No Reservations
No Reservations
By Lilly Cain
Travis Morgan is thrilled to encounter the one woman who’s
never failed to get his blood pumping. Seeing Alicia Davis again brings it all
back: their fierce academic rivalry, and the fact that he never followed through
on his erotic fantasies about her.
Alicia can’t resist Travis’s smoldering sensuality—or the
opportunity to finally bed the man who starred in so many of her lustful
daydreams in college. Unable to avoid the temptation to best Travis one more
time, Alicia plans to submit to one night of pure pleasure and then leave Travis
empty-handed and craving more.
When Travis wakes up and realizes Alicia’s played him, the
gloves are off, and the game heats up as they each try to emerge on top—by
whatever means necessary…
15,000 words
Dear Reader,
I love October because it’s the perfect month for my favorite season: fall. I adore the sights, sounds, smells and feel of the fall season. Pumpkins and straw bales, colorful mums and burning woodsmoke. And the crisp, cool weather that’s perfect for sitting on the porch and reading a book while sipping hot apple cider.
This month, we have an excellent variety of books perfectly suited to this very thing, starting with
All He Ever Desired,
Shannon Stacey’s latest Kowalski family contemporary romance. As always, Shannon delivers a captivating romance with just the right touch of light humor. Joining her in the contemporary romance category is HelenKay Dimon with
Lean on Me,
the second book in her trilogy. Make sure to check out her first Carina Press title,
It’s Not Christmas Without You,
and look for
We’ll Be Home for Christmas,
coming in December 2012.
If you’re gearing up for Halloween and are in the paranormal mood, check out Regan Summers’s newest novel,
Running in the Dark.
Debut author Bryn Donovan offers a wonderful paranormal romance in
Sole Possession,
while Diana Copland’s male/male paranormal romance
A Reason to Believe
will haunt you long after you’ve read the last page. And joining Diana with a male/male release is L.B. Gregg and her rerelease
Men of Smithfield: Seth and David.
Fans of steampunk romance will be thrilled to see new releases from two of our favorite steampunk authors: Cindy Spencer Pape and Jenny Schwartz. Look for
Moonlight & Mechanicals
and
Courting Trouble
to release in mid-October. And as an aside, can I tell you how much I love Jenny’s series name of The Bustlepunk Chronicles? It’s a perfect fit for this series about a spunky young woman in steampunk Australia.
I’m thrilled to welcome Val Roberts to Carina Press with her newest science-fiction romance novel,
The Valmont Contingency.
Val and I worked together in the past and I love her voice! And returning to us with another release in the fantasy romance genre is Karalynn Lee. If you’ve never had the pleasure of immersing yourself in one of Karalynn’s worlds, now’s the time to check out
Heart of the Dragon’s Realm.
My team is especially excited about this next book from Julie Rowe. As fans of
Downton Abbey,
they fell in love with the first book in her new historical romance series set during World War I,
Saving the Rifleman.
If you’re wondering where the romantic suspense is, not to worry, Kate Sherwood offers up a spine-tingling suspense,
Shadow Valley.
And mystery author Janis Patterson returns with her newest novel,
Beaded to Death.
To round out the month of October, we have two spicy erotic romances to tempt you. With
No Reservations,
Lilly Cain kicks off her new erotic series, Bad Girls Know. Last, but definitely not least, the book from Christine d’Abo’s Long Shots series I’ve been waiting for. Mouthwatering sex club owner Josh is finally going to get his own happily ever after and you don’t want to miss the mind-blowing chemistry Christine has written to get him there in
Calling the Shots.
We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to
[email protected]
. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.
Happy reading!
~Angela James
Executive Editor, Carina Press
www.carinapress.com
www.twitter.com/carinapress
www.facebook.com/carinapress
Chapter One
Travis Morgan paced the length of his office, cell phone in hand. “What do you mean, there are no seats? There are three flights a day to Boston. So what if there’s a convention this weekend? I only need one bloody seat on the plane.”
“I’m sorry, Mr.…uhhh…Mr. Morgan.” The travel agent hesitated over Travis’s name.
Travis held back a growl. The kid was obviously doing his best, but Travis had already called every other airline and his patience was long gone.
“Actually, sir, there are two. Conventions, that is.”
“Look, let me talk to your manager. This is ridiculous. There must be a charter or something available.”
Damn. I should have booked weeks ago.
The thought pounded in his head. This weekend was one of the few times he and the guys could get together during the season. Travis walked to the large window along the back wall of his office and slapped his palm against the cool glass. If it wasn’t for the fact that closing this last sale was so important and had taken so bloody long, he’d have had those tickets by now and been on his way to Boston and a championship basketball game. He’d been caught up in the details of the deal that could put him up for a promotion, and now he might miss the semi-annual reunion with all his college buddies.
“Just a moment, sir. I’ll get the manager, Alicia Davis.” The immediate pause over the line indicated to Travis he needn’t reply—he’d just been put on hold. Normally he would have hung up at this point, but he hadn’t met with the guys in over four months. It wasn’t easy to keep in contact with old friends—they tended to drift away—so they all made it a point to meet a few times a year at play-offs, either basketball or hockey.
“Mr. Morgan. I’m sorry we’ve kept you waiting. I understand you’re having a bit of a problem getting a seat to Boston.” The voice on the phone was cool, crisp, but definitely sexy. And definitely familiar.
Alicia Davis—I’d know that voice anywhere.
“Alicia Davis? From Michigan State? It’s Travis Morgan.” Would she remember him? He sure as hell remembered her, and her hot little body. They’d competed in their core year for best mark, best performance in the young entrepreneur’s group, and they’d even squared off against each other in the poker pool. The fact that they’d never gotten together was a small regret, one his friends had ribbed him about for at least a year after they’d graduated.
“Well, hello. It’s been a while.” For a moment her tone warmed to that mellow quality she’d always had in class. The one that had most of the boys heated to the point where they couldn’t stand after one of her presentations. “It’s good to hear from you. I’d read you were at Beckerson and Crane.”
“Senior account rep in advertising.”
“You’ve done well.” He imagined a tiny smile on her face.
“And you’re managing a small fleet of private planes.”
“Owning and managing, actually.” The smile must surely have turned into the same predatory grin that made him weak in the knees during Sales Management 101. “But back to the problem at hand. You need to get to Boston.” Her business façade was back, and he sat down at his desk in disappointment.
“Um, yeah. I need to get there by tomorrow at the latest. Your agent tells me there’s nothing available. If it’s a matter of cost, I’ll pay. A charter will do, if I can join someone’s flight. Anything.” He knew he sounded a bit desperate, and it rankled.
God, I need this break.
Work was getting to him.
She still has her maiden name.
That last thought sent a flicker of heat straight to his groin. He had a strict policy against poaching, and marriage would mean she was off-limits, period. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.
“Well, all the commercial flights from here are booked.” He could hear the quick clicking of computer keys as she spoke. “There are several charters, but most have either been filled or indicate they don’t want any shared passages. I’m not sure what I can offer you.”
There was something in her tone that brought his senses to alert. There
was
something available, but she didn’t want to offer it to him. He smiled. Negotiations were his specialty.
Game on.
“Let’s talk about it.”
* * *
She saw him across the airport bar. The boy she’d known in college was gone, replaced by a man. He looked damn good and still gave her that warm feeling in the center of her core. The desire she’d never indulged, at least not with him. Wide shoulders and a trim waist balanced the urban flair of his Hugo Boss suit so that he still looked more like a jock than the shrewd businessman he’d become. A strong jaw line emphasized a hint of five o’clock shadow but his short brown hair had been expertly cut. He leaned against the bar with a beer in hand, a travel bag at his feet. He scanned the room, probably looking for her. The moment his gaze fell on her, a flush of heat spread from her breasts all the way to her fingertips and toes. Some things never changed.
Stay calm. You’re ready for this.
They’d already agreed on a trade, and if he didn’t realize the cards were stacked against him, well, too bad. He should know that there was often more than one agenda in any negotiation. She was dressed to kill and ready to go. Her tailored suit was a deep sapphire, businesslike, almost severe, except that the skirt left her legs exposed to mid thigh. She wore no stockings; her feet were bare in her black open-toed heels.
She was used to power now. She’d pushed herself hard and garnered enough support, and a partner, to finance her private passenger and shipping business. Owning three small jets at this point in her life was proof of her strength, her talent. She was
not
giving into nerves now.
She strode toward him, felt his gaze flicker over her. They’d never finished things at Michigan State. The one time she’d made an approach, he’d ignored her completely. His lack of an answer, one way or another, left things…incomplete. Since her divorce, she’d made a point of finishing things, and of staying on the winning side.
“Alicia. You haven’t changed a bit. Still beautiful as ever.”
“Travis.” She swept her eyes over him.
He grinned, the expression reminding her of how many times he’d won one of their friendly competitions and how much she’d wanted to wipe the smirk right off his face. Half the time she hadn’t been sure if she wanted to smack him or kiss him; in the past she’d done neither.
Time to take control, keep him off balance.
She shook his hand briskly and took charge of their meeting with a sweep of her hand. “Let’s have a seat. Have you got something for me?”
“Boy, that sounds like something out of a spy novel, don’t you think?” His words held a teasing note and she held back a grin of her own, and the desire to lick her lips.
Damn, he’s sexy when he teases.
“I don’t have any secret papers,” he continued, “but I do have, right here in my briefcase—which is not chained to my wrist, I might add—two tickets to the Andrew Wyeth Exhibit. Or at least two electronic receipts. You’ll have to pick up the real tickets when you get there.”
“And yet, you couldn’t get a plane ride booked a few weeks ago when there were seats available.”
“
Touché
. Care for a drink?” He waved a waiter over. When the man arrived, Travis ordered a double screwdriver.
A little alcohol sounded like the perfect idea.
Liquid courage.
She lifted the corners of her mouth into a passable smile and asked for the same.
Two drinks later and her grin was real, and much more relaxed. The deal was complete. She’d given him a family pass for the chartered flight to Boston departing in just a few hours, and he’d given her two tickets to the art show, now safely tucked inside her purse.
Time for step two.
Her heart beat a little harder inside her chest. For an instant she wondered if she could go through with the plan that had popped into her mind after she’d agreed to meet her old nemesis. It was a naughty idea, downright bad and not her usual style. But her business partner had encouraged her to go for it. No surprise there—Selene really was a bad girl to the core.
“I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this. I’m only supposed to invite immediate family members on these flights. It’s a rule I set myself.” She leaned forward and half-whispered, “I told them you’re my fiancé.”
“Fiancé? How forward of you. We barely know each other. It’s been a while since college.”
He flirted with her exactly as he had years ago. But this time he was in for a surprise.
Exactly as planned.
She couldn’t help the tiny smirk that escaped her. “It’s been too long. I’d like to get to know you again, but this time, much more…intimately.”
His throat moved as he swallowed hard. He reached out to stroke her cheek and then cupped her chin in his hand. His thumb caressed her cheekbone.
She stilled. She could see the interest in his eyes, an echo of her own. Her heart pounded. What the hell was she thinking? One wrong move, and he would hand back those tickets and walk away. After all, he’d never made more than a flirting advance toward her before. And now she’d gone far beyond her simple note all those years ago, asking him to meet her for some private tutoring. This time she’d flat-out implied she wanted to sleep with him.
Just as she was about to step away, pretend that she’d only meant to tease, he leaned in and touched his lips to hers.
He explored her, gently, running his tongue over the sensitive skin of her lips. She breathed him in, smelled his spicy aftershave on his skin. The pleasure of his kiss flared her need for a man, any man, to life. She drew in a shaky breath and kissed him back. She’d planned this—removing her one regret from her days at college through a night of pure pleasure with the one who got away. As for the rest of the plan, of getting even and winning one last time, right at this moment, with his lips pressed against hers, his long fingers curved around her cheek, it suddenly meant nothing compared with her desire to explore every inch of the man across from her.
“Travis.” Her voice sounded husky to her ears. “It’s a bit public here. I’d like to take this somewhere else. Would you?”
Travis stood quickly. He took her hand and they both laughed as they realized he needed to let go to get his travel bag. There really was only one place to go—the airport hotel.
* * *
Her perfume wafted toward him, and he breathed it in—a deep, musky fragrance with a touch of citrus. It made his mouth water. This had to be the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him.
She
had to be the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him. Negotiations had never gone this well. He’d dreamed of landing this deal ten years ago in a way that had him jerking off after every sales class. The thought that she might have had the same fantasies all those years ago had never occurred to him until now.
Ten minutes later, they were walking into room 301. There was only one small window and the room was dark and tiny, but it had a queen-sized bed, and that was all he wanted. He stepped closer to her, reached for her and realized he was still carrying his overnight bag. He dropped it and watched her small smile widen.
She looked around the room briefly, her eyes skipping over what little furniture there was, and he realized she was nervous. The drinks they’d shared earlier were wearing off, and she must be thinking,
What the hell am I doing?
“Second thoughts?” It was only fair to ask her, but if she said yes, he’d likely lose his mind. He crossed the room and stepped close to her, inhaling the scent of her perfume and looking at her full cherry lips.
“No,” she whispered, reaching for him.
She must have made her mind up in a hurry. She slid one arm around him, and he let her make the first approach. She lifted her face and brushed her lips across his. He pulled her closer, entwining his hands in her curls. He deepened the kiss, separating her lips with his tongue. Probing her mouth, he tasted its sweetness mixed with the vodka and orange juice they’d had earlier.
A soft sound from deep in her throat drove him on. He held her close with one hand and used the other to open the top buttons of her blazer. The bright sapphire color was beautiful on her, but as he slid the jacket down her shoulders, the black satin she had on underneath made him instantly hard. The blazer’s lower buttons held her arms pinned to her sides, so he took advantage of that fact and laid claim to her throat. He nipped at the soft skin there, and she threw her head back to expose more of her skin to his mouth.
God, she was sweet. He licked her collarbone, his nose finding one source of her perfume. She leaned against him and then pressed her mouth to his forehead, the only part of him she could reach while he held her pinned. They were only a few steps from the bed, and he moved quickly to lift her against him in one fluid motion. She gasped then murmured in agreement as they moved back and onto the mattress.
She kicked her sandals off as they reclined, stroking his legs with bare toes. She felt better under him than he’d imagined. He slid his hands under the edge of her skirt and lifted it up around her waist. The satin went all the way down. Her black camisole met a tiny pair of matching panties that covered her with barely a kiss of fabric. He left the jacket, enjoying its effect of mild bondage. She was softer than her trim suit implied, and her curves fleshed out when exposed.
She groaned softly and writhed beneath him. Her soft voice hissed, “Please.”
“Shhh, Alicia,” he told her. “Let me explore you.”
He lifted her hips and worked her underwear down to her ankles. He pushed her feet upward, bending her knees and spreading them apart. She was hot and ready. He slid one finger inside and curved it, pressing against her G-Spot her as he used his thumb to rub her clit. She shuddered and tried to reach for him.
He moved quickly, sliding her camisole down over her shoulders to further entrap her. Her moans became more desperate and she struggled against him, just enough to indicate that she wanted more. The silken straps of her camisole strained tight on her arms as he stretched them enough to bare her breasts to his touch. He stood to look at her. Exposed, she lay on the bed, her breasts flushed with excitement, nipples powerfully erect, her lips swollen and wet.