ACCIDENTAL ENCOUNTER is available as part of Erotic Encounters Anthology and as an individual ebook from Amazon and other online vendors.

After the last Mr. Right turns out to be another Mr. Wrong, Casey Treadwell swears off relationships. Even her best friend's efforts to set her up on a blind date are shot down. Nope, from now on, it's hot sex with no strings. But then her friend suggests a trip out of town for a weekend of sexual fantasies come true, and Casey's primed for adventure. And Fate is with her when she meets Mr. Right for the Weekend -- a hot stranger with sparkling blue eyes and a body made for pleasure.

Jake Palmer spotted the woman of his dreams two months ago, yet Casey refuses to go on a blind date. Not easily deterred, he stages an accidental encounter between the stubborn beauty and a "stranger" at a seaside getaway. But Jake's guilt over misleading her, combined with his fear of losing her when she discovers the truth, has him on edge. He has to tell Casey the truth. And he will. But first he has to get her to fall in love with him.

Read Excerpt #1 PG (Casey and Jake meet)
Read Excerpt #2 Adult (first kiss)
Read Excerpt #3 G (his deception)
Read Excerpt #4 PG (is she making a mistake?)
Read Excerpt #5 Adult (on the beach)
Read Excerpt #6 Adult (her dilemma)

Excerpt #1 PG (Casey and Jake meet):

"Are you here for the graphic artists' conference?"

The smooth masculine voice cut into her thoughts. She looked up into sky blue eyes, set in ruggedly handsome features framed by thick sandy brown hair. He flashed a devastatingly sexy smile, causing her insides to quiver. An immediate image flashed through her mind, one involving this very desirable man—a definite testimonial to the current lack of sex in her life.

It took a moment before she finally found her voice. "No. In fact, I didn't know there was a conference being held here." But I'll bet Jennifer did. Explains why she chose this inn and this weekend—the prospect of lots of men attending the conference. Maybe this won't be such a disaster after all. "How about you?"

He looked around, then settled his gaze on her again. "Are you here alone?"

She smiled, suppressing an amused chuckle. "Yes and no. I'm supposed to meet my friend here for the weekend, but she got held up in San Francisco on business and won't be here until very late tonight, or more likely late tomorrow morning. I'm not here alone for the weekend, but I am alone for now." She allowed an amused chuckle. "That didn't sound too convoluted, did it?"

His laugh joined hers. "I understood every word you said. I'm particularly adept at deciphering all things convoluted."

She tilted her head to one side as she allowed her gaze to drift across his handsome features. "Not to repeat myself, but how about you? Are you here for the conference and are you alone?"

"Guilty on both counts. Would you consider me too pushy if I invited myself to join you?"

"Pushy? Yes, a little. But in spite of that," she flashed a teasing grin as she indicated the empty chair at her table, "please do."

"I'll grab a drink and be right back."

As he walked across the room toward the bar, her gaze gravitated to his retreating form. Nice butt. He looks as good from the back as he does from the front.

Excerpt #2 Adult (first kiss)

He handed one glass to her, then raised his in the form of a toast. "Here's to new friends," the glow in the depth of his eyes said more than his words, "and a weekend to remember."

She extended her best smile as she clinked the rim of her glass against his. "Yes…a weekend to remember." Just a weekend. No commitment or complications. Nothing more. That was all she wanted…wasn't it?

Then why was it beginning to have the feel of the start of a new relationship? Of her ongoing search for the ever elusive Mr. Right? Wondering if Jake Palmer could be the man she'd been trying to find? She quickly shoved aside her wandering thoughts. This was neither the time nor place to speculate on a closed subject. She had her plan for the weekend—hot sex and nothing more.

They each took a sip of wine, setting the toast into reality. Rich colors streaked across the sky, filling the air with various hues of red, orange and gold. If he wanted to be hot, naked, and tangled on the bed as much as she did, then she had to applaud his marvelous restraint. He wasn't pushing her, and the moment felt surprisingly comfortable.

The sun finally dipped below the horizon, and the air turned cool as the sky darkened into night. He clasped her hand and led her back inside. He stood close, his body almost touching hers but not quite. "Would you like to look at the room service menu now?"

His soft words lulled her senses. Without giving her a chance to answer, he brought his mouth down on hers. His lips nibbled at the corner of her mouth before fully claiming it as his own. He flicked his tongue across her lower lip then invaded the interior of her mouth. She responded to his foray by brushing her tongue against his, the textures meshing together. It was the type of kiss that promised ecstasy beyond anything she had ever experienced. It conveyed a heated passion that seared through her reality and curled her toes. One that made her pussy gush and her heart pound. He pulled her body tightly against his. The sensation of his rapidly hardening cock pressing against her said it would definitely be a night to remember.

Excerpt #3 G (his deception)

He leaned over and brushed a tender kiss across her lips. "So far it's been a fantastic evening and it's not over yet." Did he want it to ever be over? No, but she definitely had him confused. What started out as a supposedly accidental meeting had suddenly turned into so much more. The initial plan he had arranged with his cousin, Jennifer, had been only to set up a situation where he could meet Casey, with him left to his own devices about how to handle it. Once they knew each other, he could call and ask her to dinner without it being the pre-arranged blind date she had consistently rejected.

He didn't know whether to thank Jennifer for setting up the circumstances so the accidental encounter could happen or be irritated with her for even listening to his ludicrous plan to manipulate an arranged meeting. At some point, he would have to confess his identity to Casey. No question that she would eventually discover the truth. He could not pursue a legitimate relationship based on a deception. But then what? Would she be understandably angry? Even angry enough to walk out on him? Or would she, hopefully, admire his tenacity and determination? A little sigh of resignation told him the second possibility was probably more wishful thinking on his part than a viable reality.

He had fallen instantly in lust with Casey Treadwell the moment he first saw her. She had been with Jennifer, and he had spotted them coming out of the theater as he drove by. He had immediately started badgering Jennifer to introduce them. When Casey continually thwarted Jennifer's efforts, saying she had no interest in being fixed up with a blind date, he devised a plan to meet the woman of his dreams.

But what they just shared far exceeded his expectations, not to mention his wildest fantasies about actually being naked with a woman he had only seen and never met. No way could this magnificent woman be considered merely a stranger he picked up in a bar. She was special. He drew in a steadying breath in an attempt to calm his internal jitters.

So very special.

Excerpt #4 PG (is she making a mistake?)

Casey watched the eagle tattoo on his ass disappear through the bathroom door. She slid out of bed and pulled on her clothes. Staying wrapped in his arms for the remainder of the night wasn't practical regardless of how tempting the prospect or how much she wanted it to be so. She needed to return to her room to see if Jennifer had been trying to reach her. And then there was the undeniable reality that said she needed to distance herself from Jake's mesmerizing pull on her senses—something she hadn't anticipated and didn't know quite how to handle. Something that frightened her in its enormity.

She whirled around at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Jake's look of disappointment said it all. "Are you…are you going somewhere?"

"I…I can't spend the night." Her voice conveyed the regret churning inside her. "I need to return to my own room. When my roommate shows up, I really need to be there. I have an obligation. I promised…" Her voice trailed off as her spirit sank. She didn't know what else to say.

"Have breakfast with me."

His expression, his tone of voice, he seemed as conflicted as she felt. "I'll see. It will depend on my roommate."

"Will you at least give me a minute while I grab some clothes so I can walk you to your room?" A quick look of hopefulness darted across his face.

"There's no need." She offered him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine." If only she felt as comfortable about her decision as she tried to make it appear.

He pulled her to him. "Are you sure you won't change your mind and stay the night?" His voice was soft, his words obviously heartfelt.

"I can't." Uncertainty grabbed her. When she uttered the words, it almost felt as if she had closed a door on something very special.

Excerpt #5 Adult (on the beach)

They walked down the path leading to the beach. After taking off their shoes, Jake rolled up his pant legs then they strolled along the edge of the water. The ocean breeze ruffled through her hair, the sensation being one of carefree abandon, of setting aside all responsibility if only for the moment. Every passing minute brought them closer and closer together, a time of emotional bonding that truly frightened her. It wasn't what she wanted and certainly not what she needed in her life, not now and not ever…not another failed connection.

They sat on a large rock close to the edge of the bluff, away from the water's edge. Casey watched the ocean waves crashing against the rocks farther down the beach. "It's a beautiful view, almost as pretty as the one from your balcony."

He placed his fingers beneath her chin and gently turned her head toward him. He cupped her face in his hands. "Yes, it's a beautiful view, but not as breathtaking as the one I'm looking at right now." Then his mouth was on hers.

All the passionate embers of the previous night burst into flame. She returned his kiss with heated enthusiasm. At that moment, nothing else mattered other than the excitement building inside her. One kiss had her creaming her panties. Heated need coursed through her veins.

His kiss deepened, his tongue darting between her lips into the recesses of her mouth. A soft moan escaped her throat.

He pulled his head away from her just far enough for his whispered words to tickle across her ear. "I want you now…right here. There's no one around."

"Oh, God…yes." Her words came out in a husky rasp. She had never been so brazen. Having sex outdoors in a public place in daylight with the sexiest man she had ever encountered. Running the risk of getting caught. She brushed her fingers against the bulge pressing at the crotch of his jeans, then lowered his zipper.

He slipped his hand under her skirt and worked his fingers inside her bikini panties.

"Over here, kids…more sea shells."

Casey froze as the woman's voice reached her ear.

"Fuck!" Jake's one uttered word of frustration said it for both of them.

Excerpt #6 Adult (her dilemma)

Two spent bodies clung together, the sounds of labored breathing filling the air. They had known each other less than twenty-four hours, yet she had never felt closer to a man than she did to him.

And she had never so fervently wished it wasn't so. Not again…not another relationship where she gave her heart only to have it broken. She reinforced her earlier resolve to maintain a no-strings-attached situation—as much to remind herself as anything else. She didn't want to hear any lies about them having a future together.

She tried to formulate words so they sounded casual yet got the point across. "So far this has been one hell of a weekend. It's hard to believe it will all be over tomorrow afternoon when we return to our real lives…to the real world."

He locked eye contact with her. "The only thing that will prevent me from seeing you when this weekend is over is for you to tell me to fuck off and leave you alone. And I doubt even that would work."

She expelled her breath in a sudden gush. Not only did his words touch her, she saw the honesty in his eyes. Could this man actually be the elusive Mr. Right? Was Jake Palmer someone with whom she could build a future? A lifetime together?

What the hell am I doing? I can't build the foundation for a true relationship based on nothing more than earth shattering orgasms and sexy good looks. A moment of panic assaulted her senses. Spending an idyllic weekend together at a romantic seaside inn did not equate with actually knowing a person.

Casey had never been so confused and she didn't have a clue what to do about it.