The look Sierra gave him almost sent him over the edge.
It was pure sexual challenge.
Sorry, Im a little edgy, Sierra admitted. But Im only that way when I have some huge, irritating guy following me around all day.
So you remember me as huge, huh? Reece asked wickedly, referring aloud for the first time to their little encounter at the resort. Up-against-the-wall, no-holds-barred sex that had kept him awake many nights since.
Heat, fast and intense, flashed in her blue eyes. The look, brief though it was, assured him that nothing about their closet encounter had slipped her mind. And, thank God, the swift glance she slid to his zipper guaranteed those moans of pleasure hed tortured himself with nightly had been the real deal.
A huge pain in the butt, yes, she said.
She was driving him nuts. All he cared about was tasting her, proving to himself that his memories were real.
Didnt your momma ever warn you about riling a horny bull, sweetheart? he asked, pulling her close. Then, giving her no time for the smart comeback he knew shed deliver, he covered her lips with his.
Caught on Camera
By
Tawny Weber
www.millsandboon.co.uk
TAWNY WEBER is usually found dreaming up stories in her California home, surrounded by dogs, cats and kids. When shes not writing hot, spicy stories for Blaze®, shes testing her latest margarita recipe, shopping for the perfect pair of boots or drooling over Johnny Depp pictures (when her husband isnt looking, of course). When shes not doing any of that, she spends her time scrapbooking and playing in the garden. Shed love to hear from readers, so drop by her home on the web, www.TawnyWeber.com.
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Available in September 2010 from Mills & Boon® Blaze®
BLAZE 2-IN-1
Branded
by Tori Carrington
&
Naked Attraction by Jule McBride
Her Last Line of Defence
by Marie Donovan
Caught on Camera
by Tawny Weber
To The Romance Bandits: Jeanne, Beth, FoAnna, Kate, Caren, Kim, Joan, Christie, Jo, Donna, Cindy, Trish, Cassandra, Nancy, Kristen, Susan, Vrai Anna, Christine & Suz!
You all rock!
Chapter One
IT WASNT EVERY DAY a woman got to see her naked self coated in chocolate and being licked like an ice cream cone by a dozen people. Apparently hot fudge was the syrup of choice for an orgy.
Cringing, Sierra Donovan peered at the grainy black-and-white eight-by-ten photo starring her and her twelve new best friends. Struggling to be objective instead of giving in to the terror taking hold in her belly, she forced herself to consider whether the pile of naked bodies was supposed to be sexy.
She was no orgy expert, but wouldnt it be a little hard to get off when you had no idea who was groping what? Cellophane crinkled loudly in the silence as she clenched another piece of candy in her fingers. Unable to deny herself the sugary comfort, she unwrapped the butterscotch sweet and popped it in her mouth as she squinted at the picture. Which body was supposed to be hers? Was she the one between the three guys or was she holding the dripping spoon in her hand?
Sierra, have you got a second?
She managed to stifle her scream by crunching down on the butterscotch candy. But she couldnt stop her heart from pounding so hard it had to be stretching her bra strap. Coughing a little, Sierra tossed the picture into her desk drawer and slammed it shut. Giving her best friend a stiff smile she tried to pretend she wasnt having a total freak-out. Sure, she said. What do you need?
Belle Forsham was Sierras partner in Eventfully Yours, the premier event planning company in Southern California. She was also one hell of a savvy lady. She took one look at Sierras cheesy smile, hands clasped schoolgirl-perfect on the desk, and the pile of candy wrappers overflowing the trash can. Then she raised a platinum brow and sauntered over to the desk, tucking the files she carried under one arm.
Give, she said, holding out her hand.
Have I told you lately how great that rock looks? Sierra said to stall answering and gestured to Belles sparkling new engagement ring.
It is gorgeous, isnt it? Belle agreed with a sappy smile, taking a second to splay her fingers in order to catch the light with her diamond. If Sierra wasnt a total cynic, shed have been a smidge envious of her friends happiness.
But envy was pointless. Besides, finding long-term romantic happiness was as rare as being hit by lightning. In Belles case, shed missed out the first time around, then freakishly had a second chance. Belle and the man shed left at the altar six years ago were now basking in the glow of happy-ever-after.
It gave Sierra a warm, cuddly feeling. Which was bizarre, since she was definitely not a warm, cuddly type of gal. But for her best friend? Shed take up knitting sweaters for teddy bears to prove her happiness.
Belle sat in the cushy chair on the other side of Sierras cherrywood desk and tucked the files next to her. Kicking off her Jimmy Choos, she curled her feet under her and settled back like she was ready to chat.
The rock-hard tension in Sierras neck and shoulders eased just a little. Whew, the distraction with the ring had worked. Sure, theyd probably have to talk wedding plans now, but Sierras forte was planning fancy events so that wasnt much of a hardship. She held back on the sigh of relief, though. No point tipping Belle off.
Ive changed my mind from pastels for the bridesmaids to jewel tones, Belle mused, excitement clear on her doll-like face. I think youll look great in sapphire or amethyst silk. Even though the wedding was only three months away, she was still changing things around daily. She arched a brow. Of course, you look good in anything. Or nothing. I take it youre naked in this picture, too?
Sierra blinked twice. Then she sighed. So much for distraction.
Does it matter? So some idiot got their hands on a photo editing program. Obviously they need a lot of practice. Yesterday my head was on sideways, remember?
The photos, all sexually explicit, all poorly composed with Sierras face pasted in, had started arriving two months ago. At first, when only one a week showed up, shed hidden them from Belle since her partner was dealing with a big job and even bigger romance. But for the past two weeks theyd been coming daily. And the perv behind them was getting good enough with photo editing that the photos were starting to make Sierra queasy. Orgies were bad enough, but yesterdays picture had involved farm animals.
Today hed added commentary.
Soon everyone will know theres nothing sweet about you, was digitally typed over the image.
She was terrified.
But she wasnt about to admit it. Not even to Belle. Nope, Tough Girl 101. To maintain control, all vulnerability had to be hidden. Even if these stupid pictures were to blame for her new two-tube-a-week concealer habit to hide the dark circles brought on from sleep deprivation.
Give, Belle demanded.
With a grimace Sierra yanked open her drawer and tossed the eight-by-ten across the desk. She watched the glossy paper slide toward her friend, the image even more bizarre upside down.
Oh my Belles lips moved as she silently counted. Twelve at once? How do they keep from getting squished, do you think?
Good lower body strength, Sierra deadpanned.
Not wanting to watch Belle analyze the creepy picture, Sierra flicked her mouse to take her laptop out of hibernation. Pretending the words werent blurred and shaky, she tried to focus on her Outlook schedule. They had three events scheduled this week. Two birthday celebrations and a store opening on Rodeo Drive. A signing meeting with a publisher determined to launch with a bang and a pile of billing to get out. Her favorite outlet store would get a delivery of basics on Wednesday, too. With this many events, she needed to keep up appearances, and for her that meant scouring sales. Busy, busy.
She blinked and let the jobs run through her head, the details calming her like no platitudes or assurances could. This she could control. And control was primary for Sierra. Ambitious, outspoken and self-confident, she knew she was damned good at what she did. Her gaze slipped over to Belles perusal of the latest pervy pic and she clenched her jaw.
These pictures werent something she could control, though. And they were fast spinning from a minor irritation into a major source of anxiety. If she wasnt careful, shed end up having panic attacks.
Sierra, we need to take these to the police.
Yep, there it was. Panic. Sierras vision blurred to black around the edges, and she felt her heart sprint into high gear. No. She wasnt doing this. Two deep, calming breaths while she focused on her wiggling toes, lovingly encased in the prized pair of red suede Manolos shed scrimped and saved for eight months to buy. That helped her push away the fear.
No. This is just some dumbass perv playing games, Belle. Im not giving him the satisfaction of running to the cops.
This isnt a game, Belle insisted. Theres a motive behind it. Someone is going to a lot of trouble to terrorize you. Now theyre adding threats.
Commentary, Sierra contradicted, as if it didnt matter. Look, its probably just one of our competitors trying to shake us up, you know? Hed have started on you except you have that hottie fiancé youre busy keeping company with.
They both knew that was a slim possibility. The pictures had started to arrive before Belle hooked up with Mitch. While shed been working on his account, as a matter of fact.
Belle didnt call her on it, though. She just gave Sierra a long, considering look. How do you know the pervs a he?
Sierra sneered and poked her finger at the picture still in Belles hand. Look at the size of those boobs. Not anything under a C cup there. Totally guy-fantasy crap.
I agree that its probably the competition, Belle said. Were taking over Southern California and kicking ass. Then she tilted her head and added, But he is getting serious. These pictures are coming daily.
Sierra shrugged, trying to blow off the concern. She couldnt, though. Not all of it. After all, just knowing Belle cared enough to worry about her meant she owed it to her friend to do whatever it took to assuage those fears.
Serious or not, Sierra said, Im not letting some freak push me around. What am I supposed to tell the cops, anyway? That someone is sending me dirty pictures? And now hes added captions?
Theyd probably say it was an ex-lover trying to get some kind of revenge. And since she was a healthy twenty-seven-year-old woman, she had a nice list of ex-lovers to choose from. None were stupid or tasteless enough to pull a stunt like this, though. After all, she prided herself in being extremely selective about who she let into her life. Or her bed.
When did you get your hair cut? Belle asked.
Sierra blinked again. Usually Belle was much better at the tactful subject changes. Telling herself she was glad to move on and not hurt that her best friend had given up so easily, Sierra brushed her fingers over the blunt edges of her sable hair. Last week. Tuesday, I think.
After years of flat ironing, special shampoos and blow-dries to pamper her long hair, shed gone for a shoulder-length style that actually worked with her waves. Shed been afraid it would be too casual, but instead it softened her sharp features and added an air of approachability shed never had before. If it snagged more clients, it worked for her.
Tuesday? Belle repeated flatly.
Right, why? Whats the big deal?
Belle turned the paper so it faced Sierra and tapped one French-tipped nail at her image. Apparently you blew off dinner at my place to spend this last weekend in a kinky dogpile, then.
Sierras stomach lurched and breath stuck in her throat. Well, shit. Shed been concentrating so hard on not being concerned, shed totally overlooked the fact that her orgy debut featured her new hairstyle.
She sucked in her lower lip and tried to find an explanation. But her mind was blank.
Im calling the cops, Belle stated adamantly. This guy is straight up stalking you.
Sierra rubbed a lock of dark hair with her fingers. Before, shed tried to write the pictures off as irritating and a little obnoxious. She really had figured it was a competitor trying to shake her up. Or, worst-case scenario, a guy with a twisted way of leading up to hitting on her. But now? She didnt know why she was more worried now, but she was.
She should warn Belle it wouldnt matter, though. Cops never believed her. Especially when it came to anything sexual. It was as if they took one look at her and figured she was a liar. Shed never understood why, either. She didnt dress provocatively, she didnt flirt randomly, and as much as she liked sex, she could hardly be termed promiscuous.
But when shed been sexually harassed by her uncle? God, how many times had she called the police as a teenager, asking for protection against the nasty mans advances? His creepy comments, his filthy suggestions and offers. His attempts to corner her, to touch her. Shed dodged him as often as possible, and when dodging hadnt been possible
Well, suffice it to say, the one time hed actually managed to shove his hand down her top, shed shoved him down the stairs. The cops hadnt thought much of that, either. Believing her aunts assertion that she was a mouthy brat, troubled by her mothers recent death and acting out, theyd arrested her for assault. Sierra had been troubled, heartbroken to lose her beloved mother at thirteen. But shed also been so terrified of being abandoned, shed acted the perfect child when shed gone to live with her aunt and uncle, despite their accusations to the contrary.