The countdown begins
In a few days, Rough Draft, the fourth book in my Big Easy series will officially release. So…I thought from now until August 12, I’d take a few days to highlight the first three books in the series.
Have you met the Lewis clan from New Orleans? They’re a unique cast of characters led by the very strong and loving matriarch, Mama Lewis, a powerhouse of a woman who raised her own four children, while her beloved husband (and former boxer) was away working on an oil rig. In addition to caring for her own kids, Mama Lewis took in many foster children, providing them a loving, safe home when their own families couldn’t.
The first book, Blank Canvas, involves brother (and tattoo artist) Caliph. Caliph works at Midnight Ink and while there, he meets Jennifer, a lovely, lonely woman recovering from a broken heart and divorce.
Excerpt:
“Caliph?” she whispered when the silence continued a beat too long.
“How wild do you want to go?”
She frowned, then gave him a rueful grin. “I love my tattoo more than I can say, but I’m definitely not ready for another.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean.” He lowered his voice. “I’m attracted to you, Jen.”
She licked her lips, the action a perfect blend of nervousness and arousal. Caliph’s cock thickened even more.
“I want you too.” Her admission came out more air than tone, but he heard it, let the beauty of it soak deep.
“Friday night, after the jazz club.” He didn’t say more. He didn’t need to. Jennifer was already nodding.
“Okay. I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
Then her brow furrowed. That didn’t take long. Less than five seconds in and she was already reconsidering.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he prodded.
“I’ve never had a one-night stand.”
Caliph was touched by her honesty, but bothered by it as well. That list of reasons he should have stayed away rained down on him again. Women like her didn’t do casual sex, but he was pretty damn sure that was all he had to give her. He hadn’t lied about his disinterest in marriage. “Jennifer—”
He started to offer her an out, but she cut him off.
“No. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s actually a really good thing. I might be putting the pieces back together, Caliph, but the truth of it is, I’m still pretty broken. At this point in my life, I have basically nothing, but sex to give you. Besides, something tells me you’d be a great guy to go wild with.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you have such faith in my abilities. I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
She laughed. “I’m not worried.”
Caliph knew he should take her agreement to sleep with him and run with it, but he couldn’t lie to her when she looked at him with those gorgeous, trusting eyes. She needed to know exactly what she was agreeing to.
“Maybe you should be. Because, Jen, you will need a safe word Friday night.”
Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, but she held her ground. His respect for her went up several more notches.
“Does it make me sound completely twisted if I say that’s the hottest thing anyone’s ever said to me?”
He barked out a laugh and shook his head. “You’re a fascinating woman, Jen. And I can’t wait to paint on your canvas some more.”
Blank Canvas is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play and ARe.
