I thought I’d put up a snippet from SENSUAL MAGIC – my novella in last year’s WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS…AFTER DARK (also to give you a peek at the world in my upcoming Bound By Magic paranormal romance series from Berkley Sensation – yes, I’m efficient that way, LOL). Most of the humor I write into my books tends to come out in the form of bitchy heroine snark, I know you’re all surprised by that – so meet Nell Hunter…

SENSUAL MAGIC by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2009, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Harlequin Enterprises

William looked around the lounge area. The dancers were between sets so the lights were up a bit and slow, throbbing electronica filled the air.

He’d missed a woman he’d met two days before and had been with a grand total of perhaps half-an-hour.

His vision snagged on a pair of long-as-sin legs and his gaze traveled up lean thighs to the hem of a very short black dress. He took his time when he arrived at some stellar breasts, up the long line of exposed neck and to a lovely face punctuated by glossy lips and big eyes. Looking right back at him.

One of her brows rose and he realized it was her. “Excuse me, everyone. I’ve got some business to attend to.” He stood and made his way toward Nell with every intention of killing anyone who got in his way.

Taking advantage of the noise, he leaned in close, placing his arm around her waist. “To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

“I’m sorry to bother you at work but I found out some things about Leah and I needed to see if you could help.”

Even though she was speaking about Leah, William’s body, his brain all thrilled to see Nell, hear her velvet voice.

“Come on back.” He kept a hand at her back to guide her through the crowd and down the back hall where his office was located.

Once he’d closed the door after them, his hearing took a moment to adjust. He motioned her to the chairs bracketing a small table in the corner.

“Would you like a drink?” He sure needed one. Seeing her dressed up this way discomfited. She was beautiful sitting there, poised but humming with energy. Still, oddly enough, while he couldn’t object to the amount of bare skin she showed, he apparently preferred her the way she’d been in his office before. Go figure.

“I’ve already had a few but thanks. I’m not good with a lot of alcohol in me.”

He looked at her as he sat, sipping his scotch and taking her measure. Bright green eyes met his, shooting right through him.

“Really now? Good for whom? Do you get wild and dance topless?” William really had no idea why he teased her, she was off his to do list and everything.

She blushed, which, god help him, just made it worse. He hadn’t been around women who genuinely blushed in a long time. Unless you counted his sister-in-law who was one tough woman, despite those blushes she occasionally gave when Nash said something particularly racy.

“Stop that,” she said without any real heat. “You said before you didn’t know of any family Leah might have in the area. But how about friends named Jonah Cutler or Randy Bane?”

Right to the point. He sighed and thought. “I really don’t think so. Randy sounds sort of familiar but not the last name and we’ve got a distributor here named Randy Johaness so I may be thinking about him. Why are you all dressed up?”

Her eyes widened a moment. “Is that like your totally random question for the day or does it have a purpose?”

“I’m not trying to start a fight.” Although if she was mad she wouldn’t be so appealing maybe. Or at least she probably wouldn’t want to get naked with him. Which was a good thing. Absolutely. “It’s just you look so different today than you did the other day when you were here. Just curious. You look lovely.”

“So is patronizing your fallback personality? Can’t a woman dress up? The other day I was in the field, it would have been silly to wear something like this then. But tonight I went out. It’s Las Vegas. I see women out there, including the one who was practically kissing your zipper, dressed in far less.”

“Patronizing? Because I complimented you? Is bitchy your fall back personality? And she wasn’t kissing my zipper.”

Nell stood. “Sure she wasn’t. I’m sure she was looking for her encyclopedia in your pants. Your cock must be taking a class or something. Oh! I know, she’s the cock whisperer, right?”

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