Excerpt of Holiday Affair by Annie Seaton

“I admire a woman who knows what she wants.” His voice hinted at all sorts of pleasures. “Mmm…very tempting.” She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. Get yourself out of this before it is too late. Standing on her toes, she moved her hands from his neck to his shoulders and put her face close to his. “What a shame all the tents are so close,” she breathed into his ear. “No privacy here, and I show my appreciation rather loudly.”

She pursed her lips, fighting to keep a straight face. She tried to hold back her laughter, imagining herself as a femme fatale, a passionate woman of the world, and a lusty participant in the bedroom. Nothing could be further from the truth—especially the last few years when she’d buried herself in her studies and research. She quickly lowered her head to hide the laughter in her eyes and Nick pulled her close, whispering in her ear.

“Don’t cry. I’ll take care of you.”

She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. She swallowed the giggle bubbling in her throat and then reached up as though she was going to kiss him. “Sorry, buddy, you’ve lost your bet tonight.”

Pushing him away, she strolled across to the group around the fire and sat down next to the Italian girls. After tying her sarong tightly around her breasts, she clenched her hands to still the shaking of her fingers. Yes, a real femme fatale.