Karen Erickson

Never press the “ignore” button on love…

Fated, Book 2

In these uncertain times, Mia Skinner’s Blackberry is her lifeline to independence…and a twenty-four/seven chain to her overbearing boss. When she loses it on a girls’ night out, it’s a disaster with pink slip written all over it—until she takes a chance and calls her number. And ends up talking to Mr. Sexiest-Voice-Alive.

The moment Jacob Miller lays eyes on the phone’s beautiful owner, a bolt of lust makes him want to make a sexy mess of her tidy outfit and perfectly straight hair. Which is a good sign. It means he’s almost fully recovered from a near-debilitating construction accident. Perhaps a little horizontal healing will get him back on his feet for good.

As their passion burns bright and hot, a funny thing happens. Mia’s ignoring her phone—and Jake’s the one itching to get back to work. But he’s building a plan that’ll let her hang up on her increasingly creepy boss for good. If Mia’s willing to meet him in the middle.

Excerpt

The second they climbed into the truck Jake hauled her to him, his mouth fused with hers. The kiss had been brutal, possessive, delicious, wondrous. Like nothing she’d ever experienced before. She’d returned it with equal enthusiasm, her tongue wrapped around his, her hands buried in his silky soft hair as she held him to her.

Yes, she’d made out with a man she barely knew in her boss’s driveway. She could hardly recognize herself.

After a few lustful minutes they’d finally come to their senses and came up for air. With a quick kiss he pulled away from her and put the truck into gear then tore out of the driveway with a speed that surprised her. She remained silent in the passenger seat, stealing glances in his direction every few minutes. Admired his strong, handsome profile, the sharp angle of his nose and the sweet softness of his lips.

Her mouth still tingled from their fevered kiss. She touched them, noted their swollenness and she looked at him again. Realized the truck had come to a stop at a red light and he was staring at her as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Moisture flooded her between her legs and she swallowed hard, tore her gaze from his.

What was happening between them? She’d known him…not quite two days. Their dinner date last night had been fun, the connection between them instant, the conversation easy. Hence, the reason she’d asked him to accompany her today.

But what they were experiencing at this very moment, this all-consuming heat it was…odd. Exhilarating. And undeniably exciting.

“If you don’t want to do this, just say so.” He sounded edgy, upset and she turned to find him staring straight ahead. His jaw rock hard, his hands gripping the steering wheel tight as he waited for the light to turn green.

“Wh—what do you mean?”

“You look upset. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

“Maybe I pushed you.”

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his brows lowered. “You didn’t push me.”

Mia sighed. “I’m trying to tell you that I wanted this. That I still want this.” She immediately bit her lip, surprised she admitted it.

This was certainly a day for revelation.

His mouth curved into the faintest smile, and he pressed the gas when the light switched to green. “You won’t regret it.” This was a statement, not a question.

“I know I won’t.”

Jake drew in a sharp breath. “You are a constant surprise.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Very much a good thing,” he murmured. “Come here.”

She frowned, waved at the console between them. “How?”

With a flick of his wrist he tugged on a strap and the console went up, turning it into a bench seat. He patted the empty space next to him. “Sit closer to me.”

Without a word she undid her seatbelt and slid across the seat, nestling herself next to him. She pulled the lap belt across her front and clicked it into the latch, her arm bumping against his. His hand rested on top of her knee, pushing aside the hem of her dress so he could touch her bare flesh.

Her knee jumped at the contact, making him chuckle.

“Your skin is so soft.” He kept his voice pitched low as he stroked her, innocent touches above her knee though she knew his intentions were anything but innocent. Staring straight ahead, he kept his gaze locked on the road, turning with ease onto the ramp that led to the freeway.

As he merged onto the interstate he continued to touch her, his hand sliding up the inside of her thigh, his fingers tickling her skin. She grabbed his wrist, stopping his ascent and he sent her a questioning look.

“You’re driving,” she explained, ignoring the breathless quality of her voice. “Maybe we should wait.” She didn’t want to wait. She was just being…prudent.

His hand slid up farther, despite her hold on his wrist. It was almost as if she was guiding him to the very heart of her. Which maybe—unconsciously—she was. “Just seeing if you have any panties on under there.”

“Of course I have panties on.” She was shocked at his statement, at the bold move he made. Shocked and aroused because wouldn’t it be fun to wear a dress with no panties on and let him discover on his own when his hands dived beneath her skirt?

She shivered at the delicious thought.

“Hmm, I’m not surprised. Cotton or lace? Or maybe satin?”

His questions as he continued to drive drove her a little crazy. He behaved as if nothing unusual was happening. “Cotton and lace.”