by Opal Carew
Deep down inside, though, she longed for a loving relationship with a man. To meet someone, go out on a date. To build a loving connection.
To be touched by a man.
Oh, God, she wanted that so much. But she was too afraid.
Anytime her natural urges bubbled to the surface, like they had last night with Bryan, it wasn’t long before she started having dreams. Those dreams started off sweet and loving, then turned hot and steamy, searing her senses. Inevitably, however, they turned dark and terrifying and she’d wake up shaking, her whole body sweating.
If only she could just have nice, steamy sex dreams that helped her relieve her ache.
Her skin prickled and a heated awareness washed through her body, but it wasn’t from thoughts of having a nice sexual fantasy.
Someone was watching her.
She suddenly became very conscious of her situation. Wearing just a bikini. Her top undone.
Alone on the roof of the building.
She drew in a deep breath.
It was the middle of a sunny summer afternoon on a Thursday. Usually no one came up to the pool this time of day. Anyone who wanted to enjoy the warm afternoon and go in the water normally went to the beach a few blocks away.
But someone was definitely watching her and it must be from inside, because she would have heard the sliding glass doors open.
She sucked in a breath of air, calming herself. It had taken her a long time to build up her courage to make these outings to the pool and she wasn’t going to let herself slide back to the blinding fear. There were security cameras on the deck and she was in view of one right now. She always let Leandra know when she was going to sun herself on the deck, just with a casual message, as part of letting her know how her day was going.
If anything happened, it would be on the security film. Not that she’d let it get that far if she could help it. She wasn’t powerless. She had pepper spray in her bag, her cell phone handy so she could quickly dial 911, and she’d taken self-defense classes.
She reached around and fastened her bikini top, then slowly sat up. Casually, she reached for her silky, black floral cover up and pulled it on, carefully not looking toward the windows. She wanted to be covered and feeling a little more settled when she faced the intruder.
Before she had a chance, though, the sliding doors opened. She glanced up to see a man step onto the deck.
She sighed in relief when she saw it was Steve from the tenth floor. They had mutual friends in the building and had gotten to know each other and become friends of sorts.
He was a really nice guy. And good looking, with his broad shoulders, well-defined torso, and dark blond hair swept back from his handsome face.
Steve glanced over his shoulder at the open door. It seemed he was waiting for someone to join him.
When his gaze swept outside again, he saw her for the first time.
His face beamed with his warm, friendly smile. “Hi, Sonny. Nice afternoon.”
“Yes, it is.”
She wouldn’t mind chatting with him. She’d found she was always pretty comfortable around Steve which was nice for a change, but she didn’t know how to give out an inviting vibe.
She pulled her bag closer, and routed through it, just for something to distract herself.
Then another man stepped outside.
She glanced up and her heart thumped to life.
The man was…breathtaking.
His body was big and powerful. His arms and chest bulged with muscles and he had tattoos covering his body. She couldn’t tell what they all were since they were so dense, but she did make out a thorny rose vine coiling along one arm and around his torso, tendrils even coiling up his neck.
His hair was dark brown, shaved close to his head, and his ear glinted with piercings.
He glanced at her and smiled. Immediately, she dropped her gaze to her bag and she started sorting through it again, as if looking for something.
They started to walk and she was afraid they’d come over, but instead they headed toward some chairs closer to the edge of the deck.
Oh, God, the man was so heart-stoppingly masculine. Her body tingled as her hormones sparked to life.
Which she didn’t understand. She should be afraid, but the sensation pulsing through her was pure, unadulterated lust.
Unnerved, she grabbed her book and suntan lotion and shoved them into her bag, then pushed her towel in, too. She slipped on her sandals and surged to her feet, then hurried to the door. As she slid it open, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that the big man was watching her, a frown on his face.
Did he think she was running away from him?
She didn’t want any man to think she was afraid of him—showing strength was important—but right now, the threat she faced was her own unbridled libido. She didn’t understand her reaction to him and that unsettled her so much she had to escape.
She closed the door behind her and hurried away.
* * *
Tal watched the woman practically run off, his stomach clenching. All he’d done was smile at her. He hadn’t said a word. Hadn’t made a move toward her. Yet she’d up and fled.
He would have liked to have talked to her. Gotten to know her a little. There was something about her.
She was a beautiful woman, with her long, blonde hair cascading in waves over her shoulders. A pretty face with kissable heart-shaped lips. And he’d caught more than a glimpse of her curvy body through the glass when she’d sat up to pull on her cover up.
But what attracted him was more than that.
There was an aura of vulnerability around her. And a sadness in her eyes.
He sensed a need in her to have someone or something more in her life.
Or maybe he was just reflecting his own feelings onto her.
It caused him real pain that she would take one look at him and run away, as if he were some kind of threat.
“She’s pretty, right?” Steve said.
“Yes, she is.” He glanced at his friend. “Are you interested in her?”
“Well, yeah, what man wouldn’t be? But I don’t think we’d work out. We’ve talked a few times—she’s friends with my friend Meghan—but we seem to be developing more of a casual rapport rather than a romantic relationship. If you want to pursue her, don’t worry about me.”
“I might if she didn’t seem so terrified of me.”
“Hey, if you’re interested, don’t give up on her too fast. I think she’s been through something. She has these haunted eyes, you know? But I’m sure she’s trying to work through it. She’d need someone who’s willing to be patient and slow.” He shrugged. “But I think she’d be worth it.”
Tal glanced at the door she’d escaped through.
“Yeah, I think maybe you’re right.”
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Dirty Talk
Played by the Master
Mastered By #1
Played by the Master
Opal Carew
Jacqueline crashes a billionaire's exclusive poker game in order to seduce him into a favor to save her sister, but instead finds herself played by the Master.
Jacqueline Bell desperately wants to help her sister out of a jam. But to do that, she has to find a way to talk to billionaire entrepreneur Race Danner, and have him drop the charges against her brother-in-law. She discovers he holds an exclusive poker game once a week and finds a way in.
Race Danner is bored with his life, despite his wealth and extreme hobbies. He doesn't know exactly what he's looking for, but he'll know it when he sees it.
When Jacqueline Bell walks into his life, he knows she's it. She wants something from him. And he wants her. A combination made in heaven. In a delicious game of cat and mouse, he will leverage his advantage to lure her into his game. And he fully intends to win.
Warning: This story has Domination, submission, bondage, punishment, and a lot of other fun things, plus explicit, wild sexual enco
unters. After all, if you're going to play, play hard! ;) Her ultimate sexual fantasy brought to life…
Excerpt
Race smiled and at the predatory look in his eyes, Jacquie realized he was going to win. The blood drained from her face as he flipped over his cards… revealing a full house.
Oh, God, she’d lost her opportunity to try and convince him to help Ella and her husband.
“Come over here.” His silken voice curled through her and she stood up.
Now he would touch her… probably cup her ass with his big hand. Maybe, if she seemed willing…who was she kidding, she was willing… to succumb to his touch, then maybe he would listen to her after all.
Shock vaulted through her at her own illicit thoughts. She wasn’t going to sleep with him to help Ella.
No, just strip down to practically nothing. Then let him touch her.
Did she really know where her boundaries were?
He watched as she walked around the long table, then approached him, his gaze locked on the swell of her breasts above the lace cups. Her nipples puckered at the thought of him stroking her there.
He pushed his chair back from the table and turned sideways as she continued toward him. His intense male gaze sent heat shimmering through her.
Finally, she stood facing him.
He lifted his hand, and as it approached her, she calmed her breathing, readying herself for his touch. It would only be a moment.
But she wasn’t prepared for the spark of desire that flared through her when his fingertips brushed against her skin, just above her elbow. Then his fingers moved. Upward. Trailing lightly over her shoulder, then down. She drew in a slow breath as he glided over the soft exposed skin of her breast, right to the lace of her bra. His fingertip grazed lightly under the scalloped edges, but not breaching the barrier of the satin cup.
Clearly, he liked to push boundaries.
And she was close to pulling back that boundary, by tugging forward the cup and inviting him to explore further. The thought of his big fingers gliding over her hard nipple sent her pulse fluttering.
Her own potent reaction to him startled her and she stepped back.
“I… uh… we’re done now.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think so.”
“You said a touch,” she stammered.
“And you didn’t say how long. I’m not finished.”
“Well, I—”
“Come here,” he said, his authoritative tone brooking no argument.
She stepped close again, shocking herself at her own submissiveness.
“So I just have to stand here for as long as you want to touch me?”
He gazed at her, his blue eyes twinkling. “Yes.”
His fingers brushed her ribs this time, below her breast, then glided slowly downward, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. She tried to ignore the heady sensations fluttering through her.
“But you could go on for hours.”
He grinned. “Yes.”
Oh, God, if he did this for even ten more minutes, she’d be a puddle on the ground.
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Forbidden Mate
Opal Carew
Ever had one of those days?
Aria's career fills the void that foster care left behind, and keeps her grounded in reality. But recently, steamy, erotic dreams make her think she's working too hard.
A free trip to a luxury resort is just the ticket. Until she's ushered to a "VIP party" and abducted by an alien who insists she's his king's soul-mate. Love at first sight, let alone sight unseen, is a myth. Her increasing attraction to the ship's captain, though, is weak-in-the-knees real.
Captain Tai Gaman's mission was simple. Kidnap Aria and deliver her to wed his twin brother, King Zander. It must be the sibling psychic link that's fueling his own blinding desire for the Earth woman. As the ship approaches his planet and her sexual hunger reaches unbearable heights, it must be simple compassion that won't allow him to let her suffer. One night leaves him stunned, facing an emotional choice. Claim her as his own, or fulfill his duty to the king.
After a lifetime believing love doesn't exist, Aria finds her hands full with the love of two men. And considering the possibility there's room in her heart for both…
This book has been previously published.
Warning: This book is full of red-hot sex and smoking-hot alien studs (and one studette), along with their human abductees who don't mind getting it on with one or more partners. With or without an audience. Watching the heroine find love and the hero lose his heart may cause a strong desire to be beamed up.
Excerpt
“You.” The uniformed woman pointed at Aria. “Come with me.”
“We stay together,” Eva insisted as she stepped toward Aria protectively.
“No, actually you don’t,” the woman responded.
As the stranger grabbed Aria’s arm and dragged her to her feet, Terrien stepped in front of Eva, preventing her from rushing to Aria’s side. The uniformed woman led Aria to a door, which slid open as they approached. Aria glanced back to see her bewildered companions led out another door by Terrien and a couple of other uniformed men. Eva mouthed some words to Aria that she didn’t understand, then the door closed behind her.
“Where are you taking me?” Aria couldn’t hide the quaver in her voice.
“To meet the captain.” The woman’s heels clicked sharply on the floor as they marched along. “You should be honored.”
Maybe she should be, but she wasn’t. In truth, she was frightened and confused.
Despite that, thoughts of her steamy, nighttime adventures stirred within her and a sexual buzz quivered through her entire body. A part of her hoped this captain was a tall, dark, sinister hunk who wanted to have his way with her. She trembled in anticipation.
Good God, where is my brain? This is real, not some sexual fantasy. Yet she felt heat flush through her, hotter and hotter, as they progressed.
They stopped in front of a door and her captor pushed a button beside it. A bleep sounded.
“Send her in, Casey,” a deep voice said.
The door slid open.
“You heard the captain. Go on in.”
Fear cooled her blood a little as Aria stepped through the doorway, peering ahead of her to see a sitting room but no captain. The door swooshed closed behind her. She stepped farther into the softly lit room, which looked like private quarters. A big, comfy-looking armchair and couch occupied most of the room. Not exactly how she’d pictured a spaceship.
“Welcome.” A rich baritone voice came from her left.
A tremor rippled along her spine. She spun around.
At six foot four and all muscle, he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. His dark, slightly wavy hair brushed his shoulders and his silver-gray eyes glittered like moonlight rippling on water. Her heartbeat accelerated at the sight of him. He would definitely be the star of any sexual fantasy. Her insides seemed to melt into a pool and her vagina tightened.
Good heavens, she had to get a grip on herself. This man had kidnapped her!
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m Captain Tai Gaman. And you are Aria Jenkins.” He pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
She perched on the edge of the chair, keeping a wary gaze on him. He strolled to the couch and settled onto it, his masculine aura filling the room.
“I’m sure you’d like to know why we’ve brought you here.”
“Yes, please.” With her hands folded in her lap, and her tight, prim words, she must look like a schoolgirl summoned to the principal’s office. She noticed her hands trembling, so she clasped them tighter.
“Relax. I’m not going to bite.” Warmth emanated from his smile.
Relax? Was he kidding?
She stared at him with wide eyes, waiting. He leaned forward slightly.
“There is a power in the universe that takes a hand in our lives—we call it nata�
�tai. It provides the means to keep us healthy, as individuals and as races. To stay healthy, a race must grow. It must embrace other cultures. It must open its gene pool to other races, otherwise it will stagnate. Physically, emotionally and culturally.”
A shiver raced down Aria’s spine. Had she and the others been brought here as breeding stock? Were they to provide genetic material to keep his race healthy? Nausea tightened her stomach into a quivering ball as she imagined herself chained to a bed, a trail of men lined up to impregnate the alien female.
She imagined him first in line, his mouth capturing hers in a passionate onslaught, his naked body compressing her breasts tightly against his chest. She felt her cheeks flush and she tried to drive the thoughts from her mind as she concentrated on his words.
“As a race matures, nata’tai gives its people the ability to sense their tanash’ae—what you would call their soul-mate—even over great distances. To ensure a mingling of races, nata’tai directs the spirits of tanash’ae—soul-mates—to be born in different races on different planets.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you’ve brought me here because you think I’m one of these tannashays?” She sucked in a breath. “Do you think that you and I…” Her finger flicked between them. “That we are…soul-mates?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Would that be a problem for you?”
No, a voice inside insisted, but she ignored it and sucked in a breath.
“Yes! Of course it would. I don’t even know you. I don’t intend to marry a man I don’t even know.”
He flashed a devil-may-care grin. “Who said anything about marriage?”
“Oh, I see.” A blush crept up her cheeks. “When you said soul-mate I assumed you meant, you know, love and marriage.”