July 2019 – Kory Steed

Welcome E. D. Parr with her Romance on the Go, M/M novella, “Dear Heart”

Welcome E.D. Parr. I’m so happy to have you visiting my blog today.

All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

Stories jump into my head and I just have to write them.

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?

I don’t think any of my stories contain messages. They’re love stories. I write happy endings always because it seems to me that in real life so few of us have one. I hope readers enjoy my stories and feel as if they’ve met the characters.

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?

I find inspiration everywhere and at the oddest moments. A road sign, a building, a street, and suddenly there’s a character in my head and he’s whispering his story.

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?

The challenge is earning a living at the same time as finding the time to write.

What or who influences your writing?

In the same way as I find inspiration everywhere from odd things, I’m influenced by the same random things; the weather, a snatch of music I hear passing a store, flowers…

What is your writing process? Are you a pantser or a plotter, or a little of both?

I’m a little of both plotter and writing as my characters develop by the seat of my pants as they say.

Do you have any author idols and if so, how would you like to meet them?

I’d like to have met, Dickens, and Shakespeare. We could have eaten dinner together and talked about life in general.

What are your three favorite books by other authors and why? You don’t have to limit this to three. (I know I can’t.)

Seriously I could have a list of hundreds and can’t say a favorite.

What do you do in your down time to feed your soul?

I walk, listen to music, grow flowers, explore historical places and visit art exhibitions.

What’s next on your literary horizon?

Well, there’s another story releasing from Evernight in August. A contemporary MM romance, Like a Thief in the Night.

I’m writing a ghost story and a science fiction story, too, but it’s slow going because of my day job.

Blurb:

Aiden Flint goes on vacation with three friends to Pamplona, Spain. Seeking excitement, they will run with the bulls in the festival of St. Fermin. As the four friends enjoy the nightlife, they notice an attractive man watching Aiden in the bars they visit. In the warmth and heady atmosphere of the exotic city, Aiden takes a chance and approaches the handsome man.

Enigmatic Santiago Arista is sexy, kind, desperate for love, and achingly lonely. He’s just about given up on finding love, until one warm, summer night, sitting alone in a bar, he sees gorgeous Aiden. He’s elated when Aiden joins him at his table.

Deep attraction swirls between them. At the end of the night when they share a kiss, Aiden can’t believe the bliss that enfolds him, but have both men found someone to love just when fate is about to throw Aiden into mortal danger?

Excerpt:

“That guy’s staring at you again, Aiden.” John jogged his elbow, forcing a wave of golden beer to slap on the side of the slender glass he carried. Drops flew into the air headed for the colorful tiled floor, and Aiden steadied his pace so as not to spill more.

His friend raced ahead to the other two men in their vacation party.

“Wait, you two.”

Aiden stole a glance over his shoulder at the man John had mentioned. Bright eyes captured his gaze. Aiden’s stomach clenched. Mystery, sex, and attraction radiated from the handsome man. Aiden’s mouth dried up. He tore himself away and hurried to the table where his friends sat laughing.

“He’s interested in you for sure. Crap, he’s still staring.” Noel leaned forward giving Aiden a wide-eyed, and yet salacious grin.

Jason put down his beer and punched Aiden lightly on the upper arm. He used his pet name for his friend. “Why not approach him, Aidey? There’s no one in your life. How many times have you bleated about your single status in the last six months? Have a holiday romance.”

Aiden’s shoulders drooped. He was the only single guy in his small group of friends and the only gay guy. He knew Jason was sincere, but Noel and John often made fun of him. Not malicious fun, but a gentle constant teasing that sometimes wearied him. Noel used it to mask his tendency to homophobia. John was the friendship group’s clown. Aiden picked up the beer he’d placed on the table and sipped at it.

In a day’s time, on the seventh of July, the first “running with the bulls” event would take place. The friends had come to participate in the Saint Fermin summer festival in Pamplona, and intended running with the bulls as many times as their nerve let them. Noel had raised the idea one night as they met for a meal and drinks in their favorite bistro. He’d lamented his mundane existence, and somehow the others in the group had commiserated enough for them all to agree to vacation in Spain that coming summer expressly to run with the bulls.

Aiden blinked away his trepidation at actually fulfilling the now imminent intention. He put down his beer, and in an attempt to chase away his fears, he turned and smiled at the gorgeous man whose stare just about penetrated his denim shirt.

Astonishment spread on the man’s face, and then he returned a shy smile.

Aiden took a deep breath, summoning his nerve. He stood, gave his friend Jason a tiny wave, and walked to the man’s table.

Copyright E.D. Parr 2019, Evernight Publishing

Buy Links:

https://www.evernightpublishing.com/dear-heart-by-e-d-parr/

All other Amazon http://mybook.to/DearHeart

https://www.bookstrand.com/book/dear-heart-mm

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/dear-heart-3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dear-heart-e-d-parr/1132452641

Social Media Links:

Tweets by parr_books

https://www.facebook.com/parrbooks/

https://parrx.blogspot.com/

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MUNJ3I8/

Find E. D. Parr books

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/e-d-parr/

http://www.bookstrand.com/ed-parr

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/edparr

https://www.kobo.com/en/search?Query=E.D.Parr

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/E.D.+Parr

I have the amazing N.J. Walters visiting today with her new Sci-fi romance novel, “Liberating Lacey,” book 3 of the Marks Mercenaries series

Welcome N.J. All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

Honestly, I have to write. The characters come to me and I have to tell their stories.

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?

My first intent is that readers enjoy a story. Real life can be hard most days for people, and my goal is to give them a short escape from that so they can recharge and go back and tackle whatever needs to be done.

But this story is also about the bonds of family and how they shape us. It’s about the struggles we all face and the power of the human spirit to survive and thrive in adverse conditions. And like all my books, it’s also about the power of love.

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?

Honestly, most of my characters come to me and tell me their stories. Sometimes an event or article or snippet of conversation will ignite and idea, but I met the Marks brothers quite a few years back. They’ve been waiting on me to get to their stories.

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?

Some books or series are more challenging than others. Sometimes the characters won’t talk to me, or they stop for a while. But not with the Marks brothers. I could barely keep up with them their stories came so fast.

What have you learned from the main characters in your story?

Lacey is an amazing woman. Born into circumstances not of her choosing, she doesn’t let them define her. In spite of the limitations imposed on her, she never stops fighting for her freedom, for what she wants. I find her inspiring.

As for Garth, he sees his role in the family in one way. We’re all like that. Sometimes we short change ourselves and it takes someone from outside to show us that we’re really more than we thought we were or could ever be.

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?

That’s what I love about series, and why I generally end up writing them. There are five siblings in the Marks family and all of them will have their own book. Each book is about a main couple, but the rest of the family is around to support them.

Do you write in other genres and if so, what are they? What genres would you like to try that you haven’t already?

Yes, I’ve been mostly writing paranormal romance this past decade—werewolves, vampires, and drakons. I’ve also written contemporary erotic romance and plain contemporary romance as well as fantasy and some time travel. Honestly, if I want to give a genre a try, I simply do it. That’s one of the amazing things about the romance genre. Readers are so open to trying new things. I love my readers so much. They’ve followed me down a lot of roads.

What is your writing process? Are you a patnser or a plotter, or a little of both?

I’m more a pantser than a plotter. If I plot too much, I lose the desire to actually write the book. I do character sketches first to get to know them. Then I think about the story and maybe come up with a possible scene or two. Once I have the opening scene down in my mind I begin and let the characters lead me.

What do you do in your down time to feed your soul?

I read. No surprise there. I love to go to movies, haunt thrift stores, and walk.

What’s next on your literary horizon?

I have a new paranormal series starting this fall from Entangled Publishing. More details as it gets a little closer.

What is important in your life and why?

My family and my writing are the two most important things in my life. My family grounds me and makes me happy. My writing is my creative outlet to the world. It also allows me to make a living and support myself. I’m blessed.

Blurb:

Liberating Lacey

Marks Mercenaries, Book 3

Garth Marks and his brothers are space mercenaries and traders. Their life’s mission is to find their younger sister, who was kidnapped ten years before. Their search has led them to Eden, a planet that is home to a cult-like group.

Lacey Freshlan wants to get away from Eden, and the strangers who have come here might be her ticket out. Garth is willing to use the sizzling attraction between them to get information from her, but he won’t agree to take her with him. As much as he’s drawn to her, Garth won’t risk the safety of his family.

When Lacey foils a plot to poison them, Garth takes her with them when they flee. But they are not free yet. Betrayal and lies lead to a battle not only for their safety but also for their hearts.

Excerpt:

Garth felt bad for her, truly he did. He couldn’t imagine having to watch any of his brothers die, knowing he could save them, but being unable to do anything. He understood what it was like to be helpless. The years he’d spent searching for his sister, having to wonder and worry about what was happening to her, if she was even still alive, had been a master class in helplessness.

But it was for that very reason he knew he would lie to Lacey. There was no way he would allow his brothers to be hurt further. And aiding her in getting off of Eden would do that. While he understood her better than she probably thought, he’d use her and then leave her to her fate.

That made him the lowliest of bastards, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t do it. Protecting his family was his life’s work, his mission. It was what he’d lived and breathed since he’d woken in the medical building back on Quaros after the mine blast.

And no one, not even a beauty like Lacey, was going to stop him.

Shoving down the fury and self-hatred filling him, the sense that he was making a huge mistake, he nodded. “I’ll help you if you help me.”

Those amazing eyes of hers went luminous. He feared she was about to cry, but not a single tear fell. Somehow that made him feel even worse. Sorrow bled from her pores.

She slowly pushed to her feet and straightened her shoulders. “No, you won’t. But I’ll still do my best to help you find whoever you’re searching for.”

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TW5VSFR/

Evernight Publishing: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/liberating-lacey-by-n-j-walters/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/946620

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liberating-lacey-n-j-walters/1132291334

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/liberating-lacey-5

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.njwalters.com

Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters

“How Long Is Forever?” the much awaited romance novel from Erin M. Leaf is here!

I know what it’s like to feel out of place. To feel like your body is rebelling against you. My heroine, Eva, struggles a lot with feeling like she is too big and too smart, and she needed a hero who could accept that with open arms. Charlie is that guy. <3

How Long Is Forever?

Too tall, too smart, too fat—Eva is sick of guys treating her like crap because they can’t handle her curves or her brains. It’s time for her to ditch her pesky virginity, and when she needs help, there’s only one man on her shortlist: Charlie Greenwood, her dad’s best friend. So what if he’s too old for her? So what if he’s the guy she’s been crushing on for years? He was her rock when her parents died, and he’s the only man who treats her like a human being instead of a joke.

Charlie knows he shouldn’t look at Eva the way he does, but she’s got curves that go on forever, and he’s a sucker for a smart woman. So what if she’s too young for him? So what if he can’t stop imagining her in his bed? In his arms? Looking isn’t doing, right?

When Eva propositions him, suddenly looking isn’t enough. Lust has a way of wrecking the best intentions, especially when love lurks around the bend.

+18 Reader only Excerpt:

Eva gasped as Charlie’s lips met hers. He felt big and strong and so fucking hot she could barely think before he kissed her, but now her brain went nuclear—sparks in all directions. She mindlessly scrabbled at his arms and sank her fingers into his shoulders. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t stop or push her away. He took everything she threw at him like a solid wall of awesomeness.

“Beautiful,” he breathed, breaking for air.

She sucked in a breath, but before she could say anything, he kissed her again. He hauled her up against him, moving her as if she weighed nothing at all. Eva squeaked, but Charlie didn’t let go. He kissed her deeper, sweeping his tongue along her lips and then into her mouth as if he would die if he couldn’t taste her. When he finally lifted his head, she swallowed, hard. She had to look up to see him, and wasn’t that something else. Holy what the fuck. Be careful what you ask for, she thought hazily. Her lips tingled. Her pussy tingled, and he hadn’t even gotten to second base.

Charlie didn’t speak. He looked at her with eyes gone dark and hot. He didn’t let go. He loomed over her like a beast, and Eva shivered and dug her fingers into his muscles. He didn’t even seem to notice. She liked him like this. She liked him in every way it was possible for a woman to like a man.

“Wow,” she whispered. Her lips felt swollen. Her tongue felt stupid. She bit her cheek so she wouldn’t beg him for more.

“Is this what you wanted?” he finally growled, aggressive and so damned male she shivered.

Eva licked her lips. “Yes.” It was her first kiss, and it was everything she’d ever wanted: a man who wasn’t afraid of her brain or her size or her strength. Charlie had no idea how rare that was. She gathered her wits. “More,” she said. “Please.”

Charlie inhaled sharply, eyes on her mouth. “God help me.” And then he lowered his head.

Eva trembled, expecting his lips on hers again, but instead, he kissed down her jaw to her throat. His mouth was hot and soft and ridiculously gentle.

“You smell like citrus,” he said, voice low and rumbly. “I want to eat you up.”

Good lord. Eva moaned, then hissed when he scraped his teeth along the sensitive skin near her ear. “Don’t stop,” she said, finally getting the courage to slide her fingers up into his hair. He still had some dried flecks of joint compound in it, and she smoothed it out of the strands as he kissed her again. For the first time, she tried to kiss him back. When her tongue met his, he groaned.

“Yeah. That’s it, honey.” Charlie bit her lip, then soothed it with his mouth.

Eva found herself writhing against him, trying to get closer. No wonder people do crazy things for love, she thought, wishing she could crawl inside him. His body pressed hard and heavy against hers, and he didn’t even budge as she wriggled. Something hot and thick pressed against her abdomen, and with sudden clarity, she realized it was his erection. Charlie was aroused. The sudden knowledge was enough to jerk her out of her sensual reverie. “Oh my God,” she said, voice breaking. “Oh my God.”

“Not God, Eva. Just a man.” Charlie kissed her again, sliding his hands up her body. One slid around her right breast, flicking the nipple. She hadn’t bothered with a bra, and clearly, he’d noticed. He cupped her and rolled his hips into her in a slow facsimile of fucking. “You’re so fucking gorgeous. Lush. Perfect.” His fingers teased her nipple into a tight, aching point. “Fuck. I want you so bad. I can’t stop touching you. Make me stop, Eva. Tell me no.”

Stop? Like hell I will, she thought, urging him on with her body. Eva’s skin prickled as pleasure shot from her breast to her clit. Her pussy throbbed, swollen and wet. She wanted more. So much more. She’d be totally okay if he wanted to go all the way with her right now. She wished he would.

“Please, Charlie,” she said, shocked when her voice came out soft and breathy. The best part about all of this was that she knew Charlie. She’d been half in love with him for years, and she could easily slip the rest of the way down that particular rabbit hole. She slid her hands down over his waist, then up under his tight shirt. His skin was silky smooth. Muscles contracted under her fingertips.

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” he muttered, even as he kissed her again. “I’m just going to hurt you.”

“No, you won’t.” Eva wound a leg around his thigh. His cock was so hot it felt like a brand against her belly. She couldn’t even imagine what it might feel like inside her. “I want you to do this, Charlie,” she said, just in case he got the ridiculous idea that he was forcing her into it. “I asked you for this, remember?”

Charlie growled again, sucking on her neck. It hurt. It felt divine. Eva sank her hands into his hair and made fists as he ravaged her neck. The harder she pulled, the wilder he became, so she gripped his hair with all her strength. When he bit down, she gasped, trying to get some friction at the juncture of her thighs. If he would just move his leg a little bit to the left…

He slid his hands down and cupped her ass, hauling her up against him. Eva ended up grinding down on his thigh. She shuddered, head falling back. She’d fingered herself to orgasm a hundred times, but it had never felt like this. Nothing in her life had prepared her for this.

“Charlie, please,” she begged, not sure what she was asking for. “I need more.”

He kissed her again, then slowly lowered her down and grasped her wrists. “Eva,” he said, whispering her name into her ear. “Shh, baby.”

“Wait, no,” she said, trying to get closer again. Why was he pulling away? She was so close.

Charlie panted, his forehead on her shoulder. “We have to stop.”

Eva shook her head. “No, we don’t. I know you, Charlie. I picked you for my first time.” She tried to pull her hands free, but he tightened his grip, and damn it all to hell, the restraint excited her even more. She loved that he was strong enough to handle her. No one else had ever even tried. “Please. I’m not a child anymore. I’m not just your best friend’s daughter, and you know it.”

Buy Links:

Evernight: https://www.evernightpublishing.com/how-long-is-forever-by-erin-m-leaf/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TYSSVFJ

BookStrand: https://www.bookstrand.com/book/how-long-is-forever-mf

SmashWords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/947072

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/how-long-is-forever-6

NOOK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-long-is-forever-erin-m-leaf/1132315057

—

Erin M. Leaf

erinmleaf.com

—

Welcome to Laura M. Baird with her new Contemporary Military Romance release of The Soldier’s Final Mission

Welcome Laura. All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

In the grand scheme, I just love letting my imagination free. I write to live adventures I might not otherwise experience. For each book, it varies. With this one, my military romance, both my husband and I served in the U. S. Army, and I wanted to write my version of experiences (not mine personally) 😉 To make people aware of not only what a soldier may go through, but their loved ones as well. And I just love gritty love!

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?

My message in this story is sacrifice and finding your way back to love. Bob, my soldier thought he was saving Becca from heartache, knowing he’d be gone more often than not, and wanted her to have a happy life. But their connection, their passion brought them back together, no matter what they went through separately. Maybe they had to experience those heartaches in order to know what they truly wanted.

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?

My inspiration was my experience in the military, and VERY loosely based on a friend and fellow serviceman.

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?

With my writing as a whole, supporting characters can be just as important as the main characters. They add more depth and realism to the story. And yes, I’m developing several series in which initial supporting characters get their own story. I love series, because as a reader myself, if the story and characters are engaging and wonderful, I want to keep coming back to them (never wanting the stories to end).

Do you write in other genres and if so, what are they? What genres would you like to try that you haven’t already?

I write mostly romance, with sub-genres of contemporary, suspense, comedy, mild paranormal, erotic. But I like to think most of my stories have a bit of all. 😉 I’ve written and have published poetry, prose and short stories. I enjoy that, as well as challenging myself with different styles. I haven’t devoted much time lately to anything other than romance. I have a non-fiction story in the works that doesn’t really fall into the romance genre that I hope to have published one day. It’s a multi-generational read simply about life and making the most of it, no matter your age.

What is your writing process? Are you a pantser or a plotter, or a little of both?

I think I’m a combination. Some story ideas start with a clear picture of characters and plot, and I write a linear story. Other times, I have only a glimpse of a character or an idea, and just wing it! With my debut romance, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted to write, of where the story was going, but turns out I deleted nearly the entire story and went a completely different route. And obviously it worked, because I got it published! One story could be written in a hundred different ways, yet still not please everyone, so I write what pleases me; what I’m proud of.

Do you have any author idols and if so, how would you like to meet them?

Oh, so many… I was fortunate to meet several authors either at a writer’s conference or appearances. To name a few: Rebecca Zanetti, Darynda Jones, Damon Suede, Beverly Jenkins, Elizabeth Hunter, Rachel Grant, Roxanne St. Claire,.. and it was wonderful. And there are many more I’d love to meet, such as the romance queen, Nora Roberts; Laura Kaye, Donna Grant, Toni Anderson, and of course all my Evernight peeps! I could spend days naming them all and fantasizing about get-togethers. Just being with other creatives really gets me motivated! I’d enjoy a writing retreat; a relaxed atmosphere of collaboration and fun.

What do you do in your down time to feed your soul?

Read, naturally! My TBR pile is huge. I also try to stay active with walking and workouts. I’m not much of a TV watcher, but hubby and I love hockey, drag racing, and college football. Still, when the TV is on, I’m usually doing other things while checking in on the score. I rarely just sit and devote my time to an entire program. (Too much to do.)

What’s next on your literary horizon?

My hope is to continue writing engaging, sexy romance that will reach plenty of readers and be enjoyed. I’d love to be able to say I can quit my day job (as a dental hygienist) and do nothing but write! Hopefully soon.

What is important in your life and why?

Always family! Hubby and I have so much fun together, after twenty-nine years, and I only want it to continue to get better. And our sons make us so proud. Hard to believe I’ll have the status of grandma in a few months! I’m so looking forward to loving on my grandson and seeing my son walk that path of parenthood.

Blurb:

When Special Forces Soldier, Bob meets Becca at his cousin’s weekend party, they share one night of explosive passion. But when Bob’s called away on mission after mission, he wants Becca to have a life instead of waiting on him, and tells her to move on. Shocked and hurt, she does, moving to San Diego to eventually marry and have a son, only to divorce shortly after.

Six years later, when a mission incident nearly ends Bob’s life, he reflects on what could have been, never having forgotten the woman who loved him. Bob realizes he’ll do whatever it takes to have Becca back in his life—if she can see past his scars and mistakes.

Excerpt:

Bob got within five feet of Becca before she turned to face him. It gave him enough time to see that the tattoo on her neck looked like the symbol for female, only it had a partial U on top of the circle. He’d later learn that it’s the symbol for Mercury—the winged foot god. Shielding the sun with her hand, her green eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled broadly at him.

“Hey, Bob.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Tessa must’ve warned you about me.” He shifted the beers to one hand in order to remove his sunglasses.

Her light laughter caused a stirring in his chest. And elsewhere.

“No, no warnin’s. She praises you. Glad you made it.”

“Me too. Care for a beer?” He held out one of the bottles.

“Thanks,” she answered while taking his offering.

As she drank, Bob took in every detail. Her delicate fingers wrapping around the bottle, her lips puckering at the opening. She closed her eyes as she tipped her head back slightly, throat pulsing as she swallowed the liquid. Those few seconds were all he needed to see the goose bumps rising on her arms, her nipples pebbling beneath the fabric of her bikini. She lowered her arm and Bob jerked his gaze back to her face.

She sighed and smiled. “Not much better than ice cold beer on a hot summer day.”

Bob lifted his beer and agreed before taking a drink of his own.

“Guess you know I’m Becca, Tessa’s roommate.”

“I do. She told me you enjoy running, which I gathered when I saw you. Said you ran track in high school.”

“I did. Loved it. Still do.” She took another drink, this time keeping her eyes on him.

“Tessa said you’ve been unsuccessful in getting her to join you for your morning runs.”

She grinned while gesturing with the bottle in his direction. “True so far, but I’m not givin’ up.”

“Plan on running tomorrow morning?”

“Yep.”

“Mind if I join you?” Bob took a drink, draining the last of his beer.

“On one condition.”

“Sure.”

“I set the pace. I can just see you takin’ off like a rocket, leavin’ me in the dust.”

He smiled. “Nah, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Uh-huh.” She laughed before draining her bottle as well.

“Want another?” Bob asked.

“No, thanks, I’m gonna splash in the water. Care to join me?”

“I’ll just enjoy the view for now, if that’s okay.” His mouth curved in what must have been a mischievous grin, and he enjoyed seeing what looked to be a confident smile grace her tempting mouth.

“Sure.”

Bob took the empty beer bottle from Becca before she turned and ran for the water. Damn, what a fine ass! He watched her make it up to her knees before diving underneath an oncoming wave. After a few seconds, she surfaced and started swimming. She made it out to the crest of another wave and bodysurfed back in a bit. Bob remained fixated on Becca as she repeated the cycle about half a dozen times before finally making her way back onto the beach.

Bob watched her slick the water out of her hair, watched the droplets that remained on her skin glisten from the sunlight. He had put his sunglasses back on and was thankful she couldn’t see his predatory stare. He’d better get ahold of himself, or else there’d be no missing the erection that was trying to take shape in his shorts.

God, she was desirable. And as much as he’d love to “hit-it-and-quit-it,” he wasn’t that kind of guy. His job required being called out at a moment’s notice, and he wasn’t about to hook up with someone, only to leave them for who knew how long.

Been there, done that. Didn’t work out so well the first time.

****

Becca may not have been able to see his eyes, but she knew the hunger was there as his concentration on her never wavered. He held his body rigid, keeping himself in tight control, but she was certain he could spring into action in a matter of seconds. She then noticed a slight shift in his stance, causing her to smile, knowing that his body was reacting to hers. Hers was definitely responding to his as her skin became flush, and not just from the heat of the sun. Her sex clenched and she had to stifle a moan as she thought about all the sinful delights they could offer one another.

Becca had developed a crush on her roommate’s cousin from the first picture she had seen of him. The elation of his first jump. And every one after that. She loved the stories and pictures Tessa would share of Bob. They were as close as brother and sister, each being an only child and having no other family besides their parents.

That had been something Becca couldn’t relate to, as she came from a family of six siblings. She was the baby of the family, and although you usually hear that the baby is, well, babied, that wasn’t the case for her. She’d been mostly on her own, lost in the mix so to speak. She learned to be independent at an early age, and that independence got her into trouble at times. That is, before the encouragement of a certain athletic coach got her on track. Literally.

Becca found strength and freedom in her physical abilities. She could lose herself on a run, feel the power in her body, and enjoy the high brought on by the endorphins. Not much compared to that for her. Not even her few attempts at sex over the years.

But with Bob, she somehow knew it’d be different. She’d dreamt about him. How crazy was that? And when Tessa said that she thought she’d finally convinced him to come out for the weekend, Becca had been ecstatic. She knew about his short-lived relationship with another gal and the child they shared. They never married, but according to Tessa, they were civil toward one another, remaining friends and doing what was best for their little girl. That made Bob all the more admirable in her eyes.

And if she had anything to say or do about it, she’d make herself available to him. She just wanted the chance to see what, if anything, could develop between them.

She was really looking forward to the weekend.