SS: Magical

This weeks theme is 'magical', and I chose a short bit from Devil's Jewel, one of the stories in Sexy Devil. Sexy Devil is one of my favorite anthologies, but it's gotten mixed reviews from some because the second story, Devil's Jewel, doesn't have a lot of sex. Of course there was a couple of scenes, and it was only a novella, so I'm not exactly sure what the issue was. You see, I'm a big believer in staying true to the characters, and the story, and not forcing sex scenes in for the sake of having more sex in a book. To me, scenes like that aren't erotic, they're gratuitous. And while I agree, the second story didn't have as much sex as the other too, the tension was off the charts…and magical.

Sexy Devil

No one can resist the spell of a …SEXY DEVIL

Surrender to Sasha White's sensual world, where red-hot passions simmer—and desires are unleashed with sinfully wicked pleasure…

"The Devil Inside"

Workaholic Caleb Mann used to think blind dates were a waste of time, but when his ex-girlfriend calls him boring in bed, Caleb becomes bent on changing his image fast. And fast is what he gets when he barely knows his date's name, but he can't stop fantasizing about replacing the sleek motorcycle between her firm thighs and letting her ride him all night long…

"Devil's Jewel"

Ex-soldier and psychic hunter Angelo Devlin has seen evil first-hand. He knows how perilous his assignments can be, and he doesn't welcome outside help, which makes his run-in with Jewel Kattalis all the more infuriating. But instead of sending her away, he wants to grab her, take her, and tease every inch of her beautiful body. This woman may be more dangerous than any mission he's ever been on before…

* * * * *

"SEXY DEVIL is hot as hell, with heroes to die for and heroines who are more than their match. For blazingly erotic romance marked by strong, sexy characterization, Sasha White never disappoints!"

— Meljean Brook, author of Demon Moon

"Story No. 1 has hot sex, and plenty of it! And you'll fall in love with Gina and Caleb as they fall for each other. The second novella, however, has sexual tension and promise but almost no sex. The paranormal elements, although well done, overshadow the erotica and will disappoint those looking for a hot story."-Romantic Times Magazine

"SEXY DEVIL is comprised of two wonderfully written stories that will entertain as well as sizzle the pages. Author Sasha White shows her mastery at creating two true erotic romances rather than sex-filled, unplotted tales. In addition, readers get treated to a little bonus that caps it off beautifully."-Romance Reviews Today Erotic

"These two stories are highly erotic; Sasha's readers expect nothing less! Hot sex alone doesn't make for a good story… I want a well-written, thought-out storyline, likeable, intelligent characters, and intrigue — Sasha never fails to deliver all of those things."- Laurie's Laudanum Reviews

To set up the scene, the story is about a rescue mission for Jewel's sister, who is being held by a demon. (Sort of). This is the night before they go in to get her. Take a peek.

Devil scrubbed a hand down his face and glanced at his watch. "The sun will be up in about half an hour, and we've planned everything we can plan for, so let's get some rest. We'll head out at oh-nine-hundred, that gives us four hours." He glanced at the door to the kitchen. It had been silent in there for a while now and he wondered what Jewel was up to.

"There's the couch and the spare room," Caleb said with a yawn and a stretch. "You guys can fight over who gets what."

Caleb started from the room with Gina behind him, but she stopped in front of Devil. She placed a small hand on his shoulder and looked up at him with her big brown eyes. "Now's not the time to deal with this, but just so you know, I am pissed at you for not telling me the complete truth about what you do. We are going to have a talk about it."

He nodded. "I expected nothing less, baby sis."

"Try and get a bit of sleep, we'll wake you up in a few hours so you can go kill this thing." She stood on tiptoe and kissed his check, then did the same to Drake.

The men looked at each other after she left, neither saying a word. Then Drake spoke. "Jewel can have the spare room, I'll take the sofa, and you're stuck with the floor."

"I'll wrestle you for it."

Drake smirked. "No way, I called it first, it's mine."

Devil watched him walk away and debated tackling him, just for the hell of it. Instead, he went in search of Jewel.

She'd been cloistered in the kitchen for hours working on whatever ritual her friend had given her, everyone leaving her alone. He pushed the door to the kitchen open and saw that it was empty, and sparkling clean. Turning the kitchen light off, he walked over to the window and saw Jewel in the backyard.

His eyes landed on her and stayed there as the sky began to lighten from a deep grey to purple. She'd removed her boots, and knelt on the ground, sitting back on her bare feet, in her jeans and a skimpy black tank top. Through the open window he could hear her soft muttering as she dug into the earth with her bare hands. Her voice blended with the sounds of nature waking up, birds chirping and leaves rustling in a soft breeze. Natural, primitive.

Jewel herself was natural and primitive.

She raised a need inside him that went beyond the simple desire to fuck. She was willful and strong, a true fighter. Her determination was matched only by the seductive lure of her fiery eyes and lush lips. His chest got tight and his dick hardened as he watched her get to feet. She straightened up and raised her hands to the sky as the sun peeked out over the horizon.

Her posture was erect, her breasts thrust forward and head titled back, as if drinking in the sun's first rays. She raised cupped hands to the sky and, transfixed, Devil drank in the long lines of her body, the arch of her back, the curve of her ass … even her bare feet digging into the earth was sexy.

She lowered her hands and turned to the house, her eyes meeting his through the window. Devil didn't smile, didn't move. He ignored the pounding heat rushing through his veins and focused on the light in her eyes as she walked back to the house.

The back door opened and she stepped into the kitchen and padded over to him. Every muscle in his body tensed with the urge to grab her, lift her onto the counter, and step between her thighs. But the house was full, and he wanted nothing less than to make her scream her satisfaction – over and over again.

He leaned down, skimming his nose over her neck, ruffling the whisp of hair near her ear as he inhaled her scent. The earthy smell of dirt, sweat and aroused female filling his head. He pulled back a bit, but hovering over her mouth, their breaths mingling. He could almost taste her.

A groan rose in his throat at the sight of her little white teeth sinking into her full bottom lip. "We leave in just over two hours," he whispered.

"Okay," she murmured.

Neither of them moved.

"More than a few minutes," he reminded her.

"Much more," she agreed.

Finally, after another minute of torturing himself with her nearness, Devil stepped back. "There's a spare bedroom across from the bathroom. The bed's yours, Drake and I are in the front room. Try and get some rest."

"Yes." She cleared her throat, and stepped back a bit further. "I'll do that, and see you in a little while."

Stealing himself, Devil spun on his heel and left the kitchen while he still could. That woman was potent, and that made her dangerous.