...Kane harbored no doubt that Nola Rule was playing him. She wanted something. No, she needed something. Her veneer of sophistication covered up a soft, chewy center of desperation. She was in trouble and looking for a defender. He’d stumbled right into her web.

Any other man, upon realizing he was a mark of some sort, would have politely backed away and run for his life. A former Earth-Sec General couldn’t pass up that kind of a challenge. He hadn’t run a mission in over a year and he ached to test his skills and make sure his instincts hadn’t begun to rust.

How long could he fool her into thinking she had him? Long enough, perhaps to play out a few of the carnal fantasies he’d entertained that afternoon while lounging by the pool.

He let his lips curve in a faint smile and placed his hand over the little blue symbol etched onto the golden skin of her naked shoulder. The U-4EA stamp gave her away completely. A woman who looked like her certainly didn’t need to advertise her desire for sex. Everything about her said, “take me,” especially those sinfully red lips.

“How about a moonlit wind sail?” he asked, blowing a hot breath over the shell of her ear. She shivered, and his cock responded instantly, straining against the tight briefs he wore beneath his suit.

“I was thinking of something a little more private.” She snapped her fingers and the lights dimmed. “It’s been a while since a man…since I’ve wanted to…be with someone. Would you indulge me, Mr. Kane?” She pressed against him and his hands fell involuntarily to cup her ass.

“Are you asking me to fuck you, Nola?”

“Yes…” She tilted her head up, those lips beckoning. “I don’t normally do this. I want you to know that.”

“Hmm.” He leaned in, brushed his mouth against her jaw and tasted the edge of her tenuous smile. A hot, sweet flavor spread over the tip of his tongue. Flavored lipstick…to go with the U-4EA patch. “Is this a special occasion?”

Her breathing grew ragged as he drew her tightly against his straining erection. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“What a coincidence. Neither do I.” Kane dove in, cupping the back of her head. Tangling his fingers in her hair, he pressed his lips against hers until she opened to him. He dove in deep, drinking in the sugary taste of her lips. Her body seemed to mold perfectly to his and she spread her legs just enough to convey an invitation. The hem of her too short dress stretched tight across her thighs and Kane thrust his other hand underneath, searching. The thin strap of a thong met his exploration and he dragged it away from the nest of curls between her legs. She moaned and swept her hair aside, baring her shoulder to him. “Do it.”

He turned her in his arms, trapping her against him with one hand splayed across her belly. While she trembled with anticipation, her eyes closed, he licked his thumb and swiped it over the round blue symbol. He’d have loved to indulge by running his tongue over her fevered skin, but that was how wealthy men ended up dead or worse. He wanted her and he knew how to get her without losing any of himself to the aphrodisiac in the process.

She stiffened, her breath catching as the compound took effect. She began to pant, and sweat broke out across the exposed skin of her back.

“Do you feel it?” Her silvery whisper came on the tail end of a low moan.

A little white lie wouldn’t hurt in this case. “Yes.” He steadied her hips and dragged her dress up high around her waist. “I feel everything.”

She practically crawled across the bed, her perfect ass high and swaying. Tarrant watched her, intrigued by her movements. She bucked and arched, as if some invisible lover had already impaled her. He reached over and tore away her black thong, exposing the pink folds of flesh nestled between her legs.

“Come on, do it!”