Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Pineiro, Charity

  Her breakfast meeting with Ruf had turned into a double date when he’d walked into the restaurant with Audra on his arm and a scowling Drew on his heels. Now, instead of talking business, they were all forced to endure the Audra show.

  It was a lot to take on only one cup of coffee.

  Natasha was sure she was wearing the same equally fascinated and horrified look Ruf was.

  “So, like there I am, watching this guy do his heavy breathing act, and I just had to roll my eyes, ya know? I mean, what? I’m gonna give it to him there in the grocery store? What a dork.” Audra spoke around the mouthful of French Toast she’d nabbed from Drew’s plate. “So, like, that’s why I refuse to do the grocery store again. With freaks like that hanging out, a chick just can’t check out the produce in peace.”

  Natasha speared another strawberry—the catalyst that had inspired Audra’s produce story—and bit down viciously.

  “So, Ruf,” Natasha said, trying to get control of the conversation, “I’d love to hear about your plans for the spring line-up. You did a great job incorporating your new logo into the designs last year. Will you continue that theme?”

  Out the corner of her eye, she saw Audra open her mouth to say something, then wince and clamp her lips shut and glare through heavily lined eyes at her brother. Natasha didn’t know what he’d done, but she flashed him a look of gratitude and grabbed the chance to pitch.

  So pitch she did.

  And apparently she rocked it. By the time Ruf had soaked up his plateful of gravy with his last biscuit, his nods had gone from polite to enthusiastic.

  “Tell ya what, Sweet Thing, I think we have a lot to talk about,” he said, wiping a speck of sausage off his pencil mustache. “Now, I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m mighty partial to what Twisted Knickers has to offer and I’m hoping to see a lot more.”

  From the leer on his face when he glanced at Audra, who was shoveling in food like she hadn’t eaten in a year, it was pretty clear just what he wanted to see. Drew’s glare made it just as clear he planned to stop the guy.

  Since Ruf obviously had no problem listening to the advice of his dick when it came to business, Natasha was very glad that Drew intended to keep his little sister’s questionable virtue off the bargaining table.

  “Besides,” Ruf continued, “I have a policy of only doing business with friends. Makes it easier all round, if you ask me. So how about the four of us get friendly, hmm?”

  Ewww. Eww eww eww. Horror speared Natasha’s gut. Sitting next to Drew on the bench seat, Natasha felt him growl. Even Audra went pale.

  Oblivious, Ruf tossed his napkin on his plate and rose. “I’ve got tickets to one of those shows tonight, some fancy thing at the Bellagio. Why don’t we make it a foursome? Dinner, show, a few drinks.”

  Oh, God, no. As much as Natasha wanted Ruf’s account, the idea of double dating to win it was just too much.

  “We have plans tonight,” Drew said.

  Natasha’s grateful smile faded when Ruf shrugged.

  “Fine, tomorrow night then.” He rubbed his hands together and smiled. “Call it the first step in negotiations. We’ll take things from there. Vegas has a lot to offer, just like your companies. I’d like to explore it all.”

  Nobody seemed comfortable with the offer, but Audra slowly nodded. Natasha had no choice but to agree.

  And then try not to throw up.

  She wanted to break the sexual curse, but was it really smart to explore the many facets of Sin City with a Clark Gable wannabe, the baddest bad-girl she’d ever met, and her sexual nemesis?

  She had a feeling this was going to seriously bite her in the ass…

  Chapter Five

  “I don’t know about this. I think we should keep an eye on Audra and Ruf,” Natasha protested as Drew led her through the luxurious Venetian hotel toward the Grand Canal Shoppes.

  Uh…no. That wasn’t happening. Drew had got his fill of the two of them at breakfast and on the convention floor. Tonight was his.

  “Don’t worry so much,” he dismissed. “Audra blew off Randall to hit the dance clubs tonight. I’m sure he’s doing business of some kind, but it’s not with my little sister.”

  “You do realize your sister isn’t my only competition for this account, right?”

  “You need to relax,” he said. “You spun a great pitch this morning and Ruf spent half the day staring across at your booth. Trust me, you’ve got the guy hooked.”

  Tired of the crazy old coot taking so much of Natasha’s attention, Drew laid his arm over Tasha’s shoulder and pulled her close.

  Tonight was going to be about what he wanted. And, he vowed, he’d make sure what he wanted was what she wanted, too, before it was over. He wasn’t a man who usually thought of romance. But Natasha was the kind of woman who’d be swayed by it. So he’d done what any smart guy without a clue would do. He’d asked the concierge.

  A half hour and a fake gondola ride later, they were seated in a restaurant with the unbelievably lame name of Casanova. Because, what? That was romantic? He’d definitely over-tipped the concierge. Hell, he’d had to resort to hand holding in that log ride disguised as a gondola. As Drew watched the waiter pour wine, he realized that his hand was still wrapped over Natasha’s.

  Okay, so the handholding was actually kind of nice.

  He watched the way Tasha’s hair slid along her throat, teasing the edge of her dress where it curved downward. The red fabric highlighted her breasts in a way that reminded him of all the delights they promised. Delights he hoped to enjoy again.

  “So what do you think?” he asked, slipping his hand away.

  “Of the Grand Canal?” At his nod, she smiled. “It’s wonderful. I had no idea there was anything like this here. The stores, the view, the gondola, its all so much fun.”

  “Only in Vegas.” “It’s like its own little world. A place where wishes and dreams could come true.”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  “What would you wish for?” Drew asked, genuine curiosity in his tone.

  “I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. But the color on her cheeks told him differently.

  “C’mon, Tash. You have to have some dreams. Some wishes that are so out there that they’re not worth tossing a coin in the fountain for?”

  She laughed. “Sure, I guess so. I used to wish I could be like my Aunt Sharon. I love Sensual Supports, what she’s made of it. She started the company as a tiny clothing store, but expanded and eventually started specializing in lingerie.”

  “It seems like an interesting occupation for someone in your family.”

  “No kidding. Some people thought she shifted to lingerie just to piss off my parents, but not Aunt Sharon. She simply doesn’t care what other people think. That’s what I wish... that I could do things without worrying about how others would feel.”

  “And if you could? What would you do in your opinion-free world?”

  Natasha stared dreamily at the passing landscape and lush greenery.

  “I’d have a company like Sensual Supports, but I’d make it bigger. Not just lingerie, but clothing. That’s how Aunt Sharon actually started, you know. She had a little clothes boutique, then started dabbling with designing pieces herself. Pretty soon, she realized the lingerie was outselling everything else, so she concentrated on that.”

  “It sounds like you want to expand that focus again?”

  “If I had a shop, sure. Aunt Sharon has to let it go, though. She’s not well and it’s a fulltime commitment. Me? I’d want to focus on the design. I’ve got some great ideas for a new line that would be cutting edge. I’d make it an exclusive boutique with all my own designs. That’d be so much better than scrambling to get designs out to other companies like Perfect Passion Lingerie who will take over manufacturing and distribution. Instead, the people would come to me.”

  She sounded dreamy, her voice soft and her eyes distant as if she were imagining just how sweet it’d be. Then, in a blink, the d
reams were gone. It was like she’d climbed back into that box and shut the lid.

  A part of him wanted to break that box open, to free her so she could chase her dreams and be happy. But that was stupid. He wasn’t a white knight, he was a one night.

  “What about you, Drew? What are your dreams?”

  “Mine?” He frowned, then realized what she’d asked and shrugged. “I don’t do dreams.”

  “Seriously, no dreams at all? There’s nothing more you want in life?” She had that tone, the one that warned that she wasn’t buying it.

  “I guess I have a few goals,” he admitted slowly, focusing on buttering his bread so he didn’t’ have to meet her eyes. “I want to follow through on the promises I made to my father. To get Audra on the straight and narrow. To keep the bar going, make it a success. Things like that.”

  “Those are great ambitions, but what about your personal dreams?” she asked as the waiter placed their salad in front of them. “What happened to playing pool for a living, to seeing the world?”

  Those dreams were dead, along with his father.

  “Like I said, I’m not a dreamer. My path is set, you know? Yours though? Your dream is right there at your finger tips...” He lifted his glass of wine in a toast and winked. “I dare you to grab it. Hell, I dare you to even consider it.”

  * * *

  Two hours later in the elevator of her hotel, he offered another dare, one she wasn’t sure she could resist.

  “Drew, you’re not daring me to go to bed with you.” Natasha gave a little laugh and rolled her eyes.

  Drew wished he could. Hell, he didn’t care how it happened, he just wanted this woman back in his arms.

  “No?” he asked, taking her hand in his to play with her fingers. Drew looked down into her misty gray eyes and felt his insides do an odd little dance. She was so damned sexy.

  “Puleeze, do you really think I’m that easy?”

  “No,” he stated adamantly. “You’re anything but easy.”

  They reached her hotel room door, but Natasha didn’t pull her fingers from his or attempt to find her room card. Instead she leaned back against the door and waited.

  “Fine,” he said, leaning down to brush his lips gently over her temple. Just the breath of a kiss that promised untold passion if she was willing to give in to it.

  “We don’t need a dare. When you open that door, we’re going to have sex. Incredible, wild, mind-blowing sex.”

  Her breath shuddered. “Why?”

  “Because neither of us can hold out any longer.”

  “Oh, I can hold out if I have to,” she said with enough conviction to make him a little worried. Then she winked. “But I plan to make sure you’re the one who can’t hold out.”

  “Me?” He laughed, sliding his hands over her hips and pulling her close. “That’s a big promise.”

  “Bet I can make you beg,” she whispered.

  “I dare you,” he challenged again before taking her mouth.

  She was so sweet. Warm, open and delicious.

  Their tongues slid together, a warm prelude with a slow build up. He forced himself to keep his hands on her hips, even though his palms were itching to explore the rest of her. He wanted to grab her and do her against the door, but he knew Tasha. The minute he pushed, she’d shut him down.

  So he waited, seducing with his lips and tongue alone.

  Finally, her breath coming fast and her eyes dark with need, she leaned her head back to and gave him a long look.

  “I’m really enjoying what we’re doing, but this hallway isn’t quite as private as I’d like. I don’t suppose you’d care to join me...,” Her voice breathy with desire, she nodded at the door, “...inside?”

  “Babe, I’d beg to get inside,” he quipped, needing to lighten the mood. He just laughed when she rolled her eyes and turned away. After all, who cared if his jokes flopped. The rest of him was about to find heaven.

  Drew followed her into the hotel room, allowing the heavy door to shut behind him. He leaned against the wall and watched Natasha wander around the room, flipping on lights, setting her purse down, then picking it up again to return her room card. She didn’t seem to know what to do with herself.

  Rolling his eyes, he stepped forward and grabbed her hands.

  “Loosen up, Tasha.”

  “I’m loose.”

  “Right, that’s why are running all over the room, then? Loosening up?”

  “If you must know.” She pressed her lips together. “I’m trying to figure out the best way to seduce you.”

  Images of the many, many ways she could do just that flew through his head. Intense heat shot through his groin, sending his already hardening erection into iron bar status.

  He wrapped their entwined hands behind the small of her back and drew her to him, then brushed a soft kiss over her temple.

  “Hey, you’ve got ideas you want to try out, I’m here for you. I’d say the smartest thing to do is start at the top of the list. When we’re done with the first, you simply move on to the second.”

  Laughing, Natasha stepped away and gave him a gentle push so he landed on the bed. Drew leaned back on his elbows and raised both brows in inquiry.

  “You joining me?”

  She shushed him and started that damned flitting around the room again. This time, she turned off all but the dim entry light. She peeked into the ice bucket and shot him a naughty grin, then turned on the bedside clock radio and fiddled until she found a bluesy radio station.

  Drew appreciated the nod to ambiance, but he’d take her on a park bench at rush hour, so it was definitely not necessary. Just as he was about to grab her and haul her to the bed, she stopped in front of him. She leaned down, planted her hands on either side of his body and smiled—a slow smile promising all manner of wicked delights. Drew groaned as her mouth took his.

  All too soon, she pulled back and with a quick twist, presented her back to him.

  She looked over her shoulder. “I knew when Lanie zipped me into this that it would be hard to get off alone.” She paused to make sure he got the pun and giggled when Drew groaned. “Will you unzip me?”

  Laughter forgotten, Drew leaned forward to slowly pull the zipper down her back, relishing the feel of her silky smooth skin beneath his knuckles. The zipper started just above her bra line, and ended just below her panty line, giving him a delightful view of icy silver-blue embroidered lingerie. He traced his finger over the band of her thong before pressing his lips to the small of her back to inhale her spicy floral scent.

  With a soft gasp, she stepped away. Still watching him over her shoulder she shrugged first one, then the other shoulder, so her dress slipped down her arms to catch at her elbows.

  In subtle time with the background music, she raised her arms to let the dress slide free. The pale blue satin pooled in a lake of fabric at her feet as she raised her hands to the back of her head. Drew had never been turned on by a woman’s back before, but he sure was now. He watched as she slid the pins from her blond hair, then shook her head so it fluffed around her in a deceptively angelic cloud.

  Damn, she was perfect.

  “Turn around,” he rasped.

  She shot him a look over her shoulder, then winked. He watched her hand move in front of her and couldn’t see what she was doing, but heard a soft snick and watched the fabric of her bra loosen. Still watching him, she shrugged and the bra joined her dress at her feet.

  Drew was getting desperate to see more. There was nothing that turned him on like a woman’s lush breasts. And Natasha’s were the lushest, the most perfect, he’d ever been blessed to see. To touch, to taste. He groaned.

  “Turn around. Please,” he requested again.

  “Why?” she asked in a husky voice.

  “I want to touch you.”

  “How do you want to touch me, Drew? Tell me and I’ll see if I like it.”

  “I know you’ll like it,” he promised.

  “But how do I know? I
should be sure, don’t you think?”

  Drew grinned and reached back to grab a stack of pillows so he could get comfortable. Or as comfortable as a man could get with a monster truck sized hard-on pressed against his zipper.

  “I’d start by cupping your breasts in my hands,” he told her. And watched as she lifted both hands in front of her. It was then that Drew realized he could see her reflection in the mirror. His breath caught at the sight of Natasha, her hands holding the lush bounty of her breasts like he wanted to do. He let out a shuddering moan.

  “Then,” he continued, hoping she’d follow his instructions, “I’d rub my fingers around your nipples. Just enough to excite, but not touching the sensitive centers.”

  Still watching him over her shoulder, seemingly oblivious to his secondary mirror view, Natasha did as he said. While one hand still held her breast, the other traced her pale pink areola. He watched her nipple harden and wondered who’d turned the heat up in the room.

  “I’d tweak your nipples, making them harder, more sensitive,” he whispered.

  She did, and from the look on her face, she was enjoying this game as much as he was. Drew wondered who would last longer, him or her. He planned to make damned sure it was him.

  “Then I’d wet your nipple with my tongue,” he told her, grinning wickedly. He’d have her in his arms within the next thirty seconds, he was sure of it.

  But Natasha was more resourceful than he’d given her credit for. After a brief frown, she raised her index finger to her mouth and ran her tongue over it. Then, turning to meet his eyes in the mirror, she ran her glistening wet finger over the hard nub of her nipple.

  Drew gave in and sat up with a desperate groan. He grabbed her around the waist to turn her body to face him and took the tempting tip of her breast into his mouth to lave it with his tongue. She’d won. But he’d get the prize.

  * * *

  Natasha gasped at the feel of Drew’s mouth on her body. She’d wanted this, had imagined it while she’d fondled herself. And the reality was so much better than her fantasy. Never had she been as bold as she was tonight, tempted by the game of show and tell that she’d initiated.