In a Dark Embrace by Simone Bern Read Free Book Online Page B

the sapphire eyes and coal-black hair. He could be the poster boy for a male fragrance, something with a name like Seduction or Wild.
    The waiter came to take their dessert order. Lee shook her head.
    “What do you like on the menu?” Jeremy asked. “I’ll order and you can have a taste.”
    “They make an awesome coffee-flavored custard.”
    “Custard it is.” Jeremy smiled and her internal temperature went up another degree.
    The bill arrived and she went to pull out her credit card but Jeremy beat her to it. She didn’t make a fuss in front of the waiter but scowled at him as soon as they were alone again.
    “I said I’d pay.”
    “You did, didn’t you? How about you get the bill next time? This is our first date and I feel compelled to be rather traditional about it.” He grinned. “Forgive me?”
    “Oh, all right,” she muttered. Secretly she was pleased. He’d pulled that off rather deftly. Not just the paying part but how he’d maneuvered her to agree to a second date.
    On the walk back to her condo Lee leaned into him and he complied with an arm around her waist. She sensed the desire in him but he didn’t so much as slide his hand down over her ass. Part of her regretted his restraint. But she had wanted to see if he could behave himself in public and he was doing an admirable job.
    “I had a wonderful time,” she said softly.
    “Me too,” he said. “Even with that totally distracting dress. If I occasionally forgot what I was saying or uttered absolute nonsense you can blame it on your outfit.”
    She chuckled. “I didn’t notice any lapses.”
    “Oh good. The autopilot still works,” he said dryly.
    “Autopilot?”
    “When my brain gets ambushed by images of rounded breasts being coaxed out of deep-cut bodices somehow my mouth manages to finish whatever sentence I’d started.”
    “I see. A useful ability.”
    She felt him shrug. “Rarely required but essential in select situations.”
    They arrived at her building. Lee opened the door.
    “Am I invited up?” he asked with a glint in his eyes.
    She ran a hand over his shirt and pressed herself against him. “I think you’d better.”
    As soon as the elevator doors closed his mouth descended and both hands went to her breasts, cupping them through the thin fabric of the dress.
    “I want to tear this little black scrap off you,” he whispered.
    “Please don’t. I like this dress.”
    He growled and kissed her again.
    She heard the elevator door open and someone say, “Oh, excuse me.” The doors closed again. The person did not get in.
    Lee pushed Jeremy away and giggled. “Behave.”
    “Two more minutes. I’ll behave for exactly two more minutes.”
    She nodded. That should be enough time to get him into her place.
    Luck, or Alicia, conspired against her. Just as she was putting her key in the lock Alicia stepped out into the hallway. She was holding a small Tupperware container.
    “Lee, do me a favor? Can I borrow some coffee? I’m out and not in the mood to walk all the way down to Starbucks.” Her eyes roamed over Jeremy.
    “Yeah, sure,” Lee said, figuring it would be quicker to give Alicia what she wanted. She opened the door and tugged Jeremy inside. Alicia stepped through as well.
    “Aren’t you going to introduce me?” the blonde woman asked.
    Lee yelled names over her shoulder as she dashed into the kitchen to fetch the requested coffee. She returned and held out Alicia’s filled container. Jeremy came up behind her. He was radiating his arousal so strongly Lee’s vision blurred.
    “Time’s up,” he said and lifted her hair with one hand while the other snaked around to lie on her stomach. She felt him lick the back of her neck. Her hand shook.
    “Take the damn coffee already,” she growled at Alicia, who was watching the show with delight.
    “Right. The coffee,” Alicia said absently. She took the container but didn’t seem inclined to leave.
    “Good night, Alicia,” Lee said