Temptations: A Limited Edition Contemporary Romance Collection

by Blue Saffire

  3

  Helena

  After a night of erotic possibilities confined only to my dreams, I left the hotel. It overwhelmed me to be there with all that space. Besides, I had a big case on my plate, and it was time for me to get into gear and make sure our side won.

  The office sat empty, as Saturdays tended to be, but I didn't mind. The quiet soothed me in a strange way. I stacked the research files containing all the jury questionnaires, as well as the additional stuff our PI uncovered in preliminaries, on my desk and sat down to sort them out.

  We had an easy system. I went through each folder and marked the yeses with a green marker, the noes with a red marker, and left the maybes blank for additional analysis. The jury pool was about a hundred and twenty, and I had a long day ahead. I reached over and pushed the button on the coffeemaker. The scent reached my nose. I couldn't think about the case before I got at least the first scorching sip.

  I swiveled back to the papers, coffee mug in hand, and in front of my desk, looking both debonair and a grungy sort of hot, sat Alex. He looked even more like James Dean today with a white T-shirt and the distinct scent of leather wafting from him.

  "Can I help you?"

  He shook his head. "Who works on a Saturday?"

  I shrugged. "Someone who needs a distraction, I guess."

  He reached out and perched the clutch I'd taken to my wedding right on the edge of my desk. Ah, so he'd only come by out of a sense of duty.

  "I hope you don't mind. I had to open it to figure out where to take it. I had no idea they made handbags so small."

  I chuckled. "They don't. It's a clutch."

  He raised his eyebrow and shook his head. "If you say so. Why are you working so hard on a Saturday morning? Don't you have a honeymoon suite to enjoy?"

  The heat flashed up my neck as I recalled our short but intimate time together. "It was too big and empty for me to stay. I left there early this morning, went home, arranged for movers and a new hotel room until I can find a place to live, and then came here."

  He gave a short nod. The arrogance of the man. He practically ran out on me last night after a ridiculously hot kiss, and now he acted as if it never happened. I didn't think I would forget his kiss for the rest of my life, and he was cool as a cucumber on the vine.

  "Well, I have a lot of work to do so, if you'll excuse me." I looked back down at my paperwork, but I couldn't even begin to read them while he sat there in front of me. A full three minutes passed before I looked up and caught him staring at me. The look on his face read confusion.

  "What? Why are you still here?"

  "I decided I have unfinished business with you."

  "And what might that be? If you are referring to the start of some of the best sex you would have ever had, then no, you definitely have no unfinished business."

  The side of his mouth slipped up in that stupid, damnable, panty-melting grin, and I'd had enough. The chair hit the wall with a thud and bounced back as I swiftly stood and stalked around the desk. He watched me like a hawk watches prey, sizing me up from my black heels to my gray pencil skirt and red silk top. My throat went dry, but my resolve held firm.

  He cleared his throat. "I was referring to legal representation, should your fiancé press charges."

  Immediately my stomach dropped, and I felt like a fool. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes, more in embarrassment than anything else. "Of course. Well, keep the business card you found and get in touch."

  I perched myself on the edge of the desk in front of him and waited. He needed to leave before I made an even bigger idiot of myself.

  The leather scent was stronger on his side of the desk, mixed with an undercurrent of Old Spice. It made me instantly wet, but I ignored it and crossed my arms under my breasts.

  We stayed there until he stood up and towered over me. I swallowed any sharp retorts I might have wanted to make as he moved into my personal space, his face a couple of inches from mine. I could smell the minty bite of his toothpaste.

  I automatically bent my head back so he could angle his mouth against my own. I wanted it, needed it, and prayed for it inside my head. When his mouth slowly descended, I knew it meant trouble. There would be no going back from this moment. If he kissed me, we would most certainly have sex right there on my desk.

  The first brush of his lips electrified me as a sharp wave of pleasure followed, head to toe. As he pressed in with his body, hands, and tongue, my mind blanked. I could do no more than hold on to him and wait for the maelstrom to pass.

  When the assault on my senses stopped and I could draw a full breath again, we clung to each other. He looked down into my eyes and said something I didn't even know I wanted to hear.

  "I couldn't stop thinking about you last night."

  "Go on."

  He smiled and positioned me up on the desk, my ass flat on the wood. He started to speak again as he reached to the hem of my skirt and ratcheted it up so it sat snug around my hips. "The scent of you clung to my shirt, even through the champagne smell."

  I swallowed, my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I parted my legs, and he entered the void between.

  "Your hair commanded most of my dream last night too. I was right; even now, the ends brush the desk behind you. I want to wrap it in my fist and pull it, just to see what kind of noises you make."

  The visual came to my mind and I groaned.

  "You would like it," he whispered against my lips as he continued pulling my skirt up, baring my lower body to the slight chill of the office.

  He reached behind me and scooted my ass to the edge of the desk so that my panties were flush against his erection still contained in his jeans.

  My breathing grew ragged as he locked eyes with me before ripping my underwear down my legs. He broke eye contact as he watched me unbuckle his belt and unzip his fly. He quickly slid on a condom from my clutch, and pushed inside me in one hard shove. We stayed joined, barely on the desk, for a moment as we both got used to the sensation of each other's bodies.

  He ran his hands down my back and cupped my ass into him, using his hands and the smooth surface of the desk to pump into me hard and fast. I held on for the ride, each pass edging me closer and closer to orgasm. He rested his forehead on my shoulder, and the sound of his harsh exhale added another level of eroticism.

  For the first time in a long time, I felt sexy, wanted, and alive. I dug my fingers into his back through the stiff cotton, urging him harder and faster inside me. There was no stopping now; we would hit the precipice together. Our breaths synchronized and the build of my orgasm started to pour over me, wave after wave of pleasure buzzing under my skin. I came first with a sharp inhale and his name on my lips. He tumbled right after me with a couple more short pumps before holding himself there.

  My legs felt like malformed clay on top of a spinning wheel as I tried to bear my weight on the desk or the floor. He broke away slowly and helped me down. Somehow, in the flurry, I had kicked off a heel and my panties were nowhere to be seen. He discreetly dealt with the condom before turning back to me.

  A blush crept up his neck as we adjusted our clothing to their original positions. We didn't say a word. For a moment, I worried this beautiful exchange meant nothing more than a quickie to ease the ache we both felt for each other; until he reached for my hand, kissed the center of my palm, and turned to go. At the door, he looked back.

  "You are as beautiful as I imagined in my dream. Thank you."

  I swallowed, words dry in my mouth as he left, the scent of leather following him out.

  4

  Alex

  Not even the comforting rumble of my motorcycle could calm the pounding of my heart and the roar of blood under my skin. I wanted her again, and I hadn't even left her office. The sweet moans she didn't even know she made, completely undid me. Fiercely berating myself, I put on my helmet.

  "What are you thinking, man? You're from a different world." I pushed the visor down in disgust and punched the thr
ottle hard.

  The wind would take some of the edge off before I checked in with Jimmy about payment for the limo job. If only I hadn't kissed her, things wouldn't be so complicated now.

  The jerk of reality slammed around me as I skidded to a halt in front of a light I'd almost missed. I shook out my arms and I knew, by the time I got home, her scent would be gone.

  No traffic was blocking my way so I made it to Jimmy's fast. He opened his apartment door as I stepped out of the elevator. I placed my helmet by the door and sat down on the black leather couch dominating his living space. The guy turned his entire loft studio into a man-cave; everywhere I looked, I found a piece of technology, a naked woman, or leather.

  Jimmy threw himself down on the other end of the sectional, his big body sinking into the cushion.

  "So what happened? It was an easy job."

  "I got in the backseat."

  "You what?"

  "She was left at the altar, man."

  "Was she crying? Ruining the interior of the car? What?"

  I ran my hands through my hair with a growl. "No, she was just getting drunk."

  "Well, even better. Still doesn't explain why you got into the backseat."

  "I don't know. I felt bad for her, I guess."

  He shook his head. "It was a job. Shit happens, people deal with it. That's it."

  I sighed heavily, not meeting his gaze. No way I was about to tell him what else had happened. I'd never hear the end of it.

  Jimmy lumbered to his feet and grabbed an envelope from a shelf full of liquor before tossing it on my lap. "There ya go, man. Paid in full. I need the whole report emailed to me. I'll call you if I have any more brides you can shuttle around."

  With that, I knew it was the end of the meeting. Jimmy had always been an easy man to read, and he was done talking.

  "No problem." I clutched the envelope, grabbed my helmet, and left. As I approached the bike, I slipped the white paper into my coat pocket. My bike sat safely on the curb, and while I straddled her, my mind immediately went to Helena. What the fuck was with this girl? And why couldn't I stop thinking about her?

  The bike came to life at the touch of my hand. I still had another job to do tonight, and there was some prep involved. Part of me thought about skipping it and drowning my sorrows in a case of beer. But the money was beyond good, and it would be a great show of faith to the client, maybe get me more jobs in the future.

  I peeled away, absolutely not thinking about Helena.

  5

  Helena

  The dress I found for the evening's gala was even more beautiful on me than the hanger. The champagne-colored sequins sparkled like diamonds, and the sweetheart strapless neckline made my cleavage look amazing. It hugged my body like a second skin and fanned out slightly at the knees. My hair spiraled in an infinite number of curls, and my skin had a nice glow—something I attributed to Alex and the desk. Not that I had been thinking about it.

  I looked as good as I was going to get. The law firm I consulted with invited me to their annual gala, and the notice suggested it might be rude to decline. As much as I didn't want to go, I enjoyed working for them, so this would be a good opportunity to meet some more of the equity partners.

  I would have invited Alex to accompany me, if he had bothered to stay long enough for me to ask. This was the second time he ran out on me after an intimate moment. He must have a thing about commitment. My phone rang, alerting me to the driver on the curb, and I grabbed my bag and left.

  The drive was quick, and the gala even had its own red carpet, of sorts. I entered quickly without drawing notice of the crowd milling around out front. The ballroom was beautiful. The chandeliers lit the room in crystal-bathed soft light that shone off the marble floors and columns lining the exterior. A dance floor sat open at one end, and beautiful, gold-laid tables scattered the other. Impressive.

  "Ah, Helena. I'm so glad you made it."

  I spun around to face the head partner of the law firm, and shook his hand. “I’m glad I was invited.”

  He smiled and cupped my back, not so subtly leading me toward the bar. If he got handsy, he was going to get smacked, partner or no.

  "Two champagnes, please."

  He ordered for us both, and I kept quiet. I'd let him think he was being chivalrous, and I did enjoy champagne.

  "How are you finding the case?" he asked, after handing me the sparkling glass.

  "I find it fascinating. I haven't worked on a case like this before, but the facts and the research are even more fascinating—"

  He held his hand up, and I stopped speaking. "Please, my dear, I'll leave the data up to you. I must greet some other guests, but come find me later. There is someone you need to meet."

  He walked away before I could even respond. I stood there, clutching the glass so hard it could have shattered. The nerve of him. I took a deep breath and shook it off. Most head partners were dicks anyway. Luckily, I didn't have to deal with them often.

  Another voice spoke my name, and I turned to catch one of the senior associates smiling at me as he wove through the crowd to my side.

  "Michael. It's nice to see you again."

  He looked dashing in his tuxedo. He was tall and lanky, but he carried himself well, his Asian heritage adding a touch of exotic to the mix.

  "Helena." He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I see you already have a drink."

  "Ah, yes, I was just speaking with Frank. He was…kind enough to get one for me."

  Michael's knowing grin said they all knew Frank's strange ways and had to put up with him. "Oh." He put his hand on my forearm. "There are a few associates for the defense here, and I hear tell they brought along a member of their own jury consultant team."

  I hadn't heard they hired one. "Oh, yeah? Who is it?"

  Michael shook his head. "I don't know, never heard of him before tonight. The defense associates whisper about him like he's some sort of secret agent."

  I chuckled. Secret agent. Really? "Well, I'll have to get a look at the man."

  Many consultants had come along through the years trying to usurp me from the top spot in consulting in the city, but so far, none had succeeded. It was highly unlikely a man with no reputation at all would be able to do it either.

  Michael looked around and pointed out a group of men standing off to the side. "That's him in the middle."

  I took a long look at his ass. He certainly kept in shape, but I didn't see anything special. I took a sip of the champagne and watched the man carefully. As I took a drink, he turned and my heart nearly shot out of my chest along with the drink spraying from my mouth. I swallowed the remainder of the liquid and wiped my face. No one had noticed except Michael, who mopped at his tux with a handkerchief.

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," I said, still staring at the other man.

  He laughed and handed me his handkerchief. "Don't worry about it. What's wrong? Do you know him?"

  I looked toward him again and pursed my lips, ready for an exchange. "Excuse me for a moment, Michael, can you hold this?" I handed him the glass and my clutch before hiking up the bottom of my gown and marching toward the group. The other men watched me approach, and the bastard didn't turn around until I was directly behind him. His face blazed a bright red before I punched him hard in the jaw.

  The pain lit my hand up quick, but I put it down by my side as he rubbed his chin. I hadn't even moved him.

  "Hello, Alex, fancy meeting you here. Is that even your real name?"

  He turned to the group and whispered something, making them all disperse. We were alone then. "Yes, Alex is my real name."

  "And the sex? Was it real too?"

  "You can't have pretend sex, Helena."

  "You can have lie sex and betrayal sex and…" I stopped because my voice reached a shrill note I couldn't even handle. I spun around and blew a breath out my nose. The exit beckoned, and I answered by marching toward the hall leading to the restrooms. The ladies’ room stood empty as I storme
d in. Thank goodness.

  I put my hands on the counter and took long, deep breaths, trying to get air into my uncooperative lungs.

  I'd never hit another person in my life. My hand burned and ached from the punch, but it had been worth it.

  The door burst open as Alex came in. He quickly closed and locked it behind him. "Listen, I—"

  I shook my head. Hell, no. "No. You listen. What you did was disgusting. Posing as my limo driver on my wedding night. Coming into my office. Seducing me. What is wrong with you?"

  "Okay, now, when you put it like that, it sounds bad."

  "What was the plan? To drop me helpful hints about the case while you put your dick inside me, or steal them as you looked over my shoulder?"

  He sighed and looked at the ceiling as if he needed patience from my drama. "It wasn't like…I didn't expect you to…I didn't." He stopped sputtering and groaned.

  "Spit it out," I shouted.

  "I wanted you more than I wanted anything else in my entire life," he yelled, dropping his hands to his sides.

  The air around us grew heavy from the tension. I was sure everyone in a mile radius could hear us, but I didn't care. He said he wanted me, and I wanted him, despite the fact he was a total dick.

  We locked eyes and the same electricity sizzled between us. I didn't want to want him, not with whatever we had tainted with forbidden knowledge neither of us could give up, nor obtain from the other. Oh, but I did. Standing so close, I was already growing wet in anticipation. He would touch me, and I would respond. It wasn't a choice; it was a need and an ache in my bones. I couldn't read his mind, but his eyes were shadowed with desire.

  "Apologize," I whispered.

  His forehead wrinkled as if he were confused.

  "Get down on your knees and apologize for deceiving, misleading, and fucking me under such unscrupulous conditions," I said, steel in my tone.