Saturday, October 22, 2011

Naughty Halloween Guest Blog and Giveaway with Liliana Hart


Happy Halloween!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is turning cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and every house on my street is decorated with the scariest props imaginable—graveyards, cobwebs, headless brides…I live in a great neighborhood.

I took a writing trip this past weekend with one of my pals, and we escaped our husbands and children for three whole days so we could get some serious writing done and change up the scenery a little bit. It turned out that I got way more than I bargained for with this trip.

The town we went to is very small—lots of B&B’s, mercantile shops, homemade sauces and jams, specialty boutiques and…haunted houses. The town is full of ghost sightings and unexplained events, and it just so happened while we were shopping at the mercantile, the woman who owned the store was serving a dinner that night and telling local ghost stories. It was the best $20 I spent all weekend.

She told us about the different houses that were currently haunted, murders and betrayal, and loves lost. But there was one particular story of a house that completely unnerved me. This house was built in the late 1800s, and the original family lived in the house for more than a century. But as stories go, things didn’t turn out for the family. The man of the house was cold to his wife and his children, he was abusive and cruel, and when the woman took a secret lover so she could finally find some happiness in her life, she had to have known that it could only last for a short while. The husband found them together, and in a fit of rage killed his wife and her lover, and then he hunted down and murdered their three children because he wasn’t sure if they were really his, just before turning the gun on himself.


It was a terrible tragedy, and it’s their ghosts who have scared the bejeezus out of every owner since that time. The house has never had the same owner for more than two years before they pack up and leave. There have been multiple documentations of temperature fluctuations between the rooms. The master suite where the woman and her lover were killed never gets above freezing, no matter how high the heat is turned up. Multiple accounts of furniture being moved in the rooms and pictures falling from the walls have come from every owner.

The last owners turned the place into a B&B, and had to instruct their staff to deny the rumors of the hauntings because they were losing business. The last owners were open for business for a mere six months. The new lady of the house was getting for bed one night (her husband was out of town on a business trip), and as she slipped into bed and pulled the covers over her, the covers on the other side of the bed where her husband usually sleeps were pulled back, and she felt the weight of a body get in bed beside her.

I don’t know about you guys, but if I felt someone get into bed beside me, but couldn’t see an actual person there, I would be flying out of that house. Which is exactly what the owners did. She woke her children up and the household staff, and everyone vacated the premises in their pajamas. An open jar of peanut butter was left on the counter, the beds were left unmade, clothes were left in the closets and dishes were left in the cupboards. The family left everything behind.

No one has lived in the house in four years. No one has even gone inside. If you look in the windows, you can still see the open peanut butter on the counter and everything just as the family left it. The house is frozen in time forever. Creepy. And I had the nightmares to prove it.

Believe me when I say I got enough book ideas to last me a long time from this trip. I can’t wait to share them with you.

I hope everyone has a wonderfully terrifying Halloween!

xoxo

Liliana Hart


Who’s Riding Red?An Erotic Fairy Tale
Genre: Paranormal Erotica, Werewolves, Fairy Tales/Mythology
Warning: This book contains scenes intended for those over 18 years of age, including M/M, multiple partners, ménage, anal, sexual apparatuses/toys, and some violence.


Blurb:

London, 1492

Phillipa Redmond (Little Red Riding Hood) has lost her entire family to a terrible plague. When survivors from her village are evacuated to the country, Phillipa has no choice but to flee with them. But in the forest lurks something much more deadly than a killing sickness. They gentry call him Wulf, and he’s said to be the cruelest, most vile monster imaginable—a soulless demon who tortures his prey.

When Phillipa is kidnapped by Wulf and held hostage by his pack of wolves, she finds out that there’s a very fine line between pleasure and pain, and she has to decide once and for all if she feels more at home with the humans who want her title and riches, or with the monsters who want to worship her body for eternity.

Chapter Five:
Wulf



Phillipa woke to a cooling sensation sliding sinuously over her limbs. Her mind was hazy and her body relaxed. When the cool air whispered between her legs, her thighs splayed open to accept the strange, but soothing feeling, as if it were perfectly natural to bare herself to the oddity.

Images scattered through her mind and intermingled, so fact and fiction were a blurry haze.

Richard was between her thighs, his cock long and hard as it prepared to take her virginity. She was damp with desire and more than ready to take him. Anticipation coursed through her, but just as he began to push inside of her, the wolves circled around them in the clearing, growling and snarling, ready to kill Richard for taking what they considered theirs.

They tore Richard away, tossing him to the ground like a rag doll, and the giant black beast stood over her—his genitalia fully erect and terrifyingly human paired with his monstrous body. She whimpered and struggled to open her eyes, even though part of her was fascinated by his size and ferocity. She wanted to touch him, take him in her mouth, and accept him into her body even as she wanted to push him away.

Her body was betraying her, desire rising so swiftly within her breast that almost anything or anyone would suffice. What had Richard done to her? What had he turned her into? Panic consumed her to the point that it was difficult to draw a breath.

The cool breeze whispered over her once more and soothed her nerves. And this time when she whimpered, it wasn’t with distress but with need. She knew her body. Knew the heaviness in her breasts and the sensitivity of her nipples would only increase until she found release. Even as she had the thought, a mouth closed over her right nipple, a warm tongue lapping at the peaked bud until she couldn’t help but press her body upward. The tongue flicked rapidly and teeth nipped erotically until she almost came from that alone. Somewhere in the foggy haze of her brain, she wondered why the black wolf’s teeth hadn’t damaged her. They’d felt decidedly…human.

The heat in her body increased until she was sure she’d burst into flame, and she cried out as her body sought some kind of relief.

“I can soothe your pain, Phillipa,” a voice said inside her head.

His words slithered across her skin like silk and she found she wanted him to say more. His voice was an aphrodisiac, a pure baritone that would make the angels weep with wonder.

“I have made the angels weep. For they fear me and shudder when my name is spoken. But you do not. You open your mind and body to me as if you already belonged to me. And I find this pleases me greatly.”

He pressed an intimate kiss between her thighs and groaned in ecstasy as he drank her sweet nectar. His tongue was amazing—different than Richard—longer, and it seemed to touch her everywhere at once, sending her body into rapture with every swipe.

Phillipa found the strength to move her arms and grasped his head with her hands. His hair was thick and long and soft between her fingers as she gripped him tightly and thrust her hips against him. Shudders wracked her body as she came in a flood against his mouth.

He slid up her body, coarse hairs tickling her skin until they were lined up like two pieces of a puzzle. Her hands moved from his head to his shoulders, a part of her mind still acknowledging that this man was a stranger, though her body was already filling with the overwhelming heat once more, and her hips cradled the hardness that rested against her cleft.

She forced her eyelids open and stared into the blackest eyes she’d ever seen—as if they were made from darkness itself. They were exotic and slightly tilted at the corners, and she thought his thick black lashes should look overly feminine, but they didn’t. Staring into his eyes was like looking into nothingness. She remembered the words of Sir Harry. A soulless beast.

Phillipa was terrified, but somehow aroused in equal measure. Giving herself to this man, if he even was a man, would change her life forever. There would be no going back if she let him inside her.

“I can feel your heat, Phillipa. It calls to me, and I can’t help but answer.”

He nudged her folds with his cock and she gasped for breath at the intimate touch. He didn’t go any further and she lifted her hips to him to nudge him closer.

“I know what you’re feeling right now,” he whispered. “Your mind is in a dream. Your body feels as if it’s about to catch flame, and your pussy is drenched with an unspoken yearning. You need release, but your movements are slow, your limbs weighed down by an unseen force.”

“Mmm,” she moaned in acquiescence. He pushed against her a little more and the head of his cock stretched her virgin entrance. Her nails dug into his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his back.

“You don’t know me. But you dream of me. You fear me. But you want me. And now that you’ve been tainted, it is only I that can soothe your body from the fiery heat. You are mine.”

“Yes, yes!” Phillipa screamed.

He took her mouth in a savage kiss and she tasted the copper tinge of blood as he bit her lip. His hips thrust into her just as his tongue plunged into her mouth, and she was innocent no more.

There was no pain, though she knew there should have been. He hadn’t taken her with ease as one should with a virgin. But the heat that consumed her body somehow dulled the pain, and she accepted him with ease.

His cock filled her completely and touched her very womb, and when he began to piston in and out of her body she was lost to the pleasure. Time and space ceased to exist. They were alone—two strangers caught in the heat of magic—desperate for fulfillment.

A growl rumbled in his chest and his lips twisted in a snarl as he moved impossibly faster. But she wasn’t afraid. The pleasure he gave her body was too great. His cock swelled to the point that it brought an edge of pain to their coupling, and that was all it took to send her over the edge.

Her cunt clamped and spasmed around him and she screamed as the feeling coursed through her entire body. He buried his face in her neck and stiffened above her, and she knew he’d found his own fulfillment.



Book Giveaway: 1 Free Copy of The Adventures of Goldilocks and the Three Behrs

1.) Go to www.lilianahart.com

2.) Look on the left side of the site and click on Join My Mailing List

3.) That’s all you have to do! A winner will be picked using the Random Name Picker website


Here’s an excerpt of Goldilocks.

Warning: This book contains scenes intended for those over 18 years of age, including lesbianism, multiple male partners, ménage, anal, voyeurism, masturbation and some violence.




Chapter Five:
A Decision Must Be Made

Cole had been teaching Victoria some of the things that Dillon liked to help her pass the time and to feel closer to Dillon while he was away—teaching her the darker things that Holly had once told her of—and she had to admit she preferred it when their lovemaking was a little harder—a little edgier—a little different.

Cole tied her into her corset one afternoon, so her breasts were presented plump and full, practically bursting from the top, and her waist appeared small. He blindfolded her and carried her to the paddock where they trained the horses, bent her forward and tied her hands to the pole in the middle of the ring, much like he did the horses he was trying to break.

Victoria couldn’t see anything. She could only feel the smooth wood beneath her hands and the soft grass beneath her feet. The smell of the water was clean and clear and the sun beat against her back. She was bent over and exposed so anyone might see, and the thought gave her chills even as a soft breeze blew across the damp curls of her nether lips.

Victoria jumped as a crop whistled through the air and landed against her skin. She was torn between crying out in pain and hiding in shame, for she felt the moisture gathering between her legs. By the time Cole got to the last few spankings, she was pushing her ass out to meet each lash as it came down, and her desire was running freely down the inside of her thighs.

“Very good, Victoria,” Cole crooned as he tossed the crop to the ground and touched the heated flesh of her ass with his cool hand. “Your response will please Dillon a great deal. Now let’s see what else that sweet ass of yours can take.”

Victoria squirmed against her bonds as he dipped his fingers through her wet slit. The blindfold made every touch, every whisper of breath more intensive, and she shuddered as he kissed her on the nape of the neck and pushed his fingers inside of her.

“Please, Cole,” she begged, pushing against him as he added another finger, stretching her wide.

“Are you begging me, Victoria?”

“Yesss. Please. You know what I want.”

His laugh slithered silkily across her skin as he pulled his fingers from her sheath. “Yes, I know exactly what you want. But I’m going to give you something else. I know Dillon better than I know myself Victoria, and I know for a fact that he’s going to love every delectable inch of you. Just as Holly and I do. But Dillon’s tastes run darker than mine, and I want you to be prepared for the things he’ll want to do to you. Do you understand?”

She nodded her head and whimpered as he nipped gently at her neck, before laving the bite mark with his tongue. “I understand.”

“Good girl.” He gathered her moisture on his finger and skimmed it up to the puckered star of her anus.

“Cole,” she said in surprise. “You can’t—”

“Shh, baby. Just relax.”

She felt a slight pressure and a tingle down her spine as he inserted a finger in her forbidden passage.

“That’s it, Victoria. Relax and take me in.”

He worked his finger in and out before adding a second, working her moisture into the tight hole. Victoria’s knees trembled at the pleasure and she moaned in protest when Cole removed his fingers and left her empty.

“No, no, don’t stop. Please,” she begged.

“I couldn’t if I tried,” he said huskily.

She felt his hands hot against her hips, his fingers branding her skin, as he lined up his cock behind her. He sunk his shaft into her pussy with one thrust, so she felt the slap of his testicles against her backside, and then pulled out just as quickly. The head of his cock pressed against her anus and she tried to relax as he pushed against the tight ring.

“That’s it, baby. You look so fucking sexy.” His breath was strained, and his fingers clamped tighter around her hips as he pushed the large head of his cock inside of her.

Victoria cried out at the invasion and bit her lip as her body adjusted to the foreign pleasure. “Ohmigod, Cole. It’s too much. You’re too big.”

“You can take all of me, Victoria. Did you know that Dillon is bigger than I am? I’m preparing you for his cock, baby.” Cole let out a sigh as he pushed his entire length into her ass. “That’s it, sweetheart. I’m all in now. God, you’re so damned tight I could come just staying still.”

“I feel so strange, Cole. My body is hot. And my pussy throbs.”

Cole reached his hand beneath her, pressing his middle finger over her clit. “I’ll make it better, baby. I promise.” He was bent over her back and his breath tickled her ear as he whispered to her. “Holly is watching us right now from the trees. Did you know that?”

“No,” Victoria moaned, imagining the sight they must make together.

“Her shirt is unbuttoned and she’s playing with those beautiful tits with one hand while the other is buried in her pussy. She loves seeing me deep inside your ass.”

“Yes,” Victoria cried out. “Hurry. Please.”

Cole pulled out slowly, and she felt every ridge of his cock against her sensitive nerve endings. And then her world exploded as he slammed into her with relentless strokes, pushing her closer and closer to an ecstasy she’d never imagined, while his fingers thrummed her clit. Black dots danced in front of her eyes as her orgasm seemed to start at her toes and tingle across every surface of her skin.

Her ass tightened around his cock and she heard his groans of pleasure as he had to work harder to push inside of her because of her tightness. He thrust one last time and she felt him swell inside of her just before his come coated her inner walls. In the distant corner of her mind, as her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground, she heard Holly cry out with her own release.



Friday, October 21, 2011

Guest Blog and Halloween Giveaway with Lucy Felthouse

5 Things That Scare Me by Lucy Felthouse

It's that time of year again. The days are growing shorter (well, in the Northern Hemisphere, they are!), the leaves are falling from the trees and it's growing colder. That can only mean one thing... Halloween is approaching! As part of Roxanne's fab Halloween event, I'd like to dish the dirt on a few things that scare me, as well as sharing a chilling excerpt from my Halloween themed f/f release, Weekend at Wilderhope Manor, which just released from Summerhouse Publishing. So without further ado and in no particular order...

1. Spiders – but at least I know I'm not alone in this one!

2. Butterflies – no, I have no idea why, either.

3. Freddy Kreuger – I blame it on the fact I watched a film with him in at a very young, impressionable age and have never been able to shake the fact he creeps me the f**k out!

4. The episode of Supernatural in season one called Asylum. Much as I love the boys, every time I re-watch the show, I always skip that episode. For some reason I found it truly terrifying.

5. Dying – pretty self-explanatory, huh?

*****
Excerpt from Weekend at Wilderhope Manor

The hedge which lined the right-hand side of their path had come to an end now, and off to that side was another lawn. Beyond that, a much higher hedge with a purpose designed gap to admit entry. It had to be the maze. The girls walked across the lawn in the direction of the maze's entrance. Once they reached it, they looked at each other in awe. The maze's walls were even higher than they'd first thought.

Jenny said, "I think I'd rather we went in together. Wouldn't you? It's all a bit Alice in Wonderland, and I don't want to come a cropper with the Queen of Hearts while you're drinking tea with the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit."

Stephanie laughed out loud, jabbing Jenny playfully with an elbow. "Where do you come up with these ideas?! It's just a maze, sweetheart. But if it'll make you feel better, we'll go through together. I guess it could get a little creepy as we get inside."

That decided, the girls walked in. Stephanie, the more logical of the two, led the way through the narrow corridors in search of the elusive centre. She felt confident at first, but as the twists and turns continued, she felt less so. That and the fact that she'd been right about the creep factor. It was a clear but not particularly bright day, resulting in very little natural light penetrating the hedges that made up the maze. It was navigable but incredibly gloomy, and Stephanie sensed that Jenny was staying as close behind her as possible without treading on the backs of her shoes. Honestly, she didn't blame her. Even Stephanie was starting to feel a little spooked. The silence wasn't helping. From their sheltered position, they could see glimpses of the sky, but they couldn’t hear anything other than the sound of their own footsteps and breathing.

Stephanie picked up the pace, albeit subtly. She didn't want to worry Jenny, but she wasn't quite sure where they were and she was feeling really quite nervous. Despite the silence and the fact they hadn't seen another soul since they'd left the house, Stephanie suddenly had the oddest feeling that they weren't alone. It was a silly notion, because the walls of the maze were so thick that you couldn't see through them, so it wasn't like anyone could be secretly spying on them. But Stephanie simply could not shake her apprehension. She desperately wanted to get out of the maze, but saw no way of doing it quickly. Even turning back wouldn't guarantee a swift exit because they wouldn't remember each twist and turn they'd taken. They could just end up stuck in here even longer.

Suddenly, Jenny's Alice in Wonderland comment didn't seem so stupid after all. Refusing to let Jenny sense her fear, she looked steadfastly in front of her and carried on walking. Then she heard the crack of a twig which sounded like it came from up ahead. Unfortunately, Jenny heard it too.

"Wh – what was that?!" Jenny said, clutching onto the back of Stephanie's coat.

In spite of all her layers, Stephanie felt a shiver run down her spine but forced herself to continue putting one foot in front of the other. Trying – and failing – to inject some normalcy into her voice, she replied, "Pr – probably just someone else from the house. You can enter from either side of the maze, remember. They could have come in the opposite end. I expect we'll bump into them shortly."

They didn't bump into anyone, but the path started to broaden and they soon emerged into the centre of the maze, much to Stephanie's relief. She knew they were far from home and dry, but at least she wasn't feeling like the walls were closing in on her anymore. They took a few minutes to stop and Stephanie looked into each of the paths leading off the centre to see if she could see anyone lurking there. She was reminded of the incident in the corridor outside the library the previous evening, and wondered if the same person was trying to scare them here, too. She decided not to say anything to the other girl. There was no point; with Jenny's imagination she'd be conjuring up ghosts and ghouls left, right and centre and getting her out of the maze would be even more of a chore than it was already.

"Come on," Stephanie said loudly, as if trying to prove how perfectly fine she was feeling, "let's get going."

Stephanie walked towards the potential exit paths and chose one, hoping against hope that it was the right one. She didn't know how much longer her nerve would hold out. Jenny followed close behind, seemingly calmer now as the single broken twig hadn't been followed up by anything else. Walking steadily onwards, Stephanie made quick decisions on their turns, thinking that even if she got it wrong, keeping this pace would mean she could correct quickly and get them the hell out of the maze.

Neither girl spoke. After a while, Stephanie wasn't sure how close they were to the exit, but she sensed they were almost there. They hadn't hit a dead end in a while. Then she heard a noise from behind Jenny. Spinning, she grabbed Jenny and pushed in front of her, ready to face their foe head on. She was terrified, but she sure wasn't going to show it.

"Who's there?"

Nothing. Stephanie waited, her upper arms starting to hurt where Jenny was gripping them tightly.

"Hello? Are you lost?"

Still no response. If there was a genuine patron in the maze, they'd have replied.

"Oh for fuck's sake!" Stephanie yelled. "What are you, some kind of creepy pervert that likes scaring women? Well it's not working!"

She was lying through her teeth, of course, but she wasn't going to let their stalker know that.

"We're going now, anyway. So you'll have to find someone else to try and scare, all right?"

This time, the response was the sudden approach of heavy footsteps. As one, both girls spun round and ran in the direction they'd been heading as fast as they could. The noise they were now making masked out any their assailant might have been producing, but Stephanie didn't care. She wanted out – now. She ran close behind Jenny, thanking their lucky stars when she finally saw an opening in the hedge which would lead them back out of this godforsaken hole.
Jenny had obviously spotted it too, as she had a sudden burst of speed which took her right to the exit. She was almost on the grass when she suddenly tripped – over nothing. Stephanie had no time to react and she ended up tripping over Jenny and they both sprawled on the grass in a heap. They hurriedly disentangled, aware they were being followed and about to come face-to-face with their attacker.

Only, they weren't. Whoever had been pursuing them in the maze didn't emerge.

*****
Blurb:

When Stephanie and Jenny go to a Murder Mystery Halloween weekend at Wilderhope Manor, they’re expecting fun and games. But following creaky floorboards, spooky noises and an alarming encounter in the Manor’s grounds, the girls begin to wonder if there’s more to Wilderhope Manor than meets the eye. As they find frequent comfort in one another’s arms – and their bed – will the girls discover what’s causing the bumps in the night, or will they run scared?

*****
About the Author:

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

*****
COMMENT TO WIN!

Want to win yourself a PDF copy of Weekend at Wilderhope Manor? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us something that scares you. Make sure you include your email address in the body of the comment too. The winner will be drawn on the 28th October. Good luck!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sapphire Phelan's Halloween Costume Guest Blog and Giveaway

Halloween is coming, and with Halloween is the thought to wear a scary costume. But can’t something scary also be sexy? For example, there’s Elvira (http://modlife.com/elvira ). I remember watching her Movie Macabre back in the 70s-early 80s when I lived in El Cajon, California. She was the epitome of being vampish. But even she based her persona on Natasha nod Boris and Natasha of Rocky and Bullwinkle, plus all those sexy vampires in the films of the 30s/40s.

Vampires are considered not just frightening, but a hot item these days: male or female. Even teens are lusting over the vampires in Twilight. Why are they sexy? Is it because they are immortal, yet vulnerable and also forever young? Drink blood? And the number one reason: maybe because they can be reformed from being the ultimate bad boy or girl. What is it about vampires that makes your blood heat up?

Forget the scare aspect of shifters like werewolves. There’s just something hot about bringing out the beast in a man. And when they’re able to rip you apart with claw and fangs, well, that just ups the sex appeal.


There are so many yummy paranormal beings out there to become for this one night of the year. From fairies to vampires to werewolves to demons to sorcerers, and much, much more, Halloween brings out the sexy supernatural in all of us. Don’t you agree?

With Halloween I have a couple of paranormals available as perfect reads and maybe even inspirations for costumes for this time of the year. Like Being Familiar With a Witch (set during Halloween) and its sequel, A Familiar Tangle With Hell (set during New Year’s Eve). Both are eBooks available through Kindle, All Romance eBooks, Nook and Phaze Books .

And my short vampire paranormal romance, “His Girl,” is included in Just Another Paranormal Halloween , an anthology of eight paranormal romances, is available both as an eBook and print trade paperback.



Blurbs for Being Familiar With a Witch and A Familiar Tangle With Hell:

Tina doesn't know she's a witch. It will take Charun, her demon Familiar, to convince her to make love with him and let loose her witch powers. For if she doesn't, then with the demon army about to bring Armageddon to the Mortal Realm on Halloween, she won't stand a chance in Hell.

The sizzling sequel to the EPIC Award finalist Being Familiar With a Witch!

Tina and Charun thought it was all over and that their life would be normal--well, as normal as it could be for an immortal Witch and her demon Familiar. Except there was another prophesy, one that laid claim that if Lucifer snatches Tina and mates with her before the last chime before midnight of the new year and gets her pregnant with his son, that the real Armageddon would begin, spelling the end of life as they knew it.

When Tina is stolen away, Charun, along with Jacokb the archangel, must race against time into the bowels of Hell to rescue her. But with demons, Lucifer, and a cute demon bunny with fangs out of a Monty Python nightmare, out to stop them and Heaven not lending a hand, will Tina become the mother of the Antichrist and the start of a new Hell on Earth?


Just Another Paranormal Halloween Blurb:

On the Darkest Knight of a Pixie's Holiday, you'll feel an A-mazing Grace, but beware of Love, Lies and Zombie Cries, for Samhain's Visitor and His Girl will arrive at the Tiger's Masquerade, followed by the Man in the Long Black Coat. It's Just Another ParaNormal Halloween at the Castle... Mojocastle.

Short excerpt from His Girl:


"I'm a vampire."

The admission came out in a husky whisper.

"Wait a minute. What did you say?"

She tossed her hair back and snarled, revealing the fangs again, razor sharp. No longer did she look like the sweet, loving Aimee he knew, but more like some wild, untamed animal. Inhuman and terrifying, she raged on.

"An undead monster! I feed upon living beings and exist on their blood. That's why I haven't changed or grown older. I died that night thirty years ago, thanks to the vampire who took me in those woods not far from the motel. The next night, he sank his fangs into my cunt, feasting on both my blood and come as I came. It turned me on and that's what upsets me the most! That I climaxed while being drained to the point of death by some monster. Because I gave him pleasure in turn, he decided to turn me as his way of thanking me, along with deciding to keep me for companionship and fucking."

She surged off the bed. Anger glowed hot in her eyes as she stood before him like some avenging naked goddess from myth, ready to exact punishment in the most awful and yet, erotic way. Evan rose to his feet. Earlier his phallus had softened from shock and fear, but now it began to grow rigid again as he stared into her red eyes. He took a step closer.

His arms encircled her and he drew her to him. He captured her lips and enjoyed the sharp jab from the tips of her fangs, as they pricked his bottom lip and drew blood. He didn't care though; all he wanted was Aimee, his swollen shaft inside her, taking her deep and hard. It didn't even matter that she admitted to enjoying what the monster that had made her had done to her.

Leave a comment what costume you plan to wear for Halloween to be entered to win a download of Just Another Paranormal Halloween. The winner will be picked on Saturday, October 22nd so get those comments in quickly.



~Sapphire Phelan
http://www.SapphirePhelan.com
http://sapphirePhelansPassionCorner.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SapphirePhelansParanormalNewsletter

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Go beyond the usual, instead take the unusual that stretches the boundaries and find romance with Sapphire Phelan's aliens, werewolves, vampires, fairies, and other supernatural/otherworldly heroes and heroines.

About the Author:

Sapphire Phelan is an author of erotic and sweet paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction romance, along with a couple of erotic horror stories. She also writes as Pamela K. Kinney, for horror, fantasy, science fiction, and nonfiction ghost books.

She lives in Virginia with her husband and two cats, Ripley and Bast.

She admits she can always be found at her desk and on her computer, writing. And yes, the house and husband sometimes suffers for it!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Very Naughty Halloween Story with Jaxon Vail


Lady Amelia
By Jaxon Vail


A deep voice growled in Lady Amelia’s ear. “Where is your husband?”

Shivers raced up her neck from the caress of Lord Elton’s warm breath. She flicked open her black fan and covered her mouth. Turning her head slightly, she fluttered the delicate fabric. “Otherwise disposed in the gambling parlor.”

She stilled herself, trying to appear poised and relaxed as James Elton’s hand slid down the rounded curve of her ass and squeezed.

“Meet me in the alcove by the library.”

He pinched her cheek, sending waves of pleasure through her body. Amelia’s nipples tightened against the power blue bodice of her Marie Antoinette gown. She fluttered the fan faster and gave a single nod.

The ballroom suddenly felt oppressive, the violins too loud. Her skin flushed from the short contact with her lover and the anticipation of what was to come—hopefully her. She watched the festooned menagerie of dancers twirl around the floor, silently counting to one hundred before making her discrete departure. Pushing through the crush, she smiled and fluttered her fan. Her hand went to her throat to caress the wide lace choker she’d chosen especially for tonight.

When she reached the base of the stairs, she glanced over her shoulder. Nobody watched, each guest thoroughly absorbed with their own flirtation and the sparkling grandeur of Lady Amelia Collis’s All Hallow’s Eve Ball. She ascended the spiraling staircase, forcing herself to engage in idle conversation with the milling guest on the second floor. She chatted about the grandly costumed dancers below them, the menu for the late dinner, and many other topics she had no interest in. All she wanted was to race to the niche and finally feel alive again.

Her heart raced. It had been too long since she’d felt the possessive caress of her deadly lover. Too long since he’d taken her in every way imaginable. Anticipation heated her body.

With as much grace as she could muster, Amelia extricated herself from the conversation flowing around her and slipped down a dimly lit hallway toward the library. As she neared the alcove a strong hand grabbed her and hauled her into the dark recess. James backed her against the wall, covering her body with his. No mask or costume disguised his magnificence.

“I thought you’d never get here.” His erection rubbed against her stomach as his hands cupped her ass and lifted her against him.

“I’m here now.” Amelia’s breath came in short pants as she struggled to spread her legs for him.

“Mmm, indeed you are.” He pressed his nose to her neck. “I can smell your desire.”
His hand moved to the back of her neck. With one easy flick he undid the lace collar, secreting it away in his pocket. His mouth blazed a trail of kisses over her shoulder and across the swells of her breasts. She arched toward him, needing more—wanting his lips, wanting the erotically painful prick of his fangs.

With deft fingers, James unlaced the bodice of her dress and yanked the material apart. Amelia pushed the lacy shoulders of her gown down, desperate to feel skin against skin. She tugged as the buttons on his black coat and shoved it off his shoulders. Making quick work of his white shirt, she sighed as her fingers skimmed across the hard, smooth muscles of his chest. He was a living, or maybe undead, masterpiece, virile and handsome. Not like her pudgy husband. The man could barely do more than roll on top of her, pump a few times, and fall asleep.

But not James. He incited a riot of emotions that brought her to the brink of madness each time he made love to her. Perhaps because he always saw to her needs. Maybe it was the danger of being caught. Or possibly it was knowing her vampire lover could drain her dry as she begged him to never stop.

Within moments they were both naked from the waist up. James cupped her breasts and kneaded her nipples.

“Hello my lovelies.” Bending, he placed a kiss on each stiff tip. “I’ve missed you.”

“Are you talking to me or my bosom?” Amelia chided.

“Both.” He lifted his head and smiled, his white fangs glinting in the dancing torch light.

A jolt of desire raced through her. “You are one in the same.”

“I hope I am more than just a pair of breasts.” She purred.

“Never think otherwise, my dear.”

He ran his hand over her knee, gathering the material of her confining skirt. His fingers glided along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. “You are so much more.”

Amelia groaned as his hand crept higher and lightly traced the folds of her sex. She leaned her head against the wall, her tall wig tilting slightly to the side. She watched as his expression change from humor to desire. He slid his knee between her legs and lifted his foot to prop his boot on a stone ledge near the floor. Her leg raised and spread, her skirt pooling around her bent thigh. Cool air rushed in and caressed the heat between her legs. She moaned and arched her hips, searching for his talented touch.

She tugged at her skirt to move the material out of the way and to give her access to her lover’s cock. She stroked his shaft through the light wool of his trousers. James pushed against her hand, gyrating as she struggled with the button at his waist. Releasing the clasp, she pulled him free of the confining breeches and stroked its swollen head. He captured her mouth and moaned as his fingered slid along her slit, spreading her lips to his finger play. She whimpered and rocked against his hand as his digit grazed her sensitive clit.

“Oh James,” she moaned into his mouth. “Deeper.”

Two fingers plunged into her, pumping and swirling, taunting and teasing. She could barely breathe—barely stand as he pleasured her with his hand. Not to be outdone,
Amelia slid her hands under his cock and caressed his tight balls.

“I need to be inside you, Am. I need your hot velvet around my cock.” He covered her hand with his and guided her strokes.

His words inflamed her. “Yes,” was all she could manage.

Lifting her leg higher, he guided the engorged head to her entrance. “Touch your breasts.” She cupped the full mound and massaged. “Your nipples.” His voice came out in gruff pants. “Lick your fingers and rub your nipples for me.

Sticking her index finger in her mouth, she swirled her tongue along the digit and slowly withdrew. He watched her movements, his gaze burning as he pushed slowly into her. Amelia circled the stiff nubs, pull and twisting. Shocks of pleasure raced to her core and she bucked against him.

“I need you, James.” She rolled a nipple between her thumb and finger and gripped his shoulder with her other hand. “I need you inside me.”

James groaned and buried himself against her slick folds. “God Amelia, you’re so bloody tight.”

He filled her and it was heaven. Amelia moved against him, her breath catching as the tingle of pleasure tickled her core. Gripping her ass, James spread her cheeks and lifted her higher.

Her muscles clenched. With each thrust her body spiraled toward the pleasure he’d always given her. She palmed her breasts, tugged at her nipples, but it wasn’t enough.
“Harder, James. God, I need more.”

He lowered his foot, his cock sliding free. As she started to protest, Lord Elton spun her to face the wall. He placed her hands flat against the cool marble and leaned over her back.

“Don’t let go.”

The soft silk of her dress slid up and over her hips. She was bare, exposed, and she loved it. James pressed his cock into her, filling her again. She gasped. He’d never taken her like this—never in such a brazen position. Without warning he slapped her on the ass. Amelia flinched and whimpered.

“Do it again.”

The round globe received another stinging slap. She groaned and pushed against him. James drove deep, picking up speed with each delicious push. Reaching around her body, he massaged her swollen clit. She spread her legs to give him better access. Amelia clawed at the marble wall as the tension in her coiled. James growled, his thrust becoming more frantic.

“Amelia, I need you,” he growled.

She tilted her head to the side, giving him access to her neck. “Take me, James. I give it to you freely.”

His tongue swept up the side of her neck. She shivered with need, shuddered with the building climax. With one hand she braced herself against the wall. With the other, she tugged at her nipple.

“Take me, Lord Elton. Please.”

He growled again and bit. She cried out as the most delicious pain swept through her body. With each draw, he seemed to pull her pleasure higher. Her mind spun, grasping for something solid to cling to, drowning in an endless abyss of desire. His fingers worked her nub, spreading her lips and stroking her slick folds. She convulsed as he drove into her and carried her over the edge. Her body hovered, shuddering before exploding into a million wonderful pieces.

Still fastened to her neck, James thrust one final time and buried his length in her. He held her tight against him, coming. Her body thrummed at the feel of his pleasure pouring into her. As his muscles relaxed, he draped his body over hers and slid his tongue along her neck to cover the proof of his existence. His lips grazed her naked shoulders.

“That was bloody amazing,” he said.

She laughed and rubbed against him. He slowly straightened and helped her to stand. Turning in his arms, she smiled. “Damn bloody amazing, Lord Elton. I’m just glad nobody discovered us here.”

He captured her mouth and swept his tongue inside. She licked his upper lip, feeling his fangs retract. He continued to fondle the sensitive buds of her breasts as she pressed fully against him. Breaking the kiss, he nuzzled her neck.

“I would have told them to find their own damn alcove.” She laughed again. He extracted the lace collar from his pocket and held it out. “Turn around.”

She slowly spun and he placed the choker around her neck, effectively hiding the marks. His hands trailed from the clasp of the necklace and across her shoulders with the lightest caress. She turned and looked into his eyes as black as obsidian.

“Thank you for not killing me,” she said with a playful tilt of her head.

A wicked smile spread across his beautiful mouth. “There is always next time, Mrs. Collins.”

A coy smile tugged at her lips. “Lord, I certainly hoped so.”

Vampsex: A Deleted Scene

Books don’t have “extras” like movies on DVDs, but maybe they should.

We are not writers of erotica, not yet anyway, but when writing about Vampires — creatures that live for pleasure and thrive on sensuality — it’s easy to get carried away. In The Cowboy and the Vampire, most of the sexual energy centered on our main characters, Tucker and Lizzie as they fell deeply, passionately in love. That love was tested by a horde of maniacal Vampires intent on killing Tucker and imprisoning Lizzie so they could use her blood. The kinky, fetishistic sex took place mostly “off screen” with the Vampires slaking their thirst on unlucky humans and lucky Vampires. Foremost among them was Elita, a beautiful Vampire vixen who, during the course of her long life, has elevated terminal seduction to an art form.

We are currently working on Blood and Whiskey, the sequel to The Cowboy and the Vampire, and decided to move the passions of the Vampires more into the spotlight, or candlelight, as it were. Still, we probably took it a little bit too far in the scene excerpted below.

Setting the stage

Here’s what you need to know about this particular interlude. Elita has, much to her own chagrin, fallen for the human Virote, a young Russian with model-good looks who serves Rurik, a powerful Russian Vampire. Rurik and Elita are from different bloodlines, long at war, and in this scene, they channel their distrust and anger into sex with a delighted Virote sandwiched between them.

It’s worth noting that in our world, the act of feeding intensifies the sexual pleasure experienced by humans and Vampires, and the dark energies released by the undead can lift humans to never-before-experienced heights of orgasmic pleasure. Usually, that is followed by a quick death from exsanguination but a select few, such as Virote, serve as companions, willingly offering their blood and treated to mind-altering sexual experiences in the process.

Blood and Whiskey — Deleted scene

“Oh, god no,” she screamed. “No more, please, no more.”

Virote was nude and stretched out over an equally nude Elita, her back arched and shoulder blades pressed into Elita’s breasts as Rurik slammed himself into her savagely. Elita held one of Virote’s creamy wrists to her mouth, sucking hungrily at the tiny cuts seeping blood while she deftly fingered the lovely Russian with her other hand. Rurik held himself above them both, arms stiff and sawing back and forth inside Virote frantically, methodically. The force of his thrusts pushed her hard against Elita who, because of the blood and the lust, was dangerously close to losing herself as well.

Rurik paused, buried fully inside her, to claw at her creamy breasts, pinching the ruby nipples and craning his neck to take each in turn between his teeth, roughly, and flick his tongue across them. Virote groaned and clutched at his back with her free hand, trying to pull him in deeper and digging deep, bloody scratches into his muscular back, scratches that healed almost as soon as they were inflicted.

Instead, he pulled out unexpectedly and she rolled her eyes and whimpered at the sudden loss of stimulation, but it was soon intensified as he slithered down between her legs, darting his tongue deep inside her and lapping at the blood leaking from a dozen self-inflicted cuts, a now-familiar part of the foreplay.

Satiated, his chin stained red and glistening with her wetness, he rose up and then fell into her again. Virote screamed and, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, bit her lip so hard that more blood spilled and trickled down her chin. Rurik kissed her, fiercely filling his mouth with her coppery taste and then pushed her head roughly to the side and wrested Elita away from Virote’s shredded wrist to kiss her, to force her lips apart and push Virote’s stolen blood into her mouth. Lost in the pleasure and pain of the two bodies writhing on top of her, Elita hissed and bit into his lip in ecstasy and the pain sent him over the edge.

“Oh god, more, more,” Virote cried as the dark electrical currents flowed through him. “Deeper. Oh god. My god.” Rurik threw his head back with a howl and drove into her like a stake, emptying himself deep inside her. She screamed as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her, grinding herself backward into Elita’s hips and screaming again as she felt Elita give in to the moment, contorting under Virote and clutching at her thighs with both hands, her nails shredding the delicate skin as she pulled Virote against her and shuddered and came.

Rurik rolled to the side and sprang up. He was only partially satiated because he had not fully fed in many days now.

Elita watched him languidly as he dressed. “Not interested in slumming?” she said lazily as Virote purred and rested her head happily, groggily, on her pale chest, pulling the sheets around them both.

“Sex with one of your kind is certainly pleasurable,” said Rurik. “But it’s a guilty pleasure at best.”

“I didn’t think the master race could entertain such pedestrian feelings,” Elita said.

“Let’s just say at times I wish I had the fortitude to avoid carnal activities such as these that border on the bestial. They are diverting, but bespeak a kind of weakness. Now if you’ll excuse me, the dawn approaches and I have much to think about.”

“I don’t know what you see in him,” Elita said, letting the scent and heat of the young woman fill her senses as she absently fingered herself to coax one more orgasm to the fore with a fluttering sigh.

“He is my master,” Virote said sleepily. “There is not seeing, or choice.”

Help us decide
Should we include this chapter in Blood and Whiskey or is it racy enough to consign to the deleted scenes file? Leave a comment and let us know.




More info
www.cowboyandvampire.com
www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire

Twitter: @cowboyvamp


About our latest project

We’re hard at work on the sequel to The Cowboy and the Vampire called Blood and Whiskey (it will be out in early 2012). In the meantime, check out the novella Red Winter, by Clark, edited by Kathleen, released exclusively as an e-book and you can find it here:

· Amazon
· Smashwords

Red Winter
By Clark Hays
Pumpjack Press, 2011


How do you kill someone who just won’t stay dead? It will take more than a steady hand filled with a blazing six shooter if anyone in LonePine lives through the “Red Winter.”
Sheriff Early Hardiman has seen a lot of bad things in his life, but nothing could have prepared him for the first Vampire to visit the Old West.

The year is 1890 and winter is closing like a noose around tiny LonePine, Wyoming. When the snows come and the mountain passes are buried and the train stops running, there’s only one way to leave LonePine — boots up in a pine box. For Sheriff Hardiman, once one of the fastest guns in the West, it’s another four months of watching over the foolish and the foolhardy and praying for the arrival of spring. At least he has the lovely Miss Grace, his new wife and former madam of the infamous Pearl brothel, to keep him company.

But then a murderer turns up out of the cold and dark. People are being killed and not in the usual way, either — they are dying hard, tortured and drained of their blood. Worse, it appears Miss Grace may be next on the list.


Fans of “The Cowboy and the Vampire” (Midnight Ink, 2010) know that LonePine will see plenty of Vampires in another 120 years. But in 1890, no one had yet even imagined the kind of terror Jericho Whistler brings with him to the isolated little town when he hunkers down for a long winter of feasting on the terrified and trapped residents of LonePine.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Lots of Authors Donated to This Year's Flint Vampire Ball

Authors Who Donated to the 2011 Flint Vampire Ball

What Scares You? Guest Blog and Giveaway with Gabriella Hewitt


What scares you?

There are some pretty scary mythological creatures in the Aztec lore. In OUT OF THE SHADOWS, there are a few monsters bent on destroying humanity and the love of Carolina and Tomás.

One fearsome creature is the TZITZIMIME (don’t ask me how to pronounce it) it is an ancient celestial being sent down to earth to destroy humanity and cultivate the souls and bodies of people who have lived evil live or disobeyed the gods.





The other creature is the ancient serpent god, XIUHCOATL: A deity known as the Fire Serpent and God of Drought. He threatens to extinguish the world with his mighty fire breath.

Both are frightening and have immense power. As a child I used to read stories or listen to my parents tell me stories of creatures from their home countries. Freaked me out! I swear I used to look for monsters under my bed.

Both the tzitzimime and fire serpent are featured in OUT OF THE SHADOWS, the first novella in the SHADOW WARRIOR series from Samhain Publishing.




When the last shadow warrior falls, so will all humanity.

With each demon he vanquishes in service to the Aztec sun god, Tomás fulfills his duty to defend humankind—and surrenders another piece of his humanity to his wolf spirit. All hope seems lost until a mission leads him to the door of the one thing he thought he’d never find…his spirit mate.

The only woman who can save him from oblivion.

When Carolina hears the wolf’s howl, it pierces the very core of her lonely heart. Yet she dare not answer. As the last guardian of her land and the secret it contains, she is haunted by the mistake that cost the lives of her family. Never will she repeat that mistake, especially with a warrior who is more beast than man.

Chasing away the demon is easier than breaching the barriers around the heart of the young woman who possesses a strange power over water—and his very soul. But if they are to survive the night, he must convince her they are destined to stand together.



EXCERPT

A wolf’s howl pierced the desert silence, causing the animals to stir restlessly in their stalls. Wolves had been reintroduced into Arizona, but she had yet to see or hear one so close to her ranch. Was it an omen?

Carolina paused in her chores to stare out the open barn door into the gathering darkness.
For a moment, she let herself get caught up in the long, solitary note. It felt like a kindred spirit. She knew loneliness intimately. Only her loneliness did not come from the vast miles of the sun-parched Sonoran desert that surrounded her, but out of the necessity to protect her goddess, her land’s secret. As one of the few amongst her people to become a guardian, her choices were limited.

The one occasion she’d invested herself in another, he’d betrayed her. She’d foolishly placed her hope and trust in Billy and she’d paid a horrendous price. Her desire to find someone to share the workload, her joy and sadness, and the burden of her secret—just as her parents had done—had blinded her to the trap she’d walked into. By the time she understood what was happening, it was too late. Her parents were dead.

Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as if it had happened recently and not five years ago. The memory of her parents lingered too close to the surface today. This had been their land, their dream, and now it was hers to fight for. She’d vowed never to fail them again. Above her own needs came the higher purpose of protecting her goddess at all costs.

Her mare, Mariposa, snorted and reared up, pulling Carolina from her thoughts. The animals had been growing edgier with each passing minute. They sensed the evil that blew in with the warm desert breeze. She berated herself for not paying more attention to them.
Goose bumps prickled her skin. Her tattoo, a gift from the goddess, began a slow burn on her shoulder, a sure sign that evil was approaching. She felt the heat radiating through the fabric of her denim shirt. The last time she’d experienced the odd sensation, her world had fallen apart.

Cautiously, she turned her head, seeking the source.

Her breath came out in a gasp.

Less than ten feet away sat a magnificent gray wolf, watching her. Waiting.


***
Gabriella Hewitt is the pen name of creative writing talents Sasha Tomaszycki and Patrizia M.J. Hayashi. Together they weave tales of romantic suspense and dangerously sensual paranormals.

Check out the website www.GabriellaHewitt.com

****


So tell me what scares you?

In honor of today, October 17th, my birthday

I am giving away two copies of my ebooks --

1) DARK WATERS, a romantic suspense featuring el chupacabre. First in the ICE series from Samhain Publish. Read an Excerpt.

2) OUT OF THE SHADOWS, contemporary paranormal romance based on Aztec mythology.


Leave a comment with your email address and
which ebook you would prefer.

Working Out the Kinks Release Day Blitz


Working Out The Kinks
by Kiki Howell
Published by Rebel Ink Press

Genres: Pagan, Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Length: Short Story

Adult Content Warnings: Explicit Graphic Language and Sex Magic with BDSM Elements

Blurb:


Making an appointment with his ex-girlfriend under a fake name, David buys himself one hour to get her attention. Hoping to apologize and remind her of their time together, he intends to do whatever he has to in order to make Meredith, a practicing Wiccan, forgive him for being idiot enough to have listened to those around him which meant choosing his political aspirations over love.

Meredith is resistant to let David anywhere near her heart again. Desperate, David plays all his trump cards and suggests a sexual magick ritual which incorporates the BDSM lifestyle he and Meredith used to experiment with. The methods he uses may be unconventional, like sensory deprivation and sensation play intended to build trust and to achieve altered states of consciousness. But David is more than willing to do whatever it takes if he can just get Meredith to agree.



Working Out The Kinks EXCERPT:

“Your last client is in your massage room.” The receptionist tilted her head toward Meredith, giving a wry smile but then grimacing as she looked away.

“Thanks.” Meredith sighed, rolling her eyes as she rapped her knuckles on the door to announce her arrival.

What was that about? Taking a deep breath, she swept into the room. One more massage, and I can soak my tired muscles in a hot bath at home.

“Hello,” she said to the body on her table while grabbing a bottle of oil.

She stopped short of turning back around. Cologne assaulted her. The potent mix of patchouli and musk with a hint of oak reminded her of the man who'd left her heart bruised and battered. Meredith blinked hard as if she could shut down her mind before some blissful memory could wallop another punch.

The client shifted on the table. “Hey, Mere.”

Swinging around like a moth drawn to a buzzing light, air whooshed from her lungs moments before the oil bottle hit the floor. “David?”

“Yes. Gave a false name when booking the appointment. Now, I have your undivided attention for the next hour.”

She stepped back in defiance of her need to rush into his arms and retrieved the plastic bottle instead. “Why?”

“Because we need to talk. Here, this way, you can't walk away. I've already paid for my time.”
“Paying is easy for you.”

“You can begin the massage now. The clock is ticking,” he stated in a business-like tone.

Meredith sucked half her top lip into her mouth and bit down, every muscle in her face tight to avoid her unexplainable need to smile. David was tapping his wrist where his watch should be just as he'd done to her a hundred times before to get her moving. With a confident half-grin, he laid back down.

“Really? You want me to touch you?” She hadn't quite meant for the thought to come out of her mouth, but she felt as if someone was pressing her to death.

With each step toward her ex-boyfriend, another stone was added to the imaginary board across her chest which had her laboring for breath.

But, he already tried me as a witch.

The idea of that, her conviction and thus banishment from his life, spurred her forward.
Thoughts of getting even, of squeezing a sore muscle too tightly, loomed like a silver lining around a storm cloud.

Stop it! You'd never. Concentrate! Meredith reviewed the steps to a full body massage like she was back in school. Use sensitivity when making first contact with your client's body. Her hands floated above his skin. The heat of his energy challenged her fingers, and she willed each tensed-to-the-point-of-shaking finger into a semi-state of relaxation as they moved an inch above the sculpted latissimus dorsi muscles of his back. Naming each superficial layer, she hoped would keep her on task.

“I miss you, Mere.” David's voice was muffled from the table.

Blinking against the sting in her eyes, she lingered over his skin. The thought of her palms meeting with his flesh tightened her center, and her need warred with the nervous way her stomach rolled. Meredith wanted the rush of blissful sensuality despite the threat of emotional damage which slithered over her skin, a cold reptile squeezing the life from her already broken heart.

“Did you hear me?” He turned to her.

A tear slipped from her eye. Ripples of water down her cheeks had become commonplace this last month being separated from him. These tears came as no surprise, and neither did the warm anger bubbling up to the surface.

“What difference does it make?” she clipped, answering both his question and her reluctance to give in to the pleasure of stroking her hands over his skin. What remained hidden from her view under the strip of the white towel over his butt was crystal clear in her mind.