Genetic Attraction Read Free Page B

no one who really counted ever followed the rules. God, Em loved her, but it was hard not to feel like a disappointment.
    Okay, enough. She balanced on her heels. Yeah, this would work. Carefully, she walked to the closet and grabbed her coat, then sat on her couch in the comfy, 14
    Tara Lain

    mismatched living room. She inhaled one deep breath in through the nose, out through the mouth. Then a second deep breath. The doorbell sounded. Goose bumps erupted. This was it. She hadn"t even had time to think of what to say to the boyfriend of the man of her dreams.
    Fighting a giggle, she hopped up, wobbled a little, crossed the entry, and yanked open the door.
    Jesus. Was this what people meant when they said “your heart stops?” She stared.
    The man standing under her porch light almost didn"t seem real. She looked up into clear green eyes so heavily fringed with lashes, they looked like they were lined with kohl. And that mouth? Looking at it had to be a mortal sin in at least three major religions. Like female beauty somehow architecturally carved into a male masterpiece.
    He extended his long, slim hand and said simply, “Roan.”
    His hand was so warm. “I know.”
    He smiled. Did the sun just come out ? Dimples. And one of those shining white teeth was crooked. Maybe nature could only endure so much perfection and had to fight back with a tiny cosmic joke.
    Yikes. She flew off her feet, and breath whooshed from her lungs as he crushed her against the silky fabric of his tux and the hard, slim body beneath. She managed to get her toes back on the ground and looked up at that exquisite face framed by silky black hair.
    He beamed. “Hello, darling.” He dropped his head and kissed her, full on the mouth.
    Far from a “howdy” kind of peck, the kiss was soft and lingering, with the slightest hint of a warm tongue against her lips. She fought not to whimper.
    Gradually, and it felt reluctantly, he pulled back. “I think I"m your date for tonight.”

    Genetic Attraction

    15

    Only one thing came to mind. “Holy shit.”
    From a few steps behind Roan, Jake started to laugh.

    * * *
Hours later, after rubbery chicken and droning speeches, Roan looked down at the shining auburn hair of the woman he held in his arms. He subtly moved his hips to adjust his growing erection. Fortunately, he could move to the music, so he hoped no one was the wiser.
    Man, he understood what Jake saw in her: this unconscious sexiness that informed every move she made, plus the amazing brains. She looked at him, and he felt transparent, like there was no secret he could hide, no thought he could guard.
    Not many women did it for him, but this one was something special. He saw how the staid professors lining the ballroom dance floor looked at her when they thought no one was watching, with covetousness they would never admit even to themselves. He smiled. Of course, a few of them were looking at him that way.
    He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Likely it was Tick Tock, and his assistant never gave up until he found Roan.
    He murmured into Em"s ear. “Sorry, need to take this call. Just keep dancing.”
    She grinned up at him and rested her head on his chest. Nice.
    “Hey, Tick Tock, I"m dancing with a lovely lady. This better be good.”
    “Lady? We are branching out.” Even over the music, Roan could hear the high, slightly nasal voice of his ultraefficient friend and employee.
    “Yeah. Look, I"m fine. Some people here know who I am, but nobody seems to care much. These are scientists and college professors, man; they"ve got better things to do with their time than take pictures of me. So don"t worry. No bodyguard necessary.”
    “Are you sure?”

    16
    Tara Lain

    “The press haven"t really figured out the whole Connecticut thing yet, and they"d never expect to find me at a banquet for researchers on Long Island, so I"m good.”
    “It just makes me nervous, Roan. I don"t like you going out without Jimmy, at least.”
    “You