Stroke of Midnight
Read Stroke of Midnight Online
Authors: Bonnie Edwards
Bonnie Edwards
Stroke of Midnight
By Bonnie Edwards
An unlikely Cinderella…
When hardworking single mom Jaye Sinns meets younger playboy Alexander Carmichael, the sexual chemistry between them is undeniable. So Jaye gives in to temptation and allows him to whisk her away for her first-ever vacation. Two glorious weeks of no inhibitions, no strings and no responsibilities.
A charming prince of a guy…
Life with Alex is every woman’s fantasy—sizzling sex in the back of a limo, on a private plane, in exotic settings. But it’s not enough to fulfill a woman like Jaye for long. No matter how hot the sex is.
A happy ending?
Alex is soon craving more than Jaye’s body: he wants her love and admiration, too. For the first time in his life, he can’t buy the thing he desires most; and now he must decide if he’s willing to work at being the kind of man that Jaye needs, and give her the happily-ever-after she deserves.
Dear Reader,
A new year always brings with it a sense of expectation and promise (and maybe a vague sense of guilt). Expectation because we don’t know what the year will bring exactly, but promise because we always hope it will be good things. The guilt is due to all of the New Year’s resolutions we make with such good intentions.
This year, Carina Press is making a New Year’s resolution we know we won’t have any reason to feel guilty about: we’re going to bring our readers a year of fantastic editorial and diverse genre content. So far, our plans for 2011 include staff and author appearances at reader-focused conferences such as the RT Booklovers Convention in April, where we’ll be offering up goodies, appearing on panels, giving workshops and hosting a few fun activities for readers. We’re also cooking up several genre-specific release weeks, during which we’ll highlight individual genres. So far we have plans for steampunk week and unusual fantasy week. Readers will have access to free reads, discounts, contests and more as part of our week-long promotions!
But even when we’re not doing special promotions, we’re still offering something special to our readers in the form of the stories authors are delivering to Carina Press that we’re passing on to you. From sweet romance to sexy, and military science fiction to fairy-tale fantasy, from mysteries to romantic suspense, we’re proud to be offering a wide variety of genres and tales of escapism to our customers in this new year. Every week is a new adventure, and we want to bring our readers along on the journey. Be daring, be brave and try something new with Carina Press in 2011!
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For Sid & Rita…a romance that lasted a lifetime.
And for Ted, always.
Eye contact.
Jaye Sinns didn’t think there was anything more fun in a crowd. The spark, the promise, the man/woman call. Safe, sexy eye contact made for the most excitement Jaye had had all year. Maybe longer. Being a single mom to a teenage boy didn’t give her a lot of opportunities. A pulse deep down picked up speed.
Oh, yeah.
Today’s across-the-room thrill was also the best she’d ever had. She was, after all, a connoisseur of the flirty bit of fun and her cohort was every bit as expert as she was.
Even from thirty-five feet away, in the midst of a huge crowd of auction goers, she could see his keen interest.
A woman walked between them, her Goth style and heavy black boots looked out of place. Jaye’s own low key style felt comfortable and right. When the woman moved on the man was still there, staring at Jaye.
She smiled and cocked an eyebrow.
He cocked back.
She wet her lips.
His gaze flicked to her tongue and he narrowed his eyes, shooting a heavier thrill through her belly.
They were at a classic car auction, a place where expensive cars and cash-loaded men came together in an orgy of buying. Lust, money and arousal swirled through the air. All for the cars.
Except Jaye and the stranger’s aroused exchange had nothing to do with cars or money. It had everything to do with sex. Down and dirty, come and get it sex.
She was hot. Ready. So was he.
Soon she’d blink, turn away and end the game, but she craved more.
The man held her in thrall because it was
his
Ferrari on the ramp for auction and he would still rather watch her. When the gorgeous piece of machinery had been announced all eyes had turned to him. A nod of his head had been his only response. But, his eyes, oh, his eyes had stayed focused on her, Jaye Sinns, borrowed clothes and all.
She wasn’t going to give this up for anything. A thrill rolled through her lower belly as he began to move toward her.
Then fear kicked in. What the hell was she doing standing here, like this, in a public place? He’d get a closer look and she’d be dismissed out of hand.
She rarely thought of herself as trailer trash, but every once in a while it was good to remember where she came from. Just in case she got to thinking stupid.
And this guy walking toward her with his exquisitely tailored clothes, million dollar teeth and honest-to-God ‘Ken’ doll chin could make her think stupid. Real stupid. Come-and-get-me stupid.
He smiled, deep and hot, and heat bloomed low and private. She moistened in response, her hips eased and relaxed, preparing. It had been a long time. Too long if her body felt like this.
The auctioneer called out numbers high enough to make Donald Trump notice, and still the man ignored every
thing,
every
one,
but her. He smoothly made his way through the crowd on the auction floor and came straight at her. He drew close enough for her to see she probably had a couple of years on him. But, oh, boy, did she like the fine lines at his eyes. His movements, sure and deliberate, kept her at full attention.
One man tapped his shoulder, another clapped him on the back, a high end blonde in a tasteful business suit slid him a glance hot enough to scorch, but still he kept coming.
For Jaye.
The thrill in her belly turned into a slow burn.
Oh yeah.
She wanted to smooth the skirt she wore, but that would give away her nervous reaction. She’d been idling through the crowd, content to take in the sight of more moneyed people than she’d ever clapped eyes on, when she’d been caught his stare. She’d slowed to a standstill and here she was held by his intense study, waiting to hear the first words he uttered.
They better be good, pretty boy.
Tina, her sister-in-law, had lent the skirt to her and Jaye wasn’t sure if her hands were soft enough to touch the fine material. For once, Jaye was dressed in quality, looked like quality, felt like quality.
She settled for tucking her wild red hair behind her ear instead. Except when she reached for it she found her hair wasn’t wild. She’d forgotten Tina had helped sweep it into a chic up-do, something Jaye never would have managed on her own.
In the end all she could do was watch the man approach, sure footed as a lynx, just as rapt. She could break and run while she still had the chance but decided, for once, to see how this played out.
“I’ve never seen you before,” he said, in a whisky-smooth voice. His tone said it was her fault. “Tell me your name.”
“I don’t give my name to strangers.” But she gave him points for knowing, and stating, what he wanted.
His chin tilted down to the right as if she’d slapped him but good. Then his lips spread wide, and he gave her a look that melted her right there in the middle of the crowded auction floor. Behind him and above the ramp where the classic Ferrari gleamed under the lights, the auctioneer called out ever higher numbers. He didn’t even glance back. Cameras flashed, cell phones rang, and the unmistakable smell of money and excitement swirled around them. He ignored all but her and waited.
Jaye caved first. “Jaye Sinns, single mother.”
“You say that like a challenge.”
“More like a hurdle,” she said. Introducing her son’s existence was usually when interest cooled. Flirting was silly fun, but sex? Hayden had been her defense against men for years. She watched but saw no sign of chilly second thoughts.
So, he didn’t mind a woman with baggage. Good for him. “I believe in being straight up about my son. He’s sixteen.” She thought again. “Actually I like to be straight up about everything.” She still expected him to back off.
“I like straight-up,” he said. “I want to spend time with you. That’s all I know.” His finger brushed her cheek and she startled at the familiarity of the gesture. Maybe she was wrong and he was interested in more than eye contact. She warmed all over.
“And you are?” she asked him.
One side of his lips kicked up into a confident smile. “Alexander Carmichael, the fourth.”
“No way.” But she looked carefully and saw the truth. He was one of the country’s leading jet setters. Inherited money. More than she could count, probably.
Normally, she only saw him in grainy newspaper photos or in long distance shots taken by paparazzi with telephoto lenses. He’d been the star of many front page spreads on the checkout lines. He was more everything than the photos showed. Taller than her five-eight, broad in the shoulders, and his eyes glowed vitality. He was definitely in command in person.
She looked around, but all the cameras seemed focused on the auction block.
“These are legitimate journalists here to report on the cars, not on the people buying and selling them.” He gave a quick glance over his shoulder. “No one’s watching us.”
Unsure what to say, how to react to the idea that a man like him found her attractive, she turned away.
As for her, she’d been lost and in lust at first sight. The strength of his fingers warmed her upper arm. The back of his knuckles grazed the side of her breast. Heat bloomed at the contact.
“I want to get to know you,” he said, leaning in too close, too possessively. Oh, God, she wanted the same thing.
“Why bother? I’m no one special.” She wanted to blow him off and be cool, but her voice refused to back her up. It shook and wavered and sounded frightened.
“You’re the most intriguing person here. When I’m intrigued, I get curious, when I get curious, I want knowledge.”
Carnal knowledge, she was sure. Sexual need clattered up from her depths. She was tempted. Very tempted.
Then she remembered Hayden had already left town. Her only excuse for not indulging her fantasies was gone.
Shaken at the idea of being free at the same time a great-looking man was interested, Jaye’s cheeks flamed hot.
This hadn’t happened in—hell, it hadn’t ever happened.
She found her brother David and his wife Tina a few feet away. Heads together, they were discussing the next car they had coming up on the block.
Tina noticed Jaye first. “Hi, we thought we lost you.” Then her gaze caught the man at Jaye’s shoulder.
“Alex Carmichael,” Tina exclaimed. “How nice to see you again. It’s been ages.” The warm greeting went a long way to soothing Jaye’s ragged nerves. Her sister-in-law was a sharp judge of character.
“Too long,” the smooth confident man at her side agreed as he leaned around Jaye and brushed his shoulder to hers. Scorch marks ripped down to her wrist. He smelled of deep dark secrets and managed to stand closer after he’d shaken Tina’s hand. His heat shimmered along every inch of Jaye’s side and made the rest of the introductions hazy while she focused on remaining upright.
When Tina introduced David as her husband, Jaye watched Alex’s reaction. He looked genuinely pleased. No hint of jealousy, nor of a previous physical relationship.
Her brother shook hands with Alex then glanced at Jaye. He peered intently at her. She tilted her chin and gave him a look.
Back off little brother.
David asked Alex, “Isn’t that your Ferrari on the block?”
Alex glanced back to where the auctioneer was ending the bids. “It was. Not anymore.”
When he faced front again, he managed to squeeze even closer to Jaye.
“Alex and I have bumped into each other at a couple of these auctions,” Tina explained to Jaye and David. The conversation turned to the car auction while Jaye surreptitiously studied Alex.
He was perfectly formed. Long legs, trim waist, a wide chest and his face! Oh, his face would make angels weep. Sculpted bones under sun-kissed skin, his cheekbones were high and wide with a strong jaw that her fingers itched to touch. The man owned the word magnetism.
Dark brown hair with light tips showed he enjoyed the outdoors. His eyes were warm hazel with smile lines she already liked at the corners. He set his hand at her back in a claim that Jaye both accepted and questioned.
She watched his crisp profile as he congratulated Tina and David on their marriage. “I’ve heard
Restoration by Sinns
is the best. The work you did on Tina’s cars is stunning.” Before marrying her brother, Tina was a wealthy widow. David had reconnected with her when she’d called him in to work on her car collection. He recognized David’s company,
Restoration by Sinns
as the best when he complimented David on the condition of Tina’s vintage cars.
All the while, Alex traced a slow circle around the base of her spine, teasing her awareness to life.
The insanity of being picked up by a stranger, a famous one, in the middle of a public place, with no more than a glance and a couple of words, rattled her.
She knew better than this. Knew better than to respond, to warm to him. She shifted away.
He pressed his hand into her back and urged her closer.
She went. Heard his satisfied sigh when she did.
Oh, hell.
He cupped her shoulder and tucked her next to his ribs as if he had the right. “Jaye and I are going for a drink.”
She looked into his amused eyes. “That is news to me,” she said.
“No it isn’t.” He turned to the other couple. “Care to vouch for me, Tina?”
His hand brushed the underside of Jaye’s breast, sending shockwaves to her core. Excitement flirted with the edges of her heart, and caused a flutter that contained anticipation and a hint of panic. She was lost. Definitely lost.
“Of course. You go ahead, have fun,” Tina said quickly, looking past them. “My thirty-eight Caddy is up next and I’d like to see how the crowd reacts.”
David nodded in agreement and slid his hand to Tina’s shoulder.
That was all Alex needed to lead her away.
Lead her astray.
What amazed her was that she allowed it.
Alex watched Jaye’s arresting face as she tried hard not to look back at him. Pretty chin, wide set green eyes, a body built for sex, and a lively, intelligent expression laced with humor. Stubborn, too, he saw. She kept her gaze moving: up, behind, down, everywhere but on him when she must know he wanted her to look at him. He wanted to see her sharp green eyes soften and warm to his.
He could lose himself in her eyes. He’d tried to engage her for nearly an hour before she’d finally seen him. Longest hour of his life. “Jaye Sinns. I’m trying to place the name, but come up empty.”
“We’ve never met, and believe me, we don’t run in the same circles,” she said with a dry intonation that amused him.
“Except I know your brother’s reputation and his work never fails to impress me. Do you work with him? Handle his PR? Or his office?” The world of car collectors was small enough for word to get around about her fall of red hair and striking looks
“I just do his books.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.” She ducked inside, leaving him to cool his heels and wonder if she really would return.
She doubted his interest. Thought he was playing with her. Maybe he was.
If he was playing with her, he was also intrigued, excited, aroused. By a woman he’d never met, never expected to meet, was lucky to have met at all. If she was her brother’s accountant, it was likely rare for her to be here. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but Jaye Sinns had something, some essence of strength, a fierceness he wanted to tame.
He’d caught first sight of her yesterday, but she’d disappeared into the crowd. She’d looked travel worn, with mismatched backpacks in tow. Airport tags said she’d flown in, but other than that, he had no more information on her than what she’d revealed. Jaye Sinns, single mother, friend of Tina Johnson’s, sister to David of
Restoration by Sinns,
and completely disinterested in the auction.
She shouldn’t have been the sort of woman to catch his eye. Usually he noticed elegance and refinement, while Jaye had a simpler style. Under that style was a raw edge of sexuality that caught and held him. His only worry had been whether he could get to her before every other red-blooded male in the place.
She returned and gave him a questioning look. Surprised him with, “Still here?”