Sinful Seduction

by Ann Christopher

  “I don’t think you can wait.”

  He was right. Those slick fingers glided slowly…slowly…and she came with a sharp cry of relief and pleasure.

  There was no chance to catch her breath.

  “Sandro,” she said. “Please.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Hooking an elbow behind one of her knees, he spread her wide and drove deep inside her body with a single thrust.

  “Hmm… What?” she gasped, trying to focus against the spiraling tension as it pooled, again, in her pussy. “Hearing me beg?”

  “Hearing you come.”

  “Oh, good. Because you’re about to hear it again.”

  “Good deal.”

  Dipping his head, he caught her mouth beneath his, surging with his tongue in time to the swiveling of his hips.

  She moaned and arched back into the pillows, her face twisting with pleasure.

  “Hmm, yeah… Right there…ah, yeah, right there.”

  “Here?”

  He worked her harder, just the way she needed, and she opened her eyes, focusing on the straining cords in his neck, the sweat across his forehead and the glitter in his half-closed eyes.

  “Tell me,” she said.

  “What? How crazy I am about you?”

  “That you love me.”

  “I love you.”

  “And you’ve always loved me.”

  His lips compressed. He faltered, choked with sudden emotion.

  “I’ve always loved you. Always.”

  “And you always will.”

  He blinked furiously, but his eyes overflowed. A single tear fell, splashing her cheek, and her heart swelled beyond anything she thought she could survive.

  “And I always will,” he said.

  * * *

  As they lay twined together under the downy comforter, their sweat-slicked bodies cooling while their breath evened out, Sandro pressed her closer to his side and traced lazy circles on her back.

  “You know,” he said, “the Davies family is in a state of, ah—”

  “Upheaval?”

  “I was going to say chaos, but, yeah, let’s go with upheaval. Nikolas and I still have issues to work out, and most days he’s not even talking to me.”

  “True.”

  “Tony’s in bad shape. He’s having nightmares and he told me a little about what they did to him when—”

  Jesus. He couldn’t finish.

  Skylar, of course, understood. She nuzzled closer, pressing a sweet kiss to his chest.

  “I understand.”

  “He’s going to need help.”

  “I know.”

  “From both of us.”

  She raised her head, studying him with worried eyes. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Yes,” he said honestly.

  She dimpled. “Good.”

  “And we’re going to call my sister Arianna in a little while. Let her know he’s still alive. So I imagine the second that she pops that baby—”

  “Wow. You’re so eloquent.”

  “—she and her husband and the baby are going to show up on our doorstep.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Plus, we’ve got Mickey rolling around here, bossing us around and generally being a sarcastic pain in the ass.”

  “Right.”

  “And there’s a growing menagerie of pets that I don’t know what to do with.”

  “Good thing you know a vet, right?”

  He rolled over, easing her beneath him so he could see her face for this next part.

  “So the point I’m making,” he told her, “is that when you marry me, you’ll be marrying all of this. Got it?”

  She smiled, her eyes tearing up. “Oh, yeah. I got it.”

  He’d thought he’d reached the outer limits of his happiness with Skylar already, but he was, as usual, wrong. Joy swelled in his chest, threatening to split him open down the middle.

  “Is that a yes?”

  “It’s a yes,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what other adventures the Davies family has in store for me.”

  If you’re curious about whether Tony finds Talia and his happily-ever-after, turn the page for an excerpt from

  SINFUL TEMPTATION!

  The Davies Family

  Power. Secrets. Seduction.

  Just back from overseas, billionaire former soldier Antonios Davies wants to explore a relationship with the one woman he barely knew and never forgot.

  Artist Talia Adams understands that her emails helped get Tony through the war. She just never expected him to show up in the middle of her complicated life.

  Faith and determination helped Tony survive. Hopefully they’ll also help him win this one special woman…

  If you enjoy sexy and emotional contemporary romances, especially when they include military men, read Sinful Temptation today!

  The Davies Family Contemporary Romance Series

  Book 1: SINFUL SEDUCTION (Sandro & Skylar)

  Book 2: SINFUL TEMPTATION (Tony & Talia)

  Book 3: SINFUL ATTRACTION (Marcus & Claudia)

  Book 4: SINFUL PARADISE (Cooper & Gloria)

  Prologue

  August 16

  Dear Antonios—

  I’m so glad we had the chance to meet at my studio before you went overseas! You do remember me, right? I know it’s been a little while. I was the one with the winning smile and all the silver bracelets that you so kindly made fun of.

  Ringing a bell? Yes? No? You were there to pick up your nephew Nikolas from my art class in the West Village.

  Anyway, I have a confession to make: this whole idea of communicating without email is overwhelming me. I understand that while you’re stationed in Afghanistan you’ll be in some areas where the internet is unavailable, but, really, it seems very rude of the locals not to provide the best possible accommodations for you. Has anyone explained to them the need for additional towers and the like? Maybe if you point out how important it is…?

  In the meantime, I’ve found an answer to this dilemma. After much research, I’ve discovered that there is another way to pass along written ideas. It’s called writing a letter, and it involves pen and paper. No, really! But it’s not a perfect solution. For one thing, have you seen my handwriting? For another, who will spell-check? My speling and proofreeding arnt what they shood ought to be pritty bad.

  Clearly, this whole exercise is fraught with peril, and not for the faint of heart, but I do think I’m up to the challenge.

  So…

  How are you? You’re staying safe, right? Please tell me you’re staying safe. And if you see any bad guys with guns and bombs coming, please RUN! They probably don’t tell you that during army training, but you should RUN whenever possible. Don’t stay and fight. That’s just crazy.

  Oh, and I wanted to send you a care package with gum, sunscreen and hard candy in it, but my online research (because we have the appropriate number of towers here in New York!) tells me that soldiers get too much gum, sunscreen and hard candy.

  Are there any treats you miss from home that I can send you?

  Well, that’s it for now. Please write me back, unless you’re too busy RUNNING, in which case you’re excused from writing me back, but only until you’re safe again.

  Your new pen pal,

  Talia

  P.S. I promised myself that if I ever wrote to a soldier, I’d tell him this: you are brave and strong, and I’m in awe of you. Thank you for your service.

  August 30

  Talia—

  How could I forget you?

  Thank you for writing the “letter.”

  And thanks for the P.S. Especially the P.S. I don’t always feel brave or strong, but I’m trying.

  Anyway…

  I, too, was unaware that there were such things as “letters” before I came over here, but I really like them, especially when they come from you. Oh, and I did mention your concern about towers to the local tribal leader, but he didn’t seem that receptive
. Pardon the pun. He blathered something about needing food and shelter for his villagers, before he tried to shoot my head off.

  Oh, and that reminds me. I wanted to RUN, but it turns out that soldiers are expected to FIGHT BACK and PROTECT PEOPLE. Who knew? So I will try that for a while and see how it goes.

  I miss lots of treats from home. Can you fold up a hot pizza slice from John’s Pizzeria and send it along? Or a hot shower? If either of those turn out to be too tricky and won’t fit into one of those prepaid postal boxes, I’d love something spicy or salty.

  In your next “letter,” please tell me about your painting and your students. In my next life, if I’m lucky enough to have one, I’ll probably be involved in running the family’s auction house. My major at West Point was Art, Philosophy and Literature, so I know just enough about art to be dangerous.

  Until next time,

  Tony

  P.S. That reminds me— If you call me by my crazy-ass full name again, you will have to RUN. It’s Tony.

  September 14

  Dear TONY—

  I have sent the hot shower and John’s pizza along via FedEx. If you experience any delays in receiving them, please let me know. I did keep the tracking numbers.

  Meanwhile, I’m enclosing a pound of wasabi-coated peanuts. They were so spicy that when I tried them, I had to spit them out, soak my tongue in ice water and then proceed to the E.R. for treatment, followed by several rounds of physical therapy. So I figure they’re perfect for you!

  I know who you are, of course. One of the sons of Davies & Sons. Big auction house. Art. Antiques. Antiquities. Jewelry. But here’s what I don’t get—what’re you doing in the army? Where’d your father go wrong with you???

  What should I tell you about my paintings? I work with oils and acrylics to create abstract representations of nature, emotions and anything else that sparks my imagination. Translation: I paint giant slashes and squiggles in bright colors. Oh, and smudges. Lots of smudges. And I also use my studio to teach painting to kids because, let’s face it, most of them understand squiggles.

  Exciting, eh? Aren’t you glad you asked?

  But my reputation keeps growing and I am selling a lot of portraits these days, which is my bread-and-butter work. After my first solo show about three years ago, I turned a corner and my commissions have really taken off, which is good, since I like to eat and want to travel. Life’s short and there’s lots to see and experience, you know? So I charge rich people a lot to paint them with their favorite polo ponies and the like, and guess what? They pay it!!! See? Win-win for everyone!

  Okay. Your turn. Tell me something about you. What about the wedding plans? How’re they coming?

  Oh, and today I read an article about service dogs in Afghanistan. Do you have any?

  Gotta go! Paul, my sister and my girlfriends are luring me to a new club in the Meatpacking District tonight, where they’re throwing me a surprise party for my thirtieth birthday. So I need to work on my astonishment. How’s this:

  Oh, my God!

  Or this:

  *SHRIEK* I don’t believe it!!

  Or this:

  *SOBBING* I love you guys!!!

  Take care and stay safe—

  Talia

  October 1

  Dear Talia—

  Thanks for the wasabi peanuts! I ate half of one last night and am still sweating. Awesome! I did have to beat off most of my men, though. Those vultures thought I would share.

  Wow. You totally had me fooled on the surprise party thing. Nice job. Which option did you finally go with? The sobbing? How was the party?

  You asked about how I wound up in the army. That actually is tied to the auction house. When I was about ten, we conducted the auction of a collection of military memorabilia from the Napoleonic Wars, which was a refreshing change from paintings, jewelry and Tiffany lamps, let me tell you. This led to an obsession with Napoleon… Alexander the Great… Patton… If you can think of a great general, I’ve read about him. This led me and my brother to West Point, and the rest is history.

  But I will get back to the auction house one day. It’s in my blood.

  What else did you ask about?

  Oh, yeah—we do have a service dog—her name is Chesley, and she’s a mine-sniffing border collie mix. She’s supposed to sleep with her handler, but she’s not the faithful type. I’ve woken up to find her snuggled up to me on more than one memorable occasion. She also enjoyed the wasabi peanuts, so that tells you how cool she is. She’s saved our hides many times.

  Wedding update? Here it is: there’s not going to be one. Skylar dumped my ass before I shipped out. Turns out she doesn’t “love me like she should.” That’s what she says, anyway. So I guess it’s good she didn’t marry me, eh?

  I’m not sure how I feel about the whole thing at the moment, to tell you the truth. Angry? Relieved? Hurt?

  What about you and Paul? Any wedding bells and 2.5 kids in your future? If so, tell Paul he’s a lucky guy.

  Gotta go—lights out—

  Tony

  October 20

  Dear Tony—

  SKYLAR SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

  That is all.

  Love, Talia

  P.S. I enclosed some Indian snack mix that is even hotter than the wasabi peanuts. Eat with caution! Oh, and some candy, since Halloween is coming up. Hope you like Skittles!

  P.P.S. Paul is, of course, lucky, because, let’s face it, I’m a fabulous woman. But I’m not sure that I’m ready to settle down or that he’s THE ONE, whatever that means. Although he does throw a great surprise party with plenty of dancing.

  P.P.P.S. Chesley is a border collie mix? I love border collies—they’re so smart and beautiful. I’ve always wanted a dog. Maybe one day…

  November 10

  Dear Talia—

  What is this “the one” nonsense you women are always yammering about? Either you love the guy, or you don’t.

  Love,

  Tony

  P.S. Thanks for the Indian snack mix. The steam finally stopped coming out of my ears and my eyebrows are beginning to grow back. Cool! Chesley and I really enjoyed the Skittles.

  Oh, and if you want a dog, get a dog! What’re you waiting for?

  December 2

  Dear Tony—

  Your ignorance appalls me! I will, however, try to put the concept into teeny-tiny words that even an ignoramus like you can understand. THE ONE is the person who provides the sunshine in your life. They bring it with them when they come and take it with them when they leave. Duh.

  That’s what my friends tell me, anyway. I’m not sure I believe in the whole concept. I blame this skepticism on my father, who walked out on the family when I was about ten and my sister, Gloria, was twelve. Aren’t you glad you asked?

  Love,

  Talia

  P.S. Here is your Christmas care package, which contains six varieties of hot sauce, including the scary green ones, several hot snacks guaranteed to make your eyeballs shoot out of their sockets, and a small painting of mine called Sol Splendor. See the orangey bright swirls and swoops? That’s the sun. This will, hopefully, let you know if you’ve met THE ONE. Or at least brighten a tiny corner of your wall.

  P.P.S. They do provide you with a nice Christmas dinner, don’t they?

  Christmas Day

  Dear Tony—

  Sorry to overwhelm you with letters, but I am thinking about you and the other soldiers so far away from home right now. Usually I like to pretend that you’re in Europe on an extended vacation, but sometimes, like today, the truth breaks through. And I worry. Since I prefer to live a laughing and carefree existence, the worrying gets to me.

  Are you safe? Is your bed comfortable? Do you even have a bed, or do you sleep on some sort of horrible cot torture device? And what about your Christmas dinner? Was it any good? Was there sweet potato casserole with marshmallows?

  Here is how I do my Christmas Day Extravaganza, because my motto is this: Go big, or go home—r />
  Cinnamon candles;

  Al Green’s CD playing in an endless loop;

  Fresh pine tree, wreaths and garland;

  Gingerbread houses to decorate;

  Roaring fire;

  Brined turkey (I’m a fabulous cook!) with cranberry dressing;

  Sweet potato casserole topped with nicely toasted marshmallows;

  All (and I do mean all) the trimmings;

  Pumpkin pie;

  Pecan pie;

  Hot chocolate with (you guessed it!) tiny marshmallows and crème de menthe; and

  A viewing of Home Alone.

  So, anyway, please let me know that you’re safe and that there were some marshmallows involved in your Christmas Day experience. And I hope that next Christmas is everything you dream it will be.

  Love from Talia

  January 3

  Dear Talia—

  The painting is incredible. So was your letter. They were the best parts of my Christmas Day.

  All I can say is—thank you.

  Wishing you a wonderful New Year,

  Tony

  P.S. There was a tiny marshmallow sliver on my sweet potatoes, and the turkey was quite edible, so fear not.

  P.P.S. I hope Paul appreciates how special his Christmas was.

  January 17

  Dear Tony—

  Paul reports that his Christmas Day with his family in L.A. was lovely. I, meanwhile, had a great holiday here in NYC with my sister and friends. Paul and I are on a “break,” which means that we are reevaluating our relationship and whether we want to move in together or go our separate ways. I have never been on a “break” before, so I have no idea how this will turn out.

  Oh, and before I forget to mention it—don’t think that I haven’t noticed the way you always dodge my questions about your experience in Afghanistan. Is it that I don’t have the appropriate security clearance?

  I’ve decided to try you on something new—habanero potato chips! The store clerk had to use tongs to put them into the shopping bag, so I think they should be perfect for you!