Unwrapped (Unwrapped and Unraveled 1)

"Damn, Mitch, I should have never left your side," Justin said, tipping his glass toward him. "You've made one hell of a life for yourself."

"Thanks. So much a life that I have to unload some of the business side of it so I have a chance to enjoy a few of the fruits of all the years of labor."

"That's why you have us," Amy said. "To help you divest some of your hard work.

It's time for you to relax a little and unburden yourself."

Mitch laughed. "I'm hardly ready to head out to pasture yet, Amy."

Amy sat straight in her chair, realizing her blunder. "Oh. Of course not. That's not what I meant at all. I mean, for someone your age you're in phenomenal shape. Most guys half your age don't look as good as you."

She realized she was babbling, and in a really inappropriate way. Why didn't she just crawl into his lap, lick him all over and just complete the humiliation?

Her cheeks flushed hot, her eyes widened, and Mitch grinned.

Jesus, could he read her mind?

"I'm sorry," she said. "Long flight, not much sleep and...what's in these drinks anyway?" She pushed the offending cocktail to the center of the table.

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Mitch pushed it back in front of her. "Amy, chill. I'm the last person to be insulted. I want you and Justin to have a good time here. I'm a pretty laid back kind of guy. You can say, or do, anything you want."

He wasn't helping by saying things like that.

"Now that's a tempting offer," Justin said, slanting his gaze to Amy. "And Mitch is right, Amy. You do need to unwind."

Amy's gaze shifted back and forth between Justin and Mitch, and her fruity-drink-addled brain went foggy.

Oh, yeah. That could be fun and a fantasy come true. Sexy, forbidden Justin, the man who'd fueled her fantasies for years, and rugged, outdoorsy Mitch, older, experienced...

"It's hot out here," she mumbled. "And I should get some food into my empty stomach to counteract the effects of these cocktails."

"Oh I don't know," Justin said. "I kind of like you loosened up and under the effects of alcohol."

The warmth of Justin's gaze was unnerving. She fought it by using her normal antagonistic attitude, her only armor against him. "You would. Wouldn't it advance your agenda?"

Normally Justin would tell her that his interests were purely professional. This time, he leaned across the table. She took a deep breath and inhaled the fresh, just-showered scent of him.

"Actually, I do have an agenda where you're concerned, Amy. But it has nothing to do with business."

Before she could react to that bold statement, Mitch laid his hand on her forearm, and she dragged her shocked gaze away from Justin.

"It's not hot out here, Amy," Mitch said. "There's a cool breeze coming off the water. I think it's just you."

Amy stared straight into Mitch's piercing blue eyes, and melted.

Between the two of them, she was going insane. Cool breeze, hell. She'd like to crawl onto cool sheets, naked. With both of them.

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Jaci Burton

She was in so much trouble. And it had nothing to do with the cocktails.

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Unwrapped

Chapter Three

Justin fought back a grin. Amy was definitely wavering, and he didn't think it was entirely due to the alcohol.

Damn, she looked beautiful with her hair down, the breeze blowing the strands away from her face. Moonlight glowed on her bare shoulders, and he wanted to press his lips to them, work his mouth from there to her neck, then everywhere else. He'd bet she'd taste like strawberries. Every time she walked by him she smelled like strawberries.

She may act like the no-nonsense, straight-laced corporate professional, but she smelled damn edible and she was driving him crazy, because she had everything he wanted in a woman--intelligence, independence, beauty and she knew exactly what she wanted out of life.

There was nothing he'd change about her.

Okay, maybe one thing. He wanted to be included in those things she wanted in her life. She worked too damn hard and she never played, never had a serious relationship, always got involved with the wrong kind of guys.

Correction--she never got involved at all. She used men as arm candy, but she never had relationships. Her life was her work and Justin meant to change that, because he'd been guilty of the same thing.

Because too much work and not enough play wasn't getting either of them what they wanted. He wanted Amy, she wanted him, and she also wanted a menage.

And Justin intended to give Amy a very special Christmas present this year. But first, he was going to have to figure out just how far he could go with Amy, because his intent wasn't to push her into something she really didn't want or wasn't ready for.

Though he had a pretty good idea it wouldn't take much pushing.

In fact, he intended to start tonight. But first, it was going to be just the two of them.

He was greedy--he wanted Amy all to himself.

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Jaci Burton

They ate dinner, discussed a little business, and had more drinks. Amy seemed to relax, which was a good thing. He'd been hoping this trip to Hawaii would help her loosen up a little, and even for the first day, it was working. By the time the four day trip was over, he planned to have her completely stress-free.

"So we'll meet in your office in the morning to sign all the paperwork?" Amy asked Mitch.

Mitch nodded. "I'll surf in the morning, so how about ten?"

"Ten works," Justin said. "It'll give me time to take a run on the beach and clean up before we head to your office."

"Great." Mitch pushed back from his chair, lifted Amy's hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Have a little fun and don't work so hard. I'll see you in the morning."

Justin noted Amy's gaze was riveted on Mitch

as he kissed her hand. The heat in her eyes didn't escape him. The odd thing was, he felt no jealousy, because when she looked at Mitch it was lust. When she looked at him, yeah there was definitely lust in her eyes, but something more than that. He couldn't really explain it, it was just...different. He supposed he'd have to explore that. With her. Starting tonight.

After Mitch left, Amy pushed her chair back. "I think I'll call it a night." He noticed she was weaving just a bit.

"I'll go with you. You look a little unsteady on your feet."

She managed a little smile. "Those fruity cocktails pack one hell of a wallop."

They hadn't made it more than a few steps outside the restaurant when Justin realized Amy was more than a little bit hammered. Not enough to have her stripping and jumping into the ocean naked, sadly, but enough that her typical inhibitions were long gone.

Good. Not that he'd take advantage of her in her inebriated state.

Much.

She weaved and crashed into him.

"Shit," she mumbled, blowing her hair out of her eyes. "Sorry."

He lifted her so he carried more of her weight. "Darlin, you're toasted."

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She stopped, tilted her head back to stare at him. "I am not. I just didn't eat enough today."

"Which means the alcohol got to you."

She waggled her brows. "Maybe a little. It feels good. I need to do this more often."

A-freakin-men to that. He liked the feel of her body pressed up against him.

Normally she kept her distance. More than kept her distance. Like the other side of the room if possible. Now she was close. Close enough for him to smell her skin, feel the softness of her body as he held her waist and maneuvered her along the walkway toward their rooms. He'd been waiting a long time for this.

When he got to her door, he held out his hand. "Key."

She fished into the tiny bag and drew it out. He opened her door and walked her inside, kicking the door shut behind him.

"Where are the damn lights?" she mumbled.

"Here." Justin flipped the switch and the room was bathed in the soft glow of the light from the lamp on the nearby table.

She tossed her purse on the table and turned to him. "Thanks. Not sure I could have found my room without your help."

"You're welcome." He marched into the tiny kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator.