by Louisa Bacio
She busied herself with checking Maise’s vital signs. Maise tried again to talk. When a squeak came out, she gestured to her throat.
“You must be parched. I’ll get you some water and alert the doctor.”
The minute the nurse left, Reece approached the bed. She seemed to recognize him with a hesitant smile, but what if she didn’t? How would he explain his presence and what they had shared together?
Soon enough, the nurse and doctor entered, fussing over Maise. Reece stepped back against the wall, out of the way, and Maise kept her attention on him. After sucking on a few ice cubes, she tried the whole talking thing again.
“Reece?” she asked.
The doctor stepped back. “Why don’t I give you two some time. I’m going to call your family, Ms. Dickens.”
She gestured toward Reece, and he drew closer. “Was it a dream?”
“I sure hope not.”
“But, how did…?”
“I don’t know, but some things you don’t question,” Reece said, cupping the side of her face and laying a light kiss on her lips. “You just give thanks. You’ve got a little bit of recovery to do, but I’ll be here.”
The words lodged in his throat. A tear seeped from the corner of her eye, and he brushed it away with his thumb.
“Can you make me a promise?” she asked, smiling.
“Anything, anything at all.”
“No more dating services.”
He laughed. From deep in his belly and out, the joyousness flowed. Such a present he’d received. He thought of Jeremy, and all his brother would miss within life, and he sent up a silent “thank you” for the gift of Maise.
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Louisa Bacio published her first erotic thriller in June 2010, and since then has published four more. In addition to writing and editing, Bacio teaches college courses in English, journalism, film studies and popular culture. Bacio lives in Southern California with her husband and children.
You can visit with Louisa at:
http://louisabacio.com
Tell It To The Marine by Heather Long
PFC James Westwood isn’t a typical Marine. As a clinical psychologist, he recognizes his band of brothers needs a helping hand after their return home from the war. When his boss, Captain Dexter, encourages him to sign up for the 1Night Stand dating service, Westwood committed himself. What did he have to lose?
The last thing he expected was a date with screen goddess Lauren Kincaid.
Movie star Lauren Kincaid grew up splitting her time between the cold reality of the Hollywood scene and her family home in Plano, Texas. After two decades surrounded by artificial friendships and inflated egos, her greatest desire is to meet a real man, not a Hollywood talking head. When her agent suggests a 1Night Stand date, the only expectations Lauren allows herself to have are discretion and exclusivity. What she didn’t expect was having a gorgeous psychologist with rapier wit blow her away.
Everyone needs someone to hear them.
James and Lauren share an unmistakable connection, but when one of James’ patients suffers a crisis, Lauren more than proves her mettle. Can one night turn into happily ever after for this Marine and his movie star?
Rebirth by Rebecca Royce
Carly Penn is thrilled when her older brother, Joe, marries her dear friend, Kaylee, with the help of the 1Night Stand service. Now, looking for a final bout of passion to carry her through as terminal cancer steals her life, she’s turned to Madame Eve for herself. She doesn’t expect a happy ending, just a single night to remember as she faces the end of her days.
Vampire Agoston Barabás was forced to watch his true love, Dorika, murdered two hundred earlier, and clings to her dying promise to return to him. He takes one night at a time, never loving or becoming involved with another as he waits for his lover to find him. When he meets his date from 1Night Stand, he’s shocked to discover she carries the soul of his Dorika and the heart of a woman he could love.
As their fates collide in passionate lovemaking, Agoston offers Carly an unexpected option—live or die together. Dare she risk eternity with a vampire, even if his tender touch brings her a greater joy than she has ever known?