Catch 'n' Kiss (Are You Game?)
Page 22
“Screw that.” Dan scooped her up into his arms and placed her on the bed. “We’ll buy new ones if we have to.”
“Dan.” She grabbed his arm. “This is happening too fast. We aren’t going to make it to the hospital.”
“Clearly.”
“Ring doctor—argh…” Jody gripped her stomach and groaned through the next contraction.
“How close are they? I haven’t been keeping track.” Dan glanced at the alarm clock, noting the time. “Where’s the phone?”
“They’re on the way,” Leigh said.
Dan turned to see his step-daughter with the phone to her ear.
“The lady wants to know how close the contractions are.”
Dan looked back at Jody just as another pain gripped her midsection. “Shit. Less than a minute.”
Leigh relayed the information and then disappeared down the hall calling out, “I’ll get Amy to direct them in.”
The next few minutes were a blur of Jody’s pain and Dan’s panic. When the paramedics rushed into the room, Dan wasn’t sure which one of them breathed the bigger sigh of relief. It didn’t take them long to determine the baby wasn’t waiting for a trip to the hospital to enter the world. He followed directions. Tried to remember the breathing from class but he couldn’t, and when one of the paramedics said the baby was crowning, his whole existence boiled down to this monumental moment.
Leigh and Amy hovered near the door and he wondered if he should shoo them away or urge them closer. He sat on the bed behind Jody, propping her up so that she could concentrate on bringing their child into the world. And with the very next contraction, she did.
The hearty wail of a newborn filled the room and tears slid down Dan’s face. It didn’t matter what they had as long as the baby was healthy and his wife of three months didn’t kill him for making her go through this. His world was complete.
“It’s a boy. Here you go, Mum and Dad.”
The paramedic passed the slippery bundle of squirming arms and legs. For a second, Dan’s heart stopped. But he wasn’t about to miss this catch. And with his son firmly in his grasp, he ended the game with a kiss on his wife’s head.
About the Author
Years of slavery to four young aliens and their sire failed to squash the love of writing or reading hiding behind the facade of a boring stay-at-home mum. Escaping from the mother-ship with vivid imagination intact, Rhian uses her superpowers for good.
Okay, so that’s not quite how it happened. A 20-year marriage to her very own hero and raising a family of four kept writing on the back burner, but with more time to spend on the things she loves most, Rhian and her accomplice, Mr. Muse, have taken over. Writing in a multiple of genres keeps life interesting and busy.
An Aussie who’s spent years living overseas Rhian is now happily residing with her family back in their native land of down under. Rhian can be found in numerous places online where her love of talking is well satisfied.
To learn more about Rhian and her writing visit her website, www.rhiancahill.com. You can contact Rhian at rhian@rhiancahill.com.
Look for these titles by Rhian Cahill
Now Available:
Party Games
Truth or Dare
Spin the Bottle
Are You Game?
7 Minutes in Heaven
It’s all fun and games until their hearts are on the line.
7 Minutes in Heaven
© 2013 Rhian Cahill
Are You Games, Book 1
Cassandra Moreland’s hard work to build her party-planning business is starting to pay off. There’s only one thorn in her side—a six-foot-five wall of testosterone throwing his weight around while she supervises her friend Lil’s first party. Butting heads doesn’t work. Ignoring him really doesn’t work. Not when he makes her pulse race and her palms sweat. But no way will she give in to his demand to shut the rowdy party down.
Lucas Wilhelm, head of McDermott Security, can’t believe the pint-sized brunette has the balls to go toe-to-toe with him. Strangely enough, that sassy mouth of hers isn’t ticking him off. It’s tightening his groin and stirring something much hotter than anger.
A stolen moment in a pantry leads to a challenge that pushes each other’s sexual boundaries to the limit. Except the rules go up in flames when they realize they’re not just playing around. They’re playing for keeps.
Warning: Contains an alpha male who’s used to being in charge, and a tough-as-steel woman who isn’t going down easy. Involves the use of beads, but not in the way you might think.
Enjoy the following excerpt for 7 Minutes in Heaven:
Luc relaxed the muscles in his arms and did the one thing he really didn’t want to. He set Cassie on her feet. Whoever had been hammering on the door had stopped, but the damage was done. Regret was written all over her pretty face. Scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw, he drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Luc,” he said
Cassie’s gaze met his, one delicate eyebrow arched.
“My name. It’s Lucas Wilhelm. I’m head of McDermott Security, a position I’ve held for ten years.” Luc added the last part in the hope of reassuring her.
“Oh. Um, well…” She lowered her eyes, hiding the uncertainty swirling in their honey-coloured depths.
Placing two fingers under her chin, he tipped her head back until her gaze met his once more. “Don’t back down now, Cass. Where’s the woman who’s fought me for control for the last couple of hours gone?”
She shook her head, dislodging his fingers. “She just had common sense kissed right out of her.”
The small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth pulled at his gut and eased his mind. He hadn’t been sure at first, but now he didn’t doubt she’d bounce back from their mind-numbing lip-lock. Luc had expected they’d be explosive, he just hadn’t realised how unstable their chemistry was. He’d have to keep his hands off her until they were in more suitable surroundings or they’d find themselves sans clothes. There was one sure-fire way to keep her at a distance though. Strip her of control.
“As of now, this party is over.”
“What?” Her eyes narrowed to slits.
If looks could kill, the one she aimed his way would slice him to ribbons, and Luc figured she’d used it to de-ball many a man before him. Good thing he’d spent years developing a tough exterior. Although she’d found a way under his skin already, he wasn’t about to cower beneath her hostile stare. Luc embraced the hum in his veins. The zap delivered courtesy of her returning ballsy attitude. He’d never gone looking for a fight. Sure he’d been in plenty, but he’d never started one. Except now. With Cassie. And there was no denying the thrill thrumming in his blood. He was more than looking forward to their combat. He was eager for it to begin.
“As you can hear, there’s no longer music blasting through the house and that’s thanks to Lachlan McDermott ripping out power cables. If I were you, I wouldn’t be surprised when your DJ files a damage report and insurance claim.” Luc smiled as a growl rumbled in her throat. He’d never heard that particular sound from a woman, and he’d certainly never found it a turn on coming from any man, but there was no mistaking the tightening of his sac or the hardening of his erection.
“Damn men.” Cassie shoved passed him and flung open the door, using it to push him out of the way.
Before he got his head in gear and made it out from behind the door, she’d disappeared into the kitchen. With long strides, Luc followed only to witness her sexy arse vanish through the far doorway. Covering the distance in seconds, he found his men doing as he’d ordered. Between them and Cassie’s staff, the guests were quickly being ushered from the house in a tidal wave of drunkenness. His search for Cassie was hindered by the surge of bodies moving towards the front door, with his chances to spot her zero he let himself be swept up in the tide. When he reached the front yard, hire cars and drivers lined the street. Inebriated partiers tumbled into backseats, car doors slammed
and departing vehicles were quickly swallowed up by the night.
With the party down to the last few stragglers, he turned back to the house determined to find Cassie while his men dealt with the remaining guests. He found her back in the kitchen. Leaning his shoulder against the doorframe, he folded his arms, crossed one ankle over the other and watched as she gave orders while packing box after box with glasses. The image of efficiency, her movements were economical and fluid, her speed and accuracy proving she’d done this a thousand times before. Luc relaxed and enjoyed the view. His pants grew snug and he had to shift his stance to alleviate the pressure.
Just when you think you know the rules, the game changes.
Spin the Bottle
© 2012 Rhian Cahill
Party Games, Book 4
Lillian McDermott can’t complain about the years she’s spent at the top of a career she never wanted. But modelling gave her everything. Amazing experiences and enough money to leave it all behind to start her own perfume and fashion label.
The one thing it didn’t give her is Mackenzie Harris. Her brother’s best friend. The man who sees her only as a surrogate little sister. Now, at the launch party for the next phase of her life, she’s done waiting. She’s going to rock Mac’s world until ignoring her is the last thing on his mind.
Mac isn’t blind to Lilli’s charms, and he never has been. But no best mate screws around with a little sister, no matter how tempting. No matter how much he wants to show her exactly how he’d like to respond to her teasing. But this time she’s gone too far, and he’s not backing down. She started it, and he’s going to finish it.
One spin of the bottle turns friends to lovers. But as the boundaries come down, everything changes. Including what they thought they believed about the other.
Warning: Playing this game will result in breathless sexual anticipation, smoldering sexual chemistry and scorching sexual tension. And then the fun really starts…
Enjoy the following excerpt for Spin the Bottle:
He’d tried to stay away, tried to ignore the gut-burning need to see if the kiss they’d shared was a fluke. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Slightly parted, her cherry-red lips beckoned, a siren’s call he knew he couldn’t refuse—didn’t want to deny. Mac leaned forward, his lips a breath from hers.
“Mac?”
His name on her tongue, the puff of warm air that blew over his chin and the tremor of her lips made him smile. “Lilli.”
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I thought that was obvious.” He didn’t pull away but moved his body closer to hers, his chest barely touching the tips of her breasts when she sucked in a breath.
“You can’t.”
“Can’t?”
“N-no.” Her lips brushed his. “It’s bad, remember?”
Mac pulled back a fraction to focus on her eyes. “What?”
“Kissing me.” She licked her lips and sent his blood pressure soaring. “When we did it before, you said it was bad.”
For a second, he hadn’t a clue what she meant, and then it clicked. “Oh, no, it wasn’t the kiss that was bad, Lilli.” He lowered his head, brought his mouth back within touching distance of hers. “I’ll prove it.”
He slanted his mouth across hers. Thrust his tongue between her parted lips to plunder. Mac didn’t ease into the kiss. He dove deep, headfirst. She tasted of champagne and cherries. Of lush decadence that spoke of untold pleasure. The party faded away, lost in the mating of their mouths. Nothing existed but the woman now in his arms, her body plastered to his, her soft curves cradling his hard edges as he devoured her.
Her breath hitched when he sucked on her tongue, and the gaspy little moan that followed the caress of his hand down her spine dragged him further into the most sublime kiss of his life. His cock throbbed, his balls ached and every nerve ending sizzled with the need to take her.
Here.
Now.
Against the wall.
Mac pushed his hand beneath the hem of her too-short dress, palmed her bare arse cheek and squeezed. Her supple flesh filled his hand, her smooth skin like silk under his fingertips. Jesus, she either wore a thong or nothing at all. Both options had his pulse accelerating and his cock stiffening. Blood rushed through his veins, pounded in his ears and slammed his heart against his rib cage. Lilli’s fingers tangled in his hair and tugged. The sting of pain was an erotic thrill he never dreamed would turn him on.
Someone bumped into his back hard enough to make him stumble. He pulled his mouth from hers and let her go to brace his arms on the wall, shielding her body with his. She stared at him, eyes wide, her pupils dilated and those cherry-red lips wet from his kisses. A shudder rippled through him, the sight of her flushed cheeks and rosy mouth injecting another burst of lust into his system. This wasn’t the time or the place, but damn if he could get himself to care.
Her nipples were hard nubs digging into his chest and her breath came in harsh pants, mirroring his. Mac fought for some of his legendary control. Where had a lifetime’s worth of discipline disappeared to? What was it about sweet, innocent Lilli that cut the reins of restraint he’d lived by? He looked down at her, the skin-tight black dress she wore contradicted the idea of sweet innocence, but something about the provocative outfit didn’t ring true, he just couldn’t put his finger on why not.
She gained her wits before he did. Mac was still breathing hard and ogling her cleavage when she ducked beneath his outstretched arm and escaped him. Trapped in a lust-induced fog, it took him a moment to realise she’d gone. When he did, he lowered his head and cursed himself a fool. For the second time, he’d had her in his arms and let her get away. That stopped here and now. If their first kiss all those months ago hadn’t convinced him, this second one had. Lilli would be his, body and soul, he would own her before the night was done. It was only fair. After all, she’d owned him from the moment his body had begun to crave hers.
Catch ’n’ Kiss
Rhian Cahill
In this game of chase, a kiss isn’t the only reward.
Are You Game? Book 2
Divorced with two teenage daughters, Jody Walsh doesn’t need any more complications in her life, and Dan O’Conner is proving to be a big one. His pursuit may give her bruised ego a much-needed boost, but Jody’s learned to guard her heart and trust is something she isn’t willing to give another man no matter how well he kisses.
One kiss and Dan knows what he wants. He isn’t about to walk away from the kind of chemistry he and Jody have. Unfortunately, the more he chases the more she runs. If only he could get her running in his direction.
When a night of passion doesn’t convince her they’re meant to be, Dan is left with no choice but to prove he’s worth taking a risk on, no matter how much he complicates her life.
Warning: Story contains a woman not willing to put her heart at risk and a man determined to persuade her otherwise—and he’s willing to use his washing machine to show her why he’s worth it.
eBooks are not transferable.
They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Catch ‘n’ Kiss
Copyright © 2014 by Rhian Cahill
ISBN: 978-1-61922-065-2
Edited by Heidi Moore
Cover by Valerie Tibbs
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic
publication: March 2014
www.samhainpublishing.com
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
About the Author
Look for these titles by Rhian Cahill
Also Available from Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Back Cover Copy
Copyright Page