“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.” Jay shook his head and patted Kale on the back. “She’s a man-eater. She’ll chew you up and spit you out, pal.”
A slow grin curled Kale’s mouth. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
Chapter 2
Erin reluctantly gave up struggling and let Laura escort her to the dance floor. “Okay, Laura you win. You can let go of me now,” she blurted, seconds before her breasts popped out of her tight bodice.
Laura released Erin’s arm, leaned close, and whispered into her ear, “Are you and Kale going to test Pleasure Prolonged on yourselves?”
Erin’s mouth curved. Wouldn’t that be the perfect opportunity to take a stab at being the bad girl she pretended to be and give her libidinous body the action it craved? Shame they already had test subjects lined up for Monday morning’s experiment.
She looked at her friend, hoping her face conveyed nonchalance about the whole issue.
“No. We never discussed it.” Her gazed moved across the room and settled on Kale. A fine tremor rippled over her flesh as she watched him watching her.
“Why not?” Laura probed. “I hear he’s into casual sex.” Laura winked at her. “Just your type.”
Erin held out her index finger and puckered her lips. “First, he’s not my type.” Liar. She’d have to be comatose not to stand up and take notice of him. Even then, she wasn’t so sure that would stop her. His mere presence would likely rouse any woman from a coma. Probably a few men too. Her middle finger joined the first. “And second, I really need to concentrate on this assignment. As you know, my career advancement depends on it.”
Concentrate! Ha! Like that was going to happen. There’d be no concentrating going on with him around. Maybe she should just have sex with him. Casual sex. Uncomplicated sex. To get him out of her system, or into her system, she mused, depending on which way you looked at it. Perhaps then she’d be able to get her mind off her libido and back on her job.
She paused to give that last thought further consideration. She’d never had a one-night stand before. Would it be possible for her to indulge in a frivolous affair with a gorgeous, smart playboy like Kale, a guy who stirred all her senses, without threatening her emotions?
Some deeper instinct warned her that sex with him would be anything but uncomplicated.
“And third,” she continued. “After you and Jay secretly tested the libido suppressant on one another without consent, Kale and I have been duly warned by the director. If we step out of line, it will cost us our jobs.”
Laura looked far from convinced but didn’t press the issue. Instead, she turned and made her way to the raised platform at the front of the dance stage while Erin padded across the floor to the far back.
Just because she was forced to stand there with all the other eager, single women didn’t mean she had to catch the damn bouquet. She could neatly sidestep it and let Hooker Barbie jump for the coveted flowers. The blond bombshell looked like a crouched tiger waiting to pounce on a gazelle. Scary. Erin gave a mock shiver, and under the guise of fearing for her safety, circled Barbie, keeping a wide berth.
She found a nice, quiet spot in the corner and turned her attention to the man on the other side of the room. Kale and Jay were deep in conversation. From the intent look on Kale’s face, she assumed it was an extremely important topic. As Erin pondered what issue they were discussing, something soft and fragrant hit her square in the chest. Her hands automatically reached out, and before she realized it, she was holding the bouquet.
Erin mumbled curses under her breath. Forget the judge and jury, Laura was headed straight for execution!
Earlier in the evening, Kale had had no intention of participating in the traditional garter toss. Rather interesting that he now found himself standing front and center on the dance floor, the most prominent position for catching the lacy slip of blue material.
He shot Erin a sidelong glance. Perched on a stool, she brushed her silky nutmeg hair from her face as her gaze darted around the room. Nervous anticipation danced in her big, dark eyes as she absentmindedly twirled a wayward lock around her finger.
Kale’s attention drifted back to Jay in time to watch him exchange a look with Laura. A moment later the blue lace sailed right into his open palm. He twisted sideways to glimpse the sexy woman who made him feel like a lustful teenager on his first date. Her sensuous mouth opened and closed in a silent gasp. He could almost hear the air rush from her lungs in a whoosh. Kale widened his stance and watched her for a moment longer. He had to admit, he was looking forward to discovering the woman behind the role she played.
The lights on the dance floor dimmed as Jay came up beside him and patted him on the back. “Play nice.”
Kale raked his hair off his forehead and chuckled. “I always play nice. Hard, but nice.” With the crook of his finger, he motioned for Erin to come to him.
Pulling her dress high on her long legs, she slipped her curvy backside off her seat and met his gaze unflinchingly. His glance left her face and slowly perused the length of her. Languorous warmth stole through him as he envisioned himself sliding the garter over her slim calf all the way up to her shapely, sexy thigh.
With casual aplomb she sauntered closer and accepted a chair in the center of the dance floor.
The soft golden glow of the shadowy overhead light made her skin glisten. Her flowery scent stirred the air around them,
