Category Archives: excerpt

Break Me by Elyzabeth M. VaLey

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The monster lay dormant, until it saw her…

Every few years, the beast within Grisha Vasiliev rouses, clamoring for blood. When he sees Ayla Clark dancing, her movements exuding grace, passion and joy, he knows he must have her.

Grisha kidnaps Ayla expecting the usual: resistance, tears, pleas for mercy. But when Ayla breaks the mold, his whole world spirals out of control and feelings he thought he could never have again resurface.

He thought she was perfect, but she’s the broken doll on the shelf.

The last thing Ayla Clark remembers is celebrating her performance as Giselle and flirting with the handsome Grisha Vasiliev, the owner of one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the country. Now, she’s tied up and at his mercy, begging for more of his attention, while fighting to keep her own secrets buried in the dark.

Be Warned: BDSM, knife play, whipping

Available at:

Evernight Publishing

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Bookstrand

And More!

Excerpt:

Ayla turned on her heel and raced out the door. Her bare feet slapped against the cool floor almost painfully. The glass shard cut into her hand but she didn’t dare release it yet. Lights blinked on as she ran down the hall and up a set of stairs. Tripping, she dropped her primitive weapon.

“Fuck.”

She didn’t stop to pick it up but continued until the top. She clutched her stomach. It couldn’t be. A thick metal door loomed before her. She lunged at it, screaming and crying, shouting for help, but it didn’t budge.

“Please,” she whimpered.

 “You’re going to hurt yourself. The door is pure steel, locked with a key and an electronic panel.”

She spun to face Grisha. He stood a few steps behind her, arms crossed over his chest, eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Her shoulders slumped. A lump formed in her throat.

“No. Please, Grisha. Let me go.”

 “I can’t do that.”

“Why? You’re rich, powerful. You can have anything you want. Why?” she insisted. “I swear I won’t say anything. This never happened.”

“That isn’t the way this works, sweetheart.”

“Please, Grisha.”

Her knees gave out and she slid to the floor. Her head spun. None of this made any sense. Grisha towered over her. Tears gathered behind her lids. She inched forward, hugging his left leg.

“I beg you.” 

Grisha lay his hand on her head. She looked up at him. The power of his gaze undid the well of emotions within her. She would never get out of here. Sobs racked her body. She clung to him, beseeching him.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

He settled on the floor next to her and pulled her onto his lap. Ayla’s arms wrapped around his neck naturally. He caressed her back in soothing circles. She burrowed her face into the collar of his shirt, his fresh, woodsy essence entering her system. Familiar. Welcoming. Slowly, her tears ebbed replaced by confusion. Why did he comfort her?

“What are you going to do to me?” she whispered.

He caught her chin. His gaze danced over her face for an instant. His brow furrowed. The blue in his eyes darkened to midnight depths. Then his lips were on her, pressing, claiming, sparking her body alive. Her brain shut down. His tongue met hers and she opened up, eager to taste more. He demanded and she willingly gave.

Ayla was his to do as he pleased. His hands touched her everywhere, leaving behind a trail of burning need. Liquid gathered at the apex between her thighs. Her clit throbbed.

Grisha cupped her swollen breast, squeezing the turgid nub between his fingers. She moaned. He bent his head and took her nipple in his mouth, hungrily sucking. She arched, whimpering. His heavy hand slid across her thigh to her pussy. Relentless fingers probed her entrance.

“You’re soaked.” He groaned.

She turned her head, embarrassed. Grisha thrust a digit into her. Ayla sucked in air.

“You like this. You want this,” he said, his voice husky and gritty.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You enjoy this,” he whispered, pushing another finger into her, slowly pumping them. She mewled.

“My sweet little dancer wants my cock in her cunt, doesn’t she?”

She shook her head.

“No? That’s not what this tells me.” He curled his finger across her G-spot and began to massage it. She shook from head to toe.

“Please.”

“What is it, sweetheart? Want more?”

Three fingers rubbed her. The pressure increased. Ayla threw back her head. Her hips swayed involuntarily. His strokes turned quick and short. Sweat trickled down her back.

“Grisha,” she panted.

“You’re going to come for me, Ayla, and you’re going to do it now.”

 

 

 

 

About Elyzabeth M. VaLey

Elyzabeth M. VaLey is a writer of sizzling, sexy romance who firmly believes in happy ever after.  From paranormal to contemporary, fantasy, or historical, she enjoys exploring her characters’ darker side and writing stories about tortured heroes, strong heroines, and all that comes between them and their love.

When she’s not writing, she can be found walking in the Spanish countryside with her black Lab, exploring castles, or enjoying some tapas with her friends. 

Follow her at:

Blog Website Facebook Twitter

Instagram (@elyzabethm.valey)

Goodreads

Pinterest  (Break Me has its own inspiration board)

Amazon

 

Wicked Flower by Carlene Love Flores

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Hi there! So happy to have landed at Nikki’s sexy cyber home. The Sin Pointe men are putting their bags down which gives me a moment to thank lovely Miss Nikki and tell you a bit about why I’m here today. We’re on tour! My offering today is a man whose name is Stefan Calderon and he’s the bass playing lead singer of Sin Pointe. He’s been very patient while his band-family got their books. Now, his story, Wicked Flower, is finally here! It is the fifth book of the series and the first to be rated erotic rather than just romance so thank you, Stefan, for that hotness. To celebrate its release as well as the series as a whole, I got the idea to share some favorite “Stefan Moments” from the books at each blog tour stop. Today’s comes from Book 2, Sin’s Flower. Here, sisters Trista and Lily are doing anything they can not to talk about Lily’s secret relationship with Jaxon which means her very public crush on Stefan is the best bet. Please enjoy, from Sin’s Flower…

Tris nodded but added, “I’m sorry, Lily. I just feel so protective of you. I want you to find someone who is going to light up your life and make everything good.”

Funny how she knew her sister was making a case against Jaxon but those were the exact ways he’d made Lily feel that week.

“I understand.” She’d wanted to ask for some mutual trust but stopped short and instead tucked Tris’s warnings about getting involved with Jaxon into her heart’s back pocket.

Hey, there was one safe guy who Lily knew she could honestly gush over. “How freaking hot is Stefan Calderon?” she asked Tris with a poke.

Streamers may have well shot from cannons. “Oh lordy. You have serious issues, child. Stefan Calderon is a handful of hot-mess.”

“I know! That’s why I have his face on my pillow. Tell me more about him, please?” she pleaded.

Tris went on to lavish many details about the sexy lead singer of Sin Pointe onto her and she soaked up every bit.

 

And here is the Wicked Flower blurb:

Sin Pointe front man Stefan Calderon is playing a very dangerous game and his mom’s live-in caretaker, Dani Foster, just landed right smack in the middle of it.

Practically strangers when Stefan rolls into his small hometown looking to patch things up with Mom, his and Dani’s worlds collide with a hot and intense hook up. He knows right away this woman will make the perfect partner for his two weeks in town. But when she realizes whose son he is, and what he’s there to do, sexy times come to an abrupt halt.

That is until they come up with a solution. Rules. Every game needs them. The question isn’t if they’ll break them, but when and how hard.

It’s a wickedly delicious game, one neither of them intends to lose.

 

Thanks for letting me share with you today. If you’d like to spend more time with Stefan in his own book, you can find Wicked Flower at these lovely places:

Evernight / Amazon / All Romance eBooks / BookStrand

 

Wanna add Wicked Flower to your Goodreads Shelf? You rock and thanks!

 

Carlene Love Flores is a big fan of the stars (especially Orion), honest music (especially Depeche Mode), and her traveling family (no favorites there-she loves them all). These things inspire her intimate style of romance writing. She feels honored to be a member of Washington DC Romance Writers (WRWDC), Romance Writers of America and the Waterworld Mermaids. Carlene currently lives in the San Diego area where she can often be found listening to live music and looking up at the sky on clear nights.  If she could touch someone’s heart with her writing the way others have done for her, she’d say truly there never lived a luckier girl.

Find Carlene Here, she’d love to hear from you:

Website http://carlenelove.com/

Publisher http://www.evernightpublishing.com/carlene-love-flores/

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887320.Carlene_Love_Flores

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carlene.l.flores

Twitter https://twitter.com/cloveflores

Elyzabeth M. Valey Interview & Blind Beauty Giveaway

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Blind Beauty by Elyzabeth M. Valey

James Macintosh is hours away from his new home. He is ready to start a secluded life away from all the rumors, insults and disgusted faces concerning his appearance. However, a meeting with a mysterious woman and her child, mingled with a sudden harsh snowstorm will set him down a very different path than the one he had originally envisioned.

Richard Randywine is an accidental fugitive living with a band of rowdy thieves. A good man at heart, he has gotten used to hiding his emotions behind his strapping muscles and brute strength.  Yet, when the thieves ambush an unsuspecting rider, Richard is forced to drop his mask and step forward.

Will both men be able to see what lies before them or will they be blind to the possibility of happiness?

Available at:

Evernight Publishing | Amazon.com | Amazon.uk | Bookstrand

All Romance Ebooks

Add it to your Goodreads

About the Author: 

Defined as weird since she was about eight, Elyzabeth honors the title by making up songs about her chores, doodling stars and flowers on any blank sheet of paper and talking to her dog whenever he feigns interest.

Losing the battle to the voices in her head is her favorite pastime after annoying her younger sister with her singing. Writing stories full of passion and emotion where love conquers all is her happy pill and she’ll forgo sleep to make her readers live the dream.

Stalk Elyzabeth at:

Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads

Pinterest (Blind Beauty has its own board! Check it out here)

Interview with Nikki

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I don’t remember. LOL However, I think it might have been when I was around 8. They used to do these book fairs at our school and we each had to write a book and put it together for parents and other teachers to see. A lot of my classmates hated the whole thing but I loved it! My mom still has my first books. *grin*

How long does it take you to write a book? 

It depends. Many factors come into play when I write but it can take anything from a week to months.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? 

Hectic. I don’t really have a work schedule or a process so I write when I can (usually sacrificing sleep and going to bed at 3am). I probably should get a schedule and be more organized but… it’s a work in progress.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Interesting writing quirk? Does writing with music count? I usually prefer writing with music than in absolute silence. The words flow better and it’s a constant source of inspiration.

Tell us about your newest release. Blind Beauty is book 2 in the Witches’ Mischief series (Book 1 is The Golden Cock) and it is a Naughty Fairy Tale. Based on The Ugly Duckling, it tells the story of James and Richard. Tired of being mocked for his appearance, James is on his way to his new home away from everybody and everyone when he meets a certain witch and soon after gets lost in the forest… Eventually, he’ll meet Richard.

What can the readers expect from you in the near future. Well, I’m currently working on the 3rd book in the Witches’ Mischief Series and hope to submit it soon. After that, I have two other ideas in mind, one of them for an anthology featuring the 7 sins. You know of what I speak, Nikki.  *grin*

Where can we find your book(s)?

Amazon.com | Amazon Author Page | Amazon.uk | Amazon.uk Author Page | Evernight Publishing | Evernight Publishing Author Page

Book Excerpt

He climbed atop his horse, as told. His back molded to Richard’s, his body betraying him as it molded into the other man’s embrace. Richard pulled him hard against him, his body enveloping him in an almost suffocating hug.

“Go,” he whispered huskily into his ear, his breath fanning it. James pressed his thighs against Faith’s flanks, hoping the animal would understand, considering the strange position she was in. She did, for she set off at a trot in the direction Richard indicated. They galloped in silence, trees whirring past them, snow flying when they swept past. James eyes widened and he barely controlled the urge to order Faith to stop as he realized their impasse.

“Richard, the hoof prints, the snow.” James pointed at the visible trail. “They’ll track us down as easily as the king’s hounds trace a fox.”

Richard’s breath was warm in his ear. His hair tickled his temple and James had to suppress a shiver.

“I know.” Richard chuckled. “Don’t worry. I have a plan, besides wishing that they’ll wake up during the night and we’ll be miles away by then or that it snows heavily again.”

James wished he didn’t have to worry, but he couldn’t relax. The problem wasn’t so much the thieves that could pursue them at any moment, but the man behind him. He was too close, too comforting, and all too desirable. James shifted in his seat again, trying to find a comfortable position. One in which he wasn’t pressed up tightly against Richard’s groin. One in which he didn’t imagine he felt the length of his cock hard against him. Because, he was convinced it was his imagination. Otherwise, how could a man like Richard be interested in him? It didn’t make any sense. In his experience, men like Richard were ladies’ men. They seduced, fucked and discarded women. He wasn’t a woman and he’d been rejected too many times in his life. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need more pain. Richard’s fingers brushed against his side, the fingers digging into his flesh and distracting him as arousal flared in every centimeter of his flesh.

“What got you into thievery?” he asked, attempting to forget how close their bodies were.

Richard grunted in reply and he fell silent once more, fishing his mind for a topic of conversation. It came up blank. He thought about asking Richard to stop. Faith was probably tiring though she didn’t show it and surely, they were safe by now. He should ask. James knew he should, but he couldn’t. He was losing his mind, falling prey to the liquid fire that was consuming him inside and outside. He wasn’t sure if the man was hard, but he was. His cock was stiff and throbbing, the idea of taking or being taken by Richard flashing through his mind every time Faith bounced.

What would it feel like?

Flesh both silky and hard as steel brushing against him, an intimate caress, deep and longing. They’d become one man, writhing, gasping, and moaning. James’ breath hitched, the tightness in his breeches becoming uncomfortable. He clenched his teeth together and grasped the reins so tightly the material cut into his hands. He scrambled to regain his bearings, to remember whom he was with and what had occurred in the last 48 hours. He couldn’t trust Richard, but neither could he trust his treacherous body. He was not a beautiful man. Surely the thief didn’t want him. The thief. That’s right, Richard was a thief. He had no morals, no scruples, no—James groaned as Faith skipped over a fallen log, throwing Richard’s body against him, the erection he was sure he was imagining grinding against his bottom.

 

GIVEAWAY!

Elyzabeth is generously giving 1 commenter a copy of Blind Beauty.  To enter, please leave a comment on this post.

 

Stealing Cupid’s Bow by Jewel Quinlan #Excerpt

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Stealing Cupid’s Bow

by Jewel Quinlan

Recently heartbroken, Raine Daniels arrives home in Las Vegas, Nevada, to help with her parents’ fortieth anniversary party only to discover they are planning to separate as soon as the last guest walks out the door. Everything she thought she knew—her very foundation is rocked to the core.

When she learns that Alexander, the sexy stranger she’d sat next to on the plane, is really the god of love, Cupid—she asks for his help, but he declines. The god of love, now long divorced from Psyche and living on earth among mortals, no longer believes in love.

Raine decides to take matters into her own hands, even if a god tells her she’s wrong.  With her life falling apart around her and the solution seemingly within her reach she dares to try and make everything better. Unfortunately, she’s unprepared for the consequences of stealing Cupid’s bow …

Where you can buy it:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks | Decadent

 

About the Author:

From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels.  She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.

 

Contact Details:

 

For more information visit her website and blog or you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Enjoy the following excerpt for Stealing Cupid’s Bow:

 

From the corner of her eye, the back of a blond head, paired with broad, strong shoulders, caught her attention.

She knew who it was instantly.

Alexander was walking up ahead of them in the same direction. Her entire being zeroed in on him at once and she felt her pulse spike.

Jane was saying something to her, but all of her attention was tied up with trying to see his face. He’d moved off to the side now, and it looked as though he was watching someone intently. Actually, a couple of someones—a man and a woman. On the surface it looked like he was strolling along casually, but she could not mistake the intensity of his gaze on them. It seemed almost…predatory. Was he following them?

Both her mom and her aunt walked so slowly it was almost an agony for her. She didn’t want to lose sight of him. But there was nothing she could do. If she tried to make them hurry, it would spark questions from all three. And the most likely result of her telling them why would be her mother flagging Alexander down in a loud voice, which would be embarrassing.

Jane continued to chatter away, but Raine still couldn’t focus on her cousin.

Up ahead she saw that the man and woman had stopped next to a fountain. The man was saying something. From the look they shared, it seemed to be one of those special moments. Alexander stopped, too. He was leaning casually against a pillar watching the couple.

The man Alexander watched sank down on one knee while retrieving something from his pants pocket.

Alexander changed his stance at the same time. Out of nowhere a bow appeared in his hands. He quickly notched an arrow from the right side of the quiver on his back. He drew and took aim, gazing along the shaft of the arrow.

From what she could see there was only one target apparent in that direction: the woman.

As he released the arrow, a scream rose from within her, but the sound caught in her throat. The gleaming shaft streaked across the space and sunk deep into the woman’s chest, emitting a shower of golden sparks on impact. A second arrow struck the man as well and another cloud of gold erupted. She stopped walking and, since their arms were linked together, Jane did, too.

“Did you see that?” Raine asked.

Jane glanced at her. “See what?”

She pointed in the direction and her cousin peered up ahead.

“What is it, Raine?”

Her cousin wasn’t reacting at all and neither had either of their mothers. And none of the people that had passed right by the scene of the crime were disturbed. She looked again at the couple, afraid of what she might see…and blinked.

There was no blood. No body lay on the floor. No arrow shaft stuck out from either of them. Quite the opposite. The woman was unharmed and glowing with happiness. She had accepted the ring and the man was now swinging her around in joy.

“Did you mean the couple getting engaged?” Jane asked. “Oh yes, it happens all the time here.”

Raine was stunned. Her eyes found their way back to Alexander.

Book Spotlight & Excerpt: Alpha’s Claim Anthology

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alphas-claime1mAbout Alpha’s Claim:

Strength. Power. Domination. 

The shifters in our Alpha’s Claim anthology have one thing in common – they won’t take “no” for an answer. Whether they lead packs of their own, or whether they walk a solitary path, these alphas won’t let anyone stop them from claiming their women.

Lose yourself in these ten sinfully delicious love stories. After all, who could deny an Alpha’s claim?

“Panther Ridge” by Jessica Jayne

Panther Ridge Blurb:

Nathan Thorne is many things. Confident. Proud. Strong. Ruggedly good-looking. And a firefighter. But what really makes him different from most men is that he’s part animal… literally…he shifts into a Florida panther. Nate has spent most of his life a loner, finding satisfaction in random women and roaming his one hundred fifty acres of Florida flatlands in Panther Ridge that his mother left him. He was content. But when Ciara Black enters Nate’s favorite hangout he doesn’t know what hit him. She’s everything he’s ever desired and he knows without a doubt that she’s his mate.

Ciara is on the run trying to escape her father and step-brother’s attempts to steal her Momma’s money. Life is hard and full of disappointments until she meets Nate Thorne. He turns her inside out with just a few words and a smile.

When someone threatens Ciara, Nate can’t do anything but protect what’s his. Can Ciara love him and the animal within?

Buy Links:

Evernight |  Amazon |  Are  |  Bookstrand

 

Excerpt:

“What brought you to town, Ciara?” Nate asked. His gaze wandered over her face. Her nose dipped just slightly giving her a delicate look. Her lips were full and pouty, perfect for wrapping around his cock. Fuck! I need to get my head on straight. It hasn’t been that long since I’ve been laid. But it had been that long since he’d wanted so desperately to be laid by a particular female. In fact, this may have been the only time he could remember feeling only one female could bring him the release he needed, and that female was her. Every ounce of him, body and soul, told him Ciara was his mate.

“A change,” she said, softly, finally looking away from him.

“A change from what?” he pushed.

“A change from my family,” she said, opening the cooler and apparently checking the stock.

“What’s wrong with your family?” Nate asked. “Jack’s a great guy.” Shutting the cooler door, she turned to face him. Placing her hands on the counter, she leaned in closer to him. Her scent enveloped him and he had to bite his lower lip to keep from growling.

“Uncle Jack’s not the problem. He’s the reason I stayed in Florida. Otherwise, I’d have headed out west to get clear of my money-grubbing father and stepbrother,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “You’re quite the nibby-nose!”

“Just like to know who’s pouring my beer,” he said with a smirk.

“Are you going to look at me all night like you want to eat me alive?”

Nate’s hands shot out to grasp her wrist in such a quick fashion that Ciara looked stunned. Being a panther shifter made him more agile than most normal men. His quickness had saved his life on more than one occasion, but it also benefitted him in situations like this one where he wanted to make a point and catch someone off guard.  The feel of her skin against his was more than he could take, and the growl that he had been trying to stifle escaped.

“I am going to eat you alive,” he whispered, tightening his grip on her wrists. Her blue eyes widened. Though there was a hint of fear in her eyes, he also saw the desire, and that made him continue. “I’m going to bury my tongue in that sweet little pussy of yours until you come all over my face. I can’t wait to taste you.” She inhaled sharply at his words.

Buy Links:

Evernight |  Amazon |  Are  |  Bookstrand

Author Bio:

100_8255Jessica Jayne

I am a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English because I could not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing. It is such a pleasure to be able to share all the stories in my head!

In the journey of life, I got my law degree (and license) and also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always an adventure.

I love to read and write… obviously! I’m a huge sports fan, especially college football and the Ohio State Buckeyes!  Go Steelers!  Go Rays! Go Lightning! I LOVE to travel… LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to travel. And I love sharing my love to travel with my children. Did I say I love to travel? I love to drink coffee in the morning and tea at night! I love a good glass of wine, especially if it comes from a bottle made by the FOOLS wine club… yep, I’m a founding member of that crazy group!  J I love hanging out with my family and my friends!  Music makes me happy. I’m a mix between country girl and city chic. But I love nothing more than putting on my jean shorts, tank top, cowboy boots and hat and watching Tim McGraw or Eric Church belt it out!  I’m a sucker for a cowboy hat!  J

Favorite quote:  “If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.”

 

 

Please welcome Adonis Devereux

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Adonis Devereux is two people made one. He grew up in Michigan and in rural Indiana, a Midwestern boy with a passion for story. She was rootless, a Virginia native who lived in London, Paris, and Rome before her parents settled just outside Tokyo. Like him, stories burned in her.

They met in university at a poetry reading, and their love story continued into marriage, graduate school, and half a dozen children. Now he teaches at a Japanese national university, and she teaches children to invert fractions and decline Latin nouns, all while researching ancient Roman and medieval recipes for their novels.

Together, they are Adonis Devereux, and they’re proud to have published their entire line of Gilalion books with Evernight. They’re sad to say goodbye to the fantasy world that has cradled seven amazing couples, but they’re excited about moving on to a new line of books.

***************

The Lotus Trilogy, 3

Konas Seranimesti was present eighteen years ago when the last Lotus in Arinport gave birth to twins, Soren and Sillara. Sillara was betrothed to Konas’s brother the day of her birth, and Konas has fallen in love with his brother’s promised wife.

But what can Konas do? Sillara is the daughter of a Lotus, and her life has been planned out in advance. She has never been allowed to choose anything for herself. But when her twin brother, Soren, who is himself feeling the pressures of his station, joins her on a desert hunting trip arranged by his best friend, everyone’s plans for Sillara are ruined.

Lost in the desert and assumed dead, Sillara is given choices for the first time in her life, but how can she choose a love she has never recognized? Will Sillara’s choice ruin Soren’s chance for love? And can Konas win a heart promised to another man?

Be Warned: public exhibition, anal sex, multiple partners, m/m sex, f/f sex, bondage, spanking, erotic asphyxiation

Excerpt

Soren had no more time to pursue his dark thoughts, for the shaking of the tambourines summoned everyone to the main tent. A male and female pleasure slave, clad in near-nothingness, stood at the entrance and greeted the revelers. Nathen gave Orien a light kick.

“Get up, sleepyhead. Delight calls.”

Orien groaned, squinted against the light, and rolled over. He rose, shook the sand from his massive, muscular frame, and stretched. His face broke into a wide grin. “Is it time to travel the marshes already?”

Soren nodded.

“Merieke brought plenty of herbs, so no one has to worry about bastards, so I am going to take one of the girls for myself. You all can fight it out over whoever’s left.”

Orien, Nathen, and Soren entered the tent and were carried along on waves of music, incense, and herbs. Soren watched as a slave crushed the petals of a purple flower in his hand and threw it into the brazier. Immediately he felt his mind slipping away to that thrilling realm of supreme carnal gratification. The slaves had some touch of their master, and though Konas was not here, his influence remained. Soren knew he was in for another unforgettable orgy.

Merieke came, too, and her natural beauty shamed the crafted appearances of the pleasure slaves. She wore nothing save her jewelry, and even her brothers turned and gasped at her arrival. Gold and malachite earrings dangled from her lovely earlobes, and a wide necklace of gold and silver fashioned in the likeness of two birds’ heads looking in opposite directions lay across the upper half of her breasts. Her lips were red as the ripest apples, and black wings of kohl rose from her eyes, giving her a cat-like look. Soren was almost convinced that she was purring. A belt of thin gold coins linked together hung on her hips, drawing his attention to her exposed and beautiful pussy. Clean. No hair. Just the way the Sunjaa liked it. But most magnificent of all was Merieke’s headpiece, an ornate black wig decorated with cold-worked glass of varying colors.

“Hello, boys,” she said.

No one responded, so stunned were the men by the sudden revelation of her charms.

Soren noticed that she held something in her hand, but whatever it was, it was small enough to be concealed in her closed fist. The only thing he could see was the long ribbon of silk that hung from her hand. It put him in mind of something fun, and with a grin, he walked over to a nearby casket and rummaged through its contents of toys in search of a blindfold.

Orien took one of the slave-girls and commandeered her. Due to Orien’s unpleasantly oversized cock, that was no more than Soren expected. That left two male pleasure slaves, one female, and Merieke.

Merieke walked over to Soren, reached up inside his skirt without breaking eye contact with him, and grabbed his cock. “It’s about time, don’t you think? We’ve known each other all our lives, and still we haven’t fucked?”

Soren untied his skirt and let it fall. “Well, I’ve been at sea.” He liked bantering with her.

Merieke’s eyes glowed. “From what I hear about what you sailors do to each other at sea, I’d say you’re more than ready to take what I’m offering.”

Soren grinned and ran his hands through his long hair, freeing any small tangles from his horns. “I’ll make your first time with an Ausir something to remember.”

Merieke went up on her tiptoes and kissed Soren’s mouth. “And I’ll make your first time with me unforgettable.”

Soren smiled back at Nathen, who nodded his approval. Merieke’s brother turned his attention toward a female pleasure slave, invited a male pleasure slave to join them, and moved off. Knowing that he was going to tell Sillara everything about this afterward, Soren resolved to thoroughly thank Merieke for her kindness in giving Sillara her first climax.

The part of Soren that was the attentive lover wished he had asked Nathen what kind of lover Merieke was, what she liked and disliked, and what she liked even if she did not know she liked it or just would not admit it to herself. But the other side of Soren, that adventurous side that liked a bit of a surprise, was glad to be sailing into uncharted waters. The sea had never looked more inviting.

Soren sensed that Merieke, in her excitement, wanted to lead, and he obliged her. He knew that some people dealt with their nervousness by overcompensating in matters of control. Soren could wait to assert himself; besides, he was happy to see what Merieke would do.

Merieke laid Soren down on a pile of soft pillows and leaned over him, arching her fingers in order to press her nails into his chest. Her hands played with Soren’s body, traveling over his shoulders, and down his muscular arms. She traced the wide wings of the proud falcon tattooed beautifully across his chest. She leaned in closer to play with the hair at the nape of his neck, and as she tousled his locks, she kissed his throat. Soren moaned and relaxed into the pillows. Merieke only used her left hand. Her right hand still held her secret.

The passion of Merieke’s kisses increased, and she, too, moaned as she rubbed her tits against Soren’s skin. Soren kneaded her breasts, ending each long caress in a pinch of her nipples. He breathed deep of the spices in the fibers of her wig, and his cock surged to life. In moments it was achingly hard. Merieke trailed her kisses across his collarbone and down his chest. She stopped at his nipple for a nibble, and Soren thrust his cock up into her stomach. The hard shaft slapped against her skin, and she looked up into his eyes and smiled.

Her kisses continued down to his navel, and there she paused to lick. With her left hand, she reached down and grasped Soren’s cock, working it in preparation for her tongue. She jacked him off against her throat, moving the head of his cock down her jawline and across her chin. Merieke’s tongue flicked out, almost touching it but not quite. Soren smiled at her game. Soon it would be his turn.

Without warning, Merieke devoured Soren’s cock, the pleasure of which caused him to suck in his breath and hold it. Her lips held his hard shaft against her ever-moving tongue. Her head bobbed up and down, and Soren groaned in pleasure to see his cock disappearing into the mouth he had wanted to fuck for so long. Merieke looked up into his eyes while she sucked. She knew exactly what to do.

But then something happened that surprised and impressed Soren, a man impressed by nothing where sex was concerned. Soren was so far more advanced than any of his lovers that no one had ever been able to catch him unawares in the bedroom.

Merieke did. As she sucked, she dropped both her hands below Soren’s legs so that her hands were out of sight. Soren knew she was up to something, but he could not guess what. Then he felt something cool against his asshole, and he looked down in surprise. Merieke managed to smile while still keeping his cock in her mouth.

Soren was open to anything, so he trusted Merieke to please him. So far she was doing an excellent job. He relaxed his asshole and let Merieke slip inside whatever she wanted to put there. Whatever it was, it was not very big. Not as big as a cock. And then a most pleasing vibrating sensation filled his back passage.

Other Books in The Lotus Trilogy:

The Soldier’s Lotus

A Lotus for the Regent

The Lotus Ascension

***************

Where to find more about Adonis Devereux and their books:

Blog

Facebook

FB author page

Twitter

Amazon

Goodreads

Email

How to purchase:

Evernight Publishing

Bookstrand

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

All Romance eBooks

Worth His Freedom

Bride for the God-King

Chasing Earth and Flame

The Twelve Naughty Princesses

Love Comes Twice

Evernight’s Naughty Nibbles (free)

Burn Like Ice (free)

The Soldier’s Lotus

A Lotus for the Regent

The Lotus Ascension


Demon Mine is here! 9-12-12

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I am so excited to share with you all the release of Demon Mine. It’s my pride and joy and I was so happy when I received the acceptance letter from Evernight Publishing saying that they wanted it. Evernight was who I wanted this story to go to from the beginning. They didn’t disappoint me at all with their hard work, the most excellent cover art and getting me through edits.

For your chance to win a free copy, please comment on this post and also leave your email if you wish to be entered into the giveaway!

Buylinks:
Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/demon-mine-by-nikki-prince/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Mine-Karmic-Lust-ebook/dp/B00999G31I/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347433530&sr=1-5&keywords=nikki+prince
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-demonmine-939884-140.html
Here’s the blurb and an excerpt:

Samael is a fallen angel doomed to repeat his life and love for Lilianna Jackson over and over again. That is until she finally remembers who she is and the reason for the curse that has befallen them both. For you see, Lilianna was once Lilith the first wife of Adam and the lover of Samael. Are they doomed to keep repeating the past? Or will there be a new future for the reincarnated lovers?

Excerpt:

Liliana Jackson sat on the bed in the darkened room. Her breath was ragged as she eagerly waited for her lover to arrive. The need she felt was always instant when she thought of him. The slightest movement of cloth from her sundress scraping over her hard nipples tortured her as her bare pussy dampened. She glanced at the small clock on the wall opposite her bed. It would be only a matter of minutes before he stepped across the threshold.
She tried to be patient and wait. She let out a whimper, trying her best to wait for him, but failing. Slowly, she slipped her dress up her thighs, baring her shaved pussy to the air in the room, parting her legs while she leaned back onto the pillows; her fingers teased along her slit in one smooth stroke. She slid two fingers around her wet entrance, and then leisurely teased her clit. Liliana inched one, then two fingers inside of her drenched folds with a moan. She rocked her hips to push them in deeper as her head fell back against the pillow.
She groaned once more as she neared orgasm. One without him. He’d want to punish her, and she’d welcome it. She loved it when he acted all badass around her. In fact, she wanted it. Even as independent as she had always been, she needed his commanding presence, lust and strength. It fueled all of those things within her as well. His needs fed her needs. Her eyes moved to the door. She grinned. There he stood, leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his muscled chest. He looked angry—the edges of his mouth turned down and narrowed eyes fixed on her undulating body.
“Hello, lover.­” Her words were a raspy purr of arousal.
Samael, her lover and the object of her lusts, filled the doorway with his presence. Samael, with his lithe, muscular body, tattoos on his arms, long, dark hair that fell past his shoulders, and when angry, eyes so dark they were fathomless against his paler skin. He was her dark demon, the possessor of her very being, her soul. He continued to stand there, arms crossed over his chest. Samael’s dark eyes turned hazel as they slowly traveled her body to focus on her fingers, which continued to thrust in and out of her pussy. The change in eye color was a sure sign of his rising lust, a hue she was well acquainted with and wanted … no, craved to see.
“I ordered you to wait, Lili.” She heard the impatience in his voice.
Biting back a small moan, she arched her back up off the bed, her eyes still connected with his as her fingers curled to stroke her g-spot.
“You order me to do a lot of things, Sami. I don’t always listen.”
 He gave a low warning snarl. A groan from her was the response he received. He hated when she shortened his name from Samael to Sami. Her eyes moved down his body with leisure, exploring every nuance that made up the fabulous male standing before her. The black t-shirt fit his muscled form well, along with the black jeans that did little to hide his huge hard-on.
“You protest, yet your cock is enjoying the attention I’m giving myself. Seeing as you were late, I thought it would be okay to start without you. Honestly, do you think I would rather have your cock or my fingers?” All the while, her fingers continued to plunge into her tight core, her legs bent on the bed as she arched her back. She splayed her legs out before him so that he saw every thrust.
“Lili, you’re just begging to be spanked.” She shivered and ran her tongue over her bottom lip. His words sparked more need than fear. His approach was leisurely as he watched her continue to pleasure herself. She moved her free hand between her spread thighs and tugged at her clit. “Stop your fingers now. Remove them or you’ll not get what you want from me.”
With measured deliberation, Liliana pulled her fingers from her pussy. Keeping her eyes on Samael, she slowly, teasingly licked them clean. His eyes narrowed, and Liliana smirked. “You didn’t say I couldn’t taste.”
“Remove the fucking dress, Lili. Do it quickly, or you will not get a chance to come as you need to. Then get your pretty little ass on your knees and hold on to the headboard.” His words quickly wiped the smirk off her face. She didn’t say anything as she got to her knees and slipped the sundress off, tossing it to the floor. With one last look of feigned defiance, she turned to settle on her knees with her hands clutched to the headboard. The rustling of his clothing filled the otherwise silent room, and then they were skin to skin. His cock, hard and throbbing, pushed against the crease of her ass as his body pressed close to hers from behind.
Her breath caught in anticipation of his touching her as she craved. She did not say a word. If Liliana tested him, he would follow through on not letting her come. That could not happen; she wanted him bad. A soft mewl slipped from her lips as the head of his cock stroked along her dripping entrance. Her hands tightened on the headboard when he pressed into her. His lips were only an inch from her ear as he spoke with what could only be devilish delight.

Guest blogger: Shyla Colt with newest book: Cursed

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Please leave a comment with email if you want to be entered into the giveaway!

Hello All :Waves: First off I’d like to thank, Nikki for letting me stop by and chat to you all about my new release, Cursed due out on October first. This is my first in the Edgeworth Men series, and I’ll be doing a blog hop focused around the town the book is set in, Baxter. I’ll be giving away a prize every week, so be sure to comment to win.  

Good Luck, Shyla 

 Welcome to Baxter where everyone knows everyone’s name…. and their business. Deep in the heart of Mississippi this town has had a rash of broken heart’s caused by the Edgeworth boys, and rumor has it, it’s not their fault. Their great-great-great granpa got them in a heap of trouble when he bamboozled a local witch and jumped town with her money. Since then every man in the Edgeworth family has had crap luck in love. You’d think the towns women would stay clear of them but once they share that flirtatious wink, show those dimples, and turn on the charm … you’re sunk. Around here one of the most popular places for dining is, Hog Heaven. The BBQ is so good, it’ll make you smack your mama, and the atmosphere is casual, perfect for warding off those first date jitters. Come and see what part it played in Cursed for Avalyn, and Colton. Be sure to comment and win for a chance to win a Hog Heaven Gift set.

Summary
It’s common knowledge the Edgeworth men are unlucky in love.  Great, great, grandpa bought them a one way ticket to heart break when he romanced the local witch’s daughter, took her money and disappeared off into the sunset. Ashamed the Voiless moved away, until now. As the eldest son, it’s up to him to persuade the Voiles women to remove the curse.  He realizes quickly he wants to keep, Avalyn Voiles for himself.  Now he just needs to make her believe his affections are real and overcome decades of bad blood…

Avalyn’s spent her whole life hearing her grandmother bad mouth the Edgeworth family. So, the last thing she expects when she returns to Baxter, was for the witty, charming, sexy Colton to be her perfect match.  Should she take a chance on love and risk history repeating itself?

Excerpt:

Fifteen minutes later, they were in front of Hog Heaven. She couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose up at the name and the apron-wearing pig with a chef’s hat that graced the giant sign in front of the tiny building. Smoke curled up from the back, and she guessed they had a smoker of some kind. 

“Now don’t let the tiny building or the name fool you. This is the best barbecue you will ever taste. The meat melts right off the bone, and it’s smoked to perfection and bursting with flavor.” Excitement filled his tone, and his face looked almost reverent. “The sauces range from tangy to sweet and hot to mild, so there’s sure to be one that’s just right for you.”

 “With a recommendation like that, I can’t wait to get in there.” 

“I hope you don’t mind eating with your hands, because that’s the only way to do it justice.”

 “I don’t have a problem with getting my hands dirty.” 

“Good to know,” he said. 

He led her inside, and she was amazed at the amount of people packed into the small space. The delectable scent that assaulted her nose the moment they entered took away all her doubts. Any place that smelled this good was sure to be a slice of heaven. There were brown picnic benches covered with red table cloths taking up every inch. On each table was a roll of paper towels and a metal basket filled with an array of sauces ranging from yellow to a ruby-red you couldn’t pay her to touch. She liked heat, but that looked downright deadly. Colton followed her line of sight and grinned. 

“That’s the devil’s brew. I don’t recommend it unless you’re into pain.” 

She laughed out loud as they entered the line of people waiting to grab a seat. It was obvious this was a popular place among the locals. “I’m gonna have to pass on that one.”

 “Smart girl.” 

They reached the end of the line and stood in front of the cash register. The meat was lined up and displayed on a carving station. She licked her lips and decided on the brisket plate with potato salad and an ice-cold sweet tea. No one produced sweet tea like the south, and she’d missed the sugary substance when they lived up North. It was served in a Mason jar with a healthy wedge of lemon. When they had piles of meaty goodness and sides on their plates, they chose a table toward the back, where it was less crowded.

 “We have nicer places here in Baxter, but I figured if I was supposed to be showing you the town, local, home-cooked cuisine would be a better fit.”

 “If it tastes half as good as it smells, this place will have a new regular.” 

He chuckled, and a lapse in the conversation came as they prepared their food. She went with the hickory brown sugar sauce on her brisket. The meat was tender and moist, and combined with the sauce, it had her closing her eyes and moaning. The smoky meat’s sweet flavor was downright orgasmic. She could feel the calories piling on top of each other. She opened her eyes and found Colton’s gaze fixed on her. Heat blossomed in her cheeks, and she cleared her throat. 

“What?”

 “Nothing. I like a woman who can eat.”

 She smirked. “I’m southern. I thought enjoying fatty foods was a requirement of girls raised in the south. ” 

“You’d be surprised.”

 Her head filled with thoughts of waif women who munched on salad and sipped on water with lemon. She suppressed a shudder. That was no way to live. She was a meat and potatoes kind of girl and liked her curves, thank you very much. She was proud of the bodacious Voiles butt and child-bearing hips she’d inherited. Unlike some, she was fortunate to have strong women in her life who taught her to buck tradition and love her form and her being for what it was. Because of all the people in the world, there was only one Avalyn Rae Voiles, and no one could do her better. 

The eye roll that accompanied Colton’s statement earned him a few more brownie points. She liked what she saw so far, but she needed to test the waters. 

Fifteen minutes later, their plates were clear and she was taking a blind leap. 

“So, I heard the local woods here are haunted. Is there any truth to that?” She took a giant gulp of sweet tea to bolster her courage and glanced up. He chuckled and shook his head. 

“I’ve never seen anything suspicious there myself, but if you ask me, there are supernatural beings out there living among us. 

 She arched an eyebrow. “That’s smart thinking.”

 “Well, I was top in my class.” 

She laughed and relaxed. Well, he was open-minded at least. That was a start. 

“Why? Do you have experiences with ghosts you feel like sharing?” 

“Maybe?” She glanced up and cast a sly smile in his direction. 

“A women of mystery, huh? I can respect that.” 

His voice washed over her like liquor. The rich tone danced along her nerves, making her nipples harden and her thighs tingle. He made her want to forget her raising and head home with him for a night of smex. Better than your average lay, smex was a nasty, dirty, no-holds-barred ride to completion. He had bigger than average feet. She knew because she’d looked. It had her mind drifting to thoughts of what those thick, calloused fingers of his would feel like over her flesh. Avalyn shifted in her seat as her mind began to fill with images totally inappropriate for the dinner table. She was a woman in the middle of a draught so long she could barely remember what it felt like to be full of a stiff cock. She licked her lips and tried not to leer as she focused on the conversation once more. A quick romp was something she could’ve had years ago. What she wanted involved rings and vows, or at the least a long term commitment. 

“So what brings you to Baxter? It’s not a city people flock to. It’s more of a town you grow up in and never leave.”

 “You don’t like it here?” 

“No, I love it. This place has spoiled me for living anywhere else. We’re a hidden jewel. I think the hidden part is why we remain unchanged by outside influence.”

 “My family is originally from here, but we branched out a few decades back to live a couple states over. My gran and my mom suddenly got the itch to rediscover our roots. The next thing I know, we’re headed back to the original Voiles homestead and buying a space out on Main Street for the store. Not that I minded really. I was tired of life in the city, and smaller towns tend to look on what we do with a kinder eye.” 

“What’s that?” he asked. 

“Make things from scratch and do our best to heal people. Maybe make this world a better place one person at a time.” She shrugged, embarrassed by her rant. 

“I like that,” he said. A soft smile curved his cupid bow’s pink lips, and she felt herself melt just a little more. “Lord knows the world’s got enough negativity in it.”

 “I like you more and more with every word you speak. That’s a rare gift you should share with the rest of your brethren.” 

His cheeks reddened, and she swore she saw panic in his widened eyes. “My brethren.” 

“Yes, men. They tend to put their feet in their mouths at least seventy-five-percent of the time.” 

“Oh, them.” He laughed, but it sounded thin and reedy. It was obviously forced. Avalyn wanted to ask him what he’d thought she meant, but she didn’t want to ruin the wonderful report they had going because of a silly, misunderstanding. 

“As much as I’d like to speak for my entire sex, I’m going to have to decline. I can’t even get my younger brothers to listen to me. Forget the entire world.”

 She laughed. “How many brothers do you have?” 

“Two. Too many.” 

“Come on, you don’t mean that, do you?”

 “Most of the time, no. Sometimes…” He trailed off and shrugged. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?” 

 “No. Despite how many times I asked my mother to give me a brother for Christmas, it never happened.”

 He sniggered and shook his head. 

She glanced down at her watch and sighed. “I’m enjoying this, but I need to head back to the shop soon.” 

“I understand how it is when you own your own business. I’ll go settle the bill.” 

She opened her mouth only to clamp it shut when he shot her a glare.

 “Don’t you dare spout any Yankee nonsense about splitting the cost. I asked you out, and you accepted, so I’m paying.”

 “Yes sir.” She gave a mock salute. 
——————————————

 I hope you enjoyed that glimpse into , Cursed. 

You can find me here:
 http://www.shylacoltsstraightshot.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Shylacolt 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorshyla.colt

Excerpt: Double the Pleasure (Prescott Twins, Book 1) by Jasmine Haynes

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Thanks so much for posting another excerpt for me, Nikki!  It’s been a lot of fun! Berkley gave me back the rights to the two stories I published in the anthology Twin Peaks. They never put this anthology out in ebook, so finally, I’m going to do that for readers. The first story is Double the Pleasure, to be released at the beginning of May, and the second is Skin Deep, coming out at the beginning of June. Here’s a little taste! Be sure to leave a comment and your email address to be entered in the drawing for a pdf copy of Revenge Sex.  
Double the Pleasure

Prescott Twins, Book 1      

One night, one chance, but will she have the courage…
Hitting the big 3-0 birthday like a brick wall, shy, reserved Kristin Prescott just has to break out of her sensible shoes and buttoned-up blouses and find herself a man. And the only one who will do is Ross Sloan, her sexy boss. The problem is, she isn’t Ross’s type; he prefers sensual, seductive women like her identical twin. But, Kristin isn’t sure she can let go of her inhibitions.

Unless she pretends to be her sister.

Ross Sloan has lusted after his secretary, Kristin Prescott, since the moment she walked into his office. When she seduces him while playing the role of her twin sister, he sees through her masquerade immediately. But Ross wants both sides of Kristin: the prim, efficient woman who runs his office and the passionate woman she exposes in the guise of her sister. Forcing Kristin to release her inhibitions and claiming the desirable woman beneath the facade becomes his ambition.

But will the pleasure cost them their business relationship? Or can they have both?
Excerpt

Chapter One

“I think, for your thirtieth birthday, you should seduce a man.”
Kristin Prescott blushed and said a little thank-you prayer that the only other occupant of the steam room had vacated moments before Kirby’s declaration.
Kristin tried to sound flip. “It’s your birthday, too. You do the seducing.”
“My darling sister, I have a vibrator, I don’t need a man. You, on the other hand—”
“I don’t need a vibrator or a man.” Okay, so maybe she needed both, the man definitely more than the vibrator. Sweat dripped off Kristin’s nose, steam pumped from the valve, and the overpowering scent of eucalyptus made it hard to breathe.
Kirby went on relentlessly. “You’ve got to repair your self-esteem.”
“My self-esteem?” A nasty telltale squeak laced her voice.
“Kristin, you’re sadly lacking in the confidence department.”
“I’ve got plenty of confidence.” Not.
“Sure, in your job you do. But get you around a pack of hot-looking guys, and you let yourself fade into the wallpaper.”
Kristin rubbed perspiration from her forehead. “You’ve got me there. I can’t deny it.”
“That’s why you haven’t been on a date since Blake…left.”
“You can say he dumped me.” Her fiancé had given her the heave-ho over six months ago. It wasn’t that Kristin wasn’t over him, she was, it was just… “I haven’t found anyone interesting.”
Except Ross Sloan. Her boss. All he noticed about her, though, were her flawless memos and intricate spreadsheets. She didn’t think he even knew her first name.
Kirby snorted, but didn’t comment on Kristin’s little evasion. “Did I ever tell you what an asshole your ex-fiancé was?” The sisters thought differently about sex, career, marriage, everything, but Kirby was loyal.
“And I love you for saying that.”
Still, Blake’s final crack had slipped beneath Kristin’s skin like a nasty sliver.
Why can’t you be hot and sexy like your twin sister?

The answer was right beside her. Kirby, naked, stretched out on her stomach, her towel draped over the tile beneath her; Kristin, primly seated on the step above, her own towel wrapped tightly, covering her from armpits to thighs. They were identical twins, but in looks alone; their manners and personalities were completely opposite.
With his last words to her, Blake hit Kristin smack dab in the middle of her biggest insecurity—she didn’t have what it took to be anything like Kirby, except on the outside. She wasn’t sexy. She wasn’t hot. But she didn’t dislike sex the way Blake had accused. In fact she’d imagined…yes, she could say the words in her head, she’d thought of going down on Mr. Sloan. In his office.
“Well, forget the little bastard.”
She didn’t think her boss would turn out to be little in any sense of the word. Oh! Kirby was still talking about Blake.
“He was too short for you anyway. And balding. You were way too good for him.” Image was all-important to Kirby. “You’ve just let that whole business beat you down.
“He didn’t beat me down,” Kristin protested.
He’d merely caught on to something she’d known since her first time during college, that she wasn’t good at sex. She hadn’t given him complete satisfaction. She certainly hadn’t found it for herself. Still, in her fantasies, Kristin was like her sister. She did all sorts of toe-tingling sexual things. With her boss. Those thoughts actually made her hot, and she didn’t have any trouble melting into orgasm.
Kirby studied her. “Have it your way. Blake didn’t beat you down. But did he ever make you climax? Even once?”
“Kirby.” There’d been a few, but none particularly memorable.
Nothing like the remarkably memorable ones she’d had while fantasizing about Mr. Sloan, no vibrator necessary.
“Kristin,” her sister mimicked her tone. “Which means he didn’t, right?”
She and Kirby had never really discussed her sexual relationship with Blake. Kirby would have had all sorts of great advice, the first being that the lack of sparks under the covers wasn’t all Kristin’s fault, and Kirby would have been right. Kristin knew that intellectually, but get her heart to believe it? Not an easy accomplishment. Especially when her insecurity problems started with comparing herself to her sexy, hot, over-the-top, confident sister in the first place.
“Could we please talk about something else?”
Kirby spread her hands. “You know what they say. When a horse dumps you, you have to get right back in the saddle and ride again. You need to start dating.”
The old adage that time healed all wounds—as bad a cliché as Kirby’s—was also completely wrong. The longer Kristin waited to hop back into the dating arena, the worse the fear of failing once again.
When Kristin didn’t comment, Kirby rolled onto her back and crossed her legs at the ankles, not indicating an ounce of embarrassment with her nudity.
“Kristin, we’ve got to break out of the rut we’re in.”
Thank God for the change of topic. “We? What is it you want to change?”
“My wardrobe.”
“Your wardrobe?” Kristin echoed, suddenly confused.
“Yes. I’m going to throw out that little red dress. You know, the one you salivated over at Neiman Marcus last New Year’s.”
“I didn’t salivate.” Kristin had.
“You said it cost too much”—it certainly did—“but you know you just thought it was too sexy for you. Which is ridiculous.”
“If I’d worn it, I’d have looked ridiculous. It was too red, too glitzy, too…not me.” Still, she’d adored the sequined bodice and the full, flirty skirt.
She’d wanted that dress badly; only she hadn’t bought it because she’d been comparing herself unfavorably to Kirby. Again.
“You can have it if you want it. Otherwise, I’m sending it to the consignment store.” That was a lie. Kirby was using reverse psychology. “But if you take it, you have to wear it to our birthday party Friday night.”
Ah, the punchline. It was really Kirby’s birthday party, she was throwing it herself. But she’d added Kristin’s name to the invitation. Kristin had chosen the half-day celebration she and Kirby were having right now: a morning off work, a lovely brunch, a good facial, a steam bath. And no need for a stunning red dress.
“I couldn’t wear it.” Could she? Kristin took a deep breath of eucalyptus. If push came to shove, maybe. She needed a push. And a shove.
“There’s going to be tons of gorgeous men there.” Kirby glanced at her. “You can practice your seduction techniques.”
“I don’t have any techniques.”
She could, however, use the stuff of her fantasies. If she found a man who reminded her of Mr. Sloan.
Kirby grimaced. “You’ll learn quickly enough. If you’ve got any balls when it comes to men, that is.”
Kristin would have laughed if Kirby’s words hadn’t been so on target. “I have tons of…cajones.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire. She was turning thirty, and she didn’t even have the courage to put on a sexy dress. Pitiful.
“Chicken,” Kirby couldn’t seem to resist adding.
How long could she go on being afraid of a little red dress? A year? Ten years? Fifty years, living with nothing but fantasies, her body aging, gravity taking over, biological clock in overdrive? Oh. No. The thought was more debilitating than the idea of seducing a room full of Kirby’s gorgeous men. She wouldn’t be merely an old maid, she’d be a shriveled husk. God forbid.
Could she get back on the horse? Actually, the question was more about what her life would become if she didn’t?
“All right, I’ll wear the dress.” She’d find the cajonessomewhere. “And I want to borrow the shoes that go with it, too.”
Maybe someday she’d even have the courage to wear something equally provocative to work to see if Ross Sloan finally noticed her. Maybe, just maybe, his eyes would pop out and he’d ask what her first name was.