When the Lights Go Out: April Fools For Love

by Roxy Mews

  Stopping in his office he barely resisted the urge to check his emails, and couldn’t miss the extra greenery. All the plants from the urinals were on the bookcases and shelves.

  Adam leaned into the office. “Did you get the teddy bear?”

  The employees had sent the bear, pants and all, to his house as a get-well gift.

  “Yes. Thanks so much.” Taylor grabbed a couple of files with the new resets to review tomorrow. Pictograms weren’t as much of a no-no as reports were. He was going to make some notes to get back in the swing of things.

  Adam slapped the doorframe and leaned back out.

  Taylor realized something. “Hey, who won? I didn’t get to find out this year.”

  Adam backed up until he could see his boss. “Why do you care? You hate April Fools’ Day.”

  Taylor touched the leaves of one of the ferns. “Not as much as I used to.”

  “Nobody won. With all the chaos we didn’t get to watch all of the pranks play out. We’d talked about a do-over…but…” He gestured to Taylor and then made his hands make an exploding motion on either side of his head.

  “I’ll tell you what. If you guys get this reset done ahead of time, we can re-do the prank war.”

  Adam eyed him.

  “But I get to join in.”

  “You did hit your head hard.”

  Taylor put the file of pictograms in his messenger bag, and tucked one of the plants under his arm. He had an idea. “If you aren’t up for a prank war, I’ll understand.”

  Adam grabbed his boss’s arm and tugged.

  “Kicking me out?”

  “Hell no. You are telling the other managers you agreed to this before whatever broke in your brain fixes itself. I want witnesses.”

  It had been threatening to rain all day, but the clouds parted a bit just as Taylor turned onto the street into the Belleview neighborhood. This was a dumb idea. It bordered on stalking. Every fiber in Taylor’s body readied itself for fight or flight, but there was still a little nagging in his heart that told him to do it anyway.

  Taylor looked at the address he had from the bit of research he’d done. Luckily there had only been one home sold in Belleview in the last month, and sure enough a wood sign with flowers and leaves carved into it told him someone named Prime lived at the end of this driveway.

  He grabbed the fern from the passenger seat. It was a housewarming present to someone who was moving out on their own. It was a way to see her again, and frankly it was something to say, “Hey, remember me? I’m the guy you screwed in the bathroom. I’d like to do it again, but I have to get your number first.”

  His hand was up at the door ready to press the doorbell when he realized how crazy he sounded. He was a stalker.

  He stood there and stared at the door and tried to think of some way to talk to this woman he couldn’t get out of his head.

  Chapter Seventeen

  April plopped on the couch. She looked around and smiled. It was really shaping up. She should have brought a fan in while she painted the bathroom. She started to wipe her arm across her face but stopped when she saw the paint on there. The other arm wasn’t any cleaner. At least the room looked nice.

  Her mother had frowned at the white subway tile and square pedestal sink April purchased at the home improvement store a couple of nights ago. But April couldn’t help herself. She’d insisted the tile she was using as a backsplash was economical, and it was.

  She sure wasn’t going to tell her mother it reminded her of the Business Depot bathroom and someone she wasn’t going to have again. Truth be told, April couldn’t get that morning out of her mind. She was hoping it would have some cathartic effect if she put it on her walls. So far, it wasn’t working.

  Turning out her bedroom lights at night, April could still feel how good Mr. James’s arms felt around her. She could still feel the press of his body and the perfect way his touch zapped everything ordinary about sex from her universe.

  She’d hoped she could just go back to her job and revel in her independence. Now she was distracted. She’d done her supply order online like she always did, but looking at the Business Depot logo made her think about the manager she got to know in the dark.

  Dammit. The paint fumes and the tile grout must be screwing with her brain. She had been doing okay today not thinking about him. She just needed some air.

  That was all. She was just a bit high from the fumes. She already had the back door open since it was close to the bathroom. If she opened the front she’d have a good cross breeze to air the house out faster.

  April popped up and pulled down her ponytail holder to redo her hair where it had fallen on the sides. She swung the door open and was just about to put her hair back in its restraint when she saw the plant. Her mouth fell open when she realized who was holding it.

  “Oh.”

  “I..” Mr. James stuttered. “I…” He thrust the plant at her. “I brought you a housewarming present.”

  April backed up. “How did you know where I lived?”

  “Your mother─”

  Of course it was her mother. “She told me she sent you flowers.”

  “She sent me a card. Told me your name.”

  April shook her head. “I assume you’re okay?”

  “Concussion, but other than a few days off work, I’m fine.” He pushed the plant forward. “So. Here’s the plant.”

  April looked at him.

  “I also wondered…if you wanted to go…for coffee or something.”

  After putting the plant in April’s hands he obviously didn’t know what to do with his, so he shoved them in his pockets. He was wearing jeans and a polo. His face was clean-shaven and his hair was just a little wet from where a bit of rain began to mist down around him.

  “I do drink coffee.” April conceded.

  His smile pressed a dimple into his left cheek. He was adorable, and April found herself grinning back.

  “Can I tell you my name now?” He asked.

  “I don’t know, Mr. James,” she teased. “That depends on what you want out of this little visit.”

  His hands flew up. “Just coffee. I swear.”

  “When?” she asked.

  “I can meet you down at the Starbucks at the corner. How about in thirty minutes so you have time to change?”

  She looked him up and down. He was nervous and sincere, and he set off every nerve in her body. She couldn’t resist. “Okay. And if it goes well, maybe I’ll show you my bathroom.”

  About the Author

  Roxy wrote her first story at age six on an electric typewriter. It was about a cat and a haunted house. Thankfully, her stories and technology have matured since then. Now Roxy spends her days fighting the evil day job in hopes of conquering the stories that run rampant in her head when she comes home at night. When she discovered Erotic Romance, Roxy fell in love. She can’t wait to share all her fun and sexy stories with everyone. To connect with Roxy Mews find her babbling on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, visit her Blog, or find all these links on RoxyRocksMe.com

  Look for these titles by Roxy Mews

  Now Available:

  Coral-600

  Hart Clan Hybrids

  A Love Worth Biting For

  Love’s a Witch

  Coming Soon:

  Three’s a Clan

  Continue reading for excerpts from the full April Fools For Love Collection.

  April Fools For Love…Where Pranks Make You Pant.

  Best April Fools joke ever—falling in love.

  Biting Serendipity

  © 2015 Mary Hughes

  Part of the April Fools For Love collection

  Biting Love Short Bites, Book 4

  Serendipity “Sera” Braun wears glasses and a bun to teach during the day, but at night, she adds a breast-plumping vest and dirndl for her job hoisting beer steins at Nieman’s. The big, leather-vest-and-earringed Viking bouncer? He’s bedsheets waiting to get sweaty, but all he does is scowl at her.
She’s trying to keep her geriatric stripper of a granny from breaking a hip, but it’s hard when she keeps getting distracted by that sexy, smoky baritone.

  Thorvald Thorsson is bitingly lonely—every vampire around him is mating. But his ex-fiancée rejected him as a killjoy, so it’s high time Fun Thor comes out to play. No way he’d pair up with the cute but too-serious little schoolmarm who waits tables at the bar.

  Sera bridles the wicked, delicious things she’d like to do with the muscular Viking, suppressing herself until she’s a volcano about to blow. Then they are thrown together in a prank war, and all his potent masculinity is focused on her. He makes her burn to let loose, but how can she and still be responsible for Granny and set a good example?

  Warning: A terribly lonely vampire, a conflicted schoolmarm with a caged wild side, nosy roommates and the female version of a bromance, not to mention scorching sex, a whole town full of busybodies—and the best April Fools joke ever.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Biting Serendipity:

  “Doesn’t matter. The boss ordered us to do this contest, so we do this contest.” Thor jerked one shoulder in a shrug.

  The sleeveless T-shirt and leather vest meant what shrugged was bronzed, naked skin, muscles jerking, especially luscious triple-scoop deltoids that I wanted to lick.

  Wanted to lick so bad, to keep myself from doing it, I had to run my tongue over my suddenly throbbing lips instead.

  His gaze dropped to my mouth and darkened, stormy this time like a steamy tropical squall. “What are you doing?”

  “M-me?” Nerves prompted me to lick again. “Just…nothing.”

  He leaned closer, his hair swaying forward to frame his chiseled, handsome face. “Nothing?” His pupils dilated to pools of black.

  My heart shot into overdrive. Air seemed to have left the small room; contrarily, what there was of it smelled, not of lime and coconut, but leather and male.

  Searching my gaze, he reached out and gently cupped my chin. His fingers, warm and slightly rough on my skin, thrilled me down to my toes. His face was so near mine now I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin.

  He’s going to kiss me.

  My lips parted on quickened breaths. My desire must have shone in my eyes because the saucers of his pupils lit with a red flame. Blood pounded in my ears.

  The vampire was staring at me.

  Insanely, that turned me on. I tightened toes in my ballerina flats and lifted toward him.

  The moment crystallized between us. His red gaze was tethered to mine, the hand that so gently held my face was crowned by a hint of talon, and when his lips parted, fang tips were revealed.

  Vampire, human. I was prey. Yet I was also something precious. My lids slid shut in anticipation.

  His mouth captured mine.

  He tasted of whiskey, hot and oh-so-smooth. The sweet fire of his kiss sent my blood from hot to boiling, my mouth like the inside of an oven. I opened under his beguiling lips, to vent some of the heat.

  Instead, more heat rushed in, his breath, scorching.

  I trembled, my belly fluttering with excitement. My muscles yielded, and I fell into him. My breasts pressed against the wall of his chest like smashing against a cliff. Sharp, sweet desire stabbed my groin, and my blood whooshed ever harder in my ears.

  “Sera,” he groaned. He backed off to swirl lips against mine, thousands of brief, buffing kisses that kindled my skin until my lips were burning.

  My breath came in quick gasps, his scent like the crashing, salty sea. His fang tips grazed my lips as he kissed, sweet and heady sensations taking on an edge. I dipped my tongue between his parted lips, hinting for more, then thought, “Ah, fuck it,” threw out Staid Sera, wrapped arms around his neck, arched my body into his, and thrust my tongue into his mouth, telling him in no uncertain terms.

  A growl ripped from his throat. The fiery thrust of his tongue battled past mine into my mouth, claimed me. I groaned at the taste of him, the feel of him, filling me. My jaw dropped, yielding to his onslaught.

  He seized my bun in one big hand and held me captive for his plundering. He kissed me savagely now, a Viking invader.

  One powerful arm wrapped my ribs, crushing me to him. His scent, tangy leather, wrapped me even tighter. My nipples tingled and hardened. I released his neck to slide palms over his shoulders, the ones I’d wanted to lick so badly, reveling in crowns of notched, rock-hard deltoids as big as bowling balls. My pelvis flooded with heavy, hot need.

  He was all hard muscle, but something even harder, growing long and fat against my skirts, snagged my complete attention.

  Thor wanted me.

  Double Dare

  © 2015 Jodi Redford

  Part of the April Fools For Love collection

  From the moment Graham Barlow and Matt Spencer moved into the bungalow across from hers, Dani Tipton’s willpower has been strung to its limit. Ignoring the hot and heavy fantasies the two hunks inspire on a daily basis is more than any woman’s libido can take. Although temptation beckons, Dani’s determined to be a good role model for her wild, trouble-prone younger sister. Jumping in the sack with either of her sexier-than-sin neighbors sure as hell wouldn’t help her case. But when her sister sets up the ultimate April Fools’ prank, Dani suddenly winds up neck-deep in a compromising position. Literally.

  For the last eighteen months, Graham and Matt have been carrying a major case of blue balls for Dani. No matter how hard they flirt or lay on the charm, she’s kept them strictly in the friend’s zone. So when they discover her buck naked in their swimming pool they figure they’re either hallucinating—or have been handed their one shot at rocking Dani’s panties off. Not too difficult to do, seeing how she’s not wearing any. Convincing her to indulge in a little frisky threesome skinny dipping? Easy enough. And the sexy interlude that follows is hot enough to boil the pool water. But when it comes to making their unconventional triad permanent, Matt and Graham issue Dani the biggest dare of all—entrusting them with her heart.

  Warning: This M/F/M ménage brings new meaning to getting to know your neighbor. Lusty pool shenanigans and creative uses for hot tub jets. No bathing suit required, but bring an extra towel. Things are bound to get wet.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Double Dare:

  A motion across the street distracted Dani and she shifted her focus. Graham Barlow lifted from his crouch in front of a large stand-on lawnmower and swiped his grease-streaked forearm across his brow. The movement pulled his black tank top snug to his chest, molding the fabric to the mouthwatering contours of his ripped muscles. He tossed a look toward the shiny silver pickup truck that he and his roommate used for their landscape business. “Did you find that wrench yet?”

  One of the truck’s doors slammed, and Matt Spencer popped into view. He strode to the disabled mower and passed the tool to his partner. A grunt fell from Graham. “What were you doing over there, jacking off? Took ya long enough.”

  Oh Lord. Like she needed that image implanted in her brain. Especially since her hormones were already performing their own version of an exuberant Riverdance thanks to the yummy ogle fest Matt and Graham provided.

  Damn it, she really hated that Erin was right. The two men were walking advertisements for lady boners. Unlike Graham, Matt had forgone a shirt, which put every inch of his strong, sculpted back on mouthwatering display. Her fingertips tingled as she imagined running them down the deep groove of his spine, cruising toward those cute dimples that rode just above—

  A car horn tooted, and Dani jumped guiltily. Both men swiveled their heads and sent a wave to Erin as she reversed out of the driveway.

  Erin poked her head out the car window, the sticky breeze rustling her neon blue pixy cut. “When are you gonna grow some balls and ask my sister out?”

  Dani groaned, desperately wishing she could mimic a chameleon by blending with the nearby flowering lantana bush. Before she could safely duck inside the house without anyone being the wiser of her presence, her n
eighbors slashed their attention her way. She was fairly certain her cheeks were red enough Graham and Matt would be able to detect their nuclear glow from a mile away.

  Matt’s chuckle floated in Dani’s direction. “Just as soon as we’re certain she’ll say yes.”

  Her pulse revved at the wickedness of his expression and the resulting heat wave that swamped her body. There was no mistaking the blazing interest he and Graham had leveled on her. Since they’d moved in roughly a year and a half ago, they’d attempted to lure her to the Dark Side with a steady dance of flirtation, so she had a bad feeling those twin sparkles of determination in their eyes bode an outright war against her resistance.

  Gulping, she tore her focus from Graham and Matt and slunk back inside the house. Snicking the door closed, she thunked her forehead against the whitewashed wood grain. Why must fate be such a devious bitch? Florida was full of retirees. Why couldn’t her neighbors be a pair of old coots who owned a closetful of lime green Bermuda shorts and compression socks?

  Grumping under her breath, she detoured to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of iced tea from the fridge. She twisted off the cap the same instant the doorbell chimed. Heart knocking, she stared in the direction of the front entry. Safe to say that wasn’t the milkman.

  “Thanks a lot, Erin.” Grumbling, Dani shuffled to the door. A quick peek through the peep hole confirmed her suspicions of who stood on the other side. Sending a memo to her hormones to get a grip, she sucked in a deep breath and swung open the door. She returned Matt and Graham’s megawatt grins with her own wobblier version. “Hey.”