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  She arched a brow. “You are?”

  Her surprise was understandable since I always scheduled my time off well in advance. I nodded. “Yes. I think I deserve a day off.”

  “You do…”

  “But?” I prompted when she allowed her voice to trail off.

  She cast a quick look at Mila before meeting my gaze again. “But?” She gave me a bright smile. “But nothing. You deserve a day off.”

  “I agree. I’ll be home but please don’t call unless it’s a real emergency.”

  She nodded, cast a quick, but uneasy smile at Mila, and withdrew from my office, closing the door behind her.

  I turned to look at Mila. “Do you have hotel reservations?”

  “No. You said—Jason said we’d stay with you.”

  When he finally turned up, Jason was going to have a lot to answer for. ”Fine. Then let’s get your bags and I’ll take you home.”

  She gave me a wary look. “Does your home have a guest room?”

  She was probably not sure she could trust me after those heated kisses. And she was probably right. I nodded. “Yes and one of them has your name on it.”

  I watched her shoulders relax with a touch of annoyance. Jason didn’t do quiet, shy virgins so there was no need for her to pretend to be dismayed by a few passionate kisses. I was sure she and Jason had shared far more. And before this was over, she and I would share far more too.

  “I’m ready whenever you are,” I told her, hoping my annoyance didn’t show.

  She gave me a shy but sexy smile.

  Damn. I practically melted. How the hell did she do that sexy shyness so well?

  “I’m practically asleep on my feet,” she said.

  “Then let’s go.”

  She gave me another smile.

  I was hard pressed not to sweep her into my arms and kiss her breathless. Of course I wanted to do more than just kiss her.

  We got her bags and left my office. We didn’t speak again until we were in my car heading for home.

  “Tell me how you and Jason met,” I invited.

  She sighed. “We met at a party given by a mutual friend.”

  “When?” I pressed, eager to learn everything about her.

  “Three months ago.”

  Three months earlier? I blinked in amazed silence. She’d given up a good job and moved across country to be with a man she’d only known for three months? “How long?”

  “Three months.”

  Clearly she didn’t realize how irresponsible Jason was. But then maybe his failure to meet her at the airport would finally open her eyes.

  “I know what you must be thinking,” she said into the silence.

  “But?”

  “But, as I’m sure you know Jason is handsome, charming, and great to be with. We fell for each other instantly.”

  “Love at first sight?” I asked, casting a quick sideways glance at her.

  She shrugged. “Love is probably too strong a word to use for what we felt.”

  Why should I be glad that she wasn’t in love with Jason?

  “But there was certainly an undeniable connection between us the moment we met.”

  “And?” I encouraged, still not sure how she’d ended up outside my office after such a brief relationship with Jason.

  “We dated for six weeks before Jason got an assignment on the East Coast. I’m still not quite sure how it happened, but he convinced me to give up my job and come East to continue our relationship.”

  I bit back the urge to criticize her irresponsibility and lack of foresight in coming East just because Jason had asked her to. I saw no reason to add to the confusion and uncertainty I heard in her voice. Besides, if she’d been more responsible, we’d have never met.

  And I wouldn’t now be suffering from a powerful urge to pull onto the shoulder of the highway and take her into my arms.

  And just how well do you think that will go over, Jimmy boy?

  Secondhand Lover is available from Marilyn Lee Unleashed

  Marilyn Lee Unleashed Presents

  Loving Large–Yours, Only And Always

  By

  Marilyn Lee

  “Don’t despair. When you least expect it, the hurt from Sam will dissolve and you’ll fall head over heels in love again. It could happen at any time in any place. Just make sure you’re ready to accept and embrace it when it happens.”

  Autumn Walker’s mother’s words flashed into her mind the moment she walked into the condo association meeting and saw him.

  The man who caught her attention was tall, with long legs, wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and a taut ass. He might have stepped right off the cover of one of the Native American capture romances she and her friends had devoured as teenagers. She could easily imagine him bare-chested with long, very dark, silky hair pulled back from his face and hanging down his back as he sat astride a horse without a saddle.

  Two women, who she suspected were more interested in spending time in his bed than they were in discussing proposed changes in condo fees, commanded his attention.

  She stared at him, feeling herself going wet. What woman wouldn’t want to be up close and personal with a man who was so sexy just the sight of him generated capture fantasies?

  What she wouldn’t give for the courage to strut across the room and join the two women clambering for his attention. She sighed. If only she were tall and slender with mounds of flowing locks like the women vying to hold his interest. But the handsome, sexy male who looked as if he’d just finished posing for the cover of a romance novel wasn’t likely to be impressed with her five-foot, five-inch plump body or her dark brown skin. He probably preferred the tall, slender, blue-eyed blondes gazing so adoringly up at him.

  Almost as if he felt her eyes on him, he suddenly turned his head, glanced briefly in Autumn’s direction, looked away, and then did a double take. He arched a brow and locked his gaze with hers.

  Embarrassed at having been caught staring, Autumn still couldn’t look away from his dark, sexy, probing gaze. Her heart raced and the erotic imagination she’d struggled to control since her divorce quickly flooded her mind with visions of standing naked before him while he ran his big hands all over her body. Her cheeks burned at the delicious thought of feeling his smooth palms spanking her naked, dark ass cheeks until they burned with heat.

  Oh to feel him lubing her up before he gripped her hips and fucked her ass, slow and deep. She bit her lip, going wet as she mentally savored the thought of him cupping his hands over her breasts as he thrust in and out of her rear.

  She wore a pretty pink dress with a skirt that ended just below her knees. He could easily push it up to expose a hot pink thong. Once he pushed that skimpy piece of fluff aside he’d have easy access to both her ass and her pussy.

  He arched a brow while the corners of his sensual lips slowly curved upward into an appreciative smile. His gaze shifted down to her breasts for several long moments before he looked into her eyes again.

  Autumn caught her breath. Was she imaging things or did she detect a hint of interest in his gaze? He had definitely checked out her breasts.

  Both blondes glanced at Autumn. One then touched his arm. The other placed a hand against his chest.

  I guess they’re telling you he’s off limits. As if you need that warning.

  The object of all three women’s desire turned his attention back to the women at his side.

  Autumn released a sigh of disappointment, still unable to tear her gaze away from him. He was so sexy.

  He spoke briefly to the two women before turning his attention back to Autumn.

  She swallowed and stared into his almost hypnotic eyes. He must be interested in her.

  The women spoke to him again, seemingly determined to reclaim his attention.

  Briefly turning his gaze back to the women, he flashed a smile and spoke to them.

  Autumn watched in amazement as he then quickly strolled towards her, ignoring the women’s efforts to k
eep him at their sides.

  She swallowed and moistened her lips while her heart hammered against her ribcage.

  He stopped a foot or so in front of her. He extended his hand. “Hello.” He had a deep, sexy voice.

  “Hi.”

  “I’m Seneka Elkhorn.”

  Seneka Elkhorn. Nice name. Nice voice. Nice body. Sexy as hell man.

  She held out her hand.

  A shiver of anticipation danced down her spine when his fingers closed over hers. She imagined him whispering sweet nothings in her ear in that deep, velvety voice as he caressed her bare skin with the big warm hand cradling hers.

  “And you are?”

  She blinked. “I’m sorry. What?”

  “What’s your name? Mine’s Seneka Elkhorn.”

  Get a grip, woman and stop gawking as if you’ve never met a drop-dead gorgeous hunk. “Autumn Walker.”

  His eyes lingered on her bare left hand. “Autumn is my favorite time of the year.”

  “Oh…is it?”

  “Oh yes.” He smiled. “I see you’re not wearing a ring, but is there a Mr. ‘She’s All Mine So Back Off’ lurking somewhere?”

  She’d never been happier to be divorced and commitment free. She shook her head. “Not anymore.”

  His smile widened. “No? This must be my lucky night.”

  His lucky night? Lost in a haze of erotic fantasies, she racked her brain for some witty remark that would titillate and entertain him while making him want to get to know her.

  She stole a glance at his left hand. Bare. Thank God.

  The association president went to the podium. “Good evening, everyone. We have a number of issues on the agenda so please find seats so we can begin.”

  Autumn stifled a groan. Why did the blasted meeting have to start on time? She reluctantly withdrew her hand from his. “I guess I’d better find a seat.”

  He slipped a hand under her elbow. “Yes. Let’s do that.”

  His fingers on her bare skin sent a tingle through her. She turned back to face him, hoping she’d managed to conceal her emotional turmoil from him. “I see a seat—”

  “A seat?” He nodded toward two empty seats on the other side of the room. “There are two over there. Join me?”

  She hesitated. Contemplating flirting with him as they waited for the meeting to start was one thing. Sitting with him might be too close to a line she’d never crossed before. Her divorce from Sam still stung. The reason he’d divorced her hadn’t changed enough to make a difference in her life.

  “Autumn,” his fingers tightened on her elbow. He leaned down until his lips were a breath away from her ear. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised softly.

  She stared up into his dark eyes. Why did she feel as if he’d read her mind and knew of her hurt? “What?”

  “You can trust me, Autumn.”

  Trust didn’t come easy. Sam had broken her heart, injured her pride, and damaged her self-esteem. When Sam left her, she’d decided lost love hurt and that love in general was overrated. Since then she had managed to remain romantically unscathed by channeling all her time and energy into preparing her students for careers in math and science.

  Some of her students had done very well. She found satisfaction in celebrating their triumphs with them. Her life wasn’t exciting. It was safe. Safety was important.

  He caressed her elbow. “You can trust me, Autumn.”

  Her desire to accept his word and trust him gave her pause. She knew nothing about him except that she found him more sexually exciting than any man she’d ever met. He seemed to want to spend at least an hour or so in her company. An hour wouldn’t make much difference to him but it might act as a balm to her wounded ego.

  She smiled up at him. “Okay.”

  “Great.” He gave her a slow, warm smile before he led her over to the two empty chairs on the other side of the room. Once she was seated he sat so close to her, his thigh pressed against hers.

  She attempted to draw her thigh away from his.

  He responded by shifting in his seat in a manner that allowed him to press his thigh against hers again.

  She inhaled sharply and glanced at him.

  He arched a brow and ensured she was even more aware of him by sliding an arm along the back of her chair. He leaned so close she felt his breath on her cheek. “Relax, Autumn. I don’t bite—at least not in public.”

  She blushed and turned her attention back to the front of the room. If he touched her, she wasn’t sure how she’d respond.

  He didn’t.

  Nevertheless, she spent the entire meeting wondering if he were as aware of her as she was of him. His thigh pressing against hers seemed to indicate he was yet each time she stole a glance at him, his attention was on the podium. Later, she couldn’t remember how she’d voted on the proposed condo fees.

  After the meeting ended, he turned to look at her. “So you’re all for increased condo fees?”

  “What makes you think that?”

  He shrugged. “You raised your hand when the president asked for a show of hands of those in favor of the higher fees.”

  “I did?”

  His lips twitched. “You did.”

  “Oh…hell!”

  He laughed. “It would probably have passed anyway. Now for a really important question, do you have any plans for the rest of the night?”

  “No.

  “Will you have a drink with me?”

  The thought that she might somehow parlay the drink invitation into a night of wanton and uncommitted sex, excited her senses and helped relax her inhibitions. “I’d like that,” she admitted.

  “So would I.” He smiled.

  He smiled a lot and lord what a warm, intimate smile. He was so handsome it was difficult not to stare at him.

  “Are you ready, Autumn?”

  After three years of celibacy she was more than ready to subject herself to any situation that would increase the possibility of their ending up in bed for the night. As improbable as she’d thought it before the meeting started, she was now convinced he shared her sexual interest.

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.”

  “Great.” He rose. “Do you have any objections to Patty’s?”

  Patty’s was an upscale bar two blocks from their condo complex. She’d had drinks there twice with friends. “No, I don’t.”

  “Do you mind walking?”

  Walking would extend their time together. “It’s a nice night for a walk.”

  He nodded. “It’s a very nice night, Autumn.”

  The steady glance he gave her left her in no doubt that he felt her presence increased the beauty of the night. She smiled.

  He extended his hand towards the exit. “Then let’s go.”

  * * *

  They walked to Patty’s without speaking. Surprisingly, she felt comfortable with him and with the silence.

  At Patty’s, he escorted her to an empty booth with a view to the entrance. He asked her what she wanted to drink before going to get their drinks.

  She watched him walk to the bar. She’s always had a thing for men with long legs and tight asses. Seneka Elkhorn had both. And he certainly looked good in a pair of tight jeans.

  He returned to the table with a martini for her and bottled water for him.

  “You’re not drinking?”

  He shook his head. “I need a clear head.”

  She, on the other hand, wanted help lowering her remaining inhibitions. “Why?”

  “Because I find you incredibly…interesting.”

  Oh, hell, yes! She smiled and sipped her drink.

  He propped his elbows on the table, a slow smile curving his firm, sensual lips. “How long have you lived at Oak Gardens, Autumn?”

  “Just over a year. You?”

  “I’ve lived here for the last two years. Why haven’t I seen you at any of the other meetings?”

  “I’m usually too busy grading papers to attend them.”

  “Grading p
apers? What do you do for a living, Autumn?”

  His steady regard allowed her to return his scrutiny without embarrassment. “I teach math at Community College.”

  “At last! A woman I can talk numbers to and have her really understand. This is indeed my lucky night.”

  She laughed. “What a wonderful man you must be, Seneka Elkhorn.”

  His smile turned into a wide grin. “Discerning as well as pretty.”

  “Pretty?”

  He nodded slowly, locking his gaze with hers. “Very, very pretty.”

  A warm glow spread through her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So you’re discerning, very pretty, and modest. That’s quite a heady combination in one woman, Autumn.”

  “And very full-figured.” There. She’d stated the obvious. If he had a problem with her weight, she wanted to know upfront before she lost herself in his smiling gaze.

  He frowned. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”

  She moistened her lips. “It is for some men.”

  He shrugged. “Different strokes for different folks.”

  She liked the turn the conversation had taken. “Oh?”

  “I can’t see how a woman having an ample amount of curves is anything but a plus.” He grinned. “Besides, you’re discerning enough to realize I’m rather wonderful. How did you know? Does it ooze through my pores?”

  She smiled, feeling completely relaxed with him. “Only a natural born charmer could make the ability to understand numbers sound like a compliment or make being full-figured sound like a plus.”

  “Oh but it is a plus to men who prefer women with lots of curves.” He took a sip of his water. “I take it your ex didn’t?”

  She sucked in a breath and slowly shook her head. “No. He didn’t.”

  He glanced at her left hand. “Were you married?”

  “Yes, but I’d rather not talk about him.”

  “Okay. What would you like to talk about?”

  “Seneka Elkhorn.”

  “Me? Dull subject.”

  She shook her head. “I doubt that.”