He shook his head. If even one other person had expressed interest in the job, Ryan would have escorted that glamorous piece of fluff right back out to the parking lot. Jesus, she looked as if she’d just jetted into town between modeling assignments. She looked more out of place at Griffin’s than he would have at a one of those silly debutante balls. God, he should have known better than to leave Evan in charge of the hiring. His younger brother was an expert at bringing trouble to the door, then disappearing as he’d done today—and Ryan was frankly exhausted from cleaning up the messes. And there was no doubt that Laurel Newman would be trouble. Any woman who looked like her meant Trouble with a capital T. And that rhymed with P and that stood for Problem.
And more problems he didn’t need.
Turn the page for a preview of
the historical romance featuring
The Ladies Literary Society of London
by Jacquie D’Alessandro
Seduced at Midnight
Available now from Berkley Sensation!
The latest Ladies Literary Society of London read is a ghost story that propels Lady Julianne Bradley into the greatest adventure of her life … with the Bow Street Runner her heart cries out for, but who can never be hers.
“You shouldn’t have come out here, Lady Julianne.” Even the darkness couldn’t disguise the heated intensity of his gaze. Dear God, the way he was looking at her … as if he were a starving beast and she was a tasty morsel he’d happened upon. And the way he made her feel … as if she were gasping for air and he was the last bit of oxygen on earth.
Holding her breath, she stood in an aching jumble of desperate want, need, apprehension, and anticipation, unable to move, waiting to see what he’d do next.
Just when she thought his hot scrutiny would incinerate her where she stood, his gaze shifted to study each of her features. When he came to her mouth, he lingered for several breath-stealing seconds before slowly raising his gaze back to hers.
“You should return to the house,” Gideon said.
Julianne had to swallow twice to locate her voice. “Yes,” she whispered.
She should return. She knew it. But apparently her feet did not as they remained firmly rooted in place. Maybe perhaps she might possibly have convinced her feet to move, but then he touched a single fingertip to her cheek. And the only thing fleeing the garden were any thoughts of her leaving.
His finger followed the same path his gaze had just traveled, painting feather-light strokes over her face. The tip of his finger was hard. Blunt. Calloused. Not that of a gentleman. Yet infinitely gentle.
She watched him as he touched her, noting the avid way his gaze followed his finger. The muscle that ticked in his square jaw. With his finger lightly circling the outer curve of her ear—a bit of skin she’d had no idea was so sensitive—he leaned in. Brushed his cheek against her hair.
In an agony of anticipation, Julianne remained perfectly still, terrified that if she so much as breathed he would stop. End this wondrous adventure. She heard him take a slow, deep breath, one he released in a ragged stream of warmth against her temple.
“Delicious,” he muttered. “Bloody hell, I knew you’d smell delicious.” The last words ended on a low groan. “What is that scent?”
How could he possibly expect her to answer questions? With an effort, she managed to say, “Vanilla.”
“Yes …” He pulled in another deep breath. “You smell like the bake shop. Warm. Sweet. Scrumptious.” His lips brushed over her hair, and he groaned again. “You really need to return to the ball, Julianne. Now.”
The intimacy of that gravelly voice saying her name, without the formal use of her title, touched something deep inside her. She could no more have left the garden at that moment than she could have held back the tide. She’d longed for a moment like this—free of the suffocating constraints of society and away from the ever-vigilant eye of her mother who was determined to see her married off to a duke. Dear God, if Mother suspected Julianne was alone with a man, let alone a man like Gideon—a Bow Street Runner, a commoner—she’d fly into the boughs and never allow Julianne out of her sight for an instant.
But this was the man who’d haunted Julianne’s dreams for months, who’d set her dreams and imagination on fire. A man who could never be hers for longer than this stolen instant in time. She’d longed for a chance like this and nothing her common sense or conscience screamed at her could deter her.
“No,” she whispered. “Not now.”
FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
JACQUIE D’ALESSANDRO
Tempted
at Midnight
Lady Emily Stapleford never dreamed that the burden of saving her family from financial ruin would rest on her lovely, resourceful shoulders. Since she’s willing to marry only for love, and not money, Emily pens a story she hopes will bring her fortune—only to have it rejected by every publishing firm. After all, what respectable reader would dare embrace a vampire heroine?
Not to be dissuaded, Emily decides to stir public interest by creating false vampire sightings. Overnight, London is abuzz with the news. With renewed interest in Emily’s book, she’s guaranteed success—if it wasn’t for the mysterious American Logan Jennsen. He’s onto Emily’s duplicity, and he has every intention of using it to his advantage. If only he wasn’t falling in love with this unabashedly creative woman. And if only he didn’t have a scandalous secret of his own—one that’s putting both their lives in danger …
penguin.com
M799T1110
Also Available From New York Times
Bestselling Author
JACQUIE D’ALESSANDRO
Seduced at Midnight
The Ladies Literary Society of London gathers again for a ghost story …
Lady Julianne Bradley has always longed to indulge in a wild adventure. Unfortunately, the man with whom she wishes to share her fervor can never be hers. Tormented by her desire, she’s preparing for a suitable marriage when she witnesses ghostly occurrences straight out of her latest read. To protect Julianne, her father hires the very man her heart cries out for.
penguin.com
M376T0211
Berkley Sensation Titles by Jacquie D’Alessandro
SEDUCED AT MIDNIGHT
TEMPTED AT MIDNIGHT
SUMMER AT SEASIDE COVE
Anthologies
DOUBLE THE PLEASURE
(with Lori Foster, Deirdre Martin, and Penny McCall)
Summer at Seaside Cove Page 38