Condemned
Authors: Barbara Huffert
Condemned
Book three in the Cosmic
Connections series.
Brett Hudson’s life is in shambles.
An attempt to deny fate has left him wide open for an unscrupulous pair intent
on ruining him completely.
Andrea Sloan knows she and Brett
are meant to be together the instant they meet. It takes a while, but finally
chance puts her in the right place at the right time to rescue him, then a
night of intense sex only complicates things even more.
Now Brett must salvage what’s left
of his life and prove himself worthy of Andie’s love before it’s too late. A
little BDSM sex play might be the answer…
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Condemned
ISBN 9781419933639
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Condemned Copyright © 2011 Barbara Huffert
Edited by Helen Woodall
Cover art by Syneca
Electronic book publication April 2011
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of
Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not
be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written
permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home
Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The
characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Condemned
Barbara Huffert
Dedication
For my dear friend and fellow author, Taylor Tryst. Thank
you for your constant encouragement and unending support.
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark
owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Big Brother: Big Brothers of America Corp.
Boy Scouts: Boy Scouts of America Corp.
Secret Squirrel
: Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.
Southern Comfort: Midland Distilleries, Inc.
Chapter One
Brett Hudson groaned as he swung his legs over the side of
the bed, jarring his body into a sitting position. Even though he shut his eyes
tightly against the intruding sunshine, he cursed himself for not closing the
blinds the night before when he’d fallen into bed. Or, more likely, judging by
the pounding in his head, he should amend that to earlier that morning. In vain
he tightened his grip on his head. Too bad he already knew that the pressure of
his fingers was no match for the drumline within his skull that awoke the
instant he had.
He had no one to blame but himself. It wasn’t that he’d even
had that much to drink. He was just so damn tired after he crawled from his
latest blonde’s bed that any alcohol hit him faster than usual. Unfortunately,
Brett was as unconvinced by that thought as anyone he might actually try to
tell it to would be. Deciding a shower would help more than it would hurt, he
forced his legs to carry him to the bathroom. Thank God he’d invested in that
coffee maker with the timer. He couldn’t have been too out of it when he got
home. He could smell coffee so he had managed to perform that simple task. See?
No problem. He was just tired and needed to cut back on his socializing until
after he made the move out of the city. Or at least quit stopping for drinks
after his date ended.
Brett stepped under the spray and let the warm water soothe
his protesting nerves. Funny how different parts of one body could be in such
total conflict with others. As he waited for the throbbing to subside, he was
unable to intercept the thoughts he had been pushing aside for months.
Ever since his best friend Jordan McKade had met Kiley, the
love of his life, Brett had been half looking himself, not that he’d ever admit
it to anyone. And then, when Jordan’s brother Shane had hooked up with Kiley’s
cousin Alyssa, it had only gotten worse.
Brett let his mind drift. His needs were simple really. A
combination of looks, brains, and unquenchable sexual appetite was all he
wanted. Why was it so hard to find what he was looking for?
Six months earlier, they’d all been living in the city, each
with their own full-time job commitment, just as Brett was. Now the four of
them were easily ensconced in their new realities and Brett was trapped in both
worlds. Kiley and Alyssa both urged him repeatedly to walk away from his life
in the city even though for some unfathomable reason, he’d let himself promise
to ease away gradually over the next six months when he’d resigned. That meant
he had two more long, grueling months of commuting between the city with his
job in advertising and the small town where he was part-owner and
station-manager for a recovering radio station, his and Jordan’s new venture.
The frustration that Brett felt at being pulled in such differing directions
was building beyond his control.
Any other time in his life, Brett would have turned to
Jordan for encouragement without thinking twice. Now that his friend was
married with impending fatherhood getting nearer with each passing day, Brett
was hesitant. Jordan spent countless hours researching topics for the late
night talk show he’d undertaken at the station. Add to that the few investment
accounts he’d kept from his former career and the time he devoted to visiting
their dying young friend, Max, and Jordan had more than enough to occupy his
life at the moment. Brett would muddle through this stressful period without
the aid of his best friend.
Briefly, Brett debated confiding in Shane. Many times over
the years, he’d turned to Jordan’s older brother for advice. Shane had always
treated him pretty much the same as he did his biological brother. Too bad for
Brett Shane’s life was currently as full as Jordan’s was.
Brett wrapped the towel around his waist and headed to the
kitchen for coffee. He shuddered when he remembered that the charity bachelor
auction was scheduled for the next night. The only reason he had let himself
get roped into it was the good it would do, not only for the children’s
hospital where Max received treatment for the degenerative disease that would
soon claim his life but also for the radio station with the exposure his
participation would bring. Sadie Brown, the fourth in the investment group that
Jordan had formed with him and Shane when the radio station idea had first
popped up, insisted that this variety of free publicity was something he simply
couldn’t pass on.
Brett almost smiled at the thought of Sadie. She was a
feisty old woman with an opinion on absolutely everything. She and Brett shared
a comfortable relationship where they teased each other mercilessly while
openly showing their mutual regard. Unfortunately, Sadie’s grandniece, Andrea
Sloan, had come to stay with her just before Jordan and Kiley’s wedding. Brett
caught her watching him with a besotted expression on her face more times than
he felt comfortable with. Not that there was anything wrong with the girl. She
was just too mousy for Brett’s tastes. He didn’t want to offend Sadie so,
whenever possible, he avoided Andrea.
He sighed dejectedly as he remembered the conversation a few
weeks earlier where Sadie had mentioned that Andrea was planning to attend the
auction. Brett feared she would purchase his company for an evening. So far,
he’d managed not to be alone with her. If she won the bid, his luck would run
out. He dreaded the idea of spending time with her without Sadie providing a
buffer.
The only good thing about the upcoming auction was that
Jesse Monroe, the least secretive of Jordan’s investigator friends, would be
back from whatever it was that he did during his frequent absences. Jesse might
have confided some of his activities to Shane now that they’d become better
friends, but for the most part, Brett was still clueless. Jesse was around on
occasion, up for an evening of hanging out. Then, he would suddenly vanish for
unspecified stretches of time, with little or no explanation.
Part of the condition for Brett’s participation in the
night’s festivities was Jesse’s promise to subject himself to the same
treatment. Brett knew from experience that Jesse’s word was true so at least he
wasn’t in this event alone. Maybe, if Andrea outbid the others, he’d be able to
talk Jesse and his winner into sharing the proposed evening with them. Yes,
that was definitely a good idea. It would seem innocent enough while still
prohibiting any more personal thoughts Andrea might want to discuss.
With that possible situation resolved, Brett felt lighter
and more ready to face the day. He was still going to spend the next few months
feeling inadequate as he divided his time between his two lives but, for the
moment, his head was quieter. He vowed to cut back and watch the amount of
alcohol he consumed. And he’d come up with a plan that just might keep the
peace with Sadie while not blatantly flaunting his lack of interest in her
niece. Without intending to, his thoughts returned to Andrea. Too bad the girl
didn’t seem willing to settle for simple friendship. She was fine to talk with.
He just didn’t want her to get any ideas that went beyond that, no matter how
much Sadie hinted at favoring a relationship between the two of them. No,
Andrea Sloan simply wasn’t woman enough for him. She had the brains but not the
looks and no way did he want to speculate on her capabilities in bed.
Chapter Two
“All set for the big event tomorrow?” Brett looked up from
his desk to see Craig Sands leaning in the doorway with a sneer on his face.
“Don’t remind me,” Brett muttered as he reached for the
mouse, hoping Craig would take the hint and leave.
“What?” Craig moved farther into the room. “I’d think a guy
like you would relish the chance to strut in front of a room full of women, all
begging for a night with you. I’m sure, with your reputation, you’ll bring in a
tidy fee for your services.”
“Knock it off.” Brett checked his annoyance. “It’s for
charity and the winner’s donation only gets her a dinner date.”
“Oh. Sure. I get it.” Craig leered, adding an exaggerated
wink. “Guess you gotta play it cool, in case some real dog is the highest
bidder.”
Brett took a deep breath for control and forced a smile.
“Right.” This was one individual he wasn’t going to miss. “Look, I’m in the
middle of something here. Was there anything in particular that you wanted?”
“Just making conversation. I don’t get you. You’re outta
here in a couple months. I’d be coasting, not still sucking up like you are.”
“Yeah well.” Brett shrugged, trying to look casual. “I guess
I just like to see things finished. Since I’m still being paid to do a job, I
figure I should actually do it.”
Craig tensed momentarily, as if unsure whether he had just
been insulted or not. “Playing the game to the end. Whatever will we mere
mortals do around here without you?” he asked sarcastically before chuckling
and wandered off.
Brett stared blankly at his computer screen, wondering once
again what he had done to cause the hostility he always sensed whenever Craig
was nearby. Ever since the first day, when Brett was shown around and
introduced to the other associates, there had been tension between them. No
matter how hard Brett tried to get to know him at the beginning, Craig seemed
to resent his efforts. He was polite enough with his comments and no one else
appeared to notice the dissention between them but there was always an
underlying current that Brett was aware of. But he only had two months to go
and Brett told himself he could put up with anything Craig dished out.
When the incoming mail icon popped up on Brett’s monitor, he
welcomed the distraction. As soon as he clicked the button, he smiled. It was a
message from his mystery woman. Back when he was first coerced into the
bachelor auction, he started getting emails from someone who asked to remain
anonymous. The first had been an introduction, inviting him to play a game with
her, saying they’d meet at the auction. If he was unwilling to play along or
wanted to end the game at any time, he was instructed to reply with a blank
message and the sender promised never to contact him again. If he wanted to
continue, all he had to do was open her mail in the future. She said they would
all have “Charity Auction” as the message topic. Needless to say, Brett was
intrigued. He was sure he could track down the sender if he tried to. Instead,
he decided to see where she planned to go with it.
Before he let himself read her latest message, Brett closed
his office door. He wanted privacy, since her last note said she would only
contact him one more time before the event. Settling back in his chair, he opened
the email.
Hello, handsome. I’m sure you’ve wondered what the point
of this game is. I guess it’s time for some honesty and a confession. First,
I’d like to thank you for letting me have fun. Not all men are secure enough to
sit back and permit a woman the luxuries you’ve given me.
Brett took a minute to consider some of her previous
messages.
Amazingly, she’d touched on just about every aspect of his
life. Some of her comments had been very opinionated and not at all flattering.
Whoever she was, she certainly seemed to have a mind of her own and wasn’t
afraid to use it. But who was she and how did she know him so well?
Turning back to the latest message, Brett continued reading.
Tomorrow night, when you step into the spotlight, don’t
be embarrassed by all the hoots and whistles you’ll draw. Instead, concentrate
on me. You’ve inspired so many fantasies. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
watched you reward someone with your sexy grin. What I wouldn’t do to have you
look at me like that! While you’re standing up on the stage, sweep the audience
with that smile and know the heat of it is touching me.
Show me your incredible hands and flex those beautiful
fingers of yours. My favorite fantasies include having your hands on me. I can
almost feel the pressure as you explore every inch of me. My skin aches for
your touch. Every time I watch you sketch, I get so excited. I wish you could
dip one of those magical fingers into my slit and feel how wet you make me. Oh
how I’d love to feel them teasing my clit! I’m ready to come for you right now,
just thinking about it. Sitting across the table from you, once I win the honor
of your company for an evening, will be such exquisite torture. The
anticipation I’ve been feeling since you agreed to participate has made me
determined to outbid the many others who will seek you as their prize. Bidding
will be fierce but I will triumph!
Once again, I offer you the opportunity to stop this.
Click reply and I’ll remain silent as someone else claims my few hours of
heaven. Perhaps the thought that I’ve been stalking you has crossed your mind
by now. Let me assure you, I’m not. I found you quite by accident. When you
continually appeared in my path, I was forced to notice. When you kept showing
up in increasingly unlikely locations, I began to wonder. When you were places
where I was after I heard you say specifically that you intended to be
elsewhere, I realized that fate had taken charge. Even though I accept that the
cosmic forces have something in mind for us, I understand that you haven’t been
having the same experiences that I have.
If you permit me to bid for your company tomorrow, I
promise you I will make no demands other than your presence at an establishment
of your choosing. I thought I should mention my fantasies because it’s very
likely that you’ll catch me staring at your hands. I only hope I can refrain
from drooling. But I implore you to ignore my behavior. I certainly don’t
expect anything beyond a friendly dinner for my charitable donation. I may
picture us in innumerable intimate situations within my mind but I do know the
difference between fantasy and reality.
I hope my honesty hasn’t frightened you away. I don’t
want our meeting to be uncomfortable for you. I’m looking forward to an evening
of lively conversation and good food with a charming companion who knows he is
more to me than a pretty face with a large wallet. I think you should know that
my finances are very secure and I’m not interested in yours, in case you were
worried about that as a possible motive for my attention.
I’m placing control of our situation in your hands and,
though I sincerely hope not to receive a reply to this message, I will
certainly understand if you decide you don’t want to meet me. I will check my
email an hour before the auction so you still have a day to prevent me from
bidding. Whatever the outcome, I will cherish the freedom you’ve given me over
the past few months. I know I’ve been outspoken at times and my opinions may
have overstepped polite society boundaries but that’s me. Have a pleasant
evening, handsome. Until tomorrow…
Brett printed out the email before deleting it. He sat and
reread it slowly. So his mystery woman fantasized about him. Wasn’t that
interesting? How many times had they been in the same place and he hadn’t
noticed her? He’d always prided himself on his ability to observe his
surroundings. Now it sounded as though they’d been together often without his
ever once sensing her attention. Imagine, a woman hot for him, just from
watching his hands. A woman with a mind, capable of having an opinion,
admitting she spent time fantasizing about him and clever enough to find a sure
way to make him want to discover more about her.
Did she really think he’d reply and give up the opportunity
to meet her at this late stage? No way could he walk away without learning her
identity. He had so many questions for her, the first being why she hadn’t ever
approached him. If she truly knew him as well as he suspected, she had to
realize how attractive she would be to him. He had certainly enjoyed her method
of getting his attention. In a way, he was sorry that it was over. He had
looked forward to her emails. He’d come to count on her insight over the past
months.
She’d made him laugh with some of her observations on his
character. She seemed to honestly care about him, enough to force him to face
some things about himself he tried to avoid. She hadn’t backed down even though
some of her words could have easily caused him to become angry and put a stop
to her game. Somehow, she had known that he wouldn’t turn his back even when
she was pointing out some less than flattering aspect of his behavior. And now,
his mysterious friend had let him know her interest in him wasn’t always as
platonic as it had appeared. He’d wondered from time to time if her thoughts
were ever more than friendly. She’d teased him numerous times about his dates
but never in a way that implied anything more personal. Now she’d shown him the
depth of her self-restraint. Who was this woman?