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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  CONTENTS

  Reviews

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Also available

  Chapter One

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  Masked

  Encounter

  by

  Samantha Gentry

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Masked Encounter

  COPYRIGHT ©

  2008 by Samantha Gentry

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Angela Anderson

  The Wild Rose Press

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706

  Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com

  Publishing History

  First Scarlet Rose Edition, June 2008

  Published in the United States of America

  Reviews

  MASKED ENCOUNTER

  Romance Junkies 4 blue ribbons—Samantha Gentry has penned a wonderful “Cinderella” story with MASKED ENCOUNTER. Although Jonathon is not a royal prince, his heart beats strongly for his lover and nothing stops him from searching for her. Trish, on the other hand, doesn't want to believe in happy ever after but soon realizes that one night just might not be enough ... I applauded her audacity and creativity and just sincerely enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading another book by this author.—Reviewer: Natasha Smith

  Romance Reviews Today— ... Hot, wicked sex with a stranger and no repercussions. But what if the stranger isn't really a stranger, but your boss ... MASKED ENCOUNTER is a blistering hot erotic tale about secret desires and fantasy fulfillment ... For a quick, delightfully erotic romance, read Samantha Gentry's MASKED ENCOUNTER.—Reviewer: Terrie Figueora

  Just Erotic Romance Reviews 4.5 This is one super sizzling sexy story! I especially liked Trish, a woman who although inexperienced, saw what she wanted and went after him ... And boy oh boy did she get an introduction to pleasure! The immediate chemistry will knock your socks off and have you wondering if it was there simmering in the background before Trish decided to take charge. If you're looking for a quick read that still tells a great story, pick up Masked Encounter!—Reviewer: Trang Black

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter One

  As much as she tried, she didn't seem to have any control over her own body. Moisture seeped from between the delicate folds of her femininity. Her heart pounded in her chest and her pulse raced. Nipples puckered into taut peaks. Breasts rose and fell with each ragged breath she sucked into her lungs.

  She watched, fascinated by the way he slowly peeled off his shirt, almost as if he had chosen to perform a slow strip tease for the enjoyment of an audience of one. The candle light shimmered off the hard planes of his well defined chest. His sexy smile spoke to her, telling of all the delights the night would bring. Making eye contact with him, she held it just long enough to see the heated desire smoldering in the depths of his green eyes.

  Her body trembled in anticipation of what she knew would be the hottest sex she had ever experienced. The tip of her tongue ran across her upper lip as her gaze dropped to his crotch and the noticeable bulge that promised passion beyond her wildest expectations. She scrutinized his every move as he lowered his zipper—

  "Hey, Trish."

  Julie's voice abruptly intruded into the fantasy, jerking Trish Andrews back into the here and now. She tried to clear the sexy image from her mind, an easier task than stopping the sensual excitement that flooded her body and dampened her panties.

  "I don't know where your mind was, but you'd better get it back on work. Mr. Rutledge just pulled into the parking lot."

  "What?” Her eyes widened in shock as Julie's words caught her totally off guard. “Oh, no! I didn't think he'd be in this morning.” She did a quick perusal of her office, her attention drawn to the unopened mail and the fact that she hadn't even turned on her computer yet. “He just got back from London late last night. I didn't expect to see him until after lunch.” She shook her head in disbelief. “The man is too much of a workaholic. He couldn't even take the morning off."

  Pushing back from her desk, she extended a grateful smile toward her friend. “Thanks for the warning, Julie."

  Trish had been Jonathon Rutledge's administrative assistant for the last three years and the executive vice president's secretary prior to that. When her predecessor retired, she had applied for the opening in Jonathon's office. She had worked for Rutledge Industries a total of nine years, starting right after she graduated from college. She enjoyed her job and admired the man who headed the corporation. But business acumen wasn't the only thing she admired about the dynamic, handsome and very sexy Jonathon Rutledge.

  After flipping on her computer, she scurried around the office making sure everything was in its place. Now wasn't the time for her to dwell on his many attractive qualities, not the least of which was a magnetic sex appeal that had been driving her crazy for three years. She quickly opened the mail and sorted it into stacks according to the envelope contents. She breathed a sigh of relief and poured a cup of coffee just as Jonathon Rutledge swept into her office.

  She handed him the steaming mug and presented a businesslike smile. Her words were crisp and precise. “Good morning, Mr. Rutledge."

  He took the coffee from her as he flashed an appreciative grin. “Ah ... just what I need. I'm still functioning on London time. Thank you, Miss Andrews."

  She followed him into his office. He removed his suit jacket and handed it to her. A hint of his aftershave clung to the fabric. Carrying the jacket to the closet, she took the opportunity to inhale the fragrance before hanging it up. Her fingers lingered a moment on the expensive material. Everything about Jonathon Rutledge excited her senses and fed her fantasies.

  She handed him his mail. “I'm surprised to see you here."

  He cocked his head and looked at her questioningly, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Why? This is still my office, isn't it?"

  "I meant with you having arrived from London so late last night.” A hint of embarrassment tinged her words. “I had assumed you would take the morning off."

  He settled in behind his large oak desk. “It was certainly tempting, but I have to put the finishing touches on the London deal."

  "You have an appointment at three this afternoon with your attorney. Do you want me to reschedule it for Monday?"

  "No, that won't be necessary.” Jonathon loosened his tie and undid the top button of his silk shirt. He didn't like wearing a suit and tie to the office. He was far more comfortable in jeans but had acquiesced to the necessity because of his meeting at his attorney's office with the president and vice president of Premier Associates along with their attorney.
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br />   He had been trying to buy Premier Associates for over a year. It was the only reason he had returned from London on Thursday night rather than staying through the weekend.

  That, and the costume party Marty Collins was hosting on Saturday night. It had been a long time since he had taken a break from his work schedule and done something just for fun. And Marty always threw fun parties.

  Jonathon leaned back in his chair and watched Trish as she returned to her office. She was dressed in her normal sensible skirt and blazer, her blonde hair pulled neatly back into a bun. He had never seen her hair in any other style. Very tailored, very businesslike, very efficient.

  His relationship with his employees had always been strictly business. It made for a more professional working atmosphere and prevented any personal problems that might arise from social interaction with the people who worked for him. He found it too difficult to be friends and socialize on Friday night and then be the boss again on Monday morning.

  He took a swallow from his coffee mug as he allowed his thoughts to wander. Trish Andrews had been his administrative assistant for three years, but he didn't really know that much about her. He knew the surface things, but nothing truly personal. What kind of music did she listen to? What kind of movies did she go see? What kind of books did she read? Somewhere under that practical exterior there had to be a real woman. Did she ever let her hair down and have fun, or did it stay in that bun even when she wasn't at work? Was she dating anyone special? Did she go to wild parties? Drink champagne from crystal flutes? Dance until dawn?

  Or better yet, did she ever lose that cool, controlled efficiency and have wild sex with a stranger? His cock twitched, followed by the unmistakable signs of arousal telling him what he already knew—he desperately needed to get laid. It had been much too long since the last time he buried his hard cock inside a desirable woman and fucked the night away.

  He sucked in a calming breath and slowly exhaled as he shook his head. Even the prim and proper Miss Andrews was starting to look good to him. He took another swallow of coffee. He had too much work to do to waste time fantasizing about someone who wouldn't be his type even if she didn't work for him.

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  The low cut floor length evening gown clung to her curves, seeming more like something that had been painted on her body rather than a piece of clothing. It left just enough to the imagination to whet Jonathon Rutledge's appetite for more.

  The back dipped dangerously low. The side slit reached half way up her thigh. The front seemed to be nothing more than two strips of fabric extending upward from her waist and meeting at the back of her neck while managing to barely cover and contain her breasts. There was no way she could possibly have anything on underneath.

  Jonathon had noticed the stunning blonde in the red dress the moment he arrived at the party. He could almost feel the silky strands of her shoulder length hair as it tangled around his fingers. Her Mardi Gras style mask covered most of her face in feathers, sequins and glitter. Her hips swayed in a seductive glide as she walked across the floor.

  He spotted his host standing at the bar and sauntered toward him, trying to appear much more casual than he felt. He kept a watchful eye on the stunning vision in the red dress as he crossed the room.

  "Jonathon.” Marty Collins stuck out his hand in greeting. “Good to see you. I wasn't sure you were going to make it."

  "I wasn't sure, either.” He shoved his mask up on his forehead, then shook hands with Marty. “I had to fly to London to salvage a business deal that was about to fall apart. I just got back night before last. I didn't want to miss the festivities.” He scanned the room, noting everything that came across his line of sight. “This is quite a shindig you've thrown. It's been a long time since I attended a costume party."

  "I had a lot of social obligations I owed to various business associates, so I decided to take care of all of them at once by renting the hotel ballroom and throwing a lavish masked ball."

  Marty scrutinized Jonathon's costume from the buccaneer hat and head wrap bandana with attached beaded braids, the long-sleeved shirt with wide collar topped by the leather vest, the cutlass hanging from the leather belt, on down to the black boots. “Captain Jack Sparrow, I presume?” An amused grin spread across his face. “Aren't you a little off course? We're no where near the Caribbean."

  "This was my second choice.” A sly grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I had planned to wear just the mask and a pair of black socks while sporting an impressive erection and claim I was dressed as a porn star."

  Jonathon glanced toward the French doors leading to the large balcony. The rain continued to pound against the glass without any sign of let up. “Unfortunately the weather turned cold. I decided a black mask and black socks with only a cock cozy to keep me warm wouldn't have been appropriate even if the cock cozy looked like a hot dog bun."

  Marty's appreciative laugh filled the air. “Well, if anyone could get away with something like that, it would be you."

  Jonathon grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray as the waiter passed by. “Of course,” he indicated the stunning blonde vision across the room, “that's a body that would have kept the blood rushing hot and my soldier standing at full attention no matter how cold the weather was.” A twitch in his groin told him just how accurate that statement had been. He took a swallow from his glass as he watched the object of his fascination for a moment.

  "So, tell me, Marty ... who is she and why haven't I ever seen her before? One doesn't forget a body like that. Have you been keeping her all for yourself?” Jonathon gave his friend a teasing wink. “Does your wife know about her?"

  A slight frown crossed Marty's face. “I have no idea who she is. I had assumed she was someone's date, but she doesn't seem to be with anyone in particular. She's danced with several people but never the same man twice. She appears to be here solo."

  Jonathon pulled himself up to his full six foot-two inch height, squared his broad shoulders and pulled his mask back into place. “Don't concern yourself with this problem. I'll get to the bottom of this or my name isn't Captain Jack Sparrow.” The bottom, the top, the front, the back, that most desirable place nestled between those incredible legs...

  He placed his empty champagne glass on a tray, grabbed two full glasses and carried them across the room.

  "Allow me to introduce myself. Captain Jack Sparrow at your service.” He handed her one of the glasses of champagne, gave a courtly bow, and took her hand in his. Rather than kissing the back of her hand, he kissed the inside of her wrist. The heat of her blood rushing through her veins warmed his lips. “May I ask what such a demure, innocent maiden is doing here all by herself?"

  Her gaze slowly traveled from the top of his hat down to his boots, then back to his face. He could see the sparkle in her blue eyes and her delicious looking mouth, but the rest of her face remained hidden behind her mask.

  There was something vaguely familiar about her eyes and mouth, but he couldn't place where he'd seen them or who they belonged to. Or even whether it was real or just his imagination. An image popped into his mind, a picture of his rigid cock sliding in and out of that delicious looking mouth with her perfect lips forming a seal around his shaft.

  She ran the tip of her tongue across her upper lip. “Tell me, Captain Sparrow,” she dropped her voice to a seductive whisper, “what makes you think I'm so innocent?"

  His breath caught in his lungs. A tightness pulled across his chest. An incendiary wave of pure lust swept through his body and settled in his groin. If she was trying to entice him, she was wasting her time. He was already aroused, his burgeoning erection starting to strain against the front of his trousers.

  He flashed his most charming smile. “That sounds like an interesting topic of conversation.” He wasn't pleased with the slight huskiness that clung to his words, something he believed showed a lack on control on his part. “Would you like to go someplace quiet so we can discuss it? Thoroughly delve in
to every facet of innocence versus reality?"

  She returned his smile. “It would be my pleasure."

  "I hope so because I know it's going to be mine.” He placed his hand at the small of her back, his fingers coming in contact with bare skin. His arousal stiffened, well on its way to being a full hard erection. It took all his will power to keep from moving his hand lower and skimming it inside her dress until he could cup the round globes of her ass. He pressed gently against her back to direct her toward the door.

  They walked down the hall to the elevators. Just being near her kept his cock standing up and demanding attention. His nostrils flared as the intoxicating scent of her perfume wafted across his senses. It prompted visions of hot, wanton sex. It promised a night he instinctively knew he would never forget.

  The elevator doors opened and three people got off. He stood aside and indicated she should enter the car.

  "Where are we going?” Trish trailed her hand across the front of Jonathon's shirt as she stepped inside the elevator car. The sensation of the silk against her fingertips was almost as exciting as the hard planes of his chest beneath the fabric. Almost as exciting as the moment his hand had touched her bare back.

  Her pulse jumped and her breathing quickened. Dampness seeped across her mound and heat spread to her thighs. The soft fabric of her dress caressed her breasts. Her nipples puckered into taut points of need. She knew his hands would soon be doing the caressing, then his mouth, and the knowledge pulsed hot and deep inside her body.

  He reached past her shoulder and pushed the button for the twentieth floor. As soon as the doors closed, the elevator started its ascent. The swiftness of his movements took her by surprise as he backed her into the corner. His mouth hovered just above hers, his hands planted against the elevator wall on each side of her head. So temptingly close she could almost taste him. The tantalizing whiff of his sexy aftershave wasn't enough to detract from the clean masculine scent that filled her lungs and raced through her veins. Her senses tingled with anticipation of what the evening would bring.