Full Moon: Second Chances, Book 2

by Mari Carr

  “Hand me that pen.”

  Josie reached for one on the counter and handed it to him, laughing as he drew a line through the only item on his Howl List.

  1. Make love to Josie until she agrees to marry me.

  “Damn,” she said. “I gave in too easy. I didn’t even make you coerce me with sex.”

  Jake grabbed her waist, pulling her close enough that she could feel the erection growing beneath his jeans. “Sweetheart, the sex part was a given. What do you say we sneak out of here and do a little howling?”

  Josie laughed. “I say Arwhoooooo.”

  About the Author

  Writing a book was number one on Mari’s bucket list and on her thirty-fourth birthday, she set out to see that goal achieved. Now her computer is jammed full of stories—novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller as well as winner of the Passionate Plume, Mari found time for writing by squeezing it into the hours between 3 a.m. and daybreak when her family is asleep and the house is quiet.

  You can visit Mari’s website at www.maricarr.com.

  She is also on www.facebook.com/pages/Mari-Carr/104162059662687 and https://twitter.com/MariCarr.

  She blogs at International Heat (internationalheat.wordpress.com) and hangs out on the Heat Wave Readers Yahoo group:

  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Heat_Wave_Readers/join

  Look for these titles by Mari Carr

  Now Available:

  Just Because

  Because of You

  Because You Love Me

  Because It’s True

  Just Because

  Second Chances

  Fix You

  Black and White Collection

  Erotic Research

  Tequila Truth

  Rough Cut

  Happy Hour

  Power Play

  Slam Dunk

  Learning Curves

  Dangerous Curves

  Wicked Curves

  Compass Brothers

  Northern Exposure

  Southern Comfort

  Eastern Ambitions

  Western Ties

  Love’s Compass

  Compass Girls

  Winter’s Thaw

  What if love can’t heal all wounds?

  Fix You

  © 2012 Mari Carr

  Second Chances, Book 1

  After too many years of secretly loving her best friend, Zoey realizes she’s been shortchanging herself. It’s time to take action. This New Year’s Eve heralds the year she’s going to tell Rob the truth. Even if he is on the road, reaching for musical stardom with his band.

  Her plan is derailed when she discovers a lump in her breast—and it’s not “nothing to worry about”. How can she ask Rob to take a chance on love when her future is so uncertain?

  Rob has spent his entire life chasing his dream, but the moment he hears Zoey’s voice on the phone, he realizes he’s been running the wrong race. Zoey never sounds like she’s been crying. Ever. Without a second thought, he books a flight for home, determined to give her everything she needs. A shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold…and nights of intensely emotional, passionate sex.

  His biggest challenge, though, is convincing his best friend that he’s in it for the long haul. Because he finally knows what he wants, and it’s not fame and fortune. It’s her—and her love.

  Warning: This book runs the emotional gamut between scorching-hot passion and the pain and fear associated with cancer. Keep a box of tissues next to your glass of ice water.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Fix You:

  Rob stared down at Zoey’s face as she slept. Her eyes were still puffy from last night’s tears. Neither of them had moved from the couch. Instead, he’d lain down next to her and held her as she silently wept. Pinpricks attacked the arm he’d wrapped around her, his hand numb from lying in the same position for so long. He didn’t bother to move. It felt too good holding her like this.

  Some truths were crashing down on him. He’d been an ass, living his life like he had all the time in the world. Their time on this planet was far from infinite, and yet he’d squandered years of it, working on his career, focusing solely on making it big.

  For what? Fame? Money? Why the hell did he need that shit?

  He’d always taken it for granted that Zoey would be here for him. How the fuck was he supposed to go on without her? The moment she’d told him about the cancer, the light had gone on.

  I’m in love with her. Christ. I’ve been in love with her since the first day I laid eyes on her.

  Zoey stirred. Rob’s heart began to race as her eyes opened slowly. He wasn’t wasting a second more. He couldn’t. He just couldn’t.

  She was disoriented for a moment before she lifted her gaze and smiled.

  With his free hand, he stroked her face softly. “Zoey.” Her name fell from his lips on a hushed whisper, his chest constricting under the weight of every emotion under the sun—love, fear, happiness, panic, a raging case of nervousness.

  What if she didn’t feel the same way?

  “Yeah?”

  He took a deep breath. Fear wasn’t going to hold him back another second longer. “I’m going to break my promise.”

  “What promise?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he bent his head and kissed her. Time froze as their lips met. Rob was transported back to that day in the park, to the truth that should have been obvious all those years ago. He’d been a blind, inexperienced boy back then, but now…his eyes were wide open.

  It was her. Zoey. For him, it had always been her.

  The kiss was a gentle touch at first, but when Zoey’s lips softened and accepted his, he deepened it. Her small hand cupped his cheek, exploring his face hesitantly before growing bolder, stroking it.

  The smell of cinnamon enveloped them, her candle still burning from the night before. He knew in his heart that from now on, that scent would always make him think of her. Of this moment.

  His heart lodged in his throat when he realized the magnitude of what was happening, of what he wanted to happen next. He was kissing his best friend. And she was kissing him back.

  Encouraged, he opened his mouth, stroking his tongue against hers. The kiss grew harder, hungrier. For several minutes—hell, it could have been hours for all Rob knew—they simply kissed, learning each other’s taste, texture. Her skin was soft beneath his fingers as he caressed her delicate cheek. Her breathing grew heavier, the heat of it warm against his skin.

  When he finally moved away, she was there, looking at him, studying his face. Hers was the picture of confusion, wariness…and desire. He latched onto the last like a dying man clinging to life. She wanted him.

  “Still weird?” He needed the joke, needed to get his bearings. His emotions were too raw, too new, too close to the surface.

  She shook her head slowly. “No. Not even close.”

  “Good. I’ve been practicing.”

  She laughed uneasily. “You’re insane. What the hell prompted that?”

  He knew her. Knew she’d try to twist this into something innocent, funny. He wouldn’t let her. He ran his hand through her dark hair, overwhelmed by the need to touch her. “Just figured it was past time. You mind if we talk about this after?”

  “After what?”

  He let his body answer the question. Turning so they lay face to face on the couch, he placed his lips back on hers. He didn’t want to push her. After all, she’d just received life-altering, horrible news. He’d keep things easy, let her set the pace.

  She didn’t resist his kisses. Her hand traveled along his shoulders and down his arm before landing on his chest. Her lips pressed against his harder. Then she moved away, an infinitesimal distance.

  “Touch me,” she whispered, her hand fisting in the cotton of his shirt.

  He didn’t need to be told twice. His hands roamed along her sides, drifted beneath her T-shirt.

  She shivered when he caressed the bare sk
in of her waist. He stoked her arousal, kissing her harder as he explored every bit of bare flesh he could reach beneath her shirt. He forced air into his lungs, fought to keep his hands steady as he touched her.

  The slight tremor in his hands seemed to distract her. She was the first to pull back. “Robbie, are you sure—?”

  “After,” he repeated. He gripped her hip, dragging her closer. There was no way she could misconstrue how far he’d go if she was willing. His cock was hard, ready.

  She bit her lip and he could sense she was struggling to make a decision. He wouldn’t force her into anything she wasn’t ready for. Hell, he’d be perfectly content to spend the next dozen years or so simply kissing her. Making up for so many wasted years. “Zoey—”

  She shook her head and closed her eyes, but not before he read the hungry need there. Then she lifted one leg and wrapped it around his thigh. She thrust closer. It was an outright invitation. “After,” she whispered, her voice steadier than he expected.

  Six nights to remember, six days to forgive…

  Six Naughty Nights

  © 2013 Serenity Woods

  Love in Reverse, Book 2

  Esther is grateful for the strong arms that saved her and her young son from an earthquake. But she wishes their rescuer was someone else. Anyone other than the man who left her pregnant after a holiday fling.

  Toby’s carpentry skills take him wherever there’s work, and right now that work is definitely cut out for him. He has to get over the shock that the little boy in his arms is his own son—and convince Esther that he’s always regretted walking away from her.

  Esther can’t bring herself to deny Toby his right to get to know Charlie. Besides, with her own home flattened, she has nowhere to go but with him to his apartment…where she discovers a sexy role-playing card game tucked in his suitcase.

  When Toby invites her to accompany him to the Northland to attend his best friend’s wedding, the opportunity to explore their still-simmering attraction is too tempting to resist. As the steamy scenarios heat up, they start to realize this is more than a game. But Esther’s hiding a secret that could cause as much devastation as the earthquake...

  Warning: Contains role-playing fun including Roman slave and master, sexy schoolgirl spanking, and interrogation of a spy. Silk scarves included.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Six Naughty Nights:

  “I forgot to ask you,” Toby said softly. “What’s your name?”

  Esther blinked and then realised he was referring to the role-play they were supposed to be doing. “Roxie Glitterhorn,” she said. “Pleased to meet you.”

  He burst out laughing. “What a great name. A stage name, I’m presuming?”

  She put on an affronted look. “How rude. My mother gave me that name.”

  “Little did she know how well it would suit you.” He smiled. “You want to come in?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re sure?” He seemed hesitant. He must be worried he was pushing her to do something she didn’t really want to do.

  She unclipped her belt and turned to face him. Raising a hand, she brushed his cheek and his long dark sideburns, and slipped her fingers into his thick, curly hair. Then she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

  He inhaled, and then he lowered his arm around her and held her as they kissed. His lips were firm and warm, and when she opened her mouth, he stroked his tongue inside. She murmured her pleasure, and his arm tightened as he deepened the kiss, causing her heart to hammer as her breathing quickened.

  When they finally pulled back, she pressed her lips together, shocked at how much she hungered for him.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  She followed him as he got out of the car and walked across to the house.

  He opened the front door and they went inside, and he switched on a lamp in the corner, casting the room in a warm glow. He was such a big man, tall, broad-shouldered, heavily built and well muscled. Although he had the reputation of being clumsy and frequently knocked over vases and lamps and walked into doorframes, he moved gracefully, his body toned and flexible. He obviously worked out, she thought, noting the way the shirt stretched over his biceps as he reached across to throw his keys onto the coffee table. He was a fine figure of a man.

  Suddenly nervous, she walked through to the dining and kitchen area and perched on a stool by the breakfast bar as he followed her in.

  “Glass of wine?” he asked, going over to the fridge.

  “Please.” She shouldn’t drink any more—she’d have a hangover the size of Australia the next morning, but it would give her something to do with her hands, which shook a little with nerves.

  He retrieved a bottle of white wine from the fridge, poured her a glass and slid it across to her, and got himself a Coke. As she sipped the wine, he went over to where his iPod sat in its dock, selected a playlist and pressed Play. The warm sounds of some folksy jazz filled the room, and he turned down the volume so it played in the background.

  He perched opposite her on a stool, his long legs brushing against hers. “Hey,” he said, smiling.

  She smiled back, aware of her heart pounding, the adrenalin rushing through her veins. “Hey.”

  He reached out a hand and took hers, lacing their fingers together. “Don’t be nervous.”

  Was she that transparent? She couldn’t deny it. “Sorry.”

  He brushed her knuckles with his thumb. “It’s okay. It’s been a while for me too, you know.”

  She nodded, not knowing how to explain it wasn’t just the fact that she hadn’t slept with anyone for years. How could she tell him it was the closeness of him that was making her mouth dry—that the sight of him in a smart shirt with his gorgeous dark curly hair and tight jeans made her shiver?

  “We don’t have to do anything tonight if you don’t want.” He raised her hand and kissed her fingers. “We could just sit on the sofa and chat, if you like. I don’t mind.”

  Well, that just made her melt. She took a final mouthful of wine for Dutch courage and then put the glass down, slipped off the stool and moved closer to him between his legs. She slid her arms around his neck, and he moved his around her waist. Where he was sitting, it made them the same height, and she brushed her lips against his.

  “But you’ve already paid,” she said huskily.

  “True,” he said.

  “So if I don’t come across, I could be arrested under the Trade Descriptions Act.”

  He chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that.”

  She batted her eyelashes coquettishly. “Unless you’ve changed your mind. Would you like me to leave?”

  In answer, he pulled her hard against him and crushed his mouth to hers. The full force of his passion washed over her, and she gasped. He took the opportunity of her open mouth to deepen the kiss, and she sighed as his tongue stroked hers, warm and inviting. He slid his hands up her ribcage over the tight dress, brushing her breasts, and then pulled back.

  “I’m sure you look delightful in this pretty bra,” he murmured. “But I’d rather feel the real you. Can you do that miraculous trick girls do and take it off under your dress?”

  “Are you sure?” Nerves filtered through her again. “It kind of props up everything that’s beginning to head south.” He just raised an eyebrow, however, and she cursed beneath her breath, trying to remind herself that she was supposed to be a slinky call girl. Slinky call girls didn’t talk about baby tummies and sagging breasts. “Sorry.”

  First she took out the check he’d given her from her bra and popped it into the purse she’d left on the table. “Don’t want to lose that.” She reached behind and unclipped the bra, drew the straps down her arms beneath the sleeves of the dress, then pulled the garment out and tossed it onto the table. She glanced down. The dress was really more of a long, tight tube with small sleeves, and it clung to every part of her body, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. Her nipples stood out like buttons
through the fabric, and her breasts looked huge.

  “Wow.” Toby’s eyes gleamed. “You have an absolutely fantastic figure.”

  Warmth spread through her at his admiration. “Thank you.”

  “You’ve lost some weight.”

  “Breastfeeding did that.” The words were out before she could stop them, and she bit her lip. Could she think of any more ways to turn him off?

  But he didn’t look turned off. He ran his hands up her body to cup her breasts. “You’re so soft.”

  “You’re not,” she said breathlessly as he pulled her to him, his erection obvious even through the jeans.

  “Is that any surprise while you’re in my arms, so sensual and womanly?” He moved his large, warm hands over her, making her quiver as he ran his fingers up her back, then brought them around to cup her breasts again. He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, murmuring his approval as her eyes fluttered shut. “You smell fantastic,” he said. He nuzzled her neck and ear, and she shivered.

  She kissed him again, holding his face with both hands as she delved her tongue hungrily into his mouth. He tasted divine. It had been so long since she’d kissed anyone—since she’d kissed him, in fact. How had she lived without this for so long?

  He was coaxing her body awake, stirring long-forgotten sensations, and an ache grew between her thighs. Her nipples tightened in response to his touch, and she arched her back to push them into his gentle hands. He groaned.

  Her fingers itched to touch his skin, so she began to undo the buttons of his shirt, gradually revealing his wide, bronzed chest, shaped with firm muscles. He went to slip the shirt off, but she shook her head. “No,” she whispered, “keep your fuck-me shirt on.”

  His eyes widened with amusement. “My what?”

  “You heard me. That shirt wants only one thing. You look so damn sexy dressed like that.”

  He grinned. “Fine.” He held the bottom of her dress. “But I want you naked.”