by Lexi Blake
A small smile tugged at Ian Taggart’s face. “I think you’ll find a way. You subs always do.”
Grace grinned back. Yes. They always did.
Epilogue
Six months later
“Guacamole again?”
Adam stared at the bowl on her desk. Sean was setting up her little lunch. He had Fridays off from school, and every Friday he brought in a gourmet picnic. Every Friday, Adam showed up to mooch. He claimed that since getting gut shot, his appetite had increased threefold. Grace couldn’t tell from the cut of his suit. He was as fit as ever.
“I never argue with pregnant ladies,” Sean proclaimed, grinning as he broke out the tortilla chips. “She can’t get enough avocados. The baby is going to come out green.”
Grace plucked a chip out of her husband’s hand. She really did crave them. She wanted avocados on everything. Baby girl loved them. She let the taste flow over her tongue as she settled her hand over her expanding belly. Sean covered her hand with his and dropped a kiss on her lips. She was four and a half months pregnant. For some reason, she was just sure this one was a girl.
“Can’t pregnant ladies like cookies?” Adam snagged a chip and some dip anyway.
“I am not a pastry chef.” Sean said it like it was the worst thing a person could be. Sean had become a terrible food snob.
Grace was just happy Sean and Adam were friends again. “I’ll make some chocolate chip cookies tonight. We need some sweets. Savory boy over there would feed me protein day and night.”
Sean shrugged. “Practice makes perfect.”
Adam ambled off after enjoying a healthy portion of chips and guacamole. Grace sat back and enjoyed the view as her husband bent over to pull out the rest of her feast. Damn, he looked fine in a pair of jeans. He looked even better naked. The only thing she craved more than avocados was her Viking. She was just about to reach out and pat that hot ass when Ian walked by. He nodded at her on his way into the big corner office. He did not stop to talk to Sean, but she didn’t miss the way he looked at his brother. Ian missed him, but he wasn’t pushing.
She liked being the office manager of McKay-Taggart. She especially enjoyed going toe to toe with her brother-in-law. Sean had progressed. He was talking to Ian again. Oh, he was only using four letter words, but Grace had high hopes.
She had no intention of the baby not knowing her uncle.
“I’m going to go heat up the soup.” Sean kissed her again. He did it all the time. He always had his hands on her. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Not a chance, baby.”
After a few minutes, she could smell the heavenly aroma of tortilla soup coming from the break room.
“Hello?”
Grace looked up. A pretty woman in a green sweater and blue jeans stared down at her. She had a mass of curly brown hair and clutched an oversized handbag in front of her. She was lovely in a very soft, feminine way. She had an hourglass figure and big green eyes. “How can I help you?”
The woman, who Grace pegged as late-twenties, early-thirties, bit her bottom lip nervously. “I need to hire a body guard. My agent recommended your firm.”
“And why do you need a bodyguard?” It wasn’t an unusual request, but it certainly wasn’t one they got from walk-ins. In fact, they almost never had walk-ins.
The woman laughed, but it was a nervous sound. Her eyes turned down sadly. “I know this is going to sound silly, but someone’s trying to kill me.”
It was a terrible thing to hear, yet Grace found herself smiling. She knew just how to play this one. “Oh, dear. We can definitely help with that. And why take one bodyguard, when you can have two?”
Sean was coming back in from the break room when she placed the call to Jake. She had a feeling about this one. Jake’s eyes widened when he came out to escort the lovely Serena Brooks to his office.
“Matchmaker,” Sean accused as he set the bowl in front of her.
His eyes were hot on her as he sat down. She knew that look. She was going to get pulled into someone’s office for a little play. Her pregnancy hadn’t slowed Sean down a bit. He still was her hungry Master. Thank God.
“You know what they say about newlyweds. They can’t stand for anyone to not be as happy as they are.”
He winked at her. “Then Adam and Jake should watch out.”
Yes. If they were anywhere near as lucky as she and Sean, they had better.
###
Enjoy exclusive excerpts from A Little Harmless Submission by Melissa Schroeder and Their Virgin Captive by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake.
About the Author
Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.
Her first novel, Their Virgin Captive: Masters of Ménage, Book 1, was a collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Shayla Black.
She is currently working on Their Virgin’s Secret: Masters of Menage, Book 2 which is targeted for a Christmas 2011 release.
Connect with me online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002737235159
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@authorlexiblake
Website: www.LexiBlake.net
A LITTLE HARMLESS SUBMISSION
Melissa Schroeder
Copyright 2011 Melissa Schroeder
Coming October 25th, 2011 to digital, the next all new Harmless book from bestselling author Melissa Schroeder.
The following excerpt is unedited.
For a tough as nails Dom hunting a sadistic serial killer is nothing compared to losing his heart.
Rome Carino is hunting a predator. One who likes to hurt submissives and the most popular BDSM club’s patrons are being targeted. With each fresh kill, he gets more brazen. Rome knows he just needs one little break, but before he can make headway, the FBI shows up. Worse, the uptight, buttoned-down Special Agent Maria Callahan suggests a plan that is dangerous, but worth it because it might just catch the killer. If Rome can keep his mind on the case and off the beautiful FBI agent, he'll be just fine.
Maria is still trying to step out of her legendary father's shadow and knows just how to do it. Luring the killer by posing as Rome's new sub seems like a good idea. That is, until undercover becomes real life and she finds herself tangled up with a man who amazes and scares her at the same time. Her growing attraction to the Honolulu Police Detective is a little too much to handle. Even knowing that, she can't help falling in love with the tough Dom and losing herself in the games they play in the bedroom.
Rome is overwhelmed by his need for Maria. He has never had a sub respond to him the way she does and no matter what he does, he feels himself slipping off that cliff into love. As their relationship starts to unfold, he realizes that he will do anything to win her heart, to convince her to become his sub for a lifetime. But before he can do anything, the killer turns his attention on Rome and the one thing he holds dear: Maria.
WARNING: The following book contains: A Dom who thinks he can do no wrong, a new sub who is about to teach him he can, palm trees, a trip or two to Rough ‘n Ready, a flirty Aussie Dom with questionable motives, old friends, and a new enemy. Yeah, it might be called Harmless, but you Addicts know it’s anything but.
When they arrived at her hotel, she expected him to drop her off at the front, but instead, he parked the car. After tossing his keys to the valet and grabbing the ticket he took her by the elbow and headed to the Tapa Tower. Amazingly, they found themselves on the elevator alone.
“I don’t care for your methods.” She inwardly winced at her tone. She sounded like a prude.
He slanted her a look. “Yeah?”
“I understand you might not like it, but being a petulant child pouting over losing an argument doesn’t make you look good. I won’t take the silent treatment.”
Before she knew what he was about, he grabbed her wrist slipped in front of her then released her arm to cage her into the corner of the elevator.
“If you’re going to play the submissive, you’re going to have to be a little better at taking orders.”
She couldn’t speak. Her heart was beating so hard she’d bet he could hear it. She raised her gaze from his chest to his face, and eventually made eye contact. Good God. Her whole body went on alert at the heat she saw flaming in the depths of his hazel eyes. She wasn’t afraid of him, but of the arousal that now slid through her veins at an alarming rate.
“You don’t tell me what to do at the club. That will tell people right off the bat you aren’t serious about it. And, if you want to play sub to my Dom, you better get used to doing exactly what I tell you.”
He leaned forward nuzzling her neck. His breath feathered out over her flesh and she couldn’t stop the shiver. This kind of behavior shouldn’t be turning her on. Her nipples hardened, her breath tangled in her throat. She thought she felt his mouth on her skin but the door dinged open and he pulled back. It took her a second to yank herself out of the sea of lust he’d tossed her in. He stood by the door, keeping it open as if nothing strange had happened.
She drew in a deep breath, gathered up her senses and some of her pride and stepped into the hallway. He walked behind her, a silent companion but now her nerves were frazzled. What was it about this man? It wasn’t that she felt she had to prove herself to him.
She stopped at her door and glanced back over her shoulder at him. “You didn’t have to do that. I understand what’s expected of me.”
“Really?”
She fought back the irritation. “I’ve researched it. I would never suggest this if I didn’t know what I to do.”
He nodded but still looked skeptical.
“I can play the role. You didn’t have to pull that stunt.”
He studied her for a moment, no expression on his face. Then, he placed his hand on the wall next to her head, then leaned closer as he did in the elevator. Gawd, he smelled good. Earthy and sensual and all wrapped up in a dominant package of a man. She shouldn’t want to attract him, but everything in her being was telling her to do anything to get him in her bed.
“What stunt are you talking about?”
For a moment, all she could do was look at his lips as he spoke. His were full, sensual, and utterly irresistible,
“Callahan.”
She shook herself and tried to remember what they had been talking about. Great, now she had to embarrass herself with an explanation. She didn’t want to do this. She understood she wasn’t attractive to men like Rome. That she could live with. Having to admit it to him out loud was more than a little awkward.
“I understand that a woman like me would never attract you—“
“What do you mean by that?”
She glanced up and realized he looked genuinely surprised.
“Nothing. Just understand I can play a role and I won’t get all sappy on you. I want this guy as much as I do.”
Again, he was silent. She hated that, hated the way he looked at her. It was if he was completely perplexed by her. “Play a role?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her key card out not able to look at him anymore. She was damned tired and ready to collapse. Add this embarrassment to the mix and she just wanted to crawl under the covers and forget most of the day.
“When we’re out of the public eye, I understand. You don’t have to play the role of my lover behind the scenes. It is easy if have parameters.”
“Callahan.” His voice was quiet but commanding.
“What?”
“Look at me.” The order was soft, but definitely not to be ignored. She couldn’t if she wanted to. His deep, resonate voice wrapped around her senses and forced her to do his bidding.
When she finally made eye contact, her whole body went hot again. The intense look had her trying to swallow, but she found her mouth dry. He slipped his free hand up to cup her jaw. Without saying a word, he bent his head down and brushed his mouth against hers. She could feel the heat of him through their layers of clothing.
He leaned even closer and she could feel his erection. There was no mistaking that. Just feeling the hot long length of him had every hormone in her body jumping to attention ready to serve. When he pulled back it took a few moments to open her eyes again.
The fire in his eyes was still there. His cheeks were flushed, and she could tell there was a little more than just play-acting involved.
“Just so you know. Guys like me can be attracted to women like you.”
For more information, please stop by MelissaSchroeder.net
THEIR VIRGIN CAPTIVE, Masters of Ménage, Book 1
Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Copyright 2011 Shelley Bradley LLC and DLZ Entertainment
Available Now
Brothers Gavin, Slade, and Dex, fall hard for Gavin’s new secretary, beautiful Hannah Craig. The oil executives know they must give her time to get to know them before she can choose one . . . who will seduce the virgin and keep her for his own. But when a dangerous predator begins stalking the small-town beauty, they work together to protect her, abducting Hannah and spiriting her to an isolated hideaway. Once alone with her, none of them can contain their burning desire. Though Slade and Dex don’t mind sharing, Gavin’s tragic past has put distance between him and his brothers. Now, they’re hoping that not only will Hannah love them back . . . but maybe mend their fractured family.
After overcoming her initial fears, the men teach her wild pleasure she’s never imagined. She grows closer to each, their devotion melting her inhibitions. Hannah finds herself embracing love with all three men—and hoping she can heal Gavin’s wounded soul. But her new found happiness turns to terror when her stalker finds her. Will Gavin, Slade and Dex lose their woman to a menace that threatens everything they hold dear, or will they finally unite to make Hannah theirs forever?
Chapter One
Gavin James put down his coffee and looked out over the Dallas skyline. From the top floor of the Black Oak Oil building, he could practically see all the way to Fort Worth. He knew the view well. The same buildings and trees, the same smog hanging over the same traffic jam this time of morning. Even the coffee was the same, just like every other morning. He rose long before the sun, nightmares chasing away any semblance of peaceful sleep. He always gave up and, after a punishing run, came in to the office. His employees thought he was dedicated, but the truth was he had nothing better to do.
His only reason for smiling anymore was the one person he must stay far, far away from. Hannah Craig.
Yeah, you did such a great job staying way far away from her, you idiot. You hired her as your admin. Way to keep the girl safe. She’s a whole twenty feet away from you eight plus hours a day. Good going, James.
The phone ringing on his desk interrupted his nasty inner monologue.
“Hey, bro, I’m going to be a little bit late.” Gavin’s brother Slade yawned as he spoke.
“What a surprise. Another late night at the club?”
Maybe Hannah wasn’t the only one who made Gavin smile. He couldn’t help the way his lips quirked up, thinking about how his brother spent his nights. Spanking women was rapidly becoming a second job for Slade—and he was good at it. Often, Gavin wondered why he didn’t go out with his brothers. Maybe not to the BDSM club they frequented, but dinner would be nice. He’d become so solitary in the last ten years since—
Nope. He refused to think about that.
Gavin forced a cheery tone to his voice. “Did Dex keep you out all night?”
“I did not keep him out,” Dex said as he strolled into the office, proving once again that he was always on time. Of course, he also was the illegitimate child who felt the need to prove he belonged. “Slade managed that all on his own. He found a pretty blonde. Surprise, surprise. When I left the club they were getting mighty cozy.”
Gavin�
�s brief foray into a decent mood took a nosedive. Slade would have picked a pretty blonde for one reason and one reason only—to pretend she was Hannah. Of all of Gavin’s many reasons for staying the hell away from his admin, the fact that both of his brothers were crazy about her sat at the top of his list.
Who are you fooling? That’s not why you stay away. If you don’t, you know what will happen. You know what you’d do to that girl. You already lost one. Do you really think you deserve a second chance?
Gavin took a deep breath and forced a smile. Dex already believed that he was indifferent. He didn’t want to push his half brother even further away.
Punching the button on the phone, Gavin put Slade on speaker. “Tell me you’re going to make the board meeting.”
Dex snorted and tossed his big body into one of the chairs in front of Gavin’s desk. He crossed one leg over the other, his beat-up cowboy boots poking from his tailored suit. That was Dex. Gavin could force him into a designer suit, but he was never going to lose the cowboy.
“Of course I’m going to make the meeting,” Slade said with a long-suffering sigh. “I’m not late because I partied too hard. I just talked to the blonde. Mostly. Candy? Sandy? I don’t remember. She was nice, but she wasn’t…”
Hannah. Gavin watched Dex’s mouth turn down. He was obviously thinking the same thing.
Slade continued. “It doesn’t matter. Listen, I got a call about the Alaska site. We’ve had a little trouble there. Something’s gone wrong with the infrastructure. I’m going to have to head up there for a few days. I spent the morning calling around to make sure the house is ready for me after the board disperses.”