Substitute Seduction (Sweet Tea And Scandal 2)

Nor was her mother any less demanding. If her father expected her to succeed professionally, her mother had her sights set on London’s social achievements. To that end, there had been hours of volunteer work and social events her mother dragged her to. Becoming engaged to Linc had been a triumph. But even then it grew obvious that no matter how much London did, it was never enough.

“I just texted Beau,” Maribelle said. “He suggests we fly up on Saturday and back on Sunday. So we can see the practice rounds. Will that work for you? Usually you have parties on Saturday night, don’t you?”

As easy as it would be to use work as an excuse, she heard the excitement in her friend’s voice and sighed in surrender. “All we have is a small anniversary party and Annette is handling that.” To London’s surprise, she realized she was looking forward to getting out of town. She’d been working like a madwoman since Linc had ended their engagement. Keeping busy was the best way to avoid dwelling on her failed relationship. “And since Beau is flying us up, I’ll take care of the hotel rooms.”

“We should go shopping for something to wear. In fact, we should go shopping right now.”

London imagined her friend grabbing her purse and heading for her car. “What’s the hurry?”

“I need to make sure you wear something on your date tonight that doesn’t scream I’m not interested in getting laid.”

“I’m not,” London protested.

“Have you been with anyone since Linc?”

London winced. “You know I haven’t.”

“You need a rebound relationship. I think Harrison Crosby would be perfect.”

That Maribelle had echoed what London herself had been thinking less than an hour earlier didn’t surprise her. The two women had been friends so long they sometimes finished each other’s sentences.

“Why do you say that?” London asked.

“Because he’s the furthest thing from someone you’d ever settle down with, so that makes him a good bet for a casual fling.”

London was warming to the idea of a quick, steamy interlude with the sexy race-car driver. Still, she’d never slept with anyone she didn’t have feelings for. Yet with what she, Everly and Zoe were up to, maybe the fact that London wasn’t going to fall for the guy was a plus.

“You might be right.”

Maybe it would be okay to give sexual chemistry and a casual relationship a quick spin. They were both adults. What harm could it do?

Three

Harrison arrived at The Front Porch ten minutes early and parked himself at the bar in easy range of the entrance to wait for London’s arrival. Since leaving her office that morning, he’d been half expecting she’d call to cancel. With each hour that passed, he’d grown increasingly confident that she wasn’t going to fight their mutual attraction. Yet now, as he counted down the minutes until she walked in, he found his stomach tying itself into anxious knots.

Her effect on him should’ve sent him running in the opposite direction. Already he suspected that they were at odds on several fundamental issues. For one thing, she wasn’t his type and it was pretty clear he wasn’t hers. She was elegant and aloof. Completely the opposite of the fun-loving ladies who hung out at the track, enjoyed drinking beer and weren’t afraid to get a little dirty.

He imagined she’d be bossy as hell in a relationship. Tonight was a good example. She’d chosen the time and place, taking control, making it clear if he wanted to play, it would be by her rules. Harrison smirked. She could make all the rules she wanted. He’d bend every one.

The restaurant’s front door opened, and before Harrison had fully focused on the woman on the threshold, his heart gave a hard jerk. For someone accustomed to facing near collisions at ridiculous speeds and regularly operating at high levels of stress for long periods of time without faltering, Harrison wasn’t sure what to make of the jolt London’s arrival had given him.

For the space of several irregular breaths as her gaze swept the restaurant in search of him, Harrison had the opportunity to take her in. She’d changed her clothe

s since their earlier meeting and looked stunning in a navy dress with a broad neckline that bared her delicate shoulders and the hollows above her collarbones. The material hugged her upper body, highlighting the curves of her breasts, before flaring into a full skirt that stopped at her knees. The dark color contrasted with the creamy tones of her pale skin and highlighted her blue eyes. She’d pulled her hair back into a loose knot at the base of her neck and left long strands of gold waves to frame her face. Her only jewelry was a pair of simple pearl earrings.

When she spotted him, her uncertain smile hit Harrison like lightning. His nerves buzzed in the aftermath as he made his way through the crowded bar toward her.

“You look gorgeous,” he murmured, cupping his fingers around her bare arm and leaning down to graze a kiss across her cheek.

Her body tensed at his familiarity, but her smile remained in place as he stepped back and looked down at her.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice neither breathless nor coy. She took in his jeans, light blue shirt and oatmeal-colored blazer. “You look quite dapper,” she said, reaching out to tug at the navy pocket square in his breast pocket.

“I’m glad you approve,” he said and meant it. “And I’m glad you were able to join me for dinner tonight.”

“You were kind to invite me.”

Niceties concluded, Harrison set his hand on her back and guided her toward the hostess. They were led to a table by the front windows overlooking King Street.