Sally MacKenzie Bundle (224 page)

His mouth brushed hers. Her lips tingled, feeling suddenly swollen. This kiss—if you could call it a kiss—was nothing like the hot, wet, slobbery affairs she’d endured from Brentwood. Being kissed by Brentwood had been an attack—this was something else entirely.

Comfort, not lust. An invitation, not a command.

“Anne.”

She loved the sound of her name in his voice. A little shiver slithered through her and she sighed, tilting her head more, like a sunflower seeking the sun.

He made a small, satisfied sound and nibbled on her bottom lip while his free hand, the one not grasping Harry’s leash, slid to the back of her head.

An odd warmth gathered in her belly. Something hard and frozen began to melt. She leaned into Mr. Parker-Roth’s strong body, wanting—needing—more of his heat.

And then she heard the hiss of an angry cat and Harry’s answering bark. Mr. Parker-Roth jerked backward. She felt herself wobble and grabbed his coat.

“Hold tight,” he muttered. His arm locked around her waist as they lost their battle with gravity and tumbled toward the pavement.

“Oof!”
He flinched as he took the brunt of the impact.

She was not a featherweight. “Are you all right?”

“I’ll live.” His voice had an edge of pain.

“I’m so sorry!” She relaxed against him for a moment. His body was so hard under hers. Pleasantly hard. And something else of his was getting hard as well…

Her face burned. What had she been thinking? Here she was, sprawled across a man’s body in a public square and from the feel of the sun on the back of her legs, her skirt was up around her knees. And from the feel of the man below her, he was having the expected reaction. How mortifying. And if anyone saw them…

She started to scramble off him. He grabbed her and held her still.

“Let me go.” She tried to twist free. “Think of the scandal if we are observed.”

He flinched again and tightened his hold on her back…well, a bit lower than her back.

“Mind your knee, love.”

“Oh.” Her leg was now between his. Her knee was indeed very close to—“I’m so sorry.”

“That’s all right. No permanent harm done.” He smiled a little tightly. “I hope. Now, we’ll just have—”

That’s when she heard the sharp intake of a breath.

“Trouble,” Mr. Parker-Roth muttered.

Anne looked up. Lady Dunlee stood ten feet from them, a look of delighted horror on her face.

“Lady Anne—and Mr. Parker-Roth! What in the world are you doing?”

Praise for
The Naked Viscount

*Starred review* “A laugh a minute.... Brimming with sex, schemes, and sass, MacKenzie’s books . . . are so addictive they should come with a warning label.”

—Shelley Mosley,
Booklist

“Ah, another naughty,
Naked
hero to brighten MacKenzie’s irresistible romance. There’s plenty of sizzle, delicious repartee (filled with double entendres), excitement and mystery to satisfy anyone who needs a bit of love and laughter to brighten their day.”—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Charming, yet darkly dangerous.... If you want to smile, sigh, feel a tug of the heart, and be drawn into a bit of danger, read a Sally MacKenzie romance.”

—Connie Payne,
OnceUponARomance.net

“Naked, naughty nobles with a dash of intrigue and a side of romance all blend together for one delicious dessert in the form of a romance novel.”—Joyce Greenfield,
ReaderToReader.com

Praise for
The Naked Baron

“Sweet and sexy Regency tale.”—Maria Hatton,
Booklist

Top pick! “Naked and naughty—that’s the kind of hero MacKenzie stakes her reputation on, and it’s also the kind that readers adore. With their humor and heated love scenes, her books sparkle and light up readers’ hearts. Her feel-good stories are just what we need. ”—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Caution: Reading
The Naked Baron
may cause spontaneous smiles and feelings of happiness! ”—Connie Payne,
OnceUponARomance.net

“Sally MacKenzie may have penned her best
Naked
book yet, raising the bar for the entire series. With unforgettable characters and blazing passion,
The Naked Baron
is a book to be savored over and over again.”

—Lettetia,
SingleTitles.com

Praise for
The Naked Gentleman

“Hilarity reigns as a queen of love and laughter crafts another
Naked
book designed to keep you smiling. This delicious romance blends MacKenzie’s hallmark humor with a cast of unforgettable characters and loads of sensuality.”—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“What a great series! Funny, spicy, and romantic.”—Jane Bowers,
RomanceReviewsToday.com

“I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed every moment of this fabulous love story.”—Scarlet,
RomanceJunkies.com

Praise for
The Naked Earl

“Naked, noble, and irresistible—who could resist one of Sally MacKenzie’s heroes?”—Eloisa James,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Providing plenty of heat and hilarity, MacKenzie has great fun shepherding this boisterous party toward its happy ending; readers will be glad they RSVPed.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“The latest in MacKenzie’s delectably sensual
Naked
historical Regency series has plenty of sexy sizzle and charming wit.”—John Charles,
Booklist

“MacKenzie continues her delightfully humorous, sexy series with a nice and naughty naked hero who matches wits and wiles with an equally irresistible heroine in the author’s typically touching style.”—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

Praise for
The Naked Marquis

“
The Naked Marquis
is an endearing confection of sweetness and sensuality, the romance equivalent of chocolate cake . . . every page is an irresistible delight! ”—Lisa Kleypas,
New York Times
bestselling author

“With a delightfully quirky cast of characters and heated bedroom encounters, MacKenzie’s latest
Naked
novel delivers a humorous, sprightly romance.”

—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Charming . . . funny . . . full of delightful characters . . .
The Naked Marquis
merits a place on the keeper shelves of readers of the traditional Regency and the spicier Regency-set historical romances alike.”—Jane Bowers,
RomanceReviewsToday.com

“
The Naked Marquis
is a delicious indulgence. Treat yourself !”—Connie Payne,
OnceUponARomance.net

Praise for
The Naked Duke

“MacKenzie sets a merry dance in motion in this enjoyable Regency romp.”—Maria Hatton,
Booklist

“This is a funny, delightful debut by a talented writer who knows how to blend passion, humor and the essence of the Regency period into a satisfying tale.”—Kathe Robin,
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Debut author Sally MacKenzie has penned a marvelously witty novel.... Readers who enjoy a large dose of humor will love
The Naked Duke
. The characters are charming, and the pace is quick. It is the perfect book for a cozy winter retreat. ”—
ARomanceReview.com

Books by Sally MacKenzie

THE NAKED DUKE

THE NAKED MARQUIS

THE NAKED EARL

THE NAKED GENTLEMAN

“The Naked Laird” in LORDS OF DESIRE

THE NAKED BARON

THE NAKED VISCOUNT

“The Naked Prince” in AN INVITATION TO SIN

THE NAKED KING

Published by Zebra Books

The Naked King

SALLY MACKENZIE

ZEBRA BOOKS
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

Table of Contents

Praise for
The Naked Viscount
Books by Sally MacKenzie
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Copyright Page

Harker T. Stanton

January 6, 1915–February 21, 2010
I miss you, Dad, more than I can say.

For all my “Naked” readers.
Thank you for welcoming my characters into your lives.

And, as always, for Kevin.

Chapter 1

Stephen Parker-Roth landed in a large puddle. Mud and water splashed into the air, soaking his breeches, spattering his coat, and decorating his face with flecks of dirt. He wiped a blob off his right cheek with a clean corner of his cravat and frowned at the perpetrator of this sartorial disaster. “You have deplorable manners, sir.”

The miscreant blinked at him, tongue lolling. He looked not the slightest bit abashed, damn it.

“This wouldn’t have happened if I weren’t very, very drunk, you know.”

The fellow tilted his head to one side.

“You doubt me?” Stephen leaned forward and poked his finger at the large beast to emphasize his point. “I warn you, I’m an exceedingly dangerous man. I’ve won brawls from Borneo to Buenos Aires to Boston. More than one blackguard has rued the day his path crossed mine.”