Silent Desires

Silent Desires
Julie Kenner

Joan Benetti has made a vow. No more men. Instead she needs to focus on making a success of her business–a bookstore specializing in erotic literature. If only the steamy passages in the books didn't leave her longing for a man's touch…. So when sexy millionaire Bryce Worthington asks her out, she can't resist. And when they end up in his hotel room…well, a girl can take only so much. With the sizzling scenes from the books stoking her imagination…and Bruce's heated looks firing her body…suddenly it's–vow? What vow?But then she has an idea–a naughty idea–that will satisfy all her needs. Bryce, the business expert, will teach her how to run the bookstore. And Joan, the erotica expert, will give him a few lessons of her own. Hands-on lessons.

“So how exactly do you plan to teach me about erotica?” Bryce asked

Joan squirmed nervously in her seat. “I was just pondering my lesson plan,” she murmured. “I think we’ll need to take a hands-on approach. Very hands-on.”

Her words washed over him like a caress. Bryce slid his hand over hers, twining their fingers. Then he lifted their joined hands and pressed a slow kiss to her fingers. It was time to get their school for scandal under way. “I’m ready for class to begin.”

She shivered, a slight tremor that brought him tremendous satisfaction. “Soon,” she said, closing her eyes. He brought the tip of one finger into his mouth, his tongue spiraling around her soft skin. Her breath hitched. “Very soon,” she whispered.

His teeth grazed lightly over her finger as he slipped the digit free, then pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Good,” he said. “Just so you know, I always ace my classes.”

Also available

THE PERFECT SCORE

STARSTRUCK

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER

MOONSTRUCK

NIGHT MOVES

MAKING WAVES

UNDERCOVER LOVERS

Silent Desires

J. Kenner

www.spice-books.co.uk (http://www.spice-books.co.uk)

J. KENNER has always loved stories—reading them, watching them on television and on the silver screen, and making them up herself. She studied film before attending law school, but knew that her real vocation lay in writing the kind of books she loves to read. She lives in Texas with her husband, two daughters and several cats.

For Brenda.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Epilogue

1

THE LITTLE BELL above the door of Archer’s Rare Books & Manuscripts jingled as Jack Parker slipped out the door and into the dark. Joan Benetti looked on, amused and, if truth be told, a little sad. After almost a year of marriage, Veronica Archer Parker, her boss and friend, was about to follow her husband out the door and head off on her belated honeymoon.

How cool was that?

Joan sighed. Pretty damn cool, actually. For years, Joan had done the New York singles thing, hopping from bar to bar and guy to guy. It had been a hoot and a half, no doubt about that, but now…well, maybe now it was time to get serious. And not just about a man. About a lot of things. Lately Joan had been using Veronica’s life as a mirror, and over and over Joan had found her own reflection wanting.

“Hey?” Veronica—Ronnie, as everyone called her—tapped a fingernail on the glass display counter, her voice pulling Joan from her reverie. “You in there?”

Joan looked up, manufacturing a grin. “Of course. I’m just tired. This four in the morning thing sucks.”

Ronnie laughed. “Can’t help it. The plane leaves at six and I needed to grab a few things from the office. But you didn’t have to get up.”

Joan yawned, the talk of sleep making her tired all over again. “I didn’t get up. I was already up.” She was temporarily living in Ronnie’s old apartment above the bookstore, so she’d thought she might as well come down when she heard Jack and Ronnie come in for the reference books and notes Ronnie was taking with her to Paris and London. The honeymoon was a working trip, but Jack didn’t seem to mind.

“Awake all night,” Ronnie said, her expression amused. “And what does this one do?”

Joan rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t with a guy.”

Ronnie’s brow furrowed. “But it’s Saturday night. Well, Sunday morning.”

“Yeah? So?” Joan knew she sounded defensive, but she couldn’t help it. Instead of dating, she’d spent the weekend reading and thinking. Big, sweeping life thoughts. “Who-Am-I and What-Should-I-Do-With-My-Life” type questions. Ones best pondered in the dark with a Nina Simone CD and a bottle of merlot. Of course, while she was pondering in the dark, she’d missed flirting with Roy, the DJ at Xylo’s, and she’d really missed the bar’s famous chocolate martinis. But, for the most part, she’d enjoyed her weekend alone. Well, okay, so it was only one night alone, but still… She’d made some important decisions, and that was the key.

Ronnie shrugged. “It’s no big deal,” she said. “I just assumed you’d have a date.”

“Yeah, well, I’m on hiatus.” Joan grinned, then waved to Jack who’d stepped back inside. Ronnie moved easily into his arms, and Joan felt that little tug at her heart again.