Smex Scene Sunday

Heroine: Kevan Landry is trying to keep her life on track and her brother in rehab. If her fledgling marketing firm can sign the hot new band, Manix Curse, it will make a world of difference.

Hero: Mason Dillon heads the most successful music PR firm in Portland. He’s desperate to breathe new life into the company by signing Manix Curse.

The stakes are high when a battle for the band-in the bedroom and the boardroom-becomes a battle of the heart. But if these two can set aside their differences, they may find they’re the right mix of sexy savvy to conquer both their worlds.

The tiny remnant of Kevan’s capacity for reason that still remained told her she should push him away. This was moving way too quickly. But it was hard to deny the magnetic pull of her body to his that she’d felt even before almost landing in his lap.

As the kiss deepened, al rational thought seeped away, leaving only her need. Kevan pushed her palms up under Mason’s coat, and his solid muscles flexed beneath his shirt. She was definitely considering throwing her self- imposed celibacy to the wind and jumping this man. Her eyelids floated shut when one of his hands brushed her neck and swept down her back, his mouth catching her moan. She could feel the dampness starting to build between her legs and the flutter in her lower belly.

Was she really allowing a stranger to practically feel her up in public?

Yes, yes she was. For now, it was such a relief to let the world— her brother, her financial problems— fall away.

Mason pulled her closer, his hard body against he soft one. For the first time, Kevan felt small and delicate next to his overwhelming size. She couldn’t shake the sense of safety and protection that engulfed her as he cradled her in his strong arms. Which, of course, was ridiculous, since he was a complete stranger.

She knitted her fingers through his thick curls, and her other hand skated over his shoulder, slowly outlining his rigid and defined body beneath her fingers. Compelled to see his face, she opened her eyes and was surprised to see him looking at her with hooded lids, watching her every wanton reaction. She felt him smile against her lips, and he moved his mouth delicately across her jawline and to her neck.

“Please come home with me.” His deep voice implored her to give in. He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose gently, almost chastely. “I promise I’ll be worth it.”

One hand held her tightly above the waist and traveled up her rib cage, where his thumb brushed the underside of her aching breast, making her clit throb and her knees tremble with want. His other hand on the back of her neck tilted her head so he could have unrestricted access to her throat. His mouth touched her skin and his nibbles increased, turning more aggressive when he suddenly bit her earlobe.

She gasped the word “no.”

He leaned back to look at her face. His sexy smile fell. She took perverse satisfaction in realizing this man was not used to being told no. She chose to ignore the voice in her head telling her no shallow hookups, no normal guys. Focus on business and business only.

“But I might bring you home with me,” she said.