Driven by Desire Read online

  Driven by Desire (Rugged Riders)

  Tanya will need more than just a helmet when she’s driven by desire.

  Tanya gets in way over her head when she decides that the cure to her lovesickness includes playing the field to her advantage. She vows to enjoy one reckless night with a man to help rid her mind of the ex who trashed her heart. There is one who fits the bill…

  Marcus is the complete opposite of Tanya’s ex. As a member of Rugged Riders, a notorious biker club, he and his brothers are known for their street-savvy swagger and their wicked ways with women. When they first meet up, Tanya and Marcus attain a mutual understanding, and she knows just what to expect from him—a thrill ride when she needs it and nothing more. When Tanya finds out that Marcus has more in common with her ex than she thought, she sets up even more barriers to guard her heart.

  Not only is Marcus a beast in bed and a thrill seeker behind his bike, he dominates in the boardroom as CEO of multi-million dollar company, Svelte Technologies. He’s no stranger when it comes to the game of pursuing what he wants. And Marcus wants Tanya for real and in his life exclusively.

  “So…what do you propose we do about this attraction?”

  “I’ll call you tonight and we can discuss our next date.”

  She grinned. “Are you asking me out?”

  “Are you going to accept?” he teased.

  “We can discuss tonight.” She gathered up her stuff, tucking her cell phone into her purse. “I’m going to be late for class if I don’t leave now.”

  Marcus wrapped up his half-eaten sandwich and got up with her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “That didn’t sound like a question, but you may.”

  “That sexy mouth of yours has a crafty reply to everything I say.”

  Tanya had parked in the garage directly across the street, so it didn’t take long to reach her little white Corvette.

  “Nice,” he said, as they stood next to the driver side door. “You like fast cars, then?”

  “Yeah, but not as exciting as your motorcycle, I’m sure.”

  “I’ll have to take you on a ride and you can see for yourself.”

  His gaze fell on her mouth, and in that moment her knees became weak as the tip of his tongue slid across the seam of his lips.

  “Marcus, I…”

  He kissed her, taking her mouth passionately and demanding entry. He tasted just as good as she remembered. The freshness of his aftershave and spiciness of his cologne surrounded her, and in that moment she could think of no place she’d rather be than in his arms. He teased her with his lips over and over again, kissing her as though it were the first and last time he would see her. His gentle touch at the back of her neck felt blissful and for a moment she forgot she was in the middle of a parking garage.

  Tanya pulled away from the kiss, placing her palm against his chest followed by her forehead. It took her some time to catch her breath. He, too, breathed hot and heavy against the top of her head.

  “I’ve gotta go,” she said, finally lifting her head.

  “Yes.” He nodded. “You won’t stand me up again and I should expect my call to be answered tonight?” This time, his inquiry did come out like a question and not a mandate.

  “You should expect this,” she confirmed, then picked up his royal blue tie, and straightened it so that it was perfectly aligned on his chest. She couldn’t help but think back to how they first met back in Ocho Rios. “Blue. The color exudes power, loyalty, and authority. Good choice.”

  “And the man wearing it? What does he exude?”

  “I haven’t quite pinpointed it yet, but whatever it is…it works for me.”

  Driven by Desire

  Ambrielle Kirk

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Taken by Temptation ~ Coming Fall 2013

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  COPYRIGHT

  Copyright © Ambrielle Kirk, June 2013

  Cover Art by Elaina Lee © June 2013

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, places, incidents, and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or person, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  “This is definitely the one.”

  Tanya Carter ran her hands down the smooth fabric of the dress, turning from side to side as she viewed her silhouette in the three-paneled mirror. The light above the dressing room stall beamed down on her making her feel like a star for the moment.

  The blue and black strapless mini dress was definitely eye-catching. The A-line style fit her flawlessly, the beaded belt cinched her waistline, and the flared bottom flattered her figure.

  Vanessa, a friend from undergrad school, was getting married and despite Tanya’s boyfriend-less situation she didn’t want to renege on her promise to be there. Most of the guests would be accompanied by companions and significant others while she would be alone. Tanya had been jilted by her boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—who couldn’t make up his mind. But all that was behind her now.

  At the very last minute, Tanya had decided that she didn’t care what others thought of her flying out here all alone. Since her breakup with Justin was fresh, not many people knew they weren’t on speaking terms. He’d left her for bigger and better things and it was time she did the same. There would be no more slouching around endlessly trying to figure out what went wrong in their relationship. She had done enough of that.

  Having made her decision, she peeled out of the cocktail dress and slipped it back on the hanger. She didn’t even give the other selections still hanging in the dressing room a backward glance as she made her way out and back into the main part of the small retail shop. Lifting her wristwatch, she noted the time and made a beeline for the cash register. She’d told the cab driver that she would only be in here for an hour. That means she had less than fifteen minutes to check out and head out. Hailing down another cab on the sidewalk under the heat of the Jamaican sun wasn’t fun at all.

  “Excuse me.” The deep male voice sent warm vibrations up her spine and seemed to caress her neck and fan out along her shoulders.

  The sound of it was just so mesmerizing that Tanya couldn’t help but to halt her hurried pursuit and turn around.

  The first thing she was his eyes. Hazel and deep set. Mysterious and dark. His skin was a golden brown color, almost like a pecan, but flawless in tone. His lips were neither too big, nor too small and the corners were turned up in a slight grin. His jaw was hardened, squared and there was a hint of a five o clock shadow along his face. Her eyes dropped lower, but they were so close together that all she viewed was a strong neck and a glimpse of collarbone and muscles galore.

  “Hi.” The words rushed from her at the same time she released the breath she’d been holding to assess him.

  “Hi.” His grin spread wider. “Would you mind helping me with something?” The sound of his voice was yet again low and tempting.

  Yes, her mind screamed. “Uhmm…”

  “I couldn’t decide which tie to get.” He held up three ties of various colors and patterns. “Can you offer s
ome suggestion?”

  Oh, now she got it. He had mistaken her for an employee. Based on his rather casual style of dress, it didn’t appear that he was a native here. He didn’t sport a Jamaican accent either. Although, she could have been wrong.

  Tanya swallowed down the giddy feeling rising in her chest and allowed her hardened exterior to wash over her. “Does it look like I work here?”

  His lips twitched with indifference. “No, it doesn’t.”

  “Then I suggest you find someone who does.” She stepped back. “They can help you better than I can.”

  Just before she turned around he caught her, wrapping gentle fingers around her forearm. The exhilarating smell of his cologne fanned under her nose again, reminding her of fresh ocean and summer breeze.

  “I don’t think so. I’d prefer if you helped.”

  Tanya watched his lips as he spoke, forming the words carefully.

  “I couldn’t decide which tie looked best,” he continued, and his gaze lingered on her mouth, swept from her face, down to her chest, and finally to the dress draped across her arm. “As I can see, you have fine taste and I thought you could lend your expertise in this.”

  She bit into her bottom lip. More than enough of her wanted to help him. What was it about a drop-dead sexy man that had her swooning? One with the voice of a suave panty-dropper. She’d come to learn that they were fine to look at. Good for one thing…maybe a couple, but dangerous to date.

  She glanced at the ties in his hand. Maybe if she just picked one, he’d leave her alone so that she could go about her business. Besides, she needed to get back to the hotel to tackle her unruly hair. The Jamaica humidity had messed up her style. What had once been straight and sleek hair was now becoming a fluff of curls. It was not exactly the way she planned to sport it at the wedding.

  “The red one,” she said, eyeing the solid colored tie.

  “Why’d you pick that one?”

  Was he serious? Damn. She thought only women worried about this type of stuff. “Red exudes strength and action. It’s energizing, as well,” she said, quickly.

  He smiled and lifted a tie with a white and green checkered type pattern. “Why not this one?”

  She frowned. “It’s too busy.”

  “And this one?”

  The last tie had diagonal stripes, alternating between black and silver. “It’s more conservative. Something you would want to wear to work or a job interview.”

  “So, it’s a definite no to the checkered tie. Maybe for this black and silver. And a yes for the red one,” he said, illustrating with each tie.

  They’d parted some and she was able to glimpse him completely now. He was most certainly striking in what he wore already. He needed no tie to look good. In fact, he could have worn the tacky checkered one and still looked hot. Instead, he wore a simple polo shirt and a pair of jeans with significant authority. Everyday American attire, but what made the clothes were the man wearing them.

  He was more than several heads taller than her. About six feet four, if her estimates were correct. Built, but not bulky with broad shoulders. His arms were taut, telling her that he spent considerable amounts of time in a gym or somewhere else working out.

  Yet something told her that this man was the type who would charm her with good looks and a sexy voice and then decide half way into the relationship that he wanted something new, fresh, and different. He was exactly what she needed to get away from and get away from real fast.

  “I’m glad I could help,” she said. “Now if you don’t mind, I don’t want to miss my cab.”

  “One more thing…” His eyes seemed to sparkle as he undressed her with his gaze once more from head to toe. “I’m visiting here. Would you mind directing me to a place where beautiful woman such as yourself hang out in your free time?”

  Tempting, but too dangerous. His question should have told her that he was concerned with one thing and one thing only, and that was running through beautiful women. Literally.

  “I’m not from here either,” Tanya said, wondering if she should be revealing something like that to a complete stranger. “That, I’m afraid, I won’t be able to help you with.”

  His eyes fell yet again to the cocktail dress folded across her arm. “For what occasion would you be buying such a lovely dress?”

  He was relentless and trying to catch her in a lie. “That’s none of your business.”

  He laughed. A deep, hearty laugh that had chills running up and down her back—and in a good way.

  “Very beautiful woman. Beautiful dress,” he said. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  “I never gave it,” she replied, curtly.

  His gaze caressed her in a way that should have offended her, but it didn’t. So she pretended it did.

  “Excuse me.” She turned and headed to the register, leaving him standing among a rack of clothes.

  Chapter Two

  Later that night…

  Tanya never would have thought that for one moment she’d be seated at a crowded bar contemplating which man she would seduce and how she would seduce him. But this was precisely what she needed. Good conversation and naughty fun to rid her mind of the man that trashed her heart.

  She had only tonight and the day after the wedding to spend in Ocho Rios and she needed to make the best of it. Now that she knew that Justin was hundreds of miles away, there was no need to worry about any old baggage. Plus she promised to leave her old uptight ways behind and open herself up to new possibilities.

  Tanya lifted her gaze and scanned the crowd. The music was a mixture of reggae and reggae fusion. The crowd was eclectic as well. A mix of both locals and Americans. Jamaica was a hot spot for summer vacations. When she’d found out a year ago that Vanessa planned to have a destination wedding, she’d been elated. Back then, she and Justin were on extremely good terms. A new, budding romance is what their friends had called it. At the time neither of them hesitated to accept the invite as a couple. Things didn’t quite work out as planned. Justin wasn’t the man he used to be.

  She didn’t recognize anyone in the crowd, but that was good. The wedding guests weren’t scheduled to arrive until early tomorrow morning. She had only come early to clear her head and relax. It helped for a bit, but she found that it was easier to keep her mind off Justin when she was occupied.

  As her gaze washed over the dancing bodies amid the artificial fog, she imagined she was there on the dance floor. With no worries and not a care in the world.

  The men were handsome and came with sexy accents. More than a handful had already approached her already. Some she was attracted to, and some she was not. When there was some spark or attraction, she’d chicken out, telling herself that having sex with a stranger wouldn’t solve a thing.

  “Anotha rum?” The bartender asked with his strong Jamaican accent.

  Three bartenders manned the huge 200 square feet circular area behind the bar, yet this one had taken her orders all night.

  “Just one more.” She lifted her clutch purse to shell out the cash for the drink, but the bartender covered her hand with his.

  He placed another cocktail down in front of her and slipped a black business card under the coaster. “Dis one on me.” He grinned and his eyes wandered for the one hundredth time tonight over the top of her breasts.

  Tanya skimmed him over again from head to toe. He kept himself up well. Groomed face with very little stubble. A nice low haircut. Clean attire. Flawless hands. Manicured nails. A pretty boy. Just like Justin. And not what she was looking for? She needed a man who was the complete opposite of her ex. Someone and something extreme.

  “Thank you,” she said, and brought the rim of the glass to her lips.

  He winked. “My pleasure.”

  When he turned around, Tanya took a nice long sip of the cocktail, placed the glass back on the coaster and moved away from the bar. Suddenly, she was engulfed by a sea of bodies. Of men and women grooving and grinding to the reggae mix that pulsed
from the speakers. She pushed her way through the crowd in search of an area near the back that was less populated.

  A set of hands slid along her waist. “I knew that if I saw you again that I couldn’t keep my hands off you.”

  The familiar voice jolted every one of her senses, creating a heated sensation at the nape of her neck.

  Tanya’s guards went up automatically, and she turned around quickly. She braced herself and slowly gazed up to meet with the eyes of the sexy stranger she’d ran into at the shop. Her next breath caught in her throat.

  “I couldn’t help but notice you sitting at the bar alone.” His fingers tightened securely around her waist. “This dress becomes you, but why aren’t you wearing the one you bought yesterday?”

  He was dressed for the party atmosphere. A tailored shirt and relaxed casual jeans. Except for the accent, he fit right in. He wore a wrist watch laced with ice. Swiss. The very kind that she sold on a daily basis to the wealthy and elite. A large ring adorned his right hand. From her knowledge of fine jewelry, she could tell they were top of the line.

  “The blue dress was for another occasion,” she said.

  Tanya couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Everything about him came off as easy going, but she knew there was more to this mysterious man to learn. From the way he pursued her at the shop and then backed off when she all but told him to get lost and from the way he looked at her now with a reserved grin, he exuded a reserved, casual nature. Was he the flamboyant, rich type that threw money around to secure what he wanted or was he the bad boy type that lived for the moment? He was giving off conflicting vibes. It made him all the more appealing.

  As she glanced down at the way his hand encompassed her waist, she noticed that his darkened caramel complexion was similar in contrast to hers. An even pecan hue. And he smelled good—like cinnamon and spice.

  Tanya blushed, and diverted her gaze. That’s when it fell on the edge of a tattoo on his right arm peeking out from under his short sleeve. There was another design sticking out just under the front of his collar. This intrigued her. He had bad boy written all over him. The tattoos definitely sealed the deal. Justin would never wear a tattoo. He was too afraid to mess up his skin, and turned his nose up at the prospect of getting one and at anyone who wore them.