"You are one scary woman." He chuckled. "No, I'm not going to kill her. Though I understand the impulse. That is one unpleasant woman."

"You think? Hey, can you let me go now?"

"Not yet." He rubbed his cheek against hers, and the scent of pine and man made her lightheaded. When the h.e.l.l had Dex started to smell good?

"Dex..."

"See, here's the thing. Selena has her version of events, and we have ours."

"Ours?"

"You saw her b.u.mp into a door, didn't you? Because that's what I'll say if I have to."

She let that sink in. "You'd lie for me?"

"Maybe." Pause. "For a price."

"d.a.m.n it." She tried to escape him and found herself spun and pressed none too gently against the wall. The breath knocked out of her, she blinked into Dex's smoky gray eyes. "Nice way to treat a woman."

"More like a wildcat." He grinned. "Oh come on. You hit Selena a h.e.l.l of a lot harder than I set you against this bulkhead."

"The what?"

"The wall, Little Miss Civilian." He winked, and she started to smile. Then, remembering exactly who was holding her prisoner, she scowled again.

He sighed. "Even s.e.xier when you turn all mean. Okay. Let's put our cards on the table."

"Let's, you bully. What do you want?"

His grin unnerved her, because there was something wild, s.e.xy, and a bit cruel about it. "What did I want twelve years ago? A date, Maya."

"What?"

"Yeah. You want to avoid jail time. I want you. You owe me...hmm...let's say ten dates. Ten romantic evenings, and we're even."

"I'm not sleeping with you to avoid going to jail!" Kinky, but even for Maya that was taking things a little too far.

He tsked. "Who said anything about sleeping? Or s.e.x," he tacked on before she could argue semantics. "You agree to go out with me. We have fun, enjoy each other's company, but nothing you couldn't share with friends. Dinner, a movie, a walk in the park. My choice. But you have to try to have fun."

"Are you f.u.c.king serious?" Looking like Dex did, he couldn't have been hard up for women. He was crazy hot. Then again, if he got his dates this way, perhaps the crazy was literal.

"As a heart attack." He smiled at her, and her heart started racing away.

"So you want to go out with me. Ten times. No s.e.x."

"Well, I won't say no to s.e.x if you ask nicely."

She glared at him, and he laughed again.

"Ten dates and you don't rat me out for belting Selena," she said slowly. "Is that right?"

"Yes, it is," he responded just as slowly. "Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful face? I mean, I could drown in your eyes."

She blushed, not sure how to handle him. Back in high school, she'd been confident. He'd been nerdy but cute. A really nice kid, except for him blackmailing her with an incriminating photograph. At the prom he'd forced her to go to, he'd surprised her by being fun too. Cute and fun. Not s.e.xy. Not seriously hot. Not ripped like a motherf.u.c.ker.

She swallowed hard and stared at the muscles of his chest, visible through his tight T-shirt.

"Well?" He moved closer, his breath whispering over her lips.

The word "Fine," whooshed out of her just as he kissed her.

And holy mother of G.o.d, but she forgot how to breathe while he seduced her into giving some tongue before he ended the kiss.

Masterful, effortless and he had her panting and leaning in for more.

It didn't help that his smirk turned her on, or that his gray eyes now seemed ink-black.

Danger stared at her from a face too captivating to belong to the old geeky Dexter Black.

"Who are you?"

His grin made her feel hunted. "Me? I'm your boyfriend for the foreseeable future, sweetheart. Now let's go find Anson to witness our deal, hmm?"

"Th-the kiss wasn't enough?" She needed to wash her panties, stat.

"Good, hmm?" He laughed and dragged her with him out the front door. "Don't worry about Jack and Ann. They'll be fine. You need to start worrying about yourself, princess." He had to adjust himself as he walked, and of course she noticed that he was huge all over. A walking billboard for s.e.x, and she was starving for him-it. h.e.l.l.

Not good. Not good at all if she wanted to get out of this stupid deal without jumping the man. Her enemy. The only person who'd ever managed to best her. She had to hold onto her mad, her pa.s.sion, her- He nipped her ear and startled a small shriek out of her. "You're not the only one who's out for revenge."

About the Author.

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She's a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she's constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.

You can contact her at

Look for these t.i.tles by Marie Harte.

Now Available:.

A Scorching Seduction.

Best Revenge.

Served Cold.

Cougar Falls.

Rachel's Totem.

In Plain Sight.

Foxy Lady.

Outfoxed.

A Matter of Pride.

Right Wolf, Right Time.

By the Tail Prey & Prejudice Ethereal Foes The Dragons' Demon.

Duncan's Descent Westlake Enterprises.

To Hunt a Sainte.

Storming His Heart.

Love In Electric Blue.

Wicked Warrens Enjoying the Show.

Closing the Deal.

Raising the Bar.

Making the Grade.

Bending the Rules.

Coming Soon.

Served Hot.

Served Sweet.

A little Southern charm and a Yes, Mistress goes a long way Bending the Rules.

2014 Marie Harte.

Wicked Warrens, Book 5.

Rex Samson is at the top of his game. His business is booming, his family loves him, and there's no woman-or man-he can't charm. Until he meets Natalie Wielder, a tough-as-nails city planner. She's firm, s.e.xy, and exactly what he needs-a woman to put him in his place. She's also all work and no play, and that won't do at all.

Nat has better things to do than play with the mayor's golden boy, but orders are orders. Accompanying him to a mandatory social function, she's shocked that she thoroughly enjoys herself. The light-hearted Rex likes the finer-and kinkier- things in life...but freaky, no-gender-barred s.e.x is a definite no-no in the conservative Deep South.

When Rex hands over the reins in bed, she can't resist taking them. And soon she's breaking rule number one: no dating the enemy.

Before long, she realizes there's no living without him. But Rex's kinky proclivities mirror hers-neither of which are good for her career-and she's forced to figure out what's really important. Her rules, or love?

Warning: Contains a successful, care-free hedonist who wants to be dominated, and a s.e.xy, career-minded vixen who is more than willing to oblige. Not one drop of vanilla in sight. Enjoy!

Enjoy the following excerpt for Bending the Rules: Augusta, Georgia.

June.

Nodding at something the mayor said to Ty, Rex Samson subtly tuned out the dull conversation about city revenue and taxes. He tried not to be obvious as he stared into the hallway outside the office at a tall, thin brunette chewing out the guy standing in front of her.

Despite her low voice and attempts at being discreet, Rex knew well the signs of a man getting his a.s.s handed to him. Curious, because something about the p.r.i.c.kly woman intrigued him, he made an excuse about needing to use the restroom and ducked out of the mayor's outer office.

Walking slowly past the pair engaged in a tongue-lashing, he took his time at the water fountain behind them.

"Jesus, Mike. It's like you're stuck in slow motion. When I tell you we need that information like yesterday, what exactly does that mean to you?"

Mike looked on the verge of tears, despite the fact he had to be at least ten years older than the woman, who seemed closer to Rex's age.

"I'm sorry, Nat. But I-"

"But nothing. You've been working here longer than I have. You have no excuse. And don't give me any bulls.h.i.t about having a tough time at home. I saw you playing tonsil hockey with Brad yesterday, after your long-a.s.s lunch. This is two strikes for you. One more and you're out. Now get me that information by end of day, or you're gone."

"Okay. Okay, Nat. Sorry. I swear, it'll be on your desk before I go home tonight." The older man pulled at his tie, then dashed down the hallway.

Staring after him, Rex shook his head, amused by the guy's timidity. Then he felt the woman's gaze and turned to see her focused on him. Before he could say anything, he caught the scent of her perfume, a subtle blend of sultry and s.e.xy, and his body instantly reacted.

Well, well. Mean, arousing and fascinating. He had to get her number. Today.

"Something I can help you with?" she asked. Aggression laced her tone.

Never one to go for nice, he found Nat's antagonism more than a bit attractive. She wore her long brown hair in a ponytail, and it hung straight, no curl in sight. A fringe of bangs saved her from looking too austere, yet the plain package couldn't hide the striking, impatient woman waiting for him to answer her. She was downright s.e.xy as h.e.l.l.

So he'd let her wait a moment longer while he studied the rest of her.

Angry eyes that couldn't decide whether to be brown or green glared at him. She had a narrow face, high cheekbones and a full lower lip. He wondered if she'd bite if he drew closer for a kiss...and prayed she would.

The rest of her was just as lean. She seemed built for efficiency, with the look of a runner-that or she had a naturally high metabolism. She wore a long-sleeved, white b.u.t.ton-down shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and black slacks. s.e.xy black pumps, gold hoops in her ears and a manly watch completed the outfit. No ring, he noticed with a satisfied smile. The big watch should have looked out of place on her but didn't. Her boyfriend's maybe? No, that wouldn't do.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer," she snapped.

He laughed. "Sugar, I'd love to take a picture or two. Maybe over a beer?"