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Tempting Adam

Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Chapter One

Lauren Bryant tore her attention from the advertising contract she'd been studying. Putting aside her worries over her company's solvency, she focused on Adam Morely, her best friend. She smiled, drawing comfort from his familiar presence.

Then his words registered. She cocked her head. "Excuse me?"

He dropped neatly into the chair facing her desk. Long hours outdoors had burnished his dark hair and etched premature crow's-feet beside his gray eyes. An earnest light glittered in those eyes. "I said, I need a wife."

Trying to shake off the inexplicable sense of panic that swept over her, she quipped, "Don't we all?"

"I'm serious. Taxes are killing me. It just doesn't pay to be single. Besides ..." He shrugged. "I need ... more out of life."

"More?" She set down her pen and raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

Exasperating man. "This from the guy who has it all - a successful business, a gorgeous new home and a different woman for every day of the week?" she said.

He straightened, a deep groove forming between his eyebrows. "You're exaggerating."

"Okay, a different woman for every month. Same thing."

"Exactly." She continued to stare, anger filling her. How dare he not be satisfied? She'd give anything for halfhis success.

"They're all the same. One relationship after the other. Meaningless. Empty."

"So, you're tired of mindless sex."

"I'd like a relationship that carries a little weight. Like what you and I have, only with the sex thrown in."

"I see." For some ridiculous reason his words triggered outrage in her. Not that she'd ever thought of him in a sexual manner. From the time Adam's family had moved in next door to hers some twenty years ago, the two of them had shared an uncommon bond. With his parents' constant absences, she and Adam had grown up together, conquering their quiet neighborhood in Roswell, Georgia, a suburb of metro-Atlanta.

He drew a quick breath. "Not that there's anything wrong with what we have. It's special, no doubt, but, well ... it isn't like we get naked together."

"True." With an effort, she reined in her irrational emotions. Why was she getting upset? They had a great relationship. It was comfortable, convenient. But, no, they'd definitely never been naked together, not unless she counted that time when they were very young.

"You don't have to get married to have a meaningful relationship," she said.

"But if I find the right woman, I'll want to hang on to her."

"Sure." Her stomach tightened. Needing a distraction, she glanced down at the contract. "Look, I'm going to have to break our lunch date. I have to get this deal finalized, then we're meeting with the Bennett Bagel people."

She allowed herself the smallest glimmer of hope. "They're thinking maybe some local TV exposure will help the opening of their new sandwich shops. I've already scoped this new actor who spreads mayo like it's foreplay."

His gaze narrowed on her. "Only you could make hawking bagels a sensual experience."

"Food is always sensual. Besides, you know it's not me. Entice Advertising does it. Elliot's the one with all that creative talent. We'd go belly-up without him."

Adam nodded toward a vase on her desk filled with a rainbow bouquet of condoms. "Need spice, think Entice."

"That's it." She quirked her mouth to one side. Her partner's preference for other men hadn't hindered their fledgling agency in earning a reputation for using sex better than anyone else to sell their odd range of clients and products to the general population. In fact, Elliot came up with all the provocative campaigns, while Lauren spent her energies rounding up clients, keeping the books straight and feeling a little like an impostor for not being the sexy siren others assumed her to be.

"So, can I take a rain check on lunch?" she asked.

"Sure, I just thought you might have some quick advice."

"Quick advice?" She rose, then moved around to lean stiffly against the desk. Did they really have to pursue this strange new idea of his? He couldn't have thought this through.

"This is another case of your impulsiveness, isn't it?" she asked.

He pursed his lips. "I am not impulsive."

"Oh? Who was it who hopped a flight to Hawaii for just the weekend last month? Who bought that huge house? Who got a tattoo on his -"

"You promised not to ever mention that -"

"All on the spur of the moment? Who was that? Oh, yes, it was you."

"Okay, so maybe I have an impulsive moment from time to time."

She stared at him. "And maybe I hadn't thought about having a wife before I said that, but I still mean it. I do need a wife. Sometimes, when you know something, you just know it."

That funny feeling churned again in her stomach. It swirled around inside her, sending unexplainable anxiety racing through her. With an effort, she curved her mouth into a grin. "Let me get this straight. You want my advice on how you should go about finding a candidate for a wife?"

"Yes."

"A wife? You're serious?" Her grin stiffened. To her dismay, the anxiety swelled. Nervous laughter spilled from her.

After a moment, she straightened. "I'm sorry." She bit her lip and swiped at her eyes. She'd been under way too much pressure lately. That was it. She was displacing her worry over her business's finances. It did not bother her that Adam wanted a wife.

"Look, given my track record, I can understand your amusement, but you help me with this, and I'll do something for you ... I'll owe you big time."

"And I'll collect." After drawing a calming breath, she faced him. "But didn't we have this conversation when you were ready to buy your car, then your house, then all the furniture to go in it?"

"What's wrong with that? I value your opinion. And in return you got those hydrangeas, a fine lesson in negotiating price -"

"Ha! Who do you think negotiates all the deals around here?"

"And that new fountain in your backyard."

"Hey, if I do this, it's going to cost a lot more than that fountain."

"Fine."

"I'll have to think about it. But don't expect me to come cheap for this kind of thing."

"An eye for an eye."

"Right. Not that I'm looking for a relationship. I don't have the time."

"No, you don't." He regarded her a moment. She steeled herself. He'd been very vocal of late in criticizing her work ethic, but he continued, "So, where do we start?"

"Well, this isn't like those other times."

"It's not so different. You know my tastes."

"Yes, Adam, but don't you see what you're doing?" The muscles of his shoulders rippled in a half shrug. "This is not another acquisition of personal property." She spread her arms in appeal. "It isn't like you can shop for a serious relationship at the mall."

"Well, of course I'm not looking to buy a wife."

"Good." She cocked her head as another thought occurred to her. "What will all your women friends say?"

"You'll all have to get used to the idea. I've made up my mind."

He settled back in his chair, the look of resolve she knew all too well settling over his features. "On the serious relationship anyway. I'm not going to jump into marriage, though that's the ultimate goal."

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Excerpted from Tempting Adam by Graham Copyright © 2002 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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