Page 1 of Seduce

PROLOGUE

“I’ll take Tessa home.”

Tessa Ruthledge stared at Damon, his dark hair ruffled by the slight wind. She pulled her coat tighter, refusing to consider it wasn’t the chill in the air as they all stood outside the bookstore, but rather the intensity of those deep blue eyes making her shiver.

Not only no, buthellno. Tessa turned to her friends. Sierra and Crystal always looked out for her. “I’ll grab a cab. Don’t worry about me.”

“Like hell you will.” His heavy hand was on her shoulder before she could take a step.

Tessa stiffened and pinned Damon with her death glare. At least, that’s what the kids at the library called it when they got too loud.

“Listen. I’ll keep my hands and opinions to myself.” He lifted his hands in front of him.

Like he’d done last time? Tessa weighed her options. They’d all come from the monthly book club meeting at the local adult store. Normally, she’d go to coffee with them, but she had an early morning meeting.

Her friends watched her. She didn’t want to ruin their night. If she said no, they would insist on driving her home and miss time out with their boyfriends. Tessa almost grinned becauseboyfriendswas such a vanilla term for what they were.

But alone with Damon? A tremor shook her body. Her attraction to him was something she didn’t need in her life right now. Really, though, what choice did she have? Damon was the type of man who wouldn’t leave a woman to catch a cab or a ride-share alone. Having him drive her home wasn’t that big of a deal, right?

“As long as you keep your word,” she said.

“I always keep my word.” Damon glanced over at their friends. “She’ll be safe with me.”

“I believe she will,” Sierra said with a smile.

“Damon will be a complete gentleman,” Jordan said, glaring at Damon.

“Lay off, will ya. I give you all my word. I’ll drive Tessa home, see her to the door, and I’ll leave. Promise.”

His words sounded sincere, but there was mischief in those blue eyes. Tessa huffed. How long before he showed her he was like the other men in her life and betray her in some way? What the heck was she thinking? Damon wasn’t going to be in her life. It was a ride home, nothing more.

Tessa turned to her friends. “Friday night at Sierra’s place?” She couldn’t wait for some serious girl-time to hear from Crystal about her and Jordan. The drive here with them hadn’t been enough.

“Yes,” Sierra piped up.

“Let’s go,” Tessa said to Damon. She walked to the parking lot, leaving him to catch up with her.

“In a big hurry?” Damon said jogging to her side. “Green SUV is mine.”

Since there were three vehicles in the lot and she knew who the other two belonged to, the green SUV was a logical choice. Tessa sighed. Logic. How often did she rely on that? Too often. She was tired of making all the decisions, yet she had to. She had no one else to rely on.

Damon unlocked the vehicle and held the passenger door open for her. Tessa used the running board as a boost to get inside. She wasn’t short by any means, but this was a luxury SUV.

The soft leather seats held her body in a soft caress, and the dashboard looked like something out of the space shuttle. It put her little compact car to shame. Damon climbed in. The vehicle purred to a start.

“Where do you live?” he asked.

“The apartments over on Olive.”

“Nice area.” He pulled out of the parking lot and turned right. “It seems like you and I keep getting off on the wrong foot. If I did something that upset you, I’m sorry.”

She blinked, then turned her head. He apologized? This man she’d only met twice, who made her feel things she thought long buried, was sorry? Tessa’s insides began to thaw.

“I’m sorry too.” It wasn’t all his fault. “I’ve been stressed lately, and I guess you were an easy target.”

He chuckled, and Tessa’s nerves tingled at the sound.

“I know a great cure for stress.” He flashed her a sexy grin.

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