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The Year of Living Shamelessly October 2009 So many fantasies. So little time. Every year, Katie Kramer makes the same New Year's resolution: have a wild affair with her brother's best friend, Ryder Scott. Every year, it's the same disappointment. It doesn't help that her good-girl reputation can't stand up to the hot competition, or that Ryder's always seen Katie as just his friend's innocent sister. Ryder adores the Kramers. And it's always been a pleasure to keep an eye out for the sweet and uncomplicated Katie. Of course he'd never let on that he's always had a thing for her—to actually act on it would be impossible. Because Ryder's got a dirty side only a few girls really appreciate. He never expected that Katie would make the first move—much less match him, kink for kink. But this year, Katie knows what she wants. With less than a week to show off her X-rated side, she sheds all her inhibitions. When it comes to satisfying a few fantasies, a woman has to be shameless. |
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"Grab hold of your dates, ladies and gentlemen," the bandleader announced. "The countdown to the New Year will start in one minute." It was time. Katie fluffed out her long black hair and smoothed her hands over her little black dress before pressing her palm over her nervous stomach. She was going to start her wild affair with Ryder Scott. Tonight. Her skin stung with awareness at what she was about to do. She had never had the courage to really go after him until now. Well, what she currently had wasn't so much courage as it was imagining her regret if she never let him know how she felt. This unrequited crush was entering its eleventh year and no one was getting any younger. Katie gave a little sigh and fought her way through the crowd of shiny dresses and ill-fitting suits as she searched for Ryder. Unfortunately, Ryder was best friends with her brother, Jake, and he still saw her as Jake's little sister. That was the downside of always having him around the house when they were growing up. Ryder's family life was sad and neglectful, but the Kramers had been happy to open their home to him. In return, he was protective toward the family, Katie in particular, which was great when he wanted to check that her car had enough oil, but not so great when she wanted him to sweep her off her feet and make mad, passionate love to her. Katie thought back to the one moment during the summer when she'd thought he might feel the same way. She had been hot and sweaty, wearing a threadbare tank top and Daisy Duke shorts while gardening. When Ryder had walked into the yard, he had folded his arms across his chest and run his eyes over her, giving her a certain look that suggested he was seriously considering pouncing and ripping her clothes off. But instead of pressing her against the dirt and doing some wicked and wonderful things, Ryder had clenched his fists, pivoted on his heel and walked away without looking back. If he hadn't gotten the hint by now that she was a sensual woman ready for the taking, then it was time for her to make the first move. "Ten...," the crowd started to chant. New Year's Eve was the perfect, symbolic night, Katie decided as she stood on the tips of her toes and looked over people's shoulders for Ryder. She thought she could see him in the far corner of the Women's Auxiliary Hall.
Katie hurried toward him, her progress slow as she dodged and swerved around people. It was just her luck that she was on the other side of the hall for the countdown. She had to get to Ryder in time for her New Year's kiss! "Eight..." The specially ordered black velvet dress hadn't quite turned her into Cinderella for the night. She glanced down at it with a frown. It was certainly feminine and elegant—but utterly the wrong choice for a seduction. The dress said sweet and demure when she needed naughty and sexy. "Seven..." The fitted bodice and full skirt didn't compete with the slinky dresses worn by Tatum and Sasha, Ryder's ex-girlfriends. Those two grabbed every man's attention with their scandalously short dresses in bold jeweled colors while Katie felt invisible. As usual. "Six..." It didn't help that Tatum had been all over Ryder all night like a leech, while Sasha had flitted around him, constantly readjusting her bra to draw his attention to her chest. "Five..." All night, Katie couldn't figure out how she was going to pry Tatum and Sasha off Ryder before the countdown. Ryder usually kept an eye on her, especially when the men were drunk and rowdy, but tonight he had only nodded and smiled at her once from across the room and that was it. Hilary and Melissa had kept nudging her to tell her he was looking at her, but every time she glanced his way, he was engaged in a new conversation. "Four..."
"Three..." Then suddenly, she was in front of him. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw his dark brown eyes, high cheekbones and molded biceps. But it appeared that if she wanted her New Year's kiss, she was going to have to stand in line. Tatum wasn't waiting for any countdown. "Two..." The platinum blonde was kissing Ryder so deeply, she was probably tickling his spleen with her tongue. And Ryder certainly wasn't doing anything to stop her. "One!" Sasha stood on the other side of Ryder and grasped his chin with her hand. She determinedly pulled Ryder's face toward her and kissed him with enthusiasm. "Happy New Year!" Katie stood right in front of Ryder as everyone rang in the New Year. A shower of confetti drifted in front of her eyes, but she didn't blink. She wanted to yank Tatum away from Ryder and push Sasha aside. Then she would wipe the smears of red and pink lipstick from his mouth and claim him with a kiss that would make him forget everyone else in the room. But she didn't make a move toward him. She felt her shoulders slump. Ryder could have his pick, and if the rumors were true, he might go home with both of them and enjoy a ménage à trois to start off the New Year. There just didn't seem to be any reason why Ryder would choose her. Katie took a few steps back, turned and melded into the crowd. But something in her told her she couldn't let this setback get her down. She would have an affair with Ryder. She just needed to figure out a way to make him see her as someone other than meek and mild Katie. The girl he would rather undress than shove aside to get to the fridge. It was time for a makeover. One just like in the movies. She had to become totally irresistible. A vixen. No one would dare give a noogie to a vixen. It would probably require some professional advice, and there was only one place in town where she could get it. Katie squared her shoulders back and thrust her chin out. The journey to a new and improved Katie was going to start right this second.
Where Would You Like to Go Next?
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"Nine..."
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