Wicked Firsts Read online

  His heart twisted, the familiar affection he’d always felt for this woman deepening into a richer, more lasting emotion.

  Avoiding her wary gaze, Luc concentrated on unraveling her hair from the braid. “When I caught sight of you last night it all became clear.”

  “What did?”

  “Why I could never commit to another woman.” He unraveled the last of the braid and combed his fingers through the satin softness. His breath caught as a fierce arousal slammed into him. Oh…man. Just being near this woman was enough to make him hard with need. The sooner he had her in his arms, the better. “And why I kept such a close watch on your career,” he continued, leaning even closer. “And why I felt as if I’d been living my life in black and white until you walked onto that balcony and filled the night with beauty.”

  He was near enough to see her eyes darken at his soft words. Of course, her expression remained stubbornly defensive.

  Nothing about Madison Philips would ever be easy.

  And he didn’t give a shit.

  He would give whatever necessary to make her happy.

  “Did you practice that?” she tried to mock, grimacing as her words came out as a husky whisper.

  “You want it in simple terms?” he asked, his expression somber. “I never stopped regretting walking away from you. And now that you’re back I’m never letting you go again.”

  Her lips parted at his blunt warning, the pulse at the base of her neck fluttering at a rapid beat.

  “Luc.”

  Luc sucked in a deep breath. It was now or never.

  Unless he overcame his aversion to making himself vulnerable, then she was going to walk away.

  “I love you, Maddy.”

  The hazel eyes widened, her shock tangible in the close confines of the car. “You can’t,” she breathed.

  He lifted his brows. “I can’t?”

  She gave a restless shrug. “You barely know me.”

  Luc gave a laugh at her ridiculous words.

  “I’ve known you all my life,” he reminded her, able to recall the precise minute he’d glanced down the hall of their school to see those big, beautiful hazel eyes focused on him. At the time he hadn’t understood why he’d felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. Or why he’d always checked the stands before he jogged onto the football field to make sure she was seated in her familiar spot. He’d always been aware that she was a constant backdrop in his life. “I know you have a generous heart despite the hardships you were forced to endure, you have endless courage, and an independent spirit that I deeply admire.” His fingers slid out of her hair to lightly trace the line of her stubborn jaw. “Everything else we’ll discover during our future together.”

  She shivered beneath his light caress, but she made no protest to pull away. “Future?”

  He leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. “A very long future.”

  Her hands lifted to lie against his chest, her breath coming in tiny pants between her parted lips.

  “Are you asking me to…” She had to stop to clear her throat. “To marry you?”

  He pulled back with a wry smile.

  He didn’t blame her for the disbelief in her expression.

  Hell, his own mother would be shocked when he confessed he was ready to give up his bachelor days and take a wife.

  And his father…

  No. He gave a shake of his head.

  He wasn’t anything like his father.

  He only needed one woman to make him happy.

  “Eventually,” he hedged, not wanting to terrify her into bolting. “First I just want the opportunity to prove I’m no longer that stupid kid who hurt you.” He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his pleading gaze. “Will you give me a chance?”

  “I…” His heart halted as she hesitated, panicked by the thought she might say no. Dammit. He was going to lock her in his bedroom until she accepted he’d never meant to hurt her.

  Then, without warning, her hazel eyes warmed with an emotion that sent hope sizzling through his body. “Yes.”

  A dizzying relief exploded through Luc. “Thank god.” Framing her face in his hands, he covered her lips in a desperate kiss, nipping her full bottom lip in punishment for terrifying him. He moaned as she readily melted against him, his erection thickening as he wrapped his arms around her. His tongue dipped into the warm wetness of her mouth, tasting her passion as she grabbed his T-shirt and tried to drag him closer. He growled in frustration as the console kept them separated, the heat of the sun already making the air uncomfortably hot. “Damn…” he muttered, reluctantly lifting his head to study her face that was now flushed with desire. “This car wasn’t made for making love to my woman.”

  A tiny smile curved her lips. “Your woman?”

  “Mine,” he growled with full male possession.

  She kissed the tip of his chin. “I like that.”

  So did he.

  A lot.

  “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here?” he demanded, nuzzling a path of kisses down her throat.

  She tilted back her head, offering him better access. “When I was seventeen, Kristen stole a bottle of tequila and brought it to the trailer,” she murmured, clearly distracted as his tongue teased the pulse that pounded at the base of her neck.

  Luc felt a stab of surprise. Madison had never attended the private parties where there was alcohol. No doubt the example of her mother had taught her the emptiness of trying to find pleasure in a bottle. And in truth, he’d admired her for resisting the peer pressure.

  Her respect for her body was far sexier than any amount of trying to impress him.

  “You never used to drink in high school,” he said, breathing deep of her vanilla scent.

  “Which only made it worse,” she admitted, shivering as he traced the neckline of her top. “After a couple of shots I decided I had to have some tangible proof of my love for you.”

  He abruptly straightened, smiling with wicked amusement. “Hmm. I like the sound of that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You would.”

  “What was this tangible proof?”

  “A tattoo of your name in a heart.”

  A tattoo? He was momentarily stunned, then he suddenly recalled the strange smear of makeup he’d noticed last night.

  “On your lower back,” he said.

  “Yes.”

  His hand skimmed down to the spot just above her firm ass. The knowledge that she had his name forever imprinted on her skin was hot as hell.

  Of course, as far as he was concerned, there was nothing about this woman that wasn’t hot as hell.

  “That explains the makeup.” His hand drifted lower, cupping the firm curve of hip. “I thought you were trying to hide a birthmark.”

  She grimaced. “Needless to say, it was the last time I ever drank tequila.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.” He nodded his head toward the building.

  “Wicked Ink is the best tattoo shop in the world at turning mistakes into works of art,” she explained.

  It took a minute to realize she meant to have her tattoo turned into some design that disguised his name.

  Once he did, he felt a surprising anger at the thought that she’d planned to erase him so thoroughly from her life.

  First with her revenge sex, and then with some magical tattoo artist.

  “You consider me a mistake,” he said, his voice flat.

  She gave a slow nod, reaching up to lightly touch his face. “I did.”

  “And now?”

  Her finger stroked his lower lip, the gold in her hazel eyes shimmering in the morning sunlight.

  “Now I think maybe I’ll keep it.”

  He lowered his head to brush her lips with the light promise of a kiss. It was all he dared allow himself when they were in full daylight in the middle of a public parking lot.

  “And perhaps I’ll get one that matches yours,” he murmured against her
lips.

  “A heart on your lower back?” she teased, her hands exploring the rigid muscles of his chest. “Won’t you get beat up at the gym?”

  “I don’t care if they put a petunia on my ass just as long as it proves how much I want a second chance,” he assured her.

  “You don’t need a petunia,” she assured him, a small smile curving her lips. “Although I’m not opposed to having my name permanently etched onto your body. I want all those women to know you’re mine.”

  “I am yours,” he said, his voice rough with sincerity as he buried his face in the curve of her throat. “I’ve always been yours.”

  Her arms circled his shoulders, her fingers tangling in his hair. “It’s true, you know.”

  He was having a difficult time thinking as he relished the joy that was surging through him.

  “What is?”

  She whispered directly in his ear. “A woman never forgets her first.”

  EPILOGUE

  One year later

  Madison stood in front of the newly renovated brick building on the outskirts of Vegas.

  Once an abandoned business center, it had been transformed into an afterschool program where kids in need could come for tutoring, a hot meal, clothing, medical care…or just a safe place to be.

  Madison smiled. She’d mentioned her dream of helping children whose parents couldn’t, or wouldn’t, properly care for them shortly after her quiet wedding to Luc, and within days he had a building purchased and the first plans drawn up.

  At first his driving force had made her head spin, but she’d quickly adjusted, and now they were a true power couple, dividing their time between Vegas and New York. A journey made easy by Luc’s private jet.

  Sensing his intense scrutiny, Madison turned her head to meet his dark gaze, her heart giving a familiar leap of joy.

  It didn’t seem to matter how many days they spent together, or how many nights they devoted to making love. She never got over the thrill of simply being with this man.

  “Well, Ms. Angeli, is it everything you dreamed it would be?” he asked.

  “And more.” She turned, wrapping her arms around his neck. “So much more.”

  He grasped her waist, tugging her intimately against his body. For today, the Maddy Center was closed for a last inspection. Tomorrow the doors would be opened to the public.

  “You’re happy?” he asked softly.

  She smiled. “Mr. Angeli, are you fishing for compliments?”

  He chuckled, appearing indecently gorgeous in his black chinos and white silk shirt that was left open to offer a glimpse of his bronzed chest.

  “If you were in the mood to share a few, I wouldn’t object.”

  A heat that had nothing to do with the scorching Nevada sunlight spread through her.

  “Actually, I’m in the mood—” Going up on tiptoe, Madison whispered in his ear exactly what she was in the mood to do.

  Luc gave low growl, his hands tightening on her waist. “Why, Ms. Angeli, you are a wicked girl.”

  She kissed him with all the love that filled her heart. “Just perfect for the Dark Angel,” she murmured.

  “Perfect,” he agreed, scooping her into his arms and heading for the waiting car.

  THE END

  Hello!

  I hope you enjoyed Luc and Maddy’s story. I had a wonderful time reuniting the two lovers and providing plenty of spark for your reading pleasure!

  Coming December 31, 2013 I have a new series, The Sentinels, that will be hitting the shelves. The series will revolve around people who are ‘gifted’ with special abilities and the warriors who protect them. BORN IN BLOOD is Duncan O’Conner’s story. He’s a hardnosed police detective who requests the services of Callie Brown, a high-blood necromancer, when a young woman is found murdered in her kitchen. Callie’s skill allows her to view the last memories of the dead before the soul leaves the body. Most cops consider it a gruesome talent, but Duncan isn’t so squeamish. Callie has managed to solve a dozen murders over the past five years . Besides, he can’t deny a fascination with the beautiful high-blood. She stirs a passion in him that threatens to consume them both.

  And, of course, my BAYOU HEAT series that I write with the fabulous Laura Wright will be continuing! Look for Sebastian/Aristide’s stories coming November 11th!

  Happy reading!!

  Alexandra Ivy

  First Taste of Darkness

  By

  Cynthia Eden

  Copyright ©2013 by Cynthia Eden

  Cover art and design by: Pickyme/Patricia Schmitt

  Proof-reading by: J. R. T. Editing

  Dear Reader:

  I hope that you enjoy the stories in the WICKED FIRSTS anthology. My contribution, FIRST TASTE OF DARKNESS, is a tale about my heroine’s first time…to walk on the wild side.

  Sometimes, we can all feel the call of the wild, dark side. What would it be like to give in to that call? For just a little while? The heroine of the story, Jess, is about to discover just what price the darkness demands.

  Happy reading.

  Best,

  Cynthia Eden

  www.cynthiaeden.com

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Not changing your mind, are you?”

  His voice was low and dark, seductive and deep.

  Jess Delaney glanced toward the man who’d just spoken, forcing herself to look into his glittering, green gaze. A dark, turbulent green. “N-no, of course not.”

  He put his hands up, caging her against the elevator’s rear wall. They were rising, going up higher, higher, with every second that passed. Jess’s knees might have been shaking because of the fear that coursed through her, but, luckily, Blake Landon didn’t seem overly interested in her knees right then.

  His gaze had dropped to her mouth.

  “Because if you want to say no,” Blake told her as his head lowered over hers, “this is your chance. Once the doors open, there won’t be any going back.”

  Her heart was about to jump out of her chest. She lifted her hands—dammit, they were trembling, too—and she placed them against his chest. What a nice, broad, sexy chest it was.

  But then, everything about Blake Landon was sexy.

  Tall, dark, too handsome by far, the man supposedly owned half of Las Vegas.

  And he wants me.

  She was living in a dream world—a world that would end in ten hours when she left Vegas and headed back to her real life in Seaport, Florida. But, for those precious hours…

  “I want you,” she whispered. Those words were the truth. She wanted Blake Landon. Jess wanted his power and his strength and even the aura of danger that clung to him like a dark shadow.

  Just hours before, she’d walked into the hotel’s glitzy bar. She’s seen him and been lost.

  Blake had been surrounded, of course, by a crowd. According to the stories she’d heard, a crowd usually followed him. But, somehow, through that crush of people, he’d noticed her, too. He’d sent her a drink.

  And, three hours later, she’d wound up in his private elevator. On her way up to his private suite at the Landon Hotel.

  His lips brushed over hers. She could taste the champagne that they’d enjoyed. The most expensive champagne that she’d ever had.

  Her head tilted back. His tongue slid into her mouth, and, within the confines of her too-high heels, her toes started to curl.

  This was what she’d been looking for her whole life.

  His fingers—rough, slightly callused at the tips—eased under the thin straps of her dress.

  “The first time I saw you,” he growled the words against her lips, “I wanted you naked.”

  Oh. Okay. That was…hot. No other man had ever told her that before.

  Maybe it was the new highlights that she’d gotten. Or the contacts. Or the—

  He kissed her again. Drove his tongue past her lips and had her moaning.

  Blake Landon knew how to kiss. The guy was a master.

  The dress’s strap
s slid down her arms. Goosebumps rose on her flesh. It was going to happen. She was taking this moment, taking him, and Jess wasn’t going to be the good girl any longer.

  When in Vegas—

  The elevator doors dinged.

  Blake’s dark head lifted. “Now let’s see about getting you out of that dress.”

  He turned toward the open doors—just as gunfire erupted.

  Wait, gunfire?

  Bullets slammed into the elevator wall just inches from her head. All of the elevator’s walls were made of glass, and when the bullets hit, the glass shattered, raining down on them.

  Blake grabbed her and shoved her to the side. Her feet twisted in the heels, and Jess hit the floor.

  In that same instant, Blake yanked out a gun.

  The man had been armed? When he’d been making out with her, he’d had a weapon? She sure hadn’t noticed it.

  Blake returned fire.

  Forget firing back, they needed to get out of there!

  On her hands and knees, Jess scuttled toward the control panel. She shoved chunks of glass out of her way.

  Bam! Bam!

  Her knees and hands weren’t the only things trembling then. Her whole body shook.

  But she just needed to go forward a few more inches…

  She lifted her fist and drove it into the control panel. Yes! She’d hit the button for the first floor.

  The doors slowly began to close.

  Bam! Bam!

  Blake was still firing. She heard footsteps racing toward them. If their attacker got close enough, if he was able to stop those doors from closing—

  Blake fired once more.

  She heard a grunt. Her heart stopped. Did that sound mean that Blake had taken out whoever had been shooting at them?

  The doors slid closed, and Jess sucked in a deep breath.

  Her stare rose and fixed on Blake. His fingers were still locked around his gun, and his gaze, when it came to find hers, was hard and even darker than before. “Are you hurt?” Blake demanded.