For Her Pleasure (The Pleasure Series Book 2) by Angie Daniels Page A

always been sexy.
    True, but now he noticed her more than he had ever before. The entire time he’d sat in the bar, the only time he had taken his eyes off of her was when some female came over to proposition him. He was polite but for the next two weeks the only woman he ached to be inside, filling her—was the woman who had just landed another strike.
    “You gotta be kidding?”
    Mackenzie swung around, sending her breasts bouncing right before his eyes. “I told you I got skills.”
    “It’s going to take more than skills to beat me tonight,” he said competitively.
    “Oh no! Keep thinking that lover boy.”
    Laughing, Ryan reached for a size fourteen ball and headed back up the lane, but just as he sent the ball rolling, she came up beside him and bumped his arm. His ball went right over into the gutter.
    “What the…”
    Mackenzie was laughing uncontrollably, her entire face lit up and she looked so desirable she took his breath away. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t resist.”
    He moved to her and put her in a fake headlock. “You know that’s cheating.”
    “I know…I know!” she cried with laughter.
    Chuckling, he released his hold and then dragged her into the circle of his arms. “You know you’re gonna pay for this later.”
    She looked up at him with a saucy grin. “I’m counting on it.”
     
     
    “I told you I would win.” She was bragging all the way from the bowling alley.
    Ryan took his eyes briefly away from the road and nodded in agreement. “Yes you did.” He would never tell her that he allowed her to win. One, because she was such a sore loser, and two, he just felt this unfamiliar need to make her happy at any cost. “How about we celebrate?”
    He saw her eyes twinkle as she suggested, “Ice cream on the boardwalk?”
    “Ice cream it is,” he agreed softly.
    The rain had stopped, and yet, thickening clouds slid across the sky, foretelling more rain. He parked the truck near the boardwalk, then climbed out and helped her from the vehicle. He was a gentleman, so nothing about that was unusual. What surprised them both was that he unconsciously reached down and clasped her fingers with his. She looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise and then smiled. Never in a million years would he have imagined something feeling so right.
    “What are we doing?” she asked after they had both gotten waffle cones loaded with rocky road ice cream.
    He stared down at her blankly. “What do you mean?”
    “We’re walking along the beach, holding hands, eating ice cream. We’ve never done that before.”
    She was right. They hadn’t. Usually they got ice cream and then he dropped her off at home. Instead his long fingers were linked with hers, their bodies brushing with each step.
    Ryan licked his ice cream and gazed out over at the waves caressing the sandy beach as he replied, “We’ve never dated before either, but now we are.”
    Mackenzie ate her ice cream and didn’t bother to respond.
    While they continued to stroll down the long tourist pier lined with specialty shops and delicious fast food, Ryan caught her frowning. As she stared down at the ground those long lashes of hers were sweeping shadows across her cheeks.
    “Is something wrong?” he asked between licks and he noticed the way the cool winds ruffled her hair.
    “No, not at all. And that’s the problem. Hanging out, spending time with you feels so natural,” she admitted in a deep gravely voice.
    Ryan stopped walking, turned, cupped her chin gently and turned her face to him and those deep-set eyes pinned him. “That’s because you’ve known me half your life.”
    He was happy to see the smile had returned to her lips as she said, “Is that what it is?”
    Nodding, he yanked on her hand, drawing her to him. “Yes, that’s it,” he said slowly. “The only thing different between now and a week ago, is that after we get done eating our ice cream, I’m taking you home with me to bed.”
    Leaning forward, he