#ReleaseDaySquee Carmel's Choice is here! #bdsm #mfm @sirenbookstrand #giveaway

Woop, woop! Today sees the release of Carmel's Choice, and I'm just a tad excited. You know, ever since I wrote a flash here on this blog, a loooong time ago, featuring a disabled Dom, that premise stuck with me, and I finally wrote that story in Carmel's Choice.

I tell you I alternated between crying and fanning myself when I wrote this, and I hope readers will love these three as much I do. So without further ado, and because it IS release day, you can read the entire first chapter right here.

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway too. I'm giving away a $10 GC and two e-books from my back list.

[Ménage and More: Erotic Consensual BDSM Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, public exhibition, spanking, sex toys, HEA]

It’s just one night of kinky sex. What could possibly go wrong?

When the birthday present from her Master is one night of no holds barred kinky sex with his ex-army buddy, Carmel Blythe doesn’t know what to think. A good subbie obeys her Master’s wishes, however, and there is no denying the instant connection she has with this experienced Dom.

Topping Gideon’s gorgeous wife is the least Nash Jonas can do to repay the debt he owes the man. After all, Gideon took the bullet aimed at Nash—the very one that cost the other man his army career and put him in a wheelchair. If only Nash could keep those pesky emotions out of the deal.

Gideon cannot stand to see the sadness in his wife’s eyes, nor the restlessness in his best buddy’s soul. Pushing the two people he loves together will surely satisfy everyone’s physical and emotional needs.

Carmel’s choice may well change everything…

Available from Bookstrand at a 10% discount

http://www.bookstrand.com/carmels-choice

CARMEL’S CHOICE

DORIS O’CONNOR

Copyright © 2015

Chapter One

This was why she hated going to these things on her own. Carmel swigged back her double martini and barely suppressed a groan as she pulled the hem of her clingy red dress further down her stockinged leg. The menace of the evening, otherwise known as Sean, as he’d introduced himself earlier, made a beeline straight to her. The overweight, balding wannabe gigolo, who seemed incapable of taking the hint, barely avoided colliding with the new Mr. and Mr. Featherington. Not that the two men engaged in a lip-lock would have noticed if he had.

The ghost of a smile kicked up her lips. It was good to see her old school friend so happy. Lars had taken a lot of stick for his sexual preferences when they’d been growing up. Something Carmel had never understood, even then. Her refusal to join in the “pick on the gay pervert” game had meant she’d been ostracized, too. Not that it had mattered much. Lars and her against the world, and all that, together with their friend Nicole. It was a pity she couldn’t be here today.

Even though they’d gone to different universities, they’d all kept in touch, and when Lars had sent Carmel the invite to his wedding, she couldn’t have refused to go, especially when Nicole wasn’t able to attend. One of them had to be there to see Lars hitched at long last. Carmel had never met a more romantic fool than Lars, with the exception of Gideon, of course.

True to form, her Sir had insisted that she go to the wedding, even though he was out of town on business.

His voice had brooked no argument.

“You will go, and you will enjoy yourself. Wear that little red dress for me. You know what to wear with it, and think of me. If you’re a good girl, you might even get a surprise. It is your birthday weekend after all.”

There had been an odd twinkle in his amber eyes when he’d said that. She knew that look. Gideon was up to something, and refusing to obey his instructions was not something she could do. The heated approval in his expression, when he’d watched her via Skype as she got dressed according to his instructions, had meant she’d not needed any lube to insert the vibrating egg. Her internal muscles clenched around it now, just remembering the sound of his husky voice. His voice alone had the power to send shivers down her spine, and make her wet in seconds.

“That’s my girl. I want you to wear that all day. As you dance, and laugh, and flirt, it will remind you who you belong to.”

As though she was likely to forget. Carmel fingered her delicate day collar and signaled to the barman to refill her glass. The egg shifted inside, and she gasped as the unmistakable vibrations started. Only Gideon had the remote and he was thousands of miles away in New York. Wasn’t he?

Carmel’s gasp turned into a groan as the vibrations increased. She slapped her hands flat on the surface of the bar, and tried to regulate her breathing, dimly aware of Sean sliding in the stool next to her.

“There you are. If I was given to flights of paranoia, I’d say you’re avoiding me.”

His alcohol-laced breath blew in her face as the obnoxious man leaned in close and laughed at his little joke. Carmel ground her teeth together and closed her eyes, desperately trying to stay off the orgasm that blasted egg was fast hurtling her toward. She would not come in front of Mr. Wandering Hands—Sean. No doubt he’d think she’d come from his presence alone. Sure enough, one of his beefy hands settled on her thigh and squeezed. The egg’s vibrations increased again, and perspiration dotted her lips. Her hair stuck to her damp neck, and moisture slid down her shoulder blades like the beads of water collecting on her glass in front of her.

“Say, are you quite all right, Carmel. You look flushed. Not coming down with something, are you?” Sean’s slightly slurred voice grated on her nerves, and she breathed a sigh of relief when the vibrations inside her core stopped as suddenly as they’d started. Still, she was so revved up that it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. Carmel took hold of her glass and swigged the contents down in one go. Welcome heat bathed her insides, and she pushed the noxious little man away from her.

“Nothing that getting away from you couldn’t help.” She tempered the harsh words with a small smile, not wishing to cause a scene at Lars’s wedding, but really, this Sean was too much. His hand on her thigh still inched higher, so close to the crotch of her now-soaked panties, she was surprised he hadn’t noticed. The thought that he would assume she was wet for him turned her stomach.

“Get your fucking hands off of me, Sean.” She hissed the words through gritted teeth. A hiss that turned into a groan, as the egg’s vibration kicked in again.

Shit. The thing had to be faulty. This was just her damn luck.

“Oh, come on, lady. You’ve given me the signal all evening, what with your little red dress and come-fuck-me eyes, and now you’re holding out on me? Look around, I’m the only non-puff here, so let’s have some fun.” He sneered at her and inched closer again.

“I said nooo…ah…damn.”

Her rebuff turned into a long, drawn-out moan, as she tried to get off the stool and the damn toy pressed against her G-spot. Pleasure surged through her. Hot, hard, intense, and all the more shocking due to the fact that she hadn’t come in three weeks. Gideon always placed her under a strict no-orgasm rule while he was away on business. It made their reunions all the more explosive, but it was damn inconvenient right now.

She screwed her eyes shut against the vision of herself in the mirrors behind the bar as her orgasm tore through her, and she bit her lips and groaned to stop her scream. Fingers curled in a white-knuckled grip around the bar counter’s edge, her nostrils flared as she tried to get her breathing back under control.

“That was beautiful, pet.” The deep, warm voice behind her wrapped itself around her senses. Like molten chocolate, it dripped into her consciousness, and the submissive inside bathed in the warm glow of approval. She didn’t recognize this man’s voice, but it held the edge of command that only an experienced Dom could bring to the table. His earthy, spicy scent enveloped her as he stepped so close that the heat of his body scorched her back through the thin fabric of her dress. Hot puffs of air ghosted across her neck as he whispered into her ear.

“Breathe, pet, and sit down. Keep your eyes closed for me, or I’ll have to blindfold you in front of your friends. I’m just going to deal with the rodent who seems to have attached itself to you.” She could feel the smile in the butterfly kiss this man delivered to the sensitive skin under her neck, and a shiver of need went down her spine.

“Who are you?” she whispered.

“Your birthday present, sweet thing.”

Carmel’s heart gave several erratic bumps before it settled into a somewhat predictable, if far too fast rhythm. What did he mean, he was her birthday present? Tears gathered behind her closed eyelids and threatened to spill down her cheeks. The temptation to open her eyes and see who Gideon had sent to her was almost impossible to resist. Her brave, impossibly generous Sir, who held her heart and her submission in his hands—always.

“Hey, you oaf, get your hands off of her. She’s mine.”

Sean’s whiny voice broke through her happy thoughts, and she shook her head in denial. Strong, callused fingertips grazed her jaw, and ran a path of heated awareness down her neck before they squeezed her shoulder in a silent command.

“Really? You do surprise me. From what I observed, this young lady has been trying to avoid you all evening. Following her around like a dog in heat makes you a stalker. Now, be a good boy and run along.”

“I’m not a fuckin’…That is…You have no right…”

Sean’s blustering seemed to have no effect, as her companion’s amused chuckle filled the air. Movement to her right told her that he’d stepped away, and she held her breath as the air seemed to thicken with the unmistakable odor of impending violence. The fine hair on her arms rose as her other senses heightened to compensate for her lack of vision.

“Get yourself a coffee, and sober up, or leave. Those are your only options here. If you need help I shall gladly facilitate your exit from the premises.”

His voice deepened as he spoke, and Carmel’s stomach tightened in anticipation. The clipped cadence of this man’s words signaled his annoyance loud and clear, and she was glad she was sitting down. Her wobbly legs would not be able to support her right now otherwise. She wouldn’t want to encounter that voice if they were in a scene. Goose bumps broke out across her exposed arms at the mere thought of encountering his displeasure. This man had an edge to him that reminded her of how Gideon used to be, before…

Carmel pushed those disturbing thoughts away. There was no point in dwelling on what they used to have. They were happy as they were, and she loved Gideon with all of her heart. Together they could withstand whatever life threw at them. She knew that. Again her eyes filled with tears at her husband’s thoughtfulness to arrange this—whatever this would turn out to—for her birthday.

Over the rapid beat of her heart, the sounds of a brief scuffle reached her, as though Sean had been stupid enough to put up a struggle, and then her present was back.

“I feel the need to apologize for not interfering earlier, but your Master was very specific in his requirements.” Heat engulfed her once more as the owner of that voice leaned in, and Carmel straightened when he ran what felt like his knuckles up her spine until his hand rested on her nape underneath her hair. The grip, though loose, nonetheless spoke of his possession, and Carmel sighed.

“That’s my girl. You just relax, count to ten, and then open your eyes. The newlywed couple is leaving. Go and say your good-byes and then come and see me in my room.”

He slipped a key card into her hand, and Carmel tightened her fingers around it with a gasp, as he chose that moment to brush her mouth with his. The kiss was as light as butterfly wings, yet she felt it all the way to her toes.

“There is something else I have to tell you, as per the instructions I was given. This is your choice. You either come to see me or not. There will be no repercussions either way, but know this. I very much look forward to marking that pale skin with my hands and teeth, and seeing you come apart for me.”

His breath mingled with hers as he spoke, and Carmel’s breathing sped up at the heated promise in those few words. They conjured up all sorts of delicious scenarios in her head, and she clenched her thighs to ease the resultant ache in her pussy. It had been so long since…

“Are we clear, pet?” he asked, and Carmel nodded.

“Yes, Sir, crystal.”

“Good girl, then count.”

The air moved, taking his intoxicating scent with him, and Carmel dutifully counted in her head, and opened her eyes. There was no sign of her rescuer from the hands of Sean. Only the bartender, who looked at her with a slight smile on his face, and Carmel’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. Of course he would have witnessed the whole thing. The sounds of Lars’s leaving song blasting through the air galvanized her into action and she dashed off as fast as her sling-back stilettos would let her.

Time to say good-bye to Lars and to make a decision.

******

Hope that got you intrigued. Stay naughty, folks.
D xxxx



Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ReleaseDay Squeal - Under his Boss is here #mm @evernightpub #officeromance #bdsm

*excited squeal*

I'm so happy that you'll get to meet my boys today. Under his Boss started right here on this blog, and you can see the original Flashes here and here.

James and George grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go until I told their story. I  had great fun getting to know these two, so without further ado I give you Under his Boss.

Blurb:

~Love is a precious thing~

When James Dyllon finds an explicit card on his desk he doesn’t know what to think. His hot as Hades boss has never given him the slightest indication that he returns James’ affections, so this card can’t be from him. Two male lovers entwined—someone is having a laugh at his expense.

George MacKenzie is done lusting after James from afar. A New Year brings with it the opportunity for change and George is tired of hiding. Since taking over the company after his father fell ill, he is finally in a position to act on his feelings, and he wants James. The card might be a feeble attempt, but at least James does not seem disinterested.

Together they will be able to weather anything, as long as he can convince James that he really does want forever.

Buy Links:

Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/under-his-boss-by-doris-oconnor

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Under-His-Boss-Doris-OConnor-ebook/dp/B00TOYJO0A/

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-His-Boss-Doris-OConnor-ebook/dp/B00TOYJO0A/

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/under-his-boss-mm

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-underhisboss-1750438-147.html

Add it to your Goodreads TBR shelf

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24929575-under-his-boss

Ready for a little exclusive excerpt?

James has wanted his boss in like forever, but he's not going to give in that easily...

*****

 “Are you going to answer me? Are you even into men, or am I just some little experiment for you. An itch to scratch, before you—“

“No.” That one growled word sliced through the air, and James took a step back at the barely controlled fury in the other man’s ice blue gaze. Gone was the professional detachment George always showed in the office and James swallowed hard, when George yanked the tie he wore over his head and threw it on the desk next to the card. He opened several buttons on his shirt, as though he found it hard to breathe. The action exposed the strong column of his neck with his prominent Adams apple, which bobbed wildly as he swallowed hard. George screwed the card up in his fist, scowled at the crunched up paper in his hand, and dropped it back on the desk as though it had burned his digits.

“Damn it, have I ever given you the impression that I would treat you like that, James?”

There was a wealth of hidden emotion behind those few words, and James shook his head when his boss’s azure gaze connected with his. Fury, hurt, uncertainty, and some other much deeper emotion all chased each other in the depths of George’s eyes, like storm clouds on a summer’s day. They stared at each other for several tension filled moments, before James shook his head.

“No, you haven’t. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around this sudden change of attitude. You never once gave me any indication that you were even remotely interested. I thought this was all completely one sided on my part, and…”

His words trailed off when George smiled. The action lit up his handsome features, and James realized with a start that that was the first, truly open smile he had ever seen his boss give to anyone. This wasn’t just the obligatory quirk of the lips, reserved for everyone. No, this was an open, see right to the bottom of his soul smile that lit up his eyes. It chased away the brewing storm clouds in his gaze until only brilliant blue remained. George had to clear his throat several times before he spoke.

“So, you are interested then?” At James’s curt nod, George flopped down into the chair next to him, shut his eyes and blew out a huff.

“Thank fuck for that. I was beginning to think I’d made a complete fool out of myself, and completely misread you. I mean, it’s been a while since I did… well.” The most endearing blush spread over George’s sculpted cheek bones, and he leant forward in his chair, and rested his forearms on his thighs. The action only emphasized the width of his shoulders, as the fine linen of his shirt pulled tight across them and the rolled up sleeves shifted further up his strong arms. George wasn’t just the pampered pencil pushing son of a successful business man. His body spoke of the years he’d spent in the army, and he clearly still kept himself in tip top condition, despite being firmly entrenched in civilian life for the last year.

“How long has it been?” James asked, and George threw him a wry grin.

“A few years. Last time I was on leave and hooked up with this guy I met in a bar. I was drunk, and he hit on me, and… well, it was fun, let’s leave it at that. It also made me realize that the best sex I ever had has been with guys, and that I’ve been deluding myself to even entertain the notion of going straight, despite the old man.” George paused and sighed, and James rounded the desk and perched his butt on the edge of it. He reached out to touch the other man’s shoulder, and a shudder went through George’s frame. James too, gasped at the surge of connection that shot up his arm. He let his hand linger and stroked his fingertips along his boss’s collar. Warm, soft skin greeted him, and he trailed his hand higher, and giving into his earlier urge, ran his fingers through George’s hair, and brushed them through the thick mop at the top. George’s groan trembled through him and he brought his other hand up until he could frame the man’s face. George placed his hands over James’s and they simply locked gazes, drinking in the sight of each other, silently assessing, searching for the answers they sought.

It was James’s turn to groan when George stroked his hands up James’s arms. He traced the tat on his right biceps, and rolled his chair forward until his knees touched James’s legs.

“How far does this go?” George asked and the husky quality of his voice shot straight to James’s balls. His cock hardened to the point of pain, and he released his hold on George’s head, and hopped off the desk. It was put distance between them or give into the instinct to fuck his boss right here and now, and Nora would never forgive him, if they messed up his desk now. She was exasperated with the organized chaos he surrounded himself with as it was. Besides he had to work at this place come Monday morning, and there was no way he would be able to concentrate for toffee, if he had actual memories of taking his boss over his desk to contend with, rather than just wicked fantasies.

Besides, if it had been a while, then George deserved a gentle first fucking on a soft bed and with no chance of them being interrupted by anyone.

His cock jerked against its confines and James adjusted himself with a groan. He would have permanent zipper marks on his dick at this rate, and no doubt the wet spot on his boxer briefs would soon become visible on his jeans. Seeing George adjust himself through his trousers made him grin despite the discomfort. At least he wasn’t alone in his predicament.

Not that that knowledge was helping one iota, and James desperately searched for a safe topic of conversation in his head. George’s last question surfaced through his lust filled brain and he blurted out the answer.

“Dragon, it’s a dragon,” he said and George blinked in seeming confusion.

“What is?” he asked.                                      

“My tat. It’s a dragon. Spreads across my shoulders and back, and into my neck, and the tails wraps around my biceps.” He lifted his right arm to illustrate his point, and understanding dawned in George’s eyes.

“That must have hurt.”

James shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

“Like the fucking bitch, but it was worth it. I had it done when I came out. I thought it was fitting. You know, slaying the dragon and all that junk."

*******

Now, excuse me while I go back to bouncing in excitement!


Stay naughty, folks!

D xxx

#Release DaySqueal Let's Get it On! #mfm #bdsm #giveaway @sirenbookstrand

It's release day, and yours truly is a tad ecxited. In the words of the great Marvin Gaye, indeed, Let's Get it On.

I'm on a few blogs today, so make sure you hop across. There is a chance to win a $10 GC on The Nuthouse Scribblers here, and a book from my back list on Raven McAllan's blog here, where I am interviewing my heroes, the delicious Cooper brothers.

Now, as it's Release day, I am sharing the entire first chapter right here, so enjoy!

[Ménage Amour: Erotic Consensual BDSM Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, spanking, caning, ice play, erotic asphyxiation, sex toys, HEA]

When Lily Jephson falls asleep at work, her erotic dream is witnessed by none other than her boss’s brother. Awkward doesn’t begin to describe it, especially when she can’t help but respond to the enigmatic Dom. She wants his brother…doesn’t she?

Cyrus Cooper loves to play games, and he can’t resist the opportunity to yank his brother’s chain a bit. Nothing will convince the stubborn Sloan more to finally make a move on Lily than thinking this delightful subbie is involved with Cyrus.

However, when it becomes apparent that Lily needs help to work through the emotional scars left behind by her early introduction into the lifestyle, Cyrus knows this is far more than a game. The brothers are just the Doms to show her what a true D/s relationship should be like.

Lily thrives under their combined Dominance, but when her old Master re-appears her life is put in danger.

She has never needed her Sirs more.

Available now at Bookstrand with a 10% Discount.

http://www.bookstrand.com/lets-get-it-on

Add it on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24236010-let-s-get-it-on

*****

LET’S GET IT ON

DORIS O’CONNOR

Copyright © 2015

Chapter One

Closing time had never been so much fun. Her feet might be killing her, and she’d had to endure countless gropes and lewd comments thanks to her outfit, but Sloan had finally taken notice.

How many times had she fantasized about being sat on this counter with Sloan between her legs, while she was wiping up yet another coffee spill? His stubble created shivers of anticipation against her skin, as his large hand grabbed her thigh, traveled upward, and grazed her slit.

“Another one sleeping on the job, I see. You certainly know how not to pick your staff, bro.”

Lily struggled awake, and the waves of pleasure coursing through her system evaporated with the last few notes of Marvin Gaye’s soulful “Let’s Get It On” as the juke box ground to a halt.

Shit, shit, and triple damn it all to hell and back.

The man towering over her wasn’t Sloan, and he had a perfect view up her skirt. Heat rose in Lily’s cheeks when it dawned on her what must have happened, and she hastily shut her legs and tried to pull down the hem of her far-too-short dress. She’d fallen asleep in the staff room, whilst on shift, and not only that. Judging by the damp crotch of her panties and her splayed legs, she had been pleasuring herself in her sleep. That certainly explained her dream and the smirk on this man’s face. So much for attracting Sloan’s attention, instead…

“What are you doing in here, Cyrus? I told you to wait in my office, and… oh.”

Sloan entered the room, took one look at her and frowned. Her humiliation was complete, and this stranger still stood right over her. Taller and broader than Sloan, there was no mistaking the family resemblance, now that her brain cells kicked in. This had to be Sloan’s older brother and owner of this chain of American Diners.

“Leave Lily alone, Cy. She’s been working double shifts, and besides, it’s closing time in five anyway.” His frown deepened when his brother didn’t move, and Lily’s stomach flip-flopped widely when Sloan looked at her properly.

Starting at her heels, he ran his gaze slowly up her legs, and she once again tried to pull at the hem of her dress. The ghost of a smile kicked up his lips, and she froze, when his gaze lingered there. By the time he reached her face and she forced herself to look him in the eye, she was a nervous wreck.

“What happened to your uniform, Lily?”

The curious edge to his voice sent shivers down her spine and she had to clear her throat to get her voice to work.

“I-I… well, that guy spilled his coffee all over me earlier and … urm.”

Cyrus snorted in amusement as she stuttered her way through an explanation and failed miserably. She was too aware of Sloan, and Cyrus, too, who now sat down next to her and threw one long arm over the back of the settee and stretched his long legs out in front of him. The action brought with it a whiff of his expensive cologne, and the underlying scent of virile man.

From the perfectly polished Italian loafers, to the expensive tailor made suit, that accentuated his muscled physique, this man exuded confidence and raw sex-appeal, that had her body respond to him against her will.

She barely suppressed a whimper, when Cyrus leant in and whispered into her ear.

“Liar. We both know you’ve dressed that way to get his attention. So, the question is, now that you have it, what are you going to do about it?”

He pulled back with the most sinful grin ever and then stood up and slapped his brother on the back.

“Mind if I help myself to some coffee, whilst you hash this out with Lily?”

Before either of them could say anything, Cyrus shut the door behind them and left the two of them alone.

An uneasy silence fell between them, and for the second time in the last few minutes Lily wanted the ground to swallow her up.

“I should go and help Martha close up.” She mumbled the words under her breath, and in her haste to scramble to her feet, and not flash more of her wares at Sloan, her heels slipped sideways and she stumbled.

Sloan grasped her and pulled her upright, and she whispered her thanks, as her hands connected with his chest. Try as she might, she seemed utterly incapable of taking her palms off of her boss. The simple tee emblazoned with the diner’s motive clung to his pecs, and this close to him, Lily got a hint of his scent. Spicy, earthy, with a trace of sweat from his earlier shifting of supply boxes, his pure male essence had her body tightening in need and behaving like a lovesick teenager.

Lily knew she was being pathetic. Lusting after one’s boss—who did that? Especially when said boss never looked at you twice and was nice to everyone. She was making a fool of herself, and the fact that Sloan still held on to her, seemingly as reluctant to let her go as she was to step away from him, didn’t mean a thing. He was just being courteous. That was Sloan all over, after all.

“I feel I ought to apologize for my brother, Lily. I don’t know what he said to you, but pay him no heed. He likes to play games, and I’m afraid you’re just his type.”

When she didn’t respond, he sighed and ran his hands up and down her arms in an almost absent minded gesture. It did nothing to help Lily regain her equilibrium. This close to him she was too aware of him as man, and far too aware of how little she wore, and how wet she was.

So it had been ages since she last got laid, and that attempt at vanilla sex had been an unmitigated disaster. That didn’t mean she had to practically throw herself at her boss, did it now? Lily straightened her spine and fixed a smile on her face. She failed miserably at making that attempt convincing judging by the way Sloan’s hold on her arms tightened.

“I knew it. He said something inappropriate, didn’t he? I’ll fucking deck him this time.”

The barely concealed anger in his voice snapped her head up to see his expression. He wasn’t looking at her, however. Just stared at a distant point over her head, and the brilliant blue of his eyes turned to hard steel in a face set in a tense mask.

“Really, he didn’t. It’s fine. I don’t want to be the cause of any trouble. Besides, I’m asking for it really, dressed like—”

“Bullshit!”

His furious curse cut her off and the hold on her arms grew painful. She flinched in the cold anger of his stare.

“You’re my employee and under my care, for fuck’s sake. I won’t let him mess with what’s mine.”

Her eyes grew wide at the possessiveness behind those grumbled words, and Sloan blanched and swore again, under his breath this time, as though it just dawned on him what he’d said. He released his hold on her, ran a hand through his short dirt blond hair and took a step away from her.

Lily couldn’t help it. She smiled, and her heart beat kicked up several notches when he threw her a lopsided grin.

“Forgive me the cave man act. I don’t know what came over me. You can dress any way you like, though,” his grin deepened as he gave her body another slow appraisal that left tingles of awareness in its wake. “Maybe that dress isn’t the most practical thing to wear for work.”

He winked at her, and Lily laughed.

“No, but it sure got me great tips today.”

Sloan grinned and shook his head.

“I bet. Probably why we were so busy, too. Maybe I should make this regulatory uniform. I’m sure Martha would look lovely.”

They both burst into laughter. Martha was the mother hen of the place, and close to retirement.

“I dunno, I’m sure she would attract some silver foxes,” Lily said and the laughter died in her throat when Sloan reached out and touched a strand of her hair.

He curled the end round his finger, and this time there was no mistaking the heat in his gaze when he looked at her.

“Why were you wearing the dress really? Going out on a hot date after your shift?”

Lily swallowed nervously when he lifted his fingers to his nose and inhaled. There was something incredibly intimate about that, even though he barely touched her.

“You should leave your hair down more often. I had no idea it was this long,” he said.

Time stood still as they simply stared at each other, and Lily had to clear her throat to get her voice to work when he finally let that strand of her dark blonde hair slip through his fingers. She tucked it behind her ears and latched on to the latter one of his statements.

“It’s too long and it would get in the way. I don’t think your customers would look too kindly on finding my hair in their coffee. In fact, let me tie it back again, and help Martha. I know she’s keen to get away to make visiting hours.”

A frown marred Sloan’s features and Lily bit her lip. Even with a scowl he looked good enough to eat. A muscle ticked in his jaw, accentuating the sheer strength of him. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on Sloan’s body. Lily had ogled him shirtless often enough to know that. Even Martha wasn’t averse to sneaking a peek at the poetry in motion that was their boss’s denim clad ass, when he helped unload the supplies. It made Monday one of the most sought-after shifts, in fact. The man himself seemed oblivious to the adoration of his female staff, unless one of them tried to make an open pass at him, which always ended with her termination of contract.

An ice-cold fist squeezed Lily’s heart as that dawned on her. What on earth was she doing? She needed this job, so why then was she so acting out of character?

“What on earth are you talking about?”

The puzzlement and concern in Sloan’s voice pulled her out of her internal angst, and it was her turn to frown at him.

“Martha? Who is she visiting? I thought her husband had made a full recovery. Has he had a set back from the cancer? If so, what the fuck is she doing here, working? She should have told me. I know I’ve been busy, but this is ridiculous.”

“No, no, her husband is fine.” Lily put a hand on Sloan’s arm, and immediately wished she hadn’t as her barely banked down arousal flared into life again. Damn that erotic dream. It had been too real, and her blasted hormones seemed intent on leading her into trouble today.

“It’s Ursula. She’s on bed rest in hospital. She’s had a bit of a scare with her pregnancy. She’s fine, just needs to take it easy for the next few weeks until the baby is born, and Martha wants to keep her company.”

“Her foster daughter is pregnant? How did that happen?”

“The usual way, I should think.” Lily resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Sloan did it for her, and slapped his hand against his forehead.

“Sorry, dumb question, I know, but that girl is like what? Twelve?”

Sloan looked so utterly terrified that Lily had to smile.

“No, she’s almost fifteen.”

Sloan whistled through his teeth and shook his head.

“Jesus, she’s just a kid, still. This is crazy.”

“Which is why Martha kept it quiet. She didn’t want the others to start gossiping. It’s bad enough that the girl got passed from pillar to post all her life. Martha feels she’s failed her somehow. I did tell her that was nonsense. She’s given the kid a home when no one else wanted her, but, well, you know Martha.”

Sloan didn’t answer, just sighed, and nodded.

“So, don’t say anything to her, please. She’ll tell you in her own time.”

“Of course, my lips are sealed.”

He gave her an odd little smile, and Lily took it as her cue to get out of there. Snatching up her abandoned apron on the way through, she tied the thing over her dress, pulled her hair back into a pony tail, and ducked behind the long counter.

One customer was still nursing his cup of coffee, and Cyrus Cooper sat in one of the corner booths with his nose stuck in one of the accounts ledgers. He looked up when she inadvertently banged the hatch off the counter on the way down, and grinned. It was an infuriatingly knowing smile that made her feel even more flustered, and she was glad the apron covered her front. The flimsy material of her dress would have afforded no cover for her hardening nipples. Even so, the way his gaze lingered there made her wonder whether he knew about her body’s pathetic reaction to the heated promise in his amber eyes.

“Here, let me do that, Martha.” She took the cleaning rag off the older woman, fixed a smile on her face for the customer, and kept her gaze firmly trained on the coffee stain Martha had been in the process of eliminating, and not the view of Sloan’s back side as he slid into the booth opposite his brother.

Even so, she was far too aware of the men talking and both of them checking her out.

“Is everything alright, my dear? You were gone ages, and—”

“I’m fine, Martha. I’m sorry I took so long. I fell asleep, would you believe it.” She tried to make light of it, but she should have known that wouldn’t work. Immediately Martha’s face creased up in concern.

“Oh, this is my fault. You’ve been covering for me too much. Look, you go home now, and I’ll close up.”

“No, don’t be daft.” Lily shook her head and pulled Martha in for a quick hug. “I just haven’t been sleeping well. It’s quiet, so there won’t be much for me to clear away, so you go, and give that girl a hug from me. Go on. There’s no need for both of us to be here, not with the boss here, too.”

Martha pursed her lips, and pulled her apron off.

“Are you sure, sweetie?” She glanced across to the booth Sloan and Cyrus were sat and seemingly engrossed in conversation, and lowered her voice. “That’s kinda what I’m worried about. I’ve known those two for a long time, and Cyrus tends to lead Sloan astray, if you get my drift, and well, you in that dress…?”

“I’m hardly god’s gift to mankind, Martha. Sloan hadn’t even noticed I changed until his brother pulled me up on my lack of uniform, so I don’t think you need to worry.” She mentally crossed her fingers and added a silent if only. “Besides I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself. You go. I’ll be fine.”

Even if she had been concerned, the instant relief flooding Martha’s features would have convinced Lily she was doing the right thing. The older woman had taken her under her wing from her first day here two years earlier and she’d been something of a maternal figure to a motherless Lily, so this was the least she could do. It wasn’t as though Lily had anyone to rush home to.

Moments later, Martha waved goodbye to Sloan and Cyrus, and Lily kept herself busy counting the float on the till. It was only when Sloan dimmed the lights that their remaining customer took the hint and left. Sloan locked the door, flipped the sign, and activated the automatic shutters, and she was alone with the men.

“Finally. Let’s talk about this transgression of falling asleep on the job, shall we?” Cyrus’s voice sent shivers down her spine.

*****

Oh yes, let's talk indeed.
*winks*
Stay naughty, folks, and don't forget to enter my giveaways!

D xxx

#ReleaseDayGiveaway Meet The Beast! Bought for Christmas #WinGC #bdsm #shifter @evernightpub #rubenesque #olderhero

Woohoo, The Beast is finally here, and I should be jumping for joy. I am really....sort of, but before I share from my new story, a little personal request from me.

Those who follow me on Facebook will know that we lost my husband's mother not so long ago. Her passing wasn't completely unexpected. She had been in hospital not so long ago, and was home on Oxygen and requiring constant care, but when he got the call, it still shook hubby up a lot.

We weren't in close contact, for reasons I can't share. Suffice to say it was always a source of regret for hubby, and of course her passing has intensified that feeling.
We will be attending her funeral this morning, so can I ask you to spare a thought to Pamela. She was a gentle soul, and she will be missed, especially by hubby.

I have fond memories of her holding our oldest daughter when she was a newborn, and that's the way I'll always remember her.

*****

As you can imagine it's a day of mixed emotions today, but it is Release Day!

I’m the beast, haven’t you heard...

Christmas is supposed to be a time for miracles and one will surely be needed when Emilia Duncan finds herself sold to the beast to save her father’s company. Having lusted after the much older, enigmatic man for as long as she can remember, spending the Christmas weekend as his submissive will satisfy her raging libido, but can she protect her heart?

Bear Shifter Hunter Monahan cannot stand idly by when Emilia is thrown to the wolves. There is only one shifter who will get his claws into her and that’s him. The contract ensures her submission for the weekend. Too bad his bear wants much more than that.

Hunter is used to hiding behind his gruesome scars, but in the bid for Emilia’s heart, that is not an option this time. Isolated in his cabin, it’s not just the snow that melts.

Be Warned: BDSM, sex toys, anal sex

You can read the official HOT excerpt at Evernight Publishing but I thought I would share a scene from the beginning of the book with you today, where it dawns on Emilia what is going on...

“Go and answer it. He’s here for you anyway. Time to earn your keep, girl.”

Again that shiver of dread threatened to steal her breath, but she had learnt long ago to never show any weakness in front of her father. He didn’t appreciate it, and the cruel streak Mama had tempered when she was alive had only become stronger at her passing. With as much grace as she could muster Emilia walked across the foyer and swallowed nervously at the imposing shadow she could see through the frosted glass.

The man stood on the other side of the door was huge, and when she opened it her greeting stuck in her throat.

She would recognize those broad shoulders and wide back anywhere. Even covered by the expensive tailor-made woolen coat he wore against the chill of this December afternoon, his muscled physique made her feel small and oh so feminine.

Hunter Monahan inhaled sharply and then turned around slowly. Emilia took an involuntary step back when the harsh porch lighting illuminated the scars on his face briefly. His features tightened when he witnessed her reaction, and he turned slightly until only his good side was presented. His mouth kicked up in a grim smile, and his deep voice washed over her.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon, Emilia. When did you come home?” he asked.

“Erm, yesterday, Sir.”  She whispered the answer, feeling ridiculously tongue-tied like she always did around him, but frightening scars notwithstanding, there was something so earthy and virile about Hunter. Dangerous even, and as if to prove it, his amber eyes flared to yellow as he bent down and inhaled next to her ear.

“I do like it when you call me that, kitten.”  His hot breath skimmed across the sensitive skin under her ear, and Emilia bit her lip to stop herself from reacting to his presence.  This close to him his intoxicating scent wrapped itself around her like a warm cocoon, and she had to fight the urge to lean in closer.

The Beast, as he was known, would not appreciate the contact she was sure, so instead, she stepped back to allow him to pass, and took his coat when he shrugged out of it.

He frowned at her, and she offered him a tentative smile, and after a moment’s hesitation he handed it to her. Their hands touched briefly, and Emilia almost dropped the garment. Her fingertips tingled from the contact, and she hastily yanked the coat up higher to hide her nipples. Like wanton beacons of her sex-starved self, they firmed and pushed against her silk blouse. Emilia wanted the ground to swallow her up when Hunter’s gaze rested on her boobs for several heart-stopping moments.

He couldn’t have noticed, could he? It was bad enough that Emilia turned into a simpering wreck whenever her father’s former friend was around. It was altogether far too mortifying that he would actually notice her lusting after him.

Quite apart from the fact that Hunter was only seven years younger than her father, the man was way out of her league. Reserved to the point of rudeness, Hunter carried himself with an air of leashed power and aggression that separated him from his peers.

As a child, Emilia had spun fairy stories about him as the scarred warrior, or the gentle beast, who needed the love of a good woman to break the witch’s curse. As a teenager those dreams had taken on a rather erotic turn. Moving away to go to university had done nothing to lessen her attraction to the man, quite the opposite.

Not for lack of trying on her part, but none of her so-called boyfriends had ever made her skin tingle with just one look, and besides they only wanted her for her father’s money. When they found out that Leo was Papa’s only heir, they always scarpered, which was fine by Emilia.

She didn’t need any boys in her life, and she might never get rich working as a midwife, but she loved her job, and how many people could say that?

“You should smile more, kitten.”

Hunter’s cool words shook her out of her internal musings, and her heart missed a few beats under his intense scrutiny. Standing sideways, so that his scars weren’t visible, Hunter watched her from under hooded lids with a curious tilt to his full lips. They were surrounded by several days’ worth of scruff that extended along his square jaw and disappeared into the neckline of his shirt—a pink one, much to Emilia’s amusement. His very presence pulled her under his spell. So much so that she must have missed something, if the way both her father and brother scowled at her was anything to go by.

“Have you lost your brain completely?” Leo said, and grabbed the wall for support. “Go get some coffee, thunder thighs. I need some, and no doubt our beast here will want some, too.”

Emilia winced at the look of utter disgust and hatred both her father and brother threw toward Hunter, and he seemed to grow taller in front of her eyes. Hands balled into fists by his side, jaws clenched, a rumble emanated from Hunter’s broad chest, and Leo blanched and put his hand up in an act of surrender. Emilia was half expecting her lily-faced brother to lose control of his bodily functions, and Papa, too, looked pale under his tan. Pale and very old, as he glanced at her and jerked his head to the kitchen in a clear demand.

“You heard your brother. Coffee.”

“Please don’t trouble yourself on my account, Emilia.” Hunter gave her a grim smile, and the almost growl in his voice had every feminine cell in her body sigh in submission. She could listen to him talk all day.

“And you, pup, don’t talk to her like that in front of me. Not if you’re fond of your own teeth, that is.” Hunter took a step toward Leo, and Emilia knew her mouth had fallen open in astonishment at hearing Hunter come to her rescue.

“I talk about her any which way I fucking want, beast. She ain’t yours yet. Fail to see why you’d want her anyway.”

“Leo, enough. Let me handle this.” Papa’s stern words brought Leo’s head up, and he stuck his bottom lip out in a sulk so reminiscent of the brother she used to adore as a child that emotion clogged up Emilia’s throat. She swallowed past the lump and focused on what her brother had actually said.

“What do you mean, I’m not his yet?” The earlier snatched bits of conversation she’d heard came back to haunt her, and she looked among the three men in dawning terror.

“What did you do, Leo?” she asked.

Her brother stuck his hands in his pockets, and that sulk grew. Right now he looked like a petulant child who hadn’t gotten the toy he wanted for Christmas.

“He cheated, I’m sure.”

Again that menacing growl rumbled from Hunter, and Emilia clenched her thighs together, as he stepped close enough to her that his scent drew her in again. Waves of heat seemed to come off him, and chased away the goosebumps that had broken out on her own flesh at the underlying tension in the room.

“Watch who you’re calling a cheat, pup. I’m not the one who cannot hold his drink and threw his own sister to the wolves.”

Leo gave a humorless laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

“Says the guy who can’t get a woman to fuck unless he buys her. Have you looked in the mirror lately, beast? You … umph.”

Hunter moved so fast that Leo couldn’t even raise his fists. One well aimed punch to his solar plexus had her brother doubled over and gasping for breath, and then Hunter pinned him against the wall. Hand around Leo’s throat, he had the younger man dangling several feet off the floor, and Emilia dropped the coat she was still clutching and pulled at Hunter’s arm to get him off her brother.

“Let go, please. You’re going to kill him.”

Hunter paid her no heed. Over the rushing of blood in her ears, and the outraged shouts of her father, Leo turned blue. His legs made futile attempts at kicking Hunter, and with both hands on a death grip on Hunter’s wrist, Emilia still couldn’t shake the much taller man off. In a last act of desperation, Emilia ducked under Hunter’s arm, earning herself a painful kick in the ribs from her brother in the process, and reaching up framed Hunter’s face in her hands.

Her breath stalled at the different textures under her fingertips. One side had smooth even skin, covered by his stubble; the other was a mass of corded, scarred, raised flesh, which felt rough and tight under her hand.

A shudder went through Hunter at her touch, and he turned his head to look at her. Emilia gasped at the inhuman eyes staring back at her until he blinked, and they were once again the deep chestnut brown she was used to.

“Please, let him go. He’s my brother, please.”

Hunter shook his head and then let go of Leo. Her brother fell to the floor, and Emilia let go of Hunter and scrambled to Leo’s side to help him up. Dazed as he was, he still pushed her help away and let their father pull him up instead. The rejection stung, and Emilia was dimly aware of Hunter’s deep sigh behind her. He bent to pick up his abandoned coat, brushed the dust off it, and stepping closer to her, nudged her chin up with his knuckles.

“They don’t deserve your concern, kitten.” The ghost of a smile kicked up his mouth, and then he stepped away from her and looked the men in her family up and down.

“I’ll be outside. Let me know what your decision will be, and I’ll have my lawyers draw up the contract one way or the other, though I fear I know what it will be. Know this, however. I need to hear it from her, or the deal is off.”

Buy it from: Evernight Publishing  Amazon Are  Bookstrand

All other buy links can be found here:

http://www.dorisoconnor.com/bought-for-christmas.html

Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23609529-bought-for-christmas

To celebrate the release of Bought for Christmas I'm giving away a $10 GC (Evernight, ARe, Bookstrand or Amazon - winner's choice)

To be in the draw, leave me a comment and share a Christmas memory you cherish.

Stay naughty, folks.

D xxx