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An Excerpt From: SHAMELESS
© Copyright LORA
LEIGH, 2005.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave, Inc.
How could he have forgotten how damned pretty she
was? Her long, dark brown hair was left loose to flow down her back, nearly
to her hips, her expressive face was currently holding a slight pout as the
sight of him continued to elude her, and her tall, slender body was a wet
dream walking.
Dressed in below the hip jeans, and a blouse cut too
high for comfort, there was enough flesh displayed to make his mouth go
dry, not to mention the dirty old men passing by her, sneaking looks at the
silken, glistening flesh she had bared.
And winking shamelessly at her navel was an emerald
cat’s eye, glistening against the dark flesh of her belly. It was enough to
make a grown man whimper. Despite the provocative clothing and the sensual
grace with which she moved, innocence still seemed to shroud her. A wide
smile curved her lips, chocolate brown eyes gleamed with joy, curiosity, and
a love of life. She was like a breath of fresh air blowing through the
stale atmosphere of the airport lounge.
A grunt of laughter escaped his throat.
He had been getting hard for her since she was seventeen
years old. Who was the dirty old man? He was ten years older than she was
and old enough to know better, now, seven years later. But his cock had no
conscience. It was hard, straining beneath his jeans, and throbbing in
hunger.
“Ian…” He watched as a smile curved her pouty lips and
pleasure lit her dark eyes as she finally spotted him.
Striding quickly across the room, her full breasts
bounced—damn, she was obviously not wearing a bra. The emerald that pierced
her belly button winked erotically and had his tongue aching to lick and
probe at the little indention it called attention to.
She was the most tempting thing he had seen in his life.
A temptation he didn’t need.
“About time you got here, brat.” He opened his arms to
her, closing his eyes as she threw herself into his embrace, her arms
wrapping around his neck as he lifted her from her feet and hugged her
tight, relishing the feel of her in his arms. She was going to be a pain in
the neck, but she was one of the few people in the world that he cared
anything for. One of the few who truly cared for him.
It had been more than a year since he had seen her last.
For just that reason. He didn’t want to hurt her, but more importantly, he
hadn’t wanted that caring affection they shared harmed. The joy she showed
when he was around lit up the dark places in his soul. Letting that go
would be a wound to his heart he knew would never heal.
The hunger growing by the year was becoming
uncomfortable enough to stress the control he prided himself on so deeply
though. He was now forced to confront the seductive little baggage whether
he wanted to or not.
“Ian, you are as handsome as ever,” she exclaimed as he
set her back on her feet, staring up at him with those mysterious brown
eyes and wicked humor.
“And you’re as pretty as sunrise.” He shook his head at
the truth of his own statement. She was as fresh, as innocent as dawn.
She smiled up at him, her hands still gripping his
shoulders, her hips pressed into his thighs. And that wicked, hungry light
in her eyes assured him she had felt the hard-on raging beneath the cloth.
He shook his head mockingly.
“You’re a bad girl, Courtney.” He moved her back. “Your
father should have spanked you more when you were a child.”
Her laughter was low, filled with heat. “So mother keeps
telling him. Perhaps you should spank me, Ian. Since it appears you are the
one being affected. I might like having you spank me.”
The thought of it nearly had his eyes glazing in lust.
And she damned well knew it if her expression was anything to go by.
She watched him beneath lowered eyelids, her thick
lashes shadowing her cheeks as she damped her lips with a flick of her hot
little tongue. His cock jerked, his lust howled out in hunger.
“Come on, wench.” He shook his head at her blatant
flirtation, leading the way from the reception area to the limo outside.
“Where’s your luggage?”
“You see it.” She indication the carry-on duffel bag at
her feet as she picked it up and moved behind him. “It was time to go
clothes shopping, so I thought I’d pick up the essentials while I was here.
Why travel with tons of bags if you don’t have to?”
Ian took the bag from her as she came up beside him,
nearly skipping to keep up with his stride.
“Has nothing to do with that shopping bug you picked up
from your mother,” he grunted at the information as he fought the laughter
welling in his chest. Her mother, Marguerita, could shop for days and never
tire.
“Of course not,” she assured him with mocking emphasis.
“I needed new clothes. A girl has to look presentable, Ian.”
He glanced at the clothing she wore now. “Buy something
that fits this time,” he suggested, unable to keep from grinning at her
free-spirited laughter. “Your father should lock you in a padded room,
Courtney. You’re a menace.”
She pouted teasingly. “But you love me, Ian, you know
you do.” She looped her arm around his, pressing close to his side as they
exited the airport. “Just think of how dull and boring this winter would be
without me. I came to heat things up for you, and you aren’t showing the
least amount of thankfulness.”
Thankfulness wasn’t exactly the way he would describe
it, he agreed silently.
The limo waited just outside the doors, its warm
interior protection against the cold on her tender flesh. Why it should
bother him, when it didn’t bother her, he wasn’t certain. Maybe he was
hoping it was the cold that had her nipples pressing hard and tight against
her shirt. If it wasn’t, he was in a hell of a lot of trouble here.
“You didn’t even bring a coat,” he growled as his driver
whisked the door open and helped her in immediately.
“Who needs a coat?” She burrowed into the warm leather
as he stepped in and the door closed behind him. “I could just cuddle up to
you. You stay hot.”
She had no idea.
She flashed him a saucy smile as she began to play with
the controls set against the opposite side. Within seconds, the tinted
privacy window raised between them and the driver.
Ian watched her curiously. It was obvious the little
minx had something on her mind. He waited patiently, watching as she leaned
back in her seat, then turned, leaning her side against the leather back as
she stared back at him silently.
He lifted a brow inquisitively. “You needed privacy?”
“Well, you never know when it might come in handy.” She
was openly laughing at him now.
CLOSE WINDOW
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