Chapter Two

Hayley couldn’t believe Sam Norville sat beside her, holding her hand. His spicy citrus scent and the stroke of his fingers were playing havoc with her senses. Her stomach fluttered despite her steady smile. The man looked better in person, way better than in the photos plastering the magazines and society pages of the newspapers.

Sam’s dark hair gleamed, even in the dim lighting. Slightly long, it looked in need of a cut, but the shagginess didn’t detract from his good looks. His strong features were sensual and the corners of his golden eyes bore fans of wrinkles, displayed whenever he grinned his very sexy and probably well-practiced crooked smile. A definite bad-boy smile if ever she saw one. Jeans, a white T-shirt and black leather jacket added to her initial bad-boy impression.

Happy birthday to me.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” he said, leaning forward so they could speak over the noise.

“I came with a friend.” Hayley couldn’t suppress a shiver of awareness when his warm breath wafted across the whorl of her ear. His palm bore several calluses and, curse her vivid imagination, she could envision them stroking across her naked breasts without any difficulty at all. Oh, dear. Big trouble—margarita-induced trouble. Maybe she should have stopped at number three, but she’d badly needed a drink to steady her nerves after their dance.

“Are you going home with your friend?”

“No. She’s spending the night with her boyfriend.” She’d seen Suzie briefly when she first arrived but not since. Hopefully with this crowd Suzie wouldn’t see her again and notice her infatuation. Suzie knew her well enough to see straight through her pretence.

“Good news for me.” His thumb strummed across her palm in a hypnotic manner. Back and forth.

Hayley shivered. If she concentrated on the dancers, maybe she’d manage not to make a fool of herself. She picked up her drink with her free hand and drank a good half. The faint tremor of her hand was barely noticeable, but she knew. Hayley set her drink down, determined not to drink another drop.

“Dance with me again,” he said, tugging her to her feet effortlessly.

Hayley acquiesced without protest. If they were dancing, she didn’t have to think quite as hard. She could just feel.

On the dance floor, he swept her into his arms, their lower limbs brushing with exquisite slowness. Hayley swallowed, trying to control her excitement. She’d made her decision when she’d given him a false name. A one-night stand. Dare she? With a determined playboy? At least that’s what the papers reported. Sam Norville was a dedicated playboy.

And she was considering…oh, dear. She was bad. Even thinking about a one-night stand. Hayley pressed her cheek against his leather jacket and smiled dreamily. Could a secretary be a bad girl during her off-duty hours? Maybe, maybe not. Well, she’d see how the night progressed. She ignored her conscience screaming about impulsiveness and consequences. The memories of her parents’ lectures… Couldn’t a girl have a little fun on her birthday? Maybe he didn’t feel the same sexual currents she did. Perhaps she was making a huge fool of herself, providing a little entertainment for the playboy.

Their bodies swayed. Barely moving, their limbs brushed and bumped together when they collided with other laughing dancers. His nearness, his intoxicating citrus scent overwhelmed her, kept adding to the daring thoughts already dancing through her head. She tingled all over, the heat from his touch pulling her nipples to tight beads beneath the cups of her silky bra.

They continued to dance, holding each other close, hands wandering and lazily exploring. She felt the hard ridge of his erection brushing against her stomach. Gradually she let herself believe that this attraction, this thing between them went both ways.

“What would you do if I danced you into a dark corner and kissed you?” he asked during a break in the music.

“I’m not sure.” Liar, her subconscious taunted. Her body warmed and her limbs became heavy, her pulse skittering alarmingly out of control. She glanced up at him and winked. “Why don’t you try it and find out?” He could do just about anything to her, if he kept talking in that low, husky voice.

He stared at her for a long second, and she swallowed, her nerves doing a real number on her knees. His sudden smile sent her pulse lurching madly and her stomach fluttering. Those margaritas were tricky little suckers, sneaking up on a girl without warning.

“Come on,” he whispered. “I want to see if my imagination is good.”

Hayley’s breath whooshed out in a gusty sigh, her conscience shrieked at her, but she accepted his hand and, after collecting her bag, let him lead her through the crowd of laughing people and downstairs to the main pub. It was an old one with lots of small nooks and cozy private areas within the main building.

“How far away is this dark corner you’re talking about?”

He winked. “Later. How about grabbing us a seat while I buy drinks?” His dark gaze caressed her face before settling on her lips. The impression felt almost physical and set tiny starbursts of sensation dancing inside her stomach.

Hayley found herself nodding in agreement. “An orange juice for me please.” She watched him prowl to the bar, her attention shooting to his world-class backside. She licked suddenly dry lips and fought with her chiding conscience.

This. Was. Not. A. Good. Idea.

She had time to flee—if she wanted, before things went too far. That was the crux of the problem. If she wanted. She liked Sam, or what she knew of him so far, despite his playboy reputation. Maybe she’d shove the good angel sitting on her right shoulder off and see where her naughty self took her. Yeah, maybe that’s what she should do. After all, it was her twenty-fifth birthday. If she didn’t celebrate, who would?

“Here you go.” Sam placed a glass of orange juice on the table in front of her and set a bottle of Heineken beside it. “Why don’t you shift along?” His husky voice pulled a deep-seated shudder from her along with longing. If he kept talking to her in that voice, he could do anything he wanted. Anything. Slowly, she glanced at him, their eyes meeting, gazes holding. Something silent passed between them. A promise. An acknowledgement that this attraction was a two-way thing.

Weirdly, every last bit of anxiety dissipated and gut instinct told her everything would be all right. Trust. It shimmered in his golden brown eyes and her breath escaped in a soft puff of relief. He had just as much to lose as her. She moved across the cushioned seat of the bench and he slid in beside her. His warm, jean-clad thigh brushed hers. Hayley held her breath, once again feeling the frisson of shimmers that accompanied his touch. Her hand trembled when she reached for the orange juice, liquid leaping over the side of the glass in an embarrassing, telltale splash. A slow burn started in Hayley’s cheeks, echoing in her body.

“Do I scare you?” he whispered in his sinful voice. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear about me. My reputation is totally exaggerated.”

“You would say that.” Her breasts lifted when she sucked in a hasty breath. She exhaled slowly, discomfiture crawling across her cheeks when she noticed he watched her intently. “No, your reputation doesn’t worry me. I don’t listen to gossip. It’s what you’re making me feel that scares me,” Hayley blurted and immediately wished she could recall the telling words. She’d dug herself a hole and it was time to stop digging.

“I can have someone from the party vouch for me. I promise I’m not an axe murderer or anything else remotely scary. It’s true I have a playboy image, but I’m single. If it would set your mind at ease, I can find one of my friends to tell you I’m a decent bloke.”

The offer smoothed her ruffled nerves and helped her relax, but it made her laugh, too. “Can I trust your friends to tell the truth?” At his affronted look, her smile widened. “You probably think I’m a fruitcake.”

“A very sexy fruitcake.” He picked up her left hand and squeezed it lightly. “What would you do if I asked you to spend the night with me?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered.

“There’s something between us, something special. I feel it every time we touch.” His voice lowered to sexy and intimate, and Hayley felt her body reacting to both voice and touch. The man was a skilled seducer and she had no defenses against him. Oh, she blamed it on the drink. The margaritas had burned away every shred of good sense, leaving her naughty self unprotected. The solid yearning to live a little, if only for one night, didn’t help either.

“What do you do, Sam?” A test, because Suzie had told her. The tabloids tended to concentrate on his social life, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen his occupation mentioned in print.

“For a job? It’s true my family is wealthy, just as the papers say, but I am a businessman and work in the city. I like to keep busy.”

Her brows rose. “You?” In his jeans and leather jacket, he didn’t look like a suit, a man who worked for his living. Oh, no. She stretched out her hand and, giving into temptation, lightly ran her fingers across his strong jaw. Stubble created a dragging friction against her fingertips. When she came to his lips, she hesitated, gathered her confidence around her like a cloak and toppled over into sin. One forefinger traced the sensual curve of his top lip and along the bottom. Next, she stroked her finger across the seam, gasping when he opened his mouth and took her finger inside. Her gaze flew to his, and her heart thudded. Suddenly nothing mattered, his reputation, his job. Nothing.

Heat surrounded her finger and seeped down her arm, tugged at her breasts, before moving lower. When he applied suction to her finger, a dark moan slipped free. She swallowed and watched his eyes darken and a faint flush shadow his cheekbones. The muscles of his thigh tensed. Her stomach turned a slow, rollercoaster flip.

He pulled away, still holding her deer-in-headlights stare.

“Hell,” he said, his voice a trifle unsteady. The next moment, his lips covered hers and his large hand cradled her head. Their lips moved together in a perfect dance of flirtation, a slow getting-to-know-you dance that made Hayley long to press her naked body against his. So far gone she could barely think, she just went with the sensations. The brush of lips, the sensuous slide of tongues when she opened for him and the gentle touch of his hand at her head.

When he pulled away, they were both breathing hard.

“Wow,” he whispered.

“Yeah.”

“Come home with me.”

When she hesitated, he said, “We can go to a hotel if you prefer, or to your place.”

Hayley swallowed, knowing she was going to say yes, despite the risk of running into photographers or the guilt that would come after her impulsive behavior. She wanted—needed—more of the same, even if it were only for one night. “Is your apartment near here? And we won’t run into photographers, will we?” She didn’t want to take him home with her because Suzie would find out and ask all sorts of questions.

“A short cab ride away. And no, this party isn’t exclusive enough to attract attention, which is why I came.”

She nodded and a grin spread across his face, making his brown eyes sparkle. He looked so naughty, yet behind the bad-boy persona she caught a touch of relief. He hadn’t been sure of her. The knowledge made her soften like a marshmallow exposed to heat.

He picked up her hand again and ran his thumb across her palm. “Do you want to leave now?”

“Yes.” It was difficult to speak with emotions rioting inside her.

“Is there anyone you need to tell you’re leaving?” He clasped her hand between both of his, and it felt so right.

Briefly she considered Suzie, but discounted the idea of searching for her. Although she knew Suzie wouldn’t judge, Hayley didn’t want time to second-guess her actions. All she wanted to do was feel and celebrate her birthday. She shook her head. “No.”

“Let’s go.” Sam slid from the booth without releasing her hand. True to his word, they didn’t see a single photographer, in fact they didn’t see anyone, apart from a couple standing close on the stairwell, who were more interested in each other than passersby.

Outside the pub, Sam hailed a black cab and half an hour later Hayley found herself standing in his Knightsbridge apartment. The door closed behind them with a soft click, a reminder of her foolhardy behavior. But Sam took her into his arms and she forgot her fears, sinking into the moment, the pleasure, letting go of her worries. His hands slid beneath the hem of her blouse. Warmth seared her bare skin, a moan of pleasure escaping when he spanned her waist. All he’d done was touch, but his stroking fingers sent pleasant jolts through her. Fairly innocent touches, but she couldn’t wait to get to the really good stuff. If this felt good, the rest would be dynamite. Sam unbuttoned her blouse with nimble fingers and slowly peeled it open to display her lace-covered breasts and bare stomach.

“Beautiful,” he whispered, brushing the back of his hand over one lace-clad nipple.

Tension filled Hayley but she released it with a slow breath, attracting his close attention. Immediately Hayley was pleased she’d succumbed to temptation and donned her good lingerie. Pale blue lace enhanced her curves much better than her everyday plain white cotton.

“Very beautiful,” Sam said, tracing the flesh at the edge of her bra with a delicate finger. “I can’t wait to taste.” The black blouse floated to the floor.

The glow in his eyes told her he meant it, pleasing her and allowing Hayley to drop the last of her reservations. She melted into his body, savoring the brush of breasts against his muscular chest. Her fingers slid through his hair, the silky texture tickling her palms as she clutched him to her. His masculine scent surrounded her, filled her lungs while his touch destroyed her and built her back up into a creature of pure sensation.

Somehow they found themselves in his bedroom with Hayley scarcely taking in the surroundings in the modern flat.

Sam released her to flick on a bedside lamp, bathing the room in a glow of light. A king-size bed dominated the room. Covered with a duvet in shades of blue—soft teal blue to aqua and navy—it reminded Hayley of the sea. A large window displayed the lights of the city spread out below them. The magical panorama drew her attention until the rustle of clothes attracted her eyes elsewhere. She turned in time to see Sam’s white T-shirt hit the ground.

Her breath caught at the sculpted muscles and golden expanse of flesh. Her fingers tingled with the need to touch, to explore some more. Hayley took half a step toward him before he stopped her with a grin.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” he said. “If I let you touch me, I’m going to lose grip on my control. It’s tenuous tonight. Let me touch you first, give you pleasure.”

Wide-eyed, she watched him, her hands dangling at her sides. Her breasts moved rapidly up and down. She realized she was panting and heat crawled across every inch of her body.

Sam prowled closer, his grin fading to intentness. Sudden nerves jumped in her belly, but she managed to remain still. He knelt in front of her and lifted her feet one at a time to slide off her shoes. Capable hands massaged one foot and traveled up her calf, skating across the delicate skin behind her knee. His fingers crept higher, over the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, teasing a gasp from her when his fingers met the bare flesh above the top of her thigh-high stockings.

“You’re so soft,” he said, lifting his head to look at her face. One finger slipped beneath the lace of her panties, teasing sensitive feminine folds. Sweetly invasive fingers skated across her aching clit, Sam watching her reaction the entire time. “And I love the stockings. The sexy lingerie.”

Hayley jumped at the flash of pleasure from his stroking fingers, and he chuckled, the rich sound bringing a new flare of warmth inside. She gasped, wishing he’d hurry, yet contrarily wanting him to maintain the slow pace so she had plenty of memories to savor in the future.

He stood in a fluid move, brushing his lips across hers while his hands blindly sought the button and zipper closure of her black skirt. Talented hands. The skirt slid away, leaving her standing in bra, panties and her thigh-high stockings.

“Stunning and beautiful,” he whispered, standing back to study her closely. Hayley quivered with the sizzle of arousal, and realized her previous boyfriend had done a number on her, belittling her generous curves because of his own lack of expertise. She’d never felt more turned on or more ready to take the next step. And it was all Sam—his appreciative, seductive words, his sensual touch.

“Do I get to see you?”

“Not yet, sweetheart. Let me unwrap you first. I want you hot and needy and desperate for me.”

Hayley gulped. “I am,” she confessed. “Your job is done.”

“No way. I’m not even started.” His rich laugh soothed the flicker of awkwardness assailing her. “We can do better yet. Much better.”

Sam scooped her into his arms without warning and dumped her in the middle of his sea-blue duvet. She bounced lightly, watching his every move. Hers, she thought. Sam was hers, even if just for one night.

He opened a bedside drawer and plucked several condoms out before sliding it shut.

Hayley closed her eyes briefly, her mind a tangle of disbelief and shock. She hadn’t even thought of protection. She thought of the possible consequences, of history repeating itself, and shuddered inwardly. Thankfully, Sam was thinking for both of them.

When she opened her eyes again she almost groaned. He’d removed his jeans, leaving form-fitting black boxers in place. His erection was evident, calling up an insistent ache at the juncture of her thighs. Her mouth rounded, and she swallowed audibly, watching the play of his muscles as he moved.

The mattress depressed when he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Turn over,” he said, the words a quiet order.

Hayley turned over onto her stomach without question, her heart pumping in an upbeat tempo. What was he going to do? Sweet anticipation sent her imagination careering past all sorts of scenarios.

His hand drifted over her shoulder. He skimmed his fingers over the smooth skin of her back. The taut fit of her bra abruptly loosened and he slid the straps down her shoulders. He straddled her body and she felt his warm mouth move down her spine while his hands cupped her buttocks and gently massaged her cheeks. Hayley groaned, wanting to melt into a puddle, but the coil of tension in her core grew bigger, more demanding. Every touch brought a shiver of pleasure, a need for more. She willed Sam to hurry, but he continued at the same deliberate pace, touching and kneading her muscles, driving her toward madness.

He rolled her stockings down her legs one at a time, taking time to pet and kiss her inner thighs, the delicate skin behind her knees, the arch of her foot, until she tingled all over. Never before had a man cherished her so much, made her feel so sexy and feminine. So wanted and desirable.

“Roll over, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I want to see your face.”

Slowly, she rolled over to almost drown in his dark, gleaming eyes. He whisked off her panties and, in the next blink of an eye, her dangling bra disappeared too. The heat in his eyes intensified, bathing her in warmth and desire. Her breasts prickled, and she desperately yearned for his touch.

“I’m not sure where to start.”

She closed one eye in a cheeky wink. “At the beginning?”

Sam laughed. “Good idea.” He stroked the creamy swell of one breast before plucking at a nipple and rolling it between finger and thumb. The tugging sensation followed by a pinch sent arousal spiraling low in her belly. Each erotic caress, each brush of lips and touch of his fingers drove her pleasure higher. The air crackled with sensual tension and, just when she thought it couldn’t get better, the warm, wet suction of his mouth took her to the edge of control. Hayley stirred, pleading words backing up in her throat.

“Sam.” It was all she could get out. Hayley shifted restlessly, her hands stroking across his back. She wanted more, much more. “Please don’t make me wait. Let me touch you.”

He lifted his head, leaving her nipple glistening in the light of the bedside lamp. “You are touching me.”

“I need more,” she said, digging her fingernails into his shoulders. “Please don’t tease me.” Nothing like a little begging…

“Just a little more. You can do it,” he encouraged, his lingering look doing nothing to dissipate the tension simmering through her body. He moved down her body, the tight squeeze of his fingers holding her in place when she would have moved to hurry him along. Each breath sounded ragged, the sultry promise in his eyes whenever he glanced at her driving her hard and fast. “Part your legs for me.”

Each husky instruction pushed her higher, a delicious assault on her senses. He trailed one hand over her hip, placed a kiss on her inner thigh. A swirl of fingers across her clit made her jump, but when he lowered his head and licked her, an intense streak of heat pushed a moan from her lips. He nibbled and teased, licked and laved her swollen bud until suddenly, her body convulsed with the force of her release. Slowly she came back to herself, drifting in the aftershocks. Her eyes opened slowly to focus on him.

Sam grinned. “You are amazing.”

“Wow.” Hayley packed everything she felt into the one word because he was the amazing one. She couldn’t believe she was actually in his bed, that this was happening.

Still grinning, he climbed off the bed and shucked his boxers, letting his erection spring free. Unabashedly nude, he grabbed a condom and ripped it open, the crinkle of foil loud in the silent room. Competently, he rolled it on and returned to her side. If Hayley had expected him to get straight to the main course, she was wrong. He kissed and fondled her, petted her until he’d learned every sensitive spot to drive her crazy with need. Talented fingers plucked at her nipples, he flailed them with his tongue and gave teasing nips that made her nerve endings vibrate. She floated on a haze of passion while he nuzzled the smooth vulnerability of her throat, nipped at the sensitive place between neck and collarbone. Hayley sighed when his hands slid in a long, luxurious stroke down her back.

Generous with his own body, he let her explore and touch him, stroke his shoulders, kiss his neck, his mouth. His aftershave and hot male scent filled each breath until her heart lurched painfully once again and pleasure swarmed over her body. Need. It swamped her as she rained kisses on his neck and shoulders, everywhere she could reach. He delved between her legs, teasing her fevered flesh until she trembled, and finally moved over her. With a seamless stroke, he pushed inside, stealing her breath and making her muscles contract with need. Their lips met in an explosive kiss, her fingers kneading broad shoulders, the hunger between them growing. It felt so good, so right. Such a beautiful birthday present, she thought with a dreamy smile. She arched against him, their breathing becoming harsh, the sounds of sex and pleasure filling the room. The pace quickened. With hard, digging strokes, he swept her under, into a private place where sensation and laughter ruled, a place where the present didn’t exist.

They made love twice more during the night, laughing and loving together, the languid and lazy flare of desire in his eyes making her feel special. Hayley tried to stay awake, part of her knowing she had to go. The entire evening was a fairy tale and, like all good stories, it had to come to an end. Her eyes fluttered closed and she lost the battle.

 

She woke suddenly, disoriented in the strange surroundings until the events of the previous night rushed back. Slowly she turned her head to see Sam sprawled on the other side of the king-size bed. A blast of guilt hit her, along with a crashing headache. She’d slept with a stranger. Used him because of her own needs and inadequacies. Without another thought, Hayley scrambled from the bed and searched frantically for her clothes while keeping an eye on the sleeping man. Hot color bloomed in her cheeks.

God, despite her impulsive nature, she hadn’t done anything this bad in a long time. Not only was it like playing Russian roulette, it was plain wrong on so many levels. She never behaved like this now. It had to be the drinks. Heck, she’d never drink again. The throb at her temples felt like an appropriate punishment for the crime. She plucked her stockings off the floor, grabbed her skirt and bra. To her consternation, she couldn’t find the rest of her underwear, but she discovered her shoes before scuttling from the bedroom to dress. Her blouse—it was on the floor somewhere. She sighed in relief when she located it, and finished dressing rapidly. Hayley found her purse by the door and let herself out, heart pounding in fear. The last thing she wanted was to confront Sam. They were worlds apart. A secretary and a playboy. No, she’d chalk this up as a bad mistake, an uncharacteristic one-night stand and a blip on her impulsive radar that should never have happened.