“We’ve known each other such a small amount of time,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “And I know it’s probably premature and stupid, but I don’t care, I’m going to say it anyway. I love you, and I want to get to know you. I’m willing to do it properly if you’d rather. Go out on dates, get to know one another slowly, make sure we’re certain before we take it further.”
He dropped his hand and ferreted around in the pocket of his Levis. And extracted a small navy blue velvet box.
“You get to keep this whatever your decision,” he said huskily. He opened the box to show a huge sparkling diamond solitaire. “I don’t know what your answer’s going to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me to fuck off, although after that kiss I’m beginning to think that won’t be your answer. But I’d like more. I’d like to move in with you. I’d like to get a place together so we can share the same bed and wake up every morning together, because I can’t bear to be apart from you again.”
He spoke more quickly now, as if he had to get the words out before he forgot what he was going to say. “I’d like to get somewhere with an annexe, a separate apartment, for your mother, and then we could pay for her to be cared for full time, so you could call in whenever you wanted but also have the freedom to come and go as you pleased because I think she’d like that, but if you’d rather she lived with us, I don’t mind.” He kissed her fingers. “I’d like to marry you, to have children with you, to be with you forever. But I’m afraid to ask in case you say no because I know it’s ridiculous to ask you so early, so all I shall say right now is that I’d like you to wear my ring and be mine, and think about it. Would you do that for me?” He took the ring out of the box and held it out to her.
Coco stared at it. The diamond glittered in the sunlight.
He waited for a moment. Then, slowly, his hand dropped into his lap. “Yeah,” he said. “I guess that was a bit overpowering.”
Her brain, which had ground to a halt, suddenly clicked into gear, and she gasped. “Felix!” She caught his hand and brought it back up in front of her. “Oh my God, you are kidding me?”
His eyes lit up. “You like it?”
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”
He laughed and slid it onto her finger. “If it’s too big we can get it resized.”
“It’s perfect.” She held it up and watched it sparkle.
“No, no, no.” He pulled her into his arms. “Please don’t cry. This is supposed to be a happy moment.”
“I am happy.” Tears poured down her face. “I know it’s stupid too and that I can’t possibly love you, but I do, I do, and I want to be with you too.”
He lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “I want to curl up with you at night and wake up with you. I want to be able to explore our exotic fantasies every day.”
“Every day?”
“Twice a day. Three times a day.” He kissed her again. “I want to stand in the aisle next to you in a whistle and tell everyone—”
“A whistle?”
“And flute. A suit, honey. And tell everyone I love you and that I’m going to look after you for the rest of my life.”
“Don’t,” she sobbed. “I can’t bear it.”
He kissed her mouth, her cheeks, her eyelids. “Do you think we can work together? Could you bear to put up with me all day as well as all evening?”
“I could.”
“You’ll be sick of the sight of me within a week.”
“Felix…” She threw her arms around his neck. He was there, he was really there—she wasn’t dreaming—and he wanted her, he loved her. She buried her face in his neck and breathed in the smell that was all him, of manly aftershave, coffee and muffins and warm, hunky man. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” And he held her tightly, while the currant bun beamed down on them until their skin was as warm as their hearts.
About the Author
Serenity Woods lives in the sub-tropical Northland of New Zealand with her wonderful husband and gorgeous teenage son. She writes fun, flirty and sexy romances in a variety of romance sub-genres.
She’s won several romance writing competitions and is a member of the Romance Writers of New Zealand. She would much rather immerse herself in reading or writing romance than do the dusting and ironing, which is why it’s not a great idea to pop round if you have any allergies. You can check out all her books at www.serenitywoodsromance.com
Look for these titles by Serenity Woods
Now Available:
Something Blue
White-Hot Christmas
Love in Reverse
Seven Sexy Sins
Six Naughty Nights
Sensual Healing
An Uncommon Sense
Making Sense
Talking Sense
Love—and healing—can come from the most unexpected places…
Talking Sense
© 2013 Serenity Woods
Sensual Healing, Book 3
Still hurting physically and emotionally after a tragic car accident, Mia Nicholls has everything but love on her mind. Until quiet, sexy Colm Molony—a man who barely registered on her romantic radar—gives her a more-than-friends birthday kiss that really rings her bell.
The minute he laid eyes on Mia, Colm knew she was trouble, which is one reason he’s kept his distance. The other is that he’ll be leaving New Zealand to go back to Ireland at summer’s end. Yet when he touches Mia’s watch, his supernatural ability to sense others’ emotions kicks in, and his instinct to soothe her private pain overrides his intention to stay away.
While away on a course together, talk leads to massage, then to a game of strip whist, culminating in a physical relationship that turns emotional faster than either expected. But when a shocking event threatens to upset Mia’s tenuous equilibrium, Colm must untangle himself from his own past before he can save her wounded heart from slipping beyond his reach.
Warning: Includes men in rugby shorts, strip whist, an unashamedly romantic hero performing heroic acts, and a touch of the Twilight Zone.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Talking Sense:
By this time they’d made their way through half the box of chocolates he’d been thoughtful enough to buy. He’d slid down the pillows until he was practically lying down, and she’d moved closer so they were only a foot apart.
It was late, they’d drunk a bottle and a half of wine between them, and his eyelids had slid to half-mast. He looked relaxed and content and sexy, and she finally plucked up the courage to make a suggestion.
“Want to play strip whist?”
He stared at her. Gradually, he smiled. “You’re only saying that because you know I’m rubbish at it.”
“Yep.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
Her heart pounded as she dealt out seven cards. Her inhibitions were rapidly fading and naughtiness surged through her. “Right, so every time you win a trick, you can ask a sexy question of the other person, as well as making them remove an item of clothing.”
“Sure.” He fanned out his cards and began to put them in order. “I like the way you got me drunk before you suggested this so I’d be even more useless at it.”
“You’re drunk after three glasses of wine? Jeez. Way to hold your liquor, dude.”
“I’m a cheap date.” He turned over the top card on the pack. “Hearts are trumps.” He played the ace of diamonds and grinned at her.
Cool as a chilled cucumber, she laid down the two of hearts.
He stared at it. “You have to lay a diamond if you have one.”
“I don’t have one.”
He huffed a sigh and plonked his cards face down on the bed. “Shit. Okay. Go on then.”
“Clothing first.”
He took off a sock and threw it on the floor. “Fire away.”
She studied him thoughtfully. “Favourite sexual position.”
“Woman on top.” He picked up his cards, unfazed. “Too easy. Your turn.”
/> She blinked. “Do you want time to think about it?”
“No need.”
“What do you like about the woman being on top?”
He fanned out his cards again. “I get a good view. Plus she can control things at her own pace.”
His lack of embarrassment and matter-of-factness made her shiver with desire, but she played it down. “It’s a bit passive. Some would say lazy.”
He grinned at that. “You worried I’m not macho enough for you?”
“Are you? I can be quite demanding.”
“We’ll see.” He smirked and indicated her cards. “Your turn.”
Some things never change. Others never stay the same. Thank God.
Status Update
© 2013 Mari Carr
Second Chances, Book 3
Laura Sanders thought post-divorce life would be simple. What a rude awakening to realize that after too many years as a wife and mother, she’s stuck in a rut so deep she’s forgotten how to have fun.
Determined that this year will be different, she sets a New Year’s goal to rediscover the woman she used to be—the one who loved to dance, to laugh, to kiss.
When Bryan Sinclair spots his best friend from high school in the Blue Moon bar, he wonders how the hell he failed to notice her beauty and vitality all those years ago. Laura’s confession that she plans to experience lost opportunities tempts him into joining her on the journey.
Together they make up for lost time, in and out of the bedroom. But there’s one area in which Laura has no plans to change the status quo—her heart. And Bryan has his work cut out convincing her to take another chance. On him. On forever.
Warning: This story contains sex at Rocky Horror, sex at a Jimmy Buffett concert, sex on the stairs, sex on the dining-room table, sex on the dance floor, and even sex in a bed.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Status Update:
The ride back to her townhouse was made in silence as Laura filled every second with one panic attack after another. She hadn’t anticipated the evening going this way. Sure, Bryan had told her he wanted to fuck the hell out of her, but she’d dismissed those words, decided they were said in the heat of the moment.
Bryan had a wicked sense of humor. Laura had thought perhaps they were just indulging in some innocent flirting and dirty sexual innuendos.
Yeah, right. Had she honestly thought they’d have a nice dinner, talk, maybe go dancing, and then she’d offer him a bit more of that red-hot kissing he’d introduced her to without sex entering the equation?
Regardless of their unquestionable, off-the-charts attraction, things were moving too fast. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around what was about to happen.
Bryan pulled into the parking lot adjacent to her building and turned off the car. “Laura—” he started. His tone said it all.
She’d given away her nervousness. He was going to back out and let her off the hook.
Was that what she wanted?
She looked at Bryan’s handsome, concerned face.
Fuck that.
She was sick of the wise, old, never-take-a-chance woman she’d become.
New year. New Laura.
She reached across the console, leaning forward, while reaching for his shirt. She grabbed a handful of the cotton and used it to pull him toward her. Bryan met her halfway, their lips connecting in a kiss that triggered an arousal she hadn’t experienced in years. There was something so completely magical about Bryan’s kisses. Over the years, Laura had forgotten the intensity, the excitement that could be wrapped up in that initial touch of lips.
Bryan cupped her face, holding her as if she were not only the most precious woman on earth, but the hottest one as well. His fingers drifted along her cheek before he ran them through her hair. His grip tightened as if he were afraid she would change her mind and escape.
She wasn’t going anywhere without him.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her lips.
Her hands rested on his shoulders, but she wanted more. Wanted to feel him—skin to skin. She ran her fingers over his jaw, loving the roughness that betrayed he hadn’t shaved since this morning.
Though it was winter outside, the temperature in the car had to be pushing a thousand degrees.
They remained there, locked together, neither willing to be the first to break the connection.
Finally, Laura pulled away, resting her forehead against his. “I haven’t had sex in a really long time,” she admitted.
“Neither have I.”
“I’m counting in years, Bryan.”
He grinned. “Oh. Then I revise my previous statement. I haven’t had sex in a while.”
She laughed, then decided she didn’t want to start something that she potentially couldn’t finish. “Should we also revisit that comment you made in the restaurant?”
He tilted his head, confused. “Care to narrow it down for me?”
“The control thing.”
Bryan leaned closer and placed a quick, hard kiss on her lips. “That’s not going to be a problem for us.”
She studied his face, trying to decide if his answer was enough. Hell, she didn’t have a clue what he meant.
Bryan didn’t give her a chance to ask for clarification. “Trust me, Laura.”
Trust was a leap of faith, but it didn’t matter. Laura was one of those people who saw the best in someone until they proved her wrong. Bryan had done nothing to betray her trust, so…he had it.
“You wanna come in?”
“For coffee?” he asked.
She leaned back and slapped him on the upper arm. “No, not for coffee. What the hell have we just been talking about?”
Bryan laughed. “I was kidding, Laura. I’d love to come in.”
“Good.”
They walked to her townhouse, bundled together against the brisk, winter wind. After spending nearly thirty minutes in the sauna-like conditions in his car, the cold air went through her like a knife. She struggled to put her key in the door, her hands suddenly shaking.
She wanted to blame the frosty air, but she feared reality was setting in with a vengeance. She had invited a man into her apartment with the intention of sleeping with him. What the hell was she thinking? Dressed Laura looked a hell of a lot better than naked Laura.
Bryan placed his hand on hers, helping her guide the key into the slot. “Slow and easy, hotshot.”
The nickname gave her a much-needed boost of confidence. She was forty-three years old. If she wanted to fuck a man on the first date, it was her call to make.
They walked inside together. Bryan closed the door, then looked at her.
She pointed to the deadbolt. “Lock it.”
Catching the one that got away could be the ultimate ride.
Unforgettable Summer
© 2013 Sami Lee
Wild Crush, Book 1
Champion surfer Ty Butler is living the dream—a great career, a globe-trotting lifestyle, and his pick of women. Then a visit to his hometown forces him to face Summer Campbell.
A decade on, she still gives him an adrenaline rush to beat the biggest waves. She’s also as unavailable as ever, or so he thinks. When the truth comes out, Ty decides it’s time to lay old ghosts to rest—and lay Summer flat out in bed.
Ten years ago Summer committed the ultimate sin by falling for her sister’s boyfriend. She rejected Ty’s love out of duty, even marrying another man in an attempt to move on. An attempt that failed. She never forgot Ty—or the havoc loving him wreaked in her life.
Her body wants to finish what they started long ago. Her head tells her she can indulge in a wicked affair with no regrets. But when the pro-surfing tour inevitably calls him away, her heart could crumble like a sandcastle beneath his feet.
Warning: Book contains hot sex with a hot surfer. Might warm your heart and heat up a few other parts, as well. Might even inspire you to chuck it all in and chase the endless summer.
Enjoy the following excerpt
for Unforgettable Summer:
Ty hooked an arm over the back of his chair, assessing her from his seated position. “Hello, Summer. I thought that was you I saw the other day.”
The implication that he might have been unsure of her identity when she’d been instantly certain of his increased Summer’s discomfiture. “Ty, what are you doing here?”
Ty lifted his cup and drawled, “Grabbing some coffee.”
He might as well have said, asinine question, woman. Summer’s mortification intensified. “I suppose I meant here in Leyton’s Headland.”
“Back for a visit.”
He didn’t say he was planning to buy a house and move back to his hometown, but for all Summer knew he simply didn’t feel like telling her his business. He’d definitely been interested in real estate when she’d seen him.
“I see.” She looked at the staff working behind the counter, recognizing from the small crowd of people hovering that they had several orders to fill. How long before hers was done?
“Do you need somewhere to sit while you wait for your drink?”
Turning back to face Ty, Summer saw the way his brow kicked up and wondered if he found her inept attempts at conversation amusing. What had happened to all those cool lines she’d secretly rehearsed over the years? Part of her had wanted, if she’d ever seen Ty again, to appear aloof and sophisticated, as though she wasn’t still occasionally haunted by thoughts of him and what might have been.
Seeing no way of refusing his offer without looking ridiculous for standing right next to his table instead of sitting at it, Summer murmured a thank-you and took the seat opposite him. After an awkward silence during which Ty eyed her over the rim of his coffee mug, he remarked, “It’s been a long time.”
Five Exotic Fantasies: Love in Reverse, Book 3 Page 33
