UPDATE: The winner of this contest is…Elaine Swinney!

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If you’re from the U.S. this weekend is special—Memorial Day Weekend. It’s part somber—remembering those who gave their lives for our country; but also, because of where it sits on the calendar, it’s our beginning of the summer celebration!

So while some of you are traveling this weekend, and others are gearing up to head to the lake, expecting company, etc., I’ll be here writing. It won’t be easy. Our pool is repaired (new liner). Sure, the water’s likely too cold for me to stay in long, but the thought of all that sunshine and sparkling water will be pulling at me. What are your plans for the weekend? Want to share?

Be safe! I’ve heard there will be more folks on the road this weekend than have been for a decade. For the rest of us who are staying close to home, enjoy a sexy excerpt, then…

Comment for a chance to win Mutiny’s Bounty or a short story on this carousel!

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Interested only in experiencing an adrenaline-packed adventure first-hand to give her credo when she books her clients’ adventure vacations, Lace McElhannon finds more excitement than she can handle when she meets and falls into bed with ex-SEAL Dex Haygood.

Fresh from protecting transport ships from Somali pirates, Dex figures his latest job will be a cakewalk, until he finds himself in deep water, swimming with sharks and trying to protect Lace when the yacht they’re sailing on is taken.

Excerpt:

His expression didn’t change. If anything, his eyes grew colder, narrowing.

Was he counting in his head? Seeing how long she took to scurry up on the mattress? She moved deliberately slowly, rising fluidly and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Besides, anticipation kept her revved. Then she sat at the edge of the high mattress and scooted backward, trying not to rush even though she couldn’t wait for what came next.

Dex was faster. He crawled quickly onto the mattress, pushed her to her back, and came down atop her, covering her from her shoulders to her feet, his strong legs pinning her as neatly as the weight of his torso.

She couldn’t move, could hardly breathe. His cock pulsed between them. Still, she kept her breaths even, her chin tilted in defiance.

“What am I going to do with you?” he murmured, his mouth hovering just above hers.

“Anything you want, I’m guessing. It’s not like I can fight you,” she said it innocently,  eyes wide, but then the corners of her mouth curved. “Anything, so long as you slide this up inside me.” She rolled her hips to rub his cock.

He grunted. “I’d like nothing better, but then, you’d win. And I can’t let that happen.”

She arched a brow. “You do know sex doesn’t have to be a game, right? That we can both be winners.”

He shook his head. “I don’t see sex as a game, but you’ve been bucking me since we met. You consider it a challenge, getting a guy exactly where you want, to do exactly what you want.”

“Not true,” she whispered. “Not what I’m after, at all.”

“Then tell me.” His voice softened. “Remember, no pride. No modesty. It’s just you and me.”

She licked her lips, then drew a short breath, turning her head so he couldn’t see her eyes. Because hadn’t he already seen too much? “I want you to make me.”

“Make you what?”

“Make me obey. Let me fight, but never let me win.”

After a long pause, he asked, “Forcibly?”

The heated air from his single word brushed her cheek, and she nodded, holding her breath. His neutral tone hadn’t given her a clue what he was thinking. Her request wasn’t something she’d ever revealed to another man: her need to be taken. Because then, wouldn’t the guy think she wanted to be dominated in every other part of her life and their relationship? With Dex, she knew he was physically strong enough to give her what she needed, but they only had three days, and then they’d never see each other again. Her wish was a safe one. She could ask this and not fear him taking her over her life. Something she’d experienced with a boyfriend in college and would never risk again, thank you very much.

A finger traced a line across her cheek then rubbed her bottom lip. “Look at me.”

Stealing herself, she turned and met his gaze, surprised at the smoky heat she met.

“If you give this…power…to me, I won’t let you change your mind. If you get scared, you’ll have to work through it.”

She nodded, excitement causing her heart to thud inside her chest. “You don’t mind? Don’t think I’m crazy?”

“We all have our fantasies, Lace. I have a few of my own.” And then he kissed her.

A soft, hot brand on her mouth. Over too soon because he was moving away, kneeling beside her as he raked her body with a hot glance.

His hard gaze swung back to her eyes. “Open your legs.”

Sensing he’d already started the game, she shook her head and clenched her legs together, getting her elbows under her body and scooting toward the headboard.

She didn’t even have time to gasp before he was on her, his hands gripping her ankles and spreading them.

He quickly inserted his knees between hers to hold her open.

A gasp escaped. She jackknifed up and shoved both hands at his chest.

But he manacled her wrists and pushed them behind her back, holding them there with one hand, keeping her still while he put his free hand between her legs and cupped her mound. “This is mine, Lace. However I want.”

She panted, shaking her torso, trying to free her hands, panic mixed with arousal—so heady a mix she felt as though her heart might explode. “Let me go.”

He shook his head, one corner of his mouth curling upward, lending him a menacing look.

Fuck, she loved that look. Knew it meant he was into this game.