Beth Kery

Cold and super sunny in Chi-town today; one of those days you can lay in bed while the bright sun streams through the windows and pretend that it’s a lovely May day. I wish.

I’m curious as to whether or not RELEASE has hit any book shelves early. Anyone seen it at the stores? If you have, let me know! You can comment here or write me at bethkery@aol.com.

Speaking of RELEASE, I’m over at author and friend Julie Jame’s blog! There is a give away for commenters. :)

A couple people at Total Exposure pointed out to me that All Romance ebooks is having a HUGE sale until midnight tonight. 50% off ALL books! Just put in the code SBTBARe1.

Last but not least, just a reminder that Juliana Stone, Fiona Jayde and myself would love to have you at our release party Monday night. The blue and gold widgit to the right is your invitation; click on it to join Total Exposure. We do have an approval process, which should not take long. We’re not ‘approving’ you necessarily, just trying to avoid spammers, which plagued us at one time. Anyway, the party is tomorrow night from 5:30 to 7:30 EST, come one come all! Should be fun, with plenty of fun prizes and chat.

First of all, thanks to all of you who participated and who helped me to spread the word about RELEASE. I’m at the early stages of my writing career, and good promotional opportunities that fit into the budget of a starting author are few and far between. I really appreciate the fact that I can interact with readers and that we can share the experience together. I hope you all can check out RELEASE when it hits the shelves next week and that it’s a truly satisfying, sexy and romantic read for you.

There is one more ‘party’ left for RELEASE’S debut, and that’s at Total Exposure on Monday evening. Click on the invite widgit (to the right of this post) to join Total EX…and the partay. :)

Thank you.

The winner of the $100 dollar Amazon gift certificate (chosen by a random number generator) is
#54, Anna Shah Hoque!
Yippee! Anna, write me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize.
Hugs to all of you, and happy reading!

#2 Jeanette Juan! Jeanette, write me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize.

Wow. I can’t believe it. Another contest is through. Sniff. This was a good one. I can’t thank all the wonderful authors who participated enough. And thanks to each and every one of you who hung out with me over the past three weeks. It seemed like forever until Release was going to come out, and now Tuesday is in sight!

Later this afternoon, I’ll announce the winner of the one hundred dollar Amazon gift certificate. I hope you all have a terrific weekend!
~Beth

Join me in welcoming Kari Thomas to the Release Your Inhibitions Contest! Kari chats with me a bit, and then she talks about books in a series. Answer Kari’s question below about series and you will qualify to win a download of Temptation Unleased.

*****

Beth: Welcome, Kari! Tell us a bit about yourself.
K: Thanks, Beth! I’m a multi-published author, writing mainly in the Paranormal Romance genre. I love the limitless possibilities you have as a writer in this particular genre, so I imagine I’ll stay in that spot for a good long time. I’m the Care Giver for my dad, so I’m lucky enough to be a stay-at-home author. I’m also a professed “Book-a-holic” and I own over 3,000 books in my personal Library. The bad thing is, it’s an addiction I can’t stop…..so that means my Library grows every week!

Beth: Good for you, from one home-librarian to another. :)
What was the most exciting moment in your writing career so far?
K: Only one moment? LOL! I guess I could say that the most recent one was when my Novella PREY FOR THE WOLF stayed on the Top Best Seller List at Fictionwise for over 20 days….AND it was higher ranked than the famous “TWILIGHT” Series books!! That amazed me.

Beth: That is really cool! Wow.
How do you want to be remembered as a writer?
K: As a writer who wrote emotional, endearing stories as well as those stories being passionate and unforgettable. Doesn’t sound too much, does it? (grin)

Beth: What do you fear the most?
K: Seriously? Dying before my dad. I couldn’t do the proverbial “rest-in-peace” if I died first knowing he wasn’t being taken care of.
But as for the Not-so-serious Fear: suddenly realizing my muse has forever deserted me and I can’t write the next story. Argh! Never write again? That would kill me!

Beth: That’s a very understandable fear on your part, Kari. And as for the muse flying, I’ve had several authors say similar fears during this contest, so at least you are in good company.
You are not allowed to bow out of this part—I can’t believe how modest authors usually are, refusing to do this part!—please give us a paragraph or two from your writing of which you are particularly proud. Why do you like this portion?
K: LOL! It’s like exposing yourself way too much! But here’s a tiny teaser. The reason I love this short paragraph is because it was at a VERY emotional part of the story and said it “all” in so little words how a woman can face the worse yet still realize she has more in herself to give. I think this says a lot about all of us, as women, facing adversary that seems impossible to fight. This is from my latest, UNDER A SHIFTER’S MOON:

Kitlene released a sigh. She had learned she was strong enough to protect herself from physical attack. Now, she just had to learn how to fight back the heartache that threatened to become so much a part of her if she let it. She would be strong again. One day.

Beth: What new projects do you have in store for your readers?
K: I’m about to submit another paranormal Romance I just finished. Then, I hope to write two more Novella lengths in the next few months. I like to keep my books out there while writing full length, and the Novellas are great for that. I also have a Novella being released Feb 14, 2010 at All Romance Ebooks. It’s part of an Anthology, and ALL the Sales Proceeds will go to the Charity of The American Heart Association. Famous author Charlaine Harris writes the “Foreword” in it! This is the first book I’ve ever given away Free to a Publisher, but I also have two FREE reads that are Short Story length only, available at the Samhellion with Samhain Publishing. They are both ending Sequels to TEMPTATION UNLEASHED.

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED is my Samhain title, and it’s been a popular book from day one. I’m working on a new book for Samhain now and can only hope it does half as good! (grin)

Beth: Thanks so much for joining us here today, Kari.
K: Thanks again, Beth! I just wanted to mention that I love to hear from my readers, and they can contact me for more info on my books, or the Free Reads, at: authorkari@yahoo.com and that they can visit my site.

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED
Print and Ebook
Paranormal Romance

DO YOU WISH ALL BOOKS WERE IN A SERIES?

As a professed Book-a-Hollic I must admit I love to read good books that are part of a Series. One book just isn’t big enough to be able to satisfy my reader-curiosity about ALL the characters involved in the original story. If I love a book and the author turns it into a Series, chances are that author has a reader-fan in me for all of her future books, Series or not.
But. As an author, I’ve never been one for writing a Series on any of my books. I can’t explain it. I love my characters but when that story is finished, I’m sooo ready to go on to the next book idea with new characters and new situations. I guess I could blame it on my over-active imagination! Too many stories, never enough time to write them all! LOL!
So, of course, surprising me to no end I soon learned that readers wanted/demanded MORE stories from my Samhain title TEMPTATION UNLEASHED. They wanted to know if the secondary characters ever got their “Happy Ending Love Stories”. After constant requests, I finally sat down and wrote two ending Sequels. In THE CHRISTMAS CHAPTER, Gavin gets his love story. In SOUL’S CHOICE, Riana gets her love story. Both these Shorts can be obtained FREE at the Samhellion web site, with the Links:
http://authors.thesamhellion.com/?p=186
http://authors.thesamhellion.com/?p=119

So. Tell me, what do you think about books in Series? Like them? Rather not have them? I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Reading Day Hugs!
Kari

#15, Ina! Ina, write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize!
Juliana, I know how busy you are, so many thanks for coming to hang out at the Release Contest.

Speaking of the Release Your Inhibitions Contest, the $100 dollar Amazon gift certificate will be given away this Saturday. Yep…that means Release comes out next Tuesday, and…

Author Kari Thomas is our last guest author! Up next!

I hope you’ll give a warm welcome to friend and author Juliana Stone today. I know Juliana is excited to have her Samhain book Black Legacy coming out next week, to be followed by her Avon paranormal, His Darkest Hunger.

Beth: Welcome Juliana! Tell us about your soon to be released book, Black Legacy. (I’m very excited about this one, from one time travel chica to another).

Thanks for having me Beth! And there is something special about time travel, no? I love the idea! I was very happy to find a home at Samhain Publishing for this series of shorts. This book releases February 2, 2010.

Here is the blurb for Black Legacy:
Black Opals, Book 1
Frankie Black is a woman in need of a mission. For a Black Opal—a warrior woman who shifts backward or forward through time in order to, well, save the world—the last six months of downtime have left her bored. Restless. And with a feeling that something is about to hit the fan.
Finally, an assignment: save the life of Dekkar James, an infamous rock god living three hundred years in the past. Tattooed, ruggedly handsome and perfectly imperfect, one look at him and it’s as if her sleeping body springs to life.
One minute Dekkar is having the most mind-blowing sex of his life. The next, goons are breaking down his door, and he’s on the run with a woman who turns from lover to warrior in the blink of an eye.
Dealing with the New Order, operatives who manipulate time without regard for the consequences, is nothing new for Frankie. But this time their tactics have a more personal edge—they’ve found a way to seek out the Opals’ predestined mates.
Unless she can save Dekkar’s life, her future will be the first casualty in a battle for the fate of humankind.
Warning: Contains one hot dude with tattoos, a woman who won’t take no for an answer, steamy sex, an ancient Harley and a little bit of time travel.

Beth: Sounds so good. You must be very excited. How do you want people to remember you as a writer?

Wow, that’s something I’ve not thought of yet. I’m hoping that people will enjoy my books, connect with the characters and smile when they think about the stories. I hope I’m able to take them away into dangerous, exciting worlds both here on earth and beyond!

Beth: What are you most afraid of?

Professionally, it’s the loss of control that freaks me out. Once your book is in the hands of your editor and you’ve finished your revisions, edits, copy edits etc…that baby is gone! There is nothing you can do but wait and see. Will the masses love it like you did? Will it sell well? Will your reviews suck? Those kinds of thoughts terrify me. I don’t know how you seasoned writers do this book after book. Does it ever get easier? LOL

Beth: I’m hardly seasoned yet, but yeah. That wait and the uncertainty are very hard.
You are not allowed to bow out of this—I can’t believe how modest authors usually are, refusing to do this part!—please give us a paragraph or two from your writing of which you are particularly proud. Why do you like this portion?

All right Beth, I will give you a snippet from Black Legacy. I love this part of the scene because it’s when Frankie meets Dekkar for the first time. I love that there are no words between them, but the connection is instant. I love that. An instant connection where you know your life is going to change!

“Don’t say I didn’t bring you anything for your birthday. You owe me one, Dekkar.”
Frankie’s eyes shot up until they were caught, held in place with an invisible rope by the greenest, sexiest eyes she’d ever seen on a man.
Dekkar James stood a few inches from her, hands loose at his side, shirtless and ripped. His incredible torso was covered in an elaborate array of colorful tattoos that snaked up, caressing the hard abs.
Seconds turned into a long, slow silence, broken by the most devastating smile imaginable.
He didn’t speak, just held out his hand.
Frankie’s breath caught in her throat, and she felt as if she were coming apart, so intense was her body’s reaction.
She hesitated for one moment, and then her hand reached for his, a feeling of fire racing over her flesh as she made contact.
Everything faded away, and she let him lead her out the door, down yet another hallway, until the only sound was their heavy breathing. The air felt thick and it clung to her skin, like a soft caress. She glanced down to her timepiece. She had a little over an hour before the operatives from the New Order were scheduled to arrive.
She wanted to look up, but couldn’t meet his eyes. Her own pale blue orbs had stopped at the sight of the huge bulge that strained against the black of his leather.
When she did manage to raise her eyes higher, his mouth was descending, and she felt her own lips tremble in anticipation.
What the hell was wrong with her? She was on assignment for Christ sakes, and was about to break one of the most vehemently enforced rules of a Black Opal.
No fucking with a target.
His lips were firm, with just a hint of softness that gripped the edges as he opened his mouth wide, and plundered her warm wetness with his tongue. Fire erupted, hot and raging; it was immediate and all consuming.
Frankie had never in her life experienced such a kiss. It was both passionate and brutal in its intensity. She knew she was lost. There would never again be such a first kiss.
Not ever.

Beth: Awwww, first kisses. Nice.
Give us a quick look at your April release from His Darkest Hunger. What was it like for you as a new author to get a cover quote from Christine Feehan?

His Darkest Hunger is my book one in The Jaguar Warrior series I have coming out with Avon. My hero, Jaxon Castille, is bent on revenge against his ex lover Libby Jamieson. She betrayed him three years earlier and disappeared and he’s been hunting her ever since. But of course once he finds her things are a little more complicated. It’s kinda hard to enact your revenge when your target has no clue who you are. Added to this are the obvious signs that Libby has been badly abused and Jaxon’s emotions are all over the place. Things really kick in when an attempt is made on both of their lives and they need to work together in order to survive. Can they overcome the darkness between them? LOL, it’s romance so of course the HEA is inevitable, but I had so much fun with the baggage and obstacles this couple had to overcome!

And well, Miss Christine Feehan is a goddess and my idol. I still can’t believe she read the book and loved it enough to give me a quote. Very surreal and something I’ll never forget. I was lucky enough to have met her at RWA in San Francisco and it was very cool to know that even though she’s achieved the kind of success that we all dream about, she was down to earth, full of wisdom and just a lovely woman.

Beth: Thank you for joining me at the Release Contest, Juliana! Congrats on the upcoming books. Enjoy the wave!

Thanks for having me Beth, this was fun!

Beth: My pleasure, Juliana!
*****
You may find out more about Juliana and her books here.

Juliana has kindly offered a download of her upcoming book from Samhain, Black Legacy! Leave Juliana a comment or ask her a question, and you will qualify to win tomorrow morning!

Juliana and I both host a yahoo group, along with Fiona Jayde and Lacey Savage called Total Exposure. Since Fiona, Juliana and I all share a release date on Feb 2, we are throwing a big party at Total Exposure, complete with chat, contests and prizes, on Feb 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 EST. Here is the link to join Total Exposure if you don’t already belong! It’s going to be rockin’.

#23, Becky Jean! Becky Jean, congrats! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize.

Thank you, Jaci, for sharing both yourself and your time with us. We enjoyed. :)

Up next, Juliana Stone tells us about her upcoming book, Black Legacy…and gives away a copy!!

Jaci was nice enough to do a feature at her blog yesterday for Release (you can still see it and comment to qualify to win a copy of Release here) so I’m extremely happy to be able to return the favor today. Please welcome Jaci!

Beth: Welcome Jaci! It’s an honor to have you here. You are an erotic romance writer icon, at this point. Seriously. A frontierswoman. Any thoughts on the over-the-shoulder perspective to the past ten years?

Uh, an icon and frontierswoman? Not me. I think there were many more trailblazers in erotic romance before me, and I was happy to follow in their footsteps, but hey, thanks for the awesome compliment. I entered the erotic romance arena seven years ago, and thanks to amazing authors like Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Kate Douglas, Emma Holly and Cheyenne McCray, the door was open for me to express who I was an author. The exponential growth in erotic romance in all genres in the past ten years has been nothing short of amazing. From small and e-press to mainstream publishing, erotic romance has pushed the envelope in so many ways, but also pushed authors to be the best at what they do. With so many books in our genre out there, we have to be very good at writing not only something sexy, but something that will impact the readers enough to make them want to come back for more. You do that with great writing and great characters.

Beth: Yes…an icon. I think so. :)
In your opinion, what’s the most difficult thing about being an erotic romance author?

I think it’s easy to get labeled as an author who writes about sex. We don’t write about sex. We write about romance, just as any other romance author does. The sex is just an added component to the relationship. The only difference in erotic romance is that the sex is more explicit, in my opinion.

Beth: Couldn’t agree more. It’s a different, but very viable mode for creating a romance.
What are you most afraid of?

After writing over 40 books, I’m afraid of someday sitting down at the computer and not being able to write anymore. So far that hasn’t happened, but there’s always that fear…

Beth: I wonder if it doesn’t linger in all authors’ mind, that worry that the ability will one day vanish…that it was all a fluke.
In your opinion, how has the erotic romance readership changed over the past ten years?

Readers are so sophisticated in their demands. I love that about them. They demand more than just sex scene after sex scene being labeled as a romance. They want the story, the romance, the emotion, the action, the adventure, the angst, the tears, the laughter. They want what they’d get from any other book in any other genre—a great story. And they also want the sex in an erotic romance to be there for a reason, not just for titillation.

Beth: What would you like people to remember about you as a writer?

I’d like people to remember that I wrote emotional, character driven stories. I’d like people to remember the characters in my books. That would be my greatest legacy.

Beth: You are not allowed to bow out of this—I can’t believe how modest authors usually are, refusing to do this part!—please give us a paragraph or two from your writing of which you are particularly proud. Why do you like this portion?

Oy. This is so hard because I’ve written so many books. But okay, here’s a small section from RIDING TEMPTATION, the second book in my Wild Riders series. Jessie and Diaz are one of my favorite couples. Jessie came to the Wild Riders when she was just a kid, and all the guys think of her as their little sister. But she’s 23 now and Diaz definitely doesn’t feel brotherly urges toward his new partner, and it’s making him confused and crazy, especially since Jessie is bound and determined to seduce Diaz. So the two of them have been dancing around each other for awhile now, and I just love this story because the young innocent female is actually the aggressor in this book. Poor Diaz. He just never had a chance. ;-)

He flattened his back against the door, but Jessie kept coming, pressing her palms against his chest and leveling him with a teasing grin. “Nothing except me. Big bad Jessie scares you.”
She was playing a game. He wasn’t. “Stop.”
She did. She had to. There was nowhere else to go unless she climbed up on him. He smothered a groan at the visual that presented. Naked, her full breasts pressed against his chest. Her legs wrapped around him, his hands filled with her sweet ass as she bounced up and down on his cock. Her pussy would be wet, tight, gripping and squeezing him until he shot loads of come inside her.
Shit. “Get out of here, Jess.”

Beth: Wow. Good one. :)
We share a release date on Feb 2. Tell us about your story in the Laced With Desire anthology.

No Strings Attached is my story in the Laced With Desire anthology. Ella has been widowed for five years and took over the construction business she and her husband worked together. But it’s been all work and no play for her since her husband’s death, and she thinks a trip to Hawaii would be a great way to get back into the sex game again. When business rival Clay Mansfield finds out about it, he meets up with Ella in Hawaii and convinces her that sex with a stranger isn’t the way to go, then offers himself up, no strings attached. But two friends who share a hot week in Hawaii together find that those strings have a way of binding lovers together.

I really loved writing this story. It’s fun and sexy and emotional, three of my favorite things to write. And I’m so thrilled to do this anthology again with three wonderful, amazing and talented authors—Jasmine Haynes, Joey Hill and Denise Rossetti.

Beth: Thank you once again for providing a cover quote for Release, Jaci. And thanks for joining me at the Release Contest!

I loved Release, Beth, and I know your readers will too. Thanks for letting me guest here!

Beth: It’s my huge pleasure to have you!

The Laced With Desire Anthology

Rough hands rounding the curves of a soft warm body—caressing, stroking,
edging her toward exquisite pleasure…

Seduction is a cinch in these four all-new sizzling stories
from the hot authors of Unlaced…

Jaci Burton breaks the rule of mixing business with pleasure when two professional rivals cross paths at a tropical resort. She figures she can handle a fling with no strings attached. He’s out to show her that she figured wrong.

Jasmine Haynes explores the lust of a former supermodel who needs to finally fulfill a no-holds-barred sexual fantasy. Finding two men to do it with is easy. But are they up to giving her all the pleasure she’s been denied?

Joey W. Hill reveals the erotic bond between a master and the beautiful submissive who stole his heart. Recapturing their night of unparalleled passion won’t be easy—until a specific piece of lingerie comes into play.

Denise Rossetti goes beyond the limits of desire when she pairs a battle-scarred veteran of love and war with a woman who’s just as fearless and twice as dangerous. What happens between them is positively combustible. But what a way to go.

Every touch is
Laced with Desire

No Strings Attached by Jaci Burton – Excerpt

La Petit Mort by Jasmine Haynes – Excerpt

Honor Bound by Joey Hill – Excerpt

Rhio’s Dancer by Denise Rossetti – Excerpt

Jaci is generously offering a copy of Unlaced to one commenter here today. So ask her a question or let her know what you thought of her interview, and you’ll be in the random generator draw tomorrow!

The Art of Losing, #16, Bonnie H!
Release, #24, Marci Baun!
Congratulations, ladies! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prizes.
Many thanks to Lisa Troy for guesting yesterday! It was a pleasure, Lisa.

Okay, just a few announcements:
Lea is having a big contest for Release (thank you Ms. Lea) so if you haven’t checked out her review and opportunity to win several copies of Release this Saturday, go on over there now.

I’m also blogging about Dirty Talk at Erotic Horizons. Plus, Lea grilled me in an interview at Erotic Horizons as well. ;)

Up next, the fabulous Jaci Burton!!

I like to meet new authors and give a shout out about them whenever the opportunity arises. Lisa is a very nice lady who is part of my Total Exposure Yahoo Group. It was there that I first heard from her that she had gotten a book accepted for publication. I hope you’ll give Lisa a big welcome!
Lisa has been kind enough to offer a free download of The Art of Losing to one commenter here today. I’m going to sweeten the pot and offer a free copy of RELEASE to one commenter as well. Good luck!
*****
Lisa’s Interview
Beth: Welcome, Lisa! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, Beth, and thank you for having me. Mmmm things about me… I’m a sassy, twenty-seven year old redhead from Greece. And no, I don’t just live there, I’m Greek through and through.
I didn’t always want to write. I don’t have notebooks from my teen years written from cover to cover stashed away up in the attic. I started writing about three years ago after trying my hand at a few fan fics and after reading a book and thinking ‘huh, that’s not how I’d have finished the story.’

Beth: I’ve recently been introduced to fan fiction. Well, Harry Potter fan fiction–huge HP fan here. I can see how it’d be quite the staging ground for writers.
What was the most exciting moment in your writing career so far?

Well, since it’s kind of a short career (but let’s keep that between us) I would have to say it was my first contract offer. I think I stared at the attached document at the bottom of the email for two whole minutes. Breathing was optional of course.

Beth: LOL, yeah, I remember how excited you were. It’s big stuff. How do you want to be remembered as a writer?

If I’m remembered for anything good, I’ll be happy. People have short memories. We have to come across something really remarkable to remember it, especially now that we live in the fast-food era and options are endless. All I can hope is that when my readers close one of my books they feel like they had a great time and that catharsis was accomplished.

Beth: (Do they have a lot of fast food in Greece? Seriously, I’ve never been).
What do you fear the most?

Since English isn’t my native tongue, my greatest fear is that my writing won’t be up to par with that of authors who have been speaking and writing it every day of their lives. When I read other books, I’m like a sponge, cataloguing words and expressions in the back of my mind. It helps that I’m a language buff.

Beth: I’m surprised. I seriously thought you were English-speaking originally and moved to Greece. I don’t think you have anything to worry about in the language department.
You are not allowed to bow out of this part—I can’t believe how modest authors usually are, refusing to do this part!—please give us a paragraph or two from your writing of which you are particularly proud. Why do you like this portion?

For the record, I don’t really like my writing much. I’m constantly surprised people seem to like it.

He did a slow turn, and my mouth would’ve dropped open if I could move a single muscle.
Leave it to me to go Glenn Close on the hunkiest man in the place.

I like this because I think it’s one of the best examples of my voice as a writer. It’s me.

Beth: Smile. “Go Glenn Close” I like the alliteration. What new projects do you have in store?

I have many, many, many WIP’s waiting for me to finish them. I’m the queen of procrastination. A CP keeps making me feel guilty because I’ve left a heroine tied to a bed by a psycho killer for almost a year. I’m currently working on the sequel of The Art of Losing, which will be about the heroine’s BFF, and a story about a relationship that starts on the internet.

Beth: Thanks so much for joining us here today, Lisa.

Thank you for having me, Beth. And good luck with your RELEASE. Not that you need it. ;-)

Her heart is off limits. She’s only looking for fun and sex. Emily Stone is sick of men and their lying, cheating, self-centered ways. A stranger stealing a kiss on New Year’s Eve is the last drop. She makes the resolution to turn the tables on the opposite sex and beat them in their own game.

But when the stranger turns out to be Blake Edwards, the brother of one of her students, Emily’s plans start to go awry.
Blake pursues her with a vengeance. He’s sexy, has all the right answers and makes her heart flip in her chest with just a smile. But he’s also too confident, annoying, not to mention he can end her career with just a word at a time when money is scarcer than shooting stars.

Should Emily fight her strong attraction to him or add another name to her date card and pretend Blake’s no different than the rest of them?

Excerpt:

“You’d be having more fun if you were out with me, kitten.”
I jumped at the sound of that deep, bone-melting tone. I glanced over my shoulder, even though I already knew whom I’d see. Sure enough, Blake stood behind me in all his lick-worthy glory. His dark brown hair was mussed as if he’d spent half the night sifting his fingers through the thick strands. Dark jeans hugged his long legs, showcasing them to perfection. He had even rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt to reveal muscled forearms. God, men with dark-looks do look great in white….
What sin had I committed to deserve this?
“Mr. Edwards.” I smiled and took delight in the way his lips flattened into a thin line. “How nice to see you again,” I lied through my teeth, my tone indicating that.
His eyes narrowed. “This game you insist on playing is getting old.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I looked forward again and took a sip from my drink.
Blake didn’t give up. He moved until he was in my line of sight. “I’m talking about you and me on New Year’s. You can’t deny we shared a connection.”
The denial dangled from the tip of my tongue, but I could very well imagine how he would call me on my lie. Too vividly. And the troubling thing was I didn’t think I’d resist his kiss.
“Whatever connection we might have shared is beside the point. I don’t date my students’ parents.” I hoped the frost in my voice balanced out the increased temperature of my body.
His smile brightened the dimly lit jazz club despite his irritating “I know something you don’t know” expression. “I’m not Amanda’s dad, so that’s not an issue.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Still, you’re her guardian.”
“Her very single guardian.”
Oh, the eye-candy was so busted. I arched an eyebrow. “Really? And whom were you talking to on the phone on New Year’s saying I love you?”
He flicked my nose, an intimate gesture I was too slow to evade. “Amanda. I couldn’t take her to the club with me, so we had dinner together, and I left her with a baby-sitter.”
“You let her stay up so late?” I asked in an effort to divert his attention to a less dangerous subject.
“No, she insisted on setting the alarm clock and getting up to call me.”
“Ah.” A clever comeback indeed.
Okay, I now stood a reason short, but I refused to be deterred. I had a New Year’s Resolution to keep and a new life to live.
“You’re too nice,” I blurted out.
“Excuse me?”
I fought back a chuckle at his insulted tone.
“Look at you. Rich, sophisticated, with a respectable job no doubt. You probably want to settle down and have two-point-five kids before you reach thirty-five.”
“I have five years left. I’m in no hurry.” His face darkened the more I said, and a part of me wanted to take everything back, but this was my way out. I’d just begun learning new things about myself, tapping into my sensuality. I didn’t want to fall into the same hole again and focus all my attention on a man.
“Don’t get me wrong. That’s not a bad thing, I just happen to want my man rough around the edges.”
“And what would a not so nice guy have done on New Year’s?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“He would’ve kissed me to shut me up. Then he would’ve pushed me up against the wall, and─”
Blake rested an arm on the table and leaned forward, invading my personal space. “And?” The suggestive burr spiked my temperature to a hundred and forty.
Images of Evan screwing his blonde bimbo from behind shielded me from the lust blazing in Blake’s green eyes. “If you don’t know what happens next, there’s no point in me telling you, is there?” I shrugged. The way my heart beat like a crazed tambourine, nonchalance was a far-away oasis to me, but I tried anyway. “You’re an Ashley.”
His gaze, though puzzled, bore into mine, and cut—I feared—through all the bullshit excuses I gave him. I bit my lip. Would my acting skills be up to the challenge?
Lucky for me, Rhett swaggered toward us, his thumb hooked on the waist of his khakis, a challenging expression on his face. Blake straightened, and the two men sized each other up. Sheesh…could they act any more macho?
“Rhett, this is Blake Edwards. He’s the brother of one of my students. Rhett Gaynor.” I babbled the necessary introductions to break the testosterone-laden silence and move things along.
Blake had to go. He had to stop torturing me with his nearness. Sexy, bad-boy Rhett didn’t pose any threat to me. Blake and his quiet strength…that was another story. I stood to lose my heart all over again. The Evan disaster had taught me I was far from a good judge of character when it came to men. I didn’t have it in me to take a new leap of faith just yet.
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