Part 34 (1/2)
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Holly was sure that Wes knew Cullen's last name. All she had to do was convince him to tell her. She hurried through the cool night and reached the bookstore just in time to see Wes come outside, turn around, and lock the door.
Slowing her pace, she walked up. ”Hi.” d.a.m.n, he was still s.e.xy in that overbearing male way.
He pulled his key out of the lock, then turned his gaze on her. ”Change your mind?” He glanced down at the book in her hand. ”Want me to return Cullen's book?” He added a grin that should be labeled as dangerous.
Holly leaned against the side of the bookstore and shrugged. ”I have time to kill. Thought I'd see if you still wanted to get a drink. Unless”-she opened her eyes wide-”you really are afraid that I'm a stalker with murder on my mind.”
A small smile tugged at his mouth as he shoved his keys into his pants pocket. ”If not murder, then what-s.e.x?”
Oh yeah. Wait, no! G.o.d, she was weak tonight. Maybe it was her bad week. She decided to change tactics. ”I asked you out for a drink, Brockman. All you have to say is that you aren't interested.” She turned and started to walk away.
”Does that work?” he called after her.
She'd only gone a couple feet and turned back. ”What?”
”The offensive. Does it work?”
She couldn't help smiling. ”Most of the time. But then I don't usually have to beg men for their company.”
He directed his gaze in a slow examination down her body, clad in a burgundy tank top and form-fitting jeans, then back to her face. His green eyes darkened. ”Tell me more about this begging.”
Down, girl. What was it about him? She shot back, ”For that, you'd have to buy the drinks.”
He stepped closer, throttling his voice down to a dangerous rumble. ”s.e.x on the Beach?”
She swore the ocean roared in her head. Her hormones surged up into huge waves of longing, was.h.i.+ng over her. ”You're offering me s.e.x on the beach?”
His grin widened, crinkling his gorgeous eyes. ”The drink. What did you think I meant?”
Her thighs tightened in response. Get a grip, Hillbay-it's just a reaction to a handsome man and a long dry spell of no s.e.x. Holly was all for s.e.x, but on her terms. She always kept her emotions in check. She was the cool one-the one that walked away when the relations.h.i.+p had played out. It was time to take back the power. She said, ”That information will cost you more than the price of a drink.”
He didn't hesitate. ”Name your price.”
”Steak.” She was hungry. And food might keep her from thinking about s.e.x.
”Done. You can follow me in your car.”
She was practically dizzy from the pace he set. Or maybe that was pent-up l.u.s.t breaking free. ”Follow you where?”
”My house. On the beach. I'll make the drinks and we'll grill some steaks out on my deck and watch the waves. Or maybe listen to the waves, since it's dark out.” His grin suggested more than wave-watching.
She thought about that, but in the end, Wes had what she wanted. Information on Cullen.
Not s.e.x.
She lifted her chin. ”I'll follow you. I can spare an hour or so.”
He nodded like it was no more than he expected.
Annoyed, she said, ”I'm not sleeping with you.”
He moved up to her until she felt the brush of his breath. ”No?”
She felt a tremor in her belly that spread wet heat. Keep control of the situation, she reminded herself. ”I don't go to bed on the first date.”
He reached down and picked up her free hand in his larger one. ”Kiss on the first date?”
She should put a stop to this. But the feel of his hand wrapped around hers was warm and sensual. She opened her mouth to tell him they weren't dating, but ended up saying, ”If I like the man.”
He ran his thumb over her palm. ”You like me. Make out?”
Regaining her wits, she jerked her hand away. ”Ain't gonna happen, book boy.”
His face blanked at the nickname, then a grin spread out over his face. ”Why don't we go to my house and take these rules of yours for a test drive?”
She was playing with fire. She knew it but couldn't stop herself. Wes was not the man she expected when she walked into his bookstore. There was so much more, and she had a strange compulsion to peel back the layers and find out just who this man was.
Could she do that and keep her clothes on? Or maybe do it naked, but keep her emotions in check?
She was going to find out. ”Lead on, book boy.”
Please turn the page for an advance look at Gemma Bruce's WHO WANTS TO BE A s.e.x G.o.dDESS?.
Available now from Brava!
Andy took her place at the back of the line of Novices and slowly made her way to the front. The name of Dr. Bliss rose from every conversation and floated around the room like an effervescence. Everyone seemed fascinated by the TV guru. She hadn't been at the Welcoming Ceremony, and Andy was curious to see her.
When she reached the head of the line, another purple-sashed priestess gave her a stick-on name tag and a light blue satin sash.
She followed the others into the auditorium and saw Evelyn, Loubelle, and Jeannie sitting near the stage with the other higher ranking G.o.ddesses. She found a seat in one of the rows of folding chairs at the back of the room, reserved for the Novices. Peeking over the top of her gla.s.ses, she began a systematic search of each row, looking for a tall, auburn-haired, middle-aged stuntwoman-just in case-and came up blank.
She did find Dillon Cross, standing in the line of men on risers at the back of the stage behind a long table that presumably would seat the staff of the retreat. The men were bare-chested and dressed in short white kilts. They were all handsome and fit, though some looked self-conscious and some looked ridiculous.
Unfortunately, Dillon looked good enough to make her forget her reason for being here. He was also perusing the rows of seats, a slight frown on his face, and she took the opportunity to get a good look.
He was tanned and buff, sleek more than built-like a panther, Jeannie had said. There was something predatory about him. A natural grace that was only slightly disturbed by the hitch in his walk. He had long legs and a developed chest that tapered to a narrow waist. A gold braided belt was fixed several inches below his navel.
Andy gave herself a buzz, just imagining what was under that little pleated skirt.
Suddenly he looked right at her. Something zinged in the air between them. He smiled, then shook his head and grinned. Andy shoved on her gla.s.ses, chastising herself for being caught ogling her attendant. The world became a blur again.