Gambler Series Complete Box Set: Gambler Series, #2

By Roxie Odell

The complete collection of the Gambler Series by Bestselling author, Roxie Odell

Book 1

What Happens In Vegas... doesn't always stay in Vegas.

On the rebound, Nevada native Corrine Smith finds herself in Vegas. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man, but then she meets him—not just any man but the man. Smooth and gorgeous, Derrick Quinn makes Corrine feel more like a woman than any man has ever done before, and she finds their chance encounter impossible to resist.

Nothing happens in a bubble, even in Vegas. Corrine’s blistering collision with the amazing Mr. Quinn throws her for a loop when she discovers her trysting partner is actually a married man. Just when she figures Lady Luck has given up on her, though, she’s surprised to get a second chance with her scorching partner in passion.

Working as general counsel for the hot new resort hotel on the Strip has its ups and downs—literally. Derrick finds himself stuck in a malfunctioning hotel elevator with a neurotic, smoking-hot woman. He has no choice but to kiss her, a gesture he considers medicinal and therapeutic for them both. He doesn’t intend for one thing to lead to another, but it does, quickly becoming an inferno of passion before he can stop it.

Derrick’s a gambling man, willing to roll the dice in Vegas, but will he gain more than he loses? Will he find that being with Corrine Smith is a risk worth taking?

Book 2

Ever since his divorce, Derrick Quinn has felt like the luckiest man on the planet, and in Vegas that’s a good thing. He’s a top exec for hottest, newest hotel on the strip, and his good looks definitely make life easier. Most importantly, though, Lady Luck has dished out his dream girl. Beautiful, adventurous Corrine Smith is a jackpot. A sweet, sensual treat after life with his ex-wife left such a bitter taste in his mouth. Derrick is unapologetically and intensely addicted to her, so much so that he has to taste her every night.

Corrine keeps it coming with exotic costumes, daring stunts, and constant fun. Their blistering affair is a drama all its own, but even more than that Derrick shares more with Corrine than he ever shares with anyone. Who knew such intimacy could be so gratifying and that a hotel elevator mishap would turn into the best month of his life?

As life often goes in Vegas, it’s all fun and games until it’s not. One misunderstanding is all it takes to knock Derrick and Corrine off their game, and it isn’t long before Derrick admits that he no longer wants to continue with a mere affair.

Does nothing good last forever? Will hot and heavy turn into heartbreak, or will Derrick Quinn win big when he bets everything by telling Corrine what he really wants?

Book 3

Corrine Smith is in a relationship with the world’s most perfect man, the handsome, seductive, tall, gorgeous Derrick Quinn.

What started out as a blistering, intense affair, as hot as any neon in Sin City, has turned out to be a great love affair, but just as the smoldering relationship takes a turn for the normal, it takes a turn for the worst. Corrine learns the hard way that love is a gamble, because she finds her man in the arms of another woman, Lady Luck. The allure of the gaming table, which has never captured Derrick’s attention before, suddenly draws him in like a tractor beam, and he just can’t step away.

Has Corrine and Derrick’s hand been played, or will their Las Vegas lust and once-in-a-lifetime passion be their ace in the hole, enough to cure a horrible blow to the trust they once shared?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Apr 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386584438

Roxie Odell

Steamy Romance author Roxie Odell brings you heat, steam and romance in her stories. Be ready to sweat! Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoxieOdell/?ref=hl Follow her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b9G7JX Twitter @roxieodellauthor

Book preview

Book #1

Gambler Series

By

Roxie Odell

Copyright 2017 by Roxie Odell

Book1CoverBanner

What Happens...

ON THE REBOUND, NEVADA native Corrine Smith finds herself in Vegas. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man, but then she meets him—not just any man but the man. Smooth and gorgeous, Derrick Quinn makes Corrine feel more like a woman than any man has ever done before, and she finds their chance encounter impossible to resist.

Nothing happens in a bubble, even in Vegas. Corrine’s blistering collision with the amazing Mr. Quinn throws her for a loop when she discovers her trysting partner is actually a married man. Just when she figures Lady Luck has given up on her, though, she’s surprised to get a second chance with her scorching partner in passion.

Working as general counsel for the hot new resort hotel on the Strip has its ups and downs—literally. Derrick finds himself stuck in a malfunctioning hotel elevator with a neurotic, smoking-hot woman. He has no choice but to kiss her, a gesture he considers medicinal and therapeutic for them both. He doesn’t intend for one thing to lead to another, but it does, quickly becoming an inferno of passion before he can stop it.

Derrick’s a gambling man, willing to roll the dice in Vegas, but will he gain more than he loses? Will he find that being with Corrine Smith is a risk worth taking?

Chapter 1

CORRINE SMITH AMBLED toward the glass elevator of the Tresor like a death-row inmate approaching her last meal. At least I look hot on the damn green mile, she thought, trudging along in her $200 Quinn Hahn shoes and $50 knockoff Calvin Klein little black dress. Something about the brand new, mega-luxury Vegas hotel suited her. It was the latest and greatest playground for anyone. The Tresor easily topped the Luxor when it came to the most intense exterior glass elevator in Vegas, giving riders a perfect view of the neon bustle below. As soon as publicity swirled about the off-the-hook grandeur of the place and the ridiculous elevator that rivaled any amusement park ride, Corrine had booked a room. She’d already checked off most of the fear-conquering items on her bucket list, and since the lift was practically local it’d be the next grand life accomplishment—as long as she didn’t pass out or puke on the way up and disqualify herself.

In reality, the fabled elevator was just a really good excuse to treat herself to a weekend in Vegas. She was nursing an aching heart, deep scars left over from a months-old breakup. It was good that the guy had kicked rocks, but she’d been cruelly blindsided by the abrupt way the jerk ended things. Now, she just couldn’t shake the hurt, even if she was glad to be rid of him.

Facing her fears turned out to be her medicine, and Vegas was her latest Band-Aid. After sinking a small fortune into a dress boutique and a shoe shop, she’d purposely booked a room on the top floor. The ominous ride was like a therapeutic vaccine, one she hoped would help get her over the symptoms of the recent wreck of a so-called relationship.

Corrine pressed the button to call the elevator, then fidgeted while she waited. She’d chickened out on the ride up and had somehow managed to carry her suitcase up the long set of stairs to her hotel room. Now she was going to ride it down. Whether she had the courage to or not.

She sort of wished she had someone to share the moment with. In a building packed with people, a town bustling with gamblers and tourists and performers, she still felt very much alone. Worst of all, none of the strangers passing by had any idea what a monumental, pivotal moment it was—that she, Corrine Smith, was about to face one of her worst fears. Silly as it might have seemed to everyone else, it mattered to her. She was truly phobic in many ways and, as she stood there waiting for the doors to whoosh open, she had serious second thoughts about riding down thirty-some floors, plummeting in plain view, encased in glass.

Finally, the doors opened and she quickly stepped in; she’d have to commit to the ride if the doors shut before she could change her mind. Committed? Yeah, I should be, she mused bitterly as her phobia grabbed hold of her stomach and she broke out in a cold sweat. She instinctively pressed her back nearest the elevator doors, away from the windowed walls.

There were six other people onboard; even in a standard elevator, that would have made her quite nervous. She was absolutely certain they were too heavy, that every elevator disaster movie she’d ever seen was about to play out in real life. Frantic, her eyes searched the walls for any small-print notice about maximum weight capacity. The sign she spotted indicated over 2,000 lbs., the weight of the average elephant, but even that didn’t set her mind at ease. Instead, her scrambling thoughts began to estimate the weight of each individual crammed in with her. She was none too keen on the fact that one of them, a man in a very ugly argyle sweater, looked as if he’d actually swallowed a baby elephant. Maybe I should have waited for a less crowded one, she thought, but she knew herself well. If I did that, I’d just worry that there weren’t enough people and that the elevator would malfunction somehow. Damn it, Corrine, get a grip!

She estimated the ride to the bottom floor would only take a few seconds, and then she’d be freed to the lobby. From there, on solid ground again, she could take a leisurely stroll to the blackjack tables. She tried to comfort herself with those thoughts as she looked around at the others on the elevator. Besides the plump man, there were two women standing together, as well as an older man and woman, obviously a couple, both very crisply dressed and coifed. There was also a perfectly manicured man; like her, he seemed to be alone.

Money, she thought as she checked out the loner, and power, too. He was good-looking, but something about the fact that there didn’t seem to be a hair out of place left her feeling unnerved. She felt an impulse to muss that perfect hair and even loosen a button or two on his shirt, especially since the nicely-cut physique that obviously resided under his clothes betrayed the fact that he had to live at the gym.

In spite of the eye candy, Corrine was anxious. She held her breath, projecting a smooth, uneventful landing, until the elevator car slammed to a halt. It jerked, and she was pretty sure it wiggled like a cat toy on a string. Oh shit! she cried, wondering about the actual chances that the elevator would break down while she was on it. She didn’t know which prayer she wanted answered first, the one about not plummeting to her death or her plea to not get sick in front of the gorgeous guy standing across from her. She felt as if she was going to lose her stomach any minute, and the last thing she wanted to do was puke all over his designer shoes.

Corrine squinted and was somewhat relieved when she saw that the elevator was only about a story above the ground. I guess we can survive the fall, if it comes to that, she reasoned, trying to comfort herself.

The very well-put-together man touched her arm, with no regard what she or the others thought about it.

It was a welcome, calming connection. Corrine stared into his soft eyes, so blue, a truly luscious distraction. They were so bright, so brilliant, that she had to wonder if he was wearing colored contacts.

We’ll be fine, he said assuredly to her as he picked up the receiver of the emergency phone. Yeah, this is Derrick Quinn, he said very commandingly. I’m stuck in the west exterior elevator...with guests.

The voice on the other end responded so frantically that everyone in the elevator heard it. After a round of embarrassed apologies and a few noisy clicks and pauses, the elevator moved again.

Corrine’s body instantly relaxed when someone flicked the switch to send them on their way again. Against seemingly incredible odds, the elevator she’d boarded in order to overcome her fear of elevators had malfunctioned, and all she could do was shake her head in disbelief. What are the odds? she thought. But I am in Vegas after all, and taking a gamble is the nature of the town. She only hoped the odds now were that she’d never experience that again in her lifetime. Little did she know those odds were against her, too.

The car plummeted and slammed to a halt, knocking the riders around. Corinne felt her stomach climb up through her chest. It was like being on a rollercoaster, except there was no amusement in it. When she started to cry, the gorgeous Derrick grabbed her gently and brought his head towards her.

She was too shocked to know what he was doing.

His lips brushed against hers, gently at first and then more demanding.

For the first few seconds she was self-conscious of the fact that they had an audience, but the warmth that traversed from his mouth to hers was narcotic. Within seconds, she didn’t have a care where she was or who was watching, as long as he didn’t stop. She had never met a man who smelled so good, and she was captivated by the scent of his lightly-scented cologne swirling together with his natural musk; it worked her with the powers of a potent aphrodisiac, sending tingles throughout her. And he was kissing her!

Finally, he pulled his tongue out of her mouth and pulled away from the erotic, unexpected kiss. He grinned confidently as he stared at her. Feel better?

Corrine was speechless, her breath and words utterly stolen away. She could admit only to herself that she would happily climb in bed with him right at that moment, for a quickie or an overnighter, for a one-night stand with someone she didn’t even know. His kiss, his scent, and that body of his were absolutely disarming, and she wanted more of him right that minute.

Then air filled her lungs again and reality set back in.

He was only trying to help me, she told herself. It was a form of distraction, that had worked.

Everyone in the elevator was frightened, of course, but her fear was more evident, and she was definitely not very smooth about hiding it. In fact, if the situation hadn’t been remedied so quickly, she probably would have flipped out and jostled the elevator car more. Maybe that was what he was thinking. Maybe he just had to calm me down, so... Corrine blushed, feeling quite silly about acting like a baby, even if she did have good reason to be afraid.

Just a glitch, he softly assured her. New construction. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. Lots of kinks to work out still.

Not the first time? So this has happened before? she blurted out. Why do you let people ride it, then? Shouldn’t it be fixed first? Aren’t there safety regulations or health codes or—

He held up a hand to stop her. They’ll take care of it as quickly as they can. The owner feels bad about this. He meant to shut the elevator down, but they didn’t get to it in time.

Even the other riders began grumbling.

And how exactly do you know all this? she asked with agitation, as she had a really nasty habit of being very snippy when she was afraid. It wasn’t this guy’s fault the elevator was broken, and the fact that he knew something about the owner of the hotel was easy to explain. She wanted so badly to take back her tone, but she couldn’t.

The hotel owner, Gil Frosh, seemed to get as much press as the Tresor itself. He was a publicity-seeking playboy, accused by many of squandering his fortune to build the outlandish mega-resort. He was in the news so much, in fact, that he made the Kardashians look like yesterday’s headlines.

If the bastard paid half as much attention to the details of this new hotel as he does to his social life... Corrine said, shaking her head.

Derrick literally recoiled. Um... he stuttered, clearly caught off guard.

In that instant Corrine realized her harsh criticism was a bit over the top, and she decided to save the rest of her rant for a scathing letter, something she’d always been quite good at penning.

The man who’d kissed her bounced his finger on his broad chest slowly, pointing to himself.

You? she scoffed. But you aren’t Gil Frosh.

"No, but I am his attorney, Derrick Quinn, said Derrick. In fact, I’m general counsel for all things Frosh."

Corrine cringed. Well, Mr. Attorney, you should know better, then. Please don’t touch me again, she demanded, even though she didn’t mean a word of it. Like the lyrics of that well-known song, his kiss was still on her lips, lingering there and tempting her to forgive him, urging her to want him. Of course, she wasn’t in the habit of kissing strangers, but she really did not want him to leave her alone, even if he was a lawyer for one of the sleaziest businessmen in the country.

Just in the nick of time the car began to move, properly this time, and Corinne and her handsome stranger were jolted back to their senses. They shifted gears as if nothing had happened between them, and as soon as the grand doors of the elevator opened the other passengers were greeted by a wall of hotel staff, all of whom addressed Derrick formally and began showering him with apologies.

Is everything okay, Mr. Quinn? a manager asked urgently.

I’m fine, Derrick replied. Get everyone’s names and contact information. Comp their stays, meals, amenities, everything.

Corrine, afraid to move, was quite slow in exiting the car till Derrick clutched her arm firmly and drew her out.

You’re okay, he assured her. I told you we would be.

Well, I’ve learned that one should not always take the word of a lawyer, she hissed, looking on as the other guests moved with the staff to the hotel office.

Hey, he whispered when they were finally alone. I’m truly sorry if that was too...forward back there. I only wanted to calm you down. It worked, right?

The kiss was so amazing that Corrine couldn’t quite bring herself to lie. It was definitely not politically correct to let a stranger maul her in front of other strangers, but that moment was one she knew she would treasure forever, the stuff of a romantic girl’s diary pages. Just the thought of it made her hot all over again. Nevertheless, she did her best to scold him. Yeah, well... was all she could muster.

I really am sorry. I didn’t... I don’t know what I was thinking, he said with absolute sincerity.

Derrick could have simply led her to the office so she could officially register her stay for a refund, but instead he became Corrine’s special escort as she meandered. The full effect of her close call in the elevator and his weird reaction to it made her stagger gently, and she felt his fingertips press her forearms and corral her.

Don’t go anywhere, he said lightly. At least not until you tell me your name.

Corrine Smith, she rasped, knowing full well he was asking in a personal capacity more than an official hotel business one. She was so taken aback by him and his special attention that her throat became dry in all the excitement, and she felt like she’d swallowed a gulp of sawdust.

This way, Derrick said firmly.

Corrine hesitated, buzzed from the intense chemistry flowing between them.

Please? he said, charming her nearly off her feet. He then withdrew his phone and entered her name in his contacts. Can I have your number? he asked.

The request took her by surprise, almost as much as his kiss had. It was all happening so fast, and she wasn’t sure it was smart to reveal so much so soon. "Are you asking, or is the hotel asking?" she inquired boldly, trying to confirm his motives.

I’ll send the info to the hotel so they’ll know you were on the elevator, he replied.

Hmm. Tell me, Derrick, do you plan to put the other riders’ names in your phone as well? she asked, arching a brow.

Obviously flustered and almost breaking into a blush, Derrick paused a moment. Let me just call you. That way you’ll have my number, in case you need...anything, he said, cleverly evading her question.

Thanks, she answered quickly.

Your stay will be on the house, so we just need this info, he insisted.

"My entire stay? she clarified. Is this the same deal the others are getting?"

He grinned. Of course. How long do you plan to be here? he asked in a silky tone.

Just for the weekend, she replied.

Well, I think the Tresor can handle that, he said, then added, It’ll be my last act as general counsel.

You’re changing jobs? she asked, struggling to hide her disappointment that their connection would be lost.

I may have to.

Why?

As you said, I’m an attorney, and I should’ve known better, but there might be strong policy in place against hotel employees making out with guests. In fact, I know there is because I wrote it.

I was panicked, and you reacted, she replied nonchalantly, even throwing in a shrug. You said so yourself.

I don’t think the other guests will see it that way. I’m sure I’ll be looking for work when they report that I grabbed you, he said, if not fending off a sexual harassment suit. The press is going to gobble this up.

They don’t know I’d like to gobble you up, Corrine thought, suddenly feeling quite bad for him. Sure, his forwardness was out of line, but it did the trick and really didn’t cause her any harm. If anyone asks, I’ll just lie, she said. I’ll say I kissed you, that it was a reflex, because I was scared.

Derrick laughed. You’ll have people walking around in horror masks, forming a line, he said. He put his phone away and gently placed his hand on the small of her back. I suppose I’ve interrupted your evening long enough, but I can escort you to the tables if you’d like, he offered.

I’ve got no real plans, she said. I already got the most important thing out of the way.

He tilted his head, and his eyes gathered with new wickedness. The most important thing? he asked in a smoky tone.

Riding the elevator, she said, then burst out in a laugh of her own. I’m terrified of them.

Hmm. Well, in that case, that ride went well, huh? he said, sounding genuinely bothered. We scared the bejesus out of you.

Yup, she said.

Derrick took hold of her hand like he knew her, and Corrine found him so masculine, so alpha. She couldn’t help crushing on him, with his powerhouse job, his elegant style, and his very forward handling of her panic attack. Come on, he said. If you really don’t have any plans set yet, at least let me take you to dinner. Have you been to our dining room?

They stood there for a moment, entirely idle, just staring and letting their mutual touch linger while they both mulled over the possibilities. It’s Vegas, live a little, thought Corrine. What happens here stays here, right? Then again, nothing has to happen at all. I mean, we could just have dinner and never see each other again. It’d be the perfect setup to deny that our heated kiss ever happened.

Even while she was hashing it all out, though, the erotic power of their brief physical contact coiled in her belly and made her ache with need. Possessed with wantonness, a total boldness, she stepped forward and took Derrick’s perfect face in her hands. With sensual slowness she closed in, pressing her lips to his again, without any care of who might be watching. She let her tongue play inside his hot mouth, tasting him. As she savored that moment, she had to confess to herself that she knew the very moment she laid eyes on him in the elevator that if she had the opportunity, she would readily lead him back to her room. Now, kissing him again, she knew they would end up in bed together at some point.

Can I take that as a yes? he asked as she pulled her mouth away ever so slightly.

Yes, she whispered against his luscious lips, I’ll have dinner with you.

What’s happening here? he replied in a barely audible tone.

I don’t know, but it’s an interesting kind of fun, she answered.

That’s just what I was thinking, he murmured. He then took hold of Corrine’s hand and wrapped it around his solid forearm, gazing over at her with delicious desire in his eyes.

Corrine looked back at him in awe. Whether it was just for show or not, no one had ever been so gallant with her before. I could definitely get used to this, she thought as she patted his thick, muscled forearm and walked alongside him.

They strolled into the posh hotel dining room. Corrine was happy that the place looked fairly busy, as that meant Derrick’s employer was doing well in spite of the building glitches. When the staff spotted him, they responded right away, like castle staff fluttering around royalty. The maître d' quickly guided Corrine and Derrick to a very nice, cozy table.

Derrick stepped between the host and Corrine to do the honors of pushing in her chair himself, and she felt his body through her chair. Somehow, he practically enveloped her before he smoothly took his place across from her. The steak here is out of this world, he said as his gaze roamed over her. They have wonderful vegetarian selections, too, though, if that’s your thing. If you don’t see anything you like, I can have them make something special for you.

She practically swooned; just the way he said that, with all that power, finesse, and promise, made her want to climb on top of him right there on the table. I’m not spoiled, she barely managed, almost unable to speak because she was so turned on. Clarity was slipping away from her. In an instant, she seemed to forget that she’d literally just met the man who was now throwing himself at her, that he had shoved his tongue in her mouth before they even knew one another’s names.

You should be, he purred.

Huh? she said, lost in thought and fantasies for the moment.

Spoiled. You deserve to be spoiled, he clarified.

Oh. Well, thanks, but I’m sure I can find something I want...on the menu, I mean, she stuttered, suddenly noticing that the very intimate table was small enough for them to practically lean across the table and kiss if they found themselves unable to resist.

Would you like a drink? he asked.

She hesitated, overcome with simultaneous nerves and excitement.

Not a drinker? he asked in a wicked tone as he looked over the menu.

Sometimes. I just don’t know if I should, she replied honestly, blushing without him even looking at her. Damn, how can he be this sexy? she wondered. She didn’t know if she could trust herself with even a little liquid courage.

He lifted his head and looked her straight in the eye. His expression was serious, and there was no hint of flirtation on his face whatsoever. Relax, he said with a wink. It’s just dinner, a very nice dinner between two new friends. Just enjoy yourself, Corrine. That’s what I’m doing, with no strings and no pressure.

Okay, she replied with a nod.

I’m not trying to take advantage of you, he said. Have a drink or don’t. It’s up to you.

In that case, I’ll take a Manhattan, on the rocks, she answered confidently.

Sounds delicious. He smiled and looked her in the eye with the seduction of the devil.

She sucked in her breath and wondered if she wasn’t a little bit out of her league after all. She didn’t know if she could stand the magic, but she was already helpless to avoid it.

The very attentive waitress hovered at their table for a bit too long after she confirmed their drink orders. She was dressed as fabulously as Corrine was, in a form-fitting dress and sparkling heels. I’ll be right back with that, she finally said then sashayed off, shaking her ample hips as she went.

It seemed no time passed at all before the drinks were served, and Corrine immediately took a long sip of hers. When Derrick’s beef carpaccio arrived, he fed some to her. Corrine didn’t realize how hungry she was, but she had never tasted anything so incredibly delicious in her life. It was so light yet so satisfying. She was a tall, lean, very fit woman, but she had an incredible appetite, and she was a bit bashful about that. She could have easily devoured the whole gourmet dish herself, but she waited patiently for each bite Derrick offered her, then took a moment to sip from her water glass. She really wasn’t much of a drinker, so she didn’t even finish her Manhattan, but she did make sure to savor a little of the red wine Derrick ordered.

He touched her hand and stroked it with his finger. I’m so lucky you were available for dinner, he said.

She smiled slightly, uncomfortable with the compliment. Even if it was good that she was single, the mention of it reminded her of unpleasant days gone by. Yeah, I’m glad too, she replied quickly, affirming that it really was a blessing after all. Dining with Derrick was the first solid reason she had to be glad for her breakup.

That makes two of us, he gently said.

I just hope I’m not keeping you from anything. I’m sure you’re busy, and—

There’s no place I’d rather be than right here, he said, cutting her off with that killer smile of his.

That was all Corrine needed to hear to know he was single, but he was also the lawyer of this hot new hotel, and that left her with more questions. Tell me, Derrick, why does Gil Frosh have his personal lawyer residing at this new little palace of his? asked Corrine. Did the elevator bring you here? No one has filed a lawsuit about that, have they?

No, but I’m thinking fate may have, he said in a most flirtatious way. As for Gil, he likes having me on-site for all his projects. As his general counsel and vice president, I oversee everything...well, except for elevator assembly. That’s best left to engineers.

Some brilliant engineers you’ve got then, she teased.

Yeah, well, sorry about that. They’ll get it sorted out.

I’m sure they will. That’s your job, though? Hopping from one glamorous venue to the next to make sure nothing needs an out-of-order sign? she asked.

Not really. I’m...corporate, he said, sounding almost ashamed of it. I make the deals that get the wheels moving on all these glamorous venues. What about you? What brings you here? Surely it wasn’t just the elevator for you, either.

A dare, she said with a laugh. It really was about the elevator, and that seemed quite silly all of a sudden. Regardless of why she was there, though, Corrine was glad she was. Derrick obviously found her answer sexy, as evidenced by his body language, his frame relaxing as his movements became liquid, shifting his weight as if circling her like delicious prey.

Oh yeah? A dare? He arched his eyebrow. What was the challenge? To kiss a strange man?

Are you strange, Mr. Quinn? she asked boldly.

He shook his head, grinning bashfully.

Actually, I just needed some time away, but as I mentioned I’ve always had a deep fear of elevators. I dared myself to ride yours, she confessed. The ride was supposed to help me overcome it, not make it worse.

Aw, he replied, his eyes hooded and devious. Sounds like I need to kiss it to make it feel better. Then, without further warning, he leaned across the table and pressed his lips to hers.

Corrine did not part her lips this time, and neither did he, but the kiss was anything but simple. Erotic electricity flowed into her, practically knocking her to the floor, till all she could do was let out a warm gasp against his tender mouth.

Derrick slowly pulled away and sat back down. He topped off their glasses with red wine and handed hers to her, as if he was a doctor administering a dose of medicine.

That was...pretty hot, she remarked candidly, thrilled that he was gulping his wine down, as if he was just as overcome by their magnetism as she was. We obviously have a spark.

We sure do, he said lazily.

Corrine thought she had known passion before, with the man who broke her heart, but kissing Derrick made all that seem like a watered-down knock-off of any real feelings. I guess I’ve never really known love at all, she thought sadly as she sat in her chair, staring at him and trying to figure out the odd swarm of emotions. He’s a lawyer, though, she reminded herself. The man gets paid to be persuasive, manipulative. He’s a deal-maker in an über-competitive field, a brilliant bullshit artist.

She struggled to do the math, and there was only one solution she could come up with. She knew she looked smoking-hot in her black dress, and there was obviously something more to his kisses than just a desire to get into her panties. The trouble was that she feared she’d let him get away with too much too soon, that she’d given him the impression that she was easy. With him, I could be, she thought, then shook her head slightly, realizing she was thinking way too much.

I know I promised you steak, he said, but I say we skip dinner and go straight for dessert. I have the strongest urge to put some sweets in your mouth.

The tease, dripping with innuendo, bordered on filthy, and every word made her shiver. She blushed and then involuntarily shivered with pleasure, right in front of him.

Shall I take that as a yes, too? he asked in a growl, followed by a soft laugh and a