It was just one “simple” mission—find out whether a winemaker in Argentina was a New York millionaire’s long-lost son. But Susannah Clarke quickly learned Amado Alvarez played by his own rules. He’d give her the DNA sample she wanted—if she spent the night with him! And in a moment of madness, she’d given in, to his demand and to her own desire. Now she had to return to South America to face this compelling, sensuous man again—and to face the consequences of that one unforgotten, unforgettable night in a stranger’s bed….
Thanks for having me back to chat about my new book, In the Argentine’s Bed. This is the second in my three part Hardcastle Progeny series about dying billionaire tycoon Tarrant Hardcastle and his attempts to track down the illegitimate sons he once scorned.
Inspired by his success at finding his son Dominic in the first book, Millionaire’s Secret Seduction, Tarrant sends his company’s wine buyer, Susannah Clarke, to Argentina in search of another possible heir. Susannah loves her job at Hardcastle Enterprises, and is resigned to doing a little of Tarrant’s personal business while visiting the Mendoza wine-growing region. When she arrives, things get disturbing: First, Amado Alvarez—the man whose DNA she is sent to retrieve—has never heard of Tarrant Hardcastle, and insists that he already has a father. Second, he’s breathtakingly gorgeous and an incorrigible flirt.
Susannah is soon convinced Amado is not Tarrant’s son. She meets his mother, who is not womanizing Tarrant’s type at all, and notices they both have blue eyes while Amado’s are brown. Usually straitlaced, she decides there’s no harm in a little vacation fling, especially when Amado promises to give her the DNA she wants—if she’ll spend the night in his bed.
The results of the DNA test are a shock to both of them. Amado learns he’s been deceived about his origins and lied to by the people he loves most. Susannah realizes she’s slept with her boss’s son. Things get worse when Tarrant sends her back to Argentina on a mission to bring Amado into Hardcastle Enterprises.
Amado is furious that Susannah has walked into his life and turned it upside down, yet she’s still trying to act as though it’s a business proposition. Susannah, on the other hand, is astonished at the powerful feelings—both sensual and emotional—that Amado kindles in her. In this scene, he taunts her with a sensual tango that mirrors the passionate dance of their relationship:
“Your turn.”
“I don’t know how to tango.”
“No matter.” He held out his hand.
“Seriously, I’ll look like a fool.”
“If you dance, you might look like a fool. If you sit there in your chair and miss all the fun, everyone will know you’re a fool.” His eyes glittered a challenge.
She rose to her feet, damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. Amado hooked his arm around her waist, and practically carried her onto the small dance floor. Already at least fifteen other couples swirled to the music.
“But I…”
Amado silenced her with a finger to her lips. “Don’t think. Just listen to the music.” He leaned in close, his breath hot on her ear. “Listen to your body. Dance with me.”
Her belly tightened in response to the sensual rasp of his voice. She drew in a shaky breath.
Her black wrap dress had a long slit down the back, and he slid his fingers inside it. Her eyes widened. Surely he didn’t want the others to know they were intimate?
He pulled her close until her body was almost crushed against his.
Almost.
A scant half-inch of superheated space separated their hips. He inclined his head until his cheek was almost touching hers and she could anticipate the slight roughness of his skin.
He took her other hand and held it lightly in his, then he stepped forward, into her.
Instinctively she stepped back, and he turned, whirling them half around. Then he stepped back. His hand on her waist pulled her with him, and she placed her toes between his. Forward and back, around, his hands and the movements of his feet guided her through the throng of dancers.
The music, taut and rhythmic, strung the air with tension. It thrummed in her body as time and again she stepped into Amado’s embrace, anticipating his body heat. Then he pulled away, leaving a tiny ache.
He drew her with him, leading her on a sensual journey that never quite reached its end.
Occasionally he did one wicked move where he stepped between her legs, parting them, overtly sexual.
Then he would step back and draw her into an elegant turn, as if nothing had happened.
Energy snapped between them, stinging her skin with adrenaline and tightening her nipples inside her thin dress.
I’m dancing. Astonishment rippled through her as they moved across the floor, weaving through the elegant tangueros like they did this every night.
It felt as complicated, as astonishing, as natural as…
Sex.
The song ended. Susannah’s heart pounded as Amado lifted her hand and kissed it.
The perfect gentleman.
He led her back to the table without a word, giving her nothing but the sight of his arrogant profile.
Susannah sank into her chair, aching with freshly inflamed desire.
Have you ever mixed business with pleasure? Or maybe wanted to?? Please leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of In the Argentine’s Bed. Next month Fatin has asked me back to tell you about the third book in the series, The Heir’s Scandalous Affair. I hope you enjoy the Hardcastle Progeny series and thanks for dropping in!
Jen
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