The Playboy (37 page)
She deliberately brushed her arm against his. The electricity was scorching, reaching into the pit of her stomach while arousing vibrations beckoned. He leaned close, within kissing distance, making her want to let go of her inhibitions.
Sloane Carlisle had never so much as stepped outside the bounds of propriety. She dated men she knew, men her family approved of, and she didn’t sleep with strangers.
But she’d always wanted to test the unknown waters. Stay out past curfew. Approach this sexy man and take her chances.
And since
his
rough, gravelly voice set off white-hot arrows of fire inside her, she intended to take advantage of the desire licking at her veins. She was primed for this adventure.
She inhaled deeply. His musky male scent mixed intoxicatingly with the hint of liquor on his breath and she licked her lips, imagining she was tasting his.
His eyes darkened with banked arousal. “So we’re on the same page?” he asked.
She couldn’t mistake his meaning. Didn’t want to. She placed her hand over his, lacing her fingertips through his strong, lean fingers, feeling his roughened skin.
“Word for word,” she promised, barely recognizing the rough timbre of her voice.
He rose, reached into his pocket, peeled off a single bill, and left a twenty on the bar to cover their drinks. “My hotel’s around the corner.”
So he was a tourist. Even better. She wouldn’t have to risk running into him again. She rose, leaving her drink behind.
She didn’t need the alcohol for courage. Sloane Whatever-Her-Last-Name-Really-Was was one hundred percent behind this decision. It was about time she acted on true instinct and rebelled against all the things in her life that had constrained her.
She placed her hand inside his. Tomorrow she’d return to the real world. Tonight was about indulging in the fantasies she’d only dreamed of when she thought she was Senator Carlisle’s firstborn daughter.
THE EDITOR’S DIARY
Dear Reader,
P
repare to enter a world of romance that will offer you a lifetime of pleasure reading . . . Welcome to Warner Forever! This January, Warner Books launches an exciting new imprint that spotlights a variety of passionate, powerful tales of romantic fiction. From historical to contemporary, dramatic to lighthearted, these sensual stories are sure to captivate your imagination . . . and your heart. Two exhilarating romance novels will be published each month—that’s
double
your pleasure. So indulge yourself and pick up these delightful treats today!
New York Times
bestseller
Carly Phillips
, author of the “Reading with Ripa” book club selection THE BACHELOR, returns with
THE PLAYBOY
. This enticing novel is the second in a series of lighthearted romances about the irresistible Chandler brothers and their matchmaking mother who will go to almost any lengths—even feign illness—to get her sons married so she can have grandchildren. In
THE PLAYBOY
, Rick Chandler is a sexy cop and ladies man who falls for a real-life runaway bride. Will the town’s most popular playboy discover his own “happily ever after” with a woman who is through with weddings?
Hold onto your kilts, because
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
has penned another sensual tale set in medieval Scotland!
BRIDE OF THE BEAST
is a sumptuous feast full of valiant knights and fiesty ladies. Lady Caterine Keith of Dunlaidir Castle is a young widow beset by contenders for her hand due to her valuable estate. Another husband is the last thing she wants. What she needs is a champion, or so she is told. Her matchmaking sister sends for Sir Marmaduke Strongbow, a loyal Highlander with a face scarred by battle. Being a man of honor, Marmaduke agrees to protect Caterine from unwanted suitors—but only if she will marry him. She warily agrees in order to keep her land . . . yetshe soon realizes she may lose her heart to her warrior husband.
Be sure to enter our Warner Forever contest and also visit us at
www.warnerforever.com
. Enjoy!
With warmest wishes,
Karen Kosztolnyik, Senior Editor
P.S. Be sure to watch for Valentine-worthy heroes coming to your local bookstores next month! In February, Warner Forever will deliver a first-time father in
Joan Wolf’s
wonderful women’s fiction novel
HIGH MEADOW
. And keep an eye out for the Zorro-like bandit hero in
Amanda Scott’s THE SECRET CLAN: HIGHLAND BRIDE
.
YOU COULD BE A LUCKY WINNER FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR . . .
. . . WITH ROMANCE THAT LASTS FOREVER!
Here’s your chance to own a year’s supply of new Warner Forever titles. Just fill out the coupon below—or enter electronically at
www.warnerforever.com
—and you could be one of ten winners randomly selected to receive all new Warner Forever titles for one whole year! So enter anytime between January 1 and February 28, 2003— your entry must be postmarked by February 28—and you could end up being one of our truly romantic winners! Winners will be announced on or about March 15.
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