How To Host a Seduction by Jeanie London Page A

no longer her luxury. Not when Christopher stood there, water flowing, steam curling around them, misting the glass, softening the edges of the world with the incredible chemistry they created together….
    For one rebellious moment, Ellen felt that same needy sense of hope she had felt last night, a soul-deep longing that urged her to toss aside reason for emotion, to follow her heart no matter where it may lead.
    She squelched the feeling brutally. She recalled having felt this way before, and every time she threw caution to the wind, she wound up disappointing everyone.
    â€œWhy did you cut your hair?” he asked.
    Because it seemed symbolic of ending our relationship. “I was in the mood for a change.”
    â€œI like it.”
    â€œI’m glad you approve.”
    He ignored her sarcasm. “Oh, I do.” His face lowered and his mouth brushed her skin, that oh-so-sensitive juncture where her pulse rushed like wildfire through her veins. “I don’t think I ever fully appreciated what a lovely neck you have.”
    Every inch of her grew heated by his big body and the spray sealing their skin together in a silky haze. All those places still achy from his lovemaking began to burn.
    Ellen should push him away. Rule number one of survival was to be smart, which translated into knowing when she was in over her head. She was definitely in over her head with Christopher.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she demanded. “What are we doing?” She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he affected her.
    â€œWe’re enjoying ourselves.” He nibbled her neck, his wet hair tickling her nose, filling her senses with his freshly scrubbed scent.
    She splayed her hands on the tile, refused to give in to the urge to touch him. “It’s not that simple.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI won’t be your challenge du jour. ”
    He nipped the base of her throat. She shivered in reply, couldn’t help herself.
    â€œYou’re wrong about me,” he said.
    â€œDid Miss Q trick you into coming here?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œNo?”
    Lifting his gaze, he peered at her with eyes that let her see into his soul. “My feelings for you haven’t changed.”
    Then, why hadn’t he been willing to compromise? Why had he just let her go?
    Asking those questions meant letting him see into her soul.
    He went to work on her mouth this time, his lips tracing hers with soft half kisses that made her want to sigh. “There are no hard and fast rules in love,” he whispered. “Let it be simple, let us be simple. We’re right together.”
    â€œYou can’t know that.”
    Another brush of his lips, light, sweet. “But I do. Last night only proved it.”
    â€œProved what?” She tilted her face upward to avoid his lips, hated that she sounded slightly hysterical. “That we can make total asses of ourselves.”
    That got his attention. He straightened, arching a dark brow as he stared down at her. She’d always equated thiswry look with sardonic romance heroes who pursued their heroines with possessive charm and demanding seduction.
    â€œWhat are you talking about? You’ve lost me.”
    She couldn’t possibly be talking about him. Looking like an ass clearly wasn’t part of his daily routine. Inhaling deeply, she took advantage of the distance to clear her thoughts. “We were due in the gallery at seven and didn’t show up.” The thought made her wince. “Everyone’s going to know what we were doing.”
    Christopher grinned. “So what?”
    â€œMy authors will talk, which will start rumors among perfect strangers. I’m Miss Q’s guest…” Although she’s on my list of people to confront about this not-so-little shenanigan.
    â€œâ€¦and I’m playing a sleuth in this mystery. You, too, I assume. I hope we haven’t ruined anything