Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

Mike broke into a heated sweat.

“And what was that curse?” she asked, oblivious to his desire, enthralled instead by the story that had haunted his family for generations.

He could repeat it by heart. “Any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and his fortune.”

“Nasty curse,” Amber said.

“Yeah. Just because I had a horny relative, every male down the family line has suffered unimaginable pain and misfortune.” He shook his head.

“But your cousin Derek is married to a woman he loves now, right?” she asked.

Mike raised an eyebrow. “Just how long were you standing there, listening to the conversation I had with my father?”

She waved her hand, dismissing the question. “Are they happily married?”

“So far…but my father’s convinced Gabrielle miscarried because of the curse and he’s been trying to protect them from future harm with his voodoo and hocus-pocus.”

“Then those were juju dolls I saw hanging from the trees by the house.”

Mike nodded, preferring not to go there. “Gabrielle is a famous author whose research dispels paranormal belief for a living. Ever hear of Gabrielle Donovan?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes! I’ve seen her books!”

“She’s convinced Derek that all the family misfortune has been a combination of circumstance and coincidence. Frankly, I’m inclined to believe her, too. Now, does that answer all your questions?”

“It does,” she said, sounding surprised he’d leveled with her.

“Now, about my money…?”

She made a tsking sound. “You do have a one-track mind, don’t you? I’m your wife, remember? What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.” She held up her hand and the big gaudy diamond flashed at him from across the room.

He hadn’t realized she’d kept the ring, let alone continued to wear it.

Seeing it dangle on her finger again brought everything crashing back. The fun, the rush of excitement and most of all the desire he’d felt the moment he’d laid eyes on her. And their wedding night, something he hadn’t been able to forget, no matter how angry he’d been.

That same desire had enveloped him from the moment he walked into his apartment and found her nearly naked on his bed, as well a yearning he’d been tamping down during the visit to his father’s, watching her accept Edward as if he and his descented skunk were normal. He’d felt it again as she’d held his hand during the hour-long ride home in silent understanding.

“My wife?” he repeated her words.

She nodded. “Legally.”

He started toward her in a deliberately predatory way. “If you’re going to insist on calling yourself my wife, I’m going to want something more from this marriage than the aggravation I’ve had so far.”

She met his gaze without backing down. “I think the time we spent in your hotel room was pretty darn good.” Her eyes widened. “I’d even call it aggravation free, if you ask me. Don’t you agree?”

The memory of consummating their marriage was potent and his body hardened at the reminder. It suddenly didn’t matter that she’d betrayed him. He still wanted her as badly as that first time.

Wanting to make sure she understood his intentions, he stood over her chair, grasped the armrests and leaned over her, his lips inches from hers. Her warm, feminine scent tempted him, aroused him, drew him in.

“We have unresolved issues,” he said, staring into her beautiful blue eyes. “The money and the marriage.”

“I know we do. But you need to know I didn’t want to leave you and I came back—”

He didn’t let her finish, cutting off her words with his lips. She was his wife and she was willing and he kissed her hard and deep, branding her as his.

Amber kissed him back, but let Mike take charge. She wasn’t going to pass up the chance to be with him again, to remind him how good they were together. To feel it for herself.

His large hands cupped her face and he tipped her head, giving his tongue better, deeper access to her mouth. He thoroughly claimed her, leaving no place untouched. All she could do was hold on to his shoulders and feel.