Chapter One

Jessie York checked over her shoulder before slipping into the room. Her back to the door, she took deep breaths to slow her rapid heartbeat. Note to Shelby, no more large parties, especially if I have to watch him flirt with other women. Jealousy was a feeling Jessie didn't like. She didn't need him as a complication. Didn't need the hassle. Didn't want him in her life. Why couldn't he just stay a friend?

She opened her eyes and blinked. Moonbeams skipped across the ocean into the space illuminating the study in soft pale colors. Luxurious floor to ceiling windows overlooked the ocean. The restlessness of the sea matched her mood. Dark. Demanding. Destructive. On the opposite wall, an oak mantel fireplace competed with the view for attention. Books were scattered on tables, a large desk and on shelves. Pillows of every shape and hue graced the chairs and floor, creating colorful sitting areas throughout the area.

She kicked off her shoes, and her feet sank into the deep pile carpet as she moved closer to the windows. "Impressive."

"I'm glad you approve." The baritone voice interrupted her musing.

Panic chased away her calm, settling in her stomach like greasy food. Jessie rubbed her damp palms together, turned and tried to make out the man in the shadows. There was something familiar about the voice.

He moved into the light.

Nick Sirius.

She hoped he hadn't noticed the excitement as it surged through her body and into her voice. "Oh, it's you."

His black hair accented his dark clothing. The pants, collarless shirt and jacket wrapped his frame like a second skin. Earlier thoughts of envy faded as she clenched and unclenched her hands.

His eyes mirrored the ocean.

Holy bells.

"Nick, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you would be here." Jessie glanced around. "I assumed everyone was downstairs at the party enjoying themselves." She moved toward the door, trying to put distance between them. "I didn't mean to intrude on your space. I was looking for a place to escape from all the fuss." She motioned toward the papers scattered near a set of cushions. "I'll leave you to your work."

He moved, cutting off her escape route and touched her arm. "You're not interrupting. I've finished."

Warmth traveled from his fingertips and up her arm. She paused and looked into his eyes. Her world expanded and exploded into a thousand pieces. I shouldn't want him. Breathing became difficult, and her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

"Please stay." He slid his hand down the length of her arm.

"Okay." Jessie stepped away from him and moved closer to the fireplace. Gazing into the red flames, she hoped for comfort. But none could be found.

Who was she trying to fool? He'd been the fuel for her nighttime drama for weeks now. In her imagination, a wicked human traps him because he tries to stop the stripping of a coral reef. She saves him from death. After the rescue, they are together. His sweat-covered bronze skin moves against hers, slow at first and then demanding. Those dark fathomless eyes belong to her.

His voice disturbed her sensual dreams.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch the last thing you said," she said.

"How do you like the party, Lady of the Mer? Isn't that what some of your readers call you?"

She noticed one of his eyebrows raised, daring her to argue. She sensed Nick, underneath the expensive clothes, had a wild streak in him. His picture, no doubt, could be found in the dictionary under 'trouble' with a capital 'T.' She wouldn't take the bait.

"Why did you leave the party?" His voice was soft, warm and subtle, reminding her of a summer night, long and full of promise.

"It was over the top." Jess glanced around to figure how far she needed to travel to escape. Four walls, a ceiling and floor. Nowhere to go, she swallowed past the lump in her throat and hoped he didn't notice. The fireplace didn't provide the needed relief.

"Isn't the festive atmosphere what most writers want? A launch with a new publisher. Everyone connected gets bragging rights for fifteen minutes. A few reporters interview and write about how we love our writers. Win-win for everyone."

She watched him move from the door toward the desk. The man walked with a purpose. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was trying to impress her. "All right, not over the top, but just too much for someone like me."

"Someone like you." His gazed traveled down her body and up to her face.

The heat in his eyes made her shiver with excitement. She shifted, looking for relief from her wet panties. It figures, the first man in months that sends my hormones raging owns the publishing house. He makes the mermen I wrote about look like wimps.

"You're special. Everyone noticed you, Jessica." Nick leaned back on the edge of the desk. "I've watched you all night." He crossed his arms. The leather pants hugged him in all the right places, straining against his legs to show every detail of his muscled thighs. Her imagination had failed. Nick's package gave new meaning to heavenly delights.

"I didn't think you noticed." She licked her dry lips and pulled at her short skirt.

"You're interesting, Jess." His gaze never left her face.

"I'm only Jess to my close friends." She pretended to be interested in her shirt's ruffled sleeve.

"So, how does someone earn the privilege of calling you Jess?" His words poured over her like hot fudge over vanilla ice cream.

"I don't make close friends easily." Fidgeting, she looked at him.

"Neither do I. Tell me, why would a man be interested in a complicated woman?" He advanced toward her.

"Maybe it's a fluke, nothing more than fleeting attraction." Is he talking about me?

"Do I act on this, or is this something better left unexplored?" He brought his hand up, touched her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze.

The shifting logs in the fireplace caused Jess to look away from his temping mouth, breaking the spell. "I think this is something best left alone."

Moving toward the desk, Nick pulled a flower out of the vase. "I'm surprised."

"I hope this is not the last time," Jessie paused then continued, "I mean surprising you. I manage to do that ... a lot."

"You come across as being more daring." His fingers stroked the flower's petals.

"Where did you get that idea?" Her gaze shifted from his fingers back to his face. She swallowed her thoughts of asking him to do that to her.

"Your books about the mer, our earlier conversations. You're a great writer." Nick grinned.

The smile sent tingles down to her toes. "Novels are my form of release. An escape. A fantasy."

"Who would have thought Jessica York is afraid of the dark?" Smiling, he raised the flower to his nose and, inhaling deeply, took in the scent.

"Fear is healthy." She turned her attention back to the fire. It didn't take her mind off the gorgeous man. Desire drove her to watch him again.

"Stimulating and arousing. I'm told the brain can't tell the difference at certain times. You wouldn't know when, would you?" His voice sounded huskier.

"No, I wouldn't." Her words were as unclear as the feelings he created.

"As a writer, have you ever thought of it as a form of foreplay?" Slowly, Nick slid his tongue across his lips.

"Foreplay?" Jess stammered.

"Yes, just like a conversation between two people interested in knowing each other," Nick insisted.

"So, this conversation stuff, where you exchange information, talk about current events, or how to save the world, is foreplay to you?" Jess rambled as her eyes darted from the walls to the ceiling to the floor then back to him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "No, not to me. But could they be used as a prelude to seduction?"

"Are you trying to seduce me?" She tingled.

"Am I succeeding?" He sauntered from the desk and stopped an inch from her.

"No." Liar. Sucking in a breath, she tried to slow her heartbeat.

"Then I need to work harder." He ran the flower across her lips and brought it to his to kiss.

"I'm not sure harder would help." Help, I'm lost. "Nick, we had--" She stood still and watched his mouth lower to hers.

His lips brushed across hers in a feathery kiss. Gentle at first and then deeper. Her hands went to his chest, and heat moved into her through him.

He pulled her closer. She smelled of sunshine as it filtered down into the depths of the ocean. Starfish danced in his head as he tried to pull oxygen into his lungs. His mouth urged hers to open. When their tongues met, they tangled like jellyfish mating. His body vibrated to her hunger. He heard her siren's song in his ears. Startled, he broke the kiss.

She took a step back.

He moved to increase the distance between them, unsure of his next move.

"Shrimp," he muttered as he shook his head. He stared at Jess. Stunned, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.