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Emanuel’s Heat is Live!

The third book in my Rescue Four Series is now available on Amazon. Click here to pick up your copy today.

Back to Rescue Four with Emanuel’s Heat.

Hello All,

I hope you’re ready for more HOT firefighters because they’re coming! Up next is Emanuel. If you’ll remember waaay back to Carter’s Flame, Emanuel is the new firefighter in town and he’s coming to Rescue Four to heat things up. Below is the cover and an excerpt from the upcoming book. I do not have a release date as of yet but it will be SOON! (Super soon!).

EXCERPT FROM EMANUEL’S HEAT.

***Unedited. Subject to change***

“How many days do you have left in Cabo, Nadine?” I question as soon as our waitress walks away.

“Three.”

“Give them to
me.”

Those umber
pupils of hers bulge at my request, no not a request, a command. One I hadn’t
intended on giving until the words left my mouth.

“Give them to
you? What does that even mean?”

“It means, the
women you were with have all gone, you didn’t come with anyone else, and I’m
guessing you’re not expecting anyone else to be arriving. You’re free to spend
your time as you please. Give me your time.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re
wrapped tighter than a spring coil. And with just the right amount of pressure
you’ll spring loose. You’re just waiting for the right man to crawl in between
those slick thighs of yours and show you exactly who you are. You’re waiting
for the right man to set you free, butterfly.”

She shifts in her
chair, gaze lowered to the table as she reaches for her half empty glass of
watermelon juice again. Once she swallows she says, “Do you use this type of
pickup line with all the women you meet in foreign countries?”

“Only when the
mood strikes me,” I retort, grinning.  

My chest warms
when her face again registers shock. I sit back and pick up my fork and knife
cutting into my omelet and taking my first bite. I’m confident before she even
says anything that she’ll be spending the final three days of her vacation with
me. And to be totally honest, I don’t know who is more surprised by this, her
or me. I’m not the committed type, nor am I the type of spend more than a day
or two with the same woman while on vacation.

“What do you have
planned?” She finally questions.

A smile crests my
lips. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

She shakes her
head and turns fully to me. “If I’m going to give my final three days of
vacation to a random man, I need to know what’s on the agenda.”

“Agenda? I bet
you’re the type to plan out your entire vacation hour by hour.”

“What’s wrong
with that?” The crease in her forehead displays her genuine perplexity.

I shrug and lean
in, letting my gaze travel over the smooth skin covering her collarbone and
chest. Slowly, I let my gaze rise to meet hers. “Nothing if you want
predictability. But if you want adventure you need to be amenable to change.”

Her lips part
slightly. She’s measuring her next words. “I’m new to adventure, Emanuel.”

My name on her
lips for some reason, pushes my heart against my damn ribcage. Something hot
stirs in my lower abdomen.

“I’m the perfect
man to do some exploring with.”

“Then what’s on
the agenda?” She questions again.

I let out a
chuckle.

“What had you had
in mind for the next few days?”

I’m not all that
surprised when she pulls out a planner from the over the shoulder bag she’s
carrying. She lists off a glass bottom boat tour, hike of a local canyon to a
waterfall, and she even scheduled in “relaxing time” by the pool or at the
beach.

“The hike and
boat tour can definitely be added to the agenda. But let me surprise you with a
few other additions to this list.”

Her eyes narrow
on me, contemplating. “You’ll have me back home by midnight?” She teases.

I shake my head.
“Hell no.”

She giggles.
“Okay,” she finally responds.

Her agreeance
settles something in my chest. As if I’d needed it to be able to fully enjoy
the rest of my time here in Cabo before my cousin’s wedding.

Robert & Deborah Townsend

Hello All,

I am currently working on Robert and Deborah Townsend’s novel. The manuscript is in the revision/editing stages, which means, I think it’s time to give you all a sneak peek of what’s to come! This couple was too dynamic and intriguing to just let their story bypass. Also, the Townsend’s have all types of secrets, many of which will be revealed in this book. I say that to say, don’t think this is the last you’ll see of them

Just Say The Word

Happy 2019!

I know it’s been a while. I hope your holidays and New Year went well. 2018 was a banner year for me as an author and it’s not stopping in 2019! So, even though I’ve been quiet around here for a little bit, I’ve still been working. The first change you can see is the layout of my website. I decided an update was needed. I’m also planning some more things for my website coming in the next few months, but that’s another story for another time. Right now, I’m here to drop a preview of my next book!

Coming up next are Damon and Sandra in Just Say the Word. You may remember Damon and Sandra from Meant to Be (Joshua and Kayla’s story.). I truly enjoyed diving into the story of these two and learning who they were as individuals and as a couple. With that said, here’s a sneak peek of one of their first encounters. I do not have a release date as of yet, but I am hoping it will be before the end of February. Also, cover reveal coming soon. Now, without further delay, your sneak peek:

******Unedited. Subject to Change******

Pushing thoughts of six-foot-three, mahogany skin toned, solid framed men out of my head, I turned the key to start my car and … nothing. I tried again and that time a little noise sounded before it died.

“No, no, no,” I
whined, trying again.

Nothing.

She was dead.

I started to
lower my head to the steering wheel when a knock on the driver’s side window
scared the living daylights out of me.

I turned and my
throat instantly went dry.

With his large
hand he pointed in a downward motion indicating he wanted me to lower my
window. With a shaky hand I used the lever to lower the window.

“Need some help?”

Oh god. How could
a man’s voice be smooth as silk but laced with steal at the same time?

My gaze trailed
from his full lips that were a shade darker than his mahogany skin, to the dark
hairs of his beard, up to his, noticing, not for the first time that while both
were brown, they were different colors. The left eye was the color of coffee,
while the right eye was the color of warm honey. Raw, unfiltered honey, not the
fake stuff sold at most grocery chains.

“Huh?” I asked
dumbly.

“Your car.” He
motioned with his head to my vehicle. “Won’t start?”

I turned my head
as if taking notice of my vehicle, the one I was sitting in and had owned for
the last ten years, for the first time.

“N-no.”

“You need a
jump?”

“Y-ye-No …
Huh?” Where was all my good sense?

“For your car. Do
you need a jump? Do you have jumper cables?”

I blinked and
came back to myself. “No. It’s not the battery.” I knew because I’d just gotten
a new one a few months earlier.

“Then it’s
something else. I don’t know much about cars, but I know a couple of mechanics
who could tow you out of here to their shop. Unless you have one of your own?”

“Uh, no, I don’t.
But I really just need to get to work. I’ll just catch an Uber and find a tow
truck once I get back.” That, of course, relied on whether or not Kayla and
Joshua minded my car taking up space in their driveway.

I sighed.

This was a mess.

Suddenly, I felt
a whoosh of air. I turned and realized my car door had been opened.

“Kayla and Joshua
won’t mind your car hanging out here for a few hours. No need for an Uber. I’ll
take you wherever you need to go.” And without another word, he was holding out
his hand nearly identical to the way he’d held it out to me when he’d asked me
to dance at Kayla and Joshua’s wedding reception.

Placing my much
smaller hand in his for the second time felt just like it had the first time.
Perfect.

I stepped out.
“You don’t have to. I’m sure you have other things to do. I can just get an
Uber and then be on my way.” I started digging around my bag for my phone.
Anything to avoid looking in his eyes. “I’ll just phone work and let them know
I’ll be a few minutes later than I’d intended. I’m sure it will be okay. I
might have to stay a little later than I expected. Monique might be a little
miffed about that but-”

“Put your phone
away.”

And just like
that my little rant was cut short. My belly fluttered at the subtleness of his
command. And despite the lightness of his voice it was a command.

“I’ll take you. Your
car is fine where it is.”

I swallowed. I
hadn’t even realized I’d voiced my concerns out loud. Unless this man was a
mind reader? Then I was in serious trouble.

Get real, Sandra, I admonished.
People weren’t mind readers. I just wore my emotions on my sleeve. Always had.

   “Thank you,” I stated since that was the only
thing that seemed to fit at that moment.

“No problem,” he
responded while moving to pull out a key fob from his dark jeans.

A second later I
heard the distinctive sounds of car doors unlocking. Damon strolled—the man
didn’t walk, he strolled, over to the BMW I’d originally thought belonged to
Joshua and opened the passenger side door for me to get in.

I swallowed and
told my pacing heart to chill out.

He’s safe.

I reminded myself
as I got in the car. According to Kayla, Damon and Joshua had been friends for
years. She trusted him. I tried to let that knowledge guide my decision-making
as I lowered myself into the vehicle. But trust was difficult to come by. I
flinched a little when the car door closed and Damon’s long legs carried him
around the front of the car to the driver’s side.

“Where to?” He
asked as he started the car.

I turned, feeling
captivated by this thick beard. I briefly wondered if he moisturized it like
I’d seen some men do on YouTube videos. Coconut oil. He definitely used coconut
oil, at least. The shimmer of the hairs in the beard told me so.

“Sandra?”

“Huh?”

“Where are we
going?”

Anywhere you want.

“Oh, uh,
Mansfield, Duval, & Mason Attorneys at Law. The address is …” I paused as I
dug through my tote bag for my wallet. I always forgot the actual address of my
company.

“Don’t bother. I
know exactly where that is.”

“Thank you,” I
stated, my gaze straight ahead as we pulled out of Joshua and Kayla’s driveway.
My bag was clutched tightly to my lap.

“You say that a
lot, huh?”

My eyes shifted
to the left to peer over at him. I tried to stop it, but my head followed,
obviously needing a better look at the specimen that sat next to me.

“Say what?”

“Thank you.
That’s the second time you’ve thanked me in like five minutes. I also heard you
thank Kayla and Joshua at least twice. And that was only what I heard before
you sprinted out the door.”

I could’ve sworn
that last sentence held a tiny amount of accusation behind it. As if he was
suggesting I was running from him.

Well, he was
right.

But I would never
admit it out loud.

“I like to show
my gratitude when people are kind to me or go out of their way on my behalf.”
Lord knows, there hadn’t been many throughout my life.

“Mm,” was his
response.

I wrinkled my
forehead wanting to ask what that meant but I kept my mouth shut. The less
talking the better. The more we talked the bigger the possibility I might do
something stupid like develop a crush on this man or something. I was certain
he was just being kind to a friend of his friend. Same as for the wedding. I’d
believed his asking me to dance and what I’d thought was watching me throughout
the evening. Those suspicions were put to rest when I watched him leave with
another woman who was the total opposite of myself.

“So, you’re a
lawyer?”

His question
pulled me from my thoughts which was good since they were starting to veer off
into resentment territory. Which was silly since he wasn’t anything to me.

“No. Paralegal.”

“That’s cool. You
like it?”

“I do.”

“What do you like
about it?”

“Researching.
That’s one of my favorite aspects of the job.”

“Working
Saturdays doesn’t bother you?”

I shook my head.
“I don’t usually work weekends. We’re working a big case and possibly taking on
another.”

Damon nodded.
“Which lawyer do you work for?”

“I work for more
than one but Emma Leslie is who I’m working a couple of cases with.”

“I’ve heard of
her.”

I wondered how
but again, opted to mind my business. However, in the interest of not being
rude I decided to say, “Kayla tells me you’re involved in real estate?”

“That and more,”
he responded.

I wanted to ask
what he meant by more but his cell
phone beeped and soon was wringing through the speakers in the car. I glanced
at the display and read the name “Scarlet.” I thought back trying to remember
the name of the woman he’d left with the night of Kayla and Josh’s wedding. Was
it Scarlet? From what I recalled that woman had been as sultry as her name
indicated.

Like I said,
nothing like me.

I ran my hands
down my thighs smoothing out imaginary wrinkles of my dark denim. Weekends were
the only time I wore jeans. But to
keep it as professional as I could, I’d paired the jeans with my white, ribbed
turtleneck and my Badgley Mischka crystal pointy toe flats, that I’d managed to
score for less than half the retail price, at my favorite online thrift store
that sold high end names. That morning I hadn’t had any problems with my outfit
but as I sat next to Damon, I started to regret not wearing my usual high heels
to the office, giving my five-foot-one frame more height. At least when I stood.

I was so caught
up in my own head, I hadn’t even realized Damon had sent the caller to
voicemail. Probably not wanting me to overhear a private conversation with his
lover.

“We’re almost
there. Do you need a ride back?”

“No. I’ll just
catch an Uber or something. Hopefully by then I’ll have the name of a mechanic
I can send it to get checked over.”

“I can do that
for you.”

My eyelids raised.
“Why?” I blurted out.

Deep creases
formed in Damon’s forehead as he looked at me questioningly. I realized how
accusatory my question had been.

“I mean, you
don’t have to. Really. I can find someone-”

“Who’ll probably
try to rip you off.”

My mouth snapped
shut. He was right. I had enough experiences with mechanics to have been
scammed a time or two, or five.

“My friend owns
an auto shop and a dealership. Worse comes to worse, he can help you out with a
great deal on a new car.”

I swallowed and
looked down at my hands in my lap. I should’ve been grateful for Damon’s help.
I was. But I was also just a touch … embarrassed. I was sure the car we were
driving in was a 2018 model, if not newer, and was much more advanced and in
better shape than my run down eighteen-year-old vehicle. It made me suspect
that maybe Damon thought I needed help, especially since I had a kid. In other
words, he felt sorry for me. That stung.

“We’re here. You
sure you don’t need a ride back home?”

“N-no,” I blurted
out, fear rising up my throat. I blinked and shook my head.

Calm down, Sandra.

The man was just
offering a ride.

“I meant, thank
you but no. I’ll give my mother a call and she can come get me,” I lied.

“You mother?”

“Yes.” I answered
nodding my head but avoiding eye contact as I reached for the door handle. I
rushed to get out of the car that was pulled up in front of my office’s main
entrance, so fast that I didn’t even realize Damon had gotten out as well. Just
as I affixed myself to stand upright, he was there, holding the door open for
me.

I swallowed as my
eyes made contact with his broad chest. Even through the dark sweater he wore,
I could tell what lie beneath that cashmere material was solid enough to bounce
a quarter off of.

“Thank y-”

“That’s the
second time in the last sixty seconds. Don’t thank me again.”

I clenched my lips
feeling admonished.

His body brushed
past mine as he leaned down shutting the car door. The whiff of cologne I got
filled my nostrils with a smell of strength, cardamom, and spice. A smell I
knew was only written into this man’s DNA, not whatever bottle he’d used. I
remembered it from our one and only dance.

“Well, you enjoy
your day,” I stated, taking a couple of steps backwards. I bit my tongue to
keep from thanking him yet again.

“You also.” He
nodded in my direction but thankfully didn’t move any closer.

I stood there for
a few seconds too long, making it awkward. At least, with another person it
would’ve been awkward, but Damon simply stared at me, patiently waiting for me
to turn and head inside. Those different colored eyes were hooded, unreadable
which made him especially intriguing. A second later he ran a strong hand down
the right side of his face and through his beard.

That was when I
finally got my brain to communicate with the rest of my body. It was time to go
into work.

I gave a small
smile through shaky lips and turned, nearly stumbling over my own two feet. I
ambled toward the door, inhaling and feeling deeply grateful that my nose
wasn’t filled with the smell of his any longer. Grateful yet yearning at the
same time. He wasn’t good for me. There probably wasn’t a man alive who was,
but Damon Richmond sure as hell wasn’t it.

Tyler Townsend’s Got Next!

And he’s just as ruthless and alpha as his three brothers

Joshua Is Here!

If you haven’t heard, Joshua Townsend is now available on Amazon! Click here to purchase.

Joshua Townsend Coming August 2nd! (Excerpt below!)

Joshua

“It’s about fucking time,” I declared, pushing past Brutus and the police officer that was accompanying him, into the concrete basement at Townsend Industries. We were on the ground floor of the Townsend building and Brutus had finally secured a meet between me and James fucking Cunningham.

“What the hell is going on? I was supposed to be taken to a different facility. What is this?” James demanded as soon as he saw me push through the door. His eyes shifted nervously to the officer behind me.

As soon as my gaze landed on his fucking face, an anger like no other rose from the pit of my stomach. The expression on Kay’s face when I first saw her in the police station came to mind. She’d had a wide-eyed terror stricken look in her face, but was doing her best to keep her composure. I wouldn’t let that slide.

Without saying a word, I charged over to James who stood about two inches taller than I. I slammed my open palm into his neck, causing him to immediately go down, gasping for air.

“Hey! You said this was just going to be a talk!”

“Shut him the fuck up!” I growled to Brutus behind me, directing him to take care of the officer. “Get out!”

“I-I can’t leave you alone with—”

“Come with me, Officer Venetti. Don’t worry …” I heard Brutus tell the officer as he pushed him out of the door, closing it behind him.

I held my glare on James who was still trying desperately to breathe. Moving closer, I stooped low. “You’re not dying … yet.”

He struggled to speak, still barely able to suck in are as he clutched his hands to his neck. His eyes were wide and tear filled, a look of terror in them. The same one Kay had in her eyes that night. The look in James’ eyes, however, brought me a sense of satisfaction, instead of rage.

“That hit wasn’t for trying to rob my place or set my company up. That was for scaring the hell out of my lady. For holding a gun on her.” I clenched my fists at the thought of a gun being pointed at Kay. But I had to control my anger in order to get the information I needed. “You know I could make it so your body would never be found.”

His eyes, which were already wide, doubled in size.

“I’m a fighter, James. But not a killer. Not most of the time, anyway. Only a few things would make me end a man’s life. You fuck with my family, my business, or my woman. Even in business I can tolerate a lot more than if you were to fuck with my woman. You did that by holding a gun to her face. I just want you to understand it when I say, I have no problems taking your life here and now, before I ask you these next few questions. Are we clear?”

I paused, waiting for him to agree. Once he nodded, I continued.

“Good. Who is behind the set-up?” I got straight to the point.

“I don’t kn—” He couldn’t finish his sentence before my hand was wrapped around his neck, squeezing, tightly.

“Remember my warning,” I seethed through clenched teeth. “Please do, test me on it. Please do,” I taunted, squeezing his neck tighter.

“Okay, okay,” he wheezed out, holding his hands up. “A g-guy came to me a few days after you f-fired me.”

“What guy, James?”

“He said his name was Tim. He showed up out of nowhere on my doorstep. Said he was with the Better Business Bureau, at first, and they were doing research on Townsend Real Estate’s unfair treatment of employees. I told him how I’d just been fired.”

“Which he undoubtedly knew already. Keep going.”

“He just wanted to know my story. I told him. Then a week or so later, he calls, says he has a proposition for me.”

“To rob my damn company?”

James nodded.

“And your stupid ass believed someone working for the Better Business Bureau would have you rob Townsend Real Estate?”

“No.” He shook his head vigorously. “No, but then he said he wasn’t with the BBB but that he worked for a man who had a vested interest in seeing Townsend fall. He said there’d be something in it for me if I robbed the condominium that was for sale. Said the former owners had a safe in it that they hadn’t emptied out.”

“That makes absolutely no fucking sense, James!” I growled, grabbing him by the collar of the orange jumpsuit he wore.

“I know! But the guy told me I’d make an easy ten grand out of the deal. I was broke. It sounded like a bargain to me. So I took it.”

I rose to my feet, standing over James who still laid on the floor. I eyed him, looking for any signs of deception.

“What was this Tim’s last name?”

“McDonald or Mc something or other. Ouch!” he bellowed when he received a sharp kick to his abdomen.

“Give me a straight fucking answer, James.”

“McKellen. He said his last name was McKellen.”

“Tim McKellen,” I sounded out loud, running the name through my mental rolodex. It didn’t ring any bells but I felt this was connected to someone I knew. I stooped low in front of James again. “I’m leaving now. You will be taken back to jail by the officer that brought you here. You will never mention this meeting to anyone or you will find yourself in a very ugly scenario behind bars. You won’t have to worry about ever making it to the end of your ten year sentence for armed robbery. You understand what I’m saying to you?” I glared at James.

“Yesss,” he drew out.

“Good.” I nodded and stood, turning my back on him to move to the door. James was as good as dead behind those prison walls. I’d already saw to that, but I wouldn’t reveal that to him. That’d be a little surprise he’d learn in the next few months. Since he’d pleaded guilty to the armed robbery, there would be no trial. He was going straight to jail where he wouldn’t live out the next six months. That was his real punishment for pulling a gun on Kayla. This minor beating was just to get some information. Now that I had it, I had no use for him.

“You can take him now. Thank you, Officer Venetti.” I held out my hand for the officer to shake. When he gripped it, I said, “As promised, your son will get the medical treatment he needs at no financial cost to your family. Anonymously, of course.” A smile I’d perfected over the years in the course of business dealings touched my lips.

“Th-thank you,” the officer stated, his gaze bouncing between Brutus and I.

I gave Brutus one last nod before turning and heading home. I needed to get changed so Kay and I could make it to my parents’ for dinner.

Aaron’s Patience Now Available on Amazon!

The man himself is now available for purchase on Amazon and FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Meet Aaron Townsend!

Aaron’s Patience

Hello All,

Welp, I last left you with Carter’s Flame. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, check it out here. In Carter’s story, you were introduced to his three younger brothers: Aaron, Joshua, and Tyler. I’ve gotten many questions as to whether or not thee three remaining brothers will receive a story line, and the answer is a resounding YES! First up, among the remaining three is Aaron. He was undoubtedly one of the most intriguing brothers of the bunch, with his gruffness and supposed fairies (what’s going on with that?). I’ve been working hard on Aaron’s story which is currently in the editing/revision stages. But, to give you a little taste of what’s to come, I thought I’d drop off a little teaser for you all. Enjoy!

****Unedited. Subject to change****

Aaron

What the fuck was I doing here? That was probably the first common sense thing I’d asked myself since stepping out of the back of my town car. I glanced around the underground garage, and undid the button of my Tom Ford suit jacket.

“Would you like me to escort-” the chauffeur’s question cut off by the sharp slicing of my hand through the air.

“I got it from here.” I turned towards the metal doors of the elevator. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” I told him not even looking over my shoulder.

“I’ll be right here, Mr. Townsend.”

I didn’t waste time acknowledging his statement. Of course, he’d be there waiting on me. That’s what he was paid for while I was in Chicago on business. But as I slid the shiny black keycard into the slot next to the elevator, it was obvious that this little venture was anything but business. I’d spent the entire past seventy-two hours in business meetings and beating any adversary over the head with my strategy. I needed this outlet like I needed my next breath. Not that a quick blow job or a frenzied fuck would ever be enough to ease all the tension rolling through my body, but it would offer a short respite.

I turned to the opposite side of the elevators upon hearing the dinging of the bell, and the doors spread open, revealing the comforts of The Cage’s fourth floor. Just as I stepped off, a long-legged blonde dressed in only a pair of leather shorts and matching pasties, with a leash around her neck, passed. Holding onto the opposite end of the chain, leading her, was another woman, this one with dark chocolate skin, shaved head and dressed head to toe in a pinstripe black suit. I watched the pair, strut down the hall. The bondage room. That’s where they were headed.

“Welcome back, Mr. Townsend,” The petite redhead behind the registration desk, offered with a smile.

I returned her graciousness with a curt nod.

“Your table has already been set up for you. As promised, two women will be by shortly. We hope they are to your liking.” She smiled revealing perfect, pearly white teeth.

I moved around the registration booth, past the leather loveseats where groups of twos, threes, and fours were in various stages of undress. Removing my suit jacket, I carefully laid it on the back of the loveseat, and sat down, picking up the glass of cola with three ice cubes, that I always requested be waiting for me on my arrival. I took my fill, of the club. Another couple made their way down the dark hall into either the bondage room or eating area. The elevator door opened and a pair of women stepped off, dressed in only short bathrobes. They must’ve come from the Wet Room on the third floor, I surmised.

I found myself watching the women, hand in hand as they moved closer, one finally catching my gaze. One was the color of cinnamon while the second had skin the color of sandalwood. Both average height, with small yet curvaceous bodies. They moved, to stand in front of me, and I was pleased to see that my preferences had been noted by whoever sent these two.

“Mr. Townsend,” one of the women giggled causing a frown to mar my face.

I glared at the two, over the rim of my glass, taking another sip of my drink.

“How are you tonight?” the cinnamon toned one spoke up. When I didn’t move, she took that as a sign to move in closer, placing a knee on the loveseat and crawling towards me. These women were beautiful, but I’d had plenty of beautiful women. They’d be fine for the night, I guessed, until one slid her hand up my forearm to my elbow, pushing the sleeve of my shirt out of the way. She gasped and jumped, when my other hand slammed down over hers.

“Don’t touch me.” I tossed her hand away. “I do the touching,” I told both women, sternly. “Give me a dance while I finish my drink.”

They blinked, looking between one another, before slowly sliding off the loveseat to stand in front of the table. I sat back, arm outstretched with my drink in the other hand. I watched semi-bored as both women began stripping one another.

Movement at the elevators caught my attention. The doors slid open and a thirty-something Asian woman stepped off. She didn’t catch my attention, though she was pretty. It was her companion that made me sit all the way up, body going rigid.

 ****

Patience

How on Earth did I end up here? I was in a sex club for God’s sake!

“Patience, your I.D.” Judy insisted, looking back at me.

I began shaking my head. “Judy, I don’t think I should be here.” My eyes bulged when I looked over Judy’s shoulder to see a half-naked woman sitting on one of the leather loveseats, straddling a man who I could only see from the waist down.

“Patience, I told you to leave your prudish side at home,” Judy insisted, bringing my attention back to her, five-foot-three frame.

“I can’t leave my prudish side at home. I am a prude. I’m a librarian for goodness sakes!…” I whispered the last part, ashamed to admit that, yes, I was a mother in a place like this.

“You weren’t such a prude when you were telling me about that little fantasy of yours… You’re in Chicago tonight. Live a little. You’ll be the same boring librarian …when you get back on the plane tomorrow morning. ‘Kay?” With that, she snatched my wallet out of my hand, rifling through until she found my license then flipped her long, dark silky hair over her shoulder and turned to the hostess at the registration table.

I sealed my eyes shut and inhaled a deep breath. Maybe she was right. I could just make myself comfortable at the bar, have a couple of cocktails and let that be that. I wouldn’t bother to tell Judy that there was only one person who’d ever brought out the non-prude in me. And that was a long time ago.

I sighed and blinked my eyes open, ridding myself of those memories.

“You’re still meeting, Kevin here?” I asked, Judy when she returned my I.D.

“Yup. He texted me. He’s on his way. Isn’t this place cool?” She questioned, looping her arm in mine and pulling me towards one of the loveseats that had a card at the center with the name “Russell” on it, her fiancé’s last name.

“It’s cool alright,” I murmured. “Look, I know I told you about my fantasy and all, but that was just all in fun. I’m not doing anything with any of these men … or women.” I plopped down on the loveseat, looking around. I’m sure my facial expression mirrored a damn deer in headlights. I still couldn’t believe I’d gotten drunk enough to share my fantasy of being tied up and spanked with Judy the night before. Now, here I was, at some place in the West Loop where I was certain most of the people in here had more than just read about rope play, as I had.

“You say that now.”

“I mean it!” I hissed at Judy.

She shrugged. “I said the same thing, when I first came. Then I met Kevin, and…” she just smiled and then giggled. “Oh, he’s here.” She pointed at the elevator and got up to greet her fiancé. I remained seated, still feeling so uncomfortable. When a man passed, throwing a smile in my direction, I returned it in kind but wished he’d keep moving. That wasn’t to happen, apparently. He stopped.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hello.” I shifted in my seat, looking around.

“You’re new here, huh?”

“Just visiting.” Saying I was new gave the insinuation that I was planning to return but that would not be the case. This would be my first and last time at this place. A visit was more the appropriate term for this situation.

“Have you visited the other floors yet?” He leaned his body against the love seat, moving in just a tad bit closer.

I wanted to move away, but I held my ground. “I just arrived.”

“I’d love to take you to the Wet Room. A body like yours should never be covered up.” His pale green eyes slid down, pausing at the ample cleavage my black dress exposed. They moved further down, pausing again at the sight of my exposed walnut colored thigh. The dress had been Judy’s idea and I was regretting it. I shifted, pushing my long sister locks over my shoulders to cover, as much cleavage as possible.

“Beautiful brown skin like yours …” he paused, moving his hand closer to my arm. Just before I could pull away a voice sounded.

“If you fucking touch her, I will break all two-hundred and six bones in your body.”

The deep voice sent shock waves through my entire body.

It can’t be.

When the strange man stood, moving out of the way, I nearly passed out when my greatest fear was confirmed.

It was him.

Aaron.

He looked a little older, and still just as mean as ever. And that was his appeal, part of it, at least. The man was handsome, bordering on beautiful by conventional standards. With his dark hair, hazel eyes, square jaw and perfect nose with a splattering of freckles across the bridge.

“This one yours?” The strange man asked, looking towards Aaron.

“She’s off limits … to you,” he snarled. “Leave. Now.”

Aaron gave the man a hard look and before I knew it the guy was backing off. Aaron’s gaze lingered on his retreating form for all of two seconds and then he pinned me with his gaze.

I felt as if I was being lifted, even though I remained seated. I couldn’t look away as all types of emotions swirled around in my gut, each fighting for dominance over the other.

Don’t be so sensitive.

That reminder, of his harsh words, allowed the anger I still held to reign supreme. I’d let my anger at him lead the way.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he growled, before I could speak. His words knocking all the wind out of my sails.

“I-I,” I stammered but then caught myself. “Having a drink and minding my damn business.” I turned my head, to reach for the glass on my table that had been dropped off by the waitress, but my arm was caught in a steel trap. I dared to look down at his creamy hand, encircling my forearm.

“Get up,” he demanded, but didn’t wait for my compliance. He pulled me up out of my seat with one arm. Once standing, he pulled me tight to his body. With his free hand, he gathered my sister locks at the nape of my neck. His hard eyes moved from mine, down to my lips, face neck and stopping at my breasts. Unlike when the other man had done this same thing, my nipples began throbbing painfully against the cotton fabric of the dress.

“You’re not wearing a bra.”

Why did his simple observation cause a flood in my panties? I should hate this man. No. I do hate this man for the way he treated me.

“Let go of me.”

His jaw tightened along with his grip around my arm.

“You think you’re all grown up now? Think you’re ready for a place like this?”

“It’s none of your Goddamn business what I’m ready for you son of a -”

His free hand clamped around my lower jaw, and his lips crushed mine, pushing my angry words back down my throat. I didn’t want his kiss or his touch. I squirmed to break his grasp but he was too strong and I was always too weak for him. I gasped in pain and pleasure when he bit my lower lip and pulled back, not trying to soothe the bite like he’d done in the past.

“Watch your fucking mouth. Let’s go.”

I stumbled over the heels I wore, that weren’t my own when he began pulling me by my arm. I tugged and attempted to pull free. “Let go of me! Where the hell are we going?!” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low to not draw attention from the surrounding patrons. Aaron didn’t even bother to turn and look back at me, pulling me easily toward a long hall.

We passed one room where tables full of food were set up.

“Aaron, where the hell are we-” My question was cut off when he tried the knob of one of the closed wooden doors. The knob turned and he pushed it open. I felt myself propelled forward, just barely able to keep on my feet when he tossed me inside, slamming the door behind him and then my back against the door.

His dark gaze seethed and a twinge of fear scattered up my spine just before he crushed his lips to mine again. Fear, anger and all, it still felt good. Too good. I didn’t want to feel anything but hatred for him. I squirmed and twisted my head, ultimately breaking free of the hold of his mouth.

“Don’t touch me!” I yelled, pushing him away. He barely budged but it was enough distance that I was able to reach up and smack him across the face with all the anger I felt. The loud “pop” echoed around the dark room.

He took a step back, his hazel eyes burning an ominous stare into my eyes as his thumb reached up, swiping at the corner of his mouth. His eyes lowered and my chest heaved when I registered the drop of blood on the tip of his thumb. My stomach plummeted when he turned even darker eyes on me and a smile crept on his handsome face.

Aaron didn’t smile.

Crazy bastard.

 

Coming Monday March 12th!

Carter’s Flame