Janelle Denison: A Shameless Seduction

Melodie’s provocative words echoed through Cole’s head, and he nearly groaned as every muscle in his body responded to her brazen invitation. Her flattened palms traveled along his shoulders and around his neck, causing her soft, lush breasts to rasp across his chest and her thighs to press against his. One step closer and she’d have ample proof that he was ready, willing and able to indulge in carnal pleasures with her.

Unable to take another moment of her bewitching seduction, he grabbed both of her hands to regain control of the situation and backed Melodie up against the wall behind her.

“Dammit, Mel,” he growled, his low, rough tone threaded with frustration and desire. “You’re playing with fire.”

Cole had expected her to back off, but this sexy new Melodie was proving to be more than he bargained for.

Instead of retreating, she let out a deep breath and rubbed her breast against his chest. Looking up at him with a challenge in her gaze, she said, “But Cole, maybe I want to get burned….”

Dear Reader,

I think most of us are good girls at heart, with urges to be impulsive and naughty at times. And Melodie Turner, the heroine of A Shameless Seduction, is no exception. She’s lusted after her boss, Cole Sommers, for years, and she’s finally decided that she’s going to shed her sensible image and have him, no-holds-barred. What ensues is a shameless seduction filled with erotic encounters, provocative fantasies and enough heat to singe your fingertips! Cole doesn’t stand a chance against this female’s methods of persuasion. So turn the page and discover just how far Melodie will go to get her man.

I hope you enjoy Cole and Melodie’s sizzling story. And don’t miss the fireworks when lady-killer Noah Sommers meets his match in The Ultimate Seduction, a November 2002 Blaze title. You can check out my Web site at www.janelledenison.com for updated information on both books.

Enjoy the heat!

Janelle Denison

P.S. I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at P.O. Box 1102, Rialto, CA 92377-1102 (send a SASE for goodies!), or at janelle@janelledenison.com.

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

759—CHRISTMAS FANTASY

799—TEMPTED

811—SEDUCED

832—SEDUCTIVE FANTASY

844—WILD FANTASY

HARLEQUIN BLAZE

12—HEAT WAVES

33—A WICKED SEDUCTION

A Shameless Seduction

Janelle Denison

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This is dedicated to all the good girls out there who’ve taken chances, seduced the man of their dreams…and lived happily ever after.

And to Don, for letting this good girl take a chance on him. You’re my happily-ever-after.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

“I NEED A WOMAN.”

“You most certainly do. Maybe if you got laid every once in a while you wouldn’t be so uptight at the office.”

Cole Sommers shot his younger brother a tolerant look from across the expanse of his polished oak desk. “Ha-ha, very funny, Noah. You’re a laugh-riot.”

Noah chuckled despite Cole’s unhumorous tone. “Hey, it’s the truth. Sex does wonders for a guy’s attitude. Take me for example. I’m always in a great mood.” His trademark bad-boy grin made an appearance, making his blue eyes gleam with satisfaction and purpose. “And judging by your surly attitude lately, I’d say it’s been a while since you’ve blown off some…steam, among other things.”

Cole grunted in reply. Reclining in his chair, he rolled his shoulders, inwardly admitting that he had been tense and restless lately. He just wasn’t sure if it was a result of not getting laid, or rather the culmination of some unstimulating sex. The last brief affair he’d had nearly six months ago hadn’t been all that mind-blowing and had left him feeling like something crucial had been missing…like an emotional connection. As a result, he’d become more discriminating when it came to dating and sexual relationships, which had narrowed the field of women considerably and left him celibate and even more irritable than normal.

But with no woman constraining him he could concentrate full-time on his true love. His P.I. firm was his mistress, and Sommers Investigative Specialists was demanding enough to occupy his days and nights.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Noah said, breaking into his thoughts. “Does that mean I’m right?”

“Hardly,” Cole drawled. “Love ’em and leave ’em is your motto, not mine.”

“Hell, you don’t even love ’em.” Noah stretched his long, jean-clad legs in front of him and clasped his hands behind his head. “That’s the whole problem, Cole. For you, work comes before pleasure. It’s always been that way.”

“I’ve had my share of relationships,” he refuted. But Noah was right about his dedication to his work. The wealth of responsibilities he’d taken on at a very early age was all he’d ever known. He wasn’t complaining. He loved his job and career. So, at the age of thirty-three, he’d pretty much resigned himself to being a confirmed bachelor, and he was fine with that status. Work and past obligations had consumed him, a single-minded trait that stemmed from the bitter divorce of his parents, his mother’s tragic death and then the loss of the one man he’d always looked up to and thought of as his own personal hero.

Unerringly, his gaze shifted to the eight-by-ten picture of his father hanging on the wall in his office. In the candid photo, his dad was dressed in his police uniform and Cole was standing next to him, a beaming young teenager without a care in the world. That had been years before his father had been shot in the line of duty and Cole’s entire life and future had shifted in a way that he’d never, ever expected.

Cole’s strict work ethics had been borne out of sheer preservation—for him and his younger siblings. Yet despite the burden and duties he’d accepted as his own, he’d never resented the choices he’d made. He’d like to believe that the past had made him a stronger, better man—albeit one without as great a sex life as his carefree brother.

“If you’ll remember correctly, I was left with a family to support at the age of twenty-one,” he reminded Noah. “That didn’t exactly leave a whole lot of time for play.”

The mention of their father’s death sobered Noah and softened his features. “You did a damn fine job with me and Joelle. And you’ve spent the past ten years building this investigative firm into a reputable agency. Hell, we’re all gainfully employed because of you. So maybe it’s time you put a little fun and excitement into your life and enjoy whatever comes your way.”

Cole grinned wryly. “Is that your answer to everything?”

“Most things, yeah,” Noah admitted unabashedly. “The fun balances out the stress. Wanna place a bet here and now that I live longer than you?”

“Because of all that great sex you’re having?”

Noah’s grin broadened. “I’m telling you, Cole, you really ought to give it a shot—on a regular basis, that is.”

A frustrated breath eased out of Cole. “Do you think we can get past dissecting my sex life?”

Noah smirked. “You mean your nonexistent sex life.”

“Thank you for reminding me of that. Repeatedly.”

“Hey, us guys have to stick together. You’ve spent a whole lot of years looking out for me, so I’m trying to repay the favor.”

Cole shot his brother a pointed, direct look. “Can we get back to the original discussion?”