Seduction by the Book

It was party-girl Wendy who had suggested that they each buy a red tote of their choice to stow their steamy books, and the Red Tote Book Club was born. To outsiders, their group had the appearance of just another stuffy book club. Only the members were privy to the decadent recitations as they each read aloud their favorite scenes, and to the candid conversations afterward as they discussed shifting sexual roles throughout history and in contemporary times.

As Gabrielle glanced over the members, affection filled her heart. She was older than the other women, approaching forty. And she was alone. In fact, the one thing the six women had in common was that none of them were in a committed relationship. But she didn’t want the younger women to make the same mistakes she had, to wait until it was too late to find a loving partner. Part of the allure of being around books all the time was her affinity for happy endings. And she’d decided it was time for a field trip, so to speak.

After the wine was poured and the delicacies passed around, Gabrielle addressed the group. “This evening, I have a challenge for you. I asked you to be thinking about the one book we’ve read over the past few months that resonated with you, and why. Have you made your selections?”

The women shrugged and nodded in turn.

“Good,” Gabrielle said. “Because I’d like for you to take the book club material one step further.”

She paused and looked around at the expressions of anticipation—some eager, some anxious.

Gabrielle wet her lips. “I dare you to take the book that most spoke to you, that most changed you. Then each of you pick a month and, using that book’s themes and lessons…seduce the man of your dreams. Putting the words into action, so to speak.”

The room vibrated with shocked silence. Eyes widened and smiles faltered. Glances were exchanged. The women shifted in their chairs.

“Seducing a man is a strange assignment for a book club,” Carol Snow remarked, her voice suspicious. “Why would you ask us to do something like that?” Carol’s body language was suddenly nervous. She glanced around the corners of the ceiling, as if she were afraid they were on hidden camera.

Of the five members, Gabrielle realized, Carol was the most skittish about sex and love. She would be the hardest one to win over. Gabrielle hesitated, then inclined her head. “A fair question. And the truth is, I don’t want you to be alone when you’re pushing forty, like me, and asking yourself ‘what if?’”

She spread a smile over the group. “In each of you, I detect a timidity about your own sexuality, yet you were brave enough to join this book club. That tells me that whatever part of yourself you’ve repressed, you have a secret desire to let it out. That’s what this assignment is all about. Letting it out. Being your authentic sexual self. Still, it’s up to each of you to decide if seducing the man of your dreams is…worthwhile.”

Gabrielle’s heart thudded, half expecting the women to bolt for the door, with Carol Snow in the lead. If so, her grand experiment would be over before it had begun. If these younger women were successful in seducing the men of their dreams with the confidence gained from reading the book club books, she planned to try it herself. But if this group of young, vibrant women failed, she was doomed.

The air was heavy with anticipation. Then, one by one, they met her gaze.

“Okay,” Cassie said, angling her chin. “I’m in.”

“What do I have to lose?” Page said with a shrug.

“I’m up for it,” Wendy offered.

“I’m willing to give it a try,” Jacqueline agreed.

All eyes turned to Carol, who seemed to be struggling with the concept.

“The assignment is optional, of course,” Gabrielle interjected. “No one should feel pressured to do something they don’t want to do.”

Carol pursed her mouth, then murmured, “I’ll think about it.”

“Excellent,” Gabrielle said, clasping her hands. “This will be fun, you’ll see. And life-changing. You’re each going to need a target and a plan.”

“And more wine,” Wendy quipped. She raised her glass. “Here’s to seduction by the book!”

They all clinked their plastic glasses together, although Carol was slow in joining.

As the bittersweet sting of the red wine flowed over her throat, Gabrielle happily surveyed the flushed, animated faces and wondered how each woman would rise to the erotic challenge. Let the experiment begin.

BETWEEN THE COVERS

1

CASSIE GOODWIN WONDERED if her face was as crimson as it felt. From a plastic cup she took a deep drink of cool white wine that had been smuggled into the library for the monthly meeting of the Red Tote Book Club. The sweet, sharp tang of the sauvignon blanc flowed over her tongue as the shocking words of the group’s coordinator, Gabrielle Pope, still reverberated in Cassie’s head.

I dare you to take the book that most spoke to you, that most changed you, and use the book’s themes and the lessons to seduce the man of your dreams.

When Cassie had seen the ad posted on a local Web site about a book club for women who wanted to add a little spice to their entertainment reading, she’d been intrigued…and a little scared, not knowing what she might be walking into. But since the meeting was to convene in a public place, she’d told herself she would be safe. And that she could leave if she found the group to be populated with abrasive, subversive types who made her uncomfortable.

To her surprise, the four other women who had joined the group that first night were normal…boring, even—with the exception of Wendy Trainer, who had bounded into the room like a popular girl on the first day of school. Her disarming smile and witty chatter lured the other members—Cassie, Page Sharpe, Jacqueline Mays and Carol Snow—out from behind their sunglasses and nervous expressions.

Cassie had always been a voracious reader, but had never considered herself the book club type. For her, reading was a private pleasure, enjoyed in bits of precious leisure time here and there. For the short time she and fellow architect Mark Shapiro had dated, she’d barely had time to read her mail, much less an entire book.

But after Mark had unceremoniously dumped her, she was suddenly left with a lot of free time. Sagging under a battered ego, she’d tucked in many a chilly night with a good book to keep her company. And in the process, she’d rediscovered her love of reading. The Red Tote Book Club had come along at the perfect time for Cassie. The camaraderie over discussing classic erotic novels made her feel connected again…and the naughty content between the covers made her feel feminine again.

But the dare from Gabrielle, for the members to put words into action, had caught her by surprise.

And Cassie was still reeling over the fact that she’d been the first person in the group to pipe up and accept the challenge.

Mark’s face had popped into her mind immediately, along with his parting words…

Sorry, Cassie—I think you’re a great girl, but…I guess we’re just not that into each other. Something’s missing…

Meaning, she didn’t turn him on.

His brush-off had blindsided her, left her flat-footed and speechless. Partly because she’d attributed Mark’s friendly hugs and chaste good-night kisses to the behavior of a classic southern gentleman. She’d been content to let things simmer while they got to know each other.

Meanwhile, Mark had apparently mistaken her lack of sexual initiative for disinterest.

And when he’d broken up with her, she hadn’t known how to tell him that, in fact, she lay awake every night thinking about the two of them intertwined. She’d been more attracted to Mark than any man she’d ever dated, but she’d held back because Mark was such a catch and she hadn’t wanted to mess things up by coming across as promiscuous or desperate. Besides, they were in the same industry. Even in a city the size of Atlanta their paths still crossed occasionally and they had mutual acquaintances in the field of architecture. She had a reputation to uphold.

On the other hand, she missed Mark—missed his tilting smile and his zest for life. She’d agonized over approaching him and suggesting they give their relationship another chance. After all, they enjoyed each other’s company and had much in common. They’d shared great conversations over meals they prepared together and during long hikes. But when Mark had looked at her with desire, it had left her so tongue-tied, she could only look away or change the subject. In hindsight, she hadn’t given him any reason to think they would light up the sheets.

So many times since their abrupt goodbye Cassie had wondered how she could change Mark’s perception of her, and now, Gabrielle had just offered her the framework.

“Earth to Cassie.”

Cassie blinked to find fellow book club member Wendy waving a hand in front of her face. “Sorry—did I miss something?”

Their leader, Gabrielle, gave her an indulgent smile. “I was saying that since you spoke up first, you must already have a man in mind.”

“I do,” Cassie murmured, glancing around at the other women. They gathered in a forgotten room of the library, in low lighting and comfortable chairs. In the center of the table were decadent foodstuffs they’d each contributed to share—fruit, chocolate, pastries.

“Does that mean you’re willing to go first?” Gabrielle asked.

Cassie took a deep breath, then nodded. “Yes, I’ll go first.”

“Excellent. Can you tell us more about this man you want to seduce?” Gabrielle prodded gently.

Cassie hesitated. “I don’t want to get into specifics, but he’s someone I used to date. I was half in love with him and I always thought we deserved another chance.”