L.A. Confidential by Julie Kenner Page A

slight curve of his lips, the dark passion in his eyes.
    With a sigh, she grazed her hands lightly over the material, feeling it caress her thighs, her skin warming despite the coolness of the fabric. Her nipples tightened, and she stroked her hands upward, cupping her breasts as she teased her nipples with her thumbs, all the while imagining Ken’s mouth, warm and wet, laving her breasts.
    Moaning, she lay back on the bed, knowing she should stop, but not wanting to. Her body burned, her breath coming rough and jagged. Ever since she’d seenhim, she’d been tense, her libido out of control, and now she wanted the release, needed it, even. Needed to get it out of her system before she saw him again and did something she’d regret.
    There wasn’t much to the top of the dress, and she slipped her hand under the material. Her nipple was tight and tingly, and she stroked it lightly with the palm of her hand, her touch little more than a tease. She imagined Ken’s hands on her, and the sensations rippled through her, the warmth filling her belly and pooling between her thighs. His imaginary kisses trailed down her body, teasing her thighs, urging her legs apart.
    She trembled, entirely lost in the moment except for the tiny part of her that wished she weren’t thinking of him.
    Dipping her fingers down, she touched herself, her fingers stroking the material of the dress along the apex of her thighs. She sighed, the sound low in her throat. Arching her back, she grazed the tips of her fingers up her thigh, sliding the material up her leg, needing to feel the cool rush of air as the material drifted over her. Her fingers traced the edge of her panties, then trailed over the damp silk at the crotch.
    She imagined Ken leaning over her, his lips near hers, his rough hands stroking her sides, his body hard against hers. The air did nothing to cool her burning body, and she rubbed her fingers in a circle over the damp material, her breath coming faster and faster until she came with a gasp, her body warm and trembling as she curled up into a little ball, trying to keep a hold on some tiny bit of the ecstacy.
    As she was hugging her knees to her chest, sanity returned, and she wondered what the hell she’d justdone. And why. She felt better, yet somehow she felt worse—not to mention scared. In just a little bit she’d see him again. Had she gotten him out of her system? Or had she only primed the pump?
    â€œYou’re a mess,” she whispered.
    It was true. And she knew one other thing for certain—no way was she going out with Ken Harper wearing that damn red dress.
    Â 
    â€œS O WHERE ARE WE GOING ?” Lisa asked.
    They were in his Jaguar, the top down, and he turned to get a better look at her. She hadn’t worn the dress, and he’d felt a twinge of disappointment when he’d seen her standing in the lobby wearing a knee-length denim skirt and a simple T-shirt. She still looked sexy as hell, but he’d been hoping that she’d wear the dress because she knew he wanted it.
    She’s not doing this to make you happy, Harper. She’s doing it to get what she wants. Business. Only business.
    And wasn’t that always the way? An invisible band tightened around his chest as the inevitable, infuriating truth set in—Lisa was there because she needed something. Just as she’d left five years ago because he couldn’t help. Now she was back because he could.
    Dammit.
    He resisted the urge to pound his palm against the steering wheel, instead gripping the wheel so hard he was probably going to leave permanent indentions.
    She was there for business, and he was there to exorcise the past. Not romance. Not love. Not even a date. He needed to remember that. Needed to keep it foremost in his mind before he lost himself again.
    â€œKen?” She was twisting her hands in her lap. “Did you hear me? Where are we going?”
    â€œDon’t you trust