StripperwithSpice by Afton Locke Read Free Book Online

of the bases first. Someone this delectable is meant to
be savored.
    To avoid putting my lips too close to his, I concentrate on
his neck instead. As his unique mesquite scent fries the rest of my brain
cells, I actually blow in his ear. Is that immature or what? I feel more
awkward than a thirteen-year-old during her first make-out session. He’s
probably laughing inside at my clumsiness. Can I help it if my life has been
all work and no play for longer than I can remember?
    My lips brush the skin of his neck, which is hot and buzzing
with a rapid pulse. Oh crap. I’m lost. Lost! I’ve lost complete control.
    I lean into him until I’m literally in his lap.
    “I want you, Carlos,” I say into his ear. “I want you so
much!”
    The sensible part of my brain finally wakes up and resumes
control. Get out now! My stomach clenches into a tight ball and I quake
all over. Oh sure. Why not throw up on him? That would be sexy, wouldn’t it?
    Pushing off his shoulders, I stumble to my feet. My heels
wobble as I struggle to keep my balance. Couldn’t I have worn flats? Confusion
and concern swirl on his face, but I can barely focus on it. He holds out a
hand as if to steady me.
    “I’ve got to get out of here,” I mutter.
    My heels clatter down the stage steps louder than gunshots.
It even drowns out the music. The nearest door is a million miles away. I
sprint toward it, wondering who’s staring at me. Not wanting to know.
    Once I reach the lit corridor, I lean against the wall,
panting to catch my breath. A cramp seizes my left foot but I barely feel it.
Needing to get farther away, I hobble down the hallway toward the yawning
expanse of lobby. The last thing I want is an interrogation from Zena. Other
people pass by. Pairs of them lean against the wall, deep in private
conversation.
    I’ve barely passed the cash bar when I hear rapid footsteps
behind me despite the thick carpet. Thinking I’m in someone’s way, I look back
to avoid getting run over. My throat clenches when I realize it’s Carlos.
Terrific. I don’t want him to ever lay eyes on me again. I’ve never made such a
fool of myself with any man, especially one over ten years younger than me.
    I try to step out of his way but he follows me.
    “Janice, wait!”
    My eyebrows lift. What could he possibly want?
    He takes my arm and draws me toward the wall under a cluster
of decorative lights and a painting of a stormy landscape. His warm touch
penetrates the black lace of my sleeve, stripping away the thin veneer of
control I had left.
    “Are you okay?” he asks, dropping his hand. “You stormed out
so fast.”
    Concern makes his eyes darker, I realize. Two black coals
burn my face.
    “I’m sorry I made such a fool out of myself.” I move my gaze
to a safer place—the floral pattern in the carpet.
    “I’m the one who’s sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t have
grabbed you like that. I couldn’t help myself.”
    My brows knot into a big frown. Is he referring to touching
my hip? Why is that a bad thing? I shake my head, grasping for some logic. If I
can sit down and analyze complex spreadsheets, why can’t I figure this out?
    Music and cheering, so faint it sounds a hundred miles away,
emanates from the ballroom.
    “I didn’t mind.” I say, rubbing my forehead. “But I can’t
believe you came after me. Aren’t you supposed to be hanging out with the other
women?”
    He grips my upper arms and looks at me with an intensity
that sets my insides on a slow sizzle.
    “Right now all I’m worried about is you. I upset you
somehow.” He releases my arms and holds his hands out in front of him, palms
up. “How can I fix it?”
    Hmm, I can think of a few ways. Whisk me off to Tahiti for a
week-long love fest? No, the plane ride would take too long. How about taking
me right now up against this wall? A warm, humid cloud forms in my belly.
    “It’s all right, really,” I reply. “Please, just go. I
accept the fact that someone like you