Cougar, Cougar Burning Bright
By Mardi Ballou

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As a woman of a certain age, I have to wonder where the term “cougar” came from. Of course I’m not thinking of the sleek jungle predator, but rather the woman who goes for younger men. Hmm, “sleek” doesn’t sound bad. “Jungle” is not the usual setting. “Predator”? Intriguing, but not always the case.

I know it wasn’t for me when I was single. I did “date” two significantly younger men—no, not at the same time. Remove your mind from that interesting gutter, please. I’m smiling as I write this—but I must admit, fun as it was to date those guys, I didn’t have the ego ever to relax about the age issue. Kudos to those who can. Are you a soaring cougar, or does it make you nervous to be with a much younger guy?

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In “Long, Slow Ride”, a Quickie from Ellora’s Cave, 25-year old Jeff rescues 36-year old Lori from wallflower status at a wedding—and offers the ride of a lifetime. Hungry as Lori is for exactly what Jeff has to offer, she pushes him away until she almost loses him.

Gwen, the 40-year old heroine of “Soap Bloke,” a new Quickie coming from Ellora’s Cave Aug. 25, shares some of that age angst—though she’s in a solid relationship with Dirk, age 30. TV stars, they’re lovers both on and off the screen—in fact, they first got together when their characters fell in love. So when the producers write in a new love interest for the vampire character Dirk plays, Gwen is terrified she’ll lose him for real. Dirk loves Gwen, but he’s getting tired of the distrust…

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An excerpt from Soap Bloke by Mardi Ballou, coming Aug. 25

Gwen always viewed sex as a barometer for how their relationship was going. Might be a tad simplistic, but it seemed accurate. If Dirk’s gusto in getting them to the bedroom was indicative, they were in great shape. She could allow herself to relax for the moment. Relax and enjoy him.

He carefully deposited her on their luxurious king-size bed. She slipped out of her clothes, lying in the sexy undies she’d changed into when they got home—guaranteed confidence builder. She lounged on the fine Italian sheets, savoring the silky touch on her skin as Dirk treated her to his bump-and-grind strip show—the sped-up version. No matter how many times she feasted her eyes on his outrageous body—buff with just the perfect amount of hair and muscles in all the right places—she never allowed herself to take him for granted.

Off with his T-shirt, off with his jeans. He stood before her clad only in black silk briefs that did nothing to conceal the erection she’d spent too little time with on the set. She swallowed hard and her pussy creamed in joyful anticipation. This big, hard dream lover was all hers, would be deep inside her in moments. Now there would be no intrusive director, no cameras tracking their every move…

He came over to the bed. “Would my lady care to remove what remains?”

She licked her lips and let her inner coquette come out. “On one condition.”

His cock bobbed in welcome, and she had to restrain herself from taking it in hand. He was so amazingly beautiful, so very tempting. How did she manage to refrain from touching him all the time? “Condition?” His voice sounded husky. “What condition would that be?”

“That you let me take them off with my teeth.”

He roared his assent. She sat at the edge of the bed and drew him to her, bracing herself by wrapping her legs around his, her arms around his slim hips. She clamped her teeth onto the waistband of his briefs, gained purchase and began to tug. In vain. After several moments it was clear this wasn’t going to work. With a grunt, Dirk stretched out on his side on the bed so she could continue her attempts to de-pant him on a more level playing field.

She gripped her teeth on the silk and pulled down. His skin was warm and his scent made her head swim. Maybe that was why she couldn’t move the briefs.

Hmm. Why had she thought this would work? After she’d tried several different times—once biting the firm flesh of his waist—Dirk groaned and gently pulled her away. “Baby, I know you didn’t eat much dinner, but you’re killing me.”
A laugh percolated up from her middle. “I guess hint number seventy-two from Keep It Lively, Ladies is a no-go,” she sputtered.

He pulled her to him and shook his head. “You want to keep it lively, do you?” With that he peeled off her bra with his fingers while he demonstrated the fine art of de-panting with his teeth.

“Where’d you learn to do that?” Gwen shivered in his arms.

“Vampire secret,” he muttered in his best Transylvanian accent before proceeding to apply his lips and teeth somewhere much more interesting than her panties…