Pleasure After Hours

When it comes to passion, he’s all business…

Working for powerhouse shipping owner Mataeo North is a dream job for Temple Grahame. The jet-setting bachelor depends on her for everything. But there’s just one thing: he has no idea that Temple’s been in love with him since college. Or so she thinks…until the night her studly boss takes her in his arms and uncovers her passionate secret.

Mataeo doesn’t make a move without consulting the savvy South Carolina beauty. Now, on the verge of closing a major deal, he needs Temple more than ever. And not just as his right-hand woman and best friend. What will it take to convince this sensual, independent woman that once they’ve crossed the line from friends to lovers, there’s no turning back?

“Mataeo…you kissed me.”

“And you kissed me back—twice.”

Finally, she met his gaze. “Then you understand why you staying over is… We can’t.”

He was on the bed then. His big frame crowded her, leaving no space for retreat. “We can do anything we damn well please.”

“You can.” She rested back on the headboard and shrugged. “I can’t.”

Mataeo averted his gaze, mulling over her words in silence while smoothing a hand across his soft hair. Finally, he raised one shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Well, then.”

He was kissing her—again—and again she kissed him back. It was foolish to even think of resisting. What for? This was all she dreamed of. Still, she made a weak effort at doing so when he released her mouth to trail his lips down her neck and across her chest.

ALTONYA WASHINGTON

has been a published romance novelist for 6 years. Her novel Finding Love Again won an RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Multicultural Romance in 2004. She works as a senior library assistant and resides in North Carolina. In 2009, AlTonya—writing as T. Onyx—released her debut erotica titles Truth In Sensuality and Ruler of Perfection. In August 2009 she released her debut audio title Another Love. In August 2011 she released Private Melody with Kimani Books. Coming late 2011 will be the twelfth release in her popular Ramsey saga, A Lover’s Hate.

Dear Reader,

Pleasure After Hours warms my heart for many reasons. Temple Grahame is my first Carolina heroine. It was a refreshing experience to craft a character whose background held aspects that were so similar to my own. Another similarity was Temple’s mother, Aileen Grahame. Aileen was my grandmother’s name, and having the chance to bring part of her into the story made the writing that much sweeter.

Of course I can’t forget Mataeo North. It would be a terrible understatement to describe him as simply sexy. He’s as incredible inside the pages of this novel as he appears on the cover. I was motivated by the idea of a story between two characters who experienced closeness in all areas of their lives yet remained unattached in any romantic capacity. Bringing Mataeo and Temple together was definitely a provocative journey. Tell me what you think of it. Email me, [email protected].

Love,

AlTonya

Smart, Savvy, Sweet—Carolina girls rule!

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 1

Wilmington, North Carolina

“Claude, what is this? I thought you were in love with me?”

A purely girlish laugh escaped Claudia Aspen’s lips. Her vivid blue gaze sparkled wickedly as it was directed toward the honey-toned giant who studied her with a consciously seductive gaze.

“I swear this is business and not…personal, Mataeo.”

“Hmph.” Mataeo North’s responding grunt held a playful undercurrent and he shook his head at the stunning sixty-something woman seated on the sofa opposite him.

“I swear it,” Claudia persisted in a tone that was just as breathy as it was sensual. “Many of the clients feel the same as I do.”

“Are we about to have problems, Claudia?”

“Why no, dear.” Claudia half turned toward the tall, lovely, coffee-complexioned woman seated to her left. “I’m only here to open the floor for discussion.”

“You mean to warn us.” Temple Grahame smiled knowingly while Claudia patted her knee.

“Honey, no.” Claudia gave a saucy toss of her frosted wheat-colored bob. “Mataeo runs a first-class operation. You both do incredible work.” She gave Temple’s knee one final pat and then settled back to her side of the sofa. “It’s just good business to let the clients know they’re appreciated.”

“By renegotiating already competitive rates?” Temple queried.

“By…patting our backs a little.” Claudia recrossed her legs and smiled at Mataeo.

He wasn’t humored. “North Shipping’s a private company, Claude, and it stays that way.”

“Calm down, darlin’. Everyone knows you have no intention of going public, but many of the clients would be open to discussing current rates—in this economy that’s fair to at least entertain, isn’t it?”