“Today, Ian, the big money’s waiting for the man who delivers what women want. If you deliver a hot romance, from a man’s point of view, we could push you into this new market. Double your sales practically overnight. Jackson’s ready to shoot the cover. Check & Mate is the title―”
Ian snorted a small laugh. “Thanks for telling me the name of my book.”
She went on as if he hadn’t commented, outlining plans with the full-steam ahead of a runaway locomotive. “Descoin is in half-shadow, a sexy long-haired blonde just behind him, her arm around him, her long red nails stroking his chest. Descoin meets his match and tumbles hard.”
“Redhead,” Ian growled.
“What?” both women chimed.
“I said make her a redhead,” he insisted.
“Okay, redhead. The cat is an interesting touch, too. Perhaps you can work a kitty into the plotline. Let Tanner mature. Find love, fall in love. Maybe she can help him on his cases, be an equal. You’ve got to have lots of steamy sex, Ian.”
“Amen to that, sister.” Ian chuckled.
Maggie’s question carried a note of doubt. “Think you can do that, Ian? This is a new direction. Are the prose in you?”
Ian’s eyes flicked to the computer screen. Auggie was on top of the monitor with an arm hanging over, batting at Ian as he leaned forward. His eyes scanned the words on the page.
…he trembled as he went down on his knees before her, an acolyte ready to worship at the altar of her body. Instead of the reverence that humbled him before her, he reached out and took, rolling her distended nipples until she moaned. Her head lolled back, the mass of auburn hair cascading down to her hips…
Ian cleared his throat and shifted before his arousal had a zipper impression on it. “Um… well…so happens I started this little project. Perhaps the two can be…uh…merged.”
“Marvelous!”
“Wonderful!”
The two women carried on their discussion about marketing, release date, dare they advertise in Romance Writers of America magazine? Their chattering faded into the background as he dodged Auggie’s fat leg waving to swat at him.
The power of his words held him.
He couldn’t sleep last night. Tossing and turning, two cold showers, and yet he still throbbed with the driving urge to mate with Katlyn. Obsession full blown. He’d stared at her bedroom window, willing her to come to it. When that failed, he ambled to the keyboard thinking to work. He couldn’t write about Tanner. He could only see Katlyn before him. Him making love to her in every fashion imaginable. His fingers started typing and the words poured from his soul-deep hunger.
As he’d written the words, he understood he wanted more from this woman than just a hot affair for the next month while he stayed in Florida finishing his book. When he left come August, he wanted Kat to go back to England with him.
“Can you make these changes and still hit the target deadline?”
Jess intruded on his daydreams of Kat being in his bed, her body moving over him in a pagan rhythm. That mass of hair curtaining her shoulders and back, tickling him. He groaned as he realized with the length of her hair, it’d fan across his thighs, brushing in whispery, silken caresses as she rode him hard.
He choked on his parched throat. “Um…deadline…yeah…it’s doable.” He needed to shower and shave. Glancing at his watch ―just enough time if he hustled.
“You’ll get a couple of the love scenes roughed out and fax them to us next week so we can see if you’re hitting target?” Jess suggested.
“Um…certainly.” His eyes caught the light come on in Katlyn’s upstairs bathroom.
“Super!” Maggie and Jess chimed like magpies.
Ian wondered if Kat knew her bloody bathroom was about 50% visible from his bathroom. Time to move location, St Giles. Showtime. “Uh…maybe make that…two weeks.”
Kat appeared dead center of the window and peeled out of that black suit. The witch did a striptease for him. Someone shoot me quick and put me out of my misery!
“This is…a new direction…I’ll need time…get in tune with…things. Catch you two later. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Which left everything under the sun. He smiled at the cat. “I’m a man with plans, Auggie.”
~~~
Ian and Auggie pulled up in the midnight blue Jaguar XJ to find the Destin police parked in Katlyn’s drive. Ian and the cat looked at each other, silently asking what the other knew about this development.
After Ian had hurriedly showered, he grabbed his keys to the Jag, knowing he could reach the florist before they closed. Auggie had trailed right behind him. He nearly knocked Ian’s legs out from under him as he bounded into the car, clearly going with him. Ignoring the command to decamp, Auggie sat in the passenger’s seat as if he rode in cars all the time. “You claw my leather bucket seats, I’ll hogtie you and let Mrs. Mays’ poodle chew on your ear.”
Ian had reached the flower shop as it closed and purchased a gorgeous bouquet of two dozen yellow long-stem roses. Stopping at the liquor store, he intended to buy a bottle of blush Chablis. Instead, he spotted a three-hundred-dollar bottle of Glenlivet Scotch. Anyone could bring wine. He figured the straight path to his Scots lass’ heart would be with a wee dram of Scotland’s finest. Confident his choices would please Kat, he rushed back, arriving fifteen minutes early.
“Auggie, appears this is one of those occasions where being early won’t ruffle the hostess.” The cat sat innocently. “What say, pal, you stay safely in the car while I suss out what’s up with Destin’s finest…”
Auggie dashed across his lap as he opened the door and beelined for Katlyn on the deck. Ian saw Kat waving her arms at the policemen, her expression riled. One of the uniformed men swiped at Auggie as if to grab him. “Uh oh, not good,” Ian muttered, as Katlyn stepped between the feline and the officer.
Ian approached in cool fashion, though he was anything but. Katlyn stood shaking and wore the expression of a mother lioness defending her cub.
“Evening, Officers. Anything I can do for you?” Ian moved to stand beside Katlyn, hoping she’d calm now that he was here.
“We came about the cat―” one started.
“Ian, they want to take Auggie with them. He’d be terrified. They can’t have him.” She trembled worse.
“Auggie’s not going anywhere.” Ian fixed both men with a level stare, silently telling them he meant what he said. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Mrs. Mays filed a complaint. Said that cat,” the taller man pointed at Auggie who’d gone into his cherub-with-halo-and-wings routine, “bit her.”
“Unless Miz Mackenzie can produce proof the cat had rabies shots he’ll have to be quarantined,” the man’s partner clarified.
“Auggie doesn’t have rabies,” Ian stated, daring either man to contradict him.
“We need papers proving that. Auggie has been deemed a bad cat.”
Kat swiped away a tear. “I don’t have papers. I misplaced them in the move. If they call the vet’s office, he’ll confirm Auggie has all his shots. It’s just until morn.”
“I’m sorry, Miz Mackenzie, but a complaint has been lodged.”
“When did Auggie bite Mrs. Mays―the lady with the poodle that attacked Auggie last week, I presume?” Ian challenged.
The two exchanged glances. “Yeah, she has a toy poodle.”
“Irritating thing,” the shorter one chimed.
“Something we can agree on, Officer. I believe if you check the ordinance you’ll note it says, ‘Any dog or cat, which attacks and bites a person or another animal without provocation, shall be deemed a bad dog or bad cat and the owner or custodian of such animal shall pay a civil penalty of one hundred dollars.’ I judge that stupid poodle gnawing on Auggie’s hind leg would fall under provocation.”
Ian put his hand on Kat’s back and gently rubbed, hoping to soothe her fears. Auggie twined against the back of Ian’s legs, peeking around his left calf. Silly f
eline knew Ian stood as his champion, ready to do battle for him.
“So when did Auggie bite the biddy?” he pressed. “Maybe we should take Auggie to the vet and have him examined. Might make him sick.”
The shorter one sniggered, only to fall silent at the glare from his by-the-book partner. When the other man quieted, he answered Ian. “About forty-five minutes ago. Said she was walking the toy dog near the end of the block when Auggie jumped out and bit her.”
“Did you see the bite marks?” Ian disputed.
There was a hesitation. “Well, no…but her hand is bandaged.”
“I’d go back and demand to see her hand. Then I’d inform her it’s against the law to file false charges. Auggie was with me for the last four hours. He was here with us until four p.m. Then I went home to take a conference call from my agent and editor. They can attest to the cat making noises and purring in the background. After that, I showered. He rested on the bathroom floor and shredded a box of Kleenex. When I drove into town, Auggie rode with me. We stopped at the florist’s before six. The florist will recall. She commented on Auggie following me about. About a half hour later we stopped at the liquor store. Jake Wilson laughed at Auggie in the car window waving his paw. Pray tell, how was Auggie supposed to bite some dried up troublemaker when he was in the car with me the whole time?”
Auggie wiggled as if he knew he was off the hook. He’d abandoned his angel mode for his nanabooboo face.
“Officers, if that’s all…Kat, Auggie and I are grilling out this evening. Sorry, you had a trip out here for nothing.”
The two officers nodded and started to turn.
“I believe you meant to say you’re sorry for upsetting, Miss Mackenzie,” Ian prodded.
Both mumbled an apology, then shuffled off. Auggie started pogo-ing around the deck sideways and hissing at the officers. Ian reached down and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. “Don’t push it, Auggie-nator.”
Katlyn threw her arms around his neck and planted a noisy kiss on his lips. Giving a small hop, she wrapped her legs around his waist and proceeded to kiss him senseless. Dropping Auggie, Ian put one hand at the small of her back and one on that sexy derrière and shifted, so she didn’t pull them off balance.
With one foot, he pushed Auggie into the house, then swung Kat and himself inside and kicked the door shut.
He’d wanted to give her yellow roses and share a toast of Glenlivet under the moonlight. He planned to make the night special, then he’d let Kat lead him inside and welcome him into her bed, her life.
Scratch plan A. They’d never make it to midnight, doubted they’d make it to the bloody bed. Kat already lost the playful euphoria, and downshifted into rabid arousal with the force of lightening striking. Spiraling pheromones now blinded them with need.
With his remaining vestige of sanity, his poor beleaguered, bloodless, male brain searched desperately for the nearest safe spot to land. Kat yanked at his shirt, breathing as hard as he. Buttons popped and ricocheted against the walls as she tugged it from his slacks. Kat’s legs loosened. She slid slowly down him, ending with her long nails raking over his painful erection and then along his thighs.
So much for looking for a convenient spot―his last sane thought as she pressed her face against his thigh, rubbing like a cat. He barely undid the slide hook on his black pants before she had the zipper down, raking her long nails down the turgid length of his flesh.
He about lost it―then and there.
Damn woman! She was out to torture him. Ian’s blood thundered through his body as he fought to keep from passing out. “Yes…damn…” he panted. “Oh Kat…my Kat…my bad Kat.”
Shaking, he grabbed her arms and pulled her up, as he went down, unable to stand. On his knees―and still mostly in his pants―he slid his hands up those smooth thighs, then under the skirt to those globes of her firm arse. He smiled wickedly as he felt she wore thongs. “Bad Kat.”
He spread her legs, pulling her to straddle him as he rolled to his back. Shifting the panties aside, he smoothed his fingers over her sensitized opening, drenched with her body’s arousal. She was so wet. The scent clouded his brain. Shifting the thong aside, he yanked her down hard on his aroused flesh, filled her with one, hard stroke. Damn she was tight, fisting around him with a power that blew his mind.
He shifted her so her knees straddled his hips, but that movement sent her to shuddering. Kat came apart with a force that saw her internal ripples vice around him, the shudders snaking down his flesh in waves.
Unable to hold back, Ian shattered in a thousand red-hot pieces.
Head spinning, he tried to focus. Shaking, he rolled them over and pulled her to spoon against him. “Well, bugger. Sorry, lass, don’t think I’ve ever been so out of control. I bought yellow roses and thirty-year-old Glenlivet. Wanted tonight to be special.”
“It is special.” She turned and kissed him softly. “You rescued Auggie. My hero.”
He laughed, full of joy. “Well, this promises to be a happy life. My agent and editor want me to write Romantica, though they feel I need help with my research.”
She rubbed her head in the curve of his shoulder. “Um…I can help with research.”
“Since Auggie is continually in one bother or another, I guess I’ll be playing hero on a regular basis.”
“And I’ll be rewarding you regularly.”
She rolled and planted a kiss to his chest. “Ian…”
“Hmmm.”
“I have a confession. Auggie is a very bright cat. Brighter than any cat I’ve ever seen. Watch.” She raised up on one elbow to see Auggie sitting on the chair. “Auggie, fetch.”
When Auggie just looked at her, Ian laughed. “Teach you.”
“He’s being Auggie.” She snapped her fingers. “Auggie, go get my car keys.”
He sat, unmoving for a minute, then scampered off. Bouncing on his pogo-stick legs, he returned, the keys jangling from his mouth. He dropped them on the center of Ian’s chest.
“Auggie, fetch my hair brush,” Katlyn commanded.
Again, the cat dashed off. After a small wait, he came in with a brush, dropping it next to the keys. He sat and pushed out his chest, proud of his accomplishments.
Kat leaned over Ian to give Auggie a pat. “Good Auggie.”
Ian caught the wrist of her arm and towed her across his body. “You’re telling me when Auggie stole things he wasn’t being a general pain in the arse, he was on a mission?”
“Sorry. In a way Auggie has been playing cupid for me.”
“So you just happened to be in that sexy swimsuit after Auggie stole my steak.”
“I have to admit what Auggie stole each time was his selection. I didn’t say steal your steak.”
“What did you say?”
She leaned forward and nipped his chin. “I said, Auggie fetch Ian.”
He shifted, rolling her under him and pinning her arms over her head as he drove himself into her slick, welcoming warmth. “Hmmmm, Bad Kat.”
She arched up, meeting his every thrust, sending him out of control. His body splintered from a force he’d never experienced. He smiled ferally as he figured this was the first of many new experiences with this woman. Gasping, he tried to keep his heaviness from pressing Kat into the hardwood floor, but she snaked her arms about chest and pulled him against her, obviously relishing his weight.
“You’re not angry with Auggie and me?”
Panting, he laughed. “What can I say?” He reached up and patted Auggie who danced just above Kat’s head. “I love you, love your pussy…cat―and will for the rest of my life.”
Auggie meowed, seconding that.
Be sure to visit Deborah’s website
www.deborahmacgillivray.co.uk
Chocolate in the Afternoon
Leanne Burroughs
• Great Britain - It’s illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.
- It’s legal for a male to urinate in public, as long it’s
on the rear wheel of his vehicle
and his right hand is on the vehicle.
London, England
June, 1820
Stephen Webber raised his glass of port in salute to his tablemates. He was foxed to the gills and couldn’t have cared less. His brother needed help, and timing was bad for Stephen to assist financially. What else could possibly go wrong?
Weaving his way out of White’s front door, Stephen stumbled a time or two as he departed the Gentleman’s Club. He reached his right hand out to steady himself and held fast to his carriage. Bloody hell, he had to piss. That’s what happened when a person tried to drown their sorrows in port all night. He should have used the necessary room before he left the club. Glancing around to ensure no one was about, Stephen unfastened his breeches, braced himself with his right hand, and relieved himself near the rear wheel.
He’d just released a long sigh of relief when a head popped out of the carriage’s window.
“You there. Get away from this vehicle or I shall summon the authorities. How dare you do something so disgusting in public?”
Stephen found himself staring into the face of a woman—a beautiful young woman. One he’d never seen before.
What the bloody hell was she doing in his carriage?
After refastening and adjusting his breeches, Stephen opened the carriage door and entered, sliding into the seat opposite the young woman. He felt a dip in the carriage and knew his driver was back in the driver’s box. Stephen tapped three times on the roof and the carriage moved forward.
Lady Elizabeth MacNairy’s eyes widened in surprise. She moved to reach for the door, but a long leg stretched across the carriage and settled on the seat beside her, effectively blocking her exit.
She panicked. “Get out of my carriage, sir, or I shall summon the authorities.”
Through the moonlight seeping into the carriage, Elizabeth saw a slow, lazy smile spread across the man’s countenance. His deep brown eyes never left her face.
“You do threaten to summon the authorities a good deal. Feel free to do so.”
No Law Against Love Page 2
