Ticket to Temptation
Page 26
“Oh, he’s still making noises about unfair treatment and suing everyone he’s ever heard of, but he’s shooting blanks at every turn.”
“What’s got him so pissed?” Judy asked.
“He thinks he should have made bail. The court said he was too much of a flight risk. He tried to get some of his cronies to intervene on his behalf, but I don’t think they like him very much.”
“Ah, poor thing. Our Gregums isn’t getting half as much as he deserves.” Judy pumped her fist in the air. “That’s my Cliff.”
“Cliff?” I asked.
“Yup, that’s my man. He pulled some strings to make sure Greg wouldn’t get bail—you know, the right word in the right ear and all that jazz. He said it’s the least he could do for almost causing your breakup, but don’t tell him I told you.”
“I’m glad you two made up,” Logan said. “You were pretty pissed off with Cliff after the arrest, too. Did he have to tan your hide to get you to listen to him?”
“How do you know I didn’t tan his hide?” Judy bustled around retrieving the various belongings she’d dropped around the house. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”
Logan slid her arm through mine and marched me over to the counter. “I have something to show you.”
“Do you really think she’s the Domme?” I asked.
“Anything's possible. All I know is someone’s ass got tanned, and it wasn’t just mine.” A warm pink brightened her caramel-colored skin. My woman had the skin of a goddess. She tapped on the photo she’d left on the butcher’s block. Anais sat in resplendent glory flanked by two men in what looked to be the back garden. Logan pointed to the small boy standing beside her knee. “Who does that look like?”
I leaned closer. Could it be? “Raphael?”
“I think it is. It has to be. He looked like an old man even then.”
“But that would make him—”
Logan covered my hand with hers. “Some things are better left alone. Let’s just say he’s part of the magic of this ancient place. Speaking of which, what are we going to do with The Manor?”
“There’s nothing to be done. Anais set up a trust so The Manor could continue in perpetuity. I love that the site in on an old Indian burial ground. Makes me feel like my ancestors are watching over me.”
“Oh, I’d say they are, in spades.” Logan laughed and tipped her head up for a kiss. “So, my lover, have you been thinking about what you’ll do with me tonight?”
“What makes you think I’ll be doing anything with you tonight?” Like I could keep my hands off this woman.
“Oh, I don’t think you’ll do something, I know you’ll do something.” She looked up at me with those sparkling eyes and gave me the smile I never got tired of. “Something wicked, I hope.”
She sounded more and more like how I imagined Anais with each passing day making me wonder if they’d identified the right descendant after all. Arm linked in mine, she led me toward the playroom.
“What do you think will happen to us when we’re old and gray and can’t fool around anymore? Will you still want me?”
I brushed my lips over her hair, overwhelmed by the joy this woman brought to my life. This woman was the perfect match for me.
“I’ll always want you, even when all we have is our memories.” I pulled her into my arms and kissed those magnificent lips. “We’ll—”
She giggled. We’ll always have Blackstone Manor.”
The sign said, “Turn Here Blackstone Manor,” so she did. Maybe it would be one of stupidest things she’d ever done in her life. It wasn’t much more than a dirt lane with huge trees forming a canopy protecting the lane from the elements. She slowed down, blending in with the tranquility surrounding her. She had nowhere to go, which seemed appropriate since she was in the middle of nowhere.
The tree-shrouded road suddenly opened up to a sunlit expanse of manicured lawn; a large open circle cut out in the middle of the forest. Except for the lane, trees surrounded the oasis like the walls of a castle. At the back of the clearing stood a beautiful old two-story house with fieldstone walls, gables, and white pillars forming a wrap-around porch. Warm light reflected off huge windows flanked with shutters.
The driveway led her close to the house revealing its unique qualities that could only be attributed to the lost skills of tradesmen from the turn of the twentieth century. The place was stunning to the point that it seemed unreal. A statue of embracing cupids stood beside a welcome sign. She parked and got out of the car for a closer look.
The place was well maintained, immaculate even. Four inlaid stone steps led up to a double front door with opaque beveled glass that was probably lead crystal. Wicker chairs scattered invitingly around the wrap-around porch.
“Hello, is anyone here?”
Feeling self-conscious, she turned to leave when she noticed the door knocker. At first sight, it was what one would expect to find adorning an old house—a solid brass plate with a hinged ring overlay. Upon closer inspection, the right half of the ring was a life-sized phallus, curving down to meet the pouting lips of inviting labia. Unusual to say the least, definitely very odd. Elaborate scrollwork etched into the door above the knocker said, Please knock. She smiled for the first time that day.
The door opened as she lifted her hand to grasp the knocker, and an elderly gentleman, resplendent in a beautifully tailored suit, stood silently before her. He wore a black pinstriped suit cut in a style from some bygone era.
His age was an enigma she could only guess at. His gray hair and the lines on his face conflicted with the erect posture indicating a hidden strength only found in younger men. He had a warm smile and gave the impression he was meeting an old friend he hadn’t seen in years. His voice reinforced the sentiment.
“Welcome to my home. I’m so pleased you found your way, Rachael…”
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<<< The End >>>
Thank you for choosing this e-book—I hope you enjoyed it. If so, take a moment to leave a short review on Amazon and GoodReads—it really helps spread the word and means I can keep writing great books.
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Review Ticket to Temptation
Acknowledgments
So many people help me birth a book. Once again, I’m thrilled to work with my cover designer, Willsin Rowe. (Did I mention he’s an erotic romance author?)
I am truly grateful for the dedicated commitment *cough* of my PA, Dorothy. She’s a bit of an introvert and much prefers the stay out of the limelight, but come to one of my signings, and you’ll no doubt meet her (or the Hubster).
I salute my book formatter, Mark Batten-Carew, for the many hours he spent helping me understand the nuances of formatting for today’s market. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the contributions of my beta readers, especially the inimitable Tracy Reitzel.
To my readers and fans, a hearty thanks and keep those comments and suggestions coming. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude at your early feedback; much appreciated!
There are others—my critique buddy and friends to name a few—who are part of the positive energy that propels me forward.
Then, as always, there’s the Hubster. He’s still here cajoling, prodding, encouraging, nagging—oops, never that—and supporting the crazy life of an author. He even manages a minimum of eye rolling as zone out into a plot device—sometimes mid-sentence. The man is my hero!
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Stay true and read your fantasies!
Also by Lilith Darville
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Scorpio Awakens
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Scorpio Rising
Connor McClane here to escort you on another adventure of love, lust, and intrigue.
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Rage
(Coming Fall 2017)
A surge
on with a broken heart. A captive with a dark past. They have a thirst for vengeance… and each other…
Jaden is on a quest for revenge. Years after his fiancé was murdered, he’s traded in his surgeon’s scalpel for hacker hardware to discover her killer. He infiltrates a secret auction of sex traffickers to get one step closer to revenge, but when he sees the bruised and bloodied Rayne, he risks all to save her…
A lifetime of abuse hasn’t broken Rayne’s spirit. After being stolen away into sexual slavery, she fights tooth and nail to escape. But when the handsome stranger who rescues her claims he wants to save her, she’s not sure what to believe. Though Jaden’s plan for revenge is just too tempting to refuse…
As their quest for retribution heats up, so do their unspoken desires for each other. When Jaden and Rayne journey deeper into the dark underworld, they begin to wonder if in the midst of their suffering, they’ve found a steamy cure for heartache…
Rage is a dark erotic romantic suspense tale. If you like sizzling chemistry, complicated characters, and nail-biting action, then you’ll love Lilith Darville’s provocative story.
Preorder Rage today to lose yourself in the simmering, suspense-filled world!
About the Author
Lilith Darville is an active member of TRW, an erotic romance writer and a maverick in motion. Her 20+ year romance with her beloved Hubster is the inspiration for the unorthodox beginnings and the enduring love of the stories she tells. She’s the author of the “Scorpio Saga” and "Ticket to Temptation," a series of passionate contemporary romance tales that can’t help but spice up and enrich your love life.
Keep in touch with Lilith
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info@lilithdarville.com
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