Indulgent Pleasures

He took a step closer. She caught a whiff again of pine and spice and she thought of cool mountain nights. Cuddling beneath a thick blanket, watching flames dance in a giant river rock fireplace. A strong man’s arms wrapped around her, his silky hot breath in her ear, firm lips against her cheek...

“Looking for a taxi?”

His deep voice shook her from the little fantasy she’d conjured up and her eyes met his, held for a moment too long. Uncomfortable she let her gaze wander, drinking him in. His stance was casual, hands in his pockets, arms akimbo and the sides of his jacket tucked back. His white shirt stretched taut across his broad chest and flat belly and she

licked her lips, suddenly hungry.

This man would work most definitely. Sex with a stranger was one of the top ten female fantasies according to the extensive national poll conducted by affiliates of City. He certainly qualified as a stranger.

A shiver moved through her. Sex with this man, the best looking man she’d ever had the chance to run into, let alone meet? Was he even interested in her?

“You’re definitely cold.” He shrugged out of his jacket and then wrapped it around her, his wide palms cupping her shoulders for the briefest moment before he released her. “Better?”

“Thank you.” The jacket was still warm from his skin and it dwarfed her, the hem hanging to the middle of her thighs. It smelled like him, his scent reminded her of fresh autumn air and she wanted to close her eyes, breathe deep and absorb it.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she watched the passing cars and she switched from one foot to the other, her arches aching. Her liquid courage abandoning her as fast as it had arrived.

“So you need a ride?”

“What? Oh, yes I’m waiting for a non-existent taxi.” She glanced at the street once more. She couldn’t help her sarcasm as the cars whooshed by, not one taxi amongst them.

“I can give you a ride.”

Stephanie turned to face him again and she bit her lower lip. His smoldering gaze swept her over from head to toe, doing a slow perusal and her body reacted as if he had physically touched her. She was all tingling bits and hardened nipples, hot skin and slick panties.

Never had she reacted this way just from one man’s glance.

She should be offended by the blatant way he checked her out. But she wasn’t, not by a long shot. “You have a car?”

“Oh, yeah. Hold on.” He pulled out his cell phone and pushed a single button, speaking so low she couldn’t make out what he said. As quickly as he’d made the call, he slipped the phone back into his pants’ pocket, a small smile curving his lips.

Nice lips, she noticed. Really nice lips. Utterly kissable lips too.

“How’s your ankle?”

“My ankle?” She watched his mouth, loving the way it moved when he spoke and his smile grew.

“You know the ankle you twisted when you fell into me back in the club?” One dark brow lifted, an incredibly sexy move and his words slowly sunk into her alcohol-addled brain.

Oh, right. Her ankle. It throbbed a little but she was all right.

“It’s fine.” She waved her hand as if to wave her injury away. “It’s so great I already forgot about it.”

“Right.” He nodded, his gaze dropping to her feet. “It looks swollen.”

“It does?” She twisted around, lifting her foot to check it out but she wobbled on one wedge. “Whoa.”

Her personal savior grabbed her again, his hands wrapping around her upper arms and keeping her steady. Her heart fluttered at his touch.

“Trust me, it’s swollen. Give me a minute and I’ll look at it.”

A sleek black Lincoln Towncar pulled up to the curb, stopping right in front of them and she glanced at him. “Is this your car?”

“For the night, yeah.” He nodded, leading her toward the back passenger door. “Be careful with your ankle when you get in.”

Stephanie paused, gauging the situation. She was about to climb into a very expensive car with a very handsome man she didn’t know. A man who had a nice smile, a hot body and extremely quick reflexes.