All Worked Up
Pleasure Inn, Book 2
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Tired of aspiring actors using her to get close to her movie producer father, Candace Steele has sworn off relationships. At least until she's achieved her dream of restoring an old inn on the outskirts of Mason Creek. The new carpenter who's been hired to help her create bedroom furniture designed for...endurance...is throwing a kink into her plans. Watching his athletic body pound wood is doing things to her hormones that have her rethinking her vow.
When he agreed to take the job, Marc Collins intended to keep the sexy spitfire at arm's length. But Candace is giving him a run for his money in more ways than one. It's tough to keep just his eyes on—and hands off—his boss's daughter when she's hell-bent on seducing him. And when she pulls a fast one and wins an impromptu bet, what's a red-blooded guy to do except let her collect her winnings...all of them.
The heat they generate melts the fresh paint off the walls. But when seeds of doubt make Candace put on her running shoes to flee, Marc will have to talk fast—and run faster—to capture her heart.
Candace darted a glance over her shoulder to see if he was coming as she raced to the lake. Oh yeah, he was coming all right, and quickly closing the distance between them. A smile pulled at her and she knew if she wanted to win this race she'd better put everything she had into it. Deciding to do just that, Candace lengthened her stride, but Marc was too fast and too strong.
He caught up to her in seconds flat and hadn't broken a sweat yet. "What exactly do you mean, winner takes all?" he asked, keeping pace beside her.
"You see," she managed through labored breathing, knowing she needed to throw him off his stride the same way he'd thrown her off her game the other day. She planned to win the race using any means possible. "When I win, I'm going to take you back to the inn and show you another way to exercise."
READ MOREHis eyes lit. "Yeah, how?" She could see the genuine interest in his gaze.
"Well there is the new Tantra chair I'd like to try out. You know, to ensure it works properly and is sturdy enough before we open the room to guests." She watched his face change as understanding dawned. Deciding to play, to push him a little more, she added, "And then there's the hanging sex swing, the love glider and the floor-to-ceiling pole for a little seductive dancing."
His jaw dropped and his stride slowed, his body language conveying his shock at her boldness. Or perhaps he was too busy thinking about what they could do on said equipment to focus on running. Fortunately his reprieve gave her the opportunity she needed to win. Once she reached the embankment, she stopped running and twisted around to glimpse Marc, who still stood there gawking at her, need and desire flitting across his handsome face.
He quickly caught up to her, grabbed her hips and anchored her to him, and her entire body shivered in sensual delight. He put his back to a tree and cast a glance around. "What the hell are you trying to do to me?"
There was something about the way he moved, talked and continually scanned the area that reminded her of a cop or a bodyguard. With her father's line of work, she'd been around enough of them to pick up on their little nuances.
But as heat poured through her and her pussy throbbed, aching to feel him again, her brain was too far gone to consider that point further. Right now all she could think about was the way his hands were touching her body, the feel of his growing arousal pressed against her abdomen. The way her mouth watered, thirsting for a taste of him.
"Well, I'm trying to get you naked so I can have my wicked way with you. It's only fair, don't you think? After all, you've seen me naked."
Hot. Wet. Needy. And naked.
His eyes smoldered, as if he was remembering every delicious detail of their erotic encounter.
Candace wet her lips, and he watched the action very carefully as his eyes moved over her face. Candace shifted her hips, positioning his cock right where she needed it as she gauged his reactions. His hard erection told her how much he wanted this, but would he hesitate or would he go for it?
"You know. A little tit for tat..." she added for good measure.
His laugh was edgy, churning with passion. His nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched like he was fighting some internal battle. Then something came over him, a shift of some sort, and he grabbed her hand. "Let's go."
"Go?"
"Yeah, you won, and winner takes all, remember?"
COLLAPSEALL WORKED UP is the second story in Ms. Fox's highly entertaining Pleasure Inn series and it's even better than the first. For the most part, ALL WORKED UP can stand on its own. However, those who have not read ALL TIED UP will miss out on the mystical setup concerning Candace, Anna, Lindsay's unusual client. This doesn't impact the romance, but some things in the book might seem a bit odd if you have not read ALL TIED UP.
Cathryn Fox has delivered a fast and fun tale that sparks with the energy of its delightful characters. All in all, I'd say that Ms. Fox has a winner on her hands with ALL WORKED UP. I greatly enjoyed reading it and cannot wait to read Anna's story.