by Mel Blue
He just blinked for a moment. “Ruby Riley?”
She winced. “Don’t make fun. My mother loved Zora Neale Hurston as much as she loved His Girl Friday.”
“I wasn’t making fun.” He coughed to cover his laugh. Three times. “You were born to be a reporter. In the twenties.”
She grinned at the teasing. “I loathe you.”
He rose and rounded the desk, placed his hand on her cheek and bent down to kiss her. It was long and filled with promise. When he pulled back, he said, “I’m Alastair Halliday.”
Everything she hadn’t allowed herself to feel for him came rushing forward. She curled into his touch and closed her eyes. “What do you do, Alastair?”
“I’m a journalist, too.” He cupped her other cheek. “And I like women who paint their bedrooms sky-blue, who call me a jackass and scuzzy when I am being both and who have beautiful brown eyes.” He brushed his lips over her forehead and sighed. “So what’s the hard question, love?”
She leaned forward for the kiss that was to come. And it would be a toe-curling one from the looks of it. “Did you sweet talk the secretary?”
“Yes and that’s not the question.”
She sighed, feeling content. “Are you taking me home?”
He pressed his lips to hers and murmured, “Yes. As many nights as you will have me.”
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA BLUE
Under His Kilt, Under His Kilt series
Jocelyn Pearson is determined to spend her last month as a twenty-something doing everything she’s too busy or scared to try. Her imagination runs wild and then fixates on Ian Baird. He’ll be working at the Langston Museum for a short stint as a consulting curator. He’s Scottish. He believes sex is fun to be had. He’s the perfect choice for a fling. She only has to get him break his rule about sleeping with co-workers. Seducing a man was on her bucket list…
Ian is no one’s fool and knows exactly what Jocelyn wants—him. If she didn’t work for the Langston Museum, he’d be more than happy to oblige any and every fantasy she desired, but she’s the curator. She’s sweet, inexperienced and well liked by everyone including the museum owner and director. Ian can’t risk losing such an important contact for his consulting business. Not even when everything within in him craves a taste of her.
When Jocelyn sets her sights on him, there’s no way Ian can deny her. They agree their affair will end in thirty days. No emotions, no entanglements, just sex. The closer the end date looms, they start to question if it’s possible to walk away. They’ll either have to come to terms of what they’ve become or stick to their original agreement.
Her Insatiable Scot, Under His Kilt series
Keri Pearson is currently between jobs, so there’s nothing to lose when her cousin promises her a glowing recommendation from a top expert in their field in exchange for a small favor. All she has to do is lie about who she is and pretend to be married to a charming Scot for three hours. Her sexy-as-hell pretend husband makes it too easy to play the part of newlyweds. The last thing she should do is trust him or the genuineness of his lust or adoration, but his touch ignites an unexpected desire.
Tristan Baird turned his back on his past with plenty of regrets, but when his brother blackmails him, Tristan can’t say no. Given his brother saved his neck, an afternoon doing what he does best doesn’t seem like too much to ask. And it’s for a good cause. Doing the job right guarantees his brother and new wife will have the home of their dreams. But his stunning accomplice complicates the job. She is everything he always wanted and couldn’t have. The kind of woman who is too smart to ever trust a former conman.
The three-hour commitment stretches into five sexually charged days as they fight the explosive connection. As each day passes, Keri must remind herself what is true and what is false, but the lines are blurring. Tristan can only hope his past doesn’t come back to ruin their future.
Shamelessly Taken, Den of Sin series
Layla Gunn booked a single night in the infamous hotel for a chance to remember what it’s like to be wanted and wanton. The last thing she expects is to come face to face with an old friend from college. Can she still live out her fantasy?
Christopher Trevino is ready to move past his grief, but he can’t seem to find comfort in just anyone’s arms. So when he walks into the hotel room and sees his former classmate, he can’t help but feel this meeting was destined.
One night turns into the next morning. Can they walk away or will they find more than a night filled with passion?
Forbidden Rendezvous, The Den of Sin series
Seraphina Gibson orchestrates fantasies, but this year she’ll create one of her own. It’s against the rules for an employee to participate in the weekend-long sex-capade but she’s willing to risk it for Luke Moreland. The man’s a mystery, but in a sea of CEOs and Fortune 500 billionaires, he stands out. His past and connection to her boss is clouded in intrigue, but she knows what he wants, and she plans to star in one of his voyeuristic trysts.
Born with a silver spoon Luke Moreland is used to getting everything he desires. Being next in line of his family’s winery leaves him very little time to take advantage of his riches. For a weekend, out of every year, he gets to feel the thrill of the chase. Not even in his sexual fantasies does he like to lose control, but then Seraphina walks into his playroom. He doesn’t know the truth of her past, but he knows the risk she’s taken to be with him. That doesn’t matter. He’s going to spend the next two days with her in his bed and keep her secret.
When reality crashes into their fantasy, will they survive?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melissa Blue’s writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. Eventually she upgraded to a computer. She’s still typing away on the same computer, making imaginary people fall in love.
Where to find me online or places to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest release news:
My Blog
My Website
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FORBIDDEN RENDEZVOUS EXCERPT
Luke kept his word by accepting the file after the late evening dinner, but put his hand on the door to stall her exit. He hadn’t given her much room. Still, she managed to turn around without touching him. The wine put a beautiful glow in her cheeks. He liked to believe it was his company that made her eyes sparkle. A bit darker than whiskey, her irises lit from within. When they first met, the hidden spark in her eyes is what drew him to her.
“Seraphina.”
“It’s Ms. Gibson but, yes, Mr. Moreland?”
He laughed at the cool tone. Not once had she stopped being Henri Beaudelaire’s personal assistant, professional to a fault, but during the dinner she’d shown warmth and humor while evading his probing questions.
“Call me Luke. I insist.”
She gripped the files to her chest. Not that he could see anything but a hint of her femininity. She wore pants suits and not even a button was left open to tease him with a view of her dark-olive skin. When alone, at the end of the day, would she take the pins out of her hair and free the ebony strands? It killed him to be this close to her and yet so far from touching, seeing the woman underneath the professionalism.
“Was there something you forgot to ask me during your interrogation?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She pursed her lips, but the corners of her mouth turned up. “I think Mr. Beaudelaire would like to know you hold his staff hostage.”
Henri would be displeased that he’d shamelessly flirted with any of his staff. Doing more than flirting? Now that would cause trouble their friendship didn’t need. They used to be close as brothers. It had taken the last four years to be more than casual associates.
With that in mind, he considered Seraphina and just how far he could take this. “Have dinner with me. One that
isn’t a ruse for work.”
“No.”
He hadn’t expected her to say yes, yet, but the quick refusal without any trace of doubt in her tone confused the hell out of him. She’d enjoyed herself. He could pick up on the slightest discomfort or sign that someone really didn’t like him. He’d honed that skill in college when his world fell apart. He used the skill in all his business dealings.
Henri had his rules, but Luke had suspected Seraphina didn’t let anyone in. “Are you seeing someone?”
“No.”
“Shitty childhood?”
“No,” but she said it with a laugh. “Back up.”
He took two steps and crossed his arms. She had room to leave now, but she only pressed her shoulders against the oak door. Usually he let her be, but this year there was something different about her. He didn’t care what it was. He welcomed it.
“Then tell me why,” he said.
“You’re a customer. It’s against the rules.”
The answer sounded recited. “And if I wasn’t?”
Her smile faded. “No. I will never go to dinner with you.”
Without thought, he stole back the space he’d given her, and he took just a bit more. Her chin tilted up, and if he wasn’t aware of the line he was crossing Luke would have kissed her. Still, he brushed his fingers over her chin. Smooth. Warm. She shivered. Luke’s cock hardened at the subtle but telling reaction.
He wanted to watch her eyes glaze over from pleasure. How did she touch herself? Rough or soft? How would her skin look flushed and slicked with sweat? He could almost hear her breathless moan.
“That’s too bad.” He meant the words. He’d forget about Joss in a heartbeat if he could spend the weekend with Seraphina. Slowly watching her unravel every bit of herself to him…he’d pay money to see that. His hand clenched into a fist.
He was letting his control slip. She hid her true self from him and that was as good as lying. She bit her lip. Still he wanted her. “Well, thank you for eating with me,” he said, capping any interest in his tone. “At least once.”
She nodded. “I’ll contact Joss and let her know where to go. I’m booking the room you always use. I just need to know if you prefer after lunch or closer to dinnertime.”
He put away the need and the yearning for her and took another step back. “Dinnertime should be fine. I’ve missed New Orleans and I want to check out the town first. There’s practically a bench in Jackson Square with my name on it.”
She started to open the door. “Anything else I can help you with, you don’t hesitate to call, Mr. Moreland.”
He chuckled, trying to release the wild need to push the door closed again and cross that damn line. “You can call me Luke.”
The smile whipped out and he held his breath. “I hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Moreland. Until next year.”
It was one thing to be professional to a fault. Another to be smart enough to fuck with someone while doing it. He couldn’t let her off that easily. “You know what, the more I think about Joss, the more I’m uncertain if she’s the right one.” He talked over her gasp. “Leave the files and I’ll let you know what I decide tomorrow morning.”
“You know I can’t leave until you make a choice.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure Henri will understand.”
“I can’t leave.”
He paused for dramatic effect. “I don’t know. Maybe you should read her file to me.”
She shook her head. “Or call you by your first name?”
He sighed. “I’m feeling incredibly indecisive.”
“Lucifer,” she muttered so low he barely heard it.
But he had. “Didn’t catch that,” he managed to say without laughing.
Indecision played over her features until she straightened her shoulders. “I’ll read the file.” She smiled, and a mischievous glint filled her eyes. “Where do you want me to start?”
Taken off guard, he stammered. Her smile widened, because she’d called his bluff and he’d flustered. Him. He could back down, but the next time they did this she’d know just how far he’d go to get a rise out of her.
He couldn’t waver, otherwise their time together would lose the frisson it usually had. So, Luke cleared his throat and waved her back to the table. Who would have thought she’d rather continue to call him by his last name than to read something explicit out loud?
Heat flushed his face and he wanted to open the balcony doors again, but if she wouldn’t say his name, she sure as hell wouldn’t take his jacket. He’d noted her nipples pressed hard against her white shirt, but she hadn’t complained about the cold.
When she settled into the chair across from him, he took in the tremble in her fingers as she opened the folder. Fuck. He tended to be a jackass from time to time, but this might be too much.
“Seraphina, you don’t—”
“I’ll start with my hand.” She ran her fingertips over the papers. “I know there are toys I can choose from, but the most intimate way you can get to know me is with my hand. I love to feel the way my clit swells the more turned on I get.” She glared up at him. “Do you want me to stop?”
END OF EXCERPT
BEFORE YOU GO…
…pick your next Den of Sin read, and subscribe to the Den of Sin newsletter so you never miss a new release.
Season I—New Year’s Eve Party
Forbidden Rendezvous by Mel Blue
Ménage à Troys by Holley Trent
Redeeming the Amazon by L. V. Lewis
Wicked Surrender by Ambrielle Kirk
Shamelessly Taken by Mel Blue (free short story)
Two Strikes by Holley Trent (free short story)
***
Season II—The Beaudelaire Bacchanal
Debauching the Virgin by Mel Blue
Illicit Passions by Ambrielle Kirk
O for Two by Holley Trent
***
Valentines Day (Special)
As Sweet by Holley Trent (free short story)
***
Season III—Winterball Masquerade
Melt Into Me by Renee Luke
Reckless Attraction by Ambrielle Kirk
Three Strikes by Holley Trent
Unbidden Desires by Melissa Blue
Winterball by Holley Trent
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © November 2014 by Mel Blue
Cover Art by Renee Luke
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, places, incidents, and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or person, living or dead, is completely coincidental.