Rhian Cahill's Blog, page 36

Sweet Sexy Scorching Summer Giveaway Hop!

I’m one of the many authors taking part in the Sweet Sexy Scorching Summer Giveaway Hop and I’m offering up prizes. You could also win the grand prize.

Click the graphic to join the hop!

Six Sentence Sunday – Sneak-peek Christmas Wishes – #sixsunday

This week I thought I’d share six sentences from a recently contracted novella I wrote. Details are still a little hush-hush but I can tell you Christmas Wishes will be out in the next few months. Enjoy.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit.” He spun around to stare at the locked door.

Behind him, Talli tooted her horn again. Dean looked skyward. This day was going from bad to worse. And for the first time in history Tallitha Jarmen wasn’t running late.

Don’t forget to check out all the other six sentences HERE!

Snippet Saturday – Talk Talk

 

“There’s no turning back now, Doc.” His fingers toyed with the ends of her hair.

She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “I know.”

He smiled. “That easy?”

“It’s amazing what a little fright can do for the senses.” She tried to return his smile but it somehow slipped from her lips before it could form.

“Come here.” Steve released her seatbelt and pulled her into his lap, pinning her between his body and the wheel. “You’re safe here, Doc.”

Gordie figured he meant in his house, but for her, safety was his arms, the security of his embrace and the strength he offered her willingly. She moved closer, nuzzled her face against the warmth of his neck and drew in his scent. It amazed her how just that small action could soothe her nerves and rile them at the same time.

“Gordie.” Warm air ruffled her hair before she felt his lips press to her temple. “Come on, let’s get inside or everyone will arrive and find us fucking in my truck.”

She gasped. His use of strong language didn’t bother her, it was the images the words provoked that made her breathless.

“Yeah, I’m that close.” He chuckled as he opened the door and maneuvered them out of the cab.

“I can walk.”

“I know, but I want to carry you and you’re going to let me.” His arms tightened around her.

“Okay.”

Steve laughed. “All this easy agreement is starting to worry me, Doc.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back to my disagreeable self soon enough and then you’ll wish you hadn’t started this.”

“Never.”

“You say that now…”

He swung her legs down until her toes barely touched the ground and pressed her against the side of his truck. “I’ll say it forever.”

You can find all the details on Coyote Whispers  HERE!

 

The list of authors taking part in Snippet Saturday this week -

 

Shelli Stevens

Anne Rainey

Jody Wallace

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Myla Jackson

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

HelenKay Dimon

Lauren Dane

Shiloh Walker

TJ Michaels

Leah Braemel

Five For Friday – Bondi Beach Boys

We’re hitting the beach this week.

 

Chapter One
Piper pushed through the glass door and sucked in a blast of hot air like walking into the bowels of hell, but she wasn’t going back inside the air-conditioned interior of the café for anything. Not until she’d had her daily dose of what she’d affectionately dubbed her Bondi Beach Boys. She smiled at the nickname she’d given them. Having lived in Sydney for only ten months, she hadn’t fully understood the appeal of sitting by Bondi Beach on a stinking hot day, but summer was rapidly becoming her favorite time of year.
A waitress delivered her fresh-squeezed juice, and Pip thanked the girl without taking her eyes off the view. Picking up the ice-cold glass, she brought it to her lips. The heady mix of sweet aromas filled her nose, and the freshly blended flavors of mango and banana exploded on her tongue. Still, her eyes remained glued to the sight in front of her. A shiver skipped down her spine, and it had nothing to do with the chunk of ice she sucked on.
Bodies of all shapes and sizes, in all manner of dress, littered the hot sand. Kids with buckets and
spades built sandcastles by the water’s edge. Teenagers in long, baggy shorts played a game of volleyball, kicking up arcs of golden spray. Women in skimpy bikinis lay on towels, glistening under the scorching sun. But Pip came for the men.
There were all kinds. Young, old, skinny and fat, some in Speedos with bronzed bodies worth drooling over; they were all there. Though none of those were the attraction for her. Two men in particular drew her gaze day after day, week after week. With her sunglasses shielding her eyes, she turned a little to the right and looked her fill.
Bronze hair and skin sparkled under the hot sun. Long, tanned limbs rippled with muscle as the sun god they were attached to reached up and removed the surfboard from the roof rack of the sporty, black sedan. She licked her lips. Tingling with the urge to run her tongue over every inch of the bare torso, Piper’s mouth had gone bone dry, the ice cube long since melted away. Her gaze skipped further to the right to find the second most glorious sight in the world.
His sleek muscles were dusted with dark hair, and the smooth skin holding it all together had to be what people referred to as a Mediterranean complexion. No less appealing than the golden specimen on the other side of the vehicle, he made her heart race and her palms sweat. Together they were a
sexy temptation a nun would be hard pressed to refuse. Piper sighed and took another sip of her drink.
She watched them as they got ready, prepping their boards, throwing towels around their shoulders, and locking up the car. The blond picked up a backpack and turned toward the waves. For long moments, Piper admired the shift of muscles along backbones made for licking. Her temperature, already hot from the sweltering summer weather, went up a couple of degrees. Arousal swirled low in her abdomen, the once gentle stir now a churning whirlpool, and her chest rose and fell with her harsh breaths.
Today was no different from any of the others in the past few weeks. Her Bondi Beach Boys surveyed the waves as they rolled onto the sand of Sydney’s most famous beach. She studied them—her boys, not the waves. Their wind-tossed hair: one dark blond with golden streaks, the other black as night. Their smooth backs and narrow hips, miles of leg beneath brightly colored shorts. But the gorgeous arses hidden under the quick-dry material drew Piper’s eyes the most.
She’d always been a butt girl. Something about a tight pair of cheeks just did it for her. Pip wasn’t worried what covered a guy’s rear end, but she had to admit to being partial to jeans before this summer. Now though… Now she was a converted woman.
Absolutely nothing compared to a set of firm buns wrapped in wet board shorts. No siree, nothing better. What a shame she wouldn’t be here to see them all wet and shiny when they came back to the car.
Her normal routine had to be rearranged for a meeting with potential new clients, and there was no way she was going to risk blowing this contract. She really didn’t need to go back over the designs—she’d been up til three a.m. making sure they were perfect—but she couldn’t help wanting to give it one more look with fresh eyes before the meeting. This job could be the big break that allowed her to quit her part-time cleaning gig and purchase that new software and hard drive she had her eye on. Tipping up her glass, she drank the last of her juice as her boys made their way down onto the sand.
Piper grabbed her bag and stood. Having paid for her drink when she ordered, she made her way between the tables to the sidewalk. The blond dropped the backpack and his towel, and jogged to the water’s edge. His friend followed at a more leisurely pace. She paused, watching them as they dropped their boards to the water and lowered their buff bodies to the fiberglass lengths. They paddled out, ducking under the waves and giving her one final glimpse of taut butt muscles before she forced
herself to leave. With a sigh, Pip turned and headed home.
* * *
Sam scanned the tables, searching for the brunette. Disappointment surged when she proved to be nowhere in sight. He and Nate had gotten used to seeing her the past few weeks. Dropping his bag, he leaned his board against the car and knelt down to retrieve the car keys from the bottom of the backpack. He pressed the button to unlock the doors. Nate stepped up next to him, and Sam noticed his friend doing exactly what he’d done a moment before.
“Damn. She’s gone.”
“Yeah.” Sam glanced at his wristwatch. “Looks like we’ve all got somewhere to be this morning.”
“Bugger. If I’d known that I’d have hung around longer before hitting the waves.”
Sam smiled. He’d had the same idea. He really wanted to find out who she was. The need to know her had been building for days—weeks—and that morning, when they’d pulled up and seen her walking into the café, he’d decided to introduce himself. Another look at his watch told him they didn’t have time to dwell on her early disappearance.

 

Bondi Beach Boys is available from -

  

AMAZON - BARNES & NOBLE – ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS – SONY – iBOOKS

 

Want more Five For Friday?

 

Jambrea Jo Jones
Bianca D’Arc
Lila Dubois
Lexxie Couper
Mari Carr

Six Sentence Sunday – Doing Logan Pt6 – #sixsunday

 

Welcome back for another six. Hope you enjoy.

Logan’s hand landed on her stomach, traced slow circles on her skin. The motion lulling her to sleep while stirring arousal that had no business being stirred. It didn’t seem to matter how often they had sex they couldn’t get enough. In the last few weeks she’d had more sex than in her entire life and still she’d gladly have more with Logan. Anytime. Anywhere.

You can find all the details on Doing Logan HERE!

 

And don’t forget to check out the other authors participating in Six Sentence Sunday this week HERE!

Snippet Saturday – Spin The Bottle

 

Snippet Saturday is back! This weeks theme is fireworks. Kinda fitting seeing how I’ve just completed a short story that has two fireworks displays as key elements but as that’s not yet ready to show I’ve gone with a different kind of fireworks. The sexy kind.

 

 

Mac waited for the explosion. He didn’t for one second think she’d let him get away with pinning her in a corner. No, Lillian McDermott never let anyone limit her. She took what she wanted when she wanted. It galled him to think she’d turned out exactly like her mother. That woman had a lot to answer for, the least of which was her absentee parenting. He shuddered. The last person he wanted occupying his mind was Gabriella McDermott. He’d much rather concentrate on her sexy daughter.

The one who drove him nuts but pulled him closer with every breath he took. He’d tried to stay away, tried to ignore the gut-burning need to see if the kiss they’d shared was a fluke. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Slightly parted, her cherry-red lips beckoned, a siren’s call he knew he couldn’t refuse—didn’t want to deny. Mac leaned forward, his lips a breath from hers.

“Mac?”

His name on her tongue, the puff of warm air that blew over his chin and the tremor of her lips made him smile. “Lilli.”

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“I thought that was obvious.” He didn’t pull away but moved his body closer to hers, his chest barely touching the tips of her breasts when she sucked in a breath.

“You can’t.”

“Can’t?”

“N-no.” Her lips brushed his. “It’s bad, remember?”

Mac pulled back a fraction to focus on her eyes. “What?”

“Kissing me.” She licked her lips and sent his blood pressure soaring. “When we did it before, you said it was bad.”

For a second, he hadn’t a clue what she meant, and then it clicked. “Oh, no, it wasn’t the kiss that was bad, Lilli.” He lowered his head, brought his mouth back within touching distance of hers. “I’ll prove it.”

He slanted his mouth across hers. Thrust his tongue between her parted lips to plunder. Mac didn’t ease into the kiss. He dove deep, headfirst. She tasted of champagne and cherries. Of lush decadence that spoke of untold pleasure. The party faded away, lost in the mating of their mouths. Nothing existed but the woman now in his arms, her body plastered to his, her soft curves cradling his hard edges as he devoured her.

Her breath hitched when he sucked on her tongue, and the gaspy little moan that followed the caress of his hand down her spine dragged him further into the most sublime kiss of his life. His cock throbbed, his balls ached and every nerve ending sizzled with the need to take her.

Here.

Now.

Against the wall.

Mac pushed his hand beneath the hem of her too-short dress, palmed her bare arse cheek and squeezed. Her supple flesh filled his hand, her smooth skin like silk under his fingertips. Jesus, she either wore a thong or nothing at all. Both options had his pulse accelerating and his cock stiffening. Blood rushed through his veins, pounded in his ears and slammed his heart against his rib cage. Lilli’s fingers tangled in his hair and tugged. The sting of pain was an erotic thrill he never dreamed would turn him on.

 

You can find all the details for Spin The Bottle HERE! 

 

Here’s the list of authors offering snippets this week:-

 

Shelli Stevens

Anne Rainey

Jody Wallace

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Myla Jackson

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

HelenKay Dimon

Lauren Dane

Shiloh Walker

TJ Michaels

Five for Friday – Coyote Run

We’re back with the coyotes this week.

Chapter One

 

The thump of paws hitting hard ground echoed off the valley walls, twigs snapped and leaves were crushed in the mad dash through the forest. Adrenaline pumped through veins pounding with the exhilaration of running free. Rowan loved to run in coyote form but tonight wasn’t any old frolic in the woods. Tonight was about escape.

Quinn raced beside her, his beating heart and heavy breaths a welcome comfort. They ran together, darting between trees and through the underbrush as they made their way over the mountains. Speed was important. Quinn needed to be back in Whispering Springs before morning or questions would be asked too soon. Rowan needed to be far from home before anyone discovered her missing.

Her injuries from Marcus’ attack were quickly repairing but she still felt dull aches rippling through her muscles. She leapt over a fallen log and the pack strapped to her back shifted to the side, throwing her off balance. Rowan stumbled, her front paws losing their grip in the slippery debris of rotting leaves littering the forest floor. The ground rushed up to meet her and pain exploded in her head. With a yelp, she crumpled to the dirt.

“Rowan!”

Quinn had shifted back to human form and was on his knees beside her, the strap of his pack digging into his bare chest. He ran his hands along her fur-covered limbs, her side and over her skull. His fingers gently probed for any injury. Rowan panted for breath and waited for the dizziness to fade before she changed from coyote to human.

“I’m okay,” she gasped. “Just winded.”

He reached for the snap on her pack and flicked it open. The tightness in Rowan’s chest eased slightly and she drew in a deeper breath as the bag fell to the ground behind her.

“Thanks.”

“We’ll rest here for a bit.” Quinn removed his own pack and placed it beside them.

Rowan pushed off the ground and sat cross-legged, her uncovered ass connecting with the cold floor. Her body protested the move but she didn’t have the luxury of being a wimp tonight or ever again for that matter. She dragged her bag closer, unzipped it and pulled out a water bottle. With a flick of her wrist, she popped the top and took a couple of gulps before handing it to Quinn.

His hand wrapped around hers but he didn’t take the container. Rowan looked up to find him staring at her. The naked longing swirling in his gaze heated her blood and called to her coyote. Already close to the surface, her beast answered with a call of her own. Need and want zapped through her. Quinn’s hand shook, the fine tremors vibrating along her skin in an electric wave that made every instinct she had scream with desire.

He squeezed her fingers before he removed his hand with a growl. “Damn, I want you.”

Rowan watched the struggle he waged inside, every emotion crossed his face as he fought to gain control. She knew Quinn was trying to hold back for her benefit but she didn’t need his protection. She needed him.

Before she could second guess the move, Rowan crossed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around Quinn’s neck and slammed her mouth to his. Her tongue slipped out to trace the seam of his lips. For what seemed like hours he remained motionless, unresponsive to her demanding kiss. On the verge of pulling back, Rowan found herself toppling forward instead.

Quinn fell back, his arms clamped around her waist to hold her close as he took them to the forest floor. He took control, his mouth eating at hers with need and desperation. Rowan could feel the raw emotions rolling off him, or maybe they were hers bouncing back. Tonight might be the only night they’d ever share and she intended to make the most of it.

Years of waiting collided with fear of what was to come and drove them both quickly to the edge. Her nipples pebbled, poked into the hard muscle of Quinn’s chest, the contact took the hunger deeper. Undone by the arousal swamping her, Rowan rocked her hips and rubbed her pussy on the hard length pressing against her. He sucked her tongue into his mouth as his hips thrust up.

His cock slid along her slick folds, bumping her clit and delivering sparks of fire into her core. Her womb clenched and moisture flowed from her body to coat them both. The scent of her cream surrounded them and Rowan’s body rippled with the orgasm just out of reach. She tore her mouth from his, gasped for breath as she braced her hands on his shoulders and pushed up.

“Not here. Not like this.”

Quinn’s plea went unheeded as Rowan sought the one thing that would calm the frenzy taking her over. She had to have him inside her. Take him until they were one. Her hand slipped between them and her fingers encircled his erection. She squeezed his flesh, stroked him from root to tip. Using her legs, she rose up and guided the head to her opening.

“Rowan.”

Their gazes met and as she lowered her body they held their breath. Resistance to the invasion clenched her muscles and sent fear trickling through her.

“You’re not ready.”

Rowan threw her head back and laughed. The idea that she wasn’t ready for this moment was ludicrous when she’d waited the last five years for this very minute. She leaned forward, brushed her lips on his and whispered, “I’m more ready than I’ve ever been.”

She pushed down and a little more of his cock breached her resisting body. The pain was minimal and no doubt would get worse before the sheer pleasure of being with Quinn surpassed it. With small gyrations, Rowan slowly took him deeper. Each inch stretched her walls to the point of pain but not enough for her to stop.

“Jeez, you’re killing me here,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

Quinn’s face and chest were coated in sweat, his muscles straining as he held still beneath her. With one final lunge she buried his length to the hilt. Any pain was quickly gone as sensations she’d never experienced registered. The fullness of having him inside, the way his cock brushed her tender walls, the cradle of his hips supporting hers, all unfamiliar but so right.

A moan slipped from her throat, mixed with the pleasure of being joined to Quinn and the vagueness of when they would be together again after tonight, and rumbled with a ragged edge. She slumped forward, laid her cheek on his chest and absorbed the truth of them together. Now.

“Take your time.” His hand caressed her hair, his fingers combing through the strands. “We can stop if it hurts.”

Rowan smiled. Quinn always thought of her first. Sadness flooded her as the certainty of being without him in the future clutched her heart. She took a deep breath. Determination to not allow Marcus or his father to take this beautiful moment from them straightened her spine and gave her the courage to take what joy she could from the darkness that surrounded them.

His hand stroked down her spine, a tender touch meant to soothe, not inflame. But when it came to Quinn everything he did had her body on hyper-alert. A shiver trailed his fingers, the gentle shudder not stopping until it reached her curling toes. Heat spiraled in her belly and dripped lower. Her pussy clenched and his shaft pulsed as her walls gripped him tighter.

As her body adjusted to being joined with Quinn the world disappeared. Her mind focused on the pleasure streaking its way toward a peak she’d never reached before. Bombarded, Rowan knew only one thing. Move. She had to move.

“Rowan, do you want to stop?”

Quinn’s words came the second she put action to thought. He growled when she swiveled her hips and he slid out until only the head of his cock remained inside her. They both moaned as she reversed the motion. Experimenting, Rowan arched her back and cantered her pelvis. The angle changed and more of her tender flesh burst into flame at the new contact. Her clit throbbed, her sheath quivered and cream lubricated her swollen folds.

“God, that feels good.”

Rowan had to agree. A smile curled her lips and she pushed back to sit, straddling him. Quinn’s hands grasped her waist, helped her lift and drop as she found a rhythm that excited them both.

“Damn.” His fingers tightened, dug into her sides. “I’m not gonna last long.”

Good. She wouldn’t be far behind him if she didn’t go over the edge first. They’d always stopped before either of them reached the point of no return. An orgasm would mark them and they couldn’t afford to risk it until they were ready to be mated and before now that wasn’t an option.

 

You can find all the info on Coyote Run HERE!

 

Want some more Five for Friday?

 

Jambrea Jo Jones
Bianca D’Arc
Lila Dubois
Lexxie Couper
Mari Carr

Six Sentence Sunday – Doing Logan Pt5 – #sixsunday

 

The fierceness of his final words surprised her. Meredith searched his eyes, for what she didn’t know, but suddenly getting into bed with Logan Foster wasn’t just about sex. And she wasn’t sure she was ready for anything more.

“I can’t—”

“I’m not asking you to marry me, Meredith. I’m telling you this is more than fucking for me and I intend to prove it is for you too.”

You can find all the details on Doing Logan HERE!

  

Don’t forget to get out the other authors participating in Six Sentence Sunday this week HERE!

Five for Friday – Truth or Dare

Last week’s post didn’t go live for some reason so I’m posting it this week.

We’re leaving the coyotes behind for some party games. Enjoy!

Chapter One

“Do I have to do this?” Miki cringed at the whiney tone of her own voice.

Frankie stopped on the sidewalk and faced her. “Yes. It’ll be fun, and I know it’s been a while since you let yourself partake in that particular pastime.”

Mikaila didn’t want the talk her best friend was about to give her. Didn’t need someone else telling her she’d been hiding from life. Acknowledging it herself was bad enough, but having Frankie say the words out loud would make it all too real and something she couldn’t ignore any longer. With a sigh, Miki waited for her best friend to speak.

“I can tell by the look on your face you know what I’m going to say.” Frankie reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You have to let go, Miki. It’s time to start living again.”

Mikaila had let go. She was under no illusions about David. The man was a selfish prick who had died too young and left behind a mess for Miki to clean up. It was the guilt she felt over not mourning him that stopped her from living. But Frankie was right. Enough was enough. It was past time to take the first steps back into the land of the living, and a Friday night was as good as any time to start. She sucked in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

“Great.” Frankie kept hold of Mikaila’s hand as she pulled her down the path toward the house with the blazing lights and blaring music. “It’ll be a chance to relive our youth.”

Miki snorted. “Yeah, because that’s a farce of an event I want to go through again.”

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. And besides, we’re only reliving the good parts. The getting plastered, making out with a hot guy…” Frankie looked at Miki over her shoulder with her trademark naughty grin. “…or two.”

Laughter bubbled up Mikaila’s throat. No way in the world had she ever been that wild. And she doubted there was enough liquor on the planet to make her lose her inhibitions sufficiently to participate in anything that outrageous now. “I’ll let you handle the making-out-with-guys part. I’ll stick to having a few drinks.”

“Fine. Just promise me you’ll leave yourself open to anything that feels good. Don’t let your brain think too hard, just feel and enjoy.”

“All right, but I don’t expect anything more than a hangover for me in the morning.”

With a grin, Frankie turned and continued down the path, dragging Miki behind her.

Miki sipped her second drink of the night and tried to appear like she was having a good time. There was nothing wrong with the party really, but she just couldn’t drum up the enthusiasm needed to get involved. Frankie had abruptly taken off the minute their first drinks had been served. Strange even for Frankie, but she didn’t blame her best friend. Frankie had come for a good time and, unlike Mikaila, she remembered how to have one. Then again, Francesca Winchester never stopped having fun. Miki’s chest rose on a deep sigh and she leaned on the wall behind her.

The party was picking up. More people were arriving every minute and soon there wouldn’t be room to breathe never mind roam around and mingle. Miki scanned the room for a familiar face but didn’t see any. Things were heating up on the other side of the room, a lively game of cards had started up about thirty minutes ago, and though she wasn’t sure of the rules, the point appeared to be to lose so you had to scull a drink. A smile tugged at her lips. It had been a long time since she’d played any drinking games, but she remembered them with fondness and a little pang of envy for those carefree times in her life.

She moved her gaze away from the rowdy group to take in the rest of the room. A few women talked animatedly off to the side, all of them drop-dead gorgeous and looking like they’d just stepped off the page of a magazine or runway. In the opposite corner a couple were having an intimate discussion and the rest of the crowd just seemed to be milling around. She took another sip of the refreshing cocktail in her hand. It wasn’t her usual drink, but as a thirst quencher it did the job. The evening was hot, another Sydney summer scorcher, and the plain sundress she wore stuck to her front and back where a fine layer of sweat coated her skin.

Miki’s gaze was drawn back to the man and woman in the opposite corner. Her eyes glued to the way he now took her mouth with a hunger that was palpable. She’d never been on the receiving end of such a kiss and a twinge of jealousy filled her chest. The woman appeared to melt into her partner as he devoured her mouth with his. Their passionate embrace bordered on indecent, but Mikaila couldn’t look away. Warmth pooled in her belly, her undies grew damp and prickly heat raced over her already hot skin. Embarrassed by her reaction to the unexpected show, she felt her cheeks burn with the blush her fair complexion had no hope of hiding.

Miki was so engrossed in the sexy encounter taking place across the room that the noise of the party faded to nothing. Try as she might, she couldn’t pull her gaze from the unintentional tableau. Not until her view was blocked. Two guys stepped in front of her, caging her against the wall.

“If it isn’t little Mikaila Drummond.” The deep voice skittered over her skin and she shivered as goose bumps broke out in its wake.

“Yeah, but she isn’t so little anymore.” The second voice was just as deep but slightly rougher. Both conjured images of late nights, tangled sheets and sweaty bodies.

Jeez, of all the times for her libido to wake up.

Mikaila stared at the chest before her. The tight black shirt clung to the muscles concealed beneath like a second skin. Her hands tingled with the urge to reach up and touch, lay her palms flat against that hard surface. She raised her gaze. Slowly. Each new inch she saw made her mouth drier. Oh man. Smooth tan skin took up were black cloth stopped and broad shoulders stretched past her peripheral vision. Miki swallowed. Blood rushed through her veins as her heart sped up. Heat radiated out from the two bodies now crowded around her, sending her temperature higher.

Arousal burst out and flooded every part of her. Need and desire that had been missing in recent years were set free in an explosion of tingling sensation. Miki took a breath, tried to slow her pulse but only succeeded in filling her nostrils with the scent of hot male flesh. Her body softened, her knees shook and she struggled to form a coherent thought.

“I think seeing us has rendered her speechless. That’s something I never thought would happen.”

A memory niggled at her mind, but Miki couldn’t place the voice and she still hadn’t managed to look at either of their faces. Her gaze had snagged on those amazing shoulders and gone no farther.

Masculine laughter that vibrated along every nerve had Miki’s insides clenching. Jeez, could she be any more affected? A shiver skittered down her spine when Mr. Black-shirt placed two fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. She met a pair of startlingly blue eyes. Filled with mischief and a spark of heat, they reminded her of summer. That illusive niggle of memory flitted across her mind but refused to solidified.

“Are we that forgettable, Miki?” He feigned a hurt look that made Miki want to giggle. “Surely not.”

Both men stepped closer, their warm bodies pressing into her. Mikaila turned her head to look at the second man. Green eyes sparkled, the cool colour calming, but nothing could hush the gasp that left her throat or soothe the shock blooming inside her when she finally placed her companions.

Grant Rogers and Dayne Pearce.

Oh crap. Her biggest teenage crush came back to slap her in the face. And she did mean crush. Singular. The boys had always made her feel outrageous things when they were in high school, but she’d never acted on any of her feelings because she couldn’t pick one over the other. And then the summer they’d all turned eighteen she’d discovered the one thing to make her keep her distance above all else. They didn’t want her to pick just one of them. As much as the idea of being with both of them thrilled and intrigued, it scared the pants off her more, and she’d walked away. Fast.

Miki closed her eyes and fought to pull herself together. She wouldn’t allow those old emotions to tempt her. Wouldn’t let herself fall for their charms no matter how appealing they were or how much she’d regretted not taking the chance when she’d had no real clue what it was they offered.

“The penny drops.” Warm air filled her ear and brushed her neck as Dayne spoke.

“I think you’re right, Dayne.” The fingers under her chin trailed up to trace her lips, a light brush of flesh that sent sensations flooding through her. “Aren’t you going to say hello, Miki?”

Her tongue snaked out and slid over her bottom lip, the impulse one she couldn’t control. Twin groans echoed and Miki’s eyes popped open to find identical looks of hunger in their gazes. An erotic thrill shook her. Her body was excited by the prospect of turning these two men on. Old desires that should have died years ago sprang to life, swamped her with their power, and moisture flooded her pussy. Mikaila’s glass trembled in her hand as tremors ran the length of her body. Dear God. She hadn’t been this aroused in too long to remember.

Grant stared at her, a small pout turning the corners of his mouth down. “You’re not glad to see us?”

“I…I…”

“It’s okay, Miki.” Dayne’s voice drew her gaze. “We were just as shocked to realize it was you standing over here in the corner.”

“Didn’t believe him at first when he said it was you. Had to stand over there and watch you for a while before the reality of seeing you sank in.” Grant’s finger covered her lips. “Don’t say anything yet. Just come and sit with us and talk. We want to know what you’ve done with the last ten years of your life.”

Her gaze darted between them. Could she afford to sit and talk? The reaction she was having to them terrified and excited her, and Miki wasn’t sure what talking would lead to or even if it would go anywhere. Her stomach cramped. God, did she want it to lead somewhere? Her indecision and fear annoyed her. It was just three old friends catching up, nothing more. So why did it feel like her world was opening up on a big black hole? She needed to get hold of herself. This was what getting back into life was all about. Time to pull on her big-girl panties and take the second step. The first had been coming to the party and that hadn’t been so bad. She could do this, would do this.

Miki raised her glass and took a sip of liquid courage, nerves making her down the last half of her drink in two gulps. Licking the remnants from her lips, she took a deep breath and looked them both in the eye before she jumped in with both feet. “Okay, let’s catch up.”

The constriction around Dayne’s chest eased with Miki’s words. He hadn’t realised he was holding his breath until it left his chest in a rush. The depth of his fear that she’d say no shocked him, but then Mikaila Drummond had never produced anything but extreme emotions in him. From the corner of his eye he saw Grant release a breath, his stance relaxing, and knew his friend was equally relieved at her answer. There were some subtle differences in her appearance since high school, but he would know her anywhere. His body knew her. He’d taken one look at her profile from across the crowded room and his cock had jumped to attention. Stupid organ had gone from interested to rock hard in seconds once his brain kicked in and acknowledged who he was looking at.

Back in high school her fiery hair and freckles had hidden her true beauty from most, but not him. He’d seen beyond the frumpy clothes, wild hair and polka-dot ghost-white skin. He’d wanted to join those sexy little spots with his fingers or the tip of his tongue. Wanted to wrap his hands in her red locks and pull her close so he could take her mouth with his—still wanted to. They’d never gone beyond a simple kiss, one that had been interrupted when Grant had walked in on them. Miki had jumped away from him like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, and when their friend had suggested they continue and let him join in she’d run as far and fast as those sexy long legs could take her.

They’d let her go in their youth because neither he nor Grant had fully understood what she did to them other than making them horny. Years of attempting to find the same chemistry with other women had made Dayne realize he’d let the one woman who could possibly complete him—them—get away. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Reaching down, he grabbed her hand, entwined his fingers with hers. With a gentle tug, he pulled her forward. Grant slipped the empty glass from her other hand and placed it on a table as they passed.

Dayne had a clear destination in mind and quickly wove his way through the growing crowd. He held tight to Miki’s hand so he didn’t lose her in the crush. Not that Grant would let that happen. He was confident his best mate would be guiding her from behind. They stepped through the glass patio doors, but the timber deck proved just as packed as the house, so he detoured down the stairs and across the lawn. Scanning the area, he picked a sheltered spot near the side fence to lead them to. It wasn’t dark yet but the low light of dusk would give them an intimate setting, and Dayne wanted Miki to forget everyone other than him and Grant.

Tonight they would get to know the woman she’d become and hopefully learn all they needed to help them in their quest to have her back in their lives. Dayne had no doubt Grant would want the same thing as him where Miki was concerned, but he wouldn’t count his chickens before they hatched. He’d be happy with re-establishing their friendship for now. They would take it slow. They’d scared her off before and he didn’t want to risk that happening again. So the first thing he needed to know was where she lived and worked so he could find her again if she chose to bail on them tonight.

He lowered himself to the grass and pulled her down beside him. Grant flopped to the ground on her other side, his legs spread out in front of him so she was almost trapped between them and the fence. Dayne smiled, his friend was subtly making sure she couldn’t escape easily. She tried to pull loose of his grip, and with the thought of not scaring her fresh in his mind, he reluctantly let her go. Cold air rushed over the heated skin where their hands had been joined, adding a startling reminder of what he stood to lose if he screwed this up.

Dammit. He shouldn’t be thinking like this yet. The young Miki always had tied him in knots but this was ridiculous. Christ, she could be taken, married even. His gaze darted to her hands. No wedding ring, but was that a tan line around her ring finger? Dayne’s gut clenched at the thought of her married to some faceless jerk. Jealousy and anger churned in the pit of his stomach and left a bitter taste in his mouth. It took effort, but he managed to stifle the growl building in his chest, threatening to break free.

 

 You can find all the details on Truth or Dare HERE! And it’s available to buy from SAMHAIN – AMAZON – BARNES & NOBLE – SONY – iBOOKS – ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS

 

Want some more Five for Friday?

 

Jambrea Jo Jones
Bianca D’Arc
Lila Dubois
Lexxie Couper
Mari Carr

Sold to Momentum Books!

I’m finally able to share the news of my latest sale. I sold a short to Momentum Books, the digital first publishing arm of Pam Macmillan Australia. Here’s the press release that went out last week -

 
• Commencing in November, Momentum, the new digital-only imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia will be releasing a series of 13 erotic short stories by new and established Australian romance writers 
 
• Contributing authors include Rhyll Biest, Rhian Cahill, Kasey Channing, Cate Ellink, C.T. Green, Suzanne Hamilton, Keziah Hill, Shona Husk, Beverley Oakley, Kylie Scott, Tracie Sommers, Mel Teshco and Marianne Theresa.
 
• Each volume will be competitively priced and available globally

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Hot Down Under – 13 red hot stories by 13 talented Aussie authors guaranteed to make you sizzle. Each story has an Australian setting. Some are rural, some are fantasy and some even have zombies. Announced just ahead of the Romance Writers of Australia Conference (August 16–19), the project was the brainchild of Tracey O’Hara, who will be contributing a story under the name Tracie Sommers.
 
‘I have loved being part of the Hot Down Under project. It originally started out as a way to help mentor new writers and soon became much more. We were all extremely thrilled when Momentum came on board. Erotic fiction has been huge long before Fifty Shades of Grey came along. Erotic romance has been selling like hotcakes in the US for many years now and I published my first erotic short story in 2009. It is great to see an Australian publishing company supporting some great genre fiction.’ – Tracey O’Hara

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Five of the authors are previously unpublished and were mentored by the established authors during the writing process. The resulting stories combine a fresh approach with years of experience.
 
‘Tracey O’Hara invited me to contribute and I loved the idea of being part of a solely home grown erotic romance anthology. It also gave me a great excuse to revisit the Australian post-zombie-apocalypse world of Flesh [due out from Momentum in October], only toying with the lives and loves of a different set of characters this time.’ – Kylie Scott
 
‘We had always planned to publish extensively in genres like romance and erotic romance when we first launched Momentum. However, we weren’t expecting such a gifted collection of new and established authors to approach us with such an accomplished project. More than anything, this proves that there is a vibrant and talented community of genre writers in this country who are looking for support from their local publishers. We can’t wait to get this project up and running and to help connect these stories and their writers with their audience.’ – Joel Naoum, publisher at Momentum

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For any further information about the series, register interest in obtaining review copies, or to arrange an interview with the publisher or one of the authors, please contact Mark Harding, Digital Marketing Executive, Momentum. mark.harding@momentumbooks.com.au

 

I’m really excited about this sale, the whole project has been in the making for over a year and I’m thrilled to see it finally getting to the point of publication. Shut Up And Kiss Me is a short hot read and as soon as I have more details I’ll post them here.