KERRI WILSON MADE her way out of the international terminal at Dulles International Airport after going through immigration and customs. The final leg of her flight was taking off in an hour, and she couldn’t spot the two irritating men who had been tailing her since Hong Kong. She smiled to herself, the tightness around her shoulders easing. She’d never had any intention of getting on that Texas-bound plane.

She wasn’t going home.

She touched the black wig lightly, making sure it was still on straight. Its short and blunt Cleopatra hairstyle changed her appearance completely. Certainly it looked nothing like her usual shoulder-length copper waves. That, combined with a change into atypically casual clothes and shoes that added a few inches to her height, made her look too different for anyone to recognize her at a glance.

She briefly regretted having to abandon her rolling carry-on in the ladies’ room, but it was a small sacrifice to pay for anonymous independence. And now she was free again to do as she wished.

A big crowd was gathered on the other side of the black security line. A brunette in her early thirties rushed past Kerri to a group of three—one man and two little boys. The latter wrapped their plump arms around her, while the man took her bag and kissed her in greeting.

Time stood still for a moment, and Kerri stared. The scene reminded her of what her family had lost because of her, and the time away hadn’t done a thing to dim the memory.

The brunette and her family started walking off. Drawing in a breath, Kerri tore her gaze from their retreating backs. Less than an hour back on U.S. soil, and she had to see that.

Oh well. Shaking her head, she scanned the waiting crowd for her best friend Natalie Hall…no, it was Natalie Damon now. She’d recently married one of the richest and most successful businessmen in America. Kerri had wanted to cab it from the airport, but Natalie had insisted.

I’m not letting my BFF take a taxi. Stay put for a pickup. Or else!

A frown creased Kerri’s forehead as she scanned the area. She couldn’t spot Natalie’s familiar Asian face with its quick smile and warm dark eyes.

Maybe Natalie had needed to leave. The flight was more than an hour late. A newly-wedded woman probably had better things to do—like seducing her husband—than waiting for a friend’s super-late plane to land.

Kerri looked around some more and noticed a sign with her name scrawled on it in block letters. She raised her eyes to the man holding it and blinked. He had his head angled away, but a vague sense of familiarity tugged at her as heat curled in her belly. The way his charcoal-gray Savile Row suit hung on his frame said not only did he work out, but the body underneath didn’t have an ounce of excess fat. Her lips parted slightly as she tried to draw in more air to clear her suddenly foggy head.

Where had she seen him before?

His ensemble—the suit, discreet watch, platinum ring on his right middle finger and gleaming shoes—probably cost more than what most limo drivers made in a year.

No way he’s my chauffeur.

Was this Natalie’s idea of a joke…or help?

Kerri had everything except…well, a job, a home and a man. The first two were recent phenomena that hadn’t made the gossip circuit yet—so she still had time to rectify them before word got around—but the last one was common knowledge among her friends and acquaintances. She wouldn’t put it past Natalie to fix it. Fix her.

After all, Natalie was a woman in love. Who believed in the power of love.

Well, she’d have to do better if she wanted to recruit Kerri into the cult. She believed in many things, but love wasn’t one of them. Actually, that wasn’t technically true. She did believe in love. Just didn’t think it was for her.

Dragging her lone suitcase, she approached the supposed chauffeur. Whatever he’d done to deserve this, it was time to end his misery. She wanted to check in and unpack her stuff for the week she was planning to stay in Virginia. Then she could figure out her next step.

“Hi.” Despite her five-foot-nine height plus stiletto sandals, she had to tilt her chin upward to address him directly. “I’m Kerri Wilson.”

He held up a long, strong finger without turning to face her. It had a small white scar running diagonally down the fleshy pad. “Gotta go. We’ll finish this later,” he said.

The voice was low and matter-of-fact. But it intensified the sense of familiarity she’d felt earlier and made her toes curl. Good lord. He could’ve said, “I like eggs,” and her toes would still have scrunched up like shrimp tails.

For god’s sake, Kerri, get a grip!

In the last seven years, she’d never sighed over a man, lusted after one or wanted one with any degree of intensity. They’d been a nice addition to her life when she could spare the time and energy necessary to manage a romantic relationship in addition to the dozens of responsibilities on her plate. The result? Exactly three boyfriends since college.

Of course, she no longer had the job that had kept her so busy. Serendipity?

He turned around and the world seemed to go into slow motion. She noticed a small black earpiece, eyelashes whose length made her slightly jealous…and then a face that could cause a riot in a nunnery. All the air rushed out of her lungs as she stared at the blue eyes that belonged to Ethan, the only man who’d made her succumb to a white-hot passion one foolish night. The only man who’d succeeded in tempting her to be irresponsible.

And what a night she’d had in his arms.

The eyes narrowed as he studied her. The full intensity of his gaze prickled her skin. She had the oddest feeling that he was trying to see through her dove gray baby tee and short denim skirt. It wasn’t anything as clichéd as trying to strip her with his eyes. That she could handle. He was trying to see beneath her skin.

Sweat slickened her palms. She felt terribly exposed, especially without her power suit, but she couldn’t seem to erect a barrier fast enough to keep herself insulated.

Men never looked at her like this, like they wanted to see her soul.

Why would he want to do that? It had just been one night. And he’d known the terms of the deal.

She had to be imagining things. Most likely she was just tired from the trans-Pacific flight. He probably didn’t even remember her. Men like Ethan had harems full of willing women at their disposal.

“Jacqueline?” he whispered.

So much for him not remembering their night toge—

“No, wait.” He glanced down at the sign he was holding. “You said Kerri Wilson.”

She nodded, unable to speak. He’d become even more arresting since their one-night stand seven years ago. His voice had deepened, age and experience adding a dark timber to his tone; his body was wider, thicker through the shoulders, more powerful. Her body, meanwhile, was busy recalling every deliciously wicked thing he’d done. The flesh between her legs tightened, reminding her how long it’d been since she’d had any.

“Which one’s the real name?” he asked.

“Both,” she said faintly. “Jacqueline’s my middle name.” She’d gone by a different name in college to distance herself from her family, just in case they’d cared enough to…what? Come visit? Check up on her?

Yeah, right.

After graduation, she’d gone back to Kerri. It didn’t matter what she called herself. Never had.

He shook his head. “No wonder.”

“No wonder what?”

“Nothing.” His tone said anything but that, but the firm line of his mouth indicated the topic was closed.

“You’re still Ethan, I presume?”

“Correct. I don’t usually give out my middle name to people I’m about to sleep with.”

An awkward silence stretched. Her heartbeat skittered as more people moved past them. She didn’t want to dredge up the past.

Well, it didn’t matter what Ethan did with people he was about to sleep with. She’d never owed him anything, including her real name. She swallowed and forced a light tone. “Shall we?”

“Of course.” He glanced at her suitcase. “Is that all?”

“I had my other bags Fed Ex’d to my hotel.” She’d gotten one of the analysts to do the honors of sending her real bags directly to Virginia under a managing director’s name. Then at Hong Kong International Airport she’d checked two large empty suitcases, and as soon as US customs cleared them in Dulles she’d handed them to the airline luggage workers and hit the ladies’ room to change. The private investigators would report everything to her family in great detail. It was important they didn’t know what she was up to—that she was leaving Hong Kong for good.

Ethan nodded. “May I?”

He put his hand over hers on the smooth luggage handle. The instant of skin-to-skin contact felt shockingly good. Precisely because of this, she pulled away as if scalded.

He tossed the sign into the nearest trash can and led her into the parking structure, one hand dragging her bag and the other on her elbow, the contact courteous yet somehow more than that. He moved with confidence and an animal grace that said he was utterly comfortable in his body. This close, she could smell mouth-watering warm dark spice and male flesh. She wanted to lean into him, just melt against his towering height and strength. The thought sent a fissure of shock through her. This wasn’t like her.

On the other hand, Ethan wasn’t like any of the other men she’d dealt with.

Men didn’t crowd her like this. When they came to her, it was because they needed something impersonal, such as an opinion on a merger or help with a spreadsheet. Even the ones she’d dated wouldn’t have taken her arm after she’d withdrawn a hand, not without an encouraging signal from her first, which she hadn’t always given. Relationships, when she had them, required careful planning and management.

Ethan had triggered her finely honed radar for unsuitable men. He would not only demand at least fifty percent input on both the planning and management, but expect more than what she was comfortable giving. As tempting as he was, those two things disqualified him from the pool of potential dating candidates, which was why she’d snuck out the morning after their one-night stand.

A subsequent encounter with a friend of his had further confirmed she’d made the right choice.

He wants you. Come on, Jacqueline. You work your ass off for shitty pay. He’s fucking loaded. Why not give him a call and see where things go?

Had either of them thought so poorly of her? That she’d date a man so she could live the easy life?

Working every second of her free time to pay for her college education hadn’t meant she was in need of a sugar daddy. If she’d wanted easy money, she would’ve run to her family. They redefined the term loaded.

Kerri shook off the memory. No point in letting it bother her. If Natalie thought Ethan was good enough to pick her up, then everything was cool. Natalie was an excellent judge of character. She’d probably sent Ethan for his mad driving skills.

They reached a shiny black BMW with temporary tags and he opened the door for her, then picked up her suitcase like it was loaded with helium and put it in the trunk. So. All that new muscle wasn’t just for show.

She settled into the soft seat. Her fingertips tingled as they brushed over the smooth, luxurious leather. His car didn’t have any personal clutter, not even a single receipt. But then it had that new car smell. He probably just hadn’t had a chance to put his mark on it yet.

He got in, closing the door with a solid thunk, and turned the engine on. A powerful purr vibrated through her skirt.

The pleasant, warmly slick feeling between her legs must be from that, not from Mr. Gorgeous sitting next to her. No, not quite sitting, but not slumping either. She couldn’t come up with an exact term for the posture, but he looked sort of boneless and utterly relaxed in his seat.

“You’re at the Marriott, right?” he asked, maneuvering his car out of the parking garage. His large hands hooked casually around the steering wheel.

“Yeah, the one not too far from Natalie’s.” She checked her phone and rattled off the address. “Guess she told you?”

He nodded.

“So, what are you?” She wanted to understand the mystery that was Ethan. If she knew, maybe she wouldn’t respond to him so strongly. It had to be the process of solving a puzzle that was intriguing her, not the puzzle itself.

He glanced over. She almost tugged on the hem of her skirt. Wearing the feminine clothing had seemed to make perfect sense earlier, when her primary objective was to lose the PIs her family had sicced on her. They’d never seen her in anything but power suits—with trousers, of course.

She hated how the skirt left her legs three-quarters bare and the baby tee clung to her torso. She couldn’t have felt more exposed if she’d been sitting next to Ethan in her underwear.

His lips twitched in a suppressed smile as though he knew how much his presence unbalanced her. “What am I? I’m the guy who’s picking you up from the airport.”

“You’re not a driver,” she said, deciding to focus on anything but her discomfiture. The drive would end soon enough, then she could change into something that would shield her better. “You’re also not Natalie’s friend because I would’ve heard about you. So I’ll ask again: what are you?”

He chuckled. “I was the best man at her wedding.”

Which probably made him the groom’s best friend. Since Natalie’s husband, Alex Damon, was one of the richest men in the world, Ethan must also be a member of the same upper echelon. Maybe “fucking loaded” hadn’t been an exaggeration. “Have the best man’s duties expanded to include picking up the bride’s friends from the airport weeks after the ceremony?”

“I owed her one.” His tone said the topic was finished. “And you?”

“I don’t owe her anything.”

He laughed. It was still the warm and rich sound she remembered. A dangerously seductive one too. It was part of the reason she’d succumbed to his charm.

“So what did you owe her?” she asked.

His eyes narrowed slightly, though the corners of his lips quirked. “I almost cost her her husband.”

“Wow.” This was totally unexpected. “Does Alex play for both teams?”

“Ah, no. It was a business thing. I told Alex she was involved in some corporate espionage, which he didn’t take kindly. We were certain—well, I was certain—that she was working for the enemy.”

Kerri gasped. “That’s ridiculous.”

He shrugged. “A monumental screw-up on my part, and I don’t screw up often.”

“Let me guess. She forgave you for everything until she decided she wanted you to do something for her.”

“Something like that.” He made a quick left turn. “Do you still play the violin?” he asked suddenly.

“No, I quit years ago. No time once I got into investment banking.”

“Natalie mentioned something about that. VP, right?”

“Actually…” She sighed. Well, she’d have to admit her unemployed status sooner or later. “I’m a bum at the moment. Between jobs.”

“A bum?” He gave her a quick once-over, head to toes. “I’m sure you could find work if you wanted.”

Her face warmed, and whatever thoughts she’d held in her mind evaporated. She couldn’t believe she was acting like a silly teenager with the captain of the football team. She was twenty-eight, far too old and sensible for these kinds of feelings. If anybody other than Ethan had made the comment, she might have rolled her eyes or arched an eyebrow in silent reprimand.

But everything out of Ethan’s mouth sounded like bedroom talk. Maybe it wasn’t the words but the way he spoke, the way he looked at her, the way his voice hit her senses like the finest whiskey.

Damn, she needed to be more careful. It wasn’t just the girly clothing making her feel vulnerable and susceptible. A ski suit wouldn’t have negated the effect he had on her.

“Virginia isn’t the first choice destination for most bums,” he mused. “California beaches tend to be higher on the list.”

“A beach bum?” She forced a light tone. Regardless of the effect he had on her, this was just banter. “Too bad I don’t swim or surf.”

“Seriously? You never learned?”

“Never had the chance.” Not for the lack of desire. But what she wanted hadn’t always been a priority for her family. Still wasn’t. Everyone had more important issues to deal with than her.

Before he could probe, she said, “It sort of sucks, you know.” She leaned against the door, trying to put some distance between herself and Ethan. The BMW was supposed to be spacious, but not with him inside. The cool glass felt refreshing against her heated skin. “If I’d been free just a little sooner, I could’ve been Natalie’s maid of honor. You know, helped her plan the wedding of the century and everything.”

No, you would’ve found an excuse to avoid her wedding at all costs since a few Sterlings were invited.

In fact, Barron himself had been invited, and there was no way she was going anywhere near her grandfather. Nobody knew she was Barron’s only grandchild, and for good reason—she’d worked damn hard to keep it that way.

Ethan laughed. “She didn’t have one. Didn’t need one. She had a platoon of professionals working on every detail. It was what Alex wanted.”

“What was the rush? She wasn’t going anywhere.”

“Probably wanted to make sure she was his.”

“She’s been his ever since they got engaged. Maybe even before.” Kerri had heard everything her friend felt comfortable sharing about her romance with her billionaire boss. If he hadn’t made things right at the end, Kerri might have flown out—job or no—and kicked his ass herself.

“Well, you know. Engagement isn’t the same, is it? Lacks the official tie, the legal bind.”

“Marriage isn’t as permanent as it used to be,” she pointed out, almost unable to help it since so many of her friends and coworkers had gone through separations and divorces. She sincerely hoped Natalie would never have a reason to even consider one. “Did you spend time in England or something? Sometimes you sound almost British.”

“I say, jolly good ear,” he said, hamming it up a little. “Yeah, I was there for a while on business. Speaking of which, how long are you going to be in the States?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a week?”

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s all?”

“Maybe longer,” she said. “I haven’t decided what to do yet, but I’m probably not returning to Asia for a while.”

“If you’re tired of Hong Kong, Tokyo’s not too bad.”

She flashed him a quick smile. “I don’t speak the language, and I’m not experienced enough to warrant a full-time interpreter.”

Ethan slowed down as they approached an intersection. “I don’t know about that. Natalie said you’re very good at your job.”

“Did she now?” Natalie didn’t know the full truth behind Kerri’s workaholic tendencies. Everyone thought she worked non-stop out of dedication to her career, when in fact she kept herself busy so she wouldn’t have time to think. “Nice of her to say so, but seriously, I’m not that special. I work hard, but then so does everyone else.”

The steering wheel glided under his palms as he released it after the turn. A sudden envy of the tightly stitched leather stole her breath away. She’d like to feel those strong hands on her as he reverently ran them over her back and legs. And a few other places.

She concentrated on breathing. It didn’t matter what she wanted. The only thing he’d found notable enough to comment on from their long-ago one-night stand was her name—Jacqueline.

But then, women throwing themselves at him and one-night stands were probably the norm for someone like Ethan.

He pulled into a parking lot in front of the hotel and handed the keys to a uniformed valet. Ethan climbed out, and the interior of the car seemed to expand. She let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding.

“Feeling okay?” he said, opening her door for her. “You look a little flushed.”

Oh god. “I’m fine. Just tired from the flight.” She got out of the car.

The bellhop took her lone bag, and Ethan escorted her to the lobby. His large hand resting at the small of her back seemed to sear her, and the heat streaked through her until her nipples pebbled and wetness pooled between her thighs. Legs clenched, she checked in. The desk clerk smiled and said, “You’ve been upgraded to our junior suite. We put your bags there this morning. Four, correct?”

“Yup.”

“Is Mr. Daniel Johnson arriving later today?”

She felt the curious stare from Ethan at her back. “No. There’s been a schedule change, and he won’t be able to come.”

“I’ll make a note of that.” She handed Kerri the room keys. “Enjoy your stay, Ms. Wilson.”

Kerri frowned as she walked toward the elevators. She couldn’t imagine why the hotel would upgrade her. She’d booked the cheapest room she could find.

“Natalie arranged for the upgrade.”

Startled, she looked up at Ethan. It was uncanny how he seemed to read her.

“So who’s this ‘Mr. Daniel Johnson?’”

“A managing director from my office,” she said.

“Do you often share a room on business?”

She snorted. “No. Besides, Dan’s got about as much interest in women as I do in astrophysics.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

“None,” she clarified.

“Well, I didn’t want to assume. You could be a closet Stephen Hawking or something.”

“Ha. I can barely remember Newton’s Three Laws. Anyway, I’m sure you’re busy. Thanks for taking the time to come get me.”

“Oh no. I’m supposed to make sure you’re settled in.”

“It’s really not necessary.”

“Actually, it really is.”

Kerri stopped arguing. The determined look in his eyes said he’d do as he pleased. He’d leave faster if she just went along for the moment.

The elevator ride to the suite seemed interminable. His subtle cologne was stronger in the close quarters, and her skin prickled with hypersensitivity. She could feel his gaze on her, speculative with unfathomable intent. She licked her lips as the elevator opened with a chime.

What did Ethan want? Surely he didn’t think he really needed to help her find her suite. It wasn’t like she’d get lost.

She turned around to face him in front of her room. “Again, thank you, Ethan.”

“My pleasure. Just so you know, Natalie’s been delayed in Italy, so she won’t be back until the day after tomorrow.” He pulled out a business card and jotted something on the back. “My cell, in case you need anything. And I’m leaving the BMW for you. Impossible to get around here without a car.”

“I can just get a ren—”

He kissed her. Nothing passionate, nothing demanding. He didn’t even try to press his tongue past her lips. It was just a peck, but somehow it was enough to make her tremble with unfulfilled longing.

Her knees weakened. She leaned against the door. What was it about this man that made her lose all her common sense and control?

“See you in a bit, Kerri.” He walked away with a careless wave. “I’ll pick you up for dinner later in the evening. Say seven?”

It wasn’t even a question from the way he spoke. He acted as though she’d acquiesced.

And from the way half-dread, half-anticipation flooded her, she knew she had.

* * * * *

Ethan applied more pressure on the gas, driving a bit faster than usual. The Aston Martin sped away from the hotel.

Despite his pleasure at this unexpected second chance with a woman he’d thought he’d never see again, a small bit of disappointment permeated his mood. Jacqueline Wilson had never existed. No. It was Kerri Wilson. No wonder he hadn’t been able to find her. But why had she lied about her name?

He remembered her, the violinist from a quartet at a friend’s baby christening party. Her hair had been strawberry blonde then, her eyes full of an odd envy and sorrow as she’d looked at the infant boy surrounded by happy attendees.

And she’d slept with him—her body incredibly willing and responsive—then walked out in the middle of the night while he slumbered in post-coital bliss. Just disappeared, like fog before the sun.

His instincts had screamed at him to go after her, but circumstances had conspired against him. There was a month-long business trip, scheduled almost a year in advance, unbreakable…but she wasn’t going anywhere, he’d reassured himself. He’d even given her his number via a friend, certain she’d contact him once she’d had a chance to think things through.

“She’ll call you back,” his friend had said, rather smugly, a few days later over the phone. “I made sure.”

“How’d you manage that?”

“Told her you were loaded, of course. The girl works like crazy. Her coworkers say she doesn’t ever go out, always scrimping for money. Sounds like she could use a sugar daddy.”

Ethan had cringed. If she called, he’d always wonder if it was for the possibility of landing a rich boyfriend. If she didn’t… Maybe his friend’s insinuation had insulted her. If he’d been in her shoes, he would’ve been furious.

Either way, he was screwed.

To his mingled disappointment and relief, she hadn’t called.

If his old college buddy Frank hadn’t been such an idiot, would things have been different?

When he’d returned from his trip and tried to look her up, she’d disappeared. Graduated from college and left town—no forwarding address, no number, no email. And no one knew where she’d gone. What could’ve evolved into a relationship became just a one-night stand, and the sense of loss was surprisingly sharp. Ethan had hated the feeling of powerlessness, but he’d accepted it as a lost cause and never expected to see her again.

No, that wasn’t entirely true. He had accepted the situation partly because he was afraid of repeating the mistake he’d made with Lisa. That had cost him a great deal and brought an enormous amount of pain and trouble to his family. It would have been selfish of him to move heaven and earth to find a woman who could be another Lisa.

“Don’t get involved with anyone who seems even remotely broken. You can’t fix them, and they don’t want to be fixed,” his brother Gavin had said.

Ethan’s mouth twisted at the irony of having Jacq—Kerri—walk up to him at the airport after all this time.

Now she sported a chic black bob, and her gaze no longer held any shadows. Maybe the years had been good to her. Time healing all wounds and stuff.

Or maybe she’d just gotten better at hiding her pain.

He’d made a snap decision to not talk about the past. What had happened was over and done with. Nothing could change that, and there was no point in wondering about what-ifs.

What they had was the present, and Kerri was too dangerous for his equilibrium. Kerri with her soul-sucking eyes, sassy tone and a body that deserved to be admired and worshiped in every way. And there was the whole Natalie thing. He’d already messed up with Natalie once, in a fairly big way, and didn’t want to complicate things by going after her best friend. That should make Kerri off-limits.

His fingers drummed the steering wheel.

Should.

But he couldn’t ignore the undeniable fascination he felt. He hadn’t been able to forget her after all these years. The impact she had on him was just as powerful as it had been at their first meeting. His body still throbbed when she was near, and her feminine scent lingered in his mind.

He wanted to start over with Kerri, see how far their attraction would take them. And this time she wouldn’t be able to just walk away on a whim.