Page 10 of Recipe for Temptation

Reese waited as he got out of the car and came around to her side. “Thank you,” she said as he helped her out of the Maybach.

The night air was thick and sultry. Even the clouds drifted sluggishly across the moon.

“Is it always this hot during the summer?” Reese asked as they started up the walk.

Michael smiled lazily. “They don’t call it Hotlanta for nothing.”

“Right. Of course.”

“Being from Houston,” Michael drawled, “I would think you’d be used to this kind of heat.”

“Oh, I am.” I’m just making inane small talk to hide the fact that I’m nervous as hell!

“Is that your friend’s car?” Michael asked as they passed a silver Lexus parked in the driveway.

“No, her car’s in the garage. That’s mine. I took an Uber to the restaurant tonight.”

“Hoping you’d meet me and talk me into giving you a ride home?” Michael teased.

Reese laughed. “Not quite.”

Once they were inside the house, she set her handbag on the console table and turned on the small lamp. The soft amber glow spilled through the foyer and into the living room.

“Layla will be sorry she missed you,” Reese told Michael. “She’s eaten at your restaurant several times, but she’s never had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“How long will she be gone?” Michael asked.

“Two months.”

“So we’ve got the place to ourselves…all night long.”

Reese felt a quiver of anticipation at his words. Holding his gaze, she murmured, “All night long.”

That was all the invitation Michael needed.

Before Reese could react, he dragged her into his arms, bringing her flush against his hard, powerful body. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart rate tripling.

As she stared up into his smoldering eyes, he framed her face between his big hands and slanted his mouth over hers.

Pleasure exploded in her veins. Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around his neck, melting against him with a low moan.

His lips were even softer than she’d imagined, moving sensually over hers. The taste and heat of him were unbearably arousing as his tongue traced her lips before sliding between them. She opened to him, shaking so hard she could barely stand.

One of his arms went around her waist, holding her tightly as she kissed him back, licking into his mouth the way he was licking into hers.

A dark, savage sound came from his throat. He changed the angle of the kiss to take it deeper, his fingers splaying low on her back as he dragged her even closer.

She didn’t realize he was backing her up until she felt the wooden edge of the console table digging into her backside. Suddenly an image of Victor penetrated the intoxicating haze of lust clouding her brain.

Abruptly she tore her mouth from Michael’s and buried her face against his hard chest. “W-we have to stop.”

He growled something she could barely hear over the rioting pulse in her ears.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “but I can’t do this.”

“Why not?” he demanded hoarsely.

“Because…” She trailed off, words failing her. Beneath her burning cheek, she could feel his heart pounding as hard and fast as her own. She wanted him, craved him with every fiber of her being. But she couldn’t have him. Even though she and Victor were technically on a break, it didn’t feel right to hook up with another man. Not this soon.

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