Playing for Keeps: Harford Scarlet Series by Toria Lyons Page A

paused, increasing the tension. Slowly, she licked the seam of his lips, and as they parted, darted her tongue inside to touch his. She softly slanted her mouth across his, leisurely savouring him. He tasted so good, and she felt her control quickly slipping away.
    Clare broke the kiss, turning her head so he couldn’t follow her lips, and concentrated on keeping her breathing regular. ‘There. One kiss. May I go now?’
    Alex was silent for only a moment. ‘I meant I would kiss you. Now it’s my turn.’ He trailed one hand up her neck to hold her hair. As she gasped, he took advantage of her open lips and sank his mouth onto hers, tangling with her tongue.
    Clare kissed him back, hot sensation stabbing through her body, much-prized restraint lost. She moaned, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, running a hand through his hair. Craving more contact, she lifted a leg and using it to pull him closer. She whimpered at the feel of his strong, muscular body and undulated against him, rising onto tiptoes; there was a bulge she just had to get …
    He pulled his head up with a groan. ‘Wow, I should have done this before now – you’re really something.’
    Reality returned to Clare like being dunked in a bucket of iced water. She tore herself away and slapped him across the cheek. ‘Bastard! You disgust me.’
    As she rushed away he called out, ‘Disgust’s not what you felt during that kiss. It’s a deal, though. Not a word to another soul. That means both of us. Not even Sarah can hear about this. Otherwise …’
    Clare heard him laugh as she re-entered the club. For a moment she faltered, then forced a smile back on her face before walking over to Sarah. ‘Problem sorted. I reasoned with him and he thinks it’s best to keep quiet.’
    Sarah smiled in relief. ‘Thanks so much. I owe you one. I got you a drink in.’ She handed Clare a clear glass of what looked like their usual strong crisis drink.
    Clare took it, swilled a mouthful, swallowed, then downed the rest. ‘Thanks, I needed that. I’ll have to pop off now – had a text from a friend and we’re going to meet early tomorrow. Take care.’ She hugged Sarah, grabbed her coat, and waved goodbye to everyone else in the club. On her way out, she passed Alex coming back in. He held the door open for her.
    ‘Going so soon?’ Alex asked smugly, then chuckled as Clare muttered something anatomically impossible before he let the door swing shut behind her.
    He wandered over to a puzzled Sarah. ‘Clare in a bit of a rush?’
    ‘She’s meeting a friend. Thanks for you-know-what.’
    ‘Not a problem. Don’t tell Clare that her efforts were in vain, though. Tom swore me to secrecy a couple of weeks back after I cottoned on. Although I can’t see what the big deal is – you’re both allowed to have a sex life, aren’t you?’
    Sarah delayed responding by taking a gulp of her drink. ‘I don’t want people talking about us. You boys are bigger gossips than most old women. And I’m the one who’ll still be at the club after Tom leaves. Plus, Clare had a bad experience a while back and we both decided not to date first-team players.’
    ‘Clare did? Who with?’
    ‘You don’t know them – they’ve left now.’ Despite Alex’s questioning look, she refused to elucidate. ‘Just leave it alone.’
    ‘But have a think about it. Tom wouldn’t take anyone saying anything about you even when or if you break up. He’s not that kind of guy: he’s always been honourable and a complete gent with the ladies. Not like me.’ Alex grinned wickedly.
    ‘Speaking of which, your fan club is getting impatient.’ Sarah nodded at a group of girls dressed to kill and certainly staring daggers at her for monopolising Alex.
    Alex glanced at the girls who immediately began flicking hair and fluttering eyelashes. ‘Oh yes, the lovely ladies. You must excuse me now; my fan club, as you call it, awaits.’
    Alex sauntered over to the girls who instantly