# Playing With Desire

Reese Ryan

Summer LovingNext in line as CEO of his family’s international luxury resorts empire, Liam Westbrook didn’t make his way to the top playing it safe. So when the fast-living British bachelor spies an exotic beauty under a smoldering North Carolina moon, he makes her a scandalous proposal. The night culminates in an all-consuming passion that leaves them both burning for more. Liam knows he can’t just walk away. But after a devastating past betrayal, can he trust where his heart is leading him?Maya Alvarez’s two young daughters are her entire world. But when she ends up alone–on her birthday–the divorced single mother does something totally out of character. She accepts an invitation that leads to a hot summer fling with a seductive stranger who makes her feel bold and desirable again. When Maya must return to the real world, will Liam and their pleasure-fueled fantasy end up as only an affair to remember?

Summer Loving

Next in line as CEO of his family’s international luxury-resort empire, Liam Westbrook didn’t make his way to the top playing it safe. So when the fast-living British bachelor spies an exotic beauty under a smoldering North Carolina moon, he makes a scandalous proposal. The night culminates in an all-consuming passion that leaves them both burning for more. Liam knows he can’t just walk away. But after a devastating past betrayal, can he trust where his heart is leading him?

Maya Alvarez’s two young daughters are her entire world. But when she ends up alone—on her birthday—the divorced single mother does something totally out of character. She accepts an invitation that leads to a hot summer fling with a seductive stranger who makes her feel bold and desirable again. When Maya must return to the real world, will Liam and their pleasure-fueled fantasy end up as only an affair to remember?

She broke the silence between them. “I have to admit, you are a pretty good dancer.”

“Pretty good?” He scoffed. “You haven’t seen the half of what I can do.”

Liam twirled Maya, pulled her in close, then dipped her, his face inches from hers as he held her in his arms. Her eyes widened in surprise. His gaze dropped to the little O her mouth formed as her breath came in short bursts. He returned his gaze to hers and slowly brought her vertical again, neither of them moving.

His heart pounded. There was something in her eyes. Something he couldn’t explain. Liam pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. Maya went completely still, then slowly relaxed, slipping her arms around his waist beneath his suit jacket.

She tasted sweet and rich like a decadent dessert you couldn’t get enough of but knew you would regret in the morning. His mind raced, wanting to taste her skin. To be enveloped in her scent.

Her kiss, raw and hungry, evoked a reaction from his body. He wanted her.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the fictional North Carolina beach town of Pleasure Cove. The men of Pleasure Cove live hard and play harder. While they’re willing to take risks in business and pleasure, past betrayals have rendered each man averse to risking his heart. Until he encounters the one woman he can’t bear to walk away from.

The women of Pleasure Cove are smart, strong and independent. Each woman must overcome insecurities sowed in past relationships to discover that relinquishing control can be empowering and that the right man makes love worth the risk.

The series opens with a chance encounter between a divorced mom and a wealthy bachelor that leads to a sizzling summer and a future neither imagined.

Enjoy your visit with the men and women of Pleasure Cove. For series news, character insights, deleted scenes and more, visit reeseryan.com.

For your reading pleasure,

Reese Ryan

Playing with Desire

Reese Ryan


www.millsandboon.co.uk

REESE RYAN writes sexy contemporary romance featuring colorful characters and sinfully sweet romance. She challenges her heroines with family and career drama, reformed bad boys, revealed secrets and the occasional identity crisis, but always rewards them with a well-earned happy ending.

A native of The Land (Cleveland, Ohio), Reese resides in North Carolina, where she carefully treads the line between being a Southerner and a Yankee, despite her insistence on calling soda “pop.” She gauges her progress by the number of “bless your lil’ hearts” she receives each week. She is currently down to two.

Reese is an avid reader with a to-be-read stack that resembles a small skyscraper, and a music lover with a serious thing for brilliant singer-songwriters and an incurable addiction to Broadway soundtracks and film scores. Connect with Reese via Instagram, Facebook or reeseryan.com.

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This book is dedicated to my parents who inspired my love of reading, the English teachers who encouraged my interest in storytelling, my grandmother who was the very definition of a strong woman of color, my loving and supportive husband who taught me the value of persistence and organization, and my sweet and insightful son who continues to challenge and amaze me.

Thank you to everyone who has touched my life, career or this story in some way—big or small. My deepest gratitude to Keyla Hernandez for discovering my submission. Thank you to Keyla and editor Shannon Criss for helping me reshape the characters and create a stronger story. I am ever grateful for your guidance as we breathed new life into these characters who feel like old friends.

To my fabulous beta readers Lani Bennett, Jonetta Allen, Michelle Smith and Tonie Jones: thank you for your honest feedback and the precious investment of your time.

Thank you to Kianna Alexander and countless other current and former Heart of Carolina Romance Writers chapter mates who have inspired me with your struggles and successes, patiently answered my questions about the craft and business of writing, and shone light on the road ahead in this ever-changing business.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Maya stepped inside Nadine’s Seafood Restaurant. The first blast of frigid air from the restaurant was a welcome contrast to the hot, sticky sea air outside, but now a chill seeped into her skin.

She scanned the waiting lounge. Her half sister, Kendra, wasn’t among the patrons waiting to be seated. Nor was she answering her cell. A knot tightened in Maya’s belly. Kendra was a stickler for punctuality and her cell phone was practically an appendage.

Something isn’t right.

Maya rubbed her arms, covered in goose bumps. She resisted the urge to adjust the strapless bodice of her dress. A birthday gift from Kendra, the thigh-skimming, baby-doll dress was shorter than anything she’d buy for herself. This was her last birthday as a twentysomething, so she’d agreed to wear it. After tonight, it would go to the back of her closet, where it belonged.

She was twenty-nine now and curvier than she’d ever been. Five years of marriage, two beautiful daughters and a nasty divorce did that to a girl. Better to keep her imperfections under wraps.

“Hello, ma’am. Do you have a reservation for this evening?” The hostess’s cheery voice dragged Maya out of her daze.

She cringed. Two hours of prep and makeup and she still couldn’t avoid being called ma’am. “Yes. Under the name Kendra Williams, I think.”

A frown formed on the hostess’s thin lips. “Sorry, I don’t have a reservation for Kendra Williams.”

“Then it’s under my name, Maya Alvarez.”

“Ah...there you are.” The hostess grinned. “Happy birthday to you, Ms. Alvarez. I’ll seat you as soon as the rest of your party arrives. If you’d like to have a seat—” the girl gestured toward the bank of leather sofas beneath a window spanning the front of the restaurant “—or perhaps you’d prefer to wait at the bar.”

Climb onto a bar stool in this dress? Not happening.

Maya thanked the girl, then surveyed the available seats. On one sofa, a sliver of space remained between two women chatting in what sounded like rapid-fire Chinese. An end seat remained on another where a couple was seated with a wailing infant.

The final sofa had a single occupant, a man wearing a charcoal-gray suit that fit his long, athletic frame like a well-designed glove. A patterned tie, in nearly the same deep shade of red as her dress, punctuated his crisp white shirt. One leg crossed over the other, the man stroked the neat beard that crawled along his strong jawline, connecting with a thin mustache. His deep tan hinted at long days spent at the beach, rather than in a tanning bed. The sides of his hair were cut low, but the crown had just enough length that it curled into dark, thick ringlets. She shivered at the brief sensation of running her fingers through them.

She licked her lips, a tingle crawling up her spine. The man glanced up, his penetrating gaze meeting hers. Maya’s heart raced.

How long had she been gawking at him like an idiot?

The corners of his sensual mouth curled as he gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment.

Maya nodded in return and sank into the cushion at the opposite end of the leather couch. When she crossed her legs, the hem of her dress rose, exposing more of her brown skin, glistening with shimmering body oil. Uncrossing her legs, she tugged at the fabric and placed her small clutch in her lap.

Her spine stiffened. Aware of the man’s stare, she glanced over at him. Lips curled into a lopsided smirk, he averted his gaze. Maya’s cheeks flooded with heat. Two minutes exposed to in-the-flesh suit porn and she’d made a complete fool of herself. Twice.

The supple leather clung to her thighs as she leaned against the arm of the couch, maintaining maximum distance from the man.

“I don’t bite.” His velvety voice startled her. He had an accent. British, maybe. She hadn’t expected that. Draping his arm over the back of the empty seat between them, he leaned closer. “Not usually, at least.”

Maya stared at him with wide eyes. How the hell was she supposed to respond to an opening line like that?

The man’s playful smile deepened.

“This seat taken?” An older man stood over them. His gaze shifted from Hot Suit Guy’s face to hers before landing on her cleavage, enhanced by the strapless dress.

It figured that the one day she wasn’t dressed in her usual soccer mom getup, she’d encounter a viejo pervertido—a dirty old man.

“No,” they responded nearly simultaneously. The man’s voice was reserved. Hers barely masked her disappointment. Their lack of enthusiasm didn’t faze the ogler. He wedged his girth between them.

“Hello, beautiful.” A lecherous grin slightly parted the older man’s dry lips. “Dining alone tonight?”

Kendra’s ringtone sounded from her clutch. Perfect timing. Maya forced a polite smile and held up one finger. Though not the one she wanted to hold up. She fished out her phone. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“Afraid not.” Kendra heaved a sigh. “Honey, I can’t make it tonight. Kai fell down the stairs after I dropped him off at my mom’s. I had to turn around and take him to the hospital.”

“Is he all right?” Maya pressed a hand to her chest.

“Knocked out his two front teeth. He needs stitches and emergency dental surgery. We’re at the hospital now.”

“Which one? I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

“Don’t you dare.” Kendra’s tone was firm. “It’s bad enough I’m bailing on you at the last minute. There’s no way I’m letting you spend your birthday in the emergency room. You at the restaurant?”

“Yes.” Maya turned her body away from the ogler’s.

“Good. Dinner is still on me. Get the lobster, drinks, the works. I’ll reimburse you. I feel so badly about this.”

“I don’t mind sitting with you guys, really. You’ve sat with me through worse.”

“No. I’m serious, Maya. This is your first birthday without the girls since the divorce. I wanted to be there for you tonight.”

Maya tugged her lower lip between her teeth. Her daughters were in Puerto Rico with their dad. Tomorrow afternoon they’d be flower girls when he wed the new and improved Mrs. Carlos Alvarez—a fresh-faced, barely legal coed. The one weekend of the summer his family church was available happened to be on her birthday weekend. She would never deny Sofia and Gabriella the chance to spend time with their dad. So she’d put on a brave face and watched them board a plane with their father two days ago. She’d been sulking ever since. “I miss them.”

“I know, but they’re going to have a blast spending the summer with their grandparents in Puerto Rico. Carlos is an asshole for choosing this weekend to get married, but he’s given you a rare gift for a single mom. Time to yourself. Don’t blow it. I need to live vicariously through you.” They both laughed, then Kendra’s tone turned somber. “Seriously, sis, promise me you’ll have a good time tonight.”

“I’ll try.” Maya bit back her disappointment and forced a smile into her voice, so Kendra wouldn’t worry. Her daredevil nephew had given her sister enough to worry about tonight. She could certainly make it through one birthday solo. “Call me if you need something. Anything.”

“We’ll be fine. Now go have some fun. Flirt a little. Have the lobster. Then bring the bill back to me. That’ll be my sorry-I-screwed-up-your-birthday gift. Love ya, babe.” Kendra hung up before Maya could object.

Dinner for one tonight. Happy birthday to me.

Maya slid her phone back into her purse and looked up. A wolfish grin nearly split the old man’s face. His eyes still drawn to her cleavage.

“Looks like you could use some company for dinner.”

She gritted her teeth and swallowed the curses, most of them in Spanish, that came to mind.

“Mr. Westbrook, I’ll seat you now.” The hostess approached Hot Suit Guy with a menu.

“That’s our table, love.” The man stood, extending his hand to her.

Her eyes traveled up the sleeve of his expensive suit. Definitely athletic cut.

The man was tall, and even more handsome upon closer inspection. Michael Ealy meets Adam Levine handsome.

Her heart beat a little faster and a jolt of electricity traveled the length of her spine. She shuddered inwardly. Handsome, charming and he damned well knew it.

A man like that is bad news.

She had two kids and a divorce decree to prove it. It would be safer to pass on the invitation. And she intended to, because that was just what she did. She made sensible choices. Played it safe. But the man’s expectant grin taunted her. Dared her to venture beyond the cozy cocoon of her safe and predictable life.

He’s being a gentleman. Why not let him?

Maya placed her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet. Heat radiated up her arm from the warmth of his hand on hers. His clean scent—like freshly-scrubbed man, new leather and sin—was captivating.

Maybe sin didn’t have a scent, per se. But if it did, it would smell like him, with his mischievous smile and eyes so dark and intense they caused a flutter in her belly whenever she looked into them.

Tucking her hand into the bend of his elbow, he followed the hostess to their table. Maya concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. The simple feat required all of her concentration.

“Thank you.” The words tumbled from her lips the second the hostess left them alone. “It was kind of you to come to my rescue, but I doubt dinner with a random stranger was your plan for tonight. I’ll order something to go from the bar and let you get back to your evening.” The inflection at the end of the phrase indicated it was a question. She hadn’t intended it to be. The thinking part of her brain clearly wasn’t the part of her body in control at the moment.

His dark eyes glinted in the candlelight. “My motives aren’t as altruistic as you might imagine. The opportunity to dine with a beautiful woman presented itself, so I seized it. I’d much prefer your company to eating alone.”

Her heart pounded. Eating with a stranger would be uncomfortable. Dining alone on her birthday when there was a better option...that was just sad.

Maya surveyed the man. He was confident. Cocky even. And sexy as sin. There was that word again. She sighed. No point in denying the truth. His penetrating stare and impish grin stirred the kind of feelings that were a dangerous luxury she couldn’t afford. Regardless of her body and brain going rogue, she had zero interest in anything more than an hour of dinner conversation with another adult.

They were in a restaurant full of people. What harm would there be in sharing a meal?

She furrowed her brows. “You really want to do this?”

“I do.” His eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Fitting for a guy who probably wasn’t accustomed to working this hard to get a woman to say yes.

“Then thank you for the dinner invitation, Mr. Westbrook.”

He extended his large hand across the table. “Please, call me Liam.”

Maya slipped her hand into his. She allowed herself a moment to revel in the heat of his firm grip. How would it feel to have those hands on her waist? Her hips? Her... Maya’s cheeks warmed, and she withdrew her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Liam.”

He smiled. “So, Ms. Alvarez...it is Ms., isn’t it?” She nodded as she absently stroked her empty ring finger. The bareness still felt new. She’d only stopped wearing her wedding band six months earlier. When Carlos announced his engagement to what’s-her-face. “What shall I call you?”

She raised her eyes to his again. “Maya.”

“Well, happy birthday, Maya. Sorry you’re stuck with me on your big day. Let’s make the best of it, shall we?” He winked.

“Thank you.” Maya exhaled, easing the tension in her shoulders. Small talk. She could do small talk. “So, where are you from, Liam?”

“London, originally. Spent the past few years here in the US working in New York and then LA.”

“What brings you to Pleasure Cove?”

There was a flash of something in his eyes. Anger? Or maybe pain? But it was quickly displaced by the luminous glint that was there before. “I’d planned to return to London earlier this year, but things change. So here I am.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m in hospitality.”

She should have known. Pleasure Cove, once a sleepy little fishing and beach town favored by old money snowbirds and retirees, had quickly become a playground for the upwardly mobile and nouveau riche. There were at least three new resorts and as many condos under construction. “Which hotel?”

“Pleasure Cove Luxury Resort.”

“The crown jewel of Pleasure Cove,” she said, echoing the ad. “I saw the renderings online. It’s going to be unlike anything in Pleasure Cove.”

“That’s the plan.” He tapped the table. “But that’s enough about me. I want to hear all about you, birthday girl.”

Maya was relieved when the server interrupted them. The woman introduced herself, set down two glasses of water and rattled off the specials.

Maya ordered, then quickly added, “Separate checks, please.”

“I invited you to dine with me as my guest. Allow me to pay for your meal.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t, and I insist. Can’t allow you to pay for your own birthday meal.” He gave a mock shudder. “How uncivilized.”

She held back a grin. “My sister couldn’t make it tonight, but she’s paying. So, if that’s your concern, we’re good.” Maya shifted her gaze back to the server. “Separate checks, please.”

“If that’s what you really want.” He gave her a conciliatory smile.

Maya nodded, relieved he’d given in so easily. She’d ordered steak and lobster. Best not to give Hot Suit Guy any ideas.

“I detect a faint accent, Maya. Are you native to Pleasure Cove?” Liam studied her.

Something about his gaze unnerved her. It penetrated her skin with a heat that trailed down her spine. “My mother is Cuban and speaks English with a heavy accent. My dad, who is African American, was a marine on active duty until I was about six. My maternal grandmother, who only spoke Spanish, lived with us, so my brother and I learned Spanish and English simultaneously. I’m fluent in both. I do have a slight accent, but mostly when—”

“You’re nervous?” One side of his mouth curved, deepening the dimple in his right cheek. “Can’t imagine why I’d make you nervous.”

Another server decanted a bottle of wine, then poured a glass for each of them. Maya picked up her glass so fast it nearly sloshed over the rim. She took a healthy sip.

Why does he make me so nervous?

If she’d met him in her business attire, and this wasn’t a semidate, she’d be confident. In control. She frequently negotiated with business executives in her work. She wasn’t easily intimidated, regardless of how rich or powerful those men were.

However, in a tiny red dress that left little of her legs and back to the imagination, she felt like a warrior going to battle without a stitch of armor.

Liam drank his wine, silently awaiting her answer.

“Sorry, I don’t do this much.” She took another sip from her wineglass.

“You don’t do what much?” He was definitely enjoying this.

“Date.” She immediately regretted her word choice. “Not that this is a date.”

“Isn’t it?”

“It’s a dinner date, but it isn’t a date-date. Does that make sense?” Of course not. She was babbling like a loon.

The smirk he tried to suppress brimmed over in his dark eyes. He set his glass on the table. “And why is it that a gorgeous woman like you doesn’t date much?”

“Because I’m...” A single mother of two beautiful little girls. The words caught at the back of her throat, taking her by surprise. It was the most natural thing in the world for her to say. She repeated the words, nearly by rote, every time she met someone new in a nonbusiness setting. Being Sofia and Gabriella’s mother was her primary identity, no matter what else she did in her life. She was fine with that, because she adored her daughters. Loved them more than anything in the world. Yet, as she looked at Liam, his eyes dancing over her skin, drinking her in like she was the most fascinating woman he’d ever met, something in the pit of her stomach wouldn’t allow the words to escape her mouth.

Would he look at her differently? Would she suddenly seem less attractive?

It was her birthday. The last of her twenties. For one night she could sit through a gourmet meal she didn’t have to cook and have an adult conversation with a man who thought she was beautiful. A man whose appreciative gaze made her feel beautiful—something she hadn’t felt in a while.

What was the harm in living out the fantasy for one hour of dinner conversation? She wouldn’t lie to him. But he was a stranger. He didn’t need her full biography. She’d give him the annotated version instead.

Maya cleared her throat. “I work for a small nonprofit organization. The community need is greater than our available resources, so we’re seriously understaffed. Keeps me busy. Between that and everything else in my life, there’s not much time for dating.”

There. Question answered.

“Everything else, like what?”

“I volunteer for a variety of organizations.” Also true. The PTA, the local girls’ club and the girls’ soccer league.

The server arrived with their salads before he could pose his next question. Glad for the distraction, Maya returned the conversation to him. “How long have you been in Pleasure Cove?”

His knowing grin indicated her maneuver hadn’t gone unnoticed. “A few months.”

“And how long will you stay?”

“For the next year, maybe two.” He didn’t look happy about it.

Maya wanted to ask why, but it felt too personal. She opted for safer topics like the weather and restaurants around town she’d recommend.

“So, how many birthday licks shall I administer this evening?”

So much for safe topics.

“Most women would consider that question rude.” She picked up her wineglass. “But I don’t mind telling you. I turned twenty-nine today. Too old for birthday licks.”

His eyes danced. “Spanking not your style, then?”

Maya nearly choked on her wine. She set the glass down roughly. He was teasing her to see how she’d react. Still, it was better to be clear about where the night was going, or rather where it wasn’t. “Let’s just file that under Things You’ll Never Need to Know.” His hearty chuckle made her laugh, too. She shook her head. “The moment I saw you, I knew you were trouble.”

He shrugged. “Some might agree. Though it’s often a case of being misunderstood, despite my clearly stated intentions. How can I possibly be to blame for such a thing?”

Maya took a piece of French bread from the basket and dipped it into the plate of herb-infused olive oil. She raised her eyes to his. “So the brokenhearted women you’ve probably left in your wake...they were all to blame?”

His eyes widened with surprise, then narrowed as he watched her eat her bread. “I’m not one for long-drawn-out relationships,” he stated without apology. “I don’t see how I could possibly be any clearer about it.”

Maya laughed. “The thing is, we don’t believe you when you say that. We’re convinced you just haven’t found the right woman. That we’ll be the one to make an honest man out of you. So, unless you find a woman who has zero interest in a long-term relationship, you’re going to break her heart, whether you intend to or not.”

Liam looked thoughtful, almost sad for a moment, as he sipped his wine. He shifted in his seat, back pressed against the chair. “Wish I’d had that bit of wisdom a few years ago. I appreciate your honesty. Isn’t there a rule against cluing the dafter sex in on the secrets of dealing with womankind?”

She absently stroked her nearly empty wineglass as she admired his handsome features. “It’ll be our little secret.”

Chapter 2

Liam studied Maya as she spoke, her lips shiny with olive oil, her hands gesturing wildly. There was something about her he found intriguing. Her smile was adorable, like a mischievous imp who’d pulled a naughty prank and expected to be discovered at any moment. Her laugh was genuine, infectious. It lit her entire face, like the candle inside of the paper lantern on the table between them. Every time she laughed his chest filled with a deep but inexplicable sense of gratification at being the source of it.

The light danced off her glossy tresses gathered in a messy updo. Her hair was a deep chocolate brown, like a decadent torte, streaked with warm caramel highlights. How would her hair look grazing the smooth brown skin of her bare shoulders? How would her soft curves feel pressed against the hard planes of his body? If he played his cards right, he’d find out by the end of the night.

Maya was beautiful, but a direct contrast to the tall, thin blondes to whom he’d gravitated during this five-year binge of serial dating and one-night stands. His interest in them didn’t extend beyond his bedroom walls. Theirs didn’t extend any further than his family name—and the nine figures in the Westbrook family bank account.

It was a side effect of being the son of a well-known businessman. Women heard his last name and imagined themselves as members of the Westbrook family—with all that it entailed. But that ship sank five years ago, taking any chance of him entertaining thoughts of matrimony along with it. He was satisfied to paint the town with women who looked good on his arm and whose bodies offered a few hours of warmth and comfort. He desired nothing more.

Maya caught his eye because she was stunning. Yet, she was so self-conscious in that sexy little red dress that hugged her body and highlighted her curvy frame. Flirting with her came second nature. He hardly realized he was doing it. However, he had no real designs on her. He was simply being polite.

When he invited her to dine with him, his intentions had been innocent, pure. Two words he’d rarely attribute to himself. Despite rumors that stated otherwise, he did possess a bloody heart. There she was, disappointed and alone on her birthday with some old codger staring down her dress, so he’d asked her to join him for dinner. Partly because he felt sorry for her. Partly because he was afraid she might actually take the dodgy old bastard up on his offer. It was to be his good deed for the day. Perhaps the week.

They’d have dinner. Then he’d walk away. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. But she was feisty and charming. Then there was the way she filled out that dress with those scrumptious curves. Still, he had every intention of being a very good boy—until she insisted she had no intention of sleeping with him.

He never could resist a good challenge.

As he sat opposite her, his resolve to keep their dinner date strictly platonic began to dissolve. He was mesmerized by her luscious lips and the teasing pink tongue that kept darting out to lick them. His body tensed, excited by the sensation of how they’d both feel sliding along his member.

So much for being a very good boy.

He adjusted in his seat, nodding as she spoke. Only she wasn’t speaking anymore. She stared at him expectantly. “Sorry. You were saying?”

“What do you do at the resort?” She sliced into the land portion of her surf and turf.

He cleared his throat. This was where their casual evening could quickly go off the rails. The Westbrook name obviously meant nothing to her, for which he was grateful. However, revealing that his family owned the resort and dozens of other luxury hotels in ten countries could have much the same result, which would be unfortunate. He was enjoying their easy banter.

“I’m on the management team,” he said. “And you? You said you work for an NGO?”

She nodded. “I’m the program coordinator at the Leila Arts Foundation. We’re a small organization, so everyone does a little of everything.”

“You must enjoy your work. You’re practically glowing.” He took a bite of his lobster.

“I do. We help underserved members of the community get a fresh start. It’s something I can relate to.” She looked uneasy. Her gaze dropped to her plate, as if she’d do anything to reel those words back in before she’d spoken them.

He wouldn’t press. No point in ruining the mood. They were having such a lovely time. Besides, there was a topic he’d much rather discuss. “No more talk about work. It’s your birthday, after all. Let’s discuss how we plan to spend the rest of the evening.”

“Liam, this—” she indicated the plates on the table between them with her open palm “—is the extent of our evening. I appreciate the dinner invitation, and it’s been fun—”

“Then why not continue it? Unless, of course, you doubt you’d be able to resist my charms, since you’ve declared we won’t be sleeping together, and all.”

She narrowed her gaze and sat taller. “It would be rude to impose on you any further.” Her response was an open invitation for him to overcome her objection.

He grinned inwardly. “I asked you, so you wouldn’t be imposing. Consider it a favor.”

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed, and she scrunched her adorable nose. He could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “What do you have in mind?”

“An unforgettable evening.”

“Modest, aren’t you?” The corner of her mouth curved, almost imperceptibly. “And what is it that will make this night so memorable?”

“You’ve taken my most surefire weapon off the table.” He smirked, watching for her reaction.

Maya averted her eyes. She tried, unsuccessfully, not to smile.

His grin widened. “Fortunately, I have an impressive backup plan. A night of dance.”

“You don’t strike me as the dancing type.” She raised an eyebrow and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. Did she know how enticing a move it was?

“I was referring to the ballet. A friend held two seats for me. Have you ever seen Swan Lake?”

“Never been to a professional ballet. We don’t get much of that here. But I’ve always wanted to go.” Her eyes danced with excitement.

The town’s expansion of cultural offerings had been one of the requirements he’d negotiated in the deal to bring their resort to Pleasure Cove. “Then this is your chance. If you don’t go, that ticket will go to waste.”

Maya twirled a strand of her curly hair around her finger as she carefully assessed him. “I should call it a night.”

He kept his countenance neutral. The trick with reeling in catch was not to jerk the line too soon. One of the few worthwhile lessons he’d learned from his older brother, who was otherwise an untrustworthy cretin. Maya wanted to go to the ballet with him. He was sure of it. She just needed a bit of convincing. He could help with that. Liam opened his palm and extended it to her. “Take out your phone.”

She stared at him, puzzled. Still, she reached into her purse and produced her phone, clutching it to her chest.

“Excuse me, miss,” he called to their server as she walked by. “Would you take a picture of my friend and me?”

A syrupy smile, typically reserved for toothless babies in prams, spread across the woman’s face. “Sure.”

Liam nodded toward the server, indicating that Maya should give the woman her phone to take the picture.

Maya opened the camera, then handed the phone to her. The woman took their photo and then returned the phone.

He thanked her, then turned to Maya. “Send that picture and a picture of my driver’s license—” he placed it on the table in front of her “—to your sister. Let her know you’ll be with me this evening. Would that make you feel better?” He watched her expectantly, not saying another word. If he pushed too hard he’d spook her.

Maya furrowed her brows, hesitating for a moment. She sighed, then took a photo of his license, typed out a message on her phone, then hit Send. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a date.”

“So we’ve graduated to a date-date.” He lifted his wineglass and took a sip. Maya laughed. A melodious sound he might never get his fill of. “Tonight will be no mere date. Tonight, we go on an adventure.”

“To unforgettable adventures.” She raised her glass, clinking it against his.

Liam finished his glass of wine. A victory libation. She’d accepted his challenge, and he’d accepted hers. Because by the end of the evening, he had every intention of having Maya Alvarez in his bed.

* * *

Maya’s phone rang moments after she sent the message. Of course. No way could she send pictures of Hot Suit Guy to Kendra without expecting a call. If she didn’t answer the phone, Kendra would keep calling. “I’m sorry, but I need to take this.”

Amusement danced beneath his penetrating dark eyes. His gaze was drawn appreciatively to the fabric pulled taut across the sensitive, beaded tips of her breasts. “I’ll order dessert.”

Her cheeks burned, and she felt a rush of liquid pooling between her thighs. Legs wobbling, she swallowed hard, grabbed her purse and left the table. She could feel his intense stare on her retreating back. Her flesh tingled, as if his gaze seared her skin.

Maya ducked into the restroom, pressed her back against the wall and exhaled. She’d allowed Liam to unnerve her. It was unlike her.

Was he gorgeous? Sure. Rich? Obviously. But she was no consolation prize either. Maybe she wasn’t the tiny-waisted siren she’d once been, but she still turned heads, dammit. He should be grateful she’d accepted his offer of companionship for the evening.

Companionship. God, it made him sound like an escort. Or maybe she was the escort. Which was ten times worse.

The phone rang again. She answered in a hushed tone. “Yes.”

“Are you serious right now?” Kendra’s voice was also muted. From the muffled sound of a PA announcement in the background, Kendra was still at the hospital.

“Am I that pathetic?” She was only half teasing.

“No, honey. Of course not. I’m just saying, dude looks like a freakin’ model. Where’d you meet him?”

“Here at the restaurant. He knew I was alone on my birthday, so he invited me to have dinner with him.”

“I can’t believe you accepted his invitation. There’s hope for you yet.”

“Don’t get so excited. It’s not like I’m gonna sleep with the guy. I told him that.”

“You said those actual words to him? Yet, he’s still taking you to the ballet? Okay, now I really like this guy.” The background of Kendra’s call was silent, like she’d gone somewhere quieter. “Maya, I’m thrilled you’re getting out there again. A night out on the town with a handsome guy is just what the doctor ordered.”

“It does feel nice to relax for one night and just be...me. Not mommy, you know? God, that sounds selfish.” She was suddenly conscious of whether the other women in the restroom were listening. Judging her.

“No, it doesn’t. You’re an amazing mother. You deserve to have some fun. Tonight is about you. Have a blast. Call me in the morning by ten, so I know you’re okay. I’ll take you to a belated birthday lunch tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. I’ll call you when I get home. Tonight.”

Maya ended the call and inhaled deeply, hardly able to believe she was going out with a man she’d just met. She’d been struggling lately with a stifling feeling of suffocation. Her life was the same song playing endlessly on repeat. She’d been trying her best to suppress a growing desire to do something different. Unexpected. A bit naughty even. Maybe ignoring the feeling wasn’t the answer. Maybe what she needed was to get it out of her system once and for all. With Liam.

No. No, that’s ridiculous. Insane. I can’t.

She took out her lip gloss—a pale, barely there pink—and reapplied. She’d insisted there would be no sex, and that was best. So why was there a flutter low in her belly at the mere possibility of it?

* * *

Visions of Maya Alvarez naked in his bed flooded Liam’s brain. He wanted her. Needed those heart-stopping curves beneath him as he reached his pinnacle. To hear her call his name in that adorable accent she reverted to occasionally. And he wanted her to want him, too. To plead for it.

His eyes traveled the length of her body as she approached the table. He outlined her shapely figure, staking his claim and mapping the trail his tongue would take along her skin. “I was beginning to think you’d slipped out the back door.”

“Why? Does that happen to you a lot?”

He laughed. “Define a lot.”

“Oh God.” She swept a loose curl behind her ear, lines crinkling around her dark eyes. “What on earth have I gotten myself into?”

Chapter 3

Swan Lake was divine. Maya sat beside Liam, barely able to hold back the emotions evoked by the tragic, beautiful finale.

She sniffled and wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her finger, refusing to glance in his direction. They barely knew each other. No way she’d let him see her cry.

They were both on their feet applauding during the curtain call. Liam reached inside his jacket and handed her a handkerchief.

She accepted the offering. “I’m not crying.”

“Right. Figured it was allergies.”

The lights rose in the house and patrons made their way toward the exits. Liam placed a hand low on her back and guided her toward the stage, against the crush of the opening-night crowd.

“Isn’t the exit in the other direction?” She glanced back at him.

There was that damned smirk again. It was enticing, and so was he.

“It is. But, I have a surprise for you. How’d you like to meet Karina Alexandrova, the dancer who plays the Swan Queen?”

Maya halted, turning to face him. “You...you know her?”

“Friend of a friend and all that.”

“And it won’t be any trouble? She must be exhausted after her performance.”

“It’ll be fine. Promise.”

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She’d seen her first ballet that didn’t involve her daughters. Swan Lake, no less. Now, she was going to meet the principal ballerina of a highly acclaimed company. A rarity in Pleasure Cove. Liam had delivered on his promise of a memorable evening. But beside the elation at the prospect of meeting Karina, a growing sense of sadness lodged in her chest.

Her night with Liam was coming to an end.

* * *

They were escorted to Karina’s dressing room. She answered the door in the silk robe he’d given her after his trip to Japan two years ago. Her damp corn-silk blond hair hung in loose waves on her thin shoulders.

“Liam, how lovely to see you.” She leaned in and let him kiss her cheek before turning to Maya. “And who is this gorgeous creature?” The smile plastered on her face was nearly convincing.

Maya’s eyes widened like she was surprised the great Karina Alexandrova had deigned to acknowledge her. There was something about Maya that was refreshingly unpretentious. It was endearing.

She extended her hand. “Maya. Alvarez. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Alexandrova. Your performance tonight was brilliant.”

Karina’s tight smile relaxed into a more genuine one. No quicker way to the woman’s heart than to recognize her outstanding balletic skills. Even nearing the end of her career, no one could pull off double and triple fouettés with the skill, beauty and sheer will of Karina Alexandrova. “Thank you, Maya. And please, call me Karina. All my friends do. And any friend of Liam’s is certainly a friend of mine.” She shifted her gaze to him.

Liam nodded toward the roses on her dressing table. “I see you got the flowers.”

“Yes, and they are very beautiful. Thank you. You always know how to make a girl feel special.” Karina gave him a knowing grin, then turned back to his date. “Maya, have you ever been backstage at a performance?” Maya shook her head. “Then we must make this a special occasion. Several members of the company are having a small opening-night reception, if you’d like to meet some of the other dancers. Would you like that?”

Maya’s eyes danced. Utterly adorable. “I would.”

Karina opened the door and summoned a stagehand. She poked her head back inside the dressing room. “Gordo will walk you over to the reception. If you don’t mind, I need to borrow Liam for a moment or two. Then I’ll send him right over.”

Maya glanced at him, her brows furrowed. He nodded, his arms crossed as he leaned against a dressing table. “I’ll catch up with you shortly,” he said. A message meant for both Maya and Karina.

She smiled in response, then thanked Karina before following Gordo down the hall.

Karina locked the door, then stood with her back pressed against it. She pursed her lips and gave him that look. The one that always meant trouble.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come.” She inched closer, her gaze gliding down the length of his body.

“Neither was I. After all, the last time we saw each other you chucked a metal garbage can at my head. Only missed it by this much.” He held up his thumb and forefinger to demonstrate. “Forgive me if I was a little skeptical when you offered opening-night tickets for me and a guest. How’d you know I was here in Pleasure Cove? Last time we spoke I was still in LA.”

“A girl has her ways. And as for our little...misunderstanding, you know us ballerinas. We’re a temperamental lot.” She shrugged, a feigned look of innocence on her face. “I said I was sorry, didn’t I?”

Liam chuckled. “You did indeed. Thank you for the tickets. I was debating whether to use them when I discovered Maya had never been to the ballet. Seemed like fate.”

Karina stepped as close as his long legs, stretched out in front of him, would allow. Frustrated by the barrier he’d created between them, she folded her arms and pursed her lips. “I know I left you a guest ticket, but I hoped you’d come alone.”

“Still reigning queen of the mixed signal, I see.”

“I would think you’d understand them by now.” She pouted.

He did. In fact, before meeting Maya, he’d been debating whether to take Karina up on her offer. Doing so would’ve been a mistake. He realized that now. “Karina, you’re a talented, beautiful woman, and I adore you. But we’ve been down this road before, love. Time to stop bashing our heads against the wall.”

She turned her back to him and strode toward her dressing table on the other side of the room. Raising her eyes, she met the reflection of his gaze in the mirror.

“I was angry before, and I apologize for that. We agreed to an open relationship. Then I changed the rules. It was wrong of me. I realize that now.”

“Appreciate the apology.” His posture softened. “Doesn’t change the fact that you want more than I can give you. You deserve to be happy. I want that for you, but it’s not something I’m prepared to offer. Sorry, love.”

She crossed the room and stood in front of him again. “I don’t need anything more. I can be happy with things the way they were.”

“No, you can’t.” Liam stood. He gripped Karina’s shoulders and kissed her forehead. “And we both know it.”

He walked to the door and unlocked it.

“What about Maya?” Karina’s voice was shaky. “Can you give her what she deserves?”

He slipped out of her dressing room without a response. It was a question best left unanswered.

Chapter 4

By the time he found Maya, she’d drunk two glasses of champagne and met nearly half the ballet company. They stepped outside the theater and into the warm night air. The salty breeze coming off the Atlantic Ocean rustled loose strands of her hair. Her skin glistened in the light of the moon shining brightly above. She’d been practically giddy back at the party. Suddenly, she seemed sad.

“What’s wrong?”

Maya shook her head. The knot she wore at the back of her head had loosened and hung low over her right shoulder. “Nothing. Tonight was incredible. Just like you promised. Thank you. I had a wonderful time.”

“What, you think the night is over? It’s not even midnight.”

“Way past my bedtime.” She laughed.

“That saddens me deeply.” He chuckled. “Besides, it’s your birthday. That warrants an exception, wouldn’t you say? You’d planned to go to a jazz club with your sister tonight. So let’s do it.”

“You listen to jazz? Really?” Arms crossed, she regarded him as if he were trying to convince her that the earth was flat.

“Don’t look so surprised. I’m a man of many interests. Classic American jazz happens to be one of them.”

“Who’s your favorite jazz artist?”

“Miles Davis, though I’m also partial to John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck.”

“Favorite Miles album?” She narrowed her gaze.

He smiled. “Is that even a question? Kind of Blue, of course.”

Shoulders relaxed, she nodded her agreement. “There’s a small jazz club near the waterfront that plays live music on Friday nights. The place is a dive, but the music is excellent and the martinis are fantastic. We missed the earlier jazz band, but they play Latin jazz at midnight. There’ll be dancing, if you like that sort of thing.”

“Spent a few holidays knocking about South America. My samba is a little rusty, but I do an impressive mambo.” He winked.

“Is that right?” She smiled, eyes twinkling. “Well, that’s something I seriously need to see.”

At the jazz club, the ten-piece band crowded the small stage. The vocalist belted out a song over the blare of the horns and the rhythm of the bongos and congas. The dense Friday night crowd, comprised mostly of tourists, pressed in all around them. However, Liam’s focus was on only one thing: Maya.

She was stunning in that strapless red dress. Released from the knot, her loose curls grazed her bare shoulders as she swayed her hips to the music in ways that made portions of his anatomy sit up and take notice. She was relaxed. Openly flirtatious.

The alcohol she’d consumed no doubt contributed to her relaxed state of mind. Yet, she wasn’t drunk. She was less guarded. More comfortable in her own skin.

On the dance floor, she owned her beauty. Embraced her sensuality. When they first met, she almost seemed embarrassed by it.

The band took a break and the female vocalist started singing a slow romantic ballad accompanied only by the guitarist and keyboardist.

Maya turned to leave the dance floor, but Liam caught her hand in his. Turning back to him, she smiled. One arm slung low across her back, he pulled her against him. He gripped her hand, intoxicated by her soft, floral scent and the delicious sensation of her body nestled against his as they swayed to the beat.

Her initial tension gave way. She relaxed, leaning in to him. “So what got you interested in jazz?”

“My best mate, Wesley. He’s an American expat. We met in boarding school at thirteen and eventually became roommates. His dad was a jazz musician. Took off when he was around ten. Sometimes Wes would play the old classics. Music his dad listened to when he was growing up. His way of holding on to the good memories, I guess.”

“I listened to jazz with my dad every Saturday morning while he tinkered in his workshop in the garage. Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James. Seems like one of them was the soundtrack to every important conversation I’ve ever had with my dad.” A wistful smile lit her brown eyes.

“Does your sister like jazz, too?”

“No.” The warm smile in her eyes was gone. “Kendra hates jazz for the same reason I love it. It reminds her of our father. She tolerates it on special occasions like my birthday.”

“Then she is a very good sister, indeed.”

“She is. I couldn’t ask for a better one.”

He pulled her closer and they continued to dance in companionable silence. The night had turned out different than he expected. Then again, so had she. Maya was opinionated, yet charming. Astute, yet amusing. She possessed a curious sensuality she seemed terrified to acknowledge, let alone explore. There was nothing he wanted more than to help her do just that. His desire for her coursed through his veins like adrenaline.

She broke the silence between them. “I have to admit, you are a pretty good dancer.”

“Pretty good?” He scoffed. “You haven’t seen the half of what I can do.”

Liam twirled Maya, pulled her in close, then dipped her, his face inches from hers as he held her in his arms. Her eyes widened in surprise. His gaze dropped to the little O her mouth formed as her breath came in short bursts. He returned his gaze to hers and slowly brought her vertical again, neither of them moving.

His heart pounded. There was something in her eyes. Something he couldn’t explain. Liam pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. Maya went completely still, then slowly relaxed, slipping her arms around his waist, beneath his suit jacket.

She tasted sweet and rich like a decadent dessert you couldn’t get enough of but knew you would regret in the morning. His mind raced, wanting to taste her skin. To be enveloped in her scent.

Her kiss, raw and hungry, evoked a reaction from his body. He wanted her. But not here, not like this.

He tore his mouth from hers, despite his body’s insistence for more.

Maya shuffled backward, fingers pressed to her parted lips.

The kiss had taken them both by surprise. He wasn’t in the habit of snogging in the middle of a crowded dance floor. He should apologize for being so forward. Still, he wasn’t sorry he’d done it. “I don’t know what came over me.” That much is true. “But—”

Before he could finish his sentence, one man swung at another man who stood directly behind Maya. Only the man was ducking out of the way.

Liam pulled Maya to him. The man’s fist just missed the back of her head. He shoved her behind him, his vision blurred with rage.

“Hey, asshole!” He snatched the man by his collar. “You nearly struck my date.”

The man smelled as if he’d bathed with a bottle of gin. He swung at him, but Liam blocked his punch and shoved the man backward. The second man took the opportunity to land a sucker punch that connected with the first man’s jaw. A third man—a friend of the first—landed a punch that connected with Liam’s cheekbone. A throbbing pain exploded behind his left eye.

It’d been a long time since he’d taken a hit like that.

He drew his fist back to hit the man, but froze when Maya shrieked his name. He wasn’t alone and things were going sideways fast.

Liam grabbed Maya’s hand. “I’m going to get you out of here. Stay close to me, all right?”

They made their way through the crush of bodies. Some headed toward the exit. Others pressed toward the growing fight.

The house lights came on and the club owner announced that the police were on their way. Bouncers made their way toward the ruckus and tried to pull apart the drunken brawlers.

By the time Liam and Maya made their way outside, police cars had arrived and were blocking the exit of the lot where his car was parked. They kept walking until they were in front of a little gift shop around the corner. Head throbbing, Liam pressed his back against the brick wall. He winced as he forced a grin. “Hadn’t planned quite this much excitement.”

Maya placed a gentle hand on his jaw and tried to get a good look at his cheek under the streetlight. “We need to get some ice on that. Wait here. I’ll get some from the bartender.”

“You can’t go back in there.” His voice reverberated in his brain. “Who knows how insane things have gotten? Besides, technically, I was involved in the brawl that got this whole melee started.”

The headlines back home would scream “Westbrook family heir arrested in beachside barroom brawl. Again.” Way to show his father he was focused and serious about succeeding him as CEO of the company.

“We need to get ice from somewhere or this side of your face is going to be three times the size of that one.”

Liam nodded down the street. “I live in that building. It’s a couple of blocks from here.”

Maya surveyed the glass-and-steel structure. Head tilted, she shifted her gaze to him. As if trying to decide whether this was part of some dodgy plan to bed her.

It was.

Though he’d planned a smoother transition that didn’t include some bloke’s fist connecting with his cheekbone. One of his best features, if he was to believe the magazines back home.

Liam grimaced as he reached into his pocket. “The address is on my li—”

Maya held her hand up. “Just c’mon before the buzz wears off and I change my mind.” She pursed her pink lips. “By the way...thank you. That’s twice in one night you’ve rescued me.”

“Self-preservation, love. I wasn’t saving you. I was afraid that guy was going to knock you into me.” Liam tried to suppress a smile, but his cheeks rose. He winced.

Maya laughed. “Well, whatever the case, it’s time I return the favor.”

He stood, his head throbbing. He draped an arm around her shoulders as they made their way the two blocks to his flat.

Chapter 5

An uneasiness grew in Maya’s chest as they approached the twelve-story structure. It wasn’t fear. She felt comfortable with Liam.

Too comfortable.

They barely knew each other. Yet, something in his penetrating stare made her feel as if he knew her intimately, in ways she didn’t quite know herself.

He instinctively seemed to know what she wanted. The most unnerving part? So far he’d been right.

Until the brawl at the club cut their night short, they’d been having a fabulous evening. Magical even. Maya cringed. That last martini must’ve gone straight to her head. She was a grown-ass woman who knew from experience there was nothing magical about love and relationships. Not that this was either.

Still, she couldn’t shake the heightened sensation that vibrated through her body, making it harder to breathe as her mind returned to the kiss they’d shared. The roughness of his beard. The way he held her in his arms. Nor could she escape the unrelenting desire to experience it again.

Everything about her night with Liam was a dreamy indulgence that might never come again.

“You’re quiet.” His voice, low and warm, seemed to apologize for intruding on her thoughts. “Haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

“And abandon you midrescue? No way.” She stopped and pulled out her phone. “This is a beautiful building. Mind if I take a picture of it?”

He smiled knowingly. “Of course not. Only when you tell your sister about the brawl, make me look good, will you?”

Maya laughed as she snapped a photo of the building, which included its name, The Jameson, highlighted in tall neon letters. She dashed off a quick text to Kendra with a brief note: Hanging out at Liam’s place. Don’t get the wrong idea. Long story.

They entered the large, bright lobby of the newly renovated industrial building and took the elevator to the penthouse level. Glass windows in the corridor rose another full story.

“I thought the penthouse was always on the top floor.” She surveyed the space, mesmerized by the view of the water.

“These units occupy the two top floors.” He opened the door and stepped inside, holding his hand out to her. “I’ll show you.”

Last chance to change your mind.

Fighting the jittery sensation that turned her stomach inside out, she inhaled deeply, put her hand in his and stepped inside.

The dim lighting enhanced the view of the skyline along the waterfront. The windows spanned the entire length of one wall, affording a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

“What an amazing view.” She slipped her heels off and left them by the entrance. An instant relief after a night of dancing and the walk to Liam’s place.

“I don’t need to put raw steak on my face, do I?” His voice echoed across the hardwood floors from where he stood in the kitchen.

Maya padded toward the kitchen and stood beside him. She plucked a bag of frozen peas out of the open freezer drawer, then positioned them on his swollen cheek. “You must have a hell of a headache. You should sit down.”

He shifted his jaw from side to side and winced. “Nothing a stiff drink can’t rectify. Can I get you anything?”

“I drank more tonight than I have in the past six months. Just water, please.”

Liam stepped behind his well-stocked bar and handed her a bottle of sparkling mineral water from the mini fridge. He filled his glass with an amber-colored liquor. “I admire your restraint. I don’t share it, but I do admire it. Should you change your mind and decide to join me, let me know.”

“I’m impressed.” Maya sank onto the sofa.

“Why?” He sat beside her.

“You didn’t put the peas down once. You’re pretty proficient with one hand.”

“I am indeed.” Waggling his brows, he flashed a smile that warmed her nearly as much as the kiss had.

Heat spread through her cheeks. “About that headache...” She stood, putting space between them. “Can I get you something for it?”

“Yes, please.” He repositioned the bag. “In the cabinet over the kitchen sink.”

Maya grabbed the pills from the cabinet and a bottle of water from the fridge. She handed both items to him, then knelt on the couch beside him. Lifting the bag of frozen peas, she inspected his face.

“What’s the verdict, doc?”

“The swelling is subsiding, but now bruises are forming on your cheek and underneath your eye.”

“Bugger. No chance that’ll resolve itself by eight a.m. on Monday. Better concoct a tall tale. I was attacked by two hooligans while defending an intriguing young woman whose extraordinary beauty had me completely mesmerized.” He grazed her cheekbone with his thumb, his fingers resting gently on her neck.

Maya shuddered inwardly. His gaze was filled with a white-hot heat as tantalizing as a flame to an unsuspecting moth. She could see it as clearly as the sun in a cloudless sky. Yet, she couldn’t turn away.

Her skin flamed beneath his touch. Heat crawled down her neck and into the beaded tips of her breasts, culminating at the simmering junction between her thighs. Liam glided his thumb across her lower lip. Her heart skipped a beat, her breathing shallow. The hungry look in his dark eyes went straight to her head, making her dizzy with desire.

Liam tightened his grip on her neck, pulling her closer until his lips met hers. Maya’s lids drifted closed as he placed soft kisses on one side of her mouth then the other. Her skin vibrated with alternate sensations. The contrast of his beard grazing her skin with the delicate caress of his lips like butterfly wings whispering against her skin. Gentle and sweet, yet surprisingly erotic.

She was playing a dangerous game.

Her brain understood this. Every other part of her anatomy disagreed.

Maya dropped the frozen peas and tangled her chilly fingers in his dark curls. Her other hand braced his shoulder, enjoying the delicious feeling of the hard, taut muscles there.

Liam slid one hand to her waist, his fingers pressing into her spine, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. He sucked her lower lip between his, then glided his tongue along the ridge between her lips. God help her, she made a noise reminiscent of a purr as she parted her lips, granting him access.

He glided his tongue against hers, then gently grazed her palate. Liam’s mouth tasted of the liquor he’d just consumed. A smoky, rich flavor. Chocolate with the slightest hint of berries. He let out a low hum that vibrated in her throat as his hand glided down her side, and then down her leg. Wrapping his fingers around her thigh, he pulled her onto his lap so she straddled him.

The pressure of his steely length pressed against her swollen folds sent a shock of bliss throughout her body—already wound as taut as a violin string. She gasped, breaking their kiss, as she tried to catch her breath and coax her traitorous body back to reality.

Hooking up with random guys was for pretty young coeds, not for single moms. She was sensible, reliable. The woman who shuttled her daughters to their soccer games, made brownies for the bake sale and sewed sunflower costumes for the school play. She wasn’t this person: rash and bold. Passionate and daring.

Not anymore.

She’d buried that girl years ago. Right around the time her first daughter was born. No matter how handsome and charming Liam Westbrook was, and despite the fact that he’d mastered the art of the orgasmic French kiss, it was time to say goodbye.

He planted soft, wet kisses on her jaw and down her throat that rendered her speechless. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let out a quiet moan. He gripped her bottom and squeezed the flesh there.

It hurt.

Yet the pain sent a corresponding jolt of pleasure straight to her aching core. She ground her pelvis against his, desperate to intensify the feeling building at her center.

Liam pressed a hand to her back. The other slid along her thigh and underneath her dress, cupping her sex through her silky underwear, damp with her arousal. She shuddered and sighed.

You’re playing with fire, girl. You know what happens when you play with fire...you get burned.

The little voice in the back of her head was the equivalent of an icy shower.

She clutched his wrist and dragged it from underneath her dress.

Liam’s handsome face was etched with concern. “Have I upset you?”

She shook her head, lowering her eyes as she climbed off him and scrambled to her feet.

“No, it isn’t you. It’s me. I...I can’t do this, I’m sorry.” Maya paced the floor. “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have allowed things to get this far.”

Liam sprang to his feet. He winced, the agonizing pain evident in his eyes. He gathered himself, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. His forced smile nearly masked his disappointment. “No apology necessary. Really.”

He stepped out onto the terrace. After peering over the railing, he returned, his face pinched with a frown.

“The police are still there.” He picked up the peas and put the bag to his cheek. “We still can’t reach my car.”

Maya scraped her teeth over her lower lip. The muscles in her abdomen tightened.

Liam held one hand up, palm facing her. “Not to worry. We’ll grab a cab, and I’ll escort you back to your car.”

She walked toward him, her hand out, fingers wriggling until he handed over the bag of peas. “These aren’t cold anymore.” She didn’t acknowledge his offer. Instead, she went to the kitchen, tossed the bag inside the freezer and retrieved a bag of brussels sprouts. Maya stepped close enough to position the bag on his face. He watched her without comment.

“Your head is pounding. I can see it in your eyes.” She nodded toward the couch. “Stay here and lie down. I can take a cab back on my own.”

“Unescorted? At this time of the morning?” He lowered the bag and stared at her in disbelief. “Surely you’re joking. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you.”

“I’m a big girl.” She stepped toward him. “I’ll be fine.”

“If you don’t want me in the cab with you, that’s fine. I’ll follow in another to make sure you get off safely.”

“You need to sit and rest.” She guided his hand so that the frozen vegetables were on his cheek again. “And keep this on your face if you want the rest of that swelling to go down.”

“Either we both go or... Never mind.”

“Or what?” She was almost afraid to ask, but something inside her wanted to know.

“You’re welcome to spend the night in my guest suite.” He raised his free hand in response to the objection forming on her face. “The door locks internally, and there isn’t a key from the outside. You’ll be completely safe, I assure you.”

Maya studied his dark eyes. The usual levity gone, his offer felt sincere. “I’ll stay under one condition. You need to understand this doesn’t change anything between us.”

“Duly noted.” The look of mild amusement returned to his handsome face. “I’ll show you to your room whenever you’re ready.”

Chapter 6

Maya’s eyes fluttered open. Her cell phone blared, each note a rubber mallet hammering her skull.

Heavy drapes filtered the light coming in through the large windows of what clearly wasn’t her tiny, dark apartment bedroom. She lay tangled in a soft blanket, cashmere maybe. Her dress lay neatly across a chair in the corner, and she was wearing an oversize T-shirt.

Maya rolled toward the sound of Kendra’s ringtone. Her cell phone—perched on the nightstand—stopped ringing, giving her pounding head a reprieve. She’d had a lot to drink. No wonder she felt like hell. Probably looked it, too.

Shrugging off the cover, Maya pressed a palm to her forehead and grunted. Kendra called again. She pulled herself upright and reached for the phone.

“Yeah?” was all she could manage.

“Maya, I’ve been calling you all morning.” Kendra was in full panic mode.

“Sorry. Lost track of time,” she mumbled, pulling the phone away from her ear. Asking Kendra to tone it down would have the same effect as poking a bear in the eye. “What time is it?”

“After noon. You were supposed to call two hours ago. I was one more unanswered call away from sending the cops to see your friend, Liam. That’s where you are, I assume.”

“Yes.” I think so. Maya opened her eyes again and glanced around the room. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t sleep with him.”

“I’m not angry because you spent the night.” Kendra drew in a deep breath. “I’m upset because you promised to call so I’d know you were okay, but then you didn’t. It’s not like you. I was worried.”

“I overslept, that’s all. I promise you, everything is fine. All right?”

Kendra huffed in relief. “As long as you’re...wait, what do you mean you didn’t sleep with him? You’re just camping out at his house having a slumber party?”

“Something like that.” Maya glanced toward the door. Footsteps approached. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll call you when I get home, okay?”

“And exactly when will that be?” Kendra prodded.

There was a knock at the door. “Hold on a sec,” Maya whispered into the phone, and then pressed it to her chest. “Yes?”

“Is it okay if I come in?” Liam’s voice sounded huskier than it had the night before.

Maya ran a hand through her hair and wiped her face. Hopefully, she didn’t look half as bad as she felt. She opened the door and let him in.

He stepped inside, hovering inside the doorway. The ice had worked. His cheek looked better. The fitted T-shirt and slim navy khakis he wore accentuated his athletic build. “Wanted to check on you. Did you sleep okay?”

“Yes, thank you. Can’t believe I slept so late.”

“You probably don’t usually have a night like last night either.”

“A night like what?” Maya could hear Kendra’s muffled voice coming from the phone.

“Oh geez.” She held up a finger. Liam nodded. “Kendra, I’ll call when I’m back home.”

“What did he mean by—”

Maya ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. “That was my sister. I was supposed to call this morning.”

“She must’ve been worried.”

“She was, but everything is fine now. Sorry I slept so long. I’ll be out of here in a few minutes. Mind if I use your restroom?”

“Of course not. I left fresh towels for you. In the meantime, I’ll make some espresso. That always makes me feel better after a late night out.” He turned to leave, calling over his shoulder, “Let me know if you need anything else.”

Maya cleared her throat. “You wouldn’t have an extra toothbrush, would you?”

He grinned. “Already on the counter. See you in a bit.”

“Thanks for understanding about last night, and for not taking advantage of the situation. I don’t do my best thinking after a night of drinking.” She cringed at the rhyme, hoping he didn’t think she was trying to be funny.

He nodded and closed the door behind him.

* * *

What did she think he was, an ill-bred barbarian? He wanted her, certainly. But he’d never take advantage of any woman. He was pretty straightforward about what he wanted.

Well, not always.

He hadn’t been forthcoming regarding his real objective in bringing her back to his place last night, but she was no naive teenager. He hadn’t minced words where his desire for her was concerned. After that kiss they shared on the dance floor, it was clear she wanted him, too.

Liam grabbed the coffee filter and ground his favorite organic espresso roast. He locked the filter into place and watched as the thick, fragrant espresso streamed into two shot glasses. The kiss they shared on his sofa replayed in his mind nearly as vividly as when it happened.

“Smells fantastic.” Her voice startled him out of his daze.

“Wait until you have a sip.” He turned to face her. Stripped down to a hint of lip gloss, her face was still luminous and her skin was practically flawless. “What can I get you? Espresso? Latte? Mocha latte?”

“You can do that?” She glanced around the kitchen, with its expensive, professional-grade appliances. The only items he used were the espresso machine and the microwave.

“I can, and you’re going to love it.”

“A mocha latte, then, please.” She placed her clutch on the counter and climbed onto the stool.

“Coming right up.” He grabbed the milk from the fridge and poured it into the frothing pitcher.

“Thank you for the toothbrush. Lucky thing you had an extra one, huh?” Her teasing tone countered her statement.

“Indeed.” He pursed his lips, trying not to smile. So maybe he did purchase toothbrushes and condoms in bulk. One never knew when an opportunity for an unexpected frolic might arise. Better to be prepared, and he was. Always.

Breakfast fare, on the other hand, he kept in short supply. Make an overnight visitor breakfast, and you might as well offer her an invitation to move in. Sharing a morning meal at his place after a night in the sack with a virtual stranger was against his unwritten policy. Instead, he supplied a strong cup of coffee. One that made her sober enough to want to head home. Of course, if a woman was at his apartment the next morning, she’d usually shared his bed the night before. So he found himself in unfamiliar territory.

He needed a reason for her to stay.

“I kept it. The toothbrush.” She patted her purse. “It was better than the one I have at home, and it’s not like you’re going to give it to someone else.”

“Well, if you approve of my taste in dental sundries, you’re going to love my selection of caffeinated beverages.” He whisked in the chocolate powder, added the milk and finally, the froth. Then he created a swirly leaf pattern before setting the cup on a saucer in front of her. “Try this.”

She picked up the steaming cup and blew across the top of it. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the little O her mouth formed. She made the most innocent gestures erotic. His body tensed.

“Mmm...” She pulled the cup from her lips, her eyes closed. He shuddered a little. “This is good. I’m impressed.”

Oh, I haven’t even begun to impress you.

“Excellent.” He turned back to the machine and made a café Americano for himself.

They sat at the breakfast bar drinking their coffee. Liam cleared his throat and shifted on the bar stool. “What do you think of breakfast?”

“Is that an invitation, or are you asking my opinion on the benefits of breakfast in general?” She took another sip of her mocha latte.

He laughed. “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

“No,” she said. “I don’t think I am.”

* * *

“It’s an invitation,” he said. “I was just about to order breakfast. Brunch, actually. You’re welcome to... I mean, I’d like it very much if you’d stay.”

She bit her lip, her heart beating faster as she searched his eyes. They enjoyed each other’s company last night. After she turned him down, he’d shown her his jazz collection. He was a purist who collected the classics on vinyl like her dad. She’d thumbed through the album covers that were so familiar to her. Miles Davis. Charlie Parker. Dave Brubeck. John Coltrane. Ella Fitzgerald. They listened to some of their favorites on his high-tech wireless record player while sharing fruit, cheese and an unbelievably good bottle of wine. Even then, she’d been reluctant to finally say good-night. Still, maybe it was better for both of them if she didn’t stay.

“C’mon. You won’t regret it.” The man was charming and slightly irresistible. Besides, what did she have to do that was more important? Without the girls, her weekend plans consisted of doing laundry, some neglected dusting and cooking a meal for one.

She took another sip of her mocha latte and raised her eyes to his.

“Brunch would be nice.”