Monday, November 17, 2014

#NewRelease ~ Where There's a Will




Title: Where There's a Will
Series: Bitterthorn, Texas #1
Author: Stacy Gail
Publisher: Carina Press
 Release Date: November 17, 2014


Synopsis


Miranda Brookhaven returned to Bitterthorn, Texas to fix the past. Years ago, her father used her teenage romance with Coe Rodas to steal the prototype for a groundbreaking new automotive invention. Now her father's dead, and thanks to the convoluted will he left behind, she's stuck in town until she rights the wrong that lost her the man she loved.

Coe learned early on that life never goes according to plan. His dreams of hitting it big vanished when Miranda all but invited her father to take the only thing of value he ever had. But now the once-pampered princess is holed up in a condemned trailer on the edge of town...and everything he thought he knew about her—and about what happened between them back then—seems completely wrong.

Miranda's determined to give back to Coe all that he lost. If she can do that, maybe she can move on from the past. But Coe seems to be more interested in their rekindled passion than claiming what she thinks he deserves. She's got sixty days to convince him to cough up evidence that he's the original inventor—after that, the only way to transfer the patent rights over to him would be to make him part of the family, and she's not sure her heart can take another hit.









Links to Buy

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Also Available


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B&N / KOBO / iTUNES



AMAZON US / UK
B&N / KOBO / iTUNES



AMAZON US / UK
B&N / KOBO / iTUNES






Excerpt

“Shit like dirt and grime don’t belong on you. Silk, diamonds…me. That’s what belongs on you.” His big feet were on either side of hers, and she drank in the heat pouring off his chest at her back as he went about sliding his soapy fingers through hers. It felt good, that slick slide of flesh against flesh. Too good. The heat sinking into every pore of her skin brought her back to when they’d been in this situation once before, and it made her bite her lip. She remembered the trembling, the excitement, and the crippling uncertainty of what she should do next.
Time really made all the difference in the world. Seven years later, she now knew exactly what to do.
Her soapy hands slipped over his, squeezing, caressing. Cleaning his skin as he cleaned hers, yes, but it was obvious her interests weren’t just in getting clean. But maybe that was because while she did that, she also nudged her ass back against him, hitching up just a bit so she could hit the money spot…
He sucked in a sharp breath.
Jackpot.
“Miranda.” His voice was low and rumbling. It purred down the length of her spine to pool deep in her belly, where the sweet tension of need began to curl in on itself. That masculine rumble shortened her breath and tensed her thigh muscles, because she knew what it meant. He wanted her, and soon he’d go for what he wanted just as hard and hot as she wanted him to. “Careful, babe.”
“I had you shut the doors. That’s careful enough.” She looked over her shoulder at him, just as she had when she was eighteen and almost dying from attraction. It was no less intense now, and she could only marvel at the hold he had on her. “I hope you have protection on you, because I won’t be satisfied with just a kiss this time around.”
“But you will be satisfied.” With the glitter of arousal building into a wildfire blaze in his eyes, he turned off the water. Then he braced her hands on the far lip on the sink before reaching for the front of her pants. “This garage guarantees satisfaction for all the work I do here.”
“Good policy.” The last of her retort fizzled on a hiss as his fingers dived past the barrier of her panties and into her cleft. Her head dropped forward while she pushed against his hand, and the sinuous roll of her hips rubbed the hardness behind her. Her pleasure fed his, and soon their disturbed breathing was echoing through the garage.
Damn, but the man knew what he was doing.
“I love how wet you get for me.” His voice was deliciously rough, exciting her all the more. Then the sound of a zipper and crinkling of packaging being ripped open reached her ears, and she almost hyperventilated. “I’m going to make you come so hard your legs won’t be able to hold you for the rest of the day.”
Oh, dear God…




Author Bio

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.
 

Author Links





Giveaway

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Cover Reveal plus 99c sale!



TITLE:
 True North
AUTHOR: M.E. Montgomery
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
PUBLICATION DATE: December 5, 2014
COVER DESIGN: Cover to Cover Design



Alex and Kayla have found in each other what they need to move moved beyond the tragedies of their pasts and are ready to embrace their future together. But the problem with the past is it doesn’t always agree to be left behind, and sometimes it follows, unwilling to let go.

Now everything they thought they knew to be true is suddenly turned up on end. Collisions between the past and the present challenge their happiness, and hiding in the shadows lurk more obstacles that threaten their future.

Alex and Kayla are determined not to let these twists and turns destroy their happiness. But is love enough? What happens when lies, uncertainty, and deception entangle with their plans? Will determination be enough when faced with disaster?

Plotting a course is easy; finding your True North and staying the course presents a greater challenge.



I found myself suddenly flipped onto my back. He climbed on top of me and leaned over so his face was just a couple inches from mine. His arms muscles bulged as he braced himself above me. “How do you want me, sweetness?” His eyes blazed back at me, filled with the same need I was feeling.

I couldn’t stop the flush that colored my cheeks, but I still answered, “I want you inside me.”

His eyes gleamed. I knew he enjoyed my growing boldness when it came to our sex life. “Just like that?” he murmured. His hand slid up between us, still holding the rose that now had several petals askew. “That would be sort of caveman of me, wouldn’t it? Now, a gentleman would take his time kissing and caressing you, making sure you were ready.”

I could feel dampness gathering between my legs and I opened my mouth to tell him I was ready for him, caveman or gentleman, whichever he chose.

But he shook his head and laid the rose against my mouth effectively silencing me. “I’d like to think I behave better than a caveman, but I can’t claim to always be a gentleman, either.” He removed the rose and whispered against my lips, “What to do?”





M.E. Montgomery has been an avid reader her entire life, and her Amazon account will attest to that fact! Recently, several voices began telling their own stories in her head. After being assured she wasn’t crazy and this was the sign of an emerging novel, she decided to put her fingers to work and started typing, and with lots of encouragement, decided to share Alex, Kayla, and Aiden’s dramatic and heartwarming tale.

Her family considers her adept in most subjects, to include science, history, reading, spelling, and all mathematical studies, which loosely means she is the homework queen to her four school aged children. Fortunately, her biology and elementary school teaching background help her to keep up the expert façade, at least for now.

Although born and raised in the Washington DC metro area, she has considered many places to be called home since she left to attend college in North Carolina. She is a proud Navy wife, setting up hearth and home wherever in the world the Navy sends her husband. When she’s not reading or writing, she loves to go camping with her family, drinking wine on the deck, and romantic getaways when her husband’s work permits.





In celebration of the reveal of True North, Miss Montgomery is offering book one in the Polaris series, North Star, at a discounted sale of .99. This event is for today, November 15, only.




This Reveal was organized by

Friday, November 14, 2014

#NewRelease ~ It's Kinda My Thing



TITLE: It's Kinda My Thing
AUTHOR: K.S. Thomas
GENRE: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
PUBLICATION DATE: November 11, 2014
COVER DESIGN: Indigo Chicks Designs
LENGTH: 150 pages
CONTENT WARNING: Adult Language




Once upon a time, Rumor Davis was a sweet girl. You know the kind, sugar and spice and everything nice? That was Rumor. Until the day she met Brody Holmes….

One unhappily ever after later, and Rumor is living in Sin City with a music career at death’s door and all that was sweet and nice thrown out the window. Rumor spends her days delivering singing telegrams and spends her nights enjoying all the party city has to offer, usually in the company of her roommate and best friend, Shaun Penny.

Once upon a time Brody Holmes was a bad, bad boy, collecting the hearts of girls left and right. When he encountered the rarest edition of all, she slipped straight through his fingers.

One near happily ever after later, Brody is standing at the altar with his bride, about to cash out his collection of hearts in exchange for just one, when a familiar voice begins to sing from somewhere in the crowd….

** CONTENT WARNING - ADULT LANGUAGE **






As much as I’d tried to push the words from my mind since I’d heard them, Shaun’s voice was still ringing loudly in my ear. “Do you love me, Rumor?”

She looked hurt that I’d even ask her that, but I had to. “Of course. I fell in love with you when I was eighteen, Brody.”

“I know that,” I rubbed my hands on my knees to wipe away the sweat. “But are you in love with me now?”

She nodded, but it was automatic and prompted by her stubbornness, and I knew that.

"Then why won’t you say it? I’ve said it to you. I’ve told you I love you. Several times. You haven’t said it back to me once.”

The tears were welling up in her eyes, but I couldn’t do anything to stop them. I needed her to tell me the truth. Even if it hurt us both.

“I don’t know why I haven’t said it, Brody. They’re just not words I use. Doesn’t mean I don’t feel them.”

But that wasn’t enough for me. “Just say it now. Say, I love you, Brody. And I’ll believe you. I’ll believe in us. I’ll believe that we can make it even if we’re on opposite ends of the country, with me working my quiet accounting job and you out there pursuing fame and fortune as a rock and roll goddess. But I need to hear it, Rumor. Please.”

Her hands came up to wipe her eyes and she sniffed loudly. She lifted her gaze from her lap and met mine. Then her mouth opened and I could tell she was struggling to get the words out. When she finally did, they weren’t what I’d expected.




K.S. Thomas is the author of so many more incredibly written books. Buy a copy and live inside her many worlds.







Dog Lover who likes her pastries full of cream and sugar….oh…and I write some ;-)

Aside from being an author, I am also a mom to a beautiful 5 year old little girl. I tell everyone I named her after my great-grandmother (because that’s the mature answer), but really, I named her after my favorite princess – just so happens I got lucky and they had the same name…If I wasn’t a writer, I would work on a horse ranch – I’m an animal lover (in addition to dogs, horses are at the top of my list). I wear flip-flops pretty much everywhere I go. I would rather stay awake until 5 am than get up at 5 am (years of bar tending have left their mark), if I can, I’m going to the beach AND I will always be nice to people who bring me chocolate…or coffee…if you bring me both, I’ll probably love you forever.

A gypsy at heart, I write the way I live, following the story wherever it may lead, always ready to start the next one. This is clearly reflected in my body of work which to date includes everything from Children’s Lit to Thrillers.

I happily reside in sunny Florida ( for now) and always enjoy hearing from fellow readers!!


If you'd like to stalk Miss. Thomas, follow these links.




Join the party on December 8 and chat with K.S. Thomas about her currently released books and the ones she's working on.






This Blitz was organized by



Thursday, November 13, 2014

Excerpt - A Father For Christmas - Romancing Christmas


This week I've released the Romancing Christmas boxed set, with nine other great romance authors. During our first day of sales yesterday, we've shot up the charts and have been #1 in Holiday Fiction!! To kick off this release, once a day over the first two release weeks, I'll be posting an excerpt from each story. Take a look and then go buy this awesome set, priced at just 99 cents for its introduction! Grab it now before the price rises! Now, for today's book excerpt:

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories to Spice up the Holidays ~EXCERPTS EDITION~

Multi-author boxed set
Release Date: November 3, 2014
Genre: Holiday Romance
Cover Artist: http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

~~Blurb~~
Do you like your Christmas nice...or a little naughty? Bring the season into your heart with love stories to match your mood. This boxed set from 10 of today’s hottest romance authors will warm your heart even on the coldest night.

~~Purchase Links~~
A Father for Christmas by Rachelle Ayala

Single mother Kelly Kennedy can't afford lavish gifts for her four-year-old daughter, Bree. Homeless veteran Tyler Manning doesn't believe he deserves a Merry Christmas. When Bree asks Santa for a father and picks Tyler, both Tyler and Kelly must believe in the power of love to give Bree her best Christmas ever.







~~EXCERPT~~

“I want a papa for Christmas,” my four-year-old daughter Bree tells Santa. She bounces in his lap and tugs his beard. “A real live papa to play with me and take me to the zoo.”

“You mean a puppy,” I cut in, my face flushed with heat. Ever since I put Bree in preschool, she’s realized she’s missing a father and bugging me to find one. She even suggested we put up posters on telephone poles like they do for lost pets.

“No, silly mama.” Bree crosses her arms and shakes her blond ringlet curls. “I want a papa with two legs and two hands.”

The mall-supplied Santa chuckles. “And a papa you shall have.”

Giggles and titters spill from the women behind me.

“I need me one of those, too,” a young mother holding a baby boy says. “Let’s see, six-foot-six, blazing hot and built like a fire truck.”

“Oh, yeah,” another mother with two squirmy toddlers replies. “Do they have a catalog? I can spend hours drooling instead of wiping up drool.”

Much like the hours I spent perusing anonymous sperm donor profiles back when I was a successful investment banker worried about aging eggs and the probability of getting struck by lightning without hitting the husband jackpot.

Bree hugs Santa. “Will he be under the tree? Pwo-mise?”

“You bet.” Santa high fives her.

“Picture?” I scramble with my camera, an old Canon point-and-shoot borrowed from my mother, but the battery light flashes and the camera shuts off. Meanwhile, the elf manning the professional camera snaps a few shots of my sweet daughter kissing Santa. Ugh, I wonder how many germs are embedded in that polyester beard?

Santa hands Bree to me and winks. “Shall I put a smartphone under the tree for you?”

I’ll need a lot more than a smartphone: try rent, utilities, and car payments. Not only was I a former investment banker, I was stupid enough to believe my own research and ended up losing everything on a bad tip.

“No, she wants a papa, too.” Bree tugs my coat sleeve. “I hear her praying for one every night.”

Thankfully, Santa doesn’t answer. He’s already receiving the baby from the woman behind me. And actually, no, I’m not praying for a man, but Bree hears what she wants to hear, and in her little mind, all of our problems will be solved when the handsome princely father figure emerges to sweep her off her feet in a cotton candy sleigh drawn by a team of rainbow reindeer.

As for me, I’ll settle for responsible, solvent, and well-endowed, although in my profession, er, former profession, I never saw a need for a man, especially the banking types who kept half the strip clubs in Manhattan in business. No thank you.

The picture-taking elf smirks at me and hands me a ticket for the picture. “It’ll be twenty bucks for a five-by-seven or thirty-five for the package.”

“I want a train ride.” Bree squirms from my arms and points to the Holiday Express miniature train making the rounds inside the enclosed winter wonderland play area in the mall. “When my papa shows up, he’ll take me on the train and we can wave at you.”

Clutching the ticket for Bree’s picture with Santa, I bypass the photo booth conveniently placed near the line for the Holiday Express train. My meager paycheck has to be stretched for the holiday season, the first one since my insider trading conviction. Unable to land a job anywhere close to the financial services industry, I’ve been picking up shifts afterhours, cleaning the very office buildings I’m not allowed to enter as a banker.

But I can afford five dollars a ride on the Holiday Express. Bree looks at me expectantly and points to the monitor behind the cash register. “Mommy, there’s my picture with Santa.”

“There you are, and don’t you look cute?” I say, dreading her next request for buy it.

The cashier flashes a toothy smile. “We can have it printed while you wait for the Holiday Express.”

“Can we?” Bree bounces on her toes. “He pwo-mised me a papa for Christmas.”

“Maybe after the train, sweetie.” Going for distraction over chancing a meltdown, I hand the cashier a ten dollar bill for our two tickets.

Fortunately, the screen behind her cycles to a baby boy crying on Santa’s lap, and Bree’s attention turns to the candy cane man.

“Mommy, candy cane’s my fa-wor-ite.”

“We have some at home.”

“Those are teeny tiny. I want a big red and green one.”

“We can’t lose our place in line. Oh, look, see the fairy princesses?” I direct her toward three teenaged girls wearing princess outfits.

“They’re so pretty.” Bree’s mesmerized, and I breathe easier. My phone chimes with a text message. I flip it open. It’s my mother reminding me to be on time for Wednesday night church. We’re singing a special together, and she wants to rehearse before the service.

The line inches forward as I text her back. Mama’s nervous about the piano at church not responding like hers. Could I get to church half an hour early to do a dress rehearsal? I’m not sure why she’s so nervous. Maybe it has to do with the handsome widower who recently joined the congregation. I tell her I still have to finish shopping and prepare dinner for Bree, but mother says not a problem. She’ll bring macaroni and cheese and juice boxes to church, and Bree can eat in the multipurpose room. I agree, and Mama replies with her classic line to give Bree a kiss from her.

I text my goodbye and put my phone away. “Bree, Nana’s giving you a kiss.”

She’s not standing anywhere near me. A hot dagger of panic shoots up my chest. “Bree? Oh no, where’s Bree?”

She was here a minute ago. The line hadn’t gone forward by much. Surely, she surged ahead to gawk at the train and the princesses. I jump out of line, looking toward the fairy princesses.

“Bree!” My voice rises to a high-pitched shriek. People are staring, and I’m running in circles. “Have you seen my daughter? Bree! Blonde, wearing a pink Hello Kitty jacket. Bree!”


Reviews summarys:

Seeing how the tough topics covered in this story were handled with such care and a healthy dose of love and respect really made my heart soar. – Amber McCallister

This book had me thinking of how far would I go to help the ones I love. I saw the too often brushed aside aspect of our soldiers difficulties when they come home. Where do they go? Who makes sure they acclimate back into civilian life? The all too difficult PTSD and guilt from war is a very real aspect of any soldier coming home. – Freebie Diva’s Reviews

Romancing Christmas Excerpts - A Family For Christmas


This week I've released the Romancing Christmas boxed set, with nine other great romance authors. During our first day of sales yesterday, we've shot up the charts and have been #1 in Holiday Fiction!! To kick off this release, once a day over the first two release weeks, I'll be posting an excerpt from each story. Take a look and then go buy this awesome set, priced at just 99 cents for its introduction! Grab it now before the price rises! Now, for today's book excerpt:

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories to Spice up the Holidays ~EXCERPTS EDITION~

Multi-author boxed set
Release Date: November 3, 2014
Genre: Holiday Romance
Cover Artist: http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

~~Blurb~~
Do you like your Christmas nice...or a little naughty? Bring the season into your heart with love stories to match your mood. This boxed set from 10 of today’s hottest romance authors will warm your heart even on the coldest night.

~~Purchase Links~~
A Family for Christmas by Tallulah Grace


Erin Matthews returns home to find closure, but she soon discovers truths that change her life forever. Luke Simmons never expected to meet a woman who sparks fire in his soul, even as his heart is breaking. Together, they find healing, and the true spirit of Christmas, in the love of a patchwork family.







~~EXCERPT~~

Erin felt the heat of his gaze, and looked away. She would not let herself fall for a man who, it had been confirmed, was little more than a hound dog. No offense to Delilah.

“Jason thinks you’re shy, are you?” Luke needed to know why she kept blowing him off.

“What a question!” Erin feigned surprise, but her blush gave her away. “I’ve never thought about it.”

“You’re either shy, or you have no interest in going out with me, which I find hard to believe. Which is it?” Luke was determined to get an answer.

“Well, aren’t you full of yourself? As it happens, I have no interest in going out with you. There, are you satisfied?”

“Nope, not until you tell me why,” Luke persisted, surprising himself. He’d never had to work so hard to get a woman’s attention.

“For one thing, I’m not attracted to arrogance. For another, I’ve no interest in being just another notch on your bedpost. Is that enough, or should I go on?” Erin couldn’t believe that she was saying that.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Romancing Christmas Excerpt ~ Insanity Claus


This week I've released the Romancing Christmas boxed set, with nine other great romance authors. During our first day of sales yesterday, we've shot up the charts and have been #1 in Holiday Fiction!! To kick off this release, once a day over the first two release weeks, I'll be posting an excerpt from each story. Take a look and then go buy this awesome set, priced at just 99 cents for its introduction! Grab it now before the price rises! Now, for today's book excerpt:

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories to Spice up the Holidays ~EXCERPTS EDITION~

Multi-author boxed set
Release Date: November 3, 2014
Genre: Holiday Romance
Cover Artist: http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

~~Blurb~~
Do you like your Christmas nice...or a little naughty? Bring the season into your heart with love stories to match your mood. This boxed set from 10 of today’s hottest romance authors will warm your heart even on the coldest night.

~~Purchase Links~~
Insanity Claus by Carolyn Hughey

A widow of two years, Mallory Gardner is struggling to keep her business alive and still function in her dysfunctional family. Having two daughters, one of which who blames Mallory for her father’s death is enough to test anyone’s sanity. But when Arden J. Miller waltzes into town, he has other ideas—like capturing Mallory’s heart even though love is the last thing on her mind.


Can two irresistible forces deal with immovable objects, or will the effects of the holiday spirit help resolve issues previously thought to be unsolvable?

Website:
 www.carolynhughey.com 
Facebook:
 http://on.fb.me/YUamEZ 
Twitter:
 www.twitter.com/ScribBLINGDIVA



~~EXCERPT~~

“My, my. Someone’s happy. That must mean you met a woman.”

“Now, there you go again.”

“So who is she?”

He grinned. “You always could read me quite well, couldn’t you?”

“Well, I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, you know. I know infatuation when I see it. Now, who is she?”

“I doubt you’d know her.”

“Do you now?” She snickered. “As the municipal clerk, I know everyone. They may not know me, but I know them.”

“All right,” he said with a huff. “Her name is Mallory Gardner.”

“Ah, see. I do know her. She owns the Christmas shop in town.” She raised her hands. “And?”

“No ands. I’m just trying to get her to have coffee with me but she refuses.”

“You know she lost her husband in a motorcycle accident, don’t you?” she said in a hushed voice as though afraid someone could hear her.

“No. At this point, she’s avoiding me, my questions, and having coffee with me.”

“There was always something fishy about the way he died,” she continued. “In the mountains with young drug addicts.” She gave a disgusted shake of her head. “A wife and two kids; the man had no business trying to act like a teenager.”

“That must have been really hard for her. Maybe that’s why she’s so reluctant to get involved.”

“Ask her to help decorate that tree you just brought into the garage,” she said with a grin.

“Geez! Can’t I get anything by you?”

“I’m afraid not,” she said, filling the bowls. “Here,” she said gruffly, “grab this basket of biscuits and bring them to the table.”

“I wanted to surprise you,” he said in a huff. “You stole my thunder.”

“I’m sorry, but if you want to give me the perfect gift, find a woman and settle down.”

“By Christmas?”

“Why? You think that’s too soon?”

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Excerpt - Heating Up The Holidays - Romancing Christmas


This week I've released the Romancing Christmas boxed set, with nine other great romance authors. During our first day of sales yesterday, we've shot up the charts and have been #1 in Holiday Fiction!! To kick off this release, once a day over the first two release weeks, I'll be posting an excerpt from each story. Take a look and then go buy this awesome set, priced at just 99 cents for its introduction! Grab it now before the price rises! Now, for today's book excerpt:

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories to Spice up the Holidays ~EXCERPTS EDITION~

Multi-author boxed set
Release Date: November 3, 2014
Genre: Holiday Romance
Cover Artist: http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

~~Blurb~~
Do you like your Christmas nice...or a little naughty? Bring the season into your heart with love stories to match your mood. This boxed set from 10 of today’s hottest romance authors will warm your heart even on the coldest night.

~~Purchase Links~~
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBooks
KOBO

Heating Up the Holidays by Marcia James

When Chris Spencer returns home with his daughter, he's not looking for a second chance with his first love. And the last thing Nicky Paxton needs at Christmas time is her high school heart-breaker. But thanks to a hairless dog and a lonely child, they might get their Christmas desires.





~~EXCERPT~~

Nicky heard Chris mutter something under his breath, but she kept walking from the kitchen to the foyer of her home. If he didn't want to leave, he shouldn't have ended what was the sexiest damn kiss she'd had in thirteen years. Of course, she had no plans to actually let the too-honorable-for-his-own-good man walk out her front door. He was back in town to stay, and she was staking her claim on him tonight.

She stopped by the main staircase and hung his leather jacket on the mahogany newel post. Then wiping the huge grin off her face--something Chris wouldn't appreciate under these circumstances--she turned to meet his disgruntled gaze. "Thank you for the pizza and wine."

Chris nodded. His expression was pleasant, but a vein ticked in his temple.

Gesturing to the snow-battered windows in her nearby living room, she continued. "Looks like the weather's gotten worse. Could be a dangerous drive back to your place. Did you say Holly is sleeping over at your parents' house tonight?"

He nodded again, a mix of hope and amused suspicion flickering in his eyes. Maybe she wasn't so skilled at presenting a poker face.

"Well," Nicky glanced at the nails of one hand in an exaggerated show of nonchalance, "then I guess you have two choices." She met his gaze again, her lips curving despite her efforts to control them. "You can put on your jacket and head out, your virtue intact. Or...you can come upstairs and show me your tan lines."

He made a grab for her and she danced away, laughing. Chris put his hands on his hips and smiled. "You had me going there, brat. I thought you were throwing me out." He pointed to the floor in front of him. "Come here and kiss me."

"Like I'd take orders from some surfer-dude lawyer." Whirling, she charged up the staircase with Chris on her heels. Nicky made it almost halfway to the second floor before he caught her and lifted her into his arms. It was like flying. The autumn of their senior year, he'd chased her, picked her up just like this, then thrown her laughing into a pile of leaves they'd raked together. Those had been such wonderful times. Tonight they'd make even better memories.

She circled his neck with her arms as he took the rest of the stairs two at a time.

When he reached the upstairs hallway, Chris asked, "Which room?"

Nicky tugged on the hair at his nape. "Put me down before you get a hernia."

Lowering his head, he nibbled her ear. "You're a flyweight, Nickels. And unless you want our first time together as adults to be against this wall right here, you better tell me which room."

A delicious full-body shudder ran through her, one that literally knocked off her fuzzy slippers. "Why don't we save the wall 'til next time." She pointed down the dark corridor. "Last room on the right."