Holiday Bound
Page 13
Not even a stepmother driving a wedge between her beloved stepson and the young woman who had dared to make a place for herself in Duncan’s world.
“How’s Marie? Is she here tonight?” Tara tensed as she glanced over his shoulder, almost expecting to find the older woman staring her down from across the room.
“She doesn’t come down here much anymore,” Duncan stated grimly.
“No? Have you moved back home then?”
“Not bloody likely—I still live up over the club when I’m here in New Orleans.” He gestured vaguely towards the back hall, where she knew steps led to his private rooms above. “Marie learned she’s happier sticking with her Garden Society friends than poking her nose into this part of the family business. And she’s busy these days trying to find a wife for Stephen before he marries himself to the corporation.”
Duncan’s older brother had always had a head for business. It wasn’t a surprise to hear he had taken a larger role with the family firm. Tara relaxed again, reassured that the dragon lady wasn’t going to be bearing down on them tonight.
“Are you home to stay?”
“Just until after the show.” Two short nights. Tonight and Christmas Eve, the night of the performance. The clock was already ticking.
“So you head back to la-la land on Christmas Day?” Was that disappointment in his voice, or was she only wishing it was there?
“I’ve got a six am flight back to LA—I’ll be on the West Coast in time for brunch.” Los Angeles couldn’t have seemed further away than it did right now. And without anyone special to spend it with, Christmas would be just like any other day. An hour or two in the gym, another afternoon in the dance studio, some time working on songs for the album she was due to start recording in late January. Another holiday alone. Yet another thought she tried to push out of her mind.
“Have a drink with me, chère.” She wasn’t sure if he was pushed towards her from behind by the crowd or if he’d stepped closer. She didn’t care as his body was right where she most wanted it to be, pressed tightly to hers. Chest to chest, thigh to thigh, the heat that rose from his skin spread across her own and brought an ache of longing that throbbed through her veins.
Then he was bumped from behind, pushed suddenly forward by an overexcited patron making a move to the bar. As his arms tightened around her waist to steady her, she felt his pelvis forced against the gentle mound of her belly. Feeling his warm body pressed against her own brought a damp weakness to her core. Gut-wrenching, mind-shattering need claimed her body and left her quivering in his embrace.
“Yes.” The word slipped out. His throat was mere inches from her lips, and the familiar smell of him filled the air she breathed. Surrounded with scents of evergreen and spice, her mouth flooded with the remembered taste of his skin beneath her tongue. The urge to lick her way up the firm column of his neck possessed her.
She tilted her head back instead. His eyes were narrowed, the hot fire in their depths mirrored by the dark flush rising on his cheeks. Hard hands clenched on her hips with demanding strength, feeding the hunger that had sparked to life when he’d first said her name.
Before she could fight it his lips were on hers, devouring, possessing, sweeping away her ability to think. With the touch of his mouth all the need of five long years roared to life. The taste of him, the scent of his skin, filled her senses, left her gasping for more. She was lost, drowning in the heat of his embrace. Her heart leaped, blood pounding furiously as her body molded itself to his warmth.
She cried out softly when their lips were torn apart. The low sound was swallowed by the crowd as their bodies were separated by the jostling of the people surrounding them. Her eyes flew open
Her heart was more vulnerable than she’d ever believed.
Maybe coming to see Duncan wasn’t the smartest decision she’d ever made.
It’s just one little bet. Winner takes…all.
All Worked Up
© 2009 Cathryn Fox
Pleasure Inn, Book 2
Tired of aspiring actors using her to get close to her movie-producer father, Candace Steele has sworn off relationships. At least until she’s achieved her dream of restoring an old inn on the outskirts of Mason Creek. The new carpenter who’s been hired to help her create bedroom furniture designed for…endurance…is throwing a kink into her plans. Watching his athletic body pound wood is doing things to her hormones that have her rethinking her vow.
When he agreed to take the job, Marc Collins intended to keep the sexy spitfire at arm’s length. But Candace is giving him a run for his money in more ways than one. It’s tough to keep just his eyes on—and hands off—his boss’s daughter when she’s hell-bent on seducing him. And when she pulls a fast one and wins an impromptu bet, what’s a red-blooded guy to do except let her collect her winnings…all of them.
The heat they generate melts the fresh paint off the walls. But when seeds of doubt make Candace put on her running shoes to flee, Marc will have to talk fast—and run faster—to capture her heart.
Warning: This red-hot story contains graphic sex, frank language, wet play, use of orgasm-enhancing props, and to top it all off, it’s all caught on film—just in case you missed anything the first time.
Enjoy the following excerpt for All Worked Up:
As he approached the spot where Candace had pulled him into the water, his pace slowed and his mind raced, recalling the way her nipples had tightened beneath her tracksuit. He spent a long moment staring at the water and considered taking a dip to cool himself down.
“Going in?”
He tightened at the sound of her voice behind him. When he spun around and took in the warm flush on her cheeks, the sexy way her nipples pressed against her tank top and the way her long, tanned legs looked in her provocative short shorts, he almost gave in to temptation.
The hungry look in her eyes made him ache. Fuck he wanted her so badly, he could barely think straight. Pleasure raced through him, and his cock swelled inside his running shorts. Candace cast a glance down, and when her eyes traveled back to his face, they were gleaming with mischief. Okay, he needed to put a stop to this and he needed to do it now.
As he ran over every reason to back away, he said, “Candace, I—”
Jesus, what was he going to tell her? That he was hired by her father to watch over her? That he wasn’t who she thought he was? The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her or deceive her. After all, she trusted him enough to try to seduce him.
Okay, he needed to put some distance between them. But when she went up on her tippy toes and put her mouth close to his, every reason he had for keeping his distance suddenly dissolved.
“I think going for a swim is a great idea.” The soft seduction in her voice pulled him in and shattered any semblance of control he thought he had.
Without warning, she climbed into the water. At the sight of her gorgeous, wet body, need exploded inside him.
Ah, Jesus…
Unable to contain the heat rising in him, he jumped into the water with her, knowing there was only one way to feed the hunger gnawing at his insides. When she stepped close, and skin touched skin, she poised her mouth open in invitation. His cock took over where his brain left off and his lips crashed down on hers. Aware of her desire, he gripped her by the hips and pulled her to him, meshing their bodies together and lining up their nether regions. When he pushed his cock against her pussy, she gyrated and moaned into his mouth.
As the warm afternoon sun beat down on them, it occurred to him that they were outdoors, in plain sight. Hell, he needed to get behind closed doors with her before someone stumbled upon them. “The path…people.” He felt a tremor move through her and realized how much that excited her. He gave a low, heated laugh, intrigued by her boldness. “I had no idea you were so naughty,” he whispered into her mouth.
Her laughter churned with passion and expressive eyes brimmed with desire. “Neither did I. Until just now. You must bring that out in m
e.” She cupped his cock and gave a gentle squeeze. “Now let’s see what I can bring out in you.”
Christ, he knew better than to get intimate with her—especially in public—but the look in her eyes and the thrill it gave her to play this little exhibitionist game prompted him into action. Every damn reason he had for staying away from her suddenly seemed so insignificant, and giving her everything she ever wanted had become more important than his own well-being.
He gripped her tank top and peeled it over her head, exposing her luscious breasts. With pleasure racing through him, Marc moaned and wet his mouth. “So beautiful,” he murmured and brushed the pad of his thumb over one perfect nipple.
She arched into him, and he could hear the note of desperation lacing her voice when she asked, “Would you like a taste?”
Cravings like he’d never before experienced swamped him. “Hell, you know I would.” Trembling and entirely lost in the moment, he inclined his head and drew her hard bud into his mouth. Fuck… Her fingers raked through his hair and held him tight. As she swelled in his mouth, she gave a low erotic whimper and he damn near erupted on the spot.
Her hands raced over him with aroused eagerness, tugging at his shirt and shorts almost frantically. Wanting to slow her down so they could enjoy and savor every sinful moment, he inched back, gripped her hands and placed them at her sides. His gaze moved to hers, and when his glance was met with heat, passion and vulnerability swirling around in a sea of green, his heart softened and everything inside him reached out to her. Tenderness stole over him as emotions gathered in a knot deep in his gut, and he instinctively knew he had to make this good for her. So damn good it would help her fight every last demon that plagued her darkest corner.
He pitched his voice low. “Come here, sweetheart.”
She stepped into him and he backed her up against the embankment. Once he had her caged between his body and the grass, he leaned in for a slow soul-searching kiss.
She tugged at him, heat reflecting in her eyes. “Easy, baby,” he responded, and once again secured her hands to her sides.
Their gazes collided. “Marc, please…”
Reining in his lust, he took in the erotic sight of her and the way she had so readily opened up to him, trusting him with her pleasure. “You can beg all you want,” he assured her with a grin, as the cool water lapped at his waist. “But I’m not in any hurry. Now that I have you where I want you, I’m going to leisurely explore your body.” With that he gently shaped her contours, kneading her flesh and enjoying the feel of her soft curves in his palms. His mouth moved to her neck. With slow, easy movements, he properly introduced himself to her. Trailing lower, he paid homage to her breasts using his hands, mouth and tongue, sucking, nibbling and licking and taking his sweet-ass time before moving to her belly button, which was just inches out of the water.
Needing to go lower, he lifted her by the hips and set her on the bank, lining her pussy up with his mouth. He gripped her shorts and toyed with the waistband.
“Marc…?”
“Yeah, babe.” The strange look on her face spoke volumes. She didn’t understand his slow seduction, his need to please her. Didn’t understand that it gave him pleasure just to pleasure her.
Her eyes clouded and he felt a curious shift inside him. “I…I—”
“I know, babe. Really, I do.” And he did know. That every asshole she’d been with had cared more about his needs than hers. Deciding to show her another side of lovemaking, Marc proceeded to inch her shorts down her silky legs, leaving her lacy panties behind.
She sat before him, quivering, her eyes watching his every move carefully. She reached for him, to touch him in return, her soft hands greedily sliding over his skin, and even though he liked it, he anchored her hands to her sides, intent on making this all about her.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
It’s all about the story…
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mainstream
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Red Hots!
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
Young Adult
www.samhainpublishing.com