Mari Carr's Blog, page 102

Quote of the Day

This one is for Jayne Rylon…we have a running joke about her paranoia! LOL

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you."- Joseph Heller, Catch 22

Saturday Snippet

 This week's theme is water and I thought I'd share a snippet from the first book in the June Girls series, Last week I shared a bit from the second book, No Regrets. These are time travel/Regency novels that explore the adventures of a trio of modern-day girlfriends who are magically transported back in time to Regency England. No Recourse is the very first book I ever wrote from beginning to end and Jack and Hayley hold a special place in my heart.

Snippet:

He slowed his approach as he drew nearer. He could see Hayley better now, her long red hair loosely pulled back in a ribbon. The curls were swinging side to side as she kept a fierce pace. Glancing back toward the Grange, he realized they must have come well over two miles down the beach. Amazed by her strength and stamina, he wondered if he could run so long and so far without a rest. Not ready to announce his presence, he kept Lancelot close to the tree line and followed at a slower pace, retaining his distance. Enjoying the view, he was curious to see what this firebrand would do next.

After more than a quarter of an hour, she ceased her run and began to walk, arms akimbo, apparently catching her breath. He nudged Lancelot off the beach and into the cover of the trees, while keeping her within view. Eventually, she ceased walking, turned to look at the water and stretched her arms up into the air while curving her back. After a quick look around, she sat on the sand and began to take off her shoes and stockings.

Certain she was unaware of his presence, he'd decided to approach her when she stood quickly and, with another glance around, took off her shirt. Stunned, he stared as the beautiful redhead then pulled off her pants. She stood on the shore in the tiniest drawers he had ever seen and the strange, small corset he had briefly uncovered during their heated interlude in the cabin. Her breasts were firm and full, and he noticed how they rose and fell rapidly as the result of her strenuous run. His gaze admired the sleek curves of her buttocks and the shapely muscles of her legs. He had no idea how beautiful well-defined calf muscles could be on a woman. She had the most striking figure he'd ever seen. She was muscular, yet feminine at the same time. It was a heady combination.

Without hesitation, she began to walk into the channel. When the water reached the top of her thighs, she raised her hands in front of her and lightly dove under the water. Mouth dry, he watched as she swam with strong, sure strokes against the current going farther and farther out to sea. His admiration quickly turned to fear as he realized exactly how far she was going. Without a thought, he tied Lancelot to the nearest tree and took off down the shore toward the water. As he hurriedly walked, he shed his waistcoat and shirt. Stopping at the water's edge he quickly removed his boots and stockings. Leaving his breeches on, he dove into the cool water and swam after her.

*

Hayley stopped swimming when she heard splashing behind her. Turning, she felt a jolt of fear as she saw a man swimming toward her. Her fear quickly receded when she noticed the familiar dark hair and realized it was Jack. Treading water, she waited patiently until he reached her. As he approached, she admired the muscles of his arms rippling through the water. He was a good swimmer and he reached her quickly. She wondered how long he had been following her. She'd sensed someone behind her during her run, but when she'd looked around, she hadn't seen anyone. As he pulled up even to her in the water, she saw that he was angry. Actually, he always seemed to be angry with her.

"What–the hell–are you doing?" he asked, between attempts to catch his breath.

"Swimming," she replied with a grin. She was really starting to enjoy pushing his buttons. "What the hell are you doing?"

His eyes narrowed as he winced at her use of foul language. Despite being quite accomplished at provoking him to extreme anger, she realized with some alacrity she would probably be wise not to push him too far. Problem was she simply couldn't seem to help herself.

"I was coming to help you. Do you realize how far away from shore you are?"

Glancing back at the shoreline, she could see that she was not as far out as she normally swam.

She shrugged lightly. "Yes."

Her lack of concern, and clothing, apparently left him completely unnerved. "You are naked."

At this, she laughed. "No, I'm not. This is typical of what women wear to go swimming in my time. It's called a bikini. Well, actually, this isn't a real bikini, but it does run along the same lines." Her undergarments were perfectly respectable for the twenty-first century, although she belatedly realized she must look shocking to this nineteenth century man.

He snorted in disbelief. "It is indecent. Where are all the men in your time when women are paddling around in next to nothing? I cannot fathom that this is permitted, let alone accepted."

"The men are usually paddling around in next to nothing with the women. People shed their inhibitions about revealing their bodies over the next couple hundred years. My bra and panties are downright conservative compared to most bathing suits." Imagine if she were wearing a thong.

She could see it was better that she had stepped through the tree rather than Jack. The idea of him trying to adjust to life in two thousand eight tickled her. She laughed, splashed him and began swimming back to the sandy beach. While she had worn bikinis in her time, being so close to him with so little on did make her feel a bit uncomfortable. His attitude toward her swimming attire affected how she felt in it, and any time he came too close, she felt an unfamiliar, overwhelming heat course through her body, which she decided was a bad sign given the chill of the water.

Hayley stopped swimming as she neared the shore, her feet firmly on the sandy bottom. She remained where the water still reached her neck until he caught up to her.

"I need to get out and get dressed," she said simply.

"Fine," he replied. "Go right ahead."

She blushed slightly at the idea of him watching her get out of the water. She realized the feeling was foolish as she'd often sunbathed like this in front of men all the time. It was his feelings about it that made her uneasy to reveal so much of herself to him.

Then she recognized his comment for what it was–a dare. Hayley loved dares. Grinning, she threw her head back proudly and walked through the white foam and across the cool sand to her clothing. Instead of dressing quickly, she sat down and lifted her face to the sun, letting it dry her body.

He stood in the channel, watching her and clenching his jaw so tight she thought it must hurt. She wondered if the cool water would calm his temper. After several minutes, he managed to rein in his emotions, both the anger and what she was certain was a touch of lust disappeared. She actually felt a bit of uncharacteristic guilt when she saw his previous emotions replaced with concern.

He emerged from the water and sat down beside her. When he spoke, it was in a quiet, almost pleading voice. "Hayley, I realize you are not familiar with how things are done in this time period. However, I can assure you that the way you are dressed and acting right now will get you ravished or worse. If any man other than myself had come upon you this morning that is exactly what would have happened."

She listened to his words and noticed that for the first time, his tone was actually reasonable and polite. He was not barking commands at her. His anger seemed to have evaporated, and it dawned on her she liked him this way.

"I understand," she said in a softer voice. "Really, I do. I'm just used to doing things my own way. Jack, I can't give up my exercise routine while I'm here. It makes me feel happy and healthy–I enjoy it. Isn't there anyway I can continue to run and swim safely?"

"You should have an escort with you any time you are away from the Grange. It is not proper for young, unmarried ladies to go anywhere unchaperoned. However, no escort is going to approve of your swimming attire." She recognized an undeniable spark of appreciation in his eyes as he tried to hide the fact he was looking at her body.

*

Jack disliked the thought of any man ogling her luscious body as she propelled herself gracefully through the waves wearing what she called a bikini. What an odd term. He rather wanted to keep that image as his own personal gift. It was a vision he expected to see in his dreams for the rest of his days.

"Don't women swim in this time?"

"Some do, but they wear considerably more clothing," he answered. "I am sure Erin can have her seamstress make you a bathing costume in addition to the dresses you will no doubt need made."

"I think that more clothing would make it harder to swim, but I suppose I could try it. Erin has offered to have some dresses made for me, so I'll ask for a swimsuit as well."

Standing, she brushed the sand off her bottom as he glanced toward the house. If Alex came upon them now, his friend would not believe him innocent of seducing her, and he certainly would not believe they had merely gone swimming. In fact, if anyone spied them in their current state, he had no doubt he would be saying wedding vows with this unconventional woman with Alex's pistol at his back. Somehow, the thought did not upset him as much as he thought it should.

No Recourse is available at , Amazon, Fictionwise, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks.

Dive into some awesome snippets by these authors:

Emma Petersen 

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Vivian Arend

Delilah Devlin

Eliza Gayle

T.J. Michaels

Jody Wallace

Black Jack release!

The first book in my two-book Scoundrels series, Black Jack releases today at Ellora's Cave.

When pirate Black Jack captures a ship at sea, he considers the territorial governor's haughty daughter part of the spoils of war. Tying the fiery beauty to his bed, Jack claims Emma as his…over and over again.

Jack has a secret. One he's kept hidden from his best friend Emma. When she calls in a favor, asking Jack to perform in a pirate fetish fantasy at the nightclub she manages, Emma inadvertently opens Pandora's box—for both of them. As portraying a dominant pirate forces more of Jack's dark desires to light, Emma finds herself enmeshed in sensual explorations of BDSM, wax play, bondage and sex in public that leave her questioning her vanilla existence.

When one more heated interlude on the stage finds her submitting to Jack, Emma suspects she'll never find her way back to her simple missionary lifestyle. But with Jack in control…she's not sure she wants to.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

"Let go of me!"

"Take it easy, lass. Come peacefully and no one will be hurt."

"No one will be hurt because I'm not going anywhere with you."

Black Jack Carlysle tightened his grip on the young woman's arm. He wasn't accustomed to backtalk from any of his subordinates and he sure as hell wasn't going to listen to it from a mere female.

"I don't think you fully understand your position here. My men and I have taken over your ship. Now we're seizing our reward."

"Stealing is more like it. You haven't earned anything on our ship. You're a thief and a heathen and—ouch! You're hurting my arm!"

"I may be all you say and more, my dear, but the fact remains, I am the captain of this ship and you are part of the spoils of war."

The haughty woman slapped him. Hard. "We'll see about that."

Jack was shocked momentarily. He heard a sharp gasp behind him and knew his men had witnessed her assault. He'd intended to take her below deck and lock her in the room next to his. He knew who she was. As daughter of the territorial governor, she'd fetch a fair price in ransom.

Her blow and fiery rage ignited his temper and his final destination changed as he pushed her toward the ladder that would take them to his cabin.

"You will pay for that, my lady. In my bedroom."

His threat pulled her up short and her struggling ceasing. "You can't be serious. Do you know who I am?"

He chuckled mirthlessly. "I think the question that should be asked is, do you know who I am?"

Her gaze narrowed, drawing his attention to light blue eyes surrounded by thick, long black lashes. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely pink due to anger and exertion. Her breathing had accelerated, each hastily inhaled breath thrusting her full breasts forward. She'd fill his hands nicely.

No, Jack thought. It wouldn't be a hardship bringing this hellion to heel.

"I know exactly who you are, Black Jack. And if you think I'll quiver at the mere mention of your dreaded name like the rest of the fools on my father's ship, then I fear you're destined for disappointment."

He grinned, pushing her harder than necessary toward the ladder. She stumbled slightly before catching herself. She was provoking him, daring the devil inside to come out to play. She'd struck him in front of his men. At that point, she'd lost the right to be treated with courtesy. Now he needed to make an example of her. Regardless of how much that idea rubbed against the grain.

He liked to consider himself a gentleman—usually beyond kind with the terrified women they'd kidnapped in the past. More than a few times, he'd had to gently convince the captive ladies to return home once their ransoms had been paid.

Clearly that wouldn't be a problem this time.

She turned to face him once more, but before she could speak, he raised his finger. "Silence, woman!"

He didn't intend to wage this battle in front of his men. It was high time she realized who she was dealing with.

"How dare you speak to me—"

Jack growled. Bending forward, he put his shoulder to the lady's middle and lifted until her upper body hung upside down along his back.

"What the—"

"I've warned you more than once, my lady. Now you're going to pay the piper."

"Awesome," Emma Potter said, wiggling loose from Jack's hold. "That was perfect."

Jack pulled the bandana off his head and stuffed it in the pocket of his jeans. "I feel like an ass."

Emma laughed. "I owe you a big one for this, Smacker."

Jack ignored her use of the annoying nickname. After years of friendship, she still persisted in calling him by the silly name. She'd given it to him after they'd gotten more than a bit tipsy at a bar the night Emma turned twenty-one. She'd tripped and spilled her strawberry daiquiri down the front of his shirt. He'd spent the evening smelling like a little girl's tube of Bonne Bell lip gloss. Emma had teased him the entire night, calling him Lip Smacker. Sadly, fourteen years later, the shortened version of the name still stuck.

"I don't think there's a favor big enough in the world to repay me for this." Jack leaned against the railing of the fake ship, looking out at the empty tables and chairs of the nightclub as he considered the fact they'd soon be filled with clubgoers, all watching his weak attempt at piracy.

"True that," Emma conceded. "You're a lifesaver, Jack. Really. I was at my wit's end this morning. I bet I made at least fifty phone calls."

"Glad to know I'm so high on your list," he said sardonically, chuckling.

"Believe me, that call list isn't one you want to be on top of."

He looked around and shook his head. "Still find it hard to believe that you plan fetish fantasy shows for a nightclub. I've got to admit, when you were making your valedictory speech in high school, this wasn't exactly where I pictured you ending up."

"Maybe not, but I bet you knew I'd be organizing awesome parties attended by all the biggest names, right?"

Emma had been the queen of the social scene in high school. Jack thought it had probably surprised more than a few of their peers to discover she had such good grades, given her love of partying. Begrudgingly, he had to admit she was one of the most naturally intelligent people he'd ever met. She had a razor-sharp mind with a quick wit to match. Her photographic memory didn't hurt either. Quite frankly, it had taken very little work for Emma to maintain her position at the top of their class. Not that it had been a very large class.

They'd both enrolled in USC and moved to Los Angeles from Bumfuck, North Dakota, determined to escape their small town. The third in their small gang of friends, Travis, had come along for the ride as well, mainly because he thought living in L.A. would be a lark. Little did Jack and Emma know their unmotivated, antisocial best friend would find his niche in the City of Angels.

"Yeah, I knew you'd plan awesome parties." Jack reached up to rub his cheek. "Hey, did you have to slap me so hard?"

She rolled her eyes. "You big baby. It wasn't that hard. Besides, the sound has to carry through the room to make it authentic."

Jack crossed his arms. "I hope your actress doesn't have your right hook or I'm likely to suffer a concussion."

"Not my fault. If you'll recall, it was you and Travis who taught me how to fight."

"You were supposed to use those moves on the frat-boy assholes at college. Not me."

Emma shrugged. "Looks like I got a bonus from my lessons."

"Yeah, well, you try to lay another one of those bonuses on my face and I'm gonna return the smack. Only I won't be aiming at the cheek on your face."

"Promises, promises."

Spring into Savings – Saturday Night Special

 

Spring into savings, and laugh all the way to the bank with Saturday Night Special. It's book six in the Wild Irish series and a romantic comedy. I like to call it a mix between I Love Lucy and The Hangover!

Saturday's child works hard for a living…

What do you get when you cross a gold-digging stripper, a down-on-her-luck hooker, an estranged husband, his knocked-up wife, a Wayne Newton lookalike taxi driver and one beleaguered Baltimore cop?

A typical night in the life of Riley Collins—Vegas style.

Riley's always been the wildest of the Collins clan, but even she bites off more than she can chew during an impromptu trip to Sin City. Once again, it's Aaron Young to the rescue. No surprise; Aaron's been watching Riley's ass forever—and he's wanted to spank it for even longer. Tracking her down, Aaron finally gets his wish—after he drags a drunken Riley to a chapel and makes it legit, of course.

To say she's shocked is putting it mildly. But Riley warms to Aaron's seduction quicker than you can say "all-you-can-eat buffet!" Who knew her mild-mannered best friend was so hot in the sack? Of course, thanks to Riley's penchant for picking up strays, the newlyweds will have to sneak in some honeymoon boom-boom whenever they can. But they'll manage…

Excerpt:

The sex shop was within walking distance of the hotel. As they stood outside, Riley studied the small storefront with disdain. All the windows were covered with black paper and a cheap, blue neon light displayed the store's name.

"Classy joint," she mumbled.

Aaron opened the door and they stepped into the dimly lit shop. There was only one other customer in the place and Aaron decided the store was similar to every sex shop he'd ever been in. As a police officer, it wasn't unusual for him to have to check out complaints about indecent exposure and the like at places just like this back home. "He doesn't look like a Sal to me." He pointed to the pimply faced young guy sitting behind the counter.

"Yep, it's a safe bet he's earning minimum wage, not top billing."

Aaron nodded as the clerk flipped the page of his magazine. "Well, there are still perks to the job. He can look at all the nudie magazines he wants for free."

"Some perk," Riley said distractedly. He followed her as she walked down an aisle, looking at all the sex toys. He loved how she could step into any situation or place and never have trouble fitting in. Most women he knew would never dream of stepping into a store like this, but Riley didn't even blink twice as she picked up the largest dildo he'd ever seen and waved it at him.

"What woman could possibly think this would be fun?"

He shrugged, picking up a neon green dildo. "Probably the same woman who would want to play with a green cock. You think it's some sort of environmental statement? Go green?"

"Hey." She took the dildo from him. "That's kind of cool. Wonder if it glows in the dark."

He chuckled. "Move along, Mrs. Young. Your dildo days are done. I've got your cock right here." He grasped her hand and let her feel his re-emerging erection.

She snorted but left her hand on him. "Glow in the dark is pretty hard to compete with. You think you're up for it?"

Her comment certainly moved him further into the up position and she giggled as his cock thickened in her palm. "Guess that answers that." She patted him lightly before walking away.

He closed his eyes and prayed he'd be able to follow. She was killing him.

"Vibrators could be fun," she announced.

He nodded and took two painful steps toward her. She was bent over looking at the rabbit varieties, her ass taunting him. Coming to a sex shop when he was this horny was dumber than going to the grocery store hungry.

He bypassed her vibrators, his interest lying elsewhere. "This one," he said, picking up a slim vibrator and handing it to her. "We're getting this one."

"Why?" She looked at his selection.

"Remote control."

She laughed. "The ultimate guy accessory. Okay. Looks like fun."

She continued walking and he noticed she'd picked up her pace. Glancing at the nearest shelves, he understood—and realized with glee he'd found a chink in his girl's armor.

"Hey." He grasped her hand and dragged her back to the shelves she'd just sped by. "You're missing the best stuff."

She raised a haughty eyebrow at him when she saw where his gaze had landed. "No. Way." She enunciated both words clearly.

"Hell. Yes." He mimicked her tone, grinning when she flushed. "Are you telling me, Riley Collins, that I've actually found something you've never done?"

"I'm not talking to you about this. It's personal."

Aaron laughed. "We're married. Nothing's personal anymore. You mean to tell me you aren't a little bit curious?"

"That particular place is an exit, not an entrance. I plan for it to stay that way."

He reached over to pick up a small butt plug. "We'll work up to it." He grabbed a tube of lubrication as well.

"Oh no, we won't."

He nodded, placing his hand on her back and directing her around the corner to the next aisle.

"You're wasting your money on those things." She pointed to the plug and lube.

He didn't bother responding.

"You're being stubborn again," she added.

"Determined," he replied.

"Annoying."

"Is this some sort of name game?" he joked.

She glanced at the shelf behind him and an evil look crossed her face. He braced himself. Riley may get knocked down, but she never got knocked out. "Okay, if you're buying those, I want these." She picked up handcuffs.

"Sweetheart, I'm a cop. I've got at least a half-dozen pairs of those at home. And believe me, I'm more than willing to use all of them on you."

"Oh, they're not for me. They're for you."

Saturday Night Special is also available at Ellora's Cave, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and All Romance Ebooks.

Quote of the Day

  "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves–say rather, loved in spite of ourselves." – Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

Spring into Savings – Friday I'm in Love

 

Spring into Savings with book five in the Wild Irish series, Friday I'm in Love.

Friday's child is loving and giving…

Ewan Collins has had the hots for Natalie for years but she continually rebuffs him, supposedly because of their age difference. When Natalie comes to stay with the Collins family for a week, Ewan decides it's time to make his move in a serious way.

Natalie's been in a funk since celebrating another birthday alone. When Ewan proposes to help her "get a life"—seven lessons in seven days—she figures what the hell does she have to lose? Ewan's plans include tequila shots, fishing, karaoke…and other, more erotic hands-on demonstrations.

But loneliness isn't Ewan's only obstacle. Tragedy in her past continually takes Natalie to a dark place her mind can't easily overcome. With support, tenderness and love, Ewan plans to win over Natalie one lesson at a time.

Starting with lessons of the heart.

Excerpt:

"Come on." Aaron pointed toward the dance floor. "You better go stake your claim. A woman as pretty as Natalie won't be alone for three seconds out on that dance floor before the wolves descend."

Even as Aaron spoke the words, Ewan could see two men moving closer, attempting to bump and grind their way into Riley and Natalie's dance space.

He pushed his way through the throng of dancers, taking Natalie's hand and pulling her away from the man whose hand had somehow managed to snake its way under the hem of her shirt, creeping ever steadily north. He narrowed his eyes when the man looked ready to protest that he'd robbed him of his new toy.

"Fuck off," Ewan mouthed. The man took his measure and then raised his hands in surrender, turning to thrust his hips against the woman behind him. Jesus. This place was meat market central. He was starting to wonder how he could get all of them out in one piece. The dimly lit dance floor was packed with sweaty, gyrating bodies all moving in time to the powerful bass thumping through the speakers only a few feet away from him. How much hearing loss was he going to suffer for this night?

Aaron quickly claimed Riley, pulling her farther into the horde. Natalie moved closer and Ewan saw she was relieved by his presence. He didn't bother to speak. No matter how loudly he yelled, the sound would only be consumed by the earsplitting music. He pulled her toward him, letting the music dictate his movements. The two of them swayed in time and he tried to calm his body's reaction when her hands wrapped around his waist, her hips lightly rasping his cock every few seconds.

Natalie seemed enraptured, lost in the music and the moment, and he fought back a groan when she turned around, pressing her ass against his dick and rubbing seductively in time to the beat.

"Fuck," he muttered, aware she couldn't hear his curse. There was no way she wouldn't be able to feel his hard-on through his jeans. Of course, given the amount of alcohol she'd consumed, he wondered if she minded. Her inhibitions were low, her resistance shot down by the tequila.

If he were a gentleman, he'd take her back to the table. Hell, he'd take her back to the apartment and tuck her into bed…alone. Instead, he grasped her waist and pulled her more firmly against him.

He wasn't a gentleman—and she felt too damn good.

Her hands drifted back, rubbing sensuously along his upper thighs, and he wrapped her tighter in his grip, letting his hands explore the tiny exposed bit of skin beneath her shirt, the same skin he'd just deprived the other guy of.

They continued to let the music take them away and Ewan felt for a moment as if he was having an out-of-body experience. The loud, thumping music matched the pulsating, relentless pumping of blood through his body. Natalie's hands as they caressed him seemed to leave a trail of fire wherever they touched, singeing him and driving him to heights he'd never imagined. She turned slowly in his arms and he felt as if her movements were in slow motion as the flashing, colored lights set the scene around them…the other dancers hazy, unreal. It was as if they were the only two people adrift in a sea of sound, touch, heat, light.

Natalie moved closer and he marveled that she could manage such a feat. He would have sworn they were already linked at every pleasurable point. Her stomach pressed against his cock while her hands traveled to his shoulders. He leaned down until their faces were connected—her soft cheek against his rough one, her hot breath tickling his ear. He turned slightly to kiss her flushed face—and she turned at the same time.

Their lips met.

He hadn't intended to kiss her, but Natalie affected him like season tickets to the Ravens affected his pop. He was helpless to resist.

Guided by the pure animal instincts she instilled within him, Ewan kissed her, their tongues tangling, and he tasted the same bitter tang of tequila that laced his own mouth. He moved his hands from her waist to her ass, pulling her ever closer, grinding against her swaying hips, and he felt her sigh against his lips.

Her fingers gripped his hair, tightening, holding his face to hers, their lips locked together. He could stay frozen in this moment and never leave, loving her soft sighs, her sensuous motions, her tantalizing touches. She was sex in heels and he wanted to eat her alive, soak up every glimmer of the beautiful radiance that shone from her face.

Friday I'm in Love is also available at Ellora's Cave, Sony, Barnes and Noble and All Romance Ebooks.

Saturday Snippet

This week we are exploring unusual settings and I thought I'd feature a snippet from my historical romance/time travel novel, . A modern-day woman is swept back in time, away from the comforts and amenities of the twenty-first century and thrust into Regency England. Lucky for her…there's a hot duke waiting at the other end!

Snippet

"Didn't Mrs. Henry tell you to stay away from here?"

Surprised by the malice lacing his tone, she took a small step backwards before nodding.

"Then why are you here?" he asked, his face twisted with anger.

"I—" she stumbled, fear beginning to course in her blood. "I was w-worried about you."

A harsh bark of a laugh cut the silence of the room.

"Worried?" he asked sarcastically.

"Y-yes," she answered, glancing back at the door, feeling very much like Chelsea must have only minutes earlier. Desperate for escape.

"Oh." He slowly rose from his chair. "Yes, you should be worried, but not for me." His clothes were wrinkled as if he'd slept in them, which she assumed he had. His white shirt was open at the neck and, as he approached her, she was able to make out the lightest smattering of dark hair on his chest. His hair was disheveled, as if he'd tried to pull it all out. His feet were bare, except for his stockings and she worried briefly about him cutting himself on the broken glass on the floor.

"I'm sorry I disturbed you." She wished she had taken Mrs. Henry's words more closely to heart. This man towering over her was not the Ben she'd come to consider a friend. He was a cold stranger who oozed danger through every pore on his body. "I can see you aren't in the mood for company tonight."

"Yes," he hissed. "Sorry. You should be sorry. You were warned."

"I'll leave." She turned quickly for the door.

"Oh no," he said as he roughly grabbed her shoulders preventing her from taking a single step. He lowered his face until it was only inches from hers. His dark eyes bore into hers with an intensity that stole her breath. This man was not a friend. She shivered in his grasp as she looked into the eyes of a stranger, a madman.

"Ben," she whispered, hoping to dispel the anger in his eyes, the violence in his face, the powerful grip of his hands.

"You were warned and now you must pay the penalty," he said softly. Before she could reply, his lips descended to hers in a painful kiss. His grip on her shoulders tightened as he held her still for his assault. She struggled to turn her face away, but he moved his hands to the side of her face, refusing to allow her retreat.

His lips roughly ground into hers, his tongue pounding into her mouth, his teeth nipping her lower lip until she could taste the bitter metallic flavor of her own blood. She shoved against him with all her might, but her slight strength was no match for his power.

She began to fight back in earnest, pummeling his chest with her fists, as he continued to back her against the wall, his mouth relentlessly attacking hers while his hands moved slightly to capture her head in an even more forceful grip. Roughly, he pulled the pins from her hair, the sound of each one hitting the floor like another nail being driven into her coffin as he continued his assault. She realized she was defenseless against his might and for the first time since she'd met Ben, she was truly terrified of him.

Her soft whimper of alarm and violent shaking must have broken through his crazed mind as he slowly softened the kiss. His grip loosened as he brought his arms slowly around her back in an almost gentle embrace. His tongue, when it touched her this time, attempted to soothe the damage he'd wrought on her lips. It was if he were trying to heal the wounds he had inflicted with his own. The power of the previous kiss was gone, replaced now by lips that gently caressed hers.

The fear that had permeated her body only moments earlier fled, replaced with something perilously close to raw desire. Her clenched fists on his chest opened as she slid her arms over his muscular shoulders to wrap them around his neck. Driven on by her sudden capitulation, his hands roved over her body, touching her everywhere, desperately, as if she were about to vanish from his sight forever. No part of her was safe from his frantic, tender exploration. Her back, bottom, waist, breasts, stomach were all touched with a compassion and adoration she would never have suspected given his frightening mood. Shocked by the force of her own desires, she was helpless to resist his touches, his kisses. Her own cravings replaced the fear and uncertainty. She wanted this. She wanted him.

His hands returned to her head, soothing her scalp where he'd roughly pulled her hair before, clasping her cheeks gently, almost reverently in his large palms and the kiss turned even softer, his lips barely brushing hers in a wordless plea for forgiveness.

He worshipped her mouth as his hands slid through her long silken tresses savoring the feel of each strand. She mimicked the motion with her own hands as she ran her fingers through the soft, thickness of his hair, pulling him closer to her, unwilling to allow him to remove his lips from hers.

Her contented sigh cut through the silence breaking the spell that surrounded them. Replacing his hands on her shoulders, tenderly this time, he pushed her away from him slowly. One look in his eyes revealed, not the desire she knew was glowing in hers, but unadulterated anger tinged with something else—anguish. True heart-wrenching anguish.

She opened her mouth to speak, to comfort, but before she could utter a sound, the anguish turned back to pure rage as he turned her toward the door, leaning down from behind her to whisper one word in her ear.

"Run."

No Regrets is available at , Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Fictionwise and All Romance Ebooks.

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Spring into Savings – Rekindled

 

Spring into savings with a red hot cowboy quickie, Rekindled.

It's been a year since her husband's passing, and running the ranch is taking its toll on Claire Hutchins. Independent as the day is long, she concedes the need for help. She wants a foreman, an employee to run the day-to-day who can handle a woman calling the shots. Someone who won't give her any trouble…

Who shows up at her door, first in line for the job? Jeb Carter. Ex-high-school sweetheart. Longtime rodeo star. And the one man capable of making Claire's lust burn out of control…of making her surrender completely.

Trouble has finally come calling…and he's as irresistible as ever.

Excerpt:

She fought back the instinct to shiver at Jeb's comments. She could read between the lines. "I'm not ready."

"It's been a year. I know you're grieving your husband, but dammit, I can't risk you moving on without me. I made the mistake of giving up on us once. I won't do it again."

She closed her eyes, turned away. She couldn't face him or the memories, the years spent wondering what if. "That was a long time ago. I've grown up, changed."

"I'm banking on that."

She faced him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"When we dated in high school, you were too young, too innocent to handle what I wanted. I know that. You're a woman now. My woman."

"No, I'm not."

"You've been mine since the day you gave me your virginity. I let you slip away once. I've been a patient man. Stayed away these last ten years while you lived your life with Hutchins. I didn't make waves, didn't interfere."

"I'm supposed to believe you traveled with the rodeo not because you loved every minute of it, but because you were avoiding me? Bullshit."

"I love the rodeo. And you're right, I wasn't suffering riding the circuit, but by God, I suffered every time I came home. Every time I saw you with Hutchins, every time I thought of him sharing your bed at night."

"Stop." She put her hand up, anxious to wave away his words. "You and I broke up. We were never right together. You've got to—"

Jeb took a step closer and this time she did move back. "We were right. It's the timing that was wrong. That's not a problem now."

"I can't give you what you want."

He grinned, running the back of his hand along her cheek. "You're the only woman who can give me what I want. It's always been you, Claire."

He bent forward, his intention to kiss her as clear as the Texas sky. "Please don't," she whispered when his lips were a hairsbreadth away from her.

He paused for a moment but didn't retreat. "I've missed you."

She closed her eyes and gave in. She'd missed him too. Terribly. She closed the miniscule inch left between them and offered her lips. The moment they touched his, she was transported to the first time he'd kissed her—the night of the homecoming football game. She'd been sixteen and she remembered how excited she'd been when Jeb asked her to be his date for the dance the following night. He'd kissed her beside the bonfire at the end of the game.

Her first kiss, and it was every bit as beautiful as the one he was giving her now, and she felt all those old feelings rekindled. His lips lightly grazed hers, reawakening feelings she thought had died with her husband. Soon his kiss became hungrier, hotter. She reached up, gripping his neck, making her own demands as she pulled him closer. He rasped his tongue against her lips and she opened her mouth, welcoming him in. His grip on her waist tightened and she sucked in a breath as his hands began moving upward, not stopping until he cupped her breasts.

The kiss continued as Jeb tweaked her nipples through her T-shirt. She spread her legs and began rubbing herself against his thigh. Her body was on fire. It had been so damn long since she felt the slightest spark of desire. She'd have to change her panties at the end of this interlude. She was too wet, too needy.

One of his hands left her breast, rising to grasp her ponytail. She shuddered when he pulled her head back, directing her with slight tugs on her hair, nipping her neck.

"It's still there. Still the same," he whispered against her skin. It had always been this way between them. One kiss and it was as if the entire world had gone up in flames. She struggled to pull away.

"No," she whispered. He hesitated and she could sense him taking stock, trying to decide if she really meant her refusal. She battened down her hatches and pushed against his chest. "No." Her voice was stronger this time. "This isn't the time or place." She glanced out into the yard, relieved none of the ranch hands had walked by and caught her making out with Jeb Carter in the doorway.

She was just so damn tired. It had weakened her resistance. Next time he tried to kiss her, she would be prepared, stronger, better able to fight him off.

"You've got dark circles under your eyes." He studied her face and she knew he wasn't discouraged by her pushing him away. If anything, giving in to his kisses had likely fueled his intentions to claim her…by any means necessary.

She shrugged. "It's been a long month. Hell, a long year."

He grasped her cheeks in his large palms but made no move to draw her closer. "You're gonna hire me."

He was relentless. She chuckled, then conceded. She needed help. "Maybe."

The grin he offered in reply was cocky, smug, and she knew she'd lost this round. Jeb would get his way. "My duffel bag is in the car. Make room for my stuff in your closet."

She narrowed her eyes. "You'll stay in the foreman's cabin and my bedroom door will be locked—every night."

"Maybe." He walked back to his car and she wondered what the hell she'd just unleashed.

Rekindled is also available at Ellora's Cave, Sony, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks.

Spring into Savings – Sweet Thursday

Spring into savings with a red hot menage! Sweet Thursday is book four in the Wild Irish series.

In high school, Lily was too shy to do anything about her feelings for her best friends, Justin and Killian. Now she's ready to put to rest her regrets with a proposal that might shock even her oversexed friends—the three of them, together, one night, multiple positions.

K and J are more than a little surprised to see Lily at their ten-year reunion. The plain Jane they remember is now a stunning woman—who wants to have sex with both of them. Who are they to deny her? Even if Killian suspects they might be treading on dangerous emotional territory.

The night stretches into the weekend and, as K suspected, none of them want it to end. But he and Lily know people live in pairs, not trios, and they call a halt now, before it's too late.

Justin, however, knows a good thing when he sees it. He's ready to fight for what he wants…what they all need. He just has to convince Lily and Killian that unconventional can also be extraordinary.

Excerpt:

Justin leaned toward Lily and, in typical fashion, quickly moved the conversation away from the safe zone. "You know, from your letters, Lilywhite, I got the impression you never really broke bad in college either."

She shrugged. "I don't know about that. I had some fun. But I guess at heart, you're right, I'm the eternal good girl."

Justin leaned forward and pressed the issue. "No drunken one-night stands? No crazy all-night frat parties? No skipping class?"

Lily frowned. "No—to all three questions. And believe me, I regret it. More than I can say. I swore when I stepped through those reunion doors, everyone would see a different Lily. My inner good girl has ruled me since the cradle and I've had enough. I was actually hoping to convince you guys to teach me a few of your naughty tricks tonight."

"What makes you think we have any tricks?" Killian asked with a light chuckle, trying to conceal how strongly her words were resonating in his head. Shit. They were pounding like a bass drum. Lily wanted to be a bad girl…with both of them?

"Don't you?" Her question was an outright dare. "There was a list of your sexual escapades as long as my left arm when we graduated from high school. I think that's the reason I liked hanging out with you guys so much. I lived vicariously through you."

"But not anymore?" Killian asked.

She shook her head, looking up at them both through the veil of her thick eyelashes. She was wearing smoky-colored eye makeup that accentuated her blue eyes and the desire burning behind them. "Not anymore. I'm nearly thirty and horny as hell. Tonight I'd sort of like to be bad with you."

Killian glanced at Justin and saw the intense interest on his friend's face. It was like watching two trains collide and being helpless to stop it.

Justin moved his chair closer to hers, his voice quiet when he spoke. "Are you asking for what I think you are?"

"Do you want me to say the word?" she whispered.

Killian swallowed heavily as she looked at them, but Justin was the one to respond. "I'd love to hear you say the word."

Lily leaned back, the action thrusting her breasts forward the slightest bit. "Ménage."

Killian reared back, feeling for a moment as if he'd been sucker-punched. Lily wanted to engage in a ménage with them? What the hell could she be thinking? Before he could formulate a response—hell, before he could even process the thought—Justin took the decision out of his hands.

"Well, Doctor Lily. It would appear you've come to the right place."

She looked at his friend, grinning seductively. "Oh? Why's that?"

Justin placed his hand on her chin, claiming her full attention, and Killian knew exactly what was coming. Knew he wouldn't stop Justin, even though he should. "Tonight, we're going to take you for a walk on the wild side. Show you the ropes. Serve as your tour guides."

Sweet Thursday is also available at Ellora's Cave, Barnes and Noble, Sony and All Romance Ebooks.

Quote of the Day

"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it."

- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights