Table of Contents
Praise for the novels of Susan Johnson
Susan Johnson is a queen of erotic, exciting romance who soars to new heights with each novel.
Romantic Times
Johnson delivers another fast, titillating read that overflows with sex scenes and rapid-fire dialogue.
Publishers Weekly
A spellbinding read and a lot of fun... Johnson takes sensuality to the edge, writing smoldering stories with characters the reader wont want to leave.
The Oakland (MI) Press
Smart... sexy... sensuous... [Her] books are legendary!
Robin Schone, USA Today bestselling author
Sensually charged writing... Johnson knows exactly what her devoted readers desire, and she delivers it with her usual flair.
Booklist
Fascinating... The authors style is a pleasure to read.
Los Angeles Herald-Examiner
Flat-out fabulous, sexy [novels] so textured they sometimes compare... to the phenomenal Judith Ivory.
All About Romance
Berkley Sensation Books by Susan Johnson
HOT PINK
HOT LEGS
HOT SPOT
FRENCH KISS
WINE, TARTS, & SEX
HOT PROPERTY
GORGEOUS AS SIN
SEXY AS HELL
SWEET AS THE DEVIL
TWIN PEAKS
(with Jasmine Haynes)
CHAPTER 1
London, May 1893
JAMIE, DONT YOU dare leave! I need you. Jamie!
Already sliding from the bed, James Blackwood turned back, leaned over in a fluid ripple of honed muscle, and kissed the countesss pouty mouth. I would stay if I could, darling, he said, sitting up and smiling at her. But Im already late. Drinks at eight. Johns new wife was quite emphatic.
Pshaw on little Vicky, Countess Minton peevishly noted. What about me? I havent seen you in almost a year. And its only drinks. You wont miss dinner, I promise. You cant say youre not interested, she murmured, her sultry gaze drifting to Jamies blatant erection, her smile sly and knowing.
You keep a man interested, Bellano doubt about that. The voluptuously nude woman sprawled in the shambles of the bed was well aware of her sensual allure. And her charming capacity for innovation was also an accomplishment of no small merit. Unfortunately, he said with a truly regretful sigh, duty calls. There were degrees of lateness and politesse apropos his cousins wife, and he was pressing the boundaries of both. He began to turn away.
Rolling up on one elbow with breathtaking speed, Isabella seized Jamies upthrust penis in her pink-nailed grip, swiftly bent her head, and seized the moment.
Christ! Jamies breath hissed through his teeth, his cock oversensitive after hours of fucking, Bellas assault a shock to his nerve endings. But a heartbeat later, his twitching nerves adjusted with indecent speed to licentious pleasure and he softly exhaled. Now what? With Bella performing fellatio in her usual masterful fashion, assessing the relative merits of duty and lust required a degree of rational observation that was fast eluding him. Yeta modicum of reason still remained in the nether reaches of his brain; he glanced at the clock.
Bella suddenly nibbled a trifle overzealously or perhaps deliberately, and an unexpectedly sharp jolt mauled his senses.
He gasped, the fine line between pleasure and pain not only taking his breath away but also effectively ending his debate. What the hell. Shutting his eyes, he gave himself up to prodigal sensation.
One good turn deserved another, et cetera, et cetera, and an hour later, lying facedown on the bed, panting, Bella gasped, No more.
Sprawled on his back beside her, laboring to drag air into his lungs, Jamie finally became aware of the censorious voice inside his head that had been trying to warn him for a considerable time thatVickys going to be furious! Silently swearing, he lifted his head from the pillow, took a disgruntled breath, and sat up. Why had he made plans? He never made plans. Raking his fingers through his dark, ruffled hair, he wondered how much time had passed since hed been so felicitously persuaded to tarry.
Oh Christ. The face of the small bedside clock jerked him back to reality. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he scanned the floor for his trousers.
Dont go.
He glanced at the flushed woman who could keep his cock hard indefinitely. You said no more.
Her smile was Circes. I take it back.
His dark lashes lowered slightly. Be reasonable. Im already later than hell.
I dont care. Stayplease, please.
For a moment he actually debated staying; it was incredibly late. He still had to return to his apartment and changewhich would make him even later. Dare he ignore Vickys invitation? And risk his cousins displeasure? Knowing the politic answer, he twisted back with the fluid grace of an athlete, whispered in Bellas ear, and quickly quit the bed before his libido regained the upper hand.
He found his trousers where theyd been hastily discarded that morning after hed stopped by to talk to Charlie about a prime cavalry mount he wished to buy and had found Isabella in dishabille instead.
Charlie was out of town, shed explained with a seductive smile. But theres no reason to hurry off, Jamie dear, shed purred. We havent seen each other in ages. Do tell me all the gossip from Vienna.
She hadnt meant it of course.
Shed meant something else entirely.
And now he was damnably late for Vickys dinner.
HE MADE HIS excuses to Vicky and his cousin, John, Baron Reid, and to all the guests whod looked up from their desserts as hed entered the dining room and greeted him with sly smiles and curious gazes. No one believed for a minute that hed been detained because of an accident on the Windsor road, since Vicky had chanced to mention over drinks that Jamie had gone to see Charlie Bonner on the matter of a horse, to which Freddy Stockton had pointed out that Charlie was in the country. Everyone also knew that Isabella had a penchant for handsome men and Jamie Blackwood in particular.
But since the fashionable world viewed fidelity in marriage much as they viewed childrenas something to be ignoredamorous peccadillos were not only commonplace but also generally regarded with amusement.
So after the initial raised brows and roguish scrutiny, conversation reverted to the usual tittle-tattle and gossip that passed for social intercourse in the frivolous world of the beau monde. Several earlier courses were brought up from the kitchen for Jamie while the other guests indulged in a sumptuous variety of sweets. Johns chef was superb, the wine free-flowing, and famished after having exerted himself at stud all day, Jamie tucked into his meal with gusto.
Worked up an appetite, I see, Viscount Graham sportively noted.
Jamie turned a bland gaze on the man to his left. Theres no opportunity to eat when your carriages stalled in traffic.
The road to Windsor, you said? the viscount pronounced with unsullied cheer.
Yes, Windsor. Jamie set down his knife and fork, his dark brows lifted faintly. Would you care to ask me something ?
