Sweet, seductiveâ¦and off-limits!
One rule has always worked for Elias Joss: keep your rivals closeâ¦but not too close. He didnât bring his familyâs construction company to new heights and incredible success by being naive. The only way he survived his playboy fatherâs indiscretions was by learning to be careful and guarded. With his life all about work, thereâs just no room for playâespecially when it comes to a certain too-tempting siren.
Nightclub owner Clarissa David is downright shocked to be attracted to Elias. Especially since their families share a scandalous past. Still, desire this strong canât be denied. Can Clarissa show him that the ruthless rules of business should never apply to love?
Clarissa found herself set high against a wall with Elias Jossâs broad, hard frame snuggled in against her. His hand loosely cuffed her neck, preventing her from speaking.
âNone of what you said has anything to do with why I turned them down.â He lowered his eyes to watch the rise and set of her bosom against his wrist. âNo contact with you doesnât interest me.â
Clarissa blinked rapidly.
Elias watched the changing expressions on her face as she worked to accept the meaning of his words and abrupt actions.
âWeâll be working together,â she said in an attempt to warn him of imminent drama. Her voice held a weak, unconvincing tone and she shuddered over not being able to manage more.
Elias nodded slowly several times then started kissing Clarissa.
She took the kiss, trying hard not to give anything in return. The pressure of his tongue testing the texture of hers was maddening and stirred all sorts of sensations that she wanted to lose herself in. He abandoned her tongue to trail his across the ridge of her teeth. Then, he outlined the shape of her mouth before starting the kiss all over again.
AlTONYA WASHINGTON
has been a romance novelist for nearly a decade. Her novel Finding Love Again won the RT Book Reviews Reviewerâs Choice Award for Best Multicultural Romance in 2004. She lives in North Carolina and recently received her masterâs degree in library science. As T. Onyx, AlTonya released her third erotica title Pleasureâs Powerhouse in 2011. Her latest Harlequin Kimani titles include Texas Love Song, first in the Lone Star Seduction series, which was released June 2012. The series title was followed by His Texas Touch in July. That year also marked the release of the fourteenth title in her popular Ramsey/Tesano Saga, A Loverâs Sin.
Dear Reader,
Elias and Clarissaâs story came in segments. Usually, Iâm more settled about how characters will maneuver their way through the story line. That didnât happen here. I was intrigued by the introduction, the meeting between the hero and heroine, first impressionsâ¦yet I wasnât altogether settled on how the subplot would parallel the relationship being built. As I continued to write, the characters seemed to dictate their roles. As I allowed Elias and Clarissa to dictate, I was awed by how this story began to flow. I even tweeted about it a month into writing the book! This was a very enjoyable world and story line for me to create. I hope youâll enjoy it as well.
Currently, Iâm wearing my T. Onyx hat and working on the sequel to Ruler of Perfection.
Find out more about it and other projects by visiting my redesigned website, www.lovealtonya.com. Email me at [email protected].
Blessings,
AlTonya
To my fabulous readers.
Thanks for letting me do what I do!
Chapter 1
âIâm on my way...yes, yes. I promise Iâll be there soon. What? Yes, yes, Terence was on time.â Clarissa David spoke firmly yet softly into her phoneâs tiny receiver. Glancing toward the front of the town car, she sent a playful wave to the chauffeur who was enjoying a laugh over the conversation.
âYou tell Terry not to take any of those back roads he likes to use.â The female voice through the phone line was a stern one, but it was laced with a husky undercurrent, which brought a sensual element to the womanâs tone.
âAuntie, I promise Terence is running all kinds of lights to get me there.â
âYou tell him to be careful, you hear?â
Clarissaâs lashes settled down over her eyes as she winced, at once regretting the attempt at humor. âI was only teasing. Heâs being very careful.â That time, Clarissa merely shook her head in Terenceâs direction.
The makings of a frown began to nudge the arch of Clarissaâs brows. Of course she was used to her auntâs protective nature but even this was a bit much.
âAunt Jaz, canât you at least give me a hint of what you need to talk about?â Clarissa worked hard to keep the frustration out of her voice.
âNo, I canât!â Jazmina Beaumontâs clipped phrase was punctuated by a low sigh. âBaby, no, I canât. Iâm already taking a chance with having Terry bring you out here to see me about this.â