by Lisa Childs
Their friendship was far more important to Allison than their business. They were amazing women. It was amazing that they had forgiven her for what she’d done in the past.
She’d once offered representation to Muriel Sanz, but Muriel had pretty understandably told her to go to hell. And Bette, as her best friend, had no doubt supported that decision. But now they were supporting Allison.
“Why?” she asked.
“Why’d we bring lunch?” Muriel asked. “It’s because you haven’t been eating enough.” She used chopsticks to pick a piece of chicken from Allison’s nearly untouched plate. Hers was empty.
Bette bumped Muriel’s arm. But she already had the chicken in her mouth. “Stop eating her food.”
“She’s not eating it,” Muriel pointed out.
Allison really liked these two women. They were more down-to-earth than anyone she’d ever met.
“Eat,” Bette urged her as she gestured at Allison’s nearly full plate. “You’re too skinny.”
“What are you? Her mother?” Muriel teased her friend.
Allison wished. Of course, it wasn’t possible since Bette was younger than she was. And nicer...
So much nicer than Allison’s mother had ever been. “I wasn’t asking why you brought lunch,” she told them. “I was asking why you’re here. Why you both brought me your business? Why you care?”
“We’re your friends,” Muriel said as if that answered everything.
“But why?” Allison persisted. “I haven’t done anything to earn your friendship. Hell, I’ve done just the opposite.”
“You were just doing your job.” Muriel reminded Allison of what she’d told her when the supermodel had confronted her months ago.
“I was a bitch,” Allison said.
Muriel bumped her shoulder against Bette’s. “Some of my best friends are bitches.”
“Hey!” Bette protested.
“Honest, loyal bitches,” Muriel said with a smile as if she was delivering high praise. And it actually was. “That’s how you’ve handled yourself with this whole mess. You didn’t make it but you cleaned it up with class and integrity.”
Allison expelled a shaky breath. She hadn’t been certain that she had. She’d tried. But until now she hadn’t had confirmation of her success. Now she knew—and these new friends were the proof—that she was becoming the person she wanted to be.
Nothing like her mother...
“Thank you,” she said, and her voice cracked with emotion. Ordinarily, that would have bothered her, that she’d betrayed any emotion. But she wasn’t pretending to be the ice queen anymore. She didn’t want anyone to think she was cold and unapproachable anymore.
Not even Trevor.
But apparently, she had convinced him too well. She’d been so emotionally raw from Edward’s betrayal, from her mother’s and from what she had considered Trevor’s betrayal that she had refused to take his calls and had blocked his every attempt to contact her.
But then he’d stopped trying.
And instead of being relieved that he was leaving her alone, she’d been devastated. If he’d really cared about her, he wouldn’t have let her go so easily.
But he had...
So it was good that they were over; they’d never had anything real but sex.
How she missed the sex...
She pushed her plate toward Muriel. “You finish it.”
“I’ve tried that,” Bette said. “Giving her my food to fatten her up. But it doesn’t matter what she eats. She never gets any bigger.”
Muriel laughed and cursed her best friend. But she shoved the food into her mouth.
“You should be eating that,” Bette said with concern. “I worry about you.”
Allison’s heart shifted and warmed in her chest. Nobody had ever worried about her.
But Trevor had that night he’d been so upset that she’d gotten rained on. He’d also been so concerned that someone was trying to hurt her.
But he’d hurt her far more than her mother and Edward had. But she was strong. She was resilient. And thanks to these women, she was feeling better.
“Thank you,” she told them.
“It’s just lunch,” Muriel said.
“That you ate,” Bette added.
“No, thanks for the referral.” She glanced at her watch. “He should be here soon.”
The two women exchanged a furtive glance and Allison’s pulse quickened. “What? What did you do?”
“We might have tricked you a little,” Bette sheepishly admitted.
“But we didn’t lie to you,” Muriel said. “He is our friend.”
“And he does need a publicist,” Bette added.
“But most of all he needs you,” Muriel said.
And Allison groaned.
“He’s been miserable without you,” Bette said. “His friends can’t stand to see him like this.”
“And I can’t stand to see him at all,” Allison said. Or she would lose it—lose her heart completely. No. It was already too late for that. He’d kept her heart.
“Guess you’ll have to sit, then,” a deep, masculine voice murmured.
And Allison glanced up to find Trevor standing in the doorway.
Bette and Muriel jumped up from their seats. “We’ll get out of your way,” Muriel said as she headed toward the door.
“She didn’t leave any food for you,” Bette warned him as she passed him on her way out.
“Thank you,” he told the women. Then as soon as they stepped into the hall, he closed the door behind them, shutting himself inside with her. Alone.
Allison’s heart pounded furiously. “Do I need to fire my new assistant?” she asked.
“Why?” Trevor asked. “He’s not listening at the door.”
“Because he let you in.”
“I know him,” Trevor said. “He’s a friend of Miguel’s.”
That was why she’d hired him. Miguel had recommended him. Like the women, Miguel had become a friend. For some reason he seemed to care about Allison.
Had she fooled anyone with her ice queen routine? Had she fooled Trevor? It had been a few weeks since she’d seen him last, that day in his office.
He stared at her as if he was eating her up with just his gaze. His green eyes had gone dark, nearly as dark as the circles beneath his eyes. And his hair was longer even than it usually was, hanging well past his collar.
He obviously hadn’t been sleeping any better than she was.
“Why are you here?” she asked. “Do you really need a publicist?”
He shook his head. “No. I need you.” He walked forward then. “I know you’re mad at me and that you might never fully trust me. But I trust you so much that I’m giving you my heart, Allison.”
He came around the desk and instead of pulling her from her chair, he dropped to his knees in front of it—in front of her. “I’ve never given anyone my heart before. I’ve never trusted anyone enough to not abandon or hurt me...but I trust you. I love you.”
Tears blurred her vision, so she had to blink to be able to see him clearly. And for the first time she did see him clearly. He was so brave, so damn brave.
He inspired her to be brave, too.
“I love you, too,” she said.
He reached up and cupped her face in his hands. And his fingers trembled slightly against her skin. “Then why haven’t you wanted to see me?”
“Because I love you,” she said. “I never felt like this before. So I got scared.”
If he wasn’t too proud to get on his knees in front of her, she wasn’t too proud to tell him the truth.
He leaned forward and covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply, hungrily.
She’d missed his mouth so much. His lips, his tongue, his unique rich flavor.
; She deepened the kiss and tunneled her fingers in his overly long hair, holding his head to hers.
He stumbled back and pulled her out of the chair so that she fell on top of him, her body sprawled across his. She laughed against his mouth, her breasts pushing against his muscular chest.
His heart beat heavily beneath hers. “I’ve missed you so much, so damn much.”
She nodded. “Me, too. I’ve missed us.” That hollow ache had filled her—until now. Now warmth and happiness filled her. And soon he did, too.
They pulled at each other’s clothes, undoing buttons and lowering zippers until they rolled around the floor, naked. Skin slid over skin. Lips over lips...
Then he moved his head, kissing his way down her body. He made love to her with his mouth, making her cry out with pleasure. Then before she could reach for him, before she could slide her hand and her mouth over him, he was moving inside her. He’d rolled on a condom and now he rolled onto his back, so he was the one on the floor.
And she was astride him. His hands moved from her hips to her breasts. He teased the nipples, building up the tension he’d just released. She squirmed against him, rocking her hips, riding up and down his shaft.
His hands moved from her breasts to her hips. He grasped them and helped her match the frantic rhythm of his thrusting. She lowered her head and covered his mouth with hers—kissing him deeply as he filled her.
Then her body tensed and shuddered, a powerful orgasm moving through her. She kept going and going...until Trevor’s hands gripped her hips more tightly. He held her still as he came, too, joining her in ecstasy.
And it was ecstasy, being with him again. Back in his arms, she dropped onto his chest, and he held her tightly against him. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured. “I missed you so much that it hurt.”
She felt a twinge of regret. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She’d only been trying to protect herself from pain. Maybe she was her mother’s daughter—concerned more about herself than anyone else.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so sorry...” Tears pooled in her eyes, blinding her to him again.
He kissed her. “It’s not your fault,” he said. “I lied to you. I know why that would make it hard for you to trust me. But I promise—and this is no empty promise—I will never lie to you again.”
“You’ll tell me if I look fat in my jeans?”
“You’ll never look fat, but I will tell you if you do,” he promised.
And she believed him. She believed that he would always be honest with her. And so she had to always be honest with him. “I love you, but I’m not sure I’m the right person for you. If you want to run for office someday—”
“I know you hate politics,” he said. “So I would never ask you to run with me.”
“I would,” she said, “if I didn’t think I’d hurt your chances of winning.”
“You won’t,” he said. “With you by my side, I know I can accomplish anything, even what I never had the guts to try before.”
“Politics?” she asked. She would step back if her reputation was going to hurt his campaign. She would let him go—no matter how much it would kill her to do so. No. She was not her mother’s daughter. She was herself—worthy of love and friendship.
He shook his head. “A relationship.”
She smiled. She’d never really had one, either, because the thought of getting that involved, of getting her emotions involved, had always scared her. Until now.
Trevor was right. Together they could handle anything. Moles. Sabotage. Sex.
And love.
And maybe someday, down the road, even a campaign for office. Whatever they wanted, they would be able to achieve together.
But right now all Allison wanted—all she needed—was Trevor Sinclair. And she knew he needed her just as much because he was already beginning to harden again inside her.
And then he began to move...
She smiled, and he kissed her smile.
“I love you,” he said.
“And I love you...”
* * *
If you loved Legal Desire, try these other great reads:
Worth the Risk by Zara Cox
Wild Child by Christy McKellan
Getting Even by Avril Tremayne
Available wherever Harlequin ebooks are sold!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Wild Child by Christy McKellen.
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin DARE story.
Harlequin DARE pushes the boundaries of sexual explicitness while keeping the focus on the developing romantic relationship. Calling all fun and fearless heroines! Come meet the alpha heroes of your wildest dreams.
Sexy. Passionate. Bold.
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM
Undone
Hotel Temptation
by Caitlin Crews
Ditched at the altar for being boring in bed, prim lawyer Maya Martin goes on a solo Amalfi Coast honeymoon where she meets tattooed, hard-bodied Charlie Teller. This Christmas Charlie will help Maya unleash her wild side...over and over again!
My Royal Surrender
Arrogant Heirs
by Riley Pine
Max, bodyguard to the Royal Family, has his loyalty tested when he’s paired with his ex-lover to stop a new threat to the crown. They must infiltrate an illicit sex den by playing a couple looking for thrills—and Max hates how much he loves it!
The Season to Sin
Christmas Seductions
by Clare Connelly
When bad-boy billionaire Noah Moore storms into psychologist Holly Scott-Leigh’s life she is immediately tempted to sin... But he’s her potential client, and she’s never crossed that line before. This festive season Noah will show Holly how good it feels to be on the naughty list!
Secret Pleasure
The Business of Pleasure
by Taryn Leigh Taylor
Bombshell burlesque performer Kaylee Whitfield has perfected the art of the tease—especially when deliciously gorgeous Aidan Beckett is watching. He has no idea she’s his ex-bestie’s little sister—that’s her sexy secret. But Kaylee has a few things to learn about temptation...and risking her heart.
You can find more information on upcoming Harlequin titles, free excerpt and more at Harlequin.com.
Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice
OR
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.
Click here to join for FREE
Or visit us online to register at
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.
Wild Child
by Christy McKellen
CHAPTER ONE
Maya
THE FIRST TIME I laid eyes on Benedict Chivers I was on the brink of orgasm.
It had been a long, gruelling day at the office—my arsehole of a father’s office, to be precise—and I’d been yearning to step into a hot, soothing bubble bath from the moment I’d escaped that hellhole.
Luxuriating in a bath has always been a turn-on for me. It’s something about the heat swirling between my
thighs, and the way the soapy water makes my skin so slick and touchable, so I was right in the middle of one of my favourite sexual fantasies when a powerfully built, mouth-wateringly handsome man strode in through the unlocked bathroom door and caught me with my fingers working my clit and my body primed for much-needed release.
I must point out here that he hadn’t just randomly wandered in off the street and into my flat. I was staying at my father’s house in Kensington for a couple of weeks, while I was having the shonky old electrics overhauled at my place. I’d planned to crash with my friend Bella, but my father had insisted I stay with him instead—and when he insists on something, you damn well do it.
I swear it was a genuine mistake, forgetting to lock that door—but I can’t say I was sorry that I had right at that moment.
The expression in the stranger’s piercing pewter-grey eyes when they locked with mine was mesmerising, making my breath stutter in my throat and my heart-rate soar, flooding my body with dopamine as I gazed back at him.
He just stood there, with his firm lips slightly parted and his striking eyes narrowed and looked at me. Really looked at me. Like there was nothing else on earth but me, naked in that bath.
Spurred on by the captivation I saw in his face, I began to move my stilled fingers again, bathing in his intense, penetrating gaze, feeling the heat of his wanton attention right down to my bones.
Over the gentle splash of the water I could hear his breath as it scythed in and out of his throat, and through the haze of my need to finish what I’d started I saw his shoulders tense and his hands bunch rigidly at his sides, as if he was fighting to keep them there—to stop himself from reaching down into the water and touching me.
That thought took me right to the edge, and as I began to hit my peak, greedy, unconcealed desire flashed across his face, tipping me over. I came in intense waves, a loud groan of pleasure rasping through my throat as my release rushed to my head, blurring my vision.
My noisy declaration of pleasure seemed to shock him out of his shameless voyeurism, and as my world came back to rights I saw him take a step backwards, his brow furrowed into a deep frown, blinking as if he’d just come to his senses.