One Night Stand: One Night of Danger, #1

By Clara Bayard

When Carly Chase, reluctant office assistant, faces off with an irate man at work- bringing up memories she's trying to forget - she's shaken and in need of something to make her feel better. That something arrives in the form of gorgeous, sexy Sam Rollins who appreciates her curves and knows exactly how to please her – all night long.

But their passionate encounter sets off a series of events that leave Carly in peril and Sam in a tough spot. The one-night stand turns into a risky partnership seeking to bring down a dangerous criminal enterprise with little time to plan or prepare. Standing together they can face the danger, but can the attraction that brought them together keep them alive?

Length: 22,000 words
One Night of Danger Series #1

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clara Bayard
• Release date: Apr 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781502243249

Book preview

Chapter One

He didn't really say that.

He did. The words 'keep up, chubs' actually came out of his mouth.

Did you punch him?

Of course I did. You're my one phone call from jail. Do you have bail money? I laughed, relieved to discover I still could. For all his hard work at it, The Slug hadn't managed to completely destroy my soul yet.

I'm broke as hell, but I will sell anything you need if it means that jerk finally gets what he deserves.

Don't I wish. And you know what the worst part is? Aside from the rudeness and insults? Five minutes later when we were in the store room he was calling me 'sweetheart' in that gross way he does and staring down the front of my shirt.

Anna giggled. Did he say 'nice jugs, chubs'?

I cackled in response, my whole body shaking with laughter. I knew my best friend would cheer me up, and Anna had obliged wonderfully. It was a shame we didn't work together anymore. Two years slinging pizzas together had been a blur of laughter and fun that was sorely missed since I got a so-called real job that paid slightly better and made me five times as miserable.

When I could finally speak again, my voice was wistful. I miss you, A.

Silly, I saw you two days ago.

I mean I miss spending all day with you, shooting the shit and everything.

She snorted. What is it you think we're doing right now? Stop being so sappy.

Fine, fine. But you know what I meant. I'm tired of being the only girl here. Most of the guys are impossible and don't get me started on the smelly locker room.

Nasty. Note to self: do not visit Carly at work.

I don't blame you. I looked around the room, frowning. The tiny reception area held my desk, a pair of threadbare chairs and stacks of dusty boxes I'd spent most of the morning lugging up from the aforementioned store room. My boss, Mitchell Douglas, or The Slug as I usually thought of him, had sneezed after the first trip and bailed, claiming he had an urgent appointment.

Tell me again why I took this job?

Anna's sweet, bell-like voice sang over the line. No more pizza burns and sore feet. Health insurance.

Oh, right. I'm not sure it's a good trade-off.

Girl, come back then. Angelo has your apron still hanging on your hook.

Don't tempt me. I swear, if- My sentence was interrupted by the door slamming open. A short, scrawny man stomped in with a weirdly dragging gait, scowling. -Gotta go, someone's here. I'll call you later. I hung up and pasted a wide fake smile on my face.

Welcome to Courier Express. How may I help you?

The man's scowl deepened as he approached the desk, his arm swinging against a precarious pile of boxes that swayed ominously. Where's Mitchell?

Mr. Douglas is out of the office at a meeting. Did you have an appointment?

No. He sneered at me over the high back of my desk that served as a counter. I was in the neighborhood and figured I would drop in on my old buddy. Will he be back soon?

I'm not sure, but I'm happy to take a message for you.

He shrugged, his gaze sliding over the room and back to me. I'll wait.

Um, okay. Have a seat. Sorry about the mess.

He didn't move, but nodded at the boxes. What is all this shit? Ain't it a fire hazard or something?

Probably. I tucked a lock of hair that had come free from my ponytail behind my ear. Just some things from storage.

Uh huh. He stared at me a little too long. So, you got coffee or something?

Oh, sure. I stood up quickly, sliding my feet back into the too-small shoes I always kicked off as soon as I sat down. Cream and sugar?

Black's fine, honey. He grinned, and it was somehow worse that the scowl.

I nodded and scampered over to the kitchenette in the hallway. It was rare for someone other than employees to be in the office for more than a few minutes and something about this man made me uncomfortable. He had a similar greasy, slimy look as The Slug himself, but with an undercurrent of something even worse.

I noticed there was only a thin layer of tar at the bottom of the coffee maker and groaned. Sir, I'll need to make a fresh pot, I hope you don't mind waiting a- I turned and saw the man was now behind my desk, scrolling through the calendar on the computer screen. Hey!

I dropped the packet of coffee into the sink and rushed back over. Sir, you can't do that.

Oh no? Who's gonna stop me, you?

Please. If there's some information you need I am happy to provide it.

Settle down, little mouse. I'm just checking to see where your boss is. Won't be a minute.

I bristled at the comment but pushed it away and tried to slide between him and the computer. I told you, he's out at a meeting.

The man crossed his arms in a gesture she figured he thought was intimidating, but was actually kind of funny. His arms were really short, like T-Rex short, and could barely cross correctly in front of his body.

I stifled a giggle, but felt my muscles relax and my heart beat returning to something closer to normal. Please, if you'll just go sit back down I'll make the coffee and you can wait for Mr. Douglas.

We stared each other down for a long moment before he relented. Fine. Whatever. He brushed past me and shuffled back around the front of the desk. Ferocious little mouse, aren't you.

I bit back a retort. In size or temperament I was no mouse, but he was finally getting out of the way which was all that mattered.

Thank you, sir. I backed up towards the coffee maker, wanting to keep an eye on him and put some distance between us.

So polite, little mouse. What are you doing working for a scumbag like Mitchell?

I'd often wondered the same thing myself. This is a good job, sir.

Sir, sir, sir. I like that, little mouse. A girl with good manners and big tits is a rare combination these days. He chuckled and leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying the look of horror on my face.

I didn't know what to say to that. He seemed to be calming down from his anger a bit, so if crude comments was what it took, I'd let him say whatever he wanted. But I did take a moment to turn around and tug the top of my blouse up. It was impossible to hide my cleavage completely in anything but a turtle-neck, but showing a little less skin felt suddenly important.

After getting a pot of coffee brewing I turned back to the man and found his hand digging through a pile of files on my desk.

Sir, please! If you insist on rifling through my desk I'll have to ask you to leave.

His hands froze and he grinned at me evilly. You do that, little mouse. I'd like to see that.

I…if you refuse to leave I'll call the police.

He laughed at this and dropped the files. I'd like that even better. Explain to your boss why the cops are crowding into his office. Here's the phone, he continued, pointing. Have at it.

My legs felt watery. I'd expected my false