring the fact she was about to hurt him, she said, “Don’t you? You got exactly what you wanted—an orgasm. Now, if you don’t mind, we have a lot to do tomorrow and I’m tired. I’d like to go to bed.” “Lissa, let me—” he started, reaching for her, but she eluded his grasp and stepped out into the spotlight of the casino entry. “No, Aidan. No more. Take me back.” “You’re pent up, you need release. Let me take care of you.” She wanted to—God how she wanted to. She needed release right now. Touching Aidan, kissing him, cradling his hard cock in her hands, knowing how much she wanted to feel him inside her, was nearly unbearable. The building tension had reached volcanic proportions and she needed release from the incredible pressure threatening to erupt. But she couldn’t. Once she gave up her control to him, once she turned over her desires and wants and needs to him, she’d be putty in his hands. And she’d be in the same predicament she’d gotten herself into before.

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She’d made that mistake once. She’d gotten involved with a coworker and completely lost sight of her goals. Never again. “I don’t need anything but to go back to the hotel. Now, if you don’t mind.” He dropped his hand. “Fine, if that’s what you want. But let me tell you this,” he said, approaching her and grasping her upper arms, refusing to let her go when she tried to shake him off. “Quit hiding your passion from me,” he said. “It’s pointless. A fire burns inside you, Lissa. Right now you need an orgasm so desperately that if I touched you once you’d climax.” Miserably, she realized he was right. But hearing it and acting upon it were two different things. Instead, she lied and said, “I’m fine, Aidan. I don’t need anything from you.” “You ache inside and you damn well know it.” “I can take care of it myself,” she countered. He smiled slightly. “Yeah, you can, but not like I can do it for you.” “I’d rather do it myself than have you touch me again.” She turned her gaze away from the hurt in his eyes. Guilty pain washed over her, but she knew what she’d done was for the best. Aidan let her go and nodded. They stepped out into the light and he signaled for the valet to bring his car. They rode back to the hotel in silence, and when he stopped in front she quickly exited before he could even get out. “Goodnight, Aidan,” she said quickly, slamming the door of the car and hurrying up the stairs. She closed her eyes and hoped fervently that he wouldn’t come after her, wouldn’t question her, wouldn’t touch her again. If he did, she’d melt all over him. When she reached the safety of her room she bolted the door and sat on the bed, nearly on the verge of tears. What was wrong with her, anyway? Why couldn’t she enjoy sex without churning herself into an ulcer worrying about what would happen down the road? Why couldn’t she just fuck Aidan Storm without thinking she’d end up emotionally involved with him? Melissa dropped her head into her hands, feeling shattered both inside and out. Two days. She’d been here two days and already she’d made a huge mess of things with Aidan. Although she’d never considered herself a tease, she’d come awfully close these past days. Granted, she’d made Aidan come twice, so it wasn’t like she was getting him hard and then walking away, but she knew he wanted more tonight.

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More than just a grope in the dark. But this whole hot and cold thing she gave him bordered on the ridiculous, and more than a little immature. How old was she, anyway? Sixteen? No. She was a grown woman. A fullfledged sexual being. Why couldn’t she simply reach out and grab sex when she wanted it? The worst thing was, tonight she had wanted it. Wanted it with every fiber of her being. Touching Aidan had been a lesson in frustration. Sweet, satisfying, and oh so agonizing at the same time. Every time she’d grasped his enormous shaft she visualized his cock inside her—stroking, thrusting, making her scream with pleasure. He’d have given it to her, too. So what did she do? She said no. Not only no, but I’ve-no-further-interest-in-you no. Now what were her alternatives? Relieve the ache with her own hand, as she’d done so many times over the years? Frankly, she was more than a little tired of coming that way. Tired of being afraid to have a relationship, or even just plain old sex, for heaven’s sake. Not that sex with Aidan would be plain ole’ anything. She already sensed that making love with him would be a forever altering experience. She simply wasn’t sure how she knew that. She stood, no answers forthcoming and resigned to the fact she’d made a mess of things tonight. With a sigh she walked into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Her reflection caught her eye and shocked her. Her hair was unkempt – several strands had fallen loose from the clip in back, lending a look of complete disarray to her appearance. Her cheeks were pink, her lips swollen from Aidan’s kisses, making her look wild and…dare she say it? Sexy. She could have laughed if the idea of being sexy weren’t so ridiculous. Then again, why not? Resting her hands on her hips she twisted to the side. Not much in the chest department, true, but still the low vee of the dress showed off the sides of her breasts nicely. She was slender, her belly firm thanks to the gazillion sit-ups she did at the gym. Her legs were in good shape from running and tennis. She wasn’t exactly hideous. She was desirable. And obviously Aidan agreed. He wanted her. She wanted him. So what was the problem? Why couldn’t she enjoy a little hot and sultry romp in the sack with a man who oozed sex appeal? After all, in a month she’d be back in Boston with fond memories and at least some sexual satisfaction.

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Aidan hadn’t exactly indicated he was looking for a permanent relationship. Admittedly, he hadn’t said he was interested in anything but sex. And sex was something Melissa hadn’t had nearly enough of in the past few years. She cupped her breasts, palming them over her dress, her nipples springing to life against her hands. Moving her fingers in circular motions, she stroked the aching buds until they stood out prominently against the silk. Desire pooled between her legs, reminding her that one hot guy had come in her hands less than an hour ago. She’d come herself, in that bizarre, out-ofnowhere orgasm that had rocked her senses in the casino. Was she so turned on that she’d had a spontaneous orgasm without being touched? Maybe that was her problem. Dammit, she needed sex. And if she hadn’t been so stupid, by now Aidan could have had his long, hard cock buried deep inside her, making her scream with a desperately needed orgasm. But no, she’d been stupid. Now she’d have to do it herself. The thought made her shudder, and she contemplated lying down on the bed and stroking her clit to a quick orgasm. Heaven knows it wouldn’t take long. The tension had been building all day. That’s probably why she’d had that strange orgasm in the casino. She’d held too much inside for too long and the dam had simply burst. Once it had, it continued to refill, just like now. She knew a rapid release would be in order. But as she started to turn away from the mirror, a thought occurred to her. What did she look like when she came? Masturbating in front of a mirror was something she’d never done before. It had a certain wicked appeal. Especially in a well-lit room like the hotel’s bathroom, with a full-length mirror on the side wall. She’d be able to see everything. Her pulse raced at the thought, and knew she had to do it. Reaching for the clasp at her neck, she released her hair and let it flow down her shoulders and across her breasts. Then she slowly undid the button and pulled her dress down, sliding the silk against her already swollen nipples. She gasped at the sensation of the soft fabric massaging her skin, and glanced again at the mirror. Her hair covered her breasts and she looked like a modern Lady Godiva. She swept her hair behind her back and examined her breasts. They were swollen, as were her nipples. Her breasts might be small, but she had nice nipples. Little pink areolas and large rounded nipples that were extremely sensitive to touch.

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Most especially sensitive to Aidan’s touch. Her nipples tingled as she recalled his hands, much larger than hers, sweeping over her breasts, enticing the buds to stand up and beg for his mouth. Oh, she wanted his mouth on her aching breasts so much right now. But, Aidan wasn’t there. So she’d have to imagine him there, wish for him there, want him there. At least in her mind. She closed her eyes and conjured up a vision of him, standing with her in the bathroom. What she wouldn’t give to make that vision a reality. A sudden shock of electric desire coursed through her body. Nearly painful in its intense pleasure, it rocked her until she had to brace herself to keep from wobbling. Wow. What was that? Was she so turned on at the mere thought of Aidan that just picturing him and wishing for him could set her senses on fire? The room heated suddenly, as if all the air had been sucked out through the vents. A fine sheen of perspiration settled between Melissa’s breasts as the humidity in the room rose. She was hot. Burning up inside and out, but she couldn’t, wouldn’t stop. Sliding her hands over her stomach, she pushed the dress down her hips, letting it puddle on the floor. Then she turned to the full-length mirror and surveyed her body. A patch of fine, blonde hair covered her mound. She shaved everywhere else, preferring smooth pussy lips despite the fact that they were rarely seen, touched or kissed by a man. But Aidan had touched her there. And now, she would as well. Only her touch would be his. She spread her legs and looked in the mirror as she moved her hands toward her sex, teasing herself just a little, knowing what was going to happen but wanting to delay the pleasure for a few more seconds. The room was covered in a fine mist. Humid droplets rained down on her hair and face, covering her breasts and lower. She could barely breathe from the blanket of heat surrounding the room. But still she didn’t stop. Tentatively, she eased her fingers between the folds of her labia, jumping when they slid over her clit. She paused there, circling the erect nub with her thumb a few times, then threw her head back and moaned with the wicked delight of sensations spiraling through her. Her pussy was damp, like the rest of her, her juices flowing over her fingers as she slid a couple between the soft folds and stroked. “Why aren’t you here, Aidan?” she whispered to the empty room. “I need you to touch me.”

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No one answered, but the mist enveloped her, briefly cooling her heated skin. It seemed to soak deep inside her, becoming a part of her. She gasped when another shock of pleasure raced through her, and quickened the pace of her fingers along the folds of her pussy. Every time she brushed her clit she sucked in her bottom lip and whimpered, wanting desperately for Aidan’s lips to cover the swollen nub and suck it deep inside. “Oh dear God,” she moaned when a wet warmth surrounded her clit, almost as if in answer to her silent pleas. With relentless pursuit of a climax she continued on, her movements increasing in time to the pressure against her sensitive bud. Pressure she wasn’t putting there, but remained nonetheless. She’d given up trying to figure out where the incredible sensations came from, only that it was as intense as anything she’d ever felt. Unable to stand upright any longer, she leaned over the bathroom counter and braced her hands on the cool, misty marble. Then she spied the wooden hairbrush near the sink, peering at her reflection through the wet fog. Yes, she needed something inside her pussy, something to pound away at the ache that wouldn’t go away, something hard to take her over the edge before she dropped to the floor in sexual agony. She smiled at the wicked woman in the mirror and reached for the brush, its smooth, thick handle a cool relief as she grasped the bristled end in her palm and brought the brush behind her. Bending over at the waist, she slipped the brush over her buttocks and further down, knowing as soon as she’d found the mark she sought. The brush slid easily between the wet folds of her pussy, and without another thought she slipped it inside. Oh, it was heaven. Heaven and hell and sweet, blissful torture. She pulled it out, just a little, stroked her clit and lips, then slid it back in a little further this time. “Yes, like that,” she whimpered, not sure to whom she was speaking, but wishing that she could look in the mirror and find Aidan’s handsome face smiling behind her, his hands holding her hips steady as he rocked his hard shaft deep inside. The brush was his cock sliding inside her. Long and thick filling her until she could take no more. She imagined Aidan’s grip intensifying on her hips as she pulled back the brush and thrust again. Her body sucked the handle deeper inside, refusing to let it go. “Fuck me, Aidan,” she whispered. “Fuck me hard.”

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The huge object plunged deep inside, eliciting a scream of pleasure from her. She pushed back against the imaginary Aidan, rewarded when she imagined hearing a male grunt of pleasure. “Yes, oh yes, harder, “she cried. “ Make me come, Aidan.” The hands on her buttocks squeezed hard, ramming the long, thick member so deep inside she felt it in her belly. She gave what she got, bucking back against him as the first waves of her climax washed over her. The mist began to fall like a soft rain, soaking her skin, her hair, the entire room as jolt after jolt of pleasure arced through her. Her pussy flooded with the juices of her orgasm and the hard object inside strained. The Aidan she imagined in her fantasies groaned loudly and shot a hot stream of come deep into her core. She panted, nearly breathless, and held on to the countertop until the world stopped spinning. When she finally opened her eyes and peered in the mirror, she was completely dry. Her skin, other than a fine veil of sweat, had no more been rained on than the dry French Quarter outside. There was no storm, no thunder, no lightning, no rain—inside or outside. The hairbrush, soaked with her juices, lay on the floor next to her feet. She was completely alone in the room, having had an incredibly real fantasy that had caught her up in a maelstrom of earth shattering delight until she couldn’t tell fantasy from reality. With a sigh she turned on the shower. While she waited for the water to heat up, she heard the sound of distant thunder. Maybe a storm was coming after all.

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Chapter Seven Bound and determined to change things between her and Aidan, Melissa charged into the hotel’s conference room. She was tired of being alone, tired of masturbating herself to orgasm, and was more than ready for some rip-roaring sex of the Aidan Storm variety. Yes, she’d screwed up with Aidan. She should have taken the hot sex he offered instead of worrying about where it would lead. It wasn’t going to lead anywhere. They both knew that, and it was time she stopped trying to make a relationship out of a little casual fling. He wanted the sex, she sure as hell needed it, and she was going to get it. She’d even dressed a little differently today. A suit as usual, but this time she’d chosen one with a little more color. The green matched her eyes, and the skirt was a tad on the short side. Which was just fine. The more skin she revealed, the better. Instead of her usual short-sleeved silk blouse, she’d slipped on a white silk camisole that hugged her breasts. Today might be a working day, but that was no reason to miss an opportunity for a little seduction. By the end of the day she’d have Aidan ready and willing to fuck her until she screamed. She set her briefcase on the table and looked around, disappointed that he wasn’t there waiting for her. The smell of strong coffee sailed under her nostrils and she strolled to the bar and poured a cup. She turned quickly and smiled as the door opened. Only it wasn’t Aidan, it was Shannon. “Morning,” she waved and grinned. “I thought I smelled coffee in here and the pot by my office is empty. I started a brew but I was too lazy and too desperate for caffeine to wait. And why am I explaining all this in such boring detail, anyway?” Melissa laughed. “I know the feeling. I have a tendency to over-explain myself on a regular basis.” “Mind if I sit?” Shannon asked, pointing to one of the empty chairs. “Not at all.” Shannon slipped in to a chair. She looked so cool and professional, no matter what time of the day or night Melissa saw her. Today she was dressed in a pale blue dress. Simple, yet very crisp. Her hair, thick and soft like fine sable, lay straight against her shoulders. “How goes the marketing plan?” Shannon asked. 69

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“Slow,” Melissa admitted. “We have so much leg work to do first to make sure we have all our ducks in a row, that we haven’t really settled on the official strategy yet.” “Leg work? What kind?” Shannon leaned back in the leather chair and sipped her coffee. “For example, last night we spent some time at the casino down the street to get a feel for their setup, and maybe grab a few of their brochures and handouts.” Which, Melissa reminded herself, she’d promptly forgotten to do. Where was her head these days? Not that her thoughts needed an answer. She already knew where it had gone last night. Straight to Aidan. “Great idea. I’d love to take a peek at the marketing brochures and your overall plan when you have it drafted. It will help me develop the public relations angle so we’re consistent.” “Definitely.” They talked about sales and PR ideas for a few more minutes, until Shannon piped up with, “So, how do you feel about my brother?” Melissa nearly choked on her coffee. “Excuse me?” The corners of Shannon’s lips curved. “You like him, don’t you?” “Of course I do. He’s sharp, professional, really knows the sales aspect of the hotel business.” “Not what I meant, and I think you know that.” It figured Shannon was too smart to be waylaid, but Melissa wasn’t certain she was ready to discuss how she felt about Aidan. As it was, even she couldn’t figure out her feelings for Aidan. “Why don’t you tell me what you meant, then?” Tapping a long fingernail against the china cup in her hands, Shannon said, “I have a feeling there’s something more than just business between you two.” “No, there’s not,” Melissa lied, unable to meet the probing stare of Shannon’s blue eyes. “Hey, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it. If you two want to dally, that’s your business.” “We’re not dallying.” She arched a brow. “You’re not?” “No. We’re not. Well, not really,” Melissa admitted. Shannon laughed. “But you’d like to?” “I don’t know.” Which was the truth. She was so confused about which direction to head it made her crazy.

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“Let me give you some advice,” Shannon started, then turned when the door opened and Aidan walked in. His gaze flitted to both Melissa and his sister, and he nodded. “Mornin’,” he mumbled, then averted his gaze and headed straight for the coffee. “Good morning.” Melissa figured she might as well start friendly, then she could work her way up to steamy. Shannon seemed in no hurry to leave. “You look awful,” she said to Aidan, who glared at her. “Gee, thanks.” He stared down into the steaming brew in front of him. But Shannon was right. He didn’t look well at all. His face was drawn and dark circles had puffed up under his eyes. “Don’t you sleep at night?” “No. I’m a vampire.” “You sure look like one.” Aidan lifted his head and glared at his sister. “Is there a point to this inquisition?” Shannon grinned. “Not really.” “Don’t you have work to do? Preferably somewhere else?” “Maybe.” “Good.” “Then again, I might just want to hang out here with you two all day and listen to the marketing angles.” Aidan rested his head in his hands. “I need aspirin.” Melissa watched the exchange, fascinated at the comfort level Aidan and his sister had with each other, despite the overt sniping between the two of them. She felt no tension in the room. It was almost as if this type of banter were a normal occurrence for the siblings. A pang of remorse squeezed her heart. She’d missed out on so much being an only child. And now that she was more or less estranged from her parents, who were both cold as a Boston winter anyway, she felt more alone than ever before. Shannon’s husky laugh brought Aidan’s head up. When she stood, Aidan did too and she wrapped her arms around her brother, who hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. “Brat,” he said. “Ah, you love me.” Shannon smiled at him. Aidan shook his head and smiled back. “Get out of here, will ya? I have work to do.” 71

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Shannon stopped in front of Melissa and said, “He’s all yours and good luck.” With a glance over her shoulder at Aidan, she added, “Looks like you’re going to need it.” “Thanks a lot.” She’d need good luck, all right. In more ways than one. After she left, Melissa returned to her seat, wishing she’d had the chance to finish her conversation with Shannon. What was it she was going to advise Melissa about? She turned to face a scowling Aidan. “Ready to get to work?” He turned toward the binders on the table. Not really. She wanted to talk about last night, about how stupid she was to push him away. But she also sensed now was not the right time. “Sure. Let’s do it.” That sentence awarded her yet another angry glare. Okay, poor choice of words. Maybe another couple cups of coffee and getting down to work would loosen Aidan up a bit. Or, maybe not. Four hours later he still hadn’t surfaced from his irritated mood. Melissa couldn’t figure out if she was to blame for his current state, or something else entirely. Frankly, she was too cowardly to ask him, afraid he’d jump down her throat if she got the slightest bit personal. He’d spent the entire morning steering her away from any conversation about the two of them, despite her best efforts to subtly weave last night’s events into their marketing strategy. By lunchtime she’d figured out that he was well and truly pissed at her for pushing him away last night. From the way he was acting, it was clear he’d decided that a personal relationship with her was a colossal waste of his time. “Hungry?” she asked, hoping for some sort of feedback other than grunts. “No.” At least it wasn’t a grunt. “I’m starving. Would you like to go get something to eat?” Head buried in paperwork, he shook his head and mumbled. “Was that a yes or a no?” “I said no.” Wow, when he got grumpy, he got very grumpy. “Fine. I’m taking an hour. I’ll be back.” No answer. She heaved a sigh and left the conference room, glad for once when the humid air hit her as she walked outside the hotel. Anything was better than the freeze-out she’d endured in the conference room.

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***** Aidan shuffled papers around the mahogany table, staring at his haggard face in the reflective top. He looked horrible. No surprise considering he hadn’t slept more than an hour or two last night, and those had been fitful at best. First, Melissa had churned his insides out at the casino, then stroked him with her hot little hands until he’d come all over, followed by her abrupt about face and the return of the ice queen. Then in all his fury he’d gone home and thrown himself on the sofa, intent on drowning his sorrows with a couple beers and a wrestling match on TV. But did that happen? No. The infernal magic leaped upon him and he’d found himself in Melissa’s bathroom, forced to watch and feel her masturbate with a goddamn hairbrush. A hairbrush. Not his cock, which had been hard and aching for her. He sure didn’t rank high on her to-be-fucked list, did he? His guts felt twisted in ten different directions. He didn’t know what the hell the woman wanted, and frankly he was tired of trying to figure it out. By the time dawn rolled around this morning, he’d resolved that trying to have a little fun with Melissa Cross wasn’t worth his time. For the remainder of the time she was here he’d give her professional courtesy only. No kissing, no touching and absolutely no sex. And dammit—no magic. He was already tied way too closely to her on a psychic level. Time to pull their connection apart so he could sleep at night, and maybe find a willing participant to satisfy his sexual desires. Melissa wasn’t even close to willing, so she was off his list. He snorted out loud at that one and scrubbed his hand over his face. Right. Like he even had a list. But if he had, she wouldn’t be on it. She wasn’t interested at all. Except this morning she’d smiled at him, looking fresh and damned attractive in a short-skirted suit that showed off her legs. She hadn’t seemed at all irritated about what transpired last night, and in fact tried to bring it up on several occasions. What kind of game was she playing with him now? The door opened and Melissa came in. “It hasn’t been an hour,” he grumbled, refusing to look at her. He didn’t want to see that golden hair streaming down her back, or the way the suit she wore brought out the bright sparkle in her eyes, or her long, lean legs. If he didn’t look at her, he wouldn’t have to feel her as if she were part of him. “I know. I brought the food back with me. I got a sandwich for you in case you changed your mind. I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought turkey,

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figuring that would probably work for just about anyone. But if you don’t like it I’ll trade my sandwich for yours.” “I told you I’m not hungry.” She ignored him, chattering on while unpacking paper plates, napkins and wrapped sandwiches. “I know you told me that. But it’s here if you want it.” Truth was, he was starving. But damned if he’d let her fuss over him as if she knew exactly what he needed. If she really knew what he needed she’d be naked and lying spread eagle on the conference room table right now so he could have her for lunch. Melissa sat and ate, reviewing the notes they made this morning about the new brochures. Aidan eyed the sandwich she’d pushed across the table at him. His stomach finally grumbled loud enough to catch her attention. When she arched her brow so smugly at him, he thought about refusing to eat, then felt childish about the entire thing so he grabbed the sandwich. He had to admit he felt much better after downing some food. At least appetite-wise. The rest of him still suffered, and it appeared that pain was going to continue. After they’d gotten back to work, Melissa made a point of leaning against him, or touching the sleeve of his shirt, or peering over his shoulder while he made some notes on the laptop as she was doing right now. In fact, if she got any closer to him she’d fall into his lap. She stood behind him, her breasts pressed against his back. She’d long ago discarded the suit jacket, claiming the conference room was hot. The room was not hot. He’d dropped the thermostat five degrees in the hopes she’d put on her jacket so he wouldn’t have to look at her in that white, nearly see-through top, all silky and clinging to her breasts, her shoulders bare and oh-so-damn-kissable. And she smelled so damn good he couldn’t concentrate on the designs in front of him. Like lavender—sweet and soft and too fucking sexy for his weak body to handle. “I think this one looks great,” she said, her minty breath caressing his cheek as she leaned in to point at the brochure on the left side of the screen. “It contains all the elements we’re looking for—sharp, classy, colorful, yet not ostentatious.” Huh? Like he had any idea what she was talking about. The soft skin of her arm brushed against his, prickling the hairs on his arm. Her ponytail fell across his shoulder and he inhaled her scent. With every breath she took her breasts pressed against his shirt, the thin cotton no armor against the feel of her heart pounding rapidly against his back. “What do you think, Aidan?” she asked.

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Think? Who the hell could think? His cock pulsed and twitched, clamoring for his attention. If he had a hammer he’d beat the fucker into submission so it would quit distracting him. “Aidan?” “What?” “You didn’t answer me.” “What was the question again?” “The brochures. Do you like the one on the left?” He was going mad. Couldn’t keep a thought in his head for more than five seconds, with the exception of a thousand visions of Melissa. About undressing her, piece by delectable piece until he had her naked and ready for him. About putting her on her knees and letting her sweet mouth release the pounding ache in his cock. About throwing her on her back and thrusting his tortured penis so deep inside her she’d scream for mercy. Maybe he could bend her over the table, lift her skirt and ram his cock in her from behind. Brochures? What brochures? “I don’t know, Melissa.” Abruptly he pushed away from the desk. She took a few steps back as he turned to face her, trying not to focus on the way her nipples strained against the nearly transparent silk of that flimsy excuse for a blouse. How could she be so bold as to wear near-underwear in the office? She might as well be topless. “Are you all right?” she asked, frowning. “Fine. Why?” “You just groaned.” She took a step toward him. “Does your stomach hurt? Maybe it was the sandwich. Should I get you something?” Christ she was making him crazy. “I gotta go,” he said, grabbing for his jacket. “Go? It’s only two o’clock.” “I…I have another appointment. I forgot until just now. Sorry. We’ll meet again in the morning.” Like a wimp pursued by the school bully, he hightailed it out of there as fast as he could, loosening his tie as he exited the conference room. Once in the safety of his office, he blew out a breath and tried to calm his raging nerves. Aidan Storm had never run in his entire life. But his new resolve to steer clear of Melissa, coupled with her sudden transformation into a sex siren, had his cock and his brain at odds and ready to do battle.

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He flopped into his chair and rested his head in his hands, fisting his hair as if the pain of pulling the strands would somehow clear the fog that had settled in there today. Sex or sanity? He wasn’t sure which part of him would come out the winner. He only knew this squall building inside him over Melissa was going to reach hurricane proportions very soon.

***** Melissa smiled, figuring she’d done her job well today. Granted, Aidan hadn’t exactly fallen all over his feet in an effort to drag her off to the nearest bed, or broom closet, or whatever, but she had made progress. Clearly her nearness affected him. At least she hoped so, because sidling up close to him had her damn near doing a striptease on the table in order to get his attention. His masculine smell, so earthy and potent, overwhelmed her senses, making clarity of thought almost impossible. Touching his firm, well-toned body was like waving her hand over an open flame. Aidan had wanted her last night, but that was before she’d frozen him out. Now it was going to take some finesse, hard work and blatant seduction. Melissa wasn’t sure she had it in her, but she’d give it a try. She wanted some damn sex. Real, sweaty, between the sheets or outside in the park or on the side of the building sex. Messy, wonderful, mind blowing sex. With Aidan. No matter what she had to do, she’d get it. This was sultry New Orleans, the Big Easy. Where sex was hot and nasty and just what she’d needed for way too long. And Aidan wanted her, of that there was no doubt. Yes, she’d bruised his ego last night, and would have to work hard to build it back up and make him understand that she really did want him. But she’d succeed. Then, her dry spell in the sex department would be over.

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Chapter Eight Melissa strode purposefully down the hall, her high heels clipping along the parquet flooring of the Storm corporate offices. For four days she’d been at this seduction thing with Aidan. Four unsuccessful, lesson in futility, utterly frustrating days. And she’d gotten absolutely nowhere. Not only was he still ignoring her, it seemed as if he couldn’t spend more than a couple hours in the same room with her without running off to some meeting His avoidance of her was so obvious it was painful. She’d done everything in her power to grab his attention. Shorter skirts, skimpier blouses, she’d even tried no bra and no panties. Not that he’d ever gotten close enough to take a peek. She could probably parade through the conference room naked and he wouldn’t bat an eyelash. After all, he’d actually have to look at her to notice. Not more than thirty minutes ago he’d made a mad dash out of the conference room, claiming he had a meeting with Logan. She’d steamed over his hasty exit for about a half hour, then decided enough was enough. This time, she wasn’t going to let him run. She’d wait outside Logan’s office and confront him. Now that she stood in front of the double doors leading to The Rising Storm’s private offices, she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. What would she say, exactly? ‘Excuse me, Aidan, but I’ve been trying to get you to fuck me and you haven’t been paying attention.’ Laughter bubbled up her throat and threatened to erupt, but she tamped it down, not wanting to look as idiotic as she felt. With a shaky breath she opened the doors leading into the private offices, and stopped dead when she heard Aidan’s voice. It was coming from the office at the end of the hall. No doubt, Logan’s. Maybe she’d wait outside the doors so she wouldn’t appear so obviously lurking. But then she heard her name mentioned. Unable to resist, she strolled closer. “I don’t care what your problem is,” a booming voice sounded that had to be Logan. “We’ve got deadlines and you’re sitting on your ass getting nothing done.” “Bullshit,” Aidan replied, his voice tinged with anger. “The marketing plan is going fine. Quit obsessing.” “I’m not the one obsessing! You are. Over Melissa.”

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Melissa attempted to swallow but all the moisture had evaporated from her throat. “Not true. She’s my working partner in this venture, Logan, and nothing more.” “That’s not what I’ve heard.” Oh lord. What had Logan heard? She should just hightail it back up to the conference room. This was the last place she wanted to be right now. “You’ve heard nothing. Quit blowing smoke up my ass, Logan and get off my back about this project. I’ve got it covered.” “You’d better. And keep your mind on our target goals, not Melissa’s ass.” “My mind is no where near Melissa or her ass. I’ve got much better things to do than waste my time on a frigid northeastern snob.” Snob? Frigid? Anger bubbled up inside her, threatening to explode. He had some nerve. She started forward, her first thought to defend herself, but at the sound of a hand on the doorknob, she panicked. Now was definitely not the time to have a conversation with Aidan. She spied an office door ajar, and hurriedly stepped in and closed the door, afraid to move an inch. She rested her head on the door and hoped Aidan wouldn’t walk in. “Shit, shit, shit,” she muttered after Aidan passed by and left the offices. “Problem?” Her heart slammed against her chest and she whirled around to find both Aidan’s sisters grinning at her. Should she give up now and pack her things, or find some way to extricate herself from this major nightmare? “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know the office was occupied.” Shannon’s lips curved in knowing smile. “Relax. We heard Logan and Aidan shouting. They do that all the time.” Except they’d been arguing about her. Heat flushed her entire body. She’d never been so embarrassed. “About their conversation, I—” Kaitlyn stepped toward her, grabbed her hands and led her to one of the two chairs in front of the chrome and silver desk. “Sit. And quit worrying. They weren’t really talking about you. This is just Logan’s way of keeping Aidan on his toes.” Melissa sat and folded her hands so the women wouldn’t see them shaking. Kaitlyn nodded. “Yeah. Both of them are all bluster, no bite. Logan runs as cold as Aidan runs hot, and the two don’t blend well.” Didn’t they hear what Aidan said about her? She could care less about Logan and Aidan’s argument. Right now she was focused on the fact that Aidan thought her a frigid snob.

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“I’m not a frigid snob.” As soon as she blurted it out, she wished she could take it back. Why had she said anything? They seemed content to ignore his insults. “Of course you’re not,” Shannon sniffed. “Aidan’s an ass sometimes. Which is where his brains are usually located.” “There or between his legs, like a lot of men,” Kaitlyn said, laughing at Melissa’s shocked expression. Shannon grinned. “Don’t worry about Aidan. He really doesn’t mean half of what he says. He’s filled with hot passion and it spills out of his mouth in the most inappropriate ways sometimes.” “So I noticed.” Melissa felt a little bit better about being caught hiding in what must be Shannon’s office. The room was neat and orderly, papers stacked in a trim pile on her desk, the credenza bare with the exception of her computer and a bookshelf to the side filled with binders. The artwork was modern and blended perfectly with the cool décor. It looked a lot like her own office in Boston. In fact, she and Shannon even dressed similarly. Well-tailored business suits with matching pumps. Very proper, very stylish. Not that she’d been dressing that way herself, lately. More like a sex siren trying to get a man’s attention. Only it wasn’t working. Melissa’s gaze flitted to Kaitlyn. Complete opposite in dress from her sister. Where Shannon was professional polish, Kaitlyn was chic business casual. She wore a calf length dress that accentuated her lush curves. The cream set off her dark skin and raven hair, which flowed freely down her back. Unlike Shannon, who neatly pulled her sable locks back in a clip like Melissa did. Cool. That’s how Melissa usually presented herself. Cool and crisp. Like…frigid. She laid her head in her hands, more confused than ever. Did Aidan want her or didn’t he? “You need a drink, honey,” Kaitlyn said. Melissa looked up. “Me?” Shannon nodded. “Yeah, you sure do. Let’s go have a cocktail or two and forget all about Aidan and others of his species.” The idea had merit. And heaven knew she needed to escape the four walls of her hotel room. For the past few nights she’d paced the suite, hoping to hear from Aidan and ending up miserably disappointed when she didn’t. Then she’d spend the remainder of the night convincing herself it didn’t matter whether Aidan called or not. “Let’s go change,” Shannon said to Kaitlyn before turning to Melissa. “We’ll pick you up out front in an hour?”

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“Sounds great.” She followed Shannon and Kaitlyn out the door. In less than an hour she was dressed and ready for some serious partying. This was exactly what she needed to get her mind off Aidan, at least temporarily. Frigid snob, indeed. Too bad he wouldn’t get a look at the way she was dressed right now. Short, black skirt, a touch of spandex hugging her hips and rear. Why had she even brought this outfit with her? Had she subconsciously been anticipating some excitement? She looked in the mirror, hardly recognizing herself as staid, businesslike Melissa. Tiny tank top in black and white stripes, dipping off the shoulder, and no bra but with enough spandex in it to cradle her breasts. And of course the killer heels to match. She’d bought the outfit on a whim long ago, after her boyfriend had given her the boot. She swore some night she’d slip it on and get wild and wicked. Tonight she felt just like that. She stood in the lobby near the doors, waiting for Shannon and Kaitlyn. “Where are you going?” Her lips curved into a smile at the sound of Aidan’s voice. She turned and arched a brow. “Out.” “With whom?” He didn’t look at all happy. His forehead creased with his frown, and his lips were clamped so tightly together not even air could slip through. “With your sisters.” “Oh, shit. You’re not.” “I am.” “Dressed like that?” Aidan inclined his head up and down her body, as if she wasn’t aware of her own attire. “No, I thought I’d strip naked on my way to the car. Of course dressed like this.” He crossed his arms and shook his head, clearly disapproving of her. Tough. This was her night, she was tired of waiting around for him. She needed some fun. “I really wish you wouldn’t do this,” he said. “Do what?” “Go out and party with my sisters.” “Why shouldn’t I?” A sigh escaped his lips and he said, “They’ll grill you about us.” Melissa lifted her chin. “There is no us. You’ve made that very clear the past few days.” 80

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“Me?” he hissed, taking her by the arm and nearly dragging her over to the side wall. “You’re the one who didn’t want anything personal between us.” “Well, that may have been true then, but I’d changed my mind. Not that you’d noticed.” His eyes widened. “Changed your…when?” “Four days ago.” He stared at her, slack-jawed, then finally said, “Did I miss the conversation when you told me this?” “No. There wasn’t one.” “Was there a memo?” “No.” “Airplane flying over with a banner attached?” She tapped her foot. “Now you’re being ridiculous.” “No, I’m being a man.” He stepped toward her and she inhaled his powerful scent. “We like things spelled out for us—no games. If you want me, Melissa, you’ll have to come right out and tell me. I’m not going to approach you again and have you slam the door in my face.” They stood toe-to-toe, nearly nose-to-nose, and didn’t say a word. Melissa was at a loss because Aidan was right. She was a modern, sophisticated woman. If she wanted sex from him, she could have come right out and asked him. Isn’t that what she’d been trying to do for the past few days? Get his attention, let him know she was interested? Now, when she had him where she wanted him, her bravado left her. What if she offered, and he said no? He waited, and said nothing. She fought the swirl of emotions, trying to find the place where she could be so bold as to ask Aidan to fuck her. Well, it was now or never, right? “There you are!” Kaitlyn interrupted, breezing in between them. “We’re ready to go. How about you?” She was ready all right. Ready to jump Aidan right there in the lobby. “Yes, I’ll be right there,” she said with a smile in Kaitlyn’s direction. “You’d better go,” Aidan said, his voice low and husky. She felt the vibrations and knew the only place she wanted to be right now was at Aidan’s side. In his arms, in his bed, wherever he wanted her. “Remember what I said.” He swept his knuckles down the side of her cheek and she shivered. “You know where to find me.” He walked away then, the sound of thunder rumbling outside. Melissa shook off the effects of Aidan’s nearness, tucked his comments deep inside and stepped out to meet his sisters. 81

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***** Shannon and Kaitlyn took her to New Orleans’ hottest dance club, where they fortunately knew the bouncer well. Otherwise they might have spent the entire evening in line outside. Instead, they marched right to the front door. Kaitlyn smiled and waved at the tall, burly bald guy who looked like Mr. Clean. He nodded, opened the door and they slid inside the dark nightclub. It took a few minutes to adjust her eyes to the darkness. All she could see were bobbing bodies in a throng on the dance floor, multicolored lights shining overhead and reflecting off spangles, sparkles and hundreds upon hundreds of shiny beads. The music blared loud, the vibration of bass pounding deep inside her. Melissa found it hard to breathe, let alone move. And trying to have a conversation was near impossible, although given they were three women, they somehow managed to yell over the nonstop sounds. Within the first hour, Melissa had consumed two large glasses of Long Island Iced Tea. The drinks had turned the tension sizzling inside her to a mild hum instead of an electrocution. Plus, Aidan’s sisters were fun to be with. Kaitlyn knew no strangers, smiled at everyone and laughed so loud people at the other table noticed. But she was also a man magnet, attracting stares and invitations to dance by the droves. Some of the offers she accepted, but typically only from men she already knew. With her dark skin and sultry, sexy body, she could grace any fashion magazine’s cover. Shannon, on the other hand, was the epitome of calm, cool and sophisticated, and had, in her own words, perfected haughty disdain to a near art form. With one glance any man approaching was blown to bits by her cold, unapproachable look. Then she’d laugh as soon as the dejected guy made an about face. Neither of the women took men seriously. “Why don’t you dance?” Shannon asked. Melissa shrugged and sucked up another sweet mouthful of loaded tea. “Not interested.” “Eyes only for one man?” she said, arching a brow. Melissa laughed. “Hardly.” “Are you sure?” Kaitlyn added. “Is this an inquisition?” Melissa asked, only half serious. She’d love to be able to talk frankly about Aidan with another woman. But these women were his sisters, and she was afraid they’d be biased on his side. “Aidan is a complete ass at times,” Shannon said. Okay, maybe there was no bias. She certainly couldn’t disagree with Shannon’s assessment of Aidan. 82

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“Not really an ass,” Kaitlyn corrected. “More like a man who wants something desperately, but doesn’t realize yet what it is.” Shannon waved her hand. “You’re too nice. He’s an idiot. His destiny could be staring him straight in the face and he’d be completely oblivious to all the signs.” Melissa caught Kaitlyn’s elbow nudging Shannon’s ribs. “Hey,” Shannon protested, then looked at Melissa and back over at her sister and nodded. Wondering what that was about, but too afraid to ask, Melissa said, “And what about the two of you? I don’t see any guys hanging around.” Kaitlyn shrugged. “It’s not time yet for me. When it is, I’ll know.” “Famous last words,” Shannon said sullenly into her drink. Lifting her chin, Kaitlyn said, “Just because you got burned once doesn’t mean that’s the way it always will be, Shannon. Besides, none of us saw that coming. Not even Mom.” Melissa had no idea what they were talking about and decided it was best not to ask. Pain etched furrows at the corners of Shannon’s eyes, as if she’d just remembered something she’d rather have forgotten. Kaitlyn put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. The room seemed to quiet around them, the air conditioner toned down its frosty breeze, and the darkness seemed to lift as if a glow surrounded their table. Then just as quickly as it changed, Melissa blinked and everything was as it was before. She stared down into her now empty drink and figured her next glass should be regular iced tea. “What about you, Melissa?” Shannon asked. “Ever had your heart broken?” “Once. A few years ago. I thought I had found this great guy, only it turned out he was more interested in business than in me.” Shannon snorted. “Been there, done that, sister.” She lifted her glass and clinked it against Melissa’s. “You, too?” “Yeah. Stupid of me, really. I should have known better. What I thought was the man of my dreams climbing all over me turned out to be my biggest nightmare using me as a stepping stone to claw his way to the top of the hotel business.” “Ouch.” Melissa felt Shannon’s pain. “You said it.” A tall, dark-haired man approached the table. Melissa had noticed him earlier. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Kaitlyn.

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“Katie?” he said, and Kaitlyn looked up and smiled. “Jimmy!” she said, bounding out of her chair and throwing her arms around the man. “Where have you been?” “Chicago. Three months.” “No wonder. Let’s dance and catch up.” Kaitlyn slipped her arm through his and wandered onto the dance floor. “They look nice together,” Melissa commented. Shannon shrugged. “They’ve known each other forever. Kaitlyn has more guy friends than any woman I know. And they all love her to death, but like a sister. I don’t understand it.” “Me either. She’s gorgeous.” “That she is. But she doesn’t put out signals that guys see as invitation. She’s every man’s best friend, but no man’s lover.” “What’s she waiting for?” “She’s waiting for the one,” Shannon explained with a roll of her eyes. “The one?” Melissa waved at the waitress and ordered an iced tea. This time without the Long Island in it. She could already feel the dizzying effects of the alcohol-laden cocktails she’d consumed. Shannon waved her hand. “Long story. Boring, actually. Let’s talk about you and Aidan instead.” Melissa stared ahead at Kaitlyn’s quickly disappearing form into the throng of dancing bodies undulating on the square stage. “Nothing to discuss.” “C’mon, Lissa. I know better. You and Aidan have something.” She turned to gaze at Shannon, surprised she used the same nickname Aidan gave her. “What do you know?” A sly smile curved Shannon’s lips. “Nothing, really. I have eyes. I see the way you two look at each other.” They looked at each other a certain way? She had no idea. “Your brother’s an attractive man. Can’t blame me for looking.” Shannon wrinkled her nose. “Well, ick on me thinking my brother is attractive, but he obviously thinks you’re pretty special.” “I think you’re off base here. He avoids me like the plague.” “Exactly my point. If he didn’t care about you, he’d be trying to get your panties off in two seconds flat. If he thinks you have the potential to hurt him, he’ll ignore you until he can’t ignore you any longer, because he feels something.” “Really?” “Really.” Shannon grinned. “Besides, we’re all pretty close. We know when something’s up with one of us.” 84

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Melissa nursed her drink and pondered what Shannon said. “So? What are you going to do about it?” Shannon asked. “Do about it? Nothing, I suppose. I told you, he’s avoiding me.” “Then I guess it’s up to you, isn’t it?” She swallowed, her throat dry. Time to be honest. “I’ve tried, believe me. He’s not interested.” “What have you tried?” Explaining her seduction techniques to Aidan’s sister was going to be more than a little embarrassing. “Seduction. Dressing sexy, brushing against him, little suggestive comments.” Shannon’s brows lifted. “Really? And he didn’t respond?” “No.” “He’s got it bad, then,” Shannon replied, then laughed. “Oh yeah, he’s got it real bad for you, cher. You’d better go over there and pounce on him before he blows apart.” Kaitlyn came back and flounced into her chair, downing her drink in a few gulps. “That was fun!” She fanned herself, sweat beading on her forehead. She looked at both Melissa and Shannon, and asked, “What’s up? What did I miss?” “Aidan has the hots big time for Melissa,” Shannon announced. Melissa wondered if anyone would notice if she crawled under the table. Kaitlyn’s dark eyes widened and she grinned. “Really? How do we know this?” “He’s avoiding her.” “Avoiding her? Wow. It’s even stronger than I felt…er, imagined.” Kaitlyn reached for Melissa’s hand and squeezed. “That’s wonderful. So, what are you doing here with us when you should be knocking some sense into our thickheaded brother?” “You mean, go to his house?” Kaitlyn nodded. “Of course.” “I…I can’t. I wouldn’t know what to do, where to start.” She couldn’t believe she was even considering going to Aidan’s house and offering herself up like a sacrificial virgin. “He won’t.” Shannon’s confident air didn’t do much for Melissa’s self-doubt. “Go on, Lissa. Tell Aidan what you want,” Kaitlyn said, already grabbing Melissa’s purse and pushing it toward her. “Trust us on this—he won’t turn you away.” Her heart pounded louder than the staccato beat of the top forty hit blasting out the speakers in the club. Kaitlyn scribbled down Aidan’s address and shoved the paper into her hand. Reluctantly, she stood and hugged Shannon and 85

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Kaitlyn, certain they had no idea how Aidan really felt about her, certain she was headed to a man’s house who would ultimately laugh in her face. She hailed a taxi and pondered the stormy clouds above. What was she afraid of? She was no coward. In business she was fearless, always in control. Nothing frightened her. But this did—the idea of facing Aidan and telling him that she wanted him scared the bejeebers out of her. As the taxi took off she tried some deep breaths to help her gain control over her shaky emotions. For too long she’d held back, unable to grab what she wanted for fear some other man would hurt her like before. No more. It was time for her to put everything out on the table and find out where things were headed between them. At least after tonight she’d know for sure. She was either going to have wild sex with Aidan, or she’d spend the remainder of the month in prime frustration, releasing her pent up sexual tension with her own hand. Not like she hadn’t done that more times than she cared to count. The taxi pulled up in front of a complex of condominiums. Modern and garden like, tall birch trees waved in the scattering winds across the threshold of the main gated entrance. Melissa found Aidan’s condo and stepped to the door, suddenly more nervous than she’d ever been before. This is what she wanted, wasn’t it? All she had to do was reach up and knock. And she would. In a minute. As soon as she found her missing courage.

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Chapter Nine Aidan pulled the cork from the bottle of wine and poured a hefty amount into his glass. On his way into the living room he flipped the switch on the CD player. Mellow jazz sounds filled the room, soft and… Shit. Soft and sexy and made him think of Melissa. He stepped to the window and stared out at the cloud-covered skies, the restlessness and power of the coming storm stirring him. Taking a slow swallow of wine, he closed his eyes, wondering where Melissa was right now. Seeing her dressed as she was before she went out on the town with his sisters nearly weakened the resolve he’d struggled to work up for the past several days. She certainly hadn’t made it any easier. For five days he’d acted more the uninterested party than he ever had before. Never had it been so difficult to pretend he had no interest in someone. Especially someone like Melissa, who he had some weird, magical connection to. Every time her thoughts drifted toward him the magic would take over, sucking him into her world no matter where he was, no matter how much he fought the connection. And it was getting damn hard to fight it. Actually, he was just getting damn hard. All the time. So hard it was painful. He hadn’t even gotten himself off the past couple days for fear he’d connect with her. He threaded his hand through his hair and blew out a frustrated sigh. Thunder rolled ominously in the distance. Something was going to happen tonight. He could feel it in the air—the tension of the coming storm, the fierce power amassing all around him. Maintaining control over the magic would be paramount. He couldn’t afford to lose it right now. Maybe the wine and soft strains of jazz would calm the ferocity of emotions swirling inside him. A soft knock sounded at the door. As he headed over he glanced at the clock. After ten. Who would come over this time of night? He threw open the door and a gust of wind blew inside, swirling around him and squeezing the magic to near bursting. Melissa. The shock rolled through him and he found himself unable to speak. “It’s windy out here. Can I come in?” He shook off the mesmerizing sight of her and nodded. “Sorry.” 87

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She stepped in and smoothed her hair, then did something he’d never seen her do. She pulled the clip holding it back in a ponytail and shook it free. His breath stopped as she pulled her fingers through it. Long and satiny, falling over her shoulders and breasts, just as he’d imagined. He dug his fingers into his palms to keep from reaching out and sliding his hands into the silken mass and dragging her forward so he could capture her mouth. The pain of resistance was near unbearable. The semi-darkened room lit up with a lightning strike. “It’s fierce out there,” she said. It was about to get fierce in here. “Would you like a glass of wine?” She nodded, attempting a smile. “I’d love one. Thank you.” He poured another for himself and one for her, then directed her to the sofa in front of the window. She sat and crossed her legs, giving Aidan a view of bare, sexy limbs. He breathed hard to force down the erection already straining against his jeans. “You have a beautiful home, Aidan.” He sat and surveyed the living room. He’d always liked the earth tones. They calmed him, made him feel connected to the elements. The soft leather sofa gave way easily under his weight as he shifted. “Thanks.” “Did you decorate it yourself?” “Yes.” Why was she here? Certainly not to view his decorating skills. “You did a great job.” She looked around the room. “I love the dark fireplace.” Aidan followed her gaze to the mahogany mantle he’d made himself. “Me too.” “I usually don’t like decorating that’s so dark. But yours is rich. I really like the—” “Why did you come, Lissa?” he interrupted. He watched her slender throat as she swallowed, aching to press his lips to her erratically beating pulse. “I wanted to talk to you.” Her nearness distracted him so much he barely heard her response. Aidan inhaled her scent, the essence of lavender that slipped inside his senses making coherence a near impossibility. Already, visions of them naked and entwined on various pieces of furniture in the house had entered his stream of consciousness.

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She felt it too, because damn if he wasn’t connecting with her. His eyes briefly closed, long enough to merge with her wants and needs, to feel the storm that raged inside her, its potency matching his. Then he opened his eyes and looked at her, watching as she licked her lips and studied him. The shot to his groin was painful, yet filled with promise. “Talk to me? About what?” Her eyes opened wide and he drowned in a sea of green. “About us.” Thunder sounded, growing ever closer. “What about us, Lissa?” He would not touch her. Wouldn’t go through the ball-busting feeling of rejection if she pushed him away again. She stood and walked to the window. He stood and followed, waiting patiently while she turned and met his gaze. “There’s…there’s something I’ve been trying to tell you for the past few days.” “Tell me? Tell me what?” Her lashes fluttered down against her cheeks for a few seconds, then she tilted her head up again. “Not really tell you. Show you is more like it.” The flash of lightning seared the room in a bright glow, followed by the low growl of thunder. It was coming closer. “Show me what?” Her chest rose and fell with her labored breaths, her nipples already puckering under the flimsy top she wore. But still, he wouldn’t touch her. “Aidan, I think you know.” “Maybe I do. Then again, maybe I don’t. It’s up to you to tell me what you want, Lissa.” She let out a shaky sigh. “I don’t know if I can.” At least there was honesty in her statement. He felt the same way—both the intense need to possess her and the reluctance to take that next step. “Try me.” Hesitation crossed her face before she squared her shoulders and said, “I want you, Aidan.” The wind lashed tree limbs against the window as he let the magic free. No longer able to control his powers where Melissa was concerned, he took a step forward and pulled her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers. She tasted wild and fierce like the elements outside. Like him. Raging passion spun out of control. She wound her fingers into his hair, tugging his head down to hold him in place.

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As if he’d go anywhere. She was his, this was meant to be, and no amount of denial on his part was going to make it go away. Briefly his mind registered the destiny his mother often spoke of, but he pushed it aside. “Destiny be damned,” he murmured against her lips. “What?” she asked, her voice breathless. “Nothing. Give me your mouth, Lissa. Open for me.” She did, and it was heaven. Hot, rolling fire seared his tongue as it met hers. He thirsted for her, needed the sweet rain of her juices to quench the burning desire she’d stoked inside him. Nudging her legs apart with his knee, he stepped between them and pressed his erection against her mound, rewarded with her whimper. “I need you Aidan.” “I know, cher. It’s long past time for us.” Recapturing her mouth, he lightly nipped at her bottom lip, trying to hold back the forces of nature threatening to take over. The lights flickered inside, then power went out completely. He’d lit candles earlier, instinctively knowing what was coming. They bathed the living room in an amber glow, casting an ethereal light on Lissa’s face. “You take my breath away,” he said, tracing her cheekbones with his fingertips. “So beautiful, so full of passion.” “I’ve wanted this from the moment I saw you,” she said, her fingertips lightly traveling down his neck and over his shoulders. His body heated to boiling. “You took too damn long deciding to tell me this. Now I don’t think I can control it.” Melissa sucked in a gasp at the maelstrom of sensations, almost more than she could process at one time. Aidan’s eyes darkened, their warm depths flaming with his desire. His erection pressed roughly against her and she fought to breathe. “Control what?” “This. Everything. Never mind. This just won’t be…I can’t promise that I’ll— ” “What?” She reached for him, shuddering when her palm brushed over the day’s worth of stubble on his firm jaw. “Tell me.” He grabbed her roughly, his fingers biting into the tender flesh of her upper arms. She didn’t care. She only wanted his touch. She’d craved it for so many days she thought she’d die before feeling his hands sear her body. “I can’t promise to be gentle.” He ground out the words with what seemed like great effort. Her heart stuttered at the harshness of his tone. She looked at him this time…really looked at him. His jaw jutted forward as he clenched his teeth, and furrowed lines appeared above his brow. Aidan was concentrating on holding 90

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back, but what? Did he want her so much he was afraid his passion would be too rough for her? She swept aside the lock of dark hair that had fallen across his forehead and moved into to him, his heat emanating in invisible waves against her. “I’m not afraid of you, Aidan,” she said. “Whatever you want to give me, I can take. Don’t hold anything back.” A strong gust of wind blew a few of the candles out. Where had it come from? An open window, perhaps. The flickering wicks cast Aidan’s face in an eerie light. His eyes burned a midnight black as he reached for her, threaded his fingers in her hair, pulled her forward so that their lips melded together. Thunder crashed outside, and Aidan growled into her mouth. She grabbed his arms, his muscles rigid and straining against her hands. Her mind registered his barely leashed control, and reveled in the knowledge that he could so easily lose it with her. She willed him to take her right now. Moisture pooled between her legs. She was primed for him, aching for him, needing him to plunge his huge cock inside her until she screamed. “Not yet, cher,” he whispered as if he’d heard her thoughts. “There’s something I’ve wanted to do since that first night.” Aidan pulled her toward the window and stood her no more than a couple feet away from it. Here, she could watch the storm in all its intensity. The awesome power of the lightning arced across the sky. Rumbling thunder shook the very foundation of the house, and the wind and rain fought it out for mastery over the earth. The back of the sofa brushed her buttocks, and she assumed Aidan wanted to fuck her while she was bent over the brown leather. It didn’t matter, she just wanted his thick cock inside her, spreading her, filling her, becoming a part of her. But he didn’t turn her over as she’d expected. Instead, she watched in shock as he dropped to his knees in front of her. “Oh, my,” was all she could manage, excitement bubbling up inside her. Aidan smiled up at her. “You’ve been wanting this, haven’t you?” How could she speak when she had no voice? The mental images of Aidan doing what she thought he was going to do had her speechless. “Yes,” she managed. “Me, too. I’ve been dying to taste you, cher.” Her body shuddered with anticipation. He grasped her ankles, circling them with his fingers. “You have the most beautiful legs,” he said, moving his hands up and over her calves, then higher still until they brushed the hem of her short skirt.

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Her pussy throbbed and she fought the urge to reach down and massage the tightly held tension. But she didn’t. She wanted Aidan’s touch, Aidan’s mouth on her. “You wore this sexy little skirt tonight for me, didn’t you?” Melissa couldn’t tear her eyes away from Aidan’s dark gaze. He offered her a wicked smile and reached up under her skirt. She gasped and sucked in her lower lip to keep from crying out. Not yet. “You thought maybe you’d run into me, and seeing you like this would get me hot.” “Did it?” she asked. He nodded and smiled. “Oh yeah. Then again, I’ve been hot for you for over a week.” She couldn’t believe he’d admitted that to her. After all these days she thought he’d been avoiding her, that he wasn’t interested. “I didn’t know that.” He shook his head and skimmed his fingers further inside her skirt, brushing the tops of her thighs. “How could you not know how much I wanted you?” “You avoided me,” she said, not caring that her tone was accusatory. “Yes, I did. You were making me crazy.” When he kissed the spot where her thighs met her skirt, she jumped. He laughed. Now he was making her crazy. “How strong are you, Lissa?” “How…what do you mean?” His hands reached around and squeezed the top of her thighs, his knuckles brushing against her rear. “Did you eat a good dinner tonight?” Lightning illuminated his face, the heat in his eyes like molten lava. “Yes, I ate. Why?” He moved his hands a few inches higher and cupped her buttocks, then pressed his face between her legs, his hot breath searing her. And he hadn’t even removed her skirt yet. “Because I’m going to love you all night long. I’m going to make you come, over and over and over again until you have no strength left.” “Oh, God.” Her voice trembled. She was unable to hide her reaction to his sensual promise. “Are you ready?” The slow, deliberate pace he’d set drove her mad. “Yes,” she whimpered. His laugh was low and husky. He moved his fingers over her panties and grasped the sides, tugging them down her thighs. The sensuous contact of silk

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grazing her legs, coupled with the gentle scrape of his knuckles along her sensitized skin started her legs shaking. After she stepped out of her panties, she waited for Aidan to pull down her skirt. Instead, he slid his hands inside and lifted it, then stared at her sex. She shifted under his scrutiny, never before having had a man examine her so closely. “You have a beautiful pussy, Lissa,” he said. “Satiny down of blonde curls, and bare lips. They’re wet, you know.” He slid his knuckles over her sex. Melissa quivered at the intimate contact and spread her legs. He leaned in and pressed his lips against her mound, kissing above her clit. “God, Aidan,” she rasped. “You smell like lavender down here, too. And something sweeter.” He made eye contact with her and lowered his head. His tongue darted out and he traced the outline around the distended nub. Pleasure surged deep in her core, her juices flowing at the first brush of his tongue against her. She reached for him and threaded her fingers into his dark, thick hair, needing some form of balance, especially when he lapped at her folds, then slid his tongue inside her. He was relentless in his desire to pleasure her. Grabbing her ass, he pulled her closer, sucking up her juices, licking from side to side until she moaned uncontrollably at the myriad of unfamiliar sensations. Never had she experienced anything like this intensity. It had been too long…no, it had never been this amazing, the storm of electrical pleasures shooting through her until she couldn’t bear it. “Oh my God!” she screamed, feeling the first spasms of orgasm near. “Aidan, I’m going to come.” “Watch me lick you, cher,” he commanded, his voice gentle and coaxing. “I want to see your face when you come all over my tongue.” The heat was unbearable, the sensations nearly more than she could handle, but she watched him. Couldn’t tear her eyes away, in fact. He stroked her pussy lips with slow, measured strokes of his tongue, alternating sliding his tongue inside her, then wrapping his mouth around her clit and tugging. Lightning outside caught her attention, and the skies lit up as the force of her orgasm stunned her. “I’m coming!” she cried, and he flicked his tongue quickly over her clit as the first waves shot through her. Instead of letting her go, he grabbed her hips and held on. She thrust against him, needing his tongue against her, inside her, as wave after wave of torrential fire rained down over her.

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She shuddered and tried to catch her breath, but Aidan was relentless. He sucked the distended bud and licked her pussy, lapping up her juices until she was ready again, already feeling the pounding need resurface. This wasn’t going to do at all. She wanted him inside her, didn’t want to come again without feeling him pulsing deep within, stroking her, flying off the cliff right along with her. “Aidan, no,” she panted. “Wait. Not yet. I want…” Too late, the fury surrounded her. She moaned through the next orgasm, struggling for breath, fighting for sanity, the nearly blinding storm outside becoming a part of her, the sensations battering at her until she fell back against the sofa, completely exhausted. Aidan stood and pulled her into his arms, their faces so close she could see the dark desire nearly obliterating his amber orbs. She leaned in and licked his lips, tasting her juices on him. “Yes, cher, you taste sweet, like a hot, sweet, summer storm.” A shiver skittered up her spine, his voice flowing over her like August heat. The storm had grown more fierce, as if minute by minute it was building more power. And yet she felt safe cradled in Aidan’s arms, knowing no harm would come to her as long as he held her. He stepped between her outstretched legs and rocked his hard-on between them. She knew she soaked his jeans with her juices, but he didn’t seem to care. The mere action of his motions against her aching mound had her ready again, wanting him, needing him inside her. “Aidan, please,” she whimpered as he rained kisses along her jaw and neck. He pulled back. “Please what, Lissa?” “I want you to make love to me.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you ready?” “Yes. Now.” “Good. I can’t wait any longer.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her down the darkened hallway.

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Chapter Ten Melissa’s heart pounded against Aidan’s chest as he effortlessly carried her down the hall. Using his foot, he nudged open a door and entered a room too swathed in darkness to see. Until lightning struck outside, casting a daylight brightness from the two windows on either side of a large bed. Then the shroud of night fell again. He gently deposited her on the mattress. She heard him moving around the room, opening drawers. The sudden flicker of a match illuminated his face. He glanced over and smiled at her, then lit several candles, bathing the room in a golden glow. His bedroom. And a magnificent one. She sat upon a tall four-poster bed of mahogany, intricate patterns carved into the ornate headboard. A thick down comforter in shades of brown and gold covered the bed. The most incredible thing in the bedroom was the man who stood at the footboard watching her, his gaze like a hypnotist intent on mesmerizing his subject. Too late. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. How could it seem as if she’d waited an eternity for this moment, when they’d only known each other a week? Was she so desperate for sex that she’d become obsessed with having Aidan? Or was there more between them—a deeper connection that she was too afraid to face? No. It wasn’t that. Her desire for Aidan was physical, and that was all. “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said, his voice deepening with every word. She’d never tell him what had just sailed through her mind. “I’m thinking how happy I am to be in your bed, to be getting ready to do what I’ve been wanting to do since I met you.” The brilliance of his smile flashed in the low lit room. “And what might that be, cher?” “You. Me. Naked. Fucking.” She almost said making love again, but she’d let that phrase slip out earlier and was afraid he’d read too much in to it. She didn’t want to do or say anything to spoil the moment. His husky chuckle sent spirals of need swirling through her. He approached the side of the bed and she rose up on her knees so they could face each other.

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“I’ve been dying to get your hair down. You’ve been teasing me with it all week.” He laced his fingers through her hair and massaged her scalp. Tingling excitement rolled down her spine. “I love your hands on me, Aidan.” “And my mouth too, I think.” Remembering the feel of his mouth on her pussy had desire tightening its hold on her again. She reached for him and tugged his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. Funny, it hadn’t occurred to her before that she’d been intimately exposed to him in the living room, while he’d remained fully clothed. That had to stop now. She slid her fingers underneath his shirt. Soft down over his lower belly greeted her questing hands. Further up, the hairs were thicker, crisper. She searched for his nipples and found them, flicking her thumbs over the nubs. They stood erect instantly and he sucked in a breath. “I like when you touch me, Lissa.” She pulled his shirt off and wound her arms around him. This wasn’t happening fast enough. She wanted them both naked and tangled together. Right now. Then again, she could take days to study the planes and angles of his body. Both hard and smooth, his lean muscles rippled under her touch. When she moved to the button on his jeans he pulled her hand away. “Not yet.” She gazed up at him. Why would he stop her now? He smiled. “I want your chest naked, too. I want to see your beautiful breasts.” Her nipples tightened, anticipating his touch. Aidan pulled the shirt over her head and cast it to the side, staring at her breasts the same way he had studied her pussy. He reached out and circled her breasts with his index fingers, his lips curling into a wicked smile. She sighed in pure delight when his thumbs grazed over the nipples, and they tightened into hard peaks. When he tugged and rolled them between his thumb and index finger, sparks of pleasure shot between her legs. She arched against him, begging for more. With a wicked smile, he bent forward and captured a nipple between his lips. Melissa jerked against him and moaned as he sucked the bud, nibbling lightly with his teeth. Sweet pangs of pleasure shot from her breasts to between her legs, and she reached down to massage the ache. Aidan pulled her hand away. “You’ve touched it enough. Your pussy is mine tonight.” Her panting echoed in her ears. Between the rain outside and the rumbling thunder, she couldn’t tell who made the most noise—the storm or her. Anxiety

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and the need for release pent up inside her. She needed a pouring rain of orgasms to release the tension. “You will, cher. Very soon, you will.” If her mind hadn’t been so muddled with passion, she might have stopped and asked him how he could respond to her when she hadn’t spoken the words aloud. But right now there was only Aidan—his touch, the way he squeezed her breasts gently to fit more in his mouth, the way his lips tugged the sensitive nubs until she wanted to scream, the way her juices flowed, calling to him, desperate to have him inside her. Then he pulled her toward him until her glistening breasts mingled with the hairs on his chest. The crisp curls tormented her nipples further until she couldn’t help but brush them against him. “Oh yeah,” he groaned. “I like that.” His hands splayed across her back and lower, cupping her buttocks and drawing her ever nearer. When her pussy brushed against the rock-hard shaft in his jeans, she threw her head back and nearly wept from the frustration. “You want it, Lissa?” It took effort to find the breath to answer. “You know I do, dammit. Give it to me, Aidan.” His low chuckle flamed her senses. “Oh I’ll be giving it to you, cher. I’ll give plenty to you. But I’m enjoying this side of you. This hot, passionate, give-it-tome-now Melissa that I haven’t seen before.” She would not beg. She simply wouldn’t. “Aidan, please.” Maybe she would. With a triumphant smile he stepped back. She sat on her heels and watched as he popped the button of his jeans, revealing a dark line of hair that she wanted to trail with her tongue. There was nothing sexier than a bare-chested man with open jeans. And he wore no underwear. She trembled, her anticipation high, her resolve to wait patiently nearly killing her. He drew the zipper down and pushed his jeans to the floor, giving her a view of his magnificent body. She’d never seen him completely naked before, and she wasn’t disappointed. Broad shoulders and a sculpted chest led her to believe he spent a lot of time doing physical activity, unusual for a businessman His waist and hips were lean and his thighs were well muscled. Not like a bodybuilder, more athletic. The man simply had a gorgeous physique. And a huge cock. She’d never had one that big and wondered again if it would fit inside her, whether it would hurt. Then again she wanted it so bad, craved him so much, she already instinctively knew she could take him all in.

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Her next shuddering breath caught in her throat when he took his long shaft into his hands and stroked it from tip to balls and back again. His gaze never left hers as he touched himself, drawing the engorged head of his penis between his fingers and squeezing until a few drops of silken liquid beaded on the tip. Ignoring his earlier command she reached down and lifted her skirt, sliding her fingers between the swollen folds of her pussy. When she sank her fingers inside and moaned, the thunder outside grew more ominous, louder, crashing against the walls of the house like an earthquake. The ferocity of the elements only made her passions rise higher. Aidan’s gaze focused between her legs as he watched her fuck herself. He stroked his shaft in time to her plunging fingers. If he didn’t hurry she was going to make herself come. “Do it,” he whispered, squeezing his cock. “Make yourself come for me. I want to watch.” She didn’t want to come now, and yet she did. The pulsating agony inside was too much to bear and she needed release right now. But she so wanted him inside her when it happened. He laughed, the sound rich and velvety in the darkness. “I’ll make you come again, Lissa. Again and again and again. I warned you I wasn’t going to be gentle with you tonight. Now do it.” The sight of his penis sliding roughly and quickly between his fingers sent her over the edge. She lifted her hips and thrust her fingers faster inside her dampened folds. “Fuck, that’s hot, baby. Do it for me.” She let out a long, shuddering gasp as she climaxed, the contractions deep inside her holding her fingers in place. She held still and rode it out, watching Aidan stroke more quickly. When the quakes subsided, she pulled out her fingers and focused on him, waiting for him to jettison his come all over her. But he didn’t. Releasing the hold on his cock he strode to the side of the bed, grabbed her hand and sucked her come-moistened fingers into his mouth, licking her juices. “Oh, God,” she whispered, ready yet again for another round. She’d never been like this, never needed release over and over until she’d begged for it. And still, he hadn’t even fucked her. Aidan yanked her skirt down and dragged it off, then climbed up on the bed, pulling her to a kneeling position. They faced each other, and he worshiped her with his eyes. They flamed as they took her in and swept back up to her face. He leaned in and ground his lips against hers. She met his mouth with a wildness of her own, eager for this magical coupling to begin.

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But then he surprised her by gentling the kiss, lightly nibbling and licking her lips and tongue. His kiss was so achingly tender it brought tears to her eyes. She fought them back, refusing to give in to the emotion. Focusing on the sensations of his mouth against hers, she vowed to simply feel the pleasure of Aidan’s touch. She slid her hand across his taut stomach, the muscles jumping against her palm when it crept lower, seeing and finding the thatch of hair above his penis. She swore she could feel his erection vibrating. Then again, the very air shimmered around her in a way she would normally consider eerie and unsettling. Yet with Aidan, the uncanny was swept away in the pure delight of being close to him. Her fingers hovered near his penis and she waited, wanting to give him a little of what she’d just experienced—the utter frustration of wanting something and not getting it. But Aidan was more forceful. He grasped her wrist and pulled her hand down, twining his fingers with hers. Then he placed both their hands over his rigid cock. “Touch me,” he whispered, his warm, wine-scented breath caressing her cheek. His shaft was on fire, a blistering heat searing her hand and coursing through her veins. She trembled deep within her core as Aidan’s body wove a magical spell over her. Slowly, she stroked him, her fingers memorizing every vein, every ridge, every silken inch of his cock. His guttural groans made her fly with a desire she’d never felt before. Aidan pressed her back onto the bed and loomed over her. His facial features tightened as if he struggled for control. A wild storm brewed just under the surface of the carefully held tension. Melissa reached up and cupped his cheek, feeling the sheen of perspiration moistening his face. Wait. It wasn’t perspiration. A light mist fell in his bedroom, wetting everything with tiny drops of cooling liquid. And for some reason it didn’t shock her in the least. “You have magic inside you,” she said, not sure how she knew it, only that she’d finally realized that something about Aidan went beyond an ordinary man. He stilled over her, then smiled, “I’m about to slip some magic inside you.” “I hope so.” Her curiosity about the uncanny moisture pouring down momentarily forgotten, she reached for him, pulling him on top of her. She needed to feel his weight, his strength, fully against her. He flicked his tongue over her lips, then coaxed her mouth open and slid his tongue deep inside, heating her blood.

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“I want to be inside you,” Aidan murmured against her lips. “Now.” “Yes.” She opened her legs and he shifted, the head of his penis probing against the moist folds of her pussy. “Look at me, Lissa. I want to see your eyes when I drive my cock inside you.” He took another taste of her lips and leaned back. She grasped his biceps, his muscles bunched with effort. His eyes met hers and lightning scorched the room as he slid partially inside her. “God,” he rasped. “Just like I knew you’d be. Hot, slippery wet. Your pussy’s pulling me in, cher, do you feel it?” The crack of thunder shook the bed and rain began to fall over them as he thrust once and embedded himself deeply within her. “Yes, Aidan, I feel it.” She found it difficult to breathe, unable to concentrate on anything except him filling her completely. She’d assumed correctly—she could take him all in. And it was glorious. Never had she been filled like this, never had a man’s cock touched her womb with such depth, such fire. She was suddenly thankful for the inexplicable rain that moistened her face and body, cooling the flames that scorched her. He moved, pulling back and thrusting slowly, his breath catching and releasing in panting moans, the same as hers. “Your pussy was made for my cock. Feel how you tighten around me?” “Yes.” She pulled his head down, needing his mouth. His tongue entered her, teasing her with the dual sensations of plunging heat. She felt the buildup already, shocked that she could possibly come again after she’d been over the edge three times already. Then again, this was Aidan, and she’d discovered anything was possible with him. Aidan couldn’t quite believe all this was real—the sensations, the power of the storm, the sheer pleasure of finally being inside Lissa. She was heaven and hell in one package, so sweet and giving, so open and honest in her sexuality, and yet she tortured him like the devil himself. Always having thought he was the one with the magic, he now knew he was wrong. As he pulled back and thrust inside her repeatedly, her tight core pulsed around him. She wove a spell of desire through his senses that he’d never experienced before. She was his magic. Her hips rose and pulled him in deeper. No woman had been able to take him in completely before. But Lissa could. She was so tight, so wet, and she fit him as if she’d been made only for him.

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Lightning arced within the room again. Aidan couldn’t stop the elements from invading, and no longer cared. Melissa hadn’t appeared shocked at the fact it was now raining in the bedroom, a fact which pleased him greatly. She accepted his magic. Maybe not consciously, because he sensed her complete immersion in their lovemaking. But still, she had separated that reality from the depth of their bonding. What would happen later would happen. For now, she was his, he was buried inside her where he’d longed to be and nothing else mattered. He glanced down at her and his chest tightened, unfamiliar emotions surfacing. She looked like an angel, her blonde hair fanning out over the dusky pillow, her creamy body illuminated by the lightning searing the room. Her face was flushed and damp from the falling mist, her lips swollen from his kisses, her nipples erect. Aidan leaned down and captured the rigid peak of one nipple in his mouth, sucking deeply until she wound her hands through his hair and pulled him closer. He flicked her nipple with his tongue, rewarded with her whimpers of pleasure. She tasted sweet all over, from her scented skin to her honeyed pussy. He’d want to taste her again before long. She’d come so quickly he couldn’t get enough of her juices. But now, he fucked her. And he loved fucking her. She was his. Tonight, all night, she was his. And he couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t seem to pull her deeply enough against him to satisfy his hunger for her. His cock trembled, threatening to spill. But he willed the sensations to subside. No way was this going to be over too quickly. Even though the logical part of him knew there’d be more, this one time, this first time, had to last. But Melissa was making it difficult. Already her pussy contracted against his cock, squeezing him. She lifted her hips and he inched more deeply inside her. His balls pulled up tight against his body, and he knew it wouldn’t be long. “Aidan. God, I can’t…” Melissa’s words trailed off and she squeezed her eyes closed. He kissed her lips, drawing her sighing moans into his mouth. He moved faster, stroking her with more depth. “Yes, like that, oh, yes,” she cried, her legs clenched tight around his waist, her hips bucking against him. He reached underneath and gathered her close, his hands closing over her ass and fitting her even tighter against him. She moaned long and low as his pubic bone brushed her clit.

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“C’mon cher,” he whispered, nearly incapable of speech. “Come on my cock.” She screamed and climaxed, the contractions clamping over his shaft and squeezing. He gave up the struggle to maintain control and let the storm rumbling inside him free. The elements opened up around them and rain pummeled them, lightning shot against the walls like a laser beam out of control, and thunder lifted the bed off the ground. Melissa’s screams mingled with the crescendo of the storm and his groans of release. His orgasm was relentless, pouring his essence inside her, mingling with her juices until they were drenched in their fluids. He’d never felt so complete, so satisfied, in his life. Moments later he collapsed on top of her, completely drained. She lay still, her eyes closed. Aidan struggled to regain the control he’d lost. He closed his eyes and reversed the storm until the room dried and all was in its place. He withdrew and pulled Melissa against him. She sighed contentedly and rested her head on his shoulder. The ache of tenderness he felt when he wrapped his arms around her scared the shit out of him. She opened her eyes briefly, smiling up at him with a half curve of her lips. She looked supremely satisfied. Then she drifted to sleep in an instant. Aidan pondered the ceiling where moments ago bolts of lightning had shot around them. He’d never lost it so completely before, never let the storm take over. But this time he had. And it was because of Melissa. Somehow and in so many ways, she’d gotten to him. Not just physically, but emotionally. The word destiny appeared like a neon sign before his eyes, but he forced it away. She wasn’t his destiny. She was fun, beautiful, and a tigress in the bedroom, but that was all she’d be to him. He wasn’t ready for any so called destiny, wasn’t ready to settle down and certainly wouldn’t do it with Melissa Cross. No matter how he felt about her. And how the hell did he feel about her? Dammit. He was over thinking everything again. Clearly Melissa only wanted sex from him, which was the same thing he wanted. She’d never told him she was emotionally involved with him, not like some women did. All she’d said tonight was that she wanted him. For fucking, not for life. Why not just enjoy their time together, and when she went back to Boston his life could resume as it had before she came?

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Ignoring the nagging pang of loss that hit him square in the chest at the thought of Melissa leaving, he pulled her closer, kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.

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Chapter Eleven Melissa woke with a start and opened her eyes. The first gray light of dawn peeked in through the wood blinds of the bedroom. Someone breathed against her neck. She sighed with contentment, wriggling deeper under the covers and against the hot, hard body behind her. A very warm Aidan shifted and pulled her closer. She shivered when his chest hairs brushed her back. His palm cupped her left breast, his thumb lazily tracing her nipple. She held her breath, pleasure spiraling to her core. How she could get even remotely excited after last night’s sex fest was beyond her, but sure enough she was aroused. She waited, thinking he was awake, but his steady, even breathing led her to believe he fondled her in his sleep. Even in sleep, he touched her, excited her, made her wet. Slowly, so as not to wake Aidan, she moved her palm over the sheets. They were dry. But last night it had rained in this room. A hard, soaking rain. Lightning had cracked against the walls, and thunder had shook the bed. And yet as she looked around, nothing seemed out of place. There were no dark holes in the plaster, no moisture permeated the room and the bed was exactly where it had been when Aidan first placed her on it last night. She was dry, as was Aidan, as were the bedcovers. Had she dreamed a thunderstorm in the bedroom? Could Aidan be such an outstanding lover that not only had the earth moved, but he’d fucked her until she broke out into a drenching sweat? No, that wasn’t it. Something definitely happened in here last night, and it wasn’t a dream. But how was she going to ask Aidan about it? She stifled a laugh at the look on his face if she asked him if it had rained in his bedroom last night. He’d think she was insane. Maybe she was. Aidan groaned and rubbed her nipple again. Sparks shot south and her juices flowed. His suddenly growing erection pressed against her rear. Instinctively, she moved against him, rewarded when he pushed against her, his shaft sliding between her legs. “Good morning,” he whispered into the nape of her neck. When he kissed her neck, she shivered, then moaned when he lightly nipped the soft spot. “Morning,” she replied, scooting her backside against his cock. In an instant he was fully hard and probing between the folds of her pussy. She arched forward and he slid easily inside, filling her. 104

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She gasped at the sensation, whimpered when he began to move against her. He thrust unhurriedly, languorously, digging his fingers into her hip. The room grew hot and humid despite the air conditioning. Soon they were soaked in sweat, their slick bodies sliding against each other. There were so many things she wanted to talk to him about, questions she had to ask, but not now. Now he filled her, fucked her, and she was so wrapped up in his thrusts hitting that sweet spot inside her that she couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Aidan reached around and tangled his fingers in her moist down, searching until he found her clit. She jumped at the first contact of his fingertip against her sensitive flesh, sparks of pleasure squeezing her pussy around him. “Oh yeah, baby, that’s nice,” he said through a groan. The hairs on his legs brushed the backs of her thighs, tickling her already sensitized nerve endings. Her skin was so attuned to his touch, each of his movements brought her closer to the pinnacle. “Fuck me faster, Aidan,” she demanded. He complied, his strokes punishing and hard. But she loved it, rejoicing in the feel of him slamming deep inside her. He intensified the caress of his fingers on her clit and she cried out her ecstasy. Her climax washed over her, hard and quick. Aidan came along with her, his fingers digging into her hips as he held her in place. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to get up. Aidan continued to leisurely stroke her hip, her legs, her breasts, all the while applying gentle kisses to her shoulder and neck. The room cooled and settled, the humidity and heat that permeated the air a few moments ago now gone. Still, he stayed inside her, his penis slowly softening. Aidan seemed reluctant to break the connection between them. If she had her way, they’d stay together like this for hours. Much as she’d love to cuddle in bed with him all day, and the day after that, she knew her idyllic time was nearly up. There were questions that needed answering. How would Aidan react to her questions? Finally, he backed away, the loss of his shaft making her feel empty inside. “Hungry?” he asked as she rolled over to face him. He grinned like a kid who’d just been given the best present of his life. She tried for a smile, unsure how things would play out now. “Sure.” “I’m gonna shower, then I’ll fix breakfast. You can take one with me if you’d like.” She laughed at his wicked expression and looked down at his semi-hard penis. It waved a friendly greeting as if to let her know that Aidan wasn’t quite finished with her yet. “I’d love to.”

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He held out his hand and helped her off the bed, then led her into his bathroom. The bathroom was spacious and very lovely. Cream and beige marble swirled along the countertop and double sinks. A huge whirlpool tub cornered the room below a double window with white plantation shutters. The shower was separate but quite roomy. Melissa eyed the tub, wishing she had the time to indulge in a good soak. Her muscles ached all over, no doubt due to the sexual olympics she and Aidan had engaged in last night. He started to reach inside to flip the shower on, then noticed her longing glances at the bathtub. “Feel like a whirlpool and a hot soak instead?” Was the man a mind reader or did she wear her desires on her face like a beacon? “If you don’t mind. You can shower, of course. I’ll just sit in the tub for a few minutes if that’s all right.” He laughed and closed the shower door. “What? And miss the opportunity to take a bath with you? Do I look stupid?” She giggled, suddenly feeling very girly and warm inside. And how dumb was that? He’d just offered to bathe with her, which in no way resembled a declaration of his undying love. Really, she’d have to get a lot less emotional about all this. Before she ended up in serious trouble. As the tub filled, she grabbed her hair clip and wound her hair up into a bun. Aidan got in first and held out his hand. She stepped in and he positioned himself with his back against the edge of the tub. Then he pulled her down in front of him, her back resting against his chest. He turned on the whirlpool jets. They pounded against her muscles, giving her a deep massage. With a contented sigh she sank into the water up to her breasts. Aidan twined his legs around hers, tickling her feet with his toes. Admittedly, this was a little slice of heaven. The warm water eased her aching muscles, and the man sitting behind her didn’t hurt how she felt at all. “You’re so much smaller than me,” he murmured. She gazed down through the clear water and saw his long legs stretched out way past her feet. “Isn’t it supposed to be that way? Or do you prefer Amazon women who are much taller than you so they can throw you down and screw your brains out?” He laughed, deep and baritone. It rumbled through her body and she hitched a breath at the pure delight in feeling his joy. “Now wouldn’t that be something?” he said. “Do you see me as craving the Amazon type of woman?”

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Actually she didn’t see him as craving any type of woman but her. And that thought instantly shocked her. “No.” “Me either.” He picked up a thick sponge and squeezed, dribbling water over her shoulders. “You wanna know what type of woman I crave?” Did she really want to find out he preferred petite brunettes? “Sure.” “Tall, cool blondes with long legs and athletic bodies really push my buttons,” he whispered against her ear. She smiled down at the water. “Really?” “Yeah.” He reached up and caressed her breasts, the warm water and his hot hands searing her. “And pert breasts with sensitive nipples.” “Mmm, good to know.” She reached up and caressed his neck, arching her back against his chest. His thumbs circled her nipples, plucking at them until they hardened to stiff, pink peaks. His erection pressed between the cheeks of her ass, probing against her as he undulated his hips. “Turn around,” he commanded, helping her adjust so that she faced him. Water spilled over the full tub as she wriggled into position on his lap. She wrapped her legs around his back, his cock pressing intimately against her mound. Aidan’s lips curled into a devilish smile and he moved against her, tickling her clit with his penis. Instinctively she arched against him, wanting to prolong the delicious sensations. “You like that?” he asked. “My toes are curling. What do you think?” He grasped her buttocks in his hands and pulled her closer. “Hmm, curling your toes already and I’m not even inside you. Damn, I’m good.” Melissa pursed her lips and arched a brow. “That remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” His eyes darkened and his fingers pressed into her hips. “Or felt?” “Yes.” Adjusting a bit, he leaned forward and captured her nipple between his lips, sucking it inside his heated mouth. When he twirled his tongue around the sensitized peak, she arched her back, driving her pussy against his shaft. He laved her nipple with his tongue, then gave the other breast the same treatment until she grasped his shoulders and whimpered. “Are you ready for me, cher?” he whispered, driving her crazy by moving his head side to side, licking both her nipples. His rough beard scratched against the tender surface of her breasts, heightening the exquisite pleasure. “Yes. Fuck me, Aidan.” “Oh, not this time. I want you to fuck me.”

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In her position on top of him she had the control. She shuddered and lifted up, grasping his rigid cock in her hands and lowering herself on top of him. She hesitated, watching his look of anticipation. Then she dipped down, her outer lips covering the tip of his penis. His devastating smile spoke of sexual pleasures she hadn’t begun to experience. But she would, starting right now. She sank down in the water, his thick shaft entering her inch by delicious inch until she sat fully on his lap. In this position he felt huge inside her and she rocked against him, sparks of pleasure shooting into her core. Aidan closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the tub. “Oh, yeah, baby, I like that.” So did she. Liked it so much her entire body felt alive, every nerve and muscle captured by the magic of their connection. She lifted and slid down over him again, developing a rhythm of raising and lowering until water sloshed over the tub and all over the tile floor. The water churned like crashing waves against her body, swirling and massaging her skin. When she slowed down so as not to spill more water, Aidan latched on to her hips and lifted her higher, then slammed her down onto his cock, seeming not to care that they were soaking the floor of the bathroom. The deep contact drew a gasp from her and she moaned her pleasure. She threw her head back and rode him faster. Aidan pushed his hips up, fitting even more of his glorious length inside her. Leaning forward, she palmed his face and pressed her lips against his, rewarded with his guttural moan. He captured her mouth and plunged his tongue inside. She threaded her fingers in the dark hairs of his chest, seeking and finding the flat male nipples When she brushed her thumbs over them they rose hard against her fingers. She smiled against his lips and he laughed, low and husky, then tortured her in return by driving his shaft ever deeper inside her. She whimpered against his mouth. “Please, Aidan,” she cried. When he reached between her legs and searched through the down of hair covering her mound, she shivered. “Is that what you’re begging for, cher?” She moaned her answer and he trailed his fingers over the sensitive outer lips of her pussy. “Quit teasing me.” “Oh, but I love to tease you. And you like it, don’t you?” “No.” His questing fingers fell short of the mark, and she knew he did it on purpose. The man knew exactly where to touch her to send her over the edge. “Tell me what you want, Lissa.”

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“I need to come, Aidan.” He thrust harshly against her, her pussy contracting around him with a fury of its own. “Yes, you do. You’re tight, hot and wet.” “Make me come. Now.” His husky laugh made her pant. When his thumb caressed her clit she arched against him, sliding back and forth until she couldn’t bear the pleasure any longer. His fingers slid softly against the sensitive nub, relentlessly stroking until she exploded around him, unable to stop the fireworks shooting through her. “Fuck!” he groaned, then thrust deeply inside her, his orgasm rocketing his body against hers. Melissa held on to him tightly, riding out her climax until she collapsed against his chest. His heart pounded madly against her, his breathing hard and heavy. “That was nice,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. Nice? Nice? It had been spectacular, earth shattering even. She pushed back and sat upright, lifting off him. “Nice? Is that all it was?” He laughed. “No, it was great. Best sex I’ve ever had.” Irritation boiled inside her. Then she reminded herself that this was exactly what she wanted, too. Sex without emotion. But, damn it was difficult to separate the two. She didn’t need to get angry at Aidan because he was acting just as she wanted him to. He grinned. “Now I really do need a shower—and breakfast. Sex makes me hungry.” She stood and he helped her out of the tub. She let the water out while he ran the shower, and when he was finished she stepped in. By the time she exited the shower he’d left the bathroom. After dressing and combing her hair she walked down the hall and found him in a spacious kitchen, complete with a granite-topped center island. Decorated in shades of black and white, the kitchen boasted ample cabinet space and much more room than she’d anticipate a single man could ever use. Then again, he’d already used up most of the available space with cooking ingredients, mixing bowls and pots and pans. And food. A lot of food. The smell of which had her stomach panging with hunger. “What are you fixing?” she asked as she sidled up to him. “And can I help?” He smiled at her and shook his head. “Nope. Got it covered. And it’s something special.”

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“Special?” She looked over the bacon, English muffins and something sitting in a milk mixture. “What’s that?” “Oysters.” She met the teasing glint in his eyes and swallowed hard, trying not to gag. “Oysters?” He nodded. “You’ll love this dish. Trust me.” Pouring a cup of coffee to get the anticipated bad taste out of her mouth, she stood back and watched Aidan fix the meal. It was a rather intricate procedure utilizing bacon, oysters, muffins, seasoning and eggs. He glanced over and smiled at her. “This is called Eggs Pontchartrain, and I’m adding Hollandaise sauce which is poured over the top.” He whisked egg yolks in a pan over boiling water, then added lemon juice and Tabasco of all things. The man could certainly cook. And while she wasn’t fond of oysters, the concoction he’d assembled smelled mouth watering. He led her outside the French doors to a beautiful deck overlooking the lake. Cypress trees leaned over the grassy area below the deck as if thirsting for the water nearby. Funny, she hadn’t noticed this lake last night, but then again it had been windy and raining and her mind had been occupied with what she was going to say to Aidan when he answered the door. He placed a plate in front of her. She had to admit, the presentation was gorgeous. Two muffin halves sat on the warm plate, topped with bacon and fried oysters and a poached egg. The thick Hollandaise sauce covered the top. At her hesitance he said, “C’mon, give it a try. Trust me, you’ll love it.” Not wanting to insult him after he’d gone to so much trouble, she pushed back her dislike of oysters and took a forkful into her mouth. The flavor exploded, rich and creamy with just a tang of Creole spice. “Wow,” she managed, suddenly not wanting to stop until her plate was clean. Aidan grinned, clearly pleased at the compliment. “I’m glad you like it.” “It’s incredible. And you can cook! I still can’t get over that.” He arched a brow. “Why would that surprise you?” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess because most single men don’t cook, or if they do it’s either steaks on the grill or something simple. This is an elegant feast, Aidan. I’m very impressed.” “Thanks.” If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he blushed. But Aidan didn’t seem the type. “I’m surprised some woman hasn’t captured you and refused to let go.” She couldn’t get enough of the meal, and in fact embarrassed herself by taking a

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second helping. Maybe sex made her hungry, too. Then again, maybe it was Aidan’s cooking. Finally she was stuffed and sat back to admire the view. “You must love living here. It’s beautiful.” “It’s all right,” he said. The flat tone in his voice caught her attention, and she turned to look at him. His entire demeanor had changed. The smile had left his face, replaced with a disturbing frown. “Something wrong?” she asked. “No, not at all.” He stood and cleared the dishes. She followed him in and insisted that since he’d cooked breakfast she at least be allowed to help clean up. With great reluctance he agreed. They stood side by side and washed and dried the dishes. Melissa found herself intrigued by the comfortable domesticity of working alongside Aidan like this. It was actually rather pleasant. She could grow used to sharing breakfast with him in the mornings, especially if breakfast was preceded by a night of incredible passion. “What’s on the agenda for today?” she asked after the last copper pot had been dried and hung over the center island. “Uhh, I’ve got some personal business to attend to.” There it was again. He’d been quiet since they sat down to eat, and his mood had gone steadily downhill from there. She turned and leaned against the counter. “Aidan, something’s wrong. What is it?” “Nothing.” “That’s not true. You’ve been quiet and sullen since breakfast. Did I say something to offend you?” He shook his head and smiled, but it wasn’t sincere. “Not at all, cher. What could you possibly say that could upset me? We had rip-roaring sex last night and again this morning. I mean, there’s nothing like a great fuck to start the day off right is there?” A knifelike pain seared her heart. A great fuck? Rip-roaring sex? She fought for control, knowing this would happen, that she’d get emotional about Aidan when she shouldn’t. His words hurt, though, no matter how she was supposed to feel. She inhaled deeply, forcing back the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “No, nothing better. I really need to get going.” He reached for her, smoothing his hand over her hair. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay for another round?” “No, thank you. I have so much to do I really need to go.” She grabbed her purse, intent on hightailing it out of there as quickly as she could, then remembered she hadn’t driven here last night. 111

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“What’s wrong, cher?” he asked. “I took a cab last night.” So much for quick exits. “No problem.” He reached for his keys. “I’ll drive you back to the hotel.” Thankfully he was silent on the drive. She didn’t think she could handle hearing again what a great fuck she’d been. Even though she’d tried to keep the emotion at bay, even though she’d made sure Aidan wouldn’t think she cared about him, she couldn’t help thinking their time together had been more than simply sex. How stupid to think there had been some emotional bond between the two of them. They’d had sex. And that was all. No emotion involved whatsoever. Aidan obviously had already had his fill of her, because by the time he pulled up in front of the hotel entrance he smiled and popped open her door lock. He didn’t even ask if she was available tonight, or tomorrow, or ever. “Thanks for the ride,” she said, opening the door and hoping for a hasty retreat. He didn’t disappoint. “You’re welcome. Have a great weekend.” Melissa fought for control until she reached her room, then sat on the bed and let the tears roll. The hot sparks falling down her cheek irritated more than hurt her. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She’d let her heart get involved, and already she felt the hurt she’d swore she’d never allow again. Sweeping the tears away with her fingers, she threw back her shoulders and went into the bathroom to change. No way was she going to allow a man to screw with her emotions again. If all Aidan wanted from her was a fuck, then that was fine. That’s all they’d be. They didn’t call her Frosty Cross for nothing. When she wanted to turn a cool breeze in a hot man’s direction, she could do it like no one else.

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Chapter Twelve Aidan swallowed past the dry lump in his throat as he contemplated meeting with Melissa this morning. Two days had passed since he’d unceremoniously dumped her in front of the hotel. He hadn’t called her, hadn’t seen her and wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to kick his ass when he walked into the conference room. Hadn’t he been cowardly enough? How could he have treated her so callously after they’d made love the other night? He knew why, even if he had spent the weekend trying to forget it. Because he’d felt something with Melissa. Something deep and, dare he think it, meaningful. The two of them were so connected through the magic that he couldn’t break the bonds no matter how hard he tried. And when she’d commented at breakfast that she was surprised some woman hadn’t caught him yet, he’d panicked. She scared the hell out of him. Scared him so much that he’d acted as if Melissa had been nothing more than a great fuck, when in fact she was more. So much more, in fact, that he’d run from the emotions she’d brought out in him. Relationships, especially of the permanent kind, weren’t in his nature. And a woman who was his destiny, as his mother always referred to it, was something he fought tooth and nail against. Something about feeling a sense of duty regarding love and forever didn’t sit right with him. He’d always thought himself a free spirit, capable of making his own choices. The word destiny yanked choice away from him, and he refused to let that happen. When the time came to pick a woman and settle down, he’d do the choosing. Magic and destiny had no place in finding the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Besides, the last person in the world he should get entangled with was Melissa. She was Boston through and through—cool, reserved and proper. They did things differently up there. She’d come from a completely opposite lifestyle than he did. She’d never be happy in hot and steamy New Orleans. No, best to leave things as they were—fun and sex and nothing more, just like he’d always done with women. His step faltered as he approached the double doors of the conference room. Fun and sex and nothing more? Why did that sound so unappealing? Easy answer, he knew. Because Melissa wasn’t like any other woman he’d met before. And she’d trusted him. He’d been hounding her since the first day they’d met,

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trying to seduce her. And once he’d succeeded, once she’d let him in, he’d dumped her on her ass and ran like hell. Nice move, asshole. He wouldn’t blame her a bit for hating him. Right now even he wasn’t too fond of himself. Squaring his shoulders and inhaling deeply, he crept through the doorway and found Melissa already hard at work, piles of papers surrounding her laptop. She looked up and offered a cool, professional smile. “Good morning.” Okay, at least she was speaking to him. “Morning. Have a good weekend?” “Fine. I’ve put together the large brochure in draft form and thought we could go over that first this morning.” Fine. Right into work mode. He knew it was going to be like this. “Melissa, about the other—” Her head whipped up and she shot him a look that froze him on the spot. “Let’s not go there, Aidan.” “If that’s what you want,” he said, realizing how petty he sounded. He pulled a chair across from her and she slid the drafts across the table, mumbling about something having been his idea, not hers. But her conversation with herself was too muffled for him to make it out clearly. “Did you say something?” he asked. “No.” She wouldn’t even look at him. He dragged a hand through his hair and sighed, more confused by his own reaction than hers. “Take a look at those and we can talk about them tomorrow.” She rose and closed up her laptop. “Tomorrow? Where are you going?” “Shreveport. There are a couple new casinos there that have done a partnership with the local hotels. I’m driving up today to check them out, then spend the night. I’ll be back tomorrow.” “I should go with you. You need someone from our hotel along.” Her gaze met his. It was icy, devoid of the warmth and emotion he’d become familiar with. “I am taking someone. Shannon’s going with me.” “Shannon? Why her?” “I suggested it to her and she jumped on the idea. Would give her a chance to grab some PR ideas.” Shannon, not him. She hadn’t even asked if he wanted to go along. Sonofabitch. This was his project, not hers and certainly not Shannon’s and he’d run the goddamn show if it was the last thing he did.

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Dark clouds obliterated the sun, which had previously been shining brightly through the open blinds. Thunder roared loudly and Melissa jumped at the sound, then her gaze shot back to his. Yes, he’d damn well done that. And he hoped she wasn’t going to pick right now to ask him about his powers, because he wasn’t sure how he’d answer her. He pushed the chair back so hard it hit the wall with a thud. Melissa’s eyes widened but he ignored her and picked up the phone to call his sister. Within minutes it had been settled. He hung up the phone and turned to Melissa, who eyed him frostily. “I’m going to Shreveport with you. It’s not nearly time to bring in public relations.” Melissa opened her mouth, then closed it quickly. “Fine.” “I’m going home to pack. I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour. I’ll drive.” “You don’t have to—” He cut her off with a frosty look of his own. “I said I will drive.” Without another word or glance in her direction he left the room, feeling instantly guilty for reacting so vehemently to her cold demeanor. Isn’t this what he’d wanted? Great sex and then back to business? Well, he’d wanted it and now he’d gotten it, so he’d damn well better be satisfied with the results of his actions. Even he knew he couldn’t have it both ways. An hour later, he was in front of the hotel. Melissa was prompt, stepping out just minutes after he’d pulled up. She’d changed into a loose sundress that had his cock’s attention instantly. Blue with white flowers, thin little straps resting on her shoulders and the hem situated way above her knee. It flowed in the light breeze, affording him a tempting view of her slender thighs. She’d probably worn the damn thing on purpose to drive him out of his fucking mind. Without a word, she handed him her overnight bag, then got into the car. He was thankful he’d brought the SUV instead of the Corvette. Seeing her nearly reclined in that silky dress that clung to her curves would have driven him mad. As it was he had to swallow the drool that threatened to spill from his mouth. Damn she looked hot. She turned to him after she’d buckled her seatbelt and smiled coolly, then smoothed her dress, not bothering to pull it down where it had slid upward. The breeze from the air conditioner wafted her sweet lavender scent through his nostrils. He was going to die. Six hours of pure hell awaited him, from a demon woman who now hated him and planned to torment him with a body he’d made fairly clear he was no longer interested in having. He blew out a more than a little frustrated sigh and scrubbed his hand over his face before donning his sunglasses.

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“Something wrong?” she asked. He quickly glanced in her direction, noting the slight curve to her lips. She was enjoying his discomfort. “Nope.” Clenching the steering wheel in a death grip, he headed north, hoping the trip would go a lot quicker than normal. About four hours faster would work for him. But it wasn’t to be. The silence permeated the vehicle, hovering over him like a sledgehammer about to drop. The woman had a gift for icy demeanors. She answered every question with a yes, no, fine or I don’t know, and the ones she could get by without answering verbally, she did so with a shrug. By the time they reached Baton Rouge, he’d convinced himself this was some sort of game whereby he had to figure out what question to ask that would require her to answer in more than one word. “Do you see your parents often?” he asked. “No.” “Any brothers or sisters?” “No.” Would you like to fuck me again? No, that wouldn’t be a good question to ask considering the circumstances. “What would you like for lunch?” “Nothing.” “It’s after twelve, surely you’re getting hungry.” She shook her head. Damn but she was good at this game. “I’m starving, so I’m going to pull into one of the fast food joints and get a hamburger.” “Fine.” Shit. So far, Melissa, roughly thirty-eight, Aidan, zero. He hated losing. After two and a half hours of one-word answers he’d had enough. He started talking to himself in French, and providing his own answers, hoping it would spark her interest enough to ask what he was saying. “Pourquoi êtes-tu si fâché?” She lifted her chin, but didn’t answer his question. Not that he really needed an answer. He knew exactly why she was angry. “Je suis désolé que je vous blesse.” And he really was sorry for hurting her, despite his ego trying to convince him he’d done the right thing for both of them. Still no response, but she shifted in her seat. If she was like most women, curiosity at what he was saying would get the better of her and she’d start talking. 116

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“Je veux vous faire l’amour encore, Mélisse.” As soon as he said it, he realized how true the statement was. He did want to make love to her again, despite everything. His body hungered for her in a way that was new to him. New, and more than a little scary. Finally, she replied with, “Pas si vous étiez le dernier homme sur terre.” Oh, nice, not if he was the last man on—”Hey! You speak French.” “Oui.” She smiled smugly and looked straight ahead. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She crossed her arms. “You never asked.” True, he hadn’t. “Then you understood—” “Everything you just said.” Shit. “Okay, then let me explain—” “I’d rather you didn’t.” “Dammit, Lissa, we have to talk about this!” And in a car going seventy down the freeway wasn’t the right venue. He couldn’t even get her to look at him. “We have nothing to talk about, Aidan. You made your desires, or lack thereof, perfectly clear the other morning.” Then she did look at him, and he winced at the pain so evident in her eyes. “I think you misinterpreted my actions.” “I don’t think so. Look, we had great sex, we both had a good time, so let’s leave it at that and move on. I see no point in continuing to beat a dead horse. We have business to do together, so let’s just do it and keep the personal out of our relationship.” He should have breathed a sigh of relief. He should be glad she didn’t want to complicate their relationship with a bunch of sticky emotions. He should be glad she’d seen the event for what it was—two people having a great time fucking. But he wasn’t glad. In fact, by the time they reached Shreveport, he was pissed as hell at her cold brush-off. They visited two of the casinos tied in to independently owned hotels, and met with some of the hotel’s marketing staff who were generous enough to share their sales strategies. At least during the business portion of the day they managed to have civil conversation. In fact, Lissa’s eyes lit up with excitement when they brainstormed marketing ideas. As he listened to her animated voice, so full of vigor about their upcoming sales plans, he wished she’d show some personal enthusiasm toward him.

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No. That’s not what he wanted from her. He needed, wanted, distance. At least personally. Professionally, he could handle being close to her. But if he thought about her intimately, he’d be doomed and would only end up hurting her more than he already had. Now they sat in the restaurant of the hotel they’d booked their rooms in for the night. The little restaurant was casual yet elegant, and they’d been seated at a small table near the window overlooking one of the casinos. The flashing neon lights outside mirrored their colors into his nearly empty wine glass. The business part of their day had ended. This is where he had to withdraw, before he noticed how beautiful her hair was by candlelight, the soft glow that spread over her face when she talked about something that excited her, or the way her breasts strained against her dress when she drew in a breath. “So, what do you think?” she asked, interrupting his thoughts. Frankly, he hadn’t been paying the slightest bit of attention to her presentation about their strategy. “I think it’s fine.” She frowned. “Which parts?” “All of them.” After finishing her glass of wine, she sat back in her chair and studied him. “You haven’t been listening to anything I’ve said, have you?” Was he that transparent? “Sure I have.” “Okay, then tell me what the first step in our revised marketing plan is, based upon what we discovered today.” Oh, crap. How was he supposed to know? He’d only been half listening to her, his mind occupied with images of her slender, naked body twined around his, her honey-colored hair spilling over his fingers like spun silk, the way she tightened around him when he was deep inside her. Anything but marketing plans. “Well, I’m not sure. You want to tell me again?” With a huff, she said, “No. I’m going to bed.” She stood and tossed her napkin on the table. “Wait for me while I pay the bill.” “Why? You’re not coming to my room; you’re obviously not the least bit interested in talking business, which means our time together tonight is over. I’m tired, I’m going to my room and I’m going to bed.” She turned and started to leave, then looked over her shoulder and added, “Alone.” As if he didn’t already know that. He threw down enough cash to cover dinner and tip and followed her.

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“I didn’t proposition you,” he countered, catching up to her as she reached the elevator. “Wouldn’t do you any good if you had.” She stared up at the lights indicating the elevator’s location. “Oh, so you’d turn me down if I offered?” “Flat.” There went his ego again, raring and ready to fight. But dammit, she pushed his buttons. They stepped into the elevator together, along with an older couple and an attractive woman in her mid-twenties. Ignoring the others, he said, “I’ll bet you wouldn’t.” She turned to him. “Wouldn’t what?” “Turn me down if I offered to have sex with you.” The young woman suppressed a chuckle and he heard the older couple’s sharp intake of breath. “Aidan, please. We’re not exactly alone.” “Would you like to be?” He hated to admit it, but he really enjoyed teasing her. Especially when she blushed like she was doing now. Damn, but she fired him up, in more ways than one. “You are insufferable, you know that?” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot, well and truly pissed. He couldn’t fight the smile that curved his lips. “I’ve been told that a time or two.” “Why any woman would want to sleep with you is beyond me.” “You did.” Her eyes widened and she gasped. The young woman laughed out loud, the older couple looked clearly distressed and Aidan was having the time of his life, finally feeling like he had the upper hand with Melissa. By the time they reached their floor she was steaming. She headed briskly down the hallway, ignoring the fact that he kept right up with her. Suddenly she stopped dead and turned to face him. “What kind of game are you playing with me now?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Don’t play stupid with me. First, you insisted on coming with me today, then you didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention when I outlined our sales plan. You made it quite clear that you didn’t want to get personal with me, and yet you keep throwing out these intimate hints and suggestive innuendos. Now if that isn’t game playing, I don’t know what is.”

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She whirled and continued her brisk pace down the hallway, stopping at the room and fumbling in her purse. “Go away, Aidan,” she said, not looking at him. “I can’t.” “Why not? I don’t want you, you don’t want me, so let’s just keep things professional like you wanted, and leave it at that.” “I can’t.” He gently nudged her aside and slipped his door key in the lock. She stormed into the living area and stopped, then turned and placed her hand on his chest. “Get out.” “I can’t.” “Would you stop saying that? Why can’t you?” “Because this is my room.” “Shit.” With a sigh she collapsed onto a nearby chair. “This isn’t going to work, Aidan. You’ve got to stop screwing with me this way.” She was right and he knew it, and yet it seemed that no matter what he did, it was wrong. But he couldn’t stay away from her, needed that intimacy they shared, and whatever it was between them wasn’t going to be as easy to snuff out as either of them thought. She was like a relentless storm, ever building, then bursting into a deluge, only to rebuild within him. Maybe if he had her a few more times he could exorcise this internal need for her out of his system. When she rose and started toward the door, he grabbed her arm. She whirled on him, pain and anger etched on her face. “Let me go.” “No.” She tried to pull her arm away but he wouldn’t let her loose. “Kiss me.” “No, Aidan. You and I see things differently.” “How so?” “The other morning you said we were good fucking partners.” “Yeah, so?” “I can’t…I don’t want to be just…dammit, just leave me be!” But he couldn’t, and deep down she was as aware of it as he. He pulled her against his chest, holding her still while she struggled fruitlessly against him. “Kiss me once. If you hate it I’ll let you go.” She glared at him. “This isn’t some romance novel where I’m going to get all swoony when our lips meet, Aidan. This is real life. My life. And I want no part of this.” He held steadfast when she palmed his chest and tried to push away. “Kiss me, Lissa.” “No.” Her heart pounded madly against his chest, the wild rumbling just as loud as the sudden downpour of rain outside. 120

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She heard it, clearly felt it and inclined her head toward the window. “Did you do that?” “Kiss me, cher,” he said again, ignoring her question, then dipped his head and lightly touched her lips. A shock of lightning scorched him and he fought to suck in enough air to fuel his overworked lungs. “You take my breath away.” Her shoulders sagged in defeat. She closed her eyes and tilted her head toward his. He needed no further signals from her and covered her mouth with his, sweeping his tongue inside her moist heat. She pulled away and kissed his jaw, his neck, mumbling, “I hate you for doing this.” “I know.” If he could have walked away from her, he would. But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he drank his fill of her mouth, learned every square inch of her soft body, and plunged inside the moist heat of her essence over and over again. Then, maybe, his desire for her would vanish. God help him if that didn’t happen soon. The passion built within him and he couldn’t contain his need for her any longer. When she moaned and pressed her body against him he lost it, kissing her harshly and with all the pent up frustration he’d held inside for the past few days. Her fury matched his and she reached for his shirt, yanking it out of his pants and pulling it over his head, digging her nails into his chest. He bit back a curse at the pleasurable pain and hauled her into the living room, turning her around to face the cushioned chair. She leaned back against his chest and threaded her fingers through his hair, turning her face to the side so he could take her mouth. He plunged his tongue inside repeatedly until she gasped for breath, then palmed her breasts through the satiny material of her dress. The flimsy bra she wore couldn’t hide her erect nipples, any more than his jeans could hide his rigid cock. He rocked against her, enjoying the feel of her ass against his hard-on. “Make love to me, Aidan. Now.” He gently pushed against her back and forced her over the chair, then bent down and slid her dress up over her hips. He reached for the little scrap of material she called panties and ripped them off. She whimpered and bent further forward, her delectable pussy moist and ripe for his cock. She was so beautiful like this—her legs spread, her ass in the air, the glistening folds of her cunt open and waiting for him. He couldn’t wait any longer and pressed against her, his cock probing between her legs until he slid effortlessly inside her with a single thrust. “Oh yes!” she cried. He wanted to cry out too, the pleasure was so intense. Bolts of lightning seared the room in front of them, gusty wind blowing everything off the coffee table. Mist fell, then rain, a torrential burst of showers covering them while thunder roared all around them. 121

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“Fuck me, Aidan. Hard.” When she braced herself on the arms of the chair he pulled back and plunged inside her, relentlessly giving her exactly what she asked for, and just what he craved. She screamed her pleasure over the near deafening storm. Whether it was sweat or rain pouring over him he didn’t know, all he knew was he’d never wanted to completely crawl inside a woman before. His balls slapped her pussy as he thrust repeatedly, each time more deeply, until he felt her tighten around him, heard her uncontrolled cries of pleasure, and knew it was time. “I’m coming Aidan! Fuck me harder!” Like a whirlpool his orgasm took him under, the wind nearly knocking him off his feet. He dug his fingers into the soft swell of her hips and hung on. Lissa cried out with her climax, and he went with her into the maelstrom. When it was over, he collapsed against her back, fearing he’d need oxygen before he could stand upright again. He closed his eyes and rested against her damp skin until his breathing came back to normal. Her heart thudded against his ear, a rhythmic, rapid pace, ever so slowly reducing in beats. He stood, pulling Melissa up with him. He turned her and pulled her against him, kissing her now dry hair. He glanced around the room, knowing it was already dry again, that no marks marred the walls where lightning had struck. It appeared untouched by the fierce outpouring of his powers. “Damn, baby, that was incredible,” he said, stroking her hair, loving the feel of her body next to his. Melissa shuddered against his chest, but didn’t speak. He enjoyed the quiet moments spent just holding on to her, stroking her skin and hair. But a tension rose within her. She stiffened against him, drew in an audible sigh and pushed back, peering up at him with a confused frown. “You scare me, Aidan.” He never expected to hear that from her. “What do you mean?” She shook her head, smoothed her skirt down and backed toward the door. “I can’t do this. I…I just can’t.” Quickly grabbing her purse, she nearly ran from the room. The shock of her abrupt statement and even more sudden departure kept him still for more than a minute. What had happened here? He tried to think of anything he’d done that could have scared her like that. He righted his clothes and picked up the silk panties he’d torn from her, clutching them in his tight fist. It had to be the magic, the storm, it’s ferocity unleashed like never before. He’d frightened her. Shit. He never should have let the magic get so out of control. But damn if he could help it where Lissa was concerned. She made him that way. He lost all his inhibitions and capability of rational thought whenever 122

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she was near. When that happened, the elements took over and he could do nothing to stop them. Now the one thing he was afraid would happen, had. She’d seen his power—all of it, in its most violent form, and had run.

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Chapter Thirteen Melissa couldn’t very well hide out in her room for the next couple weeks, although she’d certainly been giving it a gallant effort the past few days. She’d emailed Aidan, explaining that she wanted to work in her suite alone, or if she had to see him in person, she’d make the episode as brief as possible, then hightail it out of his office as soon as an opportunity arose. She had to do it this way—to save her own sanity. After she’d run out of Aidan’s room in Shreveport and endured a sleepless night, they’d spent the next morning driving back in complete silence. Thankfully, he hadn’t pressed her for reasons why she’d bolted from his room. If he had, what would she have said? That he scared the living daylights out of her for many different reasons? That she simply couldn’t handle being near him any longer? He would have asked for an explanation, and she wasn’t sure she could put how she felt into words. How could she, when she couldn’t even figure it out herself? The other night had been magical in more ways than one. Despite the fact they’d been bickering all day long, they still ended up having the hottest sex she’d ever experienced. Remembering Aidan bending her over and entering her from behind had moisture pooling between her legs, that ache of desire as heavily present now as it had been before they made love. But her fears stemmed from more than just sex. His comments to her in French when they were driving to Shreveport stunned her. He was sorry for hurting her—that implied that he cared, and she hadn’t wanted to hear that. Not when she’d convinced herself that the only thing between them was physical pleasure. But something happened to her resolve. It crumbled in the wake of Aidan’s lovemaking. Somehow she’d let her guard down and let Aidan into her heart, and now that he was in there she wasn’t sure she could take him out. After making love, her heart soared. She wanted to crawl into Aidan’s arms and never let him go. That’s when it hit her—really hit her. She’d fallen in love with him. Not just halfway, either, but completely. She’d opened herself up and let him in, and once she had, she’d felt lost, frightened and utterly panicked. Couple her newly discovered love for Aidan with the strange weather elements that always seemed to crop up whenever he was around and it was no wonder she’d run.

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Every time she’d thought about asking him to explain his connection with the elements, something came up—his cock, usually, which then captured all her attention, turning her focus away from questions about his powers and toward a more enjoyable form of magic. Way too much for a staid woman from Boston to handle. This world of voodoo and magic was unfamiliar to her. Falling in love with Aidan was equally as foreign. She may be a coward, but she’d avoid him as much as she could over the next couple weeks until she could get back home and clear her head. Aidan Storm would break her heart, if she let him. She wasn’t going to let him. She jumped at the knock on the door, her heart pounding madly at the thought that Aidan was there. “Who is it?” she asked, too afraid to even look through the peephole. If it was Aidan, and she saw him, she was certain her resolve would melt away. She already missed him so much it was physically painful to think about him. “It’s Kaitlyn. May I come in?” Blowing out a relieved breath, she opened the door. Kaitlyn smiled brightly as she entered. Gold bangles on her wrists clanged together in a musical, lilting sound that seemed so cheerful it didn’t surprise her at all they were on Kaitlyn’s body. In fact, she looked like a gypsy today in a bright colored skirt of blues and purples, and a sleeveless peasant top in orange. On any other women it would look ridiculous. On Kaitlyn it seemed perfect. “Why have you been hiding here in your room?” she asked. “Oh, I, uh, I’ve been busy working.” Kaitlyn nodded. “Too much work isn’t a good thing. Besides, I’ve missed you.” Melissa sucked in a breath. It was difficult enough to be in love with Aidan. But she truly cared for Kaitlyn, and Shannon, too. “I’ve missed you too.” “Great. Then, I’m inviting you to Aidan’s thirtieth birthday party at Mom and Dad’s.” “What?” Oh please no. Not that. She couldn’t handle seeing Aidan in a social situation. Or his entire family. “It’s tomorrow night, and a surprise, so don’t say anything to him. You’ll come, won’t you? Aidan’s coming over at eight, so if you could be there around five or six you could help us set up.” Melissa blinked, trying to process the information Kaitlyn had just spilled. Birthday party. Aidan was turning thirty? And come early and help? That was like…family stuff. “I don’t know, Kaitlyn. It seems like a family event. I’d feel awkward.”

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The colorful bracelets jingled when Kaitlyn reached for Melissa’s hand. “Don’t be silly. Everyone is family to the Storms. Besides, I think it would make Aidan very happy.” Melissa stood and looked out the window onto the busy street below. “I doubt that. We aren’t exactly on the best of terms right now.” “Again?” She heard Kaitlyn rise and step toward her. “Did you have another fight?” “Not really.” They hadn’t fought. They hadn’t talked about anything, how could they fight? “I see.” Melissa glanced at Kaitlyn’s contemplative face. “What?” “Oh, nothing.” “Kaitlyn, tell me.” “Well, Aidan’s been…moody the past few days. Actually the past few weeks. One minute up, the next down. One day he’s laughing and joking, the next he’s sullen and withdrawn. It’s not like him—usually he’s carefree and happy.” Wonderful. Because of her he’d undergone some kind of personality change. Where once stood Dr. Jekyll now stood Mr. Hyde. Not that she could blame him. She’d gone through a few emotional highs and lows herself the past few weeks, either riding cloud nine or lying in the gutter of despair. Didn’t appear as if theirs was a healthy relationship for either of them. “I’m sorry he’s been so moody. I’m afraid I’m to blame for that.” Kaitlyn arched a brow. “Really. Tell me about it.” She motioned Kaitlyn into the small kitchenette and fixed them both a glass of iced tea. They sat at the round table and Melissa stared into the glass. “I think I’m in love with him, Kaitlyn.” Just saying the words aloud made it seem so real, so frightening. And so true. “That’s not a surprise to me. I already knew you loved him. He’s in love with you, too.” She looked up, certain the shock was evident on her face. “He doesn’t love me.” Kaitlyn grinned. “Yes, he does.” “Did he tell you that?” “Not exactly.” “Then how do you know?” That secret smile she’d seen so many times on Aidan’s face appeared on his sister’s. “Trust me, I just know.”

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Melissa couldn’t, wouldn’t believe it. Aidan in love with her? No way. No way in hell. Kaitlyn was way off base on this. “You don’t believe me do you?” she asked as if she could read her mind. Well, why not? Aidan always seemed to be able to. “No. I think he loves—” She couldn’t say it, couldn’t bring herself to discuss her sex life with Aidan with his sister. “You think he only loves having sex with you?” “Dammit, how do you Storms do that?” “Do what?” Her eyes widened innocently, but Melissa wasn’t buying it. “Read my mind like that.” Kaitlyn giggled. “It’s not what it seems.” “You have magic. You all have magic, some kind of mystical powers. I’ve…I’ve seen it.” “During the times you make love with Aidan?” She threw up her hands, giving up on trying to figure out how Kaitlyn knew what she knew. “Yes.” “It’s common for us to do that. But we’re not sorcerers or anything that should scare you, Lissa.” Kaitlyn reached for Melissa’s hand. “Don’t be frightened of us.” “I’m not. I should be, but I’m not. I never have been.” Confused, yes. Frightened? Had Aidan ever really scared her? She thought about it, about all the times they’d made love or come close to it, how the very air around them swirled with mystical forces. But then she’d welcomed them. Not once had they frightened her. “Can you tell me what it means?” Kaitlyn’s lashes fluttered closed for an instant, then she lifted them and met Melissa’s gaze head on. “I can’t. It’s not for me to do so. Your answers will have to come from Aidan.” Which meant she’d have to be willing to ask the questions first. And that she wasn’t certain she had the guts enough to do. “So, will you come to the party?” Melissa thought for a moment, really considered the ramifications. Then again, it was a birthday party and a lot of people would be there. She wouldn’t have to be alone with him if she didn’t want to be. “Yes, I’ll come.” “Wonderful!” Kaitlyn stood and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’ll be there. It’ll mean so much to Aidan.” After Kaitlyn left, Melissa stood again in front of the window, watching people walk by on the busy street. Couples holding hands, carrying around drinks, laughing and having a wonderful time, looking for all the world like they were gloriously in love.

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She was in love, too. But gloriously? Hardly. She’d gone and fallen in love with the last man on earth who would want to settle down with one woman. Did Aidan really love her, too? No, she refused to believe that. Believing it would give her hope, and she didn’t want to feel the hope surging through her. Better to believe they shared a hot passion for each other, and that was all. Passion sparked like lightning, then just as quickly as it lit up, would disappear That described their relationship perfectly. Or at least the way she wanted it to be. Safer for her heart that way.

***** Twenty-four hours later, Melissa stood at the front door of the Storm family home, her mind no less muddled than it had been the day before. She rapped on the screen because the door was open. Loud chatter came from somewhere inside and obviously no one heard her. Taking a chance, she opened the door and yelled out, “Hello? Can I come in?” Logan was the first to spot her and smiled, motioning her into the already crowded kitchen. “Glad you could make it.” “Thanks.” He approached and shook her hand. Clearly the least warm of all the Storm clan, she never could get a handle on him. “How’s the marketing plan going?” he asked. “Aidan tells me you’ve got a great program in the works.” Aidan had complimented her? She’d been so wrapped up in the personal side of their relationship she hadn’t thought about how he perceived her marketing skills. “Thanks. I’m hoping we’re going to be able to blitz this joint venture not only in Louisiana, but surrounding states, especially those that have stricter gambling laws and would come to New Orleans to spend their money.” “Good. New Orleans is a great tourist draw, but with the new casino we’re hoping we can bring in another segment of the market.” “I know we can.” She smiled up at him, her stomach always a little tight around this oldest Storm sibling. There was something about him a little more reserved, more distant, chillier than either Aidan or his sisters. And yet she’d heard he was phenomenally successful in business, so maybe that’s where his passions came into play. “Melissa!” Aidan’s mother, Angelina, threw her arms around her and squeezed her in a hug. “I’m so glad you came! We’ve missed you.”

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Again she felt that tug, that wanting to be a part of this family. Any family, for that matter, who would show her the warmth and affection she’d never received from her own. But this family would never be hers. She knew when it came time to leave it would hurt, even if she and Aidan never spent another minute together. He’d become so much a part of her life, her heart, her every waking thought, that the idea of never seeing him again tore her to pieces. The fact she’d also fallen in love with his family didn’t make it any easier. “Come,” Angelina said, taking her by the hand. “Let’s go outside and I’ll show you the decorations.” She followed the petite, dark-haired woman through the spacious kitchen, having only a fleeting few seconds to wave hello to Aidan’s father and sisters. They stepped through the back door and onto a covered porch littered with comfortable looking rocking chairs. The screen door creaked as Angelina pushed it open and led her into a beautiful garden set in a semi-circle around a pond. Colorful fish of varying sizes lifted rounded mouths out of the water to catch mosquitoes. The humidity of the late afternoon surrounded her like a fog. Beyond the garden and pond was a grassy area the size of half a football field. Knobby cypress trees provided ample shade and the temperature cooled a few degrees as she stepped out of the sun. There, decorated tables, balloons and streamers had been set up along with a huge sign proclaiming Aidan’s thirtieth birthday. Tiki torches surrounded the area, their flames already casting shadows on the near darkened grass. “This is lovely, Mrs. Storm.” Angelina turned dark eyes to her and motioned her to one of the covered tables. “Thank you. And call me Angelina.” Melissa sat next to Aidan’s mother. “How many people are coming today?” “Probably fifty or so. Some of our neighbors, family, and several of Aidan’s close friends will be here.” Aidan’s close friends? Wryly she wondered how many of those were women. Knowing Aidan, probably all of them. “It sounds wonderful. I’m sure he’ll be very surprised.” Angelina grinned. “I hope so. He doesn’t expect this, and usually he knows everything—hard to keep secrets around him.” “Tell me about it,” she said, then realized what she’d let slip. But Angelina only laughed. “I take it you two have grown close.” “Not really. We work together, so we’ve spent a lot of time cooped up in the same room.” “I think it’s more than that.”

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Yes, it was. But she couldn’t, wouldn’t discuss it with his mother. “No, really, it’s not.” “You’ve slept together, yes?” Her body flamed in mortification and she was sure the heat on her cheeks was visible because Angelina smiled. “Don’t be embarrassed, cher,” Angelina said, patting her hand. “You and Aidan are healthy sexual beings. We don’t sweep sex under the rug here. Between my background and Aidan’s father, we embrace sexuality as a wonderful gift.” She couldn’t imagine ever having this conversation with her own mother. As far as her mother was concerned, Melissa was still a virgin at twenty-seven. And if she wasn’t, Susan Cross didn’t want to hear about it. But discussing her sex life with the mother of the man she’d slept with was a completely different matter. She had no idea what to say in response. Fortunately, Angelina seemed quite comfortable. “Tell me about your feelings, Melissa, or should I call you Lissa like Aidan does?” She didn’t even want to know how Angelina knew that. She’d just assume he’d told her. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” Angelina nodded. “Understandable. Do you have any questions about our family? There was a loaded question. How would she approach that one? “Not really.” But Angelina was too wise for her. “Are you certain the magic hasn’t left you a bit unsettled?” Melissa finally chuckled. “You don’t leave too many subjects taboo, do you?” “Not really. The more that is withheld the bigger the mystery. And, truly, there is no mystery about our magic. I will tell you if you’d like to know.” “Yes, I’d love to know.” “My family has practiced voodoo for generations. But voodoo is not what many think it is. It is not devil worship, nor the dark arts. We are of Catholic descent, as is Galen, and we believe in the mystic and magic of the one supreme power. Voodoo, or any type of magic, whether brought forth or inherent in one’s genetics, is nothing more than being open to the possibilities that something special lives inside all of us—that we all have powers that enable us to soar beyond the ordinary. Some of us choose to open our eyes and embrace it, but many fear it and keep themselves closed off.” What Angelina said made sense in a way. “I’ve thought about that, and wondered. When Aidan…when Aidan and I were together, or whenever I think about him, things happen.” “Weather related things?” Angelina asked with a knowing smile. 130

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“Yes.” “It is our destiny. Galen is a Storm, a controller of the elements. When he and I met, which was our destiny, I had the magic in me. He was aware of odd happenings within his own life but chose not to embrace them.” “I take it he does now?” “To a certain extent. But he gave to me what was his, as I gave to him what was mine. And our children enjoy both.” A part of her couldn’t believe she was having a conversation about manipulating the weather. And yet she knew it to be true. But what did it all mean? More importantly, what was she going to do about it? “You and Aidan share a destiny,” Angelina said. “What you two choose to do with that is entirely up to you.” Feeling closer to this woman than she’d ever been to her own mother, Melissa asked, “Help me, Angelina. Tell me what to do.” With a mother’s tenderness, Angelina stroked Melissa’s hair, her dark eyes softening. “Ce n’est pas mon destin, le bel. Il est à vous. “ Melissa sighed. Angelina was right, of course. Whatever happened, it was her choice, no one else’s. For the next hour she helped Angelina finish the decorations and set out the food. Pushing thoughts of Aidan to the back of her mind, she relaxed enough to laugh with Shannon and Kaitlyn, especially when they regaled her with memories of Aidan’s antics as a child. She’d learned he was quite the hellion when he was small. Not too different than the way he was now. There was something wild and primitive about him, and she wondered how much of that had to do with the magic that lived within him. She had so many questions about that, questions she wanted to get answers to from Aidan himself. And yet they were barely on speaking terms, couldn’t seem to get to the point where they could stop either arguing or having sex. And what good would it do her to get more involved anyway? In a week she’d be leaving. Her life was in Boston. This wasn’t her family. And Aidan wasn’t her man. She may love him, but that didn’t make him hers. “You ready?” Shannon asked, leaning over Melissa’s shoulder. Adding the finishing touches to a vegetable tray, she nodded. “Is it time?” “Almost. He should be here shortly. He’s already called Mom to say he’s on his way.” “How are you getting him over here?” she asked.

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“Family dinner for his birthday. An annual tradition for all of us, so he wouldn’t be expecting anything.” Melissa surveyed the crowd mingling under the trees. She’d met so many people in the past hour she’d never remember who was whom. Uncles, aunts, cousins, school friends of Aidan’s, all of whom seemed to think she was his girlfriend. And all incredibly friendly, warm, and inviting. She sighed, wishing she’d had friends and family like this in Boston. Since neither of her parents had siblings, she had no cousins, nor aunts or uncles. Family gatherings were her mother and father and her. No frills, no excitement, no warmth. She’d really miss all this when she left. Melissa turned to Shannon, who looked gorgeous in an orange sundress. She looked down at her own dress and wondered if it was too much, or maybe even too little. “Quit worrying,” Shannon said. “You look great. And red makes you look sexy as hell. Aidan’s eyes will pop out of his sockets when he sees you.” Melissa warmed, feeling slightly embarrassed at being so transparent. The short dress hadn’t been her first choice. After all, she’d been the one to run out on Aidan, she’d been the one to keep her distance, afraid of her own feelings for him. Yet here she was, dressed in a hot red dress that revealed just enough skin to entice him. Was that what she wanted? Hadn’t she made it clear to him, and to herself for that matter, that what had been between them was over? Could she be any more confused? Poor Aidan, no wonder he didn’t know what to expect from her. She didn’t even know herself. “He’s coming!” Kaitlyn announced. Since there was no place to hide in the expansive backyard, everyone assembled in a row to await Aidan’s arrival through the back door. Angelina came through first, then Aidan. His eyes widened when everyone shouted, “Surprise!” He looked stunned, and for a moment didn’t move, just looked mightily embarrassed. Then he cracked a half-grin and ran his hand through his hair, stepped out into the yard and headed toward the throng of people awaiting him. Melissa maneuvered herself into the back of the crowd, hoping he wouldn’t notice she was there. She should have known that wouldn’t happen. He’d no more greeted a couple of people when he stilled for a second, turned his head slightly to each side and zeroed in on her. The air stilled, and when he made eye contact with her the jolt of electricity seared her blood to boiling. Aidan headed straight for her, parting the crowd like Moses did the Red Sea.

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Melissa swallowed, her throat gone completely dry. Her heart pounded against her ribs and her entire body felt alive. What would he say when he made his way to her? She was almost too afraid to imagine. The urge to bolt surged through her and she actually considered it for a moment. Maybe he’d ask her to leave, considering the way she’d run from the hotel a few days ago and the way she’d avoided him. He stopped in front of her. His expression gave nothing away. Curious, maybe? Or astounded that she had the nerve to show up? For the life of her she couldn’t think of a thing to say to him, and yet there were so many things she wanted to tell him. At the moment, she could think of only one thing. “Happy Birthday, Aidan.”

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Chapter Fourteen First, a surprise party, and to top it all off, Melissa? Talk about the unexpected. He certainly hadn’t anticipated a party and all these people, and sure as hell hadn’t counted on Lissa taking part. “Thanks,” he said in reply to her birthday wish. Nice answer, but he was still too dumbfounded at seeing her to have a chance to interpret what her presence here tonight meant. “You don’t look any older.” “Good to know.” She rocked on both feet, seemingly nervous and uncertain of whether she should even be there or not. God, she was so beautiful she took his breath away. Red looked good on her. Short dresses looked great on her. “You’re gonna have to get a better vocabulary now that you’re nearly over the hill, little brother.” He smiled at Logan’s taunt. “Just emulating my big brother’s speech patterns.” “Asshole,” Logan whispered in his ear. “Dickhead.” Melissa chuckled. “Brotherly love?” “It’s always this way,” Aidan explained. “What can I say? He adores me.” “You’re a pain in the ass, Aidan,” Logan replied, then hugged him. “Happy birthday.” His mother came up and kissed him. “I know all you want to do is spend time with this lovely woman here, but you have guests to greet.” “Besides,” Shannon piped up after she kissed Aidan’s cheek, “I need help in the kitchen so I’m stealing your woman.” His woman. Was she? He sure didn’t think so, not after the other night when she’d run like hell out of his hotel room. She glanced at him with wide-eyed reluctance as Shannon dragged her away. “You can talk to her later,” his mother said. “Go, say hello to all the wonderful people here to celebrate your day.” He nodded and did his duty as host and celebrity for the day, laughing at all the potshots about his advancing age and ticking biological clock. The evening passed in a whirlwind of activity. There wasn’t a moment that someone wasn’t

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pressing a drink into his hand, and he’d hugged and kissed so many people by the time dinner was ready that he’d claimed chapped lips. Truth was, he was having a wonderful time, pleased as hell that so many people had come to share his birthday. The only thing he had to complain about was he hadn’t spent any time with Melissa. She’d been commandeered by his entire family and seemed to enjoy serving drinks, appetizers and laughing with all the guys. That part pissed him off. Didn’t all his buddies know she was off limits? As he downed yet another drink, he almost laughed out loud. It wasn’t like a sign that said Property of Aidan was plastered to her butt. Although the idea had merit. “You look like you want Melissa for dessert.” Aidan turned and grinned at Logan. “Maybe I do.” Logan shook his head. “You’re hopeless. Didn’t we talk about this?” “Yeah. I ignored you. Can’t help it. She’s something special.” Logan arched a dark brow. “Special, huh? Special like all the other girls you sleep with?” “No. Not like that at all.” “Come on, Aidan, she’s just another piece of ass. As soon as the new wears off, you’ll be on to another conquest.” Irritation sparked a flame inside him, and the temperature rose considerably outside. “I think you need to watch what you say about her.” With a barely visible twitch of his hand, Logan lowered the temperature before anyone noticed. He smirked. “Got your magic all riled up, did I?” “What’s your point here?” “You care about her.” “Of course I do.” As it was he could barely focus on Logan while trying to follow Lissa’s every movement. “More than the others.” “I’m not having this conversation with you.” “You’d better have it with someone, because if you’re leading her down the garden path and then planning to dump her on her ass, then you’re not only fucking with the girl, you’re fucking with our business. Don’t do it.” “It’s not always about business, Logan.” Logan cast an icy glare at him. “To me, it is.” “I’ve got it covered. Let me handle it.”

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Logan shook his head and patted him on the shoulder. “Famous last words. You have no idea what you’re doing, but I hope you get it straightened out before we end up with a train wreck that costs us the casino.” His brother’s words stayed with him as he watched Melissa surrounded by a throng of his friends. Did he have it under control? He could barely control the elements when he was around her, let alone the situation between them. Whatever the hell that was. Her presence here tonight made him curious, especially since she’d been avoiding him like a virus the past week. Why was she here? Did it mean she’d gotten over her fear of him, of his magic, of their relationship? And what of their relationship? How did he feel about it? Where was it going? Shit. Too many questions and he hadn’t had a free minute to talk with her to find out any answers. But she was here, and that had to mean something. Sooner or later he’d get her alone, and then they’d figure out where they were headed. After all the fussing over him, the dinner, the cake, the gag gifts and well wishers hovering nearby, the evening began to wane. Guests said their goodbyes and left, until finally it was just Aidan and his family. And Melissa. She’d stayed to help clean up, carrying trays into the house, laughing and talking alongside his mother and sisters as if she were part of them. Aidan slumped down onto a bench as the reality hit. The thought of her actually being part of their family didn’t send him running in the opposite direction. Holy hell, what did that mean? Was he in love with her? He shuddered at the thought. He never fell in love. Love was permanent—it meant settling down with one woman. He swore he could never do that, he enjoyed women too damn much to spend the rest of his life with just one. It had to be that she’d been so elusive. He still wanted her. His cock twitched whenever she was nearby. Oh hell, for that matter, it twitched whenever he thought of her. Walking around half-hard all the time wasn’t comfortable. He needed to be inside her, needed to feel her hot pussy squeezing him until he pumped his come deep within her. That had to be the only thing he was feeling. Unbridled lust, not love. So he waited for time alone with her. Waited while his family hovered as if they didn’t have anything better to do with their time. He itched to get his hands on Melissa and grew more irritated with every passing minute that the rest of them lingered.

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Finally, they began their trek toward the house. Shannon and Kaitlyn claimed an early shopping excursion the next day and kissed him goodbye. Logan was headed back to work, and his parents said they’d be in the house. He was alone with Melissa, who sat on one of the opposite picnic benches and smiled hesitantly. “Alone at last?” he asked, testing the waters. “I suppose so.” The waters were a little chilly, but already he could feel them warming. “I’m glad you came tonight.” Her eyes widened a bit. “You are?” “Yes.” “Kaitlyn asked me to come.” As if that was some excuse for her being here? “Nice of her to do that.” “Yes, it was.” She studied her hands, her fingers laced together, thumbs sliding over each other. Melissa was nervous, but why? And too damn much space distanced them. He rose and walked over to her side, then straddled the bench next to her. She turned to him, eyes widening at his close proximity. Her hair shined in the darkness. He reached out and grasped a tendril, instantly hardening at the sensuous slide of the silken strand over his hand. “I’ve missed you,” he admitted, wanting to see where honesty would lead. “You have?” “Yes.” She didn’t say anything. Maybe he was way off base on his assumptions of how she felt about him. Maybe she’d come tonight out of kindness to his sister. “I’ve missed you too, Aidan.” He let out a breath he hadn’t been aware he’d been holding. Reaching out, he slid his fingertips over her bare shoulders, the shock of contact rumbling the ground beneath them. “I’ve missed touching you,” he whispered, feeling her shiver in response. “I’ve missed breathing in your scent.” He inhaled her fragrance, a mixture of woman and sweet flowers. She shivered. “I’ve missed the feel of your lips on mine.” Her gaze stayed on his face as he leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips against hers. She jumped, and he knew she felt the jolt, too. “You’re like electricity, Lissa. Heat burns through me when we touch.” “I feel it,” she murmured, slipping her fingers into his hair and pulling his head down toward her mouth. 137

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Every nerve ending in his body tuned in to her as she licked his lower lip, then touched the tip of her tongue to his. Rock hard already, he wanted nothing more than to sink deep into her warm core until he was buried so far inside her he’d feel whole again. He wound his arms around her waist and pulled her sideways onto his lap, the heat of her bare thighs burning through his skin. Her ass made contact with his erection and her eyes widened. “You’re hard,” she whispered, then offered a sultry smile that he’d missed more than he wanted to admit. He nodded. “Have been for more than a week. Told you I missed you.” “I suppose we’ll have to take care of that tonight,” she said, rimming his lips with her tongue. “Damn straight we will.” He pulled her against him and crushed his mouth to hers, needing to feel the absolute contact of her body. He plunged his tongue inside her warm mouth, rewarded when she met it eagerly with her own. Her heart pounded out a rapid beat against his chest, and he reached for her breast, cupping it in his hands and flicking the already erect nipple with his thumb. Damn, he wanted her naked, wanted to feel her skin under his palms. Not this flimsy material she wore, but her sweet body. “Aidan,” she whimpered. “Please.” “I love it when you beg, cher.” With a quick tug he pulled the straps of her dress down, baring her breasts. She reached up and covered them with her hands, struggling to sit up. “Aidan, we can’t out here. Your parents are right inside.” His parents wouldn’t venture anywhere near the back of the house, knowing he’d want to be alone with Melissa. But he wanted her comfortable and without distractions. “Come with me. I know a more private place.” He helped her right her dress, disappointed he wouldn’t be able to feast on her creamy breasts just yet. Adjusting his painful erection, he led her through a thickly wooded path toward the back of the property. Melissa followed behind Aidan, noticing how he held tight to her hand. She loved his possession of her. When they came to a clearing, she gasped at the huge cruiser tied up to the dock. “Oh, this is lovely.” “Thanks. It’s my parents’.” He led her down the dock and jumped onto the cruiser first, then easily lifted her over the side and onto the deck, holding on until she found her balance. “Are we going for a ride?” she asked, holding on to the side rail. “Yeah. I know a cove that will give us all the privacy we need.”

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Melissa was floored by the magnificent boat she’d just been deposited upon. Memories of tooling around in her best friend’s family cruiser in the summers in Boston made her eager to feel the wind and water spray on her face again. She followed Aidan to the controls and sat in one of the gray captain’s chairs, the thick leather cool and welcoming. “This is beautiful,” she said. Aidan turned to her and smiled, the pride on his face evident. “Thanks. Logan and I picked it out for our parents. They go cruising in it all the time.” He started the engine, the low hum of the motor vibrating the chair. She watched, eager with anticipation as he untied the ropes and shifted into gear, maneuvering the boat out of the slip and into the dark night. He flipped on a searchlight and hit the throttle once they got into open water. She held on, thrilled with the wind rushing through her hair. More thrilling was watching Aidan pilot the boat. His legs were spread, both hands on the wheel and he stared straight ahead, oblivious to her wandering eyes. He had a terrific ass. Round and firm and perfect for grabbing onto and pulling his cock tighter inside her. An excited dampening gathered between her legs at the thought of making love with him again. They hadn’t traveled far when Aidan slowed the engine, maneuvering into a dark cove. He dropped the anchor, then turned to her and held out his hand. “Let’s go below.” She followed him down the stairs and into a beautiful living area. Walnut cabinets shined above sparkling kitchen counters and sink. Directly next to the kitchen was a small living room, complete with television, wet bar and white leather chaise couch. Further down the hall was a private bedroom larger than she expected. “Dad is very tall so he didn’t want a cracker box for a bedroom in here,” Aidan explained as he led her through the doorway. A large bed centered the room. Two large windows let the moonlight in and a decent sized bathroom with a shower stood off to the right. Primarily, she focused on the bed. And on Aidan. The heat between them simmered until it was visible, wavering lines like a force field between them. Aidan crossed those lines and stood before her, as if waiting for her to give the signal that she wanted to move forward. Did she? She’d spent an entire week keeping her distance from him, playing this game that they both played so well, only to fall in love with him anyway, despite the fact she knew they could have no future together. The boat rocked and she wobbled a bit. Aidan reached out to steady her and she gazed up at his face, his eyes so dark they seemed inhuman, the heat all but roaring out from every pore of his skin.

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One step forward and she’d be lost. She should ask him to take her back. Logically, she knew being with him was pointless. Other than a brief physical relief, they would soon go their separate ways. He wasn’t in love with her, he wouldn’t ask her to stay and she had no business putting her heart out there for him to stomp on. But God help her, she loved him, and couldn’t walk away right now. She leaned into him, circled her arms around his shoulders and breathed him in. “Make love to me, Aidan, and hurry. It’s been too damn long already.” He sucked in a breath and pulled her toward him roughly, not bothering with foreplay or being gentle. Thank God. She couldn’t wait much longer. Already her desire for him bubbled over. She was wet, impatient, her nipples strained hard against her dress and if he didn’t touch her soon she’d reach between her legs and do it herself. “No, you won’t. Your body is mine right now, and I’ll be the one doing the touching.” “Quit reading my mind,” she hissed as he yanked the straps of her dress down, exposing her breasts. She pushed them forward into his eager hands, rewarded with dark laughter that made her blood sizzle. He pulled the clip from her hair, letting the strands fall over her shoulders and breasts. Then he took her mouth, plunging his tongue inside as if he were starving for her. She knew that feeling of utter hunger, and gave him back all that he took. Her moans permeated the still night as he grasped her breasts and gently squeezed, then circled his thumbs over her throbbing nipples. When he bent down and sucked one hard peak into his hot mouth, she whimpered. His tongue bathed her, his teeth nipped at the aching nub, and when she thought she couldn’t handle one more second, he lifted his head and smiled. Before she could catch a breath he attacked the other breast, torturing it in the same sweet way. Desire pooled between her legs. She reached down to massage her clit but he grabbed her wrist and shook his head. “Uh uh, mon cher. That’s mine.” Long past the point of coherent logic, she dug her nails into his shoulders when he bent down on his knees and faced her flaming heat. “Suck my clit, Aidan,” she commanded, shocked that the words escaped her lips, but wanting it too much to care whether she’d been improper or not. She’d already done more shockingly intimate things in the past few weeks than she had her entire life. “Your wish is my command, mademoiselle,” he teased, then smoothed his hands over her hips, his touch leaving a fiery trail of want and need. When he reached the bare skin of her thigh at the end of her dress, he squeezed, then pulled her legs apart. Resting his palm on her stomach he pushed her gently

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against the bed until she sat. Then he pulled off her shoes, taking his sweet damn time to kiss every one of her toes, then her ankles, then her calves… “Aidan, now,” she cried. “Yes?” “Lick me.” “Sure.” His hot tongue blazed a trail over her knee. “Not there.” “Here, then?” A warm, wet sweep covered her thigh. “No.” He was doing this on purpose. “Higher.” “Higher? Like here?” When his fingers lifted her dress above her hips and his tongue trailed a fiery blaze up her inner thigh, she panted out loud like a heated animal. “Yes. There. To the left.” He moved to her outer thigh and she grabbed his head to direct him where she wanted him, so frustrated she could scream. “Not your left, you idiot! My left!” “Cranky, aren’t you?” he murmured against her skin. This torture had to stop. “Aidan. Lick my pussy. Make me come. Now, dammit.” “I think you’ve waited long enough,” he said, but his words barely registered because right then his mouth blew a soft gust of heated wind against her damp panties. She shivered at the near contact, and whimpered when his hands brushed her hips, dragging her panties down her legs. The cool air inside the cabin swirled against her heated sex. Instinctively she lifted her hips, waiting for his mouth. “Vous êtes si beau “ Her mind registered the language and responded without thinking. “Merci, ainsi soyez vous.” He laughed. “So, you think I’m beautiful, too?” Is that what she said? How could she think when his head hovered between her legs, studying her intently, his eyes glazed over with passion, his lips wet. “Yes, you’re beautiful. Now make me come.” “Boy, you sure are demanding when you’re horny. If I didn’t—” “Goddamit Aidan are you going to lick my pussy or am I going to have to make myself come?” His brows rose and he smiled. “Yes ma’am. Getting right to it, ma’am.”

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She made a mental note to torture him mercilessly later on. That note disappeared into the night as his mouth covered her clit and he sucked She arched her back and lifted her hips, grinding her mound against his greedy lips. With expert finesse he painted her throbbing sex with his tongue, stroking until fireworks exploded behind her eyes. “Oh yes, just like that. Don’t stop.” She reached down and held his head in place while his mouth worked magic. When he slid his tongue inside her and lapped up her juices, she bit down on her hand to keep from screaming. When he slid two fingers inside her and pumped quickly, then flicked her sensitive clit with his tongue and mouth she did scream, bucking against his mouth and exploding in an orgasm so intense her body felt on fire. She sank into the mattress, trying to breathe, trying to focus, unsuccessfully scrambling for some form of coherence. The bed shifted under Aidan’s weight and when she opened her eyes he was naked and beside her. Without a word he grabbed her dress which had bunched up around her middle and slid it over her hips, discarding it onto a nearby chair. He slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her against him, his engorged penis pressing intently against the moist curls of her mound. She reached for him, wrapping her fingers around his heated flesh, knowing exactly what she wanted to do with him. With a smile on her face she kissed him, her juices mingling with his own sweet taste, and then slid down the length of him, trailing hot licks along his chest, nipples and abdomen until she reached his hardened length. “Oh yeah, baby,” she heard him moan just as she took his cock into her mouth and sucked him in deep. She’d make this night memorable for Aidan. As memorable as it was going to be for her.

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Chapter Fifteen The smooth head of Aidan’s cock slid effortlessly down Melissa’s throat and he let loose a guttural groan. Pleasing a man had never been as important to her as it was right now. She licked the underside of his shaft, learning every ridge and bump until she developed a rhythm that seemed to make him crazy. Oh yeah. She loved driving him wild, listening to his pleasured moans, feeling his hips rise off the bed to pump his cock further down her throat. She pulled her mouth away, licking the sweet head of its juices, and stroked him with both hands, closing her mouth over the very tip and sucking while she pulled the shaft. “Christ, Lissa, that’s good,” he said, his gaze riveted to the motions of her mouth and hands. She smiled at him, then sat back on her heels and watched for his reaction. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Nothing.” “Then why did you stop?” “Just admiring you. You have a gorgeous body.” “Uh, thanks. Now can we—” “I especially love your chest.” She reached up and scraped his chest lightly, then flicked her thumbs over his nipples. They distended against her fingers. “Thank you. Now about that blow—” “Although, you have a beautiful face, too. Like a Michelangelo painting, I could sit and stare at it all day.” As if a light bulb had just gotten brighter, he frowned. “Melissa.” “Yes?” she said, blinking innocently. “Get back to what you were doing.” “You mean admiring your chest, waxing poetically over your face?” “No.” “What then?” He pointed south to the wavering flag of his erection. “Down there.” “Down…oh, down there. Yes, your thighs are very strong, muscular, not too thick, but not wimpy, either.” “Dammit, woman that’s not what I meant!” His eyes narrowed and he blew out a frustrated breath.

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She fought back the giggle that threatened to burst from her throat and said, “Oh, you mean this.” She moved between his legs and once again grasped his cock in her hands. His eyes rolled closed when she squeezed the shaft and licked the drops of fluid spilling over the tip. “Yessss, that.” “I have an idea.” “No, don’t stop.” He groaned, the sound echoing his frustration. “Oh, you’ll like this. Trust me.” His dubious expression led her to believe he wasn’t going for the trust angle, but she said, “Close your eyes, Aidan.” Obviously more intrigued than doubtful, he shut his eyes. She turned around and faced his feet, positioning herself into a squatting position over his erection. She licked her lips in anticipation of what was to come, knowing how he filled her completely, knowing how easily she’d slide down over his shaft, and knowing his visual pleasure would be incredibly enhanced in this position. “Don’t open your eyes until I tell you.” “Fine,” he said, his voice tight. “Just do something.” She smiled at his demanding tone and eased down until she the tip of his cock brushed against her outer folds. She closed her eyes for a second, taking in the pleasure shocks. Continuing on, she enveloped him, inch by ecstatic inch until he was completely buried inside her. She leaned forward and rested her palms on either side of his knees. “Open your eyes, Aidan.” “Merde, Lissa!” She smiled in satisfaction. She knew he’d enjoy the view of her pussy enveloping him. “You like that?” She lifted slightly, then dropped down, letting him watch his cock disappear inside her. “Oh, hell yeah I like it. Damn, you’re beautiful.” She rocked back and forth against him, lifting her butt up and down, shocks of pleasure hitting her g-spot each time she took his shaft in. She could come right now but forced herself to hold back, positioning her body so that he wouldn’t hit the spot that would send her over the edge. “Tell me what you see,” she urged. Aidan reached for her hips, guiding her movements. “You have a beautiful ass, so firm and tight. Did I mention I want to fuck you in the ass some day, Lissa?” She shuddered, imagining his cock pressed tightly in her ass, wondering if it would be as pleasurable as it was in her pussy. “Go on.”

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“Your soft lips grab on to my cock when I pull back, like you don’t want to let go of it. Then they swallow it up when I slide back inside, and I can watch it go into you inch by inch until it disappears. Damn, that’s hot.” “It feels good this way, Aidan.” His shaft pointed right at the pleasure spot inside her, and when she shifted against him her clit hit his pelvic bone, sending shards of wicked sensation through her. The rocking motions of the boat increased as their movements intensified. Melissa heard the low roar of thunder and glanced out the window in time to see a jagged streak of lightning hit the water in front of them. Hard drops of rain began to pelt the boat’s deck. “A storm’s coming,” she said, wondering if they should head to land. “This Storm is gonna come soon, too. Forget about the weather. I’ve got it under control.” Of course he did. Why had she even worried when she knew the storm outside was in direct relation to the escalating sensations felt by Aidan? “Should I try to calm you down?” she teased, knowing she’d be unable to calm her own internal storm, let alone his. “Hell, no. Fuck me, Lissa.” She did, grinding against his shaft. His fingers dug into her buttocks and he lifted her, then slammed her down against him, hard. She threw her head back and looked up at the ceiling, watching the rain come down in the room. Arcs of lightning struck as pleasure fingers caressing her body, knowing that Aidan touched her wherever a white hot flash seared her skin, knowing this was as intense as it had ever been between them. And she felt the connection, too. Suddenly, she had the power. She reached her arms up over her head, not at all surprised to see light streaming from each of her fingertips to hit the ceiling and crash down around Aidan, who groaned out loud and pumped furiously against her. His magic poured through her and shot around the room. She was completely immersed in him, a part of him. It was all too much—the sensations spiraling together until the spasms pummeled her, coaxing her violently over the edge. “I’m coming,” she whimpered when the last shot of electricity struck her throbbing clit. She exploded around him, crying out as her climax hit and squeezed her body around his. She grabbed for his thighs and held on tight as he shouted her name and spilled inside her with one hard, deep thrust. When it was over, when she could breathe again, she slipped off and fell onto the bed next to him. He gathered her in his arms and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

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“Tell me about the magic,” she urged, trailing her fingers through the hairs on his chest. His fingers traced her cheekbone and jaw, his eyes full of the emotion she felt. “It just is. Something that I was born with, the power of summer and all that goes with it—heat, rain, thunder and lightning.” “How do you control it?” He laughed. “Sometimes I don’t, as you’ve seen. But I can’t really describe the sensations. They’re like part of me, deep inside, and I can call them up at will. Even adjust the weather patterns if it’s raining on a day I wanna play golf.” She giggled. “How convenient.” “You bet it is.” “Does anyone outside the family know about it?” “No. Well, you do, now.” That simple statement made her feel as if she’d made the right decisions all along. He’d so easily let her see his powers, first more subtle, now all of them, and never once asked if she’d keep them a secret, or worried she’d run to the tabloids with the story. And she wouldn’t—ever. Maybe he’d instinctively known that. There were so many more things she needed to say to him, to ask him, so many emotions she wanted to express, even if they did no good to tell him. But she knew neither of them had the energy left and she closed her eyes, content for now to fall asleep in the arms of the man she loved.

***** Aidan woke with a start and sat up, then blinked the sleep of the dead from his eyes and concentrated on his surroundings. He looked down at the slumbering beauty next to him and grinned. Oh yeah. They had motored back to the family’s dock last night, then made love again, this time leisurely until they drifted off into each other’s arms. They hadn’t even spoken, just kissed and touched. He’d slid his shaft inside her sweet pussy and stroked her to another orgasm, her tight contractions sending him over the edge again too. Then they’d passed out. The sun shone brightly inside the cabin. It had to be way past dawn—time to get up and hightail it out of there. Besides, he heard his mother’s whispers outside on the deck.

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He reached in a drawer and grabbed a pair of shorts, dressing quickly. He walked outside and scratched his head, squinting in the morning light. “Morning.” “Morning to you, too,” his mother replied, beaming proudly as if he’d just had a wedding night. That glimmer in her eyes didn’t bode well. “I brought you two some breakfast. Just croissants and coffee. When you’re ready for something more substantial, come inside.” “How do you know Melissa’s here?” She shot him her trademark give-me-a-break look, which didn’t even require a response from him. She just knew. He took the tray from her and motioned her to the tiny round table secured to the deck. They sat on the cushioned benches and he poured a cup of steaming coffee. “I had a great time yesterday, Mom. Thank you for the party.” “You’re welcome. Thank your father and brother and sisters, too. They all had a hand in the planning.” He nodded. “I will, but I also know who the mastermind around here is.” She giggled. When she did she looked so much younger than her mid-fifties. Even now, her face held the beauty she’d been when she was in her twenties. And her dark eyes sparkled like they had when he was a child. “I’m glad you were surprised,” she said, patting his cheek. He laughed and took a deep swallow of coffee. “Surprised is an understatement.” “And how were things last night with Lissa?” “Mom. You know I’m not going to discuss my sex life with you.” His face heated at the uncomfortable prospect. “That’s not what I meant. Have you two settled things?” “Like what?” “Like your destinies. Like what happens next.” “Nothing happens next.” Angelina leaned back and crossed her arms. “So, you’re just going to let her leave for Boston at the end of the week?” Was he? What other choices did he have? “I guess so.” “You disappoint me.” “Why?” “Because you’re not one to give up so easily on something you want. You’ve always worked hard at reaching your goals.” Aidan laughed. “Lissa’s hardly a goal, Mom.”

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She waved her hand in the air. “Destiny, goals, what’s the difference?” He didn’t want to be having this conversation with his mother. Hell, he didn’t even want to think beyond what would happen today, this moment. “Things will happen the way they’re supposed to. You’ve always told me that.” “True. And yet sometimes you have to give destiny a little nudge in the right direction.” “What if I don’t want to?” She leaned forward and caressed his cheek, the same tender touch she’d used when he was a child. “Only you can answer that, mon fils.” She was right. The only problem was, in order to answer the question, he’d have to acknowledge it. He’d have to face his feelings, something he was never very good at. “It’s time to grow up, Aidan. Time to stop playing with the girls. Time to face your destiny.” “And just what is my destiny?” She smiled slightly. “I think you already know, but you don’t want to acknowledge it.” He stood and turned to look out over the lake, the water so calm not even a ripple marred the glassy surface. “How do you feel about Lissa, Aidan?” There it was. Out in the open, the question he knew he had to answer, both for himself and for the woman sleeping downstairs. “I’m in love with her, Mom.” He heard her quiet footsteps as she slipped behind him, then curled her arms around his waist and hugged his back. “I know.” “I thought you might.” “That didn’t hurt a bit, did it?” It hurt like hell and scared the shit out of him. “No.” “What frightens you?” Angelina moved to his side and took his hands in hers, forcing him to meet her probing gaze. “That she might not love me back.” “A common fear for all of us. It’s hard to admit love for someone, to open your heart. There’s always a risk that love won’t be returned.” His biggest fear, what had kept him from committing to a woman before. He wasn’t exactly the easiest man in the world to live with. Sometimes he was a bit too playful when he should concentrate on business, and yet he’d always managed to get the job done. Then there was the magic, and not just any woman could live with a man who wielded the power of the elements.

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“Lissa is stronger than you give her credit for,” his mother said in answer to his silent musings. “And she hasn’t run away from you yet. She’s still here. And I think she returns your feelings.” “I wish I could be sure of that.” “Well, she has to love you of her own free will, Aidan. You can’t manipulate or coerce her into feeling the way you want her to. And you can’t use your powers on her. It’s wrong.” He knew that, and the thought had never occurred to him to use magic in any way to coerce Lissa into loving him. She either did or she didn’t. And he had to tell her, he had to find out one way or the other. “What will you do if she says no?” Angelina asked. He shrugged. “Go on with my life as it was before I met her, I guess.” Although the thought stabbed him in the gut. What if he laid his heart out and she said she didn’t feel the same way? Even scarier, what if she said she loved him, too?

***** Melissa gripped the edges of the tiny sink in the bathroom, trying to quell her body’s tremors. She shouldn’t have eavesdropped on Aidan and his mother, shouldn’t have listened in. But she had, and what she heard chilled her. Granted, they had been whispering, but she’d managed to pick up at least part of their conversation, and it had been about her. Aidan and his mother were talking about his feelings toward her. First, her heart soared, hoping Aidan would tell his mother he had deep feelings for her. But then she heard the words that sent dread plummeting her heart into her stomach. Free will. Manipulation. Feelings. Powers. She shivered as the goosebumps rose on her skin. Surely Aidan wouldn’t do that to her, wouldn’t use his magic to make her feel things she ordinarily wouldn’t feel. How could she trust her emotions now? Was she really in love with Aidan, did she really have the kind of passion they’d experienced, or was it all some kind of dream? Had he used his magic to make her feel these things for him? Damn him for doing this to her, just when she’d thought she had it all figured out. She was in love with him, he was everything she’d ever dreamed of—virile, passionate, fun loving, intelligent, professional—or was he? Was he all those things she wanted in a man, or had Aidan somehow picked the perfect man out of her mind and transformed himself?

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Ridiculous. This was reality, not fantasy and he couldn’t make her feel anything she didn’t want to feel, right? She stepped out of the bathroom and plopped onto the bed, cradling her head in her hands. Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to give in to them. Right now she needed logic and common sense, not an emotional tantrum. Grabbing for her clothes, she quickly dressed and ran a comb through her hair, binding it back with a clip. She searched out her shoes. She had to get out of there and sort out what happened. But how would she get past Aidan? There was no way she could handle a confrontation with him right now. Not until she could get her feelings under control. After last night’s lovemaking, her heart soaring with emotion for him, she’d thought this morning would be easy. She was going to tell him she loved him, put her heart on the line, and see where it led. But now? Now she couldn’t even speak to him. What would she say? How would she ask the questions she needed to ask? And more importantly, would she even be able to believe his answers? She tiptoed up the stairs quietly and peeked out the porthole in the door, spotting Aidan and his mother on the dock. Angelina gestured to something in the wooded area, and the two of them set off away from the house. Now was her chance to make an escape before he came back. She swallowed the guilt pounding her heart and flew through the doorway, climbing off the boat and streaking toward the front of the house. Thankfully she’d found her purse on board and dug for her car keys, slipping as quietly as possible into the front seat. She would talk to him, she thought as she drove off the Storm property. They had to get things settled between them. But not now, not when her every thought was screaming that he’d lied to her, used her, manipulated her. Right now she needed to be alone—it was time to think.

***** Three days later and she still had no answers. Three days later and she still couldn’t talk to Aidan, afraid of what he’d say, and more afraid of what he wouldn’t. What if he put thoughts in her head she didn’t want there? What if he let her believe he loved her, that he wanted her to stay? What if she wanted to believe him so badly she’d let him? She twisted and turned under the covers, completely exhausted. Throwing the soft sheets aside, she rose and padded over to the window, looking out on yet

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another gray, cloud covered day. The weather had been this way since that day she’d awakened on the boat and heard Aidan talking to his mother. He’d tried to call her, to see her, but she wouldn’t let him in, and quickly hung up whenever he called. She’d conducted business via email, since their project was nearly completed anyway. The brochures and plan had been designed and decided upon and the wheels were already in motion. She was flying back to Boston tomorrow. She crossed her arms to ward off the chill in the room. Inside, she felt empty, as if all the passionate emotion she’d carried around for nearly a month had fled the moment she realized Aidan had put those feelings there. Now she was convinced of it. And somehow he knew that she knew. Not that he’d told her, because she couldn’t face him—didn’t want to look at his beautiful face when he lied to her. A knock on the door had her grabbing for a robe. She glanced at the clock and knew it had to be room service because she’d sent in her breakfast order last night for delivery now. She threw open the door and her heart plummeted to the ground. “Aidan,” she whispered. Without asking, he walked past her and into the room. Irritated, she stood there with the door open, but knew she wasn’t going to be able to throw him out. Besides, she wasn’t a coward. Never had been before, but she’d sure been one lately. It was time she faced him and told him what she really thought about him. She shut the door and stepped into the living room, ignoring how fine he looked this morning. Other than the shadow of dark circles under his eyes, he looked gorgeous. Tanned, dressed in a simple white polo shirt and jeans that fit snug against his rear. Visions of digging her heels into that fine ass as he thrust his cock inside her moistened her instantly. She shook the images aside and asked, “What are you doing here?” “Looking for answers.” He faced her head on, his dark gaze holding her. Was he using magic on her at this moment? He had to be, because her heart ached at the very sight of him, and she could almost believe the pain she saw on his face. Almost. “I don’t have any answers for you.” She swept past him, but he grabbed her arm. “Oh, I think you do.” She wouldn’t let him do this to her. Wrenching her arm away, she said, “We have nothing to discuss. I heard you and your mother talking on the boat the other day.”

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He arched a brow. “So?” Typical of him to think nothing was untoward. “So, I heard you two.” “And?” Fury blazed a heated trail through her veins. “How could you manipulate me like that, Aidan?” He frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?” She didn’t believe his look of confusion. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, so don’t play innocent with me. My feelings for you, my emotions, everything that’s happened between us this month has all been your doing.” “My doing? Lissa, you don’t make sense. Explain.” “Why should I?” She turned her back on him, not wanting to see the pain on his face, knowing it was all a lie. “You already know everything. And now, so do I. We’re finished, Aidan. You’ve had your fun with me and now it’s over. Our business is through, and we are, too.” “I don’t get it.” She whirled around, unable to believe he’d still hold on to the lie. “Your magic. You used it make me feel things for you, to make me—” She’d almost said love you. But she didn’t love him, wouldn’t love him, not like this. When she fell in love it would be by her own choice, and without any magic. “I would never do that to you, Lissa. Hell, I can’t do that. Our magic doesn’t manipulate emotions, only the weather.” “Please leave, Aidan. I’ve emailed you the final changes on the marketing plan and I’m going back to Boston tomorrow. Don’t make this any more painful for the both of us than it already is.” He hesitated, jammed his fingers through his hair and paced the room for a few seconds. Then he turned back to her. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, Lissa. I love you.” Her heart stopped at his quietly spoken words. Words that had sounded so sincere they pierced her soul. This was the ultimate torture, like he’d just stabbed her dead center where it would hurt the most. “Don’t say that,” she whispered. “It’s true. I love you and I don’t want to lose you. Stay with me.” She refused to believe his words were true. He couldn’t love her. He just didn’t want to lose because her leaving wasn’t his idea. Maybe in his sick and twisted mind he wanted to be the one to end the game. And that’s all she was to him—a game. “You’re doing this to protect yourself,” he said, his jaw clenched tight. “Excuse me?” “You heard me. You’re so afraid to love that you’ve concocted this whole magic as manipulation thing to make it easier for you to leave.”

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“That’s ridiculous.” How dare he turn this around so it was her fault? “Do you believe I love you?” “No.” She couldn’t, wouldn’t, give in to the emotion sucking her under. Aidan’s charms were powerful, but she had her own inner strength. She would not fall for his pull. “I do love you, you know.” He reached for her, but she stepped back, knowing if he touched her she’d be lost. As it was, she felt herself weakening, aching to throw her arms around him and kiss him until she couldn’t think anymore. He dropped his hand to his side and sucked in a quick breath. “You really don’t believe I’m telling you the truth.” “No, I don’t.” “Then I don’t have anything else to say. I’m sorry you don’t know me as well as I thought you did. Or my family. Or the magic.” “I don’t want to know the magic any more than I do now.” “You’ve made that clear.” He lifted his chin and walked to the door, then turned back to her and said, “You’re making a mistake, Lissa. You’re walking out on us, on what we could have together, and someday you’ll be sorry you did.” The door slammed with a finality she should have welcomed, but didn’t. She glanced out the window to see the clouds opening up and pelting the city below in a fierce rainstorm. Thunder boomed all around her, and lightning arced across the skies. Collapsing into a nearby chair, she hugged herself to calm the tremors wracking her body, then finally let the tears fall as hard as the rain outside.

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Chapter Sixteen Aidan threw his fishing line over the dock, the lure hitting with a plop in the water before sinking. Sinking. Man, he knew that feeling. The blistering skies overhead shined brightly, the glint off the water nearly blinding. Of course, he’d left his sunglasses at his house. “You’ll get wrinkles if you keep squinting like that.” He turned at the sound of his mother’s voice and smiled. “So I’ve heard.” She slipped down next to him and dangled her tennis-shoed feet over the side of the dock. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” Angling her head to the side, she asked again. “Tell me what happened with Lissa.” “She’s gone.” Her eyes widened. “What? What do you mean, she’s gone?” “Just what I said. It wouldn’t have worked anyway.” He stared out at the line. Nothing. No bite, no action. The lake was dead this morning. He felt the same way inside. “You want to tell me what happened?” “Not really.” “Did you tell her how you felt?” “Yep.” “And she’s still leaving?” He nearly laughed at the shock in his mother’s voice. “She’s still leaving.” “Why?” “Because she thinks her feelings were manipulated by my powers.” “What?” He glanced over and smiled at his mother’s shocked look. “She overheard us that morning on the boat, or at least a portion of it, and misconstrued everything. She thinks we were talking about how I manipulated her into feeling something for me. That our powers extend to controlling people’s emotions.” “Well, that’s ridiculous. We don’t have that kind of magic. Did you explain to her?”

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He shrugged, not wanting to remember the slice of pain that cut away at him when she’d accused him of masterminding some kind of seduction plot at her expense. “I tried. She wasn’t into listening.” “You didn’t do anything to her with your magic, did you?” “No! Well, maybe.” “Aidan…” “Just a couple little things to heat her up a bit and that was only the first couple days she was here. But you know as well as I do that I can’t control her emotions.” She sighed. “Yes, I know.” She hugged him to her. “Melissa’s confused right now.” “That’s an understatement.” He pulled his line out of the water, resigned to the fact that the fish weren’t biting today. “You need to convince her.” “No way. I’m finished with Melissa Cross.” “No, you’re not. Do you love her?” “I thought I did. But how could I love someone who has so little trust in me?” She held out her hand and he hauled her to her feet. “Aidan, not everyone adjusts to our magic easily. You need to give her time to work it out in her own mind. But letting her run away from you isn’t the answer.” “I can’t force her to stay, Mom. She’ll just think I’m using my powers on her.” “Then make her realize you’re not. Deep down she already knows this, but she’s afraid. Go, tell her again that you love her.” “It may be too late already.” He couldn’t believe he was actually considering it. After everything she’d said to him. Even now the adrenaline rush of anger seared through him. But his mother’s gentle chuckle calmed him. “It’s never too late. Go find her, and keep telling her you love her until she realizes it’s the truth.” His mother pushed him in the general direction of his car until he decided she was right. He had to give it another try, had to find her. He pulled out of the driveway and grabbed his cell phone, dialing the hotel. She’d already checked out. Probably already flown out. Problem was, he had no idea where she was right now. On the way to the airport, at the airport, or already airborne? But, he could find her. He pulled over to the side of the road and shut off the engine, then closed his eyes, imagining her. The light behind his eyes darkened as the clouds gathered. The ground shook from the force of the thunder. Closer,

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he was getting closer to her. Rain pelted the windshield, the drops hard and furious as the clouds burst forth their fury. It swirled around him, the force and the power mixing at his command. He held his eyes tightly closed as lightning seared his body in a white heat. Then, just as quickly as it started, it was over. He slowly opened his eyes, saw it and smiled. The rainbow. He started the car and followed it, knowing it would lead to Melissa.

***** Melissa paced the luggage check-in area of the airport, watching the skies darken to black, listening to the roaring thunder that sounded like the jet engines taking off and landing nearby. Then it rained. Fast, hard and furious, lightning brightening the sky with its raw electrical power. She felt it surging through her and the force nearly knocked her to her knees. She watched it, felt it, and could do nothing to stop it. It was Aidan. She knew it without hesitation. He was angry, or hurt, or some indefinable emotion that made him unleash his powers like this. Then it hit her and her breath stopped. Anguish so intense it brought tears to her eyes. It would always be like this. From today on. Every time a drop of rain fell, every time a gust of summer wind blew, every strike of lightning or rumble of thunder would remind her of Aidan. Because he was a part of the storms that surrounded her, he was the heat that drenched her, the cooling mist of summer rain that relieved her, the awesome power of thunder and lightning that shook her to the core. All of these and more was Aidan. And he had no more control over her emotions than the person sitting next to her. Idiot. Stupid, moronic imbecile. It wasn’t until the older woman next to her stared in shock that she realized she’d said it out loud. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m having a duh moment.” The woman cracked a well-worn smile. “We all have those, dear.” “I’ve made a serious mistake with the man I love.” Why she was telling the old woman this she had no idea, but it was better than talking to herself. “And what are you going to do about it?”

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“Do about it? Nothing, probably.” Because she’d burned her bridges with Aidan, accused him of unspeakable things, and stomped all over the heart he’d bared for her when he told her he loved her. “Why not?” “Because what I did to him was unforgivable.” The woman laid her hand on Melissa’s arm. She looked down at the wrinkled knuckles and nearly see-through skin. Then she met the woman’s warm eyes. “We all make mistakes, dear. What we do to atone for them is what counts. If you love this man, then tell him, and keep telling him until he believes you.” She was right, of course, but Melissa didn’t know how she’d ever convince Aidan how sorry she was. How could she think he’d manipulate her like that? He’d never harmed her in any way, never led her on, never led her to believe he was anything other than what and who he was on the surface. And when he finally took the step and admitted he loved her, she’d thrown it in his face. “I hurt him,” she murmured. “Then work hard at taking away that hurt. Don’t let him go, because you may not get another chance at love like that.” Melissa smiled at the woman. “How did you get to be so wise?” The woman laughed heartily. “Years of mistakes, dear. Years of mistakes. Now go see if you can undo the one you’ve made, before you lose something that I believe you think is worth holding on to.” Her heart swelling with hope, she kissed the old woman on the cheek, grabbed her bags and all but ran down the aisles to the front door, intent on grabbing a taxi and going back to talk to Aidan. She stepped outside, immediately hit by the humid blast of August air and sucked in a breath. Hefting her bags into her arms she started to hail a taxi. “Melissa!” The familiar voice nagged at her, and she shook her head, knowing she’d imagined it. “Lissa!” But there it was again, louder and closer. She stopped and turned, searching the crowds milling about, until she saw him. Aidan. Running toward her, his hand over his head waving. She dropped her bags, unable to believe he was actually there. But why? And more importantly, why would he even be interested in finding her after the things she’d said to him?

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Girding her courage, she held fast and watched his approach, knowing this was the time to swallow her pride and beg for his forgiveness. It was a start, anyway. She didn’t expect him to absolve her quickly. But given enough time, if she was lucky, he might let her back into his life. She should have known nothing was predictable about Aidan. He met her and pulled her into his arms, covering her lips in a passionate kiss that took her breath away. His tongue swept inside and heatedly searched the recesses of her mouth. She grabbed onto his shirt and clung to him, grateful beyond words at his greeting, unable to fathom how he could be so incredibly forgiving. “I love you,” she managed between panting breaths. “I know. I love you, too.” Then he kissed her again and her heart swelled, nearly bursting from her chest. He rained kisses over her cheeks, her eyes, her neck, all the while pulling at her clothes, yanking her harder against him, making a public display of affection that had people stopping dead in their tracks. She loved it. Pulling away, she searched his face and found only tenderness. And passion. “I love you, Aidan. I’m so sorry I hurt you.” “It’s okay.” His dark eyes burned into her soul, but she found no recriminations in his loving glance. “It’s not okay.” She had to blurt it out before embarrassment took over and she couldn’t get the words out. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I think I was afraid to believe you could love me, and in my mind I concocted this ridiculous excuse that you’d manipulated my feelings when they were my feelings all along. I thought—” Her next words were cut off by his descending mouth, and all thoughts of apologies were filed away for later. Much later. Right now all she could manage was feeling, sensing, reveling in the way his body played hers, the joy of wanting someone so badly she could fuck his brains out right here in front of the airport. “It’s a nice idea,” he murmured against her lips. “But I’ve got a better one.” He grabbed her luggage and threw it in his car, then put her inside and roared away from the curb. As they drove, he touched her face, her neck, his fingers sliding down over her collarbone. She gasped when he lightly palmed her breast, her nipples rising against the thin cotton tank top, aching for his touch. She was squirming by the time his hand moved down over her belly and rested on her thigh. “Aidan, I need you.” He looked over and captured her gaze in his heated eyes. “I know. I need you too, cher.” With an abrupt twist of the steering wheel they flew off the freeway exit and down the ramp at breakneck speed. Before she knew it they’d arrived at the park where they’d had their very first interlude.

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“Aidan, I want you, honey, but really, it’s the middle of the day and the sun is shining.” Granted, the park was nearly deserted but a handful of adults and children sat at the nearby tables. He exited the car and came around to her side, grinning as he opened the door. “I’ll take care of that.” In an instant the dark clouds returned, casting out the light. Parents eyed the skies nervously and began to gather up their children. In less than a minute a few drops began to fall, and then the families scattered to their cars and drove off, just as the skies opened in a deluge of water. She and Aidan remained dry, cocooned in a light cloud. “Well, this is interesting.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “Thought you might like it.” He spread a blanket over the picnic table and picked her up in his arms, his kisses heating her blood. Gently, he laid her down on the table, her legs dangling over the edge. He wrapped her in his arms and held her close, his tongue thrusting inside her eager mouth. She couldn’t get enough of him, wanted him more than she ever had before. He ground his erection against her inflamed mound and she whimpered as sparks of fiery desire splintered inside her. With hands that burned like a flame he touched her upper thighs, sliding his fingers underneath her skirt. She lifted her hips so he could pull her panties off. Before she could settle in he had his thick cock exposed and plunged it inside her. She groaned her pleasure into his mouth, capturing his bottom lip between her teeth and tugging hard. “Yeah, baby,” he murmured against her lips, his flesh hot beneath her probing fingers. She tore his shirt up and over his chest, burying her fingers in the crisp hairs until she found his nipples, then rolled them between her thumb and forefinger until he groaned. All the while he pulled back and thrust repeatedly inside her, their passion building to a crescendo that rocked her senses. When he reached between them to caress her clit, relentlessly driving his cock deep inside her, she screamed. She watched overhead as her orgasm shattered her like the splinters of lightning across the skies. Aidan came with her, howling like a beast and clinging to her. She held on, delighted in the joining of their souls, their minds and their bodies. When it was over and they’d righted their clothing, she smiled at him, kissing him tenderly on the lips. The clouds around them dissipated and the sun peeked out once again. “What happens next?” she asked, taking the hand he offered and walking back toward his car.

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“Beats me. But I want it to happen with you.” They reached the car and he pressed her against it, his kiss full of love and promise. “I don’t know where we’ll end up or what the future holds, Lissa. All I know is that I can’t spend a day without you by my side.” “I love you, Aidan, and I feel the same way. I don’t want to go back to Boston. There’s nothing for me there anymore. Everything I’ve ever wanted, desired and needed is right in front of me. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together.” He smiled tenderly at her, brushing his knuckles against her cheek and pressing a light kiss to her lips. When they separated, she looked up and spied a rainbow ending at the park. “I’ll try to give you as many days without stormy weather as I can,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. She caressed his cheek, so full of the love she didn’t think was possible. “Let the storms come, Aidan. As long as the rainbow follows, I’ll always be happy.” As they drove off and headed for home, the rainbow followed them the entire way. And she knew she had finally found the pot of gold.

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About the author: Jaci Burton has been a dreamer and lover of romance her entire life. Consumed with stories of passion, love and happily ever afters, she finally pulled her fantasy characters out of her head and put them on paper. Writing allows her to showcase the rainbow of emotions that result from falling in love. Jaci lives in Oklahoma with her husband (her fiercest writing critic and sexy inspiration), stepdaughter and three wild and crazy dogs. Her sons are grown and live on opposite coasts and don’t bother her nearly as often as she’d like them to. When she isn’t writing stories of passion and romance, she can usually be found at the gym, reading a great book, or working on her computer, trying to figure out how she can pull more than twenty-four hours out of a single day. Jaci welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.

Also available Jaci Burton: Mesmerized Passion In Paradise 1: Paradise Awakening Passion In Paradise 2: Paradise Revival Passion In Paradise 3: Paradise Discovery

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple awardwinning 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.

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