Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 140

Book Spotlight: Carry Me Home by @AlexaBourne #romance #ebook

 

Carry Me Home

by Alexa Bourne

After six months in the city, Mary MacDougall returns to the Scottish Highlands to finalize her divorce. Because of a past tragedy, she doubts her husband Jamie can possibly love her with the same unbridled passion as before and insists ending the marriage is best for both of them. But Jamie has other ideas….

Jamie MacDougall has no intention of letting his bonnie lass go. At least not without a fight. Aye, they’ve suffered heartache, and she may be ready to call it quits, but he refuses to throw away the partnership they’ve built since they were children. Instead, he’ll remind her they were meant to be together, forever.

Can this marriage survive pride and grief to allow love to carry them home?

Excerpt:

“What do you want, Jamie?” She’d not get caught up in his soulful amber eyes. No, she would not.

“You’ve had your bit of fun, but I want you to come home.” He tilted his head to one side and drifted his fingertips along her bare arm.

She yanked away. “I’ve come to get my papers from you, to say good-bye to those I love, and to move on with my life.” She stepped around him and continued down the path to the center of Glenhalish. “I’ll be at the Kierlain House until Sunday. Please bring the forms and leave them with the front office.”

“I don’t have them.” He nearly shouted with glee. “I tossed them out.”

“I thought you might say that.” Smiling on the heels of another small victory, she fished through her handbag and pulled out another copy of the divorce papers. She’d come armed with a half-dozen copies just in case he chose to be difficult. She strode back to him with her chin held high and slapped the papers against his chest. “Here.”

Jamie stared at the lass’s fine arse strutting away from him. Her hair had been cut, straightened and the summer dress with the flowery print accentuated all the curves he’d fallen for so many years ago, the curves he knew so intimately. And those heels, for the love of St. Bridget, Mary hadn’t worn high heels like that since she left school. They’d brought her closer to his height, yet she still only reached his shoulders.

She’d left Glenhalish in January, a cold, distant housewife, and come back this alluring woman. For a moment, panic set inside his gut. He’d intended to convince her to come home so they could face their grief and move on together, but seeing how much happier, sexier, and sophisticated she was, perhaps Edinburgh was good for her, better than he could be.

But he wanted her back, wanted to get through this rough patch they’d strayed onto after the lad’s death, and return to the partnership they’d shared since primary school. They had too many years left. She couldn’t leave him. He wouldn’t survive without her.

The lass may have plans to leave him forever, but Jamie MacDougall wouldn’t give her up without a fight.

Available From

Amazon   Decadent Publishing   All Romance Ebooks   Barnes & Noble   Smashwords

Reviews:

“Deeply moving…this is a must read!”~ Jan Hudson

“This book was a short – sweet – happy ending type of book that was just perfect to read before bedtime!” ~ Cheryl Rae  on Goodreads rated it 5 of 5 stars

“The story came to life on the first page. It tugged at my heart and never let go…If you want a story filled with passionate moments, a beautiful setting, and heartfelt emotion, Carry Me Home is a must read.” 5 out of 5 stars- By Kathleen Gallagher

About the Author:

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her love of Great Britain with readers everywhere.

When she’s not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV and thinking about exercising. She loves to interact with readers, so visit her web page, hang out at her blog, follow her on Twitter or drop her a note at Alexa@alexabourne.com!

Website    Blog    Twitter    Facebook    Goodreads

 

Book Spotlight: Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies by Avery Flynn

 

Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies
Avery Flynn

You know there’s trouble ahead when zombies aren’t your biggest worry.

The treasure hunter… Veronica Kwon is determined to be the only person in control of her destiny. After surviving a broken engagement and turning her back on her wealthy manipulative father, she’s started a treasure hunting company and is ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

The ex-fiance… Jax Taylor is a Southern charmer with enough sex appeal to melt the polar ice caps. He disappeared three months before their wedding and swore he’d never cross paths with Veronica again.

The magic beanstalk… Brought together again by their dying mentor, who has found three enchanted beans, Veronica and Jax agree to an uneasy partnership. Together they’ll climb a magic beanstalk to the cloud kingdom, but will their destiny be the riches they so desire, the passion they thought dead…or will the undead get them first?

CONTENT WARNING: Fans at the ready, please. Graphic sexual content bound to steam up your e-reader!

A Lyrical Press Fantasy Romance

 

Excerpt:

“It can’t be,” Veronica said. There had always been stories. Her cousin Lulu had whispered the tale to her late at night as a test of pre-pubescent courage. No one ever had experienced an actual sighting–well, and lived to tell the tale. The proof, however, lay dead in a heap at their feet.

Veronica glanced up at Jax.

“Zombie,” they said together.

Somewhere out in the darkness another giggle sounded.

Then, another.

They snapped off their flashlights.

The world turned inky black.

She strained in an attempt to pinpoint the zombies’ location by hearing but that information remained elusive. Fear settled in her stomach like a bad Mexican dinner, making her queasy and clammy.

“We have to get Antoine and get the hell out of here,” Jax whispered.

God, yes. All she wanted to do was run screaming for the beanstalk. But they couldn’t. She squeezed his forearm. “Agreed, but we need to be smart about this. We can’t attract their attention.”

“I know you like to make a plan for everything, but we have about two minutes before we’re lunch,” he snarled.

Back List Blast from Crash Landing #scifi #erotica #menage

Hello and welcome to another Back List Blast! Today I’m sharing an excerpt from my ninth release, Crash Landing. This story is a science fiction erotica MMF menage, which is part of Decadent Publishing‘s The Edge line.

Crash Landing is a bestseller at All Romance eBooks, and was nominated for Best Sci-Fi / Space Opera Ménage Romance in the 2013 Ménage Romances Fan’s Choice Awards.

Here’s an excerpt:

He shuffled toward the nearest door, hands extended, ready to catch himself if he stumbled. He didn’t believe he could come as close to dying as he had and not be attached to medical equipment to keep him alive. Unless he’d been unconscious for weeks, or even months. Maybe Terrans had extraordinary healing abilities his people were not aware of.

When he reached the door, he pushed it open, finding fixtures of white porcelain. A bathroom. From the images he’d studied, he found the toilet and relieved himself, thankful that part of his anatomy still worked.

Something thumped against the wall behind him. He spun around. No one else occupied the room. Strange. Was he about to meet the Terran who had rescued him?

“Oh, God,” a woman moaned. “Harder.”

English. A language he recognized. He stood up straight and listened for more. What kind of place is this?

“Fuck me harder, Mare. Make me come.”

He pressed his ear against the wall. His cock went rigid in anticipation. Yep, no damage there.

When another cry of pleasure penetrated through the wall, he spun around to find out whose voice he heard.

Available From:

Amazon (US/UK) | Decadent Publishing | Barnes&Noble | All Romance | more

#MySexySaturday from The Power of Three #PNR #erotica #menage

Hello everyone! I’m back for another My Sexy Saturday. Here are the details: every Saturday, published and unpublished authors will be sharing 7 words, sentences, or paragraphs from a work-in-progress or an already published story.

I’m going to share an excerpt from my paranormal gargoyle erotica menage, The Power of Three, which is ONE YEAR PUBLISHED today.

“I’ve been able to move amongst the gargoyles you own for the past year. It feels like forever since I’ve seen Lianna and Lewis—my mates, my lovers.” A wave of sorrow threatened to wash over him, but one glimpse of the sparkle in her eyes brought back his immediate need.

“You’ve been spying on us for a year?” Bo turned to his wife. “I don’t believe this shit about being trapped, but there could be hidden cameras in your statues. I swear, Delayna. I’m throwing every single one of them away as soon as we get this whackjob out of the house.”

“Please, Bo.” She whispered something in his ear and he smiled until he caught Oscar looking at him.

Bo stood up, letting the pillow fall to the floor. “Like what you see?”

He smiled, taking in the man’s full figure, each rippled muscle, his thick arms, legs, and luscious cock. “Oh, yeah.”

Delayna giggled again, tossing the sheet aside. She spun around as if eager for him to see all she had to offer.

Yet he already knew and was eager to sample. Oh, to be sandwiched between these two.

Available From:

Amazon (US/UK) | Decadent Publishing | Barnes&Noble | All Romance | more

For more My Sexy Saturday postings, check out the participants’ list here.

Does History Ever Really Repeat Itself? Guest Post by @LaynaPimentel #historical #romance

Does history ever really repeat itself?
Guest Post by Layna Pimentel

Of course, it does. History is consistently inspiring: movies, television productions, novels, and music as we speak.

There have been movies capturing the private lives of former political entities, novels inspired by kings and queens. And then you have musical groups like the Medieval Baebes, who offer their own take on renaissance songs. They’re quite brilliant; you should check them out!

My fascination with history and it’s most infamous romances began—I think—the first time I ever watched  Pride and Prejudice on A & E. From there, if there was a movie on television that remotely took place in the regency era, or even during the French revolution, I recorded it on VHS. I would then watch it repeatedly, until the cassette died. Nuts? Yes. Obsessive? You think!

I suppose when the time came, and I started writing the Pleasure Garden Follies trilogy, things fell into place naturally. I was content, and so were my characters. I love a good intrigue, and was sure to add my very own dose scandal in each book.

Between lost loves, arranged marriages, and highly sensual moments, capturing a time that isn’t all too different from these modern times was fun.

Here’s an excerpt from the first book Scandal at Vauxhall:

“What haven’t I heard?” she asked. Her breath hitched and her pulse raced. What could I have missed?

“Come away with me to the terrace. I wish to speak to you in private. We can’t have half of London listening in.”

She followed Lady Coxley outdoors, leaving behind the sounds of merriment to be embraced by the shrouded darkness of night and silence.

“They say the marquess will not marry until he’s found her.”

“Until he’s found who?”

“The one who broke his heart. But in all honesty, everyone knows it’s you. With any luck, perchance some horrible fate will happen upon Henry.”

If I were only so lucky. “You shouldn’t talk like that! And for the record, the marquess and I were done long ago. Remember, he’s the one who left me.”

“Isabel, you cannot expect me to believe that you haven’t thought about that man—at least once or ever—during the course of this sham of a marriage of yours. The haute ton in its entirety knows where he is right now. And you’d be a fool to think Henry gives two ninnies about your welfare.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them.

“Excuse me, ladies, but I was wondering if perchance I could steal Her Grace for a dance.”

Good grief. Did he hear any of our discussion? I cannot believe he’s actually here. Heat coursed through Isabel at the thought of holding him once again. She nodded and held out her gloved palm for him to take. “I’d be honored, My Lord.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.”

Leaving behind Lady Coxley, she followed his lead inside for a waltz.

“It’s been too long, Isabel. I’ve missed you terribly,” he whispered as they took a turn about the dance floor. Nathaniel bowed and took her hand. His touch warmed her, and the gentle squeeze that followed reassured her that the flame they once had was still there.

She and Henry hadn’t danced since their wedding and even then, he quickly discarded her to dance with the Duchess of Downsbury. If she’d only known her dismissal that evening would be the first of many others. For the most part, her husband had two left feet, but Nathaniel whisked her away gracefully to the tune. She wished to kiss him again and remind herself of their time together. Good heavens, Isabel. You’re married. Enough of this foolishness!

Isabel felt him pulling her closer as his arm at the small of her back pushed her in. His head dipped down, and, naturally, she looked up at him, ignoring every stare and whisper as they moved together. She finally cringed and mustered the courage to ask him the one thing weighing heavily on her mind. “Why did you take so long? Why didn’t you come sooner? Nathaniel, there hasn’t been a day I haven’t thought of you.”

As the music wound down and the dancers departed, Isabel locked her eyes on his and felt a tear escape. “You’ve been missed greatly, My Lord.”

His thumb swiped away the drop. “My dear, there hasn’t been a day, hour, or dream you haven’t occupied.”

Her chest tightened with his admission. Could he have really wanted me all this time?

“Nathan—”

 

AVAILABLE FROM:

Secret Cravings Publishing, Amazon, ARe, Barnes & Noble, Bookstrand, Smashwords

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.

Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:

Blog: laynap.wordpress.com & hawtreads.wordpress.com

Website: www.laynapimentel.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel

 

 

 

Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Hop July 18-21 #LGBT #dystopian #romance

Thank you to Insatiable Reads for organizing this hop!
Romance in the Future

Same-sex relationships are banned. Marriage licences are only approved if they benefit the corporation. In The Underground series, I take a look at how love and romance could be different in a dystopian future. But even with all of the restrictions, my characters still fight for their freedoms. Especially the freedom to love. Books one and two are out now, and the third title is coming soon to Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

  

From Never Gonna Desert You:

With a deep exhale, Brook leaned back against the tree trunk, beside her girlfriend. “I don’t know how you found out about this place, but it’s perfect.” Just like you. A year ago, even two months ago, she never expected to be dating a woman, going against the rules. But now, she couldn’t imagine life without Melina.

Her lover clasped her hand. “I thought you would like it here. Better than being stuck in a lab, or confined to our apartments.”

True. She leaned on Melina’s shoulder, all the stresses of the day flittering away. Though she couldn’t squelch the fear of someone finding out their relationship went beyond friendship.

Over the past month, Melina had arrived most nights for dinner, always leaving before curfew to keep up the charade. But if anyone ever discovered what happened behind her apartment door, their relationship would end. Possibly their lives. Same sex relationships were banned once Planet Core took over the city. Relationships in general were frowned upon unless the union benefitted the corporation. But that didn’t deter her from seeing Melina. Every time she followed the rules, she wound up hurt or heartbroken. Now, she couldn’t be happier.

“How was your day?” Melina asked, moving closer. “Did the DNA transfection go smoothly?”

Brook released a contented sigh. Jason and her other boyfriends had only talked about food and sex, and when they were going to get some. They never inquired about her day, didn’t care about her work in the lab. “Yes, the cells have already started to divide. In a couple days, the blastocyst will be implanted in a faux womb.” She squeezed Melina’s hand. “And yours?”

“I found out I’m going to be training to go on one of the missions to Airondelle. I was accepted.”

Brook gasped. She sat up and stared. “And?”

Melina grinned. “I’m going to be a mission commander.”

“That’s great!” She plastered a smile on, even as a boulder fell into the pit of her stomach. “When do you start training?”

“Tomorrow.”

Giveaway!!

For your chance to WIN an ebook copy of Never Gonna Let You Go, the first book in The Underground series, plus book swag, enter the rafflecopter draw below. No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years of age or older. Contest is international.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Grand Prizes!!

 Grand Prize #1 – Kindle Fire

Grand Prize #2 – $50 Amazon.com gift certificate

Leave a comment (with your email in the message)

to be entered to win the Grand Prize!!

And you can find the list of participants here for more chances to win!

Release Day Blitz: Crimson Lust by @RebeccaRoyce #EmeraldIsleFantasies #PNR

 

Anything Can Happen, Expect That It Will

Crimson Lust

Emerald Isle Fantasies

by Rebecca Royce

Felicity Hahn is a thief on the run in Ireland. She can’t go home and spends every day hoping Interpol doesn’t catch up with her. But when she steals a crimson-red necklace, she may have gotten more than she bargained for.

Cian Finnegan is a vampire who was turned outside the gates of Castle Tullamore over three hundred years earlier. He chases the woman who stole his necklace back to the Castle, now a hotel, both to recover his possession and because her scent makes him as hard as hell.

Can the magic of the Emerald Isles give these two a happy ending, or is it too late for them both?

Available from Ellora’s Cave

Author Bio

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They’ve just moved to Texas where Rebecca is discovering a new love for barbecue!

She’s in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She’s been told she’s a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you’ll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce’s world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

www.rebeccaroyce.com

 

Hump Day Hook – Things are about to change in Never Gonna Desert You #HDH #LGBT #scifirom

Hello everyone! Here’s another look at Never Gonna Desert You,

available from Decadent Publishing & other ebook retailers.

Brook’s relationship with Melina isn’t accepted by her father.

But things are about to change:

Brook stripped off her wet clothes. She slipped into cotton panties and a bra before donning the mission suit. SFAE-4 had orders to depart today, and she had to leave through the portal with them. Three years had passed since they’d last spent any time together, her girlfriend always sent away by her father, now the president of the corporation, on some assignment. When he’d stepped into the role of president, he sped up the frequency of the operations to the still foreign planet, and had dispatched Melina on the third task force a month before. If only he’d accepted their relationship. Then they’d be together and happy rather than her spending the last three years holed up indoors, dreaming of the day they’d be together again. She’d come to despise the man she called Father, hating him for keeping her happiness out of reach.

Available From:

Decadent Publishing | Amazon.com | All Romance | B&N | more

Be sure to visit the Hump Day Hook blog to see who else is participating this week!

Interview with the BAD BOY of romance, @SaschaIllyvich #BDSM #1NightStand

Hello Sascha! Welcome to Mark of the Stars. It’s always great to have my fellow Decadent authors over. Tell us about your contemporary BDSM story, Surrender to Love.

SI: In order to cure the dreaded creative rut she’s in, Livia ends up in Las Vegas by suggestion from her therapist.  Oh and there’s a catch.  Livia ‘s been set up to have a one night stand with a very handsome man who promises her freedom through submission.  Can she surrender to more than just passion?

This is a story I wrote with a heroine in mind who needed to learn to take control of her life and through the eyes of a caring, open submissive man, she can learn that lesson.  The real woman is an amazing human being who doesn’t know her own power yet, but will find it.

Describe Livia in three words. 

SI: Adventurous, loyal, creative

What traits does the hero possess that makes the heroine submit to him?

SI: Trustworthiness.  Bruce is beyond trusting, especially in his openness to express how he found the path of submission. 

What was your inspiration for this story? 

SI: I write stories for loved ones, and this idea popped into my head when I was recanting a tale to a friend about the loved one this story is based one.  I played an interesting game of what if.  In this game, what if you were a goddess, knocked down by trials and tribulations, but still had power, then forgot it.  And then was human.  But forgot she had power.  Of course there’s no actual paranormal element to this story, but I needed something to follow up The Playground and this was the best idea I could come up with at the time.  I’m quite proud.

What appeals to you about the BDSM genre?

SI: Being a lifestyle Dominant has advantages   In general the depth of emotional output and trust holds great appeal to me.

What do you bring to the genre that many other authors don’t?

SI: My point of view, whereby I personally handcraft the words, chosen from millions of other pages just for you, with the freshest characters and most imaginable sex scenes ever.  I painstakingly wrap those words into phrases until they grow and are matured, then pick them selectively for the page, just to give you, the readers, a superlative, arousing, experience.

What other titles do you have published?

SI: Torn to Pieces was just picked up by USA Today.  My latest Paranormal Menage features Iolite, a witch, and Jackob and Kerian, two wolves with an attachment to her, but also a painful past with each other.

Menage Bound is my latest Decadent title and features one corporate CEO with a desire to submit to two hunky men capable of domination.

Treasure’s Gift was my first EDGE story for Decadent and another ménage story.  Mark arrives back in Texas to stay with his best friend while on business, only she has other plans.

Then there’s the other 35+ titles I have, found at https://www.amazon.com/author/saschaillyvich

What are you working on now?

SI: Edits on Paula’s Craving – a mainline book for Decadent Publishing.  Paula and Ryan had a light relationship in high school but once she went to college, he disappeared.  Upon finding him again, she realizes the potential for them to have a relationship but a night of hot sex leads to him disappearing the next day.  When she finds him, she convinces him for one last grand escapade, where she finally gets him to unveil the contents of his heart. But will he run or fall prey to Paula’s Craving?

There’s a mystery romance in the works, too, for agent Saritza Hernandez, plus I’m waiting on edits from Red Sage for my vampire ménage.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

SI: Serious plotter.  It makes the writing easier, it makes the marketing easier.  Authors don’t realize just what a difference the back office work going into a novel can make.

What genres do you enjoy reading?

SI: Romance, of course.  Sometimes I read motivational nonfiction, cigar and alcohol trade journals, but primarily romance.

Is there anything else my readers should know about you?

SI: Nothing will hold me back from following my passion as a writer.

Thank you, Sascha! Where can my readers find you?

SI: http://saschaillyvichauthor.com

Where can my readers find your books?

SI: https://www.amazon.com/author/saschaillyvich

Excerpt from Surrender To Love: 

Livia smirked, bumped into the desk, and leaned into it. Matchmaking was the same as an adult service. Right? She was supposed to get laid, right? Wasn’t this what Dr. Gena wanted for her? Setting her hands on her hips, she stared at Bruce. “Yes but….”

“Madame Eve, the owner, is very thorough with her clients and very particular with their needs and wants. Trust me.” He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his brow. Then he folded it back into a perfect square, stuffed it into his jacket, and continued. “I went through hell to use her service.”

Curious, she relaxed her posture, just a touch. “What do you mean? Why would you need a blind date or matchmaking service?”

Color filled his cheeks and tinged his fair skin with a light shade of pink. “Well.” Bruce held his hands out to his sides. “Some time back I was in a relationship that didn’t go well. I loved her, but she left me for a woman named Alexandria Rayne.”

Livia had to cover her mouth to stifle the laughter that threatened to bubble up from within. “Some woman left you for another woman? I find that hard to believe!”

He sat at edge of the bed and smiled nervously “It does seem sort of ridiculous, doesn’t it? But this woman was a powerful romance author who wove spells around her audience with her words. It seemed that even I was ensnared by her net until I realized she wanted nothing to do with me. Alexandria was selfish, she’d strung me and my girlfriend along. She broke my heart.”

She really wanted to laugh but she tried to contain her giggling.

“Go ahead, laugh!” Bruce’s voice boomed through the room.

She thought he was annoyed until she saw the corners of his full lips turn upward in a grin.

“It is a little embarrassing now, but I didn’t find it funny then. In fact, it caused me to overwork and end up in the hospital because I was pushing myself so hard—” His voice dropped. “To put her and Alexandria out of my mind. Then one day I was talking to a coworker who wanted to go out for drinks. You know, as friends.”

“I can see where this is going.” She pursed her lips together in a thin line. She crossed her arms over her chest and straightened.

“No, not entirely. I wasn’t going to sleep with her, if that’s what you think.” He leaned forward. “We went to a different type of club. She asked me to go with her and to obey her every whim.”

Livia cocked a brow, “This sounds suspicious.”

He nodded. “Yeah, it did to me too. I wasn’t sure what was up, but I hadn’t left the house or office in several months. I had a heart attack, and when I got out of the hospital, she was there waiting to pick me up. We had only seen each other outside of work that one time when she took me to the club.”

“And you didn’t question it?”

Bruce shook his head and a few strands came free of his ponytail. She realized his hair had been pulled back by a large black scunchie, not a neat rubber band like she’d thought.

“I was just glad to be alive. The next few weeks with Lilith were interesting”

He was supposed to seduce her? Livia had heard enough. “Let me guess, she taught you a valuable lesson and then you ended up being left alone by Lilith only to realize you needed yourself? Tired story. My therapist has given me that line numerous times.”

“No.” He shook his head again. “It doesn’t end quite that way. Please, let me show you what I did learn. Lilith, taught me things I’d like to share with you. Her suggestion that I approach 1Night Stand surprised me, but I’ve found them to be very thorough. Don’t worry.” He shed his suit coat and set it neatly on the bed beside him. “I’m just a single man who didn’t know what to expect. And I haven’t had a partner in a very long time.” He stood and approached her, bending down on one knee while setting his hand out before her. “Please, let me show you how to own control?”

She gasped. The words she’d wanted to take back had come to her in the form of a person. A real, live person who…she didn’t know what. Livia watched him bow his head. What was with a man who could control the entire universe, dominate her rather large space, and still make himself subservient before her?

What would cause that behavior?

Worse yet, the way he knelt before her gave her a view of very broad shoulders beneath his black T-shirt. His hair hung thickly in a loose tail that stopped just at the small of his back. His musk, so male and potent made her nostrils flare. Something tightened low in her stomach. Her thighs grew damp. “Okay. So, how does this work?”

He looked up from the floor. “I have found that freedom, true freedom comes from when the body is restrained, stimulated and—” Standing, he leaned forward, pressing his lips into hers. “Forced to let the mind and heart work in tandem.”

He brushed his lips against hers one more time, the words echoing like silk over her mind. His voice caressed her, causing pinpricks to race up her spine. Her nipples hardened beneath the satin. She tried to move back from Bruce, but the desk and his large frame trapped her.

Slowly, his mouth caressed hers then his tongue swept over her bottom lip.

She tasted his plump lips. Fresh, sandalwood, hints of rose and cinnamon swirled around her nose, knocking her senses off balance. Her mind zeroed in on the image before her, a powerful man, willing to do her bidding while focusing on her pleasure. Some part of this still confused her.

Finally, Bruce pulled back from the kiss, set his hands on either side of her body, and returned to a kneeling position.

Her head swam and she had to steady herself against his shoulders, only to find that his face was at the level of her sex. “How would you go about restraining the body and stimulating it?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a two bundles of dark blue rope. “Silk helps for those who are afraid of iron.”

An eyebrow rose.

“The chair, a perfect place to hold you,” he indicated with a nod of his head. “You’ll sit with your hips at the edge, legs spread. Arms tied lightly.”

“It won’t hurt?” She looked at the chair, a high-end leather and wood piece of furniture with arms that could be used to hold her hands down if he tied her to it.

“If it does, I’ll loosen the ropes. Just ask.”

That was the problem. She could trust him; she felt somewhat safe with a man who seemed to be in so much control over himself. He could easily hurt her, but she didn’t get the sense that Bruce would. It was odd, but she really found him worth at least a shot. Livia had never asked for anything in her life. She’d always done for herself or gone without. Life had been tough going without, even as her income grew. Still, she wanted things and feared asking for them.

The question jumped from the back of her mind to her lips before she could stop it. “What if I get scared?”

Bruce looked into her eyes and smiled. “You simply say Bluetooth.”

“Bluetooth?” Her eyebrows furrowed.

“Yes. That’s your safeword. If you feel scared and want me to stop, you simply say it and all play of any sort ceases.”

The thought of all things ceasing at her asking gave her a rush as did the tone of his voice. The words again seemed to wrap around her ears in a symphony of seduction that curled like smoke over her bare skin. Her pussy tightened at the thought of him touching her. Her body thrummed with arousal.

“You start by taking control of yourself. You have already done that.” Bruce set a hand on her exposed thigh.

Tingles raced up straight up her back. Anticipation at how this could turn out built like butterflies buzzing in her stomach. She wanted this man. “Okay. So what now?”

“Indulge me, so I can indulge you. Sit on the chair, rest your hands on the arms. Strip off the robe.”

Slowly, Livia moved toward the chair. She let the robe slip off before tossing it on the bed. “Here?”

Bruce blinked, looked at the chair, the window, and then back at Livia. “Well, we could move it away from the window if you’d like, but frankly if I were to look up and see you in all your naked glory, I’d want to know your name. I’d want to devour your body and share nothing but immense passion with you. I’d want to make sure I pleased you continuously, sexually and otherwise.” He stood and held the ropes in his hands.

She felt herself blush again. The rich timber of his voice did things to her insides. After the kiss, she felt empty. She wanted another taste of Bruce but didn’t know how to ask.

“Tie me up facing the window.”

 

Will you end up in my next book?

Hello everyone! Today I’m being interviewed at Cynthia Woolf’s blog, and one of the questions she asks me is how likely are people I know to end up in my stories. Find out that answer as well as others by stopping by. And don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to WIN Alien Adoration!