by Susanna Carr
Sean leaned closer as he watched the tip of Isabel’s tongue dart into the corner of her lips. He narrowed his eyes as he realized that every move she’d made tonight had drawn his focus to her mouth. “Isabel,” he said in a rough tone, “are you practicing what you read in the seduction book?”
She gazed up at him from beneath her lashes. “What if I am?”
“No wonder they want to ban the book,” he muttered.
“So it’s working?”
“No,” he lied. That kind of information was dangerous in Isabel’s hands.
She gave him a look that indicated she didn’t believe him. “I guess I need more practice,” she said as she walked to the table by the door and picked up her purse.
His gut twisted hard as he imagined Isabel flirting with another man. “On who?” He realized he sounded territorial but he couldn’t help himself.
She looked over her shoulder. “On you, of course. Good night, Sean.”
That was even worse, Sean decided as he watched Isabel leave. As the front door closed, Sean exhaled shakily and dragged his hands down his face. He was in deep trouble. He forced himself to turn away and enter the study, where Keith was working at his desk.
Sean hesitated at the threshold as his attention immediately went to the crimson Persian rug. He couldn’t walk into this room without thinking about that night. He still remembered how rough the rug had been against his back while Isabel had straddled him and ridden him hard.
“Hawkins,” Keith said with a sigh before leaning back in his chair, “we need to discuss Isabel.”
He froze as guilt slammed into him. But one glance at Keith and he was reassured that his boss was unaware of the one-night stand. “What about her?” he asked as he walked into the room.
“I’m concerned. She’s changed and not for the better.” Keith closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Were you aware that she has been warned about her job at the library? A few of the women in the reading circle are on the board of the library’s trustees. They’ve threatened to fire her. I don’t know what she’d do if she lost the job she loves. All she ever wanted to do was work at that library. But one of the reasons she was hired was because she didn’t cause waves. Until now.”
“She has been causing a stir.” She’d stirred him up, all right. He still couldn’t get through the day without thinking about Isabel. He would get lost in the memory of how her soft skin had tasted and the unexpected guttural moan she’d uttered when she climaxed. And he frequently wished he had stripped off her clothes. He wanted to lick and kiss her entire body and watch the flush of satisfaction spread across her pale skin.
“She doesn’t seem to care that a perfectly good man dumped her because of all this.” Keith tossed his pen down on the desk. “Sure, they hadn’t been serious, but he might be the next mayor.”
“Perfectly good man?” Sean said. “A few months ago, you had said he was an idiot.”
“But he had a good background. Isabel did, too,” he grumbled, “but now she’s the talk of the town.”
“Isabel takes her good reputation for granted,” Sean said. He couldn’t believe that she would throw away something so valuable for sex.
Mind-blowing sex, sure. She had been spellbinding. Her bold and sensual moves had rendered him speechless when she’d taken control. That part still unnerved him. He was always in charge, except for that night.
Keith frowned. “What did you say?”
Sean’s body clenched as his blood ran cold. What had he said? “Isabel has enjoyed a stellar reputation for decades,” he said hurriedly, “but she doesn’t understand that one mistake could cost her. Once her reputation is lost, she can’t regain it.”
He had learned that lesson well. As an angry boy, Sean had gotten into a lot of trouble at school, at home and in his neighborhood. But when he finally cleaned up his act, no one believed it. They only saw the young man he used to be, not the one he had become. No one would give him a chance and he’d had to leave everything he knew for a fresh start.
Now Sean understood the value of a good reputation. He spent years developing one in Seedling by exerting a rigid control over himself, and he would protect that reputation at all costs. Isabel needed to do the same.
“Exactly, and around here, a reputation is more valuable than currency.” Keith rubbed his hand over his chin. “I’m glad to hear that you agree with me, Hawkins. Which is why I’m asking you for a favor.”
There was something in his boss’s tone that put him on alert. It wasn’t unusual for Keith to ask him to take care of personal matters, but this request sounded as if it might be beyond the call of duty. “What do you need, sir?”
“Find out what’s going on in that book club.” The older man set his mouth into a grim line. “I bet you that Laura Dawson is part of it. She has always been a bad influence.”
“You want me to go to the meetings?” Sean wasn’t sure it was in his best interest to spend more time with Isabel. He was already having trouble keeping his hands off her.
“I want you to do whatever is necessary to rein Isabel in.”
No way. He immediately squelched that wayward thought. As much as he enjoyed watching her bloom as she explored her sensuality, Isabel was heading for trouble. So was he. He didn’t feel like a gentleman when he was around her. He felt primitive and uncivilized, ready to claim her in a very public way. Her newfound rebellious spirit proved that his transformation was only skin deep.
The sooner Isabel started to behave like her old self, the easier it would be to reclaim his image and the faster he would find his peace of mind. After a lifetime of upheaval, Sean was determined to live a tranquil future.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” Sean promised. “You can count on me.”
* * *
“ALL RIGHT, MISS DORIS,” Isabel said quietly so her voice didn’t echo in the library. She turned the computer screen so the older woman could see it. “I’ve ordered the book and it should arrive by the end of the week.”
Doris frowned as she slid her glasses down her nose. “That many days?”
“I’m sorry, but all the copies in the library system have been checked out. I take it this is for the reading circle?”
Doris nodded. “The selection committee highly recommended the book. Have you read it?”
“Yes, when I was in college.” It had been a struggle to get through the depressing book. It was one tragedy after another. In other words, the reading circle’s idea of a good time.
Doris rested her arms on the circulation desk and leaned forward. “What is your book club reading?”
Isabel hesitated. It wasn’t a secret but she was tired of being judged for her reading preferences. It was a new development for her. In the past her choices had never been questioned. Now she was causing raised eyebrows and comments about how she was becoming just like her mother.
But she wasn’t ashamed of what she was reading. She wouldn’t conceal the book covers or make apologies for reading something other than a “literary masterpiece.”
Isabel leaned forward on the desk, echoing Doris’s stance. “We’re reading a book written by a madam who ran a brothel.”
Doris pushed her glasses back up. “Really?”
“It’s a how-to book on seducing a man.”
“I’d rather read that than this tearjerker.” Miss Doris gave her a thoughtful gaze. “Does anything this madam says work?”
Isabel gave an awkward shrug. “I wouldn’t know.” Her attempts last night hadn’t worked on Sean but she was sure she just needed more practice.
“Sweetie, what’s the point of reading about seduction if you’re not going to do it?”
“Don’t give her any ideas, Miss Doris,” Sean said as he strolled through the door.
“Sean.” Isabel’s b
reath caught in her chest as he approached the desk. The silent library suddenly came alive. Sean Hawkins strode into any room like a conqueror, immediately taking command. He wore a blue pinstripe suit and he had a determined look in his eyes. He had an energy, a powerful aura, that made people take notice.
Doris pursed her lips with disapproval. “What are you doing here, Sean Hawkins? You never visit the library.”
“Miss Doris, I had no idea that you kept track of me,” he said with a smile as he leaned against the desk next to the older woman. “I’m touched that you care.”
“Harrumph. I always keep my eyes on the troublemakers.”
“Now I’m wounded.” He flattened his hand on his chest. “I’m always on my best behavior.”
“That’s what worries me,” Doris said as she hooked her bag over her shoulder and left. “I know a troublemaker when I see one.”
Sean watched Doris Brown march to the exit. “That woman never liked me,” he said as she left the building.
“It’s because you’re not originally from Seedling,” she assured him.
“No, that can’t be it.”
Isabel couldn’t imagine any other reason. Sean was hardworking, took care of the people at the Bennett Company as if they were family and could be charming when he wanted to be. With his formal dress and manners, he was the kind of man every little old lady adored. He should be boring and bland, but instead he was the most exciting man Isabel knew.
She had learned a lot about Sean since he’d moved to Seedling three years ago, but she wanted to learn more. She had only caught a glimpse of his primitive sexual side. It had excited her and it had answered something deep within her. She wanted to explore it further.
But he didn’t. Why? If he were the opportunist he claimed to be, wouldn’t he jump at the chance? What they had shared was amazing. He should be pursuing her, begging for more.
But what if that night hadn’t been amazing for Sean? What if that was the real reason he didn’t want to make the one-night stand into something more? What if she lacked the excitement he needed?
Isabel tamped down the anxious thoughts and met Sean’s gaze. There was something different in the way he looked at her today. His light blue eyes held a predatory gleam.
Impossible. The man had no interest in hunting her. It was wishful thinking on her part.
“Why are you here, Sean? I don’t remember you coming into the library before, either.” She tilted her head as she considered his lack of visits. “Do you have a library card?”
“I wanted to talk to you about your book club,” he said. “I want in.”
She blinked a few times. She couldn’t possibly have heard that correctly. “Excuse me?”
“I want to join your book club.”
He seemed serious. “Why?” The word dragged out of her mouth.
“Why do most people join a book club? To discuss books and read something out of their comfort zone.”
Isabel frowned. “You only read emails and business magazines.”
“True.” Sean nodded. “Time to broaden my horizons, don’t you think?”
“No. What are you up to, Sean?” She couldn’t figure out what his angle could be.
“When’s your next meeting?”
She straightened her shoulders. No, no, no. He wasn’t going to invade her book club. She wasn’t going to have him ask provocative questions or slice through her arguments. Okay, so that would be welcome in most book clubs, but she wasn’t going to share her thoughts with him about these books. “It’s by invitation only.”
“Then invite me.”
She shivered at his low and rough voice. “No.”
“Why not?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” Their meetings were her safe place. A time to bounce ideas off her friends and ask questions. After plenty of Sunday dinners with Sean, she knew the Blacklist Book Club’s discussions would completely deteriorate into a battle of wills if he was there.
Sean rested his chin against his hand. “Are you worried that I would learn all your secrets? Find out all the tricks and tips from your readings?”
It was a concern. Knowledge was power. These books emboldened her and she was learning how to reach out and take what she wanted. But the bold side of her wasn’t fully formed, and she couldn’t discuss these subjects with him until it was.
“I want to join the book club,” he said firmly.
“No.” Never. Not going to happen.
“Who? What? What was that?” Laura said as she skidded across the floor and stood next to Sean. “Someone wants to join the Blacklist Book Club?”
Sean turned to Laura. “I beg your pardon?”
Isabel closed her eyes and prayed for strength. The last thing she needed was for Sean to have more ammunition against her at the next Sunday dinner.
“We read books that have been blacklisted in Seedling,” Laura announced with pride.
Sean slowly turned back to Isabel. “Isabel failed to mention that part.”
“Is it a deal breaker for you?” Isabel asked hopefully.
“No, Sean.” Laura rested her hand against his arm, her lime-green manicured nails clashing with his conservative suit. “You must join. We need a man in the group.”
“I disagree,” Isabel said as her gaze clashed with Sean’s. “A man would change the tone of the book discussions.”
“For the better,” she heard Laura insist. “Sydney was saying the other day that we should have a male’s point of view to balance out the discussions.”
That sounded like Sydney, Isabel decided. As a reporter, Sydney always wanted to hear the other side of the argument.
Laura patted Sean’s arm. “I’m sure if I called Sydney now, she would convince you to come to the next meeting. It’s tomorrow at Isabel’s apartment.”
“He hasn’t read the book,” Isabel said. And she hoped he never would. She had used almost every technique the book described on him. “And the ones the library had are all checked out. Sorry.”
“I can borrow yours,” he told Isabel. “I know you have finished reading it.”
His comment left her flustered. Was he aware of all the seductive techniques she had tried on him? “Why would you assume that?”
“You’d never wait until the last minute to finish an assignment.”
“You know Isabel well,” Laura said with a laugh. “Go on, Isabel. Give him your copy.”
Isabel’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She was outnumbered and outmaneuvered. She marched across the floor to her office and retrieved the book from her desk. When she spun around, Sean and Laura were standing by her office door. Look at the bright side, she thought as she reluctantly handed over the book to Sean, at least you didn’t write any notes in the margins or underline any passages.
“I’ll take good care of it,” he promised.
“The meeting starts at seven-thirty,” she said.
“It’s casual,” Laura said, eyeing his suit and tie. “And bring a bottle of wine.”
He gave a nod and left, but Isabel was still a jumble of nerves. “I don’t know about this, Laura,” she muttered.
“You’ve got to lighten up, Isabel.” Laura gave a playful punch on her arm. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
2
“YOU ARE WRONG,” Sydney declared.
Sean had never attended a book club meeting before so he hadn’t been sure what to expect. From what he’d heard about the reading circle, he’d assumed he was going to suffer through a structured format. The Blacklist Book Club, however, was a free-for-all.
Laura held her hands up as if that would silence everyone. “I stand by what I said.”
Sean leaned back in his chair as he watched the women argue. He could tell they were friends but
the three couldn’t be more different. Sydney Tate was furiously flipping through her dog-eared copy while Laura lounged on the sofa, not requiring any data to back up her words. Isabel sat primly on the edge of her chair as she listened to her friends.
“It’s true,” Laura said as she folded her legs on the sofa. “This book is way better than the erotic diary.”
Sydney gave a snort. “That’s like comparing apples to oranges.”
“How can you say that, Laura?” Isabel turned her head abruptly, causing her blond hair to swing. He remembered running his fingers through the blunt cut. He ached with the need to bury his hands into her soft and silky hair.
“Listen, Isabel, I know that the erotic diary had a big impact on you,” Laura said. “It changed your outlook on life, and not just in the way you dress.”
Sean noticed Isabel’s shoulders tense and he got the sense that she was trying desperately not to glance at him. But it was too late. He’d heard. She couldn’t refute that even her friends believed she had been under the influence of that erotic diary lately.
He didn’t feel victorious. A small part of him didn’t want to be right because it meant that night hadn’t been special to her. That he wasn’t special to her. The knowledge settled in his chest like a dull ache.
He also agreed with her friends that she’d changed the way she dressed, though the differences were subtle. Tonight she wore a red gingham sundress that flared at the hips. The classic style and modest scooped neckline suited her, but it was rare to see her bare, toned arms.
What really grabbed his attention, though, was that she was barefoot. Her feet looked soft and he imagined her stroking them down his legs. And the bright red varnish on her toes surprised him. He’d expected a pale or clear color, but it didn’t explain why he couldn’t stop looking.
“One of the things this book has going for it is that you can use the information,” Laura continued. “There is nothing you can take from the erotic diary and apply to real life.”
“I have to disagree,” Sydney said as she grabbed for her wineglass. “You should try keeping an erotic diary and see what happens.”