Love Me Knot

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site.

The air was unusually warm for March. Snow was melting quickly, leaving puddles on the street and sidewalk. Strong green shoots of hyacinths and crocus pushed through the hard soil around the trees planted along the store fronts. Shopkeepers were preparing their store fronts for the day and were taking advantage of the mild weather.

He stepped out of an apartment located over the local shops. Walking along the sidewalk with determination in his step, his flannel shirt fluttered open.

"Well if it isn't Robbie Mac Donnell." The pub owner stopped sweeping the porch to lean against his broom. "Good to see you back, lad."

"It's good to be back, Mr. Murphy.

"Off to the coffee shop to see a particular young lady on this glorious morning?" The older man winked.

"Maybe," Robbie smiled, "I'll stop in for lunch."

"Maybe," Mr. Murphy laughed. "We'll see."

Robbie continued walking, smiling to himself. Life was good and could only get better; he was sure of it.

"Hey, Robbie, my boy! Think quick!"

He turned just in time to catch an apple that had been tossed in his direction from the grocer. Mr. Jennings came out of his door with a bin of fresh fruit to display in an effort to attract customers.

"Good to see you home, son!" Mr. Jennings put the bin down to clasp Robbie's shoulder.

"Thanks, good to be home." Wincing a bit from the rough grip on his shoulder where a wound from his adventure lay under his shirt.

"What's in the fancy box? A little gift for a little lady?"

"Maybe," he smiled and continued walking.

"Hey there, Robbie," boomed a large voice from a small woman fussing over a pot of polar pansies outside the book shop. "The book you ordered on Irish castles came in while you were gone."

"Thanks, Mrs. Stork." Robbie stopped to give the woman a kiss on her cheek. "It's a gift for my mom. I'll pick it up later."

"Off to the coffee shop, dear?" Mrs. Stork's eyes sparkled a brilliant blue.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. That's very good." She muttered to herself as she adjusted her worn sweater and turned her attention back to her plants.

Stepping around several women patiently waiting for the craft store to open and begin a quilting class, Robbie flashed a smile at them. He loved traveling but home was were his heart would always remain. During the last month spent in Ireland, he had plenty of time to look closely at his life. As a marine investigator, he enjoyed beautiful beaches around the world and women where ever he went. It was high time he settled down with a good woman and he knew exactly who she was.

Without pausing, he flung open the door to the coffee shop. Rows of tea nestled on shelves with various muffins made with dried fruits. The odor of fresh brewed coffee permeated the air. A couple sat huddled in intimate conversation next to the crackling fireplace. A little girl lay cuddled next to her mother on a couch. Several others focused on the morning paper or had their noses in a laptop. Mimi Cates owned the coffee shop where people enjoyed gathering. He felt himself smile, thinking of the petite spitfire of a woman.

Cory was standing behind the counter filling a customer's order. Tattooed with many piercings, Cory was popular around town not only for his friendly demeanor but his talent for writing folk songs.

"Hey, dude!" Robbie fisted Cory. "Where's your ole boss lady?"

"Shit man, if she hears you call her that, she'll cream you." Cory and the customer both laughed. "She's upstairs working on a painting. It's from one of those postcards you sent."

"Thanks," taking a cup of coffee from the young man, Robbie walked past the counter to a door that led to the stairs.


Mimi put her mug down and reached for a paint brush to add the finishing touches to the fantasy landscape. Several postcards from Robbie hung by clothespins on a line against the wall next to her table. She rarely left town but traveled vicariously through him. Combining the lovely scenes he picked out for her and a imagination full of folklore, she created fanciful works that not only filled the walls of the shop but also pulled in extra cash.

Touching the silver chain around her neck and fingering the tiny shamrock charm, her thoughts went to her neighbor who had given it to her. After years of friendship, she wondered if it would be possible to take their relationship to a different level. However, at thirty-four she was a homebody and needed stability; he just a couple years older suffered wanderlust and thrived on the unknown.

Satisfied with her work, she set her brush down and picked at some green paint left on a fingernail. A draft swooshed up the stairs as a door below was opened. Mimi recognized the heavy footsteps and turned just as Robbie entered the room.

"Well... you're a sight for sore eyes!" Mimi grinned.

Dressed in black jeans, black boots, black tank under a plaid shirt with hunky muscles peeking out. His reddish blonde hair was its usual mess as if he just crawled out of bed. Dark brows arched over beautiful green eyes and those lips...so kissable.

Without saying a word, Robbie placed the box he was carrying onto the table and walked towards her. His hand slipped under her hair to cup the base of her head, while his other arm circled around her. When his lips came down on hers, Mimi had to grab onto him to keep from falling over in surprise. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did.

"Ah... welcome home?" She choked on the words.

Excerpt Monday - Tormented Soul

BLURB:
Erick McAlister is known as London’s Most Dangerous Bachelor; he enjoys scotch,
women, and spending time in the London underground club, The Skunk’s Den. He’s never had a real relationship; women only want him for one thing- he desires more.

When the one he vowed he would never toy with, Lynn Westmore, gives him an unexpected
proposition, his life takes an enjoyable turn. Just as he is beginning to find happiness, tabloids headline him, a woman from his past announces she’s expecting his child, someone is trying to kill him, and he finds himself questioning his relationship with the young courier he’s hired to teach him to ride his new motorcycle. Even though his life is in torment, he begins to believe in love, something he never thought he’d feel.

Unfortunately, Lynn doesn’t think Erick could ever be faithful to one woman, let alone be in love with her, so when she finds herself in love with him she runs. Erick falls into a spiral of depression, and it takes his brother and closest friends to bring him to his senses. When he finds out a magazine has rated him as the World’s Most Dangerous Bachelor, he agrees to do the interview only if Lynn is the photographer and he uses the opportunity to let Lynn know how he feels; he offers his heart to her one more time...

In this scene, Lynn and Elizabeth (Erick's sister) are having a "girl talk".


“I’ve wondered what it would be like to be loved by him. But he doesn’t
know a thing about love. As experienced as he is in sex, I’m afraid he may be lost
when it comes to the compromises, the give and take involved in relationships.
He’s been alone for so long I think he has become set in his ways. I doubt he could
remain faithful to one woman. He even says that he always gets what he wants,
and when he tires of a woman he walks away. I’m not sure if he knows about
sacrifice.”

“Sacrifice?” Elizabeth’s voice cracked. “What kind of sacrifice do you think
he made to help Andrew? Take one look at his relationship with his best friend.
That should tell you if he’s capable of being more than what his reputation states.
There’s a very lonely Erick crying for help in that arrogant body of his. Can’t you
see it?”

Lynn looked at her friend and saw tears in her eyes. Elizabeth loved her
brothers and had formed a special bond with Erick after her arrival in England. It
appeared Erick was even more complex than she thought.

“Elizabeth, I could easily fall in love with him.” Lynn couldn’t believe the
words came out of her mouth so easily.

“So why don’t you?”

Excerpt Monday - Tormented Soul

EXCERPT 3
A white curtain billowed as a soft breeze blew into the room. The sound of bustling vehicles traveling the streets in Mayfair came through the window. Erick’s eyes fluttered; he couldn’t remember the last time he slept so well and wasn’t ready to wake yet. A warm figure stirred next to him. Suddenly the memories of the night came to him. A slow smile spread across his lips as he felt fingers run through his hair.

He opened his eyes and saw Lynn on her pillow facing him with the same smile.

“Good morning.”

“Hmm. Good morning,” he said as she caressed his rough cheek.

Under the covers he ran his hands across her naked body and pulled her closer. She snuggled under his chin. He sighed, full of sheer happiness.

“This is a little different than last time,” Lynn purred.

“How so?”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“So you really were afraid of me that morning! Did you really think I was going to ravish you?”

“I was secretly hoping you would,” she admitted.

“Well, I’ll be damned!”

“But it was nice, anyway.”

“Yes it was, and so is this.” Erick stroked her exposed shoulder. “This feels so good. I could stay here forever.”

His stomach took the moment to growl.

“I think it must be around lunch,” Lynn laughed as she sat up.

Her hair had been damp when they went to bed and was now sticking up in many different directions. She had a pillow mark on her face. He watched as she tried to calm her mane with her hand. To Erick, she was the most beautiful creature in the world.

“Oh, I’ll have to wet it down again,” she groaned. “I think I’ll jump in the shower. Then we should think of getting something to eat.”

“Yes.” He rubbed his stomach. “I’d better shower as well. I’m sure I don’t smell like roses.”

“You’ve got that right!”

“Are you saying I stink?” He reached out grabbed her and began tickling her.
“I’ll wash you if you want,” she giggled.

“That sounds good.” He released her.

“Give me time to wash my hair and shave my legs.” She teased him with her walk. “Then come and join me.”

“OKAY I’ll go find some coffee to make.”

“You don’t drink tea?”

“Some days I want coffee. Today is one.”

“Do you always get what you want?”

“Most definitely.” He winked at her.


To celebrate, I'm giving away two special items this month.
A signed copy of Tormented Soul and a gift from my favorite store, Lover's Lane.

All you have to do is leave a comment on any post from Feb.1st until midnight the 14 th, the holiday for love... Valentine's Day.
Names will be placed into a drawing and the winner will be picked and announced on February 15.

Excerpt Monday

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.


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Excerpt from Tormented Soul Chapter 1

“British Airways’ Flight 112 to New York will be boarding through gate sixty-five momentarily.”

Lynn quietly reached down and picked up her flight bag. She looked at the boarding pass in her hand. Funny that she didn’t feel like she was going home, but more like she was leaving home. This last trip had been so different from all the others and had taken an emotional toll on her. Perhaps an uneventful stay at her father’s would be just what she needed before returning to finish her photo shoot.

Erick McAlister reached out and adjusted the strap on her shoulder. He glanced toward the gate Lynn would be going through and noticed a young couple saying their good-byes. They spoke softly in between tender kisses, holding each other in a tight embrace. His black heart thudded in his chest. He wondered if that would ever be him; if he was capable of loving, or being loved.

His best friend, Andrew, had been a tormented soul like himself, and against odds found love and happiness with his sister, Elizabeth. Erick thought back to a time when he tasted the sweetness of comfort and contentment. Andrew had been determined to pay Elizabeth and Lynn a surprise visit at Hampton House and persuaded him and his brother Michael to join him.

Through Erick’s life, Lynn Westmore was the only woman to affect him like she did, and he didn’t like it. The night he was changed, he drank himself to oblivion to avoid his uneasy feelings. Unknown to him, his sister had put her best friend in his room during her stay. After retiring in a drunken state to his old bed, he woke in the morning with Lynn in his arms.

She had become a first of sorts. The first woman to sleep with him in his bed at Hampton House, the first to wake with him in the morning, and the first woman to share a bed and not be ravished. As tempting his lustful desires were that morning, he enjoyed the quiet conversation and her presence more than any sexual conquest. With Lynn he found a small piece of serenity he’d only dreamed of.

“Well, it’s almost time,” Lynn’s voice brought him back to the present. “I’ve been gone from the States so long; I hope I haven’t forgotten where I live.”

“Well if you can’t find it, Erick said, “you know you are always welcome at Hampton House. When did you say you will be back?”

“Some time in the spring; depends on the weather. I have a couple of locations I need to go back to. These books on English gardens are scheduled to go to press during the summer, so I have a time factor to work with.” She tilted her auburn head, her brown eyes sparkled, her smile teased. “Are you going to miss me?”

“Yes. I will.”

Lynn put her arms around his waist to give him a hug before she boarded. She felt his arms tighten around her and wondered what it would be like to be loved by him. She felt she could never compete with the beautiful women he surrounded himself with; he was just out of her league. She knew he was a man with worldly knowledge of women, a man capable of incredible passion; a man with such sexual prowess and confidence he would never find satisfaction in someone with her lack of experience.

Erick wanted the moment to last forever. He felt faint stirrings in his black heart. He had broken hearts and strained some marriages. Over the years his reputation grew as a lover, a prince of seduction and passion. To him, women couldn’t be trusted and were nothing but a sport. But he refused to get involved with Lynn because he couldn’t bear to hurt her. Lynn was too good of a person to be played with. He trusted her and her friendship.

He ran his hand up her back, along her neck and cupped her face. He looked deep into her eyes.

“Sweet Lynn,” his voice was a husky whisper. “These last few months have probably been the best as well as my worst. You have heard my secrets and you know of the monster that lives inside me, yet you’ve been a good friend to me. I want you to know I trust you as I would trust my own sister. Thank you.”

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. Her lips were so inviting. He remembered the shock he had felt when he kissed her on New Years Eve. Only a few days had passed and he still felt their heat. He dipped his head and brushed his lips across hers.

“Good bye, Lynn.” He pulled away from her. “Have a good flight.”

It took everything Lynn had to remain on her feet. On the inside, she shook head to toe, from his touch and his kiss. Looking into his green eyes, she saw sadness. She smiled as she bade him farewell, then turned toward her boarding gate.

What a lousy way to start the year, he thought. All alone. His best friend had married his sister over the holidays and they were honeymooning in the American Southwest. Lynn was gone. His father and brother would be leaving in a few days. Perhaps he should visit the Underground Clubs as soon as he returned to London and find someone to warm the cold winter nights. For some reason, the thought didn’t sound very appealing at the moment, but would surely change by the time he dressed in his favorite leathers and disappeared into the London night.



Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Joining us this week:
Jaleta Clegg, Sci-fi (PG13)

Sable Hunter, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Erotic Romance/Fantasy (R)
Allison Kelsey, Chick Lit (R)

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

As always, our hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13), Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Corbitt (R) thank you for stopping by!





Remember to visit during February. Every time you leave a comment you will be put into a drawing to win a signed copy of Tormented Soul and a special gift from Lover's Lane.

Excerpt Monday - Painted Soul

BLURB: Journey into the lives of two artists, through the streets of London, the shadows of the underground clubs and a secret past, and into their souls to believe in love.
American artist, Elizabeth McAlister searched for ten years for the dark art student she gave her heart to in a Soho nightclub. When the famous underground artist, Puzzola, appears out of the shadows in her London studio one night, a summer of intense passion and dark secrets begins. As she falls deeper in love with him, Elizabeth tries to rescue Puzzola from a tortured life he refuses to talk about. Unfortunately, his true identity and erotic past are exposed in a local newspaper. Even though Elizabeth holds his heart and soul in her hands, she’s not sure she can win the battle with the ghosts of his past or if their love is strong enough to survive.


Painted Soul - EXCERPT 1
“Breathe, Elizabeth, breathe,” she willed herself.

“Slide the rail, Elizabeth! Come on!” She saw Michael jumping up and down.

“Oh, hell. Why not!” She swallowed the last of her drink and slid down the rail into a vision of black and white.

“Hey there!”" She felt his breath on her cheek. His hands, with their strong grip on her bare waist, seared her skin. She looked into those piercing eyes. Piercing blue eyes, not black, but the color of the Caribbean Sea. Unlike many guys here, he wasn’t wearing the usual makeup sported around the club scene, just a bit of eyeliner. His lashes so dark, his lips so, so, so....

“Dance with me, my lady.”

Everywhere he touched, she burned. She fought to regain her senses. He seemed familiar. There was an entity projected from this young man that completely mesmerized her.

“What’s your name?” she wondered aloud.

“My friends call me, Puzzola,” his gaze never leaving her face. “You must be Elizabeth. I know your brothers.”

“It seems everyone knows my brothers!”

He smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Puzzola? That’s an unusual name.”

“It means, skunk. My friends in Italy gave me the name. Don’t understand why,” he said running his fingers through the bleached blonde stripe. “The name has stuck with me since.”

“Do you go to school in Italy?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes. I’m studying from the masters.”

While they danced she felt so aroused by him, and somewhat embarrassed by the awakening wanton emotion. Maybe Lynn was right, perhaps they did know each other and were lovers in another life. That would be too cool, she thought to herself. She’d never felt this way about any guy she dated, so hot and ready for anything he would ask of her. And she was only dancing with him, a total stranger! Every part of her body Puzzola touched was set afire, while the rest cried for his touch.

“You’re a good dancer,” Puzzola yelled.

“Thanks,” Elizabeth was knocked toward him by out of control dancers.

“Are you alright?” he frowned in the direction of a green-haired dancer bouncing away. “I’m not sure if we could get off the floor now if we wanted to. It’s getting more crowded. The band is about to play the best set of the night.”

“You must come here often.”

“Enough,” his mouth was next to her ear, “Your brothers drag me out of my den occasionally when I’m in town. If you came here, I wouldn’t need to be dragged. You are beautiful.”

Elizabeth felt herself blush. Several times she thought he would kiss her, but he didn’t. Puzzola grabbed her hand, placed it on his shoulder, turned his head with closed eyes placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. He then turned to face her and put her through a dance move, never taking his gorgeous eyes off her.

“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Elizabeth mumbled to herself while looking back at the dark figure.

“What?”

The heat between the dancers intensified as the music grew louder. Their world was spinning out of control. They felt a common bond, a shared destiny, but neither could fathom the depth of what they were experiencing. The music was too loud and the dance floor too crowded to carry on a conversation, but their eyes spoke. They danced into the night only with each other, constantly touching, with the exception of occasional interruptions by Lynn or her brothers’ untamed behavior.

As the club wound down in the early morning hours, Puzzola drew her into his arms and led her off the dance floor.

“I must see you again, Elizabeth,” he looked at her with desperate hunger in his eyes.

Suddenly, she was overcome with a sense of sadness; “I leave for New York in the morning. I start college classes next week.”

“What are you going study?”

“Art,” she replied breathlessly.

His eyes lowered to her lips and he nodded.

“Art. I like art,” he smiled crookedly. “Promise me, you will study hard and become undeniably skillful in your chosen medium. If you are true to your heart,” he tapped her chest with a long finger, her heart fluttering with his touch, “I promise you,” he paused to pull her closer, “we will meet again.”

His lips caressed hers. Elizabeth melted. If he hadn’t been holding her so tightly, she probably would have fallen into a heap on the floor. She slid her arm over his shoulder to tangle her fingers in his long, soft black hair. Puzzola groaned as she ran her other hand over his painted cheek and her fingers through his blond stripe. She inhaled rapidly as he pulled her upward to place feather kisses on her neck and collarbone. It felt so good, so right pressed against him. His lips came down hard on hers, parting her lips for a deep, intense kiss that reached into the depths of her soul.

“There is so much I want,” his voice was raspy. “I want to be with you. I want to take you where I know you want to be.”

“I wish I didn’t have to leave in the morning,” Elizabeth could hardly breathe. She was ready to give herself, and would have bargained with the devil himself for more time tonight in London. If he asked her to spend the night with him, she would.

“There is not enough time to kiss you. Not enough time to touch you. You are in my soul, Elizabeth McAlister. Remember my promise, we will meet again,” he whispered the pledge to her as he rubbed her temple with his thumb.



He ran his long fingers across her cheek to the back of her head and kissed her with greater intensity than before. She felt him claiming her, possessing her. With their bodies flattened against each other, she felt them fusing together. She could feel his heart beating as fast as hers was pounding loud in her ears.

As he pulled away, Elizabeth asked, “What’s your real name?”

“Puzzola,” he responded as he bowed his head and a lock of blonde hair fell across his dark eyebrows and ocean eyes. With two fingers, he gave her a jaunty salute and disappeared into the crowd.

“Ready to go, Elizabeth?” Michael’s voice said bringing her back to reality. “You all right, doll? You look like you did at the funeral. You were supposed to make a good memory to take home, remember?”

Why did she feel like she just lost something dear? “I did, I think,” she gulped. “Michael, do you know a guy named, Puzzola?”

“Yeah, he’s like a rebel, a punk, but a real upright guy though. Comes from an aristocratic family, but he wants to do his own thing," Michael smiled. “He’s studying art in Italy, and his father is totally freaked out about it. He’s not following the ‘master plan.’ Kind of sounds familiar, huh?”

“What’s his real name?”

“Ah, he just goes by Puzzola.”

Michael wasn’t stupid; he made a point to keep an eye on the girls through the night. When he took a break from dancing during the crush, he saw the heat between Elizabeth and Puzzola. Too bad Father wouldn’t let her study in London.
Puzzola, being Erick’s age, was a member of the brothers’ inner circle of friends. A group built on honesty and trust. He could trust Puzzola with his sister; he always thought they’d make a good match. But the fire he saw ignited tonight could build into an inferno. Perhaps when they are a little older and can handle the blaze, they might be given the chance to burn together. In the meantime, he’d be the overprotective big brother.

He put an arm around Elizabeth to lead her outside. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Puzzola with the same lost gaze on his face. Michael smiled at him only to receive a nod from the striped head. They seemed made for each other, both being creative and emotional. Maybe soul mates, but now was not the time in their lives to test such waters. He didn’t want to see his sister hurt, or lose a good friend to bad timing. He would make sure they would meet again some day.

“He got under your skin, little sister,” Michael said. “To be honest with you, that’s the first time I’ve seen him on the dance floor. You two melted The Place down! Come on, let’s get back to the flat. You have a long trip ahead of you.”

Elizabeth looked up to her oldest brother and had a sinking feeling he wasn’t referring to her plane ride back to New York.

Buy Painted Soul now.

Excerpt Monday - Tormented Soul

Erick McAlister is known as London’s Most Dangerous Bachelor; he enjoys scotch, women, and spending time in the London underground club The Skunk’s Den. He’s never had a real relationship, women only want him for one thing but he desires more. When the one he vowed he would never toy with, Lynn Westmore, gives him an unexpected proposition, his life takes an enjoyable turn.


He pressed his back against the wall as he climbed the steps to the apartment and wondered if Andrew had felt as scared as he did. In his mind’s eye, Erick pictured the night Andrew as Puzzola sneaked into the same studio to seduce Elizabeth after not seeing her for ten years.

The studio was dark, and he carefully maneuvered around paintings and supplies. Approaching the living quarters, he heard Lynn in the shower. She’s probably trying to wash his touch away, he thought.

Part of him wanted to run but a greater part of him wanted to stay. He went over to the stereo and chose some music, then loaded the disks. He adjusted the sound and pressed play. After lighting a few candles, he settled into a comfortable chair.


Lynn stood in the shower and let the water hit her face and mix with the tears that fell. She was so ashamed of her behavior with Erick. She had become intoxicated with the excitement and the attention he showed her, she took the chance and told him that she wanted him. His rejection was devastating in the sense that she had now complicated their friendship.

She turned off the water, toweled off and applied a soft fragrant lotion over her body. Deep inside she stowed a secret fantasy of Erick sneaking into the studio as Andrew had done. She was envious of the intense passion her friends had for each other.

Removing the towel from her head, she ran a comb through her wet hair. If she just talked to Erick, god willing, he’d forgive her foolish actions. Perhaps he might put it off as a bad joke. Perhaps if she left for Wales the next day she could put the incident behind her

Lynn sighed; she just wanted to go to bed. She wrapped a robe around her, opened the door and heard the stereo playing. She hadn’t touched the stereo when she got in. Looking around, she saw the lit candles and a dark figure sitting in a chair. Her eyes widened, her heart raced, she held her breath for a moment, waiting.

“Did you use up all the hot water?”

“Erick?”

He sounded much like himself and not like the person she saw at The Skunk’s Den. Her anxiety diminished when she saw him lean forward in the chair. The candlelight softened his features, his hair fell into his eyes but he looked tired. She moved closer to him.

“What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know,” he rubbed his head. “I’ve been walking around thinking about what you said, what I said and…” he paused. “I’m sorry for being angry with you. I guess I put you on a pedestal just like you once told me not to do.”

“What?” Lynn was confused.

“I never thought you’d be one to use people; you’re different. Tonight I thought you were doing to me what women always do to me and I couldn’t bear putting you in the same category with them.”

“I’m sorry, Erick, for propositioning you like that. I put you on the spot and I hope I haven’t compromised our friendship.”

“I don’t think our friendship has suffered. We’re talking, aren’t we?” He stood up.
“I just want to know if your proposition still stands.”

Lynn wasn’t sure how to answer him. She watched him saunter towards her. He still wore his leathers and looked incredibly sexy. His body swayed in tune to the music with every step he took. She wanted to experience what she knew he was capable of giving. She looked into his eyes; they were black like the devil’s.

“Well, Lynn, does it?”

“Yes.” She could barely say the word.

“The way I look at it,” he stood in front of her and stroked her arm, “if you want to experience sexual freedom, who better to show you than me. Right? If we’re careful we can enjoy this and not hurt our friendship.”

“Like you and Reva?”

“You know about that?” He raised his eyebrows. “That ended before my sister moved to London.”

“Elizabeth tells me everything.”

“I see. Well, that was different. She was married.” He flashed her a smile. “You and I have known each other a long time and I think we could handle a little fling.”

“Oh, I see. We can simply be two friends taking pleasure in each other.” She smiled at him before she turned away.

“Exactly!”

“But with my lack of experience, what kind of pleasure could I possibly give you that another woman couldn’t and do it better?”

“Ah, but there is something you can give me.” Erick placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him, then stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. You could give me your heart, he thought.

“You could give me the night. I want to wake with you in my arms in the morning. I haven’t been able to get that morning we shared out of my mind. I want to lie in bed and listen to the birds with you.” He caressed her cheek. “If you give me the night, I’ll take you to the stars.”

Lynn pursed her lips together, then broke out into a laugh.

“That was pretty cheesy, wasn’t it?” He laughed with her.

“Yes, it certainly was. I hope that’s not the best you can do. I’m afraid I
have high expectations of you.”
“You do, now?” His voice was low and raspy. “Tell me what you want from me.”

“I want to feel more comfortable with my sexuality. I want to experience more. What you do seems so easy but I’m not sure…” she stopped when he took her hands and led her next to the bed.

“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to teach me how to be passionate. I want to feel the intensity I’ve seen in others.”

“Elizabeth and Andrew?”

“Yes. And you.” She tilted her head. “I want you to take my breath away, suck the life out of me…”

Erick flashed her an evil grin and spun her body around. She felt his mouth on her neck as he pretended to bite her like a vampire. She sucked in her breath and laughed as she tried to push him away.

“What you want will take more than a one night stand, I’m afraid,” he teased her as he rubbed against her in tune to the music.

“Whatever it takes.” She smiled up at him. “I’ll do whatever you ask.”

He stared into her eyes and lowered his mouth to hers. His lips brushed hers; he felt her heat. She slid her hands around his neck and he took the kiss deeper. He wanted her with desperation; slowly he untied her robe, ran his fingers up her belly and between her breasts. He pushed the garment off her shoulders onto the floor.
Holding her hands, he backed up to look at her. Self consciously, she dipped her gaze from him. Her dark damp hair fell in ringlets across her perfectly
round breasts. Her waist was small. He couldn’t resist touching the softness of her trimmed pubic area and found it incredibly erotic.

“What made you do this?” He knelt on the floor in front of her and began kissing her belly. “I like it.”

“I’ve done it since I was in India,” Lynn was obviously fighting for composure. “I tried many customs as I traveled on assignment and that one, I adopted.

“Hmmm,” Erick murmured as he parted the velvet folds. “I definitely like it.”

He heard the sharp intake of her breath as he touched her with his tongue. He wanted to please her like he had never pleased another. This experience had become personal and he wanted to make her happy. One hand slid up to her belly, the other reached around to hold her butt. He felt her hand grab his hair; the other gripped his shoulder. He kissed her intimately until she was writhing.

Softly kissing her body as he rose, he held her tight when he thought she would fall over. She gave him a small laugh when he looked into her face. As he placed kisses over her mouth and neck he felt her fingers untie his pants. Her hands stroked his butt, hips and slid into the leather. His eyes rolled back from the delight of her touch. Her mouth trailed down his neck, chest, across his stomach but he stopped her when he thought she was going farther.

He slipped out of his vest, kicked off his boots and lifted her in his arms to carry her to the bed. Holding her against him, he kissed her deeply as he laid her down. She propped herself on her elbows and sent him a smile he couldn’t resist. For the fun of it, he did a strip tease when he took off his pants. He laughed with her as he crawled onto the bed. He couldn’t remember the last time he laughed while bedding a woman. What a refreshing adventure this promised to be!

As he lay on his side, Erick took a finger and followed the outline of her face, her neck, and her breast and down her belly. He stopped to tickle her belly button and then pretended his finger was stuck. Lynn squealed and smacked his hand away. In retaliation he attacked her breasts with fervor. Alternating between the two, he took each nipple into his mouth, teasing her and losing himself in her scent. He could feel her rapid heart beat.

He ran his hand down her thigh and back up to stop at the center of her heat. Lynn arched her body and called out his name. His composure was gone with the way she said it. The desire to be inside her overcame him. He parted her thighs, cupped her butt with one hand and pulled her underneath him with the other. Iron hard and thick, he gently pushed himself into her.

She was wet and he tipped her hips to allow her to take all of him. A small moan escaped her lips. She wrapped her arms under his and placed her hands on his shoulders. As he felt himself fully embedded in Lynn, he was caught in a net of
emotions.

Erick began a steady rhythm of thrust and withdraws. Lynn responded to each movement with equal lust. With each kiss, he sucked the breath out of her with his raw passion. However, he wasn’t the hard, angry lover he promised he would be in the nightclub; instead he was a caring, thorough lover. Her whole body craved his touch.

He slowed and rose up to look into her face. She could see into the depths of his smoldering green eyes. Fire, hunger, desire. Her head went back as he coaxed her higher with slow calculated strokes and kisses on her neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his hand caress her thigh. His touch seared through any inhibitions she had left. Lynn was about to burst into flameswhen Erick stopped moving.

“Look at me, Lynn.”

She opened her eyes and looked into his. The devil peered from under lowered lashes. Candlelight danced across his chest and shoulders. He caressed her hair. She could feel him throb inside her, the inferno was building inside her; she couldn’t hold back.

She moved against him. Erick began to lose his resistance when he felt her squirm under him.

“You are mine,” he whispered in her ear.

He felt her contract as she arched her back and called out his name. He then unleashed his pent up passion and penetrated her until he exploded.

He rested his forehead on Lynn’s until he found the strength to move. He rolled to her side, kissed her tenderly then lowered his head to lie on her belly.

“Tell me what you are thinking.”

“It’s not what I expected.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I thought you would be rough, evil, angry like you were earlier.”

“I couldn’t be angry with you.” He swept his hand over her hip.

“Are you usually angry?”

“Yes, I hate what I’ve become.” He sat up.

“Hey.” She rubbed his back. “You made me happy. Did I do anything for you?”

“More than you’ll ever know.” He lay back down next to her. “Do you realize I didn’t use any protection tonight? I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It’s all right.” She touched his cheek to comfort him.

He closed his eyes and pressed his face against her hand.

“Other than the night you don’t remember, when was the last time you didn’t use protection?”

“Oh, God, it had to have been about seven years ago.”

“Well, it sounds like you have a good track record.” Lynn rolled onto her side to face him. “How about every time you’re with me, you don’t use it? I want you to have something with me that you haven’t had with anybody else.”

“Are you sure?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” he smiled before he took her in his arms. “My sweet Lynn.”

“Does it feel different?”

“Does what?”

“Does it feel different when you’re not wearing a condom?”

“Hmmm, I’m not sure.” His lips brushed hers. “I think we’d better do it again; then I can let you know.”

His voice was deep and sexy. Lynn didn’t oppose when he rolled her onto her stomach. Sitting up, he massaged her feet, calves and up her legs to her butt. It felt so relaxing, then erotic as he ran his hands between her thighs to coax her juices to flow. Soft kisses placed down the center of her back as he touched her with his hands made her wiggle with pleasure. She had never had sex twice in the same night so she was giddy with anticipation.

Erick moaned his approval and spread her legs apart. He covered her body with his. The sensation of his nakedness pressed against her back made her ultra sensitive. With careful, short strokes, Erick entered her. He slid an arm under her and pulled her to her knees. Lynn could feel every bit of his manhood as it plunged in and out of her. His hands held her breasts as he kissed the back of her neck.

Reaching behind her she felt his rigid legs. The muscles moved with every thrust. He pushed her higher and higher. When his hand left her breast to caress the swollen folds he was bathed in set her off. Her breath came in short gasps, then she cried out. She felt Erick’s climax shudder through him as he joined her.

They both collapsed on the bed. Without saying a word, Erick spooned Lynn and placed a possessive hand on her breast. He was utterly exhausted and looked forward to sleep. Pulling her close, he placed a kiss behind her ear. For the first time, he felt contentment and didn’t want to let go of his lover.

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Excerpt from LONELY SOUL

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
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share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site!

Today's post is a bit tame. I needed a little laugh so I thought I'd share this one with you. I promise, next time I'll rock your socks off.



Mike stepped in front of her and took her hands in his. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes danced. He pulled her closer; her heart beat rapidly.

“You think my place is beautiful?”

“It’s like you’ve tried to tame the land but appreciate the wild side by building a log home.”

“I don’t want to tame it, only enjoy the wild side.” His voice was sultry.

“Is that what you want a woman to do to you?”

“What?” He laughed.

“Not tame you but enjoy your wild side.”

“Most definitely,” he growled. “Gotta have a little romance though. You think it’s romantic?”

“Very,” she could barely respond.

The way he looked at her made her knees weak.

A flash of danger went through his eyes and he pulled her closer. He released one of her hands and cupped her face as he brought his head down to hers. His warm lips delicately touched hers.

Heat shot through her body. A soft moan escaped her lips as she molded her body against his. As he ran his hands along her back, she wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips, giving in to his sexual pull. Mike deepened the kiss and drew her closer; she stood on her tiptoes. Lauren’s mind whirled dizzily. His mouth caressed hers with intimate experience. Heat came from him and spread through
her body as he teased her tongue.

Mike couldn’t stop himself from kissing Lauren and in reality, he didn’t want to. He was finding that she was everything he had ever dreamed of in a woman. She loved the outdoors, was funny and very sincere. She liked his home and when she said it
was romantic the look in her eyes turned the words into an invitation. The way she responded to his touch fed his fire. He felt himself losing control and he fought to retain it.

He ran his hands up her back to her shoulders, gently ending the kiss. Lauren’s blue eyes looked up at him, clouded with desire; he wanted to kiss more of her. Slowly he took her mouth again and ran his fingers down her throat. His body came alive as her hands skimmed across his shoulders and down his chest. Pausing for a moment, he needed to gather his wits before he took things any farther.

He rested his cheek against hers as he held her. Mike didn’t understand what he was thinking. With any other woman he would have pulled her off the trail and ravished her in the woods. Why was he pausing with Lauren? Why was she any different? She was
obviously offering herself; he could feel it in her reaction. Why was he hesitant in taking her? He was very well experienced in the area of loving women and fulfilling their needs and desires. His normally clear mind was getting foggy. Why was he feeling like a teenager with raging hormones and insecurities? His mind swirled
with questions.

“I like your kisses.” Lauren breath caressed his ear, interrupting his thoughts.

“I like yours, too,” he whispered back.

“Then why did you stop?”

“I’m afraid I might try to do more than kiss you,” he growled.

“So?”

Before he could respond, the dogs started barking hysterically. Mike groaned as he felt Lauren pull out of his arms. Then he didn’t even have to look at the dogs, he smelled what was causing the ruckus.

“Oh no!” Lauren cried.

“Shit!”

The skunk scurried away after spraying the dogs leaving them whining and rubbing their faces in the grass. Mike stood shaking his head. Of all the embarrassing things to happen!
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