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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Tara wanted one night, but now must choose between a wild ride and a hotrod. It's Tara Wilde's birthday, and all she wants is a one-night man. Tucker Carson is just the ticket. But they have more in common than they realize, starting with a shared fetish for hot cars. When Tucker returns home, he can't forget the woman who gave him a false name and toyed with his heart. When chance brings Tucker back to Tara's home town she thinks he's there for a temporary visit, and makes up for lost time. But when he steals her car and gets it into a wreck, she finds out she cares more about the man who lied to her than her beloved vehicle. With lies and the ghosts of her past in the way, will Tara keep her heart safe, or be driven on the road to passion?
eBook Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc., 2010 2010
eBookwise Release Date: April 2010

2 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [133 KB]
Words: 29322
Reading time: 83-117 min.

Mr. Green Eyes cleared his throat.

"Oh. Uh, Tara, this is Tucker. We go way back. Childhood friends. Tuck's a professor at Boston University and is in town doing some guest lecturing this weekend."

Someone from the wait staff called Joey, and since he wouldn't have anything go wrong with Sarah's party, he took off.

Tara nodded her head at the professor. "It's nice to meet you."

A polite smile curved his lips, and when he squeezed her hand, a jolt raced up her arm. She shook her head at the tingling sensations and turned to the coach. "See you later, Marshall."

A crust-less cucumber sandwich in hand, she pushed open the French doors leading to the veranda. Detouring to the right, she pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator, then stepped down a few stairs and sat. Inhaling the night air, she settled in to watch the moonlight dance on the lake.

What a night. At least she'd managed to avoid the groping coach this time. What the hell was wrong with her anyway? She was happy for her sister--she really was. Bending her head from side to side, she stretched her neck.

Realization hit her in the pit of the stomach. Her life was unfulfilling. She owned a nice house, her dream car and a productive business. What more did she need?

She was bored. Hell, if she were honest with herself--she was lonely. And tonight, that bothered her more than she wanted to contemplate. Jake had left eleven months ago, apparently taking part of her with him. She hadn't mooned over him because she hadn't been in love with him. He'd been a good friend for a long time, a lover only briefly.

Sipping the water, she let the cool liquid slide down her throat. The air was humid, hot for May. She pulled at the fabric of her dress where it clung to her skin, pressing the water bottle to the side of her neck.

She was hot and bothered...and wanted a man.

At least for a night.

A romp in the sack would brighten her birthday. Thoughts of Marshall skidded across her mind. No, she couldn't go there. He was nice enough, but his groping hands turned her off. Besides, Sarah and Joey had been trying to push them together for months. He'd get the wrong idea.

Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when Tucker settled on the step above her.

"Hi."

She openly looked him over, noting his dusty blond hair curled above his ears. He needed a haircut.

"I hope you don't mind if I join you."

"No. Not at all. I needed some fresh air. I guess you're used to this sort of thing?" she half-asked, half-assumed. She hated these 'who can spend the most money' parties.

Something sounding like a snort escaped him. "Joey's a good friend. I couldn't refuse him."

"Oh."

"Don't get me wrong. Back in Boston I get invited to these social-slash-work parties. I go, but mostly because after years there I still don't know many people."

Anti-social, absent-minded professor. He wasn't moving up her list very quickly.

"Joey seems happy here, and his wife is wonderful. She's welcomed me while I'm in town."

"Sarah's super. And would do anything to make Joey happy. So you're staying here with them?"

"No. I just meant she's a great hostess."

"Yeah, she is." Tara kicked off her shoes and turned to get a better look at him. "Are you staying nearby?"

What the hell was she doing?

Tilting her head, she got a better look at his eyes, an emerald color so intense it somehow drew her in. Her body quivered.

"I'm at the new hotel on campus."

"Ah. When are you leaving town?"

"Tomorrow evening. I've got a lecture at eleven AM. Then I'm duty bound to a late lunch with the director of the history department. I'm leaving for the airport from there."

Humm. He wouldn't be around long. Devilish thoughts filled her head. Maybe he'd be good for a night of fun. Something had to give--she needed a distraction.

The sexy, absent-minded man shot to the top of her list.