Dirty Little Lies

by James, Clare

  Gabe growls low in his throat.

  His lips take mine in a crushing kiss, his tongue claiming me as I yield to him. The scent of soap and spice invades my senses, making me lose all thought. It’s just the two of us in our lust-addled fog.

  Refusing to wear a toga, Gabe is dressed in a deep blue silk shirt and black pants that fit him perfectly and very much to my liking. But it’s his shirt making me lose every coherent thought. The silky fabric taunts my breasts with Gabe’s every movement. They ache and want.

  I moan, unable to hold it in.

  Gable chuckles, completely aware of what he’s doing to me. He continues peppering his hot, wet kisses across my chest now, before circling in on my breast. The warm air from his breath tickles the sensitive bud. My knees buckle when his tongue flicks out to taste—and when he takes my nipple deep into his mouth, a jolt of pleasure shoots between my legs. I am soaking wet and needy.

  God, I hope it will it always be this way between us.

  Gabe moves to my other breast to give it the attention it deserves before sliding back up to meet me. “It’s time to go, baby.”

  “Noooo,” I whine.

  “Trust me, you will not be neglected tonight.”

  Gabe slowly peels me off him and helps me with my trench coat. We say goodbye to Free and we’re on our way. Yet, I can’t help but pout being left in this condition. Gabe smirks, delighted with himself for putting me in such a state.

  “Bastard,” I say under my breath, smacking his shoulder.

  “Patience, Stevie,” he whispers back and then takes a quick nip of my earlobe.

  Once we arrive at The Club, we pay our respects to Venus. Tonight she is surrounded by a wall of white candles and covered in hundreds of flowers. Gabe takes out an orange tulip and rests it on her shoulder.

  I do a happy dance in my mind—thrilled I don’t have to sacrifice yet another pair of expensive panties.

  Inside, Gabe has a table reserved for us, right in the middle of all the action. We sip champagne and watch the dancers, before the parade of Gladiators enter the room, carrying in the reigning Venus.

  The room grows a little darker in her presence. You can almost smell arousal in the air—a heady scent that matches the savage vibe as people dance, and touch, and stalk their prey.

  Gabe groans, “It’s the one part of your adventure we never got to. Are you sorry?”

  “I don’t think so,” I say, skimming my hand over his thigh. “I think I prefer my cult of one. You’re about all I can handle.”

  “Well, I know I could not handle that,” Gabe says, signaling to Venus—who now seems to be enjoying a hand-job from one of the Gladiators.

  “Jealous streak, Mr. Shannon?” I smirk. “I had no idea. Hey, is that why no men touched me when I was paying my dues? Were you stacking the cards?”

  “No comment,” Gabe mumbles into his glass of champagne.

  Devil.

  “It’s too late for all that Venus stuff anyway.” I slide out of my seat and take his hand, pulling him upright. “Tonight, I have an adventure for you.”

  Gabe’s eyes are wide and guarded.

  “Do you trust me?” I ask.

  He stops walking and turns to me, his fingertip drawing a line along my jaw, down my neck and chest to my exposed breast. “Always.”

  This is going to be fun.

  “Good.” I continue leading him down the long hallway. “Let me show you what I’ve learned.”

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  One of the best perks of being a writer is spending hours, days, months and years with some of the most amazing characters—even if they aren’t real. Stevie came to me during a time when I needed a laugh and, quite frankly, when I needed to get some of my own sexy back. Stevie allowed me to indulge in, ahem, various activities and adventures and reminded me to take time for myself. Today, she still encourages me to get out there and kick some ass and it’s my greatest wish that she does the same for you!

  I have to thank all the readers who not only fell in love with Gabe and Stevie immediately, but demanded that write more of them!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making dreams come true.

  Big sloppy smooches to my support system —from my mom and in-laws, to my sisters and friends, to my awesome husband and son. You all are so incredible and I’m thankful for each one of you every day.

  Big hugs to Rebecca Berto for the amazing cover—Stevie would be proud—and Madison Seidler for early editorial work. Squeezes to Rhonda Helms and Rachel Brookes for telling me to bring the heat, and to Liz King who said, “Clare, this is going to be a hit!” And to Jessica, for always being there in my corner. I’m so lucky to have all of you!

  Thanks to Give Me Books for the excellent work on the cover reveal and book blitz. Also to the reviewers, bloggers, and the romance and NA community for all of your love and support. And to my fellow authors, you are the best!

  About the Author

  Clare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO, MORE, and DIRTY LITTLE LIES. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine.

  A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.

  Find her at:

  www.clarejamesbooks.com

  @clarejamesbooks

  http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor