Nicole Austin

by Tamara's Spirit (lit)

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  Holy shit! Tamara had no idea what had happened. One minute Savannah was dragging her out onto the porch to see who had come to visit, and the next she was mobbed by a pack of way too friendly people who were related in various ways to Dakota.

  She’d been so unprepared for the boisterous, affectionate group. Every one of them had felt the need to touch or embrace her in some way. Did they have no clue what personal space was?

  All their rowdy attention had driven her right into a panicked state. Her throat had closed up, chest tightening until she was unable to breathe. She’d come close to clawing at her throat to get the oxygen she required. Then they’d started talking about ceremonies and tradition and her stomach had turned into a heavy rock, the sour taste of bile rising in her throat.

  The only thing she’d been able to focus on was to escape or perish—save herself. She imagined what Dakota and her friends must think, but it was plain and simple, she’d had to get out of there.

  Crap! She’d made a fool out of herself in front of his entire family, embarrassed both of them, and left him holding the bag. He was probably madder than hell.

  At first she drove with no destination in mind, but then ended up going to the one place where she controlled everything, Paperback Roundup. If she’d known the way out to the deserted canyon in the mountains, she might have gone out where no one would bother her. At the store, there were customers and staff to deal with, although she could lock the office door and hide out in the safe haven.

  It was exactly what she did, too. She hid in her office like a coward. Right up until the time someone started pounding against the door a few hours later, demanding entrance.

  “It’s only me, princess. Open up.” Hearing Dakota’s deep voice helped ease her jumbled emotions only marginally. She took her time walking to the door, taking deep breaths, readying herself to see the recrimination and anger in his dark eyes.

  No sooner did she turn the door knob than he shocked the hell out of her by grabbing her in a fierce hug and holding her within the shelter of his strong arms. After tucking her head under his chin, he spoke and the words melted her heart.

  “Are you all right, Tamara? I’m so sorry. They didn’t tell me they were coming.” Easing back, he tilted her chin up, his expression full of remorse. “I know they can be overwhelming, but they were all so anxious to meet you.”

  She felt incapable of forming actual words, but knew she had to say something. “You’re not mad?” she managed to get out.

  The look on her face hurt Dakota, making him feel like a fist clenched around his heart. It was the look of a bewildered child who didn’t understand she had his unconditional love and devotion. Mad? He wasn’t mad she’d run from the daunting ordeal of meeting his well-meaning but over-exuberant family.

  “Of course I’m not mad, princess. I love my crazy family, but you will always come first.”

  He caught the tear rolling down her cheek on his finger, then picked her up and carried her over to the desk, kicking the door closed behind them. With one swoop of his arm, Dakota cleared off the desktop and laid her down.

  “It almost killed me seeing how shaken you were and I couldn’t get to you.”

  With tender, gentle hands, he pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it to the side, then did the same with her bra, shoes, jeans and panties. Keeping his eyes locked on her, he took his time removing his own clothing.

  Not an inch of her skin was left untouched or untasted before he moved between her widespread legs. She was pleading by the time the head of his cock rested against her slick, swollen folds.

  Any lingering doubts and insecurities she had were swept away by the intense look of devotion in his dark eyes. Tamara had found something in Dakota she’d never even dared to dream or hope would be part of her life. He’d helped her to heal the scars of a painful past, and begin envisioning a beautiful future. One in which she would never be alone.

  He made love to her with breath-stealing thoroughness then vowed they would always be side-by-side, making their way together as equal partners, facing each day with love.

  Epilogue

  Denver, Colorado

  Jesse Powers stared out the sliding glass doors but saw nothing.

  Leaving his friends and normal way of life behind in Montana to pursue a dream had seemed an easy decision. A real no brainer, he’d thought. He would stand on his own two feet and make it in a completely foreign environment without a hitch.

  Yeah, right. Lord, he had so much to learn.

  What did he think he was doing smack dab in the middle of the Denver business jungle? He was like a fish out of water, floundering in an attempt to survive without a snowball’s chance in hell of actually doing so.

  Jesse was a good ole country boy who belonged in worn denim and dusty boots, not custom tailored suits, fancy spit-shined leather shoes, tight collared shirts, and ties that came close to choking him. He had no business trying to order something edible from the indecipherable menus in elegant frou-frou restaurants while rubbing elbows with the serious movers and shakers.

  Even though they treated him with the utmost respect while vying for the pleasure of having him pay for their overpriced services, he sensed an undercurrent of disdain. They weren’t buying the act. He wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all himself.

  What he wouldn’t give to be back at the ranch. He pictured himself sitting in the bunkhouse with his feet propped up on the old wooden table and a longneck beer in his hand, shooting-the-shit with the guys. Instead he stood here, staring out into space as a crew of movers set up expensive rented furniture he didn’t even like in a highfalutin apartment he despised.

  If things went well here, he would be able to return to the ranch and manage his business without ever having to leave the comfort of home. All he had to do was manage to navigate these uncharted waters, avoid the sharks, and then hightail it back to the Shooting Star and his friends.

  Simple, right? He’d thought so.

  Problem was he’d never imagined how alone and out of place he would feel. In the middle of endless, sleepless nights, Jesse would find himself returning to the website he’d helped Steph design for the ranch’s horse breeding program. He’d stare with overwhelming longing at the pictures of his home, listening to Savannah’s familiar voice on the recorded message over and over. It wasn’t anywhere close to being there, but did provide a small measure of relief.

  As he was about to turn away, a flash of color and movement in the building across the way caught his eye. Maybe this apartment wasn’t so bad after all. It afforded him an unobstructed view into the bedroom of a goddess. Fuck yeah!

  The sultry redhead was unbuttoning a white blouse as she walked into the room looking all hot and bothered. Without closing the blinds over the sliding glass doors, she walked closer. Standing facing him, she dropped the blouse into a silky puddle at her feet then slid down the zipper of a bronze mini-skirt, and it too joined the discarded top.

  Fuck. He’d never seen anyone half as gorgeous as the beautiful temptress. Jesse felt kind of sleazy for watching, but he wasn’t about tear his eyes away from the fiery woman. There was something about her, other than being almost naked, which captivated him.

  She stood wearing the sheerest pink bra and panties, which hid nothing from his hot gaze. He clearly saw the dark circle of her areolas topping the most amazing set of tits. Aw, Gawd. He could even detect a deep red patch of hair between the long legs that went on forever. A garter belt spanned her narrow waist, holding silk stockings in place.

  Jesse imagined removing her panties with his teeth, then bending her over the footboard of the bed. The spiked heels she wore would put her at the perfect height to be taken from behind. Her silk stockings would brush against his legs while his hard cock slammed into the tight grip of her pussy.

  Or better yet, he would take her against the wall, those luscious legs wrapped around his body, pulling him deep into the saddle created between her thighs j
ust for him. He’d ride her hard for hours until they were covered with sweat and exhausted.

  Hell yeah! What a sweet ride she would be.

  Even from the distance between them, he noticed her nipples puckered in invitation, pressing against the thin covering. She stood with her head hanging back, arms held out and the flow of air from the ceiling vent ruffling the long, thick mass of dark red hair over her creamy skin. Damn, how his fingers ached to slide over her bare skin.

  So beautiful and confident. She appeared to be secure and comfortable with her body, abandoning herself to the hedonistic pleasure of the cold air rushing over bare flesh.

  His cock hardened and felt like it was ready to bust right through the thick denim jeans. With deft fingers he opened the button, relieving some of the constriction, and stroked over the thick ridge while observing the ethereal angel across the way.

  She looked like a classy woman. Someone who belonged on the arm of a powerful, successful business man. Absolutely way too fine for a simple cowboy. He’d never have a woman like her, but wouldn’t pass up this chance to witness an unguarded moment with such a ravishing beauty.

  Jesse wondered what she was like. Did she realize how gorgeous she was and walk with her nose high in the air, ignoring the common people around her? Did she spend her nights being wined and dined by the crème de la crème of society? Maybe she was a little more down to earth. He sure hoped so.

  As if she sensed his intense scrutiny, the seductive vixen slowly raised her head and looked right at him. Jesse was trapped, drowning in the most breathtaking pair of emerald green eyes. His mystery woman seemed unconcerned to be standing before him in her current state of undress. For the length of several heartbeats her gaze wandered his body with clear interest, then she smiled and he was lost. Plump, rosy lips spread wide to reveal a dazzling flash of white teeth and her whole face lit up.

  Making no attempt to cover herself, the seductress made a slow turn on her heel and strolled away with the casual air of someone taking a walk in a quiet park.

  He had no idea how long he stared into her bedroom, stroking his dick, wondering how to get a high-class broad like her on his arm and in his life. All Jesse knew was that he desired the sexy siren. Somehow, someway, he’d figure out how to capture the woman who’d just stolen his heart.

  About the Author

  To learn more about Nicole Austin, please visit www.nicoleaustin.net. Send an email to Nicole at nicoleaustinsizzles@yahoo.comor sign up for her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Nicole! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ TandA_FantasyPlayground/

  Look for these titles

  Now Available:

  Mimosa Nights by Nicole Austin and TK Winters

  Coming Soon:

  Jesse’s Challenge

  Margarita Day by Nicole Austin and TK Winters

  Don’t get mad…get sexy!

  The Reinvention of Chastity

  © 2007 Eve Vaughn

  Plain Jane paralegal Chastity Bryant has had a raving crush on her boss Sebastian Rossi since meeting him. Always willing to jump at his beck and call, Chastity’s world comes crashing in on her one morning when she overhears him laughing about her less than exciting life. To top it off, he freely admits that he’s used her crush to his advantage!

  After a pep talk from her friends, they devise a plan to teach the arrogant Sebastian a lesson. Armed with a new look and a new attitude, Chastity sets out to seduce her hunky boss and bring him to his knees.

  Sebastian Rossi has always been able to depend on two things in life: his successful law practice and his dependable employee, Chastity. But his whole world is turned upside down when she walks into his office looking like she just stepped off the cover of a magazine. Now, all he can think about is her. He doesn’t know what brought about the change, but one thing is certain, he’ll stop at nothing to possess her.

  Things are going according to plan for Chastity, but the only thing she hadn’t counted on was falling in love.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for The Reinvention of Chastity:

  It was official.

  Sebastian wanted Chastity Bryant. He’d reached his boiling point and could no longer deny what had begun from the moment she stepped into his office with her glamorous new look two months ago.

  It grew more difficult with each passing day to watch her stroll around the office looking drop-dead gorgeous. It wasn’t just her looks either. Chastity now exuded a confidence that hadn’t been there before, and he found it sexy as hell. He couldn’t get a proper night’s sleep from thoughts of her. He’d wake up in the middle of the night, body drenched with sweat after dreaming about burying himself between silky, chocolate thighs.

  Whenever she walked past him, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her slow, rhythmic movements that seemed to scream, “jump me”. He’d already lost count of how many times his dick got hard with just the mere mention of her name. Sebastian wanted to run his hands over her body just to see if that rich, dark skin of hers was as soft as it looked.

  Once, he’d caught her nibbling on her bottom lip and he literally had to stop himself from grabbing her and tasting it for himself. Sebastian would sit at his desk for hours trying to concentrate on his work when all he could think about was stripping Chastity’s clothes off, one article at a time—tasting every delectable inch of her.

  Tossing his pen aside, he stood up in frustration. It was already past twelve. He might as well grab something to eat since he wasn’t getting any work done. On his way out of the office he knew he’d pass by Chastity’s desk.

  His plan to keep walking without looking her way went down the tubes when he spied Jeremy leaning over her desk. Chastity gave his friend the big smile she used to give him. Her eyes twinkled with apparent amusement at whatever Jeremy was saying. The deep dimples in her cheeks gave her a look of sweet innocence.

  Since her makeover, Chastity had taken to wearing low cut tops and today was no exception. The sexy décolletage on display was enough to set his pulse racing. His fingers itched to trace the tops of those generous mounds. She wore her hair pulled back into a ponytail tied with a pink satin ribbon. Although he preferred her hair flowing around her shoulders, she looked lovely.

  An irrational burst of envy soared through his body, making him clench his fists. Unable to help himself, he walked over to them. “What are you two grinning about over here?” Sebastian cursed inwardly. He didn’t mean for his voice to sound so harsh.

  They looked up at him, Jeremy eyeing him with mild curiosity and Chastity looking slightly resentful, as though he’d intruded on a private conversation. Jeremy straightened up, an easy smile splitting his face. “What’s up, Seb?”

  “I was on my way to lunch actually.”

  The blond frowned. “I thought you had a business lunch with one of your clients.”

  “They had to reschedule,” he lied. He wasn’t about to admit that he canceled his appointment because his head was in his pants. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  Jeremy frowned. “What question?”

  Sebastian hated repeating himself, especially over something as trivial as this. “What were you two grinning about?”

  “Just small talk. Chastity and I were on our way to lunch as well.”

  Sebastian’s blood thundered. He wanted to knock Jeremy on his ass. He remembered his friend telling him of his interest in Chastity, but that didn’t stop the green-eyed monster from rearing its head. A demon must have possessed him because he couldn’t help saying, “Since we’re all headed for lunch, let’s all go together.” His eyes never left Chastity’s face.

  Her lips tightened slightly before she turned her head away. She didn’t seem pleased.

  Tough.

  “We were only going to the Gallery Mall, nothing fancy,” Jeremy said, almost as if to put him off.

  “I don’t need anything fancy. You don’t mind my tagging along, do you?” Sebastian knew very well that he was putting them in a positio
n where they couldn’t refuse without looking like a couple of jerks. The look on Jeremy’s face spoke volumes. Chastity’s face, however, was unreadable and he wondered what was going on in that beautiful head of hers. “Do you mind, Chastity?”

  She looked up at Jeremy with a smile, not bothering to answer Sebastian’s question. “I’m going to the restroom before we go.”

  Jeremy smiled back. “No problem. Take your time.”

  Both men watched her retreating figure, her curvaceous bottom swaying from side to side with each step she took. God, he wanted her. When she was out of earshot, Jeremy turned on him, blue eyes blazing. “What the hell was that about?”