Friday, February 26, 2010

Training the Receptionist: Adult Excerpt #2


He pulled my nipples again, hard, and again my body arched back against him. I felt his erection press against my ass. The thought that I’d given Simon that hard-on made me even more excited. I wanted him to ravage me with it. Grind it deep. I squirmed and panted, but he wouldn’t let me get closer to his cock.

Instead, he kept pulling at my nipples. Something drummed deep inside me. Every time he squeezed my breasts, the hot drumbeat grew stronger. He seemed to have utter control over what was going on inside me. I tried to get a grip on myself. What was I doing here, how did I end up half-naked, those magic hands governing my nipples?

An excitement so intense I thought I might explode made me forget anything but the feelings growing inside me. I forgot about controlling myself, about being professional, about anything except the pleasure overwhelming my senses. I gave in to it. I had to. My body bucked helplessly. Everything went blurry. I didn’t know where I was any more. I didn’t know who I was.

And then…

He let go of me, and I staggered back against him. For a horrible moment a black hole opened in front of me, a hole in which there was no Simon and no satisfaction. No excitement, no mystery. In that one instant I knew nothing was going to be the same. I had to stay out of that dark place, no matter what it took.

I whimpered pitifully and turned my head to plead with him silently. I put my hands to my breasts and lifted them up toward his mouth. Did I care if I was begging? Hell, no. I’d have crawled on the carpet if it got him to touch me again.

“Want more?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

Yes, you gorgeous mother-effer. “Yes, please.” I said as politely as I could with my wobbly voice. “Boss,” I added, for extra points.

“Your hands are supposed to be behind your head, remember?”

Oops. I scrambled to get the hair back up onto my head, but he stilled my hands.

“Never mind that now. Go stand by the window.”

My throat closed on a squeak of protest. Sure, we were on an upper floor, but what about the people in the building across the street?

“Go.”

I went. Apparently I had no ability to resist a command from Simon. When I reached the picture window, I stopped. I saw no movement in the offices across the way. Glancing nervously down at the street, all I saw were the oblivious tops of people’s heads.

“Put your hands on the glass.” His voice right behind me made me jump, but also made me unbearably happy.

Gingerly, I did what he said, spreading my arms wide as though hugging the glass. My sweaty hands slipped a little on the smooth surface.

“The bad news is I’m afraid I have to punish you. The good news is I’m going to make you come. Are you okay with that?”

With which? Or both? Did I deserve to be punished? Did it matter? My pussy was throbbing with anticipation. Of the punishment or the orgasm or both, I wasn’t sure.

I gave a little nod. Next thing I knew I felt a sharp slap on my ass. The fabric of my skirt protected me, but didn’t stop the heat slamming into my groin like a cruise missile. I squirmed and whimpered. Another slap made me groan. Another flurry of whacks peppered my behind. By the time he stopped, I was panting and so turned on I could have come right there against the glass. Simon caressed my ass, and for one dizzy moment I thought he was about to pull up my skirt and fuck me.

No such luck.

Instead he brought his hands around to my front, to my nipples. It seemed like forever since he’d touched my tits. I eagerly thrust forward into his hands.

“I thought you might like to know that the guys in the law firm across the street have binoculars permanently aimed at our office.”

Oh God. I started to jerk away, but his hands closed on my nipples and my body was no longer mine to command.

He must have licked his fingers, because when their cool slickness flicked my breasts, my body reacted like a neutron bomb. Two hard pinches, fingers tugging at my aching nubs, and a mind-blowing orgasm burst over me. Everything went black and red. I was like a little rowboat capsized by a giant wave of pleasure. My body jerked and twisted, totally out of control. I forgot everything, the office, the lawyers across the street, my punishment. The intense waves kept coming and coming the more he pulled at my nipples. I tried to get away from those maddening fingers, but he wouldn’t allow it. Instead, he stayed with me, his strong fingers tight on my flesh.

“Let yourself go, don’t fight it,” he murmured in my ear. The two of us rode it out as I shrieked and shuddered from the intense orgasm.

When it was over, I felt dazed, like I was coming out of a coma. Simon held me up, which was a good thing, because otherwise I would have slid to the floor like a deflating blow-up doll. Sweat cooled on my skin. My heart still raced at about ten times its normal speed. I have to admit, I was a little freaked. How could he make me come just by spanking me and playing with my nipples? I mean, is that normal? My body loved it, but my mind had a few questions. One in particular.

“Are you serious about the lawyers?”

“No. That building is empty. I wanted to see how you’d react. I’m quite pleased.” He stroked the damp skin of my stomach.

Well, goody for me. Sanity started to return like a cold shower. I stared down at the carpet, chewing on my bottom lip. Reality’s a bitch after something like that. I mean, I’d just had the most intense orgasm of my life…thanks to my brand new boss. What now? Even though I hadn’t read the employee manual (if there even was one), I was pretty sure it didn’t deal with proper post-orgasm procedure. What is the appropriate thing to say? “Thanks, that was great, you’ve got a call holding on line two?”

Luckily, Simon took charge. He briskly put my clothes back on me, including the jacket, and turned me toward the door. “Excellent start. A few areas to work on.”

Huh? I gaped at him like I was mentally challenged. A good orgasm does that to you. Turns your brain to marshmallow fluff.

"Training the Receptionist" comes out March 2 from Samhain Publishing.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Training the Receptionist: Adult Excerpt

It's one week until the release of Training the Receptionist ... a good time to steam things up with an adult excerpt.

Excerpt #2

Simon stood at the wall-to-ceiling picture window that looked out over the depressing downtown. His jacket was off, hands in his pockets. I stopped just inside the door. When I closed it behind me, I felt a strange sense of safety. As if anything could happen inside this beige space and it would be okay.

“You can take off your jacket now,” he said without turning around.

My heart seemed to jump into my throat. Every nerve ending in my body stood at attention. I opened my mouth to say something snappy, but nothing came out. Instead, I slid one arm out of my jacket, then the other. Not sure what to do with it, I dropped it to the floor.

“Good. Now you can put your hands on your nipples.”

I didn’t move. I wasn’t sure I’d heard right. Besides, my heart was beating too fast. There was a long pause while we both stood still, me looking at his back, him looking out the window. Finally, he turned and gave me a mild stare.

“You’re not touching your nipples.”

I cleared my throat. “No.”

“I would imagine they’re in need of some contact right now. How do they feel? Aroused? Irritated?” His expression was one of concerned interest.

He had a point. “Like I want to jump out of my skin,” I admitted.

“Ah, I thought so. That’s why I suggested touching them. I certainly wouldn’t want you to jump out of that beautiful skin. Would you like to try it now?”

In the back of my mind, I wondered why we were talking about my nipples rather than proper phone procedure, or some other job-related issue. But his green eyes flicked over my body, scattering sparks of heat wherever they went, and before I knew it my hands rose to my tits. I put my fingers around my nipples. The heat of them surprised me. My poor nipples were burning up under there. How had he known it was exactly what I needed, to touch myself like that?

“Tighter,” came Simon’s soft, almost hypnotic voice.

I pressed tighter and felt the texture of the lace dig into my flesh. My breath caught and my face flushed. A jolt of heat zinged on a straight line from my nipples to my insides. Moisture sprang between my legs. Startled by my body’s reaction, I snatched my hands away from my nipples.

“Did I ask you to stop?” Simon sounded disappointed. Reproving. My hands jumped back to my breasts. “No, stop,” he said.

I stopped, hands hovering a few inches away from my breasts.

“I want to see what you look like now. Unbutton your blouse.”

What the F? Was my brand-new boss really telling me to undo my blouse? And was I really on fire to do whatever he said? It kills me to admit it, but I couldn’t disobey him. Didn’t want to. He was leading me somewhere with that sexy voice. Somewhere I’d never been. Somewhere I wanted to go. I unbuttoned my blouse and drew it off my shoulders. I dropped it onto the floor, on top of my jacket. The stuffy office air felt cool against my skin.

“Beautiful,” said Simon, a note of approval in his voice. “Exactly how I’d pictured it on you. But your hair’s all wrong. It should be piled on your head. Do it.”

That last phrase came out stronger, more like an order. Without thinking, I filled my hands with my hair and pulled it to the top of my head. It felt thick and silky against my hands. I’d never been quite so aware of the feel of my hair before.

Simon walked across the office with deliberate slowness. When he got to my side, he walked around me. From behind, I felt his finger touch lightly on the back of my neck.

“Fascinating tattoo.” He seemed to realize it was still tender back there, because he didn’t linger on the tattoo. Instead he traced his finger along the side of my neck, down the rounded front of my shoulder, into the crevice between my breasts, creating a trail of fire wherever he touched. Then he delved under the lace of the teddy. Unbearable excitement filled me as he lifted my nipple away from the fabric.

“Mm,” he said noncommittally as he examined my nipple. He reached around my back and brought the other one out of its nest. His body, strong and smelling of some kind of jet-set aftershave, pressed against me. In the office window, I saw our reflection. His intent face bent over my shoulder, his hands at my front, tugging at my nipples. Me in a provocative teddy and tight hobble skirt. The sight added to my excitement and I leaned back against him. “You’ve had an interesting morning, haven’t you?” He murmured in my ear. “Look how these juicy little morsels swelled up. I bet that lace teased you hard, didn’t it? Rubbed up against you like a rough little kitten tongue. I thought about you all morning, thought about these breasts stirring under your blouse. Thought about how wet it must be making you. Thought about how your nipples would feel against my hands, all hard and excited and…”

A spasm shook my body. It shocked me. What was happening to me? It was as if he had suddenly acquired ownership of the body that had previously been mine. I was dancing to his tune, singing at his command.

To be continued ...

I'll post more excerpts as Release Day gets closer. Thanks for reading!

Juniper Bell

Winner of Beth Kery's Contest

Congratulations, Karin, you're the randomly selected winner of a download of Beth Kery's Samhain bestseller, "Holiday Bound"! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and thanks to Beth for providing such a wonderful excerpt from "Release."



Have a great day!

I'm about to steam things up with some "Training the Receptionist" excerpts, so stay tuned.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Special Guest Beth Kery: Excerpt and Contest

I'm thrilled to showcase Beth Kery's new book, RELEASE, out now from Berkley Heat. I hope you enjoy this wonderful excerpt. Beth has been kind enough to offer a download of her best-selling Samhain release, Holiday Bound, to one lucky commenter, so don't be shy!

Release: Available Now

Erotic Suspense

Berkley Heat

His need for her was so absolute, he agreed to share her with another man in order to possess her.

Genny loved her husband Max, but something was missing—a sexual charge that was instead ignited by his business partner, Sean. He was ruggedly handsome, with a heart-stopping smile and a slow, sexy New Orleans drawl that made Genny weak. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them became and when her husband offered to share her with Sean for one intoxicating night, both Genny and Sean were too tempted to refuse.

That night in the company penthouse, Max and Sean showed Genny the heights of ecstasy. But it was Sean who scored her very spirit, and one-on-one, they were red hot. But as Genny learns, there’s a price to pay for such impulsive pleasure. What began as a night of forbidden desire spirals into a whirlpool of murder, sensual submission, secrets, and a scorching passion that threatens to consume everyone it touches.

Adult Excerpt

The blonde woman cried out in agonized pleasure as her orgasm notched back up again to its original potent blast.

Genevieve must have whimpered in mixed misery and arousal, because suddenly Sean’s head whipped around.

The woman continued to keen and moan while she gushed in climax, and Sean pinned Genevieve with his stare. His fierce, blue-eyed gaze hit her like a bolt of electricity. Her muscles jerked, the harsh movement awakening her from her trance.

The next thing she knew, she was flying blindly down the hallway. She heard him call out to her, his voice sounding flat with incredulity. He called out again, this time sounding closer . . . too near for her to make it all the way to the front door without him overtaking her.

She thought she might shatter into a million pieces if Sean put his hands on her at that moment. She fumbled for the master bedroom door and rushed inside.

“Genny. What the hell—”

His exclamation was cut off when Genevieve slammed the door and swiftly turned the lock. The handle jerked. His hand thumped on the door. She pressed her back against the wood, straining to hear in the taut silence that followed.

“Genny.”

She clamped her burning eyes shut at the softly uttered plea. It must be a hollow-core door, because she could actually hear him quite well. It sounded like he’d spoken with his forehead pressed against the crack between the door and frame. They were only inches apart—

“You picked a hell of a time to come waltzing back into my life,” he said, his low voice vibrating with emotion.

“I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Obviously.”

She licked her tear-spattered lips. For the first time, she realized her face was soaked. She must have been crying for a while now . . . maybe since she’d first heard Sean’s easy drawl resounding from the depths of the penthouse.

“Go away, Sean.” Her heart thundered in her ears in the pause that followed. The door gave slightly, as though he’d just pushed himself off it.

“I was here first.”

“You can go straight to hell second, boy.”

His chuckle sounded appreciative . . . amused.

Sad.

“Just give me a minute to tell her good-bye.” For a second, she thought he’d walked away, but then his deep voice penetrated the crack of the door again.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?”

She stared at the enormous king-sized bed in front of her—the bed where the three of them had become drunk on pleasure three years ago.

Did something happen? She’d say it had.

Genevieve had been forever changed on the night Max had offered his young wife to his super-sharp, second-hand man . . . the night she’d burned beneath Sean’s touch.

“I’m fine,” she said blankly, her eyes glued to the bed as vivid memories played before her mind’s eye . . . memories brought to the forefront by being in the room where it’d all happened.

“Yeah, right,” she heard him reply wryly.

“Will you just leave me alone?”

“That’s likely.”

This time, she sensed for certain that he’d walked away. A minute later she still hadn’t moved. They passed within feet of her.

“You’re acting very rudely,” the woman accused petulantly as she moved down the hallway.

“Yeah, I’ve been told I have a problem with that,” Sean replied evenly.

“Is there someone here? Who were you talking to?”

But then their voices faded. She heard the front door open and shut, and knew Sean was escorting the female out of the tight Sauren-Kennedy Solutions security. He’d get her a cab. He may have grown up poor, friendless, and fatherless, one of the ‘conduct disordered’ terrors of the mean streets of New Orleans, but Sean’s manners were impeccable.

Genevieve still hadn’t moved when he returned a few minutes later. She stood stock-still, her back against the door like she thought she was on the penthouse’s window ledge with the city looming below her toes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the handle turn. He spoke softly again near the crack in the closed door.

“You’d better open up, girl. You don’t really think that excuse of a lock is gonna keep me from you, do you?”

Her pulse threatened to leap right off her neck. She’d never heard him call another female gull, his drawl softening the “r” until it was only barely audible.

The sound of it on his tongue had always felt like a caress.

She spun around and flipped the lock. Her gaze remained fixed on the carpet as she stormed past him. She grabbed the bag she’d dropped in the foyer and reached for the handle on the front door. His hand rose behind her, shutting the door with a precise snap.

“What happened?”

“What makes you think something happened?” she asked irritably. She was hyperaware of him just inches away, leaning down over her. Heat resonated off his body.

“Don’t, Genny. Haven’t you punished me enough by avoiding me all this time? You know I’d never have wanted you to see what you just saw. Not in a million years.”

Her soughing breath was the only thing that broke the silence that followed. Her chin dropped to her chest.

She did know it. She may have her doubts about him, but she knew instinctively Sean Kennedy would never purposefully hurt her.

The havoc he’d wreaked unintentionally on her life was another matter altogether.

* * * * * from Romance Junkies: Try not to fall in love with Sean and Genny’s story–I dare you.

Fresh Fiction–Sexy and beautifully intense, (RELEASE) is about trust, friendship, love and betrayal. A must-read that’s absolutely perfect!

Purchase "Release" here.


Comment by Tuesday, February 23, 4pm EST for a chance to win "Holiday Bound." Then stay tuned for more excerpts from "Training the Receptionist," coming March 2 from Samhain Publishing.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Training the Receptionist: Excerpt

With the release of "Training the Receptionist" less than two weeks away, I thought I'd start posting some excerpts. I'll start with PG, and work my way up to the naughty stuff.

EXCERPT #1

I snatched the application and plopped myself into a leather chair. I didn’t have time for random idiocy, I needed a freakin’ job. Quickly, I filled in all the usual information.

Dana Arthur. Age twenty-two. Previous experience: various crap jobs, some waitressing. Two-year degree from Long Island Community College. Strengths: motivated, hardworking, willing to do just about anything to move out of my house. (Okay, so I didn’t actually write down that last one.) It didn’t ask about weaknesses, but I don’t mind saying them. No tolerance for boredom, restless, problem with authority, a couple of hidden piercings and not-so-hidden tattoos, one or two DUIs. Or three.

I attached my resumé to the application and handed it to Bizarro Girl. Showing absolutely no interest in it, she slid the papers into a manila folder and stood. Something flashed into my eyes, and I realized, after recovering my vision, that she’d taken a Polaroid of me. While I was still blinking, she popped it into the folder and left the room.

Alone in the lobby of Cowell & Dirk, I seriously debated walking out right then and there. What kind of place took a Polaroid of you without so much as letting you get the McMuffin crumbs out of your teeth? But I let it go. For one thing, there was something very relaxing about that lobby. It was so quiet, like a super-secret, soundproofed vault. Not a single sound came in from outside. The colors were all bland and soothing. Beige carpet, black leather armchair and couch, blond wood receptionist’s desk. The overall look was what I would call Corporate Zombie. I could totally picture the people who worked there—pudgy-bodied, dull-eyed, combed-over drones in yellow ties and brown dress shoes. Every Friday they went out for after-work drinks at the nearest T.G.I. Friday’s. Mondays they spent the first few hours recounting their wild weekends, consisting of football games and blind dates who wouldn’t go down on them unless they paid for dinner.

Shows what I know.

When the door opened again, the sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life came toward me. My nipples got hard the instant I set eyes on him.

I still can’t put my finger on exactly what made him so hot. He was good-looking enough, with eyes like chips of green stone and black hair. Black Irish, I think that look is called. He had a rolling, in-charge kind of walk, as if he were walking onto the deck of his own personal pirate ship. The pirate comparison wasn’t half-bad, he even had a scar on his cheek, a thin, white crescent around his mouth.

His mouth might have been the sexiest of all. Surrounded by a slight stubble, it curved in a way that implied I know you and I know what you like. He was the kind of man who looked like he had a lot of secrets, secrets you might regret learning. The kind of man any normal mother would never allow anywhere near her daughter.

But my mother was long gone, and I hadn’t listened to my stepmother from day one.

“Ms. Arthur. Thanks for coming in.” Those eyes of his were mesmerizing. Half-hypnotized, I barely noticed he was patiently holding out his hand to shake mine.

I got to my feet. But instead of shaking his hand, I stuck out my chin. “And you are?”

“I’m Simon Dirk, Executive Vice President.”

He could have said, “I’m the King of the World,” and I wouldn’t have argued. I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Was there some kind of extra electricity when our hands touched? I can’t be sure. I was too bewitched by his eyes. From closer range, they looked more forest than grass-green, more cool than hot. They were slightly narrowed. This man was taking me in. Assessing me. It made sense, of course, he was considering whether or not to hire me. But, in retrospect, I know he was assessing me for something else.

He looked down at my application. “So, you’re interested in the receptionist job.”

Something told me he wouldn’t mind a cheeky attitude. “Yes. It’s a lifelong goal.”

Right away his gaze darted up to meet mine. He gave me a long, cool look. “Do you plan on greeting clients in that manner?”

“Absolutely not. Clients will get my complete and undivided servitude.”

“I see.” After another long look into my soul, he pulled my resumé from the folder and scanned it. “Interesting job history.”

I couldn’t help a wince. “It’s a tough economy.”

“Yes, but two months at The Lotus Circle? Six months at Chuck E. Cheese? U-Stuff Taxidermy?” He looked up from my resumé, the most endearing frown making a dent between his eyebrows. Oh, how I wanted to feel that crease in his flesh.

“Only one month there.”

“What do you have, Job Attention Deficit Disorder?” Those eyes sent me a sexy green sparkle.

“Undiagnosed.”

A smile tugged the corner of his mouth and I watched the scar retreat up his cheek. Without the scar, his face would have been almost too pretty. But the scar, and a bump on his nose that I knew meant it had once been broken, kept him on the rugged side of fucking gorgeous. And then there was the animalistic heat he gave off. Quite a feat, under his crisp business suit.

“Well, Ms. Arthur, I have a feeling you’d fit in well here.”

I wasn’t entirely sure that was a compliment, given the Corporate Zombie decor. “Thanks.”

“Can you start on Monday?”

“Uh…sure.” I inwardly danced a jig. Hired! At last! That meant I could skip my Monday appointment at the hospital to participate in a blood sugar experiment that would pay me fifty dollars. “But…silly question, I know, but what is it that Cowell & Dirk does?”

“We’ll get to all that during the training period.” Simon Dirk frowned. Had I asked something inappropriate? “Oh, and we’d like you to wear this on your first day.” From behind the receptionist’s desk, he produced a white box with a fancy department store logo I didn’t recognize. “If, that is, you’re serious about working here.”

What did I need to do to convince him? “I’m serious. It’s either that or sell my blood by the pint.”

He chuckled. I hoped I would be answering to him personally.

Little did I know how personally.

"Training the Receptionist" comes out on March 2 from Samhain Publishing. My free read "Thanking the Receptionist" is available for download on the sidebar to the right. Enjoy!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Be My Valentine Blog Tour

As I surrender to your touch...

...I know from experience I'll do anything you need...




...anything you want ...



...there's no limit to my passion, no end to my imagination ....


just don't ask me to _______________!


Fill in the blank (in the comments below). Whether it's funny, sexy, or completely random, I'll put you in the drawing for an advance copy of "Training the Receptionist," which comes out on March 2 from Samhain Publishing.

Leave any comment at all and you'll be eligible for an incredible prize basket of eBooks! Thanks for joining the Be My Valentine Blog Tour. Click here to get back on the blog bus. On Friday starting at 6pm Eastern, join us for a kickoff excerpt party at Gem Sivad's place. Then come on back to Gem's for the after tour chat party on Sunday. We'll be announcing the prize winners at 5pm eastern.

Have fun, and Happy Valentine's Day,

Juniper Bell

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Training the Receptionist Cover

IT'S HERE!


Erotic Novella coming March 2 from Samhain Publishing.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Progressive Story - A Corpse, A Cop and some Canines

Welcome to the Progressive Story Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Dee Carney's blog. If you have no clue what I'm talking about and you'd like to read this wild and crazy story from the beginning, here's the link to the chapter that started it all. And now ... on to Chapter 3 of "A Corpse, a Cop, and some Canines."

CHAPTER THREE



Katherina felt the purr begin deep in the base of her spine. Come closer, dirty dog. A little closer.

The wolf paused, sniffing the air. She heard his hiss. Curses. After all she’d done to lure him here. What had given her away? The girl, Jessica, continued stumbling down the dark hillside. Katherina sighed in exasperation. Humans. How did they get from one day to the next?

"Casey," panted Jessica. "There’s an officer here to help. We should make sure not to disturb the crime scene."

"Of course not, hon. I haven’t touched a thing."

Jessica reached the ditch at the bottom of the incline. The wolf, Sixkiller, still stood halfway up the hill. "Weird, I thought he was right behind me."

And then, suddenly, he was.

Jessica gave a little shriek. "How did you...?"

The wolf—admittedly a fine-looking man in his current incarnation—growled low in his throat. "Jessica, right? I suggest you step away. No need for you to get in the middle of this."

"In the middle of what?" Bewildered, the girl looked from one to the other. "You’re freaking me out, Mr. Sixkiller. I mean, Officer. Casey, do you know what he’s talking about?"

Katherina had had enough of the tiresome girl. Besides, she'd served her purpose. In a motion too quick for either Jessica or the wolf to catch she whipped out her long black tail and snaked it around Jessica like a lasso. She lifted the girl into the air.

"First of all, I’m only known as Casey to those I intend to toy with like little mice. Horrid name."

She shook the girl until her teeth rattled. "Now why don’t you listen to the nice officer and step aside. This doesn’t concern the likes of you." With that, she tossed the girl into the air once, twice—hey, a cat deserved a little fun after so much hard work—until the third toss sent her flying through the air in a perfect arc.

Katherina, whose eyes were fixed on the watchful blue gaze of Officer Sixkiller, didn’t have to watch Jessica to know where she landed. Her cat ears twitched as she heard the dull thud of one body landing on another. She rolled her eyes as the inevitable mewling and retching followed.

"Humans," she murmured to the wolf. "Honestly, how do they manage?" With the tip of her tail, she flicked a strand of hair from her face.

"They manage quite well when left alone," said the wolf in a deep voice that made the hairs on her neck prickle.

She didn’t like the feeling. Didn’t like how still he stood, how he watched her so carefully, as if he was learning everything about her. She tossed her head. "I have to amuse myself. And you’ve been getting in my way."

"I’m glad to hear it."

"I demand that you stop."

"You’re in no position to demand anything."

"Oh no?"

She prowled a step closer. How large he was. How broad across the chest, his muscles bulging inside the dull uniform. Even his thighs wanted to burst the seams. A prime hunk of animal trapped in clumsy human clothing. Again the purr rose through her body, her sensual side making itself felt. Maybe she could have a little fun with the wolf before shutting him down. Twine herself around him, let his big hands stroke her, rub her head against that fascinating lump in his uniform pants. Wolves and cats could mate when they took human form. She’d heard a few stories.

"Perhaps we should try a friendly negotiation. Put our...heads together." Her purr filled the velvety night air and mingled with his growl. His wolf scent, smoky and harsh, made her head spin.

"I’m all for peaceful negotiations." He sounded amused. Her hand brushed the massive outlines of his arousal. "As long as you don’t mind an audience."

From the trees, a wolf loped toward them. Then another, and another. Until Katherina realized they were surrounded. The pack had arrived.

To be continued at Ann Marie Gamble's blog. Here's a little bit about her.

Ann Marie Gamble is allergic to cats and doesn't really care about chocolate. She's writing a novel about a woman who discovers she was the secret baby, and trying to get a multitude of other characters to wait their turn.

Sounds fascinating, and I can't wait to read Chapter Four!

Feel free to explore my blog and check out excerpts from my books. Hot off the presses, I have a free read available from Samhain. Just click on the "Thanking the Receptionist" cover, but be warned, it's strictly for adults. ;)

Juniper Bell
--