You have too many clothes on, Aidan murmured.
Lily crawled out of her seat and retrieved a pair of blankets from the overhead bin. The cabin was silent and dark, the flight attendants busy in the galley. She sat down next to him and handed him one.
He chuckled softly, drawing her back onto his lap. Good idea. Aidan pulled the blanket around them and worked at the buttons on her blouse.
Lily stared up into his eyes. Suddenly she felt a bit light-headed. I think we need more privacy, she whispered. Ill meet you in the bathroom. Wait for a minute or two and then come back.
She rebuttoned her blouse and crawled off him, then tiptoed down the aisle. She wasnt afraid, and thats what surprised her most. Lily had spent years being fearful of one thing or another. Maybe it was the alcohol, or the altitudeor simply the man himself. But Lily knew exactly what she wantedno doubts, no insecurities.
A few seconds later Aidan knocked at the door. Lily opened it without hesitation. She was going to have this man, here and now. And she was determined she wouldnt regret it tomorrow.
MILLS & BOON
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Dear Reader,
Whats my fantasy? I have more than a few. How about a live-in masseuse, or a cat that doesnt shed. A computer that can type the words directly from my brain to my word processing program without me having to lift a finger. I wouldnt mind having a coffee bar in my kitchen with a barista to run it. And Id love a car that cleaned itself. So none of my fantasies involve sex, but sometimes a girl just needs help with the everyday stuff.
In Incognito, I got a chance to explore the naughty side of fantasies. Lily Hart makes one of her fantasies come true when she has the chance to step outside herself and become the kind of woman whod seduce a man at first sight. And it all happens at 20,000 feet!
I hope you enjoy her story. And I hope you get the chance to make one of your forbidden fantasies come true.
Happy reading,
Kate Hoffmann
Incognito
Kate Hoffmann
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Hoffmann has been writing for Harlequin Books since 1993. Over that time, shes published nearly sixty titles for Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin Temptation, Harlequin anthologies and continuities, and various other lines. When not writing, Kate is involved in musical and theater activities in her community. She lives in southeast Wisconsin with her two cats, Tally and Chloe, and enjoys golf, genealogy and talking on the phone with her sister.
Books by Kate Hoffmann
HARLEQUIN BLAZE
234SINFULLY SWEET Simply Scrumptious
279THE MIGHTY QUINNS: MARCUS
285THE MIGHTY QUINNS: IAN
291THE MIGHTY QUINNS: DECLAN
340DOING IRELAND!
356FOR LUST OR MONEY
379YOUR BED OR MINE?
HARLEQUIN SINGLE TITLES (The Quinns)
REUNITED
THE PROMISE
THE LEGACY
HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION
847THE MIGHTY QUINNS: CONOR
851THE MIGHTY QUINNS: DYLAN
855THE MIGHTY QUINNS: BRENDAN
933THE MIGHTY QUINNS: LIAM
937THE MIGHTY QUINNS: BRIAN
941THE MIGHTY QUINNS: SEAN
963LEGALLY MINE
988HOT & BOTHERED
1017WARM & WILLING
To my wonderful, patient, insightful editor,
Brenda Chin, who can always find a way to make
my words workeven when they dont want to.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Epilogue
Prologue
Last Summer
YOU HAVE our tickets, dont you?
Lily Hart sighed softly, her meditation interrupted. She was due to get on a plane in a half hour and if she didnt calm herself, the panic attacks would set in the moment she stepped on board. Yes, Miranda, I have the tickets. Have I ever forgotten the tickets?
She reached down into her tote and pulled out the ridiculously expensive Italian leather travel wallet that Miranda had given her last Christmas. As she stared at their boarding passes, tucked neatly into the inside pocket, Lily shook her head. This was her lifedesigner accessories, first-class tickets to Paris, three weeks in a rented six-bedroom apartment on some fancy rue on the Left Bank. This was her life.
Except it wasnt her life. She was living the life of Miranda Sinclair, bestselling novelist. As Mirandas research assistant, social secretary and girl Friday, it was Lilys responsibility to see that Mirandas life was as close to worry-free as possible. And for that, she was paid quite handsomely.
A good-paying job shouldnt come at such a high price, Lily mused. Miranda was Lilys godmother and shed been her legal guardian since Lilys parents divorced fourteen years ago. Miranda had offered her a home, a place to live when her parents had decided to leave the States. Miranda needed her, more than anyone had ever needed her before, and Lily ought to be grateful.
Im sorry, Lily murmured. I didnt mean to snap. You know how I feel about flying.
Miranda reached out and patted Lilys hand. In addition to providing a home, Miranda had paid Lilys college tuition and shed given her a job when she got out of school. Lily was grateful. Yet she couldnt help but wonder what it might be like to have a life all her own.
Look, Miranda murmured, nodding in the direction of a man sitting on a sofa on the other side of the first-class lounge. Gorgeous, no?
Lily turned to Miranda and frowned. Stop. I thought we decided you wouldnt do that anymore.
Just look. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger, then straightened, tucking her ash-blond hair behind her ear. Even though shed just turned fifty-four, Miranda acted more like a big sister than a parent figure. She certainly didnt look much older than Lilys twenty-seven years. That is a very fine specimen.
Lily refused the order. For the past few years, Miranda had been intent on finding a man for Lily. Apparently, she hadnt fully approved of the men Lily occasionally found for herselfnice, stable, slightly boring men who wouldnt cheat and wouldnt hurt her. Miranda preferred another type of manpassionate, temperamental, creativethe typical bad boy.
God, he is gorgeous. You know who that is, dont you? Thats Aidan Pierce. Hollywoods new enfant terrible. Three hit films in as many tries. Every producer in town is sending him projects to direct. How old do you think he is?
Reluctantly, Lily glanced up and fixed her gaze on the man in question. Her breath suddenly caught in her throat and she was forced to look awayor faint from lack of oxygen.
Living in L.A., shed seen her share of beautiful men. But shed always managed to discount them all because they didnt meet the image of perfection she kept in her head. Aidan Pierce came as close to perfect as any man shed ever set eyes upon.
Swallowing hard, she forced a smile. Too young for you.
Im thinking of changing my rules. I no longer think it would look pathetic for me to date men under the age of thirty. Miranda sat back in her chair and sniffed. He wouldnt be too young for you. Why dont we go over and introduce ourselves? Offer to buy him a drink.
She moved to stand, but Lily grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. No, stop it! She felt a flush creep up her cheeks.
Miranda sighed dramatically. You know I adore you, darling, but you cant live with me for the rest of your life. You need to get out in the world and enjoy yourself.
And fixing me up with strange men is going to do that?
Miranda grudgingly picked up her copy of Vogue and flipped through the pages. Id hardly call him strange. When was the last time you had sex?
None of your business, Lily muttered.
With Mirandas attention distracted, Lily had a chance to observe Aidan Pierce silently. He was dressed casually, in cargo shorts, a faded cotton shirt rolled up at the sleeves and flip-flops. His hair was mussed in a way that made him look as if hed just rolled out of bed to catch his flight. She could see the shadow of a two-or three-day beard on his chiseled jaw.
A shiver skittered down her spine as she speculated about the body beneath the comfortable clothes. There were women in this world, in L.A., who knew what Aidan Pierce looked like nakedwomen who had probably touched him in all sorts of tantalizing ways.
A tiny moan slipped from her throat and she covered it with a cough, then glanced over at Miranda. To her dismay, Miranda was watching her, a smug smile on her face. What? Lily muttered.
So you do find him attractive, she said.
Of course. Who wouldnt? She looked over at Aidan again, only to see a beautiful young woman plop down on his lap. He squirmed uneasily beneath her, but she refused to budge. See, he has a girlfriend. Hes taken.
Miranda went back to her magazine. Itll never last. I read in the tabloids that he dates all the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood and then dumps them a month or two later. His problem is he needs a real woman. Like you.
I dont think hed be interested in me, Lily murmured. Though Miranda had done her best to turn Lily into a beauty, Lily still feltordinary.
Miranda twisted in her chair and leveled her gaze on Lily. Have you learned nothing from writing that book? You can seduce any man you want, you just have to have confidence in your sex appeal.
Lily shook her head. I didnt write The Ten-Minute Seduction, you did.
For the past year, Lily had helped Miranda write a sex manual, a book that instructed women on the most effective way to seduce a man. Miranda was known for her bestselling legal thrillers, but for some unknown reason, shed felt compelled to switch genres. Knowing her publishers wouldnt approve, shed sold the book using a pseudonymLacey St. Claire.
You know you wrote most of it, Miranda said. The book is really yours. And the copyright will be yours, too. So all the royalties will come to you. Miranda held up her hand. I wont hear another word about it. She put on a pout that was all too familiar to Lily. I would have thought youd have learned something. Anything.
Lily frowned as a slow realization dawned. What do you mean?
Miranda shrugged. Nothing. Nothing at all.
Was that all part of your scheming? Lily demanded. Did you make me write that book so that Id know how to seduce a man?
Miranda pursed her lips. Well, I didnt expect it to be so good. I just thought Id put it in a drawer and forget about it. But it was good, Lily. Your research combined with my experience made the book publishable. So sue me. I thought I was doing you a favor.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Lily slumped back in her chair. The meddling stops right now, Miranda. You know how much I love you, but this has got to stop. Do you know how hard I worked on that book? I thought I was helping you and you were just tricking me.
And when the book comes out next year, youll be a published author and youll have a man. Miranda stood and tucked her purse beneath her arm. Im going to go get us a few drinks. Youre so much easier to manage on a flight after youve tossed back a few cocktails.
Lily watched as her godmother crossed to the bar. Shed dreamed of becoming published, but not this way, not with some sex book. For six months now, shed been working on her own novel, a simple story about a young girl searching for her place in the world. But between Mirandas schedule and her own insecurities, she hadnt found much time to work.
She watched as Miranda wandered over to Aidan and introduced herself. She nodded in Lilys direction and Aidan gave her a brief look, then turned his attention back to Miranda.
I have got to get a life of my own, she muttered. She would. As soon as they got back from Paris, shed look for an apartment. And then, maybe, if a guy like Aidan Pierce glanced in her direction, shed have the courage to walk up to him and say hello.
1
This summer
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, welcome to our premiere service between Los Angeles and New York. While were preparing for take-off, your flight attendants will be serving beverages. Our scheduled departure of 9:30 p.m. has been pushed back twenty minutes, but the captain assures us that we will be arriving in New York right on time.
The bell dinged and Lily pinched her eyes shut, her white-knuckled hands clutching at the arms of her seat. This was the part she always hated, the waiting, the time between the moment she strapped herself in and the moment the jet lifted off the ground.
Though shed nearly conquered her aversion to flying about a year ago, her trip to Paris with Miranda had renewed every fear and then doubled it. Theyd lost an engine somewhere over the Atlantic and had been forced to make an emergency landing in Ireland. Lily had refused to get back on the plane and had taken a combination of boats and trains to Paris. When it came time to go home, shed returned home the same waythe QE II across the Atlantic followed by a cross-country train trip. Since then, shed refused to get on a plane.
She glanced down at the self-help book that lay open on her tray table. Shed read six books in the past two months, seen a psychologist and a psychiatrist and attended two seminars that guaranteed success in conquering a fear of flying.
Airline travel is the safest mode of travel, she murmured to herself, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Yeah, right. That would make her feel so much better when plummeting from twenty thousand feet.
Had Lily been given a choice, she might have taken the train to New York. But Miranda had insisted that her fears were unfounded. She just needed to get back on the horsewhich would have been a reasonable alternative in Lilys mind. L.A. to New York via wagon train. When was the last time anyone died in a fiery wagon train crash?