MACKENZIE MCKADE
January 5, 2009 by Melissa · 46 Comments
Well, you knew I would mess up, right? My bug Mac wanted to feature her book Take Me, and offer up a prize and because I am a goof ball it got left out. Soooo, the contest is still going on today, I will end it at Midnight, eastern tonight(for all the posts). And, there is something special to be had, two ARCS, one from me, one from Mac:)
One tempting heiress. Two sexy cowboys. Three means fun beyond her wildest dreams — until her Cord starts to unravel.
Thoroughbred rancher’s daughter Caitlyn Culver has always wanted playboy Cord Daily, even after her daddy threatened to bankrupt him. But winning a racehorse in a poker game means Cord is no longer just a cattle rancher. He’s come back wealthier and more wicked than ever.
Snaring this cowboy won’t be easy for Cait, and keeping him will be even harder. Still, his sexual antics and taste for ménages won’t scare her off. She knows the best way to snag a man like Cord is to pretend indifference. So when he comes onto her in the barn, she plays along — only to leave him tied to a ladder, aroused and unfulfilled.
It’s payback time.
Cord seeks out Cait and brings along his playboy cousin, Dolan Crane. The two cowboys are enough to set her body afire. She’s bound and determined to resist their sexual allure, but ends up experiencing a night beyond her wildest fantasies. Now Dolan wants Cait for himself. Cait’s father wants Cord’s racehorse. And Cord wants Caitlyn to choose — her father’s money or her cowboy’s love.
Now, what is up for the offering? Mac is offering up an ebook ARC of Take Me (releasing Jan 13) and I am offering up an ebook ARC of Telepathic Cravings, which is rereleasing from WCP Feb 1.
WOW
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 20 Comments
Just amazing, y’all. YOu have overwhelmed me with your response today. I have two more books, The Water Anthology and a choice of download of ANYTHING in my backlist. To get your name in the pot, be sure to comment on any of the following posts:
And, keep posting through until tomorrow morning 9 am eastern time, just under 11 hours from now to all the posts:
SHAYLA BLACK
January 4, 2009 by Melissa (Edit)
A fellow Wicked Writer and the person who suffers because she has to read my books as a critique partner. Berkley is rereleasing Bound and Determined and it is now on preorder!
Check her out at her website and blog.
Berkley HEAT
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance
Re-release Date: March 3, 2009
Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Buy eBook: Amazon Kindle | Fictionwise
WANTED FOR KIDNAPPING: A bubbly blonde with a penchant for trouble. May be armed (with good intentions) and dangerously seductive…
Kerry Sullivan is running out of time-and patience. With her brother wrongfully accused of embezzling millions, she can’t face one more humiliating hang-up from the man she’s begging for help. Rafael Dawson may be one of the top electronic security experts in the country — and the only man who can prove her brother’s innocence — but his phone manners are appalling. Damn Yankee. Too bad kidnapping the man isn’t an option. Or is it?
There’s nothing Kerry wouldn’t do for her brother. There are lots of things she longs to do to Rafe Dawson when he’s lying tied-up and naked in her secret hideaway. Rafe is certainly something to look at, but Kerry’s brother’s life is riding on her pulling off the impossible: getting this man who’s always in control to lose it. But when the tables get turned, Kerry finds herself at Rafe’s mercy. And the only way to get her way is to let him have his way — with her…
Up for grabs, A Choice of any of Shayla(ie Shelley Bradley) ebooks and a copy of Lessons in Seduction, signed by me:)
SHAYLA BLACK
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 52 Comments
A fellow Wicked Writer and the person who suffers because she has to read my books as a critique partner. Berkley is rereleasing Bound and Determined and it is now on preorder!
Check her out at her website and blog.
Berkley HEAT
Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance
Re-release Date: March 3, 2009
Pre-Order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Buy eBook: Amazon Kindle | Fictionwise
WANTED FOR KIDNAPPING: A bubbly blonde with a penchant for trouble. May be armed (with good intentions) and dangerously seductive…
Kerry Sullivan is running out of time-and patience. With her brother wrongfully accused of embezzling millions, she can’t face one more humiliating hang-up from the man she’s begging for help. Rafael Dawson may be one of the top electronic security experts in the country — and the only man who can prove her brother’s innocence — but his phone manners are appalling. Damn Yankee. Too bad kidnapping the man isn’t an option. Or is it?
There’s nothing Kerry wouldn’t do for her brother. There are lots of things she longs to do to Rafe Dawson when he’s lying tied-up and naked in her secret hideaway. Rafe is certainly something to look at, but Kerry’s brother’s life is riding on her pulling off the impossible: getting this man who’s always in control to lose it. But when the tables get turned, Kerry finds herself at Rafe’s mercy. And the only way to get her way is to let him have his way — with her…
Up for grabs, A Choice of any of Shayla(ie Shelley Bradley) ebooks and a copy of Lessons in Seduction, signed by me:)
KARIN TABKE
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 43 Comments
Another Wicked Writer up next! Karin writes steamy contemporaries and historicals that are hot enough to burn!
Check out Karin’s WEBSITE!
Master of TormentWulfson of Trevelyn, trusted knight of William the Conqueror, has never met a man he could not master. But in the tempestuous young widow Tarian of Trent, known as the Lady Warrior, Wulf may finally have met his match. Ordered by the king to eliminate her traitorous bloodline, Wulf captures the lady but hesitates to execute his orders, falling captive himself to her seductive dark beauty.
To Lady Tarian’s dismay, neither her fighting spirit nor her wiles are sufficient to bend Wulfson completely to her will. As she and Wulfson try to stay one step ahead of the angered King, Tarian vows she will not be the loser in their passionate battle, but her own desire for this overpowering stranger threatens not only her body, and her heart, but both of their lives.
Read an excerpt
Three prizes this time! Karin has two books, Skin and The Hard Stuff, and I am offering Hunting Mila, my latest EC release!
LORELEI JAMES
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 46 Comments
Lorelei is offering us a little Christmas cheer to bring us back up after the holidays!
Check out her Website!
Mistress Christmas
…All signs point North for not-so-Saint-Nick
In a rare moment of recklessness, mild-mannered accountant Holly North lets her best friend guilt her into filling in as Mistress Christmas at Sugar Plums, a Christmas-themed strip club. Fearing she’ll be recognized—or worse, considered a fraud—she dons a velvet mask along with the Mrs. Claus-meets-dominatrix costume. She’s shocked at how deliciously wicked anonymity feels.
Detective Nick West is determined to discover how his friend was supposedly robbed after a lap dance at Sugar Plums. His visions of revenge vanish faster than a flying sleigh upon his first peek at Mistress Christmas—a leggy brunette with smoky eyes and a lush mouth begging for hours beneath the mistletoe.
Their attraction flares hotter than a fireplace on a cold winter evening, and Nick is only too happy to oblige when Holly blurts out her one Christmas wish…
For a naughty secret Santa to sweep her away for a night of anonymous sexual pleasure.
Warning: This erotic comedy contains naughty holiday innuendo, creative use of garland, sexy love scenes hot as spiced cider, a heroine as sweet as sugared plums, and a wildly romantic hero with a great big…candy cane.
A part of the Wild West Boys series.
Up for grabs:
TWO ebook downloads Mistress Christmas and Rough, Raw and Ready.
SJ DAY
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 51 Comments
Ahhh, another Wicked Author, and a great new series. I soooo cannot wait for this series, it looks so cool.
SJ Day’s Website
EVE OF DARKNESS
TOR Books
ISBN-10: 0765360411
ISBN-13: 978-0765360410
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pre-order from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel… All in a day’s work.
For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.
Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She’s also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history…
But she’ll worry about all that later. Right now she’s more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she’d never quite believed she had.
Excerpt
“Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you shall master it.”
– The LORD to Cain, Genesis 4:7
The Devil is in the details.
Evangeline Hollis understood the true gist of that saying now, surrounded as she was by thousands of Satan’s minions. Some wore Seattle Seahawks baseball caps, others wore San Diego Chargers jerseys. All bore detailed designs similar to tribal tattoos on their skin that betrayed both what species of cursed being they were and what their rank in Hell’s hierarchy was. To her enhanced eyes, it looked like a damn festival for sinners. They were drinking beer, devouring nachos, and waving giant foam fingers.
In reality, the event was a football game in Qualcomm Stadium. The day was classic Southern California perfection–sunny and warm, the eighty-degree temperature balanced by a delightfully cool breeze. Mortals mingled with Infernal beings in blissful ignorance, simply enjoying a bit of afternoon spectator sport. To Eve, the scene was macabre; like watching hungry wolves sunning themselves alongside lambs. Gore, violence, and death were the inevitable result of any interaction between the two.
“Stop thinking about them.”
Alec Cain’s deep, sensual voice made her shiver inside, but outwardly she shot him a rueful glance over the top of her sunglasses. He was always telling her to ignore their prey when they weren’t on the hunt. As if rogue fae, demons, mages, werewolves, dragons, and thousands of variants of the same were easily disregarded.
“There’s a woman breastfeeding her child next to an incubus,” she muttered.
“Angel.” His nickname for her moved over her skin like a tangible caress. Alec’s voice could turn driving directions into foreplay. “We’re taking the day off, remember?”
She blew out her breath and looked away. At a few inches over six feet, Alec was blessed with a powerful chest and tautly ridged abdomen that were noticeable even through his fitted white tank. He had long, muscular legs presently showcased in knee-length Dickies shorts and biceps so beautifully defined they were coveted by both men and women.
He was her lover… occasionally. Like all sweets, Alec was delicious and satisfying, but too much of him caused a sugar crash that left her dazed and reeling. He’d also ruined life as she had known it. Her career aspiration had been interior design, not Infernal bounty hunting.
“If only it was that simple,” Eve groused. “How can I go on vacation when I’m surrounded by work? Besides, they stink even when I’m ignoring them.”
“All I smell is you,” he purred, leaning over to nuzzle his nose against her cheek. “Yum.”
“It creeps me out that they’re everywhere. I went to McDonald’s yesterday and the person serving me at the window was a faery. I couldn’t even eat my Big Mac.”
“Betcha ate the fries.” Pulling down his shades, Alec looked at her with somber eyes. “There’s a difference between staying on your toes and paranoia.”
“I’m cautious, not a basket case. Until I find a way out of this mark business, I’m making the best of it.”
“I’m proud of you.”
Eve sighed. Having Alec for a mentor was such a bad idea, and not just because it was the equivalent of a Hollywood casting couch in most Marks’ eyes. Never mind that the true “casting couch” was the exchange of sexual favors in return for a position you wanted. No one ever wanted the Mark of Cain.
The Marks’ hierarchy started at the bottom with the newbies and topped off with Alec, the original and most badass Mark of them all. There was no way to surpass him. There was also no way to work with him. He was the quintessential loner, the very definition of the word. Yet here was Eve, a six-week newbie in the field, perched solidly at the top because he didn’t trust anyone else to watch her back. She was important to him.
The other Marks thought working with God’s primary enforcer had to be a vacation. While it was true that Infernals didn’t mess with Alec unless they had a death wish, it didn’t make things any easier. Demons now targeted her as a way to get to him. To make things worse, Alec had been marked so long that he’d forgotten what it was like to be new and confused. There were things he expected her to simply “know,” and he became frustrated when he realized she didn’t.
He squeezed her hand. “What happened to the girl who just wanted to forget about everything for a couple of hours?”
“That was before she was kidnapped and nearly blown to smithereens.” Eve stood. “I’ll be back. I need to use the little girls’ room.”
As she stood, Alec caught her wrist. Her brows rose in silent inquiry.
“Angel.” He kissed the back of her hand. “When I tell you to stop thinking about them, it’s not because I want you to live in a fantasy world. I just want you to see the good stuff around you. You saw a mother nursing her baby, but you didn’t see the miracle of it. You were too busy looking at the demon next to her. Don’t give them the power to ruin your day.”
Frowning, Eve absorbed his words, then nodded her acceptance. Alec had lived with the mark since the dawn of time and could still see miracles; she could try.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
He released her. After inching her way past the other spectators in their aisle, Eve sprinted up the wide cement steps. She still marveled over the speed, strength, and agility that came with the mark burned into her upper arm. She’d always been athletic, but now she was Supergirl. Well… she couldn’t fly. But she could jump really damn high. She could also see in the dark and bust through dead-bolted doors, talents she’d never anticipated needing or appreciating.
Eve reached the concourse and followed the signs to the nearest restroom. The line protruded just outside the entrance. Luckily, she wasn’t desperate. More than anything, she’d just needed to get out of her seat.
So she waited patiently, rocking in her flip-flops with her hands in her pockets. An occasional breeze passed by, ruffling through her ponytail. It carried the mingled scent of evil and rotting souls, a pungent stench that made her stomach roil. It fell somewhere between decomposition and fresh shit, and it amazed her that the Unmarked couldn’t smell it.
How had she lived twenty-eight years of her life in complete ignorance? How had Alec lived centuries in complete awareness?
“Mom!” The young boy in front of her was holding his crotch, crossing his legs, and wiggling madly. “I have to go!”
Although the woman looked as if she could be the child’s sister, Eve wasn’t unduly surprised. Many women in Southern California didn’t age. They just became plasticized caricatures of their youthful selves. This one was bleached blonde with a perfect tan, breasts a size too large for her slender frame, and plumped, glossy lips.
The mother looked around.
“Let me go in the boys’ bathroom,” he begged.
“I can’t go in there with you.”
“I’ll be done in a minute!”
Eve guessed the boy was around six years old. Old enough to pee by himself, but she understood the mother’s concern. A child had been killed in a public restroom in nearby Oceanside while his aunt waited outside. The demon who orchestrated that horror had used the oldest trick in the book–pretending to be God.
The harried mother hesitated for a long moment, then gave a jerky nod. “Hurry. You can wash your hands here in the girls’ bathroom.”
The boy ran past the drinking fountains and ducked into the men’s room. Eve offered a commiserating smile to his mom. The line moved incrementally forward. Two teenagers joined in behind her. They were dressed in the predominant fashion of layered tank tops paired with low-rise jeans. Expensive perfume saturated the air around them, which created a welcome relief from the odor of decay. In the stadium, the crowd roared. One of the Chargers’ outside linebackers was a werewolf. From the high-frequency praise of the Infernals in the crowd, he’d done something worth cheering about.
“Why is the line so long?” the girl behind her asked.
Eve shrugged, but the woman in front of her replied, “The bathrooms down there–” she pointed to the left with a French manicured nail “–are closed for repairs.”
As if on cue, the mark seared into Eve’s deltoid began to tingle, then burn. She sighed and abandoned her place. “You can take my spot. I don’t have to go that bad.”
“Thanks,” the teenager replied.
Eve headed to the left, muttering to herself, “Some vacation.”
“You were bored anyway, babe,” purred a familiar voice.
Glancing to the side, Eve watched as Reed Abel fell into step with her, his mouth curved in a devilish smile that belied the wings and halo he occasionally sported for shock value. He was a mal’akh, but there wasn’t much angelic about Alec’s brother.
“That doesn’t mean I wanted to be put to work.” Reed was the handler in charge of her assignments, which was just a nasty trick in her opinion. Why God allowed and encouraged dissension between the two brothers was beyond her comprehension.
“We could blow this taco stand,” he suggested. “Go have some hot, sweaty fun.”
She wasn’t touching that invitation with a ten-foot pole. Like his brother, Reed scorched a girl in both good and bad ways. “Are you kidding about the assignment? Do you need me for something more substantial or what?”
“You thought it was substantial enough before.” He winked mischievously.
Eve smacked him. “Don’t be crude. I refuse to be the latest toy you and your brother fight over. Go find something else to play with.”
“I’m not playing with you.”
There was something sincere in his tone. She ignored it by necessity, although less circumspect parts of her perked up.
“The bathroom?” she asked instead, when the yellow Out of Service sign came into view.
“Yeah.” He caught her arm and tugged her closer. “Raguel suggested it was time for an extension of your classroom training. I’ll go get Cain.”
Raguel was the archangel whose jurisdiction she fell under. He was the bail bondsman, Reed was the dispatcher, and she was the bounty hunter. It was a well-oiled system for most, but her road had been bumpy from the very beginning.
She sniffed the air. The acrid stench of Infernal wrinkled her nose. “You know… this is like sending a medical student into brain surgery the day she first reads about it.”
“You don’t know your own strengths, babe.”
She glared. “I know when I’m getting my ass kicked.”
“You’re batting a thousand so far. This one’s a wolf and you’re good with them. But be careful anyway.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one risking your hide.”
His lips pressed to her temple in a quick, hard kiss. “Risking yours is enough, trust me.”
Skirting the Out-of-Order sign, Eve entered the men’s restroom, lamenting the fact that she was wearing her favorite flirty sandals. Due to the rigors of her “job,” she’d taken to wearing combat boots whenever she left home, but Alec had coaxed her into going casual today. She should have known better.
The harsh ammonia smell of stale urine assaulted her nostrils. Finding her target was easy. He stood in the center of the room, alone. A teenage werewolf who was eerily familiar.
“Remember me?” he asked, smiling.
The boy was tall and thin, his face long and unremarkable. He wore a dirty gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans so low his ass was hanging out. A dark spot moved across his cheek and came to rest on his left cheekbone. His detail–swirls around a diamond shape. Like the mark on her arm, it served a similar purpose to military insignia.
Recognition hit her hard, followed by an immediate chill down her spine. “Shouldn’t you be in Northern California with your pack?”
“The Alpha sent me down here to even the score. He thinks Cain needs to learn what it’s like to lose someone he loves.”
“There was no way to save the Alpha’s son,” she argued. “Cain doesn’t pick and choose his hunts. He follows orders.”
“He made a deal. For you. And he broke his promise.”
Eve frowned. Alec had never mentioned a deal to her. But that was something she would explore later. There was a more immediate question. “You think you can take me by yourself?”
His smirk turned into a grin. “I brought a friend.”
“Great.” That was never good.
The large handicapped stall in the back slammed open and something absolutely horrific thundered out. Holy shit. An Infernal that large should have reeked for yards. Instead, the only thing Eve smelled was wolf.
The dragon hadn’t fully shifted. He still wore his pants and shoes, and dark hair still covered his head. But his mouth was a protruding muzzle of razor-sharp teeth, his eyes were those of a lizard, and all of his visible flesh was covered in gorgeous multihued scales.
“You smell tasty,” he rumbled.
She’d heard that Marks smelled sickly sweet to Infernals, which made her laugh inwardly. There was no such thing as a sweet Mark. They were all bitter. “You don’t smell like anything.”
We failed, she realized with a sinking feeling in her gut. Infernals still had the means to hide themselves in crowds.
“Brilliant, isn’t it?” the wolf asked. “Obviously, you didn’t wipe out our operation completely.”
The dragon roared and it was a fearsome, deafening sound that echoed in the confined space of the bathroom. The mortals couldn’t hear it, though, and Eve’s eardrums were invincible despite their celestial sensitivity. Another boon granted by the mark. The dragon shoved the wolf aside and stomped closer.
“Guess that’s my cue to leave,” the kid said. “I’ll give the Alpha your regards.”
Eve’s gaze remained riveted on her opponent. “Yeah, tell him he screwed with the wrong chick.”
The wolf laughed and departed. Eve wanted to do the same.
For all her bravado, she was out of her league. If she had been capable of physical reactions to stress, her heart would be hammering and she’d be short of breath. No doubt about it, she was going to be suffering when this confrontation was over…
…if she was still alive.
Up for Grabs:
An Arc of Eve of Darkness from SJ Day and Grace Under Pressure from me!
SASHA WHITE
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 43 Comments
Another WICKED WRITER. Sasha’s contemps are funny and sexy with a real Sex in the City feel to them.
Domination or submission? Ménage a trois or man on man? What about voyeurism? A tease? A taste? Sink your teeth into this collection of erotica short stories from six top erotic storytellers.
Everyone has them. Those secret thoughts that bring forth your hottest dreams and desires. The ones you don’t share, the ones that make your heart pound and your blood heat. What do you fantasize about?
The print anthology SECRET THOUGHTS is also now available . SECRET THOUSECRET THOUGHTS Print, is the combination of the eBooks
Up for Grabs: Download of your choice of the Secret Thoughts Anthologies and Jordan Danes’s No One Heard Her Scream.
KALLY JO SURBECK
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 47 Comments
Kally is one of my best friends who had a truly unique, lyrical fantasy voice. I am not a big fan of fantasies, but I love Kally’s.
by
Kally Jo Surbeck
NO NEUTRAL GROUND Kally Jo Surbeck
Cover art by Jenny Dixon, © copyright November 2006
ISBN 1-58608-984-6
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
and chatting. The crowd milled about in an undulating wave that trickled out into the
warm night air of the inner bailey where there was dancing. The evening had indeed
been perfect for the Kisha celebration. Two days of nothing but warm sun had dried out
the mud and warmed the atmosphere. Not even the hint of a chill lingered. People were
ready to have a grand time, and they had come from the far corners of Edderis.
close watch, one ear cocked for news. She mingled among the guests. Maneuvering her
way amongst the revelers, she made the rounds, spoke with guards, checked weapons,
and called for more ale.
start until well after midnight, when the dress Belle wore would be exchanged for an even
finer, older garment. It was odd. Dressed in all the appropriate finery, Belle felt beautiful
and at peace. She had no qualms with her current binding dress. Truth be told, she loved
the soft material.
motion. The design was as old as the Scared Trust of Edderis, a weaving skill passed
down through the generations. The only thing changing over the years was the
magnificent display of colors.
socialized. It intrigued Belle that the Baron hadn’t made a grand entrance or forced his
people to await his public introduction. Perhaps he was more of a forward thinker than
she had assumed.
entered from the kitchen hall with Baron Allsmoor at her side.
bathed, his lengthening black hair slicked back from his forehead. The firelight danced
on his rugged features, casting shadow into the hollow of his neck. Belle’s heartbeat
quickened at the sight of him. He smiled and gestured freely in an animated conversation
with her Aunt Beth. In the light of the flame his lips captured her attention, holding it
rapt. His teeth sank into the thigh of a Ripol Pheasant, the juice leaving a tantalizing
smudge on his upper lip. Horrified, Belle found herself licking her lip in response.
She sounds delightful.”
too.” Xander flashed a devastating smile filled with pride, and then looked past Elsbeth
directly into Belle’s eyes. He took a step past Elsbeth, gently placing a hand on her
shoulder as he strode away. “As soon as she arrives, I’ll arrange an introduction. It
would be my honor. If you’ll excuse me?”
Up for grabs:
A PDF of Kally’s book No Neutral Ground AND Toni Blake’s Tempt Me Tonight in print.
Lunch Break-you get a nekkid man
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 58 Comments
MICHELLE MILES
January 4, 2009 by Melissa · 63 Comments
Next up is my friend, Michelle Miles! Michelle is a fellow Samhain author who has a wicked sense of humor and a real shoe fixation, lol. Her time travels are wonderful, also, so be sure to check them out.
Check out Michelle’s:
After paying for her latte and a nice, thick slab of New York cheesecake with strawberry purée drizzled on top, she settled into one of the oversized brown leather chairs with the latest Vogue magazine on her lap. She sipped and ate and browsed the latest in haute couture. It couldn’t get much better than that.
“Well, hello there.”
And with three little words, her day was ruined. Glancing up, she stared into the familiar face of Dr. Blake Marsh. He smiled broadly, his cheeks crinkling with the forced grin. Claudia’s heart lurched in her chest, dropping down somewhere in the middle of her burning gut. Her stomach churned acid, the cheesecake swimming like a lump in her coffee. She blinked, trying to decide what sort of mood the man was in. From the look on his face, she was pretty sure he had read her column, too.
“Mind if I join you?”
Before she could answer, he dropped down into the chair across from her, a mere three feet away. A cherry wood coffee table separated them. He planted one ankle on his knee and leaned back into the chair. He looked rather appealing, not to mention appetizing, wearing khaki Dockers, loafers with funny looking tassels, and a black golf shirt.
Golf. She knew it.
Calmly, she took a sip of her coffee and then stabbed the last bite of her cheesecake, mopping up some of the purée with the creaminess. May as well not let it go to waste. She wished he hadn’t caught her with her only meal of the day. But she was thankful she had at least showered, put on a little makeup and wore her jeans without the holes in the knees.
“Read your column,” he said without preamble.
Glancing at him, she noted the devilish gleam in his eyes and winced. “Did you now?” A feeble reply at best, but she still sounded cool. Never mind her innards jangled like a ring of a building super’s keys.
“I’m flattered you wrote about me.” He gave her a sly wink.
Oh, if they weren’t in public, she’d climb into that lap of his and… She shoved away the erotic images forming in her mind.
“I didn’t write about you.” Her lie didn’t hold up either, because a grin broke out on her mouth.
“You’re a poor liar, Claudia.” He took a sip of his coffee and then set the paper cup on the table in front of him. He leaned forward, close, and dropped his voice. “By the way, I don’t play golf.”
“Really?” One eyebrow quirked and she tried to keep her mind focused on the conversation at hand. Not the visual of his naked body pressing against hers. Or his hands roaming over her breasts. Or his hot mouth licking her erogenous zones. “I thought all doctors played golf. Goes with the territory, right?”
“Another stereotype.” He kept his gaze pinned on her face, his voice low and sultry. Reminding her of…someone…but she couldn’t quite place it. “I’m not a stereotype.”
“Then what are you?” The question bolted out of her mouth before her brain could stop it.
“Why don’t you go out with me and I’ll tell you?”
He suggested it so casually, she almost said yes. Almost. “No, thanks.”
“Is it because of the other night?” He picked up his cup and taking another sip.
Why did his gaze never waver from her face? It left her feeling unsettled.
“No,” she quipped.
“Come on, Claude. We’re both adults here—”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, her defenses up and raring to go. No one called her that but Gayle. And, okay, Tony, too.
“Sorry.” He looked miffed and settled back into the chair once again, his coffee in his hand. “I thought it was your nickname.”
“For those who are closest to me, yes.”
“And I’m not?”
The verbal duel was beginning to get on her nerves. Claudia pursed her lips and glared at him. “Is there something you want from me?”
“Your phone number.”
“Ha!” Her outburst startled a few afternoon customers who gave her a cursory glance. She lowered her voice. “I don’t think so.”
Blake cocked his head, realization dawning on his face. “You’re pissed because I left the other night, aren’t you?”
She huffed out a breath, tucked her magazine under her arm, and then rose. “Don’t you have some heart patients to see?”
“I’m off duty.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
Rolling her eyes, Claudia stalked off, hoping to get outside before he caught up to her. To her horror, though, he followed her out into the blazing Texas heat. Squinting against the bright afternoon sun, she slipped her Oakleys over her eyes.
“So now you’ve decided to follow me? Are you going to start stalking me, too?” she snapped. “I’m still not giving you my number.”
“Claudia, maybe I need to explain about the other night.”
No need to explain.” She approached the corner, pausing to look both directions before crossing the street. “I get it.”
“You get what?”
“You’re taken. Or not interested. Whatever. I totally get it.”
He snagged her arm and spun her around before she could step off the curb. “I’m very interested.”
Up for grabs:
A Download of Talk Dirty to Me and a signed copy of my Anthology, Leather and Lace!
Monica Burns-first prize
Cathryn Fox -second prize
