Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 176

On foreign rights, foreign sales, geographical restrictions and authorial control

Although perhaps I should put lack of control.

There's been a lot of discussion lately about geographical restrictions and how frustrating it is to readers.

Now-before I go any further, let me make a couple of things clear-I know it's frustrating.  It frustrates the hell out of me.  With Ellora's Cave and Samhain, there are no geographical restrictions and because of my epublishers, it let me build one hell of a reader base across the globe.  I know I have a lot of international readers-it's why I very, very rarely limit things contests to the US/North America, etc.  The readers who've supported me over the years are the reason I'm still able to do this and your location doesn't matter-your support does.  I know very well you can read my books in English-I know it's frustrating for you not to be able to get them in the format you prefer.

So… knowing that…I know some readers think that means I should make it happen.  Trust me, if it was as simple as that, I'd make it happen.  But it's not.

There are reasons for this.

Digital is still young

One reason is the plain and simple fact that traditional publishing is still struggling to adjust to digital publishing-I know that sounds like a cop-out, but it's not.  They are still working to move backlist titles into digital, they still haven't figured out the pricing thing, some of them still haven't quite figured out that delaying the digital release doesn't help anything.  Shoot, some publishers still don't release covers with their ebooks, if I'm not mistaken.  All of this boils down to a need to adjust to digital.  Why are they still trying to adjust?

Because digital is still in its infancy.  Yes, I know that sounds like another cop-out.  It's not.  Digital publishing has been around on the net since the 90s, sure, but it's only proven to traditional publishers that it can actually earn money in the past couple of years and publishers are businesses-they have to focus on the money.  This isn't about greed.  Yes, they want to make money, but if they don't focus on earning money… they don't stay in business.  If they don't make smart business decisions, they go under.  We've seen publishers do this.  So publishing moves slow–think iceberg slow.  Until they knew that digital publishing was going to prove to earn out, it probably didn't seem wise on their part to focus on it.

I was talking this issue over with my agent, asking her if I was really  making it more complicated, if maybe I could have more control than I think I do (FYI-she agrees, I don't-we need to keep pushing, keep discussing the issue, but I'm likely not yet in a position to change things-doesn't mean we won't discuss it with publishers when we are contract, but I don't expect much).

Anyway, in regards to our conversation, one thing Irene (my agent) said?   "In some ways publishing is still in the 19th century, struggling to get into the 20th, let alone the 21st."

Yes… very often things in publishing move slow.

Money

Now it's proven, well proven, that it can earn.  Some of you are probably thinking, "Oh, it proved that years ago."

You might think so.

But let me offer a personal example-remember that I've got a very well established ereader following-simply from EC & Samhain.  This past year was the first time I'd ever seen any sort of decent money made from my digital sales via traditional publishing.  Now I'm not a major name, not by any means.  And the bigger names were likely earning before this.  But big names will always show money earlier, even on chancy things.

But if publishers are actually going to get serious about something, they need to know it's going to be the same for the majority of their authors, not just their big names.  Because it's an investment-yeah, this is one that will pay off and in a big way, but they needed to know that first.

Seeing as how I've had digital versions of my print books since Hunters Heart & Soul released in 2007 and I'm just now seeing anything decent on digital sales, I'm not surprised, at all, that publishers are moving slow.  And by decent, I'm not talking 5 or 6 figures.  I'm talking far, far less.   I'll be very transparent-if I recall correctly, BROKEN barely earned me over $1000 in digital sales and it shocked the hell out of me, too.  All the other books were 15 titles here, 5 there, 30 there.   That's barely cappuccino money.

International publishing offices, contracts and all that jazz

Author Courtney Milan has a brilliant post up explaining just how complicated this mess can get-if you're one of the frustrated ones thinking authors can just wave a wand and change things-or even that all a publisher has to do is wave a wand, please, please, please read it…she hit on a few things that I hadn't even thought of-namely the fact that a number of publishers have foreign arms/branches and if we just immediately make books available everywhere, (English only), it's can cause conflict with the foreign arms of publishers, could even violate their internal contracts, and while this doesn't and shouldn't concern readers, it does need to concern authors & publishers.

One thing that I keep thinking of-we don't really want to cut out the foreign arms branches, do we?  I mean, it seems to me, as an author, the best way to do it would be to use them, not cut them out, but many of them don't even seem to have an ebook presence yet-again, that publishing moves slow thing.  Again, I know that doesn't mean anything to readers, they shouldn't and don't need to care, but authors and publishers do need to take all of that into consideration.  I don't want to see a mis-move made that could cause a house of cards to topple.

Publisher's Ebook Savvy

One argument put to me was that a new author was given a modest advance and asked for worldwide English distribution and received it.  This is wonderful.  However…one publisher is not like another.  Did this publisher already have it in place to distribute worldwide?  Because there are a few publishers that do this–I think Harlequin might be one?  So if it's already standard practice and this new author asked for it, she wasn't really given anything.  It was already hers.  She was with a publisher that understand the benefit of having ebooks available for worldwide (English) distribution.  So whether or not the publisher 'gets' that aspect has a lot to do with it.

If it's a publisher that's still moving slow on that front?  You can ask all day long and it won't do anything.  Well, unless you're Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer… power names might make more of a difference.  But if it's a publisher that is ebook resistant?  I don't know.

Author Control?

There is often (or it seems) this perception that the author has a great deal of control-that she is 'selling her product' direct to the reader.  But by the time the book gets to the reader, it's not our product anymore.  It's a team effort-the publisher's hands are all over it, in marketing, editing, cover art, etc.  We've granted the publisher the rights to sell it and by doing that, we do give up a great deal of control.

While we are negotiating contracts, we can work to keep certain rights (like foreign rights to translate, movie rights to try and sell/get a movie deal, merchandise, etc).  None of this works, of course, unless either the author is very savvy or has a very savvy agent and in the end, it boils down to compromise-what the publisher can and is willing to let us keep. The last two contracts I signed were the first time I'd even managed to keep foreign rights which will hopefully make it easier for me to get my works translated faster. (Hopefully).  But before that?  I had no luck keeping them and foreign is a simple thing, really.  Worldwide English digital distribution?  Not so simple.  Which means… if I'd asked before now?  I'd probably have gotten a … no.  If I ask now?  Will most likely get an… We can't promise that or we aren't able to do that right now.

Authors can ask for things-we can ask for worldwide English distribution.  Two things can happen.  The overly optimistic one for most publishers right now?  We're told, Yes! I say overly optimistic because I'm just not convinced there's even a framework, so to speak, to support worldwide English digital for for all traditional publishers-by framework, I mean everything-including the complexities of foreign arms, etc.

The more realistic answer?  We can't promise that. And unless it's in the contract?  Not likely to happen, and we can't push for it because we have no ground to stand on-the contract is that ground.  If it's not in the contract?  We got nothing.  At that point, we decide to either accept it or walk.

Most of us?  We're accepting it.  We fight tooth and nail for every contract we have and if we walk, there's no guarantee we'll ever get offered another.  There are hundreds and hundreds (at least) of other authors waiting to take our spot-if we let it go?  It's probably gone.  (And it may be gone for good.)

We could try to go to another house, but not every book/author is right for every publisher.

Take Harlequin for example.  I believe Harlequin is one of the more digital savvy publishers.  Say I was at contract right now, and Berkley wouldn't make me a promise of worldwide distribution for ebooks-so I decided to walk and see if I couldn't sell to Harlequin.  Well, I've just made the dumbest mistake of my life, because my books don't suit Harlequin-they aren't going to buy them, they don't fit guidelines, etc, etc, etc.

Some of them could maybe work for Carina, I guess, but then for those that prefer to read in print (and that's the majority of my readers), I've cut them off, I've taken a gamble that may not even pay off and there's no guarantee I'd even sell to Carina-I would have walked away from a firm offer for the hope of something that may never pan out.  Stupid, stupid, stupid-and I don't even have any idea at sales or numbers, to complicate the problem.

Choosing one reader over the other

Another argument I saw but didn't feel like getting involved in was that we're choosing one reader's preferences (print) over the other (ebook).  No.  Sorry… this isn't the case.  It's a matter of choosing what's best for my career (and likely what other authors do as well).

I think there's this assumption that if we pushed and pushed, eventually the publisher would give in, and if they don't, we should go elsewhere to somebody that will, even if it's a small press.  I can't do that.  I have to make the decisions that are going to be the best for my career, what will provide best for my family.

Now if I had a publisher (digital only, print only, both… I don't care) who was willing to offer me an advance comparable to what my print publishers offer me, and was going to give me worldwide (English) ebook distribution?  Hey, I'd be all over that idea and ya know…if there's one out there-my agent has this project-email her!

But here's the thing-my writing is my job.  And I make my decisions based on what is going to be best for my career.  Because I have responsibilities… three of them who take priority, and college is creeping ever closer.

How many people out there are willing to say they'd take a gamble that likely would alter the future of their career?  A gamble that could have a detrimental impact on their ability to provide for their family?  Because for the typical midlist (or lower-and probably even higher) author…that's what they'd be doing if they decided to walk away from a contract offer because the publisher wouldn't give them worldwide English digital distribution.  Mega names can take that risk.  But those who aren't mega names?  We can't.

In the end, I can control who I sell the book to, but if it's a choice between the traditional publisher who reaches more readers or the small presses?  I'm going with traditional publisher, because whether people like the idea or not, I reach more readers with traditional publisher.  I've got numbers to back that up.

So what do we do…

I've said this before on various issues, and I'll say it again.  Because ebooks/digital publishing is still in its infancy, it's going through a period of growth and change.  We're probably looking at the rocky road of tweens and adolescence now more than infancy, actually, rather than infancy.  But digital is still young.  It's still growing.  When something is growing, and changing, it's never easy.  There is always a period of catching up and adjusting-hell, if you're a parent, you know this.

I'm not going to tell anybody to be patient, because I can't be patient myself.

But… it will level out.   I know this, and I can even say it with relative certainty without asking.  Why?  Well, because there are readers out there.  And where there are readers, there is a demand for books.  And where there is a demand for books?  There is money.  Yep.  It boils down to that.

And that's not about greed, really.  Publishing has to make money for them to acquire books-you like books, right?  So you want them to be able to put more out for you.  So in convuluted way, you actually want publishers to make money.  So yep, it boils down to money.   Publishers know there is money out there with worldwide distribution.  It's a matter of figuring out how to work things like foreign arms branches, the intricacies of author contracts involving foreign rights, adjusting (still) to the massive growth with digital.  It's a matter of moving forward when the industry has kind of stayed in the same place for so long…and it's moving now…it's just moving slow.

One other thing international readers can do?  Visit this site-http://lostbooksales.com/ I'll point it out to my agent and maybe we can all help spread the word-although I suspect publishers are already well aware of the problems.

So there's my two cents, my understanding, and my take on things… and my explanation on just how little control I do have.

Now, if you got comments or questions, ask away…but please, be respectful.  This is my blog and I work pretty hard to keep a friendly place for everybody-rude/nasty comments go the way of the dodo, as might comments that go along the lines of… 'well, i can't buy so i pirate'.

Scratch that-normally, I don't close comments on anything.

But I'm not going to be around much or up to watching comments.  Bear in mind, I try to keep my blog a  friendly place for my readers and while I rarely have a problem with anything getting out of control, it is my responsibility to keep it a friendly place, and it's one I take seriously.

However, I'm not up to playing watchdog today.  A friend of mine passed away yesterday and I'll be at her visitation today, her funeral tomorrow so… nope.

Not doing this, and to head off the question of "well, why did you post this today then…" This post was written sometime late last week.  I batch-write my posts, do three or four (or more) several days in advance, sometimes up to two weeks in advance.  I'm not shuffling days around.   I've had a rough few weeks-this is the second loss I've suffered in as many weeks and I'm just  not up to playing watchdog, and unless I can be certain things remain cordial…eh, I know I'm not getting a written guarantee… comments closed. Thanks in advance for understanding.

The baby bratlet

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I tweet about the baby bratlet a lot-things she's said or done-the sort of things that make me want to pound my head against a wall.  People laugh and think I'm kidding about how…um… interesting she is.  Then they meet her and go…

awwww… she's so cute!  She's too adorable to be that rotten!

My response is:

God made her that cute for one reason.  So she would survive her childhood.  It's her defense mechanism.

People really don't think she can be that much of a handful, that much…well,…er… anyway.   I mean-she's just a kid, right? Lots of people have them.  I mean… I have two others.

No.  She really is that much of a handful.  She really is that…er, well, anyway.

Instead of just relating more head–>desk stories, let me explain some other things.  Things like…

I go into the school to pick up something for my other kid and I get laughter.  I don't know why… baby bratlet isn't with me and she doesn't go to school there.  But she's there when the sitter picks up the monster.  And she does things like flirts with every male in the building.  She runs around and makes eyes at people.  She wraps everybody around her finger.  I cant' even get explanations for why I get laughter, but it has something to do with baby bratlet.

I go to preschool to pick her up?  I get laughter.  Now I've watched-other parents don't get this.  But I do.  Finally I asked and well… baby bratlet just keeps them laughing.  She's not bad, although she's very 'me' centric, still.  But she's…unique.  Yes.  Unique.   She amuses them.  A lot.  And still, they can't quite tell me exactly what she does or says that amuses them so much-it's just her.

And yes-I get unique about her all the time. I'm not just saying this as her mama.  I'm saying this as somebody who has worked with kids for going on twelve years.

We had concerns about her speech when she was coming up on three.  So we asked about getting her testing.  Within five minutes, the therapists are all but rolling their eyes-yes, her speech isn't clear, but it's because her brain already has the vocabulary of a five or six year old and her mouth isn't quite ready, physically, to form the words her head knows.  So we can't understand.

At Lora Leigh's RAW event?  While we were setting up for the first booksigning, before the readers had come in, I let the kids in there to wander a bit before I sent them off with my friend, Lime, who had (foolishly) agreed to watch them for me (in exchange for me paying for her way/food/booze).  Jim Butcher is there and he is watching baby bratlet and he makes this comment… that girl sure is cute, but she's got way too much energy.

More proof that's she is… ah… unusual?  I had accidentally left a lancet in my pocket earlier this week when I was helping out at the doctor's office.  She wanted me to poke her finger.  Knowing it would hurt.  She didn't care.  She wanted to see what the thing did and how it would feel.  O.o  She is four… and she wants her finger poked.

But in case constant raised eyebrows, her wanting to get her finger poked, 'unique' comments aren't enough… let me explain her to you like this.

Many of you who visit my blog have probably gathered a few things about me…

I'm not shy.  I don't back away from confrontation, even though I do understand some need for diplomacy.  Even though I don't always care for it, I realize there's also a need in life for caution.    I've learned to… ah… curb my tongue.  Not just online, but in general.

Now… imagine a flirtatious mini-me in concentrated miniature form with absolutely no sense of danger, no idea of caution and absolutely no brakes.

That's the baby bratlet.  And people wonder why I bang my head.  I love her dearly and wouldn't trade her for anything.  But she just may put me in the funny farm. O.o

Doing my happy dance… why?

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FYI, first must share the funny freudian typo I had on twitter today…

Guess what…I just beat my dreadline by two months and change. *yes, I see the typo, but it seems fitting…

Dreadline… heh. I thought that was cute. Accidentally cute, even.

Anyway, so I had three brutal deadlines coming up. November 15, December 15, January 15. These were the days I had to turn romantic suspense books 1, 2 & 3 to my editor at Ballantine.  I turned in the first book back in the summer.  The second back in September, I think.  And now?  Today?  I just turned in book 3.

I am done.  This trilogy-my first-has eaten my brain, like a zombie, I swear, and now I am done.  That's why I'm doing a happy dance.  Well, actually, I'm celebrating with a glass of strawberry wine and chocolate.  But that's pretty good, too.

Saturday Snippets…from The Departed

(follow up to The Missing)

Dez paused at the door and looked back at him. She lifted a brow at him. "You won't allow it," she murmured, cocking her head. Then she sighed and opened the door. "You don't get it, Taylor. You don't have a choice here."

Their eyes met, held, steely blue on darkest brown. She was the one to look away first.

"Good-bye."

As she closed the door behind her, he could have sworn he heard something crack.

But it wasn't his heart—he wasn't so fucking stupid that he'd allow himself to fall for a woman he couldn't have.

And even if he was that stupid, surely he wouldn't compound it by chasing her away.

Except Taylor knew that was exactly what he'd done.

(Sorry, guys…no release details or anything on this yet)

The Friday 56

Today's 56 is from my book-it's the book closest to me cuz I'm editing it.  Book 3 in the my RS trilogy with Ballantine…

Normally, he was here at 7:30, the same time as Mrs. Tuttle, because she terrified him.  But that morning…well, Lena had slipped into the shower with him.  He had lost track of time.

About the Friday 56

Grab the book nearest you. Right now
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Qs for Broken

Have you read Broken?

If so, can you help me out?  (FYI, if you haven't, you might not want to read the questions-they'll probably involve some spoiler stuff).

A friend of mine heads up a book club and she wants to put together a page on book club discussion questions for books in the genre and she asked me for 10-12 questions on a book of mine-we decided on Broken.  But I'm clueless about what to ask… can you help me?  Here's a link to her site if that will help give you ideas.  Toss out your suggestions… help me save my brain… O.o

Haunted by Your Touch… giveaway…

I meant to blog about this when the book came out but…well, some of you know I had a rough week.  Life and everything else got away from me.

But I'm doing it now and I'm giving away a copy of the book, too…see, I've already got a copy…a nice, pretty ARC that Shayla gave me.  (I heart Shayla)

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost seduces readers into a forbidden new world as she teams up with romance stars Shayla Black and Sharie Kohler for a sizzling collection of original novellas featuring fallen angels, anarchistic demons, warrior wizards, and irresistibly dangerous creatures of the night.Enter the dark realm of Nocturna in Jeaniene Frost's redhot tale, where blisteringly sexy Raphael dominates the demons of a lawless dimension and tries to help a beautiful young woman avenge her cousin's disappearance. In the shadowy world of Shayla Black's Doomsday Brethren, magical warrior Raiden vows to protect his woman and their unborn youngling from evil—and deliver her safely to another man. But once he's saved her, can he let her go? Lycans rule the night in Sharie Kohler's suspenseful story, as a fiery woman stalks mysterious Luc, the undeniably hypnotic being she believes can save her from turning…if she kills him. Danger beckons in these captivating paranormal tales that will tempt readers to the edge and leave them begging for more.

I'm already admittedly a Jeaniene Frost junkie and her new world was fantastic.  Shayla's book was wonderful and I really need to catch up on Doomsday Brethren.  This was the first story I've read by Sharie Kohler, and I'm going to check out some more. 

Like I said, I've already got a copy (have I mentioned I heart Shayla?) but I wanted to buy it, too.  So I'm giving away that copy-the one I bought.  Want it?  If so, just leave a comment below and tell me what you're reading.

Normal contest rules apply…

Open across the globe
One entry per household
You must enter via my blog/@ my website(not thru FB/goodreads, etc)
Do not enter this contest into twittersweeps, post to sweeps/contest sites, etc-if that happens, I reserve the right to end the contest without awarding the prize, yadda yadda yadda (FYI, when I say I reserve the right-this translates to I likely WILL do so if I see this happen. And yes… I know when it happens.)
Winner's name will be posted here at the blog sometime in the next week or so-to claim it, you must check back
Rest of my rules…at the disclaimer page. As my disclaimer states, entering any of my contests means you've actually read and agree to my contest rules… so if you haven't done that?  Here you go… disclaimer.

Guestblogging today…AND… Nalini Singh

Over at Lisa Renee Jones' blog.

Come say hi!

AND… Nalini Singh's latest is out.  Play of Passion. FYI, it's my personal and professional *hey, I'm a professional writer, that means I can have a professional opinion on this, right?*  Anyway, it's my personal & professional opinion that Nalini Singh rocks.  Professionally-her stories are awesome.  Personally…um…well, she sends me ARCs.  How can I not adore her?

Passion and reason collide with explosive force in the newest installment of Nalini Singh's "mesmerizing"* Psy/Changeling series. As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war of their own…



In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn't easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn't counted on Drew's will.

Now, two of SnowDancer's most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…

Excerpt

Impulsive…

I read this a while back (FYI, HelenKay was kind enough to let me read an ARC) and it was awesome.  I loved it.  It's out now.  You should go buy it.

Impulsive by HelenKay Dimon

Katie Long was supposed to be undercover. She was just supposed to watch Deputy Prosecutor Eric Kimura at his ex's wedding and gather intel on his campaign for prosecutor. But he's a lot hotter in person, and the kind of intel they accidentally shared in the hotel bathroom might lose both of them their jobs. Especially since it seems to be a recurring incident. Is it possible for a one-night stand to last ten days?

Kimura isn't usually the impulsive type. He's driven, he's ambitious, and he knows what he wants—a respectable future in Hawaii politics. Which means wild half-public sex with a beautiful stranger in a short little caterer's skirt is just tabloid fodder waiting to happen. Conveniently, just as his campaign is coming under attack. Sabotage, media gossip, and an insatiable desire for a woman he just met? If he's not careful, Counselor Kimura might lose all control…

Tarnished Knight…another excerpt…

Happy Halloween…

I'm feeling lazy.  Rough week, although I did get to go out Friday with the DH and relax.

Instead of thinking of something wickedly clever, I'm just going to share another excerpt from Tarnished Knight-FYI, it's out now…

Think you know fairy tales… guess again…

erotic paranormal romance

One look at Jack Wallace and Perci knows he's going to be trouble. Even surrounded by soul stealers, he's a one-man wrecking crew. What does he need Grimm training for? He's already hell on earth, a warrior bent on destruction. And something…more.

He's too strong and fast to be a mere mortal. Even covered in blood, he makes her forget she's only here to do a job and get out. It's twisted. Sick. She hasn't felt this alive in three centuries.

Born with a natural talent for killing unnatural things, Jack has always known things he shouldn't. The fact that Perci is one of them glows all over her. Giving him an unholy urge to see just how far he can push her before don't touch me melts into touch me there.

When they come together, it isn't careful or cautious. It's heaven and hell, exposing all their raw and wounded places to healing heat, resurrecting memories of a destined love from the distant past. But the evil that destroyed them once before has tracked them here, threatening their second and last chance at forever. Demanding a sacrifice no one—Grimm or human—should ever be asked to make…

Excerpt

Her mouth…

Jack shuddered as her mouth opened under his. She tasted like cinnamon and cream and honey and heaven and damn it, he didn't think he'd get enough of that taste. Then she tore her mouth away from his and he growled, reached up and fisted his hand in her short, silken hair. "Kiss me," he muttered against her cheek.

"This is insane," she whispered.

"Yeah. Don't care. Kiss me."

A sigh shuddered out of her. "I can't be doing this." Her shoulders rose and fell and Jack found himself staring at those sleek, pale curves. Soft…

Without realizing it, he found himself lowering his head and pressing his mouth to one shoulder, left all but bare by the skinny strap of her tank. Soft…smooth. Hmmm.

He touched his tongue to her skin. She stiffened, then shuddered.

Turning around, he walked blindly until he could put her down on the counter by the refrigerator. Lifting his head, he stared into her dark eyes, watched her face as he slid his hand under the hem of her shirt. Simple, basic cotton—nothing fancy, and yet it would be a pleasure to peel away from her.

An image flashed through his mind.

Her…her hair long and luxurious. Her lean body had been softer then, clad in a lush gown of velvet.

A man was with her, and he was peeling that velvet away from her body. Slowly. Teasingly. And watching her with a look of such love and awe. They knelt together on a blanket.

He could see them—had seen them. Watched…wanted. Loved.

It hit him in the gut like a punch and he should have pulled away.

Would have pulled away.

But then Perci rested her hands on his forearms, stroked up. The image shattered, fell away under her touch. Need and hunger swamped him. She cupped his face in her hands and tugged his mouth to hers.

"I thought you said this was insane," he muttered against her lips. Pull away, Jack. Something strange is going on here, man.

"It is. I'll figure it out later." She caught his hands and guided them to her breasts. "Touch me…damn it, please touch me. I… Shit, I feel alive when you're touching me."

There was something so broken, so raw in her voice.

He couldn't not touch her. Couldn't not cup her face in his hands, lift it to his and brush his lips over hers. "I think I like the taste of you," he muttered. "The feel of you."

He wanted to make love to her…gentle, slow. Needed it.

But she didn't want gentle. Greedy, hungry, she skimmed her hands down his sides, grabbed the hem of his shirt and jerked it up and over his head. As she bared his chest, she leaned forward and nipped at his nipple with sharp teeth. "I don't want slow, and I don't want soft and sweet words. Fuck me," she said, tipping her head back and staring at him.

She scraped her nails over the denim-covered ridge of his cock and Jack shuddered. Reaching down, he closed his hand around her wrist. "Is there any reason to rush?" he muttered against her mouth.

She cupped him with her other hand and squeezed.

Groaning, he caught that hand as well and then penned them behind her back. He lifted his head to stare down into her glittering, hungry eyes. "What's the rush, princess?"

She snarled at him. "Don't call me that."

"Fuck, but I think it turns me on when you glare at me," he muttered, dipping his head and nipping her lower lip. Then he licked it with his tongue and kissed a trail down along her chin, her neck, until he could bite her gently through her bra. "I want to see you naked."

"Then let go of my hands and I'll get naked."

He smiled at the command in her voice. "And what if I'd rather be the one to get you naked?" He let go of her hands, but before she could take care of her shirt, he did it by reaching up and grabbing the neckline. He smiled down into her eyes and watched the surprise flicker as he tore the thin cotton apart.

Her breath caught in her throat and she glanced down, stared at the torn tank top before looking back up at him. "You forgot something." Then a smirk twisted her mouth. "Although I bet you can't tear the bra quite so easy. They make them pretty sturdy."

That smirk…damn but it turned him on, and he was already so fucking hot, he hurt. "I can think of a way to get it off." Holding her gaze, he reached up and grabbed one of the blades he had on the refrigerator.

He kept sharp, shiny objects in a variety of places all over his house. It had saved his ass a time or two.

But this time, it proved to be worth it for a different reason.

As he pulled the blade down and slipped the tip of it under her bra, he watched her eyes widen, watched as her lashes fluttered.

"You scared?" he teased.

Not that he really thought she would be, and he wasn't surprised when her brown eyes opened and she smiled at him. "Of you? No way in hell."

Keeping the knife still, he watched her. "Should I stop?" All it would take was the slightest bit of pressure, just the slightest bit.

"If you stop, how are you going to finish getting me naked?"

He gave the slightest flick of his wrist and watched as the blade cut through the lace and silk. Her eyes went dark, and as he reached up and pushed the straps off her shoulders, she smiled at him.

Holy hell.

Just one look from her was enough to make him weak in the knees.

He laid the knife down and she glanced at it, flicked him a look from under her lashes. "What, you're not going to cut my pants off too?"

"Don't tempt me," he muttered.

buy