Review of Lyric and Lingerie by Tracy Wolff and Katie Graykowski

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Blurb From New York Times Bestselling author Tracy Wolff and International Bestselling author Katie Graykowski comes a sexy tale of love, laughter and lingerie…
Lyric Wright is an off-beat astrophysicist whose life is falling apart around her. After losing her fiancé to a hula dancing astrologer and losing her dress to an ill-fated leap of faith, she’s sure there’s nowhere for her life to go but up. At least until she sits down on a trans-Pacific flight next to the one man she never wanted to see again — the boy she’d lost her heart and her virginity to back before she’d learned that friendship and football don’t equal true love.
Broken down quarterback Heath Montgomery is on a plane ride to nowhere. Dodging the phone call he’s certain will end his professional football career for good, he might be Texas bound, but he knows there’s nowhere for him to go but down. But that’s before his childhood best friend and confidante plops back into his life wearing nothing but duct tape and a bad attitude. Determined not to lose her again (especially since he isn’t sure why he lost her the first time) and desperate to outrun his own shadowy future, Heath sets out to take Lyric on the ride of her life. Too bad she only dates men who actually know what her butterfly nebula is…and can find it without the help of a star chart.
Add in one passive-aggressive flight attendant with delusions of couture, a cherry red car with a crush on Neil Diamond, an over-protective sister with a black belt in Krav Maga, two parents determined to marry their spinster daughter off to the hometown hero no matter the cost, and a whole lot of lingerie popping up in all the right places at all the wrong times and you’ve got an unforgettable love story that fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson won’t want to miss!

Links
Amazon | Goodreads

Review I've read several of Tracy's books, and loved them all, so it's no surprise that I loved this book too.  This is the first I've read of Katie's books, but she and Tracy seemed to work well together.  The story flowed like one voice, it wasn't obvious who wrote what, which always surprises me.  This story was hot, frustrating, SO funny, and even had some interesting tricks to try.  Like the song that is mentioned in the excerpt below, I tried it, it actually works pretty well.  Probably has something to do with distraction, but still.  The characters were great, even some that you wouldn't expect to be a character...I don't want to spoil too much.  I can't wait to read the next book!  I hear some of the especially awesome characters will also be in the next book!  Too much character to fit in one book, I suppose, but that is definitely to our benefit!

Bios
Tracy Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense. And for all of those who want the unedited version: Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible. Tracy Wolff also writes as Tessa Adams.


Links
Blog | Twitter | Amazon

Katie
Katie Graykowski writes romantic comedy with lots of heart. She likes scuba diving, Mexican food, chocolate cream cheese frosting, movies where lots of stuff gets blown up, and sparkly things. She lives in Texas with her husband, a daughter, and three K-9 kids. Katie loves to hear from her readers, so check her out at the links below.

Links
Website | Email | Twitter | Amazon

Excerpt The second they stepped into Austin Bergstrom Airport, Lyric took off in a knees-together, Gangnam-style trot. He didn’t know where in the hell she was going, but she sure was in a hurry.
“Lyric?” Heath ran after her, his bad knee turning his own run into a shuffling gallop.
“I gotta pee now …” she sing-songed and picked up the pace. “And I can’t put a hold on it.”
“But how are you going to—” He watched her disappear into the women’s bathroom. “—get out of that dress?”
It didn’t take long for him to figure out that she was going to be right back out. She might not have been thinking about the mechanics of stripping off that damn dress, but he’d spent entirely too much of his adult life getting women out of their clothes to know that it was going to be a problem. A serious problem.
He glanced around, saw a small station of plastic flatware a few feet away near the restaurants. He wasn’t sure what good a plastic knife was going to do against tightly wrapped duct tape, but he was willing to give it the old Wrangler try. But when he got up to the institutional silverware holder, the only things left were a bunch of sporks and one sorry looking plastic knife. He grabbed them all, along with a couple of straws and a handful of mayonnaise packets for lubrication. He decided to leave the mustard where it was.
He made it back to the bathroom just as Lyric limped out, a look of crestfallen agony on her beautiful face. With a smile, he held up his plundered booty. “I’ve got you covered.”
She stared at the mismatched selection he’d picked up, then rolled her eyes. “I’m not a cheeseburger, Heath.”
“Yeah, well, the selection was limited. I did the best I could.” He crouched down next her. “Let’s get you out of this dress.”
She glanced around wildly. “Not here.”
“Why not here? I thought you had to go to the bathroom.”
“I’m not wearing anything under this duct tape.”
He froze, even as his heartbeat went wild. “Nothing?” She’d said so earlier, but he’d thought she was kidding. He swallowed. All that lovely white skin, and the only thing between it and him was a thin veneer of tape. There wasn’t a man alive who hadn’t had that dream a time or two.
“My dress ripped, remember?” She shuffled from foot to foot. Lyric hummed the chorus of Beyonce’s “Put a Ring on It.” Huh?
“Yeah, but what about your underwear?” “The dress was too tight. I didn’t want a panty line.” She sucked in air like it was going out of style.
“Lyric Wright, are you telling me you weren’t lying when you told me you were traveling halfway across the Pacific in nothing but duct tape?” He might have a heart attack himself, especially now that he was picturing all the bare skin just beneath his hands.
“Well, it wasn’t by choice. Believe me.” Standing up, he propelled her back through the bathroom entrance. They were already attracting a fair amount of attention, and there was no way in hell he was stripping Lyric down in front of half the men in the Austin airport.
“Heath. This is the ladies’ room.” She sounded scandalized. “Would you rather go into the men’s room and do this?” Over his dead body, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Well, no. But you’ll get in trouble.” She looked around like she was waiting for some sort of bathroom bouncer to appear and toss him out.
“By who? The bathroom police?” He laughed. “Sweetheart, we’re in the Lone Star State now. Short of losing the Super Bowl or wearing 49ers colors, there’s not much I can do in this state that will get me into trouble.”
“Seriously?” She eyed him with disgust.
“This is the great state of Texas. When people talk about the Holy Trinity, they’re talking about Jesus, the NRA, and the Fort Worth Wranglers. So yeah, you and I could drop down right here on this surprisingly clean tile and go for it, and the only comments people would make would be to offer suggestions…to you. And they’d still want me to sign their tits.”
“You know this from experience?” She glanced at the floor, and he could just see that huge brain of hers filing away the facts.
Despite the potty dance she was doing, it was really an example of Lyric at her finest. Never judgmental, simply interested in gathering information. At least, until she said, “Well, just so you know. If it gets to that, I’m taking the top. And if you hurry and get this dress off, I just might be willing to give it a shot.”
It was the wrong thing for her to say. Now his mind was filled with all kinds of inappropriate images, namely of Lyric and her double Ds above him as she followed the advice of T-shirts everywhere: Save a horse. Ride a Cowboy.
But he could tell things were getting critical, and he really didn’t want her to have an accident, so he ushered her to the large handicap stall at the back of the restroom.
As he locked the door behind them, one of the women who’d been primping at the mirror called, “When’s my turn, Deuce?”
“One at a time, ma’am. The line forms to the right,” he called over the stall door. He turned to Lyric. “All right,” he said, laying out his improvised tools on the ledge created by the toilet paper holder like a nurse preparing a tray of sterile implements. “Let’s get to work.”
Examining the duct tape like it was a medium-rare New York strip, Heath grabbed the spork in his left hand and took the knife in his right. Then he stepped back and spent a moment taking stock. Did he start at the top and work down or at the bottom and work up? Both had appeal.
Lyric danced from side to side, humming Beyoncé louder. “Do. Something.”
He hadn’t remembered her ever humming before. He knelt in front of her—genuflecting to Mistress Duct Tape—and pain shot through his bad knee at the awkward position. Gritting his teeth, he ignored it and sawed lightly at the dress’s hem. The pathetic plastic knife bent and twisted under his hand with each slice, but he didn’t want to hurt her so he kept the pressure light.
“Hurry.” She clamped her thighs together. Christ, the way she said that word—like he was inside her and she couldn’t come fast enough—turned him on.
Great, now he had a bum knee and a hard-on from hell to deal with.
Instead of focusing on the pain, he concentrated on freeing her bare bottom. Her round, lush, sexy-as-hell bare bottom. Sweat broke out on his upper lip, and he shifted, determined to concentrate on the problem at hand. “Open your legs.” It came out a little short, but seriously, if he had a nickel for every time he’d said that, he’d have a shitload of nickels. “Sit on the toilet.” Now that was a new one.
Lyric looked at him in horror, then leaned over and pulled several handfuls of toilet paper from the holder before she began arranging them as a seat cushion. Heath scooted closer to her.
“Jesus, I thought you were in a hurry.”
“I am, but there are rules. A lady squats but never sits on a public toilet. Did you know the average public toilet has two million bacteria per square inch?”
She piled more toilet paper into what could only be called a wreath arrangement on the seat. Was it a centerpiece or a toilet? He was getting confused. Especially when his old pal Lyric referred to herself as a lady. He’d never thought of her like that before.
Then again, now that he’d been this close to her luscious thighs, he’d probably never be able to think of her as anything but. He rubbed his knee. “I’ll file that little tidbit under Lyric’s Fun Facts. Right up there with the one in twenty shot of a meteorite striking a plane.”
“Okay.” She half sat, half dropped onto the seat. “I’m ready."
Heath didn’t have the heart to tell her that most of her fluffy seat cushion had landed on the floor.
“Here,” she inched her legs apart, “whatever you’ve got planned—GO FASTER.”
“Usually when I’m going at a woman from this angle I like to take my time. But in your case, I’ll make an exception.”
With all the force he could allow, he stabbed at the tape. The knife broke in half. “Damn.”
Lyric’s legs started to vibrate. “What’s taking so long? Prisoners with the intelligence of spider monkeys are able to dig out of Alcatraz with nothing but a spoon, but you can’t break me out of this dress?”
He shook his head. “There’s never a convict with a shiv around when you need one.” He had two Super Bowl rings, a Heisman Trophy, and more wins than he could count. There was no way in hell a few strips of duct tape were going to break his winning streak.
With all the murderous intent of Norman Bates’s mother with a butcher knife, Heath rammed the spork at the tape. The spork cracked down the middle and bit into his palm.
He stared at it for a second, then decided fuck it. It was past time to go old school. “Hold on honey, I’m going in.”
Licking his lips, he stuck his head between her thighs and clamped his teeth down on the tape. But the second his jaw scraped against her inner thighs, Lyric shrieked.
Her surprisingly strong thighs—who knew an astrophysicist could be so toned—clamped down on his ears and she giggled. “What are you doing? That tickles.” Lyric wiggled against him.
“My dad always taught me to use the tools at hand, and right now these are all I’ve got left.” Heath bit through the bottom edge of the dress, then spit out a chunk of tape and went for the next layer. It wasn’t the first dress he’d chewed through, but it was the first one that had stuck to his teeth.

Teasers

Release Blitz for Tyranny by Gemma Brocato

To Save the World, He Must Trust Her in the Magic of What If?

The Goddess of Delphi is a new series from Gemma Brocato, and begins with TYRANNY…

Greek Muses must join forces with one non-believing mortal man to prevent the hostile takeover of Olympus and save the world from peril.

“Goddess, she wasn’t the type to just fall into bed on a first date, but if Jax asked, she’d surrender.”

Blurb One man, one muse, one romance to save the world
Immortal librarian Clio has existed for thousands of years. Her purpose—to influence and inspire mortals. Now as one has inspired her, a battle is mounting between the Muses and a god who care little for the plight of man. A hostile takeover is imminent at Olympus Enterprises.
History professor Jax Callahan is battling his own uncertainties. His previous employer’s refusal to heed his warnings results in a tragic loss of life. Blaming himself, he no longer believes he can make a difference.
Tyranny will stop at nothing to appease her father and succeed in taking over Olympus and the world. To save mankind, Clio must reveal herself as a Muse to Jax, the man she’s fallen in love with. Facing the end of humanity as they know it, she must convince him to trust in the magic of what if. Because failure spells doom for everyone.

Releasing October 4, 2016. Order Tyranny Now!

Links
Amazon | Goodreads

Bio Gemma's favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she'd write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to 'Dear Author' were gratifying. After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue a career as a romance author.
Gemma focuses mainly on contemporary and paranormal romance, with an occasional detour into science fiction romance. Her titles are available in digital and print-on-demand at all major retailers.

Links
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

Excerpt
TYRANNY (Goddess of Delphi Book 1) God knew, he’d worked for years to get the bureaucratic idiots to hear his ideas. He could have circumvented the problem long ago if he’d been able to make the right people listen. The government’s idea of a diplomatic solution only served to edge the world closer to a massive war. “I couldn’t convince anyone to consider the logical alternative, a negotiated settlement where the Bulgarian people are protected. There is no stopping the Five Nations.” The statement alone made his gut churn.
“There has to be.” Clio rose from her seat, moved to her desk, and retrieved a scrap of paper. With graceful movements, she returned to his side. She handed him the document. “You need to read this. It will change your mind.”
Battling the skepticism that had been his hallmark since he’d left GeoPoly, he took the sheet from her hand. It was an e-mail. The chilling message mentioned destruction, war, and an end to mankind. “Who is this Pierus?”
“He’s a demi-god who thought his nine daughters were better than the daughters of Zeus, my sisters and me.” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “Zeus is never nice when he’s pissed off. He turned Pierus’s daughters into magpies. Pierus has been seeking to restore them ever since.”
“Whoa! Zeus is your dad? Like, Zeus Zeus? God of Gods, Zeus?” Okay, his world shifted from I can handle her as a Muse to what the fuck have I gotten myself into? He shook his head in denial but then recalled the sight of the bird this morning, and more recently outside Clio’s bedroom window.
“The same. Anyway, Pierus resurfaced recently and challenged us to a contest to return his brats to human form. It’s his version of a hostile takeover of Olympus. He wins, and he gets dominion over all immortals. And his daughters would be unleashed on humanity.” Clio shuddered. “The effect on mortals will be dire. They’ll live up to their names, like Tyranny, Strife, Mayhem. You get the idea.”
“Can he do it?” Aw, shit. That sounded like he was a believer. And maybe, just maybe…
Clio frowned. “He can if we fail at the challenge he’s set for us.”
“Have any of you failed?”
She shrugged. “I’m the first.”
“His message says one Muse, one man. How do you know I’m the man?”
“The magpies keep appearing. You mentioned a run in with a crazy old man and a bird. I believe that was Pierus. The other night in the library when it was storming so badly, I spied the image of Pierus and his skanky daughter in a flash of lightning.” She shook her head again. “Tonight when we walked past the street musician, that was Pierus in disguise.”
The dotted line from his run-in with the bird to Clio’s story just filled in like a solid fucking black dart.
Giveaway
Celebrate the Release with a Giveaway!
Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card
Runner-Ups: 2 Runner-ups will receive one digital backlist title by Gemma Brocato!
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Virtual Blitz for Captured by Jennifer Chance

Fans of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries will enjoy CAPTURED, a New Adult Contemporary Romance with a modern royals flair by award winning author Jennifer Chance. Lauren Grant is a hard-partying celebutante dedicated to avoiding anything that might tie her down, but Dimitri Korba, the gorgeous and arrogant captain of the Garronia National Security Force and her unwanted bodyguard just might change her mind in this new installment in Chance's Gowns & Crowns series.

Title: Captured
Author: Jennifer Chance
Publisher: Elewyn Publishing
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Series: Gowns & Crowns #2
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Length: 207 Pages
ISBN: 9781943768066

Blurb For beautiful, pampered Lauren Grant, the idea of love without strings is a fairy tale and a trap. Though she’s skillfully maintained her image as the carefree celebutante, for years she’s been systematically stalked by the richest—and most ruthless—golden boy of the Jet Set. To stay one step ahead, she’s used every resource at her disposal. But now, stuck in Garronia with the whole world watching, she’s finally cornered by her nemesis, with no way out.
Well, no way out but one: the stubborn, forceful, impossibly gorgeous captain of the Garronia National Security Force, Dimitri Korba. The first man she’s ever trusted… which makes him the most dangerous man of all.
Dimitri Korba’s greatest duty is to keep those in his care safe. Since losing his closest friend, he's vowed that he will not fail another. Not even the haughty, foolhardy American blonde whom he can’t get out of his mind. And once Dimitri glimpses the terror Lauren hides behind her icily perfect façade, protecting her becomes his only goal.
Dimitri has no idea how far his commitment will take him, however, nor how powerful his need for Lauren will flare when she’s not only in his care, but in his arms. With each stolen moment, the danger around them intensifies, burning away every doubt…until all that remains is their fierce, unexpected passion. But will that be enough to save them?

Links
Goodreads | Amazon | | Kobo | iTunes

Bio Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series as well as the modern royals Gowns & Crowns series.

Links
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Rafflecopter
Jennifer is offering up some fabulous prizes during her Captured Virtual Blitz event. One (1) lucky grand prize winner will receive a $25 Gift Card for Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice) and two (2) runner-ups will win an eBook copy of Courted, book #1 in Jennifer’s Gowns & Crowns series! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.
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Excerpt Attitude
Dimitri’s lips twitched as Lauren trotted up the steps, and he wasn’t able to wipe his expression fully clean before she saw him. “You’re looking satisfied.”
He leaned forward with his elbows on the railing and gestured to the sun. “It’s almost sunset. There is much to be satisfied about.”
“Hmm.” She swiveled to take in the sun as well, her face half-hidden by giant sunglasses. “You do this every day? Just, you know, stand here and watch the sun go down?”
“No. We only do it on the days when we wish to be good to ourselves. The rest of the time, we make do with a lesser life.” He held out his hands. “Let me take your things and put them inside. I will get us both a beer so we can celebrate the sunset appropriately.”
She willingly handed him her shopping bag, then hesitated with her purse, keeping it close to her body. “I’m good with this. But thank you.” He had no choice but to take her bag and retreat.
Dropping it inside the door, he fetched the beers quickly enough as his mind clicked through the possibilities. He needed to see the phone, before they were to meet others. And that would be after sunset, so he didn’t have a lot of time.
How could he get Lauren worked up enough that she demanded a shower before she saw anyone else?
The solution was, of course, obvious. He’d always been known for his excellent ideas in the field. It was good to know that his instincts did not fail him while he was on leave.
He pulled the tops off the beers and headed back outside.
Lauren was sitting on one of the sling chairs, angled toward the sun. A thin crawl of clouds had surfaced on the horizon, running purple against the water. It looked more beautiful than any photograph he’d ever seen, and he’d watched tourists try to capture the magnificence a thousand times over. Some things, you had to experience in person.
He handed her a beer. “Good, yes?”
“It’s pretty, I guess.” Her smile softened her sarcastic words, and when he held his beer out to her, she clinked hers against it. “What are we toasting to?”
“To a perfect sunset. It’s enough.” Instead of taking a seat beside her in the matching swing chair, though, Dimitri folded his body to the porch, his head level with Lauren’s knees as he lounged back on one elbow. He was close enough to her body to feel her heat, sense her sudden tension. But it wasn’t the tension of a frightened woman, he thought. Simply one who was uniquely, subtly aware of him.
He took a long pull on his beer. He could work with that.

~*~

Be sure to check out COURTED Book #1 in the Gowns & Crowns series  By award winning author Jennifer Chance! Title: Courted
Author: Jennifer Chance
Publisher: Elewyn Publishing
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Series: Gowns & Crowns #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Length: 222 Pages
ISBN: 9781943768042

Aspiring concert violist Emmaline Aurora Grace Andrews is torn between her love of family and her love of music. A year ago, she deferred entering a prestigious graduate program to help her parents recover from a devastating accident. Now the deferment is expiring, but her parents still need her. Worse, every time she plays her audition piece, she mangles it. Is it too late to be the musician she'd always dreamed of? Should she even try?
Determined to get clarity, Emmaline accepts a friend's offer for a whirlwind European vacation. First Stop: a real live fantasy kingdom—the perfect place to sort wishes from reality.
Prince Kristos Andris was a respected captain in his nation’s military… Was. In the wake of the tragic death of his elder brother, he's managed to avoid his duties as the new Crown Prince of Garronia for months. But now he must accept his responsibilities and leave his troops behind. Outraged at the restrictions of his new royal position, he'll do anything for one last adventure. So when opportunity suddenly lands in his arms in the form of a dreamy-eyed American girl, he embraces it (and her) for all he's worth. What's the harm in a quick fling, after all? It won’t change what he knows he must do…
Only this is Garronia in the summertime, where passion has a way of ruining even the most sensible of plans.
Links
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Review of Burn by Allie Juliette Mousseau

Title: Burn
Author: Allie Juliette Mousseau
Series: Brothers of Ink and Steel
Genre: New Adult/Sports Romance
Release: May 26, 2015

Blurb Liam Knight, a sexy panty-melting, hard-bodied street-fighter and renowned tattoo artist, is rising up the ranks of the UFC Middleweight Division, but he’s about to get knocked out by his past.
Quinn Kelley is a semester away from becoming a college graduate when her mother’s death sends her spiraling, forcing her to go back to her hometown and a past she can’t outrun.
Nearly a decade ago, Liam and Quinn fell in love while surviving on the city streets together, but they were torn apart by one irreversible night. Now each has moved forward without the other, but like a tattoo on the heart, absolute love creates a lasting burn.
Quinn has kept a tight rein on her emotions, but with the passing of her mother, the foundation she’s built begins to crack. Will seeing Liam again crumble her fortress to the ground, uncovering the flame that still burns? Or will it extinguish the fire forever?
Liam’s tough exterior and resentful demeanor hides more than a wounded heart. He’s tormented by guilt over what happened to Quinn—and the secret he kept, even from her. But revealing his secrets would require unearthing the all-consuming monster he keeps caged in the darkest part of his soul, the one that threatens to devour him.
When they’re given a second chance, will they let go of their fear and pride and let the flame between them become one?
Or will the heat burn them both?

Links
Amazon (UK | CA | AU) | B&N | Kobo | Goodreads

If you haven't already, check out Dare, the first book in the Brothers of Ink and Steel Series

Review I don't think I've ever read a book by Allie that I didn't absolutely LOVE!  That certainly doesn't change with this book.  None of these brothers have had a great life, but some of the things that happened to Quinn and Liam are just unbelievable!  That people can actually behave this way...  Just crazy...  I've never been so happy to see someone get what's coming to them!  In the first book the reader learns that the boys bonded over a specific event, but in this book, we get the details...  Just WOW!  Allie never ceases to amaze me with a completely new amazing angst and drama filled story.  She is one of my top five favorite authors, so if you haven't read one of her books, you're seriously missing out.  Make sure you check out the excerpt, teasers, and giveaway at the bottom of this post!

Bio Allie Juliette Mousseau is a USA Today Bestselling author.
She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she'll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever. She loves to travel and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. She is excited to add all of Canada and Alaska in the near future!

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Excerpt One more hour before Josh shows up.
Maybe he’ll get distracted with Sophie and Charlie—his beautiful new family. Then he can call and apologize for missing it, and I can say, Better luck next time.
Damn I hope that happens.
I shade with snow-white opaque, platinum and charcoal and finish off the edges.
I’m actually thankful to Quinn for walking in on me this morning—I could’ve fucked up my hands bad and would’ve had to cancel this session—and doing this is the best therapy I could give myself.
“I think you’re done, man. Why don’t you go take a look?” I tell him.
He slides off the chair and goes up close to the full mirrored wall. “Holy Fuck! It’s incredible!”
“Happy you like it.” I smile and begin cleaning my area.
“Man, it’s a fucking masterpiece.”
“Thanks.”
“Aren’t you afraid if you continue fighting in the MMA, you could hurt your hand so bad you wouldn’t be able to tat anymore?” he asks.
Wow! That statement hits too close to home.
“I don’t mean nothing by it—you’re a hell of a fighter—could become a world titleholder,” he continues. “But you’ve got an amazing talent right here.”
“Thanks.” It’s just another subject and another question I don’t have an answer for.
After he leaves and my station is all cleaned up, I walk out into the waiting room.
“He was a happy customer,” Adrienne chirps.
Adrienne has been working for me since I opened the place. She and her longtime girlfriend live in the apartment above the shop. They’re great people.
“Josh just called. He’s on his way,” she says.
“Great,” I mutter and then look around at what I’ve built: black walls with red trim and black and red checkered flooring with a Persian area rug welcoming clients to sit on the black leather sofas. My artwork hangs on the walls … they’re good, but these pieces aren’t parts of my soul. Those are colors I’ve only ever let one person see. After her, I pulled the dark shades down over those windows.
“Want to talk about it?” Ade shakes me from my daze.
“No thanks. I definitely do not want to talk about it.”
“Are you going to talk to her about it?”
When I look over at her, she has her arms folded across her chest defiantly. Her spaghetti strapped dress shows off her colorful, flowered arm sleeves.
“You’re going to get on my case too?” I accuse.
“Well, you know there are no secrets here.” When she tilts her head to challenge me, the light reflects off her silver chin post. “I think fate is giving you a lucky draw from the deck, and you need to play your cards right. You’ve been pining after her for as long as I’ve known you.”
“Ade—” I begin.
“I’m not finished speaking. This is do or die, Jack—where you find out if she still has a thing for you or not. Maybe then you can get on or move on.”
“Jesus Christ, I hate all of this free advice!” I sweep my fingers through my hair.
“Free advice just means you have a family that cares about you,” she quips.
At that moment, the buzzer rings, announcing someone has opened the door behind me.
Shit.
“Welcome to The House of Ink and Steel,” Josh announces.
“Hi there!” Adrienne coos with the biggest smile. “You must be Quinn. I’m so excited to meet you.”
“Thanks.” She sounds unsure and distrustful.
“This is Adrienne, she’s been working here for forever,” Josh says.
“Oh yeah! Since Liam opened the place.”
“It’s impressive, Liam.”
When Quinn says my name, I feel as if I could melt.
“Would you like the tour?” Josh asks her when I don’t answer fast enough.
“I’d love it,” Quinn says. “You know, I’ve watched you on Ink Master.”
She’s still talking to me.
“Really? You watch that show?” I finally turn to face her.
“Well, only when you’ve been a guest judge. Guess I’m partial to your work as an artist.” She bites her lip and her gaze drops to the floor.
It’s her shy look. Her I-want-to-hide look.
“Come on, I’ll show you the alcoves.” Josh takes her arm in his. “Talon and Ryder do quite a lot more work around here than he does.”
As he leads her through the place Adrienne comes close and whispers in my ear, “It’s going to be alright, Liam. The universe has a way of working things through when it’s the right time.” “At least one of us believes that.” “Don’t be so cynical,” she scolds. “You just got handed a second chance.” Before I can shoot her a dirty look, Josh and Quinn come back through the lobby. “Let’s get some lunch,” Josh says. “I’m famished.” I give Adrienne a kiss on her cheek. Even though she’s just frustrated the living hell out of me, I know she cares.
We step out into the parking lot.
“I like the family SUV look you’ve got going on here,” I razz Josh, who used to drive a sleek Gillette Vertigo around. He still has it, but now he also owns a souped-up (with all the safety features) Chevy Tahoe. It has a pink flowered car seat in the back, which I’m sitting next to, along with the toys I had to push over to make room for my ass. A purple sippy cup sits in the drink holder next to Josh.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he admits with a shit-eating grin.
“I’d love to meet your family.” Quinn smiles over at him from the passenger seat.
“I can make that happen,” he tells her.
Soon, though, Josh drives the scenic route around Lake Calhoun.
“Look!” He indicates the colorful snow kites gliding over the frozen lake. Before anyone protests, he pulls into the recreation area’s parking lot.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen those,” Quinn says. “It looks like a kaleidoscope.”
“Good thing we’re all dressed warmly. Let’s get a closer look.” Josh turns off the engine. “I could use the fresh air too.”
This is turning into more than lunch. Before I lose my cool, I try to get back into the state of mind I had when I was tatting the guy’s arm.
“Sounds good,” Quinn says, and that solidifies it.
We all walk out to the lake’s edge. There’s so much going on here, even in the middle of February, and it reminds me why I love this city. Vendors are serving hot cocoa and warm, freshly baked pretzels; kids are running around in full snow gear, and of course, there are the snow kites. A snow kite looks a lot like a windsurfer, only it’s built to stand and sail on ice. The colors remind me of a hot air balloon festival, when hundreds take to the skies.
“There must be close to fifty of them,” I say.
“Have you ever tried it?” Quinn asks, and I realize she’s talking directly to me. “No. I’d fall flat on my ass.” I smile.
“Yeah, and break it, then I’d be the one carrying you home.” Josh laughs.
“Asshole.” I shove him lightly. “You know, Connor’s into it. Has his own kite and everything. He’s good at it.”
Josh asks Quinn, “So, where are you living these days?”
“Georgia. I’ve been there the past few years.”
“Do you like it?” he prods.
“It’s hot and humid in the summertime, but the winters aren’t so bad.” She shrugs. “I sort of like the storms that blow through.”
She didn’t really answer his question.
“It’s really cool you two became such close friends.” She stares off dreamily at the kites.
“Yeah, I put up with him,” Josh quips and shoves my shoulder. “You two entertain each other for a second, I need to use the loo.”
I’m going to kill the fucker. I have no idea what to say! And obviously neither does she, as we both just stand there, painfully uncomfortable.
“Adrienne seems sweet,” Quinn finally says.
“Yeah, she’s cool.”
“How long have the two of you known each other?”
“Since I opened shop six years ago.” I watch a novice kiter fall on his ass. I know how you feel, buddy, I think.
“Six years is a long time,” she says.
“I guess.” I just shrug my shoulders. I’m now plotting the ways I’m going to kill Josh. “You never did finish telling Josh if you liked living in Georgia.”
“The people are really nice. I love the southern hospitality and big smiles. The people make you feel really welcome.” She continues, “I’ve made some great friends.”
“But?” I say, while I crane my neck towards the bathrooms.
“But …?”
“It’s an easy question, do you like living in Georgia?” It comes out more rough-edged than I intend it to.
“Yes, I do,” she snaps back at me.
Perfect, I’ve made her angry.
Trying to save this conversation, which is already a train wreck, I try, “I’d miss the winter too much, I think, to live down south.”
“I miss the winter, the smell in the air and the prickly feel of the cold on your face,” she says, then slowly states. “I’ve been thinking for a while now about … maybe … moving back up into this area.”
It’s a big city, but not big enough. “Would your boyfriend go for that?” FUCK! Way to be subtle. And I don’t even want her to answer that! “You know, Josh is taking a long fucking time. I’m going to walk by the bathroom and see what’s taking him so long.”
I walk away fast, hoping she’ll forget that I asked her anything. Now I’m getting pissed off because I’m acting like a fucking teenager!
“Wait, I’ll go with you,” she says, catching up.
Without paying her much mind, I throw open the door of the men’s bathroom and walk inside, calling Josh’s name. When I get no answer, I come back out.
“Did you see him?” I ask.
“No.” She looks at me like I’m nuts. “Maybe he had to go to the car to get something.”
We walk together out into the parking lot, until we’re standing in the empty space Josh’s SUV had been parked in.
“Okay … that’s weird. You know, I’ll just call him.” She fumbles through her coat pockets. “He may have gotten a call from … Sophie … my phone isn’t here. Oh, shit! I just remembered, Josh asked if he could borrow my cell phone when his battery died. He must not have given it back to me.”
“I’ve got mine.” I feel my jacket’s inner lining and find only a piece of paper.
Sorry, Liam. Josh made me do it. Adrienne
I close my eyes as the reality of what Josh just pulled off becomes completely clear.
“That asshole!” I look around the lot, hoping it isn’t what I think.
“What is it?”
“He drove us out here, left us on purpose, and stranded us further by confiscating our fucking phones!” I’m fuming.
How the fuck could he do that to me? What the fuck would make him think this was a good idea?
I hear a soft giggle beside me. I peer over to see Quinn trying to stifle her laughter behind her mitten-covered hand.
“It isn’t funny!” I state. “It’s a five mile hike back to my place.”
That doesn’t stop her. Her response grows from a giggle to an all-out laughing fit.
“He didn’t even fucking feed us!” I growl.
But her eyes still sparkle when she laughs, and it sounds so good and beautiful I can’t help but get sucked into it.
“You think it’s funny?” I reluctantly smile at her.
She nods with tears in her eyes.
I have to hand it to him, this is definitely one way to force us together.

Teasers

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Review of Defcon Darcy by AJ Lape!

Blurb Fisher Stanton, Valley High School’s Nantucket wannabe, has a cheating girlfriend. When he hires Darcy Walker to chase her to a local club, in true Darcy fashion she stumbles upon a dead body. Thing is, this body has secrets...and Darcy’s mysterious friend, Jaws, and the reporter, Tito Westbrook, have a vested interest. Both enlist Darcy to find the person responsible who has eluded them for years, but Darcy doesn’t solve crimes for free anymore—especially where Jaws is concerned. Knowing Darcy’s Achilles heel, Jaws blackmails Darcy into working for him.

In a true test of wills, Darcy and Jaws battle head-to-head—Jaws needs Darcy to help him end a bitter grudge war; Darcy needs Jaws to divulge the mystery surrounding her mother’s death. Haunted by a past that shaped her present, Darcy will stop at nothing to get answers. Even if it means breaking the law and being disloyal to her new boyfriend, Dylan Taylor, in the process.

DEFCON DARCY gives Darcy’s demons a name and ties up loose ends that made Darcy into the verb that she is. What she thinks she knows as truth, isn’t. What she wishes wasn’t true…is.

The problem is, when your life goes DEFCON 1, not everyone lives to tell about it.

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Review Let me just say that I love AJ Lape's brain!!!! OMG, this book was AWESOME! AJ has such a gift, she makes Darcy feel like a real person. It's not often that I physically WORRY about a fictional character! I worried before I even started the book, lol, I believe it was 100 Proof Stud that I actually caught myself starting to pray for her...and let me tell you, I'm religious, but not THAT religious! I just knew this book was going to be even more stressful. I don't know why I put myself through the stress, but in the end, it's always worth it. Darcy is such a spectacle, the crazy things she gets herself into, just wow! I just love that even in the most dire of circumstances, she keeps her sense of humor...I don't think I could do it. When AJ told those of us in her street team that Darcy would find info out about her mother, wow, this is SO not what I had in mind! Such an unexpected twist, totally didn't see that one coming! OMG, I can't even tell you! If you haven't read one of AJ's books, you're SOOOO missing out. The first book in the Darcy Walker Series is FREE right now, check out the links below! Her books are amazing and she has such a gift, I don't even understand how she's still Indy, Traditional publishers should be beating down her door! Check out the Rafflecopter Giveaway and the Excerpt from Defcon Darcy below!

Bio A. J. Lape is the author of the Darcy Walker Series which has stayed on Amazon's teen's mysteries and thrillers bestseller's lists since its debut in 2012. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband, two daughters, an ADD dog, a spoiled hamster, and an unapologetic and unrepentant addiction to Coca-Cola--plus a lifelong love affair with bacon she has no plans to sever. A graduate of Morehead State University with a Master's degree in Communications, she's a PI wannabe and recently joined the Citizen's Police Academy in her hometown but daily stops crime through the fictional ADHD character of Darcy Walker. If the FBI ever checks her computer, she'll be wearing prison-orange due to the graphic and disgusting "wiki" articles she looks up...all in the name of career research, of course.

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Excerpt “Then let’s talk price.”
Fisher’s eyes went as big as a freaked-out lemur’s. “There’s a charge?”
“New policy as of January,” I giggled. “Payment can be in the form of United Dairy Farmers, Pink, Visa, Starbucks, or Target gift cards. If gift cards don’t work for you, then I’ll always take cash. And for this particular job my fee is fifty bucks.”
“Wow,” he whistled. “Does UDF do gift cards?”
“Not my problem,” I said, “and I can deliver within the week. If I deliver before next Friday, the price is doubled.”
Before we could shake on it, the ground underneath me metaphorically trembled. Only one person held the absolute power to make or break my day. When I met Dylan’s amber eyes, my first thought was I wish he’d get hit with an ugly stick. At six foot two, two hundred and twenty pounds, he was a powerhouse of muscle. Dark skin adorned his body, showcasing a face and abs so chiseled they could cut you. His jet-black hair was the type you wanted to run your hands through—everything to make you a ten on the perv scale.
Wearing faded jeans and a black letterman jacket, his stride was confident and sexy. Laughter plus a hormonally anxious prayer left my lips as he made his way closer. He’d ruin this for me. One snap of his fingers, and I’d go Pavlov’s dog and wag my freaking tail. “Here comes Dylan,” I nervously giggled. “Help me distract him.”
Fisher looked like I’d asked him to walk on water. “I can’t distract Taylor,” he gasped. “That’s like asking someone to distract God when he was forming the Earth. He’s everywhere, Darcy,” he shuddered. “Scares the pants off of me actually.”
I rolled my eyes. Dylan definitely cast a long shadow, but Fisher put the “c” in coward. “Just distract him." I said, "I don't expect you to shoot fireworks out of your butt, but come up with something when he starts asking questions.”

Review of The After Hours Series by Elle Kennedy

The After Hours Series

One Night of Sin
Blurb Sometimes it’s good to be bad…
When it comes to sex, good girl Skyler Thompson always plays it safe, choosing stable and sedate over wild and thrilling. She doesn’t do one-night-stands, but one look at sinfully sexy Gage Holt and she’s willing to reconsider. He makes her want to be bad for once in her life, and she’s prepared to take what she wants.
Danger follows former MMA fighter Gage Holt like a shadow. Despite his successes as part owner of Sin, an exclusive nightclub in Boston, Gage can’t risk getting involved with a woman, especially one as sweet as Skyler. Still, he can’t resist a taste—and it’s so damn good he has to see her again.
As addicted as he is to her, Gage knows there’s no future for him and Skyler—not with his past lurking in the dark corners of an MMA cage. But Skyler’s tougher than she looks, and she’s ready to fight for her man.


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Review This was such a cute story.  Funny, super hot, and pretty intense.  I love how this author writes.  She covers a pretty broad spectrum of emotions and occasionally throws in the term Sexy Times, which I just love!  It just tickles me.  Make sure you check out the giveaway and the excerpts below!

One Night of Scandal
Blurb The wrong man never felt so right...
Ex-fighter Reed Miller has been secretly lusting over his best friend’s girl for months, but he refuses to jeopardize a friendship over a woman—especially one who doesn’t like him all that much. Now that Darcy’s on the market again, it’s even more imperative to stick to his strict hands-off policy. But the sizzling attraction between them is too powerful to ignore, and once he’s had a taste of her…all bets are off.
Darcy Grant is tired of walking the straight and narrow path. She’s on the hunt for passion, and there’s no denying Reed is just the man to give it to her. Although she has no interest in dating a bad boy, and certainly not her ex’s best friend, it’s impossible not to melt beneath Reed’s skillful touch. Now it’s just a matter of setting a few ground rules—and hoping her rule-breaking, sweet-talking bad boy agrees to follow them. But if she lets Reed into her bed, does she stand a chance of keeping him out of her heart?

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Review Ah, forbidden love...feels so wrong, yet so right.  While frustrating, I'm really glad this one worked out.  Darcy and Reed are super hot together.  She was looking for passion, boy did she find it!  She wasn't meant for AJ anyway, as we see in the next book.  Watching Reed with Darcy's students is so cute too.  I would love to read more of these characters and from this author, I'm loving everything I've read of hers so far!

One Night of Trouble
Blurb No More Mr. Nice Guy…
The moment AJ Walsh sees the sexy, tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it's lust at first sight. He's always been labeled the "nice" guy―opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands. But with this wicked little angel with red lips and unfathomably dark eyes? Oh, yeah. Tonight, "nice" has nothing to do with it...
Brett Conlon is trying to convince her family that she's put away her reckless wild girl side for good. Nothing―and no one―could be better for her reputation than golden boy AJ Walsh. So they make a deal: if he plays The Good Boyfriend for her family, he can be a very, very bad boy with her. Now their one naughty night is about to turn into a whole lot of trouble...

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Review This book was great, when AJ goes bad...hot damn!  Didn't see that coming having read the first two books.  Didn't know he had it in him.  Gage & Reed, sure...but not him.  This book is SO funny, really hot, will pull at your heart strings, and just might piss you off.  Gotta love a book that is so multifaceted.  We also get to see more of the relationships from the two previous books, especially in the end!  Loved it!

Bio A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Elle loves to hear from her readers. Visit her website or sign up for her newsletter to receive updates about upcoming books and exclusive excerpts. You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter (@ElleKennedy).

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Excerpts
One Night of Sin “I’m Skyler,” she said.
He nodded.
“Maybe you’re new to civilized society, but normally when people introduce themselves, you reply by providing your own name.” She arched one perfectly defined eyebrow.
“Is that right?” His lips twitched. “Well, what makes you think I’m at all civilized, Skyler?”
That made her falter. She bit her lower lip. Tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and the scent of her shampoo floated his way. She smelled like green apples. A sweet and feminine fragrance, serving as a reminder that he shouldn’t be out here talking to her.
“How old are you, sweetheart?” His voice came out rough.
“Well, my ID held up at the door, so I’m over twenty-one if that’s what you’re worried about.
Twenty-four, actually. In some cultures that would make me a spinster.”
Gage swallowed a laugh. There was something truly refreshing about her sarcasm, especially when contrasted with the flush of her cheeks and the way she fidgeted with her hands. She didn’t belong here. Not at this club, not even in this neighborhood. She should be nestled between crisp white sheets right about now, snuggled next to a wholesome man while the two of them watched late-night talk shows before bed.
“Go back inside,” he said gruffly. “Your date’s probably wondering where you are.”
That made her snicker. “I doubt it. I think he wrote me off the second he realized I wasn’t going to fuck him tonight.”
Gage’s cock jerked in his pants. Jesus. That angel mouth wasn’t allowed to say things like that. Not in front of him, a man whose inner devil could be summoned at the drop of a hat.
“Go back inside,” he repeated.
“Why? You don’t like talking to me?” Hands planted on her slim hips, she moved closer, a pensive look on her face.
He shrugged. “I don’t like talking, period.”
“Huh. So what do you like to do?”
Gage met her eyes in another long, deliberate stare. Leaving no question as to what he enjoyed doing. She visibly swallowed. And then she startled the hell out of him.
“So maybe that’s what we should do.”
A laugh rumbled out of his chest. “You’re playing with fire, baby.”
“Am I?”
She had the nerve to lick her lips. He didn’t think she’d done it as an intentional taunt, but damn, the response to seeing her tongue dart out was instantaneous. His erection pulsed against his zipper, hard and persistent, like it was trying to tunnel its way out of his pants and into her pussy.
Gage took a breath, trying to ease the ache down south. Nope, he wasn’t giving in, wasn’t going to acknowledge the awareness prickling over his flesh. He was fighting in two days, and he didn’t like to screw before a match. The frustration fueled him, gave him the edge he needed to send an opponent to his knees.
But at the moment, he wanted to be the one on his knees. With his head underneath Skyler’s skimpy dress, his face buried between her legs as he licked her up until she screamed.
“Yes,” he rasped. “You’re definitely playing with fire.”
“Maybe I like fire, did you ever think of that? Maybe I want to get burned.”

One Night of Scandal “Stall as long as you want. I ain’t going anywhere, Darce.”
His deep, razor-sharp voice snapped her from her inappropriate ogling. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice she’d been checking him out. His expression displayed a cloud of displeasure mingled with steely determination, leaving no doubt as to how serious he was about cockblocking her tonight.
Or was it vagina-blocking for girls? She wasn’t sure.
“You’re being totally unreasonable,” she said, raising her voice over the music. “I’m not seeing AJ anymore, which means it’s not considered cheating if I happen to meet someone I like.”
“Don’t care. Won’t be happening on my watch.”
God. He wasn’t going to back down.
Cut your losses, girl. You’re not the one-night-stand type, anyway.
The defeated voice in her head was spot on. Hopping into bed with strangers wasn’t something she indulged in very often. Or ever.
Darcy stifled a sigh. Maybe this had been a mistake from the start. A stupid, spur-of-the-moment decision brought on by her break-up with AJ, which, in all honesty, had seriously bummed her out. Not because she’d lost the love of her life or anything, but because their relationship had been so lacking it only highlighted everything she’d been missing. Everything she craved.
Fun. Laughter. Excitement.
Passion.
Yep, full circle, right back to passion.
“C’mon, quit being a brat.”
She felt herself being tugged, blinking to find Reed’s fingers curled over her forearm. His hand was big and warm, and utterly impersonal as he guided her to the dance floor.
Darcy swallowed her anger as they maneuvered through the crowd. Fine, if he wanted to act like a macho jerk and be her shadow, then she’d let him. Clearly passion wasn’t on the table anymore, but fun and dancing were still up for grabs, and she might as well get something out of this botched evening. Though maybe just the dancing part. After all, fun and Reed Miller didn’t exactly go together.
The sultry beat pounding out of the DJ’s turntables immediately snaked its way into Darcy’s blood, and her body responded of its own volition. AJ had hated to dance. Poor guy had no moves, either, but his best friend didn’t seem to share that affliction.
To her surprise, Reed wasted no time yanking her toward him. He rested one hand on her hip and began to dance to the pulsing, decadent rhythm as if he’d done it a hundred times before.
His head dipped to her ear, his warm breath fanning over her neck. “Why is your dress so short?” he rasped.
She stiffened at his disapproving tone, glancing down at the silky green dress that nearly reached her knees. “It’s not that short. Look around us—half these girls are practically naked.”
“Half these girls aren’t you.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she demanded.
Rather than answer, he brought his other hand into play, running it up and down her back as his hips rotated in a slow, addictive rhythm.
Oh boy. He smelled fantastic. Sandalwood, citrus, and something uniquely male flooded her nostrils, giving her a bit of a head rush. And his chest was rock-hard beneath her palms she wanted so badly to stroke it that she had to redirect her hands to his shoulders in an attempt to quell the temptation. Except his shoulders were equally enticing, big and broad and rippling with power.
AJ was built the same lean, muscular way—she knew it had everything to do with the fact that both men had once been professional fighters—but even though she’d slept with AJ many, many times, her hands had never itched to explore every hard, sinewy inch of his body the way they itched now.
Reed’s palm grazed her hipbone at the same time he thrust a thigh between her legs, turning the dance from vaguely sensual to downright erotic. Heat unfurled in Darcy’s belly and tingled in her sex, triggering a jolt of shock.
Holy crap. She was dirty dancing with AJ’s best friend.
And it was turning her on.

One Night of Trouble “What the hell!” Brett blurted out. “I told you the arrangement was off.”
His lips twitched. “I decided to call your bluff.”
“It wasn’t a bluff. I meant every frickin’ word.”
“I know I left you hurting, but if it helps, I was hurting just as bad.” He ruefully glanced at his crotch.
Brett’s traitorous eyes lowered, and her breath hitched when she noticed his unmistakable hard-on. “Good. You deserve to hurt.” Irritation bubbled inside her, along with indignation over what he’d done last night. Depriving her of an orgasm like that. Asshole. “I can’t believe you just stopped,” she muttered.
“I told you why I did.”
“Mmm-hmmm. Your bullshit anticipation excuse.”
“It wasn’t an excuse.” He took a step toward her. “The anticipation is half the fun, baby. The hunger…that burning ache of wanting something so badly but not being able to take it…”
The air in the hallway got hotter. Thickened with awareness.
AJ inched closer, slow and purposeful, effectively backing her into the wall. Her butt bumped into solid drywall. She had nowhere to go.
She found herself staring at his mouth. The sensual curve of it, the surprisingly full bottom lip. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from acting on the impulse to kiss him.
“Did you make yourself come last night?” he murmured.
“Yes.” She shot him a haughty look. “Many times.”
“Liar.” He lifted his finger to her face and traced the seam of her lips. “You wouldn’t be this tense if you had.”
Brett gritted her teeth. “I’m tense because you crashed our barbecue. I told you I didn’t want you to come.”
“Bullshit. You do want me to come.” The silky note in his voice told her he wasn’t talking about the barbecue. “I want you to come, too.” His eyes grew heavy-lidded. “I wanted to feel your orgasm squeezing my cock last night.”
“But you stopped,” she reminded him in accusation.
“I stopped,” he agreed.
His hand drifted down to the waistband of her jeans.
Brett’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you doing?” she squeaked.
AJ didn’t answer. He popped open the button and pulled the zipper down, then slipped his hand inside. Her sex instantly clenched beneath his warm palm. She involuntarily rubbed against it, and God, it felt so good she almost keeled over.
Her body was hypersensitive from the lack of relief she’d given it yesterday, her clit swollen to the point of pain. She knew AJ could feel how damp her panties were, but she was too turned on to care.
He stroked her gently, the heel of his hand teasing her clit and unleashing a flurry of shivers. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she melted into his skillful touch.
“And I’m going to stop now, too.”
Brett’s eyes flew open. “What?”
“I’m going to take you to the edge again. And then yank you right back.”
God, she was already close. Just a tiny bit more pressure and she’d come apart, so hard she’d probably see stars. But the pressure didn’t come. AJ withheld it from her, continuing to brush her clit with featherlight caresses.
“And after lunch?” he went on. “I’ll find another reason to get you alone, and I’ll do it again.” He drew a teasing circle around her clit. “By the time this day is over, you’re going to want me so bad you won’t be able to breathe. You won’t be able to walk without feeling that burn between your legs.”
“Neither will you.” Smirking, she cupped his impressive package over his jeans and squeezed hard.
A tormented sound escaped his lips. “Oh, I’ll be feeling the same burn, baby. I’m going to be aching for you.”
“Then why?” she demanded in frustration. “Why are you torturing us?”
“Anticipation,” he said again. “Think about how good it will be when we finally let go. Like a slow burning fuse, getting hotter and hotter…and then”—he brought his mouth to her neck and nipped at her feverish flesh— “when it explodes…”
“Bang,” she whispered.