IN LOVE WITH THE BARON

She woke from her restless slumber, warm with awareness, sensing that she was not alone, sensing that he was there, that he once come to her anticipation thrummed through her limbs and she pushed herself to a sitting position, learning against the padded headboard behind her . Movement scattered the shadows, sent her heart racing. Her breath lodged in her throat as he stepped forward, his fair hair lifting with the wind and falling around broad , leathers clad shoulder. Crystal blue eyes touched her deeply.

A drump played.

She frowned , not a drum, a knock on the door. Oh

Gaze shifting from the romance novel in her hand to her office door, she'd used her savings and a loan from her grandmother to purchase her bookstore before a daring move she still couldn't believe she'd made .

Another knock sounded at the door ."Just a minute " she called, opening a desk drawer and shoving the book inside, next to the tropical cruise brochure she'd been fantastic over for her upcoming twenty birthday celebration. She slammed the drawer shut , telling herself she had nothing to hide ,she was just doing research, learning about the product offerings of her store.

After all, her recent decision to take her eccentric Little store in a more distinctive direction and begin catering to women's fictionwomen fiction, had paid off big times . Sales had ramped up in a major way. She'd even managed to hire some staff . Well , one person. But that was better than being on her own . Soon. The whole upstairs of the store would be converted entirely to women's interestwomen interest, filled with clothes and books , candles and gifts - a special place for women to explore their hearts desires, inspiration read to fashions .

So. She had almost paid her grandmother back every thing she collected from her , even thoughsooner as Christmas was only a few weeks away, Sales werewas booming. An amazing wonderful feeling considering a plane crash had stolen her parents from her age at ten , but her grandmother hadgrandmother had had always been there for her, no questions asked, quickly asked offering her the cash to chase her dreams.

Nelly tucked a wisp of unruly brunette hair back into the confine of her neatly groomed and squeezed her thigh together, feeling the lingering fire of her fantasy taunting her. No doubt, her lack of social life was catching up to her.

"Come in!" She called, lacing her finger together on the desk and returning to her prime and proper librarylibraries person , the one that is real not fantasy. The one she wished she had the courage to discard, but feared she never would.

The door swung open and her assistant manager Kayla darted into the office, excitement lighting her youthful features, her cute little blonde Bob bouncing as she rushed toward the desk .

"Oh, my gosh " Kasey exclaimed. " I have big big news ," she plopped down in the worn , clothes covered chair Nelly had bought at a secondhand store. 'Big news, Kayla pursed her lips, to Nelly, a new flavor at tampa constituted big news . Kayla grinned and

Continued , one of old customers is among the people sponsoring the big charity event that is about to happen, the old Hollywood style gala they've been advertising for weeks now .

Well one of the ladies in the runway show had an emergency and can't make it . She needed someone to play Maryville and she want you!" She squealed. "How cool is that? You're going to be on television ".

Sophia jaw dropped. "What?" She shook her head. ""OH, no . I'm not getting up in front of all those people dressed in a costume. And I'm not going on television!".

"You have to!" Kayla insisted, it's fun . It's exciting and once in a lifetime opportunity. You said you wanted to do something out of the ordinary, to cut loose a little.

Sophia didn't do public speaking, let alone walk across a stage in front of bunch of society and on the television. "By taking a cruise! Not going on television. This is not fun".

The store will be on television commercials, in every brochure handed out and in public after the event. And for free. She's not even asking for a donation because is paid already. This is free publicity for the store and perfect to launch and December celebration all together, right smack in the midst of holiday shopping. Go be Mayville for a night. Have fun". She wiggle her eyebrows. " there will be lot of hot , rich men there. Infact make it happen and got the best of it at the end. Just do it for store, you know we need the exposure, it could be a lot of business ".

Leaning back on her chair, Sophia scowled at her assistant manager Kayla, because Kayla was right. They needed the exposure. And exposure squealed business, which squealed paying her grandmother back the rest of the money she owned

Suddenly, this wasn't about stepping outside her comfort zone and doing something that felt awkward. This was responsibility and what was right.

" She is here now?" Sophia asked . Waiting to talk with me ?"

"Right outside the door, Kayla agreed. Your ticket to adventures and great sales, I can feel it .

"Sophia rolled her chair from her desk, I can't believe I'm doing this, "she murmured.

"This is a night of fantasy, you know you will get a celebrity stylist and hour of pampered before the show " said Kayla. "You are going to be in heaven " you are going to be Maryville, I'm excited for you, but jealous. Really jealous. "

Maybe that night could be okay, If she could forget the crowds. Right. Forget falling down on the stage, during her graduation in high school,she'd never quite gotten over that ,but she'd better get over it now.

EVENT NIGHT far too quickly, especially in the midst of a bust work schedule that did nothing to abate her nerves. At five o'clock, Sophia had been headed toward the Gala for professional pimping done by experts, when she'd receive the news-the toilet had overflowed in the clothing store. Immediately detours. She'd rushed back to the store, unable to leave Kayla to such ugliness on her own. The result of that toilet fixing made her go late for her makes up and hair . Almost two hours late .

Sophia red Volkswagen sputtered on the third round in the parking lot and one look at the gas gauge said, yes,it could get worse.

Spotting a doorman, she rushed forward, ignoring the horns honking as several cars pulled forward and her Volkswagen remains in place. She half ran to uniform attendance, hoping to reach him ahead of a lady in an elegant white formal suit. She hated to be rude, but she had to get into that hotel.

She blinked up into the amber of a handsome face framed with dark hair, a hint of gray sprinkled at the temple. David Scott-Ocean thirteen sexy with a strong square jaw and firm ,nice lips. Oh!, God. Don't look at his . Back to those amber eyes. Eyes that inspected her pink butterfly shirts with a lifted eyesbrow. She swallowed. She'd made it to the fantasy but managed to do it in pink sweat and tennis shoes

This was so her life ,not Cinderella.

She had blue eyes. that was the first thought that came to his mind as he stared down at the heart shaped of the woman who'd unwittingly become his prey. Sky-blue, deep, almost navy with a hint of yellow. Scott hadn't been on the hunt in a time and on this night, certainly, he hadn't not expected to be . But there was no denying demand within him for this woman.

"I'm sorry". The woman apologized for running into him ,her voice as adorable as her pointed chin and cute buttons nose . I'm sort of in a rush the makeup people are going to kill me, I'm sorry ".

"I'm not he replies, reluctantly letting her go of her petite shoulder when everything male inside him roared with demand. A demand to pulled her close.

No . He wasn't sorry at all . Infact he'd put himself in her path for a

To meet her , I'm Scott. You are ?"

She swallowed hard, she had slender neck meant for kissing.

She replied, you mean David Scott-Ocean who own the most expensive custome in the United States.

"You know our supermarket?"

"Of course ". She said. The shops are everywhere she crinkled her.

Scott-Ocean held an impatient hand and focused on the female turning back on him with surprise on her face .

Yet she sent fire through my vein . She wasn't his normal blonde, blue eyes , big breast, thirty seconds distraction.

.

"How do I find you later?"

Her lips parted with anticipation, asked for Maryville. She turned and rushed away.

David Scott-Ocean was still on thought about the mystery woman he saw. The thrum of carnal

Burned down through his body. To think he'd almost skipped this event ,since there was

More than coffee brewing right now at the party . He was hot in the midst of allegations about his VIP supposed insider trading, which he hoped like he'll weren't true

A good reason to hide from the press, seems little miss Maryville had given him a reason to come out and play.

As Sophia enter the dressing room, the nervous energy in room was so dam electric, it was contagious.

Her mind raced as she searched for the lead stylist , Nicky,

Announce her arrival , I'm her " she announced and smiled nervously. "Just in time, right?"

"We already replaced you". Nicky delivered the message with all the brassy personality that her red hair and bodacious curves suggested.

Disappointment washed over Sophia and she whispered. Replaced me?"

" What'd you expect me to do. Sugar ?" Nicky challenged. A hand went to her robust hip . You're hours late.

Not even one hour, but hours . As she raked finger through a mess of wild red curly. " I had to turn one of the makeup girls iinto Maryville, and that wasn't an easy task ". She grimaced. "Susie barely fit her size eight body into your size four dress. I worked miracle.

"I really love that dress ", Sophia half whispered to herself.

."You weren't here ", Nicky countered .

" I know", Sophia admitted, feelingtheheat

Of embarrassment and disappointments rushed to her cheeks. "I left a message, I had a plumbing problem ".

"And I was in poo up my neck ", Nicky spat.

"This event is televised and my job is to fill these dresses with starlet look before those cameras roll ".

"Why are you holding Maryville hair ?"

She asked. "Her face redder than Sophia felt. Maryville doesn't like high heels and never wear them, thus , how she fell down the stairs and broke her ankle, she's out . No show for her ".

"Come again?" Nicky asked, blinking as if she didn't believe what she'd heard.

"She's out " , Nicky. We lost our star!" .

Nicky turned slowly and fixed her attention on Sophia, you will be our Mayville ".

" The dress will swallow her whole ", pascal interjected.

"Turned Susie into Maryville ", Sophia suggested.

" Listen , Nicky commanded , " I sewed her into that thing . She's not coming out anytime soon. You're Maryville, you owe me for being so late ". She waved at Pascal. " Get the dress and let me work my miracle ".

Sophia looked down at her B-cup chest , I don't have the equipment ".

"It's time for you to learn the miracle of push up gel bra . You'll never again leave home without one" .

Pascal reappear with a figure hugging dress and Sophia mouth went dry , " are we doing this?"she asked.

" i need you Sophia ", Nicky said.

It had taken her all weeks to embrace her walk down the runway as sophisticated marry porker. She had just thirty seconds to decide her faith . Sophia inhaled, thinking of paying back her grandmother money and the exposure this event would deliver to her store and her future as well as responsibility and adventures, an enticing combination. She made her decision. Yes and yes dared.

FBI Agent,Becky Cross slid a hand over her silver satin covered hip and sashes into action, speaking low into her invisible Mike. "I have Scott in view. Repeat, target in view.

She was good at her job , top of her class at the academy, promoted long before many of her peers .

She wanted another promotion, far away from this place and her partner abused.

Scott was her ticket for that promotion. Snag him and his VIP, she'd snag opportunity and an exit from hell.

Time for action- she stepped around a Christmas tree decorated with brilliant, albeit costume, diamond and silver and intercepted a waiter . Perfect timing. Becky managed to reach for the champagne tray at the same moment Scott did. Their hand collided and she laughed, low, sexy .

"Sorry about that ", she said, casting him an interested look.

He gave her half smiled. It lack the return interest she'd hoped for. "Ladies first, he offered. Monitoring the tray".

She accepted a glass from the waiter and watched him do the same. Expectantly, she waited

The waiter to leave, waited for Scott affinity for flirtatious to kick in. Instead she found him turning away watching the stage. Behind him is six body guards standing , each with mask covering the faces.

Michael, her partner and the agent in her earpiece spoke. "Becky , honey, you are going to have to do better than that. "

Becky really put herself out to look like Scott ideas of fantasy. Scott had a thing for blonds ,is well known . As a favorite of the local press ,he was often photography with a blonde flavor of the month dangling from his arm.

The announcement came to the stage ,the runway show is about to start . A reporter appeared in front of Scott accusing him of insider trading activities. Sneaky bastard had managed to snag an invitation to the party. (He should be working with the feds).she thought.

Becky flagged another waiter and told him to call security, quickly easing her way to Scott side and bringing his conversation with the reporter within hearing range.

Becky smoothly linked her arm to his . "Security is on it way ,sugar ," she said, glaring at the reporter, who cursed and searched the crowds. Sure enough, a pair of Security guard were rushing in their direction. The reporter darted away.

She glanced up at Scott , saw the heaviness of his stare,the disinterest. Damn . What did it take to get this man hot?.

"I'm Becky ", she said, learning into him so that her breast his arm. She used her real name as often as possible. It was easier to avoid screw-up that way.

I gather you're David Scott-Ocean ".

He stared down at her, no sign of emotion, an indecipherable mask on his handsome face. He disengage his arm from her . Thanks

For the save, Becky. Now, if you'll excuse me. I don't want to miss the show.

The first model was taking the stage and just like that, he walked away, she watched him waved through the crowd.

Becky efforts at seduction had been fruitless.

I guess he he doesn't prefer all blonds, babe, Michael said into the Mike.

Jerk. She hissed ,working her way through the crowd toward an empty spot at the food table , where could speak more freely.

" this man is not real , hard to get ".

Becky Cross move toward her partner and both plan a dangerous game on how to get Scott.

She set her plate down and reached up then flipped off her Mike, tired of Michael bad mouth.

After that distasteful encounter with the reporter, all that kept Scott

From leaving the charity event was the prospect of another glimpse of the mystery woman wearing the pink.

As for the blonde blatant flirtation, she might not be a reporter, through he wouldn't rule it out.

An opportunity of some type, regardless been there , not interested.

Impatient, staring at the stage , Scott mind flickered to the questions the reporter had flung in his direction. He was sick and tired of accusations directed at his personal character, tainting the reputation of a company he had worked into a solid success.

Announcement just came up, Scott-Ocean eyes reverted to the stage, Sophia was the mystery woman she owned a clothing store . He found that charming for a reason he didn't understand, any more than he understood the overwhelming complete way the woman had taken him by storm .

His heart raced as the brunette at the end of the runway appeared, his limbs heated. What would she look like transformed into a starlet? But then he was quite partial to that little pink sweat suit for reason he couldn't begin to understand.

A smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he thought of the way it hugged her cute , firm backside with delicious precision.

A female appeared at the edge of the runway and began to sashay toward the crowds. Scott inhaled savoring the moment, anticipation thrummed of fire in his vein. The fire that never came. He frowned . This wasn't the woman he'd met at the valet podium.

. He knew it with the same certainly that he knew those pink sweat had made him hot . The woman on the runway was taller than his mystery woman; she walked with heavier steps, her hips and breast, fuller.

Scott cursed under his breath, disappointment curling in his gut . Disappointment that was no more explainable, no more logical than the over the top interest that a chances of meeting with a stranger had created in him.

Ladies and gentlemen Maryville will be presented to you guys in a short time, relax and take a look

The tension in Scott shoulder slid a way . A waiter appeared and offered him a glass of champagne and he decided to indulge that glass of bubble but that wasn't the only thing he wanted to indulge in. There was a woman on his mind, a woman who had his attention, a woman he had to have. Instinctively, he knew she wasn't a woman for causal bedroom encounter.

The only thing his life allowed at the moment. She might want him but simply have to convince her of the value, the pleasure, of a night of sensual escape. She would be a challenge, a provocative chase he couldn't wait to get underway .

The brassy came from behind her as Nicky appeared in the mirror behind Sophia

and whistle "I do declare, Missy. You make a damn good Maryville montenegro ".

The transformation had happened so quickly, her mind was spinning. She stared at her herself in the mirror amazed at what she saw ,

Would never had thought that blond hair would suit her coloring, but with the right makeup and the ruby red lipstick. She had to admit she could pull it off.

Then her clingy sparkling gown that some how seemed to create curves that weren't there before, hugging her waist and caressing her hips. As for her breast well gel bra were, were indeed the true miracle

And the low cut of the cleavage and chests Showing too much .

Looking sexy, Becky asked. "Of course you can go out there boldly". "You look elegant sexy, not slutty sexy, you darling, are the show in this showcase. You look amazing ".

Oh, God. Her neckline concern slid away as a new worry took their place. What if I fail?

You won't fail

Her stomach rolled. I fell during high school graduation. People laughed.

Nicky paled , clearly rattle, but it didn't keep her from pushing onwards."think of this as a challenge, take over the room like you do your business. Just go out there and forget the crowds and be Maryville ".

""""I can't breathe said Sophia "

Nicky helped her to breathe normally, we have three minutes, Nicky said.

She inhaled a heavy breath and said "inside your circle is your safe zone , no one can hurt you , no one can laugh and you can't and will not fail down. You can be anything you want, do anything you want".

Announcement came up, everyone in the room beware, Maryville headed their way, walked out on that stage , Scott eyes got fixed at the stage and a noise came up loud, "I love you Maryville" and Scott lose attention and a glass of his champagne got broke on the ground.

The sparkling liquid tickling her tongue, the party around her abuzz with food, friends and chatter. Sophia abuzz a titillating game of cat and mouse, which had ensued shortly after surprisingly successful walk down that stage .

A game of hunter and huntress, with she and Scott-Ocean exchange heated stares , connecting with an electricity that defied reason. There was no conversation. No attempt at contact. The anticipation heightened with each glance, it excited ,it entrances, it promises pleasure long overdue.

A tiny aches budded between her thigh wit a discomfort that demanded attention. Sophia sipped her, The bubble floating down her throat. She had a buzz that delivered courage.

It is time to escalate this flirtation to find out exactly how far it would travel.

She shifted he attention to the conversation, nodded and exchanged a few words before excusing herself

She didn't look towards her hunter . Didn't have to she could feel him staring at her ,feel him as surely as she could the tingling of her skin, the sizzle of her sensitized nerve ending.

How long had it been since she had felt the touch of a man hand , the pleasure of intimately joined bodies? She needed that feeling, need it as surely as she needed her next breath.

Sophia waved through the thinning crowds; the hour was growing late , near midnight. Her was the courtyard at the rear of the elegant entertainment room, as she murmured a few greeting along the way .

She pushed open the double paned door and exited the cool air sweeping her hot skin ,enveloping her with temporary relief. Fancy stone benches and fragrance sweet flowers lined the red brick trail , ground light illuminate the colors of red ,yellow and blue. Sophia didn't linger ,pressing forward, down the path, into the shadows. The clicks of the floor door sounded her and a shiver tongled it way down her spine. He was there , he followed.

David Scott-Ocean stepped into the night the wind lifting around him, his eyes catching on the silky swirl of material a second before it disappeared down the fork to the left ,hidden by decorated foliage. He smiled the hunter in him on the prowl .

For her, his little contradiction. The woman beneath the seductive Maryville montenegro, who was also his little brunette butterfly.

Innocence and seductive

The contract intrigued him but what really intrigued him was what he felt deeply in his gut when he peered across the room at her , The deep swirl desire that tighten his groin and maddening him with need.

He inhaled, took in the night air ,taste it -savoring the flavor of passion and perfume thick on his tongue, her perfume, her passion. He stepped forward, tension in his muscles, desire in his blood. Long stride took him down the path slow, steady stride that defied the urgency pulsing within his groin. Control was a talent, the art of pleasure. The more anticipation, the more wanting, the more relish in the ultimate moment of release.

She learned against the railing. The breeze gently blowing, exposing creamy white skin, Would it be as soft as he thought it would be? Would she taste of sugar or spice? Would she purr like a kitten or scream like a cat? A kitten he thought, he couldn't wait to find out for sure . Still, he didn't rush ,didn't push forward. Scott lingered to enjoy the vision pure female lines before him . Enjoyed considering all the erotic possibilities the two of them could share. Enjoyed trailing it downward, moment before he tugged away the silky material . Moment before he exposed bare skin and full, high breast. His eye traveled the long line of silhouetteone lasttime, the tapered , tiny waist , the curve of her lush hips . She didn't turn, didn't move, yet somehow he felt her awareness of his presence.

"Sweetheart ", he said. "As honored as I would be to your last dance. The last thing you want is to be photography as my latest conquest and splashed all over the papers.

Sophia eyes went wide at the unexpected and not satisfying bite of those words. She was no born Maryville but she was woman enough to know Scott had just earned himself a justified smack down in the name of every woman in this place and she intended to give him.

A slow confident smile slid onto red painted lips. "Ah now, darling, she purred. "The only one in danger of being a conquest this night is you" . She pushed to her toes and brought her lips a breath from his , teasing him with the potential. He whispered to herself ear "you are mine tonight, home is calling, event is about to end ".