Alec had eagerly agreed to meet her in Central Park at noon. The sky was flat and gray but Central Park itself was alive with color. The grass was still a rich, country club green while the trees gaily waved red and gold leaves. They were seated side by side on a bench while joggers sprinted by. Mothers and nannies pushed strollers. Pigeons strutted, bobbing their heads in search of dropped food.

The autumn panorama was breathtaking, but not nearly as breathtaking as the man sitting beside her.

He gave her an endearing, lopsided grin. “You’ve got a list of stipulations?”

“Well, not an actual physical written down list,” she admitted. “It’s all in my head.”

“Okay then,” he draped an arm across the bench behind her. “Let’s hear it.”

Eden cleared her throat and forced herself to meet his bemused gaze. “You’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not.”

“Stop grinning.”

“I can’t. I’m just so damned happy you called.”

“Really?”

The look he shot her way was heated and meaningful. “Really.”

“All right then, stipulation one. The affair will last for four weeks and four weeks only. No renegotiating this point.” Eden struggled to keep her voice low, steady and unemotional. It would ruin everything if he guessed she wasn’t cool, calm and completely in control of her feelings. She had instituted this particular rule simply to protect herself. She knew that if she wasn’t careful she could fall hard for him. “Do you agree?”

“The next four weeks is about pushing the limits of our sexuality. And at the end of the month . . .” He hesitated and then said huskily. “It’s over.”

Was she being hyper-vigilant or did he actually sound dubious, as if he didn’t really believe the words he’d just uttered. But why would he hesitate? He’d made sure she understood he wasn’t the marrying kind.

“Two,” she continued. “No meeting each other’s friends or family. No going to each other’s apartments. No dating. Nothing personal. Nothing lasting. Just hot, delicious sex.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Absolutely.”

“All right.” He nodded. His jaw tensed tight, his smoky gray eyes practically vibrating with excitement.

She was excited too. Thrilled. Delighted. Ecstatic. She was going after what she wanted, what she needed. It felt shockingly good and dangerous and naughty as all get out.

This wasn’t about love or finding a mate. This affair was about expanding her sexual horizons in order to boost her creativity. This was about discovering her body’s response to sexual pleasure so that she no longer felt like a hypocrite when she designed her baskets. But ultimately, this affair was about boosting her self-esteem and conquering her shame over her burn scars.

Which led Eden to her third stipulation. In order for this to work, she had to trust Alec completely. It took time to build trust. Time she didn’t have. So she had devised a plan to escalate their intimacy while easing into sex.

He trailed a finger over her shoulder.

“Three,” she said, steeling herself not to shiver and give away her vulnerability. “I want to start slow and build the tension. I want this to be an affair to remember. I want to play games.”

Alec audibly gulped. “Games?”

“Fantasy role-playing games. Bold sheik and willing harem captive. Biker chick and straight-laced businessman. Doctor and nurse.”

God, how she wanted this. To actually live out the adventures she’d spent years dreaming up for other people. It was time for her fantasies to come true.

“Like your baskets,” he murmured so low she could barely hear him.

“Exactly.”

He didn’t have to know she was on a desperate search for new ideas. For something wild and edgy and in your face. He didn’t need to find out that she was using him to kick-start her creativity.

“Will there be toys?” he asked devilishly.

“Oh yes, there will be toys.” She grinned, tickled to find him quickly sinking into the spirit of things. “We will meet two nights a week. Tuesday and Saturdays are good for me, but that’s open for your approval.”

“I’ll clear my calendar,” he said. “Tomorrow is Tuesday.” His voice was a silky slide of pleasure in her ears. His knees bumped hers and his lips hovered perilously close to her mouth. “We start then?”

“Yes,” she said. “Meet me at the Grand Duchess hotel in the lobby at seven o’clock. And be prepared for anything.”

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