Mari Carr's Blog, page 57

Just Because

I had a new print book release on June 4! Wanted to take a minute to tell you about it and to share the beautiful cover created by Valerie Tibbs.

Because love is never wrong.

Meet the James men. Bodies of iron, nerves of steel…and hearts of gold.

Because of You

Eight months after her husband’s untimely death, Jessie isn’t ready to meet anyone new, but a gay men’s party should be safe.

Caleb James never expected to fall love at his gay brother’s party. Now he aches with love he can’t give her. What he can give her is help—ready or not.

Because You Love Me

After witnessing a murder, Bridget is tired of living in fear and convinces her guardian cops she’s safer off the grid.

It’s doesn’t take Mark and Matt James long to figure out that the safest place for Bridget is between their hot, hard bodies…

Because It’s True

Jacob James falls for Rodney the moment the NYC cop crash lands into his life. But when Rodney is shot in the line of duty, Jacob finds his affections rebuffed.

Rodney is grateful for the sexy cowboy’s help and friendship, but how can he offer Jacob his love when his future is so uncertain?

Product Warnings

This book contains many different kinds of relationships: love through loss, a cowboy ménage a trois, biracial and homosexual love. Because love is love—no matter what shape, size or color.

Just Because is available at Samhain, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Joely Sue Burkhart!

The Scorching Summer Celebration continues. Today, Joely Sue Burkhart is here to talk about her June 11 release, Her Grace’s Stable.

Thank you so much for allowing me to crash your blog, Mari!

Are you ready for a Scorching Summer?  On June 11th some smokin’ RED HOT Samhain reads will be released from authors Mari Carr, Erin Nicholas, Harper Fox and Shelli Stevens, and I’m honored to have my book, Her Grace’s Stable, included in such a fantastic lineup!

What a mix it is, too, offering contemporary to historical M/M to what I call “A Jane Austen Space Opera.”  Her Grace’s Stable is a crazy fun mix of steampunk/SF, femdom, MMF ménage, and yes, pony play.

Now don’t be alarmed if pony play isn’t quite your thing.  I was scared to death when Arthur showed up and showed me all the things he wanted…needed…to explore.  The deeper I went into his fantasy, the hotter it got.  He’s not into humiliation play at all, but is in search of a loving, healing relationship.  He can only find his way back to humanity by freeing his secret need and embracing his darkest side.

Luckily, Violet, the Black Duchess of the Queen’s Light Dragoons, knows exactly how to unbridle that wild stallion.

Get your copy of Her Grace’s Stable at Samhain, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

We’re giving away some incredible prizes including a $50 gift certificate as well as individual gifts like my Jane Austen Royal Mail stamp set, so be sure to stop by Shelli’s , Erin’s , and Harper’s blogs to enter often!

Excerpt:

“He’s magnificent, Your Grace. Huge, powerful, a beast of flesh, and so damned defiant. Proud. Even with what they’d done to him, he was still fighting, still determined to break free. He’d have killed them all.”

Her heart quickened desperately. Cole had expressed interest in bringing a man into their relationship, but they hadn’t found the right man to suit them. Then she’d been forced to free him. A rough, wild stallion would certainly appeal to them both. Greatly.

The last thing I need in this condition is a challenge. “Let me see him, then. But if he’s that far gone, Cole, I don’t know what I can do for him.”

“You can help him. I know it.” Cole cracked open the door. “Shh, now, big fella. It’s me, your friend Cole, remember? I’ve brought some help. Nobody’s going to hurt you. I give you my word.”

Violet held herself very still, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkened interior of the stall. Straw rustled and something thumped against the wood again. A low growl came from the opposite corner, a raw animal sound of pain and hatred.

Cole turned up the lantern.

Dottie gasped. “Dear Lord, a man! I thought…” Her words stumbled into silence, as though her brain couldn’t even comprehend what she saw.

Even for Violet, the scene was bad. The poor man had been whipped and beaten so often that his body was a mass of bruises and welts. Even crouched in the corner, he was huge. His broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms looked like they belonged to a blacksmith. Still growling that low, vicious warning, he rose to his full height and her gaze went up and up. He had to be nearly seven feet tall. A veritable giant.

“The way your man was talking, I thought they’d trapped a bear or something. A man. God, Violet, what kind of person does this to a living, thinking human being?”

Me. Violet swallowed hard but she didn’t dare turn her gaze away for a single moment. Any sign of weakness or hesitation from her now, and he’d be gone. He’d be on her so quickly that Cole wouldn’t have a chance to unsheathe his lazor before the man snapped her neck like a twig.

“It’s all right now,” Cole soothed, his voice the singsong chant he often used on frightened horses. “She’s the mistress I told you about. She’s come to help you.”

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Free Book!

Double Her Fantasy by Randi Alexander, and a Chance to Win a Sexy Nightshirt and Two Other Fun Prizes is now free!

Hi – I’m Randi Alexander, and I’ve got a couple fun things going on this week. My erotic menage romance is free at Amazon June 4 – 8. Published by The Wild Rose Press, it’s a hot and romantic story that I hope you’ll enjoy.

Drop by my website for multiple chances to win a cute nightshirt (sizes S – 3X) with my tagline printed on it, a big coffee mug, or a handy flask necklace. Click here to enter.

At a comic book convention, artist Megan Shore is thrilled to meet action movie hunk Garret McGatlin. Usually reclusive, Megan flirts with the leading man of her sexual fantasies. He invites her to his suite for a drink, but when she arrives, his rancher brother Trey opens the door and unleashes Megan’s cowboy fantasy. Both men pour on the charm, and she can’t decide which of them she desires more.

The McGatlin brothers have shared women, but none of them were like Megan, irresistible and perfect for both of them. Working together, they execute a potent seduction. During a hot, amazing week, the three-way relationship becomes emotionally charged. When they’re thrown into the media spotlight, Megan fears the exposure will trigger a past threat. Garrett and Trey need to prove they can keep Megan safe as well as happy and satisfied in their arms.

Available at Amazon.

EXCERPT:

He had to be able to smell her, realize how hot Megan was. Then he was there—Garret McGatlin—kissing her mound. A fantasy come true with a major bonus; his brother Trey holding her for his brother’s pleasure.

Backing away, Garret used his hand to slide the thong down as he lifted her ankle with the other. “The shoes, big brother?”

“Fuck yes, they stay on,” Trey growled.

Leaving her panties draped around her other ankle, Garret slung her leg over his shoulder, resting it on the hot, muscular expanse. His tongue tasted the soft skin of her inner thigh as his eyes met hers.

“You know what comes next, don’t you, baby?”

Did she dare grab his hair and pull that wicked tongue into her cunt? “Me?”

Both men chuckled slowly.

“Yeah, you come next.” Trey’s hands caressed her breasts, taking each nipple between his thumb and finger. “The sooner she comes, little brother, the sooner we can get her all worked up again.”

Garret licked a steaming path to her slit. “I wanna get her worked up.” He licked three quick laps at her pussy lips.

The shock of his touch boiled inside her, nearly exploding from within. Her head dropped back on Trey’s shoulder, her eyes closing as sparks flew behind her eyelids.

“Wanna make her come all night.” Garret dove in, sucking her lips into his mouth and lapping at her entry before plunging his tongue into her slit hard and fast in a spiraling motion that made her breath catch and her entire body tense.

“Please,” she begged. Lifting her hand, she laced her fingers in Trey’s soft hair.

Trey kissed her neck, making patterns with his tongue. “Come for us, Megan.” His fingers tugged and twirled on her hard nipples as he rubbed his cock along her tailbone.

Her other hand tangled in Garret’s longer hair, gently guiding him upward, showing him where she needed his mouth. Now.

Garret grabbed her hips and tipped her forward as his tongue eased upward, under the hood that hid her clit. When he circled the nub and latched onto it with his lips, she was lost.

* * * * * * * *

I hope you like Double Her Fantasy, and good luck in the contest!

Randi

“Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied”

 

RandiAlexander.com

Double Her Fantasy is free in digital format at Amazon

Harper Fox!

Today the incredibly cool Harper Fox takes over the blog as she shouts out about her June 11 release, Brothers of the Wild North Sea, as part of our Scorching Summer celebration!

Mari, thank you so much for featuring me on your blog today. I’m very privileged to be sharing a Samhain Publishing release date on 11th June with four super-talented ladies – Erin Nicholas, Joely Sue Burkhart, Shelli Stevens and, of course, Mari, whose summer scorcher is called Full Moon.

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea is a big departure for me – M/M of course, but my first foray away from contemporaries and into historical romance. I loved writing the book, though. It’s a tribute to my native Northumberland, England’s northernmost county, and the passionate spirits who helped form the land and its wild, beautiful culture in its earliest days. And a starred review by Publishers Weekly certainly makes me feel a lot more confident about unleashing the story on the world!

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea – what happens when the deadliest of enemies becomes heart’s desire?

Caius is working really hard to be good. He loves his life as a monk in the far-flung Christian stronghold of Farne, but he’s the son of a warrior chieftain, with hot blood in his veins. His biggest temptation is Leof, his sweet-natured friend – and, all too often, his lover.

When Vikings raid the monastery and Leof is killed, Cai questions his whole existence. All he wants is vengeance on the raiders. The last thing he expects is to find compassion in his heart for Fenrir, a young Viking wounded and left for dead. Defying his abbot, Cai uses his skills as a physician to save Fen’s life.

At first Fen tries to repay the kindness by attacking every Christian he can reach, but as time passes, Cai’s goodness to him reaches his heart – and Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.

But Cai and Fen are from different worlds. When old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe, can love be hold them together – and will they discover the ancient secret of Farne in time to prevent a catastrophic war to end all wars?

Here’s an excerpt:-

Up ahead was a crescent of rocks whose outer edge was turned to the storm-driven tide. A wave broke over it just as Cai and Fen fell into its sheltering curve, but it would do. The wind howled a little less fiercely there. The sea still stretched out its paws, but couldn’t drag them back. Sand was piled up here, strange rippled structures marked with kelp and a million fractured shells.

Cai pulled Fen out of the storm. They dropped to their knees, huddling against the rock. This time when Fen’s mouth sought his, he turned to him with a cry of joy and relief. Fen had been right—his blood was singing already, so loud the angels must hear. His skull banged off stone, and he reached up through exploding stars to grab anything he could of the Viking’s hot muscle and bone. Fen resisted him, tearing back to arm’s length, far enough to see him. “Caius.”

“My wolf from the sea.”

“Yes.”

“You came for me.”

“Well, none of your other lily-arsed brethren would do it. They saw you, and they ran around like headless chickens, but…”

“They’re not sailors. They’re not…” Not you, Cai wanted to finish, but his throat had seized up.

“Not pirates. Not vikingr.”

Cai nodded. Like their shelter, it would have to do. Another wave broke, spray arcing high, landing with a seething crackle all around. Fen’s mouth was salty with it when it next landed on Cai’s, and he moved like the thunder, bearing Cai down onto the sand. But Cai was full of newborn faith and certainty. He rolled on top, pinning him, and Fen looked up and whispered, “There you are,” as if in recognition. As if at the end of a long, lonely wait.

Cai shuddered. He straddled Fen’s thighs and ran a hand down over his stomach, over the hard plane that rippled and arched to find his touch. Fen was erect beneath the leather thong of his leggings. He moaned when Cai freed him, sea-chilled fingers clumsy on the lace. His cock lifted stiff and full into Cai’s grasp, a vision seared into Cai’s brain by the lightning. In the green-flashing darkness that followed, Cai plunged down on him, shifting to allow him access in return. He buried his face on the side of Fen’s neck. That great, strong hand was on him now, between their bodies, undoing him.

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea is available to pre-order from Amazon, Samhain and Barnes & Noble. Be sure to stop by and read Joely Sue, Erin and Shelli’s posts on our blog hop – you’ll get the chance to win some great prizes, including a $50 gift certificate and my special prize for our tour, a signed coaster and mousemat featuring the fantastic Brothers cover art.

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Quote of the Day

“If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” – E. Joseph Cossman

Shelli Stevens!

Today is the beginning of the Scorching Summer Celebration/Contest. Between now and June 11, I’ll have four incredible, talented writers stopping to tell you about their June 11 release at Samhain! First up is…omg…fangirl moment…SHELLI STEVENS!

Are you ready to get hot? Scorching Summer has arrived!

In case you don’t know me, I’m Shelli Stevens, and I’m seriously excited to be sharing an upcoming release day with some fun, talented authors! Check out these fantastic books releasing June 11th from Samhain Publishing.

Good Girl Gone Plaid by Shelli Stevens (that’s me!)

Her Grace’s Stable by Joely Sue Burkhart

Full Moon by Mari Carr

Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox

She’s the One by Erin Nicholas

Today Mari is allowing me to hang out on her blog and share a bit about Good Girl Gone Plaid, and sneak you a pic of my prize! Thanks, Mari.

Let me say the title of this book came to me first, and I developed the series around it. I adore The McLaughlis, my imported Scottish family who now resides on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. And, seriously, I hope you adore the first in the series, too!

Falling for the bad boy is even more dangerous the second time around.

* * *

The McLaughlins, Book 1

In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.

Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.

One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.

One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.

WARNING

A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.

Now available for pre-order on Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Samhain

Excerpt

“Give me a Glennfidich 18. Neat.” Ian kept his hands folded and his gaze on the bar counter, but he could still feel the surprise in his eldest brother’s stare.

The pub was near empty—apparently Old Man Cooper had gone home already as well.

“You do realize it’s just about lunch time.” Aleck made his way down the bar until he was positioned right in front of him. “And you’ve gone and ordered one of the most expensive spirits we have?”

“You think I’m daft, big brother? Shut your mouth and just pour it already.” Scowling, Ian lifted his head to make sure his brother hadn’t taken offense.

Aleck, the eldest of all the McLaughlin kids was now sole owner of the pub. He didn’t seem the slightest bit offended by his brother’s comments. He was used to Ian’s quick temper. Instead, his green eyes crinkled around the edges with laughter and his mouth was twisted into a slight smirk.

“Aye, I’ll give ya your drink. So long as you fill me in on why the fook you’re in such a foul mood.” Aleck’s accent had always been the thickest and slowest to fade.

“As if you don’t know.” Ian accepted the shot and glared at his brother. “Go bring Kenzie a tire, you say. As if you don’t know just who exactly you were throwing in my path.”

“No. I haven’t a clue.”

The genuine bewilderment on Aleck’s face convinced him that maybe his brother wasn’t lying.

“Look, Kenzie called and said she was in a bit of a mess and needed me to come out and bring her a tire. She didn’t say she was with anyone.” Aleck placed the bottle of scotch back up on the shelf with the other bottles of spirits. “Fill me in already. Who was with her?”

“Sarah,” Ian finally growled.

“Sorry, who? Tera?”

Ian tipped back the scotch and slammed the glass on the bar. “Sarah.”

“Sarah?” Aleck went still and tilted his head. “As in your Sarah? The good girl you shagged around with in your youth?”

“Aye. That’d be her.” He stared into his empty shot glass, not seeing the drop of amber liquid, but instead the image of Sarah half-naked in the back of his Camaro. “And I wouldn’t necessarily call her a good girl.”

“Wasn’t she now? One step from the nunnery from the impression I got.” Aleck grinned. “Though I’m sure any corruption she acquired back then came from your doing.”

“Hmm. Maybe.” The single malt scotch had warmed his insides and taken the sharp edges off the memory of his encounter with Sarah.

“So, how was it seeing her again?”

“Oh just fucking fantastic.” He gave a harsh laugh and pushed the empty glass to his brother. “Nearly as fantastic as taking a foot to the balls, I’d imagine.”

“That lovely? Was she mean? Did she go and hurt your feelings?” Aleck teased good-naturedly.

“No.” Ian hesitated, unable to share the humor. “More like I hurt her. I probably said some things I shouldn’t have.”

Aleck nodded. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time either one of you has let your temper best you. You want another drink?”

“No.” Ian thrust a hand through his hair. “Wait, aye. One more.”

His brother grabbed the bottle and poured another glass. “I’m sorry. But let me guess. She’s fallen toward the ugly side and is as warm and cuddly as a porcupine?”

“Perhaps on the porcupine bit, but she’s not ugly.” He drank the second round. “She’s prettier now, if you can believe it.”

“Hmm. I’m trying to remember her. Short?”

“Petite. And she’d punch you in the stomach if she heard you call her short.”

“Which is probably as high as she can reach,” Aleck mused. “Long black hair, I think?” Ian nodded.

“Aye, I remember her hair. She was a pretty thing. Quite exotic. She had that hint of olive skin, but blue eyes. I’m surprised you captured her interest. Back then she was too innocent for the likes of you.”

And maybe still was. He’d calmed down considerably from what he’d been in his teen years. But he wasn’t an idiot. Ian knew his reputation on the island, and his bad boy image hadn’t fully gone away. Then again, he hadn’t done much to dissuade it.

“Will you see her again?”

“I doubt it. I don’t think she cared much for seeing me today, to be honest.”

“Aye, well you didn’t end on the best terms. Am I right?”

No. They certainly hadn’t. Just the memory of it was like taking a two-by-four to the chest. His jaw clenched against the wave of guilt and pain. Both emotions had been violently at war that day—as much as they still were now. Beneath those two emotions had been another one. Bitter disappointment. And it was always there. Hot and dark, running a river of anger through his blood.

He didn’t think about it much. Couldn’t go there in his head, because it was all such a mind fuck.

“There’s a reason the past is behind you.” Aleck’s quiet words resonated through the warm haze the Glennfidich had left.

“Aye. And it’ll stay there, no need to worry about that.”

Be sure to check out all the other gals’ blogs and don’t forget to enter the big contest—lots of great prizes and chances to win!

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Saturday Snippet

I’m gearing up for the release of Full Moon, book 2 in my Second Chances series on June 11. To get the countdown started, I thought I’d share a steamy scene from Fix You, the first book in the series today.

Snippet:

“What the hell prompted that?”

He knew her. Knew she’d try to twist this into something innocent, funny. He wouldn’t let her. He ran his hand through her dark hair, overwhelmed by the need to touch her. “Just figured it was past time. You mind if we talk about this after?”

“After what?”

He let his body answer the question. Turning so they lay face to face on the couch, he placed his lips back on hers. He didn’t want to push her. After all, she’d just received life-altering, horrible news. He’d keep things easy, let her set the pace.

She didn’t resist his kisses. Her hand traveled along his shoulders and down his arm before landing on his chest. Her lips pressed against his harder. Then she moved away, an infinitesimal distance.

“Touch me,” she whispered, her hand fisting in the cotton of his shirt.

He didn’t need to be told twice. His hands roamed along her sides, drifted beneath her T-shirt.

She shivered when he caressed the bare skin of her waist. He stoked her arousal, kissing her harder as he explored every bit of bare flesh he could reach beneath her shirt. He forced air into his lungs, fought to keep his hands steady as he touched her.

The slight tremor in his hands seemed to distract her. She was the first to pull back. “Robbie, are you sure—?”

“After,” he repeated. He gripped her hip, dragging her closer. There was no way she could misconstrue how far he’d go if she was willing. His cock was hard, ready.

She bit her lip and he could sense she was struggling to make a decision. He wouldn’t force her into anything she wasn’t ready for. Hell, he’d be perfectly content to spend the next dozen years or so simply kissing her. Making up for so many wasted years. “Zoey—”

She shook her head and closed her eyes, but not before he read the hungry need there. Then she lifted one leg and wrapped it around his thigh. She thrust closer. It was an outright invitation. “After,” she whispered, her voice steadier than he expected.

Rob fought back the wave of lightheadedness her words provoked. She was in, ready for the next step. He held her in place as he nipped her lower lip. “I want you so much.”

She kissed him, initiated it. Her actions told him that in this, she was with him. They moved as close as the couch would allow, but it wasn’t enough for Rob. He sat up, pulling her to a seated position as well. Reaching for the hem of her T-shirt, he pulled the soft cotton over her head.

They’d spent a lifetime together and modesty had disappeared somewhere along the line. He’d seen her in her bra loads of times as she walked to and from the bathroom to her bedroom or whenever she dashed downstairs to retrieve a clean shirt from the dryer in their small basement. Regardless of those previous glimpses, this time was different, more powerful.

Fix You is available at Samhain, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ARe, and Kobo.

Want more snippets?

TJ Michaels

I love Bianca!

And she has a NEW book. You must get this! She rocks.

Tales of the Were: Grif

Redstone Clan #1

Griffon Redstone is the eldest of five brothers and the leader of one of the most influential shifter Clans in North America. He seeks solace in the mountains, away from the horrific events of the past months, for both himself and his young sister. The deaths of their older sister and mother have hit them both very hard.

Lindsey Tate is human, but very aware of the werewolf Pack that lives near her grandfather’s old cabin. She’s come to right a wrong her grandfather committed against the Pack and salvage what’s left of her family’s honor – if the wolves will let her. Mostly, they seem intent on running her out of town on a rail.

But the golden haired stranger, Grif, comes to her rescue more than once. He stands up for her against the wolf Pack and then helps her fix the old generator at the cabin, making it habitable for her while she completes her task. He’s friendly and all too attractive, but she has a job to do, regardless of the cost to herself or her budding relationship with the local handyman.

When she performs the ceremony she expects will end in her death, the shifter deity has other ideas and turns the tables on them all. Grif’s dual nature is revealed and Lindsey learns there is much more going on than she thought.

Thrown together by fate, neither of them can deny the deep and true attraction between them. They come together, but in the end will an old enemy rip them apart?

Warning: Cats are frisky and they get up to all sorts of naughtiness, including a frenzy-induced multi-partner situation that might be a little intense for some readers. You have been warned.

Buy Now from: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Smashwords

Come over to The D’Arc Side… www.biancadarc.com

Screaming Orgasm

The final book in the Cocktales series, Screaming Orgasm, comes out today! I’m terribly sad to say goodbye to these gals! I’ve enjoyed telling their stories. I will say this…I saved the HOTTEST for last.

Screaming Orgasm

Cocktales, Book Four

Jayne Kent has watched her best friends and business partners fall in love while romance continues to pass her by. When Books and Brew regular Elias Clark offers her a Screaming Orgasm, she wishes it was the sexual variety rather than a lousy drink. She’s been lusting after Elias forever and suspects he could bring all her naughty, kinky fantasies to life.

Elias has resisted his attraction to Jayne for years, assuming his dominance in the bedroom would send sweet, romantic Jayne running for the hills. Or would it? Alone in a snowstorm, Elias tests the waters and is blown away by Jayne’s innate submissiveness and eagerness to stretch her boundaries. Ice play? Bondage? Flogging? Bring it on.

Soon it’s no longer a question of whether or not Elias should pursue Jayne, even if she’s not sure she’s brave enough to submit to him forever. She’s made for him, and this determined alpha male will stop at nothing until he’s claimed her—completely.

A Romantica®  BDSM erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Excerpt:

“Come here, Jayne.”

She obeyed without thought. There was something about the tone in his voice that left her weak at the knees. She claimed the comfortable chair next to his.

“I want to ask you a question.”

“Okay,” she said.

“You placed a bid on me at the bachelor auction last summer.”

She flushed. She’d hoped he hadn’t noticed that temporary moment of insanity on her part. She had raised her hand early in the bidding, knowing full well she’d never be able to win. The bids had gone high and raised a great deal of money for the community center Sophie had been hell-bent on saving from closure. She’d told herself she was driving up the price for a good cause, but that wasn’t true. She laughed uneasily. “Just trying to do my part to raise money for charity.”

“You didn’t bid on anyone else.”

She bit her lip. Why did he have to be so observant? And why was he bringing it up now? The auction had taken place last June. It was December. Six months of silence. “I guess I got carried away, caught up in the spirit of the event.”

Elias frowned but didn’t reply right away. Most of the time she found his quiet nature soothing, as it matched her own. Neither of them was overly chatty, and they found true peace and contentment in the still moments. How many nights had she joined him in this chair to discuss a new book they’d both enjoyed or to simply read next to him?

Unfortunately, this silence was unnerving. Anxiety provoked her to fill it. “I meant to ask you about your date with the winner, but it never came up. How did it go?” She hadn’t asked because her previously unrecognized jealous streak didn’t want to know.

“We went to dinner and a movie. Given the less than stimulating conversation over our meal, I’d say it was a good choice. We weren’t forced to make small talk during the movie. Afterward, I took her to her house, said good night at her front door and went home alone.”

She forced her face to remain impassive, tried to hide the smile his words provoked. The date had been a bust. She released a foolish sigh of relief. “Oh. I’m sorry it didn’t go well.”

Her grin gave her away. Laugh lines appeared around Elias’ eyes. “I can see you’re really upset by it.”

She didn’t reply. Instead she looked toward the quiet street. The snow was becoming heavier, muting the sounds from the street. It felt as if she and Elias were the only two people left in the city.

“The date would have been different if you had won the bid.”

Elias’ voice cut through the silence. Her gaze drifted back to his face. “It would have?”

He nodded.

“No dinner and movie for me?” She tried to make her question sound lighthearted, but her curiosity was too strong. She’d wondered for years what a date with Elias would entail. He had fascinated, enthralled and ensnared her since the first night he’d walked through the door of Books and Brew. For nearly three years, she’d waited for his arrival at the store with an impatience that grew stronger with each consecutive visit.

“Would you like to know how our night would have gone?”

Jayne nodded, swallowing heavily. The air around them suddenly seemed thicker, more humid. She found it difficult to capture a deep breath, her lungs seizing before oxygen could penetrate.

Elias leaned back in the chair, his legs crossed at the ankles. He was the picture of relaxation. As he began his description, Jayne felt the strange certainty that he’d considered this date as much as she had. The idea was heady, comforting.

“I would have cooked dinner for you at my home.”

She flipped her hair away from her face, the action a nervous habit she’d tried to break for years. “I’ve never seen your house.”

“I live on the outskirts of town, not far from here. It’s a two-story set in the middle of about an acre of land. It’s fairly private. I like that.”

She didn’t respond. Didn’t need to. Everything about Elias told her he enjoyed a solitary existence.

“You like Chinese food, so I would have made you my world famous stir-fry.”

“World famous?” she teased.

His eyes twinkled. “How are you with chopsticks?”

She shrugged. “I hold my own, I suppose.”

“Doesn’t matter. I would have fed you.”

She didn’t anticipate the response his simple proclamation would have on her. She squeezed her legs together when a tingle grew in her pussy. She tried to ignore it. “I’m perfectly capable of feeding myself.”

His eyes narrowed. “It’s not a question of ability, Jayne. Rather, it’s a matter of desires. I want to feed you.”

The word desire coming from Elias’ lips fired far too many lustful images in her mind. Jayne hoped the darkness of the room hid her blushing. “What about after dinner?”

Elias didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studied her face intently. “Are you sure you want to know? The answer may disturb you a bit.”

Jayne struggled to respond. Disturb her? She doubted there was anything Elias could do or say that would bother her. “Tell me,” she whispered.

Elias sat up slowly. “Come here.”

She was confused. They were already sitting next to each other, no more than a few feet separating them. “I’m here.”

He patted his lap, his meaning becoming clear.

He wanted her to sit on his lap? She blinked rapidly. Had she understood that correctly?

“Come here, Jayne. I don’t like to repeat myself.”

His words, his tone, sealed her fate. Her resistance melted away. Standing, she took the two steps required then paused again, trying to determine how to proceed.

“Open your legs and straddle my thighs. I want to have this conversation face-to-face. The seat of the chair is wide enough to accommodate the position. It’s one of the reasons I always sit here. It fires the imagination.”

He’d chosen his usual spot because of this? This position? This fantasy? She straddled his lap, easing her knees down to rest outside his upper thighs. Her chest was nearly touching his, their faces so close she could smell the scent of Scotch on his breath.

Elias grasped her ass and pulled her closer, until her pussy touched the obvious erection beneath his dress slacks. She gasped for air, finding none.

“Breathe slower.” He imitated the concept, sucking in a deep breath. She mimicked the inhalations, matching her pace to his until it came easier.

He touched her cheek with one finger. “That’s better.”

“What’s going on?” she muttered, more to herself than to Elias.

His finger drifted to her lower lip, his gaze seemingly mesmerized by the spot. “You know.”

It was a simple assertion. And true. She did know. They’d circled around each other, this moment, for years. “Why now?”

His eyes lifted to capture hers. “It’s time. The excuses have run dry.”

Screaming Orgasm is available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

More Than Friends

My RT roomie and lovely friend, Jess Dee, has a new release out today called More Than Friends! It’s the first book in her brand new series and you do not want to miss these stories!

He was her best friend…until he became her fantasy.

A More Than story.

Lucy Lawson’s got it bad. Bad as in stunned speechless by the situation she’s in, by the feelings sitting on her chest, ready to explode. She’s in love…with her best friend.

Problem is, telling Sebastian Blackford could destroy the best thing in her life, but the longer she keeps her feelings under wraps, the stronger the need to spill her secret.

The last thing Seb suspects is that his best mate is madly, wildly in love with him, or that he’s the star of her seriously dirty fantasies. Worse, he’s just started seeing someone he’d like to see again—and Lucy knows it.

So why does her confession hit him like a runaway train? And why can’t he get her explicit description of her fantasies out of his mind? They’ve never been more than friends, but now that he knows how Lucy feels, everything is out of whack.

Seb figures it’s up to him to get their relationship back on track. He’ll do it too, just as soon as he establishes which track is the right one.

Product Warnings

After reading this, you may just be tempted to jump your best friend. It’s recommended you keep your partner on speed dial or a toy with fresh batteries on standby.

Excerpt:

“Okay, if you space out on me one more time, I’m going to start thinking it’s personal.”

Lucy blinked and brought her attention back to the man sitting opposite her. Not that she’d ever lost her focus. Nope, her attention had been on him the whole time. Maybe just not on what he’d been saying.

“Loo, that’s about the tenth time you’ve zoned out. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said in the last five minutes. You gonna tell me what’s going on?” He set his tea down on the table.

She shook her head as she looked at his cup. “You realize you are the only man in Sydney, maybe in the world, who drinks Earl Grey?” The cup seemed small and dainty beside his strong, tanned hand.

He shrugged. “I like it, as you well know. Now forget about the tea and tell me what’s bothering you.”

Her gaze drifted from his teacup to his chest, and she admired the way his T-shirt sat snugly across his shoulders. How was it possible she’d never appreciated the broadness of those shoulders? Had his hair been so long it had hidden their extraordinary proportions?

She sighed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I did tell you.”

Seb shot her a strange look. “When have I ever not believed something you’ve said?” He took a chip from their shared plate, dipped it into tomato sauce and popped it in his mouth. Then he repeated the process, only this time he popped the chip in Lucy’s mouth.

It was all she could do not to close her lips around his fingers and trap them there. But then trapping fingers, a chip and a dollop of tomato sauce in her mouth was hardly sexy, now was it?

She chewed thoughtfully and swallowed, desperate to open up with the truth and admit her feelings, yet paralyzed by the prospect. For the first time ever, she had trouble voicing her thoughts to Seb.

“You know, I’m a pretty good listener.”

She smiled, trying to keep the mood light while her insides were so heavy. “Then why do you always complain that I never stop talking?”

He grinned. “Maybe because you never stop talking.”

“I’m not talking now,” she pointed out.

“Which leads me to believe there is something very wrong, ergo my willingness to listen.” He dipped another chip and offered it to her.

She shook her head. Her stomach was queasy and trembling, and though she and Seb always shared a plate of chips after seeing a movie together, she suspected fried food would do no good whatsoever. “I’m full.”

“Full of shit, maybe. C’mon, Lucy-Loo. Out with it. What’s bothering you? You fidgeted the whole way through the movie and haven’t been able to hold a simple conversation since it ended.” He gestured to the people sitting around them, enjoying a meal or a drink in the trendy little café in Newtown. “Everyone else here is chatting away. The only one not talking is you.”

“Okay, so you talk to me. Tell me how your hot date went the other night.”

The strange look was back on his face. “I spent the last five minutes telling you about it.”

She stared at him, dismayed. “You did?”

Seb nodded. “I did.”

Lucy gave him an apologetic look, staring into his eyes, willing him to forgive her.

Seb said something, but Lucy missed it, mostly because staring into his blue eyes dazzled her senses and once again took her breath away. A feverish flush seeped into her skin, heating her flesh. Just like that, Lucy was lost in a haze of desire, lost in the realization that her body was responding to Seb’s proximity. Being this close to him made her heart pound and her pussy clench. She wanted him fiercely. In a way she’d never desired another man. In a way she’d never desired a friend. In a way she had no place desiring a friend.

She had to say something, had to tell him how she felt. She couldn’t exist like this anymore, couldn’t go on living this way with him. Forever friends, nothing more.

“Lucy!” His sharp exclamation snapped her back to attention.

“I love you, Seb.” It was out before she had a chance to think twice.

“I love you too, babe, but if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m taking you to the closest medical center to have you checked out.”

“No, I mean I love you. Like, really, love you.”

He grinned his beautiful grin. “So you tell me every time you get trashed on red wine. You love me and you think I’m the bestest friend in the whole widest world.” He tapped her half-empty wineglass. “Although you surprise me tonight. You haven’t even had one glass. Usually you have to have three or four before you start getting this sentimental.”

She bit her lower lip, sucking it into her mouth before releasing it. “I’m not drunk.”

His grin told her how much he believed her.

“I’m not,” she said again. “Truth is, I’m stone-cold sober. And the reason I haven’t been concentrating is because I’ve been trying to figure out a way to tell you how I feel.”

Seb’s smile began to fade, and his blue eyes widened as he stared at her.

“It’s changed, Seb. Everything’s changed. I’ve changed. My feelings for you have changed.” She took a deep, fortifying breath and the words tumbled out. “Y-you’re not just my friend anymore. You’re…more. I dunno what happened. And I dunno how I never felt this way before, but I…I…” She pressed her hand to her chest. “I have all these feelings for you, just sitting here, pressing on my heart, and I can’t ignore them. Can’t pretend they’re not there or they’re not real.”

Sebastian’s jaw dropped open.

Now that the words had started, she couldn’t hold them back. Didn’t want to. This was Seb she spoke to, and she could tell him anything. Had always been able to, and now was no different—even though everything was different.

“I dream about you at night. And at work, when I’m not sleeping. Dirty dreams. Filthy, really. Dreams a girl shouldn’t dream about her friend, but there you have it. And when I see you, I wish, just wish, the dreams were real. I wish you’d kiss me the way you do in my imagination. Wish you’d tear my clothes off and do filthy things to me. I wish,wish that you felt for me what I feel for you, and we weren’t sitting here at this very moment, drinking red wine and Earl Grey tea.”

Lucy paused to draw breath, her heart beating frantically, her cheeks burning.

Seb just gaped at her.

“I lay in the bath earlier, thinking about you. Fantasizing about you. I touched myself, wishing it was your hand. Couldn’t stop touching, until…until…” Lucy closed her eyes, mortified that she was voicing all of this, yet unable to stop. After months of keeping it to herself, the confession felt liberating. “I came thinking about you. And it wasn’t the first time. But the thing is, I don’t want to just fantasize anymore. Don’t want to just dream about you. I don’t just want to be your friend. Can’t be your friend, ’cause what I feel for you goes way beyond friendship. I’m like, wildly, crazily in love with you.”

“Lucy…” Seb’s voice sounded hoarse, scratchy. He looked dazed. “Geez, I don’t know what to say.” He drew a shaky hand over his shaved head.

Her breath caught in her diaphragm and she hiccupped. “Say you feel the same way. Or at the very least, tell me there’s a chance you could feel this way.”

“I love you too. You know I do.” Again he drew his hand over his head. “You’re my gal, my friend, my mate. ’Course I love you. Just…”

Lucy’s heart stopped beating. Or maybe her lungs stopped working. She couldn’t tell. “Just…?”

His blue gaze held hers. “Just…not like that.”