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  The Ultimate Seduction

  Janelle Denison

  P.I. Noah Summers has finally met his match. He wants sexy Natalie Hastings so badly, he'll do anything to have her… including taking her in after a car accident leaves her with short-term memory loss. And protecting her when he learns she's acquired a stalker. And harder still, keeping his hands off of her until she can remember. Only, he hadn't counted on Natalie making his job to difficult. * Natalie's world has been turned upside down. Her only constant is her sexy "fiance" Noah. And she wants him. constantly. Only, all of a sudden, he's acting noble. But not for long. Because Natalie's planning a seduction he'll never forget! Before long, Natalie has Noah where she wants him- in her bed and her heart. If only Noah was the man Natalie thought he was.

  Janelle Denison

  The Ultimate Seduction

  The third book in the Seduction series, 2002

  Dear Reader,

  You've met Noah Sommers in my two previous "Seduction" books, and I'm thrilled to finally be able to give him his own story in The Ultimate Seduction. The title of this book pretty much sums up Noah's downfall as he finds himself protecting Natalie Hastings, the woman he's desired for months. Their relationship is not only sudden and unexpected, but also wildly erotic. It's a good thing there's a supersexy line like Blaze, because this story delivers forbidden pleasures and red-hot sexual tension! It will leave you breathless.

  I hope you enjoy Noah and Natalie's sexy, seductive story. Be sure to check my Web site at www.janelledenison.com for updated information on many more Blaze and Temptation novels to come. I always love to hear from my readers. You can write me at P.O. Box 1102, Rialto, CA 92377-1102 (send a SASE for goodies!) or at [email protected].

  Enjoy the heat!

  Janelle Denison

  This book is dedicated to Kathy Boswell,

  Suzanne Coleburn, Elizabeth Benway, Cindy Penn,

  Yvonne Hering and all the other readers and reviewers out there

  who work so tirelessly to promote the romance genre.

  Thank you for your unending support.

  And to Don, a champion of romance and my biggest fan.

  Chapter One

  "If I had to choose one guy in this place to get naked with, I'd pick Noah Sommers. He's so damn sexy." Gina fanned herself with a cocktail napkin and slanted Natalie Hastings an envious glance. "Unfortunately, there's only one woman in this bar he's interested in, and it certainly isn't me."

  With a patient smile, Natalie set down her serving tray at the end of the mahogany-and-brass bar as Murphy poured drinks for the waitresses to deliver to the Saturday evening customers. Her friend's insinuation was as clear as the crystal hanging from the glass racks overhead. Noah Sommers wanted her, and for the past nine months he'd made his interest in her blatantly obvious, despite how many times she'd turned down his advances.

  Unerringly, her gaze sought and found the man in question, a gorgeous male specimen with dark, tousled hair, striking blue eyes and a lean, honed body made for sin of the carnal variety. He'd certainly inspired a few private fantasies of her own.

  He stood across the room in the gaming area of Murphy's Bar and Grill playing a round of pool with one of his good friends, Bobby Malone. As Noah lifted a bottle of beer to his lips, she admired the strong line of his jaw and the broad chest that filled out his plain blue T-shirt. Snug, faded jeans encased lean hips, muscular thighs and long, strong legs.

  Oh, yeah, the man was sin incarnate.

  Noah turned his head as Bobby made his shot and caught her looking his way. A slow, sexy grin eased up the corner of his mouth and he winked at her, causing a tingling warmth and awareness to pervade her entire body. Suppressing her sexual reaction as she'd taught herself to since her last relationship, she smiled back and returned her attention to her drink order.

  "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" Gina teased. "Or are you just playing hard to get with Noah?"

  Natalie rolled her eyes at her friend. "You know I don't fraternize with the customers." A personal rule she'd established for herself, and one Noah sorely tempted her to break with his devastating smile and male charm.

  "Or anyone else for that matter," Gina added as she loaded drinks onto her tray. "And Lord knows with that killer body of yours you could have just about any man you wanted."

  Natalie inwardly cringed at Gina's assumption. If anything, she tried to downplay the centerfold curves that turned heads, but the bar uniform she was required to wear-jeans and a kelly-green T-shirt with "Murphy's Bar And Grill" emblazoned across her well-endowed chest-didn't hide much.

  Reaching for a wedge of lime, Natalie settled the garnish on top of the bottle of Corona on Gina's tray. "Trust me, this body is more a curse than a blessing." Her lush figure had brought her more heartache than joy, more insecurities than confidence, not that she'd expect anyone to understand what she'd been through before coming to live in Oakland, California, nine months ago.

  Gina glanced down at her own insubstantial chest, then back at Natalie, her brow raised with amusement. "Pardon me, but my triple A's tend to disagree."

  Natalie shook her head as she refilled a bowl of shelled peanuts for Gina's customers, then her own. "You know how the saying goes-you always want what you don't have." The statement certainly held true for her. She'd spent too many years as a young girl wishing for a flat chest and a couple of pounds off her hips, not that anyone had granted her request.

  "I'm very familiar with the saying," her friend said with a toss of her dark brown hair. "And I covet those." Her hazel-eyed gaze dipped briefly to Natalie's chest. "I'm hoping the 'be careful what you wish for' saying comes true for me."

  Natalie laughed, and Gina sashayed off to deliver her drinks, garnering a fair share of male attention as she crossed the room. In Gina's case, the ogling and playful come-ons of the male patrons were appreciated. In Natalie's case, she tolerated the comments and stares as part of the job and the reality of her life.

  At the age of twelve she'd been wearing a size 36B bra, along with acquiring curvaceous hips and long legs that had made her feel like a giraffe. Her bust size had eventually increased to a 36D, and by the time she'd graduated high school she'd learned that most boys and men looked at her and thought of one thing: sex. They'd dated her believing she'd put out, and were sorely disappointed when she didn't allow their wandering hands to make it inside her blouse or pants. Even the boy at the last foster home she'd lived at until the age of eighteen had attempted to coax her into his bed, to no avail.

  Amazingly, she'd remained a virgin until two years ago, at the age of twenty-three. Her first sexual encounter had been with Chad Freeman, a co-ed with her at the University of Nevada, Reno, who'd pursued her for weeks, until she'd finally accepted an invitation to dinner, which led to a series of dates thereafter. When she'd finally agreed to sleep with him, believing she was ready to take that intimate step, the experience had been awkward and one-sided. And their sexual encounters failed to improve for her. Despite wanting more physically, she'd settled for less-than-fulfilling sex.

  As their relationship progressed, Chad's attitude toward her changed. He'd grown distrustful, domineering and jealous. Anytime a man looked her way he'd comment that if she didn't dress like a tramp she wouldn't draw so much attention. If she gave any indication that she wanted more sexually, like an orgasm of her own, he'd tell her she was easy.

  He'd been a master at mind games, and the possessive relationship had continued until she'd accepted a job as a showgirl at a Reno casino to make some extra money while going to school during the day. Chad's temper had exploded for the first time, and after berating her for flaunting her body in front of other men, he'd demanded she quit her ne
w job.

  Done with him controlling her mentally, emotionally and physically, she'd refused his order and broken off their relationship, which only enraged him more. For the next three months he'd stalked her, threatened her and finally attacked her one night after work. Afraid a restraining order wouldn't stop his madness, and having no loved ones to leave behind, she'd packed up her meager belongings and abruptly moved to Oakland to start out fresh, leaving no forwarding address.

  Her chest tightened at the awful memories, along with the wave of insecurities that had come in the aftermath of that tumultuous relationship. Diligently pushing those disturbing recollections aside as she'd done hundreds of times before, she focused on her new life in Oakland. She might lead a solitary, monotonous existence, but she was safe here. And that was all that mattered to her. Or so she tried to convince herself during long, lonely nights when she wished she had more to keep her warm than college textbooks and sensual fantasies of a certain blue-eyed, dark-haired Adonis.

  But that's all she'd have-private musings and erotic dreams of Noah, because she knew how dangerous it was to let her desires be known, to get involved and allow a man control over her mind and body. Her relationship with Chad had turned into a humiliating experience that had left her second-guessing her longing to be treated like a real woman, to enjoy her body's response to a man's touch.

  "Yo, Earth to Natalie," Murphy said, his deep voice penetrating her thoughts. "You've got drinks to deliver and the crowd's getting restless."

  Startled that she'd allowed her mind to drift while her order sat waiting, she hustled to load up her tray. "Sorry 'bout that, Murph," she said, slanting him a sheepish look. "Just resting my brain for a few minutes. I had a hellish day at school today."

  He smiled, his brown eyes gentle with understanding. "I'm thinking you're spending too much time with your head between those college psycho-babble books and not enough time taking care of yourself."

  "I'm fine and it won't happen again," she promised, and headed toward the lounge with her drinks before Murphy could launch into one of his well-meaning lectures about needing more of a life than work and school.

  Her classes and studies were her lifeline and what kept her sane and her mind occupied. And she honestly loved her major, which was in social work. Counseling troubled kids was her goal, and she'd even taken on part-time work at a foster-care agency over the past summer months to gain hands-on experience and further her credentials. She'd been where those foster kids were. She knew how it felt being an outsider looking in, and being a number in the system that didn't always work in a child's favor.

  She understood what they needed emotionally and wasn't afraid to share her own personal stories to put them at ease.

  Minutes later she was lost again in the demands of the patrons. The atmosphere in the bar was casual, and she chatted with the regulars she'd developed a friendly rapport with over the months. It was especially nice that most of the customers that frequented the establishment were blue collar, and a good percentage of them worked in law enforcement, which made for a safe environment in Natalie's way of thinking. Bobby Malone was a detective, and even Noah was a private investigator who worked at his brother's agency, Sommers Investigative Specialists.

  She placed a plate of potato skins on a table between a couple on a date and shivered at the thought of Noah uncovering all her secrets. And what about the erotic fantasies she harbored involving him? He'd either be very shocked or very pleased to discover her private thoughts with him in the starring role. Not that he'd ever find out how she truly felt about him.

  After nine months of looking over her shoulder, she was just starting to feel safe and secure with her life. The last thing she needed to do was allow sexual urges to lead her astray, despite how much Noah's flirtatious behavior beckoned her to take a chance on him, to be a bit wild, reckless, and adventurous for a change.

  It couldn't happen.

  She delivered kamikaze shots to a trio of guys in a corner booth, took more orders for drinks and appetizers, refilled bowls of peanuts, cleaned tables and collected generous tips along the way. Once she had the customers in her section of the lounge taken care of for the moment, she headed into the gaming area and stopped at Noah and Bobby's pool table first.

  "Hey, boys, I'm getting ready to clock out in about ten minutes." She picked up their empty beer bottles and swiped peanut shells onto her tray. "Can I get either of you a refill before I go?"

  Bobby smiled her way and racked up the billiard balls for a new game. "I'll take another Miller."

  "You got it." Jotting down his request on her pad of paper, she glanced toward Noah, who was watching her in that wholly masculine way of his that made her pulse race. "How about you?"

  He gave his head a quick shake. "No refill for me. I've hit my limit for the night."

  Two beers was Noah's max, and she respected that and him for knowing his limit and sticking to it. His older brother, Cole, was the same way, though it had been a while since she'd seen him in Murphy's for an evening out with the guys.

  She tipped her head, meeting Noah's striking blue eyes. He was one of the few men who actually looked at her face instead of her chest or body, but she found his stare equally unnerving. And too damn arousing. "Would you like anything else?"

  A disarming grin slid into place. "Now, Natalie," he chided in a lazy drawl that did crazy, delightful things to her insides, "you should know better than to ask me a question like that. You know exactly what I'd like, but I don't think a date is on the menu."

  She laughed lightly. "No, it's not." The man was an outrageous flirt, and because he'd never made an improper advance toward her, she let herself enjoy his charm while she worked. He made her feel feminine and desired, and while a part of her instinctively curbed those reactions, she couldn't deny that those sensual feelings were still there beneath the surface, struggling to overpower their restraints.

  Lord help her if those provocative cravings ever broke free with this man.

  Noah chalked his cue stick for the opening break shot, his movements slow, sure, too sexy. "Then I guess there's nothing else I want tonight."

  Which left every other night ahead wide open, she read in his gaze.

  She had to admire his determination. Most men would have given up on her the first time she'd turned down a date. Noah was made of stronger stuff than most.

  Noah bent over the pool table to line up his shot and cocked his hip for a better position and leverage. His stance drew her gaze to the muscles along his shoulders and down his back, which flexed with his every movement. The tips of her fingers tingled at the thought of touching all that virile strength, of smoothing her hand down the slope of his spine and testing the heat and texture of his skin.

  God, it had been so, so long-

  Her throat grew dry and she swallowed hard. A change in subject was definitely in order. "Where's Cole been lately?" she asked, clearing off a nearby table that had been recently vacated.

  A loud, solid crack rent the air as the cue ball made contact, sending the rest of the colored balls scattering across the table. Three made it into pockets-two solids and a stripe.

  "Solids," Noah called to Bobby, then said to Natalie, "Cole's got something better to do with his evenings than hang out here with us confirmed bachelors."

  "Oh, and what's that?" she asked, curious.

  He moved around the table, and spying a straight shot into the corner pocket, he lined up his cue. "Spending it with his fiancee, Melodie." He scored another point.

  She crumpled up damp cocktail napkins and stuffed them into the empty glasses on her tray. "That's right. Aren't they getting married soon?"

  "Next Saturday, actually." He glanced up before making his next shot, his expression heated and hopeful. "Care to accompany me to the wedding?"

  There was that temptation again, and she steeled herself against his sensual allure. "Sorry, but I have to work that night."

  He hit the cue ball, which barely graze
d a solid. He sighed, the sound tinged with the barest hint of defeat. "Can't blame a guy for asking." He moved away from the table to give Bobby his turn, and strolled slowly over to join her where she stood in the corner of the room. "One of these days I might get lucky and you'll say yes."

  "Gina would be happy to go with you," she suggested without thinking, and nearly bit off her tongue. While she knew she'd never accept a date with Noah, she hated the idea of him getting close and intimate with anyone else. God, she was pathetic! She had no claim to him, other than her nightly erotic dreams.

  He stopped inches away, so close she could feel the warmth of his big body, could smell the scent of his woodsy after-shave. It struck her just how big he was, how tall. How overwhelmingly male in every way. And if he so much as inhaled a deep breath his chest would graze her full breasts and taut nipples.

  She held her own breath.

  He bent his knees until they were face-to-face, his mouth a kiss away. His dark blue gaze locked with hers, and in a low, rumbling voice he said, "Sweetheart, it's not Gina I'm interested in."

  Her legs turned to rubber, and her heart thumped hard and fast, pumping with a need that was almost painful. He hadn't touched her physically, so why did she feel as though he'd caressed her intimately with his hands, from breasts to thighs?

  She managed a smile, along with a stubborn tip of her chin. "Then it looks like you'll be attending the affair solo."

  He lifted a brow at the subtle challenge in her tone, but before he could say anything more, or seduce her completely senseless with his eyes and voice, she slipped past him. Shaken, she made her way back to the bar, asked Gina to deliver Bobby's bottle of beer, and received the okay from Murphy to leave for the evening.

  She headed to the storeroom to get her jacket and purse, grateful that her shift was over. And so very disappointed that she couldn't bring herself to say yes to Noah.