Unleashed Temptation

Unleashed Temptation

Savannah Stuart

After finding out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with her boss, Carly

decides her life needs a makeover. She trades in her winter coat for a bikini and heads

south to Miami, Florida. Almost as soon as she arrives, she falls in lust with the sexiest

man she’s ever laid eyes on. Too bad he’s her new boss.

Alpha werewolf Nick gave up hope of finding his mate a century ago. When sexy

redhead Carly comes to work for him, she disrupts his entire world. Although he

desperately wants to come clean about what he is, he keeps running into problems. Like

the fact that an ancient enemy has set his sights on Carly. Nick discovers he’ll go to any

lengths to keep her safe. Even if it means losing her in the process.

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Unleashed Temptation

ISBN 9781419925597

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Unleashed Temptation Copyright 2009 Savannah Stuart

Edited by Jaynie Ritchie

Cover art by Syneca

Electronic book publication October 2009

The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in

part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing,

Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales

is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

UNLEASHED TEMPTATION

Savannah Stuart

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the

following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Dodge: Chrysler LLC

Dumpster: Dempster Brothers Inc.

Hummer: General Motors Company Corporation

Impala: General Motors Company Corporation

Jaguar: Jaguar Cars Limited Corporation

Jedi: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.

Mercedes: Daimler Chrysler AG Corporation

Miami Seaquarium: Marine Exhibition Corporation

Volkswagen: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Corporation

Savannah Stuart

“I’m going to need a bigger moving trailer.” Carly Kendall entered her bedroom carrying

another empty moving box.

“You need to get laid,” Sarah, Carly’s best friend of fifteen years and roommate of

four, said as she grabbed the box from her.

Carly rolled her eyes and picked up a handful of thick, winter scarves from the

floor. “No, what I
need
is a change of scenery. I’m tired of Chicago and I’m tired of this

weather. Miami is the perfect place for a new start. Sunny weather year round.”

“What about hurricanes?”

Carly shrugged and dumped her handful on the bed. “Better than snowstorms and

blackouts.”

Sarah sat on the edge of Carly’s bed and held up the scarves. “What do you want

me to do with these?”

“Keep half of them and put the rest in the box marked winter clothes. I won’t need

them where I’m going.” She grinned at her friend as she turned back toward her closet.

“And this has nothing to do with that snake Dan?” Sarah asked.

Carly turned to find her friend digging through her jewelry. “Hey, I said you could

take some scarves, not half my room… And no, this has nothing to do with him.”

“Hmm.” Sarah avoided her gaze as she opened a drawer and dumped it into one of

the boxes.

Carly cringed at her friend’s lack of organization. She’d be digging through boxes

for days trying to figure out what went where. “Okay, maybe it has a little to do with

him, but a lot to do with the fact that I need to mix it up. I don’t have any family here—

”

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Unleashed Temptation

“Hey!” The hurt look on Sarah’s face made Carly cringe.

“I didn’t mean it like that. You know you’re like family to me, girl. It’s just…I don’t

know, I need something different right now. I can’t explain it.” She sighed and flopped

down on her bed. Finding out her boyfriend—now ex-boyfriend—had been cheating on

her hadn’t bothered her much. That was a sign in itself that she should have broken up

with Dan months ago. Hell, with their conflicting schedules they hadn’t had sex in over

four months. And they hadn’t had
good
sex in she couldn’t remember how long.

The only thing that pissed her off was that he’d been screwing
her
boss. Certainly

explained all that overtime she’d been roped into doing. At least now she had a nice

savings account. She wasn’t worried about finding work, and now she’d have time to

relax and learn her way around the city before job hunting. Not to mention she planned

to hit the beach as soon as she got there.

“Fine, I guess I understand. But I reserve the right to come visit you anytime.”

“As if that was ever an issue. You better come visit me.”

“I can’t believe you’re living with your grandmother.” Sarah snorted as she

dumped the contents of another drawer into the same box.

Carly jumped off the bed and scooted Sarah out of the way with her hip. “How about you

stick with boxing my clothes and I’ll take over this dresser… And, I’m not living with her. I’m

living in the apartment behind her house.”

“Same thing,” Sarah mumbled.

It wasn’t, but Carly didn’t correct her. She knew Sarah was bummed she was

leaving and the truth was, Sarah was the only reason she’d even contemplated staying

in Chicago in the first place. Carly’s grandmother had moved to Florida two years ago

and she’d almost left then, but back then she’d loved her job and friends. She still loved

her friends, but it was time to take control of her life.

As she unhooked a string of beads she and Sarah had gotten at the last St. Patrick’s

Day parade, an unexpected wave of emotions threatened to overwhelm her. “You want

to put off packing and head to Cullen’s Bar for happy hour?”

7

Savannah Stuart

Sarah swiveled from the closet. She dropped the bundle of shirts in her hand and

grinned. “Hell yeah.”

Carly pulled the ponytail holder from her hair and gave herself a quick glance in

the mirror. One night of partying with her friend wouldn’t make a difference in how

soon she got to Miami.

* * * * *

Two Weeks Later

Nick Lazos slammed his office door shut and sank into his comfortable chair with a

sigh. He turned on his computer and sat back, waiting for it to start. After the last

disastrous interview, he seriously hoped he had some new responses to his want ad. He

glanced at the wall clock when there was a soft knock at his door. Inwardly he groaned.

He’d been hoping the last interviewee wouldn’t show up today. His mother had talked

him into interviewing one of her friend’s granddaughters. If she was anything like the

last woman his mom had recommended—he fought off a shudder.

“Come in,” he barked. Better get this over with.

The door creaked open and his throat seized up almost instantly. This could
not
be

the woman here to interview.

A pretty redhead took a couple tentative steps inside. Her ivory cheeks were

flushed a delectable shade of pink. “Hi, I’m Carly Kendall. I hope I’m not late.”

Somehow he found his voice. “You’re right on time.” Instinctively he stood and

motioned for her to sit across the desk. Now he wished he’d taken a few minutes to

straighten up.

She wore a respectable dark blue pencil skirt and button-down blouse. So why did

it look sexy as hell on her? She looked like a naughty librarian. The shape of her

perfectly rounded breasts pressed against her top. Not too big, not too small, but just

8

Unleashed Temptation

right. Not to mention her scent. It was unusual, like a spring rain and a hint of

raspberries— Shit, she was saying something.

“I appreciate you taking the time to interview me. Here’s my résumé.” She slid it

across the desk as she spoke.

“Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself and why you want to work here?”

There, he got out a coherent sentence. He deserved a freaking medal for being able to

talk when she was staring at him with those big blue eyes, begging him to do all sorts of

bad things. Damn, he could practically feel his canines extending. As a werewolf, he’d

learned to control his urges as a cub. For some reason, his primal instinct was

overruling all those ingrained rules. When she nervously moistened her lips he realized

he was staring a little too hard.

Nick quickly glanced at her résumé. “Finance?” Good for him. Another word. He

looked up again.

A real smile touched her shiny pink lips. “Oh yes. After college I started working

at…”

Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit!
He’d always had a thing for redheads. Funny that he’d never

dated one, but especially not a human one. And now his living, breathing fantasy

wanted to work for him. She wasn’t glamorous or exotic—
or a shifter
—but she was

exactly
his type. Something he hadn’t realized he even had until she’d walked through

the door of his office. Adorable freckles splattered her nose and cheeks, giving her an

innocent quality he usually detested in a woman.

He wanted a woman who understood the score. A woman with experience. Too

bad his dick had other plans. It had taken one look at sexy Ms. Kendall and gone on red

alert. What
the fuck
was wrong with him? He’d been in her presence sixty seconds and

he felt like one of his barbaric ancestors, ready to take her back to his cave and claim

her.

“And with five years experience I think I can be a great asset to your company.” She