The Great Baby Caper

by Eugenia Riley

An Excerpt From:
THE GREAT BABY CAPER by Eugenia Riley

New Orleans in the rain . . .
Courtney was laughing over this when a carriage rattled past in the street behind them, and the driver called out, "You folks want a ride?"
Simultaneously, they both turned to see the driver sitting in the canvas-topped open carriage, holding the reins of a large gray horse. "Sounds like a splendid idea," Mark agreed.
He took Courtney's hand to help her on board, and as she placed her foot on the step, he caught her about the waist and gave her a boost. Heat surged through her where his strong, warm hands had touched her. Then he joined her, his hard body pressed next to hers, his exciting male scent firing her blood. When he slipped his arm around her, she couldn't resist and even nestled closer to his heat.
The contraption rattled off, and Courtney sighed dreamily as they turned onto a quiet street with beautiful old town houses draped with iron lace balconies. It felt so wonderful to be with Mark, to leave her troubles behind.
"How are you doing, love?" he asked quietly.
The word "love" rolled tenderly off his tongue and excited her deeply. "Oh, I'm fine, perhaps a bit tipsy."
He leaned over and whispered at her ear. "Are you trying to tempt me by telling me that?"
"Tempt you?" she asked in mock outrage. "In front of a horse?"
He chuckled, then grew more serious. "Courtney, this has been such fun."
"Yes, it has," she murmured.
He drew a deep, steadying breath. "I know we agreed not to talk about it, but . . . Will you let me speak with Grandfather tomorrow, see if I can't set matters straight? I'm sure I can talk him into reinstating you in your post, minus all this malarkey."
Though touched by his British gallantry, she shook her head. "Mark, that's kind of you, but I think you were right in the first place. We really shouldn't talk about this now. Besides, I think the best thing for me to do is just to move forward. But tonight . . ." She glanced ahead at the stately facade of Antoine's Restaurant, watching a laughing young couple enter. "I feel as if I've stepped into a different world, and I'd just like to enjoy it a little while longer. Do you understand that?"
"Of course. Too much nose to the grindstone can be quite dispiriting. I think tonight I feel much the same way." He took her chin in his hand and spoke soulfully. "As if I have discovered quite a different world."
"Mark--"
His voice grew rough. "My Lord, you're so very lovely."
Her next protest was token at best, and she actually welcomed the warmth of his lips descending on hers. Sweetly and soulfully he kissed her, and with the clip-clop of the horse's hooves, the scent of night and mist, the brush of the wind against her face, the moment oozed romance. She sighed ecstatically and moved her lips against his own, heard a groan rise in him. Although he ended the kiss too soon, she was left reeling.
She breathlessly eyed him. "Mark, do you think we should . . . I mean--"
"Courtney, I think you've given us both the best advice of all," he said huskily. "Let's just enjoy this night."
His sexy words left her shivering, and she almost moaned aloud. How could she argue with that? As if he sensed her agreement, he snuggled her closer.
The conveyance turned down quiet Royal Street with its shops and hotels. Rain began to fall again, pelting the canvas cover on the carriage. The sound was treacherously sensual and romantic.
"That rain smells so good," Courtney said, breathing. "What's New Orleans without a shower?"
The driver pulled up to the awning of an art shop. "I'd best let you folks off here, where there's cover."
Mark handed the man some cash. "Thanks." He slid to the ground, then helped Courtney down. Her body brushed the hardness of his as she alighted. All at once she felt dizzy, and she was glad his strong arms supported her.
She glanced up to see his eyes glowing with passion. "Mark."
The word was half a protest, half a plea. With a groan he caught her close and lowered his face to kiss her, this time greedily. His lips tasted of rain, and thunder boomed in the background, a sensuous accompaniment as his tongue slid deeper, possessing her mouth. Courtney felt she might explode right then and there, so intense was the hunger she felt. With the torrid New Orleans night surrounding them, all her senses were on fire.
A moment later he pulled back and smiled at her, a smile of pure joy. "Come on, love," he said.
Courtney needed no further prompting. She linked her hand with his. Like happy children, they ran down the rain-splashed street together. . . .

Love Spell December 2001 Release * Contemporary Romance * ISBN 0-505-52461-9 * Price: $5.99 U.S.
Copyright 2001 by Eugenia Riley
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