Mastered: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender

by Opal Carew

  He wheeled the abused chair back to the console. “I’m one hundred percent certain that they’re not. But I guarantee they’ll all be far superior to any chocolate dessert.”

  “I’d better get to work, then,” she said, and set about pulling on her clothes.

  Epilogue

  “I’m impressed,” Xane admitted, after listening to the remastered version of Within You. “I never thought for a minute that you’d pull it off. I’m pleased to be proved wrong.”

  “Well, Spook did help steer me in the right direction.” She cast him a sideward glance, half expecting him to say something, but he didn’t. He had his guitar in his hands and was fingering the strings as if playing, but without making a sound. Maybe he could hear the tune in his head. He’d retreated back into himself the moment Ash and Xane had turned up. They’d not had sex again, or even kissed as they worked on the track, but they had laughed a lot.

  “Did he, now?” Xane arched his pierced eyebrow. “Well, maybe he’ll help keep you straight while you’re remastering the rest of the album.”

  “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like it a lot.”

  “And we’re working on some new material too. Maybe you’ll be available to master that.”

  “Cool!” Perhaps, she and Spook could discuss it over dinner at his hotel later. That was assuming she couldn’t convince him to skip straight to dessert. In which case, they might not get round to talking until breakfast tomorrow.

  Leastways, a girl could dream.

  She shot a glance at Spook. Somehow, she was going to have to address his no penetrative sex rule. Abstinence in a man that sexy just wasn’t healthy.

  Want more Black Halo?

  I hope you enjoyed reading about Spook and Alle’s first meeting. Their story will continue in future releases. Meanwhile, if you’re eager to cosy up with another rock star, you can read about Xane Geist and Dani Fosbrook in the novel Come Undone, and Ash Gore and Ginny Walters in the novella All Night Long ~ available now. Turn the page to learn more.

  For updates on future Black Halo books and my other new releases please sign up to my mailing list. http://ymlp.com/xgbsjhujgmgj For behind the scenes chat, previews and other exclusives, join Madelynne’s Readers Retreat on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/madelynne.elllis.readers/ You can also get updates on new releases by visiting my website, or liking my author page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/madelynneellis1

  Thank you so much for reading REMASTERED. Please consider leaving an honest review where you bought it so that others can discover Black Halo and share in their story.

  Other Works by Madelynne Ellis

  Come Undone (Rock Hard #1)

  On stage he's dynamite. Off stage he rocks her world.

  When red-hot, Goth-metal band, Black Halo, split live on stage, fate throws Daniella Fosbrook into the path of sexy vocalist Xane Geist. Initially, Xane's only looking for a ride home, but Dani tempts him in a way a thousand other women haven't. Determined to explore their heady chemistry and avoid hashing things out with the band, Xane whisks Dani off to Monaco for a steamy weekend.

  There, Dani tries her best to hang onto her heart and some clothing, while Xane soon loses both. However, Xane isn't being entirely honest about the reason for the band's demise. When the truth comes out, can Dani accept the facts, or will everything come undone?

  Buy Come Undone now! http://madelynne-ellis.com/?page_id=684

  All Night Long (Black Halo #1)

  Three hot guitarists.

  Two people looking for love, but too afraid to admit it.

  One exhilarating night…

  One night of rampant passion with a rock star, that’s all it’s supposed to be. Ginny Walters isn’t looking for love, only some sexy fun with an amazingly hot guy; that is, until she hooks up with Black Halo’s lead guitarist, Ash Gore, on the night the band splits up.

  Ginny discovers a side to the womanizing, bad boy that she never imagined. Beneath his hard rock image, is a man so hung up on the possibility of being hurt by love that he’s unwilling to risk becoming emotionally involved. How can she convince him that the bond between them is worth exploring, given that she’s not sure dating a rock star is terribly bright idea?

  Ash can’t seem to get Ginny out of his head either. She’s totally unlike the women who fan his ego but leave him unsatisfied. Ginny sees through the media hype to the scarred man beneath. Given that Ginny understands him like no one else, is this a one night stand he won’t be able to leave behind?

  Buy All Night Long now! http://madelynne-ellis.com/?page_id=917

  Come Together (Black Halo #2)

  Daniella Fosbrook can’t believe she’s dating a smoking hot rock star, now all she has to do is hold onto him.

  Bad boy rockers, Black Halo, have reunited and have hit the road. Dani Fosbrook has never experienced life on the move, now she’s squashed onto a tour bus with five horny rock stars and her lover’s ex, and there’s no room for mistakes.

  If threats from jealous fans and warding off unwanted press attention isn’t difficult enough to handle, Dani has to battle her own personal insecurities. Xane says he’s committed, but with so much on offer to tempt him, can she trust he won’t stray?

  When sabotage puts both the tour and everything Dani and Xane have built together under threat, can the band and their entourage come together to make the tour work, or it is time for everyone to part ways.

  This title is due to be released 25th September 2014.

  Anything But Vanilla

  (Read about Xane’s cousin Ric Liddell)

  One girl. Two guys. No strings.

  Kara North is on the run. Fleeing from her controlling fiancé and a wedding she never wanted, she accepts the chance offer of refuge on wild, rocky Liddell Island, where she soon catches the eye of the island’s owner, erotic photographer Ric Liddell. Wickedly sexy by day and just plain wicked by night, Ric rules his domain like a feudal lord. He’s used to getting what he wants, without any commitment, and just when Kara thinks she has him hooked, he hides behind a cool, dispassionate mask.

  But pleasure comes in more than one flavour when Zachary Blackwater, the charming ice-cream vendor also takes an interest, and wants more than just a tumble in the surf. Zach offers her warmth that she never felt from her ex, and soon it’s not just the ice cream that’s melting.

  When Kara learns that the two men have been unlikely lovers for years, she becomes obsessed with the idea of a threesome. Zach is reluctant, until he sees the dynamic effect Kara has on Ric’s emotions. She might be the key to finally capturing Ric’s heart.

  Soon Kara is wondering how she ever considered binding herself to just one man. She’s never had so much fun or felt so uninhibited, but just when everything seems so perfect, the man she left behind returns with some very old-fashioned ideas about rescuing her and taking her home to his own idea of wedded bliss.

  Buy Anything But Vanilla now! http://madelynne-ellis.com/?page_id=113

  The Black Halo Books

  Rock Hard Series (Xane & Dani)

  Come Undone

  Come Together (released 25th September 2014)

  Come Alive (due 2015)

  Black Halo Series (Ash & Ginny)

  All Night Long

  All Fired Up (due Dec 2014)

  All Right Now (due 2015)

  Related novel (Ric, Zach & Kara)

  Anything But Vanilla

  (note: chronologically this book occurs before Come Undone)

  For Other Works by Madelynne Ellis, visit her website www.madelynne-ellis.com where you can download a full bibliography.

  About the Author

  Madelynne Ellis is a multi-award winning author of erotic romance. Her novels and short stories have been published by a variety of houses and have been translated into several languages. She lives in the UK, not far from the Welsh border with her partner of 20+ years, their two adorable children, a crazy puppy and a chocoholic rabbit.

  Madelynne
drinks decaf out of preference, and has an unnatural obsession with a certain Japanese rock star. Her aim is to deliver scorching, character-driven stories that enchant, torment and don’t shy from darker aspects of life. You can reach her at ~

  www.madelynne-ellis.com

  WORKING OUT

  WORKING OUT

  by Marie Harte

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and plot points stem from the writer’s imagination. They are fictitious and not to be interpreted as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locations or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Working Out

  Copyright © June 2012 by Marie Harte

  Cover by TINB

  All Rights Are Reserved. None of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for reviews or promotion.

  http://marieharte.com

  Chapter One

  December in Seattle

  He’d known it was coming to this. For four long-ass months, he’d been doing his best to handle the situation, and for four months he’d been fooling himself.

  Mac Jameson gripped the neck of his beer bottle and glared across the bar at the bane of his existence. He could no longer ignore those big blue eyes, that killer rack, or the platinum blond hair that framed a face that haunted his dreams. She worked for him, but it didn’t stop her from sniping, scowling, or blatantly ignoring him when she didn’t like what he had to say. A smarter man would have taken her signals as uninterested and run the other way.

  But not Mac. He thrived on challenge, and Maggie Doran had dare written all over her. Aside from her smart mouth and incredible looks, she had a work ethic he truly respected. To make matters worse, she was far from perfect, which he would have found boring. No woman could look like she did without carrying some massive baggage.

  He hadn’t yet figured out how to unload her issues long enough to sleep with her and put himself out of his misery.

  A solid clap to his back reminded him he wasn’t drinking alone.

  “So what’s your excuse this time?” his best friend asked as he joined Mac at the bar. “The redhead not hot enough? The brunette who wanted your number too clingy?”

  Mac refused to pay attention to the end of the bar where two sexy women continued to glance at him in between high-pitched laughter and cocktails. “I don’t date women who giggle. Christ, I’m thirty-six, too old for games.”

  “Since when?” Shane, as usual, ignored the scowl Mac shot him and continued to talk. “The Mac I know has no problem serial dating. What was it you said to me not so long ago? To indulge in the holy trinity and forget my problems? Tits, ass and an orgasm. There you go, buddy. You have two more-than-willing candidates still making eyes at you.” Shane discreetly nodded toward Mac’s new groupies.

  “No fault with the trinity. You have me there.” Mac had to smile. His grin faded when he noticed his recent obsession now sandwiched between two guys pointing fingers at each other.

  Shane followed Mac’s attention and sighed. “Figures. That woman is trouble.” And Shane would know. Now dating Shelby, Maggie’s best friend, Shane spent more time with Maggie than Mac did—a fact that annoyed the crap out of him, not that he’d ever admit it out loud.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I like her a lot,” Shane continued, “but that stupid vow of celibacy is like a neon sign on her forehead. It’s like Maggie’s secretly calling out to anyone with a dick to help end her plight.”

  Mac blinked. “What did you say?”

  “Oh, sorry. Plight means problem. As in, she has something troubling her.”

  “Dickhead. No, what you said about her vow of celibacy.”

  “Oh that. Maggie is off men, or so Shelby told me. I’m sworn to secrecy, so don’t say anything.” Shane shrugged and drank from his beer. “Oh hell. Looks like I’m going to have to help her out. Those guys don’t look like they’re playing.”

  Mac wanted to get back to Maggie’s issue about not having sex, but Shane was right. “You stay here in case I need someone to bail me out of jail. I’ll handle those guys.”

  Shane stared at him a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. Just flex a few times and they’ll scatter like mice.”

  Mac shot him a not-so-nice grin.

  “And do that. The smile that’s more a grimace. Great intimidation factor, there.”

  In a mood to crack some skulls together, Mac muscled through the crowded bar and reached Maggie in time to hear her telling both guys off.

  “… if you’d even bothered to ask, you’d know I never drink tequila. And I don’t like grabby men. Period.”

  When Maggie grew angry, her voice turned huskier, sexier. It put Mac in mind of satin sheets and naked limbs entangled with his. Unfortunately, her voice seemed to have the same effect on the morons fighting over her. Morons that looked somehow familiar.

  The redhead poked the dark-haired guy in the belly. Both appeared of equal weight and height, yet neither had the same musculature as Mac. Of the two, the dark-haired man looked meaner, so Mac kept an eye on him.

  Maggie turned to the redhead. “Brent, it’s okay—”

  Brent cut her off. “She’s with me, Wilson.”

  “Yeah, right.” Wilson made a face. “Why would she want you when she could have me? I can buy and sell you twice over, and you…what? You own a nice little home in Green Lake and bench press twenty more pounds in the gym? Please.”

  Brent had patience, because he took a deep breath and let it out without slugging the guy. “Wilson, don’t be such a dick. Maggie and I were talking before you interrupted.”

  “Talking? Brent, she was backing away and trying to be polite about it.” Wilson huffed. “Poor thing just doesn’t know how to reject you without hurting your feelings.”

  Mac suddenly realized where he’d seen the men before. They were members of Jameson’s Gym—his uncle’s pride and joy, and his current employer. It should have made him reconsider his need to pound both of them into tomorrow. Brent had been a member for a few months and wasn’t a bad guy, but Wilson was new. He also appeared to be a conceited jerk.

  Maggie opened her mouth, no doubt to say something snarky. She might be little, but she didn’t tolerate fools well at all. Then she spotted Mac and snapped her mouth closed. The fire in her blue eyes went straight to his gut. Damn, she was pretty, especially when riled.

  “Maggie.” He smiled through his teeth.

  “Oh hell.” She groaned.

  “I’m hanging with Shane.” He nodded back to the bar. “He sent me down here to get you. Said he wants to talk to you.” A good enough excuse to pry her away without stirring too much trouble. Mac might be in the mood for a fight, but he didn’t relish his uncle riding his ass for screwing with paying customers.

  Wilson frowned at him, showing no recognition. “Hey, asshole. I’m busy with the lady. Why don’t you go shoot up some more steroids while me and my friend handle this?”

  Mac wanted to be a better man and not react to the insult, but the Marine within, even two years retired, refused to back away from a fight. Especially since numbnuts didn’t know better than to insult Mac.

  “Hell.” Brent sighed. “Hey, Mac. Maggie, it was nice talking to you. I’ll catch you later.” He turned and walked away.

  Which left Wilson sneering. “He might be scared of you, but I’m not.”

  “Clearly.” Mac glanced at Maggie. “You okay? I mean, I wouldn’t want to come between you and your newest conquest.” As soon as he said it, he wanted to smack himself. For some reason, around this particular woman, he couldn’t hold his tongue. The charm he’d been famous for, that had gotten him laid like nobody’s business, vanished when in her presence.

  “You’re as big a jerk as he is.” Maggie thumbed her displeasure at Wilson.

  “Excuse me?” Wilson turned to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “I know you didn’t just call me a jerk—”<
br />
  Mac didn’t think. The minute the bastard put his hand on Maggie, Mac reacted. He took hold of the offending hand on Maggie’s shoulder and put Wilson into a wristlock in seconds, forcing the man to his knees.

  While Wilson howled in pain and the crowd standing around them suddenly drew back, Mac wondered how far to punish him.

  “Jameson, it’s okay.” Maggie put a hand on his arm. As usual, the contact seared him. “He wasn’t bothering me. Well, he was, but it’s fine now. I’m sure Wilson just wants to put tonight behind him.”

  “You got that right, bitch,” Wilson muttered.

  “Who you calling a bitch, fuckhead?” Mac let his wrist go and grabbed him by the throat. “Apologize to the lady before I crush you.”

  Wilson choked. A few people nearby who’d heard the insult cheered Mac’s efforts, while the chatter around them grew more excited.

  Maggie tugged at Mac’s arm. “Cut it out. The bouncers are coming over. You’ll get in trouble.”

  She sounded like she cared. He hated that his heart raced because she might.

  “Sure thing, sweetcakes.” He smiled at her sudden glare. “I’ll let him go just as soon as dickhead here apologizes.”

  “Then maybe you should give him air so he can breathe.” She took her hand from him and crossed her arms over her full breasts, clearly outlined in a pretty blue sweater that clung to her curves.