Intimate Exposure by Portia Da Costa Read Free Book Online Page A

much for trying not to think about you. Damn it, man, leave me alone.
    Seeking distraction, she glanced through the tinted windows. They were still in town and drawing up outside a tall and rather elegant apartment building. As the car whispered to a halt, curiosity drove her to press the button to wind down the privacy barrier.
    “Are we picking someone else up? I thought it was just me.”
    “There’s another prizewinner, ma’am. But if you’d prefer not to share the car, I can contact headquarters and make alternative arrangements.”
    “No, it’s fine. Some company would be nice.”
    Nice? Well, maybe. She’d been looking forward to a quiet and relaxing drive, but it was a freebie, after all, and refusing to share the car would be ungracious.
    But before the chauffeur had even got out of the car, a familiar figure ran energetically down the broad steps in front of the building, and Vicki almost considered saying she’d changed her mind.
    Oh, why did it have to be you?
    “Good morning, Vicki.” Red Webster fixed her with the naughtiest and most cheerful grin as he opened the far passenger door and slid in beside her while the driver stowed his luggage.
    Vicki eyed him narrowly, suspicion radar pinging. She stabbed the button to raise the privacy barrier again.
    “This isn’t a put-up job, is it? Your friend Shanley rigging his own sweepstake?”
    Red’s large white teeth gleamed in the subdued lighting of the backseat, and Vicki’s fingers tingled with the silly urge to pummel him like a playground scrapper. He obviously thought the situation was hilarious.
    “Mr. Shanley is a man of scrupulous honesty, Vicki.” He paused and quirked a brow at her sound of disbelief. “And I’m his employee, just like you, not his friend. I was in the sweepstake because I was working at Wickham-Drake at the time.”
    Too convenient. Too unlikely. But to make a big deal about it would only create friction. For some Machiavellian reason, she and Red had been thrown together on this jaunt, and whether it was Red or his employer who had pulled the strings didn’t change one important issue one iota.
    Despite everything, and against her better judgment, Vicki would be a liar if she didn’t admit that on some level she was glad her nemesis was here. Her body at least was thrilled—and already rousing.
    It was going to be an interesting drive. Stuck in an enclosed, intimate space for the next couple of hours or so with a man who’d spanked her bottom. She wasn’t sure how she was going to get through it, but starting an argument from the get-go didn’t make any sense.
    “Of course. Congratulations on your win,” she said, trying to sound relaxed. “Um…nice to see you again.”
    But trying to act normally was hopeless. Time seemed to freeze, and her mind started replaying what had happened in the gymnasium. Hot blushes rioted in her cheeks, but somehow she could not look away from Red’s face.
    His remarkable eyes told her everything. Told her he saw what she saw.
    And boy, did he look handsome today.
    In honor of their deluxe destination and mode of travel, her personal devil was dressed more smartly than she’d ever seen him before. His jacket and trousers were charcoal gray and their fluid, understated cut was obviously from a high-end label. His shirt—left a little open atthe neck—had a soft, expensive luster. He’d had his hair trimmed too. His dark curls were more styled now than when he’d been mooching around at Wickham-Drake, and even his beard was freshly barbered.
    He smelled divine. All exotic spices and sharp, fresh citrus.
    If you didn’t ruffle me up the wrong way most of the time, you’d be perfect. I’d be all “Hurray! A dream come true, a sexy master and a gorgeous hunk.”
    When Red smiled, leaned back in the seat and stretched out his long, long legs, a part of her still did shout “hurray!”
    “So…” He rubbed his large hand slowly over the soft leather of the seat as if savoring