The Burn List

by Julia Devlin

  “Still there?” His deep voice traveled over the phone line, sounding mildly amused.

  Her whole body broke out in goose bumps while she squeaked, “Yes.”

  “If you want to back out, this is your last chance, because once I ring the doorbell, you’re mine.”

  “No.” Her cheeks felt as though they were on fire and her blood pressure had skyrocketed. She frowned. Lukas Marlow agreed to go out with her and she was thinking about blood pressure?

  “No, you want to back out, or no you don’t?” The cocky assuredness of his tone told her he already knew her answer.

  She cleared her throat. “W-where are we going?” There, she got out a whole, complete sentence.

  “That’s my job to worry about. I have other jobs in mind for you…” He let the sentence trail off.

  A million ideas ran through her mind like a runaway freight train. Unable to bear the suspense any longer she breathed out, “Yes?”

  “Hmmm…let me think.” His voice was a hypnotic low rumble that made her shiver. “Are you paying attention, Abby?”

  Fine beads of perspiration broke out at her temples as she gulped. She never thought he’d go for it. She’d figured it was as good a place as any to start, and since she’d already humiliated herself in front of him, she might as well go all the way. She’d never dreamed…

  “Abby,” he said her name with a bit of an edge that had her spine snapping ruler straight.

  “Yes, I’m paying attention.”

  “Good girl.”

  Those two little words had her thighs clenching together. All the sudden she looked around her, sure her coworkers in the neighboring cubes would know what she was talking about. Not that any of them would believe it. They’d probably think someone had gotten her a phone sex card for her birthday.

  “So where was I…oh yeah, your jobs.” His chuckle was like sex and sin. “I want your hair down like last night. I liked it all wild—you looked like you’d just been fucked.”

  Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!She gasped, putting her hand over her chest to calm her heart pounding out of her rib cage.

  He responded with a low, wicked laugh. “I’m not done yet.”

  “Oh,” came her tentative reply. Since she’d never believed he’d agree, she’d never thought about the reality…which now made her nervous.

  “You, little Abby, have a killer body.”

  She glanced down at the plain white button-down blouse she wore. Killer body? Had he gone insane? She laughed, and some of her nerves melted away. “Oh, come on.”

  “You think I’m joking?” He didn’t sound amused.

  “Of course,” she said, fanning her burning cheeks the best she could with her hand.

  “I’m not joking.” There was a long, silent pause. “But it doesn’t matter if you believe me, you handed over your list to me and now your only job is to please me. And do you know what will please me, Abby?”

  She cleared her throat, butterflies taking flight in her stomach once again. “I have no idea.”

  “You, poured into the tightest, sexiest black dress you can find. I want every single curve on display.”

  She licked her dry lips. She’d have to go shopping on her lunch hour. Her brows drew together, what if she couldn’t find something? She’d never shopped for a skintight black dress before. Maybe Jane could meet her at the mall and help.

  “Understood?” The word sounded like a sharp command and her belly dipped.

  “Yes,” she managed to squeak out. Her sister probably had the perfect black dress already hanging in her closet with the tags still on. But her sister was a size two and never let Abby forget it, but maybe, if all else failed, she could call Eden and ask where to go shopping.

  “Oh, and one more thing,” Lukas said, startling Abby out of her anxiety about finding the perfect dress.

  “Yes?”

  “I want your pussy bare. I want to feel nothing but satin-smooth skin when I make you come.”

  She sucked air into her tight lungs. No one had eversaid anything like that to her. It was blunt. Crude. And so… dirty. So why was it such a turn-on? Already her nipples puckered into tight points so they rubbed exquisitely against her bra. And she couldn’t deny that between her thighs was an unfamiliar ache.

  Lukas Marlow was so out of her league.

  His low voice came over the line. “You want to back out now, little girl?”

  The “little girl” crack snapped her to attention. Determination to go through with this crazy idea had her straightening in her chair. Afterward she’d have to move, but it would be worth it. He’d already turned her on more with this phone call than during the sex she’d had with the couple of guys she’d slept with. “No, I’m ready.”

  “Good. I’ll see you at eight.”

  Chapter Four

  Lukas rang Abby’s doorbell at eight sharp. Much to his relief, she didn’t back out as he’d half expected all day. He jingled his keys in the pocket of his black dress pants while he waited, way more excited to go out with Abby than he should be.

  But, to hell with it, he stopped caring about her being his neighbor about thirty seconds into her email.

  The door swung open. His jaw unhinged.

  Holy fuck!He’d been a blind idiot to miss how pretty she was.

  A tumble of golden-brown waves fell to her shoulders in a wild tousle, highlighting her high cheekbones and full lips. Smoky makeup and thick, sooty lashes made her big brown eyes exotic. As he’d requested, she wore a mid-thigh, black, V-necked sleeveless dress so tight it may as well have been painted on. The dress revealed those killer curves, so lush he wanted to sink into them for days. Not to mention her breasts, Jesus, they were enough to make a man break out into a sweat. She’d completed the outfit with a pair of stiletto heels, accentuating a set of endless legs.

  He shook his head. Most women would flaunt that body for everything it was worth, so why did she insist on hiding behind that librarian exterior? He’d be getting to the bottom of that story.

  “Very nice, Abby.” The words were woefully inadequate. “Aren’t you a good girl following my instructions?”

  A blush stained those pretty cheeks and she flashed a too-bright smile. “Um,” she said, her gaze darting on and off of him like skittish fawn ready to bolt. “Let me grab my purse.”

  “Wait a minute.” He stepped through the door and shut it behind him.

  Her throat worked and she blinked up at him. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No.” Wanting her aware of what she was getting into, he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close, aligning their hips so she could feel his erection.

  Her eyes went wide as saucers. “Oh.”

  Before she could give too much thought to running, he captured her mouth with a hot, demanding sweep of his tongue.

  A nicer guy would deliver a soft, exploratory kiss to put her at ease. A nicer guy would have waited until after dinner.

  But when it came to sex, Lukas wasn’t a nice guy.

  And based on Abby’s list, the last thing she needed was polite.

  He skimmed his fingers along her back, pausing to stroke the bare skin of her shoulder blades before continuing upward to grasp her neck. Her lips opened under his, and he tightened his hold on her waist to anchor her in place, taking full possession.

  She melted into him before wrapping herself around him like a snake. Her tongue tangled with his. Delicate fingers climbed up his chest to clench the fabric of his white shirt as she rose onto tiptoes.

  She squirmed and shimmied under him until she found his straining erection.

  And just like that she swept the rug right out from under him.

  Moaning, he walked her backward until she hit a wall. He kicked her legs apart and slid his hands down her body, stroking down one thigh. In perfect sync, she hooked one leg over his hip and his fingers curled around her knee. Her dress rose high, stretching to accommodate him as the head of his cock nudged between her legs.

Covered by only thin panties he could feel her heat, smell her desire.

  She rocked against him.

  He thrust against her clit.

  A whimper came from deep within her throat.

  Goddamn, he wanted to devour her. How could he ever have guessed that his sweet, innocent little neighbor was actually a powder keg waiting to detonate?

  He needed to stop. Get back in control. Their first time couldn’t be up against a wall before they’d even left the house.

  With considerable restraint, he released her mouth and stepped away, his breathing ragged.

  One little kiss and she’d managed to knock him to his knees. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of that.

  Her lids fluttered open to reveal glazed eyes. Her chest heaved as she sucked air into her lungs. Between her bruised mouth and color high on her cheeks, everything about her screamed ready. He gritted his teeth. Cock aching with the need to pound into her, he ran his fingers through his hair.

  She deserved better, and he intended to give her everything she deserved and then some. “Let’s go.”

  * * * * *

  Twenty minutes later they were seated in a private U-shaped booth lining the back wall at Sabatino’s. Abby blew out a deep breath, still trying to get her bearings and figure out what happened. One touch of Lukas’ mouth and it had been more exciting than sex. No other man had kissed her like that. Ever. It had been thrilling. Like being claimed and possessed, like everything she’d ever dreamed about but was too afraid to hope for.

  She’d loved every second of it.

  Unfortunately, the mood had turned.

  Lukas had almost looked angry when they’d left the house and the car ride to the restaurant had been filled with tense silence. When they’d been walked to the table in the Tuscan-decorated restaurant, he’d held her elbow with ruthless efficiency.

  Since they’d sat down, he’d barely spoken.

  There was only one explanation.

  Throat constricting, she squeezed her hands tight in her lap and tried her best not to be hurt. She’d known going into this he might not want her. It had been silly to think a tight dress and makeup done at the MAC counter would be enough to change his mind about her. Sure, she’d thought the kiss had been great, but he was used to much more experienced women. She must seem terribly dull in comparison.

  She had no other choice but to let him off the hook. She couldn’t force the poor guy to have sex with her.

  The waiter came over and Lukas ordered a bottle of wine without consulting the menu, letting her know she wasn’t the first woman he’d taken here. She stared down at the empty white plate.

  She refused to feel sorry for herself. No, that was the old Abby. This new Abby took her punches then climbed right back into the ring.

  The second the waiter walked away, she raised her chin, twisted the napkin in her lap and plunged into the difficult conversation ahead. “Lukas, it’s okay. Please don’t feel obligated.”

  His attention snapped to hers, his dark eyes narrowed. “What?”

  She put on a bright, cheerful smile. “It’s totally fine, I get it. Let’s forget this whole thing ever happened. I promise I’ll never speak of this again.”

  “What are you talking about?” His brows drew into a vee in the center of his forehead.

  Hand fluttering to her neck, she toyed with the delicate silver chain at her throat. Geez, couldn’t he just take the out she was offering? She cleared her throat. “I totally appreciate your willingness to help me out. It’s really great of you. But I understand you’re not attracted enough to me to…um…consummate our friendship.”

  This had to be one of the top five most embarrassing moments of her life. If only the housing market hadn’t crashed and she could move. Now she’d be stuck with him as a neighbor for god knew how long. She took a deep breath. She’d get through this. When she recovered from her mortification and bruised ego in about a hundred years, she’d try again.

  “Not want you?” His lips firmed into a hard line. “How in the hell could you think I don’t want you?”

  “Well…um…you’ve been kind of sullen since you kissed me.”

  His face smoothed over. “Ah, I see.”

  “Yes, well, I’m letting you off the hook.” She tried for a smile but feared it failed miserably.

  He moved to the center of the booth and crooked a finger. “Come over here.”

  “What?” She stared at him, totally confused.

  “Come here. Now.” His voice was a hard I-mean-business command.

  She blinked as butterflies took flight in her stomach. What was it about that tone that got to her? She’d figure it out later. Right now she had to get through this torture. “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. I’ll survive, I promise.”

  One dark brow rose. “Are you going to make me come get you? Because, I warn you, in my current state it’s not a good idea.”

  She searched his expression for any clue to his thoughts. All she saw was hard-eyed determination. She bit her bottom lip—okay, he probably wanted to comfort her—she’d let him and get it over with. He obviously had a hero complex.

  Carefully, she scooted next to him. His strong thigh, pressed against her bare leg, the fabric of his black dress pants rubbing against her oversensitive skin.

  Arm sliding along the back of the booth, he leaned in close enough for Abby to smell his aftershave. A mixture of man and spices that would have been intoxicating if it weren’t for the circumstances. Warm breath fell over the shell of her ear and she shivered. A pang of loss made her chest hurt. She closed her eyes, hoping to push it away. Maybe someday she’d find another guy who made her melt. Maybe someday—

  “That was about the hottest kiss I’ve ever had.”

  Her lids snapped open. What did he say? She had to have heard wrong.

  “Despite what you think,” he continued in a low rumble filled with unmistakable heat, “I don’t normally have a hard time not fucking my dates before I’ve even taken them to dinner.”

  A hot flush fanned out over her chest and up her neck to splash over her cheeks.

  “But damn if I didn’t have a hell of a time resisting you.” He picked up a lock of her hair, letting the strands fall between his fingers, creating a rush of tingles down her back.

  She stared at the white tablecloth, unsure of what to do.

  “Look at me, Abby.” His voice a soft whisper over her skin.

  She complied because she felt powerless not to.

  He pressed his forehead into hers. “I’m sorry about the car. I didn’t stop to think of how you’d perceive it. The truth is I spent the ride trying to muster all my self-control so I didn’t jump you between the house and the restaurant.”

  She swallowed hard, trying to grasp the knowledge that Lukas Marlow considered her desirable. She couldn’t quite make herself believe it. In a soft whisper she asked, “So you’re not just being nice?”

  He chuckled, a low, lazy sound that sent a jolt of excitement through her. “If you had even an inkling of all the kinky things I’ve been thinking about doing to you, that would be the last question on your mind.”

  Hope, and what might be a tiny seedling of confidence, bloomed in her chest.

  For now, he was hers.

  Oh, she didn’t harbor any delusions, she understood this was temporary. But how many women got the chance to live out their fantasy with the object of those fantasies? Not many.

  No matter how uncomfortable. No matter how scary. She was going for it.

  The waiter returned with their wine, and Lukas pulled away from her to nod at the bottle. She attempted to pay attention to the server, but Lukas’ fingers kept sliding up and down her bare shoulder as he went through the tasting and pouring ritual.

  He wanted her. He really wanted her.Unable to help herself a smile slid over her lips as she chanted the words in her head in time with his hand brushing over her skin.

  The waiter left and Lukas leaned close and nipped her earlobe so she jumped. “What’s that smile for?”

  She shrugged, picking up her wineglass and taking a sip of the smoky Italian red he’d ordered. It slid down her throat and warmed her stomach.

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  “I’m just glad I don’t have to start all over.” And that you want me.

  He laughed. “Careful, lavish compliments like that will give me a big head.”

  The tight muscles in her neck loosened, and as she took another sip of the delicious wine, she looked him up and down. All gorgeous and dangerous in his French-cut white button-down dress shirt. She grinned. “I’m certain your head is plenty big.”

  He grinned right back. “Let’s talk about this list of yours.”

  Ugh! Just when she was starting to get her footing, he had to bring that up? She buried her face in her hands. “Do we have to?”

  “Yes.” Amusement rang clear in his tone. His large hand began to rub her neck. “Let’s start with number one.”

  She shook her head, wanting the floor to open up and swallow her. What had possessed her to put such embarrassing things in writing?

  Oh right, her quest to become an adventurous wild woman. Dumb.

  “Have you ever had an orgasm? Or have you just not come with a man?” He found a knot in her muscles and kneaded the spot in slow circles. It would have felt marvelous if not for the humiliating question on the table.

  She looked up at the ceiling decorated with large, intricate tiles. “You’re not really going to make me go through with this, are you? Can’t you…” She waved her hand in the air. “Take care of it and call it a day?”

  He laughed. “Nope. Sorry, Abby.”

  “But why?” Was it really necessary to embarrass her?

  One dimple flashed as he smiled. “That’s easy. You asked me to.”

  “I most certainly did not,” she sputtered, putting down her glass so she didn’t spill it in her shock. Where’d he get such a crazy idea?

  “Oh yes you did.”

  “I never said anything about wanting to play true confessions.”

  “You want to be handled.”

  She furrowed her brow. “That’s not what I meant.”

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