A Perfect Strategy. Anna Sugden

in circles. His pulse kicked when she copied his action, her thumb drawing circles on his knuckle.

      He turned to look at her. Only to find her studying him.

      The silence became charged. Like the electricity in the air before a storm.

      Sapphie gently touched his mouth with her finger. She lingered over his scar, making it tingle. “I know this doesn’t hurt anymore, but it makes me want to kiss your poor lip better.”

      He almost couldn’t breathe. “Feel free,” he managed to say.

      She didn’t need a second invitation. She kissed her fingertip and pressed it to his lip.

      He tried not to be disappointed. He’d expected—

      Her mouth replaced her fingertip. She brushed a soft kiss against his scar. So fleeting it was over almost before it started. Yet it sent fierce need pulsing through his body.

      Her second kiss was firmer, lasting a fraction longer. Her third, longer still. Then her tongue traced his scar.

      He hardened instantly, spurring him to action. Two could play this game.

      He reached up and rubbed his thumb over her full lower lip. Back and forth, gently parting her lips.

      She responded by nipping his thumb, then flicking her tongue against it. Her mouth curved into a teasing smile. A satisfied glint lit her eyes.

      So she thought she was in control? That she had him where she wanted him.

      Not quite.

      He swept in and took advantage of her parted lips. No teasing or flirting. No hesitation or asking permission. His hand cupped the back of her head, anchoring her to him.

      Her grip on his other hand tightened. Her free arm wound around his neck, pulling him closer. She met his desire and upped the intensity.

      Suddenly, it wasn’t enough. He wanted to feel her against him. To touch her.

      He released her hand and stroked her arm. Was her skin as soft everywhere? While he massaged her neck, he ran the fingers of his other hand over her bare shoulder and down her back, until they met silky fabric. He’d admired the strapless, knee-length sheath earlier—the way it emphasized her delicious curves and showed off her amazing legs. Now it was an unwelcome barrier.

      Pulling his lips from hers, he kissed his way across her cheek to her ear. She inhaled sharply as he nipped at her earlobe. When his mouth trailed down her neck, she tilted her head to give him better access.

      Sapphie sighed as he continued his journey across her shoulder, paying particular attention to the hollow of her collarbone. When he reached the curve of her shoulder, his mouth took a lower path, toward her breasts.

      He licked a moist trail along the top of her dress, following the rise and fall of the blue fabric over the swell of one breast, into the valley between, then up over the other.

      He nudged aside the silk and retraced his path.

      He wanted more. He ran his hand along the back of her dress, searching for the zipper.

      He tried again.

      Where the hell was the damn thing?

      Sapphie chuckled softly as she moved his hand to her right side. “Try here.”

      Sapphie proved she wasn’t put off by his fumbling by loosening his tie, removing it and tossing it aside. Then she undid the top button of his shirt. And the next.

      His fingers curved tightly against her side as she pressed a hot openmouthed kiss to the pulse at the base of his throat. Then went lower.

      And lower. Unbutton, kiss. Unbutton, kiss.

      He almost protested aloud when she halted with his shirt only halfway undone. Don’t stop now!

      She didn’t. Scott couldn’t hold back his groan as she separated the two sides and licked across his right pec, circling his nipple, then returning to repeat on the other side.

      This time, when she arrived at the center of his chest, she started to trail downward. His stomach clenched with anticipation.

      Uh, no. If she continued along that route, he’d embarrass himself in the worst way possible.

      “My turn.” He slid a finger under her chin and tilted her face to his.

      Her sassy smile did crazy things to his insides. “Be my guest.”

      He nibbled her bottom lip, then licked it, relishing the taste of her. Sweet yet spicy. Champagne and chocolate.

      Scott took her mouth fully, then deepened the kiss. This time, his hand moved aside the fabric that did such a good job of covering the damn zipper and slowly pulled the tab down. Then he slipped his fingers inside.

      And found nothing but soft, bare skin.

      That made his task much simpler. No more barriers to exploring to his heart’s content. And he did.

      First her back. Her skin was as smooth as the silk that had covered it. He trailed his fingertips lightly down the ridge of her spine.

      He smiled as she arched her back, gasping slightly. So she was ticklish. Or very sensitive. Either way, he’d return shortly to investigate further. In the meantime, he wanted to move to other, uncharted territory.

      His thumb slid under the front of her dress and traced the curve of her breast. First the underside, then up over the top. Then around the other way. When he tried to part the fabric, he noticed there was a hook at the top of the zipper, holding the bodice in place. He undid it and the front of the dress fell open.

      Her breasts were as beautiful as the rest of her. Perfectly sized, perfectly shaped. A tan line from a bikini framed the creamy mounds, which were topped by taut, pink nipples. As tantalizing and mouthwatering as the most decadent dessert.

      He dipped his head and circled one bud with his tongue.

      The sound of laughter close by was like a plunge into an ice bath, shocking him out of the haze of desire.

      Scott straightened. What the hell was he doing? He shouldn’t have put Sapphie in such a potentially embarrassing situation. It was his responsibility to protect her from such exposure.

      “I’m sorry.” Carefully, he drew the dress back over her breasts, covering them. He tried to refasten the hook, but his fingers were too clumsy to manage the fiddly device.

      Sapphie pushed his hands aside and neatly slotted the hook into its eye, then pulled up the zipper. The rasp of the slider against the teeth seemed harsh and discordant in the still night air. She then stood and wiggled, to rearrange the dress so that it fell properly into place.

      Damn it if that wiggle didn’t turn him on. Made him want to mess her up again.

      “No harm done.” Smoothing her tousled hair, she smiled.

      He jammed his hands in his pockets. “I guess we should head inside, to the party.” He looked at his shoes and socks. Probably ought to put them on.

      Sapphie picked up his jacket and dusted off the back before handing it to him. “If you insist. Or we could continue what we were doing in a more private setting.”

      Her steady gaze met his. “I have a room in the hotel. You’re welcome to join me there.”

      * * *

      OH MY GOD. Sapphie had asked Scotty Matthews to her room. She stifled a girlie squeal and tried to look like it was no big deal.

      And it wasn’t really. He was just a guy. Okay, a gorgeous, sexy—if a little serious—and utterly tempting guy. The thought of loosening him up, making him lose control, sent a shiver of delight through her.

      Over the years, she’d slept with richer and more famous men. She’d even had a memorable night with one of her teenage Hollywood crushes. Sadly, it was memorable for the wrong reasons—one of which was particularly small. Her choice of man