Tempted at Midnight

by Cheris Hodges

Genres: African American Romance; Contemporary Romance; General Fiction

Synopsis

For hopeless romantic Sylvie Gates, there's nothing quite as magical as a New Year's Eve kiss. So as the clock nears midnight at her best friend's party, Sylvie makes a beeline for the sexiest guy in the room. A happily-ever-after would be nice of course, but Sylvie's trying to live in the moment. Plus, she's about to begin the biggest project of her interior design career, so she better just enjoy her last night of freedom . . .



Newly appointed CEO of troubled Jordan Industries, Erik Jordan expects New Year's Eve is the last night off he'll have all year—and the billionaire plans to make the most of it. Locking lips with gorgeous Sylvie is just the beginning of an unforgettably steamy night together. But the fact that she steals his signature move and slips away in the morning is only the first surprise. The second is running into her again—at her job remodeling his company. Is it coincidence—or the power of a perfectly-timed kiss? With the electricity still crackling between them, and some major challenges ahead of them, they'll find out before the year is through . . .



Contains mature themes.

Release date: September 24, 2019

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 384

Sample

Ten!

Sylvie hated the countdown to a New Year. Especially in a crowd of couples. Everybody would be kissing in nine seconds and she was standing there with her third glass of champagne. Sylvie didn’t even like champagne, but as the room celebrated the engagement of her best friend, Olivia Brown, and her man, LJ, she had to drink the swill. The ballroom was buzzing with excitement, though. Everyone wanted a look at Olivia’s ring and the portrait LJ, a renowned artist who’d just finished a family portrait for the former first family, had painted of his future wife. It was beautiful. The night was romantic. Sylvie was bored.

Glancing around the room, she locked eyes with the only other guy who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there.

Nine!

That man is fine! she thought as she set her empty glass on the edge of a table. Maybe she was tipsy and that’s why she started walking toward Mr. Sex Appeal.

Eight!

Sylvie heard the voice of reason telling her to stop, pump her breaks, and don’t head over to this stranger. It wasn’t as if she had a right to expect a midnight kiss from him. But her feet wouldn’t stop, especially when their eyes met.

His golden-brown eyes reminded her of warm honey, and his slow once-over heated her body like a rocket ready to explode. Maybe he wanted this kiss as much as she needed it.

Seven!

His lips were delectable looking. Full. Thick. Hopefully they were as soft as they looked from across the room. But he wasn’t across the room anymore. She was just a few more steps away from him. She grabbed another glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray and kept walking.

Six!

It was now or never. She could turn back or take two more steps. Sylvie thought about the year she’d had. Her business partner had left her high and dry, forcing Sylvie to have to finish fifteen decorating jobs alone. Though she’d gotten the work done, made a great name for herself and lined up some exclusive clients, including Jordan Industries, one of the largest cosmetic companies in the Southeast, she was tired and needed a release.

Five!

At least she could pretend she was there to share a toast with him if the kiss thing didn’t work out.

Four!

She was standing in front of him. “Hi.”

“Hello, beautiful,” he replied. His voice was just as sexy as he was. Deep. Low. Hypnotic.

“Happy New Year.” Sylvie held out the glass of champagne to him. Their fingers touched as he took the glass from her hand.

“Thanks for the drink. Maybe I should’ve thought of bringing you one earlier.”

“Well, it seems as if we’re the only people who came without dates tonight.”

“And that’s a good thing. Stealing you away from another man wouldn’t have been a great way to start the New Year.”

“Trust and believe, I can’t be stolen.”

“Is that so?”

She slapped her hand on her shapely hip. “Do I look like a piece of property?”

Three!

“You look beautiful, actually. The prettiest woman in the room.”

Sylvie’s cheeks heated, but she reminded herself to be cool. “Where’s your date tonight?”

“I just met her. I’m Erik, by the way.”

“Sylvie.”

Two!

Erik’s eyes drank in the curvaceous Sylvie. Long legs, thick thighs that he wanted wrapped around his waist. Then his stare fell on her lips. Full. Kissable and painted his favorite color— red. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip and his dick stood at attention.

Erik noticed Sylvie when she’d walked into the ballroom. His plan had been to skip the party, but Logan, his younger brother, told him about his plan to propose to his lovely girlfriend. As much as Erik wanted Logan to be a part of the company as more than just a board member, he supported and applauded this brother’s artistic endeavors. Logan made a name for himself with his murals and gallery shows. Erik knew Logan was going to Paris after the board meeting. He knew his brother was going to be just fine; he wasn’t so sure about the company.

Happy New Year!

Balloons fell around Sylvie and Erik as the chords of “Auld Lang Syne” began playing. Sylvie took one step closer to Erik and brought her hand to his cheek. Their lips touched gently, then Sylvie went in for a real kiss.

Erik was taken aback by the sweet forcefulness of her kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. Her tongue danced with his, tango, lambada, and disco. She stroked the back of his neck. Erik moaned as she pressed her body against his and their kiss deepened.

His body responded to her sensual kiss, his erection pressed against her thighs, and she didn’t seem to mind at all. Did she just thrust her hips into his?

Yes. She. Did. Erik cupped her behind and it was soft. Very soft. Squeezing her cheeks, he thought about holding her ass tight while they were naked.

Their lips parted and her bright red lipstick was smeared across her beautiful mouth. “Want to get out of here?”

Sylvie nodded. He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to his Maserati.

Sylvie watched this man with a lustful gaze. He moved with the confidence of a panther, stalking his prey. His tailored shirt didn’t hide his broad shoulders and muscular arms. In fact, that white shirt seemed to make him look more appealing. Like a meal from a fine restaurant that she wanted to slowly devour. Sylvia licked her bottom lip. What in the hell was she doing? She didn’t know this man from Adam’s alley cat. But good lord, those lips. She’d heard of being kissed senseless, but she’d never felt it until now. And maybe that was why she’d climbed into this Gran Turismo with a man whose last name she didn’t even know.

She watched him as he slid into the driver’s seat. This car seemed to mold to his body. She wanted to be embraced by his amazing body, lips pressed against his and him buried deep inside her love-starved body. But wait. Would it be worth it? Suppose he was all talk and very little action?

Sylvie turned her head away from Erik.

“Second thoughts?”

“Not at all.” She faced him as she nibbled on her bottom lip. He placed his hot hand on her thigh, stroking her gently. Then he shifted the car into gear and took off like a bullet. The way he handled the car, she wondered if he would ride her curves the same way. This clearly wasn’t going to be a waste of time.

Tonight, she could be wild and free because tomorrow she’d never see him again.

Erik parked his car and struggled to keep his hormones under control as he looked at Sylvie’s thighs. Her dress had risen above her knees as they pulled into the parking deck. He wanted to drive between those thighs, wanted to see if she was as sweet down there as her mouth was.

“What?” she asked when they locked eyes. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“Just wondering how sweet you are all over.”

He leaned over and popped the seat back. “And I have no patience. I need to know now.”

“Really?”

Erik’s answer was to slide her dress up and slip his hands between her thighs. She was wearing thigh-high stockings with the lace tops that he loved. And she wasn’t wearing any panties.

“Damn,” he whispered as he stroked her wet slit. “Beautiful yoni.”

“Mmm,” she moaned as he continued to stroke her. Sylvie’s hips followed his rhythm as he pressed in and out of her. Pulling his finger from her honey pot, Erik licked his finger. She was so sweet.

“Just as delicious as I thought you would be.”

“Your hands are magical, but I need more.”

“Let me give you what you need and get everything I want.”

“And what about what I want?”

“You’re going to get everything you want.” Smiling, Erik opened the driver’s-side door and crossed over to Sylvie’s side of the car. “Before we go inside, I need another sample.” He opened the door and spread her legs. Erik silently thanked the universe again for her being panty-less as his tongue lashed her throbbing pearl. Sylvie cried out in pleasure as he licked and sucked. Her thighs trembled as she felt herself about to come. And just when he saw she was about to explode, Erik stopped.

“Really?” she purred. “You’re just going to crank me up and leave me like this?”

Erik winked at her. “Sorry, not sorry.”

Sylvia took his hand and got out of the car. Soft. Her hands were smooth like silk. Erik wanted her hands roaming his body, finding his hot spots and giving him pleasure.

She pressed her body against his as they stood in the parking lot. “I’m going to make you pay.” She brushed her lips against his, as Erik gripped her hips.

“You’re making it hard for me to move.”

“Payback is a mother.”

He scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s go.” Erik nearly ran up to the elevator and pressed the button with vigor. Sylvie licked the side of his neck as the doors to the elevator opened. Shivering, he nearly dropped her because of the tingles running through his body.

“Stop, stop,” he moaned.

“I told you I was going to get you back.”

“The night is still young and I can give as good as I get.”

“We’ll see. My mother always said talk is cheap.” Sylvie winked at him.

Once they arrived at the suite, Erik made short work of opening the door and pressing Sylvie against the wall.

“What was that about talk being cheap?” Erik captured her mouth in a hot, wet kiss. Sylvie moaned in delight as the kiss deepened and he slid the straps of her dress down her shoulders. She pressed her hand against his chest.

“Slow down, cowboy, we have all night.”

“Is that so?”

She ran her tongue across his bottom lip. “All night long.”

Erik took her hand and placed it on his waistband. Sylvie made short work of unbuttoning and unzipping his slacks. She pulled his pants down his thighs. His boxer briefs did little to hide his growing desire and Sylvie was happy to see that he was every inch of what she’d hoped he’d be—maybe even more.

She stroked him, making him moan with pleasure. Sylvie tugged at his boxer briefs, pulling them down, and marveled at the sight of his perfect erection. Her mouth watered as she inched closer to his crotch. Licking her lips, Sylvie ran her finger down the length of his dick. In a flash, she covered his hardness with her hot, wet mouth. Erik threw his head back as she took him deeper into her mouth. Suck. Lick. Deeper.

Erik’s knees were weak as she licked the length of him, and then when she sucked the head of his erection, he was about to explode. Pulling back from her, he expelled a satisfied sigh. “That mouth of yours is magical.”

“And that was just a small taste.” She rose to her feet and smiled. “Then again, there wasn’t nothing small about what was in my mouth.”

Erik winked at her, then took her into his arms. “My turn to taste you again.” Laying her on the bed, he spread her thighs and smiled at those stockings. Erik stripped her dress off as he stroked her wetness. “You’re too sexy for words.”

She thrust her hips forward. “Then stop talking.”

He dove between her legs, his mouth watering as he slipped a finger inside her wetness. Sylvie moaned, reminding Erik of a sexy saxophone solo. Pressing deeper, he watched her face contort in pleasure as he found her erogenous spots. Erik quickly replaced his finger with his tongue. Licking her until she exploded and his face was wet with her desire. He rose from the bed and crossed over to the door, where his pants had been discarded. Sylvie watched his every move, ogling his wonderful ass.

After he slid the condom over his erection, he crossed over to Sylvie. She reached up, propped up on her knees, and wrapped her arms around his waist. With one hand, she rubbed his dick, making him toss his head back in delight. Erik had never been known for his patience, so he grabbed her hand and pushed her back on the bed. He lifted her legs and spread them. Sylvie’s lips curled into a smile as he rubbed the tip of his dick against her pulsating lips. “Such a tease,” she moaned as he continued to rub against her.

“Trust me, you’re going to get it real good.” Then he thrust deep into her, taking Sylvie’s breath away. She closed her eyes and moaned, then matched him hard, stroke for stroke. Gripping his shoulders, Sylvie pulled him closer in a silent plea for him to go deeper. Erik heard what she was saying and went deeper.

“Harder,” she moaned as she arched her back. “Harder.”

Never one to disappointed a beautiful woman, he pounded harder and she wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped him tighter.

“Yessss.” The word came out like a hiss before she used her lower body strength to flip him over. On top of him, Sylvie bucked and rode him like he was a wild mustang in the desert. Erik relished the delight as her hotness enveloped him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, slowing her down so he could hold back on his climax. Sylvie leaned forward and licked his bottom lip. Then she took his lip between her teeth as she ground against him. Erik pumped in and out of her until she fell against his chest and howled in delight.

Erik knew he could finally come and he did, exploding as Sylvie bounced her ass up and down against his dick. He stroked her sweaty back and closed his eyes.

“Wow.”

Sylvie sighed and wiggled out of his embrace. “Those were some real fireworks.” She turned over on her side and ran her hand across his chest. “That’s the way to ring in the New Year.”

“We’re not done, Miss Lady.” Erik grabbed her wrist and flipped her on her back. “I think we have some more fireworks to pop off.”

Erik’s soft snore woke Sylvie, reminding her that the last few hours weren’t a sensual dream. But reality was nibbling at her conscience. She had work to do. She had to finish the designs for Jordan Industries. She’d come up with an idea she hoped they would go along with: a small museum showcasing the history of the company and her favorite lipstick.

She always wondered why the company stopped making the Yvonne shade of lipstick. It was a bright red that her mother loved. On Saturdays, when the new shades would come out, she and Lydia would be at the mall. They’d spend the day trying on lipsticks, lip glosses, and moisturizers.

Lydia would leave with five shades of red lipstick and something lacy. When her father would come home from work or fishing, Sylvie would be ushered out of the house for a couple hours. It wasn’t until she was older that she noticed her mother’s lipstick would be smeared and her father would have lipstick on his neck.

Kissing was always important to Lydia. That’s why she told Sylvia that the right shade of lipstick was key to life.

And her life was about to be taken over by this project. No matter how good it felt lying in this man’s strong arms. She. Had. To. Go. Glancing at his sleeping frame, she drank in every inch of his ebony skin, his strong chin and curly eyelashes. Then those lips. Full and soft as pillows. She started to lean in and kiss him, but if he woke up there was no way she’d leave. Her eyes traveled down to his thick thighs. Obviously this man didn’t skip leg day. Nor did he neglect his abs. Arms either. He reminded her of a superhero. He’d probably been Chadwick Boseman’s stand-in during the filming of Black Panther.

As questions about who this man really was started to dance in her head, Sylvie knew she had to go. They shared a New Year’s kiss, some great sex, and all she had to do was leave and move on with her life. She inched out of the bed, grabbed her purse and dress. Creeping into the bathroom, she dressed quickly and quietly.

And because she had a flair for the dramatic, Sylvie dug a tube of drugstore lipstick out of her purse and wrote a message on the mirror. With her shoes in her hand, she crept out of the room, leaving Erik sleeping like a baby.

Erik woke up to an empty bed. He figured his succulent date was in the bathroom. It was five after six and he was ready to make his exit. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to get confused about what was going to happen next. He had to go. The holidays were officially over and the real work was about to begin. Swinging his long legs over the edge of the bed, Erik stroked the sheets, remembering every erotic move he and Sylvie had made. Work could wait. He needed another taste of that sexy woman.

Heading for the bathroom, he was taken aback when he didn’t hear the shower going. But the minute he saw a note scribbled on the mirror in red lipstick, Erik was floored.

Thank you for a funky time. Happy New Year.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Who did Sylvie think she was? He was the one who reminded folks that checkout was at noon, while he was on his way out the door. Shit like this didn’t happen to Erik Jordan.

Chuckling, he realized that he was upset about a one-night stand that had only been meaningless fun. But there was something about Sylvie No-Last-Name-Shared. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so instantly attracted to a woman. A woman who was effortlessly beautiful, sexy without trying, and obviously didn’t know who he was. Stroking his chin, he wiped away the embarrassing note on the mirror with a plush washcloth. The whole world didn’t need to know he took an L.

A few hours and a shower later, Erik was sitting alone in the CEO office of Jordan Industries. His desk, which he was still trying to reconcile was his now, was covered with plans for the coming year, including a press release for him to approve about the change in leadership and the new direction of the company. He’d been giving it a glance when his cell phone rang.

“This is Erik.”

“You know you messed up last night,” Logan said with a laugh.

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw you leave the party early, but I didn’t see which model you took with you when you left.”

“The way you and Olivia were tonguing each other down and showing off that bling, I’m surprised you noticed I was there. That portrait was amazing, by the way. I don’t understand why you and Dad didn’t work something out so that—”

“Let me stop you there and remind you that you said the key word, Dad. I’ve done everything in the world to distance myself from all that is the superficial beauty of Jordan Industries, and that man was still calling me a painter three months ago.”

Erik knew the history of his father’s disappointment in Logan’s artsy side. For Simon, if a Jordan didn’t work at the company, he wasn’t worth his weight. Though Erik had taken to the science of the cosmetics side of the business, he’d never paid attention to the numbers and day-to-day operations of the company.

It was a fucking headache.

“Erik, are you listening to me?” Logan’s voice forced him to look up from his papers and focus on the phone call.

“Sorry, I was catching up on some reading. What did you say?”

“Man, you’re already letting it consume you.” Erik could hear the judgment in his brother’s voice. “Maybe allowing some of those French investors to come in and take the pressure off would be a good thing.”

“What do you know about that? Having even one percent of this company owned by someone who doesn’t care about this community or the history of this company is unacceptable.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like Simon. How much do you think he worried about the community and family legacy when he was stealing from JI? Maybe it’s time do things a new way. You have the power to make that change.”

“And I have the power to prove Simon wrong, but keep a legacy for our future kids—your future kids.”

“What’s that our about?” Logan chuckled. “I know damn well you didn’t fall in love with that model and now you’re thinking about a family. Or did you find out that you have a teenager in California or something?”

“Hell no. You’re the one who’s getting married, and despite what Dad did, this is our legacy.”

Logan scoffed. “Some legacy. It’s time for you to get your own legacy and stop trying to make Dad’s dreams fit your feet.”

“As much as I know you hate Jordan Industries, I don’t hate what it represents to so many women who have been told they’re not beautiful or that they have to conform to someone else’s idea of beauty.” Sylvie flashed in his mind. She’d been wearing the faintest amount of foundation because she wasn’t trying to hide. It wasn’t as if there had been many flaws for her to cover up.

Wait. Why was he thinking about this woman? A woman who obviously had no problem forgetting him. She didn’t even give him the “Darling Nikki” treatment, because she didn’t leave a number at all. Thank you for a funky time, indeed.

“Olivia and I are having a small dinner tonight with her family, and you have to represent the sane side of the Jordan clan, so get your shit together and meet us at Modele’s by seven. Be ready to get hugged to death by Mrs. B.”

“As long as there isn’t going to be one of Olivia’s cousins sitting there thinking I’m her date for the evening.”

Logan snorted. “We’ve given up matchmaking. You’re a hopeless case, and it seems you’re about to be married to your job anyway.”

“And if you want to see me at seven, you better let me get something done in the next few hours.”

“Don’t be late. Mrs. B is already feeling some kind of way about our family issues as it is.”

Erik sighed but did. . .