Page 41 (1/2)

Chapter One

I’M going to sink inside you so deeply, you won’t ever forget I was here

Alyssa Devereaux shuddered at the rowled promise, as she’d been surrounded by taut muscles and male need

Luc Traverson Even his name caused heat to stab her belly ant He’d kept every bit of that prootten him for a moment

The night he’d spent in her bed had been aiven up on fairy tales, that was saying soth had been paradise Under his stare that night she hadn’t just felt like a desirable woman, but like the only wo her toes curl, he’d given her a whole new definition of pleasure His endless dark eyes had burned as he’d slaht hair draped around their faces, cutting off all reality but his whispered deasm to the next

He’d brought her body to a fever pitch—to places she’d never believed a ain For six hours Never tiring, never satisfied Greedy, rapacious, and a

She’d had enough sex in her life to know they’d shared so more

The next one No note, no explanation A few days later, he’d sent floith an apology for any discoht have caused She’d been pissed off, a bit hurtbut not terribly surprised

Still, she wasn’t willing to give up For the chance to see Luc again, Alyssa had broken her own rule and called him Twice He’d never returned her calls personally Instead, his assistant had called e more

She’d been nothing to hiether that he didn’t respect her They’d first met when she’d stripped at his buddy’s bachelor party a few years back So herself coe his mind

Stupid

Still, he was everything she’d ever wanted in a , sensitive, sexyShe wasn’t giving hiht

“Afternoon, boss lady ” Tyler Murphy sent her a long, lohistle, his stare taking a ed froe “You’re looking very fine ”

“Tyler,” she greeted the sandy-haired giant “Your job is to watch the patrons, not me ”

“Since we’re not open yet, there’s no one here to bounce Besides, I’ drunken frat boys or horny arters under that little black skirt?”

Her bouncer was former law enforcee educated with a degree in engineering Tyler had a lot going for hiuess But in the few months he’d been with her, he’d proven himself indispensable There were days her business needed him

It was too bad, really, that her heart didn’t need Tyler as well

Fro stare “I’ll never tell ”

“Aw, c’uy a bone ”

Alyssa glanced down at his crotch “Looks like you’ve got your own ”

Tyler winked and sent her a flirty grin “All for you ”

He was good-looking, built like soazine, s Sexy Sirens—Lafayette, Louisiana’s,to start up a new restaurant, by the tihts of Tyler that made her ache That honor was reserved solely for Luc Traverson

And after a bit more than three months apart, he would be here today

Feel ar Coain

Luc’s voice, sin wrapped in velvet, dipped in honey, wouldn’t leave her head Even the ht always had the power to daze and stun her She wanted it again Hiain

“Hello? Earth to Alyssa ”

Tyler Oops “Sorry The restaurant is weighing so heavily on my mind these days ”

He stared at her froive you that flushed, wanna-get-fucked look?”

“Go find soh up ”

“I’d rather be with you ”

Tyler crossed his aring black T-shirt He really was gorgeous And he wanted her; he’d made no secret about that She could do worse

“What’s his nahed

“Who?”

“The man who put that needy look on your face I don’t knohether I want to bust him up or shake his hand ”

“There’s no one in my life ” Which, technically, was true Other than her hookup with Luc, she hadn’t had sex in years

“Liar ”

At this point in the conversation, Tyler usually teased that he’d be more than happy to be that so was different

“You’re too good to be alone The girls all worship you You treat everyone fairly and work daive yourself credit for You haven’t resorted to murder when that asshole Council trouble ” He sent her a considering stare “You’ve had it tough lately You deserve a break ”

If she wasn’t careful, his caring would e in—and an utter waste of time

Alyssa anchored her hands on her hips “Not in the cards ”

“Maybe you should postpone the restaurant opening for a feeeks ”

“Why?”

Restraint left Tyler He reached out to her, caressing his large hand down her arone teeks ”

She tensed “I hadn’t seen her in fourteen years ”