An Indecent Proposition

By Em Brown

Take your reading to erotic heights with this sizzling novelette!

After debt-ridden Deana Herwood loses a hand of cards to the wealthy Halsten Rockwell, he offers a wicked proposition: that she clear her loss by offering her body up to his pleasure for one night.

After accepting, she discovers his desires might be more than she can handle. But he makes an even more outrageous proposition, one she finds hard to refuse. All she has to do is refrain from succumbing to his wicked pleasures...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Em Brown
• Release date: Aug 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781950129164

Em Brown

After accidentally flashing an audience with her knickers, Em Brown decided that writing was a safer activity. She enjoys writing romance, particularly erotic historicals. For more about her works, visit www.EroticHistoricals.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

DEANA COULDN’T think of a strong enough invective to capture the dismay she felt when Halsten Rockwell revealed his ace and queen. She glanced at her own cards, a king and a ten, to make sure she’d really lost. How was it possible? Rockwell had been losing all night.

That’s three thousand you owe me, Rockwell stated, his tone emotionless. He collected the winnings from the middle of the table. It included an IOU signed in her own hand.

She suppressed a frown. She didn’t want to be a sore loser. It was obvious from his clothes—buttery leather dress shoes, silk tie, a suit cut to fit his broad shoulders in tight embrace—that Rockwell had plenty of money, unlike her bordering-on-broke situation. He twisted a ring on his hand and she couldn’t help noticing his rugged fingers. She didn’t usually notice a man’s hand—or a woman’s either—but his conveyed strength, agility and even gentleness.

Dismissing the odd warmth that flared in her rather suddenly, she glanced around her friend’s private gaming club for someone she might convince to lend her the money. Gabby was generous enough with her, so she couldn’t ask her. It was late, the others at her table had left half an hour ago, and many of those remaining had their own debts to pay. If only she’d quit while ahead, but she’d gotten too much satisfaction from besting a man who possessed all that she didn’t—wealth, refined features and a quiet assurance that bordered on arrogance.

I’ll repay you from my next win, she informed Rockwell.

I have a better repayment option for you.

She raised her brows and waited patiently as he returned his wallet to his coat. He looked across the card table at her. His dark-brown eyes reflected either the light of the wall sconces or some inner amusement. His stare unsettled her, but not as much as what he said next.

I want you in my bed, Deana. For one night, I’ll take my pleasure of you, after which, your debt to me will be acquitted in its entirety.

In case you didn’t know, I’m not a sex worker, she said when she realized that he wasn’t kidding.

I didn’t mean to suggest you were. We’re both adults here. I was only offering a proposal that we both might benefit from.

Holding his gaze, she replied, You overestimate your appeal if you think I’m going to hop into bed with someone I barely know. I’d sooner double my debt.

Suit yourself, he said with dispassion and rose to his feet.

She considered how many hands of cards she’d have to