Little Red's Book Reviews : 2014-03-02

Friday, March 7, 2014

RELEASE BLITZ DISCOVERING LUCY by Laura Dunaway

Title: Discovering Lucy

Author: Laura Dunaway

Release Date: March 7, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

After three long years of living in a hell she never could have imagined, Lucy Jane Simmons courageously escapes to New York City for a fresh start. A new beginning... When Lucy meets Knox Taylor, the intoxicating man in the business suit, everything she thought she knew about relationships changes. He is strong, seductive and makes her feel safe. But can she open up enough to let him in? Will Lucy Jane escape the scars of her past? Can Knox give her the future she ultimately deserves? A story of rediscovery...

BUY LINKS:

Amazon- http://amzn.to/MR2YnH

Barnes And Noble- http://tinyurl.com/nxjump5

About The Author

Laura Dunaway has been married to her prince for 17 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn’t until this past year that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, Distorted was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she’d written The End. When she’s not busy shuttling her kids to lessons and practices and making dinner, she’s busy behind her computer writing her next book, Discovering Lucy, which will be out winter of 2014.

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Teaser

I didn’t see the blow coming. I was standing at my dresser, eyes focused on my reflection in the mirror as I pinned my hair into a bun when I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Time seemed to slow down as the bobby pins dropped from my hands and I fell to my knees. I gasped for air, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of me. “Don’t you ever think of doing that again, bitch,” I heard Drake tell me in his menacing deep voice, his dirty brown work boots in front of me. I had no idea what it was I’d done. Most of the time I hadn’t done anything. I put my hands on the floor, still trying to take deep breaths. “Wh-what did I do?” I asked in a strained voice against the agony burrowing in my back. Suddenly, my head was yanked back, and my hair was being pulled so tight that I yelped at the searing sensation. Tears stung my eyes at the torturous pressure as I balled my hands into fists, trying to resist grabbing at his hand. I knew that would make my situation worse. “I saw you. I saw you talking to that prick at the grocery store. You think I don’t know what you do every hour of the day? Huh?” He pulled back harder on my head, and tears streamed down my face as I tried not to scream. I tried to remember whom I’d talked to at the grocery store. I had gone there to get a few items, but I didn’t remember having any conversations. Unless… “You mean the guy who took my cart when I was done putting the groceries in the car?” He finally released my hair and the relief was immense. I fell to the floor and rubbed my scalp as he towered over me. I ignored the desire to scoot away from him because I’d learned the hard way that it only angered him more. Instead, I sat down and hugged my legs to my chest as I rocked back and forth. “Yes, Lucy, the guy who took the cart from you. Do you realize how bad it looks when you talk to other guys? Good lord, how stupid can you get?” He started pacing back and forth, swiping his hands through his dark blond greasy hair. His footsteps were strong and loud, especially when he wore those big, ugly, work boots that were always caked with mud. I did my best to stop shaking and rocking—I needed to appear as calm as possible. You would think I’d be used to his rage by now, but each time he assaulted me, it made me shake to my core. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, even though I knew I’d done nothing wrong. I’d been taught that it was always better to apologize than to try to explain the situation. I’d been with him for three years, and it was all I could do to stay sane. The numbness that had taken over my mind and soul was the only way I survived. He stopped pacing

and turned to face me. “You’re what?” I looked into his cold gray eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said in a louder voice. He walked toward me and bent to his knees, his ugly eyes softening somewhat as he took my face in his sandpaper rough hands. I wanted to cower and throw up, but I looked him in the eye because I knew if I looked down, it would anger him even more.

“Lucy Jane, you know I hate having to lash out at you, but you give me no choice. I can’t have you prancing around town talking to every asshole you see. It makes me look bad, baby.”

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Thursday, March 6, 2014

COVER REVEAL MR. BEAUTIFUL UP IN THE AIR: BOOK FOUR by R.K. Lilley

Mr. Beautiful (Up in the Air #4)

by R.K. Lilley

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From R.K. Lilley's blog: Mr. Beautiful will be a male point-of-view novel for the Up in the Air series that tells the story of James, and Stephan, and their unwavering love of a woman that would make the two men family.

WARNING: THIS TEASER CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE UP IN THE AIRSERIES

JAMES

I couldn’t sleep after the shooting.

Bianca slept like a baby, like she never had before, like every worry she’d ever had had disappeared with the death of her father.

But not me. I was more restless than ever. A miracle had saved her, not me, and I felt helpless because of it. That was not a feeling that fit me well. In fact, it made my skin crawl in discomfort. In anger.

It had been months since the attack. She and Stephan were healed physically, and it seemed, emotionally, but I felt the wounds as though they were fresh. What had almost happened haunted me. I was a man that needed control, and I’d been shown, in the starkest way possible, that I hadnone.

I sat scant feet away from our bed, watching Bianca sleep. She was nude, with not so much as a sheet covering her. I’d seen to that. I watched her lithe form shift on the bed, one long leg hitching up to give me a glimpse of the pink between her legs.

I felt like a fucking stalker. Truth be told, I was one, watching her for hours on end, night after night.

I tensed when I realized she’d roused. It upset her that I couldn’t sleep, when she deserved peace more than anyone.

She sat up, and I watched her heavy breasts swaying with the movement. “James.” Her voice was the softest utterance.

“Love,” I answered, feeling the dark mood that had overtaken me lift in an instant. Just having her eyes on me could do that.

She crawled across the bed toward me. She’d always had an uncanny ability to do exactly the thing that would drive me the most wild, and she’d only gotten better at that over time. She didn’t hide her body from me as she moved. In fact, she posed for me, even the exposure of her body an act of submission. As though reading my thoughts, as though even those were a command, she paused on the edge of the bed, parting her legs to let me look my fill before she rose, approaching my chair.

I stood to meet her, my body drawn tight, my cock throbbing as though I hadn’t come, buried inside of her, just hours before.

I was a statue as she leaned up to my ear, my brows drawing together in a question. Her lips touched my ear as she spoke.

“Hurt me,” she whispered raggedly.

My eyes shut tight, my jaw went slack, and a shudder wracked my entire body. This woman destroyed my self-control.

I’d avoided all of the rough stuff since she’d been injured, but God had I missed it.

“We don’t have to, Bianca. It’s not necess-“

She gripped my hair, pulling my face down to her injured cheek. She dug her jaw into me so hard that I knew it must be hurting her badly.

“I need it,” she rasped into my ear. “I’ll never stop needing it. Please.”

I pulled back, and my hands trembled as I cupped her face in my hands, my eyes searching hers desperately for what I wanted to see. Need. Yes. She needed this as much as I did. Perhaps more so.

“Get on the bed,” I told her thickly.

R.K. Lilley lives in Colorado with her husband and their two beautiful sons. She's had a lot of interesting jobs, from being a first class flight attendant, to being a stablehand, but swears she never knew what hard work was until she had children. She's been addicted to both reading and writing fiction since she can remember. She loves to travel, read, hike, paint, game, watch anime, and make the most of every single day. She is the author of the erotic romance novels In Flight, Mile High, Grounded, and the novella, Lana.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

IN FLIGHT (Up in the Air #1)

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Buy from B&N

MILE HIGH (Up in the Air #2)

Buy from Amazon

Buy from B&N

GROUNDED (Up in the Air #3)

LANA (Novella)

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BLITZ & REVIEW WALK INTO ME by Jill Prand

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I know I will never get
over her. Watching her walk away with him ripped my heart out and left it
bleeding on the floor. But I can’t hide anymore. I have to face my life without
her. ~ Brad

Brad has been in love with Lisa for as long as he can
remember. One night years ago they took each other’s virginity but while it was
the best night of Brad’s life, for Lisa it was a way to forget about Bobby. Or
was it?

Brad re-emerges right when Lisa needs him most. Only Brad
knows everything about her and when Lisa’s insecurities come to the surface the
shoulder Lisa needs is Brad’s. Now Brad has to decide if he has it in him to
trust his heart.

Prologue

Brad

She left with him. I watched them walk out of the party into the cold night air with his arm around her. What is she thinking? He is only back for a few days and she’ll be alone again and she’ll be crying on my shoulder that he doesn’t call or write. I know she loves him and I can see the pull they have on each other, but really, why does she do this to herself?

I make my way over to the keg and get another beer. I might as well get drunk so I don’t have to think about him touching her. Joe is there and he pats my shoulder, “How you doing?”

“I was having a great time until a few minutes ago,” I say, pouring my beer. “Hey, let’s get a game of quarters going,” I suggest. Joe’s kitchen table is just right and it wouldn’t take much to clear it off. Joe’s not much of a drinker, but he starts rounding up some of the guys to play.

Richie, Doug, and Rob come over as I’m moving bags of snacks to the counter. Rob starts flipping a quarter while Richie looks in the cabinet for a glass. “Good idea Brad, we need to get this party rockin’,” he says sliding the glass into the middle of the table. By that time George and Chris have joined us and a few of the girls are standing by to watch. We each take a few practice shots to get used to the table and then we start. Within 15 minutes I have downed 3 beers and started to get a buzz. I should feel fine by the time midnight comes around.

Suddenly she’s there, standing across the room, with tears running down her beautiful face. What the hell did he do to her this time? I stand up and tell the guys I’m out. I walk over and hold out my hand like she’s a wounded animal I have to get to trust me. She looks at me and falls into my arms.

“He doesn’t want me,” she cries.

I kiss her head and lead her out the sliding glass door. “How can he not want you? I’m sure you’re wrong.” I stroke her back and god she smells great.

“We were making out...and other things, but when he found out I was still a virgin, he stopped and told me to get dressed. That he didn’t want to be the one to take my virginity.” Her words come out all sniffly and I can feel my shirt getting wet from her tears. “I should have just done it with Steve and then I would be in his arms right now. I mean what does it matter if he is the first or someone else is? I don’t want to be a virgin anymore.”

I know the feeling but the only person I want to be with is currently crying in my arms about another guy. I’ve loved her since the sixth grade, when she sat next to me on the bus the first time. I can’t imagine my life without her.

“Will you do it?” She looks up at me. “Will you sleep with me Brad?”

My heart stops, she did not just ask me that. Just the thought of touching her like that has me hard. “You don’t mean that Lisa, you’re just upset,” I say as I brush the hair away from her eyes.

“No, I’m totally serious. I don’t want to be a virgin anymore and other than Bobby I can’t think of anyone I would rather do it with.” She puts her hand behind my head and pulls me down for a kiss. She is tentative and sweet and I can taste her tears on her lips. I have waited so long to kiss her. I lick the seam and her mouth opens to me. I moan because my whole body is on fire and I am not going to be able to stop. My hand fists in her hair and I pull it back to angle her head and my tongue explores every crevice of her mouth. I have wanted this for so long and now here she is letting me kiss her. I press her body against mine so she can feel how she affects me. Her hands start stroking my back and my shirt starts to pull up, my cock jerks when her fingers touch my skin and I suck the air out of her mouth. I know we have to move, we can’t do this here.

I break the kiss and stroke her cheek, her eyes are half closed and I hope she’s not thinking of him, but even if she is I am taking my one chance, “Let’s get out of here, my parents aren’t home,” I lean down and give her a quick kiss.

“I’m driving Jodi home; I can’t leave her,” she starts to pull away and I can see she’s thinking about what we’re doing. This is not going to end the way I want it to unless I get her out of here now.

“Hold on,” I tell her and take out my phone. “Hey John, Lisa is upset and I’m taking her home. We will leave her keys with Joe, can you drive Jodi home?” I listen as he relays what I’ve said to Jodi and hear her ask where we are. “Let Jodi know she just needs to be somewhere else right now.” I pull her against me and stroke her hair. God, I love this girl and I hope to show her how much tonight. I am going to worship her body with mine. John agrees to get both Jodi and Lisa’s car home and I hang up. “Let’s give your keys to Joe and get out of here,” I take her hand and lead her in. I can tell she’s a little hesitant, but she’s still coming with me. Lisa hands Joe her keys without saying a word and walks towards the front door.

“Is she okay?” He whispers to me.

“Bobby did a job on her again,” I pat his shoulder. “I’ll make sure she’s okay. What are friends for right?”

He knows I want to be more than just her friend. Hell, everyone knows, even Lisa, but it’s never been possible before. Now maybe he fucked up enough for her to give me a shot. I gotta believe this will be more than just one night.

I follow her out to my car and she is waiting for me. “Are you sure?” I ask even as I wonder why I feel the need to give her an out?

“I’m sure Brad. I want it to be you.” She leans up on her toes and kisses me. If I don’t stop this I will never get her home. I open the door for her and she slides in. It only takes us fifteen minutes to get to my house, and we have the place to ourselves.

Taking her hand, I lead her up the stairs to my room. I’m so glad my mother makes me keep it clean; I know there are no dirty clothes lying around. I close my door behind us and just look at her. I have fantasized about having her here for years. Not that she hasn’t been here before, but never for more than doing homework.

She walks up to me and starts to unbutton my shirt, she doesn’t say anything as her fingers work from one button to another. I reach down and put my finger under her chin, she finally looks at me. “Lisa, we don’t have to do this.”

She runs her hand up my now bare chest to my neck and pulls me down towards her mouth, “I want this,” she says breathlessly into my mouth as our lips meet. My hands find her hips and pull her against me. I let my tongue explore her mouth, god she tastes sweet! My cock is jerking in my pants and her hand stroking my chest is driving me crazy. I move my hands under her short skirt and grab her ass. I’ve been obsessed with that ass, I love to watch her walk away from me.

I lift her up, she puts her legs around me, and I let my fingers explore her slit. Her panties are damp and I hope to god that is from me and not him. I can’t think anymore. All I feel is her and I want to be inside her. I walk us over to my bed and place her on it. I stand up and take off my pants leaving my underwear on and she takes off her shirt and skirt. “God, you’re beautiful Lisa,” I say, laying down beside her.

I tentatively reach out for her breast and gently touch her nipple through the lace. I hear as she sighs, “I need you to touch me Brad.”

Losing all control, I pull the bra down and take her nipple into my mouth. I suck her and lick that tight little nub. My cock is straining against her leg and I rub myself against her. She reaches behind her, undoes the clasp, and her bra falls away. I grab onto the other breast and kneed it roughly.

Arching her back, she moans, “More Brad, I need more.”

I move my hand lower and slip it under the silk into the wetness. Lisa lifts her hips to meet my hand and I slip a finger into her, I stroke her a few times before adding another. She is so tight and I worry about hurting her. She pushes her underwear down, lifting her hips and pushing my fingers further inside, she says, “That feels good Brad, please.”

“Please what?” I look up at her face.

“Now. I want you inside me now,” she says seriously as she looks at me.

“Please.”

I pull off my boxers and reach into the drawer next to the bed to get a condom. Thank god for health class. I roll the condom on and position myself between her legs and push inside. It feels so good, she’s tight and I have to stop for a moment or I’m going to lose it before I’m totally inside her. I pull out almost all the way and push back in harder and feel her barrier give way. She inhales sharply and I know I’ve hurt her. “Are you okay?” I ask.

She looks up at me with tears in her eyes, “I’m fine just give me a moment.”

I don’t know if I can, the urge to move is too great. I start to pull out and she shuts her eyes. I have to move and I start stroking slowly. She keeps her eyes closed I don’t know if I’m hurting her, but I can’t stop. I move faster and within a minute find my release. I lean down to kiss her and she lets me.

That was the best night of my life. The worst...was when I watched Bobby carry her away.

REVIEW by Terri

* I received an ARC for my honest review *

This story begins two months after Watch Me Walk Away ended. Lisa and Bobby are still as close as ever. Brad, having been hurt with his feelings toward Lisa, has stayed away. But now it is Lisa's birthday and he can't stay away from her any longer. Being best friends for most of their life, it hurts them both to have been apart from each other.

I love how Jill Prand tells her stories from the characters points of view. One chapter, Lisa will be telling her story, the next, it would be Brad telling it. It gives the reader more insight from how the character is really feeling.

This was such an emotional follow up novel to Watch Me Walk Away. Jill Prand had me laughing, crying and getting mad at times at a few characters. I may have even said it outloud because I think I saw my family looking at me like I was going crazy. Watch Me Walk Away and Walk Into Me are definitely two novels that you need to have on your to be read lists. I can't wait for the next novel to see how this ends. I'm addicted.

Teasers

Playlist:

Into Me Playlist

And don't forget about the first book!

Fall in love with Lisa and Bobby all over again!

Buy Links:

AMAZON KOBO ITUNES

Blurb:

At the age of seventeen, Lisa was broken when Bobby left. He was supposed to be her first. First Love. First Time. First Everything. No word for six long years. She moved away from the painful reminders sacrificing her relationship with her best friend Brad.

Now six years later she returns as a strong, successful woman grabbing a job at one of New York’s hottest marketing agencies. She is dating a gorgeous guy with his eyes on a corner office. But it all changes when she sees Bobby.

Can she risk another heartbreak from Bobby? Will she be able to repair her friendship with Brad? Lisa will have to decide between the man she's with, and the two men that want her.

Who will she be with, and who will she tell to "Watch Me Walk Away?"

REVIEW by Terri

* I was given an ARC of this novel for my honest review *

This was a beautiful love story between Lisa and Bobby, high school boyfriend and girlfriend. She is younger than Bobby and he goes off into war, never having contact with Lisa again. Having her heart ripped out, she turns to her best friend, Brad, who has been by her side since 6th grade.

Lisa and her group of friends, grow up, go to college and then reunite at a Broadway opening for their friend. In walks Bobby, Her emotions go from anger, sadness of the love she had once lost and feelings that were still hanging on there. I loved the emotion that Jill Prand put into this story.

A great tale of friendship, love (past and present) and of course sacrifice. Jill Prand is definitely an author to be on the lookout for. Great things are coming for her.

Dreamcast:

BRAD

Lisa

Bobby

Meet Jill Prand

Amazon * Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

Living in Northern New Jersey and originally from Long Island, Jill Prand is a wife and mother of two girls. She's been an avid reader all her life, spending Sunday afternoons curled up with a good book.

"We had a huge bookshelf in our den when I was a child with a diverse set of authors like Ayn Rand, Stephen King, Mario Puzo & Danielle Steele. I cut my literary teeth on Walter Farley, Judy Blume and SE Hinton before raiding my parents library."

Jill is currently working on the Walking Series as well as a stand alone novel. She loves to hear from readers.

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RELEASE BLITZ THE HEART KNOWS WHAT THE HEART WANTS by Lori L. Clark

Title: The Heart Knows What The Heart Wants

Author: Lori L. Clark

Genre: Contemporary / New Adult Romance

Release: March 6, 2014

Synopsis

Estelle "Star" Falconé, a thirty-year-old tattooed bartender, was once a free-spirited dreamer who dabbled in astrology for fun and secretly dreamed of becoming a rock-star some day.

Twenty-one-year-old Shane Harper was once the star of his high school basketball team. With a full ride scholarship, his dream was to play college basketball and study planetary science. When a tragic car accident permanently sidelines his basketball career, college is out of the question.

Sparks fly when their two worlds collide.

Can a relationship survive between a thirty-year-old starry-eyed woman who's on the run from an extremely dangerous man, and a twenty-one-year-old science geek who's hell-bent on protecting her at all cost?

***Caution*** for mature readers. Contains graphic violence including rape. This is a complete, standalone novel.

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The Heart Knows What the Heart Wants

Amazon UK: The Heart Knows What the Heart Wants

Excerpt

Finally giving up on sleep, she climbed from bed and gathered her clothes to take into the bathroom for a long hot shower, hopeful the hot water would dislodge the myriad of inappropriate thoughts that had started to march through her sleep-deprived brain.

Star knew Shane was too young for her. He'd barely begun to live his life and in her thirty years she'd already lived enough for both of them combined. There was an undeniable attraction, she couldn't dispute that. Holding him, comforting him, as she had just a few short hours ago left her craving more of his touch.

She gritted her teeth and turned up the water temperature as she scrubbed her body. "Why is it the men I'm attracted to are always wrong for me? For once, why can't I like the nerdy, science geek with a big brain instead of a big…ego," she huffed.

After her shower, she wiped the fog from the mirror and studied the lines in her face. Time had not been kind to her, especially the time spent with Derek. She smoothed the skin around her eyes, suddenly wondering how much a face-lift would set her back. A more close-up inspection advised her that more than a couple new gray hairs had sprouted, seemingly overnight, as well.

"Are you going to be much longer?" Shane's muffled voice asked from the other side of the bathroom door causing her to jump.

"Just a few more minutes, sorry," she answered. She hurriedly dried off and scrambled into her clothes. When she opened the door, he sat on the floor facing her, his back against the wall. He beamed mischievously up at her, and something warm pooled inside of her. She smiled back and said, "I guess I kind of lost track of time."

"No worries. As long as there's hot water left, I don't mind." He held his hand out to her. "Help me up, Blue," he asked.

She tugged him to his feet and he seemed reluctant to let go of her hand. He gave her fingers a quick squeeze. Holy hell I'm melting here. She thought. The tips of her ears started to burn and she withdrew her hand from his. "All yours," she whispered and turned to go to her room.

She couldn't be sure, it may have been her overactive imagination, or wishful thinking, but she could have sworn she heard him say "I wish," before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Star fanned herself and sat down on the corner of her bed. If he had remembered having the nightmare, or her rocking him back to sleep afterwards, it wasn't evident in the tundra-melting smile he'd given her. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. Was she disappointed that he hadn't remembered, or relieved?

About the Author

Ten things about me:

1. I'm an only child.

2. My only child is a Min Pin.

3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa.

4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.

5. I'm a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.

6. I've written 7 books and am in the process of brainstorming the 8th.

7. I make my home near St. Louis, MO.

8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.

9. I love 80's hair band music.

10. I'm a vegetarian.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

RARE AND PRECIOUS THINGS by Raine Miller

Title: RARE AND PRECIOUS THINGS

(The Blackstone Affair Book 4)

Author: RAINE MILLER

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The fourth part in the New York Times bestselling series, The Blackstone Affair: A bright beginning for two damaged souls fighting for their hard-won love, and the promise of a new hope to secure their happily ever after.

Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how "rare" their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.

REVIEW by Terri

*I was given an ARC for my honest review*

I had not previously read the other 3 books in this series, now I have to go back and read those. It was a good story but I am certain that I missed a lot because I had not read the previous books.

The books in this series are:

Book 1: Naked

Book 2: All In

Book 3: Eyes Wide Open

Book 4: Rare and Precious Things

The story begins with the main characters, Ethan and his newlywed bride, Brynne on their honeymoon. Brynne is already pregnant with their first child and the love between the two of them is shown in their admiration of each other. A new life together, a new home and then.....the past. You can never outrun your past. It will always catch up with you. Brynne and Ethan will fight to be together.

Raine Miller has an incredible gift of writing. Everything is put together beautifully, characters are blended perfectly. Now, I'm off to read the first three.

I sighed with need and forced myself to take a step backward, creating some distance between our bodies. My arm stretched out as I slid back, my hand still clasped in his much bigger one. “Okay…how does this room in fifteen minutes sound?” I stepped backward again, moving closer toward the bathroom door, my eyes never leaving his blues as they tracked my movements.

Those same beautiful blue eyes also glittered at me with all the shuttered heat of a man who would be ravishing me very soon. He allowed my hand to be released from his grip, the heat of his skin noticeably absent the second contact was lost.

He gave me the serious Ethan-stare, the one I’d seen many times and was well familiar with by now—the

one raw with male prowess…and the overpowering sexual dominance that made me burn. “Like fifteen minutes too fucking long, my beauty.”

I had to suppress the slight moan that escaped my throat at the effect his words had on me. I was just a mortal woman after all. Ethan was the one that looked and acted like a Greek god to me.

He seared me with another look dripping with the promise of the molten sex to come, before turning away, walking through the door, and closing it with a soft click.

Once he was out, the room was instantly quiet and I felt more than a little bereft without him. I just stood there and absorbed the reality of where I was in the moment. I’m getting ready to make love with my husband. That idea jolted me out of my stupor and sprung me into action pretty fast.

I fled for the bathroom and worked myself out of my dress, which gratefully was not difficult at all with its easy access placement of a side zip. I hung it up carefully on the boudoir hanger that had been arranged, for what I assumed, especially that purpose. I would have to remember to do something nice for Hannah. She’d thought of everything.

I set my veil aside while I brushed my teeth and drank a glass of water. I stripped out of my lingerie except for stockings and garter belt in pale lavender silk, and looked at my side profile in the mirror. I had a bump. Not much of one yet, but it was definitely there. I gave our sweet little peach a caress and reached for my veil again. I reattached it and stepped back out into the bedroom. I climbed up onto the raised bed and sank down into the downy softness of the duvet on my knees. I was careful to arrange myself with my back facing the same door Ethan had used when he left the room. He would pass through it again when he returned, and I wanted him to have a first vision of me as I’d planned it out in my head. I was ready even though my heart was racing.

I closed my eyes.

And waited for Ethan to come to me.

✤ ✤ ✤

The sounds of the door opening and then closing told me when he was back in the room.

I sensed him staring and the idea gave me a rushing thrill to know what he was seeing of me. I turned my head and found him with my eyes.

“I just want to look at you for a moment,” he said, remaining still, a few feet away. I could tell he was affected by the hooded eyes and the set of his jaw, and that knowledge

emboldened me.

“Only if I can do the same.”

My Ethan had prepared for me as well. The beautiful tuxedo with the purple brocade vest had gone the way of my wedding dress probably. In its place just one garment. Silky black pajama bottoms slung low at his waist. The contrast of the black fabric to his skin displayed his golden muscled chest and carved abdomen to perfection. And I got to drink him in. The muscular cuts which tapered into a spectacular V below his waist made my mouth water, forcing me to swallow. One of the most beautiful parts of my man. I needed my mouth there.

So gorgeously made in body, so full of male power and strength…it almost hurt to look at him sometimes.

I lowered my eyes to the side.

“Turn all the way around.”

The deep command of his voice heated me instantly, rendering me completely enslaved to his unrelenting dominance when it came to this part of us. Ethan’s control of our sex. His control over me. It made me hotter than hell.

He stepped closer, his body radiating power and desire as he waited for me to comply with his directive.

I rotated my body until I was facing him full on, my body completely bare except for my stockings and my wedding veil. I set my hands flat on the bed and made my arms straight, in effect thrusting my breasts up and out. They tingled under his intense perusal, my now ultra-sensitive nipples hardening with a lick of awareness suggestive of pain. My gesture of offering myself to my husband as a bride on our wedding night had aroused me to an incredible level of anticipation.

“Just for you,” I said softly, lifting my eyes to his.

I saw the muscles of his neck tense as he moved forward. “Baby…you are so sexy-beautiful right now. Don’t move. Just stay as you are and let me touch you.”

I knew how this game played out. The one where I was blissfully rewarded for following directions. The edge of the mattress dipped as he joined me on the massive bed, kneeling right before me, so close I could feel the radiating heat his body was throwing off.

I remained still, but I tensed in anticipation of what he would do first.

He hung there before me, for a moment, just studying me, claiming my body with his eyes at first. Ethan liked a splash of voyeurism in our encounters. A little kinky at times, and a lot dominant, but I was used to it with him.

Finally, after what felt like eons, he dropped his head to my sternum and inhaled deeply against my skin. Then I felt his tongue draw across the curve of one breast until he reached the tight bud of my nipple. He took the

whole thing in his mouth and pulled it inside of him. I gasped in some air and steeled myself to remain still for his onslaught.

“Just feel, baby. Let me suck on your beautiful, perfect tits for a while. I’ve been starved for them.”

He took his time getting his fill as he worked me up with need.

Swirling his tongue in relentless circles over the tender flesh until he felt like giving me a rewarding jolt of sensation by clipping my nipple between his teeth for a gentle bite.

I shuddered against his mouth, desperately aching for more, but knowing I would have to wait until he gave it to me. Those were the rules. And I was always a good girl.

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it's a safe bet she'll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine's stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.