Pride & Prohibition!
New York socialite Evie McKenzie is happy. At least, she
tells herself that she must be since she has a ring on her finger from the man
of her dreams and the city’s hottest speakeasy named in her honour. But a
secret job as a gossip columnist brings the elusive and sinfully seductive Jack
Taylor back into her orbit, and resisting him is twice as hard second time
around.
For speakeasy manager Tug Hadley, the roar of the twenties
is practically deafening – her eyes and ears are full of opportunity, and she’s
ready to grab life with both hands. If only the man she loves weren’t engaged
to her best friend…
Beneath the bootlegged booze and beaded flapper dresses,
Evie and Tug must decide how much they’re willing to risk to get what they want
in this most decadent era of high-stakes hedonism.
Don't miss this fantastic romantic sequel to Prohibited!
EXCERPT:
Evie made her way to Jack’s office, rehearsing her words in
her mind. She would ask him in a strong voice, letting him know that it was
simply a favor, and only that she needed an escort, nothing more. She wouldn’t
sigh or melt in his presence, she would remind him that she was engaged to be
married. She told herself all these things as she walked.
And forgot them promptly when she arrived at Jack’s open
office door. He stood in the far corner, looking for something in his
bookshelf, his dark hair and strong back to her. The cut of his suit revealed
the taper of his waist, the broad expanse of his shoulders. He leaned over
slightly to look on a lower shelf, and Evie was struck again by the way he
moved – like a dangerous animal.
She watched him search as long as she dared, and then
cleared her throat.
Jack spun around, surprised, and an expression of wonder
crossed his face before it was quickly replaced with his usual cool facade.
‘Miss McKenzie,’ he said, his voice a silvery rumble. ‘What a nice surprise.’
Evie felt self-conscious in front of Jack, as she always
had. At least back in the days when he’d been a club proprietor and she’d been
a debutante sneaking out of her parents’ house, she’d had the buzz of alcohol
to cover her discomfort. Here, in the light of day in an office at the
University, she had no such help. ‘I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion,’ she
said.
Jack crossed the small room, and gestured to a chair in
front of the large dark wooden desk.
‘No intrusion,’ he said, still not smiling. There was
amusement dancing in his eyes, though. He knew how unsettling his presence was
to Evie.
She sat as indicated, and then stared at her hands for a
long moment. Finally, she remembered her promises to herself. Strong, decisive.
Just asking for a favor. ‘I ...’ She felt incapable of speech.
‘Are you concerned about your grade, Miss McKenzie?’
She looked up at him. ‘Please, Jack. Call me Evie.’
The line of his lips softened, and something in his eyes
warmed. He nodded slightly.
‘That’s not it. I came because I’d hoped you might be
willing ... that you might, ah ...’
‘I’m willing,’ he said quickly, taking the chair beside her.
She laughed. ‘But you don’t know what I’m about to ask!’
‘You’re nervous,’ he said, smiling. ‘So I have a few ideas
what you might be about to ask.’
‘Well, it’s a favor, really. It’s just ... It’s something
Roger can’t do for me.’
‘I believe there might be a good number of things that Roger
can’t do for you.’ Jack raised an eyebrow.
Evie felt the color crawl up her cheeks. She cleared her
throat as Jack leaned forward slightly. ‘Well, you see, there’s a ball. And I
need an escort. It’s for work.’ She added the last part quickly and then
regretted it.
‘Work? I didn’t realize you had a job, Evie. Tell me, what
is it that you do?’
Every word from his lips sounded as if it dripped with
suggestion, though the words themselves were not incendiary in any way. Evie
felt as if she’d need a bath once she finally left his presence; the reactions
he caused within her were humiliating and seemingly uncontrollable. She crossed
her legs tightly.
‘Yes, well.’ She pulled at the collar of her blouse, though
it was nowhere near her neck. ‘I’m a reporter, actually. And this is a
political affair, so I’ll need to go and speak with some people ...’ She felt
as if she were rambling, but Jack seemed to hang on each word. ‘Will you take
me, Jack?’
Jack smiled wide. ‘I would like nothing more.’ He said it
simply, and there seemed to be no subterfuge in his words or his manner. Evie
suspected it was the first honest sentiment he’d ever offered her. ‘Tell me
when to come for you.’
Evie dug the invitation from her bag and held it out to
Jack. He took it from her grasp, letting his long fingers overlap hers for a
brief moment. The touch sent chills through Evie and an embarrassing wetness
developed between her legs. She pulled her thighs together more tightly.
‘This weekend?’ Jack mused. ‘Not much notice. I think that
will be fine, though. Shall I pick you up at your parents’ house?’
Oh God, her parents! Evie hadn’t thought of what a stir
having Jack arrive at her house might cause. ‘No,’ she said, her mind spinning.
‘I’ll meet you at Maison. In front.’
‘That doesn’t seem proper.’
‘I’m engaged. There’s a lot about this that isn’t proper.’
Jack smiled again, and this time the devilish look returned
to his eye. ‘True,’ he said. ‘I’ll wait for you there on Friday, then.’
‘Thank you, Jack.’ She said the words quietly, and Jack
leaned in, as if he was absorbing them from the very air between them.
He stood and stepped before her, holding out a hand in
offering. She took his hand and rose to face him, aware of the searing heat of
his touch on her hand, his solid form just inches from her.
His grip on her hand tightened slightly and he moved
forward, just enough that their bodies were practically touching.
Evie knew she should step away. She should turn and leave
Jack’s office, go back to her life. She was an engaged woman. But when Jack
inclined his head slightly and his hot breath danced along her neck, she felt
her reserve failing. When Jack’s tongue darted out and rimmed the edge of Evie’s
ear, her knees threatened to give. And when his strong hand found its way
around the small of her back, drawing her against the full length of his body,
she knew there was no going back.
‘I ...’ She tried to fight it, but there was no fight in
her.
‘I know.’ Jack’s voice was soothing, and the hardness of his
body against her was overwhelming. Evie couldn’t help herself. Her arms went
around him, her hands finding the tense, firm muscles of his back as her head
tilted back in surrender.
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