by Lauren Dane
“Thank you, Dad. I think so too. I hope you know I’ll be coming to you for advice lots and lots.”
Edward laughed. “Marc, I still go to my daddy for advice about your momma.” He looked to Matt. “You’re next. I had a dream about you last night.”
Matt looked surprised. “Well is it going to be one of their exes? Because we sure do seem to find women for each other in this family.”
“True. But I don’t know who it’ll be. I just saw cookies and not in a euphemistic sense. Actual cookies. Damned if I know what that means.”
“Maybe Matt needs to hang out at The Honey Bear because his future wife is a baker.” Shane laughed.
“Or a Girl Scout troop leader.” Marc stood and stretched. “Well gentlemen, I have to take my fiancée home. She has to go back to work tomorrow, as do I. Shane, don’t forget that we’re upgrading your workout on Tuesday.”
Liv met him in the hallway and for a moment there was nothing else but her face and the way she looked at him. She grinned and he laughed, grabbing her and jogging out the door into the night full of possibilities.
About the Author
To learn more about Lauren Dane, please visit www.laurendane.com. Send an email to Lauren at [email protected] or stop by her messageboard to join in the fun with other readers as well. http://www.laurendane.com/messageboard
Look for these titles
Now Available:
Giving Chase
Taking Chase
Coming Soon:
Making Chase
Reading Between the Lines
It was nothing personal, just a business arrangement.
Nothing Personal
© 2007 Jaci Burton
Ryan McKay is a multi-millionaire with a problem. He needs a bride to fulfill the terms of his grandfather’s will. Unfortunately, the one he chose just bailed on him and he’s hours away from losing his company. Enter Faith Lewis—his demure, devoted assistant. Ryan convinces Faith to step in and marry him, assuring her their marriage is merely a business deal. Ryan is certain he can keep this strictly impersonal. After all, he’s the product of a loveless marriage and for years has sealed his own heart in an icy stone. Despite Faith’s warmth, compassion and allure, he’s convinced he’s immune to her charms.
Faith will do anything for her boss, but—marry him? The shy virgin sees herself as plain and unattractive, a product of a bitter mother who drummed into her head that she wasn’t worthy of a man’s love. But she agrees to help Ryan fulfill the terms of his grandfather’s will, hoping she doesn’t lose her heart to him in the process.
But love rarely listens to logic, and what follows is anything but business.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Nothing Personal:
She tried to stand patiently while Ryan slowly slipped each satin covered pearl button from its tiny loophole. But his touch did things to her sense of equilibrium. She shivered each time his warm knuckles brushed the bare skin of her back.
“Are you cold?” Ryan’s voice whispered softly against her ear.
“Not really.”
“You’re shivering.”
“Um…yes.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” Liar.
Ryan’s hands stilled. “Does my touch bother you?”
His touch most definitely bothered her. But not in the way he thought.
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead.”
She steeled herself against any more outward signs of his effect on her. It wouldn’t do at all to fall into bed with him, no matter how much his skin on hers made her tingle. She’d made a bargain for two months and needed that time to get to know her new husband.
These were new sensations, new feelings, and her senses were already on overload from the day’s events. She couldn’t handle much more without a complete meltdown.
But then his hands moved lower as he freed the buttons near her bottom. The chills returned.
“I think there’s enough undone now that I can get out of this thing,” she stammered.
“Just a few more,” he said, ignoring her request. Obviously his touch on her skin didn’t affect him at all. “Do you need me to help you take it off?”
“No!” Faith cringed, not meaning for her denial to sound so forceful. She turned to Ryan. His gray eyes darkened like smoldering storm clouds. Maybe he wasn’t so oblivious to the contact between them. “What I meant to say was, I can get this off by myself. But thank you, anyway.”
He threw her a crooked smile. Now that her dress was all but slipping off her body, why didn’t he leave?
“I’ll just wait here while you change, in case you need me again. No need wandering the halls half-naked for help.”
Half-naked. Her cheeks flushed with heat. The dress was completely open in the back, and she had her hands firmly pressed against her chest to keep it from dropping to the floor. “It’s almost falling off me right now, Ryan. I hardly think I’ll need any more assistance. But thank you for your help. Goodnight.”
Hoping he’d grab a clue that she wanted to be alone to undress, she fled to the dressing area.
The satin nightgown. She had no other choice. It was either that or eat her sandwich naked. Bet Ryan would like that. The way his eyes had gleamed when he saw her in her wedding gown led her to believe there might be a spark of interest.
She pushed the thought aside. Ridiculous. Ryan McKay had never been interested in her. Why would he be? She was nothing like the women he escorted. Not even close.
Attempting to redirect her thoughts to her hunger, she removed her underthings and slipped the gown over her head. Unable to resist, she ran her hands down the cool satin. A quick glance in the mirror shocked her. The gown molded to her body like a lover’s hand, clearly showcasing every minimal asset she had.
Why hadn’t she heard the door close? Surely Ryan had left by now. Faith waited a few more seconds for the sound of the door closing, but didn’t hear anything.
“Ryan?”
“Yeah?”
He was still there but his voice was muffled.
“What are you doing?”
“Eating.”
“Oh.” She peered around the doorway into the bedroom. He sat at the table next to her bed, eating one of the sandwiches Leland had fixed for her.
“You haven’t eaten yet, Faith. Come out and have one of these sandwiches.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m not that hungry, really.” Right. She was surprised Ryan couldn’t hear her stomach grumbling in the other room.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Come out here now and eat with me.”
Fortunately the gown had a matching satin wrap that she quickly donned. Hunger won out over modesty. She wanted to get some food before he ate it all. She tightened the belt on the robe and entered the bedroom.
As she crossed in front of him, his eyes widened. Faith clutched the edges of the robe over her chest, feeling less than adequate in a gown that should have been worn by a goddess like Erica, not by her. She didn’t do it justice.
“Hungry?” he asked.
Faith nodded. “Starving. I hadn’t realized that I hadn’t eaten until Leland mentioned something about food.”
Ryan smiled. “I know. When I saw the food on the table my stomach reminded me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Why would I mind?” She grabbed a sandwich and tried not to shove it in her mouth. With as much dignity as she could muster considering the depth of her hunger, she took a bite of the delicious turkey sandwich.
He sipped a glass of tea and watched her eat. At first she was self-conscious, but then her appetite took over and she downed the sandwich in no time flat.
Satisfied, Faith sat back and took a drink. And still he stared at her.
“Is something wrong?” She knew he wanted to say something, but didn’t. She chewed her lip in anticipation.
Without a word he reached across the table and drew his thumb against the corner of her mouth, then slowl
y dragged it across her bottom lip. Faith watched in rapture as he brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it with agonizing slowness.
“You had mayonnaise on the corner of your lip,” he said, his voice low and oh-so-sexy.
Was he deliberately trying to drive her crazy? She grabbed the napkin and swept it across her mouth. “Thank you.”
His dark eyes warmed her. “It was my pleasure.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him, despite knowing she should stop whatever was happening between them. She simply could not deal with any more today.
Thankfully, Ryan stood. “I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll let you get some sleep.”
Faith rose from the table, nodding. “Thank you for your help with the dress.”
“You’re welcome,” he said and stepped toward her, taking her hands in his. He pulled her against his chest and slid his arms around her back.
The crisp hairs of his chest rubbed her breasts. The thin silk of the gown and robe did little to keep the heat of his body from hers. Her nipples hardened against him, the rush of desire almost dropping her. Her limbs turned to gelatin and she felt weightless and lightheaded.
“Two months, Faith,” he said softly as his head dipped towards her. “That’s a very long time. Are you sure?”
This wasn’t fair. No one had ever held her like this, made her feel such uncontrollable need. She wanted so much to experience these feelings, to step toward that desire and know what she hadn’t known before. Blood pounded at her temples and liquid heat pooled deep within her. She was certain Ryan could sense her reaction because he tightened his hold on her, his hands softly kneading the muscles of her back, gradually sliding lower and lower.
“I…it’s…you agreed to it.” Pitiful excuse.
“I know. How stupid of me.”
The smoke-filled depth of his eyes drew her in, hypnotizing her senses, rushing over her like a wildfire out of control.
If his lips drew any closer they’d touch hers. Faith was sure she’d die if they did. She was already losing control, inhaling his scent with rapid breaths, his hands burning against the silk of her gown, drawing her ever nearer to the heat of his lips.
Then just as suddenly as it started, the storming inferno was over. Ryan stepped back, his lips parted as the hint of a smile crossed his features.
“Tomorrow, you move into my bedroom. Goodnight, Faith.”
He turned around and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Faith stood in the middle of the room, wondering what had just happened. Her breathing still hadn’t returned to normal. The rhythm of her heart continued to pound its staccato beat. She still felt him, smelled him, all but tasted him on her lips as the memory of his thumb against her mouth singed her skin.
Despite her thoughts about needing to wait, wanting to wait, she had been ready to leap into her husband’s arms.
She thought she had more self-control than that. It was obvious her inexperience was no match for the powerful charm of Ryan McKay. She’d have to be extra careful over the next couple months and try to keep her distance from him. Too much of his overpowering sexuality and she’d self combust. Clearly, she was not ready at all for an intimate encounter with Ryan.
Two months wasn’t nearly long enough.
And yet, two months was a very long time.
Darcy and Mac are “best friends with benefits”, but now Mac wants more than just the hot sex. He wants Darcy forever. And he’ll risk everything to get her.
The Boy Next Door
© 2007 Jessica Jarman
The last thing Darcy Phillips wants after the end of a disastrous relationship is to get involved with another man. Being free and unattached was the plan until her old pal Thomas “Mac” MacAllister strolls back into her life.
Mac has always loved Darcy but the timing was always wrong. Now, she’s home and unattached. And after a night of wine and conversation, things turn hot fast. But Darcy isn’t ready for more than the physical and she definitely doesn’t want anyone knowing what the two of them are up to. Especially her mother.
It isn’t long, though, before Mac wants more. Much more. Yet Darcy isn’t sure she’s willing to risk their long-time relationship for something as dangerous as love. But Mac is a man who knows what he wants and he’s not afraid to go after it.
Using their incendiary passion as a starting point, Mac sets out to win the girl of his dreams and show her that everything she wants…is right next door.
Enjoy the following excerpt for The Boy Next Door:
She needed him so much.
Darcy could only hold on to that thought. She ached with need. Good lord, he’d brought her to orgasm with a few caresses and words. Oh God, the words. She never thought talking could turn her on so much. But, damn, he knew just what to say. Neither of them had spoken during the short ride to Mac’s apartment, but the air between them had vibrated with desire, with need. Her pussy, already soaked and throbbing, ached for him again. And those looks. His darkened gray eyes had sought hers often. The storm of want clouding them had nearly set her off again.
Now they were at his apartment. She struggled not to fidget as Mac unlocked the door. He pushed it open and offered his hand. With a smile, she took it and allowed him to lead her into the small apartment.
He shut the door and shoved her back against it, his mouth claiming hers immediately. Her bag slipped from her fingers and landed with a thud. He released her hand and ran his down to grip her hips. Tilting them, he ground his erection against her pussy. Spears of heat ignited, shooting into her belly.
She gasped and clutched at his shoulders as she returned the kiss. His tongue invaded the warm confines of her mouth to duel with hers—a fierce, heated dance. His hand moved from her hip down her outer thigh. He slid it around to the sensitive inner thigh and up to cup her between her legs, to capture her desire.
“God, I can feel how hot you are through your clothes.” His words caressed her lips, her cheeks as he trailed his mouth across her face down to her neck.
Her hands fisted in his hair, and she hooked a leg around his, opening her up more for his hand.
“For you, Mac. Hot for you.” She couldn’t even form a coherent sentence, for crying out loud.
Mac didn’t seem to care, though. He growled low in his throat and nipped her gently along her collarbone. His tongue followed, gliding over the delicate skin. He pressed his palm against her drenched sex, rubbing small, mind-blowing circles.
Her head fell back, banging against the door. She barely noticed. His hands and mouth caused her body to shiver with need, to vibrate with longing. She needed him now. Letting go of his hair, she ran her hands down to tug off his shirt, only to get it tangled and bunched under his arms. With a groan, he pulled away to help her in the task and took the time to free her from her shirt as well.
She sighed with pleasure as her hands smoothed over the warm skin of his back. He felt so good, so right. Stroking the taut muscles, she leaned forward and ran her tongue around a flat brown nipple. Encouraged by his quick intake of breath, she did the same to the other, ending the caress with a light scrape of her teeth.
“Bedroom.”
Darcy glanced up at him through her lashes at the curt order. Oh my, she thought at the sight of his tousled hair, full lips and desire-laden eyes. “Yes, sir.”
An eyebrow lifted, a response to her cheekiness she assumed. With a wink, she pulled away from him and began to walk toward the bedroom. Smack. She jumped as his hand connected with her ass and she whirled around in surprise. A grin kissed his lips, and he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“Move it, Darc.”
“Oooh, you gonna get rough with me, big boy?” She fluttered her eyes at him and started for the bedroom again, making sure to add an extra sway to her hips. Anticipation and excitement curled in her belly. What would he do?
His hand encircled her elbow and he yanked her back against him. Her back slammed against his chest. His mouth nuzzled her
neck, teeth sinking in deliciously.
“Now—” The phone rang. “Damn.”
Darcy couldn’t hold back her giggles. He bit her neck again, following it with a kiss, a swirl of tongue.
“Go on into the bedroom. I’ll get rid of whoever it is.” He strode to grab the phone off the counter. “Hello? Oh, hi, Mom.”
Knowing he could be a while, Darcy went into the bedroom, crawled onto the bed and rested her head on the pillow. His spicy scent surrounded her. She inhaled deeply and stretched her arms over her head with a sigh. Hearing Mac’s low voice in the other room soothed her. She’d been edgy all day, angry with her mother for her matchmaking. The beach and sketching had smoothed some of it over, but most had lingered until Mac came. God, he had such a hold over her. What’s worse was she liked it. She looked forward to being with him, talking to him, loving him.
Her eyes slid shut and she allowed herself to float in hazy sleepiness. Mac would be with her in a moment, she was sure, and they’d pick up where they left off. Or, heck, starting all over again would be just fine.
Next thing she knew blues music filled the room. She dragged her eyes open. Had she fallen asleep? Trying to pull her hand down to rub her eyes, she filled with panic when her arms failed to move. Twisting her head, she looked up and gasped. Her hands, bound together with a silk tie, were secured to the center slat of Mac’s headboard. What was going on here? Where was Mac?
As if her thoughts conjured him, he walked into the bedroom. Her eyes devoured him from his muscular legs beneath his shorts, his bare chest, up to his smug grin.
“Untie me, Mac.” She nearly cringed at the breathlessness of her voice.
He took a sip from the wineglass he held and tilted his head to study her. “Hmmm, no.”
“No? What the hell do you mean, no?”
He stepped across the room to stand beside the bed. Setting the glass on the bedside table, he lowered himself to sit next to her. He slipped a hand under her head and ran his fingers through her hair, spreading it over the pillow. “Do you trust me, Darc?”
